Medulloblastoma Development in a Patient with a Constitutional Balanced t(5;22)(q35.1;q11.2) Involving the NF2 Gene.

Neurofibromatosis type 2 (NF2) is a brain tumor predisposing syndrome caused by inactivating alterations of the NF2 gene mapped at chromosome 22q. Currently, no genetic information exists on medulloblastomas occurring in NF2 patients. We herein report on the genetic alterations observed in a girl in which the NF2 gene was de novo altered due to a constitutional translocation: t(5;22)(q35.1;q11.2). This girl had a particularly aggressive disease course. At the age of 4, she had already been diagnosed with three lesions classified as schwannomas and a meningioma. At 10 years old, she developed a medulloblastoma. She died at the age of 14 due to a refractory acute myeloid leukemia (AML). From the genetic point of view, we observed that (1) the NF2 gene was rearranged in all patient samples: blood, tumor, and leukemic cells; (2) loss of 3' region of NF2 and the downstream regions of chromosome 22 were only detected in medulloblastoma cells; (3) the known cancer AML-related gene: NPM1 which is mapped at 5q35.1 was not the target of any alteration in our patient. Our data suggest that inactivation of the NF2 gene was relevant for the medulloblastoma pathogenesis. Furthermore, we know that malignant cancers are the result of a multi-epi-genetic sequence of events, and although, unquestionably limited to the genetic findings in one case. We may hypothesize, that as described for a fraction of medulloblastomas, the alteration of a gene mapped at 5q might also have been relevant for medulloblastoma development in our patient.

Botrytis cinerea infection accelerates ripening and cell wall disassembly to promote disease in tomato fruit.

Postharvest fungal pathogens benefit from the increased host susceptibility that occurs during fruit ripening. In unripe fruit, pathogens often remain quiescent and unable to cause disease until ripening begins, emerging at this point into destructive necrotrophic lifestyles that quickly result in fruit decay. Here, we demonstrate that one such pathogen, Botrytis cinerea, actively induces ripening processes to facilitate infections and promote disease in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum). Assessments of ripening progression revealed that B. cinerea accelerated external coloration, ethylene production, and softening in unripe fruit, while mRNA sequencing of inoculated unripe fruit confirmed the corresponding upregulation of host genes involved in ripening processes, such as ethylene biosynthesis and cell wall degradation. Furthermore, an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA)-based glycomics technique used to assess fruit cell wall polysaccharides revealed remarkable similarities in the cell wall polysaccharide changes caused by both infections of unripe fruit and ripening of healthy fruit, particularly in the increased accessibility of pectic polysaccharides. Virulence and additional ripening assessment experiments with B. cinerea knockout mutants showed that induction of ripening depends on the ability to infect the host and break down pectin. The B. cinerea double knockout Δbc polygalacturonase1 Δbc polygalacturonase2 lacking two critical pectin degrading enzymes was incapable of emerging from quiescence even long after the fruit had ripened at its own pace, suggesting that the failure to accelerate ripening severely inhibits fungal survival on unripe fruit. These findings demonstrate that active induction of ripening in unripe tomato fruit is an important infection strategy for B. cinerea.

Host susceptibility factors render ripe tomato fruit vulnerable to fungal disease despite active immune responses.

The increased susceptibility of ripe fruit to fungal pathogens poses a substantial threat to crop production and marketability. Here, we coupled transcriptomic analyses with mutant studies to uncover critical processes associated with defense and susceptibility in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) fruit. Using unripe and ripe fruit inoculated with three fungal pathogens, we identified common pathogen responses reliant on chitinases, WRKY transcription factors, and reactive oxygen species detoxification. We established that the magnitude and diversity of defense responses do not significantly impact the interaction outcome, as susceptible ripe fruit mounted a strong immune response to pathogen infection. Then, to distinguish features of ripening that may be responsible for susceptibility, we utilized non-ripening tomato mutants that displayed different susceptibility patterns to fungal infection. Based on transcriptional and hormone profiling, susceptible tomato genotypes had losses in the maintenance of cellular redox homeostasis, while jasmonic acid accumulation and signaling coincided with defense activation in resistant fruit. We identified and validated a susceptibility factor, pectate lyase (PL). CRISPR-based knockouts of PL, but not polygalacturonase (PG2a), reduced susceptibility of ripe fruit by >50%. This study suggests that targeting specific genes that promote susceptibility is a viable strategy to improve the resistance of tomato fruit against fungal disease.

Propiedades psicométricas del Cuestionario de ansiedad social para adultos (CASO) en Perú / Psychometric properties of the Social Anxiety Questionnaire for Adults (SAQ) in Peru

Resumen La investigación sobre la evaluación de la ansiedad social en Iberoamérica es escasa. En los últimos años se ha informado sobre las características psicométricas del "Cuestionario de ansiedad social para adultos" (CASO) en distintos países iberoamericanos, excepto Perú. El objetivo de este estudio fue analizar las pruebas de validez basadas en el constructo, las pruebas de validez basadas en la relación con otras variables de tipo convergente y la fiabilidad del CASO, utilizando una muestra no clínica de 3064 peruanos. El análisis factorial confirmatorio comprobó que el modelo de cinco factores relacionados se ajustaba mejor a los datos que el modelo jerárquico y se halló que el modelo unifactorial no tenía un buen ajuste. Las correlaciones entre los factores del CASO (de .608 a .709) indicaron que cada uno de ellos evalúa aspectos específicos del constructo y aportan, a su vez, a la medición global del mismo. Los coeficientes de fiabilidad fueron de aceptables a muy buenos (.78( (( .85, .75( (( .83). La alta correlación (r= .69) con la subescala de Ansiedad de la "Escala de ansiedad social de Liebowitz, versión de autoinforme" (LSAS-SR), apoya su relación con la variable convergente. Estas adecuadas características psicométricas del CASO respaldan su utilización con población peruana.

Abstract Research on the assessment of social anxiety in Ibero-America is scarce. In recent years, the psychometric characteristics of the Social Anxiety Questionnaire for adults (SAQ) have been reported in different Ibero-American countries except Peru. The aim of this study was to analyze the construct and the convergent validity, and the reliability of the SAQ, using a non-clinical sample of 3064 Peruvians. The confirmatory factorial analysis showed that the model of five-related factors was better adjusted to the data than the hierarchical model, and that the unifactorial model did not have a good fit. The correlations between their factors (from .608 to .709) indicate that each of them evaluates specific aspects of the construct and also contribute to the overall measurement of it. The reliability coefficients were from acceptable to very good (.78( (( .85, .75( (( .83). The high correlation (r= .69) with the Anxiety subscale of the "Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale-Self-Report version" (LSAS-SR) supports its convergent validity. These appropriate psychometric characteristics of the questionnaire support its use with the Peruvian population.

CX3CL1-CX3CR1 Axis: A New Player in Coeliac Disease Pathogenesis.

BACKGROUND: The CX3CL1-CX3CR1 axis has been related to numerous diseases. The aim of our study was to investigate its involvement in coeliac disease (CD) pathogenesis, particularly in the early phase of the disease. METHODS: We collected peripheral blood from CD patients and controls, enrolled in a 3-day gluten challenge, to study soluble CX3CL1, I-TAC and MIG by Luminex, CX3CL1 and CX3CR1 gene expression by qPCR, and CX3CR1 protein expression in monocytes and CD8+, CD4+ and γδ+ T cells, by flow cytometry. We also analysed the expression of the CX3CL1 and CX3CR1 mRNA and protein in the duodenal biopsies of CD patients with active and treated disease, and in non-CD control individuals, by qPCR and immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: After the gluten challenge, increased levels of CX3CL1, I-TAC and MIG proteins were observed in the peripheral blood of CD patients, with no changes in CX3CL1 mRNA, or CX3CR1 mRNA and protein. Regarding duodenal tissue, CX3CL1 was absent or barely present in the superficial and basal epithelium of CD patients, contrasting with the moderate to high levels present in controls. CONCLUSIONS: CX3CL1 seems to be involved in the appearance and progression of CD, and it appears to be a potential diagnostic biomarker. Its use as an alternative therapeutic target in CD deserves further research.

Evaluation of the Reliability and Validity of the Social Anxiety Questionnaire for Children in Adolescents with Social Anxiety Disorder.

Little research has focused on the measurement of specific facets of social anxiety disorder (SAD) in adolescents. In this study, we report on the Social Anxiety Questionnaire for Children (SAQ-C; Caballo et al., 2016), a 24-item questionnaire which assesses six facets of social anxiety in youth: 1) Speaking in public/Interactions with teachers, 2) Interactions with the opposite sex, 3) Criticism and embarrassment, 4) Assertive expression of annoyance, disgust, or displeasure, 5) Interactions with strangers, and 6) Performing in public. The SAQ-C has been shown to have sound psychometric properties in large samples of non-clinical Latin-American and Spanish youth. The present study aimed to provide the first evaluation of the psychometric properties of the SAQ-C in a clinical sample of 58 English-speaking adolescents diagnosed with SAD in the United States. Findings support the reliability and validity of this new measure and reveal specific facets of social anxiety not adequately captured in other frequently used self- report measures. Implications of the findings for assessment and treatment are addressed.

Psychometric properties of the Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale in a large cross-cultural Spanish and Portuguese speaking sample

Objective: To examine the psychometric properties of the Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale-Self Report (LSAS-SR) based on a large sample recruited from 16 Latin American countries, Spain, and Portugal. Methods: Two groups of participants were included: a non-clinical sample involving 31,243 community subjects and a clinical sample comprising 529 patients with a diagnosis of social anxiety disorder (SAD). Exploratory factor analysis (EFA), confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and exploratory structural equation modeling (ESEM) were used in order to determine the psychometric properties of the LSAS-SR. Results: EFA identified five factors with eigenvalues greater than 1.00 explaining 50.78% of the cumulative variance. CFA and ESEM supported this 5-factor structure of the LSAS-SR. The factors included: 1) speaking in public; 2) eating/drinking in front of other people; 3) assertive behaviors; 4) working/writing while being observed; and 5) interactions with strangers. Other psychometric properties such as inter-factor correlations, invariance, reliability, and validity of the scale were also found. Conclusion: Psychometric data support the internal consistency and convergent validity of the LSAS-SR. It seems to be a valid and reliable measure of global social anxiety for Spanish and Portuguese-speaking countries, although when considering a multidimensional approach (factor-based assessment) it seems to be lacking some relevant social situations that are feared in those countries.

Psychometric properties of the Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale in a large cross-cultural Spanish and Portuguese speaking sample.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the psychometric properties of the Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale-Self Report (LSAS-SR) based on a large sample recruited from 16 Latin American countries, Spain, and Portugal. METHODS: Two groups of participants were included: a non-clinical sample involving 31,243 community subjects and a clinical sample comprising 529 patients with a diagnosis of social anxiety disorder (SAD). Exploratory factor analysis (EFA), confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and exploratory structural equation modeling (ESEM) were used in order to determine the psychometric properties of the LSAS-SR. RESULTS: EFA identified five factors with eigenvalues greater than 1.00 explaining 50.78% of the cumulative variance. CFA and ESEM supported this 5-factor structure of the LSAS-SR. The factors included: 1) speaking in public; 2) eating/drinking in front of other people; 3) assertive behaviors; 4) working/writing while being observed; and 5) interactions with strangers. Other psychometric properties such as inter-factor correlations, invariance, reliability, and validity of the scale were also found. CONCLUSION: Psychometric data support the internal consistency and convergent validity of the LSAS-SR. It seems to be a valid and reliable measure of global social anxiety for Spanish and Portuguese-speaking countries, although when considering a multidimensional approach (factor-based assessment) it seems to be lacking some relevant social situations that are feared in those countries.

Characterization of CRISPR Mutants Targeting Genes Modulating Pectin Degradation in Ripening Tomato.

Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) is a globally important crop with an economic value in the tens of billions of dollars, and a significant supplier of essential vitamins, minerals, and phytochemicals in the human diet. Shelf life is a key quality trait related to alterations in cuticle properties and remodeling of the fruit cell walls. Studies with transgenic tomato plants undertaken over the last 20 years have indicated that a range of pectin-degrading enzymes are involved in cell wall remodeling. These studies usually involved silencing of only a single gene and it has proved difficult to compare the effects of silencing these genes across the different experimental systems. Here we report the generation of CRISPR-based mutants in the ripening-related genes encoding the pectin-degrading enzymes pectate lyase (PL), polygalacturonase 2a (PG2a), and ß-galactanase (TBG4). Comparison of the physiochemical properties of the fruits from a range of PL, PG2a, and TBG4 CRISPR lines demonstrated that only mutations in PL resulted in firmer fruits, although mutations in PG2a and TBG4 influenced fruit color and weight. Pectin localization, distribution, and solubility in the pericarp cells of the CRISPR mutant fruits were investigated using the monoclonal antibody probes LM19 to deesterified homogalacturonan, INRA-RU1 to rhamnogalacturonan I, LM5 to ß-1,4-galactan, and LM6 to arabinan epitopes, respectively. The data indicate that PL, PG2a, and TBG4 act on separate cell wall domains and the importance of cellulose microfibril-associated pectin is reflected in its increased occurrence in the different mutant lines.

Expression patterns common and unique to ulcerative colitis and celiac disease.

Autoimmune diseases like celiac disease (CeD) and ulcerative colitis (UC) show a common genetic background defined by the existence of shared susceptibility loci. We aimed to go deeper into this common genetic background through performing a cross-disease study based on gene expression. We measured the expression of 21 genes located in 13 CeD-UC susceptibility regions, and 10 genes in five CeD risk regions. Determinations were carried out in colon/rectum samples from 13 UC patients (inflamed and uninflamed tissue) and four colon samples from controls. Duodenal samples from 19 CeD patients and 12 controls were used for comparisons. Differences were analyzed using the Bayesian method. The shared chromosomal regions containing TNFAIP3, PTPN2, ICOSLG, C1orf106, and IL21 showed similar results in both diseases. FASLG, PLEK, CCR4, and TAGAP, all located in CeD risk loci, were up-regulated in both CeD and UC patients. Finally, ZFP36L1, ZMIZ1, PUS10, UBE2L3, and BACH2 showed opposite results in CeD and UC. A high complexity underlies autoimmune common susceptibility loci, as the expression pattern of the studied genes does not always correlate with the one expected attending to the apparent genetic background. Differentially expressed genes such as ZFP36L1, ZMIZ1, PUS10, and BACH2 deserve further research in autoimmune diseases.

Evaluation of T cells in blood after a short gluten challenge for coeliac disease diagnosis.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: To diagnose coeliac disease (CD) in individuals on a gluten free diet (GFD), we aimed to assess the utility of detecting activated γδ and CD8 T cells expressing gut-homing receptors after a short gluten challenge. METHODS: We studied 15 CD patients and 35 non-CD controls, all exposed to three days of gluten when following a GFD. Peripheral blood was collected before and six days after starting gluten consumption, and the expression of CD103, ß7 and CD38 in γδ and CD8 T cells was assessed by flow cytometry. Determination of IFN-γ and IP-10 was performed by means of ELISPOT and/or Luminex technology. RESULTS: We observed both γδ and CD8 T cells coexpressing CD103, ß7hi and CD38 in every patient with CD on day six, but only in one control. The studied CD8 T subpopulation was easier to detect than the γδ subpopulation. Increased IFN-γ and IP-10 levels after challenge were observed in patients with CD, but not in controls. CONCLUSION: A short three-day gluten challenge elicits the activation of CD103+ ß7hi CD8+ T cells in CD. These cells can be detected by flow cytometry in peripheral blood, opening new possibilities for CD diagnosis in individuals on a GFD.

Validação brasileira do questionário de ansiedade social para adultos (CASO) / Brazilian validation of the social anxiety questionnaire for adults (SAQ) / Validación brasileña del cuestionario de ansiedad social para adultos (CASO)

Uma prática comum no campo da avaliação da ansiedade social em países de língua espanhola e portuguesa é o uso de instrumentos de origem anglo-saxã sem adaptação prévia para o país de nova aplicação. Recentemente, desenvolveu-se empiricamente o novo Questionário de Ansiedade Social para Adultos (CASO) com situações sociais provenientes da América Latina, da Espanha e de Portugal. Este artigo apresenta as propriedades psicométricas do CASO aplicado a uma amostra de 2.422 brasileiros. Os resultados mostram que o questionário mantém a sua estrutura original de cinco dimensões, com os seus 30 itens apresentando carga fatorial superior a 0,40 em cada um dos cinco fatores. A confiabilidade e a consistência interna são elevadas. Foram encontradas diferenças associadas ao sexo, com mulheres pontuaram de maneira mais elevada em três das cinco dimensões e na ansiedade social geral. Esses dados indicam que o CASO (SAQ) é uma medida válida e confiável para uso no Brasil.

A common practice in the field of social anxiety assessment in Portuguese and Spanish-speaking countries is the use of instruments, developed in English-speaking countries, without prior adaptation to the country of application. Recently, it has been empirically developed the new Social Anxiety Questionnaire for Adults (SAQ) with social situations from Ibero America, Spain, and Portugal. This article presents the psychometric properties of the SAQ, applied to a sample of 2,422 Brazilians. The results show that the questionnaire maintains its five-factor original structure, with its 30 items loading above 0.40 in each of the five factors. The reliability and internal consistency are high. Differences associated with gender were found, showing that women scored higher than men in three out of the five factors and in global social anxiety. These data indicate that the SAQ is a reliable and valid measure for use in Brazil.

Una práctica frecuente en el campo de la evaluación de la ansiedad social en países de lengua española y portuguesa es el empleo de instrumentos de origen anglosajón. Recientemente se ha desarrollado de forma empírica el nuevo Cuestionario de ansiedad social para adultos (CASO) con situaciones sociales generadas en Latinoamérica, España y Portugal. Este artículo presenta las propiedades psicométricas del CASO aplicado a una muestra de 2.422 brasileños. Los resultados muestran que el cuestionario mantiene su estructura original de cinco dimensiones, con sus 30 ítems presentando una saturación factorial superior a 0,40 en cada uno de los cinco factores. La fiabilidad y la consistencia interna son elevadas. Se encontraron diferencias asociadas al sexo, con las mujeres puntuando más alto que los hombres en tres de las cinco dimensiones y en la ansiedad social global. Estos datos indican que el CASO (SAQ) es una medida válida y fiable para su utilización en Brasil.

TRANSRECTAL ULTRASONOGRAPHY OF EQUINE LUMBOSACRAL NERVES: PILOT STUDY IN 28 HEALTHY WARMBLOOD HORSES.

A noninvasive method for visualizing lumbosacral nerves would be helpful for horses with suspected lumbosacral plexopathy or injury. The aim of this prospective descriptive pilot study was to characterize the ultrasonographic appearance of the lumbosacral nerves in a sample of healthy horses, and expand on the technique for image acquisition. Horses were recruited for inclusion if they were determined to be healthy and sound based on clinical and lameness evaluation. Transrectal ultrasound images of the lumbosacral nerves (L6, S1, and S2) were obtained for both sides. Landmarks for localization, and techniques for nerve identification and measurement were described. Effects of sex, age, side, and nerve on measured thickness were statistically tested. Twenty-eight warmblood horses were sampled (15 males and 13 females). Ages ranged from 5 to 15 years. Ventral nerve roots from L6 to S2 appeared as tubular structures with a characteristic hyperechoic linear echo pattern. There was no significant difference in nerve vertical diameter between left and right sides. A three-way interaction was found among sex, age and lumbosacral nerve. The L6 nerve in males was significantly larger than S1 only in the youngest group. The S2 nerve was significantly smaller than L6 or S1 regardless of age group or sex. In conclusion, transrectal ultrasound was a feasible method for visualizing and measuring equine lumbosacral nerves. Wide ranges of sizes for each nerve were found between horses, however nerves were bilaterally symmetrical within horses. Side comparison is therefore recommended when nerve pathology is suspected.

Validez de constructo y fiabilidad del «Cuestionario de ansiedad social para adultos¼ (CASO) en Colombia / Construct validity and reliability of the "Social Anxiety Questionnaire for adults" (SAQ) in Colombia

El «Cuestionario de ansiedad social para adultos¼ (CASO) es una medida de autoinforme desarrollada para los países de habla española y portuguesa. El objetivo de este estudio fue analizar la validez de constructo y la fiabilidad del CASO en Colombia. Participaron 5477 personas de la población general contestando el CASO y la «Escala de ansiedad social de Liebowitz-versión de autoinforme¼ (LSAS-SR). El análisis paralelo y el análisis factorial exploratorio del CASO arrojaron una solución de cinco factores (hablar en público/interacción con personas de autoridad; quedar en evidencia o en ridículo; expresión asertiva de molestia, desagrado o enfado; interacción con el sexo opuesto e interacción con desconocidos), que explicaban el 53.44% de la varianza. El análisis factorial confirmatorio mostró que el modelo de cinco factores correlacionados era el modelo con mejor ajuste. Las correlaciones entre la puntuación total del CASO y las subescalas y la puntuación total de la LSAS-SR fueron de moderadas a altas (0.53< r <0.64). La fiabilidad y la consistencia interna de la puntuación total del CASO fueron de 0.91 y 0.93, respectivamente, y para las dimensiones estuvieron entre 0.74 y 0.84. Estos resultados permiten concluir que el CASO es una medida válida y fiable para medir la ansiedad social en la población colombiana.

The Social Anxiety Questionnaire for adults (SAQ) is a self-report measurement tool developed for Portuguese and Spanish-speaking countries. The aim of this study was to examine the construct validity and reliability of the SAQ in Colombia. A total of 5477 people from the general population answered the SAQ and the Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale, Self-Report version (LSAS-SR). The parallel and exploratory factor analysis of the SAQ yielded a five-factor solution with, speaking in public/talking with people in authority; criticism and embarrassment; assertive expression of annoyance, disgust, or displeasure; interaction with the opposite sex, and interactions with strangers, explaining 53.44% of variance. Confirmatory factor analysis showed that the five correlated factors model was the best fitted model. Correlations between the total score of the SAQ and total score of the LSAS-SR and its subscales were from moderate to high (0.53 < r< 0.64). The reliability and internal consistency for the total score and dimensions of the SAQ were 0.91 and 0.93, respectively, and for the dimensions were between 0.74 and 0.84. These results suggest that the SAQ is a valid and reliable measurement tool for the Colombian population.

Psychometric properties of an innovative self-report measure: The Social Anxiety Questionnaire for adults.

This article presents the psychometric properties of a new measure of social anxiety, the Social Anxiety Questionnaire for adults (SAQ), composed of 30 items that were developed based on participants from 16 Latin American countries, Spain, and Portugal. Two groups of participants were included in the study: a nonclinical group involving 18,133 persons and a clinical group comprising 334 patients with a diagnosis of social anxiety disorder (social phobia). Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses supported a 5-factor structure of the questionnaire. The factors were labeled as follows: (1) Interactions with strangers, (2) Speaking in public/talking with people in authority, (3) Interactions with the opposite sex, (4) Criticism and embarrassment, and (5) Assertive expression of annoyance, disgust, or displeasure. Psychometric evidence supported the internal consistency, convergent validity, and measurement invariance of the SAQ. To facilitate clinical applications, a receiver operating characteristics (ROC) analysis identified cut scores for men and women for each factor and for the global score.

Differences in social anxiety between men and women across 18 countries.

Sex differences between men and women in social anxiety are largely unexplored. This study sought to shed some light on this topic. We administered self-report measures of social anxiety to community samples of 17,672 women and 13,440 men from 16 Latin American countries, Spain and Portugal, as well as to a clinical sample of 601 patients diagnosed with social anxiety disorder. Small but significant differences were found between men and women in the general degree of social anxiety and self-reported fears of interactions with the opposite sex, criticism and embarrassment, and speaking in public-talking to people in authority. These results point to small, but meaningful differences between men and women in social anxiety. Implications of these results for the self-report measurement of social anxiety in men and women are discussed.

A Bayesian decision procedure for testing multiple hypotheses in DNA microarray experiments.

DNA microarray experiments require the use of multiple hypothesis testing procedures because thousands of hypotheses are simultaneously tested. We deal with this problem from a Bayesian decision theory perspective. We propose a decision criterion based on an estimation of the number of false null hypotheses (FNH), taking as an error measure the proportion of the posterior expected number of false positives with respect to the estimated number of true null hypotheses. The methodology is applied to a Gaussian model when testing bilateral hypotheses. The procedure is illustrated with both simulated and real data examples and the results are compared to those obtained by the Bayes rule when an additive loss function is considered for each joint action and the generalized loss 0-1 function for each individual action. Our procedure significantly reduced the percentage of false negatives whereas the percentage of false positives remains at an acceptable level.

The multidimensional nature and multicultural validity of a new measure of social anxiety: the Social Anxiety Questionnaire for Adults.

Much has been written about the situations most often feared by persons with social phobia, and several self-report measures are frequently used to assess such feared situations. However, it is not clear whether the situations feared by persons with social phobia form unidimensional or multidimensional factors. If these situations are multidimensional, reliance on a total score of feared situations would not reflect important differences between those dimensions. This research examined the multidimensional nature and multicultural validity of a newly developed instrument (the Social Anxiety Questionnaire for Adults [SAQ-A]) in two studies with a total of 539 patients diagnosed with social phobia and 15,753 nonpatients from 20 different countries. The structure (five clear and solid factors) and psychometric properties of the final instrument (the SAQ-A30) support the multidimensional nature of social anxiety and provide a new perspective in the assessment of social phobia.

Actividad física y sedentarismo en jóvenes universitarios de Colombia: prácticas, motivos y recursos para realizarlas / Physical activity and sedentary behavior in college youth from Colombian cities: practices, motivations, and resources

Objetivo: Describir las prácticas de actividad física (AF) en jóvenes universitarios de algunas ciudades colombianas, eidentificar la relación de las prácticas con los motivos para realizarlas y modificarlas, así como con los recursos disponiblespara llevarlas a cabo.Método: Participaron 1,811 estudiantes, entre 15 y 24 años, de seis universidades colombianas. Se utilizó la subescalade actividad física del ®Cuestionario de estilos de vida en jóvenes universitarios¼.Resultados: Del total de jóvenes universitarios 22.2% realiza AF. Los principales motivos para hacer AF fueron®beneficiar la salud¼ (45.8%) y ®mejorar la figura¼ (32%) y para no hacerla la ®pereza¼ (61.5%). La AF es mayor en quienesestán satisfechos con los cambios logrados en este sentido y piensan mantenerlos (66%), y en quienes informan tener a sudisposición recursos como implementos deportivos, tiempo, habilidades, cualidades físicas, buen estado de salud, espaciosy oferta de actividades físicas y deportivas en la universidad, y conocimientos para la realización adecuada de las prácticas.Conclusiones: Pocos jóvenes universitarios realizan AF y para la prevención y modificación del sedentarismo esnecesario considerar aspectos de la motivación para el cambio y cómo ampliar o conseguir los recursos que necesitan para realizar AF.

La evaluación integral de la adherencia al tratamiento en mujeres con VIH/sida: validación de un cuestionario / Integral assessment of adherence to treatment in women with HIV/AIDS: validation of a questionnaire

Objetivo: El estudio tuvo como objetivo construir y establecer las propiedades psicométricas del Cuestionario de adherencia al tratamiento para mujeres con VIH/sida (CAT-M VIH), con el fin de contribuir a lo que actualmente es una necesidad y una prioridad a nivel mundial, tanto para el control de la infección como para el mejoramiento de la calidad de vida de las enfermas. Las medidas de evaluación actuales son limitadas y deficientes, siendo importante el desarrollo de nuevos instrumentos que consideren las diferencias según el género. Método: El estudio fue de tipo instrumental (psicométrico). La muestra se seleccionó intencionalmente y estuvo compuesta por 121 mujeres con VIH/sida, atendidas en 8 instituciones de salud de la ciudad de Cali y que recibían tratamiento antirretroviral. Las propiedades psicométricas analizadas fueron la validez de contenido, la capacidad de discriminación de los ítems, la estructura factorial como indicador de validez de constructo y la fiabilidad del CAT-M VIH. Resultados: El cuestionario quedó conformado por 17 ítems que se refieren a comportamientos de adherencia a aspectos farmacológicos, a aspectos no farmacológicos y de autocuidado, a medidas para prevenir las infecciones de transmisión sexual (ITS) y a disminuir el consumo de drogas. Cuenta con unas propiedades psicométricas preliminares aceptables, entre ellas, una adecuada fiabilidad (a=0.634) y una buena estructura interna. Los ítems que lo componen presentan adecuados índices de discriminación y pertinencia a nivel clínico. Conclusiones: El CAT-M VIH constituye una propuesta de mejoría de las limitaciones teóricas y metodológicas en la evaluación de la adherencia al tratamiento en mujeres; responde a una concepción integral que trasciende la toma de medicamentos antirretrovirales y con una gran utilidad a nivel clínico e investigativo que se discute en este artículo.

Purpose: The purpose of the study was to construct and establish the psychometric properties of the questionnaire of adherence to treatment for HIV-infected women (CAT-M VIH), contributing to the current global need of controlling HIV infection and improving the quality of life for HIV patients. The existing assessment measures are limited and deficient; hence, the development of new tools considering gender differences is important. Method: The study was instrumental (psychometric). The sample was composed of 121 women with HIV/aids attending 8 health-service facilities in the city of Cali and taking antiretroviral medication. The psychometric properties assessed were the content validity, the items discrimination ability, the factorial structure as an index to construct validity, and the reliability of the CAT-M VIH. Results: The questionnaire was finally composed of 17 items, which reflect adherence behavior to pharmacological treatment, to nonpharmacological and self-care aspects, to the prevention of sexually transmitted diseases advice, and to drug use restrictions. The preliminary psychometric properties are acceptable, having good reliability (a=0.634) and good internal structure. The items have adequate discrimination indexes and clinical relevance. Conclusions: The CAT-M VIH could aid in improving the theoretical and methodological limitations in assessing adherence to treatment of women, responding to an integral concept of such that includes more than the antiretroviral medication taken and having substantial clinical and research utility, which is discussed in this article.