Left-handedness is statistically linked to lifetime experimentation with illicit drugs

Handedness has been linked to an enhanced risk of alcohol abuse, while less is known about other drugs. A convenience sample of 1004 male and female Italian participants (females=58%) from the general community (18 to 65 years old: average age = 30; standard deviation = 10, median = 25) was asked about: handedness (preference in writing); lifetime use of alcohol, tobacco, and illicit drugs; levels of psychological distress, as measured by the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ); and levels of delusion proneness, as measured by the Peters et al. Delusions Inventory (PDI). Overall, 92 individuals (9.2%) were classified as left-handed, with no significant difference reported among genders. Lifetime use of illicit drugs, primarily cannabis, was reported by 20% of the sample. In a multiple logistic regression analysis, after taking into account sex, age, and caseness on GHQ and PDI, left-handed people in the sample were statistically more likely to report lifetime experimentation with heroin, ecstasy/amphetamine, and, marginally, hallucinogens, but not alcohol or tobacco. Different mechanisms might contribute to an explanation of greater lifetime experimentation with some illicit drugs among left-handed people as compared to right-handed people. However, replications with clinical samples are necessary before any definitive statements can be made.     

Expression of interleukin-15 and interleukin-15Rα in monocytes of HIV type 1-infected patients with different courses of disease progression

Interleukin-15 (IL-15) enhances the effector mechanisms of anti-HIV immune responses and thus is considered a potential adjuvant of HIV-1 vaccine. However, there are a lack of data concerning the relationships between IL-15 expression and regulation in HIV-1-infected patients and the course of disease progression. We found that IL-15, but not IL-15Rα, is expressed at significantly higher levels in the CD14(+) monocytes [stimulated or not with interferon (IFN)-γ] of long-term nonprogressors (LTNP) than in those of HIV-1 progressors or healthy controls. There was no between-group difference in the amounts of soluble IL-15 released from the cells. We also found that like the healthy controls, the LTNP expressed the IL-15 and IL-15Rα genes in a more coordinated manner than the progressors. Our findings show that there are significant differences in IL-15 expression between patients with different courses of HIV infection, and that the coordinated expression of the IL-15 and IL-15Rα genes is dysregulated in patients with progressive disease. They also provide important information concerning the mechanisms of infection and the potential use of IL-15 as a therapeutic agent.     

Post-load insulin resistance does not predict virological response to treatment of chronic hepatitis C patients without the metabolic syndrome

Background and aimThe role of insulin resistance in predicting virological response to therapy of chronic hepatitis C is debated. We assessed the association between basal (defined as homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) > 2) and post-load insulin resistance (as oral glucose insulin sensitivity index < 9.8 mg/kg/min) with the rapid and sustained virological responses in chronic hepatitis C.MethodsObservational prospective study of 124 treatment-naïve patients with chronic hepatitis C not fulfilling the metabolic syndrome criteria, adherent to a standard treatment with pegylated interferon alpha plus ribavirin.ResultsInsulin resistance was detected in 50% (by HOMA-IR) and 29% (by oral glucose insulin sensitivity index) of patients. Independent predictors of rapid virologic response were hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype 2 (odds ratio 5.66; 95% confidence interval 1.88–17.01), HCV genotype 3 (odds ratio 5.23; 95% confidence interval 1.84–14.84) and lower basal ferritin levels (odds ratio 0.99; 95% confidence interval 0.993–0.998). Independent predictors of sustained virologic response were HCV genotype 2 (odds ratio 19.54; 95% confidence interval 2.29–166.41) and HCV genotype 3 (odds ratio 3.24; 95% confidence interval 1.10–9.58). Rapid virologic response was by itself predictive of sustained virologic response (odds ratio 40.90; 95% confidence interval 5.37–311.53).ConclusionsInsulin resistance, measured by both static and dynamic methods, does not predict rapid or sustained virologic response in chronic hepatitis C patients without the metabolic syndrome.     

Outcome of patients with splanchnic venous thrombosis presenting without overt MPN: A role for the JAK2 V617F mutation re-evaluation

Introduction

Although investigation for JAK2 V617F mutation is recommended in patients presenting with splanchnic venous thrombosis (SVT), no specific clinical advice is given to SVT patients presenting without myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPN) and JAK2 V617F mutation. In MPN-free SVT patients, to investigate the clinical outcome, the clinical impact of re-evaluation for the JAK2 V617F mutation, and relationships with the occurrence and time to diagnosis of MPN.

Materials and Methods

A cohort of non-cirrhotic SVT patients, enrolled at a single centre and prospectively analyzed.

Results

In 121 SVT patients prospectively followed from 1994 to 2012, a MPN was present in 28 (23.1%). Additional 13 patients (10.7%) showed only the JAK2 V617F mutation. During the follow-up, the JAK2 V617F mutation and/or MPN were identified in 8 patients (median time of development: 21 months, range 6-120), whereas 72 remained (MPN and JAK2 V617F)-free until the end of the observation.The mortality rate was higher among patients presenting with MPN and/or the JAK2 V617F mutation than in patients who developed later or remained disease-free (p = 0.032). The thrombosis-free survival was lower in patients with (p = 0.04) or developing later MPN and the JAK2 V617F mutation (p = 0.005) than in patients (MPN and JAK2 V617F)-free. The incidence of bleeding was similar among groups.

Conclusions

MPN with or without circulating positive clones for JAK2 V617F mutation can occur long after a SVT, identifying at risk patients for new thrombotic events. If confirmed in other studies, re-evaluation for JAK2 V617F mutation may be of help in early MPN detection and clinical management of SVT patients.     

Rehabilitation of theory of mind deficit in schizophrenia: a pilot study of metacognitive strategies in group treatment

People affected by schizophrenia show major deficits in theory of mind (ToM) and in social cognition. Rehabilitation interventions based on non-social metacognitive functions are most likely to provide successful results.

Social cognition, neurocognition, clinical variables, and community functioning were assessed in 20 people with schizophrenia. Ten people were randomly assigned to a six-month rehabilitation programme based on a metacognitive strategy for a social cognition rehabilitation.

Results suggest that patients would benefit from rehabilitation in terms of their competence in social interactions.     

Food is Never Enough: Nature and Nurture's Influence on Children's Food Dose Evaluation

This study investigated whether if socioeconomic factors and\or food palatability influence food amount evaluation among children. Ninety-four children, 10–15 years old, living in Mali in Africa, and 124 living in northern Italy were asked to evaluate an amount of palatable and non palatable candies. The evaluations were compared both to the real number of candies and to that given by the other group. Both Italian and Malian children underestimated the edible candies, interestingly however Malian children did not underestimate altered candies. The data suggest that food dose underestimation is a transcultural characteristic. Evaluation of palatable food is not influenced by socio cultural factors. Underestimation could be a biological protective factor against food shortage; in case of food abundance it could play a role in onset and maintenance of obesity.     

Easier Said Than Done: The Challenge to Teach “Personal Recovery” to Mental Health Professionals Through a Short,Targeted and Structured Training Programme

This study assesses the effectiveness of our short Personal Recovery Training Program (PRTP) for mental health professionals. Fifty-two healthcare professionals from Italian mental health services and forty students in psychiatric rehabilitation completed the Recovery Knowledge Inventory (RKI) pre- and post-training, divided into two groups: the PRTP (N?=?45) and the Family Psychoeducational Training Program (FPTP; N?=?47). Participants’ understanding of personal recovery improved more significantly for those in the PRTP than for those in the FPTP group in two domains, “Roles and responsibilities” and “Non-linearity of the recovery process”; the FPTP group showed a significant improvement in the “Role of self-definition and peers in recovery” domain. Two consumers were involved in the PRTP and represented a resource to help participants understand the personal recovery process. Our findings indicate that a brief PRTP supported by consumers can improve staff and students' recovery orientation. The translation of the training into clinical practice remains unevaluated.