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Among fruits, the apple is unique for producing large amounts of the dihydrochalcone phloridzin, which, together with phloretin, its aglycone, is valuable to the pharmaceutical and food industries for its antidiabetic, antioxidant, and anticarcinogenic properties, as well as its use as a sweetener. We analysed the phloridzin concentration, total phenolic content, and antioxidant activity in the peel, flesh, seeds, juice, and pomace of 13 international and local apple varieties. In the unprocessed fruit, the seeds had the highest phloridzin content, while the highest total phenolic contents were mostly found in the peel. In processed samples, phloridzin and the total phenolic compounds especially were higher mostly in juice than in pomace. Moreover, the total phenolic content was much higher than the phloridzin content. Juice showed the highest antioxidant activity, followed by the peel and flesh. Across all samples, antioxidant activity did not directly correlate with phloridzin concentrations, suggesting that the antioxidant activity ascribed to phloridzin may need re-evaluation. In the Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power (FRAP) assay, phloridzin only showed antioxidant activity at high concentrations when compared to its aglycone, phloretin. Considering the large amounts of apple juice produced by the juice industry, residual pomace is a promising source of phloridzin. For technical use, processing this phloridzin to phloretin would be advantageous. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractThis study aimed to develop a German version of the revised Pre-loss Grief Questionnaire (PG-12-R) and examine its factor structure, reliability and validity. The PG-12-R was assessed in a representative German sample (N = 2,515). Of these, 362 (14.4%) reported to have a loved one suffering from an incurable disease and 352 provided full data sets. Principal component factor analysis, scree-plot and parallel analysis were conducted. Results supported a one-factor model of PG-12-R with high internal consistency. Convergent validity was confirmed by negative correlations with psychological well-being and time since diagnosis and positive correlations with a more difficult perception of circumstances surrounding the illness and unpreparedness. The German version of the PG-12-R represents a reliable and valid measurement tool of pre-loss grief. It may be used as a screening measure for high levels of pre-loss grief to identify individuals who may need additional support. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Migration is often accompanied by interpersonal, material and abstract losses and can be associated with migratory grief. The correlates of migratory grief have not yet been sufficiently addressed in research. This review aims to systematically investigate the relationship between migratory grief and psychopathology, to map the current state of research on this highly relevant topic and to derive relevant implications for the target group. Method: A systematic literature search of electronic databases (PubMed/Medline, PsycINFO, Web of Science) was conducted up until January 2023. Primary empirical quantitative and qualitative studies with migrants were included that assessed the association between migratory grief and psychopathology, using a specific instrument for migratory grief (quantitative) or named migratory grief as relevant topic (qualitative). Studies that only captured aspects of migratory grief, were not written in English, or were descriptive/non-peer-reviewed publications, were excluded. A quality assessment of all studies included was performed using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool. The results were synthesized using a narrative synthesis approach. Results: All studies (quan. = 4; qual. = 1)were cross-sectional and used convenience samples. The studies had a mean number of 83 participants with a total of N = 487 participants included in the current review. All included studies reported a significant relationship between migratory grief and psychological distress. Discussion: Despite the quality of the included studies being limited, our results show that there is a link between migratory grief and depression among refugees and migrants. However, there are only few studies in this currently and certainly also in the future relevant field of research, which is why further studies on factors influencing migratory grief as well as associations with other disorders would be desirable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates linguistic predictors of reduction in prolonged grief symptoms following a writing intervention in an internet‐based cognitive behavioural therapy for people bereaved by cancer. Data stem from a randomized control clinical trial with 70 people. The Linguistic Inquiry and Word Count program was used to analyse patient language. Absolute change scores and reliable change index were used to calculate reduction in grief symptoms and clinical significant change. Best subset regression and Mann–Whitney U tests were conducted. A higher reduction of prolonged grief symptoms was correlated with more social words in the first module (β = −.22, p =.042), less risk (β =.33, p =.002) and body words (β =.22, p =.048) in the second module and more time words in the third module (β = −.26, p =.018). Patients with clinically significant change showed a higher median in function words in the first module (p =.019), a lower median in risk words in the second module (p =.019) and a higher median in assent words in the last module (p =.014) compared to patients without clinically significant change. Findings suggest that it may be beneficial for therapists to encourage a more detailed description of patients' relationship with their deceased relative during the first module, a change in perspective during the second module and a summary of past, present and future aspects at the end of therapy. Future studies should include mediation analyses to allow causal attribution of the studied effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Before the loss of a loved one to cancer, relatives have time to adapt to the impending death. However, due to the current COVID-19 pandemic, adjustment to an imminent death may be more difficult. This study investigates factors related to pre-loss grief and preparedness during the COVID-19 pandemic and their relationship with COVID-19 related fears. Methods: Data of 299 participants from a cross-sectional study was used. Participants were included if they were relatives of people with cancer, spoke German and were at least 18 years. Multivariate linear regression analyses were conducted to measure the relationship between predictors (dysfunctional coping, emotion-focused coping, problem-focused coping, attachment anxiety, attachment avoidance, COVID-19 related fears, prognosis, perceived depth of the relationship, perceived conflict in the relationship, health status) and pre-loss grief, preparedness for caregiving and preparedness for death as the dependent variables. Results: Perceived depth (β =.365, p <.001), COVID-19 related fears (β =.141, p =.002), prognosis for death (β =.241, p <.001), dysfunctional coping strategies (β =.281, p <.001) and emotion-focused coping strategies (β = -.320, p <.001) significantly predicted pre-loss grief. Prognosis for death (β =.347, p <.001), dysfunctional coping strategies (β = -.229, p <.001), emotion-focused coping strategies (β =.242, p <.001), COVID-19 related fears (β = -.112, p =.037) and health status (β =.123, p =.025) significantly predicted preparedness for death. Dysfunctional coping (β = -.147, p =.009), problem-focused coping (β =.162, p =.009), emotion-focused coping (β =.148, p =.017), COVID-19 related fears (β = -.151, p =.006), attachment anxiety (β = -.169, p =.003), perceived conflict in the relationship with the patient with cancer (β = -.164, p =.004), perceived depth in the relationship (β =.116, p =.048) and health status (β =.157, p =.003) significantly predicted preparedness for caregiving. Conclusions: This study shows COVID-19 pandemic impacts on the grieving process of relatives of patients with cancer. Consequently, screening for pre-loss grief, preparedness and their associated factors may help provide early support for relatives of people with cancer at need. However, further research is needed to help understand the stability of pre-loss grief and preparedness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to examine the simultaneous effects of pre-loss grief, preparedness for death and preparedness for caregiving on different psychological health outcomes in relatives of people with cancer. Two hundred ninety-nine relatives of people with cancer participated in a cross-sectional online survey. Participants were included if they spoke German and were 18 years or older. Multivariate regression analysis was conducted. Pre-loss grief was significantly associated with depression (β = .388, p < .001), anxiety (β = .429, p < .001), somatization (β = .221, p < .001) and satisfaction with life (β = −.205, p < .001). Preparedness for death was significantly associated with somatization (β = −.247, p < .001). Results suggest that people with high scores in pre-loss grief and low scores in preparedness for death are in need of early support. Interventions should address pre-loss grief and the various aspects of preparedness for death and take into account the psychological health in relatives of people with cancer. Future studies should investigate underlying mechanisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background : Prolonged Grief Disorder (PGD) has been recognized as a mental health disorder and was added to the ICD-11 and DSM-5-TR. Despite the same name, both versions of PGD differ in symptom count, content, and diagnostic algorithm. A single instrument to screen for both PGD diagnoses is critical for bereavement research and care. The study aimed to evaluate the psychometric properties of the German version of the Traumatic Grief Inventory Self-Report Plus (TGI-SR+), a self-report measure to assess PGD ICD-11 and PGD DSM-5-TR symptoms. Methods : Out of a representative sample of the German general population ( N  = 2509), 1062 reported a significant loss and completed questions about sociodemographic and loss-related variables, the TGI-SR+, and a measure of health-related quality of life. Results : Item analyses demonstrated good item characteristics. Confirmatory factor analyses showed a good fit for two-factor models for PGD ICD-11 and PGD DSM-5-TR . Omega values demonstrated good internal consistency. In support of concurrent validity, symptoms of PGD ICD-11 and PGD DSM-5-TR were associated with worse health-related quality of life. In support of known-groups validity, symptoms of PGD ICD-11 and PGD DSM-5-TR were significantly higher among women, people with a lower educational level, more recently bereaved, those who lost a spouse or child (vs. other person), and those who lost someone due to unnatural causes (vs. natural causes). ROC analyses showed optimal cut-off scores of ≥60 and ≥65 to screen for probable caseness for PGD ICD-11 and PGD DSM-5-TR , respectively. Limitations : The analyses were based on a cross-sectional design, and data on retest-reliability and predictive validity is missing. Conclusion : Results support the reliability and validity of the German TGI-SR+ as a screening instrument for PGD in research.