El delirio en la esquizofrenia como objeto de estudio interdisciplinario en la filosofía de la mente

Delusions are a transdiagnostic phenomenon with higher prevalence in schizophrenia. Historically, delusions have been regarded as the hallmark of psychosis. Over the last 20 years, delusions have attracted the attention of philosophers, psychiatrists, and cognitive sciences due to the ways in which they challenge some of the most fundamental claims about the nature of the human mind. However, despite its clinical relevance for the diagnosis of a number of conditions, the study of delusions still leads to a number of conceptual and empirical disagreements. This article clarifies some of the most fundamental problems raised by the observation of delusions in schizophrenia from an interdisciplinary point of view. Our analysis is meant to inform experimental approaches to the phenomenon, and, in turn, advance its treatment. In this sense, conceptual progress in this field is fundamental to map different paths for empirical and clinical research. This, due to the fact that any theory aiming at explaining delusions in schizophrenia should offer some kind of answer to the problems that we clarify in this paperEl delirio es un fenómeno transdiagnóstico más frecuente en la esquizofrenia. Históricamente, el delirio se ha considerado la marca de la psicosis. Dada las formas en que desafía algunas de las premisas más fundamentales acerca de la naturaleza de la mente humana, durante los últimos 20 años el delirio ha atraído la atención de filósofos, psiquiatras e investigadores en ciencias cognitivas. Sin embargo, a pesar de su relevancia clínica en el diagnóstico de una serie de condiciones, el estudio del delirio aún produce diversas discusiones conceptuales y empíricas. Este artículo intenta clarificar algunos de los problemas más fundamentales que surgen del estudio interdisciplinario del delirio en el contexto de la esquizofrenia. Es importante señalar que la resolución de tales discusiones no constituye un simple ejercicio retórico, sino que permitiría, en el mejor de los casos, sentar las bases para el avance en la investigación clínica y experimental conceptualmente bien informada y, por ende, permitiría importantes avances en su tratamiento. En este sentido, el avance conceptual en el área será importante para definir la carta de navegación de la investigación empírica en el tema. Esto, porque cada teoría que intenta contar una historia explicativa completa y contextualizada del fenómeno de los delirios en la esquizofrenia debería ofrecer respuestas a los problemas que identificamos en este trabajo

El delirio en la esquizofrenia como objeto de estudio interdisciplinario en la filosofía de la mente*

El delirio es un fenómeno transdiagnóstico más frecuente en la esquizofrenia. Históricamente, el delirio se ha considerado la marca de la psicosis. Dada las formas en que desafía algunas de las premisas más fundamentales acerca de la naturaleza de la mente humana, durante los últimos 20 años el delirio ha atraído la atención de filósofos, psiquiatras e investigadores en ciencias cognitivas. Sin embargo, a pesar de su relevancia clínica en el diagnóstico de una serie de condiciones, el estudio del delirio aún produce diversas discusiones conceptuales y empíricas. Este artículo intenta clarificar algunos de los problemas más fundamentales que surgen del estudio interdisciplinario del delirio en el contexto de la esquizofrenia. Es importante señalar que la resolución de tales discusiones no constituye un simple ejercicio retórico, sino que permitiría, en el mejor de los casos, sentar las bases para el avance en la investigación clínica y experimental conceptualmente bien informada y, por ende, permitiría importantes avances en su tratamiento. En este sentido, el avance conceptual en el área será importante para definir la carta de navegación de la investigación empírica en el tema. Esto, porque cada teoría que intenta contar una historia explicativa completa y contextualizada del fenómeno de los delirios en la esquizofrenia debería ofrecer respuestas a los problemas que identificamos en este trabajo.//Delusions are a transdiagnostic phenomenon with higher prevalence in schizophrenia. Historically, delusions have been regarded as the hallmark of psychosis. Over the last 20 years, delusions have attracted the attention of philosophers, psychiatrists, and cognitive sciences due to the ways in which they challenge some of the most fundamental claims about the nature of the human mind. However, despite its clinical relevance for the diagnosis of a number of conditions, the study of delusions still leads to a number of conceptual and empirical disagreements. This article clarifies some of the most fundamental problems raised by the observation of delusions in schizophrenia from an interdisciplinary point of view. Our analysis is meant to inform experimental approaches to the phenomenon, and, in turn, advance its treatment. In this sense, conceptual progress in this field is fundamental to map different paths for empirical and clinical research. This, due to the fact that any theory aiming at explaining delusions in schizophrenia should offer some kind of answer to the problems that we clarify in this paper

Reference points for the Iberian sardine stock (ICES areas VIIIc and IXa)

Three Yield-Per-Recruit/stock-recruitment approaches (deterministic, stochastic with plotMSY and stochastic with HCS) were used to explore reference points for the management of the Iberian sardine. The sensitivity of reference points was evaluated in relation to alternative scenarios of productivity, growth and selectivity. Growth and selectivity scenarios had a small impact on stock projections whereas productivity scenarios were very influential. The three approaches gave coherent results, but the approach using HCS, assuming uncertainty in stock biology and recruitment dynamics, was preferred to derive reference points for sardine. In this approach, the risks of the stock fa lling below some low biomass level can also be taken into account. This possibility was considered to be useful in the case of the sardine for which exploitation at maximum YPR or F0.1 resulted in values above historical exploitation and higher than Floss, therefore unsuitable as precautionary management targets. Bloss (306 thousand t) is proposed as a proxy for Blim but given no indication that recruitment is impaired below this biomass level, the group considers that the level of risk of falling below this candidate for Blim acceptable in the evaluation of a management plan should be higher than the standard ICES value (5%).The stock productivity has declined over time; therefore a scenario of low productivity was assumed (recruitment in the period 1993-2010). Under this productivity scenario, the Fmsy value for the sardine stock is 0.34, a value associated with a high probability (45%) of the biomass falling below the proposed Blim and therefore, incompatible with precautionary considerations. The WG proposes an F= 0.27, corresponding to a Prob(B<Blim)<15% under equilibrium, as the best available candidate for an F management target (proxy for Fmsy) assuming the low productivity scenario (since 1993) will continue in the future. This F provides high yield conditional to a low probability that the biomass falls below Blim=Bloss in equilibrium, thus incorporating precautionary considerations

Shape effect in active targeting of nanoparticles to inflamed cerebral endothelium under static and flow conditions

Endothelial cells represent the first biological barrier for compounds, including nanoparticles, administered via the intravascular route. In the case of ischemic stroke and other vascular diseases, the endothelium overexpresses specific markers, which can be used as molecular targets to facilitate drug delivery and imaging. However, targeting these markers can be quite challenging due to the presence of blood flow and the associated hydrodynamic forces, reducing the likelihood of adhesion to the vessel wall. To overcome these challenges, various parameters including size, shape, charge or ligand coating have been explored to increase the targeting efficiency. Geometric shape can modulate nanoparticle binding to the cell, especially by counteracting part of the hydrodynamic forces of the bloodstream encountered by the classical spherical shape. In this study, the binding affinity of polystyrene nanoparticles with two different shapes, spherical and rod-shaped, were compared. First, vascular adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) was evaluated as a vascular target of inflammation, induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulation. To evaluate the effect of nanoparticle shape on particle adhesion, nanoparticles were coated with anti-VCAM-1 and tested under static conditions in cell culture dishes coated with cerebral microvasculature cells (bEnd.3) and under dynamic flow conditions in microfluidic channels lined with hCMEC/D3 cells. Effect of particle shape on accumulation was also assessed in two in vivo models including systemic inflammation and local brain inflammation. The elongated rod-shaped particles demonstrated greater binding ability in vitro, reaching a 2.5-fold increase in the accumulation for static cultures and 1.5-fold for flow conditions. Anti-VCAM-1 coated rods exhibited a 3.5-fold increase in the brain accumulation compared to control rods. These results suggest shape offers a useful parameter in future design of drug delivery nanosystems or contrast agents for neurovascular pathologies.This study has been partially supported by grants from Instituto de Salud Carlos III (PI13/00292 and PI17/0054), Spanish ResearchNetwork on Cerebrovascular Diseases RETICS-INVICTUS (RD12/0014),Fundación Mutua Madrileña. The Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness of Spain (SAF2017-84267-R). The European Union program FEDER and the European Regional Development Fund–ERDF, MADIA project No. 732678 to FC. Furthermore, F. Campos (CP14/00154) recipients a research contract from Miguel Servet Program of Instituto de Salud Carlos III. National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship under Grant DGE-1745303S

Temperature-Induced Changes in Reperfused Stroke: Inflammatory and Thrombolytic Biomarkers

Although hyperthermia is associated with poor outcomes in ischaemic stroke (IS), some studies indicate that high body temperature may benefit reperfusion therapies. We assessed the association of temperature with effective reperfusion (defined as a reduction of ≥8 points in the National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) within the first 24 h) and poor outcome (modified Rankin Scale (mRS) > 2) in 875 retrospectively-included IS patients. We also studied the influence of temperature on thrombolytic (cellular fibronectin (cFn); matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP-9)) and inflammatory biomarkers (tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin 6 (IL-6)) and their relationship with effective reperfusion. Our results showed that a higher temperature at 24 but not 6 h after stroke was associated with failed reperfusion (OR: 0.373, p = 0.001), poor outcome (OR: 2.190, p = 0.005) and higher IL-6 levels (OR: 0.958, p 37.5 °C at 24 h, but not at 6 h after stroke, is correlated with reperfusion failure, poor clinical outcome, and infarct size. Mild hyperthermia (36.5–37.5 °C) in the first 6 h window might benefit drug reperfusion therapies by promoting clot lysisThis study was partially supported by grants from the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation (SAF2017-84267-R), Xunta de Galicia (Consellería Educación: IN607A2018/3), Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII) (PI17/00540 and PI17/01103), Spanish Research Network on Cerebrovascular Diseases RETICS-INVICTUS PLUS (RD16/0019), and by the European Union FEDER program. Furthermore, Tomás. Sobrino (CPII17/00027) and Francisco Campos (CPII19/00020) are recipients of research contracts from the Miguel Servet Program of Instituto de Salud Carlos III. María Pérez-Mato is a Sara Borrell Researcher (CD19/00033)S

Comercio de Argentina con la República Popular China: evaluación y consideraciones acerca del impacto económico de las medidas tomadas ante la evidencia de comercio desleal

Se caracteriza el comercio bilateral argentino-chino de acuerdo a su evolución cuali-cuantitativa, con énfasis en las últimas dos décadas, que es cuando la República Popular China se consolida como el segundo socio comercial de Argentina y uno de los principales inversores extranjeros en Argentina y en el resto de sus vecinos. Siendo la China el país más dinámico en el comercio internacional de los últimos 30 años, es también el que más denuncias ha recibido a nivel mundial por hacer uso de prácticas comerciales desleales. Se analiza el carácter de las medidas de salvaguarda adoptadas por Argentina en virtud de las denuncias realizadas a varias de las manufacturas que exporta dicho país a la Argentina, enfatizando las que afectan la producción regional de calzados, industria importante para La Matanza. Se ve en perspectiva cómo esas medidas afectan el comercio, la incidencia del mayor comercio chino en terceros mercados que afectan a proveedores argentinos y el impacto en Argentina de las importaciones chinas de productos que afectan al sector mencionado. Se evalúa el comercio exterior de esos productos y se comparan con las importaciones chinas, correspondientes a las mismas posiciones arancelarias. Se intentó evaluar las consecuencias en el empleo regional de las medidas de defensa comercial adoptadas por Argentina.Fil: Girado, Gustavo Alejandro. Universidad Nacional de La Matanza; Argentina.Fil: Silva, Raúl Alberto. Universidad Nacional de La Matanza; Argentina.Fil: Escobedo, Ana Gabriela. Universidad Nacional de La Matanza; Argentina.Fil: Pereyra, Darío. Universidad Nacional de La Matanza; Argentina.Fil: Márquez, Juan Ignacio. Universidad Nacional de La Matanza; Argentina.Fil: Becce, Enzo. Universidad Nacional de La Matanza; Argentina.Fil: Salinas, Andrés. Universidad Nacional de La Matanza; Argentina.Fil: Ercolani, Rodrigo Nahuel. Universidad Nacional de La Matanza; Argentina.Fil: Tobares, Juan Carlos. Universidad Nacional de La Matanza; Argentina.Fil: López, Pablo Fernando. Universidad Nacional de La Matanza; Argentina

Modelling of an Optical Access Network Platform for Radio-Frequency Transmission in the S Band / Modelação de uma Plataforma de Rede de Acesso Óptico para Transmissão de Radiofrequências na Banda S

Microwave transmission in the S Band are used in WiMAX, mobile telephony, air control and satellite communications. Such applications demand the use of wideband optical access networks. In this article, the impact of non-linearities of a fluorescent optical source (FFOS) is analyzed on the performance, at 560 nm, of Discrete-Multitone (DMT) transmissions, using the multicarrier signal-to-noise ratio  (SNRmc) metric. The objective is to provide a  model of SNRmc level curves based on empirical measurements by varying the bias current and the amplitude of the input signal in the optical source. The cartography was approximated by fitting ellipses, which allows us to find an approximate optimum point of operation for the setup.

Expanding the perspective of polymeric selective contacts in photovoltaic devices using branched polyethylenimine

This work studies the use of polymeric layers of polyethylenimine (PEI) as an interface modification of electron-selective contacts. A clearly enhanced electrical transport with lower contact resistance and significant surface passivation (about 3 ms) can be achieved with PEI modification. As for other conjugated polyelectrolytes, protonated groups of the polymer with their respective counter anions from the solvent create an intense dipole. In this work, part of the amine groups in PEI are protonated by ethanol that behaves as a weak Brønsted acid during the process. A comprehensive characterization including high-resolution compositional analysis confirms the formation of a dipolar interlayer. The PEI modification is able to eliminate completely Fermi-level pinning at metal/semiconductor junctions and shifts the work function of the metallic electrode by more than 1 eV. Induced charge transport between the metal and the semiconductor allows the formation of an electron accumulation region. Consequently, electron-selective contacts are clearly improved with a significant reduction of the specific contact resistance (less than 100 mO·cm2). Proof-of-concept dopant-free solar cells on silicon were fabricated to demonstrate the beneficial effect of PEI dipolar interlayers. Full dopant-free solar cells with conversion efficiencies of about 14% could be fabricated on flat wafers. The PEI modification also improved the performance of classical high-efficiency heterojunction solar cells.This research has been supported by the Spanish government through Grants PID2019-109215RB-C41, PID2019109215RB-C43, PID2020-115719RB-C21, and PID2020116719RB-C41 and funded by MCIN/AEI/10.13039/ 501100011033. Besides this the authors would like to thank Prof. Jordi LLorca for his expertise and helpful discussions of XPS results, as well as Dr. Rodrigo Fernández-Pacheco of the Laboratorio de Microscopias Avanzadas (LMA-INA) of Zaragoza for the HRTEM images and EDS and EELS analysis, and Guillaume Sauthier from ICN2 for his contribution through UPS measurements and discussions.Peer ReviewedPostprint (published version

Oral fosfomycin for the treatment of lower urinary tract infections among kidney transplant recipients—Results of a Spanish multicenter cohort

Preliminary results of this study were presented at the 29th European Congress of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases (ECCMID), held in Amsterdam, The Netherlands, from 13 to 16 April, 2019 (oral communication O‐0699).Oral fosfomycin may constitute an alternative for the treatment of lower urinary tract infections (UTIs) in kidney transplant recipients (KTRs), particularly in view of recent safety concerns with fluroquinolones. Specific data on the efficacy and safety of fosfomycin in KTR are scarce. We performed a retrospective study in 14 Spanish hospitals including KTRs treated with oral fosfomycin (calcium and trometamol salts) for posttransplant cystitis between January 2005 and December 2017. A total of 133 KTRs developed 143 episodes of cystitis. Most episodes (131 [91.6%]) were produced by gram‐negative bacilli (GNB), and 78 (54.5%) were categorized as multidrug resistant (including extended‐spectrum β‐lactamase‐producing Enterobacteriaceae [14%] or carbapenem‐resistant GNB [3.5%]). A median daily dose of 1.5 g of fosfomycin (interquartile range [IQR]: 1.5‐2) was administered for a median of 7 days (IQR: 3‐10). Clinical cure (remission of UTI‐attributable symptoms at the end of therapy) was achieved in 83.9% (120/143) episodes. Among those episodes with follow‐up urine culture, microbiological cure at month 1 was achieved in 70.2% (59/84) episodes. Percutaneous nephrostomy was associated with a lower probability of clinical cure (adjusted odds ratio: 10.50; 95% confidence interval: 0.98‐112.29; P = 0.052). In conclusion, fosfomycin is an effective orally available alternative for treating cystitis among KTRs.This study was supported by Plan Nacional de I+D+i 2013‐2016 and Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Subdirección General de Redes y Centros de Investigación Cooperativa, Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades, Spanish Network for Research in Infectious Diseases (REIPI RD16/0016)—cofinanced by the European Development Regional Fund “A way to achieve Europe”; the Group for Study of Infection in Transplantation and the Immunocompromised Host (GESITRA‐IC) of the Spanish Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases (SEIMC); and the Spanish Network for Research in Renal Diseases (REDInREN RD16/0009). MFR holds a research contract “Miguel Servet” (CP 18/00073) from the Spanish Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities, Instituto de Salud Carlos III

Humoral response and neutralising capacity at 6 months post-vaccination against COVID-19 among institutionalised older adults in Argentina

The COVID-19 pandemic has particularly affected older adults residing in nursing homes, resulting in high rates of hospitalisation and death. Here, we evaluated the longitudinal humoral response and neutralising capacity in plasma samples of volunteers vaccinated with different platforms (Sputnik V, BBIBP-CorV, and AZD1222). A cohort of 851 participants, mean age 83 (60-103 years), from the province of Buenos Aires, Argentina were included. Sequential plasma samples were taken at different time points after vaccination. After completing the vaccination schedule, infection-naïve volunteers who received either Sputnik V or AZD1222 exhibited significantly higher specific anti-Spike IgG titers than those who received BBIBP-CorV. Strong correlation between anti-Spike IgG titers and neutralising activity levels was evidenced at all times studied (rho=0.7 a 0.9). Previous exposure to SARS-CoV-2 and age <80 years were both associated with higher specific antibody levels. No differences in neutralising capacity were observed for the infection-naïve participants in either gender or age group. Similar to anti-Spike IgG titers, neutralising capacity decreased 3 to 9-fold at 6 months after initial vaccination for all platforms. Neutralising capacity against Omicron was between 10-58 fold lower compared to ancestral B.1 for all vaccine platforms at 21 days post dose 2 and 180 days post dose 1. This work provides evidence about the humoral response and neutralising capacity elicited by vaccination of a vulnerable elderly population. This data could be useful for pandemic management in defining public health policies, highlighting the need to apply reinforcements after a complete vaccination schedule.Fil: Rodriguez, Pamela Elizabeth. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Parque Centenario. Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de Buenos Aires. Fundación Instituto Leloir. Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de Buenos Aires; ArgentinaFil: Silva, Andrea Paula. Provincia de Buenos Aires. Ministerio de Salud; ArgentinaFil: Miglietta, Esteban Alberto. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Parque Centenario. Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de Buenos Aires. Fundación Instituto Leloir. Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de Buenos Aires; ArgentinaFil: Rall, Pablo. Instituto Nacional de Servicios Sociales Para Jubilados y Pensionados; ArgentinaFil: Pascuale, Carla Antonela. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Parque Centenario. Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de Buenos Aires. Fundación Instituto Leloir. Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de Buenos Aires; ArgentinaFil: Ballejo, Christian Adrian. Provincia de Buenos Aires. Ministerio de Salud; ArgentinaFil: López Miranda, Lucía. Provincia de Buenos Aires. Ministerio de Salud; ArgentinaFil: Rios, Antonella Soledad. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Parque Centenario. Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de Buenos Aires. Fundación Instituto Leloir. Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de Buenos Aires; ArgentinaFil: Ramis, Lila Yanina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Parque Centenario. Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de Buenos Aires. Fundación Instituto Leloir. Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de Buenos Aires; ArgentinaFil: Marro, Jimena. Provincia de Buenos Aires. Ministerio de Salud; ArgentinaFil: Poncet, Verónica. Provincia de Buenos Aires. Ministerio de Salud; ArgentinaFil: Mazzitelli, Bianca. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas en Retrovirus y Sida. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas en Retrovirus y Sida; ArgentinaFil: Salvatori, Melina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas en Retrovirus y Sida. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas en Retrovirus y Sida; ArgentinaFil: Ceballos, Ana. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas en Retrovirus y Sida. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas en Retrovirus y Sida; ArgentinaFil: González López Ledesma, María Mora. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Parque Centenario. Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de Buenos Aires. Fundación Instituto Leloir. Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de Buenos Aires; ArgentinaFil: Ojeda, Diego Sebastian. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Parque Centenario. Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de Buenos Aires. Fundación Instituto Leloir. Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de Buenos Aires; ArgentinaFil: Aguirre, María F.. Provincia de Buenos Aires. Ministerio de Salud; ArgentinaFil: Miragaya, Yanina. Instituto Nacional de Servicios Sociales Para Jubilados y Pensionados; ArgentinaFil: Gamarnik, Andrea Vanesa. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Parque Centenario. Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de Buenos Aires. Fundación Instituto Leloir. Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de Buenos Aires; ArgentinaFil: Rossi, Andrés Hugo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Parque Centenario. Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de Buenos Aires. Fundación Instituto Leloir. Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de Buenos Aires; Argentin