ABSTRACT:In this paper, we present a study on the properties of epoxy resins blended with copolyethersulfones. Several copolyethersulphones were synthesized by varying the molecular weights and the end groups. The obtained thermoplastics were then mixed with diglycidyl ether of biphenol A (DGBEA) (15% wt ratio), cured with methylene bis(2,6-diethylanine) (MDEA), and the resulting blends characterized by the use of dynamic thermal mechanical analysis (DMTA), rheometry, and fracture mechanics tests. The morphology of the blends was studied by the use of scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The different molecular weights of the copolymers had a significant effect on the rheological and thermomechanical properties of the resins, as well as the different end groups on the reaction rate and on the thermomechanical properties of the blends.

The second-to-fourth digit ratio (2D:4D) is an indirect, retrospective, non-invasive measure that correlates negatively with intrauterine exposure to testosterone. The present meta-analysis aimed to evaluate if 2D:4D differs between patients with psychiatric disorders and controls. In September 2019, we searched in Web of Knowledge, PsycINFO, Embase, and CINHAL, and retrieved 619 papers. We finally included 43 case-control studies which compared the 2D:4D ratio of patients with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) (n = 16), schizophrenia (n = 8), gender non-conformity (n = 7), addictions (n = 5), attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) (n = 4), mood disorders (n = 2), and intellectual disability (n = 1) to non-clinical controls. Meta-analyses showed that, overall, psychiatric patients had lower 2D:4D than healthy controls (n = 43, overall sample = 9,484, mean difference = −0.0056, 95% confidence interval from −0.0093 to −0.002, I 2 = 74%), with more pronounced differences in the right hand, males, and children. Considering psychiatric disorders individually, significant differences were found in the ASD, ADHD, and addictions groups, in which 2D:4D was significantly lower than healthy controls. Conversely, the right hand of males with schizophrenia showed higher 2D:4D than healthy controls. No other significant differences were detected. Although our results need to be cautiously interpreted and find limited applications in clinical practice, they may suggest that 2D:4D is altered in some psychopathological conditions, underlining the role of prenatal exposure to sex steroids in the etiology of psychiatric disorders.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the psychological impact and coping strategies experienced by depressed inpatients during the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in Italy. We recruited 75 depressed inpatients. Logistic regression was used to determine predictors of PTSD-like symptoms measured with Impact of Event Scale–Revised. Predicting variables were age, sex, the Coping Orientation to Problems Experienced subscales scores, the Anxiety Status Inventory total score, and the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 total score. The prevalence of PTSD-like stress symptoms was 41.33%. Age, social and avoidance coping strategies, and anxiety levels were significant predictors of PTSD-like symptoms. Our findings suggest that the COVID-19 pandemic in depressed inpatients is associated with PTSD-like stress symptoms, anxiety, and maladaptive coping.

IntroductionPeople with mental disorders may present impairments in cognitive and metacognitive functions. Self-reflection is the ability to reflect on oneself (specifically on one’s behavior, emotions, and thoughts) and insight is the awareness of one’s internal experience. Mindwandering (MW) is defined as the tendency to divert attention from current reality without a clearly defined intention. It can be spontaneous or deliberate. Several studies have investigated these alterations in patients with schizophrenia (SZ), while less is known for people with substance use disorder (SUD).ObjectivesThe aim of the present study was to explore self-reflection, insight and MW in a group of patients with SZ and SUD.MethodsThe Self-reflection and Insight Scale (SRIS) and the spontaneous (MW-S) and deliberate (MW-D) mindwandering scales were administered to 25 patients with SZ, 21 patients with SUD, and 21 healthy controls (HC). Linear regressions were performed to evaluate the associations between the variables under study.ResultsPreliminary data showed that SZ and SUD patients presented lower SRIS and MW values than HC. Examining MW in detail, participants with SZ reported higher scores at than MW-D, while in people with SUD, MW-D scores were higher than MW-S scores. Linear regressions revealed that MW-D was negatively associated with self-reflection in SUD; moreover, insight scores were negatively associated with MW-S in SZ.ConclusionsOur preliminary results confirm the importance of acting on the elements of metacognition in patients with mental disorders to improve the general outcome of the disease. A comprehensive therapeutic approach should include psychotherapeutic and social interventions aimed at increasing attention and introspection.Disclosure of InterestNone Declared