Biomolecule storage on non-modified thermoplastic microfluidic chip by ink-jet printing of ionogels

[EN] This paper reports an innovative technique for reagents storage in microfluidic devices by means of a one-step UV-photoprintable ionogel-based microarray on non-modified polymeric substrates. Although the ionogel and the ink-jet printing technology are well published, this is the first study where both are used for long-term reagent storage in lab-on-a-chip devices. This technology for reagent storage is perfectly compatible with mass production fabrication processes since pre-treatment of the device substrate is not necessary and inkjet printing allows for an efficient reagent deposition process. The functionality of this microarray is demonstrated by testing the release of biotin-647 after being stored for 1 month at room temperature. Analysis of the fluorescence of the ionogel-based microarray that contains biotin-647 demonstrated that 90% of the biotin-647 present was released from the ionogel-based microarray after pumping PBS 0.1% Tween at 37 °C. Moreover, the activity of biotin-647 after being released from the ionogel-based microarray was investigated trough the binding capability of this biotin to a microcontact printed chip surface with avidin. These findings pave the way for a novel, one-step, cheap and mass production on-chip reagents storage method applicable to other reagents such as antibodies and proteins and enzymes.

Integrated treatment of first episode psychosis with online training (e-learning): study protocol for a randomised controlled trial

Background: The integrated treatment of first episode psychosis has been shown to improve functionality and negative symptoms in previous studies. In this paper, we describe a study of integrated treatment (individual psychoeducation complementary to pharmacotherapy) versus treatment as usual, comparing results at baseline with those at 6-month re-assessment (at the end of the study) for these patients, and online training of professionals to provide this complementary treatment, with the following objectives: 1) to compare the efficacy of individual psychoeducation as add-on treatment versus treatment as usual in improving psychotic and mood symptoms; 2) to compare adherence to medication, functioning, insight, social response, quality of life, and brain-derived neurotrophic factor, between both groups; and 3) to analyse the efficacy of online training of psychotherapists. Methods/design: This is a single-blind randomised clinical trial including patients with first episode psychosis from hospitals across Spain, randomly assigned to either a control group with pharmacotherapy and regular sessions with their psychiatrist (treatment as usual) or an intervention group with integrated care including treatment as usual plus a psychoeducational intervention (14 sessions). Training for professionals involved at each participating centre was provided by the coordinating centre (University Hospital of Alava) through video conferences. Patients are evaluated with an extensive battery of tests assessing clinical and sociodemographic characteristics (Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale, State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale, Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression, Scale to Assess Unawareness of Mental Disorders, Strauss and Carpenter Prognostic Scale, Global Assessment of Functioning Scale, Morisky Green Adherence Scale, Functioning Assessment Short Test, World Health Organization Quality of Life instrument WHOQOL-BREF (an abbreviated version of the WHOQOL-100), and EuroQoL questionnaire), and brain-derived neurotrophic factor levels are measured in peripheral blood at baseline and at 6 months. The statistical analysis, including bivariate analysis, linear and logistic regression models, will be performed using SPSS. Discussion: This is an innovative study that includes the assessment of an integrated intervention for patients with first episode psychosis provided by professionals who are trained online, potentially making it possible to offer the intervention to more patients.

Simulación de redes para el análisis de rendimiento en enlaces de datos bajo técnicas ARQ.

[ES]Hoy en día la simulación de elementos de red y de redes completas supone una herramienta esencial para las telecomunicaciones, pudiendo ayudar en el dimensionado y el análisis de las mismas, así como en el estudio de problemáticas y escenarios que puedan darse. Uno de estos puntos de gran interés para el estudio es ARQ, y más concretamente, las técnicas de Stop & Wait y Go Back N. Así pues, nace dentro del grupo de investigación NQAS la necesidad de elaborar un conjunto de simulaciones sobre estas técnicas, con especial interés sobre la recolección de datos relacionados con el rendimiento de las mismas. Se pretende diseñar y simular una serie de escenarios de red partiendo de módulos simples con funciones de envío, conmutación y recepción de paquetes, escalándolo gradualmente para aumentar las funcionalidades de los mismos, hasta conseguir el diseño e implementación de redes basadas en dicha arquitectura cuyos enlaces estén bajo la cobertura de instancias de protocolo ARQ (Stop & Wait, Go Back N). Se tratará el resultado de las simulaciones mediante la recolección de estadísticas relacionadas con rendimiento y desempeño de las técnicas.

Contribución al estudio de las estructuras tumulares en arqueología: entre la similitud morfológica y la disparidad de funciones

[ES] El artículo trata el tema de las estructuras tumulares, su variabilidad formal y funcional (funeraria, lugar de habitación, etc.), así como su distinta cronología. Se describe los casos concretos de Txoritegi (Zerain —Gipuzkoa—) y Galardi (Txoritegi —Gipuzkoa—), unas estructuras tumulares tipo mota utilizadas, posiblemente, a modo de atalaya de vigía en el contexto del período de conflictividad bajomedieval. Es un elemento novedoso en el territorio para cuya interpretación se ha efectuado un análisis de las cuencas visuales mediante SIG.

Establecimientos de habitación al aire libre. Los fondos de cabaña de morfología tumular: características, proceso de formación y cronología

[ES] En este artículo se describen una serie de estructuras de tipo tumular, que si aparentemente pudieran recordar a las estructuras funerarias clásicas se alejan de éstas por su morfología, composición, funcionalidad y cronología. Los trabajos de prospección realizados durante los últimos años en la Sierra de Aralar (Gipuzkoa) han permitido localizar medio centenar de estas estructuras tumulares, así como abrir nuevos campos de investigación en torno a la vivienda temporal de los grupos pastoriles en las zonas de montaña.

Combining rimonabant and fentanyl in a single entity: preparation and pharmacological results

Based on numerous pharmacological studies that have revealed an interaction between cannabinoid and opioid systems at the molecular, neurochemical, and behavioral levels, a new series of hybrid molecules has been prepared by coupling the molecular features of two well-known drugs, ie, rimonabant and fentanyl. The new compounds have been tested for their affinity and functionality regarding CB1 and CB2 cannabinoid and mu opioid receptors. In [S-35]-GTP.S (guanosine 5'-O-[gamma-thio] triphosphate) binding assays from the post-mortem human frontal cortex, they proved to be CB1 cannabinoid antagonists and mu opioid antagonists. Interestingly, in vivo, the new compounds exhibited a significant dual antagonist action on the endocannabinoid and opioid systems.

Pio del Rio Hortega and the discovery of the oligodendrocytes

Rio del Rio Hortega (1882-1945) discovered microglia and oligodendrocytes (OLGs), and after Ramon y Cajal, was the most prominent figure of the Spanish school of neurology. He began his scientific career with Nicolas Achucarro from whom he learned the use of metallic impregnation techniques suitable to study non-neuronal cells. Later on, he joined Cajal's laboratory. and Subsequently, he created his own group, where he continued to develop other innovative modifications of silver staining methods that revolutionized the study of glial cells a century ago. He was also interested in neuropathology and became a leading authority on Central Nervous System (CNS) tumors. In parallel to this clinical activity, del Rio Hortega rendered the first systematic description of a major polymorphism present in a subtype of macroglial cells that he named as oligodendroglia and later OLGs. He established their ectodermal origin and suggested that they built the myelin sheath of CNS axons, just as Schwann cells did in the periphery. Notably, he also suggested the trophic role of OLGs for neuronal functionality, an idea that has been substantiated in the last few years. Del Rio Hortega became internationally recognized and established an important neurohistological school with outstanding pupils from Spain and abroad, which nearly disappeared after his exile due to the Spanish civil war. Yet, the difficulty of metal impregnation methods and their variability in results, delayed for some decades the confirmation of his great insights into oligodendrocyte biology until the development of electron microscopy and immunohistochemistry. This review aims at summarizing the pioneer and essential contributions of del Rio Hortega to the current knowledge of oligodendrocyte structure and function, and to provide a hint of the scientific personality of this extraordinary and insufficiently recognized man.