The Relationship between Perceived Emotional Intelligence, Work Engagement, Job Satisfaction, and Burnout in Italian School Teachers: An Exploratory Study

The study investigates the relationship between perceived emotional intelligence, burnout, work engagement, and job satisfaction in 238 Italian school teachers. The mean age was 50 years, ranged from 26 to 66 (SD = 9.16). The research protocol included a demographics data sheet, the Wong and Law Emotional Intelligence Scale (WLEIS; Wong & Law, 2002), the Copenhagen Burnout Inventory (CBI; Kristensen, Borritz, Villadsen, & Christensen, 2005), the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale (UWES; Schaufeli, Bakker, & Salanova, 2006), and the Organizational Satisfaction Scale (QSO; Cortese, 2001). Several international studies already demonstrated an association among these variables. Our results showed that perceived emotional intelligence positively correlates with work engagement and job satisfaction, and negatively correlates with burnout. Hierarchical regression analyses also point out that, among all the perceived emotional intelligence subdimensions, the use of emotion is the best predictor of the study variables, even when controlling for gender differences. These results suggest that emotional intelligence may have a protective role in preventing negative working experiences of teachers

An Exploratory Study

The study investigates the relationship between perceived emotional intelligence, burnout, work engagement, and job satisfaction in 238 Italian school teachers. The mean age was 50 years, ranged from 26 to 66 (SD = 9.16). The research protocol included a demographics data sheet, the Wong and Law Emotional Intelligence Scale (WLEIS; Wong & Law, 2002), the Copenhagen Burnout Inventory (CBI; Kristensen, Borritz, Villadsen, & Christensen, 2005), the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale (UWES; Schaufeli, Bakker, & Salanova, 2006), and the Organizational Satisfaction Scale (QSO; Cortese, 2001). Several international studies already demonstrated an association among these variables. Our results showed that perceived emotional intelligence positively correlates with work engagement and job satisfaction, and negatively correlates with burnout. Hierarchical regression analyses also point out that, among all the perceived emotional intelligence subdimensions, the use of emotion is the best predictor of the study variables, even when controlling for gender differences. These results suggest that emotional intelligence may have a protective role in preventing negative working experiences of teachers

How do we treat the broad spectrum of patients with serious mental illness who have committed crimes? The Law 81/2014: limits and problems

In Italia è in corso un processo di deistituzionalizzazione che non ha precedenti al mondo. Si stanno progressivamente svuotando gli Ospedali Psichiatrici Giudiziari che non sono mai stati riformati negli ultimi 80 anni. Questo processo sta venendo attuato tramite una stratificazione di norme senza una progettualità diversa dalla rapida chiusura di queste fatiscenti strutture. Ai Dipartimenti di Salute Mentale (DSM) sono richieste una molteplicità di compiti nuovi e fortemente specialistici, e una estensione del loro potere di controllo, senza che queste strutture siano organizzate in tale senso. Alcune delle norme recentemente varate, come la Legge 81 del 2014, per risolvere alcuni problemi derivanti dalle difficoltà di deistituzionalizzazione complicano, a nostro parere, diversi aspetti gestionali di questa popolazione di gravi pazienti psichiatrici, che comunque non è assimilabile alla normale utenza dei DSM.Vi è necessità di un intervento legislativo coordinato e pensato su una prospettiva a lungo termineIn Italy an ongoing process of deinstitutionalization unprecedented in the world is been enacted.The Judicial Psychiatric Hospitals, that were never reformed in the past 80 years, are now on the edge of their closure.This process is being implemented through a layering of rules that had no purpose other than the rapid closure of these structures.The Mental Health Departments have now the responsibility of a multiplicity of new and highly specialized tasks, and an extension of their power to control.There is no previous organization for these tasks in the Mental Health System. Some of the recently enacted laws,such as the Law 81 of 2014, are intented to solve some problems, althought issues of deinstitutionalization are getting worse.In our opinion several management aspects of this population of severe psychiatric patients are unfit with the present organization of the Mental Health Services.There is need for legislative action coordinated and based on a long-term perspective

Quality of life and anxious-depressive symptoms in cancer patients undergoing mindfulness-based interventions: Feasibility and preliminary outcomes on prospective single-centre case-control study (MIND4ME St.)

Background Mindfulness based interventions (MBIs) have shown efficacy in improving psychological symptoms including depression and anxiety in cancer patients (pts). The study aimed to explore feasibility and reproducibility of MBIs in an Italian Cancer Centre measuring biochemical and psychological parameters. Methods In this pilot prospective case-control study, we recruited newly diagnosed pts receiving adjuvant chemotherapy (CT). A MBIs program was designed consisting of 2.5 hours weekly for 8 weeks and, including meditation, yoga and body scan. Material for 45 minutes (mn) home daily practice was provided. Primary endpoint was to evaluate feasibility. Secondary endpoints were assessment of quality of life (QoL), psychological and biochemical outcomes of stress, tested at baseline (W0), W4, W8, W24, W48. PSS (Perceived Stress Reduction), POMS (profile of mood states scores), EuroQoL (EQ-5D-3L) were administered. Results Ten pts underwent MBIs program arm. We present preliminary results, while data of control arm are being collected. All pts were female, two pts (20%) dropped out. Median age was 56 years. All received adjuvant CT, 5/8 received radiotherapy and hormone therapy. Mean of sessions attending was 6.8 (76%). Median daily practice was 30 mn. EQ-5D item for depression and anxiety showed decreasing trend in mean score from moderate to light (P = 0.15) and significant improvement of auto-perceived QoL was observed comparing W0 and W8 (P = 0.02) Conclusions In a sensitive setting such as start CT, we found high pts compliance to MBIs. Improvement in self-perceived QoL after starting program was found and comparing anxious-depressive symptoms outcomes with control arm is still needed

Predictors of Care Home Admission and Survival Rate in Patients With Syndromes Associated With Frontotemporal Lobar Degeneration in Europe

Background and Objectives Data on care home admission and survival rates of patients with syndromes associated with frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD) are limited. However, their estimation is essential to plan trials and assess the efficacy of intervention. Population-based registers provide unique samples for this estimate. The aim of this study was to assess care home admission rate, survival rate, and their predictors in incident patients with FTLD-associated syndromes from the European FRONTIERS register-based study. Methods We conducted a prospective longitudinal multinational observational registry study, considering incident patients with FTLD-associated syndromes diagnosed between June 1, 2018, and May 31, 2019, and followed for up to 5 years till May 31, 2023. We enrolled patients fulfilling diagnosis of the behavioral variant frontotemporal dementia (bvFTD), primary progressive aphasia (PPA), progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) or corticobasal syndrome (CBS), and FTD with motor neuron disease (FTD-MND). Kaplan-Meier analysis and Cox multivariable regression models were used to assess care home admission and survival rates. The survival probability score (SPS) was computed based on independent predictors of survivorship. Results A total of 266 incident patients with FTLD were included (mean age ± SD = 66.7 ± 9.0; female = 41.4%). The median care home admission rate was 97 months (95% CIs 86–98) from disease onset and 57 months (95% CIs 56–58) from diagnosis. The median survival was 90 months (95% CIs 77–97) from disease onset and 49 months (95% CIs 44–58) from diagnosis. Survival from diagnosis was shorter in FTD-MND (hazard ratio [HR] 4.59, 95% CIs 2.49–8.76, p &lt; 0.001) and PSP/CBS (HR 1.56, 95% CIs 1.01–2.42, p = 0.044) compared with bvFTD; no differences between PPA and bvFTD were found. The SPS proved high accuracy in predicting 1-year survival probability (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve = 0.789, 95% CIs 0.69–0.87), when defined by age, European area of residency, extrapyramidal symptoms, and MND at diagnosis. Discussion In FTLD-associated syndromes, survival rates differ according to clinical features and geography. The SPS was able to predict prognosis at individual patient level with an accuracy of;80% and may help to improve patient stratification in clinical trials. Future confirmatory studies considering different populations are needed.</p

Could metabolic syndrome lead to hepatocarcinoma via non-alcoholic fatty liver disease?

It was estimated that from 2002 to 2008 the risk of developing cancer increased a quarter-fold in men and two-fold in women due to excessive BMI. Obesity, metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes mellitus are strictly related and are key pathogenetic factors of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), the most frequent liver disease worldwide. The most important consequence of the “metabolic epidemics” is the probable rise in the incidence of hepatocarcinoma (HCC), and NAFLD is the major causative factor. Adipose tissue is not merely a storage organ where lipids are preserved as an energy source. It is an active organ with important endocrine, paracrine, and autocrine actions in addition to immune functions. Adipocytes produce a wide range of hormones, cytokines, and growth factors that can act locally in the adipose tissue microenvironment and systemically. In this article, the main roles of insulin growth factor (IGF)-1 and IGF-2 are discussed. The role of IGF-2 is not only confined to HCC, but it may also act in early hepato-carcinogenesis, as pre-neoplastic lesions express IGF-2 mRNA. IGF-1 and IGF-2 interact with specific receptors (IGF-1R and IGF-2R). IGF-1R is over-expressed in in vitro and in animal models of HCC and it was demonstrated that IGF ligands exerted their effects on HCC cells through IGF-1R and that it was involved in the degeneration of pre-neoplastic lesions via an increase in their mitotic activity. Both IGF-2R and TGF β, a growth inhibitor, levels are reduced in human HCC compared with adjacent normal liver tissues. Another key mechanism involves peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)γ. In in vitro studies, PPARγ inhibited various carcinomas including HCC, most probably by regulating apoptosis via the p21, p53 and p27 pathways. Finally, as a clinical consequence, to improve survival, efforts to achieve a “healthier diet” should be promoted by physicians and politicians

Liver-spleen axis: Intersection between immunity, infections and metabolism

Spleen has been considered a neglected organ so far, even though is strictly linked to liver. The spleen plays an important role in the modulation of the immune system and in the maintenance of peripheral tolerance via the clearance of circulating apoptotic cells, the differentiation and activation of T and B cells and production of antibodies in the white pulp. Moreover, splenic macrophages are able to remove bacteria from the blood and protect from sepsis during systemic infections. We review the spleen function and its assessment in humans starting from the description of spleen diseases, ranging from the congenital asplenia to secondary hyposplenism. From the literature data it is clear that obesity in humans affects different compartments of immune system, even thought there are still few data available on the implicated mechamisms. The intent is to enable clinicians to evaluate the newly recognized role of metabolic and endocrine functions of the spleen with special emphasis to obesity and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in the context of the available literature. Moreover, understanding the spleen function could be important to develop appropriate prevention strategies in order to counteract the pandemia of obesity. In this direction, we suggest spleen longitudinal diameter at ultrasonography, as simple, cheap and largely available tool, be used as new marker for assessing splenic function, in the context of the so-called liver-spleen axis

"Ciclo vitale e funzioni degli ameloblasti";

I.F.0.69

Modellazione H-BIM e ricostruzione delle trasformazioni del costruito storico/H-BIM modeling and historical reconstruction of architectural heritage

The object of this essay is a research about one of the most ancient buildings in Naples, Palazzo Penne, a residential fifteenth-century building which underwent a lot of transformations over time who radically altered its original structure. In particular, a careful multidisciplinary survey was carried out and a 3D BIM model was created, thus focusing on problems and advantages of HBIM systems starting from surveys with range-based technologies