Search Results (178)

Climate change is intensifying soil salinization, posing a major threat to crop establishment and productivity, particularly in arid and semi-arid regions. Barley (Hordeum vulgare L.), one of the most salt-tolerant cereals, offers valuable genetic resources for improving salinity resilience at early growth stages. This study exploited the genetic diversity of the Nested Association Mapping (NAM) population Halle Exotic Barley-25 (HEB-25) to dissect salinity tolerance during germination and seedling developmental stages. First, the HEB-25 parental lines (25 wild barley genotypes and cv. Barke) were evaluated under salinity treatment to identify contrasting responses. Based on this screening, four HEB families (01, 04, 09, and 22) were selected out of 25 HEB families for detailed phenotypic and genomic analysis. Seeds of the selected HEB families were subjected to 40% seawater salinity stress and control treatments to assess germination percentage and seedling traits, including shoot length, root length, fresh weight (FW), dry weight (DW), DW/FW ratio, root–shoot ratio, and salt tolerance index (STI). Substantial variation was observed among families for all measured traits under salinity stress. STI values enabled clear differentiation among families: Family 01 exhibited the most consistent overall tolerance profile, Family 22 showed the strongest sensitivity in biomass traits, and Family 04 displayed a trait-specific response with sensitivity at the family-mean level but exceptional within-family diversity, harboring some of the highest individual TI values across the population. A genome-wide association study was conducted using 32,995 SNP markers. A total of 27 significant SNPs were identified, corresponding to 20 quantitative trait loci (QTLs). Of these, 12 QTLs were detected under control conditions, 16 under seawater treatment, and 21 based on tolerance indices, indicating both constitutive and stress-responsive genetic effects. Gene annotation within these regions revealed approximately 23 candidate genes associated with abiotic stress tolerance, including genes involved in ion transport, osmotic adjustment, kinases and stress signaling pathways. HEB_22_003, HEB_04_087, and HEB_01_013 represent the most promising genotypes for salinity breeding. These findings highlight the effectiveness of combining precise phenotyping with high-resolution genomic analysis in the HEB-25 population to uncover the genetic architecture of salinity tolerance at early developmental stages. We identified 20 salinity-responsive QTLs, including five major-effect loci on chromosomes 2H, 4H, 5H, and 7H that consistently explained the largest share of phenotypic variation. These loci co-localized with candidate genes linked to ion homeostasis, Ca²⁺-mediated signaling, protein glycosylation, epigenetic regulation, and root system plasticity, revealing key mechanisms underlying early-stage salt adaptation in barley. The strong and contrasting responses of Family 01 and Family 04 provide an excellent genetic framework for functional validation of tolerance alleles. Collectively, these genomic resources establish a robust foundation for QTL pyramiding, marker-assisted breeding, and the development of climate-resilient barley cultivars for saline agroecosystems. Full article

Drought is a critical constraint for legume production in semi-arid regions, yet breeding for drought tolerance in faba bean through induced mutagenesis remains largely unexplored. To our knowledge, this is the first EMS-derived mutant population in faba bean specifically developed for drought tolerance, comprising 45 M₂/M₃ lines derived from small-seeded cv. Zina and large-seeded cv. Aguadulce Superlonga), evaluated under two irrigation regimes—100% field capacity (well-watered control) and 40% field capacity (severe stress)—over two consecutive growing seasons in a randomized complete block design with three replications. Drought stress caused severe yield losses, reducing mean seed number per plant by 42.2% and mean seed weight per plant by 47.1%. Analysis of variance revealed highly significant effects of genotype, irrigation, and generation/year on both yield components. The non-significant genotype × irrigation interaction indicated similar proportional drought response across genotypes, while the non-significant three-way interaction suggested relatively consistent genotype rankings across generations/growing seasons. Among the ten drought tolerance indices evaluated, seed-number-based mean productivity (MPn) and stress tolerance index (STIn) were the most discriminating, whereas weight-based indices failed to differentiate genotypes due to the inherent seed-size contrast between botanical backgrounds. Dunnett’s comparisons identified genotype 23 (Zina-derived) as the top performer, significantly exceeding its parent for both MPn and STIn; genotypes 22, 24, 12, 3, and 15 similarly outperformed controls. Cluster analysis broadly distinguished three groups: a tolerant cluster dominated by Zina-derived lines, a moderately tolerant cluster (Zina wild-type), and a sensitive cluster of Aguadulce Superlonga-derived lines. These findings suggest that EMS mutagenesis generated potentially heritable and exploitable variation for drought tolerance, with selected lines representing promising candidates for further multi-environment validation. Full article

Background: Parents of children undergoing liver transplantation face substantial caregiving demands that may adversely affect their mental health across multiple domains. Systematic evaluation of psychosocial outcomes in this population remains limited, particularly in settings that include immigrant families. Method: This was a single-center, cross-sectional study including the parents of 50 children after liver transplantation. Major sociodemographic variables included parental age, sex, education, chronic disease, and immigration status. We also recorded children’s demographics, transplant-related data, follow-up findings, and mental health status. Instruments for psychiatric assessment included the Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item scale (GAD-7; anxiety), Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9; depression), Perceived Stress Scale-10 (PSS-10; stress), and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI; sleep quality). Results: We enrolled 50 parents of 50 pediatric liver transplant recipients (43 Turkish citizens, 7 Syrian immigrants; 28 fathers, 22 mothers; mean age: 40.10 ± 6.65). Time since transplantation showed weak negative correlation with PHQ-9 and GAD-7. Stress (PSS) levels had weak to strong positive correlation with PSQI, PHQ-9, and GAD-7. Sleep quality (PSQI) was positively correlated with PHQ-9 and GAD-7. Depressive findings (PHQ-9) were strongly and positively correlated with GAD-7. In Firth-penalized multivariable models, high PHQ-9 scores were independently associated with shorter time since transplantation (p = 0.001) and high PSS (p = 0.003). High GAD-7 scores were independently associated with shorter time since transplantation (p = 0.025) and high PSS (p = 0.001). Conclusions: The parents of pediatric liver transplant recipients experience high levels of stress, sleep issues, depression, and anxiety, which demonstrate multiple correlations. Full article

Background: Occupational therapists often provide sensory integration therapy (SIT) as part of interventions for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). However, evidence supporting its effectiveness remains limited. Therefore, this study aimed to explore the potential benefits of once-weekly SIT for children with ASD and co-occurring intellectual disability. Methods: A non-blinded single-group pre–post study was conducted using SIT once a week for 8 weeks. Participants were children aged 2–6 years who had been diagnosed with ASD, had a developmental index score of ≤70, and were classified as having severe autism according to the Childhood Autism Rating Scale. Outcome measures included the Goal Attainment Scaling (GAS), Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales, Second Edition (VABS-II), Short Sensory Profile (SSP), and Parenting Stress Index, Short Form (PSI-SF). Data were analyzed using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test to compare pre- and post-intervention results. Results: Ten children completed the full intervention protocol. Changes were observed in some domains of the GAS and VABS-II; however, these findings were characterized by substantial uncertainty and considerable variability across participants. In contrast, no apparent changes were observed in the SSP or PSI-SF. Conclusions: The findings of this study do not support the effectiveness of sensory integration therapy (SIT) and should not be interpreted as evidence of intervention-related benefit. Rather, the results should be considered as exploratory observations obtained under real-world clinical conditions. Future research employing more rigorous designs, including the use of control groups, larger sample sizes, and blinded assessments, is required. Full article

Background/Objectives: Admission of a newborn to a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) places mothers under considerable psychological strain, yet there is limited research from resource-limited settings regarding this aspect. This study represents the Sri Lankan arm of the multicentre study titled “Empowering Parents in the NICU”. It aimed to determine the prevalence and associated factors of stress, depression, and anxiety among mothers of neonates admitted to neonatal units and to assess mothers’ participation in neonatal care. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in two tertiary neonatal units in Sri Lanka. Maternal stress, depression, and anxiety were measured using the Parental Stressor Scale: NICU, Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale, and State–Trait Anxiety Inventory. Maternal involvement in care was assessed using the Index of Parental Participation (IPP-NICU). Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed. Results: A total of 300 mothers were enrolled. The prevalence of stress, depression, and state anxiety was 73%, 87%, and 77.7%, respectively. Overall, 94.3% experienced at least one psychological condition, while 59% experienced all three. Only 13% achieved an IPP-NICU score ≥ 20 (maximum: 30). Mothers of infants admitted to NICUs, compared with those in semi-intensive care, showed significantly higher rates of depression. Tamil and Muslim mothers demonstrated lower rates of state anxiety compared to Sinhalese mothers. An IPP-NICU score ≥ 20 was associated with reduced stress and anxiety. Conclusions: High psychological morbidity is observed among mothers of neonates managed in neonatal units, emphasising the need for routine maternal mental health screening and promoting maternal participation in neonatal care. Full article

Parental stress is a critical yet understudied dimension of childhood total blindness, a condition that imposes substantial developmental, emotional, and functional challenges on families. This cross-sectional study assessed parenting stress, maternal health symptoms, and children’s functional vision-related quality of life in 81 mothers of children aged 0 to 12 years with total congenital blindness. Parenting stress was assessed in the full sample using the Parenting Stress Index–Fourth Edition (PSI-4). Children’s functional vision-related quality of life was evaluated in age-specific subsamples using the Quality of Family Vision Impact (QFVI-3 for children aged 0–3 years and QFVI-7 for children aged 3–7 years). All participants also completed a sociodemographic and maternal health survey. Total Parent Stress showed moderately elevated percentile scores (mean ≈ 67), with the highest PSI-4 subdomains in Adaptability, Depression, and Health. Approximately 21% of mothers scored within the clinical range for high stress. Maternal symptoms including sadness, insomnia, headaches, forgetfulness, and musculoskeletal pain were significant (all p < 0.01). QFVI global scores indicated moderate impairments in functional vision-related quality of life across age groups. Life Stress demonstrated a small-to-moderate negative correlation with QFVI-7, suggesting that cumulative environmental stressors may adversely affect children’s functional outcomes. Several factors were associated with more favorable outcomes. Among children under three years of age, maternal engagement in physical activity was associated with higher QFVI scores, whereas among children aged 3–7 years, school attendance was associated with higher functional vision-related quality of life scores. In contrast, sociodemographic disadvantage, limited access to educational adaptations, and reduced maternal participation in work or leisure activities were associated with higher levels of parental stress. These findings highlight the importance of multidisciplinary, family-centered care incorporating psychosocial assessment, early stimulation, orientation and mobility support, and maternal mental health interventions in pediatric ophthalmology. Full article

Background/Objectives: Childhood obesity remains a major public health issue, particularly in Mediterranean countries such as Greece. Although parental influences on children’s weight have been extensively studied, fewer studies have jointly examined parental mental health, feeding practices, sociodemographic factors, and biological stress markers. This study aimed to investigate associations between psychological status, educational level, feeding behaviors, and children’s Body Mass Index (BMI) in a Greek sample. A pilot assessment of salivary cortisol was included in evaluating its feasibility as an objective biomarker of parental stress. Subjects and Methods: A total of 103 parent–child dyads participated in this cross-sectional study. Children’s BMI was classified using World Health Organization (WHO) growth standards. Parental stress, anxiety, and depressive symptoms were assessed using the Perceived Stress Scale-14 (PSS-14) and the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21) questionnaires. Feeding practices were evaluated with the Comprehensive Feeding Practices Questionnaire (CFPQ). Statistical analyses included Pearson correlations, independent samples t-tests, one-way ANOVA, Mann–Whitney U, and Kruskal–Wallis tests. A subsample provided saliva samples for cortisol analysis to assess feasibility and explore the potential associations with parental stress indicators. Results: Parental BMI showed a strong positive association with child BMI (p = 0.002). Higher parental anxiety (p = 0.002) and depression (p = 0.009) were also associated with increased child BMI. Restrictive (p < 0.001) and emotion-driven (p < 0.001) feeding practices were associated with higher child BMI, whereas monitoring (p = 0.013) and health-promoting feeding practices (p = 0.001) appeared protective. Lower parental education was related to a higher BMI in both parents (p = 0.001) and children (p = 0.002) and to more frequent use of restrictive feeding strategies (p = 0.001). WHO charts identified a greater proportion of children as overweight or obese compared with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) criteria. The analysis showed statistically significant differences between the two classification systems (χ² (4) = 159.704, p < 0.001), indicating that BMI categorization varies considerably depending on the reference system used. No significant associations were observed with residential environment or salivary cortisol, likely due to the limited size of the pilot biomarker subsample. Conclusions: The findings highlight the combined effect of parental mental health status, educational level, and feeding practices on child BMI within the Greek context. The preliminary inclusion of a biological stress marker provides added value to the existing research in this area. These results underscore the importance of prevention strategies that promote parental psychological wellbeing and responsive feeding practices while addressing socioeconomic disparities to reduce the childhood obesity risk. Full article

This study evaluated 362 chickpea accessions by analyzing the phenotypic variation of 17 major traits. The main agronomic traits and quality traits were comprehensively evaluated using principal component analysis (PCA) and cluster analysis. The results revealed a Shannon diversity index (H’) for the five qualitative traits ranging from 0.76 to 1.20, while for the twelve quantitative traits, it ranged from 1.45 to 2.07. The coefficient of variation (CV) ranged from 7.63% to 41.69%, demonstrating substantial variation and significant differences among the 362 germplasm resources. Correlation analysis revealed that traits such as growth period, plant height, seed weight per plant, and hundred-seed weight were closely correlated with yield. PCA extracted five principal components, collectively explaining 76.06% of the total variance, representing most of the agronomic traits and quality traits. Cluster analysis categorized the accessions into five distinct groups, which can be used as germplasm alternative materials with high yield, mechanization potential, large grain size, early maturity, stress resistance, and high protein content. Using a membership function, a comprehensive evaluation score (F-value) was calculated, leading to the identification of ten accessions with superior overall traits. These could be used as materials for breeding and germplasm creation of new chickpea varieties. This research provides a scientific basis for future parental selection in chickpea breeding programs and for the screening of specific chickpea germplasm resources. Full article

The ‘Parents as Partners’ (PasP) coparenting programme was delivered to heterosexual parents of infants they described as showing a highly reactive temperament (HRT) following the completion of the Infant Behaviour Questionnaire–Revised (IBQ-R) during a standard post-natal visit in their local Health Centre Well Baby Clinic in Malta. Fifty-two participating Maltese couples, all coparenting a highly reactive infant of 8 to 12 months, were randomly assigned into an experimental (n = 30 couples) or control group (n = 25). The IBQ-R, Coparenting Relationship Scale (CRS), and Parental Stress Index (PSI-4 SF) at pre- and post-intervention periods were filled out by randomised participants. Intervention group couples followed the 16-week PasP programme. All randomised couples were followed by a case manager monthly. Post-intervention results compared with controls showed reduced couple conflict occurring in front of the child, reduced parent–child dysfunctional interaction, and a reduction in negative child reactivity. Implications point to the importance of including fathers and reducing coparenting conflict in interventions designed to reduce behavioural difficulties in infants and young children. Full article

Clarifying the influence of sensorimotor factors on feeding participation problems (FPPs) in children with autism may have implications for therapeutic interventions. Our objective was to assess the prevalence of FPPs in a population of children with autism and to study its association with sensorimotor factors (oral and tactile reactivity and oral praxis). Descriptive observational study including 26 autistic children aged 3 to 12 years. Behavioral Pediatrics Feeding Assessment Scale (BPFAS), Sensory Profile 2 (SP-2), and Oral Praxis (OPr) tests were used. Caregiver stress was evaluated by Parental Stress Index–Short Form (PSI-4-SF). Multivariate logistic analysis and Receiver Operating Characteristic curve was used to predict the risk of FPPs. 26 children (84.6% boys) were included, with a mean age of 6.92 years (95% CI 5.94–7.91). Feeding behavior difficulties were observed in 53.8% of participants, 80.7% exhibited oral praxis issues, and 65.4% of caregivers reported stress related to their child’s FPPs. Oral reactivity and sensory avoidance behaviors were significantly associated with FPPs. Among children with higher support needs, tactile reactivity was also significantly related to FPPs. FPPs in children with autism were associated with oral and tactile hyperreactivity, higher levels of sensory avoidance, dysfunctional parent–child interactions, and increased support needs. Full article

Climate change causes unpredictable weather patterns, leading to more frequent and severe droughts. Investigating the effects of drought and irrigation on soil water status and the performance of various cassava genotypes can provide valuable insights for mitigating drought through designing appropriate genotypes and water management strategies. The objective of this research was to evaluate soil moisture, growth rates, and final yields (total dry weight, storage root dry weight, harvest index and starch yield) of six cassava genotypes cultivated under drought conditions during the late growth phase, as well as under full irrigation. The study utilized a split-plot randomized complete block design with four replications, conducted over two growing seasons (2022/2023 and 2023/2024). The main plots were assigned as two water regimes to prevent water movement between plots: full irrigation and drought treatments. The subplot consisted of six cassava genotypes. Measurements included soil properties before planting, weather data, soil moisture content, relative water content (RWC) in cassava leaves, and several growth rates: leaf growth rate (LGR), stem growth rate (SGR), storage root growth rate (SRGR), crop growth rate (CGR), relative growth rate (RGR), as well as final yields. The results revealed that low soil moisture contents for drought treatment led to variation in RWC, growth, and yield among cassava genotypes. Variations in soil and weather conditions between the 2022/2023 and 2023/2024 growing seasons resulted in differences in the performance of the genotypes. Kasetsart 50 (2022/2023) and CMR38–125–77 (2023/2024) were top performers under late drought stress regarding storage root dry weight and starch yield, showing vigorous recovery upon re-watering, evidenced by their significant increase in LGR (between 240 and 270 DAP) and their high RGR (240–360 DAP). Rayong 9 (2023/2024) demonstrated strong performance in both during the drought period (180–240 DAP), efficiently allocating resources under water scarcity, with SRGR and starch yield reduced by 26.4% and 9.5%, respectively, compared to full irrigation. These cassava genotypes are valuable genetic resources for cassava cultivation and can be used as parental material in breeding programs aimed at improving drought tolerance. Full article

Background/Objectives: Parental stress is caused by the accumulation of difficulties related to raising children and is directly related to the educational functioning of a family and family dysfunction. The PSI (Parental Stress Index) is an assessment instrument and is considered the gold standard for measuring parental stress; however, there is no official Spanish version of this tool. Methods: Both the PSI-4 long form and short form were administered to a sample of 828 parents of children between 0 and 12 years of age. Results: The discrepancy between the scores of the original typification sample and the Spanish sample necessitates the establishment of specific normative values. Regarding internal consistency, test–retest stability, and construct validity, the results demonstrate consistency with the original study and other adaptation studies. The validity of the theoretical structure of the instrument was studied using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). The CFA fit indices in the overall PSI-4 LF model (101 items distributed across 13 first-order factors and two second-order factors) are not satisfactory. Therefore, the methodology used by the author in constructing the PSI-4 was employed, which involved performing two exploratory factor analyses (EFA). The domains of both parents and children exhibit partial replication of the theoretical subscales of the PSI-4. The analysis of the short form of the PSI-4 SF (comprising 36 items distributed across three subscales and a total score) yielded results similar to those of the long form. Conclusions: These results suggest the potential for developing specific standards for the Spanish population and conducting criterion validity studies for the clinical use of all dimensions of the PSI-4 in its two forms (LF and SF). Full article

Background/Objectives: The identification of health risk factors in children should rely not only on body mass index but also on modifiable lifestyle behaviors. Early screening for physical inactivity, poor nutrition, inadequate sleep, and chronic stress is crucial for effective preventive healthcare. The aim of this project was to develop the OWL screening tool, a protocol for the holistic assessment of key lifestyle risk factors in children aged 6–12. Methods/Rationale: The OWL tool was developed by integrating evidence-based recommendations from major health societies (WHO, EFSA, the National Sleep Foundation, and the Pediatric Endocrine Society), incorporating psychological principles, and adapting validated components from existing pediatric screening instruments. Its design prioritizes flexibility for use across various age groups and settings. The development process resulted in the 20-item OWL questionnaire, structured into four lifestyle domains: nutrition, physical activity, sleep, and stress management. Each item is a closed-ended question requiring a dichotomous (yes/no) response. One point is awarded for each health-promoting behavior endorsed, yielding a total possible score of 20. The tool is suitable for self-report by older children, parent-report for younger children, or clinician-administered review. Conclusions: By integrating sleep and stress management with traditional lifestyle factors, the OWL screening tool offers a highly relevant approach to pediatric preventive care. The findings presented here should be interpreted as a proof-of-concept, and the tool is not yet ready for clinical implementation without further rigorous evaluation. Full article

The present study aimed to determine the Genotype × Environment interaction (GEI), yield stability, and agronomic performance of 24 “Pinto” bean lines under semi-arid conditions in Central-West Mexico. All the lines possess a slow-darkening seed coat, a trait that prolongs visual quality and increases market value. The lines, which exhibit an indeterminate prostrate growth habit, were evaluated in three contrasting environments: irrigated, rainfed, and drought-stressed. A combined analysis of variance, Tukey’s test, and the additive main effects and multiplicative interaction (AMMI 2) model were applied to assess seed yield and agronomic traits. Average seed yield declined markedly across environments, from 2279 kg ha⁻¹ under irrigation to 593 kg ha⁻¹ under drought stress, with different lines performing best in each environment. AMMI 2 biplot analysis showed that the first two principal components explained 100% of GEI variability for seed yield, dry shoot biomass, total biomass, harvest index, pods per plant, and seeds per pod. Both genetic and environmental effects were significant, with notable GEI patterns. Despite pronounced environmental influence, several lines exhibited stable performance across environments. Line 11 consistently combined high yield and stability, positioning it as a strong candidate for cultivar registration and as a parent in breeding programs targeting semiarid regions. These results underscore the importance of multi-environment evaluation for identifying genotypes with broad or specific adaptation, contributing to genetic improvement and sustainable bean production under variable moisture regimes. Full article

The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of maternal involvement in children’s home-based learning activities during the COVID-19 lockdown on mothers’ parenting stress, the quality of maternal care perceived by offspring, and the level of children’s internalizing/externalizing symptoms. This study recruited 415 subjects from the general population. To assess parenting stress, mothers were administered the Parenting Stress Index–Short Form; to assess children’s perceived quality of maternal care, this study used the Parental Bonding Inventory; and the Child Behavior Checklist/6–18 was used to assess internalizing/externalizing symptoms in children. Correlations showed that the amount of time spent by the mother supervising children’s self-study was highly and positively correlated with parental stress and offspring’s externalizing (but not internalizing) symptoms, and highly and positively correlated with the subscale of maternal overprotection in the children’s perceived quality of maternal care. Moreover, the multiple regression analyses conducted based on the above significant correlations showed that the amount of time spent by the mother overseeing children’s study was associated with parental stress, children’s externalizing symptoms, and maternal overprotection. Overall, the current study contributes to showing the burden families had to face as a result of school closures and accompanying distance learning during the COVID-19 epidemic. Full article