Neural empathy mechanisms are shared for physical and social pain, and increase from adolescence to older adulthood.

Empathy is a critical component of social interaction that enables individuals to understand and share the emotions of others. We report a preregistered experiment in which 240 participants, including adolescents, young adults, and older adults, viewed images depicting hands and feet in physically or socially painful situations (versus nonpainful). Empathy was measured using imagined pain ratings and EEG mu suppression.

Evaluation of an Italian Population-Based Programme for Risk Assessment and Genetic Counselling and Testing for BRCA1/2-Related Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer after 10 Years of Operation: An Observational Study Protocol.

Hereditary breast/ovarian cancer (HBOC) syndrome is caused by the inheritance of monoallelic germline BRCA1/2 gene mutations. If BRCA1/2 mutation carriers are identified before the disease develops, effective actions against HBOC can be taken, including intensive screening, risk-reducing mastectomy and salpingo-oophorectomy, and risk-reducing medications. The Italian National Prevention Plan mandates the creation of regional BRCA genetic testing programmes.

Endothelial TRPV4/Cx43 Signaling Complex Regulates Vasomotor Tone in Resistance Arteries.

S-nitrosylation of Cx43 gap junction channels critically regulates communication between smooth muscle cells and endothelial cells. This posttranslational modification also induces the opening of undocked Cx43 hemichannels. However, its specific impact on vasomotor regulation remains unclear.

Impact of Matrix Gel Variations on Primary Culture of Microvascular Endothelial Cell Function.

Objective: The endothelium regulates crucial aspects of vascular function, including hemostasis, vasomotor tone, proliferation, immune cell adhesion, and microvascular permeability. Endothelial cells (ECs), especially in arterioles, are pivotal for flow distribution and peripheral resistance regulation. Investigating vascular endothelium physiology, particularly in microvascular ECs, demands precise isolation and culturing techniques.

The psychological implications of COVID-19 over the eighteen-month time span following the virus breakout in Italy.

Background: In a short time, the COVID-19 pandemic has exerted a huge impact on many aspects of people's lives with a number of consequences, an increase in the risks of psychological diseases being one of them. The aim of this experimental study, based on an eighteen-month follow-up survey, is to assess the psychological effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, in particular, changes in stress, anxiety and depression levels, and the risks of developing Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

Methods: A follow-up survey was performed on a sample of 184 Italian individuals to collect relevant information about the psychological impact of COVID-19.