Mother adversity and co-residence time impact mother-child similarity in genome-wide and gene-specific methylation profiles.

BACKGROUND: The effects of adverse life events on physical and psychological health, with DNA methylation (DNAm) as a critical underlying mechanism, have been extensively studied. However, the epigenetic resemblance between mother and child in the context of neglectful caregiving, and whether it may be shaped by the emotional impact of maternal stressful events and the duration of co-residence (indexed by child age), remains unknown. The present study examined mother-child similarity in methylation profiles, considering the potential effect of mother adversity, mother empathy, neglect-control group, child age (an index of years of mother-child co-residence), and mother age. Using Illumina Epic arrays, we quantified DNAm in 115 mother-child saliva samples. We obtained a methylation similarity index by computing correlation coefficients between methylation profiles within dyads, for the entire epigenome, and five specific genes related to stress and empathy: NR3C1, FKPB5, OXTR, SCL6A4, and BDNF. RESULTS: The methylation profiles of the mother-child familial pairs significantly correlated as compared to mother-child random pairs for the entire epigenome and NR3C1, FKBP5, OXTR and BDNF genes. Next, multiple linear regression models observed associations of mother adversity, child age, and neglect-control group on mother-child methylation similarity, only significant in mother-child familial pairs, after correcting for multiple comparisons. Higher mother adversity was associated with lower mother-child methylation similarity for the epigenome-wide analysis, for the BDNF gene, and in the neglect-control group for the OXTR gene. In turn, being an older child (longer co-residence) was associated with higher mother-child methylation similarity. CONCLUSIONS: Mother adversity and co-residence time are modulating factors in the intergenerational methylation process that offer a window into development-dependent adaptations that can be affected by both hereditary and environmental factors, significantly observed only in biological dyads. A twofold implication for child well-being emerges, one is positive in that children of mothers exposed to life adversity or neglect did not necessarily inherit their methylation patterns. The other is concerning due to the influence of time spent living together, which affects similarity with the mother and potentially increases the risk of inheriting an epigenetic profile associated with future dysfunctional parenting patterns. This underscores the importance of the 'the earlier, the better' recommendation by the Child Protection System, which is not always followed.

The Sociability Argument for the Burqa Ban: A Qualified Defence.

Over the past decade, countries such as France, Belgium, Denmark, Austria, Latvia, and Bulgaria have banned face-coverings from public spaces. These bans are popularly known as 'burqa bans' as they seem to have been drafted with the aim of preventing people from wearing burqas and niqabs specifically. The scholarly response to these bans has been overwhelmingly negative, with several lawyers and philosophers arguing that they violate the human right to freedom of religion. While this article shares some of the concerns that have been raised, it argues that banning face-coverings in public is morally justified under certain conditions with the exception of facemasks that are necessary for the containment of infectious diseases, such as COVID-19. The reason for this is that those who publicly cover their face make it very difficult for other members of society to socially interact with them, especially for those who are deaf or hard-of-hearing, which is problematic in an age where many people are chronically lonely or at risk of becoming chronically lonely. As such, this article can be understood as a more elaborate, and arguably more sophisticated, defence of the justification that France offered for its face-covering ban before the European Court of Human Rights, namely that covering one's face undermines the conditions for 'living together'.

Diversidad en las percepciones de los mayores en relación con la muerte. Un análisis de segmentación / Diversity in the perceptions of the elderly in relation to death. A segmentation analysis

Objetivo: Analizar las autopercepciones de las personas mayores en relación con la muerte y relacionarlas con sus condiciones socioeconómicas, sus formas de convivencia, su entorno residencial y su perfil sociodemográfico. Metodología: Se entrevistaron un total de 213 personas mayores en dos localizaciones de Galicia (España). Se llevó a cabo un análisis de componentes principales para identificar los factores subyacentes en los ítems relacionados con las percepciones relacionadas con la muerte, y un análisis de conglomerados jerárquico para segmentar losmayores en grupos relacionados con dichas autopercepciones. Resultados: Las personas más preocupadas y con una mayor ansiedad por la muerte son, generalmente, mujeres con una edad por encima de la media, con un peor estatus económico, una menor formación y una red de relaciones familiares poco densa. Conclusiones: Nuestro estudio resalta la importancia de las condiciones socioeconómicas en las diferentes percepciones en relación con la muerte, y ofrece orientaciones para la implementación de políticas sociales que beneficien las condiciones de vida de las personas mayores (AU)

Objective: To analyse the self-perceptions of older people in relation to death and to relate them to socioeconomic conditions, ways of living together, the residential environment and the sociodemographic profile of such people. Methodology:A total of 213 elderly were interviewed in two locations in Galicia (Spain). A principal component analysis was carried out to identify the underlying factors in the items related to self-perceptions about death and a hierarchical cluster analysis to segment the elderly into groups related to these perceptions. Results: Elderly more worried and with greater anxiety about death, were generally women with an above average age, with a worse economic status, less training and a less dense network of family relationships. Conclusions: Our study highlights the importance of socioeconomic conditions in the different perceptions about death and offers guidelines for the implementation of social policies that benefit the living conditions of elderly (AU)

[Medical and social status of patients over 80 years old subject to single or joint residence.]

The study of the living conditions of the elderly living alone or together with other family relatives is relevant to the organization of medical and social care and the strengthening of coordination between medical and social services. We analysed information of 1 261 people aged 80 years and older in ambulatory care settings, of whom 40% lived alone and 60% lived in the family. The proportion of single residents increases with age. It was determined several socio-demographic characteristics of patients, including age, gender, and household composition, calculated the prevalence of senile asthenia syndrome and the main chronic non-infectious diseases for single and family patients, and identified gender differences. Single men in the «Age is not a hindrance¼ screening more often revealed senile asthenia and had more severe pain syndrome compared to men living in a family. In contrast to men, senile asthenia and pain summation were more frequently registered for women living in a family than for women living alone. For the organization of medical and social care, it is important to consider the relationship between gender and marital status, as well as how this relationship changes over time.

Forced Cohabitation during Coronavirus Lockdown in Italy: A Study on Coping, Stress and Emotions among Different Family Patterns.

BACKGROUND: At the beginning of 2020, a pandemic caused by a new strain of coronavirus occurred. On March 9th, the Italian population was forced to lockdown to prevent the spread of this new virus. This event forced families and cohabitants to spend their entire days and weeks in the same physical space, interacting with partners and children with a very different degree of intimacy than in the earlier situation. The present study investigated the effects of being forced to live together on different family patterns, on various dimensions such as stress, coping strategies, time perception and quality evaluation of cohabitation. METHOD: A total sample consisting of 1750 individuals was recruited through a random sample of probability across the Italian country. Due to the lockdown condition, an online questionnaire was set up; several validated scales were chosen, and some open-ended items were included for the thoughts of the participants. RESULTS: The results showed statistically significant differences between the three family patterns examined. CONCLUSION: During the forced period of living together, a positive effect could be inferred as given by the presence of children and the collaborative coping strategies that have been adopted; the results have been discussed according to the literature on the topic.

Retos de la psicología en la construcción de paz en Colombia: ¿fatalismo o ingenuidad? / Challenges for Psychology in Peace Building in Colombia: ¿Fatalism or Naivety? / Retos da Psicologia na construção de paz na Colômbia: fatalismo ou ingenuidade?

El artículo se propone reflexionar acerca del papel de la psicología en un escenario posacuerdo derivado de las negociaciones con las guerrillas en Colombia. Para ello se tienen en cuenta las condiciones teóricas provenientes de una visión de la guerra y el conflicto, que son analizadas considerando los escenarios epistemológico, teórico, profesional y metodológico. Se concluye con el análisis de la situación del posacuerdo, a partir de seis categorías desde la psicología social, que el trabajo que haga la psicología o bien puede ratificar el fatalismo de la experiencia de la guerra o proponer escenarios generativos para la consolidación de la convivencia en Colombia.

The article aims to analyze the role of psychology in a post agreement scenario resulting from the negotiations between the guerrillas and the Colombian government. Theoretical conditions stemming from war and conflict comprehension have been taken into account, and were analyzed from epistemological, theoretical, professional and methodological scenarios. The analysis demonstrated that the post agreement situation may be addressed from six categories of social psychology. The work of psychology in post agreement conditions can validate the fatalism of the experience of war or propose generative conditions for the consolidation of peaceful coexistence in Colombia.

O artigo se propõe reflexionar sobre o papel da Psicologia num cenário post-acordo derivado das negociações com as guerrilhas na Colômbia. Para isto, se levam em conta as condições teóricas que são derivadas de uma visão da guerra e o conflito, que são analisadas a partir dos cenários epistemológico, teórico, profissional e metodológico. Com a análise se conclui que a situação do post acordo pode ser feita a partir de seis categorias desde a psicologia social. O trabalho que faz a psicologia pode ratificar o fatalismo da experiência da guerra ou propor cenários generativos para a consolidação da convivência na Colômbia.

Living together in biofilms: the microbial cell factory and its biotechnological implications.

In nature, bacteria alternate between two modes of growth: a unicellular life phase, in which the cells are free-swimming (planktonic), and a multicellular life phase, in which the cells are sessile and live in a biofilm, that can be defined as surface-associated microbial heterogeneous structures comprising different populations of microorganisms surrounded by a self-produced matrix that allows their attachment to inert or organic surfaces. While a unicellular life phase allows for bacterial dispersion and the colonization of new environments, biofilms allow sessile cells to live in a coordinated, more permanent manner that favors their proliferation. In this alternating cycle, bacteria accomplish two physiological transitions via differential gene expression: (i) from planktonic cells to sessile cells within a biofilm, and (ii) from sessile to detached, newly planktonic cells. Many of the innate characteristics of biofilm bacteria are of biotechnological interest, such as the synthesis of valuable compounds (e.g., surfactants, ethanol) and the enhancement/processing of certain foods (e.g., table olives). Understanding the ecology of biofilm formation will allow the design of systems that will facilitate making products of interest and improve their yields.

[Compassionate care and the nursing home's charter]. / Bientraitance et projet d'établissement d'une résidence d'accueil pour personnes âgées dépendantes.

The creation of a nursing home for dependent elderly people, disabled people or those with dementia provided an opportunity to reflect on the institute's charter. The main objective was to create a place in which residents and professionals feel good. An inter-professional collaborative approach focusing on the needs and aptitudes of the residents favoured the creation of an ideal climate. Thanks to the commitment of all concerned, the objectives have been achieved.

Detección, caracterización y orientación de los infectados por el virus de la hepatitis B en el área de un policlínico / Detection, characterization and guidance of the hepatitis B infected patients in the area of a polyclinic

Se realizó un estudio en 723 muestras serológicas recibidas del Policlínico Docente “28 de Enero” en el período de enero de 1995 a enero de 1996, mediante el método inmunoenzimático ELISA para detectar el inmunosistema de superficie del virus de hepatitis B. Se encontraron 72 personas con anticuerpos contra el virus de la hepatitis B sin haber sido vacunados anteriormente y 4 pacientes infectados con este virus. A partir de estos, se estudiaron 61 familias, 260 muestras en el pesquisaje secundario, detectándose 6 nuevos antígenos, y 26 anticuerpos en personas no vacunadas. De los pacientes con hepatitis B, solo en 2 existían antecedentes epidemiológicos, 1 con transaminasa glutámica pirúvica elevada y 60 % con antigenemia alta. La búsqueda activa de reservorios asintomáticos en los convivientes de pacientes infectados por el virus de la hepatitis B puede contribuir a la eliminación y futura erradicación de la enfermedad.

A study of 723 serological samples received at “28 de Enero” Teaching Polyclinic from January 1995 to January 1996 was conducted by ELISA to detect the surface immunosystem of the hepatitis B virus. 72 persons with antibodies against the hepatitis B virus that had not been previously vaccinated, and 4 patients infected with this virus were detected. Starting from them, 61 families were studied, 260 samples were analyzed in the secondary screening, 6 new antigens were found, and 26 antibodies were detected in non-vaccinated persons. Of the patients with hepatitis B, only 2 had epidemiological history, 1 presented elevated glutamic piruvic transaminase and 60 % high antigenemia. The active search for asymptomatic reservoirs among those living with hepatitis B infected patients may contribute to the elimination and future erradication of the disease.