Diana Cruz

Preparation and physicochemical characterization of Ag nanoparticles biosynthesized by Lippia citriodora (Lemon Verbena)

The purpose of this study was to develop a simple biological method for the synthesis of Ag nanoparticles (AgNPs) using Lippia citriodora leaves aqueous extract as reducing agent. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), energy-dispersive spectroscopy (EDX), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and visible absorption spectroscopy (UV-vis) confirmed the reduction of silver ions to AgNPs. Stable, spherical crystalline AgNPs with well defined dimensions (average size of 15-30 nm) were obtained, on treating aqueous silver nitrate with the plant leaf aqueous extract. The kinetic of particles formation was proportional to the effect of reducing agent concentration and was enhanced by the increase of temperature from 25 degrees C to 95 degrees C. Time, temperature and extract concentration did not influence significantly the shape and size of nanoparticles. In order to identify the compounds responsible for the bioreduction of silver ions and stabilization of the AgNPs formed, we investigated the constituents of L. citriodora aqueous extract by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and mass spectrometry (MS). The main compounds found were verbascoside, isoverbascoside, chrysoeriol-7-O-diglucoronide and luteonin-7-O-diglucoronide. The data obtained suggests that the isoverbascoside compound is responsible for Ag(+) ions reduction and act as capping agents of the nanoparticles afterwards.

Association between deliberate self-harm and coping in adolescents: a critical review of the last 10 years' literature.

Coping is commonly associated with deliberate self-harm (DSH) in adolescents. This article reviews the published literature from 2000 to 2010, aiming to highlight the current evidence supporting this association. Eighteen studies met the inclusion criteria, a total sample of 24,702 subjects was obtained and 17% were DSH cases. Emotion-focused coping style and in particular avoidant coping strategies have consistently been associated with DSH in adolescents. Problem-focused coping style seems to have a negative relation. Most studies were cross-sectional, which seriously limits our conclusions on causality. There is a clear need for more systematic studies, performed in accordance with consensual methodology.

Coping Strategies in Adolescents Who Self-Harm

BACKGROUND Adolescent self-harm (SH) is a major public health concern, associated with poor outcomes. The use of ineffective coping is often referred to in explanatory models of adolescent SH. AIMS To assess the relationship between SH and coping strategies in a large sample of school-aged adolescents. METHOD A sample of public school students (n = 1,713), aged between 12 and 20 years, were examined using an anonymously completed questionnaire. SH was defined according to strict criteria through a two-stage procedure. Study participants were divided into two groups: no self-harm and lifetime self-harm. The differences between groups were explored, including logistic regression analyses (controlling for anxiety and depression effects), to reveal which coping strategies better predicted lifetime SH. RESULTS The use of nonproductive strategies was associated with SH in both genders, particularly self-blame and tension reduction. Strategies involving consulting significant others for support were used less in the SH group, especially among male subjects. The preferential use of a productive coping style was negatively associated with the SH group in both genders. CONCLUSION The results support previous data regarding a different pattern of coping strategies used by adolescents who harm themselves. The use of self-rating instruments and the cross-sectional nature of the study limit our results.

Adolescents’ maps about well-being, distress and selfdestructive trajectories: What’s in their voices?

Res_por:O mapeamento de trajetorias adaptativas e desadaptativas na adolescencia tem sido um aspeto focal da investigacao em psicopatologia do desenvolvimento. Considerando a relevância de analisar a perspetiva dos jovens sobre as suas proprias experiencias, neste estudo foram explorados os fatores que contribuem para a adocao de trajetorias de bem-estar, distress e autodestruicao, numa amostra de conveniencia constituida por 33 jovens (13-21 anos), organizados em cinco grupos focais. O mapeamento que emergiu da analise das entrevistas aos adolescentes revelou sobretudo fatores familiares e individuais. Foi proposta uma hipotese sistemica explicativa da interatividade entre fatores familiares e individuais para as diferentes trajetorias de desenvolvimento: o clima relacional familiar e o apoio emocional criam um contexto em que a autorregulacao e a autoestima positiva sao incrementadas. Este estudo contribuiu para o aprofundamento da compreensao das trajetorias de desenvolvimento e o enriquecimento da reflexao acerca da conceptualizacao e implementacao de intervencoes preventivas e terapeuticas.

Relational circularity: perceived family patterns of functionality and the psychological adjustment in adolescents

Tendo em conta os varios sistemas que influenciam o adolescente, pretendemos, neste estudo, estudar a influencia da funcionalidade familiar no ajustamento psicologico do adolescente e as diferencas entre estas variaveis de acordo com o sexo e idade. O estudo exploratorio foi realizado com uma amostra de 318 adolescentes da zona centro de Portugal. A analise quantitativa de resultados foi realizada com o software SPSS 15.0, tendo-se concluido que: a) os padroes de funcionamento familiar nao ligado correlacionam-se negativamente com os comportamentos anti-social, depressivo e obsessivo; os de funcionamento familiar colaborativo apresentam correlacoes negativas com os comportamentos depressivo e obsessivo e b) os adolescentes do sexo feminino apresentam valores mais elevados do comportamento depressivo, ansioso, obsessivo e pro-social.

P01-240 Self-destructive behaviours in adolescence: Comparison with a normative sample relatively to psychological adjustment, self-esteem and stress perception

Adolescence is a developmental stage characterized by profound and diverse changes - individual, familial and social. The corresponding challenge of adapting can determine a chrysies period, in which may take place symptoms of psychological disorder, such as Self-destructive behaviours. The present study is a part of a wider investigation, in the extent of the work for a doctorate in Psychology about Influent factors in stress and well-being of youngsters presenting Self-destructive behaviours: quality of family relations, attachment and parenting styles. This preliminary study is a comparative one between a sample of youngsters, ranging from 12 to 21 years old, with a history of self-destructive behaviours, who resorted to the consult of the Suicide Studies Group of the Hospital of Santa Maria, and a normative sample comprising youngsters who have no such history, attending schools of the Lisbon region and the countrys Centre region. The goal is to compare the two samples relatively to the psychological adjustment - assessed through the presence of psychopathological symptoms - (YSR; Fonseca & Monteiro, 1999), self-esteem (SES; Faria, L., 2000) and stress perception (PSS; IPSSO, 2000), assessed through self-report questionnaires. The results reveal the presence of significant differences between the clinical group and the control group, concerning the variables at study.