Proteolytic Processing of CD44 and Its Implications in Cancer.

CD44 is a transmembrane glycoprotein expressed in several healthy and tumor tissues. Modifications in its structure contribute differently to the activity of this molecule. One modification that has provoked interest is the consecutive cleavage of the CD44 extracellular ectodomain by enzymes that belong mainly to the family of metalloproteases. This process releases biologically active substrates, via alternative splice forms of CD44, that generate CD44v3 or v6 isoforms which participate in the transcriptional regulation of genes and proteins associated to signaling pathways involved in the development of cancer. These include the protooncogene tyrosine-protein kinase Src (c-Src)/signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3), the epithelial growth factor receptor, the estrogen receptor, Wnt/ßcatenin, or Hippo signaling pathways all of which are associated to cell proliferation, differentiation, or cancer progression. Whereas CD44 still remains as a very useful prognostic cell marker in different pathologies, the main topic is that the generation of CD44 intracellular fragments assists the regulation of transcriptional proteins involved in the cell cycle, cell metabolism, and most importantly, the regulation of some stem cell-associated markers.

Apple Peel Supplemented Diet Reduces Parameters of Metabolic Syndrome and Atherogenic Progression in ApoE-/- Mice.

Cardiovascular Diseases (CVD) represent about 30% of all causes of death worldwide. The development of CVD is related in many cases with the previous existence of metabolic syndrome (MS). It is known that apple consumption has a cardiovascular protecting effect, containing phenolic compounds with antioxidant effect, which are concentrated in the fruit peel. The objective of this study was to test the effect of apple peel consumption in a murine model of MS and apoE-/- mice. Apple supplemented diets reduced the biochemical parameters (glycaemia, total cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, ureic nitrogen, triglycerides, insulin, and asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA)) of MS model in CF1 mice significantly. The model apoE-/- mouse was used to evaluate the capacity of the apple peel to revert the progression of the atherogenesis. FD with HAP reverts cholesterol significantly and slows down the progression of the plate diminishing the cholesterol accumulation area. With these results, it can be concluded that the consumption of apple peel reduces several MS parameters and the atherogenic progression in mice.

Un instrumento para la evaluación del perdón en el ámbito del divorcio y la separación / An Instrument for the Evaluation of Forgiveness in Divorce and Separation

Current contributions of research on adaptation to divorce and separation show that forgiveness towards the former couple has an important place in this process. Therefore, instruments to evaluate this construct in the specific field of divorce are needed. In this study we present an instrument for the assessment of forgiveness in divorce-separation. The Cuestionario de Perdón en Divorcio-Separación (CPD-S) is a questionnaire created in Spanish, composed of 5 items, whose aim is the evaluation of forgiveness towards the former partner. Data were collected in a sample of 223 divorced parents from different autonomous comunities of the Spanish state, and 160 of their children aged between 4 and 18 years. Factor analysis extracted a single factor explaining 48 percent of the total variance. Our results suggest that CPD-S appears to be a reliable and valid instrument, with good internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha= 0.77) and adequate construct validity (convergent, discriminant and predictive) supported by its relations with measures of adaptation to divorce, satisfaction with life and disposition to coparent, in the case of parents, and conduct problems in children. Forgiveness of the former spouse is the only predictor of divorce adjustment in the parents that compose our sample (AU)

Aportaciones actuales de la investigación sobre la adaptación al divorcio y la separación muestran que el perdón hacia la expareja ocupa un lugar importante en este proceso. Presentamos aquí un instrumento para evaluar el perdón en el ámbito del divorcio- separación, el Cuestionario de Perdón en Divorcio-Separación (CPD-S), compuesto por 5 ítems. Los datos del presente estudio han sido recolectados en una muestra de 223 progenitores divorciados y separados, y 160 de sus hijos e hijas. Está compuesto por un único factor que explica un 48 por ciento de la varianza total. El CPD-S tiene adecuadas propiedades psicométricas: buena consistencia interna analizada mediante el cálculo del alpha de Cronbach (0,77) y adecuada validez de constructo (convergente, discriminante y predictiva) calculada mediante la relación del CPD-S con medidas de adaptación al divorcio, satisfacción vital y ejercicio de la coparentalidad para los progenitores, y con medidas de problemas de conducta para los hijos. El perdón hacia la expareja es la única variable predictora de la adaptación al divorcio en los progenitores de nuestra muestra (AU)

Self-perceived factors associated with smoking cessation among primary health care nurses: a qualitative study / Tabagismo em enfermeiras de cuidados primários à saúde: um estudo qualitativo / Tabaquismo en enfermeras de Atención Primaria: un estudio cualitativo

The aim of this work was to characterize the views of nurses about factors modulating smoking cessation. Results of this study will allow us to design helping interventions with the maximum specificity for nurses. A qualitative study through a semi-structured interview of 15 Primary Health Care nurses who were smokers was performed. In contrast with other studies in which nurses were not aware of any particular social pressure to give up smoking, 18 months after the application of the Anti-Smoking Spanish Law, this feeling was expressed. Therefore, the main reasons for giving up smoking include that smoking in public is every day worse seen, together with a sense of shame and guilt in front of their social and family environment, especially for being a professional group dedicated to health.

O objetivo deste estudo foi identificar os fatores percebidos por enfermeiras fumantes como facilitadores ao abandono do tabagismo, com o propósito de, posteriormente, elaborar intervenções de ajuda com maior especificidade para esse grupo. Foi realizado estudo qualitativo, por meio de entrevistas semiestruturadas, com 15 enfermeiras de cuidados primários à saúde, que eram fumantes. Ao contrário de outros estudos, os quais as enfermeiras não percebiam pressão social para deixar o hábito tabágico, 18 meses após a vigência da Lei de Prevenção ao Tabagismo, as enfermeiras entrevistadas expressaram sentir pressão social. Portanto, entre os principais motivos para abandonar o hábito tabágico é que, a cada dia, fumar em público é malvisto, e está aliado a sentimentos de vergonha e culpa no seu entorno social e familiar, principalmente por se tratar de um grupo profissional dedicado aos cuidados da saúde.

El objetivo de este trabajo fue identificar los factores percibidos por las enfermeras fumadoras como moduladores del cese tabáquico, con el fin de diseñar posteriormente intervenciones de ayuda con la máxima especificidad para este colectivo. Se realizó un estudio cualitativo mediante entrevista semiestructurada a 15 enfermeras fumadoras de Atención Primaria de Salud. Contrariamente a otros estudios en los que las enfermeras no percibían una especial presión social para dejar el hábito tabáquico, 18 meses después de vigencia de la Ley de Prevención del Tabaquismo sí que la expresan. Por ello, entre los principales motivos de cese figura el que cada día esté peor considerado fumar en público, unido a un sentimiento de vergüenza y de culpa ante su entorno social y familiar, especialmente por tratarse de un colectivo profesional dedicado a los cuidados de salud.

Self-perceived factors associated with smoking cessation among primary health care nurses: a qualitative study.

The aim of this work was to characterize the views of nurses about factors modulating smoking cessation. Results of this study will allow us to design helping interventions with the maximum specificity for nurses. A qualitative study through a semi-structured interview of 15 Primary Health Care nurses who were smokers was performed. In contrast with other studies in which nurses were not aware of any particular social pressure to give up smoking, 18 months after the application of the Anti-Smoking Spanish Law, this feeling was expressed. Therefore, the main reasons for giving up smoking include that smoking in public is every day worse seen, together with a sense of shame and guilt in front of their social and family environment, especially for being a professional group dedicated to health.

[The CAD-S, an instrument for the assessment of adaptation to divorce - separation]. / El CAD-S, un instrumento para la evaluación de la adaptación al divorcio-separación.

The CAD-S, an Instrument for the Assessment of Adaptation to Divorce - Separation. This paper presents an instrument for the evaluation of the adaptation to divorce-separation. The CAD-S is a questionnaire created in Spanish, made up of 20 items whose aim is the evaluation of the family's adaptation to divorce-separation, using one of the parents as informant. Data were collected in four different samples of divorced persons and their children from different autonomous comunities from the Spanish state. 223 parents and 160 children from divorced families took part in this study. Four factors emerged, accounting for 52.39 percent of the total variance: psychological and emotional difficulties, conflict with the ex-partner, disposition to co-parentality, and negative outcomes of separation for children. The results suggest that CAD-S appears to be a reliable and valid instrument, with high internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha) and adequate construct validity supported by its relations with measures of satisfaction with life (SWLS), in the case of parents, and conduct problems (CBCL) for children.

El CAD-S, un instrumento para la evaluación de la adaptación al divorcio-separación / The CAD-S, an instrument for the assessment of adaptation to divorce - separation

Presentamos en este trabajo un instrumento para evaluar la adaptación al divorcio-separación. El CAD-S es un cuestionario creado en castellano, compuesto por 20 ítems que, utilizando a uno de los progenitores como informante, pretende evaluar la adaptación al divorcio del grupo familiar en conjunto. Los datos han sido recolectados en cuatro muestras de personas divorciadas y separadas procedentes de diversas comunidades del Estado y sus hijos e hijas. Un total de 223 progenitores y 160 hijos e hijas pertenecientes a familias separadas han tomado parte en este estudio. El análisis factorial extrajo cuatro factores que explican un 52,39 por ciento de la varianza total: dificultades psicológicas y emocionales, conflicto con la ex pareja, disposición a la coparentalidad y consecuencias negativas de la separación para los hijos. Los resultados indican que el CAD-S tiene unas adecuadas propiedades psicométricas: buena consistencia interna analizada a través del cálculo del alpha de Cronbach y adecuada validez de constructo, demostrada por la relación de esta escala con medidas de satisfacción vital (SWLS), en el caso de los progenitores, y con problemas de conducta (CBCL) en el de los hijos e hijas (AU)

This paper presents an instrument for the evaluation of the adaptation to divorce-separation. The CAD-S is a questionnaire created in Spanish, made up of 20 items whose aim is the evaluation of the family’s adaptation to divorce-separation, using one of the parents as informant. Data were collected in four different samples of divorced persons and their children from different autonomous comunities from the Spanish state. 223 parents and 160 children from divorced families took part in this study. Four factors emerged, accounting for 52.39 percent of the total variance: psychological and emotional difficulties, conflict with the ex-partner, disposition to co-parentality, and negative outcomes of separation for children. The results suggest that CAD-S appears to be a reliable and valid instrument, with high internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha) and adequate construct validity supported by its relations with measures of satisfaction with life (SWLS), in the case of parents, and conduct problems (CBCL) for children (AU)

Tabaquismo en enfermeras de Atención Primaria: Factores que influyen en su inicio y mantenimiento / Smoking habits among Primary Health Care Nurses: Factors that influence taking up and maintaining it

Las enfermeras de Atención Primaria (AP) son profesionales adecuados en la lucha contra el tabaquismo. No obstante, algunas de ellas fuman y esto puede disminuir su credibilidad y su sentimiento de autoeficacia frente al problema. El objetivo de este estudio es evidenciar los factores que pueden influir en el inicio y el mantenimiento del hábito tabáquico.Para ello, se ha realizado un estudio cualitativo desde una perspectiva fenomenológica social, en 15 enfermeras fumadoras de AP, recogiendo los datos mediante entrevista semiestructurada en profundidad. Los principales temas que emergieron fueron la falta de concienciación y el papel socializador del tabaco. Se tiene poca conciencia del papel de la publicidad y no se considera al estrés como un determinante del hábito en el ámbito de AP. Puede resultar decisivo el control del peso corporal (AU)

Primary Health Care Nurses (PHC) are suitable professionals in the fight against the smoking habit. Nevertheless some of them smoke and this may diminish their credibility and their feeling of self-efficacy when faced with this problem. The aim of this study was to demonstrate the factors that may influence taking up and maintaining the smoking habit.Thus, we carried out a qualitative study from a social phenomenological perspective, in 15 PHC nurses who are smokers, collecting the data by means of a semi-structured in-depth interview. The main issues that emerged were lack of awareness and the socializing role of tobacco. There is little awareness of the role of publicity and stress is not considered to be a determining factor of the habit in the area of PHC. The control of body weight may be decisive (AU)

Características demográficas, actitudes y dependencia en la adaptación al divorcio / Demographic characteristics, attitudes and dependence in the adaptation to divorce

En este trabajo analizamos, en una muestra de personas divorciadas (N=40), las relaciones existentes entre la adaptación al divorcio, considerado como un proceso de estrés, y características demográficas (tiempo casado y divorciado, nivel económico, volverse a casar), nivel de dependencia (emocional e instrumental), actitudes sobre el divorcio y nivel de participación en la decisión de divorciarse. Los resultados muestran que la dependencia emocional e instrumental, así como un bajo nivel de educación y actitudes poco favorables al divorcio explican la dificultad en ajustarse al mismo. El ajuste estaría explicado por la edad: a menor edad, mejores niveles de adaptación. Los datos de este estudio son de interés para la elaboración de planes de intervención o prevención con personas divorciadas

In this work, we analysed the existing relationship between adjustment to divorce (considered as a stress process) and different individual characteristics: demographic (time married and divorced, earning levels, married again); dependency levels (emotional and instrumental); attitudes and level of participation when deciding to divorce in a sample of divorced persons (N=40). Result show that emotional and instrumental dependency, a low educational level and unfavourable attitudes towards divorce explain difficulties in adaptation. Adjustment level is explained by age: the older the person, the bigger the difficulties in adjustment are. This study has definite implications for intervention and prevention programs targeting divorced persons