Conjunctival Intraepithelial Lymphocytes, Lacrimal Cytokines and Ocular Commensal Microbiota: Analysis of the Three Main Players in Allergic Conjunctivitis

Conjunctival intraepithelial lymphocytes, tear soluble molecules and commensal microbiota have important roles in the ocular mucosal immune response in healthy and diseased subjects. For the purpose of this study, the cellular and microbial populations of the conjunctiva and the lacrimal soluble molecules were analyzed to find the main biomarkers in allergic conjunctivitis. A total of 35 healthy subjects, 28 subjects with seasonal allergic conjunctivitis and 32 subjects with perennial allergic conjunctivitis were recruited to obtain peripheral blood, conjunctival brush cytology, tear fluid and microbiota samples. Flow cytometry for lymphocytes, multiplex bead assays for cytokines and high-throughput DNA sequencing for microbiome analysis were used. For perennial allergic conjunctivitis, an increased proportion of Th2 and NKT lymphocytes was found, while CD3+TCRγδ+ lymphocytes and double negative MAIT cells were decreased. In contrast, seasonal allergic conjunctivitis was distinguished by an increase in Th17 and Th22 cell proportions, while the Th1 cell proportion decreased. Among tear fluid, the vast majority of pro-inflammatory cytokines (especially Th2 and Th17 cytokines) in perennial allergies and MMP-9 together with IgA in seasonal allergies were increased. In contrast, TGF-β2 was decreased in both forms of conjunctivitis. Finally, fungal (Malassezia species) and bacterial (Kocuria and Propionobacterium acnes species) colonization were observed in the perennial allergic conjunctivitis group. These results provide the basis for the development of a disease profile for perennial allergic conjunctivitis and open the door to new therapeutic and diagnostic strategies

Trastornos de personalidad en alcohólicos : un estudio descriptivo

In this paper, the most frequent personality disorders related to alcoholism are described. A sample of 70 alcoholic patients who answered the MCMI-II in the course of pre-treatment assessment was selected. According to results, the 62,8% of them showed at least one personality disorder. The most prevalent ones were the passive-aggressive (34,1%), the antisocial (20,4%) and the dependent (20,4%). Furthermore, the prevalence of personality disorders according to gender and abuse of other substances was compared. Results obtained with these variables showed the existence of significant differences. Finally, implications of this study for clinical practice and future research in this field are commented upon.En este artículo se lleva a cabo una descripción de los trastornos de personalidad que aparecen con mayor frecuencia en el alcoholismo. Para ello, se cuenta con una muestra de 70 pacientes alcohólicos, que cumplimentan el MCMI-II en el transcurso de la evaluación pretratamiento. Los resultados muestran que el 62,8% de los pacientes presenta, al menos, un trastorno de personalidad. Más en concreto, el trastorno de mayor prevalencia es el pasivo-agresivo (34,1%), seguido del trastorno antisocial (20,4%) y del trastorno por dependencia (20,4%). Asimismo, se compara la prevalencia de los trastornos de personalidad en función del sexo y del abuso añadido de otras sustancias. Los resultados obtenidos en estas variables muestran la existencia de diferencias significativas. Por último, se comentan las implicaciones de este estudio para la práctica clínica y para las investigaciones futuras

Trastornos de personalidad y abandonos terapéuticos en pacientes adictos: resultados en una comunidad terapéutica

En este artículo se lleva a cabo una descripción de los trastornos de personalidad que aparecen con mayor frecuencia en pacientes adictos ingresados en una comunidad terapéutica. Asimismo, se analiza la relación existente entre la presencia de trastornos de personalidad y los abandonos del tratamiento. Para ello se lleva a cabo un estudio ex post facto, de carácter prospectivo, en el que se cuenta con una muestra de 42 pacientes, que cumplimentan el MCMI-II en el transcurso de la evaluación pretratamiento. Los resultados muestran que el 76,2% de los pacientes presenta, al menos, un trastorno de personalidad. Más en concreto, el trastorno de mayor prevalencia es el trastorno antisocial de la personalidad (42,9%), seguido del trastorno pasivo-agresivo de la personalidad (40,5%) y del trastorno narcisista de la personalidad (21,4%). Por otra parte, la presencia de trastornos de la personalidad se asocia con una mayor y más temprana probabilidad de abandono del tratamiento. Por último, se comentan las implicaciones de este estudio para la práctica clínica y para las investigaciones futuras.In this paper, the most frequent personality disorders related to addict patients, who were receiving treatment in a therapeutic community, are described. Also, the relationship between the existence of personality disorders and the treatment dropout is analysed. For it, an ex post facto study, in a prospective way, was carried out. A sample of 42 addict inpatients who answered the MCMI-II in the course of pre-treatment assessment was selected. According to results, the 76,2% of the addict sample showed at least one personality disorder. More in short, the most prevalent one was the antisocial personality disorder (42,9%), followed by the passive-aggressive personality disorder (40,5%) and the narcissistic personality disorder (21,4%). Furthermore, the presence of personality disorders was associated to a higher and earlier probability of treatment dropout. Finally, implications of this study for clinical practice and future research in this field are commented upon.Este estudio se ha financiado, en parte, con un proyecto de investigación del Departamento de Salud del Gobierno de Navarra (código 35/2001)

Insight dimensions and cognitive function in psychosis: a longitudinal study

BACKGROUND: It has been reported that lack of insight is significantly associated with cognitive disturbance in schizophrenia. This study examines the longitudinal relationships between insight dimensions and cognitive performance in psychosis. METHODS: Participants were 75 consecutively admitted inpatients with schizophrenia, affective disorder with psychotic symptoms or schizoaffective disorder. Assessments were conducted at two time points during the study: at the time of hospital discharge after an acute psychotic episode and at a follow-up time that occurred more than 6 months after discharge. A multidimensional approach of insight was chosen and three instruments for its assessment were used: the Scale to Assess Unawareness of Mental Disorder (SUMD), three items concerning insight on the Assessment and Documentation in Psychopathology (AMDP) system and the Insight and Treatment Attitudes Questionnaire. The neuropsychological battery included a wide range of tests that assessed global cognitive function, attention, memory, and executive functions. RESULTS: After conducting adequate statistical correction to avoid Type I bias, insight dimensions and cognitive performance were not found to be significantly associated at cross-sectional and longitudinal assessments. In addition, baseline cognitive performance did not explain changes in insight dimensions at follow-up. Similar results were found in the subset of patients with schizophrenia (n = 37). The possibility of a Type II error might have increased due to sample attrition at follow-up. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that lack of insight dimensions and cognitive functioning may be unrelated phenomena in psychosis

Trastornos de personalidad y abandonos terapéuticos en pacientes adictos: resultados en una comunidad terapéutica

En este artículo se lleva a cabo una descripción de los trastornos de personalidad que aparecen con mayor frecuencia en pacientes adictos ingresados en una comunidad terapéutica. Asimismo, se analiza la relación existente entre la presencia de trastornos de personalidad y los abandonos del tratamiento. Para ello se lleva a cabo un estudio ex post facto, de carácter prospectivo, en el que se cuenta con una muestra de 42 pacientes, que cumplimentan el MCMI-II en el transcurso de la evaluación pretratamiento. Los resultados muestran que el 76,2% de los pacientes presenta, al menos, un trastorno de personalidad; más en concreto, el trastorno de mayor prevalencia es el trastorno antisocial de la personalidad (42,9%), seguido del trastorno pasivo-agresivo de la personalidad (40,5%) y del trastorno narcisista de la personalidad (21,4%). Por otra parte, la presencia de trastornos de la personalidad se asocia con una mayor y más temprana probabilidad de abandono del tratamiento. Por último, se comentan las implicaciones de este estudio para la práctica clínica y para las investigaciones futuras