Going deeper into eating and body image pathology in males: Prevalence of muscle dysmorphia and eating disorders in a university representative sample.

Disorders associated with body dissatisfaction such eating disorders (ED) and muscle dysmorphia (MD) in males are understudied and surrounded by controversy regarding their nosological aspects. The current study examined the prevalence rates of clinical cases of ED and MD through a two-phase study with gold standard clinical interview in a representative sample of 850 Spanish undergraduate men, of whom 141 were interviewed. Levels of body dissatisfaction, compulsive exercise, anxious-depressive symptoms and the amount of physical activity were also explored. A prevalence rate for ED of 1.4% and 1.3% for MD was found. No differences were observed between the clinical groups on scales related to body image, supporting the current perspective that MD as well as ED and Body Dysmorphic Disorder could be clustered in a new spectrum of body image disorders, where the behaviours performed to achieve body change could range from restriction or muscularity-oriented eating alterations to pathological exercise or cosmetic surgery. The usefulness of the cut-off points of the screening questionnaires in MD and ED in males are discussed.

Validación de la versión española del Test de Ejercicio Compulsivo en varones universitarios: Análisis Factorial Confirmatorio y un estudio de invarianza / Validação da versão espahola do Teste de Exercício Compulsivo em estudantes universitários do sexo masculino: uma análise fatorial confirmatória e estudo da sua invariância / Validation of the Spanish Compulsive Exercise Test Version in Male University Students: A Confirmatory Factor Analysis and invariance study

Los varones son mas vulnerables a realizar conductas patológicas relacionadas con el ejercicio físico. El Cuestionario de Ejercicio Compulsivo (CET) es una de las medidas mas utilizadas sobre ejercicio patológico. Sin embargo, existen algunas inconsistencias con respecto a sus propiedades psicométricas, especialmente en muestras masculinas. El objetivo fue evaluar las propiedades psicométricas de la versión española del CET en una muestra representativa de varones.Un total de 750 estudiantes universitarios varones respondieron al CET junto con el Inventario Revisado de Obsesividad-Compulsividad, Inventario de Trastorno Dismórfico Muscular y Cuestionario Internacional de Actividad Física. Para evaluar la estructura interna, se probaron dos modelos mediante Análisis Factorial Confirmatorio. Se estudió la invarianza de la escala en función del nivel competitivo, la consistencia interna, la validez convergente y concurrente.Los resultados no replicaron la estructura original de cinco factores. Por el contrario, se apoyó una solución de tres factores, así como la invarianza de la escala. La validez convergente y concurrente fue confirmada por la correlación con la sintomatología de dismorfia muscular, la obsesividad y el ejercicio físico vigoroso.La escala muestra buena consistencia interna.La versión española del CET es un instrumento fiable y válido, aunque se requiere de mayor investigación que aborde las cogniciones y conductas patológicas relacionadas con el ejercicio compulsivo, queafectan mayoritariamente a los varones. (AU)

Men are more vulnerable to engaging in pathological behaviors related to physical exercise. Compulsive Exercise Test (CET) is one of the most used measures of pathological exercise. However, there are some inconsistencies regarding their psychometric properties, especially in male samples. The aim was to psychometrically evaluate the Spanish version of the CET in a representative sample of Spanish males. A total 750 male university students answered to the CET together with the Obsessive-Compulsive Inventory Revised, Muscle Dysmorphic Disorder Inventory and International Physical Activity Questionnaire. To assess the internal structure, two models of the CET were tested by confirmatory factor analysis. Measurement invariance by competitive level, internal consistency, convergent and concurrent validity was also studied. Results did not replicate the original five-factor. In contrast, the three-factor solution was supported, as well as the measurement invariance. Convergent and concurrent validity was confirmed by correlations with muscle dysmorphia symptomatology, obsessiveness, and vigorous physical activity. Adequate levels of internal consistency were shown for the scale. The Spanish CET is a reliable and valid instrument although further research is required addressing specific problematic cognitions and behaviors related to compulsive exercise, which affects mainly males. (AU)

Os varões são mais vulneráveis a comportamentos patológicos relacionados com o exercício físico. O Teste de Exercício Compulsivo (Compulsive Exercise Test, CET, em Inglês) é uma das medidas de exercício patológico mais amplamente utilizadas. Contudo, existem algumas inconsistências no que diz respeito às suas propriedades psicométricas, especialmente em amostras masculinas. O objetivo era avaliar as propriedades psicométricas da versão espanhola do CET numa amostra representativa de homens. 750 estudantes universitários varões responderam ao CET juntamente com o Inventário Obsessivo-Compulsivo Revisado, Inventário de Desordens Dismórficas Musculares e o Questionário Internacional de Actividade Física. Para avaliar a estrutura interna, dois modelos foram testados por Análise Confirmativa de Fatores. A invariância da escala também foi estudada em função do nível competitivo, da consistência interna, e da validade da convergência e concorrente. Os resultados não reproduziram a estrutura original de cinco fatores. Mas em vez disso, foi mostrada asolução de três fatores, bem como a invariância da escala. A validade convergente e simultânea foi confirmada pela correlação com a sintomatologia da dismorfia muscular, obsessividade e exercício físico vigoroso. A escala mostra uma boa consistência interna. A versão espanhola do CET é um instrumento fiável e válido, embora seja necessária mais investigação para abordar os comportamentos cognitivos e patológicos relacionados com o exercício compulsivo, que afetam sobretudo aos homens. (AU)

Testing a Paul trap through determining the evaporation rate of levitated single semi-volatile organic droplets.

Rigorous knowledge of the optical fingerprint of droplets is imperative for the understanding of complex aerosol processes. Here, a Paul trap is operated to store single semi-volatile organic droplets in air. The droplets are illuminated with a green laser and the elastic scattering is collected on a CMOS camera. The setup provides excellent performance in terms of confinement and stability, allowing us to detect size changes of the order of few nanometres. The stability also allows us to measure vapour pressures with remarkable reproducibility. This approach supplies a robust method for the optical interrogation in the sub-micron range.

Zirconia Use in Dentistry - Manufacturing and Properties.

Several types of metal-free ceramics have been developed to meet the patients demand for natural looking appearance restorations. Owing to their biocompatibility and good mechanical properties zirconia has been successfully used in recent years as a dental biomaterial. Due to its high opacity zirconia cores are generally covered with ceramic veneers that provide a more natural appearance but have frequent incidence of chipping. As an alternative to veneered zirconia full-contour zirconia restorations become more widely used nowadays. The paper reviews the current knowledge and scientific data of the zirconia use in dentistry in order to compare the zirconia based dental restorations with the metal-ceramic ones and also the two types of dental restoration based on zirconia, veneered or monolithic zirconia.

In Vivo Evaluation of Teeth Shade Match Capabilities of a Dental Intraoral Scanner.

Intraoral scanners were introduced in order to increase patient comfort and improve dentist lab communication. Acquiring optical impressions of the prepared teeth eliminates the need for conventional impression procedures and improves patient comfort. Intraoral scanner software offers since 2017, color shade determination, by analyzing the tooth shade of the obtained 3D model. In this study we tested the accuracy of an intraoral scanner color selection capabilities compared with a dental spectrophotometer, considered as reference. Statistical differences were found between the two system tested when the results were expressed in both Vita Classical and Vita 3D Master shade tabs codification.

One-step fabrication of LSPR-tuneable reconfigurable assemblies of gold nanoparticles decorated with biotin-binding proteins.

Assemblies of gold nanoparticles with chain-like morphologies and new near-infrared (NIR) localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) are obtained by adding the biotin-binding proteins avidin, neutravidin or streptavidin to citrate-capped nanoparticles. The key idea behind this one-step fabrication method is to destabilize the colloids by adding positively charged proteins and/or by making their zeta potential less negative. The extent of assembly, and therefore the NIR LSPR, can be fine-tuned by varying the concentration of proteins as well as by changing the pH of the solution. The resulting nanoparticle clusters can also reconfigure into smaller assemblies that absorb less NIR light by adding thiolated molecules or by increasing the pH of the solution. This, along with the observation that the proteins retain their biotin-binding properties in the assemblies, makes the proposed method promising for the development of new biosensors and drug delivery platforms capable of self-regulating their optical properties as a function of chemical signals in their environment.

Optically levitated nanoparticle as a model system for stochastic bistable dynamics.

Nano-mechanical resonators have gained an increasing importance in nanotechnology owing to their contributions to both fundamental and applied science. Yet, their small dimensions and mass raises some challenges as their dynamics gets dominated by nonlinearities that degrade their performance, for instance in sensing applications. Here, we report on the precise control of the nonlinear and stochastic bistable dynamics of a levitated nanoparticle in high vacuum. We demonstrate how it can lead to efficient signal amplification schemes, including stochastic resonance. This work contributes to showing the use of levitated nanoparticles as a model system for stochastic bistable dynamics, with applications to a wide variety of fields.

Brownian Carnot engine.

The Carnot cycle imposes a fundamental upper limit to the efficiency of a macroscopic motor operating between two thermal baths1. However, this bound needs to be reinterpreted at microscopic scales, where molecular bio-motors2 and some artificial micro-engines3-5 operate. As described by stochastic thermodynamics6,7, energy transfers in microscopic systems are random and thermal fluctuations induce transient decreases of entropy, allowing for possible violations of the Carnot limit8. Here we report an experimental realization of a Carnot engine with a single optically trapped Brownian particle as the working substance. We present an exhaustive study of the energetics of the engine and analyse the fluctuations of the finite-time efficiency, showing that the Carnot bound can be surpassed for a small number of non-equilibrium cycles. As its macroscopic counterpart, the energetics of our Carnot device exhibits basic properties that one would expect to observe in any microscopic energy transducer operating with baths at different temperatures9-11. Our results characterize the sources of irreversibility in the engine and the statistical properties of the efficiency-an insight that could inspire new strategies in the design of efficient nano-motors.

Self-assembly of gold supraparticles with crystallographically aligned and strongly coupled nanoparticle building blocks for SERS and photothermal therapy.

A new method is introduced for self-assembling citrate-capped gold nanoparticles into supraparticles with crystallographically aligned building blocks. It consists in confining gld nanoparticles inside a cellulose acetate membrane. The constituent nanoparticles are in close contact in the superstructure, and therefore generate hot spots leading to intense Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering (SERS) signals. They also generate more plasmonic heat than the nanoparticle building blocks. The supraparticles are internalized by cells and show low cytotoxicity, but can kill cancer cells when irradiated with a laser. This, along with the improved plasmonic properties arising from their assembly, makes the gold supraparticles promising materials for applications in bioimaging and nanomedicine.

Solution-based nanosensors for in-field detection with the naked eye.

Nanomaterials are revolutionising analytical applications with low-cost tests that enable detecting a target molecule in a few steps and with the naked eye. With this approach, non-experts can perform analyses on-site and without utilising electronic readers. This is advantageous in point-of-care diagnostics, in-field measurements and analyses performed in resource-constrained settings. Here we review the main strategies adopted for detecting analytes with the naked eye and at the point of need using plasmonic nanosensors, catalytic nanoparticles and fluorescent nanomaterials. Examples of the detection of ions, glucose, small molecules, peptides and proteins with the nanosensors are explained in detail.

Statistical Correlations of the Spontaneous Abortion with Trombophilia and Other Associated Pathologies.

15-20% of all known pregnancies progress with a miscarriage or an ectopic pregnancy. The recurrent miscarriage is a delicate clinical situation because with all the advances in genetic and immunologic research the incriminating factors haven't been discovered yet. The treatment is also subject to controversies, being perceived as either ineffective or aggressive. A number of 376 pregnant women with a gestational age smaller than 12 weeks have been selected, 226 of them with spontaneous abortion. In the study group of patients with previous spontaneous abortions we have found a series of associated pathology. From the cases with secondary non idiopathic recurrent miscarriage we have identified 4 cases of thrombophilia with antiphospholipid syndrome, 2 cases of thrombocytosis, one case of autoimmune thyroiditis, one case of uterine tumor, one case of MTHFR C homozygous thrombophilia and one case of FVL heterozygous thrombophilia. Knowing the correlations between the recurrent miscarriage and the hereditary thrombophilia as well as the options of treatment for increasing the chances of having a pregnancy with a normal evolution direct the doctors in testing the patients with recurrent miscarriage for hereditary thrombophilia.

Plasmonic ELISA for the detection of gp120 at ultralow concentrations with the naked eye.

The technique of plasmonic ELISA is utilised here to detect the HIV-1 protein gp120 with the ultralow limit of detection of 8 × 10(-20) M (10(-17) g mL(-1)) in an independent laboratory. It was corroborated that changes in the concentration of hydrogen peroxide as small as 0.05 µM could lead to nanoparticle solutions of completely different tonality.

Capacitive mixing for the extraction of energy from salinity differences: survey of experimental results and electrochemical models.

The "capacitive mixing" (CAPMIX) technique is an emerging technology aimed at the extraction of energy from salinity differences, e.g. between sea and river waters. CAPMIX benefits from the voltage rise that takes place between two electrodes dipped in a saline solution when its salt concentration is changed. Several kinds of electrodes have been proposed so far: activated carbon materials (Brogioli, 2009), membrane-based ion-selective electrodes (Sales et al., 2010), and battery electrodes (Biesheuvel and van der Wal, 2010). The power production mainly depends on two properties of each single electrode: the amplitude of the potential rise upon salinity change, and the potential in the high-salinity solution. The various electrode materials that have been used returned different values of the two parameters, and hence to different power productions. In this paper, we apply electrokinetic and electrochemical models to qualitatively explain the experimentally observed behaviors of various materials under different experimental conditions. The analysis allows to devise techniques for tailoring new materials, particularly suited for the CAPMIX technique.

Análisis de registros de dispensación en antiinflamatorios no esteroideos dentro del programa D-Valor / Analysis of dispensing records for non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs under the D-Valor programme

Objetivo: Analizar y evaluar los datos obtenidos durante la dispensación de antiinflamatorios no esteroideos (AINE) dentro del programa D-Valor. Método: Se trabajó con un diseño de estudio multicéntrico, observacional y prospectivo de registros de datos de dispensación de medicamentos de grupos terapéuticos definidos. Resultados: En el 23% de las dispensaciones, el paciente utilizaba además otro medicamento susceptible de interacción. Más del 60% de los pacientes no conocía el uso adecuado del medicamento. El principio activo más dispensado fue ibuprofeno (38%). Conclusiones: Los AINE están entre los medicamentos más utilizados, pero debe mejorarse el conocimiento sobre su utilización. El diálogo con el paciente en el momento de la dispensación de AINE facilita la detección de situaciones de riesgo relacionadas(AU)

Aim: To analyse and assess the data gathered during dispensing of non-steroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs) under the D-Valor programme. Method: The method used was a prospective multi-centre observational study of drug dispensing records for specific therapeutic groups. Results: In 23% of dispensing, the patient was also using another drug on which it was a possibility of interaction. Over 60% of the patients were not familiar with the proper use of the drug. The most widely-dispensed active ingredient was ibuprofen (38%). Conclusions: NSAIDs are among the most widely-used drugs, but knowledge about their use needs to be improved. Dialogue with the patient at the time when NSAIDs are dispensed improves the detection of related risk situations(AU)

Thermodynamic relation between voltage-concentration dependence and salt adsorption in electrochemical cells.

Electrochemical cells containing two electrodes dipped in an ionic solution are widely used as charge accumulators, either with polarizable (supercapacitor) or nonpolarizable (battery) electrodes. Recent applications include desalination ("capacitive deionization") and energy extraction from salinity differences ("capacitive mixing"). In this Letter, we analyze a general relation between the variation of the electric potential as a function of the concentration and the salt adsorption. This relation comes from the evaluation of the electrical and mechanical energy exchange along a reversible cycle, which involves salt adsorption and release by the electrodes. The obtained relation thus describes a connection between capacitive deionization and capacitive mixing. We check this relation with experimental data already reported in the literature, and moreover by some classical physical models for electrodes, including polarizable and nonpolarizable electrodes. The generality of the relation makes it very useful in the study of the properties of the electric double layer.

Electric permittivity of concentrated suspensions of elongated goethite particles.

This paper describes an investigation on the electric permittivity of concentrated suspensions of non-spherical particles, specifically prolate spheroids. It is first discussed how the determination of the frequency (omega) dependence of the electric permittivity (a phenomenon traditionally known as LFDD or low-frequency dielectric dispersion) can provide ample information on the properties of the dispersed material (shape, size, state of aggregation, conductivity) and of its interface with the (typically aqueous) medium. The basic quantities are the strength and frequency dependence of the dipole moment induced by the applied field, and its dimensionless counterpart, the dipole coefficient, C(*)(omega). It is explicitly shown how the (complex) relative permittivity of the suspension, epsilon(r)(*)(omega), can be calculated from it. Two theoretical models on the polarizability of spheroidal colloidal particles will be used as theoretical starting point; one of them (Model I) explicitly considers two relaxations of the permittivity, each associated to one of the particle axes. The other (Model II) is a semi-analytical theory that yields an LFDD practically independent of the axial ratio of the particles. Both models are aimed to be used if the suspensions are dilute (low volume fraction of solids, phi), and here they are generalized to concentrated systems by means of a previously published approximate evaluation of the permittivity of concentrated suspensions. Experiments are performed in the 1 kHz-1 MHz frequency range on suspensions of elongated goethite particles; the effects of ionic strength, pH, and volume fraction are investigated, and the two models are fitted to the data. In reality, taking into account that the particles are non-uniformly charged (a fact that contributes to their instability), two zeta potentials (roughly representing the lateral surface and the tip of the spheroid) are used as parameters. The results indicate that, when experimental conditions are optimal (high ionic strength and low zeta potential), the suspensions do indeed display two relaxations, that we ascribe to the long axis (and to flocs likely present in suspension) and to the short one. The permittivity increases with ionic strength, a result found with other systems, and compatible with a zeta potential that, on the average, decreases with ionic strength, an equally well known result, consequence of electric double layer compression. Another reasonable finding is the increase of estimated average dimensions and the decrease of electrokinetic potentials when the pH is close to the isoelectric point of goethite (around pH 9). The increase in volume fraction, finally, produces an overall increase in the permittivity, and the approximate model used for the evaluation of volume fraction variations can describe properly these effects, with basically constant zeta potentials and dimensions.

Dynamic mobility of rodlike goethite particles.

In this work we consider how the spheroidal shape of colloidal particles and their concentration in suspension influence their electrokinetic properties in alternating (ac) electric fields, in particular, their electrophoretic mobility, traditionally known as dynamic mobility in the case of ac fields. Elaboration of a formula for the mobility is based on two previous models related to the electrokinetic response of spheroids in dilute suspensions, completed by means of an approximate formula to account for the finite concentration of particles. At the end, semianalytical formulas have been obtained in the form of the classical Helmholtz-Smoluchowski equation for the mobility with three frequency-dependent factors, each dealing with inertia relaxation, electric double layer polarization and volume fraction effects. The two resulting expressions differ basically in their consideration of double layer polarization processes, as one considers only Maxwell-Wagner-O'Konski polarization (related to the mismatch between the conductivities of the particles plus their double layers and the liquid medium), and the other also includes the concentration polarization effect. Since in the frequency range typically used in dynamic mobility measurements the latter polarization has already relaxed, both models are capable of accounting for the dynamic mobility data experimentally obtained on elongated goethite particles in the 1-18 MHz frequency range. Results are presented concerning the effects of volume fraction, ionic strength, and pH, and they indicate that the models are good descriptions of the electrokinetics of these systems, and that dynamic mobility is very sensitive not only to the zeta potential of the particles, but also to their concentration, shape, and average size, and to the stability of the suspensions. The effects of ionic strength and pH on the dynamic mobility are very well captured by both models, and a consistent description of the dimensions and zeta potentials of the particles is reached. Increasing the volume fraction of the suspensions produces mobility variations that are only partially described by the theoretical calculations due to the likely flocculation of the particles, mainly associated with the fact that goethite particles are not homogeneously charged, with attraction between positive and negative patches being possible.

Electrokinetics in extremely bimodal suspensions.

Prompted by the results obtained by Mantegazza et al. [Nature Physics 1 (2005) 103], where the electric birefringence of suspensions of elongated particles was strikingly affected by the presence of a sea of very small (size ratio lower than 10:1) colloidal spheres, we have undertaken an investigation of other electrokinetic phenomena in suspensions containing various relative concentrations of large (Teflon or polystyrene latex) and small (nanometer-sized silica spheres) colloids. We have determined the quantities that might be greatly affected by the size distribution of the particles, mainly in the presence of ac electric fields, since the response of the suspensions will show very characteristic relaxations, dominated in principle by the size of the particles. In this work, we report on measurements of the dielectric dispersion of mixed particles as a function of the concentration, ionic strength, and field frequency. The results indicate that the response is not just a simple combination of those obtained with suspensions of the individual particles, and in fact the presence of even small amounts of the small particles affects considerably the frequency response of the suspensions.