Remembering for resilience: Brief cognitive-reminiscence therapy improves psychological resources and mental well-being in young adults.

Reminiscence-based interventions focus on the recall of autobiographical memories and reflective reasoning about these remembered experiences. This study assessed the effect of a three-session, positive-memory version of cognitive-reminiscence therapy (CRT) on the psychological resources and mental well-being of young adults. The participants (N = 62, Mage = 24.6 [SD = 3.1], 71% females) were randomised to CRT or wait-list. Psychological resources (self-esteem, self-efficacy, meaning in life and optimism), mental well-being (depression, anxiety and stress symptoms) and theorised change processes (automatic negative thoughts, awareness of narrative identity and cognitive reappraisal) were assessed. The results showed the CRT group was significantly higher on psychological resources at post-CRT (d = 0.75-0.80) and follow-up (d = 0.52-0.87) and mental well-being at post-intervention (d = 0.71-1.30) and follow-up (d = 0.64-0.98). The hypotheses regarding change processes were supported. Future research may use an active comparator and include a longer follow-up, given only short-term effects were assessed. Brief, positive-focused CRT is effective in increasing psychological resources and mental well-being in young adults.

Developmental changes in larvae of the oriental latrine fly, Chrysomya megacephala, exposed to deltamethrin.

The Chrysomya megacephala (Fabricius, 1794) (Diptera: Calliphoridae) has a worldwide distribution and is considered of medical and veterinary importance. Its synanthropic behavior combined with the visitation of decaying organic matter allows it to mechanically transmit pathogens to human and animals. Pyrethroids are widely used pesticides, effective in low doses against a broad spectrum of insects. Our objective was to evaluate the action of K-Othrine® on the post-embryonic development of C. megacephala. First instar larvae were exposed to different concentrations of K-Othrine® (3.75 × 10-5 g a.i/mL (low), 7.5 × 10-5 g a.i/mL (intermediate low), 1.125 × 10-4 g a.i/mL (intermediate), 1.5 × 10-4 g a.i/mL (intermediate high), and 2.5 × 10-4 g a.i/mL (high)) mixed into artificial diets and a control with no pesticide. We measured weight, time of development, sex ratio, larval and pupal mortality, and esterase patterns. The mean weight values at intermediate low and intermediate concentrations were significantly lower compared with the control; additionally, the development time was delayed compared with the control. The larval and pupal mortality differed among the treatments. The larvae had six esterase regions, which altered its relative activity at 48 h and 72 h after insecticide ingestion. Further studies must investigate the effects of different insecticides on the post-embryonic development of C. megacephala.

Bioprospection of immature salivary glands of Chrysomya megacephala (Fabricius, 1794) (Diptera: Calliphoridae).

Larval therapy (LT) comprises the application of sterile Calliphoridae larvae for wound debridement, disinfection, and healing in humans and animals. Larval digestion plays a key role in LT, where the salivary glands and gut produce and secrete proteolytic and antimicrobial substances. The objective of this work was to bioprospect the salivary glands of Chrysomya megacephala (Fabricius, 1794) larvae, using ultrastructural, morphological, and histological observations, and the total protein electrophoretic profile. The salivary glands present a deferent duct, originating from the buccal cavity, which bifurcates into efferent ducts that insert through a slight dilatation to a pair of tubular-shaped tissues, united in the region of fat cells. Histologically, the secretion had protein characteristics. Cell cytoplasm presented numerous free ribosomes, autophagic vacuoles, spherical and elongated mitochondria, atypical Golgi complexes, and dilated rough endoplasmic reticulum. In the apical cytoplasm, secretory granules and microvilli secretions demonstrated intense protein synthesis, basal cytoplasm with trachea insertions, and numerous mitochondria. The present work described the ultrastructure and morphology of C. megacephala third instar salivary glands, confirming intense protein synthesis and the molecular weight of soluble proteins.