Behavioral Activation System and Early Life Parental Abuse Are Associated with Antisocial Behaviors in Mexican Adolescents.

Antisocial behavior (AB) is a complex phenomenon, predicted by a wide range of biological, environmental, and personality factors. These have high human and economic costs especially in adolescents, highlighting the importance of investigating factors that may be associated with these behaviors. Among the most potent predictors of AB are early life experiences and personality. To this end, the present study sought to investigate the association between early life parental abuse and behavioral activation system (BAS) personality traits assessed within the reinforcement sensitivity theory (RST) framework and antisocial behaviors in Mexican adolescents. Our sample consisted of 342 adolescents (Mage = 17, SD = 2.47) from northwestern Mexico. Participants, after parental consent and participant consent/assent (if minors), self-reported early life parental abuse, current BAS personality traits, and antisocial behaviors. Through structural equation models, our results suggest there is a positive association between early life parental abuse and antisocial behaviors, as well as a negative association with BAS personality traits (R2 = 37%). These results contribute to the current literature by suggesting that personality and environmental variables can predict adolescent antisocial behaviors. Future studies should explore the interplay between these variables longitudinally and investigate both risk and protective factors, as well as negative and positive outcomes.

Imaging active site chemistry and protonation states: NMR crystallography of the tryptophan synthase α-aminoacrylate intermediate.

NMR-assisted crystallography-the integrated application of solid-state NMR, X-ray crystallography, and first-principles computational chemistry-holds significant promise for mechanistic enzymology: by providing atomic-resolution characterization of stable intermediates in enzyme active sites, including hydrogen atom locations and tautomeric equilibria, NMR crystallography offers insight into both structure and chemical dynamics. Here, this integrated approach is used to characterize the tryptophan synthase α-aminoacrylate intermediate, a defining species for pyridoxal-5'-phosphate-dependent enzymes that catalyze ß-elimination and replacement reactions. For this intermediate, NMR-assisted crystallography is able to identify the protonation states of the ionizable sites on the cofactor, substrate, and catalytic side chains as well as the location and orientation of crystallographic waters within the active site. Most notable is the water molecule immediately adjacent to the substrate ß-carbon, which serves as a hydrogen bond donor to the ε-amino group of the acid-base catalytic residue ßLys87. From this analysis, a detailed three-dimensional picture of structure and reactivity emerges, highlighting the fate of the L-serine hydroxyl leaving group and the reaction pathway back to the preceding transition state. Reaction of the α-aminoacrylate intermediate with benzimidazole, an isostere of the natural substrate indole, shows benzimidazole bound in the active site and poised for, but unable to initiate, the subsequent bond formation step. When modeled into the benzimidazole position, indole is positioned with C3 in contact with the α-aminoacrylate Cß and aligned for nucleophilic attack. Here, the chemically detailed, three-dimensional structure from NMR-assisted crystallography is key to understanding why benzimidazole does not react, while indole does.

Analytical and clinical evaluation of a heat shock SARS-CoV-2 detection method without RNA extraction for N and E genes RT-qPCR.

BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic has caused significant supply shortages worldwide for SARS-CoV-2 molecular diagnosis, like RNA extraction kits. OBJECTIVE: The aim of our study was to evaluate the clinical performance and analytical sensitivity of a simple SARS-CoV-2 diagnosis protocol based on heat shock without RNA extraction using both "CDC" (N gene) and "Charite" (E gene) RT-qPCR protocols. RESULTS: 1,036 nasopharyngeal samples, 543 of them SARS-CoV-2 positive, were analyzed. The heat shock method correctly identified 68.8% (232/337) and 89.4% (202/226) of SARS-CoV-2 positive samples for N gene and E gene, respectively. Analytical sensitivity was assessed for heat shock method using the CDC RT-qPCR protocol, obtaining sensitivity values of 98.6%, 93.3% and 84.8% for limit of detection of 100.000, 50.000 and 20.000 viral RNA copies/mL of sample. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings show that a simple heat shock SARS-CoV-2 RT-qPCR diagnosis method without RNA extraction is a reliable alternative for potentially infectious SARS-CoV-2 positive patients at the time of testing. This affordable protocol can help overcome the cost and supply shortages for SARS-CoV-2 diagnosis, especially in developing countries. In Ecuador, it has been used already by laboratories in the public health system for more than 100.000 specimens.

[Development and evaluation of educational material directed to fall prevention in pregnant women]. / Desarrollo y evaluación de material educativo dirigido a prevención de caídas en mujeres embarazadas.

OBJECTIVE: One in four pregnant women has at least one fall during their pregnancy. The objective of this research was to develop a written educational material on fall prevention for pregnant women, promoting self-efficacy and the expectations of results based on the social cognitive theory. It was also intended to evaluate the validity of the content of the educational material, its understanding and actionability. METHODS: This methodological study was carried out in two phases: the first was based on the development of educational material and its evaluation by two panels of experts (n=13). Secondly, the educational material was evaluated for organization, clarity, appearance, relevance, content, self-efficacy and expectations of results, using an evaluation sheet created by the researchers, as well as its understanding and actionability using the PEMAT instrument. Descriptive statistics are used for sociodemographic variables and the results of the evaluation instruments. RESULTS: Recommendations on the organization, clarity of information, appearance in terms of image quality, relevance, self-efficacy, expectation of results and safety aspects were met. In the evaluation carried out by the content expert panel, an average of 87.8% and 91.6% was obtained in the areas of actionability and understanding of PEMAT-P, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: This study develops an educational material with content validity, highly understandable and actionable on the falls incident, their causes and consequences, strategies to prevent them, the benefits of exercising and the recommendation of exercises to prevent falls during pregnancy.

OBJETIVO: Una de cada cuatro mujeres embarazadas tiene al menos una caída durante su período de gestación. El objetivo de esta investigación fue desarrollar un material educativo escrito sobre prevención de caídas para mujeres embarazadas, promoviendo la autoeficacia y las expectativas de resultados basados en la teoría social cognitiva. Igualmente se pretendió evaluar la validez del contenido del material educativo, su comprensión y capacidad de acción. METODOS: Este estudio metodológico se llevó a cabo en dos fases: la primera se fundamentó en el desarrollo del material educativo y su evaluación por dos paneles de personas expertas (n=13). En segundo lugar, el material educativo fue evaluado con respecto a la organización, claridad, apariencia, relevancia, contenido, autoeficacia y expectativas de resultados, utilizando una hoja de evaluación creada por las investigadoras, así como su comprensión y capacidad de acción utilizando el instrumento PEMAT. Se utilizaron estadísticas descriptivas para las variables sociodemográficas y los resultados de los instrumentos de evaluación. RESULTADOS: Se atendieron las recomendaciones sobre la organización, claridad de la información, apariencia en términos de la calidad de las imágenes, relevancia, autoeficacia, expectativa de resultados y aspectos de seguridad. En la evaluación realizada por el panel de personas expertas en el contenido, se obtuvo un promedio del 87,8% y del 91,6% en los apartados de capacidad de acción y comprensión del PEMAT-P respectivamente. CONCLUSIONES: Este estudio logra desarrollar un material educativo con validez de contenido, altamente comprensible y accionable sobre incidencia de las caídas, sus causas y consecuencias, estrategias para prevenirlas, los beneficios de ejercitarse y recomendación de ejercicios para prevenir caídas durante el embarazo.

Best practices for Electronically Activated Recorder (EAR) research: A practical guide to coding and processing EAR data.

Since its introduction in 2001, the Electronically Activated Recorder (EAR) method has become an established and broadly used tool for the naturalistic observation of daily social behavior in clinical, health, personality, and social science research. Previous treatments of the method have focused primarily on its measurement approach (relative to other ecological assessment methods), research design considerations (e.g., sampling schemes, privacy considerations), and the properties of its data (i.e., reliability, validity, and added measurement value). However, the evolved procedures and practices related to arguably one of the most critical parts of EAR research-the coding process that converts the sampled raw ambient sounds into quantitative behavioral data for statistical analysis-so far have largely been communicated informally between EAR researchers. This article documents "best practices" for processing EAR data, which have been tested and refined in our research over the years. Our aim is to provide practical information on important topics such as the development of a coding system, the training and supervision of EAR coders, EAR data preparation and database optimization, the troubleshooting of common coding challenges, and coding considerations specific to diverse populations.

Conocimiento y uso de métodos anticonceptivos de gestantes adolescentes y sus parejas / Knowledge about and use of contraceptive methods by pregnant teenagers and their sexual partners

Introducción: Colombia registra una de las mayores tasas de embarazo adolescente en Latinoamérica; este es un problema de salud pública que persiste a pesar de los esfuerzos para reducir las cifras de maternidad temprana. Estos embarazos no planeados son consecuencia principalmente de la falta de conocimiento y el uso inadecuado de métodos anticonceptivos. Objetivo: Describir el conocimiento y uso de los métodos anticonceptivos de una muestra de gestantes adolescentes y sus parejas, del municipio de Fusagasugá, Cundinamarca (Colombia). Métodos: Se realizó un estudio observacional de tipo descriptivo de corte transversal en el primer semestre del año 2018. Los participantes fueron 11 gestantes de 15 a 19 años y sus respectivas parejas entre 16 y 24 años, que cumplieron con los criterios establecidos. Se elaboró una encuesta para la recolección de información, validada por juicio de expertos y se procedió a la recolección de los datos. Resultados: La muestra obtenida fue de once gestantes adolescentes y su pareja. El conocimiento fue calificado como elevado en 31,81 por ciento, medio con 63,64 por ciento y bajo con 4,55 por ciento. Los hombres demostraron mejor conocimiento al evaluar los métodos de barrera y anticoncepción hormonal oral, en cambio, las mujeres conocían más sobre los dispositivos intrauterinos y métodos anticonceptivos naturales. Aunque 19 adolescentes (86,36 por ciento) estaban de acuerdo con el uso de anticoncepción, solo 4 de ellos se encontraban usando algún tipo de método al momento de la concepción. Conclusiones: Es importante fortalecer los conocimientos sobre métodos anticonceptivos y fomentar su uso según las características individuales de la població(AU)

Introduction: Colombia has one of the highest teenage pregnancy rates in Latin America. This public health problem persists despite the efforts made to reduce early maternity figures. Most of these unplanned pregnancies are the result of poor knowledge about and improper use of contraceptive methods. Objective: Describe the knowledge about and use of contraceptive methods by a sample of pregnant teenagers and their sexual partners from the municipality of Fusagasugá, Cundinamarca (Colombia). Methods: A cross-sectional observational descriptive study was conducted in the first semester of 2018. The sample was 11 pregnant teenagers aged 15-19 years and their sexual partners, aged 16-24 years, all of whom met the inclusion criteria. A survey was developed to collect the information. Upon validation by experts, data collection was started. Results: The sample obtained was 11 pregnant teenagers and their sexual partners. Knowledge was ranked as high in 31.81 percent, medium in 63.64 percent and low in 4.55 percent. Men exhibited better knowledge about barrier methods and oral hormonal contraception, whereas women knew more about intrauterine devices and natural contraceptive methods. Although 19 teenagers (86.36 percent) agreed with the use of contraception, only four of them were using some sort of protection when conception occurred. Conclusions: It is important to broaden knowledge about contraceptive methods and foster their use according to the individual characteristics of the population(AU)

Relaciones evolutivas entre la memoria de trabajo visuoespacial y la planificación cognitiva en personas sanas con inteligencia normal con edades entre 10 y 30 años / Developmental relationships between visuospatial working memory and cognitive planning in healthy people with normal intelligence aged between 10 and 30 years

Resumen El artículo presenta los resultados de una investigación empírica sobre las relaciones evolutivas entre la memoria de trabajo visuoespacial y la planificación cognitiva en un grupo de 100 personas sanas con inteligencia normal y edades entre 10 y 30 años. Se aplicó el Subtest de Cubos de Corsi, de la Escala de Memoria de Wechsler m y la Torre de Londres. Los análisis de correlación para el rango completo (10-30) demostraron la existencia de una correlación estadísticamente significativa (0.43; p-value < 0.001). En los tres rangos de edad también se encontraron correlaciones estadísticamente significativas (p value < 0.008): 0.44 para el rango 10-15; 0.28 para el rango 16-20; y 0.32 para el rango 21-30. No se encontró un aumento en el funcionamiento ejecutivo asociado con la edad, pese a que la teoría y la evidencia empírica así lo demuestran. Se describen y discuten posibles explicaciones sobre los resultados.

Abstract The article presents the results of a correlational empirical research on the developmental relationships between visuospatial working memory and cognitive planning in a group of 100 healthy people with normal intelligence with ages between 10 and 30 years. The Corsi block test, from the Wechsler Memory Scale III, and the Tower of London were applied. Correlation analyzes for the full range (10-30) demonstrated the existence of a statistically significant correlation (0.43, p-value <0.001). In the three age statistically significant correlations (p value <0.008) were also found: 0.44 for the range 10-15; 0.28 for the range 16-20; and 0.32 for 21-30 range. No increase in executive functioning associated with age was found, although the theory and empirical evidence prove it. Possible explanations for the results are described and discussed.

Evaluation of the SO(2) and NH(3) gas adsorption properties of CuO/ZnO/Mn(3)O(4) and CuO/ZnO/NiO ternary impregnated activated carbon using combinatorial materials science methods.

Impregnated activated carbons (IAC) are widely used materials for the removal of toxic gases in personal respiratory protection applications. The combinatorial method has been employed to prepare IACs containing different types of metal oxides in various proportions and evaluate their adsorption performance for low molecular weight gases, such as SO(2) and NH(3), under dry conditions. Among the metal oxides used for the study, Mn(3)O(4) was found to have the highest capacity for retaining SO(2) gas under dry conditions. NiO and ZnO were found to have similar NH(3) adsorption capacities which are higher than the NH(3) capacities observed for the other metal oxide impregnants used in the study. Although Cu- or Zn-based impregnants and their combinations have been extensively studied and used as gas adsorbents, neither Mn(3)O(4) nor NiO have been incorporated in the formulations used. In this study, ternary libraries of IACs with various combinations of CuO/ZnO/Mn(3)O(4) and CuO/ZnO/NiO were studied and evaluated for their adsorption of SO(2) and NH(3) gases. Combinations of CuO, ZnO, and Mn(3)O(4) were found to have the potential to be multigas adsorbents compared to formulations that contain NiO.

SO2 and NH3 gas adsorption on a ternary ZnO/CuO/CuCl2 impregnated activated carbon evaluated using combinatorial methods.

Ternary libraries of 64 ZnO/CuO/CuCl(2) impregnated activated carbon samples were prepared on untreated or HNO(3)-treated carbon and evaluated for their SO(2) and NH(3) gas adsorption properties gravimetrically using a combinatorial method. CuCl(2) is shown to be a viable substitute for HNO(3) and some compositions of ternary ZnO/CuO/CuCl(2) impregnated carbon samples prepared on untreated carbon provided comparable SO(2) and NH(3) gas removal capacities to the materials prepared on HNO(3)-treated carbon. Through combinatorial methods, it was determined that the use of HNO(3) in this multigas adsorbent formulation can be avoided.

Gas adsorption properties of the ternary ZnO/CuO/CuCl(2) impregnated activated carbon system for multigas respirator applications assessed through combinatorial methods and dynamic adsorption studies.

A ternary library of 64 ZnO/CuO/CuCl(2) impregnated activated carbon samples was synthesized and screened automatically using a combinatorial (combi) method. The ability of the samples to adsorb toxic gases was screened gravimetrically. The stoichiometric ratio of reaction (SRR) between the moles of toxicant and the total moles of impregnant was obtained from the calculated mass increase of the samples after chemisorption, with a high SRR indicating high efficiency of toxicant removal. The combi samples that exhibited good dry SO(2) and NH(3) adsorption were prepared in bulk using the incipient wetness method and were evaluated for multigas respirator function by dynamic adsorption studies of SO(2), NH(3), HCN, and C(6)H(12) gases in either dry or humid conditions at ambient temperature. The bulk samples showed equivalent gas adsorption capacities when exposed to the different challenge gases indicating the value of the combi method for initial screening. Cu(2)Cl(OH)(3) was identified to be a potential multigas adsorbent.

Spontaneous intrahepatic hemorrhage: a case report.

Etiology of the acute abdomen can be difficult to determine in the acute care setting, as both medical and surgical emergencies can present with a similar clinical presentation. Prompt work-up is essential to reveal the diagnosis and allow for successful treatment. We present a rare case of spontaneous intrahepatic hemorrhage in a patient with multiple comorbidities, including multiple myeloma and lung cancer. Although the underlying cause of hemorrhage remained unknown, appropriate recognition of the patient's presenting signs and symptoms allowed for immediate treatment and satisfactory outcome.

Wandering spleen: a rare cause of abdominal pain.

Torsion of a wandering spleen is a rare cause of abdominal pain in children. The most common presentation is acute abdominal pain, although signs and symptoms vary widely. Due to the risk of splenic infarction, rapid and accurate diagnosis is essential. Wandering spleen and splenic torsion can be diagnosed by Doppler ultrasound and CT scan. Treatment options include splenopexy or splenectomy. This case describes a 9-year-old girl with torsion of a wandering spleen, complicated by splenic infarction and managed by splenectomy.

Production of swainsonine by fungal endophytes of locoweed.

Consumption of locoweeds, legumes endemic in arid western USA, has long been associated with locoism, a disease of ruminant animals. To explore the relationship between fungi associated with locoweed and locoweed toxicity, 11 locoweed populations from various sites in New Mexico were assessed for endophytic fungi. Endophytes were isolated from the leaves, stems, seeds, and flowers of eight populations of the toxic locoweeds Astragalus mollissimus, Oxytropis lambertii, and O. sericea. Fungal cultures grew very slowly and sporadically produced subcylindrical conidia with very dark transverse septa. All cultured endophytes produced the alkaloid swainsonine, which causes locoism. Endophyte-infected locoweed populations produced swainsonine, and the swainsonine level of endophyte strains in vitro was highly correlated with the swainsonine level of their host plant populations. The rDNA ITS from mycelia from four endophyte isolates and beta-tubulin encoding regions from mycelia of 18 fungal endophyte isolates were amplified using PCR and the nucleic acid sequences were analyzed. The nucleic acid sequences of the beta-tubulin encoding regions were essentially identical among all the endophytes regardless of plant genus and locations. Morphological evidence and sequence analysis of the ITS region suggest that the endophytes are most closely related to Embellisia. However, with the paucity of Embellisia species represented in sequence databases, precise taxonomic placement will await further study.