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The concept of «scandal» played a crucial role in the administration of justice and the maintenance of social order. Scandal, understood as more than just public disorder, included any act that destabilized social harmony and went against collective morality or religious beliefs. Sexual crimes, for example, were prosecuted not only for the individual harm caused but also for their social impact, turning them into a matter of public interest. This approach reflects how scandal was not merely a matter of personal conduct, but a public order concern, affecting the social perception of authority and social stability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work we focus on the development of a numerical algorithm for the inverse elastography problem. The goal is to perform an efficient material parameter identification knowing the elastic displacement field induced by a mechanical load. We propose to define the inverse problem through a quadratic optimization program which uses the direct problem formulation to define the objective function. In this way, we end up with a convex minimization problem which attains its minimum at the solution of a linear system. The effectiveness of our method is illustrated through numeral examples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An innovative route for bio‐compounds upgrading via "hydrogen‐free" hydrodeoxygenation (HDO) is proposed and evaluated using guaiacol as a model compound in a high‐pressure batch reactor. Experimental results showed that noble metal supported on activated carbon catalysts are able to conduct tandem multiple steps including water splitting and subsequent HDO. The activity of Ru/C catalyst is superior to other studied catalysts (i. e. Au/C, Pd/C and Rh/C) in our water‐only HDO reaction system. The greater dispersion and smaller metal particle size confirmed by the TEM micrographs accounts for the better performance of Ru/C. This material also presents excellent levels of stability as demonstrated in multiple recyclability runs. Overall, the proposed novel approach confirmed the viability of oxygenated bio‐compounds upgrading in a water‐only reaction system suppressing the need of external H2 supply and can be rendered as a fundamental finding for the economical biomass valorisation to produce added value bio‐fuels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective Nonsyndromic cleft lip with or without cleft palate (NSCL/P) is a birth defect for which several genes susceptibility genes been proposed. Consequently, it has been suggested that many of these genes belong to common inter-related pathways during craniofacial development gene-gene interaction. We evaluated the presence of gene-gene interaction for single nucleotide polymorphisms within interferon regulatory factor 6 ( IRF6 ), muscle segment homeobox 1 ( MSX1 ), bone morphogenetic protein 4 ( BMP4 ) and transforming growth factor 3 ( TGFB3 ) genes in NSCL/P risk in Chilean case-parent trios. Design From previous studies, we retrieved genotypes for 13 polymorphic variants within these four genes in 152 case-parent trios. Using the trio package (R) we evaluate the gene-gen interaction in genetic markers pairs applying a 1°-of-freedom test (1df) and a confirmatory 4°-of-freedom (4df) test for epistasis followed by both a permutation test and a Benjamini-Hochberg test for multiple comparisons adjustment. Results We found evidence of gene-gene interaction for rs6446693 ( MSX1 ) and rs2268625 ( TGFB3 ) (4df p = 0.024; permutation p = 0.015, Benjamini-Hochberg p = 0.001). Conclusions A significant gene-gene interaction was detected for rs6446693 ( MSX1 ) and rs2268625 ( TGFB3 ). This finding is concordant with research in animal models showing that MSX1 and TGFB3 are expressed in common molecular pathways acting in an epistatic manner during maxillofacial development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: It has been suggested that patients with bipolar disorder with psychotic symptoms (BD-P) have larger neurocognitive impairment than patients with bipolar disorder without a history of psychotic symptoms (BD-NP). The objective of this study was to compare neurocognitive performance of BD-P and BD-NP relative to a group of patients with schizophrenia (SZ), and healthy controls (HC).Methods: Neurocognitive function was examined in 100 subjects with bipolar I disorder (50 BD-P, 50 BD-NP), 50 SZ, and 51 HC. All patients with BD fulfilled criteria for euthymia, while all SZ patients were stabilised for at least the previous 3 months.Results: Patients with BD-P and BD-NP performed worse than HC in all neurocognitive measures, except for sustained attention. Differences between BD-P and BD-NP were subtle and circumscribed to the working memory domain (effect size: 0.29). SZ performed worse than BD-NP in the neurocognitive composite index (NCI) and in the working memory domain. There were no differences between SZ and BD-P in any neurocognitive measure.Limitations: The relatively small sample size, the cross-sectional design and, that patients were receiving pharmacological treatment are the main limitations of this study.Conclusions: Our findings show that the three groups of patients have a large neurocognitive impairment. Differences are quantitative and only present in some neurocognitive domains, such as working memory. These results suggest that patients with BD and SZ can benefit from the same strategies of cognitive remediation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using the standard Coxeter presentation for the signed symmetric group S n + 1 B on n + 1 letters, two reduced expressions for a given signed permutation are in the same commutation class if one expression can be obtained from the other one by applying a finite sequence of commutations. The commutative classes of a given signed permutation can be seen as the vertices of a graph, called the commutation graph, where two classes are connected by an edge if there are elements in those classes that differ by a long braid relation. We define a rank function for the commutation graph for the longest signed permutation, and use this function to compute the diameter and the radius of the graph. We also prove that the commutation graph for the longest signed permutation is not planar for n > 2 , and identify the classes with a single element. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of social networks by high school students from National Police schools in Bogotá includes the identification of possible gaps in cybersecurity issues, despite programmes and strategies related to responsible use when browsing cyberspace. This research is based on the comprehensive-interpretive (sociological) paradigm with a mixed approach of qualitative predominance. A documentary review, a student survey and an in-depth interview with parents and speakers were carried out. The findings were grouped into two categories; cybersecurity and education. The results of the survey showed hyper-connectivity on the part of the students; the interaction carried out through social networks, especially through the exchange of photos, videos, sharing statuses and making video calls. The findings of the interview express that, although each educational establishment is autonomous, among parents, caregivers and teachers an expressly defined route is not clear to follow when evidencing emerging dangers to the use evidenced in social networks. There is also a lack of greater co-responsibility when identifying certain types of behaviour that threaten students, given that some parents consider that it is an issue that the school should take care of, while teachers believe that it is the parents' responsibility. In conclusion, the need to assess the degree of acceptance, the effectiveness and the scope of strategies developed by schools and private or government entities, with respect to raising awareness on cybersecurity issues and responsible use when browsing the Internet, is revealed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wereport on the formation of conducting polymer nanoparticles (CPNs), stabilized by a collagen mimetic peptide (CMP)-polymer amphiphile. CPNs ranging from ~15 to 40 nm were readily accessible upon modifying the amphiphile concentration. Surface presentation of CMPs on CPN precluded intra-/inter-particle trimerization, while preserving their ability to target collagen without pre-activation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives Cognitive dysfunction in bipolar disorder has been well-established in cross-sectional studies; however, there are few data regarding the longitudinal course of cognitive performance in bipolar disorder. The aim of this study was to examine the course of cognitive function in a sample of euthymic patients with bipolar disorder during a five-year follow-up period. Methods Eighty euthymic outpatients with a DSM- IV diagnosis of bipolar disorder and 40 healthy control comparison subjects were neuropsychologically assessed at baseline (T1) and then at follow-up of five years (T2). A neurocognitive battery including the main cognitive domains of speed of processing, working memory, attention, verbal memory, visual memory, and executive function was used to evaluate cognitive performance. Results Repeated-measures multivariate analyses showed that progression of cognitive dysfunction in patients was not different to that of control subjects in any of the six cognitive domains examined. Only a measure from the verbal memory domain, delayed free recall, worsened more in patients with bipolar disorder. Additionally, it was found that clinical course during the follow-up period did not influence the course of cognitive dysfunction. Conclusions Cognitive dysfunction that is characteristic of bipolar disorder is persistent and stable over time. Only dysfunction in verbal recall was found to show a progressive course that cannot be explained by clinical or treatment variables. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The organocatalytic copolymerizationof a derivative of trimethylenecarbonate bearing protected 1,3-diols and d,l-lactidewas studied. Homopolymerization of the cyclic carbonate from a PEGmacroinitiator exhibited a controlled character, obeying pseudo first-orderkinetics up to a conversion of ∼60%. Longer reactions resultedin more polydisperse materials. Kinetics of copolymerization withDLLA showed a considerable accelerative effect of the ester on thepolymerizability of the carbonate, attributed to relief of stericlimitations that characterize the polymerization of this and otherbulky cyclic carbonates. Postpolymerization hydrogenolysis, convenientlyadjusted though catalyst concentration, yielded functional poly(estercarbonate)s (PECs) with enhanced chain mobility and hydrophilicitycompared to protected analogues. PEG-b-PECs werefurther used as stabilizers for the formation of fluorophore nanoparticlesvia flash nanoprecipitation. Nanoparticle size and core propertieswere discussed in terms of hydrophobic block chemistry. The regulationoffered by organocatalysts for the synthesis of diol-functionalizedPECs with precise molecular characteristics provides access to biodegradablematerials with readily tunable physicochemical properties throughcontrolled installation of reactive handles. In the context of hydrophobicsolute encapsulation, regulated functionalization allows fine-tuningof nanoparticle core properties, ultimately impacting solute loading,release, and stability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: to register policies, management and innovation motives for research groups on excellence in nursing (GPs, acronym in Portuguese). Method: an interpretative study through dialogue and reflection, undertaken with managers/ researchers authors and actors in this process. Result: budgets for GPs on excellence in nursing; having well defined highly qualified policies; produces advanced knowledge with appropriate physical, personnel, financial, organizational and logistic infrastructure; believes that that knowledge production practice is a collective, dynamic, ongoing, and complementary process; it integrates ICT in producing, consuming and disseminating knowledge. Discussion: these motives can potential organizational and operational structures of the GP's and aim towards greater production and impact through the knowledge produced. Conclusion: excellence in GP results from well defined policies, a competent, innovating, dynamic and effective management process, thus becoming a reference for entrepreneurship and innovation in research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Impaired inhibition of P50 cerebral evoked response is one of the best validated endophenotypes in schizophrenia. There are controversial data on the relationship between P50 evoked potential deficit and measures of cognitive function in schizophrenia. A comprehensive clinical and neurocognitive assessment plus an evaluation of P50 sensory gating was performed in 160 schizophrenia patients and 64 controls. Neurocognitive scores from each cognitive domain were converted to demographically-adjusted T-scores (age, gender, and years of education) for all study participants. The relationship between P50 and neurocognitive variables was assessed via parametric and nonparametric correlations and categorical strategies: we compared neuropsychological test scores in patients and controls in the lowest P50 quartile vs. the highest. Controls had better performance than schizophrenia patients in all cognitive domains. Schizophrenia patients had significantly higher P50 ratios than controls, and no significant correlation was found between P50 gating measures and neuropsychological test scores in schizophrenia patients or healthy controls. Moreover, no differences in neurocognitive performance were found between subjects in the lowest P50 ratio quartile vs. the highest in healthy controls or patients with schizophrenia. We concluded that there is no evidence of an association between P50 ratio and cognitive measures in schizophrenia patients, and this seems to be also the case in healthy controls. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Dysfunctional auditory sensory processing has generally been found in schizophrenia and it has been suggested that these deficits might be related to clinical and psychosocial variables. The present study included P50 recordings using a simple-paired click auditory evoked potential paradigm in sixty patients with deficit schizophrenia (DS), sixty patients with nondeficit schizophrenia (NDS), and sixty comparison subjects. The Schedule for the Deficit Syndrome was used to categorize patients as DS or NDS. The two patient groups did not differ in clinical variables, except for higher negative dimension and lower community outcome scores in DS than in NDS patients. There were no differences in P50 ratios between deficit and nondeficit subgroups; compared with normal subjects both groups of schizophrenia patients showed impaired P50 ratios (p <0.0001). This ratio appears to be independent of positive and negative symptoms. However, impairment in P50 gating correlated with poorer community outcome. The data document the existence of early auditory sensory processing abnormalities in DS and NDS, and might suggest that common neuronal network abnormalities underlie both forms of schizophrenia. Deficient P50 gating may be associated with impaired functional outcome in schizophrenia. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Nonsyndromic cleft lip with or without cleft palate (NSCLP) is one of the most common birth defects in humans with both genetic and environmental components involved in its expression. Experimental evidences have postulated that bone morphogenetic protein 4 gene ( Bmp4) is involved in the etiology of cleft lip with or without cleft palate (CL/P) in mice. In our study we analyzed the association between BMP4 and NSCLP in a sample of 150 unrelated trios ascertained through affected probands. Three BMP4 polymorphisms were analyzed, two intronic (rs762642 and rs2855532) and rs1957860, located 5.7 kb upstream from BMP4. Transmission/disequilibrium tests were performed at the allele and haplotype levels. Our results did not detect preferential transmission for individual single-nucleotide polymorphisms. Significant transmission distortion was observed for haplotypes rs1957860-rs762642 ( p = 0.018), especially for C-T ( p = 0.015) and T-T ( p = 0.018) which include the genomic region where the promoter and an enhancer of BMP4 are located. Thus, despite the positive association detected between these haplotypes and NSCLP they probably do not have a functional effect on BMP4 expression or protein activity but possibly reflect NSCLP susceptibility changes which are in linkage disequilibrium with these polymorphisms. The findings of our study support a role for BMP4 in NSCLP in the admixed Chilean population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: P50 sensory gating deficit has repeatedly been demonstrated in schizophrenia. Studies have produced inconsistent findings with respect to normalization of P50 gating in patients with schizophrenia receiving treatment with different antipsychotics. The current study was designed to determine whether there is a difference in P50 gating in schizophrenia patients treated with first-generation antipsychotics (FGAs) and second-generation antipsychotics (SGAs), including clozapine. P50 evoked potential recordings were obtained from 160 patients with schizophrenia and 77 healthy comparison subjects. Forty-three patients were being treated with clozapine, sixty-eight were taking SGAs (33 risperidone, 21 olanzapine, 11 aripiprazole, and 3 combinations of SGAs) and 49 were being treated with FGAs. Schizophrenia patients exhibited significantly higher P50 ratios than healthy subjects. When patients treated with different antipsychotics were compared, there were no differences in any of the neurophysiological findings. Second-generation antipsychotics were not related to more normal sensory gating in this population of patients with chronic schizophrenia. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

OBJECTIVE: We assessed the association between Gln27Glu and Trp64Arg genetic polymorphisms of the β2 (ADRB2) and β3 (ADRB3) adrenergic receptor genes with body mass index and other cardiovascular risk factors.METHODS: In a cross-sectional study, adult Aymara subjects (n = 152) living in the Andean regions of northern Chile were characterized with respect to their ADRB2 and ADRB3 genotypes, body mass index, plasma leptin and insulin levels, fasting glucose concentration, blood pressure, and plasma lipid profile.RESULTS: The frequency of the Glu27 allele of the ADRB2 gene was estimated to be 0.04, and the allele frequency of the Arg64 variant of the ADRB3 gene was estimated as 0.13. No associations were found between the Trp64Arg polymorphism of the ADRB3 gene and body mass index or other cardiovascular risk factors. The small number of subjects with the allele encoding Glu27 in the ADRB2 gene seriously limited the analysis of the association between genotype and phenotype with the use of this polymorphism, although no clear associations were found.CONCLUSION: We found insufficient evidence to support an association between polymorphisms Gln27Glu and Trp64Arg of the ADRB2 and ADRB3 genes, respectively, with body mass index and other cardiovascular risks in the rural Aymara population from Chile. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The immune response in Leishmania infected BALB/c mice is associated with a Th2 type cellular response, which has been characterized by the absence of interleukin (IL)-12, interferon (IFN)-γ, and nitric oxide (NO) and the presence of IL-10 and IL-4. Prostaglandins (PGs) can modulate the immune response inhibiting the development of Th1 response and enhancing the development of Th2 response. We investigated the production of PGs and their effects on cytokine and NO production by spleen cells from Leishmania mexicana infected BALB/c and C57BL/6 mice. Increased production of PGs was noted as early as 1 week after infection in BALB/c mice, whereas in infected C57BL/6 mice PGs were not detected. In vitro administration of indomethacin (INDO), a specific inhibitor of PGs synthesis, reduced PGs production at normal levels, and increased IL-12, IFN-γ, and NO production in infected BALB/c mice. Whereas, IL-10 and IL-4 were not affected. Moreover, INDO did not modulate cytokine and NO production in infected C57BL/6. INDO addition induced the intracellular killing of parasites in infected BALB/c mice. Together, these results suggest that suppression of PGs by INDO may promote the development of a protective Th1 type response in susceptible mice by a mechanism, which involves an enhancement of IL-12, IFN-γ and NO production. These findings were confirmed by smaller lesions in BALB/c mice, when treated with INDO. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Cariprazine (CAR), an antipsychotic with partial agonism at the D3 receptor and higher affinity than dopamine, has shown significant procognitive effects in preclinical animal studies. This study systematically reviews CAR's effects on cognitive measures in patients with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. Methods: Two independent reviewers systematically searched PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and the Cochrane Library up to May 2024, following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis guidelines. Additional studies were found by hand searching the references of included studies. Eligible studies were randomized controlled trials (RCTs) in English that assessed CAR's effects on cognition in patients with schizophrenia or bipolar disorder. Quality was assessed using the Jadad scale. Results: Out of 139 reports, 5 studies (involving 6,104 patients with schizophrenia or bipolar disorder) were included. In schizophrenia, CAR showed better cognitive outcomes (mainly indirect measures) than placebo (PBO) in both early and late stages. It also outperformed risperidone and aripiprazole in attention-related cognitive tests. In bipolar disorder, CAR improved cognition compared to PBO (also using indirect measures). Most studies found the greatest cognitive benefits with low doses of CAR (1.5-3 mg/d). Conclusions: CAR improved cognitive measures compared to PBO and other D2 antagonists or partial agonists in RCTs, especially in patients with greater baseline impairment. Thus, CAR may be a promising option forenhancing cognition in schizophrenic and bipolar patients; though, more trials using specific cognitive assessment tools are needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Size-activity dependence of Pd based catalyst in formic acid dehydrogenation reaction. • The guiding factor for activity is the low/high coordination atoms ratio. • An optimal size exists and it is controlled by the preparation conditions. In this study the size-activity dependence of palladium based catalysts in formic acid dehydrogenation reaction was investigated and evaluated. A wide range of particle sizes was considered and the catalyst series were prepared upon variation of some synthetic parameters, precursor and solvent nature in particular. Synthesis method variations affect significantly Pd particle size and results in diverse activity toward hydrogen production. An optimal size was observed and explained by the diverse proportion of low and high coordinated Pd states available for different samples within the series. The evaluation of particles much bigger than 6 nm changes importantly the fraction of high and low coordination atoms and allows the clear confirmation of the importance of the presence of low coordination atoms on the surface of catalyst. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Biochar Pd based catalysts for efficient production of hydrogen from formic acid. • Biochar physicochemical properties modification for use as a catalytic support. • Meso-macroporosity as a requirement for biochar-based catalysts to efficiently produce clean hydrogen. • Key role of chemistry of the catalyst's surface in HCOOH conversion. • Robust, stable and selective catalyst, after more than 25 h and 3 reaction cycles Biomass waste product was used to generate biochars as catalytic supports for selective hydrogen production from formic acid. The supports were obtained after pyrolysis in CO 2 atmosphere of non-pretreated and chemically ZnCl 2 activated raw materials (vine shoot and crystalline cellulose). The support series includes materials with different textural properties and surface chemistry. The support nature and especially textural properties firstly affects significantly Pd size and dispersion and its interaction with the support and secondly influence in a great extent the catalytic behavior of the final material. The presence of prevailing mesoporous character appeared to be the most important parameter influencing formic acid dehydrogenation and overall hydrogen production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The self-assembly of macromolecular brushes of varying amphiphilic character from homogeneous solution under rapid assembly conditions results in unique morphologies, distinct from equilibrium structures. Kinetic features of the assembly process enabled the formation of toroid structures, the sizes of which were readily tuned according to solvent quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The exercise of the police activity associated with the use of coercive elements for the application of force requires a high level of training that must be objectively evaluated in order to minimize the risk of damages caused by eventual mistakes in the actions of the uniformed officers towards the citizens. The above-mentioned problem allows the formulation of a solution based on the development of a suit prototype for the instruction in the application of the police baton that is framed as a technological innovation proposal with a product that improves the evaluation of the tonfa baton sconces that police officers perform during their training, incorporating a useful didactic tool supported by technologies available in the Colombian market that technifies the assessment procedures to be performed by instructors during the baton manipulation tests that officers perform during their training process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the mental health of the youngest, worsening their emotional well-being. The demand for care in psychiatric emergencies may indirectly reflect the mental health state of children and adolescents and the emotional consequences of the pandemic. Moreover, suicidality can be considered a marker of severity in this population group. Therefore, we have aimed to longitudinally describe the number of children and adolescents attended in the psychiatry emergency department due to suicidal ideation or attempts and, to explore differences in suicidality according to gender and age. A retrospective study was carried out in the University Hospital of San Juan, Alicante, Spain, from January 01, 2018 to December 31, 2021. A total of 138 participants under 18 years requesting psychiatric care due to suicidal ideation or attempts were included. The sample was composed by 35% of males and the mean age was 14.8 years old (SD = 2.2). The number of cases per year range from 10 in 2018 to 88 in 2021. Attendances were significantly higher between 2021 and the three previous years. Besides, the number of attentions registered in the last 9 months of 2021 equals those that occurred in the entire previous period. Most of the cases were girls and middle adolescents. Suicide ideation or attempts have skyrocketed in children and adolescents. This alarming increase presents a one-year lag peak from the COVID-19 outbreak and continues until the end of 2021. Girls and those over 12 years have been identified as risk groups to present suicidal ideation or attempts. • Children and adolescents have been prone to emotional distress during the COVID-19. • Attendances due to suicidality were higher between 2021 and the three previous years. • A one-year lag peak in suicidality has been observed in the youngest since the COVID-19 outbreak. • Girls and middle adolescents have shown to be vulnerable to suicidal behaviour. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We define a statistic on the graph of commutation classes of a permutation of the symmetric group which is used to show that these graphs are equipped with a ranked poset structure, with a minimum and maximum. This characterization also allows us to compute the diameter of the commutation graph for any permutation, from which the results for the longest permutation and for fully commutative permutations are recovered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Obesity is a complex disease, which in many cases appears as a polygenic condition affected by environmental factors (mainly unbalanced dietary patterns and physical inactivity). In this context, the weight loss response to dietary interventions varies widely and predictive factors of successful slimming including those concerned with the individual's genetic make-up are poorly understood. Indeed, a number of genes involved in the regulation of energy expenditure, appetite, lipid metabolism and adipogenesis have been reported to affect the risk of treatment failure in some obese subjects. Some candidate genes for the prognosis of weight loss response related to energy expenditure are those codifying for the adrenergic receptors (ADBRs) and uncoupling proteins (UCPs), while genes related to appetite potentially affected by energy restriction are leptin (LEP), leptin receptor (LEPR), melanocortin pathways genes (MC3R, POMC) and the serotonin receptor. Furthermore, adipogenesis related genes such as peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPARγ2) and genes related to cytokines such as interleukin-6 (IL-6) and lipid metabolism including hepatic lipase (LIPC), perilipin (PLIN) and lipoprotein lipase (LPL) have also been associated to the weight lowering outcome induced by hypocaloric diets. Therefore, this review shows preliminary evidence from human studies that support the existence of a genetic component in the fat reduction process associated to a negative energy balance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Objective: The FABP2 Ala54Thr polymorphism has been associated with insulin resistance and diabetes in several populations. The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of FABP2 genotypes in 223 Chilean subjects (136 women and 87 men aged 65–79 years) and its association with type 2 diabetes in a 4 years follow-up. Methods: Glucose, Insulin and lipids were measured in fasting plasma samples. Insulin resistance was estimated through the homeostasis model assessment. Diabetes was diagnosed according ADA criteria. The Ala54Thr allelic variant was determined by polymerase chain reaction and restriction fragment-length polymorphism analysis. Logistic regression techniques were used to assess gene–disease associations. Results: Genotype frequencies were estimated as 30.5, 49.3 and 20.2% for the Ala/Ala, Ala/Thr and Thr/Thr, respectively. The crude OR for the association between Thr54 carriers and diabetes was estimated as 2.18 (1.12–4.24). The corresponding OR for the association between Thr54 carriers with Metabolic Syndrome was 1.06 (0.59–1.88). After adjustment by BMI and age, a significant association persists for Thr54Thr carriers and diabetes (OR 2.70; 95% CI 1.113–6.527). The 4-year cumulative incidence of diabetes was higher in Thr carriers than in non-carriers (20.1% versus 8.5%; p <0.04). The adjusted association between Thr54Thr polymorphism and diabetes incidence was OR 3.84 (95% CI: 1.140–12.910) Conclusion: Our results strongly suggest an association between the Ala54Thr polymorphism of FABP2 with diabetes, revealing a genetic dosage effect regarding its association with diabetes in Chilean elders [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

This study sought to investigate the influence of neurocognition on the emotional processing profiles of patients with first-episode schizophrenia, using the 4-branch Mayer-Salovey-Caruso Emotional Intelligence Test (MSCEIT) (Perceiving Emotions; Facilitating Emotions; Understanding Emotions and Managing Emotions). A sample of 78 patients with first-episode schizophrenia and a group of 90 non-psychiatric control subjects were included in this work. The initial results showed that patients had lower scores than controls for the "Understanding Emotions" and "Managing Emotions" MSCEIT branches. However, after controlling for neurocognition, the only deficits were found on the "Managing Emotions" branch of the MSCEIT. This branch can be considered as measuring a more sophisticated level of emotional processing, which may constitute a deficit in itself. In conclusion, patients with first-episode schizophrenia present deficits in social cognition at the highest level that seem to be independent from neurocognition. These findings support the inclusion of the "Managing Emotions" branch of the MSCEIT as part of the MCCB. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There are discrepancies about if the severity of the symptomatology in schizophrenia is related to neurocognitive performance, functional outcome, and quality of life (QoL). Also, there are controversial data about the comparison between euthymic bipolar patients and different subgroups of schizophrenia in neurocognition, functioning, and QoL level. The present study aimed to compare the neurocognitive performance, functional outcome, and QoL of remitted and non-remitted patients with SC with respect to a group of euthymic patients with BD, and a control group. It included 655 subjects: 98 patients with schizophrenia in remission (SC-R), 184 non-remitted patients with schizophrenia (SC-NR), 117 euthymic patients with bipolar I disorder (BD), and 256 healthy subjects. A comprehensive clinical, neurocognitive (six cognitive domains), functional, and QoL assessment was carried out. Remission criteria of Andreasen were used to classify schizophrenia patients as remitted or non-remitted. Compared with control subjects all groups of patients showed impaired neurocognitive performance, functioning and QoL. SC-R patients had an intermediate functioning between control subjects and SC-NR, all at a neurocognitive, functional, or QoL level. There were no significant differences between SC-R and BD. These results suggest that reaching clinical remission is essential to achieve a better level of psychosocial functioning, and QoL. Likewise, the results of this study suggest that euthymic patients with bipolar disorder and patients with schizophrenia in remission are comparable at the neurocognitive and functional levels, which might have implications in the pathophysiology of both disorders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Complete achromatopsia is genetically heterogeneous and segregates with mutations in CNGA3 or CNGB3 genes, which respectively encode for α- and β-subunits of the cyclic-nucleotide-gated (CNG) cation channel expressed in cone photoreceptors. High incidence of the disease (1 in 60) was detected in a rural isolate in central Chile. We excluded previously reported mutations in a consanguineous kindred with five affected members. Genotype analysis with short tandem repeat polymorphic (STRP) markers provided evidence to search for the causative mutation in CNGB3. Two sequence variations, c.492_493insT and c.488A>G, flanking an adenosine (A[sub 5]) repeat in exon 4 were identified. The frameshift mutation creates two consecutive stop codons in exon 5 that would induce premature translation termination. The severely truncated β-subunit is likely to render a nonfunctional cone CNG channel and cause total colour blindness in this kindred. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: to analyze adherence, non-adherence and abandonment of the monitoring of children referred to the high-risk reference centers of Rede Mãe Paranaense. Method: a parallel and convergent mixedmethods study, in which both approaches have the same weight. The study loci were two high-risk outpatient services from the South of the country. In the quantitative part, 3,107 medical charts of high-risk children were analyzed and the spatial distribution was performed. In the qualitative part, interviews were conducted with 29 health professionals, in addition to 34 family members, and content analysis was performed. Two databases were produced, which were analyzed separately and eventually integrated. Results: the rates regarding adherence to monitoring are decreasing, mainly in the municipalities that are far away from the high-risk outpatient services, and the nonadherence and abandonment rates are increasing. In the reports by the representatives and the manager, a failure was observed between the transportation offer and the active search flow of the absent patients, which contributes to the increase in the non-adherence and abandonment rates and to the consequent decrease in adherence. Conclusion: in high-risk children, adherence is decreasing and the non-adherence and abandonment rates increased. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The shortest path problem is a classical network problem that has been extensively studied. The problem of determining not only the shortest path, but also listing the K shortest paths (for a given integer K > 1) is also a classical one but has not been studied so intensively, despite its obvious practical interest. Two different types of problems are usually considered: the unconstrained and the constrained K shortest paths problem. While in the former no restriction is considered in the definition of a path, in the constrained K shortest paths problem all the paths have to satisfy some condition -- for example, to be loopless. In this paper new algorithms are proposed for the unconstrained problem, which compute a super set of the K shortest paths. It is also shown that ranking loopless paths does not hold in general the Optimality Principle and how the proposed algorithms for the unconstrained problem can be adapted for ranking loopless paths. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Previous research has reported that bipolar disorder and schizophrenic patients evidence sensory gating deficits. The use of intermediate phenotypes may facilitate genetic studies. Four single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) located on the non-duplicated region of the alpha-7 nicotinic receptor gene (CHRNA7) were genotyped in 95 healthy subjects, 127 bipolar disorder and 153 schizophrenic patients. We evaluated the association of these polymorphisms with P50 evoked potential measures. Our results do not support a role for the candidate gene in this neurophysiological disturbance. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

We aimed to examine the trajectory of psychosocial functioning in a sample of euthymic patients with bipolar disorder (BD) throughout a 5-year follow-up. Ninety-nine euthymic bipolar patients and 40 healthy controls (HC) were included. A neurocognitive assessment (17 neurocognitive measures grouped in 6 domains) was carried out at baseline. The split version of the Global Assessment of Functioning scale (GAF-F) and the Functioning Assessment Short Test (FAST) were used to examine psychosocial functioning at baseline (T1), and after a 5-year follow-up (T2). The statistical analysis was performed through repeated measures ANOVA and hierarchical cluster analysis based on the GAF-F and the FAST scores at T1 and T2. Eighty-seven patients (87.9%) were evaluated at T2. The cluster analysis identified two groups of patients. The first group included 44 patients (50.6%) who did not show a progression of the functional impairment (BD-NPI). The second cluster, which included 43 patients (49.4%), was characterized by a progression of the functional impairment (BD-PI). The BD-PI had a higher number of relapses and a higher number of hospitalizations during the follow-up period, as well as worse neurocognitive functioning than the BD-NPI. The repeated measures ANOVA confirmed that the psychosocial performance of BD-NPI is stable while there was a progression of the functional deterioration in BD-PI. The trajectory of the psychosocial functioning of patients with BD is not homogeneous. Our results suggest that in at least one subset of patients with BD, which might account for half of the patients, the disease has a progressive course. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Functional impairment is commonly encountered among patients with bipolar disorder (BD) during periods of remission. The distribution of the impairment of the functional outcome is heterogeneous. The objective of this current investigation was to identify neurocognitive and clinical predictors of psychosocial functioning in a sample of patients with BD.Methods: Seventy-six patients (59.2% females) and 40 healthy controls (50% females), aged 18 to 55 years, were assessed using a comprehensive neurocognitive battery (six neurocognitive domains), and the Functioning Assessment Short Test (FAST), at baseline and after a 5-year follow-up. Stepwise regression models were used to identify predictor variables related to psychosocial functioning.Results: The number of hospitalizations during the follow-up, the change occurred in the neurocognitive composite index (NCI change), and NCI at baseline explained 30.8% of the variance of functioning. The number of hospitalizations during the follow-up was the variable that explained a greater percentage of the variance (16.9%). Verbal memory at baseline and the change in sustained attention during the follow-up explained 10% and 5.9% of the variance of the psychosocial functioning, respectively.Limitations: The interval of 5 years between the two assessments could be too short to detect a possible progression in functional outcome for the overall sample.Conclusions: The clinical course during the follow-up is the factor that has a greater impact on psychosocial functioning in patients with BD. Thus, the interventions aimed to promote prevention of relapses should be considered as essential for avoiding functional impairment in these patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVES: Although it is well known that leptin reflects body fat content in adults, the regulation of leptin levels during childhood malnutrition is poorly understood. Insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) and the IGF-binding proteins (IGFBPs) may play important roles in the regulation of body composition. We investigated the relation between leptin, IGF-I, and IGFBPs in children with protein-energy malnutrition (PEM; before and after recovering 10% of their initial body weights) in comparison with well-nourished children.METHODS: Fifteen PEM and 16 healthy children were studied on admission and after 10% weight gains in the malnourished group. Leptin was measured with radioimmunoassay, IGF-I and IGFBPs were measured with immunoradiometric assay.RESULTS: Patients with PEM had a significantly lower body mass index and percentage of body fat than did the control children. Before weight gain, leptin, IGF-I, and IGFBP-3 were significantly lower and IGFBP-1 was elevated in the malnourished group compared with the control group. Among PEM patients, after 10% weight gains, the levels of leptin, IGF-I, and IGFBP-3 were significantly higher and IGFBP-1 significantly lower compared with the control group. Leptin correlated significantly with IGF-I in the normal children (rs = 0.86, P < 0.005). On admission, no correlation was observed between leptin and IGF-I (rs = 0.08, P < 0.16) and between leptin and IGFBP-3 (rs = 0.02, P < 0.27) in the malnourished group, but those levels improved after 10% recovery of their body weights (rs = 0.47, P < 0.002 and rs = 0.42, P < 0.005, respectively). In the PEM group, IGF-I correlated significantly with IGFBP-3 when the children gained weight (before: rs = 0.006, P < 0.31; after: rs = 0.32, P < 0.01). Our study showed results similar to those of anorexia nervosa studies, but the normalization of study variables was obtained in considerable less time for the same weight gain.CONCLUSIONS: The main finding of this study was that, after refeeding with only a 10% weight gain, the PEM children normalized their leptin, IGF-I, and IGFBP-3 levels. These results provide evidence that leptin can function as link between this hormonal response and improved nutrition status. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Purpose: The EUropean Network of National Schizophrenia Networks Studying Gene-Environment Interactions (EU-GEI) study contains an unparalleled wealth of comprehensive data that allows for testing hypotheses about (1) variations in incidence within and between countries, including by urbanicity and minority ethnic groups; and (2) the role of multiple environmental and genetic risk factors, and their interactions, in the development of psychotic disorders.Methods: Between 2010 and 2015, we identified 2774 incident cases of psychotic disorders during 12.9 million person-years at risk, across 17 sites in 6 countries (UK, The Netherlands, France, Spain, Italy, and Brazil). Of the 2774 incident cases, 1130 cases were assessed in detail and form the case sample for case-control analyses. Across all sites, 1497 controls were recruited and assessed. We collected data on an extensive range of exposures and outcomes, including demographic, clinical (e.g. premorbid adjustment), social (e.g. childhood and adult adversity, cannabis use, migration, discrimination), cognitive (e.g. IQ, facial affect processing, attributional biases), and biological (DNA via blood sample/cheek swab). We describe the methodology of the study and some descriptive results, including representativeness of the cohort.Conclusions: This resource constitutes the largest and most extensive incidence and case-control study of psychosis ever conducted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The neurocognitive trajectory in bipolar disorder (BD) is variable, with controversial findings, and most evidence come from cross-sectional studies. We aimed to examine the course of neurocognitive functioning in a sample of euthymic BD patients in comparison with a control group during a 5-year follow-up. Methods: Ninety-nine euthymic bipolar patients and 40 healthy controls were assessed using a comprehensive neurocognitive battery (six neurocognitive domains) at baseline (T1) and then at 5-year follow-up (T2) in a longitudinal study. Results: No evidence of a progression in neurocognitive dysfunction was found either in cognitive composite index or in any of the neurocognitive domains for the whole cohort. However, there was a negative correlation between number of manic episodes and hospitalisations due to manic episodes and change in neurocognitive composite index (NCI) during the follow-up. Moreover, patients with higher number of manic and hypomanic episodes have a greater decrease in NCI, working memory and visual memory. History of psychotic symptoms was not related to the trajectory of neurocognitive impairment. Conclusions: Our results suggest that, although the progression of cognitive decline is not a general rule in BD, BD patients who have a greater number of manic or hypomanic episodes may constitute a subgroup characterised by the progression of neurocognitive impairment. Prevention of manic and hypomanic episodes could have a positive impact on the trajectory of cognitive function. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background Bipolar disorder (BD) and schizophrenia (SZ) are characterized by neurocognitive and functional deficits with marked heterogeneity. It has been suggested that BD with a history of psychotic symptoms (BD-P) could constitute a phenotypically homogeneous subtype characterized by greater neurocognitive and functional impairments, or by a distinct trajectory of such deficits. The aim of this study was to compare the neurocognitive and functional course of euthymic BD-P, euthymic BD patients without a history of psychosis (BD-NP), stabilized patients with schizophrenia and healthy subjects, during a five-year follow-up. Methods Neurocognitive and psychosocial function was examined in 100 euthymic patients with BD (50 BD-P, 50 BD-NP), 50 stabilized patients with schizophrenia (SZ), and 51 healthy controls (HC) at baseline (T1), and after a 5-year follow-up (T2). Results The course of both neurocognitive performance and functional outcome of patients with SZ and BD (BD-P and BD-NP) is stable. The profile of neurocognitive impairment of patients with SZ or BD (BD-P and BD-NP), is similar, with only quantitative differences circumscribed to certain domains, such as working memory. The subgroup of patients with BD-NP does not show functional deterioration. Conclusions We have not found evidence of progression in the neurocognitive or psychosocial impairment in any of the three groups of patients, although it cannot be dismissed the possibility of a subset of patients with a progressive course. Other longitudinal studies with larger samples and longer duration are necessary to confirm these findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: More than 50% of individuals with bipolar disorder (BD) do not reach full psychosocial functioning, even during periods of euthymia. It has been suggested that history of psychotic symptoms is one of the factors which are associated with a worse functional outcome. The objective was to compare psychosocial functioning between patients with BD, with (BD-P), and without (BD-NP) a history of psychotic symptoms, and to examine whether the history of psychotic symptoms, or other clinical or neurocognitive variables predict psychosocial functioning.Methods: Psychosocial functioning and neurocognition were examined in 100 euthymic patients with bipolar I disorder (50 BD-P, and 50 BD-NP), compared to 50 stabilised patients with schizophrenia (SZ), and 51 healthy controls (HC).Results: 1) There were no differences between BD-P and BD-NP in the GAF-F score or in the FAST total score. 2) The two groups of patients with BD had better scores than SZ both in the GAF-F, and in all measures of the FAST, except for the subscale leisure time. 3) The neurocognitive composite index, verbal memory and subclinical depressive symptoms were the variables which explained a higher percentage of the variance of functional outcome.Limitations: The cross-sectional design, and the relatively small sample size are the main limitations.Conclusions: A history of psychotic symptoms has no relevant impact on the level of psychosocial functioning in BD. Neurocognitive dysfunction and subclinical depressive symptoms are the variables that best explain the functional impairment. These findings have important clinical implications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plasma leptin/adiponectin ratio (LAR) is negatively associated with insulin sensitivity indexes. High-molecular-weight adiponectin (HMWA) was proposed as the most biologically active form of this insulin-sensitizing adipokine. There are no studies assessing the relative merits of leptin/HMWA ratio over LAR as a biomarker of systemic insulin sensitivity. A standard 2-hour oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT; 75 g of glucose) and a short minimal-model intravenous glucose tolerance test (IVGTT; 0.3 g/kg body weight) were performed in 58 Chilean normoglycemic women (age: 27 ± 6.3 years, BMI 23.6 ± 3.2 kg/m2). LAR was negatively associated with HOMA-S (r=−0.49; p<0.0001), Matsuda-ISICOMP (r=−0.54; p<0.0001), and the calculated sensitivity index (CSi) derived from IVGTT (r=−0.38; p=0.007). In comparison to LAR, leptin/HMWA ratio did not increase neither the linear fit (r2) nor the magnitude of association with insulin sensitivity indexes (slope of multiple linear regression). The discriminatory capacity of both ratios to classify insulin-resistant versus insulin-sensitive subjects was similar for HOMA-S (p=0.84), Matsuda-ISICOMP (p=0.43), or CSi (p=0.50). In conclusion, LAR showed consistent negative associations with different systemic insulin sensitivity indexes. The use of HMWA to generate leptin/HMWA ratio did not show any advantage over LAR as a biomarker of systemic insulin sensitivity in normoglycemic women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: this is a qualitative study with the aim to comprehend care representations for people on the threshold of life. Method: it was conducted with health professionals of the mobile Intensive Care Unit (ICU) mobile. The data was collected through interviews with eighteen participants (nurses and physicians) and the data was analyzed using the codification steps from Grounded Theory. Results: the central theme obtained was: Care Representations on the threshold of life, with two categories: the sense of care on the threshold of life and the Mobile ICU as a space for care. Conclusion: care on the threshold of life needs to be lived in its broadest sense and whole by health professionals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/Aims: To evaluate the association between allelic variants of melanocortin receptors -3 and -4 (MC3R and MC4R, respectively) and leptin receptor (LEPR) genes with body mass index (BMI) and eating behavior. Methods: We selected 344 Chilean adults (57.8% women; age 39.1 ± 6.6 years) with a wide variation in BMI (30.3 ± 6.3 kg/m2). The Three-Factor Eating Questionnaire-R18 that measures uncontrolled eating (UE), emotional eating (EE) and cognitive restraint scores was adapted, validated and assessed for association with BMI. Genotypes were determined by polymerase chain reaction followed by restriction fragment length polymorphism techniques and Taqman assays. Results: Higher EE scores were found in obese vs. non-obese in both men (p = 0.01) and women (p < 0.001). UE scores were significantly associated with BMI only in women (p = 0.002). No significant differences in eating behavior scores or BMI were found by LEPR (rs1137101, rs8179183 and rs1137100 polymorphisms) or MC3R (rs3746619 and rs3827103). Carriers of the C allele for MC4R rs17782313 showed significantly higher scores of UE compared to non-carriers (2.3 ± 0.8 vs. 2.0 ± 0.7; p = 0.02). Additionally, we also report a monogenic case of obesity carrying the pathogenic mutation 449C>T (Thr150Ile) in MC4R gene with no apparent alterations in eating behavior scores. Conclusions: UE scores were higher in C-allele carriers of MC4R-rs17782313 compared to non-carriers. © 2015 S. Karger AG, Basel [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Leptin (LEP) is mainly produced in adipose tissue and acts in the hypothalamus to regulate energy intake. Mutations in the LEP gene or its receptor (LEPR) that produce monogenic obesity are infrequent. However, LEP and LEPR polymorphisms have been associated with obesity multifactorial, due to the association found with body weight and eating behavior. Aim: Measure the association between LEP and LEPR polymorphisms with childhood obesity and eating behavior. Methods: 221 Chilean obese children (BMI above the 95th percentile) were recruited. Parents of 134 of these children were also recruited to determine the association between LEP and LEPR polymorphisms with obesity in a case study-parent trio. Eating behavior was measured through the questionnaire of three factors progenitors' version (TFEQ-P19) and eating behavior in children (CEBQ). Results: No significant difference between the studied polymorphisms and childhood obesity, after correction for multiple comparisons, was observed. The dimensions; “Slow eating", “emotional eating", “enjoyment of food" and “uncontrolling eating" were significant associated with certain polymorphisms of LEP and LEPR. Conclusions: There would be an association between polymorphisms of the LEP and LEPR genes with eating behavior in Chilean obese children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The location of food industries in inland Spain is closely linked to the distribution of the population at the municipality level. Nevertheless, this overarching pattern hides significant variability at the branch level. Such variability is the basis for proposing a typology of branches according to their distribution across the settlement pattern, from metropolitan areas to rural villages. This typology may enhance the design of local development policies because it identifies the locational preferences for each food branch and subsequently allows for the allocation of public resources to support the activities more suitable for each specific geographical and socioeconomic setting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]