[Attention deficit hyperactivity behavioral phenotype dimensions of adults from Antioquian families using the Wender-Utah Scale -Spanish version]. / Dimensiones del fenotipo conductual del trastorno por déficit de atención/hiperactividad en adultos de familias antioqueñas utilizando la escala Wender-Utah en Español.

INTRODUCTION: The Wender-Utah Rating Scale (WURS) has been used for retrospective screening of attention deficit hyperactivity disorders (ADHD) symptoms and its comorbidities. AIM: To establish the ADHD behavioral phenotype dimensions of adults from 140 Antioquian families with genetic segregation for ADHD diagnosis, using the WURS -Spanish version. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: 392 adults from both genders, belonging to nuclear and multigenerational families with one or more ADHD affected members were selected. The Composite International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI) for mental disorder was administered to establish the gold standard diagnosis of ADHD through the long life. All participants fulfill the WURS. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses were done to determine the behavioral dimensions of the ADHD phenotype. RESULTS: A factor structure of four dimensions was derived, measuring behavioral decontrol, hyperactivity, inattention and anxiety, and which explained the 60% of the total variance. CONCLUSIONS: The behavioral adult ADHD phenotype in the Antioquian families was conformed by four dimensions, which could be used in heritability and linkage future studies.

The effects of season and agriculture on nitrous oxide production in headwater streams.

Streams and rivers are a globally significant source of nitrous oxide (N(2)O), a potent greenhouse gas. However, there remains much uncertainty in the magnitude of N(2)O emissions from these sources, partly due to an incomplete understanding of the factors that control microbial N(2)O production in lotic sediments. During 2004-2005 we measured sediment N(2)O production in 12 headwater streams across an agricultural land use gradient. Stream water nitrate (NO(3)(-)) concentrations were positively related to the proportion of agricultural land use in the basin and frequently exceeded 20 mg N L(-1) in the stream draining the most agricultural basin. Stream sediments were nearly always a net source of N(2)O, and production rates were positively related to stream water NO(3)(-) concentrations and sediment carbon content. There were no seasonal patterns in N(2)O production rates during 2004, but stream water NO(3)(-) and N(2)O production both peaked during the winter of 2005. The spike in NO(3)(-) concentrations likely resulted from winter rain and snowmelt that flushed NO(3)(-) from the soils following a dry summer and fall. In turn, the elevated stream water NO(3)(-) concentrations stimulated in-stream N(2)O production rates. Overall, we were only able to explain 29% of the variation in N(2)O production rates on a log scale. The unexplained variation may be due to differences in the fraction of denitrified NO(3)(-) that is converted to N(2)O among the study sites, or that our measures of substrate availability in the water column were not reflective of substrate availability in the porewater used by denitrifiers.

[Perinatal factors associated with attention deficit/hyperactivity diagnosis in Colombian Paisa children]. / Factores perinatales asociados con la aparición del trastorno por deficiencia de atención en niños de la comunidad colombiana 'paisa'.

INTRODUCTION: Some perinatal factors have been associated with attention d ficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). OBJECTIVE: To estimate the association between perinatal factor and ADHD diagnosis in school, aged 6 to 11 years, children from Medell n city (Colombia). PATIENTS AND METHODS: A randomized sample of 200 cases, 6 to 11 year old, with standardized ADHD diagnosis was selected. A randomized sample of 200 control children, 6 to 11 year old, was selected from a data base of 70 schools of Medell n city. The same diagnostic protocol was administered to controls. A questionnaire with questions about pregnancy, delivery an neonatal period was given to the mothers. Data were analyzed using cross tabulation and stepwise logistic multiple regression analyses. RESULTS: Miscarriage symptoms, premature delivery symptoms, severe flu attacks (cold with fever, without virus confirmation), tobacco abuse, alcohol abuse (to become drunk), minor congenital malformations, neonatal seizures and hospitalizations during newborn period were factors associated with ADHD diagnosis (p< 0.05). However, stepwise logistic multiple regression analysis selected a block of variables formed by premature delivery symptoms, severe flu attacks and neonatal seizures as significant perinatal risk factors (p< 0.01) for ADHD diagnosis.

[A brief questionnaire for the diagnosis of maladaptive behavior disorders in adolescents aged between 12 and 16 years of age]. / Cuestionario breve para el diagnóstico del trastorno disocial de la conducta en adolescentes de 12 a 16 años.

OBJECTIVE: To standardize and to determine the structural validity of a conduct disorder self report questionnaire in adolescents. PATIENTS AND METHODS: One hundred ninety, 12 to 16 year old male participants from the different socioeconomic status were randomized selected from educational institutions of Medellin City, Colombia. A quantitative self report questionnaire, with a discrete (0-3) item scored scale, based upon the DSM-IV criteria A symptoms for conduct disorder was applied to the sample. Reliability analysis using alpha item/scale Cronbach's coefficient was calculated, and a factor analysis with a maximum likelihood method of extraction and VARIMAX rotation was developed. RESULTS: The standard obtained scores defined the presence and distribution of the symptoms of conduct disorder in an adolescent normal population. Reliability alpha Cronbach's coefficient for 14 items was 0.86. Three stable factors, which explained 53.9% of the variance, were found. First factor was serious violation of rules and explained 32.9% of variance, second factor was violence, which explained 10.9%, and the third factor was cruelty which explained 10.1% of the structure (Goodness-of-fit chi 2 = 34.6; df 25; p = 0.09). Conduct disorder questionnaire had a strong internal consistency and multidimensional structure, which would allow that it could be used in clinical and epidemiological researches with adolescent population.