Comparación de la terapia de ondas de choque extracorpóreas focales y presión radiales en la fascitis plantar / Comparison between extracorporeal shockwave therapy and radial pressure wave therapy in plantar fasciitis

OBJETIVO: La fascitis plantar es una causa frecuente de dolor plantar, de etiología mal definida. Los pacientes presentan dolor a la palpación de la tuberosidad medial del calcáneo. Los tratamientos con ondas de choque extracorpóreas han demostrado resultados positivos. El objetivo de este estudio es comparar la efectividad de tratamientos con ondas de choque focales y ondas de presión radial. PACIENTES Y MÉTODOS: Setenta y nueve pacientes diagnosticados de fascitis plantar fueron incluidos entre enero del 2017 y junio del 2018, de manera no aleatorizada. Se aplicó un tratamiento por ondas de choque focales a los pacientes del Hospital Arnau de Vilanova de Valencia y un tratamiento por ondas de presión radiales a los pacientes de Hospital de Llíria. Las variables de resultado estudiadas fueron: dolor evaluado por escala visual analógica; grosor de la fascia plantar medido por ecografía; dolor, discapacidad, limitación de actividades y calidad de vida autoevaluadas mediante el Foot Function Index, el Euroqol-5D y la escala de Roles y Maudsley. RESULTADOS: Al inicio del estudio, los 2grupos no mostraban diferencias significativas en cuanto a variables sociodemográficas y clínicas. Tres meses tras finalizar el tratamiento, observamos una mejoría en ambos grupos en todas las variables de resultado, sin obtener diferencias significativas entre los 2 grupos. No registramos efectos adversos ni complicaciones. CONCLUSIONES: Tanto las ondas de choque focales como las ondas de presión radiales son terapias con un perfil de efectividad y seguridad equivalente en el tratamiento de la fascitis plantar

OBJECTIVE: Plantar fasciitis is a common cause of heel pain. The aetiology of this condition remains unclear. Patients typically have pain upon palpation of the medial plantar calcaneal region. Extracorporeal shockwave therapy has shown favourable outcomes in various studies. The aim of this study was to compare the effect of focused extracorporeal shockwave therapy with radial pressure wave therapy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Seventy-nine non-randomised patients diagnosed with plantar fasciitis were included between January 2017 and June 2018. Patients from the Arnau de Vilanova Hospital in Valencia were treated with focused extracorporeal shockwave therapy, and patients from Llíria Hospital with radial pressure wave therapy. Measured outcome variables were: visual analog scale; ultrasonographic measurement of plantar fascia thickness; self-reported foot-specific pain and disability using the Foot Function Index; self-reported health-related quality of life using the Euroqol-5D; self-reported pain and limitations of activity using the Roles & Maudsley Scale. RESULTS: At inclusion, the 2groups showed no significant differences in demographic or clinical characteristics. Three months after treatment completion, both groups showed improvement in all outcome variables, without statistically significant differences between the 2 groups. No adverse effects or complications were observed. CONCLUSIONS: Both extracorporeal shockwave therapy and radial pressure wave therapy are effective treatments for plantar fasciitis

[Comparison between extracorporeal shockwave therapy and radial pressure wave therapy in plantar fasciitis]. / Comparación de la terapia de ondas de choque extracorpóreas focales y presión radiales en la fascitis plantar.

OBJECTIVE: Plantar fasciitis is a common cause of heel pain. The aetiology of this condition remains unclear. Patients typically have pain upon palpation of the medial plantar calcaneal region. Extracorporeal shockwave therapy has shown favourable outcomes in various studies. The aim of this study was to compare the effect of focused extracorporeal shockwave therapy with radial pressure wave therapy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Seventy-nine non-randomised patients diagnosed with plantar fasciitis were included between January 2017 and June 2018. Patients from the Arnau de Vilanova Hospital in Valencia were treated with focused extracorporeal shockwave therapy, and patients from Llíria Hospital with radial pressure wave therapy. Measured outcome variables were: visual analog scale; ultrasonographic measurement of plantar fascia thickness; self-reported foot-specific pain and disability using the Foot Function Index; self-reported health-related quality of life using the Euroqol-5D; self-reported pain and limitations of activity using the Roles & Maudsley Scale. RESULTS: At inclusion, the 2groups showed no significant differences in demographic or clinical characteristics. Three months after treatment completion, both groups showed improvement in all outcome variables, without statistically significant differences between the 2groups. No adverse effects or complications were observed. CONCLUSIONS: Both extracorporeal shockwave therapy and radial pressure wave therapy are effective treatments for plantar fasciitis.

Spatiotemporal association between the mite Brevipalpus yothersi and Citrus leprosis virus C in orange orchards.

Citrus leprosis virus C (CiLV-C) is an economically important pathogen and the main causative agent of leprosis disease in citrus orchards. The main vector of this disease, the mite Brevipalpus yothersi, is widely distributed in Mexican orchards on a wide range of citrus species. Despite the importance of both the virus and the mite, field studies recording their occurrence and co-occurrence are practically non-existent. We systematically sampled orange orchards for both CiLV-C and B. yothersi throughout the year. The distribution of the CiLV-C and B. yothersi was evaluated on each sampling occasion and their spatiotemporal associations were determined. Specifically, 100-112 orange trees, distributed in 18 rows (five or six trees per row), were sampled monthly between March 2017 and February 2018 (11 sampling dates). Twenty leaves per tree were sampled on each occasion. The number of mites per tree and the percentage of leaves per tree with disease symptoms were recorded. On each sampling occasion, spatiotemporal associations between mites and disease were determined using the Spatial Analysis by Distance Indices (SADIE) method. CiLV-C and B. yothersi were identified using molecular methods. Throughout the study, the distribution of CiLV-C was aggregated and the distribution of B. yothersi was random. No association was found between the virus and the mite on any of the sampling dates. In total, 173 mites were collected, but only 43 mites were found to be carrying CiLV-C. The reason for this lack of association between the virus and the mite, as well as the impact of our findings on the epidemiology of the disease in orange orchards, are discussed.

Vivencias cotidianas en espacios clínicos del estudiante de enfermería / Nursing students' daily experiences in clinical spaces / Vivências cotidianas em espaços clínicos do estudante de enfermagem

Objetivo: Comprender las vivencias cotidianas en espacios clínicos del estudiante de enfermería. Métodos: Es un estudio cualitativo con método fenomenológico, se recolectó la información a través de 8 entrevistas a profundidad, a estudiantes de 4.o año de la Licenciatura en Enfermería de la Escuela Superior de Enfermería Culiacán, México. Tras obtener el consentimiento se les informó individualmente del estudio y su desarrollo, respetando la confidencialidad y la veracidad de los datos. El análisis de discurso permitió señalar conceptos significativos y asignar códigos para generar categorías. La validación de los resultados fueron credibilidad, confirmabilidad y transferibilidad. Resultados: Se trata de resultados preliminares, se presenta el análisis de la primera categoría, 1) Significados del espacio clínico, con 3 subcategorías: 1.1 satisfacción en espacios clínicos, 1.2 aprendizajes en espacios clínicos, y 1.3 figura simbólica en espacios clínicos. Conclusiones: Los estudiantes manifestaron satisfacción y agrado porque van motivados a aprender y realizan actividades novedosas en los espacios clínicos. Además la enfermera del servicio simboliza el apoyo y enseñanza en los escenarios clínicos. Sin embargo, al referirse a los cuidados que realizan, estos aprendizajes están enfocados, como se ha señalado, a espacios planificados, fragmentados, basados en técnicas y procedimientos, como toma de signos vitales, tendido de cama y administración de medicamentos.

Objective: To comprehend the daily experiences of nursing students in their clinical spaces. Method: This is a qualitative study using a phenomenological method. Data were collected through 8 in-depth interviews to senior students enrolled in the Nursing Baccalaureate at the Nursing Superior School, Culiacan, Mexico. After gathering their corresponding informed consents, students were individually updated on the study development, always respecting the data confidentiality and veracity. The discourse analysis allowed to identify significant concepts, and assign them codes to form categories. The validation of the results included credibility, confirmability, and transferability. Results: Preliminary results refer to the analysis of the first category, 1) meanings of the clinical space, with its three sub-categories: 1.1: satisfaction in the clinical spaces, 1.2: learning in the clinical spaces, and 1.3: symbolical figure in the clinical spaces. Conclusions: Students expressed satisfaction and comfort because they go motivated to learn, and they perform novel activities in the clinical spaces. Also, the service nurse is a symbol of support and teaching within the clinical spaces. Nevertheless, while addressing their care duties, students stated that this learning is focused on planned and fragmented spaces and based on techniques and procedures such as vital signs readings, making beds, and medication dispensing.

Objetivo: Compreender as vivencias cotidianas em espaços clínicos do estudante de enfermagem. Métodos: É um estudo qualitativo com método fenomenológico, coletou-se a informação a través de 8 entrevistas a profundidade, a estudantes de 4° ano da Licenciatura em enfermagem da Escola Superior de Enfermagem Culiacán, México. Depois de obter o consentimento foram informados individualmente do estúdio e seu desenvolvimento, respeitando a confidencialidade e a veracidade 2 dados. A análise de discurso permitiu assinalar conceitos significativos, atribuir códigos para gerar categorias. A validação dos resultados foram credibilidade, confirmabilidade e transferibilidade. Resultados: Trata-se de resultados preliminares, apresenta-se a análise da primeira categoria, 1) Significados do espaço clínico, com três subcategorias: 1.1 satisfação em espaços clínicos, 1.2 aprendizagens em espaços clínicos, 1.3 figura simbólica em espaços clínicos. Conclusões: Os estudantes manifestaram satisfação e agrado porque estão motivados a aprender e realizam atividades inovadoras nos espaços clínicos. Além disso, a enfermeira de serviço simboliza o apoio e o ensino nos cenários clínicos. Porém, ao se referir aos cuidados que realizam, estes aprendizados estão focalizados, como se tem assinalado, aos espaços planificados, fragmentados, baseados em técnicas e procedimentos, como a toma de sinais vitais, o estendido de cama, a administração de medicamentos.

Population Growth and Characterization of Plant Injuries of Steneotarsonemus spinki Smiley (Acari: Tarsonemidae) on Rice.

Rice is attacked by Steneotarsonemus spinki Smiley, a mite that has dispersed throughout many countries causing important loss on rice production. Rice plants of the variety Morelos A-92 were infested with S. spinki, and its population growth was estimated along plant development. Further, the morphological and histological injuries associated to the mite attack were characterized. The highest infestation level was obtained 13 weeks after plant infestation, with an average of 58.5 mites per plant, predominantly females. Morphological injuries were categorized from level 0 (no injuries from uninfested plants) to level 3, characterized by the highest injuries represented by blotches on the adaxial epidermis of the leaf sheath and on panicles and grains. Plants ranked within levels 0, 1, and 2 for morphological injury did not exhibit clear histological injuries, while those at level 3 exhibited histological injury characterized by destruction of cells of the adaxial epidermis, disorder, color change, and hypertrophy in the mesophyll cells, as well as color change in the abaxial epidermis. Thus, it presented a significant correlation between morphological injuries and mite density level, which can be further adopted to help the control decision-making process for this mite on rice.

A continuously monitored colorimetric method for detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex in sputum.

SETTING: Mbeya, Tanzania. OBJECTIVE: To develop a new liquid culture method to detect Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTC) in sputum using 2,3-diphenyl-5-thienyl-(2)-tetrazolium (STC), the nitrate reductase assay (NRA) and p-nitrobenzoic acid (PNB). DESIGN: Ninety-three sputum samples collected from 18 tuberculosis patients were decontaminated with N-acetyl-L-cysteine-sodium hydroxide using MGIT™ 960 and in STC-NRA cultures, both in the presence and in the absence of PNB, an inhibitor of MTC growth. The reduction of STC by colour change indicated mycobacterial growth; NRA was then performed to confirm MTC. RESULTS: STC-NRA culture was positive for acid-fast bacilli in 66/93 (71%) samples, of which 60/93 (64.5%) were identified as MTC-positive and 6/93 (6.5%) as indeterminate mycobacteria. MGIT indicated MTC in 59/93 (63.4%) cultures. Contamination was detected in 12/93 (13%) STC-NRA cultures vs. 29/93 (31.2%) MGIT cultures. The mean time to detection (TTD) of MTC using STC-NRA was 14 days and 7 days using MGIT. CONCLUSION: The STC-NRA method is sensitive for the detection of MTC in sputum. TTD increased with duration of anti-tuberculosis treatment, highlighting the value of this method in monitoring treatment success. The method is simple and inexpensive and, unlike MGIT, does not require technical equipment. The preliminary performance characteristics of the method should be further evaluated in larger studies.

Association of the oral health impact profile with malnutrition risk in Spanish elders.

The objective of this study was to determine any relationship between oral health-related quality of life (OHR-QoL) and malnutrition risk in the elderly using the oral health impact profile (OHIP). We studied 250 institutionalized elderly people, 162 females and 88 males, with and without teeth. Data were gathered on: general health; oral health; malnutrition risk, measured with the Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA); and OHR-QoL, evaluated with the OHIP. A multivariate binary logistic regression model was constructed with malnutrition presence/risk as dependent variable. Mean age was 82.7 ± 8.2 years. Malnutrition or malnutrition risk was shown by 36.8% of the sample. OHIP was associated with malnutrition/risk after adjustment for age, sex, functional status, and mild dementia diagnosis. Malnutrition/risk was 3.43-fold more likely in participants with OHIP-reported "problems" than in those with none. The conclusion of the study was that OHIP-measured OHR-QoL is associated with malnutrition risk.

Performance of the Xpert® MTB/RIF assay in an active case-finding strategy: a pilot study from Tanzania.

In this pilot study, we evaluated the Xpert® MTB/RIF assay in an active case-finding strategy, using two spot sputum samples collected within a 1-hour interval from household contacts of smear-positive TB index cases. Tuberculosis (TB) confirmed by culture served as the reference standard. Among 219 enrolled contacts, the yield of active TB was 2.3%. While the sensitivity of smear microscopy was 60% (95%CI 14.7-94.7), Xpert MTB/RIF achieved a sensitivity of 100% (95%CI 47.81-100.0). All culture-confirmed cases tested positive by Xpert MTB/RIF on the first submitted sample, suggesting that the evaluation of only one sample could be sufficient for TB diagnosis in this context.

Sobrecarga y dolor percibido en cuidadoras de ancianos dependientes / Overload and pain in perceived caregivers of dependent elder

Objetivos: Evaluar la sobrecarga subjetiva y el dolor percibido en cuidadoras de ancianos dependientes y determinar si la intensidad del dolor percibido está asociado a la sobrecarga de la cuidadora. Material y métodos: Estudio observacional, descriptivo transversal. Variables:edad, sexo, parentesco familiar, convivencia con el paciente, nivel educativo, tiempo como cuidador, trabajo remunerado, Índice de Esfuerzo del Cuidador (IEC) e intensidad del dolor (EVA). Análisis estadístico descriptivo e inferencial: Test T de Student, r de Pearson y ANOVA, según los casos. Resultados: IEC 6,58 ± 1,21, EVA 6,60 ± 1,21 ; correlación EVA y IEC r= 0,571, p<0,0001; EVA y tiempo como cuidadora r=0,340, p<0,026. Conclusiones: Las cuidadoras de ancianos dependientes presentan elevados índices de sobrecarga y percepción del dolor provocada por propias características de los cuidados que requieren los ancianos dependientes. Existe una relación directa entre la intensidad del dolor y el grado de sobrecarga de las cuidadoras (AU)

Objectives: To assess the subjective stress and perceived pain in carers of dependent elders, and whether the perceived pain intensity is associated with the caregiver overload or not. Material and methods: This is an observational, descriptive, transversal study. Variables: age, sex, family relationship, living together with the patient, educational level, time as a caregiver, paid work, the Caregiver Stress Index (IEC) and pain intensity (VAS). Descriptive and inferential statistical analysis: Student's T test, Pearson r and ANOVA, as appropriate. Results: IEC 6.58 ± 1.21, 6.60 ± 1.21 EVA, EVA and IEC correlation r = 0.571, p <0.0001, EVA and time as caregivers r = 0.340, p <0.026. Conclusions: The caregivers of dependent elders have high overhead rates and perception of pain caused by own characteristics of care required by dependent elders. There is a direct relationship between pain intensity and the degree of overload of the caregivers (AU)

The ANKK1 protein associated with addictions has nuclear and cytoplasmic localization and shows a differential response of Ala239Thr to apomorphine.

The TaqIA single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP), which is the most widely studied genetic polymorphism in addictions, is located at the gene that encodes the RIP kinase ANKK1 near the gene for dopamine receptor D2. The TaqIA SNP is in strong linkage disequilibrium with the SNP rs7118900, which changes the alanine at position 239 to threonine in the ANKK1 protein (Ala239/A2; Thr239/A1). In silico analysis has predicted that this polymorphic substitution creates an additional phosphorylation site in the kinase domain of ANKK1. To investigate the contribution of ANKK1 to the pathophysiology of TaqIA-associated phenotypes, we analyzed transfected HEK293T cells with the human ANKK1-kinase(Ala239) and ANKK1-kinase(Thr239) variants tagged with GFP. We observed that the ANKK1-kinase is located in both the nucleus and the cytoplasm, suggesting that there is nucleocytoplasmic shuttling of this putative signal transducer. In addition, we found that the Ala239Thr ANKK1-kinase polymorphism exhibited strong expression differences in both the nucleus and the cytoplasm at basal level and when stimulated with the dopamine agonist apomorphine. Specifically, the ANKK1-kinase(Thr239) variant showed the highest level of basal protein expression, while ANKK1-kinase(Ala239) was 0.64-fold lower. After treatment with apomorphine, ANKK1-kinase(Ala239) showed a 2.4-fold increment in protein levels, whereas a 0.67-fold reduction was observed in ANKK1-kinase(Thr239). Thus, here we provide the first evidence of functional ANKK1 differences that are marked by TaqIA and could be associated with vulnerability to addiction.

First Report of Leaf Rust of Blueberry Caused by Thekopsora minima in Mexico.

Blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum L.) is becoming an important crop in the states of Jalisco and Michoacan in Mexico. Leaf rust, a disease causing extensive defoliation on plants with severe infections, was observed in the autumn of 2007 and it has become one of the most significant diseases of blueberry in these states. Symptoms on the upper surfaces of leaves appear as small, yellow spots that later turn necrotic as they enlarge and coalesce and eventually cover large areas of individual leaves. On the undersides of leaves, small flecks surrounded by small water-soaked halos appear, turn yellow, and produce powdery sori that are uredinia with urediniospores. Uredinia were hypophyllous, scattered to gregarious and at times superficially appearing confluent, up to about 300 µm in diameter, dome shaped and peridium hemispherical in cross section, orangish, becoming pulverulent, lacking obviously enlarged, well-differentiated ostiolar cells. Urediniospores were subglobose, obovate, oblong or ellipsoid, 17.6 to 27.2 × 12.8 to 17.6 µm, with hyaline, echinulate walls that are 1.2 to 1.8 µm thick, and with yellow-to-hyaline contents. Telia were not observed. On the basis of uredinial morphology (3,4), the rust was identified as Thekopsora minima P. Syd. & Syd. To distinguish this rust from other rust species causing disease on Vaccinium (2,3), a 1,414-bp region consisting of ITS2 and the 5' end of the 28S was amplified with primers Rust2inv/LR6 from uredinial lesions on infected leaves of V. corymbosum 'Biloxi' and sequenced (BPI 880580; GenBank Accession No. HM439777) (1). Results of a BLAST search of GenBank found 100% (1,414 of 1,414) identity to T. minima (GenBank Accession No. GU355675) from South Africa (3). Pathogenicity tests were completed as follows: (i) during the autumn of 2009, rusted leaves of cvs. Biloxi and Sharpblue were collected from the field; (ii) mature leaves from healthy plants of both blueberry cultivars were surface disinfested with 1% sodium hypochlorite for 2 min and rinsed with sterile distilled water; (iii) fresh urediniospores from rusted leaves were brushed directly onto the undersides of disinfested detached leaves; (iv) to avoid drying, wet cotton balls were placed on the petioles of inoculated leaves that were subsequently placed in resealable plastic bags; and (v) leaves were then incubated in a growth chamber at 22°C with a 12-h photoperiod. For each cultivar, 20 leaves were inoculated and five uninoculated leaves were included as controls and the test was repeated once. Yellow uredinia were observed 13 and 10 days after inoculation in cvs. Biloxi and Sharpblue, respectively. Leaf symptoms and uredinial characters were the same as observed previously in the field. To our knowledge, this is the first report of T. minima in Mexico. This report is significant for growers who need a diagnosis to control the disease and for breeders and plant pathologists who should consider developing more resistant cultivars. References: (1) M. C. Aime. Mycoscience 47:112, 2006. (2) F. L. Caruso and D. C. Ramsdell, eds. Compendium of Blueberry and Cranberry Diseases. The American Phytopathological Society, St. Paul, MN, 1995. (3) L. Mostert et al. Plant Dis. 94:478, 2010. (4) P. Sydow and H. Sydow. Monographia Uredinearum. Vol. III. Fratres Borntraeger, Leipzig, Germany, 1915.

High frequency of childhood ADHD history in women with fibromyalgia.

Fibromyalgia and ADHD share some clinical features, and a reduced dopamine function has been proposed for both disorders. Here we found, in a large sample of fibromyalgia female patients, a higher frequency of childhood ADHD antecedent when compared with healthy women. Our data suggest that Fibromyalgia and ADHD have some common etiopathological mechanism.

Zonisamide versus diazepam in the treatment of alcohol withdrawal syndrome.

INTRODUCTION: Anticonvulsant drugs have been used in the treatment of alcohol detoxification. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of zonisamide in a sample of patients presenting alcohol withdrawal syndrome. METHOD: In this 3-week, randomized, flexible-dose trial, 40 inpatients with alcohol dependence disorder received zonisamide or diazepam for detoxification. Zonisamide was started at a dose of 400-600 mg/day (week 1), tapering to a minimum dose of 100-300 mg/day (week 3). Diazepam was administered using a similar regimen (from 130-50 mg/day tapering to 5-15 mg/day). Subjects were treated initially (weeks 1 and 2) in an inpatient unit and for the final week in an outpatient facility. During the inpatient period, the Clinical Institute Withdrawal Assessment for Alcohol (CIWA-Ar) was used to assess the efficacy of each substance. During the outpatient period the Clinical Institute Withdrawal Assessment for Alcohol (CIWA-Ar), Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale, Hamilton Depression Rating Scale, and a craving scale were used. RESULTS: All subjects completed the study. During the inpatient period both drugs reduced alcohol withdrawal symptoms, but the decrease was more marked in the zonisamide group. At the end of the study (week 3) participants treated with zonisamide showed lower CIWA-Ar scores than subjects receiving diazepam. Also, individuals in the zonisamide group had less craving for alcohol, less anxiety, and less daytime sedation compared with participants treated with diazepam. CONCLUSION: Zonisamide can be a valuable alternative to benzodiazepines in the prevention of alcohol withdrawal syndrome.

The D2 dopamine receptor gene variant C957T affects human fear conditioning and aversive priming.

Polymorphisms of DRD2 and ANKK1 have been associated with psychiatric syndromes where there is believed to be an underlying learning process deficit such as addiction, post-traumatic stress disorder and psychopathy. We investigated the effects of the DRD2 C957T and ANKK1 TaqIA single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP), which have been associated with psychopathic traits in alcoholic patients, on fear conditioning and aversive priming in healthy volunteers. We found that the DRD2 C957T SNP, but not the ANKK1 TaqIA SNP, was associated with both differential conditioning of the skin conductance response and the aversive priming effect. There were no differences between the genotype groups with respect to the extinction of the skin-conductance conditioned response. These results suggest that the C957T SNP could be related to learning differences associated with the risk of developing psychiatric disorders in individuals that are carriers of the C homozygous genotype. Our genetic data raise the possibility that the dopaminergic system functional variations determined by this SNP could affect fear learning.

P300 in alcohol dependence: Effectsof TaqI-A genotype

Background and Objectives: TaqI-A polymorphism, related to D2dopamine receptor (DRD2), and event-related P300 potentials have been consideredmarkers of alcohol dependence. The effect of alcohol use variables and TaqI-A on P300 ina single sample have been hardly analysed previously. This study examined changes inP300 parameters after six months of abstinence in alcohol-dependent subjects classifiedby their TaqI-A genotype.Methods: 102 men with alcohol dependence were studied at baseline and at 6 monthsof continued abstinence. P300 was recorded using an auditory paradigm. TaqI-A polymorphismwas genotyped: 34.3% of sample was classified as A1[TaqI-A1/TaqI-A1andTaqI-A1/TaqI-A2] and 65.7% as A2 [TaqI-A2/TaqI-A2]. The association between P300and TaqI-A and the correlation with age and alcohol consumption were considered.Results: The abstinence period was not associated to differences in neither P300 latency(F[1, 99] = 1.154 p = 0.285) nor amplitude (F[1, 99] = 1.453, p = 0.231). A1 subgroup was relatedto a longer latency (F[1, 99] = 5.055 p = 0.027), an early abuse age onset (F[1, 100] =14.552 p < 0.001) and close to be significant to an early dependence age onset (F[1, 100] =3.868 p = 0.052). Other drinking pattern variables were not associated to p300 measures. Familyhistory for alcoholism and TaqI-A were not related (X[1] = 0.327 p = 0.568) and no associationwas found with p300 measures. Current age correlated positively with P300 latency (F[1,99] = 26.082, p < 0,001) and negatively with amplitude (F[1, 99] = 5.297 p = 0.023). P300 amplitudewas not influenced by alcohol use variables nor TaqI-A polymorphism.Conclusions: P300 latency could be a biological marker of vulnerability to alcohol dependencerelated to TaqI-A1 polymorphism, irrespective of alcohol use variables (AU)

DRD2 and ANKK1 genotype in alcohol-dependent patients with psychopathic traits: association and interaction study.

BACKGROUND: The TaqI-A polymorphism of the ANKK1 gene, adjacent to the DRD2 gene, has been associated with alcoholism and other psychiatric conditions, although other DRD2 gene variants, such as the C957T polymorphism, could be related to these phenotypic traits. AIMS: To investigate the contribution of the TaqI-A and the C957T polymorphisms to the presence of psychopathic traits in patients with alcoholism. METHOD: We performed association and interaction analyses of the polymorphisms in 150 controls and 176 male alcohol-dependent patients assessed for the presence of dissocial personal disorder, using the Psychopathy Checklist-Revised (PCL-R). RESULTS: There was a significant association of the TaqI-A and C957T polymorphisms when both genotypes were present, with PCL-R scores of F(1-171=0.13) (P=0.01) and a frequency of dissocial personal disorder OR=10.52, P<0.001. CONCLUSIONS: The TaqI-A of the ANKK1 gene and the C957T of the DRD2 gene are epistatically associated with psychopathic traits in alcohol-dependent patients.

Uso de antiepilépticos en adicciones / Use of antiepileptics in addictions

Las propiedades farmacológicas de los antiepilépticos como moduladores de los sistemas glutamatérgico y gabérgico indican su potencial utilidad en el tratamiento de los trastornos adictivos. Su eficacia clínica ha sido ampliamente estudiada en el tratamiento de desintoxicación de alcohol y benzodiazepinas y diferentes estudios avalan su utilidad en la prevención de recaídas en el consumo de alcohol. Con respecto a otras adicciones, hasta el momento se han realizado estudios sólo con muestras pequeñas y metodología diversa, por lo que los datos son menos consistentes, sin que pueda descartarse que estos fármacos puedan también aportar beneficios como tratamiento coadyuvante en otros trastornos adictivos. Además, los nuevos antiepilépticos ofrecen ventajas relevantes, especialmente respecto a su tolerabilidad. Los fármacos disponibles en la actualidad abarcan un amplio espectro de acciones fármaco dinámicas, de forma que el avance en el conocimiento de los mecanismos fisiopatológicos subyacentes a la adicción ayudará a diseñar estrategias más selectivas en la utilización de los antiepilépticos en función de sus mecanismos de acción específicos (AU)

The drug properties of antiepileptics as glutamatergic and gabaergic system modulators indicate their potential utility in the treatment of addictive disorders. Their clinical efficacy has been widely studied in the treatment of detoxication of alcohol and benzodiazepine. Furthermore, different studies support their utility in the prevention of relapses in alcohol consumption. In regards to other addictions, up to now studies have only been conducted with small samples and different methodologies. Thus, the data are less consistent and do not make it possible to rule out the fact that these drugs may also contribute benefits as coadjuvant treatment in other addictive disorders. In addition, the new antiepileptics offer relevant advantages, especially in regards to their tolerability. The drugs that are currently available include a wide spectrum of pharmacodynamic actions. Therefore, advance in the knowledge of the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying the addiction will help to design more selective strategies in the use of antiepileptics based on their specific action mechanisms (AU)

Psychopathology and Wisconsin Card Sorting Test performance in male schizophrenic patients: influence of dual diagnosis.

BACKGROUND: Different neuropsychological studies have shown schizophrenic patients to have executive function deficits, as illustrated by their performance in neuropsychological tasks such as the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST); certain studies have described a relationship between these deficits and negative symptoms. Schizophrenic patients also exhibit a high lifetime prevalence (40-50%) of comorbid substance use disorders (SUDs). However, little attention has been paid to this comorbidity (dual diagnosis) in studies associating executive functions and negative symptoms. SAMPLING AND METHODS: Our objective is to investigate the relationship between performance in the WCST and psychopathology as measured by the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) in a sample of 65 male schizophrenic patients with a history of SUDs (Sch SUD+) and in a sample of 48 male schizophrenic patients without such history (Sch SUD-). RESULTS: In the Sch SUD- group, patients who completed 4 or more categories in the WCST ('good performers') obtained a mean score of 21.2 +/- 8.8 on the negative subscale of the PANSS, compared with a mean score of 27.8 +/- 8.6 in those who completed 3 or less ('poor performers'); these differences were statistically significant (p = 0.015). In the Sch SUD+ group, however, no association was found between WCST performance and the PANSS negative subscale score. CONCLUSIONS: The presence of a history of comorbid SUDs should be taken into consideration in studies investigating executive functions and negative symptoms in schizophrenia.

[Endocannabinoid system and CNR1 gene polymorphisms in schizophrenia and addictive disorders]. / Sistema endocannabinoide y polimorfismos del gen CNR1 en la esquizofrenia y los trastornos adictivos.

Substance abuse is the most prevalent comorbid psychiatric condition associated with schizophrenia. Cannabis is a drug frequently used for schizophrenic patients. In the last decades the endocannabinoid system and their endogenous ligands have been discovered. Endogenous cannabinoids act in the brain on cannabinoid CB1 receptor. On the other hand this system may be involved in several brain functions through neuromodulation dopaminergic and other neurotransmitter system involved in schizophrenic and substance abuse disorders. Advances of genetic research have addressed the focus on the search of candidate genes for both disorders. In this review we have summarized the studies published about the CNR1 gene on schizophrenia and substance abuse disorders.

Disfunciones ejecutivas en adultos con trastorno por déficit de atención e hiperactividad / Executive dysfunctions in adults with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder

Introducción. Diversos estudios de seguimiento han mostrado la persistencia del trastorno por déficit de atención e hiperactividad (TDAH) en la edad adulta. Objetivo. Revisar los hallazgos en adultos con TDAH relacionados con alteraciones en las funciones ejecutivas. Desarrollo. Las investigaciones realizadas en población infantil con TDAH muestran la existencia de alteraciones en diferentes tareas que evalúan funciones ejecutivas: test de planificación, tareas atencionales de vigilancia, tareas de flexibilidad cognitiva, de fluidez verbal y de memoria de trabajo, así como en diversas tareas de inhibición de respuesta. En los adultos con TDAH, a pesar del menor número de publicaciones, así como de las limitaciones metodológicas existentes en algunos estudios, también se han descrito resultados análogos con relación al funcionamiento ejecutivo: alteración en la respuesta de inhibición, en la capacidad de planificación, dificultades en la flexibilidad cognitiva y la fluidez verbal, y dificultades en la memoria de trabajo, que incluyen aspectos de memoria de trabajo espacial, de memoria lógica o visual. Conclusiones. Los hallazgos disponibles permiten afirmar la persistencia de disfunciones ejecutivas en pacientes adultos con TDAH similares a las observadas en niños con TDAH

Introduction. Several different follow-up studies have shown that attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) can persist into adulthood. Aim. To review the findings in adults with ADHD related to alterations in the executive functions. Development. Research conducted among children with ADHD has revealed the existence of alterations in different tasks that evaluate the executive functions, such as the planning test, sustained attention tasks, cognitive flexibility, verbal fluency and working memory tasks, as well as several inhibition response tasks. In adults with ADHD, despite the lower number of reports in the literature and the methodological shortcomings that exist in some studies, analogous results have also been described with respect to executive functioning, namely, disorders affecting inhibition response, the capacity for planning, difficulties in cognitive flexibility and verbal fluency, and problems with working memory, which include aspects of spatial working memory, logical or visual memory. Conclusions. The findings we have available at present enable us to confirm the persistence of executive dysfunctions in adult patients with ADHD that are similar to those observed in children with ADHD