Adolescents who binge eat and drink: the role of emotion regulation

This cross-sectional study examined binge eating and binge drinking behaviors exploring their association with the strategies of Emotion Regulation, such as Cognitive Reappraisal (CR) and Expression Suppression (ES). The sample consisted of 1004 Italian students (395 males and 609 females) attending high school. The average age of the students was 17.9 years (SD =0.8; range: 16–21). They completed self-report measures assessing binge behaviors and Emotion Regulation strategies. No differences resulted between adolescents assuming binge behaviors and no bingers as regards CR; conversely, adolescents engaging in binge eating and in both binge behaviors reported the highest levels of ES. Furthermore, both Emotion Regulation strategies were significant predictors of binge eating. The present study suggested that binge behaviors were strongly associated with adolescent’s ability to evaluate and manage their emotions, so that adolescents may benefit from more precise and specific prevention and treatment approaches focused on training to use more adaptive and effective strategies to regulate their emotions

Disordered eating and alcohol consumption among adolescents: the role of motivations and emotion regulation

The present dissertation was aimed to better understand and clarify the potential mechanisms and dynamics underlying three common heath-risk behaviors among adolescents, which refer both to alcohol use and disordered eating, such as binging behaviors (binge drinking and binge eating) and drunkorexia. Specifically, Study 1 was aimed to examine the motivations that can lead adolescents to engage in binge drinking and binge eating. Although there is a growing interest in analyzing the reasons why some individuals repeatedly engage in eating and drinking behaviors, only few studies have investigated the motivations for binging behaviors in adolescents and, moreover, to our knowledge no study no far has explored underlying motives for both of these behaviors. Study 2 was aimed at contributing to the investigation of drunkorexia, a behavior that only recently has caught the interest of scholars and thus, research on drunkorexia is still understudied especially among adolescents. The goal of the present study was threefold; the first goal was to examine the relation between drunkorexia and various disordered eating behaviors, as well as aspects of alcohol use in male and female adolescents. More specifically, we aimed to explore whether drunkorexia was most strongly related to disorder eating or alcohol use. Furthermore, the second goal was to investigate motivations that may drive adolescents to engage in drunkorexia. The third and last goal was to explore the association between drunkorexia and different dimensions of emotion dysregulation; to our knowledge, this is the first attempt addressed to his topic. Our results showed that binge drinking and binge eating may be triggered by the same motivations; adolescents may be motivated by the desire and need to regulate their emotions, because probably they have not learned to use more adaptive and healthy strategies, especially when they experience intense negative emotions. Furthermore, our findings suggest that adolescents may also engage in both binging behaviors because of driven by social reasons; thus, food or alcohol may be consumed when adolescents are involved in social activities, where probably they are more exposed and sensitive to peer pressure to adhere to eating and drinking norms. Thus, the current study support the argument that the motivations underlying both binging behaviors may be similar and perform the same function. In addition, our work have provided further information on drunkorexia; in particular, the present results highlighted that both disordered eating and alcohol use contribute to drunkorexia in male and female adolescents; specifically, the use of fasting and engaging in binge drinking and getting drunk were found to play an important role in predicting drunkorexia in both males and females. Our results highlighted also important gender differences; females were more likely than males, to report preoccupation with dieting and weight, concern about gaining weight and the use of laxatives as eating behaviors exhibited prior to consuming alcohol beverages. Moreover, females were resulted to engage in drunkorexia mainly because of enhancement motives; thus, drunkorexia seems to be used as a strategy to enhance positive affect, such as to have fun or to get high when they drink. Conversely, males seem to be characterized by eating patterns which involve alternation of excess and deprivation that results in constantly limiting caloric intake often accompained by binge eating episodes, probably triggered by aversive emotional states. Indeed, our results suggest that drunkorexia in males is significantly predicted by difficulties regulating emotions; specifically male adolescents reported difficulties controlling impulsive behaviors when they experience negative emotions and clarity regarding their emotional responses

The possible prognostic role of histone deacetylase and transforming growth factor β/Smad signaling in high grade gliomas treated by radio-chemotherapy: a preliminary immunohistochemical study

Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most common and aggressive tumor of the central nervous system. Unfortunately, patients affected by this disease have a very poor prognosis, due to high level of invasiveness and resistance to standard therapies. Although the molecular profile of GBM has been extensively investigated, the events responsible for its pathogenesis and progression remain largely unknown. Histone Deacetylases (HDAC) dependent epigenetic modifications and transforming growth factor (TGF)-β/Smad pathway seem to play an important role in GBM tumorigenesis, resistance to common therapies and poor clinical outcome. The aim of this study was to evaluate the involvement and the possible interaction between these two molecular cascades in the pathogenesis and prognosis of GBM. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) was performed on microdissected GBM samples, collected from 14 patients (6 men and 8 women) ranging in age from 43 to 74 years. The patients were previously divided, on the basis of their overall survival (OS), into two groups: short and long OS. Patients with poor prognosis showed hyperexpression of HDAC4 and HDAC6, an activation of the TGF-β/Smad pathway, with high levels of IL-13, Smad2, PDGF and MMP3 expression, compared to the long survivors. The short OS group exhibits a decrease in Smad 7 expression and also low levels of p21 immunostaining, which represents a common target of the two pathways. The IHC data was confirmed by quantitative analysis and Immunoblotting. Our preliminary results suggest that both HDAC4 and HDAC6 together with the TGF-β/Smad pathway may be involved in progression of GBM and this cross talking could be a useful prognostic marker in this deadly disease

Partial Androgen Deficiency, Depression, and Testosterone Supplementation in Aging Men

The aim of this review was to summarize current knowledge on the correlation between depressive symptoms with a syndrome called partial androgen deficiency of the aging male (PADAM) and on the potential benefits of testosterone (T) treatment on mood. Despite, the causative nature of the relationship between low T levels and depression is uncertain, many hypogonadal men suffer from depression and vice versa several depressed patients are affected by hypogonadism. Supplementation with testosterone failed to show sound evidence of effectiveness in the treatment of depression. Nevertheless, testosterone supplementation has proved to be effective on some domains significant for the quality of life of aged patients with PADAM (sexual function and cognitive functions, muscular strengths)

HDACs expression in glioblastoma: an immunohistochemical study

Glioblastoma is the most common and lethal primary malignant brain tumor. Although standard treatments have been improving, the clinical outcome remains unacceptably poor. Several genetic alterations are supposed to be involved in the eti- ology of different grades of astrocytoma, including epimutations. Histone deacety- lases (HDACs) are involved in the post-translational modification on the lysines of histone tails. For this reason HDACs are recognized as promising targets for cancer treatment (1). In the past several years, HDAC inhibitors (HDACis) have been used as radiosensitizers in glioblastoma treatment. However, no study has demonstrated the status of global HDAC expression in gliomas and its possible correlation to the use of HDACis (2). Aim of our study was to evaluate with an immunohistochemi- cal and immunoblotting analyses the expression of different classes of HDACs (Class I: HDAC 1-2-3-8; class II: HDAC 4-6) in microdissected glioblastoma. Tumor sam- ples were taken from 14 patients (n.8 men and n.6 women) ranging in age from 43 to 74 years. HDAC1 and HDAC3 expression was not significantly different between the two proteins and was predominantely located at cytoplasmic level of cancer cells with different intensity of immureaction from mild to moderate whereas HDAC2 staining was localized to the nucleous of neoplastic cells. The pattern of HDAC4 immureactivity was always cytoplasmatic and showed a marked and diffuse increase of immunostaining in neoplastic areas. HDAC8 was always absent in cancer cells and the only positivity was located in the endothelial cells of the vessels. HDAC6 was often absent and, if present, showed a very low cytoplasmic immunopositivity in cancer cells. HDAC1, HDAC2 and HDAC3 levels were not significantly different in immunoblotting results; HDAC4 showed a marked increase while HDAC6 and HDAC8 expression was poor, confirming the IHC data. These previous results dem- onstrate a different pattern of HDAC expression and could suggest a more addressed therapeutical use of HDACis in glioblastoma.

Love in Quarantine: Sexting, Stress, and Coping During the COVID-19 Lockdown

Introduction: This study investigated the relationships of pandemic-related stress and coping strategies with different kinds of sexting (i.e., experimental, risky, and emotional) during the COVID-19 lockdown in the Italian context. Methods: A sample of 1929 emerging adults (Mage = 24.17, SDage = 2.75; 71.6% girls) completed an online survey about their sexting behaviors during the national lockdown in Italy. Data were gathered in April/May 2020, from 6th to 11th week of home confinement due to COVID-19 pandemic. Hierarchical regression and mediation analyses were performed. Results: Pandemic-related stress directly predicted only risky and emotional sexting. Experimental and emotional sexting were positively predicted by social support, and negatively predicted by turning to religion. Risky and emotional sexting were positively predicted by avoidance, and negatively predicted by problem solving. Adaptive coping (i.e., social support) mediated the relationships from pandemic-related stress to both experimental and emotional sexting. Maladaptive coping (i.e., avoidance and problem solving) mediated the relationships from pandemic related-stress to risky and emotional sexting. Conclusions: Sexting was a coping tool during COVID-19 lockdown, showing both adaptive and maladaptive facets. Policy implications: Findings suggest new directions for implementing programs of sexual education and safer Internet use targeted to young people

DDS-induced colorectal fibrosis in mice: anti-fibrotic effects of GED 0507-34 levo, a novel PPARγ ligand

Intestinal fibrosis is a progressive process characterized by de novo synthesis and uncontrolled deposition of extracellular matrix components (ECM) following a tissue chronic inflammation mainly regulated by Transforming Growth Factor (TGF)β/ Smads pathway. Frequently associated to Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), intestinal fibrosis may lead to stenosis and obstructions that require surgery up to 75% of patients as drugs currently used in IBD are unable to improve fibrostenosis lesions (1). Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)-γ is able to antagonize (TGF) β/Smads and could be an crucial target to develop novel antifibrotic therapeutic strategies (2). Aim of this study is to evaluate the antifibrotic action of a novel PPARγ agonist, GED 0507-34 levo, in colonic fibrosis in mice. Immunohistochemistry and immunoblotting evaluations, TGFβ1, CTGF, Collagen types I-III, Smad3, α-SMA, were performed in in three groups of C57BL/6 mice: Dextran Sulphate Sodium (DSS) colitis group, DSS+GED group and controls. Evident macroscopic and microscopic lesions in the most of colons of DSS treated mice were observed compared to DSS+GED mice and controls. The tissue levels of the main markers of fibrosis resulted significantly increased in DSS mice and restored by administration of GED. GED seems to prevents ECM colonic deposition and to improve the intestinal fibrotic lesions by its ability in controlling TGFβ/Smads pathway signalling activation

Acute stress symptoms in general population during the first wave of COVID lockdown in Italy: Results from the COMET trial

Background: The coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is an unprecedented traumatic event that has severely impacted social, economic, and health well-being worldwide. The COvid Mental hEalth Trial was specifically designed to evaluate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and its containment measures on the mental health of the Italian general population in terms of COVID-19-related acute stress disorder (ASD) symptoms. // Methods: The present cross-sectional study is based on an online survey carried out in the period March–May 2020. Italian general adult population was invited to compile an anonymous survey, which included the severity of acute stress symptoms scale/National Stressful Events Survey Short Scale to investigate the occurrence and severity of ASD symptoms. // Results: The final sample consisted of 20,720 participants. During the lockdown, subjects with pre-existing mental health problems reported a statistically significant higher risk of acute post-traumatic symptoms compared to the general population (B: 2.57; 95% CI:2.04–3.09; p < .0001) and health care professionals (B: .37; 95% CI: .02–0.72; p < .05). According to multivariate regression models, the levels of acute post-traumatic symptoms (p < .0001) were higher in younger and female respondents. Social isolation and sleep disorder/insomnia represented positive predictors of acute stress (B = 3.32, 95% CI = 3.08–3.57). // Conclusions: Concerns about the risk of infection as well as social isolation caused a higher incidence of acute post-traumatic stress symptoms that may predict the subsequent development of post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms in the long term

Expert consensus on resection of chest wall tumors and chest wall reconstruction

Chest wall tumors are a relatively uncommon disease in clinical practice. Most of the published studies about chest wall tumors are usually single-center retrospective studies, involving few patients. Therefore, evidences regarding clinical conclusions about chest wall tumors are lacking, and some controversial issues have still to be agreed upon. In January 2019, 73 experts in thoracic surgery, plastic surgery, science, and engineering jointly released the Chinese Expert Consensus on Chest Wall Tumor Resection and Chest Wall Reconstruction (2018 edition). After that, numerous experts put forward new perspectives on some academic issues in this version of the consensus, pointing out the necessity to further discuss the points of contention. Thus, we conducted a survey through the administration of a questionnaire among 85 experts in the world. Consensus has been reached on some major points as follows. (I) Wide excision should be performed for desmoid tumor (DT) of chest wall. After excluding the distant metastasis by multi-disciplinary team, solitary sternal plasmacytoma can be treated with extensive resection and adjuvant radiotherapy. (II) Wide excision with above 2 cm margin distance should be attempted to obtain R0 resection margin for chest wall tumor unless the tumor involves vital organs or structures, including the great vessels, heart, trachea, joints, and spine. (III) For patients with chest wall tumors undergoing unplanned excision (UE) for the first time, it is necessary to carry out wide excision as soon as possible within 1-3 months following the previous surgery. (IV) Current Tumor Node Metastasis staging criteria (American Joint Committee on Cancer) of bone tumor and soft tissue sarcoma are not suitable for chest wall sarcomas. (V) It is necessary to use rigid implants for chest wall reconstruction once the maximum diameter of the chest wall defect exceeds 5 cm in adults and adolescents. (VI) For non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) invading the chest wall, wide excision with neoadjuvant and/or adjuvant therapy are recommended for patients with stage T3-4N0-1M0. As clear guidelines are lacking, these consensus statements on controversial issues on chest wall tumors and resection could possibly serve as further guidance in clinical practice during the upcoming years