scholarly journals Elementos mitológicos, palatinos y de capa y espada en Fineza contra fineza, una fiesta cortesana de Calderón

2021 ◽  
pp. 580-606
Author(s):  
María José Tobar Quintanar
Keyword(s):  
Identity Confusion ◽  
Classical Greece ◽  
First Time

RESUMEN: Se estudia la caracterización genérica de Fineza contra fineza, una fiesta cortesana de Calderón estrenada en 1671. Aunque su condición de comedia mitológica resulta evidente por la aparición del dios Cupido, el tiempo mítico de la acción y su ubicación en la Grecia clásica, en su trama se registran abundantes elementos palatinos (personajes nobles, un amor cortés y refinado, una exigente ética del honor, el conflicto entre lealtad, amistad y amor, y diversas fórmulas de enredo: confusión de identidades, fingimientos, disimulaciones, secretos) y de capa y espada (un paso de “fantasma”, la función cómica de los personajes nobles y escenas de metateatro jocoso). Ello muestra el extraordinario dominio de las convenciones de los distintos géneros dramáticos por parte de Calderón, pues fue capaz de combinarlas sabiamente en esta comedia. ABSTRACT: This paper studies the generic characterization of Fineza contra fineza, a Calderón´s courtly festival performed for the first time in 1671. Although the classification as a mythological comedy is evident from the appearance of the god Cupid, the mythical time of action and the location in classical Greece, in the plot there are many palatine elements (noble characters, a courtly and refined love, a demanding ethic of honour, the conflict between loyalty, friendship and love, and some techniques of entanglement: identity confusion, simulations, dissimulations, secrets) and also typical features of cloak and sword plays (a “fantasma” scene, the comic role of noble characters and humorous metatheatre). This shows the extraordinary command of the conventions of all dramatic genres by Calderón, since he was wisely able to combine them in this comedy.

scholarly journals Molecular analysis of the microflora in chronic venous leg ulceration

2003 ◽  
Vol 52 (4) ◽  
pp. 365-369 ◽  
Author(s):  
K.E. Hill ◽  
C.E. Davies ◽  
M.J. Wilson ◽  
P. Stephens ◽  
K.G. Harding ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Individual Species ◽  
Venous Leg Ulcer ◽  
Bacterial Populations ◽  
Cultural Methods ◽  
Rdna Sequences ◽  
Oral Microflora ◽  
16S Rdna Sequences ◽  
First Time

There is growing evidence to suggest that the resident microflora of chronic venous leg ulcers impairs cellular wound-healing responses, thereby playing an important role in maintaining the non-healing phenotype of many of these wounds. The significance of individual species of bacteria will remain unclear until it is possible to characterize fully the microflora of such lesions. The limitations and biases of culture-based microbiology are being realized and the subsequent application of molecular methods is revealing greater diversity within mixed bacterial populations than that demonstrated by culture alone. To date, this approach has been limited to a small number of systems, including the oral microflora. Here, for the first time, the comprehensive characterization of the microflora present in the tissue of a chronic venous leg ulcer is described by the comparison of 16S rDNA sequences amplified directly from the wound tissue with sequences obtained from bacteria that were isolated by culture. The molecular approach demonstrated significantly greater bacterial diversity than that revealed by culture. Furthermore, sequences were retrieved that may possibly represent novel species of bacteria. It is only by the comprehensive analysis of the wound microflora by both molecular and cultural methods that it will be possible to further our understanding of the role of bacteria in this important condition.

Phonons in deformable microporous crystalline solids

2019 ◽  
Vol 234 (7-8) ◽  
pp. 513-527 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bogdan Kuchta ◽  
Filip Formalik ◽  
Justyna Rogacka ◽  
Alexander V. Neimark ◽  
Lucyna Firlej
Keyword(s):  
Periodic Structures ◽  
Structural Transformations ◽  
Crystalline Solids ◽  
Predictive Tool ◽  
Crystalline Materials ◽  
Numerical Tools ◽  
Collective Vibrations ◽  
First Time

Abstract Phonons are quantum elastic excitations of crystalline solids. Classically, they correspond to the collective vibrations of atoms in ordered periodic structures. They determine the thermodynamic properties of solids and their stability in the case of structural transformations. Here we review for the first time the existing examples of the phonon analysis of adsorption-induced transformations occurring in microporous crystalline materials. We discuss the role of phonons in determining the mechanism of the deformations. We point out that phonon-based methodology may be used as a predictive tool in characterization of flexible microporous structures; therefore, relevant numerical tools must be developed.

scholarly journals A small mitochondrial protein present in myzozoans is essential for malaria transmission

Open Biology ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 6 (4) ◽  
pp. 160034 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dennis Klug ◽  
Gunnar R. Mair ◽  
Friedrich Frischknecht ◽  
Ross G. Douglas
Keyword(s):  
Drug Targets ◽  
Mitochondrial Protein ◽  
Sister Group ◽  
Developmental Defect ◽  
Mitochondrial Mass ◽  
First Time ◽  
Potential Drug Targets ◽  
Identification And Characterization

Myzozoans (which include dinoflagellates, chromerids and apicomplexans) display notable divergence from their ciliate sister group, including a reduced mitochondrial genome and divergent metabolic processes. The factors contributing to these divergent processes are still poorly understood and could serve as potential drug targets in disease-causing protists. Here, we report the identification and characterization of a small mitochondrial protein from the rodent-infecting apicomplexan parasite Plasmodium berghei that is essential for development in its mosquito host. Parasites lacking the gene mitochondrial protein ookinete developmental defect ( mpodd ) showed malformed parasites that were unable to transmit to mosquitoes. Knockout parasites displayed reduced mitochondrial mass without affecting organelle integrity, indicating no role of the protein in mitochondrial biogenesis or morphology maintenance but a likely role in mitochondrial import or metabolism. Using genetic complementation experiments, we identified a previously unrecognized Plasmodium falciparum homologue that can rescue the mpodd(−) phenotype, thereby showing that the gene is functionally conserved. As far as can be detected, mpodd is found in myzozoans, has homologues in the phylum Apicomplexa and appears to have arisen in free-living dinoflagellates. This suggests that the MPODD protein has a conserved mitochondrial role that is important for myzozoans. While previous studies identified a number of essential proteins which are generally highly conserved evolutionarily, our study identifies, for the first time, a non-canonical protein fulfilling a crucial function in the mitochondrion during parasite transmission.

scholarly journals Isolation and Characterization of Cryptococcus neoformans Spores Reveal a Critical Role for Capsule Biosynthesis Genes in Spore Biogenesis

2009 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 595-605 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael R. Botts ◽  
Steven S. Giles ◽  
Marcellene A. Gates ◽  
Thomas R. Kozel ◽  
Christina M. Hull
Keyword(s):  
Cryptococcus Neoformans ◽  
Fungal Pathogens ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Spore Formation ◽  
Yeast Cells ◽  
Isolation And Characterization ◽  
Specific Configuration ◽  
First Time

ABSTRACT Spores are essential particles for the survival of many organisms, both prokaryotic and eukaryotic. Among the eukaryotes, fungi have developed spores with superior resistance and dispersal properties. For the human fungal pathogens, however, relatively little is known about the role that spores play in dispersal and infection. Here we present the purification and characterization of spores from the environmental fungus Cryptococcus neoformans. For the first time, we purified spores to homogeneity and assessed their morphological, stress resistance, and surface properties. We found that spores are morphologically distinct from yeast cells and are covered with a thick spore coat. Spores are also more resistant to environmental stresses than yeast cells and display a spore-specific configuration of polysaccharides on their surfaces. Surprisingly, we found that the surface of the spore reacts with antibodies to the polysaccharide glucuronoxylomannan, the most abundant component of the polysaccharide capsule required for C. neoformans virulence. We explored the role of capsule polysaccharide in spore development by assessing spore formation in a series of acapsular strains and determined that capsule biosynthesis genes are required for proper sexual development and normal spore formation. Our findings suggest that C. neoformans spores may have an adapted cell surface that facilitates persistence in harsh environments and ultimately allows them to infect mammalian hosts.

scholarly journals Immunological changes in growing mice fed on diets containing casein or peas (Pisum sativum var. Belinda) as the source of protein

1995 ◽  
Vol 73 (1) ◽  
pp. 87-97 ◽  
Author(s):  
J.Alfredo Martínez ◽  
M. Luisa Esparza ◽  
Jesús Larralde
Keyword(s):  
Pisum Sativum ◽  
Individual Performance ◽  
Gastrointestinal Disorders ◽  
Antigenic Proteins ◽  
Poor Individual ◽  
First Time ◽  
Different Sources

The effects of two different sources of protein: peas (Pisum sativum var. Belinda) and casein on immunocompetence, nutritional utilization and growth performance have been investigated in recently weaned mice. Feeding these animals on a pea diet resulted in an impairment in growth and significant decreases in the weights of liver, muscle, kidneys and femur, while intestine weights increased. No differences in food consumption were observed, but food conversion efficiency (food intake: weight gain) was increased in pea-fed animals compared with those offered the casein diet. Packed cell volume and serum Fe and Zn levels fell significantly after legume-protein intake, and, by contrast, Cu values increased slightly. Serum albumin levels showed a statistically significant reduction in mice fed on the diet containing peas. However, y-globulins and immunoglobulin G titres were markedly increased. The characterization of spleen-cell subsets using monoclonal antibodies revealed a significantly higher percentage of T-lymphocytes in the pea group compared with casein-fed animals, while no changes were observed in the proportions of B-lymphocytes and macrophages. In vitro mitogenic responses to phytohaemagglutinin, concanavalin A and Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide S were slightly, but not significantly, lower in the pea-fed animals. Our results describe, apparently for the first time in mice, some immunological disturbances after peak intake. These results may lead to a better understanding of the possible role of antigenic proteins in gastrointestinal disorders and the poor individual performance after legume intake.

scholarly journals Characterization of the secretory profile and exosomes of limbal stem cells in the canine species

PLoS ONE ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 15 (12) ◽  
pp. e0244327
Author(s):  
Antonio J. Villatoro ◽  
Cristina Alcoholado ◽  
María del Carmen Martín-Astorga ◽  
Gustavo Rico ◽  
Viviana Fernández ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Stem Cells ◽  
Ocular Surface ◽  
Inhibitory Effect ◽  
Proteomic Profile ◽  
Limbal Stem Cells ◽  
High Concentrations ◽  
First Time

Limbal stem cells (LSCs) are a quiescent cell population responsible for the renewal of the corneal epithelium. Their deficiency is responsible for the conjunctivization of the cornea that is seen in different ocular pathologies, both in humans and in the canine species. The canine species represents an interesting preclinical animal model in ocular surface pathologies. However, the role of LSCs in physiological and pathological conditions in canine species is not well understood. Our objective was to characterize for the first time the soluble factors and the proteomic profile of the secretome and exosomes of canine LSCs (cLSCs). In addition, given the important role that fibroblasts play in the repair of the ocular surface, we evaluated the influence of the secretome and exosomes of cLSCs on their proliferation in vitro. Our results demonstrated a secretory profile of cLSCs with high concentrations of MCP-1, IL-8, VEGF-A, and IL-10, as well as significant production of exosomes. Regarding the proteomic profile, 646 total proteins in the secretome and 356 in exosomes were involved in different biological processes. Functionally, the cLSC secretome showed an inhibitory effect on the proliferation of fibroblasts in vitro, which the exosomes did not. These results open the door to new studies on the possible use of the cLSC secretome or some of its components to treat certain pathologies of the ocular surface in canine species.

scholarly journals Significant and conflicting correlation of IL-9 with Prevotella and Bacteroides in human colorectal cancer

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
E Niccolai ◽  
E Russo ◽  
S Baldi ◽  
F Ricci ◽  
G Nannini ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Colorectal Cancer ◽  
Immune Response ◽  
Multinomial Regression ◽  
Tnf Α ◽  
Ifn Γ ◽  
Inflammatory Profile ◽  
Infiltrating Lymphocytes ◽  
First Time

ABSTRACTBackgroundColorectal cancer (CRC) is a widespread disease that represents an example of chronic inflammation-associated tumor. In fact, the immune system, besides protecting the host from developing tumors, can support the CRC progression. In this scenario, the gut microbiota (GM) is essential to modulate immune responses and a dysbiotic condition can favor chronic/abnormal immune activation that support the tumor growth. GM can elicit the production of cytokines, influencing the immunostimulatory or immunosuppressive reactions, such as the tendency to mount Th1, Th17, Tregs or Th9 responses that play different roles towards colon cancer. Paradigmatic is the role of IL-9 that can both promote tumor progression in hematological malignancies and inhibit tumorigenesis in solid cancers. Therefore, to investigate the microbiota-immunity axis in CRC patients is crucial to well understand the cancer development with positive relapses in prevention and treatment.AimThe cellular and molecular characterization of the immune response and the evaluation of GM composition in healthy and tumor mucosa, focusing on the correlation between cytokines’ profile and GM signature.MethodsWe collected tumoral (CRC) and healthy (CRC-S) mucosa samples of 45 CRC patients. For each sample, we characterized the Tissue Infiltrating Lymphocytes (TIL)’s subset profile and the GM composition. In addition, in 14 CRC patients, we evaluated the CRC and CRC-S molecular inflammatory response (26 cytokines/chemokines) and we correlated this profile with GM composition using the Dirichlet Multinomial Regression.ResultsThe analysis of T cells subsets distribution showed that CRC samples displayed higher percentages of Th17, Th2, Tregs, Tc17, Tc1/Tc17, and Tcreg, compared to CRC-S. Notably, also the number of Th9 was higher, even if not significantly, in CRC tissue compared to healthy one. In addition, we found that MIP-1α, IL-1β, IL-2, IP-10, IL-6, IL-8, IL-17A, IFN-γ, TNF-α, MCP-1, IL-1α, P-selectin and IL-9 were significantly increased in CRC compared to CRC-S. Moreover, the GM analysis revealed that CRC samples had significantly higher levels of Fusobacteria, Proteobacteria, Fusobacterium, Ruminococcus2 (Lachnospiraceae family) and Ruminococcus (Ruminococcaceae family) than CRC-S. Finally, we found that the abundance of Prevotella spp in CRC samples was negatively correlated with IL-17A and positively with IL-9. In addition, the abundance of Bacteroides and Escherichia/Shigella species in CRC samples showed a negative association with IL-9 and IP-10 respectively.ConclusionsOur data show a clear dissimilarity of inflammatory profile and GM composition between the tumor and the adjacent healthy tissue, displaying the generation of a peculiar CRC microenvironment. Interestingly, relating the tissue cytokine profile with the GM composition, we confirmed the presence of a bidirectional crosstalk between the immune response and the host’s commensal microorganisms; in detail, we documented for the first time that Prevotella spp. and Bacteroides spp. are correlated (positively and negatively, respectively) with the IL-9, whose role in CRC development is still debated.

scholarly journals Structural characterization of NORAD reveals a stabilizing role of spacers and two new repeat units.

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Uciel Chorostecki ◽  
Ester Saus ◽  
Toni Gabaldon
Keyword(s):  
Modular Organization ◽  
Cellular Functions ◽  
Repeat Units ◽  
Non Coding Rna ◽  
High Sequence Conservation ◽  
Non Coding Rnas ◽  
First Time ◽  
Computational Predictions

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) can perform a variety of key cellular functions by interacting with proteins and other RNAs. Recent studies have shown that the function of lncRNAS are largely mediated by their structures. However, our structural knowledge for most lncRNAS is limited to sequence-based computational predictions. Non-coding RNA activated by DNA damage (NORAD) is an atypical lncRNA due to its abundant expression and high sequence conservation. NORAD regulates genomic stability by interacting with proteins and microRNAs. Previous sequence-based characterization has identified a modular organization of NORAD composed of several NORAD repeat units (NRUs). These units comprise the protein-binding elements and are separated by regular spacers of unknown function. Here, we experimentally determine for the first time the secondary structure of NORAD using the nextPARS approach. Our results suggest that the spacer regions provide structural stability to NRUs. Furthermore, we uncover two previously-unreported NRUs, and determine the core structural motifs conserved across NRUs. Overall, these findings will help to elucidate the function and evolution of NORAD.

Crystallographic characterization of Er2C2@C2(43)-C90, Er2C2@C2(40)-C90, Er2C2@C2(44)-C90, and Er2C2@C1(21)-C90: the role of cage-shape on cluster configuration

Nanoscale ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (37) ◽  
pp. 17319-17326 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shuaifeng Hu ◽  
Wangqiang Shen ◽  
Pei Zhao ◽  
Ting Xu ◽  
Zdeněk Slanina ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cluster Configuration ◽  
Crystallographic Structures ◽  
First Time

The cluster configuration adjustment induced by the cage shape is investigated systematically for the first time based on the crystallographic structures of four unprecedented Er2C2@C90 compounds.

Mechanical Characterization of Nanoclay Reinforced Polypropylene Composites at High Temperature Subjected to Tensile Loads

2012 ◽  
Vol 488-489 ◽  
pp. 567-571 ◽  
Author(s):  
Reza Eslami Farsani ◽  
Ziba Hedayat Nasab ◽  
S. Mohammad Reza Khalili ◽  
Neda Soleimani
Keyword(s):  
High Temperature ◽  
Tensile Modulus ◽  
Clay Nanocomposites ◽  
Melt Mixing ◽  
Polypropylene Composites ◽  
Twin Screw ◽  
First Time ◽  
Compatibilizing Agent

In this paper, Polypropylene (PP) nanocomposites are prepared by melt mixing in a twin-screw extruder by injection molding. The role of compatibilizing agent is performed by maleic anhydride grafted polypropylene (PP-g-MA) between nanoclay and PP. The effect of nanoclay particles (1, 3, 5 wt %) on the PP composites is investigated for tensile test at high temperature for the first time. Mechanical behaviors of PP/clay nanocomposites at both room temperature (RT) and high temperature (HT) are investigated in terms of tensile properties. Addition of nanoclay showed a significant enhancement in stiffness of PP/clay nanocomposites. Nearly 36% and 157% increase in the tensile modulus at both RT and HT are observed, respectively. But, the increase in tensile strength is almost negligible.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document