Functional Evidence of CCDC186 as a New Disease-Associated Gene with Endocrine and Central Nervous System Alterations.

CCDC186 protein is involved in the maturation of dense-core vesicles (DCVs) in the trans-Golgi network in neurons and endocrine cells. Mutations in genes involved in DCV regulation, other than CCDC186, have been described in patients with neurodevelopmental disorders. To date, only one patient, within a large sequencing study of 1000 cases, and a single case report with variants in CCDC186, had previously been described. However, no functional studies in any of these two cases had been performed. We identified three patients from two gypsy families, unrelated to each other, with mutations in the CCDC186 gene. Clinically, all patients presented with seizures, frontotemporal atrophy, hypomyelination, recurrent infections, and endocrine disturbances such as severe non-ketotic hypoglycemia. Low levels of cortisol, insulin, or growth hormone could only be verified in one patient. All of them had a neonatal onset and died between 7 months and 4 years of age. Whole exome sequencing identified a homozygous variant in the CCDC186 gene (c.2215C>T, p.Arg739Ter) in the index patients of both families. Protein expression studies demonstrated that CCDC186 was almost undetectable in fibroblasts and muscle tissue. These observations correlated with the transcriptomic analysis performed in fibroblasts in one of the patients, which showed a significant reduction of CCDC186 mRNA levels. Our study provides functional evidence that mutations in this gene have a pathogenic effect on the protein and reinforces CCDC186 as a new disease-associated gene. In addition, mutations in CCDC186 could explain the combined endocrine and neurologic alterations detected in our patients.

What are pre-service teachers like? Analysis of their psychosocial profile.

Modern society is becoming increasingly interested in people who are emotionally competent and who have the psychosocial skills required to be successful within the current social environment. However, no studies have been published on the assessment of the role of Emotional Intelligence (EI) on mental health if we assume the possible mediation of resilience and personality factors in the case of pre-service teachers. Therefore, the aim of the study was to analyse the mediating role of resilience and personality factors in the relationship between EI and mental health of 1,022 pre-service teachers enrolled in different educational degrees. The results found support the mediating role of resilience in the relationship between emotional intelligence and mental health; nevertheless, this was not the case when personality traits were analysed. Furthermore, it has been found that EI and resilience positively affect mental health of university students. Practical implications of this study are oriented towards an advance within the emerging trend of deepening the EI and resilience constructs among mental health care providers. Only if we understand the complex interactions between the constructs which determine people will it be possible to develop educational and health programmes responding to current needs.

Occupation, occupational exposures and mammographic density in Spanish women.

INTRODUCTION: Mammographic density (MD), the proportion of radiologically dense breast tissue, is a strong risk factor for breast cancer. Our objective is to investigate the influence of occupations and occupational exposure to physical, chemical, and microbiological agents on MD in Spanish premenopausal women. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional study based on 1362 premenopausal workers, aged 39-50, who attended a gynecological screening in a breast radiodiagnosis unit of Madrid City Council. The work history was compiled through a personal interview. Exposure to occupational agents was evaluated using the Spanish job-exposure matrix MatEmESp. MD percentage was assessed using the validated semi-automated computer tool DM-Scan. The association between occupation, occupational exposures, and MD was quantified using multiple linear regression models, adjusted for age, educational level, body mass index, parity, previous breast biopsies, family history of breast cancer, energy intake, use of oral contraceptives, smoking, and alcohol consumption. RESULTS: Although no occupation was statistically significantly associated with MD, a borderline significant inverse association was mainly observed in orchard, greenhouse, nursery, and garden workers (ß = -6.60; 95% confidence interval (95%CI) = -14.27; 1.07) and information and communication technology technicians (ß = -7.27; 95%CI = -15.37; 0.84). On the contrary, a positive association was found among technicians in art galleries, museums, and libraries (ß = 8.47; 95%CI = -0.65; 17.60). Women occupationally exposed to fungicides, herbicides, and insecticides tended to have lower MD. The percentage of density decreased by almost 2% for every 5 years spent in occupations exposed to the mentioned agents. CONCLUSIONS: Although our findings point to a lack of association with the occupations and exposures analyzed, this study supports a deeper exploration of the role of certain occupational agents in MD, such as pesticides.

Serum Phospholipid Fatty Acids and Mammographic Density in Premenopausal Women.

BACKGROUND: The role of fatty acids (FAs) on mammographic density (MD) is unclear, and available studies are based on self-reported dietary intake. OBJECTIVES: This study assessed the association between specific serum phospholipid fatty acids (PLFAs) and MD in premenopausal women. METHODS: The cross-sectional study DDM-Madrid recruited 1392 Spanish premenopausal women, aged 39-50 y, who attended a screening in a breast radiodiagnosis unit of Madrid City Council. Women completed lifestyle questionnaires and FFQs. Percentage MD was estimated using a validated computer tool (DM-Scan), and serum PLFA percentages were measured by GC-MS. Multivariable linear regression models were used to quantify the association of FA tertiles with MD. Models were adjusted for age, education, BMI, waist circumference, parity, oral contraceptive use, previous breast biopsies, and energy intake, and they were corrected for multiple testing. RESULTS: Women in the third tertile of SFAs showed significantly higher MD compared with those in the first tertile (ßT3vsT1 = 7.53; 95% CI: 5.44, 9.61). Elevated relative concentrations of palmitoleic (ßT3vsT1 = 3.12; 95% CI: 0.99, 5.25) and gondoic (ßT3vsT1 = 2.67; 95% CI: 0.57, 4.77) MUFAs, as well as high relative concentrations of palmitelaidic (ßT3vsT1 = 5.22; 95% CI: 3.15, 7.29) and elaidic (ßT3vsT1 = 2.69; 95% CI: 0.59, 4.79) trans FAs, were also associated with higher MD. On the contrary, women with elevated relative concentrations of n-6 (ω-6) linoleic (ßT3vsT1 = -5.49; 95% CI; -7.62, -3.35) and arachidonic (ßT3vsT1 = -4.68; 95% CI: -6.79, -2.58) PUFAs showed lower MD. Regarding desaturation indices, an elevated palmitoleic to palmitic ratio and a low ratio of oleic to steric and arachidonic to dihomo-γ-linolenic acids were associated with higher MD. CONCLUSIONS: Spanish premenopausal women with high relative concentrations of most SFAs and some MUFAs and trans FAs showed an increased MD, whereas those with high relative concentrations of some n-6 PUFAs presented lower density. These results, which should be confirmed in further studies, underscore the importance of analyzing serum FAs individually.

Development and validation of the Short Professional Quality of Life Scale based on versions IV and V of the Professional Quality of Life Scale.

BACKGROUND: This research presents a short version of the Professional Quality of Life (ProQOL) scale, one of the most frequently used questionnaires in the arena of applied healthcare investigation. It measures burnout (BO), compassion fatigue (CF), and compassion satisfaction (CS). METHODS: A 9-item version of the ProQOL was developed. In Study 1, this short version, which used items from version IV of the ProQOL, was administered to 817 palliative care professionals from Spain, Argentina, and Brazil. In Study 2, the same nine items, but this time from version V of the ProQOL, were administered to 296 Spanish palliative care professionals. RESULTS: Study 1: The Short ProQOL showed an adequate internal structure, and invariance across the countries studied (χ2(106) = 185.620 (p < 0.001), CFI = .929, RMSEA = 0.058 [0.044, 0.072], SRMR = 0.081). Argentinians showed higher levels of BO (mean difference = 0.172, p = 0.042, Cohen's d = 0.168), whereas Brazilians showed higher levels of CF (Mean difference = 0.384, p = 0.002, Cohen's d = 0.352). Study 2: the Short ProQOL again showed adequate internal structure and reliability (χ2(24) = 134.504 (p < 0.001); CFI = 0.953; RMSEA = 0.126 [0.106, 0.147]; SRMR = 0.063), and was related to coping with death, self-compassion, and self-care. CONCLUSIONS: The Short ProQOL could help facilitate the application of harmonizing measurements and its use for cross-cultural comparisons and occupational health monitoring was satisfactory.

Preoperative management of colorectal cancer-induced iron deficiency anemia in clinical practice: data from a large observational cohort.

BACKGROUND: Preoperative anemia prevalence among colorectal cancer (CRC) patients is high and may adversely influence postoperative outcome. This study assesses the efficacy of a preoperative anemia managing protocol in CRC. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: This was a retrospective analysis of consecutive CRC resections at two Spanish centers (January 2012 to December 2013). Preoperative anemia was defined as a hemoglobin (Hb) level of less than 13 g/dL and treated with intravenous iron (IVI) or standard care (oral iron or no iron). Red blood cell transfusion (RBCT) requirements was the primary outcome variable. Postoperative infection rate and length of hospital stay (LOS) were secondary outcome variables. Patients were managed with a restrictive transfusion trigger (Hb < 8 g/dL). Infection was diagnosed clinically and confirmed by laboratory, microbiologic, and/or radiologic evidence. RESULTS: Overall, 322 of 571 patients (56%) presented with anemia: 232 received IVI and 90 standard care. There were differences in RBCT rate between no anemia and anemia (2% vs. 16%; p < 0.01), but not in postoperative infections (19% vs. 22%; p = NS) or LOS. Compared to those on standard care, anemic patients on IVI presented with lower Hb (10.8 g/dL vs. 12.0 g/dL; p < 0.001) at baseline, but similar Hb on day of surgery and Postoperative Day 30. There were no between-group differences in RBCT rates (16% vs. 17%; p = NS), but infection rates were lower among IVI-treated patients (18% vs. 29%; p < 0.05). No relevant IVI-related side effects were recorded. CONCLUSION: Compared to standard care, IVI was more effective in treating preoperative anemia in CRC patients and appeared to reduce infection rate, although it did not reduce postoperative RBCT.

Development of antimicrobial active packaging materials based on gluten proteins.

BACKGROUND: The incorporation of natural biocide agents into protein-based bioplastics, a source of biodegradable polymeric materials, manufactured by a thermo-mechanical method is a way to contribute to a sustainable food packaging industry. This study assesses the antimicrobial activity of 10 different biocides incorporated into wheat gluten-based bioplastics. The effect that formulation, processing, and further thermal treatments exert on the thermo-mechanical properties, water absorption characteristics and rheological behaviour of these materials is also studied. RESULTS: Bioplastics containing six of the 10 examined bioactive agents have demonstrated suitable antimicrobial activity at 37 °C after their incorporation into the bioplastic. Moreover, the essential oils are able to create an antimicrobial atmosphere within a Petri dish. CONCLUSION: Depending on the selected biocide, its addition may alter the bioplastics protein network in a different extent, which leads to materials exhibiting less water uptake and different rheological and thermo-mechanical behaviours. © 2015 Society of Chemical Industry.

Resilient Moderating Effect between Stress and Life Satisfaction of Mothers and Fathers with Children with Developmental Disorders Who Present Temporary or Permanent Needs.

(1) Background: The stress experienced by parents with children with developmental disorders who present temporary or permanent needs, makes them experience a series of daily situations that may be linked to coping strategies. Resilient attributes are considered one of the factors that have a decisive influence on the behavior of parents related to raising their children and that affect greater well-being and life satisfaction. The objective of this research is to study the mediating effect of resilient attributes between parental stress and life satisfaction; (2) Methods: In this study, mothers and fathers of boys and girls from 0 to 6 years old with developmental disorders from different Early Childhood Care Centers (CAIT) in the Province of Jaén (Andalusia) [Spain]. Of them, 96 are mothers (78.0%) and 27 are fathers (22.0%), with a mean age of 37.85 years (±5.043). The Parenting Stress Index-Short Form (PSI-SF), Resilience Scale (RS-14), and Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS) were used. The structural equations model (PLS-SEM) was applied to estimate the proposed theoretical model, from an explanatory-predictive perspective; (3) Results: The results showed the coefficients of determination Parental distress [(Q2 = 0.144); (R2 = 0.329)]; Personal competence [(Q2 = 0.106); (R2 = 0.246)]; Acceptance of self and life [(Q2 = 0.094); (R2 = 0.172)] and Life satisfaction [(Q2 = 0.182); (R2 = 0.563)], in the estimation of the reflective model, indicating a moderate fit; (4) Conclusions: The present investigation is not conclusive; however, the implications of these findings are discussed and suggestions for future research are considered.

Residential exposure to traffic pollution and mammographic density in premenopausal women.

BACKGROUND: Mammographic density (MD) is the most important breast cancer biomarker. Ambient pollution is a carcinogen, and its relationship with MD is unclear. This study aims to explore the association between exposure to traffic pollution and MD in premenopausal women. METHODOLOGY: This Spanish cross-sectional study involved 769 women attending gynecological examinations in Madrid. Annual Average Daily Traffic (AADT), extracted from 1944 measurement road points provided by the City Council of Madrid, was weighted by distances (d) between road points and women's addresses to develop a Weighted Traffic Exposure Index (WTEI). Three methods were employed: method-1 (1dAADT), method-2 (1dAADT), and method-3 (e1dAADT). Multiple linear regression models, considering both log-transformed percentage of MD and untransformed MD, were used to estimate MD differences by WTEI quartiles, through two strategies: "exposed (exposure buffers between 50 and 200 m) vs. not exposed (>200 m)"; and "degree of traffic exposure". RESULTS: Results showed no association between MD and traffic pollution according to buffers of exposure to the WTEI (first strategy) for the three methods. The highest reductions in MD, although not statistically significant, were detected in the quartile with the highest traffic exposure. For instance, method-3 revealed a suggestive inverse trend (eßQ1 = 1.23, eßQ2 = 0.96, eßQ3 = 0.85, eßQ4 = 0.85, p-trend = 0.099) in the case of 75 m buffer. Similar non-statistically significant trends were observed with Methods-1 and -2. When we examined the effect of traffic exposure considering all the 1944 measurement road points in every participant (second strategy), results showed no association for any of the three methods. A slightly decreased MD, although not significant, was observed only in the quartile with the highest traffic exposure: eßQ4 = 0.98 (method-1), and eßQ4 = 0.95 (methods-2 and -3). CONCLUSIONS: Our results showed no association between exposure to traffic pollution and MD in premenopausal women. Further research is needed to validate these findings.

Inspection Digital Literacy for School Improvement.

Educational inspection, as an essential part of the current educational environment, supports its mission through more pragmatic and comprehensive processes, techniques, and models, which guarantee the right of students to quality education. The aim of the present study was to determine the causal effect of gender and age on the dimensions of the instrument in the inspector population. Specifically, 118 male and female inspectors from the Educational Inspection Service of Andalusia (Spain) participated, with an average age of 47.56 years (±5.70). In terms of gender, 30 were women (25.40%) and 88 were men (74.60%). An instrument was developed specifically for this study with the purpose of assessing the participants' opinions of the extent to which their work contributes to educational improvement. The results evidenced the relationship between the dimensions of the instrument: attention to members of the educational community (AMEC), supervision of guidance and tutorial action (SGTA), attention and inclusion of diversity (AID), and technological resources (TR) (p < 0.01). Similarly, the multigroup model obtained good structural validity (χ2 = 68.180; RMSEA = 0.078; GFI = 0.923; CFI = 0.959; IFI = 0.967). In terms of gender, no significant differences were obtained, although the results were moderately superior among males compared to females. In relation to age, younger inspectors had better TR results, and older inspectors had better AMEC and SGTA results. The conclusions strengthen the importance of the Education Inspection Service in educational establishments, highlighting the need to supervise the processes of attention and inclusion for diversity. A great deal of resistance was observed, especially as there is a lack of training in information and communication technology (ICT).

Locoregional relapse after sparing mastectomies and immediate reconstruction in women with breast cancer.

INTRODUCTION: In recent years, cultural changes in today's society and improved risk assessment have increased the indication for mastectomies in women with breast cancer. Various studies have confirmed the oncological safety of sparing mastectomies and immediate reconstruction. The objective of this study is to analyze the incidence of locoregional relapses of this procedure and its impact on reconstruction and overall survival. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Prospective study of patients with breast carcinoma who underwent a sparing mastectomy and immediate reconstruction. Locoregional relapses and their treatment and their impact on survival were analyzed. RESULTS: The study group is made up of 271 women with breast carcinoma treated with a skin-sparing mastectomy and immediate reconstruction. The mean follow-up was 7.98 years and during the same 18 locoregional relapses (6.6%) were diagnosed: 72.2% in the mastectomy flap and 27.8% lymph node. There were no significant differences in the pathological characteristics of the primary tumor between patients with and without locoregional relapse, although the percentage of women with hormone-sensitive tumors was higher in the group without relapse. Patients with lymph node relapse had larger tumors (80% T2-T3) and 60% had axillary metastases at diagnosis, compared to 7.7% of women with skin relapse (p = 0.047). All patients operated on for locoregional relapse preserved their reconstruction. The incidence of metastases and deaths was significantly higher in patients with a relapse, causing a non-significant decrease in overall survival. CONCLUSION: Locoregional relapses are a rare event in women with a sparing mastectomy and immediate reconstruction. Most patients with locoregional relapse can preserve their initial reconstruction through local resection of the tumor and adjuvant and / or neoadjuvant therapies.

Severe congenital X-linked myopathy with excessive autophagy secondary to an apparently synonymous but pathogenic novel variant.

X-linked myopathy with excessive autophagy is a rare inherited disease characterized by aberrant accumulation of autophagic vacuoles in skeletal muscle. Affected males usually show a slow progression and the heart is characteristically spared. We present four male patients from the same family with an extremely aggressive form of this disease, requiring permanent mechanical ventilation from birth. Ambulation was never achieved. Three died, one in the first hour of life, one at 7 years and one at 17 years, the last death being a consequence of heart failure. Muscle biopsy showed pathognomonic features of the disease in the 4 affected males. Genetic study found a novel synonymous variant in VMA21, c.294C>T (Gly98=). Genotyping was consistent with co-segregation with the phenotype in an X-linked recessive manner. An alteration of the normal splice pattern was confirmed by transcriptome analysis, proving that the apparently synonymous variant was the cause of this extremely severe phenotype.

Mammographic density in the environs of multiple industrial sources.

BACKGROUND: Mammographic density (MD), defined as the percentage of dense fibroglandular tissue in the breast, is a modifiable marker of the risk of developing breast cancer. Our objective was to evaluate the effect of residential proximity to an increasing number of industrial sources in MD. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 1225 premenopausal women participating in the DDM-Madrid study. We calculated distances between women's houses and industries. The association between MD and proximity to an increasing number of industrial facilities and industrial clusters was explored using multiple linear regression models. RESULTS: We found a positive linear trend between MD and proximity to an increasing number of industrial sources for all industries, at distances of 1.5 km (p-trend = 0.055) and 2 km (p-trend = 0.083). Moreover, 62 specific industrial clusters were analyzed, highlighting the significant associations found between MD and proximity to the following 6 industrial clusters: cluster 10 and women living at ≤1.5 km (ß = 10.78, 95 % confidence interval (95%CI) = 1.59; 19.97) and at ≤2 km (ß = 7.96, 95%CI = 0.21; 15.70); cluster 18 and women residing at ≤3 km (ß = 8.48, 95%CI = 0.01; 16.96); cluster 19 and women living at ≤3 km (ß = 15.72, 95%CI = 1.96; 29.49); cluster 20 and women living at ≤3 km (ß = 16.95, 95%CI = 2.90; 31.00); cluster 48 and women residing at ≤3 km (ß = 15.86, 95%CI = 3.95; 27.77); and cluster 52 and women living at ≤2.5 km (ß = 11.09, 95%CI = 0.12; 22.05). These clusters include the following industrial activities: surface treatment of metals/plastic, surface treatment using organic solvents, production/processing of metals, recycling of animal waste, hazardous waste, urban waste-water treatment plants, inorganic chemical industry, cement and lime, galvanization, and food/beverage sector. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that women living in the proximity to an increasing number of industrial sources and those near certain types of industrial clusters have higher MD.

Women's features and inter-/intra-rater agreement on mammographic density assessment in full-field digital mammograms (DDM-SPAIN).

Measurement of mammographic density (MD), one of the leading risk factors for breast cancer, still relies on subjective assessment. However, the consistency of MD measurement in full-digital mammograms has yet to be evaluated. We studied inter- and intra-rater agreement with respect to estimation of breast density in full-digital mammograms, and tested whether any of the women's characteristics might have some influence on them. After an initial training period, three experienced radiologists estimated MD using Boyd scale in a left breast cranio-caudal mammogram of 1,431 women, recruited at three Spanish screening centres. A subgroup of 50 randomly selected images was read twice to estimate short-term intra-rater agreement. In addition, a reading of 1,428 of the images, performed 2 years before by one rater, was used to estimate long-term intra-rater agreement. Pair-wise weighted kappas with 95% bootstrap confidence intervals were calculated. Dichotomous variables were defined to identify mammograms in which any rater disagreed with other raters or with his/her own assessment, respectively. The association between disagreement and women's characteristics was tested using multivariate mixed logistic models, including centre as a random-effects term, and taking into account repeated measures when required. All quadratic-weighted kappa values for inter- and intra-rater agreement were excellent (higher than 0.80). None of the studied women's features, i.e. body mass index, brassiere size, menopause, nulliparity, lactation or current hormonal therapy, was associated with higher risk of inter- or intra-rater disagreement. However, raters differed significantly more in images that were classified in the higher-density MD categories, and disagreement in intra-rater assessment was also lower in low-density mammograms. The reliability of MD assessment in full-field digital mammograms is comparable to that for original or digitised images. The reassuring lack of association between subjects' MD-related characteristics and agreement suggests that bias from this source is unlikely.

Advances in 3D printing of food and nutritional products.

The main advantage of both 3D printing (3DP) and 3D food printing (3DFP) over other technologies is the enormous capacity of both techniques for customization. Its use makes it possible to obtain products without planning and implementing a complex and costly manufacturing process. This makes 3DFP a technology of choice for the preparation of food products that meet specific needs, such as controlled nutritional or rheological properties. However, further technological developments are still needed before 3DFP can be considered fully useful for innovative and demanding applications. If both preparation and post-processing of materials based on 3D printing are optimized, aiming to reduce production time and/or complication for non-expert users, this would open a whole new range of possibilities. It is in this sense that the development of advanced 3DFP systems becomes a must. This chapter reviews current advances in extrusion-based 3D food printing systems, with in situ gelation and mixing as key aspects to better exploit the potential of 3DFP. On one hand, 3DFP systems based on in situ gelation (G3DFP) provide greater control over the final properties of the printed products, as the selection of adequate printing parameters gives the possibility of influencing the gelation process. On the other hand, mixing is indispensable for true 3DFP automation, so that the formulations do not have to be prepared by the user. Different innovative 3DFP systems based on gelling and/or mixing are presented in this chapter. Finally, the status and future of extrusion-based 3DFP, and its application in the production of customized foods for specific needs, are also overviewed.

Internet Risk Perception: Development and Validation of a Scale for Adults.

Despite the importance of Internet risk perception, no instrument currently exists that measures this awareness in the Spanish population. The goal of this study was to provide information on studies of the validity and reliability of the Internet Risk Perception (IRP) Scale for adult Spanish citizens. We began with a literature review and validation using a mixed panel with 20 participants. We analyzed the degree to which the subjects agreed or disagreed with the criteria evaluated, including contributions for improving the instrument, and performed a pilot test with 517 adults aged 18 to 77. Construct reliability and validity were analyzed using various statistical analyses. The results from the confirmatory factor analysis showed a sufficient accuracy of the data with parameters that indicated an excellent fit for all items. The Spanish version of the scale for adults is a reliable and valid instrument for use in studies that investigate Internet risk perception in people over 18 years of age.

Analysis of the Effect of Emotional Intelligence and Coping Strategies on the Anxiety, Stress and Depression Levels of University Students.

The present study examines the direct and indirect effects of trait emotional intelligence (trait EI) on levels of stress, anxiety and depression, and whether these are moderated by coping strategies. To this end, the Wong and Law Emotional Intelligence Scale, Coping Strategies Inventory and Depression Anxiety Stress Scales were administered to 567 university students. The findings point to a direct relationship between EI and the levels of anxiety, depression and stress. EI directly explained the university students' levels of anxiety, depression and stress, and it indirectly explained such levels through coping strategies. The article concludes by pointing out practical implications for university education and the improvement of students' socio-emotional well-being.

Palliative Care Professionals' Inner Life: Exploring the Mediating Role of Self-Compassion in the Prediction of Compassion Satisfaction, Compassion Fatigue, Burnout and Wellbeing.

CONTEXT: Palliative care professionals are exposed to suffering on a daily basis. Working in such an environment frequently raises existential issues, psychological challenges, and emotional distress, that can detract from compassionate care. Identifying factors that help professionals cope with frequent exposure to issues related to mortality, such as compassion, could enhance palliative care providers' and patients' quality of life and wellbeing. OBJECTIVES: To improve our understanding of the factors associated with professionals' inner life studying the role of self-compassion as a mediating variable between self-care and awareness and professionals' quality of life, and quantifying the impact of compassionate care. METHODS: A cross-sectional online survey of palliative care professionals was conducted through the Spanish Society of Palliative Care. 296 professionals answered the survey. RESULTS: The model tested showed an adequate fit (χ2(212) = 476.688 (P < .001), CFI = .907, RMSEA = .066 [.058,.073], and SRMR = .068), and the hypotheses were supported. Self-care and awareness predicted coping with death and self-compassion, which in turn predicted professional quality of life. Self-compassion had the greatest predictive power. Professional quality of life showed a statistically significant and positive effect on personal wellbeing, explaining more than 50% of its variance (R2 = .574; P < .001). CONCLUSION: For palliative care professionals, the cultivation of self-compassion is equally needed as compassion for others. Professional quality of life and compassionate care are related to professionals' wellbeing: when professionals take care of themselves, this will lead in a more compassionate care, but also in healthier, happier professionals.

Impact of Confinement on Coping Strategies and Psychosocial Factors among University Students.

The pandemic has had psychological effects on the university population. Factors such as emotional intelligence, coping strategies and levels of anxiety, depression and stress have been affected by the situation generated by COVID-19. This study aims to analyze how EI, coping strategies and levels of anxiety, depression and stress have been affected by the situation generated by the pandemic in a population of 567 students from the University of Jaén (Spain). For this purpose, we administered three instruments: the Wong and Law emotional intelligence scale (WLEIS), the Spanish version of the coping strategies inventory (CSI) and the depression anxiety stress scales (DASS-21). At the same time, we asked students to describe their personal circumstances during confinement and their tendency to follow the measures and recommendations promoted by the Ministry of Health. The results obtained showed a positive relationship between EI and coping strategies and a negative relationship with levels of depression, anxiety and stress. A positive relationship was also found between coping and levels of anxiety, depression and stress. It was also found that the circumstances in which students experienced the period of confinement also modulated their levels of EI, coping strategies and their levels of depression, anxiety and stress.

Residential proximity to industrial pollution and mammographic density.

BACKGROUND: Mammographic density (MD), expressed as percentage of fibroglandular breast tissue, is an important risk factor for breast cancer. Our objective is to investigate the relationship between MD and residential proximity to pollutant industries in premenopausal Spanish women. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was carried out in a sample of 1225 women extracted from the DDM-Madrid study. Multiple linear regression models were used to assess the association of MD percentage (and their 95% confidence intervals (95%CIs)) and proximity (between 1 km and 3 km) to industries included in the European Pollutant Release and Transfer Register. RESULTS: Although no association was found between MD and distance to all industries as a whole, several industrial sectors showed significant association for some distances: "surface treatment of metals and plastic" (ß = 4.98, 95%CI = (0.85; 9.12) at ≤1.5 km, and ß = 3.00, 95%CI = (0.26; 5.73) at ≤2.5 km), "organic chemical industry" (ß = 6.73, 95%CI = (0.50; 12.97) at ≤1.5 km), "pharmaceutical products" (ß = 4.14, 95%CI = (0.58; 7.70) at ≤2 km; ß = 3.55, 95%CI = (0.49; 6.60) at ≤2.5 km; and ß = 3.11, 95%CI = (0.20; 6.01) at ≤3 km), and "urban waste-water treatment plants" (ß = 8.06, 95%CI = (0.82; 15.30) at ≤1 km; ß = 5.28; 95%CI = (0.49; 10.06) at ≤1.5 km; ß = 4.30, 95%CI = (0.03; 8.57) at ≤2 km; ß = 5.26, 95%CI = (1.83; 8.68) at ≤2.5 km; and ß = 3.19, 95%CI = (0.46; 5.92) at ≤3 km). Moreover, significant increased MD was observed in women close to industries releasing specific pollutants: ammonia (ß = 4.55, 95%CI = (0.26; 8.83) at ≤1.5 km; and ß = 3.81, 95%CI = (0.49; 7.14) at ≤2 km), dichloromethane (ß = 3.86, 95%CI = (0.00; 7.71) at ≤2 km), ethylbenzene (ß = 8.96, 95%CI = (0.57; 17.35) at ≤3 km), and phenols (ß = 2.60, 95%CI = (0.21; 5.00) at ≤2.5 km). CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest no statistically significant relationship between MD and proximity to industries as a whole, although we detected associations with various industrial sectors and some specific pollutants, which suggests that MD could have a mediating role in breast carcinogenesis.