Psychometric analysis of the body responsiveness questionnaire in the Portuguese population

Body responsiveness refers to the tendency to be attuned to the body's needs and use interoceptive information to guide behavior. Despite its potential beneficial effect on the development of positive body image, this construct is currently understudied. To boost research in this area, we examined the factor structure, gender invariance, and psychometric properties of a Portuguese translation of the Body Responsiveness Questionnaire (BRQ). A total of 650 men and women (aged 18-80 years) completed the Portuguese BRQ. To assess its convergent validity, participants also completed measures of body appreciation, emotion regulation, depression symptoms, and psychological quality of life. Exploratory factor analysis indicated a two-factor structure of the BRQ, which was upheld using confirmatory factor analysis: "Importance of Interoceptive Awareness" (ω = .85-.87) and "Perceived Connection" between body and mind (ω = .71-.74). BRQ scores had partial scalar invariance across gender, and no significant gender differences. Convergent and known-groups validity was supported. Participants with overweight/obesity (vs. normal weight) and middle-aged adults (vs. young adults) assigned higher importance to body signals to guide behavior. The Portuguese version of the BRQ is a psychometrically sound measure of body responsiveness and it may contribute to a comprehensive assessment of positive body image to guide intervention.

Assessment of the main pathogens associated with clinical and subclinical endometritis in cows by culture and MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry identification

Clinical endometritis (CE) and subclinical endometritis (SCE) are diseases that affect dairy cows during the puerperium, causing negative effects on the animals' milk production and fertility. The objective of this study was to assess the main bacteria related to cases of CE and SCE from uterine samples of dairy cows in Brazilian herds. Selective and differential media were used for isolation of aerobic and anaerobic bacteria and further MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry (MS) identification. A total of 279 lactating dairy cows with 28 to 33 d in milk from 6 commercial farms were evaluated. Initially, cows were classified in 3 groups: cytologic healthy cows (n = 161), cows with CE (n = 83), and cows with SCE (n = 35). Healthy animals presented 97 species, followed by the CE group with 53 identified species, and SCE cows presented only 21 bacterial species. We found a significantly higher isolation rate of Trueperella pyogenes in CE (26.5%) cows compared with healthy and SCE cows. Some anaerobic species were exclusively isolated from the CE group, even though they presented lower frequency. Interestingly, 18.1% of samples from CE cows and 40% of SCE cows were negative to bacterial isolation. Despite the use of culture-dependent methods instead of molecular methods, the present study enabled the identification of a complex community of 127 different species from 48 genera, composed of aerobic and anaerobic bacterial species among the 3 different animal groups. The method of sample collection, culture, and identification by MALDI-TOF MS were essential for the success of the analyses.

Quality of life in patients with inflammatory bowel disease: the role of positive psychological factors

Objective

To identify differences in quality of life (QoL) of patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) between diagnosis (Crohn’s Disease and Ulcerative Colitis), gender (male and female), treatment condition (with and without surgery), and attachment styles (secure, preoccupied, and disconnected); to examine associations between QoL, sociodemographic, clinical, and positive psychological variables; to determine whether sociodemographic, clinical, and positive psychological variables predict QoL.

Method

The sample included 70 participants diagnosed with IBD (Mage = 43.37 years, SD = 12.81), of whom 71.4% were females and 67.1% had Crohn’s Disease. Positive psychological variables (meaning in life, positive body image, and attachment styles), sociodemographic (age, education, gender) and clinical variables (diagnosis, disease duration, surgery) were assessed as independent variables. QoL was the dependent variable, analyzed through four domains (physical, psychological, social, environment).

Results

Participants with a secure attachment style reported higher QoL (physical, psychological, and social) than participants with a preoccupied attachment style. Strong positive correlations were found between positive psychological variables and QoL. Body appreciation was a significant predictor of three QoL domains (physical, psychological, and environment). Meaning in life made a unique contribution to the social QoL regression model, and it was also a significant predictor of psychological QoL. Body acceptance by others was a significant predictor of physical QoL, whereas disease duration and education predicted environment QoL. Attachment styles did not predict any QoL domain.

Conclusion

The most significant predictors of QoL in patients with IBD were body appreciation and meaning in life. Body acceptance by others and body appreciation were the main predictors of physical QoL. Psychological interventions for patients who suffer from IBD should address body appreciation and meaning in life.

Extending the use of the Body Appreciation Scale -2 in older adults: A Portuguese validation study

Body appreciation is a key characteristic, and the most common operationalization, of positive body image. Positive body image is often measured using the Body Appreciation Scale-2 (BAS-2; Tylka & Wood-Barcalow, 2015a), which has demonstrated good psychometric properties in adult samples. The purpose of this study is to extend the validation of the BAS-2 to late adulthood facilitating future research with this population. A total of 202 male and female participants (aged 65-91 years) completed the Portuguese version of the BAS-2, along with other body image-related instruments and measures of self-esteem and intuitive eating. Confirmatory factor analysis supported the one-factor model and demonstrated sex invariance. There were no significant sex differences in BAS-2 scores. The BAS-2 had satisfactory convergent, discriminant, and incremental validity. Internal consistency and test-retest stability estimates were adequate. The BAS-2 will likely meet the needs of researchers interested in exploring body appreciation among elderly people.

Efficacy of group psychotherapy for geriatric depression: A systematic review

BACKGROUND

Geriatric depression is a common and debilitating psychopathology, but evidence supports the efficacy of psychotherapy in its treatment. Group therapy provides advantages over individual interventions. However, only three systematic reviews have focused specifically on the efficacy of group therapy for geriatric depression.

OBJECTIVE

To ascertain the effects of group psychotherapy on geriatric depression in people aged 60 years and older, compared with alternative treatments or no treatment.

DATA SOURCES

A systematic review of English, Portuguese, and Spanish studies using the EBSCOhost Research and Science Direct databases (2011-2017). Additional studies were identified through reference lists. Search terms included group therapy, group psychotherapy, older adults, elderly, depressive disorder, geriatric depression, and depression in the elderly.

REVIEW METHODS

The researcher screened any study designs concerning the effects of any paradigm of group therapy on geriatric depression versus alternative interventions or no treatment. Relevant data, including indicators of risk of bias, were extracted.

DATA SYNTHESIS

Nine studies were reviewed. Reminiscence therapy and cognitive-behavioral therapy are viable group interventions for geriatric depression, and were significantly superior to most controls. Conclusions about the long-term effects were unclear. Significant improvements were obtained for different intervention durations and facilitators, and with participants of different nationalities and age. Most studies recruited participants from the community, which limited generalizability. Group therapy also resulted in improvements in other psychological variables.

CONCLUSIONS

Group therapy can significantly improve geriatric depression. Improvements were found across a variety of settings, protocols, participant characteristics, and for several psychological domains.

Resistance Training and Ovariectomy: Antagonic Effects in Mitochondrial Biogenesis Markers in Rat Skeletal Muscle

Estrogen reduction is associated with a decline in skeletal muscle mitochondrial biogenesis. Molecular events associated with improvements in markers of mitochondrial biogenesis after resistance training and estradiol replacement are unknown. This study aimed to investigate the effects of ovariectomy, resistance training, and estradiol replacement on markers of mitochondrial biogenesis and protein expression related to oxidative capacity in the rat gastrocnemius pool. Estradiol replacement was performed using Silastic(®) capsules. During the 12-week resistance training, animals climbed a ladder with weights attached to their tails. Gene expression was analysed by RT-PCR, and protein content was determined by western blotting. Ovariectomy decreased the gene expression of the mitochondrial biogenesis markers PGC-1α (~73%), NRF-1 (~44%), and TFAM (~53%) (p<0.05) and decreased the protein expression of phosphorylated AMPK, CREB and AKT, which are related to oxidative capacity. Resistance training increased PGC-1α (~59%) and TFAM (~48%) expression compared to the Ovariectomy-Sedentary group. The combination of resistance training and estradiol replacement was superior to the ovariectomy-sedentary and ovariectomy-resistance training treatments regarding the gastrocnemius muscle. Estrogen deficiency altered the expression of genes and proteins that favour the development of a mitochondrial dysfunction phenotype, which was improved with resistance training and was partially improved by estradiol replacement.

Meal Plan in the Treatment of Anorexia Nervosa: A Way of Feeding the Disorder and Starving the Patient

For the mainstream Psychology/Psychiatry, anorexia nervosa is considered an eating disorder characterized by the low body weight and by the restrictive eating pattern. The traditional psychiatric treatment consists in the establishment of a meal plan that must be scrupulously followed and, most frequently, in pharmacological treatment. We propose an alternative conceptualization of anorexia nervosa that envisages this disorder as pertaining to the control domain. In this sense, we formulate psychiatric intervention as a “pact with anorexia”, once it follows the very same logic, prohibitions and self-impositions of the disorder. Specifically, we envisage the meal plan as a way of maintaining anorexia, instead of suppressing it. As we could observe in our four year research project, in which we’ve followed several anorectic female patients, those who were more committed to their psychiatric treatment were precisely those who had more difficulty in recovering from anorexia – i.e., from renouncing the control from which the disorder lives. Finally, we suggest some fundamental underpinnings to an effective therapeutic approach, based in our conceptualization and understanding of the disorder.

As relações de vinculação e a imagem corporal: exploração de um modelo

Pretende-se analisar a contribuição diferencial dos principais contextos de desenvolvimento (relação parental e de pares) na forma como os adolescentes experienciam a relação com o seu corpo. A amostra é constituída por 690 adolescentes e jovens adultos (242 meninos e 448 meninas), com idades compreendidas entre os 15 e os 23 anos (M= 17,8 e DP=2,00). Os resultados do modelo de predição revelaram que o gênero e a vinculação romântica foram as variáveis que mais contribuíram para a variação da variável imagem corporal. Foi observado um efeito de mediação entre a vinculação aos pais e a imagem corporal através da relação romântica e de amizade. Os resultados sublinham a necessidade de se compreender a vivência corporal nos contextos interpessoais.

Um olhar sobre o corpo: o corpo ontem e hoje

O entendimento dos sentidos construídos para o corpo na actualidade requer uma caminhada, ainda que breve, pela história, pela forma como o corpo foi pensado e sentido. Deste modo, neste ensaio em torno do tema do corpo, propomos pensar nalguns aspectos sociais e culturais, que contribuíram para a construção do corpo na nossa sociedade, a forma como ele tem sido e pode ser olhado e representado.

In vivo anti-angiogenic effects further support the promise of the antineoplasic activity of methyl jasmonate

Molecular plant components have long been aimed at the angiogenesis and anti-angiogenesis pathways, and have been tested as sources for antineoplasic drugs with promising success. The present work deals with the anti-angiogenic effects of Methyl Jasmonate. Jasmonate derivatives were demonstrated to selectively damage the mitochondria of cancer cells. In vitro, 1-10 mM Methyl Jasmonate induced the cell death of the human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) and the Murine melanoma cells (B16F10), while micromolar concentrations were ineffective. In vivo, comparable concentrations were toxic and reduced the vessel density of the Chorioallantoic Membrane of the Chicken Embryo (CAM). However, 1-10 microM concentrations produced a complex effect. There was increased capillary budding, but the new vessels were leakier and less organised than corresponding controls. It is suggested that not only direct toxicity, but also the drug effects upon angiogenesis are relevant to the antineoplasic effects of Methyl Jasmonate.

[Experience with arterial hypertension: construction of meanings and its implications for daily life]

The present study originated from a master's thesis. It depicts the Social Representations and causes of hypertension, as well as tries to understand the images and prototypes that women, who suffer from hypertension, have regarding their situation. It investigates how these women perceive themselves in the family and social interaction. Twenty-one women, who were participants of a control program of hypertension, in the suburbs of Fortaleza-Ceará, were the subjects of this study. Results show that, according to the participants in the study, suffering from hypertension means experiencing difficulties and having limitations in social and family life. These women picture themselves as "different", since they live under the threat of death and disability, which causes psychic suffering. The constraints imposed by the disease keep these women aside from the regular social life.

[Ventricular fibrillation in a patient with the permanent form of junctional reciprocating tachycardia]

A case of a 20 year old young man having the permanent form of junctional reciprocating tachycardia complicated by ventricular fibrillation (VF) is reported. A number of antiarrhythmic drugs either as single or combined therapy fail to control tachycardia. Paroxisms of a faster palpitation which never lasted longer than a few minutes were felt over the last six months before the occurrence of VF. At admission, a narrow QRS tachycardia 250 beats/min was recorded and soon degenerated into VF. After electrical shock with 350J permanent form of junctional tachycardia resumed. Electrophysiologic evaluation identified an accessory pathway with long conducting times in postero-septal location, enhanced atrioventricular node conduction and inducible atrial flutter. The patient underwent successful radiofrequency ablation and is doing well after 18 months of follow-up, being off antiarrhythmic drug and tachycardia free.

Heterologous mitral valve transplant: the first 50 patients clinical analysis

From March 1992 to August 1993, 50 patients underwent mitral valve replacement with the new heterologous stentless mitral bioprosthesis in our institution. The development of this heart valve substitute, its technique of implantation and the results observed in the first group of 50 patients have had us to review the initial experience. The surgical protocol included an accurate mitral valve complex analysis, adequate valve size selection, attachment of the papillary muscle to the new chordal origin and approximation of the stentless mitral to the patient's annulus. There was one hospital death (2%), not related to the valve or to the technique and four reoperations: two due to endocarditis, one because of a perivalvular leak and one due to a mismatched stentless valve. The late mortality (4%) was not valve-related. The follow-up has shown excellent valve performance with improved left ventricular function in the great majority of the patients. Based on the current analysis, it can be stated that reproducibility of the surgical technique and the excellence of the clinical follow-up may contribute favorably to a better quality of life and longer valve durability in patients requiring mitral heart valve replacement.

Replacement of the ascending aorta and aortic arch with bovine pericardial grafts. A preliminary report

Bovine pericardial (BP) grafts have been clinical use at Biocor Hospital since 1989 for replacement or repair of the ascending aorta (AsAo) and initial segment of the aortic arch (AoAr). The main advantages of BP grafts that have justified their clinical application are much easier surgical technique, perfect hemostasis and low cost. From Feb/89 to Feb/94, 88 BP grafts were implanted in the AsAo or the AoAr. There were 33 valved conduits, 47 non-valved conduits and 8 patches. The main indication for the procedure was acute dissection of the aorta, accounting for 50% of the cases. The total hospital mortality was 20.4%. Follow-up was obtained in all but two patients. Patients who survived 2 or more years postoperatively (n = 31) underwent either an echocardiographic or an angiographic study in order to access the behavior of the graft, which was perfect in all of them. The current follow-up is short and complications such as calcification may still develop. However the present study has clearly shown the superior handling and better hemostasis of BP grafts compared to the classical Dacron prosthesis.

[Transcoronary chemical ablation of ventricular tachycardia in a patient with chronic chagas cardiomyopathy]

A case of recurrent ventricular tachycardia in the setting of chronic chagasic heart disease refractory to conventional antiarrhythmic agents as well as high doses of amiodarone (600 mg/day) is reported. Left ventriculography disclosed an apical aneurysm and a filling defect image suggestive of a thrombus. Sustained monomorphic ventricular tachycardia with the same QRS configuration as "clinical" tachycardia could be induced by means of right ventricular programmed electrical stimulation. The risk of systemic embolization precluded endocardial activation mapping of ventricular tachycardia. Intracoronary cold saline injections were done during induced ventricular tachycardia looking for a coronary artery branch related to the arrhythmogenic substrate. Cold saline mapping results pointed to an apical site of origin. Next step was intracoronary injection of ethyl alcohol in the distal part of the left anterior descending artery leading to a small and uncomplicated myocardial infarction. Control programmed stimulation was unable to reinduce ventricular tachycardia. Clinical outcome was uneventful and there was no recurrence of clinical arrhythmia in 6 months of follow-up.

[Congenital absence of left pericardium simulating tumor of the anterior mediastinum]

The authors report a case of a patient presenting atypical dyspnea symptom. The physical examination, the chest roentgenogram and EKG were abnormal; the echocardiogram showed an abnormal mass compressing the outflow tract of the right ventricle (RV). These data were confirmed by a computerized tomography. The cardiac catheterization showed a heart deviation to the left and a RV outflow tract gradient of 10 mmHg. Consequently a surgery was necessary. The surgical findings presented an absence of the left pericardium and no tumor was found. This is a rare entity that may be misdiagnosed as other heart diseases but this is the first case in which a tumor of the anterior mediastinum was suspected.

[Ventricular fibrillation in a patient with ventricular dysplasia and mitral valve prolapse]

A 30 year-old male patient with arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia was submitted to implantation an automatic cardioverter-defibrillator. So far he is well in a follow-up of 7 months.