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Background/Aims: The surveillance of subjects at high risk for developing gastric cancer (GC) may represent an effective strategy for reducing specific morbidity and mortality. The aim of this study was to identify GC at its initial phase and to identify precancerous lesions in a group of GC high-risk subjects. Methods: We enrolled first-degree relatives of patients affected by GC who resided in a GC high-risk area (Tuscany, Central Italy). The study’s protocol included the collection of several individual measurements, including a blood sample for the determination of specific biomarkers, an upper digestive tract endoscopy with detailed gastric biopsies and Helicobacter pylori (Hp) treatment followed by a specific check. Results: We enrolled 167 subjects who were members of 128 different familial groups with GC history. We identified 1 case of initial-phase GC, 1 gastric dysplasia type II, 32 intestinal metaplasia, 10 gastric atrophy, and 21 atrophic chronic gastritis. 81 subjects were Hp-positive and underwent eradication therapy. Conclusion: This study of a GC high-risk Italian population reveals positive results in terms of population compliance, the identification of specific gastric lesions requiring close follow-up and successful therapy for Hp infection. To define future surveillance strategies, a longer follow-up of these patients is necessary.

Lyme's disease is a commonly found disorder whose etiological agent is a spirochete named Borrelia burgdorferi. Its clinical presentation is usually well known, and three stages are described. However it may present symptoms which may resemble many infectious or autoimmune diseases as well. The aim of the present study is to describe a case of first stage Lyme's disease whose main clinical picture is muscoloskeletal involvement, which may mimic dermatomyositis. Many subtle characteristics (age of onset, atypical cutaneous rash) together with the involvement of muscular masses other than scapular or pelvic ones, and the bio-humoral positivity for anti-Borrelia antibodies allowed correct diagnosis to be made. We emphasize that instrumental and invasive examinations, such as electromyography and muscular biopsy, were not diagnostic in such cases.

The research on behavior disorders (Loeber et al., 1998) shows they are characterized by the difficulty of controlling and managing emotions, and by a compromised capability of facing the external world. Trainings based on coping strategies (Meichenbaum, 1988) and emotional states' mentalization (Bateman & Fonagy, 2010) have demonstrated their effectiveness by reducing behavior issues, aggressive conducts, and by preventing substance abuse amongst adolescents. This intervention focuses on a small group of adolescents aged 14 to 17 years diagnosed with a behavior disorder; it aims at increasing the emotional and behavioral self-regulation, the abilities of identifying, validating and expressing emotions and facilitating self-control over maladaptive behavior. The intervention is divided into 14 meetings: the first session focuses on the enhancement of assertive abilities and emotions' mentalization; the second session concerns the increment of coping strategies, through the use of role playing, problem solving and circle time techniques. We will present and discuss the results regarding the growth of mental state's consciousness of one self and of others', the adoption of adaptive coping strategies and the achievement of a more adaptive behavior.

The recent research (Barkley, 1997) showed a significant relation between ADHD and difficulties in emotional regulation among primary school children. During adolescence these problems can lead to risk behaviors, such as substance abuse till increasing aggressive behaviors and even a conduct disorder (Ghanizadeh et al., 2008). This experience provides to realize a intervention about emotional and behavior regulation on two groups of primary school children between 8 and 11 years old (N 1 =4; N 2 =5) with a ADHD diagnosis. Our intervention encloses an initial assessment about the children's neuropsychological performance, a course that deals with the emotional and behavioral regulation, based on cognitive-behavioral techniques, and a final assessment to evaluate the outcomes. The effectiveness of this kind of intervention is shown by lots of researches (Kendall, 1992); so we expect that it will increase cooperation among the groups, improve the ability of emotional regulation, in particular the system frustration/aggression, and allow a better regulation of impulsive behaviors.