Spanish validation of the Internet Gaming Disorder-20 (IGD-20) Test

In recent years, problematic and addictive gaming has been a phenomenon of growing concern worldwide. In light of the increasing awareness about this issue, the latest (fifth) edition of the American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) included Internet Gaming Disorder (IGD) as an area in need of more empirical research. The Internet Gaming Disorder Test (IGD-20 Test) was developed as a valid and reliable tool to assess IGD. The aim of the present study was to validate the Spanish version of the IGD-20 Test, and analyze the different profiles found among a sample of 1,074 Spanish-speaking gamers. A confirmatory factor analysis showed the validity of the Spanish version of the IGD-20 Test and its six factor structure (i.e., salience, mood modification, tolerance, withdrawal, conflict and relapse). The latent profile analysis (LPA) showed five different gamer classes. The 'disordered gamers’ class comprised 2.6% of the participants. Based on this class, sensitivity and specificity analyses showed an adequate empirical cut-off point of 75 (out of 100). It is concluded that the Spanish version of the IGD-20 Test is valid and reliable and can be used in research into IGD among Spanish speaking populations

Role of aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 in ischemia reperfusion injury: An update

Aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 (ALDH2) is best known for its critical detoxifying role in liver alcohol metabolism. However, ALDH2 dysfunction is also involved in a wide range of human pathophysiological situations and is associated with complications such as cardiovascular diseases, diabetes mellitus, neurodegenerative diseases and aging. A growing body of research has shown that ALDH2 provides important protection against oxidative stress and the subsequent loading of toxic aldehydes such as 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal and adducts that occur in human diseases, including ischemia reperfusion injury (IRI). There is increasing evidence of its role in IRI pathophysiology in organs such as heart, brain, small intestine and kidney; however, surprisingly few studies have been carried out in the liver, where ALDH2 is found in abundance. This study reviews the role of ALDH2 in modulating the pathways involved in the pathophysiology of IRI associated with oxidative stress, autophagy and apoptosis. Special emphasis is placed on the role of ALDH2 in different organs, on therapeutic "preconditioning" strategies, and on the use of ALDH2 agonists such as Alda-1, which may become a useful therapeutic tool for preventing the deleterious effects of IRI in organ transplantation

Hydrogen peroxide is involved in the acclimation of the Mediterranean shrub, Cistus albidus L., to summer drought

This study evaluated the possible role of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) in the acclimation of a Mediterranean shrub, Cistus albidus L., to summer drought growing under Mediterranean field conditions. For this purpose, changes in H2O2 concentrations and localization throughout a year were analysed. H2O2 changes in response to environmental conditions in parallel with changes in abscisic acid (ABA) and oxidative stress markers, together with lignin accumulation, xylem and sclerenchyma differentiation, and leaf area were also investigated. During the summer drought, leaf H2O2 concentrations increased 11-fold, reaching values of 10 μmol g−1 dry weight (DW). This increase occurred mainly in mesophyll cell walls, xylem vessels, and sclerenchyma cells in the differentiation stage. An increase in ABA levels preceded that of H2O2, but both peaked at the same time in conditions of prolonged stress. C. albidus plants tolerated high concentrations of H2O2 because of its localization in the apoplast of mesophyll cells, xylem vessels, and in differentiating sclerenchyma cells. The increase in ABA, and consequently of H2O2, in plants subjected to drought stress might induce a 3.5-fold increase in ascorbic acid (AA), which maintained and even decreased its oxidative status, thus protecting plants from oxidative damage. After recovery from drought following late-summer and autumn rainfall, a decrease in ABA, H2O2, and AA to their basal levels (∼60 pmol g−1 DW, ∼1 μmol g−1 DW, and ∼20 μmol g−1 DW) was observed

Aldehyde Dehydrogenase 2 (ALDH2) in Rat Fatty Liver Cold Ischemia Injury

Institut George Lopez-1 (IGL-1) and Histidine-tryptophan-ketoglutarate (HTK) solutions are proposed as alternatives to UW (gold standard) in liver preservation. Their composition differs in terms of the presence/absence of oncotic agents such as HES or PEG, and is decisive for graft conservation before transplantation. This is especially so when fatty (steatotic) livers are used since these grafts are more vulnerable to ischemia insult during conservation. Their composition determines the extent of the subsequent reperfusion injury after transplantation. Aldehyde dehydrogenase-2 (ALDH2), a mitochondrial enzyme, has been reported to play a protective role in warm ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI), but its potential in fatty liver cold ischemic injury has not yet been investigated. We evaluated the relevance of ALDH2 activity in cold ischemia injury when fatty liver grafts from Zucker Obese rats were preserved in UW, HTK, and IGL-1 solutions, in order to study the mechanisms involved. ALDH2 upregulation was highest in livers preserved in IGL-1. It was accompanied by a decrease in transaminases, apoptosis (Caspase 3 and TUNEL assay), and lipoperoxidation, which was concomitant with the effective clearance of toxic aldehydes such as 4-hydroxy-nonenal. Variations in ATP levels were also determined. The results were consistent with levels of NF-E2 p45-related factor 2 (Nrf2), an antioxidant factor. Here we report for the first time the relevance of mitochondrial ALDH2 in fatty liver cold preservation and suggest that ALDH2 could be considered a potential therapeutic target or regulator in clinical transplantation

Can disordered mobile phone use be considered a behavioral addiction? An update on current evidence and a comprehensive model for future research

Despite the many positive outcomes, excessive mobile phone use is now often associated with potentially harmful and/or disturbing behaviors (e.g., symptoms of deregulated use, negative impact on various aspects of daily life such as relationship problems, and work intrusion). Problematic mobile phone use (PMPU) has generally been considered as a behavioral addiction that shares many features with more established drug addictions. In light of the most recent data, the current paper reviews the validity of the behavioral addiction model when applied to PMPU. On the whole, it is argued that the evidence supporting PMPU as an addictive behavior is scarce. In particular, it lacks studies that definitively show behavioral and neurobiological similarities between mobile phone addiction and other types of legitimate addictive behaviors. Given this context, an integrative pathway model is proposed that aims to provide a theoretical framework to guide future research in the field of PMPU. This model highlights that PMPU is a heterogeneous and multi-faceted condition

The problematic use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) in adolescents by the cross sectional JOITIC study

Background: The emerging field of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) has brought about new interaction styles. Its excessive use may lead to addictive behaviours. The objective is to determine the prevalence of the problematic use of ICT such as Internet, mobile phones and video games, among adolescents enrolled in mandatory Secondary Education (ESO in Spanish) and to examine associated factors. Methods: Cross sectional, multi-centric descriptive study. Population: 5538 students enrolled in years one to four of ESO at 28 schools in the Vallès Occidental region (Barcelona, Spain). Data collection: self-administered socio-demographic and ICT access questionnaire, and validated questionnaires on experiences related to the use of the Internet, mobile phones and video games (CERI, CERM, CERV). Results: Questionnaires were collected from 5,538 adolescents between the ages of 12 and 20 (77.3 % of the total response), 48.6 % were females. Problematic use of the Internet was observed in 13.6 % of the surveyed individuals; problematic use of mobile phones in 2.4 % and problematic use in video games in 6.2 %. Problematic Internet use was associated with female students, tobacco consumption, a background of binge drinking, the use of cannabis or other drugs, poor academic performance, poor family relationships and an intensive use of the computer. Factors associated with the problematic use of mobile phones were the consumption of other drugs and an intensive use of these devices. Frequent problems with video game use have been associated with male students, the consumption of other drugs, poor academic performance, poor family relationships and an intensive use of these games. Conclusions: This study offers information on the prevalence of addictive behaviours of the Internet, mobile phones and video game use. The problematic use of these ICT devices has been related to the consumption of drugs, poor academic performance and poor family relationships. This intensive use may constitute a risk marker for ICT addictio

Response-adapted treatment with rituximab, bendamustine, mitoxantrone, and dexamethasone followed by rituximab maintenance in patients with relapsed or refractory follicular lymphoma after first-line immunochemotherapy: Results of the RBMDGELTAMO08 phase II trial

Background Consensus is lacking regarding the optimal salvage therapy for patients with follicular lymphoma who relapse after or are refractory to immunochemotherapy. Methods This phase II trial evaluated the efficacy and safety of response-adapted therapy with rituximab, bendamustine, mitoxantrone, and dexamethasone (RBMD) in follicular lymphoma patients who relapsed after or were refractory to first-line immunochemotherapy. Sixty patients received three treatment cycles, and depending on their response received an additional one (complete/unconfirmed complete response) or three (partial response) cycles. Patients who responded to induction received rituximab maintenance therapy for 2 years. Results Thirty-three (55%) and 42 (70%) patients achieved complete/unconfirmed complete response after three cycles and on completing induction therapy (4-6 cycles), respectively (final overall response rate, 88.3%). Median progression-free survival was 56.4 months (median follow-up, 28.3 months; 95% CI, 15.6-51.2). Overall survival was not reached. Progression-free survival did not differ between patients who received four vs six cycles (P = .6665), nor between patients who did/did not receive rituximab maintenance after first-line therapy (P = .5790). Median progression-free survival in the 10 refractory patients was 25.5 months (95% CI, 0.6-N/A) and was longer in patients who had shown progression of disease after 24 months of first-line therapy (median, 56.4 months; 95% CI, 19.8-56.4) than in those who showed early progression (median, 42.31 months; 95% CI, 24.41-NA) (P = .4258). Thirty-six (60%) patients had grade 3/4 neutropenia. Grade 3/4 febrile neutropenia and infection were recorded during induction (4/60 [6.7%] and 5/60 [8.3%] patients, respectively) and maintenance (2/43 [4.5%] and 4/43 [9.1%] patients, respectively). Conclusions This response-adapted treatment with RBMD followed by rituximab maintenance is an effective and well-tolerated salvage treatment for relapsed/refractory follicular lymphoma following first-line immunochemotherapy

Not-from-concentrate pilot plant ‘Wonderful’ cultivar pomegranate juice changes: Volatiles

Pilot plant ultrafiltration was used to mimic the dominant U.S. commercial pomegranate juice extraction method (hydraulic pressing whole fruit), to deliver a not-from-concentrate (NFC) juice that was high-temperature short-time pasteurized and stored at 4 and 25 °C. Recovered were 46 compounds, of which 38 were routinely isolated and subjected to analysis of variance to assess these NFC juices. Herein, 18 of the 21 consensus pomegranate compounds were recovered. Ultrafiltration resulted in significant decreases for many compounds. Conversely, pasteurization resulted in compound increases. Highly significant decreases in 12 consensus compounds were observed during storage. Principal component analysis demonstrated clearly which compounds were tightly associated, and how storage samples behaved very similarly, independent of temperature. Based on these data and previous work we reported, this solid-phase microextraction (SPME) method delivered a robust ‘Wonderful’ volatile profile in NFC juices that is likely superior qualitatively and perhaps quantitatively to typical commercial offerings

Cytoprotective Mechanisms in Fatty Liver Preservation against Cold Ischemia Injury: A Comparison between IGL-1 and HTK

Institute Goeorges Lopez 1 (IGL-1) and Histidine-Tryptophan-Ketoglutarate (HTK) preservation solutions are regularly used in clinical for liver transplantation besides University of Wisconsin (UW) solution and Celsior. Several clinical trials and experimental works have been carried out comparing all the solutions, however the comparative IGL-1 and HTK appraisals are poor; especially when they deal with the underlying protection mechanisms of the fatty liver graft during cold storage. Fatty livers from male obese Zücker rats were conserved for 24 h at 4 °C in IGL-1 or HTK preservation solutions. After organ recovery and rinsing of fatty liver grafts with Ringer Lactate solution, we measured the changes in mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling activation, liver autophagy markers (Beclin-1, Beclin-2, LC3B and ATG7) and apoptotic markers (caspase 3, caspase 9 and TUNEL). These determinations were correlated with the prevention of liver injury (aspartate and alanine aminostransferase (AST/ALT), histology) and mitochondrial damage (glutamate dehydrogenase (GLDH) and confocal microscopy findings). Liver grafts preserved in IGL-1 solution showed a marked reduction on p-TOR/mTOR ratio when compared to HTK. This was concomitant with significant increased cyto-protective autophagy and prevention of liver apoptosis, including inflammatory cytokines such as HMGB1. Together, our results revealed that IGL-1 preservation solution better protected fatty liver grafts against cold ischemia damage than HTK solution. IGL-1 protection was associated with a reduced liver damage, higher induced autophagy and decreased apoptosis. All these effects would contribute to limit the subsequent extension of reperfusion injury after graft revascularization in liver transplantation procedures

Hexokinase 2 as a novel selective metabolic target for rheumatoid arthritis

Objectives: Recent studies indicate that glucose metabolism is altered in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLS). Hexokinases (HKs) catalyse the first step in glucose metabolism, and HK2 constitutes the principal HK inducible isoform. We hypothesise that HK2 contributes to the synovial lining hypertrophy and plays a critical role in bone and cartilage damage. Methods: HK1 and HK2 expression were determined in RA and osteoarthritis (OA) synovial tissue by immunohistochemistry. RA FLS were transfected with either HK1 or HK2 siRNA, or infected with either adenovirus (ad)-GFP, ad-HK1 or ad-HK2. FLS migration and invasion were assessed. To study the role of HK2 in vivo, 108 particles of ad-HK2 or ad-GFP were injected into the knee of wild-type mice. K/BxN serum transfer arthritis was induced in HK2F/F mice harbouring Col1a1-Cre (HK2Col1), to delete HK2 in non-haematopoietic cells. Results: HK2 is particular of RA histopathology (9/9 RA; 1/8 OA) and colocalises with FLS markers. Silencing HK2 in RA FLS resulted in a less invasive and migratory phenotype. Consistently, overexpression of HK2 resulted in an increased ability to migrate and invade. It also increased extracellular lactate production. Intra-articular injection of ad-HK2 in normal knees dramatically increased synovial lining thickness, FLS activation and proliferation. HK2 was highly expressed in the synovial lining after K/BxN serum transfer arthritis. HK2Col1 mice significantly showed decreased arthritis severity, bone and cartilage damage. Conclusion: HK2 is specifically expressed in RA synovial lining and regulates FLS aggressive functions. HK2 might be an attractive selective metabolic target safer than global glycolysis for RA treatment