Predictions of the MCMI-III personality disorders from NEO-PI-R domains and facets: Comparison between American and Spanish samples

Este estudio ex post facto analiza las relaciones entre las dimensiones y facetas del NEO-PI-R y los 14 trastornos de personalidad del MCMI-III en una muestra no clínica española (N = 674). Se exploran las diferencias y similitudes con los resul- tados de Dyce y O’Connor en una muestra americana con los mismos instrumentos. Como se esperaba, los análisis factoriales de facetas reteniendo cinco factores mostraron un modelo de relaciones muy similar entre ambas muestras, con un coeficiente de la congruencia total de 0,92, y coeficientes de congruencia de factor aceptables, salvo para el factor Apertura (0,68). En consonancia con las predicciones de Widiger y Widiger et al. los porcentajes de correlaciones significativas estaban alrededor de 60% en ambas muestras, y la mayoría coincidían. El análisis de regresión múltiple con dimensiones también reveló un gran parecido entre los resultados americanos y españoles, Neuroticismo fue el predictor más relacionado con los trastornos de personalidad. Se encontraron diferencias en las regresiones por facetas, aunque la varianza explicada fue prácticamente la misma que en las dimensiones. Se discute la validez transcultural y el valor predictivo del NEO-PI-R sobre los trastornos de personalidad del MCMI-III, junto con las ventajas relativas de las facetas sobre las dimensiones.

Effects of crop and weed densities on the interactions between barley and Lolium rigidum in several Mediterranean locations

The effects of both barley and Lolium rigidum densities on weed growth and spike production and on crop yield were examined in five field experiments carried out in the Mediterranean drylands of Spain and Western Australia. The aim was to check the consistency of the competitiveness of the crop in different environmental and management conditions. L. rigidum reduced barley yields in most of the experiments (between 0 and 85%), the number of ears per m2 being the most affected. It was found that increasing the barley seeding rate did not reduce the crop losses but did limit weed biomass (between 5 and 61%) and spike production (between 24 and 85%). The variability observed in crop yield losses between sites and seasons was related to rainfall at the beginning of the season. The most sensitive component of yield to weed competition was the number of ears per plant.

Comparison of fatty acid profiles of edible meat, adipose tissues and muscles between cocks and capons

The effect of caponisation on fat composition by parts (wing, breast, thigh, and drumstick) and tissues (skin, subcutaneous adipose tissue, intermuscular adipose tissue and muscle) was examined in the present study and fatty acid profiles of abdominal fat and edible meat by parts and tissue components were determined. The sample was made up of twenty-eight castrated and twenty male Penedesenca Negra chicks reared under free-range conditions and slaughtered at 28 wk of age; the birds were castrated at four or eight weeks. Caponisation significantly increased (P < 0.01) the chemical fat content in all parts (16.31% to 37.98% in breast; 21.98% to 34.13% in wing; 21.09% to 49.57% in thigh; 14.33% to 24.82% in drumstick) and led to minor modifications in fat haracteristics, particularly in the thigh and the drumstick, where the unsaturated vs. saturated fatty acid ratio increased from 1.31 to 1.76 ( P < 0.01) and from 1.48 to 2.07 (P < 0.01), respectively. Delaying the age of castration from 4 to 8 weeks increased this ratio by 0.35 in the edible meat. Even though the profile of the abdominal fat is less saturated in capons, all changes occurring on fat quality after caponisation indicate that increased fatness after castration does not imply worse fat nutritional properties.

Differences in pharmaceutical consumption and expenses between immigrant and Spanish-born populations in Lleida, (Spain): a 6-months prospective observational study

Background: There are few studies comparing pharmaceutical costs and the use of medications between immigrants and the autochthonous population in Spain. The objective of this study is to evaluate whether there are differences in pharmaceutical consumption and expenses between immigrant and Spanish-born populations. Methods: Prospective observational study in 1,630 immigrants and 4,154 Spanish-born individuals visited by fifteen primary care physicians at five public Primary Care Clinics (PCC) during 2005 in the city of Lleida, Catalonia (Spain). Data on pharmaceutical consumption and expenses was obtained from a comprehensive computerized data-collection system. Multinomial regression models were used to estimate relative risks and confidence intervals of pharmaceutical expenditure, adjusting for age and sex. Results: The percentage of individuals that purchased medications during a six-month period was 53.7% in the immigrant group and 79.2% in the autochthonous group. Pharmaceutical expenses and consumption were lower in immigrants than in autochthonous patients in all age groups and both genders. The relative risks of being in the highest quartile of expenditure, for Spanish-born versus immigrants, were 6.9, 95% CI = (4.2, 11.5) in men and 5.3, 95% CI = (3.5, 8.0) in women, with the reference category being not having any pharmaceutical expenditure. Conclusion: Pharmaceutical expenses are much lower for immigrants with respect to autochthonous patients, both in the percentage of prescriptions filled at pharmacies and the number of containers of medication obtained, as well as the prices of the medications used. Future studies should explore which factors explain the observed differences in pharmaceutical expenses and if these disparities produce health inequalities.

Comparison of carcass composition by parts and tissues between cocks and capons

The effect of caponisation on carcass composition by parts and tissues was examined. Twenty-eight castrated and twenty male Penedesenca Negra chicks reared under free-range conditions were slaughtered at 28 weeks of age. The birds were castrated at 4 or 8 weeks. The left sides of the carcasses were quartered (wing, breast, thigh and drumstick), and the parts dissected into the tissue components (skin, subcutaneous fat, intermuscular fat, muscle, bone and tendons). Capons showed more abdominal, intermuscular and subcutaneous fat than the cocks, both at the same slaughter age and at the same weight. The breast and thigh were heavier in the capons than in the cocks. However, the whole muscle mass in the breast was increased by caponisation. This favourable effect was achieved at the expense of decreasing the carcass yield. The age of castration up to 8 weeks did not affect the carcass composition of the parts and tissues.

Between Immunology And Tolerance: Controlling Immune Responses Employing Tolerogenic Dendritic Cells

Dendritic cells (DCs) are the most efficient antigen presenting cells, they provide co-stimulation, are able to secrete various proinflammatory cytokines and therefore play a pivotal role in shaping adaptive immune responses. Moreover, they are important for the promotion and maintenance of central and peripheral tolerance through several mechanisms like the induction of anergy or apoptosis in effector T cells or by promoting regulatory T cells. The murine CD8α+ (MuTu) dendritic cell line was previously derived and described in our laboratory. The MuTu cell line has been shown to maintain phenotypical and functional characteristics of endogenous CD8α+ DCs. They are able to cross-present exogenous antigens to CD8+ T cells and produce interleukin (IL-) 12 upon engagement of Toll like receptors. The cell line constitutes an infinite source of homogenous, phenotypically well-defined dendritic cells. This allows us to investigate the role and potential of specific molecules in the induction as well as regulation of immune responses by DCs in a rational and standardized way. In a first project the MuTu dendritic cell line was transduced in order to stably express the immunosuppressive molecules IL-10, IL-35 or the active form of TGF-β (termed IL-10+DC, IL-35+DC or actTGFβ+DC). We investigated the capability of these potentially suppressive or tolerogenic dendritic cell lines to induce immune tolerance and explore the mechanisms behind tolerance induction. The expression of TGF-β by the DC line did not affect the phenotype of the DCs itself. In contrast, IL-10+ and IL-35+DCs were found to exhibit lower expression of co-stimulatory molecules and MHC class I and II, as well as reduced secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines upon activation. In vitro co-culture with IL-35+, IL10+ or active TGFβ+ DCs interfered with function and proliferation of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells. Furthermore, IL-35 and active TGF-β expressing DC lines induced regulatory phenotype on CD4+ T cells in vitro without or with expression of Foxp3, respectively. In different murine cancer models, vaccination with IL-35 or active TGF-β expressing DCs resulted in faster tumor growth. Interestingly, accelerated tumor growth could be observed when IL-35-expressing DCs were injected into T cell-deficient RAG-/- mice. IL-10expressing DCs however, were found to rather delay tumor growth. Besides the mentioned autocrine effects of IL-35 expression on the DC line itself, we surprisingly observed that the expression of IL-35 or the addition of IL-35 containing medium enhances neutrophil survival and induces proliferation of endothelial cells. Our findings indicate that the cytokine IL-35 might not only be a potent regulator of adaptive immune responses, but it also implies IL-35 to mediate diverse effects on an array of cellular targets. This abilities make IL-35 a promising target molecule not only for the treatment of auto-inflammatory disease but also to improve anti-cancer immunotherapies. Indeed, by applying active TGFβ+ in murine autoimmune encephalitis we were able to completely inhibit the development of the disease, whereas IL-35+DCs reduced disease incidence and severity. Furthermore, the preventive transfer of IL-35+DCs delayed rejection of transplanted skin to the same extend as the combination of IL-10/actTGF-β expressing DCs. Thus, the expression of a single tolerogenic molecule can be sufficient to interfere with the adequate activation and function of dendritic cells and of co-cultured T lymphocytes. The respective mechanisms of tolerance induction seem to be different for each of the investigated molecule. The application of a combination of multiple tolerogenic molecules might therefore evoke synergistic effects in order to overcome (auto-) immunity. In a second project we tried to improve the immunogenicity of dendritic cell-based cancer vaccines using two different approaches. First, the C57BL/6 derived MuTu dendritic cell line was genetically modified in order to express the MHC class I molecule H-2Kd. We hypothesized that the expression of BALB/c specific MHC class I haplotype (H-2Kd) should allow the priming of tumor-specific CD8+ T cells by the otherwise allogeneic dendritic cells. At the same time, the transfer of these H-2Kd+ DCs into BALB/c mice was thought to evoke a strong inflammatory environment that might act as an "adjuvant", helping to overcome tumor induced immune suppression. Using this so called "semi-allogeneic" vaccination approach, we could demonstrate that the delivery of tumor lysate pulsed H-2Kd+ DCs significantly delayed tumor growth when compared to autologous or allogeneic vaccination. However, we were not able to coherently elucidate the cellular mechanisms underlying the observed effect. Second, we generated MuTu DC lines which stably express the pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-2, IL-12 or IL-15. We investigated whether the combination of DC vaccination and local delivery of pro-inflammatory cytokines might enhance tumor specific T cell responses. Indeed, we observed an enhanced T cell proliferation and activation when they were cocultured in vitro with IL-12 or IL-2-expressing DCs. But unfortunately we could not observe a beneficial or even synergistic impact on tumor development when cytokine delivery was combined with semi-allogeneic DC vaccination.

Interplay between connexin40 and nitric oxide signaling during hypertension.

Connexins (Cxs) and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) contribute to the adaptation of endothelial and smooth muscle cells to hemodynamic changes. To decipher the in vivo interplay between these proteins, we studied Cx40-null mice, a model of renin-dependent hypertension which displays an altered endothelium-dependent relaxation of the aorta because of reduced eNOS levels. These mice, which were either untreated or subjected to the 1-kidney, 1-clip (1K1C) procedure, a model of volume-dependent hypertension, were compared with control mice submitted to either the 1K1C or the 2-kidney, 1-clip (2K1C) procedure, a model of renin-dependent hypertension. All operated mice became hypertensive and featured hypertrophy and altered Cx expression of the aorta. The combination of volume- and renin-dependent hypertension in Cx40-/- 1K1C mice raised blood pressure and cardiac weight index. Under these conditions, all aortas showed increased levels of Cx40 in endothelial cells and of both Cx37 and Cx45 in smooth muscle cells. In the wild-type 1K1C mice, the interactions between Cx40 and Cx37 with eNOS were enhanced, resulting in increased NO release. The Cx40-eNOS interaction could not be observed in mice lacking Cx40, which also featured decreased levels of eNOS. In these animals, the volume overload caused by the 1K1C procedure resulted in increased phosphorylation of eNOS and in a higher NO release. The findings provide evidence that Cx40 and Cx37 play an in vivo role in the regulation of eNOS.

The Relationship Between Implied and Realized Volatility

The paper studies the relationship between implied volatility and realized volatility by utilizing regression analysis and correlations.

Strokes in the anterior circulation: comparison between bridging and intravenous thrombolysis.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: To compare safety and efficacy of bridging approach with intravenous (IV) thrombolysis in patients with acute anterior strokes and proximal occlusions. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Consecutive patients with ischemic anterior strokes admitted within a 4 h 30 min window in two different centers were included. The first center performed IV therapy (alteplase 0.6 mg/kg) during 30 min and, in absence of clinical improvement, mechanical thrombectomy with flow restoration using a Solitaire stent (StS); the second carried out IV thrombolysis (alteplase 0.9 mg/kg) alone. Only T, M1 or M2 occlusions present on CT angiography were considered. Endpoints were clinical outcome and mortality at 3 months. RESULTS: There were 63 patients in the bridging and 163 in the IV group. No significant differences regarding baseline characteristics were observed. At 3 months, 46% (n = 29) of the patients treated in the combined and 23% (n = 38) of those treated in the IV group had a modified Rankin scale (mRS) of 0-1 (P < 0.001). A statistical significant difference was observed for all sites of occlusion. In a logistic regression model, National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) and bridging therapy were independent predictors of good outcome (respectively, P = 0.001 and P = 0.0018). Symptomatic hemorrhage was documented in 6.3% vs 3.7% in the bridging and in the IV group, respectively (P = 0.32). There was no difference in mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that patients treated with a bridging approach were more likely to have minimal or no deficit at all at 3 months as compared to the IV treated group.

The persistence of return on assets: differences between industries and differences between firms

This study offers a statistical analysis of the persistence of annual profits across a sample of firms from different European Union (EU) countries. To this end, a Bayesian dynamic model has been used which enables the annual behaviour of those profits to be broken down into a permanent structural component on the one hand and a transitory component on the other, while also distinguishing between general effects affecting the industry as a whole to which each firm belongs and specific effects affecting each firm in particular. This break down enables the relative importance of those fundamental components to be evaluated. The data analysed come from a sample of 23,293 firms in EU countries selected from the AMADEUS data-base. The period analysed ran from 1999 to 2007 and 21 sectors were analysed, chosen in such a way that there was a sufficiently large number of firms in each country*sector combination for the industry effects to be estimated accurately enough for meaningful comparisons to be made by sector and country. The analysis has been conducted by sector and by country from a Bayesian perspective, thus making the study more flexible and realistic since the estimates obtained do not depend on asymptotic results. In general terms, the study finds that, although the industry effects are significant, more important are the specific effects. That importance varies depending on the sector or the country in which the firm carries out its activity. The influence of firm effects accounts for more than 90% of total variation and display a significantly lower degree of persistence, with adjustment speeds oscillating around 51.1%. However, this pattern is not homogeneous but depends on the sector and country analysed. Industry effects have a more marginal importance, being significantly more persistent, with adjustment speeds oscillating around 10% with this degree of persistence being more homogeneous at both country and sector levels.

Between Cratylism and Positivism: the Old Poem and What Alice Found There

En aquest article em referiré molt sumàriament a la fi lologia del dinou, mirant de relacionar-la amb tot el joc de paraules en Lewis Carrol, per tal d'establir-hi una trama correcta de (dis)continuïtats. El meu objectiu és considerar el Jabberwocky de Humpty Dumpty en el context de la feina i les descobertes de la moderna fi lologia. F. A. Wolf i J. Grimm condensen bona cosa dels experiments radicals i les troballes que tingueren lloc en aquells moments, que podríem contrastar amb les aventures textuals d'Alícia a l'altra banda de l'espill. Els llibres de l'altra banda necessiten intèrprets i cerquen la versió correcta, original, de la mateixa manera que la interpretació dels mots depèn d'un mètode fi able. Segurament Lewis Carroll com a jove fi lòleg era capaç de jugar bé amb aquelles troballes, entre un món que s'acabava i un altre que començava.