What Do University or Graduate Students Need to Make the Cut? A Meta-analysis on Career Intervention Effectiveness

The usefulness of providing career interventions in the transition from university to labour market is more and more advocated, in order to increase young people's competencies about career management and entrepreneurial skills. The present paper aims at focusing on the effectiveness of career interventions for university or graduate students and on its relationship with some study design and intervention characteristics. A meta-analysis was conducted on studies published between 2000 and 2015 which complied with the following inclusion criteria: university or graduate students as target population, the evaluation of specific career-related interventions or programs, and an experimental or quasiexperimental design. The selection procedure resulted in 9 eligible studies – overall assessing 12 interventions – out of 823 examined articles. The results indicated, on average, a large effect (weighted ES = .80; 95% CI = .54, 1.06) better outcomes from socio-constructivist interventions compared to those based on social cognition theory and person-environment fit model, and higher impact on the reduction of career indecision than on the increase of decision-making self-efficacy. Some recommendations for researchers and policy makers are provided, as well as methodological issues and practical implications for career interventions are discussed

Simboli e significati nella cultura locale di una periferia urbana: uno studio di caso

Una ricerca psicologico-clinica esplora la Cultura Locale (i significati emozionali condivisi da chi partecipa a un contesto, atti a mantenere stabilità e coesione, a regolare e l’emozionalità dei processi di convivenza) di un quartiere della periferia romana nel momento della pianificazione di servizi per la comunità. La ricerca è fondata sulla analisi del testo computer assistita (Analisi Emozionale del Testo) di interviste somministrate a 8 figure chiave, e sulla analisi delle corrispondenze multiple di 314 questionari sulla percezione soggettiva della qualità di vita e sulla anticipazione dei rapporti sociali, somministrati a cittadini del quartiere. I risultati della analisi di interviste e questionari hanno messo in luce la qualità di vita come soggettivamente percepita dagli abitanti e le caratteristiche della cultura locale del territorio oggetto dello studio. Vengono fornite indicazioni pragmatiche sulla attivazione di servizi coerenti con la cultura locale del territorio esaminato. Viene messo in evidenza il possibile contributo della psicologia clinica alle discipline geografiche, urbanistiche, ambientali.This clinical-psychological research explores the Local Culture (emotional meanings shared by people in a given context aimed at maintaining stability and unity as well as regulating emotions affecting cohabitation) of a suburban neighborhood in Rome in the phase of community service planning. The inquiry is based on a computer-assisted text analysis (Emotional Text Analysis) of interviews of 8 key figures, and on the multiple correspondence analysis of questionnaires on the subjective perception of the quality of life and on the expectation of social relationships. The questionnaires have been administered to 314 inhabitants. The results of the analysis of interviews and questionnaires highlighted the quality of life in terms of subjective perception and the specific features of the local culture of the territory considered for this study. Practical solutions are indicated based on the Local Culture of the neighborhood in question. The possible contribution of clinical psychology to geographic, urban, and environmental disciplines is also highlighted. © 2019 The Author(s

miRNA Expression May Have Implications for Immunotherapy in PDGFRA Mutant GISTs

Gastrointestinal stromal tumors; MiRNAs; MicroRNAsTumores del estroma gastrointestinal; MiARN; MicroARNTumors de l'estroma gastrointestinal; MiARN; MicroARNGastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) harboring mutations in the PDGFRA gene occur in only about 5–7% of patients. The most common PDGFRA mutation is exon 18 D842V, which is correlated with specific clinico-pathological features compared to the other PDGFRA mutated GISTs. Herein, we present a miRNA expression profile comparison of PDGFRA D842V mutant GISTs and PDGFRA with mutations other than D842V (non-D842V). miRNA expression profiling was carried out on 10 patients using a TLDA miRNA array. Then, miRNA expression was followed by bioinformatic analysis aimed at evaluating differential expression, pathway enrichment, and miRNA-mRNA networks. We highlighted 24 differentially expressed miRNAs between D842V and non-D842V GIST patients. Pathway enrichment analysis showed that deregulated miRNAs targeted genes that are mainly involved in the immune response pathways. The miRNA-mRNA networks highlighted a signature of miRNAs/mRNA that could explain the indolent behavior of the D842V mutated GIST. The results highlighted a different miRNA fingerprint in PDGFRA D842V GISTs compared to non-D842Vmutated patients, which could explain the different biological behavior of this GIST subset.The study was supported by a financial contribution of the Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology (RFO) to SA and of the AIG (Associazione Italiana GIST) to MA

SDHC methylation in gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST): a case report

Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST) recently have been recognized as a genetically and biologically heterogeneous disease. In addition to KIT or PDGFRA mutated GIST, mutational inactivation of succinate dehydrogenase (SDH) subunits has been detected in the KIT/PDGFRA wild-type subgroup, referred to as SDH deficient (dSDH). Even though most dSDH GIST harbor mutations in SDHx subunit genes, some are SDHx wild type. Epigenetic regulation by DNA methylation of CpG islands recently has been found to be an alternative mechanism underlying the lack of SDH complex in GIST

miRNA Expression May Have Implications for Immunotherapy in PDGFRA Mutant GISTs

Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) harboring mutations in the PDGFRA gene occur in only about 5-7% of patients. The most common PDGFRA mutation is exon 18 D842V, which is correlated with specific clinico-pathological features compared to the other PDGFRA mutated GISTs. Herein, we present a miRNA expression profile comparison of PDGFRA D842V mutant GISTs and PDGFRA with mutations other than D842V (non-D842V). miRNA expression profiling was carried out on 10 patients using a TLDA miRNA array. Then, miRNA expression was followed by bioinformatic analysis aimed at evaluating differential expression, pathway enrichment, and miRNA-mRNA networks. We highlighted 24 differentially expressed miRNAs between D842V and non-D842V GIST patients. Pathway enrichment analysis showed that deregulated miRNAs targeted genes that are mainly involved in the immune response pathways. The miRNA-mRNA networks highlighted a signature of miRNAs/mRNA that could explain the indolent behavior of the D842V mutated GIST. The results highlighted a different miRNA fingerprint in PDGFRA D842V GISTs compared to non-D842Vmutated patients, which could explain the different biological behavior of this GIST subset

Whole exome sequencing (WES) on formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tumor tissue in gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST)

Next generation sequencing (NGS) technology has been rapidly introduced into basic and translational research in oncology, but the reduced availability of fresh frozen (FF) tumor tissues and the poor quality of DNA extracted from formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE) has significantly impaired this process in the field of solid tumors. To evaluate if data generated from FFPE material can be reliably produced and potentially used in routine clinical settings, we performed whole exome sequencing (WES) from tumor samples of Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST), either extracted FF or FFPE, and from matched normal DNA

Chronic Illness as Loss of Good Self: Underlying Mechanisms Affecting Diabetes Adaptation

The aim of the present study is to investigate the role of emotional variables in diabetes adaptation. This is in order to develop and test a conceptual model simultaneously involving emotional variables consistent with a conceptual framework looking at chronic illness as a loss of good self. A convenience sample of 59 participants with a diagnosis of type 1 (n= 26) and type 2 (n=33) diabetes mellitus (Mean age= 57.17, SD=16.82) completed measures of diabetes distress, psychological adjustment to diabetes, diabetes self-care (as outcomes of diabetes adaptation) and depression, alexithymia and damaged ego-related strategies (as emotional variables). Correlation analyses among the examined measures were performed; as well, regression analyses were used to test the role of such emotional variables (as potential predictors) in accounting for diabetes adaptation outcomes. The results overall suggest that lower depression and higher mania contribute to diabetes adaption to a statistically significant extent, despite mania not being associated with self-care behaviors. The study raises a controversial debate about the meaningfulness of the psychological process of adjustment to diabetes without considering the role of underlying symbolic and less conscious dynamics

Genomic Database Analysis of Uterine Leiomyosarcoma Mutational Profile

Uterine Leiomyosarcoma (uLMS) is by far the most common type of uterine sarcoma, characterized by an aggressive clinical course, a heterogeneous genetic profile and a very scarce response to cytotoxic chemotherapy. The genetic make-up of uLMS is an area of active study that could provide essential cues for the development of new therapeutic approaches. A total of 216 patients with uLMS from cBioPortal and AACR-GENIE databases were included in the study. The vast majority of patients (81%) carried at least one mutation in either TP53, RB1, ATRX or PTEN. The most frequently mutated gene was TP53, with 61% of the patients harboring at least one mutation, followed by RB1 at 48%. PTEN alteration was more frequent in metastases than in primary lesions, consistent with a later acquisition during tumor progression. There was a significant trend for TP53 and RB1 mutations to occur together, while both TP53 and RB1 were mutually exclusive with respect to CDKN2A/B inactivation. Overall survival did not show significant correlation with the mutational status, even if RB1 mutation emerged as a favorable prognostic factor in the TP53-mutant subgroup. This comprehensive analysis shows that uLMS is driven almost exclusively by the inactivation of tumor suppressor genes and suggests that future therapeutic strategies should be directed at targeting the main genetic drivers of uLMS oncogenesis

Personalization of regorafenib treatment in metastatic gastrointestinal stromal tumours in real-life clinical practice

Background: Regorafenib (REG) has now been approved as the standard third-line therapy in metastatic gastrointestinal stromal tumour (GIST) patients at the recommended dose and schedule of 160 mg once daily for the first 3 weeks of each 4-week cycle. However, it has a relevant toxicity profile that mainly occurs within the first cycles of therapy, and dose and schedule adjustments are often required to reduce the frequency or severity of adverse events and to avoid early treatment discontinuation. To date, large amounts of data on the use of REG in metastatic GIST patients in daily clinical practice are not available, and we lack information about how this treatment personalization really affects the quality of life (QoL) of patients. The aim of the present retrospective study is to build a comprehensive picture of all alternative REG strategies adopted in daily clinical practice for use in metastatic GIST patients. Methods: Metastatic GIST patients treated with dose adjustment or alternative schedules of REG at seven reference Italian centres were retrospectively included. Results: For a total of 62 metastatic GIST patients, we confirmed that REG treatment adjustment is common in clinical practice and that it is very heterogeneous, with approximately 20 different strategies being adopted. Independent of which strategy is chosen, treatment personalization has led to a clinical benefit defined as complete or partial resolution of side effects in almost all patients, affecting the duration of REG treatment. Conclusions: The personalization of REG, even if it is heterogeneous, seems to be crucial to maximize the overall treatment duration

Good survival outcome of metastatic SDH-deficient gastrointestinal stromal tumors harboring SDHA mutations

Purpose:A subset of patients with KIT/PDGFRA wild-type gastrointestinal stromal tumors show loss of function of succinate dehydrogenase, mostly due to germ-line mutations of succinate dehydrogenase subunits, with a predominance of succinate dehydrogenase subunit A. The clinical outcome of these patients seems favorable, as reported in small series in which patients were individually described. This work evaluates a retrospective survival analysis of a series of patients with metastatic KIT/PDGFRA wild-type succinate dehydrogenase-deficient gastrointestinal stromal tumors.Methods:Sixty-nine patients with metastatic gastrointestinal stromal tumors were included in the study (11 KIT/PDGFRA wild-type, of whom 6 were succinate dehydrogenase deficient, 5 were non-succinate dehydrogenase deficient, and 58 were KIT/PDGFRA mutant). All six succinate dehydrogenase-deficient patients harbored SDHA mutations. Kaplan-Meier curves and log-rank tests were used to compare the survival of patients with succinate dehydrogenase subunit A-mutant gastrointestinal stromal tumors with that of KIT/PDGFRA wild-type patients without succinate dehydrogenase deficiency and patients with KIT/PDGFRA-mutant gastrointestinal stromal tumors.Results:Follow-up ranged from 8.5 to 200.7 months. The difference between succinate dehydrogenase subunit A-mutant gastrointestinal stromal tumors and KIT/PDGFRA-mutant or KIT/PDGFRA wild-type non-succinate dehydrogenase deficient gastrointestinal stromal tumors was significant considering different analyses (P = 0.007 and P = 0.033, respectively, from diagnosis of gastrointestinal stromal tumor for the whole study population; P = 0.005 and P = 0.018, respectively, from diagnosis of metastatic disease for the whole study population; P = 0.007 for only patients who were metastatic at diagnosis).Conclusion:Patients with metastatic KIT/PDGFRA wild-type succinate dehydrogenase-deficient gastrointestinal stromal tumors harboring succinate dehydrogenase subunit A mutations present an impressively long survival. These patients should be identified in clinical practice to better tailor treatments and follow-up over time A subset of patients with KIT/PDGFRA wild-type gastrointestinal stromal tumors show loss of function of succinate dehydrogenase, mostly due to germ-line mutations of succinate dehydrogenase subunits, with a predominance of succinate dehydrogenase subunit A. The clinical outcome of these patients seems favorable, as reported in small series in which patients were individually described. This work evaluates a retrospective survival analysis of a series of patients with metastatic KIT/PDGFRA wild-type succinate dehydrogenase-deficient gastrointestinal stromal tumors.Methods:Sixty-nine patients with metastatic gastrointestinal stromal tumors were included in the study (11 KIT/PDGFRA wild-type, of whom 6 were succinate dehydrogenase deficient, 5 were non-succinate dehydrogenase deficient, and 58 were KIT/PDGFRA mutant). All six succinate dehydrogenase-deficient patients harbored SDHA mutations. Kaplan-Meier curves and log-rank tests were used to compare the survival of patients with succinate dehydrogenase subunit A-mutant gastrointestinal stromal tumors with that of KIT/PDGFRA wild-type patients without succinate dehydrogenase deficiency and patients with KIT/PDGFRA-mutant gastrointestinal stromal tumors.Results:Follow-up ranged from 8.5 to 200.7 months. The difference between succinate dehydrogenase subunit A-mutant gastrointestinal stromal tumors and KIT/PDGFRA-mutant or KIT/PDGFRA wild-type non-succinate dehydrogenase deficient gastrointestinal stromal tumors was significant considering different analyses (P = 0.007 and P = 0.033, respectively, from diagnosis of gastrointestinal stromal tumor for the whole study population; P = 0.005 and P = 0.018, respectively, from diagnosis of metastatic disease for the whole study population; P = 0.007 for only patients who were metastatic at diagnosis).Conclusion:Patients with metastatic KIT/PDGFRA wild-type succinate dehydrogenase-deficient gastrointestinal stromal tumors harboring succinate dehydrogenase subunit A mutations present an impressively long survival. These patients should be identified in clinical practice to better tailor treatments and follow-up over time