Maternal alexithymia and attachment style: Which relationship with their children's headache features and psychological profile?

Introduction: A growing body of literature has shown an association between somatic symptoms and insecure "attachment style." In a recent study, we found a relationship between migraine severity, ambivalent attachment style, and psychological symptoms in children/adolescents. There is evidence that caregivers' attachment styles and their way of management/expression of emotions can influence children's psychological profile and pain expression. To date, data dealing with headache are scarce. Our aim was to study the role of maternal alexithymia and attachment style on their children's migraine severity, attachment style, and psychological profile. Materials and methods: We enrolled 84 consecutive patients suffering from migraine without aura (female: 45, male: 39; mean age 11.8 ± 2.4 years). According to headache frequency, children/adolescents were divided into two groups: (1) high frequency (patients reporting from weekly to daily attacks), and (2) low frequency (patients having ≤3 episodes per month). We divided headache attacks intensity into two groups (mild and severe pain). SAFA "Anxiety," "Depression," and "Somatization" scales were used to explore children's psychological profile. To evaluate attachment style, the semi-projective test SAT for patients and ASQ Questionnaire for mothers were employed. Maternal alexithymia traits were assessed by TAS-20. Results: We found a significant higher score in maternal alexithymia levels in children classified as "ambivalent," compared to those classified as "avoiding" (Total scale: p = 0.011). A positive correlation has been identified between mother's TAS-20 Total score and the children's SAFA-A Total score (p = 0.026). In particular, positive correlations were found between maternal alexithymia and children's "Separation anxiety" (p = 0.009) and "School anxiety" (p = 0.015) subscales. Maternal "Externally-oriented thinking" subscale correlated with children's school anxiety (p = 0.050). Moreover, we found a correlation between TAS-20 Total score and SAFA-D "Feeling of guilt" subscale (p = 0.014). Our data showed no relationship between TAS-20 and ASQ questionnaires and children's migraine intensity and frequency. Conclusion: Maternal alexithymia and attachment style have no impact on children's migraine severity. However, our results suggest that, although maternal alexithymic traits have no causative roles on children's migraine severity, they show a relationship with patients' attachment style and psychological symptoms, which in turn may impact on migraine severity

Acanthamoeba sp. keratitis: First case confirmed by isolation and molecular typification in Bahía Blanca, Buenos Aires Province, Argentina

Some species of the Acanthamoeba genus cause keratitis, a very painful, most likely unilateral corneal infection, associated with eye and vision impairment. We here present a case of a 31-year-old female patient, a regular user of soft contact lenses without good practices of lens hygiene and handling. The patient attended medical consultation after two months of inflammation and pain in her right eye. After ophthalmological studies, and due to suspicion of a parasitic infection, a biopsy was performed and the sample submitted for bacteriological and parasitological analyses. Moreover, contact lens holders and lens cleaning solutions were studied. The samples yielded negative results for bacterial infection. However, cultivation of all samples showed the presence of amoeboid parasites. Isolated amoebae were morphologically and molecularly classified as members of the Acanthamoeba genus. This is the first case of keratitis caused by Acanthamoeba in Bahía Blanca, Buenos Aires Province, where the parasite was identified by specific and sensitive molecular techniques.Fil: Gertiser, María Laura. Universidad Nacional del Sur; ArgentinaFil: Giagante, E.. Centro Privado de Oftalmología Bahía Blanca; ArgentinaFil: Sgattoni, E.. Centro Privado de Oftalmología Bahía Blanca; ArgentinaFil: Basabe, Norma. Universidad Nacional del Sur; ArgentinaFil: Rivero, Fernando David. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet Noa Sur. Instituto Multidisciplinario de Salud, Tecnología y Desarrollo. - Universidad Nacional de Santiago del Estero. Instituto Multidisciplinario de Salud, Tecnología y Desarrollo; Argentina. Universidad Católica de Córdoba. Facultad de Medicina. Laboratorio de Investigación en Bioquímica y Biología Molecular; ArgentinaFil: Lujan, Hugo Daniel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro de Investigación y Desarrollo en Inmunología y Enfermedades Infecciosas. Universidad Católica de Córdoba. Centro de Investigación y Desarrollo en Inmunología y Enfermedades Infecciosas; ArgentinaFil: Occhionero, M.. Universidad Nacional del Sur; ArgentinaFil: Paniccia, Teresa Laura. Universidad Nacional del Sur; ArgentinaFil: Visciarelli, Elena Concepcion. Universidad Nacional del Sur; ArgentinaFil: Costamagna. S. R.. Universidad Nacional del Sur; Argentin

Acanthamoeba sp. keratitis: First case confirmed by isolation and molecular typification in Bahía Blanca, Buenos Aires Province, Argentina

Some species of the Acanthamoeba genus cause keratitis, a very painful, most likely unilateral corneal infection, associated with eye and vision impairment. We here present a case of a 31-year-old female patient, a regular user of soft contact lenses without good practices of lens hygiene and handling. The patient attended medical consultation after two months of inflammation and pain in her right eye. After ophthalmological studies, and due to suspicion of a parasitic infection, a biopsy was performed and the sample submitted for bacteriological and parasitological analyses. Moreover, contact lens holders and lens cleaning solutions were studied. The samples yielded negative results for bacterial infection. However, cultivation of all samples showed the presence of amoeboid parasites. Isolated amoebae were morphologically and molecularly classified as members of the Acanthamoeba genus. This is the first case of keratitis caused by Acanthamoeba in Bahía Blanca, Buenos Aires Province, where the parasite was identified by specific and sensitive molecular techniques.Fil: Gertiser, María Laura. Universidad Nacional del Sur; ArgentinaFil: Giagante, E.. Centro Privado de Oftalmología Bahía Blanca; ArgentinaFil: Sgattoni, E.. Centro Privado de Oftalmología Bahía Blanca; ArgentinaFil: Basabe, Norma. Universidad Nacional del Sur; ArgentinaFil: Rivero, Fernando David. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet Noa Sur. Instituto Multidisciplinario de Salud, Tecnología y Desarrollo. - Universidad Nacional de Santiago del Estero. Instituto Multidisciplinario de Salud, Tecnología y Desarrollo; Argentina. Universidad Católica de Córdoba. Facultad de Medicina. Laboratorio de Investigación en Bioquímica y Biología Molecular; ArgentinaFil: Lujan, Hugo Daniel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro de Investigación y Desarrollo en Inmunología y Enfermedades Infecciosas. Universidad Católica de Córdoba. Centro de Investigación y Desarrollo en Inmunología y Enfermedades Infecciosas; ArgentinaFil: Occhionero, M.. Universidad Nacional del Sur; ArgentinaFil: Paniccia, Teresa Laura. Universidad Nacional del Sur; ArgentinaFil: Visciarelli, Elena Concepcion. Universidad Nacional del Sur; ArgentinaFil: Costamagna. S. R.. Universidad Nacional del Sur; Argentin

Continued Decay of HIV Proviral DNA Upon Vaccination With HIV-1 Tat of Subjects on Long-Term ART: An 8-Year Follow-Up Study

Introduction: Tat, a key HIV virulence protein, has been targeted for the development of a therapeutic vaccine aimed at cART intensification. Results from phase II clinical trials in Italy (ISS T-002) and South Africa (ISS T-003) indicated that Tat vaccination promotes increases of CD4+ T-cells and return to immune homeostasis while reducing the virus reservoir in chronically cART-treated patients. Here we present data of 92 vaccinees (59% of total vaccinees) enrolled in the ISS T-002 8-year extended follow-up study (ISS T-002 EF-UP, ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02118168).Results: Anti-Tat antibodies (Abs) induced upon vaccination persisted for the entire follow-up in 34/92 (37%) vaccinees, particularly when all 3 Ab classes (A/G/M) were present (66% of vaccinees), as most frequently observed with Tat 30 μg regimens. CD4+ T cells increased above study-entry levels reaching a stable plateau at year 5 post-vaccination, with the highest increase (165 cells/μL) in the Tat 30 μg, 3 × regimen. CD4+ T-cell increase occurred even in subjects with CD4+ nadir ≤ 250 cells/uL and in poor immunological responders and was associated with a concomitant increase of the CD4+/CD8+ T-cell ratio, a prognostic marker of morbidity/mortality inversely related to HIV reservoir size. Proviral DNA load decreased over time, with a half-life of 2 years and an estimated 90% reduction at year 8 in the Tat 30 μg, 3 × group. In multivariate analysis the kinetic and amplitude of both CD4+ T-cell increase and proviral DNA reduction were fastest and highest in subjects with all 3 anti-Tat Ab classes and in the 30 μg, 3 × group, irrespective of drug regimens (NNRTI/NRTI vs. PI). HIV proviral DNA changes from baseline were inversely related to CD4+/CD8+ T-cell ratio and CD4+ T-cell changes, and directly related to the changes of CD8+ T cells. Further, HIV DNA decay kinetics were inversely related to the frequency and levels of intermittent viremia. Finally, Tat vaccination was similarly effective irrespective of the individual immunological status or HIV reservoir size at study entry.Conclusions: Tat immunization induces progressive immune restoration and reduction of virus reservoirs above levels reached with long-term cART, and may represent an optimal vaccine candidate for cART intensification toward HIV reservoirs depletion, functional cure, and eradication strategies

The rapid spread of SARS-COV-2 Omicron variant in Italy reflected early through wastewater surveillance

The SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant emerged in South Africa in November 2021, and has later been identified worldwide, raising serious concerns. A real-time RT-PCR assay was designed for the rapid screening of the Omicron variant, targeting characteristic mutations of the spike gene. The assay was used to test 737 sewage samples collected throughout Italy (19/21 Regions) between 11 November and 25 December 2021, with the aim of assessing the spread of the Omicron variant in the country. Positive samples were also tested with a real-time RT-PCR developed by the European Commission, Joint Research Centre (JRC), and through nested RT-PCR followed by Sanger sequencing. Overall, 115 samples tested positive for Omicron SARS-CoV-2 variant. The first occurrence was detected on 7 December, in Veneto, North Italy. Later on, the variant spread extremely fast in three weeks, with prevalence of positive wastewater samples rising from 1.0% (1/104 samples) in the week 5-11 December, to 17.5% (25/143 samples) in the week 12-18, to 65.9% (89/135 samples) in the week 19-25, in line with the increase in cases of infection with the Omicron variant observed during December in Italy. Similarly, the number of Regions/Autonomous Provinces in which the variant was detected increased from one in the first week, to 11 in the second, and to 17 in the last one. The presence of the Omicron variant was confirmed by the JRC real-time RT-PCR in 79.1% (91/115) of the positive samples, and by Sanger sequencing in 66% (64/97) of PCR amplicons. In conclusion, we designed an RT-qPCR assay capable to detect the Omicron variant, which can be successfully used for the purpose of wastewater-based epidemiology. We also described the history of the introduction and diffusion of the Omicron variant in the Italian population and territory, confirming the effectiveness of sewage monitoring as a powerful surveillance tool

The rapid spread of SARS-COV-2 Omicron variant in Italy reflected early through wastewater surveillance

The SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant emerged in South Africa in November 2021, and has later been identified worldwide, raising serious concerns. A real-time RT-PCR assay was designed for the rapid screening of the Omicron variant, targeting characteristic mutations of the spike gene. The assay was used to test 737 sewage samples collected throughout Italy (19/21 Regions) between 11 November and 25 December 2021, with the aim of assessing the spread of the Omicron variant in the country. Positive samples were also tested with a real-time RT-PCR developed by the European Commission, Joint Research Centre (JRC), and through nested RT-PCR followed by Sanger sequencing. Overall, 115 samples tested positive for Omicron SARS-CoV-2 variant. The first occurrence was detected on 7 December, in Veneto, North Italy. Later on, the variant spread extremely fast in three weeks, with prevalence of positive wastewater samples rising from 1.0% (1/104 samples) in the week 5–11 December, to 17.5% (25/143 samples) in the week 12–18, to 65.9% (89/135 samples) in the week 19–25, in line with the increase in cases of infection with the Omicron variant observed during December in Italy. Similarly, the number of Regions/Autonomous Provinces in which the variant was detected increased from one in the first week, to 11 in the second, and to 17 in the last one. The presence of the Omicron variant was confirmed by the JRC real-time RT-PCR in 79.1% (91/115) of the positive samples, and by Sanger sequencing in 66% (64/97) of PCR amplicons. In conclusion, we designed an RT-qPCR assay capable to detect the Omicron variant, which can be successfully used for the purpose of wastewater-based epidemiology. We also described the history of the introduction and diffusion of the Omicron variant in the Italian population and territory, confirming the effectiveness of sewage monitoring as a powerful surveillance tool

A Qualitative Synthesis of Families’ and Students’ Hospital-to-School Transition Experiences Following Acquired Brain Injury

Acquired brain injury (ABI) is one of the greatest causes of death and disability among children in Canada. Following ABI, children are required to transition back to school and adapt to the physical, cognitive, behavioral, social, and emotional demands of the school environment. We conducted a qualitative systematic review of students’ and parents’ experiences of the transition back to school following ABI. We identified 20 articles that met our inclusion criteria. Six themes emerged: (a) lack of ABI-specific education for families and professionals, (b) communication-related factors as a facilitator and/or barrier to transition, (c) emotional focus, (d) peer relationships, (e) supports, and (f) ABI sequelae in the classroom. Students’ and families’ personal motivations and abilities and the support they receive in their environment affect their experiences of transitioning back to school and the disrupted occupations they face

Distribution and functional traits of small mammals across the Mediterranean area: landscape composition and structure definitively matter

Mediterranean landscapes constitute a biodiversity hotspot where species distribution and composition have been shaped by a long history of traditional land use. In this work, we investigated the effects of landscape patterns on community composition and the functional, morphological, and ecological traits of 21 small mammal species in the Mediterranean region. We extracted species abundance and trait data from 86 georeferenced Common Barn-owl pellet sites collected in Central Italy, covering 33,000 km2, and stored in the OpenMICE database. Additionally, we measured 12 landscape metrics on land cover maps produced at intervals coeval with pellet collection dates. We explored the variation in species composition against landscape pattern metrics using canonical correspondence analysis (CCA). Moreover, we analysed the relationships among small mammals’ occurrence, their life history traits, and landscape pattern metrics using the fourth-corner model approach. Our results highlighted the key role of landscape composition and configuration in shaping small mammal species composition and their functional traits. Species and trait composition varied along two main landscape gradients, with a simplification of species assemblage towards increasing human pressure (i.e., artificial surfaces and agricultural areas) and decreasing cover of seminatural areas. The observed variability of species assemblages and functional traits across Mediterranean landscape gradients highlights the need to preserve diverse ecosys­ tems and land cover types to maintain small mammal biodiversity and related ecosystem functioning

Prevalencia de la infección por Chlamydia trachomatis y factores de riesgo de infecciones transmisibles sexualmente en estudiantes universitarios

La infección genital por Chlamydia trachomatis es considerada en la actualidad una de las causas más frecuentes de infecciones transmisibles sexualmente (ITS) a nivel mundial y afecta principalmente al grupo de jóvenes menores de 25 años. El objetivo de este estudio fue determinar la prevalencia de la infección por C. trachomatis en alumnos ingresantes a la Universidad Nacional del Sur (Bahía Blanca, Argentina) y evaluar los factores de riesgo para la adquisición de ITS. Participaron en el estudio 204 jóvenes de edad media de 19 años, que remitieron una muestra de orina de primera micción y respondieron a una encuesta anónima. La investigación de C. trachomatis se realizó sobre 114 muestras válidas mediante una técnica de amplificación génica, cuyo blanco molecular es el gen ompA. Se detectaron 4 casos de infección por C. trachomatis, lo que implicó una prevalencia del 3,5 %. Los factores de riesgo que demostraron estar asociados con la adquisición de esta ITS fueron un historial de 7 o más parejas desde el comienzo de las relaciones sexuales y el contacto con una nueva pareja sexual en los últimos 4 meses. La prevalencia de infección por C. trachomatis reflejó una moderada circulación de este microorganismo en la población estudiada. Si bien algunos aspectos revelados en las encuestas sugieren una población de bajo riesgo para la adquisición de ITS en general, otros datos evidencian lo contrario y alertan sobre la necesidad de incrementar la vigilancia y desarrollar acciones de concienciación y prevención en esta población