Predicting Complicated Grief in Caregivers of End-of-Life Cancer Patients.

ObjectivesPersistent Complex Bereavement Disorder (PCBD) is an independent clinical condition characterized by a severe grief reaction lasting more than twelve months after the loss of a loved one. This study aimed to assess the rate of PCBD among caregivers of end-of-life patients. The secondary aim was to explore the role of several risk factors for PCBD, including psychosocial characteristics of both patients and caregivers, patients' dignity-related distress, attachment style, and perceived social support as well as symptoms of depression, anxiety, and perceived stress of caregivers.

The association of compassion with dignity and symptoms in end-of-life cancer patients.

Objectives: Compassion is essential in palliative care; however, there is a lack of evidence of the association between this construct and patients' dignity-related distress. The present study aimed to investigate the association between end-of-life cancer patients' sense of dignity, the level of compassion of the healthcare professionals (HCPs) noticed and perceived by the patients, and levels of compassion that HCPs felt they had toward patients, investigating through specific attitudes and behaviors. Furthermore, the relationship between compassion and patients' physical and psychological symptoms, such as levels of anxiety and depression, was also investigated.

Compassion: Learning Needs and Training Opportunities-a Survey Among Palliative Healthcare Providers in Italy.

Compassion is a key quality in palliative care; however, there is a lack of evidence of the need to discuss the theme of compassion and professionals' training in the subject. The study aimed to investigate the knowledge of the construct of a sample of Italian healthcare professionals (HCPs) working in palliative care. In addition, their learning needs and training opportunities were explored.

[Microbiological quality of seaside sands: a beach in Latium].

This study is focused on the microbiological quality of a sandy beach in the coastal area around Rome, Italy. The microbiological surveys were carried out on the sands collected both on the beach and on the waterline. A low-concentration of faecal bacteria (streptococci outnumbered Escherichia coli) and a constant rate of staphylococci were detected over the sampling period.

[The marine coastal water monitoring program of the Italian Ministry of the Environment].

The Ministry of the Environment carries out marine and coastal monitoring programs with the collaboration of the coastal Regions. The program in progress (2001-2003), on the basis of results of the previous one, has identified 73 particulary significant areas (57 critical areas and 16 control areas). The program investigates several parameters on water, plancton, sediments, mollusks and benthos with analyses fortnightly, six-monthly and annual.