The Spanish version of the Internet Gaming Disorder Scale - short form (IGDS9-SF): further examination using item response theory

Internet gaming disorder (IGD) has been recognized by the American Psychiatric Association (APA) as a tentative disorder in the latest (fifth) revision of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). However, psychometric evaluation of the nine IGD criteria remains necessary to further enhance its assessment. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate the psychometric properties of the Spanish version of the Internet Gaming Disorder Scale-Short Form (IGDS9-SF). The internal structure, internal consistency, temporal stability, and relationships with other variables were assessed. Furthermore, a polytomous item response theory (IRT) approach was used to evaluate the performance of each item and the test as a whole. A sample of 388 online gamers (53.61% women, mean age 25.45 years, standard deviation (SD) = 9.62) was recruited for this study. Similar to previous research, the results supported a one-factor structure for the IGDS9-SF, adequate internal consistency and temporal stability of scores, goodness of fit of the items to the graded response model (GRM), and more precise scores at high trait levels to assess IGD in Spanish populations. These findings corroborate the suitability of the Spanish IGDS9-SF for clinical assessment and research within Spanish-speaking populations

Magnetic exchange coupling of a synthetic Co(II)-complex to a ferromagnetic Ni substrate

On-surface assembly of a spin-bearing and non-aromatic porphyrin-related synthetic Co(II)-complex on a ferromagnetic Ni thin film substrate and subsequent magnetic exchange interaction across the interface were studied by scanning tunnelling microscopy (STM), X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS), X-ray magnetic circular dichroism (XMCD) and density functional theory +U (DFT + U) calculations

Lubrication Performance of Sunflower Oil Reinforced with Halloysite Clay Nanotubes (HNT) as Lubricant Additives

This study evaluates the tribological performance of nanolubricants of a vegetable oil (sunflower oil) reinforced with different concentrations of environmentally-friendly nanoparticles of halloysite clay nanotubes (HNTs). Tribological characterization was performed under different conditions to determine its effect on the nanolubricants’ performance and optimal HNT concentration. The tribological performances under low and high contact pressures were analyzed with a block-on-ring tribometer following the ASTM G-077-05 standard procedure. The extreme pressure (EP) properties of the nanolubricants were determined with a T-02 four-ball tribotester according to the ITeE-PIB Polish method for testing lubricants under scuffing conditions. In addition, the lubrication performance of the newly-developed vegetable oil-based nanolubricants was evaluated in an industrial-type application through a tapping torque test. The results indicated that at a low contact pressure 1.5 wt.% HNTs/sunflower oil provided the best tribological behavior by decreasing the coefficient of friction (COF) and wear volume loss by 29 and 70%, respectively. For high contact pressures, 0.05 wt.% HNTs lowered COF and wear by 55% and 56%, respectively. The load-carrying capacity increased by 141% with 0.10 wt.% HNTs compared to the sunflower oil. A high tapping torque efficiency was obtained with HNTs that can prolong tool life in the machining process. Therefore, this study suggests that HNTs/sunflower oil could be used as green lubricants for industrial applications

Economic analysis of alternative nutritional management of dual-purpose cow herds in central coastal Veracruz, Mexico

Market information was combined with predicted input–output relationships in an economic analysis of alternative nutritional management for dual-purpose member herds of the Genesis farmer organization of central coastal Veracruz, Mexico. Cow productivity outcomes for typical management and alternative feeding scenarios were obtained from structured sets of simulations in a companion study of productivity limitations and potentials using the Cornell Net Carbohydrate and Protein System model (Version 6.0). Partial budgeting methods and sensitivity analysis were used to identify economically viable alternatives based on expected change in milk income over feed cost (change in revenues from milk sales less change in feed costs). Herd owners in coastal Veracruz have large economic incentives, from $584 to$1,131 in predicted net margin, to increase milk sales by up to 74% across a three-lactation cow lifetime by improving diets based on good quality grass and legume forages. This increment is equal to, or exceeds, in value the total yield from at least one additional lactation per cow lifetime. Furthermore, marginal rates of return (change in milk income over feed costs divided by change in variable costs when alternative practices are used) of 3.3 ± 0.8 indicate clear economic incentives to remove fundamental productivity vulnerabilities due to chronic energy deficits and impeded growth of immature cows under typical management. Sensitivity analyses indicate that the economic outcomes are robust for a variety of market conditions

Physiological lentiviral vectors for the generation of improved CAR-T cells

Anti-CD19 chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cells have achieved impressive outcomes for the treatment of relapsed and refractory B-lineage neoplasms. However, important limitations still remain due to severe adverse events (i.e., cytokine release syndrome and neuroinflammation) and relapse of 40%-50% of the treated patients. Most CAR-T cells are generated using retroviral vectors with strong promoters that lead to high CAR expression levels, tonic signaling, premature exhaustion, and overstimulation, reducing efficacy and increasing side effects. Here, we show that lentiviral vectors (LVs) expressing the transgene through a WAS gene promoter (AW-LVs) closely mimic the T cell receptor (TCR)/CD3 expression kinetic upon stimulation. These AW-LVs can generate improved CAR-T cells as a consequence of their moderate and TCR-like expression profile. Compared with CAR-T cells generated with human elongation factor alpha (EF1 alpha)-driven-LVs, AW-CAR-T cells exhibited lower tonic signaling, higher proportion of naive and stem cell memory T cells, less exhausted phenotype, and milder secretion of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) and interferon (IFN)-gamma after efficient destruction of CD19(+) lymphoma cells, both in vitro and in vivo. Moreover, we also showed their improved efficiency using an in vitro CD19(+) pancreatic tumor model. We finally demonstrated the feasibility of large-scale manufacturing of AW-CAR-T cells in guanosine monophosphate (GMP)-like conditions. Based on these data, we propose the use of AWLVs for the generation of improved CAR-T products

Moderate Obstructive Left Ureterolithiasis in a 16-year-old patient. Case Report

La ureterolitiasis es una enfermedad global que afecta a millones de personas y causa una enorme carga económica. Por tanto, esta enfermedad impone una carga importante al sistema sanitario. La incidencia y prevalencia de esta enfermedad también está aumentando. Además, cada vez hay más pruebas que sugieren que la nefrolitiasis se asocia con otras enfermedades sistémicas, en particular enfermedades cardiovasculares, diabetes y obesidad. La afección suele ser muy dolorosa, aparece repentinamente sin previo aviso y los síntomas tardan días en desaparecer. Por lo general, el curso de esta afección es benigno, pero en ocasiones puede ser necesaria una intervención urológica y una hospitalización. Los abscesos renales, los cálculos infectados, la enfermedad renal crónica, la obstrucción, las cicatrices ureterales y la estenosis son complicaciones de los cálculos ureterales. Se reporta paciente femenina de 16 años acude por reportar dolor lumbar acompañado de escalofríos y alza térmica no cuantificada, se evidencia al examen EMO pielonefritis, sintomatología no mejora por lo que es hospitalizada.Ureterolithiasis is a global disease that affects millions of people and causes an enormous economic burden. Therefore, this disease imposes a significant burden on the healthcare system. The incidence and prevalence of this disease is also increasing. Furthermore, increasing evidence suggests that nephrolithiasis is associated with other systemic diseases, particularly cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and obesity. The condition is usually very painful, appears suddenly without warning, and takes days for symptoms to disappear. The course of this condition is usually benign, but urological intervention and hospitalization may sometimes be necessary. Kidney abscesses, infected stones, chronic kidney disease, obstruction, ureteral scarring, and stricture are complications of ureteral stones. Se reporta paciente femenina de 16 años acude por reportar dolor lumbar acompañado de escalofríos y alza térmica no cuantificada, se evidencia al examen EMO pielonefritis, sintomatología no mejora por lo que es hospitalizada