Association between Plasma Interleukin-27 Levels and Cardiovascular Events in Patients Undergoing Coronary Angiography.

Atherosclerotic disease, including coronary heart disease (CHD), is one of the chronic inflammatory conditions, and an imbalance between pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines plays a role in the process of atherosclerosis. Interleukin (IL)-27, one of the IL-12 family members, is recognized to play a dual role in regulating immune responses with both pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory properties. IL-27 is secreted from monocytes, T cells, and endothelial cells, and its expression is upregulated in atherosclerotic plaques.

Beauty Therapy to Support Psychosocial Recovery from Oncological Care: A Qualitative Research on the Lived Experience of Women with Breast Cancer Treated with Chemotherapy.

During the oncological care path, breast cancer patients treated with chemotherapy suffer from a number of psycho-physical changes, and appearance-related side effects are among the primary determinants of psychosocial impairment. Appropriate interventions are needed due to the fact that treatment-induced transformations have been associated with a decline in overall quality of life, interpersonal and sexual difficulties, and adverse effects on therapeutic adherence. In the framework of integrative oncology, beauty therapy is an affordable and straightforward intervention that could be used in the clinical management of breast cancer side effects.

Exploring the connection between childhood trauma, dissociation, and borderline personality disorder in forensic psychiatry: a comprehensive case study.

This case study examines the complex relationship between childhood trauma, dissociation, and Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) within the context of forensic psychiatry. It focuses on a young murder defendant named "Paul," who has experienced various traumatic events, including childhood maltreatment and domestic violence. These experiences have led to dissociative states marked by high emotional intensity, particularly of an aggressive nature, and impaired impulse control, resulting in violent behavior during dissociative episodes.

Association between high plasma levels of legumain and cardiovascular events in patients undergoing coronary angiography.

Degradation of vascular extracellular matrix is important in atherosclerosis. Cysteine protease legumain is upregulated in atherosclerotic plaques. We recently reported that plasma legumain levels are high in patients with complex coronary lesions.

High plasma levels of endosialin and cardiovascular events in patients undergoing coronary angiography.

Endosialin, also known as tumor endothelial marker-1, is a transmembrane glycoprotein that plays a role in inflammation and tumor progression. Endosialin is upregulated in atherosclerotic lesions. To elucidate the association between blood endosialin levels and cardiovascular events, we measured plasma endosialin levels in 389 patients undergoing coronary angiography who were followed up for a mean follow-up of 6.

Home-based lifestyle intervention for breast cancer survivors: A surprising improvement in the quality of life during the first year of COVID-19 pandemic.

Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic induced an extraordinary impact on public mental health to a degree not completely understood, especially in vulnerable populations such as breast cancer (BC) survivors. In this study, we described the short- (after 3-month) and long- (after 12-month) term effects of a multidisciplinary home-based lifestyle intervention in Italian women BC survivors during the first year of COVID-19 pandemic.

Materials And Methods: In total, 30 Italian BC survivors with risk factors for recurrence took part in the ongoing MoviS trial (protocol: NCT04818359).

Low Plasma Levels of Soluble Endoglin and Cardiovascular Events in Patients Undergoing Coronary Angiography.

TGF-β is recognized as playing a protective role against atherosclerosis. Endoglin is a receptor for TGF-β, and its expression is upregulated in atherosclerotic plaques. Endoglin is secreted from the cell membrane into the circulation as a soluble form (sEng).

Implementing the framed portrait experience with Italian breast cancer survivors: a pilot study assessing short term effects of an existential approach to body image, coping skills, and self-efficacy.

Purpose: Breast cancer (BC) and its treatments significantly impact the psychological wellbeing of women. Interventions offered during cancer survivorship have documented positive consequences for quality of life. However, limited evidence is available regarding the implementation of therapeutic photography.

High plasma concentrations of vanin-1 in patients with coronary artery disease.

Vanin-1 is a pantetheinase that hydrolyzes pantetheine to pantothenic acid and cysteamine. Vanin-1 has become recognized to be associated with oxidative stress and inflammation. In animal models, vanin-1 was reported to accelerate atherosclerosis.

Mental Health Issues as a Consequence of the Pandemic: Group Psycho-Educational Intervention to Support Patients Recovered from COVID-19 Infection.

Common psycho-physical symptoms have emerged in patients who were previously recovered for COVID-19 infection, including traumatic experience and enduring emotional disturbances. A group psycho-educational intervention of seven weekly sessions and a follow-up after three months was proposed to all Italian-speaking patients formally discharged from a public hospital in northern Italy and physically recovered from infection. Eighteen patients were recruited and divided into four age-homogenous groups, each led by two facilitators (psychologists and psychotherapists).

Association between the Japanese Diet and Coronary Artery Disease in Patients Undergoing Coronary Angiography.

Several cohort studies have reported that the Japanese diet is associated with reduced cardiovascular disease mortality. However, the results were not always consistent, and most of those studies conducted dietary surveys around 1990. We investigated the association between the Japanese diet and coronary artery disease (CAD) in 802 patients undergoing coronary angiography.

Allosteric activation of preformed EGF receptor dimers by a single ligand binding event.

Aberrant activation of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) by mutations has been implicated in a variety of human cancers. Elucidation of the structure of the full-length receptor is essential to understand the molecular mechanisms underlying its activation. Unlike previously anticipated, here, we report that purified full-length EGFR adopts a homodimeric form before and after ligand binding.

The impact of COVID-19 perceived threat and restrictive measures on mental health in Italy, Spain, New York, and Hong Kong: An international multisite study.

In the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic, Italy, Spain, New York, and Hong Kong stood out for the ir high rates of infections. Given this scenario, a web-based international multisite and cross-sectional study was conducted between April and May 2020 to investigate the psychological impact of the pandemic and the restrictions imposed by the governments in these countries. We expected similar patterns in European countries, and no significant differences in terms of psychological impairment between Hong Kong (with a previous experience related to SARS, but subjected to restrictions for a longer time) and the other areas.

Plasma Concentrations of Vinculin versus Talin-1 in Coronary Artery Disease.

Vinculin and talin-1, which are cytoskeletal proteins affecting focal adhesions, were reported to be down-expressed in atherosclerotic lesions. Recently, we reported high concentrations of plasma talin-1 in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). However, blood vinculin concentrations in CAD patients have not been clarified.

High Plasma Levels of Fortilin in Patients with Coronary Artery Disease.

Excessive apoptosis is known to be a common feature of atherosclerotic lesions. Fortilin is recognized to have potent antiapoptotic properties. An increased fortilin expression was demonstrated in atherosclerotic lesions, and fortilin knockout mice developed less atherosclerosis.

Violence Risk Assessment and Risk Management: Case-Study of Filicide in an Italian Woman.

At an international level, the risk assessment and management process of violent offenders follows a standard method that implies well-defined theoretical models and the use of scientifically validated tools. In Italy, this process is still highly discretionary. The aim of this study is to highlight the advantages deriving from the use of risk assessment tools within the framework of a single case study; Methods: Recidivism risk and social dangerousness of an Italian woman perpetrator of filicide were assessed through the administration of the Level of Service/Case Management Inventory (LS/CMI) instrument supported by Historical Clinical Risk-20 Version 3 (HCR-20 V3); Results: The administration of LS/CMI showed that, in this single case, the subcomponents represent a criminogenic risk/need factor are: Family/Marital, Companions, Alcohol and Drug Problem and Leisure; while constituting strengths: employment and the absence of a Pro-criminal Orientation and an Antisocial Pattern; Conclusions: Data collected through LS/CMI indicated life areas of a single case, which should be emphasised not only to assess the risk of re-offending and social dangerousness but also for a social rehabilitation programme more suited to the subject.

No Significant Association Between Plasma Endosialin Levels and the Presence or Severity of Coronary Artery Disease.

Background: Endosialin, also called tumor endothelial marker-1 or CD248, is a transmembrane glycoprotein that is suggested to play a role in inflammation as well as tumor progression. Endosialin expression was also reported to be upregulated in human atherosclerotic lesions. However, no study has reported blood endosialin levels in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD).

Locally advanced breast cancer (LABC) and delayed care: a qualitative analysis of psychosocial factors.

The literature has extensively documented how delayed access to health care services in the context of cancer can result from subjective characteristics, dysfunctional coping styles, barriers to care, or procrastination. However, limited research has investigated the psychosocial experience of women diagnosed with Locally Advanced Breast Cancer (LABC). This qualitative study aimed at understanding cognitive, emotional and relational factors associated with delayed access to care and treatment decision-making.

[Development of the Italian versions of the FREE Scale and the CSI. Theoretical considerations and preliminary analysis.].

Aim: The Flexible Regulation of Emotional Expression (FREE) Scale assesses the ability to enhance and suppress displayed emotions among a range of hypothetical contexts. The Context Sensitivity Index (CSI) measures the ability to perceive cues to contextual demands across different situations. This study aimed to present the first step of the adaptation and validation to the Italian context of the FREE and the CSI scales.

Dyadic Profiles of Couples Coping With Body Image Concerns After Breast Cancer: Preliminary Results of a Cluster Analysis.

Breast cancer treatments have multiple adverse effects, including concerns about body appearance and function that are experienced by most patients. Altered body image negatively affects mental health, social, and relationship functioning. While the relationship with a partner is critical for patients' psychological wellbeing and partners can promote positive body image, limited research has investigated individual and relational factors affecting the experience of both.

Exfoliation of Al-Residual Multilayer MXene Using Tetramethylammonium Bases for Conductive Film Applications.

This study describes the concise exfoliation of multilayer TiCT MXene containing residual aluminum atoms. Treatment with tetramethylammonium base in a co-solvent of tetrahydrofuran and HO produced single-layer TiCT , which was confirmed atomic force microscopy observations, with an electrical conductivity 100+ times that of TiCT prepared under previously reported conditions. The scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction measurements showed that the exfoliated single-layer TiCT MXenes were reconstructed to assembled large-domain layered films, enabling excellent macroscale electric conductivity.

Longitudinal associations between stress and sleep disturbances during COVID-19.

The psychological consequences of COVID-19 pandemic may include the activation of stress systems, that involve the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis which influences many physiological functions, including sleep. Despite epidemiological studies evidenced greater prevalence of stress symptoms and sleep disturbances during COVID-19, longitudinal evidence investigating the effects of stress on sleep disturbances during the pandemic is lacking. We collected measures of perceived stress and sleep disturbances during the first wave of COVID-19 (March 2020) and at 8-10 months follow up in a sample of 648 adults (M = 33.