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The validity of the Multidimensional School Anger Inventory (MSAI) was examined with adolescents from 5 Pacific Rim countries (N = 3,181 adolescents; age, M = 14.8 years; 52% females). Confirmatory factor analyses examined configural invariance for the MSAI's anger experience, hostility, destructive expression, and anger coping subscales. The model did not converge for Peruvian students. Using the top 4 loaded items for anger experience, hostility, and destructive expression configural invariance and partial metric and scalar invariances were found. Latent means analysis compared mean responses on each subscale to the U.S. sample. Students from other countries showed higher mean responses on the anger experience subscale (ds = 0.37-0.73). Australian (d = 0.40) and Japanese students (d = 0.21) had significantly higher mean hostility subscale scores. Australian students had higher mean scores on the destructive expression subscale (d = 0.30), whereas Japanese students had lower mean scores (d = -0.17). The largest latent mean gender differences (females lower than males) were for destructive expression among Australian (d = -0.67), Guatemalan (d = -0.42), and U.S. (d = -0.66) students. This study supported an abbreviated, 12-item MSAI with partial invariance. Implications for the use of the MSAI in comparative research are discussed.

Moriche palm is consumed as both a fresh fruit and processed food in Peru and Brazil. Although its fruit contains phytoestrogens, the active compounds have not yet been identified. Therefore, we purified moriche palm extract (MPE) and identified compounds exhibiting estrogenic and antiandrogenic activities. Estrogenic activity was assessed by the estrogen‐dependent growth of MCF‐7 cells and increases in uterine weights in mice. Antiandrogenic activity was evaluated by 5α‐reductase inhibitory activity and prostate‐specific antigen (PSA) expression in LNCaP cells. In vivo antiestrogenic activity was also assessed based on testosterone‐induced prostate growth in castrated mice. Four methoxyflavans were isolated from MPE and all, except for 7,4′‐dihydroxy‐5‐methoxyflavan, promoted MCF‐7 cell growth, indicating estrogenic activity. Uterine and ovary weights increased in mice orally administered MPE (400 mg/kg) for 2 weeks. Regarding antiandrogenic activity, among the four methoxyflavans isolated, 6,7,4'‐trihydroxy‐5‐methoxyflavan (1 µg/ml) suppressed the mRNA and protein expression of PSA in LNCaP cells. Furthermore, prostate growth was suppressed in mice orally administered MPE (200 mg/kg) for 2 weeks. All methoxyflavans inhibited 5α‐reductase activity with IC50 less than 10 µg/ml. Collectively, the present results demonstrated that orally administered MPE exhibited estrogenic and antiandrogenic activities. Methoxyflavans, particularly 6,7,4′‐trihydroxy‐5‐methoxyflavan, appear to be the active compounds for these activities. Practical applications: The fruit of Mauritia flexuosa (moriche palm) has been used for beverages and processed foods. Although it is said to contain phytoestrogens, the active compounds have not yet been identified. In this study, we isolated and identified methoxyflavans exhibiting estrogenic and antiandrogenic activities. Among them, 6,7,4′‐trihydroxy‐5‐methoxyflavan appeared to be the most effective compounds for these activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]