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Background: Pathological interpretation of cellular form in cervical cytology is very important for preven- tion of cervical cancer. The methods most frequently used for assessment of this test have reproducibility and inter-observer variability problems. Objective: To make fractal and Euclidean measure- ments to mathematically diagnose normal and pre- malignant cells of cervical squamous epithelium. Methodology: 21 cells with normal, ASCUS or LSIL diagnosis according to the Bethesda system were assessed. Fractal and Euclidean geometric measures of three mathematical objects were calculated: cyto- plasm, nucleus and whole cell. Mathematical propor- tions between these measurements were calculated in order to compare them with conventional classification methods. Results: It was found that the nuclear border measures calculated with the 2-pixel grill and the surface measures could mathematically and objectively differentiate normal cells from the pre-malignant ones (ASCUS and LSIL). Conclusions: An objective and reproducible diagnos- tic method was developed; it allows to identify the evolution towards malignant cellular states based on simultaneous fractal and Euclidean measures, estab- lishing the severity level of ASCUS and LSIL cells.

Listeria monocytogenes is a gram-positive pathogen responsible for listeriosis, a severe foodborne infection that causes high hospitalization and mortality rates in at-risk populations, including older adults, immunocompromised persons, pregnant women, [...]

The aim of this work is to study the knowledge that 11 to 12-year-old pupils have about the different meanings of fractions. For this purpose, an investigation about the ability that 11 to 12-year-old pupils have with fraction problems through problem posing is performed. In particular, we analyze if they pose different types of problems depending on the provided help and if they are able to solve the problems they pose. To do so, after making a classification about types of fractions problems, an instrument is designed to see if students are able to invent and solve problems with different conditions (no reference at all, reference to an image, reference to a graphic representation, and reference to an operation). The analysis of results shows that most of the students properly solve what they invent, and points out that they tend to pose part-whole and part-set problems, even when the given reference suggests another type of problem.

Introduction: Although previous research has demonstrated that resilience can be protective against various mental health conditions such as depression, existing studies examining the relationship between resilience and depression have limitations. To our knowledge, the moderators of the relationship have not been examined. The aim of this study was to determine whether resilience acts as a protective factor against depression in informal caregivers and to examine potential moderators of the relationship between these variables. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 554 randomly selected informal caregivers participated (86.8% women, average age = 55.3 years). Major depressive episode, depressive symptomatology, resilience, positive environmental reward, negative automatic thoughts, self-efficacy, and personality were assessed. Results: A total of 16.1% of informal caregivers met criteria for a depressive episode and 57.4% were at risk of developing depression. The average resilience score was 26.3 (SD = 7.6); 62.6% of participants were in the lower quartile of the resilience scale. The gender of the informal caregiver and self-efficacy acted as moderating variables in the relationship between resilience and depression. The impact of resilience on depressive symptoms was more pronounced in female informal caregivers, and increased as self-efficacy increased. Discussion: Based on these findings, programs aimed at preventing depression in informal caregivers should focus on promoting resilience, especially in women, and introduce strategies to enhance self-efficacy to increase their impact. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although there are data on the psychometric properties of the Client Satisfaction Questionnaire (CSQ-8) in the United States Hispanic population, there are no data about the suitability of the questionnaire in Spanish-speaking populations in Spain. Trained and independent interviewers administered a Castilian Spanish translation of the CSQ-8 to 205 subjects (86.3% women, mean age 55.6 years) with subclinical depressive symptoms who participated in brief cognitive-behavioral group therapy interventions in Spain to treat subclinical depression. The internal consistency of the scale was satisfactory ([alpha] = .80). A single factor was identified that aggregated all eight items with high loadings in this global factor, which accounted for 43.5% of total variance. Differences in satisfaction were found based on the patients' education level (p = .038) and post-treatment depressive symptoms (p = .021). There were no differences in level of satisfaction based on sex, age, marital status, social class, pre-treatment depressive symptoms or the number of sessions attended. The results indicate that the Castilian Spanish CSQ-8 has adequate psychometric properties and maintains those of the original questionnaire; therefore, it is suitable for use in Spain for assessment of satisfaction with services received., Author(s): Fernando L. Vázquez [sup.1] , Ángela Torres [sup.1] , Patricia Otero [sup.2] , Vanessa Blanco [sup.1] , C. Clifford Attkisson [sup.3] Author Affiliations: (Aff1) 0000000109410645, grid.11794.3a, University of Santiago [...]

Background/objective: Despite the potential impact of a physical disability on health-related quality of life (HRQoL), few methodologically rigorous investigations on the topic have been conducted. The objective of this study was to determine the potential impact of HRQoL and associated factors in people with physical disabilities. Methods: The participants were 479 people with physical disabilities (56.8% women, mean age = 52.3 years). HRQoL domains (i.e., physical health, psychological health, social relationships and environment) were assessed using the World Health Organization Quality of Life Brief Version (WHOQOL-BREF); as well as the sociodemographic, disability, and clinical variables. Results: The predictors for the various domains were as follows: physical domain: ethnicity, employment status, medication use, depression, reward, extraversion, and psychoticism; psychological domain: employment status, anxiety, depression, and purpose; social relations domain: employment status, depression, reward, neuroticism, social support, empowerment, optimism and self-esteem; and environment domain: monthly economic income, depression, reward, neuroticism, extraversion, rational problem-solving skills, social support, and empowerment. Conclusions: These findings highlight the need to develop evidence-based programs to promote HRQoL in this population that address the specific predictors within each domain, reduce symptomatology predictive of worse HRQoL; and increase psychological and social resources to better support HRQoL. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Although pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) is recommended in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), there is a scarcity of data demonstrating the cost-effectiveness and effectiveness of PR in reducing exacerbations. METHODS: A quasi-experimental study in 200 patients with COPD was conducted to determine the number of exacerbations 1 year before and after their participation in a PR program. Quality of life was measured using the COPD assessment test and EuroQol-5D. The costs of the program and exacerbations were assessed the year before and after participation in the PR program. The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) was estimated in terms of quality-adjusted life years (QALYs). RESULTS: The number of admissions, length of hospital stay, and admissions to the emergency department decreased after participation in the PR program by 48.2%, 46.6%, and 42.5%, respectively (P < 0.001 for all). Results on quality of life tests improved significantly (P < 0.001 for the two tests). The cost of PR per patient and the cost of pre-PR and post-PR exacerbations were €1867.7 and €7895.2 and €4201.9, respectively. The PR resulted in a cost saving of €1826 (total, €365,200) per patient/year, and the gain in QALYs was+0.107. ICER was −€17,056. The total cost was <€20,000/QALY in 78% of patients. Conclusions: PR contributes to reducing the number of exacerbations in patients with COPD, thereby slowing clinical deterioration. In addition, it is cost-effective in terms of QALYs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The authors' purpose in this study was to estimate prevalence and correlates of "Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders," 4th edition ("DSM-IV"), major depressive episodes (MDEs) among Spanish university students. Participants and Methods: In October and November 2004, interviewers administered a screening tool to a sample of 554 students aged 18-34 years (65.9% women). Results: The prevalence of MDEs was 8.7% (95% confidence interval = 6.5%-11.3%). The most common symptoms were depressed mood (81.3%) and altered sleep (79.2%). MDEs were more prevalent among women than men (p less than 0.05). The mean number of previous episodes of depression among currently depressed students with previous episodes was 2.2 (SD = 1.4). Of depressed students, 0.6% had considered suicide and 0.2% had attempted suicide. Conclusions: Depression was highly prevalent among university students. The results suggest the need to develop some type of program or service for university students with the aim of preventing depression and improving their adaptation to university life. (Contains 5 tables.)

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The main objective of the current study was to evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of a cognitive-behavioral prevention intervention administered through a smartphone app in non-professional caregivers with symptoms of depression. The secondary objective was to make a preliminary evaluation of its effectiveness either alone or supplemented with telephone conference calls. Eighty-seven participants (Mage = 51.8 years) were randomly assigned to an app-based cognitive–behavioral intervention (CBIA; n = 29), CBIA supplemented with telephone conference calls (CBIA + CC; n = 28), or an attention control group (ACG; n = 30). The participants for both interventions received five cognitive–behavioral modules through the app, and those in CBIA + CC an additional 30-minute phone call in each module. 3.4% of caregivers dropped out. In all groups, the number of modules completed was high. Participants completed a high percentage of the homework and were highly satisfied with both CBIA and CBIA + CC. At post-intervention, there was a lower incidence of depression and depressive symptoms for CBIA + CC compared with CBIA, and for CBIA and CBIA + CC compared with ACG. The results supported the feasibility and acceptability of the cognitive-behavioral intervention, and demonstrated that telephone contact improves its effectiveness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although sexual assaults on female university students are a public health concern, studies that have examined this issue have not used behaviorally specific definitions of the various types of sexual victimization. Furthermore, hardly any data exists on female Spanish university students. The objectives of this study were to analyze the prevalence of different forms of sexual assault against female Spanish university students, determine the risk factors associated with sexual assault, analyze the association between sexual victimization and mental health problems, and determine the differential risk of more serious types of sexual assault. A cross-sectional study was conducted among a random sample of 871 students from the University of Santiago de Compostela (Spain) (mean age 20.7 years, SD = 2.8). The current study assessed various types of sexual violence (i.e., unwanted sexual contact, attempted coercion, coercion, attempted rape, rape), as well as rates of depression, anxiety, stress, eating disorders, substance abuse, suicide risk, and suicide attempts. Of the female students surveyed, 28.5% had suffered some form of sexual violence during the previous year, 22.3% reported unwanted sexual contact, 8.8% attempted coercion, 6.5% coercion, 10.4% attempted rape, and 7.9% had been raped. Lower risk was associated with having a partner and being heterosexual. Being 18 years of age and prior experiences of sexual victimization were associated with higher risk. Being the victim of attempted coercion was associated with a higher risk of depression, while victims of attempted rape were at higher risk for substance use. Rape victims were at the highest risk for all mental health conditions studied, with the exception of suicide attempts. Due to the high rates at which Spanish female university students experience sexual violence, planning and resources are needed to address their mental health needs, especially those who are victims of rape. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]