Evidence for cytokine dysregulation in schizophrenia spectrum disorders: A comparison of cerebrospinal fluid and blood samples.

Abnormalities in immune function have been described in schizophrenia but few studies have investigated cytokines in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and their correlation with blood levels. In this cross-sectional study, cytokines were measured in CSF and plasma of 30 subjects with schizophrenia spectrum disorder (SSD) diagnosis and 23 healthy volunteers (HV). Results showed that CSF TNFα was increased in SSD subjects compared to HV and there were no correlations between CSF and plasma cytokine levels. The present findings provide evidence of dysregulation of TNFα in CSF of schizophrenia. These results identify elevated CSF TNFα levels as a potential biomarker in schizophrenia.

Spontaneous chronic epidural hematoma of the lumbar spine mimicking an extradural spine tumour.

PURPOSE: Spontaneous chronic epidural hematomas are extremely rare and can be extremely challenging to diagnose and differentiate. The clinical findings, computed tomographic scan and magnetic resonance imaging does not always enough to complete differentiate this condition. Our purpose is to report a case of a spontaneous chronic epidural hematoma presenting as an extradural mass leading to compressive radicular symptoms with images of bony scalloping which are sparsely reported in the literature. METHODS: We describe a 61-year-old woman who was evaluated after 18-month history of pain, disestesias and mild weakness in both lower extremities with significant radicular symptoms on the right side associated to neurogenic claudication. RESULTS: CT scans revealed a nodular image of soft tissue density located in the right anterolateral epidural space at the L4-L5 level demonstrating resorption of the bony margins. MRI studies revealed a round mass in the vertebral canal displacing the dural sac and scalloping the posterior wall of the L4 vertebral body. Diagnosis was established between a degenerative cyst versus an atypical neurinoma. Surgical findings demonstrated an isolated well-formed chronic hematoma. CONCLUSION: Spontaneous chronic epidural hematomas are rare, even more when they produce scalloping of bony structures becoming a diagnostic challenge. Therefore they should be always considered as a differential diagnosis in patients with extradural chronic compressions taking into account that also chronic epidural hematomas can cause bone involvement.

Validación de la estructura psicométrica de las escalas Grit-O y Grit-S en el contexto colombiano y su relación con el éxito académico / Validation of the psychometric structure of the Grit-O and Grit-S scales in the Colombian context, and its relation with academic success

Resumen Dentro de los constructos que se han estudiado en los últimos años como predictores del desempeño académico se encuentra el factor grit. En la presente investigación se realizaron dos estudios con el objetivo de adaptar y validar la escala Grit-O a un contexto colombiano, así como determinar la validez de criterio de la escala Grit-S por medio del desempeño académico en estudiantes universitarios. En el primer estudio (n = 500) se realizó un análisis factorial exploratorio a través de un método de extracción de mínimos cuadrados no ponderados y un análisis factorial confirmatorio a través de un método de extracción de máxima verosimilitud. Los análisis arrojaron adecuados índices de validez y confiabilidad para las dos escalas (Grit-O y Grit-S) -siendo Grit-S la que presentó mejores índices de ajuste-, y la distribución de ítems por factor de la escala coincidió con la validación original. Sin embargo, los dos factores -perseverancia en el esfuerzo y consistencia en el interés- no se agruparon bajo el constructo grit. En el segundo estudio (n = 89) se observó la relación existente entre la puntuación obtenida en la escala Grit-S y diferentes indicadores de desempeño académico -promedio, número de materias perdidas, entre otros-. Para esto, se realizó un análisis de correlación y de regresión lineal múltiple, tras lo cual se encontraron correlaciones moderadas entre el puntaje total de la escala Grit-S y sus dos componentes con las medidas de desempeño académico. En el análisis de regresión se encontró que el puntaje total de la escala es mejor predictor del desempeño académico (.016**) que el puntaje de cada uno de los componentes de la escala por separado. Al final, en la discusión se comparan los hallazgos con validaciones realizadas en otros países y se dan algunas recomendaciones respecto al uso de la escala.

Abstract One of the constructs that have been studied in recent years as predictors of academic performance is the grit factor. In the present research, two studies were conducted with the aim of adapting and validating the Grit-O scale to a Colombian context, as well as determining the Grit-S scale's criterion validity by means of academic performance in university students. In the first study (n=500), an exploratory factor analysis was performed using an Unweighted Least Squares Extraction Method and a confirmatory factor analysis through a maximum likelihood extraction method. The analysis yielded adequate validity and reliability indexes for the two scales (Grit-O and Grit-S) -Grit- S being the one with the best fit indexes-, and the distribution of items per scale factor coincided with the original validation. However, the two factors (perseverance of effort and consistency of interest) were not grouped under the grit construct. In the second study (n=89), the relationship between the score obtained on the Grit-S scale and different academic performance indicators (grade point average, number of failed subjects, among others) was observed. For this purpose, a correlation and multiple linear regression analysis was performed. Findings show moderate correlations between the Grit-S scale total score and its two components, with the measures of academic performance. In the regression analysis, the total score was found to be a better predictor of academic performance (0.016 **) than the score of each of the scale components separately. Finally, the discussion compares the findings with validations carried out in other countries and gives some recommendations regarding the use of the grit scale.