Factor structure and reliability of the Multidimensional Body-Self Relations Questionnaire in Chilean youth.

The aim of this study was to ascertain the psychometric properties of the Multidimensional Body-Self Relations Questionnaire (MBSRQ) for a sample of youth in Chile. Cross-sectional survey was conducted with 451 participants. A non-clinical sample of adolescents and young adults between 15 and 25 years responded the MBSRQ and a sociodemographic questionnaire. Factorial analysis identified seven factors and provided empirical evidence that supports the use of these factors to evaluate body perception in Chilean youth. Scores exhibited good reliability in three factors (over 0.80) and acceptable reliability in the other four (over 0.70). Findings suggest that the Spanish MBSRQ was psychometrically sound, with 7 factors which are largely consistent with those identified in the original version and validation study of this scale. These factors possess sufficient internal consistency to make it plausible for use in research and screening with Chilean youth, and potentially useful as an adjunctive measure in the context of clinical decision making.

Comparative transcriptomic analysis of chemoreceptors in two sympatric scarab beetles, Hylamorpha elegans and Brachysternus prasinus.

Chemoreception through odorant receptors (ORs), ionotropic receptors (IRs) and gustatory receptors (GRs) represents the functions of key proteins in the chemical ecology of insects. Recent studies have identified chemoreceptors in coleopterans, facilitating the evolutionary analysis of not only ORs but also IRs and GRs. Thus, Cerambycidae, Tenebrionidae and Curculionidae have received increased attention. However, knowledge of the chemoreceptors from Scarabaeidae is still limited, particularly for those that are sympatric. Considering the roles of chemoreceptors, this analysis could shed light on evolutionary processes in the context of sympatry. Therefore, the aim of this study was to identify and compare the repertoires of ORs, GRs and IRs between two sympatric scarab beetles, Hylamorpha elegans and Brachysternus prasinus. Here, construction of the antennal transcriptomes of both scarab beetle species and analyses of their phylogeny, molecular evolution and relative expression were performed. Thus, 119 new candidate chemoreceptors were identified for the first time, including 17 transcripts for B. prasinus (1 GR, 3 IRs and 13 ORs) and 102 for H. elegans (22 GRs, 14 IRs and 66 ORs). Orthologs between the two scarab beetle species were found, revealing specific expansions as well as absence in some clades. Purifying selection appears to have occurred on H. elegans and B. prasinus ORs. Further efforts will be focused on target identification to characterize kairomone and/or pheromone receptors.

A highly conserved plant volatile odorant receptor detects a sex pheromone component of the greater wax moth, Galleria mellonella (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae).

Odorant receptors (ORs) are key specialized units for mate and host finding in moths of the Ditrysia clade, to which 98% of the lepidopteran species belong. Moth ORs have evolved to respond to long unsaturated acetates, alcohols, or aldehydes (Type I sex pheromones), falling into conserved clades of pheromone receptors (PRs). These PRs might have evolved from old lineages of non-Ditrysian moths that use plant volatile-like pheromones. However, a Ditrysian moth called the greater wax moth, Galleria mellonella (a worldwide-distributed pest of beehives), uses C9-C11 saturated aldehydes as the main sex pheromone components (i.e., nonanal and undecanal). Thus, these aldehydes represent unusual components compared with the majority of moth species that use, for instance, Type I sex pheromones. Current evidence shows a lack of consensus in the amount of ORs for G. mellonella, although consistent in that the moth does not have conserved PRs. Using genomic data, 62 OR candidates were identified, 16 being new genes. Phylogeny showed no presence of ORs in conserved PR clades. However, an OR with the highest transcript abundance, GmelOR4, appeared in a conserved plant volatile-detecting clade. Functional findings from the HEK system showed the OR as sensitive to nonanal and 2-phenylacetaldehyde, but not to undecanal. It is believed that to date GmelOR4 represents the first, but likely not unique, OR with a stable function in detecting aldehydes that help maintain the life cycle of G. mellonella around honey bee colonies.

Insights Into Chemosensory Proteins From Non-Model Insects: Advances and Perspectives in the Context of Pest Management.

Nowadays, insect chemosensation represents a key aspect of integrated pest management in the Anthropocene epoch. Olfaction-related proteins have been the focus of studies due to their function in vital processes, such ashost finding and reproduction behavior. Hence, most research has been based on the study of model insects, namely Drosophila melanogaster, Bombyx mori or Tribolium castaneum. Over the passage of time and the advance of new molecular techniques, insects considered non-models have been studied, contributing greatly to the knowledge of insect olfactory systems and enhanced pest control methods. In this review, a reference point for non-model insects is proposed and the concept of model and non-model insects is discussed. Likewise, it summarizes and discusses the progress and contribution in the olfaction field of both model and non-model insects considered pests in agriculture.

Analysis of glutathione-S-transferases from larvae of Galleria mellonella (Lepidoptera, Pyralidae) with potential alkaloid detoxification function.

The greater wax moth, Galleria mellonella, is a global pest for beehives, doing damage in the larval stage. Although a significant number of studies have reported on larvae and adults, to date no effective pest control has been implemented. In this study, we tested larval resistance to alkaloids from Berberis microphylla, and the objective was to identify enzymes that participate in alkaloid detoxification through enzymatic assays, bioinformatics analysis and qRT-PCR. Findings suggest glutathione-S-transferases (GSTs), from an increased metabolic mechanism, are responsible for alkaloid detoxification rather than cytochrome P450 (CYP), carboxylesterases (CarE). A bioinformatics analysis from transcriptome data revealed 22 GSTs present in both G. mellonella larvae and adults. The qRT-PCR experiments corroborated the presence of the 22 GSTs in larvae, where GST8 and GST20 stood out with the highest expression after berberine treatment. Structural information around GST8 and GST20 suggests that GST8 could bind berberine stronger than GST20. These findings represent an important advance in the study of detoxification enzymes in G. mellonella, expanding the role of delta-class GSTs towards alkaloids. Likewise, GST inhibition by alkaloid analogs is proposed in the framework of integrated pest management strategies.

Vivir sin gluten: percepción sobre alimentación, calidad de vida y socialización en adultos celiacos / GLUTEN-FREE LIFE: FOOD PERCEPTION- QUALITY OF LIFE AND SOCIALIZATION IN CELIAC ADULTS

La enfermedad celiaca es la intolerancia alimentaria más común del mundo, alcanzando a un 1% de la población y su único tratamiento es una dieta libre de gluten. El objetivo del estudio, de tipo exploratorio y diseño descriptivo, es conocer la percepción que los adultos celiacos tienen sobre su alimentación, calidad de vida y socialización después de empezar el tratamiento. Se entrevistó a 8 celiacos entre 24 y 37 años. Los entrevistados describen una respuesta emocional ante su nueva alimentación, que abarca frustración, cansancio, alivio, tranquilidad, no siendo excluyentes entre sí. El tratamiento nutricional hace ganar habilidades como la cocina, lo que genera mayor consciencia sobre lo que se come. Extrañar la comida con gluten es transversal; hay quienes pueden manejarlo, otros quienes rompen el tratamiento. La calidad de vida se ve afectada por el mayor costo económico de alimentacion sin gluten, las enfermedades asociadas y los factores que facilitan la adherencia a la dieta. La socialización con el entorno es facilitada cuando al celiaco se le apoya en su tratamiento; el ocio se vuelve más escaso y difícil, llevando a la restricción social

Celiac disease is the most common food intolerance in the world, reaching a prealenve of 1% of the population and its only treatment is a gluten-free diet. The aim of the study, exploratory and descriptive design, is to know the perception that celiac adults have about their diet, quality of life and socialization after starting treatment. Eight celiacs between the ages of 24 and 37 were interviewed. The interviewees describe an emotional response to their new diet, encompassing frustration, tiredness, relief and calm. Nutritional treatment makes them gain skills like cooking, which raises awareness about what you eat. Missing gluten-food is cross-cutting, some can handle it, others break treatment. Quality of life is affected by the higher economic cost of gluten-free nutrition, associated diseases and factors that facilitate diet adherence. Socialization with the environment is facilitated when celiac people is supported in its treatment; leisure becomes scarcer and more difficult, leading to social restrictions

[Clinical differences between suicide and non suicide attempter hospitalized adolescents]. / Diferencias clínicas entre adolescentes hospitalizados por intento suicida y adolescentes hospitalizados por otra causa psiquiátrica.

BACKGROUND: Suicide is the third cause of death among adolescents in United States and between 5 to 12% of teenagers have a history of suicide attempt. Therefore, suicide is a public health problem in this age group. AIM: To compare the clinical characteristics of hospitalized adolescents who attempted suicide with those without a history of suicide attempt. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The clinical records of adolescents aged less than 18 years, hospitalized in a psychiatric clinic, were analyzed. Forty six patients aged 15 +/-2 years (72% females) had a history of suicide attempt and were considered cases and 81 patients aged 15 +/-2 years (52% females) did not have a history of suicide attempt and were considered controls. Demographical and clinical characteristics of both groups were compared. Psychiatric diagnoses were based on the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders IV (DSMIV). RESULTS: No significant differences were found between groups in the length of hospital stay. The most common psychiatric diagnosis was depressive disorder, found in 71 and 35% of suicide and non-suicide attempters, respectively (p < 0.01). Personality diagnosis was deferred in most studied cases. CONCLUSIONS: Depression is more common among hospitalized adolescents who attempt suicide.

[Eating disorders inventory scores among mothers of adolescents with and without eating disorders]. / Las madres de adolescentes y jóvenes chilenos con trastornos alimentarios.

BACKGROUND: Parents have a control role in the development and treatment of eating disorders among teenagers. AIM: To compare attitudes, beliefs and behaviors between mothers of patients with eating disorders and mothers of teenagers without these disorders. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Twenty one mother-sibling pairs of adolescents with eating disorders and 15 pairs of adolescents without this condition, but of similar age, were studied. The eating disorders inventory (EDI-2), a self administered questionnaire that includes 91 items, was applied. RESULTS: No differences in any of the subscales of EDI-2 were observed between mothers of teenagers with or without eating disorders. No differences in perfectionism, maturity fears, impulsivity and interpersonal distrust were observed between adolescents with and without eating disorders. The latter had a lesser drive for thinness and inefficacy. CONCLUSIONS: In this sample, no differences in behaviors, attitudes and beliefs about food, were observed between mothers of adolescents with and without eating disorders.

[Program of eating disorders in Chilean adolescents and young adults: six months outcome]. / Programa de transtornos de alimentación en adolescentes y jóvenes chilenos: variaciones a seis meses de tratamiento.

BACKGROUND: Eating disorders may have serious organic consequences derived from under nutrition, specific nutrient deficiencies and electrolytic disturbances and reach a mortality as high as 12%. AIM: To describe the features and outcome after six months of treatment of patients attending the Eating Disorders Unit at the Catholic University Hospital in Chile. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Review of medical records of patients with eating disorders that received a multidisciplinary treatment by a team of nutritionists, psychiatrists and psychologists and were seen at least twice in a period of six months. RESULTS: The records of 81 patients (mean age 16.3+/-3 years, only one male) were included in the review. Forty nine patients had Anorexia Nervosa of the restricting type, five of the purging type, 22 had Bulimia Nervosa of the purging type and two of the non purging type and three patients had an eating disorder not otherwise specified. Eighty percent consulted within the first year of symptom appearance. Sixty five percent came from families with both parents living together, 57% had a rigid and agglutinated family structure and 65% had occult crises. Depression or dysthymia was found in 45% of patients and drug therapy was required at the beginning of treatment in 25%. Obsessive traits (40.4%) were significantly related to restrictive eaters. A past history of obesity or overweight was common. After six months of treatment, body mass index increasing significantly in restrictive eaters with obsessive traits and occult family crises was noticed. CONCLUSIONS: A multidisciplinary therapeutic intervention improved body mass index and family symptoms in patients with restrictive eating disorders.