Carreteras hipermodernas: pedaleo, luego existo

El artículo es resultado de la movilidad académica realizada por David Bañuelos, alumno de la Maestría en Gestión de Turismo Regional Sustentable en el Colegio de Tlaxcala, en la Facultad de Turismo y Gastronomía de la UAEMexLa identidad como tema de discusión y el turismo como fenómeno contemporáneo son frecuentemente asociados a la época moderna. El presente artículo aborda la relación entre identidad y cicloturismo, modalidad turística que resurge en el presente siglo como símbolo de la libertad individual y el consumismo experiencial, dos subprocesos históricos derivados de la modernidad que se manifiestan de manera particular en la hipermodernidad, fase actual de este modelo civilizatorio. Entrevistas cualitativas realizadas a seis cicloturistas muestran que el cicloturismo es un medio de búsqueda de identidad basada en la interpretación personal de la libertad individual y el consumismo experiencial como factores que configuran la autodefinición y pertenencia ontológica de los cicloturistas.El Colegio de Tlaxcala y CONACY

Synthesis and characterization of extremely small gold nanoshells, and comparison of their photothermal conversion capacity with gold nanorods

The current methods for preparing gold nanoshells (AuNSs) produce shells with a diameter of approximately 40 nm or larger, with a relatively large polydispersity. However, AuNSs with smaller diameters and more monodispersity are better suited for biomedical applications. In this work, we present a modified method for the preparation of AuNSs, based on the use of sacrificial silver nanoparticles (AgNPs). We customized the Lee–Meisel method to prepare small and monodisperse AgNPs that were used as sacrificial nanoparticles to prepare extremely small monodispersed AuNSs with an average diameter from 17 to 25 ± 4 nm. We found that these AuNSs are faceted, and that the oxidized silver likely dissolves out of the nanoparticles through some of the facets on the AuNSs. This leads to a silver oxide plug on the surface of the AuNSs, which has not been reported before. The smaller AuNSs, prepared under the best conditions, absorb in the near infrared region (NIR) that is appropriate for applications, such as photothermal therapy or medical imaging. The AuNSs showed absorption peaks in the NIR similar to those of gold nanorods (AuNRs) but with better photothermal capacity. In addition, because of their negative charge, these AuNSs are more biocompatible than the positively charged AuNRs. The synthesis of small, monodisperse, stable and biocompatible nanoparticles, like the ones presented in this work, is of prime importance in biomedical applications.The current methods for preparing gold nanoshells (AuNSs) produce shells with a diameter of approximately 40 nm or larger, with a relatively large polydispersity. However, AuNSs with smaller diameters and more monodispersity are better suited for biomedical applications. In this work, we present a modified method for the preparation of AuNSs, based on the use of sacrificial silver nanoparticles (AgNPs). We customized the Lee–Meisel method to prepare small and monodisperse AgNPs that were used as sacrificial nanoparticles to prepare extremely small monodispersed AuNSs with an average diameter from 17 to 25 ± 4 nm. We found that these AuNSs are faceted, and that the oxidized silver likely dissolves out of the nanoparticles through some of the facets on the AuNSs. This leads to a silver oxide plug on the surface of the AuNSs, which has not been reported before. The smaller AuNSs, prepared under the best conditions, absorb in the near infrared region (NIR) that is appropriate for applications, such as photothermal therapy or medical imaging. The AuNSs showed absorption peaks in the NIR similar to those of gold nanorods (AuNRs) but with better photothermal capacity. In addition, because of their negative charge, these AuNSs are more biocompatible than the positively charged AuNRs. The synthesis of small, monodisperse, stable and biocompatible nanoparticles, like the ones presented in this work, is of prime importance in biomedical applications

Subclinical parameters of arterial stiffness and arteriosclerosis correlate with QRISK3 in systemic lupus erythematosus.

It is well known that cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are a major contributor of death in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) as well in other rheumatic illness. In the last decades, there has been a growing development of different methodologies with the purpose of early detection of CVD.ObjectiveThe aim of this study is to correlate the usefulness of subclinical parameters of vascular aging and QRISK 3-2017 score for early detection of CVD in SLE.MethodsClinical assessment including systemic lupus erythematosus disease activity index (SLEDAI) and systemic lupus international collaborating clinics / american college of rheumatology damage index (SLICC/ACR DI), laboratory measurements, carotid ultrasound examination, carotid intima media thickness (cIMT) measurement, carotid distention and diameter analysis, arterial stiffness measurement measured by tonometry and QRISK 3-2017 were done. All results were analyzed by SPSS 24 software.ResultsWe observed correlation between QRISK3 and mean cIMT (rs = 0.534, P ConclusionsWe encourage to the rheumatology community to assess cardiovascular risk in SLE patients with QRISK 3-2017 risk calculator as an alternative method at the outpatient clinic along a complete cardiovascular evaluation when appropriate

Serum levels of adiponectin and leptin as biomarkers of proteinuria in lupus nephritis

<div><p>Introduction</p><p>There are controversial results about the role of serum leptin and adiponectin levels as biomarkers of the severity of proteinuria in lupus nephritis.</p><p>Objective</p><p>The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between serum leptin and adiponectin levels with severity of proteinuria secondary to lupus nephritis (LN).</p><p>Methods</p><p>In a cross-sectional study, 103 women with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) were evaluated for kidney involvement. We compared 30 SLE patients with LN, all of them with proteinuria, versus 73 SLE patients without renal involvement (no LN). A comprehensive set of clinical and laboratory variables was assessed, including serum levels of leptin and adiponectin by ELISA. Multivariate analyses were used to adjust for potential confounders associated with proteinuria in LN.</p><p>Results</p><p>We found higher adiponectin levels in the LN group compared with the no LN group (20.4 ± 10.3 vs 15.6 ± 7.8 μg/mL; p = 0.02), whereas no differences were observed in leptin levels (33.3 ± 31.4 vs 22.5 ± 25.5 ng/mL; p = 0.07). Severity of proteinuria correlated with an increase in adiponectin levels (r = 0.31; p = 0.001), but no correlation was observed with leptin. Adiponectin levels were not related to anti-dsDNA or anti-nucleosome antibodies. In the logistic regression, adiponectin levels were associated with a high risk of proteinuria in SLE (OR = 1.06; 95% CI 1.01–1.12; p = 0.02). Instead, leptin was not associated with LN.</p><p>Conclusion</p><p>These findings indicate that adiponectin levels are useful markers associated with proteinuria in LN. Further longitudinal studies are required to identify if these levels are predictive of renal relapse.</p></div

Clinical and serological features correlated with leptin, leptin/BMI ratio, adiponectin, and adiponectin/BMI ratio.

<p>Clinical and serological features correlated with leptin, leptin/BMI ratio, adiponectin, and adiponectin/BMI ratio.</p

Logistic regression analysis evaluating factors associated with presence of proteinuria in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).

<p>Logistic regression analysis evaluating factors associated with presence of proteinuria in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).</p

Selected clinical characteristics of patients in the study and of the control group.

<p>Selected clinical characteristics of patients in the study and of the control group.</p

Comparison of clinical characteristics, leptin, and adiponectin levels between patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) with proteinuria vs. those without lupus nephritis (LN).

<p>Comparison of clinical characteristics, leptin, and adiponectin levels between patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) with proteinuria vs. those without lupus nephritis (LN).</p