El modelo de defensa constitucional de la Constitución de Cádiz en su bicentenario

[Resumen] La Constitución de Cádiz se caracterizó por multiplicar los mecanismos de protección del respeto al Texto Constitucional, que comprendían fórmulas políticas y jurídicas de defensa de la Constitución. El examen de todos los medios de defensa de la Constitución de Cádiz que aquí se realiza invita además a una reflexión sobre el modo en que, en el constitucionalismo de hoy, entendemos la defensa de la Constitución y las consecuencias que ello podría tener a la hora de abordar las tensiones que siempre plantea el debate entre la necesidad de contar con una Constitución que refleje fielmente los postulados políticos de la comunidad en cada momento, con la necesidad de proteger algunos contenidos constitucionales de mayorías coyunturales[Abstract] The Constitution of Cadiz was characterized by multiplying the mechanisms of respect for the constitutional text, covering political and legal ways to defend the Constitution. The examination of all ways of constitutional defense in the Constitution of Cadiz done here also invites to reflect on how we nowadays understand the defense of the Constitution and the consequences this may have on the debate between the need for a constitution that fairly reflects the political tenets of the community at all times, with the need to protect certain constitutional basis of cyclical majorities

La primera década del conflicto en defensa de la Autonomía Local

First decade of constitutional conflict in defense of local autonomy has not demonstrated its success in order to promote local Governments powers. This paper analyzes the causes of that and it promotes to seek solutions to local government problems beyond the Constitutional Court. Challenges facing local autonomy in Spain, as local Governments’ adequate structure, financial coverage of local powers and the correction of democratic rules at local institutions are examined here.El examen de la práctica del conflicto en defensa de la autonomía local en en su primera década de funcionamiento refleja una escasa eficacia del mismo como medio para incrementar los poderes del gobierno local español. El trabajo examina las razones de esta escasa eficacia práctica y aboga por buscar, más allá de los remedios procesales, las soluciones a los retos que enfrenta el mundo local, como la dimensión y estructura organizativa del nivel local de gobierno, la financiación de las entidades locales y el funcionamiento de las instituciones locales desde el punto de vista del buen gobierno democrático

Idiopathic Dilated Cardiomyopathy: Molecular Basis and Distilling Complexity to Advance

Cardiomyopathies are heterogeneous diseases of the myocardium associated with abnormal findings of chamber size, wall thickness, and/or functional contractility. In particular, dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is mainly characterized by ventricular chamber enlargement with systolic dysfunction and normal left ventricular (LV) wall thickness. Although DCM is thought to be induced mainly by genetic or environmental factors, in the majority of cases, the cause is unknown. With an estimated prevalence of 1:2500 and an incidence of 1:18,000 per year in adults, DCM is the most frequent indication for heart transplantation, which represents an enormous cost burden on healthcare systems. These figures warrant greater accuracy in patient diagnosis and prognosis and further insight into the underlying basis of DCM. Here, we discuss past and recent findings on the molecular mechanisms involved in DCM. Dilated cardiomyopathy has been linked to the overactivation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK1/2), which in turn is related to activation of low-density lipoprotein receptor–related protein-1 (LRP-1). Moreover, a redistribution of LRP-1 into cholesterol-enriched plasma membrane domains (lipid rafts) and alterations in cardiac DNA methylation have been reported in failing hearts. In conclusion, more comprehensive analyses of myocardial lipid rafts and epigenetic mechanisms may advance our understanding of DCM causes and progression. In turn, this understanding may promote the development of innovative treatments