Stability of Psychiatric Diagnoses in Candidates to Liver Transplantation Referred to a Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry Service

Objective: To investigate the stability over time of the psychiatric diagnoses among candidates to liver transplantation referred to a consultation-liaison psychiatric service. Method: Descriptive study, carried out at the Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry Service (CLPS) placed at the Modena (Italy) General University Hospital. All patients waiting for liver transplantation and repeatedly referred to the CLPS were enrolled. The observation period was from 1 January 2008 to 31 December 2013. Pearson\u2019s coefficients were calculated to measure diagnostic stability (index referral vs. last referral). Results: One hundred patients were assessed (males 67%; mean age 53 \ub1 7 years old). The mean number of referrals for patients was 3 \ub1 2. The stability rate of psychiatric diagnosis was 64%. The following diagnoses or conditions were all significantly stable (i.e., all featured by r > 0.5 and p < 0.05): Adjustment disorder, depressive disorder, comorbid anxiety/depressive disorder, substance use disorder (including alcohol), absence of any disorder, and presence of any disorder. Conclusions: The good level of diagnostic stability displayed in the sample may be a function of the clinical and organizational \u201cstyle\u201d of the CLPS, namely the focus on identifying the prevailing personality traits, defensive mechanisms, and relational patterns

Soil microarthropod communities from Mediterranean forest ecosystems in Central Italy under different disturbances

The aim of this study is to assess soil quality in Mediterranean forests of Central Italy, from evergreen to deciduous, with different types of management (coppice vs. high forest vs. secondary old growth) and compaction impacts (machinery vs. recreational). Soil quality was evaluated studying soil microarthropod communities and applying a biological index (QBS-ar) based on the concept that the higher is the soil quality, the higher will be the number of microarthropod groups well adapted to the soil habitat. Our results confirm that hardwood soils are characterised by the highest biodiversity level among growth) and compaction impacts (machinery vs. recreational). terrestrial communities and by a well-structured and mature microarthropod community, which is typical of stable ecosystems (QBS value, >200). While silvicultural practices and forest composition do not seem to influence QBS-ar values or microarthropod community structure, the index is very efficient in detecting soil impacts (soil compaction due to logging activities). Several taxa (Protura, Diplura, Coleoptera adults, Pauropoda, Diplopoda, Symphyla, Chilopoda, Diptera larvae and Opiliones) react negatively to soil compaction and degradation (QBS value, <150). In particular, Protura, Diplura, Symphyla and Pauropoda, are taxonomic groups linked to undisturbed soil. This index could also be a useful tool in monitoring soil biodiversity in protected areas and in urban forestry to prevent the negative effects of trampling. QBS-ar is a candidate index for biomonitoring of soil microarthropod biodiversity across the landscape to provide guidance for the sustainable management of renewable resource and nature conservation

Minority stress and mental health among LGBT populations: an update on the evidence

INTRODUCTION: In the past five years, researchers have increasingly turned to the study of mental health outcomes in LGBT populations. The present paper summarizes recent literature on the relationship between minority stress experienced by sexual minorities and mental health. EVIDENCE ACQUISITION: PsycINFO, PubMed, and the EBSCO Psychology and Behavioral Science Collection were searched for papers concerning minority stress and mental health disparities in LGBT populations, published between 1 January 2014 and 30 June 2018. All collected papers were screened using the following criteria: study involving >50 individuals; written in English; focusing on clinical outcomes of depression, suicidality, and substance use in relation to experienced minority stress. EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS: Sixty-two papers were included in this review. Findings are reported under three main headings: studies primarily focused on depression, studies concerning suicidality and suicide attempts, and papers analyzing the correlation between substance use and minority stress in LGBT populations. The included studies supported the minority stress model as a framework to better explain disparities in mental health outcomes in sexual minority populations. Higher rates of depression, suicidality, and substance use are reported in LGBT populations, as are the related minority stressors analyzed. CONCLUSIONS: Sexual minorities still face numerous mental health disparities. Research indicates that the levels of minority stressors positively predict mental health outcomes. Specific policies designed to support the civil rights of sexual minorities may help to overcome such inequalities

A Smo/Gli multitarget hedgehog pathway inhibitor impairs tumor growth

Pharmacological Hedgehog (Hh) pathway inhibition has emerged as a valuable anticancer strategy. A number of small molecules able to block the pathway at the upstream receptor Smoothened (Smo) or the downstream effector glioma-associated oncogene 1 (Gli1) has been designed and developed. In a recent study, we exploited the high versatility of the natural isoflavone scaffold for targeting the Hh signaling pathway at multiple levels showing that the simultaneous targeting of Smo and Gli1 provided synergistic Hh pathway inhibition stronger than single administration. This approach seems to effectively overcome the drug resistance, particularly at the level of Smo. Here, we combined the pharmacophores targeting Smo and Gli1 into a single and individual isoflavone, compound 22, which inhibits the Hh pathway at both upstream and downstream level. We demonstrate that this multitarget agent suppresses medulloblastoma growth in vitro and in vivo through antagonism of Smo and Gli1, which is a novel mechanism of action in Hh inhibition

Off-label prescription of psychotropic medications in a sample of Italian psychiatrists working in private practice: a cross sectional study

Background Off-label prescription refers to the use of a drug outside the terms of its Marketing Authorization. According to the literature, this practice is particularly common in clinical psychiatry. Objective To describe patterns of off-label prescription in a sample of Italian psychiatrists working in private practice. Methods An ad hoc questionnaire was developed and sent by e-mail to a sample of Italian psychiatrists working in private practice in the Region Emilia-Romagna. The questionnaire assessed frequency of off-label prescription, reasons associated with it, diagnostic categories more often associated with such practice, main sources of information used to support off-label prescription, and psychotropic agents most commonly prescribed off-label, as well as medical-legal implications. Data were analysed by means of univariate and multivariate ordered logistic regressions. Results Fifty psychiatrists (female: 44%) out of 129 who received the e-mail invitation responded (response rate: 39%). Off-label prescription was found to be inversely proportional to clinicians’ age (OR = 10.53 [95% CI 2.13-52.13]). Most commonly, second-generation antipsychotics (SGAs) were prescribed to patients diagnosed with personality disorders (PDs) (OR = 0.08 [95% CI 0.02-0.36]). A higher rate of off-label prescription was also associated to relying more on pharmaceutical sales representatives (OR = 0.58 [95%CI 0.01-0.30]) or personal professionals’ clinical experience (OR = 0.05 [95% CI 0.01-0.36]) and less on other colleagues’ experience (OR = 11.80 [95% CI 4.16-33.50]) as source of information. Conclusions Off-label prescription is common, especially among young psychiatrists, who frequently rely on previous personal clinical experience, especially when prescribing SGAs for treating patients with PDs. Respondents pointed to the need for further research and training on the topic addressed by the present study

Lysosomal di-N-acetylchitobiase-deficient mouse tissues accumulate Man2GlcNAc2 and Man3GlcNAc2

AbstractMost lysosomal storage diseases are caused by defects in genes encoding for acidic hydrolases. Deficiency of an enzyme involved in the catabolic pathway of N-linked glycans leads to the accumulation of the respective substrate and consequently to the onset of a specific storage disorder. Di-N-acetylchitobiase and core specific α1–6mannosidase represent the only exception. In fact, to date no lysosomal disease has been correlated to the deficiency of these enzymes. We generated di-N-acetylchitobiase-deficient mice by gene targeting of the Ctbs gene in murine embryonic stem cells. Accumulation of Man2GlcNAc2 and Man3GlcNAc2 was evaluated in all analyzed tissues and the tetrasaccharide was detected in urines. Multilamellar inclusion bodies reminiscent of polar lipids were present in epithelia of a scattered subset of proximal tubules in the kidney. Less constantly, enlarged Kupffer cells were observed in liver, filled with phagocytic material resembling partly digested red blood cells. These findings confirm an important role for lysosomal di-N-acetylchitobiase in glycans degradation and suggest that its deficiency could be the cause of a not yet described lysosomal storage disease

Efeito do tratamento de superfície de uma cerâmica aluminizada infiltrada de vidro sobre a resistência à microtração

Este estudo avaliou a resistência à microtração entre um cimento resinoso e uma cerâmica submetida a três tratamentos de superfície. Foram confeccionados 12 blocos da cerâmica In-Ceram Alumina (VITA) e 12 blocos de resina composta (Clearfil APX, Kuraray) com dimensões de 6mm x 6mm x 5mm. A superfície da cerâmica foi polida com lixas d'água nº 600, 800 e 1200 sob refrigeração, e os blocos foram divididos em três grupos conforme o tratamento superficial: Grupo 1 - Jateamento com óxido de alumínio 110mm; Grupo 2 - Sistema Rocatec (3M/ESPE): jateamento com óxido de alumínio 110mm (Rocatec-pre powder) e com sílica (Rocatec-plus powder) + silano (Rocatec-Sil); Grupo 3 - Sistema CoJet (3M/ESPE): jateamento com partículas de sílica 30mm + ESPE-Sil. Os blocos cerâmicos foram cimentados aos de resina composta com o cimento resinoso Panavia F (Kuraray Co) conforme as instruções do fabricante, sob carga de 750g por 10min. As amostras foram armazenadas (água destilada/37ºC/7 dias) e seccionadas em dois eixos, x e y, com disco diamantado sob refrigeração em uma máquina de corte a fim de obter corpos-de-prova (CP) com 0,6±0,1mm² de área adesiva (n=36). Os CP foram fixados em dispositivo adaptado para o teste de microtração e tracionados (velocidade: 0,5 mm.min-1) na máquina de ensaio universal EMIC. Os resultados (MPa) foram submetidos à análise de variância e ao Teste de Tukey (pThis study evaluated the microtensile bond strength of a resin composite to a ceramic submitted to three surface treatments. Twelve glass-infiltrated alumina ceramic blocks (In-Ceram Alumina, VITA) and twelve resin composite blocks (Clearfil APX, Kuraray) with dimensions of 6mm x 6mm x 5mm were made. The surface of the ceramic was wet-grounded with # 600, 800 and 1200-grid sandpaper, and the blocks were divided in three groups: Group 1 - sandblasting with aluminum oxide - particles 110mm (Micro-Etcher, Danville); Group 2 - Rocatec System (ESPE): Tribochemical silica coating (Rocatec pre-powder + Rocatec-Plus powder + Rocatec-Sil); Group 3 - CoJet System (3M/ESPE): silica coating (silica oxide + ESPE-Sil). The ceramic blocks were cemented to the resin composite blocks with Panavia F (Kuraray Co), following the manufacturer's instructions, under load of 750g for 10min. The samples were stored (distilled water / 7 days / 37O C) and sectioned in two axis, x and y, with diamond disk under cooling in order to obtain samples (S) with 0.6 ± 0.1mm² of adhesive area (n=36). The S were attached in adapted device for the microtensile test that was performed at an universal testing machine (EMIC), at a speed of 1mm/min. The results (MPa) were submitted to ANOVA and Tukey's test (

Combined Flow Cytometry and Molecular Monitoring of Central Nervous System Relapse in a Patient with FLT3-ITD and NPM1 Positive AML

We here describe a 58 years-old male patient diagnosed in September 2019 with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) in another hematological center and referred to us to receive allogeneic stem cell transplantation..