La valutazione psicodinamica della personalità: verso la standardizzazione italiana dell'Inventory of Personality Organization di O. Kernberg

Lo studio si propone come un primo contributo per la validazione italiana del test di Otto Kernberg e John Clarkin Inventory of Personality Organization (IPO). Lo strumento è un questionario self report che misura l’organizzazione strutturale di personalità secondo il modello di Otto Kernberg. Attraverso i tre criteri psichici, Diffusione dell’Identità, Difese Primitive ed Esame di Realtà, mira a distinguere l’ organizzazione strutturale tra nevrotica, borderline e psicotica. In virtù dei cambiamenti scientifici che hanno visto ampliare e maturare nuove prospettive per la valutazione della personalità patologica e fornire dei modelli diagnostici clinicamente utili ma allo stesso tempo scientificamente fondati, l’IPO può essere uno strumento interessante poiché è di facile e agevole somministrazione ma allo stesso tempo fornisce degli indicatori psicodinamici utili per il lavoro di assessment. I due studi empirici presentati nel lavoro mostrano la procedura di adattamento e una proposta applicativa della sua prima versione italiana. Il primo studio, sulle caratteristiche psicometriche dell’IPO, mette in evidenza i risultati dell’analisi fattoriale esplorativa, condotta su 476 soggetti della popolazione non clinica italiana, che vede una struttura latente dello strumento differente da quella originaria. I tre fattori estratti, Rappresentazione di Sé, Rappresentazione dell’Oggetto e Distorsione della Realtà, sono stati sottoposti a verifiche di validità e attendibilità. E’ emerso che il test, in entrambe le versioni, presenta una buona validità convergente e discriminante, una coerenza interna e una stabilità significative, delle buone caratteristiche operative di accuratezza, specificità e sensibilità e la capacità di discriminare un gruppo di 78 soggetti con diagnosi psicopatologica da 78 soggetti che non hanno mai richiesto o avuto una valutazione psicologica. Il secondo è uno studio pilota su un gruppo di 23 soggetti tratti dalla popolazione clinica, afferente ai servizi di salute mentale, italiana. Vengono riportati i risultati di una batteria multi strumentale per l’assessment applicata a pazienti che avevano già avuto una diagnosi clinica in ICD IX come di routine nel servizio. Questa batteria fornisce dati sullo stato sintomatico, sulle difese e sui tratti della personalità attraverso procedure self report e report form. L’IPO è stato introdotto come misura strutturale del funzionamento dei soggetti e, anche in questo caso, ha mostrato delle buone correlazioni con gli altri strumenti e un’ adeguata capacità di discriminare gruppi diagnostici differenti

Guavirá, una nueva localidad con maderas fósiles de la Formación Tacuary (Pérmico Superior) de Paraguay

The article describes gymnospermous fossil woods from Guavirá, a new locality exposing rocks from the Upper Permian Tacuary Formation in Paraguay. The identified taxa include the conifers Agathoxylon semibiseriatum (Pant & Singh) Leiva Verón & Crisafulli comb. nov. and Kaokoxylon rioclarense ex Mussa in Crisafulli & Leiva Verón (this paper), Polysolenoxylon whitei (Maniero) Kräusel & Dolianiti, Chapmanoxylon jamuriense Pant & Singh, and Baieroxylon cicatricum, Prasad & Lele, a species frequently associated with the Ginkgoales. The discovery of this new assemblage has paleoenvironmental and paleobiogeographic significance because this is the first record of a species with a solenoid pith in the Permian of Paraguay. Thus, it allies the Tacuary Formation to other gondwanic sequences of South America and helps to establish comparisons between their xylotaphofloras.Keywords: wood anatomy, Upper Permian, Tacuary Formation, Paraguay.Se describen maderas silicificadas provenientes de Guavirá, una nueva localidad de la Formación Tacuary, del Pérmico Superior de Paraguay. Los taxones identificados incluyen: Coniferales Agathoxylon semibiseriatum (Pant & Singh) Leiva Verón & Crisafulli comb. nov. y Kaokoxylon rioclarense ex Mussa, in Crisafulli & Leiva Verón (este trabajo); Polysolenoxylon whitei (Maniero) Kräusel & Dolianiti, Chapmanoxylon jamuriense Pant & Singh, y Baieroxylon cicatricum, Prasad & Lele, que se asocia generalmente a las Ginkgoales. El hallazgo de esta nueva asociación tiene interés paleoambiental y paleogeográfico ya que permite asociar por primera vez a la Formación Tacuary con otras de las secuencias gondwánicas coetáneas de Sud América portadoras de maderas con médulas solenoide, y realizar así comparaciones más precisas.Palabras clave: anatomía, maderas, Pérmico Superior, Formación Tacuary, Paraguay

La valutazione degli esiti e del processo nelle psicoterapie offerte dai Centri di Salute Mentale e da un Centro di Psicologia clinica universitario

Il presente lavoro si pone l’obiettivo di presentare i principali risultati emersi dalla valutazione empirica di esiti e di processo nelle psicoterapie condotte in contesti istituzionali. In una prima parte sono riassunti metodi e risultati di un progetto longitudinale articolato – che ha incluso un intervento di formazione e restituzione - svolto in collaborazione fra l’Università “Sapienza†e i Centri di Salute Mentale di una ASL romana. Successivamente sono illustrati gli studi condotti dal gruppo di ricerca sul cambiamento terapeutico e sul processo applicando strumenti di indagine basati sulle narrative alle sedute di psicoterapia presso un Centro Clinico Universitario. I principali obiettivi delle ricerche svolte sono rivolti al miglioramento dei servizi, all’auto-monitoraggio degli psicoterapeuti e all’elaborazione di un modello teorico che incentivi l’efficacia terapeutica

Taxonomic and ecological remarks on Solenopsis bivonae species complex (Campanulaceae)

The populations usually attributed to Solenopsis bivonae (Tineo) M.B.Crespo, Serra & A.Juan are investigated from a taxonomical and morphological viewpoint. Within this species complex, four new subspecies occurring in Sicily and Calabria are recognized, such as subsp. bivonae, subsp. madoniarum, subsp. peloritana and subsp. brutia. In addition, a new species from Cyprus described as S. meikleana and S. bacchettae from Sardinia must be included in this group. The synonymy, typification, description, seed testa morphology, chorology, ecology, illustrations, conservation status, and examined specimens for each taxon are provided. Besides, the analytical keys, distribution maps, and phytosociological arrangement regarding these taxa are given too

Parp1 inhibitor and trabectedin combination does not increase tumor mutational burden in advanced sarcomas—a preclinical and translational study

SIMPLE SUMMARY: Immunotherapy has revolutionized cancer treatment, but not for all tumor types. Indeed, sarcomas are considered “immune-cold” tumors, which are relatively unresponsive to immunotherapy. One strategy to potentiate immunotherapy efficacy is to increase tumor immunogenicity, for instance by boosting the number of candidate targets (neoantigens) to be recognized by the immune system. Tumor mutational burden indicates the number of somatic mutations identified in the tumor and normalized per megabase. Tumor mutational burden is considered as an acceptable, measurable surrogate of tumor neoantigens. Here, we explored whether the combination of two DNA-damaging agents, trabectedin and olaparib, could increase tumor mutational burden in sarcomas, to prime subsequent immunotherapy. We found no variation in tumor mutational burden after trabectedin + olaparib in preclinical and clinical samples. Therefore, other aspects should be considered to increase sarcoma immunogenicity, by exploiting different pathways such as the potential modulation of the tumor microenvironment induced by trabectedin + olaparib. ABSTRACT: Drug-induced tumor mutational burden (TMB) may contribute to unleashing the immune response in relatively “immune-cold” tumors, such as sarcomas. We previously showed that PARP1 inhibition perpetuates the DNA damage induced by the chemotherapeutic agent trabectedin in both preclinical models and sarcoma patients. In the present work, we explored acquired genetic changes in DNA repair genes, mutational signatures, and TMB in a translational platform composed of cell lines, xenografts, and tumor samples from patients treated with trabectedin and olaparib combination, compared to cells treated with temozolomide, an alkylating agent that induces hypermutation. Whole-exome and targeted panel sequencing data analyses revealed that three cycles of trabectedin and olaparib combination neither affected the mutational profiles, DNA repair gene status, or copy number alterations, nor increased TMB both in homologous recombinant-defective and proficient cells or in xenografts. Moreover, TMB was not increased in tumor specimens derived from trabectedin- and olaparib-treated patients (5–6 cycles) when compared to pre-treatment biopsies. Conversely, repeated treatments with temozolomide induced a massive TMB increase in the SJSA-1 osteosarcoma model. In conclusion, a trabectedin and olaparib combination did not show mutagenic effects and is unlikely to prime subsequent immune-therapeutic interventions based on TMB increase. On the other hand, these findings are reassuring in the increasing warning of treatment-induced hematologic malignancies correlated to PARP1 inhibitor use

Active elderly and health-can moderate exercise improve health and wellbeing in older adults? Protocol for a randomized controlled trial

Abstract Background: Aging is marked by a progressive rise in chronic diseases with an impact on social and healthcare costs. Physical activity (PA) may soothe the inconveniences related to chronic diseases, has positive effects on the quality of life and biological rhythms, and can prevent the decline in motor functions and the consequent falls, which are associated with early death and disability in older adults. Methods: We randomized 120 over-65 males and females into groups of similar size and timing and will give each either moderate physical activity or cultural and recreational activities. Being younger than 65 years, inability to participate in physical activity for any medical reason, and involvement in a massive program of physical exercise are the exclusion criteria. The primary outcome measures are quality of life, walking speed, and postural sway. Participants are tested at baseline, post-treatment, and 6-month (24 weeks) and 12-month (48 weeks) follow-ups. Discussion: This study aims at improving the quality of life, wellness, and cognitive functioning in the elderly through a low-cost affordable program of moderate physical activity. Given the growing aging of the world population and the social and economic burden of disability in the elderly, our results might have a major impact on future practices

New national and regional Annex I Habitat records: from #45 to #59

New Italian data on the distribution of Annex I Habitats are reported in this contribution. Specifically, 8 new occurrences in Natura 2000 sites are presented and 27 new cells are added in the EEA 10 km × 10 km reference grid. The new data refer to the Italian administrative regions of Apulia, Campania, Calabria, Lazio, Tuscany, Umbria, Sardinia, and Sicily

Cladribine and ocrelizumab induce differential miRNA profiles in peripheral blood mononucleated cells from relapsing–remitting multiple sclerosis patients

Background and objectivesMultiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic, progressive neurological disease characterized by early-stage neuroinflammation, neurodegeneration, and demyelination that involves a spectrum of heterogeneous clinical manifestations in terms of disease course and response to therapy. Even though several disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) are available to prevent MS-related brain damage—acting on the peripheral immune system with an indirect effect on MS lesions—individualizing therapy according to disease characteristics and prognostic factors is still an unmet need. Given that deregulated miRNAs have been proposed as diagnostic tools in neurodegenerative/neuroinflammatory diseases such as MS, we aimed to explore miRNA profiles as potential classifiers of the relapsing–remitting MS (RRMS) patients’ prospects to gain a more effective DMT choice and achieve a preferential drug response.MethodsA total of 25 adult patients with RRMS were enrolled in a cohort study, according to the latest McDonald criteria before (pre-cladribine, pre-CLA; pre-ocrelizumab, pre-OCRE, time T0) and after high-efficacy DMTs, time T1, 6 months post-CLA (n = 10, 7 F and 3 M, age 39.0 ± 7.5) or post-OCRE (n = 15, 10 F and 5 M, age 40.5 ± 10.4) treatment. A total of 15 age- and sex-matched healthy control subjects (9 F and 6 M, age 36.3 ± 3.0) were also selected. By using Agilent microarrays, we analyzed miRNA profiles from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC). miRNA–target networks were obtained by miRTargetLink, and Pearson’s correlation served to estimate the association between miRNAs and outcome clinical features.ResultsFirst, the miRNA profiles of pre-CLA or pre-OCRE RRMS patients compared to healthy controls identified modulated miRNA patterns (40 and seven miRNAs, respectively). A direct comparison of the two pre-treatment groups at T0 and T1 revealed more pro-inflammatory patterns in the pre-CLA miRNA profiles. Moreover, both DMTs emerged as being capable of reverting some dysregulated miRNAs toward a protective phenotype. Both drug-dependent miRNA profiles and specific miRNAs, such as miR-199a-3p, miR-29b-3p, and miR-151a-3p, emerged as potentially involved in these drug-induced mechanisms. This enabled the selection of miRNAs correlated to clinical features and the related miRNA–mRNA network.DiscussionThese data support the hypothesis of specific deregulated miRNAs as putative biomarkers in RRMS patients’ stratification and DMT drug response

Efficacy of canakinumab in patients with Still's disease across different lines of biologic therapy: real-life data from the International AIDA Network Registry for Still's Disease

Introduction: The effectiveness of canakinumab may change according to the different times it is used after Still's disease onset. This study aimed to investigate whether canakinumab (CAN) shows differences in short- and long-term therapeutic outcomes, according to its use as different lines of biologic treatment.Methods: Patients included in this study were retrospectively enrolled from the AutoInflammatory Disease Alliance (AIDA) International Registry dedicated to Still's disease. Seventy-seven (51 females and 26 males) patients with Still's disease were included in the present study. In total, 39 (50.6%) patients underwent CAN as a first-line biologic agent, and the remaining 38 (49.4%) patients were treated with CAN as a second-line biologic agent or subsequent biologic agent.Results: No statistically significant differences were found between patients treated with CAN as a first-line biologic agent and those previously treated with other biologic agents in terms of the frequency of complete response (p =0.62), partial response (p =0.61), treatment failure (p >0.99), and frequency of patients discontinuing CAN due to lack or loss of efficacy (p =0.2). Of all the patients, 18 (23.4%) patients experienced disease relapse during canakinumab treatment, 9 patients were treated with canakinumab as a first-line biologic agent, and nine patients were treated with a second-line or subsequent biologic agent. No differences were found in the frequency of glucocorticoid use (p =0.34), daily glucocorticoid dosage (p =0.47), or concomitant methotrexate dosage (p =0.43) at the last assessment during CAN treatment.Conclusion: Canakinumab has proved to be effective in patients with Still's disease, regardless of its line of biologic treatment

COVID-19 in rheumatic diseases in Italy: first results from the Italian registry of the Italian Society for Rheumatology (CONTROL-19)

OBJECTIVES: Italy was one of the first countries significantly affected by the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) epidemic. The Italian Society for Rheumatology promptly launched a retrospective and anonymised data collection to monitor COVID-19 in patients with rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases (RMDs), the CONTROL-19 surveillance database, which is part of the COVID-19 Global Rheumatology Alliance. METHODS: CONTROL-19 includes patients with RMDs and proven severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) updated until May 3rd 2020. In this analysis, only molecular diagnoses were included. The data collection covered demographic data, medical history (general and RMD-related), treatments and COVID-19 related features, treatments, and outcome. In this paper, we report the first descriptive data from the CONTROL-19 registry. RESULTS: The population of the first 232 patients (36% males) consisted mainly of elderly patients (mean age 62.2 years), who used corticosteroids (51.7%), and suffered from multi-morbidity (median comorbidities 2). Rheumatoid arthritis was the most frequent disease (34.1%), followed by spondyloarthritis (26.3%), connective tissue disease (21.1%) and vasculitis (11.2%). Most cases had an active disease (69.4%). Clinical presentation of COVID-19 was typical, with systemic symptoms (fever and asthenia) and respiratory symptoms. The overall outcome was severe, with high frequencies of hospitalisation (69.8%), respiratory support oxygen (55.7%), non-invasive ventilation (20.9%) or mechanical ventilation (7.5%), and 19% of deaths. Male patients typically manifested a worse prognosis. Immunomodulatory treatments were not significantly associated with an increased risk of intensive care unit admission/mechanical ventilation/death. CONCLUSIONS: Although the report mainly includes the most severe cases, its temporal and spatial trend supports the validity of the national surveillance system. More complete data are being acquired in order to both test the hypothesis that RMD patients may have a different outcome from that of the general population and determine the safety of immunomodulatory treatments