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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.

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.