Gender differences in adolescents with suicidal behaviour: Personality andpsychopathology

Diferencias de género en adolescentes con conducta suicida: Personalidad y psicopatología. Este estudio evalúa la relación entre el género, la personalidad, la psicopatología y la conducta suicida entre los adolescentes. Para ello, se diseñó un estudio transversal con adolescentes hospitalizados (N = 92) que presentaban conductas suicidas. Se recogieron características sociodemográficas y datos relacionados con la conducta suicida. Además, se evaluó la personalidad y la gravedad clínica mediante la administración del Inventario Clínico de Adolescentes de Millon (MACI). Los resultados revelaron que las dimensiones de personalidad más prevalentes para ambos géneros fueron Introversivo, Auto-punitivo, Pesimista, Oposicionista, Tendencia límite e Inhibido. Sin embargo, los hombres puntuaron más alto en Inhibido (p = 0,02, d de Cohen = 0,45) y las mujeres en Egocéntrica (p = 0,03, d de Cohen = 0,40). En cuanto a la gravedad clínica de los síndromes, las mujeres puntuaron más alto en Predisposición Delictiva (p = 0,04, d de Cohen = 0,45) y los hombres en Sentimientos Ansiosos (p = 0,02, d de Cohen = 0. 51), Afecto Depresivo (p = 0,04, d de Cohen = 0,41) y Tendencia Suicida (p = 0,03, d de Cohen = 0,37), y los hombres informaron con mayor frecuencia de Abuso en la Infancia (p < 0,001, d de Cohen = 0,70). Los resultados ponen de manifiesto la importancia de las intervenciones universales para promover un cambio de actitud hacia la búsqueda de ayuda psicológica, especialmente en los hombres, y la necesidad de diseñar tratamientos eficaces a medida para adquirir habilidades de gestión emocional para ambos génerosThis study evaluates the relationship between gender, personality, psychopathology and suicidal behaviour among adolescents. For this purpose, a cross-sectional study with adolescent inpatients (N = 92) displaying suicidal behaviour was designed. Sociodemographic characteristics and data related to suicidal behaviour were collected. In addition, personality and clinical severity were assessed by administering the Millon Adolescent Clinical Inventory (MACI). Results revealed that the most prevalent personality dimensions for both genders were Introversive, Self-demeaning, Doleful, Oppositional, Borderline tendency and Inhibited. However, men scored higher in Inhibited (p = 0.02, Cohen’s d = 0.45) and women in Egotistic (p = 0.03, Cohen’s d = 0.40). Concerning clinical severity of syndromes, women scored higher in Delinquent Predisposition (p = 0.04, Cohen’s d = 0.45) and men in Anxious Feelings (p = 0.02, Cohen’s d = 0.51), Depressive Affect (p = 0.04, Cohen’s d = 0.41) and Suicidal Tendency (p = 0.03, Cohen’s d = 0.37), with men reporting more frequently Childhood Abuse (p < 0.001, Cohen’s d = 0.70). Results highlight the importance of universal interventions to promote a change in attitudes towards seeking psychological help, specially in men, and the need to design effective tailored treatments to acquire emotional management skills for both gender

Wave–current interactions in a wind-jet region

Wave–current interactions (WCIs) are investigated. The study area is located at the northern margin of the Ebro shelf (northwestern Mediterranean Sea), where episodes of strong cross-shelf wind (wind jets) occur. The aim of this study is to validate the implemented coupled system and investigate the impact of WCIs on the hydrodynamics of a wind-jet region. The Coupled Ocean–Atmosphere–Wave–Sediment Transport (COAWST) modeling system, which uses the Regional Ocean Model System (ROMS) and Simulating WAves Nearshore (SWAN) models, is used in a high-resolution domain (350&thinsp;m). Results from uncoupled numerical models are compared with a two-way coupling simulation. The results do not show substantial differences in the water current field between the coupled and the uncoupled runs. The main effect observed when the models are coupled is in the water column stratification, due to the turbulent kinetic energy injection and the enhanced surface stress, leading to a larger mixed-layer depth. Regarding the effects on the wave fields, the comparison between the coupled and the uncoupled runs shows that, when the models are coupled, the agreement of the modeled wave period significantly improves and the wave energy (and thus the significant wave height) decreases when the current flows in the same direction as the waves propagate.</p

Shelf circulation induced by an orographic wind jet

The dynamical response to cross-shelf wind-jet episodes is investigated. The study area is located at the northern margin of the Ebro Shelf, in the Northwestern (NW) Mediterranean Sea, where episodes of strong northwesterly wind occur. In this case, the wind is channeled through the Ebro Valley and intensifies upon reaching the sea, resulting in a wind jet. The wind-jet response in terms of water circulation and vertical density structure is investigated using a numerical model. The numerical outputs agree with water current observations from a high-frequency radar. Additionally, temperature, sea level, and wind measurements are also used for the skill assessment of the model. For the wind-jet episodes, the numerical results show a well-defined two-layer circulation in the cross-shelf direction, with the surface currents in the direction of the wind. This pattern is consistent with sea level set-down due to the wind effect. The comparison of the vertical structure response for different episodes revealed that the increase of stratification leads to an onshore displacement of the transition from inner shelf to mid-shelf. In general, the cross-shelf momentum balance during a wind-jet episode exhibits a balance between the frictional terms and the pressure gradient in shallow waters, shifting to a balance between the Coriolis force and the wind stress terms in deeper waters.Peer ReviewedPostprint (published version

Impact assessment for the improved four boundary conditions (at bed, free-surface, land-boundary and offshore-boundary) on coastal hydrodynamics and particulate transport

The FIELD_AC project aims at providing an improved operational service for coastal areas and at generating added value for shelf and regional scale predictions. Coastal-zone oceanographic predictions seldom appraise the land discharge as a boundary condition. River fluxes are sometimes considered, but neglecting their 3D character, while the "distributed" continental run-off is not taken into consideration. Moreover, many coastal scale processes, particularly those relevant in geographically restricted domains (coast with harbors or river mouth areas), are not well parametrized in present simulations.Work package 3 dedicated to Boundary Fluxes aims to establish and use the best possible boundary conditions for coastal water quality modelling. On this scale, all boundaries become important. For the land boundary side the needed products are distributed and point wise run-off both quantitatively and qualitatively. For the offshore boundary condition, 3D current, water quality field, and wave spectra will be used. For the atmospheric boundary, products from local scale meteorological models (wind, atmospheric pressure and rainfall) are needed. For the seabed, boundary information on sediment composition, bedforms and bathymetry and bio-geo-chemical parameters is essential.This report addresses the impact assessment for improvements in the four boundary conditions (boundary fluxes from land, free-surface boundary condition, seabed boundary condition and open boundary fluxes) on coastal hydrodynamics and particulate transport. The description of the improved four boundary conditions is followed by examples of concrete impact assessment of the theory into the Catalan coast, Liverpool Bay, German Bight and Gulf of Venice

Changes in Day/Night Activity in the 6-OHDA-Induced Experimental Model of Parkinson's Disease: Exploring Prodromal Biomarkers.

The search for experimental models mimicking an early stage of Parkinson's disease (PD) before motor manifestations is fundamental in order to explore early signs and get a better prognosis. Interestingly, our previous studies have indicated that 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) is a suitable model to induce an early degeneration of the nigrostriatal system without any gross motor impairment. Considering our previous findings, we aim to implement a novel system to monitor rats after intrastriatal injection of 6-OHDA to detect and analyze physiological changes underlying prodromal PD. Twenty male Sprague-Dawley rats were unilaterally injected with 6-OHDA (n = 10) or saline solution (n = 10) into the right striatum and placed in enriched environment cages where the activity was monitored. After 2 weeks, the amphetamine test was performed before the sacrifice. Immunohistochemistry was developed for the morphological evaluation and western blot analysis to assess molecular changes. Home-cage monitoring revealed behavioral changes in response to 6-OHDA administration including significant hyperactivity and hypoactivity during the light and dark phase, respectively, turning out in a change of the circadian timing. A preclinical stage of PD was functionally confirmed with the amphetamine test. Moreover, the loss of tyrosine hydroxylase expression was significantly correlated with the motor results, and 6-OHDA induced early proapoptotic events. Our findings provide evidence for a novel prodromal 6-OHDA model following a customized monitoring system that could give insights to detect non-motor deficits and molecular targets to test neuroprotective/neurorestorative agents

Use of a hydrodynamic model for the management of water renovation in a coastal system

In this contribution we investigate the hydrodynamic response in Alfacs Bay (Ebro Delta, NW Mediterranean Sea) to different anthropogenic modifications in freshwater flows and inner bay–open sea connections. The fresh water coming from rice field irrigation contains nutrients and pesticides and therefore affects in multiple ways the productivity and water quality of the bay. The application of a nested oceanographic circulation modelling suite within the bay provides objective information to solve water quality problems that are becoming more acute due to temperature and phytoplankton concentration peaks during the summer period when seawater may exceed 28&thinsp;∘C, leading to high rates of mussel mortality and therefore a significant impact on the local economy. The effects of different management “solutions” (like a connection channel between the inner bay and open sea) are hydrodynamically modelled in order to diminish residence times (e-flushing time) and water temperatures. The modelling system, based on the Regional Ocean Modeling System (ROMS), consists of a set of nested domains using data from CMEMS-IBI for the initial and open boundary conditions (coarser domain). One full year (2014) of simulation is used to validate the results, showing low errors with sea surface temperature (SST) and good agreement with surface currents. Finally, a set of twin numerical experiments during the summer period (when the water temperature reaches 28&thinsp;∘C) is used to analyse the effects of proposed nature-based interventions. Although these actions modify water temperature in the water column, the decrease in SST is not enough to avoid high temperatures during some days and prevent eventual mussel mortality during summer in the shallowest regions. However, the proposed management actions reveal their effectiveness in diminishing water residence times along the entire bay, thus preventing the inner areas from having poor water renewal and the corresponding ecological problems.</p

A global approach to mapping the environmental risk of commercial harbours on aquatic systems

The goal of this paper is to propose a screening method for assessing the environmental risk to aquatic systems in harbours worldwide. A semi-quantitative method is based on environmental pressures, environmental conditions and societal response. The method is flexible enough to be applied to 15 harbours globally distributed through a multinational test using standardised and homogenised open data that can be obtained for any port worldwide. The method emerges as a useful approach towards the foundation of a global environmental risk atlas of harbours that should guide the harbour sector to develop a more globally informed strategy of sustainable development

New metabolites in the degradation of fluorene by Arthrobacter sp. strain F101

8 pages, 3 figures, 1 table.-- PMID: 9055403 [PubMed].-- PMCID: PMC168377.Identification of new metabolites and demonstration of key enzyme activities support and extend the pathways previously reported for fluorene metabolism by Arthrobacter sp. strain F101. Washed-cell suspensions of strain F101 with fluorene accumulated 9-fluorenone, 4-hydroxy-9-fluorenone, 3-hydroxy-1-indanone, 1-indanone, 2-indanone, 3-(2-hydroxyphenyl) propionate, and a compound tentatively identified as a formyl indanone. Incubations with 2-indanone produced 3-isochromanone. The growth yield with fluorene as a sole source of carbon and energy corresponded to an assimilation of about 34% of fluorene carbon. About 7.4% was transformed into 9-fluorenol, 9-fluorenone, and 4-hydroxy-9-fluorenone. Crude extracts from fluorene-induced cells showed 3,4-dihydrocoumarin hydrolase and catechol 2,3-dioxygenase activities. These results and biodegradation experiments with the identified metabolites indicate that metabolism of fluorene by Arthrobacter sp. strain F101 proceeds through three independent pathways. Two productive routes are initiated by dioxygenation at positions 1,2 and 3,4, respectively. meta cleavage followed by an aldolase reaction and loss of C-1 yield the detected indanones. Subsequent biological Baeyer-Villiger reactions produce the aromatic lactones 3,4-dihydrocoumarin and 3-isochromanone. Enzymatic hydrolysis of the former gives 3-(2-hydroxyphenyl) propionate, which could be a substrate for a beta oxidation cycle, to give salicylate. Further oxidation of the latter via catechol and 2-hydroxymuconic semialdehyde connects with the central metabolism, allowing the utilization of all fluorene carbons. Identification of 4-hydroxy-9-fluorenone is consistent with an alternative pathway initiated by monooxygenation at C-9 to give 9-fluorenol and then 9-fluorenone. Although dioxygenation at 3,4 positions of the ketone apparently occurs, this reaction fails to furnish a subsequent productive oxidation of this compound.This research was funded by a grant from the National Plan for Research (AMB93-0693-C02-02) of the Spanish government. M.C. was in receipt of a doctoral fellowship from the Spanish Ministry of Education.Peer reviewe