Profiles of Problematic Internet Use and Its Impact on Adolescents' Health-Related Quality of Life

The internet has been a breakthrough for adolescents in many ways, but its use can also become dysfunctional and problematic, leading to consequences for personal well-being. The main objective is to analyze profiles related to problematic internet use and its relationship with health-related quality of life (HRQoL). An analytical and cross-sectional study was carried out in a region of northern Spain. The sample comprised 12,285 participants. Sampling was random and representative. Mean age and standard deviation was 14.69 +/- 1.73 (11-18 years). The Spanish versions of the Problematic and Generalized Internet Use Scale (GPIUS2) and of the Health-Related Quality of Life (KIDSCREEN-27) were used. Four profiles were detected (non-problematic use, mood regulator, problematic internet use, and severe problematic use). The prevalence of these last two profiles was 18.5% and 4.9%, respectively. Problematic internet use correlated negatively and significantly with HRQoL. The severe problematic use profile presented a significant decrease in all dimensions of HRQoL. Analyses were carried out to extract a cut-off point for GPIUS2 (52 points). The results and practical implications are discussed.This research was funded by Spanish Ministry of Economy, Industry and Competitiveness, RTI2018-094212-B-I00: (CIBER-AACC); and by the International University of la Rioja, Project "Cyberpsychology (Trienio 2017-20)"

Role of the Multidrug Resistance Efflux Pump MexCD-OprJ in the Pseudomonas aeruginosa Quorum Sensing Response

Multidrug efflux pumps constitute a category of antibiotic resistance determinants that are a part of the core bacterial genomes. Given their conservation, it is conceivable that they present functions beyond the extrusion of antibiotics currently used for therapy. Pseudomonas aeruginosa stands as a relevant respiratory pathogen, with a high prevalence at hospitals and in cystic fibrosis patients. Part of its success relies on its low susceptibility to antibiotics and on the production of virulence factors, whose expression is regulated in several cases by quorum sensing (QS). We found that overexpression of the MexCD-OprJ multidrug efflux pump shuts down the P. aeruginosa QS response. Our results support that MexCD-OprJ extrudes kynurenine, a precursor of the alkyl-quinolone signal (AQS) molecules. Anthranilate and octanoate, also AQS precursors, do not seem to be extruded by MexCD-OprJ. Kynurenine extrusion is not sufficient to reduce the QS response in a mutant overexpressing this efflux pump. Impaired QS response is mainly due to the extrusion of 4-hydroxy-2-heptylquinoline (HHQ), the precursor of the Pseudomonas Quinolone Signal (PQS), leading to low PQS intracellular levels and reduced production of QS signal molecules. As the consequence, the expression of QS-regulated genes is impaired and the production of QS-regulated virulence factors strongly decreases in a MexCD-OprN P. aeruginosa overexpressing mutant. Previous work showed that MexEF-OprJ, another P. aeruginosa efflux pump, is also able of extruding kynurenine and HHQ. However, opposite to our findings, the QS defect in a MexEF-OprN overproducer is due to kynurenine extrusion. These results indicate that, although efflux pumps can share some substrates, the affinity for each of them can be different. Although the QS response is triggered by population density, information on additional elements able of modulating such response is still scarce. This is particularly important in the case of P. aeruginosa lung chronic infections, a situation in which QS-defective mutants are accumulated. If MexCD-OprJ overexpression alleviates the cost associated to triggering the QS response when un-needed, it could be possible that MexCD-OprJ antibiotic resistant overproducer strains might be selected even in the absence of antibiotic selective pressure, acting as antibiotic resistant cheaters in heterogeneous P. aeruginosa populations

Methodology to improve the model of series inductance in CMOS integrated inductors

This paper presents a systematic optimization methodology to achieve an accurate estimation of series inductance of inductors implemented in standard CMOS technologies. Proposed method is based on an optimization procedure which aims to obtain adjustment factors associated to main physical inductor characteristics, allowing to estimate more accurate series inductance values that can be used in design stage. Experimental measurements of diverse square inductor geometries are shown and compared with previous approaches in order to demonstrate and validate presented approach.National Council of Science and Technology of México (CONACYT) TEC2013-45638-C3-3-RSpanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness TEC2013-45638-C3-3-REuropean Regional Development Fund TEC2013-45638-C3-3-RConsejería de Economía, Innovación, Ciencia y Empleo de la Junta de Andalucía P12-TIC-148

Epigenetic Modification Mechanisms Involved in Inflammation and Fibrosis in Renal Pathology

The growing incidence of obesity, hypertension, and diabetes, coupled with the aging of the population, is increasing the prevalence of renal diseases in our society. Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is characterized by persistent inflammation, fibrosis, and loss of renal function leading to end-stage renal disease. Nowadays, CKD treatment has limited effectiveness underscoring the importance of the development of innovative therapeutic options. Recent studies have identified how epigenetic modifications participate in the susceptibility to CKD and have explained how the environment interacts with the renal cell epigenome to contribute to renal damage. Epigenetic mechanisms regulate critical processes involved in gene regulation and downstream cellular responses. The most relevant epigenetic modifications that play a critical role in renal damage include DNA methylation, histone modifications, and changes in miRNA levels. Importantly, these epigenetic modifications are reversible and, therefore, a source of potential therapeutic targets. Here, we will explain how epigenetic mechanisms may regulate essential processes involved in renal pathology and highlight some possible epigenetic therapeutic strategies for CKD treatment.This work was supported by Instituto de Salud Carlos III and Fondos FEDER European Union (PI14/00041, PI15/00960, PI16/01354, PI17/00119, and PI17/01244), Red de Investigación Renal (REDinREN; RD16/0009), Comunidad de Madrid (B2017/BMD-3751 NOVELREN-CM), Fondecyt 1181574 (BK), Sociedad Española de Nefrología, and the “Juan de la Cierva Formacion” training program of the Ministerio de Economia, Industria y Competitividad which supported the salary of S.R-M (FJCI-2016-29050). V. Marchant has a CONICYT Scholarship for his graduate studies at the PhD program in Medical Science, Universidad Austral de Chile. The Centro de Estudios Científicos is funded by the Chilean Government through the Centers of Excellence Basal Financing Program of CONICYT

Association of the MYH9 gene polymorphisms with chronic renal disease secondary to hypertensive nephrosclerosis, in a Caucasian population

Background: Hypertensive nephrosclerosis (HN) is a chronic kidney disease (CKD) associated to essential hypertension, but their causal relationship is controversial. New evidence suggests that MYH9 gene alterations are associated with HN in African Americans. The aim of this study is to investigate the role of this gene in Spanish Caucasians. Methods: We compare high-risk MYH9 variants of patients with HN recruited according to standard clinical criteria (CKD stages 3-5), with essential hypertensives without renal disease (estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) > 60 ml/min/1,73m2 and albuminuria < 300 mg/g creatinine), and also CKD patients with HN and progressive impairment of renal function with those who were stable. Diabetics were excluded. Results: A blood sample was obtained for genetic study of 238 patients with HN-CKD and 233 hypertensive controls. The rs3752462-T and rs4821480-T (risk alleles for CKD) were more frequent in the CKD group, but without significant difference. We found no differences for these SPNs with blood pressure, creatinine, albuminuria or renal disease progression. Conclusions: The effect of two common MYH9 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SPNs) on the development of CKD secondary to HN in our Spanish Caucasian population is low or zero; in any case less than that found in other, mainly African Americans.Funding: This work was supported by grant Red de Investigación Renal-REDINREN from the Instituto Carlos III, and with funds from the Fundación Renal Iñigo Álvarez de Toledo (Iñigo Álvarez de Toledo Kidney Foundation) in the Molecular Genetics Grou

Psychometric properties of the Inventory of Peer Influence on Eating Concerns / Propiedades psicométricas del Inventario de Influencia de Pares sobre la Preocupación Alimentaria

Abstract. The aim of this research was to know the psychometric properties of the Inventory of Peer Influence on Eating Concerns in Mexican female and male population among 10 and 19 years old. The sample was non-probabilistic, composed by 917 participants (females 498 and males 419). After three testing pilots it was necessary to carried out two versions, one for each gender. Cronbach's alpha of .94 was obtained for female and .92 for male version. The exploratory factor analysis yielded three factors, which are: messages, likability with peers of the opposite sex and interaction with peers of the same sex, however it is worthy to note that these two versions are not comparable. Finally, a confirmatory factor analysis was conducted for each version, female and male, which confirmed the factorial model proposed in the exploratory analysis. Based on these results it is possible to conclude that both versions of this inventory are a useful tool to evaluate peer influence on eating concerns. Key words: Eating Disorders, sociocultural influence, body image, adolescents.   Resumen. El propósito del presente estudio fue conocer las propiedades psicométricas del Inventario de Influencia de Pares sobre la Preocupación Alimentaria en mujeres y hombres mexicanos de entre 10 y 19 años de edad. La muestra fue no probabilística de tipo intencional, conformada por 917 participantes (498 mujeres y 419 hom- bres). Se realizaron tres piloteos, a partir de estos se consideró necesario derivar dos versiones, una para cada sexo. Se obtuvo un alpha de Cronbach de .94 y .92 para la versión femenina y masculina, respectivamente. El análisis factorial exploratorio arrojó tres factores, los cuales son: mensajes, popularidad con el sexo opuesto e interacción con pares del mismo sexo, es preciso señalar que a pesar de ello ambas versiones no son equiparables. Finalmente, se realizó un análisis factorial con- firmatorio para cada versión, femenina y masculina, que corroboró el modelo factorial propuesto en el análisis exploratorio. A partir de los resultados obtenidos es posible concluir que ambas versiones del inventario constituyen una herramienta útil para evaluar la influencia de pares sobre la preocupación alimentaria. Palabras clave: Trastornos del comportamiento alimentario, influencia sociocultural, imagen corporal, adolescentes.

Systematic review of disordered eating behaviors: Methodological considerations for epidemiological research

Disordered eating behaviors (DEB) such as dieting, fasting, laxatives or diuretics abuse, self-induced vomiting and binge eating may lead serious physiological and psychological consequences in individuals. Epidemiological data helps to the understanding of the magnitude of this problem within population; however point prevalence rates and the trend of DEB are still a subject of constant debate. Therefore the aim of this study is to systematically review empirical studies that have estimated the prevalence of DEB in women and provide some methodological considerations for future epidemiological studies. The search of articles was made through MEDLINE and SCIENCE DIRECT databases from 2000 to 2013. According to inclusion and exclusion criteria 20 studies were reviewed. Results yielded that the point prevalence range of dieting (0.6---51.7%), fasting (2.1---18.5%) and binge eating (1.2---17.3%) are higher than purgative behaviors (0---11%). However finding a trend in DEB over time was difficult since methodologies were significantly different. Methodological considerations for future research in DEB are proposed

Diversity of HLA Class I and Class II blocks and conserved extended haplotypes in Lacandon Mayans.

Here we studied HLA blocks and haplotypes in a group of 218 Lacandon Maya Native American using a high-resolution next generation sequencing (NGS) method. We assessed the genetic diversity of HLA class I and class II in this population, and determined the most probable ancestry of Lacandon Maya HLA class I and class II haplotypes. Importantly, this Native American group showed a high degree of both HLA homozygosity and linkage disequilibrium across the HLA region and also lower class II HLA allelic diversity than most previously reported populations (including other Native American groups). Distinctive alleles present in the Lacandon population include HLA-A*24:14 and HLA-B*40:08. Furthermore, in Lacandons we observed a high frequency of haplotypes containing the allele HLA-DRB1*04:11, a relatively frequent allele in comparison with other neighboring indigenous groups. The specific demographic history of the Lacandon population including inbreeding, as well as pathogen selection, may have elevated the frequencies of a small number of HLA class II alleles and DNA blocks. To assess the possible role of different selective pressures in determining Native American HLA diversity, we evaluated the relationship between genetic diversity at HLA-A, HLA-B and HLA-DRB1 and pathogen richness for a global dataset and for Native American populations alone. In keeping with previous studies of such relationships we included distance from Africa as a covariate. After correction for multiple comparisons we did not find any significant relationship between pathogen diversity and HLA genetic diversity (as measured by polymorphism information content) in either our global dataset or the Native American subset of the dataset. We found the expected negative relationship between genetic diversity and distance from Africa in the global dataset, but no relationship between HLA genetic diversity and distance from Africa when Native American populations were considered alone

Composición corporal, presencia de anorexia nerviosa y sintomatología asociada en bailarines de danza folclórica/Body composition, presence of anorexia nervosa and associated symptoms in folkloric dancers

Dada la exigencia en la disciplina dancística sobre los requerimientos corporales del bailarín, se han llevado a cabo diversos estudios sobre trastornos alimentarios (TA), sin embargo, son escasos los datos en bailarines de danza folklórica. Por tal motivo, el objetivo del presente trabajo fue conocer la composición corporal, imagen corporal, sintomatología y presencia de anorexia nerviosa en bailarines de danza folklórica profesionales (n = 37), recreativos (n = 37) y en muestra comunitaria (n = 37). El estudio se llevó a cabo en dos fases, en la primera se aplicaron los instrumentos EAT-26 y BSQ, además, se calculó el porcentaje de grasa corporal (PGC), el índice de masa corporal (IMC) y la masa muscular esquelética (MME). En la segunda fase se entrevistaron a aquellos que rebasaron punto de corte del EAT-26 y/o BSQ así como a un grupo control de la misma muestra que no haya rebasado ningún punto de corte para descartar falsos negativos.  Solo se encontraron diferencias entre grupos en IMC y en PGC. De acuerdo con las entrevistas, ningún participante fue diagnosticado con anorexia nerviosa pero sí con sintomatología de TA. Se concluye que los estándares corporales exigidos en danza folklórica, son lo suficientemente altos como para que los bailarines realicen conductas de riesgo que podrían comprometer su salud física y psicológica

Decision making impairment: A shared vulnerability in obesity, gambling disorder and substance use disorders?

Introduction: Addictions are associated with decision making impairments. The present study explores decision making in Substance use disorder (SUD), Gambling disorder (GD) and Obesity (OB) when assessed by Iowa Gambling Task (IGT) and compares them with healthy controls (HC). Methods: For the aims of this study, 591 participants (194 HC, 178 GD, 113 OB, 106 SUD) were assessed according to DSM criteria, completed a sociodemographic interview and conducted the IGT. Results: SUD, GD and OB present impaired decision making when compared to the HC in the overall task and task learning, however no differences are found for the overall performance in the IGT among the clinical groups. Results also reveal some specific learning across the task patterns within the clinical groups: OB maintains negative scores until the third set where learning starts but with a less extend to HC, SUD presents an early learning followed by a progressive although slow improvement and GD presents more random choices with no learning. Conclusions: Decision making impairments are present in the studied clinical samples and they display individual differences in the task learning. Results can help understanding the underlying mechanisms of OB and addiction behaviors as well as improve current clinical treatments