Search Results (140)

The postnatal period involves significant emotional and relational shifts that can challenge early mother–infant interactions, particularly under conditions of psychosocial vulnerability (e.g., maternal anxiety/depression) or infant-related risk (e.g., preterm birth). Maternal mentalization, operationalized as Parental Reflective Functioning (PRF), is a key protective factor for sensitive caregiving and dyadic regulation. Objectives: This protocol describes a multicenter, open-label, single-arm feasibility study evaluating a brief, fully online, mentalization-based video-feedback intervention (VFI-RF). The study is designed to assess the feasibility and acceptability of the intervention, rather than its efficacy. We aim to recruit 48 mothers, 24 in each of two risk groups, through socio-health services and neonatal intensive care units. Risk Group 1 will include mothers with clinically significant depressive and/or anxiety symptoms, defined as EPDS > 9 and/or GAD-7 ≥ 10, whereas Risk Group 2 will include mothers of preterm infants, defined as infants born before 37 weeks of gestation. Methods: The intervention consists of 8 + 2 synchronous online sessions over approximately 5 months. Mothers record brief everyday caregiving interactions (~5 min) to review with a trained clinician, focusing on the infant’s internal states and reflective meaning-making. Assessments occur at baseline (T0, infant age ~3 months), post-intervention (T1, ~8 months), and follow-up (T2, ~12 months). Primary feasibility outcomes include recruitment/referral metrics, uptake, retention, assessment completion, missing data, and participant-reported acceptability. Secondary exploratory clinical outcomes include maternal PRF, symptoms, parenting stress, social support, and mother–infant attachment, evaluated via validated self-report questionnaires. Results: The study is designed to evaluate referral and recruitment patterns, intervention uptake, and participant retention, as well as the acceptability and suitability of study procedures and outcome measures for a future controlled trial. Preliminary trajectories of change in maternal reflective functioning and early relational indicators will be examined descriptively and exploratorily. Conclusions: Findings will inform the feasibility and refinement of a brief online mentalization-based video-feedback intervention to support at-risk mother–infant dyads during the first postnatal year. Trial registration: Registered on Open Science Framework, osf.io/6g9ja, date of registration 4th March 2026. Full article

Background: Parental burnout results from chronic stress related to the parental role and reflects a persistent imbalance between parenting demands and available psychological resources, negatively affecting parental well-being and parent–child relationships. This study examined the associations between parental burnout, parenting attitudes, and psychological resilience within the parental adaptation of the job demands–resources model, with particular attention to the potential mediating role of parenting styles in the relationship between resilience and parental burnout, while controlling for sociodemographic factors. Methods: A cross-sectional design was applied with 447 Hungarian parents who completed an anonymous online questionnaire including the Parental Burnout Assessment, the Parenting Styles and Dimensions Questionnaire, and the 10-item Connor–Davidson Resilience Scale. Data were analyzed using nonparametric correlations, group comparisons, multiple linear regression models with bootstrap estimation, and mediation analyses. Results: Resilience showed negative associations with all dimensions of parental burnout. Authoritarian and permissive parenting styles were positively associated with burnout, whereas authoritative parenting style showed negative associations. In multivariate analyses, authoritative parenting attitudes and fulfillment of the ideal parental role emerged as protective factors, while authoritarian parenting style functioned as a significant risk factor. Mediation analyses further indicated that the association between resilience and parental burnout may partly operate through parenting styles, particularly across the dimensions of emotional exhaustion, contrast, and emotional distancing. Conclusions: Parental burnout appears to be a dynamic psychological process shaped by the interaction of internal resources and parenting functioning, underscoring the importance of resource-oriented approaches in prevention and intervention. Full article

Background/Objectives: This study explored parents’ perspectives regarding digital media use in children and adolescents with neurodevelopmental disorders (NDs) and examined how these views vary according to family and clinical characteristics. Methods: Data were collected from an Italian survey involving 352 families. Items assessed the perceived effects of digital devices on child development and parenting, awareness of screen time guidelines, and use of time- and content-limiting tools. Quantitative analyses were complemented by a reflexive thematic analysis of open-ended responses describing how digital media influenced parenting. Results: Parents expressed divergent attitudes towards digital media, with broadly similar proportions reporting positive, neutral, and negative views regarding both child development and parenting. More favourable views were associated with greater perceived benefits for children and were more frequent among parents of children with more severe functional disabilities. About half had discussed screen use with health professionals, and most were aware of existing guidelines. Thematic analysis identified six themes related to digital parenting: educational means (digital devices as tools for communication, learning, and socialisation), entertainment (screens as a source of leisure or behavioural management), reward (digital media used as reinforcement), screen time as a “necessity” (technology as an integral and sometimes rehabilitative part of daily life), negative effects on the child (concerns about detachment, reduced social interaction, and mood dysregulation), and parental behaviour and attitudes (reflecting the emotional burden of regulation and broader beliefs about digital media). Conclusions: Parents of children with NDs navigate digital media use through a complex balance of perceived risks and benefits. Findings highlight the need for family-centred guidance and assistive technology approaches that promote digital inclusion while addressing parental stress and regulatory challenges. Full article

Sweetpotato (Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam.) is an important multifunctional crop with great value in food supply, industrial processing and bioenergy utilization. Crude protein content (CPC) is a core target trait for sweetpotato quality breeding. To dissect the genetic basis of CPC and identify key candidate genes, we used an F₁ population of 212 individuals. CPC was measured by near-infrared reflectance spectroscopy (NIRS) in 2020 and 2021, and QTL mapping was performed using a high-density SNP genetic linkage map. Candidate genes were explored via a genome-wide association study (GWAS), multiple-database functional annotation, and quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) validation. The results showed that: (1) CPC in the population exhibited a continuous normal distribution with high inter-year stability, and phenotypic variation was mainly controlled by genetic factors; (2) one stable minor-effect QTL for CPC, qCPC09-1, was mapped to Chr09: 7906895–8614924 bp, explaining 5.7% of phenotypic variation; (3) GWAS detected no significant SNP loci, suggesting that CPC is regulated by multiple minor-effect genes; (4) genes within the qCPC09-1 interval were significantly enriched in three protein synthesis-related KEGG pathways: ribosome, nitrogen metabolism and ubiquinone and other terpenoid–quinone biosynthesis; (5) qPCR verified that itf09g13420 and itf09g13230 were upregulated in the low-CPC parent Yushu 10 and negatively correlated with CPC, while itf09g13550 was upregulated in the high-CPC parent Xin 24 and positively correlated with CPC. These three genes exhibited expression patterns highly consistent with phenotypic differences. This study provides a theoretical basis and technical support for molecular marker-assisted breeding and elite germplasm innovation in sweetpotato. Full article

Background: Exposure to intimate partner violence (IPV) represents a major risk factor for both maternal psychological well-being and child development. Maternal psychopathology—particularly depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)—has been shown to impair parenting functioning and increase children’s vulnerability to emotional and behavioral difficulties. Objectives: This study examined the associations between maternal depression and PTSD symptoms and children’s internalizing and externalizing problems, and explored whether parenting stress and maternal mentalization capacities mediate these relationships. Methods: The sample included 42 mothers (mean age = 43.38, SD = 10.56) and their preschool- and school-aged children (n = 42; mean age = 8.30, SD = 2.53) exposed to IPV. Mothers completed self-report measures assessing depressive and PTSD symptoms, parenting stress, and mentalization (uncertainty and certainty about mental states). Children’s internalizing and externalizing problems were assessed through maternal report. Mediation analyses with bootstrapping procedures were conducted to examine indirect effects. Results: Maternal depressive symptoms emerged as the strongest predictor of children’s internalizing problems. Parenting stress was associated with stronger relationships between maternal symptoms and children’s internalizing problems, while polarized mentalization—particularly uncertainty and, to a lesser extent, excessive certainty about mental states—partially mediated the relationship. Maternal PTSD symptoms predicted both internalizing and externalizing problems. Parenting stress fully mediated the association between PTSD symptoms and children’s externalizing behaviors, whereas excessive certainty and uncertainty about mental states showed partial mediation effects. Conclusions: These findings suggest that maternal psychopathology may influence child adjustment both directly and indirectly through increased parenting stress and dysregulated mentalization. The results highlight the importance of trauma-informed, dyadic interventions targeting maternal mental health, parenting stress, and reflective functioning to prevent the intergenerational transmission of trauma and support resilience in families exposed to IPV. Full article

Background: Transgenerational trauma (TT)/Intergenerational trauma (IT) is the transmission of the effects of traumatic experiences of parents to their children, who have not themselves experienced traumatic events. This transmission occurs through neurobiological and metabolic changes and the environment in which they were raised. Methods: A systematic review was conducted in accordance with the PRISMA 2020 guidelines. PubMed and Google Scholar databases were searched from 2005 to 2025. Studies focusing on adult offspring, exposure to ancestral trauma, biological markers (DNA methylation, cortisol), and psychological outcomes were included. Results: The main study results are as follows: identification of sex-specific DNA methylation patterns in the NR3C1 gene and accelerated biological aging (GrimAge) in offspring; role of parental reflective functioning (PRF) and impaired mentalization as major psychological channels of trauma transmission; and evidence confirming the impact on three generations, manifested by treatment-resistant depressive disorders, anxiety, and neuroendocrine dysregulation (low cortisol levels). Conclusions: This article highlights the intergenerational impact of trauma and highlights its epigenetic significance. The primary goal was to explore universal epigenetic mechanisms. Early understanding of ancestral history is crucial for personalized psychiatric care. Full article

Afforestation of former agricultural land is widely promoted as a strategy to mitigate climate change and support sustainable land management. However, soils subjected to long-term cultivation often retain chemical legacies that may persist for decades after land-use change, influencing soil functioning and ecosystem development. This study investigates the persistence of selected agricultural soil chemical properties following afforestation using a chronosequence approach. Post-agricultural soils afforested for 15, 40, and 80 years were examined on Dystric Brunic Arenosols developed from sandy parent material. Composite samples were collected from forest-floor horizons (Ol and Ofh) and upper mineral horizons (A and B). The analyzed parameters included organic carbon (Corg), total nitrogen (Nt), sulfur (S), soil pH, hydrolytic acidity (Ha), exchangeable base cations (EBC), and cation exchange capacity (CEC). The results show that agricultural soil legacies persist for several decades after afforestation. Soils under the 15-year-old stand were characterized by higher exchangeable calcium, higher base saturation, and lower hydrolytic acidity, reflecting the persistence of historical liming. With increasing stand age, soil acidity increased, and base-cation concentrations declined, while organic carbon accumulated mainly in forest-floor horizons. These findings highlight the importance of considering agricultural soil legacies when evaluating the sustainability of afforestation and its role in long-term ecosystem services. Full article

Background: Parents of school-age children with neurodevelopmental and conduct difficulties face elevated stress, reduced self-efficacy and relational strain, yet evidence for scalable, school-embedded support remains limited. Drawing on mentalization theory—which emphasises parents’ capacity to understand behaviour in terms of underlying mental states—this mixed-methods study evaluated a weekly parent learning group integrating psychoeducation, mentalization-based practice and peer support, delivered within an alternative provision school. Methods: A group of twelve parents who attended at least six sessions completed retrospective pretest–posttest questionnaires assessing parental reflective functioning (PRFQ) and parenting self-efficacy (PSOC). Semi-structured interviews explored parents’ subjective experiences and perceived changes in parent–child interactions and parent–school relationships. Quantitative outcomes were analysed using paired t-tests and effect sizes; qualitative data underwent reflexive thematic analysis. Results: Quantitative analyses revealed statistically significant improvements in parental reflective functioning and self-efficacy. Pre-mentalizing scores decreased substantially (d = 1.34), indicating reductions in non-mentalizing, while interest and curiosity about children’s mental states increased markedly (d = 1.83). Parenting self-efficacy improved significantly (d = 1.61). Although a reduction in excessive certainty about mental states approached significance (d = 0.63, p = 0.053), trends suggested greater epistemic balance. Qualitative analysis identified six themes elucidating mechanisms of change, including enhanced mentalizing capacity, reduced parental stress, transformed parent–child interactions and facilitation style as a critical active ingredient. Integration of findings suggests that psychoeducational content provided conceptual grounding for understanding behaviour, facilitator modelling scaffolded reflective practice, and relational safety within the group enabled authentic engagement with challenging experiences. Conclusions: These preliminary findings indicate that a school-based parent learning group combining psychoeducation, mentalization-based practice and peer support is feasible and associated with meaningful improvements in parental reflective functioning and self-efficacy. Parent narratives of transformed relational practices and shifts from reactive to reflective engagement echo broader literature demonstrating that group-delivered mentalization-oriented programmes can enhance reflective capacities and caregiving quality in diverse family contexts. The school setting may extend the reach of such interventions to families not engaged with clinical services and support collaborative parent–school partnerships. Future research should employ larger, controlled designs, incorporate observational and child outcome measures, and explore scalability across educational contexts. Full article

Steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome (SRNS) in childhood frequently reflects monogenic podocytopathies in which immunosuppression is ineffective. Biallelic variants in MYO1E, encoding the class I myosin Myo1E, cause a distinctive form of focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) often accompanied by “Alport-like” multilamination of the glomerular basement membrane (GBM). Early recognition has therapeutic and prognostic implications. A previously healthy 4-year-old boy presented with generalized edema and nephrotic-range proteinuria. Glucocorticoids induced no remission; sequential calcineurin inhibition (cyclosporine, then tacrolimus) and a single dose of ofatumumab yielded only transient, partial reductions in proteinuria. A first biopsy elsewhere showed FSGS with nonspecific IgM/C3 trapping; electron microscopy (EM) was not performed. At age 10, repeat biopsy with EM revealed ~30% segmental foot-process effacement, focal GBM thickening (to 1740 nm), irregular lamina densa multilamination, and lamellar duplications without immune-complex deposits—features highly suggestive of hereditary GBM disease. Targeted sequencing identified compound-heterozygous MYO1E variants segregating in trans: a canonical splice-donor change (c.2785+1G>A) and a frameshift (c.3094_3097del; p.Thr1032Profs*73). Each parent was an unaffected heterozygous carrier; the sibling was negative. Supportive therapy with ramipril was continued. At last follow-up (January 2025), renal function was normal (serum creatinine 0.5 mg/dL; creatinine clearance 122 mL/min) with stable sub-nephrotic proteinuria (0.52 g/day; 16 mg/m² per hour) and normotension. This case broadens clinicopathologic recognition of MYO1E-associated nephropathy and highlights the teaching point that Alport-like GBM changes are not pathognomonic for type IV collagen disorders but may signal defects in podocyte cytoskeletal anchoring. Full article

The transcriptomic effects of hybridization and triploidization were investigated in diploid and triploid rainbow trout, diploid brook trout, as well as triploid hybrids of rainbow trout and brook trout. The examined fish were reared under identical conditions for about two and a half years after hatching. Expression of ten genes involved in cellular respiration (Atp5bp, Slc25a5), mitochondrial functioning (Mrpl28, Micu2), ribosome biogenesis (Rpl24, Rps24), proteasome-mediated protein turnover (Derl1, Psmc2), and protein chaperoning (Hsp90B1, Pdia4) was studied in liver and muscle tissues. Most of the analyzed genes (Atp5bp, Slc25a5, Mrpl28, Micu2, Rpl24, Rps24, Derl1, and Psmc2) displayed comparable expression levels in the liver tissue across the examined triploid hybrids and diploid parental species, with stabilization of genes that were both positively and negatively compensated in the triploid rainbow trout. In turn, significant upregulation of Slc25a5, Derl1, Rps24, and Rpl24 genes, together with downregulation of Micu2 gene, was observed in the triploid rainbow trout liver and muscle, respectively. On the other hand, triploid hybrids showed marked transcriptional upregulation of genes primarily associated with energy metabolism and protein synthesis (Atp5pb, Slc25a5, Rpl24, Rps24, and Pdia4) relative to all the fish groups examined. Although protein-synthesis- and energy-related genes were upregulated in the muscles of triploid hybrids, the recorded growth performance data did not indicate clear evidence of growth heterosis (MPH = −14.3% for body weight; MPH = −0.4% for body length), suggesting that potential benefits of increased heterozygosity in this cross may not be fully reflected in enhanced growth. Three- to four-fold downregulation of the heat shock protein (Hsp90B1) gene was also observed in both tissues of triploid hybrids compared with purebred diploid and triploid trout, which may reflect potential maladaptive genomic effects commonly observed in distant salmonid crosses, suggesting altered stress-response regulation in the examined triploid hybrids. Full article

Background: Tumor-derived small extracellular vesicles (sEV), which we call TEX, carry a cargo of molecules that resembles the producer tumor cells. Circulating freely in body fluids, TEX potentially serve as a liquid tumor biopsy. TEX horizontally transfer their cargo to various recipient cells, imparting to them pro-tumor activity. Mechanisms of TEX-driven reprogramming might involve nucleic acids, especially double-stranded (ds)DNA. Methods: TEX isolated from supernatants of human tumor cells were identified as sEV, based on their size, endocytic origin and morphology. TEX treated with DNase/RNase cocktail were examined by transmission and cryo-electron microscopy and tested for biologic activity. DNA was extracted from enzyme-treated TEX, quantified by Qubit and analyzed for fragment sizes. The presence of genomic DNA in TEX was confirmed by PCR, and sequencing of the TP53 gene fragment for a mutational signature was performed. Results: Enzymatic and microscopic studies of TEX showed that nucleic acids are present in the biocorona on the outer surface. Their removal interfered with the biocorona integrity. A short TEX exposure to DNase/RNase altered their morphology without impairing vesicle functions; longer treatments induced TEX re-organization into smaller membrane-bound vesicles. The TEX lumen contained long fragments of protected genomic DNA with a mutational signature reflecting that of the tumor. Conclusions: Nucleic acids present on the TEX surface support the vesicular integrity. The TEX lumen contains membrane-protected large (ds)DNA fragments with the mutational signature of the parent tumor. The presence of surface and luminal nucleic acids in TEX, and especially their mutational signature, suggests that TEX may serve as highly promising cancer-specific biomarkers. Full article

Amblyopia is the most common cause of unilateral visual impairment in childhood. Occlusion therapy remains the gold standard for treatment as its psychosocial and functional consequences may affect both children and their parents, potentially compromising treatment adherence. This cross-sectional study included 36 children (aged 3–9 years) undergoing occlusion therapy for amblyopia and 18 parents who completed a mirrored version of the same questionnaire. Each instrument consisted of 18 items distributed across three domains: Psychosocial (Q1–Q6), Daily and School Activities (Q7–Q12), and Physical and Treatment Acceptance (Q13–Q18). Responses were coded on 0–3 or 0–1 scales, and total scores ranged from 0 to 26, with higher scores reflecting greater psychosocial impact. The mean total score reported by children was 15.3 ± 2.5 (range 10–22), compared to 16 ± 2.7 (range 10–21) for parents. No significant difference was found between the two groups (p = 0.31), indicating a generally consistent perception of treatment impact. Among children, girls (15.5 ± 2.4) scored slightly higher than boys (15 ± 2.5) (p = 0.51). Among parents, mothers (17 ± 2.5) reported significantly greater perceived impact than fathers (14 ± 3.0) (p = 0.03). Age-based comparison revealed no significant differences between age groups (3–4, 5–6, and 7–9 years; F = 0.14; p = 0.87), although younger children (3–6 years) showed slightly higher psychosocial scores than older ones (7–9 years) (p = 0.75). Occlusion therapy exerts a moderate psychosocial impact on amblyopic children, affecting emotional well-being, school performance, and treatment acceptance. While parents generally recognize the burden of therapy, mothers perceive it more strongly than fathers, and younger children appear slightly more emotionally affected. These findings emphasize the importance of including both child self-reports and parental perspectives in clinical assessments and support the need for psychological and educational interventions to improve comfort and adherence during treatment. Full article

Background: Parental and caregiver stress represents a critical factor influencing family functioning and the quality of care in families of autistic children. Although previous research has identified multiple correlates of caregiver stress, the interplay between individual stress, co-parenting quality, and psychosocial contextual factors in families of autistic children remains insufficiently characterized within an integrated framework. Methods: This study adopted a cross-sectional exploratory design to examine stress levels, co-parenting quality, and associated psychosocial variables in caregivers. Standardized self-report measures were administered, and analyses included descriptive statistics, correlational analyses, and exploratory person-centered clustering procedures to identify patterns of co-occurring characteristics rather than discrete typologies. Results: Caregiver stress was significantly associated with indicators of co-parenting quality and psychosocial burden. Exploratory clustering analyses identified distinct patterns of caregiver experiences, characterized by differing levels of stress, perceived support, and co-parenting quality. These clusters should be interpreted as statistical profiles that reflect heterogeneous configurations of variables, rather than as stable or causal categories. Conclusions: Findings highlight the multidimensional nature of caregiver stress and underscore the importance of considering co-parenting quality and contextual factors within mental health promotion frameworks. The results are hypothesis-generating and support the need for future longitudinal and confirmatory studies to validate these patterns and clarify their implications for preventive and supportive interventions targeting families and care professionals. Full article

Background/Objectives: Parental health literacy is linked to child health outcomes, but the evidence relies mainly on parent proxy reports. This study examined the association between parental health literacy and proxy-reported mental health outcomes in children aged 6–10 years and assessed whether these associations reflect general reporting patterns. Methods: This study is a secondary analysis of data derived from a population-based cross-sectional survey conducted in South Tyrol, Italy, including proxy data from 3183 children aged 6–10 years. Parental health literacy was categorized as inadequate, problematic, adequate, or missing/insufficient. The outcomes included emotional and behavioral difficulties, psychosomatic complaints, and perceived social support. Linear regression models were estimated for each outcome, adjusted for children’s age, gender, parental age, education, family affluence, migration background, residential setting, and questionnaire language. Selective missingness and insufficient completion of parental health literacy data were examined using logistic regression analysis. Sensitivity analyses were used to adjust the mental health models for social support. Results: Higher parental health literacy was associated with lower emotional and behavioral difficulties (B = −1.40, 95% confidence interval [CI] −1.79 to −1.01), higher psychosomatic complaint scores (B = 0.61, 95% CI 0.40 to 0.081), and higher perceived social support (B = 0.14, 95% CI 0.02 to 0.26). The effect sizes were small. Missing or insufficient parental health literacy data showed social patterns by parental education and age, whereas no systematic predictors of early disengagement were observed among parents who partially completed the health literacy instrument. Sensitivity analyses attenuated but did not eliminate the associations between parental health literacy and child mental health outcomes. Conclusions: Parental health literacy is associated with proxy-reported psychosocial outcomes in children aged 6–10 years. The consistency of the effects across outcomes suggests that parental health literacy may influence how parents report child functioning, underscoring the importance of considering informant characteristics in proxy-based research. Full article

PACS1 Syndrome is an ultra-rare neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by intellectual disability, behavioral disturbances, and multisystem involvement. While clinical knowledge is growing, its impact on quality of life (QoL) has not been systematically evaluated, and it is critical to understand the lived experience and psychosocial well-being of these individuals beyond strictly medical outcomes. This study aimed to assess QoL in individuals aged 4–21 years with PACS1 Syndrome using the validated KidsLife scale, proxy-reported by primary caregivers, given the intellectual disabilities and communicative limitations of this population. Twenty-one participants from Spain and other countries were recruited through the Spanish PACS1 Association, and 39 questionnaires from mothers and fathers were analyzed. The KidsLife scale provides standardized scores across eight QoL domains and a global QoL index (QoLI). The mean QoLI was 48.1 ± 28.3, slightly below the median for individuals with intellectual disability, but higher than other neurodevelopmental disorders such as Cornelia de Lange Syndrome. The findings revealed a pattern: while domains related to social inclusion, rights, and physical and material well-being were relatively preserved, reflecting adequate care and access to resources, the most significant compromises were observed in autonomy-related domains, specifically self-determination, interpersonal relationships, and personal development. Most individuals showed a high degree of dependency, and those with greater dependency exhibited lower QoL scores. This situation led more than half of families to reduce their working hours, with caregiving responsibilities disproportionately falling on mothers. Although no statistically significant differences were found between parental ratings, mothers tended to report higher QoL. These findings reflect the substantial functional impact of PACS1 Syndrome and emphasize the need for multidisciplinary support to improve autonomy, social participation, and overall well-being. Full article