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Interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) production was evaluated in cultured peripheral blood mononuclear cells taken from patients with type B acute viral hepatitis at the onset of symptoms, at 1st and 2nd week of disease, and from healthy controls. Concanavalin A-stimulated cells cultured for 24, 48 and 72h showed significantly higher IFN-gamma levels compared to basal release in both groups, whereas no statistically significant differences were found in most experimental conditions as regard PGE2 synthesis. No differences were found in IFN-gamma production by comparing patients with acute viral hepatitis to the control group, whereas PGE2 was significantly increased during the disease. IFN-gamma and PGE2 levels did not show any significant change in acute viral hepatitis during the follow-up. A statistically significant correlation was found only in control group between IFN-gamma and PGE2 levels in unstimulated cultures. PGE2 seems to play a central role in regulating interferon production during viral infection. This may suggest a new therapeutic approach in viral hepatitis utilizing a combination of interferon and prostanoid inhibitory substances, above all in patients who do not respond to interferon therapy alone.

Purpose: Chemotherapy-induced nausea (CIN) is a relevant problem for gynaecological cancer patients. The evaluation of CIN is a key aspect in its management, along with the identification of associated risk factors. The objective of the study was to compare different measurements of nausea and to investigate personal risk factors in CIN development. Method: Eighty-one women treated for gynaecological cancers took part. The presence of CIN was evaluated using the MASCC Antiemesis Tool (MAT) and a patient’s report to clinicians at the subsequent chemotherapy cycle. Personal risk factors were assessed using the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory and a self-report questionnaire. Results: The study shows that the agreement between patients’ assessment of CIN with MAT and what they referred to clinicians was only moderate for acute nausea (Cohen’s Kappa = 0.55; p < 0.001), while good for delayed nausea (Cohen’s Kappa = 0.68; p < 0.001). At multiple logistic regression analysis, younger age, anticipatory nausea, patient medium-high expectations of CIN, and parity emerged as risk factors for the development of acute nausea (p = 0.0087, 0.0080, 0.0122 and 0.0021, respectively). Patient medium-high expectations of CIN and being single resulted to be risk factors for delayed nausea (p = 0.0397 and 0.0024, respectively). Conclusions: Our findings confirm that personal factors contribute to individual differences in the development of CIN; moreover, we highlight the importance of CIN evaluation by clinicians, underlining the need to usereliable instruments.

Purpose This research aimed to investigate the socio-demographic, clinical, and psychological variables predictive of a greater functioning and quality of life in patients with gynecological cancer after their first cycle of carboplatin and taxol-based chemotherapy. Methods The sample of the present research consisted of 104 patients. The European Organization on Research and Treatment of Cancer QLQ-C30, the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory-Form Y, and the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support were administered to each participant. Results The analyses showed that higher state anxiety levels predicted a lower role, emotional, and social functioning and a lower general quality of life. Higher trait anxiety levels and social support perceived from one’s friends predicted a greater role functioning. Similarly, having a relationship predicted a greater physical, cognitive, and social functioning. On the contrary, the presence of relapsed cancer was negatively associated with these patients’ quality of life. Conclusions The present study highlighted the importance of identifying patients at higher risk of experiencing lower levels of functioning and worse general quality of life to implement tailored interventions from the beginning of treatment, thus improving the quality of life of these patients throughout the chemotherapy treatment.

Purpose of Review We aim to provide quantitative evidence on the psychological impact of epidemic/pandemic outbreaks (i.e., SARS, MERS, COVID-19, ebola, and influenza A) on healthcare workers (HCWs). Recent Findings Forty-four studies are included in this review. Between 11 and 73.4% of HCWs, mainly including physicians, nurses, and auxiliary staff, reported post-traumatic stress symptoms during outbreaks, with symptoms lasting after 1–3 years in 10–40%. Depressive symptoms are reported in 27.5–50.7%, insomnia symptoms in 34–36.1%, and severe anxiety symptoms in 45%. General psychiatric symptoms during outbreaks have a range comprised between 17.3 and 75.3%; high levels of stress related to working are reported in 18.1 to 80.1%. Several individual and work-related features can be considered risk or protective factors, such as personality characteristics, the level of exposure to affected patients, and organizational support. Summary Empirical evidence underlines the need to address the detrimental effects of epidemic/pandemic outbreaks on HCWs’ mental health. Recommendations should include the assessment and promotion of coping strategies and resilience, special attention to frontline HCWs, provision of adequate protective supplies, and organization of online support services. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1007/s11920-020-01166-z) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.