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de Chiusole D, Spinoso M, Anselmi P, Bacherini A, Balboni G, Mazzoni N, Brancaccio A, Epifania OM, Orsoni M, Giovagnoli S, Garofalo S, Benassi M, Robusto E, Stefanutti L, Pierluigi I. PsycAssist: A Web-Based Artificial Intelligence System Designed for Adaptive Neuropsychological Assessment and Training. Brain Sci 2024; 14:122. [PMID: 38391697 PMCID: PMC10886469 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci14020122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2023] [Revised: 01/15/2024] [Accepted: 01/19/2024] [Indexed: 02/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Assessing executive functions in individuals with disorders or clinical conditions can be challenging, as they may lack the abilities needed for conventional test formats. The use of more personalized test versions, such as adaptive assessments, might be helpful in evaluating individuals with specific needs. This paper introduces PsycAssist, a web-based artificial intelligence system designed for neuropsychological adaptive assessment and training. PsycAssist is a highly flexible and scalable system based on procedural knowledge space theory and may be used potentially with many types of tests. We present the architecture and adaptive assessment engine of PsycAssist and the two currently available tests: Adap-ToL, an adaptive version of the Tower of London-like test to assess planning skills, and MatriKS, a Raven-like test to evaluate fluid intelligence. Finally, we describe the results of an investigation of the usability of Adap-ToL and MatriKS: the evaluators perceived these tools as appropriate and well-suited for their intended purposes, and the test-takers perceived the assessment as a positive experience. To sum up, PsycAssist represents an innovative and promising tool to tailor evaluation and training to the specific characteristics of the individual, useful for clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Debora de Chiusole
- Department of Philosophy, Sociology, Education and Applied Psychology, University of Padua, Via Venezia 14, 35131 Padova, Italy
| | - Matilde Spinoso
- Department of Psychology "Renzo Canestrari", University of Bologna, Piazza Aldo Moro 90, 47521 Cesena, Italy
| | - Pasquale Anselmi
- Department of Philosophy, Sociology, Education and Applied Psychology, University of Padua, Via Venezia 14, 35131 Padova, Italy
| | - Alice Bacherini
- Department of Philosophy, Social Sciences and Education, University of Perugia, Piazza G. Ermini 1, 06123 Perugia, Italy
| | - Giulia Balboni
- Department of Philosophy, Social Sciences and Education, University of Perugia, Piazza G. Ermini 1, 06123 Perugia, Italy
| | - Noemi Mazzoni
- Department of Psychology "Renzo Canestrari", University of Bologna, Piazza Aldo Moro 90, 47521 Cesena, Italy
| | - Andrea Brancaccio
- Department of Philosophy, Sociology, Education and Applied Psychology, University of Padua, Via Venezia 14, 35131 Padova, Italy
| | - Ottavia M Epifania
- Department of Philosophy, Sociology, Education and Applied Psychology, University of Padua, Via Venezia 14, 35131 Padova, Italy
| | - Matteo Orsoni
- Department of Psychology "Renzo Canestrari", University of Bologna, Piazza Aldo Moro 90, 47521 Cesena, Italy
| | - Sara Giovagnoli
- Department of Psychology "Renzo Canestrari", University of Bologna, Piazza Aldo Moro 90, 47521 Cesena, Italy
| | - Sara Garofalo
- Department of Psychology "Renzo Canestrari", University of Bologna, Piazza Aldo Moro 90, 47521 Cesena, Italy
| | - Mariagrazia Benassi
- Department of Psychology "Renzo Canestrari", University of Bologna, Piazza Aldo Moro 90, 47521 Cesena, Italy
| | - Egidio Robusto
- Department of Philosophy, Sociology, Education and Applied Psychology, University of Padua, Via Venezia 14, 35131 Padova, Italy
| | - Luca Stefanutti
- Department of Philosophy, Sociology, Education and Applied Psychology, University of Padua, Via Venezia 14, 35131 Padova, Italy
| | - Irene Pierluigi
- Department of Philosophy, Social Sciences and Education, University of Perugia, Piazza G. Ermini 1, 06123 Perugia, Italy
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Orsoni M, Dubé A, Prandi C, Giovagnoli S, Benassi M, Mazzoni E, Benvenuti M. Learning Landscape in Gamification: The Need for a Methodological Protocol in Research Applications. Perspect Psychol Sci 2023:17456916231202489. [PMID: 37983480 DOI: 10.1177/17456916231202489] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2023]
Abstract
In education, the term "gamification" refers to of the use of game-design elements and gaming experiences in the learning processes to enhance learners' motivation and engagement. Despite researchers' efforts to evaluate the impact of gamification in educational settings, several methodological drawbacks are still present. Indeed, the number of studies with high methodological rigor is reduced and, consequently, so are the reliability of results. In this work, we identified the key concepts explaining the methodological issues in the use of gamification in learning and education, and we exploited the controverses identified in the extant literature. Our final goal was to set up a checklist protocol that will facilitate the design of more rigorous studies in the gamified-learning framework. The checklist suggests potential moderators explaining the link between gamification, learning, and education identified by recent reviews, systematic reviews, and meta-analyses: study design, theory foundations, personalization, motivation and engagement, game elements, game design, and learning outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Adam Dubé
- Department of Educational and Counselling Psychology, McGill University
| | - Catia Prandi
- Department of Computer Science and Engineering, University of Bologna
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Occhionero M, Tonetti L, Conca A, Giovagnoli S, Giupponi G, Zoppello M, Natale V. Activity-Based Prospective Memory in ADHD during Motor Sleep Inertia. Sensors (Basel) 2023; 23:s23115181. [PMID: 37299910 DOI: 10.3390/s23115181] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2023] [Revised: 05/25/2023] [Accepted: 05/26/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Prospective memory (PM) is essential in everyday life because it concerns the ability to remember to perform an intended action in the future. Individuals diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) often show poor performance in PM. Because age can be confounding, we decided to test PM in ADHD patients (children and adults) and healthy controls (children and adults). We examined 22 children (four females; mean age = 8.77 ± 1.77) and 35 adults (14 females; mean age = 37.29 ± 12.23) with ADHD, in addition to 92 children (57 females; mean age = 10.13 ± 0.42) and 95 adults (57 females; mean age = 27.93 ± 14.35) as healthy controls. Each participant originally wore an actigraph around the non-dominant wrist and was requested to push the event-marker at get-up time. To assess the efficiency of PM performance, we calculated the time elapsing between the end of sleep in the morning and the pushing of the event-marker button. The results showed lower PM performance in ADHD participants, regardless of age. However, the differences between ADHD and control groups were more evident in the children group. Our data seem to confirm that PM efficiency is compromised in individuals diagnosed with ADHD regardless of age, and agree with the idea of considering the PM deficit as a neuropsychological marker of ADHD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miranda Occhionero
- Department of Psychology "Renzo Canestrari", University of Bologna, 40127 Bologna, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Tonetti
- Department of Psychology "Renzo Canestrari", University of Bologna, 40127 Bologna, Italy
| | - Andreas Conca
- Division of Psychiatry, San Maurizio Hospital, 39100 Bolzano, Italy
| | - Sara Giovagnoli
- Department of Psychology "Renzo Canestrari", University of Bologna, 40127 Bologna, Italy
| | | | - Marina Zoppello
- Child Neuropsychiatry Unit, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico Mondino Foundation, 27100 Pavia, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Natale
- Department of Psychology "Renzo Canestrari", University of Bologna, 40127 Bologna, Italy
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Tonetti L, Andreose A, Bacaro V, Giovagnoli S, Grimaldi M, Natale V, Crocetti E. External validity of the reduced Morningness-Eveningness Questionnaire for Children and Adolescents: an actigraphic study. J Sleep Res 2023:e13948. [PMID: 37225252 DOI: 10.1111/jsr.13948] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2023] [Revised: 04/21/2023] [Accepted: 05/08/2023] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
The aim of this study was to examine the external validity of the reduced Morningness-Eveningness Questionnaires for Children and Adolescents, using circadian motor activity, assessed through actigraphy, as an external criterion. Overall, 458 participants (269 females), with a mean (standard deviation) age of 15.75 (1.16) years, took part in this study. Each adolescent was requested to wear the actigraph Micro Motionlogger Watch actigraph (Ambulatory Monitoring, Inc., Ardlsey, NY, USA) around the non-dominant wrist for 1 week. At the end of the actigraphic recording, participants completed the reduced Morningness-Eveningness Questionnaires for Children and Adolescents. We extracted the motor activity counts, minute-by-minute over the 24 h, to depict the 24-h motor activity pattern, and we adopted the statistical framework of functional linear modelling to examine its changes according to chronotype. According to the reduced Morningness-Eveningness Questionnaires for Children and Adolescents cut-off scores, 13.97% of participants (n = 64) belonged to the evening-types category, 9.39% (n = 43) to morning-types, while the remaining (76.64%, n = 351) to the intermediate-types category. Evening types moved significantly more than the intermediate and morning types from around 10:00 p.m. to 2:00 a.m., while the opposite pattern of results was observed around 4:00 a.m. The results highlighted a significant difference in the 24-h motor activity pattern between chronotypes, in line with the expectations based on their well-known behaviour. Therefore, this study shows that the external validity of the reduced Morningness-Eveningness Questionnaire for Children and Adolescents, established by considering motor activity (recorded through actigraphy) as an external criterion, is satisfactory.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lorenzo Tonetti
- Department of Psychology "Renzo Canestrari", University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Alice Andreose
- Department of Psychology "Renzo Canestrari", University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Valeria Bacaro
- Department of Psychology "Renzo Canestrari", University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Sara Giovagnoli
- Department of Psychology "Renzo Canestrari", University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Martina Grimaldi
- Department of Psychology "Renzo Canestrari", University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Natale
- Department of Psychology "Renzo Canestrari", University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Elisabetta Crocetti
- Department of Psychology "Renzo Canestrari", University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
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Orsoni M, Giovagnoli S, Garofalo S, Magri S, Benvenuti M, Mazzoni E, Benassi M. Preliminary evidence on machine learning approaches for clusterizing students’ cognitive profile. Heliyon 2023; 9:e14506. [PMID: 36967938 PMCID: PMC10031485 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e14506] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2022] [Revised: 02/17/2023] [Accepted: 03/09/2023] [Indexed: 03/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Assessing the cognitive abilities of students in academic contexts can provide valuable insights for teachers to identify their cognitive profile and create personalized teaching strategies. While numerous studies have demonstrated promising outcomes in clustering students based on their cognitive profiles, effective comparisons between various clustering methods are lacking in the current literature. In this study, we aim to compare the effectiveness of two clustering techniques to group students based on their cognitive abilities including general intelligence, attention, visual perception, working memory, and phonological awareness. 292 students, aged 11-15 years, participated in the study. A two-level approach based on the joint use of Kohonen's Self-Organizing Map (SOMs) and k-means clustering algorithm was compared with an approach based on the k-means clustering algorithm only. The resulting profiles were then predicted via AdaBoost and ANN supervised algorithms. The results showed that the two-level approach provides the best solution for this problem while the ANN algorithm was the winner in the classification problem. These results laying the foundations for developing a useful instrument for predicting the students' cognitive profile.
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Mondino A, Khan M, Case B, Giovagnoli S, Thomson A, Lascelles BDX, Gruen M, Olby N. Activity patterns are associated with fractional lifespan, memory, and gait speed in aged dogs. Sci Rep 2023; 13:2588. [PMID: 36788306 PMCID: PMC9929073 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-29181-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2022] [Accepted: 01/31/2023] [Indexed: 02/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Maintaining an active lifestyle is considered a hallmark of successful aging. Physical activity significantly reduces the risk of cognitive decline and Alzheimer's disease in humans. However, pain and lack of motivation are important barriers to exercise. Dogs are a remarkable model for translational studies in aging and cognition as they are prone to Canine Cognitive Dysfunction syndrome, which has many similarities with Alzheimer's disease. According to owner reports, changes in activity levels are characteristic of this syndrome, with decreased daytime activity, but also excessive pacing, especially at sleep time. We used physical activity monitors to record the activity of 27 senior dogs and evaluated the association between activity level and age, fractional lifespan, cognitive status measured by an owner questionnaire and cognitive tests. We also assessed the relationship between activity and joint/spinal pain, and the off/on leash gait speed ratio (a potential marker of gait speed reserve and motivation). We found that activity patterns in dogs are associated with fractional lifespan and working memory. Additionally, dogs with higher on/off leash gait speed are more active in the afternoon of weekdays. These results encourage future studies evaluating how physical activity can improve or delay cognitive impairment in senior dogs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alejandra Mondino
- Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA
| | - Michael Khan
- Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA
| | - Beth Case
- Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA
| | - Sara Giovagnoli
- Department of Psychology "Renzo Canestrari", University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Andrea Thomson
- Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA
| | - B Duncan X Lascelles
- Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA
- Translational Research in Pain, Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA
- Comparative Pain Research and Education Centre, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA
- Thurston Arthritis Center, UNC School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
- Department of Anesthesiology, Center for Translational Pain Research, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Margaret Gruen
- Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA
| | - Natasha Olby
- Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA.
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Sulla F, Camia M, Scorza M, Giovagnoli S, Padovani R, Benassi E. The Moderator Effect of Subthreshold Autistic Traits on the Relationship between Quality of Life and Internet Addiction. Healthcare (Basel) 2023; 11:healthcare11020186. [PMID: 36673554 PMCID: PMC9858939 DOI: 10.3390/healthcare11020186] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2022] [Revised: 12/31/2022] [Accepted: 01/04/2023] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
People with sub-threshold autistic traits (SATs) are more prone to develop addictive behaviors such the ones linked to Internet abuse. The restrictions for anti-COVID-19 distancing measures encourage social isolation and, consequently, increase screen time, which may lead to Internet addiction (IA). However, a better quality of life (QoL) may have function as a protective factor against the development of IA. This study wanted to investigate the relation between SATs, QoL, and the overuse of the Internet in a group of 141 university students in the North of Italy. Participants completed a battery of tests. Results suggest that QoL is a predictive factor of IA and that the relationship between QoL and IA is significantly moderated by SATs. This could mean that SATs might represent a risk factor for IA, even when people have a better quality of life. Differences between female and male students are discussed, as well as possible implications for practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Sulla
- Department of Human Studies, University of Foggia, 71121 Foggia, Italy
- Correspondence:
| | - Michela Camia
- Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41125 Modena, Italy
| | - Maristella Scorza
- Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41125 Modena, Italy
| | - Sara Giovagnoli
- Department of Psychology “Renzo Canestrari”, University of Bologna, 40127 Bologna, Italy
| | - Roberto Padovani
- Child and Adolescent Neuropsychiatry Service, AUSL Modena, 41124 Modena, Italy
| | - Erika Benassi
- Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41125 Modena, Italy
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Abstract
How to correctly interpret interaction effects has been largely discussed in scientific literature. Nevertheless, misinterpretations are still frequently observed, and neuroscience is not exempt from this trend. We reviewed 645 papers published from 2019 to 2020 and found that, in the 93.2% of studies reporting a statistically significant interaction effect (N = 221), post-hoc pairwise comparisons were the designated method adopted to interpret its results. Given the widespread use of this approach, we aim to: (1) highlight its limitations and how it can lead to misinterpretations of the interaction effect; (2) discuss more effective and powerful ways to correctly interpret interaction effects, including both explorative and model selection procedures. The paper provides practical examples and freely accessible online materials to reproduce all analyses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Garofalo
- Department of Psychology “Renzo Canestrari”, University of Bologna, Cesena, Italy
- * E-mail:
| | - Sara Giovagnoli
- Department of Psychology “Renzo Canestrari”, University of Bologna, Cesena, Italy
| | - Matteo Orsoni
- Department of Psychology “Renzo Canestrari”, University of Bologna, Cesena, Italy
| | - Francesca Starita
- Department of Psychology “Renzo Canestrari”, University of Bologna, Cesena, Italy
| | - Mariagrazia Benassi
- Department of Psychology “Renzo Canestrari”, University of Bologna, Cesena, Italy
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Camia M, Benassi E, Giovagnoli S, Scorza M. Specific learning disorders in young adults: Investigating pragmatic abilities and their relationship with theory of mind, executive functions and quality of life. Res Dev Disabil 2022; 126:104253. [PMID: 35526492 DOI: 10.1016/j.ridd.2022.104253] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2021] [Revised: 02/23/2022] [Accepted: 04/24/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Specific Learning Disorders (SLD) are lifelong conditions often associated with language difficulties, executive dysfunctions, and psychological problems. Previous research has shown that communicative-pragmatic ability may be impaired in SLD. However, the role of other cognitive abilities in explaining pragmatic difficulties has still not been fully investigated. The relationship between pragmatics and quality of life is not yet clear, as well. AIMS Firstly, the study assessed pragmatic comprehension abilities in adults with SLD. Secondly, we examined the relationship between pragmatics, theory of mind, executive functions and quality of life. METHOD AND PROCEDURES We enrolled 26 adults with SLD and 30 adults without SLD. Standardized tests assessing pragmatic comprehension, theory of mind and executive functions were used. The quality of life was investigated with a self-reported questionnaire. OUTCOMES AND RESULTS Pragmatic comprehension abilities were compromised in young adults with SLD. In this clinical population we also found a link between pragmatic comprehension and visual theory of mind. Finally, independently from the presence of SLD, pragmatics abilities were in relationship with quality of life. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS Overall, these data highlight the importance of including pragmatic abilities both in the clinical evaluation, as well as in psychological intervention for adults with SLD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michela Camia
- Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Campus San Lazzaro, Via Amendola 2, Reggio Emilia, Italy.
| | - Erika Benassi
- Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Campus San Lazzaro, Via Amendola 2, Reggio Emilia, Italy.
| | - Sara Giovagnoli
- Department of Psychology "Renzo Canestrari", University of Bologna, Viale Berti Pichat 5, Bologna, Italy.
| | - Maristella Scorza
- Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Campus San Lazzaro, Via Amendola 2, Reggio Emilia, Italy.
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Garofalo S, Degni LAE, Sellitto M, Braghittoni D, Starita F, Giovagnoli S, di Pellegrino G, Benassi M. Unifying Evidence on Delay Discounting: Open Task, Analysis Tutorial, and Normative Data from an Italian Sample. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2022; 19:ijerph19042049. [PMID: 35206238 PMCID: PMC8872280 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19042049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2021] [Revised: 01/27/2022] [Accepted: 02/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022]
Abstract
Despite the widespread use of the delay discounting task in clinical and non-clinical contexts, several task versions are available in the literature, making it hard to compare results across studies. Moreover, normative data are not available to evaluate individual performances. The present study aims to propose a unified version of the delay discounting task based on monetary rewards and it provides normative values built on an Italian sample of 357 healthy participants. The most used parameters in the literature to assess the delay discount rate were compared to find the most valid index to discriminate between normative data and a clinical population who typically present impulsivity issues, i.e., patients with a lesion to the medial orbitofrontal cortex (mOFC). In line with our hypothesis, mOFC patients showed higher delay discounting scores than the normative sample and the normative group. Based on this evidence, we propose that the task and indexes here provided can be used to identify extremely high (above the 90th percentile for hyperbolic k or below the 10th percentile for AUC) or low (below the 10th percentile for hyperbolic k or above the 90th percentile for AUC) delay discounting performances. The complete dataset, the R code used to perform all analyses, a free and modifiable version of the delay discounting task, as well as the R code that can be used to extract all indexes from such tasks and compare subjective performances with the normative data here presented are available as online materials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Garofalo
- Department of Psychology, University of Bologna, 47521 Cesena, Italy; (L.A.E.D.); (D.B.); (F.S.); (S.G.); (G.d.P.); (M.B.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Luigi A. E. Degni
- Department of Psychology, University of Bologna, 47521 Cesena, Italy; (L.A.E.D.); (D.B.); (F.S.); (S.G.); (G.d.P.); (M.B.)
| | - Manuela Sellitto
- Department of Comparative Psychology, Institute of Experimental Psychology, Heinrich-Heine University Düsseldorf, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany;
| | - Davide Braghittoni
- Department of Psychology, University of Bologna, 47521 Cesena, Italy; (L.A.E.D.); (D.B.); (F.S.); (S.G.); (G.d.P.); (M.B.)
| | - Francesca Starita
- Department of Psychology, University of Bologna, 47521 Cesena, Italy; (L.A.E.D.); (D.B.); (F.S.); (S.G.); (G.d.P.); (M.B.)
| | - Sara Giovagnoli
- Department of Psychology, University of Bologna, 47521 Cesena, Italy; (L.A.E.D.); (D.B.); (F.S.); (S.G.); (G.d.P.); (M.B.)
| | - Giuseppe di Pellegrino
- Department of Psychology, University of Bologna, 47521 Cesena, Italy; (L.A.E.D.); (D.B.); (F.S.); (S.G.); (G.d.P.); (M.B.)
| | - Mariagrazia Benassi
- Department of Psychology, University of Bologna, 47521 Cesena, Italy; (L.A.E.D.); (D.B.); (F.S.); (S.G.); (G.d.P.); (M.B.)
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11
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Costantini C, Pariano M, Pampalone G, Zelante T, Macchioni L, Galarini R, Costanzi E, Bellet M, Giovagnoli S, Saba J, Cellini B, Romani L. 521: Dual targeting of host and fungal sphingosine-1-phosphate lyase as antifungal strategy in cystic fibrosis. J Cyst Fibros 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/s1569-1993(21)01945-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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12
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Agostini F, Benassi M, Minelli M, Mandolesi L, Giovagnoli S, Neri E. Validation of the Italian Version of the Behavioral Inhibition Questionnaire (BIQ) for Preschool Children. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2021; 18:ijerph18115522. [PMID: 34063941 PMCID: PMC8196608 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18115522] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2021] [Revised: 05/11/2021] [Accepted: 05/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Behavioral Inhibition (BI) is a temperamental trait characterized by fear and wariness in reaction to new and unfamiliar stimuli, both social and non-social. BI has been recognized as possible forerunner of anxiety disorders, especially social anxiety and phobia; therefore, its assessment is clinically relevant. The present study aimed to examine the psychometric properties of the Italian adaptation of the Behavioral Inhibition Questionnaire (BIQ), which measures BI in preschool children. The BIQ was completed by 417 Italian parents (230 mothers, 187 fathers) of 270 preschoolers aged 3-5. Confirmatory factor analysis showed a good internal validity: the factorial structure was corresponding to the original six-factor version. Results showed excellent internal consistency, significant item-total correlations, good inter-rater reliability, convergent validity (by correlating the BIQ with the Italian Questionnaires of Temperament-QUIT, the Anxiety-Shy Conner's Scale and the Laboratory Temperament Assessment Battery) and discriminant validity (i.e., no correlation with Conners' ADHD scale). Significant correlations emerged between BI indexes and total BIQ scores of parents and maternal (but not paternal) versions of the questionnaire. Altogether, the results are promising and consistent with previous validation studies, suggesting the BIQ as a reliable and valid measure for evaluating parents' perception of BI in Italian preschoolers.
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Benassi M, Giovagnoli S, Pansell T, Mandolesi L, Bolzani R, Magri S, Forsman L, Hellgren K. Developmental trajectories of global motion and global form perception from 4 years to adulthood. J Exp Child Psychol 2021; 207:105092. [PMID: 33676115 DOI: 10.1016/j.jecp.2021.105092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2019] [Revised: 12/27/2020] [Accepted: 01/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Literature on the development of global motion and global form perception demonstrated their asynchronous developmental trajectories. However, former studies have failed to clearly establish the critical period of maturation for these specific abilities. This study aimed to analyze the developmental trajectories of global motion and global form discrimination abilities by controlling for basic visual functions and general cognitive ability and to present the global motion and global form normative scores. A sample of 456 children and adolescents (4-17 years of age) and 76 adults recruited from the Italian and Swedish general population participated in the study. Motion and form perception were evaluated by the motion coherence test and form coherence test, respectively. Raven's matrices were used to assess general cognitive ability, the Lea Hyvärinen chart test was used for full- and low-contrast visual acuity, and the TNO test was used for stereopsis. General cognitive ability and basic visual functions were strongly related to motion and form perception development. Global motion perception had an accelerated maturation compared with global form perception. For motion perception, an analysis of the oblique effect's development showed that it is present at 4 years of age. The standardized scores of global motion and form coherence tests can be used for clinical purposes.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Sara Giovagnoli
- Department of Psychology, University of Bologna, 40127 Bologna, Italy
| | - Tony Pansell
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Eye and Vision, MBC, Karolinska Institutet, 171 77 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Luca Mandolesi
- Department of Psychology, University of Bologna, 40127 Bologna, Italy
| | - Roberto Bolzani
- Department of Psychology, University of Bologna, 40127 Bologna, Italy
| | - Sara Magri
- Department of Psychology, University of Bologna, 40127 Bologna, Italy
| | - Lea Forsman
- Oregon Health Authority, Salem, OR 97301, USA
| | - Kerstin Hellgren
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Eye and Vision, MBC, Karolinska Institutet, 171 77 Stockholm, Sweden; Department of Neuropediatrics, Karolinska University Hospital, 171 64 Stockholm, Sweden
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14
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Buratta S, Shimanaka Y, Costanzi E, Ni S, Urbanelli L, Kono N, Morena F, Sagini K, Giovagnoli S, Romani R, Gargaro M, Arai H, Emiliani C. Lipotoxic stress alters the membrane lipid profile of extracellular vesicles released by Huh-7 hepatocarcinoma cells. Sci Rep 2021; 11:4613. [PMID: 33633289 PMCID: PMC7907093 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-84268-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2020] [Accepted: 02/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are well-known mediators in intercellular communication playing pivotal roles in promoting liver inflammation and fibrosis, events associated to hepatic lipotoxicity caused by saturated free fatty acid overloading. However, despite the importance of lipids in EV membrane architecture which, in turn, affects EV biophysical and biological properties, little is known about the lipid asset of EVs released under these conditions. Here, we analyzed phospholipid profile alterations of EVs released by hepatocarcinoma Huh-7 cells under increased membrane lipid saturation induced by supplementation with saturated fatty acid palmitate or Δ9 desaturase inhibition, using oleate, a nontoxic monounsaturated fatty acid, as control. As an increase of membrane lipid saturation induces endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, we also analyzed phospholipid rearrangements in EVs released by Huh-7 cells treated with thapsigargin, a conventional ER stress inducer. Results demonstrate that lipotoxic and/or ER stress conditions induced rearrangements not only into cell membrane phospholipids but also into the released EVs. Thus, cell membrane saturation level and/or ER stress are crucial to determine which lipids are discarded via EVs and EV lipid cargos might be useful to discriminate hepatic lipid overloading and ER stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandra Buratta
- Department of Chemistry, Biology and Biotechnology, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy.
| | - Y Shimanaka
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - E Costanzi
- Department of Chemistry, Biology and Biotechnology, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - S Ni
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - L Urbanelli
- Department of Chemistry, Biology and Biotechnology, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - N Kono
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - F Morena
- Department of Chemistry, Biology and Biotechnology, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - K Sagini
- Department of Chemistry, Biology and Biotechnology, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy.,Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Institute for Cancer Research, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - S Giovagnoli
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - R Romani
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - M Gargaro
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - H Arai
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan.,AMED-CREST, Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development, Tokyo, Japan
| | - C Emiliani
- Department of Chemistry, Biology and Biotechnology, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
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15
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Benvenuti M, Giovagnoli S, Mazzoni E, Cipresso P, Pedroli E, Riva G. The Relevance of Online Social Relationships Among the Elderly: How Using the Web Could Enhance Quality of Life? Front Psychol 2020; 11:551862. [PMID: 33123036 PMCID: PMC7566904 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2020.551862] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2020] [Accepted: 09/09/2020] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
This observational study analyzes the impact of Internet use on the quality of life and well-being of the elderly. Specifically, it seeks to understand and clarify the effects of Internet use on relationships in terms of self-esteem, life satisfaction, and Online and Offline Social Support in a sample of senior and elderly Italian people (over 60 years of age). A cohort of 271 elderly people (133 males and 138 females) aged between 60 and 94 years old participated in the study: 236 were Internet Users while the other 35 were Non-Internet Users. The results showed that the time elderly people spend online has a negative effect on their perception of Offline Social Support (Offline Emotional and Informational and Offline Affective Social Support) and a positive effect on their perception of Online Social Support (particularly on Online Positive Social Interactions). Surprisingly, Internet use among elderly people seems to positively affect the perception of Offline Social Support. Indeed, elderly Internet Users have a more positive perception of Offline Social Support (particularly Offline Positive Social Interactions and Offline Affective Social Support) than Non-Internet Users. A discussion of this finding is provided, positing that the Internet seems to represent the technological side of a functional organ that allows the elderly to stay in closer touch with their family and friends and in doing so to also overcome some age-related difficulties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martina Benvenuti
- Istituto per le Tecnologie Didattiche, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Genova, Italy.,Dipartimento di Psicologia, ALMA MATER STUDIORUM - Università di Bologna, Cesena, Italy
| | - Sara Giovagnoli
- Dipartimento di Psicologia, ALMA MATER STUDIORUM - Università di Bologna, Cesena, Italy
| | - Elvis Mazzoni
- Dipartimento di Psicologia, ALMA MATER STUDIORUM - Università di Bologna, Cesena, Italy
| | - Pietro Cipresso
- Applied Technology for NeuroPsychology Lab, Istituto Auxologico Italiano, Milano, Italy.,Dipartimento di Psicologia, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Milano, Italy
| | - Elisa Pedroli
- Applied Technology for NeuroPsychology Lab, Istituto Auxologico Italiano, Milano, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Riva
- Applied Technology for NeuroPsychology Lab, Istituto Auxologico Italiano, Milano, Italy.,Dipartimento di Psicologia, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Milano, Italy
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16
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Giovagnoli S, Marotta L, Magri S, Muccinelli M, Albani A, Casu G, Garofalo S, Benassi M. Preliminary Validation of the CI-FRA Checklist: A Simple Screening Tool for Measuring the Early Signs of Reading and Spelling Disorders in Italian Primary Students. Front Psychol 2020; 11:516424. [PMID: 33192761 PMCID: PMC7649278 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2020.516424] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2019] [Accepted: 09/30/2020] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Sara Giovagnoli
- Department of Psychology, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
- *Correspondence: Sara Giovagnoli,
| | | | - Sara Magri
- Department of Psychology, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Michela Muccinelli
- Azienda Unità Sanitaria Locale (AUSL) della Romagna, Emilia-Romagna, Italy
| | | | - Giulia Casu
- Department of Psychology, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Sara Garofalo
- Department of Psychology, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
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17
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Tonetti L, Martoni M, Filardi M, Fabbri M, Carissimi A, Giovagnoli S, Natale V. Variation of circadian activity rhythm according to body mass index in children. Sleep Med 2020; 74:33-38. [PMID: 32836184 DOI: 10.1016/j.sleep.2020.05.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2019] [Revised: 05/10/2020] [Accepted: 05/12/2020] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES This study aimed to examine the variations of circadian activity rhythm of children according to objective body mass index (BMI) values, using a novel statistical framework (ie, Functional Linear Modeling, FLM), separately for school- and weekend days. METHODS A total of 107 participants (60 females; mean age: 10.25 ± 0.48 years) wore an actigraph for seven days during a regular school-week. While valid actigraphic data during school days were available for each of these children, this number decreased to 53 (31 females; mean age: 10.28 ± 0.51 years) during weekend days. RESULTS Examining the school days, significantly higher motor activity in participants with higher BMI was observed from around 4:00 a.m. to 6:00 a.m., with a peak about 5:00 a.m. On the contrary, applying the FLM to the weekend days actigraphic data, no significantly different variation of circadian activity rhythm was observed, according to BMI. CONCLUSIONS In this specific sample of children, during school days, higher BMI is associated with higher activity level in a specific time window in the second half of nocturnal sleep. The lack of significant findings during weekend days could be explained because of higher variability of get-up time and/or the reduced sample size. Future longitudinal studies could explore if the higher motor activity in that specific time window qualifies as a predictive marker of the development of overweight and obesity. If so, early preventive strategies directed towards those at higher risk could be effectively implemented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lorenzo Tonetti
- Department of Psychology, University of Bologna, Viale Berti Pichat 5, 40127, Bologna, Italy.
| | - Monica Martoni
- Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine, DIMES, University of Bologna, Viale Berti Pichat 5, 40127, Bologna, Italy.
| | - Marco Filardi
- Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, DIBINEM, University of Bologna, Via Altura 3, 40139, Bologna, Italy.
| | - Marco Fabbri
- Department of Psychology, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Viale Ellittico 31, 81100, Caserta, Italy.
| | - Alicia Carissimi
- Laboratório de Cronobiologia e Sono Do Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre (HCPA), Universidade Federal Do Rio Grande Do Sul (UFRGS), Ramiro Barcelos 2350, CEP 90035-003, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil; Programa de Pós-Graduação Em Psiquiatria e Ciências Do Comportamento, Faculdade de Medicina, UFRGS, Ramiro Barcelos 2350, CEP 90035-003, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.
| | - Sara Giovagnoli
- Department of Psychology, University of Bologna, Viale Berti Pichat 5, 40127, Bologna, Italy.
| | - Vincenzo Natale
- Department of Psychology, University of Bologna, Viale Berti Pichat 5, 40127, Bologna, Italy.
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18
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Landi G, Boccolini G, Giovagnoli S, Pakenham KI, Grandi S, Tossani E. Validation of the Italian Young Carer of Parents Inventory-Revised (YCOPI-R). Disabil Rehabil 2020; 44:795-806. [PMID: 32567411 DOI: 10.1080/09638288.2020.1780478] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
Purpose: Parental illness or disability has wide ranging impacts on offspring. Due to the lack of an Italian contextually sensitive measure of youth caregiving, this study explored the factor structure, reliability, and validity of the Italian version of the Young Carer of Parents Inventory-Revised (YCOPI-R).Materials and methods: Seven hundred and seventy-four youth aged 11-24 (386 young carers and 388 young non-carers) completed a questionnaire regarding youth caregiving, parental illness, caregiving context variables, and youth adjustment.Results: The Italian YCOPI-R demonstrated good psychometric properties. Part A factor structure was replicated while two new factors emerged for Part B: Caregiving Stigma and Caregiving Resentment. Discriminant and convergent validity were evinced by differentiation between young carers and non-carers and associations between YCOPI-R factors and measures of caregiving activities and caregiving context. Predictive validity was supported as most Italian YCOPI-R factors were related to poorer youth adjustment, while Caregiving Confidence and Worry about Parents predicted higher levels of health-related quality of life.Conclusions: The Italian YCOPI-R is a psychometrically sound measure of caregiving experiences in Italian youth. Findings confirm the multidimensional nature of youth caregiving, the mix of costs and rewards associated with it, and the link between youth caregiving and diverse adjustment outcomes.Implications for rehabilitationGiven the global rise in the number of youth caring for an ill or disabled family member and the association between youth caregiving and greater risks for mental and physical health problems, elevated youth caregiving is a significant public health issue.The Italian version of the YCOPI-R is a valid and reliable measure of youth caregiving experiences in the Italian context.The Italian YCOPI-R offers a promising tool for better identifying young carers who are at risk for adverse psychosocial outcomes and in evaluating young carer support services and preventive interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulia Landi
- Laboratory of Psychosomatics and Clinimetrics, Department of Psychology, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy.,Department of Psychology, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Giada Boccolini
- Laboratory of Psychosomatics and Clinimetrics, Department of Psychology, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy.,Department of Psychology, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Sara Giovagnoli
- Department of Psychology, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | | | - Silvana Grandi
- Laboratory of Psychosomatics and Clinimetrics, Department of Psychology, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy.,Department of Psychology, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Eliana Tossani
- Laboratory of Psychosomatics and Clinimetrics, Department of Psychology, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy.,Department of Psychology, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
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19
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Benassi M, Garofalo S, Ambrosini F, Sant'Angelo RP, Raggini R, De Paoli G, Ravani C, Giovagnoli S, Orsoni M, Piraccini G. Using Two-Step Cluster Analysis and Latent Class Cluster Analysis to Classify the Cognitive Heterogeneity of Cross-Diagnostic Psychiatric Inpatients. Front Psychol 2020; 11:1085. [PMID: 32587546 PMCID: PMC7299079 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2020.01085] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2019] [Accepted: 04/28/2020] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The heterogeneity of cognitive profiles among psychiatric patients has been reported to carry significant clinical information. However, how to best characterize such cognitive heterogeneity is still a matter of debate. Despite being well suited for clinical data, cluster analysis techniques, like the Two-Step and the Latent Class, received little to no attention in the literature. The present study aimed to test the validity of the cluster solutions obtained with Two-Step and Latent Class cluster analysis on the cognitive profile of a cross-diagnostic sample of 387 psychiatric inpatients. Two-Step and Latent Class cluster analysis produced similar and reliable solutions. The overall results reported that it is possible to group all psychiatric inpatients into Low and High Cognitive Profiles, with a higher degree of cognitive heterogeneity in schizophrenia and bipolar disorder patients than in depressive disorders and personality disorder patients.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Sara Garofalo
- Department of Psychology, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | | | | | - Roberta Raggini
- AUSL della Romagna, SPDC Psychiatric Emergency Unit, Cesena, Italy
| | | | - Claudio Ravani
- AUSL della Romagna, SPDC Psychiatric Emergency Unit, Cesena, Italy
| | - Sara Giovagnoli
- Department of Psychology, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Matteo Orsoni
- Department of Psychology, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
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20
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D'Ascanio M, Castelli S, Moretta A, Salvucci C, Sglavo R, Gencarelli G, Giovagnoli S, Guerrieri G. EFFECT OF POSTURE ON HEMIDIAPHRAGMATIC PARALYSIS. Chest 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.chest.2020.05.478] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022] Open
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21
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Giovagnoli S, Mandolesi L, Magri S, Gualtieri L, Fabbri D, Tossani E, Benassi M. Internalizing Symptoms in Developmental Dyslexia: A Comparison Between Primary and Secondary School. Front Psychol 2020; 11:461. [PMID: 32265786 PMCID: PMC7105858 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2020.00461] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2019] [Accepted: 02/27/2020] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Although the relationship between developmental dyslexia (DD) and the risk of occurrence of internalizing symptomatology has been widely investigated in the extant literature, different findings have been reported. In this study, two experiments with two general purposes are presented. The first study investigates whether the differences in the severity of internalizing symptoms between DD and controls are greater in students attending secondary school than in those attending primary school. Sixty-five DD and 169 controls attending primary and secondary school took part in the first study. The diagnosis of dyslexia was obtained from standardized reading tests; internalizing symptom severity was assessed with the Self Administrated Psychiatric Scales for Children and Adolescents questionnaire. The results showed that adolescents with dyslexia had an increased level of self-perceived anxiety, depression and somatic symptoms, whereas no significant differences between DD and controls emerged in childhood. In the second study, a cohort of adolescents attending secondary school (DD = 44; controls = 51) was closely analyzed to clarify whether contextual and subjective factors could contribute toward exacerbating the risk of internalizing symptomatology at that age. Internalizing symptom severity was assessed with the Child Behavior Checklist, Youth Self Report questionnaire, decision-making factors were measured with the Melbourne Decision Making Questionnaire, and student’s quality of life was gaged using the Clipper test. The results showed that high levels of internalizing symptoms in DD were associated with a low level of self-esteem and the tendency to react to problematic situations with hyperactivation. By contrast, positive relationships with peers were associated with low symptom severity. In conclusion, the intensified internalizing symptoms that could emerge in adolescents in association with the presence of dyslexia are predicted by social protective and risk factors that are associated with symptom severity. Accordingly, the results suggest that remediation programs for dyslexia should include implementing motivation strategies, self-esteem enhancement activities and building peers networks that, starting in childhood, can prevent the appearance of internalizing symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Giovagnoli
- Department of Psychology, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Luca Mandolesi
- Department of Psychology, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Sara Magri
- Department of Psychology, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Luigi Gualtieri
- Child Neuropsychiatry Unit, Azienda Unità Sanitaria Locale (AUSL) della Romagna, Forlì-Cesena, Italy
| | - Daniela Fabbri
- Child Neuropsychiatry Unit, Azienda Unità Sanitaria Locale (AUSL) della Romagna, Forlì-Cesena, Italy
| | - Eliana Tossani
- Department of Psychology, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
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22
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Neri E, Giovagnoli S, Genova F, Benassi M, Stella M, Agostini F. Reciprocal Influence of Depressive Symptoms Between Mothers and Fathers During the First Postpartum Year: A Comparison Among Full-Term, Very Low, and Extremely Low Birth Weight Infants. Front Psychiatry 2020; 11:578264. [PMID: 33363482 PMCID: PMC7752896 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2020.578264] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2020] [Accepted: 11/02/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Perinatal depression (PND) in mothers and fathers of very low and extremely low birth weight (VLBW and ELBW) infants has not been studied extensively. In particular, no studies investigated the reciprocal influence of depressive symptoms during the first 12 months postpartum. This study aimed at exploring the impact of the severity of prematurity on maternal and paternal PND during the first postpartum year; specifically, we used an Actor-Partner Interdependence Model (APIM) to test the interdependence of both partners on depressive symptoms. Methods: A total of 177 mothers and 177 fathers were recruited, divided into 38 couples with ELBW infants, 56 with VLBW, and 83 of full-term (FT) infants. PND was evaluated by the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) at 3, 9, and 12 months postpartum (corrected age for preterm infants). Results: Maternal depressive symptoms at 3 months were positively related to those at 9 and 12 months in the 3 groups. Conversely, paternal depressive symptoms assessed at 3 months were positively related to those measured at 9 months for the ELBW group, 12 months for the VLBW group, 9 and 12 months for FT condition. Furthermore, a significantly positive partner effect was observed regarding the influence of 3 month maternal depressive symptoms on paternal depressive symptoms at 9 months, but only in the case of the VLBW group. Conclusion: Prematurity represents a very specific scenario in the transition to parenthood, leading to specific reactions in mothers and fathers, especially in high-risk conditions. Results should be deepened given the relevance of their clinical implications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erica Neri
- Department of Psychology, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Sara Giovagnoli
- Department of Psychology, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Federica Genova
- Department of Psychology, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | | | - Marcello Stella
- Padiatric and Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Maurizio Bufalini Hospital, Cesena, Italy
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23
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Tonetti L, Camilli F, Giovagnoli S, Natale V, Lugaresi A. Circadian Activity Rhythm in Early Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis. J Clin Med 2019; 8:jcm8122216. [PMID: 31847439 PMCID: PMC6947264 DOI: 10.3390/jcm8122216] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2019] [Revised: 12/09/2019] [Accepted: 12/12/2019] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
While relapsing-remitting is the most prevalent course of multiple sclerosis, the prognostic/predictive markers of the worsening of symptomatology are still debated. With reference to other diseases, the study of the circadian activity rhythm, according to the theoretical framework of the two-process model of sleep regulation and applying functional linear modeling, proved to be useful to identify a possible marker. The usefulness of the study of circadian activity rhythm in multiple sclerosis is strengthened by recent findings indicating a potential involvement of circadian factors in the multifactorial etiopathology of the disorder. The aim of the present study was to verify whether circadian activity rhythm of early relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis patients presents specific alterations, through functional linear modeling. Thirty-five relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis patients (24 females; mean age ± SD = 31.51 ± 7.74) and 35 healthy controls (24 females; mean age ± SD = 31.29 ± 8.02) were enrolled. They wore an actigraph around the non-dominant wrist for one week. Relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis patients showed a peak in motor activity around 5:00 a.m., higher than that of healthy controls. The timing of the peak in motor activity in the patients could be explained according to the hyperactive hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis and higher cortisol awakening response reported in these patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lorenzo Tonetti
- Department of Psychology, University of Bologna, Viale Berti Pichat 5, 40127 Bologna, Italy; (S.G.); (V.N.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-051-2091-878; Fax: +39-051-243-086
| | - Federico Camilli
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche e Neuromotorie, Università di Bologna, Via Altura 3A, 40139 Bologna, Italy; (F.C.); (A.L.)
| | - Sara Giovagnoli
- Department of Psychology, University of Bologna, Viale Berti Pichat 5, 40127 Bologna, Italy; (S.G.); (V.N.)
| | - Vincenzo Natale
- Department of Psychology, University of Bologna, Viale Berti Pichat 5, 40127 Bologna, Italy; (S.G.); (V.N.)
| | - Alessandra Lugaresi
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche e Neuromotorie, Università di Bologna, Via Altura 3A, 40139 Bologna, Italy; (F.C.); (A.L.)
- IRCCS Istituto delle Scienze Neurologiche di Bologna, UOSI Riabilitazione Sclerosi Multipla, Via Altura 3A, 40139 Bologna, Italy
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24
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Benassi M, Frattini D, Bolzani R, Giovagnoli S, Pansell T. Motion perception, form discrimination and visual motor integration abilities in mTBI patients. J Vis 2019. [DOI: 10.1167/19.10.278a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Tony Pansell
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet
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25
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Tossani E, Ricci Garotti MG, Mikulincer M, Giovagnoli S, Calzolari G, Landi G, Grandi S. Psychometric evaluation of the Italian version of Orbach & Mikulincer mental pain scale in a non-clinical sample. Curr Psychol 2019. [DOI: 10.1007/s12144-019-0128-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
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Benassi M, Ambrosini F, Raggini R, Sant'Angelo P, De Paoli G, Giovagnoli S, Ravani C, Piraccini G. Motion perception and form discrimination in psychiatric patients. J Vis 2018. [DOI: 10.1167/18.10.339] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
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27
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Giovagnoli S, Bolzani R, Pansell T, Benassi M. Border enhancing flicker effect in form-from-motion test. J Vis 2018. [DOI: 10.1167/18.10.294] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Tony Pansell
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, The Karolinska Institute, Stockholm
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Hardenbergh PH, Hendershott M, Giovagnoli S, Hasselbach C, Urquhart A, Nilsson RR. Abstract P5-19-06: Not presented. Cancer Res 2018. [DOI: 10.1158/1538-7445.sabcs17-p5-19-06] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
This abstract was not presented at the symposium.
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Benassi M, Bolzani R, Forsman L, Ådén U, Jacobson L, Giovagnoli S, Hellgren K. Motion Perception and Form Discrimination in Extremely Preterm School-Aged Children. Child Dev 2017; 89:e494-e506. [PMID: 28832996 DOI: 10.1111/cdev.12945] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
This population-based study evaluated motion and form perception in 71 children born extreme premature (EPT; < 27 gestational weeks), aged 6.5 years, as compared to a matched group of 79 control children born at term. Motion and form perception were evaluated by motion coherence and form coherence tests. The EPT group showed a poorer performance on both tasks as compared to the control group. However, after controlling for IQ and visual acuity, the EPT group showed only a significant deficit in motion perception. No association was found between motion perception accuracy and gestational age, previous retinopathy of prematurity, or previous intraventricular hemorrhage in the EPT group. The results highlight the long-term motion perception deficits in children born EPT.
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Mandolesi L, Hellgren K, Giovagnoli S, Pansell T, Benassi M. Typical development of Motion perception and Form discrimination abilities in children. J Vis 2016. [DOI: 10.1167/16.12.187] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
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31
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Benassi M, Pansell T, Bolzani R, Hellgren K, Mandolesi L, Giovagnoli S. Motion-from-Form perception in Scotopic and in Photopic light conditions. J Vis 2016. [DOI: 10.1167/16.12.186] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
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32
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Bartolini D, Piroddi M, Tidei C, Giovagnoli S, Pietrella D, Manevich Y, Tew KD, Giustarini D, Rossi R, Townsend DM, Santi C, Galli F. Reaction kinetics and targeting to cellular glutathione S-transferase of the glutathione peroxidase mimetic PhSeZnCl and its D,L-polylactide microparticle formulation. Free Radic Biol Med 2015; 78:56-65. [PMID: 25452145 PMCID: PMC4451065 DOI: 10.1016/j.freeradbiomed.2014.10.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2014] [Revised: 10/06/2014] [Accepted: 10/07/2014] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
Catalytic properties and cellular effects of the glutathione peroxidase (GPx)-mimetic compound PhSeZnCl or its d,l-lactide polymer microencapsulation form (M-PhSeZnCl) were investigated and compared with the prototypical Se-organic compounds ebselen and diselenide (PhSe)2. PhSeZnCl was confirmed to catalyze the ping-pong reaction of GPx with higher Vmax than ebselen and (PhSe)2, but the catalytic efficiency calculated for the cosubstrates glutathione (GSH) and H2O2, and particularly the high reactivity against thiols (lowest KM for GSH in the series of test molecules), suggested poor biological applicability of PhSeZnCl as a GPx mimetic. Cytotoxicity of PhSeZnCl was demonstrated in various cancer cell lines via increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, depletion of intracellular thiols, and induction of apoptosis. Experiments carried out in GSH S-transferase P (GSTP)-overexpressing K562 human erythroleukemia cells and in GSTP1-1-knockout murine embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) demonstrated that this cytosolic enzyme represents a preferential target of the redox disturbances produced by this Se-compound with a key role in controlling H2O2 generation and the perturbation of stress/survival kinase signaling. Microencapsulation was adopted as a strategy to control the thiol reactivity and oxidative stress effects of PhSeZnCl, then assessing applications alternative to anticancer. The uptake of this "depowered" GPx-mimetic formulation, which occurred through an endocytosis-like mechanism, resulted in a marked reduction of cytotoxicity. In MCF-7 cells transfected with different allelic variants of GSTP, M-PhSeZnCl lowered the burst of cellular ROS induced by the exposure to extracellular H2O2, and the extent of this effect changed between the GSTP variants. Microencapsulation is a straightforward strategy to mitigate the toxicity of thiol-reactive Se-organic drugs that enhanced the antioxidant and cellular protective effects of PhSeZnCl. A mechanistic linkage of these effects with the expression pattern and signaling properties of GSTP . This has overcome the GPx-mimetic paradigm proposed for Se-organic drugs with a more pragmatic concept of GSTP signaling modulators.
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Affiliation(s)
- D Bartolini
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Perugia, 06126 Perugia, Italy
| | - M Piroddi
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Perugia, 06126 Perugia, Italy
| | - C Tidei
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Perugia, 06126 Perugia, Italy
| | - S Giovagnoli
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Perugia, 06126 Perugia, Italy
| | - D Pietrella
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Perugia, 06126 Perugia, Italy
| | - Y Manevich
- Department of Cell and Molecular Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29401, USA
| | - K D Tew
- Department of Cell and Molecular Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29401, USA
| | - D Giustarini
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - R Rossi
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - D M Townsend
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29401, USA
| | - C Santi
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Perugia, 06126 Perugia, Italy
| | - F Galli
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Perugia, 06126 Perugia, Italy.
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Giovagnoli S, Mancuso F, Vannini S, Calvitti M, Piroddi M, Pietrella D, Arato I, Falabella G, Galli F, Moretti M, Neri L, Bodo M, Capitani S, Cameron D, Ricci M, Luca G, Calafiore R. Microparticle-loaded neonatal porcine Sertoli cells for cell-based therapeutic and drug delivery system. J Control Release 2014; 192:249-61. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2014.08.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2014] [Revised: 07/31/2014] [Accepted: 08/01/2014] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
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Giovagnoli S, Benassi M, Hellgren K, Forsman L, Bolzani R. The relation between acuity of the Approximate Number System and dorsal and ventral stream functions. J Vis 2014. [DOI: 10.1167/14.10.804] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
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35
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Luca G, Lilli C, Bellucci C, Mancuso F, Calvitti M, Arato I, Falabella G, Giovagnoli S, Aglietti MC, Lumare A, Muzi G, Calafiore R, Bodo M. Toxicity of cadmium on Sertoli cell functional competence: an in vitro study. J BIOL REG HOMEOS AG 2013; 27:805-816. [PMID: 24152845] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
Cadmium (Cd), an ubiquitous environmental metal, mainly used for industrial purposes, may be toxic at level of the reproductive system. Testis tubular-based Sertoli cells (SC), play a major role in constituting the blood-testis barrier and provide a unique microenvironment for the genesis and differentiation of germ cells. Hence SC strictly control sperm qualitative and quantitative parameters. We aimed to assess whether exposure to Cd would adversely affect superior mammal SC viability and function. We isolated and purified SC from pre-pubertal pig testes according to our method and incubated the retrieved cells with three different Cadmium chloride concentrations (5-10-15 microM). Parameters of SC function such as inhibin B and anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH) were depressed by Cd exposure, contrary to what observed in untreated controls. No impairment of the FSH receptor integrity on the SC, as assessed by 17-beta-estradiol production, upon stimulation with FSH, was observed in either 5 microM Cd-treated or untreated controls. Differences, on the contrary, were observed for higher Cd concentrations (10 and 15 mM), in terms of FSH receptor integrity, that was altered, as compared to untreated controls, in terms of lower production of 17-beta-estradiol. In addition, the apoptotic test showed a significant increase of early (ANNEXIN V-/Propidium Iodide+) (AV-/PI+) and late apoptotic cells (AV+/ PI+) in all Cd -treated SC conditions as compared to controls. In conclusion, the Cd -related toxicity on SC, clearly demonstrated by our study, even at low concentrations, is expected to damage spermatogenesis that directly is dependent upon retention of SC viability and function.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Luca
- Department of Experimental Medicine and Biochemical Sciences, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
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Abstract
In the last decades several cases of association between sarcoidosis and various autoimmune diseases have been described, leading us to stress the concept of a possible common genetic “soil” of predisposition. The majority of these cases were association between sarcoidosis and generalized scleroderma, but only one case of localized scleroderma and sarcoidosis. In this report, we describe a case of a female patient in which a diagnosis of pulmonary sarcoidosis and morphea was made.
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Affiliation(s)
- M. Carlesimo
- Dermatology Unit, S.Andrea Hospital, Faculty of Medicine and Psychology, University of Rome “Sapienza”, Rome
| | - A. Narcisi
- Dermatology Unit, S.Andrea Hospital, Faculty of Medicine and Psychology, University of Rome “Sapienza”, Rome
| | - D. Orsini
- Dermatology Unit, S.Andrea Hospital, Faculty of Medicine and Psychology, University of Rome “Sapienza”, Rome
| | - G. Cortesi
- Dermatology Unit, S.Andrea Hospital, Faculty of Medicine and Psychology, University of Rome “Sapienza”, Rome
| | - C. Abruzzese
- Dermatology Unit, S.Andrea Hospital, Faculty of Medicine and Psychology, University of Rome “Sapienza”, Rome
| | - S. Giovagnoli
- UOC Pneumology, S.Andrea Hospital, Faculty of Medicine and Psychology, University of Rome “Sapienza”, Rome
| | - M. Giubettini
- Department of Histopathology, S.Andrea Hospital, Faculty of Medicine and Psychology, University of Rome “Sapienza”, Rome, Italy
| | - G. Camplone
- Dermatology Unit, S.Andrea Hospital, Faculty of Medicine and Psychology, University of Rome “Sapienza”, Rome
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Nardi B, Arimatea E, Giovagnoli S, Blasi S, Bellantuono C, Rezzonico G. The Mini Questionnaire of Personal Organization (MQPO): preliminary validation of a new post-rationalist personality questionnaire. Clin Psychol Psychother 2011; 19:78-90. [PMID: 22232047 DOI: 10.1002/cpp.740] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The Mini Questionnaire of Personal Organization (MQPO) has been constructed in order to comply with the inward/outward Personal Meaning Organization's (PMO) theory. According to Nardi's Adaptive Post-Rationalist approach, predictable and invariable caregivers' behaviours allow inward focus and a physical sight of reciprocity; non-predictable and variable caregivers' behaviours allow outward focus and a semantic sight of reciprocity. METHODS The 20 items of MQPO have been selected from 29 intermediate (n = 160) and 40 initial items (n = 204). Psychometric validation has been conducted (n = 296), including Internal Validity (Item-Total Correlation; Factor Analysis), Internal Coherence by Factor Analysis, two analyses in Discriminant Validity (n = 132 and n = 80) and Reliability by Test-Retest Analysis (n = 49). All subjects have been given their written informed consent before beginning the test. RESULTS The validation of the MQPO shows that the ultimate version is consistent with its post-rationalist paradigm. Four different factors have been found, one for each PMO. Validity of the construct and the internal reliability index are satisfying (Alpha = 0.73). Moreover, the results obtained are constant (from r = 0.80 to r = 0.89). There is an adequate agreement between the MQPO scales and the clinical evaluations (72.5%), as well as an excellent agreement (80.0%) between the scores of the MQPO and those of the Personal Meaning Questionnaire. CONCLUSION The MQPO is a tool able to study personality as a process by focusing on the relationships between personality and developmental process axes, which are the bases of the PMO's theory, according to the APR approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bernardo Nardi
- Psychiatric Unit, Neurosciences Department, Polytechnic University of Marche, Ancona, Italy.
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Ruffino M, Trussardi AN, Gori S, Finzi A, Giovagnoli S, Menghini D, Benassi M, Molteni M, Bolzani R, Vicari S, Facoetti A. Attentional engagement deficits in dyslexic children. Neuropsychologia 2010; 48:3793-801. [PMID: 20833191 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropsychologia.2010.09.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2010] [Revised: 08/29/2010] [Accepted: 09/03/2010] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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Benassi M, Simonelli L, Giovagnoli S, Bolzani R. Coherence motion perception in developmental dyslexia: a meta-analysis of behavioral studies. Dyslexia 2010; 16:341-357. [PMID: 20957687 DOI: 10.1002/dys.412] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
The magnitude of the association between developmental dyslexia (DD) and motion sensitivity is evaluated in 35 studies, which investigated coherence motion perception in DD. A first analysis is conducted on the differences between DD groups and age-matched control (C) groups. In a second analysis, the relationship between motion coherence threshold and reading ability is considered. Globally, the mean effect size (ES) is moderate (d = 0.675, 2334 subjects) with a large value (d = 0.747) for the between-groups differences in motion perception and a smaller mean ES (d = 0.178) for the correlational studies. The influence on ES of the stimuli parameters and subjects age is analyzed. The number of dots, the age of the subjects, and the type of analysis (i.e. between-group or correlational) are significantly related to the ES. Looking at the ES values, a smaller number of dots constituting the stimuli are associated with larger ES and, interestingly, the children studies are associated with lower ES in comparison with the researches evaluating adults. The large ES value supports the importance of studying motion perception deficits in DD groups, consistently with the claim that dorsal impairment/noise-exclusion deficit could be one of the risk factor of reading difficulties.
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Benassi M, Giovagnoli S, Bolzani R. Explicit and implicit learning in motion discrimination tasks. J Vis 2010. [DOI: 10.1167/10.7.1155] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
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41
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Menghini D, Finzi A, Benassi M, Bolzani R, Facoetti A, Giovagnoli S, Ruffino M, Vicari S. Different underlying neurocognitive deficits in developmental dyslexia: A comparative study. Neuropsychologia 2010; 48:863-72. [PMID: 19909762 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropsychologia.2009.11.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 149] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2009] [Revised: 11/02/2009] [Accepted: 11/05/2009] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
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Ambrogi V, Perioli L, Marmottini F, Giovagnoli S, Esposito M, Rossi C. Improvement of dissolution rate of piroxicam by inclusion into MCM-41 mesoporous silicate. Eur J Pharm Sci 2007; 32:216-22. [PMID: 17826966 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejps.2007.07.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 80] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2007] [Revised: 07/26/2007] [Accepted: 07/30/2007] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
The aim of the present paper was the use of mesoporous silicate MCM-41 to increase the dissolution rate of piroxicam, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug-class II of the Biopharmaceutic Classification System. The inclusion/adsorption compound of piroxicam in MCM-41 was obtained with a drug loading of about 14%. X-ray powder diffraction and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) revealed the presence of piroxicam not arranged in crystalline form and FT-IR spectroscopy showed the presence of light interactions (hydrogen bonds) between the silicate silanols and the drug. The decrease of Brunauer, Emmett and Teller (B.E.T.) specific surface area and pore volume between free MCM-41 and the inclusion/adsorption compound was a prove of the presence of piroxicam inside the mesopores. The inclusion compound was submitted to in vitro dissolution tests and a remarkable dissolution rate improvement was observed in comparison to the crystalline drug in all tested conditions. The dissolution profile at pH 1.2 was comparable to that of the marketed product Brexin, a formulation with rapid analgesic effect onset. The improvement of dissolution rate is due to both the lack of drug in the crystalline form and to the extremely large surface area of the siliceous support. Physical stability tests of the free drug and the inclusion/adsorption complex were conducted as well over one month storage at 40 degrees C at different relative humidity.
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Affiliation(s)
- V Ambrogi
- Dipartimento di Chimica e Tecnologia del Farmaco, Via del liceo 1, Perugia, Italy.
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Parola D, Dell'Orso D, Giovagnoli S, Bianconi S, Terzano C. [The tolerability and therapeutic efficacy of rifabutin in the treatment of pulmonary tuberculosis]. Recenti Prog Med 1999; 90:254-7. [PMID: 10380552] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/12/2023]
Abstract
We treated in our unit 25 patients (15M--10F) affected by pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) with rifabutin (RBT). Chronic liver disease, multidrug-resistant TB and HIV infection were featuring the clinical history of our selected patients. The treatment was carried out using a 150 mg/day dose of RBT, or 300 mg/day in case of MDR (multiple-drug-resistance)-TB or chronic TB. Rifabutin, isoniazid, ethambutol, and a fourth anti-mycobacterium drug were used when treating MDR-TB. Chest X-ray, haematological and bacteriological tests were performed on a monthly basis during the patients' follow up. No side effects were observed; only in two cases, both females, leukopenia occurred, but was not such a reason to modify our treatment plan. As a matter of fact, RBT is well tolerated by patients and it is particularly effective in bacterial eradication. In our experience, RBT did not provide the expected results only in one patient, affected by chronic TB.
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Affiliation(s)
- D Parola
- Dipartimento di Scienze Cardiovascolari e Respiratorie, Università La Sapienza, Roma
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