Los derechos de las mujeres: del reconocimiento constitucional a su aplicación efectiva

La tesis estudia los procesos de construcción de la ciudadanía de las mujeres en el constitucionalismo ecuatoriano, a partir de la aprobación de la Constitución Política del Ecuador de 1998 y la adopción de la nueva Constitución del Ecuador de 2008. A través del análisis de género de las resoluciones judiciales, el trabajo explora los principios y garantías que las juezas y los jueces ponen en práctica a la hora de aplicar la Constitución y la ley. Examina el papel que desempeña la ideología de género en el proceso de aplicación/interpretación de la Constitución y las leyes por parte de jueces y juezas, identificando en sus discursos los mecanismos que garantizan los derechos de las mujeres y promueven la equidad de género y aquellos que, por el contrario, mantienen o reproducen la discriminación, subordinación y exclusión por razón del género. Discute, asimismo, de qué manera el contexto social, político e institucional contribuye a la materialización de los derechos de las mujeres reconocidos en el texto constitucional, y cómo el análisis de las decisiones judiciales plantea nuevos aspectos de carácter relevante tanto para la práctica de incidencia del movimiento de mujeres, así como para el desarrollo normativo e institucional.

Use of simulated intestinal fluids with Caco-2 cells and rat ileum

In most in vitro studies of oral drug permeability, little attempt is made to reproduce the gastrointestinal lumenal environment. The aim of this study was to evaluate the compatibility of simulated intestinal fluid (SIF) solutions with Caco-2 cell monolayers and Ussing chamber-mounted rat ileum under standard permeability experiment protocols. In preliminary experiments, fasted-state simulated intestinal fluid (FaSSIF) and fed-state simulated intestinal fluid (FeSSIF) solutions based on the dissolution medium formulae of Dressman and co-workers (1998) were modified for compatibility with Caco-2 cells to produce FaS-SIF and FeSSIF "transport" solutions for use with in vitro permeability models. For Caco-2 cells exposed to FaSSIF and FESSIF transport solutions, the transepithelial electrical resistance was maintained for over 4 h and mannitol permeability was equivalent to that in control (Hank's Balanced Salt Solution-treated) cell layers. Scanning electron microscopy revealed that microvilli generally maintained a normal distribution, although some shortening of microvilli and occasional small areas of denudation were observed. For rat ileum in the Ussing chambers, the potential difference (PD) collapsed to zero over 120 min when exposed to the FaSSIF transport solution and an even faster collapse of the PD was observed when the FeSSIF transport solution was used. Electron micrographs revealed erosion of the villi tips and substantial denudation of the microvilli after exposure of ileal tissue to FaSSIF and FeSSIF solutions, and permeability to mannitol was increased by almost two-fold. This study indicated that FaSSIF and FeSSIF transport solutions can be used with Caco-2 monolayers to evaluate drug permeability, but rat ileum in Ussing chambers is adversely affected by these solutions. Metoprolol permeability in Caco-2 experiments was reduced by 33% using the FaSSIF and 75% using the FeSSIF compared to permeability measured using HBSS. This illustrates that using physiological solutions can influence permeability measurements.

Relative contribution of pre- and post-synaptic effects to the neostigmine-induced recovery of neuromuscular transmission blocked by vecuronium

The relative contribution of the pre- and post-synaptic effects to the neostigmine-induced recovery of neuromuscular transmission blocked by vecuronium was studied. A conjunction of myographical and electrophysiological techniques was employed. The preparation was the sciatic nerve-extensor digitorum longus muscle of the rat, in vitro. The physiological variables recorded were nerve-evoked twitches (generated at 0.1 Hz), tetanic contractions (generated at 50 Hz) and end-plate potentials (epps), generated in trains of 50 Hz. The epps were analyzed in: amplitude of first epp in the train; mean amplitude of the 30th to the 59th epp in the train (epps-plateau); half-decay time of the epp; early tetanic rundown of epps in the train; plateau tetanic rundown of epps in the train; quantal content of the epps and quantal size. In myographical experiments, a concentration of vecuronium was found (0.8 mu m) that affected both twitches and tetanic contractions and a concentration of neostigmine was found (0.048 mu m) that completely restored the twitch affected by vecuronium. The cellular effects of vecuronium and neostigmine, studied alone or in association, in the above-mentioned concentrations, were scrutinized by means of electrophysiological techniques. These showed that vecuronium alone decreased the peak amplitude, the quantal content of epps and the quantal size and reinforced the tetanic rundown of epps. Neostigmine alone increased the peak amplitude, the quantal content and the half-decay time of the epps. When employed in the presence of vecuronium, neostigmine increased both the quantal content of the epps (via a presynaptic effect) and the half-decay time of the epps (via a postsynaptic effect). Seeing the pre- and the post-synaptic effects of neostigmine were of similar magnitude, they permit to conclude that both these effects contributed significantly to the restoration by neostigmine of the neuromuscular transmission blocked by vecuronium.

Genotoxicity in primary human peripheral lymphocytes after exposure to radiopacifiers in vitro

Taking into consideration that DNA damage plays an important role in carcinogenesis, the purpose of this study was to evaluate whether some radiopacifiers widely used in clinical practice are able to induce genetic damage in primary human cells in vitro. Human peripheral lymphocytes obtained from 10 healthy volunteers were exposed to barium sulphate (BaSO(4)), zirconium oxide (ZnO(2)) and bismuth oxide (Bi(2)O(3)) at final concentrations ranging from 1 to 1000 mu g/mL for 1 h at 37 degrees C. The negative control group was treated with vehicle control (phosphate buffer solution) for 1 h at 37 degrees C and the positive control group was treated with hydrogen peroxide (at 100 mu M) for 5 min on ice. Results were analyzed by the Friedman non-parametric test. The results pointed all compounds tested out did not induce DNA breakage in human peripheral lymphocytes as depicted by the mean tail moment and tail intensity in all concentrations tested. In summary, our results indicate that exposure to these radiopacifiers may not be a factor that increases the level of DNA lesions in human peripheral lymphocytes as detected by single cell gel (comet) assay.

Color stability of maxillofacial silicone with nanoparticle pigment and opacifier submitted to disinfection and artificial aging

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the color stability of a maxillofacial elastomer with the addition of a nanoparticle pigment and/or an opacifier submitted to chemical disinfection and artificial aging. Specimens were divided into four groups (n = 30): group I: silicone without pigment or opacifier, group II: ceramic powder pigment, group III: Barium sulfate (BaSO(4)) opacifier, and group IV: ceramic powder and BaSO(4) opacifier. Specimens of each group (n = 10) were disinfected with effervescent tablets, neutral soap, or 4% chlorhexidine gluconate. Disinfection was done three times a week during two months. Afterward, specimens were submitted to different periods of artificial aging. Color evaluation was initially done, after 60 days (disinfection period) and after 252, 504, and 1008 h of artificial aging with aid of a reflection spectrophotometer. Data were analyzed by three-way ANOVA and Tukey test (alpha = 0.05). The isolated factor disinfection did not statistically influence the values of color stability among groups. The association between pigment and BaSO(4) opacifier (GIV) was more stable in relationship to color change (Delta E). All values of Delta E obtained, independent of the disinfectant and the period of artificial aging, were considered acceptable in agreement with the norms presented in literature. (C) 2011 Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers (SPIE). [DOI: 10.1117/1.3625401]

Radiographic effect of different radiopacifiers on a potential retrograde filling material

Objective. The objective of this study was to evaluate the radiopacity of white Portland cement (PC) associated with bismuth oxide (Bi(2)O(3)), barium sulfate (BaSO(4)), iodoform (CHI(3)), and zirconium oxide (ZrO(2)). White mineral trioxide aggregate (WMTA) and PC without radiopacifier were used as positive and negative controls, respectively.Study design. Following International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 6876/2001, 5 circular specimens (10 x 1 mm) were made from each material. After the materials set, radiographs were taken using occlusal film and a graduated aluminum step-wedge varying in thickness from 2 to 16 mm. The dental X-ray unit (GE1000) was set at 50 Kvp, 10 mA, 18 pulses/s, and distance of 33.5 cm. The radiographs were digitized, and radiopacity was compared with the aluminum step-wedge, using Wixwin-2000 software (Gendex). Data (mm Al) were analyzed using analysis of variance and Tukey tests.Results. The PC + Bi(2)O(3) and WMTA samples presented greater radiopacity (5.88 and 5.72 mm Al, respectively), followed by PC + ZrO(2) (3.87 mm Al) and PC + CHI(3) (3.50 mm Al). The PC + BaSO(4) and PC samples presented the lowest radiopacity values (2.35 and 1.69 mm Al, respectively), which were below the minimum value recommended by the ISO.Conclusion. Analysis of the present results led to the conclusion that all of the materials tested presented acceptable radiopacity, except PC + BaSO(4) and pure PC. (Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol Endod 2009; 108: 628-632)

Bolivia: migración internacional; trabajo final de investigación

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Niveles y tendencias de la mortalidad en Nicaragua, 1955-1982

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Pre-diagnóstico demográfico de la población de reducciones indígenas de la IX región: análisis del Censo Nacional de Población de 1982

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Migración y el espacio urbano de la región metropolitana de Panamá

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Síntesis: planificación y políticas públicas en 1982-1984 y perspectivas para la segunda mitad de la década = Summary: public planning and policies in 1982-1984 and prospects for the second half of the decade

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Determination and fractionation of barium in Brazil nuts

Diversas estratégias para preparo de amostra, determinação e fracionamento, tais como espectrometria de absorção atômica com atomização eletrotérmica em forno de grafite (GF AAS) e espectrometria de emissão óptica com plasma acoplado indutivamente com configuração axial (ICP OES), foram empregadas para o fracionamento de bário em Castanha-do-Pará. Esse alimento é amplamente apreciado tanto pelo valor nutricional, quanto pelo sabor agradável. A análise química de Castanha-do-Pará não é trivial devido à matriz complexa. O fracionamento de bário em Castanha-do-Pará foi estudado devido à toxicidade desse elemento e a correlação entre a forma química e a absorção. Os teores totais de bário nas amostras de Castanha-do-Pará variaram entre 860 e 2084 mg kg^-1. Extrações sequenciais foram feitas com base na solubilidade em diferentes meios e composição química envolvendo lipídios, proteínas e compostos de baixa massa molecular (LMW). Teores mais elevados de bário foram determinados nas frações LMW e insolúvel em água que variaram entre 778-1606 e 551-1520 mg kg^-1, respectivamente. Esses resultados indicaram a indisponibilidade de bário presente nesse alimento ao organismo humano. Baseando-se nos teores de bário e enxofre nas diferentes frações e em cálculos estequiométricos para as possíveis reações envolvidas pode-se inferir que bário se encontra principalmente na forma de BaSO₄. Experimentos termogravimétricos também confirmaram essa suposição.

Maternal exposure to picrotoxin modifies the response of the GABA(A) receptor during sexual behavior of adult male rat offspring

This study investigated whether perinatal exposure to picrotoxin, a GABA(A) antagonist, modifies the effect of muscimol, a GABA(A) agonist, on the sexual behavior of adult male rats. Two hours after birth and then once daily during the next 9 days of lactation, dams received picrotoxin (0.75 mg/kg subcutaneously) or saline (1 ml/kg subcutaneously). The adult male offspring from the picrotoxin and saline groups received saline (1 ml/kg intraperitoneally) or muscimol (1 mg/kg intraperitoneally), and 15 min later, their sexual behavior was assessed. Muscimol treatment in the saline-exposed group increased the mount and intromission latencies. However, these effects were absent in the picrotoxin-exposed groups. The latencies to first ejaculation, postejaculatory mount, and intromission were decreased in both picrotoxin-exposed groups relative to the saline-exposed groups. The picrotoxin + muscimol-treated rats required more intromissions to ejaculate and the picrotoxin-exposed groups made more ejaculations than the saline-exposed groups. Thus, muscimol treatment did not increase the mount and intromission latencies following picrotoxin exposure, but increased the ejaculation frequency, which did not differ between the picrotoxin + muscimol and the picrotoxin + saline groups. These data indicate that perinatal picrotoxin treatment interfered with GABA(A) receptor development Behavioural Pharmacology 23:703-709 (c) 2012 Wolters Kluwer Health vertical bar Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.

The Bologna Stone: history's first persistent luminescent material

In 1603, the Italian shoemaker Vincenzo Cascariolo found that a stone (baryte) from the outskirts of Bologna emitted light in the dark without any external excitation source. However, the calcination of the baryte was needed prior to this observation. The stone later named as the Bologna Stone was among the first luminescent materials and the first documented material to show persistent luminescence. The mechanism behind the persistent emission in this material has remained a mystery ever since. In this work, the Bologna Stone (BaS) was prepared from the natural baryte (Bologna, Italy) used by Cascariolo. Its properties, e. g. impurities (dopants) and their valences, luminescence, persistent luminescence and trap structure, were compared to those of the pure BaS materials doped with different (transition) metals (Cu, Ag, Pb) known to yield strong luminescence. The work was carried out by using different methods (XANES, TL, VUV-UV-vis luminescence, TGA-DTA, XPD). A plausible mechanism for the persistent luminescence from the Bologna Stone with Cu+ as the emitting species was constructed based on the results obtained. The puzzle of the Bologna Stone can thus be considered as resolved after some 400 years of studies.