The epic dimension of sport

Es muy probable que no sea ésta la primera vez que se habla de épica, deporte y vida como elementos de un mismo campo semántico. Quizá. Pero he decidido unirlos en estas reflexiones por ser mi materia de estudio la épica como género literario; porque también yo he sido y soy deportista; y cabría decir, por último, aunque no menos importante, porque soy un ser humano, y serlo implica vivir una epopeya personal construida sobre la base de lo ordinario. Épica, deporte y vida: tres elementos que configuran una manera de entender la existencia como desafío. En estos años de revitalizado interés por las epopeyas, un interés que nos ha llegado de la mano del cine y de algunos clásicos literarios (La Ilíada, El Señor de los Anillos), parece adecuado incluir estos pensamientos a vuelapluma sobre un tema tan apasionante como cotidiano. Porque la épica nos muestra que el sentido de nuestro vivir es histórico y aventurero: épica en estado puro.Actividad Física y Deport

The configuration of the Sacred Space: Sacramental essence and Christian existence

[Resumen] ¿Es la metáfora un concepto válido para la configuración del espacio sagrado? De ser así, ¿nos encontramos en un momento en el que, quizá, lo decisivo sea una clarificación del correlato entre la esencia cristiana, el carácter sacramental de la liturgia y, por eso, de los modos en que la arquitectura —con las demás artes— debe servir ella misma como cauce al sacramento? Esta comunicación intenta dar respuesta, desde el terreno de la Estética, a una de las preguntas que aún no han sido plenamente respondidas desde la conclusión del Concilio Vaticano ii: de qué manera el templo es y debe ser el ámbito del Misterio, y no sólo ni principalmente el escenario de una representación. Asimismo, señalamos algunas consecuencias prácticas que para el edificio religioso contemporáneo conlleva la esencia eucarística de la vida cristiana. Más allá de los corolarios prácticos del modernismo, aún presentes en la liturgia, parece hoy más que nunca necesario acometer un redescubrimiento, desde la entraña teológica sacramental del mundo, de una renovada concepción de la arquitectura religiosa que subraye su vocación natural a ser albergue del Don y del Pueblo de Dios. El terreno esencialmente superior del Arte y la Belleza divinas son, de modo primario, el locus natural donde se realiza esta vivificación del espacio sagrado, el territorio primigenio en el que la metáfora surge como primer motor de la tarea subcreativa del arquitecto

Hypothermic preservation of small bowel: a morphological scanning electron microscopy study

Introducción: El objetivo del presente estudio es analizar el efecto de soluciones cristaloides simples (solución salina y solución de Ringer Lactato) y una solución de preservación de órganos compleja (solución Celsior) sobre la la pared intestinal de ratones mediante el empleo de microscopía electrónica de barrido tras su preservación hipotérmica. Material y Métodos: Los segmentos intestinales de íleon procedentes de ratones CD1 fueron perfundidos por vía vascular e intraluminal con soluciones cristaloides simples como el suero salino (grupo 2) o solución de Ringer-Lactato (grupo 3), y con soluciones complejas como la solución Celsior (grupo 4). Los segmentos fueron almacenados durante 14 horas a 4º C con la misma solución empleada para su perfusión. Las diferentes muestras fueron procesadas utilizando protocolos convencionales para microscopia electrónica de barrido. Resultados: Nuestros resultados muestran que el grupo 2 se caracterizó por presentar un patrón vellositario y microvellositario compatible con el grupo control (grupo 1). El grupo 3 mostró lesiones focales caracterizadas por pérdidas epiteliales a nivel del vértice vellositario y exposición del eje conjuntivo-vascular de la vellosidad. Finalmente, el grupo 4 presentó un patrón vellositario desestructurado con hendiduras subepiteliales extensas, así como destrucción de células enterocíticas hasta la base. Discusión: El estudio demuestra que las soluciones cristaloides simples administradas por vía vascular e intraluminal mantienen la integridad morfológica de la mucosa intestinal tras su preservación hipotérmica. La microscopia electrónica de barrido constituye una metodología óptima en la valoración topográfica del daño tisular inducido por diferentes protocolos de preservación.Introduction: The aim of this study is to analyze the effect of simple crystalloid solutions (saline and Ringer lactate solution) and an organ preservation solution (Celsior) on murine intestinal ileal mucosa by scanning electron microscopy after hypothermic preservation. Material and Methods: The intestinal segments of ileum from CD1 mice were intravascularly and intraluminally flushed with 3 different preservation solutions. The used solutions were the simple crystalloid solution normal saline -group 2- and Lactated Ringer (LR) -group 3-. As organ preservation solution, the solution Celsior -group 4- was used. The segments were stored for 14 hours at 4 ° C with the same solution used for perfusion. The samples were processed using standard protocols for scanning electron microscopy. Results: Our results show that group 2 was characterized by villous and microvilli pattern similar to the control group (group 1). The group 3 showed focal lesions characterized by missing epithelium at the apex level and the exposure of the connective-vascular axis of the villi. Finally, group 4 presented a disrupted villous pattern with extensive subepithelial clefts as well as complete denuded villi. Discussion: This study shows that simple crystalloid solutions administered via vascular and intraluminal maintain morphological integrity of the intestinal mucosa after hypothermic preservation. In addition, scanning electron microscopy is an optimal methodology to evaluate the topographical tissue damage induced by various preservation protocols

Grip strength in mice with joint inflammation: A rheumatology function test sensitive to pain and analgesia

Grip strength deficit is a measure of pain-induced functional disability in rheumatic disease. We tested whether this parameter and tactile allodynia, the standard pain measure in preclinical studies, show parallels in their response to analgesics and basic mechanisms. Mice with periarticular injections of complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA) in the ankles showed periarticular immune infiltration and synovial membrane alterations, together with pronounced grip strength deficits and tactile allodynia measured with von Frey hairs. However, inflammation-induced tactile allodynia lasted longer than grip strength alterations, and therefore did not drive the functional deficits. Oral administration of the opioid drugs oxycodone (1–8 mg/kg) and tramadol (10–80 mg/kg) induced a better recovery of grip strength than acetaminophen (40–320 mg/kg) or the nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs ibuprofen (10–80 mg/kg) or celecoxib (40–160 mg/kg); these results are consistent with their analgesic efficacy in humans. Functional impairment was generally a more sensitive indicator of drug-induced analgesia than tactile allodynia, as drug doses that attenuated grip strength deficits showed little or no effect on von Frey thresholds. Finally, ruthenium red (a nonselective TRP antagonist) or the in vivo ablation of TRPV1-expressing neurons with resiniferatoxin abolished tactile allodynia without altering grip strength deficits, indicating that the neurobiology of tactile allodynia and grip strength deficits differ. In conclusion, grip strength deficits are due to a distinct type of pain that reflects an important aspect of the human pain experience, and therefore merits further exploration in preclinical studies to improve the translation of new analgesics from bench to bedside.This study was partially supported by the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness (MINECO, grant SAF2013-47481P), the Junta de Andalucía (grant CTS 109), and funding from Esteve and the European Regional Development Fund (FEDER)

Genetic inactivation and pharmacological blockade of sigma-1 receptors prevent paclitaxel-induced sensory-nerve mitochondrial abnormalities and neuropathic pain in mice

Background Paclitaxel, a widely-used antineoplastic drug, produces a painful peripheral neuropathy that in rodents is associated with peripheral-nerve mitochondrial alterations. The sigma-1 receptor (σ1R) is a ligand-regulated molecular chaperone involved in mitochondrial calcium homeostasis and pain hypersensitivity. This receptor plays a key role in paclitaxel-induced neuropathic pain, but it is not known whether it also modulates mitochondrial abnormalities. In this study, we used a mouse model of paclitaxel-induced neuropathic pain to test the involvement of the σ1R in the mitochondrial abnormalities associated with paclitaxel, by using genetic (σ1R knockout mice) and pharmacological (σ1R antagonist) approaches.Results Paclitaxel administration to wild-type (WT) mice produced cold- and mechanical-allodynia, and an increase in the frequency of swollen and vacuolated mitochondria in myelinated A-fibers, but not in C-fibers, of the saphenous nerve. Behavioral and mitochondrial alterations were marked at 10 days after paclitaxel-administration and had resolved at day 28. In contrast, paclitaxel treatment did not induce allodynia or mitochondrial abnormalities in σ1R knockout mice. Moreover, the prophylactic treatment of WT mice with BD-1063 also prevented the neuropathic pain and mitochondrial abnormalities induced by paclitaxel.Conclusions These results suggest that activation of the σ1R is necessary for development of the sensory nerve mitochondrial damage and neuropathic pain produced by paclitaxel. Therefore, σ1R antagonists might have therapeutic value for the prevention of paclitaxel-induced neuropathy.This study was partially supported by grant P11-CTS-7649 and grant CTS-109 from Junta de Andalucía, FEDER funds, a grant from Esteve, and a grant from the Centro para el Desarrollo Tecnológico Industrial (NeoGenius Pharma project). F. R. Nieto was supported by a FPU grant from the Spanish Ministerio de Educación y Ciencia (MEC) and C. M. Cendán by the Research Program of the University of Granada

Heterozygous Arrhythmogenic Cardiomyopathy-desmoplakin Mutation Carriers Exhibit a Subclinical Cutaneous Phenotype with Cell Membrane Disruption and Lack of Intercellular Adhesion

Genetic variants that result in truncation in desmoplakin (DSP) are a known cause of arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy (AC). In homozygous carriers, the combined involvement of skin and heart muscle is well defined, however, this is not the case in heterozygous carriers. The aim of this work is to describe cutaneous findings and analyze the molecular and ultrastructural cutaneous changes in this group of patients. Four women and eight men with a mean age of 48 ± 14 years were included. Eight met definitive criteria for AC, one was borderline and three were silent carriers. No relevant macroscopic changes in skin and hair were detected. However, significantly lower skin temperature (29.56 vs. 30.97 ◦C, p = 0.036) and higher transepidermal water loss (TEWL) (37.62 vs. 23.95 g m 2 h 1, p = 0.028) were observed compared to sex- and age-matched controls. Histopathology of the skin biopsy showed widening of intercellular spaces and acantholysis of keratinocytes in the spinous layer. Immunohistochemistry showed a strongly reduced expression of DSP in all samples. Trichogram showed regular nodules (thickening) compatible with pseudomonilethrix. Therefore, regardless of cardiac involvement, heterozygous patients with truncation-type variants in DSP have lower skin temperature and higher TEWL, constant microscopic skin involvement with specific patterns and pseudomonilethrix in the trichogram.Andalusian Society of Cardiology with a “beca de Investigación general

Urinary bladder sigma-1 receptors: A new target for cystitis treatment

Supplementary material related to this article can be found, in the online version, at doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.phrs.2020.104724.No adequate treatment is available for painful urinary bladder disorders such as interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome, and the identification of new urological therapeutic targets is an unmet need. The sigma-1 receptor (σ1-R) modulates somatic pain, but its role in painful urological disorders is unexplored. The urothelium expresses many receptors typical of primary sensory neurons (e.g. TRPV1, TRPA1 and P2X3) and high levels of σ1- R have been found in these neurons; we therefore hypothesized that σ1-R may also be expressed in the urothelium and may have functional relevance in this tissue. With western blotting and immunohistochemical methods, we detected σ1-R in the urinary bladder in wild-type (WT) but not in σ1-R-knockout (σ1-KO) mice. Interestingly, σ1-R was located in the bladder urothelium not only in mouse, but also in human bladder sections. The severity of histopathological (edema, hemorrhage and urothelial desquamation) and biochemical alterations (enhanced myeloperoxidase activity and phosphorylation of extracellular regulated kinases 1/2 [pERK1/2]) that characterize cyclophosphamide-induced cystitis was lower in σ1-KO than in WT mice. Moreover, cyclophosphamide-induced pain behaviors and referred mechanical hyperalgesia were dose-dependently reduced by σ1-R antagonists (BD-1063, NE-100 and S1RA) in WT but not in σ1-KO mice. In contrast, the analgesic effect of morphine was greater in σ1-KO than in WT mice. Together these findings suggest that σ1-R plays a functional role in the mechanisms underlying cyclophosphamide-induced cystitis, and modulates morphine analgesia against urological pain. Therefore, σ1-R may represent a new drug target for urinary bladder disorders.Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness (MINECO) SAF2016-80540-REuropean Regional Development Funds (ERDF), Junta de Andalucia grant CTS 109Esteve PharmaceuticalsInnovative Medicines Initiative 2 Joint Undertaking 777500European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation programmeEFPI

Aglomeración acústica de partículas

PACS: 43.35, 43.25.-- Publicado en el Vol. XXXI, núm. 3-4, tercer y cuarto trimestre 2000 de la Revista de Acústica: Número especial dedicado al XXV Aniversario del Instituto de Acústica del C.S.I.C.[ES] En este trabajo se presenta una recopilación de las principales aportaciones llevadas a cabo en el campo de la aglomeración acústica de partículas desde 1972. A lo largo de este periodo de tiempo se ha consolidado esta línea de investigación. Se han estudiado y simulado numéricamente los mecanismos básicos del proceso de aglomeración. Paralelamente se han desarrollado y validado nuevos sistemas macrosónicos a escala de laboratorio y de planta piloto para la retención de partículas finas (0.1 - 2.5 μm) en efluentes industriales. Los principales logros científicos llevados a cabo en esta temática han dado lugar a más de setenta publicaciones internacionales.[EN] A summary of the most relevant R+D contributions since 1972 on the acoustic particle agglomeration is presented in this paper. Along this period the research topic has been well consolidated. The basic mechanisms involved in the agglomeration process have been studied and simulated numerically. In parallel, new macrosonic systems at laboratory and pilot plant scale have been developed and validated to reduce fine particle emissions (0.1 - 2.5 μm). The main scientific results obtained were published in more than seventy international papers.Peer reviewe

SIVA-1 regulates apoptosis and synaptic function by modulating XIAP interaction with the death receptor antagonist FAIM-L

The long isoform of Fas apoptosis inhibitory molecule (FAIM-L) is a neuron-specific death receptor antagonist that modulates apoptotic cell death and mechanisms of neuronal plasticity. FAIM-L exerts its antiapoptotic action by binding to X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis protein (XIAP), an inhibitor of caspases, which are the main effectors of apoptosis. XIAP levels are regulated by the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway. FAIM-L interaction with XIAP prevents the ubiquitination and degradation of the latter, thereby allowing it to inhibit caspase activation. This interaction also modulates non-apoptotic functions of caspases, such as the endocytosis of AMPA receptor (AMPAR) in hippocampal long-term depression (LTD). The molecular mechanism of action exerted by FAIM-L is unclear since the consensus binding motifs are still unknown. Here, we performed a two-hybrid screening to discover novel FAIM-L-interacting proteins. We found a functional interaction of SIVA-1 with FAIM-L. SIVA-1 is a proapoptotic protein that has the capacity to interact with XIAP. We describe how SIVA-1 regulates FAIM-L function by disrupting the interaction of FAIM-L with XIAP, thereby promoting XIAP ubiquitination, caspase-3 activation and neuronal death. Furthermore, we report that SIVA-1 plays a role in receptor internalization in synapses. SIVA-1 is upregulated upon chemical LTD induction, and it modulates AMPAR internalization via non-apoptotic activation of caspases. In summary, our findings uncover SIVA-1 as new functional partner of FAIM-L and demonstrate its role as a regulator of caspase activity in synaptic function