Psycho-relational well-being in women with sexual pain: a preliminary study

Female sexual pain is a complex multi-factorial condition. Most of the research has focused on underlying biomedical factors. Although psychological and relational factors have been studied as possible correlates, data are still controversial. The aim of the present study was to investigate psychological and relational well-being in women who complain of sexual pain. The hypothesis was that sexual pain is associated with worse scores

Extraversion and neuroticism in sexually dysfunctional men suffering from erectile dysfunction and premature ejaculation: a cross-sectional study

The role of personality traits in sexual complaints and dysfunctions is ever more evident. However, the literature is very scarce as to the possible relationships between such personality traits and specific sexual dysfunctions like ED, PE or both, their subtypes as to time of onset and severity levels. The main aim of the present study was to investigate if Neuroticism and Extraversion have different roles and trends in men suffering from PE and/or ED, both lifelong and acquired. Moreover, we verified if, by adopting DSM-IV-TR and DSM-5 criteria for diagnosing PE, some differences emerged in percentages of diagnosed cases. The sample consisted of 222 patients aged 18-70. The International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-15) was used to assess erectile function, and the Premature Ejaculation Severity Index (PESI) was used to assess the severity of PE dysfunction. Neuroticism and Extraversion were measured with the Eysenck Personality Questionnaire-Revised (EPQ-R). In our results, Neuroticism and Extraversion were dependent on the kind of sexual dysfunction and its severity. These results suggest that type, time of onset and severity of sexual dysfunctions should be considered as related to specific personality characteristics and vice versa

Prospective validation of an automated chemiluminescence-based assay of renin and aldosterone for the work-up of arterial hypertension

AbstractBackground:The availability of simple and accurate assays of plasma active renin (DRC) and aldosterone concentration (PAC) can improve the detection of secondary forms of arterial hypertension. Thus, we investigated the performance of an automated chemiluminescent assay for DRC and PAC in referred hypertensive patients.Methods:We prospectively recruited 260 consecutive hypertensive patients referred to an ESH Center for Hypertension. After exclusion of six protocol violations, 254 patients were analyzed: 67.3% had primary hypertension, 17.3% an aldosterone producing adenoma (APA), 11.4% idiopathic hyperaldosteronism (IHA), 2.4% renovascular hypertension (RVH), 0.8% familial hyperaldosteronism type 1 (FH-1), 0.4% apparent mineralocorticoid excess (AME), 0.4% a renin-producing tumor, and 3.9% were adrenalectomized APA patients. Bland-Altman plots and Deming regression were used to analyze results. The diagnostic accuracy (area under the curve, AUC of the ROC) of the DRC-based aldosterone-renin ratio (ARRCL) was compared with that of the PRA-based ARR (ARRRIA) using as reference the conclusive diagnosis of APA.Results:At Bland-Altman plot, the DRC and PAC assay showed no bias as compared to the PRA and PAC assay. A tight relation was found between the DRC and the PRA values (concordance correlation coefficient=0.92, p&lt;0.0001) and the PAC values measured with radioimmunoassay and chemiluminescence (concordance correlation coefficient=0.93, p&lt;0.001). For APA identification the AUC of the ARRCLwas higher than that of the ARRRIA[0.974 (95% CI 0.940–0.991) vs. 0.894 (95% CI 0.841–0.933), p=0.02].Conclusions:This rapid automated chemiluminescent DRC/PAC assay performed better than validated PRA/PAC radioimmunoassays for the identification of APA in referred hypertensive patients.</jats:sec

IGF-I influences everolimus activity in medullary thyroid carcinoma

Context: Medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) is a rare tumor originating from thyroid parafollicular C cells. It has been previously demonstrated that insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) protects MTC from the effects of antiproliferative drugs. Everolimus, an mTOR inhibitor, has shown potent antiproliferative effects in a human MTC cell line, TT, and in two human MTC primary cultures. Objective: To verify whether IGF-I may influence the effects of everolimus in a group of human MTC primary cultures. Design: We collected 18 MTCs that were dispersed in primary cultures, treated without or with 10 nM-1 mu M everolimus and/or 50 nM IGF-I. Cell viability was evaluated after 48 h, and calcitonin (CT) secretion was assessed after a 6 h incubation. IGF-I receptor downstream signaling protein expression profile was also investigated. Results: Everolimus significantly reduced cell viability in eight MTC [by similar to 20%; P < 0.01 vs. control; everolimus-responders (E-R) MTCs], while cell viability did not change in 10 MTCs [everolimus-non-responders (E-NR) MTCs]. In E-R MTCs, IGF-I blocked the antiproliferative effects of everolimus that did not affect CT secretion, but blocked the stimulatory effects of IGF-I on this parameter. IGF-I receptor downstream signaling proteins were expressed at higher levels in E-NR MTC as compared to E-R MTCs. Conclusion: IGF-I protects a subset of MTC primary cultures from the antiproliferative effects of everolimus and stimulates CT secretion by an mTOR mediated pathway that, in turn, may represent a therapeutic target in the treatment of aggressive MTCs

The Psychoanalytic Anthropology of Third-Millennium Medicine

High-tech surgical interventions involving the implantation of external prostheses or internal devices are increasingly frequent in contemporary medicine. These operations restore or improve physical function, but healthcare providers and patients often do not focus on dependent variables that do not affect the outcome. This work aims to observe the psychological dynamics following these modern treatments which actually alter personal identity. The Bionic-Prosthetic Paradigm, a new psychoanalytic model, is offered as a helpful tool for comprehending the subjective reaction to the modification of the body and its subjective self-perception. Starting from the distinction between patients with internal devices and patients with external prostheses, this article aims to define an innovative anthropological vision at the service of medicine that can conceive the composite and mutant personal identity. Specifically, this new perspective is capable of broadening concepts of acceptance or non-acceptance of the object, rejection, and compliance

On-going and future research at the Sulcis site in Sardinia, Italy. Characterization and experimentation at a possible future CCS pilot

National Italian funding has recently been allocated for the construction of a 350 MWe coal-fired power plant / CCS demonstration plant in the Sulcis area of SW Sardinia, Italy. In addition, the recently approved EC-funded ENOS project (ENabling Onshore CO2 Storage in Europe) will use the Sulcis site as one of its main field research laboratories. Site characterization is already ongoing, and work has begun to design gas injection experiments at 100-200 m depth in a fault. This article gives an overview of results to date and plans for the future from the Sapienza University of Rome research group

Treatment of atherosclerotic renovascular hypertension: review of observational studies and a meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials.

open9Atherosclerotic renal artery stenosis can cause ischaemic nephropathy and arterial hypertension. We herein review the observational and randomized clinical trials (RCTs) comparing medical and endovascular treatment for control of hypertension and renal function preservation. Using the Population Intervention Comparison Outcome (PICO) strategy, we identified the relevant studies and performed a novel meta-analysis of all RCTs to determine the efficacy and safety of endovascular treatment when compared with medical therapy. The following outcomes were examined: baseline follow-up difference in mean systolic and diastolic blood pressure (BP), serum creatinine, number of drugs at follow-up, incident events (heart failure, stroke, and worsening renal function), mortality, cumulative relative risk of heart failure, stroke, and worsening renal function. Seven studies comprising a total of 2155 patients (1741 available at follow-up) were considered, including the recently reported CORAL Study. Compared with baseline, diastolic BP fell more at follow-up in patients in the endovascular than in the medical treatment arm (standard difference in means -0.21, 95% confidence interval (CI): -0.342 to -0.078, P = 0.002) despite a greater reduction in the mean number of antihypertensive drugs (standard difference in means -0.201, 95% CI: -0.302 to -0.1, P &lt; 0.001). At variance, follow-up changes (from baseline) of systolic BP, serum creatinine, and incident cardiovascular event rates did not differ between treatment arms. Thus, patients with atherosclerotic renal artery stenosis receiving endovascular treatment required less anti-antihypertensive drugs at follow-up than those medically treated. Notwithstanding this, they evidenced a better control of diastolic BP.openopenCaielli P;Frigo AC;Pengo MF;Rossitto G;Maiolino G;Seccia TM;Calò LA;Miotto D;Rossi GPCaielli, P; Frigo, ANNA CHIARA; Pengo, Mf; Rossitto, G; Maiolino, G; Seccia, TERESA MARIA; Calò, La; Miotto, Diego; Rossi, Gianpaol

The impact of the alterations in caring for COVID-19 patients on Compassion Satisfaction and Compassion Fatigue in Italian nurses: a multi method study

During COVID-19 first wave, healthcare professionals were exposed to a major psychological pressure related to uncertainty, a lack of therapies or a vaccine and shortages of healthcare resources. They developed higher levels of Burnout and Compassion Fatigue, and similar levels of Compassion Satisfaction. Aim is evaluating in Italian nurses Compassion Satisfaction and Compassion Fatigue and impacting individual and relational variables. A multi-methods approach was used. Qualitative data were collected through 2 focus group. Quantitative data were collected through a web survey composed by an ad hoc questionnaire developed from the focus group results, the Professional Quality of Life Scale-5 and the Resilience Scale (RS-14). In the qualitative phase 6 categories emerged. From the quantitative analysis the sample reported a moderate level of Compassion Satisfaction, a low level of Burnout and a moderate level of Secondary Traumatic Stress. Compassion Satisfaction had as predictors resilience (β = .501), followed by feeling part of the team (β = .406) and collaboration with colleagues (β = .386). Secondary Traumatic Stress had as predictors the impact of PPE (β = .269), and feeling Covid-related individual sufferance (β = .212). The only predictor of Burnout was resilience (β = -2195). Conclusions: During COVID-19 first wave Italian nurses were exposed to a higher risk of Secondary Traumatic Stress, mainly impacted by frustration, loss of control, loss of possibility to properly care for patients, and personal threat. Relational and team support had a crucial role in sustaining Compassion Satisfaction

La mobilità urbana: quali politiche ?

Sintesi del Gruppo di Valutazione e Monitoraggio dei progetti finanziati e/o cofinanziati dal Ministero dell'Ambiente per la contrazione delle emissioni inquinanti e lo sviluppo di forme di mobilità sostenibile, progetti relativi ai seguenti Decreti - Programma Triennale di Tutela Ambientale 94/96 "Programma Aree Urbane" (Risanamento Atmosferico-Acustico, Piani Regionali Risanamento e Rilevamento qualità dell'aria, Piani di Disinquinamento acustico, Controllo Riduzione del Traffico - Incentivazione Mezzi di Trasporto a basso impatto ambientale) D. M. 14/09/1994 Area Programmata “Aree Urbane” Delib.CIPE 21-12-1993) Euro 231.527.627,86 - Programma Stralcio di Tutela Ambientale (Azioni di Mobility Management, Car Sharing, Incentivi rinnovo flotte pubbliche, Taxi Collettivo, Veicoli Elettrici) D.D. 495/SIAR/99; D.D. 603/SIAR/99 Euro 52.501.200,00 - Decreto Domeniche Ecologiche (Promozione di carburanti a basso impatto ambientale, Sistemi automatizzati controllo accesso ZTL, Sistemi di trasporto pubblico a basso impatto ambientale, Sistemi di Monitoraggio Inquinanti Atmosferici) D.D. 815/SIAR/00 Euro 30.987.410,00 - Programma Nazionale Car Sharing D.D. 495/SIAR/00; D.D.85/SIAR/00 Euro 9.296.224,18 - Decreto Incentivi ai Mobility Manager D.D. 84/SIAR/00 Euro 15.493.707,00 - Decreto Programmi Radicali per la mobilità sostenibile (servizi di taxi collettivo, sistemi telematici per la limitazione del traffico, acquisto di flotte di veicoli elettrici e a gas, attivazione di centraline di monitoraggio per la qualità dell’aria) D.D. 95/SIAR/00 Euro 35.119.069,00 - Interventi Strutturali (veicoli elettrici, a metano, sistemi di trasporto pubblico) D.D. 1275/IAR/02 Euro 11.500.000,0