Fuga hacia adentro: Tratado del amor clandestino, de Francisco Proaño Arandi

En este texto, la autora desarrolla, en primera instancia, una reflexión crítica en torno a la demanda de “extraterritorialidad” de la literatura ecuatoriana, que desde la década de los 90 del siglo pasado se ha constituido como en una especie de constante, esa ausencia ha impedido que la narrativa alcance los horizontes de universalidad, pues su fijación en lo local la ha atado, según ciertos juicios, a superar este tipo de lazo con el pasado. Ortega examina este debate a la luz de la tradición latinoamericana, en donde tiene sus antecedentes e historia, incluso pone como ejemplo la célebre discusión entre el narrador peruano J. M. Arguedas y el argentino J. Cortázar respecto a lo que significaba e implicaba lo nacional-local y el ser cosmopolita entendido como la opción de universalidad. En segunda instancia, la crítica analiza la novela Tratado del amor clandestino, de F. Proaño Arandi, para poner en contraste lo que ese debate sugiere y de alguna manera demostrar que ese “viaje hacia dentro” de la historia íntima del drama de los personajes es, a su vez, un desplazamiento a lo que califica como un viaje a “los orígenes” que, a más de que lo expliquen como sujeto, lo ubican dentro de una historia de la que participan otras voces, otras presencias, realidades, memorias y actores.The author proposes in this article, firstly, a critical reflection about a claim for “extraterritoriality” in Ecuadorian literature which, since the 1990’s has become a constant, this absence has prevented Ecuadorian narrative to reach an universal status, since its ties to what is local has bound it, in the opinion of some, to the inability to overcome its ties to the past. Ortega studies this debate under the scope of the Latin American tradition, where its background and history reside. She even uses the well-known discussion between Peruvian writer J.M. Arguedas and Argentinean J. Cortázar about what the national- local implied, and the cosmopolitan being understood as an option of universality. Secondly, the author analyzes the novel Tratado del amor clandestino, by F. Proaño Arandi to make a contrast about what the debate suggests, and, in some way, prove that the “inward retreat” of the intimate story of the characters’ drama is, at the same time, a motion to what she describes as a journey to “the origin”. This, besides describing the main character as a subject, places him in a story that is shared by other voices, other presences, realities, memories and actors

La ciudad y sus bibliotecas: el graffiti quiteño y la crónica costeña

Este estudio responde al deseo de leer y explorar diferentes estrategias textuales (graffitis y crónicas) a través de las cuales un ciudadano común se autoriza a intervenir en el escenario urbano de la comunicación verbal. La autora considera estas escrituras como si fueran huellas que hacen visible el desplazamiento de un sujeto ciudadano, en su esfuerzo por dotar de sentidos a espacios urbanos que sustentan su vida cotidiana, y por dialogar con la ciudad. En esas escrituras halla un esfuerzo por hacer habitable una ciudad que se muestra como un espacio conflictivo en el que se advierten operaciones de territorialización, intercambio de marcas culturales entre el centro y la periferia, comunidades que se imaginan portadoras de verdad y justicia social, en medio de otras marcas que hablan de un imaginario social ligado al cuerpo, desde donde irrumpe una risa que propone un diálogo irreverente con el territorio de la ley. En el graffiti y en las crónicas indaga por escrituras que los usuarios de una ciudad inventan y leen para establecer relaciones entre el espacio y las prácticas significantes: escrituras que conforman la inmensa red simbólica urbana al incorporar los diferentes discursos de la ciudad, aquellos que hablan de ella y desde ella, que se escriben en su propio cuerpo para maquillarla e incorporar entre sus pliegues las lecturas, la memoria, las fantasías y el recorrido azaroso de sus caminantes que responde a deseos y necesidades de la vida cotidiana

Michael Handelsman: estudioso, archivero y crítico de la prosa literaria escrita por mujeres en Ecuador (Tributo)

This paper intends to recognize and highlight the outstanding input made by critic Michael Handelsman in his study on narrative (both essayistic and fictional) written by women in Ecuador. It is important to highlight the scope of a work committed to place women’s writing in the cultural and political sphere and show its impact on the public and social scene, in the horizon of its production, circulation and reception possibilities. Handelsman’s writings (where he studies essays, novels, short stories and magazines written by Ecuadorian women) are approached with the purpose of observing his reading strategies, which lead him to conceive Literature as a struggle scenario for female writers: a space of self-representation, resistance and production of knowledge, in tension with a system of patriarchal values. Above all, this paper is a tribute to the task continually performed by Michael Handelsman for some decades, with generosity and lucidity, in the search and construction of the corpus that constitutes its object of study. It is a corpus scattered through libraries, archives, magazines, anthologies, which Handelsman has located, attended to, taken care of, systematized, periodized, valued, placed for debate, generated affiliations therewith, always insisting on the existence and scope of the valuable –and sometimes forgotten narrative tradition– produced in Ecuador by female writers.Este trabajo tiene como propósito reconocer y destacar el notable aporte realizado por el crítico Michael Handelsman en el estudio de la narrativa (ensayística y de ficción) escrita por mujeres en Ecuador. Interesa resaltar los alcances de una labor empeñada en situar la escritura de mujeres en el terreno de la esfera cultural y política, de su impacto en la escena pública y social, en el horizonte de sus condiciones de posibilidad de producción, así como de circulación y recepción. Los escritos de Handelsman son atendidos (en los que estudia ensayos, novelas, cuentos y revistas escritas por mujeres ecuatorianas) con el propósito de observar sus estrategias de lectura que lo llevan a pensar la literatura como un escenario de lucha para las mujeres escritoras: espacio de autorepresentación, de resistencia y producción de conocimiento, en tensión con un sistema de valores de origen patriarcal. Sobre todo, este trabajo es un homenaje y tributo a la tarea que Michael Handelsman ha desempeñado de manera sostenida durante algunas décadas, con generosidad y lucidez en la búsqueda y construcción de su corpus objeto de estudio. Un corpus disperso en bibliotecas, archivos, revistas, antologías, que Handelsman ha sabido ubicar, atender, cuidar, sistematizar, periodizar, valorar, poner en debate, generar filiaciones e insistentemente señalar la existencia y alcances de esa valiosa, y a veces olvidada tradición narrativa producida en Ecuador por escritoras mujeres

La novela ecuatoriana del siglo XXI. Nuevos proyectos de escritura II. Filiaciones literarias, conexiones, reescrituras

Este trabajo reúne el estudio de 9 novelas, publicadas en el curso del presente siglo. Las primeras cuatro (El pinar de Segismundo, 2008, de Eliécer Cárdenas; Oscurana, 2011, de Luis Carlos Mussó; Memorias de Andrés Chiliquinga, 2013, de Carlos Arcos; Tatuaje de náufragos, 2008, de Jorge Velasco Mackenzie) fueron leídas, entre otras, como parte del informe de investigación entregado en el año 2014. En este informe, que es una continuación del anterior –en tanto preserva el mismo objetivo y amplía el corpus de las novelas estudiadas– los acápites que corresponden a las novelas mencionadas son una nueva y más cuidada versión. Las restantes ocho novelas (La desfiguración Silva, 2014, de Mónica Ojeda; Conejo ciego en Surinam, 2013, de Miguel Antonio Chávez; Pequeños palacios en el pecho, 2014, de Luis Borja; Moscow, Idaho, 2015, de Esteban Mayorga; Una comunidad abstracta, 2015, de Jorge Izquierdo; Un pianista en la niebla, 2016, de Raúl Serrano; Las niñas, 2016, de Adolfo Macías; Nefando, 2016, de Mónica Ojeda) forman parte del nuevo corpus de estudio, tal como fue anunciado en el correspondiente proyecto de investigación. Cuatro novelas escritas por mujeres (Salvo el calvario, 2005, de Lucrecia Maldonado; Ondisplay 2.0, 2009, de María Fernanda Pasaguay; Poso Wells, 2007, de Gabriela Alemán; Extrañas, 2013, de María Paulina Briones) fueron estudiadas como parte del corpus del informe entregado en el 2014. Asimismo, cabe señalar que este es todavía un proyecto en desarrollo

Immunomodulatory, antioxidant and anti-tumor capacity of acidic polysaccharides from Euglena gracilis.

Euglena sp. is a microalga producer of important molecules for the Biotechnology industry, since it is a producer of substances such as vitamins A, C and E, essential amino acids, polyunsaturated fatty acids, β-carotenes and paramilon (β-1,3-glucan). It has a modulating effect on the immune system, moderates blood glucose and the response to insulin, has anti-tumor activity and a cholesterol-lowering effect. In addition, its sulphated derivatives have anti-HIV activity. The present study was carried out with the objective of determining the immunomodulatory, antioxidant and anticancer activity of the acid polysaccharides extracted from Euglena gracilis. MTT colorimeter tests were carried out for the analysis of cytotoxicity on healthy cell lines murine macrophages (RAW 264.7) and human gingival fibroblasts (HGF-1) and for the anticancer activity cell lines were used colon cancer (HCT-116), breast cancer (MCF-7) and human leukemia (U-937) .The polysaccharide concentration at which cell survival was reduced by half (IC50) was estimated with these assays, showing that these polysaccharides have antitumor activity mainly on U-937 cells. (IC50 = 0.027 mg ml-1) against HCT-116 cells (IC50 = 0.036 mg ml-1) and MCF-7 (IC50 = 0.11 mg ml-1) An immunological test was performed to see the immunomodulatory capacity of the polysaccharides with which the production of proinflammatory cytokines IL-6 and TNF-α was determined by macrophages RAW 264.7 It was observed that these polysaccharides have a great stimulating capacity in the synthesis of these interleukins. Antioxidant capacity was (7.19 μmol TE g-1). In agreement with these results, it is suggested that E. gracilis polysaccharides could be considered for future studies as potential nutraceuticals that require their application when the activation of macrophages is needed.Universidad de Málaga. Campus de Excelencia Internacional Andalucía Tech

La novela ecuatoriana en el siglo XX: Escenarios, disputas, prácticas intelectuales. Memoria de la crítica literaria

The purpose of this dissertation is to reflect upon those novels that stand out as milestones of Ecuadorian literary tradition in the twentieth century. At the same time, I am interested in the reading strategies that Ecuadorian literary criticism has built around the novel. Part of my aim is to identify how some writers have been read within the perspective of legitimizing a critical discourse and a new form of intellectual conscience within the frame of a history of appropriations and disputes upon which a new field of knowledge, a critical tradition and a memoir of literary affiliations have been consolidated. Within this context, it is important to distinguish the cultural and political scenarios and the emotional bonds that have coincided in the emergence of both a new aesthetic and critical literary projects. Within the field of novels of the first half of the century, several questions guide my reading: How does the representation of nature affect the traditional tension of civilization-barbarism and tradition-modernity? What is the meaning of the intersection of space, culture and identity? How should one think about the foundation and defense of one´s own place from the margins of the civilized system? What is the sense of community in the face of an institutional violence that pushes more vulnerable subjects to live outside the law? How does the leitmotif of displacement relate to the fracturing of social, ethnic and gender interactions within the national map? The aim of the second part of the dissertation is the production of novels and literary essays of the second half of the century. I distinguish the representation of the intellectual subject whose practice is defined in the long-sought alliance with the subject of popular origins. This alliance is a problematic encounter that defines itself, in some cases within the framework of a revolutionary political project, and in others, within a context of failure and disappointment. Reflections on realism, questions about nation, dialogue channels and the mutual “contaminations” between critical discourse and that of fiction all are instances that guide my reading of the Ecuadorian novel throughout the twentieth century

Thermorresponsive magnetic nanoparticles as target drug delivery for cancer treatment

In this research, temperature sensitive microgels with magnetic core for controlled release of 5-fluoruracil was synthesized. Magnetic nanoparticles (Fe3O4) were prepared by coprecipitation method and the surface was functionalized by acrylic acid. Polymer poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM) were grown by free radical polymerization in presence of cross-liker and initiator. The size of the polymer was manipulated by changing the mole percent of the crosslinker and evaluated for their morphology (TEM), particle size, zeta potential, loading efficiency, drug content and drug release. Furthermore, microgels were tagged with FITC, a fluorochrome which could be applied for cell imaging. Cytotoxicity studies revealed that the microgels were not toxic. These complex nanoparticles (Fe3O4/pNIPAM/FITC/5-Fu) appear to be a great promise to be used in controlled drug delivery and tumor targeting.Universidad de Málaga. Campus de Excelencia Internacional Andalucía Tech

Synthesis of New Analogues of the Bengamides to encapsulate in magnetic nanoparticles

The development and identification of new antitumoral has become a research area of great interest and maximum priority due to secondary effects of current antitumoral and the appearance of tumours resistant to these agents. Marine sponges corresponding to the Jaspidae family have proved to be a prolific source of bioactive natural products. Among these, the Bengamides have showed an important biological profile, including antitumor, antibiotic and anthelmintic properties. Due to the interest of theses natural products, we describe a study directed towards the total synthesis of this class of compounds. Then we encapsulate Bengamides in temperature sensitive microgels with a magnetic core. Magnetic nanoparticles (Fe3O 4) were prepared by coprecipitation method and the surface was functionalized by acrylic acid. Polymer poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM) were grown by free radical polymerization in presence of cross-liker and initiator.Universidad de Málaga. Campus de Excelencia Internacional Andalucía Tec

Las voces de la Memoria. Recuperación de un pasado colectivo a través de una exposición pedagógica

Este trabajo recoge la síntesis y valoración del conjunto de ideas que impulsó a distintos miembros de la comunidad escolar del CEIP"Torrefiel" de Valencia a planificar la exposición pedagógica que se celebró en el último trimestre del curso pasado con motivo de la celebración de su 50 aniversario. El artículo se vertebra alrededor de tres ejes principales sobre los que se desarrolló la experiencia: la recuperación de las voces de los pedagogos, de las maestras y maestros, y la historia de la propia escuela y su barrio. Los objetivos que guiaron esta experiencia fueron la recuperación colectiva del patrimonio histórico-educativo y la reflexión crítica acerca de la función de la escuela actual. This paper is based on the synthesis and appraisal of the set of ideas that took various members of the school community of the CEIP 'Torrefiel' of Valencia to plan the teaching exhibition that was held in the last quarter of last year for its 50th anniversary. The article evolves around three main axes on which the experience took place: the recovery of the voices of professors and teachers, as well as the history of the school itself and its eighbourhood. The goals that have guided this experience were the global recovery of the historical and educational heritage, as well as the critical reflection about the role of the school today