The splendor of form. H.U. von Balthasar: a metaphysical proposal

¿Es posible describir una metafísica en la obra de H.U. von Balthasar? El artículo que sigue propone una lectura ontológica del monumento cultura del pensador suizo desde tres claves importantes: el ser y los trascendentales, en la particular ordenación que Balthasar les dar; la cuestión de la diferencia y la forma en la perspectiva de la belleza.Is it possible to describe a Metaphysics in the writings from H. U. Balthasar? This paper proposes an ontological review of the big cultural monument from the Swiss philosopher, from three important keys: the human being and the transcendence, following the particular order given by Balthasar, the question of the difference and the form from the beauty perspective

¿Onto-fenomenología? Unidad y diferencia en L’essence de la manifestation, de Michel Henry

In L’essence de la manifestation(1963), Michel Henry promoted an innovative philosophical position that would mark the development of his thought: The critique of the external, phenomenology of the Life and the reading of the Cartesian principle in the Ego. However, did Henry put in play an onto-phenomenology that culminates in a hyper-monism? His later works would shed light on his notion of sonship, which illuminated his way out of the phenomenological monism.En L’essence de la manifestation(1963), Michel Henry despliega una posición filosófica novedosa que marcará el desarrollo de su pensamiento: la crítica a la exterioridad, la fenomenología de la Vida y la lectura del comienzo cartesiano en el ego. Pero, ¿pone en juego Henry una onto-fenomenología que culmina en un hiper-monismo? A la luz de sus obras posteriores, la noción de filiación aparecerá como una alternativa al monismo fenomenológico, que permite a Henry su superación

Influence of distance, area, and cultural context in active commuting: Continental and insular children

Additionally, this study takes place thanks to funding from the University of Granada, Plan Propio de Investigación 2016, Excellence actions: Units of Excellence; Unit of Excellence on Exercise and Health (UCEES). To PACO project (Pedalea y Anda al Cole), from PROFITH group, University of Granada. To CONICYT PAI-MEC program, from Education Ministry of Chile and to Carmen Sainz Quinn of Granada University for English revision and correction of the document. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.Commuting by walking or cycling is a way to increase physical activity levels. The objective of this article was to determine the modes of commuting to school and the distance and time of the way to school among children from Easter Island and from the mainland (Valparaíso), in Chile. A total of 666 children and adolescents aged 10 to 18 years old (208 from Easter Island and 458 from Valparaíso) participated and completed a valid questionnaire including data about age, gender, usual commuting mode to and from school, distance, and travel time. There are important differences in the mode of commuting between students of Valparaíso and Easter Island. Private transport is more commonly used in Valparaíso than in Easter Island (p<0.001). Furthermore, it was observed that cycling and public transportation are not used as mode of commuting in Valparaíso and Easter Island respectively. Students from Easter Island, who travel more distance and during more time, are more active than students from Valparaíso (going 24.8% and 17.6%; from: 61% and 28.8% respectively). This situation is influenced by the geographic context of the island, the distances from home to school, and the type of commuting, which fosters the level of active commuting. On the other hand, the passive modes of commuting to school are higher in the mainland urban setting of Valparaíso. It is necessary to study the diverse contexts of the Easter Island population, but, for now, the rural setting of Easter Island seems to be associated with a greater level of active commuting to school.This study was supported by the Spanish Ministry of Economy, Industry and Competitiveness and the European Regional Development Fund (DEP2016-75598-R, MINECO/FEDER, UE)

Aluminium(iii) dialkyl 2,6-bisimino-4R-dihydropyridinates(−1): selective synthesis, structure and controlled dimerization

A family of stable and otherwise selectively unachievable 2,6-bisimino-4-R-1,4-dihydropyridinate aluminium (III) dialkyl complexes [AlR’2(4-R-i PrBIPH)] (R = Bn, Allyl; R’ = Me, Et, i Bu) have been synthesized, taking advantage of a method for the preparation of the corresponding 4-R-1,4-dihydropiridine precursors developed in our group. All the dihydropyrdinate(−1) dialkyl aluminium complexes have been fully characterized by 1 H- 13C-NMR, elemental analysis and in the case 2’a, also by X-ray diffraction studies. Upon heating in toluene solution at 110 °C, the dimethyl derivatives 2a and 2’a dimerize selectively through a double cycloaddition. This reaction leads to the formation of two new C–C bonds that involve the both meta positions of the two 4-R-1,4-dihydropyridinate fragments, resulting the binuclear aluminium species [Me2Al(4-R-i PrHBIP)]2 (R = Bn (3a); allyl (3’a)). Experimental kinetics showed that the dimerization of 2’a obeys second order rate with negative activation entropy, which is consistent with a bimolecular rate-determining step. Controlled methanolysis of both 3a and 3’a release the metalfree dimeric bases, (4-Bn-i PrHBIPH)2 and (4-allyl-i PrHBIPH)2, providing a convenient route to these potentially useful ditopic ligands. When the R’ groups are bulkier than Me (2b, 2’b and 2’c), the dimerization is hindered or fully disabled, favoring the formation of paramagnetic NMR-silent species, which have been identified on the basis of a controlled methanolysis of the final organometallic products. Thus, when a toluene solution of [AlEt2(4-Bn-i PrBIPH)] (2b) was heated at 110 °C, followed by the addition of methanol in excess, it yields a mixture of the dimer (4-Bn-i PrHBIPH)2 and the aromatized base 4-Bn-i PrBIP, in ca. 1 : 2 ratio, indicating that the dimerization of 2b competes with its spontaneous dehydrogenation, yielding a paramagnetic complex containing a AlEt2 unit and a non-innocent (4-Bn-i PrBIP)•− radicalanion ligand. Similar NMR monitoring experiments on the thermal behavior of [AlEt2(4-allyl-i PrBIPH)] (2’b) and [Ali Bu2(4-allyl-iPrBIPH)] (2’c) showed that these complexes do not dimerize, but afford exclusively NMR silent products. When such thermally treated samples were subjected to methanolysis, they resulted in mixtures of the alkylated 4-allyl-i PrBIP and non-alkylated i PrBIP ligand, suggesting that dehydrogenation and deallylation reactions take place competitivelyMinisterio de Economía y Competitividad de España (MINECO) y los Fondos europeos FEDER-CTQ2015-68978-P y PRX14/00339United States National Science Foundation-CHE-166491

Efecto de la temperatura de síntesis del TiO₂ en las reacciones fotocatalíticas

Se prepararon fotocatalizadores de TiO₂ mediante el método sol-gel con una relación molar de agua/alcóxido = 7 y alcohol/alcóxido= 10, y se calcinaron a diferentes temperaturas 300, 450 y 600ºC. Las muestras preparadas se caracterizaron por difracción de rayos X (DRX) y espectroscopía Raman. La actividad fotocatalítica de las muestras de TiO₂ se evaluó en la decoloración de soluciones acuosas de Orange II bajo irradiación de luz UV. Los resultados indican que la estructura y actividad fotocatalítica cambian, cuando se modifica la temperatura de calcinación de los materiales. A baja temperatura de calcinación se obtuvo la fase anatasa y a alta temperatura se obtuvo la fase rutilo. La mejor actividad se logró obtener a altas temperaturas de calcinación, pues la más alta actividad se obtuvo a 600 ºC.TiO₂ photocatalysts were prepared by the sol-gel method with a molar ratio of water/alkoxide = 7 and alcohol/alkoxide= 10, and calcined at different temperatures 300, 450 and 600 ºC. The prepared samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Raman spectroscopy. The photocatalytic activity of the TiO₂ samples was evaluated in the decoloration of aqueous solutions of Orange II under irradiation of UV light. The results indicate that the structure and photocatalytic activity change when the calcination temperature of the materials is modified. The anatase phase was obtained at low calcination temperature and the rutile phase was obtained at high temperature. The best activity was obtained at high calcination temperatures, since the highest activity was obtained at 600 ºC

UCO physical rehabilitation: new dataset and study of human pose estimation methods on physical rehabilitation exercises

Physical rehabilitation plays a crucial role in restoring motor function following injuries or surgeries. However, the challenge of overcrowded waiting lists often hampers doctors’ ability to monitor patients’ recovery progress in person. Deep Learning methods offer a solution by enabling doctors to optimize their time with each patient and distinguish between those requiring specific attention and those making positive progress. Doctors use the flexion angle of limbs as a cue to assess a patient’s mobility level during rehabilitation. From a Computer Vision perspective, this task can be framed as automatically estimating the pose of the target body limbs in an image. The objectives of this study can be summarized as follows: (i) evaluating and comparing multiple pose estimation methods; (ii) analyzing how the subject’s position and camera viewpoint impact the estimation; and (iii) determining whether 3D estimation methods are necessary or if 2D estimation suffices for this purpose. To conduct this technical study, and due to the limited availability of public datasets related to physical rehabilitation exercises, we introduced a new dataset featuring 27 individuals performing eight diverse physical rehabilitation exercises focusing on various limbs and body positions. Each exercise was recorded using five RGB cameras capturing different viewpoints of the person. An infrared tracking system named OptiTrack was utilized to establish the ground truth positions of the joints in the limbs under study. The results, supported by statistical tests, show that not all state-of-the-art pose estimators perform equally in the presented situations (e.g., patient lying on the stretcher vs. standing). Statistical differences exist between camera viewpoints, with the frontal view being the most convenient. Additionally, the study concludes that 2D pose estimators are adequate for estimating joint angles given the selected camera viewpoints

The Netrin-1-Neogenin-1 signaling axis controls neuroblastoma cell migration via integrin-β1 and focal adhesion kinase activation

Neuroblastoma is a highly metastatic tumor that emerges from neural crest cell progenitors. Focal Adhesion Kinase (FAK) is a regulator of cell migration that binds to the receptor Neogenin-1 and is upregulated in neuroblastoma. Here, we show that Netrin-1 ligand binding to Neogenin-1 leads to FAK autophosphorylation and integrin β1 activation in a FAK dependent manner, thus promoting neuroblastoma cell migration. Moreover, Neogenin-1, which was detected in all tumor stages and was required for neuroblastoma cell migration, was found in a complex with integrin β1, FAK, and Netrin-1. Importantly, Neogenin-1 promoted neuroblastoma metastases in an immunodeficient mouse model. Taken together, these data show that Neogenin-1 is a metastasis-promoting protein that associates with FAK, activates integrin β1 and promotes neuroblastoma cell migration.This work was supported by the Comisión Nacional de Investigación Científica y Tecnológica [21130521]; Fondo Nacional de Desarrollo Científico y Tecnológico [1140697]; Fondo Nacional de Desarrollo Científico y Tecnológico [1180495]; Red Temática de Investigación Cooperativa en Cancer [RD12/0036/0027]; SAF [SAF2015-65175-R]; Red Temática de Investigación Cooperativa en Cancer [RD12/0036/0027]; PSG: Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades and FEDER funds (RTI2018-093596); JGC: Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad of Spain (PI17CIII/00013), Consejería de Educación, Juventud y Deporte, Comunidad de Madrid (P2017/BMD-3692), Fundación Oncohematología Infantil, AFANION, and Asociación Pablo Ugarte.S

Analysis of the antigenic and prophylactic properties of the Leishmania translation initiation factors eIF2 and eIF2B in natural and experimental leishmaniasis

Los diferentes miembros de las familias de proteínas intracelulares son reconocidos por el sistema inmunológico del huésped vertebrado infectado por parásitos del género Leishmania. Aquí hemos analizado las propiedades antigénicas e inmunogénicas de los factores de iniciación de la traducción de Leishmania eIF2 y eIF2B. Una búsqueda in silico en las bases de datos de secuencias de Leishmania infantum permitió la identificación de los genes que codifican las subunidades α, β y γ y las subunidades α, β y δ de los supuestos ortólogos de Leishmania de los factores de iniciación eucarióticos F2 (LieIF2) o F2B (LieIF2B), respectivamente. La antigenicidad de estos factores fue analizada por ELISA utilizando versiones recombinantes de las diferentes subunidades. Se encontraron anticuerpos contra las diferentes subunidades LieIF2 y LieIF2B en los sueros de pacientes con leishmaniosis visceral humana y canina, y también en los sueros de hámsteres infectados experimentalmente con L. infantum. En ratones desafiados por L. infantum (BALB/c) y Leishmania major (BALB/c o C57BL/6) se detectó una respuesta humoral moderada contra estos factores proteicos. Cabe destacar que estas proteínas provocaron una producción de IL-10 por parte de los esplenocitos derivados de ratones infectados, independientemente de la especie de Leishmania empleada para el desafío experimental. Cuando se administraron vacunas de ADN basadas en la expresión de los genes codificantes de las subunidades LieIF2 o LieIF2B en ratones, se observó una secreción específica de antígenos de citoquinas IFN-γ e IL-10. Además, se generó en los ratones vacunados una protección parcial contra el desarrollo de la CL murina debido a la infección por L. major. Además, en este trabajo mostramos que la subunidad LieIF2α y las subunidades LieIF2Bβ y δ tienen la capacidad de estimular la secreción de IL-10 por las células del bazo de los ratones ingenuos. Los linfocitos B fueron identificados como los mayores productores de esta citoquina antiinflamatoria. Teniendo en cuenta los datos encontrados en este estudio, se puede formular la hipótesis de que estas proteínas actúan como factores de virulencia implicados en la inducción de respuestas humorales, así como en la producción de la citoquina IL-10 de regulación descendente, favoreciendo un resultado patológico. Por lo tanto, estas proteínas podrían considerarse marcadores de enfermedad.Different members of intracellular protein families are recognized by the immune system of the vertebrate host infected by parasites of the genus Leishmania. Here, we have analyzed the antigenic and immunogenic properties of the Leishmania eIF2 and eIF2B translation initiation factors. An in silico search in Leishmania infantum sequence databases allowed the identification of the genes encoding the α, β, and γ subunits and the α, β, and δ subunits of the putative Leishmania orthologs of the eukaryotic initiation factors F2 (LieIF2) or F2B (LieIF2B), respectively. The antigenicity of these factors was analyzed by ELISA using recombinant versions of the different subunits. Antibodies against the different LieIF2 and LieIF2B subunits were found in the sera from human and canine visceral leishmaniasis patients, and also in the sera from hamsters experimentally infected with L. infantum. In L. infantum (BALB/c) and Leishmania major (BALB/c or C57BL/6) challenged mice, a moderate humoral response against these protein factors was detected. Remarkably, these proteins elicited an IL-10 production by splenocytes derived from infected mice independently of the Leishmania species employed for experimental challenge. When DNA vaccines based on the expression of the LieIF2 or LieIF2B subunit encoding genes were administered in mice, an antigen-specific secretion of IFN-γ and IL-10 cytokines was observed. Furthermore, a partial protection against murine CL development due to L. major infection was generated in the vaccinated mice. Also, in this work we show that the LieIF2α subunit and the LieIF2Bβ and δ subunits have the capacity to stimulate IL-10 secretion by spleen cells from naïve mice. B-lymphocytes were identified as the major producers of this anti-inflammatory cytokine. Taking into account the data found in this study, it may be hypothesized that these proteins act as virulence factors implicated in the induction of humoral responses as well as in the production of the down-regulatory IL-10 cytokine, favoring a pathological outcome. Therefore, these proteins might be considered markers of disease.• Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación y Fondos FEDER. Proyectos FISPI14/00366, FISPI14/00366 • Fondo de Investigaciones Sanitarias. Proyecto ISCIII-RETICRD16/0027/0008-FEDER • Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (Brasil). Program 300174/2014-4 • Centro de Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa. Ayuda • Fundación Ramón Areces. Ayuda • Banco de Santander. AyudapeerReviewe

Coadministration of the three antigenic Leishmania infantum poly (A) binding proteins as a DNA vaccine induces protection against Leishmania major infection in BALB/c Mice

Antecedentes Las proteínas intracelulares de Leishmania, altamente conservadas, han sido descritas como antígenos en mamíferos infectados natural y experimentalmente. El objetivo del presente estudio es evaluar la antigenicidad y propiedades profilácticas del Leishmania infantum Poly (A) las proteínas (LiPABPs). Metodología/Resultados principales Se han descrito tres diferentes miembros de la familia LiPABP. Se han elaborado herramientas recombinantes basadas en estas proteínas: proteínas recombinantes y vacunas de ADN. Las tres proteínas recombinantes fueron empleadas para recubrir las placas ELISA. Los sueros de pacientes humanos y caninos de leishmaniasis visceral y de pacientes humanos de leishmaniasis mucosa han reconoció los tres LiPABPs. Además, la eficacia protectora de la vacuna de ADN basada en la combinación de los tres Leishmania PABPs ha sido probado en un modelo murino de leishmaniosis progresiva: ratones BALB/c infectados con Leishmania major. La inducción de Th1 como respuesta contra la familia LiPABP por vacunación génica fue capaz de regular a la baja la IL-10 con respuestas predominantes suscitadas por el parásito LiPABPs tras la infección en este modelo murino. Esta modulación se tradujo en una protección parcial contra la infección por L. major. Los ratones vacunados con LiPABP mostraron una reducción de la patología que fue acompañada por una disminución de la carga parasitaria, en títulos de anticuerpos contra antígenos de Leishmania y de la IL-4 y la IL-10 las respuestas mediadas específicas del parásito en comparación con el control de grupos de ratones inmunizados con solución salina o con no-plásmidos recombinantes. Conclusión/significación Los resultados aquí presentados demuestran por primera vez las propiedades profilácticas de una nueva familia de proteínas intracelulares antigénicas de Leishmania, la LiPABPs. La redirección de la respuesta inmune desencadenada frente contra la familia LiPABP (de IL-10 hacia las respuestas mediadas por IFN-γ) por vacunación génica fue capaz de inducir una protección parcial contra el desarrollo de la enfermedad en un modelo murino altamente susceptible de leishmaniasis.Background Highly conserved intracellular proteins from Leishmania have been described as antigens in natural and experimental infected mammals. The present study aimed to evaluate the antigenicity and prophylactic properties of the Leishmania infantum Poly (A) binding proteins (LiPABPs). Methodology/Principal Findings Three different members of the LiPABP family have been described. Recombinant tools based on these proteins were constructed: recombinant proteins and DNA vaccines. The three recombinant proteins were employed for coating ELISA plates. Sera from human and canine patients of visceral leishmaniasis and human patients of mucosal leishmaniasis recognized the three LiPABPs. In addition, the protective efficacy of a DNA vaccine based on the combination of the three Leishmania PABPs has been tested in a model of progressive murine leishmaniasis: BALB/c mice infected with Leishmania major. The induction of a Th1-like response against the LiPABP family by genetic vaccination was able to down-regulate the IL-10 predominant responses elicited by parasite LiPABPs after infection in this murine model. This modulation resulted in a partial protection against L. major infection. LiPABP vaccinated mice showed a reduction on the pathology that was accompanied by a decrease in parasite burdens, in antibody titers against Leishmania antigens and in the IL-4 and IL-10 parasite-specific mediated responses in comparison to control mice groups immunized with saline or with the non-recombinant plasmid. Conclusion/Significance The results presented here demonstrate for the first time the prophylactic properties of a new family of Leishmania antigenic intracellular proteins, the LiPABPs. The redirection of the immune response elicited against the LiPABP family (from IL-10 towards IFN-γ mediated responses) by genetic vaccination was able to induce a partial protection against the development of the disease in a highly susceptible murine model of leishmaniasis.• Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación. Proyectos FISPI14/00366 y FISPI11/00095 del Instituto de Salud Carlos III dentro de la Red de Investigación de Enfermedades Tropicales. Proyecto VI P I D I 2008-2011, ISCIII - Subdirección General de Redes y Centros de Investigación Cooperativa (RD12/0018/0009) • CNPq (Ciencia sem Fronteiras), Brasil: PVE 300174/2014-4 • Fundación Ramón Areces: Subvenciones al Centro de Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa (CBMSO).peerReviewe

Diversidad genética en burros criollos de México

The aim of this study was to evaluate the genetic diversity of the Mexican criollo donkey with SNP-type genetic markers. Sixteen individuals (eight males and eight females) were randomly sampled and genotyped using the GGP Equine 70K chip (71 947 loci). Within chromosome the polymorphic SNPs were identified, determining the expected (He) and observed (Ho) heterozygosity, polymorphic information content (PIC), the fixation index (FIS) and the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (HW). Linkage disequilibrium was assessed based on the correlation (r2) between frequencies across loci. An analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) and a cluster study were performed to infer the number of clusters (k). It was found that 3579 loci (4.9%) presented genetic variability, but 24.9% presented HW disequilibrium (p&lt;0.05). Across chromosomes, the number of polymorphic loci ranged from 50 to 269 with a mean of 115. The (within chromosome) means for PIC and FIS ranged from 0.222 to 0.267 and -0.392 to -0.208, respectively. In all chromosomes Ho was superior to He. For r2, the mean values within chromosome were greater than 0.10; the optimal k corresponded to 2. In the AMOVA, the genetic variability within individuals explained 67%. The SNPs identified as polymorphic make up a first panel of genetic markers for the Mexican creole burro, and the estimated genetic variability can be used in development and conservation schemes.El estudio tuvo como objetivo evaluar la diversidad genética del burro criollo mexicano con marcadores genéticos de tipo SNP. Se muestreó aleatoriamente a 16 individuos (ocho machos y ocho hembras) y el genotipado se hizo con el chip GGP Equine 70K (71 947 loci). Dentro de cromosoma se identificaron los SNP polimórficos, determinándose la heterocigosis esperada (He) y observada (Ho), contenido de información polimórfica (CIP), el índice de fijación (FIS) y el equilibrio (HW) Hardy-Weinberg. El desequilibrio de ligamiento se evaluó con base en la correlación (r2) entre frecuencias a través de locus. Se realizó un análisis de varianza molecular (AMOVA) y un estudio de agrupamiento para inferir el número de cluster (k). Se encontró que 3579 loci (4.9%) presentaron variabilidad genética, pero el 24.9% presentó desequilibrio HW (p&lt;0.05). A través de cromosomas, el número de loci polimórficos osciló de 50 a 269 con un promedio de 115. Los promedios (dentro de cromosoma) para PIC y FIS fluctuaron de 0.222 a 0.267 y de -0.392 a -0.208, respectivamente. En todos los cromosomas Ho fue superior a He. Para r2, los valores promedio dentro de cromosoma fueron superior a 0.10; el k óptimo correspondió a 2. En el AMOVA, la variabilidad genética dentro de individuos explicó el 67%. Los SNP identificados como polimórficos, conforman un primer panel de marcadores genéticos para el burro criollo mexicano, y la variabilidad genética estimada puede ser utilizada en esquemas de desarrollo y conservación