Mentalizing subtypes in eating disorders: A latent profile analysis

Background: Mentalizing, the mental capacity to understand oneself and others in terms of mental states, has been found to be reduced in several mental disorders. Some studies have suggested that eating disorders (EDs) may also be associated with impairments in mentalizing. The aim of this work is to investigate the possible presence of mentalizing subtypes in a sample of patients with EDs. Method: A sample of patients with eating disorders (N = 157) completed a battery of measures assessing mentalization and related variables, including the Reflective Functioning Questionnaire (RFQ), the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Strategies (DERS), the Interpersonal Reactivity Index (IRI). Clinicians rated patients in relation to imbalances in different dimensions of mentalization to prementalizing modes and attachment style by using the Mentalization Imbalances Scale, the Modes of Mentalization Scale (MMS), and the Adult Attachment Questionnaire. A latent profile analysis was conducted to test the possible presence of different subgroups. MANOVA was used to test the possible differences between the four mentalizing profiles in relation to emotion dysregulation (DERS), empathy (IRI), and adequate and impairments in mentalizing (MMS and RFQ). Results: The latent profile analysis suggested the presence of four different profiles in relation to impairments in the dimensions of mentalization: (1) affective/self/automatic imbalances, (2) external imbalance, (3) cognitive/self/automatic imbalances, and (4) cognitive/other/automatic imbalances. Patients belonging to profile 1 are characterized by the prevalence of affective mentalization that overwhelms the capacity to reflect on mental states with an imbalance on the self-dimension; profile 2 patients are excessively focused on the external cues of mentalization; profile 3 patients are characterized by an over-involvement on the cognitive and self-facets of mentalization, with an impairment in adopting the other mind perspective; and profile 4 patients have similar impairments compared to profile 3 patients but with an excessive focus on others and deficits in self-reflection. These profiles were heterogeneous in terms of EDs represented in each group and presented significant differences on various variables such as attachment style, emotion dysregulation, empathy, interpersonal reactivity, and reflective function. This study represents, so far, the first work that confirms the presence of different mentalizing patterns in ED patients. Conclusions: ED patients can be classified in relation to impairments in different dimensions of mentalization above and beyond ED diagnosis

Assessement of sensory firmness and crunchiness of table grapes by acoustic and mechanical properties.

Background and Aims The instrumental measurement of crunchiness in tablegrapes has been the subject of little research in spite of the great relevance of this sensory texture trait to consumer preference. Therefore, our aim was to evaluate the potential of several mechanical and acoustic properties to assess the perceived firmness and crunchiness of tablegrape cultivars. Methods and Results The ripening effect was minimised by densimetric sorting of the berries before testing. The textural quality of seven tablegrape cultivars was evaluated by sensory analysis. Furthermore, three mechanical tests (texture profile analysis, cutting and denture) were performed on the berry flesh or on whole berries, and the acoustic emission produced was recorded simultaneously. Correlation studies showed strong and significant relationships between sensory texture attributes and instrumental parameters, particularly for the denture test. Nevertheless, satisfactory predictive accuracy for the perceived crunchiness required multivariate linear regression involving both mechanical and acoustic properties resulting from the denture test performed on whole berries. In this case, residual predictive interquartile amplitude was higher than 2. Most of the reliable models developed for perceived firmness are fairly recommended not for quantitative purposes but for fast screening (1.6 < residual predictive interquartile amplitude < 2). Conclusions The standardised protocol proposed permits more objective and quantitative sensory data to be obtained for firmness and crunchiness of tablegrapes. Significance of the Study A combined mechanical–acoustic strategy has not previously been used in tablegrapes and represents a powerful tool for a more complete and exhaustive texture characterisation, particularly firmness and crunchiness, by means of a more objective and standardised protocol

Risk Assessment by Pre-surgical Tractography in Left Hemisphere Low-Grade Gliomas

Background: Tracking the white matter principal tracts is routinely typically included during the pre-surgery planning examinations and has revealed to limit functional resection of low-grade gliomas (LGGs) in eloquent areas. Objective: We examined the integrity of the Superior Longitudinal Fasciculus (SLF) and Inferior Fronto-Occipital Fasciculus (IFOF), both known to be part of the language-related network in patients with LGGs involving the temporo-insular cortex. In a comparative approach, we contrasted the main quantitative fiber tracking values in the tumoral (T) and healthy (H) hemispheres to test whether or not this ratio could discriminate amongst patients with different post-operative outcomes. Methods: Twenty-six patients with LGGs were included. We obtained quantitative fiber tracking values in the tumoral and healthy hemispheres and calculated the ratio (HIFOF\u2013TIFOF)/HIFOF and the ratio (HSLF\u2013TSLF)/HSLF on the number of streamlines. We analyzed how these values varied between patients with and without post-operative neurological outcomes and between patients with different post-operative Engel classes. Results: The ratio for both IFOF and SLF significantly differed between patient with and without post-operative neurological language deficits. No associations were found between white matter structural changes and post-operative seizure outcomes. Conclusions: Calculating the ratio on the number of streamlines and fractional anisotropy between the tumoral and the healthy hemispheres resulted to be a useful approach, which can prove to be useful during the pre-operative planning examination, as it gives a glimpse on the potential clinical outcomes in patients with LGGs involving the left temporo-insular cortex

On dicraeosaurid (sauropoda) vertebra from the la amarga formation (barremian–aptian, lower cretaceous), Neuquén basin, patagonia, Argentina

Field works carried out by Dr. Bonaparte and collaborators in the La Amarga Formation (Barremian–Aptian) in 2000, allowed the collecting of a vertebral element not previously communicated. This material has not been properly protected, so it is broken and kept in paleontological collection of Museo Provincial “Olsacher” of Zapala city. The descriptions were based solely on a photograph. The parapophyses are located on the dorsal part of the centrum, like in the anterior dorsal vertebrae of Dicraeosaurus hansemanni Janensch and Amargasaurus cazaui Salgado and Bonaparte. The posterior articular surface of the centrum is strongly concave with an elliptical outline. The neural arch bears two deep and wide centropostzygapophyseal fossae with a triangular outline. These fossae are framed laterally by stout centropostzygapophyseal laminae, project dorsoventrally like a massive columnar bone. The transverse processes are inclined dorsally more than 30° from the horizontal axis, as in the dorsal vertebrae of D. hansemanni, A. cazaui, Brachytrachelopan mesai Rauhut, Remes, Fechner, Cladera and Puerta and Pilmatueia faundezi Coria, Windholz, Ortega and Currie. The element bears an elongate bifid neural spine, character that share with the most of presacral vertebrae of the dicraeosaurids. This structure is straight, dorsoanteriorly oriented and its degree of development reminds to the presacral vertebrae of A. cazaui. This element is similar to the anterior dorsal vertebrae of A. cazaui, although it could be comparable with Amargatitanis macni Apesteguía, come from the same locality and lithostratigraphic unit, whose presacral vertebrae are unknown.Fil: Windholz, Guillermo Jose. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Patagonia Norte. Instituto de Investigación en Paleobiología y Geología; Argentina. Provincia del Neuquén. Municipalidad de Plaza Huincul. Museo "Carmen Funes"; ArgentinaFil: Baiano, Mattia Antonio. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Patagonia Norte. Instituto de Investigación en Paleobiología y Geología; Argentina. Provincia del Neuquén. Municipalidad de Plaza Huincul. Museo "Carmen Funes"; ArgentinaFil: Bellardini, Flavio. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Patagonia Norte. Instituto de Investigación en Paleobiología y Geología; Argentina. Gobierno de la Provincia de la Pampa. Secretaria de Cultura. Direccion Provincial de Patrimonio Cultural.; ArgentinaFil: Meso, Jorge Gustavo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Patagonia Norte. Instituto de Investigación en Paleobiología y Geología; ArgentinaFil: Juáres Valieri, R.. Gobierno de la Provincia de Río Negro. Ministerio de Turismo, Cultura y Deporte. Secretaría de Cultura; Argentina. Museo de Ciencias de Añelo; ArgentinaFil: Porfiri, J.. Museo de Ciencias de Añelo; Argentina. Universidad Nacional del Comahue; ArgentinaFil: Filippi, L.. Gobierno de la Provincia del Neuquén. Municipalidad de Rincón de Los Sauces. Secretaria de Turismo y Patrimonio. Museo Municipal Argentino Urquiza; ArgentinaFil: Garrido, A.. Provincia de Neuquén. Ministerio de Energía, Ambiente y Servicios Públicos. Dirección Provincial de Minería. Museo Provincial de Ciencias Naturales Prof. "Dr. Juan A. Olsacher"; Argentina. Universidad Nacional del Comahue. Facultad de Ingeniería. Departamento de Geología y Petróleo; Argentina2das Jornadas de Paleovertebrados de la Cuenca NeuquinaNeuquénArgentinaAsociación Paleontológica Argentin

Preliminary studies of a new dinosaur track locality from the Candeleros Formation (Cenomanian, Upper Cretaceous), Neuquén Basin, Argentina

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PARASITOLOGICAL ZOONOSIS IN RABBIT MEAT: RESULTS OF SEROEPIDEMIOLOGICAL SURVEY FOR THE INVESTIGATION OF ENCEPHALITOZOON CUNICULI, TOXOPLASMA GONDII AND CHLAMYDIA PSITTACI IN ITALIAN RABBITRIES

ABSTRACT During June 2002 and February 2003 1,800 blood samples were collected from 5 slaughtering plants located in Campania region (Italy) which were supplied by 21 rabbitries situated in central and southern Italian regions, such as Campania, Lazio, Basilicata, Molise, Calabria. The aims of this study were to use the Carbon Immunoassay (India ink) test (CIA) and FC test to determine respectively the prevalence of specific zoonotic agents such as E. cuniculi, T. gondii and Chlamydia psittaci in fattening rabbits. For E. cuniculi of the total number of 1,800 sera examined, 490 were positive and they represented 27.2%. All supplying breeding farms were positive with a percentage from 10% (4/40) to 57.5% (23/40) of total sera collected from each slaughtered batch. Sera resulted less positive for T. gondii: of 1,800 sera only 50 (2.7%) were positive; these date were relative to 6/21 breeding farms. Serological Chlamydia screening resulted totally negative

A roadmap towards a circular and sustainable bioeconomy through waste valorization

Municipal solid waste and food supply chain waste are globally generated in large quantities from various sectors including various stages of food supply chains, municipalities, open markets and catering services. A prevailing priority in the EU is to stimulate the transition towards a circular economy that fosters the promotion of sustainable and resource-efficient policies for long-term socio-economic and environmental benefits. Common practices for waste management include landfill disposal, anaerobic digestion, composting and wastewater treatment. Recently, new technologies have been introduced to produce value-added products from agricultural residues and food processing side streams. Integrated and holistic approaches for organic waste utilization as industrial feedstocks will boost the transition towards the bio-economy era. The establishment of circular economy would expand and diversify the market outlets of bio-based products. This review provides an overview of the current methods on waste and by-product streams bioconversion to develop biorefinery concepts

Risk and resilience factors for specific and general psychopathology worsening in people with Eating Disorders during COVID-19 pandemic: a retrospective Italian multicentre study

Purpose: The COVID-19 pandemic restrictions had negative impact on the psychopathology of people with Eating Disorders (EDs). Factors involved in the vulnerability to stressful events have been under-investigated in this population. We aimed to assess which factors contributed to COVID-19-induced worsening in both general and specific psychopathology. Methods: Three-hundred and twelve people with a clinically defined diagnosis of an ED and undergoing a specialist ED treatment in different Italian ED services before the spreading of COVID-19 pandemic filled in an online survey. ED specific and general psychopathology changes after COVID-19 quarantine were retrospectively evaluated. Factors related to COVID-19 concerns (financial condition, fear of contagion, perceived social isolation/support, satisfaction in peer, family or sentimental relationships), illness duration and treatment-related variables (type of treatment provided, type of access to care, satisfaction with therapeutic relationships) were included as predicting factors in a structural equational model, which included latent variables consisting of general and ED psychopathology items as outcomes. Results: A perceived low quality of therapeutic relationships, fear of contagion and increased isolation were positively associated with psychopathology worsening. Reduced satisfaction with family and with friends’ relationships and reduced perceived social support were associated with ED and general symptoms deterioration, respectively. No significant effect emerged for intimate relationships, illness duration, economic condition and type of treatment. Conclusions: This study provides a comprehensive evaluation of clinical variables associated with psychopathological changes during the COVID-19 lockdown period highlighting potential risk and resilience factors and, possibly, informing treatment as well as prevention strategies for EDs. Level of evidence IV: Evidence obtained from multiple time series analysis such as case studies

Risk and resilience factors for specific and general psychopathology worsening in people with Eating Disorders during COVID-19 pandemic: a retrospective Italian multicentre study

Purpose: The COVID-19 pandemic restrictions had negative impact on the psychopathology of people with Eating Disorders (EDs). Factors involved in the vulnerability to stressful events have been under-investigated in this population. We aimed to assess which factors contributed to COVID-19-induced worsening in both general and specific psychopathology. Methods: Three-hundred and twelve people with a clinically defined diagnosis of an ED and undergoing a specialist ED treatment in different Italian ED services before the spreading of COVID-19 pandemic filled in an online survey. ED specific and general psychopathology changes after COVID-19 quarantine were retrospectively evaluated. Factors related to COVID-19 concerns (financial condition, fear of contagion, perceived social isolation/support, satisfaction in peer, family or sentimental relationships), illness duration and treatment-related variables (type of treatment provided, type of access to care, satisfaction with therapeutic relationships) were included as predicting factors in a structural equational model, which included latent variables consisting of general and ED psychopathology items as outcomes. Results: A perceived low quality of therapeutic relationships, fear of contagion and increased isolation were positively associated with psychopathology worsening. Reduced satisfaction with family and with friends\u2019 relationships and reduced perceived social support were associated with ED and general symptoms deterioration, respectively. No significant effect emerged for intimate relationships, illness duration, economic condition and type of treatment. Conclusions: This study provides a comprehensive evaluation of clinical variables associated with psychopathological changes during the COVID-19 lockdown period highlighting potential risk and resilience factors and, possibly, informing treatment as well as\ua0prevention strategies for EDs. Level of evidence IV: Evidence obtained from multiple time series analysis such as case studies