Il modello corporeo e la teoria neuropsicologica del sé corporeo minimale. Una rassegna tematica

Riassunto: Il concetto di modello corporeo è un’acquisizione relativamente recente della neuropsicologia. Studiosi attivi in questo ambito di ricerca interpretano il concetto di modello corporeo come facente riferimento ad un modello interno, una rappresentazione cognitiva delle proprietà anatomiche, volumetriche e posturali del corpo umano. È stato dimostrato come il modello corporeo fornisca un background cognitivo stabile a processi d’integrazione dell’informazione multisensoriale riferita al corpo proprio. In questo senso, si ritiene che esso concorra a generare una forma elementare di autocoscienza corporea, il cosiddetto sé corporeo minimale. Il presente contributo intende fornire un’aggiornata rassegna tematica sul modello corporeo trattato contestualmente alla teoria neuropsicologica del sé corporeo minimale. A tale scopo, saranno discussi studi teorici di rilievo che condividono una comune base sperimentale: le Illusioni della Proprietà Corporea (IPC). Attenzione verrà riservata anche alle principali ricadute che un tale lavoro di sistematizzazione teorica ha recentemente conosciuto in psicopatologia, filosofia della neuroscienza e neurofilosofia. Saranno infine segnalati alcuni problemi aperti nella contemporanea ricerca sul modello corporeo.Parole chiave: Neuropsicologia; Modello corporeo; Sé corporeo minimo; Illusioni della proprietà corporea The body model and the neuropsychological theory of the minimal bodily self. A thematic revie Abstract: The body model is a relatively new concept developed by neuropsychologists that refers to an internal model or cognitive representation of the anatomical, volumetric, and structural aspects of the human body. The body model has been shown to provide a stable cognitive background for body-related multisensory integration, thereby contributing to the formation of an elementary kind of corporeal self-consciousness, the so-called minimal bodily self. Here, I provide an updated thematic review of research on the body model in the context of the neuropsychological theory of the minimal bodily self. It examines theoretical studies based on experiments on Body Ownership Illusions (BOI) and the important implications this work has for psychopathology, the philosophy of neuroscience and neurophilosophy. Finally, it points to some unanswered questions in contemporary research on the body model.Keywords: Neuropsychology; Body Model; Minimal Bodily Self; Body Ownership Illusion

Corpo vissuto ed esperienza virtuale. Una prospettiva fenomenologica

Riassunto: Può la corporalità dirsi ancora una condizione costitutiva dell’esperienza nella presente era digitale? Esistono due fondamentali modi di affrontare la questione, la cui rilevanza è stata di recente sottolineata da ricercatori attivi nei campi dell’Intelligenza Artificiale Incorporata. Il primo interpreta la questione come incentrata su un’indagine della relazione fra corporalità e digitalizzazione, il processo cioè di digitalizzare dati il quale rende possibile simulare, aumentare e perfino costruire la realtà all’interno di uno spazio di esperienza virtuale (realtà aumentata e realtà virtuale), assumendo l’idea tradizionale del computing come un’attività che utilizza dispositivi artificiali, elettronici, per processare, gestire e comunicare informazioni. Il secondo considera la stessa relazione da una diversa prospettiva, facendo cioè riferimento al computing come a un’attività naturale, secondo l’emergente ricerca di computing naturale condotta nel campo del computing non convenzionale. Seguendo quest’ultima prospettiva, che sta acquisendo un crescente consenso all’interno della comunità scientifica, il lavoro indagherà il ruolo costitutivo della corporalità rispetto all’esperienza virtuale associata a una nota ed oramai autonoma area di ricerca del computing naturale, vale a dire il computing morfologico, utilizzando il metodo della fenomenologia genetica.Parole chiave: Computing naturale e computing artificiale; Corporeità; Morfologia naturale e morfologia artificiale; Fenomenologia genetica Lived Body and Virtual experience. A Phenomenological PerspectiveAbstract: In what sense can corporality still be considered a constitutive condition for experience in the current digital age? Recent scholarship in the fields of Embodied Artificial Intelligence and the philosophy of Embodied Artificial Intelligence has probed the relevance of two approaches to this question. The first queries the relationship between corporality and digitization, i.e., examining how it is possible to simulate, augment, and even construct reality within a space of virtual experience (Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality) by digitizing data. This approach builds on the traditional idea of computing as an activity that uses artificial, mostly electronic, devices to process, manage, and communicate information. The second approach, increasingly favored by computer scientists, considers computing to be a natural activity, and approaches this same relationship from the perspective of emerging research in unconventional computing, specifically Natural Computing. This paper follows the latter approach, addressing the constitutive role of corporality in virtual experience associated with a well-known and still autonomous research area within Natural Computing, that is, Morphological Computing, from the from the point of view of genetic phenomenology.Keywords: Artificial and Natural Computing; Corporality; Natural and Artificial Morphology; Genetic Phenomenolog

Materia e forma nella prima estetica fenomenologica di Max Scheler

Riassunto: Questo lavoro tratta le dimensioni analitiche della hyletica e della genetica nella prima fenomenologia della percezione sensibile di M. Scheler, caratterizzata da una fondazione realistica della materia e della forma del percetto. La hyletica fenomenologica indaga la “materia” o contenuto qualitativo del vissuto nel suo aspetto pre-intenzionale di dato sensoriale informe, privo cioè di forma oggettiva. La genetica fenomenologica indaga la genesi o formazione dei due poli della relazione intenzionale atto-oggetto, a partire dal loro originario momento d’indistinzione allo stadio primitivo della coscienza percettiva. In questo lavoro si sottolinea l’originale elaborazione scheleriana dell’analisi fenomenologica: hyletica e genetica sono parte di un’indagine volta a indagare i diversi aspetti della realtà intesa come fenomeno vissuto caratterizzato dalla resistenza delle cose rispetto a un comportamento animato da finalità adattative. Il percipiente non è per Scheler il soggetto autocosciente, ma l’organismo come agente di informazione/comunicazione in costante interazione con il proprio ambiente circostante.Parole chiave: Hyletica fenomenologica; Fenomenologia genetica; Oggetto reale; Materia; Resistenza Matter and Form in Max Scheler’s Early Phenomenological AestheticsAbstract: This paper addresses the analytic dimensions of Hyletics and Genetics in M. Scheler’s early phenomenology of sense perception, characterized by its realistic foundation for the matter and form of percepts. Phenomenological Hyletics studies the “matter”, i.e., the qualitative content of lived experiences with respect to the pre-intentional aspect of its unformed sensory input, lacking in objectual form. Phenomenological Genetics studies the “genesis” or formation of intentionality’s relata, starting from the early moments of indistinction at the initial phase of perceptual consciousness. This paper highlights the pivotal role and, above all, the original elaboration of these two analytic dimensions by the author: within Scheler’s work, phenomenological Hyletics and Genetics form part of an inquiry that stresses different aspects of reality, understood as a living phenomenon characterized by the resistance of things to adaptive behavior. According to Scheler, therefore, the perceiver is not a self-conscious subject, but rather an organism, i.e., an agent of information-communication that continuously interacts with his surrounding environment.Keywords: Phenomenological Hyletic; Genetic Phenomenology; Real Object; Matter; Resistenc

Glia-to-neuron transfer of miRNAs via extracellular vesicles: a new mechanism underlying inflammation-induced synaptic alterations

Recent evidence indicates synaptic dysfunction as an early mechanism affected in neuroinflammatory diseases, such as multiple sclerosis, which are characterized by chronic microglia activation. However, the mode(s) of action of reactive microglia in causing synaptic defects are not fully understood. In this study, we show that inflammatory microglia produce extracellular vesicles (EVs) which are enriched in a set of miRNAs that regulate the expression of key synaptic proteins. Among them, miR-146a-5p, a microglia-specific miRNA not present in hippocampal neurons, controls the expression of presynaptic synaptotagmin1 (Syt1) and postsynaptic neuroligin1 (Nlg1), an adhesion protein which play a crucial role in dendritic spine formation and synaptic stability. Using a Renilla-based sensor, we provide formal proof that inflammatory EVs transfer their miR-146a-5p cargo to neuron. By western blot and immunofluorescence analysis we show that vesicular miR-146a-5p suppresses Syt1 and Nlg1 expression in receiving neurons. Microglia-to-neuron miR-146a-5p transfer and Syt1 and Nlg1 downregulation do not occur when EV\ue2\u80\u93neuron contact is inhibited by cloaking vesicular phosphatidylserine residues and when neurons are exposed to EVs either depleted of miR-146a-5p, produced by pro-regenerative microglia, or storing inactive miR-146a-5p, produced by cells transfected with an anti-miR-146a-5p. Morphological analysis reveals that prolonged exposure to inflammatory EVs leads to significant decrease in dendritic spine density in hippocampal neurons in vivo and in primary culture, which is rescued in vitro by transfection of a miR-insensitive Nlg1 form. Dendritic spine loss is accompanied by a decrease in the density and strength of excitatory synapses, as indicated by reduced mEPSC frequency and amplitude. These findings link inflammatory microglia and enhanced EV production to loss of excitatory synapses, uncovering a previously unrecognized role for microglia-enriched miRNAs, released in association to EVs, in silencing of key synaptic genes

Scolosis secondary to ganglioneuroma: Case report and up to date literature review

Idiopathic scoliosis is the most common form of spinal deformity in children. However, secondary causes of scoliosis, such as ganglioneuroma, should be always considered to avoid wrong diagnosis, and further investigations are required when there are atypical signs. We report a case of ganglioneuroma misdiagnosed as idiopathic scoliosis and review the literature to identify the red flags useful for physicians during the evaluation of a child with scoliosis. On the basis of both clinical and radiographic criteria that emerged from this study, we propose an algorithm that could help in the differential diagnosis, suggesting when to perform an MRI.Idiopathic scoliosis is the most common form of spinal deformity in children. However, secondary causes of scoliosis, such as ganglioneuroma, should be always considered to avoid wrong diagnosis, and further investigations are required when there are atypical signs. We report a case of ganglioneuroma misdiagnosed as idiopathic scoliosis and review the literature to identify the red flags useful for physicians during the evaluation of a child with scoliosis. On the basis of both clinical and radiographic criteria that emerged from this study, we propose an algorithm that could help in the differential diagnosis, suggesting when to perform an MRI

Prognostic role of inflammatory biomarkers in HIV-infected patients with a first diagnosis of Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC): a single-centre study

To assess hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) survival and to investigate the prognostic role of immunonutritional biomarkers, as Neutrophil to Lymphocyte Ratio (NLR), Platelet to Lymphocyte Ratio (PLR) and Prognostic Nutritional Index (PNI), in a cohort of HIV-infected patients

Abacavir adverse reactions related with HLA-B*57: 01 haplotype in a large cohort of patients infected with HIV

Carriage of human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-B*57:01 allele increases the risk of abacavir hypersensitivity reaction. Therefore, since 2008 HIV treatment guidelines recommend HLA-B*57:01 screening before abacavir administration, greatly reducing hypersensitivity reaction rate. However, clinically suspected abacavir-related hypersensitivity reactions are described in allele non-carriers. Major aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between HLA-B*57:01 pattern and abacavir-related hypersensitivity reaction, focusing on hypersensitivity reaction prevalence in allele non-carriers

Prevalence of integrase strand transfer inhibitors (InSTIs) resistance mutations in InSTIs-naive and -experienced HIV-1 infected patients: a single Center experience

Integrase strand transfer inhibitor resistance (InSTI) rates are low. However, genotypic resistance test is not routinely performed in many centres. The aim of this study is to evaluate the prevalence of InSTI related mutations in our large Cohort. We examined all integrase genotypic resistance tests performed as part of routine clinical practice at Spedali Civili General Hospital, University of Brescia from 2011 to 2016. Analysis was performed through the Stanford HIV Drug Resistance Database. 341 patients were included. Genotypic resistance assays were performed in naive (48), ART-experienced but InSTI-naive (114) and both ART-experienced/InSTI-experienced (179) patients. No major resistance-associated mutations (RAMs) were detected in patients never exposed to InSTIs. Of 179 samples from patients exposed to InSTIs (mostly to raltegravir), the overall prevalence of major RAMs was 11.7%. Among them, 10 harboured N155H, four Q148H, two Q148R, two Y143C/S and two T66A/I/T respectively. A novel mutation at a recognized resistance site (E92K) was identified in one raltegravir-experienced patient. The overall prevalence of InSTI mutations in our Cohort was low, particularly in naïve patients indicating no transmitted RAMs, while in InSTIs-experienced patients the rate of RAMs was high (11.7%). We support an implementation of surveillance of InSTI resistance

Presence of V72I, G123S and R127K Integrase Inhibitor polymorphisms could reduce ART effectiveness: a retrospective longitudinal study

Objectives: Structural aspects of HIV-1 integrase complex and role of integrase minor mutations and polymorphisms in ART effectiveness is still unknown. The objective of this study was to assess the 24 and 48 weeks (W) effectiveness of ART regimens in patients with Integrase Inhibitors (InSTI) minor mutations and polymorphisms receiving InSTI-based regimens. Methods: We enrolled all ART-naïve or InSTI-naïve HIV-infected patients, with a baseline InSTI genotypic resistances test between 2011 and 2016. We analyzed integrase resistance mutations using the Stanford University HIV Drug Resistance Database (HIVdb Program, version 6.3.0). The outcome was virological response at 24 and 48 W of follow up (FU) according to snapshot analysis. We defined virological failure as two consecutive HIV-RNA > 50 copies/ml, or one >1000 copies/ml. Patients were divided in those presenting InSTI minor mutations (Group 1), and those with only polymorphisms or wild type (Group 2). Results: We enrolled 83 patients. 81 patients reached 24 W of FU: 2/20 (10%) and 4/61 (6.5%) showed virological failure in Group 1 and 2 respectively. 66 patients reached 48 W of FU: 0/17 (0%) and 2/49 (4%) showed virological failure in Group 1 and 2 respectively. Interestingly, patients with polymorphisms G123S and R127K had higher risk of failure at 24 W (respectively, relative risk - RR − 36, IQR 2.1-613, p = 0.01; RR 36, IQR 2.1-613, p = 0.01) and patients with V72I had an higher risk of failure both at 24 W (RR 6.52, IQR 1.29-32.9, p = 0.02) and 48 W (RR 21.1, IQR 1.07-414, p = 0.04). Conclusions: Our study showed that the presence of V72I, G123S and R127K polymorphisms could play a role in reducing InSTI effectiveness