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Abstract: We present simulation of the UV–visible spectra of acridine orange, a widely used photosensitizer for in vivo studies due to its highly environment-dependent spectroscopic properties. This dye has been investigated both in its protonated and neutral forms, either isolated or embedded in a pumpkin-shaped macromolecular cycle (cucurbit-7-uril), using time-dependent density functional theory techniques. To model this macromolecular cycle, two strategies are taken into account, allowing decoupling of the geometric and electrostatic influences of the host on the guest molecules. Experimental data are well-reproduced when using an embedding electrostatic technique, suggesting that such a method holds great promise to investigate the environmental effects on dye absorption spectra at low computational cost. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: A genomic region of 41,045bp encompassing the 3′-end of the sheep T cell receptor beta chain was sequenced. Extensive molecular analysis has revealed that this region retains a unique structural feature for the presence of a third D-J-C cluster, never detected in any other mammalian species examined so far. A total of 3 TRBD, 18 TRBJ and 3 substantially identical TRBC genes were identified in about 28kb. At 13kb, downstream from the last TRBC gene, in an inverted transcriptional orientation, lies a TRBV gene. Sequence comparison and phylogenetic analyses have demonstrated that the extra D-J-C cluster originated from an unequal crossing over between the two ancestral TRBC genes. Interspersed repeats spanning 22.2% of the sequence, contribute to the wider size of the sheep TRB locus with respect to the other mammalian counterparts, without modifying the general genomic architecture. The nucleotide and predicted amino acid sequences from peripheral T cells cDNA clones indicated that the genes from cluster 3 are fully implicated in the beta chain recombination machinery. Closer inspections of the transcripts have also shown that inter-cluster rearrangements and splice variants, involving the additional cluster, increase the functional diversity of the sheep beta chain repertoire. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The aim of this study was to investigate attachment styles in a group of women and men with sexual dysfunction. We recruited 44 subjects (21 women and 23 men) with sexual dysfunction and 41 subjects (21 women and 20 men) with healthy sexual function as the control group. Validated instruments for the evaluation of male and female sexual dysfunctions (M/F SD) and a psychometric tool specifically designed to investigate attachment style were administered. In women, significant differences were found between subjects with sexual dysfunction and healthy controls. The scales indicating an insecure attachment showed: discomfort with closeness (FSD=42.85±11.55 vs CTRL=37.38±8.54; P<0.01), relationship as secondary (FSD=26.76±2.60 vs CTRL=18.42±7.99; P<0.01), and need for approval (FSD=26.38±3.61 vs CTRL=20.76±7.36; P<0.01). Healthy women also had significantly higher scores in secure attachment (confidence: FSD=24.57±3.89 vs CTRL=33.42±5.74; P<0.01). Men with sexual dysfunctions differed from healthy men in confidence (MSD=30±6.33 vs CTRL=36.05±5.26; P<0.01) and in discomfort with closeness (MSD=39.08±8 vs CTRL=34.25±7.54; P<0.05). These results suggest that particular aspects related to insecure attachment have a determinant role in people with sexual dysfunctions. It is therefore fundamental to identify the attachment styles and relational patterns in patients receiving counselling and psychological treatments focussed on sexual problems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to measure the prevalence of alexithymia and emotional dysregulation in women with vaginismus not associated with other organic or psychopathological disorders. The study involved the psychometric assessment of 41 patients with vaginismus and 100 healthy women, all of childbearing age. Alexithymia was evaluated by TAS-20 (Toronto Alexithymia Scale). Sexual function was assessed by FSFI (Female Sexual Function Index). In patients with vaginismus, the primary diagnosis of dyspareunia was excluded and an expert psychologist evaluated patients and controls according to DSM IV (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders: 4th edition) criteria to exclude mental disorders. Over half (51.1%) of the patients with vaginismus were classified as alexithymic or borderline (alexithymic trend), compared with just 18% of the control group. In addition, there was a significant difference in the TAS-20 total scores between the two groups (P<0.0001). In terms of relative risk, women suffering from vaginismus thus have a 3.8 times higher probability of showing alexithymia than do healthy women. Vaginismus is a complex syndrome and alexithymia is far from being its only characteristic. However, we found a significant correlation between vaginismus and alexithymia. In theory, alexithymia could thus be a risk factor for vaginismus, although future studies are required to demonstrate any chain of causation between these two conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We examined the construct of psychosis using the self-report instrument CAPE (Community Assessment of Psychic Experiences) in a sample of 1,323 students. Taxometric analysis was carried out using Taxometric Programs for the R Computing Environment. The MAXCOV CCFI was 0.34, indicating a dimensional latent structure. All other taxometric analysis yielded very similar results indicative of dimensional structure. In this study, using powerful analytic techniques designed expressly for the purpose, i.e. taxometric analysis, the latent construct of psychosis in a sample of young students appeared to be consistent with a dimensional, non-taxonic latent structure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Background: Earthquakes are one of the most frequently occurring natural disasters and extensive research has been conducted on mental disorders on exposed populations, particularly on post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). On April 6th 2009, the town of L''Aquila (Abruzzo), in central Italy, was struck by an earthquake with a strength of 5.9 on the Richter scale. In the town of L''Aquila many buildings collapsed and large parts of the town were destroyed. Overall, 309 people were killed, 1600 injured among which 200 severely injured and hospitalized, more than 65,000 people were displaced. Methods: The aim of the present study was to investigate prevalence rates of PTSD, either full-blown or partial PTSD, among 512 students attending the last year of high school in L''Aquila about 10months after the earthquake. According to the literature, partial PTSD was defined as the presence of symptoms in the DSM-IV Criterion B and C or D for PTSD diagnosis. Gender differences in the symptoms reported were investigated. Assessments included the Trauma and Loss Spectrum-Self Report (TALS-SR) and the Impact of Event Scale (IES). Results: The results of the present study showed the presence of a diagnosis of PTSD in 192 (37.5%) of the students examined, with significantly (p =.000) higher rates in women than men (N =120, 51.7% and N =72, 25.7%, respectively). Moreover, 153 (29.9%) students reported partial PTSD (75, 32.3% women and 78, 27.9% men respectively). Significantly higher PTSD symptoms were reported by women with respect to men. Limitations: The lack of information on the impact of the earthquake on subjects and on the presence of Axis I psychiatric comorbidities are two major limitations besides the use of self-report instruments. Conclusions: Our results show high rates of full or partial PTSD in adolescents who survived the April 2009 L''Aquila earthquake, with women being the most affected. Thus, these results highlight the need to carefully explore these conditions. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]