Longitudinal evolution of meaning in life and its relationship with coping strategies in Spanish patients with a breast cancer diagnosis.

BACKGROUND: Changes in Meaning in life (MIL) have been shown to be particularly important when people face very stressful events such as receiving a cancer diagnosis and treatment. Active coping strategies have been related to higher levels of MIL in people with a diagnosis of cancer. OBJECTIVE: To explore the evolution of MIL in a sample of cancer patients at the time of their diagnosis and three, six, and nine months after surgery, and identify the association between coping strategies three months after diagnosis (T2) and levels of MIL at the different moments in the cancer process (T1-T4). METHODS: We assessed MIL at diagnosis and three, six, and nine months after surgery, and coping strategies (fighting spirit, anxious preoccupation, hopelessness, fatalism, and cognitive avoidance) three months after surgery, in 115 women with a diagnosis of Stage I-III breast cancer. RESULTS: We found higher levels of MIL nine months after surgery, compared to previous stages. MIL correlated significantly and positively with a fighting spirit and cognitive avoidance, and negatively with hopelessness and anxious preoccupation. CONCLUSIONS: Results highlight the importance of coping in relation to meaning-making processes in cancer. Meaning-centred interventions could help patients who are in the process of coping with cancer to make sense of their lives and the experience.

A microfluidic-based analysis of 3D macrophage migration after stimulation by Mycobacterium, Salmonella and Escherichia.

Macrophages play an essential role in the process of recognition and containment of microbial infections. These immune cells are recruited to infectious sites to reach and phagocytose pathogens. Specifically, in this article, bacteria from the genus Mycobacterium, Salmonella and Escherichia, were selected to study the directional macrophage movement towards different bacterial fractions. We recreated a three-dimensional environment in a microfluidic device, using a collagen-based hydrogel that simulates the mechanical microarchitecture associated to the Extra Cellular Matrix (ECM). First, we showed that macrophage migration is affected by the collagen concentration of their environment, migrating greater distances at higher velocities with decreasing collagen concentrations. To recreate the infectious microenvironment, macrophages were exposed to lateral gradients of bacterial fractions obtained from the intracellular pathogens M. tuberculosis and S. typhimurium. Our results showed that macrophages migrated directionally, and in a concentration-dependent manner, towards the sites where bacterial fractions are located, suggesting the presence of attractants molecules in all the samples. We confirmed that purified M. tuberculosis antigens, as ESAT-6 and CFP-10, stimulated macrophage recruitment in our device. Finally, we also observed that macrophages migrate towards fractions from non-pathogenic bacteria, such as M. smegmatis and Escherichia coli. In conclusion, our microfluidic device is a useful tool which opens new perspectives to study the recognition of specific antigens by innate immune cells.

Meaning in life among adolescents: Factorial invariance of the purpose in life test and buffering effect on the relationship between emotional dysregulation and hopelessness.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of the present study was threefold: first, to analyse the psychometric properties of a 10-item Spanish version of the Purpose in Life Test, which assesses meaning in life (MiL), in a sample of community adolescents; second, to analyse the differences between the age and gender groups; and third, to analyse whether MiL buffers the relationship between emotional dysregulation and hopelessness. METHOD: Participants were 1,599 adolescents from 12 to 19 years old, M = 15.69, SD = 2.14. The Purpose in Life Test-10 Items, the Beck Hopelessness Scale, and the Difficulties in Emotional Regulation Scale were used. RESULTS: A nine-item version showed good fit, psychometric properties (internal consistency, construct, and concurrent validity), and factorial invariance across gender and age (12-15 years/16-19 years). Difference in MiL between boys and girls was not significant, whereas between age groups was significant. MiL had a strong buffering effect on the relationship between emotional dysregulation and hopelessness. DISCUSSION: It is desirable to promote the sense of MiL in adolescents. MiL plays a significant and strong mediator role in the relationship between emotional dysregulation and hopelessness, reinforcing the positive role of MiL in mental health and as a resource for facing adversity.

Meaning in life mediates the association between depressive symptoms and future frequency of suicidal ideation in Spanish university students: A longitudinal study.

INTRODUCTION: There is a need for longitudinal studies that focus on protective factors against suicide in Spain. We analyzed the estimated prevalence of suicidal ideation in a sample of Spanish university students. Second, we explored the relationship between future suicidal ideation, depressive symptoms, suicidal ideation at T1, and meaning in life and its dimensions of meaning and purpose. Third, we analyzed the mediation role of meaning in life between depressive symptoms and suicidal ideation evaluated with Ecological Momentary Assessment (EMA). METHOD: In this longitudinal study, a total of 718 Spanish university students were assessed at T1, of whom 279 completed questionnaires along with EMA (T2). RESULTS: The estimated prevalence of suicidal ideation was 8.4%. Levels of depressive symptoms were positively correlated with suicidal ideation and negatively with meaning in life and its dimensions of meaning and purpose. Meaning in life and its dimensions mediated the relationship between depressive symptoms and subsequent suicidal ideation. DISCUSSION: There is a high prevalence of suicidal ideation among Spanish university students, and it is associated with depressive symptoms and meaning in life, with the latter acting as a protective factor. Thus, psychotherapeutic prevention programs from a logotherapeutic perspective could help to reduce students' suicide risk.

Difficulties in emotional regulation mediates the impact of burden on quality of life and mental health in a sample of family members of people diagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorder.

Background: Although it has been suggested that family members of persons suffering from Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) endure high levels of burden, however, the process and the impact of this burden in their lives, and specifically the relation between the burden and emotional regulation has not been broadly investigated among this population. The main objective of this study is to examine the impact of burden on quality of life and depression, anxiety and stress, as mediated by difficulties in emotional regulation in family members of persons diagnosed with BPD. Method: Participants were 167 family members of persons diagnosed with BPD. The Burden Assessment Scale, Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale, Multicultural Quality of Life Index, and Depression Anxiety Stress Scale-21 were filled out. Mediation analysis was conducted using the Maximum Likelihood estimator, bootstrap method and listwise deletion for missing data. Results: Burden showed a significant, negative effect on quality of life and positive on depression, anxiety and stress. Difficulties in emotion regulation significantly mediated these relations. After accounting for the mediating role of difficulties in emotion regulation, burden still had an impact on quality of life, depression, anxiety and stress. Women showed a higher level in both burden and stress than men. The caregivers with secondary and higher studies showed higher levels in burden than those with no studies. Not significant differences in burden, emotion regulation, depression, anxiety and stress were found related to marital status. Conclusion: Difficulties in emotion regulation mediate the relations between burden and quality of life, depression, anxiety, and stress. Family members could engage in group interventions designed specifically for family members of people with BPD, oriented toward understanding the disorder or learning skills.

Microfluidic devices for studying bacterial taxis, drug testing and biofilm formation.

Some bacteria have coevolved to establish symbiotic or pathogenic relationships with plants, animals or humans. With human association, the bacteria can cause a variety of diseases. Thus, understanding bacterial phenotypes at the single-cell level is essential to develop beneficial applications. Traditional microbiological techniques have provided great knowledge about these organisms; however, they have also shown limitations, such as difficulties in culturing some bacteria, the heterogeneity of bacterial populations or difficulties in recreating some physical or biological conditions. Microfluidics is an emerging technique that complements current biological assays. Since microfluidics works with micrometric volumes, it allows fine-tuning control of the test conditions. Moreover, it allows the recruitment of three-dimensional (3D) conditions, in which several processes can be integrated and gradients can be generated, thus imitating physiological 3D environments. Here, we review some key microfluidic-based studies describing the effects of different microenvironmental conditions on bacterial response, biofilm formation and antimicrobial resistance. For this aim, we present different studies classified into six groups according to the design of the microfluidic device: (i) linear channels, (ii) mixing channels, (iii) multiple floors, (iv) porous devices, (v) topographic devices and (vi) droplet microfluidics. Hence, we highlight the potential and possibilities of using microfluidic-based technology to study bacterial phenotypes in comparison with traditional methodologies.

Psychometric Properties of the Interpersonal Needs Questionnaire-15 in Spanish Adolescents.

Background: Thwarted Belongingness (TB) and Perceived Burdensomeness (PB) are considered risk factors of suicide behavior in the Interpersonal Theory of Suicide and constitute the main factors of the Interpersonal Needs Questionnaire-INQ. Aims: The present study analyzes the internal consistency, construct validity, and invariance across sex and age of the INQ-15, which comprises two subscales, in a sample of Spanish community adolescents. Methods: Participants were 1,536 adolescents from 12 to 19 years old. The INQ-15, the total number of non-suicidal self-injuries (NSSI), the Hopelessness Scale, and the Purpose in Life Test-Adolescents (PIL-A) were used. Results: The INQ-15 showed good internal consistency for TB ( ω ¯ = 0.88) and PB ( ω ¯ = 0.78) subscales and construct and concurrent/discriminant validity in the whole sample. Both the PB and TB subscales showed a good fit { S B χ 2 ( 9 ) = 6.448, p = 0.694, CFI = 1.000, RMSEA = 0.000 [90% CI (0.000, 0.022)] and S B χ 2 ( 27 ) = 248.973, p = 0.000, CFI = 0.922, RMSEA = 0.073 [90% CI (0.065, 0.082)]}, respectively. Regarding the invariance analyses, we found (1) non-invariance in the PB subscale across sex groups and metric, scalar, and stric invariance across age groups, and (2) that it was not possible to perform the invariance analysis for the TB subscale across both sex and age because the fit was not adequate for both boys and 12-15 years old groups. Positive and significant relationships were found between the INQ-15 subscales and hopelessness and NSSI frequency, and negative and significant correlations with meaning in life. Conclusions: The INQ-15 is a valid instrument for assessing TB and PB in Spanish adolescents. Future studies should analyze the invariance of this instrument in adolescents across sex and age.

Trajectory Analysis of Suicidal Ideation in Spanish College Students Using Ecological Momentary Assessment.

Introduction: Suicide is a preventable death in young people. It is well known that suicide behavior is a multicausal phenomenon. However, suicidal ideation (SI) commonly underlies suicide, and Ecological Momentary Assessment (EMA) can help us to better characterize it and its risk and protective factors in the short term. We aimed, first, to investigate the estimated prevalence and trajectories of SI in a community sample of Spanish college students using an EMA methodology and, second, explore the associations between risk and protective factors and SI categorized as moderate or low. Materials and Methods: A total of 737 participants followed the EMA during a period of 6 months. We estimated the prevalence and trajectories of SI and the associations between depressive symptoms, positive and negative affect, thwarted belongingness, perceived burdensomeness, cognitive reappraisal, emotional suppression, and purpose in life with the MEmind smartphone App. SI was assessed 14 times during this period. Results: Twenty-eight participants referred to SI at least once in longitudinal assessments. We found a lack of curvature and, thus, a relatively stable trajectory of SI. Two groups of latent dimensions were observed related to risk and protective factors of SI. One latent dimension of the risk factors (higher levels of thwarted belongingness, perceived burdensomeness, depressive symptoms, negative affect, and emotional suppression) best represented the group with moderate levels of SI, and a second latent dimension of protective variables (positive affect, cognitive reappraisal, and purpose in life) best represented the group with lower levels of SI. Discussion: These findings may indicate that students with a sense of having a life worth living, in addition to having the ability to reevaluate their negative beliefs, are less likely to experience high levels of SI. Therefore, purpose in life would be a protective factor against the presence of SI.

Multicultural Quality of Life Index in Relatives of People With Borderline Personality Disorder.

Purpose: The aim of the present study was to confirm the original factor structure of the Multicultural Quality of Life Index (MQLI) and analyze its psychometric properties in a sample of caregivers of people with borderline personality disorder (BPD). Methods: The MQLI was administered to 233 relatives of people with BPD. Participants completed the MQLI, the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-21), and the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC). Results: Factor analysis of the relatives indicated that the MQLI generated a one-factor solution. The MQLI showed good internal consistency, ϖ = 0.91 [95% CI (0.90, 0.93)] and correlated significantly and positively with the CD-RISC (r s = 0.576) and negatively with the DASS-21 (r s = -0.583). Conclusion: Consistent with other studies, the MQLI demonstrated feasibility, strong internal consistency, and good convergent and discriminant validity, which means it is a psychometrically robust measure for the assessment of quality of life in relatives of people with BPD. Along with other validation studies, this measure will be a useful tool for assessing quality of life in relatives of people with mental disorders.

Spanish Adaptation of Meaning-Centered Psychotherapy for Participants With Cancer: Study Protocol of a Randomized Control Trial.

Background: Meaning-Centered Psychotherapy (MCP) is effective in improving meaning in life, hope, optimism, self-efficacy, well-being, and quality of life, and in reducing stress in people with cancer. However, all the studies on the application of MCP in cancer patients have been carried out in Anglo-Saxon samples. Therefore, it is necessary to adapt and verify the efficacy of MCP in populations that speak languages other than English, such as Spanish. Moreover, to expand the data supporting the efficacy of MCP for cancer patients, it would be necessary to compare MCP to other active therapies such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). Methods: The aims of the proposed study are: the first objective is to verify the efficacy of the MCP intervention for Spanish participants with cancer in a randomized control trial (RCT) comparing it to CBT. The second objective is to analyze the feasibility and acceptance of MCP in Spanish participants with cancer. The third objective is to analyze whether the changes produced in the meaning in life dimensions (presence, search, comprehension, purpose, and mattering) will predict changes in anxiety, depression, quality of life, etc. Our research team adapted MCP for Spanish participants with cancer. This paper presents the study protocol. The study design consists of a two-arm RCT with two conditions: MCP and CBT, where participants will be randomized to one of the two groups. Eligible participants will be adults with stage I, II, and III cancer who were treated with curative intent and had completed their main medical treatment (surgery, radiotherapy, or chemotherapy). Participants will be assessed at pretreatment, post-treatment, and 6-month follow-up. The intention-to-treat principle will be used when analyzing data, using mixed-effects models with full information and maximum likelihood estimation. Discussion: This study will provide results that confirm the efficacy of the MCP in Spanish participants with cancer. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov; https://register.clinicaltrials.gov/prs/app/template/Home.vm?uid=U0005WS9&ts=4&sid=S000BOTT&cx=bvr2ue, identifier NCT05197348.

Spanish Validation of the Multidimensional Existential Meaning Scale: Which Dimension of Meaning in Life Is More Associated With Psychopathology in People With Mental Disorders?

BACKGROUND: To assess three dimensions of Meaning in Life (comprehension, purpose, and mattering) the Multidimensional Existential Meaning Scale (MEMS) was developed, however, the MEMS's factorial structure has not yet been confirmed in a Spanish-speaking sample. A question that remains unanswered is which of the three dimensions of MiL are associated with psychopathology in clinical samples. AIMS: (1) to analyze the psychometric properties of the MEMS in a Spanish non-clinical population, and (2) to identify which of the three dimensions of MiL shows the strongest relationship with depression, anxiety and positive affect in a clinical population. METHOD: The non-clinical sample, consisted of N = 1106 Spanish adults, and the clinical sample consisted of 88 adults diagnosed with mental disorders. A Confirmatory Factor Analysis and regression analysis were carried out. RESULTS: The three-factor model for the MEMS showed an acceptable fit, and full invariance across gender groups. In the clinical sample, the mattering dimension had the highest association with depression and anxiety, and purpose with positive affect. CONCLUSION: The MEMS is an adequate instrument to assess the three dimensions of meaning in Spanish-speaking participants. These results support the importance of evaluating the MiL construct from a multidimensional perspective in clinical samples.

Microfluidic model of monocyte extravasation reveals the role of hemodynamics and subendothelial matrix mechanics in regulating endothelial integrity.

Extravasation of circulating cells is an essential process that governs tissue inflammation and the body's response to pathogenic infection. To initiate anti-inflammatory and phagocytic functions within tissues, immune cells must cross the vascular endothelial barrier from the vessel lumen to the subluminal extracellular matrix. In this work, we present a microfluidic approach that enables the recreation of a three-dimensional, perfused endothelial vessel formed by human endothelial cells embedded within a collagen-rich matrix. Monocytes are introduced into the vessel perfusate, and we investigate the role of luminal flow and collagen concentration on extravasation. In vessels conditioned with the flow, increased monocyte adhesion to the vascular wall was observed, though fewer monocytes extravasated to the collagen hydrogel. Our results suggest that the lower rates of extravasation are due to the increased vessel integrity and reduced permeability of the endothelial monolayer. We further demonstrate that vascular permeability is a function of collagen hydrogel mass concentration, with increased collagen concentrations leading to elevated vascular permeability and increased extravasation. Collectively, our results demonstrate that extravasation of monocytes is highly regulated by the structural integrity of the endothelial monolayer. The microfluidic approach developed here allows for the dissection of the relative contributions of these cues to further understand the key governing processes that regulate circulating cell extravasation and inflammation.

3D Cell Migration Studies for Chemotaxis on Microfluidic-Based Chips: A Comparison between Cardiac and Dermal Fibroblasts.

Fibroblast migration to damaged zones in different tissues is crucial to regenerate and recuperate their functional activity. However, fibroblast migration patterns have hardly been studied in disease terms. Here, we study this fundamental process in dermal and cardiac fibroblasts by means of microfluidic-based experiments, which simulate a three-dimensional matrix in which fibroblasts are found in physiological conditions. Cardiac fibroblasts show a higher mean and effective speed, as well as greater contractile force, in comparison to dermal fibroblasts. In addition, we generate chemical gradients to study fibroblast response to platelet derived growth factor (PDGF) and transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) gradients. Dermal fibroblasts were attracted to PDGF, whereas cardiac fibroblasts are not. Notwithstanding, cardiac fibroblasts increased their mean and effective velocity in the presence of TGF-β. Therefore, given that we observe that the application of these growth factors does not modify fibroblasts’ morphology, these alterations in the migration patterns may be due to an intracellular regulation.

The role of hopelessness and meaning in life in a clinical sample with non-suicidal self-injury and suicide attempts.

BACKGROUND: Non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) and suicide attempts (SA) lie on a continuum of self-harm, and literature has shown that patients with suicidal intent constitute a more severe group. METHOD: This study aimed to explore differences in the facets of hopelessness (Beck Hopelessness Scale) and meaning in life (Purpose in Life Test) in a clinical sample of 150 patients with a diagnosis of a mental disorder with: a) no NSSI/SA, b) only NSSI, or c) SA/NSSI and SA. RESULTS: The results showed statistically significant differences between the groups in the affective dimension, but they showed similar levels of meaning in life in both groups. CONCLUSION: These findings highlight that affective hopelessness can lead to suicide attempts, and that meaning in life underlies the continuum of self-harm. Implications for psychotherapeutic interventions are discussed.

The role of hopelessness and meaning in life in a clinical sample with non-suicidal self-injury and suicide attempts / El papel de la desesperanza y el sentido de la vida en una muestra clínica con autolesiones no suicidas e intentos suicidas

Background: Non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) and suicide attempts (SA) lie on a continuum of self-harm, and literature has shown that patients with suicidal intent constitute a more severe group. Method: This study aimed to explore differences in the facets of hopelessness (Beck Hopelessness Scale) and meaning in life (Purpose in Life Test) in a clinical sample of 150 patients with a diagnosis of a mental disorder with: a) no NSSI/SA, b) only NSSI, or c) SA/NSSI and SA. Results: The results showed statistically significant differences between the groups in the affective dimension, but they showed similar levels of meaning in life in both groups. Conclusion: These findings highlight that affective hopelessness can lead to suicide attempts, and that meaning in life underlies the continuum of self-harm. Implications for psychotherapeutic interventions are discussed (AU)

Antecedentes: las autolesiones no suicidas y los intentos de suicidio se sitúan en el continuo de las conductas autolesivas, en el que los pacientes con una historia de intentos de suicidio constituyen el grupo de mayor gravedad. Método: en este trabajo nos planteamos explorar diferencias en desesperanza y sus distintas facetas (Escala de Desesperanza de Beck), así como en sentido de la vida (Purpose in Life Test) en una muestra clínica compuesta por 150 pacientes con un diagnóstico de trastorno mental: a) sin autolesiones no suicidas ni intentos de suicidio, b) únicamente con autolesiones no suicidas o c) con intentos de suicidio/ambos tipos de conductas. Resultados: los resultados mostraron diferencias estadísticamente significativas entre los grupos en desesperanza afectiva y niveles similares en sentido de la vida. Conclusiones: estos resultados subrayan que la desesperanza afectiva se relaciona con los intentos suicidas, y que los niveles bajos de sentido de la vida están a la base de las conductas autolesivas. Se discuten las implicaciones terapéuticas derivadas de estos resultados (AU)

Predicting Role of the Meaning in Life on Depression, Hopelessness, and Suicide Risk among Borderline Personality Disorder Patients / Rol predictivo del sentido de la vida sobre la depresión, la desesperanza y el riesgo de suicidio en pacientes con trastorno límite de la personalidad

The relation between the meaning in life and depression, hopelessness, and suicide risk in a sample of Spanish Borderline Personality Disorder patients is analyzed. The hypothesis suggested that meaning in life is a significant negative predictor of these variables. Participants were 80 Borderline Personality Disorder patients (75 women, 5 men) ranged 16-60 years old, M = 32.21, SD = 8.85, from a public mental health service. Spanish adaptations of the Purpose-In-Life Test, the Beck Depression Inventory-II, the Beck Hopelessness Scale, and the Plutchick's Suicide Risk Scale were used. Analysis included descriptive, correlations, and simple linear regression. Results showed that meaning in life was negatively related to depression, hopelessness, and suicide risk. It is necessary to introduce the evaluation of the meaning in life in the assessment of patients with Borderline Personality Disorder and to include in the psychotherapeutic intervention elements to enhance their perception and experience of meaning in life.

Se analizan las relaciones entre sentido de la vida, depresión, desesperanza y riesgo de suicidio en un grupo de pacientes con Trastorno Límite de Personalidad. La hipótesis al respecto afirma que el sentido de la vida predice negativamente de estas variables. En el estudio participaron 80 pacientes españoles con Trastorno Límite de Personalidad (75 mujeres, 5 hombres) de un servicio público de salud mental, con edades entre los 16 y los 60 años. Se utilizaron versiones españolas del Purpose-In-Life Test, del Inventario de Depresión-II y la Escala de Desesperanza de Beck y de la Escala de Riesgo Suicida de Plutchick. Los análisis incluyeron estadísticos descriptivos, correlaciones y regresión lineal simple. Los resultados mostraron que el sentido de la vida se relacionó negativamente con la depresión, la desesperanza y el riesgo de suicidio. Se concluye que hay necesidad de introducir la valoración del sentido de la vida en la evaluación de pacientes con Trastorno Límite de Personalidad y de incluir en la intervención psicoterapéutica elementos para mejorar su percepción y vivencia de sentido de la vida.

Educación ambiental: estrategia en la enseñanza de contaminación en fuentes hídricas / Environmentl eduucation: an strategy to the teach about water sources contaminatoon

RESUMEN En este trabajo se pudo establecer la participación del docente y los estudiantes entorno a la problemática de contaminación de fuentes hídricas próximas al colegio. La investigación se realizó con estudiantes que cursaron grado 10º y 11º en la especialidad de manejo del recurso hídrico, a nivel de educación media técnica en la Institución Educativa (IE) Técnica Valle de Tenza del municipio de Guateque durante los años 2007 al 2010. Se tuvo en cuenta como estrategia pedagógica la Investigación Acción (IA); para su aplicación, se realizaron actividades didácticas en las asignaturas de Ecología e Hidrología incluidas en el plan de estudios para la formación media técnica. Cada una de las "generaciones académicas" participantes, fue dejando aportes conceptuales y avances metodológicos a quienes retomaban el proyecto. Actualmente existen las memorias del trabajo realizado y a partir del mismo existe otro grupo de estudiantes y docentes trabajando en él.

ABSTRACT The participation of teachers and students in relation to the problem of water sources contamination near their school could be established in this work. The research was carried out with 10 and 11 grade students in the specialty of water source management at the technical education high school level in the Educational Institution (EI) Valle de Tenza Technical in the Guateque Municipality, from 2007 to 2010. Action Research (AR) was the strategy taken into consideration as the pedagogical strategy. To apply it , some didactic activities in the Ecology and Hidrology subjects included in the yearly plan for technical high school education. Each of the participant "academic generations", provided conceptual and methodological advance contributions to those continuing the project. Reports from the work carried put are currently available which have served another group of students and teachers to continue working on it.