Testing a eustress–distress emotion regulation model in British and Spanish front-line employees

Studies suggest that suppressing emotions required by occupational roles (i.e., surface acting [SA]) can lead to employees’ emotional exhaustion. In contrast, trying to experience the emotions required by the role (i.e., deep acting [DA]) appears to be a less harmful strategy for the employee. However, problems with 1 of the mainstream measures of DA call for a reexamination of the construct’s operationalization and a clarification of its consequences. Furthermore, an integrated model explaining the differential outcomes of the 2 main emotion regulation (ER) strategies (SA and DA) is also required. Building on eustress–distress literature, it was hypothesized that cognitive reappraisal (a suggested operationalization of DA) would be associated with perception of thriving customer interactions, eliciting the eustress response (i.e., increased efficacy and commitment). It was also expected that suppression would be associated with perception of draining customer interactions, emotional exhaustion, and turnover intentions. Importantly, in line with the eustress–distress model, no cross-relationships between the eustress and distress route were hypothesized. A cross-national study comprised theme park employees from Spain (N=208) and the United Kingdom (N=204) and multigroup confirmatory factor analysis was used. Hypotheses were supported therefore the eustress–distress model offers a plausible explanation of the work-related ER outcomes. As an ER strategy, cognitive reappraisal may promote perceptions of thriving customer interactions that in turn generates opportunities to develop valued personal resources and organizationally desirable attitudes. Organizations should invest in individually based interventions to assist employees in interpreting customer demands in less harming ways

Treatment efficacy of a specialized psychotherapy program for Internet Gaming Disorder

Background and aims: Internet Gaming Disorder (IGD) has become health concern around the world, and specialized health services for the treatment of IGD are emerging. Despite the increase in such services, few studies have examined the efficacy of psychological treatments for IGD. The primary aim of this study was to assess the efficacy of a specialized psychotherapy program for adolescents with IGD [i.e., the “Programa Individualizado Psicoterapéutico para la Adicción a las Tecnologías de la Información y la Comunicación” (PIPATIC) program]. Methods: The sample comprised 31 adolescents (aged 12–18 years) from two public mental health centers who were assigned to either the (a) PIPATIC intervention experimental group or (b) standard cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) control group. The interventions were assessed at pre-, middle-, and post-treatment phases, as well as a 3-month assessment was carried out after completing the interventions. Results: No significant differences between either group in the pre-treatment phase were found. Relating to the different interventions examined, significant differences were found at pre-test and post-test on the following variables: comorbid disorders, intrapersonal and interpersonal abilities, family relationships, and therapists’ measures. Both groups experienced a significant reduction of IGD symptoms, although the PIPATIC group experienced higher significant improvements in the remainder of the variables examined. Discussion and conclusions: The findings suggest that PIPATIC program is effective in the treatment of IGD and its comorbid disorders/symptoms, alongside the improvement of intra- and interpersonal abilities and family relationships. However, it should also be noted that standard CBT was also effective in the treatment of IGD. Changing the focus of treatment and applying an integrative focus (including the addiction, the comorbid symptoms, intra- and interpersonal abilities, and family psychotherapy) appear to be more effective in facilitating adolescent behavior change than CBT focusing only on the IGD itself

Left Atrial Venoarterial Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation Strategy in Postcardiotomy Cardiogenic Shock: A Case Series

Postcardiotomy cardiogenic shock is a rare complication with high mortality. When patients do not respond to the placement of an intra-aortic balloon pump or pharmacological treatment, therapy with peripheral venoarterial extracorporeal membrane is a viable option that allows active resuscitation. The adjunct use of Impella® (Abiomed, Danvers, MA, USA) allows active unloading of the dysfunctional left ventricle. However, left atrial venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (LAVA-ECMO) is an appealing and effective strategy in cases of aortic dissection, aortic valve replacement, or bioprosthesis of the aorta. Insertion of an extraction cannula that can discharge both atria or only the left atrium allows biventricular discharge or discharge of only the left ventricle, respectively. We present a case series of patients who underwent Bentall–De Bono surgery with severe aortic regurgitation secondary to aortic dissection and/or aneurysm. In one case, the aortic dissection extended before the bifurcation of the iliac arteries, and LAVA-ECMO was a safe treatment option. To our knowledge, this is the first published experience of LAVA-ECMO after cardiac surgery in this population

INCIDENCIA DE DISFUNCIÓN ORGÁNICA INDUCIDA POR EL CITOTROFOBLASTO. ALTERNATIVA CLÍNICA PARA EVALUAR LA PREECLAMPSIA ATÍPICA

Con el Objetivo de  Determinar  la incidencia de disfunción endotelial inducida por el citotrofoblasto en preeclampsia. Materiales y métodos:   se  realizó un estudio de cohorte longitudinal en  420 gestantes, con diagnóstico presuntivo de preeclampsia, que fueron atendidas en el servicio de Obstetricia del Hospital Belén de Trujillo, entre enero 2010 a diciembre 2012.  Se consideró disfunción a la alteración de los parámetros clínicos y/o de laboratorio, que superaron los rangos de normalidad durante el embarazo. Se calificó como disfunción endotelial  leve a la presencia   de  1 ó 2 parámetros  disfuncionales  y severa  a la presencia de hipertensión ó   3 o más parámetros disfuncionales sin hipertensión. Resultados: El 90,8%  de casos presentó disfunción endotelial severa  y 9,2 % disfunción leve. Utilizando los criterios clásicos de preeclampsia  (hipertensión y proteinuria) el 62% calificó como preeclampsia severa; El edema estuvo presente en el 94% de casos, la proteinuria en el 87,5%  e  hipertensión en  el  87,2%,  creatinina mayor de 0,8 gr/dl  en  81,9%  de casos;   53  casos no presentaron  hipertensión. Conclusiones: el enfoque de disfunción endotelial promueve la  intervención  a favor de la madre. Por lo que  podría  reducir  la  mortalidad, la severidad  y la  necesidad de hospitalización en  cuidado crítico; pero su  uso inapropiado podría  incrementar la tasa de prematuridad.Palabras clave: disfunción endotelial en gestantes, preeclampsia    ( BIREME DeCs

DISFUNCIÓN PANCREÁTICA- PANCREATITIS, EN PREECLAMPSIA SEVERA

Secundigesta de 31 años de edad,   parto abdominal hace 4 años por preeclampsia severa, ingresa al servicio de alto riesgo obstétrico del HBT, con Dx de Gestación de 32 semanas por ECO, Pancreatitis aguda por litiasis biliar, RCIU, a D/ preeclampsia.  Amilasa 1,138 UI/L, Lipasa 737.8 UI/L; se administra maduración pulmonar con dexametasona,   la evolución muestra albuminuria 2612 mg/dl y un pico de hipertensión de 150/80mmHg. Se plantea preeclampsia severa con disfunción de órgano blanco, por albuminuria, pancreatitis etc y es sometida a cesárea de urgencia según protocolo del HBT.Evolución favorable con mejoría rápida de la pancreatitis y los otros órganos disfuncionados. Se concluye que la pancreatitis es un cuadro clínico que es posible en pacientes con preeclampsia severa.   

Sexual Health in Spanish People with Intellectual Disability: the Impact of the Lockdown due to COVID-19

Introduction: The lockdown due to COVID-19 affected the sexual health of the people with intellectual disabilities by differentially modifying the frequency and characteristics of people's sexual activity depending on whether or not they lived with a partner during this period. The aim of this study was to analyze the extent to which the sexual behavior of people with intellectual disabilities (with and without a partner) was affected during the lockdown. Methods: The sample consisted of 73 people with intellectual disabilities between 21 and 63 years old (M = 39.63; SD = 10.11). The variables analyzed were the physical, social, and technological environment during the lockdown, sexual appetite, sexual behavior, online sexual activity, and sexual abuse. The data were collected between the months of May and June of 2020. Results: The lockdown increased the sexual appetite of a third of the sample (38%), especially the youngest participants. Sexual activity focused on autoeroticism and online behavior, particularly sending nude images of oneself (88%) and viewing pornography (83.6%). Rates of sexual abuse during this period were relatively high (6.8%). Conclusions: The sexual activity of people with ID was important during the lockdown, and they had to adapt to the circumstances of isolation in a similar way to the general population. Technological improvements in terms of devices and connection quality at home allowed their sexual behavior to be reoriented, opening the door to new risks for the sexual health of people with ID. Policy implications: Cybersex and the increase in sexual abuse due to confinement are aspects that should be included in programs to improve the sexual health of this group

Chirality-induced Spin Selectivity in Functionalized Carbon Nanotube Networks: The Role of Spin-orbit Coupling

Spin–orbit coupling in a chiral medium is generally assumed to be a necessary ingredient for the observation of the chirality-induced spin selectivity (CISS) effect. However, some recent studies have suggested that CISS may manifest even when the chiral medium has zero spin–orbit coupling. In such systems, CISS may arise due to an orbital polarization effect, which generates an electromagnetochiral anisotropy in two-terminal conductance. Here, we examine these concepts using a chirally functionalized carbon nanotube network as the chiral medium. A transverse measurement geometry is used, which nullifies any electromagnetochiral contribution but still exhibits the tell-tale signs of the CISS effect. This suggests that CISS may not be explained solely by electromagnetochiral effects. The role of nanotube spin–orbit coupling on the observed pure CISS signal is studied by systematically varying nanotube diameter. We find that the magnitude of the CISS signal scales proportionately with the spin–orbit coupling strength of the nanotubes. We also find that nanotube diameter dictates the supramolecular chirality of the medium, which in turn determines the sign of the CISS signal

Macrophage-Dependent Interleukin-6-Production and Inhibition of I-K Contributes to Acquired QT Prolongation in Lipotoxic Guinea Pig Heart

[EN] In the heart, the delayed rectifier K current, I-K, composed of the rapid (I-Kr) and slow (I-Ks) components contributes prominently to normal cardiac repolarization. In lipotoxicity, chronic elevation of pro-inflammatory cytokines may remodel I-K, elevating the risk for ventricular arrythmias and sudden cardiac death. We investigated whether and how the pro-inflammatory interleukin-6 altered I-K in the heart, using electrophysiology to evaluate changes in I-K in adult guinea pig ventricular myocytes. We found that palmitic acid (a potent inducer of lipotoxicity), induced a rapid (~24 h) and significant increase in IL-6 in RAW264.7 cells. PA-diet fed guinea pigs displayed a severely prolonged QT interval when compared to low-fat diet fed controls. Exposure to isoproterenol induced torsade de pointes, and ventricular fibrillation in lipotoxic guinea pigs. Pre-exposure to IL-6 with the soluble IL-6 receptor produced a profound depression of I-Kr and I-Ks densities, prolonged action potential duration, and impaired mitochondrial ATP production. Only with the inhibition of I-Kr did a proarrhythmic phenotype of I-Ks depression emerge, manifested as a further prolongation of action potential duration and QT interval. Our data offer unique mechanistic insights with implications for pathological QT interval in patients and vulnerability to fatal arrhythmias.This study was supported by an AHA (13SDG16850065 to A.S.A), NIH (R01 HL147044 to A.S.A), and Programa Prometeu de la Conselleria d'innovacio, Universitats, Ciencia i Societat Digital de la Generalitat Valenciana (Award number prometeu/2020/043 to J.S).Chowdhury, MKH.; Martínez-Mateu, L.; Do, J.; Aromolaran, KA.; Saiz Rodríguez, FJ.; Aromolaran, A. (2021). Macrophage-Dependent Interleukin-6-Production and Inhibition of I-K Contributes to Acquired QT Prolongation in Lipotoxic Guinea Pig Heart. International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 22(20):1-15. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms222011249S115222