Improvements in Compassion and Fears of Compassion throughout the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Multinational Study.

During large-scale disasters, social support, caring behaviours, and compassion are shown to protect against poor mental health outcomes. This multi-national study aimed to assess the fluctuations in compassion over time during the COVID-19 pandemic. Respondents (Time 1 n = 4156, Time 2 n = 980, Time 3 n = 825) from 23 countries completed online self-report questionnaires measuring the flows of compassion (i.e., Compassionate Engagement and Action Scales) and fears of compassion toward self and others and from others (i.e., Fears of Compassion Scales) and mental health at three time-points during a 10-month period. The results for the flows of compassion showed that self-compassion increased at Time 3. Compassion for others increased at Time 2 and 3 for the general population, but in contrast, it decreased in health professionals, possibly linked to burnout. Compassion from others did not change in Time 2, but it did increase significantly in Time 3. For fears of compassion, fears of self-compassion reduced over time, fears of compassion for others showed more variation, reducing for the general public but increasing for health professionals, whilst fears of compassion from others did not change over time. Health professionals, those with compassion training, older adults, and women showed greater flows of compassion and lower fears of compassion compared with the general population, those without compassion training, younger adults, and men. These findings highlight that, in a period of shared suffering, people from multiple countries and nationalities show a cumulative improvement in compassion and reduction in fears of compassion, suggesting that, when there is intense suffering, people become more compassionate to self and others and less afraid of, and resistant to, compassion.

Compassion Protects Mental Health and Social Safeness During the COVID-19 Pandemic Across 21 Countries.

Objectives: The COVID-19 pandemic is having an unprecedented detrimental impact on mental health in people around the world. It is important therefore to explore factors that may buffer or accentuate the risk of mental health problems in this context. Given that compassion has numerous benefits for mental health, emotion regulation, and social relationships, this study examines the buffering effects of different flows of compassion (for self, for others, from others) against the impact of perceived threat of COVID-19 on depression, anxiety, and stress, and social safeness. Methods: The study was conducted in a sample of 4057 adult participants from the general community population, collected across 21 countries from Europe, Middle East, North America, South America, Asia, and Oceania. Participants completed self-report measures of perceived threat of COVID-19, compassion (for self, for others, from others), depression, anxiety, stress, and social safeness. Results: Perceived threat of COVID-19 was associated with higher scores in depression, anxiety, and stress, and lower scores in social safeness. Self-compassion and compassion from others were associated with lower psychological distress and higher social safeness. Compassion for others was associated with lower depressive symptoms. Self-compassion moderated the relationship between perceived threat of COVID-19 on depression, anxiety, and stress, whereas compassion from others moderated the effects of fears of contracting COVID-19 on social safeness. These effects were consistent across all countries. Conclusions: Our findings highlight the universal protective role of compassion, in particular self-compassion and compassion from others, in promoting resilience by buffering against the harmful effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on mental health and social safeness. Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12671-021-01822-2.

Adaptation and validation of the Interprofessional Socialization and Valuing Scale (ISVS) in Spanish university health sciences students.

Many interprofessional education programs are being designed to help students improve their collaborative practice. Traditionally, the evaluation of these programs is focused on attitudes, knowledge and skills, but according to some authors, the evaluation of these activities should be expanded to include the evaluation of the development of an interprofessional identity. The Interprofessional Socialization and Valuing Scale (ISVS) is a self-report tool used to measure interprofessional socialization, but it has not been validated with Spanish students. In this study, the tool was translated into Spanish and administered to a sample of 645 undergraduate students. The data were analyzed to estimate structural validity, internal consistency and convergent validity. Regarding the structural validity, our data supported the unidimensional model found in the English version of the ISVS-21 (normed chi-square = 2.3, RMSEA = 0.045, SRMR = 0.087, CFI = 0.963 and TLI = 0.969). The internal consistency reliability of the scale was adequate, Cronbach α = 0.913 [95% CI 0.903, 0.923]. The Spanish version of the ISVS-21 shows adequate psychometric properties in terms of the construct validity (structural validity and convergent validity) and internal consistency of its scores. This study provides the Spanish-speaking population with an adaptation of the only instrument that has been specifically developed to assess interprofessional socialization.

Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada disease in Spain.

PURPOSE: To describe the clinical and epidemiological characteristics of patients with Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada (VKH) disease in Spain. METHODS: This was a retrospective multicenter analysis of data from VKH patients followed for at least 6 months. The data collected were related to demographics, clinical manifestations, treatments, and complications. RESULTS: Participants were 112 patients (224 eyes), from 13 tertiary referral centers, of mean age 37.5 ± 14.7 years; 83.9% were women. Ethnicities were 61.6% Caucasian and 30.4% Hispanic. The disease was classified as complete in 16.1%, incomplete in 55.4%, and probable in 28.6%. When seen for the first time, the clinical course was acute in 69.6%, recurrent chronic in 15.2%, and chronic in 14.3%. The most frequent treatment was corticosteroids (acute stage 42.2%, maintenance stage 55.6%). The most common complications were cataract (41.1%) and ocular hypertension (16.1%). In most eyes, visual acuity was improved (96.7%) or remained stable at the end of follow up. CONCLUSION: VKH in Spain mostly affects women and presents as incomplete acute stage disease. Visual prognosis is good. Cataract and glaucoma are the two most frequent complications.

The role of social connection on the experience of COVID-19 related post-traumatic growth and stress.

BACKGROUND: Historically social connection has been an important way through which humans have coped with large-scale threatening events. In the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, lockdowns have deprived people of major sources of social support and coping, with others representing threats. Hence, a major stressor during the pandemic has been a sense of social disconnection and loneliness. This study explores how people's experience of compassion and feeling socially safe and connected, in contrast to feeling socially disconnected, lonely and fearful of compassion, effects the impact of perceived threat of COVID-19 on post-traumatic growth and post-traumatic stress. METHODS: Adult participants from the general population (N = 4057) across 21 countries worldwide, completed self-report measures of social connection (compassion for self, from others, for others; social safeness), social disconnection (fears of compassion for self, from others, for others; loneliness), perceived threat of COVID-19, post-traumatic growth and traumatic stress. RESULTS: Perceived threat of COVID-19 predicted increased post-traumatic growth and traumatic stress. Social connection (compassion and social safeness) predicted higher post-traumatic growth and traumatic stress, whereas social disconnection (fears of compassion and loneliness) predicted increased traumatic symptoms only. Social connection heightened the impact of perceived threat of COVID-19 on post-traumatic growth, while social disconnection weakened this impact. Social disconnection magnified the impact of the perceived threat of COVID-19 on traumatic stress. These effects were consistent across all countries. CONCLUSIONS: Social connection is key to how people adapt and cope with the worldwide COVID-19 crisis and may facilitate post-traumatic growth in the context of the threat experienced during the pandemic. In contrast, social disconnection increases vulnerability to develop post-traumatic stress in this threatening context. Public health and Government organizations could implement interventions to foster compassion and feelings of social safeness and reduce experiences of social disconnection, thus promoting growth, resilience and mental wellbeing during and following the pandemic.

Fears of compassion magnify the harmful effects of threat of COVID-19 on mental health and social safeness across 21 countries.

BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic is a massive global health crisis with damaging consequences to mental health and social relationships. Exploring factors that may heighten or buffer the risk of mental health problems in this context is thus critical. Whilst compassion may be a protective factor, in contrast fears of compassion increase vulnerability to psychosocial distress and may amplify the impact of the pandemic on mental health. This study explores the magnifying effects of fears of compassion on the impact of perceived threat of COVID-19 on depression, anxiety and stress, and social safeness. METHODS: Adult participants from the general population (N = 4057) were recruited across 21 countries worldwide, and completed self-report measures of perceived threat of COVID-19, fears of compassion (for self, from others, for others), depression, anxiety, stress and social safeness. RESULTS: Perceived threat of COVID-19 predicted increased depression, anxiety and stress. The three flows of fears of compassion predicted higher levels of depression, anxiety and stress and lower social safeness. All fears of compassion moderated (heightened) the impact of perceived threat of COVID-19 on psychological distress. Only fears of compassion from others moderated the effects of likelihood of contracting COVID-19 on social safeness. These effects were consistent across all countries. CONCLUSIONS: Fears of compassion have a universal magnifying effect on the damaging impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on mental health and social safeness. Compassion focused interventions and communications could be implemented to reduce resistances to compassion and promote mental wellbeing during and following the pandemic.

Adalimumab in Elderly Patients with Non-Infectious Uveitis. Safety and Efficacy.

Purpose: To assess the efficacy and safety of adalimumab in elderly patients with noninfectious uveitis (NIU).Methods: An observational, retrospective, multicenter study was done. Changes in best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), inflammatory activity parameters, central retinal thickness (CRT), and the occurrence of adverse events (AE) developed during follow-up were recorded.Results: A total of 82 eyes from 41 patients 60 years of age and older with noninfectious uveitis treated with adalimumab were included. A significant improvement in BCVA (71.5 to 75.4 letters, p = .001) and in CRT (311.1 µm to 265 µm, p = .001) was observed. Moreover, a significant decrease from baseline in the rate of patients with anterior chamber cell (ACC) >0+ (34.6% to 5.7%, p = <0.001) or vitreous haze>0+ (21.3% to 4.3%, p = .002) was determined. AEs were observed in 11 patients (26.8%).Conclusion: Adalimumab can be safe and efficacious for the treatment of NIU in patients 60 years of age and older.

Drug Retention Rate and Causes of Discontinuation of Adalimumab in Uveitis: Real-World Data from the Biotherapies in Uveitis (BioÚvea) Study Group.

PURPOSE: To study the drug retention rate (DRR), causes, and predictors of discontinuation of adalimumab (ADA) in a real-world uveitis setting. DESIGN: Multicentric, nationwide, registry-based, ambispective, observational study. PARTICIPANTS: Patients treated with ADA for noninfectious uveitis (NIU) in the Biotherapies for Uveitis (BioÚvea) Spanish registry from November 2016 to November 2017. METHODS: Demographics, clinical data, timing, and reasons for discontinuation, if occurred, were recorded. The DRR and drug retention time (DRT) were estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method. Median follow-up was analyzed by reverse Kaplan-Meier. Log-rank test was used for comparisons. Cox proportional-hazards model (PHM) and propensity score matching were used to identify predictors for discontinuation due to inefficacy and adverse events. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Drug retention rate and DRT. RESULTS: A total of 392 patients were analyzed, including 218 women. Median age was 39 (interquartile range, 25) years. Nonanterior uveitis was recorded in 242 patients. Median follow-up was 49.07 (0.97-131.67) months, median DRT (survival) was 69.3 months, and 14 patients were lost to follow-up. The DRR at 6, 12, 24, and 60 months was 92.97%, 87.68%, 76.31%, and 54.28%, respectively. Adalimumab was discontinued in 151 patients. Discontinuation was due to lack or loss of efficacy in 74 patients, adverse event in 34 patients, and sustained quiescence in 25 patients. Recorded adverse events included infections in 10 patients and malignant neoplasms in 3 patients. Concurrent classic immunomodulatory therapy (IMT) was given to 251 patients. We did not find DRT differences regarding the use of concurrent IMT. Adalimumab was prescribed as a second or greater biotherapy line in 76 patients who showed shorter DRT (P = 0.038). Starting ADA in nonbiotherapy-naive patients was a predictor for "discontinuation due to inefficacy," whereas undifferentiated uveitis was a predictor for "discontinuation due to adverse event." Drug retention time was significantly shorter when spared or intensified, mainly due to discontinuation after sustained quiescence. CONCLUSIONS: Drug retention rate of ADA in uveitis at 60 months was 54.28%, with a good safety profile. The use of concurrent IMT did not show a significant influence on DRT. The use of ADA as a second or further biotherapy could be predictive for discontinuation due to inefficacy. Undifferentiated uveitis may be prone to premature discontinuation of ADA due to adverse events.

Impacto de los recursos digitales en el aprendizaje y desarrollo de la competencia Análisis y Síntesis / The impact of digital resources in the learning and the development of the competence Analysis and Synthesis

INTRODUCCIÓN: En los últimos años se ha detectado la necesidad de que la universidad forme a personas en competencias clave que faciliten su adaptación ante los rápidos cambios de la «sociedad de conocimiento» y permitan el aprendizaje y autodesarrollo a lo largo de toda la vida. En este estudio hemos utilizado recursos digitales interactivos con el objetivo de incrementar la competencia Análisis y Síntesis en estudiantes universitarios de primer curso del Grado de Enfermería. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: Este estudio sigue un diseño cuasiexperimental. La muestra estuvo compuesta por 86 estudiantes de primer curso del Grado en Enfermería de la Universidad Europea de Madrid (UEM), distribuidos en grupo experimental y grupo control. El entrenamiento en la competencia se realizó mediante ejercicios interactivos online que proporcionan feedback inmediato. El nivel de desarrollo de la competencia se valoró al iniciar y al finalizar el programa mediante la realización individual de un mapa conceptual. RESULTADOS: Los resultados de la valoración de la capacidad de Análisis y Síntesis mostraron un incremento significativo para el grupo experimental. Mediante una encuesta de satisfacción validada por la unidad de calidad de la UEM, encontramos una mayor satisfacción con el aprendizaje y materiales docentes empleados en el grupo experimental. CONCLUSIONES: El empleo de ejercicios interactivos online que dan feedback inmediato mejora la competencia Análisis y Síntesis. Su utilización en la asignatura de Anatomía Humana es valorada muy positivamente por los estudiantes

INTRODUCTION: A need has been detected in universities in the past few years to train people with key or transversal skills that enhance them to adapt to the rapid changes of the 'knowledge society', and help in their learning and self-development throughout life. Interactive digital resources have been used in this study, with the aim of increasing the Analysis and Synthesis assignment in 1st-year university nursing students. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This study uses a quasi-experimental design. The sample consisted of 86 1st-year students of Nursing at the European University of Madrid (UEM), divided into an experimental and control group. Their competence training was carried using interactive online exercises consisting of crosswords, videos, and association exercises. The level of competence development was assessed at the beginning and at the end of the program, using the individual preparation of a conceptual map. RESULTS: The results of the assessment of the Analysis and Synthesis competence showed a significant increase in the experimental group. Using a satisfaction survey validated by the UEM quality unit, greater satisfaction was found with the learning and teaching materials used in the experimental group. CONCLUSIONS: The use of interactive online exercises that give immediate feedback improves the Analysis and Synthesis competence. Its use in the subject of Human Anatomy was very positively evaluated by the students

An exploratory sequential design to validate measures of moral emotions / Un diseño secuencial exploratorio para validar medidas de emociones morales

BACKGROUND: This paper presents an exploratory and sequential mixed methods approach in validating measures of knowledge of the moral emotions of contempt, anger and disgust. METHOD: The sample comprised 60 participants in the qualitative phase when a measurement instrument was designed. Item stems, response options and correction keys were planned following the results obtained in a descriptive phenomenological analysis of the interviews. In the quantitative phase, the scale was used with a sample of 102 Spanish participants, and the results were analysed with the Rasch model. RESULTS: In the qualitative phase, salient themes included reasons, objects and action tendencies. In the quantitative phase, good psychometric properties were obtained. The model fit was adequate. However, some changes had to be made to the scale in order to improve the proportion of variance explained. CONCLUSIONS: Substantive and methodological implications of this mixed-methods study are discussed. Had the study used a single research method in isolation, aspects of the global understanding of contempt, anger and disgust would have been lost

ANTECEDENTES: esta investigación presenta una investigación mixta exploratoria y secuencial para validar medidas de conocimiento de las emociones morales de desprecio, rabia y asco. MÉTODO: la muestra se compuso de 60 participantes en la fase cualitativa, en la que se diseñó un instrumento de medida. Los ítems, las opciones de respuesta y las claves de corrección se diseñaron considerando los resultados obtenidos en el análisis fenomenológico descriptivo de las entrevistas. En la fase cuantitativa, la escala se aplicó a una muestra de 102 participantes españoles y los resultados se analizaron con el modelo de Rasch. RESULTADOS: en la fase cualitativa, los temas más notables incluyeron las razones, los objetos y las tendencias de acción asociadas a las emociones. En la fase cuantitativa se obtuvieron propiedades psicométricas satisfactorias. El ajuste al modelo fue adecuado. No obstante, se tuvieron que realizar cambios en la escala con la finalidad de mejorar la proporción de varianza explicada. CONCLUSIONES: se discuten las implicaciones sustantivas y metodológicas de esta investigación. Si en este estudio se hubiera empleado un único método de investigación se habría perdido información referida al entendimiento global de las emociones de desprecio, rabia y asco

An exploratory sequential design to validate measures of moral emotions.

BACKGROUND: This paper presents an exploratory and sequential mixed methods approach in validating measures of knowledge of the moral emotions of contempt, anger and disgust. METHOD: The sample comprised 60 participants in the qualitative phase when a measurement instrument was designed. Item stems, response options and correction keys were planned following the results obtained in a descriptive phenomenological analysis of the interviews. In the quantitative phase, the scale was used with a sample of 102 Spanish participants, and the results were analysed with the Rasch model. RESULTS: In the qualitative phase, salient themes included reasons, objects and action tendencies. In the quantitative phase, good psychometric properties were obtained. The model fit was adequate. However, some changes had to be made to the scale in order to improve the proportion of variance explained. CONCLUSIONS: Substantive and methodological im-plications of this mixed-methods study are discussed. Had the study used a single re-search method in isolation, aspects of the global understanding of contempt, anger and disgust would have been lost.

Evaluación de la fermentación del lactosuero ácido (entero y desproteinizado) utilizando Lactobacillus casei / Evaluation of acid whey fermentation (whole and deproteinized) using Lactobacillus casei

El lactosuero acidificado espontáneamente pone en riesgo la salud del consumidor al utilizarlo como acidificante de la leche usada en la elaboración del queso tipo mozzarella, y además reduce la calidad del producto. El objetivo de esta investigación fue evaluar el proceso de fermentación del lactosuero ácido (entero y desproteinizado) con Lactobacillus casei, utilizando diferentes porcentajes de su inóculo. Se caracterizaron fisicoquímicamente los lactosueros, sometiéndolos a fermentación anaeróbica a 37°C y 120 rpm por 96 h. Se evaluó la concentración de biomasa celular, el consumo de lactosa, la producción de ácido láctico (AL) y se estimaron los parámetros cinéticos y estequiométricos. Se aplicó un diseño experimental completamente al azar con arreglo factorial 2x3, empleando la metodología de medidas repetidas. Los datos, se procesaron a través de los paquetes estadísticos SAS® versión 9 y Statgraphics Centurión XVI®. El lactosuero, entero y desproteinizado, se encontró dentro de los intervalos fisicoquímicos aceptables para su acidificación. Los valores de acidez fueron superiores a 120 Grados Dornic (120°D) con la inoculación de L. casei, excepto en lactosuero desproteinizado, inoculado con 15% de cultivo. El lactosuero entero con 15% de inóculo, alcanzo 120°D en el menor tiempo (34h). Altas concentraciones de inóculo (15%) favorecieron la acidificación en el lactosuero entero, mostrando la mayor producción (20.83gAL/l), Y´p/s=0.86, Qp=0.173gAL/l*h; mientras el lactosuero desproteinizado mostró un mayor crecimiento microbiano, menor conversión de lactosa (8.2%) y menor producción media de ácido láctico (8.19g/l).

The spontaneously acidified whey threatens consumer health and reduces quality of mozzarella cheese. The goal of this research was to evaluate the acidification process of acid whey (whole and deproteinized) by fermentation with different inoculum concentrations of Lactobacillus casei. The whey was physicochemically characterized and anaerobically fermented at 37°C and120 rpm during 96h. Cellular biomass was evaluated, as well as lactose consumption, lactic acid production, kinetic and stoichiometric parameters were estimated. A completely randomized design with factorial arrangement (2x3) was applied by using the repeated measures methodology. Data was processed by using SAS® statistical package, version 9 and Statgraphics Centurion XVI®. The acidification for the whole and deproteinized whey was found within the acceptable intervals. Acidification values were above 120 degrees Dornic (120°D) with L. casei inoculation, except in the deproteinized whey inoculated with 15% of inoculum. The whole whey with 15% of inoculum reached 120°D in the shortest time (34 hours). High concentrations of inoculum (15%) aided the acidification in whole whey and showed the highest production (20.83 g LA/l), and p/s=0.86, Qp=0.173 g AL/l*h; on the other hand, the deproteinized whey showed the highest microbial growth, lowest conversion of lactose (8.2%) and lowest lactic acid production (8.19g/l).

Community-based health care for indigenous women in Mexico: a qualitative evaluation.

INTRODUCTION: Indigenous women in Mexico represent a vulnerable population in which three kinds of discrimination converge (ethnicity, gender and class), having direct repercussions on health status. The discrimination and inequity in health care settings brought this population to the fore as a priority group for institutional action. The objective of this study was to evaluate the processes and performance of the "Casa de la Mujer Indígena", a community based project for culturally and linguistically appropriate service delivery for indigenous women. The evaluation summarizes perspectives from diverse stakeholders involved in the implementation of the model, including users, local authorities, and institutional representatives. METHODS: The study covered five Casas implementation sites located in four Mexican states. A qualitative process evaluation focused on systematically analyzing the Casas project processes and performance was conducted using archival information and semi-structured interviews. Sixty-two interviews were conducted, and grounded theory approach was applied for data analysis. RESULTS: Few similarities were observed between the proposed model of service delivery and its implementation in diverse locations, signaling discordant operating processes. Evidence gathered from Casas personnel highlighted their ability to detect obstetric emergencies and domestic violence cases, as well as contribute to the empowerment of women in the indigenous communities served by the project. These themes directly translated to increases in the reporting of abuse and referrals for obstetric emergencies. CONCLUSIONS: The model's cultural and linguistic competency, and contributions to increased referrals for obstetric emergencies and abuse are notable successes. The flexibility and community-based nature of the model has allowed it to be adapted to the particularities of diverse indigenous contexts. Local, culturally appropriate implementation has been facilitated by the fact that the Casas have been implemented with local leadership and local women have taken ownership. Users express overall satisfaction with service delivery, while providing constructive feedback for the improvement of existing Casas, as well as more cost-effective implementation of the model in new sites. Integration of user's input obtained from this process evaluation into future planning will undoubtedly increase buy-in. The Casas model is pertinent and viable to other contexts where indigenous women experience disparities in care.

Intracategorial Varieties of Contempt in a Heterogeneous Sample / Variedades intracategoriales del desprecio en una muestra heterogénea

Consistent with current emotion theory, we should note that contempt is not a homogeneous category but rather shows intracategorial variability. Previous research on Spanish samples shows a communicative structure in which contempt is felt towards intimate, social or abstract receivers, for reciprocal, altruistic or prejudiced reasons. Our objective was to test, on a large and heterogeneous sample, the previously found structure and variations of the experience of contempt as well as its spontaneous facial expression. Testing the association of contempt varieties with certain subject attributes was a secondary goal. Results from 130 participants from the Spanish general population corroborated the previously found structure and varieties, as well as the associations between contempt receiver and attribution. No relation was found with sex, age or emotion recognition ability. As to spontaneous facial expression, disgust was more often expressed by those who narrated their personal episodes of contempt for reciprocal reasons, and was less often expressed by the people who described prejudiced scenarios. This result indicates that the conventionally considered facial expression of contempt is not the only one, as already stated by Darwin, and should not be considered as such by experimental and psychometric procedures.

De forma consistente con las teorías actuales de la emoción, el desprecio no es una categoría homogénea, sino que presenta variedad intracategorial. La investigación previa en muestras españolas muestra una estructura comunicativa en la que el desprecio se experimenta hacia receptores íntimos, sociales o abstractos por razones recíprocas, altruistas o prejuiciosas. Nuestro objetivo fue poner a prueba, en una muestra grande y heterogénea, la estructura previamente encontrada para la experiencia de desprecio, así como sus variedades y expresión facial espontánea. Un objetivo secundario fue la puesta a prueba de la asociación de las variedades del desprecio con atributos de sujeto. Los resultados de 130 entrevistas procedentes de población general española corroboraron la estructura y variedades previamente halladas, así como la asociación entre el receptor del desprecio y la atribución causal. La relación con el sexo, la edad y la aptitud de reconocimiento emocional no resultó significativa. Con respecto a la expresión facial, la de asco apareció con mayor frecuencia en quienes narraron episodios de desprecio por razones de reciprocidad y con menor frecuencia en quienes describieron escenarios prejuiciosos. Este resultado indica que la expresión convencionalmente considerada como de desprecio no es la única, como ya estableció Darwin, por lo que no debería considerarse como tal en los procedimientos experimentales y psicométricos.

Revisión de las medidas de reconocimiento y expresión de emociones / A review of emotion recognition and expression measures

El objetivo de esta revisión sistemática fue analizar las características psicométricas de los instrumentos de medida del reconocimiento y la expresión de emociones. El trabajo se realizó en dos fases. Las categorías empleadas en la primera fase, deductiva, fueron las palabras clave que llevaron a la selección de 721 resúmenes de artículos procedentes de las bases de datos de Scopus y PsycInfo. El proceso selectivo de la segunda fase fue inductivo, utilizando categorías construidas a partir del análisis de los resúmenes de la primera fase. Los instrumentos contenidos en los 36 artículos de investigación seleccionados en esta segunda fase se codificaron en función de la muestra, el tipo de evaluación y el análisis psicométrico efectuado en cada caso. Los resultados muestran que la mayor parte de las medidas derivan de un solo test y que no se encuentran instrumentos construidos a partir de métodos modernos como el Modelo de Rasch. Los avances de la Neuropsicología afectiva no se han acompañado del desarrollo de instrumentos estandarizados de evaluación y medida que permitan cuantificar adecuadamente las diferencias individuales (AU)

A systematic review was carried out with the objective of learning the Psychometric properties of measures of emotion recognition and expression. They were selected in two steps: first, a deductive one in which 721 abstracts from Scopus and PsycInfo were analyzed; and second, the inductive one, by using the ad hoc categories from the previous analysis. The instruments from the 36 selected papers were coded by sample, assessment type, and psychometric analyses. Results show that most of the measures come from just one test and that modern test models such as Rasch-based ones are never found. It is concluded that Affective Neuropsychology advances have not been accompanied by the construction of standardized measurement instruments to properly quantify individual differences (AU)

Caracterización cinética de un preparado semipurificado de bromelina para uso antitumoral / Kinetic characterization of a semipurified preparation from bromelain for antitumor use

INTRODUCCIÓN: la mayor parte de la producción mundial de enzimas está destinada a la obtención de proteasas. Las aplicaciones de estas biomoléculas con fines terapéuticos son muy variadas. Algunas se conocen como remedios naturales y otras son fármacos modificadores de la respuesta biológica. Las plantas de piña contienen varias cisteíno-proteasas, el componente mayoritario aislado del tallo es la bromelina de tallo (EC 3.4.22.32). En el campo de la salud se le atribuyen varias acciones entre las que se destaca la de inducir la diferenciación de células tumorales y atenuar el crecimiento del tumor. OBJETIVOS: caracterizar cinéticamente un preparado semipurificado de bromelina obtenida por un procedimiento desarrollado en Cuba para ser evaluado en el campo de la salud. MÉTODOS: el extracto crudo de bromelina, obtenido a partir de tallos de plantas adultas de Ananas comosus (L.) Merr cv Española roja (piña) se purificó por cromatografía de intercambio iónico en carboximetilcelulosa-52 en un sistema semibach. RESULTADOS: la caracterización cinética del extracto purificado permitió comprobar la existencia de un preparado activo y estable con una actividad específica de 0,94 U/mg de proteínas (2,34 veces superior a la del extracto crudo original), con una fracción proteica mayoritaria de masa molar 24 500 Da y un punto isoeléctrico, localizado en la zona de pH básico (9,55). Tiene pH óptimo 6,8 al utilizar hemoglobina 2 por ciento como sustrato a 37 ºC y una estabilidad en función del pH y de la temperatura aceptable. Si se conserva liofilizado a - 20 ºC mantiene 80 por ciento de la actividad durante 1 año. CONCLUSIONES: la cromatografía de intercambio iónico en carboximetilcelulosa-52 posibilitó la obtención de un preparado semipurificado de bromelina, con una actividad específica superior a la del extracto original que puede ser utilizado en la medicina como antitumoral

INTRODUCTION: most of the world production of enzymes is devoted to proteases obtaining. Applications of these biomolecules for therapeutical objectives are very varied. Some are known as natural remedies and other are drugs modifying the biological response. Pineapple plants contain some cysteine-proteases, the majority component isolated from stem is the stem Bromelain (EC 3.4.22.32). In the health field it has attributed some actions including the differentiation induction of tumor cells and attenuation of tumor growth. OBJECTIVES: to characterize kinetically a semipurified preparation from Bromelain obtained by a procedure developed in Cuba to be assessed in the health field. METHODS: the crude extract from Bromelain obtained from the adult plant stems of Ananas comosus (L.) Merr Cv Spanish red (pineapple) was purified by ion-exchange chromatography in carboxylmethylcelulose-52 in semibatch system. RESULTS: kinetic characterization of purified extract allowed us to verify the existence of a stable and active preparation with a specific activity of 0,94 U/mg of proteins (2,34 times superior to that of original crude extract) with a protein fraction in the main of molar mass 24 500 Da and a isoelectric point, located in the basic pH zone (9,55). It has a 6,8optimal pH using the 2 percent hemoglobin as substrate at 37ºC and stability depending on pH and on acceptable temperature. If it is preserved lyophilized at 20 ºC it maintains the 80 percent of activity for a year. CONCLUSIONS: the ion-exchange chromatography in carboxyl methylcellulose-52 allowed the achievement of semipurified preparation from Bromelain with a specific activity higher to that of original extract that may to be used in medicine as antitumor agent

Caracterización cinética de un preparado semipurificado de bromelina para uso antitumoral / Kinetic characterization of a semipurified preparation from bromelain for antitumor use

INTRODUCCIÓN: la mayor parte de la producción mundial de enzimas está destinada a la obtención de proteasas. Las aplicaciones de estas biomoléculas con fines terapéuticos son muy variadas. Algunas se conocen como remedios naturales y otras son fármacos modificadores de la respuesta biológica. Las plantas de piña contienen varias cisteíno-proteasas, el componente mayoritario aislado del tallo es la bromelina de tallo (EC 3.4.22.32). En el campo de la salud se le atribuyen varias acciones entre las que se destaca la de inducir la diferenciación de células tumorales y atenuar el crecimiento del tumor. OBJETIVOS: caracterizar cinéticamente un preparado semipurificado de bromelina obtenida por un procedimiento desarrollado en Cuba para ser evaluado en el campo de la salud. MÉTODOS: el extracto crudo de bromelina, obtenido a partir de tallos de plantas adultas de Ananas comosus (L.) Merr cv Española roja (piña) se purificó por cromatografía de intercambio iónico en carboximetilcelulosa-52 en un sistema semibach. RESULTADOS: la caracterización cinética del extracto purificado permitió comprobar la existencia de un preparado activo y estable con una actividad específica de 0,94 U/mg de proteínas (2,34 veces superior a la del extracto crudo original), con una fracción proteica mayoritaria de masa molar 24 500 Da y un punto isoeléctrico, localizado en la zona de pH básico (9,55). Tiene pH óptimo 6,8 al utilizar hemoglobina 2 por ciento como sustrato a 37 ºC y una estabilidad en función del pH y de la temperatura aceptable. Si se conserva liofilizado a - 20 ºC mantiene 80 por ciento de la actividad durante 1 año. CONCLUSIONES: la cromatografía de intercambio iónico en carboximetilcelulosa-52 posibilitó la obtención de un preparado semipurificado de bromelina, con una actividad específica superior a la del extracto original que puede ser utilizado en la medicina como antitumoral(AU)

INTRODUCTION: most of the world production of enzymes is devoted to proteases obtaining. Applications of these biomolecules for therapeutical objectives are very varied. Some are known as natural remedies and other are drugs modifying the biological response. Pineapple plants contain some cysteine-proteases, the majority component isolated from stem is the stem Bromelain (EC 3.4.22.32). In the health field it has attributed some actions including the differentiation induction of tumor cells and attenuation of tumor growth. OBJECTIVES: to characterize kinetically a semipurified preparation from Bromelain obtained by a procedure developed in Cuba to be assessed in the health field. METHODS: the crude extract from Bromelain obtained from the adult plant stems of Ananas comosus (L.) Merr Cv Spanish red (pineapple) was purified by ion-exchange chromatography in carboxylmethylcelulose-52 in semibatch system. RESULTS: kinetic characterization of purified extract allowed us to verify the existence of a stable and active preparation with a specific activity of 0,94 U/mg of proteins (2,34 times superior to that of original crude extract) with a protein fraction in the main of molar mass 24 500 Da and a isoelectric point, located in the basic pH zone (9,55). It has a 6,8optimal pH using the 2 percent hemoglobin as substrate at 37ºC and stability depending on pH and on acceptable temperature. If it is preserved lyophilized at 20 ºC it maintains the 80 percent of activity for a year. CONCLUSIONS: the ion-exchange chromatography in carboxyl methylcellulose-52 allowed the achievement of semipurified preparation from Bromelain with a specific activity higher to that of original extract that may to be used in medicine as antitumor agent(AU)

Evaluación de la quimioprofilaxis con zidovudine a la mujer embarazada VIH(+) y su hijo / Evaluation of zidovudine chemoprophylaxis in VIH (+) pregnant women and their son

En 1994 se publicaron los resultados del protocolo ACTG 076 sobre quimioprofilaxis (QP) con zidovudine (AZT) para reducir la transmisión vertical del VIH. El grupo de madres que recibió QP con AZT tuvo un porcentaje de transmisión de 8,4 por ciento, comparado con el 24,2 por ciento de los que recibían placebo. Material y métodos: Se analizaron en forma retrospectiva los datos de 304 binomios madre - hijo captados en la Policlínica materno-infantil del CHPR desde junio de 1990 al 31 de diciembre de 1998. Se definió QP completa cuando la mujer VIH(+) embarazada recibió AZT vía oral las primeras 6 semanas. Se definió QP incompleta, cuando faltaron una o dos fases del tratamiento. Los niños fueron clasificados como serorevertidos (S), infectados (I), o perinatalmente expuestos (E), según criterios del CDC. Resultados. Hasta el 31 de diciembre de 1994 se estudiaron 116 binomios madre - hijo, y el porcentaje de trasmisión vertical fue de 28,4 por ciento. En 1995, en 31 binomios, el porcentaje de transmisión fue 29,03 por ciento, ningún binomio recibió QP completa y 5 (15,6 por ciento) la recibieron en forma incompleta. En 1996, en 60 binomios, el porcentaje de transmisión fue 31,6 por ciento, 7 (11,66 por ciento) recibieron QP completa y 22 (36 por ciento) incompleta. En 1997, en 50 binomios, el porcentaje de transmisión fue de 12 por ciento, 26 (52,9 por ciento) recibieron QP completa 16 (31,3 por ciento) e incompleta. En 1998, en 47 binomios, el porcentaje de transmisión fue de 8,5 por ciento, recibieron QP completa 31 (65 por ciento) e incompleta 14 (29,78 por ciento). Analizados desde el 1 de enero de 1995, recibieron QP completa 64 binomios, el porcentaje de transmisión fue 31,6 por ciento, 7 (11,66 por ciento) recibieron QP completa y 22 (36 por ciento) incompleta. En 1997, en 50 binomios, el porcentaje de transmisión fue de 12 por ciento, 26 (52,9 por ciento) recibieron QP completa y 16 (31,3 por ciento) incompleta. En 1998, en 47 binomios el porcentaje de transmisión fue de 8,5 por ciento, recibieron QP completa 31 (65 por ciento) e incompleta 14 (29,78 por ciento). Analizados desde el 1 de enero de 1995, recibieron QP completa 64 binomios, el porcentaje de transmisión fue 6,25 por ciento. Recibieron QP incompleta 57 binomios, el porcentaje de transmisión fue 8,7 por ciento. El porcentaje de transmisión en los binomios que no recibieron QP fue de 43,2 por ciento...

Evaluación de la quimioprofilaxis con zidovudine a la mujer embarazada VIH(+) y su hijo / Evaluation of Zidovudine treatment of HIV (+) pregnant woman and his child

En 1994 se publicaron los resultados del protocolo ACTG 076 sobre quimioprofilaxis (QP) con Zidovudine (AZT) para reducir la transmisión vertical del VIH; el grupo de madres que recibió QP con AZT tuvo un porcentaje de transmisión de 8.4 por ciento, comparado con el 24,2 por ciento de los que recibían placebo. El objetivo del presente trabajo fue evaluar la QP con AZT y los resultados obtenidos. Material y métodos. Se analizaron en forma retrospectiva los datos de 304 binomios madre-hijo captados en la Policlínica materno infantil del CHPR desde junio de 1990 al 31 de diciembre de 1998. Se definió QP incompleta, cuando faltaron una o dos fases del tratamiento. Los niños fueron clasificados como serorrevertidos (S), infectados (I) o perinatalmente expuestos (E), según criterios del C.D.C. Resultados. Hasta el 31/12/1994, se estudiaron 116 binomios madre -hijo y el porcentaje de transmisión vertical fue de 28,4 por ciento

VIH y Tuberculosis una nueva realidad / HIV and tuberculosis a new reality

Se evaluó la incidencia de TB en una población de niños desde junio de 1990 hasta el 15 de setiembre de 1996: 2 con SIDA por transfusión de sangre contaminada, una adolescente que contrajo el VIH por vía sexual y 172 hijos de madre VIH positiva, de los cuales 61 serorrevertidos, 44 infectados y 70 perinatalmente expuestos. Hubo 6 casos de TB, uno ganglionar, 5 pulmonares, siendo 5 infectados por VIH verticalmente y uno expuesto. Los 5 casos pulmonares ocurrieron en menores de 6 meses, el foco contagiante fue la madre en 4 casos. Los linfocitos CD4 estuvieron alterados en 4 pacientes (todos infectados con VIH) y normales en uno (expuesto). Hubo además 4 pacientes que requirieron quimio profilaxis, 3 de ellos infectados por VIH y uno serorrevertido. De la presente serie, la TB fue la enfermedad por oportunistas más frecuente en los infectados VIH (5 en 44) y que además puede afectar a quienes no están inmunocomprometidos