Magnetic state dependent transient lateral photovoltaic effect in patterned ferromagnetic metal-oxide-semiconductor films

We investigate the influence of an external magnetic field on the magnitude and dephasing of the transient lateral photovoltaic effect (T-LPE) in lithographically patterned Co lines of widths of a few microns grown over naturally passivated p-type Si(100). The T-LPE peak-to-peak magnitude and dephasing, measured by lock-in or through the characteristic time of laser OFF exponential relaxation, exhibit a notable influence of the magnetization direction of the ferromagnetic overlayer. We show experimentally and by numerical simulations that the T-LPE magnitude is determined by the Co anisotropic magnetoresistance. On the other hand, the magnetic field dependence of the dephasing could be described by the influence of the Lorentz force acting perpendiculary to both the Co magnetization and the photocarrier drift directions. Our findings could stimulate the development of fast position sensitive detectors with magnetically tuned magnitude and phase responses

Early innate immune response triggered by the human respiratory syncytial virus and its regulation by ubiquitination/deubiquitination processes

The human respiratory syncytial virus (HRSV) causes severe lower respiratory tract infections in infants and the elderly. An exuberant inadequate immune response is behind most of the pathology caused by the HRSV. The main targets of HRSV infection are the epithelial cells of the respiratory tract, where the immune response against the virus begins. This early innate immune response consists of the expression of hundreds of pro-inflammatory and anti-viral genes that stimulates subsequent innate and adaptive immunity. The early innate response in infected cells is mediated by intracellular signaling pathways composed of pattern recognition receptors (PRRs), adapters, kinases, and transcriptions factors. These pathways are tightly regulated by complex networks of post-translational modifications, including ubiquitination. Numerous ubiquitinases and deubiquitinases make these modifications reversible and highly dynamic. The intricate nature of the signaling pathways and their regulation offers the opportunity for fine-tuning the innate immune response against HRSV to control virus replication and immunopathology.This study was supported by grants from Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII; grant numbers PI17CIII/00003 to SR and PI19CIII/00009 to IM). The study was also funded by the Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red (CIBER) en Enfermedades Infecciosas (CB21/13/00044).S

The Challenging Road to Hepatitis C Virus Eradication.

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection remains a substantial health problem as a leading cause of chronic liver disease worldwide [1]. Chronic hepatitis C (CHC) develops in 75–100% of patients who remain plasma HCV-RNA positive after acute hepatitis C. The World Health Organization (WHO) has estimated that there are about 71 million individuals with CHC worldwide, many of whom are unaware of their infections [1]. CHC causes persistent liver inflammation, leading to cirrhosis development in approximately 10–20% of patients after 20–30 years of HCV infection. Cirrhotic patients have a 1–5% annual risk of developing hepatocellular carcinoma and a 3–6% risk of hepatic decompensation. Following an episode of decompensation, the risk of death in the following year is between 15 and 20% [2].This work was funded by a research grant from Gilead Science (CHIME program, ISR-ES-18-10514) and Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCII; grant numbers PI20CIII/00004 and RD16CIII/0002/0002to S.R.). The funders had no role in the study design, data collection, analysis, decision to publish, ormanuscript preparation.S

Así actúa la primera vacuna aprobada contra el virus sincitial para adultos mayores

Artículo de divulgación publicado en The Conversation España, el día 31/05/2023.El virus respiratorio sincitial (VRS) es un gran desconocido para la población general. Sin embargo, se trata de un patógeno altamente contagioso que está presente en nuestras vidas casi desde el momento en que nacemos hasta que morimos.N

Cognitive processes and math performance : a study with children at third grade of basic education

The present study aims to examine the relationship between cognitive factors and mathematical achievement in primary education. Participants were 103 Portuguese third grade students, aged 8 and 9. All participants completed a battery for working memory (WMTB-C), a test of general intelligence (Raven's Progressive Color Matrices), a selective attention test (d2), and mathematical exercises (arithmetic story problems and measurement skills). Data suggested significant correlations between math performance, executive, visuo- spatial sketchpad and g factor. Our findings suggest the importance of the cognitive factors in two mathematical domains considered. In consonance with the research in this area, we conclude that working memory (WM) assumes an important role in different math curricular achievements

Los organoides: órganos humanos en miniatura para estudiar enfermedades

Artículo de divulgación publicado en The Conversation España el día 06/04/2022.Para entender cómo funciona el cuerpo humano y cómo se producen las enfermedades y cómo tratarlas hacemos experimentos. Como no se pueden hacer en humanos, recurrimos a células, animales de experimentación y, desde hace poco, a organoides.N

La contaminación atmosférica agrava las bronquiolitis y las neumonías

Artículo de divulgación publicado en The Conversation España el día 22/11/2022.Los niños tienen un sistema inmune inmaduro que responde peor a las infecciones. Además de que sus vías aéreas, al ser más pequeñas, se obstruyen más fácilmente por la inflamación y la acumulación de moco.N

Neighborhood environmental factors linked to hospitalizations of older people for viral lower respiratory tract infections in Spain: a case-crossover study

Background: Lower respiratory tract viral infection (LRTI) is a significant cause of morbidity-mortality in older people worldwide. We analyzed the association between short-term exposure to environmental factors (climatic factors and outdoor air pollution) and hospital admissions with a viral LRTI diagnosis in older adults. Methods: We conducted a bidirectional case-crossover study in 6367 patients over 65 years of age with viral LRTI and residential zip code in the Spanish Minimum Basic Data Set. Spain's State Meteorological Agency was the source of environmental data. Associations were assessed using conditional logistic regression. P-values were corrected for false discovery rate (q-values). Results: Almost all were hospital emergency admissions (98.13%), 18.64% were admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU), and 7.44% died. The most frequent clinical discharge diagnosis was influenza (90.25%). LRTI hospital admissions were more frequent when there were lower values of temperature and O3 and higher values of relative humidity and NO2. The regression analysis adjusted by temperatures and relative humidity showed higher concentrations at the hospital admission for NO2 [compared to the lag time of 1-week (q-value< 0.001) and 2-weeks (q-value< 0.001)] and O3 [compared to the lag time of 3-days (q-value< 0.001), 1-week (q-value< 0.001), and 2-weeks (q-value< 0.001)] were related to a higher odds of hospital admissions due to viral LRTI. Moreover, higher concentrations of PM10 at the lag time of 1-week (q-value = 0.023) and 2-weeks (q-value = 0.002), and CO at the lag time of 3-days (q-value = 0.023), 1-week (q-value< 0.001) and 2-weeks (q-value< 0.001)], compared to the day of hospitalization, were related to a higher chances of hospital admissions with viral LRTI. Conclusion: Unfavorable environmental factors (low temperatures, high relative humidity, and high concentrations of NO2, O3, PM10, and CO) increased the odds of hospital admissions with viral LRTI among older people, indicating they are potentially vulnerable to these environmental factors.This research was supported by CIBER -Consorcio Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red- (CB 2021), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación, and Unión Europea – NextGenerationEU (CB21/13/00044). DS-C is a Sara Borrell researcher from ISCIII (grant n° CD20CIII/00001).S