  Using a SU(2)x U(1) gauge theory for a t-J model around a node of the Fermi
surface, we discuss patterns of dynamical symmetry breaking, which may lead to
a pseudogap phase and to the appearance of narrow one-dimensional spatial
structures, induced by the presence of holes. A possible connection with stripe
phases is briefly discussed by passing to an appropriate dual theory. We
discuss confinement properties of spinons and holons and derive the spectrum of
the (gapful) physical excitations which are composites of holons corresponding
to `mesons', and composites of spinons corresponding to `baryons'.
