'In the night kitchen': A scoping review on the night eating syndrome.

BACKGROUND: First described in 1955, night eating syndrome refers to an abnormal eating behavior clinically defined by the presence of evening hyperphagia (>25% of daily caloric intake) and/or nocturnal awaking with food ingestion occurring ⩾ 2 times per week. AIMS: Although the syndrome is frequently comorbid with obesity, metabolic and psychiatric disorders, its etiopathogenesis, diagnosis, assessment and treatment still remain not fully understood. METHODS: This review was conducted according to PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines; PubMed database was searched until 31 October 2020, using the key terms: 'Night Eating Syndrome' AND 'complications' OR 'diagnosis' OR 'drug therapy' OR 'epidemiology' OR 'etiology' OR 'physiology' OR 'physiopathology' OR 'psychology' OR 'therapy'. RESULTS: From a total of 239 citations, 120 studies assessing night eating syndrome met the inclusion criteria to be included in the review. CONCLUSION: The inclusion of night eating syndrome into the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-5 'Other Specified Feeding or Eating Disorders' category should drive the attention of clinician and researchers toward this syndrome that is still defined by evolving diagnostic criteria. The correct identification and assessment of NES could facilitate the detection and the diagnosis of this disorder, whose bio-psycho-social roots support its multifactorial nature. The significant rates of comorbid illnesses associated with NES and the overlapping symptoms with other eating disorders require a focused clinical attention. Treatment options for night eating syndrome include both pharmacological (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, topiramate and melatonergic drugs) and non-pharmachological approaches; the combination of such strategies within a multidisciplinary approach should be addressed in future, well-sized and long-term studies.

Subthreshold psychiatric symptoms as potential predictors of postpartum depression.

The authors' purpose in the present study is to examine the role of subthreshold mental disorders as predictors of Postpartum Depression (PPD). 110 pregnancy women were evaluated as follow: the General 5-Spectrum Measure at 26 weeks of gestation; the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale at 3/6 months after delivery. Only 4.5% of the sample developed PPD at 3/6 months after delivery. Agoraphobia/panic, depressed mood, social anxiety and eating problems relate positively to PPD at 3/6 months. Early identification of symptoms that could indicate the development of future mood problems in the mother is of crucial importance for mental health and prevention.

The role of body image in obese identity changes post bariatric surgery.

PURPOSE: Body image is a multidimensional construct that encompasses perceptions about body size, emotions, and cognition about physical appearance. Obese identity is related to body image in the lifetime, and according to scientific literature body image dissatisfaction among obese patient persist after bariatric surgery. The objective of this review is to examine the body image changes in patients with obesity pre-and post-bariatric surgery. METHODS: We have carried out a systematic review of literature on PubMed. Initially, 169 publications have been identified, but in total, in compliance with inclusion and exclusion criteria, 15 studies have been analyzed. RESULTS: According to the examined literature, body image does not change after bariatric surgery. These patients will be difficult to adapt for a new body, because there is a persistent obese view of self. Furthermore, ex-obese patients are dissatisfied with the excessive skin after bariatric surgery. Excessive body weight, and negative self-image are replaced with dissatisfaction with excessive skin, and the factors associated with body image stability are still unknown. CONCLUSION: Literature examination raises the issue of body image dissatisfaction, but does not explain why it varies so widely across bariatric patients. Obese identity is related to body image across the lifetime and is an important factor of post-surgical outcomes. Longitudinal studies based on ideal body image pre- and post- bariatric surgery and evidence-based controlled studies on psychotherapeutic treatment for body image dissatisfaction are strongly recommended. Psychotherapy could improve body image quality and wellbeing. LEVEL I: Evidence obtained from: systematic reviews of experimental studies.

Adolescence, Adulthood and Self-Perceived Halitosis: A Role of Psychological Factors.

(1) Background: Halitosis is a frequent condition that affects a large part of the population. It is considered a "social stigma", as it can determine a number of psychological and relationship consequences that affect people's lives. The purpose of this review is to examine the role of psychological factors in the condition of self-perceived halitosis in adolescent subjects and adulthood. (2) Type of studies reviewed: We conducted, by the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analyses) guidelines, systematic research of the literature on PubMed and Scholar. The key terms used were halitosis, halitosis self-perception, psychological factors, breath odor and two terms related to socio-relational consequences ("Halitosis and Social Relationship" OR "Social Issue of Halitosis"). Initial research identified 3008 articles. As a result of the inclusion and exclusion criteria, the number of publications was reduced to 38. (3) Results: According to the literature examined, halitosis is a condition that is rarely self-perceived. In general, women have a greater ability to recognize it than men. Several factors can affect the perception of the dental condition, such as socioeconomic status, emotional state and body image. (4) Conclusion and practical implication: Self-perceived halitosis could have a significant impact on the patient's quality of life. Among the most frequent consequences are found anxiety, reduced levels of self-esteem, misinterpretation of other people's attitudes and embarrassment and relational discomfort that often result in social isolation.

Vortioxetine on Cognition in Schizophrenia: A Pilot Study.

BACKGROUND: Given the wide implications of cognitive impairment for prognosis and outcome in schizophrenia, the research on pharmacological approaches aimed at addressing dysfunctional cognition has been extensive; nevertheless, there are no currently available licensed drugs, and the evidence in this field is still unimpressive. Vortioxetine is a multimodal antidepressant, which has been proposed as a suitable treatment option for cognitive symptoms in depression. METHODS: Twenty schizophrenia outpatients (mean age ± SD, 40.7 ±10.6 years) on stable clozapine treatment, assessed by neuropsychological (Wisconsin Card Sorting Test, Verbal Fluency, and Stroop task) and psychodiagnostic instruments (Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale [PANSS] and Calgary Depression Scale for Schizophrenia), received vortioxetine at the single daily dose of 10 mg/d until week 12; the dose was increased at 20 mg/d afterward, and this dosage was maintained unchanged until week 24. A physical examination, electrocardiogram with QTc measurement, and laboratory tests were also performed. RESULTS: Vortioxetine supplementation significantly improved Stroop test (P = 0.013) at week 12 and Stroop test (P = 0.031) and Semantic Fluency (P = 0.002) at end point. Moreover, a significantly reduction of PANSS domains "positive" (P = 0.019) at week 12 and of PANSS domains positive (P = 0.019) and total score (P = 0.041) and of depressive symptoms (Calgary Depression Scale for Schizophrenia, P = 0.032) at end point. There was no significant change in clinical, metabolic, and safety parameters, and no subject spontaneously reported adverse effects. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the limitations (open design, lack of a control group, small sample size, and short intervention period), our findings suggest for the first time that vortioxetine augmentation of clozapine may be a promising therapeutic strategy for addressing cognitive deficits in patients with schizophrenia.

Effect of Red Yeast Rice on Cognitive Functioning in Schizophrenia: Data From a Pilot Study.

BACKGROUND: Cognitive deficits (CDs) in schizophrenia affect poor outcome and real-world community functioning. Because redox imbalance has been implicated, among other factors, in the pathophysiology of CDs, antioxidant compounds may have a beneficial effect in their treatment. Red yeast rice (RYR), besides its lipid-lowering effect, exhibit antioxidant and anti-inflammatory. METHODS: Thirty-five schizophrenia outpatients (age range, 18-60 years) on stable antipsychotic treatment and assessed by neuropsychological (Wisconsin Card Sorting Test [WCST], Verbal Fluency, and Stroop task) and psychodiagnostic instruments (Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale) received RYR at daily dosage of 200 mg/d (total monacolin K/capsule content, 11.88 mg) for 12 weeks. RESULTS: Red yeast rice supplementation significantly improved WCST "perseverative errors" (P = 0.015), "total errors" (P = 0.017, P = 0.001), and phonemic fluency test (P = 0.008); a trend for improvement on other WCST variables ("nonperseverative errors," "perseverative responses," and "categories") was observed. Effect sizes, according to Cohen's suggestions, were small in all explored cognitive dimensions. There were no significant change in clinical symptoms and no subject-reported adverse effects. CONCLUSIONS: Despite several limitations (open design, lack of a control group, short period of observation, small sample size, mode of controlling patients' compliance, the lack of assessment of patients' functional improvement), results suggest that RYR supplementation may be a potentially promising strategy for addressing CDs in schizophrenia; further randomized, placebo-controlled studies are needed to better evaluate the potential role of RYR for the treatment of CDs in schizophrenia.

Bergamot Polyphenolic Fraction Supplementation Improves Cognitive Functioning in Schizophrenia: Data From an 8-Week, Open-Label Pilot Study.

BACKGROUND: Novel treatment strategies for cognitive dysfunctions may prevent long-term disability in patients with schizophrenia, and polyphenolic compounds might be a promising strategy. Bergamot (Citrus bergamia), a citrus fruit characterized by a high amount of flavonoids and flavonoid glycosides, may represent a potential nutraceutical approach to cognitive dysfunction. The present study was aimed to explore the efficacy of bergamot polyphenolic fraction (BPF) supplementation on cognitive/executive functioning in a sample of patients with schizophrenia receiving second-generation antipsychotics. METHODS: Twenty outpatients treated with second-generation antipsychotics assumed BPF at an oral daily dose of 1000 mg/d for 8 weeks. Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale, Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST), Verbal Fluency Task-Controlled Oral Word Association Test, and Stroop Color-Word Test were administered. RESULTS: At end point, (week 8) BPF supplementation significantly improved WCST "perseverative errors" (P = 0.004) and semantic fluency test (P = 0.004). Moreover, a trend for other cognitive variable (WCST "categories," phonemic fluency, and Stroop Color-Word Test) improvement was observed. CONCLUSIONS: The findings provide evidence that BPF administration may be proposed as a potential supplementation strategy to improve cognitive outcome in schizophrenia. Further clinical trials with adequately powered and well-designed methodology are needed to better explore the BPF effectiveness on cognitive impairments in patients with schizophrenia.

Personality traits predict a medical student preference to pursue a career in surgery.

BACKGROUND: In this study, we examined the impact of personality traits, assessed with the psychopathic personality inventory revised version (PPI-R), on medical students' likelihood of selecting a surgical specialty. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional questionnaire-based study of 360 4th-year medical students at a single university. We used the PPI-R previously developed to evaluate "adaptive" traits within nonclinical (student) populations. Students were asked to express their specialty of choice. Medical specialties were categorized as surgical and nonsurgical. Logistic regression was used to identify predictors and appropriate adjustments were made for demographic factors. RESULTS: The survey was completed by 335 out of 360 students. The prevalence of students aspiring to a surgical career was 23.6%. They exhibited higher PPI-R total score, self-centered impulsivity (SCI) factor score, Machiavellian egocentricity, social influence, and fearlessness content scale scores. Logistic regression showed that SCI score was a significant predictor for the likelihood of expressing interest toward a surgical career. DISCUSSION: Our findings expand previous research on the usefulness of the nonclinical use of psychopathic personality traits to investigate career choice.

Complicated grief: A systematic review of the last 20 years.

BACKGROUND: Grief is a common reaction to the feeling of loss and it is considered a physiological and instinctive response. The 'normal' grief evolves into an 'integrated' phase within 1 year from death, and it is a non-pathological condition, that do not require specific therapeutic interventions. When this 'integrated phase' does not occur, the subject could reach pathological manifestations related to the grief. The Persistent Complex Bereavement Disorder (PCBD) is a new DSM5 clinical category characterized by symptoms related to the detachment and to the post-traumatic distress and it differs from normal and uncomplicated grief, for the disability caused by these reactions and their persistence and pervasiveness. AIM: The purpose of this work is the analysis of the pathways that led to this new definition, through a review of the main studies published in the last 20 years, with the aim to clarify the clinical utility of this new diagnostic category. METHOD: Relevant publications done in the last 20 years were identified via electronic searches of Pubmed, Embase, and Elsevier databases using the terms 'complicated grief' AND 'persistent', according to PRISMA guideline and PICO study design. RESULTS: PCBD results a new important clinical category showing specific symptoms, diagnostic criteria, and treatment. It presents many differences with other pathologies, that goes into differential diagnosis with PCBD, and it and can be treated with targeted therapeutic approaches. Diagnostic criteria for PCBD could allow an early diagnosis and a correct treatment avoiding underdiagnosis and misdiagnosis. CONCLUSION: Further researches could focus on the evaluation of more neurobiological aspects, new psychometric tools, for assessing susceptibility to this pathology, and on the cultural aspects that may influence mourning reactions, in an ethno-psychiatric perspective.

Current and emerging long-acting antipsychotics for the treatment of schizophrenia.

Introduction: In this review, the authors discuss the role of long-acting injectable antipsychotics (LAIs) for schizophrenia, focusing on the effectiveness and new perspectives introduced by such treatment strategy. Despite their promising pharmacokinetic features and their potential advantages in medication adherence, clinical outcomes, and medical costs, LAIs are not habitually presented as an option for patients, especially in the early phase of schizophrenia.Areas covered: This review explores the panorama of available LAIs for the treatment of schizophrenia, first-episode of psychosis, approved indications, medical costs, medication adherence, side effects, effectiveness and differences between first-generation (FGA)-LAIs and second-generation (SGA)-LAIs.Expert Opinion: LAIs differ in terms of specific indications, approved injection sites, needle size, injection volume, injection interval as well as potential drug-drug interactions, and commonly reported adverse reactions. The approved indications have expanded beyond schizophrenia to include bipolar and schizoaffective disorder. SGA-LAIs are often preferred to FGA-LAIs. FGA-LAIs although are less chosen in new patients due to the induction of cognitive and extrapyramidal side effects, even if, on the other hand, many SGA-LAIs are burden by hyperprolactinemia and weight gain. After a review of the available evidence, insight is provided into the potential and current therapeutic opportunities offered by LAI antipsychotic formulations.

Psychological Impact of Pro-Anorexia and Pro-Eating Disorder Websites on Adolescent Females: A Systematic Review.

(1) Background: Teenagers (in particular, females) suffering from eating disorders report being not satisfied with their physical aspect and they often perceive their body image in a wrong way; they report an excessive use of websites, defined as PRO-ANA and PRO-MIA, that promote an ideal of thinness, providing advice and suggestions about how to obtain super slim bodies. (2) Aim: The aim of this review is to explore the psychological impact of pro-ana and pro-mia websites on female teenagers. (3) Methods: We have carried out a systematic review of the literature on PubMed. The search terms that have been used are: "Pro" AND "Ana" OR "Blogging" AND "Mia". Initially, 161 publications were identified, but in total, in compliance with inclusion and exclusion criteria, 12 studies have been analyzed. (4) Results: The recent scientific literature has identified a growing number of Pro Ana and Pro Mia blogs which play an important role in the etiology of anorexia and bulimia, above all in female teenagers. The feelings of discomfort and dissatisfaction with their physical aspect, therefore, reduce their self-esteem. (5) Conclusion: These websites encourage anorexic and bulimic behaviors, in particular in female teenagers. Attention to healthy eating guidelines and policies during adolescence, focused on correcting eating behavioral aspects, is very important to prevent severe forms of psychopathology with more vulnerability in the perception of body image, social desirability, and negative emotional feedback.

Acute social and somatic stress alters cortical metaplasticity probed with non-invasive brain stimulation in humans.

Studying the neuronal mechanisms that govern the cortical adaptations to acute stress is critical for understanding the development of neuropsychiatric diseases. Homeostatic plasticity stabilizes the neural activity in which a previous synaptic event drives subsequent synaptic plasticity. In this study, we evaluated the effect of acute stress induced with the socially evaluated cold pressor test (SECPT) on cortical metaplasticity in humans using a non-invasive brain stimulation protocol. After being exposed to the SECPT and control stress conditions, 30 healthy participants were tested for cortical metaplasticity assessed with changes in the amplitude of the motor evoked potential (MEP) induced by a single-pulse transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS). Cortical metaplasticity was induced by combining priming with cathodal tDCS (cTDCS) followed by a sub-threshold 1-Hz repetitive stimulation (rTMS) test session. Our results showed that SECPT induced cardiovascular adaptations (increase in systolic, diastolic blood pressure, and heart rate), indicating that SECPT effectively induced acute stress. Also, in our experiments stimulation of subjects with 1-Hz rTMS after they had undergone the SECPT condition induced inhibition of MEP whereas 1-Hz rTMS administered after the control condition induced a facilitatory (physiologic) response pattern. Here we observed that acute stress impairs homeostatic metaplasticity. The dysfunctional regulation of cortical plastic changes after stress could play a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of neurological and psychiatric diseases.

Negative Emotions in Skin Disorders: A Systematic Review.

The main purpose of this study is to describe how negative emotions were investigated in the sphere of dermatological diseases, in order (1) to summarize literature trends about skin disorders and emotions, (2) to highlight any imbalances between the most studied and neglected emotions, (3) and to offer directions for future research. A computerized literature search provided 41 relevant and potentially eligible studies. Results showed that the study of emotions in skin disease is limited to Sadness/depression and Fear/anxiety. The emotions of Anger and Disgust have been poorly explored in empirical studies, despite they could be theoretically considered a vulnerability factor for the development of skin disorders and the dermatological extreme consequences, as negative emotionality toward self and the pathological skin condition. The bibliometric qualitative analysis with VOSViewer software revealed that the majority of the studies have been focused on the relationships between vitiligo and Sadness/depression, dermatitis and Fear/anxiety, psoriasis, and Anger, suggesting the need of future research exploring Disgust and, in general, a wider emotional spectrum.

El objetivo principal de este estudio fue describir cómo se han investigado las emociones negativas en el ámbito de las enfermedades dermatológicas, con el fin de (1) resumir las tendencias de la literatura sobre las enfermedades de la piel y las emociones, (2) para resaltar las diferencias entre las emociones más estudiados y las más descuidadas y (3) ofrecer direcciones para futuras investigaciones. Una búsqueda bibliográfica computarizada proporcionó 41 estudios relevantes y potencialmente elegibles. Los resultados mostraron que el estudio de las emociones en la enfermedad de la piel se limita a Tristeza/depresión y Miedo/ansiedad. Las emociones de la ira y el asco han sido poco exploradas en estudios empíricos, a pesar de que teóricamente podrían considerarse un factor de vulnerabilidad para el desarrollo de enfermedades de la piel y las consecuencias dermatológicas extremas, como la emocionalidad negativa hacia uno mismo y la condición patológica de la piel. El análisis cualitativo bibliométrico con el software VOSViewer reveló que la mayoría de los estudios se han centrado en las relaciones entre vitiligo y Tristeza/depresión, dermatitis y Miedo/ansiedad, psoriasis e Ira, lo que sugiere la necesidad de futuras investigaciones que exploren asco y, en general, un espectro emocional más amplio.

When Fathers Begin to Falter: A Comprehensive Review on Paternal Perinatal Depression.

The transition to parenthood is considered to be a major life transition that can increase the vulnerability to parental depressive disorders, including paternal perinatal depression (PPND). Although it is known that many fathers experience anxiety and depression during the perinatal period, PPND is a recent diagnostic entity and there are not enough published studies on it. Accordingly, its prevalence and epidemiology are still not well defined, although the majority of studies agree that PPND is less frequent than maternal perinatal depression and postpartum depression. Nevertheless, PPND is different from maternal perinatal mental health disorders, usually, fathers have less severe symptoms, and mood alterations are often in comorbidity with other affective disorders. Despite the absence of DSM-5 diagnostic criteria and the fluctuation of prevalence rates, clinical symptoms have been defined. The main symptoms are mood alterations and anxiety, followed by behavioral disturbances and concerns about the progress of pregnancy and the child's health. Moreover, PPND negatively impacts on family functioning, on couples' relationships, and on family members' well-being. The aim of this paper is to present an overview of the current understandings on PPND and the potential screening, prevention, and treatment options.

Hyperarousal Scale: Italian Cultural Validation, Age and Gender Differences in a Nonclinical Population.

OBJECTIVES: Studies on hyperarousal have increasingly developed in the last decade. Nevertheless, there are still very few valid measures of hyperarousal. The aim of the study is to verify the psychometric properties of the Italian version of the Hyperarousal Scale (H-Scale), in order to provide researchers with a valid measure for the target population. METHOD: The questionnaire was translated, back-translated, pre-tested, and cross-culturally adapted. Subsequently, the Italian version of the H-Scale, the Anxiety Sensitivity Index (ASI-3) and the Health Survey Questionnaire (SF-36) were administered to 982 adults, 456 males and 526 females, aged from 18 to 80 years (M = 35.61 ± 12.47). RESULTS: Cronbach's alpha of the translated H-Scale was 0.81. Furthermore, positive correlations with the ASI-3 and negative correlations with the SF-36 emerged. The H-Scale is also sensitive to catch age and gender differences. CONCLUSIONS: The Italian version of the H-Scale demonstrated good reliability and validity. Its sufficient discriminative and evaluative psychometric properties provide the theoretical evidence for further application in evidence-based research studies.

The wounds of childhood: Early trauma subtypes, salience and hyperarousal in a sample of adult psychiatric patients.

BACKGROUND: The relationship between early trauma, hyperarousal and aberrant salience has been investigated exclusively in specific clinical samples, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and psychotic patients, and the results suggest that both dimensions are trauma-induced events, which may lead to the later onset, or increase the vulnerability to psychiatric disorders. The aim of the present research was to evaluate the possible relationships among early childhood trauma subtypes and the dimensions of hyperarousal and aberrant salience in an adult sample of psychiatric patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One-hundred psychiatric adult outpatients were assessed by Early Trauma Inventory Self Report-Short Form (ETISR-SF), Aberrant Salience Inventory (ASI) and Hyperarousal Scale (H-Scale). A linear regression analysis was performed in order to investigate which early traumatic events were a predictor of the aberrant salience and the hyperarousal. RESULTS: Regression analysis indicated that only ETISR-SF 'Emotional abuse' was the unique predictor of ASI 'Total score' (p < .0001) and H-Scale 'Total score' (p = .031), whereas other ETISR-SF variables did not give a significant additional contribution to the prediction of aberrant salience and the hyperarousal dimension. CONCLUSIONS: These findings support the role of emotional abuse as predictor of hyperarousal, a basic dimension associated with general vulnerability to mental illness. The awareness of the psychiatric consequences of early childhood trauma leads us to consider the need for better identification of children at risk, to develop effective interventions for the protection of minors from violent and/or inappropriate behaviors and to promote the development of protective resilience factors against re-victimization.

Lifetime Psychiatric Comorbidity and Diagnostic Trajectories in an Italian Psychiatric Sample.

OBJECTIVE: Comorbidity in psychiatric patients has been widely examined in the literature, enucleating the role in misinterpretation of symptom's root in a multi-disease background, as well as the impact on the quality of life, outcome, and health-care effects. This research aimed to examine, in an Italian population of psychiatric patients, the diagnostic continuum in the context of lifetime psychiatric comorbidity, assessing possible differences related to the onset disorder. METHOD: A retrospective analysis of medical records of 458 subjects, in which various psychiatric diagnoses were represented and categorized in 16 nosographic classes, was conducted. RESULTS: Results showed that "Bipolar disorder" (22.06%) was the most frequent diagnosis, "Eating disorder" had the earliest age onset (Mean age years = 16 ± 1.41), and "Schizophrenia" showed the longest disease duration (Mean years = 24.20±12.76). Moreover, 54,4% of the final sample presented at least one psychiatric comorbidity in disease history, while "Other personality disorders" was the most comorbidity-associated diagnosis, representing 29% of all the cases with more than 3 past diagnoses. Heterotypic transition was observed in fairly all considered onset diagnoses, exception made for "Schizophrenia" with 75% of the subjects showing homotypic progression. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest a tendency to make multiple diagnoses over psychiatric patients' lifetime in the majority of cases, often escaping from the original onset nosographic domain. More generally, our findings agree with a broad consensus that describes psychiatric symptomatic dimensions rather overlapped and correlated with each other, leading to a more transdiagnostic clinical approach.

Exploring the Gender Difference and Predictors of Perceived Stress among Students Enrolled in Different Medical Programs: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Female medical students seem to experience higher level of perceived stress. Moreover, there is a lack of research examining perceived stress in students enrolled in different medical programs. We analyzed the association between temperament traits, optimism, self-esteem, and perceived stress of students pursuing a Doctor of Medicine (MD) degree and students pursuing a Doctor of Podiatric Medicine (DPM) degree. A cross-sectional study was conducted of two cohorts: allopathic medical students (N = 154) and the podiatric medical students (N = 150). Students anonymously completed the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10), Temperament Evaluation of Memphis, Pisa, Paris, and San Diego Auto Questionnaire (TEMPS-A), Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, and Life Orientation Test-Revised (LOT-R). We analyzed differences in the two cohort of students and predictors of perceived stress. There were no differences in the overall perception of stress between both cohorts (allopathic medical students: 18.83 ± 0.56; podiatric medical students: 19.3 ± 0.72; p = 0.4419). Women reported higher perceived stress in both programs (allopathic medical students: p = 0.0.038; podiatric medical students: p = 0.0.038). In both allopathic and podiatric medical students, the cyclothymic temperaments and anxious traits were positive predictors while hyperthymic temperaments and optimism traits were negative predictors of perceived stress. The level of perceived stress experienced by students pursuing different doctoral degrees in healthcare is similar. Regardless of the curriculum differences, female students experience higher perceived stress and there is evidence for similarities in predictors amongst allopathic and podiatric medical students.

Affective Temperament Traits and Age-Predicted Recreational Cannabis Use in Medical Students: A Cross-Sectional Study.

The use of cannabis among college students is increasing. Cannabis abuse has been proposed to be associated with personality dimensions. However, there are currently no known studies on the relationship of temperament traits and recreational cannabis use among college students. This is a cross-sectional study that investigated 328 students at a Podiatric Medical College. We evaluated the association between temperament and recreational cannabis use by the students. Temperament was investigated using the Memphis, Pisa, Paris and San Diego Auto- Questionnaire (TEMPS-A (short version)). Additionally, we assessed demographics variables and perceived stress in the context of cannabis use, and analyzed the findings using logistic regression. The prevalence of recreational cannabis use was 8.45%. Recreational cannabis use among these students was highly associated with irritable and cyclothymic temperament traits. There was no association between recreational cannabis use and perceived stress, and demographic variables or other substance use. Furthermore, logistic regression analysis indicated that higher scores in cyclothymic or irritable temperament traits are significant predictors for recreational cannabis use. Our study has identified key temperament traits, with a strong association with recreational use of cannabis of the studied student population. Our findings are useful in designing screening and educational strategies directed towards increasing the wellbeing of medical students.

Frazione polifenolica del bergamotto per il trattamento della sindrome metabolica nella schizofrenia: uno studio pilota.

Introduzione. La frazione polifenolica del bergamotto (BPF) ha dimostrato di possedere buona efficacia nel trattamento dei pazienti affetti da sindrome metabolica (SM) e pertanto potrebbe rappresentare una strategia promettente nel trattamento degli effetti collaterali indotti da antipsicotici di seconda generazione (SGA) in soggetti schizofrenici in trattamento con tali farmaci. Materiali e metodi. A 15 pazienti schizofrenici in trattamento stabilizzato con SGA e 15 soggetti di controllo non affetti da patologie psichiatriche, che presentavano valori ematici di colesterolo totale compresi tra 200 e 239 mg/dl, è stato somministrato un integratore contenente BPF (1000 mg) per un periodo di 60 giorni. A tutti i soggetti all'inizio e alla fine del trattamento sono state eseguite la misurazione dell'indice di massa corporea (BMI) e una serie di esami ematochimici per la valutazione degli aspetti metabolici (colesterolo totale, LDL, HDL, trigliceridi, glicemia). Risultati. In entrambi i gruppi si è evidenziata una riduzione significativa del BMI (BMI T0 vs Tfinale (media±DS)= schizofrenici: 34,5±5,7 vs 33,9±5,4, p=,041; controlli: 28,1±4,5 vs 27,3±4,1, p=,016 - BMIcambiamento schizofrenici vs controlli (media±DS)= -0,59±0.7 vs -0,72±0,8, p=,378); colesterolo totale e LDL risultano invece essere diminuiti esclusivamente nel gruppo di controllo (colesterolo totalecambiamento schizofrenici vs controlli (media±DS)= 8,2±31,5 vs -35,1±31,1, p=,003; LDLcambiamento schizofrenici vs controlli (media±DS)= 14,1±29,4 vs -9±38,9, p=,014). Discussione. La differenza di efficacia dei BPF sulla dislipidemia tra i soggetti schizofrenici e il gruppo di controllo potrebbe essere spiegata dai diversi meccanismi patogenetici che sono alla base delle alterazioni metaboliche nei soggetti in trattamento con SGA e nei pazienti che non assumono questa classe di farmaci. Conclusioni. Ulteriori studi si rendono necessari al fine di valutare in questa categoria di soggetti i possibili effetti sulla dislipidemia di dosi maggiori di BPF.