Variabilidad de la cerámica pintada/engobada El Vergel en el sector septentrional de la Araucanía

ArqueólogaEn esta memoria se pretende evaluar la variabilidad de la cerámica decorada entre distintos sitios del período Alfarero Tardío adscribibles al Complejo Cultural El Vergel, para conocer cómo se distribuyen a escala regional ciertos modos de hacer. La unidad de análisis corresponde a los fragmentos pintados/engobados de cinco sitios domésticos del sector septentrional de La Araucanía, estudiando los grupos decorativos, las formas y las materias primas utilizadas en su confección (pastas, pinturas y engobes). El enfoque teórico en el cual se sustenta esta memoria es la antropología de la tecnología, la cual permite problematizar el objeto de estudio entendiéndolo como un producto social dinámico y complejo. En el análisis se infirieron categorías de vasija, se caracterizaron las pastas de los fragmentos, y las pinturas y engobes se analizaron mediante LA-ICP-MS, dando cuenta de las “recetas” utilizadas. A partir de lo expuesto, se pudo concluir que las vasijas pintadas/engobadas, si bien se confeccionan a una escala local, poseen ciertas pautas que buscan una forma y apariencia común. Además, en su producción se identifican “recetas” en engobes y pinturas que son compartidas y que pueden corresponder a una circulación de conocimientos, materias primas y/o vasijas, reflejando parte de las relaciones que se desarrollaron entre los distintos grupos de alfarero

Exosomal Micro-RNAs as Intercellular Communicators in Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis

Communication between neighboring or distant cells is made through a complex network that includes extracellular vesicles (EVs). Exosomes, which are a subgroup of EVs, are released from most cell types and have been found in biological fluids such as urine, plasma, and airway secretions like bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL), nasal lavage, saliva, and sputum. Mainly, the cargo exosomes are enriched with mRNAs and microRNAs (miRNAs), which can be transferred to a recipient cell consequently modifying and redirecting its biological function. The effects of miRNAs derive from their role as gene expression regulators by repressing or degrading their target mRNAs. Nowadays, various types of research are focused on evaluating the potential of exosomal miRNAs as biomarkers for the prognosis and diagnosis of different pathologies. Nevertheless, there are few reports on their role in the pathophysiology of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), a chronic lung disease characterized by progressive lung scarring with no cure. In this review, we focus on the role and effect of exosomal miRNAs as intercellular communicators in the onset and progression of IPF, as well as discussing their potential utility as therapeutic agents for the treatment of this disease

Anthropometric, biochemical, and haematological indicators associated with hyperhomocysteinemia and their relation to global DNA methylation in a young adult population

Increased homocysteine (Hcy) levels have been associated with a higher risk of cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases. Passive DNA demethylation has been suggested as one of the mechanisms implicated in the development of these conditions, and most studies have investigated this relationship in older adult populations. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the relationship between corporal composition and biochemical and haematological indicators with plasma homocysteine levels and genome-wide methylation (Alu, LINE-1, and SAT2) in a population of healthy young adults (median age, 18 years). We showed that the prevalence of hyperhomocysteinemia was significantly higher in men (18.5%) than in women (6.6%) (P = 0.034). Increased Hcy level was substantially associated with higher levels of body mass index and visceral fat in females, whereas in males, it was significantly associated with reduced red cell distribution width and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol (HDL-C) levels and increased low-density lipoprotein/HDL ratio. Hypomethylation of Alu was significantly associated with reduced levels of HDL-C (<40.0 mg dL–1), whereas hypomethylation of LINE-1 and SAT2 was significantly associated with higher levels of skeletal muscle (<39.3%) in males. These results highlight the participation of hormonal factors in regulating Hcy metabolism, primarily in the female population, whereas changes in DNA methylation observed in males might be associated with the consumption of a protein diet with high levels of methionine, independent of increased Hcy levels

A murine model of ischemia–reperfusion: the perfusion with leptin promotes the apoptosis-related relocation of mitochondrial proteins Bax and cytochrome c

Abstract Background Leptin exerts both protective and deleterious effects on the heart; the first occurs under hypoxia- or ischemia-associated damage, the second is a pro-hypertrophic factor on cardiomyocytes. Therefore, leptin could represent a link between obesity and cardiovascular diseases. The study aimed to investigate the effect of leptin—the same concentration that is frequently measured in obesity and induces cardiac hypertrophy—on murine hearts following an episode of ischemia–reperfusion; moreover, we evaluated the heart's performance, hypertrophy, and activation of apoptosis. Rat hearts were perfused continuously with or without 3.1 nM leptin for one h before and 1 h after an episode of ischemia. Cardiac performance was evaluated, homogenates and mitochondria were prepared for western blot analysis of cardiac actin, leptin receptor, STAT3, pSTAT3, and apoptosis-related proteins Bax, Bcl-2, cytochrome c, and caspase 3. Results Leptin worsened heart recovery after ischemia (p < 0.05 Control vs IR + Lep of Heart Perform, Fig. 2). Although no hypertrophic response was observed, leptin induced the migration of Bax to the mitochondria and the release of cytochrome c into the cytosol (p < 0.05 Control vs IR + Lep, Fig. 5), essential events in the intrinsic/mitochondrial apoptosis. Conclusions Our results indicate that the presence of leptin for 1 h before and after the ischemic insult reduces heart recovery and amplifies apoptotic signaling through the mitochondrial pathway

Leptin Modifies the Rat Heart Performance Associated with Mitochondrial Dysfunction Independently of Its Prohypertrophic Effects

Background. Functional receptors for leptin were described on the surface of cardiomyocytes, and there was a prohypertrophic effect with high concentrations of the cytokine. Therefore, leptin could be a link between obesity and the prevalence of cardiovascular diseases. On the other hand, a deleterious effect of leptin on mitochondrial performance was described, which was also associated with the evolution of cardiac hypertrophy to heart failure. The goal of our study was to analyze the effect of the exposure of rat hearts to a high concentration of leptin on cardiac and mitochondrial function. Methods. Rat hearts were perfused continuously with or without 3.1 nM leptin for 1, 2, 3, or 4 hours. Homogenates and mitochondria were prepared by centrifugation and analyzed for cardiac actin, STAT3, and pSTAT3 by Western blotting, as well as for mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation, membrane potential, swelling, calcium transport, and content of oxidized lipids. Results. In our results, leptin induced an increased rate-pressure product as a result of increased heart rate and contraction force, as well oxidative stress. In addition, mitochondrial dysfunction expressed as a loss of membrane potential, decreased ability for calcium transport and retention, faster swelling, and less respiratory control was observed. Conclusions. Our results support the role of leptin as a deleterious factor for cardiac function and indicates that mitochondrial dysfunction could be a trigger for cardiac hypertrophy and failure

Sociedad y economía : estudios sobre Puerto Vallarta y su región

De manera general, podemos decir que los temas que se incluyen en este libro abordan aspectos muy significativos sobre la problemática económica y social de la región de Bahía de Banderas que seguramente nos permitirán entender la realidad que se vive en esta parte de la costa de Jalisco, y por qué no, tratar de incidir en ella para transformarla