The stigma of schizophrenia from patients' and relatives' view: A pilot study in an Italian rehabilitation residential care unit

OBJECTIVE: To identify the constituent elements of the stigma from the perspective of those having first-hand experiences of it. METHODS: Subjective experiences of stigma were explored in six focus groups: three with people suffering from schizophrenia and three with patients' relatives. Focus group sessions were tape-recorded, transcribed and analyzed by means of an inductive method, forming categories from the texts, as a basis for coding. Analysis aimed at establishing a typology of stigmatization experiences from the spoken words of the focus group participants. RESULTS: Four dimensions of stigma were identified: access to social roles; internalization of stigma; quality of mental health services, public image of mental illness. CONCLUSION: The most frequently found topics concerned experiences of marginalization and discrimination that people with schizophrenia experience in their daily life. These results mirror the findings of similar studies obtained in other cultural contexts

PARTECIPAZIONE E GRADIMENTO DI UN PERCORSO DI ACCOMPAGNAMENTO PSICOLOGICO RIVOLTO ALLE MATRICOLE DELLA FACOLTÀ DI MEDICINA

Obiettivi: valutare la partecipazione e il gradimento delle matricole che aderiscono al “Progetto Accoglienza”, un percorso di accoglienza e accompagnamento psicologico, attivo da quattro anni, presso il Corso di Laurea in Medicina e Chirurgia dell’Università degli Studi di Brescia. Metodo: il percorso si fonda sull’implementazione della figura di studenti senior (tutor), adeguatamente formati e supervisionati da docenti della Sezione di Psicologia Clinica, attraverso l’utilizzo di modalità gruppali, in accordo con specifiche metodologie utilizzate da tempo in psicologia clinica. I tutor fungono da riferimenti rassicuranti e identificatori per le matricole, che a loro volta aderiscono al progetto in modo volontario e ricevono crediti opzionali, al fine di riconoscere il valore formativo dello scambio fra studenti del primo anno e studenti senior. Per la valutazione del livello di gradimento è stato predisposto un questionario ad hoc, elaborato in parte sulla base di strumenti utilizzati nei corsi professionali in cui è previsto l’accreditamento e in parte sulla base di proposte e riflessioni fra i docenti di psicologia dell’Ateneo, che non hanno preso parte al progetto. Risultati: il numero di studenti che partecipa con regolarità al percorso di accoglienza è cresciuto nei quattro anni: da 125 a 164. Gli studenti hanno in media un’età di 19.3 anni (±1.7) e sono in prevalenza femmine. Il questionario di gradimento viene compilato in media dall’85% delle matricole coinvolte. Quasi la totalità di esse riferisce che ripeterebbe l’esperienza, anche senza crediti formativi; il 98% la consiglierebbe ad una nuova matricola. Per quanto riguarda rilevanza, efficacia e utilità del percorso rispetto alle proprie esigenze formative, anche in questo caso la maggior parte degli studenti riporta una valutazione positiva. Conclusioni: i dati raccolti mostrano un gradimento medio-alto, che si mantiene costante negli anni. Si ritiene che tale percorso possa fornire un aiuto concreto per fronteggiare le difficoltà associate all’ingresso nell’Università. Fra gli indicatori di efficacia di consimili interventi nel lungo periodo, riteniamo utile la ricaduta in termini di prevenzione del drop out e dell’ allungamento temporale del corso di studi

Calidad microbiológica de la miel en la Región Pampeana (Argentina) a lo largo del proceso de extracción

Este estudio evaluó la calidad microbiológica de la miel dentro de varias plantas de extracción de miel y la calidad del medio ambiente de las mismas en la Región Pampeana (Argentina). Se trabajó con 163 muestras de miel provenientes de 8 plantas de extracción. Se cuantificaron hongos y levaduras, bacterias aeróbicas mesófilas, bacterias esporuladas y esporas de clostridios. Asimismo, se determinó la presencia de Salmonella spp., Shigella spp. y coliformes fecales. Los resultados mostraron que por g de miel, 89 muestras tuvieron menos de 10 UFC de hongos y levaduras, 69 tuvieron entre 10 y 50 UFC y 2 alcanzaron 65,5 UFC. Ochenta y uno por ciento de las muestras presentaron menos de 30 UFC de bacterias aeróbicas mesófilas por g de miel mientras que solo 7 tuvieron entre 50 y 54,25 UFC. Se obtuvieron 36 muestras de miel directamente de tambor: los conteos de bacterias aeróbicas mesófilas fueron ≤ 30 UFC/g de miel en 25 muestras (69,4%); los valores de hongos y levaduras estuvieron entre 10 y 50 UFC en 20 muestras (55,5%) y solo se detectaron coliformes totales. No se observaron coliformes fecales, esporas de clostridios así como tampoco Salmonella spp. y Shigella spp. y se obtuvieron menos de 50 esporas de Bacillus spp./g en miel de los tambores. Se concluye que la calidad microbiológica de la miel en las plantas de extracción no presentó riesgo sanitario. Los resultados fueron entregados a los dueños de las mismas como aporte para que valoren la importancia de reforzar la aplicación de buenas prácticas de manejo y saneamiento.In this work we determined the microbiological quality of honey at different processing points and the environmental quality within honey houses, in order to enlarge and complete a research we started in 2009. Mould and yeast (MY), aerobic mesophilic heterotrophic bacteria (CHMB), spore forming bacteria and spores of clostridia number as well as the presence of Shigella spp., Salmonella spp. and fecal coliforms were determined in 163 samples of honey from eight honey houses of the Pampas Region (Argentina). Results showed that 89 samples had ≤10 cfu of MY g-1 while 69 ranged from 10 to 50 cfu g-1, except two that reached 65.5 cfu g-1. Eighty one percentage of the samples showed ≤30 cfu of CHMB g-1 while only seven samples had between 50 and 54.25 cfu g-1. Thirty six samples of honey were obtained from drums: in 25 samples (69.4%) counts of CHMB were less than ≤30 cfu g-1 of honey; in 20 samples (55.5%) values of MY were between 10 and 50 cfu g-1 of honey and total coliforms were only detected in 20 samples from 2014. Fecal coliforms, spores of clostridia as well as Salmonella spp. and Shigella spp were not detected in honey from drums and less than 50 spores of Bacillus spp. g-1 of honey were observed. We can conclude that the microbiological honey quality at honey houses did not show sanitary risks. The information given to the honey house owners would help them to understand the need of applying proper honey handling and sanitation practices.Fil: Fernandez, Leticia Andrea. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Departamento de Agronomía; ArgentinaFil: Ghilardi, Carolina. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Departamento de Agronomía; ArgentinaFil: Hoffmann, Betiana. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Departamento de Agronomía; ArgentinaFil: Busso, Carlos Alberto. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Bahía Blanca. Centro de Recursos Naturales Renovables de la Zona Semiarida. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Centro de Recursos Naturales Renovables de la Zona Semiarida; Argentina. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Departamento de Agronomía; ArgentinaFil: Gallez, Liliana María. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Departamento de Agronomía; Argentin

Alkylation of methyl linoleate with propene in ionic liquids in the presence of metal salts

Vegetable oils and fatty acid esters are suitable precursor molecules for the production of a variety of bio-based products and materials, such as paints and coatings, plastics, soaps, lubricants, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, printing inks, surfactants, and biofuels. Here, we report the possibility of using Lewis acidic ionic liquids (ILs) to obtain polyunsaturated ester dimerization-oligomerization and/or, in the presence of another terminal alkene (propene), co-polymerization. In particular, we have tested the Lewis acidic mixtures arising from the addition of a proper amount of GaCl3 (X > 0.5) to two chloride-based (1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride, [bmim]Cl, and 1-butylisoquinolium chloride, [BuIsoq]Cl) or by dissolution of a smaller amount of Al(Tf2N)3 (X = 0.1) in 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide, [bmim][Tf2N]. On the basis of product distribution studies, [bmim][Tf2N]/Al(Tf2N)3 appears the most suitable medium in which methyl linoleate alkylation with propene can compete with methyl linoleate or propene oligomerization

A new flavonoid derivative from leaves of Oxandra Sessiliflora R. E. Fries

The ethyl acetate (EtOAc) phase obtained from the partition of the ethanol (EtOH) extract from leaves of O. sessiliflora R. E. Fries (Annonaceae) was subjected to several chromatographic steps, including high efficiency liquid chromatography (HPLC), to afford the flavonoids: quercetin-3-O-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→4)-β-D-glucopyranoside (1), unprecedented in the literature, kaempferol-3-O-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→4)-β-D-glucopyranoside (2), rutin (3), and kaempferol-3-O-rutinoside (4). The structures were elucidated by analysis of their ¹H and 13C nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) (1D and 2D) spectra and mass spectrometry.A fração em acetato de etila (EtOAc) obtida a partir da partição do extrato de etanol (EtOH) das folhas de O. sessiliflora R. E. Fries (Annonaceae) foi submetida a diversos procedimentos cromatográficos, incluindo cromatografia líquida de alta eficiência (HPLC), o que resultou no isolamento dos flavonóides: quercetina-3-O-α-L-ramnopiranosil-(1→4)-β-D-glucopiranosídeo (1), inédito na literatura, canferol-3-O-α-L-ramnopiranosil-(1→4)-β-D-glucopiranosídeo (2), rutina (3) e canferol-3-O-rutinosídeo (4). As estruturas foram definidas através da análise dos espectros de ressonância magnética nuclear (NMR) de ¹H e de 13C (1D e 2D) e espectrometria de massas.Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)Universidade Federal do Piauí Departamento de QuímicaUniversidade Estadual Paulista Instituto de QuímicaUniversidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP) Instituto de Ciências Ambientais, Químicas e FarmacêuticasUNIFESP, Instituto de Ciências Ambientais, Químicas e FarmacêuticasSciEL

CHARACTERISTICS OF INTERNET USE AMONGST ITALIAN UNIVERSITY STUDENTS

Background: Problematic Internet use (PIU), that may be defined as the inability to control one’s use of Internet with negative consequences in daily life, is an emerging problem involving primarily, but not only young generations. Different studies have shown that students are particularly vulnerable to PIU. Given the paucity of information on PIU in our country, the aim of this paper was at investigating the characteristics of PIU amongst Italian University students. Subjects and methods: A self-assessment questionnaire, referred by the acronym QUNT (“Questionario sull’Utilizzo delle Nuove Tecnologie”), composed by 101 items grouped together to identify a series of factors, was developed and sent through e-mail invitation to several students from three Italian Universities. Results: The returned questionnaires were 3324, out of a total of 51,304 sent, with no difference between the two sexes. On the contrary, the distribution of the QUNT factors was different in the two sexes, in people living alone and in overweight subjects. Men resulted to be more involved in online recreational activities, whereas women seemed more attracted to instant messaging and generally to social networks. PIU was significantly more present in men than women. The comparisons of QUNT factor scores in the four BMI categories showed that the greater the BMI the greater the score of some factors. Conclusions: The findings of the present study indicate that the use of Internet through new technologies may exceed its real utility amongst Italian university student, with some sex-related differences. Men seem more prone to use Internet for passing time and women for social relationships. Men are also at risk of developing PIU. Again, Internet use might be a basic vulnerability factor of increasing weight gain and obesity amongst young people

Art therapy for Parkinson's disease.

Abstract Objective To explore the potential rehabilitative effect of art therapy and its underlying mechanisms in Parkinson's disease (PD). Methods Observational study of eighteen patients with PD, followed in a prospective, open-label, exploratory trial. Before and after twenty sessions of art therapy, PD patients were assessed with the UPDRS, Pegboard Test, Timed Up and Go Test (TUG), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Modified Fatigue Impact Scale and PROMIS-Self-Efficacy, Montreal Cognitive Assessment, Rey-Osterrieth Complex Figure Test (RCFT), Benton Visual Recognition Test (BVRT), Navon Test, Visual Search, and Stop Signal Task. Eye movements were recorded during the BVRT. Resting-state functional MRI (rs-fMRI) was also performed to assess functional connectivity (FC) changes within the dorsal attention (DAN), executive control (ECN), fronto-occipital (FOC), salience (SAL), primary and secondary visual (V1, V2) brain networks. We also tested fourteen age-matched healthy controls at baseline. Results At baseline, PD patients showed abnormal visual-cognitive functions and eye movements. Analyses of rs-fMRI showed increased functional connectivity within DAN and ECN in patients compared to controls. Following art therapy, performance improved on Navon test, eye tracking, and UPDRS scores. Rs-fMRI analysis revealed significantly increased FC levels in brain regions within V1 and V2 networks. Interpretation Art therapy improves overall visual-cognitive skills and visual exploration strategies as well as general motor function in patients with PD. The changes in brain connectivity highlight a functional reorganization of visual networks

Postpartum ovarian vein thrombosis after cesarean delivery: a case report

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Introduction</p> <p>Postpartum ovarian vein thrombosis is an uncommon complication; incidence varies between 0.002% and 0.05%. It most often occurs during the 2–15 days following delivery.</p> <p>Case presentation</p> <p>A 22-year-old pregnant woman at term presented to hospital with uterine contractions, abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting. After delivery an ovarian vein thrombosis was diagnosed.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Low-molecular weight heparin with broad-spectrum antibiotics are the accepted therapy in non-complicated cases of postpartum ovarian vein thrombosis.</p

INvolvement of breast CAncer patients during oncological consultations: a multicentre randomised controlled trial--the INCA study protocol.

INTRODUCTION: Studies on patient involvement show that physicians make few attempts to involve their patients who ask few questions if not facilitated. On the other hand, the patients who participate in the decision-making process show greater treatment adherence and have better health outcomes. Different methods to encourage the active participation during oncological consultation have been described; however, similar studies in Italy are lacking. The aims of the present study are to (1) assess the effects of a preconsultation intervention to increase the involvement of breast cancer patients during the consultation, and (2) explore the role of the attending companions in the information exchange during consultation. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: All female patients with breast cancer who attend the Oncology Out-patient Services for the first time will provide an informed consent to participate in the study. They are randomly assigned to the intervention or to the control group. The intervention consists of the presentation of a list of relevant illness-related questions, called a question prompt sheet. The primary outcome measure of the efficacy of the intervention is the number of questions asked by patients during the consultation. Secondary outcomes are the involvement of the patient by the oncologist; the patient's perceived achievement of her information needs; the patient's satisfaction and ability to cope; the quality of the doctor-patient relationship in terms of patient-centeredness; and the number of questions asked by the patient's companions and their involvement during the consultation. All outcome measures are supposed to significantly increase in the intervention group. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: The study was approved by the local Ethics Committee of the Hospital Trust of Verona. Study findings will be disseminated through peer-reviewed publications and conference presentations. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT01510964

Complexes of the tripodal nitrilotrimethylenetrisphosphonic (H6L) and P,P\u27,P\u27\u27-triphenylnitrilotrimethylenetrisphosphinic (H3L) acids with the copper(II) ion. Synthesis and charaterization of [Hpy][Cu(H3L)(H2O)] and [Cu(HL)(py)]2.2Me2CO

The complexes [Hpy][Cu(H3L)(H2O)] 1 (L6 = nitrilotrimethylenetrisphosphonate) and [Cu(HL&deg;)(py)]2&middot;2Me2CO 2 [(L&deg;)3 = P,P,P&quot; -triphenylnitrilotrismethylenetrisphosphinate)] have been isolated and characterized by X-ray crystallography, near IR-visible spectroscopy and magnetic measurements. The structure determination has shown the complexes to be constituted by monomeric and dimeric units respectively. In the monomer the metal atom is surrounded by the phosphonate ligand and a water molecule, with a geometry between a trigonal bipyramid and a square pyramid. The two copper atoms in the dimer are held together by an arm of the tripod ligand, with a pyridine molecule as additional ligand, and display octahedral geometry. The presence of monomeric and dimeric species in aqueous solutions of 1 and 2 has been shown by ESMS studies. The formation in water solution of the dimer [{Cu(H3L)}2]2-, as a minor species, has been supported by potentiometric measurements, whereas only the monomeric anion [CuL&deg;] has been ascertained to be present. In general the ligand H3L&deg; forms less stable copper(II) complexes than H6L.<br /