54 research outputs found
An international study on psychological coping during COVID-19: Towards a meaning-centered coping style
A pandemia de COVID-19 e seu efeito na estrutura do Brief-COPE
This study aimed to investigate the dimensional structure of Brief-COPE during the COVID-19 pandemic. Six hundred and sixty-six adults from all regions of Brazil, mostly women (77 %), aged between 18 and 79 years old (M = 36.70; SD = 13.12), took part in this research. They answered sociodemographic questions and the Brief-COPE. Descriptive and confirmatory factor analyzes were performed. The first order dimensional structure was confirmed with the 14 original factors. The second order structure did not converge, and a new second order structure was proposed based on the correlation indexes among the first order factors. The proposed new model presented adequate indexes of adjustment to the data. Such results suggest that the pandemic may have changed the way participants perceive and relate coping strategies.El presente estudio tuvo como objetivo investigar la estructura dimensional de Brief-COPE durante la pandemia de COVID-19. Seiscientos sesenta y seis adultos de todas las regiones de Brasil participaron en esta investigación, en su mayoría mujeres (77 %), con edades entre 18 y 79 años (M = 36.70; DE = 13.12). Los participantes respondieron preguntas sociodemográficas y el Brief-COPE. Se realizaron análisis descriptivos y análisis factoriales confirmatorios. Se confirmó la estructura dimensional de primer orden, con 14 factores. La estructura de segundo orden no convergió y se propuso una nueva estructura de segundo orden basada en la correlación entre los factores de primer orden. El nuevo modelo propuesto presentó índices adecuados de ajuste a los datos. Estos resultados sugieren que la pandemia puede haber cambiado la forma en que los participantes perciben y relacionan las estrategias de afrontamiento.O presente estudo teve como objetivo investigar a estrutura dimensional do Brief-COPE durante a pandemia de COVID-19. Participaram desta pesquisa 666 adultos de todas as regiões do Brasil, majoritariamente mulheres (77 %), com idade entre 18 e 79 anos (M = 36,70; DP = 13,12). Estes responderam perguntas sociodemográficas e o Brief-COPE. Foram realizadas análises descritivas e Análises Fatoriais Confirmatórias. A estrutura dimensional de primeira ordem foi confirmada, com 14 fatores. A estrutura de segunda ordem não convergiu, sendo proposta uma nova estrutura de segunda ordem tomando como base a correlação entre os fatores de primeira ordem. O novo modelo proposto apresentou índices adequados de ajuste aos dados. Tais resultados sugerem que a pandemia pode ter alterado a forma como os participantes percebem e relacionam as estratégias de enfrentamento
Lupus nephritis in Chinese children--a territory-wide cohort study in Hong Kong
We report a multicenter study of Chinese children in Hong Kong with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) nephritis. Children were included if: they fulfilled the ACR criteria, had significant proteinuria or casturia, were Chinese and younger than 19 years and had been diagnosed with SLE between January 1990 and December 2003. Investigators in each center retrieved data on clinical features, biopsy reports, treatment and outcome of these patients. There were 128 patients (eight boys, 120 girls; mean age: 11.9+/-2.8 years). About 50% presented with multisystem illness and 40% with nephritic/nephrotic symptoms. Negative anti-dsDNA antibodies were found in 6% of the patients. Renal biopsy revealed WHO Class II, III, IV and V nephritis in 13 (10%), 22 (17%), 69 (54%) and 13 (10%) patients, respectively. The clinical severity of the nephritis did not accurately predict renal biopsy findings. The follow-up period ranged from 1 to 16.5 years (mean+/-SD: 5.76+/-3.61 years). During the study five patients died (two from lupus flare, one from cardiomyopathy, two from infections). Four patients had endstage renal failure (ESRF) (one died during a lupus flare). All deaths and end-stage renal failure occurred in the Class IV nephritis group. Chronic organ damage was infrequent in the survivors. The actuarial patient survival rates at 5, 10 and 15 years of age were 95.3, 91.8, and 91.8%, respectively. For Class IV nephritis patients, the survival rates without ESRF at 5, 10, and 15 years were 91.5, 82.3 and 76%, respectively. The survival and chronic morbidity rates of the Chinese SLE children in the present study are comparable to those of other published studies.postprin
Intentions to be Vaccinated Against COVID-19:The Role of Prosociality and Conspiracy Beliefs across 20 Countries
Understanding the determinants of COVID-19 vaccine uptake is important to inform policy decisions and plan vaccination campaigns. The aims of this research were to: (1) explore the individual- and country-level determinants of intentions to be vaccinated against SARS-CoV-2, and (2) examine worldwide variation in vaccination intentions. This cross-sectional online survey was conducted during the first wave of the pandemic, involving 6697 respondents across 20 countries. Results showed that 72.9% of participants reported positive intentions to be vaccinated against COVID-19, whereas 16.8% were undecided, and 10.3% reported they would not be vaccinated. At the individual level, prosociality was a significant positive predictor of vaccination intentions, whereas generic beliefs in conspiracy theories and religiosity were negative predictors. Country-level determinants, including cultural dimensions of individualism/collectivism and power distance, were not significant predictors of vaccination intentions. Altogether, this study identifies individual-level predictors that are common across multiple countries, provides further evidence on the importance of combating conspiracy theories, involving religious institutions in vaccination campaigns, and stimulating prosocial motives to encourage vaccine uptake.</p
Robust Reproducible Resting State Networks in the Awake Rodent Brain
Resting state networks (RSNs) have been studied extensively with functional MRI in humans in health and disease to reflect brain function in the un-stimulated state as well as reveal how the brain is altered with disease. Rodent models of disease have been used comprehensively to understand the biology of the disease as well as in the development of new therapies. RSN reported studies in rodents, however, are few, and most studies are performed with anesthetized rodents that might alter networks and differ from their non-anesthetized state. Acquiring RSN data in the awake rodent avoids the issues of anesthesia effects on brain function. Using high field fMRI we determined RSNs in awake rats using an independent component analysis (ICA) approach, however, ICA analysis can produce a large number of components, some with biological relevance (networks). We further have applied a novel method to determine networks that are robust and reproducible among all the components found with ICA. This analysis indicates that 7 networks are robust and reproducible in the rat and their putative role is discussed
Dendritic cells in cancer immunology and immunotherapy
Dendritic cells (DCs) are a diverse group of specialized antigen-presenting cells with key roles in the initiation and regulation of innate and adaptive immune responses. As such, there is currently much interest in modulating DC function to improve cancer immunotherapy. Many strategies have been developed to target DCs in cancer, such as the administration of antigens with immunomodulators that mobilize and activate endogenous DCs, as well as the generation of DC-based vaccines. A better understanding of the diversity and functions of DC subsets and of how these are shaped by the tumour microenvironment could lead to improved therapies for cancer. Here we will outline how different DC subsets influence immunity and tolerance in cancer settings and discuss the implications for both established cancer treatments and novel immunotherapy strategies.S.K.W. is supported by a European Molecular Biology Organization Long- Term Fellowship (grant ALTF 438– 2016) and a CNIC–International Postdoctoral Program Fellowship (grant 17230–2016). F.J.C. is the recipient of a PhD ‘La Caixa’ fellowship. Work in the D.S. laboratory is funded by the CNIC, by the European Research Council (ERC Consolidator Grant 2016 725091), by the European Commission (635122-PROCROP H2020), by the Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación e Universidades (MCNU), Agencia Estatal de Investigación and Fondo Europeo de Desarrollo Regional (FEDER) (SAF2016-79040-R), by the Comunidad de Madrid (B2017/BMD-3733 Immunothercan- CM), by FIS- Instituto de Salud Carlos III, MCNU and FEDER (RD16/0015/0018-REEM), by Acteria Foundation, by Atresmedia (Constantes y Vitales prize) and by Fundació La Marató de TV3 (201723). The CNIC is supported by the Instituto de Salud Carlos III, the MCNU and the Pro CNIC Foundation, and is a Severo Ochoa Centre of Excellence (SEV-2015-0505).S
The impact of tumor profiling approaches and genomic data strategies for cancer precision medicine
Social Bonding and Nurture Kinship: Compatibility between Cultural and Biological Approaches
Existential Insights in Cancer: Meaning in Life Adaptability
Previous research demonstrated that the cancer diagnosis and treatment evoke existential concerns, especially ones related to meaning in life and meaning-making processes. The cancer experience is a vital challenge that often entails changes in what is personally important in life. Firstly, this paper collects evidence supporting that meaning adaptability, the way people adapt their meaning in life to the cancer experience, is a central element in the mental health of cancer patients. Various theories that could account for this meaning adaptability are introduced. Secondly, the paper provides a compilation of studies showing how people change what is significant in their lives within the course of cancer. Finally, the paper presents the available psychological therapies directed to facilitate meaning adaptability in this population. Meaning-centered interventions have been demonstrated to be effective in alleviating the suffering related to the cancer experience and promoting personal growth
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