688 research outputs found
Relación empÃrica entre la Terapia Racional Emotivo-Conductual (TREC) de Ellis y la Terapia Cognitiva (TC) de Beck en una muestra costarricense
En este estudio se explora una posible
relación empÃrica entre la terapia racional emotivoconductual
(TREC) de Ellis y la terapia cognitiva
(TC) de Beck, dos de los modelos más conspicuos en el
campo de la psicoterapia cognitiva actual.
Si bien este modelo utiliza el término cognitivo en
forma tal que se encuentra asociado con el afecto, la
fisiologÃa y la conducta (Dobson, 1986), sostiene que
las perturbaciones emocionales, en esencia, son causadas
por el proceso cognitivo del individuo.
En esta investigación, se trabajó con una muestra de
200 estudiantes de la Universidad de Costa Rica de
diferentes áreas a quienes se les aplicaron las escalas
de: Attitudes and Beliefs Inventory (ABI) [Escala de
Actitudes y Creencias], y el Beck Depression Inventory,
2ª edición (BDI-II) [Inventario de Depresión de Beck],
escalas que fueron adaptadas al español.
El análisis estadÃstico de los datos confirma empÃricamente
la relación entre ambos modelos
Prevalence and characteristics of sexual victimization among gay and bisexual men : A preliminary study in Spain
Sexual violence is an understudied issue in the population of gay and bisexual men, although the existing articles to date demonstrate that it is a problem that merits public attention. This study aims to approach the problem of invisibility around the matter, as well as presenting a number of variables that have been usually overlooked in Spanish research or have not been assessed at all. Lifetime sexual victimization, sociodemographic characteristics, situational characteristics and social support were examined among 550 gay and bisexual males living in Spain using a self-administrated questionnaire. Results analysis show that 90.00% (87.18-92.38%) of participants reported at least one experience of unwanted insinuation, 87.27% (84.19-89.94%) reported at least one experience of sexual coercion, 64.00% (59.83-68.02%) reported at least one experience of sexual assault, and specifically 19.82% (16.57-23.40%) reported being raped during their lifetime. Significant differences have been found between some categories regarding gender identity, sexual orientation, age, race/ethnicity and educational level. Overall, these results showcase sexual violence as a pervasive problem in the Spanish gay and bisexual community and educational level. Overall, these results showcase sexual violence as a pervasive problem in the Spanish gay and bisexual community
Iron-enriched diet contributes to early onset of osteoporotic phenotype in a mouse model of hereditary hemochromatosis
Osteoporosis is associated with chronic iron overload secondary to hereditary hemochromatosis (HH), but the causative mechanisms are incompletely understood. The main objective of this study was to investigate the role of dietary iron on osteoporosis, using as biological model the Hfe-KO mice, which have a systemic iron overload. We showed that these mice show an increased susceptibility for developing a bone loss phenotype compared to WT mice, which can be exacerbated by an iron rich diet. The dietary iron overload caused an increase in inflammation and iron incorporation within the trabecular bone in both WT and Hfe-KO mice. However, the osteoporotic phenotype was only evident in Hfe-KO mice fed the iron-enriched diet. This appeared to result from an imbalance between bone formation and bone resorption driven by iron toxicity associated to Hfe-KO and confirmed by a decrease in bone microarchitecture parameters (identified by micro-CT) and osteoblast number. These findings were supported by the observed downregulation of bone metabolism markers and upregulation of ferritin heavy polypeptide 1 (Fth1) and transferrin receptor-1 (Tfrc), which are associated with iron toxicity and bone loss phenotype. In WT mice the iron rich diet was not enough to promote a bone loss phenotype, essentially due to the concomitant depression of bone resorption observed in those animals. In conclusion the dietary challenge influences the development of osteoporosis in the HH mice model thus suggesting that the iron content in the diet may influence the osteoporotic phenotype in systemic iron overload conditions.National Funds through Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) Norte-01-0145-FEDER-000012
Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) SFRH/BD/77056/2011
European Regional Development Fund (FEDER) Norte-01-0145-FEDER-000012info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio
El malestar en el empleo temporal involuntario
El objetivo de este estudio fue analizar el papel de la voluntariedad de la situación ocupacional en el malestar psicológico en el empleo temporal. Se aplicó un cuestionario a una muestra de 463 personas incluidas en alguno de los siguientes cuatro tipos ideales de situación ocupacional: empleo estable, empleo temporal voluntario, empleo temporal involuntario y desempleo. Los resultados muestran diferencias significativas entre todos los tipos laborales en la escala de bienestar laboral. De mayor a menor puntuación media en esta escala, el orden de los tipos es: empleo estable, empleo temporal voluntario, desempleo y empleo temporal involuntario. Las respuestas textuales a las preguntas abiertas ponen de manifiesto un alto malestar en el estatus de empleo temporal involuntario, atribuido a la situación ocupacional presente y a la incertidumbre e inseguridad que genera el propio futuro laboral percibidoThe aim of this study was to analyze the occupational situation voluntary on the psychological malaise in temporary employment. A questionnaire was applied to a sample of 463 individuals included in one of the following four ideal types of occupational situation: stable employment, voluntary temporary employment, involuntary temporary employment, and unemployment. Results showed significant different among all occupational types in a scale of labor wellbeing. From higher to lower score in this scale, the ranking of the types is: stable employment, voluntary temporary employment, unemployment, and involuntary temporary employment. The responses to the open questions showed a high malaise in individuals in the condition of involuntary temporary employment, which is attributed to the current occupational situation and to the uncertainty and insecurity generated by the perceived labor futur
Preparation of bioactive coatings on the surface of bioinert polymers through an innovative auto-catalytic electroless route
The aim of this research was to develop a new methodology to obtain bioactive coatings
on bioinert and biodegradable polymers that are not intrinsically bioactive. In this study, three types
of materials were used as substrates: (i) high molecular weight polyethylene (HMWPE) and two
different types of starch based blends (ii) starch/ethylene vinyl alcohol blends, SEVA-C, and (iii)
starch/cellulose acetate blends, SCA. These materials were obtained by injection moulding and by
extrusion with blowing agents in order to obtain compact/porous 3D architectures. Three types of
baths were developed in order to produce the newly proposed auto-catalytic Ca-P coatings: (i)
alkaline, (ii) acid, and (iii) oxidant bath. The obtained results indicated that it was possible to coat
the materials surfaces with calcium phosphate (Ca-P) layer with only 60 min of immersion in the
different types of auto-catalytic solutions. These innovative auto-catalytic electroless route allows
for the production of an adherent bioactive film on the polymeric surfaces. Furthermore, it was
possible observe by SEM/EDS the clear bioactive nature of the Ca-P coatings after different
immersion periods, in a simulated body fluid (SBF)
Bioactive starch-based scaffolds and human adipose stem cells are a good combination for bone tissue engineering
Silicon is known to have an influence on calcium phosphate deposition and on the differentiation of bone precursor cells. This study explores the effect of the incorporation of silanol (Si–OH) groups into poly- meric scaffolds on the osteogenic differentiation of human adipose stem cells (hASC) cultured under dynamic and static conditions. A blend of corn starch with polycaprolactone (30/70 wt.%, SPCL) was used to produce three-dimensional fibre meshes scaffolds by the wet-spinning technique, and a calcium sili- cate solution was used as a non-solvent to develop an in situ functionalization with Si–OH groups. In vitro assessment, using hASC, of functionalized and non-functionalized scaffolds was evaluated in either a- MEM or osteogenic medium under static and dynamic conditions (provided by a flow perfusion bioreac- tor). The functionalized materials, SPCL–Si, exhibit the capacity to sustain cell proliferation and induce their differentiation into the osteogenic lineage. The formation of mineralization nodules was observed in cells cultured on the SPCL–Si materials. Culturing under dynamic conditions using a flow perfusion bioreactor was shown to enhance the hASC proliferation and differentiation and a better distribution of cells within the material. The present work demonstrates the potential of these functionalized mate- rials for future applications in bone tissue engineering. Additionally, these results highlight the simplicity, economic and reliable production process of those materials.Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT) - (Grant SFRH/BD/69962/2010, SFRH/BPD/26648/2006, PTDC/CTM/67560/2006European NoE EXPERTISSUES - (NMP3-CT-2004-
50028
Ecophysiology of after-fire resprouts of Arbutus unedo L
Plant-water relationships, leaf morphology and concentrations of pigments, proline, soluble sugars, anthocyans and nutrients of after wildfire resprout leaves of Arbutus unedo L. were com-pared with those of same age sprout leaves in unbumed plants. In spring samples, several significant differences appear: after-fire resprouts showed some juvenile characteristics, such as high tissue elasticity, small cells, low specific leaf weight, high Chla/Chlb ratio and a high anthocyan content; on the other hand, unbnrned plants showed drought tolerance characteristics by osmotic adjustment and lower tissue elasticity, larger cells, higher specific leaf weight and lower Chla/Chlb ratio. In fall samples, both kind of shoots showed drought tolerance by osmotic adjustment, low tissue elasticity, large cells and high specific leaf weight. Results show that after-fire resprouts have, at the beginning of their development, higher morphological and physiological plasticity that the new sprouts of unburned plants.Es comparen les relacions hÃdriques, la morfologia foliar i les concentracions de pigments, prolina, sucres solubles, antocians i nutrients de les fulles de rebrots d'Arbutus unedo L. després d'un incendi, amb iguals caracterÃstiques de les fulles de brots de plantes no cremades de la mateixa edat. A les mostres de primavera apareixen diverses diferències significatives: els rebrots, després del foc, presenten caracterÃstiques juvenils, com són alta elasticitat dels teixits, cèl·lules petites, baix pes especÃfic foliar, alta relació Chla/Chlb i un elevat contingut d'antocians; d'altra banda, les plantes no cremades presenten caracterÃstiques de tolerà ncia a I'eixut per ajustament osmòtic i baixa elasticitat dels teixits, cèl·lules més grosses, pes especÃfic més alt i relació Chla/Chlb inferior. A les mostres de tardor els dos tipus de brots presenten tolerà ncia a I'eixut per ajustament osmòtic, baixa elasticitat de teixits, cèl·lules grosses i pes especÃfic foliar alt. Els resultats mostren que els rebrots després del foc tenen, a I'inici del seu desenvolupament, una plasticitat morfològica i fisiològica superior que els brots nous de les plantes no cremades
Stimulatory effects of inorganic ions on osteogenesis in vitro
Introduction: Several studies demonstrated the effect of silicate ions (Si) on differentiation of bone precursor cells1,2, although its exact role in processes related to bone formation and remodeling is still incompletely understood. The focus of this work is to explore the effect of calcium and silicate ions on growth and osteogenic differentiation of human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs). This strategy may reduce the need for growth factors required to stimulate bone formation in regenerative approaches, decreasing the associated costs and overcoming stability issues.
Materials and Methods
In order to define the range of Si concentrations that are not toxic to cells, we performed a preliminary study varying Si concentrations from 0.00357mM to 4mM. The concentration of the Ca ions was selected based on the earlier study by Barradas et. al3. Cell culture media were supplemented by using sodium silicate (Na2SiO3) and/or calcium chloride dehydrate (CaCl2*2H2O) as Si and Ca precursors, respectively. hMSCs derived from bone marrow were seeded at a seeding density of 2.000 cells/cm2 and allowed to adhere overnight. Then, the medium was replaced by the appropriate supplemented medium and cells were cultured for 3, 7, 14 and 18 days. Basic and osteogenic media were used as negative and positive controls. Cell proliferation was evaluated by DNA quantification. hMSCs osteogenic gene expression was evaluated by Q-PCR.
Results
DNA quantification indicated an increase in cell number during the culture time for all the conditions. Results obtained by Q-PCR revealed a significantly higher expression of osteocalcin (OC) and bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP2) in cells cultured in media supplemented by both ions, as compared to media containing either Ca or Si alone.
Discussion and Conclusions
DNA quantification studies indicated that none of the selected concentrations had a negative influence on cell proliferation. The increase in osteogenic gene expression for cells cultured with both Ca and Si suggested a synergistic effect of the two ions on osteogenic differentiation of hMSCs. We further showed that cells cultured in the medium with the highest concentration of Ca (7.8mM) revealed a higher expression of the selected genes, which is in accordance with the earlier results by Barradas et al3. The obtained results suggest the importance of combining both ions, Ca and Si, for promoting the osteogenic differentiation of hMSCs.
References
1. Hoppe A, Biomaterials 32: 2757-2774, 2011.
2. Beck Jr GR, Nanomedicine: Nanotechnology, Biology, and Medicine,1-11, 2011
3. Barradas AMC et al., Biomaterials 3205-3215, 2012.
Acknowledgments
The author thanks the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) for the grant (SFRH/BD/69962/2010).
Disclosures
The authors have nothing to disclose
Incorporation of proteins and enzymes at different stages of the preparation of calcium phosphate coatings on a degradable substrate by a biomimetic methodology
In this work, the possibility of incorporating proteins into calcium phosphate (Ca-P) coatings, prepared on the surface of starch
polymeric biomaterials by means of a biomimetic route, was investigated. The morphology, chemical composition and crystallinity of Ca-P coatings was assessed and related to the incorporation of the studied biomolecules. For that, bovine serum albumin (BSA) and aamylase were added in concentrations of 1 mg/ml to simulated body fluid (SBF) solutions, being both added at the nucleation or growth stages of the biomimetic coating process. A biodegradable blend of corn starch/ethylene vinyl alcohol (SEVA-C) was used as substrate and bioactive glass (45S5 BioglassR) was used as the nucleating agent. The obtained Ca-P coatings were characterised by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy using an attenuated
reflectance device (FTIR-ATR) and thin-film X-ray diffraction (TF-XRD). Additionally, to evaluate the activity of the incorporated
enzyme and the stability of the Ca-P films, coated samples were immersed in an SBF solution for different periods of time. The enzyme activity was measured and the morphology of the coating examined by SEM. The results obtained showed that the presence of protein molecules, at the nucleation or growth stages, lead to the formation of a dense Ca-P film presenting different morphologies that were
different of the selected coating conditions. FTIR-ATR analysis detected the presence of carbonate and phosphate groups on the Ca-P
layer, indicating the formation of a coating similar to the mineral component of vertebrates bone tissue. When proteins were added, amide I and amide II bands, characteristic groups of protein molecules, were also detected, revealing the efficient incorporation of these biomolecules into the Ca-P coatings.
Ca-P coatings, with a-amylase incorporated at the nucleation stage, showed no degradation of the film after incubation in SBF for 28 days. The release of increasing concentration of reducing sugars with degradation time revealed that a-amylase was efficiently incorporated in the coating remaining active throughout the coating preparation. This can be a strategy that will allow, in addition of conferring osteoconductive properties to biodegradable polymers, also simultaneously tailoring their degradation kinetics.Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT
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