New data on metacinnabar from Tuscany (Italy)

New crystallographic data collected on samples of metacinnabar from the Levigliani mine (Apuan Alps), Niccioleta mine (Metalliferous Hills), and the Monte Amiata Hg ore district are reported. The study of the samples from Levigliani completes the characterization of this phase, integrating the data already available in literature. Its crystal structure has been refined on the basis of single-crystal X-ray diffraction data, achieving a R1 factor = 0.044 on the basis of 43 reflections with Fo > 4σ(Fo). The crystal structure refinement confirms the substitution of Hg by Zn and Fe as well as the contraction of the unit-cell parameter [a = 5.7966(8) Å]. Samples from southern Tuscany do not show any significant chemical substitution. Metacinnabar from the Niccioleta mine was identified on the basis of X-ray powder diffraction only, due to the microcrystalline nature of the available material. The unit-cell parameter was refined on the basis of powder data [a = 5.859(1) Å]. Samples from the Monte Amiata Hg ore district were collected in the Bagnore and Pietrineri mines. Their unit-cell parameters, refined on the basis of single-crystal X-ray diffraction data, are a = 5.8358(14) Å (Bagnore) and 5.8355(5) Å (Pietrineri). The refinement of the crystal structures of samples from Bagnore and Pietrineri converged to R1 = 0.037 and 0.026, respectively. The occurrence of metacinnabar in the ore deposits from Tuscany can be interpreted as an evidence for relatively high temperatures (> 315°C) locally attained during Hg ore formation

Failure in reflective functioning as a key factor in the association between problematic social networking sites use, attachment and childhood maltreatment: A network analysis approach on gender differences

Following a network analysis approach, the present study aims to explore the pattern of mutual relationships between failure in reflective functioning (RF) - defined as hypomentalization - problematic social networking sites use (PSNSU), attachment anxiety and avoidance, and childhood maltreatment among emerging adults, with a focus on gender differences. The study sample comprises N = 1,614 emerging adults (Mage = 23.84; SD = 3.21; 50% identified themselves as women) who completed online self-assessment measures. Results showed significantly greater PSNSU, hypomentalization, childhood emotional abuse, and both attachment avoidance and anxiety among women. Indeed, within the network analysis, performed separately for men and women, network-specific associative patterns were observed; yet also similarities have emerged. Within the women's network, differently from males, attachment avoidance connects, through attachment anxiety, to emotional abuse, mood modification related to PSNSU, and hypomentalization. Nonetheless, hypomentalization was central in both networks, functioning as a hub between attachment anxiety, the PSNSU cluster, and the childhood maltreatment cluster. These results shed light on the use of social network sites as a potential maladaptive emotion regulation strategy, particularly among women. In this regard, the role of RF should be considered as a key treatment target to reduce PSNSU and support the use of adaptive emotion regulation strategies

Arsenoústalečite, Cu12(As2Te2)Se13, a new mineral, and crystal structures of arsenoústalečite and stibioústalečite

Arsenoústalečite is a new mineral discovered in a sample collected from the abandoned & Uacute;stale & ccaron; deposit near Hora & zcaron;& dcaron;ovice, SW Bohemia, Czech Republic. It occurs as rare anhedral grains, up to 40 mu m in size, in a calcite gangue, associated with stibio & uacute;stale & ccaron;ite, hakite-(Hg), berzelianite and uraninite. Arseno & uacute;stale & ccaron;ite is dark grey, with a metallic lustre. Mohs hardness is ca. 3 1/2 -4; calculated density is 5.730 g/cm(3). In reflected light, arseno & uacute;stale & ccaron;ite is pale grey with a yellowish shade; it is isotropic. Internal reflections were not observed. Reflectance values for the four COM wavelengths in air [R (%) lambda (nm)] are: 33.3 (470); 33.1 (546); 33.0 (589); and 32.9 (650). The empirical formula of arseno & uacute;stale & ccaron;ite is (Cu5.81Ag0.17)(Sigma 5.98)(Cu5.95Fe0.02Zn0.02Hg0.01)(Sigma 6.00)(As1.40Sb0.87Te1.73)(Sigma 4.00)(Se10.30S2.32)Sigma(12.61). The ideal formula is Cu-12(As2Te2)Se-13, which requires (in wt.%) Cu (34.76), As (6.83), Te- 11.63, Se (46.78), total 100.00. Arseno & uacute;stale & ccaron;ite is cubic, I3m, with unit-cell parameters a = 10.6580(19) & Aring;, V = 1210.7(6) & Aring;(3) and Z = 2. The strongest reflections of the calculated powder X-ray diffraction pattern [d, & Aring; (I, %) hkl] are: 3.077 (100) 222, 2.848 (10) 321, 1.946 (12) 521, 1.884(52) 440 and 1.608(21) 622. According to the single-crystal X-ray diffraction data (R1 = 0.0285 on the basis of 334 unique reflections with Fo > 4 sigma Fo and 24 refined parameters), arseno & uacute;stale & ccaron;ite is isotypic with other tetrahedrite-group minerals. The crystal structure of co-existing stibio & uacute;stale & ccaron;ite, with an empirical formula of (Cu5.69Ag0.07)(Sigma 5.76)(Cu5.80Zn0.13Fe0.06Hg0.01)(Sigma 6.00)(Sb1.82As0.42Te1.76)(Sigma 4.00)(Se9.52S3.10)(Sigma 12.62) and unit-cell parameters a = 10.6975(16) & Aring;, V = 1224.2(5) & Aring;(3) and Z = 2, was refined to R-1 = 0.0191 on the basis of 267 unique reflections with Fo > 4 sigma F-o and 24 refined parameters. Structural relationships and crystal-chemistry of both members of the & uacute;stale & ccaron;ite series are discussed. Arseno & uacute;stale & ccaron;ite is named after its type locality, the & Uacute;stale & ccaron; deposit and its chemical composition. The mineral and its name have been approved by the Commission on New Minerals, Nomenclature and Classification of the International Mineralogical Association (IMA2022-116

Time waits for no one: longitudinal study on the effects of an anti-stigma seminar on the psychology student population

The primary aim is to describe the changes in the knowledge of mental health conditions, the attitudes toward the mentally ill, and the intended behaviour towards people with mental illness among the entire student population of the third year of a degree course in Psychology. A total of 570 students attended a seminar on stigma towards mental illness and were invited to complete an online survey which collected data on sociodemographic characteristics and three validated questionnaires evaluating different aspects of stigma at three different time points (pre-intervention, post-intervention, and at one year follow up). A total of 253 students (44.39%) completed the questionnaires at t0, t1, and t2. The mean age of the sample was 23.7 (SD = ±5.89), and 86.96% (n = 220) were females. Between t0 and t1, a statistically significant improvement was observed for all three outcomes, while the intended behaviour outcome was no longer significant between t1 and t2 (Z = −0.70; p = 0.48). Females and who participated live at the seminar maintained a significant knowledge of mental illness and a better attitude toward community mental health care. The effects of the seminar focused on reducing stigma tended to diminish over time at one year follow-up, particular in relation to intended behaviour

Screening of candidate G-quadruplex ligands for the human c-KIT promotorial region and their effects in multiple in-vitro models

Stabilization of G-quadruplex (G4) structures in promoters is a novel promising strategy to regulate gene expression at transcriptional and translational levels. c-KIT proto-oncogene encodes for a tyrosine kinase receptor. It is involved in several physiological processes, but it is also dysregulated in many diseases, including cancer. Two G-rich sequences able to fold into G4, have been identified in c-KIT proximal promoter, thus representing suitable targets for anticancer intervention. Herein, we screened an \u201cin house\u201d library of compounds for the recognition of these G4 elements and we identified three promising ligands. Their G4-binding properties were analyzed and related to their antiproliferative, transcriptional and post-transcriptional effects in MCF7 and HGC27 cell lines. Besides c-KIT, the transcriptional analysis covered a panel of oncogenes known to possess G4 in their promoters. From these studies, an anthraquinone derivative (AQ1) was found to efficiently downregulate c-KIT mRNA and protein in both cell lines. The targeted activity of AQ1 was confirmed using c-KIT\u2013dependent cell lines that present either c-KIT mutations or promoter engineered (i.e., \u3b1155, HMC1.2 and ROSA cells). Present results indicate AQ1 as a promising compound for the target therapy of c-KIT-dependent tumors, worth of further and in depth molecular investigations

Association between sleep disturbances and suicidal behavior in adolescents: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Introduction: Adolescents' health and well-being are seriously threatened by suicidal behaviors, which have become a severe social issue worldwide. Suicide is one of the leading causes of mortality for adolescents in low and middle-income countries, with approximately 67,000 teenagers committing suicide yearly. Although an association between sleep disturbances (SDs) and suicidal behaviors has been suggested, data are still scattered and inconclusive. Therefore, to further investigate this association, we conducted a meta-analysis to verify if there is a link between SDs and suicidal behaviors in adolescents without diagnosed psychiatric disorders. Methods: PubMed, CENTRAL, EMBASE, and PsycINFO were searched from inception to August 30th, 2024. We included studies reporting the estimation of suicidal behaviors in adolescents from 12 to 21 years of age, with SDs and healthy controls. The meta-analysis was based on odds ratio (OR, with a 95% confidence interval ([CI]), estimates through inverse variance models with random-effects. Results: The final selection consisted of 19 eligible studies from 9 countries, corresponding to 628,525 adolescents with SDs and 567,746 controls. We found that adolescents with SDs are more likely to attempt suicide (OR: 3.10; [95% CI: 2.43; 3.95]) and experience suicidal ideation (OR: 2.28; [95% CI 1.76; 2.94]) than controls. Conclusion: This meta-analysis suggests that SDs are an important risk factor for suicidal ideation and suicide attempts in healthy adolescents. The findings highlight the importance of early identification of SDs to prevent suicidal behaviors in this population

Colchicine added to standard therapy further reduces fibrosis in pigs with myocardial infarction

Background: The anti-inflammatory drug colchicine improves the outcome of patients with myocardial infarction (MI). As an intense inflammatory and fibrotic response after MI may lead to scar expansion and left ventricular (LV) remodeling, the clinical benefit of colchicine could be related to a positive effect on the infarct scar and LV remodeling. Methods: Pigs underwent left anterior descending artery occlusion through an angioplasty balloon for 90 min and were then randomized into two groups: standard therapy [ACE inhibitor, beta blocker, mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist (MRA), aspirin] plus colchicine (n = 14) or standard therapy alone (n = 13). The pigs were treated for 30 days and underwent two cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) scans at 72 h and 30 days. The pigs were then sacrificed the day after the second CMR. The primary efficacy end point was the extent of fibrosis in the infarct zone (calculated on eight samples from this zone and averaged). Results: In the hearts explanted after 31 days, pigs in the colchicine group had less fibrosis in the infarct zone than the other animals [41.6% (20.4-51.0) vs. 57.4% (42.9-66.5); P = 0.022]. There was a trend toward a higher myocardial salvage index (MSI; an index of the efficacy of revascularization) in pigs on colchicine (P = 0.054). Conversely, changes in LV volumes, ejection fraction and mass did not differ between groups. Conclusion: Colchicine therapy for 1 month after reperfused MI further reduces myocardial fibrosis when added to standard therapy, while it does not have additional effects on LV remodeling

Effects of sacubitril-valsartan on remodelling, fibrosis and mitochondria in a murine model of isoproterenol-induced left ventricular dysfunction

Background: Sacubitril/valsartan has been demonstrated to promote left ventricular (LV) reverse remodelling and improve outcomes in patients with heart failure (HF) with reduced ejection fraction (EF). Its molecular and tissue effects have not been fully elucidated yet, due to the paucity of preclinical studies, mostly based on ischaemic models. We aimed to evaluate the effects of sacubitril/valsartan on LV remodelling, myocardial fibrosis and mitochondrial biology in a murine model of non-ischaemic LV dysfunction. Methods: Adult transgenic male mice with cardiac-specific hyperaldosteronism (AS mice) received subcutaneous isoproterenol injections to induce LV systolic dysfunction. After 7 days, mice were randomized to a 2-week treatment with saline (ISO-AS n = 15), valsartan (ISO + V n = 12) or sacubitril/valsartan (ISO + S/V n = 12). Echocardiography was performed at baseline, at day 7, and after each of the 2 weeks of treatment. After sacrifice at day 21, histological and immunochemical assays were performed. A control group of AS mice was also obtained (Ctrl-AS n = 8). Results: Treatment with sacubitril/valsartan, but not with valsartan, induced a significant improvement in LVEF (p = 0.009 vs ISO-AS) and fractional shortening (p = 0.032 vs ISO-AS) after 2- week treatment. In both ISO + V and ISO + S/V groups, a trend toward reduction of the cardiac collagen 1/3 expression ratio was detected. ISO + V and ISO + S/V groups showed a significant recovery of mitochondrial morphology and inner membrane function meant for oxidative phosphorylation. Conclusion: In a murine model of non-ischaemic HF, sacubitril/valsartan proved to have beneficial effects on LV systolic function, and on cardiac energetics, by improving mitochondrial activity

Head-to-head comparison of plasma cTnI concentration values measured with three high-sensitivity methods in a large Italian population of healthy volunteers and patients admitted to emergency department with acute coronary syndrome: A multi-center study

Abstract Background The study aim is to compare cTnI values measured with three high-sensitivity (hs) methods in apparently healthy volunteers and patients admitted to emergency department (ED) with acute coronary syndrome enrolled in a large multicentre study. Methods Heparinized plasma samples were collected from 1511 apparently healthy subjects from 8 Italian clinical institutions (mean age: 51.5 years, SD: 14.1 years, range: 18–65 years, F/M ratio:0.95). All volunteers denied chronic or acute diseases and had normal values of routine laboratory tests. Moreover, 1322 heparinized plasma sample were also collected by 9 Italian clinical institutions from patients admitted to ED with clinical symptoms typical of acute coronary syndrome. The reference study laboratory assayed all plasma samples with three hs-methods: Architect hs-cTnI, Access hs-cTnI and ADVIA Centaur XPT methods. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) was also used to analyze the between-method differences among hs-cTnI assays. Results On average, a between-method difference of 31.2% CV was found among the results of hs-cTnI immunoassays. ADVIA Centaur XPT method measured higher cTnI values than Architect and Access methods. Moreover, 99th percentile URL values depended not only on age and sex of reference population, but also on the statistical approach used for calculation (robust non-parametric vs bootstrap). Conclusions Due to differences in concentrations and reference values, clinicians should be advised that plasma samples of the same patient should be measured for cTnI assay in the same laboratory. Specific clinical studies are needed to establish the most appropriate statistical approach to calculate the 99th percentile URL values for hs-cTnI methods