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Cognitive science has gathered robust evidence supporting the hypothesis that cognitive processes do not occur in an amodal format but take shape through the activation of the sensorimotor systems of the agent body, which works as simulation system upon which concepts, words, and thought are based. However, studies that have investigated the relationship between language and cognitive processes, as both embedded processes, are very rare. In this study, we investigated the hypothesis that intelligence is associated with referential competence, conceived as the ability to find words to refer to our subjective and perceptual experience, and to evoke understanding of this experience in the listener. We administered the WAIS-IV test to 32 nonclinical subjects and collected autobiographical narratives from them through the Relationship Anecdotes Paradigm Interview. The narratives were analyzed linguistically by applying computerized measures of referential competence. Intelligence scores were found to correlate with the use in narratives of words related to somatic and sensory sensations, while they were not associated with other measures of referential competence related to more abstract domains of experience or based on vivid or reflective dimensions of language style. The results support the hypothesis that sensorimotor schemas have an intrinsic role in language and cognition.

Numerous research studies show that mindfulness can mitigate the negative impact of trauma on mental health by reducing symptoms of anxiety, mediating the relationship between trauma exposure and mental health, and treating symptoms resulting from traumatic events. During the COVID-19 pandemic, which was considered a traumatic event, the wellbeing of adults and children was severely compromised. Although children seem less vulnerable to the physical effects of the virus, this does not seem to be true for the psychological effects. Indeed, a prolonged period of loss of family activities and routines can have a negative impact on the mental health of children and adolescents. To investigate how mindfulness can help preschool children cope with the effects of COVID-19, a study was conducted on 46 children aged 4–5 years. The programme, based on the work of Jon Kabat-Zinn and adapted to the age of the participants, consisted of eight weekly 45-min sessions. Qualitative and quantitative results showed positive feedback, indicating that mindfulness helps children make sense of their experiences and achieve functional post-traumatic growth. This approach is seen as a challenge to guide children toward the restoration of psychological wellbeing, which is essential for good psychological balance.

Depressive disorders are highly prevalent among subjects suffering from chronic kidney disease (CKD). The aim of the present study is to evaluate clinical and biochemical factors associated with depressive disorders in a sample of older CKD patients, with a focus on advanced glycation end products (AGEs) and their soluble receptors (sRAGEs). A total of 115 older subjects affected by CKD (stages 3 to 5, not in dialysis) were selected for this study. These patients were divided into two groups according to the presence of depressive disorders defined by a score ≥ 10 on the 30-item Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS). The two groups were compared by independent sample t tests for continuous variables and χ2 tests for qualitative ones. Significant variables at univariate analyses were then inserted as predictors of a binary logistic regression model, with the presence or absence of depressive disorders as a dependent variable. The binary logistic regression model showed that patients with concomitant depressive disorders were more frequently of female gender (p < 0.01) and had lower MCP1 (p < 0.01) and AGE circulating levels (p < 0.01) than their counterparts. Depressive disorders in older CKD patients are more prevalent in women and seem to be inversely associated with systemic inflammation and circulating AGEs.

BackgroundProtein restriction has been extended to stage 3 chronic kidney disease (CKD) regardless of age in the latest K-DOQI guidelines for the dietary management of patients with CKD. However, in elderly CKD patients there is a tendency to a spontaneous reduction in protein and energy intake that may impair the overall nutritional status. The aim of our study is to assess whether there are differences in malnutrition, exercise capacity and inflammatory status in elderly CKD patients with spontaneously low protein intake (sLPI) compared with patients with normal protein intake (NPI).MethodsWe performed a cross-sectional analysis of 123 incident patients. Malnutrition was assessed using Malnutrition Inflammation Score (MIS) and serum markers; As for physical performance, we used Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) and handgrip strength.ResultsWe found that in older patients with advanced CKD, as many as 68% had low spontaneous protein intake, and they were more malnourished evaluated with MIS (25% vs. 10%, p = 0.033), protein-energy wasting (PEW) (43% vs. 14%, p = 0.002) and nPCR (0.63[0.51–0.69] vs. 0.95[0.87–1.1], p

Motivated by the recent surge in interest concerning white dwarf (WD) planets, this work presents the first numerical exploration of WD-driven atmospheric escape, whereby the high-energy radiation from a hot/young WD can trigger the outflow of the hydrogen–helium envelope for close-in planets. As a pilot investigation, we focus on two specific cases: a gas giant and a sub-Neptune-sized planet, both orbiting a rapidly cooling WD with mass M _* = 0.6 M _⊙ and separation a = 0.02 au. In both cases, the ensuing mass outflow rates exceed 10 ^14 g s ^−1 for WD temperatures greater than T _WD ≳ 50,000 K. At T _WD ≃ 18,000 K (22,000 K), the sub-Neptune (gas giant) mass outflow rate approaches 10 ^12 g s ^−1 , i.e., comparable to the strongest outflows expected from close-in planets around late main-sequence stars. Whereas the gas giant remains virtually unaffected from an evolutionary standpoint, atmospheric escape may have sizable effects for the sub-Neptune, depending on its dynamical history, e.g., assuming that the hydrogen–helium envelope makes up 1% (4%) of the planet mass, the entire envelope would be evaporated away so long as the planet reaches 0.02 au within the first 230 Myr (130 Myr) of the WD formation. We discuss how these results can be generalized to eccentric orbits with effective semimajor axis $a^{\prime} =a/{(1-{e}^{2})}^{1/4}$ , which receive the same orbit-averaged irradiation. Extended to a much broader parameter space, this approach can be exploited to model the expected demographics of WD planets as a function of their initial mass, composition, and migration history, as well as their potential for habitability.

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a serious issue for women from all cultures and backgrounds. Studies on the negative consequences of violence suggest that women with a history of abuse are more likely to display depressive and PTSD symptoms. However, recent research has focused on the mechanisms underpinning resilience and the processing of traumatic memories, including linguistic markers and how they may reflect the mental health of traumatized individuals. In this study, we analyzed trauma narratives to investigate whether resilience mediates the impact of PTSD and depression symptoms on five trauma-processing mechanisms (cognitive processing, emotional processing, perceived threat to life, self-perspective, and integration of traumatic memories). Forty-three abused women (mean age = 38.74 years; SD = 9.41) wrote about their traumatic experiences and completed instruments assessing their levels of PTSD, depression, and resilience. We used LIWC software to analyze the women's narratives in terms of linguistic markers of psychological processing. Mediation analysis indicated that resilience fully mediated the impact of mental health symptoms on emotional processing, perceived threat to life, and integration of traumatic memories and partially mediated cognitive processing and self-perspective. We discuss the clinical implications of these findings, emphasizing the need to focus on the resources and strengths of women survivors of abuse in designing targeted psychological interventions.

Introduction According to DSM V, substance-induced psychotic disorder is a mental health condition in which the onset of psychotic symptoms can be traced to the use of a psychotropic substance. The pathogenesis of this disease is still poorly understood; current literature traces its causes back to genetic predisposition and early traumatic events (i.e. child abuse). Objectives The present study aims to identify specific clinical features and biochemical markers which could be addressed as predictors for the long-term prognosis of this disease. Moreover, we aim to identify specific correlations between the clinical phenotype and the underlying substance abuse, in order to allow the early start of a tailored treatment. Methods Between 2020 and 2022 we recruited 218 patients referring to the Policlinico Hospital in Milan and the San Gerardo Hospital in Monza, Italy. All the patients were diagnosed with substance induced psychotic disorder: 31 reported alcohol abuse (14,2%), 71 psichostimulants (32,6%), 116 cannabis, (53,2%). For each patients, we collected demographic data, medical records and a comprehensive psychometric assessment (GAF, PANSS, BPRS, Modified Sad Person Scale-MOAS). Furthermore, we collected a blood sample for dosing Na+, K+, Na+/K+, hemogram with formula and platelets, glucose , urea, creatinine, uric acid, transaminases, γGT, bilirubin, plasma proteins, albumin, LDH, CPK, PCHE, cholesterol, HDL, LDL, Tg, TSH. Results Chi squared test (χ²) has been used to compare qualitative variables between the 3 subgrous (alcohol-, psychostimulants- and cannabis-induced psychotic syndromes) (fig.1). One way ANOVA test has been used to compare quantitative variables between the same 3 subgroups (fig.2). After removing one of the subgropus (alcohol-induced psychotic symptoms), the same analysis have been repeated. Significant variables have been included in a binary logistic regression model in order to confirm their validity as predictors for cannabis- and psychostimulants-induced psychotic disorders (fig 3). Finally we performed Omnibus test and Hosmer-Lemeshow test in order to verify the validity of these regression models. Image: Image 2: Image 3: Conclusions For each considered subgroups, we indentified the following features. Alcohol induced psychotic syndrome: higher age of onset and age of hospital admission, higher cholesterol and hurea levels, , high comorbidity with medical conditions anxiety/depression, low social functioning, higher suicidal risk;, higher hospitalization rate. Cannabis induced psychotic syndrome: higher hemoglobin and albumin levels, more severe psychiatric symtoms (BPRS), higher smoking rates. Psychostimulants induced psychotic syndrome: higher multi-drug abuse risk. We could assume that according to this consideration the treatment protocols for each of these subgroups should be tailored according to their specific features. Disclosure of Interest None Declared

Introduction Bipolar Disorder (BD) is a frequent psychiatric disorder, which can be associated with high disability. Psychotic symptoms occur in more than half of bipolar patients and are associated with an unfavorable course of the disorder (Chakrabarti et al. World J Psychiatry 2022; 12(9) 1204-1232). Objectives The aim of this study is therefore to identify clinical and biological markers able to discriminate between BD patients with (BD-PS) and without lifetime psychotic symptoms (BD-NPS) to facilitate early diagnosis and to implement a target clinical management of these patients. Methods We recruited 665 patients consecutively hospitalized for BD at Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico (Milan) and at San Gerardo Hospital (Monza). Data were obtained through a screening of the clinical charts and blood analyses conducted during the hospitalization. Patients were assessed by psychometric scales. The two groups (BD-PS and BD-NPS) were compared by t tests for quantitative variables and χ2 tests for qualitative ones. Variables that resulted to be significant in univariate analyses were inserted in binary logistic models with the presence of psychotic symptoms as dependent variable. Results Among the total sample, 64.5% of patients were affected by BD-PS while 35.5% by BD-NPS. The final binary logistic regression model showed that, compared to patients with BD-NPS, those with BD-PS had a longer duration of hospitalization (p=0.007) and were more frequently hospitalized for a manic episode (p=0.001). In addition, subjects with BD-PS had a lower score on the current Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF) (t = 3.157; p = 0.002) and were more frequently males (χ² = 4.061; p = 0.044; OR = 1.399). With regard to biological variables, patients with BD-PS, compared to the counterpart, had a higher Neutrophile to Lymphocyte Ratio (NLR) (t = 2.776; p = 0.006), lower levels of Gamma-Glutamyl Transferase (γGT) (t = 2.249; p = 0.026), higher total bilirubin (t = 2.348; p = 0.019) and creatine phosphokinase (CPK) (t=2.807; p = 0.005), lower total cholesterol (t = 2.369; p = 0.018) and triglycerides (t = 2.554; p = 0.013). Conclusions Our data appear to be in line with the literature, especially with respect to the occurrence of psychotic symptoms mainly in manic episodes and their association with greater clinical severity, longer hospitalization and worse outcome (Altamura et al. Aust N Z J Psychiatry 2019; 53(8) 772-781). From a biological point of view, it seems important to emphasize that patients with lifetime psychotic symptoms presented a higher NLR, revealing more prominent low-grade inflammation in these patients than the counterpart. These data confirm the possibility of using NLR as biomarker of severity in bipolar patients, as proposed previously by other authors (Kulacaoglu et al. Nord J Psychiatry 2022). Future multi-center study have to confirm the results of the present study. Disclosure of Interest None Declared

Numerous research studies show that mindfulness can mitigate the negative impact of trauma on mental health by reducing symptoms of anxiety, mediating the relationship between trauma exposure and mental health, and treating symptoms resulting from traumatic events. During the COVID-19 pandemic, which was considered a traumatic event, the wellbeing of adults and children was severely compromised. Although children seem less vulnerable to the physical effects of the virus, this does not seem to be true for the psychological effects. Indeed, a prolonged period of loss of family activities and routines can have a negative impact on the mental health of children and adolescents. To investigate how mindfulness can help preschool children cope with the effects of COVID-19, a study was conducted on 46 children aged 4–5 years. The programme, based on the work of Jon Kabat-Zinn and adapted to the age of the participants, consisted of eight weekly 45-min sessions. Qualitative and quantitative results showed positive feedback, indicating that mindfulness helps children make sense of their experiences and achieve functional post-traumatic growth. This approach is seen as a challenge to guide children toward the restoration of psychological wellbeing, which is essential for good psychological balance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Studies on the citizens’ evaluation of the government’s crisis management in the COVID-19 pandemic are almost absent. Within the frame of Semiotic Cultural Psycho-social Theory, we argue that better crisis management requires considering the expectations, value systems and questions expressed by the citizens since these criteria organize how they evaluate the actions planned to respond to “their needs”, how legitimate they consider political decisions and their attitude to complying with the measures established by the government. Objectives: This study aimed to explore, with a qualitative approach, the ways ordinary people think and make sense of how Italian institutions responded to the crisis, selected the problems to tackle, and the needs the crisis brought to the fore. Methods: An anonymous online survey was available from 21st February to 26th April 2021. Participants were asked to write about “The institutional management of the pandemic crisis …”. A total number of 374 texts were collected (respondents’ mean age = 35,87; DS = 14,14; women: 71,7%). The Automated Method for Content Analysis (ACASM) procedure was applied to the collected texts to detect the factorial dimensions underpinning (dis)similarities in the respondents’ narratives. Such factors were interpreted as the markers of latent dimensions of meanings (DS). Results: The two main DS that emerged were characterised by the pertinentization of two different focus of discourse – media communication versus the social system – and two different criteria of evaluation of the crisis management – the institutional responses to the emergency versus the kind of investment for the future. Conclusion: Throughout the narratives, two critical points emerged: the Institutions’ failure to analyse the problems’ complexity and the disparity between what has been said and done by the political system and citizens’ expectations and needs.

Abstract Background Major depressive disorder (MDD) patients not responding to two or more different antidepressant treatments are currently considered to suffer from treatment resistant depression (TRD). Recently, intranasal esketamine has been approved by both the American Food and Drug Administration and European Medicines Agency for TRD and, more recently, in moderate to severe episode of MDD, as acute short-term treatment for the rapid reduction of depressive symptoms, which, according to clinical judgement, constitute a psychiatric emergency. There is currently no indication for obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD) although recently published studies have already shown a rapid and significant reduction of OCD-like symptoms following ketamine administration. The etiology of OCD has not yet been fully elucidated but there is a growing evidence that glutamate signaling dysfunction in the cortico-striatal–thalamo-cortical circuitry plays an essential role. This case report exemplifies possible clinical effects of esketamine on both depressive and OCD symptoms. Case presentation We present the case of a 39-year-old man suffering from TRD. During the first evaluation at our clinic, he also reported the presence of OCD spectrum symptoms, causing him to perform time-consuming mental rituals due to pathological doubts regarding the relationship with his wife as well as intrusive thoughts regarding his mental conditions. He underwent psychometric evaluations, therapeutic drug monitoring analysis, and pharmacogenomic tests. The overall results helped to explain patient’s treatment-resistance. Moreover, we observed a significant reduction in both depressive and OCD symptoms after administration of esketamine. Conclusion This case underlines the importance of pharmacogenomic tests in profiling TRD patients and confirms the possible use of esketamine in the treatment of comorbid OCD.

The immune and antioxidant systems are intimately connected and their role in the etiology of major psychiatric disorders is currently under study. The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential associations between inflammatory/antioxidant peripheral markers and presence of psychotic symptoms or severity of illness in patients affected by major psychiatric disorders.One hundred and twenty-six drug-free patients were included. A blood sample was collected to measure total/B/T lymphocytes and plasma levels of albumin, total bilirubin, uric acid, C-reactive protein, and vitamins A and E. Severity of illness was assessed using psychometric scales. Groups of patients divided according to diagnosis were compared in terms of measured markers using multivariate analyses of variance (MANOVAs). Linear and logistic regression analyses were performed to investigate the potential association between markers and severity of illness or presence/absence of psychotic symptoms.Albumin plasma levels were higher in patients with substance-induced psychotic disorder (SIPD) than subjects affected by schizophrenia (F ​= ​4.923; p ​= ​0.003). Lower vitamin E (OR ​= ​0.81; p ​= ​0.014) and T lymphocyte (OR ​= ​0.99; p ​= ​0.048) plasma levels were predictive of lifetime psychotic symptoms. Lower vitamin A levels were associated with higher Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale scores (β ​= ​-24.26; p ​= ​0.029), independent of diagnosis.Patients with SIPD may be less vulnerable to oxidative stress. The severity of depressive symptoms, inversely associated with vitamin A plasma levels, is likely to be modulated by the degree of inflammation. Patients presenting with lifetime psychotic symptoms may be more vulnerable to oxidative stress and may have a higher activation of humoral immunity.