EPICOG-SCH: A brief battery to screen cognitive impact of schizophrenia in stable outpatients

Brief batteries in schizophrenia, are needed to screen for the cognitive impact of schizophrenia. We aimed to validate and co-norm the Epidemiological Study of Cognitive Impairment in Schizophrenia (EPICOG-SCH) derived brief cognitive battery. A cross-sectional outpatient evaluation was conducted of six-hundred-seventy-two patients recruited from 234 centers. The brief battery included well-known subtests available worldwide that cover cognitive domains related to functional outcomes: WAIS-III-Letter-Number-Sequencing-LNS, Category Fluency Test-CFT, Logical-Memory Immediate Recall-LM, and Digit-Symbol-Coding-DSC. CGI-SCH Severity and WHO-DAS-S were used to assess clinical severity and functional impairment, respectively. Unit Composite Score (UCS) and functional regression-weighted Composite Scores (FWCS) were obtained; discriminant properties of FWCS to identify patients with different levels of functional disability were analyzed using receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) technique. The battery showed good internal consistency, Cronbach's alpha = 0.78. The differences between cognitive performance across CGI-SCH severity level subscales ranged from 0.5 to 1 SD. Discriminant capacity of the battery in identifying patients with up to moderate disability levels showed fair discriminant accuracy with areas under the curve (AUC) > 0.70, p < 0.0001. An FWCS mean cut-off score ≥ 100 showed likelihood ratios (LR) up to 4.7, with an LR+ of 2.3 and a LR− of 0.5. An FWCS cut-off ≥ 96 provided the best balance between sensitivity (0.74) and specificity (0.62). The EPICOG-SCH proved to be a useful brief tool to screen for the cognitive impact of schizophrenia, and its regression-weighted Composite Score was an efficient complement to clinical interviews for confirming patients' potential functional outcomes and can be useful for monitoring cognition during routine outpatient follow-up visits

Encapsulation of the Antistaphylococcal Endolysin LysRODI in pH-Sensitive Liposomes

© 2020 by the authors.Phage lysins are promising new therapeutics against multidrug-resistant bacteria. These so-called enzybiotics offer, amongst their most notable advantages, high target specificity and low resistance development. Moreover, there are numerous recent and ongoing studies aimed at demonstrating the efficacy and safety of endolysins in animal models or even in clinical trials. Nonetheless, as is the case for other antimicrobials, it is important to assess potential strategies that may broaden their potential applications or improve their stability. Encapsulation, for instance, has given very good results for some antibiotics. This study sought to evaluate the feasibility of encapsulating an endolysin against the opportunistic human pathogen Staphylococcus aureus, one of the most problematic bacteria in the context of the current antibiotic resistance crisis. Endolysin LysRODI has antimicrobial activity against many S. aureus strains from different sources, including methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) isolates. Here, this protein was encapsulated in pH-sensitive liposomes with an efficacy of approximately 47%, retaining its activity after being released from the nanocapsules. Additionally, the encapsulated endolysin effectively reduced S. aureus cell counts by > 2log units in both planktonic cultures and biofilms upon incubation at pH 5. These results demonstrate the viability of LysRODI encapsulation in liposomes for its targeted delivery under mild acidic conditionsThis study was funded by grants AGL2015-65673-R (MINECO/FEDER, UE), EU ANIWHA ERA-NET (BLAAT ID: 67)/PCIN-2017-001 (AEI/FEDER, UE), Proyecto Intramural CSIC201670E040, Proyecto Intramural CSIC 201770E016. IDI/2018/000119 (Program of Science, Technology and Innovation 2018-2020 and FEDER EU funds, Principado de Asturias, Spain). S.P. has a postdoctoral fellowship CONACYT (México)Peer reviewe

Currículo adaptativo inteligente basado en ontologías de descripción de competencias

In this research project was proposed to identify the characteristics of a competency-based curriculum, and the requirements necessary to identify the needs that must satisfy an adaptive curriculum, so it helps a student to choose the best option among a number of possibilities of offering online courses.Based on this scenario, necessary knowledge was acquired to develop a prototype, using a competency-based ontology to infer new knowledge through a semantic network and a set of predefined rules, allowing a student to generate a consistent courseaccording to his/her skills (to be, to do, and to know-how). Somehow ensuring better performance and understanding of the issues addressed or addressed in the course. Furthermore, the result of inference indicate whether a student is relevant or not to take a course.The prototype implementation was performed using IMS-CP packages, metadata records using ontologies based on description of competencies at random, with tools such as Protege_4.0.2 version for the design and construction of ontology, NetBeans IDE 7.0 to create and programming, Apache Tomcat 7.0.11 as web server, Mysql as database manager and Mysql-connector-java-5.1.17 to connect to the database. With the development of this project is to partly solve the disadvantage of many existing platform having a commercial inclination, since the course content generated is based on a specific and rigid subject, which in most cases it’s not adapted to the requirements of each student, thus learning processes do not develop in the best way, which generate a high dropout rate.En este proyecto de investigación se planteó identificar las características de un currículo basado en competencias, y los requerimientos necesarios que permitan identificar las necesidades que debe satisfacer un currículo adaptativo, de manera que ayude a un estudiante a elegir la mejor opción entre una de serie de posibilidades de oferta de cursos virtuales. Con base en este panorama se adquirió el conocimiento necesario para desarrollar un prototipo, que mediante una ontología basada en competencias pueda inferir un nuevo conocimiento, a través de una red semántica y una serie de reglas previamente definidas, permitiendo a un estudiante generar un curso coherente con sus competencias (ser, hacer, y saber hacer), garantizando de alguna manera un mejor desempeño y comprensión de las temáticas abordadas o tratadas en el curso. Además, el resultado de la inferencia indicará a un estudiante si es pertinente o no tomar un curso.La implementación del prototipo se realizó mediante paquetes IMS-CP, utilizando registros de metadatos basados en ontologías de descripción de competencias de manera aleatoria, con herramientas como Protege versión Protege_4.0.2 para el diseño y construcción de la ontología, NetBeans IDE 7.0 para la creación y programación, Apache Tomcat 7.0.11 como Servidor web, Mysql como gestor de base de datos y mysql-connector-java-5.1.17 para la conexión con la base de datos.Con el desarrollo de este proyecto se pretende solucionar en parte el inconveniente que presentan muchas de las plataformas existentes que tienen una inclinación comercial, por lo que el contenido de los cursos generados se basa en una temática específica y rígida, que en la mayoría de los casos no se adecua a los requerimientos propios de cada estudiante, por ende los procesos de aprendizaje no se desarrollan de la mejor manera conllevando así a un alto nivel de deserción

What factors should we modify to promote high functioning and prevent functional decline in people with schizophrenia?

BackgroundSince research in schizophrenia mainly focuses on deficits and risk factors, we need studies searching for high-functioning protective factors. Thus, our objective was to identify protective (PFs) and risk factors (RFs) separately associated with high (HF) and low functioning (LF) in patients with schizophrenia.MethodsWe collected information (sociodemographic, clinical, psychopathological, cognitive, and functional) from 212 outpatients with schizophrenia. Patients were classified according to their functional level (PSP) as HF (PSP &gt; 70, n = 30) and LF (PSP ≤ 50, n = 95). Statistical analysis consisted of Chi-square test, Student’s t-test, and logistic regression.ResultsHF model: variance explained: 38.4–68.8%; PF: years of education (OR = 1.227). RFs: receiving a mental disability benefit (OR = 0.062) and scores on positive (OR = 0.719), negative-expression (OR = 0.711), and negative-experiential symptoms (OR = 0.822), and verbal learning (OR = 0.866). LF model: variance explained: 42.0–56.2%; PF: none; RFs: not working (OR = 6.900), number of antipsychotics (OR = 1.910), and scores on depressive (OR = 1.212) and negative-experiential symptoms (OR = 1.167).ConclusionWe identified specific protective and risk factors for high and low functioning in patients with schizophrenia and confirmed that high functioning factors are not necessarily the opposite of those associated with low functioning. Only negative experiential symptoms are a shared and inverse factor for high and low functioning. Mental health teams must be aware of protective and risk factors and try to enhance or reduce them, respectively, to help their patients improve or maintain their level of functioning

Inverse association between negative symptoms and body mass index in chronic schizophrenia

BACKGROUND: We investigated whether negative symptoms, such as poor motivation or anhedonia, were associated with higher body mass index (BMI) in stable patients with schizophrenia chronically treated with antipsychotic medication. METHODS: 62 olanzapine- or clozapine-treated patients with illness duration of at least four years were selected from an international multicenter study on the characterization of negative symptoms. All participants completed the Brief Negative Symptom Scale (BNSS) and the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS). Bivariate correlations between BMI and negative symptoms (BNSS) were explored, as well as multiple regression analyses. We further explored the association of two principal component factors of the BNSS and BMI. Subsidiary analyses re-modeled the above using the negative symptoms subscale of the PANSS and the EMSLEY factor for negative symptoms for convergent validity. RESULTS: Lower negative symptoms (BNSS score) were associated with higher BMI (r=-0.31; p=0.015). A multiple regression analysis showed that negative symptoms (BNSS score) and age were significant predictors of BMI (p=0.037). This was mostly driven by the motivation/pleasure factor of the BNSS. Within this second factor, BMI was negatively associated with anhedonia (r=-0.254; p=0.046) and asociality (r=-0.253; p=0.048), but not avolition (r=-0.169; p=0.188). EMSLEY score was positively associated with BNSS (r=0.873, p<0.001), but negatively associated with BMI (r=-0.308; p=0.015). The association between PANSS and BMI did not reach significance (r=-224, p=0.080). CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that lower negative symptoms were associated with higher BMI (assessed using both the BNSS and EMSLEY) in chronic stable schizophrenia patients, mostly due to lower anhedonia and asociality levels

Comportamiento de las donaciones de plasma desde la Atención Primaria de Salud

Introducción: la donación de plasma desde la atención primaria de salud constituye un acto altruista para adquirir plasma con fines transfusionales o materia prima en derivados terapéuticos.Objetivo: caracterizar el comportamiento de las donaciones de plasma desde la atención primaria de salud.Métodos: se realizó una investigación descriptiva, observacional de corte transversal en el Banco de Sangre Provincial Pinar del Río, en el período de enero a octubre del año 2015. El universo estuvo constituido por 3 832 donaciones de plasma. Se analizaron las variables: grupo etario, sexo biológico, áreas de salud, cantidad de donaciones, plasma recolectado y utilización de plasma.Resultados: en las donaciones de plasma predominó el sexo masculino así como el rango de edad 40 a 49 años. Prevaleció el área de salud Policlínico Docente “Hermanos Cruz” con 32,3 % de bolsas plasmaferizadas. La mayor cantidad de donaciones y plasma recolectado fue en el mes de febrero con 421 donaciones y 252 600 mL de plasma. Existió mayor utilización de unidades de plasma por la industria farmacéutica con 68,2 %. Conclusiones: se caracterizaron las donaciones de plasma prevaleciendo en hombres entre 40 y 49 años pertenecientes al Policlínico Docente “Hermanos Cruz·. Febrero resultó el período de mayor donación y recolecta de plasma utilizada fundamentalmente por la industria farmacéutica. Se evidenció una adecuada realización y utilización de las donaciones de plasma por los servicios de salud, las cuales continúan requiriendo de asistencia y atención integral

The role of genetic variability in the GABRA6, 5-HTT and BDNF genes in anxiety-related traits

Objective:  The aims of this study were to test the individual association of the serotonin transporter gene (SLC6A4), the brain-derived neurotrophic factor gene (BDNF) and the GABAAα6 receptor subunit gene (GABRA6) with anxiety-related traits and to explore putative gene-gene interactions in a Spanish healthy sample. Method:  A sample of 937 individuals from the general population completed the Temperament and Character Inventory questionnaire to explore Harm Avoidance (HA) dimension; a subsample of 553 individuals also filled in the Big Five Questionnaire to explore the Neuroticism dimension. The whole sample was genotyped for the 5-HTTLPR polymorphism (SLC6A4 gene), the Val66Met polymorphism (BDNF gene) and the T1521C polymorphism (GABRA6 gene). Results:  Homozygous individuals for the T allele of the T1512C polymorphism presented slightly higher scores for HA than C allele carriers (F = 2.96, P = 0.019). In addition, there was a significant gene-gene interaction on HA between the 5-HTTLPR and Val66Met polymorphisms (F = 3.4, P = 0.009). Conclusion:  GABRA6 emerges as a candidate gene involved in the variability of HA. The effect of a significant gene-gene interaction between the SLC6A4 and BDNF genes on HA could explain part of the genetic basis underlying anxiety-related traits

La imagen y la narrativa como herramientas para el abordaje psicosocial en escenarios de violencia. Municipios de Colombia como: Bucaramanga (Santander), Puerto Tejada (Cauca), Santiago de Cali (Valle del Cauca), Bucaramanga (Santander) y Spartanburg (Estados Unidos)

El objetivo principal de este trabajo es el reconocimiento conceptual de los enfoques narrativos y el análisis de propuestas de estrategias de acompañamiento psicosocial en escenarios de violencia. En segundo lugar nos introduce en el tema de la foto voz como una importante estrategia de pedagogía social que puede favorecer procesos de participación, movilización y empoderamiento en diferentes contextos. Para tal propósito este trabajo se divide en tres partes: La primera se presenta a partir de un caso llamado Relato 2 Gloria la historia de una familia cartagenera que vivía en Nariño la cual padeció el desplazamiento ocasionado por los delincuentes alzados en armas, en la cual se expone una reflexión y formulación de preguntas estratégicas, circulares y reflexivas orientadas hacia un acercamiento psicosocial ético y proactivo en la superación de las condiciones de victimización alrededor de este relato. La segunda se analiza el caso de los pobladores de Pandurí teniendo en cuenta diferentes aspectos como las variables psicosociales que surgieron por el ataque de los alzados en armas, la estigmatización de las víctimas, las acciones de apoyo y las estrategia psicosociales para enfrentar la difícil situación, para lo cual se proponen tres estrategias de acompañamiento: (a) estrategia de intervención clínica con enfoque terapéutico individual, familiar y grupal, (b) estrategia con enfoque lúdico que incluya herramientas artísticas y culturales donde se trabajen narrativas y la recuperación emocional desde expresiones diversas, (c) estrategia participativa tipo alianza para el cambio social. Y por último, se presenta un informe analítico y reflexivo de la experiencia de foto voz la cual permite, a través de imágenes, representar y reconocer desde la realidad y de manera simbólica la situación de violencia sufrida por la guerra interna en Colombia. Se explicita esta estrategia como el proceso de captura de imágenes de diferentes ámbitos que reflejan las percepciones relativas a la violencia de los diferentes participantes en esta actividad. Las interpretaciones de las fotografías son diversas dependiendo del simbolismo y las vivencias de los observadores, lo cual depende también de las narrativas que han sido manejadas en los diferentes escenarios.The document main objective is the conceptual recognition of the narrative approaches and the analysis of proposals as psychosocial accompaniment strategies applied in violence scenarios. In the second place, it introduces us to the topic of photo-voice as an important strategy of social pedagogy that may work as a motor for processes of participation, mobilization and empowerment in different contexts. With that purpose, this document it's divided in three parts: The following is presented from the case called Relato 2 Gloria, the story of a family from Cartagena who was forced displaced by armed groups, in which is exposed a reflection and formulation of strategic, circular and reflective questions oriented towards an ethical and proactive psychosocial approach in overcoming the victimization conditions in this case. On the other hand, the Pandurí case is analyzed taking in to account different aspects such as the psychosocial variables that arose from the attack of armed groups, the stigmatization of the victims and the support actions and the psychosocial strategies to face the difficult situation, that is why three strategies are proposed: (a) clinical intervention strategy with individual, familiar and in group therapeutic approach, (b) strategy with playful approach that includes artistic and cultural tools where from diverse expressions, narratives and the emotional recuperation are worked, (c) alliance-type participative strategy for social change. Finally, an analytical and reflective report of the photo-voice experience is presented which allows, through images to represent and recognize from the reality and in a symbolic way the situation of violence suffered in Colombia caused by the internal war. This strategy is explained as the image capturing process in different areas that reflect the perceptions related to violence of the different participants in this activity. The interpretations of the photographs are diverse depending on the symbolism and the experiences of the observers, which also depends on the narratives that have been managed in different scenarios