Reducing State and Trait Anxiety Through Art Therapy in Adolescents with Eating Disorders: Results from a Pilot Repeated-Measures Study.

Art therapy is increasingly recognized as a valuable complementary intervention for individuals with eating disorders (EDs), who frequently experience comorbid anxiety and difficulties with emotional regulation. However, few studies have examined its short-term effects on state and trait anxiety within structured clinical settings. This pilot study involved 19 adolescent females (mean age 17.

Precision medicine for depression: Improving treatment response and remission.

This review synthesises current knowledge to improve understanding of the pathophysiology of major depressive disorder (MDD) and optimise diagnostic, therapeutic and prognostic approaches. It examines the interplay between genetic, epigenetic, inflammatory, neurotransmitter and gut microbiome factors, together with environmental stressors and different clinical symptom presentations, in shaping MDD presentation and treatment response. Studies have revealed potential biomarkers predictive of treatment response, allowing differentiation of MDD subtypes and facilitating remission monitoring.

Chronotype and substance use disorder: A systematic review with meta-analysis on the impact of circadian misalignment on psychopathology and clinical course.

Circadian rhythms regulate essential biological functions such as sleep, hormonal secretion, mood regulation, and reward processing. Individual differences in circadian preference, known as chronotype, may influence the risk of developing psychiatric disorders. Specifically, evening preference has been associated with emotional dysregulation, impulsive behavior, and increased reward sensitivity, which are key factors in the development and maintenance of substance-related disorders.

Psychiatric Implications of Genetic Variations in Oligodendrocytes: Insights from hiPSC Models.

Oligodendrocyte precursor cells (OPCs) are a dynamic and heterogeneous population of glial cells essential for brain development and myelination. Beyond their well-established role in oligodendrogenesis, emerging evidence suggests that OPCs contribute to synaptic regulation, neuronal communication, and brain plasticity. Recent studies have increasingly implicated OPC dysfunction in the pathophysiology of psychiatric disorders, particularly schizophrenia (SCZ), bipolar disorder (BD), and major depressive disorder (MDD).

Palmitoylethanolamide: A Multifunctional Molecule for Neuroprotection, Chronic Pain, and Immune Modulation.

Palmitoylethanolamide (PEA) is an endogenous lipid mediator belonging to the N-acyl-ethanolamine family, widely recognized for its multifaceted effects on neuroprotection, chronic pain management, and immune modulation. As a naturally occurring compound, PEA plays a crucial role in maintaining homeostasis under conditions of cellular stress and inflammation. Its pharmacological effects are primarily mediated through peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-alpha (PPAR-α) activation, alongside indirect modulation of cannabinoid receptors CB1 and CB2, as well as interactions with novel targets such as GPR55 and TRPV1.

Neuroimaging and machine learning in eating disorders: a systematic review.

Purpose: Eating disorders (EDs), including anorexia nervosa (AN), bulimia nervosa (BN), and binge eating disorder (BED), are complex psychiatric conditions with high morbidity and mortality. Neuroimaging and machine learning (ML) represent promising approaches to improve diagnosis, understand pathophysiological mechanisms, and predict treatment response. This systematic review aimed to evaluate the application of ML techniques to neuroimaging data in EDs.

Case Report: The intersection of psychiatry and medicine: diagnostic and ethical insights from case studies.

The intersection of psychiatry and medicine presents unique diagnostic and ethical challenges, particularly for conditions involving significant brain-body interactions, such as psychosomatic, somatopsychic, and complex systemic disorders. This article explores the historical and contemporary issues in diagnosing such conditions, emphasizing the fragmentation of medical and psychiatric knowledge, biases in clinical guidelines, and the mismanagement of complex illnesses. Diagnostic errors often arise from insufficient integration between general medicine and psychiatry, compounded by the reliance on population-based guidelines that neglect individual patient needs.

Exploring the COVID-19 pandemic's influence on eating disorders: insights from an Italian residential center.

Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted global mental health, exacerbating the prevalence and severity of Eating Disorders (EDs). This study evaluates changes in the presentation and severity of EDs before and after the pandemic at the Regional Residential Center "Mariconda" in Salerno.

Methods: This retrospective cohort study analyzed records from 162 patients admitted to the center between December 2018 and December 2023.

Presence of Psychotic Spectrum Symptoms Before Age 12 in Schizophrenia Patients: A Retrospective Study on Clinical Implications for Early Detection and Intervention.

: Schizophrenia is a severe psychiatric disorder, with onset typically occurring in late adolescence or early adulthood. Early identification of psychotic symptoms, especially those occurring before age 12, has been linked to better long-term outcomes. This study aims to assess the presence of psychotic spectrum symptoms before the age of 12 in adult schizophrenia patients and explore their clinical implications for early detection and intervention.

The Challenging Scenario of Cancer Treatment for People with HIV: Clinical Experience with Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors.

Over the past decade, there has been a notable increase in the utilization of immune checkpoint inhibitors in cancer care, transforming the therapeutic landscape for several types of solid tumors. This development has not only expanded the indications for treatment but has also significantly influenced management strategies and prognostic outcomes for specific subsets of cancer patients. In contrast to the general population of cancer patients, individuals diagnosed with both HIV and cancer encounter significant differences in treatment approaches and outcomes.

Whole-genome sequencing characterisation of a new KPC-245 variant-carrying Klebsiella pneumoniae strain isolated from a transplanted patient and resistant to ceftazidime/avibactam, meropenem/vaborbactam and imipenem/relebactam.

Objective: In recent decades, the increasing prevalence of multidrug-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae carbapenemase (KPC)-carrying K. pneumoniae (KPC-Kp) has become a worldwide public concern. Herein, we characterised a ceftazidime/avibactam (CAZ/AVI), meropenem/vaborbactam (MER/VAB) and imipenem/relebactam (IMI/REL)-resistant KPC-Kp strain isolated from a critically ill transplant patient.

Impact of sex and complex PTSD comorbidity on pharmacological treatment response in bipolar disorder patients.

Background: The prevalence of bipolar disorder (BD) is similar in men and women. However, factors such as sex and comorbid psychiatric conditions can influence its clinical presentation and treatment outcomes, including complex PTSD (cPTSD), a newly categorized trauma-related condition. Little is known about how sex and cPTSD comorbidity affect the response to mood stabilizers, a cornerstone treatment for BD.

Proximity-based solutions for optimizing autism spectrum disorder treatment: integrating clinical and process data for personalized care.

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) affects millions of individuals worldwide, presenting challenges in social communication, repetitive behaviors, and sensory processing. Despite its prevalence, diagnosis can be lengthy, and access to appropriate treatment varies greatly. This project utilizes the power of Artificial Intelligence (AI), particularly Machine Learning (ML) and Deep Learning (DL), to improve Autism Spectrum Disorder diagnosis and treatment.

Decoding neural circuit dysregulation in bipolar disorder: Toward an advanced paradigm for multidimensional cognitive, emotional, and psychomotor treatment.

Bipolar disorder (BD) is characterized by a complex constellation of emotional, cognitive, and psychomotor disturbances, each deeply intertwined with underlying dysfunctions in large-scale brain networks and neurotransmitter systems. This manuscript integrates recent advances in neuroimaging, neuromodulation, and pharmacological research to provide a comprehensive view of BD's pathophysiology, emphasizing the role of network-specific dysfunctions and their clinical manifestations. We explore how dysregulation within the fronto-limbic network, particularly involving the prefrontal cortex (PFC) and amygdala, underpins the emotional instability that defines both manic and depressive episodes.

A rare case of malignant melanoma presenting as anterior-superior mediastinal mass.

Mediastinum, as site for malignant melanoma, is extremely rare, both as a primary or metastatic lesion. We present an extremely rare case of primary melanoma presenting as an anterior-superior mediastinal mass in a 65 years-old woman who went to the hospital for neurological symptoms due to unknown metastatic brain melanomas.

Digital Interventions for the Rehabilitation of First-Episode Psychosis: An Integrated Perspective.

Background: The integration of digital health technologies has transformed mental healthcare, particularly for young adults with First-Episode Psychosis (FEP). Digital interventions, such as telepsychiatry and mobile applications, address barriers like social stigma, restricted access to services, and the urgency of timely care.

Methods: A systematic literature review was conducted using PubMed and APA PsycINFO.

Decoding Schizophrenia: How AI-Enhanced fMRI Unlocks New Pathways for Precision Psychiatry.

Schizophrenia, a highly complex psychiatric disorder, presents significant challenges in diagnosis and treatment due to its multifaceted neurobiological underpinnings. Recent advancements in functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and artificial intelligence (AI) have revolutionized the understanding and management of this condition. This manuscript explores how the integration of these technologies has unveiled key insights into schizophrenia's structural and functional neural anomalies.

Collaborative Outcomes Study on Health and Functioning During Infection Times (COH-FIT): Global and Risk-Group Stratified Course of Well-Being and Mental Health During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Adolescents.

Objective: To identify the COVID-19 pandemic impact on well-being/mental health, coping strategies, and risk factors in adolescents worldwide.

Method: This study was based on an anonymous online multi-national/multi-language survey in the general population (representative/weighted non-representative samples, 14-17 years of age), measuring change in well-being (World Health Organization-Five Well-Being Index [WHO-5]/range = 0-100) and psychopathology (validated composite P-score/range = 0-100), WHO-5 <50 and <29, pre- vs during COVID-19 pandemic (April 26, 2020-June 26, 2022). Coping strategies and 9 a priori- defined individual/cumulative risk factors were measured.

Metabolic Management Model in Psychiatric Outpatients: a Real-World Experience.

Obesity and weight gain represent a challenging issue in people suffering from schizophrenia and other severe mental illnesses (SMI). Most of clinical guidelines for the management of overweight and obesity in people with SMI share a stepwise approach starting with more conservative interventions, with diet, physical activity, lifestyle coaching and behavioral modifications. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a group weight management program in a real-world outpatient Italian setting.

An advanced Artificial Intelligence platform for a personalised treatment of Eating Disorders.

Introduction: Eating Disorders (EDs) affect individuals globally and are associated with significant physical and mental health challenges. However, access to adequate treatment is often hindered by societal stigma, limited awareness, and resource constraints.

Methods: The project aims to utilize the power of Artificial Intelligence (AI), particularly Machine Learning (ML) and Deep Learning (DL), to improve EDs diagnosis and treatment.

Role of ATG4 Autophagy-Related Protein Family in the Lower Airways of Patients with Stable COPD.

Autophagy is a complex physiological pathway mediating homeostasis and survival of cells degrading damaged organelles and regulating their recycling. Physiologic autophagy can maintain normal lung function, decrease lung cellular senescence, and inhibit myofibroblast differentiation. It is well known that autophagy is activated in several chronic inflammatory diseases; however, its role in the pathogenesis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and the expression of autophagy-related genes (ATGs) in lower airways of COPD patients is still controversial.

Optimizing and Predicting Antidepressant Efficacy in Patients with Major Depressive Disorder Using Multi-Omics Analysis and the Opade AI Prediction Tools.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), major depressive disorder (MDD) is the fourth leading cause of disability worldwide and the second most common disease after cardiovascular events. Approximately 280 million people live with MDD, with incidence varying by age and gender (female to male ratio of approximately 2:1). Although a variety of antidepressants are available for the different forms of MDD, there is still a high degree of individual variability in response and tolerability.

MiRNAs and Microbiota in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC): Implications in Pathogenesis and Potential Role in Predicting Response to ICI Treatment.

Lung cancer (LC) is one of the most prevalent cancers in both men and women and today is still characterized by high mortality and lethality. Several biomarkers have been identified for evaluating the prognosis of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients and selecting the most effective therapeutic strategy for these patients. The introduction of innovative targeted therapies and immunotherapy with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) for the treatment of NSCLC both in advanced stages and, more recently, also in early stages, has revolutionized and significantly improved the therapeutic scenario for these patients.