La influencia de Alexey Brodovitch como art director en los editoriales de moda

El present treball analitza la història de la comunicació visual fins els nostres dies i l’aparició i importància del disseny gràfic i la direcció d’art en el mon al voltant del periodisme de moda. L’objectiu és esbrinar cóm ha arribat a influir el disseny en els editorials de moda y per això és realitza un estudi del Art Director Alexey Brodovitch y el seu treball per a la revista Harper’s Bazaar.

Twenty-four-hour energy expenditure and thermogenesis: response to progressive carbohydrate overfeeding in man.

Short-term overfeeding with carbohydrate induced a marked stimulation of energy expenditure, amounting to 33 per cent of the excess energy intake on the 7th day of overfeeding. This value is larger than that previously reported in man. Stimulation of lipogenesis and increased activity of the sympathetic nervous system seem to be the two major mechanisms which account for the stimulation of energy expenditure during carbohydrate overfeeding.

Type I hyperprolinemia: genotype/phenotype correlations.

Type I hyperprolinemia (HPI) is an autosomal recessive disorder associated with cognitive and psychiatric troubles, caused by alterations of the Proline Dehydrogenase gene (PRODH) at 22q11. HPI results from PRODH deletion and/or missense mutations reducing proline oxidase (POX) activity. The goals of this study were first to measure in controls the frequency of PRODH variations described in HPI patients, second to assess the functional effect of PRODH mutations on POX activity, and finally to establish genotype/enzymatic activity correlations in a new series of HPI patients. Eight of 14 variants occurred at polymorphic frequency in 114 controls. POX activity was determined for six novel mutations and two haplotypes. The c.1331G>A, p.G444D allele has a drastic effect, whereas the c.23C>T, p.P8L allele and the c.[56C>A; 172G>A], p.[Q19P; A58T] haplotype result in a moderate decrease in activity. Among the 19 HPI patients, 10 had a predicted residual activity <50%. Eight out of nine subjects with a predicted residual activity > or = 50% bore at least one c.824C>A, p.T275N allele, which has no detrimental effect on activity but whose frequency in controls is only 3%. Our results suggest that PRODH mutations lead to a decreased POX activity or affect other biological parameters causing hyperprolinemia.

Soporte geoespacial para modelos de distribución de especies (I): generalización del mapa de vegetación del Montseny apoyada en información de imágenes de satélite

Los mapas de vegetación son a menudo utilizados como proxis de una estratificación de hábitats para generar distribuciones geográficas contínuas de organismos a partir de datos discretos mediante modelos multi-variantes. Sin embargo, los mapas de vegetación suelen ser poco apropiados para ser directamente aplicados a este fin, pues sus categorías no se concibieron con la intención de corresponder a tipos de hábitat. En este artículo presentamos y aplicamos el método de Agrupamiento por Doble Criterio para generalizar un mapa de vegetación extraordinariamente detallado (350 clases) del Parque Natural del Montseny (Cataluña) en categorías que mantienen la coherencia tanto desde el punto de vista estructural (a través de una matriz de disimilaridad espectral calculada mediante una imágen del satélite SPOT-5) como en términos de vegetación (gracias a una matriz de disimilaridad calculada mediante propiedades de vegetación deducidas de la leyenda jerárquica del mapa). El método simplifica de 114 a 18 clases el 67% del área de estudio. Añadiendo otras agregaciones más triviales basadas exclusivamente en criterios de cubierta de suelo, el 73% del área de estudio pasa de 167 a 25 categorías. Como valor añadido, el método identifica el 10% de los polígonos originales como anómalos (a partir de comparar las propiedades espectrales de cada polígono con el resto de los de su clases), lo que implica cambios en la cubierta entre las fechas del soporte utilizado para generar el mapa original y la imagen de satélite, o errores en la producción de éste.

Eficàcia predictiva de l’HCR-20 i del PCL:SV en contexts institucionals

L’estudi es dirigeix a avaluar la capacitat predictiva sobre la violència dels instruments de judici clínic estructurat, amb una metodologia que aporti resultats comparables a estudis de l’àmbit internacional. La investigació es va portar a terme en un hospital civil de salut mental i la mostra està composta per 114 pacients de les unitats de crònics i subaguts. A l’avaluació inicial, l’HCR-20, el PCL:SV i el Protocol 7 van ser els instruments utilitzats per a la recollida d’informació de les variables predictors. La variable depenent o resultat va ser registrada prospectivament per part de l’equip d’infermeria amb un instrument observacional de fàcil ús, el MOAS. Mitjançant índexs de correlació, càlcul de riscos relatius, i anàlisis de regressió logística i corbes ROC va ser possible conèixer que l’HCR-20 i el PCL-SV són mesures vàlides per a la predicció de la violència intrahospitalària en el curt i mig termini en una mostra espanyola de persones amb malaltia mental severa. L’HCR-20 i particularment els ítems clínics van ser els millors predictors de la violència física envers a persones i objectes. Tant la puntuació numèrica de l’HCR-20 com el judici clínic estructurat van demostrar una precisió predictiva alta i comparable a l'obtinguda amb la versió original de l'instrument. El PCL:SV va arribar una precisió predictiva moderada que va anar disminuint al llarg del seguiment. Altres factors de risc com les agressions o la ira prèvies a l’avaluació també van augmentar significativament el risc de violència durant l’any de seguiment.

Imaginarios visuales. Espacios de representación en la comunicación visual: el cartelismo en sus orígenes

El present treball de recerca estudia l'evolució del cartell com a mitjà de comunicació des de finals del segle XIX fins a mitjans del XX. En el transcurs d'aquest anàlisi es posa de manifest la importància que va tenir aquest mitjà per a la transmissió ideològica en els nivells artístic, publicitari i de propaganda política. Considerarem els múltiples moviments artístics apareguts en aquest període històric, que van constituir innovadores fonts d'inspiració, una influència que s'estén fins als nostres dies. El cartell treu a l'art dels museus i el converteix en un producte de consum quotidià al voltant del món, gràcies a múltiples artistes, tant coneguts com desconeguts, i la seva creativitat impregna tots els objectes que ens envolten. És a través del recorregut històric que proposem, quan ens descobrim com a espectadors i protagonistes de la major revolució artística que ha existit en els dos últims segles.

Expression of substance P and preprotachykinin mRNA by primary sensory neurons in culture: regulation by factors present in peripheral and central target tissues.

Primary sensory neurons display various neuronal phenotypes which may be influenced by factors present in central or peripheral targets. In the case of DRG cells expressing substance P (SP), the influence of peripheral or central targets was tested on the neuronal expression of this neuropeptide. DRG cells were cultured from chick embryo at E6 or E10 (before or after establishment of functional connections with targets). Preprotachykinin mRNA was visualized in DRG cell cultures by either Northern blot or in situ hybridization using an antisense labeled riboprobe, while the neuropeptide SP was detected by immunostaining with a monoclonal antibody. In DRG cell cultures from E10, only 60% of neurons expressed SP. In contrast, DRG cell cultures performed at E6 showed a significant hybridization signal and SP-like immunoreactivity in virtually all the neurons (98%). The addition of extracts from muscle, skin, brain or spinal cord to DRG cells cultured at E6 reduced by 20% the percentage of neurons which express preprotachykinin mRNA and SP-like immunoreactivity. Our results indicate that factors issued from targets inhibit SP-expression by a subset of primary sensory neurons and act on the transcriptional control of preprotachykinin gene.

Early broncoconstriction in anesthetized sheep: a simplified experimental model of asthma

Résumé Cette étude décrit un modèle expérimental de bronchoconstriction précoce induite par aérosolisation d'un extrait d'Ascaris suum chez des moutons anesthésiés par de l'isoflurane et ventilés mécaniquement. Dix moutons adultes ont été anesthésiés et ventilés mécaniquement puis ont été exposés à un stimulus bronchoconstrictif sous forme d'un aérosol d'extrait d'Ascaris suum durant 25 minutes. Tous les moutons ont été exposés deux fois à huit semaines d'intervalle à ce même stimulus. Les échanges gazeux ainsi que les paramètres respiratoires ont été mesurés régulièrement durant la période d'aérosolisation ainsi que durant les 60 minutes suivantes. A la fin de la période d'aérosolisation, une augmentation significative (p<0.05) des pressions de crête (+114%) et de plateau (+148%), de la résistance expiratoire (+93%) et de la pression partielle artérielle de gaz carbonique PaCO2 (+25%) a été constatée, de même qu'une diminution significative (p<0.05) de la compliance respiratoire (-41 %) et de la pression partielle artérielle d'oxygène PaO2 (-49%). Ces modifications sont restées stables durant toute la période d'observation. Ce modèle expérimental animal de bronchoconstriction offre de nombreux avantages : la stabilité hémodynamique et le confort de l'animal sont améliorés et la réaction de stress est inhibée. Il permet de plus une distribution optimale de l'antigène respiratoire et finalement évite l'utilisation d'un pléthysmographe corporel. Abstract This study describes a simplified experimental model of early bronchoconstriction induced by aerosolization of Ascaris suum extract in isoflurane-anesthetized and mechanically ventilated sheep. Ten adult sheep were anesthetized, mechanically ventilated and then challenged with an aerosol of Ascaris suum extract during 25 minutes. All of them were challenged twice at eight weeks intervals. During the bronchoconstrictive challenges and the following sixty minutes, gas exchange was measured and respiratory mechanics parameters computed from a lung mechanics calculator. At the end of the challenge, a significant increase (p<0.05) was observed in peak (+114%) and plateau (+148%) pressures, expiratory resistance (+93%) and PaCO2 (+25%) along with a significant decrease (p<0.05) in respiratory compliance (-41 %) and PaO2 (-49%). These changes remained stable throughout the 60 minutes study period. This model offers several advantages: hemodynamic stability and animal welfare are improved and the stress response is blunted. It allows an optimal distribution of the antigen and finally avoids the need of a body plethysmograph.

Temperature requirements of Chrysomya albiceps (Wiedemann, 1819) (Diptera, Calliphoridae) under laboratory conditions

Chrysomya albiceps specimens were obtained from colonies established with larvae and adults collected at the Federal Rural University in Rio de Janeiro, Seropédica, State of Rio de Janeiro. The larval stage of C. albiceps was allowed to develop in climatic chambers at temperatures of 18, 22, 27 and 32ºC, and the pupal stage was allowed to develop at 22, 27 and 32ºC (60 ± 10% RH and 14 hr photoperiod). The duration and viability of the larval stage of C. albiceps at 18, 22, 27 and 32ºC were 21.30, 10.61, 5.0 and 4.0 days and 76.5, 88.5, 98.5 and 99.5%, respectively, with mean mature larval weights of 45.16, 81.86, 84.35 and 70.53 mg, respectively. Mean duration and viability of the pupal stage at 22, 27 and 32ºC were 9.36, 4.7 and 3.0 days and 93.8, 100 and 100%, respectively. The basal temperature for the larval and pupal stage and for the larval and adult phase were 15.04, 17.39 and 15.38ºC, corresponding to 65.67, 44.15 and 114.23 DD.

Molecular determinants for membrane association of the hepatitis C virus NS2 protease domain

Background: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) nonstructural protein 2 (NS2) plays essential roles in particle assembly and polyprotein processing. It harbors an N-terminal membrane domain comprising three putative transmembrane s egments ( amino acids [aa] 1-93) a nd a C-terminal cysteine protease domain (aa 94-217). Given that the latter has been predicted to be membrane-associated, we aimed to identify molecular determinants for membrane association of the NS2 protease domain. Methods: A comprehensive panel of NS2 deletion constructs was analyzed by fluorescence microscopy, selective membrane extraction, and m embrane flotation assays. Candidate aa r esidues involved in membrane association were substituted by site-directed mutagenesis. Results: The NS2 protease domain alone was found to associate with membranes. Two N-terminal α-helices comprising aa 102-114 and aa 123-136 were found to m ediate this a ssociation, w ith c onserved hydrophobic and positively charged aa residues representing the key determinants. I nterestingly, m utagenesis analyses r evealed that electrostatic interactions involving a positively charged aa residue in α-helix aa 123-136 are required for membrane association. Mono- and bicistronic (i.e. NS2 c leavage-independent) HCV constructs were prepared to i nvestigate the effect o f these substitutions on RNA replication and infectious viral particle formation. Conclusions: T he NS2 protease d omain itself harbors m olecular determinants for membrane association within α-helices aa 102-114 and aa 1 23-136 which may contribute to p roper p ositioning of t he active site. These results provide new insights i nto the membrane topology and t he p oorly understood f unction of t his essential viral protease.

Effects of Bayluscide WP 70® on the Survival and Water-leaving Behaviour of Biomphalaria straminea, Snail Host of Schistosomiasis in Northeast Brazil

The toxic and behavioural effects of niclosamide (Bayluscide WP 70®) on Biomphalaria straminea from a highly endemic area of schistosomiasis in northeastern Brazil were investigated through laboratory bioassays. The LD50 and LD90 were 0.114 mg/l and 0.212 mg/l, respectively. Water-leaving behaviour occurred among 14% to 30% of the snails in the presence of sublethal doses of niclosamide and among 16% of the controls. It was concluded that both the relatively low susceptibility to niclosamide and water-leaving behaviour of local B. straminea may be responsible for the recolonization of transmission foci after mollusciciding. It was suggested that recently improved measures of snail control, such as controlled-release formulations of niclosamide and plant molluscicides should be considered in areas where snail control is recommended

A protocol for preparing GFP-labeled neurons previously imaged in vivo and in slice preparations for light and electron microscopic analysis.

In vivo imaging of green fluorescent protein (GFP)-labeled neurons in the intact brain is being used increasingly to study neuronal plasticity. However, interpreting the observed changes as modifications in neuronal connectivity needs information about synapses. We show here that axons and dendrites of GFP-labeled neurons imaged previously in the live mouse or in slice preparations using 2-photon laser microscopy can be analyzed using light and electron microscopy, allowing morphological reconstruction of the synapses both on the imaged neurons, as well as those in the surrounding neuropil. We describe how, over a 2-day period, the imaged tissue is fixed, sliced and immuno-labeled to localize the neurons of interest. Once embedded in epoxy resin, the entire neuron can then be drawn in three dimensions (3D) for detailed morphological analysis using light microscopy. Specific dendrites and axons can be further serially thin sectioned, imaged in the electron microscope (EM) and then the ultrastructure analyzed on the serial images.