A predictive model of perceived stress during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in university students Ecuadorians.

Background and objectives: The situation caused by the confinement due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the mobility restriction implemented by governments worldwide had a significant impact on people's routines. Stressors are known to increase emotional imbalance, uncertainty, and frustration in the general population. This study explores the factors that predispose to the risk of perceived stress from COVID-19 and determines the underlying mediating mechanisms in the Ecuadorian population. Method: The cross-sectional study an incidental non-probabilistic sample of n = 977 participating student volunteers from the four regions of the Republic of Ecuador (68.6% women and 31.4% men). Data on emotional regulation (ERQ), perceived stress (PSS), active procrastination (APS), diagnosis and symptoms related to COVID-19, social isolation, coexistence, and a sociodemographic questionnaire (biological sex, marital status, and age) were recruited. Statistical analysis was based on a structural equation model. Results: The risk of suffering perceived stress in the COVID-19 pandemic was higher for single women who have lived longer in social isolation, have lived with more people, have poor emotional regulation and high rates of procrastination. This structural model is similar in all Ecuadorian regions χ2 = 21.54 (p = 0.760), RMSEA = 0.001 (95%CI, 0.00-0.02), CFI = 0.998; TLI = 0.999; SRMR = 0.020. Discussion: Although our findings are consistent and revealing for the scientific community, the lack of discrimination of the data due to strict isolation measures, taken at different periods by the Ecuadorian government against positive cases of COVID-19, is discussed. The research was applied to the university population, it would be representative to extend the study to schools and colleges. Conclusion: We consider this work as a starting point for the creation of preventive models against perceived stress in the university environment in the event of health emergencies.

The developing role of extracellular vesicles in autoimmune diseases: special attention to mesenchymal stem cell-derived extracellular vesicles.

Autoimmune diseases are complex, chronic inflammatory conditions initiated by the loss of immunological tolerance to self-antigens. Nowadays, there is no effective and useful therapy for autoimmune diseases, and the existing medications have some limitations due to their nonspecific targets and side effects. During the last few decades, it has been established that mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have immunomodulatory functions. It is proposed that MSCs can exert an important therapeutic effect on autoimmune disorders. In parallel with these findings, several investigations have shown that MSCs alleviate autoimmune diseases. Intriguingly, the results of studies have demonstrated that the effective roles of MSCs in autoimmune diseases do not depend on direct intercellular communication but on their ability to release a wide spectrum of paracrine mediators such as growth factors, cytokines and extracellular vehicles (EVs). EVs that range from 50 to 5,000 nm were produced by almost any cell type, and these nanoparticles participate in homeostasis and intercellular communication via the transfer of a broad range of biomolecules such as modulatory proteins, nucleic acids (DNA and RNA), lipids, cytokines, and metabolites. EVs derived from MSCs display the exact properties of MSCs and can be safer and more beneficial than their parent cells. In this review, we will discuss the features of MSCs and their EVs, EVs biogenesis, and their cargos, and then we will highlight the existing discoveries on the impacts of EVs from MSCs on autoimmune diseases such as multiple sclerosis, arthritis rheumatic, inflammatory bowel disease, Type 1 diabetes mellitus, systemic lupus erythematosus, autoimmune liver diseases, Sjögren syndrome, and osteoarthritis, suggesting a potential alternative for autoimmune conditions therapy.

Role of geopolitical risk, currency fluctuation, and economic policy on tourist arrivals: temporal analysis of BRICS economies.

The tourism industry is vulnerable to a range of economic and political factors, which can have both short-term and long-term impacts on tourist arrivals. The study aims to investigate the temporal dynamics of these factors and their impact on tourist arrivals. The method employed is a panel data regression analysis, using data from BRICS economies over a period of 1980-2020. The dependent variable is the number of tourist arrivals, while the independent variables are geopolitical risk, currency fluctuation, and economic policy. Control variables such as GDP, exchange rate, and distance to major tourist destinations are also included. The results show that geopolitical risk and currency fluctuation have a significant negative impact on tourist arrivals, while economic policy has a positive impact. The study also finds that the impact of geopolitical risk is stronger in the short term, while the impact of economic policy is stronger in the long term. Additionally, the study shows that the effects of these factors on tourist arrivals vary across BRICS countries. The policy implications of this study suggest that BRICS economies need to develop proactive economic policies that promote stability and encourage investment in the tourism industry.

Identification of novel candidate targets for suppressing ovarian cancer progression through IL-33/ST2 axis components using the system biology approach.

Background: Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) of ovarian cancer (OvC) are the most prevalent element of the tumor microenvironment (TM). By promoting angiogenesis, immunological suppression, and invasion, CAFs speed up the growth of tumors by changing the extracellular matrix's structure and composition and/or initiating the epithelial cells (EPT). IL-33/ST2 signaling has drawn a lot of attention since it acts as a pro-tumor alarmin and encourages spread by altering TM. Methods: Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) of the OvC tumor microenvironment were found in the GEO database, qRT-PCR, western blotting, and immunohistochemistry, and their presence and changes in healthy and tumor tissue content were examined. Primary cultures of healthy fibroblasts and CAFs obtained from healthy and tumor tissues retrieved from OvC samples were used for in vitro and in vivo investigations. Cultured primary human CAFs were utilized to investigate the regulation and the IL-33/ST2 axis role in the inflammation reactions. Results: Although ST2 and IL-33 expression was detected in both epithelial (EPT) and fibroblast cells of ovarian cancer, they are more abundant in CAFs. Lipopolysaccharides, serum amyloid A1, and IL-1ß, the inflammatory mediators, could all induce IL-33 expression through NF-κB activation in human CAFs. In turn, via the ST2 receptor, IL-33 affected the production of IL-6, IL-1ß, and PTGS2 in human CAFs via the MAPKs-NF-κB pathway. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that IL-33/ST2 is affected by the interaction of CAFs and epithelial cells inside the tumor microenvironment. Activation of this axis leads to increased expression of inflammatory factors in tumor CAFs and EPT cells. Therefore, targeting the IL-33/ST2 axis could have potential value in the prevention of OvC progression.

A state-of-the-art review on the MicroRNAs roles in hematopoietic stem cell aging and longevity.

Aging is a biological process determined through time-related cellular and functional impairments, leading to a decreased standard of living for the organism. Recently, there has been an unprecedented advance in the aging investigation, especially the detection that the rate of senescence is at least somewhat regulated via evolutionarily preserved genetic pathways and biological processes. Hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) maintain blood generation over the whole lifetime of an organism. The senescence process influences many of the natural features of HSC, leading to a decline in their capabilities, independently of their microenvironment. New studies show that HSCs are sensitive to age-dependent stress and gradually lose their self-renewal and regeneration potential with senescence. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are short, non-coding RNAs that post-transcriptionally inhibit translation or stimulate target mRNA cleavage of target transcripts via the sequence-particular connection. MiRNAs control various biological pathways and processes, such as senescence. Several miRNAs are differentially expressed in senescence, producing concern about their use as moderators of the senescence process. MiRNAs play an important role in the control of HSCs and can also modulate processes associated with tissue senescence in specific cell types. In this review, we display the contribution of age-dependent alterations, including DNA damage, epigenetic landscape, metabolism, and extrinsic factors, which affect HSCs function during aging. In addition, we investigate the particular miRNAs regulating HSCs senescence and age-associated diseases. Video Abstract.

Factors increasing the risk for food addiction in Ecuadorian students.

Background: Food addiction (FA) is a construct that has gained interest in recent years, but its relevance in the Ecuadorian population has not yet been explored. The aims of this study were to explore the differences in the psychological profile (including FA) between university students from Ecuador and to identify the underlying structure of the relationships of the FA severity level through a mediational model. Methods: The sample consisted of 972 university students, women and men (mean age: 20.1 years old, SD = 2.6), recruited from four Ecuadorian regions. The assessment tools included a unidimensional scale of FA, eating-related measures, emotion regulation state, impulsivity, and psychopathology state. Path analysis modeled the direct and indirect effects explaining the FA severity level. Results: The results indicated that higher psychopathological levels were associated with FA. Similarly, no differences in FA were observed between the Ecuadorian regions. The path analysis suggested that older age, female sex, and higher difficulties in emotional regulation, impulsivity, negative mood, and anxiety trigger disordered eating; subsequently, more impaired eating behavior impacted the FA level. Conclusion: FA is a complex clinical entity that includes multiple components related to eating disorders (EDs) and other mental health problems. The results of this study provide empirical knowledge for designing evidence-based prevention and treatment strategies.

Mediating Mechanisms of Perfectionism: Clinical Comorbidity of OCD and ED.

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and eating disorders (ED) share common causal factors and often represent similar entities. Studies on obsessive-compulsive disorders and eating disorders reveal a significant correlation between maladaptive perfectionism. The objective of this study is to evaluate the predictive variables of perfectionism in patients diagnosed with Anorexia Nervosa (AN), Bulimia Nervosa (BN) and OCD using a structural equation model (SEM). The sample consisted of 187 participants (60.9% women, 39.1% men) with a mean age of 26.68 (SD = 10.97). The findings reveal that the model is the same in all the disorders evaluated, achieving an adequate fit: χ2 = 7.95 (p = 0.000), RMSEA = 0.087 (95% confidence interval: 0.00 to 0.02), CFI = 0.991, TLI = 0.951 and with an overall predictive capacity of around 30% (CD = 0.318). It is recommended that future studies address the subtypes of disorders evaluated using longitudinal designs.

Efectividad de la terapia manual en trastornos temporomandibulares. Revisión de literatura / Effectiveness of manual therapy in temporomandibular disorders. Literature review

Los trastornos temporomandibulares (TTM) tienen consecuencias funcionales importantes, que no distinguen edad ni sexo, los esquemas de tratamiento están enfocados al mejoramiento de la función y alivio de los síntomas, basándose principalmente en terapias conservadoras, evitando el sobretratamiento y atendiendo de forma oportuna a los casos que lo requieran, con la finalidad de evitar tratamientos invasivos. Los estudios controlados sobre la eficacia de la terapia manual para el tratamiento de los TTM son escasos, y la evidencia existente tiene claras limitaciones en su metodología, a pesar de ello, es la terapia más segura, aunque sus resultados son controversiales. Por tanto, el objetivo de este trabajo fue realizar una revisión de literatura sobre la eficacia de la terapia manual en el tratamiento de algunos de los trastornos temporomandibulares. En la mayoría de los estudios se observó la influencia que tiene el asesoramiento profesional y las charlas para el control de hábitos en el tratamiento con terapia manual. Así también, la constancia de los pacientes en sus citas, y la realización de los ejercicios en casa. La terapia demostró ser efectiva en algunos de los TTM, debido a que en casos crónicos no se evidenció mejora significativa.

TMDs have important functional consequences, which do not distinguish age or gender. Treatment schemes are focused on improving function and relieving symptoms, they are mainly based on conservative therapies, avoiding over-treatment and at the same time, opportunely treating cases that require it, hence, avoiding more invasive treatments. Controlled studies on the efficacy of manual therapy for the treatment of TMDs are scarce, and the existing evidence has clear limitations in its methodology, despite this, it is the safest therapy although its results are controversial. Therefore, the aim of this work was to perform a literature review on the efficacy of manual therapy in the treatment of some temporomandibular disorders. In most of the studies it was noticed, the influence of professional advice and habit control talks in the treatment with manual therapy, as well as the consistency of the patients with their appointments, and the practice of at home exercises. The therapy proved to be effective in some of the TMDs, since in chronic cases, no significant improvement was evidenced.

A Brief Version of the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale (DERS): Validity Evidence in Ecuadorian Population.

Due to the scarcity of evaluation instruments on the construct of difficulties in emotional regulation in the Ecuadorian university context, the objective of the present study was to adapt linguistically and to study the psychometric properties of the Difficulty Scale in Emotional Regulation (DERS) in a sample of Ecuadorian university students. A non-probability sample of 1172 participants between 17 and 32 years of age (M = 21.99; DT = 2.49), which consisted of 58.6% women and 41.4% men, was used. The research was carried out in three stages. The first study evaluated the Ecuadorian linguistic adaptation of the scale. The second study referred to the factorization by main axes identifying five factors (Lack of emotional understanding; Limited access to regulation strategies; Difficulties in impulse control; Interferences in goal-directed behaviors; Lack of emotional clarity) theoretically interpretable, which explain 49.22% of the variance. The third study developed a confirmatory factor analysis that specified an acceptable fit of the model (GFI = .95; AGFI = .95; NFI = .94; RMR = .11). The reliability coefficients are acceptable as .90 Cronbach's alpha and .91 McDonald's omega. In conclusion, it is mentioned that the Ecuadorian version of the DERS in a university sample exhibits good psychometric characteristics of internal structure and responses.

Debido a la escasez de instrumentos de evaluación sobre el constructo de dificultades en la regulación emocional en el contexto universitario ecuatoriano, el objetivo del presente estudio fue adaptar lingüísticamente y estudiar las propiedades psicométricas de la Escala de dificultades en la regulación emocional (DERS) en una muestra de estudiantes universitarios ecuatorianos. Se empleó una muestra no probabilística de 1172 participantes de 17 a 32 años de edad (M = 21.99; DT = 2.49), de los cuales 58.6% eran mujeres y 41.4% hombres. La investigación se desplegó en tres etapas: el primer estudio desarrolló la adaptación lingüística ecuatoriana de la escala. El segundo estudio se refirió a la factorización por ejes principales identificando cinco factores (Falta de compresión emocional; Acceso limitado a estrategias de regulación; Dificultades en el control de impulsos; Interferencias en conductas dirigidas a metas; Falta de claridad emocional) interpretables teóricamente, que explican el 49.22% de la varianza. El tercer estudio desarrolló un análisis factorial confirmatorio, el cual indicó un ajuste aceptable del modelo (GFI = .95; AGFI = .95; NFI = .94; RMR = .11). Los coeficientes de fiabilidad se revelaron aceptables de .90 alfa de Cronbach y .91 omega de McDonald. Como conclusión se menciona que la versión ecuatoriana de la DERS en una muestra universitaria exhibe buenas características psicométricas de estructura interna y fiabilidad.

Psychometric Properties of The Goldberg Anxiety and Depression Scale (GADS) In Ecuadorian Population.

The objective of the present study was to analyze the psychometric properties of validity and reliability of the Goldberg Anxiety and Depression Scale (GADS) in Ecuadorian university students, since a cultural validation of the instrument has not been found in Ecuador. The study population consisted of a non-probabilistic sample of 600 participants (59.6% women and 40.4% men, M = 21 years, SD = 2.82). The factorial structure was examined with the method of extraction by Parallel Analysis of unweighted least squares (ULS) and of prominent rotation. In both, internal consistency was evaluated by Cronbach's alpha coefficients and composite reliability. Like the original version, both subscales have a factorial structure of one dimension and are considered good in terms of reliability, which concludes that the scale meets the criteria of validity and reliability in Ecuador.

El objetivo del presente estudio fue analizar las propiedades psicométricas de validez y fiabilidad de la Escala de Ansiedad y Depresión de Goldberg (EAD-G) en estudiantes universitarios ecuatorianos, ya que no se ha encontrado una validación cultural en Ecuador del instrumento. La población estudiada estuvo conformada por una muestra no probabilística de 600 participantes (59.6% de mujeres y 40.4% de hombres; M=21 años, DT = 2.82). La estructura factorial se examinó con el método de extracción por Análisis Paralelo de mínimos cuadrados no ponderados (ULS) y de rotación promin. En tanto a la consistencia interna se evaluó por coeficientes de alfa de Cronbach y fiabilidad compuesta. Al igual que la versión original ambas subescalas presentan una estructura factorial de una dimensión y es considerada buena en términos de fiabilidad, lo cual se concluye que la escala cumple con los criterios de validez y confiabilidad para la cultura ecuatoriana.