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Introduction: Academic stress (AS) is a prevalent challenge faced by university students, potentially affecting molecular indicators such as brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and global DNA methylation (G-DNA-M). These indicators could illuminate the physiological ramifications of academic stress. Study Design and Methods: This research followed a quantitative, non-experimental, longitudinal panel design spanning two academic semesters, observing phenomena in their natural context. Students from the Medical Technology program at Universidad de Concepción, Chile were involved, with assessments at the beginning and during heightened academic stress periods. Sample: Of the total participants, 63.0% were females, with an average age of 21.14 years at baseline, and 36.92% were males, averaging 21.36 years. By the study's conclusion, female participants averaged 21.95 years, and males 22.13 years. Results: Significant differences were observed between initial and final assessments for the SISCO-II Inventory of Academic Stress and Beck Depression Inventory-II, notably in stressor scores, and physical, and psychological reactions. Gender differences emerged in the final physical and psychological reactions. No significant changes were detected between the two assessments in plasma BDNF or G-DNA-M values. A refined predictive model showcased that, on average, there was a 3.56% decrease in females' plasma BDNF at the final assessment and a 17.14% decrease in males. In the sample, the G-DNA-M percentage at the final assessment increased by 15.06% from the baseline for females and 18.96% for males. Conclusions: The study underscores the physiological impact of academic stress on university students, evidenced by changes in markers like BDNF and G-DNA-M. These findings offer an in-depth understanding of the intricate mechanisms regulating academic stress responses and highlight the need for interventions tailored to mitigate its physiological and psychological effects.

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Post-traumatic stress (PTSD) disorder is a mental health condition that can occur after experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event. The 27-F earthquake that struck Chile in 2010 was one such event that had a significant impact on the mental health of the population. A study was conducted to investigate the prevalence of PTSD and its associated factors among survivors of this earthquake. The study was a longitudinal design, involving a sample of 913 patients aged 18 to 75 years who attended 10 Primary Care Centers in Concepción, Chile. The Composite International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI) was used to assess both depressive episodes (DE) and PTSD before and after the earthquake. The study also involved genotyping studies using saliva samples from the participants, specifically focusing on the Val66Met and 5-HTTLPR polymorphisms. Statistical analysis was performed to examine the association between different variables and the presence of PTSD. These variables included demographic factors, family history of psychiatric disorders, DE, childhood maltreatment experiences, and critical traumatic events related to the earthquake. The results showed that the incidence of post-earthquake PTSD was 11.06%. No significant differences were found between the groups of participants who developed post-earthquake PTSD regarding the Val66Met or 5-HTTLPR polymorphisms. However, a significant association was found between the concomitant diagnosis of DE and the development of post-earthquake PTSD. The presence of DE doubled the risk of developing post-earthquake PTSD. The number of traumatic events experienced also had a statistically significant association with an increased risk of developing post-earthquake PTSD. The study's limitations include the potential interference of different DE subtypes, the complexity of quantifying the degree of earthquake exposure experienced by each individual, and events entailing social disruption, such as looting, that can profoundly influence distress. In conclusion, the study found that PTSD following the 27-F earthquake in Chile was associated with a concomitant diagnosis of DE and the number of traumatic events experienced. The study did not find a significant association between PTSD and the Val66Met or 5-HTTLPR polymorphisms. The researchers recommend that mental health professionals should prioritize the detection and treatment of concomitant depressive episodes and exposure to critical traumatic events in survivors of disasters. They also suggest that further research is needed to better understand the relationship between genetic factors and post-disaster PTSD.

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la alfabetización en salud mental (ASM) se define como el conocimiento y las creencias sobre los trastornos mentales que ayudan a su reconocimiento, manejo y prevención. Se buscó traducir, adaptar y validar el instrumento canadiense Test Mental Health & High School Curriculum Guide (TMHHSCG) en estudiantes de secundaria y universitarios chilenos. Materiales y métodos: estudio de diseño instrumental en adolescentes (n = 454) y jóvenes (n = 434). Se llevó a cabo un proceso de adaptación compuesto por traducción y retrotraducción, y entrevistas cognitivas y de validación a través de análisis factorial para la validez de criterio y de constructo, análisis de validez convergente y divergente y análisis de invarianza factorial. Resultados: las dimensiones del TMHHSCGCL que conforman la ASM (conocimiento sobre trastornos mentales y salud mental, estigma hacia las personas con trastorno mental y búsqueda de ayuda) cumplieron con el requisito de un factor superior o igual 0.3. Hubo niveles de correlación moderada, positiva y significativa entre las dimensiones del test y entre este y las tres escalas utilizadas para probar la validez de criterio, tuvo buena consistencia interna y validez de constructo, convergente y discriminante. El análisis de invarianza de medición comparó modelos de manera progresiva y mostró una buena invarianza factorial. Conclusión: el TMHHSCGCL muestra adecuadas propiedades psicométricas que incorpora todos los componentes de la ASM. Ello permitirá medir el nivel de ASM para desarrollar intervenciones de prevención y promoción en salud mental en estudiantes de educación secundaria y universitaria.

Mental Health Literacy (mhl) is defined as knowledge and beliefs about mental disorders that aid in their recognition, management and prevention. We sought to translate, adapt and validate the Canadian instrument Test Mental Health & High School Curriculum Guide (tmhhscg) in Chilean high school and university students. Materials and methods: Instrumental design study in adolescents (n = 454) and young adults (n = 434). An adaptation process consisting of translation and back-translation, and cognitive and validation interviews was carried out by means of factor analysis for criterion and construct validity, convergent and divergent validity analysis, and factorial invariance analysis. Results: The dimensions of the tmhhscg-cl that compose the mhl (knowledge about mental disorders and mental health, stigma towards people with mental disorders, and help-seeking) met the requirement of a factor greater than or equal to 0.3. There were moderate, positive and significant levels of correlation between the test dimensions and between the test and the three scales used to test criterion validity, had good internal consistency and construct, convergent and discriminant validity. The measurement invariance analysis compared the models progressively and showed good factorial invariance. Conclusion: The tmhhscg-cl shows adequate psychometric properties incorporating all the components of mhl. This will allow measuring the level of mhl, in order to develop prevention and promotion interventions in mental health in high school and university students.

a alfabetização em saúde mental (asm) é definida como o conhecimento e as crenças sobre perturbações mentais que ajudam no seu reconhecimento, gestão e prevenção. Procurámos traduzir, adaptar e validar o instrumento canadiano Test Mental Health & High School Curriculum Guide (tmhhscg) em estudantes chilenos do ensino secundário e universitários. Materiais e métodos: estudo de concepção instrumental em adolescentes (n = 454) e jovens adultos (n = 434). Foi realizado um processo de adapta-ção que consiste na tradução e retrotradução, entrevistas cognitivas e validação através da análise de fatores para critérios e construção de validade, análise de validade convergente e divergente, e análise de invariância fatorial. Resultados: as dimensões tmhhscg-cl que compreendem o asm (conhecimento sobre perturbações mentais e saúde mental, estigma para pessoas com perturbações mentais, e procura de ajuda) cumpriram a exigência de um fator maior ou igual a 0,3. Havia níveis moderados, positivos e significativos de correlação entre as dimensões do teste e entre o teste e as três escalas utilizadas para testar a validade dos critérios, boa consistência interna e validade construtiva, convergente e discrimi-nante. A análise da invariância das medições comparou progressivamente os modelos e mostrou uma boa invariância fatorial. Conclusão: o tmhhscg-cl mostra propriedades psicométricas adequadas incorpo-rando todos os componentes da asm. Isto permitir-nos-á medir o nível de asm a fim de desenvolver inter-venções de prevenção e promoção da saúde mental em estudantes do ensino secundário e universitário.

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The aim of this study was to determine the immersive virtual reality-based sensorimotor rehabilitation (IVR-SRB) effect on mental health (global mental health, depression, anxiety and well-being) in older adults. METHODS: This study was experimental, with a sample of 111 older adults (control-experimental), considering an application of IVR-SRB in four different virtual settings with exteroceptive synchronization, proprioceptive and vestibular stimuli, for 6 weeks. OUTCOME VARIABLES: symptoms associated with depression and anxiety; positive mental health (psychological well-being). A descriptive and inferential approach was used to analyze the data, and the ANCOVA test was used to compare the post-intervention groups, controlled by the baseline; In case of baseline moderation, a linear regression model was applied to identify the level of moderation and a region of significance analysis. RESULTS: An IVR-SRB positive net effect was found in the reduction of symptoms of global mental health (p < 0.0001) and depression (p < 0.0001), without baseline moderation. The anxiety scores showed moderation at the beginning (p < 0.0001; b = -0.53), identifying that the greater the presence of anxiety symptoms, the greater the effect of IVR-SRB in reducing these symptoms; its effect is present from scores of 2.9 (Goldberg-12). There were no changes in well-being. CONCLUSION: IVR-SRB is recognized as a great intervention tool among elderly population, showing its multidimensional approach capacity, properly responding to the reduction of symptoms associated with mental disorders.

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OBJECTIVE: To determine whether etifoxine, a non-benzodiazepine drug of the benzoxazine family, is non-inferior compared with clonazepam in the treatment of anxiety disorders. METHOD: A randomized controlled double blind trial with parallel groups was conducted. A total of 179 volunteer patients with a diagnosis of anxiety disorder (DSM-IV), between 18 and 64 years of age, participated in this study. The experimental group received 150 mg/day of etifoxine and the control 1 mg/day of clonazepam, both in three daily doses for 12 weeks. This treatment was completed by 87 participants, and 70 were available for follow-up at 24 weeks from start of treatment. The primary objective was a non-inferiority comparison between etifoxine and clonazepam in the decrease of anxiety symptoms (HAM-A) at 12 weeks of treatment. Secondary outcomes included the evaluation of medication side effects (UKU), anxiety symptoms at 24 weeks of treatment, and clinical improvement (CGI). Data analysis included multiple imputation of missing data. The effect of etifoxine on the HAM-A, UKU, and CGI was evaluated with the intention of treatment, and a sensitivity analysis of the results was conducted. Non-inferiority would be declared by a standardized mean difference (SMD) between clonazepam and etifoxine not superior to 0.31 in favour of clonazepam. RESULTS: Using imputed data, etifoxine shows non-inferiority to clonazepam on the reduction of anxiety symptoms at the 12-week (SMD = 0.407; 95% CI, 0.069, 0.746) and 24-week follow-ups (SMD = 0.484; 95% CI, 0.163, 0.806) and presented fewer side effects (SMD = 0.58; 95% CI, 0.287, 0.889). LOCF analysis shows that etifoxine is non-inferior to clonazepam on reduction of anxiety symptoms and adverse symptoms even when no change was assigned as result to participant whom withdrew. Non-inferiority could be declared for clinical improvement (SMD = 0.326; 95% CI, - 0.20, 0.858). CONCLUSION: Etifoxine was non-inferior to clonazepam on reduction of anxiety symptoms, adverse effects, and clinical improvement.

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Oligomeric ß-amyloid peptide (Aß) is one of the main neurotoxic agents of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Oligomers associate to neuronal membranes, forming "pore-like" structures that cause intracellular calcium and neurotransmitter dyshomeostasis, leading to synaptic failure and death. Through molecular screening targeting the C terminal region of Aß, a region involved in the toxic properties of the peptide, we detected an FDA approved compound, gabapentin (GBP), with neuroprotective effects against Aß toxicity. At micromolar concentrations, GBP antagonized peptide aggregation over time and reduced the Aß absorbance plateau to 28% of control. In addition, GBP decreased Aß association to membranes by almost half, and the effects of Aß on intracellular calcium in hippocampal neurons were antagonized without causing effects on its own. Finally, we found that GBP was able to block the synaptotoxicity induced by Aß in hippocampal neurons, increasing post-synaptic currents from 1.7 ± 0.9 to 4.2 ± 0.7 fC and mean relative fluorescence intensity values of SV2, a synaptic protein, from 0.7 ± 0.09 to 1.00 ± 0.08. The results show that GBP can interfere with Aß-induced toxicity by blocking multiple steps, resulting in neuroprotection, which justifies advancing toward additional animal and human studies.

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BACKGROUND: According to the stress inoculation hypothesis, successfully navigating life stressors may improve one's ability to cope with subsequent stressors, thereby increasing psychiatric resilience. AIMS: Among individuals with no baseline history of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and/or major depressive disorder (MDD), to determine whether a history of a stressful life event protected participants against the development of PTSD and/or MDD after a natural disaster. METHOD: Analyses utilised data from a multiwave, prospective cohort study of adult Chilean primary care attendees (years 2003-2011; n = 1160). At baseline, participants completed the Composite International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI), a comprehensive psychiatric diagnostic instrument, and the List of Threatening Experiences, a 12-item questionnaire that measures major stressful life events. During the study (2010), the sixth most powerful earthquake on record struck Chile. One year later (2011), the CIDI was re-administered to assess post-disaster PTSD and/or MDD. RESULTS: Marginal structural logistic regressions indicated that for every one-unit increase in the number of pre-disaster stressors, the odds of developing post-disaster PTSD or MDD increased (OR = 1.21, 95% CI 1.08-1.37, and OR = 1.16, 95% CI 1.06-1.27 respectively). When categorising pre-disaster stressors, individuals with four or more stressors (compared with no stressors) had higher odds of developing post-disaster PTSD (OR = 2.77, 95% CI 1.52-5.04), and a dose-response relationship between pre-disaster stressors and post-disaster MDD was found. CONCLUSIONS: In contrast to the stress inoculation hypothesis, results indicated that experiencing multiple stressors increased the vulnerability to developing PTSD and/or MDD after a natural disaster. Increased knowledge regarding the individual variations of these disorders is essential to inform targeted mental health interventions after a natural disaster, especially in under-studied populations.

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During the sixties, the psychiatric care models evolved to a community care model, as a consequence of the asylum model failure. This new model assumes that psychosocial issues have a role, along with biological factors, in the development of mental diseases. In 2017 the National Mental health plan was created, based on this new model. It aimed to correct the flaws of the previous plan. We herein review this new plan, based on previous and international experiences. We also analyze the implementation of a community model of mental health care. The implementation of such a model without the support of the state and overlooking importance of mental health care, is extremely difficult.

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RESUMEN La perspectiva temporal se ha asociado a hábitos relacionados con salud. Específicamente, el futuro ha sido asociado a cambios en el estilo de vida como la incorporación de ejercicio físico. En cambio, el presente hedonista se ha asociado a la perdida sub-óptima de peso en pacientes bariátricos. Objetivo: Evaluar la relación entre las variables de la perspectiva temporal y el porcentaje de peso total perdido; su mantención o re-ganancia desde el nadir, en pacientes bariátricos. Material y métodos: Se aplicó a 97 pacientes bariátricos el Inventario de la Perspectiva Temporal de Zimbardo y Boyd, y un cuestionario de estilo de vida construido para esta investigación. Resultados: Un mayor porcentaje de peso total perdido se asoció significativamente a futuro (r= 0,221; p<0,05) y desviación del perfil temporal negativo (r= 0,324; p<0,05). La pérdida de peso insuficiente estuvo asociada al presente fatalista (t= −2,16; p= 0,033) y desviación del perfil temporal balanceado (t= −2,81; p= 0,006). La re-ganancia del %PTP se asoció significativamente a la desviación del perfil temporal balanceado (t= −2,09; p= 0,045) y al consumo de dulces (X2= 13,42; p= 0,009). Conclusiones: Una mayor desviación de la perspectiva temporal balanceada y un mayor consumo de dulces se asociaron a una pérdida de peso insuficiente y a la recuperación desde el nadir.

ABSTRACT Background: A person's perspective of time has been associated with health-related habits. Specifically, future has been associated with changes in lifestyle as well the incorporation of physical exercise. In contrast, current hedonism is associated with sub-optimal weight loss in bariatric patients. Aim: To evaluate the relationship between seven variables of a time perspective and percentage of total weight loss; maintenance or weight regain among bariatric patients. Material and Methods: A sample of 97 bariatric patients answered the Inventory of Temporary Orientation and lifestyle questionnaires. Results: A greater percentage of total weight loss was significantly associated with future (r= 0.221; p<0.05) and deviations from negative time profile (r= 0.324; p<0.05). Insufficient weight loss was associated with a fatalistic present (t= −2.16, p= 0.033) and deviations from a balanced time perspective (t= −2.81; p= 0.006). Regaining weight was significantly associated to deviations from a balanced time perspective (t= −2.09; p=0.045) and consumption of sweets (X2= 13.42; p= 0.009). Conclusions: Deviations from a balanced time perspective and consumption of sweets are associated with sub-optimal weight loss and regaining weight.

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