Time Perception in Children with Developmental Dyscalculia

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Psychometric properties and validation of the Italian version of the Family Assessment Measure Third Edition - Short Version - in a nonclinical sample

Family functioning plays an important role in developing and maintaining dysfunctional behaviors, especially during adolescence. The lack of indicators of family functioning, as determinants of personal and interpersonal problems, represents an obstacle to the activities aimed at developing preventive and intervention strategies. The Process Model of Family Functioning provides a conceptual framework organizing and integrating various concepts into a comprehensive family assessment; this model underlines that through the process of task accomplishment, each family meets objectives central to its life as a group. The Family Assessment Measure Third Edition (FAM III), based on the Process Model of Family Functioning, is among the most frequently used self-report instruments to measure family functioning

Grapevine microsatellite repeats: Isolation, characterisation and use for genotyping of grape germplasm from Southern Italy

New microsatellite repeat markers from Vitis vinifera L. are described. Of the designed primer pairs, 7 were able to amplify homologous loci in 5 genetically diverse Vitis genotypes. The 7 markers developed in this study and 6 additional ones were used to fingerprint grapevine germplasm from southern Italy. Microsatellite analysis allowed almost all the analysed genotypes to be differentiated and uncovered two mislabeled cultivars (Castiglione and Marsigliana nera). No clonal differences were detected. Genetic relationships between the Italian cultivars were also investigated and a considerable degree of similarity was found. 

Relationship of Dispositional Mindfulness, Self-destruction and Self-criticism in Academic Performance of Boy Students

The aim of this research was to investigate the relationship among dispositional mindfulness, self-destruction and self-criticism in academic performance of boy students. In a descriptive-correlation study, 205 high school students from schools of Ahar city were selected by cluster sampling method. The GPA, Freiburg mindfulness inventory, The Levels of Self-Criticism Scale and Depressive Experiences Questionnaire (DEQ) were used for data collecting. The results showed that the self-criticism and self-destruction are negatively significant predictors of academic performance, and dispositional mindfulness is positively significant predictor of academic performance. As well as, the comparative self-criticism and internalized self-criticism are negatively significant predictors of academic performance. According to these results, it can be concluded that dispositional mindfulness, self-destruction and self-criticism are important determinants of academic performance. Therefore, it is recommended to use MBSR and MBCT programs to improve the academic performance of students

The “mask” filtered by the new media: family functioning, perception of risky behaviors and internet addiction in a group of Italian adolescents

Recent literature underlines that, during adolescence, social networks are used to manage friendships. The reflection on the relational dynamics in social networks is based on the construction and shaping identity; online identity becomes not only personal information published on the Internet but also support in defining identity in peer group situations.Internet becomes an integral part of their experiential context, weakening influence of the family context on the development of identity. In this process, the web becomes both architect and theatre of Identity achievement, and it enables the adolescents to choose an impressive visual and comprehensive filter for their lives, contributing to the “Mask” construction or the genesis of a “Pseudo-Self”.The research goal is to investigate the influence of family functioning on the perception of risky behaviors as well as the disfunctional use of the Internet in a group of Italian adolescents, taking part in a research-intervention, carried out within school organizational context. The research involved 110 high school students, aged between 15 and 18 (with an average age of 16.14 years), who, in test and test-re test phases, completed the following instruments: Family Assessment Device, Cognitive Appraisal of Risky Events, and Internet Addiction Test. Data show that the perceived behavioral control determines a higher risk perceptions; an elevated problem-solving capacity and family communication lead to reduce the internet use in students. In the field of identity development, the reflection on the relationship between the image and its representation on the social networks is fundamental, in order to help adolescents to become aware of their choices

Alexithymia, Attachment styles and Dissociative experiences in a sample of drug addicts

Background: Many studies demonstrate that early trauma affects the development of cognitive and affective processing, the integration between thoughts and feelings and the ability to understand and regulate emotional experiences. Some researchers emphasize the role of dissociation. Methods: In our study, we involved 62 participants that have completed the following questionnaires:  TAS-20, TEC, DES-II, PBI, and RQ. The aim was to evaluate, through descriptive statistics, univariate variant analysis and hierarchical regression analysis, the correlation between alexithymia, traumatic, dissociative experiences, parenting style, and adult relational style in two groups. Results: The results of our research have partially confirmed the significant differences between clinical group and control group. In the clinical group we observed dysfunctional parenting and relationship style in rapport with an alexithymic condition. In addition, alexithymia would also represent a risk factor for the development of an addictive behavior. Regarding to the relationship between dissociation and trauma, our data confirm a significant relationship between these two variables. Conclusions: Our study underlines the importance to consider the role of emotional experiences linked to early traumatic experiences and dissociative defensive reactions.

Tacrolimus in Solution as an Option to Inflammatory Conditions of the Scalp

Introduction: Several dermatological diseases lead to inflammatory conditions of the scalp. Most of these afflictions are recalcitrant and require long term maintenance treatment. Objectives: We present a case series where topical tacrolimus was used in a solution vehicle for these conditions. Methods: A total of 22 patients (aged 24-90 years) with confirmed diagnosis of lichen planus pilaris (LPP),discoid lupus (DL),frontal fibrosing alopecia (FFA),erosive pustulosis of the scalp (EPS) or folliculitis decalvans (FD) were evaluated and treated with tacrolimus solution (0.1%) applied twice daily for 1 month, then once daily for another month and alternate days for 4 months. Efficacy was evaluated by an investigator global assessment,clinical and dermoscopic evaluation at weeks 4,8 and 24.The safety assessment included monitoring of all adverse events. Results: The study included 13 patients with LPP, 2 with DL, 2 with FD, 2 with EPS and 3 with AFF.After 1 month, 14 patients (63.6%) had a good response and 7 (31.8%) had excellent response.After 2 months, 16 patients (72.7%) had excellent response, and this response was persistent after 6 months of treatment. Conclusions: Tacrolimus in solution,even if not yet commercially available,was an effective and well tolerated alternative for the maintenance treatment of inflammatory conditions of the scalp

Real-World Experience with Topical 5-Fluorouracil 4% (40 mg/g) Cream for the Treatment of Actinic Keratosis

Introduction:5-fluorouracil (5-FU) is one of the most effective topical treatments for actinic keratosis (AK). A new 4% formulation of 5-FU was recently approved in Europe. Objectives:This study aimed at evaluating 4% 5-FU cream safety and effectiveness in a real-world setting. Methods:Adult AK patients were retrospectively selected from the University of Campania Dermatology Unit database. Selection criteria included a diagnosis of non-hyperkeratotic, non-hypertrophic AK (Olsen grade I and II) of the face, ears, and/or scalp, treatment with 4% 5-FU once daily for 4 weeks, and at least 3 follow-up visits (4 and 8 weeks after treatment initiation, and 6 months after treatment end). The primary objectives were to evaluate AK lesions improvement at 8 weeks and relapse rate at 6 months. Patient-reported erythema and burning sensation intensity were also assessed at 4 weeks. Results: Ninety-eight patients were included in this analysis (male/female 80/18, mean age 74.7 years). AK lesions improvement at 8 weeks resulted complete or significant in 74.5% and 20.4% of the patients, respectively. At 6 months, 65.3% of the patients did not show AK relapses. Burning sensation at 4 weeks was reported as light, moderate, or absent by 44.9%, 22.4%, and 31.6% of the patients, respectively. Erythema was reported as light, moderate, or absent by 37.8%, 51%, and 10% of the patients, respectively. Burning sensation and erythema disappeared gradually during follow-up. No other side effects were reported. Conclusions:In this real-world study 4% 5-FU proved to be highly effective for AK lesions clearance with a favorable safety profile

Genetic diversity of wild and cultivated grapevine accessions from southeast Turkey

INRA UMR 1334 AGAP, Equipe DAVEM = Diversité et Adaptation de la Vigne et des Espèces MéditerranéennesWild grapevine genetic diversity in southeast Turkey has not been documented to date. In the present work, in order to clarify the relationships between wild and cultivated grape accessions from southeastern Turkey, 22 nuclear and three chloroplast microsatellite loci were used on 21 wild grapevine Vitis vinifera L. ssp. sylvestris (Gmelin) and 13 cultivated grapevine Vitis vinifera ssp. sativa accessions. The number of alleles per SSR locus ranged from 4 (VVIn16) to 20 (VVIv67) and the mean allele number per locus was 10.09. Expected locus heterozygosity ranged from 0.586 (locus VVIb01) to 0.898 (locus (VVIv67)). The three cpSSR molecular markers presented variation in size both in cultivars and in wild Turkish accessions. Two size variants were detected for cpSSR3 (106 and 107 bp) for cpSSR5 (104 and 105 bp), and for cpSSR10 (115 and 116 bp). The six alleles in wild grapevines fell into three haplotypes B, C and D. A genetic structure according to accessions taxonomic status (wild or cultivated) was revealed by UPGMA analysis. This highlighted a clear separation between domesticated and wild accessions in Turkish germplasm. The results pointed out the need to further collect and characterize this wild and cultivated grapevine germplasm