Primer registro de procedimientos de intervencionismo cardiovascular pediátrico realizados en un laboratorio estatal de hemodinamia pediátrica en El Salvador / First record of pediatric cardiovascular interventional procedures performed in a state pediatric catheterization laboratory in El Salvador

Resumen Objetivo: Describir los tipos de cateterismo cardiaco que se realizan en el único laboratorio de hemodinamia pediátrica dentro de la red de salud pública de El Salvador, en colaboración con organizaciones sin fines de lucro. Material y método: Se realizó un estudio descriptivo retrospectivo de corte transversal en el periodo entre mayo de 2022 a enero de 2023, revisando los expedientes de todos los pacientes que pasaron a cateterismo cardiaco. Resultados: Se realizaron 54 procedimientos dentro de la sala de hemodinamia, 37 pacientes de sexo femenino. El peso fue de 20.6 ± 14.5 kg, de los procedimientos, 47 (87%) fueron terapéuticos y 7 (13%) diagnósticos. La oclusión del conducto arterioso se realizó en el 46% de los pacientes. No se reportaron complicaciones, los pacientes fueron dados de alta luego de 12 horas, todos los insumos fueron donados por fundaciones sin fines de lucro. Conclusiones: Nuestro laboratorio de hemodinamia realiza procedimientos de complejidad variada sin reportar hasta el momento complicaciones mayores. Nos vemos limitados debido al costo alto de algunos dispositivos, a la baja frecuencia de la utilización de estos y a la imposibilidad para adquirirlos en el mercado nacional.

Abstract Objective: To describe the types of cardiac catheterization that are performed in the only pediatric catheterization laboratory within the public health network of El Salvador, in collaboration with non-profit organizations. Material and method: A descriptive, retrospective, cross-sectional study was conducted in the period from May 2022 to January 2023, reviewing the records of all patients who underwent cardiac catheterization. Results: 54 procedures were performed in the catheterization room, 37 female patients. The weight was 20.6 ± 14.5 kg, of the procedures, 47 (87%) were therapeutic and 7 (13%) diagnostic. Occlusion of the ductus arteriosus was performed in 46% of the patients. No complications were reported, the patients were discharged after 12 hours, all supplies were donated by non-profit foundations. Conclusions: Our catheterization laboratory performs procedures of varied complexity without reporting any major complications to date. We are limited due to the high cost of some devices, the low frequency of their use and the impossibility of acquiring them in the national market.

First record of pediatric cardiovascular interventional procedures performed in a state pediatric catheterization laboratory in El Salvador.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the types of cardiac catheterization that are performed in the only pediatric catheterization laboratory within the public health network of El Salvador, in collaboration with non-profit organizations. MATERIAL AND METHOD: A descriptive, retrospective, cross-sectional study was conducted in the period from May 2022 to January 2023, reviewing the records of all patients who underwent cardiac catheterization. RESULTS: 54 procedures were performed in the catheterization room, 37 female patients. The weight was 20.6 ± 14.5 kg, of the procedures, 47 (87%) were therapeutic and 7 (13%) diagnostic. Occlusion of the ductus arteriosus was performed in 46% of the patients. No complications were reported, the patients were discharged after 12 hours, all supplies were donated by non-profit foundations. CONCLUSIONS: Our catheterization laboratory performs procedures of varied complexity without reporting any major complications to date. We are limited due to the high cost of some devices, the low frequency of their use and the impossibility of acquiring them in the national market.

OBJETIVO: Describir los tipos de cateterismo cardiaco que se realizan en el único laboratorio de hemodinamia pediátrica dentro de la red de salud pública de El Salvador, en colaboración con organizaciones sin fines de lucro. MATERIAL Y MÉTODO: Se realizó un estudio descriptivo retrospectivo de corte transversal en el periodo entre mayo de 2022 a enero de 2023, revisando los expedientes de todos los pacientes que pasaron a cateterismo cardiaco. RESULTADOS: Se realizaron 54 procedimientos dentro de la sala de hemodinamia, 37 pacientes de sexo femenino. El peso fue de 20.6 ± 14.5 kg, de los procedimientos, 47 (87%) fueron terapéuticos y 7 (13%) diagnósticos. La oclusión del conducto arterioso se realizó en el 46% de los pacientes. No se reportaron complicaciones, los pacientes fueron dados de alta luego de 12 horas, todos los insumos fueron donados por fundaciones sin fines de lucro. CONCLUSIONES: Nuestro laboratorio de hemodinamia realiza procedimientos de complejidad variada sin reportar hasta el momento complicaciones mayores. Nos vemos limitados debido al costo alto de algunos dispositivos, a la baja frecuencia de la utilización de estos y a la imposibilidad para adquirirlos en el mercado nacional.

Transition from mild cognitive impairment to normal cognition: Determining the predictors of reversion with multi-state Markov models.

INTRODUCTION: The theoretical framework of the Alzheimer's disease continuum considers transition between stages in a unidirectional manner. Here we examine the rate of reversion from mild cognitive impairment (MCI) to normal cognition (NC) and explore a set of potential variables associated with this phenomenon. METHODS: A total of 985 Spanish community-dwelling individuals aged 70 years and over at baseline were monitored for 5 years. During this time, 173 MCI and 36 dementia cases were identified. Multi-state Markov models were performed to characterize transitions between states through the dementia continuum. RESULTS: The rate of reversion from MCI to NC was 11%. There were significant non-modifiable (age, socioeconomic status, or apolipoprotein E) and modifiable factors (cognitive training or absence of affective symptoms) associated with reversion. DISCUSSION: Overall, our results highlight that the likelihood of progression from MCI to dementia is very similar to that of reversion from MCI to NC.

Integrated rearing system proposal for Cantareus aspersus in experimental orchards: Growth models.

An integrated rearing system for Cantareus aspersus under environmental conditions in an experimental orchard is proposed. In this study, the natural behaviour, circadian rhythms and suitable rearing conditions of the edible snail were optimised to produce homogeneous growth and low variability. The growth was standardised, and growth pattern fit was assessed with various models. One thousand fry were cultured in the orchard, and a random sample of 100 snails were measured weekly for 23 weeks. The rearing system had the following characteristics: snails and earthworms were included in the experimental rearing orchard; a homogeneous group of juvenile snails of the same age and size and high rearing density (500 snails/m2) was used; snails were fed with layers mash ad libitum; and mixed and fringes vegetation was planted in the orchard. A commercial size of 60% of snails was achieved in 21 weeks and 95% in 23 weeks. The different models showed a good fit, and the quadratic model obtained the best fit. This experimental snail orchard proposal can be extended to other areas, although it must be corrected according to different environmental conditions and fit to other species of interest. This experimental model could constitute a viable alternative to traditional models of animal experimentation with mammals, and given its high adaptability, it could be applied in different fields of science.

Memory for future actions: the effect of prospective memory on an explicit and implicit memory task.

INTRODUCTION: In the field of retrospective memory, an explicit and implicit memory are known to exist. This study analyses the effect of the prospective memory on a recognition task and a lexical decision task. METHOD: In experiment 1 (n = 78, of which 39 belonged to the experimental group and 39 belonged to the control group), a recognition task was followed by an intentional task, as well as an incidental free recall task. In experiment 2 (n = 74, of which 37 belonged to the experimental group and 37 belonged to the control group), repetition priming was studied during a lexical decision task, followed by an intentional task. The data were analysed using a mixed ANOVA. RESULTS: Experiment 1 showed active monitoring of the prospective memory task accompanied by a recollective search process during the recognition task. The group which carried out the prospective task also showed better scores in the incidental free recall task. Experiment 2 showed active monitoring and repetition priming during the lexical decision task. CONCLUSION: While the prospective memory affects the performance in both concurrent tasks, it does not affect the recollective search process or repetition priming.

Papel de la reserva cognitiva en la recuperación cognitiva de pacientes que han sufrido una adicción grave a sustancias / The role of the cognitive reserve in the cognitive recovery of patients who have suffered a severe addiction to substances

Introducción: La reserva cognitiva resulta ser una variable de pronóstico en la recuperación cognitiva tras un daño cerebral. Pocos estudios han abordado su papel en el estado cognitivo tras un período sostenido de adicción a sustancias. Objetivo: Analizar el papel modulador de la reserva cognitiva sobre la relación entre el tiempo de abstinencia y el estado cognitivo de los pacientes con adicción grave a sustancias. Pacientes y métodos: Se valora a un total de 26 pacientes en recuperación tras una adicción grave a sustancias con un protocolo de evaluación neuropsicológica y cuestionarios de reserva cognitiva. Se emplea el análisis factorial exploratorio para conformar las variables y el análisis de regresión lineal para ver las relaciones predictivas. Resultados: Se obtienen tres factores de funcionamiento cognitivo: integridad de procesamiento, control inhibitorio y memoria verbal, así como un factor global de reserva. En los modelos de regresión, sólo se encuentran relaciones predictivas en un modelo de relación directa entre la abstinencia y la memoria verbal, y en un modelo de relación independiente entre la reserva cognitiva y el tiempo de abstinencia con la memoria verbal, pero no en la relación de modulación, ni en otras relaciones en el resto de los factores. Conclusión: Se debate el papel de la reserva cognitiva como mediadora en el estado cognitivo en los pacientes en período de abstinencia tras una adicción grave a sustancias: muestra una relación con la memoria, pero no una modulación del papel del tiempo de abstinencia sobre ese estado cognitivo

Introduction: Cognitive reserve has been shown to be a prognostic variable in cognitive recovery after brain damage. Few studies have addressed its role in the cognitive status after a sustained period of substance addiction. Aim: To analyse the modulating role of cognitive reserve in the relation between withdrawal time and the cognitive status of patients with severe substance addiction. Patients and methods: A total of 26 patients recovering from severe substance addiction were assessed using a neuropsychological assessment protocol and cognitive reserve questionnaires. Exploratory factor analysis is used to define the variables and linear regression analysis is employed to view the predictive relations. Results: Three cognitive functioning factors are obtained: processing integrity, inhibitory control and verbal memory, as well as an overall reserve factor. In the regression models, predictive relations are found only in a model of a direct relation between withdrawal and verbal memory, and in a model of an independent relation between cognitive reserve and withdrawal time and verbal memory, but not in the modulation relationship or in other relations in the rest of the factors. Conclusion: The article discusses the role of the cognitive reserve as a mediator in the cognitive status of patients in a period of withdrawal after a serious addiction to substances. A relationship with memory is shown, but no modulation of the role of withdrawal time on that cognitive status is detected

Estimation of Genetic Parameters for Peak Yield, Yield and Persistency Traits in Murciano-Granadina Goats Using Multi-Traits Models.

This paper studies parameters of a lactation curve such as peak yield (PY) and persistency (P), which do not conform to the usual selection criteria in the Murciano-Granadina (MG) breed, but are considered to be an alternative to benefit animal welfare without reducing production. Using 315,663 production records (of 122,883 animals) over a period of 24 years (1990-2014), genetic parameters were estimated with uni-, bi- and multivariate analysis using multiple trait derivative free restricted maximum likelihood (MTDFREML). The heritability (h2)/repeatability (re) of PY, yield (Y) and P was estimated as 0.13/0.19, 0.16/0.25 and 0.08/0.09 with the uni-trait and h2 of bi- and multi-traits analysis ranging from 0.16 to 0.17 of Y, while that of PY and Y remained constant. Genetic correlations were high between PY-Y (0.94 ± 0.011) but low between PY-P (-0.16 ± 0.054 to -0.17 ± 0.054) and between Y-P (-0.06 ± 0.058 to -0.05 ± 0.058). Estimates of h2/re were low to intermediate. The selection for Y-PY or both can be implemented given the genetic correlation between these traits. PY-P and Y-P showed low to negligible correlation values indicating that if these traits are implemented in the early stages of evaluation, they would not be to the detriment of PY-Y. The combination of estimated breeding values (EBVs) for all traits would be a good criterion for selection.

Síntomas prefrontales en la vida diaria: normalización y estandarización del inventario de síntomas prefrontales abreviado en población española / Prefrontal symptoms in daily life: normalization and standardization of the Prefrontal Symptoms Inventory in the Spanish population

Introducción. El inventario de síntomas prefrontales abreviado (ISP-20) es un cuestionario que investiga síntomas de mal funcionamiento prefrontal en la vida diaria. Ha mostrado buenas propiedades psicométricas y se ha aplicado en población general y muestras clínicas de España y otros países de habla hispana. Objetivo. Normalizar y estandarizar el ISP-20 en una muestra amplia de sujetos de todas las edades en población española. Sujetos y métodos. Se administró el ISP-20 a 4.704 sujetos: una muestra de 2.474 sujetos de población general española, mayores de edad, y otra de 2.230 menores de edad escolarizados (15-17 años), representativa de la población de Madrid. Resultados. Se observó el efecto de interacción del sexo, la edad y el nivel educativo sobre las puntuaciones, aunque el nivel de estudios presenta un efecto bajo. Los adolescentes, como era de esperar por encontrarse en pleno proceso madurativo, obtuvieron mayores puntuaciones en todas las subescalas y el cuestionario en su conjunto. Las mujeres puntuaron significativamente más en síntomas de mal control emocional, y los varones lo hicieron más en síntomas de mal control de la conducta social. Se configuraron tablas diferenciadas por sexo y para menores y mayores de edad. Conclusión. Los datos presentados permiten interpretar las puntuaciones obtenidas en el ISP-20 en población española, incluyendo los menores de edad y los adultos

Introduction. The short Prefrontal Symptoms Inventory (PSI-20) is a questionnaire that investigates symptoms of prefrontal malfunctioning in daily life. It has been shown to have good psychometric properties and has been applied in the general population and clinical samples from Spain and other Spanish-speaking countries. Aims. To normalise and standardise the PSI-20 in a broad sample of subjects of all ages in a Spanish population. Subjects and methods. The PSI-20 was administered to 4704 subjects: in one sample made up of 2474 subjects from the Spanish general population, over 18 years of age, and in another consisting of 2230 school-age subjects (15-17 years old), representative of the population of Madrid. Results. The effect of the interaction of sex, age and level of education on the scores was observed, although the effect of level of education was low. As expected, the adolescents, still undergoing their process of maturation, obtained higher scores on all the subscales and the questionnaire as a whole. Females scored significantly higher on symptoms of poor emotional control, and males achieved higher scores on symptoms of poor control over social behaviour. Tables were developed differentiated by sex and for those above and below 18 years of age. Conclusion. The data presented allow us to interpret the scores obtained in the PSI-20 in the Spanish population, including subjects under 18 and adults

Vitrification induces critical subcellular damages in ram spermatozoa.

The aim of the present study was to analyse morphological variations in ovine spermatozoa subjected to different cryopreservation protocols using high resolution imaging techniques. Ejaculates were pooled and diluted in Tris-based extender. Aliquots containing 300 × 106 spz/ml were prepared and evaluated a) after the semen collection and pooling, b) after conventional freezing, c) after vitrification of samples maintained at room temperature (22 °C) prior to vitrification, and d) after vitrification of samples maintained at 5 °C prior to vitrification. Sperm motility, acrosome integrity, DNA fragmentation and morphology were assessed. Subcellular sperm changes were assessed and described by light microscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The maintenance of spermatozoa at 5 °C prior to vitrification and the use of 0.4 M sucrose pointed out lower dimensions of area, length and width than fresh, frozen and sperm maintained at 22 °C prior to vitrification. It was observed that the head width and length are significantly higher (P < 0.0001) in fresh spermatozoa than in the vitrified sperm samples. It could be hypothesized that greater intracellular fluid loss during vitrification could prevent damages in the spermatozoon throughout the reduced ice crystals formation, but mainly by the reduction of extracellular ice crystals due to the physical properties modification obtained when high concentrations of sugars are added. This is the first ultramicroscopic study carried out in ovine vitrified spermatozoa, which confirms the functional sperm alterations previously detected.

Loewenstein Occupational Therapy Cognitive Assessment to Evaluate People with Addictions.

BACKGROUND: The LOTCA (Loewenstein Occupational Therapy Cognitive Assessment) battery is a cognitive screening test which is widely used in occupational health. However, no work has been found that explores its use in addiction treatment. OBJECTIVES OF STUDY: To explore the convergent validity of LOTCA with neuropsychological tests that assess related cerebral functional areas. METHODS: The LOTCA, along with a battery of neuropsychological tests, was administered to a sample of 48 subjects who start a treatment by substance or gambling addictions. FINDINGS: A correlational pattern was observed of a considerable magnitude between the effects of the LOTCA scales and those of some neuropsychological tests, but not with others. There is barely any convergence in measures with memory and executive function tests. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: There is a lack of research applying test of occupational assessment to populations of patients treated by addictive behaviors. The LOTCA seems to be a reliable and valid test for preliminary screening of function in certain cognitive areas, easy, and quick to use (around 30 minutes). However, it must be supplemented with other tests for a full and ecological assessment of patients. LIMITATIONS: An incident, small-size sample. RECOMMENDATIONS FOR FURTHER RESEARCH: New studies are needed to explore the applicability, diagnostic validity, and whole psychometric quality of the test in addiction-related treatment.

Clinical Relevance of Specific Cognitive Complaints in Determining Mild Cognitive Impairment from Cognitively Normal States in a Study of Healthy Elderly Controls.

Introduction: Subjective memory complaints (SMC) in the elderly have been suggested as an early sign of dementia. This study aims at investigating whether specific cognitive complaints are more useful than others to discriminate Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) by examining the dimensional structure of the Everyday Memory Questionnaire (EMQ). Materials and Methods: A sample of community-dwelling elderly individuals was recruited (766 controls and 78 MCI). The EMQ was administered to measure self-perception of cognitive complaints. All participants also underwent a comprehensive clinical and neuropsychological battery. Combined exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and Item Response Theory (IRT) were performed to identify the underlying structure of the EMQ. Furthermore, logistic regression analyses were conducted to study whether single cognitive complaints were able to predict MCI. Results: A suitable five-factor solution was found. Each factor focused on a different cognitive domain. Interestingly, just three of them, namely Forgetfulness of Immediate Information (FII), Executive Functions (EF) and Prospective Memory (PM) proved to be effective in distinguishing between cognitively healthy individuals and MCI. Based on these results we propose a shortened EMQ version comprising 10 items (EMQ-10). Discussion: Not all cognitive complaints have the same clinical relevance. Only subjective complaints on specific cognitive domains are able to discriminate MCI. We encourage clinicians to use the EMQ-10 as a useful tool to quantify and monitor the progression of individuals who report cognitive complaints.

Inventario de síntomas prefrontales (ISP): validez ecológica y convergencia con medidas neuropsicológicas / Prefrontal Symptoms Inventory (PSI): ecological validity and convergence with neuropsychological measures

Introducción. El inventario de síntomas prefrontales (ISP) es un cuestionario autoinformado creado en España que interroga sobre alteraciones cognitivas, emocionales y comportamentales en las actividades de la vida diaria y que resulta aplicable tanto en población general como en múltiples poblaciones clínicas. Existe una versión abreviada de 20 ítems (ISP-20) con excelentes propiedades psicométricas para el cribado. Objetivo. Estudiar la validez convergente y divergente del ISP e ISP-20, analizando cómo sus escalas reflejan las consecuencias cotidianas de déficits reales hallados en evaluación neuropsicológica mediante pruebas de ejecución. Pacientes y métodos. Se estudiaron 52 personas con adicción a sustancias en tratamiento (31 varones y 21 mujeres) a las que se administró el ISP junto con una batería de exploración neuropsicológica abreviada centrada en describir procesos atencionales, mnémicos y ejecutivos. Resultados. Ambas versiones del ISP presentan óptimas propiedades psicométricas (0,78 > alfa > 0,94 para la versión completa de 46 ítems y 0,7 > alfa > 0,89 para la versión abreviada de 20 ítems). Los resultados confirman las hipótesis sobre su validez: la escala de problemas en la ejecución se relaciona con la capacidad para resolver tests que presumiblemente valoran funciones ejecutivas de origen prefrontal (validez convergente), mientras que las escalas de problemas en el control emocional y problemas en la conducta social no se relacionan con dichas capacidades cognitivas (validez discriminante). Conclusiones. El ISP es una prueba clínicamente útil, psicométricamente válida y aplicable en múltiples poblaciones clínicas (AU)

Introduction. The Prefrontal Symptoms Inventory (PSI) is a self-reported questionnaire, created in Spain, which asks about cognitive, emotional and behavioural alterations in activities of daily living and which can be applied in both the general population and in multiple clinical populations. There is a shorter 20-item version (PSI-20) with excellent psychomotor properties for screening. Aim. To study the convergent and divergent validity of the PSI and PSI-20, by analysing how their scales reflect the day-today consequences of real deficits found in neurological assessment performed by means of performance tests. Patients and methods. A sample of 52 persons undergoing treatment for substance addiction (31 males and 21 females) were administered the PSI together with an abbreviated neuropsychological examination battery focused on describing attentional, mnemonic and executive processes. Results. Both versions of the PSI present optimal psychometric properties (0.78 > alpha > 0.94 for the complete 46-item version and 0.7 > alpha > 0.89 for the abbreviated 20-item version). The results confirm the hypotheses regarding their validity: the performance problems scale is related with the capacity to resolve tests that supposedly rate the executive functions of a prefrontal origin (convergent validity), whereas the scales of problems in emotional control and problems with social behaviour are not related with those cognitive capabilities (discriminant validity). Conclusions. The PSI is a test that is clinically useful, psychometrically valid and applicable in multiple clinical populations (AU)

A propósito de bradicardia e insuficiencia cardiaca secundaria a ivabradina en paciente con VIH. Respuesta / About bradycardia and secondary heart failure induced by ivabradine in a patient with HIV. Response

No disponible

Bradicardia sintomática e insuficiencia cardiaca precipitadas por ivabradina a una paciente que recibe tratamiento antirretroviral / Symptomatic bradycardia and heart failure triggered by ivabradine in a patient receiving antiretroviral therapy

No disponible

Utilidad clínica y propiedades psicométricas del inventario de síntomas prefrontales (ISP) en el daño cerebral adquirido y las demencias degenerativas / Clinical utility and psychometric properties of Prefrontal Symptoms Inventory (PSI) in acquired brain injury and degenerative dementias

Introducción. Las alteraciones cognitivas, emocionales y comportamentales secundarias al daño cerebral adquirido y las demencias degenerativas pueden valorarse cuantitativa y cualitativamente mediante la administración de autoinformes que interroguen –a pacientes e informadores fiables– sobre las dificultades de los pacientes en la vida cotidiana. Sujetos y métodos. Se administró el inventario de síntomas prefrontales (ISP) y el cuestionario de fallos de memoria en la vida cotidiana modificado (MFE-30) a 174 participantes emparejados: 87 pacientes con daño cerebral o demencias degenerativas y sus 87 informadores fiables. Se exploró, junto con la bondad psicométrica de las pruebas, la utilidad clínica de la aplicación de estos cuestionarios a pacientes e informadores para obtener un índice de discrepancia de las puntuaciones como medida de la anosognosia. Resultados. Los resultados muestran cómo aplicar el ISP-20 (20 ítems) o el ISP (46 ítems), sean o no administrados conjuntamente con el MFE-30 (30 ítems), resulta un procedimiento muy útil para la valoración de la sintomatología en los individuos con daño cerebral adquirido o demencias degenerativas, al proporcionar una gran cantidad de información sobre las dificultades de los pacientes en la vida cotidiana. Conclusiones. Se recomienda, junto con la obligada evaluación neuropsicológica, la cumplimentación de cuestionarios o inventarios de síntomas como los propuestos, dado que presentan ventajas desde el punto de vista clínico, además de resultar eficaces, efectivos y eficientes en términos económicos (AU)

Introduction. The cognitive, emotional and behavioural alterations secondary to acquired brain injury and degenerative dementias can be quantitatively and quantitatively appraised by administering self-reports that ask both patients and reliable informants about the difficulties patients have in their everyday life. Subjects and methods. The Prefrontal Symptoms Inventory (PSI) and the Modified Memory Failures in Everyday Life Questionnaire (MFE-30) were administered to 174 paired participants: 87 patients with brain damage or degenerative dementias and their 87 reliable informants. In addition to the psychometric goodness of the tests, the study also explored the clinical usefulness of applying these questionnaires to patients and their informants in order to obtain a rate of discrepancy in the scores as a measure of anosognosia. Results. The results show how applying the PSI-20 (20 items) or the PSI (46 items), whether administered together with the MFE-30 (30 items) or not, is a very useful procedure for assessing the symptoms in individuals with acquired brain injury or degenerative dementias, since it yields a great deal of information about patients’ difficulties in their daily life. Conclusions. We recommend that, in addition to the compulsory neuropsychological assessment, questionnaires or inventories of symptoms like those proposed here should be carried out, due to the fact that they offer a number of advantages from the clinical point of view, as well as being efficacious and effective in economic terms (AU)

[Clinical utility and psychometric properties of Prefrontal Symptoms Inventory (PSI) in acquired brain injury and degenerative dementias]. / Utilidad clínica y propiedades psicométricas del inventario de síntomas prefrontales (ISP) en el daño cerebral adquirido y las demencias degenerativas.

INTRODUCTION: The cognitive, emotional and behavioural alterations secondary to acquired brain injury and degenerative dementias can be quantitatively and quantitatively appraised by administering self-reports that ask both patients and reliable informants about the difficulties patients have in their everyday life. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The Prefrontal Symptoms Inventory (PSI) and the Modified Memory Failures in Everyday Life Questionnaire (MFE-30) were administered to 174 paired participants: 87 patients with brain damage or degenerative dementias and their 87 reliable informants. In addition to the psychometric goodness of the tests, the study also explored the clinical usefulness of applying these questionnaires to patients and their informants in order to obtain a rate of discrepancy in the scores as a measure of anosognosia. RESULTS: The results show how applying the PSI-20 (20 items) or the PSI (46 items), whether administered together with the MFE-30 (30 items) or not, is a very useful procedure for assessing the symptoms in individuals with acquired brain injury or degenerative dementias, since it yields a great deal of information about patients' difficulties in their daily life. CONCLUSIONS: We recommend that, in addition to the compulsory neuropsychological assessment, questionnaires or inventories of symptoms like those proposed here should be carried out, due to the fact that they offer a number of advantages from the clinical point of view, as well as being efficacious and effective in economic terms.

TITLE: Utilidad clinica y propiedades psicometricas del inventario de sintomas prefrontales (ISP) en el daño cerebral adquirido y las demencias degenerativas.Introduccion. Las alteraciones cognitivas, emocionales y comportamentales secundarias al daño cerebral adquirido y las demencias degenerativas pueden valorarse cuantitativa y cualitativamente mediante la administracion de autoinformes que interroguen ­a pacientes e informadores fiables­ sobre las dificultades de los pacientes en la vida cotidiana. Sujetos y metodos. Se administro el inventario de sintomas prefrontales (ISP) y el cuestionario de fallos de memoria en la vida cotidiana modificado (MFE-30) a 174 participantes emparejados: 87 pacientes con daño cerebral o demencias degenerativas y sus 87 informadores fiables. Se exploro, junto con la bondad psicometrica de las pruebas, la utilidad clinica de la aplicacion de estos cuestionarios a pacientes e informadores para obtener un indice de discrepancia de las puntuaciones como medida de la anosognosia. Resultados. Los resultados muestran como aplicar el ISP-20 (20 items) o el ISP (46 items), sean o no administrados conjuntamente con el MFE-30 (30 items), resulta un procedimiento muy util para la valoracion de la sintomatologia en los individuos con daño cerebral adquirido o demencias degenerativas, al proporcionar una gran cantidad de informacion sobre las dificultades de los pacientes en la vida cotidiana. Conclusiones. Se recomienda, junto con la obligada evaluacion neuropsicologica, la cumplimentacion de cuestionarios o inventarios de sintomas como los propuestos, dado que presentan ventajas desde el punto de vista clinico, ademas de resultar eficaces, efectivos y eficientes en terminos economicos.

High casein kinase 1 epsilon levels are correlated with better prognosis in subsets of patients with breast cancer.

Reliable biological markers that predict breast cancer (BC) outcomes after multidisciplinary therapy have not been fully elucidated. We investigated the association between casein kinase 1 epsilon (CK1ε) and the risk of recurrence in patients with BC. Using 168 available tumor samples from patients with BC treated with surgery +/- chemo(radio)therapy, we scored the CK1ε expression as high (≥ 1.5) or low (<1.5) using an immunohistochemical method. Kaplan-Meier analysis was performed to assess the risk of relapse, and Cox proportional hazards analyses were utilized to evaluate the effect of CK1ε expression on this risk. The median age at diagnosis was 60 years (range 35-96). A total of 58% of the patients underwent breast conservation surgery, while 42% underwent mastectomy. Adjuvant chemotherapy and radiation therapy were administered in 101 (60%) and 137 cases (82%), respectively. Relapse was observed in 24 patients (14%). Multivariate analysis found high expression of CK1ε to be associated with a statistically significant higher disease-free survival (DFS) in BC patients with wild-type p53 (Hazard ratio [HR] = 0.33; 95% CI, 0.12-0.91; P = 0.018) or poor histological differentiation ([HR] = 0.34; 95% CI, 0.12-0.94; P = 0.039) or in those without adjuvant chemotherapy ([HR] = 0.11; 95% CI, 0.01-0.97; P = 0.006). Our data indicate that CK1ε expression is associated with DFS in BC patients with wild-type p53 or poor histological differentiation or in those without adjuvant chemotherapy and thus may serve as a predictor of recurrence in these subsets of patients.

La "Escala de estrés percibido": estudio psicométrico sin restricciones en población no clínica y adictos a sustancias en tratamiento / The Perceived Stress Scale: an unrestricted approach to its psychometric properties in non-clinical population and treated substance-addicts

La "Escala de estrés percibido" (EEP) es uno de los autoinformes más utilizados en la actualidad para estimar el grado en que las personas sienten que controlan las circunstancias de la vida o se ven desbordadas por ellas. Se realizó un análisis factorial exploratorio sin restricciones sobre una muestra de participantes de población general (n= 1023) y un análisis confirmatorio en una muestra clínica de personas con adicción a drogas en tratamiento (n= 542). De las tres versiones de la EEP (14, 10 y 4 ítems), la de 10 ítems es la que presenta mejores propiedades psicométricas en ambas muestras. Los sujetos clínicos mostraron mayores niveles de estrés percibido, asociados con estrategias de afrontamiento pasivas (evitación) y con más sintomatología comportamental de origen prefrontal en la vida cotidiana. La EEP-10 presenta suficientes garantías psicométricas para su utilización tanto en población general como aplicada a muestras clínicas, permitiendo estimar una variable crucial en el estudio de aspectos relacionados con el estrés, como la disfunción prefrontal y las estrategias que se utilizan ante dificultades de la vida

The Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) is currently one of the most used selfreports to estimate the extent to which people feel that they control the challenges of life or are overwhelmed by them. An unrestricted exploratory factor analysis over a sample of participants from the general population (n= 1023) and a confirmatory analysis in a clinical sample of drug addicts in treatment (n= 542) were performed. From the three versions (14, 10 and 4 items), the results suggest that the 10-item version is the one has better psychometric fit indicators in both samples. Addicted people showed higher levels of perceived stress in all age groups, which was associated with passive coping strategies (avoidance) and higher levels of prefrontal behavioral symptoms in everyday life. In conclusion, the 10-item version of the PSS presents enough psychometric properties for its use in estimating the perceived stress, applied both to general population and clinical samples. Its use allows to estimate a crucial variable in the study of stress-related conditions such as prefrontal dysfunction and strategies that the people used to cope with the difficulties of life