0000000000443673
AUTHOR
A. Mulè
Acetaldehyde effects in the brain
The effects of alcohol have been widely studied during the past century as alcohol abuse is a major health problem in Western society. In the last years, a growing body of evidence indicates that acetaldehyde, the first oxidation product of ethanol, is one of the mediators of peripheral and central effects of ethanol. Indeed, acetaldehyde has been recently taken into account as the mediator of the rewarding properties of alcohol. The role of acetaldehyde in ethanol-related properties has been proved by enzymatic manipulation studies in which the inactivation of acetaldehyde potentially synthesized in the brain produces the same results as blocking the formation of acetaldehyde by inhibiting…
Extramedullary plasmacytoma of the tonsil: A new management
Introduction: Extramedullary plasmacytoma (EMP) is a rare tumor of all plasma cell neoplasms. The tumor is mainly localized in the head and neck region, but rarely involving the tonsil. Case presentation: The authors report the 5th case of EMP of the tonsil in the literature occurred in a 57-year-old Caucasian male. Conclusions: Through a review of the relevant literature, we consider adjuvant radiotherapy not necessary for EMP of tonsil because of an adequate resection achieved by surgery.
Validation of the Italian version of the Devaluation consumers' Scale and the Devaluation Consumers Families Scale
Objectives This study aimed to assess the psychometric properties of the Italian versions of the Devaluation of Consumers Scale (DCS) and the Devaluation of Consumer Families Scale (DCFS), twoshort-scales examining public stigma towards people with mental disorders and their relatives. Methods The scales were administered to 117 individuals with a clinical diagnosis of affective or non-affective psychoses (ICD 10 criteria F20-29, F30-33). Translation procedures were carried out according to accepted standards. Internal reliability was assessed using Cronbach’s alpha coefficient. Convergent validity was evaluated in terms of correlation with the Global Functioning Scale (GAF) and with the Qu…
Internet out of control: The role of self-esteem and personality traits in pathological internet use
Objective: Young people seem particularly likely to develop pathological Internet use (PIU) with the use of social networks, chat, and videos. Sensation-seeking, neuroticism, introversion, and low self-esteem are personality features frequently associated with the disease. The aim of this study was to replicate and to extend previous findings by exploring the combined effect of personality traits and self-esteem on PIU. Method: A sample of 652 male students attending vocational technical schools in Palermo (Southern Italy) was assessed using the following measures: the Zuckerman-Kuhlman Personality Questionnaire to evaluate personality traits; the Multidimensional Self-Concept Scale to asse…
Association between sleep-disordered breathing and hearing disorders: Clinical observation in Sicilian patients
Introduction: To examine the putative association between Sleep-Disordered breathing and hearing disorders Material and methods: 120 Sicilian subjects ranging from 14 to 85 years of age who were divided in 46 cases suffering from tinnitus (G1 group) and 74 controls (G2 group) were evaluated through STOP BANG screening questionnaire and Four-Variable Screening Tool; after Data collecting each subject underwent Audiological assessment by multi-frequency audiometry (PTA) and Transient-evoked otoacoustic emissions (TEOAE-diagnostic) for each ear. Results: Cases showed: PTA significantly severe than the control group (58.70% vs. 16.89% hearing loss; P<0.001), such as a lower signal-to-noise r…
Upper respiratory tract infections in children: From case history to management
Respiratory tract infections are the most common diseases in childhood. The respiratory tract, widely branched system of ducts, is particularly exposed to the action of microorganisms transmitted by air from here the high frequency of infections they face especially in the first years of life. It is usual distinguish: upper respiratory tract infections (URTI) and lower respiratory tract infections (LRTI). In particular, in infections of the upper airways, the inflammatory process, result of the interaction between microbes and the immune response, can be localized to the mucosa of the nose or sinuses (common cold and sinusitis), or the pharynx or larynx (pharyngotonsillitis and laryngitis) …
Quality of life, alexithymia, and defence mechanisms in patients affected by breast cancer across different stages of illness
Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of alexithymia and defence mechanisms on the quality of life of patients affected by breast cancer at different stages of the disease. Methods A convenience sample of 110 patients with breast cancer was involved in the study: 41 were receiving adjuvant chemotherapyafter surgery, 29 had disease-free survival in follow-up and 40 were receiving chemotherapy for metastatic disease. Quality of life, alexithymia and defence mechanisms were assessed using the following instruments: EORTC QLQ-C30-BR23, Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20) and Defense Mechanism Inventory (DMI). Results Compared to the other groups, patients receiving chemoth…