Intraoperative recordings of electromyogenic responses from the human stapedius muscle

Following surgical implantation of a cochlear implant, the external processor must be programmed individually, which is typically achieved by behavioral measurements, with the user indicating the perceived loudness between the threshold and the maximum comfort levels (MCLs). However, the stapedius reflex measurement could be used instead, as the basis for programming the fitting maps. The electrically evoked stapedius reflex threshold is known to have a high correlation with the MCLs and thus is used as an objective tool to determine the MCL, especially in children and non-cooperative patients. Previous studies demonstrated that the electromyogenic (EMG) activity of the stapedius muscle could be measured to determine stapedius reflex responses. The objective of this study was to demonstrate that intraoperative EMG recordings from the stapedius muscle could be performed with an EMG recording electrode designed for chronical implantation. Ten adult subjects with single sided deafness (SSD) participated in this study. The study was split up into a pre-, intra- and postoperative phase. In the preoperative phase the subjects were screened for the presence of the acoustic stapedius reflex by using a standard tympanometer in the ear to be implanted, while the contralateral ear was stimulated acoustically. During the intraoperative phase an EMG recording electrode was placed in the stapedius muscle and EMG responses were recorded during acoustical and electrical stimulation. The surgical procedure consisted of two interconnected procedures: A classical surgical approach for cochlear implantation with two additional surgical steps, and the temporary placement of an EMG recording electrode in the stapedius muscle made through an opening in the pyramidal eminence, allowing EMG recordings. The postoperative phase was used to evaluate the preservation of the stapedius reflex postoperatively at 1- and 6-months with contralateral acoustic and ipsilateral electrical stimulation. The EMG recording electrode could successfully be placed in the stapedius muscle in all subjects and was able to reliably record EMG signals from the stapedius muscle elicited by acoustic and electrical stimulation. Overall, EMG recordings were obtained intraoperatively in all subjects tested (8 out of 8 subjects). Contralateral acoustic stapedius reflexes were obtained in 6 out of 8 subjects and ipsilateral electrical stapedius reflex in 7 out of 8 subjects. In the postoperative phase, the preservation of the postoperative reflex was observed in 6 out of 10 subjects 1-month after surgery and in 8 out of 10 subjects 6-months after surgery. The study showed that intraoperative EMG recordings from the stapedius muscle can be performed with an EMG recording electrode designed for chronical implantation. The minimally invasive procedure is promising; in particular with regard to the future perspective of measurements in the long-term with an integrated closed-loop self-fitting system.

Effects of Parenting Styles on Self-Regulated Learning and Academic Stress in Spanish Adolescents

Research has repeatedly highlighted the important influence of parental socialization styles on children's psychosocial adjustment. However, previous studies about their effects on school adjustment have traditionally addressed a limited set of indicators, such as academic achievement or self-concept, which should be broadened in order to increase our level of knowledge about this topic. Thus, the aim of the present study was to analyze the relationships between parenting styles and other relevant school adjustment criteria (self-regulated learning and academic stress) in adolescence. The study participants were 437 Spanish adolescents (44.7% men) from 12 to 18 years old (M = 14.55, SD = 1.80) who were enrolled in high school. A multivariate factorial design (parenting × sex × educational level) was used for each set of criteria. The results are consistent with previous research, showing that the indulgent style was related to better school adjustment during adolescence, evaluated through self-regulated learning and academic stress, thus increasing the available evidence about the influence of parenting styles in this setting. Additionally, this relationship remains invariant with regard to sex and the educational level of the participants in the study. Therefore, this study highlights the importance of parenting practices related to high acceptance/involvement for the adequate school adjustment of Spanish adolescents.

Researching Parental Socialization Styles across Three Cultural Contexts: Scale ESPA29 Bi-Dimensional Validity in Spain, Portugal, and Brazil

Recent research that relates parenting with adolescent adjustment has shown the importance of considering the cultural context of the relationship. New results are emerging when considering the classical four-typologies model of parental socialization in some European and South-American countries. Among the instruments used in this emergent research is the Parental Socialization Scale ESPA29. This scale is a bi-dimensional parenting instrument that was specifically developed to measure the four parenting typologies, through the dimensions of acceptance/involvement and strictness/imposition. This study examines the good fit of the orthogonal bi-factor model based on the ESPA29 versus one-dimensional and bi-dimensional oblique alternative models, with three adolescent samples from 12 to 17 years old (53.4% girls), from Spain (N = 826), Portugal (N = 752), and Brazil (N = 628). We applied structural equation models (SEMs) to analyze the fit of the models to the data. The results confirm a better fit to the data for the orthogonal bi-factor model versus one-dimensional and bi-dimensional oblique alternative models across country, adolescent sex, and the three age groups. Additionally, the convergent validity of the scale was proved by showing the relation of the two parenting dimensions with self-concept. The results guarantee the adequacy of the ESPA29 to measure parenting styles.

[The parenting style as protective or risk factor for substance use and other behavior problems among Spanish adolescents]

The aim of this study was to analyze the parental socialization styles as a protective or a risk factor for substance use in a sample of 673 Spanish adolescents (51.7% were women) aged 14-17 (M = 15.49, SD = 1.06). All participants completed the Parental Socialization Scale (ESPA29) and a scale of substance use. Additionally, they also completed a scale of delinquency and another one of school misconduct. A multivariate (4×2×2) analysis of variance (MANOVA) was applied for substance use, delinquency and school misconduct with parenting style, sex and age. Results from this study showed that indulgent parenting style was a protective factor for substance use whereas authoritarian style was identified as a risk factor. Moreover, results from protective and risk parenting styles on delinquency and school misconduct were consistent with those obtained on substance use. These findings have important implications for the development of family-based substance use prevention programs among Spanish adolescents and other similar cultures where indulgent parenting style is currently displaying a beneficial impact.

Lactobacillus plantarum CECT7315 and CECT7316 stimulate immunoglobulin production after influenza vaccination in elderly

OBJECTIVE

The effectiveness of influenza vaccination in preventing illness is lower in the elderly; this is why the ability of Lactobacillus plantarum CECT 7315/7316 to stimulate the response to influenza vaccination in elderly was evaluated.

RESEARCH METHODS AND PROCEDURES

A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled human trial including 60 institutionalized volunteers aged 65-85 years was performed. All the volunteers were vaccinated with a trivalent influenza vaccine (A/Wisconsin/67/2005 NYMC X-161B (H3N2), A/Solomon Islands/3/2006 (H1N1) and B/Malaysia/2506/2004) for the Spanish vaccine campaign 2006/2007. The consumption of the probiotic began between three and four months after the vaccination. Volunteers were randomly assigned to one of three following groups: group A (receiving 5*10(9) cfu/day of L. plantarum CECT 7315/7316 in 20 g powdered skim milk), group B (receiving 5*10(8) cfu/day of L. plantarum CECT 7315/7316 in 20 g powdered skim milk) and group C or placebo (20 g powered skim milk). The participants consumed the probiotic during 3 months.

RESULTS

The consumption of L. plantarum CECT 7315/7316 during 3 months after influenza vaccination increased the levels of influenza-specific IgA and IgG antibodies. Moreover, a trend towards an increase in influenza-specific IgM antibodies was also observed.

CONCLUSION

L. plantarum CECT7315/7316 has an immunostimulating effect and could be used to improve the response to influenza vaccination in elderly.

[Self-concept and psychosocial adjustment in adolescence]

This study analyses the relationship between a multidimensional measure of self-concept, Self-concept Form-5 Questionnaire (AF5), and a broad set of adolescents' psychosocial adjustment indicators. From the responses of 1,281 participants (53.7% females) aged 12 to 17 years ( M = 14.98 years, SD = 1.74 years), results indicated that higher self-concept scores corresponded to better psychological adjustment, good personal skills and fewer behavioral problems. Although a positive relationship between social self-concept and drug use was found, this significant relationship disappeared once the adolescent's age and sex was controlled for. These results support the idea that the self-concept is a basic theoretical construct closely related to the psychosocial adjustment in adolescence. Also this study helps explain some contradictory results reported in the literature (i.e., a positive relationship between social self-concept and drug use), by showing how the statistical control of a third variable effect (i.e., age) avoids reaching conclusions based on spurious relationships.

[Self-concept and drug use in adolescence]

This study analyzes the relationship between a multidimensional measure of self-concept, the Self-concept Form-5 Questionnaire (AF5), and drug use among adolescents. From the responses of 632 participants (47.5% females) aged 12 to 17 years (M = 14.88 years, SD = 1.71 years), results showed negative relationships between family, academic and physical self-concept, and drug use. Although a positive relationship between social self-concept and drug use was found, this significant relationship disappeared once the age and sex of adolescents was controlled statistically. Moreover, the study includes other adjustment indicators in adolescence (psychological adjustment, personal competence, antisocial behavior and parenting). Results support the idea of self-concept as an important correlate of psychological well-being and a basic theoretical construct for explaining adjusted and adaptive behaviors in adolescence. Likewise, our results underline the need for statistical control of the effect of a third variable (sex), which could explain some contradictory results reported in the literature (a positive relationship between social self-concept and drug use), so as to avoid reaching conclusions based on spurious relationships. self-concept, multigroup confirmatory factor analysis, adolescence, psychosocial adjustment, drug use.

Pneumonia in pigs induced by intranasal challenge exposure with pseudorabies virus and Pasteurella multocida

The interaction between pseudorabies virus (PRV) and Pasteurella multocida was investigated to determine whether single or combined infections result in pneumonia in 6- to 7-week-old pigs. The effect of the PRV-P multocida challenge exposure on feed consumption, rate of gain, and extent of pneumonic lesions appeared dependent on the PRV dose; however, pneumonic lesions were of bacterial pneumonia. Pigs inoculated with a virulent strain of PRV plus P multocida developed severe pneumonia, whereas pigs given PRV only did not develop pneumonia. Modified-live PRV vaccine had no effect on the occurrence of pneumonia. Average daily gain was most depressed in pigs given the highest dose of virulent PRV plus P multocida.