The Cost and the Use of Serials in Italian Astronomical Libraries

We present the results of a two year study on the nature, cost and use of periodicals in Italian Astronomical Libraries (IALs). In the year 2000, IALs spent two-thirds of the budget (∼440.000 Euros) for serial subscriptions. This fact provided an incentive for the 12 Observatory librarians to investigate the potential for developing a consortium. In so doing, we first analysed characteristics of our individual collections and then evaluated the cost of on-line access as opposed to paper subscriptions. Then we studied the relationship between cost and serial usage

Female genital mutilations: a retrospective observational study in the Rape Center of Milan

Female genital mutilation or cutting (FGM/C) is defined as a range of procedures, often involving alteration or excision of the external female genitalia, without any medical indication. The World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates that 100-140 million women underwent FGM/C and 3 million girls are at risk every year. Although many governments recognize in FGM/C an act of violence against women with violation of human rights, the subject is debated and intertwines with cultural issues. In Africa the FGM/C prevalence in seven countries is almost universal, in 4 countries is high, while in 17 countries is medium or low. With increased immigration, health professionals practicing in countries with high immigration rates have to deal with FGM/C. This study aimed at examining the clinical records of African patients who accessed the Sexual and Domestic Assault Crisis Center of Milan (SVSeD), an Italian national center of reference, in order to evaluate the cases in which FGM/C was observed. Material and methods The SVSeD archive covered cases from January 2010 to December 2015, with 148 African patients who sustained gynecological examination. Data about demography and the arrival in Italy, type of violence, identity of the assailants, FGM/C type and photos were analyzed in order to evaluate the cases in which FGM/C was observed. Results Among the studied population, 83 women came from countries where FGM/C is traditionally practised and 43 were born in countries where FGM/C is almost universal or with high prevalence. The analysis of the clinical records showed that FGM/Cs were described and/or photographed in 8 cases, of which 7 were under 25 years of age and 6 came from countries where FGM is almost universal or the prevalence is high. The most frequent FGM type, described in 5 cases, was type III (infibulation), while type I (clitoridectomy) was described in 2 cases and type IV in 1 case. Conclusions: The number of immigrants in many European countries is increasing, leading to cultural diversification. Health professionals are therefore more likely to see women with FGM/C in clinical practice. The presented data suggest the need for a specific training in recognition of FGM/C practices. This phenomenon represents a challenge for the healthcare system and well-designed and evidence-based studies are necessary, in order to produce shared evidence-based protocols for the best multidisciplinary care of women with FGM/C

Are There Any Differences in Clinical and Biochemical Variables between Bipolar Patients with or without Lifetime Psychotic Symptoms?

Introduction: Psychotic symptoms occur in more than half of patients affected by Bipolar Disorder (BD) and are associated with an unfavorable course of the disorder. The objective of this study is to identify the differences in the clinical and biochemical parameters between bipolar patients with or without psychotic symptoms. Methods: A total of 665 inpatients were recruited. Demographic, clinical, and biochemical data related to the first day of hospitalization were obtained via a screening of the clinical charts and intranet hospital applications. The two groups identified via the lifetime presence of psychotic symptoms were compared using t tests for quantitative variables and χ2 tests for qualitative ones; binary logistic regression models were subsequently performed. Results: Patients with psychotic BD (compared to non-psychotic ones) showed a longer duration of hospitalization (p p p = 0.002), a less frequent history of lifetime suicide attempts (p = 0.019), less achievement of remission during the current hospitalization (p = 0.028), and a higher Neutrophile to Lymphocyte Ratio (NLR) (p = 0.006), but lower total cholesterol (p = 0.018) and triglycerides (p = 0.013). Conclusions: Patients with psychotic BD have a different clinical and biochemical profile compared to their counterparts, characterized by more clinical severity, fewer metabolic alterations, and a higher grade of inflammation. Further multi-center studies have to confirm the results of this present study

Which Clinical and Biochemical Parameters Are Associated with Lifetime Suicide Attempts in Bipolar Disorder?

Introduction: Bipolar Disorder (BD) is a disabling condition with suicidal behavior as one of the most common adverse outcomes. The purpose of the present research is to investigate the relationship between lifetime suicide attempts and the clinical factors/biochemical parameters in a large sample of bipolar patients. Methods: A total of 561 patients, consecutively hospitalized for BD in Milan and Monza (Italy), were recruited. Data about the demographic and clinical variables, as well as the values of blood analyses, were collected. The groups identified according to the presence/absence of lifetime suicide attempts were compared using univariate analyses. Then, three preliminary binary logistic regressions and a final logistic regression model were performed to identify the clinical and biochemical parameters associated with lifetime suicide attempts in BD. Results: Lifetime suicide attempts in BD were predicted by a longer duration of untreated illness (DUI) (p = 0.005), absence of lifetime psychotic symptoms (p = 0.025), presence of poly-substance use disorders (p = 0.033), comorbidity with obesity (p = 0.022), a last mood episode of manic polarity (p = 0.044), and lower bilirubin serum levels (p = 0.002); higher total cholesterol serum levels showed a trend toward statistical significance (p = 0.058). Conclusions: BD patients with lifetime suicide attempts present unfavorable clinical features. Some specific biochemical characteristics of bipolar patients may represent potential markers of suicidal behavior and need to be better investigated to identify new targets of treatment in the framework of personalized medicine. These preliminary findings have to be confirmed by further studies in different clinical settings

Clinical and Biological Factors Are Associated with Treatment-Resistant Depression

Background: Treatment-resistant depression (TRD) is a debilitating condition associated with unmet clinical needs. Few studies have explored clinical characteristics and serum biomarkers associated with TRD. Aims: We investigated whether there were differences in clinical and biochemical variables between patients affected by TRD than those without. Methods: We recruited 343 patients (165 males and 178 females) consecutively hospitalized for MDD to the inpatient clinics affiliated to the Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico, Milan, Italy (n = 234), and ASST Monza, Italy (n = 109). Data were obtained through a screening of the clinical charts and blood analyses conducted during the hospitalization. Results: TRD versus non-TRD patients resulted to be older (p = 0.001), to have a longer duration of illness (p < 0.001), to be more currently treated with a psychiatric poly-therapy (p < 0.001), to have currently more severe depressive symptoms as showed by the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D) scores (p = 0.016), to have lower bilirubin plasma levels (p < 0.001). In addition, more lifetime suicide attempts (p = 0.035), more antidepressant treatments before the current episode (p < 0.001), and a lower neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio at borderline statistically significant level (p = 0.060) were all associated with the TRD group. Conclusion: We identified candidate biomarkers associated with TRD such as bilirubin plasma levels and NLR, to be confirmed by further studies. Moreover, TRD seems to be associated with unfavorable clinical factors such as a predisposition to suicidal behaviors. Future research should replicate these results to provide robust data in support of the identification of new targets of treatment and implementation of prevention strategies for TRD