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

Strategies Targeting the Innate Immune Response for the Treatment of Hepatitis C Virus-Associated Liver Fibrosis

Direct-acting antivirals eliminate hepatitis C virus (HCV) in more than 95% of treated individuals and may abolish liver injury, arrest fibrogenesis, and reverse fibrosis and cirrhosis. However, liver regeneration is usually a slow process that is less effective in the late stages of fibrosis. What is more, fibrogenesis may prevail in patients with advanced cirrhosis, where it can progress to liver failure and hepatocellular carcinoma. Therefore, the development of antifibrotic drugs that halt and reverse fibrosis progression is urgently needed. Fibrosis occurs due to the repair process of damaged hepatic tissue, which eventually leads to scarring. The innate immune response against HCV is essential in the initiation and progression of liver fibrosis. HCV-infected hepatocytes and liver macrophages secrete proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines that promote the activation and differentiation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) to myofibroblasts that produce extracellular matrix (ECM) components. Prolonged ECM production by myofibroblasts due to chronic inflammation is essential to the development of fibrosis. While no antifibrotic therapy is approved to date, several drugs are being tested in phase 2 and phase 3 trials with promising results. This review discusses current state-of-the-art knowledge on treatments targeting the innate immune system to revert chronic hepatitis C-associated liver fibrosis. Agents that cause liver damage may vary (alcohol, virus infection, etc.), but fibrosis progression shows common patterns among them, including chronic inflammation and immune dysregulation, hepatocyte injury, HSC activation, and excessive ECM deposition. Therefore, mechanisms underlying these processes are promising targets for general antifibrotic therapies.This study was supported by Grants from Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII) (Grant numbers PI17CIII/00003 and PI20CIII/00004 to SR, and PI19CIII/00009 to IM). The study was also funded by the RD16CIII/0002/0002 project as part of the Plan Nacional R+D+I and co-funded by ISCIII- Subdirección General de Evaluación and the Fondo Europeo de Desarrollo Regional (FEDER). DSC is supported through Fundación SEIMC-GESIDA by a fellowship award from Fundación ONCE ‘Oportunidad al Talento, 2019/20’ co-fnanced by Fondo Social Europeo (202001FONCE1).S

Innate Immune Response against Hepatitis C Virus: Targets for Vaccine Adjuvants.

Despite successful treatments, hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections continue to be a significant world health problem. High treatment costs, the high number of undiagnosed individuals, and the difficulty to access to treatment, particularly in marginalized susceptible populations, make it improbable to achieve the global control of the virus in the absence of an effective preventive vaccine. Current vaccine development is mostly focused on weakly immunogenic subunits, such as surface glycoproteins or non-structural proteins, in the case of HCV. Adjuvants are critical components of vaccine formulations that increase immunogenic performance. As we learn more information about how adjuvants work, it is becoming clear that proper stimulation of innate immunity is crucial to achieving a successful immunization. Several hepatic cell types participate in the early innate immune response and the subsequent inflammation and activation of the adaptive response, principally hepatocytes, and antigen-presenting cells (Kupffer cells, and dendritic cells). Innate pattern recognition receptors on these cells, mainly toll-like receptors, are targets for new promising adjuvants. Moreover, complex adjuvants that stimulate different components of the innate immunity are showing encouraging results and are being incorporated in current vaccines. Recent studies on HCV-vaccine adjuvants have shown that the induction of a strong T- and B-cell immune response might be enhanced by choosing the right adjuvant.PI17CIII/00003/Instituto de Salud Carlos III PI19CIII/00009/Instituto de Salud Carlos III RD16CIII/0002/0002/Plan Nacional R+D+IS

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

Minimum volume stability limits for axisymmetric liquid bridges subject to steady axial acceleration

In this paper the influence of an axial microgravity on the minimum volume stability limit of axisymmetric liquid bridges between unequal disks is analyzed both theoretically and experimentally. The results here presented extend the knowledge of the static behaviour of liquid bridges to fluid configurations different from those studied up to now (almost equal disks). Experimental results, obtained by simulating microgravity conditions by the neutral buoyancy technique, are also presented and are shown to be in complete agreement with theoretical ones

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