Vulnerable Narcissism and Problematic Social Networking Sites Use: Focusing the Lens on Specific Motivations for Social Networking Sites Use

Research highlighted that Problematic Social Networking Sites Use (PSNSU) and vulnerable narcissism are associated. However, the mechanisms underlying this relationship are still unclear. The present study aimed to test the mediating role of motives for social networking sites (SNSs) use between vulnerable narcissism and five symptoms of PSNSU (i.e., preference for online social interactions, mood regulation, cognitive preoccupation, compulsive use, and negative outcomes) in a sole model. Self-report questionnaires were completed by 344 SNSs users in the age range of 18–30 years (76.5% females; mean age = 23.80 years, standard deviation = 2.30 years). Vulnerable narcissism, three motives to use SNSs (coping, conformity, enhancement), and symptoms of PSNSU were assessed. Structural equation modeling was used to test for mediation. The results indicate that both motives with positive (i.e., enhancement) and negative (i.e., coping and conformity) valence partially mediated the association between vulnerable narcissism and different symptoms of PSNSU. We conclude that individuals with vulnerable narcissism may develop PSNSU not only as a compensatory strategy to cope with psychosocial difficulties but also as a result of a gratification-seeking process

Childhood emotional abuse and problematic social networking sites use in a sample of Italian adolescents: The mediating role of deficiencies in self-other differentiation and uncertain reflective functioning.

Childhood emotional abuse (CEA) is associated with various negative mental health outcomes. This study aimed to investigate the association between CEA and problematic social networking site (SNS) use in a sample of Italian adolescents. Using structural equation modeling, the study examined whether the relationship between CEA and problematic SNS use was sequentially mediated by self-other differentiation and uncertain reflective functioning in 1308 Italian adolescents (628 males, age range 13-19 years). A history of CEA was positively associated with problematic SNS use. Furthermore, deficiencies in self-other differentiation and uncertain reflective functioning partially mediated the relationship between CEA and problematic SNS use. The present study provides additional insight into the psychological dynamics underpinning problematic SNS use among adolescents. The clinical implications of these findings are discussed

Childhood emotional abuse and problematic social networking sites use in a sample of Italian adolescents: The mediating role of deficiencies in self-other differentiation and uncertain reflective functioning

Objective: Childhood emotional abuse (CEA) is associated with various negative mental health outcomes. This study aimed to investigate the association between CEA and problematic social networking site (SNS) use in a sample of Italian adolescents. Design: Using structural equation modeling, the study examined whether the relationship between CEA and problematic SNS use was sequentially mediated by self-other differentiation and uncertain reflective functioning in 1308 Italian adolescents (628 males, age range 13–19 years). Results: A history of CEA was positively associated with problematic SNS use. Furthermore, deficiencies in self-other differentiation and uncertain reflective functioning partially mediated the relationship between CEA and problematic SNS use. Conclusions: The present study provides additional insight into the psychological dynamics underpinning problematic SNS use among adolescents. The clinical implications of these findings are discussed

Studies on the aetiology of kiwifruit decline: interaction between soil-borne pathogens and waterlogging

Aims: In 2012, Italian kiwifruit orchards were hit by a serious root disease of unknown aetiology (kiwifruit decline, KD) that still causes extensive damage to the sector. While waterlogging was soon observed to be associated with its outbreak, the putative role of soil microbiota remains unknown. This work investigates the role of these two factors in the onset of the disease. Methods: Historical rainfall data were analysed to identify changes that might explain KD outbreak and mimic the flooding conditions required to reproduce the disease in a controlled environment. A greenhouse experiment was thus designed, and vines were grown in either unsterilized (U) or sterilized (S) soil collected from KD-affected orchards, and subjected (F) or not (N) to artificial flooding. Treatments were compared in terms of mortality rate, growth, and tissue modifications. Results: KD symptoms were only displayed by FU-treated vines, with an incidence of 90%. Ultrastructural observations detected tyloses and fibrils in the xylem vessels of all plants, irrespective of the treatment. Phytopythium vexans and Phytopythium chamaehyphon, isolated from roots of FU plants, emerged as the associated microorganisms. Conclusions: We succeeded in reproducing KD under controlled conditions and confirmed its association with both waterlogging and soil-borne microorganism(s)

Parental Quality of Life and Involvement in Intervention for Children or Adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorders: A Systematic Review

Previous research has examined several parental, child-related, and contextual factors associated with parental quality of life (QoL) among parents with a child or an adolescent with autism spectrum disorders (ASD); however, no systematic review has examined the relationship between parental QoL and parental involvement in intervention. To fill this gap, a systematic review was conducted using four electronic databases and checked reference lists of retrieved studies. Records were included in the systematic review if they presented original data, assessed parental QoL, and involvement in intervention for children or adolescents with ASD, were published in peer-reviewed journals between 2000 and 2020, and were written in English. Among the 96 screened full-texts, 17 articles met the eligibility criteria. The selected studies included over 2000 parents of children or adolescents with ASD. Three categories of parental involvement (i.e., none, indirect, direct) were identified, which varied across studies, although most had direct parental involvement. The results from this review show that increased parental involvement in the intervention for children or adolescents with ASD may be one way to promote their QoL. However, further research specifically focused on parental involvement during the intervention for children and adolescents with ASD is warranted

Síndrome da Apnéia do sono: revisão de 25 anos de experiência

José P. Arcos: Laboratorio de Exploración Funcional Respiratoria, Instituto del Tórax, Hospital de Clínicas, Universidad de la República, Uruguay.-- Daniel Lorenzo: Laboratorio de Neurofisiología Clínica, Instituto de Neurología, Hospital de Clínicas, Hospital de Clínicas, Universidad de la República, Uruguay.-- Ana Musetti: Laboratorio de Exploración Funcional Respiratoria, Instituto del Tórax, Hospital de Clínicas, Universidad de la República, Uruguay.-- Martha Gutiérrez: Laboratorio de Exploración Funcional Respiratoria, Instituto del Tórax, Hospital de Clínicas, Universidad de la República, Uruguay.-- Graciela Buño: Facultad de Odontología, Universidad de la República, Uruguay.4. Clínica Médica “C”, Hospital de Clínicas, Universidad de la República, Uruguay.-- Manuel Baz: Clínica Médica “C”, Hospital de Clínicas, Universidad de la República, Uruguay.-- Con la colaboración técnica de: Lic. NF. Lilián Chiappella: Laboratorio de Exploración Funcional Respiratoria, Instituto del Tórax, Hospital de Clínicas, Universidad de la República, Uruguay.-- Lic. NF. Zulma Rodríguez: Centro de Trastornos del Sueño, Montevideo, Uruguay.-- Lic. NC. Nancy Otaño: Escuela Universitaria de Tecnología Médica, Universidad de la República, Uruguay.-- Contacto: José P. Arcos. E-mail_ [email protected] conocimiento científico y clínico sobre los trastornos respiratorios del sueño se ha desarrollado de manera acelerada en las últimas décadas. El objetivo de este estudio es presentar la experiencia adquirida en nuestro país, en el diagnóstico y tratamiento del síndrome de apneas del sueño de tipo obstructivo, durante el desarrollo de una nueva disciplina en el ámbito de la neumología. Se revisaron los registros de 3109 pacientes; 447 con historias clínicas electrónicas y cuestionarios para cuantificación de síntomas y 1779 polisomnografías de pacientes con apneas de tipo obstructivo.Se presenta la evolución de la referencia de pacientes, las características demográficas (en especial el aumento de la prevalencia en jóvenes) y los hallazgos clínicos más frecuentes. Se destacan los factores de riesgo relevantes: obesidad y su relación con la severidad, enfermedades endocrinas y desplaza-miento cefálico de fluidos. Se destaca el modo de acceso y la adherencia al tratamiento. La implementación de unidades clínicas de sueño permitió la referencia de pacientes para el diagnóstico y el tratamiento, dando lugar a una nueva disciplina de la neumología. La prevalencia de las apneas obstructivas del sueño es muy elevada, con progresivo y sostenido incremento. El tratamiento con aplicación de presión nasal no invasiva es factible. Aunque con distintos grados de accesibilidad y adherencia, ha permitido la corrección del trastorno respiratorio del sueño más relevante.Scientific and clinical knowledge on sleep-disordered breathing has developed at an accelerated pace in the last decades. The objective of this study is to present the experience gained in our country in the diagnosis and treatment of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome during the development of a new discipline in the field of pneumology.Clinical records of 3109 patients were reviewed; 447 with electronic medical records and ques-tionnaires for quantification of symptoms and 1779 polysomnographies of patients with obstructive apneas.The time evolution of the patient referral, the demographic characteristics (especially the increase in the prevalence in young people) and the most frequent clinical findings are presented. We highlight the relevant risk factors: obesity and its relationship with severity, endocrine diseases and cephalic fluid displacement. Access mode and adherence to treatment are highlighted.The creation of sleep clinics allowed the referral of patients for diagnosis and treat-ment, giving rise to a new discipline of pulmonology. The prevalence of obstructive sleep apnea is high, with progressive and sustained increase. Treatment with non-invasive nasal pressure application is feasible. Although with different degrees of accessibility and adherence, it has allowed the correc-tion of the most relevant respiratory sleep disorder.O conhecimento científico e clínico sobre os transtornos respiratórios do sono desenvolveu-se rapida-mente nas últimas décadas. O objetivo deste estudo é apresentar a experiência adquirida em nosso país no diagnóstico e tratamento da síndrome da apneia obstrutiva do sono durante o desenvolvimento de uma nova disciplina no campo da pneumologia.Os registros de 3109 pacientes foram revisados; 447 com registros médicos eletrônicos e questio-nários para quantificação de sintomas e 1779 polissonografias de pacientes com apnéia obstrutiva.Apresentamos a evolução da referência do paciente, as características demográficas (especialmente o aumento da prevalência em jovens) e os achados clínicos mais freqüentes. Destacamos os fatoresde risco relevantes: obesidade e sua relação com severidade, doenças endócrinas e deslocamento do cefálico de fluídos . O modo de acesso e a adesão ao tratamento são destacados.A implementação de unidades de sono clínicas permitiu a referência de pacientes para diagnóstico e tratamento, dando origem a uma nova disciplina de pneumologia. A prevalência da apneia obstrutiva do sono é muito alta, com aumento progressivo e sustentado. O tratamento com pressão nasal não invasiva é viável. Embora com diferentes graus de acessibilidade e adesão, permitiu a correção do transtorno do sono respiratório mais relevante

NoPv1: a synthetic antimicrobial peptide aptamer targeting the causal agents of grapevine downy mildew and potato late blight

Grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.) is a crop of major economic importance. However, grapevine yield is guaranteed by the massive use of pesticides to counteract pathogen infections. Under temperate- humid climate conditions, downy mildew is a primary threat for viticulture. Downy mildew is caused by the biotrophic oomycete Plasmopara viticola Berl. & de Toni, which can attack grapevine green tissues. In lack of treatments and with favourable weather conditions, downy mildew can devastate up to 75% of grape cultivation in one season and weaken newly born shoots, causing serious economic losses. Nevertheless, the repeated and massive use of some fungicides can lead to environmental pollution, negative impact on non-targeted organisms, development of resistance, residual toxicity and can foster human health concerns. In this manuscript, we provide an innovative approach to obtain specific pathogen protection for plants. By using the yeast two-hybrid approach and the P. viticola cellulose synthase 2 (PvCesA2), as target enzyme, we screened a combinatorial 8 amino acid peptide library with the aim to identify interacting peptides, potentially able to inhibit PvCesa2. Here, we demonstrate that the NoPv1 peptide aptamer prevents P. viticola germ tube formation and grapevine leaf infection without affecting the growth of non-target organisms and without being toxic for human cells. Furthermore, NoPv1 is also able to counteract Phytophthora infestans growth, the causal agent of late blight in potato and tomato, possibly as a consequence of the high amino acid sequence similarity between P. viticola and P. infestans cellulose synthase enzymes