Mentalizing subtypes in eating disorders: A latent profile analysis

Background: Mentalizing, the mental capacity to understand oneself and others in terms of mental states, has been found to be reduced in several mental disorders. Some studies have suggested that eating disorders (EDs) may also be associated with impairments in mentalizing. The aim of this work is to investigate the possible presence of mentalizing subtypes in a sample of patients with EDs. Method: A sample of patients with eating disorders (N = 157) completed a battery of measures assessing mentalization and related variables, including the Reflective Functioning Questionnaire (RFQ), the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Strategies (DERS), the Interpersonal Reactivity Index (IRI). Clinicians rated patients in relation to imbalances in different dimensions of mentalization to prementalizing modes and attachment style by using the Mentalization Imbalances Scale, the Modes of Mentalization Scale (MMS), and the Adult Attachment Questionnaire. A latent profile analysis was conducted to test the possible presence of different subgroups. MANOVA was used to test the possible differences between the four mentalizing profiles in relation to emotion dysregulation (DERS), empathy (IRI), and adequate and impairments in mentalizing (MMS and RFQ). Results: The latent profile analysis suggested the presence of four different profiles in relation to impairments in the dimensions of mentalization: (1) affective/self/automatic imbalances, (2) external imbalance, (3) cognitive/self/automatic imbalances, and (4) cognitive/other/automatic imbalances. Patients belonging to profile 1 are characterized by the prevalence of affective mentalization that overwhelms the capacity to reflect on mental states with an imbalance on the self-dimension; profile 2 patients are excessively focused on the external cues of mentalization; profile 3 patients are characterized by an over-involvement on the cognitive and self-facets of mentalization, with an impairment in adopting the other mind perspective; and profile 4 patients have similar impairments compared to profile 3 patients but with an excessive focus on others and deficits in self-reflection. These profiles were heterogeneous in terms of EDs represented in each group and presented significant differences on various variables such as attachment style, emotion dysregulation, empathy, interpersonal reactivity, and reflective function. This study represents, so far, the first work that confirms the presence of different mentalizing patterns in ED patients. Conclusions: ED patients can be classified in relation to impairments in different dimensions of mentalization above and beyond ED diagnosis

Magnetostratigraphy and biostratigraphy of the Carnian/Norian boundary interval from the Pizzo Mondello section (Sicani Mountains, Sicily)

The 146.5 m-thick Upper Triassic limestone section at Pizzo Mondello in the Sicani Mountains of western Sicily is characterized by high quality of exposure, accessibility, and stratigraphic continuity. Magnetostratigraphic results delineate 12 normal and reverse polarity magnetozones, labelled successively from the base upwards as PM1n, PM1r, PM6n, PM6r. The Carnian/Norian boundary, based on conodont biostratigraphy, falls somewhere in the PM3n to PM5n interval which corresponds to the E14n to E16n magnetozone interval in the Newark reference sequence of polarity reversals. Comparison of magnetobiostratigraphic data from the Newark basin, Pizzo Mondello and other Late Triassic marine sections available from the literature suggests the existence of a reduction in sedimentation rate in the Tethyan marine domain at around the Carnian/Norian boundary. Although the Newark and the expanded Pizzo Mondello sections correlate well with each other, correlation with the condensed Kavur Tepe and Scheiblkogel sections is unsatisfactory. A re-interpretation of the Kavur Tepe results suggests that the section is younger than its previous correlation with the Newark section, and that it was deposited in the northern instead of the southern hemisphere. Most of the condensed Tethyan marine sections are seen to be highly discontinuous, as evidenced by concantenated conodont total range zones

Acetic Acid Bacteria: Physiology and Carbon Sources Oxidation

Acetic acid bacteria (AAB) are obligately aerobic bacteria within the family Acetobacteraceae, widespread in sugary, acidic and alcoholic niches. They are known for their ability to partially oxidise a variety of carbohydrates and to release the corresponding metabolites (aldehydes, ketones and organic acids) into the media. Since a long time they are used to perform specific oxidation reactions through processes called “oxidative fermentations”, especially in vinegar production. In the last decades physiology of AAB have been widely studied because of their role in food production, where they act as beneficial or spoiling organisms, and in biotechnological industry, where their oxidation machinery is exploited to produce a number of compounds such as l-ascorbic acid, dihydroxyacetone, gluconic acid and cellulose. The present review aims to provide an overview of AAB physiology focusing carbon sources oxidation and main products of their metabolism

Produção de Brachiaria brizantha cv. Marandu quando consorciada com Sorghum bicolor sob períodos de estresse hídrico.

Verificar o desenvolvimento da Brachiaria brizantha cv. Marandu quando em cultivo consorciado com o sorgo, submetida a períodos de déficit hídrico

Fertility-sparing approach in women affected by stage i and low-grade endometrial carcinoma: An updated overview

Endometrial cancer (EC) is a deleterious condition which strongly affects a woman’s quality of life. Although aggressive interventions should be considered to treat high-grade EC, a conservative approach should be taken into consideration for women wishing to conceive. In this scenario, we present an overview about the EC fertility-sparing approach state of art. Type I EC at low stage is the only histological type which can be addressed with a fertility-sparing approach. Moreover, no myometrium and/or adnexal invasion should be seen, and lymph-vascular space should not be involved. Regarding the pharmaceutical target, progestins, in particular medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) or megestrol acetate (MA), are the most employed agent in conservative treatment of early-stage EC. The metformin usage and hysteroscopic assessment is still under debate, despite promising results. Particularly strict and imperious attention should be given to the follow-up and psychological wellbeing of women, especially because of the double detrimental impairment: both EC and EC-related infertility consequences

Magnetostratigraphy and Biostratigraphy of the Carnian/Norian Boundary Interval from the Pizzo Mondello Section (Sicily)

We present new magnetostratigraphic and biostratigraphic data from an Upper Triassic limestone section named Pizzo Mondello. This section is 141m-thick and crops out in the Sicani Mountains of western Sicily (Italy). The Pizzo Mondello section is one of the Tethyan best in virtue of its high quality of exposure, accessibility, stratigraphic continuity and good magnetostratigraphic data. We recognize a sequence of six magnetozones, from M1 to M6, each subdivided into a lower predominantly normal and an upper predominantly reversed magnetozone. This sequence of magnetozones spans the Carnian/Norian boundary according to conodont biostratigraphy. The Carnian/Norian boundary should fall in the upper part of magnetozone M3 which should correspond to chron E14 in the Newark reference sequence of polarity reversals. The comparison of data from the Newark basin, Pizzo Mondello and the Late Triassic Bolcektasi Tepe section from the literature seems to suggest the existence of a disconformity in the Tethyan marine domain at around the Carnian/Norian boundary which we tentatively relate to intraPangea tectonic mobility. A consistent correlation of Newark/Pizzo Mondello with published data from the Norian Tethyan marine Kavur Tepe and Scheiblkogel sections is still elusive, suggesting that the validity of the original polarity interpretation of the Kavur Tepe section could usefully be critically reviewed

Phase 1 study of fianlimab, a human lymphocyte activation gene-3 (LAG-3) monoclonal antibody, plus cemiplimab in advanced melanoma

Background: Concurrent LAG-3 blockade may enhance efficacy of anti-program cell death-1 (PD-1) therapies such as cemiplimab. We present updated safety and clinical activity data from patients with advanced melanoma treated concurrently with cemiplimab and fianlimab (NCT03005782). Methods: Patients were included with unresectable or metastatic melanoma (excluding uveal melanoma) who were anti-PD-ligand (L) 1 treatment naive (expansion cohort [EC] 6) or anti-PD-(L)1 experienced within 3 months of screening (EC7). Patients received fianlimab 1600 mg + cemiplimab 350 mg intravenously every 3 weeks for 12 months (optional extra 12 months if clinically indicated). Tumours were measured every 6 weeks for 24 weeks, then every 9 weeks. In EC6 (n = 40) and EC7 (n = 15), respectively (data cutoff 9th February 2022), median age was 69.5 and 59.0 years, and median treatment duration was 37.1 and 9.0 weeks. Results: In EC6 and EC7, respectively, incidence of Grade ≥3 treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) were 38% and 47%, incidence of serious TEAEs was 33% and 33%, and 18% and 13% of patients discontinued treatment due to a TEAE. Adrenal insufficiency rate was 13% and 7% in EC6 and EC7, respectively; no instances led to treatment discontinuation. Investigator-assessed objective response rate was63%(six complete responses; 19 partial responses) in EC6 and 13% (two partial responses) in EC7. Kaplan-Meier estimate of median progression-free survival was 14.2 (95% CI: 5.6-not estimated) months in EC6 and 1.4 (95% CI: 1.3-7.7) months in EC7. Median duration of response was not reached in EC6 or EC7. Conclusion: Fianlimab plus cemiplimab in advanced melanoma had a similar safety profile to anti-PD-1 monotherapies. Clinical activity in anti-PD-(L)1-naive patients appeared higher than previously reported for anti-PD-1monotherapy or anti-LAG-3 plus anti-PD-1. A Phase 3 trial (NCT05352672) investigating fianlimab plus cemiplimab in advanced melanoma is ongoing

Fecal pancreatic elastase-1 levels in older individuals without known gastrointestinal diseases or diabetes mellitus

Background - Structural changes occur in the pancreas as a part of the natural aging process. With aging, also the incidence of maldigestive symptoms and malnutrition increases, raising the possibility that these might be caused at least in part by inadequate pancreatic enzyme secretion due to degenerative processes and damage of the gland. Fecal elastase-1 is a good marker of pancreatic exocrine secretion. The aim of this study was to investigate the fecal elastase-1 levels among over 60 years old Finnish and Polish healthy individuals without any special diet, known gastrointestinal disease, surgery or diabetes mellitus. Methods - A total of 159 patients participated in this cross-sectional study. 106 older individuals (aged 60-92 years) were recruited from outpatient clinics and elderly homes. They were divided to three age groups: 60-69 years old (n = 31); 70-79 years old (n = 38) and over 80 years old (n = 37). 53 young subjects (20-28 years old) were investigated as controls. Inclusion criteria were age over 60 years, normal status and competence. Exclusion criteria were any special diet, diabetes mellitus, any known gastrointestinal disease or prior gastrointestinal surgery. Fecal elastase-1 concentration was measured from stool samples with an ELISA that uses two monoclonal antibodies against different epitopes of human elastase-1. Results - Fecal elastase-1 concentrations correlated negatively with age (Pearson r = -0,3531, P < 0.001) and were significantly lower among subjects over 70 years old compared to controls (controls vs. 70-79 years old and controls vs. over 80 years old, both P < 0.001). Among the over 60 years old subjects, the fecal elastase-1 concentrations were below the cut off level of 200 μg/g in 23 of 106 (21.7%) individuals [mean 112 (86-138) μg/g] indicating pancreatic exocrine insufficiency. Of those, 9 subjects had fecal elastase-1 level below 100 μg/g as a marker of severe pancreatic insufficiency. Conclusion - In our study one fifth of healthy older individuals without any gastrointestinal disorder, surgery or diabetes mellitus suffer from pancreatic exocrine insufficiency and might benefit from enzyme supplementation therapy.peerReviewe