Future expectations of adolescents from different social backgrounds / Expectativas de futuro de adolescentes procedentes de distintos contextos sociales

Este trabajo analiza las expectativas futuras durante la adolescencia y su relación con variables personales (edad, sexo, autoestima y satisfacción vital) y contextuales (apoyo social percibido y nivel de riesgo). La muestra está formada por 748 adolescentes, con edades comprendidas entre los 9 y 16 años (M = 11.93, SD = 1.42) procedentes de contextos con distinto nivel de riesgo social. Los resultados muestran que las expectativas futuras disminuyen a medida que aumenta la edad, con pocas diferencias encontradas en función del sexo. Autopercepciones y sentimientos de apoyo social más positivos se asocian a mejores expectativas futuras. En relación al nivel de riesgo, contextos más vulnerables tienen un efecto negativo en las expectativas futuras. Los análisis de regresión muestran la capacidad predictiva de las variables estudiadas. Finalmente, el modelo de ecuaciones estructurales confirma el efecto causal positivo del ajuste psicológico y del apoyo social percibido, así como la influencia negativa de los contextos con mayores desventajas sociales, sobre las expectativas de futuro. Los resultados encontrados proponen la necesidad de instaurar programas preventivos orientados a fomentar los recursos personales de los niños, especialmente en aquellos que pertenecen a contextos vulnerables.(AU)

This paper analyzes adolescents’ future expectations (FE) and their relationship with personal variables (age, sex, self-esteem, and life sat-isfaction) and contextual variables (perceived social support and level of risk). The sample includes 748 adolescents, aged 9-16 (M= 11.93, SD= 1.42), coming from contexts with different levels of social risk. The results show that FE decrease as age increases, with few differences found based on sex. More positive self-perceptions and perceived social support are as-sociated with better FE. Concerning the level of risk, more vulnerable con-texts have a higher negative effect on FE. The regression analysis reveals the predictive capacity of the studied variables. The structural equation model confirms the positive causal effect of psychological adjustment and perceived social support, as well as the negative influence of contexts with greater social disadvantages on adolescent FE. The results suggest the need to establish preventive programs aimed at promoting personal resources of children, especially those who come from vulnerable contexts.(AU)

Psychological wellbeing in adult adoptees: current age and developmental tasks.

Introduction: Studies about adult adoptees are normally focused on the differences in adjustment difficulties between them and non-adoptees. However, there has been less research about adoptees' positive and developmental adjustment in adulthood. The aim of this study is to test a model of the mediating role of adoptees' achievement of adulthood tasks in the relationship between current age and psychological wellbeing. Materials and methods: The sample consisted of 117 adults who were adopted as children by Spanish families. Their current mean age is 28.3 years. Participants underwent an interview and completed Ryff's Psychological WellBeing Scales. Results: Findings show that current age is directly and negatively related to psychological wellbeing [c' = -0.039, 95% CI (-0.078, -0.001)], and the relationship between these variables is mediated by adoptees' achievement of adulthood tasks [indirect effect = 0.035, 95% CI (.014, 0.059)]. Discussion: The findings support traditional theories about transitioning to adulthood, and adds relevant information about this transition in adoptees. Moreover, this work indicates a new way of assessing adoption success, based on long-term measures and normative variables. Services providers should account for the importance of supporting young people on their life transitions and promoting their wellbeing, especially among those who started from disadvantaged contexts.

Bi2Te3 Thin Films Deposited by the Combination of Bi and Te Plasmas in a PLD Process.

Bismuth telluride thin films were grown by pulsed laser deposition by implementing a novel method that combines both Te and Bi plasmas resulting from the laser ablation of individual Bi and Te targets. Furthermore, the mean kinetic ion energy and density of the plasmas, as estimated by TOF curves obtained from Langmuir probe measurements, were used as control parameters for the deposition process. The obtained thin films exhibit a metallic mirror-like appearance and present good adhesion to the substrate. Morphology of the thin films was observed by SEM, yielding smooth surfaces where particulates were also observed (splashing). Chemical composition analysis obtained by EDS showed that apparently the films have a Te-rich composition (ratio of Te/Bi of 3); however, Te excess arises from the splashing as revealed by the structural characterization (XRD and Raman spectroscopy). The XRD pattern indicated that depositions have the rhombohedral (D3d5 (R3¯m)) structure of Bi2Te3. Likewise, Raman spectra exhibited the presence of signals that correspond to Eg2, A1u2 and A1g2(LO) vibrational modes of the same rhombohedral phase of Bi2Te3. Additionally, oxidation states, analyzed by XPS, resulted in signals associated to Bi3+ and Te2- that correspond to the Bi2Te3 compound. Finally, surface topology and thickness profiles were obtained from AFM measurements, confirming a combination of a smooth surface with particulates on top of it and a film thickness of 400 nm.

Public Cord Blood Banks as a source of starting material for clinical grade HLA-homozygous induced pluripotent stem cells.

BACKGROUND: The increasing number of clinical trials for induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived cell therapy products makes the production on clinical grade iPSC more and more relevant and necessary. Cord blood banks are an ideal source of young, HLA-typed and virus screened starting material to produce HLA-homozygous iPSC lines for wide immune-compatibility allogenic cell therapy approaches. The production of such clinical grade iPSC lines (haplolines) involves particular attention to all steps since donor informed consent, cell procurement and a GMP-compliant cell isolation process. METHODS: Homozygous cord blood units were identified and quality verified before recontacting donors for informed consent. CD34+ cells were purified from the mononuclear fraction isolated in a cell processor, by magnetic microbeads labelling and separation columns. RESULTS: We obtained a median recovery of 20.0% of the collected pre-freezing CD34+, with a final product median viability of 99.1% and median purity of 83.5% of the post-thawed purified CD34+ population. CONCLUSIONS: Here we describe our own experience, from unit selection and donor reconsenting, in generating a CD34+ cell product as a starting material to produce HLA-homozygous iPSC following a cost-effective and clinical grade-compliant procedure. These CD34+ cells are the basis for the Spanish bank of haplolines envisioned to serve as a source of cell products for clinical research and therapy.

Autologous versus allogeneic versus umbilical cord sera for the treatment of severe dry eye disease: a double-blind randomized clinical trial.

PURPOSE: To measure the effects of Autologous serum (AS), Allogeneic Serum (HS) and Umbilical Cord serum (CS) eye drops in severe dry eye disease (DES), as well as to characterize and quantify several molecules in the three sera (albumin, fibronectin; Vitamin A and E; IgG, IgA and IgM; Transforming growth factor ß; Epithelial growth factor). METHODS: Randomized, double-blind, single-centre, three-arm (AS, HS and CS) clinical trial. Sixty-three subjects were included with severe DES, 21 in each arm of the study. Visual acuity, Schirmer test, Breakup time (BUT), lissamine green, fluorescein staining measurements and a questionnaire were performed prior to treatment, and after one-month and three-month follow-up. RESULTS: There was a significant main effect of time on visual acuities, Schirmer and BUT tests and fluorescein and lissamine green staining measurements and questionnaire scores (p = 0.015, p = 0.002, p < 0.001, p < 0.001, p = 0.031 and p < 0.001, respectively), although there was no significant interaction between time and serum type, nor between serum type and the test performed. Regarding the concentration of molecules, in our study AS contained significantly higher concentrations of IgA, IgG and fibronectin whereas HS contained significantly higher concentration of IgM, vitamins A and E, TGF and albumin. Contrary to previous reports, CS did not show higher concentration of any of the molecules analysed. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: The three sera were effective in the treatment of severe DES. CS did not contain a higher proportion of molecules compared to AS/HS. More research is needed to assess the effect of AS in patients with DES and autoimmune diseases.

School Adjustment and Socio-Family Risk as Predictors of Adolescents' Peer Preference.

This work analyzes peer preferences at the beginning of adolescence. For this purpose, each adolescent's sociometric status was studied in their classroom group, and attempts were made to identify indicators of academic, personal, and socio-family adjustment related to that status. Participants were 831 adolescents studying 1st grade of Compulsory Secondary Education (CSE), in 31 classrooms from 10 schools. The 31 tutors of these students also participated. Sample selection was intentional. A quantitative research approach was used. Sociometric data were collected using the nomination method. Teachers provided information about these youths' adjustment and family risk variables. Descriptive analyses and bivariate correlations were calculated as a preliminary analysis of the study. Chi-square tests or ANOVAs examined the similarities and differences between status based on personal, socio-family, and school adjustment variables. Lastly, linear regression analysis and a Structural Equation Model (SEM) were performed. These latter analyses revealed that good performance and academic adjustment are important predictors of successful social relations. Also, the data show that the presence of personal and socio-family risk variables makes it difficult for adolescents to be accepted by their peers. The results suggest the need for school and family support to promote peer acceptance. Working on both aspects can help improve classroom coexistence. Intervention techniques are recommended for the entire group to intervene on attitudes, interpretations, and behaviors that enrich individual tools and the collective climate.

Evaluation of the Spanish population coverage of a prospective HLA haplobank of induced pluripotent stem cells.

BACKGROUND: iPSC (induced pluripotent stem cells) banks of iPSC lines with homozygous HLA (human leukocyte antigen) haplotypes (haplobanks) are proposed as an affordable and off-the-shelf approach to allogeneic transplantation of iPSC derived cell therapies. Cord blood banks offer an extensive source of HLA-typed cells suitable for reprogramming to iPSC. Several initiatives worldwide have been undertaken to create national and international iPSC haplobanks that match a significant part of a population. METHODS: To create an iPSC haplobank that serves the Spanish population (IPS-PANIA), we have searched the Spanish Bone Marrow Donor Registry (REDMO) to identify the most frequently estimated haplotypes. From the top ten donors identified, we estimated the population coverage using the criteria of zero mismatches in HLA-A, HLA-B, and HLA-DRB1 with different stringencies: high resolution, low resolution, and beneficial mismatch. RESULTS: We have calculated that ten cord blood units from homozygous donors stored at the Spanish cord blood banks can provide HLA-A, HLA-B, and HLA-DRB1 matching for 28.23% of the population. CONCLUSION: We confirm the feasibility of using banked cord blood units to create an iPSC haplobank that will cover a significant percentage of the Spanish and international population for future advanced therapy replacement strategies.

Efectos del consumo de drogas y de la ansiedad en la eyaculación precoz en una muestra de drogodependientes españoles / Effects of drug use and anxiety on premature ejaculation in a sample of Spanish drug addicts

Introducción: La eyaculación precoz puede deberse a múltiples factores y uno de ellos puede ser el consumo de drogas. Objetivos: El objetivo principal de este estudio es conocer cómo afecta el consumo de drogas a la respuesta eyaculatoria, teniendo en cuenta las diferentes sustancias de consumo, el nivel de ansiedad y el tiempo de abstinencia. Método: Se utilizaron 2 muestras, una correspondiente a hombres que han tenido un historial de consumo de sustancias adictivas (n=925) y otra de hombres no consumidores (n=82). Ambas muestras fueron seleccionadas de 28 centros de tratamiento. Se utilizaron los cuestionarios Golombok Rust Inventory of Sexual Satisfaction (GRISS) y el Cuestionario de Ansiedad Estado Rasgo (STAI). Resultados: Los resultados muestran que los hombres con historia de consumo obtienen porcentajes mayores en eyaculación precoz frente a los no consumidores (44,3>15,9%) y puntuaciones medias también mayores en ansiedad (estado=19,83>11,89; rasgo=25,66>12,39), siendo dichas diferencias estadísticamente significativas (p=0,000). Los resultados confirman que el período de abstinencia no mejora la respuesta eyaculatoria y tener pareja no funciona como factor de protección en la eyaculación precoz. Conclusiones: Los hombres con historia de consumo de drogas tienen más probabilidad de padecer eyaculación precoz y más ansiedad, que no mejora en el período de abstinencia, lo que incita a pensar que los consumidores de drogas tienen rasgos de personalidad que predisponen la eyaculación precoz y/o que los daños neurológicos ocasionados por la drogas contribuyen a disminuir la latencia intravaginal eyaculatoria, cuestiones que deben ser estudiadas en próximas investigaciones

Introduction: Premature ejaculation may be due to many factors and one of them may be drug use. Aims: The main objective of this study is to show how drug abuse affects the ejaculatory response, keeping in mind the different substances consumed, the level of anxiety and the period of withdrawal. Method: Two samples were used, one for men who were addicted to drugs (N=925) and one of non-consumers (N=82). Both samples were selected from 28 treatment centers. The Golombok Rust Inventory of Sexual Satisfaction (GRISS) questionnaire and the State Anxiety Trait Questionnaire (STAI) were used. Results: The results show that men with a history of consumption obtain higher percentages in premature ejaculation compared to non-users (44.3%> 15.9%) and also higher mean scores in anxiety (State Anxiety=19.83>11, 89; Trait Anxiety=25.66>12.39). These differences were statistically significant (P=.000). The results confirm that the withdrawal period does not improve ejaculatory response and having a partner does not work as a protective factor in premature ejaculation. Conclusions: Men with a history of drug use are more likely to suffer from premature ejaculation and higher levels of anxiety, which does not improve during the period of withdrawal, leading to the belief that drug users have personality traits that facilitate premature ejaculation and/or that the neurological damages caused by the drugs contribute to a decrease in the intravaginal ejaculatory latency, issues that should be studied in future investigations

[Effects of drug use and anxiety on premature ejaculation in a sample of Spanish drug addicts]. / Efectos del consumo de drogas y de la ansiedad en la eyaculación precoz en una muestra de drogodependientes españoles.

INTRODUCTION: Premature ejaculation may be due to many factors and one of them may be drug use. AIMS: The main objective of this study is to show how drug abuse affects the ejaculatory response, keeping in mind the different substances consumed, the level of anxiety and the period of withdrawal. METHOD: Two samples were used, one for men who were addicted to drugs (N=925) and one of non-consumers (N=82). Both samples were selected from 28 treatment centers. The Golombok Rust Inventory of Sexual Satisfaction (GRISS) questionnaire and the State Anxiety Trait Questionnaire (STAI) were used. RESULTS: The results show that men with a history of consumption obtain higher percentages in premature ejaculation compared to non-users (44.3%> 15.9%) and also higher mean scores in anxiety (State Anxiety=19.83>11, 89; Trait Anxiety=25.66>12.39). These differences were statistically significant (P=.000). The results confirm that the withdrawal period does not improve ejaculatory response and having a partner does not work as a protective factor in premature ejaculation. CONCLUSIONS: Men with a history of drug use are more likely to suffer from premature ejaculation and higher levels of anxiety, which does not improve during the period of withdrawal, leading to the belief that drug users have personality traits that facilitate premature ejaculation and/or that the neurological damages caused by the drugs contribute to a decrease in the intravaginal ejaculatory latency, issues that should be studied in future investigations.

Desarrollo y validación de la Escala de Expectativas de Futuro en la Adolescencia (EEFA) / Development and validation of the Adolescent Future Expectations Scale

El objetivo de este estudio es diseñar y validar el instrumento Escala de Expectativas de Futuro en la Adolescencia (EEFA). Se analizó una muestra compuesta por 1125 participantes de ambos sexos procedentes de la provincia de Cádiz, con edades comprendidas entre los 11 y 15 años. A partir del Análisis Factorial Exploratorio (AFE), realizado con la submuestra 1 (n=551), se identificaron cuatro factores: Expectativas económico/laborales, Expectativas académicas, Expectativas de bienestar personal y Expectativas familiares. Mediante un Análisis Factorial Confirmatorio (AFC), usando la submuestra 2 (n=574), se confirmó la estructura factorial de la escala, cuyo modelo presentaba un buen ajuste. Los análisis de los ítems y de fiabilidad demostraron una aceptable consistencia interna de la escala. Para la obtención de otras evidencias de validez, los datos obtenidos mediante el instrumento EEFA se contrastaron con otros instrumentos que evalúan autoestima y satisfacción vital, esperando obtener relaciones positivas entre los mismos. Se concluye que el instrumento EEFA, compuesto por 14 ítems, posee propiedades psicométricas adecuadas, considerándose un instrumento válido para evaluar las expectativas de futuro que presentan los adolescentes

The aim of this study is to design and validate the Adolescent Future Expectations Scale. We analyze a sample consisting of 1125 participants of both sexes, from Cádiz, with an age range between 11 and 15 years old. Exploratory factorial analysis was performed with the sample 1 (n=551) and it resulted in four factors: economic expectations, academic expectations, expectations of personal well-being and family expectations. The application of the confirmatory factor analysis was performed with the sample 2 (n=574). The factor structure of the scale was confirmed. The model showed a good fit. The reliability and item analyses showed that the scale had good internal consistency. With the aim of determining construct validity, the data obtained by the Adolescent Future Expectations Scale were compared with other instruments that assess self-esteem and life satisfaction. We expected to get positive relationship between them. It was concluded that the 14-item scale is a valid instrument to evaluate adolescents' future expectations

Trends in cord blood banking.

BACKGROUND: Umbilical cord blood (UCB) is a source of hematopoietic precursor cells for transplantation. The creation of UCB banks in 1992 led to the possibility of storing units of UCB for unrelated transplants. The distribution of cell contents in historical inventories is not homogenous and many units are not, therefore, suitable for adults. The aim of this study was to analyse our UCB bank inventory, evaluate the units released for transplantation and calculate the cost of the current process per unit of UCB stored. METHODS: Three study periods were defined. In the first period, from January 1996 to January 2006, the total nucleated cell (TNC) count acceptable for processing was 4-6×10(8) and a manual processing system was used. In the second period, from October 2006 to July 2010, processing was automated and the acceptable TNC count varied from 8-10×10(8). In the third period, from January 2009 to June 2010, an automated Sepax-BioArchive procedure was used and the accepted initial TNC count was >10×10(8). Within each period the units were categorised according to various ranges of cryopreserved TNC counts in the units: A, >16.2×10(8); B1, from 12.5-16.1×10(8); B2, from 5.2-12.4×10(8); and C, <5.1×10(8). RESULTS: The third period is best representative of current practices, with homogenous TNC acceptance criteria and automated processing. In this period 15.7% of the units were category A and 25.5% were category B. Overall, the mean TNC count of units released for transplantation was 14×10(8) (range, 4.6×10(8) to 36.5×10(8)). The cost of the processed UCB in 2009 was 720.41 euros per unit. CONCLUSION: An UCB bank should store units of high-quality, in terms of the TNC count of units issued for transplantation, have a training programme to optimise the selection of donors prior to delivery, use similar volume reduction systems and homogenous recovery indices, express its indicators in the same units, use validated analytical techniques, and bear in mind ethnic minorities.