Missione JUICE: analisi delle opportunità per esperimenti di radar bistatico su Ganimede

Esperimenti di radar bistatico sono stati impiegati con successo nell’esplorazione spaziale ai fini di sondare a distanza superfici planetarie attraverso la riflessione di un segnale radio da parte di un corpo bersaglio. Un'appropriata analisi degli echi riflessi può fornire informazioni sulla struttura, sulla composizione chimica e sulla rugosità della superficie del target su scale proporzionali alle lunghezze d’onda trasmesse. Nel seguente studio si propone la modellazione della geometria del collegamento radio tra JUICE e la Terra per trovare opportunità per la sonda di eseguire esperimenti di radar bistatico sulla superficie di Ganimede, durante i soli flyby della luna. Questi, anche se ancora non è stato programmato con dettaglio nella fase scientifica della missione, potrebbero coincidere con finestre temporali plausibili per l’implementazione degli esperimenti analizzati. Ulteriori considerazioni vertono poi sull’angolo di incidenza e sull’effetto che questo avrà sull’accuratezza della stima della costante dielettrica superficiale della luna, effettuabile con osservazioni bistatiche. L’algoritmo principale per il calcolo del punto speculare e i grafici presentati, sono stati implementati con l’ausilio del software MATLAB e del toolkit SPICE. I risultati ottenuti, analizzando i flyby presi a riferimento, mostrano come la geometria della missione, per la maggior parte di essi, non sia la più favorevole per poter effettuare questo tipo di osservazione. Solo tre dei sette flyby analizzati: G04, G05 e G06, risultano avere una geometria favorevole per esperimenti di radar. bistatico su Ganimede

An attempted "suicide pact" in Covid-19 era - psychiatric perspectives

Background A "suicide pact" is a joint and actively induced death of two individuals with the essential and unavoidable characteristic of a mutual consent. One of the partners (dominant in the relationship, commonly male) usually induces the action and in most cases, it is the one who actively carries it out. Undiagnosed psychopathological dimension or pathological subthreshold traits are found in those who enter into suicide agreements, the presence of cluster B personality traits such as narcissistic or borderline is of particular relevance in the dominant partner, while in the submissive one dependent personality traits are more frequent. As in the case of other similar health emergencies, COVID-19 pandemic seems to lead to greater suicidality, including the "suicide pacts" of couples whose motivation varies including firstly financial problems, strictly followed by fear of infection and not being able to return home from abroad. Case presentation We reported a case of a couple who entered a suicide agreement consequently to the economic difficulties caused by COVID-19 pandemic, hospitalized in our department. Both partners were assessed with Adult Autism Subthreshold Spectrum (AdAS Spectrum) and both crossed the threshold for clinically relevant autistic traits (M = 67; F = 49). Conclusion This case further confirms the link between COVID-19 pandemics and suicidality. The role of autism spectrum traits as a vulnerability factor towards the development of severe psychopathological consequences after traumatic events is also stressed

Emotional dysregulation as a part of the autism spectrum continuum: a literature review from late childhood to adulthood

The concept of emotional dysregulation (ED) has recently gained interest in the scientific literature and is commonly defined as the inability to use the modulatory mechanisms involved in emotion regulation, resulting in a functioning meaningfully below the baseline. Even though the data available are still limited, an increasing number of studies have hypothesized a promoting role for some of the core features of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in the development of ED, in particular being repetitive behaviors, social difficulties and alexythimia. In this framework, the purpose of this study was to review the literature that is currently available about presence and correlates of ED in young adults with autism spectrum conditions as well as to offer some insights about possible implications for illness trajectories. The data reported seems to point to a shared etiology between ED and repetitive/restricted ASD symptoms, with perseveration features serving as the foundation for the inability to control one’s emotions. In this context, a neurodevelopmental basis for ED could be consistent with the transnosographic conceptualization of ASD, which hypothesizes a potential neurodevelopmental basis for several psychiatric disorders, whose autistic traits would be the phenotypical presentation

Presence and correlates of autistic traits among patients with social anxiety disorder

IntroductionDue to their similar behavioral presentation, it can sometimes be challenging to distinguish between a social anxiety disorder (SAD) and the social avoidance that is frequently described in autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Moreover, a growing body of evidences is reporting that a significant proportion of subjects with ASD also meet the requirements for SAD and, vice versa, subjects with SAD tend to exhibit a higher prevalence of autistic traits.AimIn this framework, the current study aims to evaluate prevalence and correlates of autistic traits in a sample of adult subjects diagnosed with SAD and healthy controls (HC), also evaluating which autism spectrum dimensions may statistically predict higher SAD symptoms.Methods56 subjects with a clinical diagnosis of SAD and 56 gender and age matched HC were recruited from the Psychiatric Clinic of the University of Pisa. Subjects were assessed with the SCID-5, the Social Anxiety Spectrum – Short Version (SHY- SV) and the Adult Autism Subthreshold Spectrum (AdAS Spectrum).ResultsSAD group scored significantly higher in all AdAS Spectrum and SHY-SV domains and total score compared to the HC group with no significant gender difference. SHY-SV total and domain scores, were strongly and positively and strongly correlated with all AdAS Spectrum domains and total score. AdAS Spectrum total score and Childhood/Adolescence, Non-Verbal Communication, Empathy and Restricted interests and Rumination domain scores score were significant predictors of higher SHY-SV score.ConclusionOur results confirm the link between SAD and autistic traits also in adult population, describing not only high levels of autistic traits in SAD adults, but also significant correlations between many core features of the two disorders and a predictive role of autistic traits on higher SAD symptoms

Validation of the short version of the obsessive compulsive spectrum questionnaire

AimIn the recent years, a rising amount of research has stressed the importance of a dimensional perspective on mental disorders. In particular, the conceptualization of an obsessive–compulsive spectrum appears to be in line with the very first descriptions of Obsessive–Compulsive Disorder and has been partially acknowledged by the inclusion of the “OCD-spectrum related syndromes and disorders” section in the DSM-5. The goal of the current study is to ascertain the psychometric characteristics of the Obsessive–Compulsive Spectrum–Short Version (OBS-SV), a novel questionnaire designed to measure the complete range of obsessive–compulsive symptoms, from severe full blown to subthreshold ones.MethodsForty three subjects with a clinical diagnosis of OCD according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5); 42 subjects with a clinical diagnosis of social anxiety disorder (SAD), and 60 individuals without current or lifetime mental disorders (HC) were recruited from the Psychiatric Clinic of the University of Pisa. Subjects were assessed with the SCID-5, the Yale Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale (Y-BOCS) and the OBS-SV.ResultsOBS-SV showed strong test–retest reliability for both the total and the domains scores, as well as a high level of internal consistency. The Pearson’s coefficients for the OBS-SV domain scores ranged from 0.771 to 0.943, and they were positively and strongly linked with one another (p < 0.001). The OBS-SV total score had a strong correlation with each of the OBS-SV domain scores. All correlation coefficients between OBS-SV and additional measures of OCS were observed to be strong, significant and positive. Both OBS-SV domain and overall score differences between diagnostic groups were found to be statistically significant. From HCs, to the SAD, up to the OC group, which had the highest values, the OBS-SV total score grew dramatically and progressively.ConclusionThe OBS-SV demonstrated significant convergent validity with other dimensional OCD measures, excellent internal consistency, and test–retest reliability. Across the three diagnostic categories, the questionnaire functioned differently, with a rising score gradient from healthy controls through SAD patients to OCD subjects

The mediating effect of mood spectrum on the relationship between autistic traits and catatonia spectrum

BackgroundIn the recent years, several studies have shown a correlation between autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and catatonia. It is also known that both conditions are found to be associated with mood disorders. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between autistic traits and catatonic symptoms, as well as the potential mediating role of mood disorder spectrum in the relationship between them.MethodsThe total sample of 514 subjects was composed by four diagnostic groups, composed by patients affected by catatonia (CTN), borderline personality disorder (BPD), major depressive disorder (MDD) and healthy controls (HC). Subjects were assessed with the SCID-5-RV, the Adult Autism Subthreshold Spectrum (AdAS Spectrum) and the Catatonia Spectrum (CS) and the Mood Spectrum Self-Report (MOODS-SR). Statistical analyses included Pearson’s coefficient calculation, multiple linear regression, and mediation analysis.Resultsall the correlations appear to be strongly positive and significant with the strongest coefficient emerging between AdAS Spectrum total score and CS total score (r = 0.762, p < 0.001). The Mediation Analysis showed that AdAS Spectrum total score showed a significant indirect effect on CS total score through MOODS-SR total score (b = 0.168, 95% bootstrapped CI [0.127:0.207]).ConclusionThe present study highlights the presence of a mediating role of the mood disorder spectrum in the relationship between autistic traits and the catatonia spectrum

Autistic dimensions underlying social anxiety, obsessive-compulsive, and panic disorders

Background: From a dimensional point of view, autistic traits (AT) are distributed along a continuum in the general population, with varying expressiveness and evidence based on their quantity and quality, as well as interactions with specific environmental factors. It has been hypothesized that, in the universe of subclinical manifestations, significant autistic traits might represent the neurodevelopmental matrix of vulnerability of multiple possible psychopathological conditions. This view would be supported by the frequent comorbidities with other mental disorders observed in the psychopathological trajectory of autistic patients. The aim of the present study is to investigate the presence of autistic traits in individuals with social anxiety disorder (SAD), obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and panic disorder (PD), while also assessing which specific symptom dimensions of autism are most represented in the different disorders. In addition, the study aims to investigate the distribution of social-phobic, obsessive-compulsive and panic-agoraphobic traits within the total sample. Material and method: The total sample consists of 245 subjects distributed into five diagnostic groups: 43 patients with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), 56 patients with social anxiety disorder (SAD), 46 patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), 40 patients with panic disorder (PD), and 60 healthy controls (HC). The subjects were recruited from the Psychiatric Clinic of the University of Pisa and assessed by means of the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-5 (SCID-5), the Adult Autism Subtreshold Spectrum (AdAS Spectrum) questionnaire, the Social Anxiety Spectrum - Short Version (SHY-SV) questionnaire, the Obsessive - Compulsive Spectrum - Short Version (OBS-SV) questionnaire and the Panic Agoraphobic Spectrum - Short Version (PAS-SV) questionnaire. Statistical analyses included Analysis of Variance (ANOVA), Bonferroni post-hoc tests, Chi square test, linear regression and multinomial logistic regression. Results: The total AdAS score was highest in subjects with ASD and lowest in healthy controls. Particularly high scores, immediately following those of ASD subjects, were observed in the SAD and OCD groups, significantly higher than those in the PD group. Regarding individual domains, subjects with ASD consistently reported higher scores than all other groups, except compared to the SAD group for the Childhood/adolescence and Non-Verbal Communication domains, and to the OCD group for the Inflexibility and adherence to routine domain. Indeed, the SAD group reported high scores especially in the Childhood/adolescence, Verbal Communication and Empathy domains, while the OCD group in the Inflexibility and adherence to routine and Restricted interests and rumination domains. The PD group presented low scores overall, always inferior to the ASD group, and to the SAD and OCD groups in most domains. Furthermore, distinguishing the total sample on the basis of the total AdAS score into the three groups ASD (full-blown disorder), AT (significant autistic traits) and Non-AT (absence of significant autistic traits) it was observed that individuals with ASD were distributed predominantly in the ASD group (79.1%), individuals with SAD (53.6%) and OCD (52.2%) in the AT category, and healthy controls in the Non-AT group (100%). Linear regression analysis showed that high total scores at SHY-SV (B = 0.623, p<.01), OBS-SV (B = 0.494, p<.01), and PAS-SV (B = 0.333, p<.01) would be predictive of an high AdAS total score. Multinomial logistic regression analysis revealed that high total AdAS Spectrum scores would be predictive of a diagnosis of ASD (B = 0.433, p<.01), SAD (B = 0.372, p<.01), OCD (B = 0.361, p<.01) and PD (B = 0.293, p<.01) with respect to the HC group. In addiction, comparing SHY-SV, OBS-SV and PAS-SV total and domain scores between the diagnostic groups, we found that the higher scores were always obtained by ASD group, second only to the group with a diagnosis matching the spectrum under investigation. Discussion: The current study revealed the presence of a continuous distribution of autistic traits within the total sample, highest in ASD subjects, immediately followed by patients with SAD and OCD, and descending toward the PD group, until reaching minimum levels in healthy controls. In each diagnosis, moreover, it was possible to identify a specific profile of autistic traits, based on the most represented domains, capable of differentiating between the different diagnoses. In addition, social-phobic, obsessive-compulsive and panic-agoraphobic spectrum symptoms were always found to be higher in ASD subjects, second only to the group with a diagnosis matching the spectrum under investigation. This would seem to support the hypothesis of a neurodevelopmental basis, identifiable in the autism spectrum, underlying the different diagnoses considered in the study. Furthermore, the predictive role of social-phobic, obsessive-compulsive, and panic-agoraphobic spectrum symptoms with respect to the presence of autistic traits, as well as the predictive role of autistic traits toward the presence of SAD, OCD, and PD, suggests the importance of investigating a potential autism spectrum hidden beneath such diagnoses - promoted by knowledge of disorder-specific profiles of autistic manifestations as revealed by the present study - and paying attention to the occurrence of these mental disorders in patients with ASD. Such cautions, in a clinical setting, could represent a valuable element in terms of prevention and individualized treatment. Conclusion: Autistic traits appear to be distributed along a descending gradient from the diagnosis of ASD to healthy controls, passing through social anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorders characterized by high autistic traits, and panic disorder defined by low levels of autism spectrum manifestations. Each of these diagnoses is also characterized by a specific profile of autistic symptoms. High levels of social-phobic, obsessive-compulsive, and panic-agoraphobic spectrum symptoms were found to be predictive of an elevated AdAS total score, which in turn was predictive of a diagnosis of ASD, SAD, OCD, and eventually PD, compared with healthy controls. Social-phobic, obsessive-compulsive and panic-agoraphobic spectrum symptoms were always found to be higher in ASD subjects, second only to the group with a diagnosis matching the spectrum under investigation

A case of catatonia in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic: does autism spectrum matter?

BACKGROUND: There is growing concern about the psychopathological consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic. The prolonged stress due to the spreading fear of the contagion and to the enforced containment measures are deemed to trigger recurrences of preexisting mental disorders as well as the onset of new ones. From such perspective, clinical cases may be of primary ground to identify individual features and pandemic-related factors predisposing to the development of serious psychiatric symptoms. CASE PRESENTATION: Mr. R. is a 64-year-old, married, unemployed man, whose premorbid personality was characterized by relevant autistic traits. The patient developed catatonia in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. We aimed at discussing the role of both preexisting and precipitating factors. CONCLUSIONS: Autism spectrum could represent a predisposing factor for severe psychopathological outcome and catatonia. Furthermore, the present clinical case highlights the role of COVID-19 pandemic in influencing physical and mental health

A 3-Month Naturalistic Follow-Up Treatment With Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors in Frequent Attenders of General Medical Practice: What Correlates With a Good Response?

Frequent attenders (FAs), defined as patients repeatedly attending general practitioners, frequently exhibit underdiagnosed psychiatric comorbidities, leading to the hypothesis that frequent attendance may be related to an undetected psychiatric burden. This study explores the role of psychiatric comorbidities and psychopharmacological treatment on the clinical outcomes of a cohort of FAs of the general medical practice in Italy. The study included 75 FAs assessed by the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-5, Clinical Global Impression, Global Assessment Functioning, and Illness Behavior Inventory, administered at baseline (T0) and after 3 months (T1). Data were analyzed on the bases of the presence of any mental disorder and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) treatment, with respect to other psychopharmacological treatments. Results showed better outcomes among patients with a mental disorder, particularly anxiety, depression, and somatic symptoms disorders, and when under SSRI treatment. Our findings corroborate the role of psychiatric comorbidity on frequent attendance in the context of general clinical practice with a positive outcome when receiving appropriate treatment with SSRI

A 3-Month Naturalistic Follow-Up Treatment With Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors in Frequent Attenders of General Medical Practice

Frequent attenders (FAs), defined as patients repeatedly attending general practitioners, frequently exhibit underdiagnosed psychiatric comorbidities, leading to the hypothesis that frequent attendance may be related to an undetected psychiatric burden. This study explores the role of psychiatric comorbidities and psychopharmacological treatment on the clinical outcomes of a cohort of FAs of the general medical practice in Italy. The study included 75 FAs assessed by the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-5, Clinical Global Impression, Global Assessment Functioning, and Illness Behavior Inventory, administered at baseline (T0) and after 3 months (T1). Data were analyzed on the bases of the presence of any mental disorder and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) treatment, with respect to other psychopharmacological treatments. Results showed better outcomes among patients with a mental disorder, particularly anxiety, depression, and somatic symptoms disorders, and when under SSRI treatment. Our findings corroborate the role of psychiatric comorbidity on frequent attendance in the context of general clinical practice with a positive outcome when receiving appropriate treatment with SSRI