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This article deals with the interaction between supply chains and territory, identifying two types of development: the “enclave” type of the rain-fed farming economy in the inland area known as the Secano Interior, and the “potential linkage” between this enclave and the greater metropolitan area of Concepcion. The benefits of the forestry and cellulose supply chain, which is of global importance, are not spreading through its territory, which remains underdeveloped. Greater Concepcion, the country’s second most important industrial conurbation, has not succeeded in establishing a positive connection with its hinterland via its economic networks or with the forestry and cellulose chain of the Secano Interior. This article is based on economic flow data from the 2008 input-output matrix, on surveys carried out as part of a National Fund for Regional Development project (fndr, 2008) and on studies of Chile and its development types (Falabella, 2000 and 2002). It argues for a need to create a territorial political platform for economic development to facilitate the restoration of production linkages.

Se aborda el binomio cadenas productivas y territorio, identificandose dos tipos de desarrollo: el “enclave” del Secano Interior y el de “encadenamiento potencial” entre dicho enclave y la Conurbacion del Gran Concepcion. Los beneficios de la cadena productiva forestal-celulosa, de importancia mundial, no llegan a su territorio, que permanece en la precariedad. El Gran Concepcion, segunda conurbacion industrial de importancia nacional, no logra conectarse virtuosamente con su entorno cercano mediante sus redes economicas, ni tampoco con la cadena forestal-celulosa del Secano Interior. El articulo se basa en datos de flujos economicos a partir de la matriz insumo-producto de 2008, en encuestas efectuadas en el contexto de un proyecto del Fondo Nacional de Desarrollo Regional (fndr, 2008), y en el estudio sobre Chile y sus tipos de desarrollo (Falabella, 2000 y 2002). Finalmente, se plantea la necesidad de generar una plataforma politica territorial para el desarrollo economico que facilite la rearticulacion productiva.

Porcine Sertoli cells (pSC) have been successfully employed as cell therapy in pre-clinical studies of several immune-based and chronic degenerative diseases. In order to prevent any transmission of infectious adventitious agents to the cells graft recipients, we have set up, according to our previously described method (Luca et al., 2007) pSC monolayers obtained from specific pathogen free (SPF) certified neonatal pigs, born in the unique SPF colony in Italy. pSC were assessed and characterized as far as viability, by ethidium bromide and fluorescein diacetate (EB/FD), Müllerian inhibiting substance (AMH), and insulin-like 3 (INSL3), alpha-smooth muscle actin (ASMI) both by immunofluorescence (IF) and cytofluorimetric analysis (CA) were concerned. pSC were encapsulated in alginate microcapsules (MCpSC), with MCp- SC functional competence and biocompatibility being determined both in vitro, by AMH, inhibin B, TGF-beta, IGF-I secretion and in vivo in experimental animal models, respectively. Results demonstrated the high purity of our pSC monolayers (95% of AMH+cells), with negligible contamination by Leydig (2%) and peritubular cells (3%). Microencapsulation did not alter pSC viability and even after 4 months postimplantation, all the retrieved microcapsules retained morphology and function. In conclusion, we have uniquely obtained, from a SPF herd, highly purified, viable and functional pSC that might poten-tially apply to humans., Italian Journal of Anatomy and Embryology, Vol 119, No 1 (Supplement) 2014

To restore testicular functional competence after traumatic avulsion of the scrotum, accompanied by penile decortication, by means of ad hoc surgery and post-surgical medical treatment.A 26 years old patient underwent a on the job perineal trauma that resulted in loss of one testis while the other one was rescued together with the deferential duct. The spared testis was buried in a subcutaneous thigh pocket after creating a tunnel from the inguinal area. Because of post-traumatic ensued hypogonadism, the patient was treated with corticosteroids, phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitors and anti-oxidizing agents.Hypogonadism related clinical findings in terms of oligospermia, erectile dysfunction and alterations of the pituitary- testis axis, with low testosterone levels progressively improved along the post-traumatic months. Preservation of testis vascular supply associated with ad hoc medical therapy restored erectile dysfunction and spermatogenesis, and in the end at 6 months of the trauma the patients was able to regain fatherhood capability.The obtained results demonstrate that an appropriate testis burying in the subcutaneous thigh region, upon traumatic scrotum avulsion, followed by an ad hoc medical therapy may rescue male fertility. This is unlikely to happen in the clinical routine and previous published reports negate restoration of the testis function, that completely vanishes within 1 year of the intervention.Full restoration of testis and penile functions resulted in induction of spontaneous pregnancy in the patient's female partner may occur only if good reconstructive surgery is coupled with an efficient medical therapy.Viene qui riportato il caso di un giovane che subì un grave trauma sul lavoro caratterizzato dalla pressoché completa avulsione dello scroto con decorticazione delle guaine peniene. Un testicolo, completamente asportato non era stato reperito, l’altro ancora connesso al deferente era stato recuperato. L’intervento di ricostruzione scrotale prevedeva un impianto eterotopico dell’unico testicolo disponibile nei piani superficiali della regione supero-esterna della coscia, previa preparazione di un tunnel di trasferimento trans-inguinale dello stesso testicolo oltre ad epididimo e dotto deferente, nella sede finale di posizionamento. Nel contempo si provvedeva a rivestire l’asta peniena con innesti cutanei autologhi. Come sequela funzionale del trauma, e nonostante non si rilevassero alterazioni vascolari del testicolo neo-impiantato, si registrava la comparsa di ipogonadismo, con sofferenza dei compartimenti testicolari tubulare ed interstiziale, documentato da evidenti alterazioni degli ormoni dell’asse ipofisi-testicolo, e disfunzione erettile. Una terapia medica ad hoc, anti-infiammatoria, vasodilatatrice ed anti-ossidante portava ad una progressiva normalizzazione della funzione testicolare, con ripristino ormonale e ripresa della funzione erettile ed eiaculatoria. A distanza di sei mesi dall’intervento, la completa normalizzazione della funzione ormonale e gametopoietica del testicolo residuo, impiantato nella coscia, restituiva al paziente la piena capacità di procreare, consentendogli di diventare padre.

Cadmium, an ubiquitous environmental pollutant mainly used for industrial purposes, is highly associated with reproductive toxicity. Sertoli cells (SC), by providing an appropriate microenvironment for the development of germ cells, play a pivotal role on spermatogenesis regulation (Geoffroy-Siraudin et al. 2012). Aim of our investigation was to assess the effects of cadmium on high mammalian SC viability and function. Porcine pre-pubertal SC were isolated, according to previously established methods (Fallarino et al. 2009) and treated with 3 different concentrations (5-10-15 μM) of cadmium chloride. The evaluation of SC function in terms of inhibin B and anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) secretion showed a significant decrease in all SC treated conditions respect as compared to SC control. On the contrary, evaluation of the FSH-R integrity on SC surface, in terms of 17-b-estradiol production under FSH stimulation, showed no difference between SC control and 5 μM cadmium treated SC monolayers in comparison to 10 and 15μM cadmium treated SC monolayers, where FSH-R was impaired. In addition, the apoptotic test showed a significant increase of early (ANNEXIN V-/Propidium Iodide+) (AV-/PI+) and late apoptotic cells (AV+/ PI+) in all cadmium treated SC conditions in comparison with SC control. In conclusion, our data demonstrate that cadmium, even at low dose, exerts toxic effects on Sertoli cells function possibly adversely affecting the spermatogenesis., Italian Journal of Anatomy and Embryology, Vol 117, No 2 (Supplement) 2012

Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), a progressive muscle degenerative disease associated with chronic inflammation, necrosis and fibrosis, is currently treated with antiinflammatory steroids, despite their limited efficacy and undesired side effects. Testicular Sertoli cells (SCs) have been successfully implanted to treat many experimental diseases due to their ability to secrete trophic, antiinflammatory and immunomodulatory molecules (Mital et al., 2010). We transplanted microencapsulated SCs, within highly biocompatible microcapsules (Luca et al., 2007) into the peritoneal cavity of mdx mice, an animal model of DMD. Three weeks after transplantation, skeletal muscles from SC-treated mice, compared with muscles from mock-treated mice, showed: i) dramatically reduced number of infiltrated cells, including (MAC3+) macrophages; ii) a marked decrease in necrotic myofibers, and an increased number of regenerated (normally sized and centrally nucleated) myofibers; and, iii) a significant decrease in fibrous tissue infiltration. Moreover, SC-treated, but not mock-treated mdx mice showed recovery of muscle performance in treadmill endurance tests and a comparable resistance to exercise-induced muscle damage to that of untreated wildtype mice. These preliminary results suggest that our transplant product creates a suitable microenvironment for muscle regeneration and growth potentially applicable to DMD patients., Italian Journal of Anatomy and Embryology, Vol 117, No 2 (Supplement) 2012

Sertoli cells (SC) have been used for their immunomodulatory properties in cell transplants (Emerich et al., 2003). Moreover, SC themselves may prevent immune rejection (Sipone et al., 2006) and possess a natural phagocytic activity: the latter may make them suitable as biocompatible drug delivery carriers. Porcine SC were loaded with PLA microspheres containing pharmaceutical agents (SC-MS). Phagocytosis was monitored over 24 hours; the uptake was measured by HPLC at fixed time points and followed up through 6 days. SC viability and morphology were monitored together with reactive oxygen species (ROS), DNA damage and parameters of SC functionality and immunomodulatory properties over time. A preliminary antibacterial activity was assessed in vitro. SC-MS were cryopreserved in liquid nitrogen and after plating underwent the same characterization. SC internalized drug loaded MS with an uptake rate of about 20% at 5 hours, that increased by 30% until day two. The uptake was stable up to 6 days with no differences in ROS, DNA damage, functional and immunomodulatory properties observed between control and loaded SC, even after cryopreservation/thawing. A spontaneous in vitro activity against pseudomonas strain, presented with SC alone, increased in presence of MS, and was maintained after cryoperservation. These results encourage further studies to understand the real potential of SC as drug delivery vehicles in trials in “in vivo” animal models., Italian Journal of Anatomy and Embryology, Vol 118, No 2 (Supplement) 2013

Introduction and Aim. Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM), one of the world’s most important, common and costly diseases associated with devastating complications, is caused by insulin resistance mainly due to a chronic inflammation of the visceral adipose tissue with local and systemic increases in proinflammatory cytokines and adipokines such as tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and IL-6. Sertoli cells (SC), considered mere mechanical cell aids, have been recently revisited with respect to their functional competence showing that these cells may provide immunomodulatory and trophic factors that are able to ameliorate survival and development of different cell types and constitute an immuno-protective shield for transplantation in many diseases such as Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus. Aim of this work was to verify if the injection of free (subcutaneously) or microencapsulated (intraperitoneally) SC would reverse hyperglycaemia in db/db mice spontaneous T2DM Materials and Methods. Porcine pre-pubertal SC were isolated, according to previously established methods, after finely chopping the retrieval testicles, with double enzymatic digestion with Collagenase P and a mixed solution of trypsin and DNase I. SC enveloped in Barium alginate-based microcapsules (Ba-SCMCs) were prepared according to our method, by a mono air-jet device system. Free SC and Ba-SCMCs were examined as far as: (a) SC morphology by light microscopy; (b) SC viability, by fluorescence microscopy after staining with ethidium bromide and fluorescein diacetate; (c) SC in vitro function (α-aromatase activity and IGF-I secretion); (d) reversal of T2DM in spontaneous diabetes db/db mice, were concerned. Results. Ba-SCMCs showed excellent features in terms of size, morphology, sphericity and coalescence. SC viability, both in free and microencapsulated SC, was very high (over 90%). Very good α-aromatase activity and IGF-I secretion were associated with the examined SC preparations. Both subcutaneous free SC injection and intraperitoneal transplantation of Ba-SCMCs demonstrated a significant reduction, in 60% of the treated mice, of HbA1c (6.6 % vs 8.8 %) with a normalization of intraperitoneal glucose tolerance test. Conclusions. SC may be enveloped in Ba-SCMCs with no loss of their functional properties and morphology. Xenograft of SC, both free and enveloped in barium alginate microcapsules, induced an important reduction of HbA1c blood levels with a normalization of glucose tolerance test (IPGTT). This result might open new perspectives for the future therapy of human T2DM., Italian Journal of Anatomy and Embryology, Vol 116, No 1 (Supplement) 2011

En este trabajo intentamos realizar un aporte en relación a la organización social del Complejo Cultural LloUeo, tratando de descomponer este complejo cultural del período Alfarero Temprano de Chile central en unidades sociales significativas. El análisis de las evidencias cerámicas de sitios ubicados en la cuenca de Santiago y de Rancagua nos indica que existe cierta heterogeneidad al interior de esta unidad cultural, que no se distribuye al azar, sino tiene un claro correlato espacial. De esta manera la asociación espacial de determinados atributos de los conjuntos cerámicos de estos grupos nos permite proponer que el grupo o comunidad local es un nivel organizativo significativo para LloUeo. Nuestra argumentación se basa en la antropología de la tecnología, pero además encuentra su correlato en la información etnohistórica y la información que algunos antropólogos han derivado de ella. In this study, we attempt to break down the Llolleo Complex ofthe Early Ceramic Period of Central Chile into its significant social units. The analysis ofthe ceramic evidence from sites ofthe Santiago and Rancagua basins indicates some heterogeneity in this complex. This heterogeneity is not randomly distributed, but rather has a clear spatial correlation. The spatial association ofspe-cific ceramic traits suggests that the local community is a significant organizational levelfor the Llolleo Complex. Our argument is based on the anthropology of technology but there are also correlations in the ethnohistoric information and the information some anthropologists have derivedfrom the ethnohistory.

En este trabajo intentamos realizar un aporte en relación a la organización social del Complejo Cultural LloUeo, tratando de descomponer este complejo cultural del período Alfarero Temprano de Chile central en unidades sociales significativas. El análisis de las evidencias cerámicas de sitios ubicados en la cuenca de Santiago y de Rancagua nos indica que existe cierta heterogeneidad al interior de esta unidad cultural, que no se distribuye al azar, sino tiene un claro correlato espacial. De esta manera la asociación espacial de determinados atributos de los conjuntos cerámicos de estos grupos nos permite proponer que el grupo o comunidad local es un nivel organizativo significativo para LloUeo. Nuestra argumentación se basa en la antropología de la tecnología, pero además encuentra su correlato en la información etnohistórica y la información que algunos antropólogos han derivado de ella.

En este trabajo se presentan los resultados de un estudio sobre el patrón de asentamiento de los grupos del período Alfarero Temprano de Chile central. El análisis se llevó a cabo a partir de datos recopilados por medio de prospecciones sistemáticas realizadas en la cuenca de Rancagua, cuenca de Santiago y valles de Melipilla. Los resultados muestran un claro patrón de agolpamiento de los sitios en torno a cursos de agua, aunque hay espacios que aparentemente cumplen con las mismas condiciones, pero no están siendo utilizados. Se utilizan antecedentes etnográficos y etnohistóricos para proponer que este patrón de asentamiento responde a una organización social basada en la comunidad formada por conjuntos de familias con estrechas relaciones de cooperación entre sí y cuya economía de subsistencia está basada en la horticultura Essential to understanding prehispanic settlement systems is the identification of the structure and relationships of archaeological sites within a region. Here we examine the results of a survey program that included the Rancagua basin, Santiago basin and Melipilla valley in Central Chile, in order to make inferences related to the settlement pattern of groups that inhabited this area during the Early Ceramic Period. The data show clusters of sites grouped near water resources, mainly river valleys, and empty spaces that share the same geographical conditions but have no evidence of ancient occupation. We use ethnographic and ethnohistorical evidence to propose that this pattern relates to the social organization of groups, with families as the closest cooperative level, and whose subsistence economy is mainly horticulture

En este trabajo se presentan los resultados de un estudio sobre el patron de asentamiento de los grupos del periodo Alfarero Temprano de Chile central. El analisis se llevo a cabo a partir de datos recopilados por medio de prospecciones sistematicas realizadas en la cuenca de Rancagua, cuenca de Santiago y valles de Melipilla. Los resultados muestran un claro patron de agolpamiento de los sitios en torno a cursos de agua, aunque hay espacios que aparentemente cumplen con las mismas condiciones, pero no estan siendo utilizados. Se utilizan antecedentes etnograficos y etnohistoricos para proponer que este patron de asentamiento responde a una organizacion social basada en la comunidad formada por conjuntos de familias con estrechas relaciones de cooperacion entre si y cuya economia de subsistencia esta basada en la horticultura

RESUMENSe presenta la aplicacion de una secuencia analitica, queincluye analisis macroscopico de pastas bajo lupabinocular, analisis petrograficos y analisis por activacionneutronica instrumental para investigar la procedencia deceramica del sitio El Indigeno (Argentina) y evaluar laposibilidad de que esta llegue desde la region central deChile. Los resultados sugieren que los materialesceramicos de este sitio no solo tienen una apariencia for-mal y decorativa que permite integrarlos dentro del Com-plejo Llolleo, sino que tambien comparten el mismo pa-tron tecnologico. No obstante lo anterior, la comparacionde la composicion de elementos con el sitio La Granja enla cuenca del rio Cachapoal, uno de los probables sitiosde procedencia, indica que no comparten las mismas fuen-tes de materias primas.Palabras claves: ceramica – procedencia – analisis depasta – petrografia – analisis por activacion neutronica.ABSTRACTIn this study, we use binocular, petrographic and instru-mental neutron activation analyses to study ceramic pastesfrom El Indigeno (Argentina) in order to determine theirprovenance and to evaluate if they are reaching the sitefrom central Chile. The results show that the ceramiccontext from El Indigeno not only shares morphologicaland decorative characteristics with Llolleo pottery fromChile, but also their technological pattern. The elementalcomposition differs from that of ceramics from La Gran-ja, a Llolleo archaeological site on the Cachapoal riverbasin, which was thought as a potencial source for the ElIndigeno ceramic material, indicating that they don’t sharethe same clay sources.Key words: pottery – provenience – pastes analyses –petrography – neutron activation analyses.

En este trabajo presentamos los resultados de las investigaciones realizadas en Chile central sobre el período Alfarero Temprano. Este estudio contempló una prospección de la cuenca de Santiago, la excavación de tres nuevos sitios y el análisis de colecciones recuperadas previamente en la zona. Los análisis fueron llevados a cabo desde una perspectiva integral, aplicando un mismo marco metodológico a todos los materiales estudiados. Además se realizó un programa de fechados que consideró tanto el refechado de sitios como la datación de los nuevos sitios excavados. Los resultados permitieron proponer un primer momento caracterizado por comunidades alfareras iniciales, vigente desde la aparición de la alfarería en la zona hasta ca. 200 d.C. En esta fecha se configuran claramente dos unidades, Llolleo y Bato, que se desarrollan en forma contemporánea hasta alrededor del 1000 d.C., ocupando este espacio de manera interdigitada. Estas unidades no sólo se diferencian a partir de sus expresiones materiales y tradiciones tecnológicas, sino también representan una orientación económica y una ideología distintas. Junto a estas dos unidades, los resultados permitieron esbozar la presencia de al menos otras dos (Chacayes y EMI/RML001), que no obstante, por la escasez de datos, no pudieron ser bien definidas

En este trabajo presentamos los resultados de las investigaciones realizadas en Chile central sobre el período Alfarero Temprano. Este estudio contempló una prospección de la cuenca de Santiago, la excavación de tres nuevos sitios y el análisis de colecciones recuperadas previamente en la zona. Los análisis fueron llevados a cabo desde una perspectiva integral, aplicando un mismo marco metodológico a todos los materiales estudiados. Además se realizó un programa de fechados que consideró tanto el refechado de sitios como la datación de los nuevos sitios excavados. Los resultados permitieron proponer un primer momento caracterizado por comunidades alfareras iniciales, vigente desde la aparición de la alfarería en la zona hasta ca. 200 d.C. En esta fecha se configuran claramente dos unidades, Llolleo y Bato, que se desarrollan en forma contemporánea hasta alrededor del 1000 d.C., ocupando este espacio de manera interdigitada. Estas unidades no sólo se diferencian a partir de sus expresiones materiales y tradiciones tecnológicas, sino también representan una orientación económica y una ideología distintas. Junto a estas dos unidades, los resultados permitieron esbozar la presencia de al menos otras dos (Chacayes y EMI/RML001), que no obstante, por la escasez de datos, no pudieron ser bien definidas This paper presents the results of recent archaeological research on the Early Ceramic Period in Central Chile. The study includes results from an extensive archaeological survey in the Santiago Basin, the excavation of three domestic sites and the analysis of artifact collections from several previously excavated sites. All the archaeological materials were submitted to the same methodological approach. We can differentiate a brief initial period, from the first ceramic occurrence until ca. A.D. 200, where the few known sites can be grouped under the label "Initial Ceramic Communities". Later and until A.D. 1000, two archaeological units, Llolleo y Bato, can be clearly distinguished and characterized. Both have a similar temporal development and are distributed over the same area. These archaeological units have been equated to social groups that have different material expressions, technological traditions, economic strategies and ideologies. The most outstanding feature of this social configuration is the spatial proximity and intermingling of social entities that keep and express overtly their difference in relation to others. A few sites (Chacayes) and groups of sites (EMI/RML001), also dated to the Early Ceramic Period in this region, do not share cultural characteristics with either of these complexes leading us to believe that an even wider diversification of social groupings is probable during this period. However, these relationships cannot be assessed until more evidence is available

Cadmium (Cd), an ubiquitous environmental metal, mainly used for industrial purposes, may be toxic at level of the reproductive system. Testis tubular-based Sertoli cells (SC), play a major role in constituting the blood-testis barrier and provide a unique microenvironment for the genesis and differentiation of germ cells. Hence SC strictly control sperm qualitative and quantitative parameters. We aimed to assess whether exposure to Cd would adversely affect superior mammal SC viability and function. We isolated and purified SC from pre-pubertal pig testes according to our method and incubated the retrieved cells with three different Cadmium chloride concentrations (5-10-15 microM). Parameters of SC function such as inhibin B and anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH) were depressed by Cd exposure, contrary to what observed in untreated controls. No impairment of the FSH receptor integrity on the SC, as assessed by 17-beta-estradiol production, upon stimulation with FSH, was observed in either 5 microM Cd-treated or untreated controls. Differences, on the contrary, were observed for higher Cd concentrations (10 and 15 mM), in terms of FSH receptor integrity, that was altered, as compared to untreated controls, in terms of lower production of 17-beta-estradiol. In addition, the apoptotic test showed a significant increase of early (ANNEXIN V-/Propidium Iodide+) (AV-/PI+) and late apoptotic cells (AV+/ PI+) in all Cd -treated SC conditions as compared to controls. In conclusion, the Cd -related toxicity on SC, clearly demonstrated by our study, even at low concentrations, is expected to damage spermatogenesis that directly is dependent upon retention of SC viability and function.

Alginate represents one of the most appealing biopolymers for pharmaceutical and biomedical applications. Alginate as a biomaterial for clinical use has been established, although not free from issues. Here we provide a critical review on some of the main recent advances in alginate research in drug delivery and its prominent role in cell microencapsulation for the treatment of diseases, such as type 1 diabetes mellitus. A brief description of the basic properties of the polymer will be provided as well. Based on our experience and contributions, as well as wide research in the field, the correlation between physicochemical and biological properties of alginate systems and clinical outcomes will be investigated and discussed to address the actual future clinical impact of alginate-based delivery strategies.