Prenatal Mental Representations in Italian First-Time Mothers Before and During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Study with Interviews on Maternal Representations During Pregnancy

IntroductionPsychosocial risks increase the levels of not-integrated/ambivalent and restricted/disengaged representations during pregnancy, but no study has specifically analysed the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on maternal representation styles.Objectives(1) to compare maternal representation styles in primiparous women who became pregnant before and during the COVID-19 pandemic and (2) to analyse the content of representation styles during the COVID-19 pandemic.MethodsA total of 37 Italian pregnant women were recruited from 2019 to 2021. The sample was divided into two groups: the pre-COVID-19 group (22 women, mean age = 33.14 years; SD = 3.78) and the COVID-19 group (15 women, mean age = 35.9 years; SD = 4.6). Interviews on maternal representations during pregnancy were administered and analysed for style and content. Results: Women during the COVID-19 pandemic reported more restricted/disengaged and less integrated/balanced representation styles than women pre-COVID-19. Content analysis showed that the COVID-19 pandemic led women to focus more on concrete aspects of pregnancy in lieu of emotional aspects, thus leading them to develop more restricted/disengaged representation styles. Conclusions for practiceIn future pandemics pregnant women should be supported in focusing their attention to emotions, sensations and fantasies about themselves as mothers and their children

Alzheimer’s Disease: From Immune Homeostasis to Neuroinflammatory Condition

Alzheimer’s Disease is the most common cause in the world of progressive cognitive decline. Although many modifiable and non-modifiable risk factors have been proposed, in recent years, neuroinflammation has been hypothesized to be an important contributing factor of Alzheimer’s Disease pathogenesis. Neuroinflammation can occur through the combined action of the Central Nervous System resident immune cells and adaptive peripheral immune system. In the past years, immunotherapies for neurodegenerative diseases have focused wrongly on targeting protein aggregates Aβ plaques and NFT treatment. The role of both innate and adaptive immune cells has not been fully clarified, but several data suggest that immune system dysregulation plays a key role in neuroinflammation. Recent studies have focused especially on the role of the adaptive immune system and have shown that inflammatory markers are characterized by increased CD4+ Teff cells’ activities and reduced circulating CD4+ Treg cells. In this review, we discuss the key role of both innate and adaptive immune systems in the degeneration and regeneration mechanisms in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s Disease, with a focus on how the crosstalk between these two systems is able to sustain brain homeostasis or shift it to a neurodegenerative condition

Parasuicide and drug self-poisoning: analysis of the epidemiological and clinical variables of the patients admitted to the Poisoning Treatment Centre (CAV), Niguarda General Hospital, Milan

Epidemiological knowledge of parasuicides and drug self-poisoning is still limited by a lack of data. A number of preliminary studies, which require further analysis, evidenced that parasuicidal acts occur more often among females, that the peak rate is generally recorded between the ages of 15 and 34 years and psychotropic medications seems to be the most frequently used. The aim of this study was to describe the demographic and clinical variables of a sample of subjects admitted to the Posisoning Treatment Centre (CAV), Niguarda General Hospital, Milan, following drug self-poisoning. Furthermore, this study is aimed to identify the risk factors associated to parasuicidal gestures, with special care for the used drugs, the presence of psychiatric or organic disorders, alcoholism and drug addiction. The study included the 201 patients attending the CAV in 1999 and 2000 who satisfied the criteria of self-poisoning attempts: 106 cases in 1999 and 95 in 2000. The sample had a prevalence of females (64%). The peak rates of parasuicides from drug self-poisoning were reached between 21 and 30 years among the females, and 31 and 40 years among the males. 81.6% of the patients used one or more psychoactive drugs, the most frequent being the benzodiazepines (58.7%), classic neuroleptics (16.9%) and new-generation antidepressants (SSRIs, SNRIs, NARIs) (12.9%). The prevalence of mood disorders was higher among females (64% vs 42%), whereas schizophrenia was more frequently diagnosed in males (22% vs 10%). 61% (33%) had a history of previous attempted suicides. The presence of clinically relevant organic diseases was observed in 24.9% of the sample

The QUEST initiative anemia study in ESRD: rationale and study protocol

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New-onset myasthenia gravis after mRNA SARS-CoV-2 vaccination: a case series

Background Myasthenia gravis (MG) is an autoimmune disease that targets acetylcholine receptor (AChR) of the neuromuscular junction. New-onset MG after SARS-CoV-2 vaccination has rarely been reported. Case presentation We report about three patients who presented new-onset myasthenia gravis after receiving mRNA SARSCoV-2 vaccination. The patients were all males and older than 55 years. All the patients presented with ocular and bulbar symptoms. The interval between vaccine administration and MG onset ranged from 3 days after the frst dose to 10 days after the second dose. All the patients had elevated serum AChR antibodies and responded to pyridostigmine. Two out of three patients were successfully treated with IVIG or plasma exchange and with long-term immunosuppression. Conclusions MG is a rare disease; clinicians should be aware of possible new-onset MG after SARS-CoV-2 vaccination, especially with the current recommendation of booster doses. The hyperstimulation of the innate immune system or the exacerbation of a subclinical pre-existing MG could be possible explanations

Análisis y comparación de la Competencia Transversal Análisis y Resolución de Problemas en asignaturas de Grado

[EN] The last syllabus of the grades of the Polytechnic University of Valencia (UPV) has changed the perspective of the universitary teaching and has highlighted the importance of the specific and the transversal competences. Therefore, there is a need for grading the transversal competences throughout the degrees and masters of the UPV. Moreover, these transversal competences must be assessed in several subjects. Due to the lack of experience in evaluating these skills, UPV has elaborated scoring rubrics to help professors to assess them. In this work, we review the assessment of the transversal competence "Problem identification and solving” of four subjects of different degrees and courses. In two subjects, special activities have been performed for the evaluation of this competence and scoring rubrics have been used. In the other two subjects, the mark of this skill has been obtained from other marks of the subject. Moreover, we have compared the mark of this skill with the final mark of the subject. Our results show that there is a high correlation between the two marks in the four subjects.[ES] En los últimos planes de estudios de los grados de la Universidad Politécnica de Valencia (UPV) ha cambiado el enfoque de la docencia y se ha resaltado el papel de las competencias, tanto específicas como transversales. Actualmente es necesario evaluar competencias transversales en todos los grados y másteres de la UPV y estas deben ser evaluadas en distintas asignaturas. Ante la falta de experiencia en su evaluación, la UPV ha elaborado rúbricas para ayudar al profesorado en dicha tarea. En este artículo revisamos la evaluación de la competencia transversal “Análisis y resolución de problemas” en cuatro asignaturas de distintos cursos y grados. En dos de estas asignaturas se han realizado actividades especiales para la evaluación de esta competencia y se han utilizado rúbricas para ello. En las otras dos asignaturas, se ha optado por utilizar las calificaciones de los actos de evaluación más relacionados con ella. Además, se ha comparado la calificación de esta competencia con la nota de la asignatura y los resultados muestran que para las cuatro asignaturas existe una alta correlación entre ambas.Alvarez Blanco, S.; Bosch Roig, I.; Jordan Lluch, C.; Lloret Mauri, J.; Mendoza Roca, JA.; Romero Pérez, L.; Sanabria Codesal, E.... (2016). Análisis y comparación de la Competencia Transversal Análisis y Resolución de Problemas en asignaturas de Grado. En In-Red 2016. II Congreso nacional de innovación educativa y docencia en red. Editorial Universitat Politècnica de València. https://doi.org/10.4995/INRED2016.2016.4348OC

Estudio de la Implantación de diversas Competencias Transversales en Asignaturas de diferentes Titulaciones de Ingeniería de la UPV

[EN] This article shows the tracking of the transversal competences applied to different subjects in different engineering degrees of the Polytechnic University of Valencia (UPV), allowing us to obtain a broad view on the transversal competences. We focus on the comparison of the materials developed in each subject for the design and proposed activities of teaching - learning as well as in the design of specific evaluation instruments, obtaining evidence, etc. Finally, the evaluation strategies carried out as well as the obtained results are shown. The subjects analyzed in this paper are related because the belong to Engineering taught at UPV, by members of the teaching innovation group EITACURTE, which make periodic meetings in order to exchange ideas about their teaching experiences.[ES] En este artículo se realiza un seguimiento del trabajo realizado en competencias transversales en diferentes asignaturas de distintas titulaciones de ingeniería de la Universitat Politècnica de València (UPV), permitiéndonos obtener una visión amplia sobre éstas. Nos centramos en la comparación de los materiales desarrollados en cada asignatura para el diseño y propuesta de actividades de enseñanza - aprendizaje, así como en el diseño de instrumentos de evaluación y la recopilación de evidencias. Finalmente se muestran las estrategias de evaluación llevadas a cabo, así como los resultados obtenidos. Las asignaturas analizadas en este artículo son impartidas por los profesores pertenecientes al grupo de innovación docente EITACURTE, los cuales realizan reuniones periódicas para intercambiar ideas sobre sus experiencias docentes.Alvarez Blanco, S.; Bosch Roig, I.; Jordan Lluch, C.; Lloret Mauri, J.; Mendoza Roca, JA.; Romero Pérez, L.; Sanabria Codesal, E.... (2016). Estudio de la Implantación de diversas Competencias Transversales en Asignaturas de diferentes Titulaciones de Ingeniería de la UPV. En In-Red 2016. II Congreso nacional de innovación educativa y docencia en red. Editorial Universitat Politècnica de València. https://doi.org/10.4995/INRED2016.2016.4349OC

Association of candidate genetic variants and circulating levels of ApoE/ApoJ with common neuroimaging features of cerebral amyloid angiopathy

IntroductionCerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA) is characterized by the accumulation of amyloid-beta (A beta) in brain vessels and is a main cause of lobar intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) in the elderly. CAA is associated with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) markers of small vessel disease (SVD). Since A beta is also accumulated in Alzheimer's disease (AD) in the brain parenchyma, we aimed to study if several single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) previously associated with AD were also associated with CAA pathology. Furthermore, we also studied the influence of APOE and CLU genetic variants in apolipoprotein E (ApoE) and clusterin/apolipoprotein J (ApoJ) circulating levels and their distribution among lipoproteins. MethodsThe study was carried out in a multicentric cohort of 126 patients with lobar ICH and clinical suspicion of CAA. ResultsWe observed several SNPs associated with CAA neuroimaging MRI markers [cortical superficial siderosis (cSS), enlarged perivascular spaces in the centrum semiovale (CSO-EPVS), lobar cerebral microbleeds (CMB), white matter hyperintensities (WMH), corticosubcortical atrophy and CAA-SVD burden score]. Concretely, ABCA7 (rs3764650), CLU (rs9331896 and rs933188), EPHA1 (rs11767557), and TREML2 (rs3747742) were significantly associated with a CAA-SVD burden score. Regarding circulating levels of apolipoproteins, protective AD SNPs of CLU [rs11136000 (T) and rs9331896 (C)] were significantly associated with higher HDL ApoJ content in the lobar ICH cohort. APOE epsilon 2 carriers presented higher plasma and LDL-associated ApoE levels whereas APOE epsilon 4 carriers presented lower plasma ApoE levels. Additionally, we observed that lower circulating ApoJ and ApoE levels were significantly associated with CAA-related MRI markers. More specifically, lower LDL-associated ApoJ and plasma and HDL-associated ApoE levels were significantly associated with CSO-EPVS, lower ApoJ content in HDL with brain atrophy and lower ApoE content in LDL with the extent of cSS. DiscussionThis study reinforces the relevance of lipid metabolism in CAA and cerebrovascular functionality. We propose that ApoJ and ApoE distribution among lipoproteins may be associated with pathological features related to CAA with higher ApoE and ApoJ levels in HDL possibly enhancing atheroprotective, antioxidative, and anti-inflammatory responses in cerebral beta-amyloidosis

Living in darkness: Exploring adaptation of Proteus anguinus in 3 dimensions by X-ray imaging

Background: Lightless caves can harbour a wide range of living organisms. Cave animals have evolved a set of morphological, physiological, and behavioural adaptations known as troglomorphisms, enabling their survival in the perpetual darkness, narrow temperature and humidity ranges, and nutrient scarcity of the subterranean environment. In this study, we focused on adaptations of skull shape and sensory systems in the blind cave salamander, Proteus anguinus, also known as olm or simply proteus—the largest cave tetrapod and the only European amphibian living exclusively in subterranean environments. This extraordinary amphibian compensates for the loss of sight by enhanced non-visual sensory systems including mechanoreceptors, electroreceptors, and chemoreceptors. We compared developmental stages of P. anguinus with Ambystoma mexicanum, also known as axolotl, to make an exemplary comparison between cave- and surface-dwelling paedomorphic salamanders. Findings: We used contrast-enhanced X-ray computed microtomography for the 3D segmentation of the soft tissues in the head of P. anguinus and A. mexicanum. Sensory organs were visualized to elucidate how the animal is adapted to living in complete darkness. X-ray microCT datasets were provided along with 3D models for larval, juvenile, and adult specimens, showing the cartilage of the chondrocranium and the position, shape, and size of the brain, eyes, and olfactory epithelium. Conclusions: P. anguinus still keeps some of its secrets. Our high-resolution X-ray microCT scans together with 3D models of the anatomical structures in the head may help to elucidate the nature and origin of the mechanisms behind its adaptations to the subterranean environment, which led to a series of troglomorphisms

Absent B Cells, agammaglobulinemia, and Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy in Folliculin-interacting Protein 1 Deficiency

Agammaglobulinemia is the most profound primary antibody deficiency that can occur due to an early termination of B-cell development. We here investigated 3 novel patients, including the first known adult, from unrelated families with agammaglobulinemia, recurrent infections, and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). Two of them also presented with intermittent or severe chronic neutropenia. We identified homozygous or compound-heterozygous variants in the gene for folliculin interacting protein 1 (FNIP1), leading to loss of the FNIP1 protein. B-cell metabolism, including mitochondrial numbers and activity and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/AKT pathway, was impaired. These defects recapitulated the Fnip1-/- animal model. Moreover, we identified either uniparental disomy or copy-number variants (CNVs) in 2 patients, expanding the variant spectrum of this novel inborn error of immunity. The results indicate that FNIP1 deficiency can be caused by complex genetic mechanisms and support the clinical utility of exome sequencing and CNV analysis in patients with broad phenotypes, including agammaglobulinemia and HCM. FNIP1 deficiency is a novel inborn error of immunity characterized by early and severe B-cell development defect, agammaglobulinemia, variable neutropenia, and HCM. Our findings elucidate a functional and relevant role of FNIP1 in B-cell development and metabolism and potentially neutrophil activity