What’s new in the evangelical world?: Quantitative approaches to the beliefs, practices and representations of evangelicals in Argentina

El objetivo del artículo consiste en describir cuantitativamente las creencias, prácticas y representaciones de los evangélicos en la Argentina. A partir de los datos construidos en la “Segunda Encuesta Nacional de Creencias y Actitudes Religiosas en la Argentina” nos proponemos analizar tres aspectos fundamentales de este grupo religioso. El primero se refiere a los rasgos sociodemográficos, el segundo comprende su sistema de creencias y prácticas de consumo. Por último, el tercero incluye su posicionamiento respecto a tópicos controversiales, las representaciones en torno a la relación con el Estado y la problemática de salud. Cada uno de estos temas serán abordados en función de seis variables: la franja etaria, el género, el nivel socioeconómico, el nivel educativo, la región de residencia y el tamaño de ciudad. De esta manera, el trabajo ofrece una caracterización cuantitativa de la actualidad del mundo evangélico a una escala nacional.The aim of the article is to quantitatively describe the beliefs, practices and representations of evangelicals in Argentina. We analyze three fundamental features of this religious group with the data constructed in the “Second National Survey of Religious Beliefs and Attitudes in Argentina” . The first refers to Evangelical’s sociodemographic features, the second comprehends their belief system and consumer practices. Finally, the third one includes their position regarding controversial topics, representations about the State and health issues. Each of these aspects is approached based on six variables: age, gender, socioeconomic level, educational level, region of residence and city of residence’s size. Thus, the paper offers a quantitative characterization of the evangelical world today on a national scale.Fil: Algranti, Joaquin Maria. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Saavedra 15. Centro de Estudios e Investigaciones Laborales; ArgentinaFil: Carbonelli, Marcos Andres. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Saavedra 15. Centro de Estudios e Investigaciones Laborales; ArgentinaFil: Mosqueira, Mariela Analía. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Saavedra 15. Centro de Estudios e Investigaciones Laborales; Argentin

Impact of the −174 G > C IL-6 Polymorphism on Bioelectrical Parameters in Obese Subjects after Laparoscopic Adjustable Gastric Banding

Background. Recent data demonstrated that the −174 G > C IL-6 polymorphism may account for differences in the therapeutic response to laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB) surgery. Objective. We investigated the impact of −174 G > C IL-6 polymorphism on weight loss, body composition, and fluid distribution changes in obese subjects after LAGB. Design and Outcome Measures. Twenty obese subjects were selected and studied at baseline and 3 months after LAGB. Genetic assessment of −174 G > C IL-6 polymorphism and anthropometric and bioelectrical impedance analysis were performed. Results. At baseline, C(+) carriers had a lower extracellular water (ECW) and higher intra-CW, phase angle (PA), reactance Xc, and Xc/height. LAGB surgery determined significant reductions in weight and BMI. After LAGB, in C(−) carriers, significant decreases in weight, BMI, and ECW and increases in BCM, BCMI, ICW, PA, and Xc/H were highlighted. In C(+) carriers, significant reductions in weight, BMI, ICW, and PA and increases in ECW, Na/K, resistance (R), and R/height were obtained. Significant higher reductions in BMI and Xc/H were observed in C(+) with respect to C(−) carriers. Conclusions. Genotyping of genetic variants, for example, the −174 G > C polymorphism of IL-6, gives the opportunity to predict therapeutic response, in terms of body composition outcomes after LAGB

Macular Microcysts in Mitochondrial Optic Neuropathies: Prevalence and Retinal Layer Thickness Measurements.

PurposeTo investigate the thickness of the retinal layers and to assess the prevalence of macular microcysts (MM) in the inner nuclear layer (INL) of patients with mitochondrial optic neuropathies (MON).MethodsAll patients with molecularly confirmed MON, i.e. Leber's Hereditary Optic Neuropathy (LHON) and Dominant Optic Atrophy (DOA), referred between 2010 and 2012 were enrolled. Eight patients with MM were compared with two control groups: MON patients without MM matched by age, peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness, and visual acuity, as well as age-matched controls. Retinal segmentation was performed using specific Optical coherence tomography (OCT) software (Carl Zeiss Meditec). Macular segmentation thickness values of the three groups were compared by one-way analysis of variance with Bonferroni post hoc corrections.ResultsMM were identified in 5/90 (5.6%) patients with LHON and 3/58 (5.2%) with DOA. The INL was thicker in patients with MON compared to controls regardless of the presence of MM [133.1±7μm vs 122.3±9μm in MM patients (p<0.01) and 128.5±8μm vs. 122.3±9μm in no-MM patients (p<0.05)], however the outer nuclear layer (ONL) was thicker in patients with MM (101.4±1mμ) compared to patients without MM [77.5±8mμ (p<0.001)] and controls [78.4±7mμ (p<0.001)]. ONL thickness did not significantly differ between patients without MM and controls.ConclusionThe prevalence of MM in MON is low (5-6%), but associated with ONL thickening. We speculate that in MON patients with MM, vitreo-retinal traction contributes to the thickening of ONL as well as to the production of cystic spaces

Weight Management Effectiveness and Predictors of Dropout in Breast Cancer Survivors: A Retrospective Study

Background: Reducing obesity and weight gain, which often occurs during breast cancer treatment, may represent an efficient secondary or tertiary prevention against cancer. Purpose: This retrospective observational cohort study aimed to assess the impact of a Mediterranean diet on weight and anthropometric changes in women completing active breast cancer treatment. Additionally, we sought to identify factors associated with study dropout within one year. Methods: A total of 182 female patients (20 normal weight, 59 overweight, 103 obese) received personalized Mediterranean diet interventions and underwent monthly outpatient visits. Results: Dropout rates were 42.3% at 6 months and 64.1% at 12 months. Among the obese subgroup, BMI (p < 0.001) and fat mass (p < 0.05) decreased after 6 months. At 12 months, the obese subgroup showed a borderline significant further reduction in BMI (p = 0.062). BMI or weight loss did not predict dropout at any time point. However, age (OR = 0.91) and diastolic blood pressure (OR = 1.07) were significant predictors of dropout at 12 months. Conclusion: Implementing a Mediterranean diet can lead to weight and anthropometric improvements in breast cancer survivors. Further research is necessary to explore the long-term effects of weight loss on these individuals, identify effective dietary approaches, and consider specific predictors of dropout

Longitudinal Study of Optic Disk Perfusion and Retinal Structure in Leber's Hereditary Optic Neuropathy

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate optic disk perfusion and neural retinal structure in patients with subacute Leber's hereditary optic neuropathy (LHON) and LHON carriers, as compared with healthy controls. Methods: This study included 8 patients with LHON in the subacute stage, 10 asymptomatic carriers of a LHON-associated mitochondrial DNA mutation, and 40 controls. All subjects underwent measurement of the retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness, the ganglion cell-inner plexiform layer (GCIPL) thickness using optical coherence tomography and optic disk microvascular perfusion (Mean Tissue [MT]) using laser speckle flowgraphy (LSFG). Patients were re-examined after a median interval of 3 months from the baseline visit. Results: LHON carriers had higher values of RNFL thickness, GCIPL thickness, and disk area than controls (P &lt; 0.05), whereas MT was not different between the two groups (P = 0.936). Median MT and RNFL thickness were 32% and 15% higher in the early subacute stage of the disease than in controls (P &lt; 0.001 and P = 0.001). MT declined below the values of controls during the late subacute stage (P = 0.024), whereas RNFL thickness declined later during the dynamic stage (P &lt; 0.001). GCIPL thickness was lower in patients with LHON than in controls independently of the stage of the disease (P &lt; 0.001). Conclusions: The high blood flow at the optic disk during the early subacute stage may be the consequence of vasodilation due to nitric oxide release as compensation to mitochondrial impairment. Optic disk perfusion as measured by LSFG is a promising biomarker for LHON diagnosis and monitoring as well as an objective outcome measure for assessing response to therapies

Biorreatores com membranas no tratamento de efluentes de refinaria de petróleo: estudo de caso / Membrane bioreactors in the treatment of oil refinery effluents: case study

As refinarias de petróleo são um dos grandes geradores de poluentes da atualidade. Cada vez mais, os órgãos regulamentadores elevam o padrão de descarte de efluentes, com o objetivo de reduzir as emissões destes nos corpos hídricos. Desta forma, as indústrias modificam e adaptam os tratamentos das águas residuárias, a fim de enquadrá-los à legislação vigente e minimizar a utilização dos recursos naturais. Nas últimas décadas, novas tecnologias foram desenvolvidas, como a utilização de Biorreatores com Membranas (MBR) para o tratamento biológico do efluente em substituição aos tratamentos convencionais por lodos ativados. Dentro deste contexto, o presente trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar o uso de MBR no tratamento de efluentes líquidos de uma refinaria de petróleo e compará-lo, em termos de eficiência de remoção dos parâmetros de poluição, ao tratamento convencional adotado. No tratamento com MBR, foram obtidos resultados de remoção de demanda química de oxigênio, sólidos suspensos totais, óleos e graxas acima de 98%, e de remoção percentual de nitrogênio amoniacal e demanda bioquímica de oxigênio de 79,9% e 92%, respectivamente. A utilização do MBR mostrou-se eficiente, sendo uma potencial tecnologia para o tratamento de águas residuárias de refinarias de petróleo

Remoção de Carbamazepina em soluções aquosas por adsorção em carvão ativado em pó e avaliação da toxicidade crônica/ Carbamazepine removal in aqueous solutions by adsorption into powder activated carbon and chronic toxicity assessment

A substância carbamazepina (CBZ) é um fármaco utilizado em casos de crises de epilepsia, apresenta recalcitrância nos processos biológicos e causa efeito tóxico em organismos aquáticos. Neste estudo, a adsorção de CBZ da solução aquosa com carvão ativado em pó (CAP) foi avaliada utilizando dois carvões de matrizes diferentes (betuminosa – CAP B e vegetal – CAP V). A caraterização dos CAPs foi avaliada por área superficial BET (Brunauer, Emmet e Teller) e microscopia eletrônica de varredura (MEV). Os fenômenos de adsorção foram avaliados por modelos cinéticos de pseudo-primeira e pseudo-segunda ordens e isotermas de adsorção nos modelos de Langmuir e Freundlich. Foi realizada uma investigação de toxicidade crônica utilizando o microcrustáceo Ceriodaphnia dubia e a microalga Chlorella vulgaris. O CAP B apresenta área superficial BET de 958,16 m2 g-1 e o CAP V, 726,68 m2 g-1. O modelo de pseudo-segunda ordem se ajustou melhor aos dados experimentais e os resultados experimentais das isotermas se ajustaram ao modelo de Freundlich para ambos carvões avaliados. A adsorção em CAP pode ser uma alternativa eficiente para remoção de toxicidade crônica, atingindo concentração menor que 1,56 µg CBZ L-1

Calcium mishandling in absence of primary mitochondrial dysfunction drives cellular pathology in Wolfram Syndrome

Wolfram syndrome (WS) is a recessive multisystem disorder defined by the association of diabetes mellitus and optic atrophy, reminiscent of mitochondrial diseases. The role played by mitochondria remains elusive, with contradictory results on the occurrence of mitochondrial dysfunction. We evaluated 13 recessive WS patients by deep clinical phenotyping, including optical coherence tomography (OCT), serum lactic acid at rest and after standardized exercise, brain Magnetic Resonance Imaging, and brain and muscle Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (MRS). Finally, we investigated mitochondrial bioenergetics, network morphology, and calcium handling in patient-derived fibroblasts. Our results do not support a primary mitochondrial dysfunction in WS patients, as suggested by MRS studies, OCT pattern of retinal nerve fiber layer loss, and, in fibroblasts, by mitochondrial bioenergetics and network morphology results. However, we clearly found calcium mishandling between endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and mitochondria, which, under specific metabolic conditions of increased energy requirements and in selected tissue or cell types, may turn into a secondary mitochondrial dysfunction. Critically, we showed that Wolframin (WFS1) protein is enriched at mitochondrial-associated ER membranes and that in patient-derived fibroblasts WFS1 protein is completely absent. These findings support a loss-of-function pathogenic mechanism for missense mutations in WFS1, ultimately leading to defective calcium influx within mitochondria

Estudio comparativo del desarrollo de aleros en diferentes regiones climáticas y contextos geológicos de la Argentina: hacia una caracterización de patrones y procesos

Este estudio forma parte de un proyecto interdisciplinario en etapa de gestión cuyo objetivo consiste en realizar un análisis geoarqueológico comparativo de aleros ubicados en diferentes contextos geológicos y climáticos de Argentina, a fin de evaluar patrones recurrentes y peculiaridades en el desarrollo de sus morfologías y estratigrafías. El origen, evolución temporal, los tipos de rellenos y el eventual colapso de los aleros responde a factores de control cuyo análisis resulta clave para entender el uso humano de estos espacios en el pasado, su potencial cronológico, los procesos de sedimentación, las discontinuidades estratigráficas y las condiciones de preservación de materiales arqueológicos y tafonómicos. Entre aquellos factores que controlan el desarrollo de un alero pueden destacarse su litología y estructura (tipo de roca, composición mineralógica, textura, fracturas), las condiciones climático-ambientales (precipitación, temperatura, vientos, insolación), la biota (tipo de vegetación, fauna local), el marco tectónico (actividad sísmica) y el tiempo. Estos factores intervienen en los procesos de meteorización y erosión que inician y van modelando el crecimiento de un espacio u oquedad en la roca, que en determinada etapa de su evolución puede llegar a formar un refugio o reparo útil para ser ocupado por los seres humanos, transformándose en un abrigo rocoso o alero. Esta oquedad funciona como una trampa sedimentaria que no sólo contendrá los clastos derivados de la roca de caja, sino también los aportes sedimentarios clásticos (partículas) y químicos (sales, óxidos) acarreados hasta allí por el viento, el agua y/o una pendiente cercana. A este relleno se suman los materiales (clásticos, químicos y biológicos) que puedan generar la fauna y los seres humanos a partir del uso del reparo, produciéndose una suma de aportes autóctonos y alóctonos que van a configurar la estratigrafía del sitio que constituirá una evidencia, al menos parcial, de su historia de formación y ocupación. Finalmente, el alero puede degradarse o colapsar, perdiendo su relleno o quedando oculto. Este proyecto busca profundizar el conocimiento de estos aspectos a través de un abordaje comparativo intra e inter-regional, en función de determinadas preguntas básicas y metodologías analíticas similares aplicadas a estudios de casos en el sur, centro y norte de Argentina. Bajo esta perspectiva se evaluará la utilización y la modificación de estos loci puntuales por parte de los seres humanos y de la fauna que los ha ocupado en forma recurrente. Todo ello a fin de maximizar la contribución de los aleros a las investigaciones arqueológicas y paleoecológicas en las regiones donde éstos se desarrollan.Fil: Favier Dubois, Cristian Mario. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tandil. Investigaciones Arqueológicas y Paleontológicas del Cuaternario Pampeano. Universidad Nacional del Centro de la Provincia de Buenos Aires. Investigaciones Arqueológicas y Paleontológicas del Cuaternario Pampeano; ArgentinaFil: Mosquera, Bruno Hernan. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo; ArgentinaFil: Ambrústulo, Pablo. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo; ArgentinaFil: Herrera Villegas, Dalila Viviana. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tandil. Investigaciones Arqueológicas y Paleontológicas del Cuaternario Pampeano. Universidad Nacional del Centro de la Provincia de Buenos Aires. Investigaciones Arqueológicas y Paleontológicas del Cuaternario Pampeano; ArgentinaFil: Scartascini, F.. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Patagonia Norte. Instituto de Investigaciones en Diversidad Cultural y Procesos de Cambio. Universidad Nacional de Río Negro. Instituto de Investigaciones en Diversidad Cultural y Procesos de Cambio; ArgentinaFil: Barberena, Ramiro. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mendoza. Instituto Interdisciplinario de Ciencias Básicas. - Universidad Nacional de Cuyo. Instituto Interdisciplinario de Ciencias Básicas; ArgentinaFil: Zárate, M.. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Patagonia Confluencia; ArgentinaFil: Martínez, G. A.. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Geología de Costas y del Cuaternario. Provincia de Buenos Aires. Gobernación. Comisión de Investigaciones Científicas. Instituto de Geología de Costas y del Cuaternario; ArgentinaFil: Massigoge, Agustina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tandil. Investigaciones Arqueológicas y Paleontológicas del Cuaternario Pampeano. Universidad Nacional del Centro de la Provincia de Buenos Aires. Investigaciones Arqueológicas y Paleontológicas del Cuaternario Pampeano; ArgentinaFil: Durán, V.. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mendoza. Instituto Interdisciplinario de Ciencias Básicas. - Universidad Nacional de Cuyo. Instituto Interdisciplinario de Ciencias Básicas; ArgentinaFil: Storchi Lobos, Daniela. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tandil. Investigaciones Arqueológicas y Paleontológicas del Cuaternario Pampeano. Universidad Nacional del Centro de la Provincia de Buenos Aires. Investigaciones Arqueológicas y Paleontológicas del Cuaternario Pampeano; ArgentinaFil: Carrera Aizpitarte, Manuel Pedro. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Filosofía y Letras. Museo Etnográfico "Juan B. Ambrosetti"; ArgentinaFil: Rivero, Diego Eduardo. Centro de Estudios Historicos "prof. Carlos S.a. Segreti". Instituto de Estudios Historicos. - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Cientificas y Tecnicas. Centro Cientifico Tecnologico Conicet - Cordoba. Instituto de Estudios Historicos.; ArgentinaFil: Carbonelli, Juan Pablo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Filosofía y Letras. Museo Etnográfico "Juan B. Ambrosetti"; ArgentinaFil: Kligmann, Debora Myriam. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Filosofía y Letras. Instituto de Arqueología; ArgentinaFil: Hocsman, Salomón. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tucumán. Instituto Superior de Estudios Sociales. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Instituto Superior de Estudios Sociales; ArgentinaFil: Babot, Maria del Pilar. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tucumán. Instituto Superior de Estudios Sociales. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Instituto Superior de Estudios Sociales; ArgentinaFil: Gomez Augier, Julian Patricio. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales e Instituto Miguel Lillo. Instituto de Geociencias y Medio Ambiente; ArgentinaFil: Tchilinguirian, Pablo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Secretaría de Cultura de la Nación. Dirección Nacional de Cultura y Museos. Instituto Nacional de Antropología y Pensamiento Latinoamericano; ArgentinaVII Taller del Grupo de Estudios Geoarqueológicos de América Latina: Encuentro Latinoamericano de GeoarqueologíaLimaPerúPontificia Universidad Católica del Per

Fabrizio de André: a popular intellectual

This dissertation argues that Fabrizio De André’s long-lasting popularity is the result of his role as a popular intellectual active in social criticism and engaged in public debate. I suggest that between the early 1960s and the late 1990s, De André underwent a process of artistic and personal legitimation that is crucial in the creation of an intellectual. De André has often been compared to a poet and his work is seen as an archetype of the canzone d’autore genre. While widely admired for what are considered almost unique poetic skills among singer-songwriters, he has also been adopted as a symbol of social protest. I discuss how, through his activity as a singer-songwriter, his challenging stances reached a large proportion of the Italian population – hence my definition of De André as “popular” intellectual. Through an analysis of his work, I show how his position allowed him to contribute to the continuous process of the demolition and reshaping of Italian identity and culture over a period of more than thirty years. De André, thus, illustrates how a popular culture figure can influence society by assuming the role and function of an intellectual