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Psychological distress is widespread among university students, with depression being notably more prevalent compared to the general population. University counseling services are crucial for addressing these mental health challenges, and numerous studies have demonstrated their effectiveness in reducing psychological distress and improving overall well-being. However, there is limited research on what factors predict the success of university counseling. This study aims to evaluate whether counseling improves well-being, specifically by reducing depressive symptoms, and to explore whether personality traits influence counseling outcomes. Participants included 125 Italian university students (64.8% female, mean age = 22.69; SD = 3.04) who utilized counseling services. They completed a socio-demographic questionnaire, the Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II), and the Personality Inventory for DSM-5-TR (PID-5-TR) at three points: immediately after the intake interview (T0), just before the intervention (T1), and after the fourth session (T2). Linear mixed models were used to analyze changes in depression levels, revealing a significant reduction in depressive symptoms from pre- to post-intervention. Among personality traits, only antagonism showed a significant interaction with time. Additionally, higher detachment scores were associated with higher depression levels. These findings emphasize the need for focused attention on students’ emotional issues and suggest that personality traits may influence the effectiveness of counseling.

Executive functions (EFs) are a set of high-level cognitive processes that enable children to perform a goal-directed behaviour. During the preschool years, EFs undergo significant developmental changes. Therefore, it is crucial to have reliable measures that accurately evaluate preschoolers' EFs in preschool-aged children. The present study aimed to investigate the factor structure of the Childhood Executive Functioning Inventory (CHEXI), replicating the expected two-factor model in Italian preschoolers. A total of 210 Italian parents completed an online survey on their children aged between 36 and 72 months (Mage = 54.12; SDage = 11.22; 44.3% girls). A confirmatory factor analysis confirmed the two-factor model of the CHEXI (working memory and inhibition) for Italian preschoolers, also demonstrating the invariance of the model across gender and age. Furthermore, the criterion validity of the CHEXI was established by examining correlations with the Children's Behavior Questionnaire. The present study provides evidence that the CHEXI is a valid and reliable rating measure for assessing EFs abilities of Italian preschoolers.

Abstract Introduction The COVID‐19 pandemic disproportionately affected congregate care (CC) facilities due to communal living, presence of vulnerable populations, inadequate preventive resources, and limited ability to respond to the pandemic's rapidly evolving phases. Most facilities function independently and are not organized for collaborative learning and operations. Methods We formed a learning health system of CC facilities in our 14‐county metropolitan region, coordinated with public health and health care sectors, to address challenges driven by COVID‐19. A CC steering committee (SC) was formed that represented diverse institutions and viewpoints, including skilled nursing facilities, transitional care facilities, residential facilities, prisons, and shelters. The SC met regularly and was guided by situational awareness and systems thinking. A regional CC COVID‐19 dashboard was developed based on publicly available data and weekly data submitted by participating facilities. Those experiencing outbreaks or supply shortages were quickly identified. As the pandemic progressed, the role of the SC shifted to address new and forecasted needs. Results Over 60 facilities participated in data sharing. The SC shared new guidelines, regulations, educational material, and best practices with the participating facilities. Information about testing sites, supplies, vaccination rollout, and facilities that had the capacity to accept COVID‐19 patients was regularly disseminated. The SC was able to direct resources to those facilities experiencing outbreaks or supply shortages. Conclusions A novel learning health system of regional CC facilities enabled preparedness, situational awareness, collaboration, and rapid dissemination of best practices across pandemic phases. Such collaborative efforts can play an important role in addressing other public and preventive health challenges.

University dropout represents a serious problem across the world. Past research has suggested the merits of studying both additive and multiplicative effects among the variables that affect the intention to drop out. In the present study, we tested the potential moderating effect of friendships at university, on both the association between self-regulated learning self-efficacy and intention to drop out and the associations between different motivations for attending university and intention to drop out. A sample of 404 Italian university students (M.sup.age = 21.83; SD = 2.37) completed an online questionnaire. The outcomes showed that having friends at university was a protective factor in the relationship between self-regulated learning self-efficacy and intention to drop out. Students with a high number of university friends and low self-efficacy were less likely to intend to drop out than students with few university friends and low self-efficacy. Thus, having friends at university appears to protect students from developing the intention to drop out., Author(s): Mara Morelli [sup.1] , Antonio Chirumbolo [sup.2] , Roberto Baiocco [sup.3] , Elena Cattelino [sup.4] Author Affiliations: (1) grid.7841.a, Department of Dynamic and Clinical Psychology, and Health Studies, Sapienza [...]

In this article, we conceptualize a new construct named “ductility” and propose a measurement instrument. We examine psychometric properties—the factorial validity and reliability of the Ductility Scale in Italy. The results of exploratory factor analysis showed that the scale has a two-factor structure, namely, individual and organizational ductility. The scale reliability was excellent for both dimensions (individual ω = 0.82; organizational ω = 0.85). The participants were employees from private and public organizations (n = 466). We tested the construct validity of the Ductility Scale. The invariance of the measurement model tested via multigroup confirmative factor analysis showed that the Ductility Scale was invariant across gender. In addition, we found ductility to be positively related to proactive personality and work engagement. These preliminary results show that the Ductility Scale is a reliable and valid measure. In addition, our findings illustrate the potential usefulness of the ductility construct via the newly developed scale.

Abstract TiO2–Ag doped nanoparticulate (TiO2–Ag–NP) adhesive photocatalytic films were used to assess the ability in dropping down the burden of indoor microbial particles. The application of an easy-to use photocatalytic adhesive film to cleanse indoor living spaces from microbial pollution, represents a novelty in the field of photocatalytic devices. Reduction was attained by photocatalysis in selected spaces, usually with overcrowding (≥ 3 individuals) in the common working daily hours, and upon indoor microclimate monitoring. TiO2–Ag doped nanoparticulate (TiO2–Ag–NP) adhesive photocatalytic films were applied within five types of living spaces, including schools and job places. The microbial pollution was assessed at time 0 (far from routine clean, ≥ 9 h) and throughout 2–4 weeks following the photocatalyst application by relative light unit (RLU) luminometry and microbial indirect assessment (colony forming units per cubic meter, CFU/m3). TiO2–Ag–NP photocatalyst reduced RLU and CFU/m3 by rates higher than 70% leading to RLU ≤ 20 and microbial presence ≤ 35 CFU/m3. The described TiO2–Ag–NP is able to reduce microbial pollution to the lowest RLU threshold (≤ 20) within 60 min in open daylight in a standardized test room of 100 m2. The correlation between RLU and CFU/m3 was positive (r = 0.5545, p

Previous research highlighted the significant role of locus of control in predicting academic achievement and dropout, emphasizing the need for reliable measures to identify factors that foster academic success. This study aimed to develop an academic locus of control (ALoC) measure. Participants were 432 Italian university students (69 males, 363 females) pursuing bachelor’s (N = 339) and master’s (N = 123) degrees in Italy. The ALoC scale resulted in two factors, internal (6 items) and external ALoC (12 items), which demonstrated satisfactory dimensionality and invariance across students’ gender and attending degree. Internal and external ALoC were, respectively, negatively, and positively associated with academic dropout. This study confirmed the importance of locus of control for academic achievement, suggesting that university programs should address students’ personal sense of failure while promoting a sense of mastery and responsibility for academic outcomes.

According to the triangular love theory, this study investigated the roles of three components of love (i.e., passion, intimacy, commitment) and the moderating role of conflicts in predicting different forms of sexting (i.e., experimental, nonconsensual, under pressure) in teen dating relationships. Participants were 409 adolescents (M[subscript age] = 17.20, SD[subscript age] = 1.61; 62.6% girls) who completed an online questionnaire. Three moderated regressions were performed. Conflicts positively predicted all forms of sexting. Passion positively predicted experimental sexting. Intimacy negatively predicted experimental and nonconsensual sexting, and positively predicted sexting under pressure. Three interaction effects emerged, pointing out the moderating role of conflicts. Passion positively predicted nonconsensual sexting in the presence of high conflicts, while this relationship became negative when conflicts were low. Commitment negatively predicted nonconsensual sexting and sexting under pressure in the presence of high conflicts, but these relationships were not significant when conflicts were low. Research and applicative implications are discussed.

Depression is the most prevalent mental disorder in the world associated with huge socio-economic consequences. While depressive-related symptoms are well known, the molecular mechanisms underlying disease pathophysiology and progression remain largely unknown. The gut microbiota (GM) is emerging as a key regulator of the central nervous system homeostasis by exerting fundamental immune and metabolic functions. In turn, the brain influences the intestinal microbial composition through neuroendocrine signals, within the so-called gut microbiota-brain axis. The balance of this bidirectional crosstalk is important to ensure neurogenesis, preserve the integrity of the blood-brain barrier and avoid neuroinflammation. Conversely, dysbiosis and gut permeability negatively affect brain development, behavior, and cognition. Furthermore, although not fully defined yet, changes in the GM composition in depressed patients are reported to influence the pharmacokinetics of common antidepressants by affecting their absorption, metabolism, and activity. Similarly, neuropsychiatric drugs may shape in turn the GM with an impact on the efficacy and toxicity of the pharmacological intervention itself. Consequently, strategies aimed at re-establishing the correct homeostatic gut balance (i.e., prebiotics, probiotics, fecal microbiota transplantation, and dietary interventions) represent an innovative approach to improve the pharmacotherapy of depression. Among these, probiotics and the Mediterranean diet, alone or in combination with the standard of care, hold promise for clinical application. Therefore, the disclosure of the intricate network between GM and depression will give precious insights for innovative diagnostic and therapeutic approaches towards depression, with profound implications for drug development and clinical practice.

Background. Ozone is an allotrope of oxygen whose use in medicine has rapidly grown in recent years. Ozonated blood allows for the use of ozone in a safe modality, as plasma and blood cells are endowed with an antioxidant system able to quench ozone’s pro-oxidant property and to elicit the Nrf2/Kwap1/ARE pathway. Methods. We present two clinical studies, a case-series (six patients) observational study adopting ozone as a major autohemotherapy and topical ozone to address infected post-surgical wounds with multi-drug resistant bacteria and an observational study (250 patients) using ozonated blood for treating knee osteoarthritis. Results. Ozonated blood via major autohemotherapy reduced the extent of infections in wounds, reduced the inflammatory biomarkers by more than 75% and improved patients’ QoL, whereas ozonated blood via minor autohemotherapy improved significantly (p < 0.001) WOMAC and Lequesne’s parameters in knee osteoarthritis. Conclusions. The models described, i.e., ozone autohemotherapy in wound antimicrobial treatment and ozonated blood in knee osteoarthrosis, following our protocols, share the outstanding ability of ozone to modulate the innate immune response and address bacterial clearance as well as inflammation and pain.

Intimate partner violence is an important public health problem. Cyber dating violence (CDV) is a form of intimate partner violence perpetrated within a dating relationship via new communication technologies. This study investigated the moderating roles of hostile and benevolent sexism in the relationship between problematic pornography use and CDV perpetration. The Cyber Pornography Use Inventory, the Cyber Dating Violence Inventory, and the Ambivalent Sexism Inventory were completed by 421 Italian adolescents (M = 16.53; females = 63.7%). Results indicated that problematic pornography use was positively related to CDV perpetration. In addition, the relationship between problematic pornography use and CDV perpetration was found to be moderated by hostile sexism. In participants with low levels of hostile sexism, the relationship between problematic pornography use and CDV perpetration was not significant. Conversely, in those with high levels of hostile sexism, this relationship was stronger and significant. Benevolent sexism was not found to be a moderator in the relationship between problematic pornography use and CDV perpetration. Thus, hostile sexism could be a risk factor for the relationship between adolescents' problematic pornography use and their engagement in CDV. Conversely, low levels of hostile sexism could be a protective factor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Psychological distress is widespread among university students, with depression being notably more prevalent compared to the general population. University counseling services are crucial for addressing these mental health challenges, and numerous studies have demonstrated their effectiveness in reducing psychological distress and improving overall well-being. However, there is limited research on what factors predict the success of university counseling. This study aims to evaluate whether counseling improves well-being, specifically by reducing depressive symptoms, and to explore whether personality traits influence counseling outcomes. Participants included 125 Italian university students (64.8% female, mean age = 22.69; SD = 3.04) who utilized counseling services. They completed a socio-demographic questionnaire, the Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II), and the Personality Inventory for DSM-5-TR (PID-5-TR) at three points: immediately after the intake interview (T0), just before the intervention (T1), and after the fourth session (T2). Linear mixed models were used to analyze changes in depression levels, revealing a significant reduction in depressive symptoms from pre- to post-intervention. Among personality traits, only antagonism showed a significant interaction with time. Additionally, higher detachment scores were associated with higher depression levels. These findings emphasize the need for focused attention on students' emotional issues and suggest that personality traits may influence the effectiveness of counseling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of natural bioactive constituents from various food sources for anticancer purposes has become increasingly popular worldwide. Broccoli (Brassica oleracea var. italica) is on the top of the consumed vegetables by the masses. Its raw matrix contains a plethora of phytochemicals, such as glucosinolates and phenolic compounds, along with rich amounts of vitamins, and minerals. Consumption of broccoli-derived phytochemicals provides strong antioxidant effects, particularly due to its sulforaphane content, while modulating numerous molecules involved in cell cycle regulation, control of apoptosis, and tuning enzyme activity. Thus, the inclusion of broccoli in the daily diet lowers the susceptibility to developing cancers. Numerous studies have underlined the undisputable role of broccoli in the diet as a chemopreventive raw food, owing to the content in sulforaphane, an isothiocyanate produced as a result of hydrolysis of precursor glucosinolates called glucoraphanin. This review will provide evidence supporting the specific role of fresh florets and sprouts of broccoli and its key bioactive constituents in the prevention and treatment of different cancers; a number of studies carried out in the in vitro and in vivo conditions as well as clinical trials were analyzed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]