Sensibilidad y especificidad del cuestionario de preocupación y ansiedad para la detección del trastorno de ansiedad generalizada en la edad avanzada

This work aimed to test, through the analysis of the ROC (receiver operating characteristics) curves, the ability of the Worry and Anxiety Questionnaire (WAQ) to identify the presence of generalized anxi-ety disorder (GAD) in older adults. Sample was composed by 239 subjects between 65 and 90 years old (Mean = 73,4; SD = 5,6). The presence de GAD (n = 7) was established with a structured inter-view. A cut score of 38 (equal or higher) maximized both sensitivity (100 %) and specificity (91,1 %) for identifying GAD. Results of this work provide additional support to the validity and reliability of WAQ with older adults, given that it presents high sensitivity and specificity to identify the presence of GAD. This allows suggest the usefulness of this scale and its cut-score according to the ROC curve like instruments for the identification and screening of GAD in the late life.Este trabajo se dirige a comprobar, mediante el análisis de las curvas COR (características operativas del receptor), la capacidad para identificar la presencia de trastorno de ansiedad generalizada (TAG) en personas mayores del Cuestionario de Preocupación y Ansiedad (WAQ), una medida dimensional de los criterios diagnósticos del TAG según el DSM-IV. La muestra estuvo compuesta por 97 personas entre 65 y 90 años (media = 73,4; DT = 5,6). La presencia de TAG (n = 7) se estableció mediante una entrevista diagnóstica estructurada. Una puntuación igual o superior a 38 maximizó simultáneamente la sensibilidad (100 %) y la especificidad (91,1 %) de la escala para la identificación del TAG. Los resultados de este trabajo ofrecen apoyo adicional a la fiabilidad y validez del WAQ en su uso con personas mayores, dado que presenta sensibilidad y especificidad elevadas en la identificación del TAG. Esto permite sugerir la utilidad del empleo de esta escala y de los puntos de corte ofrecidos por las curva COR, como un medio de identificación y cribado del TAG en esta edad

Construcción de un instrumento de valoración de la expresividad musical en profesorado y alumnado en la Enseñanza Superior de Música

Introducción. Una de las principales funciones de la música es la expresión y comunicación de emociones. El aprendizaje de las habilidades centradas en esta comunicación es una parte central en la formación de los intérpretes y, el estudio de las concepciones de profesores y alumnos sobre los modos adecuados de mejorar la expresividad puede considerarse una de las tareas prioritarias para la investigación psicoeducativa. Por ello, este trabajo está dirigido a: a) validar un instrumento para su evaluación; b) conocer la valoración de diferentes estrategias de enseñanza-aprendizaje de la expresividad emocional en la música, en profesores y alumnos de niveles superiores de educación musical y c) comparar esas valoraciones en ambos grupos. Método. Para ello, 229 personas (170 estudiantes y 59 profesores) del Conservatorio Superior de Música de Madrid completaron un cuestionario sobre la mejora de la expresividad con cuatro estrategias distintas de enseñanza-aprendizaje. Resultados. Se encontraron algunas diferencias estadísticamente significativas entre grupos respecto a las preferencias de dichos modelos. Se pueden destacar las diferencias en intra-grupo: la estrategia basada en el uso de instrucciones técnicas fue la mejor valorada mientras que el modelado recibió la peor valoración. Estos efectos fueron independientes del sexo y la edad. La estructura factorial teórica tuvo un excelente ajuste a los datos (CFI=.95). Discusión y conclusiones. En conclusión, ambos grupos difieren en sus concepciones sobre las estrategias óptimas para trabajar la expresividad, pero coinciden en las preferencias sobre una u otra estrategia, valorando especialmente el uso de instrucciones técnicas. Se discuten las posibles implicaciones pedagógicas y se propone este cuestionario como herramienta para su uso en contextos educativos

Concepciones sobre el aprendizaje de la expresividad musical y su relación con la Inteligencia Emocional: una comparación internacional

La comunicación de emociones expresiva es un elemento central en la música, por ello, tanto el aprendizaje de la expresividad musical como el valor intrínseco de las destrezas emocionales de los estudiantes son pilares para el propio aprendizaje general del músico. Establecer mejoras en el aprendizaje es fundamental para la educación y para esto es relevante conocer las concepciones sobre el aspecto de estudio, pues es uno de los factores que más puede influir en el proceso de aprendizaje. Teniendo en cuenta que la Inteligencia Emocional ha demostrado tener un valor predictivo en diversos contextos educativos, este estudio tiene como objetivo analizar la relación entre diferentes concepciones sobre estrategias de aprendizaje de la expresividad musical e Inteligencia Emocional en una muestra internacional de estudiantes de Enseñanzas Superiores Musicales. Los resultados indican que hay relación estadísticamente significativa y positiva entre la Inteligencia Emocional y dos de las estrategias propuestas, independientemente del país de la muestra, sexo y edad. Esta asociación sugiere posibles actuaciones pedagógicas

Knowledge about aging and worry in older adults:testing the mediating role of intolerance of uncertainty

OBJECTIVES: This study aims to explore the relationship between knowledge about aging and severity of worry in older adults, and to test the potential mediational role of intolerance of uncertainty. METHOD: The sample was composed of 120 community-dwelling older adults, with a mean of age of 71.0 years (SD = 6.3). Mediational analyses and structural equation modeling were used to analyze and compare different models. RESULTS: Greater knowledge about aging was negatively related to both intolerance of uncertainty and worry, and its effect on worry was partially mediated by intolerance of uncertainty. The mediational model obtained an excellent fit to the data (i.e. Goodness of fit index (GFI) = 0.995) and clearly had a better fit than alternative models. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that a good knowledge of the aging process could help decrease aversive uncertainty and thus reduce the level of worry among older adults. Thus, educational programs to increase knowledge about aging could serve as one preventive strategy for anxiety in old age

Psychotic symptoms are associated with physical health problems independently of a mental disorder diagnosis: Results from the WHO World Health Survey

This study explored whether physical health problems are related to psychotic symptoms independently of a mental disorder diagnosis. A total of 224,254 subjects recruited for the World Health Organization World Health Survey were subdivided into those with both a lifetime diagnosis of psychosis and at least one psychotic symptom in the 12 months prior to the evaluation, those with at least one psychotic symptom in the past 12 months but no lifetime diagnosis of psychosis, and those without psychotic symptoms in the past 12 months and without a lifetime diagnosis of psychosis. The three groups were compared for the presence of medical conditions, health problems, and access to health care. Medical conditions and health problems (angina, asthma, arthritis, tuberculosis, vision or hearing problems, mouth/teeth problems, alcohol consumption, smoking, and accidents), medication consumption, and hospital admissions (but not regular health care visits) were more frequent in individuals with psychotic symptoms but no psychosis diagnosis, compared to those with no symptoms and no diagnosis. The number of medical conditions increased with the number of psychotic symptoms. Given the sample analyzed, this trend seems to be independent from the socio-economic development of the country or the specific health care systemThis work was supported by the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, CIBERSAM, Madrid Regional Government (S2010/BMD- 2422 AGES), European Union Structural Funds, Fundación Alicia Koplowitz, Fundación Mutua Madrileña, ERA-NET NEURON (Network of European Funding for Neuroscience Research) and theWorld Health Organizatio

Medical conditions and depressive, anxiety, and somatic symptoms in older adults with and without generalized anxiety disorder

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to examine medical illness and anxiety, depressive, and somatic symptoms in older medical patients with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). METHOD: A case-control study was designed and conducted in the University of California, San Diego (UCSD) Geriatrics Clinics. A total of fifty-four older medical patients with GAD and 54 matched controls participated. MEASUREMENTS: The measurements used for this study include: Brief Symptom Inventory-18, Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview, and the Anxiety Disorders Interview Schedule. RESULTS: Older medical patients with GAD reported higher levels of somatic symptoms, anxiety, and depression than other older adults, as well as higher rates of diabetes and gastrointestinal conditions. In a multivariate model that included somatic symptoms, medical conditions, and depressive and anxiety symptoms, anxiety symptoms were the only significant predictors of GAD. CONCLUSION: These results suggest first, that older medical patients with GAD do not primarily express distress as somatic symptoms; second, that anxiety symptoms in geriatric patients should not be discounted as a byproduct of medical illness or depression; and third, that older adults with diabetes and gastrointestinal conditions may benefit from screening for anxiety

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome at Age 16 Years

BACKGROUND:In the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC) birth cohort, chronic disabling fatigue lasting ≥6 months affected 1.3% of 13-year-olds, was equally common in boys and girls, and became more prevalent with increasing family adversity.METHODS:ALSPAC data were used to estimate the prevalence of chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) at age 16 years, defined by parental report of unexplained disabling fatigue lasting ≥6 months. We investigated gender and a composite 14-item family adversity index as risk factors. School absence data were obtained from the National Pupil Database. Multiple imputation was used to address bias caused by missing data.RESULTS:The prevalence of CFS was 1.86% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.47 to 2.24). After excluding children with high levels of depressive symptoms, the prevalence was 0.60% (95% CI: 0.37 to 0.84). Authorized school absences were much higher (mean difference: 35.6 [95% CI: 26.4 to 44.9] half-day sessions per academic year) and reported depressive symptoms were much more likely (odds ratio [OR]: 11.0 [95% CI: 5.92 to 20.4]) in children with CFS than in those without CFS. Female gender (OR: 1.95 [95% CI: 1.33 to 2.86]) and family adversity (OR: 1.20 [95% CI: 1.01 to 1.42] per unit family adversity index) were also associated with CFS.CONCLUSIONS:CFS affected 1.9% of 16-year-olds in a UK birth cohort and was positively associated with higher family adversity. Gender was a risk factor at age 16 years but not at age 13 years or in 16-year-olds without high levels of depressive symptoms.</jats:sec

Dimensiones de contenido de preocupación en población de edad avanzada

This study is aimed to analyze the main dimensions of contents of worry in the elderly, from the starting point of a broad pool of items referring to specific contents of worry relevant to this age group. The sample was composed by 105 adults aged 65 and over, who were randomly selected from the census of an urban locality. A Factor Analysis was used and 35 items, grouping into 5 subscales (Financial, Health, Family, Personal Competences, and Socio- Affective concerns) were retained. These five subscales correlated positive and significantly with worry, anxiety and depression measures. High worriers scored significantly higher in every subscale. The 35-item Worry Scale (Escala de Preocupaciones; EP), is proposed as a reliable and valid instrument to assess contents of worry among older adults, although additional validations are still required.Este estudio se dirige a analizar las principales dimensiones de contenidos de preocupación entre las personas mayores, partiendo de un amplio listado de Ítems sobre contenidos específicos relevantes en esta edad. La muestra se compuso de 105 personas mayores de 65 años, seleccionadas mediante muestreo aleatorio a partir del censo de una localidad urbana. Mediante análisis factorial se retuvieron 35 Ítems agrupados en cinco subescalas; Economía, Salud, Familia, Competencias Personales y aspectos Socio-Afectivos. Estas cinco subescalas tuvieron correlaciones positivas y significativas con medidas de preocupación, ansiedad y depresión. Las personas con niveles altos de preocupación obtuvieron puntuaciones significativamente superiores en todas las escalas. La Escala de Preocupaciones (EP) compuesta por los 35 Ítems retenidos se propone como un instrumento fiable y válido de evaluación de los contenidos de preocupación en las personas mayores, aunque son precisas validaciones adicionales

Multi-smart and scalable bioligands-free nanomedical platform for intratumorally targeted tambjamine delivery, a difficult to administrate highly cytotoxic drug

Cancer is one of the leading causes of mortality worldwide due, in part, to limited success of some current therapeutic approaches. The clinical potential of many promising drugs is restricted by their systemic toxicity and lack of selectivity towards cancer cells, leading to insufficient drug concentration at the tumor site. To overcome these hurdles, we developed a novel drug delivery system based on polyurea/polyurethane nanocapsules (NCs) showing pH-synchronized amphoteric properties that facilitate their accumulation and selectivity into acidic tissues, such as tumor microenvironment. We have demonstrated that the anticancer drug used in this study, a hydrophobic anionophore named T21, increases its cytotoxic activity in acidic conditions when nanoencapsulated, which correlates with a more efficient cellular internalization. A biodistribution assay performed in mice has shown that the NCs are able to reach the tumor and the observed systemic toxicity of the free drug is significantly reduced in vivo when nanoencapsulated. Additionally, T21 antitumor activity is preserved, accompanied by tumor mass reduction compared to control mice. Altogether, this work shows these NCs as a potential drug delivery system able to reach the tumor microenvironment, reducing the undesired systemic toxic effects. Moreover, these nanosystems are prepared under scalable methodologies and straightforward process, and provide tumor selectivity through a smart mechanism independent of targeting ligands

The Australia Telescope 20 GHz (AT20G) Survey: The Bright Source Sample

The Australia Telescope 20 GHz (AT20G) Survey is a blind survey of the whole Southern sky at 20 GHz (with follow-up observations at 4.8 and 8.6 GHz) carried out with the Australia Telescope Compact Array (ATCA) from 2004 to 2007. The Bright Source Sample (BSS) is a complete flux-limited subsample of the AT20G Survey catalogue comprising 320 extragalactic (|b|>1.5 deg) radio sources south of dec = -15 deg with S(20 GHz) > 0.50 Jy. Of these, 218 have near simultaneous observations at 8 and 5 GHz. In this paper we present an analysis of radio spectral properties in total intensity and polarisation, size, optical identifications and redshift distribution of the BSS sources. The analysis of the spectral behaviour shows spectral curvature in most sources with spectral steepening that increases at higher frequencies (the median spectral index \alpha, assuming S\propto \nu^\alpha, decreases from \alpha_{4.8}^{8.6}=0.11 between 4.8 and 8.6 GHz to \alpha_{8.6}^{20}=-0.16 between 8.6 and 20 GHz), even if the sample is dominated by flat spectra sources (85 per cent of the sample has \alpha_{8.6}^{20}>-0.5). The almost simultaneous spectra in total intensity and polarisation allowed us a comparison of the polarised and total intensity spectra: polarised fraction slightly increases with frequency, but the shapes of the spectra have little correlation. Optical identifications provided an estimation of redshift for 186 sources with a median value of 1.20 and 0.13 respectively for QSO and galaxies.Comment: 34 pages, 19 figures, tables of data included, replaced with version published in MNRA