The mediating role of self-efficacy in the relationship between resilience and academic performance in adolescence

Background: During learning processes, some students lack the necessary skills and competences to cope with their academic demands successfully. During adolescence, emotions play a prominent role in academic and personal development. This study aims to analyse the relationship between resilience and academic performance and the possible mediating role of self-efficacy. Methods: The study comprised 2652 students with ages ranging from 12 to 19 years (M=14.55; SD=1.70), both male (N = 1368; 51.58%) and female (N = 1284; 48.41%) from 14 secondary schools in Zaragoza, Aragón, Spain. The instruments used were the Academic Self-efficacy Scale (ASES) and the Brief Resilience Scale (BRS); average marks were used to measure academic performance. Results: The results of the study revealed significant correlations between self-efficacy, resilience and academic performance. Self-efficacy was found to play a mediating role between resilience and academic performance, which explains a pattern of adaptive behaviours in adolescent students. These results have practical implications for educational policies. Conclusion: The important role of self-efficacy as mediating variable between the constructs under analysis and for the promotion of adaptive behaviours is clear. Self-efficacy is important for the psychological and personal development of students, to prevent school drop out and improve the students’ academic performance and experience

IL-17A regulates Eimeria tenella schizont maturation and migration in avian coccidiosis

Although IL17A is associated with the immunological control of various infectious diseases, its role in host response to Eimeria infections is not well understood. In an effort to better dissect the role of IL17A in host-pathogen interactions in avian coccidiosis, a neutralizing antibody (Ab) to chicken IL17A was used to counteract IL17A bioactivity in vivo. Chickens infected with Eimeria tenella and treated intravenously with IL17A Ab, exhibited reduced intracellular schizont and merozoite development, diminished lesion score, compared with untreated controls. Immunohistological evaluation of cecal lesions in the parasitized tissues indicated reduced migration and maturation of second-generation schizonts and reduced lesions in lamina propria and submucosa. In contrast, untreated and infected chickens had epithelial cells harboring second-generation schizonts, which extend into the submucosa through muscularis mucosa disruptions, maturing into second generation merozoites. Furthermore, IL17A Ab treatment was associated with increased parameters of Th1 immunity (IL2- and IFN¿- producing cells), reduced levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS), and diminished levels of serum matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9). Finally, schizonts from untreated and infected chickens expressed S100, Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome protein family member 3 (WASF3), and heat shock protein-70 (HSP70) proteins as merozoites matured, whereas the expression of these proteins was absent in IL17A Ab-treated chickens. These results provide the first evidence that the administration of an IL17A neutralizing Ab to E. tenella-infected chickens inhibits the migration of parasitized epithelial cells, markedly reduces the production of ROS and MMP-9, and decreases cecal lesions, suggesting that IL17A might be a potential therapeutic target for coccidiosis control

Detection and molecular characterisation of Cryptosporidium parvum in British European hedgehogs (Erinaceus europaeus)

Surveillance was conducted for the occurrence of protozoan parasites of the genus Cryptosporidium in European hedgehogs (Erinaceus europaeus) in Great Britain. In total, 108 voided faecal samples were collected from hedgehogs newly admitted to eight wildlife casualty treatment and rehabilitation centres. Terminal large intestinal (LI) contents from three hedgehog carcasses were also analysed. Information on host and location variables, including faecal appearance, body weight, and apparent health status, was compiled. Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) targeting the 18S ribosomal RNA gene, confirmed by sequencing, revealed an 8% (9/111) occurrence of Cryptosporidium parvum in faeces or LI contents, with no significant association between the host or location variables and infection. Archived small intestinal (SI) tissue from a hedgehog with histological evidence of cryptosporidiosis was also positive for C. parvum by PCR and sequence analysis of the 18S rRNA gene. No other Cryptosporidium species were detected. PCR and sequencing of the glycoprotein 60 gene identified three known zoonotic C. parvum subtypes not previously found in hedgehogs: IIdA17G1 (n=4), IIdA19G1 (n=1) and IIdA24G1 (n=1). These subtypes are also known to infect livestock. Another faecal sample contained C. parvum IIcA5G3j which has been found previously in hedgehogs, and for which there is one published report in a human, but is not known to affect livestock. The presence of zoonotic subtypes of C. parvum in British hedgehogs highlights a potential public health concern. Further research is needed to better understand the epidemiology and potential impacts of Cryptosporidium infection in hedgehogs

Chemical variability, toxicity, and antibacterial activity against opportunistic pathogens of the essential oils from Origanum vulgare (hirtum x viridulum)

The genera Citrobacter, Bacillus, Shigella, and Pseudomonas include overt and opportunistic pathogens responsible for a wide range of infections that are the causes of sporadic septicemia, pneumonia, and digestive and urinary tract infections. The presence of high amounts of phenolic compounds in essential oils provides an insight into the likely effect of a specific chemotype against opportunistic pathogens. The main goal of the present work was to evaluate the bacterial growth inhibition by five Origanum vulgare L. (Lamiaceae) essential oil chemotypes. The most active chemotype was also tested for intestinal toxicity using an experimental animal model. The bacterial growth inhibition curves against Pseudomonas aeruginosa CECT 108, Shigella sonnei CECT 413, Bacillus cereus CECT 131, and Citrobacter freundii CECT 7464 were set up. The following parameters were assessed from the animal model experiments: villius height, Lieberkühn crypt depth, and intestinal mucosal thickness. A total of 15 individual plants (3 per chemotype) were used in this assay. The essential oils were extracted by hydrodistillation and the qualitative and quantitative compositions were analyzed using a gas chromatograph coupled to a mass spectrometer (GC-MS). The growth inhibition curves were constructed for the 48-h treatment and the tested essential-oil concentrations ranged from 40 to 1250 ppm for S. sonnei, B. cereus, and C. freundii, and from 625 to 20000 ppm for P. aeruginosa. The GC-MS results revealed that the tested chemotypes were composed of: 86% of carvacrol; 77% of carvacrol and 6% of thymol; 65% of carvacrol and 18% of thymol; 48% of carvacrol, 12% of γ-terpinene, and 6% of caryophyllene; 34% of carvacrol, 15% of γ-terpinene, 8% of p-cymene, and 7% of caryophyllene.                From results it can be concluded: that among the chemotypes studied, the ones having over 48% of carvacrol in the oil inhibited the growth of S. sonnei and B. cereus (312 ppm), and C. freundii (625 ppm). In the case of P. aeruginosa, only chemotypes with a high amount of carvacrol (86-76%) at the highest tested concentration (20000 ppm) were active. In addition, the maximal doses tested did not result in intestinal toxicity

Antimicrobial activity and chemical variability of the essential oil of Thymus hyemalis Lange cultivated in the region of Murcia (Spain)

Thymus hyemalis Lange (Lamiaceae), winter thyme, is an endemic shrub growing on the Southeastern Iberian Peninsula, mainly in Alicante, Murcia, and Almeria. The main goal of the present work was to evaluate the chemical variability of the essential oils from this species and their antimicrobial activity based on bacterial growth inhibition curves. The chemical variability of the essential oils from this species was analyzed by means of gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The oils were assayed to evaluate their bacterial growth inhibition curves against Escherichia coli CECT 45, Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica CECT 443, Enterococcus faecalis CECT 481, and Listeria monocytogenes CECT 911. Among the total of 53 cultivated plants, collected from an experimental plot of land in Torreblanca (Murcia, Spain), it was possible to identify the presence of eight different chemotypes, based on the chemical composition of their essential oils. The majority of the plants (53%) belonged to a phenolic chemotype, represented by a high content of thymol, and followed by p-cymene, eucalyptol, and carvacrol. The 48-h growth inhibition curves were obtained for the essential oil tested in concentrations that ranged from 156 to 5000 ppm. The essential-oil chemical variability was represented by the following chemotypes: (A) carvacrol (68%) and p-cymene (17%); (B) carvacrol (52%) and p-cymene (25%); (C) thymol (50%), p-cymene (25%), and γ-terpinene (10%); (D) p-cymene (44%) and thymol (41%); (E) p-cymene (41%) and thymol (30%); (F) p-cymene (40%) and carvacrol (33%); (G) eucalyptol (38%) and carvacrol (25%); (H) eucalyptol (38%) and thymol (22%). Besides, the essential oil yield ranged from 1.4 to 4.6%, showing statistically significant differences among the plants.                From these results it can be summarized that the chemotype C showed the highest effect against S. enterica (312 ppm), E. faecalis and L. monocytogenes (625 ppm), followed by the chemotypes with 60-50% of carvacrol, and then with 44% of p-cymene and 41% of thymol. The chemotypes with 38-30% of carvacrol, or thymol with p-cymene or eucalyptol did not inhibit the growth of E. coli and S. enterica (625 ppm), or of L. monocytogenes and E. faecalis (2500 ppm)

Antimicrobial activity and chemical variability of the essential oil of Thymus hyemalis Lange cultivated in the region of Murcia (Spain)

Thymus hyemalis Lange (Lamiaceae), winter thyme, is an endemic shrub growing on the Southeastern Iberian Peninsula, mainly in Alicante, Murcia, and Almeria. The main goal of the present work was to evaluate the chemical variability of the essential oils from this species and their antimicrobial activity based on bacterial growth inhibition curves. The chemical variability of the essential oils from this species was analyzed by means of gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The oils were assayed to evaluate their bacterial growth inhibition curves against Escherichia coli CECT 45, Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica CECT 443, Enterococcus faecalis CECT 481, and Listeria monocytogenes CECT 911. Among the total of 53 cultivated plants, collected from an experimental plot of land in Torreblanca (Murcia, Spain), it was possible to identify the presence of eight different chemotypes, based on the chemical composition of their essential oils. The majority of the plants (53%) belonged to a phenolic chemotype, represented by a high content of thymol, and followed by p-cymene, eucalyptol, and carvacrol. The 48-h growth inhibition curves were obtained for the essential oil tested in concentrations that ranged from 156 to 5000 ppm. The essential-oil chemical variability was represented by the following chemotypes: (A) carvacrol (68%) and p-cymene (17%); (B) carvacrol (52%) and p-cymene (25%); (C) thymol (50%), p-cymene (25%), and γ-terpinene (10%); (D) p-cymene (44%) and thymol (41%); (E) p-cymene (41%) and thymol (30%); (F) p-cymene (40%) and carvacrol (33%); (G) eucalyptol (38%) and carvacrol (25%); (H) eucalyptol (38%) and thymol (22%). Besides, the essential oil yield ranged from 1.4 to 4.6%, showing statistically significant differences among the plants.                From these results it can be summarized that the chemotype C showed the highest effect against S. enterica (312 ppm), E. faecalis and L. monocytogenes (625 ppm), followed by the chemotypes with 60-50% of carvacrol, and then with 44% of p-cymene and 41% of thymol. The chemotypes with 38-30% of carvacrol, or thymol with p-cymene or eucalyptol did not inhibit the growth of E. coli and S. enterica (625 ppm), or of L. monocytogenes and E. faecalis (2500 ppm)

The composition and antimicrobial activity of the essential oil of Salvia officinalis subsp. oxyodon (Webb & Heldr.) Reales, D.Rivera & Obón cultivated in the region of Murcia (Spain)

The aerial parts of Spanish sage (Salvia officinalis subsp. oxyodon (Webb & Heldr.) Reales, D.Rivera & Obón, Lamiaceae) have been used in the traditional Mediterranean medicine for its analgesic, antioxidant, sedative and antiseptic activities since ancient times. The main goal of the present work was to evaluate the bacterial growth inhibition curves of ten S. officinalis subsp. oxyodon essential-oil chemotypes, containing varying relative concentrations of secondary metabolites, against Shigella sonnei CECT 413, Escherichia coli CECT 45, Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica CECT 443, and Listeria monocytogenes CECT 911. A total of 30 individual plants (3 per chemotype) were used in this assay. The essential oils were extracted by hydrodistillation and the qualitative and quantitative composition was analyzed by a gas chromatograph coupled to a mass spectrometer (GC-MS). Among the total of 65 cultivated plants, collected in an experimental plot of land (Murcia, Spain), it was possible to identify the presence of 10 different chemotypes, based on the chemical composition of their essential oils. The majority of the plants belonged to a single chemotype, represented by eucalyptol and camphor. The inhibition growth curves were monitored for 48 h and the essential-oil concentrations ranged from 625 to 40000 ppm. The essential-oil chemical variability could be represented by the following chemotypes: eucalyptol (22-25%) and camphor (17-40%); camphor (40%) and eucalyptol (28%); camphor (37%), eucalyptol (8%), and α-pinene (11%); camphor (28%), eucalyptol (19%), and α-terpinyl acetate (18%); eucalyptol (22%), myrtenyl acetate (22%), and camphor (18%); camphor (37%), myrtenyl acetate (20%), and eucalyptol (7%); camphor (40%) and myrtenyl acetate (20%); linalyl acetate (21%), camphor (20%), and eucalyptol (18%).                From the results it can be concluded, that among the chemotypes studied, the ones containing 40-37% of camphor and 20% of myrtenyl acetate, at a concentration of 5000 ppm, was the most effective against Shigella and Salmonella (48 h) strains, while at a concentration of 20000 ppm, against E. coli (48 h) and Listeria (24 h) strains

On the Variability of the Length Weight Relationship for Atlantic Bluefin Tuna, Thunnus thynnus (L.)

Following extensive review, a model of the Atlantic bluefin tuna (ABFT), Thunnus thynnus (L.), length–weight relationship for the eastern Atlantic and Mediterranean (RW = 0.0000188 SFL3.01247; Ec 1) is presented on the basis of samples of ABFT spawners, with an average value of index K = 2.03 ± 0.15SD, collected by the Atlantic traps of Portugal and Spain in the Strait of Gibraltar (1963; 1996–1998; 2000–2012), and a set of samples of juvenile fishes from ICCAT–GBYP (n = 707). The resulting model (Ec 1), together with the model used for the eastern stock assessment (RW = 0.000019607 SFL3.0092; Ec 2) and a recently adopted by ICCAT Standing Committee on Research and Statistics (SCRS) (RW = 0.0000315551 SFL2.898454; EAST) are analyzed in using a bi-variant sample [SFL (cm), RW (kg)] of 474 pairs of data with the aim of validating them and establishing which model(s) best fit the reality represented by the sample and, therefore, will have the greatest descriptive and predictive power. The result of the analysis indicates that the model EAST clearly underestimates the weight of spawning ABFT and that model Ec 2 overestimates it slightly, being model Ec 1 that best explains the data of the sample. The result of the classical statistical analysis is confirmed by means of the quantile regression technique, selecting the quantiles 5, 25, 50, 75, and 95%. Other fisheries and biological indicators also conclude that the model EAST gradually underestimates the weight of ABFT spawners (of 2–3 m) by 9–12.5 %, and does not meet the criterion that for RW = 725 kg (Wmax), SFL = 319.93 ± 11.3 cm (Lmax).Cort, JL.; Estruch Fuster, VD.; Neves Dos Santos, M.; Di Natale, A.; Abid, N.; De La Serna, JM. (2015). On the Variability of the Length Weight Relationship for Atlantic Bluefin Tuna, Thunnus thynnus (L.). Reviews in Fisheries Science & Aquaculture. 23(1):23-38. doi:10.1080/23308249.2015.1008625S2338231Aguado-Giménez, F., & García-García, B. (2005). Changes in some morphometric relationships in Atlantic bluefin tuna (Thunnus thynnus thynnus Linnaeus, 1758) as a result of fattening process. Aquaculture, 249(1-4), 303-309. doi:10.1016/j.aquaculture.2005.04.064Block, B. A., Teo, S. L. H., Walli, A., Boustany, A., Stokesbury, M. J. W., Farwell, C. J., … Williams, T. D. (2005). Electronic tagging and population structure of Atlantic bluefin tuna. Nature, 434(7037), 1121-1127. doi:10.1038/nature03463Chapman, E. W., Jørgensen, C., & Lutcavage, M. E. (2011). Atlantic bluefin tuna (Thunnus thynnus): a state-dependent energy allocation model for growth, maturation, and reproductive investment. Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences, 68(11), 1934-1951. doi:10.1139/f2011-109Cort, J. L., Arregui, I., Estruch, V. D., & Deguara, S. (2014). Validation of the Growth Equation Applicable to the Eastern Atlantic Bluefin Tuna,Thunnus thynnus(L.), UsingLmax, Tag-Recapture, and First Dorsal Spine Analysis. Reviews in Fisheries Science & Aquaculture, 22(3), 239-255. doi:10.1080/23308249.2014.931173Cort, J. L., Deguara, S., Galaz, T., Mèlich, B., Artetxe, I., Arregi, I., … Idrissi, M. (2013). Determination ofLmaxfor Atlantic Bluefin Tuna,Thunnus thynnus(L.), from Meta-Analysis of Published and Available Biometric Data. Reviews in Fisheries Science, 21(2), 181-212. doi:10.1080/10641262.2013.793284Fraser, K.Possessed. World Record Holder for Bluefin Tuna. Kingstown, Nova Scotia: T & S Office Essentials and printing, 243 pp. (2008).Fromentin, J.-M., & Powers, J. E. (2005). Atlantic bluefin tuna: population dynamics, ecology, fisheries and management. Fish and Fisheries, 6(4), 281-306. doi:10.1111/j.1467-2979.2005.00197.xHattour, A.Contribution a l’étude des Scombridés de Tunisie. Université de Tunis. Faculté des Sciences, 168 pp. (1979).Karakulak, S., Oray, I., Corriero, A., Deflorio, M., Santamaria, N., Desantis, S., & De Metrio, G. (2004). Evidence of a spawning area for the bluefin tuna (Thunnus thynnus L.) in the eastern Mediterranean. Journal of Applied Ichthyology, 20(4), 318-320. doi:10.1111/j.1439-0426.2004.00561.xKoenker, R., & Bassett, G. (1978). Regression Quantiles. Econometrica, 46(1), 33. doi:10.2307/1913643Koenker, R. (2005). Quantile Regression. doi:10.1017/cbo9780511754098Milatou, N., & Megalofonou, P. (2014). Age structure and growth of bluefin tuna (Thunnus thynnus, L.) in the capture-based aquaculture in the Mediterranean Sea. Aquaculture, 424-425, 35-44. doi:10.1016/j.aquaculture.2013.12.037Perçin, F., & Akyol, O. (2009). Lengthâ weight and lengthâ length relationships of the bluefin tuna,Thunnus thynnusL., in the Turkish part of the eastern Mediterranean Sea. Journal of Applied Ichthyology, 25(6), 782-784. doi:10.1111/j.1439-0426.2009.01288.xPercin, F., & Akyol, O. (2010). Some Morphometric Relationships in Fattened Bluefin Tuna, Thunnus thynnus L., from the Turkish Aegean Sea. Journal of Animal and Veterinary Advances, 9(11), 1684-1688. doi:10.3923/javaa.2010.1684.1688Rooker, J. R., Alvarado Bremer, J. R., Block, B. A., Dewar, H., de Metrio, G., Corriero, A., … Secor, D. H. (2007). Life History and Stock Structure of Atlantic Bluefin Tuna (Thunnus thynnus). Reviews in Fisheries Science, 15(4), 265-310. doi:10.1080/10641260701484135Sinovcic, G., Franicevic, M., Zorica, B., & Cikes-Kec, V. (2004). Length-weight and length-length relationships for 10 pelagic fish species from the Adriatic Sea (Croatia). Journal of Applied Ichthyology, 20(2), 156-158. doi:10.1046/j.1439-0426.2003.00519.xTičina, V., Grubišić, L., Šegvić Bubić, T., & Katavić, I. (2011). Biometric characteristics of small Atlantic bluefin tuna (Thunnus thynnus, Linnaeus, 1758) of Mediterranean Sea origin. Journal of Applied Ichthyology, 27(4), 971-976. doi:10.1111/j.1439-0426.2011.01752.

Long-Term Real-World Effectiveness and Safety of Ustekinumab in Crohn’s Disease Patients: The SUSTAIN Study

Background Large real-world-evidence studies are required to confirm the durability of response, effectiveness, and safety of ustekinumab in Crohn’s disease (CD) patients in real-world clinical practice. Methods A retrospective, multicentre study was conducted in Spain in patients with active CD who had received ≥1 intravenous dose of ustekinumab for ≥6 months. Primary outcome was ustekinumab retention rate; secondary outcomes were to identify predictive factors for drug retention, short-term remission (week 16), loss of response and predictive factors for short-term efficacy and loss of response, and ustekinumab safety. Results A total of 463 patients were included. Mean baseline Harvey-Bradshaw Index was 8.4. A total of 447 (96.5%) patients had received prior biologic therapy, 141 (30.5%) of whom had received ≥3 agents. In addition, 35.2% received concomitant immunosuppressants, and 47.1% had ≥1 abdominal surgery. At week 16, 56% had remission, 70% had response, and 26.1% required dose escalation or intensification; of these, 24.8% did not subsequently reduce dose. After a median follow-up of 15 months, 356 (77%) patients continued treatment. The incidence rate of ustekinumab discontinuation was 18% per patient-year of follow-up. Previous intestinal surgery and concomitant steroid treatment were associated with higher risk of ustekinumab discontinuation, while a maintenance schedule every 12 weeks had a lower risk; neither concomitant immunosuppressants nor the number of previous biologics were associated with ustekinumab discontinuation risk. Fifty adverse events were reported in 39 (8.4%) patients; 4 of them were severe (2 infections, 1 malignancy, and 1 fever). Conclusions Ustekinumab is effective and safe as short- and long-term treatment in a refractory cohort of CD patients in real-world clinical practice

Using Interpretable Machine Learning to Identify Baseline Predictive Factors of Remission and Drug Durability in Crohn’s Disease Patients on Ustekinumab

Ustekinumab has shown efficacy in Crohn's Disease (CD) patients. To identify patient profiles of those who benefit the most from this treatment would help to position this drug in the therapeutic paradigm of CD and generate hypotheses for future trials. The objective of this analysis was to determine whether baseline patient characteristics are predictive of remission and the drug durability of ustekinumab, and whether its positioning with respect to prior use of biologics has a significant effect after correcting for disease severity and phenotype at baseline using interpretable machine learning. Patients' data from SUSTAIN, a retrospective multicenter single-arm cohort study, were used. Disease phenotype, baseline laboratory data, and prior treatment characteristics were documented. Clinical remission was defined as the Harvey Bradshaw Index <= 4 and was tracked longitudinally. Drug durability was defined as the time until a patient discontinued treatment. A total of 439 participants from 60 centers were included and a total of 20 baseline covariates considered. Less exposure to previous biologics had a positive effect on remission, even after controlling for baseline disease severity using a non-linear, additive, multivariable model. Additionally, age, body mass index, and fecal calprotectin at baseline were found to be statistically significant as independent negative risk factors for both remission and drug survival, with further risk factors identified for remission