"It's All COVID's Fault!": Symptoms of Distress among Workers in an Italian General Hospital during the Pandemic

Background: Since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, healthcare workers (HCWs) have been faced with specific stressors endangering their physical and mental health and their functioning. This study aimed to assess the short-term psychological health of a sample of Italian HCWs and the related influencing factors. In particular, the study focused on the differences related to HCWs' gender and to having been directly in charge of COVID-19 patients or not. Methods: An online survey was administered to the whole staff of the Modena General University Hospital three months after the onset of the pandemic, in 2020. Demographic data and changes in working and living conditions related to COVID-19 were collected; mental health status was assessed by the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-21) and the Impact of Event Scale-Revised (IES-R). Results: 1172 out of 4788 members returned the survey (response rate = 24.5%), the male/female ratio was 30/70%. Clinically significant symptoms assessed according to the DASS-21 emerged among 21.0% of the respondents for depression, 22.5% for anxiety and 27.0% for stress. Symptoms suggestive of a traumatic reaction were reported by 19.0% of the sample. Symptoms of psychological distress were statistically associated with female gender, job role, ward, changes in lifestyle, whereas first-line work with COVID-19 patients was statistically associated with more stress symptoms. HCWs reported a significant level of psychological distress that could reach severe clinical significance and impact dramatically their quality of life and functioning. Conclusions: Considering the persistence of the international emergency, effective strategies to anticipate, recognize and address distress in HCWs are essential, also because they may impact the organization and effectiveness of healthcare systems

Theoretical and experimental behavior of prestressed natural stone beams

L’obiettivo di molte ricerche attuali riguarda nuove soluzioni costruttive per l'edilizia futura. In particolare, la ricerca si focalizza sullo sviluppo tecnologico di materiali naturali preesistenti con lo scopo di realizzare strutture innovative, sicure ed ecosostenibili. La presente tesi si propone di studiare la possibilità di utilizzare materiali naturali, come la pietra, per la costruzione di strutture portanti. Il calcare Cabouca è stato scelto per la realizzazione di una trave a blocchi, resa resistente e compatta attraverso la tecnica della precompressione. Le prove meccaniche sui campioni di pietra e successivamente, la costruzione e la prova a flessione della trave sono stati effettuati presso il Laboratório de Estruturas Pesadas, Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia, presso l'Università di Lisbona. I risultati soddisfacenti hanno evidenziato un sostanzioso incremento della capacità flessionale della trave precompressa rispetto a quella non armata, potendo quindi dimostrare che la precompressione è efficace nella pietra naturale come nel calcestruzzo. Il presente lavoro si propone come un punto di partenza valido per l'evoluzione di strutture portanti in pietra precompressa eleganti, sicure e conformi ai principi del Green building

Disturbi del comportamento alimentare in pazienti uomini trattati presso un servizio di Day Hospital in Psichiatria

DCA in soggetti masch

Eating disorders in male patients: medical and psychiatric co-morbidity

ntroduction Men make up approximately 10% of the diagnoses of specified Eating Disorders (ED), with Bulimia Nervosa more common in men than Anorexia. However, Eating Disorder Not Otherwise Specified (EDNOS) are more prevalent in men than Anorexia and Bulimia combined. Rates of concurrent depression and personality disorders are also high in men with EDNOS, as well as rates of medical co-morbidity. Objectives To describe a sample of male patients attending a Psychiatric Day Hospital. Aims To understand possible links between the diagnosis of ED and medical and psychiatric co-morbidity among male subjects. Methods Clinical data about male patients attending the Psychiatric Day Hospital of Modena from 05/01/2009 to 13/06/2012 were collected and analyzed. Psychiatric diagnoses were defined according to DSM IV criteria, medical comorbidities according to ICD10 criteria. Results Male patients with ED were on the whole 11 (7.9% of total patients). Nine of them (81.8%) were diagnosed with EDNOS; 7 had medical co-morbidity, namely gastrointestinal (36.4%), respiratory (9.1%), renal (9.1%), rheumatologic (18.2%), cardiac (9.1%) and hypertension (16.6%); 9 had psychiatric co-morbidity, namely personality disorders (46.2%), major depression (30.8%), substance abuse (15.4%) and anxiety disorders (7.7%). Only 1 male patient (9.1%) was suffering from the ED, with no medical or psychiatric co-morbidity. Conclusions Male patients suffering from ED are increasing and knowledge on their clinical features are less clear than for female subjects, resulting in a more difficult and less effective clinical management. Despite the small sample size, this study attempts to increase the understanding of this clinical population

P-Cresol and Cardiovascular Risk in Kidney Transplant Recipients

p-Cresol Sulphate (pCS) is a uremic toxin that originates exclusively from dietary sources and has a high plasma level related to chronic kidney disease (CKD) and cardiovascular disease (CVD). The aim of our study was to evaluate the plasma levels of pCS in kidney transplant recipients (KTRs) related to estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), traditional risk factors, cardiovascular clinical events and endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs), bone marrow-derived cells for the vascular repair system. We considered 51 KTRs and 25 healthy blood donors (HBDs). pCs levels were analyzed using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) coupled with mass spectrometry with an electrospray ionization (ESI) (LC/ESI-MS/MS) on a triple-quadrupole; EPCs were analyzed using flow cytometric analysis. eGFR was 52.61 ± 19.9 mL/min/1.73 m2 in KTRs versus 94 ± 21 mL/min/1.73 m2 in HBDs. We did not find differences in pCS levels between KTRs and HBDs. Levels of pCS were inversely related with eGFR in KTRs and pCS levels were significantly lower in KTRs with eGFR 2 versus eGFR >30 mL/min/1.73 m2. Furthermore, there was a difference in pCS levels between eGFR 2 of KTRs compared with HBDs. Levels of pCS were almost significantly influenced by the presence of a previous vascular event and were inversely related with mature EPCs. These findings suggest that KTRs should not have higher CVD risk than HBDs and their physiological vascular repair system appears to be intact. In KTRs the reduction of eGFR also increased pCS levels and reduced EPCs numbers and angiogenesis capacity. In summary, pCS acts as an emerging marker of a uremic state, helping assess the global vascular competence in KTRs

Development of Stable Amino-Pyrimidine–Curcumin Analogs: Synthesis, Equilibria in Solution, and Potential Anti-Proliferative Activity

With the clear need for better cancer treatment, naturally occurring molecules represent a powerful inspiration. Recently, curcumin has attracted attention for its pleiotropic anticancer activity in vitro, especially against colorectal and prostate cancer cells. Unfortunately, these encouraging results were disappointing in vivo due to curcumin’s low stability and poor bioavailability. To overcome these issues, herein, the synthesis of eight new pyrimidine–curcumin derivatives is reported. The compounds were fully characterized (1H/13C NMR (Nuclear Magnetic Resonance), LC-MS (Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometri), UV-Vis spectroscopy), particularly their acid/base behavior; overall protonation constants were estimated, and species distribution, as a function of pH, was predicted, suggesting that all the compounds are in their neutral form at pH 7.4. All the compounds were extremely stable in simulated physiological media (phosphate-buffered saline and simulated plasma). The compounds were tested in vitro (48 h incubation treatment) to assess their effect on cell viability in prostate cancer (LNCaP and PC3) and colorectal cancer (HT29 and HCT116) cell lines. Two compounds showed the same anti-proliferative activity as curcumin against HCT116 cells and improved cytotoxicity against PC3 cells

The association of Mediterranean diet and exercise modifications with anthropometric parameters in a psychiatric community population: A pilot study

Weight gain and related metabolic syndrome (MS) are major current issues in public health. MS consists of abdominal fat, atherogenic dyslipidemia, hypertension, hyperglycemia, insulin resistance, pro-inflammatory and pro-thrombotic state, and accounts for both cardiovascular diseases and type II diabetes mellitus risk factors. Patients affected by psychiatric illness present a prevalence of 35–40% of MS. Many studies have shown that Mediterranean diet is associated with the reduction of mortality due to cardiovascular and malignant diseases, potentially preventing both obesity and type II diabetes mellitus. Our pilot study explores the effects of a 12-month healthy lifestyle program (Mediterranean diet and mild physical activity) on metabolic and anthropometric parameters of patients affected by chronic psychiatric disorders who live in a psychiatric community facility. A Mediterranean diet was provided by a senior nutritional clinician and adapted by two dieticians, according to the needs and preferences of the community population. Concomitantly, a program of moderate physical activity, consisting in 30-min walks on level ground 4days a week, and psycho-educational group sessions with educational and therapeutic purposes were implemented. The metabolic and anthropometric parameters of our patients improved after both 6 (T6) and 12 (T12) months. Body Max Index was statistically significantly reduced at T6 and T12, with patients perceiving good quality of life. These positive outcomes suggest that a low-cost healthy lifestyle program can produce good adherence and feasibility even among patients with chronic psychiatric diseases, reducing their risk for MS, cardiovascular diseases and other complications. Keywords: Weight gain and metabolic syndrome, Antipsychotic drugs, Chronic psychiatric disorders, Rehabilitative community, Mediterranean diet and mild physical activit

Young and burnt? Italian contribution to the international BurnOut Syndrome Study (BOSS) among residents in psychiatry

The Burnout Syndrome (BS) is a common condition among health care professionals, yet data concerning its prevalence and associated factors among psychiatric residents are lacking. Objectives: To report the results of the Italian contribution to "BOSS", an international multicentre research project aiming at estimating the burden of BS among residents in psychiatry, and at identifying factors contributing to its development and prevention. Methods: Cross-sectional study. The BOSS online questionnaire, which collected socio-demographic data and five psychometric tools (MBI-GS, AWLS, PHQ-9, SIBQ, BFI), was administered electronically to 180 Italian residents in psychiatry. Simple and multiple linear regressions were performed to analyse data. Results: 108 questionnaires provided data for the study (response rate: 60%). Mean age: 30.5 +/- 3.7 years. Eighty percent of the sample were female. A moderate level of BS emerged, related to work conditions, absence of major depression, satisfaction with pay or less academic activity. Only 0.9% (N=1) of the sample showed PHQ-9 scores suggestive of major depression, while lifetime suicidal ideation was admitted by 16% of residents. For the three dimensions of the MBIGS, Italian sample scores were consistent with previously published results concerning pooled data in a FrenchCroatian sample, reporting moderate levels of BS. Higher workload, symptoms of depression and lower satisfaction predicted higher levels of Emotional Exhaustion and Cynicism. Conclusions: Italian residents in psychiatry showed overall moderate levels of BS, related to workload and work organization. Other alerts of psychic distress were found among participants, namely symptoms of depression, suicidal ideation and use of psychotropic medications