Sistema Regional de Información
en línea para Revistas Científicas de América Latina,
el Caribe, España y Portugal

Introduction. The mathematical modeling of the pollutant-decontaminant agent interactions is a tool of recent use to facilitate the management of hydric resources in the environment. This paper studies the interactions between two pesticides of high environmental stability that cause severe damage to health: chlordecone (CLD) and β-hexachlorocyclohexane (β-HCH) and their corresponding analogous ones labeled with radioiodine (ICLD and I-β-HCH), with natural cyclodextrins (α-, β-, and γ-CD). Methods. The Multiples Minima Hypersurface methodology, quantum chemistry calculations based on the Density Functional Theory and a topological study of the pollutants and their radiotracers with the symmetrical conformers of the three CD. The Basis Set Superposition Error existent in DFT calculations was mitigated employing a modification to Counterpoise method developed in this work. The formation of nanoaggregates was also experimentally addressed for β-HCH@CD complexes. Results. The complexes formed were classified according to the occlusion of the pollutant inside CD cavity as: total occlusion, partial occlusion and external interaction (non-occlusion). The more stable complexes were obtained when the γ-CD is the host molecule, as it was confirmed experimentally by means of results of spectroscopic and electron microscopy analysis. The possibility of using ICLD and I-β-HCH as radiotracers analogous to pesticides studied was theoretically demonstrated. Conclusions: These results suggest the utility of these nanoaggregates in the separation of these pollutants and the possibility of using CD for the management, purification and treatment of water.

Introduction. Protein immobilization is one of the most used technologies to increase the enzyme operational stability and improve their usage in biotechnological applications. Usually, the synthesis of immobilized derivatives is performed by the trial and error method. Our strategy for the rational design of immobilized derivatives (RDID) allows to select the optimal conditions for their synthesis. Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs), as non-porous solid supports, represent excellent systems for protein immobilization, with successful applications in nanomedicine, biocatalysis and electronics. Methods. The objective of this work was to validate the RDID strategy for covalent immobilization of the enzyme laccase from the basidiomycete white-rot fungus Trametes versicolor on AuNPs, activated with mercaptoundecanoic acid (AuNP-MUA) and MUA-ethylenediamine (AuNP-MUAen), for the potential use of the resultant biocatalysts in bioconversion processes. Results. As a result, the laccase-AuNP-MUA immobilized derivative is better than laccase-AuNP-MUAen in predicted immobilized derivative functional competence (42,8 % vs 26,1 %, respectively). In addition, all clusters predicted for laccase binding on AuNP-MUA resulted in immobilized enzymes with accessible active sites. In contrast, the half clusters predicted for interaction of laccase with AuNP-MUAen resulted in enzymes with poorly accessible active sites. Activity prediction was confirmed by an experimental expressed enzymatic activity of 45 % in laccase-AuNP-MUA system. Experimental maximal protein load matches the theoretical value (12,7 ± 0,7 x 10-12 vs 12 x 10-12 protein mg / activated AuNP mL). The results obtained in this research suggest the possibility of using this biocatalyst on a large scale.

Introduction. Custody and care are the most dynamic function within the exercise of parental authority. The objective is to show the possibility of this concession in favor of step-parents according to the implementation of the principle of the child’s fundamental interest and the protection of socio-affective relationships that emerge in assembled families, a very common type in our society; also to assess the possibility, on the same basis, that communication between child and step-parent would be facilitated when the assembled family bond is dissolved. Methods. Logical-historical, theoretical-juridical, exegetical-analytical.Results. The step-parent’s custody function and the step-child-step-parent possibility of communication make up the personal content of the adult couple relationship, whether formal or not. The basic support for these decisions is the supremacy of affection in the family relationship. This feeling is based on commitment and devotion to the upbringing of the boy, girl, and adolescent, thus ensuring their benefit. The long-standing social bias against assembled families ought to be tackled, thus broadening the spectrum of parental relationships and defining specific roles for the Cuban step-parent.

Two glories of Ibero-American medicine coexisted in a significant period in Hispanic history. One from overseas Spanish territory, the other from the peninsula: Carlos J. Finlay y Barrés and Santiago F. Ramón y Cajal. This work has the objective of highlighting shared values and similarities in two wise men that enhance spanishness. The historiographic method, the synthetic analytic and the bibliographic review were used. They highlight the similarities in ethical, moral, patriotic and humanistic values, as well as in scientific legacy. Both exalted medicine in the hispanic world, at a time when the spanish language was little known in the field of science. Their dedication to research in biomedical sciences is emblematic, they are paradigms for medical professionals. This work promotes interest in the history of science and general culture.

Introduction. Research based on medicinal plants is one of the recommended strategies for the search for new therapeutic alternatives against leishmaniasis. In this study, the potential of products derived from Bixa orellana L. on Leishmania amazonensis, a causal agent of cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL), is demonstrated. Methods. Bixa seed products (extracts, fractions, sub-fractions and essential oil) were obtained, which were evaluated in different in vitro and in vivo biological models. Results. The hydroalcoholic extract caused inhibition of the growth of promastigotes and amastigotes, was able to control the development of experimental CL in BALB/c mice (100 mg/kg/day/15 days/intraperitoneal), and its chemical profile was obtained. Subsequently, a bioguided study was performed with 4 fractions and 28 sub-fractions, which BO-B1 and BO-B3 were promising and a group of aliphatic isomers (bixin and norbicin) were identified. The essential oil was the other product obtained, which was chemically characterized, inhibited the growth of amastigotes, showed a cytotoxicity seven times lower with respect to the activity on the parasite, was effective against the experimental CL (30 mg/kg/day/15 days/intraperitoneal and intralesional) and a specific inhibition of oxygen consumption and mitochondrial complex II was evidenced. The essential oil formulated in nanocochleates showed high efficacy in the murine model when 4 doses were administered intralesionally. The results of this research demonstrate the potential of B. orellana seeds on L. amazonensis for the treatment of CL, a disease with various clinical presentations that currently has limited therapeutic options.

Introduction. Geographic Information Systems (GIS) have become very relevant by increasing the value of geographic information for decision making. Improving the efficacy of information processing and retrieval in GIS -taking into account the large geographic data volumes available, their heterogeneity, and the absence of formalized semantic meanings- is a challenge and constitutes the general objective of this research. Methods. Ontology-based approaches (e.g. geographic ontologies) are a very promising alternative to provide semantics to data and its processing. Ontology-based data access and integration paradigms enable the management of large ontologies and the interoperability of heterogeneous data, issues also addressed in the research. The paper presents a new semi-automatic method for the generation of geographic ontologies from heterogeneous spatial data sources and a data management model based on ontologies and Case-Based Reasoning (CBR). Results. The proposed method provides more robust knowledge resources to the GIS, increasing their information retrieval capabilities and efficacy. In addition, the paradigm of database-supported ontologies applied allows for better management of the knowledge volume generated. This paradigm, also applied to the proposed ontology-based data management model, permitted solving the interoperability problems existing in Electric Union systems between geographic and electric domain data, while extending query formulation capabilities and information retrieval with the RBC.

Introduction. The General Cemetery of Camagüey is one of the oldest funeral sites in the country still working. Due to its heritage values, there are studies that, from different angles, are in charge of delving into its cultural history as a preamble to actions for the conservation of its cultural assets. The degradation processes are an imperative. They are increased by its location within the urban fabric that prevents its spatial growth and contributes to aggravating its environmental problems. The present contribution aims to compile the existing investigations of the Camagüey cemetery that allow for knowing its historical, cultural, social, urban, architectural-morphotypological, legal, and artistic evolution. Methods. We started from socio-historical, epistemic and content analysis studies that allow us to delve into the history and values of the cemetery from the investigation into primary sources and their practical verification, to unravel the culture-city-cemetery interconnections, supported by a meticulous observation and evaluation work in situ. Results and Discussion. These investigations allow us to understand the cemetery as a space in which a multiplicity of components and cultural assets converge, where diversity is addressed within the particularity, without obviating the interdependence between the two. They support the foundation of the conservation tasks that are carried out in the cemetery, they allow for establishing intervention priorities based on the knowledge of the values and significance of the cultural assets that compose it. These are the premises of the management plan and management of the site and its declaration as a national monument.

Introduction. The understanding of the composition and macroscopic properties of compact objects is one of the biggest challenges of Astrophysics. In particular, if the object is magnetized, one faces the still unsolved problem of finding the structure of a non-spherical star. Following our studies on these topics, here we present a set of structure equations for spheroidal compact objects, as long as they are not too far from the spherical shape. Methods. These equations describe any compact object whose equation of state has magnetic anisotropy, and have been successfully applied to the study of magnetized White Dwarfs, Bose-Einstein condensate Stars and Strange Stars. Results and Discussion. As collateral results, we obtained solutions to Einstein’s equations suitable for describing the magnetosphere of compact objects, and performed a preliminary study of a model for astrophysical jets. Conclusions. From these studies, we show that a uniform magnetic field does not increase the maximum mass of compact objects, its biggest effect being their deformation. In addition, we proposed and validated a mechanism for the generation of the stellar magnetic field, which constitutes one of the major novelties of the work, and found that the stars of intermediate masses are the candidates to produce the most intense gravitational waves.

Introducción. Las libélulas son insectos depredadores y hemimetábolos, que conforman el orden Odonata con aproximadamente 6000 especies, agrupadas en 2 subórdenes. El presente estudio tuvo como objetivos caracterizar y actualizar la sistemática del orden Odonata, la distribución geográfica y temporal; caracterizar además, la diversidad genética, ecología de poblaciones y ensambles de adultos y larvas, patrón de emergencia a partir de exuvias, así como describir aspectos de la ecología reproductiva, en diversos hábitats del archipiélago cubano con fines conservacionistas. Métodos. La recolecta de ejemplares y datos se realizaron en 50 localidades de Cuba, desde 1995 hasta el presente con redes aéreas y acuáticas. Para estudiar las larvas, exuvias y patrón de emergencia, se seleccionaron 4 ambientes dulceacuícolas. Se registraron variables climáticas y los periodos lluvioso y poco lluvioso. Los ejemplares fueron procesados en laboratorios de las universidades de La Habana, Oriente y la extracción de ADN en Vigo. Se emplearon pruebas de normalidad, correlación de Pearson, componentes principales, máxima verosimilitud y estimación del nicho ecológico. Resultados. La odonatofauna cubana presenta 88 especies, en 6 familias, 41 géneros y 6 endémicos. Se describe la larva de 3 especies y se confeccionaron claves dicotómicas para larvas y adultos de Cuba y las Antillas. La distribución geográfica de libélulas en Cuba fue actualizada, con bases genéticas y ecología de poblaciones para proponer estrategias de conservación para Hypolestes. La estabilidad hídrica en ríos y lagunas, favorece ensambles de libélulas y la equitatividad de abundancia. Se estimó 30 muestreos semanales de recolecta de exuvias, para obtener riqueza específica máxima. Se crearon 5 grupos morfofuncionales larvales, y el patrón de emergencia resultó amplio y no sincronizado, sustentados por especies accidentales y multivoltinas. El análisis filogenético reveló 4 linajes antillanos para Hypolestes, con inferencias del cambio climático, período de vuelo, longevidad y evaluación ambiental como bioindicadores de los ecosistemas acuáticos.