Abnormal default system functioning in depression: Implications for emotion regulation

open5noDepression is widely seen as the result of difficulties in regulating emotions. Based on neuroimaging studies on voluntary emotion regulation, neurobiological models have focused on the concept of cognitive control, considering emotion regulation as a shift toward involving controlled processes associated with activation of the prefrontal and parietal executive areas, instead of responding automatically to emotional stimuli. According to such models, the weaker executive area activation observed in depressed patients is attributable to a lack of cognitive control over negative emotions. Going beyond the concept of cognitive control, psychodynamic models describe the development of individuals’ capacity to regulate their emotional states in mother-infant interactions during childhood, through the construction of the representation of the self, others, and relationships. In this mini-review, we link these psychodynamic models with recent findings regarding the abnormal functioning of the default system in depression. Consistently with psychodynamic models, psychological functions associated with the default system include self-related processing, semantic processes, and implicit forms of emotion regulation. The abnormal activation of the default system observed in depression may explain the dysfunctional aspects of emotion regulation typical of the condition, such as an exaggerated negative self-focus and rumination on self-esteem issues. We also discuss the clinical implications of these findings with reference to the therapeutic relationship as a key tool for revisiting impaired or distorted representations of the self and relational objects.openMessina, Irene; Francesca, Bianco; Cusinato, Maria; Calvo, Vincenzo; Sambin, MarcoMessina, Irene; Bianco, Francesca; Cusinato, Maria; Calvo, Vincenzo; Sambin, Marc

Low-dose radiotherapy for extranodal marginal zone B lymphoma of the lip: Case report and literature review

Abstract Non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) of the lip is extremely rare. It is usually indolent and in early stages a local approach is often indicated. We present a case report of a patient with extranodal NHL of the lip treated with chemotherapy and low-dose radiation treatment (RT). The patient was affected by B-cell NHL of the marginal zone, Stage IAE. After a few months of observation with progressive disease, the patient was submitted to two cycles of chemotherapy with no response. Therefore, he was treated with very low-dose RT consisting of two fractions of 2 Gy. Complete response was observed and after 1-year follow-up, persistent complete response was recorded. In cases of localized disease, especially in patients with comorbidities of poor performance status (PS), low-dose RT can be an appropriate approach with excellent outcomes in terms of effectiveness and low risk of toxicity

design and performance analysis of a zero energy settlement in greece

Zero-energy and zero-carbon buildings would be a huge opportunity for contrasting the climatic changes and, more in general, the deterioration of the microclimate inside and around cities. About it, a question appears compulsory: are zero-energy and zero-carbon concepts applicable at urban scale? This paper tries to answer to this question, by discussing the possible effects of the application of appropriate city planning techniques when a new settlement is designed. An integrated approach to urban planning is applied to a case study, for promoting the design of buildings with very low (or zero) energy needs, characterized by high indoor comfort conditions, by taking into consideration whole city areas, with different kinds of services. Passive heating, cooling and daylighting techniques have been combined, as well as the integration of renewable sources, in order to minimize the energy demand and environmental impact, for having a sustainable 'urban balance' and, in general, a sustainable urban growth. As real case study, the design of the holiday village 'Olympiad' is presented; it should be built in an unstructured seaside area in Greece. Several indexes are introduced to evaluate the global sustainability of the settlement, through the application of the definition of 'on-grid ZEB', with reference to each building as well as for the entire village. This kind of research could help city planners for a growth inspired to general goals of urban sustainability

Humoral immune response to SARS-CoV-2 in five different groups of individuals at different environmental and professional risk of infection

It is partially unknown whether the immune response to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) infection persists with time. To address this issue, we detected the presence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in different groups of individuals previously diagnosed with COVID-19 disease (group 1 and 2), or potentially exposed to SARS-CoV-2 infection (group 3 and 4), and in a representative group of individuals with limited environmental exposure to the virus due to lockdown restrictions (group 5). The primary outcome was specific anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in the different groups assessed by qualitative and quantitative analysis at baseline, 3 and 6 months follow-up. The seroconversion rate at baseline test was 95% in group 1, 61% in group 2, 40% in group 3, 17% in group 4 and 3% in group 5. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed male gender, close COVID-19 contact and presence of COVID-19 related symptoms strongly associated with serological positivity. The percentage of positive individuals as assessed by the qualitative and quantitative tests was superimposable. At the quantitative test, the median level of SARS-CoV-2 antibody levels measured in positive cases retested at 6-months increased significantly from baseline. The study indicates that assessing antibody response to SARS-CoV-2 through qualitative and quantitative testing is a reliable disease surveillance tool

Consumption of energy drinks among Italian University students : a cross-sectional multicenter study

Purpose The aim of the study was to evaluate the caffeinated Energy Drinks (EDs) consumption among a large sample of Italian undergraduates and its association with some of the major lifestyle risk factors. Methods Students attending twelve public Italian universities were involved between October 2021 and May 2022. Information on socio-demographic characteristics, ED consumption, and on health-related behaviors of participants was collected by the use of a web-based questionnaire. Results A total of 2165 students participated in the study and 15.2% of them reported having used caffeinated EDs in the last six months, mainly once a month (41.5%). In comparison with non-users, ED users showed a higher proportion of males (p < 0.001) and a higher father’s educational level (p = 0.003), came mainly from Northern universities (p = 0.004) and life sciences degree courses (p < 0.001). Besides, ED users reported higher BMI values (p = 0.003), more particular dietary regimens (p < 0.001), higher levels of weekly moderate–vigorous physical activity (p < 0.001) and participation in sports (p < 0.001) and in team sports (p = 0.003), and higher proportion of smokers (p < 0.001) and alcohol drinkers (p = 0.005). ED use was negatively related with female gender (OR 0.546; 95% CI 0.374–0.798), the Mediterranean diet (OR 0.587; 95% CI 0.362–0.951) and coming from the center of Italy (OR 0.500; 95% CI 0.275–0.909) and positively associated with tobacco smoke (OR 1.712; 95% CI 1.176–2.492) and participation in a team sport (OR 1.686; 95% CI 1.051–2.707). Conclusion These findings could encourage figures engaged in education to increase the students’ awareness on this issue in order to prevent the excessive use of EDs and associated unhealthy behaviors, especially in the most interested subgroups

Kinetics of cytomegalovirus and Epstein-Barr virus DNA in whole blood and plasma of kidney transplant recipients: Implications on management strategies

This retrospective multicenter cohort study investigated the kinetics (ascending and descending phases) of cytomegalovirus (CMV) and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-DNA in whole blood (WB) and plasma samples collected from adult kidney transplant (KT) recipients. CMV-DNA kinetics according to antiviral therapy were investigated. Three hundred twenty-eight paired samples from 42 episodes of CMV infection and 157 paired samples from 26 episodes of EBV infection were analyzed by a single commercial molecular method approved by regulatory agencies for both matrices. CMV-DNAemia followed different kinetics in WB and plasma. In the descending phase of infection, a slower decay of viral load and a higher percentage of CMV-DNA positive samples were observed in plasma versus WB. In the 72.4% of patients receiving antiviral therapy, monitoring with plasma CMV-DNAemia versus WB CMV-DNAemia could delay treatment interruption by 7-14 days. Discontinuation of therapy based on WB monitoring did not result in relapsed infection in any patients. Highly different EBV-DNA kinetics in WB and plasma were observed due to lower positivity in plasma; EBV positive samples with a quantitative result in both blood compartments were observed in only 11.5% of cases. Our results emphasize the potential role of WB as specimen type for post-KT surveillance of both infections for disease prevention and management

New onset of Susac syndrome after mRNA COVID-19 vaccine: a case report

Susac syndrome (SuS) is a rare immune-mediated disorder, affecting microvessels in the brain, retina and inner ear, leading to central nervous system dysfunction, visual disturbances and sensorineural hearing loss. These events may occur simultaneously or in succession. Since its first description in 1979 by John Susac, about 400 cases have been described; however, SuS is probably underdiagnosed. SuS usually affects young adults between 20 and 40 years (female-to-male ratio of 3.5/1) [1, 2]. Occlusive microvascular endotheliopathy/basement membranopathy represents a disease hallmark, but the pathogenesis is still debated. Infections, diet or medications have been described as possible triggers of autoimmunity [1]. In 2006, a case of SuS after smallpox vaccination was reported. The COVID-19 pandemic has affected over 260 million people and different neurological disorders have been related to both Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection and vaccination [3]. Six cases of SuS related to SARS-CoV-2 infection or vaccination have been described: two following SARS-CoV2 infection, one related to ChAdOx1 vaccine, and three after Coronavac vaccine [4]. Here we report the first case of SuS after BNT162b2 mRNA COVID-19 vaccine (Comirnaty®)

Nab-paclitaxel/gemcitabine combination is more effective than gemcitabine alone in locally advanced, unresectable pancreatic cancer - A GISCAD phase II randomized trial

The role of combination chemotherapy has not yet been established in unresectable locally advanced pancreatic cancer (LAPC) lacking dedicated randomized trials