The Influence of Sex and/or Gender on the Occurrence of Colorectal Cancer in the General Population in Developed Countries: A Scoping Review.

Objective: Gender as the "sociocultural role of sex" is underrepresented in colorectal cancer incidence studies, potentially resulting in underestimated risk factors' consequences and inequalities men/women. We aim to explore how literature focusing on differences between men and women in the incidence of colorectal cancer interprets these differences: through sex- or gender-related mechanisms, or both? Methods: We conducted a scoping review using PubMed and Google Scholar. We categorized studies based on their definitions of sex and/or gender variables. Results: We reviewed 99 studies, with 7 articles included in the analysis. All observed differences between men and women. Six articles examined colorectal cancer incidence by gender, but only 2 used the term "gender" to define exposure. One article defined its "sex" exposure variable as gender-related mechanisms, and two articles used "sex" and "gender" interchangeably to explain these inequalities. Gender mechanisms frequently manifest through health behaviors. Conclusion: Our results underscore the need for an explicit conceptual framework to disentangle sex and/or gender mechanisms in colorectal cancer incidence. Such understanding would contribute to the reduction and prevention of social health inequalities.

Treatment time interval in breast cancer: A population-based study on the impact of type and number of cancer centres attended.

OBJECTIVES: We studied both the independent and combined effects of the places of biopsy and treatment on the treatment time interval based on a population-based study. METHODS: We analysed the proportion of patients having a treatment time interval higher than the EUSOMA recommendation of 6 weeks, as a function of the number and the type of care centres the patients attended, from a French population-based regional cohort of women treated in 2015 for an incident invasive non-metastatic cancer (n = 505). RESULTS: About 33% [95% CI: 27; 38] of patients had a treatment time interval higher than 6 weeks. About 48% of the patients underwent their biopsy and their initial treatment in the different centres. Results from multivariable analyses supported the impact of the type and number of centres attended on the proportion of time intervals over 6 weeks. This proportion was higher among patients with biopsy and treatment in different centres and among patients treated in a university hospital. CONCLUSION: We pointed out the independent impact of the type and the number of care centres the patients attended, from biopsy to first treatment, on the treatment time interval, which is a well-known prognosis factor.

Lockdown in France: Impact on Families of Young Children With Special Needs.

Background: Families with young children have faced serious challenges during the first lockdown as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition to remote working, parents have had to monitor their children's schoolwork and manage their daily lives. When one of the children also has neuro-developmental disorders, this results in an increased burden. We can therefore wonder how these families with one or more young children (under 6 years old) with special needs have experienced and dealt with this lockdown. Aim of the Study: In this context, the "COVJEUNENFANT" study focused more specifically on the subjective experience, as a parent, of those who cared for children with special needs (i.e., with developmental disorders, neurodevelopmental disorders, proven disabilities or chronic health conditions) compared to the general population. We wished to see if the consequences of the health crisis were significantly different from those perceived by respondents in the general population (n = 490) and if the sociodemographic structure of these families differed from those of other respondents. Methods: Ninety three French families with at least one child under 6 years old and one with developmental difficulties or a chronic illness, from a cohort of 490 control families, participated in a web-based survey during the first lockdown, from the 28th April 2020 to 29th May 2020. Results: After presenting the participants' sociodemographic characteristics, the results show that these French families (n = 93) are less wealthy than the control population "without special needs" (n = 397), have felt more pressures originating from their environment (families, friends, colleagues, media, social networks…), have suffered from more health issues (other than COVID-19), have taken more measures to protect themselves (social-distancing), and were less likely to feel happy. A significantly larger number of them lamented the lack of free time and voiced a larger need for information regarding children's education. However, their parental role was felt as being more satisfying and their family relations strengthened more than in the general population of participants. Conclusion: It is apparent that urgent prioritisation is needed in order to support and care for these families by continuing to provide care for their children in one way or another, and by ensuring that their need to adapt again does not exceed their own abilities and resources, especially as young children, who have high levels of requirements, are present in the home.

Plasma miRNA profile at COVID-19 onset predicts severity status and mortality.

BACKGROUND: MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have a crucial role in regulating immune response against infectious diseases, showing changes early in disease onset and before the detection of the pathogen. Thus, we aimed to analyze the plasma miRNA profile at COVID-19 onset to identify miRNAs as early prognostic biomarkers of severity and survival. METHODS AND RESULTS: Plasma miRNome of 96 COVID-19 patients that developed asymptomatic/mild, moderate and severe disease was sequenced together with a group of healthy controls. Plasma immune-related biomarkers were also assessed. COVID-19 patients showed 200 significant differentially expressed (SDE) miRNAs concerning healthy controls, with upregulated putative targets of SARS-CoV-2, and inflammatory miRNAs. Among COVID-19 patients, 75 SDE miRNAs were observed in asymptomatic/mild compared to symptomatic patients, which were involved in platelet aggregation and cytokine pathways, among others. Moreover, 137 SDE miRNAs were identified between severe and moderate patients, where miRNAs targeting the SARS CoV-2 genome were the most strongly disrupted. Finally, we constructed a mortality predictive risk score (miRNA-MRS) with ten miRNAs. Patients with higher values had a higher risk of 90-days mortality (hazard ratio = 4.60; p-value < 0.001). Besides, the discriminant power of miRNA-MRS was significantly higher than the observed for age and gender (AUROC = 0.970 vs. 0.881; p = 0.042). CONCLUSIONS: SARS-CoV-2 infection deeply disturbs the plasma miRNome from an early stage of COVID-19, making miRNAs highly valuable as early predictors of severity and mortality.

Modelo de sistemas del consumo excesivo de alcohol en estudiantes universitarios / Systems model of binge drinking in college students

El consumo excesivo de alcohol en estudiantes universitarios entre 18 y 25 años produce muertes involuntarias en accidentes automovilísticos, agresiones sexuales y problemas académicos como pérdida de clases, retardos en clase, desempeño deficiente en exámenes o trabajos y calificaciones bajas. Desarrollar modelos de enfermería para explicar esta conducta aumenta el campo de conocimiento de la disciplina. El objetivo es describir la construcción de la teoría de rango medio Modelo de Sistemas del Consumo Excesivo de Alcohol en Universitarios. Este proceso se llevó a cabo la subestructuración de algunos conceptos del Modelo de Sistemas de Neuman. Este modelo es de gran utilidad para tener un acercamiento con la población de jóvenes universitarios y se puede emplear para guiar acciones de prevención del consumo excesivo de alcohol. (AU)

Binge drinking in college students between the ages of 18 and 25 results in unintentional deaths in car accidents, sexual assaults, and academic problems such as missed classes, tardiest in class, poor performance on tests or assignments, and low grades. Developing nursing models to explain this behaviour increases the field of knowledge of the discipline. The objective is to describe the construction of the middle range theory Systems Model of Binge Drinking in College Students, this process was carried out by the theoretical substruction of some concepts of the Neuman Systems Model. This model is very useful to have an approach with the population of young university students and can be used to guide actions to prevent excessive alcohol consumption (AU)

Circulating microRNA profiles predict the severity of COVID-19 in hospitalized patients.

We aimed to examine the circulating microRNA (miRNA) profile of hospitalized COVID-19 patients and evaluate its potential as a source of biomarkers for the management of the disease. This was an observational and multicenter study that included 84 patients with a positive nasopharyngeal swab Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test for SARS-CoV-2 recruited during the first pandemic wave in Spain (March-June 2020). Patients were stratified according to disease severity: hospitalized patients admitted to the clinical wards without requiring critical care and patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU). An additional study was completed including ICU nonsurvivors and survivors. Plasma miRNA profiling was performed using reverse transcription polymerase quantitative chain reaction (RT-qPCR). Predictive models were constructed using least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression. Ten circulating miRNAs were dysregulated in ICU patients compared to ward patients. LASSO analysis identified a signature of three miRNAs (miR-148a-3p, miR-451a and miR-486-5p) that distinguishes between ICU and ward patients [AUC (95% CI) = 0.89 (0.81-0.97)]. Among critically ill patients, six miRNAs were downregulated between nonsurvivors and survivors. A signature based on two miRNAs (miR-192-5p and miR-323a-3p) differentiated ICU nonsurvivors from survivors [AUC (95% CI) = 0.80 (0.64-0.96)]. The discriminatory potential of the signature was higher than that observed for laboratory parameters such as leukocyte counts, C-reactive protein (CRP) or D-dimer [maximum AUC (95% CI) for these variables = 0.73 (0.55-0.92)]. miRNA levels were correlated with the duration of ICU stay. Specific circulating miRNA profiles are associated with the severity of COVID-19. Plasma miRNA signatures emerge as a novel tool to assist in the early prediction of vital status deterioration among ICU patients.

Neutralizing Autoantibodies to Type I IFNs in >10% of Patients with Severe COVID-19 Pneumonia Hospitalized in Madrid, Spain.

BACKGROUND: In a recent study, autoantibodies neutralizing type I interferons (IFNs) were present in at least 10% of cases of critical COVID-19 pneumonia. These autoantibodies neutralized most type I IFNs but rarely IFN-beta. OBJECTIVES: We aimed to define the prevalence of autoantibodies neutralizing type I IFN in a cohort of patients with severe COVID-19 pneumonia treated with IFN-beta-1b during hospitalization and to analyze their impact on various clinical variables and outcomes. METHODS: We analyzed stored serum/plasma samples and clinical data of COVID-19 patients treated subcutaneously with IFN-beta-1b from March to May 2020, at the Infanta Leonor University Hospital in Madrid, Spain. RESULTS: The cohort comprised 47 COVID-19 patients with severe pneumonia, 16 of whom (34%) had a critical progression requiring ICU admission. The median age was 71 years, with 28 men (58.6%). Type I IFN-alpha- and omega-neutralizing autoantibodies were found in 5 of 47 patients with severe pneumonia or critical disease (10.6%), while they were not found in any of the 118 asymptomatic controls (p = 0.0016). The autoantibodies did not neutralize IFN-beta. No demographic, comorbidity, or clinical differences were seen between individuals with or without autoantibodies. We found a significant correlation between the presence of neutralizing autoantibodies and higher C-reactive protein levels (p = 5.10e-03) and lower lymphocyte counts (p = 1.80e-02). No significant association with response to IFN-beta-1b therapy (p = 0.34) was found. Survival analysis suggested that neutralizing autoantibodies may increase the risk of death (4/5, 80% vs 12/42, 28.5%). CONCLUSION: Autoantibodies neutralizing type I IFN underlie severe/critical COVID-19 stages in at least 10% of cases, correlate with increased C-RP and lower lymphocyte counts, and confer a trend towards increased risk of death. Subcutaneous IFN-beta treatment of hospitalized patients did not seem to improve clinical outcome. Studies of earlier, ambulatory IFN-beta treatment are warranted.

Audit of Anesthetic Equipment in Veterinary Clinics in Spain and Portugal.

The objective of this retrospective study was to review the results of a 4-year audit performed on anesthetic machines and vaporizers used in veterinary clinics in Spain and Portugal. Data was collected between July 2016 and April 2020. Inspections were carried out by a team of seven veterinarians, using a human-modified system of checks that was adapted to a veterinary practice. The evaluation of each item was noted as "correct" or "incorrect". The vaporizers' performance was evaluated using a self-calibrating gas analyzer. The vaporizer was classified as "correct" or "incorrect" when the vaporization error was less than or equal to, or more than 20%, respectively. The anesthetic machine was classified as "conforming" if all its components were noted as "correct" and no leaks were detected, or as "non-conforming" if any of the components was noted as "incorrect" or if a leak was detected. If the inspector was able to repair on-site the item malfunctions detected and the machine was fit for use, they issued a final report as "conforming." On the contrary, if such malfunctions persisted, the final report was "non-conforming," and a recommendation to remove the machine from service until its final repair was provided. To perform statistical analysis, each inspected item was used as predictor, classification and regression trees were built, and a random forest analysis was performed. A total of 2,001 anesthetic machines and 2,309 vaporizers were studied. After inspection, 42.7 and 26.4% of the machines were non-conforming and conforming, respectively, whereas 30.9% could be repaired in situ. A total of 27.1% of the isoflurane vaporizers and 35.9% of the sevoflurane vaporizers were incorrect. Machine learning techniques showed that the most important variables in the classification of the anesthetic machines as conforming or non-conforming were mostly the scavenger system and the canister, followed some way behind by the APL valve, source of oxygen, reservoir bag, vaporizer, and connections.

Outbreak of Escherichia coli O157:H7 Infections Linked to Mechanically Tenderized Beef and the Largest Beef Recall in Canada, 2012.

Contaminated beef is a known vehicle of Escherichia coli O157:H7 infection, although more attention is given to the control of E. coli O157:H7 in ground, rather than whole-cut, beef products. In September 2012, an investigation was initiated at an Alberta, Canada, beef plant after the detection of E. coli O157:H7 in two samples of trim cut from beef originating from this plant. Later in September 2012, Alberta Health Services identified five laboratory-confirmed infections of E. coli O157:H7, and case patients reported eating needle-tenderized beef steaks purchased at a store in Edmonton, Alberta, produced with beef from the Alberta plant. In total, 18 laboratory-confirmed illnesses in Canada in September and October 2012 were linked to beef from the Alberta plant, including the five individuals who ate needle-tenderized steaks purchased at the Edmonton store. A unique strain of E. coli O157:H7, defined by molecular subtyping and whole genome sequencing, was detected in clinical isolates, four samples of leftover beef from case patient homes, and eight samples of Alberta plant beef tested by industry and food safety partners. Investigators identified several deficiencies in the control of E. coli O157:H7 at the plant; in particular, the evaluation of, and response to, the detection of E. coli O157 in beef samples during routine testing were inadequate. To control the outbreak, 4,000 tons of beef products were recalled, making it the largest beef recall in Canadian history. This outbreak, in combination with similar outbreaks in the United States and research demonstrating that mechanical tenderization can transfer foodborne pathogens present on the surface into the interior of beef cuts, prompted amendments to Canada's Food and Drug Regulations requiring mechanically tenderized beef to be labeled as such and to provide safe cooking instructions to consumers. A detailed review of this event also led to recommendations and action to improve the safety of Canada's beef supply.

Calidad de amistad y consumo de alcohol en adolescentes de bachillerato / Quality of friendship and alcohol consumption in high school adolescents / Qualidade da amizade e o consumo de álcool em adolescentes do ensino secundário

Resumen Introducción En la población adolescente la calidad de amistad se asocia con el desarrollo de conductas protectoras, no obstante es escasa la investigación que ha sido realizada para determinar si la percepción de la calidad de amistad es determinante en el consumo de alcohol, por tal motivo los objetivos del presente estudio fueron determinar la prevalencia global, lápsica, actual e instantánea de consumo de alcohol, identificar las diferencias de la calidad de amistad por tipo de consumo e identificar la relación entre la calidad de amistad y el consumo de consumo de alcohol de los adolescentes de bachillerato de una institución pública del estado de Nuevo León. Materiales y Métodos Estudio descriptivo correlacional, el tamaño de la muestra total fue de 308 adolescentes de bachillerato con un muestreo aleatorio estratificado con asignación proporcional al tamaño del estrato. Se utilizó la Escala de Calidad de Amistad y el Cuestionario de Identificación de los Trastornos debidos al Consumo de Alcohol. Resultados Los participantes del presente estudio contaron con una edad promedio de 15 años, se encontraron diferencias significativas entre los tipos de consumo de alcohol y la calidad de amistad (H= 7.06, p=.029), se encontró una relación negativa y significativa entre la calidad de amistad y el consumo de alcohol (rs=-.206, p<.01). Discusión y Conclusiones Se observó que las relaciones con mayor calidad de amistad reflejan menor consumo de alcohol en los adolescentes de bachillerato.

Abstract Introduction In the adolescent population, the quality of friendship is associated with the development of protective behaviors, but little research has been done to determine whether the perception of the quality of friendship is a determinant in alcohol consumption or not. For this reason, the objectives of this study were to determine the overall, lapsic, current and instantaneous prevalence of alcohol consumption, to identify the differences in the quality of friendship by type of consumption, and to identify the relationship between the quality of friendship and alcohol consumption of high school adolescents in a public institution in the state of Nuevo León. Materials and Methods A correlational descriptive study was conducted; the total sample size was 308 high school adolescents with a stratified random sample with proportional allocation to stratum size. The Friendship Quality Scale and the Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Questionnaire were used. Results Participants in this study were on average 15 years old. Significant differences were found between types of alcohol consumption and quality of friendship (H=7.06, p=.029); a negative and significant relationship was found between quality of friendship and alcohol consumption (rs = -.206, p<.01). Discussion and Conclusions Higher quality friend relationships were found to reflect lower alcohol consumption in high school adolescents.

Resumo Introdução Na população adolescente, a qualidade da amizade está associada com o desenvolvimento de condutas protetoras, no entanto, a pesquisa nesse sentido tem sido pouca para determinar se a percepção da qualidade da amizade é determinante no consumo de álcool. Por isso, os objetivos da presente pesquisa são determinar a prevalência global, lápsica, atual e instantânea do consumo de álcool; e, identificar as diferenças da qualidade da amizade por tipo de consumo de álcool nos adolescentes de ensino secundário de uma escola pública do estado de Nuevo León. Materiais e Métodos Pesquisa descritiva correlacional — o tamanho total da amostra foi de 308 adolescentes do ensino secundário, com uma amostragem aleatória estratificada e atribuição proporcional ao tamanho do estrato. Foi utilizada a Escala de Qualidade da Amizade, bem como o Questionário de Identificação dos Transtornos provocados pelo Consumo de Álcool. Resultados Os participantes da presente pesquisa tinham uma idade média de 15 anos e neles foram encontradas diferenças significativas em relação aos tipos de consumo de álcool e a qualidade da amizade (Hz 7,06, .029), foi evidenciada uma relação negativa e significativa entre a qualidade da amizade e o consumo de álcool (rs= -.206, P<.OI). Discussão e Conclusões Observou-se que as relações de maior qualidade da amizade pressupõem um consumo menor de álcool nos adolescentes do ensino secundário.

Comparison of three diagnostic methods (microscopy, RDT, and PCR) for the detection of malaria parasites in representative samples from Equatorial Guinea.

BACKGROUND: Malaria in Equatorial Guinea remains a major public health problem. The country is a holo-endemic area with a year-round transmission pattern. In 2016, the prevalence of malaria was 12.09% and malaria caused 15% of deaths among children under 5 years. In the Continental Region, 95.2% of malaria infections were Plasmodium falciparum, 9.5% Plasmodium vivax, and eight cases mixed infection in 2011. The main strategy for malaria control is quick and accurate diagnosis followed by effective treatment. Early and accurate diagnosis of malaria is essential for both effective disease management and malaria surveillance. The quality of malaria diagnosis is important in all settings, as misdiagnosis can result in significant morbidity and mortality. Microscopy and RDTs are the primary choices for diagnosing malaria in the field. However, false-negative results may delay treatment and increase the number of persons capable of infecting mosquitoes in the community. The present study analysed the performance of microscopy and RDTs, the two main techniques used in Equatorial Guinea for the diagnosis of malaria, compared to semi-nested multiplex PCR (SnM-PCR). RESULTS: A total of 1724 samples tested by microscopy, RDT, and SnM-PCR were analysed. Among the negative samples detected by microscopy, 335 (19.4%) were false negatives. On the other hand, the negative samples detected by RDT, 128 (13.3%) were false negatives based on PCR. This finding is important, especially since it is a group of patients who did not receive antimalarial treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Owing to the high number of false negatives in microscopy, it is necessary to reinforce training in microscopy, the "Gold Standard" in endemic areas. A network of reference centres could potentially support ongoing diagnostic and control efforts made by malaria control programmes in the long term, as the National Centre of Tropical Medicine currently supports the National Programme against Malaria of Equatorial Guinea to perform all of the molecular studies necessary for disease control. Taking into account the results obtained with the RDTs, an exhaustive study of the deletion of the hrp2 gene must be done in EG to help choose the correct RDT for this area.

Clinical Cysticercosis epidemiology in Spain based on the hospital discharge database: What's new?

BACKGROUND: Cysticercosis (CC) is a tissue infection caused by the larval cysts of the pork tapeworm Taenia solium. It is usually acquired by eating contaminated food or drinking water. CC Cysts can develop in the muscles, the eyes, the brain, and/or the spinal cord. T. solium is found worldwide, but its prevalence has decreased in developed countries due to stricter meat inspection and better hygiene and sanitation. Nevertheless, CC is still a leading cause of seizures and epilepsy. In Spain, The disease is not nationally reportable and data on CC infected animals are also missing, despite the European Directive 2003/99/EC. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: We performed a retrospective descriptive study using the Spanish Hospitalization Minimum Data Set (CMBD). Data with ICD-9 CM cysticercosis code ("123.1") placed in first or second diagnostic position from 1997 to 2014 were analyzed. Hospitalization rates were calculated and clinical characteristics were described. Spatial distribution of cases and their temporal behavior were also assessed. A total of 1,912 hospital discharges with clinical cysticercosis were identified. From 1998 to 2008, an increasing trend in the number of CC hospitalizations was observed, decreasing afterwards, in parallel with a decrease in the external migration rate. The Murcia region had the highest median hospitalization rate (13.37 hospitalizations/100,000 population), followed by Navarra and Madrid. The 16-44 age group was the most represented (63.6%). The three most frequent associated diagnoses were epilepsy and convulsions (49.5%), hydrocephalus (11.8%) and encephalitis/myelitis/meningitis (11.6%). CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: There is a need for a common strategy on data collection, monitoring and reporting, which would facilitate a more accurate picture on the CC epidemiological scenario. Even if most cases might be imported, improving the human and animal CC surveillance will result useful both in gaining extended disease knowledge and reducing morbidity and related-costs.

Pseudonocardia carboxydivorans in human cerebrospinal fluid: a case report in a patient with traumatic brain injury.

BACKGROUND: Members of the genus Pseudonocardia have been widely reported and recovered from several ecosystems, such as soil samples and plant samples. Pseudonocardia bacteria colonize the microbial communities on the integument of fungus gardening ant species. We present the first documented case of Pseudonocardia carboxydivorans isolated in human cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of an human infection by P. carboxydivorans. CASE PRESENTATION: A patient, who suffered a traumatic brain injury a month before, was admitted to this hospital due to gait alteration and cognitive disturbances. Culture of cerebrospinal fluid showed ramified, not acid-fast, Gram positive bacilli. The bacterium was identified by molecular methods as P. carboxydivorans. CONCLUSION: This is the first documented case of isolating P. carboxydivorans in human CSF in a case of probable meningitis. Further research is needed in order to determine its pathogenic role in human infections.

Mediterranean spotted fever in Spain, 1997-2014: Epidemiological situation based on hospitalization records.

INTRODUCTION: Mediterranean spotted fever (MSF) is a zoonotic disease caused by Rickettsia conorii. In Spain, deficiencies in the official reporting result in misreporting of this disease. This study aims to describe the clinical and temporal-spatial characteristics of MSF hospitalizations between 1997 and 2014. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed a retrospective descriptive study using the Hospitalization Minimum Data Set (CMBD). All CMBD's hospital discharges with ICD-9 CM code 082.1 were analyzed. Hospitalization rates were calculated and clinical characteristics were described. Spatial distribution of cases and their temporal behavior were also assessed. RESULTS: A total of 4,735 hospitalizations with MSF diagnosis were recorded during the study period, out of which 62.2% were male, mean age of 48. Diabetes mellitus, alcohol dependence syndrome, and chronic liver disease occurred in 10.8%, 2.4% and 2.8% hospitalizations, respectively. The median annual hospitalization rate showed a decreasing trend from a maximum of 12.9 in 1997 to a minimum rate of 3.1 in 2014. Most admissions occurred during the summer, showing a significant annual seasonal behavior. Important regional differences were found. DISCUSSION: Although MSF hospitalization rates have decreased considerably, it remains a public health problem due to its severity and economic impact. Therefore, it would be desirable to improve its oversight and surveillance.

Fiber optic refractometric sensors using a semi-ellipsoidal sensing element.

We present theoretical and experimental results for a fiber optic refractometric sensor employing a semi-ellipsoidal sensing element made of polymethyl methacrylate. The double internal reflection of light inside the element provides sensitivity to the refractive index of the external analyte. We demonstrate that the developed sensor, operating at a wavelength of 632 nm, is capable of measurement within a wide range of refractive indices from n=1.00 to n=1.47 with sensitivity over 500 dB/RIU. A comparison of the developed sensor with two more complex refractometric sensors, one based on tapered optical fiber and the other based on suspended-core microstructure optical fiber, is presented.

Psychometric Properties of the Spanish Adaptation of the Anger Rumination Scale: Evidence of Reliability and Validity in the General Population.

The key role of rumination and perseveration processes in anger experience has been empirically supported. The tendency to ruminate has been demonstrated to be crucial in understanding pathological and adaptive behaviours. The Anger Rumination Scale (ARS) was developed to assess anger rumination frequency when people are angry, showing adequate levels of reliability and validity. However, although it has been adapted to several languages, the development of the Spanish version was still pending. The aim of this study, therefore, was to develop the Spanish adaptation of the ARS and to validate it in a general population sample (N = 388). Participants were asked to complete the ARS as well as other measures of anger (STAXI-2), anxiety (STAI-T), depression (BDI-II short form), rumination (PSWQ), and thought self-regulation (TCQ). A confirmatory factor analysis replicated the four-factor structure obtained with the original version (S-B χ2(145) = 323.26, p < .00005; CFI = .92; TLI = .90; RMSEA = .06; SRMR = .05). The resulting subscales (i.e., Angry Afterthoughts, Angry Memories, Thoughts of Revenge, and Understanding of Causes) met psychometric criteria of reliability (α = .89) and validity. In conclusion, a psychometrically sound Spanish adaptation of the ARS is now available.

Psychometric properties of the Spanish adaptation of the anger rumination scale: evidence of reliability and validity in the general population

The key role of rumination and perseveration processes in anger experience has been empirically supported. The tendency to ruminate has been demonstrated to be crucial in understanding pathological and adaptive behaviours. The Anger Rumination Scale (ARS) was developed to assess anger rumination frequency when people are angry, showing adequate levels of reliability and validity. However, although it has been adapted to several languages, the development of the Spanish version was still pending. The aim of this study, therefore, was to develop the Spanish adaptation of the ARS and to validate it in a general population sample (N = 388). Participants were asked to complete the ARS as well as other measures of anger (STAXI-2), anxiety (STAI-T), depression (BDI-II short form), rumination (PSWQ), and thought self-regulation (TCQ). A confirmatory factor analysis replicated the four-factor structure obtained with the original version (S-B χ2(145) = 323.26, p < .00005; CFI = .92; TLI = .90; RMSEA = .06; SRMR = .05). The resulting subscales (i.e., Angry Afterthoughts, Angry Memories, Thoughts of Revenge, and Understanding of Causes) met psychometric criteria of reliability (α = .89) and validity. In conclusion, a psychometrically sound Spanish adaptation of the ARS is now available (AU)

No disponible

Molecular evidence of a Trypanosoma brucei gambiense sylvatic cycle in the human african trypanosomiasis foci of Equatorial Guinea.

Gambiense trypanosomiasis is considered an anthroponotic disease. Consequently, control programs are generally aimed at stopping transmission of Trypanosoma brucei gambiense (T. b. gambiense) by detecting and treating human cases. However, the persistence of numerous foci despite efforts to eliminate this disease questions this strategy as unique tool to pursue the eradication. The role of animals as a reservoir of T. b. gambiense is still controversial, but could partly explain maintenance of the infection at hypo-endemic levels. In the present study, we evaluated the presence of T. b. gambiense in wild animals in Equatorial Guinea. The infection rate ranged from 0.8% in the insular focus of Luba to more than 12% in Mbini, a focus with a constant trickle of human cases. The parasite was detected in a wide range of animal species including four species never described previously as putative reservoirs. Our study comes to reinforce the hypothesis that animals may play a role in the persistence of T. b. gambiense transmission, being particularly relevant in low transmission settings. Under these conditions the integration of sustained vector control and medical interventions should be considered to achieve the elimination of gambiense trypanosomiasis.

Full-surface deformation measurement of anisotropic tissues under indentation.

Inverse finite element-based analysis of soft biological tissues is an important tool to investigate their complex mechanical behavior and to develop physical models for medical simulations. Although there have recently been advances in dealing with the computational complexities of modeling biological materials, the collection of a sufficiently dense set of experimental data to properly capture their typically regionally varying properties still remains a critical issue. The aim of this work was to develop and test an optical system that combines 2D-Digital Image Correlation (DIC) and a novel Fringe Projection method with radial sensitivity (RFP) to test soft biological tissues under in vitro indentation. This system has the distinctive capability of using a single camera to retrieve the shape and 3D deformation of the whole upper surface of the indented sample without any blind measurement areas (with exception of the area under the indenter), with nominal depth and in-plane resolution of 0.05 mm and 0.004 mm, respectively. To test and illustrate the capabilities of the developed DIC/RFP system, the in vitro response to indentation of a homogeneous and isotropic latex foam is presented against the response of a slab of porcine ventricular myocardium, a highly in-homogeneous and anisotropic tissue. Our results illustrate the enhanced capabilities of the developed method to capture asymmetry in deformation with respect to standard indentation tests. This feature, together with the possibility of miniaturizing the system into a hand-held probe, makes this method potentially extendable to in vivo settings, alone or in combination with ultrasound measurements.