| 1. |
- Martínez-Pérez, Amparo, et al.
(author)
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Changes in the Immune Phenotype and Gene Expression Profile Driven by a Novel Tuberculosis Nanovaccine : Short and Long-Term Post-immunization
- 2021
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In: Frontiers in Immunology. - : Frontiers Media SA. - 1664-3224. ; 11
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Deciphering protection mechanisms against Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) remains a critical challenge for the development of new vaccines and therapies. We analyze the phenotypic and transcriptomic profile in lung of a novel tuberculosis (TB) nanoparticle-based boosting mucosal vaccine Nano-FP1, which combined to BCG priming conferred enhanced protection in mice challenged with low-dose Mtb. We analyzed the vaccine profile and efficacy at short (2 weeks), medium (7 weeks) and long term (11 weeks) post-vaccination, and compared it to ineffective Nano-FP2 vaccine. We observed several changes in the mouse lung environment by both nanovaccines, which are lost shortly after boosting. Additional boosting at long-term (14 weeks) recovered partially cell populations and transcriptomic profile, but not enough to enhance protection to infection. An increase in both total and resident memory CD4 and CD8 T cells, but no pro-inflammatory cytokine levels, were correlated with better protection. A unique gene expression pattern with differentially expressed genes revealed potential pathways associated to the immune defense against Mtb. Our findings provide an insight into the critical immune responses that need to be considered when assessing the effectiveness of a novel TB vaccine.
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| 2. |
- Baenas, Isabel, et al.
(author)
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Does Confinement Affect Treatment Dropout Rates in Patients With Gambling Disorder? A Nine-Month Observational Study
- 2021
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In: Frontiers in Psychology. - : Frontiers Media SA. - 1664-1078. ; 12
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background and Aims: COVID-19 pandemic and confinement have represented a challenge for patients with gambling disorder (GD). Regarding treatment outcome, dropout may have been influenced by these adverse circumstances. The aims of this study were: (a) to analyze treatment dropout rates in patients with GD throughout two periods: during and after the lockdown and (b) to assess clinical features that could represent vulnerability factors for treatment dropout. Methods: The sample consisted of n=86 adults, mostly men (n=79, 91.9%) and with a mean age of 45years old (SD=16.85). Patients were diagnosed with GD according to DSM-5 criteria and were undergoing therapy at a Behavioral Addiction Unit when confinement started. Clinical data were collected through a semi-structured interview and protocolized psychometric assessment. A brief telephone survey related to COVID-19 concerns was also administered at the beginning of the lockdown. Dropout data were evaluated at two moments throughout a nine-month observational period (T1: during the lockdown, and T2: after the lockdown). Results: The risk of dropout during the complete observational period was R=32/86=0.372 (37.2%), the Incidence Density Rate (IDR) ratio T2/T1 being equal to 0.052/0.033=1.60 (p=0.252). Shorter treatment duration (p=0.007), lower anxiety (p=0.025), depressive symptoms (p=0.045) and lower use of adaptive coping strategies (p=0.046) characterized patients who abandoned treatment during the lockdown. Briefer duration of treatment (p=0.001) and higher employment concerns (p=0.044) were highlighted in the individuals who dropped out after the lockdown. Treatment duration was a predictor of dropout in both periods (p=0.005 and p<0.001, respectively). Conclusion: The present results suggest an impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on treatment dropout among patients with GD during and after the lockdown, being treatment duration a predictor of dropout. Assessing vulnerability features in GD may help clinicians identify high-risk individuals and enhance prevention and treatment approaches in future similar situations.
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| 3. |
- Del Pino-Gutiérrez, Amparo, et al.
(author)
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Impact of alcohol consumption on clinical aspects of gambling disorder.
- 2017
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In: International Journal of Mental Health Nursing. - : Wiley. - 1447-0349 .- 1445-8330. ; 26:2, s. 121-128
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Similarities between gambling disorder and substance use disorders have been extensively described. To date, however, few studies using large clinical samples have been carried out that reliably assess the relationship between different levels of alcohol consumption and gambling disorders. The present study aimed to assess the impact of baseline alcohol consumption levels on the clinical profile in a large sample of treatment-seeking individuals. Nine hundred and fifty-one consecutive outpatients diagnosed with gambling disorder according to DSM-IV criteria were compared after being included in three alcohol consumption groups (low risk, abuse and risk of dependence) based on their total raw scores on the AUDIT questionnaire. Results showed a high prevalence of risk of alcohol dependence in GD patients who were immigrants, unemployed, and had a low level of education. A positive linear trend was also found between alcohol consumption level and the prevalence of other current and life-time comorbid mental disorders, and for the presence of drug abuse. Statistically significant differences were found between the three alcohol consumption groups in terms of the evolution and severity of the gambling disorder, self-directedness personality trait, and levels of general psychopathology, hostility and paranoid ideation. In conclusion, the results showed an association between increased alcohol consumption and greater dysfunction.
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| 4. |
- Del Pino-Gutiérrez, Amparo, et al.
(author)
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The relevance of personality traits in impulsivity-related disorders : From substance use disorders and gambling disorder to bulimia nervosa
- 2017
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In: Journal of Behavioral Addictions. - : Akademiai Kiado Zrt.. - 2062-5871 .- 2063-5303. ; 6:3, s. 396-405
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background and aims: The main aim of this study was to analyze and describe the clinical characteristics and shared personality traits in different impulsivity-compulsivity spectrum disorders: substance use disorders (SUD), gambling disorder (GD), and bulimia nervosa (BN). The specific aims were to compare personality differences among individuals with pure SUD, BN with and without SUD, and GD with and without SUD. In addition, we assessed the differential predictive capacity of clinical and personality variables in relation to diagnostic subtype. Methods: The sample comprised 998 subjects diagnosed according to DSM-IV-TR criteria: 101 patients were diagnosed with SUD, 482 with GD, 359 with BN, 11 with GD + SUD, and 45 patients with BN + SUD. Various assessment instruments were administered, as well as other clinical measures, to evaluate their predictive capacity. Results: Marked differences in personality traits were observed between groups. Novelty seeking, harm avoidance, self-directedness, cooperation, and self-transcendence best differentiated the groups. Notably, novelty seeking was significantly higher in the two dual pathology subgroups. Patients with dual pathology showed the most dysfunctional personality profiles. Discussion and conclusion: Our results indicate the existence of shared dysfunctional personality traits among the groups studied, especially in novelty seeking and self-directedness.
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| 5. |
- Fernández, Amparo, et al.
(author)
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¿Vamos a dejar que prohíban la expresión de algunes?
- 2022
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Other publication (pop. science, debate, etc.)abstract
- Siguiendo el ejemplo de Ope Pasquet en 2020, que ya comentamos en la diaria,1 la diputada Inés Monzillo presentó en marzo de este año un proyecto de ley para implementar medidas de política lingüística en Uruguay con el título “Alteraciones gramaticales y fonéticas. Prohibición de su uso dentro de la Administración Pública e Instituciones de Enseñanza públicas y privadas”. Monzillo quiere prohibir o censurar el lenguaje inclusivo, y plantea una visión extremadamente reducida del debate sobre el tema en las lenguas románicas.
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| 6. |
- Fernandez-Benito, Amparo, et al.
(author)
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Green and Scalable Biopolymer-Based Aqueous Polyelectrolyte Complexes for Zinc-Ion Charge Storage Devices
- 2023
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In: ChemElectroChem. - : WILEY-V C H VERLAG GMBH. - 2196-0216. ; 10:2
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Green and scalable materials are essential to fulfill the need of electrification for transitioning into a fossil-fuels free society, and sustainability is a requirement for all new technologies. Rechargeable batteries are one of the most important elements for electrification, enabling the transition to mobile electronics, electrical vehicles and grid storage. We here report synthesis and characterization of polyelectrolyte complexes of alginate and chitosan, both biopolymers deriving from the sea, for transport of zinc ions in hydrogel electrolytes. We have used vibrational spectroscopy, thermal measurements and microscopy, as well as transport measurements with ohmic or blocking contacts. The transference number for zinc ions is close to 1, the conductivity is approximate to 10 mS/cm, with stability at Zn interfaces seen through 7000 cycles in symmetric zinc//zinc cell. A zinc ion aqueous electrolyte was prepared from blends of chitosan and alginate, by using a simple and scalable route. These green zinc ion electrolytes exhibit a stability window up to 2 V, a zinc ion transference number close to 1, and electrochemical cyclability over 7000 cycles at interfaces to zinc. This biologically derived polyelectrolyte complex offers many possibilities for optimizing transport and stability at electrode interfaces.image
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| 7. |
- González-Bueso, Vega, et al.
(author)
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Compulsive Sexual Behavior Online and Non-online in Adult Male Patients and Healthy Controls : Comparison in Sociodemographic, Clinical, and Personality Variables
- 2022
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In: Frontiers in Psychiatry. - : Frontiers Media SA. - 1664-0640. ; 13
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background and Aims: Compulsive sexual behavior (CSB) is characterized by a persistent pattern of failure to control sexual impulses, resulting in repetitive sexual behavior over a prolonged period that causes marked discomfort in personal, family, social, school, work or in other functional areas. The evolution of the worldwide incidence of this disorder warrants further studies focused on examining the characteristics of the affected people. The purpose of this study was to compare online compulsive sexual behavior (when the problematic sexual practices were online) and non-online compulsive sexual behavior (when the problematic sexual practices were in-person) patients (OCSB and non-OCSB, respectively), and healthy controls in terms of sexual behavior, sociodemographic variables and psychopathology and personality characteristics. Method: A sample of 80 CSB male patients consecutively admitted to our Behavioral Addictions Unit and 25 healthy male controls, participated in the study. The CSB group was comprised by 36 online CSB patients (mean age 42.25, SD: 10.0) and 44 non-online CSB patients (mean age 43.5, SD: 11.9). Scores on the Sexual Compulsivity Scale, Temperament and Character Inventory-Revised, Symptom CheckList-90 Items-Revised, State-Trait Anxiety Index, and additional demographic, clinical, and social/family variables related to sexual behaviors between the three groups were compared. Results: When compared with healthy controls, both clinical groups showed higher psychopathology in all measures as well as higher harm avoidance and self-transcendence and lower self-directness and cooperativeness. When comparing OCSB and non-OCSB patients, results showed that non-OCSB patients exhibited higher prevalence of sexually transmitted diseases, higher percentage of homosexual and bisexual orientation and higher scores in anxiety and in sexual impulse control failure. Conclusion: Both online and non-online CSB patients may experience a variety of comorbid psychological and medical problems. Patients with non-OCSB may suffer more consequences that are negative. Therefore, these results should be considered when designing the most convenient therapeutic approach. Whether sexual orientation plays a role in treatment needs and treatment response in CSB, should be further explored in future studies.
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| 8. |
- Granero, Roser, et al.
(author)
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Is pathological gambling moderated by age?
- 2014
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In: Journal of Gambling Studies. - : Springer-Verlag New York. - 1050-5350 .- 1573-3602. ; 30:2, s. 475-92
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The age of a patient is a strong moderator of both the course and the evolution of disorders/diseases. However, the effects of current age in pathological gambling (PG) have rarely been examined. The aim of this study is to explore the moderating effects of the patients' current age in relation to personality traits and clinical outcomes of PG. A total sample of 2,309 treatment-seeking patients for PG, diagnosed according to DSM-IV criteria, participated in this study and were assessed with the Diagnostic Questionnaire for Pathological Gambling according to DSM-IV criteria, the South Oaks Gambling Screen, the Symptom Checklist, the Temperament and Character Inventory-R, and other clinical and psychopathological measures. Orthogonal polynomial contrasts showed linear trends in the relationship between age and PG: the older the patient, the more comorbid health problems were visible. The presence of additional quadratic trends also suggests that age plays a significant role in moderating the possibility of existing PG problems and general psychopathology. No interaction term was found between age and sex, but it was present for age and some personality traits: self-transcendence and reward dependence (these two traits were only relevant to the level of impairment due to PG at specific ages). This study suggests that the patients' age influences psychopathological and clinical aspects associated to PG. Intervention in the earliest manifestations of this complex problem is essential in order to better address the need of successful treatment planning.
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| 9. |
- Granero, Roser, et al.
(author)
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Phenotype of Gambling Disorder Patients with Lotteries as a Preferred Form of Gambling
- 2023
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In: International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1557-1874 .- 1557-1882. ; 21, s. 3306-3329
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Lottery gambling can become an addictive behavior which can significantly interfere with daily functioning. The objectives of this work were to estimate the prevalence of lottery gambling, to assess the profile related to this gambling type in a large clinical sample of patients who met criteria for gambling disorder (GD), and to compare this profile with the other two non-strategic forms of gambling (slot-machines and bingo). Sample included n = 3,531 patients consecutively attended for treatment-seeking due to gambling-related problems. All the participants met criteria for GD and were into the range of 18 to 85 years old. Sociodemographic variables, GD severity, psychopathological state, and personality traits were assessed. Statistical comparisons between the groups defined by the patients’ gambling preference (lotteries versus other gambling activities) were conducted, with chi-square test and analysis of variance. The prevalence of lotteries as the only gambling activity was 2.5%, 8.9% for lottery gambling as primary activity with other secondary gambling types, and 20.6% for lotteries as primary or secondary gambling activity. Lottery gambling and bingo gambling were more prevalent among women (bingo included the highest percentage of women). Compared to slot machine gambling, lotteries and bingo grouped older patients and those with later age of onset of the gambling-related problems. Bingo gambling showed the highest psychological distress and the most dysfunctional personality traits. This study shows the high frequency of lottery gambling among treatment-seeking for GD patients, and it provides empirical evidence about the profile associated with this gambling activity compared to other non-strategic gambling forms. The likelihood of lottery gambling is higher for women, patients married or living with a stable partner, and those within higher social position indexes.
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| 10. |
- Jiménez-Murcia, Susana, et al.
(author)
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A comparison of DSM-IV-TR and DSM-5 diagnostic criteria for gambling disorder in a large clinical sample
- 2019
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In: Frontiers in Psychology. - : Frontiers Media SA. - 1664-1078. ; 10:APR
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background and aims: Gambling-related crimes are known to be associated with gambling disorder (GD). Due to a lack of consensus in the scientific community regarding the relevance of this diagnostic criterion, it was removed from the DSM-5. The primary aim of this study was to investigate through structural equation modeling (SEM) whether higher GD severity in treatment-seeking GD patients with a criminal record is mediated through the illegal acts criterion itself, or whether it can be better explained by other related clinical factors. Methods: An initial sample of 2,081 patients seeking treatment for gambling problems was included in the sample. SEM was used to evaluate the mediational role of the illegal acts criterion between the sex, age and personality traits, gambling severity, and comorbid depression levels. Comparisons between patients with coinciding and divergent DSM criterion for GD diagnosis were carried out. Results: Illegal acts mediated the relationship between personality traits and GD severity: younger age, high levels of novelty seeking, and low levels of self-transcendence increased the risk of endorsing the illegal acts criterion. No differences between coincident-divergent groups in terms of DSM-IV and DSM-5 diagnosis were found with regards to sex (p=.878), education level (p=.387) or civil status (p=.792). Discussion and conclusions: The results obtained in the present study offer new insights into the utility of using a history of illegal acts, their different personality characteristics and psychopathology to categorize GD patients. Our findings suggest that patients who engage in criminal behavior may require a more comprehensive intervention.
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