Effects of Liposomes Contained in Thermosensitive Hydrogels as Biomaterials Useful in Neural Tissue Engineering

Indexación: Scopus.Advances in the generation of suitable thermosensitive hydrogels for the delivery of cells in neural tissue engineering demonstrate a delicate relationship between physical properties and capabilities to promote cell proliferation and differentiation. To improve the properties of these materials, it is possible to add liposomes for the controlled release of bioactive elements, which in turn can affect the physical and biological properties of the hydrogels. In the present investigation, different hydrogels based on Pluronic F127 have been formulated with the incorporation of chitosan and two types of liposomes of two different sizes. The rheological and thermal properties and their relation with the neurite proliferation and growth of the PC12 cell line were evaluated. Our results show that the incorporation of liposomes modifies the properties of the hydrogels dependent on the concentration of chitosan and the lipid type in the liposomes, which directly affect the capabilities of the hydrogels to promote the viability and differentiation of PC12 cells. © 2017 by the authors.http://www.mdpi.com/1996-1944/10/10/112

Características Antropométricas en Atletas de Jiu Jitsu Brasilero de Alto Nivel: Rol del Estilo de Lucha

Indexación: Web of Science; Scielo.SUMMARY: Human performance efficiency and effectiveness in different sports depend to a large extent on the size, weight and proportion of the physique of the athlete. The aim of this study was to identify morphological characteristics of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) athletes. The sample consisted of 25 highly trained male athletes who were classified according to their fighting style; guard fighter (GF) vs. pass fighter (PF). The athletes were assessed for somatotype, body composition and proportionality. For the whole group of athletes the somatotype was 2.23±0.68, 6.33±1.14, and 1.75±0.87 for endomorph, mesomorph and ectomorph components, respectively. Muscle and adipose tissue percentages were 52.34±2.15% and 19.30±2.51%, respectively. PF were significantly more mesomorph (p< 0.05) and less ectomorph (p< 0.05) than GF. Also, PF had significantly higher phantom Z score for bone mass vs. GF (0.51±0.57 vs. 0.01±0.54; p<0.05), and significantly lower muscle mass- bone mass ratio (4.55±0.31 vs. 4.77±0.56; p<0.05), height (1.71±0.06 vs. 1.77±0.07; p<0.05) and height weight ratio (40.58±1.11 vs. 41.84±1.22). Our results show that morphological characteristics are related to different fighting styles in BJJ athletes.RESUMEN: La eficiencia y efectividad del rendimiento humano en diferentes deportes depende en gran medida del tamaño, peso y proporción del físico del atleta. El objetivo de este estudio fue identificar las características morfológicas de atletas jiu-jitsu brasileros. La muestra consintió de 25 atletas varones altamente entrenados, quienes fueron clasificados de acuerdo a su estilo de lucha; guarderos (GF) vs pasadores (PF). Se evaluó en los atletas somatotipo, composición corporal y proporcionalidad. Para el grupo total de atletas el somatotipo fue 2,23±0,68, 6,33±1,14 y 1,75±0,78 para el endomorfismo, mesomorfismo y ectomorfismo, respectivamente. Los porcentajes de tejido muscular y adiposo fueron 52,34±2,15% and 19,30±2,51%, respectivamente. PF fueron significativamente las mesomorfos (p<0,05) y menos ectomorfos (p<0,05) que GF. Además PF tuvieron una significativamente alto Z score para la masa ósea (4,55±0,31 vs. 4,77±0,56; p<0,05), estatura (1,71±0,06 vs. 1,77±0,07; p<0,05) y relación altura peso (40,58±1.11 vs. 41,84±1.22). Nuestros resultados muestran que las características morfológicas están relacionadas a diferentes estilos de lucha en atletas de BJJ.http://ref.scielo.org/bzhxy

CAPTACIÓN DE ESCURRIMIENTO PLUVIAL PARA USO AGROPECUARIO Y ACUÍCOLA EN ÁREAS DE TEMPORAL: Un caso de éxito

In the center of the state of Veracruz, México, the marked seasonality of rainfall determines that out of the 900 mm annually, 95 % takes place between June-September, and 5 % in October-May. Different regional diagnoses indicate that having water for auto-consumption and livestock, in addition to improving maize and bean production, are among the problems that the rural population is most interested in solving. With the hypothesis that it is possible to consolidate pilot projects, where technicians, producers and authorities can participate in coordination to generate innovation for local problem-solution, it was suggested to generate evidences of non-assistencialism actions for the massive construction of small receiving vessels for intermittent rain currents, with the goal of not affecting hydraulic storage or diverting works present and with the aim of reverting the lack of irrigation supply by using clean, non-contaminant, technologies. Through research-action and the participative approach, groups of producers were consolidated for the sustainable management of soil and water, rehabilitating a dam, and also designing and operating works for a floating outlet (mechanized siphon). The producers learned how to determine the moment and time for drip irrigation with tensiometers, as well as maintain the adequate pressures for the correct operation of the system. In 2012, 1.5 ha (three cycles per year) were fertigated with a yield of 5 ton ha-1 per cycle and a bean plot in 0.4 ha that produced 1.8 ton ha-1, with benefit-cost relation of 3:1. During each year maize was sold both on the cob and in grain. In 2012-2013, the same bean plot yielded 2.4 ton ha-1 and in 2014, a 540 m2 plot produced 3.3 ton ha-1. Since 2013, training is offered in the intensive production system of organic hydroponics with automatic sub-irrigation, without the use of pumps or timers. Additionally, 4000 tilapia were bred in the dam and currently 3 ha and 4 drinking troughs are in operation for the livestock.En el centro del estado de Veracruz, México, la marcada estacionalidad de las lluvias determina que de los 900 mm anuales, el 95% ocurra entre junio- septiembre, y 5% de octubre-mayo. Diferentes diagnósticos regionales indican que de los problemas que más le interesa resolver a la población rural son contar con agua para autoconsumo y para el ganado, además de mejorar la producción de maíz y frijol. Bajo la hipótesis de que es posible consolidar proyectos piloto, donde técnicos, productores y autoridades participen coordinadamente para generar innovación para problemas locales, se planteó generar evidencias de acciones no asistencialistas de construcción masiva de pequeños vasos receptores de las corrientes intermitentes de lluvia, con el fin de no afectar obras hidráulicas de almacenamiento o derivadoras existentes con el fin de revertir el desabasto de riego utilizando tecnologías limpias no contaminantes. A través de la investigación-acción y enfoque participativo, se consolidaron grupos de productores para el manejo sustentable del suelo y agua, rehabilitado una represa, así como, diseñado y operado una obra de toma flotante (sifón tecnificado). Los productores aprendieron a determinar el momento y tiempo de riego por goteo con tensiómetros, así como, a mantener las presiones adecuadas para la operación correcta del sistema. En el 2012 se ferti-irrigaron 1.5 ha (tres ciclos por año) con un rendimiento equivalente de 5 ton ha-1 por ciclo y una parcela con frijol en 0.4 ha que produjo un equivalente a 1.8 ton ha-1, con relación beneficio costo de 3:1. Durante cada año vendieron el maíz tanto en elote como en grano. En 2012-2013 la misma parcela de frijol rindió 2.4 ton ha-1 y en 2014, una parcela de 540 m2 produjo el equivalente a 3.3 ton ha-1. Desde el 2013 se imparte capacitación en el sistema intensivo de producción de hidroponía orgánica con sub-riego automático, sin el uso de bombas o contadores de tiempo (timers). Adicionalmente se sembraron 4000 mojarras tilapia en la represa, y actualmente están en operación 3 ha y 4 bebederos automáticos para el ganado

Somatotype Profile of Professional Male Soccer Chilean Players

Indexación: Web of Science; ScieloRESUMEN: El presente estudio pretende describir el somatotipo del futbolista profesional chileno, así como determinar la variabilidad existente en el somatotipo por posición de juego. Cien jugadores profesionales varones (edad 23±4,4 años), participantes del campeonato nacional de fútbol chileno fueron incluidos en el estudio. Se realizó la medición de 10 variables antropométricas según las normas de la International Society for the Advancement of Kinanthropometry (ISAK). Se calcularon los 3 componentes del somatotipo de Heath-Carter por cada posición de juego. El somatotipo grupal de la muestra estudiada presentó una clasificación de mesomorfo­balanceado (2,25-5,32-2,26), siendo los defensas los con mayor predominio de este componente. La posición con menor dispersión en su somatotipo son defensas y arqueros, mientras que volantes y delanteros presentan mayor variabilidad. En conclusión, a pesar de existir un somatotipo en común, las diferencias en las varianzas entre posiciones de juego entregan información sobre la relevancia de la optimización morfológica en una posición específica de juego. PALABRAS CLAVE: Somatotipo; Antropometría; Fútbol masculino.SUMMARY: The aim of this study was to describe the somatotype of Chilean professional soccer players, and to determine the variability in the somatotype by playing position. One hundred professional male players (age 23±4.4) participants in the Chilean national soccer championship were included in the study. We performed the measurement of 10 anthropometric variables according to the rules of the International Society for the Advancement of Kinanthropometry (ISAK). We calculated the 3 components of the Heath-Carter somatotype for each playing position. The somatotype of the sample group presents a balanced mesomorph classification (2.25-5.32-2.26),especially among defenders. The positions with less dispersion in their somatotype were the defenses and goalkeepers, while the flyers and forwards show more variability. In conclusion, although there is a common somatotype, differences in the variances between playing positions provide information about the relevance of morphological optimization in a playing position. KEY WORDS: Anthropometry; Somatotype; Male soccer.http://ref.scielo.org/v4pdn

Detection of a multi-shell planetary nebula around the hot subdwarf O-type star 2MASS J19310888+4324577

(Abridged) The origin of hot subdwarf O-type stars (sdOs) remains unclear since their discovery in 1947. Among others, a post-Asymptotic Giant Branch (post-AGB) origin is possible for a fraction of sdOs. We are involved in a comprehensive ongoing study to search for and to analyze planetary nebulae (PNe) around sdOs with the aim of establishing the fraction and properties of sdOs with a post-AGB origin. We use deep Halpha and [OIII] images of sdOs to detect nebular emission and intermediate resolution, long-slit optical spectroscopy of the detected nebulae and their sdO central stars. These data are complemented with other observations for further analysis of the detected nebulae. We report the detection of an extremely faint, complex PN around 2MASS J19310888+4324577 (2M1931+4324), a star classified as sdO in a binary system. The PN shows a bipolar and an elliptical shell, whose major axes are oriented perpendicular to each other, and high-excitation structures outside the two shells. WISE archive images show faint, extended emission at 12 and 22 microns in the inner nebular regions. The internal nebular kinematics is consistent with a bipolar and a cylindrical/ellipsoidal shell, in both cases with the main axis mainly perpendicular to the line of sight. The nebular spectrum only exhibits Halpha, Hbeta and [OIII]4959,5007 emission lines, but suggests a very low-excitation ([OIII]/Hbeta = 1.5), in strong contrast with the absence of low-excitation emission lines. The spectrum of 2M1931+4324 presents narrow, ionized helium absorptions that confirm the previous sdO classification and suggest an effective temperature >= 60000 K. The binary nature of 2M1931+4324, its association with a complex PN, and several properties of the system provide strong support for the idea that binary central stars are a crucial ingredient in the formation of complex PNe.Comment: 8 pages, 7 figures, accepted in Astronomy and Astrophysic

Approach to anaerobic bio-degradation of natural and synthetic fabrics: Physico-chemical study of the alteration processes

In this paper, the mesophilic Biochemical Methane Potential of several fabrics was assessed at different Total Solid concentrations (1–4%TS). Physico-chemical techniques were applied to explore the arising structural changes on fibers during the anaerobic digestion process. Additionally, the modified Gompertz model was used to assess and compare the AD performance of the fabrics. In cellulose-based fibers the production of biogas was enhanced thanks to the easy solubilization of acetate, which is generated upon partial breakage of cellulose bonds. The crystallinity of vegetal fibers decreased significantly from day 19. The highest methane yields were attained for silk and wool fabrics at the lowest TS concentrations. Conformational changes in fibroin and keratin were detected. The highest degrees of degradation were observed in solid samples with lower solid concentrations. Accordingly, the maximum methane yields were reported in the reactors operating with lower TS