RESEÑA ARTíCULO DEL liBRO: «RECUERDOS DEL IMPERIO» DEL DR. RODRIGO QUESADA

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Pugnas políticas en el primer Imperio Mexicano

La amarga y dolorosa lucha sostenida en la Nueva España por lograr la autonomía de la península ibérica, se concretó en una novel patria llamada México, encabezada por un emperador, símbolo de una nueva etapa que se iniciaba con júbilo y gozo, pero que años después sólo provocaría lágrimas, anarquía y derramamiento de sangre.

Comentario del libro “Recuerdos del imperio”

Introducción El historiador costarricense Rodrigo Quesada al publicar su obra “Recuerdos del Imperio”, asunto que sigue vigente en nuestros días. Su trabajo busca cuestionar las nuevas vertientes historiográficas, si se les puede llamar así, que han tratado de borrar el impacto que ha tenido en América Latina y en especial en Centro América las políticas imperiales articuladas por España, Inglaterra y los Estados Unidos. Como muy bien señala en autor: “Porque hay que aclarar que la Pax Británica durante el último siglo, no fue un conjunto mal articulado de medidas expansionistas o de oportunismo colonialista, El imperialismo británico fue algo más que eso. Fue el producto del propio desarrollo capitalista de dicha nación lo que facilitó la estructura de una política económica, que sirvió como instrumento interventor en los países centroamericanos…

Comentario del libro de Georgina Meneses. “Tradición oral en el Imperio de los Incas Historia, religión y teatro”

IntroducciónEl Departamento Ecuménico de Investigaciones, DEI ha publicado la obra de Georgina Meneses titulada Tradición oral en el Imperio de los Incas. Historia, religión y teatro. Con este trabajo la autora se graduó como licenciada en Artes Dramáticas, con énfasis en teatrología, en la Universidad de Costa Rica, en 1984. Han pasado, por tanto, casi ocho años sin que este libro saliera a al liz pública, corriendo el riesgo de quedar desactualizado sin llegar a lectores. En este marco de la celebración del "Quinto Centenario del Encuentro de Dos Mundos" cuando se ha creido oportuno editar esta tesis, galardonada con la nota máxima y una recomendación de publicación...

Cellular Renewal and Improvement of Local Cell Effector Activity in Peritoneal Cavity in Response to Infectious Stimuli

The peritoneal cavity (PerC) is a singular compartment where many cell populations reside and interact. Despite the widely adopted experimental approach of intraperitoneal (i.p.) inoculation, little is known about the behavior of the different cell populations within the PerC. To evaluate the dynamics of peritoneal macrophage (Mempty set) subsets, namely small peritoneal Mempty set (SPM) and large peritoneal Mempty set (LPM), in response to infectious stimuli, C57BL/6 mice were injected i.p. with zymosan or Trypanosoma cruzi. These conditions resulted in the marked modification of the PerC myelo-monocytic compartment characterized by the disappearance of LPM and the accumulation of SPM and monocytes. In parallel, adherent cells isolated from stimulated PerC displayed reduced staining for beta-galactosidase, a biomarker for senescence. Further, the adherent cells showed increased nitric oxide (NO) and higher frequency of IL-12-producing cells in response to subsequent LPS and IFN-gamma stimulation. Among myelo-monocytic cells, SPM rather than LPM or monocytes, appear to be the central effectors of the activated PerC; they display higher phagocytic activity and are the main source of IL-12. Thus, our data provide a first demonstration of the consequences of the dynamics between peritoneal Mempty set subpopulations by showing that substitution of LPM by a robust SPM and monocytes in response to infectious stimuli greatly improves PerC effector activity.

The Spleen CD4(+) T Cell Response to Blood-Stage Plasmodium chabaudi Malaria Develops in Two Phases Characterized by Different Properties

The pivotal role of spleen CD4(+) T cells in the development of both malaria pathogenesis and protective immunity makes necessary a profound comprehension of the mechanisms involved in their activation and regulation during Plasmodium infection. Herein, we examined in detail the behaviour of non-conventional and conventional splenic CD4(+) T cells during P. chabaudi malaria. We took advantage of the fact that a great proportion of CD4(+) T cells generated in CD1d(-/-) mice are I-A(b)-restricted (conventional cells), while their counterparts in I-Ab(-/-) mice are restricted by CD1d and other class IB major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules (non-conventional cells). We found that conventional CD4(+) T cells are the main protagonists of the immune response to infection, which develops in two consecutive phases concomitant with acute and chronic parasitaemias. The early phase of the conventional CD4(+) T cell response is intense and short lasting, rapidly providing large amounts of proinflammatory cytokines and helping follicular and marginal zone B cells to secrete polyclonal immunoglobulin. Both TNF-alpha and IFN-gamma production depend mostly on conventional CD4(+) T cells. IFN-gamma is produced simultaneously by non-conventional and conventional CD4(+) T cells. The early phase of the response finishes after a week of infection, with the elimination of a large proportion of CD4(+) T cells, which then gives opportunity to the development of acquired immunity. Unexpectedly, the major contribution of CD1d-restricted CD4(+) T cells occurs at the beginning of the second phase of the response, but not earlier, helping both IFN-gamma and parasite-specific antibody production. We concluded that conventional CD4(+) T cells have a central role from the onset of P. chabaudi malaria, acting in parallel with non-conventional CD4(+) T cells as a link between innate and acquired immunity. This study contributes to the understanding of malaria immunology and opens a perspective for future studies designed to decipher the molecular mechanisms behind immune responses to Plasmodium infection.

Comparative Analysis of Activation Phenotype, Proliferation, and IFN-gamma Production by Spleen NK1.1(+) and NK1.1(-) T Cells During Plasmodium chabaudi AS Malaria

The NK1.1 molecule participates in NK, NKT, and T-cell activation, contributing to IFN-gamma production and cytotoxicity. To characterize the early immune response to Plasmodium chabaudi AS, spleen NK1.1(+) and NK1.1(-) T cells were compared in acutely infected C57BL/6 mice. The first parasitemia peak in C57BL/6 mice correlated with increase in CD4(+)NK1.1(+)TCR-alpha beta(+), CD8(+)NK1.1(+)TCR-alpha beta(+), and CD4(+)NK1.1(-)TCR-alpha beta(+) cell numbers per spleen, where a higher increment was observed for NK1.1(+) T cells compared to NK1.1(-) T cells. According to the ability to recognize the CD1d-alpha-GalCer tetramer, CD4(+)NK1.1(+) cells in 7-day infected mice were not predominantly invariant NKT cells. At that time, nearly all NK1.1(+) T cells and around 30% of NK1.1(-) T cells showed an experienced/activated (CD44(HI)CD69(HI)CD122(HI)) cell phenotype, with high expression of Fas and PD-L1 correlating with their low proliferative capacity. Moreover, whereas IFN-gamma production by CD4(+)NK1.1(+) cells peaked at day 4 p.i., the IFN-gamma response of CD4(+)NK1.1(-) cells continued to increase at day 5 of infection. We also observed, at day 7 p.i., 2-fold higher percentages of perforin(+) cells in CD8(+)NK1.1(+) cells compared to CD8(+)NK1.1(-) cells. These results indicate that spleen NK1.1(+) and NK1.1(-) T cells respond to acute P. chabaudi malaria with different kinetics in terms of activation, proliferation, and IFN-gamma production.

The Liver Plays a Major Role in Clearance and Destruction of Blood Trypomastigotes in Trypanosoma cruzi Chronically Infected Mice

Intravenous challenge with Trypanosoma cruzi can be used to investigate the process and consequences of blood parasite clearance in experimental Chagas disease. One hour after intravenous challenge of chronically infected mice with 5610 6 trypomastigotes, the liver constituted a major site of parasite accumulation, as revealed by PCR. Intact parasites and/or parasite remnants were visualized at this time point scattered in the liver parenchyma. Moreover, at this time, many of liver-cleared parasites were viable, as estimated by the frequency of positive cultures, which considerably diminished after 48 h. Following clearance, the number of infiltrating cells in the hepatic tissue notably increased: initially (at 24 h) as diffuse infiltrates affecting the whole parenchyma, and at 48 h, in the form of large focal infiltrates in both the parenchyma and perivascular spaces. Phenotypic characterization of liver-infiltrating cells 24 h after challenge revealed an increase in Mac1(+), CD8(+) and CD4(+) cells, followed by natural killer (NK) cells. As evidence that liver-infiltrating CD4(+) and CD8(+) cells were activated, increased frequencies of CD69(+) CD8(+), CD69(+) CD4(+) and CD25(+) CD122(+) CD4(+) cells were observed at 24 and 48 h after challenge, and of CD25(-)CD122(+)CD4(+) cells at 48 h. The major role of CD4(+) cells in liver protection was suggested by data showing a very high frequency of interferon (IFN)-gamma-producing CD4(+) cells 24 h after challenge. In contrast, liver CD8(+) cells produced little IFN-gamma, even though they showed an enhanced potential for secreting this cytokine, as revealed by in vitro T cell receptor (TCR) stimulation. Confirming the effectiveness of the liver immune response in blood parasite control during the chronic phase of infection, no live parasites were detected in this organ 7 days after challenge.

Encaminhamento de dados tolerante a intrusões para redes de sensores sem fios

Dissertação para obtenção do Grau de Mestre em Engenharia Informática

Mosaici parietali d’epoca giustinianea a Ravenna. Nuove scoperte

La fascia superiore dell’arco trionfale di S. Apollinare in Classe è stata accuratamente ispezionata durante l’ultimo intervento di restauro. Questa area musiva, col Cristo benedicente affiancato dai simboli degli Evangelisti, ritenuta omogenea e ascritta da tutti gli studiosi a un momento posteriore al VI secolo, è stata in buona parte ricondotta al periodo giustinianeo. I simboli degli Evangelisti e le nuvole limitrofe sono stati ricondotti ai mosaicisti bizantini attivi nella chiesa di San Vitale; mentre a una lavorazione successiva, determinata dalla necessità di reintegrare parti crollate, si deve attribuire il clipeo del Cristo e le nuvole circostanti. Il confronto fra le differenti morfologie delle nubi, le diverse tecniche esecutive e l’utilizzo di nuovi materiali, costituisce l’aspetto più visibile. Il restauro ha permesso di discriminare con certezza l’eterogeneità delle partiture e la convivenza di due interventi stilisticamente e cronologicamente differenti. Molteplici elementi mostrano come da un’esecuzione accurata si passi a una realizzazione sommaria; come dal rigore formale e materico iniziale, che comporta la selezione dei materiali più pregiati e delle tonalità cromatiche più funzionali, si passi ad una povertà materica e a una limitata gamma cromatica organizzate con semplificazione formale.

Visões do Império : a 1ª EXposição Colonial de 1934 e alguns dos seus álbuns

A Primeira Exposição Colonial Portuguesa realizada no Porto em 1934 foi a consequência visível do impulso que Salazar quis dar à «política colonial» portuguesa e a uma orientação imperial em que colonizar e civilizar as populações indígenas eram as palavras de ordem. Como corolário da exposição foram produzidos, entre outros, dois importantes álbuns, hoje documentos de inegável interesse histórico, não só enquanto discurso de propaganda do regime do Estado Novo, mas também enquanto narrativas visuais ou “visões do Império”. São eles, o Álbum Fotográfico da autoria do fotógrafo Domingos Alvão e o Álbum Comemorativo, com reproduções de pinturas e desenhos do pintor Eduardo Malta. Neste trabalho pretendemos reflectir sobre essas “visões do Império”, pois elas expressam uma visualidade e um imaginário que se traduz em práticas sociais, em valores e em relações de dominação que definem uma política do olhar, onde o corpo se torna um espaço de inscrição, bem como de categorização racial e cultural. Em suma, é através dessas imagens que vemos as relações de poder e as formas de dominação sobre o outro, que impregnaram a exposição.

V-region-related and -unrelated immunosupression accompanying infections

This paper discusses current evidence for the relationship between polyclonal lymphocyte activation, specific immunossupression with decreased resistance, and autoimmune pathology, that are all often found associated with infections by a variety of virus, bacteria and parasites . The central question of class determination of immune effector activities is considered in the context of the cellular targets for nonspecific mitogenic activities associated with infection. A model is presented to integrate these findings: mitogenens produced by the microorganism or the infected cells are preferentially active on CD5 B cells, the resulting over-production of IL-10 will tend to bias all immune activities in to a Th-2mode of effector functions, with high titers of polyclonal antibodies and litle or no production of gamma IFN and other "inflamatory"lymphokines that often mediate resistance. In turn these conditions allow for parasite persistence and the corresponding long-term disregulation of self-directed immune reactivities, resulting in autoimmunity in the chronic phase. This model would predict that selective immunization with the mitogenic principles involved in desregulation, could stand better chances than strategies of vaccination based on immunopotentiation against othere, functionally neutral antigenic epitopes. It is argued, however, that the complexity of immune responses and their regulation together with our ignorance on the genetic controls of class-determination, offer poor prospects for a scientifically-based, rational development of vaccines in the near future. It is suggested that empirically-based and technologically developed vaccines might suceed, while basic scientific approaches are reinforced and given the time provide a better understanding of those process.

Los col·loquis de la insigne ciutat de Tortosa, de Crisfòfor Despuig

Aquest treball té per finalitat facilitar el coneixement d'una obra cabdal de la literatura catalana; entendre'n el context temporal -el Renaixement i les seues convulsions polítiques, religioses i culturals, l'època del concili de Trento- i espacial -Tortosa, la Corona d'Aragó, l'Imperi espanyol-, per tal de situar-la dins d'unes coordenades espaciotemporals que facilitin la comprensió de l'obra per a estudiants i estudiosos.