Loudness and auditory steady-state responses in normal-hearing subjects

This study evaluated the use of multiple auditory steady-state responses (ASSRs) to estimate the growth of loudness in listeners with normal hearing. Individual intensity functions were obtained from measures of loudness growth using the contour test and from the electrophysiological amplitude measures of multiple amplitude-modulated (77-105 Hz) tones (500, 1000, 2000, and 4000 Hz) simultaneously presented to both ears and recorded over the scalp. Slope analyses for the behavioural and electrophysiological intensity functions were separately performed. Response amplitudes of the ASSRs and loudness sensation judgements increase as the stimulus intensity increases for the four frequencies studied. A significant relationship was obtained between loudness and the ASSRs. The results of this study suggest that the amplitude of the ASSRs may be used to estimate loudness growth at least for individuals with normal hearing.     

Late-phase miRNA-controlled oncolytic adenovirus for selective killing of cancer cells

Tissue-specific detargeting by miRNAs has been demonstrated to be a potent strategy to restrict adenoviral replication to cancer cells. These studies have generated adenoviruses with miRNA target sites placed in the 3′UTR of early gene products. In this work, we have studied the feasibility of providing tissue-specific selectivity to replication-competent adenoviruses through the regulation of the late structural protein fiber (L5 gene). We have engineered a 3′UTR containing eight miR-148a binding sites downstream the L5 coding sequence (Ad-L5-8miR148aT). We present in vitro and in vivo evidences of Ad-L5-8miR148aT miRNA-dependent regulation. In vitro data show that at 72 hours post-infection miR-148a-regulation impaired fiber expression leading to a 70% reduction of viral release. The application of seven consecutive rounds of infection in miR-148a cells resulted in 10.000-fold reduction of viral genomes released. In vivo, liver production of infective viral particles was highly impaired, similarly to that triggered by an adenovirus with miRNA target sites regulating the early E1A gene. Noticeably, mice treated with Ad-L5-8miR148aT showed an attenuation of adenoviral-induced hepatotoxicity but retained full lytic activity in cancer cells and exhibited robust antitumoral responses in patient-derived xenografts. Thus, miRNA-control of late proteins constitutes a novel strategy to provide selectivity to adenoviruses.     

Ancient genomes link early farmers from Atapuerca in Spain to modern-day Basques

The consequences of the Neolithic transition in Europe—one of the most important cultural changes in human prehistory—is a subject of great interest. However, its effect on prehistoric and modern-day people in Iberia, the westernmost frontier of the European continent, remains unresolved. We present, to our knowledge, the first genome-wide sequence data from eight human remains, dated to between 5,500 and 3,500 years before present, excavated in the El Portalón cave at Sierra de Atapuerca, Spain. We show that these individuals emerged from the same ancestral gene pool as early farmers in other parts of Europe, suggesting that migration was the dominant mode of transferring farming practices throughout western Eurasia. In contrast to central and northern early European farmers, the Chalcolithic El Portalón individuals additionally mixed with local southwestern hunter–gatherers. The proportion of hunter–gatherer-related admixture into early farmers also increased over the course of two millennia. The Chalcolithic El Portalón individuals showed greatest genetic affinity to modern-day Basques, who have long been considered linguistic and genetic isolates linked to the Mesolithic whereas all other European early farmers show greater genetic similarity to modern-day Sardinians. These genetic links suggest that Basques and their language may be linked with the spread of agriculture during the Neolithic. Furthermore, all modern-day Iberian groups except the Basques display distinct admixture with Caucasus/Central Asian and North African groups, possibly related to historical migration events. The El Portalón genomes uncover important pieces of the demographic history of Iberia and Europe and reveal how prehistoric groups relate to modern-day people.The first practice of farming started ∼11,000 years before present (yBP) in the Near East, before spreading west and north across Europe and transforming the way of life from small, mobile hunter–gatherer (HG) groups to larger sedentary, agrarian societies. Genomic studies of Stone-Age human remains from northern and central Europe have shown that the Neolithic transition was driven by migration, followed by subsequent admixture with HG groups (1–3). More than 3,000 km away from the Near Eastern origin of farming practices, the Iberian Peninsula represents the western geographic extreme of the Neolithic transition, which reached the Spanish Mediterranean coast ∼7,650–7,550 yBP, the Iberian interior 7,350–7,250 yBP (4), and the Northern Cantabrian coast around 7,300–6,800 yBP (5). Investigations of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) haplogroup variation from Neolithic and Chalcolithic Iberian samples have been inconclusive, with some suggesting modern-day Near Eastern affinities (6) and others suggesting complex admixture between hunter–gatherers and farmers (7). The processes and consequences of the Neolithic transition in the Iberian Peninsula are, thus, contentious. The relationship of early Iberian farmers to their Central European counterparts and HG groups in Iberia, as well as their contribution to the present-day genomic variation in Iberia, is crucial to understanding the demographic history of the region. Of particular interest is the connection of Basques to different ancient groups in Iberia, to shed light on their long-debated origins (6–13).We investigated the remains of eight individuals from the Chalcolithic and Bronze Age periods excavated from the cave of the El Portalón de Cueva Mayor, of the Sierra de Atapuerca (Fig. 1A and SI Appendix, Fig. S1)—a site with a remarkably rich archaeological record, with human occupation from the Paleolithic to the historical period (14) (SI Appendix, section S1). The human remains were associated with offerings, such as domestic animals and pottery vessels corresponding to the pre-Bell Beaker culture, and were directly radiocarbon-dated to between ∼5,500 (Chalcolithic) and ∼3,500 cal yBP (Bronze Age) (SI Appendix, Table S1 and Fig. S2). Seven of the burials contained fragmentary human remains whereas one burial was a near-complete skeleton of a male child showing signs of chronic malnutrition (15) (SI Appendix, section S1).Open in a separate windowFig. 1.Overview of samples. (A) Geographic locations of ancient individuals used in this study. The dataset includes individuals sequenced as part of this study (from El Portalón) as well as individuals from the literature (1, 2, 10, 12, 19). The map template is modified from www.primap.com. (B) Temporal and cultural context of the ancient individuals; individuals from a hunter–gatherer context are shown in italics. The symbols and colors denoting each individual are used consistently throughout this paper. (C) PCA of ancient individuals and modern-day individuals across Europe (1). Only those ancient samples with more than 20,000 transversion SNPs overlapping with the modern-day SNP data are plotted (see also SI Appendix, section S8 and Dataset S1). Colored areas show kernel densities of modern-day groups with more than eight individuals.     

Gender Differences in Socioemotional Factors During Adolescence and Effects of a Violence Prevention Program

PurposeThe study had two aims: 1) to analyze the existence of gender differences in socioemotional developmental factors, and 2) to apply a program of education for peace and prevention of violence to determine whether the pretest–posttest change in socioemotional developmental factors differs as a function of gender.MethodsThe sample comprised 285 adolescents, aged 15–16 years, including 162 experimental subjects and 123 control subjects. An experimental design of repeated pre–posttest measures with a control group was used, and four assessment instruments were administered.ResultsAnalyses of variance confirmed significantly higher scores in the female adolescents in cognitions of rejection of violence, prosocial cognitions, cooperative conflict solving, positive strategies for coping with violence, and positive social behaviors. Male adolescents obtained significantly higher scores in cognitions of acceptance of violence, aggressive conflict solving, aggressive strategies for coping with violence, and negative social behaviors. The pre–post change in most of the factors of socioemotional development assessed was similar in both sexes.ConclusionsResults suggest the need to reflect on and modify the type of childrearing and socialization patterns that are promoted in males so that they will favor the development of skills oriented toward warm interpersonal relations, nonaggressive communication, positive social behaviors, internal control of anger, empathy, etc. Results also suggest including supplementary modules for males when designing interventions to prevent violence.     

A Study of Substance Use in Women in the West Texas U.S. Probation and Pretrial Services System

Previous studies have shown an association between substance use in the corrections population and, though the overall probation population has been declining, the percentage of women on probation has significantly increased. This study collected data on the factors associated with substance use and criminality among West Texas women who were sentenced to the U.S. Probation and Pretrial Services System (USPPSS). Intake records for USPPSS adult women spanning 3 years were reviewed. Among all age distributions and demographics, alcohol use was found to be prevalent. A significant positive correlation was found between immediate and extended family use of alcohol or drugs. Approximately one third of women reported a lifetime history of psychiatric treatment and three fourths reported a lifetime history of emotional/verbal, physical, and/or sexual abuse. The significant association with alcohol and substance use among these women should be addressed when determining probation planning and social services. Furthermore, the high incidence of emotional/verbal, physical and/or sexual abuse, and suicidality in this population would recommend an approach that includes provision of adequate mental health services.     

Age and order of eruption of primary teeth in Spanish children

Abstract – A longitudinal study on primary tooth eruption was performed in 114 Spanish children in two Primary Care Centers over 3 yr. Data from periodic observations and data collected by previously instructed parents was studied. Ages of tooth eruption were calculated for both sexes. Comparison between the two sides of the jaws showed a nonsignificant tendency towards earlier left side eruption. Comparison between maxillary and mandibular showed a significant earlier mandibular eruption for central incisors and second molars and a significant earlier maxillary eruption for lateral incisors. Comparison between sexes showed a tendency towards earlier eruption in boys for all teeth, significant only for mandibular central incisors, maxillary and mandibular lateral incisors and mandibular canines. Order of tooth eruption and its most frequent changes were also studied. When these findings were compared to studies performed in other populations it was concluded that ages and order of primary tooth eruption in Spanish children are similar to those found in other populations.     

A randomized double-blind clinical trial on the effectiveness of helium-neon laser in the prevention of pain, swelling and trismus after removal of impacted third molars

The effect of helium-neon (He-Ne) laser on the prevention of pain, swelling and trismus following the removal of an impacted third molar was studied in 100 patients randomly allocated to receive He-Ne laser, ibuprofen or placebo in a prospective double-blind parallel clinical trial. Trismus was significantly reduced in the He-Ne laser and ibuprofen treatment groups. Pain was significantly less in the ibuprofen group with regard to He-Ne laser and placebo groups. Swelling was the same in the three treatment groups.