Structural validity and classification performance of the Italian Short Negative Acts Questionnaire: A Structural Equation Modeling approach for building ROC curves

We investigated the structural (internal) validity and classification performance of the Italian Short Negative Acts Questionnaire (SNAQ), a 9-item self-report instrument assessing bullying at work. Consistent with recent attention of researchers to control measurement error in predictive models (Jacobucci & Grimm, Perspectives on Psychological Science, 15(3), 809–816 2020), classification performance was investigated through a proposed novel procedure that uses Structural Equation Modeling for building ROC curves. Participants included 357 workers (females = 50.4%) from various sectors. Our results showed that (a) the Italian SNAQ demonstrates adequate levels of structural validity; (b) its classification performance (in terms of self-labeled bullying) is outstanding; and (c) the ROC curves estimated by means of Structural Equation Modeling outperform those estimated with classical observed-variable approaches. In conclusion, we provided further evidence regarding the good psychometric properties of the Italian SNAQ and we also offered a novel approach for estimating ROC curves that does not neglect the issue of measurement quality

The Role of Common Agricultural Policy in the Landscape Evolution: the Case Study of Val d'Orcia (Siena, Italy)

In the last years there is growing debate between agricultural economists on the role of agriculture to product positive ad negative externalities. The externalities are defined as pubblic goods or no-commodity outputs (Marangon, 2006; Daugstad et al., 2006; OECD, 2001; Brunori et al., 2006) and they need of specific regulation. In rural areas landscape is a typical example of externality because it is the result of agricultural activity and it changes with the agricultural change. At same time, landscape in specific territorial contexts can assume historic, cultural, social and economic value, so that it could become a strategic resource for local development politics (Brunori et al, 2006). The decupling and cross-compliance introduced by the new Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) and the increasing demand of environmental goods by citizen/consumers are elements of novelty that will modify farms in next years. In particular, CAP reform could lead to farm externalisation of activity or suspension of business in many rural areas with important socio-economic and environmental impacts as, for example, on landscape. In Val d’Orcia, as in other Tuscany rural areas, landscape assumes the role of economic resource because it attracts tourists and is utilised to promote the territory (landscape as a “business card”). This is in connection with the rural configuration of the landscape and the high concentration of architectonic and artistic goods. To remember, for example, the UNESCO recognition in 2004 as “Val d’Orcia cultural landscape”. At same time, if this landscape is an important points of strength of the local economy, it shows also environmental fragility (biodiversity reduction, soli erosion, etc.) that they need specific actions. In agreement with art.1 of European Landscape Convention (European Council, 2000) where is affirmed that “Landscape means an area, as perceived by people, whose character is the result of the action and interaction of natural and/or human factors”, this work shows the results of a survey developed in Val d’Orcia with this objectives: • to identify the driving forces that have leaded to the current landscape in Val d’Orcia to start to 1970th; • to try to define the possible landscape evolution in relationship with the novelty introduced by the CAP reform; • to suggest specific actions to drive the landscape evolution in the direction of a “sustainable rural landscape” where landscape is an element to strengthen the identity of local rural community, to promote local sustainable development and to safeguard environmental resources in their complex (European Council, 2000)

Expression and selective up-regulation of toxin-related mono ADP-ribosyltransferases by pathogen-associated molecular patterns in alveolar epithelial cells.

Mono ADP-ribosyltransferases (ARTs) are a family of enzymes related to bacterial toxins that possess adenosine diphosphate ribosyltransferase activity. We have assessed that A549 constitutively expressed ART1 on the cell surface and shown that lipotheicoic acid (LTA) and flagellin, but not lipopolysaccharide (LPS), peptidoglycan (PG) and poly (I:C), up-regulate ART1 in a time and dose dependent manner. These agonists did not alter the expression of ART3 and ART5 genes. Indeed, LTA and flagellin stimulation increased the level of ART1 protein and transcript while ART4 gene was activated after stimulation of cells with LPS, LTA, PAM and PG via TLR2 and TLR4 receptors. These results show that human ARTs possess a differential capacity to respond to bacteria cell wall components and might play a crucial role in innate immune response in airway

Oral contraceptives and colorectal cancer risk: a meta-analysis

Several studies have suggested an inverse association between use of combined oral contraceptives (OC) and the risk of colorectal cancer and here we present a meta-analysis of published studies. Articles considered were epidemiological studies published as full papers in English up to June 2000 that included quantitative information on OC use. The pooled relative risks (RR) of colorectal cancer for ever OC use from the 8 case-control studies was 0.81 (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.69–0.94), and the pooled estimate from the 4 cohort studies was 0.84 (95% CI: 0.72–0.97). The pooled estimate from all studies combined was 0.82 (95% CI: 0.74–0.92), without apparent heterogeneity. Duration of use was not associated with a decrease in risk, but there was some indication that the apparent protection was stronger for women who had used OCs more recently (RR = 0.46; 95% CI: 0.30–0.71). A better understanding of this potential relation may help informed choice of contraception. © 2001 Cancer Research Campaign http://www.bjcancer.co

Unravelling work drive: A comparison between workaholism and overcommitment

Workaholism and overcommitment are often used as interchangeable constructs describing an individual’s over-involvement toward their own job. Employees with high levels in both constructs are characterized by an excessive effort and attachment to their job, with the incapability to detach from it and negative consequences in terms of poor health and job burnout. However, few studies have simultaneously measured both constructs, and their relationships are still not clear. In this study, we try to disentangle workaholism and overcommitment by comparing them with theoretically related contextual and personal antecedents, as well as their health consequences. We conducted a nonprobability mixed mode research design on 133 employees from different organizations in Italy using both self-and other-reported measures. To test our hypothesis that workaholism and overcommitment are related yet different constructs, we used partial correlations and regression analyses. The results confirm that these two constructs are related to each other, but also outline that overcommitment (and not workaholism) is uniquely related to job burnout, so that overcommitment rather than workaholism could represent the true negative aspect of work drive. Additionally, workaholism is more related to conscientiousness than overcommitment, while overcommitment shows a stronger relationship with neuroticism than workaholism. The theoretical implications are discussed

Biochemical effects of urapidil on red cell membrane ion transport systems in a population of elderly essential hypertensives.

The aim of our work was to verify the effect of urapidil on membrane ion transport systems. This was a randomized, double-blind, cross-over study which evaluated the clinical and biochemical effects of urapidil (30 mg twice daily in comparison with placebo) in a group of 10 elderly hypertensive patients (3 male, 7 female ranging from 68 to 90 years, mean age 79.2 +/- 7.6 years). For the evaluation in fresh erythrocytes of principal ion transport systems (cotransport Na+/K+, countertransport Na+/Li+, Na+/K+ ATPase pump. intracellular Na+ and K+) we used the nystatin technique. We found that urapidil activated the red cell membrane ions cotransport system (basal values: 83.7 +/- 50.3 mumol Na+ RBC 1-1.h-1, after 1 month of urapidil therapy: 181.5 +/- 89.3 mumol Na+ RBC 1-1.h-1) (P less than 0.01), without significant changes in the other biochemical parameters evaluated. Our data suggest that one of the mechanisms of the urapidil antihypertensive effect could involve an increase in the membrane sodium cotransport system

Automatic Segmentation of Posterior Pole Retinal Layers In Patients with Early Stage Glaucoma Using Spectral Domain Optical Coherence Tomography

Purpose: To measure Ganglion Cell Layer (GCL) and Retinal Nerve Fiber Layer (RNFL) thickness of the retinal posterior pole in patients with early stage primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) using the new automatic segmentation technology of spectral domain optical coherence tomograph (SD-OCT). Methods: 37 clinical records of patients with early glaucoma (grade 1 to 2 according to the Glaucoma Staging System 2) and 40 age and sex-matched controls were considered in this case-control observational retrospective study. Automated segmentation of GCL and RNFL was performed in one randomly selected eye from the electronic OCT records of each participant using the new Spectralis SD-OCT segmentation technology (Heidelberg Engineering, Inc., Heidelberg, Germany). Thickness of different retinal layers was obtained from each Posterior Pole volumetric scan. Measurements of the peripapillary RNFL thickness (pRNFLt) were also obtained and then compared with those of posterior pole RNFL thickness (ppRNFLt). Results: Both GCL and RNFL were significantly thinner at the retinal posterior pole in the POAG group as compared to the control group (p<0,0001). Furthermore, pRNFLt was significantly thinner in the glaucoma group as opposed to the control group (p<0,0001). Measurements of pRNFLt were significantly correlated with those of the ppRNFLt (Pearson’s coefficient r=0.863). Conclusions: The new Spectralis SD-OCT automatic segmentation tool may be useful in evaluating structural damage in patients with early glaucoma, by providing complementary measurements to the clinical assessment of glaucoma that could be used in conjunction with other relevant parameters in the diagnosis and the evaluation of the progression of the disease

Individual Differences in Well-Being in Older Breast Cancer Survivors

Older women who survive breast cancer may differ significantly in their long-term well-being. Using a risk and protective factors model, we studied predictors of well-being in 127 women age 70 and above with a history of at least one year\u27s survival of breast cancer. Mean post-cancer survivorship was 5.1 years. Using life satisfaction, depression and general health perceptions as outcome variables, we assessed whether demographic variables, cancer-related variables, health status and psychosocial resources predicted variability in well-being using correlational and hierarchical regression analyses. Higher age predicted increased depression but was not associated with life satisfaction or general health perceptions. Cancer-related variables, including duration of survival, and type of cancer treatment, were not significantly associated with survivors\u27 well-being. Poorer health status was associated with poorer well-being in all three dependent variables. After controlling for demographics, cancer-related variables, and health status, higher levels of psychosocial resources including optimism, mastery, spirituality and social support predicted better outcome in all three dependent variables. While many older women survive breast cancer without severe sequelae, there is considerable variability in their well-being after survivorship. Successful intervention with older breast cancer survivors might include greater attention not only to cancer-specific concerns, but also attention to geriatric syndromes and functional impairment, and enhancement of protective psychosocial resources

Transcatheter closure of pfo and asd: Multimodality imaging for patient selection and perioperative guidance

Transcatheter closure of patent foramen ovale (PFO) and secundum type atrial septal defect (ASD) are common transcatheter procedures. Although they share many technical details, these procedures are targeting two different clinical indications. PFO closure is usually considered to prevent recurrent embolic stroke/systemic arterial embolization, ASD closure is indicated in patients with large left-to-right shunt, right ventricular volume overload, and normal pulmonary vascular resistance. Multimodality imaging plays a key role for patient selection, periprocedural monitoring, and follow-up surveillance. In addition to routine cardiovascular examinations, advanced neuroimag-ing studies, transcranial-Doppler, and interventional transesophageal echocardiography/intracardiac echocardiography are now increasingly used to deliver safely and effectively such procedures. Long-standing collaboration between interventional cardiologist, neuroradiologist, and cardiac imager is essential and it requires a standardized approach to image acquisition and interpretation. Peripro-cedural monitoring should be performed by experienced operators with deep understanding of technical details of transcatheter intervention. This review summarizes the specific role of different imaging modalities for PFO and ASD transcatheter closure, describing important pre-procedural and intra-procedural details and providing examples of procedural pitfall and complications