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The COVID-19 pandemic has showcased wastewater surveillance as an effective and economical tool for monitoring disease transmission levels and guiding public health interventions (1-2). Wastewater surveillance could also conceivably contribute [...]

The Stroop test evaluates the ability to inhibit cognitive interference. This interference occurs when the processing of onestimulus characteristic affects the simultaneous processing of another attribute of the same stimulus. Eye movements are anindicator of the individual attention load required for inhibiting cognitive interference. We used an eye tracker to collecteye movements data from more than 60 subjects each performing four different but similar tasks (some with cognitiveinterference and some without). After the extraction of features related to fixations, saccades and gaze trajectory, wetrained different Machine Learning models to recognize tasks performed in the different conditions (i.e. with interference,without interference). The models achieved good classification performances when distinguishing between similar tasksperformed with or without cognitive interference. This suggests the presence of characterizing patterns common amongsubjects, despite of the individual variability of visual behavior. The results open up interesting investigations.

Background/objective: Emotional dysregulation is bidirectionally associated with sleep disturbances, with potentially critical implications for emotional reactivity, in patients with borderline personality disorder (BPD). This study evaluated subjective and objective sleep quality, emotional regulation, and emotional reactivity in 20 patients with BPD compared to 20 non-clinical individuals. Methods: Subjective and objective sleep quality was assessed using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index and a 3-day actigraphic measurement. Emotional regulation was evaluated using the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale and the Berkeley Expressivity Questionnaire. Furthermore, each participant underwent an emotional reactivity task selected from the International Affective Picture System. Results: Compared to control subjects, individuals with BPD reported poor subjective sleep quality and objective sleep continuity disturbances, with more sleep fragmentation and decreased sleep efficiency. Moreover, BPD patients showed emotional dysregulation and altered subjective reactivity to emotional stimuli, particularly positively valenced stimuli. Conclusion: These results suggest the importance of further clarifying the specific direction of sleep-dependent emotional modulation in individuals with BPD, with significant clinical implications for patients with co-occurring sleep disturbances. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A considerable proportion of patients with schizophrenia perform below population norms on standardized neuropsychological tests, and the performance of those performing within normal range is lower than predicted based on parental education. Cognitive impairment predates the onset of psychosis, is observed during symptom remission and in non-affected firstdegree relatives of patients. At the present time, cognitive deficits are regarded as key features of schizophrenia, important determinants of poor psychosocial outcome and targets for both pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatment strategies. A group of eight key opinion leaders reviewed and discussed latest advances in scientific research and current good clinical practices on assessment, management, and treatment of CIAS. In the present paper they summarize the current evidence, identify main gaps between current knowledge and mental health services clinical practice, and provide practical recommendations to reduce the gap. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Adverse life occurrences (e.g., severe accidents, violence/abuse, organic disorders such as COVID-19) can elicit traumatic responses that heighten fear, anxiety, and depression. However, scientific research has shown that certain variables, such as self-esteem, based on theories like terror management theory (TMT) and the anxiety-buffering hypothesis (ABH), can mitigate the negative effects of trauma. This study aimed to test the ABH by assessing the buffering role of self-esteem in the relationships among the impact of traumatic experiences, fear, anxiety, and depression. Method: An observational research design was used. This study involved 321 participants who experienced COVID-19 as a traumatic experience. A sequential multiple-mediation model with observed variables (path analysis) was used to test the impact of the traumatic experience on fear, anxiety, and depression, examining the protective role of self-esteem. Results: A path analysis revealed that fear and anxiety mediated the relationship between the impact of the traumatic experience of COVID-19 and depression. Additionally, in line with the ABH, self-esteem was found to mediate the relationship between the predictors and their adverse psychological consequences. This suggests that self-esteem played a buffering role, mitigating the negative impact of traumatic experiences on mental health outcomes. Conclusions: These findings underscore the central mediating role of self-esteem, as well as fear and anxiety, in the pathway from trauma-related factors to depression. These insights advocate for evidence-based interventions aimed at alleviating the psychological suffering associated with traumatic experiences, fostering adaptation, and supporting psychological health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Increasing attention to the early stages of psychosis and the identification of symptomatic prodromal states have led to the development of a growing number of screening tools. The 16‐item version of the Prodromal Questionnaire (PQ‐16) is a worldwide used self‐administered tool for this purpose. However, to date, fundamental psychometric properties of PQ‐16 were not thoroughly investigated. This study aimed to examine the structural validity, measurement invariance, reliability and other psychometrical properties of the Italian version of the PQ‐16 (iPQ‐16) in help‐seeking individuals and in the general population. Methods: The iPQ‐16 was administered to 449 young outpatients attending six community mental health services and to 318 control participants enrolled in educational environment. Confirmatory factor analyses (CFAs), measurement invariance (MI) between the help‐seeking group and the general population sample, convergent validity, test–retest reliability, internal consistency, and prevalence analyses were performed. Lastly, the validity of the adopted PQ‐16 cut‐offs through Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curves plotted against CAARMS diagnoses was also tested. Results: CFAs confirmed the single‐factor structure for the iPQ‐16 and scalar MI was reached. The iPQ‐16 showed high internal consistency, test–retest reliability, convergent validity, and acceptable diagnostic accuracy. ROC analysis suggested a score of ≥4 as best cut‐off. Conclusions: The iPQ‐16 represents a valid and reliable questionnaire for the assessment of high mental risk in both Italian outpatients and general student population. It has good psychometric properties and is easy to implement as UHR screening for clinical as well as research purposes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In recent years, Europe has experienced a significant increase in pertussis cases. One reason behind this rise is the decline in diphtheria–tetanus–pertussis (dTap) booster coverage among adults. Currently, Italy lacks a reliable monitoring system to track pertussis infections and vaccine coverage among adults. We therefore evaluated the reliability of a primary care framework to respond to this need. Methods: Using an Italian primary care database for individuals aged 15 or above, we determined the pertussis infection notification rate and dTap vaccine/booster coverage for the timeframe of 2009–2022. Results: In the overall population, we obtained a lifetime occurrence rate of pertussis infections of 7.52 per 10,000 individuals. The annual incidence rates of pertussis infections ranged from 0.008 to 0.001 per 10,000 person-years between 2009 and 2022. A rising trend in dTap vaccine coverage rate (ranging from 8.72 to 16.54 vaccines per 10,000 individuals) was observed during the same period. Notably, those aged 65 or older, smokers, and/or individuals with immunodeficiencies were more likely to receive the dTap vaccine compared to the general population. Conclusions: Given the organization of the Italian public health system, this primary care network might act as a reliable epidemiological monitoring system to keep track of pertussis infections and dTap vaccine coverage in adults. Pertussis cases were underreported, and there was a low uptake of vaccines and boosters. Therefore, it is crucial to closely monitor pertussis notifications and dTap administrations and develop intervention strategies at the national level to enhance vaccine-related prevention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

(1) Background: Experiencing intimate partner violence (IPV) can greatly impact victims' physical and mental health, often leading to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Emotion regulation has been identified in the literature as a factor that contributes to the manifestation of PTSD. Consequently, this study aims to investigate the relationship among the increase in IPV victimization (i.e., physical, psychological, sexual, and economic violence), emotion dysregulation, and PTSD symptoms. It has been hypothesized that emotion dysregulation may mediate the increase in IPV occurrence and PTSD symptoms. (2) Methods: 284 women (Mage = 40.92) exposed to IPV were recruited in Italy. IPV experience was screened using the Revised Conflict Tactic Scale questionnaire. A mediational analysis was performed using Rstudio. (3) Results: The findings corroborated the mediating role of emotion dysregulation: the relationship between the increase in IPV and PTSD symptoms appears to be mediated by emotion dysregulation. (4) Conclusions: These findings bolster the existing literature regarding the association between emotion dysregulation and PTSD, underscoring the important role of emotion dysregulation in trauma symptoms. This highlights the significance of prioritizing the treatment of emotion dysregulation as a focal point for intervention and support for those who have experienced IPV. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]