Prevalence and Co-Occurrence of Different Types of Body Dysmorphic Disorder Among Men Having Sex with Men.

Body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) is a relatively common psychiatric condition of which the prevalence has not been fully investigated in the non-clinical population, and in particular among men having sex with men (MSM). MSM have proven to be more inclined to develop body dissatisfaction and body image disorders compared to non-MSM. Our study investigates the prevalence of BDD and the prevalence and co-occurrence of muscle dysmorphia (MD) and penile dysmorphic disorder (PDD) in a sample of 261 Italian MSM recruited online. From our data, gathered through self-report measures, the prevalence of BDD, MD, and PDD in our populations was 5.4%, 8.8%, and 4.2%, respectively. Compared to their elders, younger adults (ages 18-34) appear to be at higher risk of BDD and especially of MD. Non-significant differences have been observed for the prevalence of PDD depending on the age range. Our study shows that the risk of body image disorders among MSM is quite common, especially among young adults, and higher than what is found among heterosexual men.

The Role of Body Image Concerns in Online Sexual Victimization among Female Adolescents: The Mediating Effect of Risky Online Behaviors.

Female adolescents are particularly at risk of body image concerns. These individuals tend to make greater use of Social Networks and this could lead adolescents into behaviors that increase the risk of online sexual victimization (OSV). This cross-sectional study seeks to investigate the relation between body image concerns and OSV in a sample of female adolescents (n = 229) and the mediating role of three types of risky online behaviors in this link. Body image concerns predict OSV both directly and indirectly. Two of the three risky online behaviors proved to be mediators of the indirect link, namely: indiscriminate expansion of online network of contacts; and willingness to have relationships with strangers met online. Surprisingly, the third behavior, Sexting and Exhibitionism, was not shown to be a mediating factor between body image concerns and OSV. From our results emerges that adolescent girls with a negative body perception have a higher risk of OSV, and the relation between the two variables can be mediated by some risky online behaviors. It is likely that female adolescents use SNs more and adopt risky online behaviors in order to receive gratification and reassurance about their negative body image.

Investigating the links between fear of missing out, social media addiction, and emotional symptoms in adolescence: The role of stress associated with neglect and negative reactions on social media.

Fear of missing out (FoMO) is known to be associated with a decrease in emotional well-being in adolescents. However, few studies have investigated the possible mediating factors between FoMO and emotional symptoms. In this study, we studied the relationship between FoMO and emotional symptoms in a sample of 472 Italian adolescents aged 11-19. In particular, the study investigated the possible mediating role of perceived stress associated with experiences of neglect and negative reactions by other social media users, and social media addiction. Self-report measures were used. Results show that FoMO directly and indirectly predicts emotional symptoms. Additionally, FoMO is associated with increased sensitivity to stress associated with experiences of neglect and negative reactions by online peers, and social media addiction. Sensitivity to stress associated with neglect (but not to negative reactions) by online peers is found to mediate the relationship between FoMO and social media addiction, which, in turn, mediates the relationship with emotional symptoms. In general, the study shows that FoMO is a factor in experiencing higher sensitivity to stress associated with neglect by online peers, which in turn my act as a trigger for social media addiction, and ultimately showing a negative impact on emotional well-being of adolescents. Limits and future directions for research are discussed.

Cambios estructurales de la superficie dental erosionada pre y post tratamiento con bicarbonato de arginina y monofluorofosfato de sodio: estudio piloto / Structural changes of the eroded tooth surface before and after treatment with arginine bicarbonate and sodium monofluorophosphate: pilot study

La erosión dental se define como la pérdida patológica, crónica e indolora de los tejidos dentales, por la acción química de ácidos no producidos por la microflora bacteriana bucal. Los estadíos más avanzados pueden generar diferentes niveles de desgaste y producir hipersensibilidad destinaria. Objetivo: evaluar y describir los cambios estructurales de la superficie dental erosionada pre y post tratamiento con bicarbonato de arginina y monofluorofosfato de sodio, observados mediante microscopia electrónica de barrido (MEB). Materiales y Métodos: Se realizó un estudio piloto de tipo descriptivo, transversal y cuasi-experimental. Se seleccionó una muestra de cuatro pacientes, previo consentimiento informado; de manera aleatoria se le asignó el tratamiento luego de la primera cirugía, grupo 1 (bicarbonato de arginina) y grupo 2 (monofluorofosfato de sodio). Las exodoncias se realizaron en dos tiempos (tiempo 0 y post-tratamiento) para obtener los especímenes y ser evaluados con MEB. Resultados: Tras la evaluación realizada por MEB se observó que los segmentos de esmalte dental diagnosticados clínicamente con grado 1 de erosión, ya presentaban exposición de algunos túbulos dentinarios en la superficie evaluada. Luego de 14 días de tratamiento, se observó que ambas cremas dentales fueron capaces de sellar la entrada de los canalículos dentinarios; sin embargo, la crema dental con bicarbonato de arginina, formó una estructura mineralizada que se depositó sobre la superficie dental. Conclusión: ambos tratamientos fueron capaces de producir cambios estructurales en la superficie dental erosionada sellando la entrada de los túbulos dentinarios(AU)

Dental erosion is defined as the pathological, chronic and painless loss of dental tissues due to the chemical action of acids not produced by the oral bacterial microflora. The more advanced stages can generate different levels of wear and produce dentine hypersensitivity. Objective: to evaluate and describe the structural changes of the eroded dental surface before and after treatment with arginine bicarbonate and sodium monofluorophosphate, observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Materials and Methods: A pilot study of descriptive, transversal and quasi-experimental type was carried out. A sample of four patients was selected, with prior informed consent; Randomly, he was assigned to the treatment after the first surgery, group 1 (arginine bicarbonate) and group 2 (sodium monofluorophosphate). Extractions were performed in two stages (time 0 and post-treatment) to obtain the specimens and be evaluated with SEM. Results: After the evaluation made by SEM, it was observed that dental enamel segments clinically diagnosed with erosion grade 1, already had exposure of some dentinal tubules in the evaluated surface. After 14 days of treatment, it was observed that both dental creams were able to seal the entrance of the dentinal canaliculi; however, the toothpaste with arginine bicarbonate, formed a mineralized structure that was deposited on the tooth surface. Conclusion: both treatments were able to produce structural changes in the eroded dental surface sealing the entrance of the dentinal tubules(AU)

Parent and peer attachment as predictors of facebook addiction symptoms in different developmental stages (early adolescents and adolescents).

Facebook Addiction (FA) is a problem that concerns minors all over the world. The attachment bond with peers and parents has been proven to be a risk factor for the onset of FA. However, the family and peer group can have a different importance depending on the developmental period of the minor. This study examined the influence of peer and parental attachment on the symptoms of FA in early adolescents and adolescents to verify whether attachment to peers and parents predicts FA symptoms in both categories respectively. The sample was composed of 598 participants (142 early adolescents) between the ages of 11 and 17 years (M age = 14.82, SD = 1.52) recruited in the school setting. Multivariate multiple regressions were performed. For early adolescents the relationships with their parents influenced the levels of FA the most (such as withdrawal, conflict, and relapse), whereas peer relationships (such as, peer alienation) were the most relevant for adolescents. Our study provides support to the role of attachment to peers and parents as a risk factor for symptoms of FA. In line with developmental theories, parents and peers acquire a different weight in predicting the relationship between attachment and FA for early adolescents and adolescents respectively. Clinical implications and future research directions are discussed.

Student-teacher relationships and bullying: The role of student social status.

Student-teacher relationships have been shown to influence bullying-related behaviors in students. This study considered the moderating role of students' social statuses in the classroom. The study sample included 435 students (48.7% females) taken from 18 Italian middle-school classrooms (i.e., sixth to eighth grade). A multigroup path analysis approach was employed to examine whether the effects of the student-teacher relationships on bullying-related behaviors differed among social statuses. The results showed that perceived conflict with the teacher was shown to have a significant positive effect on students' engagement in active bullying for students from all the statuses, except for neglected students. In particular, this effect was more relevant for rejected students. The results showed that social status and student-teacher relationships integrate and shed light on which roles are taken by young adolescents in school bullying, highlighting that it is important for the teachers to recognize these students.

The impact of chemotherapy on overall survival and quality of life of patients with metastatic colorectal cancer: a review of phase III trials.

The treatment aims for advanced colorectal cancer (ACRC) patients are to prolong overall survival and to improve or maintain quality of life. Phase III studies published between 1997 and 2006 comparing different first or subsequent lines of treatment regimens were collected in order to evaluate the impact of these regimens on the overall survival and quality of life of ACRC patients. Our review shows that a first-line polychemotherapy regimen including oxaliplatin or irinotecan, in comparison with monochemotherapy, can improve overall survival. Second-line therapy and/or a cross-over between the first-line treatment arms can further modify the disease course. Hence, from the very beginning the treatment of ACRC patients must embrace a strategic approach taking into account all new agents available. Quality of life (QoL) was assessed in 52.3% of the first-line studies, while this was done in the whole group of studies evaluating pre-treated patients. QoL appears to be unrelated to the toxicity profile.

Phase II study of cetuximab in combination with FOLFIRI in patients with untreated advanced gastric or gastroesophageal junction adenocarcinoma (FOLCETUX study).

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this phase II study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of cetuximab combined with FOLFIRI as a first-line treatment of advanced gastric or gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) adenocarcinoma. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Untreated patients with confirmed advanced gastric or gastroesophageal adenocarcinoma received cetuximab at an initial dose of 400 mg/m(2) intravenously (i.v.) followed by weekly doses of 250 mg/m(2), CPT 11 180 mg/m(2) i.v. on day 1, LFA 100 mg/m(2) i.v. followed by 5-FU 400 mg/m(2) i.v. bolus, and 600 mg/m(2) i.v. 22-h continuous infusion on days 1 and 2 (FOLFIRI) every 2 weeks, for a maximum of 24 weeks, then cetuximab alone was allowed in patients with a complete response, partial response, or stable disease. Antitumor activity was assessed by computed tomography (CT) and positron emission tomography (PET) at baseline and after 6 weeks, and further by CT alone or CT and PET every 6 weeks. RESULTS: Thirty-eight patients were enrolled (median age 63.5 years, range 39-83; median Karnofsky performance status 90, range 70-100; stomach 89.5% and GEJ 10.5%; locally advanced disease 13.2% and metastatic disease 86.8%). All 38 patients were assessed for safety and survival, and 34 patients were assessed for overall response rates (ORR). The ORR was 44.1% [95% confidence interval (CI) 27.5% to 60.9%]. The median time-to-progression was 8 months (95% CI 7-9). At the median follow-up time of 11 months, 55.3% of patients were alive, with a median expected survival time of 16 months (95% CI 9-23). Grade 3-4 toxicity included neutropenia (42.1%), acne-like rash (21.1%), diarrhea (7.9%), asthenia (5.3%), stomatitis (5.3%), and hypertransaminasemia (5.3%). There was one (2.6%) treatment-related death. CONCLUSIONS: The combination of cetuximab and FOLFIRI is active in gastric and GEJ adenocarcinoma. The higher toxicity appears to be limited to neutropenia.

[Gestational diabetes. Determination of relative importance of risk factors]. / Diabetes gestacional. Determinación del peso relativo de sus factores de riesgo.

The aim of this study was to determine the relative importance of gestational diabetes (GD) risk factors to identify populations at risk. A total of 400 pregnant patients were studied, 200 with confirmed GD diagnosis and 200 controls with risk factors. They regularly attended health-care units belonging to the Ministry of Health of the Province of Buenos Aires, in the context of the Program for the Prevention, Care and Treatment of People with Diabetes of the Province of Buenos Aires (PRODIABA). The following risk factors were evaluated: GD in previous pregnancies, history of diabetes in first degree relatives, age > or = 30 years, BMI > 26, history of fetal macrosomy, perinatal mortality and hypertension during pregnancy. Data analysis was performed with the Program of Statistics in Public Health Epilnfo 6. The association between GD development as a dependent variable and the presence of different risk factors (independent variables) was analyzed with a multiple logistic regression model, determining the logistic probability to develop GD. Results showed that the incidence of risk factors to develop GD is not the same; therefore, they do not have the same predictive value. Overweight or obesity played a key central role, not only for its frequency, but also for its contribution to GD development. Our findings reinforce the importance of multi causal studies as the basis to design and implement prevention strategies for diabetes.

Diabetes gestacional. Determinación del peso relativo de sus factores de riesgo. / [Gestational diabetes. Determination of relative importance of risk factors]

The aim of this study was to determine the relative importance of gestational diabetes (GD) risk factors to identify populations at risk. A total of 400 pregnant patients were studied, 200 with confirmed GD diagnosis and 200 controls with risk factors. They regularly attended health-care units belonging to the Ministry of Health of the Province of Buenos Aires, in the context of the Program for the Prevention, Care and Treatment of People with Diabetes of the Province of Buenos Aires (PRODIABA). The following risk factors were evaluated: GD in previous pregnancies, history of diabetes in first degree relatives, age > or = 30 years, BMI > 26, history of fetal macrosomy, perinatal mortality and hypertension during pregnancy. Data analysis was performed with the Program of Statistics in Public Health Epilnfo 6. The association between GD development as a dependent variable and the presence of different risk factors (independent variables) was analyzed with a multiple logistic regression model, determining the logistic probability to develop GD. Results showed that the incidence of risk factors to develop GD is not the same; therefore, they do not have the same predictive value. Overweight or obesity played a key central role, not only for its frequency, but also for its contribution to GD development. Our findings reinforce the importance of multi causal studies as the basis to design and implement prevention strategies for diabetes.

[Etiopathogenetic aspects of central diabetes insipidus. Report of a clinical case]. / Aspetti etiopatogenetici del diabete insipido centrale. Descrizione di un caso clinico.

The manifold etiopathogenetic conditions responsible for central diabetes insipidus are minutely examined. On the ground of these introductory remarks, the Authors report a case of diabetes insipidus following from pituitary metastasis in a patient with cancer of the lung. Some relations between diabetes insipidus and cancer are discussed. The uncommon remark of a metastatic lesion in the etiopathogenesis of the central diabetes insipidus and its early display in the patient at issue support this description.

Molecular studies on DNA sequences coding for factor VII and factor XII of human coagulation.

In this paper are described the immunological and molecular procedures that have allowed the identification and the nucleotide sequence characterization of recombinant cDNA coding for factor XII of human coagulation and have suggested the possible identification of other cDNA clones as coding for factor VII of human coagulation.