Analysis of the structure and factorial invariance of the Multidimensional Environmental Concern Scale (MECS).

BACKGROUND: Most studies focused on measuring environmental attitudes consider a one-dimension measure of pro/anti-environmentalism, such as NEP scale. Nevertheless, more recent research has shown that it seems more adequate to use a multidimensional approach when assessing complex relations among people and the natural environment, particularly on cultural basis. This paper aims to test the psychometric properties of the Multidimensional Environmental Concern Scale (MECS) and, in particular, its factorial invariance. METHOD: Two studies were conducted. The first one assessed factorial invariance using two different approaches (multiple group confirmatory factor analysis - MGCFA, and alignment method) in a sample of 907 undergraduate students from Argentina, India, and Spain. A second study was conducted with 557 adults from Mexico and Spain, which also evaluated the criterion validity of the MECS' scores. RESULTS: The results obtained allowed to assure an acceptable degree of invariance of the MECS among all countries, and in terms of gender (Studies 1 and 2), age and education level (Study 2). CONCLUSIONS: Results provide support for a multidimensional approach when studying the environmental concern, showing that the environmentalism presents different associations depending on the analysed country. A deep analysis on different conceptualization of environmentalism will be promoted.

Expression of CD1a by Langerhan's Cells in Oral Lichen Planus - A Retrospective Analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Langerhan's Cells (LCs) are dendritic cells of the oral epithelium which play a role in a series of oral lesions from gingivitis to oral cancer. Oral Lichen Planus (OLP) is an oral mucosal T-lymphocyte mediated immunologic reaction to an unidentified putative antigen or allergen. AIM: The aim of this study was to quantify the presence of immature LCs in OLP comparing them with normal epithelium. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective study using 30 of OLP cases were conducted. Immunohistochemistry was performed using polyclonal anti-CD1a antibodies to identify LCs in 10 cases of normal tissue and 30 samples of OLP. The distribution of LCs among lesional tissue and normal mucosa was analysed using Mann-Whitney U test. RESULTS: LC population in OLP was significantly higher when compared to the normal epithelium (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: The increase in LCs indicates the active role played during the antigen detection in OLP and subsequent presentation to T-lymphocytes.