Análisis de las propiedades psicométricas de la versión en español del Internet Addiction Test / Analysis of the psychometric properties of the Spanish version of Internet Addiction Test

Objetivo. El Internet Addiction Test (IAT) ha sido adaptado a diferentes lenguas, convirtiéndose en uno de los cuestionarios más empleados para la evaluación de los síntomas de la adicción a Internet. Sin embargo, la versión en lengua española carece de estudios psicométricos en aplicaciones online. El objetivo del estudio fue analizar las características psicométricas de la versión en lengua española del IAT. Material y método. 1.117 usuarios de Internet de nacionalidad colombiana completaron online el cuestionario de datos demográficos y uso de Internet y el IAT. La fiabilidad fue establecida con el coeficiente Alfa de Cronbach y para analizar la estructura del test se aplicó un análisis factorial exploratorio. Resultados. Los resultados muestran una alta consistencia interna del test. Se extrajeron tres factores (consecuencias por el uso de Internet, dimensión cognitiva-emocional y control del tiempo) que correlacionaron positivamente con las horas de acceso diario a la red y negativamente con la edad. Conclusiones. La versión en lengua española del IAT ha demostrado una alta fi abilidad, es un instrumento adecuado para evaluar el impacto del uso de Internet en las interacciones sociales y la influencia del uso de Internet en la vida diaria. Se recomienda seguir investigando las dimensiones subyacentes del test (AU)

Objective. The Internet Addiction Test (IAT) has been adapted to different languages, becoming one of the most used questionnaires to assess symptoms of Internet addiction. However, the Spanish language version lacks psychometric studies online applications. The aim of the study was to analyze the psychometric characteristics of the Spanish language version of the IAT. Material and method. 1117 users online Colombian national questionnaire completed demographic and Internet use and the IAT. Reliability was established with Cronbach’s alpha coefficient and to analyze the structure of the test was applied exploratory factor analysis. Results. The results showed a high internal consistency of the test. Three factors were extracted (consequences of Internet use, cognitive-emotional dimension and time control) that correlated positively with hours of daily access to the network and negatively with age. Conclusion. The spanish language version of the IAT has demonstrated high reliability and is an appropriate instrument to assess the impact of Internet use on social interactions and the influence of Internet use in daily life. Further research is recommended to test the underlying dimensions (AU)

Prevenir las adicciones a las tecnologías de la información y la comunicación en la escuela mediante actividades educativas / To prevent the addiction to information and communication technology in the school using educational activities

Objetivo: El desarrollo de las tecnologías de la información y de la comunicación (TIC) ha puesto de relieve casos de adolescentes que ven perjudicados su aprendizaje y su descanso por un uso excesivo. Para incrementar el uso saludable de Internet, móvil y videojuegos es necesario desarrollar programas y actividades en los centros educativos. El objetivo del presente estudio es proporcionar a los educadores un programa para educar a los adolescentes de entre 12 y 16 años en el buen uso de las TIC y evaluar su eficacia. Material y métodos: Para evaluar el uso de Internet, móvil y videojuegos antes y después de la aplicación del programa se aplicaron los cuestionarios de experiencias relacionadas con el uso de Internet (CERI), con el móvil (CERM) y con los videojuegos (CERV). Resultados: El grupo con problemas frecuentes en el uso de Internet descendió del 55 % al 47 % y el grupo con problemas frecuentes en el uso de videojuegos descendió del 50,5 % al 0 % mientras que el grupo con problemas frecuentes en el uso del móvil aumentó del 26,1 al 58 %. Conclusiones: Por tanto, el programa fue eficaz para disminuir la problemática asociada al uso de Internet y de videojuegos pero no de móvil (AU)

Objective: The development of information and communication technologies (ICT) has revealed cases of adolescents with hindered learning and rest due to excessive use, which could exceptionally become addictive. To increase a healthy use of Internet, the mobile phone, and videogames programmes some activities have to be developed in educational centres. The objective of the study was to provide educators with a programme to train adolescents in the good use of ICT, and to assess its effectiveness. Material and method: To assess the use of Internet, the mobile phone, and videogames before and after the application of the programme, the pilot version of the CERI, CERM, and CERV questionnaires was used. Results: The group with common problems in Internet use dropped from 55 % to 47 % and the group with common problems in the use of videogames fell from 50.5 % to 0 % while the group with common problems in using mobile increased from 26.1 to 58 %. Conclusions: Therefore, the program was effective in reducing problems associated with the use of Internet and videogames but not mobile (AU)

Popliteal pterygium syndrome causing mutation in monochorionic twins

El síndrome de pterigión poplíteo (SPP) es una enfermedad poco frecuente de origen genético. En la mayoría de los casos el patrón de herencia es autosómico dominante, con penetrancia incompleta y expresividad variable, aunque pueden presentarse mutaciones de novo. Los defectos son típicos y generalmente afectan al área de ORL y las extremidades inferiores. El caso clínico presenta unos gemelos monocoriales con SPP y sus familiares no presentaban malformaciones similares. El estudio genético mostró una sustitución en el gen que codifica el interferón regulador del factor 6 (IRF6)(posición c.G251A) en uno de los lactantes

Popliteal pterygium syndrome (PPS) is a rare disorder of genetic origin. In most cases, it has an autosomal dominant in heritance pattern, with incomplete penetrance and variable expressivity, although de novo mutations can exist. The clinical features are typical and they generally affect the ear, nose and throat (ENT) region and the lower extremities. The case reported here involves monochorionic twins with PPS whose relatives had no similar malformations. The genetic study showed a substitution in the gene that encodes interferon regulatory factor-6 (IRF6) (at position c.G251A) in one of the infants

Severe hypernatremic dehydration secondary to undetected lactation failure: usefulness of sodium levels in breast milk.

There is a concern that lactation failure and neonatal morbidity might be more common than previously thought. Maybe the early discharge, the lack of timely follow-up, or poor information during pregnancy or after delivery play important roles. A case of severe hypernatremic dehydration secondary to lactation failure is reported and we analyze recent recommendations.

Evolución penitenciaria de una cohorte de 135 adictos a heroína entre 1985 y 2000 / Prison record evolution of a cohort of 135 heroin addicts (1985-2000)

Objetivo: Este estudio forma parte de un proyecto para estudiar la mortalidad, la morbilidad y la evolución social de los adictos a heroína que iniciaron tratamiento en la década de los ochenta. En concreto describe su historial penitenciario. Método: Estudio longitudinal de una cohorte de 135 adictos a heroína, desde que iniciaron tratamiento en el año 1985 hasta 2000. Para conocer las entradas y salidas de prisión se consultaron el Programa Catalunya y el Programa Sigma. La lista de adictos identificados en el Proyecto EMETYST se cruzó con los 2 programas mediante nombre, apellidos, DNI y fecha de nacimiento. Resultados: Durante los 15 años de seguimiento, 57 personas (42,2 por ciento) ingresaron como mínimo una vez en prisión. El año en que se produjeron más primeros ingresos fue 1986. El último primer ingreso data del año 1995. El número total de ingresos realizados fue de 146. El 31 de diciembre de 1991 el 23 por ciento del total de la cohorte estaba recluida en prisión. El conjunto de la cohorte permaneció 34.581 días en prisión. Conclusiones: El linkage o cruzamiento de registros oficiales se ha mostrado eficiente, fiable, sensible y comparable. La adicción a heroína tiene un coste social muy alto. Las consecuencias legales disminuyen con el paso del tiempo, lo que permite suponer un proceso de maduración. Los adictos tienen más posibilidades de volver a prisión que los reclusos no adictos. Muchos de ellos consiguen mantenerse al margen de la marginalización que representa el ingreso en prisión (AU)

Expired nitric oxide in the newborn with high risk of perinatal infection.

The objective of this study is to determine expired nitric oxide (expNO) in the first 3 days of life in relation to: hours of life, gestational age, type of labor, and risk of perinatal infection. Our hypothesis has been that expNO increases in newborns with high risk of perinatal infection. Total expNO was measured in 166 newborns: 108 healthy (63 full-term and 45 preterm), 30 with low risk of perinatal infection, and 28 with high risk of perinatal infection treated with antibiotics but without positive hemoculture. Expired gas was collected using a face mask and NO concentration was determined by chemiluminescence. Total expNO neither correlated with gestational age, birth weight or serum NOx, nor changed after cesarean section, but was related to hours of life. Total expNO in the < or = 36-hour subgroups (median, interquartile range) was higher in the high-risk perinatal infection newborns ( n = 8; 5.33 (4.5-7.2) nL/min*Kg) than in healthy newborns ( n = 59; 4.13 (3.5-4.7) nL/min*kg) or low-risk perinatal infection newborns ( n = 18; 3.99 (3.4-4.7) nL/min*kg). In the 37 to 72-hour subgroups there were also differences between healthy newborns ( n = 49; 4.68 (4.1-5.3) nL/min*kg) or low-risk perinatal infection newborns on the one hand ( n = 12, 4.55 (3.9-5.2) nL/min*kg) and high risk perinatal infection newborns on the other ( n = 20; 9.69 (7.6-11.1) nL/min*kg). Then, total expNO increased in newborns with high risk of perinatal infection, regardless of hours of life.

Consumo de drogas en el cine de Pedro Almodóvar / No disponible

Objetivo: Análisis del consumo de drogas legales e ilegales en las películas dirigidas por el cineasta Pedro Almodóvar. La finalidad es indagar cómo el cine contribuye a crear una imagen de las drogas. Método: Se estudiaron los tipos de sustancias, la diferencia entre géneros, las clases de consumo / vías de administración, los personajes prototipos, los contextos de consumo y la actitud del director frente al tema, mediante plantillas de observación diseñadas específicamente para esta investigación. Resultados y Conclusiones: Se observa la presencia de drogas en los trece films de P. Almodóvar. Se dedicaron 150 minutos a las drogas legales y 30 a las ilegales. Las mujeres consumen más drogas que los hombres, no existe un patrón único de consumidor y las únicas drogas que generan dependencia, son el alcohol, el tabaco y la heroína. Aunque Almodóvar siempre es permisivo con el consumo de cocaína y alcohol, la imagen de la heroína cambia al final de su trayectoria. En resumen, para Almodóvar el consumo de drogas y la adicción a las mismas no es un tema central sino un recurso para caracterizar personajes y contextos. Por último, no se debe infravalorar el riesgo de que las productoras cinematográficas redondeen sus ingresos por medio de la publicidad encubierta de marcas de alcohol y tabaco (AU)

Aims: To analyse the legal and illegal drug taking in films directed by Pedro Almodóvar. The objective is to ascertain how the cinema contributes to creating an image of drugs. Method: To study drug types, gender differences, drugtaking types, administration ways, prototype characters, consumption’s context and director’s attitude in front of drugs. Using structured observational techniques designed specifically. Findings and Conclusions: The presence of drugs is to be observed in thirteen films by Pedro Almodóvar. 150 minutes were devoted to legal drugs and 30 to the illegal ones. Women consume more drugs that men, there is no single pattern of a user and the only drugs that generate dependency are alcohol, tobacco and heroin. Although Almodóvar is always permissive about the consumption of cocaine and alcohol, the image of heroin changes at the end. To summarise, drug use and addiction is not a central subject for Almodóvar but a resource to characterise people and contexts. Finally, the risk that films increase their revenue through the hidden publicity given to brands of alcohol and tobacco should not be underestimated (AU)

Phage spread dynamics in clonal bacterial populations is depending on features of the founder cell.

Plate-cultured bacterial colonies are intriguing models to study host-parasite interactions in senescent populations. During the growth of bacteriophage-infected colonies there is a synchronous prophage induction episode among lysogenic cells that allows a dramatic but time-restricted amplification of viral particles. We report here that the dynamics of phage spread depends on the history of the lysogenic cell that establishes the clonal population, the duration of the pre-burst period being shorter when the founder, infected cell derives from older colonies. These results offer a physiologic explanation for the self-contained progression of the viral spread in closed environments, that ensures both viral dissemination but also survival of most of the host cells.

Evaluación de la calidad percibida en un Servicio de Neonatología / Evaluation of perceived quality in neonatal services

No disponible

No disponible

Prediction of hyperbilirubinaemia in the healthy term newborn.

UNLABELLED: The aim is to establish the correlation between transcutaneous bilirubin (TCB) and serum bilirubin (TSB) and its predictive value for significant hyperbilirubinaemia > or = 290 mcmol/L (17 mg/dL). We studied a total of 2004 healthy full-term newborns, weight 3.230 g +/- 491 g; 90% received breast milk. The study was performed in two phases. In the first phase (610 newborns), the following tests were carried out: hematocrit and bilirubin in umbilical cord blood; TCB at 24 h, 48 h and between 60 h and 96 h at the forehead and over the sternum; TSB was measured along with this last test. In the second phase (1394 newborns), the predictive value of TCB and TSB was validated. The incidence of bilirubin > or = 290 mcmol/L was 2.95% and 3.2%. The correlation between TSB and TCB is high (n = 996; r = 0.92; y = 5.916 + 0.804x; p < 0.000). There was a better correlation between TCB and TSB with sternal compared to forehead determination (< 24 h: 0.81 vs 0.77; 24-48 h: 0.887 vs 0.83; and > 48 h: 0.94 vs 0.83). The study showed the scant sensitivity of umbilical cord blood bilirubin and good predictive value at 24 h of TSB > or = 102 mcmol/L (6 mg/dL) and at 48 h of TSB > or = 154 mcmol/L (9 mg/dL) and TCB > or = 13 (equivalent to 154 mcmol/L). CONCLUSION: There is a good correlation between TCB and TSB. In infants with TSB > or = 102 mcmol/L at 24 h or TSB > or = 154 mcmol/L or transcutaneous readings > or = 13 h at 48 h, a TSB test must be performed after 48 h of life.

A 10-year follow-up study on the health status of heroin addicts based on official registers.

AIMS: To determine the health status of a cohort of heroin addicts. DESIGN: Longitudinal follow-up study of a cohort for 10.5 years (March/July 1985-December 1995) based on official registers. SETTING: Catalonia, Spain. PARTICIPANTS: One hundred and thirty-five heroin addicts who started treatment in four specialized drug addiction services in Catalonia in 1985. MEASUREMENTS: (a) Total and annual numbers of AIDS and tuberculosis diagnoses and admissions to drug treatment; (b) annual morbidity rate; (c) average annual morbidity rate; and (d) standardized morbidity ratio. Kaplan-Meier (log rank test) was used to assess predictive factors. FINDINGS: During the follow-up period, 34 heroin addicts were diagnosed with AIDS (25%), the average annual morbidity rate was 2.7% and the standardized morbidity ratio was 82. The most frequent diseases indicative of AIDS were Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (11 cases) and tuberculosis (seven cases of disseminated or extrapulmonary tuberculosis and two cases of pulmonary tuberculosis). Twenty addicts were diagnosed with tuberculosis and 15 were co-infected with AIDS and tuberculosis. Seventy-six addicts were readmitted to treatment and generated 124 drug treatment episodes, 94 of whom were drug-free and 30 on methadone maintenance. CONCLUSIONS: Follow-up through registers is a novel, low-cost technique that may provide important and comparable information on the long-term evolution of drug addicts in different European regions. The measures of disease frequency and association obtained allow us to describe and compare the distribution of patterns of infectious complications (AIDS and tuberculosis) and relapses in such a pervasive disorder as heroin addiction. Other advantages of follow-up based on official registers are efficiency, reliability, sensibility and comparability.

Ten-year survival analysis of a cohort of heroin addicts in Catalonia: the EMETYST project.

AIMS: To determine mortality rates and immediate causes of death in a cohort of heroin addicts, and to compare them with other European samples. DESIGN: Longitudinal follow-up study of a cohort for 10.5 years (March/July 1985-December 1995). SETTING: Catalonia, Spain. PARTICIPANTS: One hundred and thirty-five heroin addicts. MEASUREMENTS: (a) Number of total and annual events; (b) annual mortality rate; (c) average annual mortality rate; and (d) standardized mortality ratio (SMR). Kaplan-Meier (log rank test) was used to assess the predictive factors. FINDINGS: During this period, 41 heroin addicts died (30%), the average annual mortality rate was 3.4% and the SMR was 28.5. The most frequent causes of death fell in ICD-9 chapter III (which includes AIDS) (51%) and in chapter XVII (which includes overdose) (30%). Neither the socio-demographic characteristics nor the history of heroin consumption were predictors of survival or cause of death. CONCLUSIONS: Compared to other European studies, the cohort in the EMETYST project has the highest SMR and members have a higher chance of dying due to AIDS. The predictors of survival in the long term must be interpreted with caution, with the exceptions of being HIV positive or being diagnosed with AIDS.

Successful mimicry of a complex viral antigen by multiple peptide insertions in a carrier protein.

The antigenic properties of a viral peptide from the surface of foot-and-mouth disease virus particles have been successfully mimicked by multiple insertion in solvent-exposed regions of Escherichia coli beta-galactosidase. By increasing the number of viral peptides per enzyme monomer, the average IC(50) of hybrid proteins in a competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) have decreased to values close to that presented by natural virions. Moreover, the antigenic diversity of these new recombinant enzymes when measured with different anti-virus antibodies has also been largely reduced, indicating a better presentation of the epitopes located in the viral peptide. Although bivalent antibody binding could have been favoured by multiple presentation, conformational modifications of the viral peptide, due to the presence of other insertions or a cooperative antibody binding cannot be excluded. In addition, a multidimensional antigenic analysis have grouped together the multiple-inserted proteins with the native virus, suggesting that increasing the number of insertions could be a good strategy to reproduce the antigenic properties of an immunoreactive peptide in a natural multimeric disposition.

Detection of molecular interactions by using a new peptide-displaying bacteriophage biosensor.

Foreign peptides fused to the carboxy terminus of P22 tailspike protein are solvent-exposed and highly antigenic when displayed on the surface of infectious virus particles. Binding of an anti-peptide specific Fab antibody fragment enhances the infectivity of chimeric bacteriophage particles in a titre-dependent fashion. Although the precise molecular basis of this enhanced infectivity remains unclear, experimental data and modelling approaches suggest that the antibody binding might restore conformational impairments in the assembled tail protein affecting its activity and performance during infection. These results suggest that in addition to free enzymes, peptide-displaying bacteriophages could be engineered as new biosensors to detect molecular interactions by using natural viral enzymes critical for cell infection.

Heat-inactivation of plasmid-encoded CI857 repressor induces gene expression from Ind- lambda prophage in recombinant Escherichia coli.

We have observed significant cell lysis upon temperature up-shift of recombinant Escherichia coli cultures harboring CI857-repressed lambda-based expression vectors. This event, that becomes evident about 30-40 min after the heat shock, takes place when using the lambda promoter system in Ind- lysogenic strains, but not in others commonly employed for recombinant gene expression. These results strongly suggest that the thermosensitive CI857 repressor, encoded by the expression vector, competes with CI Ind- molecules for binding to the prophage operator region, allowing for expression of lytic genes from the integrated Ind- viral genome upon temperature up-shift. Transcription of viral lytic genes does not include unspecific expression of a reporter sulA::lacZ gene fusion carried in the prophage genome. These results prompt, however, to carefully evaluate the limitations of expression systems based on pL/pR-CI857 in bacterial strains modified through lambda Ind- gene transfer vehicles.

The incidence of breastfeeding in our environment.

AIMS: To establish the incidence of breastfeeding and its persistence after three and six months; to identify the factors which might modify attitudes towards breastfeeding. METHODS: An interview, administered to mothers of term born infants of adequate weight for gestational age, after a delivery of one sole foetus, between 1st March and 31st May 1997. Mothers were asked about: previous pregnancies, children and type of feeding; during this pregnancy, their intentions regarding feeding; supervision of pregnancy, and the information received regarding breastfeeding; their work situation, and educational level. Questions regarding the neonatal period referred to the kind of lactation initiated, information received, and the use of a pacifier and supplements. A two-part poll was conducted by telephone after 3 months and after 6 months, enquiring about what kind of feeding was used, the reason for change (if any), who had provided information regarding the change, degree of satisfaction, and work situation. Three hundred and twenty-nine polls were completed, accounting for 70% of the births. RESULTS: During pregnancy, 91% of mothers had intended to breastfeed, and this figure was maintained at birth. A trend towards breastfeeding was observed: 74% of those who had fed earlier children artificially started breastfeeding this time, compared with 7% of mothers who changed from breastfeeding to artificial feeding. After three months, 57% of mothers continued to breastfeed their child, and 24% after six months. High educational level exerted a positive influence on the duration of breastfeeding (OR = 1.7; p = 0.03) and the giving of supplements had a negative effect (OR = 0.4; p = 0.04). The fact that mothers work outside the home did not modify the duration of breastfeeding. CONCLUSIONS: The rate of breastfeeding is high (91%). Among mothers with previous children, there is a greater trend to change from artificial feeding to breastfeeding (74% vs 7%; p < 0.002). The mother's educational level is the most important positive factor, and the early giving of supplements the most important negative factor.

Display-induced antigenic variation in recombinant peptides.

Peptide display on solvent-exposed surfaces of carrier proteins is a promising approach pursuing the identification and improvement of reactive amino acid sequences. However, the contribution of the molecular environment where the peptide is inserted on its interactive properties remains essentially unexplored. By an exhaustive antigenic analysis of the same peptide displayed on 20 structurally distinct frameworks, we show that peptide accommodation into the acceptor site has dramatic effects on its immunoreactivity. Conformational constraints can modulate the molecular recognition properties of the insert within a surprisingly wide range, probably by affecting the positioning of critical contact residues. The observed display-induced antigenic variation prompts a careful consideration of the molecular context when evaluating output amino acid sequences from screening of peptide libraries or application of directed molecular evolution technologies.

Unfolding of bacteriophage P22 tailspike protein: enhanced thermal stability of an N-terminal fusion mutant.

The tailspike protein (TSP) of bacteriophage P22 is a homotrimeric multifunctional protein responsible for cell attachment and hydrolysis of the Salmonella typhimurium host cell receptor. Despite the folding of TSP involves the formation of thermolabile intermediates, the mature protein is extremely resistant to heat and detergent denaturation. We have analyzed the thermal resistance and unfolding pathway of two mutant, functional TSPs carrying end-terminal peptide fusions. Whereas the C-terminal fusion has minor effects on the TSP stability, the presence of a 23-mer foreign peptide at the N terminus (protein ATSP) results in a significant enhancement of the thermal resistance by retarding the first transition step of the unfolding process. At 65 degrees C and in 2% SDS, the unfolding rate constant for the transition from the native to the unfolding intermediate is 9.3 x 10(-4) s(-1) for ATSP versus 1.7 x 10(-3) s(-1) for wild-type TSP. On the other hand, the electrophoretic mobility of ATSP intermediates is greatly affected, proving structural modifications induced by the fused peptide. These results suggest a critical participation of the N-terminal domain in the unfolding kinetic barriers generated during the TSP denaturation pathway.