The present study aims to assess the relationship between consumer perception and on-farm assessment of animal welfare performed using the Animal Needs Index 35L (ANI). Two tie-stall, 2 straw yard and 2 cubicle farms were scored by trained assessors using the ANI and filmed to produce six 3.5 min videos. Each of them contained 4 clips: barn overall view, feeding, milking and individual animals. Ten untrained observers were asked to elicit terms describing how they perceived the observed farming systems to affect animal welfare using Free Choice Profiling (FCP). Data from FCP were subjected to Generalised Procrustes Analysis (GPA). GPA showed a significant consensus among observers. Observers characterised the first dimension with terms ranging from constrictive to comfortable conditions and the second one in terms of cleanliness/dirtiness. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) was conducted using the scores of the farms on the first two dimensions of GPA and the data gathered through the ANI. The first dimension of GPA (Comfortable), ANI's sheet 1 (Locomotion), sheet 2 (Social interaction) and sheet 6 (Total score) showed high loadings on the first component of PCA, whereas the second dimension of GPA (Clean), sheet 3 (Flooring) and sheet 4 (Stockmanship) were correlated with the second component of PCA. We concluded that FCP may be used to elicit lay person perception of welfare-related characteristics of dairy cattle farming systems, thus providing a tool to study the relationships between consumer perception and on-farm assessment of animal welfare.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the intra-observer repeatability of some animal-related variables which could be used in welfare-assessment protocols at farm level. Recordings were performed on seven dairy farms (four for cattle and three for buffaloes). The animals were observed on three occasions at three-week intervals. The variables collected for each animal were behaviour during milking (stepping and kicking), avoidance distance, lameness, and cleanliness. For each farm and each variable, intra-observer repeatability was computed using the Kendall coefficient of concordance (W). A ratio between the variance of the animal and the sum of the latter with the error variance was also calculated using a model of analysis of variance with one factor (animal), to give a further measure of repeatability. These two methods yielded similar results. In particular, in dairy cattle, a high repeatability for avoidance distance, stepping, lameness and cleanliness was observed, whereas for buffaloes avoidance distance and stepping were the repeatable variables.

Given the absence of a ‘Golden Standard’ for the objective determination of welfare, the collection and interpretation of data involving different parameters is essential for assessing the well-being of farm animals. The choice of parameters and the relative weights assigned to each of them are crucial for the outcome of the assessment. Both elements involve a certain degree of subjectivity. In this paper we discuss the basics of different methods used to integrate welfare parameters, focussing on the issue of scientific objectivity. We begin by addressing parameter selection, the assignment of parameter weightings or rankings and the qualifications necessary for ‘experts’ designing and applying the methodology. Five different approaches to integrating parameters are then discussed. The paper does not state a preference for any method, but aims to encourage discussion of key elements involved with the on-farm assessment of welfare.

This study aims to investigate the relationship between human behaviour, buffalo behaviour and prevalence of oxytocin injection at milking. The research was carried out on 17 buffalo farms. On each farm the stockperson's behaviour toward the buffaloes and the buffaloes' behaviour were observed during one afternoon's milking. Stockperson's behaviour was observed from collection of the animals in the waiting area to exit from the milking parlour. The following variables were recorded: number of positive, neutral and negative interactions. The number of steps and kicks were recorded from the entrance to the milking parlour to the removal of cups whenever the stockperson was less than 0.5 m from the animal. The prevalence of oxytocin injection at milking was recorded on two separate occasions with a 5-month interval to obtain a measure of the long-term consistency of this variable. Significant correlations were found between stepping and kicking, stepping and prevalence of oxytocin injection, kicking and prevalence of oxytocin injection and stockperson positive interactions and kicking. These results indicate that stockperson behaviour is related to buffalo behaviour at milking and the latter to the use of oxytocin injections. In addition, prevalence of oxytocin injection proved to be highly reliable when re-tested five months later.

Oocyte gene expression is a well controlled event that promotes gamete competence to undergo maturation, fertilization, and to support early embryo development, directly affecting reproductive outcomes. Considering that in vivo controlled ovarian stimulation or in vitro maturation (IVM) for the acquisition of mature oocytes has distinct implications for gene expression, we sought to evaluate the effects of these procedures on the expression of competence-related genes in single-cell oocytes. Healthy Nelore cows of reproductive age were synchronized to harvest in vivo matured oocytes; ovaries from slaughtered animals were used to obtain cumulus–oocyte complexes that were in vitro matured. Single-cell gene expression was performed using TaqMan Low-Density Arrays and 42 genes were evaluated. In silico analysis of protein interactions and Gene Ontology (GO) analysis was performed. Reduced gene expression was observed for 24 targets in IVM oocytes when compared with those of in vivo matured oocytes (P < 0.05). Differences ranged from 1.5-fold to 4.8-fold higher in in vivo oocytes and the BMP15 (5.28), GDF9 (6.23), NOBOX (7.25), HSPA8 (7.85) and MSX1 (11.00) showed the greatest fold increases. The strongest score of functional interactions was observed between the CDC20 and CKS2, with the differentially expressed gene CDC20 being the main marker behind GO enrichment. IVM negatively affected the expression of important genes related to oocyte competency, and showed higher expression levels in in vivo matured oocytes. In vivo controlled ovarian stimulation may be a better strategy to achieve proper oocyte competence and increase the success of assisted reproductive technologies.

While the efficacy of family psychoeducational interventions in the treatment of schizophrenia is now well documented, few data are available on its efficacy in major depression. This study aimed to verify the effectiveness of a family psychoeducational intervention according to the Falloon model on patients’ clinical status, social functioning and lifestyle and on relatives’ burden and social network.

The study was coordinated by the Department of Psychiatry of the University of Naples SUN and carried out in 7 Italian mental health centres. In each centre, 8 patients with major depression and their relatives were recruited if they fulfilled the following criteria: a) diagnosis of unipolar major depression according to the DSM-IV; b) aged between 18 and 65 years; c) in charge to the local mental health centre for at least 6 months; d) at least one depressive episode in the last two years; e) living with at least one relative aged between 18 and 70 years.

Recruited families have been randomly allocated to the experimental group, which received the psychoducational intervention for 6 months, or to the control group, which received the treatment as usual plus an informative brief intervention.

22 families have been treated with the experimental intervention and 22 with the control one. At the end of the intervention, patients’ clinical status and life-style significantly improved in the treated group, as well as family objective burden and social contacts.

Family psychoeducational intervention are useful in reducing personal and family difficulties caused by depression and in improving patients’ lifestyles.

Number and procedures of involuntary hospital admissions vary in Europe according to the different socio-cultural contexts. The European Commission has funded the EUNOMIA study in 12 European countries in order to develop European recommendations for good clinical practice in involuntary hospital admissions. The recommendations have been developed with the direct and active involvement of national leaders and key professionals, who worked out national recommendations, subsequently summarized into a European document, through the use of specific categories. The need for standardizing the involuntary hospital admission has been highlighted by all centers. In the final recommendations, it has been stressed the need to: providing information to patients about the reasons for hospitalization and its presumable duration; protecting patients’ rights during hospitalization; encouraging the involvement of family members; improving the communication between community and hospital teams; organizing meetings, seminars and focus-groups with users; developing training courses for involved professionals on the management of aggressive behaviors, clinical aspects of major mental disorders, the legal and administrative aspects of involuntary hospital admissions, on communication skills. The results showed the huge variation of involuntary hospital admissions in Europe and the importance of developing guidelines on this procedure.

Studies on the efficacy of psychoeducational family intervention in patients with depression and their relatives are scarce. the effectiveness of this intervention in major depression has not been adequately investigated, probably because it is considered to be less burdensome by mental health professionals compared to schizophrenia or bipolar disorder. This study aims to test the efficacy of a psychoeducational family intervention on: 1) clinical status and social functioning of patients with major depression; 2) family burden and social network. the study has been carried out in 7 Italian mental health centers; 8 families in each center were randomly recruited and allocated to receive a psychoeducational intervention or an informative one. Fourty-four families were examined: 22 from the experimental group and 22 from the control group. A significative reduction in symptoms (p < 0.05), social functioning (p < 0.05), practical burden (p < 0.01), psychological burden (p < 0.05), and an improvement of social contacts (p < 0.05) and of professional support (p < 0.01) have been observed in patients; a significant reduction of practical burden (p < 0,01) and an improvement of social contacts (p < 0.01) and professional support (p < 0.01) have been found in their relatives. the results of this study outline that psychoeducational family intervention is effective in reducing family burden, improving relationships between family members and alleviating family distress. This intervention should be included in the routine management of patients with depression and their relatives.

Social deprivation has been consistently found as a risk factor for the incidence of psychosis. This study aimed at investigating the effect of social deprivation on short-term outcome of patients with a recent onset of schizophrenia (< 2 years).

A social deprivation score was calculated taking into account a low/very low socio-economic status, unemployment, low school education, and living alone. Psychiatric symptoms were assessed by BPRS. Compulsory and voluntary hospitalizations, engagement with mental health services, and suicidal attempts were also considered as outcome measures.

The sample consists of 35 patients, who had a first episode of psychosis at 19.7 (±4.7) years. In the first two years of the illness, 28% of patients committed suicide attempts and 37% were hospitalized. Twenty-six per cent of the patients had high levels of social deprivation.

Patients with higher levels of social deprivation had a more acute clinical onset and a worse short-term outcome, characterized by more severe positive symptoms, an higher number of voluntary and compulsory hospitalizations, and a reduced engagement with outpatient mental health facilities. No significant differences were found as regards suicidal attempts.

These results highlight that social deprivation has a negative impact on short-term outcome of schizophrenia and on patients’ engagement with mental health services and on, and suggest the need of targeting interventions on the basis of patients’ clinical and social needs.

Coping strategies defined as the responses that individuals employ to deal with psychological stress or to react to illness in relatives, can be either emotion-focused or problem-oriented. These strategies adopted by relatives to cope with patients suffering from schizophrenia have been deeply explored, while only few data are available on coping strategies adopted by relatives of patients with affective disorders.

This study, funded by the Italian Ministry of Health and coordinated by the Department of Psychiatry of the University of Naples SUN, aims to evaluate coping strategies in relatives of patients with bipolar disorder.

Eleven mental health centers have been invitated to participate in the study. Coping strategies have been evaluated by the Family Coping Questionnaire (FCQ), whose scores range from 1 (=never) to 4 (=always).

One hundred fifty-two relatives have been recruited. They are predominantly female (59%), with 52 ( ± 13.4) years of age and 10 ( ± 3.9) years of education.

Relatives tend to use emotion-focused strategies rather than problem-oriented ones. in particular, among the former those most frequently reported are collusion (2.1 ± 0.4), coercive behaviors (2.2 ± 0.4) and spiritual help (2.0 ± 1.1).

Problem-oriented coping strategies more frequently reported are positive communication (3.1 ± 0.5), patient's social involvement (3.0 ± 0.7) and request for information (2.4 ± 1.5).

In order to improve coping strategies of relatives of patients with bipolar disorder, our research team is now conducting a study to facilitate the implementation of a psychoeducational family intervention in routine conditions.

Coercion experienced by patients with mental disorders in psychiatric wards represents a controversial and highly debated topic, in which clinical and medico-legal issues coexist. A few studies have analyzed the relationship between socio-demographic and clinical characteristics and perceived coercion during psychiatric hospital admissions.

This study, conducted within the EUNOMIA project on the evaluation of coercive measures in psychiatry in twelve European countries (Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Germany, Greece, Israel, Italy, Lithuania, Poland, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden, and United Kingdom), intended to assess:

1. 1) The clinical and socio-demographic characteristics most frequently associated with higher levels of perceived coercion at admission;

2. 2) The relationship between psychiatric symptoms and levels of perceived coercion.

Two thousand, eight hundred and fifteen patients, admitted in psychiatric wards, were consecutively recruited if they experienced high levels of perceived coercion, according to the McArthur Perceived Coercion Scale; 1997 patients have been re-assessed at three months. Perceived coercion, social functioning and psychiatric symptoms were investigated with previously validated assessment instruments.

In multivariate analyses, high levels of perceived coercion at admission were associated with legally involuntary admission, female sex, lower social functioning and positive symptoms. Perceived coercion significantly decreased at follow up. in particular, the improvement of social functioning and of positive symptoms was associated with a greater reduction of perceived coercion.

The results of this study suggest that pharmacological treatment of positive symptoms and psychosocial interventions are needed in order to improve the outcome of patients admitted to psychiatric wards.