Differentially methylated genes involved in reproduction and ploidy levels in recent diploidized and tetraploidized Eragrostis curvula genotypes.

Epigenetics studies changes in gene activity without changes in the DNA sequence. Methylation is an epigenetic mechanism important in many pathways, such as biotic and abiotic stresses, cell division, and reproduction. Eragrostis curvula is a grass species reproducing by apomixis, a clonal reproduction by seeds. This work employed the MCSeEd technique to identify deferentially methylated positions, regions, and genes in the CG, CHG, and CHH contexts in E. curvula genotypes with similar genomic backgrounds but with different reproductive modes and ploidy levels. In this way, we focused the analysis on the cvs. Tanganyika INTA (4x, apomictic), Victoria (2x, sexual), and Bahiense (4x, apomictic). Victoria was obtained from the diploidization of Tanganyika INTA, while Bahiense was produced from the tetraploidization of Victoria. This study showed that polyploid/apomictic genotypes had more differentially methylated positions and regions than the diploid sexual ones. Interestingly, it was possible to observe fewer differentially methylated positions and regions in CG than in the other contexts, meaning CG methylation is conserved across the genotypes regardless of the ploidy level and reproductive mode. In the comparisons between sexual and apomictic genotypes, we identified differentially methylated genes involved in the reproductive pathways, specifically in meiosis, cell division, and fertilization. Another interesting observation was that several differentially methylated genes between the diploid and the original tetraploid genotype recovered their methylation status after tetraploidization, suggesting that methylation is an important mechanism involved in reproduction and ploidy changes.

Prevalence and risk factors for misuse of prescription psychotropic drug in patients with severe mental illness: A systematic review.

RESUMEN Objective. The misuse of prescription psychotropic drugs is a major health problem.

Quality of life and psychiatric comorbidities in pediatric patients with Gilles de la Tourette syndrome. / Calidad de vida y comorbilidades psiquiátricas en pacientes pediátricos con síndrome de Gilles de la Tourette.

INTRODUCTION: Tourette Syndrome (TS) is a complex neurodevelopmental disorder which is normally associated to psychiatric comorbidity such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder, anxiety or depression. Quality of life (QoL) in these patients can be affected by tic severity and associated comorbidities. AIM: The aim of the study was to describe and analyze QoL and psychiatric comorbidities in a sample of pediatric patients, as well as to develop a Spanish version of the questionnaire CandA-GTS-QoL to measure quality of life in this population. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Single-center, observational, prospective study. Patients aged 6 to 16 years old with TS were included. Demographic, clinical, diagnostic and treatment data were gathered. Questionnaires regarding tic severity, psychiatric comorbidity and quality of life were used. RESULTS: Twenty-two patients with DSM-5 diagnosis of TS were included (86.4% male, median age 11 years). Of those, 86.4% had been previously diagnosed of psychiatric comorbidities and 72.7% received psychopharmacologic treatment. The prevalence of an ICD-10 current diagnosis of anxiety was 72.7%, depression 50%, ADHD 40.9% and OCD 7.3%. Median QoL score was 59.5 (RIC: 34.8-71.3) for PedsQL, and 55.5 (RIC: 45-65) for CandA-GTS-QoL, with a correlation between scores of R2 = 0.83 (p < 0.01). Higher tic severity was associated with poorer QoL (PedsQL R2: -0.732, p <0.01, CandA-GTS-QoL R2: -0.501, p = 0.021). A higher EDAH score for ADHD was associated with poorer QoL (PedsQL R2: -0.463, p = 0.03, CandA-GTS-QoL R2-0.534, p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Prevalence of psychiatric comorbidities in pediatric TS is high and frequently underdiagnosed. Tics and psychiatric comorbidities affect quality of life. Further studies are needed to validate the Spanish version of CandA-GTS-QoL scale.

TITLE: Calidad de vida y comorbilidades psiquiátricas en pacientes pediátricos con síndrome de Gilles de la Tourette.Introducción. El síndrome de Gilles de la Tourette es un trastorno complejo que se acompaña habitualmente de comorbilidades psiquiátricas, como trastorno por déficit de atención/hiperactividad (TDAH), trastorno obsesivo-compulsivo (TOC), ansiedad o depresión. La calidad de vida de estos pacientes puede verse afectada por la gravedad de los tics y por la presencia de estas comorbilidades. Objetivos. Describir y relacionar la calidad de vida y las comorbilidades psiquiátricas en una muestra de pacientes pediátricos con síndrome de Gilles de la Tourette, así como proporcionar una versión en español del cuestionario Gilles de la Tourette Syndrome-Quality of Life Scale for Children and Adolescents (CandA-GTS-QOL) para medir la calidad de vida en esta población. Pacientes y métodos. Es un estudio transversal, observacional y unicéntrico. Se incluyó a pacientes entre 6 y 16 años con diagnóstico de síndrome de Tourette, de los cuales se recogieron datos demográficos y clínicos, así como diagnósticos y tratamientos previos. Se entregaron cuestionarios de gravedad de los tics, comorbilidad psiquiátrica y calidad de vida. Resultados. Se incluyó a 22 pacientes (86,4%, varones; mediana de edad, 11 años) con diagnóstico de síndrome de Gilles de la Tourette (según los criterios del Manual diagnóstico y estadístico de los trastornos mentales, quinta edición). El 86,4% tenía comorbilidades psiquiátricas diagnosticadas y el 72,7% recibía algún tratamiento. La prevalencia de ansiedad fue del 72,7%, la de depresión, del 50%, la de TDAH, del 40,9% y la de TOC, del 27,3%. La mediana de calidad de vida medida por el Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL) fue de 59,5 (rango intercuartílico: 34,8-71,3), y por la CandA-GTS-QOL, de 55,5 (rango intercuartílico: 45-65) (R2, 0,83; p menor de 0,01). La gravedad de los tics se relacionó con una peor calidad de vida (PedsQL, R2: ­0,707; p menor de 0,01; y CandA-GTS-QOL, R2: ­0,501; p = 0,021). Una mayor puntuación la escala de Conners revisada para el TDAH se relacionó con peor calidad de vida (PedsQL, R2: ­0,463; p = 0,03; y CandA-GTS-QOL, R2: ­0,534; p menor de 0,01). Conclusión. La prevalencia de comorbilidades psiquiátricas en el síndrome de Gilles de la Tourette en nuestro medio es alta y frecuentemente infradiagnosticada. Los tics y las comorbilidades psiquiátricas afectan a la calidad de vida. Son necesarios estudios que validen la CandA-GTS-QOL.

Psychosocial risk factors for suicidality in children and adolescents.

Suicidality in childhood and adolescence is of increasing concern. The aim of this paper was to review the published literature identifying key psychosocial risk factors for suicidality in the paediatric population. A systematic two-step search was carried out following the PRISMA statement guidelines, using the terms 'suicidality, suicide, and self-harm' combined with terms 'infant, child, adolescent' according to the US National Library of Medicine and the National Institutes of Health classification of ages. Forty-four studies were included in the qualitative synthesis. The review identified three main factors that appear to increase the risk of suicidality: psychological factors (depression, anxiety, previous suicide attempt, drug and alcohol use, and other comorbid psychiatric disorders); stressful life events (family problems and peer conflicts); and personality traits (such as neuroticism and impulsivity). The evidence highlights the complexity of suicidality and points towards an interaction of factors contributing to suicidal behaviour. More information is needed to understand the complex relationship between risk factors for suicidality. Prospective studies with adequate sample sizes are needed to investigate these multiple variables of risk concurrently and over time.

A high-quality genome of Eragrostis curvula grass provides insights into Poaceae evolution and supports new strategies to enhance forage quality.

The Poaceae constitute a taxon of flowering plants (grasses) that cover almost all Earth's inhabitable range and comprises some of the genera most commonly used for human and animal nutrition. Many of these crops have been sequenced, like rice, Brachypodium, maize and, more recently, wheat. Some important members are still considered orphan crops, lacking a sequenced genome, but having important traits that make them attractive for sequencing. Among these traits is apomixis, clonal reproduction by seeds, present in some members of the Poaceae like Eragrostis curvula. A de novo, high-quality genome assembly and annotation for E. curvula have been obtained by sequencing 602 Mb of a diploid genotype using a strategy that combined long-read length sequencing with chromosome conformation capture. The scaffold N50 for this assembly was 43.41 Mb and the annotation yielded 56,469 genes. The availability of this genome assembly has allowed us to identify regions associated with forage quality and to develop strategies to sequence and assemble the complex tetraploid genotypes which harbor the apomixis control region(s). Understanding and subsequently manipulating the genetic drivers underlying apomixis could revolutionize agriculture.

Molecular insight into taste and aroma of sliced dry-cured ham induced by protein degradation undergone high-pressure conditions.

High pressure processing (HPP) is currently being developed to increase the shelf-life of sliced dry-cured ham in convenience package without detrimental effects on texture and sensorial characteristics. This study is focused on protein degradation under pressure conditions and its contribution to taste and aroma. Samples of sliced dry-cured ham undergone HPP (600 Pa, 0-35 °C) were analyzed from different approaches including proteomic and chemical analysis (amino acids and volatile compounds). Proteomic analysis revealed that high-pressure conditions caused a higher level of proteolysis, displaying that actin (ACTC1) was differentially degraded, unlike myosin. Furthermore, main Strecker metabolites-isoleucine and leucine-were more abundant at lower temperatures as opposed to 2-methyl butanal and 3-methyl butanal under HPP. Moreover, this study confirmed that HPP affected positively linear aldehydes (pentanal, hexanal, heptanal and nonanal) because of produce a decrease of them, which could improve flavor and taste of dry-cured ham.

Proteomic footprint of ultrasound intensification on sliced dry-cured ham subjected to mild thermal conditions.

Ultrasound can intensify the heating process used to correct texture defects in dry-cured hams. The effect of ultrasound-assisted heating on the proteome of sliced dry-cured ham was evaluated. Dry-cured hams with high proteolysis index (PI > 36) were sliced, vacuum packed and subjected to conventional (CV) and ultrasound-assisted (US) thermal treatments. Comparative proteome profiling between sample groups was assessed by two-dimensional electrophoresis (2-DE) coupled to tandem mass spectrometry. It was found that protein fragmentation increased markedly after US thermal treatment. Specifically, fragments of the major myofibrillar protein, actin, were abundantly over-represented following US heating. In addition, five unfragmented sarcoplasmic proteins (i.e. fatty acid-binding protein, peroxiredoxin-6, superoxide dismutase, carbonyl reductase and aminoacylase) showed increased abundance in the US sample group. These results suggest candidate biomarkers to monitor proteolysis intensity and proteolysis-independent effects linked to cured ham quality by ultrasound application. SIGNIFICANCE: The present proteome profiling study of treated dry-cured ham demonstrates the impact of ultrasound action on proteins. Moreover, negative organoleptic effects can be appearing with ultrasound treatment due to proteolysis increase. Therefore, the proteolysis monitoring could help to control these effects. In this regards, our results suggest that actin can be a candidate biomarker to monitor proteolysis intensity.

Application of temperature and ultrasound as corrective measures to decrease the adhesiveness in dry-cured ham. Influence on free amino acid and volatile compound profile.

The impact of low temperature treatment and its combination with ultrasound has been evaluated in order to correct texture defects in dry-cured hams. A total of 26 dry-cured hams, classified as high proteolysis index (PI>36%), were used. From these hams, ten slices from each ham sample were cut, vacuum packed and submitted to three different treatments: control (without treatment), conventional thermal treatments (CV) and thermal treatment assisted by power ultrasound (US). The impact of these treatments on instrumental adhesiveness, free amino acid and volatile compounds profile were assessed. Statistical analysis showed that both US and CV treatments, significantly (P < .001) decreased the instrumental adhesiveness of dry-cured hams from 85.27 g for CO to 40.59 and 38.68 g for US and CV groups, respectively. The total free amino acid content was significantly (P < .001) affected by both treatments, presenting higher values the samples from the US group (6691.5 vs. 6067.5 vs. 5278.2 mg/100 g dry matter for US, CV and CO groups, respectively). No significant differences were observed between US and CV treatments. All the individual free amino acids were influenced by ultrasound and temperature treatments, showing the highest content in sliced dry-cured ham submitted to ultrasounds at 50 °C, except for isoleucine which presented the highest level in samples from CV group. Similarly, significant differences (P < .05) were also detected in the total volatile compound content between CO and US groups, with a higher concentration in the CO batch (56,662.84 AU × 103/g of dry-cured ham) than in the US treatment (45,848.47 AU × 103/g of dry-cured ham), being the values in the CV treatment intermediate (48,497.25 AU × 103/g of dry-cured ham). Aldehydes, ethers and esters, carboxylic acids and sulphur compounds were more abundant in the CO group, while CV group showed higher concentrations of ketones, alcohols and nitrogen compounds.

Effect of gender on breast and thigh turkey meat quality.

1. The influence of gender on chemical composition, physicochemical parameters, fatty acid profile, amino acid and mineral composition of turkey breast and thigh meat was studied in order to assess nutrient requirements. 2. Chemical composition showed that only intramuscular fat in breast meat was significantly affected by gender (p < 0.05). The results showed a higher percentage of intramuscular fat in male samples, almost double the amount found in females (0.73% vs. 0.38%). 3.For meat colour parameters, only a* showed different results between sexes, with male samples (breast: p < 0.01; thigh: p < 0.001) having the highest values. 4. Fatty acid profiles showed that medium chain unsaturated fatty acids were the most abundant. The significant differences (p < 0.05) found in both breast and thigh muscle could be linked to a difference in metabolism between males and females. 5.There were higher levels of C16:1n-7 in females (breast: p < 0.001; thigh: p < 0.01) compared with male muscle sample (5.05 vs. 2.67 g/100 g in breast and 4.95 vs. 3.27 g/100 g in thigh). Nutritional indices (n-6/n-3 and thrombogenic index) were more favourable in female samples demonstrating that female turkeys had better fatty acid profile than the others. 6. Turkey meat is an important source of dietary amino acids, and female samples had the highest contents both of essential and non-essential amino acids. Furthermore, gender had a numeric effect (p > 0.05) on amino acid composition. 7. Mineral composition showed that Na, Zn and Fe were the minerals most affected by turkey gender.

Effect of proteolysis index level on instrumental adhesiveness, free amino acids content and volatile compounds profile of dry-cured ham.

Defective textures in dry-cured ham are a common problem that causes important economic losses in the ham industry. An increase of proteolysis during the dry-cured ham processing may lead to high adhesiveness and consumer rejection of the product. Therefore, the influence of proteolysis index (PI) on instrumental adhesiveness, free amino acids and volatile profile of dry-cured ham was assessed. Two hundred Spanish dry-cured ham units were firstly classified according to their PI: low PI (<32%), medium PI (32-36%) and high PI (>36%). Instrumental adhesiveness was affected by PI, showing the lowest values in the batch with low PI. Significant differences (P < 0.05) among groups were found in six amino acids: serine, taurine, cysteine, methionine, isoleucine and leucine. The content of leucine, serine, methionine, and isoleucine significantly (P < 0.05) increased as the proteolysis index rose. However, taurine and cysteine content showed an opposite behaviour, reaching the highest values in the dry-cured hams with low PI. Significant differences (P < 0.001) in the total content of volatile compounds among ham groups were observed, with the highest concentration in the batch with low PI, and decreasing the concentration as the PI increased. Regarding the different chemical families of volatiles, the hydrocarbons (the main family), alcohols, aldehydes, ketones and acids were more abundant in the hams showing the lowest PI. Esters did not show significant differences among the three batches of hams studied. The present study demonstrated that, apart from the effect on the adhesiveness, an excessive proteolysis seems to be associated with negative effects on the taste and aroma of the dry-cured ham.

Comparative proteomic profiling of myofibrillar proteins in dry-cured ham with different proteolysis indices and adhesiveness.

Excessive proteolysis during dry-cured ham processing may lead to high adhesiveness and consumer dissatisfaction. The aim of this research is to identify biomarkers for proteolysis and adhesiveness. Two hundred biceps femoris porcine muscle samples from Spanish dry-cured ham were firstly evaluated for various physicochemical parameters, including their proteolysis indices and instrumental adhesiveness. Proteins of samples with extreme proteolysis indices were separated by two-dimensional electrophoresis and identified by tandem mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF/TOF). We found that hams of higher proteolysis index had statistically significant increased adhesiveness. Proteomic analysis revealed statistically significant qualitative and quantitative differences between sample groups. Thus, protein fragments increased remarkably in samples with higher proteolysis index scores. In addition, higher proteolysis index hams showed increased degradation for a total of five non-redundant myofibrillar and sarcoplasmic proteins. However, myosin-1, α-actin and myosin-4 proteins were the biomarkers that underwent the most intense response to proteolysis and adhesiveness.

Use and dependence on opioid drugs in the Spanish population with chronic pain: Prevalence and differences according to sex. / Uso y dependencia de fármacos opioides en población española con dolor crónico: prevalencia y diferencias de género.

OBJECTIVES: To analyse the prevalence in the use and dependence on opioid drugs in the Spanish population with chronic pain and evaluate the differences according to sex. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The demographic variables, opioid treatment characteristics and use of other substances were assessed in 229 users of opioid drugs. A descriptive bivariate analysis of the data was performed. RESULTS: Forty-six percent of the patients met the criteria of dependence on opioid drugs (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th Edition [DSM-IV-TR]). Alcohol and cannabis consumption was greater in the men. The rates of dependence on the use of opioid drugs were significantly higher in the extended treatments. CONCLUSIONS: Planning for treatments with opioids and strategies for preventing inappropriate use should not depend on the patient's sex. We need further studies on the medical and psychological variables related to the use of and dependence on opioids.

Recovering traditional raw-milk Tetilla cheese flavour and sensory attributes by using Kocuria varians and Yarrowia lipolytica adjunct cultures.

The rationale of the present study was to evaluate the potential of microbial adjunct cultures including Kocuria varians and/or Yarrowia lipolytica strains in the recovery of the typical sensory profile of traditional (raw-milk) Tetilla cheese. Four batches of Tetilla cheese, a short ripened cows' milk cheese produced in Galicia (NW Spain), were made in duplicate from pasteurized milk inoculated with different microbial cultures. A control batch was manufactured by adding a mesophilic commercial D-starter only. The other three batches were made with the same starter after a cheese-milk pre-ripening step carried out with (i) an adjunct culture of K. varians, (ii) an adjunct culture of Y. lipolytica, or (iii) a combination of both adjunct cultures. The highest pH and water activity values, associated with softer textures were determined in the cheeses manufactured with the Y. lipolytica adjunct after 21days of ripening. The contents of the volatile compounds 3-methylbutanol, dimethyl disulfide and dimethyl trisulfide were higher in the cheeses made with only the K. varians adjunct than in the cheeses made with the only yeast adjunct and in the control cheeses. The contents of hexanoic and octanoic acids were highest in the cheeses made with the Y. lipolytica adjunct, and levels of ethyl hexanoate, ethyl octanoate and ethyl decanoate were higher in the cheeses made with only the yeast adjunct than in the other batches of cheese. The cheeses manufactured with both adjunct cultures were awarded the highest scores for flavour and overall sensory parameters (considering the standards of the traditional product) and were considered very similar to 'good quality' artisanal raw-milk cheeses. We conclude that use of selected Micrococcaceae and Y. lipolytica strains as adjunct cultures would differentiate the sensory properties and contribute to the quality and typicality of the short-ripened rennet-curd Galician Tetilla and Arzúa-Ulloa cheeses.

Changes in physico-chemical properties and volatile compounds throughout the manufacturing process of dry-cured foal loin.

Physico-chemical, textural, lipolytic and volatile compound changes that occur during the manufacture of dry-cured foal loin were studied. Hardness and chewiness increased significantly (P<0.001) from 1.67 kg and 0.48 kg ∗ mm to 18.33 kg and 5.01 kg∗mm, respectively during ripening process. The total average content of free fatty acid increased significantly (P<0.001), from 768.8 mg/100g of fat in the loins immediately after the seasoning period to 1271.1mg/100g of fat at the end of the drying-ripening period. In the final product, aldehydes became the dominant volatile compounds.

[Nutrition and child development I; nutritional status of school children in a peripheral district of Madrid (Rev Clin Esp 1944; XII:87-94)]. / Alimentación y desarrollo infantil i; el estado nutritivo de los niños en edad escolar de un suburbio Madrileño (Rev Clin Esp 1944; XII:87-94).

El estudio clínico del estado nutritivo de un grupo de niños en edad escolar, habitantes de un suburbio madrileño revela la existencia, relativamente rara, de signos carenciales específicos, que contrasta vivamente con el considerable retraso que se observa en su desarrollo somático. Los hechos parecen demostrar que el problema nutritivo de estos niños es sobre todo un problema cuantitativo. El retraso de la evolución está en relación con la insuficiencia global de la dieta y con el déficit de calcio que es probablemente el elemento individual con mayor grado de carencia en las dietas. La anemia que presenta el 98% de los niños no parece deberse únicamente a una deficiencia de hierro porque la dieta parece tener una cantidad adecuada; probablemente esté más en relación con el exiguo contenido de proteínas animales de la ración.

[Nutrition and child development II; a comparison of physical development in two school children groups with different income level (Rev Clin Esp 1944; 12:155-164) ]. / alimentación y desarrollo infantil II; el desarrollo físico comparativo de dos grupos de niños en edad escolar y distinto nivel económico (Rev Clin Esp 1944; 12:155-164).

El estudio comparativo de dos grupos de niños en edad escolar y de nivel económico diferente demuestra que los que pertenecen a un suburbio madrileño económicamente pobre sufren un retraso en el crecimiento que se caracteriza por una talla y un peso inferiores en relación con la edad. El retraso del peso corporal es proporcionalmente mayor al de la talla. Cuando se calcula según WETZEL la edad que teóricamente corresponde al desarrollo corporal de estos niños se observa un retraso de 2,94 años para una edad término medio de 10,14 años. El retraso global del desarrollo somático representa por tanto el 29 por 100 de la edad cronológica media. Este retraso en el desarrollo debe atribuirse principalmente a causas dietéticas y no solo a carencias específicas, sino sobre todo a insuficiencia cuantitativa en la dieta consumida. Desde el punto de vista cualitativo es probablemente la falta de leche en la dieta uno de los más importantes factores en la génesis de este trastorno del desarrollo.

ErbB receptors and PKC regulate PC12 neuronal-like differentiation and sodium current elicitation.

Excitability, neurite outgrowth and their specification are very important features in the establishment of neuronal differentiation. We have studied a conditioned medium (CM) from sciatic nerve which is able to induce a neuronal-like differentiation of PC12 cells. Previously, we have demonstrated that supplementing this CM with a generic inhibitor (k252a), which mainly inhibits tropomyosin-related kinase receptors (Trk receptors) and protein kinase C (PKC), caused neurite elongation, sodium current induction and axon development. In the present work, we are showing that the enhancement of neurite length and induction of sodium currents induced by CM+k252a were prevented by ErbB receptor inhibition. Additionally, we demonstrated that specific inhibition of PKC produced a similar effect to that exerted by k252a in CM-treated cells, specifically by increasing the percentage of differentiated cells with long neurites and inducing sodium currents. Moreover, CM changed the mRNA levels for ErbB2 and ErbB3 increasing them 6- and 36-folds respectively compared to their control. The inclusion of k252a with CM changed the ErbB1, ErbB2 and ErbB3 mRNA proportions increasing those eight-, seven- and fivefolds respectively. From this point, it is clear that appropriate ErbB receptor levels and PKC inhibition are necessary to enhance the effect of the CM in inducing the neuronal-like differentiation of PC12 cells. In summary, we demonstrated the involvement of ErbB receptors in the regulation of neurite elongation and sodium current induction in PC12 cells and propose that these processes could be initiated by ErbB receptors followed by a fine regulation of PKC signaling. These findings might implicate a novel interplay between ErbB receptors and PKC in the regulation of these molecular mechanisms.

Spanish version of the Sleep Self-Report (SSR): factorial structure and psychometric properties.

BACKGROUND: The Sleep Self-Report (SSR) is a questionnaire initially created for use with a sample from the USA to assess sleep patterns and problems in school-aged children. The objective of this study was to validate the SSR among a Spanish sample. METHODS: Participants were 1228 Spanish children from 8 to 12 years of age who completed the questionnaires at school anonymously. RESULTS: Internal consistency was good (ω = 0.85). Convergent validity with anxiety (r = 0.54) and perceived welfare (r = -0.53) measures, and divergent validity with a measure of academic performance and positive influence of peers (r = -0.22) were acceptable. Exploratory analysis suggested a factorial structure composed by four subscales: sleep quality, sleep anxiety, bedtime refusal and sleep routines. Confirmatory analysis indicated a good fit for the model (RMSEA = 0.04; GFI = 0.95; AGFI = 0.93; χ(2)/gl = 2.48). CONCLUSIONS: The SSR has demonstrated to have good psychometric properties in the Spanish-speaking sample of children. The factorial structure supported by exploratory and confirmatory analysis examines the most relevant areas of sleep in children. The satisfactory psychometric properties support the use of the Spanish version of the SSR by researchers and clinicians.

Three-dimensional chitin-based scaffolds from Verongida sponges (Demospongiae: Porifera). Part II: Biomimetic potential and applications.

In order to evaluate the biomedical potential of three-dimensional chitinous scaffolds of poriferan origin, chondrocyte culturing experiments were performed. It was shown for the first time that freshly isolated chondrocytes attached well to the chitin scaffold and synthesized an extracellular matrix similar to that found in other cartilage tissue engineering constructs. Chitin scaffolds also supported deposition of a proteoglycan-rich extracellular matrix of chondrocytes seeded bioconstructs in an in vivo environment. We suggest that chitin sponge scaffolds, apart from the demonstrated biomedical applications, are highly optimized structures for use as filtering systems, templates for biomineralization as well as metallization in order to produce catalysts.