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Appendices forPhD thesis This repository contains all the supplementary information cited in the manuscript. Title:Phytoliths as proxies for plant water availability.An experimental approach on selected C4species and its archaeological application in drylands Author: Francesca D'Agostini Year: submitted on 21 October 2022 University Pompeu Fabra and Université de Montpellier Supervisors: Dr. Carla Lancelotti, Dr Vincent Vadez and Dr Marco Madella Contents: Chapter 5 File A5.1: the complete dataset of the experimental cultivation, including the experimental design for both seasons. File A5.2: the complete dataset of the phytolith analysis including morphometry and isotopes data. File A5.3: R scripts. File A5.3.1: the csv UTF8 (comma-delimited) files to run the code in R regarding phytoliths. File A5.3.2: the csv UTF8 (comma-delimited) files to run the code in R regarding bulliforms morphometry. File A5.3.3: the csv UTF8 (comma-delimited) files to run the code in R regarding elongates morphometry. File A5.3.4: the csv UTF8 (comma-delimited) files to run the code in R regarding stomata morphometry. File A5.3.5: the csv UTF8 (comma-delimited) files to run the code in R regarding Si isotopic analysis. File A5.3.6: the csv UTF8 (comma-delimited) files to run the code in R for the archaeological samples tested (chapter 7). File A5.3.7: the csv UTF8 (comma-delimited) files to run the code in R for modern samples used to built the model applied on archaeological samples (chapter 7). File A5.4: metadata. Chapter 6 Since it is a published article, the supplementary material is accessible open access in the article repository, referenced as in the text:https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.5497871 Chapter 7 Since it is an accepted article, the supplementary material is accessible open access in the article repository, referenced as in the text:https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.7120448 Chapter 8 Figure A8.1.1: boxplots for phytolith concentration for sorghum cultivated in 2020. Figure A8.1.2: linear regression plots for phytolith concentration (dependent variables) and total water transpired (independent variable) for sorghum cultivated in 2020. Figure A8.1.3: boxplots for ratio of sensitive to fixed morphotypes for sorghum cultivated in 2020. Figure A8.1.4: linear regression plots for ratio sensitive to fixed morphotypes (dependent variables) and total water transpired (independent variable) for sorghum cultivated in 2020. Figure A8.1.5: boxplots for phytolith concentration for finger millet cultivated in 2020 Figure A8.1.6: linear regression plots for phytolith concentration (dependent variables) and total water transpired (independent variable) for finger millet cultivated in 2020. Figure A8.1.7: boxplots for ratio of sensitive to fixed morphotypes for finger millet cultivated in 2020. Figure A8.1.8: linear regression plots for ratio sensitive to fixed morphotypes (dependent variables) and total water transpired (independent variable) for finger millet cultivated in 2020. Figure A8.1.9: boxplots for phytolith concentration for pearl millet cultivated in 2020. Figure A8.1.10: linear regression plots for phytolith concentration (dependent variables) and total water transpired (independent variable) for pearl millet cultivated in 2020. Figure A8.1.11: boxplots for ratio of sensitive to fixed morphotypes for pearl millet cultivated in 2020. Figure A8.1.12: linear regression plots for ratio sensitive to fixed morphotypes (dependent variables) and total water transpired (independent variable) for pearl millet cultivated in 2020. Figure A8.2.1: logistic regression plots for acute bulbosus arranged for the three species considered separate. Figure A8.2.2: logistic regression plots for bulliforms (general category sum of blockies and bulliforms flabellate) arranged for the three species considered separate. Figure A8.2.3: logistic regression plots for elongates clavate arranged for the three species considered separate. Figure A8.2.4: logistic regression plots for elongates dentate arranged for the three species considered separate. Figure A8.2.5: logistic regression plots for elongates entire arranged for the three species considered separate. Figure A8.2.6: logistic regression plots for elongate sinuate arranged for the three species considered separate. . Figure A8.2.7: logistic regression plots for crosses arranged for the three species considered separate. Figure A8.2.8: logistic regression plots for polylobates arranged for the three species considered separate. Figure A8.2.9: logistic regression plots for rondels arranged for the three species considered separate. Figure A8.2.10: logistic regression plots for saddles arranged for the three species considered separate. File A8.1: the complete dataset of the experimental cultivation, including the experimental design for both seasons. File A8.2: the complete dataset of the phytolith both row data, concentration and ratio of sensitive to fixed morphotypes used for the analysis of chapter 8. File A8.3: R scripts. File A8.3.1: csv UTF8 (comma-delimited) file to run the code in R. File A8.4: metadata. File A8.5: table of means and standard deviations of morphotypes concentration from plant samples grown in the experimental cultivation 2020. Chapter 9 Figure A9.1.1: linear regression plots of height (“He”) in relation with leaves biomass (“Leaves”) (independent variable) for bulliforms. Figure A9.1.2: linear regression plots of height (“He”) (dependent variable) in relation with transpiration efficiency (“TE”) (independent variable) for bulliforms. Figure A9.1.3:linear regression plots of height (“He”) dependent variable) in relation with total water added (“TWA”) (independent variable) for bulliforms. Figure A9.1.4: linear regression plots of height (“He”) (dependent variable) in relation with total water transpired (“TWU”) (independent variable) for bulliforms. Figure A9.1.5:linear regression plots of length of the beak (“LB”) (dependent variable) in relation with leaves biomass (“Leaves”) (independent variable) for bulliforms. Figure A9.1.6: linear regression plots of length of the beak (“LB”) (dependent variable) in relation with transpiration efficiency (“TE”) (independent variable) for bulliforms. Figure A9.1.7: linear regression plots of length of the beak (“LB”)(dependent variable) in relation with total water added (“TWA”) (independent variable) for bulliforms. Figure A9.1.8: linear regression plots of length of the beak (“LB”) (dependent variable) in relation with total water transpired (“TWU”) (independent variable) for bulliforms. Figure A9.1.9:linear regression plots of width (“Wi”) (dependent variable) in relation with leaves biomass (“Leaves”) (independent variable) for bulliforms. Figure A9.1.10: linear regression plots of width (“Wi”) (dependent variable) in relation with transpiration efficiency (“TE”) (independent variable) for bulliforms. Figure A9.1.11: linear regression plots of width (“Wi”) (dependent variable) in relation with total water added (“TWA”) (independent variable) for bulliforms. Figure A9.1.12: linear regression plots of width (“Wi”) (dependent variable) in relation with total water transpired (“TWU”) (independent variable) for bulliforms. Figure A9.2.1: density plot for subsidiary cells 1 size. Figure A9.2.2: density plot for subsidiary cells 2 size. Figure A9.3.1: density plot for bulliform height of the beak. Figure A9.3.2: density plot for bulliform length of the beak. Figure A9.3.3: density plot for bulliform number of peaks. Figure A9.3.4: density plot for bulliform length peak to peak. Figure A9.4.1: linear regression plot ofδ29Si (dependent variable) in relation to total water transpired (independent variable) for all the morphotypes considered together. Figure A9.4.2: linear regression plots ofδ29Si (dependent variable) in relation to total water transpired (independent variable) for all the morphotypes considered together. File A9.1: the complete dataset of the phytolith morphometry and isotopic data used for the analysis of chapter 9. File A9.2: R scripts. File A9.2.1: csv UTF8 (comma-delimited) files to run the code in R regarding bulliforms morphometry. File A9.2.2: csv UTF8 (comma-delimited) files to run the code in R regarding elongates morphometry. File A9.2.3: csv UTF8 (comma-delimited) files to run the code in R regarding stomata morphometry. File A9.2.4: csv UTF8 (comma-delimited) files to run the code in R regarding Si isotopic analysis. File A9.3: metadata. Abstract: This work investigated the relationship between phytoliths from finger millet, pearl millet and sorghum and the water conditions under which these species grow. The archaeological debate on the use of millets remains open and finding a proxy to help recognise their growing conditions is crucial for the reconstruction of their dispersal. In this research phytolith concentration, ratio of sensitive to fixed morphotypes, phytolith assemblage composition, morphometry, and Si isotopic composition of sensitive morphotypes were analysed as potential indicators of plant water availability. The results showed changes in both the assemblage composition, the bulliform dimensions and isotopic content, depending on the species. Intra- and inter-specific differences were highlighted. In view of the results a predictive model based on morphotype concentration was elaborated and applied to four case-studies of the Indus Valley Civilization, proving that phytoliths can be efficient proxies to assess the water condition of plant growth in the archaeological record. &nbsp

Modern plant tissues are often processed for phytolith analysis. They represent a fundamental source of comparison for archeological and palaeoenvironmental phytolith assemblages; they efficiently serve for morphological studies of phytolith shapes and dimensions and, in the last two decades, they have been increasingly involved in physiological studies, which aim to understand the functioning of Si absorption in plants. Here we present a relatively fast, safe, and inexpensive phytolith extraction, combining a dry ashing technique followed by wet oxidation, and a counting methodology. This protocol offers an optimized strategy that achieves very pure samples, preservation of a high number of silica skeletons (phytoliths in anatomical connection), and a counting method which assures the richness and the evenness of the phytolith assemblage distribution. The methodology described in this paper is optimal for recognition and identification of morphotypes, isotope studies and concentration evaluations. This protocol has been developed to allow researchers to extract phytoliths from modern tissues of leaves, stem and chaff, and it is combined with a new strategy to count phytoliths in slides where several big silica skeletons (>50/100 cells each) are present. References -Andriopoulou, Nafsika C., and Georgios E. Christidis. 2020. ‘Multi-Analytical Characterisation of Wheat Biominerals: Impact of Methods of Extraction on the Mineralogy and Chemistry of Phytoliths’.Archaeological and Anthropological Sciences12 (186).https://doi.org/10.1007/s12520-020-01091-5 -Ball, Terry B. 2016. ‘Morphometric Analysis of Phytoliths: Recommendations towards Standardization from the International Committee for Phytolith Morphometrics’.Journal of Archaeological Science63: 106–11.http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jas.2015.03.023 -Ball, Terry, John S. 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Prychid, and Thomas Gregory. 2014. ‘Epidermal Patterning and Silica Phytoliths in Grasses: An Evolutionary History’.The Botanical Review80 (March): 59–71.https://doi.org/10.1007/s12229-014-9133-3 -Santos, Guaciara M, Anne Alexandre, Heloisa H G Coe, Paul E Reyerson, John R Southon, and Cacilda N De Carvalho. 2010. ‘The Phytolith14C Puzzle: A Tale of Background Determinations and Accuracy Tests’.Radiocarbon52 (1): 113–28.https://doi.org/10.1017/S0033822200045070 -Schulz-Kornas, Ellen, Caroline Braune, Daniela E. Winkler, and Thomas M. 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Pictorial humanization is a useful intervention for the improvement of hospitalized patients’ affective states. Despite benefits in many hospital wards having been well documented, so far, no attention was paid to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). The aim of the present study was to evaluate the levels of distress and the affective perception of the environment experienced by parents of infants hospitalized in a NICU after the implementation of an intervention of pictorial humanization. A sample of 48 parents was recruited, 25 before the intervention was performed (Control Group), and 23 after its implementation (Pictorial Humanization Group). All parents completed the “Rapid Stress Assessment Scale” and “Scales of the Affective Quality Attributed to Place” questionnaires. Despite results showing no significant differences on parental distress, after implementation of pictorial intervention parents reported a perception of the NICU as significantly more pleasant, exciting, and arousing, and less distressing, unpleasant, gloomy, and sleepy. A higher level of distress and a perception of the environment as less relaxing was predicted for the Control Group condition. The present study suggests that the pictorial intervention represents a useful technique to create more welcoming hospital environments and to reduce the negative effects associated with infant hospitalization.

Biosilica accumulation in plant tissues is related to the transpiration stream, which in turn depends on water availability. Nevertheless, the debate on whether genetically and environmentally controlled mechanisms of biosilica deposition are directly connected to water availability is still open. We aim at clarifying the system which leads to the deposition of biosilica in

Congenital hypothyroidism is a condition in which the thyroid gland does not produce enough thyroid hormones. It occurs in 1:2000-4000 newborns. Common clinical features include decreased activity and increased sleep, feeding difficulty, constipation, prolonged jaundice, myxedematous facies, large fontanels (especially posterior), macroglossia, distended abdomen with umbilical hernia, and hypotonia. Slow linear growth and developmental delay are usually apparent by 4-6 months of age. Without treatment, congenital hypothyroidism leads to severe intellectual deficit and short stature. Congenital hyperthyroidism occurs when the thyroid gland produces too much of the hormone thyroxine, which can accelerate body metabolism, causing unintentional weight loss and a rapid or irregular heartbeat. Hyperthyroidism is very rare and its prevalence is unknown. Common clinical features include unintentional weight loss, tachycardia, arrhythmia, palpitations, anxiety, tremor and sweating. Here we summarize the genes involved in congenital hypo- and hyperthyroidism and the tests we use for genetic analysis. (www.actabiomedica.it)

The pandemic period which has characterized the last two years has been associated with increasingly worsening psychological conditions, and previous studies have reported severe levels of anxiety, mood disorder, and psychopathological alteration in the general population. In particular, worldwide populations have appeared to present post-traumatic stress symptoms (PTSS). Surprisingly, no studies have evaluated the effect of COVID-related PTSS on cognitive functioning. This study focused on the association between high levels of PTSS related to COVID-19 and alterations in executive functioning by considering executive inhibitions in populations not infected by the virus. Ninety respondents from the Italian population participated in the study. A higher percentage of PTSS was reported. Moreover, respondents with high post-traumatic symptomatology presented deficits in the inhibition of preponderant responses, demonstrating an executive deficit which could be expressed by a difficulty in controlling goal-directed actions. This was underlined by worse performances in elaborating incongruent stimuli in the Stroop task and no-go stimuli in the Go/No-Go task. This report presents preliminary findings underlining the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on cognitive functions. The results confirmed a persistently higher post-traumatic symptomatology related to the COVID-19 pandemic in the Italian population and highlighted an association with cognitive inhibition impairment.

The COVID-19 pandemic that has hit the world in the year 2020 has put a strain on our ability to cope with events and revolutionized our daily habits. On 9 March, Italy was forced to lockdown to prevent the spread of the infection, with measures including the mandatory closure of schools and nonessential activities, travel restrictions, and the obligation to spend entire weeks in the same physical space. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and lockdown measures on quality of life (QoL) in a large Italian sample, in order to investigate possible differences in QoL levels related to both demographic and pandemic-specific variables. A total of 2251 Italian adults (1665 women, mainly young and middle adults) were recruited via a snowball sampling strategy. Participants were requested to answer to an online survey, which included demographic and COVID-related information items, and the World Health Organization Quality of Life BREF questionnaire (WHOQOL-BREF). The results showed statistically significant differences in QoL depending on a number of variables, including sex, area of residence in Italy, and being diagnosed with a medical/psychiatric condition. To our knowledge, this is the first study to assess QoL during COVID-19 pandemic in Italy, therefore the present findings can offer guidelines regarding which social groups are more vulnerable of a decline in QoL and would benefit of psychological interventions.

Perinatality represents a major life transition period for future parents for the activation of the caregiving system and the development of early parenting skills. This transition may be influenced by specific contexts of parenthood, such as infertility and the need to undergo Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ART), which are known as highly stressful events. Nevertheless, literature on parenthood after ART has focused on mothers and less on fathers’ experience. This study aimed to investigate the transition to parenthood in fathers after ART treatments, analysing the quality of both parental mental representations and father-infant interactive styles according to modality of conception (ART vs Spontaneous Conception, SC). Forty-two fathers (17 ART, 25 SC) and their partners were recruited at Santa Maria Nuova Hospital (Reggio Emilia, Italy) during the antenatal period. The quality of parental representations was assessed at 32 gestational weeks and 3 months after childbirth, by the Semantic Differential of the IRMAG. Father-infant interactive patterns were also evaluated after birth during 5 minute-free interactions, coded by the CARE-Index. Results showed similar mental representations between ART and SC fathers in individual (Child, Self-as-man, Partner) and parental (Self-as-parent, Own parent) characteristics. Nevertheless, ART fathers showed higher scores in Emotional Tendencies, suggesting a more intense involvement in the parenting role. Father-infant interactions showed a similar level of sensitivity between ART and SC fathers and infants were cooperative in both groups. Anyway, considering the influence of the type of ART, infants whose fathers underwent ICSI procedure showed to be more passive. Findings suggest the need to further investigate paternal experience during transition to parenthood after ART, to improve the understanding of fathers’ difficulties and resources in developing their parental role and possibly to target specific parenting support.

Prematurity is widely recognized as a significant risk factor for both maternal and paternal perinatal depression (PND). Nevertheless, little is known about the PND course during the first year of preterm infant’s life in both parents. Furthermore, literature usually focuses on parents of Very Low Birth Weight-VLBW babies (birth weight 2500 g; gestational age >36 weeks). All parents fulfilled the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) at 3, 9 and 12 months of infants age (corrected for preterm infants). Trajectories were tested by Growth Curve Models. Results showed that, when birth weight was included in the models, ELBW parents had higher PND levels at 3 months and a greater decrease of symptoms over time compared to VLBW and FT groups. As a function of birth weight and parental role, the higher scores at 3 months and the greater decrease over time were evident only for ELBW mothers compared to VLBW and FT mothers and fathers; no differences emerged for ELBW fathers. Findings suggest that severity of preterm birth and parental role may lead to different affective dysregulations across time, with ELBW mothers being at higher risk for PND especially in the first months after discharge. Clinical implications for intervention on parenthood in the perinatal period will be discussed.

Background: After preterm birth, infants are at high risk for delays in language development. A promising intervention to reduce this risk is represented by the exposure to parental voices through book-reading in Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICU). This study investigated the possible advantages of book-reading to preterm neonates during their NICU stay on their subsequent language development. Methods: 100 families of preterm infants were recruited. The parents of 55 preterm infants (Reading Group) received a colored picture-book on NICU admission and were supported to read to their neonate as often as possible and to continue after hospital discharge. 45 infants (Control Group) were recruited before the beginning of the intervention. Infant language development was assessed with the Hearing and Language quotients of the Griffith Mental Development Scale at the corrected age of 3, 6, 9, 12, 18 and 24 months. Results: Regardless of group membership, Hearing and Language mean quotients decreased between 9 and 18 months; nevertheless, this decrease was considerably reduced in the Reading group, compared to the Control Group. Conclusions: Reading in NICUs represents a suitable intervention that could positively influence language development and parent-infant relationships in preterm children. Study findings support its implementation, as preventive measure.

This study contributes to the knowledge on the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic by examining a moderated mediation model in which the impact of job loss over quality of life (QoL) is mediated by hopelessness and moderated by trait emotional intelligence (trait EI). Data were collected from a large nationally representative Italian sample of adult workers (N = 1610), who completed a series of anonymous online questionnaires. Total, direct and indirect effects were estimated through bootstrapped mediated moderation analyses providing 95% bias corrected bootstrap confidence intervals. After controlling for the effects of gender and age range, job loss was found to be negatively associated with QoL, and hopelessness partially mediated such relationship. These relationships were in turn moderated by trait EI. Our study suggests that trait EI levels act as protective factor for a good QoL, mitigating the impact of both job loss and hopelessness over QoL levels during the COVID-19 pandemic. Identifying psychological protective and/or risk factors for a better QoL is crucial for the development of interventions aimed at reducing the emotional impact of the pandemic and of its negative real-life consequences.

The onset of Takotsubo syndrome (TTS), also known as stress cardiomyopathy, is thought to be associated with some life events. This study focuses on clarifying life event characteristics and the role of triggers in the onset of TTS. Participants with TTS (n = 54) were compared to those with acute myocardial infarction (AMI, n = 52) and healthy individuals (n = 54). Using a modified version of the Interview for Recent Life Events, information about general life events perceived as stressful and triggers preceding the onset of a cardiac syndrome was collected. The assessment included the impact of these events as indicated by the participants and estimated by the interviewer, finally, the objective impact was considered. Although the number of events and the objective impact did not differ among the groups, patients with TTS reported a more negative perceived impact. Moreover, 61% of these patients objectively and subjectively reported a more stressful trigger before the onset of the disease (in the 24 h preceding the cardiac event) than those reported by patients with AMI. The dynamic between life events and individual responses could help differentiate TTS from other cardiovascular events, such as AMI. This study suggests that patients’ perception of some life events (whether triggers or general life events) could represent a possible marker of TTS.

Open access funding provided by Universita degli Studi di Roma La Sapienza within the CRUI-CARE Agreement., We want to thank all children, parents, teachers, and headmasters who made this study possible. In particular, we thank the following schools: the Istituto Comprensivo M.T. Cicerone in Arpino (Scuola Infanzia Arpino Cap. (Panaccio), Scuola Infanzia San Sosio, Scuola Infanzia Pagnanelli, Scuola Infanzia Fontana Liri, Scuola Infanzia Santopadre) and the Istituto Comprensivo Vito Fabiano in Latina. We also thank Valentina Valli and Alfredo Spagna for the test drawings., Attention involves three functionally and neuroanatomically distinct neural networks: alerting, orienting, and executive control. This study aimed to analyze the development of attentional networks in children aged between 3 and 6 years using a child-friendly version of the Attentional Network Test for Interaction (ANTI), the ANTI-Birds. The sample included 88 children divided into four age groups: 3-year-old, 4-year-old, 5-year-old, 6-year-old children. The results of this study would seem to indicate that between 4 and 6 years, there are no significant changes in attentional networks. Instead, between 3 and 4 years of age, children significantly improve all their attentional skills., Universita degli Studi di Roma La Sapienza within the CRUI-CARE Agreement

Background: After preterm birth, infants are at high risk for delays in language development. A promising intervention to reduce this risk is represented by the exposure to parental voices through book-reading in Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICU). This study investigated the possible advantages of book-reading to preterm neonates during their NICU stay on their subsequent language development. Methods: 100 families of preterm infants were recruited. The parents of 55 preterm infants (Reading Group) received a colored picture-book on NICU admission and were supported to read to their neonate as often as possible and to continue after hospital discharge. Forty-five infants (Control Group) were recruited before the beginning of the intervention. Infant language development was assessed with the Hearing and Language quotients of the Griffith Mental Development Scale at the corrected ages of 3, 6, 9, 12, 18 and 24 months. Results: Regardless of group membership, Hearing and Language mean quotients decreased between 9 and 18 months, nevertheless, this decrease was considerably reduced in the Reading group, compared to the Control Group. Conclusions: Reading in NICUs represents a suitable intervention that could positively influence language development and parent-infant relationships in preterm children. The study findings support its implementation as a preventive measure.

The collaboration between Bufalini Hospital’s NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit), Cesena, and the Developmental Psychodynamics Laboratory of Bologna’s Psychology Department, Cesena branch, has led to a shared reflection regarding both the Care of preterm births under 1500 grams, from 3 to 24 months of corrected age, and of a multidisciplinary neuro and psychodevelopmental follow up procedure . The studies, published in international journals, have led to the formulation of new research hypotheses and clinical reflection.

Although preterm birth constitutes a risk factor for postpartum depressive symptomatology, perinatal depression (PND) has not been investigated extensively in fathers of very low (VLBW) and extremely low birth weight (ELBW) infants. This study explored paternal depression levels at 3, 9, and 12 months of infant corrected age, investigating also the predictive role played by the severity of prematurity, maternal and paternal PND levels, and parenting stress. We recruited 153 fathers of 33 ELBW, 42 VLBW, and 78 full-term (FT) infants, respectively. Depression was investigated by the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) and distress by the Parenting Stress Index-Short Form-PSI-SF (Total and subscales: Parental Distress, Parent–Child Dysfunctional Interaction, and Difficult Child). ELBW fathers showed a significant decrease (improvement) in EPDS, total PSI-SF, and Parental Distress mean scores after 3 months. Paternal EPDS scores at 12 months were significantly predicted by VLBW and FT infants’ birth weight categories, fathers’ EPDS scores at 3 and 9 months, Parent–Child Dysfunctional Interaction subscale at 3 months, and Difficult Child subscale at 9 months. This study strengthens the relevance of including early routine screening and parenting support for fathers in perinatal health services, with particular attention to fathers who might be more vulnerable to mental health difficulties due to severely preterm birth.

A premature birth can result in increased vulnerability to mental health problems for parents, in particular for mothers, more involved in the infants' caregiving. In this context, perinatal postpartum depression (PPD) is one of the most common disorders with important consequences for the building of dyadic relationship and for infants' development. With these premises, this review is aimed at summarizing the empirical literature of the last 10 years on perinatal postpartum depression in mothers of premature infants for providing an up-to-date picture on prevalence, course and risk factors connected to PPD, also on the impact of PPD and of prematurity on the quality of early dyadic relationship and on infants' development across the first year postpartum. Moreover, for discussing clinical and empirical implications of these studies, this review is aimed at illustrating how and if the impact of a premature birth changes according to the severity of prematurity. From a clinical perspective it emerges the need of promptly screening for PPD, above all in case of high risk prematurity, of monitoring the PPD' course for identifying women at higher risk for chronicity, and of planning interventions for promoting a good mother-infant interaction who, in turn, is a protective factor for infants' development. From an empirical perspective it emerges the need of exploring the impact of prematurity on PPD taking into account the severity of prematurity, and of studying the different courses of PDD for understanding how they impact on dyadic relationship and on infants' development.

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.

Monogenic hyperlipidemias are a group of inherited disorders characterized by elevated plasma concentrations of lipids and lipoproteins. High plasma concentrations of lipids are the most frequent risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Monogenic hyperlipidemias are a minor cause with respect to multifactorial hyperlipidemias. Diagnosis is based on clinical findings and lipid panel measurements. Genetic testing is useful for confirming diagnosis and for differential diagnosis, recurrence risk calculation and prenatal diagnosis in families with a known mutation. Monogenic hyperlipidemias can have either autosomal dominant or recessive inheritance. (www.actabiomedica.it)

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on global healthcare workers’ (HCWs) mental health has been well documented in the last two years; however, little is known regarding HCWs working in specific healthcare fields. During two subsequent periods of national lockdown in Italy (June–July 2020, T1, and November–December 2020, T2), a total sample of 47 HCWs working in a reproductive medicine hospital unit completed an ad hoc questionnaire for assessing emotional reactions to the pandemic, stress symptoms, and ways of coping. Moderate–high levels of anger and sadness were experienced by 65.9% and 68.1% of the HCWs, respectively, while moderate–high levels of anxiety and fear were experienced by 51.1% and 56.8%, respectively. Higher stress symptoms experienced by HCWs were hypervigilance, avoidance of thoughts and memories, and tiredness/low energy. At T2, levels of hypervigilance, irritability, intrusive thoughts, and detachment were higher than at T1, while avoidance of external triggers decreased. Moderate–high levels of anxiety resulted significantly associated with several symptoms of stress: irritability/fearfulness, depression/hopelessness, tiredness/low energy, problems with concentration, and intrusive thoughts. Regarding coping strategies, HCWs tended to adopt more problem-focused coping (e.g., contributing to improving a situation) and this tendency was higher at T2. Overall findings suggest a risk for the persistence of stress symptoms and, therefore, a risk for a chronic course, which might interfere with the global quality of mental health at work and the care provided to patients. Clinical implications highlight the relevance of implementing support programs for this category of HCWs focused on the elaboration of negative emotions and on fostering adaptive coping strategies.

Background Preterm birth has been recognized as a risk factor for perinatal depression (PND), with consequences for parenting and child development; however, the impact of severity of prematurity on parental PND course has not been studied extensively. Exploring the PND trajectory across postpartum period, investigating whether it changed according to birth weight and parental role, can help developing effective interventions. Methods At 3 (T1), 9 (T2) and 12 (T3) months postpartum, the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) was administered to 177 parental couples, differentiated in 38 parents of extremely low birth weight (ELBW), 56 of very low birth weight (VLBW) and 83 of full-term (FT) infants. Trajectories were modeled by Growth Curve Models. Results As a function of time, results revealed a general decrease in PND across the year. Considering birth weight, ELBW parents showed higher PND levels at T1 and a higher reduction of symptoms over time than VLBW and FT ones. Given also parental role, ELBW mothers showed higher PND levels at T1 and a higher decrease of symptoms over time than VLBW and FT mothers and fathers. Limitations Limitations included modest sample size, self-report measures, and unmeasured potential confounders. Conclusion Findings suggest that premature birth in relation to its severity may lead to different affective reactions in mothers and fathers; particularly mothers, in case of more serious preterm condition, are at higher risk for PND in the first trimester, however showing improvement over time. Interventions should be promoted, and tailored, according to the risk connected to severity of prematurity.

Aim of this study was to investigate whether parental mental representations during pregnancy and after delivery differed between parents who conceived after Assisted Reproductive Treatments (ART) and spontaneous conceiving (SC) parents. Effects of specific ART variables (previous ART attempts, treatment type and cause of infertility) were also taken into account. Seventeen ART couples and 25 SC couples were recruited at Santa Maria Nuova Hospital (Reggio Emilia, Italy). At both 32 weeks of gestation (T1) and 3 months postpartum (T2) participants completed the Semantic Differential of the IRMAG, a self-report tool which measures specific domains of mental representations pertaining either individual (Child, Self-as-woman/man, and Partner) or parental (Self-as-parent, Own parent) characteristics. Results showed that ART parents had significantly more positive representations of the child compared to SC parents, while the scores at Partner dimension improved from T1 to T2 for SC parents only. With regards to ART history, scores at the Self-as-woman/man dimension were significantly less positive for ICSI than IVF parents and improved substantially from T1 to T2 only in case of mothers with previous ART attempts and of fathers at the first ART cycle. The representation of own parents increased from T1 to T2 in case of infertility diagnosis due to male factors, while a decrease emerged when infertility was due to female factors. Findings suggest the need to investigate parental mental representations after ART, in order to improve the understanding on the transition to parenthood of infertile couples and to target more specific intervention for parenting support.

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.

Mathematical performance implies a series of numerical and mathematical skills (both innate and derived from formal training) as well as certain general cognitive abilities that, if inadequate, can have a cascading effect on mathematics learning. These latter skills were the focus of the present systematic review. Method: The reviewing process was conducted according to the PRISMA statement. We included 46 studies comparing school-aged children’s performance with and without math difficulties in the following cognitive domains: processing speed, phonological awareness, short- and long-term memory, executive functions, and attention. Results: The results showed that some general cognitive domains were compromised in children with mathematical difficulties (i.e., executive functions, attention, and processing speed). Conclusions: These cognitive functions should be evaluated during the diagnostic process in order to better understand the child’s profile and propose individually tailored interventions. However, further studies should investigate the role of skills that have been poorly investigated to date (e.g., long-term memory and phonological awareness).

This study aimed to investigate the influence of Outdoor Education (OE) on different areas of development in 1-3 year old children attending italian nursery schools. The sample was composed of 160 children (1-3 year old) divided into a firs group (Traditional), with 76 children attending nursery schools with traditional educational activities; and a second group (Outdoor) of 84 children following a continuous OE programme at school. In January (T1) and June (T2), the quality of child development was assessed bu teachers, appropriately trained, through Kuno Beller Developmental Scales. Comparing the two groups, the results showed that, in most of the developmental areas (cognitive, emotional, social, fine motor skills), significant improvements at T2 were detected for the Outdoor group compared to the Traditional group. the findings highlight that OE, compared to indoor activities, offers grater opportunities for the child development - playing, therefore, a crucial role as a protective developmental factor since early childhood.

Several inherited disorders involve chronic fatigue, muscle weakness and pain. These conditions can depend on muscle, nerve, brain, metabolic and mitochondrial defects. A major trigger of muscle weakness and fatigue is exercise. The amount of exercise that triggers symptoms and the frequency of symptoms are highly variable. In this review, the genetic causes and molecular pathways involved in these disorders are discussed along with the diagnostic and treatment options available, with the aim of fostering understanding of the disease and exploring therapeutic options. (www.actabiomedica.it)