Doce cuentos peregrinos o el espacio de la pérdida: Gabriel García Márquez en el laberinto europeo

En Doce cuentos peregrinos (1992) Gabriel García Márquez atraca en territorio europeo para dejar allí en calidad de náufragos a sus protagonistas, latinoamericanos que vagan por un continente lejano en todos los sentidos. El presente artículo pretende analizar los mecanismos constructivos de la espacialidad europea y americana (la primera como vivida, la segunda como rememoración nostálgica) en estos doce relatos. Al salir del ámbito cerrado y perfecto de Macondo, el escritor colombiano accede al reto de llevarse a sus criaturas a un entorno urbano, cambiante, capaz de traicionar su visión del mundo y su lógica vital; de esta manera se presenta lo europeo en las narraciones, como si la función de las antiguas crónicas de Indias se hubiera invertido y ahora los cronistas fuesen los americanos, deslumbrados hasta lo más profundo por la extrañeza y salvajismo racionalista de Europa. Más allá de una concepción tradicional del espacio (como marco pasivo de la trama) García Márquez utiliza el concepto en su acepción más polisémica y abierta, de manera que lo espacial marca también fronteras abstractas entre el personaje y los demás, es una ventana para bucear en la subjetividad de los protagonistas o se llena en ocasiones de valores alegóricos y simbólicos que remarcan la dicotomía evidente de la que beben todas las narraciones: el enfrentamiento entre América y Europa. En total, destacamos siete valores semánticos vinculados a la espacialidad en los relatos: el uso de la itinerancia como base constructiva de las historias, la superstición en contraste con la fría racionalidad europea, las ciudades como prefiguraciones de la muerte, el viaje religioso (o peregrinaje en sentido estricto), la construcción topográfica de la infancia, la caracterización de un espacio kafkiano, aniquilador del individuo, y el advenimiento de lo maravilloso vinculado siempre a la presencia de lo latinoamericano. Tras el análisis de estos conceptos en función de los relatos en los que aparecen, nos detendremos finalmente la última historia del conjunto, «El rastro de tu sangre en la nieve», donde a la estética gélida e invernal de la trama, se añade el hálito de los fantásticos cuentos de hadas, eso sí, con un final trágico.In Twelve pilgrims tales (1992), García Márquez leads us to European soil in order to present his main characters as shipwrecked, Latin American people who are wandering about in a strange continent. This article analyzes the constructive mechanisms of European and American spatiality (the first, as a space lived currently, and the second as a nostalgic remembrance) in these twelve stories. Leaving the area closed and perfect of Macondo, the Colombian writer agrees to the challenge to bring their creatures to an urban and changing setting, capable of betraying their worldview. In this way it presents European world as if the role of the ancient Indian chronicles had been reversed and now the Americans were chroniclers blinded by the strangeness and wildness of Europe. Beyond a traditional conception of space (passive part of the plot), García Márquez uses the concept in its most polysemic meaning; so space also marks abstract borders between the character and the others, it is a way to dive in the subjectivity of the main characters and sometimes it is full with allegorical and symbolic values that emphasize the dichotomy of the twelve stories: the confrontation between America and Europe. To sum up, we highlight seven semantic values associated with spatiality in Twelve pilgrims tales: the use of itinerancy in the construction of the stories, superstition (in contrast to the cold European rationality), cities as foreshadowings of death, the religious journey (or pilgrimage), the building of childhood, Kafkaesque space (which destroys the individual) and the providential arrival of wonder, forever linked to the presence of Latin American characters. Finally we will analyze the last story, «The trail of your blood in the snow», where we find an icy and wintry aesthetics, and also the breath of the great fairy tales but with a tragic end

Oxidative degradation of a novel AMP/AEP blend designed for CO2 capture based on partial oxy-combustion technology

Versión aceptada. Embargo 24 mesesSolvent degradation and volatile compound emissions are two of the major concerns about the deployment of carbon capture technologies based on chemical absorption. In this context, partial oxy-combustion might reduce the solvent degradation due to the use of a higher CO2 concentrated flue gas. This work evaluates the oxidative degradation of a novel AMP/AEP blend, namely POS #1, under partial oxy-combustion conditions. The effects of temperature and flue gas composition were evaluated in terms of solvent loss, degradation rates, NH3 emissions and degradation products. The experiments were set at temperatures up to 70 °C and two levels of O2 concentration – 3%v/v and 6%v/v. The CO2 concentration of the flue gas ranged between 15%v/v and 60%v/v CO2. The novel solvent POS#1 showed high resistance to degrade and resulted in lower degradation rates than MEA in all the operating conditions evaluated in this work. The maximum degradation of AEP and AMP was 24% and 19%, respectively. MEA degraded almost double under the same conditions. Temperature and O2 concentration enhanced the oxidative degradation of POS #1. However, the use of higher CO2 concentration in the flue gas led to lower degradation rates of AEP and AMP and hence oxidative degradation was partially inhibited under partial oxy-combustion conditions. The presence of higher CO2 content in the flue gas decreased the NH3 production and a 70% reduction of its emissions was achieved as the CO2 concentration shifted from 15%v/v to 60%v/v. Other major degradation compounds such as formate and 2,4-lutidine were also decreased. New degradation products were not identified so that the suggested degradation pathways proposed in the literature were not influenced by the presence of higher CO2 concentrations.Ministerio de Economia y Competitividad CTM-2014-58573-RUnión Europea, European Development Research Fund (EDRF

Presencia de microorganismos antes y despues de la colocacion de hidroxido de calcio en conductos unirradiculares en los pacientes atendidos en las clinicas multidisciplinarias de la UNAN-Managua del segundo semestre del año 2014

El objetivo del presente estudio describir los microorganismos presentes antes y después de la colocación de hidróxido de calcio en conductos unirradiculares en los pacientes atendidos en las clínicas multidisciplinarias de la UNAN-MANAGUA durante el segundo semestre del año 2014. Se realizó un estudio descriptivo de corte transversal, cuantitativo llevándose a cabo en los pacientes que presentaron piezas unirradiculares con diagnóstico de Periodontitis apical asintomáticas y Absceso apical crónico los cuales fueron 16 en total. Se observaron 5 diferentes especies de microorganismos encontrados en la periodontitis apical asintomática; E. faecalis, S. viridans, Staphylococcus coagulasa negativo, Pantoea aglomerans y Pseudomona spp. Y en el absceso apical crónico se observaron 3 diferentes especies de microorganismos; E. faecalis, S. viridans y Citrobacter freundii. En los cuales los microrganismos que persistieron en 3 de las muestras inoculadas después de la colocación de hidróxido de calcio como medicación intraconducto fueron: E. faecalis y Klebsiella pneumoniae. Estos microorganismos presentaron sensibilidad antibiótica y solo la especie bacteriana Klebsiella pneumoniae mostro resistencia a la Ampicilina lo que indica que el uso irracional de anticrobianos puede afectar la eficacia del tratamiento endodóntico. Por lo que se concluye que la utilizacion de Hidrόxido de calcio durante 15 dias en las patologìas periapicales del tipo asintomàticas y cronicas, reduce el crecimiento de microorganismos creando un ambiente aseptico para la obturaciòn fina

Na+-H+ exchange activity in brush-border membrane vesicles isolated from chick small intestine

This study was undertaken to investigate the presence of a Na+{single bond}H+ antiporter in brush-border membrane vesicles (BBMV) isolated from chick small intestine. An outwardly directed proton gradient (pH 5.5 inside, 7.5 outside) stimulated Na+ uptake into BBMV and resulted in a transient accumulation. No accumulation was observed in the absence of a proton gradient. Voltage clamping the membrane with K+ and valinomycin decreased the Na+ overshoot. Amiloride inhibited pH gradient-driven Na+ uptake in a dose-dependent manner with an IC50 of 44 μM. The relationship between pH gradient-driven Na+ uptake and external Na+ concentration followed simple, saturating Michaelis-Menten kinetics. Eadie-Hofstee analysis of the pH gradient-driven Na+ uptake indicated a single transport system with a Vmax of 33 nmol/mg protein per 15 s and a Km for Na+ of 12 mM. The initial rate of pH-driven Na+ uptake increased as the intravesicular pH decreased, with a Hill coefficient close to 1. These findings indicate that BBMV isolated from chicken small intestine posses a Na+{single bond}H+ exchanger. This exchanger does not appear to be the one involved in cell pH regulation.Dirección General de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas PB89-061

Na+-dependent and Na+-independent betaine transport across the apical membrane of rat renal epithelium

The low renal excretion of betaine indicates that the kidney efficiently reabsorbs the betaine filtered by the glomeruli but the mechanisms involved in such a process have been scarcely investigated. We have detected concentrative and non-concentrative betaine transport activity in brush-border membrane vesicles (BBMV) from rat renal cortex and medulla. The concentrative system is the Sodium/Imino-acid Transporter 1 (SIT1) because it is Na+- and Cl--dependent, electrogenic and is inhibited by an anti-SIT1 antibody. Its apparent affinity constant for betaine, Kt, is 1.1 ± 0.5 mM and its maximal transport velocity, Vmax, 0.5 ± 0.1 nmol betaine/mg protein/s. Inhibitors of the Na+/Cl-/betaine uptake are l-proline (75%) and cold betaine, l-carnitine and choline (40-60%). Neither creatine, TEA, taurine, β-alanine, GABA nor glycine significantly inhibited Na+/Cl-/betaine uptake. The non-concentrative betaine transport system is Na+- and H+-independent, electroneutral, with a Kt for betaine of 47 ± 7 μM and a Vmax of 7.8 ± 1 pmol betaine/mg protein/s. Its transport activity is nearly abolished by betaine, followed by L-carnitine (70-80%) and proline (40-50%), but a difference from the Na+/Cl-/betaine transport is that it is inhibited by TEA (approx. 50%) and unaffected by choline. The underlying carrier functions as an antiporter linking betaine entry into the BBMV with the efflux of either l-carnitine or betaine, an exchange unaffected by the anti-SIT1 antibody. As far as we know this is the first work reporting that betaine crosses the apical membrane of rat renal epithelium by SIT1 and by a Na+- and H+-independent transport system.Ministerio de Ciencia y Tecnología BFI2003-00222Junta de Andalucía 2010/BIO-14

Influence of obesity on microarchitecture and biomechanical properties in patients with hip fracture.

La obesidad y la osteoporosis (OP) son dos patologías muy prevalentes en nuestra sociedad actual. El efecto de la obesidad sobre la calidad ósea se encuentra en debate en la actualidad. Objetivo: Valorar el efecto del peso corporal sobre la microestructura y las propiedades biomecánicas de hueso trabecular procedente de biopsias de extremidad proximal de fémur de pacientes con fractura de cadera por fragilidad. Material y método: Estudio transversal de 16 pacientes con fractura de cadera. 2 grupos según su IMC: (A) sujetos normopeso y (B) con obesidad. Recogimos biopsias de hueso trabecular de cabeza femoral. Valoramos determinaciones bioquímicas (PTH, 25(OH) vitamina D e IGF-1), marcadores de remodelado óseo (PINP,CTX), masa ósea (DMO cuello y cadera total), microestructura ósea y estudio biomecánico (µCt). El análisis estadístico: t-Student (SPSS 22.0) significación p<0,05. Resultados: Todos los pacientes presentaron DMO de cadera en rango osteoporótico. El grupo de obesos presentó niveles superiores de PTH e inferiores de IGF-1, vitamina D y PINP. No encontramos diferencias en los parámetros relacionados con el metabolismo óseo. El grupo de obesos presentó mejores índices microestructurales alcanzando la significación: mayor volumen óseo (BV/TV: 36,6±12,7 vs. 19,4±11,4%, BS/TV: 5,5±1,1 vs. 3,9±1,3%), mayor número de trabéculas (Tb.N: 1,6±0,4 vs. 1,01±0,4), mayor anchura de trabéculas (Tb.Th: 0,22±0,003 vs. 0,17±0,05) y menor separación trabecular (Tb.Sp: 0,51±0,12 vs. 0,66±0,16). Los parámetros biomecánicos confirman una mayor resistencia del hueso trabecular en pacientes obesos. Conclusión: La obesidad puede ser un factor protector de la calidad ósea en la región femoral y tiene menos efecto sobre la densidad mineral ósea.Obesity and osteoporosis (OP) are two very prevalent diseases in our society today. The effect of obesity on bone quality is currently a subject under discussion. Objective: To assess the effect of body weight on the microstructure and biomechanical properties of trabecular bone biopsies from the proximal end of the femur in patients with hip fracture fragility. Material and methods: Cross-sectional study of 16 patients with hip fracture. The 2 groups are divided according to their BMI: (A) normal weight individuals and (B) those with obesity. We collected biopsies of cancellous bone from the femoral head and assessed biochemical determinations (PTH, 25 (OH) vitamin D and IGF-1), bone remodeling markers (PINP, CTX), bone mass (BMD neck and total hip), bone microstructure and biomechanical study (µCt). Statistical analysis: Student's t test (SPSS 22.0) significance p<0.05. Results: All patients had hip BMD in osteoporotic range. The obese group had higher levels of PTH and lower IGF-1, vitamin D and PINP. We found no differences in the parameters related to bone metabolism. The obese group showed better indices reaching microstructural significance: increased bone volume (BV/TV: 36.6±12.7 vs 19.4±11.4%, BS/TV: 5.5±1.1 vs 3.9±1.3%), higher trabecular number (Tb.N: 1.6±0.4 vs 1,01±0,4), greater trabecular width (Tb.Th: 0.22±0.003 vs 0.17±0.05) and lower trabecular separation (Tb.Sp: 0.51±0.12 vs 0.66±0.16). Biomechanical parameters confirm greater strength of trabecular bone in obese patients. Conclusion: Obesity may be a protective factor of bone quality in the femoral region and has less effect on bone mineral density

D-mannose transport and metabolism in isolated enterocytes

D-mannose transport and metabolism has been studied in enterocytes isolated from chicken small intestine. In the presence of Na+, the mannose taken up by the cells either remains free, is phosphorylated, is catabolized to H2O, or becomes part of membrane components. The mannose remaining free in the cytosol is released when the cells are transferred to an ice bath. The Na+-dependent D-mannose transport is electrogenic and inhibited by ouabain and dinitrophenol; its substrate specificity differs from SGLT-1 transporter. The Glut2 transporter inhibitors phloretin and cytochalasin B added following 30-min mannose uptake reduced the previously accumulated D-mannose, whereas these two agents increased the cell to external medium 3-O-methyl-glucose (3-OMG) concentration ratio. D-mannose efflux rate from preloaded D-[2-3H]-mannose enterocytes is Na+-independent. Phloretin did not affect D-mannose efflux rate, whereas it inhibited that of 3-OMG. Neither mannose uptake nor efflux rate were affected by fructose. It is concluded that part of the mannose taken up by the enterocytes is rapidly metabolized and that enterocytes have two D-mannose transport systems: one is concentrative and Na+-dependent and the other is Na+-independent and passive.Dirección General de Investiagación Científica y Técnica PM99-012

Tauromaquia e identidad moral de Cataluña

En Catalunya no encajan las corridas de toros. Uno de los valores que conforman la IDENTIDAD MORAL Y ÉTICA DEL PUEBLO CATALÁN es una alta sensibilidad hacia el bienestar de los animales y un rechazo al maltrato, es una cuestión de respeto y de no querer ser partícipes de un maltrato cruel del animal. Es igual que algunos la consideren fiesta. Votar a favor de la ILP para la supresión de las corridas de toros en Cataluña no tiene nada que ver con ir contra la identidad española- Cuando la ILP se apruebe, Cataluña será un poco más justa.In Catalonia bullfights do not fit. One of the values that shape the MORAL AND ETHICAL IDENTITY OF THE CATALAN PEOPLE is a high sensibility towards the well-being of the animals and a rejection to the mistreatment, is a question of respect and of not wanting to be participants of a cruel mistreatment of the animal. It is like some of them consider it to be a holiday. To vote in favour of the ILP for the suppression of the bullfights in Catalonia nothing has that to see in spite of going against the Spanish identity - When the ILP is approved, Catalonia will be a bit more jus

Influence of vitamin D on biomechanical microstructure and properties of patients with hip fracture.

Valorar niveles séricos de 25-hidroxivitamina D -25(OH)D-, hormonas con influencia sobre el metabolismo óseo (parathormona -PTH- y factor de crecimiento insulínico -IGF-I-), marcadores de remodelado óseo (MRO) (telopéptido carboxilo-terminal del colágeno tipo I -β-CTX- y propéptido aminoterminal del procolágeno tipo I -PINP-), densidad mineral ósea (DMO), microestructura y biomecánica de cuello de fémur, en pacientes con fractura de cadera osteoporótica (OP) vs. pacientes artrósicos (OA). Material y métodos: Estudio observacional transversal de 29 pacientes OP y 14 OA, edad ≥50 años. Cuantificamos niveles séricos hormonales y MRO (inmunoensayo), DMO de cadera (DXA), microestructura (micro-CT) y biomecánica (ensayos de compresión uniaxial, sistema IGFA). Análisis estadístico (SPSS 20.0.) Resultados: Los pacientes OP presentaron niveles inferiores de 25(OH)D (p=0,02) y DMO de cadera (p<0,05), y superiores de PTH (p=0,029) y de β-CTX (p=0,04). Los niveles de 25(OH)D se correlacionaron positivamente con IGF-I (p=0,04) y negativamente con β-CTX (p=0,003). Los valores de PTH se correlacionaron negativamente con DMO de cadera (p=0,0005) y positivamente con la separación trabecular (Tb.Th) (p=0,006). Los pacientes con niveles de 25(OH)D <20 ng/mL presentaron niveles mayores de β-CTX (p=0,006), menores de IGF-I (p=0,007) y Tb.Th (p=0,04). Conclusiones: Los niveles de vitamina D son bajos en población anciana, sobre todo en pacientes con fractura de cadera osteoporótica. Además, en estos pacientes existen niveles elevados de PTH y MRO y descendidos de DMO. Los pacientes cuyos niveles de 25(OH)D son inferiores a 20 ng/mL presentan un remodelado óseo más elevado, con menores niveles de IGF-I y alteraciones de la estructura ósea (Tb.Th) que puedan estar en relación con un mayor riesgo de fracturas.To assess serum levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D-25 (OH) D-hormones with influence on bone metabolism (parathormone -PTH- and insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-I), bone remodeling markers (BRM) (carboxy-terminal telopeptide of collagen type I-β-CTX- and amino-peptide pro-peptide of procollagen type I -PINP), bone mineral density (BMD), microstructure and biomechanics of the femoral neck, in patients with osteoporotic hip fracture (OH) versus arthritic patients (OA). Material and methods: A cross-sectional observational study of 29 OH and 14 OA, age ≥50 years. We quantified hormonal serum levels and BRM (immunoassay), hip BMD (DXA), microstructure (micro-CT) and biomechanics (uniaxial compression tests, IGFA system). Analysis (SPSS 20.0.) Results: OH patients had lower levels of 25(OH)D (p=0.02) and hip BMD (p<0.05), and higher PTH (p=0.029) and β-CTX (p=0.04). Levels of 25(OH)D correlated positively with IGF-I (p=0.04) and negatively with β-CTX (p=0.003). The PTH values were correlated negatively with hip BMD (p=0.0005) and positively with trabecular thickness (TbTh) (p=0.006). Patients with 25(OH)D <20 ng/mL presented higher levels of β-CTX (p=0.006), lower IGF-I (p=0.007) and TbTh (p=0.04). Conclusions: Vitamin D levels are low in the elderly population, especially in patients with osteoporotic hip fracture. These patients also presented raised levels of PTH and BRM and descended from BMD. Patients whose 25(OH)D levels are below 20 ng/mL present higher bone remodeling, with lower levels of IGF-I and alterations of the bone structure (TbTh) that may be linked to a greater risk of fractures

Irisin enhances longevity by boosting SIRT1, AMPK, autophagy and telomerase

Ageing is characterised by the accumulation of molecular and cellular damage through time, leading to a decline in physical and mental abilities. Currently, society has experienced a rapid increase in life expectancy, which has led to an increase in age-associated diseases. Therefore, it is crucial to study the process of ageing to guarantee the best conditions in the final stages of life. In recent years, interest has increased in a myokine known as irisin, which is secreted during physical exercise. This polypeptide hormone is produced by various organs, mainly muscle, and once it is released into the blood, it performs a wide variety of functions that are involved in metabolic control and may be relevant during some of the diseases associated with ageing. The aim of this review is to highlight the recent studies of irisin, such as its mechanism of expression, blood release, distribution, tissue target and participation in various cellular metabolic reactions and the relationship with key anti-ageing pathways such as adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase, silent information regulator T 1, autophagy and telomerase. In conclusion, irisin is a key player during the ageing process and it could be a novel target molecule for the therapeutic approach to boost longevity pathways. However, more research will be necessary to use this promising hormone for this gain.Junta de Andalucía, PAIDI Program of the Andalusian Government (BIO-158