Análisis estadístico de los resultados de una investigación de los efectos de la influencia de la contaminación atmosférica sobre indicadores biológicos en escolares de sexo masculino

Con el objeto de buscar indicadores biológicos humanos de los efectos de la contaminación atmosférica se ha ejecutado un proyecto analítico exploratorio con poblaciones escolares en el centro de la ciudad de Santiago y en la comuna rural de María Pinto (Región Metropolitana). Se trabajó con 114 voluntarios escolares varones entre 10 y 14 años en el Instituto Nacional en Santiago y con un grupo de conrtol, similar, de 51 escolares en María Pinto. En sangre venosa y saliva obtenidas de estos voluntarios se hicieron determinaciones de variables inmunológicas, hematológicas y bioquímicas y medición de la actividad fagocítica del macrófago de sangre periférica. Se hicieron igualmente determinaciones antropométricas. Se determinó también factores de contaminación atmosférica por partículas en ambos lugares: se comprobó que la calidad de aire es significativamente diferente en ellos. Se resumen los resultados globales del proyecto y su análisis estadístico: se discuten tres metodologías alternativas que permitirían tomar en cuenta diferencias de estado nutricional entre ambas poblaciones que pudieran afectar los niveles de respuesta en las variables principales. Las concentraciones de imnunoglobulinas y los factores de complementos C3 y C4 no se muestran como indicadores biológicos efectivos de la contaminación por partículas en la atmósfera. Subsiste la posibilidad de que las variables: capacidad antioxidante del plasma, metahemoglobina, hematocrito, concentración de Fe en materia seca de sangre y otras puedan servir como tales indicadores. Las variaciones conjuntas del índice de fagocitosis y del % de killing evidencian un significativo stress oxidativo

Eficacia de la terapia de aceptación y compromiso centrada en pensamiento negativo repetitivo en fibromialgia: Un diseño de línea base múltiple aleatorizado

Repetitive negative thinking (RNT), in the form of worry and rumination, is a factor that can have a negative impact on the quality of life and symptomatology of patients with fibromyalgia (FM). The present study analyzes the efficacy of a brief Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) protocol focused on reducing RNT in four women diagnosed with FM. A randomized, multiple-baseline design across participants was conducted. Participants completed 4-6 weeks of baseline and subsequently received a 4-session individual intervention. The effect of the intervention was assessed by conducting follow-ups for up to 3 months. All four participants showed clinically significant changes in emotional symptoms as measured by the Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale – 21 (DASS-21¸ S. H. Lovibond y P. F. Lovibond, 1995) and the General Health Questionnaire – 12 (Ruiz et al., 2017a). Likewise, participants showed significant improvements in parameters related to sleep quality and improvements in health-related quality of life. As for process measures, all participants showed clinically significant changes in pathological worry, and three of them also in cognitive fusion. Changes in valued actions were more modest. Effect sizes comparable across designs were very large and statistically significant for DASS-Total (d = 1.51), DASS-Depression (d = 1.83), pathological worry (d = 1.79), and cognitive fusion (d = 1.99). These results suggest that brief RNT-focused ACT interventions hold promise for intervention in patients with FM.El pensamiento negativo repetitivo (PNR), en la forma de rumia y preocupación, es un factor que puede generar un impacto negativo sobre la calidad de vida y sintomatología de los pacientes con fibromialgia (FM). El presente estudio analiza la eficacia de un protocolo breve de la Terapia de Aceptación y Compromiso (ACT) centrado en reducir PNR en cuatro mujeres con diagnóstico de FM. Se llevó a cabo un diseño de línea de base múltiple entre participantes aleatorizado. Las participantes completaron entre 4 y 6 semanas de línea base y, posteriormente, recibieron una intervención individual de 4 sesiones. El efecto de la intervención se evaluó realizando seguimientos hasta los 3 meses. Las cuatro participantes mostraron cambios clínicamente significativos en síntomas emocionales medidos a través del Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale – 21 (DASS-21¸ S. H. Lovibond y P. F. Lovibond, 1995) y el General Health Questionnaire – 12 (Ruiz et al., 2017a). Asimismo, las participantes mostraron mejoras significativas en parámetros relacionados con la calidad del sueño y mejoras en calidad de vida relacionada con la salud. En cuanto a las medidas de proceso, todas las participantes mostraron cambios clínicamente significativos en preocupación patológica y tres de ellas también en fusión cognitiva. Los cambios en acciones valiosas fueron más modestos. Los tamaños del efecto comparables a través de diseños fueron muy grandes y estadísticamente significativos para DASS-Total (d = 1.51), DASS-Depresión (d = 1.83), preocupación patológica (d = 1.79) y fusión cognitiva (d = 1.99)

Cities and regions in Britain through hierarchical percolation

Urban systems present hierarchical structures at many different scales. These are observed as administrative regional delimitations which are the outcome of complex geographical, political and historical processes which leave almost indelible footprints on infrastructure such as the street network. In this work, we uncover a set of hierarchies in Britain at different scales using percolation theory on the street network and on its intersections which are the primary points of interaction and urban agglomeration. At the larger scales, the observed hierarchical structures can be interpreted as regional fractures of Britain, observed in various forms, from natural boundaries, such as National Parks, to regional divisions based on social class and wealth such as the well-known North–South divide. At smaller scales, cities are generated through recursive percolations on each of the emerging regional clusters. We examine the evolution of the morphology of the system as a whole, by measuring the fractal dimension of the clusters at each distance threshold in the percolation. We observe that this reaches a maximum plateau at a specific distance. The clusters defined at this distance threshold are in excellent correspondence with the boundaries of cities recovered from satellite images, and from previous methods using population density

Comparative pan-genome analysis of Piscirickettsia salmonis reveals genomic divergences within genogroups

Indexación: Scopus.Piscirickettsia salmonis is the etiological agent of salmonid rickettsial septicemia, a disease that seriously affects the salmonid industry. Despite efforts to genomically characterize P. salmonis, functional information on the life cycle, pathogenesis mechanisms, diagnosis, treatment, and control of this fish pathogen remain lacking. To address this knowledge gap, the present study conducted an in silico pan-genome analysis of 19 P. salmonis strains from distinct geographic locations and genogroups. Results revealed an expected open pan-genome of 3,463 genes and a core-genome of 1,732 genes. Two marked genogroups were identified, as confirmed by phylogenetic and phylogenomic relationships to the LF-89 and EM-90 reference strains, as well as by assessments of genomic structures. Different structural configurations were found for the six identified copies of the ribosomal operon in the P. salmonis genome, indicating translocation throughout the genetic material. Chromosomal divergences in genomic localization and quantity of genetic cassettes were also found for the Dot/Icm type IVB secretion system. To determine divergences between core-genomes, additional pan-genome descriptions were compiled for the so-termed LF and EM genogroups. Open pan-genomes composed of 2,924 and 2,778 genes and core-genomes composed of 2,170 and 2,228 genes were respectively found for the LF and EM genogroups. The core-genomes were functionally annotated using the Gene Ontology, KEGG, and Virulence Factor databases, revealing the presence of several shared groups of genes related to basic function of intracellular survival and bacterial pathogenesis. Additionally, the specific pan-genomes for the LF and EM genogroups were defined, resulting in the identification of 148 and 273 exclusive proteins, respectively. Notably, specific virulence factors linked to adherence, colonization, invasion factors, and endotoxins were established. The obtained data suggest that these genes could be directly associated with inter-genogroup differences in pathogenesis and host-pathogen interactions, information that could be useful in designing novel strategies for diagnosing and controlling P. salmonis infection. © 2017 Nourdin-Galindo, Sánchez, Molina, Espinoza-Rojas, Oliver, Ruiz, Vargas-Chacoff, Cárcamo, Figueroa, Mancilla, Maracaja-Coutinho and Yañez.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fcimb.2017.00459/ful

Psychometric properties of the Valuing Questionnaire in a Spaniard sample and factorial equivalence with a Colombian sample

Background. The Valuing Questionnaire (VQ) is considered as one of the most psychometrically robust instruments to measure valued living according to the acceptance and commitment therapy model. It consists of 10 items that are responded to on a 7-point Likert-type scale and has two factors: Progression and Obstruction. The Spanish version of theVQshowed good psychometric properties in Colombian samples. However, there is no evidence of the psychometric properties of the VQ in Spaniard samples. This study aims to analyze the validity of the VQ in a large Spaniard sample and analyze the measurement invariance with a similar Colombian sample. Method. The VQ was administered to a Spaniard sample of 846 adult participants from general online population. Cronbach's alpha and McDonald's omega were computed to analyze the internal consistency of the VQ. The fit of the VQ's two-factor model was tested through a confirmatory factor analysis with a robust maximum likelihood (MLR) estimation method. Afterward, we analyzed the measurement invariance across countries and gender. Convergent construct validity was analyzed with a package of questionnaires that evaluated experiential avoidance (Acceptance and Action Questionnaire-II, AAQ-II), emotional symptoms (Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale-21, DASS-21), life satisfaction (Satisfaction with Life Scale, SWLS), and cognitive fusion (Cognitive Fusion Questionnaire, CFQ). Results. The internal consistency across samples was adequate (alphas and omegas were .85 for VQ-Progress and .84 for VQ-Obstruction). The two-factor model obtained a good fit to the data (RMSEA D 0.073, 90% CI [0.063, 0.083], CFI D 0.98, NNFI D 0.97, and SRMR D 0.053). The VQ showed strict invariance across countries and gender and showed theoretically coherent correlations with emotional symptoms, life satisfaction, experiential avoidance, and cognitive fusion. In conclusion, the Spanish version of the VQ demonstrated good psychometric properties in a large Spaniard sample

Psychometric properties of the Automatic Thoughts Questionnaire-8 in two Spanish nonclinical samples

Background. The ATQ is a widely used instrument consisting of 30 items that assess the frequency of negative automatic thoughts. However, the extensive length of the ATQ could compromise its measurement efficiency in survey research. Consequently, an 8-item shortened version of the ATQ has been developed. This study aims to analyze the validity of the ATQ-8 in two Spanish samples. Method. The ATQ-8 was administered to a total sample of 1,148 participants (302 undergraduates and 846 general online population). To analyze convergent construct validity, the questionnaire package also included the Dysfunctional Attitude Scale-Revised (DAS-R), Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21), Acceptance Action Questionnaire-II (AAQ-II), Cognitive Fusion Questionnaire (CFQ), Generalized Pliance Questionnaire (GPQ), and Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS). To analyze internal consistency, we computed Cronbach's alpha and McDonald's omega. A confirmatory factor analysis was conducted to test the one-factor structure of the ATQ-8. In so doing, a robust diagonally weighted least square estimation method (Robust DWLS) was adopted using polychoric correlations. Afterward, we analyzed measurement invariance across samples, gender, groupage, and education level. Lastly, we evaluated convergent construct validity by computing Pearson correlations between the ATQ-8 and the remaining instruments. Results. The internal consistency across samples was adequate (alpha and omega D .89). The one-factor model demonstrated a good fit to the data (RMSEAD0.10, 90% CI [0.089, 0.112], CFID0.98, NNFID0.97, andSRMRD0.048). The ATQ-8 showed scalar metric invariance across samples, gender, groupage, and education level. The ATQ-8 scores were significantly associated with emotional symptoms (DASS-21), satisfaction with life (SWLS), dysfunctional schemas (DAS-R), cognitive fusion (CFQ), experiential avoidance (AAQ-II), and generalized pliance (GPQ). In conclusion, the Spanish version of the ATQ-8 demonstrated adequate psychometric properties in Spanish samples

Sphere rolling on the surface of a cone

We analyse the motion of a sphere that rolls without slipping on a conical surface having its axis in the direction of the constant gravitational field of the Earth. This nonholonomic system admits a solution in terms of quadratures. We exhibit that the only circular of the system orbit is stable and furthermore show that all its solutions can be found using an analogy with central force problems. We also discuss the case of motion with no gravitational field, that is, of motion on a freely falling cone.Comment: 12 pages, 2 figures, to be published in Eur J Phy

Horizontal flow fields observed in Hinode G-band images II. Flow fields in the final stages of sunspot decay

We present a subset of multi-wavelengths observations obtained with the Japanese Hinode mission, the Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO), and the Vacuum Tower Telescope (VTT) at Observatorio del Teide, Tenerife, Spain during the time period from 2010 November 18-23. Horizontal proper motions were derived from G-band and Ca II H images, whereas line-of-sight velocities were extracted from VTT Echelle H-alpha 656.28 nm spectra and Fe I 630.25 nm spectral data of the Hinode/Spectro-Polarimeter, which also provided three-dimensional magnetic field information. The Helioseismic and Magnetic Imager on board SDO provided continuum images and line-of-sight magnetograms as context for the high-resolution observations for the entire disk passage of the active region. We have performed a quantitative study of photospheric and chromospheric flow fields in and around decaying sunspots. In one of the trailing sunspots of active region NOAA 11126, we observed moat flow and moving magnetic features (MMFs), even after its penumbra had decayed. We also noticed a superpenumbral structure around this pore. MMFs follow well-defined, radial paths from the spot all the way to the border of a supergranular cell surrounding the spot. In contrast, flux emergence near the other sunspot prevented it from establishing such well ordered flow patterns, which could even be observed around a tiny pore of just 2 Mm diameter. After the disappearance of the sunspots/pores a coherent patch of abnormal granulation remained at their location, which was characterized by more uniform horizontal proper motions, low divergence values, and diminished photospheric Doppler velocities. This region, thus, differs significantly from granulation and other areas covered by G-band bright points. We conclude that this peculiar flow pattern is a signature of sunspot decay and the dispersal of magnetic flux.Comment: 13 pages, 11 figures, accepted for publication in Astronomy and Astrophysic

Etiological and molecular diagnostic of Carrion’s disease in patients from Cajamarca - Perú

[EN] Poster presented in the poster session in the 15th ICID Abstracts. June 13th-16th 2012, Bangkok, Thailand. Session: Emerging Infectious Diseases. Date: Friday, June 15, 2012. Room: Poster & Exhibition Area.Background: Bartonellagenus is a group of facultative intracellular pathogens that posses able to survive and proliferate inside of erythrocytes. Classified within this genus,Bartonella bacilliformisis of special relevance. This microorganism is the etiological agent of the so called Carrion’s Disease (Human bartonellosis). Additionally the presence of sub-clinical cases (asymptomatyc carriers) is of special interest, because acts as a reservoir of this illness. Carrión’s Disease is an endemic illnes in Perú, affecting in a special manner the north interandean valleys. However, the current in use diagnostic techniques (Giemsa Stain) possess low sensitivity and specificity, and due to the fact thatB. bacilliformispossess a low growth (weeks), bacterial cultures lacks of clinical utility. Thus suspictious cases frequently are not confirmed, and the real relevance of this illness remains underestimated. This work is addressed to the direct identification from blood samples ofBartonella baciliformisusing a conventional PCR. All patients were from the Cajamarca area being enrolled by the Epidemiological Surveillance program of DIRESA. Methods: The samples were processed at arriving to the laboratory, by molecular and microbiological techniques. Thus samples were cultured in Blood Columbia Agar (10%), in anaerobic conditions at 28 ◦C for a period of 2 months. Positive cultures were both Giemsa stained and identified by the amplification of a fragment the 16S rRNA gene. Genetic material was directly extracted from blood samples using the Kit High Pure (Roche diagnostic), and a fragment of 438 bp of the 16S rRNA gene was amplified withBartonellagenus specific primers. All positive PCR were sequenced (Macrogen-Korea). Results: A total of 134 blood samples were processed, from this 12 (8.9%) grown in blood agar, while in 18 (13.4%), including the aforementioned 12, the 16 s rRNA gene was amplified. In all cases the sequence analysis showed the presence ofB. bacilliformis Conclusion: Although microbiological culture is the gold standard in the identification ofBartonellaspp., this technique possess strong limitations due to the low growth of these microorganisms. However, the PCR is a rapid technique, possessing a high sensibility and specificity that may be used as routine diagnostic tool for the identification of Carrion’s Disease.Revisión por pare