ABSTRACT
Introduction: Experiential training groups are a well-known training tool used in professions based on relationship, empathy and understanding of the other. These groups have different names in the literature such as "experiential training groups," "growth groups," or "personal development groups". The literature showed that experiential training groups promote the students' personal and professional development (Chang et al., 2017), increased trainees' interpersonal and communication skills, personal and interpersonal awareness and the ability to empathize with their future clients (Pamukcu, 2022;McMahon and Rodillas, 2020;Ieva et al., 2009;Smith & Davis-Gage, 2008). However, there are still few studies that have analyzed the direct experiences of individuals in this group setting and identified the salient variables that may impact participants' experience (Goodrich, 2008). Moreover, there have been many online group experiences during the COVID-19 outbreak, but few studies have evaluated its effectiveness. Method(s): This work aims to explore the experiences of 357 students (87% female, mean age=24.1 years) following a bachelor or master program in clinical psychology who participated in 22 experiential training groups as part of their degree requirements. Data were collected between 2019 and 2022 through self-reports that investigated awareness of feelings about self and others (SAQ;Grant & Franklin, 2002), capacity of mentalization (MentS;Dimitrijevi et al., 2017), student's self-disclosure and well-being (PGWBI, Lundgren-Nilsson et al., 2013). Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, 12 groups (46.9% of students) took place online;the remaining were in presence, and all groups lasted 7 sessions. Result(s): Preliminary analyses showed moderate-to-high correlations between the studied variables (.14 - .45), and pre-post comparisons showed non-significant changes in self-awareness (t=.67, p=n.s.), well-being (t=.12, p=n.s.) and mentalization (t=1.80, p=n.s.). However, a very interesting result concerns the comparison of online and face-to-face groups, since in the latter, students showed a significant increase in the ability to mentalize the other (t=2.62, p< .01) while in online groups, this change is not observed (t=.56, p=n.s.). Further results will be presented and discussed. Conclusion(s): The findings from this study highlight challenges of participation to growth groups online and the main differences between the outcomes achieved online and in face-to-face settings. The implications for training practice are discussed.
ABSTRACT
The transition of many educational activities from in-presence to online, due to the Covid-19 emergency, has caused various difficulties to students, especially with regards to maintaining concentration. Even and especially in online mode, it is thus important to pay attention to the interaction with participants. In this context, the Department of Mathematics and Physics of Roma Tre University has proposed a series of activities dedicated to schools that have proven to be able to guarantee the engagement of the participants, also thanks to the game-based learning platform Kahoot!. © 2022 Societa Italiana di Fisica. All rights reserved.
ABSTRACT
The transition of teaching activities to online mode, forced by the Covid-19 emergency, had also positive aspects, as it pushed to create new contents and use new approaches. An example is represented by our experience at the Department of Mathematics and Physics of Roma Tre University, where we had to revolutionize an activity we carried on countless times over the years: the guided visit to our astronomical garden, the AstroGarden. In this paper, we analyze the new approach we used especially regarding the activities with the so-called oriented globe, the different audiences we reached and the positive feedback we received. © 2022 Societa Italiana di Fisica. All rights reserved.
ABSTRACT
Background: Although the respiratory tract is the initial site of infection for SARS-CoV-2, coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) can affect multiple organ systems with devastating consequences. Acute kidney injury (AKI) has emerged as a leading cause of morbidity, affecting more than a third of adult patients hospitalized with COVID-19. SARS-CoV-2 infection is believed to cause AKI through different mechanisms, including interaction with the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptor, cytokine storm, hemodynamic compromise, and direct viral infection of kidney cells. A major barrier to studying the kidney as a potential site of viral infection and replication is the limited availability of fresh kidney tissue from human subjects. To overcome this limitation, we assessed the presence of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in urine of critically ill COVID-19 patients. Methods: Fifty-two sequential urine and nasal swab specimens were collected from 18 patients (median (IQR) age 57 (50-62) years) hospitalized in the intensive care unit (ICU) with COVID-19. We performed single genome amplification and sequence analysis of the full-length SARS-CoV-2 spike gene to determine the frequency of genetic mutations in urine compared to those amplified from nasal swabs. Results: Forty single genome SARS-CoV-2 spike sequences were amplified in urine samples from four of the ten patients that developed AKI. Analysis of these sequences revealed that deletions and mutations of the SARS-CoV-2 furin-cleavage site (RRAR) were the predominant mutations observed in urine-derived viral RNA (30/40). For 3 of the 4 patients the corresponding nasal swabs were negative for SARS-CoV-2, suggesting that these patients were shedding viral RNA in urine but had cleared the infection in the respiratory tract. None of the 15 nasal swab sequences derived from the fourth patient had deletions or mutations in the furin-cleavage site. Conclusion: Our study identified unique mutations/deletions in the SARS-CoV-2 spike gene amplified from urine samples of critically ill COVID-19 patients. Notably, these mutations/deletions have been infrequently observed in SARS-CoV-2 genome sequences from respiratory tract samples deposited in the publicly available databases but have been reported to occur after passaging the virus in the African green monkey kidney cell line, Vero-E6, raising the possibility of SARS-CoV-2 renal tropism or cell/organ specific selection of viral variants. Our data provide in vivo evidence of a phenomenon previously reported only in vitro.
ABSTRACT
Introduction: Checkpoint inhibitors have recently been established as first-line treatment for metastatic NSCLC. Notably, a phenomenon known as immunosenescence, i.e. the progressive remodeling of the immune system with aging, as well as the inflammatory status, may interfere with the activity of PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors. Although frail and older patients represent a major fraction of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients in routine clinical practice, this population is still underrepresented in most clinical trials. Thus, clinical evidence about tolerability and efficacy of these novel agents in the elder and frail population is urgently required. Methods/Design: DURATION (NCT03345810) is a prospective, open label, treatment stratified, randomized, multicenter phase II study. The protocol foresaw the enrollment of 200 patients diagnosed with stage IV NSCLC ≥70 years old and/or with Charlson-Comorbidity Index > 1 and/ or with a performance status ECOG > 1. Patients were stratified according to Cancer and Age Research Group (CARG) score in 'fit' and 'less fit'. Patients were then randomized 1:1 to receive either CT or two cycles of CT followed by two cycles of durvalumab and durvalumab maintenance. Details are shown in figure 1. The primary endpoint is the rate of treatment-related grade III/IV adverse events. Secondary endpoints are progression-free survival, response rate and overall survival and quality of life assessment. The trial is accompanied by a biomaterial repository to explore potential biomarkers. Results: The last patient was enrolled in January 2021. Forty-nine, 48, 51, and 52 patients were allocated to arm A, arm B, arm C, and arm D, respectively. Currently, 145 patients have completed the study, 13 patients are under treatment (12 in total in durvalumab-maintenance arms and 1 in the CT arm), while 42 are in follow-up. Conclusions: Inspite of the COVID-19 pandemic, the DURATION trial successfully completed the planned enrollment of 200 patients, underlying the urgent need for evidence of efficacy and tolerability of immunotherapy in the challenging population of frail and elderly patients.