A Typology of agents and subjects of regional cooperation: the experience of the Mediterranean Arch

El document ��s el resultat d'una investigaci�� m��s ��mplia sobre la construcci�� de l'Arc Mediterrani. El seu objectiu ��s posar en relleu el notable grau de desenvolupament de la cooperaci�� regional en la mat��ria, a trav��s d'una an��lisi detallada de les diferents figures institucionalitzades de cooperaci�� territorial existents (o haver existit) a la zona. L'an��lisi s'ha dut a terme des d'un punt de vista tem��tic, basat en els objectius prioritaris d'aquestes institucions. En concret, les xifres estudiades es limiten a les institucions formals o les associacions de col �� laboraci�� de car��cter espec��fic, com ara euroregions o les agrupacions europees d'inter��s econ��mic, ent��s com les figures de major institucionalitzaci�� dels espais transnacionals a nivell europeu. En canvi, hem deixat de banda altres figures, com Interreg (finan��at pel FEDER), ja que no s��n entitats correctament. Encara que de vegades els acords de cooperaci�� establerts per als projectes d'Interreg han donat lloc a algunes de les entitats estudiades aqu��.

Effects of the encapsulation of usnic acid into liposomes and interactions with antituberculous agents against multidrug-resistant tuberculosis clinical isolates

Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) has acquired resistance and consequently the antibiotic therapeutic options available against this microorganism are limited. In this scenario, the use of usnic acid (UA), a natural compound, encapsulated into liposomes is proposed as a new approach in multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) therapy. Thus the aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of the encapsulation of UA into liposomes, as well as its combination with antituberculous agents such as rifampicin (RIF) and isoniazid (INH) against MDR-TB clinical isolates. The in vitro antimycobacterial activity of UA-loaded liposomes (UA-Lipo) against MDR-TB was assessed by the microdilution method. The in vitro interaction of UA with antituberculous agents was carried out using checkerboard method. Minimal inhibitory concentration values were 31.25 and 0.98 ��g/mL for UA and UA-Lipo, respectively. The results exhibited a synergistic interaction between RIF and UA [fractional inhibitory concentration index (FICI) = 0.31] or UA-Lipo (FICI = 0.28). Regarding INH, the combination of UA or UA-Lipo revealed no marked effect (FICI = 1.30-2.50). The UA-Lipo may be used as a dosage form to improve the antimycobacterial activity of RIF, a first-line drug for the treatment of infections caused by Mtb.

Functional complementation of Leishmania (Leishmania) amazonensis AP endonuclease gene (lamap) in Escherichia coli mutant strains challenged with DNA damage agents

During its life cycle Leishmania spp. face several stress conditions that can cause DNA damages. Base Excision Repair plays an important role in DNA maintenance and it is one of the most conserved mechanisms in all living organisms. DNA repair in trypanosomatids has been reported only for Old World Leishmania species. Here the AP endonuclease from Leishmania (L.) amazonensis was cloned, expressed in Escherichia coli mutants defective on the DNA repair machinery, that were submitted to different stress conditions, showing ability to survive in comparison to the triple null mutant parental strain BW535. Phylogenetic and multiple sequence analyses also confirmed that LAMAP belongs to the AP endonuclease class of proteins.

Que faire des nouveaux anti-��pileptiques [Clinical utilization of new anti-epileptic agents].

Since the beginning of the 1990's, a dozen of new anti-epileptic drugs have been on the market or will be soon. This article reviews the daily clinical utilisation of new anti-epileptic drugs. It considers, without being complete, the current opinions and tendencies. The new anti-epileptic substances are generally as efficient as conventional medications. However, they are better tolerated and are more easily used in combination with conventional anti-epileptic drugs. Polytherapy is certainly the form of treatment, which is used in the most cases of resistant epilepsies. The surgical treatment can be used in only a very limited number of cases. The objective of treatment is the complete control of seizures, with minimum secondary effects. Though this objective is rarely reached, the NAE significantly improves the quality of life of patients suffering from severe epilepsy. The utilisation of NAE is not without risk. Increase in the frequency and severity of seizures may occur; we should remember that severe adverse effects appeared in the post-marketing period of the use of Vigabatrine and Felbamate. Therefore, we must remain vigilant in the clinical use of the anti-epileptic drugs.

Lactic acid bacteria from fresh fruit and vegetables as biocontrol agents of phytopathogenic bacteria and fungi

This study evaluated the efficacy of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) isolated from fresh fruits and vegetables as biocontrol agents against the phytopathogenic and spoilage bacteria and fungi, Xanthomonas campestris, Erwinia carotovora, Penicillium expansum, Monilinia laxa, and Botrytis cinerea. The antagonistic activity of 496 LAB strains was tested in vitro and all tested microorganisms except P. expansum were inhibited by at least one isolate. The 496 isolates were also analyzed for the inhibition of P. expansum infection in wounds of Golden Delicious apples. Four strains (TC97, AC318, TM319, and FF441) reduced the fungal rot diameter of the apples by 20%; only Weissella cibaria strain TM128 decreased infection levels by 50%. Cell-free supernatants of selected antagonistic bacteria were studied to determine the nature of the antimicrobial compounds produced. Organic acids were the preferred mediators of inhibition but hydrogen peroxide was also detected when strains BC48, TM128, PM141 and FF441 were tested against E. carotovora. While previous reports of antifungal activity by LAB are scarce, our results support the potential of LAB as biocontrol agents against postharvest rot. [Int Microbiol 2008; 11(4):231-236]

Prophylaxis of experimental endocarditis with antiplatelet and antithrombin agents : a role for long-term prevention of infective endocarditis in humans?

BACKGROUND: Infective endocarditis (IE) mostly occurs after spontaneous low-grade bacteremia. Thus, IE cannot be prevented by circumstantial antibiotic prophylaxis. Platelet activation following bacterial-fibrinogen interaction or thrombin-mediated fibrinogen-fibrin polymerization is a critical step in vegetation formation. We tested the efficacy of antiplatelet and antithrombin to prevent experimental IE. METHODS: A rat model of experimental IE following prolonged low-grade bacteremia mimicking smoldering bacteremia in humans was used. Prophylaxis with antiplatelets (aspirin, ticlopidine [alone or in combination], eptifibatide, or abciximab) or anticoagulants (antithrombin dabigatran etexilate or anti-vitamin K acenocoumarol) was started 2 days before inoculation with Streptococcus gordonii or Staphylococcus aureus. Valve infection was assessed 24 hours later. RESULTS: Aspirin plus ticlopidine, as well as abciximab, protected 45%-88% of animals against S. gordonii and S. aureus IE (P < .05). Dabigatran etexilate protected 75% of rats against IE due to S. aureus (P < .005) but failed to protect against S. gordonii (<30% protection). Acenocoumarol was ineffective. CONCLUSIONS: Antiplatelet and direct antithrombin agents may be useful in the prophylaxis of IE in humans. In particular, the potential dual benefit of dabigatran etexilate might be reconsidered for patients with prosthetic valves, who require life-long anticoagulation and in whom S. aureus IE is associated with high mortality.

Biodiversitat de cole��pters i el seu paper com a plagues i com a agents de control biol��gic en un conreu de c��trics ecol��gics

El present treball estudiar�� la comunitat d���esp��cies Coleoptera d���un camp de c��trics situat a la Selva de Camp, Tarragona, durant el per��ode de temps dels anys 2002 fins al 2011. Els Coleoptera ��s l���ordre animal conegut comunament com els ���escarabats��� i ��s el m��s abundant i variat de tot el regne animal. Els estudis realitzats s��n pocs i, normalment, de les esp��cies m��s abundants (sobretot la fam��lia Coccinellidae). Totes les esp��cies d���aquest ordre presenten unes caracter��stiques t��piques (Garc��a et al., 1989). (1) Presenten una cut��cula dura, r��gida i quitinitzada, amb el primer parell d���ales endurides (��litres). Gran protecci�� als traumes f��sics. (2) Tenen una gran capacitat per retenir la humitat degut a que els estigmes s���obren els ��litres i eviten la p��rdua d���aigua per transpiraci��. (3) Presenten mand��bules mastegadores, adaptables i utilitzables per a una gran varietat de funcions (Chinery, 1988). (4) Algunes esp��cies poden acumular subst��ncies t��xiques a l���organisme. Presenten un r��gim alimentari fit��fag o mic��fag, per norma general, tot i que tamb�� es poden trobar esp��cies sapr��fagues o depredadores. ��s per aquest motiu que les esp��cies de Coleoptera podrien presentar un paper important com a potencial plagues o com a possible control biol��gic (Zahradnik, 1990). Durant moltes d��cades, els plaguicides han constitu��t una lluita qu��mica contra les plagues dels cultius agr��coles, obtenint molt bons resultats en quant a manteniment i qualitat de les collites. No obstant, la seva utilitzaci�� deliberada ha constitu��t en molts casos una important font de contaminaci�� del territori. La seva gran mobilitat i persist��ncia ha originat efectes de bioacumulaci�� i biomagnificaci�� a les xarxes tr��fiques dels essers vius presents en aquestes zones. Actualment, per evitar tots aquests problemes ocasionats pels productes sint��tics, el control biol��gic de plagues constitueix un dels principals pilars de la protecci�� moderna de cultius (Jacas et al., 2005). Se sap que les formigues tenen un doble rol molt important a les comunitats vegetals (poden ser mutualistes o depredadors generalistes), fent que la pres��ncia o abs��ncia d���aquestes pugui tenir efectes potencials sobre l���abund��ncia d���altres artr��podes (James et al., 1999). ��s per aquest motiu que al present treball es realitzen experiments amb dos tipus d���arbres, els que presenten formigues i els que les formigues s���han excl��s experimentalment. Aix�� doncs, els objectius del present treball s��n: - Descriure quantitativament la Comunitat de Coleoptera no Coccinellidae. - Descriure els canvis que s���han produ��t en la comunitat de Coleoptera al llarg de 10 anys. - Valorar la import��ncia de les diferents esp��cies i/o fam��lies com a components de la biodiversitat d���un conreu ecol��gic. - Descriure els efectes sobre la comunitat de Coleoptera no Coccinellidae de la pres��ncia o abs��ncia de formgiues. - Valorar la import��ncia de les diferents esp��cies i/o fam��lies com a possibles plagues o com a agents de control biol��gic.

The interior designer : Can the physiological agents of homeostasis create the appearance of design in nature?

Review of the book: The Tinkerer's Accomplice: How Design Emerges From Life Itself by J. Scott TurnerHarvard University Press: 2007. 304 pp.

Agents de salut a l�����mbit penitenciari

Actualment el grup d���Addiccions veu la necessitat de seguir abordant el consum de drogues als nostres centres des de l���educaci�� per a la salut i la reducci�� de danys, per�� tamb�� des de la capacitaci�� personal. Per tal que tot aix�� sigui una realitat, partim de l���Enquesta Estatal sobre Drogues entre els Internats a Pres�� (ESDIP, 2006). Aquesta evidencia que, per una banda, actualment es duen a terme als centres penitenciaris pr��ctiques de risc d���infecci�� per VIH, tant pel que fa a conductes d���injecci��, sexuals o de realitzaci�� de tatuatges, per��, per altra banda, tamb�� posa de manifest el pobre coneixement de les vies de transmissi�� de l���VIH/SIDA i de l���hepatitis C, molt sovint ple de mites i/o creences err��nies. L���ESDIP destaca el consum o l���ab��s de les drogues com un factor previ i paral��lel a la pres��. La relaci�� entre pres�� i drogues es produeix en dos dimensions que sovint es confonen, ja que no solament hi ha un problema d���ordre penal sin�� tamb�� d���ordre social. Per una part, els delictes comesos per un alt percentatge de la poblaci�� penitenci��ria estan relacionats amb la venda i/o consum de subst��ncies il��legals; i, per una altra banda, un nombre elevat d���interns t�� problemes personals, socials i de salut associats al consum de drogues, des de la pr��pia depend��ncia a greus malalties. Els programes de reducci�� de danys que s���han dut a terme tradicionalment s���han d���adaptar als nous perfils de consumidor; a les noves drogues i a les diferents vies d���administraci��. S���ha de tenir present que la major part dels problemes associats a l���activitat delictiva s��n d�����ndole psicosocial i no es restringeixen als consums problem��tics. Entre els interns podem trobar persones f��cilment influenciables, que presenten baixa toler��ncia a la frustraci��, poca capacitat per generar alternatives en situacions de conflicte, dificultats per gestionar el temps d���oci, baixa o nul��la escolaritzaci��, mancances a nivell psicoafectiu,

Allergo-immunologie. 2. Faut-il se m��fier des agents biologiques [Allergy-immunology. Do we have to be afraid of biological agents?].

Biologicals are now fully part of our daily therapeutic strategies. However, even if their high specificity seems to induce less risk compared to older or classical immunosuppressive drugs, there are not harmless especially regarding infectious but also immunological and allergic issues. Recent attempts to better characterize the different types of reactions to biologicals should be reported, allowing us better understanding of the risk to maintain these therapies or defining how to improve the methods to use them.

A Structural Analysis of the Health Expenditures and Portfolio Choices of Retired Agents

Richer and healthier agents tend to hold riskier portfolios and spend proportionally less on health expenditures. Potential explanations include health and wealth effects on preferences, expected longevity or disposable total wealth. Using HRS data, we perform a structural estimation of a dynamic model of consumption, portfolio and health expenditure choices with recursive utility, as well as health-dependent income and mortality risk. Our estimates of the deep parameters highlight the importance of health capital, mortality risk control, convex health and mortality adjustment costs and binding liquidity constraints to rationalize the stylized facts. They also provide new perspectives on expected longevity and on the values of life and health.