The role of food during oncology treatment: perspectives of cancer patients, caregivers and healthcare professionals.

PURPOSE: Many cancer patients have problems eating which are usually connected to taste and smell alterations due to side effects of cancer treatment. These problems have consequences both in terms of malnutrition and reduced quality of life. In order to explore social and psychological consequences of eating problems in cancer patients, qualitative interviews were conducted with cancer patients, their caregivers and healthcare professionals. METHODS: The study was conducted in three European countries (Poland, Spain and the UK) that differed in culture, oncology care approaches and availability of nutritional products targeted to cancer patients in the market. RESULTS: Differences in the social role of eating between the three European countries were observed which subsequently influenced the impact of eating problems for cancer patients in these countries. Furthermore, the study found that problems with food affect not only the quality of life of cancer patients, but can also distress their caregivers, who are often unable to cope with such food-related problems. In addition, the study showed that commercially available nutritional products for cancer patients focus on nutritional value but tend to neglect an important aspect of eating, which is the enjoyment of food, both individually and socially.

Pressurized Liquid (PLE) Truffle Extracts Have Inhibitory Activity on Key Enzymes Related to Type 2 Diabetes (α-Glucosidase and α-Amylase).

An optimized PLE method was applied to several truffle species using three different solvent mixtures to obtain bioactive enriched fractions. The pressurized water extracts contained mainly (1 → 3),(1 → 6)-ß-D-glucans, chitins, and heteropolymers with galactose and mannose in their structures. The ethanol extracts included fatty acids and fungal sterols and others such as brassicasterol and stigmasterol, depending on the species. They also showed a different fatty acid lipid profile depending on the solvent utilized and species considered. Ethanol:water extracts showed interesting lipids and many phenolic compounds; however, no synergic extraction of compounds was noticed. Some of the truffle extracts were able to inhibit enzymes related to type 2 diabetes; pressurized water extracts mainly inhibited the α-amylase enzyme, while ethanolic extracts were more able to inhibit α-glucosidase. Tuber brumale var. moschatum and T. aestivum var. uncinatum extracts showed an IC50 of 29.22 mg/mL towards α-amylase and 7.93 mg/mL towards α-glucosidase. Thus, use of the PLE method allows o bioactive enriched fractions to be obtained from truffles with antidiabetic properties.

Effect of Different Cold Storage Temperatures on the Evolution of Shucking Yield and Quality Properties of Offshore Cultured Japanese Oyster (Magallana gigas) Treated by High Pressure Processing (HPP).

High pressure processing (HPP) can improve oyster shucking yield immediately after the treatment and increase the microbiological and sensory shelf life of oysters stored at 0-4 °C. However, the evolution of shucking yield during storage has not been previously examined and there are no studies focusing on shelf life at higher storage temperatures. To elucidate both aspects, control and HPP (300 MPa; 2 min) offshore cultivated oysters (Magallana gigas) were stored at 4 and 10 °C for 14 days, analyzing shucking yield, color, texture, microbiological and sensory characteristics. HPP samples showed a higher shucking yield (17% on average) than controls with minimal impact in texture and color, regardless of storage time and temperature. At 10 °C, HPP delayed microbial growth and sensory deterioration, increasing the estimated shelf life of oysters by 3 to 4 days (aerobic plate count < 6 log cycles; overall sensory acceptability > 2). Compared to controls stored at 4 °C, HPP oysters stored at 10 °C presented the same shelf life (5 to 9 days) but with higher shucking yield (up to 25%). In conclusion, HPP is an excellent tool to increase the shucking yield and delay sensory deterioration of oysters stored at 10 °C.

Student Perceptions in Measuring Teaching Behavior Across Six Countries: A Multi-Group Confirmatory Factor Analysis Approach to Measurement Invariance.

The purpose of this study is to examine measurement invariance of scoring of teaching behavior, as perceived by students, across six cultural contexts (Netherlands, Spain, Turkey, South Africa, South Korea, and Indonesia). It also aims to compare perceived teaching behavior across the six countries based on a uniform student measure. Results from multi-group confirmatory factor analyses (MGCFA) showed perceived teaching behavior in the six countries to be adequately invariant. Perceived teaching behavior was the highest in South Korea and the lowest in Indonesia. The findings provide new insights into the relevance and differences of teaching behavior across cultural contexts.

Student Perceptions of Secondary Education Teaching Effectiveness: General Profile, the Role of Personal Factors, and Educational Level.

The purpose of this study was to examine student perceptions of teaching behavior. Additionally the aim was to examine if teacher characteristics (educational level, gender, and teaching experience) could explain differences in student perceptions of their teachers. Teaching behavior was studied from the research on teaching and teacher effectiveness perspective. Secondary students (N = 7,114), taught by 410 teachers in Spain, participated in the study. Survey data were analyzed using non-parametric tests, Kruskal-Wallis, U Mann-Whitney with Bonferroni correction, and the analysis of effect sizes. Furthermore, a regression model was applied. Results showed that teaching behavior was perceived as sufficient to good, depending on the teaching behavior domain. Results indicated interesting differences between lower secondary education, upper secondary education and vocational education and training teachers. The effect size values (r U statistic) ranged between 0.43 and 0.63, highlighting the significant effect of teachers' teaching experience on the six teaching skills domains: learning climate, efficient classroom management, clarity of instruction, activating teaching, differentiation, and teaching learning strategies. Those teachers with less teaching experience were the ones who showed higher scores. Findings from the regression model showed that educational level had a significant predictive effect on the six teaching skills domains, mainly for male teachers. However, in several domains female teachers were perceived by students to outperform their male counterparts.

New validity evidence of the parent parq/control scale of parental educational styles / Nuevas evidencias de validez de la escala Parent PARQ/control sobre estilos de educación parental

BACKGROUND: The Parent PARQ/Control (short version) for mothers and fathers is an inventory of 29 items where parents record their acceptance-rejection and control behaviors towards their children. Despite vast research on IPARQTheory, it has yet to be vali-dated for a Spanish population. The goal of this study is to analyze the psychometric properties of the instrument and its factorial structure. METHOD: Participants were 4,168 parents from the Principality of Asturias (2,166 mothers and 2,002 fathers). Mean age for mothers was 39.50 years and 41.90 years for fathers. Following preliminary studies, we carried out exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) for mothers and for fathers separately. RESULTS: Analysis of mothers' responses reveal an instrument comprising 15 items with a three factor-structure: warmth/affection, hostility/aggression and control. For fathers, the structure of the inventory gave a 23 item instrument with four factors: warmth/affection, hostility/aggression, indifference/neglect and control. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, these results show that warmth/affection and control are the main dimensions in parental educational styles, and as hypothesized, mothers and fathers have different educational styles

ANTECEDENTES: el Parent PARQ/Control (versión corta, madre y padre) es un inventario de 29 ítems en el cual los progenitores reflejan las conductas de aceptación-rechazo y control que ejercen hacia los hijos e hijas. A pesar de la investigación existente en relación a la IPARQTheory, este instrumento no ha sido validado en población española. El objetivo de este estudio fue analizar las propiedades psicométricas y la estructura factorial del instrumento. MÉTODO: los participantes fueron 4.168 padres y madres del Principado de Asturias (2.166 madres y 2.002 padres) con una edad media en las madres de 39,50 y en los padres de 41,90. Siguiendo los estudios previos, se realizó un análisis factorial exploratorio y análisis factorial confirmatorio, para las madres y para los padres. RESULTADOS: en relación a la versión de la madre, se obtuvo una estructura factorial de tres factores (15 ítems): afecto, hostilidad y control. En la versión de los padres, el instrumento (23 ítems) con una estructura factorial de cuatro dimensiones: afecto, hostilidad, indiferencia y control. CONCLUSIONES: los resultados muestran que las dimensiones de afectividad y control son las principales, y que las madres y padres presentan estructuras diferentes en los estilos de educación parental

New validity evidence of the Parent PARQ/Control scale of Parental Educational Styles.

BACKGROUND: The Parent PARQ/Control (short version) for mothers and fathers is an inventory of 29 items where parents record their acceptance-rejection and control behaviors towards their children. Despite vast research on IPARQTheory, it has yet to be vali-dated for a Spanish population. The goal of this study is to analyze the psychometric properties of the instrument and its factorial structure. METHOD: Participants were 4,168 parents from the Principality of Asturias (2,166 mothers and 2,002 fathers). Mean age for mothers was 39.50 years and 41.90 years for fathers. Following preliminary studies, we carried out exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) for mothers and for fathers separately. RESULTS: Analysis of mothers’ responses reveal an instrument comprising 15 items with a three factor-structure: warmth/affection, hostility/aggression and control. For fathers, the structure of the inventory gave a 23 item instrument with four factors: warmth/affection, hostility/aggression, indifference/neglect and control. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, these results show that warmth/affection and control are the main dimensions in parental educational styles, and as hypothesized, mothers and fathers have different educational styles.

Resveratrol and piceid metabolites and their fat-reduction effects in zebrafish larvae.

Resveratrol, a polyphenolic phytoalexin found in many plants, has been reported to have antiobesogenic effects in several animal and in vitro models. Zebrafish present several technical advantages that place them at an interesting, halfway point between in vitro and rodent models. The aim of the present work was to evaluate the metabolization of resveratrol and its glucoside (piceid) in zebrafish and their ability to induce the consumption of fat reserve in zebrafish larvae. Resveratrol and piceid were both able to reduce yolk sac fat content depending on the dose tested. Furthermore, resveratrol showed a potent and rapid action, whereas piceid needed more time and higher doses to be as effective as resveratrol. In accordance with other animal models and humans, the principal metabolites found in zebrafish larvae were monoglucoronide and monosulfate forms of resveratrol. In conclusion, zebrafish are a potentially excellent animal model for polyphenol research as they present several advantageous characteristics for efficacy screening and metabolomic studies before rodents.

Distinct roles for Wnt-4 and Wnt-11 during retinoic acid-induced neuronal differentiation.

Retinoic acid and Wnt/ß-catenin signals play important roles during neuronal differentiation but less is known about noncanonical Wnt signals in this context. We examined retinoic acid and Wnt signaling in two human embryonal carcinoma cell lines, NTERA-2 (clone D1), which undergoes neuronal differentiation in response to retinoic acid, and 2102Ep, which does not. Retinoic acid treatment inhibited ß-catenin/Tcf activity in NTERA-2 cells but not in 2102Ep cells. Inhibition occurred downstream of ß-catenin but did not involve competition between retinoic acid receptors and ß-catenin for binding to p300 or Tcf-4. Ectopic expression of FZD1 partially restored inhibition in 2102Ep cells, suggesting the involvement of Wnt ligands. Retinoic acid treatment of NTERA-2 cells induced the expression of Wnt-4 and Wnt-11, both of which were able to inhibit ß-catenin/Tcf activity. Wnt-4 and Wnt-11 were found at cell borders in islands of cells that expressed OCT4 and GFAP and were predominantly negative for Nestin, PAX6, and GATA6. Gene silencing of Wnt-4, but not Wnt-11, reduced retinoic acid downregulation of OCT4 and Nanog and upregulation of PAX6, ASCL1, HOXC5, and NEUROD1, suggesting that Wnt-4 promotes early neuronal differentiation. Gene expression analysis of NTERA-2 cells stably overexpressing Wnt-11 suggested that Wnt-11 potentiates retinoic acid induction of early neurogenesis. Consistent with this, overexpression of Wnt-11 maintained a population of proliferating progenitor cells in cultures treated with retinoic acid for several weeks. These observations highlight the distinct roles of two noncanonical Wnts during the early stages of retinoic acid-induced neuronal differentiation.

Wnt-11 promotes neuroendocrine-like differentiation, survival and migration of prostate cancer cells.

BACKGROUND: Wnt-11 is a secreted protein that modulates cell growth, differentiation and morphogenesis during development. We previously reported that Wnt-11 expression is elevated in hormone-independent prostate cancer and that the progression of prostate cancer from androgen-dependent to androgen-independent proliferation correlates with a loss of mutual inhibition between Wnt-11- and androgen receptor-dependent signals. However, the prevalence of increased expression of Wnt-11 in patient tumours and the functions of Wnt-11 in prostate cancer cells were not known. RESULTS: Wnt-11 protein levels in prostate tumours were determined by immunohistochemical analysis of prostate tumour tissue arrays. Wnt-11 protein was elevated in 77/117 of tumours when compared with 27 benign prostatic hypertrophy specimens and was present in 4/4 bone metastases. In addition, there was a positive correlation between Wnt-11 expression and PSA levels above 10 ng/ml. Androgen-depleted LNCaP prostate cancer cells form neurites and express genes associated with neuroendocrine-like differentiation (NED), a feature of prostate tumours that have a poor prognosis. Since androgen-depletion increases expression of Wnt-11, we examined the role of Wnt-11 in NED. Ectopic expression of Wnt-11 induced expression of NSE and ASCL1, which are markers of NED, and this was prevented by inhibitors of cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase, consistent with the known role of this kinase in NED. In contrast, Wnt-11 did not induce NSE expression in RWPE-1 cells, which are derived from benign prostate, suggesting that the role of Wnt-11 in NED is specific to prostate cancer. In addition, silencing of Wnt-11 expression in androgen-depleted LNCaP cells prevented NED and resulted in apoptosis. Silencing of Wnt-11 gene expression in androgen-independent PC3 cells also reduced expression of NSE and increased apoptosis. Finally, silencing of Wnt-11 reduced PC3 cell migration and ectopic expression of Wnt-11 promoted LNCaP cell invasion. CONCLUSIONS: These observations suggest that the increased level of Wnt-11 found in prostate cancer contributes to tumour progression by promoting NED, tumour cell survival and cell migration/invasion, and may provide an opportunity for novel therapy in prostate cancer.

Estilos de educación familiar / Parenting styles

Los estilos educativos paternos constituyen uno de los elementos claves de la socialización familiar. El objetivo de estas páginas es mostrar los resultados de una investigación llevada a cabo en el Principado de Asturias con 2.965 familias que tienen niños de Educación Infantil y Primaria (5-8 años). Dicho estudio trata de analizar, entre otros aspectos, las tendencias de comportamiento paternas en la educación de los hijos/as. El análisis de los resultados obtenidos nos permite: 1) determinar cuál son las tendencias actitudinales y comportamentales que prefieren y utilizan, habitualmente, los padres/madres para la crianza y educación de sus hijos; 2) determinar el número de personas que tienen un estilo educativo definido y delimitar las características socioeducativas que estos padres representan. Finalmente, se plantea la necesidad de cambiar algunos comportamientos parentales e insistir en los programas de educación familiar, a fin de promover modelos de prácticas educativas y modificar o mejorar prácticas existentes (AU)

Parental educational styles constitute one of the key elements of family socialization. The aim of the present essay is to present the results of a research project carried out in the Principality of Asturias (Spain) among 2,965 families with children of infant and primary-school age (5-8 years old). This research attempts to analyse, among other aspects, parental behaviour tendencies in child upbringing. The analysis of the results obtained allows us to: 1) identify the most common attitudinal and behavioural tendencies of parents in the upbringing of their children; 2) determine how many people have a well defined parental style, and delimit their socio-educational characteristics. Lastly, we consider the need to change some parental behaviour patterns and stress the importance of family education programmes, with the aim of promoting appropriate parenting models and modifying or improving current practices(AU)

[Parenting styles]. / Estilos de educación familiar.

Parental educational styles constitute one of the key elements of family socialization. The aim of the present essay is to present the results of a research project carried out in the Principality of Asturias (Spain) among 2,965 families with children of infant and primary-school age (5-8 years old). This research attempts to analyse, among other aspects, parental behaviour tendencies in child upbringing. The analysis of the results obtained allows us to: 1) identify the most common attitudinal and behavioural tendencies of parents in the upbringing of their children; 2) determine how many people have a well defined parental style, and delimit their socio-educational characteristics. Lastly, we consider the need to change some parental behaviour patterns and stress the importance of family education programmes, with the aim of promoting appropriate parenting models and modifying or improving current practices.

La simulación de enfermedad física o trastorno mental / Malingering of organic illness or mental disorder

Se analiza la naturaleza y la frecuencia de la simulación de síntomas clínicos, y se describen algunos instrumentos de medida generales,que han sido utilizados para determinar la validez de los síntomas, así como pruebas específicas para tomar decisiones respecto a laexistencia de simulación en el ámbito clínico. En particular, se presentan algunos criterios de utilidad para evaluar la existencia de simulaciónde un trastorno de estrés post-traumático, de un síndrome orgánico cerebral, de amnesia y de un trastorno psicótico

The purpose of this article is to analyze the nature and incidence of malingering, to describe several general measures used to determinesymptom validity, as well as some instruments specifically created to assess deception or malingering in clinical settings. Particularly,some useful criteria in detecting the faking of post-traumatic stress disorder, organic brain syndromes, amnesia, and psychoticdisorders, are discussed

A combined measure for detection of schizotaxia / Medida combinada para la detección de la esquizotaxia

This study falls within research on schizotaxia, or neurocognitive risk markers of schizophrenia spectrum disorders, and its usefulness for early prevention strategies. Two samples of 60 adults and 65 children and adolescents, with some genetic or psychosocial high-risk individuals among them, were examined to compare the relationship between schizotypy dimensions and risk factors, and neurocognitive performance. One of the most practical aspects of this study was the proposal of a combined and straightforward measure of liability to schizophrenia spectrum disorders, in contrast to the current high availability of neurocognitive markers. For that purpose, several psychometric analyses were made exploring schizotypy dimensions, as well as 16 measures of cortical functions (executive, attentional, working memory and general cognitive functioning tasks) in adults and 20 measures in adolescents. In keeping with previous research, our results hypothetically indicate that the most accurate measure of schizotaxia combines negative traits of schizotypy, in the range of percentile 90 or higher in the Introvertive Anhedonia subscale of the O-LIFE or percentile 85 or higher in the Negative Schizotypy subscale of the MSTQ and, on the other hand, a score of 5 or higher in a combined neurocognitive deficit scale in adults and 6 or higher in adolescents (the number of measures exceeding the threshold of deficit of the distribution scores). Moreover, some other independent measures of clinical and social function, and follow-up studies, are necessary to confirm the predictive validity of this measure of schizotaxia (AU)

El trabajo se inserta en las investigaciones sobre esquizotaxia o los marcadores neurocognitivos de riesgo para los trastornos del espectro esquizofrénico y su utilidad para la prevención temprana. Se valoraron dos muestras de 60 adultos y 65 adolescentes, entre quienes se encuentran sujetos de alto riesgo genético y psicosocial, con el fin de comparar la relación existente entre las dimensiones de esquizotipia y los factores de riesgo, y el rendimiento neurocognitivo. Un aspecto práctico de este estudio es la propuesta de una medida sencilla y combinada de predisposición a los trastornos del espectro esquizofrénico, en vez de manejar el alto número de marcadores neurocognitivos de los que actualmente se dispone. Con este propósito, se llevaron a cabo diversos análisis psicométricos para explorar las dimensiones de esquizotipia, y se obtuvieron 16 medidas de funciones corticales (tareas ejecutivas, atencionales, de memoria operativa y de funcionamiento cognitivo general) en adultos y 20 medidas en adolescentes. En consonancia con investigaciones anteriores, nuestros resultados hipotéticamente indican que la medida más precisa de esquizotaxia puede incluir la combinación, por un lado, de rasgos negativos de esquizotipia, con una puntuación equivalente al percentil 90 o superior en la subescala de Anhedonia Introvertida del OLIFE o al percentil 85 o superior en la subescala de Esquizotipia Negativa del MSTQ y, por el otro, una puntuación igual o superior a 5 en una escala combinada de déficit neurocognitivo en adultos, e igual o superior a 6 en adolescentes (es decir, el número de medidas que superan el umbral de déficit de la distribución de puntuaciones). No obstante, se considera necesario confirmar la validez predictive de esta medida de esquizotaxia con otras medidas independientes y longitudinales del funcionamiento clínico y social (AU)