Facing challenges in differential classical conditioning research: benefits of a hybrid design for simultaneous electrodermal and electroencephalographic recording

Several challenges make it difficult to simultaneously investigate central and autonomous nervous system correlates of conditioned stimulus (CS) processing in classical conditioning paradigms. Such challenges include, for example, the discrepant requirements of electroencephalography (EEG) and electrodermal activity (EDA) recordings with regard to multiple repetitions of conditions and sufficient trial duration. Here, we propose a MultiCS conditioning set-up, in which we increased the number of CSs, decreased the number of learning trials, and used trials of short and long durations for meeting requirements of simultaneous EEG–EDA recording in a differential aversive conditioning task. Forty-eight participants underwent MultiCS conditioning, in which four neutral faces (CS+) were paired four times each with aversive electric stimulation (unconditioned stimulus) during acquisition, while four different neutral faces (CS−) remained unpaired. When comparing after relative to before learning measurements, EEG revealed an enhanced centro-posterior positivity to CS+ vs. CS− during 368–600 ms, and subjective ratings indicated CS+ to be less pleasant and more arousing than CS−. Furthermore, changes in CS valence and arousal were strong enough to bias subjective ratings when faces of CS+/CS− identity were displayed with different emotional expression (happy, angry) in a post-experimental behavioral task. In contrast to a persistent neural and evaluative CS+/CS− differentiation that sustained multiple unreinforced CS presentations, electrodermal differentiation was rapidly extinguished. Current results suggest that MultiCS conditioning provides a promising paradigm for investigating pre–post-learning changes under minimal influences of extinction and overlearning of simple stimulus features. Our data also revealed methodological pitfalls, such as the possibility of occurring artifacts when combining different acquisition systems for central and peripheral psychophysiological measures

A review of NAFO 3LMN roughhead grenadier (Macrourus berglax Lacepède, 1801) reproductive biology including the evaluation of maturity ogive estimates.

A collection of 4770 histological slides collected in NAFO divisions 3LMN in a depth range from 200 to 1500 m and covering a time period between 2001 and 2015, has been reviewed to obtain information on reproductive biology of Macrourus berglax. Especial attention has been paid in atresia because its potential impact on stock productivity. Spatial and temporal variability of size and age at maturity of female roughhead grenadier was analyzed in NAFO divisions 3LMN based on microscopic maturity staging and individual age readings. Spawning capable females are homogeneously distributed nearly year-round, but in scarce numbers what prevent to define a spawning season. This statement united to the high levels of atresia could indicate a reproductive migration. We observed a clear decrease in length at first maturity (L50) of females from 27.8 cm in the period 2005-2011 to 25.6 cm in the last four years. The age at first maturity, A50, varied between 13.1 and 15 years, and there is not an evident trend of change over the years.Postprint0,000

Association between serum soluble CD40 ligand levels and mortality in patients with severe sepsis

INTRODUCTION: CD40 Ligand (CD40L) and its soluble counterpart (sCD40L) are proteins that exhibit prothrombotic and proinflammatory properties on binding to their cell surface receptor CD40. The results of small clinical studies suggest that sCD40L levels could play a role in sepsis; however, there are no data on the association between sCD40L levels and mortality of septic patients. Thus, the aim of this study was to determine whether circulating sCD40L levels could be a marker of adverse outcome in a large cohort of patients with severe sepsis. METHODS: This was a multicenter, observational and prospective study carried out in six Spanish intensive care units. Serum levels of sCD40L, tumour necrosis factor-alpha and interleukin-10, and plasma levels of tissue factor were measured in 186 patients with severe sepsis at the time of diagnosis. Serum sCD40L was also measured in 50 age- and sex-matched controls. Survival at 30 days was used as the endpoint. RESULTS: Circulating sCD40L levels were significantly higher in septic patients than in controls (P = 0.01), and in non-survivors (n = 62) compared to survivors (n = 124) (P = 0.04). However, the levels of CD40L were not different regarding sepsis severity. Logistic regression analysis showed that sCD40L levels >3.5 ng/mL were associated with higher mortality at 30 days (odds ratio = 2.89; 95% confidence interval = 1.37 to 6.07; P = 0.005). The area under the curve of sCD40L levels >3.5 ng/mL as predictor of mortality at 30 days was 0.58 (95% CI = 0.51 to 0.65; P = 0.03). CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, circulating sCD40L levels are increased in septic patients and are independently associated with mortality in these patients; thus, its modulation could represent an attractive therapeutic target

New insights into the genetic etiology of Alzheimer's disease and related dementias

Characterization of the genetic landscape of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and related dementias (ADD) provides a unique opportunity for a better understanding of the associated pathophysiological processes. We performed a two-stage genome-wide association study totaling 111,326 clinically diagnosed/'proxy' AD cases and 677,663 controls. We found 75 risk loci, of which 42 were new at the time of analysis. Pathway enrichment analyses confirmed the involvement of amyloid/tau pathways and highlighted microglia implication. Gene prioritization in the new loci identified 31 genes that were suggestive of new genetically associated processes, including the tumor necrosis factor alpha pathway through the linear ubiquitin chain assembly complex. We also built a new genetic risk score associated with the risk of future AD/dementia or progression from mild cognitive impairment to AD/dementia. The improvement in prediction led to a 1.6- to 1.9-fold increase in AD risk from the lowest to the highest decile, in addition to effects of age and the APOE ε4 allele

Problematic internet use: the preference for online social interaction and the motives for using the Internet as a mediating factor

The preference for online social interaction has been seen as an antecedent for problematic use of the Internet and social networks, which is associated with problems of social anxiety and a lack of social skills. Based on a survey with a representative sample of 524 students in Compulsory Secondary Education (aged 12-14) in the Autonomous Region of Madrid (Spain), the role of motives of use as a factor that explains the problematic use of the Internet has been analysed as a mediating component between such problematic use and the preference for online social interaction. The results show that only when social networks are used to expand relationships and as a form of self-expression are there negative consequences for the individual, but not when such networks are used to maintain close relationships. Finally, is has been observed that such motives, which moderately predict problematic use, only slightly explain in part the relationship between the preference for online social interaction and problematic use. Therefore, further research is needed to investigate other motives for use that mediate this association, as well as the connection between the motive to expand social relationships together with self-expression, and other pre-existing personality factors that might lead to problematic use of the Internet and social networks.La preferencia por la interacción social online se ha visto como un antecedente del uso problemático de internet y de las redes sociales asociado a problemas de ansiedad social y carencias en habilidades sociales. A partir de una encuesta a una muestra representativa de 524 estudiantes de Educación Secundaria Obligatoria (alumnos de 12 a 14 años) de la Comunidad de Madrid –España–, se analiza el papel de las motivaciones como factor explicativo del uso problemático de internet, en tanto que elemento mediador entre este último y la preferencia por la interacción online. Los resultados muestran que únicamente el uso de las redes sociales para ampliar las relaciones y como forma de autoexpresión explican las consecuencias negativas sobre el individuo, pero no sucede así con el mantenimiento de relaciones cercanas. Por último, se observa que esta motivación, que predice de forma moderada el uso problemático, solo explica muy parcialmente la relación entre la preferencia por la interacción online y este. Por tanto, es necesario seguir investigando otras motivaciones de uso que median esta relación, así como las conexiones entre la motivación para ampliar las relaciones sociales y como forma de autoexpresión y otros factores de la personalidad previos que podrían generar un uso problemático de internet y de las redes sociales.

Problematic internet use: the preference for online social interaction and the motives for using the Internet as a mediating factor

The preference for online social interaction has been seen as an antecedent for problematic use of the Internet and social networks, which is associated with problems of social anxiety and a lack of social skills. Based on a survey with a representative sample of 524 students in Compulsory Secondary Education (aged 12-14) in the Autonomous Region of Madrid (Spain), the role of motives of use as a factor that explains the problematic use of the Internet has been analysed as a mediating component between such problematic use and the preference for online social interaction. The results show that only when social networks are used to expand relationships and as a form of self-expression are there negative consequences for the individual, but not when such networks are used to maintain close relationships. Finally, is has been observed that such motives, which moderately predict problematic use, only slightly explain in part the relationship between the preference for online social interaction and problematic use. Therefore, further research is needed to investigate other motives for use that mediate this association, as well as the connection between the motive to expand social relationships together with self-expression, and other pre-existing personality factors that might lead to problematic use of the Internet and social networks.La preferencia por la interacción social online se ha visto como un antecedente del uso problemático de internet y de las redes sociales asociado a problemas de ansiedad social y carencias en habilidades sociales. A partir de una encuesta a una muestra representativa de 524 estudiantes de Educación Secundaria Obligatoria (alumnos de 12 a 14 años) de la Comunidad de Madrid –España–, se analiza el papel de las motivaciones como factor explicativo del uso problemático de internet, en tanto que elemento mediador entre este último y la preferencia por la interacción online. Los resultados muestran que únicamente el uso de las redes sociales para ampliar las relaciones y como forma de autoexpresión explican las consecuencias negativas sobre el individuo, pero no sucede así con el mantenimiento de relaciones cercanas. Por último, se observa que esta motivación, que predice de forma moderada el uso problemático, solo explica muy parcialmente la relación entre la preferencia por la interacción online y este. Por tanto, es necesario seguir investigando otras motivaciones de uso que median esta relación, así como las conexiones entre la motivación para ampliar las relaciones sociales y como forma de autoexpresión y otros factores de la personalidad previos que podrían generar un uso problemático de internet y de las redes sociales.