Quantification of Polystyrene Uptake by Different Cell Lines Using Fluorescence Microscopy and Label-Free Visualization of Intracellular Polystyrene Particles by Raman Microspectroscopic Imaging.

Environmental pollution caused by plastic is a present problem. Polystyrene is a widely used packaging material (e.g., Styrofoam) that can be broken down into microplastics through abrasion. Once the plastic is released into the environment, it is dispersed by wind and atmospheric dust. In this study, we investigated the uptake of polystyrene particles into human cells using A549 cells as a model of the alveolar epithelial barrier, CaCo-2 cells as a model of the intestinal epithelial barrier, and THP-1 cells as a model of immune cells to simulate a possible uptake of microplastics by inhalation, oral uptake, and interaction with the cellular immune system, respectively. The uptake of fluorescence-labeled beads by the different cell types was investigated by confocal laser scanning microscopy in a semi-quantitative, concentration-dependent manner. Additionally, we used Raman spectroscopy as a complementary method for label-free qualitative detection and the visualization of polystyrene within cells. The uptake of polystyrene beads by all investigated cell types was detected, while the uptake behavior of professional phagocytes (THP-1) differed from that of adherent epithelial cells.

Identification of bacteria in mixed infection from urinary tract of patient's samples using Raman analysis of dried droplets.

Urinary tract infections (UTI) are among the most frequent nosocomial infections. A fast identification of the pathogen and assignment of Gram type could help to prescribe most suitable treatments. Raman spectroscopy holds high potential for fast and reliable bacterial pathogens identification. While most studies so far have focused on individual pathogens or artificial mixtures, this contribution aims to translate the analysis to primary urine samples from patients with suspected UTIs. For this, we have included 59 primary urine samples out of which 29 were diagnosed as mixed infections. For Raman analysis, we first trained two classification models based on principal component analysis - linear discriminant analysis (PCA-LDA) with more than 3500 Raman spectra of 85 clinical isolates from 23 species in order to (1) identify the Gram type of the bacteria and (2) assign family membership to one of the six most abundant bacterial families in urinary tract infections (Enterobacteriaceae, Morganellaceae, Pseudomonadaceae, Enterococcaceae, Staphylococcaceae and Streptococcaceae). The classification models were applied to artificial mixtures of Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria to correctly predict mixed infections with an accuracy of 75%. Raman scans of dried droplets did not yet yield optimal classification results on family level. When translating the method to primary urine samples, we observed a strong bias towards Gram negative bacteria, on family level towards Morganellaceae, which reduced prediction accuracy. Spectral differences were observed between isolates grown on standard growth medium and bacteria of the same strain when characterized directly from the patient. Thus, improvement of the classification accuracy is expected with a larger data base containing also bacteria measured directly from the urine sample.

Eficacia del tratamiento en la competencia cognitiva en sentenciados por violencia de género / Treatment efficacy on the cognitive competence of convicted intimate partner violence offenders

La evaluación de la eficacia del tratamiento de maltratadores en los Registros Oficiales o los Informes de las parejas no es válida, al tiempo que las intervenciones eficaces se dirigen a dotarlos de competencia cognitiva y conductual. Por ello diseñamos un estudio de campo para medir los efectos de la intervención en la competencia cognitiva. Un total de 100 condenados por violencia de género que completaron un programa penitenciario de tratamiento en la comunidad fueron evaluados pre- y post-tratamiento en la competencia cognitiva, esto es, auto-concepto, inteligencia emocional, atribución de responsabilidad, destrezas cognitivas para el afrontamiento de eventos estresantes en pareja, expresión y control de la ira, y creencias irracionales y pensamientos distorsionados. Los resultados mostraron un efecto significativo del tratamiento en la adquisición de las destrezas cognitivas. Sucintamente, el tratamiento potenció el auto-concepto general el 18.2% y las dimensiones internas del auto-concepto auto-satisfacción el 33.5% y comportamiento el 25.6%; y la claridad para discriminar las emociones el 31.8%. Además, el tratamiento incrementó la asunción interna de responsabilidad el 31.8%; el control de la ira el 19.1%; y el uso de estrategias adaptativas para el afrontamiento de eventos estresantes en pareja entre el 48.9% y el 61.3%. Finalmente, el tratamiento redujo el uso de estrategias desadaptativas entre el 25.6% y el 35.1%; y las creencias irracionales y pensamientos distorsionados relacionados con el uso de la violencia, rol de género y dependencia emocional, en el 78.2%, 48.2% y 63.6%, respectivamente. No obstante, no todos los maltratadores se beneficiaron del tratamiento

The evaluation of the efficacy of treatment of batterers in Official or Couple Records is not valid, whilst the efficient interventions are focused on the empowerment of cognitive and behavioural competence. A field study for measuring the effects of the treatment on the cognitive competence was designed. A total of 100 batterers who had completed a community penitentiary intervention programme, were assessed pre- and post-treatment in cognitive competence i.e., self-concept, emotional intelligence, attribution of responsivity, cognitive skills to cope intimate-partner-related stressful events, expression and control of anger, and irrational beliefs and distorted thoughts. The results showed a significant effect of the treatment in the acquisition of cognitive competence skills. Succinctly, treatment empowered the general self-concept in 18.2%, and the internal dimensions of self-concept self-satisfaction in 33.5% and behaviour in 25.6%; and clarity to discriminate among moods in 31.8%. Moreover, treatment increased the assumption of internal responsivity in 31.8%; anger control in 19.1%; and the use of adaptive strategies to cope intimate-partner-related stressful events between 48.9% and 61.3%. Finally, treatment involved a fall in the use of maladaptive strategies to cope intimate-partner-related stressful events between 25.6% and 35.1%; and in the irrational beliefs and distorted thoughts related with the use of violence, in 78.2%, 48.2% y 63.6%, for use of violence, gender roles and emotional dependence, respectively. Nonetheless, not all the batterers benefited from treatment

Assessing the effects of an education program on mental health problems in separated parents / Evaluación de los efectos de un programa educativo en los problemas de salud mental en padres separados

Background: Parental separation is a stressful experience that can lead to parents suffering mental health problems (MHPs). Parental separation education programs for coping with post-separation adjustment have proven to be effective in reducing conflict and improving co-parenting. However, the effects of these programs on MHPs have not been assessed. A field study was carried out to assess the impact of a parental separation education program on parental MHPs. Method: A total of 116 separated parents who completed the program "Parental separation, not family breakdown" completed the Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI) pre- and post-intervention. Results: Separated parents had significantly higher pre-intervention scores on the nine symptom dimensions and the global indexes of distress in comparison to the normative population. The intervention yielded a significant improvement (i.e., reduction of clinical symptoms) in all MHPs, ranging from 19% in phobic anxiety to 36% in depression and general anxiety; and in the global indexes of distress (36% in the global severity index; 28% in the positive symptom distress index; and 33% in the positive symptom total). Approximately 45% of parents significantly improved through the intervention. Conclusions: The implications of the outcomes of the separation and intervention in parents’ MHPs and children wellbeing are discussed

Antecedentes: la ruptura de pareja, como evento estresante, puede derivar en Problemas en la Salud Mental (PSM) de los progenitores. Para afrontar esta contingencia se han desarrollado programas educativos que han mostrado su eficacia en la reducción del conflicto y la mejora de la coparentalidad. Pero los efectos en los PSMs no han sido estudiados. Así, nos planteamos un estudio campo para conocer los efectos de un programa educativo para la ruptura de pareja en los PSMs. Método: 116 progenitores separados que cumplimentaron el programa "Ruptura de Pareja, no de Familia" respondieron, pre- y post-intervención, al Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI). Resultados: los resultados mostraron, en contraste con la población normativa, que los progenitores separados puntuaban significativamente más alto en los PSMs. La intervención implicó una mejora significativa en todos PSMs, oscilando desde el 19% en ansiedad fóbica al 36% en depresión y ansiedad generalizada, así como en los índices generales de malestar (36% en el Índice de Severidad Global; 28% en el Índice de Malestar referido a Síntomas Positivos; y el 33% en el Total de Síntomas Positivos). Conclusiones: se discuten las implicaciones de los resultados de la ruptura e intervención en los PSMs de los padres separados y el bienestar de los hijos

Estudio sobre la posición de la cabeza en la canalización de catéter venoso central de acceso periférico / Study regarding the head position in the placement of central venous catheter of peripheral acces

En las guías clínicas y protocolos revisados sobre canalización de los catéteres venosos centrales de acceso periférico se indica que la cabeza del paciente debe colocarse girada hacia el lado de la punción para evitar la progresión del catéter a vena yugular interna. El estudio surgió para confirmar si la posición de la cabeza influye realmente durante la técnica de inserción. Realizamos un estudio descriptivo prospectivo observacional donde se relaciona la ubicación final de la punta del catéter con la posición de la cabeza (lateral, central o contralateral), brazos (derecho o izquierdo) y venas de abordaje (basílica o cefálica). Se realizó en la Unidad de Sangrantes de la Unidad de gestión clínica de Digestivo desde el año 2008 al 2012, y participa-ron 247 pacientes adultos. En la técnica de canalización se utilizó un protocolo estándar. Los catéteres venosos centrales de acceso periférico utilizados eran de la marca DRUM(R). La posición de la punta del catéter se confirmó mediante RX de Tórax anteroposterior. El análisis de los datos se realizó con un programa IBM SPSS Statistics 23.0.No se encontraron diferencias estadísticamente significativas en cuanto a la posición de la cabeza y el brazo de aborda-je, que no influían en la posición final del catéter. Hubo diferencias estadísticamente significativas en cuanto a las venas de abordaje y la mal posición del catéter

Clinical guides and revised protocols concerning the placement of central venous catheters of peripheral access suggest to place the patient ́s head towards the puncture site in order to stop the progression of the catheter to internal jugular vein. This study arose to confirm if the position of the head is really influential during the insertion technique. We carried out a descriptive prospective observational study where the final location of the catheter ́s tip is related to the head position (lateral, central or contralateral), the arms (right or left) and the approached vein (basilic or cephalic). The study was carried out at the Bleeding Unit of the Digestive clinical management unit, from 2008 to 2012, with a participation of 247 adult patients. A standard protocol was used in the placement technique. The catheters were of the DRUM® brand. The catheter ́s tip position was con-firmed by means of anteroposterior thorax X-ray. Data analysis was performed with the program IBM SPSS Statistics 23.0.Statistically significant differences were not found regarding the head position and the approached arm, showing no influence in the final position of the catheter. However, statistically relevant differences were identified concerning the approached vein and wrong placement of the catheter

Controlled Solvent-Free Formation of Embedded PDMS-Derived Carbon Nanodomains with Tunable Fluorescence Using Selective Laser Ablation with A Low-Power CD Laser.

We present a study of the application of a single-step and solvent-free laser-based strategy to control the formation of polymer-derived fluorescent carbon nanodomains embedded in poly-dimethylsiloxane (PDMS) microchannels. A low-power, laser-induced microplasma was used to produce a localised combustion of a PDMS surface and confine nanocarbon byproducts within the exposed microregions. Patterns with on-demand geometries were achieved under dry environmental conditions thanks to a low-cost 3-axis CD-DVD platform motorised in a selective laser ablation fashion. The high temperature required for combustion of PDMS was achieved locally by strongly focusing the laser spot on the desired areas, and the need for high-power laser was bypassed by coating the surface with an absorbing carbon additive layer, hence making the etching of a transparent material possible. The simple and repeatable fabrication process and the spectroscopic characterisation of resulting fluorescent microregions are reported. In situ Raman and fluorescence spectroscopy were used to identify the nature of the nanoclusters left inside the modified areas and their fluorescence spectra as a function of excitation wavelength. Interestingly, the carbon nanodomains left inside the etched micropatterns showed a strong dependency on the additive materials and laser energy that were used to achieve the incandescence and etch microchannels on the surface of the polymer. This dependence on the lasing conditions indicates that our cost-effective laser ablation technique may be used to tune the nature of the polymer-derived nanocarbons, useful for photonics applications in transparent silicones in a rapid-prototyping fashion.

Bioética y salu mental: reflexiones sobre la aección y la responsabilidad en la relación profesional-paciente / Bioethics and mental health: reflections about te affection and the responsibillity in the professional- patient relationship / Biotica e saúde mental: reflexões obre a doença e a responsabiliddade na relação profissional-paciente

En este artículo exponemos una lectura crítica sobre la responsabilidad y la afección mutua en encuadre profesional de salud mental. El marco referencial es la antropología cognitiva relacional y la ética de tipo hermenéutico. Proponemos un modelo conceptual-aplicado que supere una visión bioética centrada solo en la agencialidad y la competencia autónoma para tomar decisiones, donde lo que prima es el juicio médico. Sobre la base del principio de reconocimiento entendemos la importancia del encuentro profesional-paciente como un espacio intersubjetivo donde cada uno pueda responder desde su ser-capaz y decidir conjuntamente. El encuentro profesional con el que sufre un padecimiento mental se inserta en la vía del acontecimiento. Desde esta perspectiva, el restaurar un supuesto equilibrio perdido no es el objetivo profesional; más bien, atender las posibles formas de reestructuración particular que el individuo llamado "enfermo" ha desarrollado como recursos de convivencia. Desde estas ideas principales, se concluye en la necesaria convicción bioética de un profesional solícito, humanista y personalista para poder responder así a las problemáticas particulares del paciente en salud mental.

In this article, we present a critical reading about responsibility and mutual affection in the professional setting of mental health. The frame of reference is the relational Cognitive Anthropology and Ethics hermeneutics. We propose a conceptual- applied model to exceed a bioethical vision focused only on the agency and the autonomous competence to make decisions, where the most important thing is the medical judgment. Based on the Principle of Recognition we understand the importance of the meeting professional - patient as an intersubjective space where everyone can respond from their being-able- and decide together. The professional meeting with the person who suffers a mental condition implies the recognition of others. In this perspective, restore a supposed lost equilibrium is not the goal of the professional; rather, addressing such specific forms of particular restructuring that the "sick" individual has developed as resources for coexistence. From these main ideas, it's concluded in the necessary bioethics conviction of a caring, humanist and personal professional to respond to the specific problems of mental health patient.

Neste artigo apresentamos uma leitura crítica sobre a responsabilidade e a afeção mútua no enquadre profissional da saúde mental. O quadro de referência é a antropologia cognitiva relacional e a ética do tipo hermenêutico. Propomos um modelo conceptual-aplicado que supere uma visão bioética focada apenas na agêncialidade e o poder autónomo para tomar decisões, onde o que prevalece é a avaliação médica. Sob a base do princípio do reconhecimento compreendemos a importância do encontro profissional-paciente como um espaço intersubjetivo, onde cada um pode responder a partir de seu ser-capaz e decidir em conjunto. O encontro profissional com quem sofre de uma doença mental é inserido no trajeto do evento. A partir desta perspectiva, restabelecer um suposto equilíbrio perdido não é o objetivo profissional; em vez disso, atender as possíveis formas de reestruturação particular que o indivíduo chamado "doente" tem desenvolvido como um recurso para a coexistência. A partir dessas ideias principais, conclui-se na necessária convicção bioética de um profissional atencioso, humanista e personalista para responder aos problemas específicos do paciente de saúde mental.

Analysis of response patterns on the MMPI-2 in psychiatric prison inmates / Estudio del estilo de respuesta en el MMPI-2 de penados psiquiátricos

In order to assess mental health status, and the classification of both the overreporting and underreporting scales and indexes, 102 psychiatric prison inmates deemed mentally incompetent to stand trial completed the Spanish adaptation of the MMPI-2 under standard instructions (honest responding). The results showed patterns of consistent, non-random, nor extremely acquiescent responses. Moreover, no-outlier responses were detected. In line with the psychiatric diagnosis, all the psychiatric prison inmates were classified by the basic clinical scales as clinical cases of the psychotic dyad i.e., schizophrenia and paranoid ideation. The overreporting scales and indexes (i.e., F, K, Fb, F-K, Fp, Ds and FBS) classified the participants as malingerers, whereas the L, Wsd, and Od underreporting scales as good feigners. These scales assessing impression management i.e., consciously faking good biased responses, did not classify overreporters. Thus, they are robust indicators of honest responding among psychiatric prison inmates. The implications of these results for the practice of forensic psychology are discussed (AU)

Se ha realizado un estudio ex post facto en una población de 102 penados psiquiátricos que respondieron bajo instrucciones estándar a la adaptación española del MMPI-2, con el objetivo de conocer el estado mental informado en el MMPI-2, así como el comportamiento de los indicadores de simulación y de disimulación. En los protocolos de respuesta no se observaron casos de outliers, patrones de respuestas totalmente azarosos o extremadamente aquiescentes, al tiempo que eran consistentes. Todos los penados psiquiátricos fueron clasificados, en consonancia con el diagnóstico psiquiátrico, en las escalas clínicas básicas como casos clínicos en la díada psicótica (i.e., esquizofrenia e ideación paranoide). Las escalas e índices de simulación utilizados (i.e., F, K, Fb, F-K, Fp, Ds y FBS) los clasificaron como simuladores, en tanto las escalas de medida de la disimulación L, Wsd y Od los clasificaron como disimuladores. Estas escalas, que forman parte del manejo de la impresión, esto es, de la manipulación favorable y consciente de la imagen, no informan de casos en poblaciones de simuladores. Así, éstas escalas serían indicadores robustos de no simulación. Finalmente, se discuten las implicaciones de estos resultados para la práctica forense (AU)

Analysis of response patterns on the MMPI-2 in psychiatric prison inmates.

In order to assess mental health status, and the classification of both the overreporting and underreporting scales and indexes, 102 psychiatric prison inmates deemed mentally incompetent to stand trial completed the Spanish adaptation of the MMPI-2 under standard instructions (honest responding). The results showed patterns of consistent, non-random, nor extremely acquiescent responses. Moreover, no-outlier responses were detected. In line with the psychiatric diagnosis, all the psychiatric prison inmates were classified by the basic clinical scales as clinical cases of the psychotic dyad i.e., schizophrenia and paranoid ideation. The overreporting scales and indexes (i.e., F, K, Fb, F-K, Fp, Ds and FBS) classified the participants as malingerers, whereas the L, Wsd, and Od underreporting scales as good feigners. These scales assessing impression management i.e., consciously faking good biased responses, did not classify overreporters. Thus, they are robust indicators of honest responding among psychiatric prison inmates. The implications of these results for the practice of forensic psychology are discussed.

Se ha realizado un estudio ex post facto en una población de 102 penados psiquiátricos que respondieron bajo instrucciones estándar a la adaptación española del MMPI-2, con el objetivo de conocer el estado mental informado en el MMPI-2, así como el comportamiento de los indicadores de simulación y de disimulación. En los protocolos de respuesta no se observaron casos de outliers, patrones de respuestas totalmente azarosos o extremadamente aquiescentes, al tiempo que eran consistentes. Todos los penados psiquiátricos fueron clasificados, en consonancia con el diagnóstico psiquiátrico, en las escalas clínicas básicas como casos clínicos en la díada psicótica (i.e., esquizofrenia e ideación paranoide). Las escalas e índices de simulación utilizados (i.e., F, K, Fb, F-K, Fp, Ds y FBS) los clasificaron como simuladores, en tanto las escalas de medida de la disimulación L, Wsd y Od los clasificaron como disimuladores. Estas escalas, que forman parte del manejo de la impresión, esto es, de la manipulación favorable y consciente de la imagen, no informan de casos en poblaciones de simuladores. Así, éstas escalas serían indicadores robustos de no simulación. Finalmente, se discuten las implicaciones de estos resultados para la práctica forense.

Exploring the distribution of genetic markers of pharmacogenomics relevance in Brazilian and Mexican populations.

Studies of pharmacogenomics-related traits are increasingly being performed to identify loci that affect either drug response or susceptibility to adverse drug reactions. However, the effect of the polymorphisms can differ in magnitude or be absent depending on the population being assessed. We used the Affymetrix Drug Metabolizing Enzymes and Transporters (DMET) Plus array to characterize the distribution of polymorphisms of pharmacogenetics and pharmacogenomics (PGx) relevance in two samples from the most populous Latin American countries, Brazil and Mexico. The sample from Brazil included 268 individuals from the southeastern state of Rio de Janeiro, and was stratified into census categories. The sample from Mexico comprised 45 Native American Zapotecas and 224 self-identified Mestizo individuals from 5 states located in geographically distant regions in Mexico. We evaluated the admixture proportions in the Brazilian and Mexican samples using a panel of Ancestry Informative Markers extracted from the DMET array, which was validated with genome-wide data. A substantial variation in ancestral proportions across census categories in Brazil, and geographic regions in Mexico was identified. We evaluated the extent of genetic differentiation (measured as FST values) of the genetic markers of the DMET Plus array between the relevant parental populations. Although the average levels of genetic differentiation are low, there is a long tail of markers showing large frequency differences, including markers located in genes belonging to the Cytochrome P450, Solute Carrier (SLC) and UDP-glucuronyltransferase (UGT) families as well as other genes of PGx relevance such as ABCC8, ADH1A, CHST3, PON1, PPARD, PPARG, and VKORC1. We show how differences in admixture history may have an important impact in the distribution of allele and genotype frequencies at the population level.

¿Está mediada la gravedad delictiva y cronicidad de los delincuentes juveniles por la competencia cognitivo-comportamental? / Is Offence Severity and the Chronicity of Juvenile Delinquency Mediated by Cognitive-Behavioural Competence?

El estudio de la relación de los problemas de conducta con la competencia cognitiva y comportamental se ha convertido en un referente continuo en la literatura científica. A este respecto, los modelos de Riesgo-Necesidades-Responsividad (RNR) y de la criminología del desarrollo prevén que el nivel de problemas de conducta esté asociado al grado de desarrollo de la competencia cognitiva y comportamental. Desde una perspectiva legal, los problemas de conducta se identifican con la delincuencia, estableciéndose niveles según la gravedad delictiva (delitos con vs. sin violencia) y del delincuente (primarios vs. reincidentes). Para comprobar si estos niveles se reflejan en la competencia cognitiva y comportamental, 283 adolescentes que estaban cumpliendo una condena judicial, 139 (68 reincidentes y 71 primarios) habían cometido un delito violento y 144 sin violencia (77 reincidentes y 67 primarios), fueron evaluados en las medidas de referencia de la competencia cognitiva (e. g., regulación emocional, autoconcepto, atribución de la responsabilidad, resolución de problemas) y comportamental. Los resultados mostraron que la gravedad delictiva es independiente de la competencia cognitiva y comportamental y que la delincuencia crónica se relaciona con menor competencia. De estos resultados se derivan consecuencias para el tratamiento de los delincuentes juveniles y para la duración de las condenas que se discuten.

The correspondence between juvenile delinquency and cognitive-behavioural competence has been the subject of ongoing concern in the scientific literature. Developmental criminology and Risk-Need-Responsivity (RNR) models have associated offence severity and the chronicity of juvenile delinquency to the degree of cognitive-behavioural development. In terms of the juvenile justice system, delinquent behaviour is classified according to offence severity (violent vs. non-violent offences), and the type of offender (first-time offender vs. chronic offender). In order to assess the nexus between chronic delinquent behaviour and the degree of cognitive-behavioural competence, 283 juveniles serving custodial sentences, 139 for violent offences (71 first-time offenders and 68 reoffenders), and 144 for non-violent offences (77 reoffenders and 67 first-time offenders), were assessed in terms of cognitive (e.g., regulation emotional, self-concept, attribution of responsibility, problem-solving skills) and behavioural competence. The results revealed that offence severity was not mediated by the level of cognitive-behavioural competence, and chronic delinquency was linked to low levels of competence. The results are discussed in the light of juvenile delinquency treatment programmes and sentencing.

Estrategias para la prevención del síndrome metabólico en un hospital de día de psiquiatría / Prevention of metabolic syndrome: a safety strategy in a psychiatric day hospital

La obesidad es un problema serio de salud en la población general, más importante aún entre las personas con enfermedad mental, en las que es frecuente la aparición de síndrome metabólico, propiciado por los malos hábitos de salud y el tratamiento con antipsicóticos. Por ello, en el Hospital de Día Psiquiátrico para pacientes con trastorno mental grave se puso en marcha un programa psicoeducativo acerca de la enfermedad, nutrición, hábitos de vida saludables y ejercicio físico, con componentes cognitivos yconductuales con modificación de conducta a través del modelado. La valoración de los pacientes del programa ha sido positiva, con cambios saludables del estilo de vida y conciencia en la necesidad decuidado personal. Además, se han encontrado resultados positivos, con pérdida de peso de 2.37 kg± 6.86 kg de promedio en el grupo que tenía inicialmente sobrepeso u obesidad (el 64% de la poblaciónde 50 pacientes), sobre todo entre las mujeres (34% de la población). El programa resulta eficaz para el control de la obesidad y la disminución de riesgo de aparición de síndrome metabólico, aunque dado el diseño del estudio no se puede discernir cuáles son los componentes del programa que son eficaces...

Sequence variants in SLC16A11 are a common risk factor for type 2 diabetes in Mexico.

Performing genetic studies in multiple human populations can identify disease risk alleles that are common in one population but rare in others, with the potential to illuminate pathophysiology, health disparities, and the population genetic origins of disease alleles. Here we analysed 9.2 million single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in each of 8,214 Mexicans and other Latin Americans: 3,848 with type 2 diabetes and 4,366 non-diabetic controls. In addition to replicating previous findings, we identified a novel locus associated with type 2 diabetes at genome-wide significance spanning the solute carriers SLC16A11 and SLC16A13 (P = 3.9 × 10(-13); odds ratio (OR) = 1.29). The association was stronger in younger, leaner people with type 2 diabetes, and replicated in independent samples (P = 1.1 × 10(-4); OR = 1.20). The risk haplotype carries four amino acid substitutions, all in SLC16A11; it is present at ~50% frequency in Native American samples and ~10% in east Asian, but is rare in European and African samples. Analysis of an archaic genome sequence indicated that the risk haplotype introgressed into modern humans via admixture with Neanderthals. The SLC16A11 messenger RNA is expressed in liver, and V5-tagged SLC16A11 protein localizes to the endoplasmic reticulum. Expression of SLC16A11 in heterologous cells alters lipid metabolism, most notably causing an increase in intracellular triacylglycerol levels. Despite type 2 diabetes having been well studied by genome-wide association studies in other populations, analysis in Mexican and Latin American individuals identified SLC16A11 as a novel candidate gene for type 2 diabetes with a possible role in triacylglycerol metabolism.

Reconstructing Native American population history.

The peopling of the Americas has been the subject of extensive genetic, archaeological and linguistic research; however, central questions remain unresolved. One contentious issue is whether the settlement occurred by means of a single migration or multiple streams of migration from Siberia. The pattern of dispersals within the Americas is also poorly understood. To address these questions at a higher resolution than was previously possible, we assembled data from 52 Native American and 17 Siberian groups genotyped at 364,470 single nucleotide polymorphisms. Here we show that Native Americans descend from at least three streams of Asian gene flow. Most descend entirely from a single ancestral population that we call 'First American'. However, speakers of Eskimo-Aleut languages from the Arctic inherit almost half their ancestry from a second stream of Asian gene flow, and the Na-Dene-speaking Chipewyan from Canada inherit roughly one-tenth of their ancestry from a third stream. We show that the initial peopling followed a southward expansion facilitated by the coast, with sequential population splits and little gene flow after divergence, especially in South America. A major exception is in Chibchan speakers on both sides of the Panama isthmus, who have ancestry from both North and South America.

Grado de competencia social y comportamientos antisociales, delictivos y no delictivos en adolescent / Social Competence and Delinquent, Antisocial, and Non-Deviant Behavior in Adolescents

Los comportamientos antisociales, tanto delictivos como no delictivos, han sido tratados en la literatura como un conjunto. Estos comportamientos antisociales han sido relacionados con la carencia de competencia psicosocial. Es posible que la relación entre competencia psicosocial y comportamientos antisociales delictivos y no delictivos siga un efecto de escalada. Para someter a prueba esta hipótesis se diseñó un estudio de campo con 450 adolescentes, de los que 150 estaban cumpliendo una condena penal (delincuentes), 150 poseían comportamientos antisociales no delictivos y 150 pertenecían a población escolarizada normal, quienes fueron evaluados en las variables fundamentales de la competencia psicosocial. Los resultados se analizaron a partir de un MANOVA (factor población: reforma, antisocial y normativa) y evidenciaron una relación entre incompetencia social y comportamientos antisociales y delictivos, así como un efecto de escalada, es decir, el grado de conducta desviada (delictiva, antisocial no delictiva y normal) va ligado al grado de (in)competencia social. Se discuten las implicaciones de estos hallazgos para el tratamiento de los menores con comportamientos antisociales, delictivos y no delictivos.

In the literature, antisocial populations, both with antisocial behavior and delinquent behavior are viewed as mutually interacting. The lack of psychosocial competence has been related with antisocial and delinquent behavior. Nevertheless, it has been suggested that antisocial and delinquent behavior is a consequence of different degrees of lack of social competence. In order to test this hypothesis, in a field study, 450 adolescents -150 juvenile offenders, 150 with antisocial non deviant behavior, and 150 from the normal school population- were evaluated in fundamental variables of psychosocial competence. Performed a MANOVA with the population factor (offenders, antisocial, normative), the results revealed a relationship between social incompetence and antisocial and delinquent behavior as well as an exponential increase in both parameters. The findings are discussed in terms of prevention and treatment strategies for antisocial, delinquent and non-deviant behavior in adolescents.

Borderline personality disorder: a review and reformulation from evolutionary theory.

A number of authors have provided a useful evolutionary perspective on personality disorders, arguing that personality traits can be conceptualized in terms of evolutionary strategies. If we consider personality traits not as illnesses but as stable evolutionary strategies, the characteristic features of borderline personality disorder may respond to a behavioral pattern which, although deviating from the norm, would be in the service of survival of the species. Early environments involving factors such as childhood physical/sexual abuse may prove useful for explanation of personality traits based on gene-environment interaction, potentially providing a model for understanding borderline personality traits. We also review the question of whether personality traits exist in animals to also provide a translational perspective. We propose that certain traits in borderline personality disorder may derive from evolved mechanisms which in the short-term serve to help respond to adversity, but which when activated in an ongoing way prove maladaptive.

Severe infections after unrelated donor allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in adults: comparison of cord blood transplantation with peripheral blood and bone marrow transplantation.

We evaluated the occurrence of severe infections in 192 consecutive adult recipients of volunteer unrelated donor allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplants, with a detailed analysis of severe infections after receipt of cord blood transplants (CBTs; n = 48) or bone marrow transplants (BMTs)/peripheral blood stem cell transplants (PBSCTs; n = 144). At a 3-year median follow-up, CBT recipients had a higher risk of developing any severe infection (85% versus 69% in BMT/PBSCT recipients, P < .01). CBT recipients had a higher incidence of severe bacterial infections before day +100, but at 3 years the risks of these and other infections were similar in the CBT and BMT/PBSCT groups. In addition, the 100-day and 3-year incidences of infection-related mortality (IRM) did not differ between groups (P = .2 and .5, respectively). In multivariate analysis, the most significant risk factor for IRM in all 192 patients was monocytopenia (.2 x 10(9)/L). In CBT recipients, only neutropenia (.2 x 10(9)/L) on day +30 and low nucleated cell dose infusion (< 2 x 10(7)/kg) showed a trend for increased IRM (P = .05 in both cases). Stem cell source had no effect on day +100 or 3-year nonrelapse mortality (NRM), cytomegalovirus infection, cytomegalovirus disease (7% versus 6%), or overall survival (36% versus 39%, respectively). The number of mismatches in HLA (A, B, and DRB1) had no effect on any outcome in CBT recipients. In contrast, in the BMT/PBSCT group, the presence of any mismatch by low or high-resolution HLA typing (A, B, C, and DRB1) increased NRM and decreased overall survival (P < .01). IRM was the primary or secondary cause of death in 61% and 59% of CBT and BMT/PBSCT recipients who died, respectively. Our results confirm the relevance of severe infectious complications as source of severe morbidity and NRM after volunteer unrelated donor hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in adults, but suggest that CBT recipients have a similar risk of dying from an infection if an accurate selection of a cord blood unit is done.

Uso de antidepresivos en pacientes diagnosticados de trastorno depresivo mayor y trastorno adaptativo / Use of antidepressants in major depression versus adjustment disorder

Introducción: En los últimos años ha aumentado mucho el uso de antidepresivos, incluso en enfermedades con una indicación poco clara, como los trastornos adaptativos. En España se ha incrementado en un 247% entre 1985 y 1994. En la mayoría de los estudios consultados se observa un incremento del uso de inhibidores selectivos de la recaptación de serotonina a expensas fundamentalmente de los inhibidores de la monoaminooxidasa y los heterocíclicos. Aunque el uso de los antidepresivos está muy extendido, hay pocos estudios centrados en el tratamiento psicofarmacológico en la depresión menor o en el trastorno adaptativo. Es importante el balance riesgo/beneficio de éste, sobre todo por los posibles efectos nocivos a largo plazo. En los trastornos depresivos menores, incluidos los adaptativos, se ha preconizado el tratamiento psicoterapéutico. El pronóstico en estos casos no es tan favorable como parecería: alrededor del 25% desarrolla una forma de depresión más grave. Hay pocas evidencias con antidepresivos, pero parecen mostrar resultados prometedores en el tratamiento a corto-medio plazo. Material y métodos: Estudiamos el uso de antidepresivos en nuestra población en 2 grupos, uno de 91 pacientes con diagnóstico de trastorno depresivo mayor (TDM) y otro de 81 con diagnóstico de trastorno adaptativo (TA). Resultados: Detectamos datos de mejor cumplimiento en los pacientes deprimidos: el 54,5% dice no olvidar nunca el tratamiento, frente al 39,7% de los pacientes con trastorno adaptativo. La adaptación laboral es menor en el grupo de TDM, pero los pacientes con TA tienden a vivir menos con compañía. En el TDM hay antecedentes de más episodios previos. Conclusiones: Los pacientes con trastorno depresivo mayor y con trastorno adaptativo reciben un tratamiento antidepresivo similar, aunque en el primer grupo hay tendencia a ser más "agresivo"

Introduction: In the last few years, the use of antidepressants has risen substantially and has been extended to disorders in which their suitability is unclear, such as adjustment disorders. In Spain, the consumption of antidepressants increased by 247% between 1985 and 1994. Most of the studies consulted show a greater use of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, mainly at the expense of monoamine oxidase inhibitors and heterocyclics. Despite the widespread use of antidepressants, few studies have investigated the pharmacological treatment of minor depression or adjustment disorder (AD). The risk-benefit balance of this therapy is important, especially because of the potential harmful effects in the long term. In minor depressive disorders, including AD, psychotherapeutic treatment has been recommended. The prognosis in these patients is not as favorable as it would appear: around 25% of patients develop a more severe form of depression. There is little evidence on antidepressant agents, but these drugs appear to show promising results in short- to medium-term treatment. Material and methods: We compared the use of antidepressants in 2 groups of patients: one group (n = 91) with a diagnosis of major depression (MDD) and another (n = 81) with a diagnosis of AD. Results: Compliance was better in patients with MDD: 54.5% reported full compliance compared with 39.7% of patients with AD. Adaptation to the work environment was poorer in the group with MDD, but patients with AD had a greater tendency to live alone. A personal history of prior episodes was more common in patients with MDD. Conclusions: Patients with MDD and AD received similar antidepressant treatment, although the former tended to be more "aggressive"