Experiments on enlarging a lexical ontology

This paper presents two simple experiments performed in order to enlarge the coverage of PULO, a Lexical Ontology, based and aligned with the Princeton WordNet. The first experiment explores the triangulation of the Galician, Catalan and Castillian wordnets, with translation dictionaries from the Apertium project. The second, explores Dicionário-Aberto entries, in order to extract synsets from its definitions. Although similar approaches were already applied for different languages, this document aims at documenting their results for the PULO case

Kinetic and stoichiometric characterization of anoxic sulfideoxidation by SO-NR mixed cultures from anoxic biotrickling filters.

Monitoring the biological activity in biotrickling filters is difficult since it implies estimating biomass concentration and its growth yield, which can hardly be measured in immobilized biomass systems. In this study, the characterization of a sulfide-oxidizing nitrate-reducing biomass obtained from an anoxic biotrickling filter was performed through the application of respirometric and titrimetric techniques. Previously, the biomass was maintained in a continuous stirred tank reactor under steady-state conditions resulting in a growth yield of 0.328±0.045 g VSS/g S. To properly assess biological activity in respirometric tests, abiotic assays were conducted to characterize the stripping of CO2 and sulfide. The global mass transfer coefficient for both processes was estimated. Subsequently, different respirometric tests were performed: (1) to solve the stoichiometry related to the autotrophic denitrification of sulfide using either nitrate or nitrite as electron acceptors, (2) to evaluate the inhibition caused by nitrite and sulfide on sulfide oxidation, and (3) to propose, calibrate, and validate a kinetic model considering both electron acceptors in the overall anoxic biodesulfurization process. The kinetic model considered a Haldane-type equation to describe sulfide and nitrite inhibitions, a non-competitive inhibition to reflect the effect of sulfide on the elemental sulfur oxidation besides single-step denitrification since no nitrite was produced during the biological assays

Sequential Assembly of Centromeric Proteins in Male Mouse Meiosis

The assembly of the mitotic centromere has been extensively studied in recent years, revealing the sequence and regulation of protein loading to this chromosome domain. However, few studies have analyzed centromere assembly during mammalian meiosis. This study specifically targets this approach on mouse spermatocytes. We have found that during prophase I, the proteins of the chromosomal passenger complex Borealin, INCENP, and Aurora-B load sequentially to the inner centromere before Shugoshin 2 and MCAK. The last proteins to be assembled are the outer kinetochore proteins BubR1 and CENP-E. All these proteins are not detected at the centromere during anaphase/telophase I and are then reloaded during interkinesis. The loading sequence of the analyzed proteins is similar during prophase I and interkinesis. These findings demonstrate that the interkinesis stage, regularly overlooked, is essential for centromere and kinetochore maturation and reorganization previous to the second meiotic division. We also demonstrate that Shugoshin 2 is necessary for the loading of MCAK at the inner centromere, but is dispensable for the loading of the outer kinetochore proteins BubR1 and CENP-E

Oral cancer knowledge, attitudes, and practices among dentists in Khartoum State, Sudan

The dental professions hold an important responsibility in the control of oral cancer and the early diagnosis highly depends on their knowledge. The present study was developed to assess the knowledge, attitude, and practice of dentists in Khartoum State regarding oral cancer prevention and early detection. An administered questionnaire was structured and sent to all licensed 130 dentists working in public dental clinics in Khartoum State. Responses to the questionnaire were analyzed using descriptive and analytical statistics. Although the majority of the dentists were knowledgeable about the major risk factors of oral cancer, more than half of the dentists reported they do not carry out any special examination to detect oral cancer in age 40 and above in asymptomatic patients. Dentists indicated their lack of training as the main barrier for conducting a comprehensive oral cancer examination. Interestingly, the vast majority of the dentists express their interest to have further oral cancer educational and training sessions. The findings of the present study suggested strongly that educational and training interventions are necessary to enhance preventive measures which may lead to reduce mortality and morbidity from oral cancer

Gelatin microparticles aggregates as three-dimensional scaffolding system in cartilage engineering

A three-dimensional (3D) scaffolding system for chondrocytes culture has been produced by agglomeration of cells and gelatin microparticles with a mild centrifuging process. The diameter of the microparticles, around 10 μ, was selected to be in the order of magnitude of the chondrocytes. No gel was used to stabilize the construct that maintained consistency just because of cell and extracellular matrix (ECM) adhesion to the substrate. In one series of samples the microparticles were charged with transforming growth factor, TGF-β1. The kinetics of growth factor delivery was assessed. The initial delivery was approximately 48 % of the total amount delivered up to day 14. Chondrocytes that had been previously expanded in monolayer culture, and thus dedifferentiated, adopted in this 3D environment a round morphology, both with presence or absence of growth factor delivery, with production of ECM that intermingles with gelatin particles. The pellet was stable from the first day of culture. Cell viability was assessed by MTS assay, showing higher absorption values in the cell/unloaded gelatin microparticle pellets than in cell pellets up to day 7. Nevertheless the absorption drops in the following culture times. On the contrary the cell viability of cell/TGF-β1 loaded gelatin microparticle pellets was constant during the 21 days of culture. The formation of actin stress fibres in the cytoskeleton and type I collagen expression was significantly reduced in both cell/gelatin microparticle pellets (with and without TGF-β1) with respect to cell pellet controls. Total type II collagen and sulphated glycosaminoglycans quantification show an enhancement of the production of ECM when TGF-β1 is delivered, as expected because this growth factor stimulate the chondrocyte proliferation and improve the functionality of the tissue.JLGR acknowledge the support of the Spanish Ministry of Education through project No. MAT2010-21611-C03-01 (including the FEDER financial support). The support of the Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII) through the CIBER initiative of the Networking Research Center on Bioengineering, Biomaterials and Nanomedicine (CIBER-BBN) is also acknowledged

Gut Microbiota Dysbiosis Is Associated with Inflammation and Bacterial Translocation in Mice with CCl4-Induced Fibrosis

BACKGROUND: Gut is the major source of endogenous bacteria causing infections in advanced cirrhosis. Intestinal barrier dysfunction has been described in cirrhosis and account for an increased bacterial translocation rate. HYPOTHESIS AND AIMS: We hypothesize that microbiota composition may be affected and change along with the induction of experimental cirrhosis, affecting the inflammatory response. ANIMALS AND METHODS: Progressive liver damage was induced in Balb/c mice by weight-controlled oral administration of carbon tetrachloride. Laparotomies were performed at weeks 6, 10, 13 and 16 in a subgroup of treated mice (n = 6/week) and control animals (n = 4/week). Liver tissue specimens, mesenteric lymph nodes, intestinal content and blood were collected at laparotomies. Fibrosis grade, pro-fibrogenic genes expression, gut bacterial composition, bacterial translocation, host's specific butyrate-receptor GPR-43 and serum cytokine levels were measured. RESULTS: Expression of pro-fibrogenic markers was significantly increased compared with control animals and correlated with the accumulated dose of carbon tetrachloride. Bacterial translocation episodes were less frequent in control mice than in treated animals. Gram-positive anaerobic Clostridia spp count was decreased in treated mice compared with control animals and with other gut common bacterial species, altering the aerobic/anaerobic ratio. This fact was associated with a decreased gene expression of GPR43 in neutrophils of treated mice and inversely correlated with TNF-alpha and IL-6 up-regulation in serum of treated mice along the study protocol. This pro-inflammatory scenario favoured blood bacterial translocation in treated animals, showing the highest bacterial translocation rate and aerobic/anaerobic ratio at the same weeks. CONCLUSIONS: Gut microbiota alterations are associated with the development of an inflammatory environment, fibrosis progression and bacterial translocation in carbon tetrachloride-treated mice

Kv7 Channels Can Function without Constitutive Calmodulin Tethering

M-channels are voltage-gated potassium channels composed of Kv7.2-7.5 subunits that serve as important regulators of neuronal excitability. Calmodulin binding is required for Kv7 channel function and mutations in Kv7.2 that disrupt calmodulin binding cause Benign Familial Neonatal Convulsions (BFNC), a dominantly inherited human epilepsy. On the basis that Kv7.2 mutants deficient in calmodulin binding are not functional, calmodulin has been defined as an auxiliary subunit of Kv7 channels. However, we have identified a presumably phosphomimetic mutation S511D that permits calmodulin-independent function. Thus, our data reveal that constitutive tethering of calmodulin is not required for Kv7 channel function

A study of some fundamental physicochemical variables on the morphology of mesoporous silica nanoparticles MCM-41 type

[EN] All variables affecting the morphology of mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSN) should be carefully analyzed in order to truly tailored design their mesoporous structure according to their final use. Although complete control on MCM-41 synthesis has been already claimed, reproducibility and repeatability of results remain a big issue due to the lack of information reported in literature. Stirring rate, reaction volume, and system configuration (i.e., opened or closed reactor) are three variables that are usually omitted, making the comparison of product characteristics difficult. Specifically, the rate of solvent evaporation is seldom disclosed, and its influence has not been previously analyzed. These variables were systematically studied in this work, and they were proven to have a fundamental impact on final particle morphology. Hence, a high degree of circularity (C = 0.97) and monodispersed particle size distributions were only achieved when a stirring speed of 500 rpm and a reaction scale of 500 mL were used in a partially opened system, for a 2 h reaction at 80 degrees C. Well-shaped spherical mesoporous silica nanoparticles with a diameter of 95 nm, a pore size of 2.8 nm, and a total surface area of 954 m(2) g(-1) were obtained. Final characteristics made this product suitable to be used in biomedicine and nanopharmaceutics, especially for the design of drug delivery systems.This study was funded partially by Departamento Administrativo de Ciencia Tecnología e Innovación–COLCIENCIAS (recipient, Angela A. Beltrán-Osuna); Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad, MINECO, research number MAT2016-76039-C4-1-R (Recipient, José L. Gómez-Ribelles); and Universidad Nacional de Colombia, grant number DIB201010021438 (Recipient, Jairo E. Perilla).Beltrán-Osuna, A.; Gómez Ribelles, JL.; Perilla-Perilla, JE. (2017). A study of some fundamental physicochemical variables on the morphology of mesoporous silica nanoparticles MCM-41 type. Journal of Nanoparticle Research. 19(12):1-14. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11051-017-4077-2S1141912Barrabino A (2011) Synthesis of mesoporous silica particles with control of both pore diameter and particle size. Master Thesis, Chalmers University of Technology, SwedenBastos FS, Lima OA, Filho CR, Fernandes LD (2011) Mesoporous molecular sieve MCM-41 synthesis from fluoride media. Brazilian. J Chem Eng 28:649–658Beck JS, Vartuli JC, Roth WJ, Leonowicz ME, Kresge CT, Schmitt KD, Chu CTW, Olson DH, Sheppard EW, McCullen SB, Higgins JB, Schlenker JL (1992) A new family of mesoporous molecular sieves prepared with liquid crystal templates. J Am Chem Soc 114(27):10834–10843. https://doi.org/10.1021/ja00053a020Beltrán-Osuna AA, Perilla JE (2016) Colloidal and spherical mesoporous silica particles: synthesis and new technologies for delivery applications. J Sol-Gel Sci Technol 77(2):480–496. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10971-015-3874-2Bernardos A, Mondragón L, Aznar E et al (2010) Enzyme-responsive intracellular controlled release using nanometric silica mesoporous supports capped with “saccharides”. ACS Nano 4(11):6353–6368. https://doi.org/10.1021/nn101499dBharti C, Nagaich U, Pal AK, Gulati N (2015) Mesoporous silica nanoparticles in target drug delivery system: a review. Int J Pharm Investig 5(3):124–133. https://doi.org/10.4103/2230-973X.160844Brevet D, Hocine O, Delalande A, Raehm L, Charnay C, Midoux P, Durand JO, Pichon C (2014) Improved gene transfer with histidine-functionalized mesoporous silica nanoparticles. Int J Pharm 471(1-2):197–205. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijpharm.2014.05.020Cai Q, Luo Z, Pang W et al (2001) Dilute solution routes to various controllable morphologies of MCM-41 silica with a basic medium. Chem Mater 13(2):258–263. https://doi.org/10.1021/cm990661zChakraborty I, Mascharak PK (2016) Mesoporous silica materials and nanoparticles as carriers for controlled and site-specific delivery of gaseous signaling molecules. Microporous Mesoporous Mater 234:409–419. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.micromeso.2016.07.028Chen L, Zhang Z, Yao X, Chen X, Chen X (2015a) Intracellular pH-operated mechanized mesoporous silica nanoparticles as potential drug carries. Microporous Mesoporous Mater 201:169–175. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.micromeso.2014.09.023Chen X, Yao X, Wang C, Chen L, Chen X (2015b) Mesoporous silica nanoparticles capped with fluorescence-conjugated cyclodextrin for pH-activated controlled drug delivery and imaging. Microporous Mesoporous Mater 217:46–53. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.micromeso.2015.06.012Chen Y, Chen H, Shi J (2013) In vivo bio-safety evaluations and diagnostic / therapeutic applications of chemically designed mesoporous silica nanoparticles. Adv Mater 25(23):3144–3176. https://doi.org/10.1002/adma.201205292Chen Y, Shi X, Han B, Qin H, Li Z, Lu Y, Wang J, Kong Y (2012) The complete control for the nanosize of spherical MCM-41. J Nanosci Nanotechnol 12(9):7239–7249. https://doi.org/10.1166/jnn.2012.6459Cheng Y-J, Zeng X, Cheng D-B, Xu XD, Zhang XZ, Zhuo RX, He F (2016) Functional mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) for highly controllable drug release and synergistic therapy. Colloids Surfaces B Biointerfaces 145:217–225. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.colsurfb.2016.04.051Crommelin DJA, Florence AT (2013) Towards more effective advanced drug delivery systems. Int J Pharm 454(1):496–511. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijpharm.2013.02.020Edler KJ (1997) Synthesis and characterisation of the mesoporous molecular sieve, MCM-41. Doctoral dissertation, The Australian National University, AustraliaGuo Z, Liu X-M, Ma L, Li J, Zhang H, Gao YP, Yuan Y (2013) Effects of particle morphology, pore size and surface coating of mesoporous silica on naproxen dissolution rate enhancement. Colloids Surf B Biointerfaces 101:228–235. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.colsurfb.2012.06.026Han N, Wang Y, Bai J, Liu J, Wang Y, Gao Y, Jiang T, Kang W, Wang S (2016) Facile synthesis of the lipid bilayer coated mesoporous silica nanocomposites and their application in drug delivery. Microporous Mesoporous Mater 219:209–218. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.micromeso.2015.08.006Hu X, Wang Y, Peng B (2014) Chitosan-capped mesoporous silica nanoparticles as pH-responsive nanocarriers for controlled drug release. Chem - An Asian J 9(1):319–327. https://doi.org/10.1002/asia.201301105Huh S, Wiench JW, Yoo J et al (2003) Organic functionalization and morphology control of mesoporous silicas via a co-condensation synthesis method. Chem Mater 15(22):4247–4256. https://doi.org/10.1021/cm0210041Ikari K, Suzuki K, Imai H (2006) Structural control of mesoporous silica nanoparticles in a binary surfactant system. Langmuir 22(2):802–806. https://doi.org/10.1021/la0525527Iliade P, Miletto I, Coluccia S, Berlier G (2012) Functionalization of mesoporous MCM-41 with aminopropyl groups by co-condensation and grafting: a physico-chemical characterization. Res Chem Intermed 38(3-5):785–794. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11164-011-0417-5IUPAC (1985) Reporting physisorption data for gas/solid systems. Pure Appl Chem 57:603–619IUPAC (2014) Compendium of chemical terminology-gold book, 2.3.3. International Union of Pure and Applied ChemistryKhezri K, Roghani-Mamaqani H, Sarsabili M, Sobani M, Mirshafiei-Langari SA (2014) Spherical mesoporous silica nanoparticles/tailor-made polystyrene nanocomposites by in situ reverse atom transfer radical polymerization. Polym Sci Ser B 56(6):909–918. https://doi.org/10.1134/S1560090414660026Kresge CT, Leonowicz ME, Roth WJ, Vartuli JC, Beck JS (1992) Ordered mesoporous molecular sieves synthesized by a liquid-crystal template mechanism. Nature 359(6397):710–712. https://doi.org/10.1038/359710a0Lelong G, Bhattacharyya S, Kline S, Cacciaguerra T, Gonzalez MA, Saboungi ML (2008) Effect of surfactant concentration on the morphology and texture of MCM-41 materials. J Phys Chem C 112(29):10674–10680. https://doi.org/10.1021/jp800898nLv X, Zhang L, Xing F, Lin H (2016) Controlled synthesis of monodispersed mesoporous silica nanoparticles: particle size tuning and formation mechanism investigation. Microporous Mesoporous Mater 225:238–244. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.micromeso.2015.12.024Mamaeva V, Sahlgren C, Lindén M (2013) Mesoporous silica nanoparticles in medicine: recent advances. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 65(5):689–702. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.addr.2012.07.018Manzano M, Aina V, Areán CO, Balas F, Cauda V, Colilla M, Delgado MR, Vallet-Regí M (2008) Studies on MCM-41 mesoporous silica for drug delivery: effect of particle morphology and amine functionalization. Chem Eng J 137(1):30–37. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cej.2007.07.078Merkus HG (2009) Particle size measurements: fundamentals, practice, quality. Springer Science +Businees Media B.V, The NetherlandsMorishige K, Fujii H, Uga M, Kinukawa D (1997) Capillary critical point of argon, nitrogen, oxygen, ethylene, and carbon dioxide in MCM-41. Langmuir 13(13):3494–3498. https://doi.org/10.1021/la970079ude Padua Oliveira DC, de Barros ALB, Belardi RM et al (2016) Mesoporous silica nanoparticles as a potential vaccine adjuvant against Schistosoma mansoni. J Drug Deliv Sci Technol 35:234–240. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jddst.2016.07.002Phillips E, Penate-Medina O, Zanzonico PB, Carvajal RD, Mohan P, Ye Y, Humm J, Gonen M, Kalaigian H, Schoder H, Strauss HW, Larson SM, Wiesner U, Bradbury MS (2014) Clinical translation of an ultrasmall inorganic optical-PET imaging nanoparticle probe. Sci Transl Med 6(260):260ra149. https://doi.org/10.1126/scitranslmed.3009524Qu F, Zhu G, Lin H, Zhang W, Sun J, Li S, Qiu S (2006) A controlled release of ibuprofen by systematically tailoring the morphology of mesoporous silica materials. J Solid State Chem 179(7):2027–2035. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jssc.2006.04.002Rafi AA, Mahkam M, Davaran S, Hamishehkar H (2016) A smart pH-responsive nano-carrier as a drug delivery system: a hybrid system comprised of mesoporous nanosilica MCM-41 (as a nano-container) & a pH-sensitive polymer (as smart reversible gatekeepers): preparation, characterization and in vitro releas. Eur J Pharm Sci 93:64–73. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejps.2016.08.005Rouquerol J, Rouquerol F, Llewellyn P, et al (2014) Adsorption by powders and porous solids: principles, methodology and applications. Elsevier Ltd.Selvam P, Bhatia SK, Sonwane CG (2001) Recent advances in processing and characterization of periodic mesoporous MCM-41 silicate molecular sieves. Ind Eng Chem Res 40(15):3237–3261. https://doi.org/10.1021/ie0010666Shi YT, Cheng HY, Geng Y, Nan HM, Chen W, Cai Q, Chen BH, Sun XD, Yao YW, Li HD (2010) The size-controllable synthesis of nanometer-sized mesoporous silica in extremely dilute surfactant solution. Mater Chem Phys 120(1):193–198. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matchemphys.2009.10.045Shibata H, Chiba Y, Kineri T, Matsumoto M, Nishio K (2010) The effect of heat treatment on the interplanar spacing of the mesostructure during the synthesis of mesoporous MCM-41 silica. Colloids Surfaces A Physicochem Eng Asp 358(1-3):1–5. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.colsurfa.2009.12.020Slowing II, Vivero-Escoto JL, Wu C-W, Lin VSY (2008) Mesoporous silica nanoparticles as controlled release drug delivery and gene transfection carriers. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 60(11):1278–1288. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.addr.2008.03.012Sun R, Wang W, Wen Y, Zhang X (2015) Recent advance on mesoporous silica nanoparticles-based controlled release system: intelligent switches open up. Nano 5(4):2019–2053. https://doi.org/10.3390/nano5042019U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (2015) Cancer Nanotechnology PlanUkmar T, Maver U, Planinšek O, Kaučič V, Gaberšček M, Godec A (2011) Understanding controlled drug release from mesoporous silicates: theory and experiment. J Control Release 155(3):409–417. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jconrel.2011.06.038Vallet-Regi M, Arcos Navarrete D (2016) Nanoceramics in clinical use, 1st edn. The Royal Society of Chemistry, CambridgeVallet-Regi M, Rámila A, Del Real RP, Pérez-Pariente J (2001) A new property of MCM-41: drug delivery system. Chem Mater 13(2):308–311. https://doi.org/10.1021/cm0011559Varga N, Benko M, Sebok D et al (2015) Mesoporous silica core-shell composite functionalized with polyelectrolytes for drug delivery. Microporous Mesoporous Mater 213:134–141. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.micromeso.2015.02.008Wang Y, Zhao Q, Han N, Bai L, Li J, Liu J, Che E, Hu L, Zhang Q, Jiang T, Wang S (2015) Mesoporous silica nanoparticles in drug delivery and biomedical applications. Nanomed Nanotechnol Biol Med 11(2):313–327. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nano.2014.09.014Wanyika H, Gatebe E, Kioni P et al (2011) Synthesis and characterization of ordered mesoporous silica nanoparticles with tunable physical properties by varying molar composition of reagents. African J Pharm Pharmacol 5(21):2402–2410. https://doi.org/10.5897/AJPP11.592Wu SH, Mou CY, Lin HP (2013) Synthesis of mesoporous silica nanoparticles. Chem Soc Rev 42(9):3862–3875. https://doi.org/10.1039/c3cs35405aXu X, Lü S, Gao C, Wang X, Bai X, Gao N, Liu M (2015a) Facile preparation of pH-sensitive and self-fluorescent mesoporous silica nanoparticles modified with PAMAM dendrimers for label-free imaging and drug delivery. Chem Eng J 266:171–178. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cej.2014.12.075Xu X, Lü S, Gao C, Wang X, Bai X, Duan H, Gao N, Feng C, Liu M (2015b) Polymeric micelle-coated mesop orous silica nanoparticle for enhanced fluorescent imaging and pH-responsive drug delivery. Chem Eng J 279:851–860. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cej.2015.05.085Xu X, Lü S, Gao C, Feng C, Wu C, Bai X, Gao N, Wang Z, Liu M (2016) Self-fluorescent and stimuli-responsive mesoporous silica nanoparticles using a double-role curcumin gatekeeper for drug delivery. Chem Eng J 300:185–192. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cej.2016.04.087Yang Y, Yu C (2015) Advances in silica based nanoparticles for targeted cancer therapy. Nanomedicine nanotechnology. Biol Med 12(2):317–332. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nano.2015.10.018Zhang H, Tong C, Sha J, Liu B, Lü C (2015) Fluorescent mesoporous silica nanoparticles functionalized graphene oxide: a facile FRET-based ratiometric probe for Hg2+. Sensors Actuators B Chem 206:181–189. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.snb.2014.09.051Zhou C, Yan C, Zhao J, Wang H, Zhou Q, Luo W (2016) Rapid synthesis of morphology-controlled mesoporous silica nanoparticles from silica fume. J Taiwan Inst Chem Eng 62:307–312. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jtice.2016.01.03

Relationship between body image disturbance and incidence of depression: the SUN prospective cohort

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Body image disturbance is an increasing problem in Western societies and is associated with a number of mental health outcomes including anorexia, bulimia, body dysmorphia, and depression. The aim of this study was to assess the association between body image disturbance and the incidence of depression.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>This study included 10,286 participants from a dynamic prospective cohort of Spanish university graduates, who were followed-up for a median period of 4.2 years (Seguimiento Universidad de Navarra – the SUN study). The key characteristic of the study is the permanently open recruitment that started in 1999. The baseline questionnaire included information about body mass index (BMI) and the nine figure schemes that were used to assess body size perception. These variables were grouped according to recommended classifications and the difference between BMI and body size perception was considered as a proxy of body image disturbance. A subject was classified as an incident case of depression if he/she was initially free of depression and reported a physician-made diagnosis of depression and/or the use of antidepressant medication in at least one of the follow-up questionnaires. The association between body image disturbance and the incidence of depression was estimated by calculating the multivariable adjusted Odds Ratio (OR) and its 95% Confidence Interval (95% CI), using logistic regression models.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The cumulative incidence of depression during follow-up in the cohort was 4.8%. Men who underestimated their body size had a high percentage of overweight and obesity (50.1% and 12.6%, respectively), whereas women who overestimated their body size had a high percentage of underweight (87.6%). The underestimation exhibited a negative association with the incidence of depression among women (OR: 0.72, 95% CI: 0.54 – 0.95), but this effect disappeared after adjusting for possible confounding variables. The proportion of participants who correctly perceived their body size was high (53.3%) and gross misperception was seldom found, with most cases selecting only one silhouette below (42.7%) or above (2.6%) their actual BMI.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>We found no association between body image disturbance and subsequent depression in a cohort of university graduates in Spain.</p