The Global Deterioration Scale for Down Syndrome Population (GDS-DS): A Rating Scale to Assess the Progression of Alzheimer's Disease.

The aim of this study is to adapt and validate the global deterioration scale (GDS) for the systematic tracking of Alzheimer's disease (AD) progression in a population with Down syndrome (DS). A retrospective dual-center cohort study was conducted with 83 participants with DS (46.65 ± 5.08 years) who formed the primary diagnosis (PD) group: cognitive stability (n = 48), mild cognitive impairment (n = 24), and Alzheimer's disease (n = 11). The proposed scale for adults with DS (GDS-DS) comprises six stages, from cognitive and/or behavioral stability to advanced AD. Two neuropsychologists placed the participants of the PD group in each stage of the GDS-DS according to cognitive, behavioral and daily living skills data. Inter-rater reliability in staging with the GDS-DS was excellent (ICC = 0.86; CI: 0.80-0.93), and the agreement with the diagnosis categories of the PD group ranged from substantial to excellent with κ values of 0.82 (95% CI: 0.73-0.92) and 0.85 (95% CI: 0.72, 0.99). Performance with regard to the CAMCOG-DS total score and orientation subtest of the Barcelona test for intellectual disability showed a slight progressive decline across all the GDS-DS stages. The GDS-DS scale is a sensitive tool for staging the progression of AD in the DS population, with special relevance in daily clinical practice.

Wave-induced cross-shore distribution of different densities, shapes, and sizes of plastic debris in coastal environments: A laboratory experiment.

Plastic debris is a significant threat to marine and coastal ecosystems. Previous research found that waves, wind, as well as density, size, and shape of microplastics, drive their transport and dispersion. In this paper, a set of laboratory experiments on the effect of waves and wave-induced currents on the input rate and cross-shore transport and dispersion of different types of plastic debris, including the macro and mesosizes, in addition to microplastics is presented. 15 plastic-debris types characterized by different sizes, shapes, and densities, including facemasks, were analyzed under regular and irregular wave conditions. The results show that input and transport rates of plastics depend on their terminal velocities and wave steepness. Plastics with higher settling velocities under less-steep wave conditions are likely to escape coastal entrapment and end up in the breaking zone. However, plastics with greater buoyancy rates under steeper waves show a predominant accumulation closer to the shoreline.

Brain signal complexity in adults with Down syndrome: Potential application in the detection of mild cognitive impairment.

Background: Down syndrome (DS) is considered the most frequent cause of early-onset Alzheimer's disease (AD), and the typical pathophysiological signs are present in almost all individuals with DS by the age of 40. Despite of this evidence, the investigation on the pre-dementia stages in DS is scarce. In the present study we analyzed the complexity of brain oscillatory patterns and neuropsychological performance for the characterization of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) in DS. Materials and methods: Lempel-Ziv complexity (LZC) values from resting-state magnetoencephalography recordings and the neuropsychological performance in 28 patients with DS [control DS group (CN-DS) (n = 14), MCI group (MCI-DS) (n = 14)] and 14 individuals with typical neurodevelopment (CN-no-DS) were analyzed. Results: Lempel-Ziv complexity was lowest in the frontal region within the MCI-DS group, while the CN-DS group showed reduced values in parietal areas when compared with the CN-no-DS group. Also, the CN-no-DS group exhibited the expected pattern of significant increase of LZC as a function of age, while MCI-DS cases showed a decrease. The combination of reduced LZC values and a divergent trajectory of complexity evolution with age, allowed the discrimination of CN-DS vs. MCI-DS patients with a 92.9% of sensitivity and 85.7% of specificity. Finally, a pattern of mnestic and praxic impairment was significantly associated in MCI-DS cases with the significant reduction of LZC values in frontal and parietal regions (p = 0.01). Conclusion: Brain signal complexity measured with LZC is reduced in DS and its development with age is also disrupted. The combination of both features might assist in the detection of MCI within this population.

The Pictorial Screening Memory Test (P-MIS) for Adults with Moderate Intellectual Disability and Alzheimer's Disease.

In this study, we examined normative data and diagnostic accuracy of a pictorial screening test to detect memory impairment for mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and Alzheimer's disease (AD) in Spanish-speaking adults with intellectual disability (ID). A total of 94 volunteers with ID (60 controls, 17 MCI, and 17 AD), were evaluated by neuropsychological tests including the PMIS-ID in a cross-sectional validation study. Discriminative validity between the MCI, AD, and control group was analyzed by the area under the ROC curve. A cut-off score of 4.5 on the immediate recall trial had a sensitivity of 69% and a specificity of 80% to detect memory impairment (AUC = 0.685; 95% CI = 0.506-0.863) in the AD group. The PMIS-ID is a useful screening test to rule out a diagnosis of memory decline in people with moderate level of ID and AD, and it shows good psychometric properties.

[Knowledge of PrevenIMSS Programs in users of a primary health care clinic]. / Conocimientos del programa PrevenIMSS en usuarios de una unidad de medicina familiar.

Background: The PrevenIMSS programs are a strategy to promote health self-care at the three levels of prevention, with special emphasis on primary health care. One of its objectives is to have an impact on the morbidity and mortality of chronic non-communicable diseases such as obesity, diabetes and hypertension, the prevention of these illnesses requires knowledge for health self-care contained in these guidelines. Objective: To identify the information that the IMSS beneficiaries have on self-care of health contained in the PrevenIMSS guidelines. Material and methods: Descriptive cross-sectional study. After signing the informed consent, one thousand beneficiaries of a UMF were interviewed, 200 for each PrevenIMSS age group. Questions were asked about: 1. Health promotion, 2. Prevention and control of diseases, 3. Detection of diseases, 4. Nutrition, 5. Sexual and reproductive health, and an open question, to identify their needs for self-care of health. Results: The respondents answered having knowledge about the PrevenIMSS components in: Health promotion: 62%. Nutrition: 43%. Disease prevention: 55.3%. Detection and control of diseases: 51.9%. Sexual and reproductive health: 49.9%. The total score obtained by age group was: 0-9 years 46.35 ± 14.36; 10-19 years 46.02 ± 12.06; women from 20 to 59 years old 46.79 ± 8.19, men from 20 to 59 years old 52.19 ± 14.58; adults aged 60 and over 46.65 ± 13.34. Conclusions: The least information is in nutrition. The group of adolescents was the most affected.

Introducción: los programas PrevenIMSS son una estrategia para promover la salud en los tres niveles de prevención, con especial énfasis en el primer nivel de atención. Uno de sus objetivos es impactar en la morbimortalidad de enfermedades crónicas no transmisibles, como obesidad, diabetes e hipertensión, cuya prevención requiere de conocimientos para el autocuidado de la salud contenidos en estas guías. Objetivo: identificar la información que tienen los derechohabientes del IMSS sobre el autocuidado de la salud contenida en las guías PrevenIMSS. Material y métodos: estudio descriptivo transversal. Previa firma de consentimiento informado se entrevistó a mil derechohabientes de una unidad de medicina familiar; 200 por cada grupo etario PrevenIMSS. Se formularon preguntas acerca de: 1. Promoción de la salud, 2. Prevención y control de enfermedades, 3. Detección de enfermedades, 4. Nutrición, 5. Salud sexual y reproductiva, y una pregunta abierta para identificar sus necesidades sobre el autocuidado de la salud. Resultados: los encuestados respondieron tener conocimientos acerca de los componentes PrevenIMSS en: Promoción de la salud, el 62%; Nutrición, 43%; Prevención de enfermedades, 55.3%; Detección y control de enfermedades, 51.9%, y Salud sexual y reproductiva, 49.9%. El puntaje total obtenido por grupo etario fue: 0-9 años: 46.35 ± 14.36; 10-19 años: 46.02 ± 12.06; mujeres de 20 a 59 años: 46.79 ± 8.19, hombres de 20 a 59 años: 52.19 ±14.58, y adultos mayores de 60 años y más: 46.65 ± 13.34. Conclusiones: la menor información se tiene en nutrición. El grupo de adolescentes fue el más afectado.

Cognitive training in adults with intellectual disability: pilot study applying a cognitive tele-rehabilitation program.

Introduction: This pilot study analyzes the effect of a cognitive training program in adults with intellectual disability (ID). Method: Twenty subjects (mean age 52.7 ± 9.77 years) with mild and moderate ID were divided in control and experimental group. Only the experimental group received the training program. This program was applied through the GNPT® (Guttmann, NeuroPersonalTrainer®) platform for people with ID. Results: The results revealed a significant improvement in the Kaufman Brief Intelligence Test-2 scores (Matrices subtest) in the experimental group [Z = 2.12; p = .03] after the intervention, indicating an enhancement in fluid ability due to effect of cognitive training program. Conclusion: Findings provide evidence of the importance of applying these programs in a systematized way in adults with ID.

Conocimientos del programa PrevenIMSS en usuarios de una unidad de medicina familiar / Knowledge of PrevenIMSS Programs in users of a primary health care clinic

Introducción: los programas PrevenIMSS son una estrategia para promover la salud en los tres niveles de prevención, con especial énfasis en el primer nivel de atención. Uno de sus objetivos es impactar en la morbimortalidad de enfermedades crónicas no transmisibles, como obesidad, diabetes e hipertensión, cuya prevención requiere de conocimientos para el autocuidado de la salud contenidos en estas guías. Objetivo: identificar la información que tienen los derechohabientes del IMSS sobre el autocuidado de la salud contenida en las guías PrevenIMSS. Material y métodos: estudio descriptivo transversal. Previa firma de consentimiento informado se entrevistó a mil derechohabientes de una unidad de medicina familiar; 200 por cada grupo etario PrevenIMSS. Se formularon preguntas acerca de: 1. Promoción de la salud, 2. Prevención y control de enfermedades, 3. Detección de enfermedades, 4. Nutrición, 5. Salud sexual y reproductiva, y una pregunta abierta para identificar sus necesidades sobre el autocuidado de la salud. Resultados: los encuestados respondieron tener conocimientos acerca de los componentes PrevenIMSS en: Promoción de la salud, el 62%; Nutrición, 43%; Prevención de enfermedades, 55.3%; Detección y control de enfermedades, 51.9%, y Salud sexual y reproductiva, 49.9%. El puntaje total obtenido por grupo etario fue: 0-9 años: 46.35 ± 14.36; 10-19 años: 46.02 ± 12.06; mujeres de 20 a 59 años: 46.79 ± 8.19, hombres de 20 a 59 años: 52.19 ±14.58, y adultos mayores de 60 años y más: 46.65 ± 13.34. Conclusiones: la menor información se tiene en nutrición. El grupo de adolescentes fue el más afectado.

Background: The PrevenIMSS programs are a strategy to promote health self-care at the three levels of prevention, with special emphasis on primary health care. One of its objectives is to have an impact on the morbidity and mortality of chronic non-communicable diseases such as obesity, diabetes and hypertension, the prevention of these illnesses requires knowledge for health self-care contained in these guidelines. Objective: To identify the information that the IMSS beneficiaries have on self-care of health contained in the PrevenIMSS guidelines. Material and methods: Descriptive cross-sectional study. After signing the informed consent, one thousand beneficiaries of a UMF were interviewed, 200 for each PrevenIMSS age group. Questions were asked about: 1. Health promotion, 2. Prevention and control of diseases, 3. Detection of diseases, 4. Nutrition, 5. Sexual and reproductive health, and an open question, to identify their needs for self-care of health. Results: The respondents answered having knowledge about the PrevenIMSS components in: Health promotion: 62%. Nutrition: 43%. Disease prevention: 55.3%. Detection and control of diseases: 51.9%. Sexual and reproductive health: 49.9%. The total score obtained by age group was: 0-9 years 46.35 ± 14.36; 10-19 years 46.02 ± 12.06; women from 20 to 59 years old 46.79 ± 8.19, men from 20 to 59 years old 52.19 ± 14.58; adults aged 60 and over 46.65 ± 13.34. Conclusions: The least information is in nutrition. The group of adolescents was the most affected.

Proposed diagnostic criteria for mild cognitive impairment in Down syndrome population.

BACKGROUND: Despite presenting higher risk of dementia, mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is not well defined in Down syndrome population. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to describe cognitive and neuropsychological patterns associated with MCI in Down syndrome individuals. METHOD: Two groups of adults with Down syndrome (control and prodromal) were studied throughout 3 years. Two linear mixed models and a model including the variables that best predicted group membership were built. RESULTS: Behavioural Regulation Index (BRI) (Behaviour Rating Inventory of Executive Function test) and the model composed of BRI, abstraction and delayed verbal memory were the variable and model best predicting group membership, respectively. CONCLUSION: Suggest a diagnosis of MCI when BRI is the earliest change perceived by caregivers and this is combined with low scores in abstract thinking, and when an amnesic pattern in delayed verbal memory is observed, but adaptive skills are preserved.

Hypersynchronized Magnetoencephalography Brain Networks in Patients with Mild Cognitive Impairment and Alzheimer's Disease in Down Syndrome.

Introduction: The majority of individuals with Down syndrome (DS) show signs of Alzheimer's disease (AD) neuropathology in their fourth decade. However, there is a lack of specific markers for characterizing the disease stages while considering this population's differential features. Methods: Forty-one DS individuals participated in the study, and were classified into three groups according to their clinical status: Alzheimer's disease (AD-DS), mild cognitive impairment (MCI-DS), and controls (CN-DS). We performed an exhaustive neuropsychological evaluation and assessed brain functional connectivity (FC) from magnetoencephalographic recordings. Results: Compared with CN-DS, both MCI-DS and AD-DS showed a pattern of increased FC within the high alpha band. The neuropsychological assessment showed a generalized cognitive impairment, especially affecting mnestic functions, in MCI-DS and, more pronouncedly, in AD-DS. Discussion: These findings might help to characterize the AD-continuum in DS. In addition, they support the role of the excitatory/inhibitory imbalance as a key pathophysiological factor in AD. Impact statement The pattern of functional connectivity (FC) hypersynchronization found in this study resembles the largely reported Alzheimer's disease (AD) FC evolution pattern in population with typical development. This study supports the hypothesis of the excitatory/inhibitory imbalance as a key pathophysiological factor in AD, and its conclusions could help in the characterization and prediction of Down syndrome individuals with a greater likelihood of converting to dementia.

Neuropsychological and neurophysiological characterization of mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer's disease in Down syndrome.

Down syndrome (DS) has been considered a unique model for the investigation of Alzheimer's disease (AD) but intermediate stages in the continuum are poorly defined. Considering this, we investigated the neurophysiological (i.e., magnetoencephalography [MEG]) and neuropsychological patterns of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and AD in middle-aged adults with DS. The sample was composed of four groups: Control-DS (n = 14, mean age 44.64 ± 3.30 years), MCI-DS (n = 14, 51.64 ± 3.95 years), AD-DS (n = 13, 53.54 ± 6.58 years), and Control-no-DS (healthy controls, n = 14, 45.21 ± 4.39 years). DS individuals were studied with neuropsychological tests and MEG, whereas the Control-no-DS group completed only the MEG session. Our results showed that the AD-DS group exhibited a significantly poorer performance as compared with the Control-DS group in all tests. Furthermore, this effect was crucially evident in AD-DS individuals when compared with the MCI-DS group in verbal and working memory abilities. In the neurophysiological domain, the Control-DS group showed a widespread increase of theta activity when compared with the Control-no-DS group. With disease progression, this increased theta was substituted by an augmented delta, accompanied with a reduction of alpha activity. Such spectral pattern-specifically observed in occipital, posterior temporal, cuneus, and precuneus regions-correlated with the performance in cognitive tests. This is the first MEG study in the field incorporating both neuropsychological and neurophysiological information, and demonstrating that this combination of markers is sensitive enough to characterize different stages along the AD continuum in DS.

Artificial neural networks as emulators of process-based models to analyse bathing water quality in estuaries.

This study aims to provide a method for developing artificial neural networks in estuaries as emulators of process-based models to analyse bathing water quality and its variability over time and space. The methodology forecasts the concentration of faecal indicator organisms, integrating the accuracy and reliability of field measurements, the spatial and temporal resolution of process-based modelling, and the decrease in computational costs by artificial neural networks whilst preserving the accuracy of results. Thus, the overall approach integrates a coupled hydrodynamic-bacteriological model previously calibrated with field data at the bathing sites into a low-order emulator by using artificial neural networks, which are trained by the process-based model outputs. The application of the method to the Eo Estuary, located on the northwestern coast of Spain, demonstrated that artificial neural networks are viable surrogates of highly nonlinear process-based models and highly variable forcings. The results showed that the process-based model and the neural networks conveniently reproduced the measurements of Escherichia coli (E. coli) concentrations, indicating a slightly better fit for the process-based model (R2 = 0.87) than for the neural networks (R2 = 0.83). This application also highlighted that during the model setup of both predictive tools, the computational time of the process-based approach was 0.78 times lower than that of the artificial neural networks (ANNs) approach due to the additional time spent on ANN development. Conversely, the computational costs of forecasting are considerably reduced by the neural networks compared with the process-based model, with a decrease in hours of 25, 600, 3900, and 31633 times for forecasting 1 h, 1 day, 1 month, and 1 bathing season, respectively. Therefore, the longer the forecasting period, the greater the reduction in computational time by artificial neural networks.

Assessment of ecosystem services of an urbanized tropical estuary with a focus on habitats and scenarios.

Tropical estuaries are one of the most valuable ecosystems on the planet because of the number of ecosystem services they provide. The increasing anthropogenic pressure to which these estuaries are subject has caused a reduction in their natural capital stock. Therefore, the application of a pragmatic and rational ecosystem-based management approach to sustainably manage the multiple ecosystem services provided by this ecosystem is necessary. The aim of our study is to present an approach that combines prospective scenarios with habitat-based perspective to assess the supply capacity of ecosystem services, plus determine the impact of protected areas in an urbanized tropical estuary. The current situation and two scenarios were generated to evaluate the capacity of habitats to supply ecosystem services. This type of assessment will allow the decision makers to visualize the effect of their choices or the occurrence of events which might produce significant changes in the estuary. Thus, over time, measures can be taken to sustain the supply of ecosystem services. We determined that the establishment of protected areas have a positive impact; however, the effect is not the same for all of them. Consequently, indicating that actions such as community participation, research, education, management planning and infrastructure development must accompany the development of a protected area.

Traducción y validación de la versión española de la escala Health of the Nation Outcome Scales for People with Learning Disabilities (HoNOS-LD) / Translation and validation of the Spanish version of the Health of the Nation Outcome Scales for People with Learning Disabilities (HoNOS-LD)

Introducción: La escala Health of the Nation Outcome Scales for People with Learning Disabilities (HoNOS-LD) fue creada para evaluar de forma breve el funcionamiento de las personas con trastorno de desarrollo intelectual y problemas de salud mental/trastornos de conducta. El objetivo del presente trabajo fue estudiar las evidencias sobre la validez de las puntuaciones obtenidas con la escala HoNOS-LD traducida al castellano. Material y método: La muestra estaba formada por 111 participantes que fueron evaluados con la HoNOS-LD traducida al castellano y otros cuestionarios relacionados. Para estudiar la fiabilidad entre examinadores y la fiabilidad test-retest, 33 participantes fueron evaluados por 2 examinadores y reevaluados al cabo de 7 días. Resultados: De acuerdo con criterios clínicos y conceptuales, y con el resultado del análisis paralelo, se seleccionó una solución factorial con único factor. La consistencia interna fue buena (coeficiente omega de 0,87). Las fiabilidades entre examinadores y test-retest fueron excelentes (coeficientes de correlación intraclase de 0,95 y 0,98, respectivamente). Las correlaciones entre secciones de la HoNOS-LD y los instrumentos relacionados fueron en el sentido esperado y altamente significativas (p<0,001), y la puntuación HoNOS-LD aumentaba con el nivel de apoyos necesario de los participantes, resultados que aportaron evidencia sobre la validez de asociación con otras variables externas. Conclusiones: La versión en castellano de la HoNOS-LD representa un instrumento breve, válido y fiable, que permitirá la evaluación rutinaria del funcionamiento con distintas finalidades, incluyendo el diagnóstico y la intervención

Introduction: The Health of the Nation Outcome Scales for People with Learning Disabilities (HoNOS-LD) is a brief instrument that assesses functioning in people with intellectual development disorder and mental health problems/behaviour disorders. The aim of the present study was to examine the evidence on the validity of the scores based on the Spanish version of the HoNOS-LD. Material and methods: The study included 111 participants that were assessed by the Spanish version of the HoNOS-LD and other questionnaires that measured different variables related to the scale. Thirty-three participants were assessed by 2 examiners, and retested 7 days later, in order to study inter-examiner reliability and test-retest reliabilities. Results: Based on clinical and conceptual criteria, and on the results of the parallel analysis, a factorial solution with one factor was selected. Internal consistency was good (Omega coefficient of 0.87). Inter-examiner and test-retest reliabilities were excellent (intraclass correlation coefficients of 0.95 and 0.98, respectively). Correlations between sections of the HoNOS-LD and the related instruments showed the expected direction, and were highly significant (P<.001), and the HoNOS-LD score increased with the intensity of the support required by the participants. These results showed evidence of the validity of association with other external variables. Conclusions: The Spanish version of the HoNOS-LD is a brief, valid and reliable instrument, which will enable a routine assessment of functioning for different uses, including diagnosis and intervention

A longitudinal study of brain anatomy changes preceding dementia in Down syndrome.

Background: We longitudinally assessed Down syndrome individuals at the age of risk of developing dementia to measure changes in brain anatomy and their relationship to cognitive impairment progression. Methods: Forty-two Down syndrome individuals were initially included, of whom 27 (mean age 46.8 years) were evaluable on the basis of completing the 2-year follow-up and success in obtaining good quality MRI exams. Voxel-based morphometry was used to estimate regional brain volumes at baseline and follow-up on 3D anatomical images. Longitudinal volume changes for the group and their relationship with change in general cognitive status and specific cognitive domains were mapped. Results: As a group, significant volume reduction was identified in the substantia innominata region of the basal forebrain, hippocampus, lateral temporal cortex and left arcuate fasciculus. Volume reduction in the substantia innominata and hippocampus was more prominent in individuals whose clinical status changed from cognitively stable to mild cognitive impairment or dementia during the follow-up. Relevantly, longitudinal memory score change was specifically associated with volume change in the hippocampus, prospective memory with prefrontal lobe and verbal comprehension with language-related brain areas. Conclusions: Results are notably concordant with the well-established anatomical changes signaling the progression to dementia in Alzheimer's disease, despite the dense baseline pathology that developmentally accumulates in Down syndrome. This commonality supports the potential value of Down syndrome as a genetic model of Alzheimer's neurodegeneration and may serve to further support the view that Down syndrome patients are best candidates to benefit from treatment research in Alzheimer's disease.

•Longitudinal changes in brain anatomy were identified in Down syndrome individuals.•Basal forebrain and hippocampal volume reductions paralleled clinical progression.•The overall anatomical pattern identified resembled Alzheimer's neurodegeneration.

Translation and validation of the Spanish version of the Health of the Nation Outcome Scales for People with Learning Disabilities (HoNOS-LD). / Traducción y validación de la versión española de la escala Health of the Nation Outcome Scales for People with Learning Disabilities (HoNOS-LD).

INTRODUCTION: The Health of the Nation Outcome Scales for People with Learning Disabilities (HoNOS-LD) is a brief instrument that assesses functioning in people with intellectual development disorder and mental health problems/behaviour disorders. The aim of the present study was to examine the evidence on the validity of the scores based on the Spanish version of the HoNOS-LD. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study included 111 participants that were assessed by the Spanish version of the HoNOS-LD and other questionnaires that measured different variables related to the scale. Thirty-three participants were assessed by 2 examiners, and retested 7 days later, in order to study inter-examiner reliability and test-retest reliabilities. RESULTS: Based on clinical and conceptual criteria, and on the results of the parallel analysis, a factorial solution with one factor was selected. Internal consistency was good (Omega coefficient of 0.87). Inter-examiner and test-retest reliabilities were excellent (intraclass correlation coefficients of 0.95 and 0.98, respectively). Correlations between sections of the HoNOS-LD and the related instruments showed the expected direction, and were highly significant (P<.001), and the HoNOS-LD score increased with the intensity of the support required by the participants. These results showed evidence of the validity of association with other external variables. CONCLUSIONS: The Spanish version of the HoNOS-LD is a brief, valid and reliable instrument, which will enable a routine assessment of functioning for different uses, including diagnosis and intervention.

A method to assess the evolution and recovery of heavy metal pollution in estuarine sediments: Past history, present situation and future perspectives.

A methodology to assess the historical evolution and recovery of heavy metal pollution in estuarine sediments was developed and is presented here. This approach quantifies the distribution of heavy metals in sediment cores, and investigates the influence of anthropogenic activities and/or core locations on the heavy metal pollution, by proposing and using sediment quality indices and polynomial regressions. The method has been applied to the Suances Estuary confirming its suitability as a comprehensive and practical management tool. In this estuary, the evolution of heavy metal pollution (since 1997-1998 to 2015) pointed out the deeper the sediments, the more polluted, indicating a recovery at the upper layers due to the closure and ending of washing discharges from mining, and the reduction of metal loads from industrial wastewaters. In terms of global pollution, the intertidal and subtidal sediments will require 43.1±2.8 and 8.6±0.6years to be unpolluted, respectively.

Validation and Normalization of the Tower of London-Drexel University Test 2nd Edition in an Adult Population with Intellectual Disability.

Despite how important it is to assess executive functioning in persons with Intellectual Disability (ID), instruments adapted and validated for this population are scarce. This study's primary goal was to find evidence for the validity of the ID version of the Tower of London (TOLDXtm) test in persons with mild (IDMi) and moderate (IDMo) levels of ID with Down Syndrome (DS). A multicenter study was carried out. Subjects (n = 63, ≥ 39 years old) had DS with mild (n = 39) or moderate ID (n = 24) with no minor neurocognitive disorder or Alzheimer's disease. Assessment protocol: TOLDXtm for ID, Kaufman Brief Intelligence Test Second Edition (K-BIT II), Cambridge Examination for Mental Disorders of Older People with Down's Syndrome and Others with Intellectual Disabilities (CAMDEX-DS), Weigl's Color-Form Sorting Test (WCFST), Barcelona Test for Intellectual Disability (BT-ID), and the Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function (BRIEF-P). The internal consistency (IDMi and IDMo), factor structure of the different subscales, and relationship between TOLDXtm subscales and other cognitive measures (BT-ID, WCFST, and BRIEF-P) were analyzed. A normative data table with ID population quartiles is provided. TOLDXtm for ID showed a robust one factor structure and coherentassociations with other, related neuropsychological instruments. Significant differences between IDMi and IDMo on movement-related variables like Correct (Corr; p = .002) and Moves (Mov; p = .042) were observed, along with good internal consistency values, Corr (α = .75), Mov (α = .52). Regarding internal consistency, no between-groups differences were observed (all p-value > 0.05). The TOLDXtm for ID is thus an instrument, supported by good validity evidence, to evaluate problem-solving and planning in ID. It distinguishes between individuals with mild and moderate ID, and is highly associated with other measures of executive functioning.

Test Barcelona para discapacidad intelectual: un nuevo instrumento para la valoración neuropsicológica clínica de adultos con discapacidad intelectual / Barcelona Test for Intellectual Disability: a new instrument for the neuropsychological assessment of adults with intellectual disability

Introducción. La evaluación neuropsicológica en las personas con discapacidad intelectual es importante para determinar los déficits cognitivos específicos que subyacen a la afectación cerebral, limitan el funcionamiento intelectual y afectan al comportamiento adaptativo. A pesar de ello, no existen baterías neuropsicológicas en castellano adaptadas y validadas para esta población. Objetivo. Adaptar el programa integrado de exploración neuropsicológica-test Barcelona y validar la nueva versión, el test Barcelona para discapacidad intelectual (TB-DI), estableciendo datos normativos para el empleo clínico. Sujetos y métodos. A partir de los datos obtenidos en una muestra piloto de 65 personas con discapacidad intelectual, se realizaron cambios en el test original. Para estudiar las propiedades psicométricas del TB-DI, se administró a una muestra de 170 personas con discapacidad intelectual y a un grupo de 60 personas sin ella. Mediante modelos de regresión, se determinó qué variables eran importantes para la estratificación de los datos normativos. Resultados. El TB-DI, compuesto de 67 subtests agrupados en ocho dominios cognitivos, muestra unas buenas propiedades psicométricas. Se crean datos normativos para cinco grupos en función del nivel de discapacidad intelectual, la edad y la competencia curricular. Estos datos se organizan en percentiles, lo que permite trazar perfiles cognitivos en el ámbito clínico y experimental. Conclusión. El TB-DI es un instrumento de alta aplicabilidad para la población con discapacidad intelectual, y muestra una validez y una fiabilidad adecuadas, y con buenas propiedades psicométricas. Los perfiles cognitivos determinados mediante el TB-DI proporcionarán información valiosa para el tratamiento integral de las personas adultas con discapacidad intelectual leve y moderada (AU)

Introduction: Neuropsychological assessment in individuals with intellectual disability is of utmost importance in order to determine the cognitive deficits underlying brain dysfunction and limiting intellectual functioning and adaptive behavior. However, no neuropsychological batteries in Spanish language have been created and validated for this population. Aim: To adapt the ‘programa integrado de exploración neuropsicológica-test Barcelona’ and to validate the new version, the Barcelona Test for Intellectual Disability (TB-DI). To create normative data for its clinical use. Subjects and Methods: The original test was modified based on data from a pilot sample of 65 individuals with intellectual disability. In order to study the psychometric properties of the TB-DI, it was administered to a sample of 170 individuals with intellectual disability and to a group of 60 individuals without it. The relevant variables for stratification of normative data were determined by means of regression models. Results: The TB-DI was finally composed by 67 subtests grouped in eight cognitive domains and it showed good psychometric properties. Normative data were created for five groups taking into account intellectual disability level, age and acquired curricular competence. These data were organized in percentiles in a way that allows the creation of cognitive profiles in the clinical and experimental fields. CONCLUSION. The TB-DI constitutes a tool of high applicability in the population with intellectual disability. It shows adequate validity and reliability, and it has good psychometric properties. The cognitive profiles obtained by the TB-DI will provide valuable information for the treatment of adult adults with mild and moderate intellectual disability (AU)

Anomalous White Matter Structure and the Effect of Age in Down Syndrome Patients.

BACKGROUND: Neural tissue alterations in Down syndrome are fully expressed at relatively late developmental stages. In addition, there is an early presence of neurodegenerative changes in the late life stages. OBJECTIVE: The aims of this study were both to characterize white matter abnormalities in the brain of adult Down syndrome patients using diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) and to investigate whether degenerative alterations in white matter structure are detectable before dementia is clinically evident. METHODS: Forty-five adult non-demented Down syndrome patients showing a wide age range (18-52 years) and a matched 45-subject control group were assessed. DTI fractional anisotropy (FA) brain maps were generated and selected cognitive tests were administered. RESULTS: Compared with healthy controls, non-demented Down syndrome patients showed lower DTI FA in white matter involving the major pathways, but with more severe alterations in the frontal-subcortical circuits. White matter FA decreased with age at a similar rate in both DS and control groups. CONCLUSIONS: Our results contribute to characterizing the expression of white matter structural alterations in adult Down syndrome. However, an accelerated aging effect was not demonstrated, which may suggest that the FA measurements used are not sufficiently sensitive or, alternatively, age-related white matter neurodegeneration is not obvious prior to overt clinical dementia.