Dynamic expression of Ralstonia solanacearum virulence factors and metabolism-controlling genes during plant infection.

BACKGROUND: Ralstonia solanacearum is the causal agent of bacterial wilt, a devastating plant disease responsible for serious economic losses especially on potato, tomato, and other solanaceous plant species in temperate countries. In R. solanacearum, gene expression analysis has been key to unravel many virulence determinants as well as their regulatory networks. However, most of these assays have been performed using either bacteria grown in minimal medium or in planta, after symptom onset, which occurs at late stages of colonization. Thus, little is known about the genetic program that coordinates virulence gene expression and metabolic adaptation along the different stages of plant infection by R. solanacearum. RESULTS: We performed an RNA-sequencing analysis of the transcriptome of bacteria recovered from potato apoplast and from the xylem of asymptomatic or wilted potato plants, which correspond to three different conditions (Apoplast, Early and Late xylem). Our results show dynamic expression of metabolism-controlling genes and virulence factors during parasitic growth inside the plant. Flagellar motility genes were especially up-regulated in the apoplast and twitching motility genes showed a more sustained expression in planta regardless of the condition. Xylem-induced genes included virulence genes, such as the type III secretion system (T3SS) and most of its related effectors and nitrogen utilisation genes. The upstream regulators of the T3SS were exclusively up-regulated in the apoplast, preceding the induction of their downstream targets. Finally, a large subset of genes involved in central metabolism was exclusively down-regulated in the xylem at late infection stages. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first report describing R. solanacearum dynamic transcriptional changes within the plant during infection. Our data define four main genetic programmes that define gene pathogen physiology during plant colonisation. The described expression of virulence genes, which might reflect bacterial states in different infection stages, provides key information on the R. solanacearum potato infection process.

Effects of a Tapering Period on Physical Condition in Soccer Players.

Beltran-Valls, MR, Camarero-López, G, Beltran-Garrido, JV, and Cecilia-Gallego, P. Effects of a tapering period on physical condition in soccer players. J Strength Cond Res 34(4): 1086-1092, 2020-The aim of this research was to analyze the effects of a 2-week step tapering period on lower-limb muscle power, change of direction (COD) and acceleration capacities, and on the stress-recovery state in an amateur soccer team. Twenty-two male players were included in the study. After a 6-week progressive training, the sample was divided into experimental group (EG) (n = 11), which did a 2-week period of taper in which training volume was 50% reduced (intensity was kept high) and control group (CG) (n = 11), which kept on with the training. Muscle power (countermovement jump test), acceleration (10-m sprint test), COD (Illinois test), and stress and recovery perceptions (RESTQ questionnaire) were evaluated before training, at the end of it (pretapering, PRE-TP) and after the tapering period (posttapering, POST-TP). After the taper, the EG in comparison with the CG showed significantly improved power (1,029.71 ± 108.51 W·kg vs. 1,084.21 ± 110.87 W·kg; p ≤ 0.01), acceleration (1.72 ± 0.09 seconds vs. 1.67 ± 0.07 seconds; p ≤ 0.05), and lower stress levels (1.9 ± 0.5 vs. 1.6 ± 0.5; p ≤ 0.01) (PRE-TP vs. POST-TP, respectively). Change of direction did not show significant changes. In conclusion, a 2-week step tapering program was found to be an effective periodization strategy to increase muscle power and acceleration, and to reduce stress perception in soccer amateur players.

Diet specialization in a generalist population: the case of breeding great tits Parus major in the Mediterranean area.

The analysis of diet specialization provides key information on how different individuals deal with similar food and habitat constraints within populations. Characterizing parental diet specialization at the moment of breeding, and the consistency of these preferences under different levels of effort, may help us to understand why parents exploit alternative resources. We investigated these questions in a species commonly considered a generalist: a breeding population of Mediterranean great tits Parus major. Our aim was to determine whether they are specialists or generalists at the pair level, and the consistency of this behaviour under different levels of effort. Using proportional similarity and mean pairwise overlap indices, we found that parents showed great variability in prey selection between territories. That is, they displayed a small niche overlap. Interestingly, the most specialized breeding pairs showed a tendency to have larger broods. Additionally, we experimentally manipulated brood size and found that parents showed high short-term consistency in their foraging behaviour. They precisely adjusted the number of provisioning trips to the number of nestlings, while they were unable to modify prey proportions or prey size after brood size was changed. We can therefore characterize their foraging strategies as highly consistent. Our results suggest that although the great tit may be considered a generalist at the species or population level, there was a tendency for trophic specialization among breeding pairs. This high inter- and intrapopulation plasticity could account for their great success and wide distribution.

[Acculturation orientations and psychosocial adaptation among adolescents with immigrant background]. / Orientations d'acculturation et adaptation psychosociale des adolescents issus de l'immigration.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to explore the typology of adolescents with immigrant background based on the orientations of acculturation and to estimate the psychosocial adaptation of the various subtypes. METHOD: A sample of 228 French high school students with an immigrant background completed a questionnaire assessing acculturation orientations (Immigrant Acculturation Scale; Barrette et al., 2004), antisocial behaviors, depressive symptoms and self-esteem. Cluster analysis based on acculturation orientations was performed using the k-means method. RESULTS: Cluster analysis produced four distinct acculturation profiles: bicultural (31%), separated (28%), marginalized (21%), and assimilated-individualistic (20%). Adolescents in the separated and marginalized clusters, both characterized by rejection of the host culture, reported higher levels of antisocial behavior. Depressive symptoms and self-esteem did not differ between clusters. DISCUSSION: Several hypotheses may explain the association between separation and delinquency. First, separation and rejection of the host culture may lead to rebellious behavior such as delinquency. Conversely, delinquent behavior may provoke rejection or discrimination by peers or school, or legal sanctions that induce a reciprocal process of rejection of the host culture and separation. The relationship between separation and antisocial behavior may be bidirectional, each one reinforcing the other, resulting in a negative spiral. This study confirms the interest of the study of the orientations of acculturation in the understanding of the antisocial behavior of adolescents with immigrant background.

[Eating disorders and depressive symptoms: an epidemiological study in a male population]. / Troubles du comportement alimentaire et symptomatologie dépressive: étude épidémiologique chez les jeunes hommes.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of the study was to evaluate the incidence of eating disorders, including not otherwise specified eating disorders (EDNOS) and subthreshold disorders, inappropriate compensatory behaviors (such as self-induced vomiting, strict dieting, fasting) along with depressive symptoms among young French adult males. METHOD: The sample was composed of 458 young men in age ranging from 18 to 30 years (mean age=21.9±2.4). The average body mass index was 22.8±3. Participants completed two questionnaires: the Questionnaire for Eating Disorders Diagnoses (Q-EDD) assessing full-criteria eating disorder symptoms based on DSM-IV criteria (i.e. clinical eating disorders) and subthreshold disorders, and the Center for Epidemiological Studies-Depression scale (CES-D) assessing depressive symptoms. RESULTS: Out of the 458 surveyed respondents, eating disorders were reported by approximately 17% of the overall sample, with 1.5% meeting diagnostic criteria for serious clinical disorders, 3% meeting diagnostic criteria for EDNOS and 12% meeting diagnostic criteria for subthreshold disorders. Exercise bulimia represented 1% of the overall sample and binge-eating disorder 2%. The most frequent subthreshold disorder was subthreshold nonbinging bulimia (7%). Participants with eating disorders were equally divided between those desiring weight gain, those desiring weight loss and those wanting to keep their current weight. Participants without eating disorders were more likely to want to gain weight compared to participants with eating disorders (45.5% versus 30% respectively; P<0.05). After controlling for body mass index, 30% of participants tended to perceive themselves as thinner than they actually were and 6% tended to perceive themselves as fatter. Regarding normal-weight participants, 28% perceived themselves as thinner and 8% as fatter than in reality. Overeating episodes were reported by 19% of participants. Binge-eating episodes (recurrent or not) were reported by 8% of young men, including 32% of participants with eating disorders and 3% of participants without eating disorder. Six percent reported repeated binging (at least twice a week for at least once a month). Inappropriate compensatory behaviors were mostly used by participants with eating disorders, except for excessive exercise (34% versus 35% for participants without eating disorders). The most typical compensatory behavior was fasting (11%). According to the cut-off score of 22, 18% of young men had a moderate to severe depressive symptomatology, including 5% of participants who also reported an eating disorder (i.e. 30 participants). A one-way ANOVA was conducted to examine differences in depressive symptoms as a function of eating disorder groups, namely the clinical eating disorders sample (n=22), the subthreshold disorders sample (n=54) and the asymptomatic sample (participants without eating disorder; n=382). Results were statistically significant, (F(2,455)=7.27, P<0.001) and post-hoc tests (Scheffé tests) were used to examine the group differences. The mean CES-D scores for the clinical eating disorders sample (19.45±8.2; P<0.05) and the subthreshold disorders sample (18.15±10.9; P<0.05) were significantly higher than for the asymptomatic sample (14.19±8.9). There was no significant difference between the two eating disorder groups (P>0.05). DISCUSSION: The results demonstrate that a significant proportion of men with eating disorders manifest comorbid depressive symptomatology. These results suggest that EDNOS and subthreshold disorders should be taken into consideration, as they represent 15% of the total sample. Participants reported high rate of excessive exercise and fasting, which could reflect the importance of muscle tone or strategies to increase muscle mass. Further research is necessary in order to better understand male eating behaviors and disorders.

[Cannabis use and antisocial behaviors in high-school students]. / Consommation de cannabis et comportements antisociaux dans un échantillon d'adolescents scolarisés.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to evaluate the contribution of cannabis to the prediction of delinquent behaviors. METHOD: Participants were 312 high-school students who completed self-report questionnaires measuring antisocial behaviors, the frequency of cannabis and alcohol use, psychopathic traits using the Youth Psychopathic traits Inventory, borderline traits, depressive symptoms, socio-economic status, life events, attachment to parents, and low academic achievement. Hierarchical multiple regression analyses were conducted to investigate the contribution of cannabis use and potential confounding variables to antisocial behaviors. RESULTS: Boys reported a greater number of delinquent behaviors than girls (10.2±9.2 vs. 5.4±5.3, t=9.2, P<0.001). Thirty-seven percent of boys and 24 % of girls reported having used cannabis at least once during the last six months (P<0.001). Among cannabis users, boys reported a greater frequency of use than girls: average use for boys was 2-3 times per month whereas average use for girls was once a month (3.4±2.3 vs. 2.6±2, t=2.9, P=0.004). Cannabis users reported a greater number of antisocial behaviors than non-users (13.2±9.9 vs. 6.1±6.3, t=13.6, P<0.001). Multiple regression analyses showed that cannabis use was a significant independent predictor of antisocial behaviors in both gender (ß=.35, P<.001 in boys, ß=.29, P<.001 in girls) after adjustment for alcohol use, psychopathological and sociofamilial variables. DISCUSSION: The unique and independent association between frequency of cannabis use and antisocial behaviors does not indicate the causal direction of the relationship. It may be that cannabis use induces antisocial behaviors by enhancing impulsivity or irritability or by the need for money to buy cannabis. Conversely, antisocial behaviors may lead to cannabis use either through becoming used to transgressions or through the influence of delinquent peers using cannabis. This link is probably bidirectional, cannabis use and antisocial behaviors influencing mutually in a negative interactive spiral. This association suggests that these two problems are to be jointly approached when treating adolescents using cannabis or having antisocial behaviors.

Not all severe malaria cases are severe: Is it time to redefine severity criteria for malaria in non-endemic regions?

BACKGROUND: The current definition of severe malaria in non-endemic areas follows WHO criteria, which mainly target children in malaria-endemic areas, potentially misclassifying cases in non-endemic regions. We assessed the performance of a modified severe malaria classification criteria within our patient cohort. METHODS: A cohort study of patients managed for malaria in a non-endemic setting (2005-2023) was analyzed. We classified patients into severe malaria (SM) using WHO 2013 criteria except for hyperparasitemia, where 2 % threshold was applied. Patients with SM were distinguished as very severe malaria (VSM) when presenting at least one of the following conditions: parasitemia >10 %, pulmonary edema, impaired consciousness, seizures, renal failure, metabolic acidosis or hyperlactatemia, shock or hypoglycemia. In patients with SM and no criteria for VSM, less severe malaria (LSM) was defined by: 2-10 % parasitemia, hyperbilirubinemia, prostration, anemia or minor bleeding. The primary composite outcome was death or the need for a life-saving intervention, as analyzed in the three comparative groups. Secondary outcome was the prevalence of co-infections. RESULTS: Among 506 patients with malaria, 176 (34.8 %) presented with SM. A total of 37 (7.3 %) patients developed a life-threatening condition, namely death (n = 4) and/or the need for life-saving interventions (n = 34). All fatalities and 33 out of the 34 life-saving interventions occurred in the VSM group. Patients in LSM group did not develop any life-threatening conditions. As to co-infections, 28 (5.5 %) patients had a community-acquired co-infection, with no differences between groups (p = 0.763). CONCLUSIONS: Severity criteria definitions would benefit from a review when assessing patients with malaria in non-endemic areas. Within the spectrum of SM, patients reclassified as LSM have a low risk of developing a life-threatening condition and present low co-infection incidence and could benefit from management out of intensive care units and a restrictive use of empirical antibiotics.

Host biomarkers for early identification of severe imported Plasmodium falciparum malaria.

BACKGROUND: Severe imported P. falciparum malaria is a source of morbi-mortality in non-endemic regions. WHO criteria don't accurately classify patients at risk of complications. There is a need to evaluate new tools such as biomarkers to better identify patients with severe imported malaria. METHODS: A case-control study was conducted in Barcelona, from January 2011-January 2021. Adult patients with microbiologically confirmed P. falciparum malaria were classified according to WHO criteria. Patients with imported non-malarial fevers were included as controls. In each group, angiopoietin-1 (Ang-1), angiopoietin-2 (Ang-2), soluble triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells (sTREM-1), C-reactive protein (CRP) and platelets were measured and their concentrations were compared between groups. New groups were made with a modified WHO severity classification and biomarkers' performance was evaluated using multiple imputation models. RESULTS: 131 participants were included: 52 severe malaria, 30 uncomplicated malaria and 49 non-malarial fever cases. All biomarkers except sTREM-1 showed significant differences between groups. Using the modified WHO severity classification, Ang-2 and CRP presented the best AUROC; 0.79 (95%CI 0.64-0.94) and 0.80(95%CI 0.67-0.93). A model combining CRP and Ang-2 showed the best AUROC, of 0.84(95%CI 0.68-0.99), with the highest sensitivity and specificity: 84.6%(95%CI 58.9-98.1) and 77.4% (95%CI 65.9-87.7), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The combination of Ang-2 and CRP may be a reliable tool for the early identification of severe imported malaria. The use of a rapid prognostic test including the mentioned biomarkers could optimize imported malaria management, with the potential to decrease the rate of complications and hospitalizations in patients with imported malaria.

[Bloodstream infection in the up to 80 year-old-patients]. / Bacteriemias en la población de mayores de 80 años.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of our study was to describe the characteristics of bacteremia detected in patients over 79 years and to identify possible factors associated with the mortality. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study, which included all patients over 17 years of age with bacteremia detected between 2004-7 was performed. Demographic variables, comorbidities, source of bacteremia, causing microorganism, severity and hospital mortality were recorded. Patients were classified into three age groups: 18 to 64 years (G1), 65 to 79 (G2) and ≥80 years (G3). RESULTS: We analyzed 1594 episodes of bacteremia (35% in G1, 35% in G2 and 29% in G3). In G3, 47% had renal failure, 83% solid neoplasm, 2% immunosuppression 5% malnutrition and 38% decubitus ulcers. These proportions were 27, 30, 5 and 2%, respectively in G2, and 15, 16, 12 and 5% in G1 (P<.01). The urinary focus accounted for 28%, 43% and 44% in G1, G2 and G3, respectively (P<.01) and biliary focus 6, 11 and 16% (P<.01), in each group. E. coli accounted for 32% in G1, 44% in G2 and 51% in G3. Mortality in each age group was 9, 16 and 21%. In multivariate analysis, mortality in the ≥80 years was associated with renal failure, malnutrition, the presence of ulcers and shock. CONCLUSIONS: Bacteremia in the elderly are mainly of urinary origin. Mortality in these cases depends primarily on the patient's baseline status rather than their age.

Cross-sectional and longitudinal relationships between cardiorespiratory fitness and health-related quality of life in primary school children in England: the mediating role of psychological correlates of physical activity.

AIMS: The aims were (1) to analyse the cross-sectional and longitudinal associations between children's cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and (2) to examine whether these associations were mediated by physical activity self-efficacy and physical activity enjoyment. METHODS: This study involved 383 children (10.0 ± 0.5 years) recruited from 20 primary schools in northwest England. Data were collected on two occasions 12 weeks apart. The number of laps completed in the 20-m Shuttle Run Test was used as the CRF indicator. HRQoL was assessed using the KIDSCREEN-10 questionnaire. Physical activity self-efficacy and enjoyment were assessed with the social-cognitive and Physical Activity Enjoyment Scale questionnaires, respectively. Linear mixed models with random intercepts (schools) assessed associations between CRF and HRQoL cross-sectionally, and longitudinally. Boot-strapped mediation procedures were performed, and indirect effects (IE) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) not including zero considered as statistically significant. Analyses were adjusted for sex, time of the year, socioeconomic status, waist-to-height ratio, maturation, and physical activity. RESULTS: CRF was cross-sectionally associated with HRQoL (ß = 0.09, 95% CI = 0.02, 0.16; p = .015). In the longitudinal analysis, CRF at baseline was associated with HRQoL at 12 weeks after additionally controlling for baseline HRQoL (ß = 0.08, 95% CI = 0.002; p = .15, p = .045). Cross-sectionally, physical activity self-efficacy and enjoyment acted individually as mediators in the relationship between CRF and HRQoL (IE = 0.069, 95% CI = 0.038; p = .105 and IE = 0.045, 95% CI = 0.016; p = .080, respectively). In the longitudinal analysis, physical activity self-efficacy showed a significant mediating effect (IE = 0.025, 95% CI = 0.004; p = .054). CONCLUSION: Our findings highlight the influence of CRF on children's psychological correlates of physical activity and their overall HRQoL.

Interleukin-15 and other myokines in chronic alcoholics.

AIMS: Interleukin (IL)-15 is highly expressed in skeletal muscle, where it exerts anabolic effects, increasing protein content in muscle fibres and promoting muscle growth. Alcoholics frequently suffer myopathy. Therefore, we analyse the behaviour of IL-15 (and other myokines, such as IL-6, IL-8 and tumour necrosis factor α (TNF-α)) in alcoholics. METHODS: These myokines and also malondialdehyde (MDA)--a lipid peroxidation product--were determined by radioimmunoanalytic techniques in blood samples of 35 chronic alcoholics and 13 age- and sex-matched controls, and compared with body composition, nutritional status, liver function, amount of ethanol and routine biochemical variables. RESULTS: IL-15, IL-6, TNF-α, IL-8 and MDA were all higher in alcoholics than in controls; MDA and IL-6 were clearly related with liver function impairment and short-term prognosis, whereas IL-15 was higher among those who died and was related to serum bilirubin. No relation was found between IL-15 and lean mass. CONCLUSION: IL-15 levels were higher in alcoholics than in controls, especially among those who died within 18 months after admission. They are not related with muscle mass, intensity of alcoholism or nutritional status, but only with serum bilirubin. IL-6 showed inverse correlations with liver function, intensity of alcoholism, nutritional status, left arm muscle mass and short-term mortality.

Improved diagnosis of gastrointestinal infections using a semi-automated multiplex real-time PCR for detection of enteropathogens.

Introduction. The identification of enteropathogens is critical for the clinical management of patients with suspected gastrointestinal infection. The FLOW multiplex PCR system (FMPS) is a semi-automated platform (FLOW System, Roche) for multiplex real-time PCR analysis.Hypothesis/Gap Statement. FMPS has greater sensitivity for the detection of enteric pathogens than standard methods such as culture, biochemical identification, immunochromatography or microscopic examination.Aim.The diagnostic performance of the FMPS was evaluated and compared to that of traditional microbiological procedures.Methodology. A total of 10 659 samples were collected and analysed over a period of 7 years. From 2013 to 2018 (every July to September), samples were processed using standard microbiological culture methods. In 2019, the FMPS was implemented using real-time PCR to detect the following enteropathogens: Shigella spp., Salmonella spp., Campylobacter spp., Giardia intestinalis, Entamoeba histolytica, Blastocystis hominis, Cryptosporidum spp., Dientamoeba fragilis, adenovirus, norovirus and rotavirus. Standard microbiological culture methods (2013-2018) included stool culture, microscopy and immunochromatography.Results. A total of 1078 stool samples were analysed prospectively using the FMPS from July to September (2019): bacterial, parasitic and viral pathogens were identified in 15.3, 9.71 and 5.29 % of cases, respectively. During the same period of 6 years (2013-2018), the proportion of positive identifications using standard microbiological methods from 2013 to 2018 was significantly lower. A major significant recovery improvement was observed for all bacteria species tested: Shigella spp./enteroinvasive Escherichia coli (EIEC) (P <0.05), Salmonella spp. (P <0.05) and Campylobacter spp. (P <0.05). Marked differences were also observed for the parasites G. intestinalis, Cryptosporidium spp. and D. fragilis.Conclusion. These results support the value of multiplex real-time PCR analysis for the detection of enteric pathogens in laboratory diagnosis with outstanding performance in identifying labile micro-organisms. The identification of unsuspected micro-organisms for less specific clinical presentations may also impact on clinical practice and help optimize patient management.

[Validation of the French version of the Sociocultural Attitudes Towards Appearance Scale-3 (SATAQ-3)]. / The Sociocultural Attitudes Towards Appearance Scale-3 (SATAQ-3): étude de validation de la version Française.

INTRODUCTION: Body image literature suggests that the sociocultural environment contributes to the development and maintenance of body dissatisfaction and eating disorders by conveying thin standards of thinness. Three main sources of sociocultural influences were highlighted: family, peers and media. These three sources of pressure can lead to the internalization of messages about the importance of thinness and beauty. Among the various sources of sociocultural influences, media appear to be the most powerful communicator of these standards. Thompson et al. [Intern J Eat Disord 35 (2004) 293-304] developed a multidimensional questionnaire to assess the sociocultural influence of media on appearance: The Sociocultural Attitudes Towards Appearance Scale-3 (SATAQ-3). The SATAQ-3 is a 30-item scale composed of Likert-items in five points (1: completely disagree; 5: completely agree) including four subscales: information, pressures, internalization-general and internalization-athlete. This scale is used in Anglo-Saxon research, notably in clinical populations presenting eating disorder pathologies. People with eating disorders generally show higher scores on these four subscales. OBJECTIVE: The present study is to validate the French version of the SATAQ-3. METHOD: The sample consisted of 818 teenagers from private and public middle schools aged an average of 16.8 ± 1.2 years old, with an average body mass index (BMI) of 20.7 ± 2.9. Participants completed two questionnaires: the body shape questionnaire (BSQ) assessing body dissatisfaction, in particular worries about weight and body shape, and the SATAQ-3. We carried out the translation of the SATAQ-3 in parallel back-translation. First, two French-speaking people translated the English version into French. Then, two English-speakers translated the French version without the assistance of the original version. Thereafter, the two English-language versions (original version and version obtained by back-translation) were compared in order to ensure that there were no errors of meaning in the French version. RESULTS: A factorial analysis of the SATAQ-3 was conducted on the 818 subjects through extraction of the main components method with the extraction's rule of the curve for the Eigen values; the data was transformed through Varimax rotation. The factorial analysis showed five factors with Eigen values greater than 1 (11.3; 2.6; 2.1; 1.6; 1.07). The factors were then composed of the items presenting substantial saturation, greater than or equal to 0.5. Since only one item (20) presented saturation on factor 5, the four-factor solution was retained. These four factors accounted for 17.7, 16.3, 9.7 and 14.8% of the overall variance, respectively. This four-factor solution explains 58.5% of the total variance. The oblique rotation analysis underlined moderate to strong correlations between the four factors (0.3 to 0.66). The four factors of the factorial analysis correspond to the four subscales of the initial American study: pressures (Cronbach's alpha=0.89), information (Cronbach's alpha=0.87), internalization-athlete (Cronbach's alpha=0.82), internalization-general (Cronbach's alpha=0.92). The four subscales are positively correlated with the BSQ (0.26 to 0.55). The correlation for age and BMI indicates a very low association between these two variables and the SATAQ-3 subscales, with only one significant correlation (SATAQ-3 pressures and BMI=0.14; p<0.05). Results of a regression analysis showed that body dissatisfaction (BSQ) was predicted by pressures (ß=0.37, t=10.2; p<0.0001), internalization-general (ß=0.29, t=8.1; p<0.0001). This model accounted for 38.1% of the variance of body dissatisfaction. DISCUSSION: This study shows elements of satisfactory validity for the French version of the SATAQ-3. Indeed, as for the original scale validation, the current factorial analysis revealed four factors corresponding to the four subscales developed by the authors along with similar alpha values. Research relating to the risk factors in the development of body image disturbances and eating disorders are important given their implications for future strategies of intervention and prevention. Anglo-Saxon research identified media as a powerful and influential communicator concerning sociocultural standards of beauty. Because of the lack of French studies on this subject, the newly validated SATAQ-3 could provide a means for exploring new issues related to eating disorders in this population. Implications of the SATAQ-3 are multiple, particularly to detect "risk groups" and to prevent body image disturbance and eating behaviours. The current results provide a means for research on media influence, notably in French clinical samples with eating disorders.

Osteopenia in alcoholics: effect of alcohol abstinence.

AIMS: The aims of this study were to assess bone mineral density (BMD) and content (BMC), osteocalcin, serum telopeptide, PTH and vitamin D in alcoholics, and to determine if a 6-month period of abstinence leads to changes in these parameters. METHODS: Serum osteocalcin, insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), telopeptide (40 patients) and 1,25 dihydroxyvitamin D, were measured in 28 controls and 77 alcoholic patients, 48 of whom were evaluated again 6 months later. All patients underwent whole-body assessment of BMD by a Hologic QDR-2000 (Waltham, MA, USA) bone densitometer, at the beginning of the study and 6 months later. RESULTS: Patients showed higher serum telopeptide levels (0.59 +/- 0.40 versus 0.19 +/- 0.10 nmol/100 ml, P < 0.001), lower IGF-1 [median = 49, interquartile range (IQR) = 31-121 ng/ml versus 135, IQR = 116-237 ng/ml, P < 0.001], vitamin D [26.5, IQR = 17.0-37.8 pg/ml versus 82.4 (IQR = 60.9-107.4 pg/ml, P < 0.001] and osteocalcin (2.1, IQR = 1.1-3.6 ng/ml versus 6.65, IQR = 4.9-8.8 ng/ml, P < 0.001) than those in controls. Patients also showed lower BMD values, Z- and T-scores at many levels of the skeleton and reduced total BMC. After 6 months, those who continued drinking showed a loss of bone mass, whereas those who abstained showed either no change or increase, differences being especially marked at pelvis, right arm and total BMD and BMC. Simultaneously, abstainers showed a significant increase in osteocalcin (versus a decrease among those who continued drinking). Serum telopeptide increased in both groups. CONCLUSION: Ethanol consumption leads to osteopenia, and decreased serum osteocalcin, which improve with abstinence, whereas those who continue drinking show a worsening of both parameters.

[Profile and professional expectations for nursing students]. / Perfil y expectativas profesionales del estudiante de enfermeriá.

The authors describe the profile corresponding to students enrolled in first, second and third year courses to become registered nurses in Catalonia, along with their professional and job expectations; the authors examine students' perceptions of the university environment. This information will be a great aid to, on the one hand, update the performances and initiatives taken by those responsible for nursing schools, and on the other hand, to obtain a preliminary view on future nursing professionals. At the same time, this information will provide useful elements for students themselves to reflect on their studies and their future as professionals.

Prevalence and Factors Associated With Fatigue in Patients With Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A Multicentre Study.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The aims of this study were to determine the prevalence of fatigue in patients with inflammatory bowel disease [IBD], to identify the factors associated with fatigue and its severity, to assess the impact of fatigue on quality of life [QoL], and to evaluate the relationship between fatigue and sleep disorders. METHODS: This was a prospective multicentre study conducted at 22 Spanish centres. Consecutive patients followed at IBD Units were included. Fatigue was evaluated with the Fatigue Severity Scale [FSS] and the Fatigue Impact Scale [FIS]. Quality of life and sleep quality were assessed using the IBD Questionnaire-Short Form [IBDQ-9] and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index [PSQI], respectively. RESULTS: A total of 544 consecutive adult IBD patients were included [50% women, mean age 44 years, 61% Crohn's disease]. The prevalence of fatigue was 41% (95% confidence interval [CI] = 37-45%). The variables associated with an increased risk of fatigue were: anxiety [OR = 2.5, 95% CI = 1.6-3.7], depression [OR = 2.4, 95% CI = 1.4-3.8], presence of extraintestinal manifestations [EIMs] [OR = 1.7, 95% CI = 1.1-2.6], and treatment with systemic steroids [OR = 2.8, 95% CI = 1.4-5.7]. The presence of EIMs [regression coefficient, RC = 8.2, 95% CI = 2.3-14.2], anxiety [RC = 25.8, 95% CI = 20.0-31.5], depression [RC = 30.6, 95% CI = 24.3-37.0], and sleep disturbances [RC = 15.0, 95% CI = 9.3-20.8] were associated with severity of fatigue. Patients with fatigue had a significantly decreased IBDQ-9 score [p < 0.001]. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of fatigue in IBD patients is remarkably high and has a negative impact on QoL. Therapy with systemic steroids is associated with an increased risk of fatigue. The severity of fatigue is associated with anxiety, depression, sleep disorders, and the presence of EIMs. Fatigue was not associated with anaemia, disease activity or anti-TNF therapy.

Cytokines and lipid peroxidation in alcoholics with chronic hepatitis C virus infection.

A major cause of liver cirrhosis and hepatocarcinoma is chronic infection by hepatitis C virus. Ethanol consumption is the most significant environmental factor that exacerbates the progression of chronic hepatitis C to liver cirrhosis and hepatocarcinoma, perhaps due to increased cytokine secretion together with increased lipid peroxidation. In this study, we compare the intensity of lipid peroxidation (estimated as malondialdehyde (MDA) serum levels), the antioxidant status, (measured as glutathione peroxidase (GPX) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities in red blood cells), and levels of cytokines derived from Th1 cells (such as interferon gamma (IFNG)), Th2 cells (such as interleukin (IL)-4), Th3 cells (such as transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta)), and IL-6, IL-8, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha in patients affected by chronic hepatitis C virus infection, 26 drinkers of alcohol and 40 nondrinkers of alcohol. Patients showed significantly higher TNF-alpha (Z = 4.92, P < 0.001), IL-8 (Z = 4.95, P < 0.001), IFNG (Z = 2.81, P = 0.005), TGF-beta (t = 2.12, P = 0.037), MDA (Z = 5, P < 0.001), but lower IL-6 (Z = 3.61, P < 0.001) and GPX (F = 4.30, P < 0.05) than controls, whereas no differences were observed regarding IL-4 (Z = 0.35, P = 0.72), GPX and SOD activities. Alcoholics showed significantly higher TNF-alpha, but lower IL-4, MDA, and GPX, than nonalcoholics. TNF-alpha was significantly related to albumin and prothrombin activity, whereas TGF-beta was significantly related to MDA levels. Thus, cytokine secretion is altered in HCV infection. This alteration mainly consists of a stimulation of Th1 cytokines and an inhibition--or at least, no stimulation--of Th2 cytokines; these changes are especially marked among alcoholics with HCV infection, and are accompanied by raised TGF-beta.

Association Between Objectively Measured Physical Activity and Plasma BDNF in Adolescents: DADOS Study.

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is suggested to play a key role in moderating the benefits of physical activity (PA) on cognition. Previous research found that PA may have an impact on peripheral BDNF expression. The aim of our study was to analyze the association between objectively measured PA with circulating BDNF in a group of active adolescents. Two hundred thirty-four adolescents (132 boys) aged 13.9 ± 0.3 years old from the DADOS study were included in this cross-sectional analysis. PA was assessed by GENEActiv triaxial accelerometer. Participants wore the accelerometer on their non-dominant wrist for 6 consecutive 24-h days, including weekends. PA was expressed as the average (min/day) of light, moderate, and vigorous PA. Fasting plasma BDNF concentrations at rest were measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Partial correlations and linear regression analyses were performed with a significance level established at p < 0.05. No correlations were found between BDNF and PA variables. Plasma levels of BDNF at rest were not significantly associated with daily PA in either boys or girls (p > 0.05). Based on previous research and our own data, the association between daily PA and baseline levels of BDNF remains inconclusive. Further research is needed to shed light on the relationship between regular PA and BDNF in adolescents.