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This study had the aim of examining the relationships between variations in estrogen levels resulting from ovariectomy, and estrogen hormone replacement therapy (HRT) in rats subjected to an orofacial inflammatory pain model. Eighty adult female Wistar rats were initially divided into 2 groups: Sham or ovariectomy (OVX-D1). Seven days later (D7), the rats were subjected to an unilateral infiltration of Freund's Complete Adjuvant (CFA) or saline solution into the right temporomandibular joint (TMJ). Then, rats received 17ß-estradiol (28 µg/kg/day) or placebo for 21 days (D10-D31). Nociception was evaluated by the von Frey (VF) and the Hot Plate (HP) tests, and depressive-like behavior by the Forced Swimming (FS) test. On D32 all rats were euthanized and serum, hippocampus and brainstem were collected. The CFA groups presented a mechanical hyperalgesia until day 21 (p ≤ 0.05). No differences were observed among groups in the HP (p = 0.735), and in the immobility and swimming time of the FS (p = 0.800; p = 0.998, respectively). In the brainstem, there was a significant difference in the TNF-ɑ levels (p = 0.043), and a marginal significant difference in BDNF levels (p = 0.054), without differences among groups in the hippocampal BDNF and TNF-ɑ levels (p = 0.232; p = 0.081, respectively). In conclusion, the hormone replacement therapy did not alleviate orofacial pain in ovariectomized rats. However, there is a decrease in brainstem TNF-ɑ levels in the animals submitted to both models, which was partially reverted by HRT.

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BACKGROUND: Musculoskeletal pain is a condition that affects bones, muscles, and tendons and is present in various diseases and/or clinical conditions. This type of pain represents a growing problem with enormous socioeconomic impacts, highlighting the importance of developing treatments tailored to the patient's needs. TRP is a large family of non-selective cation channels involved in pain perception. Vanilloid (TRPV1 and TRPV4), ankyrin (TRPA1), and melastatin (TRPM8) are involved in physiological functions, including nociception, mediation of neuropeptide release, heat/cold sensing, and mechanical sensation. OBJECTIVE: In this context, we provide an updated view of the most studied preclinical models of muscle hyperalgesia and the role of transient receptor potential (TRP) in these models. METHODS: This review describes preclinical models of muscle hyperalgesia induced by intramuscular administration of algogenic substances and/or induction of muscle damage by physical exercise in the masseter, gastrocnemius, and tibial muscles. RESULTS: The participation of TRPV1, TRPA1, and TRPV4 in different models of musculoskeletal pain was evaluated using pharmacological and genetic tools. All the studies detected the antinociceptive effect of respective antagonists or reduced nociception in knockout mice. CONCLUSION: Hence, TRPV1, TRPV4, and TRPA1 blockers could potentially be utilized in the future for inducing analgesia in muscle hypersensitivity pathologies.

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OBJECTIVES: Pain is associated with many circumstances, including inflammatory reactions, which arise from modification of the features of signaling pathways. α2-adrenergic receptor antagonists are widely utilized in narcosis. Here, the authors focused on the narcotic effect of A-80426 (A8) on Complete Freund's Adjuvant (CFA) injections-triggered chronic inflammation pain in WT and TRPV1-/- mice and explored whether its antinociceptive impact was modulated via Transient Receptor Potential Vanilloid 1 (TRPV1). METHOD: CFA with or without A8 was co-administered to the mice, which were categorized randomly into four groups: CFA, A8, control, and vehicle. Pain behaviors underwent evaluation through mechanical withdrawal threshold, abdominal withdrawal reflex, and thermal withdrawal latency of WT animals. RESULTS: Quantitative polymerase chain reaction revealed that inflammation-promoting cytokines (IL-1ß, IL-6, and TNF-α) were upregulated in Dorsal Root Ganglion (DRG) and Spinal Cord Dorsal Horn (SCDH) tissues of WT animals. A8 administration reduced the pain behaviors and production of pro-inflammatory cytokines; however, this effect was significantly reduced in TRPV1-/- mice. Further analysis showed that CFA treatment reduced the TRPV1 expression in WT mice and A8 administration increased its expression and activity. The co-administration of SB-705498, a TRPV1 blocker, did not influence the pain behaviors and inflammation cytokines in CFA WT mice; however, SB-705498 the effect of A8 in WT mice. In addition, the TRPV1 block decreased the NFκB and PI3K activation in the Dorsal Root Ganglia (DRG) and Spinal Cord Dorsal Horn (SCDH) tissues of WT mice. CONCLUSIONS: Together, A8 exerted a narcotic impact on CFA-supplemented mice via the TRPV1-modulated NFκB and PI3K pathway.

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OBJECTIVE: The Eating Disorder-15 (ED-15) is a brief measure developed for the routine assessment of eating disorder (EDs), despite its use in research settings having increased over the last few years. To assess the psychometric properties of the ED-15 in a nonclinical sample of Chilean women. METHOD: A multicultural Spanish-language version was developed through combined translation techniques. University female students (N = 380) (Mage 22.32, SD = 2.48) were recruited through social media. After providing their informed consent, participants completed a battery of questionnaires online. RESULTS: A bi-factor model replicating the bi-factor structure and providing support for the general factor showed the best fit to the data. Moderate-to-strong correlations with measures of EDs, physical comparison, body appreciation, social physique anxiety, and depressive symptoms are presented as evidence of concurrent and convergent validity. Items analyses revealed strong correlations between manifest variables, their correspondent latent variable and the general factor (rs  = .60 to .89, ps < .001). Additionally, current findings provide support for the internal consistency of the scale (Cronbach's alpha and Omega values were ≥ .80) and test-retest reliability (ICCs = .84 to .89, ps < .001). DISCUSSION: Like previous findings, the current study provides validity to the original bi-factor structure of the ED-15 and additional validity to a general factor. The availability of this multicultural Spanish-language version would provide session-by-session assessment, providing crucial information throughout treatment. Also, the availability of the current measure would contribute to further research efforts in a yet understudied population such as Hispanic women. PUBLIC SIGNIFICANCE: The Eating Disorder-15 (ED-15) is a promising measure meant to assess session-by-session change for clinical and research purposes. The availability of a Multicultural Spanish language version of the ED-15 allows for routine clinical assessment and represents a contribution for research efforts in a yet understudied populations such as Hispanic women.

OBJETIVO: El Eating Disorder-15 (ED-15) es una breve medida de trastornos alimentarios (TCA) diseñada para realizar una evaluación rutinaria, a pesar de que su uso en la investigación ha crecido en los últimos años. Evaluar las propiedades psicométricas del ED-15 en una muestra no clínica de mujeres chilenas. MÉTODO: Se desarrolló una versión multicultural al español mediante técnicas de traducción combinadas. Las estudiantes universitarias (N = 380) (Medad 22.32, DT = 2.48) fueron reclutadas en redes sociales. Después de dar su consentimiento, las participantes completaron cuestionarios en línea. RESULTADOS: un modelo bifactorial que replica la estructura de dos factores y proporciona soporte para un factor general mostró el mejor ajuste. Correlaciones moderadas a fuertes con medidas de TCA, comparación física, apreciación corporal, ansiedad social física y síntomas depresivos se presentan como evidencia de validez concurrente y convergente. Análisis de ítems revelaron fuertes correlaciones entre las variables manifiestas, su correspondiente variable latente y el factor general (rs  = .60 a .89, ps < .001). Los hallazgos actuales respaldan la consistencia interna (alfa Cronbach y Omega > .80) y la confiabilidad test-retest (ICC = .84 a .89, ps < .001). DISCUSIÓN: El estudio actual proporciona validez a la estructura original de 2 factores del ED-15 y validez adicional a un factor general. La disponibilidad de esta versión multicultural en español permitirá una evaluación sesión por sesión, brindando información clínica crucial al tratamiento. Su disponibilidad permitirá el desarrollo de investigaciones en una población aún poco estudiada como la de mujeres latinas.

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Abstract Objectives Pain is associated with many circumstances, including inflammatory reactions, which arise from modification of the features of signaling pathways. α2-adrenergic receptor antagonists are widely utilized in narcosis. Here, the authors focused on the narcotic effect of A-80426 (A8) on Complete Freund's Adjuvant (CFA) injections-triggered chronic inflammation pain in WT and TRPV1-/- mice and explored whether its antinociceptive impact was modulated via Transient Receptor Potential Vanilloid 1 (TRPV1). Method CFA with or without A8 was co-administered to the mice, which were categorized randomly into four groups: CFA, A8, control, and vehicle. Pain behaviors underwent evaluation through mechanical withdrawal threshold, abdominal withdrawal reflex, and thermal withdrawal latency of WT animals. Results Quantitative polymerase chain reaction revealed that inflammation-promoting cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α) were upregulated in Dorsal Root Ganglion (DRG) and Spinal Cord Dorsal Horn (SCDH) tissues of WT animals. A8 administration reduced the pain behaviors and production of pro-inflammatory cytokines; however, this effect was significantly reduced in TRPV1-/- mice. Further analysis showed that CFA treatment reduced the TRPV1 expression in WT mice and A8 administration increased its expression and activity. The co-administration of SB-705498, a TRPV1 blocker, did not influence the pain behaviors and inflammation cytokines in CFA WT mice; however, SB-705498 the effect of A8 in WT mice. In addition, the TRPV1 block decreased the NFκB and PI3K activation in the Dorsal Root Ganglia (DRG) and Spinal Cord Dorsal Horn (SCDH) tissues of WT mice. Conclusions Together, A8 exerted a narcotic impact on CFA-supplemented mice via the TRPV1-modulated NFκB and PI3K pathway.

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Este trabalho objetivou avaliar as propriedades psicométricas da escala Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD-7) em uma amostra não clínica brasileira. Para tanto, foi realizada Análise Fatorial Confirmatória e de invariância de medida, assim como investigada evidências de fidedignidade e de validade baseada na relação com outras variáveis. Além disso, rastreou-se os níveis de ansiedade no contexto da pandemia da COVID-19 e verificou-se a relação com o sexo e a escolaridade da amostra. Participaram 4805 pessoas, de ambos os sexos e de todas as regiões do país, com idade média de aproximadamente 30 anos. Os resultados evidenciaram unidimensionalidade da GAD-7 e sua invariância de medida entre indivíduos com diferentes níveis de escolaridade e sexo. Os participantes apresentaram, em sua maioria, nível moderado e severo de ansiedade. Observou-se que o sexo feminino e menor nível de escolaridade aumentaram as chances de apresentar sintomatologia ansiosa significativa

This paper aimed to evaluate the psychometric properties of the Generalized Anxiety Disorder scale (GAD-7) in a Brazilian non-clinical sample. To this end, a Confirmatory Factor Analysis and measurement invariance were performed, as well as investigating evidence of reliability and validity based on the relationship with other variables. In addition, anxiety levels were tracked in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic and their relationship with sociodemographic characteristics was verified. 4805 people participated, of both sexes and from all regions of the country, with an average age of 31.3 years (SD = 11.91). The results showed onedimensionality of GAD-7 and its measurement equivalence between individuals with different levels of education and sex. The scale showed validity converging with the Questionnaire on Patient Health. Most of the participants had a moderate and severe level of anxiety. It was observed that the female gender and lower education level increased the chances of significant anxious symptoms

Este trabajo evaluó las propiedades psicométricas de la escala de Trastorno de Ansiedad Generalizada (GAD-7) en una muestra brasileña no clínica. Se realizó un Análisis Factorial Confirmatorio e invarianza de medida, y se investigó evidencias de confiabilidad y validez en base a la relación con otras variables. Además, se rastreó los niveles de ansiedad en el contexto de la pandemia de COVID-19 y se verificó su relación con las variables sociodemográficas. Participaron 4805 personas, de ambos sexos y de todas las regiones del país, con una edad media de 31,3 años (DE = 11,91). Los resultados mostraron unidimensionalidad de GAD-7 y su equivalencia de medida entre individuos con diferentes niveles de educación y sexo. La escala mostró validez convergente con el Cuestionario de Salud del Paciente. La mayoría de la muestra presentaba un nivel de ansiedad moderado y severo. Se observó que el sexo femenino y el menor nivel educativo aumentaron las posibilidades de presentar síntomas ansiosos

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BACKGROUND: One of the most significant human qualities is the ability to develop, implement, and flexibly maintain planned behaviour in order to achieve one's goals. Self-regulation has become a relatively well-researched area in the field of psychology and pedagogy. However, empirically valid and reliable instrument is still missing across European context. The primary goal of this research was to analyze the psychometric properties of the Czech version of the Self-Regulation Questionnaire (SRQ-CZ) among adult learners from Poland, Serbia, Slovakia, and the Czech Republic. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to examine the factor structure and psychometric properties of the SRQ-CZ validated in the Czech educational context in a multi-cultural sample. METHODS: A total of 1711 adult learners from European countries including Poland, Serbia, Slovakia, and the Czech Republic completed the SRQ-CZ. The first step to reviewing the validity of the SRQ-CZ included testing face validity. Furthermore, exploratory factor analysis (EFA) was performed on half the sample and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) on the other half. Measurement invariance was conducted across gender, age, and country followed by the evaluation of the reliability of the final instrument. RESULTS: EFA showed that a three-factor structure best fit the data. The originally proposed Impulse Control and Self-Direction are merged into one distinct factor, while Decision Making and Goal Orientation comprise the other two. Goodness-of-fit statistics yielded from CFA showed a good fit for the model, introducing a reliable and measurement invariant instrument. CONCLUSION: The present study used a diverse multi-cultural sample to explore the factorial structure and psychometric properties of the SRQ-CZ. A three-factor model was obtained as the result of the exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses. Further analysis aiming at measurement invariance, comparing the sample according to gender, age, and country, led to satisfactory results. The only exception was a lack of model fit in the case of Serbia. Although further psychometric evaluation of the SRQ-CZ is still needed, the presented results constitute significant findings, confirming instrument validity and utility as a measure of generalized self-regulation capacity across adult learners in European educational context.

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Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has created a public mental health crisis. Brief, valid electronic tools are required to evaluate mental health status, identify specific risk factors, and offer treatment when needed. Objective: To determine the construct validity, reliability, and measurement invariance of a brief screening tool for mental health symptoms by sex, loss of loved ones, personal COVID-19 status, and psychological care-seeking during the COVID-19 pandemic. Furthermore, the aim involved establishing a predictive pattern between the mental health variables. Method: A total sample of 27,320 Mexican participants, with a mean age of 32 years (SD = 12.24, range = 18-80), 67% women (n = 18,308), 23.10% with a loss of loved ones (n = 6,308), 18.3% with COVID-19 status (n = 5,005), and 18.40% seeking psychological care (n = 5,026), completed a questionnaire through a WebApp, containing socio-demographic data (sex, loss of loved ones, COVID-19 status, and psychological care-seeking) and the dimensions from the Posttraumatic Checklist, Depression-Generalized Anxiety Questionnaires, and Health Anxiety-Somatization scales. We used the confirmatory factor analysis (CFA: through maximum likelihood to continuous variable data, as an estimation method), the invariance measurement, and the structural equational modeling (SEM) to provide evidence of the construct validity of the scale and the valid path between variables. We analyzed the measurement invariance for each dimension by comparison groups to examine the extent to which the items showed comparable psychometric properties. Findings: The tool included eight dimensions: four posttraumatic stress symptoms -intrusion, avoidance, hyperactivation, and numbing, as well as depression, generalized anxiety, health anxiety, and somatization The tool's multidimensionality, was confirmed through the CFA and SEM. The participants' characteristics made it possible to describe the measurement invariance of scales because of the participants' attributes. Additionally, our findings indicated that women reported high generalized anxiety, hyperactivation, and depression. Those who lost loved ones reported elevated levels of intrusion and health anxiety symptoms. Participants who reported having COVID-19 presented with high levels of generalized anxiety symptoms. Those who sought psychological care reported high levels of generalized anxiety, intrusion, hyperactivation, and health anxiety symptoms. Our findings also show that intrusion was predicted by the avoidance dimension, while health anxiety was predicted by the intrusion dimension. Generalized anxiety was predicted by the health anxiety and hyperactivation dimensions, and hyperactivation was predicted by the depression one. Depression and somatization were predicted by the health anxiety dimension. Last, numbing was predicted by the depression and avoidance dimensions. Discussion and Outlook: Our findings indicate that it was possible to validate the factor structure of posttraumatic stress symptoms and their relationship with depression, anxiety, and somatization, describing the specific bias as a function of sociodemographic COVID-19-related variables. We also describe the predictive pattern between the mental health variables. These mental health problems were identified in the community and primary health care scenarios through the CFA and the SEM, considering the PCL, depression, generalized anxiety, health anxiety, and somatization scales adapted during the COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, future studies should describe the diagnosis of mental health disorders, assessing the cut-off points in the tool to discriminate between the presence and absence of conditions and mental health cut-off points. Community and primary care screening will lead to effective early interventions to reduce the mental health risks associated with the current pandemic. Limitations: Future studies should follow up on the results of this study and assess consistency with diagnoses of mental health disorders and evaluate the effect of remote psychological help. Moreover, in the future, researchers should monitor the process and the time that has elapsed between the occurrence of traumatic events and the development of posttraumatic stress and other mental health risks through brief electronic measurement tools such as those used in this study.

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Methotrexate (MTX) is a common drug used for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) treatment; however, a series of adverse effects associated with its oral or subcutaneous administration is reported. Transdermal delivery of MTX is an alternative to abate these issues, and the use of drug delivery systems (DDS) based on polymeric films presents an impressive potential for this finality. Based on this, in this study, we report the preparation of films made by cationic starch (CSt), poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA), and chondroitin sulfate (ChS) to incorporate and release MTX, as well as the in vivo evaluation in model of rheumatoid arthritis in mice. CSt/PVA and CSt/PVA/ChS-based films (with and without MTX) were prepared using a simple protocol under mild conditions. The films loaded with 5 w/w-% of MTX exhibited appreciable drug loading efficiency and distribution. The MTX permeation through the layers of porcine skin demonstrated that most of the drug permeated was detected in the medium, suggesting that the formulation can provide a systemic absorption of the MTX. In vivo studies performed in an arthritis-induced model in mice demonstrated that the MTX-loaded films were able to treat and attenuate the symptoms and the biochemical alterations related to RA (inflammatory process, oxidative stress, and nociceptive behaviors). Besides, the pharmacological activity of MTX transdermally delivery by the CSt/PVA and CSt/PVA/ChS films was comparable to the MTX orally administered. Based on these results, it can be inferred that both films are prominent materials for incorporation and transdermal delivery of MTX in a practical and non-invasive manner.

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Internalized homonegativity results from the acceptance of negative attitudes about one's same-sex orientation, which has negative consequences for the health of gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men (GBM). We translated the 7-item Reactions to Homosexuality Scale (RHS) to Brazilian Portuguese and assessed its factor structure, validity and reliability. The first step included the translation, back-translation, evaluation, peer review, and pre-testing of the scale. Then, we piloted the scale in two convenience samples of adult Brazilians recruited online during October 2019 and February to March 2020 through advertisements on Grindr and Hornet, respectively. The largest sample was randomly split into two groups for exploratory factor analysis (EFA) then confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). Criterion and construct validity were assessed via correlations between scale scores and study variables. A total of 5573 GBM (sample 1: 218; sample 2: 5355) completed the RHS. EFA (N = 2652) yielded two eigenvalues greater than one (Factor 1: 3.5 and Factor 2: 1.1). A one-factor solution provided the most interpretable model based on examination of scree plot and item factor loadings (χ2(14) = 1373.1, p < 0.001; CFI = 0.89; TLI = 0.84; RMSEA = 0.19; SRMS = 0.09). Though one-factor CFA showed moderate fit, freeing errors terms to covary, based on item content and interpretation, significantly improved model fit (χ2(12) = 309.1, p < .001; CFI = 0.97; TLI = 0.96; RMSEA = 0.09; SRMR = 0.02). As hypothesized, men who did not self-identify as gay (mean score 17.9 compared to those self-identifying as gay: 11.8) and men who reported no sex with men in the past 6 months (mean score 12.6 compared to those who reported sex with men: 10.6) scored higher reflecting higher internalized homonegativity. The RHS was effectively translated and validated in Brazilian Portuguese and can be used to evaluate the role of internalized homonegativity on GBM's health, as well as its impact on the uptake of HIV prevention technologies.

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