Psychometric properties of the Brazilian version of the Big Five Inventory

Abstract Introduction There is growing interest in the fields of psychiatry and psychology in investigating the relationship between personality and psychopathology. The Big-5 is a model developed to investigate five personality dimensions: Extroversion, Agreeableness, Conscientiousness, Neuroticism, and Openness. In the present study, we describe the process of translation into Brazilian Portuguese and adaptation of a free tool to evaluate the Big-5 model: The Big-5 Inventory (BFI). The instrument has 44 items with a Likert response scale ranging from 1 to 5. Objectives To translate and adapt the BFI into Brazilian Portuguese. Methods The adaptation was conducted in the following steps: 1) Translation, 2) Evaluation Committee, 3) Back-translation, 4) Pilot study, 5) Evaluation Committee, and 6) Application. The sample comprised 490 participants from various regions of Brazil. The participants' ages ranged from 18 to 71 years, most of them had completed high school (62.9%), and the majority were women (75%). Results A model with the following fit indexes was found: χ2/df: 1.954; goodness fit index (GFI): 0.924; comparative fit index (CFI): 0.920; and root mean square error of approximation (RMSEA): 0.044. Conclusion The results are suggestive that the Brazilian version of this instrument has good psychometric properties and represent a cost-free option for investigating associations with the Big-5 in psychiatry.

Treatment compliance and risk and protective factors for suicide ideation to completed suicide in adolescents: a systematic review

Objective: To review the literature regarding adolescent suicide risk and explore the associations between treatment compliance (expressed as a concept including measured adherence to treatment and/or mental health service utilization) and risk and protective factors for suicidal behavior (SB), as well as the association between treatment compliance and reattempts. Methods: PubMed, LILACS, and Google Scholar were searched using the following terms: (adolescent*) AND (suicide*) AND (risk factor OR protective factors) AND (treatment compliance OR treatment attrition OR treatment adherence OR treatment drop out OR treatment retention OR mental health utilization). We retrieved studies that focused on the relation of treatment compliance to risk and protective factors for SB and that had only adolescent samples. Results: Of 4,841 articles, 30 original articles were selected for review. Most studies indicated high mental health service (MHS) utilization and poor treatment adherence by SB patients. Social minority status and conduct disorder were associated with less treatment adherence, while female sex, parental perceived need for treatment, and major depression were associated with greater treatment adherence. Inpatient and intensive emergency care after SA and family interventions improved MHS utilization and treatment compliance. However, we found no substantial protective effect of treatment compliance against reattempts. Conclusion: Effective treatment planning for compliance requires considering psychopathology, treatment planning, and social, familial, and individual factors.

3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA)-assisted psychotherapy for victims of sexual abuse with severe post-traumatic stress disorder: an open label pilot study in Brazil

Objective: To conduct Brazil's first clinical trial employing 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA)-assisted psychotherapy for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), given its high prevalence resulting from epidemic violence. Methods: Of 60 volunteers, four matched the inclusion & exclusion criteria. Three patients with PTSD secondary to sexual abuse (diagnosed by the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV and the Clinician Administered PTSD Scale for DSMV-4 [CAPS 4]) completed enrollment and treatment, following a standardized Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies protocol consisting of 15 weekly therapy sessions: three with orally administered MDMA with concurrent psychotherapy and music, spaced approximately 1 month apart. CAPS-4 scores two months after the final MDMA session were the primary outcome. Results: No serious adverse events occurred. The most frequent adverse events were somatic pains and anguish. CAPS-4 reductions were always greater than 25 points. The final scores were 61, 27, and 8, down from baseline scores of 90, 78, and 72, respectively. All reductions were greater than 30%, which is indicative of clinically significant improvement. Secondary outcomes included lower Beck Depressive Inventory scores and higher Post-Traumatic Growth Inventory and Global Assessment of Functioning scores. Conclusions: Considering the current limitations in safe and efficacious treatments for PTSD and recent studies abroad with larger patient samples, MDMA-assisted psychotherapy could become a viable treatment in Brazil. Clinical trial registration: RBR-6sq4c9

Factorial and construct validity of Portuguese version (Brazil) Bergen Facebook Addiction Scale / Validade fatorial e de construto da versão em português (Brasil) da Bergen Facebook Addiction Scale

ABSTRACT Objective To evaluate factorial and construct validity of the Brazilian Portuguese version of the Bergen Facebook Addiction Scale (BFAS-BR). Methods A sociodemographic questionnaire, the Brazilian Portuguese versions of Online Cognition Scale (OCS-BR) and of BFAS-BR were applied to a sample of Health Undergraduate (n = 356). Construct validity evidences were verified through the Confirmatory Factor Analysis. Discriminant validity was examined by correlational analysis between the version of the BFAS-BR and OCS-BR. Results Proposed factorial model of BFAS did not present a good quality adjustment. So, a model restructuring was necessary from behavioral addiction theoretical views and new model presented satisfactory adjustment quality and construct validity evidence. Correlation between both tested scales was strong (ρ = 0.707) and, therefore, they measure the same construct. Conclusion The BFAS-BR show adequate factorial and construct validity.

RESUMO Objetivo Avaliar a validade fatorial e de construto da versão em português brasileiro da Bergen Facebook Addiction Scale (BFAS-BR). Métodos Um questionário sociodemográfico e as versões em português brasileiro da Online Cognition Scale (OCS-BR) e da BFAS-BR foram aplicados em uma amostra de universitários de cursos de Saúde (n = 356). As evidências da validade de construto foram verificadas por meio da Análise Fatorial Confirmatória. A validade discriminante foi examinada pela análise correlacional das BFAS-BR e OCS-BR. Resultados O modelo fatorial proposto da BFAS não apresentou bom ajuste. Então, um modelo reestruturado foi necessário a partir das concepções teóricas das adições de comportamento. O novo modelo apresentou qualidade de ajustamento satisfatório e evidências de validade de construto. A correlação entre as versões em português de ambas as escalas testadas foi forte (ρ = 0,707). Conclusões A versão em português da Bergen Facebook Addiction Scale apresentou adequada validade de construto.

Translation and validation of the Brown attention-deficit disorder scale for use in Brazil: identifying cases of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder among samples of substance users and non-users. Cross-cultural validation study

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: The Brown Attention-Deficit Disorder Scale (BADDS) was developed as a self-report assessment that was designed to screen for presence of symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The objective here was to translate and validate the adult self-report BADDS for use in Brazil. DESIGN AND SETTING: Cross-cultural validation study conducted in an addiction unit at a public university hospital. METHODS: This study included a control group (n = 100) and a drug-user group (n = 100). Both groups included subjects aged 18 to 60 years old. The control group had no prior diagnosis of drug addiction and the drug-user group included participants with a diagnosis of addiction. Each participant answered Brazilian Portuguese translations of both the BADDS and the Adult Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Self-Report Scale (ASRS) questionnaires, in paper-and-pencil format. RESULTS: The drug-user group scored higher than the control group on both scales. The mean scores on ASRS were 27.26 (standard deviation, SD: 11.99) and 25.85 (SD: 8.65) respectively (P > 0.05). The mean scores on BADDS were 79.56 (SD: 29.61) and 79.31 (SD: 18.09), respectively (P > 0.05). Cronbach's alpha for BADDS was 0.95. BADDS presented fair sensitivity (72% accuracy) and fair specificity (88% accuracy). CONCLUSION: This study provides discriminative validity evidence for use of BADDS among Brazilian adults with substance-use disorders.

Sexual addiction in drug addicts: The impact of drug of choice and poly-addiction / Dependência sexual em dependentes químicos: o impacto de diferentes drogas de escolha e de polidependência

Summary Objective: To compare the risk of comorbid sexual addiction in a sample of individuals with a diagnosis of substance dependence, stratifying the sample by drug of choice as well as by mono versus polysubstance addiction. Method: All data were collected at Santa Casa de São Paulo, Brazil. The study sample comprised all alcohol or drug dependents admitted to the Addiction Treatment Unit between November 2013 and August 2014. A generalized linear model with a binomial distribution was performed to compare the odds of having a Sexual Addiction Screening Test (SAST) score greater than 6 points in the subgroups analyzed. Results: A total of 133 participants were included in our analysis, all reporting cocaine/crack and/or alcohol as drug of choice. Polysubstance addicts had a significant higher risk of a positive screening for sexual addiction compared to monosubstance addicts, age-sex adjusted odds ratios of sexual addiction being respectively 2.72 (95CI 1.1-6.71) and 0.37 (95CI 0.15-0.91). The odds of a SAST score greater than 6 was not statistically different between the cocaine/crack and alcohol groups, respectively 0.38 (95CI 0.14-1.02) and 2.67 (95CI 0.98-7.25). We found a significant relation between stronger drug addiction and greater levels of sexual addiction in the cocaine/crack group (p=0.0012), but not in the alcohol group. Conclusion: Our study reinforces the importance of assessing sexual behavior of drug addicts in clinical practice, especially considering users of multiple substances or with severe dependence.

Resumo Objetivo: Comparar o risco de dependência sexual em uma amostra de indivíduos com diagnóstico de dependência química, estratificados por droga de escolha e por dependência única ou de múltiplas substâncias. Método: Todos os dados foram coletados na Santa Casa de São Paulo, Brasil. A amostra estudada correspondeu a todos os indivíduos dependentes de álcool ou outras substâncias admitidos no Ambulatório de Dependência Química entre novembro de 2013 e agosto de 2014. Modelos lineares generalizados com distribuição binomial foram utilizados para comparar o risco de escores maiores que seis na Escala de Rastreamento para Dependência de Sexo (SAST) nos subgrupos analisados. Resultados: Foram analisados os dados de 133 pacientes usuários de cocaína/crack e/ou álcool. Usuários de múltiplas substâncias apresentaram risco significativamente maior de um screening positivo para dependência sexual comparados com usuários de uma única substância. Os odds ratios de dependência sexual ajustados por sexo e idade obtidos nos dois grupos foram, respectivamente, 2.72 (IC95% 1.1-6.71) e 0.37 (IC95% 0.15-0.91). O risco de dependência sexual entre usuários de cocaína/crack e álcool foi estimado, respectivamente, em 0.38 (IC95% 0.14-1.02) e 2.67 (IC95% 0.98-7.25), não indicando diferença significativa. Foi encontrada uma relação significativa entre severidade de dependência química e maiores níveis de dependência sexual entre dependentes de cocaína/crack, mas não de álcool. Conclusão: Nosso estudo reforça a importância de avaliar o comportamento sexual de dependentes químicos na prática clínica, especialmente considerando usuários de múltiplas substâncias, ou casos de maior severidade.

Reliability and construct validity of the Online Cognition Scale in the Portuguese (Brazil) version (OCS-BR) / Confiabilidade e validade de construto da Online Cognition Scale da versão português (Brasil) (OCS-BR)

ABSTRACT Objective To evaluate construct validity and reliability of the Portuguese (Brazil) version of Online Cognition Scale (OCS-BR). Methods Portuguese (Brazil) versions of Online Cognition Scale (OCS), of Internet Addiction Test (IAT) and socio demographic questionnaire was applied to a sample (n = 359) of health university students. Construct validity evidence was verified through the factorial and convergent validity by Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) and internal consistency and stability analysis through Cronbach’s alpha and intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) respectively. Discriminative power of items were analyzed using item-total correlation and point biserial correlation. Results OCS-BR presented satisfactory evidence of construct validity. The instrument showed Cronbach’s alpha of 0.91 and ICC of 0.91. Conclusion Portuguese (Brazil) version of OCS shows items consistently gatherd to measure the Problematic Internet Use (PIU) construct, it is considered s stable instrument in time and with sufficient evidence of construct validity.

RESUMO Objetivo Avaliar a validade de construto e a confiabilidade da versão em português (Brasil) da Online Cognition Scale (OCS-BR). Métodos As versões em português (Brasil) da Online Cognition Scale (OCS), da Internet Addiction Test (IAT) e um questionário sociodemográfico foram aplicados em uma amostra (n = 359) de estudantes universitários de saúde. A evidência de validade de construto foi verificada por meio da validade fatorial e convergente pela Análise Fatorial Confirmatória e pela análise da consistência internal e estabilidade pelo alpha de Cronbach e coeficiente de correlação intraclasse (ICC), respectivamente. O poder discriminativo de itens foi analisado usando a correlação item-total e a correlação do ponto bisserial. Resultados A OCS-BR apresentou evidência satisfatória de validade de construto. O instrumento apresentou o alpha de Cronbach de 0,91 e ICC de 0,91. Conclusão A versão em Português (Brasil) de OCS mostra itens consistentemente reunidos para medir o construto Uso Problemático de Internet, sendo considerado um instrumento estável no tempo e com evidência suficiente de validade de construto.

N-acetylcysteine for treating cocaine addiction - A systematic review.

The aim of this paper is to extensively review the current literature available on N-acetylcysteine (NAC) treatment for cocaine dependence (clinical and experimental studies). We screened all articles published before February 2016 reporting on the use of NAC as a pharmacological intervention for cocaine dependence or discussed its potential as a therapeutic approach for cocaine dependence. We described our results qualitatively. 21 studies matched our search criteria: 6 clinical trials and 15 animal studies. Four clinical studies showed NAC's capacity to reduce craving, desire to use cocaine, cocaine-cue viewing-time and cocaine-related spending. Studies in animal models also support this reinstatement prevention application of NAC. NAC reverses the disruption of glutamate homeostasis caused by long-term cocaine use restoring function of the cystine-glutamate exchanger in glial cells and reversing the downregulated GLT-1 receptor. Current data suggest promising potential for NAC as an anti-relapse agent, as a double-blind placebo trial was mainly negative, except in the subgroup of patients who were already abstinent. An optimal dose for relapse prevention may be one that restores extrasynaptic glutamate to physiological levels and predominantly activates mGluR2 and 3, but not mGluR5 receptors, which are linked to relapse. NAC may be better suited for avoiding relapse in already abstinent subjects.

Translation and cultural adaptation of the States of Consciousness Questionnaire (SOCQ) and statistical validation of the Mystical Experience Questionnaire (MEQ30) in Brazilian Portuguese

Abstract Background The States of Consciousness Questionnaire (SOCQ) was developed to assess the occurrence features of the change in consciousness induced by psilocybin, and includes the Mystical Experience Questionnaire (MEQ), developed to assess the ocurrence of mystical experiences in altered states of consciousness. Objective To translate the SOCQ to Brazilian Portuguese and validate the 30-item MEQ. Methods The SOCQ was translated to Brazilian Portuguese and backtranslated into English. The two English versions were compared and differences corrected, resulting in a Brazilian translation. Using an internet-survey, 1504 Portuguese-speaking subjects answered the translated version of the SOCQ. The 4-factor version of MEQ30 was analyzed using confirmatory factor analysis and reliability analysis. Results A Brazilian Portuguese version of the SOCQ was made available. Goodness-of-fit indexes indicated that data met the factorial structure proposed for the English MEQ30. Factors presented excellent to acceptable reliability according to Cronbach’s alpha: mystical (0.95); positive mood (0.71); transcendence of time/space (0.83); and ineffability (0.81). Discussion The Brazilian Portuguese version of the MEQ30 is validated and it fits in the factorial structure performed on the original English version. The SOCQ is also available to the Brazilian Portuguese speaking population, allowing studies in different languages to be conducted and compared systematically.

Psychometric properties of the Brazilian version of the Personal Experience Screening Questionnaire.

INTRODUCTION:: The Personal Experience Screening Questionnaire (PESQ) is an instrument devised for assessing the magnitude of drug misuse among adolescents. However, its psychometric properties have not been evaluated in adolescent samples outside the United States. OBJECTIVE:: To assess the internal reliability and validity of the Brazilian version of the PESQ. METHOD:: A cross-sectional study was carried out with 84 adolescents from a clinical sample and a community-based sample. All of them answered the PESQ. RESULTS:: Among adolescents from the community, the PESQ problem severity index, which can vary from 18 to 72, was 26.48±9.28, whereas the clinical sample scored 42.89±10.02 (p<0.001). Cronbach's alpha was 0.91. Factor analysis resulted in a four-factor solution. Furthermore, both samples also had different mean scores for the other distinct content areas measured by the instrument. CONCLUSION:: Evidence to support the reliability and validity of the Brazilian version of the Personal Experience Questionnaire was found.

Psychometric properties of the Brazilian version of the Personal Experience Screening Questionnaire / Propriedades psicométricas da versão brasileira do Personal Experience Screening Questionnaire

Summary Introduction: The Personal Experience Screening Questionnaire (PESQ) is an instrument devised for assessing the magnitude of drug misuse among adolescents. However, its psychometric properties have not been evaluated in adolescent samples outside the United States. Objective: To assess the internal reliability and validity of the Brazilian version of the PESQ. Method: A cross-sectional study was carried out with 84 adolescents from a clinical sample and a community-based sample. All of them answered the PESQ. Results: Among adolescents from the community, the PESQ problem severity index, which can vary from 18 to 72, was 26.48±9.28, whereas the clinical sample scored 42.89±10.02 (p<0.001). Cronbach's alpha was 0.91. Factor analysis resulted in a four-factor solution. Furthermore, both samples also had different mean scores for the other distinct content areas measured by the instrument. Conclusion: Evidence to support the reliability and validity of the Brazilian version of the Personal Experience Questionnaire was found.

Resumo Introdução: o Personal Experience Screening Questionnaire (PESQ) é um instrumento destinado ao rastreamento de problemas relacionados ao uso de drogas entre adolescentes. Entretanto, suas propriedades psicométricas não foram avaliadas em populações de adolescentes de outros países além dos Estados Unidos. Objetivo: avaliar a confiabilidade e a validade da versão brasileira do PESQ. Método: foi feito um estudo transversal envolvendo 84 adolescentes de uma amostra clínica e de uma amostra não clínica. Todos responderam ao PESQ. Resultados: entre os adolescentes da população geral, o índice de severidade de problema da PESQ, que pode variar de 18 a 72, foi de 26,48±9,28. Por outro lado, a população clínica teve pontuação de 42,89±10,02 (p<0,001). O alfa de Cronbach foi de 0,91. A análise fatorial resultou em uma solução de quatro fatores. Além disso, ambas as populações apresentaram pontuações significativamente diferentes em outras subescalas do PESQ. Conclusão: as evidências sustentam a validade e a confiabilidade da versão brasileira do PESQ.

Uso de drogas injetáveis entre mulheres na Região Metropolitana de Santos, São Paulo, Brasil / Injection drug use among women in Metropolitan Region of Santos, São Paulo state, Brazil

Resumo O uso de drogas injetáveis refere-se, principalmente, ao uso de cocaína, e seus usuários caracterizam-se por alta frequência de injeção, elevado número de parceiros sexuais, comportamentos sexuais de risco e a troca de sexo por drogas. Há um contingente significativo de mulheres que usam drogas injetáveis, demandando contínua investigação no que concerne às relações de gênero que permeiam essa prática e os comportamentos de risco associados, bem como a suas demandas específicas. Buscou-se elucidar a vulnerabilidade dessas mulheres às doenças sexualmente transmissíveis (DST), ao uso de drogas pela parceria com usuários e ao sexo desprotegido em decorrência da dependência química. Tratou-se de estudo qualitativo, em que foram utilizadas a observação participante e o grupo focal como estratégias para conhecimento da população. Os dados coletados foram divididos nos seguintes núcleos temáticos: consumo de drogas, relações afetivas, violência, situação legal, comportamento sexual e acesso à informação e às medidas de saúde. Investimentos e incorporação do conceito de iniquidades nas relações de gênero devem ser preconizados em medidas de saúde, de forma a esclarecer e fortalecer o grupo de mulheres nas tomadas de decisões em suas práticas sexuais e consumo de drogas que as imputam maior vulnerabilidade.

Abstract The injecting drug use refers mainly to the use of cocaine, and its members are characterized by high frequency of injection, the high number of sexual partners, sexual risk behavior and the exchange of sex for drugs. There are a significant number of women who use injection drugs, requiring continuous research with respect to gender relations that permeate this practice and risk behaviors, and to their specific demands. We attempted to elucidate these women's vulnerability to sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), drug use by partnering with drug users, and unprotected sex as a result of addiction. This was a qualitative study, in which were used participant observation and focus groups as strategies for knowledge of the population. Data were divided into the following themes: drug use, emotional relationships, violence, legal status, sexual behavior, and access to information and health measures. Investment and development of the concept of inequities in gender relations should be recommended for health measures in order to clarify and strengthen the group of women in decision making in their sexual practices and drug use that impute greater vulnerability.

Equivalência semântica e confiabilidade da versão em português da Bergen Facebook Addiction Scale / Semantic equivalence and confiability of the Portuguese version of the Bergen Facebook Addiction Scale

Objetivo Avaliar a equivalência semântica e a confiabilidade da Bergen Facebook Addiction Scale para o português (Brasil). Métodos O processo consistiu em cinco passos: tradução; retradução; revisão técnica e avaliação da equivalência semântica por profissionais; avaliação do instrumento por compreensão verbal por uma amostra de profissionais (n = 10) e de estudantes (n = 37); análise de consistência interna e estabilidade por meio do coeficiente de Cronbach e coeficiente de correlação intraclasse (CCI) respectivamente, em uma amostra de 359 estudantes de graduação. Resultados O instrumento apresentou no fim um excelente nível de compreensão verbal pela população-alvo, alfa de Cronbach de 0,92 e CCI de 0,81. Conclusão A versão adaptada do instrumento para o uso em nosso ambiente resultou em um instrumento equivalente do ponto de visão de equivalência semântica, assegurando a transferência do significado geral e referencial, mantendo níveis satisfatórios de confiabilidade. .

Objective To evaluate the semantic equivalence and confiability of the Bergen Facebook Addiction Scale into Portuguese (Brazil). Methods The process consisted of five steps: translation; back-translation; technical review and evaluation of semantic equivalence by professionals; evaluation instrument as verbal comprehension by a professional sample (n = 10) and students (n = 37); analysis of internal consistency and stability through Cronbach coefficient and intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) respectively, in a sample of 359 undergraduate students. Results The instrument presented at the end an excellent level of verbal comprehension by the target population, Cronbach’s alpha of 0.92 and ICC of 0.81. Conclusion The adapted version of the instrument for use in our environment resulted in an equivalent instrument from the point of view of semantic equivalence, ensuring the transfer of general and referential meaning, maintaining satisfactory levels of reliability. .

O ensino de terapia ocupacional na clínica das dependências: uma experiência na liga acadêmica de farmacodependências (PROAD ­ UNIFESP) / Teaching occupational therapy on the addiction field - an experience in a multidisciplinary context with undergraduate students

Objetiva-se discutir o ensino de Terapia Ocupacional (TO) no contexto da dependência química com alunos de graduação. Visando debater sobre a experiência da prática multidisciplinar supervisionada durante o trajeto de formação acadêmica, apresenta-se a Liga Acadêmica de Farmacodependências (LFD) como espaço para compreensão do fenômeno da dependência e da construção da clínica. Foi realizado um estudo qualitativo, de caráter observacional, no qual foi realizada a análise de conteúdo das discussões realizadas entre os preceptores e os 25 alunos de diferentes cursos (TO, Psicologia, Enfermagem e Medicina) que compõem a LFD, vinculada ao PROAD (Programa de Orientação e Atendimento a Dependentes) da Universidade Federal de São Paulo. Foram observadas articulações acerca da construção do raciocínio clínico em TO, assim como sobre a constituição do olhar do aluno enquanto profissional membro de uma equipe multidisciplinar. A experiência da construção da especificidade da TO, somada à articulação de diferentes olhares na supervisão coletiva, favoreceu a construção de uma compreensão ampliada sobre os sujeitos atendidos na LFD. As discussões de caso coletivas permitem um diálogo multidisciplinar que vai constituindo a identidade dos alunos enquanto profissionais da saúde que se posicionam em uma equipe de raciocínio coeso. Percebeu-se que o ensino de TO, no contexto de uma liga multiprofissional, inserida em um programa de atenção a pessoas com problemas relacionadas ao uso, abuso e/ou dependência de substâncias, tem sido uma experiência de construção contínua de um espaço que visa sustentar e dialogar sobre questões da especificidade da profissão e da sua inserção em equipe

This article intends to discuss the teaching of Occupational Therapy (OT) in the context of substance abuse to undergraduate students. Aiming to debate the experience of multidisciplinary supervised practice during the course of academic studies, it presents the Academic League on Drug Dependence - LFD as a space for understanding the phenomenon of addiction and the construction of practice in this area. A qualitative observational study was carried out on the analysis of discussion between tutors and 25 undergraduate students from different courses (OT, psychology, nursing, and medicine) that comprise the LFD, which is associated with the Program of Treatment and Guidance to Drug Addicts - PROAD of the Federal University of São Paulo - UNIFESP. We observed articulations about the construction of clinical reasoning in the OT area and the constitution of the students' perceptions while professionals participating in a multidisciplinary team. It was possible to observe that the experience of the specificity of OT and collective supervision, which, in turn, enables the articulation, favored the construction of an expended comprehension of the subjects treated in the LFD. In this sense, the collective discussion of cases allowed multidisciplinary dialogue that will constitute the identity of students as health professionals who position themselves in a coherent team. It was perceived that the teaching of OT, in the context of a multiprofessional league, inserted in a program of care for people with problems related to substance use, abuse and/or dependence, has been an experience of a continuous construction of a space that supports and dialogues on issues of the specificity of profession, and its inclusion in this team

Assessing alcohol dependence in hospitalized patients.

Alcohol misuse is generally not detected in hospital settings. The goal of this study was to estimate the prevalence of alcohol abuse and dependence in hospitalized patients in a university hospital in Sao Paulo (Brazil). Patients were randomly selected from all hospital admissions. The final sample consisted of 169 adult inpatients. Two screening tools were used: the Short Alcohol Dependence Data (SADD) and the CAGE questionnaires. In this sample, 25.4% of patients could be considered alcohol dependent according to the CAGE questionnaire, whereas 32.9% of patients fulfilled the criteria according to the SADD. The only predictor of alcohol dependence was gender; male inpatients were 3.2 times more prone to alcohol dependence with female inpatients. All inpatients should be systematically screened for alcohol use disorders. The choice of the screening tool will depend on whether the goal is to identify inpatients with hazardous drinking behaviors or with established alcohol-related problems. To maximize proper case identification, the CAGE questionnaire should be used as a first-step screening tool, and patients who screen positive on this scale should be subsequently administered the SADD questionnaire to assess the severity of the condition.

Chronic light deprivation inhibits appetitive associative learning induced by ethanol and its respective c-Fos and pCREB expression.

To address the role of mixed anxiety/mood disorder on appetitive associative learning, we verify whether previous chronic light deprivation changes ethanol-induced conditioned place preference and its respective expression of c-Fos and pCREB, markers of neuronal activity and plasticity. The experimental group was maintained in light deprivation for 24 h for a period of 4 wk. Subsequently, it was adapted to a standard light-dark cycle for 1 wk. As a control, some mice were maintained in standard cycle for a period of 4 wk (Naïve group). Then, all animals were submitted to behavioral tests to assess emotionality: elevated plus maze; open field; and forced swim. After that, they were submitted to ethanol-induced conditioned place preference. Ninety minutes after the place preference test, they were perfused, and their brains processed for c-Fos and pCREB immunohistochemistry. Light deprivation induced anxiety-like trait (elevated plus maze), despair (forced swim), and hyperlocomotion (open field), common features seen in other animal models of depression. Ethanol-induced conditioned place preference was accompanied by increases on c-Fos and pCREB in the hippocampus, prefrontal cortex and striatum. Interestingly, mice previously submitted to light deprivation did not develop either acquisition and/or expression of ethanol-induced conditioned place preference or increases in c-Fos and pCREB. Therefore, chronic light deprivation mimics several behavioral aspects of other animal models of depression. Furthermore, it could be useful to study the neurochemical mechanisms involved in the dual diagnosis. However, given its likely deleterious effects on appetitive associative memory, it should be used with caution to investigate the cognitive aspects related to the dual diagnosis.

Avaliação da equivalência semântica da versão em português (Brasil) da Online Cognition Scale / Semantic equivalence of the Brazilian Portuguese-language version of the Online Cognition Scale / Evaluación de equivalencia semántica de la versión portuguesa (Brasil) de la Online Cognition Scale

Este estudo teve por objetivo realizar a avaliação da equivalência semântica da Online Cognition Scale para o português (Brasil). O processo consistiu em cinco etapas: tradução; retrotradução; revisão técnica e avaliação da equivalência semântica por profissionais capacitados; avaliação do instrumento quanto à compreensão verbal por uma amostra de profissionais (n = 10) e estudantes (n = 37). O instrumento foi traduzido e adaptado para o português, apresentando, ao final, excelente nível de compreensão verbal pela população alvo. A versão do instrumento adaptada para uso em nosso meio resultou em um instrumento equivalente do ponto de vista da equivalência semântica e de conteúdo, estando pronto para iniciar o estudo de suas qualidades psicométricas no contexto cultural brasileiro.

This study evaluated the semantic equivalence of the Online Cognition Scale in Brazilian Portuguese. The process included five steps: translation, back-translation, technical review, evaluation of semantic equivalence by trained professionals, and evaluation of the instrument for content understanding by a group of professionals (n = 10) and students (n = 37). The instrument was translated and adapted to Portuguese, showing a high level of verbal comprehension by the target population. The adapted version for use in Brazil resulted in an equivalent instrument from the semantic and content point of view, ready for evaluation of its psychometric qualities in the Brazilian cultural context.

El objetivo de este estudio fue llevar a cabo la evaluación de la equivalencia semántica de la Online Cognition Scale en portugués (Brasil). El proceso consistió en cinco etapas: traducción, retrotraducción, revisión técnica y evaluación de la equivalencia semántica de los profesionales; habilitación de instrumentos como la comprensión verbal por una muestra de profesionales (n = 10) y estudiantes (n = 37). El instrumento fue traducido y adaptado al portugués, con un excelente nivel final de comprensión verbal por parte de la población objetivo. La versión adaptada del instrumento para su uso en nuestro contexto, que dio como resultado un instrumento equivalente desde el punto de vista semántico y del contenido, está lista para que comience el estudio de sus propiedades psicométricas en el contexto cultural brasileño.

Systematic review of the literature on clinical and experimental trials on the antitumor effects of cannabinoids in gliomas.

To evaluate, through a systematic review of the literature, the antitumoral effects of cannabinoids on gliomas. Research included the following electronic databases: PUBMED, EMBASE, LILACS and The Cochrane Collaboration Controlled Trials Register. All published studies involving the antitumoral effects (cellular and molecular mechanisms) of cannabinoids were considered for this review. The bibliography search strategy included all publications of each of these databases until December 31, 2012. From 2,260 initially identified articles, 35 fulfilled the inclusion criteria for this review. All the studies included in this systematic review were experimental (in vivo and/or in vitro), except for one pilot clinical trial phase I/II involving humans. In all experimental studies included, cannabinoids exerted antitumoral activity in vitro and/or antitumoral evidence in vivo in several models of tumor cells and tumors. The antitumor activity included: antiproliferative effects (cell cycle arrest), decreased viability and cell death by toxicity, apoptosis, necrosis, autophagy, as well as antiangiogenic and antimigratory effects. Antitumoral evidence included: reduction in tumor size, antiangiogenic, and antimetastatic effects. Additionally, most of the studies described that the canabinnoids exercised selective antitumoral action in several distinct tumor models. Thereby, normal cells used as controls were not affected. The safety factor in the cannabinoids' administration has also been demonstrated in vivo. The various cannabinoids tested in multiple tumor models showed antitumoral effects both in vitro and in vivo. These findings indicate that cannabinoids are promising compounds for the treatment of gliomas.