From Conspiracy to Hesitancy: The Longitudinal Impact of COVID-19 Vaccine Conspiracy Theories on Perceived Vaccine Effectiveness.

The embrace of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine conspiracies has been linked to vaccine hesitancy. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between COVID-19 vaccine conspiracy theories and perceived vaccine effectiveness. The study utilized a longitudinal follow-up study in which adults in Chile completed surveys in December 2020 (T1) and May 2021 (T2). The psychometric properties of the five-item instrument on conspiracy theories for the COVID-19 vaccine were evaluated using data from T1 (n = 578). A confirmatory one-factor structure with suitable indicators of reliability was found. The longitudinal analysis (n = 292) revealed that conspiracy theories about the COVID-19 vaccine in T1 were associated with lower beliefs in its effectiveness in T2. However, no significant association was found between beliefs in effectiveness in T1 and conspiracy theories in T2. The study suggests that beliefs in conspiracy theories may temporally precede beliefs in vaccine effectiveness for COVID-19. The results have implications for strategies to address vaccine conspiracy beliefs and their implementation at the public policy level.

Analysis of the Mental and Physical Health Symptomatology Scale in a Sample of Emerging and Migrant Adults in Chile.

Health inequities exist in groups of greater psychosocial vulnerability such as emerging adults and migrants. The study aimed to generate evidence of the validity of the mental and physical health symptomatology scale in two samples of vulnerable groups: emerging university adults, who report high levels of mental health problems, and migrants, who report high levels of physical and mental health problems. Using non-probability sampling, in the first study, evidence of construct validity of the scale was reported in 652 emerging adults and, in the second, evidence of validity was provided from associations with the depression, stress and anxiety scale (DASS-21) among 283 migrants. The results indicate that in Study 1 the two-factor model had adequate indicators of fit and adequate reliability; only the mental health factor presented evidence of convergent validity. In Study 2, the mental health factor showed positive and large associations with the DASS-21, which decreased when the physical health symptoms factor was considered. These analyses provide evidence of validity for the scale, which is an easy-to-use instrument that allows for the assessment of health from an integral perspective.

Acculturative Stress, Perceived Social Support, and Mental Health: The Mediating Effect of Negative Emotions Associated with Discrimination.

The role of perceived social support in the acculturation process of immigrants remains unclear. In this study, we jointly evaluated the associations between acculturative stress and negative emotions associated with discrimination as antecedents of anxiety, depression, and stress symptoms in 283 immigrants living in Chile. Three competing models were tested via structural equation modelling to assess (1) the association among these variables and mental health symptoms and (2) to clarify the role of perceived social support. The third model was theoretically more adequate, showed a better fit, and explained 42.7% of the variance of mental health symptoms. In this model, perceived social support was associated with acculturative stress by reducing mental health symptomatology. Moreover, a direct relationship and an indirect relationship were found between acculturative stress (through negative emotions associated with discrimination) and mental health symptomatology. These results contribute to the understanding of the acculturation process experienced by immigrants in Chile and provide empirical evidence to be used to improve migration policies.

Escala de creencias hacia las vacunas y hacia la vacuna contra el SARS-CoV-2: Evidencia de sus propiedades psicométricas / Psychometric properties of two surveys about beliefs towards vaccines in general and SARS-CoV-2 vaccine

BACKGROUND: Negative beliefs about vaccines can threaten herd immunity and pandemic control. Although beliefs about vaccines influence vaccination intention, there are no valid instruments that evaluate this in the Latin American population. AIM: To evaluate the psychometric properties of two scales that measure negative beliefs towards vaccines in general and against SARS-CoV-2 and provide evidence of their association with vaccination intention (convergent validity) in a Chilean sample. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Two studies were carried out. The first included 263 people who answered the beliefs towards vaccines in general scale (CV-G) and the beliefs towards the SARS-CoV-2 vaccine scale (CV-COVID). Exploratory factor analyses were conducted. In the second study, 601 people answered the same scales. Confirmatory factor analyses and structural equation modeling were performed to provide evidence of validity. RESULTS: Both scales had an unifactorial structure and excellent reliability and showed associations with the intention of vaccination against SARS-CoV-2, providing evidence of convergent validity. CONCLUSIONS: The scales evaluated here are reliable and valid measures that showed associations with vaccination intention in the Chilean population.

Stress Detection from Surface Electromyography using Convolutional Neural Networks.

The study of stress and its implications has been the focus of interest in various fields of science. Many automated/semi-automated stress detection systems based on physiological markers have been gaining enormous popularity and importance in recent years. Such non-voluntary physiological features exhibit unique characteristics in terms of reliability, accuracy. Combined with machine learning techniques, they offer a great field of study of stress identification and modelling. In this study, we explore the use of Convolutional Neural Networks (CNN) for stress detection through surface electromyography signals (sEMG) of the trapezius muscle. One of the main advantages of this model is the use of the sEMG signal without computed features, contrary to classical machine learning algorithms. The proposed model achieved good results, with 73% f1-score for a multi-class classification and 82% in a bi-class classification.

Escala de creencias hacia las vacunas y hacia la vacuna contra el SARS-CoV-2: Evidencia de sus propiedades psicométricas / Psychometric properties of two surveys about beliefs towards vaccines in general and SARS-CoV-2 vaccine

BACKGROUND: Negative beliefs about vaccines can threaten herd immunity and pandemic control. Although beliefs about vaccines influence vaccination intention, there are no valid instruments that evaluate this in the Latin American population. Aim: To evaluate the psychometric properties of two scales that measure negative beliefs towards vaccines in general and against SARS-CoV-2 and provide evidence of their association with vaccination intention (convergent validity) in a Chilean sample. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Two studies were carried out. The first included 263 people who answered the beliefs towards vaccines in general scale (CV-G) and the beliefs towards the SARS-CoV-2 vaccine scale (CV-COVID). Exploratory factor analyses were conducted. In the second study, 601 people answered the same scales. Confirmatory factor analyses and structural equation modeling were performed to provide evidence of validity. RESULTS: Both scales had an unifactorial structure and excellent reliability and showed associations with the intention of vaccination against SARS-CoV-2, providing evidence of convergent validity. Conclusions: The scales evaluated here are reliable and valid measures that showed associations with vaccination intention in the Chilean population.

[Psychometric properties of two surveys about beliefs towards vaccines in general and SARS-CoV-2 vaccine]. / Escala de creencias hacia las vacunas y hacia la vacuna contra el SARS-CoV-2: Evidencia de sus propiedades psicométricas.

BACKGROUND: Negative beliefs about vaccines can threaten herd immunity and pandemic control. Although beliefs about vaccines influence vaccination intention, there are no valid instruments that evaluate this in the Latin American population. AIM: To evaluate the psychometric properties of two scales that measure negative beliefs towards vaccines in general and against SARS-CoV-2 and provide evidence of their association with vaccination intention (convergent validity) in a Chilean sample. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Two studies were carried out. The first included 263 people who answered the beliefs towards vaccines in general scale (CV-G) and the beliefs towards the SARS-CoV-2 vaccine scale (CV-COVID). Exploratory factor analyses were conducted. In the second study, 601 people answered the same scales. Confirmatory factor analyses and structural equation modeling were performed to provide evidence of validity. RESULTS: Both scales had an unifactorial structure and excellent reliability and showed associations with the intention of vaccination against SARS-CoV-2, providing evidence of convergent validity. CONCLUSIONS: The scales evaluated here are reliable and valid measures that showed associations with vaccination intention in the Chilean population.

[Psychometric properties of two surveys about beliefs towards vaccines in general and SARS-CoV-2 vaccine]. / Escala de creencias hacia las vacunas y hacia la vacuna contra el SARS-CoV-2: Evidencia de sus propiedades psicométricas.

BACKGROUND: Negative beliefs about vaccines can threaten herd immunity and pandemic control. Although beliefs about vaccines influence vaccination intention, there are no valid instruments that evaluate this in the Latin American population. AIM: To evaluate the psychometric properties of two scales that measure negative beliefs towards vaccines in general and against SARS-CoV-2 and provide evidence of their association with vaccination intention (convergent validity) in a Chilean sample. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Two studies were carried out. The first included 263 people who answered the beliefs towards vaccines in general scale (CV-G) and the beliefs towards the SARS-CoV-2 vaccine scale (CV-COVID). Exploratory factor analyses were conducted. In the second study, 601 people answered the same scales. Confirmatory factor analyses and structural equation modeling were performed to provide evidence of validity. RESULTS: Both scales had an unifactorial structure and excellent reliability and showed associations with the intention of vaccination against SARS-CoV-2, providing evidence of convergent validity. CONCLUSIONS: The scales evaluated here are reliable and valid measures that showed associations with vaccination intention in the Chilean population.

Response of transgenic tobacco overexpressing the CchGLP gene to cadmium and aluminium: phenotypic and microRNAs expression changes.

Transgenic tobacco (N. tabacum cv. Xanthi nc) expressing Capsicum chinense CchGLP gene that encodes an Mn-SOD, constitutively produces hydrogen peroxide that increase endogenous ROS levels. Previous studies using these plants against geminivirus infections as well as drought stress confirmed that CchGLP expression conferred resistance against biotic and abiotic stresses. Cadmium (Cd) and Aluminium (Al) contamination in soils are a major ecological concern since they are two of the most widespread toxic elements in terrestrial environments. Trying to explore additional possible tolerance to another stresses in these plants, the aim of this work was to analyse the response to cadmium and aluminium salts during germination and early stages of plantlet development and a differential transcriptome of microRNAs (miRNAs) expression in expressing CchGLP transgenic lines and an azygote non-CchGLP expressing line. Plants were grown in vitro with addition of CdCl2 and AlCl3 at three different concentrations: 100, 300 and 500 µM and 50, 150 and 300 µM, respectively. The results showed higher tolerance to Cd and Al salts evaluated in two CchGLP-expressing transgenic lines L8 and L26 in comparison with the azygous non-CchGLP expressing line L1. Interestingly, L8 under Al stress presented vigorous roots and development of radicular hairs in comparison with azygous control (L1). Differentially expressed miRNAs in the comparison between L8 and L1 were associated with up and down-regulation of target genes related with structural molecule activity and ribosome constituents, as well as down-regulation in proton-transporting V-type ATPase (Vacuolar ATPase or V-ATPase). Moreover, KEGG analysis of the target genes for the differentially expressed miRNAs, led to identification of genes related with metabolic pathways and biosynthesis of secondary metabolites. One possible explanation of the tolerance to Cd and Al displayed in the transgenic tobaccos evaluated, might involve the fact that several down-regulated miRNAs, were found associated with target genes expressing V-ATPase. Specifically, miR7904-5p was down regulated and related with the up-regulation of one V-ATPase. The expression levels of these genes was confirmed by qRT-PCR assays, thus suggesting that a cation transport activity driven by the V-ATPases-dependent proton motive force, might significantly contribute as one mechanism for Cd and Al detoxification by vacuolar compartmentation in these transgenic tobacco plants.

Calidad metodológica de estudios clínicos de ortodoncia publicados entre 2012-2016 / Methodological quality of orthodontic clinical trials, 2012-2016

Objetivo. Determinar la calidad metodológica de los estudios clínicos de ortodoncia de las seis revistas con mayor factor de impacto indexadas en ISI, entre enero del 2012 y diciembre del 2016. Metodología. Se realizó una búsqueda en PubMed, se analizó el resumen y metodología de todos los estudios seleccionados. Se clasificó como ensayo clínico a aquellos estudios que evaluaron la efectividad de un tratamiento, comparando dos o más intervenciones con grupo control. Resultados. Se analizaron 221 ensayos clínicos, con la Escala MinCir. Según promedio de calidad metodológica la European journal of orthodontics, es la revista que mostró mejor puntaje promedio (15.6 ± 2.83), mientras que por continente Europa tiene el promedio de calidad metodológica más alto con 14.88 puntos. Conclusión. La calidad metodológica de los ensayos clínicos en ortodoncia, indexados en revistas ISI, resultó con algunas deficiencias por lo que se sugiere incorporar esta información para analizar las implicancias para la práctica dentro de la ortodoncia.

Objective: To determine the methodological quality of orthodontics clinical studies in six journals with the highest impact indexed by the Institute for Scientific Information (ISI), between January 2012 and December 2016. Methodology: We performed a systematic search in PubMed and we reviewed the abstract and methodology of all the selected studies. We classified as clinical trials the studies that evaluated the effectiveness of a treatment, comparing two or more interventions to a control group. Results: We reviewed 221 clinical trials with the MinCir scale. Regarding methodological quality average, the European Journal of Orthodontics showed the best average score (15.6 ± 2.83). Regarding continent results, Europe has the highest average score of methodological quality with 14.88 points. Conclusion: The methodological quality of the clinical trials in orthodontics indexed in ISI journals presented some deficiencies. Therefore, we suggest this information should be considered to analyze its implications for orthodontics practice.

Karyotypic complexity rather than chromosome 8 abnormalities aggravates the outcome of chronic lymphocytic leukemia patients with TP53 aberrations.

Patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) harboring TP53 aberrations (TP53abs; chromosome 17p deletion and/or TP53 mutation) exhibit an unfavorable clinical outcome. Chromosome 8 abnormalities, namely losses of 8p (8p-) and gains of 8q (8q+) have been suggested to aggravate the outcome of patients with TP53abs. However, the reported series were small, thus hindering definitive conclusions. To gain insight into this issue, we assessed a series of 101 CLL patients harboring TP53 disruption. The frequency of 8p- and 8q+ was 14.7% and 17.8% respectively. Both were associated with a significantly (P < 0.05) higher incidence of a complex karyotype (CK, ≥3 abnormalities) detected by chromosome banding analysis (CBA) compared to cases with normal 8p (N-8p) and 8q (N-8q), respectively. In univariate analysis for 10-year overall survival (OS), 8p- (P = 0.002), 8q+ (P = 0.012) and CK (P = 0.009) were associated with shorter OS. However, in multivariate analysis only CK (HR = 2.47, P = 0.027) maintained independent significance, being associated with a dismal outcome regardless of chromosome 8 abnormalities. In conclusion, our results highlight the association of chromosome 8 abnormalities with CK amongst CLL patients with TP53abs, while also revealing that CK can further aggravate the prognosis of this aggressive subgroup.

Endovascular repair of concomitant celiac trunk and abdominal aortic aneurysms in a patient with Behçet's disease.

PURPOSE: To report endovascular repair of dual aneurysms in a patient with Behçet's disease. CASE REPORT: A 37-year-old man diagnosed 6 months prior with Behçet's disease presented with a pulsating abdominal mass. Computed tomography revealed a 70-mm-diameter pseudoaneurysm in the abdominal aorta and another (20 mm) in the celiac trunk 5 mm from the aorta. Staged endovascular repair began with the aortic aneurysm, which was excluded with a bifurcated 23 x 140-mm Excluder stent-graft. Three days later, 2 Jostent stent-grafts were placed in the celiac trunk, successfully excluding the lesion. Fifteen days later, the patient was discharged on a regimen of clopidogrel, cyclosporine, and warfarin. At 6 months, the CT scan showed good perfusion of the stent-grafts. CONCLUSIONS: Aneurysmal involvement of the celiac trunk in a patient with Behçet's disease is a rare pathology that appears amenable to stent-graft repair.