Eros antes que Prometeo. Reconsideración de la filosofía de la tecnología de Ortega: Una relectura de su Meditación a la Técnica desde el principio de la biomímesis

Una relectura crítica de uno de los textos seminales de la filosofía de la tecnología del siglo XX, la Meditación de la técnica de Ortega y Gasset (1933), permite ganar perspectiva para valorar la encrucijada civilizatoria donde nos encontramos hoy. Remedando el lema del Foro Social Mundial de Porto Alegre: muchas técnicas son posibles y otras técnicas son posibles, pero ¿seguiremos la vía de una técnica biomimética capaz de aprender de la naturaleza o, más bien, nos embarcaremos en las dudosas aventuras que nos propone la tecnociencia sintética? Eros ha de situarse en el puesto de mando, frente al impulso tanático que alienta en la tecnociencia

Pensar la transición: enseñanzas y estrategias económico-ecológicas

More than ever, the current situation of multidimensional crisis (economic, ecological and social) requires organizing economic and social life in a different way to move towards an alternative socio-economic model. In order to analyze this transition path to a different economic system, two kinds of issues arise. On the one hand, what lessons should be learned from the theoretical and historical analysis of past socio-ecological and socio-economic transitions, and, second, the specific strategies and policies that could be put in place to start this transition at the present time.La situación actual de crisis multidimensional (económica, ecológica y social) obliga, más que nunca, a organizar la vida económico-social de otra forma, a emprender un camino socioeconómico alternativo. Para analizar ese camino, esa transición de sistema, en este artículo se plantean dos tipos de cuestiones. Por un lado, las posibles enseñanzas que cabe extraer del análisis teórico e histórico de transiciones socioeconómicas y socioecológicas pasadas, y, en segundo lugar, las estrategias y políticas concretas que se pueden poner en marcha para iniciar la fase de transición

Changes in PPARδ Protein Content following Acute Aerobic Exercise in Human Vastus Lateralis Muscle.

PPARδ is a transcription factor which functions in the regulation of lipid and glucose metabolism, and may be implicated as a therapeutic target for several metabolic diseases. Exercise training has previously been shown to increase PPARδ protein content, but the response of PPARδ to acute exercise is not yet understood. PURPOSE: To explore changes in PPARδ protein content following an acute bout of aerobic exercise in untrained obese adults. METHODS: 8 men and 4 women participated in the study. Subjects’ mean age, weight, VO2MAX (Bruce treadmill GXT), and body composition (DEXA) were 44 yr, 93.2 kg, 28.2 mL/kg/min, and 40.5% body fat, respectively. Subjects were asked to refrain from exercise for 1 week prior to the experiment and to maintain normal dietary habits during the study. Muscle biopsies were obtained from the vastus lateralis 3 days prior to acute exercise and again 24 hours after exercise. Subjects were exercised on a motorized treadmill at 70% VO2MAX for a target duration of 400kcal energy expenditure during the exercise session. PPARδ protein content in biopsied tissue was determined by Western blot analysis. Data were analyzed by repeated measures ANOVA and expressed as means ± standard error. RESULTS: PPARδ content was enhanced 24 hours following acute exercise in previously untrained, obese adults (unexercised 1.54±0.38 vs. exercised 2.30±0.39 arbitrary units, P\u3c0.05). Gel mobility shift indicated no difference in activity of PPARδ (phosphorylated: total) following exercise (unexercised 0.36±0.03 vs. exercised 0.34±0.04). CONCLUSION: Our study shows that PPARδ expression is enhanced in untrained, obese adults following a single bout of aerobic exercise with no relative change in phosphorylation of PPARδ. These data indicate that acute exercise plays a role in the expression of PPARδ. Funding for this research was provided by HydroWorx International, Inc., the Sydney & J.L. Huffines Institute for Sports Medicine and Human Performance at Texas A&M University and The Texas Chapter of The American College of Sports Medicin

Aquatic Treadmill Training Reduces Blood Pressure Reactivity to Acute Graded Exercise in Previously Sedentary Adults

Endurance exercise may reduce blood pressure and improve vasodilatory capacity thereby blunting the hypertensive response to stress. To test the efficacy of a novel model of low-impact endurance training, the aquatic-based treadmill (ATM), to improve blood pressure parameters, we recruited 60 sedentary adults and randomized to 12-weeks of either ATM (n = 36 [19 men, 17 women] , 41±2 yr, 173.58 ±1.58cm, 93.19 ±3.15kg) or land-based treadmill (LTM, n = 24 [11 men, 13 women], 42 ±2yr, 170.39 ±1.94cm, 88.14 ±3.6kg) training; 3sessions·wk-1, progressing to 500 kcal·session-1, 85% VO2max. The maximal Bruce treadmill test protocol was performed before and after training with blood pressures measured prior to, at the end of each stage, and for 5 minutes following exercise testing. Twelve subjects (5 ATM, 7 LTM) volunteered for biopsies of the vastus lateralis before and after training, and muscle samples were assessed for eNOS content. Blood pressure data were analyzed using group by training ANCOVA repeated across training, α = 0.05. Data obtained from muscle sample analysis were analyzed using group by training ANOVA repeated across training α = 0.05. Training reduced systolic blood pressure (9- 18.2mmHg), diastolic blood pressure (3.2-8.1 mmHg), mean arterial pressure (4.8-8.3mmHg), pulse pressure (7.5-15mmHg), and rate pressure product (1.8-3.9 bpm·mm Hg·103) during exercise stress and recovery in the ATM group, but not in the LTM group. Additionally, the ATM group, but not the LTM group, displayed a 31% increase in skeletal muscle eNOS content following training. Both groups improved VO2max (+3.6mL O2·kg-1·min-1), but resting blood pressure was not changed following training. These data support the use of ATM training as a novel therapeutic modality to combat hypertension

Relationship of ethnicity and CD4 Count with glucose metabolism among HIV patients on Highly-Active Antiretroviral Therapy (HAART)

Background HIV patients on HAART are prone to metabolic abnormalities, including insulin resistance, lipodystrophy and diabetes. This study purports to investigate the relationship of ethnicity and CD4+ T cell count attained after stable highly-active antiretroviral treatment (HAART) with glucose metabolism in hyperrtriglyceridemic HIV patients without a history of diabetes. Methods Demographic, anthropometric, clinical, endocrinologic, energy expenditure and metabolic measures were obtained in 199 multiethnic, healthy but hypertriglyceridemic HIV-infected patients [46% Hispanic, 17% African-American, 37% Non-Hispanic White (NHW)] on stable HAART without a history of diabetes. The relationship of glucose and insulin responses to ethnicity, CD4 strata (low (\u3c300/cc) or moderate-to-high (≥ 300/cc)), and their interaction was determined. Results African-Americans had significantly greater impairment of glucose tolerance (P \u3c 0.05) and HbA1c levels (P \u3c .001) than either Hispanics or NHWs. In multivariate models, after adjusting for confounders (age, sex, HIV/HAART duration, smoking, obesity, glucose, insulin and lipids), African-Americans and Hispanics had significantly higher HbA1c and 2-hour glucose levels than NHW’s. Demonstrating a significant interaction between ethnicity and CD4 count (P = 0.023), African Americans with CD4 \u3c300/cc and Hispanics with CD4 ≥300/cc had the most impaired glucose response following oral glucose challenge. Conclusions Among hypertriglyceridemic HIV patients on HAART, African-Americans and Hispanics are at increased risk of developing diabetes. Ethnicity also interacts with CD4+ T cell count attained on stable HAART to affect post-challenge glycemic response

SENTIA: a systematic online monitoring registry for children and adolescents treated with antipsychotics

INTRODUCTION: Despite drastic increases in antipsychotic prescribing in youth, data are still limited regarding their safety in this vulnerable population, necessitating additional tools for capturing long-term, real world data. METHODS: We present SENTIA (SafEty of NeurolepTics in Infancy and Adolescence; https://SENTIA.es), an online registry created in 2010 to track antipsychotic adverse effects in Spanish youth <18 years old currently taking or initiating with any antipsychotic treatment. SENTIA collects information on sociodemographic, diagnostic and treatment characteristics, past personal medical/psychiatric history, healthy lifestyle habits and treatment adherence. Additionally, efficacy and adverse effect data are recorded including the Children’s Global Assessment Scale; Clinical Global Impressions scale for Severity and Improvement, the Safety Monitoring Uniform Report Form, Simpson-Angus Scale, Abnormal Involuntary Movement Scale, vital signs, blood pressure, and EKG. Finally, fasting blood is drawn for hematology, electrolytes, renal, liver and thyroid function, glucose, insulin, lipid, prolactin and sex hormone levels. Initially, a diagnostic interview and several psychopathology scales were also included. Patients are assessed regularly and followed even beyond stopping antipsychotics. RESULTS: Since 01/17/2011, 85 youth (11.5 ± 2.9 (range = 4-17) years old, 70.6% male) have been included at one inaugural center. After a mean duration of 17 ± 11 (range = 1-34) months, 78.8% are still actively followed. For feasibility reasons, the diagnostic interview and detailed psychopathology scales were dropped. The remaining data can be entered in <30 minutes. Several additional centers are currently being added to SENTIA. CONCLUSIONS: Implementation of a systematic online pharmacovigilance system for antipsychotic adverse effects in youth is feasible and promises to generate important information

Encapsulated high temperature PCM as active filler material in a thermocline-based thermal storage system

A great concern in Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) is to boost energy harvesting systems, by finding materials with enhanced thermal performance. Phase Change Materials (PCM) have emerged as a promising option, due to their high thermal storage density compared to sensible storage materials currently used in CSP. A thermal storage system for solar power plants is proposed, a thermocline tank with PCM capsules together with filler materials, based on multi-layered solid-PCM (MLSPCM) thermocline-like storage tank concept [1,2]. A detailed selection of the most suitable high temperature PCM, their containment materials and encapsulation methods are shown

Lipid Profiles of American Collegiate Football Athletes in Response to Fall Preseason Camp

Recent studies show former football athletes, especially football linemen, to be at increased cardiovascular disease risk. However, the lipid profiles of American NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) players in response to sport participation are currently unknown. PURPOSE: To quantify the effects of participation in fall preseason football training camp on the blood lipid profiles in NCAA FBS athletes. METHODS: Seated venous blood samples were drawn in the morning after an overnight fast from 51 football players (age = 20 ± 2 yr, weight = 232.8 ± 40.8 lb, height = 73.9 ± 2.6 in) and analyzed for total cholesterol (TC), LDL-cholesterol (LDL-C), HDL-cholesterol (HLD-C), and triglyceride (TG). Samples were obtained on two separate occasions corresponding to the beginning of fall preseason football camp, and again 16 days later near the end. Data were analyzed by paired t-test. RESULTS: See table, values are means ± SD, * = p ≤ 0.001. Measurement Time Lipid and Lipoprotein Concentrations (mg/dL) TC LDL-C HDL-C TG TC:HDL Ratio Beginning 158 ± 34 90 ± 24 54 ± 15 117 ± 50 3.02 ± 0.70 End 151 ± 35 92 ± 28 47 ± 11* 86 ± 41* 3.32 ± 0.84* CONCLUSION: Participation in fall preseason training camp significantly alters the traditional lipid profiles of Collegiate FBS athletes. These lipid changes suggest a proinflammatory state with high energy utilization, and are consistent with the hypothesis that LDL-C is necessary for the structural repair of damaged tissue

Participación y asociacionismo de los jóvenes en Europa. Tendencias sociales y retos sociopolíticos

In this article we compare available data by several youth surveys, in the field of participation in associations, basically in Spain and Germany. Empirical data are framed in a historical context, that enlighten different ways of engagement among young people. We want to go beyond traditional differences between northern countries, with high rates of engagement, and southern countries, with low rates, and we state that some issues in theoretical and political discussion trend to be shared, as the transformation of several associations in services enterprises, the instrumentalisation of associative praxis throughout informal knowledge validation or the access to social benefits.En este artículo se comparan los datos proporcionados por diferentes encuestas que intentan medir el grado de participación de los jóvenes en asociaciones, fundamentalmente en España y Alemania. Los datos empíricos se enmarcan en un contexto sociohistórico, que es el que genera y hace comprensibles las diferentes formas de participación de los jóvenes. Más allá de analizar las tradicionales diferencias entre los países nórdicos, con mayores tasas de afiliación, y los países mediterráneos, con tasas mucho menores, se constata que los temas de discusión teórica y política tienden a converger, como la conversión de las asociaciones en gestoras de servicios o la instrumentalización de la práctica asociativa a través de la acreditación de los aprendizajes informales o el acceso a beneficios sociales