The recent spanish contemporary historiography on the history of Gibraltar in the 20th century: A sistematized review

Este artículo se encuadra dentro de la tesis doctoral del primer firmante, titulada "Análisis comparado y evolución histórica de la construcción mediática de la cuestión de Gibraltar en la prensa española y británica. El caso de la evacuación de la población civil de Gibraltar durante la II Guerra Mundial", dirigida por el dr. Juan Francisco Gutiérrez LozanoLa llamada cuestión de Gibraltar, es decir, el contencioso acerca de este territorio cedido por España a Gran Bretaña en virtud del Tratado de Utrecht (1713), ha sido estudiada desde diversas perspectivas. Este artículo presenta un análisis de la bibliografía, seleccionada atendiendo a un procedimiento de revisión sistematizada, publicada en castellano en los últimos treinta años sobre los acontecimientos de la historia de Gibraltar desde el comienzo del siglo hasta el cierre de la verja en 1969. El principal objetivo es establecer las líneas principales de estudio privilegiadas por la investigación históricaThe so called matter of Gibraltar, that is, the dispute about this territory ceded by Spain to the Crown of Great Britain in the Treaty of Utrecht (1713) has been studied from different perspectives.This paper presents an analysis of literature, selected according to a systematized review procedure and published in Spanish in the last 30 years.This literature covers the events in the History of Gibraltar since the beginning of the twentieth century until the closing of the border in 1969. The main objective is to establish the major lines of study privileged by historical researc

La sustitución de importaciones como medio para un desarrollo sostenible

Luego de un trabajo investigativo en conjunto con el sector industrial, se ha logrado enmarcar el proceso de sustitución de importaciones dentro de un modelo de desarrollo sostenible para la industria colombiana. Este proceso debe orientarse estratégicamente como medio para el desarrollo de herramientas de tecnología, información, maquinaria y métodos que le permitan al país optimizar los procesos productivos de los productos clave de su economía. De forma paralela, debe servir, también, para identificar el valor agregado de los mismos, con miras hacia un modelo de exportaciones competitivo que favorezca su participación en la dinámica globalizada de una forma más proactiva y con mejores beneficios para el país

La sustitución de importaciones como medio para un desarrollo sostenible

After jointly carrying out a research project with the industry sector, it has been possible to frame the process of imports substitution within a sustainable developmental model for Colombian industry. Such a process must be strategically oriented as a means for the development of new technological tools, information, machinery and methods that allow our country to optimize the production process for key products of its economic sectors. At the same time, it should be useful to identify the added value of such products in order to develop a competitive export model favoring the country’s share in the globalized dynamic in a more proactive way and with more benefits for it.Luego de un trabajo investigativo en conjunto con el sector industrial, se ha logrado enmarcar el proceso de sustitución de importaciones dentro de un modelo de desarrollo sostenible para la industria colombiana. Este proceso debe orientarse estratégicamente como medio para el desarrollo de herramientas de tecnología, información, maquinaria y métodos que le permitan al país optimizar los procesos productivos de los productos clave de su economía. De forma paralela, debe servir, también, para identificar el valor agregado de los mismos, con miras hacia un modelo de exportaciones competitivo que favorezca su participación en la dinámica globalizada de una forma más proactiva y con mejores beneficios para el país

Selective G-quadruplex binding by oligoarginine-Ru(dppz) metallopeptides

A set of Ru(II) metallopeptides containing the dppz ligand has been synthesized using SPPS methods. Fluorescence titration studies show that those metallopeptides featuring an octaarginine tail display a large binding preference for DNA G-quadruplex structures over those lacking it, and also that the interplay between the octoarginine functionalization and the ancillary ligand in the complex has an essential role in the recognition process. Furthermore, the oligoarginine metallopeptides are also efficiently internalized, causing cell death with signs of apoptosisFinancial support from the Spanish grants CTQ2015-70698-R, BFU2013-43513-R and SAF2014-56763-R, the Xunta de Galicia Centro Singular de Investigacion de Galicia accreditation 2016–2019.CICECO – Aveiro Institute of Materials, POCI-01-0145-FEDER007679 (UID/CTM/50011/2013), the UE ERDF and the Fundación AECC (IDEAS197VAZQ-Singulares 2014), are acknowledgedS

Antibodies to endothelial cells in Behçet's disease: cell-binding heterogeneity and association with clinical activity

OBJECTIVES--To investigate the prevalence and characteristics of antibodies to endothelial cells (aEC) from large vessel and from microvasculature in a group of patients with Behçet's disease (BD) to determine the relationship of these antibodies with clinical and laboratory features of the disease. METHODS--Thirty patients with BD were prospectively and consecutively studied. The aEC were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) using endothelial cells derived from human umbilical vein (large vessel) as well as from retroperitoneal adipose tissue (microvasculature). RESULTS--Fifteen patients (50%) had aEC, either directed to large vessel [8(26%) patients] or microvascular [13(43%) patients] endothelial cells. The percentage of active patients was significantly higher in the aEC-positive group [12(80%) patients] compared with the aEC-negative group [5(33%) patients] (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS--Patients with BD have a high prevalence of aEC when microvascular endothelial cells are used in the assay. These antibodies seem to be a marker of disease activity in this condition, previously considered as negative for autoantibodies

Reconstitución inmune exitosa mediante trasplante de células madre hematopoyéticas en un paciente colombiano afectado con enfermedad granulomatosa crónica

Introduction: Chronic granulomatous disease is a primary immunodeficiency that results from mutations in proteins of the NADPH oxidase system that affect the microbicidal activity of phagocytes. Immune reconstitution by hematopoietic stem cell transplantation is currently the only curative therapy for this disease. Objective: To describe the clinical and molecular characterization of a patient with X-linked chronic granulomatous disease and the successful immune reconstitution by means of a hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Methods: The respiratory burst was measured by flow cytometry using the dihydrorodamine 123 (DHR) oxidation test in neutrophils of peripheral blood. Mutational analysis of CYBB was performed by PCR amplification in complementary DNA, as well as sequencing and comparative genomic hybridization in genomic DNA. HLA-identical stem cells from the patient’s younger brother were used for the transplantation and reduced intensity pre-transplantation conditioning was administered. Post-transplantation immune reconstitution was evaluated periodically by serial complete blood counts and DHR 123 in peripheral blood neutrophils. Results: The diagnosis of X-linked chronic granulomatous disease resulted from a hemizygous deletion affecting Xp21.1 that included the entire CYBB. Post-transplantation engraftment was documented in platelets and peripheral blood neutrophils at days 10 and 11, respectively. Total hematological reconstitution was achieved by day 30 post-transplantation and no complications or infections have been observed in the three years since the transplantation. Conclusion: Hemopoietic stem cell transplantation allows for total reconstitution of the immune function related to microbicidal activity of phagocytic cells from patients with X-linked chronic granulomatous disease.Introducción. La enfermedad granulomatosa crónica es una inmunodeficiencia primaria causada por mutaciones en los genes que codifican para las proteínas del sistema de la oxidasa de NADPH (Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide Phosphate) de las células fagocíticas, las cuales afectan la producción de especies reactivas del oxígeno y la actividad microbicida. Actualmente, la única terapia curativa para esta enfermedad es la reconstitución inmune mediante el trasplante de células madre hematopoyéticas.Objetivo. Reportar la caracterización clínica y molecular de un paciente con enfermedad granulomatosa crónica ligada al cromosoma X y su reconstitución inmunitaria exitosa mediante el trasplante de células madre hematopoyéticas.Materiales y métodos. El estallido respiratorio en neutrófilos de sangre periférica se midió por citometría de flujo mediante la prueba de oxidación de la dihidrorrodamina 123 (DHR 123). El análisis de las mutaciones del gen CYBB se hizo mediante reacción en cadena de la polimerasa (PCR) en el ADN complementario y la secuenciación e hibridación genómica comparativa en el ADN genómico. En el trasplante se emplearon células madre del hermano menor con HLA idéntico, y previamente se hizo un acondicionamiento de intensidad reducida. La reconstitución inmunitaria después del trasplante se evaluó periódicamente con hemoleucogramas y la prueba DHR 123 en neutrófilos de sangre periférica.Resultados. El diagnóstico de la enfermedad granulomatosa crónica ligada al cromosoma X se estableció como resultado de una deleción hemicigota en la banda Xp21.1 que implicó la deleción completa del CYBB. La toma de injerto postrasplante para plaquetas y neutrófilos fue en los días 10 y 11, respectivamente. En el día 30 después del trasplante se logró la reconstitución hematológica completa y en los tres años siguientes no se observaron complicaciones ni infecciones.Conclusión. El trasplante de células madre hematopoyéticas permite la reconstitución completa de la función inmunitaria relacionada con la actividad microbicida de las células fagocíticas de pacientes con enfermedad granulomatosa crónica ligada al cromosoma X

Differential profile in inflammatory and mineral metabolism biomarkers in patients with ischemic heart disease without classical coronary risk factors

AbstractBackgroundPatients with coronary heart disease (CHD) without classical cardiovascular risk factors (CRFs) are uncommon, and their profile has not been thoroughly studied. In CHD patients, we have assessed the differences in several biomarkers between those with and without CRF.MethodsWe studied 704 patients with CHD, analyzing plasma levels of biomarkers related to inflammation, thrombosis, renal damage, and heart failure: high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), galectin-3, N-terminal fragment of brain natriuretic peptide (NT-pro-BNP), calcidiol (vitamin D metabolite), fibroblast growth factor-23 (FGF-23), parathormone, and phosphate.ResultsTwenty patients (2.8%) exhibited no CRFs. Clinical variables were well balanced in both groups, with the logical exceptions of no use of antidiabetic drugs, lower triglyceride and glucose, and higher high-density lipoprotein cholesterol in no-CRF patients.No-CRF patients showed lower hs-CRP (2.574±3.120 vs. 4.554±9.786mg/L; p=0.018), MCP-1 (114.75±36.29 vs. 143.56±65.37pg/ml; p=0.003), and FGF-23 (79.28±40.22 vs. 105.17±156.61RU/ml; p=0.024), and higher calcidiol (23.66±9.12 vs. 19.49±8.18ng/ml; p=0.025) levels. At follow-up, 10.0% vs. 11.0% patients experienced acute ischemic event, heart failure, or death in the non-CRF and CRF groups, respectively (p=0.815, log-rank test). The limited number of non-CRF patients may have influenced this finding. A Cox regression analysis in the whole population showed that high calcidiol, and low MCP-1 and FGF-23 plasma levels are associated with a better prognosis.ConclusionsCHD patients without CRFs show a favorable biomarker profile in terms of inflammation and mineral metabolism. Further studies are needed to investigate whether this difference translates into a better prognosis

Body mass index interacts with a genetic-risk score for depression increasing the risk of the disease in high-susceptibility individuals

Depression is strongly associated with obesity among other chronic physical diseases. The latest mega- and meta-analysis of genome-wide association studies have identified multiple risk loci robustly associated with depression. In this study, we aimed to investigate whether a genetic-risk score (GRS) combining multiple depression risk single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) might have utility in the prediction of this disorder in individuals with obesity. A total of 30 depression-associated SNPs were included in a GRS to predict the risk of depression in a large case-control sample from the Spanish PredictD-CCRT study, a national multicentre, randomized controlled trial, which included 104 cases of depression and 1546 controls. An unweighted GRS was calculated as a summation of the number of risk alleles for depression and incorporated into several logistic regression models with depression status as the main outcome. Constructed models were trained and evaluated in the whole recruited sample. Non-genetic-risk factors were combined with the GRS in several ways across the five predictive models in order to improve predictive ability. An enrichment functional analysis was finally conducted with the aim of providing a general understanding of the biological pathways mapped by analyzed SNPs. We found that an unweighted GRS based on 30 risk loci was significantly associated with a higher risk of depression. Although the GRS itself explained a small amount of variance of depression, we found a significant improvement in the prediction of depression after including some non-genetic-risk factors into the models. The highest predictive ability for depression was achieved when the model included an interaction term between the GRS and the body mass index (BMI), apart from the inclusion of classical demographic information as marginal terms (AUC = 0.71, 95% CI = [0.65, 0.76]). Functional analyses on the 30 SNPs composing the GRS revealed an over-representation of the mapped genes in signaling pathways involved in processes such as extracellular remodeling, proinflammatory regulatory mechanisms, and circadian rhythm alterations. Although the GRS on its own explained a small amount of variance of depression, a significant novel feature of this study is that including non-genetic-risk factors such as BMI together with a GRS came close to the conventional threshold for clinical utility used in ROC analysis and improves the prediction of depression. In this study, the highest predictive ability was achieved by the model combining the GRS and the BMI under an interaction term. Particularly, BMI was identified as a trigger-like risk factor for depression acting in a concerted way with the GRS component. This is an interesting finding since it suggests the existence of a risk overlap between both diseases, and the need for individual depression genetics-risk evaluation in subjects with obesity. This research has therefore potential clinical implications and set the basis for future research directions in exploring the link between depression and obesity-associated disorders. While it is likely that future genome-wide studies with large samples will detect novel genetic variants associated with depression, it seems clear that a combination of genetics and non-genetic information (such is the case of obesity status and other depression comorbidities) will still be needed for the optimization prediction of depression in high-susceptibility individuals

Linee guida di buone pratiche per l'identificazione ed il controllo di alcune malattie comuni dei boschi mediterranei

55 páginas, 54 figurasNell’attuale contesto di cambiamento climatico che stiamo vivendo da alcuni anni, le foreste mediterranee sono minacciate da un’ampia varietà di fattori di stress di origine biotica e abiotica. Periodi di siccità prolungata, temperature elevate e incendi boschivi stanno diventando sempre più frequenti nelle nostre foreste. Questi fattori di rischio abiotico sono stati accentuati a causa dell’abbandono rurale, poiché lo spopolamento porta a una diminuzione della pratica della selvicoltura tradizionale che storicamente ha contribuito a mitigare il rischio di incendi e altre minacce per la foresta. Le nostre foreste sono inoltre soggette ad agenti di stress di origine biotica: parassiti e patogeni in grado di indebolire e persino distruggere le masse forestali, che, se colpite dall’azione di insetti e/o microrganismi patogeni, sono più suscettibili a loro volta ad ulteriori elementi di stress. La combinazione di questi elementi nocivi, mette in pericolo la salute e l’esistenza dell’intero ecosistema forestale. Il progetto LIFE MycoRestore nasce con l’obiettivo di implementare diverse strategie per ottenere una gestione sostenibile delle foreste mediterranee e delle loro risorse. A tal fine, vengono utilizzate varie risorse micologiche innovative e pratiche di gestione forestale che consentono un migliore risultato economico, contribuendo nel contempo ad aumentare la resilienza e l’adattamento ai cambiamenti climatici delle foreste mediterranee in Spagna, Italia e Portogallo.LIFE MYCORESTORE. Innovative use of mycological resources for resilient and productive Mediterranean forests threatened by climate change (LIFE18 CCA/ES/1110)Peer reviewe