0000000000054896
AUTHOR
Maniaci G.
A 3-week post-weaning restricted feeding as alternative to an ad libitum antibiotic-medicated feed: Effects on growth, carcass and meat of rabbits differing in genotype and slaughter age
In this investigation, the impact of a 3-week post-weaning restricted feeding (RF) using an antibiotic-free feed, applied to rabbits from 36 to 56 days of age to preserve their health status as alternative to an ad libitum medicated feed with antibiotics (AMF), was verify in relation to rabbit genotype and slaughter age (SA). The RF and AMF treatments were compared evaluating their effects on feed intake, growth, mortality, carcass and meat quality of rabbits of two genotypes, Italian White purebred (IWP) and hybrid Hycole×IWP crossbred (HIWC), slaughtered at 78 or 92 days of age to obtain light or heavy carcasses. At 36 days of age, 256 weaned rabbits of both sexes were divided into 4 homo…
CAMBIAMENTI NEL NETWORK FUNZIONALE DELLA GRATIFICAZIONE DEI GIOCATORI D'AZZARDO PATOLOGICI: STUDIO DI RESTING STATE FMRI
Scopo Indagare i cambiamenti di connettività funzionale nei giocatori patologici (GP) rispetto ai controlli sani (CS) mediante risonanza magnetica funzionale in condizioni di resting state. Materiale e metodi 13 CS e 14 GP sono stati reclutati in questo studio (tutti maschi destrimani, non in terapia farmacologica, età media 35,96 ± 9,56). Tutti i soggetti sono stati sottoposti ad RM encefalo utilizzando uno scanner da 1,5T. I dati di attivazione delle regioni cerebrali tra loro funzionalmente collegate sono stati ottenuti utilizzando un'analisi concat-ICA. Le componenti risultanti sono state quindi confrontate tra i due gruppi. Tra queste mappe sono state prese in considerazione solo que…
Latent burnout profiles in a sample of frontline healthcare professionals after the peak of the Italian COVID-19 pandemic
Background: In Italy since February 2020, the unexpected massive afflux of COVID-19 patients exposed healthcare professionals to high work-related stress, high time pressure and increased the risk of being infected. This is the first study that aimed to investigate the psychological impact of COVID-pandemic at the end of the peak, by identifying latent burnout profiles in a sample of front-line healthcare professionals that worked in Italy during the peak of the pandemic. Methods: A total of 589 subjects filled in an online ad-hoc questionnaire and the Italian version of Maslach Burnout Inventory - Human Services Survey. Results: A higher presence of burnout profile in healthcare profession…
Effect of CSN1S1 G allele on some characteristics of milk produced by Cinisara cows
In bovine milk about 37-40% of total casein is represented by s1-casein. The CSN1S1 G allele is characterised by a less efficient protein synthesis (about 40%) compared with the other known alleles because of the insertion, in the 19th exon, of a Long Interspersed Nuclear Element relict responsible for a reduced mRNA stability. The lower proportion of s1-casein in milk is associated with faster formation, higher firmness and greater resistance to compression of the curd. The purpose of this study was to analyse the G allele distribution at the CSN1S1 locus in Cinisara breed and its influence on some milk traits. The Cinisara is a small Sicilian breed for which, recently, recovery and safe…
Perceived public stigma towards schizophrenia among healthcare students: The relationship with diagnostic labelling and contact with people with schizophrenia
Objectives This study aimed at investigating the relationship between perceived public stigma towards people with schizophrenia (PWS) and their family members in a large sample of medical and psychology students. We hypothesised that: a) schizophrenia labelling would be related to greater perceived public stigma; b) contact with PWS would be related with lower perceived stigma; c) perceived public stigma would be similar between medical and psychology students and would be higher among students attending the clinical stage compared to their pre-clinical colleagues. Methods Participants were 592 students attending either the pre-clinical or clinical stage of coursework in Medicine and Psycho…
Risk factors for internet gaming disorder in a sample of 5,979 italian online gamers.
Introduction: Online gaming is potentially harmful to a group, but not for the entire population, of online gamers. The prevalence varies by geographical areas, however, there are few Italian studies about risk factors for Internet Gaming Disorder (IGD) and its presence among non-occasional gamers. Objectives: This study aimed to describe the presence of IGD in internet gamers who participate in online communities, and how well-established risk-factors can predict it. Methods: Participants were surveyed about their playing habits and other relevant characteristics. IGDS-SF9 diagnosed IGD. TAS-20 measured alexithymia scores, i.e. Difficult in Identifying (DIF) and Describing Feelings (DDF), …
Beyond good and evil: The impact of digital environment in family life
Internet has changed the way we interact with others and has become an essential tool for daily activities. Children and adolescents are the main users of new digital technologies and their first contact with a screen happens increasingly earlier in life. Its premature use can be dangerous: technology represents a “supernormal stimulus” that can act on the brain reward circuit and affect neural development. In this article we describe the effects of technology on the brain, well-being, social and family relationships, highlighting both positive and negative ones: rather than defining a priori any type of technology as “good” or “bad”, we should consider how specific applications are used in…
Views of Schizophrenia Among Future Healthcare Professionals: Differences in Relation to Diagnostic Labelling, Causal Explanations, and Type of Academic Degree Program.
Objective: Stereotyped beliefs about schizophrenia are well-established in the society and relatively common among healthcare professionals and students. The aim of this study was to investigate the opinions about the causes, treatment, and outcome of schizophrenia among healthcare students. Method: Undergraduate nursing and psychology students completed selected items of the Opinion on Mental Illness Questionnaire after reading a clinical vignette of undiagnosed schizophrenia. Results: Students who labelled the description as schizophrenia were more pessimistic regarding full recovery from the disorder. Those who acknowledged greater relevance to biogenetic risk factors were more convinced…
Children and Families’ mental health during the first COVID-19 lockdown in Italy
Background: This study aimed to screen a wide range of emotional and behavioural variables emerging during the first COVID-19 pandemic-lockdown in a sample of parents and children, residents in the southern part of Italy, and explore which variables could predict children’s wellbeing. We hypothesised that difficulties in adapting routines to pandemic restrictions, parents’ emotional wellbeing, and attitude towards the pandemic could influence the children’s behavioural attitudes. Methods: 221 parents completed the survey and gave information about 246 children. Ad hoc questionnaires were created and then exploratory reduced in factors. Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) for pare…
Borderline Personality in Patients with Poly-Diagnoses Treated for a Bipolar Disorder
Some patients with dysphoria, explosive behaviour, or suicidal ideation, may receive a diagnosis of, and treatment for Bipolar Disorder (BD) and, not infrequently. The coexistence of these two diagnoses has been explained in different ways. Some authors include the BPD in the bipolar spectrum; others are sceptical about the existence of real comorbidity, suggesting a misdiagnosis. This study aimed to assess the personality of this group of poly-diagnosed patients (PolyD) and hypothesised they had a pathological borderline organisation. Via the administration of the Schedler Westen Assessment Procedure (SWAP-200), we compared PolyD patients with those suffering from BPD or BD only. We perfor…
Production, oxidation traits and health of dairy ewes fed diets supplemented with fungus myceliated grains.
Mushrooms contain many bioactive compounds, mainly poly- and oligosaccharides, known to have benefits for human health. Polysaccharides from mushrooms exhibited immunomodulatory, antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal properties, as well as antitumor activity. Furthermore, some mushrooms showed to have potent antioxidant properties due to the presence of phenolic acids, flavonoids, polysaccharides, carotenoids, ascorbic acid, and tocopherols. These beneficial properties of mushrooms bioactive compounds indicate their potential use as performance-enhancing natural feed additives for livestock animals. In this regard, the use of mushrooms and mushroom-derived products has largely been inves…
Prevalence and Risk Factors for Internet Gaming Disorder (IGD) in a sample of 5,979 Italian Online Gamers
Background: The prevalence of Internet Gaming Disorder (IGD) in the Italian population of gamers is unknown. Several risk factors, including time spent playing (TSP), are proposed as an epiphenomenon of emotional dysregulation. Methods: The study estimated the prevalence of IGD in at-risk Italian online gamers, and the interplay between alexithymia and other risk factors. 5,979 responders were surveyed. IGDS-SF9 estimated pathological gaming. TAS-20 measured Difficult in Identifying (DIF) and Describing Feelings (DDF), and Externally Oriented Thinking (EOT). Results: 43% of participants had pathological IGD scores. Male gender (OR=1.2, 95% C.I.=1, 1.5, p=0.019), TSP (OR=7.6, 95% C.I.=5.5, 1…