Cattel and Blumgart Anastomosis: Comparison of Pancreatojejunostomy Techniques in Patients with Pancreatic Cancer.

BACKROUND: Pancreaticojejunal anastomosis has a high risk of pancreatic leakage, which several surgical techniques have been described. Our main objective is to determine what is the association of postoperative pancreatic leakage in patients undergoing pancreaticoduodenectomy according to the pancreaticojejunal anastomosis technique used (Cattel vs Blumgart)? MATERIAL AND METHODS: Historical cohort, all cancer patients undergoing pancreaticoduodenectomy were included. From April 2020 to May 2021, Cattel technique was used; from June 2021 to June 2022, Blumgart technique was used. All procedures were performed by a single board-certified surgical oncologist at Oncology Hospital. RESULTS: 24 patients (11 men and 13 women). The first 9 procedures were performed with the Cattel technique, starting from procedure 10, the Blumgart technique was used. No differences were observed regarding the consistency of the pancreas (p=0.28) or the size of the duct (p=0.51) between the two groups. Pancreatic leakage was observed in 100% with the Cattel technique and in 6.7% with the Blumgart technique (p= 0.0001). An amylase value was observed in the left drainage at 6 days > 200 U/L with the Cattel technique and < 200 U/L with Blumgart (p=0.0001). Intraoperative bleeding (Cattel 1200 ml vs. Blumgart 400 ml, p= 0.03) and 90-day mortality (Cattel 33.3% vs. Blumgart 0%, Log-Rank: 0.022) also showed a difference in favor of Blumgart technique. Blumgart technique is a protective factor for the presence of pancreatic leakage (RR 0.06, 95% CI 0.01-0.44, p=0.0001). DISCUSSION: A lower risk of pancreatic leakage was found using the Blumgart technique, compared to the Cattel technique.

Subcutaneous phaeohyphomycosis due to Phaeoacremonium venezuelense: The first clinical case report in Costa Rica.

Phaeoacremonium is a genus of dematiaceous fungi that rarely causes human infections. We describe a case of subcutaneous infection in a 70-year-old diabetic man with lesions on the dorsum of the one foot. The agent was isolated, and for the final identification we performed matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) and DNA sequencing. After diagnosis, the patient underwent curettage of the cyst and received 100mg of Itraconazole, twice daily for 6 months. Clinical resolution of the lesion was observed after treatment. This is the first case of infection by Phaeoacremonium venezuelense reported in Costa Rica.

Phenomena of Intussusceptive Angiogenesis and Intussusceptive Lymphangiogenesis in Blood and Lymphatic Vessel Tumors.

Intussusceptive angiogenesis (IA) and intussusceptive lymphangiogenesis (IL) play a key role in the growth and morphogenesis of vessels. However, there are very few studies in this regard in vessel tumors (VTs). Our objective is to assess the presence, characteristics, and possible mechanisms of the formation of intussusceptive structures in a broad spectrum of VTs. For this purpose, examples of benign and malignant blood and lymphatic VTs were studied via conventional procedures, semithin sections, and immunochemistry and immunofluorescence microscopy. The results demonstrated intussusceptive structures (pillars, meshes, and folds) in benign (lobular capillary hemangioma or pyogenic granuloma, intravascular papillary endothelial hyperplasia or Masson tumor, sinusoidal hemangioma, cavernous hemangioma, glomeruloid hemangioma, angiolipoma, and lymphangiomas), low-grade malignancy (retiform hemangioendothelioma and Dabska tumor), and malignant (angiosarcoma and Kaposi sarcoma) VTs. Intussusceptive structures showed an endothelial cover and a core formed of connective tissue components and presented findings suggesting an origin through vessel loops, endothelialized thrombus, interendothelial bridges, and/or splitting and fusion, and conditioned VT morphology. In conclusion, the findings support the participation of IA and IL, in association with sprouting angiogenesis, in VTs, and therefore in their growth and morphogenesis, which is of pathophysiological interest and lays the groundwork for in-depth molecular studies with therapeutic purposes.

Telocytes/CD34+ Stromal Cells in the Normal, Hyperplastic, and Adenomatous Human Parathyroid Glands.

Telocytes/CD34+ stromal cells (TCs/CD34+ SCs) have been studied in numerous organs and tissues, but their presence and characteristics in the parathyroid glands have not been explored. Using immunological and ultrastructural procedures, we assess the location, arrangement, and behavior of TCs/CD34+ SCs in normal human parathyroids, during their development and in their most frequent pathologic conditions. In normal parathyroids, TCs/CD34+ SCs show a small somatic body and long thin processes with a moniliform aspect, form labyrinthine systems, connect other neighboring TCs/CD34+ SCs, vessels, adipocytes, and parenchymal cells directly or by extracellular vesicles, and associate with collagen I. TCs/CD34+ SCs and collagen I are absent around vessels and adipocytes within parenchymal clusters. In developing parathyroids, TCs/CD34+ SC surround small parenchymal nests and adipocytes. In hyperplastic parathyroids, TCs/CD34+ SCs are prominent in some thickened internodular septa and surround small extraglandular parenchymal cell nests. TCs/CD34+ SCs are present in delimiting regions with compressed parathyroids and their capsule in adenomas but absent in most adenomatous tissue. In conclusion, TCs/CD34+ SCs are an important cellular component in the human parathyroid stroma, except around vessels within parenchymal nests. They show typical characteristics, including those of connecting cells, are present in developing parathyroids, and participate in the most frequent parathyroid pathology, including hyperplastic and adenomatous parathyroids.

Delimiting CD34+ Stromal Cells/Telocytes Are Resident Mesenchymal Cells That Participate in Neovessel Formation in Skin Kaposi Sarcoma.

Kaposi sarcoma (KS) is an angioproliferative lesion in which two main KS cell sources are currently sustained: endothelial cells (ECs) and mesenchymal/stromal cells. Our objective is to establish the tissue location, characteristics and transdifferentiation steps to the KS cells of the latter. For this purpose, we studied specimens of 49 cases of cutaneous KS using immunochemistry and confocal and electron microscopy. The results showed that delimiting CD34+ stromal cells/Telocytes (CD34+SCs/TCs) in the external layer of the pre-existing blood vessels and around skin appendages form small convergent lumens, express markers for ECs of blood and lymphatic vessels, share ultrastructural characteristics with ECs and participate in the origin of two main types of neovessels, the evolution of which gives rise to lymphangiomatous or spindle-cell patterns-the substrate of the main KS histopathological variants. Intraluminal folds and pillars (papillae) are formed in the neovessels, which suggests they increase by vessel splitting (intussusceptive angiogenesis and intussusceptive lymphangiogenesis). In conclusion, delimiting CD34+SCs/TCs are mesenchymal/stromal cells that can transdifferentiate into KS ECs, participating in the formation of two types of neovessels. The subsequent growth of the latter involves intussusceptive mechanisms, originating several KS variants. These findings are of histogenic, clinical and therapeutic interest.

Intussusceptive angiogenesis facilitated by microthrombosis has an important example in angiolipoma. An ultrastructural and immunohistochemical study.

The microvasculature of angiolipoma frequently presents thrombi. Our objectives are to assess whether intussusceptive angiogenesis (IA) participates in vasculature formation in non-infiltrating angiolipoma and, if so, to explore how thrombi are involved in the IA process. For this purpose, we studied angiolipoma specimens (n: 52), using immunohistochemistry, and confocal and electron microscopy. The results showed the presence of folds and pillars, hallmarks of IA, dividing the vessel lumen. Folds showed a cover formed by reoriented endothelial cells from the vessel wall, or from newly formed folds, and a core initially formed by thrombus fragments (clot components as transitional core), which was replaced by extracellular matrix and invaginating pericytes establishing numerous peg-and-socket junctions with endothelial cells (mature core). A condensed plasmatic electron-dense material surrounded and connected folds and pillars with each other and with the vascular wall, which suggests a clot role in fold/pillar arrangement. In conclusion, we contribute to IA participation in capillary network formation in angiolipoma and the immunohistochemical and ultrastructural events by which microthrombosis facilitates IA. Therefore, in addition to the histogenesis of angiolipoma, we provide an easily obtainable substrate for future studies on clot component action in IA, of clinical and therapeutic interest.

Comparison of the Behavior of Perivascular Cells (Pericytes and CD34+ Stromal Cell/Telocytes) in Sprouting and Intussusceptive Angiogenesis.

Perivascular cells in the pericytic microvasculature, pericytes and CD34+ stromal cells/telocytes (CD34+SCs/TCs), have an important role in angiogenesis. We compare the behavior of these cells depending on whether the growth of endothelial cells (ECs) from the pre-existing microvasculature is toward the interstitium with vascular bud and neovessel formation (sprouting angiogenesis) or toward the vascular lumen with intravascular pillar development and vessel division (intussusceptive angiogenesis). Detachment from the vascular wall, mobilization, proliferation, recruitment, and differentiation of pericytes and CD34+SCs/TCs, as well as associated changes in vessel permeability and functionality, and modifications of the extracellular matrix are more intense, longer lasting over time, and with a greater energy cost in sprouting angiogenesis than in intussusceptive angiogenesis, in which some of the aforementioned events do not occur or are compensated for by others (e.g., sparse EC and pericyte proliferation by cell elongation and thinning). The governing mechanisms involve cell-cell contacts (e.g., peg-and-socket junctions between pericytes and ECs), multiple autocrine and paracrine signaling molecules and pathways (e.g., vascular endothelial growth factor, platelet-derived growth factor, angiopoietins, transforming growth factor B, ephrins, semaphorins, and metalloproteinases), and other factors (e.g., hypoxia, vascular patency, and blood flow). Pericytes participate in vessel development, stabilization, maturation and regression in sprouting angiogenesis, and in interstitial tissue structure formation of the pillar core in intussusceptive angiogenesis. In sprouting angiogenesis, proliferating perivascular CD34+SCs/TCs are an important source of stromal cells during repair through granulation tissue formation and of cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) in tumors. Conversely, CD34+SCs/TCs have less participation as precursor cells in intussusceptive angiogenesis. The dysfunction of these mechanisms is involved in several diseases, including neoplasms, with therapeutic implications.

Bienestar psicológico y variables sociodemográficas en una muestra de trabajadores y estudiantes universitarios chilenos / Psychological Wellbeing and Sociodemographic Variables in a Sample of Chilean University Workers and Students

Resumen A partir del concepto de Bienestar Psicológico de Carol Ryff (1989), el objetivo del presente estudio fue describir y comparar este constructo en trabajadores de diversas industrias y estudiantes de educación superior. La muestra fue de 415 participantes, seleccionados mediante muestreo de tipo no probabilístico intencional. Del total de la muestra, el 76.9 % (n = 319) fueron trabajadores de industrias y un 23.1 % (n=96) estudiantes de educación superior. Se utilizó la Escala de Bienestar Psicológico de Ryff (Diaz et ál, 2006) en su versión adaptada. Se encontraron diferencias significativas entre trabajadores y estudiantes. Las mayores diferencias se observan al comparar la muestra según ingresos familiares. Según el sexo y la edad solo se encuentran diferencias en el componente de relaciones positivas. Es posible concluir respecto al importante papel del trabajo sobre el bienestar psicológico y de cómo este varía de acuerdo a las condiciones socioeconómicas del trabajador y del rubro en el cual se desempeña.

Abstract Based on Carol Ryff's (1989) concept of psychological well-being, this study aimed to describe and compare this construct in workers from various industries and higher education students. The sample was of an intentional non-probabilistic type and consisted of 415 participants; 76.9% (n = 319) were workers from three types of industries and 23.1% (n = 96) were higher education students. Data collection was carried out using the adapted version of the Ryff Psychological Wellbeing Scale (Diaz et al, 2006). The results show significant differences between workers and students. The greatest differences are observed when comparing the sample according to family income. According to sex and age, differences are found only in the positive relationships component. It is possible to conclude the importance of the role of the work on psychological wellbeing and how it varies according to the socioeconomic conditions of the worker and the field in which he/she works.

AmotL2, IQGAP1, and FKBP51 Scaffold Proteins in Glioblastoma Stem Cell Niches.

Glioma stem cells (GSCs) live in a continuous process of stemness reprogramming to achieve specific cell commitment within the so-called GSC niches, specifically located in periarteriolar regions. In this review, we analyze the expression levels, cellular and subcellular location, and role of three scaffold proteins (IQGAP1, FKBP51, and AmotL2) in GSC niches. Scaffold proteins contribute to cell differentiation, migration, and angiogenesis in glioblastoma. It could be of diagnostic interest for establishing stages, for therapeutic targets, and for improving glioblastoma prognosis, which is still at the experimental level.

Tendencias sociodemográficas en mortalidad por suicidio en la región de Atacama, Chile, 2010-2017 / Sociodemographic trends in suicide mortality in the Atacama region, Chile, 2010- 2017

La presente investigación buscó caracterizar la población suicida de la Región de Atacama entre los años 2010-2017. Asimismo, pretendió describir los casos en los cuales se constató intentos previos que pasaron por la atención del Sistema de Salud. Se realizó un estudio de tipo epidemiológico descriptivo donde se revisaron estadísticas del Servicio Médico Legal y del Servicio de Salud. El análisis se realizó a partir de los 266 casos registrados y tipificados como suicidios por el Servicio Médico Legal en el periodo estudiado. Se describieron las tasas anuales regionales y comunales, y se compararon los casos por sexo, edad, causa de muerte, estado civil, actividad laboral, nacionalidad, fecha de muerte y presencia de sustancias. Se constató un comportamiento semejante al nacional, evidenciándose una primacía de hombres, solteros, con un promedio de edad de 38,8 años, dedicado a oficios, quienes usaron preferentemente como método el ahorcamiento. Se destaca de manera significativa la ocurrencia de suicidios en el periodo octubre-enero. Se discute respecto a la necesidad de profundizar esta problemática a partir de variables socioambientales, con el fin de explicar las diferencias comunales detectadas, y problematizar los datos a nivel local, en búsqueda de favorecer la prevención.

Suicide is a major global, national, and regional public health problem. The present investigation sought to characterise the suicidal population of the Atacama Region between 2010-2017. It also describes the cases with previous attempts detected by the Health System. The analysis is based on 266 registered cases classified as suicides by the Legal Medical Service in the studied period. The annual regional and city rates are described, and the cases are compared by gender, age, cause of death, marital status, work activity, nationality, date of death and presence of substances. The behaviour observed is similar to the national one, which reflects evidence of a predominance of single men with an average age of 38.8 years, of different trades, who preferably used hanging. The study underscores the occurrence of suicides in the period October-January. The study raises the need to go deep into this problem, considering socio-environmental variables to explain the detected differences between cities and analysing the local data to favour prevention.

Salud Mental y Apoyo Social en habitantes de Copiapó, Chile, en el contexto de la COVID-19 / Mental Health and Social Support in the inhabitants of Copiapó, Chile, in the context of COVID-19

Resumen Introducción: La pandemia de la COVID-19 ha venido a cambiar de forma abrupta las formas de vida de buena parte de la población mundial. Conocer la presencia de psicopatología en este contexto se hace relevante para generar políticas públicas de promoción y prevención en salud mental. Objetivo: Establecer la presencia de psicopatología en habitantes de Copiapó, Chile, y determinar su relación con las variables sexo, edad, ocupación y apoyo social percibido. Método: El estudio, de tipo transversal, se efectuó en una muestra de 523 personas, habitantes de la ciudad de Copiapó, Chile. Se aplicaron la Escala de Salud General, GHQ-12, la Escala de Apoyo Social percibido, MSPSS, y un cuestionario de caracterización sociodemográfica. Las técnicas de análisis de datos fueron estadísticos descriptivos de frecuencia, tendencia central y variabilidad, y estadígrafos de asociación no paramétricos, chi-cuadrado y Eta. También se utilizó t de Student y Anova, para los datos de nivel escalar. Resultados: Se evidencia que un 51,82 % de los evaluados presenta sospecha o presencia de psicopatología, asociada a sintomatología de depresión, ansiedad y/o disfunción social. Se constatan diferencias significativas según sexo, edad y ocupación de los sujetos. Junto a ello, se aprecian niveles estadísticamente significativos de apoyo social entre quienes tienen ausencia y presencia de psicopatología. Conclusiones: El estudio logra describir los niveles de psicopatología en el grupo estudiado en tiempos de la COVID 19, evidenciándose su relación con variables de género, edad y ocupación, lo cual tiene implicancias para la focalización de intervenciones considerando los grupos más afectados: mujeres, jóvenes y estudiantes. Además, se destaca el apoyo social como un factor protector de la salud mental.

Abstract Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic has come to abruptly change the ways of life of a large part of the world population. Knowing the presence of psychopathology in this context becomes relevant to generate public politics to promote and prevent mental health. Objective: To establish the presence of psychopathology in the inhabitants of Copiapó, Chile, and determine its relationship with the variables sex, age, occupation and perceived social support. Method: The cross-sectional study was carried out on a sample of 523 people, inhabitants of the city of Copiapó, Chile. The General Health Scale, GHQ-12, the Perceived Social Support Scale, MSPSS, and a questionnaire of sociodemographic characterization were applied. Data analysis techniques were descriptive statistics of frequency, central tendency and variability, and non-parametric association statistic, chi-square, and Eta. T Student and Anova were also used for the scalar level data. Results: It is evident that 51,82% of those evaluated show suspicion or presence of psychopathology, associated with symptoms of depression, anxiety and/or social dysfunction. Significant differences were found according to sex, age, and occupation subjects' occupation. Along with this, there are statistically significant levels of social support among those who have absence and presence of psychopathology. Conclusions: The study achieve to describe the levels of psychopathology in the group studied at time of COVID-19, evidencing its relationship with variables of gender, age and occupation, which has implications for targeting interventions considering the most affected groups: women, youth and students. In addition, social support is highlighted as a protective factor of mental health.

Disproportion in Pericyte/Endothelial Cell Proliferation and Mechanisms of Intussusceptive Angiogenesis Participate in Bizarre Vessel Formation in Glioblastoma.

Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most malignant tumor in the brain. In addition to the vascular pattern with thin-walled vessels and findings of sprouting angiogenesis, GBM presents a bizarre microvasculature (BM) formed by vascular clusters, vascular garlands, and glomeruloid bodies. The mechanisms in BM morphogenesis are not well known. Our objective was to assess the role of pericyte/endothelial proliferation and intussusceptive angiogenic mechanisms in the formation of the BM. For this purpose, we studied specimens of 66 GBM cases using immunochemistry and confocal microscopy. In the BM, the results showed (a) transitional forms between the BM patterns, mostly with prominent pericytes covering all the abluminal endothelial cell (EC) surface of the vessels, (b) a proliferation index high in the prominent pericytes and low in ECs (47.85 times higher in pericytes than in ECs), (c) intravascular pillars (hallmark of intussusceptive angiogenesis) formed by transcapillary interendothelial bridges, endothelial contacts of opposite vessel walls, and vessel loops, and (d) the persistence of these findings in complex glomeruloid bodies. In conclusion, disproportion in pericyte/EC proliferation and mechanisms of intussusceptive angiogenesis participate in BM formation. The contributions have morphogenic and clinical interest since pericytes and intussusceptive angiogenesis can condition antiangiogenic therapy in GBM.

Cd34+ Stromal Cells/Telocytes in Normal and Pathological Skin.

We studied CD34+ stromal cells/telocytes (CD34+SCs/TCs) in pathologic skin, after briefly examining them in normal conditions. We confirm previous studies by other authors in the normal dermis regarding CD34+SC/TC characteristics and distribution around vessels, nerves and cutaneous annexes, highlighting their practical absence in the papillary dermis and presence in the bulge region of perifollicular groups of very small CD34+ stromal cells. In non-tumoral skin pathology, we studied examples of the principal histologic patterns in which CD34+SCs/TCs have (1) a fundamental pathophysiological role, including (a) fibrosing/sclerosing diseases, such as systemic sclerosis, with loss of CD34+SCs/TCs and presence of stromal cells co-expressing CD34 and αSMA, and (b) metabolic degenerative processes, including basophilic degeneration of collagen, with stromal cells/telocytes in close association with degenerative fibrils, and cutaneous myxoid cysts with spindle-shaped, stellate and bulky vacuolated CD34+ stromal cells, and (2) a secondary reactive role, encompassing dermatitis-e.g., interface (erythema multiforme), acantholytic (pemphigus, Hailey-Hailey disease), lichenoid (lichen planus), subepidermal vesicular (bullous pemphigoid), psoriasiform (psoriasis), granulomatous (granuloma annulare)-vasculitis (leukocytoclastic and lymphocytic vasculitis), folliculitis, perifolliculitis and inflammation of the sweat and sebaceous glands (perifolliculitis and rosacea) and infectious dermatitis (verruca vulgaris). In skin tumor and tumor-like conditions, we studied examples of those in which CD34+ stromal cells are (1) the neoplastic component (dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans, sclerotic fibroma and solitary fibrous tumor), (2) a neoplastic component with varying presentation (fibroepithelial polyp and superficial myxofibrosarcoma) and (3) a reactive component in other tumor/tumor-like cell lines, such as those deriving from vessel periendothelial cells (myopericytoma), epithelial cells (trichoepithelioma, nevus sebaceous of Jadassohn and seborrheic keratosis), Merkel cells (Merkel cell carcinoma), melanocytes (dermal melanocytic nevi) and Schwann cells (neurofibroma and granular cell tumor).

CD34+ Stromal Cells/Telocytes as a Source of Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts (CAFs) in Invasive Lobular Carcinoma of the Breast.

Several origins have been proposed for cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), including resident CD34+ stromal cells/telocytes (CD34+SCs/TCs). The characteristics and arrangement of mammary CD34+SCs/TCs are well known and invasive lobular carcinoma of the breast (ILC) is one of the few malignant epithelial tumours with stromal cells that can express CD34 or αSMA, which could facilitate tracking these cells. Our objective is to assess whether tissue-resident CD34+SCs/TCs participate in the origin of CAFs in ILCs. For this purpose, using conventional and immunohistochemical procedures, we studied stromal cells in ILCs (n:42) and in normal breasts (n:6, also using electron microscopy). The results showed (a) the presence of anti-CD34+ or anti-αSMA+ stromal cells in varying proportion (from very rare in one of the markers to balanced) around nests/strands of neoplastic cells, (b) a similar arrangement and location of stromal cells in ILC to CD34+SCs/TCs in the normal breast, (c) both types of stromal cells coinciding around the same nest of neoplastic cells and (d) the coexpression of CD34 and αSMA in stromal cells in ILC. In conclusion, our findings support the hypothesis that resident CD34+SCs/TCs participate as an important source of CAFs in ILC. Further studies are required in this regard in other tumours.

Bienestar psicológico y sentimiento de individuación laboral en trabajadores chilenos / Psychological wellbeing and sense of labor individuation in chilean workers / Bem-estar psicológico e sentimentos de individualização do trabalho em trabalhadores chilenos

La presente investigación estableció la relación entre Bienestar Psicológico y Sentimiento de Individuación Laboral. Además, verificó un modelo predictivo entre ambos constructos. Metodológicamente, ocupó una muestra de tipo no probabilística intencional conformada por 314 trabajadores del sector salud, educación y minería.Bienestar Psicológico fue medido mediante la adaptación española de la Escala de Bienestar Psicológico de Ryff (Diaz et al, 2006), por su parte, el Sentimiento de Individuación Laboral se describió a través del Cuestionario de Evaluación del Sentimiento de Individuación Laboral (Jorquera, 2016; Jorquera & González, 2018a). El análisis evidencia una estrecha relación entre bienestar psicológico y sentimiento de individuación laboral. El modelo propuesto del Bienestar Psicológico y el Sentimiento de Individuación Laboral mostró una adecuada bondad de ajuste (χ2 = 72,316, gl=30, p<,01; χ2/gl=2,411; CFI=,961; TLI=,942; GFI=,957; SRMR=,053; RMSEA=,067). Se discute respecto a la contribución de los resultados para comprender algunos procesos psicosociales, en el plano laboral, propios de un contexto cultural influido por procesos individualizadores.

The present investigation established the relationship between Psychological Wellbeing and Sense of Labor Individuation. In addition, he verified a predictive model between both constructs. Methodologically, it occupied an intentional non-probabilistic sample made up of 314 workers in the health, education and mining sector. Psychological Wellbeing was measured by the spanish adaptation of the Ryff Psychological Wellbeing Scale (Diaz et al, 2006), meanwhile, the Sense of Labor Individuation was described through the Questionnaire for the Evaluation of Sense of Labor Individuation (Jorquera, 2016; Jorquera & González, 2018a). The analysis shows a close relationship between the Sense of Labor Individuation and Psychological Wellbeing. The proposed model of Psychological Wellbeing and the Sense of Labor Individuation showed an adequate goodness of fit (χ2 = 72,316, gl = 30, p <,01; χ2/gl = 2,411; CFI =,961; TLI =,942; GFI = ,957; SRMR =,053; RMSEA =,067). We discuss the contribution of results to understand some psychosocial processes, in the workplace, typical of a cultural context influenced by individualizing processes.

A presente investigação estabeleceu a relação entre Bem-estar Psicológico e Sentimentos de Individualização do Trabalho. Além disso, verificou um modelo preditivo entre os dois construtos. Metodologicamente, ocupou uma amostra não probabilística intencional composta por 314 trabalhadores dos setores de saúde, educação e mineração. O Bem-estar Psicológico foi medido por meio da adaptação espanhola da Escala de Bem-Estar Psicológico Ryff (Diaz et al, 2006), por sua vez, o Sentimento de Individuação do Trabalho foi descrito por meio do Questionário para Avaliação do Sentimento de Individuação do Trabalho (Jorquera, 2016; Jorquera & González, 2018a). A análise mostra uma relação estreita entre o bem-estar psicológico e o sentimento de individuação no trabalho. O modelo proposto de Bem-estar Psicológico e Sentimento de Individuação do Trabalho mostrou um ajuste adequado (χ2 =72,316, gl = 30, p <0,01; χ2 / gl = 2,411; CFI = 0,961; TLI = 0,942; GFI =,957; SRMR = 0,053; RMSEA = 0,067). Discute-se a respeito da contribuição dos resultados para a compreensão de alguns processos psicossociais, no ambiente de trabalho, típicos de um contexto cultural influenciado por processos individualizantes.

Telocytes/CD34+ Stromal Cells in Pathologically Affected White Adipose Tissue.

We studied telocytes/CD34+ stromal cells (TCs/CD34+SCs) in pathologically affected white adipose tissue after briefly examining them in normal fat. To this aim, we reviewed pathological processes, including original contributions, in which TCs/CD34+SCs are conserved, increased, and lost, or acquire a specific arrangement. The pathologic processes in which TCs/CD34+SCs are studied in adipose tissue include inflammation and repair through granulation tissue, iatrogenic insulin-amyloid type amyloidosis, non-adipose tissue components (nerve fascicles and fibres in neuromas and hyperplastic neurogenic processes) and tumours (signet ring carcinoma with Krukenberg tumour and colon carcinoma) growing in adipose tissue, adipose tissue tumours (spindle cell lipoma, dendritic fibromyxolipoma, pleomorphic lipoma, infiltrating angiolipoma of skeletal muscle and elastofibrolipoma), lipomatous hypertrophy of the interatrial septum, nevus lipomatosus cutaneous superficialis of Hoffman-Zurhelle and irradiated adipose tissue of the perirectal and thymic regions. Two highly interesting issues emerged: (1) whether the loss of CD34 expression in TCs/CD34+SCs is by changes in marker expression or the disappearance of these cells (the findings suggest the first possibility) and (2) whether in some invasive and metastatic malignant tumours, TCs/CD34+SCs that completely surround neoplastic cells act as nurse and/or isolating cells. Further studies are required on adipose tissue TCs/CD34+SCs, mainly in lipomatosis and obesity.

Presence/Absence and Specific Location of Resident CD34+ Stromal Cells/Telocytes Condition Stromal Cell Development in Repair and Tumors.

CD34+ stromal cells/telocytes (CD34+SCs/TCs) can have a role as mesenchymal precursor cells. Our objective is to assess whether the myofibroblastic stromal cell response in repair and in desmoplastic reactions in tumors depend on the presence or absence of resident CD34+SCs/TCs in specific regions/layers of an organ and on the location of their possible subpopulations. For this purpose, using conventional and immunohistochemical procedures, we studied specimens of (a) acute cholecystitis, with early repair phenomena (n: 6), (b) surgically resected segments of colon tattooed with India ink during previous endoscopic removal of malignant polyps, with macrophage infiltration and stromal cell reaction (n: 8) and (c) infiltrative adenocarcinomas of colon, with desmoplastic reaction (n: 8). The results demonstrated (a) stromal myofibroblastic reaction during repair and tumor desmoplasia in most regions in which resident CD34+SCs/TCs are present, (b) absence of stromal myofibroblastic reaction during repair in the mucosa of both organs in which resident CD34+SCs/TCs are absent and (c) permanence of CD34+SCs/TCs as such, without myofibroblastic response, in smooth muscle fascicles, nerves, and Meissner and Auerbach plexuses, in which the CD34+SCs/TCs mainly undergo reactive phenomena. Therefore, the development of activated αSMA+ myofibroblasts in these conditions requires the presence of resident CD34+SCs/TCs and depends on their location. In conclusion, the facts support the hypotheses that CD34+SCs/TCs participate in the origin of myofibroblasts during repair and tumor stroma formation, and that there is a heterogeneous population of resident CD34+SCs/TCs with different roles.

Synthesis, Follow-Up, and Characterization of Polydopamine-like Coatings Departing from Micromolar Dopamine-o-Quinone Precursor Concentrations.

The understanding of oxidized species derived from the neurotransmitter dopamine (DA) is a relevant topic for both the medical field (Parkinson's disease) as well as for the field of materials science where the formation process of polydopamine (PDA) films is an active area of research. Polymers that interact strongly with almost all surfaces but have a low electrical conductivity have been obtained by the chemical oxidation of DA. Since electrical conductivity is a desired property for several applications, deposition alternatives such as electrochemical PDA synthesis have been proposed, but the results are still insufficient. In this context, we propose a new PDA chemical-electrochemical deposition process on glassy carbon electrodes. The chemical oxidation step that converts dopamine into dopamine-o-quinone previous to the electrochemical deposition was crucial to decrease the precursor concentration to the micromolar range. The PDA-like films synthesized by this method had high adhesion and low charge-transfer resistance, which was evidenced by impedance measurements and the successful electrodeposition of a polypyrrole coating on top of a PDA-like film. In addition, we observed that anodization of GC surfaces increases sensitivity toward six electroactive couples derived from DA oxidation in the pH regimes studied. These results show the complexity of the intermediates formed during the electrochemical polymerization of PDA.

Telocytes in the Normal and Pathological Peripheral Nervous System.

We studied telocytes/CD34+ stromal cells in the normal and pathological peripheral nervous system (PNS), for which we reviewed the literature and contributed our observations under light and electron microscopy in this field. We consider the following aspects: (A) general characteristics of telocytes and the terminology used for these cells (e.g., endoneurial stromal cells) in PNS; (B) the presence, characteristics and arrangement of telocytes in the normal PNS, including (i) nerve epi-perineurium and endoneurium (e.g., telopodes extending into the endoneurial space); (ii) sensory nerve endings (e.g., Meissner and Pacinian corpuscles, and neuromuscular spindles); (iii) ganglia; and (iv) the intestinal autonomic nervous system; (C) the telocytes in the pathologic PNS, encompassing (i) hyperplastic neurogenic processes (neurogenic hyperplasia of the appendix and gallbladder), highly demonstrative of telocyte characteristics and relations, (ii) PNS tumours, such as neurofibroma, schwannoma, granular cell tumour and nerve sheath myxoma, and interstitial cell of Cajal-related gastrointestinal stromal tumour (GIST), (iii) tumour-invaded nerves and (iv) traumatic, metabolic, degenerative or genetic neuropathies, in which there are fewer studies on telocytes, e.g., neuroinflammation and nerves in undescended testicles (cryptorchidism), Klinefelter syndrome, crush injury, mucopolysaccharidosis II (Hunter's syndrome) and Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease.

Propiedades Psicométricas de la Escala de Percepción de Riesgo de VIH en una Muestra de Adolescentes Chilenos, 2018 / http://www.revhabanera.sld.cu/index.php/rhab/article/view/2923

Introducción: La percepción de riesgo es un importante predictor de la conducta de riesgo de contagio por VIH. Dada la escasez de estudios dirigidos a evaluar la validez y confiabilidad de escalas que miden este constructo, se hace necesario avanzar en la validación de este tipo de instrumentos. Objetivo: describir las características psicométricas de la Escala de Percepción de Riesgo de VIH. Material y Método: El estudio, de tipo trasversal, se efectuó en una muestra de 394 adolescentes chilenos. Las técnicas de análisis de datos usadas fueron el alfa de Cronbach, para evaluar confiabilidad, y análisis factorial exploratorio y confirmatorio, para establecer la validez de constructo de la escala. Resultados: La confiabilidad del instrumento resultó adecuada, se observó un estadígrafo alfa de Cronbach de 0,77. El análisis factorial exploratorio muestra la emergencia de un factor que explica un 59,52 por ciento de la varianza. Por su parte, el análisis factorial confirmatorio es favorable evidenciándose una adecuada bondad de ajuste (Chi2=5,126, gl=2, p=0,077). Conclusiones: La Escala de Percepción de Riesgo de VIH muestra ser válida y confiable para medir percepción de riesgo de VIH en adolescentes chilenos, por lo cual se confirma la adecuación de este instrumento para ser utilizado con fines diagnósticos e investigativos(AU)

Introduction: Risk perception is an important predictor of the risk of HIV infection. Considering the shortage of studies aimed at assessing the validity and reliability of scales that measure this construct, it is necessary to advance in the validation of this type of instruments. Objective: To describe the psychometric characteristics of the HIV Risk Perception Scale. Material and Method: The cross-sectional study was carried out in a sample of 394 Chilean adolescents. The data analysis techniques used were Cronbach's alpha to assess reliability, and exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis to establish the construct validity of the scale. Results: The reliability of the instrument was adequate, observing a Cronbach´s alpha statistician of 0,77. The exploratory factor analysis shows the emergence of a factor that explains 59.52 percent of the variance. On the other hand, the confirmatory factor analysis is favorable showing an adequate goodness of fit (Chi2=5,126, gl=2, p=,077). Conclusions: The Lauby, Bond, Eroglu, and Batson HIV Risk Perception Scale proves to be valid and reliable for measuring HIV risk perception in Chilean adolescents, which is why it is concluded regarding the adequacy of this instrument to be used for diagnostic and research purposes(AU)