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Objectives: The aim of the present study is to explore the association between defensive functioning (as assessed through the REM-71) and psychiatric symptoms in a large sample from the community, and the moderating role of age and gender on that association. Furthermore, we explored the concurrent validity of REM-71 as compared with "caseness" (SCL-90-R). Methods: The REM-71 was administered together with SCL-90-R to a community sample of 1,060 Italian high-school and university students (mean age = 19.01 ± 3.85 years; 66.7% females). Results: Factor 1 defenses were by far the primary contributors to the predictor synthetic variable (i.e. association between defenses and psychopathology). Gender proved to moderate the association between immature defenses and symptoms. Using ROC analysis, we derived a cut-off score for Factor 1 defenses. Conclusions: Our results support the adoption of the REM-71 as a useful instrument for the assessment of defensive array and psychopathological liability in adolescents and adults. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In spite of the potential clinical utility of defense mechanisms in the assessment of gender identity disorder patients as candidates to sex reassignment surgery, there is paucity of research in this field. The aim of the present study is therefore to ascertain whether the defensive profile of MtF and FtM transsexuals seeking sex reassignment surgery can be defined more primitive, immature and maladaptive than that of the two control groups. We compared the defensive profiles as assessed through the REM-71 (Steiner et al., 2001) of 104 MtF transsexuals, 46 FtM transsexuals and two control groups of males and females. Our results show that MtF transsexuals present an overall more primitive defensive array than that of both control groups, while FtMs show a profile not dissimilar from that of both control groups. Our results support the hypothesis that MtF transsexuals are characterized by higher proneness to psychopathology than the general population and show a more immature level of psychological functioning than FtM transsexuals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: In the Yococu edition of 2008 the results of experimental research concerning the use of a CO2 solution applied to natural stone of calcareous origin (marble and travertine) and silicate (tuff) were presented. Chemical and physical analysis indicated the validity and effectiveness of this method. In the meantime the research has continued on ceramics and the results are reported in the present edition of YOCOCU. The method is based on the property of aqueous solutions of CO2 to dissolve and remove the carbonate component of concretions, found on the surface of porous objects, making it easier to remove them. These concretions can hide significant decoration details and obscure the historical, social and artistic values of an ancient object but their removal could be harmful to the object itself and are also the cause of their state of conservation. During the course of the experiment it was possible to develop different treatment procedures having a different duration of application time depending on the type of material. The evaluation was first conducted on test samples of the same nature of the ceramic objects to be treated in the second phase of the experiment. The trial was conducted taking into consideration the state of conservation of the object to be restored, the conservator health and the care of the environment. The method has proven to be valid for ceramic materials as was the case for the stone artefacts. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Background: Social cognition (SC) and Theory of Mind (ToM) are compromised in patients with Schizophrenia (SKZ) and Bipolar Disorder (BD) and an increased frequency of metabolic abnormalities is reported in both disorders. Obesity seems associated with cognitive impairments The aim of our study is thus to assess the relationship between obesity and ToM in SKZ and BD.Methods: 36 stabilized outpatients (18 SKZ and 18 BD) were recruited and completed Reading the Mind in the Eyes Test, Italian version and Faux Pas Recognition Test, adult version. BMI was calculated from self-reported height and weight. Two different Generalized Linear Models were created including performance in Eyes test and in Faux Pas test as outcomes and BMI as covariate.Results: After stratifying for sex, we found a significant relationship between BMI and Faux Pas performance for male patients (p = 0.017), without significant interactions between sex and diagnosis. These results suggest a BMI effect on both affective and cognitive ToM in male patients.Limitations: Major confounders need to be considered: the greater number of subjects with SKZ in male subsample, a possible influence of neurocognitive performance, small sample size and self-reported BMI.Conclusions: There could be a relationship between ToM and metabolic dysfunctions, at least in male patients. The exact nature of this relationship has yet to be determined; an interesting theoretical framework is based on a combination of increased brain energy request and inefficient peripheral compensatory mechanisms, resulting in inefficient energy allocation to the brain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Neurocognitive and social cognition deficits have been largely reported in Schizophrenia (SKZ) but their association with psychopathology remains uncertain. Our purpose was to explore the relationship between symptom dimensions and neuropsychological performances. We enrolled 35 stabilized schizophrenic outpatients of the Department of Psychiatry of Policlinico Hospital, University of Milan, who completed psychiatric Rating Scales, the Brief Assessment of Cognition in Schizophrenia (BACS) and the Executive and Social Cognition Battery (ESCB). Disorganized dimension seems to have the most significant impact on cognition, being associated with performance in several BACS subtests (verbal memory, working memory, motor speed, symbol coding, Tower of London) and ESCB tasks (MET and Hotel task number of tasks attempted, number of broken MET rules, sum of deviations in Hotel Task). Positive dimension correlated with performance in verbal fluency, negative dimension with IOWA Test results, cognitive dimension with MET number of inefficiencies and Eyes test score. Impulsive-aggressive and depressive dimensions weakly correlated only with Faux Pas test. Our study supports the existence of a specific disorganized dimension in SKZ, separated from cognitive dimension evaluated through clinical instruments (e.g. PANSS), but capable of influencing cognitive abilities. Furthermore, it strengthens the validity of ecological tasks in evaluating cognition in SKZ. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Although 96–100% of individuals with eating disorders (EDs) report insecure attachment, the specific mechanisms by which adult insecure attachment dimensions affect ED symptomatology remain to date largely unknown. This study examined maladaptive perfectionism as both a mediator and a moderator of the relationship between insecure attachment (anxiety and avoidance) and ED symptomatology in a clinical, treatment seeking, sample. Insecure anxious and avoidant attachment, maladaptive perfectionism, and ED symptomatology were assessed in 403 participants from three medium size specialized care centres for EDs in Italy. Structural equation modeling indicated that maladaptive perfectionism served as mediator between both insecure attachment patterns and ED symptomatology. It also interacted with insecure attachment to predict higher levels of ED symptoms – highlighting the importance of both insecure attachment patterns and maladaptive aspects of perfectionism as treatment targets. Multiple-group comparison analysis did not reveal differences across diagnostic groups (AN, BN, EDNOS) in mediating, main and interaction effects of perfectionism. These findings are consistent with recent discussions on the classification and treatment of EDs that have highlighted similarities between ED diagnostic groups and could be viewed through the lens of the Trans-theoretical Model of EDs. Implications for future research and intervention are discussed. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: A hexanucleotide repeat expansions in the first intron of C9ORF72 has been shown to be responsible for a high number of familial cases of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and/or frontotemporal lobar degeneration. The same mutation has been described in a patient with bipolar disorder, but up to now, not in patients suffering from schizophrenia. We determined the frequency of the C9ORF72 hexanucleotide repeat expansions in a population of 298 patients with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder. The pathogenic repeat expansion was detected in 2 patients (0.67%). Both of them presented with auditory hallucinations and had comorbid alcohol abuse. In addition, a positive family history for psychiatric and/or neurodegenerative diseases was present. The repeat expansion in the C9ORF72 gene is a rare, but possible, cause of schizophrenic spectrum disorders. We cannot rule out however whether the number of repeats influence the phenotype. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]