The Evaluation of Family Support Programmes in Spain. An Analysis of their Quality Standards / La evaluación de los programas de apoyo familiar en España. Un análisis de sus estándares de calidad

Since the well-known publication of the Society for Prevention Research about standards for evidence related to research on prevention interventions, a rigorous evaluation is considered one of the main requirements for evidence-based programmes. Despite their importance, many programmes do not include evaluation designs that meet the most widely agreed quality standards. The aim of this study was to examine the evaluation processes of fifty-seven Spanish programmes identified in the context of the COST European Family Support Network. The obtained results provide a fairly positive picture of the quality of programme evaluation standards, although more designs that include a control group, follow-up evaluations assessing long-term effects, and the evaluation of child and indirect outcomes are needed. The results are discussed from a comprehensive and plural perspective of evaluation which, in addition to methodological rigor, considers the usefulness, feasibility, and ethical rigor of evaluation research.(AU)

A partir de las propuestas de la Society for Prevention Research sobre los estándares de evidencia necesarios para las intervenciones preventivas, contar con una evaluación rigurosa se considera como uno de los principales requisitos de los programas basados en la evidencia. A pesar de su importancia, muchos programas de apoyo familiar no cuentan con diseños de evaluación que cumplan con los estándares de calidad más consensuados. El objetivo de este artículo fue analizar los procesos de evaluación de cincuenta y siete programas españoles identificados en el marco del proyecto COST European Family Support Network. Los resultados obtenidos muestran una imagen bastante positiva de los estándares de calidad que caracterizan la evaluación de los programas, aunque es necesario ampliar el número de diseños que incluyan grupos de comparación, que contemplen medidas de los efectos en el bienestar infantil y que lleven a cabo evaluaciones de seguimiento para medir los efectos a largo plazo de las intervenciones. Se analizan los resultados desde un enfoque plural de la evaluación, que además del rigor metodológico considera la necesidad de tener en cuenta la utilidad, la viabilidad y el rigor ético de las investigaciones de evaluación.(AU)

Triggered RNAi Therapy Using Metal Inorganic Nanovectors.

The administration of small interfering RNA (siRNA) is a very interesting therapeutic option to treat genetic diseases such as Alzheimer's or some types of cancer, but its effective delivery still remains a challenge. Herein, Au nanorod (GNR)-based platforms functionalized with polyelectrolyte layers were developed and analyzed as potential siRNA nanocarriers. The polymeric layers were successfully assembled on the particle surfaces by means of the layer-by-layer assembly technique through the alternating deposition of oppositely charged poly(styrene)sulfonate, PSS, poly(lysine), PLL, and siRNA biopolymers, with a final hyaluronic acid layer in order to provide the nanoconstructs with a potential targeting ability as well as colloidal stability in physiological medium. Once the hybrid nanocarriers were obtained, the cargo release, their colloidal stability in physiological-relevant media, cytotoxicity, cellular internalization and uptake, and knockdown activity were studied. The present hybrid particles release the genetic material inside cells by means of a protease-assisted and/or a light-triggered release mechanism in order to control the delivery of the oligonucleotides on demand. In addition, the hybrid nanovectors were observed to be nontoxic to cells and could efficiently deliver the genetic material in the cell cytoplasms. The GNR-based nanocarriers proposed here can provide a suitable environment to load and protect a sufficient amount of the genetic material to allow an efficient and sustained knockdown gene expression for long (up to 93% for 72 h), thanks to the slow degradation of PLL, without the observation of adverse side toxic effects. It was also found that the silencing activity was enhanced with the number of siRNA layers assembled in the nanoplatforms.

Escala de Comunicación autopercibida en la relación de pareja (CARP) / Scale of Self-perceived Communication in the Couple Relationship (SCCR)

Este estudio busca construir y validar la Escala de Comunicación autopercibida en la relación de pareja (CARP) con el fin de ofrecer un instrumento sencillo y útil. Participaron 620 personas que mantenían una relación de pareja. Para estudiar la estructura factorial de la escala se dividió aleatoriamente la muestra en dos submuestras, realizándose una validación cruzada mediante análisis factorial exploratorio (AFE) y análisis factorial confirmatorio (AFC). Asimismo, para comprobar que el modelo se mantenía estable al tener en cuenta la variable sexo, se repitió el análisis factorial confirmatorio con las submuestras de mujeres y de hombres y se aplicó un AFC Multigrupo para comprobar la invarianza factorial en función de esta variable. Se ha obtenido una escala de 8 ítems constituida por dos factores que explican el 46.6% de la varianza y que presenta una buena fiabilidad (alfa = .75), comprobándose la invarianza estricta en función del sexo. Esta escala puede ser útil en el campo de la detección, prevención e intervención en situaciones de conflicto entre la pareja

This study aims to design and validate the Scale of Self-perceived Communication in the Couple Relationship (SCCR) in order to provide a straightforward and useful instrument. 620 persons who were in a couple relationship took part in this study. The sample was divided randomly into two subsamples to study the factor structure of the scale, carrying out a cross-validation by using an exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and a confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). Also, and to verify that the model remained stable taking account of the variable gender, the confirmatory factor analysis was repeated with the women and men subsamples, and a multigroup CFA was carried out to check the factor invariance according to this variable An 8-items scale was obtained, made up with two factors explaining 46.6% of the variance who also reported a good reliability (alfa = .75), testing the strict invariance according to the gender. This scale might be useful in the field of detection, prevention and intervention of conflict situations in the couple relationship

Esthetic dermatology and emotional well-being according to gender.

INTRODUCTION: There has been an increase in the demand for esthetic dermatology treatments within the general population. The purpose of this study was to analyze, within the scope of general population, the relationship between people's perception of esthetic dermatology treatments and emotional well-being, as well as for differences in gender. METHODS: The Aesthetic Dermatology and Emotional Well-Being (DEBIE) Scale, [Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology vol. 13 (2014) 336-345] was applied to 770 Spanish people over 18 years old. The scale is structured according to six factors and classified into two dimensions: (1) Emotional Well-Being and (2) Perception of Aesthetic Dermatology. Cronbach alpha for the total scale was very high (0.90). Data analysis includes the following: (1) bivariate correlations with Pearson's coefficient; (2) gender differences through Student's t test, and (3) the effect size through R2 and Cohen's d. RESULTS: A statistically significant relationship which is directly proportional has been identified between the degree of emotional well-being of people (self-esteem and assertiveness, optimism, and motivation) and the knowledge and attitude toward Aesthetic Dermatology. There are statistically significant differences according to gender: Women have a lower level of emotional well-being than men, as well as greater knowledge and more positive attitude toward Aesthetic Dermatology. CONCLUSIONS: People who are familiar with Aesthetic Dermatology and have a better attitude toward it, are also more self-confident, more optimistic and more motivated; with emotional strength. Regarding gender, it is expected that women may seek more consultation and esthetic dermatology treatments than men do.

Liposomes Loaded with Hydrophobic Iron Oxide Nanoparticles: Suitable T2 Contrast Agents for MRI.

There has been a recent surge of interest in the use of superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) as contrast agents (CAs) for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), due to their tunable properties and their low toxicity compared with other CAs such as gadolinium. SPIONs exert a strong influence on spin-spin T2 relaxation times by decreasing the MR signal in the regions to which they are delivered, consequently yielding darker images or negative contrast. Given the potential of these nanoparticles to enhance detection of alterations in soft tissues, we studied the MRI response of hydrophobic or hydrophilic SPIONs loaded into liposomes (magnetoliposomes) of different lipid composition obtained by sonication. These hybrid nanostructures were characterized by measuring several parameters such as size and polydispersity, and number of SPIONs encapsulated or embedded into the lipid systems. We then studied the influence of acyl chain length as well as its unsaturation, charge, and presence of cholesterol in the lipid bilayer at high field strength (7 T) to mimic the conditions used in preclinical assays. Our results showed a high variability depending on the nature of the magnetic particles. Focusing on the hydrophobic SPIONs, the cholesterol-containing samples showed a slight reduction in r2, while unsaturation of the lipid acyl chain and inclusion of a negatively charged lipid into the bilayer appeared to yield a marked increase in negative contrast, thus rendering these magnetoliposomes suitable candidates as CAs, especially as a liver CA.

Aesthetic dermatology and emotional well-being questionnaire.

BACKGROUND: In recent years, there has been a great development of esthetic dermatology as a subspecialty of dermatology. It is important to know to which extent the general population regard this branch of medical surgical specialty as being of interest and contributing to emotional well-being. OBJECTIVE: To analyze the technical features of a questionnaire which has been designed to reflect such perception of the general population about esthetic dermatology and its contribution to emotional well-being. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Production and psychometric analysis of a self-filled in questionnaire in relation to esthetic dermatology and emotional well-being (DEBIE). This questionnaire is made of 57 items and has been applied to a sample of 770 people within the general population. The drawing-up process of the questionnaire is described to provide content validity. Items analysis was carried out together with exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis to assess the structure and construct validity of the tool. The extent of internal consistency (reliability) and concurrent validity has also been verified. RESULTS: DEBIE questionnaire (Spanish acronym for Aesthetic Dermatology and Emotional Well-being) revolves around six factors explaining 53.91% of the variance; there is a high level of internal consistency (Cronbach's α 0.90) and reasonable criterion validity. CONCLUSIONS: DEBIE questionnaire brings together adequate psychometric properties that can be applied to assess the perception that the general population have in relation to esthetic dermatology and its contribution to their emotional well-being.

Orientación educativa para la vida familiar como medida de apoyo para el desempeño de la parentalidad positiva / Educational guidance for families. A support for developing a positive parenting

En este capítulo se plantea la necesidad de promover la Orientación Educativa para la Vida Familiar como medida de apoyo a las familias para el desempeño de la Parentalidad Positiva, tal como sugieren las Recomendaciones del Consejo de Europa a sus Estados Miembro (2006). Se revisan con detalle estas recomendaciones y se mencionan algunas medidas que se desarrollan en España para apoyar a familias que se encuentran en situaciones especiales, haciendo alusión a los Convenios-Programa que se han venido desarrollando en los últimos años financiados entre el gobierno central y el de las Comunidades y Ciudades Autónomas. Asimismo, se mencionan otras medidas preventivas y comunitarias de apoyo socio-educativo para todas las familias a través del desarrollo de Programas de Orientación Educativa para el Ejercicio Positivo del Rol Parental y se sugieren algunas líneas de actuación que requieren el trabajo multidisciplinar, colaborativo y en red de los diversos agentes sociales y entidades que trabajan en favor de las familias (AU)

This paper focuses on the need to promote Educational Guidance for Family Life as a means to support families in developing a Positive Parenting role, such as suggested by the Council of Europe (2006). This Recommendation is discussed in some detail and some measures that had been put into practice in Spain to support families under special circumstances are revised; in order to do so, Programme-Agreements which had been developed in the last years sponsored by both the central government and the one of the Spanish Autonomous Cities and Communities are described. Moreover, other preventive and community measures focused on socio-educative support for all families through Positive Parenting Programmes are mentioned. This paper ends with some suggestions about actions which require a multidisciplinary, collaborative net approach among the diverse social entities and institutions working in favour of families (AU)