ADHD IN ADULTS: COMORBODITY WITH BIPOLAR DISORDER AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE

ADHD is characterized by a continuous history of hyperactivity, forgetfulness, distractibility, impulsiveness and/or inattention, starting from the early childhood and at a more severe extent than whatever may be usual in peers. Originally described in pediatric populations, it is widely recognized in adults. While the disorder in children is mostly described as a disorder involving hyperactivity and impulsiveness, in adulthood ADHD inattention prevails on externalizing features, with a higher rate of psychiatric comorbidities, including major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder (BD), anxiety disorders and substance abuse (SUD). Co-morbidity among ADHD, SUD and BD has been reported in many clinical and epidemiological studies. For this purpose we evaluated the prevalence of symptoms belonging to the ADHD spectrum in two samples of adult patients affected by SUD and by BD. We found that one fifth of our sample of bipolar adults has a current diagnosis of ADHD, and that these patients are characterized by a greater number and more severe depressive episodes, resulting in a marked interference in global adaptation, when compared with ADHD subjects without bipolar. To complicate the clinical picture in BD + ADHD group, they are often associated with the Substance Use Disorder and the Impulse Control Disorder. Dual Diagnosis (BD+SUD) patient out of 4 reported childhood history of ADHD and more than 1 patient out of 2 presented corresponding symptoms at the time of observation. Our data are consistent with the observation that SUD in ADHD patients features an earlier onset, a longer duration and a faster progression towards substance polyabuse. In addition, the risk for developing a SUD is increased by the comorbidity of ADHD and BD. Our study confirms the observation that the relationship between adult ADHD and Substance Use Disorder is conveyed by the association with conduct disorders and antisocial personality disorder. Our data are consistent with the hypothesis that this relationship may also be facilitated by the presence of Bipolar Disorder. In conclusion, Bipolar Disorder, ADHD, Conduct Disorder and Substance Use Disorder may share a common diathesis conveyed by hyperactivity-impulsivity. Further prospective studies are needed to confirm our observations and to evaluate the influence of ADHD symptoms on course and treatment response

indagini multidisciplinari ad aquinum la valorizzazione delle conoscenze

The urban area of Aquinum, a Roman city situated along via Latina between Frosinone (Frusino) and Cassino (Casinum), was investigated by aero-topographical studies, geophysical prospecting and archaeological field survey. All research activity was done by the Laboratory of Ancient Topography and Photogrammentry of the University of Salento. The executed explorative interventions have considered the results of the data processed as well as all documents related to the systematic surveys realised in the framework of the Ager Aquinas project. The substance of the archaeological deposits, the wealth of ancient materials and the remains highlighted constitute indicators of positive conditions for the planning of archaeological research oriented to confirming all that was individuated by the field surveys, aerial photographs and geophysical prospecting. These studies have allowed the reconstruction of the urban layout of Aquinum. Planning for the archaeological interventions was based not only on the results but also on the processing of data regarding field survey and on the compelling need for the preservation of the area. Starting with the collected data, six archaeological excavation campaigns have been carried out between 2009 and 2014 in Aquinum. The research, after confirming the aerotopographical and geophysical results, focused on an area of the town that, until that time, had provided nothing useful for the recognition of monuments and urban spaces. Great results have been obtained thanks to the archaeological excavation campaigns led at the heart of the ancient Roman town. Knowledge of a central part of the built-up area has improved including where there are public buildings already known (theatre, an apsis-building) and unknown (public thermal baths). This is the keystone for better protection of the archaeological site and to future preservation for the area

A Case of Treatment Resistant Depression and Alcohol Abuse in a Person with Mental Retardation: Response to Aripiprazole and Fluvoxamine Therapy upon Consideration of a Bipolar Diathesis after Repetitive Failure to Respond to Multiple Antidepressant Trials

Mental Retardation (MR) is a developmental disability characterized by impairments in adaptive daily life skills and difficulties in social and interpersonal functioning. Since multiple causes may contribute to MR, associated clinical pictures may vary accordingly. Nevertheless, when psychiatric disorders as Treatment Resistant Depression (TRD) and/or alcohol abuse co-exist, their proper detection and management is often troublesome, essentially due to a limited vocabulary MR people could use to describe their symptoms, feelings and concerns, and the lack of reliable screening tools. Furthermore, MR people are among the most medicated subjects, with (over) prescription of antidepressants and/or typical antipsychotics being the rule rather than exception. Thus, treatment resistance or even worsening of depression, constitute frequent occurrences. This report describes the case of a person with MR who failed to respond to repetitive trials of antidepressant monotherapies, finally recovering using aripiprazole to fluvoxamine augmentation upon consideration of a putative bipolar diathesis for “agitated” TRD. Although further controlled investigations are needed to assess a putative bipolar diathesis in some cases of MR associated to TRD, prudence is advised in the long-term prescription of antidepressant monotherapies in such conditions

Lymphoplasmacyte-rich meningioma with hematologic signs and PD-L1 over-expression

Lymphoplasmacyte-rich meningioma (LPRM) is one of the rarest variants of grade I meningiomas. It can be clinically associated with prominent peripheral blood abnormalities, anemia, and/or various gammopathy, which usually disappear after surgical removal of the tumor. We document a case of right frontal LPRM in a 72-year-old male who presented general cognitive decadence. The patient suffered from mild anemia. The LPRM is a rare variant of meningioma, with only a few cases globally reported in the literature. It has been categorized as a grade I tumor in the 2021 World Health Organization (WHO) classification central nervous system. Due to the rarity, this meningioma variant origin and biological behavior are still not clear. Immunohistochemistry profile showed prominent PD-L1 expression, leading to additional interrogation on LPRM immunomorphological characteristics, the significance of the inflammatory tumoral microenvironment and its correlation with the immune-checkpoints

Sensitivity Projections for Dark Matter Searches with the Fermi Large Area Telescope

The nature of dark matter is a longstanding enigma of physics; it may consist of particles beyond the Standard Model that are still elusive to experiments. Among indirect search techniques, which look for stable products from the annihilation or decay of dark matter particles, or from axions coupling to high-energy photons, observations of the $\gamma$-ray sky have come to prominence over the last few years, because of the excellent sensitivity of the Large Area Telescope (LAT) on the Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope mission. The LAT energy range from 20 MeV to above 300 GeV is particularly well suited for searching for products of the interactions of dark matter particles. In this report we describe methods used to search for evidence of dark matter with the LAT, and review the status of searches performed with up to six years of LAT data. We also discuss the factors that determine the sensitivities of these searches, including the magnitudes of the signals and the relevant backgrounds, considering both statistical and systematic uncertainties. We project the expected sensitivities of each search method for 10 and 15 years of LAT data taking. In particular, we find that the sensitivity of searches targeting dwarf galaxies, which provide the best limits currently, will improve faster than the square root of observing time. Current LAT limits for dwarf galaxies using six years of data reach the thermal relic level for masses up to 120 GeV for the $b\bar{b}$ annihilation channel for reasonable dark matter density profiles. With projected discoveries of additional dwarfs, these limits could extend to about 250 GeV. With as much as 15 years of LAT data these searches would be sensitive to dark matter annihilations at the thermal relic cross section for masses to greater than 400 GeV (200 GeV) in the $b\bar{b}$ ($\tau^+ \tau^-$) annihilation channels.Comment: Updated with a few additional and corrected references; otherwise, text is identical to previous version. Submitted on behalf of the Fermi-LAT collaboration. Accepted for publication in Physics Reports, 59 pages, 34 figures; corresponding author: Eric Charles ([email protected]

NOPAL: Natural Origin Protective for Artistic buildings in Lecce stone. Preliminary results.

EnThe work presents the preliminary results of the experimentation of innovative coatings for the protection of artefacts in Lecce stone. Starting from the cladodium of the species Opuntia Ficus-Indica (NOPAL), plant extracts were obtained and their performance have been studied through aging tests and the use of optical and spectroscopic methods, in order to develop a new ecofriendly product, that meets the requirements of non-toxicity, biodegradability, and low cost, and able to efficiently preserve the built heritage made of Lecce stone.ItIl lavoro presenta i risultati preliminari ottenuti dalla sperimentazione in laboratorio di innovativi protettivi green per la protezione dei materiali artistici in pietra leccese. A partire dalla specie Opuntia Ficus-Indica (NOPAL) sono stati ottenuti degli estratti vegetali e le loro performance sono state studiate attraverso test di invecchiamento e l'uso di metodologie ottiche e spettroscopiche, con il fine ultimo di formulare un nuovo prodotto ecofriendly che risponda ai requisiti di non tossicità, biodegradabilità, biocompatibilità, economicità

Short-Term Anxiolytic and Pro-Hypnotic Actvity of a Tryptic Hydrolysate of Bovine Αs1-Casein in Patients with Anxiety Spectrum Disorders

We conducted a prospective open-label study with 100 outpatients who had sought psychiatric consult in private clinical practice for anxiety/sleep in subthreshold/full blown DSM-IV Anxiety Spectrum Disorders. Clinicians, prescribed for 4 weeks a dietary supplement based on a formulation containing \u3b1-casozepine peptide 300 mg/day. The comparison of all rating scales mean scores reported at T0 versus T1 showed a statistically significant decrease (p<0.001). In Clinical Global Impression scale, the 54% of the sample was found to be much improved, 27% minimally improved and 19% showed no change. The 64% of the sample reported an anxiolytic effect, and among the 64 patients with sleep disorders, the 51.5% reported a pro-hypnotic effect. Considering patients in monotherapy with the dietary supplement, an anxiolytic effect was observed in 69.7% while a prohypnotic effect was observed in the 62.5% of the sample. No side-effects were reported during the treatment with no drop-out

A Low Cost Approach to Disturbed Soil Detection Using Low Altitude Digital Imagery from an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle

Until recently, clandestine burial investigations relied upon witness statements to determine target search areas of soil and vegetation disturbance. Due to this, remote sensing technologies are increasingly used to detect fresh clandestine graves. However, despite the increased capabilities of remote sensing, clandestine burial searches remain resourcefully intensive as the police have little access to the technology when it is required. In contrast to this, Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) technology is increasingly popular amongst law enforcement worldwide. As such, this paper explores the use of digital imagery collected from a low cost UAV for the aided detection of disturbed soil sites indicative of fresh clandestine graves. This is done by assessing the unaltered UAV video output using image processing tools to detect sites of disturbance, therefore highlighting previously unrecognised capabilities of police UAVs. This preliminary investigation provides a low cost rapid approach to detecting fresh clandestine graves, further supporting the use of UAV technology by UK police