Self-regulation of eating and physical activity is lower in obese female college students as compared to their normal weight counterparts.

OBJECTIVE: Obesity is characterized, among other features, by overeating, reduced physical activity and an abnormal accumulation of body fat. These features are thought to result, at least in part, from the individual's inability to self-regulate their eating and physical activity behaviors (E&PaB). Self-regulation of the E&PaB is a three-step sequential process: self-observation, self-evaluation and self-reaction. However, it is yet unclear whether deficient self-regulation of E&PaB could predispose, facilitate and/or consolidate obesity. Unraveling this issue is fundamental in order to more precisely define the role of self-regulation of E&PaB in the management of obesity. METHODS: This research was focused on the question of whether or not self-regulation of E&PaB is related to obesity in female undergraduate students. This population segment seems especially vulnerable to developing obesity since they undergo a significant shift of their E&PaB upon their university enrollment. To address this question, a cross-sectional study with 108 female undergraduate students with normal weight (n = 80) or obesity (n = 28) was performed, in which self-regulation of eating habits and physical activity was measured by two validated scales and a personal data questionnaire. RESULTS: Female undergraduate students displaying lower E&PaB self-reactions were consistently overweight or obese. In addition, a multivariate analysis identified high levels of self-reaction towards eating habits related to a minor presence of overweight issues or obesity. CONCLUSION: Self-regulation should be an essential component in the strategies for obesity prevention as an integral approach that must include orientation about healthy eating and physical activity behaviors. In addition, further studies on the effect of self-regulation in the treatment of the obesity are needed.

Influence of Cigarette Package Brand on the Emotional Impact of Tobacco-Warning Images That Cover 30% of Cigarette Packs in Smokers and Nonsmokers.

INTRODUCTION: Research on the emotional impact of tobacco-warning images (TWIs) has not evaluated the role of context (ie, cigarette packs) as a modulator of the emotional response to TWIs. The objective of the present study was to identify the influence of the cigarette package brand on the emotional impact of TWIs that cover 30% of cigarette packs in smokers and nonsmokers using a specific methodology for the study of emotion. METHODS: The participants included 95 smokers and 111 nonsmokers who observed three TWIs under two conditions: TWIs that covered 30% of cigarette packs and TWIs alone, without brands. Additionally, 18 pictures from the International Affective Picture System were presented as comparison stimuli and to reduce the effect of habituation. The Self-Assessment Manikin was used to assess valence, arousal, and dominance dimensions. RESULTS: TWIs that covered 30% of cigarette packs were evaluated as least aversive, with lower ratings of arousal and higher ratings of dominance in both groups. Differences in the valence, arousal, and dominance dimensions were found between groups. Smokers rated TWIs that covered 30% of cigarette packs as less aversive and more arousing and gave them lower dominance scores compared with nonsmokers. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that cigarette packages modulate the emotional impact of TWIs, especially in smokers, and the minimum size of TWIs (ie, 30% of the front and back of the package) is not sufficiently large to generate an emotional impact associated with avoidance behavior. IMPLICATIONS: Cigarette packages modulate the emotional impact of TWIs, especially in smokers. The cigarette package itself is an appetitive context that captures the attention of the observer and decreases the aversive emotional response to the TWIs. The minimum size of TWIs (ie, 30% of the front and back of the package) is not sufficiently large to generate an emotional impact associated with avoidance behavior.

[Design and validation of a scale to assess self-regulation of eating habits in Mexican university students]. / Diseño y validación de una escala para valorar la autorregulación de hábitos alimentarios en estudiantes universitarios mexicanos.

Healthy eating habits promote wellness and prevent disease, however, despite the intention to change a bad habit, people often fail in theirattempts. This is due, since the performance of a change requires self-regulation skills that allow to observe, to evaluate and to take an action, in a constant motivation during the all the process; not only theknowledge about proper nutrition. The objective of this study was to design and validate an instrument to evaluate the level of self-regulation for eating habits in college students.62 items were written and evaluated by four expert judges. Two applications of the instrument were performed to 487 subjects. An unweighted least squares factor analysis whit direct Oblimin rotation was performed. The items saturated in more than one factor were discarded, as well as those who had a loading factor less than 0.40 or commonality less than 0.30. It was obtained an instrument integrated by 14 items grouped into three factors, which explained the 46.9% of the variance: self-reaction, self-observation and self-evaluation. Cronbach's alpha yielded a high reliability coefficient (α = 0.874).The results show that the scale is a valid and reliable tool to measure of self-regulation of eating habits in college students. Its applications include the diagnostic of a population and the evaluation of interventions aimed to improving nutrition based on the assumption that the processes of change require sustained self-regulation skills in people protective effect against increases in both systolic and diastolic blood pressure.

Stress symptoms and positive coping during coronavirus disease 2019: The need to look at health from a gender perspective.

BACKGROUND: The emergency derived from coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has taught us important lessons in public and environmental health, particularly in the alarming numbers of existing noncommunicable diseases. However, one aspect to which little attention has been paid during the pandemic is mental health and its relationship with the gender perspective, in spite of gender being a determinant associated with health. In contrast, regarding health, few schemes and theories consider health from a positive and comprehensive perspective. METHODS: This study was designed to examine the symptoms of stress and positive coping from a gender perspective. For this, the Stress Symptomatology Inventory, the Positive Coping to Life Scale and a general data questionnaire were applied to 665 individuals underwent the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 test at the Center for Health Studies and Services of the Universidad Veracruzana from July 2020 to November 2021. FINDINGS: We found that women presented more stress symptoms and less positive coping in the factor of positive self-regulation of adverse situations and the factors of self-determination and positive self-regulation of important situations. Moreover, significant differences in the associations of these variables were observed between men and women. CONCLUSIONS: Therefore, the needs of women must be considered in the approach to the emergency department due to COVID-19 and in general in the health-disease process; therefore, not considering a gender approach will continue to deepen inequalities between sexes.

Autoantibody Diversity Is Augmented in Women with Breast Cancer and Is Related to the Stage of the Disease.

Breast cancer (BC) is the most frequent malignant neoplasia and leading cause of cancer mortality for women. A timely diagnosis of BC is crucial to ensure the best chances of survival. Among the various screening tools for BC, antibodies directed towards self-antigens or tumor-associated antigens (autoantibodies) have emerged as an alternative to image-based screening modalities. However, little attention has been paid to the global diversity of autoantibodies. This work aimed to analyze the diversity of autoantibodies reactive to antigens expressed by the BC cell line T47D in the sera of Mexican women with BC, benign breast pathology (BBP), or without breast pathology (WBP). We found that the diversity of antibodies in the sera was higher in the BC and BBP groups than in the WBP group. Likewise, the diversity changed with the progression of BC. Our results show and measure the complexity of the antibody response in breast health and disease.

Central nervous system: a modified immune surveillance circuit?

Immune surveillance in the central nervous system (CNS) was considered impossible because: (i) the brain parenchyma is separated from the blood circulation by the blood-brain barrier (BBB); (ii) the brain lacks lymphatic drainage and (iii) the brain displays low major histocompatibility complex class II (MHCII) expression. In this context, the BBB prevents entry of immune molecules and effector cells to the CNS. The absence of lymphatic vessels avoids CNS antigens from reaching the lymph nodes for lymphocyte presentation and activation. Finally, the low MHCII expression hinders effective antigen presentation and re-activation of T cells for a competent immune response. All these factors limit the effectiveness of the afferent and efferent arms necessary to carry out immune surveillance. Nevertheless, recent evidence supports that CNS is monitored by the immune system through a modified surveillance circuit; this work reviews these findings.

Your health is in your mouth: A comprehensive view to promote general wellness.

Background: Even though various studies recognize the importance of the oral cavity to have general health, in multidisciplinary professional practice it is almost always excluded and on an individual basis, very commonly neglected. Oral diseases are preventable, still, they are highly prevalent. Although some studies consider oral health within integral health, currently, there is no model in which the mouth is integrated within other levels for the achievement of well-being. The objective of this article was to review the importance of oral health and its connection with well-being and, based on these findings, propose a complex and comprehensive perspective for approach and care. Methods: The databases MEDLINE, PubMed, and Google Scholar were revised for randomized controlled trials and reviews that included search terms related to oral health and its relationship with the general health in its different levels (physical, psychological, social and environmental). Results: The review shows that oral health is critical, as the teeth and mouth are not only an integral part of the body, but also, they also support and enable essential human functions. That is, oral health has a multidimensional nature, as it includes the physical, psychological, social, and environmental domains that are essential for overall health and well-being. Likewise, the mouth is the psychological seat of the first physiological needs and emotional gratifications, with it we take a taste of the world around us. Thus, the mouth plays an important role in the feeling of unity and in the constitution of the self. Based on these results we propose an integrative model in which the mouth is the first step for well-being and from this integrative model we build a multidisciplinary approach which could be used in the clinical practice for the promotion of oral care and general health. Conclusion: The effort on the part of oral health professionals is essential for people's well-being and must be integrated as part of health promotion. Dental treatments alone cannot solve this problem, it requires a comprehensive and approach in which the bio-psychological, behavioral, and socio-environmental determinants are included to face this global oral health challenge. That is, without a comprehensive and multidisciplinary approach to medical science that includes dental and oral health, our public policies cannot provide the best answers to health promotion, disease prevention, early detection, and treatment.

Assessment of executive functions and physical activity in girls and boys with normal weight, overweight and obesity.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the association between body mass index (BMI) and performance of executive functions (EFs) in girls and boys with 9- and 10-year-old schoolchildren with moderate- to vigorous-intensity physical activity (MVPA) and sedentary behaviour. METHODS: A total of 120 schoolchildren (61 girls and 59 boys) were evaluated anthropometrically. The MVPA was evaluated with a self-report questionnaire. EFs were measured using a neuropsychological battery of Executive Functions and Frontal Lobes-2 (BANFE-2). RESULTS: A high BMI was associated with longer delay in completing inhibitory control tests (p = 0.00, rp  = 0.32) and working memory (p = 0.00, rp  = 0.26). We observed correlations in time (p = 0.00, rp  = -0.43) and hits (p = 0.04, rp  = -0.27) of self-directed signalling test in boys; and girls in alphabetical words order (p = 0.00, rp  = -0.39). Active normal weight schoolchildren (ANw) performed better by successfully completed the working memory tasks (H = 26.97, p = 0.00) than sedentary schoolchildren with overweight and obesity. In addition, overweight-active schoolchildren (AOw) showed better performance on working memory tests in time (p = 0.00) and hits (p = 0.01) than their sedentary peers. Multiple linear regression analysis revealed a significant association between BMI and EFs scores (F = 2.41, df = 98, p = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: EFs are affected by a high BMI and sedentary behaviour in school children. Boys and girls reflected differences to solve the same challenges. The MVPA has a positive effect on executive control skills mainly in overweight children.

Psychological suppressive profile and autoantibodies variability in women living with breast cancer: A prospective cross-sectional study.

Breast cancer (BC) is a leading cause of women's morbimortality worldwide. Unfortunately, attempts to predict women's susceptibility to developing BC well before it becomes symptomatic, based on their genetic, family, and reproductive background have proved unsatisfactory. Here we analyze the matching of personality traits and protein serum profiles to predict women's susceptibility to developing cancer. We conducted a prospective study among 150 women (aged 18-70 years), who were distributed into three groups (n = 50): women without breast pathology and women diagnosed with BC or benign breast pathology. Psychological data were obtained through standardized psychological tests and serum protein samples were analyzed through semiquantitative protein immunoblotting. The matching for psychological and immunological profiles was constructed from these data using a mathematical generalized linear model.The model predicted that women who have stronger associations between high-intensity stress responses, emotional containment, and an increased number and reduced variability of serum proteins (detected by IgG autoantibodies) have the greatest susceptibility to develop BC before the disease has manifested clinically. Hence, the present study endorses the possibility of using psychological and biochemical tests in combination to increase the possibility of identifying women at risk of developing BC before the disease shows clinical manifestations. A longitudinal study must be instrumented to test the prediction ability of the instrument in real scenarios. Trial registration: Committee of Ethical Research of the Hospital General de México "Dr. Eduardo Liceaga," Ministry of Health (DI/12/111/03/064).

Potential for body mass index as a tool to estimate body fat in young people. / Potencial del índice de masa corporal como indicador de grasa corporal en jóvenes.

OBJECTIVE: We aim to determine the anthropometric indicator that is most strongly associated with the percentage of body fat and self-regulation of eating behaviour and physical activity among young university students. METHOD: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 3,869 Mexican university students, of which 53.9% were women. Standard procedures for anthropometry were followed, including weight, height and waist circumference. This data was used for calculating Body Mass Index (BMI), A Body Shape Index, waist-to-height ratio, Body Roundness Index and Conicity index. The self-regulation of eating habits scale and the self-regulation of physical activity scale were used. Mean with standard deviation, percentages and Pearson correlation coefficient were estimated. RESULTS: The group of men shown a higher prevalence of excess weight compared to the women. Inverse correlations between most anthropometric indices and self-regulation of eating behaviour and physical activity were found. However, in all cases the correlations were weak. The percentage of fat had a medium frequency of association with Conicity index and high with BMI, waist circumference, waist-to-height ratio and Body Roundness Index, where the BMI showed the highest correlation coefficient CONCLUSIONS: The BMI shows the highest magnitude of association with percentage of body fat in university students among the indicators analysed. Therefore it is suggested that nurses use BMI to determine obesity because it is easy to calculate.

Design and Psychometric Analysis of the Stressors and Modulators of Gestational Stress Inventory (SMGSI).

Gestational stress is associated with many maternal and child complications, however, this association must be taken with care, since there are studies that find inconsistent results between stress measures and maternal complications. It is believed that the lack of convergence is due to the way in which gestational stress is evaluated.The aim of the present study was to design and validate an instrument based on a bio-psycho-social model of gestational stress. The design and validation process of the inventory was divided into four phases: (a) Construction of the items bank and content validity, (b) construct validity, (c) inventory reliability and (d) convergent and discriminant validity with psychometric instruments that have been used in other investigations to evaluate gestational stress.A valid and reliable Stressors and Modulators of Gestational Stress Inventory (SMGSI) conformed by two scales was developed: (a) Gestational stressors, which is formed by two factors, the psychological stressors and social stressors with a variance of 48.5% and 51.8% and a reliability of .79 and .67, respectively; and (b) gestational stress modulators integrated by 8 items that explain 55.2% of the variance and with a reliability of .92. In conclusion, a valid and reliable tool was obtained that measures gestational stress from a bio-psycho-social perspective. This inventory allows for the identification of allostatic and pantostatic stress, making it useful as a diagnostic tool to prevent maternal and childhood complications that are associated with chronic gestational stress.

Psychometric Analysis of the Body Shape Questionnaire in Mexican University Students. / Análisis psicométrico del Body Shape Questionnaire en universitarios mexicanos.

OBJECTIVE: To analyse the psychometric properties, internal structure, and relationship with anthropometric indicators of the Body Shape Questionnaire (BSQ) among Mexican university students according to the measurement invariance approach. METHODS: An instrumental study was carried out to assess the psychometric properties, validity, and reliability of the BSQ. The analysis of the measurement invariance was performed using the Least Squares Estimation, and weighted by adjusted variance and polychoric correlations after assessing different measurement models for BSQ in each group. The scores of the final version were correlated with anthropometric indicators by the Pearson correlation coefficient. RESULTS: As regards the dimensional analysis, all of the previous models for BSQ have favourable adjustment rates, although those with a single factor show more robust evidence. The configural invariance was accepted; suggesting that the one-dimensional structure is common for both men and women. However, 16-item factorial loadings were statistically different between the groups. Hence, they were discarded and an 18-item version (BSQ-18) was obtained, which is considered invariant as regards gender. In addition, there is a direct relationship between the scores of the BSQ-18 version and the body mass index, waist circumference, and fat percentage. Satisfactory indicators were found as regards stability. CONCLUSIONS: The BSQ-18 can be used with men and women, and has high reliability indicators to be conducted in clinical settings to assess eating disorders and obesity among university students.

Evaluating Stress during Pregnancy: Do We Have the Right Conceptions and the Correct Tools to Assess It?

Gestational stress is believed to increase the risk of pregnancy failure and perinatal and adult morbidity and mortality in both the mother and her child or children. However, some contradictions might arise from methodological issues or even from differences in the philosophical grounds that guide the studies on gestational stress. Biased perspectives could lead us to use and/or design inadequate/incomplete panels of biochemical determinations and/or psychological instruments to diagnose it accurately during pregnancy, a psychoneuroimmune-endocrine state in which allostatic loads may be significant. Here, we review these notions and propose a model to evaluate and diagnose stress during pregnancy.

Substitution patterns in alleles of immunoglobulin V genes in humans and mice.

Immunoglobulins (Igs) constitute a subfamily of rapidly evolving proteins. It is postulated that this characteristic is due mainly to the participation of these proteins in highly diverse functions of recognition and defense. Although this vision of rapid evolution in Igs is widely accepted, various studies have demonstrated that diverse and contradictory forces not yet completely understood converge in the evolution of these receptors. In a recent study of the substitution patterns in the alleles that form the human IGHV locus, we found that the variation in genetic and structural information does not occur homogeneously among the different genes, nor among the regions and positions conforming said locus. In view of these results and of the importance of a better understanding of the basic evolutionary process in specific receptors (such as Igs) for both immunology and molecular evolution, it is important to explore the nature of the diversification process in these proteins in detail. In this work, therefore, we analyzed the substitution patterns in all the alleles reported for loci IGKV and IGLV in humans and mice, and we compared the results with those previously observed in the human IGHV locus. We found that the process of evolutionary variation of the Igs reflect the diversity of selective pressures operating on the different loci, genes, sub-regions and positions; for example, diversification through substitution is generally centered on CDRs, but only few positions inside the CDRs were frequently substituted. In spite of this general tendency, it is possible to observe differences in the degree of diversification among loci, families and genes. These tendencies to modify only certain attributes of IGV genes seem to be in agreement with differential strategies associated with the restrictions of the molecular immune recognition mechanism. The complexity of the evolutionary patterns observed in this study leads us to think that the predispositions observed herein may also be due in part to processes of DNA dynamics.

Structural analysis of substitution patterns in alleles of human immunoglobulin VH genes.

The diversity in repertoires of antibodies (Abs) needed in response to the antigen challenge is produced by evolutionary and somatic processes. The mechanisms operating at a somatic level have been studied in great detail. In contrast, neither the mechanisms nor the strategies of diversification at an evolutionary level have yet been understood in similar detail. Particularly, the substitution patterns in alleles of immunoglobulin genes (Igs) have not been systematically studied. Furthermore, there is a scarcity of studies which link the analysis at a genetic level of the diversification of repertoires with the structural consequences at the protein level of the changes in DNA information. For the purpose of systematically characterizing the strategies of evolutionary diversification through sequence variation at alleles, in this work, we built a database for all the alleles of the IGHV locus in humans reported until now. Based on these data, we performed diverse analyses of substitution patterns and linked these results with studies at the protein level. We found that the sequence diversification in different alleles does not operate with equal intensity for all V genes. Our studies, both of the number of substitutions and of the type of amino acid change per sub-segment of the V-REGION evidenced differences in the selective pressure to which these regions are exposed. The implications of these results for understanding the evolutionary diversification strategies, as well as for the somatic generation of antibody repertoires are discussed.

Las ferias como medio para la promoción de la salud en la comunidad universitaria: pasos hacia una educación positiva / Fairs as a means of promoting health in the university community: steps towards a positive education

Objetivo: la promoción de la salud en términos positivos y de bienestar, implica concebirla como el proceso en el que la comunidad aumenta el control sobre su salud, y la mejora. Las universidades tienen grandes capacidades para ello; por ejemplo, en ferias de salud que rompen los esquemas tradicionales unidireccionales y pasivos de los programas de salud. El programa de salud integral de la Universidad Veracruzana (México) implementó en su primera etapa estrategias para la promoción, prevención y tratamiento de enfermedades. Más tarde incorporó una visión más integral acorde a las necesidades enmarcadas en los objetivos sostenibles y la promoción de la salud comenzó a realizarse a través de ferias. No obstante, la comunidad universitaria dudaba que su realización tuviera beneficios. Materiales y métodos: se evaluó el efecto de las ferias en la salud y bienestar percibido por los estudiantes y su entorno y se identificaron las virtudes y fortalezas de carácter, las cuales son esenciales para la vida en bienestar. Resultados: la participación de los estudiantes en las ferias de salud les aporta conocimientos y habilidades para mejorar su salud, así como para adoptar estilos de vida acordes al autocuidado y la sustentabilidad. Además, las 24 fortalezas están presentes en todos los estudiantes, aunque el autocontrol fue la fortaleza menos presente. Conclusiones: las ferias son espacios que promueven la salud, al lograr transmitir y apropiar información, al mismo tiempo que acercan y educan a diferentes públicos de manera efectiva lúdica..Au

Objective: the promotion of health in positive and well-being terms implies conceiving it as the process in which the community increases control over its health and improves it. Universities in this sense have great capacities for their promotion, for example, health fairs break the traditional unidirectional and passive schemes of health programs. The comprehensive health program of the Universidad Veracruzana, implemented in its first stage strategies for the promotion, prevention and treatment of diseases. Later, it incorporated a more comprehensive vision according to the needs framed in the sustainable objectives and the promotion of health began to be carried out through fairs. However, there was a perception in the university community that its implementation had no benefits. Materials and methods: the effect of the fairs on the perceived health and well-being of the students and their environment was evaluated, and the virtues and strengths of character, which are essential for life in well-being, were identified. Results: the participation of the students provides them with knowledge and skills to improve their health, as well as to adopt lifestyles consistent with self-care and sustainability. In addition, the 24 strengths are present in all students, although self-control was the least present strength. Conclusions: fairs are spaces that promote health, by transmitting and appropriating information, at the same time that they approach and educate different audiences in an effective playful way..Au

Positive education in college students: the effects of the "self-knowledge and soul care" workshop on the emotions and character strengths / Educación positiva en estudiantes universitarios: efectos del taller "autoconocimiento y cuidado del alma" sobre las emociones y fortalezas del carácter

Objective: most healthy and unhealthy behaviors are acquired or consolidated during youth, thus a good investment in the future of any nation, should be to promote the development of young people, incorporating them into projects and programs that aspire to increase their subjective wellbeing and personal health. The Psycho-Educational Intervention (PEI) presented here has been shown to have effects on the health and wellbeing of students as well as on their academic performance. However, its effects on strength of character, emotional balance and emotional intelligence are unknown. Materials and methods: in this paper it was shows the effects of this PEI on positive education in a group of 18 students through three questionnaires: VIA-240, PANAS-20 and PIEMO. To estimate the effects of the PEI, a comparison was made between the scores obtained on the three questionnaires before and after the PEI sessions.Results: the results show that not only did character strengths, positive affect and emotional intelligence improve with PEI, but that also the character strengths and the emotional bearings arranged in a network topography changed with intervention. Also, there were some changes in the most connected nodes of the network. Conclusions: these results show that PEI improved the previous reported variables, they also show the way in which the balance of the positive and negative affects, the development of emotional intelligence and the enhancement of character strengths give access to the three pillars of positive psychology..(Au)

Objetivo: las conductas más saludables y no saludables se consolidan durante la juventud, por lo que una buena inversión de futuro de cualquier nación, debe ser promover su desarrollo, incorporándolos en proyectos que aspiren a incrementar su bienestar subjetivo y su salud. Se ha demostrado que la Intervención Psicoeducativa (IPE) que aquí se presenta tiene efectos en la salud y el bienestar de los estudiantes, así como en su rendimiento académico. Sin embargo, se desconocen sus efectos sobre las fortalezas de carácter, el equilibrio emocional y la inteligencia emocional. Materiales y métodos: en este trabajo se muestran los efectos de esta PEI en la educación positiva en un grupo de 18 estudiantes a través de tres cuestionarios: VIA- 240, PANAS-20 y PIEMO. Para su estimación, se realizó una comparación entre las puntuaciones obtenidas en los tres cuestionarios antes y después de las sesiones de la PEI. Resultados: los resultados muestran que no solo mejoraron las variables analizadas, sino que también las fortalezas del carácter y las emociones que están dispuestos en una topografía de red, cambiaron con la intervención. Además, hubo algunos cambios en los nodos más conectados de la red. Conclusiones: estos resultados muestran que la PEI mejoró las variables reportadas anteriormente, también muestran la forma en que el balance de los afectos positivos y negativos, el desarrollo de la inteligencia emocional y la potenciación de las fortalezas del carácter dan acceso a los tres pilares de la psicología positiva..(Au)

Novel substitution polymorphisms of human immunoglobulin VH genes in Mexicans.

It has been proposed that the defense and recognition functions of the immune system, especially those mediated by antibodies, require a great diversity of receptors. Nonetheless, functional and structural evidence has demonstrated the presence of restrictions, both in the use of the repertoire and in the recognition of antigens. Fifty-one functional genes have been described in the IghV locus; however, there is a variety of evidences indicating that only a small fraction of the immunoglobulin genes plays a central role in determining the fundamental properties of the antibody repertoire of the immune system. On the basis of this functional and structural information, we selected four IghV genes and characterized their polymorphism in a sample of Mexican individuals. We also analyzed the implications for the recognition mechanism of the substitutions found in the sequenced alleles. We found that diversification through allelism varies from segment to segment, both in the amount of alleles encountered and in the nature and distribution of mutations in the codifying zone, which might depend on its importance for the repertoire. Such functional characteristics may be useful in the interpretation of differential gene usage in certain physiological, ontological, and/or pathological conditions.

Emotional reactions to alcohol-related words: Differences between low- and high-risk drinkers.

INTRODUCTION: Research that has examined responses to alcohol-related words in drinkers has mostly linked such responses to memory, attentional, and perceptual bias. However, studies of emotional processing in alcoholics have not received much attention. The main goal of the present study was to identify the features and differences of emotional responses to alcohol-related words in low- and high-risk drinkers. METHOD: A total of 149 low-risk drinkers and 125 high-risk drinkers evaluated five alcohol-related words and 15 words from the Affective Norms for English Words in the dimensions of valence, arousal, and dominance using the Self-Assessment Manikin. RESULTS: The results indicated that high-risk drinkers evaluated alcohol-related words as more appetitive and arousing. CONCLUSION: These results, together with findings in the attention and memory research literature, suggest that alcohol-related words can serve as conditioned cues in alcohol consumption.

Análisis psicométrico del Body Shape Questionnaire en universitarios mexicanos / Psychometric Analysis of the Body Shape Questionnaire in Mexican University Students

RESUMEN Objetivo: Analizar las propiedades psicométricas, estructura interna y relación con indicadores antropométricos del Body Shape Questionnaire (BSQ) en universitarios mexicanos, partiendo de un enfoque de la invarianza de medición. Métodos: Se realizó un estudio instrumental, orientado a la evaluación de las propiedades psicométricas, validez y fiabilidad, del BSQ. Se realizó análisis de invarianza de la medición por el método de estimación mínimos cuadrados ponderados con varianza ajustada y correlaciones policóricas, previa evaluación de diferentes modelos de medición del BSQ en cada grupo. Las puntuaciones de la versión final se correlacionaron con indicadores antropométricos mediante el coeficiente de correlación de Pearson. Resultados: En el análisis dimensional, todos los modelos previos del BSQ presentan índices de ajuste favorables, aunque aquellos de un solo factor presente son los que tienen evidencia más robusta. Se aceptó la invarianza configural, lo que indica que la estructura unidimensional es común a varones y mujeres. Sin embargo, las cargas factoriales de 16 ítems fueron estadísticamente diferentes entre los grupos, por lo que se descartaron y se obtuvo una versión de 18 ítems (BSQ-18), que se considera invariante respecto al sexo. Además, hay relación directa entre las puntuaciones de la versión del BSQ-18 y el índice de masa corporal, la circunferencia de cintura y el porcentaje de grasa. En cuanto a la fiabilidad, se hallaron indicadores satisfactorios. Conclusiones: El BSQ-18 es aplicable tanto a varones como a mujeres y tiene indicadores de fiabilidad elevados que posibilitan su uso en entornos clínicos para la evaluación en el abordaje de trastornos de la conducta alimentaria y obesidad en jóvenes universitarios.

ABSTRACT Objective: To analyse the psychometric properties, internal structure, and relationship with anthropometric indicators of the Body Shape Questionnaire (BSQ) among Mexican university students according to the measurement invariance approach. Methods: An instrumental study was carried out to assess the psychometric properties, validity, and reliability of the BSQ. The analysis of the measurement invariance was performed using the Least Squares Estimation, and weighted by adjusted variance and polychoric correlations after assessing different measurement models for BSQ in each group. The scores of the final version were correlated with anthropometric indicators by the Pearson correlation coefficient. Results: As regards the dimensional analysis, all of the previous models for BSQ have favourable adjustment rates, although those with a single factor show more robust evidence. The configural invariance was accepted; suggesting that the one-dimensional structure is common for both men and women. However, 16-item factorial loadings were statistically different between the groups. Hence, they were discarded and an 18-item version (BSQ-18) was obtained, which is considered invariant as regards gender. In addition, there is a direct relationship between the scores of the BSQ-18 version and the body mass index, waist circumference, and fat percentage. Satisfactory indicators were found as regards stability. Conclusions: The BSQ-18 can be used with men and women, and has high reliability indicators to be conducted in clinical settings to assess eating disorders and obesity among university students