The dynamics of psychological attributes and symptomatic comorbidity of depression in children and adolescents.

PURPOSE: This investigation aimed to explore attribute dynamics and symptomatic comorbidity of depression with internalizing, externalizing, and other personal-contextual problems in children and adolescents from a network analysis. METHODS: We tested an attribute network of regularized partial correlations, standard and alternative centrality measures, and comorbidity bridge symptoms according to centrality bridge measures. RESULTS: Regularized partial correlation network and a centrality measures graph shown the prominent position of social problems and anxiety-depression. Minimum spanning tree (MST) found a hierarchical dynamics between attributes where mixed anxiety-depression was identified as the core and the other attributes were hierarchically connected to it by being positioned in six branches that are differentiated according to their theoretical contents. The most central connections are established with the attributes of their own community or theoretical groups, and 37 bridge symptoms were identified in all networks. CONCLUSIONS: A significant role of mixed anxiety depression as an activator and intermediary of psychopathologies was supported as a central attribute of internalizing problems. Aggressive behavior as part of the broad externalizing dimension was one of the constructs that most intensively activate the network, and social problems were also distinguished as a relevant factor not only in terms of connections and central attributes but also in terms of bridge symptoms and comorbidity. This framework extends to the study of symptomatic "comorbidity."

Network Analysis of Internalizing and Externalizing Symptoms in Children and Adolescents.

BACKGROUND: Experiencing psychological problems during childhood and adolescence is common. However, the detection of behaviors as symptoms of psychopathologies requiring clinical diagnosis and treatment remains low. In order to advance understanding of psychological phenomena and particularly their behavioral manifestations, new theoretical and methodological perspectives such as network analysis are applied. METHOD: In the present study, we explore the dynamics of the symptoms of different internalizing, externalizing, and personal-contextual problems using network analysis. We estimate networks of regularized partial correlations, including measures of standard centrality, and the global and structural impact of symptoms on each network. RESULTS: The results show that the syndromes we studied are activated through dynamics of symptoms that are strongly related to each other and act as intermediaries of potential psychopathological problems in children and adolescents (e.g., "feels sad", "worries", "won't talk", "nausea", "threatens others", "steals outside"). Centrality measures and impact coefficient ranges were strength (­2.39, 2.05), betweenness (­1.43, 3.38), closeness (­2.60, 2.23), and expected influence (­2.87, 2.13). CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest the need to explore attribute dynamics as well as symptomatic comorbidity between them.

Anxiety and Depression Symptoms in Spanish Children and Adolescents: An Exploration of Comorbidity from the Network Perspective.

The combination of depression and anxiety is among the most prevalent comorbidities of disorders leading to substantial functional impairment in children and adolescents. The network perspective offers a new paradigm for understanding and measuring psychological constructs and their comorbidity. The present study aims to apply network analysis to explore the comorbidity between depression and anxiety symptoms. Specifically, the study examines bridge symptoms, comorbidity, and shortest pathway networks and estimates the impact of the symptoms in the network's connectivity and structure. The findings show that "feeling lonely" and "feeling unloved" are identified as the most central bridge symptoms. The shortest path network suggests that the role of a mixed anxiety-depressive symptomatology, and specific and non-specific symptoms of clinical criteria, such as "worries," "feels depressed," "fears school," and "talks about suicide" could serve as a warning for comorbidity.

Network Analysis of Internalizing and Externalizing Symptoms in Children and Adolescents / Análisis de Redes de Síntomas Internalizados y Externalizados en Niños y Adolescentes

Background: Experiencing psychological problems during childhood and adolescence is common. However, the detection of behaviors as symptoms of psychopathologies requiring clinical diagnosis and treatment remains low. In order to advance understanding of psychological phenomena and particularly their behavioral manifestations, new theoretical and methodological perspectives such as network analysis are applied. Method: In the present study, we explore the dynamics of the symptoms of different internalizing, externalizing, and personal-contextual problems using network analysis. We estimate networks of regularized partial correlations, including measures of standard centrality, and the global and structural impact of symptoms on each network. Results: The results show that the syndromes we studied are activated through dynamics of symptoms that are strongly related to each other and act as intermediaries of potential psychopathological problems in children and adolescents (e.g., “feels sad,” “worries,” “won’t talk,” “nausea,” “threatens others,” “steals outside”). Centrality measures and impact coefficient ranges were strength (−2.39, 2.05), betweenness (−1.43, 3.38), closeness (−2.60, 2.23), and expected influence (−2.87, 2.13). Conclusions: The results suggest the need to explore attribute dynamics as well as symptomatic comorbidity between them.(AU)

Antecedentes: La experiencia de problemas psicológicos durante la infancia y la adolescencia es común. Sin embargo, la detección de conductas como síntomas de Psicopatologías que requieren diagnóstico y tratamiento clínico sigue siendo infravalorada. Por ello, para evolucionar en la comprensión de los fenómenos psicológicos considerando sus manifestaciones conductuales particulares, se aplican nuevas perspectivas teóricas y metodológicas como el análisis de redes. Método: En el presente estudio exploramos la dinámica de los síntomas de diferentes problemas internalizados y externalizados y personales-contextuales aplicando el análisis de redes. Se estimaron redes de correlaciones parciales regularizadas que incluye medidas de centralidad estándar e impacto global y estructural de los síntomas de distintos síndromes. Resultados: Los resultados muestran que los síndromes se activan a través de dinámicas de síntomas fuertemente relacionados con los demás y que actúan como intermediarios de potenciales problemas psicopatológicos en niños y adolescentes (por ejemplo, “sentirse triste”, “preocuparse”, “negarse a hablar”, “tener náuseas”, “amenazar a los demás”, “robar fuera”). Las medidas de centralidad y coeficientes de impacto oscilaron entre: fuerza (−2.39, 2.05), intermediación (−1.43, 3.38), cercanía (−2.60, 2.23) e influencia esperada (−2.87, 2.13). Conclusiones: Los resultados obtenidos sugieren la necesidad de explorar la dinámica multiconstructo, así como la comorbilidad sintomática entre ellas.(AU)

Probabilistic graphical model for the evaluation of the emotional and dramatic personality disorders.

Personality disorders are psychological ailments with a major negative impact on patients, their families, and society in general, especially those of the dramatic and emotional type. Despite all the research, there is still no consensus on the best way to assess and treat them. Traditional assessment of personality disorders has focused on a limited number of psychological constructs or behaviors using structured interviews and questionnaires, without an integrated and holistic approach. We present a novel methodology for the study and assessment of personality disorders consisting in the development of a Bayesian network, whose parameters have been obtained by the Delphi method of consensus from a group of experts in the diagnosis and treatment of personality disorders. The result is a probabilistic graphical model that represents the psychological variables related to the personality disorders along with their relations and conditional probabilities, which allow identifying the symptoms with the highest diagnostic potential. This model can be used, among other applications, as a decision support system for the assessment and treatment of personality disorders of the dramatic or emotional cluster. In this paper, we discuss the need to validate this model in the clinical population along with its strengths and limitations.

Confirmatory Factor Analysis of Comorbidity between Depression and Aggression in a Child-Adolescent Community Sample: Nosological, Prognosis and Etiological Implications.

Comorbidity between depression and aggression in the child-adolescent population remains a controversial phenomenon. To our knowledge, no longitudinal study using structural equation modeling (SEM) has confirmed whether the relationship between depression and aggression is due to the fact that they share internalizing and externalizing supraordinal factors at the level of the syndrome or is due to the fact that they share common characteristics in relation to an underlying factor at the level of symptoms. We examined longitudinal comorbid relationships in a community sample (N = 251) at three waves ages from 10 to 13 years. The SEM showed that longitudinally, the comorbidity between depression and aggression is due to the fact that they share characteristics of the same underlying factor at the symptom level. These results have implications for the classification, diagnosis, and treatment of comorbidity between depression and aggression in a child-adolescent population.

Children's Temperament: A Bridge between Mothers' Parenting and Aggression.

Childhood aggression is important to acknowledge due to its social impact and importance in predicting future problems. The temperament of a child and parental socialization have been essential in explaining behavioral problems, particularly in the case of childhood aggression. The aim of this study is to examine-from the parents' perspective-the role of childhood temperament in the dynamic by which mothers' reactions socialize their children's aggression. We also explore how children's gender and age differences affect these relationships. The sample was composed of 904 participants between 1 and 6 years old. The Early Childhood Behavior Questionnaire and the Children's Behavior Questionnaire were used to evaluate children's negative affect and effortful control. The Parent-Child Relationship Inventory Maternal was used to assess maternal communication and discipline, and child aggression was assessed using the Children's Behavior Checklist. The results supported the mediating role of temperament in the processes by which perceived mothers' reactions socialize their children's aggression and suggested that maternal behaviors may not have the same consequences for girls and boys. Specifically, the aggressiveness of girls is dependent on a negative affect throughout toddlerhood and early childhood, while for boys, the duration of the negative affect's contribution is shorter, and aggressiveness is more sensitive to the maternal behaviors of discipline and communication.

The Contribution of Moral Disengagement to Dating Violence and General Aggression: The Gender and Age Moderating Effects.

The main aims of this study were, first to analyze the partial effects of specific mechanisms of moral disengagement (MMD) on different manifestations of general aggression and dating violence (DV) in adolescents and youths; second, to explore the moderating effects of gender and age on these relations. Moral disengagement, and different forms of aggression and DV, were evaluated in a sample of 424 participants (61.1% women) aged 15 to 25 years (M = 18.80; SD = 2.69). Pearson correlations and different hierarchical multiple linear regression analyses were conducted. All regressions were controlled by social desirability. MMD contributed to physical aggression with a medium effect size (R2 = .22) and verbal aggression with a small effect size (R2 = .10). Conversely, MMD did not appear to clearly contribute to DV. In conclusion, depersonalization and rationalization were the most important MMD for physical aggression, rationalization for verbal aggression, and irresponsibility for verbal-emotional violence in dating relationships. Moreover, the relationships between physical aggression and rationalization mechanism were significantly moderated by gender: there appears to be a stronger relationship between rationalization and physical aggression in boys than in girls. Moderating effects of age on these relations were not found.

The contribution of moral disengagement to dating violence and general aggression: the gender and age moderating effects

The main aims of this study were, first to analyze the partial effects of specific mechanisms of moral disengagement (MMD) on different manifestations of general aggression and dating violence (DV) in adolescents and youths; second, to explore the moderating effects of gender and age on these relations. Moral disengagement, and different forms of aggression and DV, were evaluated in a sample of 424 participants (61.1% women) aged 15 to 25 years (M = 18.80; SD = 2.69). Pearson correlations and different hierarchical multiple linear regression analyses were conducted. All regressions were controlled by social desirability. MMD contributed to physical aggression with a medium effect size (R2 = .22) and verbal aggression with a small effect size (R2 = .10). Conversely, MMD did not appear to clearly contribute to DV. In conclusion, depersonalization and rationalization were the most important MMD for physical aggression, rationalization for verbal aggression, and irresponsibility for verbal-emotional violence in dating relationships. Moreover, the relationships between physical aggression and rationalization mechanism were significantly moderated by gender: there appears to be a stronger relationship between rationalization and physical aggression in boys than in girls. Moderating effects of age on these relations were not found

No disponible

The effects of anticipatory fatigue and emotional symptomatology on perceived physical and cognitive fatigue / Efectos de la fatiga anticipatoria y la sintomatología emocional en la percepción de fatiga física y cognitiva

The two fold aim of this study was first, to analyze the effects of anticipatory fatigue, emotional symptomatology and belonging to a clinical group on the physical and cognitive perception of fatigue, and second, to explore the potential moderating effect of anticipatory fatigue on the relationship between symptomatology or clinical condition and perceived fatigue. The conditional and partial effects of independent variables were analyzed by hierarchical regression in an ex-post-facto correlational design. The sample was composed of 317 participants (29% from a clinical population). Anticipatory fatigue (by an ad hoc scale), and perception of fatigue (by the Chalder Fatigue Scale) were measured. Emotional symptoms were assessed by Goldberg’s GHQ-28 questionnaire. Anticipatory fatigue and emotional symptoms (mainly depressive) had significant effects on cognitive and physical fatigue. Belonging to the clinical group significantly and exclusively predicted cognitive fatigue. Furthermore, anticipatory fatigue moderated between-group effects (clinical versus general) and cognitive fatigue. In brief, emotional symptoms (mainly depressive) and anticipatory fatigue significantly predicted perceived cognitive and physical fatigue. Anticipation of fatigue moderated the effect of clinical group on cognitive fatigue after controlling for depressive symptomatology (AU)

El objetivo de este estudio fue doble, primero, analizar los efectos de la fatiga anticipatoria, la sintomatología emocional y la pertenencia a un grupo clínico sobre la percepción de fatiga física y mental; segundo, explorar el potencial efecto moderador de la anticipación de la fatiga en las relaciones entre la sintomatología o la condición clínica y la sensación percibida de fatiga. Se analiza mediante un diseño ex post facto y correlacional los efectos parciales y condicionados de las variables predictivas mediante diferentes análisis de regresión jerárquica. Participaron 317 sujetos (29% procedentes de población clínica). Se evaluó la fatiga anticipatoria (Escala elaborada ad hoc), la experiencia percibida de fatiga (Escala de Fatiga de Chalder et al., 1993), y la sintomatología emocional (GHQ-28 de Goldberg, 1996). Los resultados mostraron efectos significativos de la fatiga anticipatoria y la sintomatología emocional, predominantemente de la sintomatología depresiva sobre la percepción de fatiga física y mental. La pertenencia a un grupo clínico predecía de forma significativa y exclusiva la fatiga cognitiva. Además, la fatiga anticipatoria moderaba el efecto del grupo (clínico versus general) sobre la fatiga cognitiva. En conclusión, la sintomatología, principalmente la depresiva, y la fatiga anticipatoria, tienen un valor predictivo significativo en la experiencia percibida de la fatiga física y mental. La anticipación de fatiga moderaba el efecto del grupo clínico sobre la experiencia de fatiga cognitiva una vez controlada la sintomatología depresiva (AU)

Concurrent and longitudinal effects of maternal and paternal warmth on depression symptoms in children and adolescents.

The main aim of this study is to examine the concurrent and longitudinal effects of perceived affection of mothers and fathers separately on the self-reported symptoms of children's depression. Data were obtained from a 3-wave study of 535 families with children (41.3% boys) aged 9-15 years of age. Structural equation models were performed to test different models. Significant effects of mothers' and fathers' affection on depression symptomatology over the three years were found. The longitudinal effects of parental warmth on the child's depression symptoms were mediated over time by the previous levels of the mother's and father's warmth. The presence of parental warmth can lessen the severity of depression symptoms, especially when paternal and maternal warmth are applied consistently over a long period of time. These results were invariant across the child's sex. Treatments for childhood depression should take place over extended periods of time including both fathers and mothers.

Incremental Validity and Informant Effect from a Multi-Method Perspective: Assessing Relations between Parental Acceptance and Children's Behavioral Problems.

This study examines the relationships between perceived parental acceptance and children's behavioral problems (externalizing and internalizing) from a multi-informant perspective. Using mothers, fathers, and children as sources of information, we explore the informant effect and incremental validity. The sample was composed of 681 participants (227 children, 227 fathers, and 227 mothers). Children's (40% boys) ages ranged from 9 to 17 years (M = 12.52, SD = 1.81). Parents and children completed both the Parental Acceptance Rejection/Control Questionnaire (PARQ/Control) and the check list of the Achenbach System of Empirically Based Assessment (ASEBA). Statistical analyses were based on the correlated uniqueness multitrait-multimethod matrix (model MTMM) by structural equations and different hierarchical regression analyses. Results showed a significant informant effect and a different incremental validity related to which combination of sources was considered. A multi-informant perspective rather than a single one increased the predictive value. Our results suggest that mother-father or child-father combinations seem to be the best way to optimize the multi-informant method in order to predict children's behavioral problems based on perceived parental acceptance.

The mediating role of emotional symptomatology between anticipatory fatigue and the perception of fatigue.

BACKGROUND: Clinical research stresses the importance of cognitive variables for predisposition, onset, and especially, perpetuation of perceived fatigue. The aim was to analyze the mediating effects of emotional symptomatology (somatic, depressive and anxiety) between anticipatory fatigue and perception of physical and cognitive fatigue. METHODS: The sample was composed of 317 participants (29% from a clinical population) aged 18 to 76. Anticipatory fatigue and perception of fatigue were measured by fatigue scales. Emotional symptoms were assessed by the General Health Questionnaire, GHQ-28.  Results : Depressive symptomatology mediated the relationship between anticipatory fatigue and cognitive fatigue in both groups, and also somatic symptoms/somatization in patients. The indirect effect of physical fatigue was observed only in the clinical group, with depressive symptoms partially mediating the anticipatory fatigue and cognitive fatigue relationship. CONCLUSIONS: Anticipatory fatigue has a partial indirect effect on total physical fatigue, and full indirect effect on cognitive fatigue, mediated by depressive and somatic symptoms. Anticipatory fatigue is a relevant cognitive factor in the design of psychological intervention for improvement of cognitive and physical fatigue.

Aggression, anger and hostility: Evaluation of moral disengagement as a mediational process.

This study examines how the mechanisms underlying moral disengagement serve as a mediator between anger and hostility and physical and verbal aggression. The study was carried out on 424 participants (61.1% females), aged 15 to 25 years, assessing the direct and indirect effects of the distinct variables using a hierarchical multiple regression analysis and structural equation modeling. The findings suggest that anger and hostility contribute independently and positively to physical and verbal aggression. Moreover, the relationships between anger, hostility, and aggression appear to be mediated by moral disengagement. Indeed, this process of mediation was invariant across sexes, and it tended to be stronger for physical--as opposed to verbal--aggression.

Perceived Experience of Fatigue in Clinical and General Population: Descriptors and Associated Reactivities.

The aim of this study is the analysis of different descriptors and reactions related to the experience of fatigue. Two groups were compared: a clinical sample (n = 92, 31 males, mean age = 38.87) and a non-clinical (n = 225, 135 males, mean age = 32.45) sample. The total sample was composed of 317 participants (52% males), ranging in age from 18 to 76 years. Findings show the experience of fatigue was mainly related to somatic terms (76% of the total sample). Specific results were found only for the clinical group: (a) significant relationships between fatigue and anxiety, χ2(1) = 34.71, p < .01; tension, χ2(1) = 16.80, p < .01; and sadness, χ2(1) = 24.59, p < .01; (b) higher intensity of fatigue (F = 84.15, p = .001), and predominance of the cognitive components of fatigue. Results showed that fatigue in subjects with a clinical disorder (versus those without) was associated both, to negative emotional states, and to a higher intensity of fatigue, especially in its cognitive elements. Important clinical implications for its assessment and intervention are discussed.

Perceived experience of fatigue in clinical and general population: descriptors and associated reactivities

The aim of this study is the analysis of different descriptors and reactions related to the experience of fatigue. Two groups were compared: a clinical sample (n = 92, 31 males, mean age = 38.87) and a non-clinical (n = 225, 135 males, mean age = 32.45) sample. The total sample was composed of 317 participants (52% males), ranging in age from 18 to 76 years. Findings show the experience of fatigue was mainly related to somatic terms (76% of the total sample). Specific results were found only for the clinical group: (a) significant relationships between fatigue and anxiety, χ2(1) = 34.71, p < .01; tension, χ2(1) = 16.80, p < .01; and sadness, χ2(1) = 24.59, p < .01; (b) higher intensity of fatigue (F = 84.15, p = .001), and predominance of the cognitive components of fatigue. Results showed that fatigue in subjects with a clinical disorder (versus those without) was associated both, to negative emotional states, and to a higher intensity of fatigue, especially in its cognitive elements. Important clinical implications for its assessment and intervention are discussed (AU)

No disponible

Liberación endoscópica del túnel cubital. Técnica quirúrgica y resultados preliminares / Endoscopic cubital tunnel release. Surgical technique and preliminary results

Introducción: Estudios recientes sugieren que la descompresión simple del túnel cubital es tan efectiva como otras técnicas quirúrgicas. La liberación endoscópica se ha aplicado satisfactoriamente en el tratamiento quirúrgico del síndrome del túnel cubital. Presentamos la técnica quirúrgica y los resultados obtenidos con la descompresión endoscópica del nervio cubital en el codo. Material y método: Entre el año 2011 y 2012, 7 pacientes (edad media, 50 años, rango 43-61 años), 5 hombres y 2 mujeres, fueron sometidos a la descompresión endoscópica del nervio cubital en el codo. Todos los pacientes presentaron signos clínicos típicos de síndrome del túnel cubital y estudios neurofisiológicos positivos (5 moderada y grave 2). Los pacientes fueron clasificados según la clasificación de McGowan: 6 codos (86,7%) fueron clasificados como grado II y 1 (14,3%) como grado III. La puntuación media en la clasificación Gabel y Amadio fue de 4,7 puntos. Resultados: El seguimiento medio fue de 9 meses (rango 4-12). Después de la operación, 3 casos (42,8%) fueron clasificados como grado I en la clasificación McGowan y 3 estaban asintomáticos. Un paciente no cambió su graduación (grado III) tras la cirugía. La puntuación media en la clasificación de Gabel y Amadio aumentó hasta 8,14 puntos: los resultados fueron excelentes o buenos en 6 de los 7 casos. Todos los pacientes mejoraron después de la cirugía, se mostraron satisfechos con el procedimiento y regresaron a sus actividades previas en una media de 26 días. Un paciente mostró disestesias alrededor del área de la cicatriz. No hubo otras complicaciones. Conclusiones: La liberación endoscópica del nervio cubital, en pacientes seleccionados, presenta buenos resultados a corto plazo, especialmente para el alivio de la sintomatología sensitiva y en términos de satisfacción del paciente. Además, la tasa de complicaciones es muy baja, consiguiendo una recuperación precoz de los pacientes. No obstante, esta técnica debe ser comparada con el resto en estudios aleatorizados a largo plazo. Nivel de evidencia: Serie de casos, nivel IV de evidencia (AU)

Purpose: Recently, several studies suggested that simple decompression is as effective as other surgical techniques in cubital tunnel syndrome. A technique of endoscopic release of the cubital tunnel has been successfully applied to surgical treatment of this disease. We present our technique and results with endoscopic decompression in cubital tunnel syndrome. Materials and methods: Between 2011 and 2012, 7 patients (mean age, 50 years; range, 43-61 years), 5 males and 2 females, underwent endoscopic decompression of the ulnar nerve at the elbow. All patients presented with typical clinical signs and neurophysiologic studies (5 moderate and 2 severe). Patients were categorized by stage of cubital tunnel syndrome according to McGowan classification: 6 (86,7%) were classified as grade II and 1 (14,3%) grade III. The average score in Gabeland Amadio classification was 4,7 points. Results: The mean postoperative follow-up examination was 9 months (range 4–12). Postoperatively, 3 cases (42,8%) were classified as grade I in McGowan classification and 3 asymptomatic. One patient did not change its classification stage (grade III). The average score in Gabel and Amadio classification improve to 8,14 points: outcomes were excellent or good in 6 of7 cases. All patients improved after surgery, were satisfied with the procedure and returned to full activities within 26 days. One patient showed burning sensation around scar area. There were no other complications. Conclusions: Endoscopic release of the ulnar nerve at elbow, in selected patients, has good short-term outcomes, especially for the relief of sensory symptoms and patient satisfaction. Also, the complication rate is very low, achieving early recovery of patients. However, randomized prospective studies with long-term follow-up should be performed to compare this technique in the treatment of cubital tunnel syndrome. Level of evidence: Case series, level IV (AU)

Aggressive behavior in children: the role of temperament and family socialization.

This study's objective is to analyze temperament and parenting variables as they relate to proactive and reactive aggression in children. To be specific, profiles based on these variables were analyzed in children with high levels of proactive versus reactive aggression. The sample was made up of two groups: 482 children (52.3% boys) between 1 and 3 years-old, and 422 children (42.42% boys) 3 to 6 years-old. Statistical analyses of the two age groups included: Pearson's correlations to explore the relationships among variables, Cluster Analysis to create groups with different levels of aggression, and finally discriminant analysis to determine which variables discriminate between groups. The results show that high levels of frustration/negative affect in the 1-3 year-old group and low effortful control in children 3 to 6 years old are the most relevant variables in differentiating between aggressive and non-aggressive subjects. Nevertheless, differential profiles of subjects with high levels of proactive versus reactive aggression were not observed. The implications of these different types of aggression in terms of development and prevention are discussed.

Aggressive behavior in children: the role of temperament and family socialization

This study’s objective is to analyze temperament and parenting variables as they relate to proactive and reactive aggression in children. To be specific, profiles based on these variables were analyzed in children with high levels of proactive versus reactive aggression. The sample was made up of two groups: 482 children (52.3% boys) between 1 and 3 years-old, and 422 children (42.42% boys) 3 to 6 years-old. Statistical analyses of the two age groups included: Pearson´s correlations to explore the relationships among variables, Cluster Analysis to create groups with different levels of aggression, and finally discriminant analysis to determine which variables discriminate between groups. The results show that high levels of frustration/negative affect in the 1–3 year-old group and low effortful control in children 3 to 6 years old are the most relevant variables in differentiating between aggressive and non-aggressive subjects. Nevertheless, differential profiles of subjects with high levels of proactive versus reactive aggression were not observed. The implications of these different types of aggression in terms of development and prevention are discussed (AU)

No disponible

Dental pulp of the third molar: a new source of pluripotent-like stem cells.

Dental pulp is particularly interesting in regenerative medicine because of the accessibility and differentiation potential of the tissue. Dental pulp has an early developmental origin with multi-lineage differentiation potential as a result of its development during childhood and adolescence. However, no study has previously identified the presence of stem cell populations with embryonic-like phenotypes in human dental pulp from the third molar. In the present work, we describe a new population of dental pulp pluripotent-like stem cells (DPPSCs) that were isolated by culture in medium containing LIF, EGF and PDGF. These cells are SSEA4(+), OCT3/4(+), NANOG(+), SOX2(+), LIN28(+), CD13(+), CD105(+), CD34(-), CD45(-), CD90(+), CD29(+), CD73(+), STRO1(+) and CD146(-), and they show genetic stability in vitro based on genomic analysis with a newly described CGH technique. Interestingly, DPPSCs were able to form both embryoid-body-like structures (EBs) in vitro and teratoma-like structures that contained tissues derived from all three embryonic germ layers when injected in nude mice. We examined the capacity of DPPSCs to differentiate in vitro into tissues that have similar characteristics to mesoderm, endoderm and ectoderm layers in both 2D and 3D cultures. We performed a comparative RT-PCR analysis of GATA4, GATA6, MIXL1, NANOG, OCT3/4, SOX1 and SOX2 to determine the degree of similarity between DPPSCs, EBs and human induced pluripotent stem cells (hIPSCs). Our analysis revealed that DPPSCs, hIPSC and EBs have the same gene expression profile. Because DPPSCs can be derived from healthy human molars from patients of different sexes and ages, they represent an easily accessible source of stem cells, which opens a range of new possibilities for regenerative medicine.