In X.-W. Hou, Z.-P. Huang, S. Chen, Eur. Phys. J. D 68, 1 (2014), Hou et al. present, using Tsallis' entropy, possible generalizations of the quantum discord measure, finding original results. As for ...the mutual informations and discord, we show here that these two types of quantifiers can take negative values. In the two qubits instance we further determine in which regions they are non-negative. Additionally, we study alternative generalizations on the basis of Rényi entropies.
Consider a bipartite quantum system with at least one of its two components being itself a composite system. By tracing over part of one (or both) of these two subsystems it is possible to obtain a ...reduced (separable) state that exhibits quantum correlations even if the original state of the full system is endowed only with classical correlations. This effect, first pointed out by Li and Luo in (2008), is of considerable interest because there is a growing body of evidence suggesting that quantum correlations in non-entangled, mixed states may constitute a useful resource to implement non trivial information related tasks. Here we conduct a systematic exploration of the aforementioned effect for particular families of states of quantum systems of low dimensionality (three qubits states). In order to assess the non-classicality of the correlations of the reduced states we use an indicator of quantum correlations based upon the state disturbances generated by the measurement of local observables. We show, for a three-qubit system, that there exists a relationship between the classical mutual information of the original classically correlated states and the maximum quantum correlation exhibited by the reduced states.
This paper is devoted to the multidisciplinary modelling of a pandemic initiated by an aggressive virus, specifically the so-called SARS–CoV–
2
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome, corona virus n.
2
. ...The study is developed within a multiscale framework accounting for the interaction of different spatial scales, from the small scale of the virus itself and cells, to the large scale of individuals and further up to the collective behaviour of populations. An interdisciplinary vision is developed thanks to the contributions of epidemiologists, immunologists and economists as well as those of mathematical modellers. The first part of the contents is devoted to understanding the complex features of the system and to the design of a modelling rationale. The modelling approach is treated in the second part of the paper by showing both how the virus propagates into infected individuals, successfully and not successfully recovered, and also the spatial patterns, which are subsequently studied by kinetic and lattice models. The third part reports the contribution of research in the fields of virology, epidemiology, immune competition, and economy focussed also on social behaviours. Finally, a critical analysis is proposed looking ahead to research perspectives.
To date, very few nationwide studies addressing the way in which mental health services are addressing the current pandemics have been published. The present paper reports data obtained from a survey ...relating to the Italian mental health system conducted during the first phase of the Covid-19 epidemic.
Two online questionnaires regarding Community Mental Health Centres (CMHC) and General Hospital Psychiatric Wards (GHPW), respectively, were sent to the Heads of all Italian Mental Health Departments (MHDs). Statistical analysis was carried out by means of Chi Square test with Yates correction or the Fisher Exact test, as needed.
Seventy-one (52.9%) of the 134 MHDs and 107 (32.6%) of the 318 GHPWs returned completed questionnaires. Less than 20% of CMHCs were closed and approx. 25% had introduced restricted access hours. A substantial change in the standard mode of operation in CMHCs was reported with only urgent psychiatric interventions, compulsory treatments and consultations for imprisoned people continuing unchanged. All other activities had been reduced to some extent. Remote contacts with users had been set up in about 75% of cases. Cases of COVID positivity were reported for both staff members (approx. 50% of CHMCs) and service users (52% of CHMCs). 20% of CMHCs reported cases of increased aggressiveness or violence among community patients, although only 8.6% relating to severe cases. Significant problems emerged with regard to the availability of personal protective equipment (PPE) for staff members. A reduced number of GHPWs (- 12%), beds (approx.-30%) and admissions were registered (87% of GHPWs). An increase in compulsory admissions and the rate of violence towards self or others among inpatients was reported by 8% of GHPWs. Patient swabs were carried out in 50% of GHPWs. 60% of GHPWs registered the admission to general COVID-19 Units of symptomatic COVID+ non-severe psychiatric patients whilst COVID+ severe psychiatric patients who were non-collaborative were admitted to specifically set up "COVID-19" GHPWs or to isolated areas of the wards purposely adapted for the scope.
The pandemic has led to a drastic reduction in levels of care, which may produce a severe impact on the mental health of the population in relation to the consequences of the expected economic crisis and of the second ongoing wave of the pandemic.
The purpose of the present study was to detect demographic and clinical factors associated with lifetime suicide attempts in Bipolar Disorder (BD). A total of 1673 bipolar patients from different ...psychiatric departments were compared according to the lifetime presence of suicide attempts on demographic/clinical variables. Owing to the large number of variables statistically related to the dependent variable (presence of suicide attempts) at the univariate analyses, preliminary multiple logistic regression analyses were realized. A final multivariable logistic regression was then performed, considering the presence of lifetime suicide attempts as the dependent variable and statistically significant demographic/clinical characteristics as independent variables. The final multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that an earlier age at first contact with psychiatric services (odds ratio OR = 0.97,
p
< 0.01), the presence of psychotic symptoms (OR = 1.56,
p
< 0.01) or hospitalizations (OR = 1.73,
p
< 0.01) in the last year, the attribution of symptoms to a psychiatric disorder (no versus yes: OR = 0.71, partly versus yes OR = 0.60,
p
< 0.01), and the administration of psychoeducation in the last year (OR = 1.49,
p
< 0.01) were all factors associated with lifetime suicide attempts in patients affected by BD. In addition, female patients resulted to have an increased association with life-long suicidal behavior compared to males (OR: 1.02,
p
< 0.01). Several clinical factors showed complex associations with lifetime suicide attempts in bipolar patients. These patients, therefore, require strict clinical monitoring for their predisposition to a less symptom stabilization. Future research will have to investigate the best management strategies to improve the prognosis of bipolar subjects presenting suicidal behavior.
VGF and neuroserpin are neurosecretory proteins involved in the pathophysiology of neurodegenerative diseases. We aimed to evaluate their cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) concentrations in patients with ...Alzheimer's disease (AD) and Lewy body disease (LBD).
We measured CSF VGF AQEE peptide and neuroserpin levels in 108 LBD patients, 76 AD patients and 37 controls, and tested their associations with clinical scores and CSF AD markers.
We found decreased CSF levels of VGF AQEE in patients with LBD and dementia compared to controls (p = 0.016) and patients with AD-dementia (p = 0.011), but with significant influence of age and sex distribution. Moreover, we observed, on the one hand, a significant associations between lower VGF AQEE and neuroserpin levels and poorer cognitive performance (i.e., lower Mini-Mental State Examination scores). On the other hand, higher levels of CSF tau proteins, especially pTau181, were significantly associated with higher concentrations of VGF AQEE and neuroserpin. Indeed, LBD patients with AD-like CSF profiles, especially T+ profiles, had higher levels of VGF AQEE and neuroserpin compared to controls and LBD/T- cases.
CSF VGF AQEE and neuroserpin may show a complex relationship with cognitive decline when the levels are reduced, and with AD pathology when levels are increased. They may represent novel markers of neurosecretory impairment in neurodegenerative disorders.
•VGF and neuroserpin are neurosecretory proteins involved in different pathophysiological settings but their role in neurodeneration is poorly explored•reduced CSF VGF and neuroserpin levels were associated with the risk of dementia in both Lewy body disease (LBD) and Alzheimer's disease (AD)•CSF VGF and neuroserpin concentrations were increased in LBD with AD copathology
Ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury is an important cause of acute renal failure because of oxidative, inflammatory, and apoptotic mechanisms. The aim of the present study was to examine any possible ...protective effects of levosimendan in an in vivo pig model of renal I/R injury. In 40 anesthetized pigs (eight groups of five pigs each), I/R was induced by clamping-reopening the left renal artery. During ischemia, in three groups of pigs, levosimendan and the multiorgan preservation solution Custodiol, alone or in combination with levosimendan, were infused in the renal artery. In two other groups of animals, levosimendan in combination with Custodiol was administered after the intrarenal nitric-oxide (NO) synthase blocker N(ω)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) or the mitochondrial ATP-sensitive K(+) channel (K(ATP) channel) inhibitor 5-hydroxydecanoate (5-HD). In the other animals, saline, L-NAME, or 5-HD were administered alone. Throughout the experiments, urinary N-acetyl-β-glucosaminidase (NAG) release was measured, and renal function was assessed. Moreover, renal biopsy samples were taken for the detection of apoptosis and tissue peroxidation. In pigs treated with levosimendan or the combination of levosimendan and Custodiol, NAG, peroxidation, and apoptotic markers were lower than in animals treated with Custodiol alone. In addition, renal function was better preserved, and cell survival and antioxidant systems were more activated. All beneficial effects were prevented by L-NAME and 5-HD. In conclusion, levosimendan alone or in combination with Custodiol exerted better protection against renal I/R injuries than Custodiol alone through antioxidant, antiapoptotic, and prosurvival actions depending on mitochondrial K(ATP) channels and NO-related mechanisms.
This chapter deals with the modeling and simulation of large systems of interacting entities whose microscopic state includes not only geometrical and mechanical variables (typically position and ...velocity), but also biological functions or specific activities. The main issue looks at the development of a biological mathematical theory for multicellular systems. The first part is devoted to the derivation of mathematical structures to be properly used to model a variety of biological phenomena with special focus on immune competition. Then, some specific applications are proposed referring to the competition between neoplastic and immune cells. Finally, the last part is devoted to research perspectives towards the objective of developing a mathematical-biological theory. A critique is presented of what has already been achieved towards the above target and what is still missing with special focus on multiscale systems.
Aim
The aim of the present study was to detect factors associated with duration of untreated illness (DUI) in bipolar disorder (BD).
Method
A total of 1575 patients were selected for the purposes of ...the study. Correlation analyses were performed to analyse the relation between DUI and quantitative variables. The length of DUI was compared between groups defined by qualitative variables through one‐way analyses of variance or Kruskal‐Wallis's tests according to the distribution of the variable. Linear multivariable regressions were used to find the most parsimonious set of variables independently associated with DUI: to this aim, qualitative variables were inserted with the numeric code of their classes by assuming a proportional effect moving from one class to another.
Results
An inverse significant correlation between length of DUI and time between visits in euthymic patients was observed (r = −.52, P < .001). DUI resulted to be longer in patients with: at least one lifetime marriage/partnership (P = .009), a first psychiatric diagnosis of major depressive disorder or substance abuse (P < .001), a depressive polarity of first episode (P < .001), no lifetime psychotic symptoms (P < .001), BD type 2 (P < .001), more lifetime depressive/hypomanic episodes (P < .001), less lifetime manic episodes (P < .001), presence of suicide attempts (P = .004), depressive episodes (P < .001), hypomanic episodes (P = .004), hospitalizations (P = .011) in the last year.
Conclusions
Different factors resulted to increase the length of DUI in a nationwide sample of bipolar patients. In addition, the DUI was found to show a negative long‐term effect in terms of more suicidal behaviour, more probability of hospitalization and depressive/hypomanic episodes.
Septic shock definitions are being revisited. We assess the feasibility, reliability, and validity characteristics of the current definitions and criteria of septic shock. Septic shock is ...conceptualised as cardiovascular dysfunction, tissue perfusion and cellular abnormalities caused by infection. Currently, for feasibility, septic shock is identified at the bedside by using either hypotension or a proxy for tissue perfusion/cellular abnormalities (e.g., hyperlactatemia). We propose that concurrent presence of cardiovascular dysfunction and perfusion/cellular abnormalities could improve validity of septic shock diagnosis, as we are more likely to identify a patient population with all elements of the illness concept. This epidemiological refinement should not affect clinical care and may aid study design to identify illness-specific biomarkers and interventions.
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