Teachers during the COVID-19 Era: The Mediation Role Played by Mentalizing Ability on the Relationship between Depressive Symptoms, Anxious Trait, and Job Burnout

Background: The COVID-19 outbreak caused severe changes in school activities over the past two years. Teachers underwent a re-planning of their teaching approaches, shifting from face-to-face teaching formats to remote ones. These challenges resulted in high levels of burnout. The identification of risk/protective factors contributing to burnout is crucial in order to inform intervention programs. Thus, we hypothesized a mediation role of teachers’ mentalizing ability (processing of emotions, a component of mentalized affectivity) on the relationship between depression, anxiety, and depersonalization (burnout dimension). Two reverse models were computed. Job satisfaction, teachers’ age and gender, school grade, and length of teaching experience served as covariates. Methods: 466 (M(sd) = 46.2 (10.4) years) online questionnaires were completed by Italian teachers of primary (n = 204) and middle (n = 242) schools. Measures of burnout, depression, anxiety, and mentalization were administered. Results: The findings corroborated our hypotheses: in all models, processing emotions served as a mediator on the relationship between depression, anxiety, and depersonalization, and on the reciprocal one. Job satisfaction positively impacted processing emotion, and negatively impacted depression and depersonalization; women teachers reported high levels of the anxious trait. Conclusions: Overall, it can be concluded that the ability to mentalize has a beneficial impact on teachers’ well-being. Policymaking, clinical, and research implications were discussed

Hypoxia and hydrogen sulfide differentially affect normal and tumor-derived vascular endothelium

Background: endothelial cells play a key role in vessels formation both under physiological and pathological conditions. Their behavior is influenced by blood components including gasotransmitters (H2S, NO and CO). Tumor cells are subjected to a cyclic shift between pro-oxidative and hypoxic state and, in this scenario, H2S can be both cytoprotective and detrimental depending on its concentration. H2S effects on tumors onset and development is scarcely studied, particularly concerning tumor angiogenesis. We previously demonstrated that H2S is proangiogenic for tumoral but not for normal endothelium and this may represent a target for antiangiogenic therapeutical strategies. Methods: in this work, we investigate cell viability, migration and tubulogenesis on human EC derived from two different tumors, breast and renal carcinoma (BTEC and RTEC), compared to normal microvascular endothelium (HMEC) under oxidative stress, hypoxia and treatment with exogenous H2S. Results: all EC types are similarly sensitive to oxidative stress induced by hydrogen peroxide; chemical hypoxia differentially affects endothelial viability, that results unaltered by real hypoxia. H2S neither affects cell viability nor prevents hypoxia and H2O2-induced damage. Endothelial migration is enhanced by hypoxia, while tubulogenesis is inhibited for all EC types. H2S acts differentially on EC migration and tubulogenesis. Conclusions: these data provide evidence for a great variability of normal and altered endothelium in response to the environmental conditions. Keywords: Hydrogen sulfide, Human microvascular endothelial cells, Human breast carcinoma-derived EC, Human renal carcinoma-derived EC, Tumor angiogenesi

Internalizing and externalizing symptoms in children during the COVID-19 pandemic: a systematic mixed studies review

Introduction: Given the vulnerability of children during the COVID-19 pandemic, paying close attention to their wellbeing at the time is warranted. The present protocol-based systematic mixed-studies review examines papers published during 2020–2022, focusing on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on children's internalizing/externalizing symptoms and the determinants thereof. Method: PROSPERO: CRD42022385284. Five databases were searched and the PRISMA diagram was applied. The inclusion criteria were: papers published in English in peer-reviewed journals; papers published between January 2020 and October 2022 involving children aged 5–13 years; qualitative, quantitative, and mixed studies. The standardized Mixed Method Appraisal Tool protocol was used to appraise the quality of the studies. Results: Thirty-four studies involving 40,976 participants in total were analyzed. Their principal characteristics were tabulated. The results showed that children's internalizing/externalizing symptoms increased during the pandemic, largely as a result of disengagement from play activities and excessive use of the internet. Girls showed more internalizing symptoms and boys more externalizing symptoms. Distress was the strongest parental factor mediating children's internalizing/externalizing symptoms. The quality of the studies was appraised as low (n = 12), medium (n = 12), and high (n = 10). Conclusion: Gender-based interventions should be designed for children and parents. The studies reviewed were cross-sectional, so long-term patterns and outcomes could not be predicted. Future researchers might consider a longitudinal approach to determine the long-term effects of the pandemic on children's internalizing and externalizing symptoms

The effect of chlorhexidine primer application on the clinical performance of composite restorations: a literature review

AbstractTo discuss the effectiveness of chlorhexidine (CHX) used as therapeutic dentin primer in adhesively bonded composite restorations.OverviewAn electronic search in MEDLINE database, accessed through PubMed was conducted. No restrictions of languages and date of publication were made. The following key words were used: "chlorhexidine", "composite" and "composite resins." Clinical studies in which CHX was used during bonding procedures were included in this review. Six studies met the inclusion criteria. Of these, five studies were carried out on noncarious cervical lesions (NCCL). Only one study was carried out on class II preparation of permanent molars. In all studies, either etch‐and‐rinse and self‐etch adhesive systems were used during bonding procedures. On the basis of the reviewed clinical trials, it can be concluded that CHX primer application does not seem to influence clinical outcome of composite restorations.Clinical significanceCurrent scientific evidence cannot neither strongly recommend nor discourage the application of CHX as therapeutic primer in composite restorations. Studies with longer follow‐up periods with adhesive restorations placed on dentin after caries removal, rather than only on NCCL, are desirable to further investigate the therapeutic effect of CHX during bonding procedures

An uncommon case of inferior vena cava injury during atrial fibrillation ablation

A 64-year-old man underwent catheter ablation (CA) of atrial fibrillation with intracardiac echocardiography (ICE) assistance. As the probe was advanced toward the right atrium, sudden abdominal pain was felt by the patient with hypotension and tachycardia requiring fluids and vasopressors for hemodynamic stabilization. The inferior vena cava (IVC) was injured by the passing probe and open repair was then performed. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of symptomatic IVC laceration by the probe used for ICE during CA

Hydroxytyrosol, an olive oil phenolic compound, inhibits cyclooxygenase-2 transcription in phorbol--ester-treated human mocytes

Introduction: Inflammation plays a critical role in atherosclerotic plaque development and instability. Cyclooxygenase(COX)-2 is a key mediator of inflammation. It is up-regulated in activated monocytes and macrophages of human atherosclerotic lesions. The extra-virgin olive oil is a source of bioactive compounds which can be responsible of Mediterranean diet athero-protective effect. Aim of the study was to examine the effects of hydroxytyrosol (HT), a phenolic compound from olives and extra-virgin olive oil, on COX-2 expression in phorbol-ester stimulated monocytic-macrophagic cells and to explore the mechanisms involved. Methods: U937 monocytoid cells were pre-treated with HT (0-10 micromol/L) for 60 min before stimulation with 20 nmol/L phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) in RPMI 1640 medium with 5%SFB for 20 h. Cell supernatants were then tested for the release of PGE2 by EIA kit and cell extracts were analysed for COX-2 expression by Western blot analysis. COX-2 mRNA was investigated by semi-quantitative RT-PCR and COX-2 promoter activity was assessed by transient transfection of full length and partially deleted or mutagenized COX-2 promoter constructs. Results: Stimulation of U937 cells with 20 nmol/L PMA for 20 h caused a marked increase in the production of prostaglandin(PG) E2. This effect was inhibited by 1 micromol/L HT both in PMA-treated U937 (by about 25%) and even more in U937 derived-macrophages (> 40%). Pre-treatment of U937 cells with 0.1-10 micromol/L HT reduced PMA-induced COX-2 protein and mRNA in a concentration dependent manner with a 30% reduction already at 1 mmol/L (p<0.01). HT inhibitory effect was isoform specific given that the constitutive COX-1 expression was not affected. In transient transfection assay, HT reduced PMA-induced COX-2 promoter activity of full length construct. Transient transfections utilizing COX-2 promoter deletion constructs and COX-2 promoter constructs, in which specific enhancer elements were mutagenized, indicated that the effects of HT were, at least in part, mediated via NF-kB elements. Conclusions: HT inhibited PGE2 release and COX-2 expression in phorbol-ester-stimulated monocytes and U937-derived macrophages. These data provide new insight into the anti-inflammatory properties of HT and may contribute to explain the cardiovascular protection by specific components of Mediterranean diets

Resin composite cements: Current status and a novel classification proposal

ObjectivesCurrently, a classification of resin cements that includes relatively recently formulated ("universal") cements is lacking. Furthermore, the terminology used to define different resin cements in the scientific reports is inconsistent. Accordingly, this work aims to: (i) propose a novel classification of resin composite cements; (ii) disambiguate the term "universal cements" and (iii) present an overview of the properties of these cements. MethodsAn analysis of peer-reviewed literature (PubMed search), as well as market research on definitive resin composite cements were performed. ResultsA tendency toward simplified and versatile luting materials was observed both in the scientific literature and on the dental market with the advent of self-adhesive/one-step resin cements. However, additional priming procedures were necessary to improve their bonding performance in certain clinical situations. Hence, several cements that can be applied both in adhesive and self-adhesive mode were introduced. These cements are associated with a universal adhesive resin, that can be used as a tooth and/or restorative material primer, without the need for other priming systems, regardless of the substrate. These systems should be considered truly universal. Therefore, we hereby suggested a new classification of resin-based cements: (1) adhesive/multi-step; (2) self-adhesive/one-step; (3) universal cements (one- or multi-step). Despite promising in vitro results, clinical trials and long-track laboratory studies are necessary to confirm the reliability of the universal cements. ConclusionsThis review presented the current advances in the field of resin-based cements, which are reflected in the proposed classification. The term "universal cement" was disambiguated, which will help standardize the terminology used in published research. Clinical SignificanceThe classification of resin-based cements and a better understanding of the proper terminology will help standardize the terminology in published research, as well as improve the understanding of the clinical practitioners of the different indications and possible modalities of use of the available cements

Selective adhesive luting: A novel technique for improving adhesion achieved by universal resin cements

Objective: We aimed to introduce the concept of "Selective adhesive luting-SAL" which is explained through clinical steps and supported by preliminary laboratory evidence. Clinical considerations: Cementation with rubber dam is difficult to perform in case of short abutment teeth and/or subgingival crown margins. By means of universal resin cements/universal adhesive systems, which can be employed in self-adhesive as well as adhesive luting procedures, this paper presents a novel technique allowing clinicians to perform reliable cementation where rubber dam isolation is difficult. The SAL technique entails the application of a universal adhesive system only on easily accessible abutment surfaces, enabling simultaneous adhesive and self-adhesive luting in different portions of the abutment. The SAL clinical workflow is explained through prosthodontic rehabilitation of maxillary right central incisor affected by microdontia and restored with a lithium-disilicate crown. Furthermore, our laboratory microshear bond strength study supports the rationale behind SAL application demonstrating higher bond strength even when the adhesive resin is placed only on one portion of the cementation substrate. Clinical significance: This article advocates the application of SAL technique in clinical situations where effective adhesive luting is uncertain, since it can improve the adhesion between the tooth and universal resin cements

Switch to raltegravir-based regimens and HIV DNA decrease in patients with suppressed HIV RNA

Raltegravir intensification is associated with an increase in 2-LTR episomal HIV DNA= circles, indicating a persistent low-level replication, in some individuals in ART with suppressed HIV RNA. We aimed at monitoring residual plasma HIV RNA and cellular HIV DNA in virologically suppressed patients switching to a raltegravir-based regimen