Self-Esteem and Coping Strategies in Adolescent Cancer Patients during the Period of Illness and Follow-Up

The importance of self-esteem during the course of oncological illness has been well-documented by some previous studies. However, data assessing its association with various coping strategies, especially considering the period of illness, are still scarce. The objective of this study is to analyze the differences in coping strategies among oncological adolescents, taking into account their self-esteem, illness period, age, and sex. A total of 201 oncological patients between the ages of 12 and 17 from three different Spanish cities were included in this study. All of them were asked to answer a tailored questionnaire, encompassing information about age, sex, and illness period. Additionally, the coping strategies were measured using the ACS scale, while self-esteem was evaluated using the SENA questionnaire. The results demonstrated that male adolescents and older individuals exhibited higher levels of self-esteem. The main coping strategies associated with higher self-esteem were “ignore the problem”, “focus on positive”, “physical recreation”, and “wishful thinking” both during the treatment and the follow-up phases. We conclude that higher self-esteem is associated with some of the coping strategies such as “focus on positive”, “ignore the problem”, and “wishful thinking”. Sociodemographic variables influence the relationship between self-esteem and coping strategies, but no differences were found regarding the period of illness

A model to prioritise sustainable urban regeneration in vulnerable areas using SWOT and CAME methodologies

This work proposes a model for decision-making support to help Administrations to undertake urban regeneration and refurbishment by prioritising vulnerable neighbourhoods and buildings. In order to suggest regeneration measures in vulnerable areas, the SWOT analysis is proposed for identifying determining factors of vulnerability. This permits information to be arranged into categories to obtain a multiperspective diagnosis. The complementary CAME methodology completes the above analysis to Correct Weaknesses, Adapt to Threats, Maintain existent Strengths and Explore detected Opportunities. The combination of these methodologies, scarcely used before in urban regeneration, has proven useful for suggesting general urban regeneration guidelines in complex contexts, which urban environments are, where physico-social conditions clearly interrelate. Thus specific Challenges can be suggested and later materialised through specific urban Lines of Action adapted to specific needs in a studied area. When considering the buildings in an area, they present distinct ages, typologies, and structural and constructive features, so refurbishment solutions cannot be standardised. This work’s proposal is to intervene in social housing of municipal property that is representative of vulnerable buildings. The results are presented on practical datasheets, where regeneration and refurbishment solutions are summarised and economically estimated. This general methodology can be replicated in different contexts by adjusting specific features of areas. The city of Castellón was selected as an empirical case to validate the proposed model

Propiedades psicométricas del Cuestionario de conductas compensatorias para la conducción

The purpose of this study was to construct and validate an instrument that meets the necessary requirements in order to know which strategies are drivers when driving must be adapted due to the decline or psycho-physical limitations or circumstances. In the validation study was involved 312 drivers (80,4% men and 19,6% women), aged from 20 to 80 years. The analysis of internal consistency obtained a Cronbach alpha value of 0,90 for the questionnaire. The values of item-total correlations ranged from 0,44 to 0,66. The concurrent validity relative to benchmark ‘Questionnaire 55 or+’ was 0,53. Factor analysis has a structure of 3 factors: Displacement, driving skills, and environmental conditions that explain 57,11% of the variance. In conclusion, the ‘Compensatory behaviors for driving questionnaire’ is a short instrument to assess adaptation to driving which shows adequate psychometric values.El propósito del presente estudio fue construir y validar un instrumento que reuniera las propiedades psicométricas adecuadas con objeto de conocer qué estrategias siguen los conductores cuando deben adaptarse a la conducción debido al declive o a las limitaciones psicofísicas, o a las circunstancias. En el estudio de validación participaron 312 conductores (80,4% varones y 19,6% mujeres), con edades de 20 a 80 años. El análisis de la consistencia interna obtuvo un valor alfa de Cronbach para el cuestionario de 0,90. Los valores de correlación ítem-total oscilaron entre 0,44 y 0,66. La validez de criterio concurrente respecto al criterio de referencia «Cuestionario 55 o+» fue 0,53. El análisis factorial presenta una estructura de 3 factores: desplazamiento, habilidad para la conducción y condiciones ambientales, que explican el 57,11% de la varianza. En conclusión, el «Cuestionario de conductas compensatorias» es un instrumento breve para evaluar la adaptación a la conducción, que muestra valores psicométricos adecuados

Strategies of urban regeneration in vulnerable areas: a case study in Castellón, Spain

Comunicació presentada a Sustainable City 2019 13th International Conference on Urban Regeneration and Sustainability (1–3 October 2019 Valencia, Spain)The 11th Sustainable Development Goal (UNO, 2030) for Sustainable Cities and Communities highlights the role of urbanisation in development and poverty reduction. Accomplishing this goal and promoting the implementation of the New Urban Agenda are crucial for local governments. Within the stated framework, we herein present some strategies of urban regeneration in the area Castalia-La Guinea in Castellón de la Plana (East Spain). The analysed area presents an old urban fabric with high immigration levels and heterogeneous characteristics, and constitutes an urban environment to be regenerated in a broader context. This area was previously defined in one of the complementary studies to develop the new Land-Use Plan in the city. This report defined the areas of rehabilitation, regeneration and urban renewal, which fall in line with Law 5/2014, of 25 July, on Territorial Planning, Urban Planning and Landscape for the Valencian community (Spain). They are considered vulnerable areas that should be prioritised to undertake urban interventions. The approach to revitalise the area was followed by implementing the “Guidelines for the Development of Strategies of Urban Regeneration for Municipalities of the Valencian Community” (Regional Valencian Government, Spain), which permits an in-depth diagnosis and the presentation of some proposals for its regeneration. The aforementioned guidelines aim to help interventions in the city that move towards a sustainable urban regeneration model. These interventions should focus on the protection, conservation and improvement of the urban fabric by the innovative use of integrated approaches in sustainable urban policies (socio-economic and environmental perspectives) in vulnerable areas. The guide uses the SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats) methodology by means of a detailed diagnosis of the area, followed by the CAME (Correct, Adapt, Maintain and Explore) methodology, to propose effective intervention strategies

Emotional Intelligence Profiles of University Students with Motor Disabilities: Differential Analysis of Self-Concept Dimensions

Background: This study compares the self-concept of students that have motor disabilities with that of students in the normative group. It also considers whether there are EI (emotional intelligence) profiles based on combinations of EI components (attention, clarity, and mood repair). Finally, it analyzes whether there are statistically significant differences in self-concept based on the EI profiles found. Method: 102 university students with motor disabilities participated. The age range was 19–33 (M = 20.22, SD = 4.36). The Escala de Autoconcepto Forma 5 (Self-Concept Scale Form 5, AF5) and the Trait Meta-Mood Scale-24 (TMMS-24) were administered. Results: The scores for self-concept were lower in the sample of students with reduced mobility. The cluster analysis also identified three different EI profiles: one group of young people with high general EI scores, one group with high scores for clarity and mood repair, and a last group of students with low EI scores. Finally, the ANOVA showed better self-concept in the group with high scores in the three EI dimensions. The results suggest that better self-concept is associated with a high EI profile. Conclusions: It would be interesting to provide programs that consider EI in more depth to strengthen these students’ self-concept

Genetic predisposition and Pediatric Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome: New tools for genetic study

Indexación: Web of Science; Scielo.El síndrome de distrés respiratorio agudo (SDRA) es la forma más grave de falla respiratoria. Teóricamente, cualquier noxa pulmonar aguda puede resultar en un SDRA, pero solo un pequeño porcentaje de individuos desarrolla la enfermedad. Sobre este fundamento, factores genéticos han sido implicados en el riesgo de desarrollar SDRA. Basado en la fisiopatología de esta enfermedad, múltiples genes candidatos han sido evaluados como potenciales modificadores, tanto en pacientes como en modelos animales de SDRA. Datos experimentales y estudios clínicos recientes sugieren que variantes de genes implicados en procesos clave de daño tisular, celular y molecular pulmonar pueden influir en la predisposición y el pronóstico del SDRA. Sin embargo, la patogénesis del SDRA pediátrico es compleja y, en consecuencia, es posible anticipar que muchos genes pueden contribuir a ella. Variantes genéticas, tales como polimorfismos de nucleótido simple y variantes del número de copias, están probablemente asociadas con la predisposición al SDRA en niños con lesión pulmonar primaria. El estudio de asociación del genoma completo (GWAS, del inglés Genome-Wide Association Study) puede examinar estas variantes sin sesgos y ayudar a identificar nuevos genes fundamentales y vías patogénicas clave para futuros análisis. Esta aproximación también puede tener implicancias clínicas diagnósticas y terapéuticas, como predecir el riesgo del paciente o desarrollar un enfoque terapéutico personalizado para este grave síndrome.Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is the most severe form of respiratory failure. Theoretically, any acute lung condition can lead to ARDS, but only a small percentage of individuals actually develop the disease. On this basis, genetic factors have been implicated in the risk of developing ARDS. Based on the pathophysiology of this disease, many candidate genes have been evaluated as potential modifiers in patient, as well as in animal models, of ARDS. Recent experimental data and clinical studies suggest that variations of genes involved in key processes of tissue, cellular and molecular lung damage may influence susceptibility and prognosis of ARDS. However, the pathogenesis of pediatric ARDS is complex, and therefore, it can be expected that many genes might contribute. Genetic variations such as single nucleotide polymorphisms and copy-number variations are likely associated with susceptibility to ARDS in children with primary lung injury. Genome-wide association (GWA) studies can objectively examine these variations, and help identify important new genes and pathogenetic pathways for future analysis. This approach might also have diagnostic and therapeutic implications, such as predicting patient risk or developing a personalized therapeutic approach to this serious syndrome.http://ref.scielo.org/kqgf3

Afectividad negativa y positiva en adultos cubanos con sintomatología ansiosa, depresiva y sin trastornos

 Two-Factor Model of Emotionof Watson and Tellengen has been investigated for the differentiation of  anxiety and depression in Europe and North America, but no studies have been reported in middle-aged Cuban population. The objective of this research was to investigate the negative (NA) and positive affectivity (PA)  in individuals without psychopathology, predominantly anxious, depressive or mixed symptoms. The sample was 219 subjects; 19.2% with symptoms of anxiety, 17.8% has depression, 23.7% mixed anxiety and depression symptoms, and the rest without symptoms. Positive and negative affect schedule (PANAS) was used to study emotion;  and Anxiety and Depression Scale Goldberg (GADS) to differentiate diagnostic subgroups. The one-way ANOVA was used with the method of Tukey Honest Significant Difference. We found that AP was lower in depressive as predicted by the model, but the prediction that the AP would differentiate anxious people without symptoms was fulfilled, which highlights the need to evaluate the models developed in other cultures.El Modelo Bifactorial de Afectividad de  Watson y Tellengen se ha postulado para la diferenciación de la ansiedad y la depresión en Europa y Norteamérica, pero no se han reportado estudios en población cubana de edad media. El objetivo de esta investigación fue investigar la afectividad positiva (AP) y negativa (AN) en personas sin psicopatología, con sintomatología predominantemente ansiosa, depresiva o mixta. La muestra fue de 219 personas; 19,2% con sintomatología ansiosa, 17,8% depresiva, 23,7% mixta y el resto sin síntomas. Se utilizó el Inventario de Afecto positivo y negativo (PANAS) para estudiar la afectividad y la Escala de Ansiedad y Depresión de Goldberg (EADG) para diferenciar los subgrupos diagnósticos. Se utilizó el ANOVA de un factor con el Método de la Diferencia Significativa Honesta de Tukey para establecer las diferencias. Se encontró que el AP era menor en los depresivos tal y como predice el Modelo, pero no se cumplió la predicción de que la AP diferenciaría a los ansiosos de las personas sin síntomas,  y se encontró que en el grupo con sintomatología mixta había mayor AN y menor AP que en los otros subgrupos patológicos, lo que alerta sobre la necesidad de evaluar los modelos desarrollados en otras culturas

Social Emotional Health Survey-Secondary (SEHS-S): A Universal Screening Measure of Social-Emotional Strengths for Spanish-Speaking Adolescents

The Social Emotional Health Survey-Secondary (SEHS-S), which is a measure of core psychological assets based on a higher-order model of Covitality, is comprised of 36 items and four latent traits (with three measured subscales): belief in self (self-efficacy, self-awareness, and persistence), belief in others (school support, family coherence, and peer support), emotional competence (emotional regulation, behavioral self-control, and empathy), and engaged living (gratitude, zest, and optimism). Previous international studies have supported the psychometric properties of the SEHS-S. The present study extended this research by examining the psychometric properties of a Spanish-language adaptation with a sample of 1042 Spanish adolescents (Mage = 14.49, SD = 1.65.). Confirmatory factor analyses replicated the original factorial structure, with hierarchical omega between 0.66–0.93, with 0.94 for the total score. Factorial invariance across genders revealed small latent mean differences. A path model evaluated concurrent validity, which revealed a significant association between Covitality and bidimensional mental health (psychological distress and well-being). Specifically, correlational analyses showed a negative association with internalizing/externalizing symptoms, and positive associations with subjective well-being, health-related quality of life, and prosocial behaviors. This study provides an example of a culturally relevant adaptation of an international tool to measure student strengths, which is critical to planning school programming and policy.The Ministry of Economy, Industry, and Competitiveness of the Government of Spain (I+D+i Projects, 2017, reference number: PSI2017-88280-R, and Research Networks PSI2015-70943-REDT and PSI2017-90650-REDT) and the Department of Education, Research, Culture, and Sport from Valencian Community of Spain through two grants for the hiring of PhD research assistant awarded to M.R-R. [ACIF/2015/155; VALi+d Program) and R.F. (ACIF/2019/052; VALi+d Program) funded this research

Exploring the Role of Sclerostin as a Biomarker of Cardiovascular Disease and Mortality: A Scoping Review

Sclerostin is most recognized for its role in controlling bone formation; however, it is also expressed in the heart, aorta, coronary, and peripheral arteries. Human studies have associated high circulating sclerostin levels with the presence of different cardiovascular diseases (CVD), surrogate CVD markers, and a high risk of cardiovascular events in some populations. However, this is still a matter of scientific debate, as the results have been very heterogeneous among studies. In the present review, the association between serum sclerostin levels and CVD and/or cardiovascular mortality was analyzed. For this purpose, a scoping review was performed in which articles measuring serum sclerostin levels and cardiovascular risk in patients were selected. Eleven articles answered the research question; of these articles, 8/11 evaluated the association between sclerostin and CVD, of which 4/8 found a positive association, 2/8 found a negative association, and 2/8 found no association between variables. Five (5/11) of the articles included in the study evaluated cardiovascular mortality, of which 3/5 found a positive association, 1/5 found a negative association, and 1/5 found no association between variables. In conclusion, we did not find sufficient results to be able to demonstrate an association between elevated sclerostin levels and the development of CVD and/or cardiovascular mortality in the general population due to heterogeneity in the results. However, there seems to be a tendency to consider increased sclerostin levels as a risk factor for both the development of cardiovascular events and cardiovascular mortality in specific populations. Further studies in this field will help to solve some of the inconsistencies found during this scoping review and allow for the future use of sclerostin measurement as a strategy in the prevention and diagnosis of CVD and/or cardiovascular mortality.Instituto de Salud Carlos III European Commission PI18-00803 PI21/01069 PI18-01235 CD20/00022European CommissionJunta de Andalucia PI-0268-2019 RH-0069-2021Instituto de Salud Carlos IIIUniversity of Granada FI19/00118European Commission 811