Editorial: Psychophysiology of Stress

Stress is a multifactorial complex phenomenon where organic resources are mobilized to deal with a real or perceived threat (Cohen et al., 1983). The stress response is one of the most important phylogenetic coping mechanisms that have allowed humans to successfully adapt to highly demanding and potentially dangerous contexts (Hadany et al., 2006; Korzan and Summers, 2021). The intrinsic neurobiological mechanisms involved in the stress response have not changed much in the last stages of the evolution of the human being, prominently including the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenocortical axis and the autonomic nervous system (Ulrich-Lai and Herman, 2009;McEwen et al., 2015; Cohen et al., 2016). In contrast, our social context has changed dramatically recently in evolutionary terms

The role of age of onset in problematic alcohol consumption: artefact or cohort effect?

Age of onset has been reported as a crucial predictor for alcohol consumption in adolescence. However, several authors have warned against it as an unreliable artefact accounted by the tendency to delay age of onset as respondents’ age increases (forward telescoping). This study aims to test whether age of onset is either a proxy for age or a predictor of alcohol consumption of its own. A hierarchical regression model and Process Macro for SPSS were used to test the effect of age of onset (controlling for age) on alcohol consumption and the mediating/moderator role of age of onset, parental control, and sex on alcohol consumption, respectively. Results support the role of age of onset as a significant predictor of alcohol consumption in Ecuadorian adolescents, rather than an artefact. Furthermore, age of onset completely mediated the effect of age on alcohol consumption, often moderated by sex. Practical implications are further discussedLa edad de inicio se ha señalado como un predictor crucial del consumo de alcohol en la adolescencia. Sin embargo, varios autores han advertido que se trata de un artefacto poco fiable que se explica por la tendencia a retrasar la edad de inicio a medida que aumenta la edad de los encuestados (forward telescoping o sesgo de memoria). Este estudio pretende comprobar si la edad de inicio es una medida aproximativa de la edad o un predictor del consumo de alcohol por sí mismo. Se utilizó un modelo de regresión jerárquica y la Macro Process para SPSS para probar el efecto de la edad de inicio (controlando la edad) en el consumo de alcohol y el papel mediador/moderador de la edad de inicio, el control parental y el sexo en el consumo de alcohol, respectivamente. Los resultados confirman el papel de la edad de inicio como predictor significativo del consumo de alcohol en los adolescentes ecuatorianos en lugar de artefacto. Además, la edad de inicio medió completamente el efecto de la edad en el consumo de alcohol, con frecuencia moderado por el sexo. Se discuten posteriormente las implicaciones prácticasS

El papel de la edad de inicio en el consumo problemático de alcohol: ¿artefacto o efecto de cohorte?

La edad de inicio se ha señalado como un predictor crucial del consumo de alcohol en la adolescencia. Sin embargo, varios autores han advertido que se trata de un artefacto poco fiable que se explica por la tendencia a retrasar la edad de inicio a medida que aumenta la edad de los encuestados (forward telescoping o sesgo de memoria). Este estudio pretende comprobar si la edad de inicio es una medida aproximativa de la edad o un predictor del consumo de alcohol por sí mismo. Se utilizó un modelo de regresión jerárquica y la Macro Process para SPSS para probar el efecto de la edad de inicio (controlando la edad) en el consumo de alcohol y el papel mediador/moderador de la edad de inicio, el control parental y el sexo en el consumo de alcohol, respectivamente. Los resultados confirman el papel de la edad de inicio como predictor significativo del consumo de alcohol en los adolescentes ecuatorianos en lugar de artefacto. Además, la edad de inicio medió completamente el efecto de la edad en el consumo de alcohol, con frecuencia moderado por el sexo. Se discuten posteriormente las implicaciones prácticas.Age of onset has been reported as a crucial predictor for alcohol consumption in adolescence. However, several authors have warned against it as an unreliable artefact accounted by the tendency to delay age of onset as respondents’ age increases (forward telescoping). This study aims to test whether age of onset is either a proxy for age or a predictor of alcohol consumption of its own. A hierarchical regression model and Process Macro for SPSS were used to test the effect of age of onset (controlling for age) on alcohol consumption and the mediating/moderator role of age of onset, parental control, and sex on alcohol consumption, respectively. Results support the role of age of onset as a significant predictor of alcohol consumption in Ecuadorian adolescents, rather than an artefact. Furthermore, age of onset completely mediated the effect of age on alcohol consumption, often moderated by sex. Practical implications are further discussed

Anatomical-Ultrasound Visor for Regional Anaesthesia

INTRODUCTION: Regions considered optimal for performing peripheral nerve blocking have been well documented. However identify and perform regional anesthesia in those regions from ultrasound images remains a challenge. AIM: This study aims to develop a virtual environment for the simulation of ultrasound exploration of the neck nerves and both the upper and lower limbs for regional anesthesia. METHOD: Cross-sectional images were obtained from Magnetic Resonance Imaging for puncture regions involved in ultrasound-guided nerve block. RESULTS: A three-dimensional digital viewer was developed for the anatomical and ultrasound identification of key structures involved in peripheral nerve block in neck, upper and lower limbs. CONCLUSION: This study provides a virtual environment software used to simulate ultrasound exploration of nerve neck and upper and lower limbs for regional anesthesia. DISCUSSION: Potential implications of this tool for improving the ultrasound exploration for regional anesthesia and acquisition of anatomical knowledge are further discussed.Sin financiación2.456 JCR (2016) Q2, 28/90 Health Care Sciences & Services, 10/24 Medical InformaticsUE

A Workload Comparison During Anatomical Training With A Physical Or Virtual Model

Recent research argues for the supplementation of traditional anatomical training with emerging three-dimensional visualization technologies (3DVTs); however, little is known regarding the effect these technologies have on learner workload. In this experiment, sixty-one participants studied gross brain anatomy using either a plastic physical model (PM; n = 29) or models presented in virtual reality (VR; n = 32). Participants were fitted with a functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) sensor, worn on the prefrontal cortex. fNIRS measures regional saturation of oxygen (RSO2) and is indicative of workload. Participants then completed a pre-knowledge test on human brain anatomy. Participants were given 10 min to use the provided 3DVT to study 16 anatomical brain structures. Following the study period, participants completed additional surveys measuring workload, newly acquired anatomical knowledge, and cognitive resources used. Overall, anatomical knowledge increased at post-test and the change was no different between PM and VR conditions. Participants in the PM condition reported significantly higher levels of spatial workload, mental demand, and frustration. RSO2 values suggest left hemispheric increases from baseline during learning for the VR condition, but decreases for the PM condition. No other measures revealed differences between the two conditions. These results provide support for the supplementation of traditional anatomical training techniques with virtual reality technology as a way of alleviating workload. Further research is needed to explain the link between workload and performance in anatomical knowledge acquisition