The assessment of trait emotional intelligence: psychometric characteristics of the TEIQue-full form in a large Italian adult sample

Trait Emotional Intelligence (or trait emotional self-efficacy) is a constellation of emotional perceptions assessed through questionnaires and rating scales (Petrides et al., 2007b). This paper examined the psychometric features of the Trait Emotional Questionnaire Full Form (TEIQue-FF; Petrides, 2009b) in the Italian context. Incremental validity in the prediction of depression and anxiety was also tested with respect to the Big Five. Participants were 1343 individuals balanced for gender (690 females and 653 males) whose mean age was 29.65 years (SD = 13.64, range 17-74 years). They completed a questionnaire battery containing the TEIQue and measures of the Big Five, depression, and anxiety (both trait and state). Results indicated that the performance of the TEIQue-FF in the Italian context was comparable to the original United Kingdom version as regards its reliability and factor structure. Moreover, the instrument showed incremental validity in the prediction of depression and state-trait anxiety after controlling for the Big Five

Investigating the relationship between interoceptive accuracy, interoceptive awareness, and emotional susceptibility

Interoception, the sense of the physiological condition of the body, provides a basis for subjective feelings and emotions. Anterior insular cortex activity represents the state of the body and varies according to personality traits, such as emotional susceptibility (ES)-the tendency to experience feelings of discomfort and vulnerability when facing emotionally-laden stimuli. The accuracy of perceiving one's own bodily signals, or interoceptive accuracy (IAc), can be assessed with the heartbeat perception task (HPT), which is the experimental measure used by most of the existing research on interoception. However, IAc is only one facet of interoception. Interoceptive awareness (IAw) is the conscious perception of sensations from inside the body, such as heart beat, respiration, satiety, and the autonomic nervous system sensations related to emotions, which create the sense of the physiological condition of the body. We developed an Italian version of the recent self-report Multidimensional Assessment of Interoceptive Awareness (MAIA), tested its psychometric properties (reliability, dimensionality, and construct validity), and examined its relationship to ES, as assessed using the Emotional Susceptibility Scale, in a sample (n = 321) of healthy Italian psychology students (293 females, mean age: 20.5 years). In a subgroup of females (n = 135), we measured IAc with the HPT. We used a series of correlation/regression analyses to examine the complex interplay between the three constructs. We provide further evidence for a substantial independence of the IAc and IAw measures, confirming previous reports and current theoretical models that differentiate between IAc and IAw. Our analyses elucidate the complex relationship between distinct dimensions of IAw and ES, highlighting the need for continued efforts to shed more light on this topic

Detección del virus papiloma humano (HPV) y citología de Papanicolaou en mujeres de bajos recursos de la ciudad de Posadas, Misiones, Argentina

El objetivo de este estudio fue determinar la prevalencia de la infección por HPV y de lesiones cervicales en mujeres asistidas en un centro de salud situado en un área de bajos recursos de la ciudad de Posadas, Misiones, Argentina. Las muestras (n = 163) fueron examinadas mediante las pruebas de Papanicolaou y de PCR para HPV. Los factores socio-culturales de riesgo fueron identifcados mediante el cálculo de la odds ratio (OR, IC 95 %). Se detectaron lesiones cervicales en el 14,7 % de las mujeres. La prevalencia de infección por HPV fue de 38 %. Los tipos más frecuentes en la población total fueron HPV-16 (9,8 %) y HPV-33 (9,3 %). El HPV-16 se detectó asociado al 29,2 % y al 6,5 % de las mujeres con lesiones del cuello uterino y sin ellas, respectivamente, con un OR de 5,3 (1,8-15,8). Los factores de riesgo para la infección por HPV-16 fueron el hábito de fumar y el antecedente de enfermedades de transmisión sexual. Estos datos son importantes para la ejecución de los programas de prevención, incluyendo una introducción adecuada de la vacunación y la línea de base para la vigilancia virológica en la era de la vacuna.The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of HPV infection and cervical lesions present in women who attended a health center in a low-resource area of the city of Posadas, Misiones, Argentina. Cervical cell samples (n = 163) were processed for Papanicolaou cytology and HPV-PCR tests. Socio-cultural risk factors were estimated using the odds ratio (OR, CI 95 %). Cervical lesions were detected in 14.7 % of women. The general prevalence of HPV infection was of 38 %. The most common types among the total population were HPV-16 (9.8 %) and HPV-33 (9.3 %). HPV-16 was detected in association with 29.2 % and 6.5 % of women with and without cervical lesions, respectively, the OR being 5.3 (1.8-15.8). Risk factors for HPV-16 infection were a smoking habit and a history of previous sexually-transmitted diseases. These data are important for the implementation of prevention programs, including an appropriate introduction of vaccination and the baseline for virological surveillance in the vaccine era.Fil: Badano, Ines. Universidad Nacional de Misiones. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Químicas y Naturales. Laboratorio de Biología Molecular Aplicada; ArgentinaFil: Pedrozo, Rene W.. Provincia de Misiones. Ministerio de Salud de la Provincia de Misiones; ArgentinaFil: Ruiz Diaz, Laura S.. Provincia de Misiones. Ministerio de Salud de la Provincia de Misiones; ArgentinaFil: Galuppo, Juan A.. Universidad Nacional de Misiones. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Químicas y Naturales. Laboratorio de Biología Molecular Aplicada; ArgentinaFil: Picconi, María A.. Direccion Nacional de Instituto de Investigacion. Administración Nacional de Laboratorio e Instituto de Salud "Dr. C. G. Malbran". Instituto Nacional de Enfermedades Infecciosas. Departamento de Virologia; ArgentinaFil: Campos, Rodolfo Hector. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica; ArgentinaFil: Liotta, Domingo Javier. Universidad Nacional de Misiones. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Químicas y Naturales. Laboratorio de Biología Molecular Aplicada; Argentin

Una propuesta rápida y económica para detectar el virus de papiloma humano por PCR a partir de muestras cervicales con reactivo desnaturalizante

Trabajos han demostrado la utilidad de la captura híbrida II (CH IIâ) en la detección del virus de papiloma humano de alto riesgo oncogénico (HR-HPV) como método de tamizaje primario para detección de cáncer de cuello uterino, así como las bondades de la PCR que permite acceder a métodos de tipificación viral. Por ello el objetivo fue detectar el genoma del HPV por PCR a partir de muestras de CH IIâ cien veces diluidas. Estudio transversal en 141 muestras cervicales de mujeres con citología normal y anormal que concurrieron al IICS, UNA. Las muestras fueron procesadas por CH IIâ y almacenadas con reactivo desnaturalizante a -80ºC. Luego, las muestras fueron diluidas 100 veces con agua destilada y posteriormente procesadas por PCR. Se detectó HPV en 51% y 43% de las muestras analizadas por CH IIâ y PCR, respectivamente. Diecisiete de 23 muestras positivas por CH IIâ con carga viral relativa baja fueron negativas por PCR. Esto podría deberse a la degradación del material. Además, 6 muestras negativas por CH IIâ fueron positivas por PCR sugiriendo presencia de infección con tipos virales no incluidos en CH IIâ. Estos resultados sugieren que es posible realizar la detección de HPV por PCR en muestras procesadas por CH IIâ previa dilución. Esta propuesta rápida, sencilla y económica, minimiza el riesgo de perder el material genético en la extracción y permite acceder a métodos de tipificación viral que podrían contribuir con datos sobre tipos de HPV circulantes para realizar una vigilancia en la era post-vacunal

Características clínico-demográficas y tipificación del virus de papiloma humano en mujeres paraguayas con citologías negativas para lesión escamosa intraepitelial

Paraguay posee una alta tasa de incidencia de cáncer de cuello uterino de 35/100.0000 mujeres en el año 2008 y el virus de papiloma humano (HPV) es su agente causal. La planificación de medidas de prevención puede ser beneficiada con conocimientos sobre los tipos virales, por ello, el objetivo de este estudio fue determinar características clínico-demográficas y los tipos de HPV presentes en mujeres con citología negativa para lesión escamosa intraepitelial. Estudio de corte transverso con componente analítico en 207 mujeres con citología negativa para lesión escamosa intraepitelial provenientes de centros de salud de Asunción. La tipificación fue realizada por reacción en cadena de la polimerasa utilizando cebadores MY09/11 y GP5/GP6, seguida de polimorfismo de longitud de fragmentos de restricción e hibridación lineal reversa, respectivamente. La asociación entre HPV y las características clínico-demográficas fue determinada por análisis de Chi cuadrado (EpiInfo versión 3,2). Se detectó alta frecuencia de HPV (21%), siendo el tipo predominante HPV 16 (4,3%) seguido de HPV 58/31 (2,4% cada uno). Se observó asociación entre la presencia de HPV y la edad (p=0,0002), detectándose mayor frecuencia de HPV en mujeres menores a 30 años, la cual, disminuyó al aumentar la edad, presentando un ligero aumento en mujeres de 60 años o más. En conclusión, los datos muestran una alta frecuencia de HPV y HPV 16 en mujeres menores a 30 años con citología negativa y sugieren la necesidad de realizar control posteriormente, a fin de identificar las infecciones persistentes que podrían causar lesión de cuello uterino

Estado nutricional y aspectos alimentarios de mujeres indígenas del departamento de Presidente Hayes, Paraguay

Introducción: Las comunidades indígenas presentan un mayor riesgo de inseguridad alimentaria y malnutrición, menor disponibilidad de recursos, y una creciente dependencia de alimentos más baratos aunque con un alto grado de procesamiento. Objetivo: Identificar el estado nutricional y aspectos alimentarios en mujeres indígenas de tres comunidades del Departamento de Presidente Hayes, Chaco Paraguayo. Metodología: Estudio observacional de diseño transversal con componente analítico, que incluyó a 81 mujeres de 15 a 44 años de edad, de las etnias Maká y Toba Qom. Previo consentimiento informado, se realizó la valoración nutricional y la entrevista para obtener los datos sociodemográficos y alimentarios. Resultados: Las mujeres indígenas presentaron una frecuencia de sobrepeso de 30,8% y obesidad del 21,0%, mientras que el 1,2 % presentó desnutrición. No encontramos diferencia significativa entre las etnias, en relación al sobrepeso y obesidad, (p>0,05). Observamos que las indígenas tenían una alta ingesta de frutas, azúcares y mieles. El 87 y 88% de las mujeres indígenas de ambas etnias estudiadas refirieron no consumir lácteos y derivados y entre 65 y 69% refirieron no consumir verduras. Conclusiones: Observamos un elevado porcentaje de obesidad y sobrepeso, un bajo consumo de lácteos y verduras y un alto consumo de azúcares, relacionados posiblemente a cambios en los aspectos alimentarios y sus costumbres, influenciados por la cercanía a las zonas urbanas y el acceso a alimentos de menor precio y mayor contenido energético.Introduction: Indigenous communities present higher risk of food insecurity and malnutrition, lower availability of resources and growing dependence on cheaper food but with high degree of processing. Objective: To identify the nutritional state and food aspects in indigenous women from three communities of Presidente Hayes Department, Paraguayan Chaco. Methodology: Cross-sectional observational study with analytical component including 81 women who were 15 to 44 years old from the Maká and Toba Qom ethnic groups. After giving their informed consent, the nutritional assessment and the interview to collect socio-demographic and food data were carried out. Results: The indigenous women presented an overweight frequency of 30.8 % and obesity of 21.0%, while malnutrition was observed in 1.2%. No significant differences were found between ethnic groups in relation to overweight and obesity (p>0.05). High ingestion of fruits, sugar and honey was observed and 87% and 88% of the indigenous women from both ethnic groups referred that they did not consume dairy products and derivatives and 65% and 69% referred that they did not consume vegetables. Conclusions: High percentages of obesity and overweight were observed. Low consumption of dairy products, its byproducts and vegetables and a high consumption of sugar were observed, related probably to changes in food aspects and the habits of these groups, influenced by the proximity to urban areas and the access to low prices food with high energetic content

Multicentric study of cervical cancer screening with human papillomavirus testing and assessment of triage methods in Latin America : the ESTAMPA screening study protocol

Q1Q1Introduction Human papillomavirus (HPV) testing is replacing cytology in primary screening. Its limited specificity demands using a second (triage) test to better identify women at high-risk of cervical disease. Cytology represents the immediate triage but its low sensitivity might hamper HPV testing sensitivity, particularly in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs), where cytology performance has been suboptimal. The ESTAMPA (EStudio multicéntrico de TAMizaje y triaje de cáncer de cuello uterino con pruebas del virus del PApiloma humano; Spanish acronym) study will: (1) evaluate the performance of different triage techniques to detect cervical precancer and (2) inform on how to implement HPV-based screening programmes in LMIC. Methods and analysis Women aged 30–64 years are screened with HPV testing and Pap across 12 study centres in Latin America. Screened positives have colposcopy with biopsy and treatment of lesions. Women with no evident disease are recalled 18 months later for another HPV test; those HPV-positive undergo colposcopy with biopsy and treatment as needed. Biological specimens are collected in different visits for triage testing, which is not used for clinical management. The study outcome is histological high-grade squamous intraepithelial or worse lesions (HSIL+) under the lower anogenital squamous terminology. About 50 000 women will be screened and 500 HSIL+ cases detected (at initial and 18 months screening). Performance measures (sensitivity, specificity and predictive values) of triage techniques to detect HSIL+ will be estimated and compared with adjustment by age and study centre. Ethics and dissemination The study protocol has been approved by the Ethics Committee of the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), of the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO) and by those in each participating centre. A Data and Safety Monitoring Board (DSMB) has been established to monitor progress of the study, assure participant safety, advice on scientific conduct and analysis and suggest protocol improvements. Study findings will be published in peer-reviewed journals and presented at scientific meetings. Trial registration number NCT01881659Revista Internacional - Indexad

Continued Decay of HIV Proviral DNA Upon Vaccination With HIV-1 Tat of Subjects on Long-Term ART: An 8-Year Follow-Up Study

Introduction: Tat, a key HIV virulence protein, has been targeted for the development of a therapeutic vaccine aimed at cART intensification. Results from phase II clinical trials in Italy (ISS T-002) and South Africa (ISS T-003) indicated that Tat vaccination promotes increases of CD4+ T-cells and return to immune homeostasis while reducing the virus reservoir in chronically cART-treated patients. Here we present data of 92 vaccinees (59% of total vaccinees) enrolled in the ISS T-002 8-year extended follow-up study (ISS T-002 EF-UP, ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02118168).Results: Anti-Tat antibodies (Abs) induced upon vaccination persisted for the entire follow-up in 34/92 (37%) vaccinees, particularly when all 3 Ab classes (A/G/M) were present (66% of vaccinees), as most frequently observed with Tat 30 μg regimens. CD4+ T cells increased above study-entry levels reaching a stable plateau at year 5 post-vaccination, with the highest increase (165 cells/μL) in the Tat 30 μg, 3 × regimen. CD4+ T-cell increase occurred even in subjects with CD4+ nadir ≤ 250 cells/uL and in poor immunological responders and was associated with a concomitant increase of the CD4+/CD8+ T-cell ratio, a prognostic marker of morbidity/mortality inversely related to HIV reservoir size. Proviral DNA load decreased over time, with a half-life of 2 years and an estimated 90% reduction at year 8 in the Tat 30 μg, 3 × group. In multivariate analysis the kinetic and amplitude of both CD4+ T-cell increase and proviral DNA reduction were fastest and highest in subjects with all 3 anti-Tat Ab classes and in the 30 μg, 3 × group, irrespective of drug regimens (NNRTI/NRTI vs. PI). HIV proviral DNA changes from baseline were inversely related to CD4+/CD8+ T-cell ratio and CD4+ T-cell changes, and directly related to the changes of CD8+ T cells. Further, HIV DNA decay kinetics were inversely related to the frequency and levels of intermittent viremia. Finally, Tat vaccination was similarly effective irrespective of the individual immunological status or HIV reservoir size at study entry.Conclusions: Tat immunization induces progressive immune restoration and reduction of virus reservoirs above levels reached with long-term cART, and may represent an optimal vaccine candidate for cART intensification toward HIV reservoirs depletion, functional cure, and eradication strategies