25 results on '"Valente, Elena"'
Search Results
2. Involvement of p38 MAPK in haemozoin-dependent MMP-9 enhancement in human monocytes.
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Khadjavi, Amina, Valente, Elena, Giribaldi, Giuliana, and Prato, Mauro
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The lipid moiety of natural haemozoin (nHZ, malarial pigment) was previously shown to enhance expression and release of human monocyte matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9), and a major role for 15-( S, R)-hydroxy-6,8,11,13-eicosatetraenoic acid (15-HETE), a nHZ lipoperoxidation product, was proposed. Here, the underlying mechanisms were investigated, focusing on the involvement of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs). Results showed that nHZ promoted either early or late p38 MAPK phosphorylation; however, nHZ did not modify basal phosphorylation/expression ratios of extracellular signal-regulated kinase-1/2 and c-jun N-terminal kinase-1/2. 15-HETE mimicked nHZ effects on p38 MAPK, whereas lipid-free synthetic (s)HZ and delipidized (d)HZ did not. Consistently, both nHZ and 15-HETE also promoted phosphorylation of MAPK-activated protein kinase-2, a known p38 MAPK substrate; such an effect was abolished by SB203580, a synthetic p38 MAPK inhibitor. SB203580 also abrogated nHZ-dependent and 15-HETE-dependent enhancement of MMP-9 mRNA and protein (latent and activated forms) levels in cell lysates and supernatants. Collectively, these data suggest that in human monocytes, nHZ and 15-HETE upregulate MMP-9 expression and secretion through activation of p38 MAPK pathway. The present work provides new evidence on mechanisms underlying MMP-9 deregulation in malaria, which might be helpful to design new specific drugs for adjuvant therapy in complicated malaria. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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- 2014
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3. Natural Haemozoin Induces Expression and Release of Human Monocyte Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-1.
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Polimeni, Manuela, Valente, Elena, Ulliers, Daniela, Opdenakker, Ghislain, Van den Steen, Philippe E., Giribaldi, Giuliana, and Prato, Mauro
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GENE expression , *MONOCYTES , *METALLOPROTEINASES , *CEREBRAL malaria , *LABORATORY mice , *PROTEINASES , *INFLAMMATION - Abstract
Recently matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) and its endogenous inhibitor (tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1, TIMP-1) have been implicated in complicated malaria. In vivo, mice with cerebral malaria (CM) display high levels of both MMP-9 and TIMP-1, and in human patients TIMP-1 serum levels directly correlate with disease severity. In vitro, natural haemozoin (nHZ, malarial pigment) enhances monocyte MMP-9 expression and release. The present study analyses the effects of nHZ on TIMP-1 regulation in human adherent monocytes. nHZ induced TIMP-1 mRNA expression and protein release, and promoted TNF-α, IL-1β, and MIP-1α/CCL3 production. Blocking antibodies or recombinant cytokines abrogated or mimicked nHZ effects on TIMP-1, respectively. p38 MAPK and NF-κB inhibitors blocked all nHZ effects on TIMP-1 and pro-inflammatory molecules. Still, total gelatinolytic activity was enhanced by nHZ despite TIMP-1 induction. Collectively, these data indicate that nHZ induces inflammation-mediated expression and release of human monocyte TIMP-1 through p38 MAPK- and NF-κB-dependent mechanisms. However, TIMP-1 induction is not sufficient to counterbalance nHZ-dependent MMP-9 enhancement. Future investigation on proteinase-independent functions of TIMP-1 (i.e. cell survival promotion and growth/differentiation inhibition) is needed to clarify the role of TIMP-1 in malaria pathogenesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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- 2013
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4. Role of 15-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid in hemozoin-induced lysozyme release from human adherent monocytes.
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Polimeni, Manuela, Valente, Elena, Aldieri, Elisabetta, Khadjavi, Amina, Giribaldi, Giuliana, and Prato, Mauro
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HYDROXYEICOSATETRAENOIC acid , *LYSOZYMES , *CELL adhesion , *PROTEIN metabolism , *MONOCYTES , *PLASMODIUM , *MITOGEN-activated protein kinases , *DNA-binding proteins , *HEMOGLOBINS - Abstract
Natural hemozoin (nHZ), a lipid-bound ferriprotoporphyrin IX crystal produced by Plasmodium parasites after hemoglobin catabolism, seriously compromises the functions of human monocytes, and 15-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (15-HETE) and 4-hydroxynonenal (4-HNE), two nHZ lipoperoxidation products, have been related to such a functional impairment. nHZ was recently shown to promote inflammation-mediated lysozyme release from human monocytes through p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase- (MAPK)- and nuclear factor (NF)-κB-dependent mechanisms. This study aimed at identifying the molecule of nHZ lipid moiety that was responsible for these effects. Results showed that 15-HETE mimicked nHZ effects on lysozyme release, whereas 4-HNE did not. 15-HETE-enhanced lysozyme release was abrogated by anti-TNF-α and anti-IL-1β-blocking antibodies and mimicked by recombinant cytokines; on the contrary, MIP-1α/CCL3 was not involved as a soluble mediator of 15-HETE effects. Moreover, 15-HETE early activated p38 MAPK and NF-κB pathways by inducing p38 MAPK phosphorylation; cytosolic I-κBα phosphorylation and degradation; NF-κB nuclear translocation and DNA-binding. Inhibition of both routes through chemical inhibitors (SB203580, quercetin, artemisinin, and parthenolide) prevented 15-HETE-dependent lysozyme release. Collectively, these data suggest that 15-HETE plays a major role in nHZ-enhanced monocyte degranulation. © 2013 BioFactors, 2013 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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- 2013
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5. Haemozoin Induces Early Cytokine-Mediated Lysozyme Release from Human Monocytes through p38 MAPK- and NF-kappaB- Dependent Mechanisms.
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Polimeni, Manuela, Valente, Elena, Aldieri, Elisabetta, Khadjavi, Amina, Giribaldi, Giuliana, and Prato, Mauro
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NF-kappa B , *LEUCOCYTES , *CYTOKINES , *LYSOZYMES , *MONOCYTES , *IMMUNOREGULATION , *INFLAMMATORY mediators - Abstract
Malarial pigment (natural haemozoin, HZ) is a ferriprotoporphyrin IX crystal produced by Plasmodium parasites after haemoglobin catabolism. HZ-fed human monocytes are functionally compromised, releasing increased amounts of proinflammatory molecules, including cytokines, chemokines and cytokine-related proteolytic enzyme Matrix Metalloproteinase- 9 (MMP-9), whose role in complicated malaria has been recently suggested. In a previous work HZ was shown to induce through TNFalpha production the release of monocytic lysozyme, an enzyme stored in gelatinase granules with MMP-9. Here, the underlying mechanisms were investigated. Results showed that HZ lipid moiety promoted early but not late lysozyme release. HZ-dependent lysozyme induction was abrogated by anti-TNFalpha/IL-1beta/MIP-1alpha blocking antibodies and mimicked by recombinant cytokines. Moreover, HZ early activated either p38 MAPK or NF-kappaB pathways by inducing: p38 MAPK phosphorylation; cytosolic I-kappaBalpha phosphorylation and degradation; NF-kappaB nuclear translocation and DNA-binding. Inhibition of both routes through selected molecules (SB203580, quercetin, artemisinin, parthenolide) prevented HZ-dependent lysozyme release. These data suggest that HZ-triggered overproduction of TNFalpha, IL-1beta and MIP-1alpha mediates induction of lysozyme release from human monocytes through activation of p38 MAPK and NF-kappaB pathways, providing new evidence on mechanisms underlying the HZ-enhanced monocyte degranulation in falciparum malaria and the potential role for lysozyme as a new affordable marker in severe malaria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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- 2012
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6. SOCIAL SKILLS INTERVENTIONS FOR ADOLESCENTS WITH LEVEL 1 AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW WITH META-ANALYSIS OF RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED TRIALS.
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Narzisi, Antonio, Sesso, Gianluca, Fabbri-Destro, Maddalena, Berloffa, Stefano, Fantozzi, Pamela, Muccio, Rosy, Bruzzi, Gianina, Scatigna, Stefano, Valente, Elena, Viglione, Valentina, Milone, Annarita, Cortese, Samuele, and Masi, Gabriele
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SOCIAL skills education , *AUTISM spectrum disorders , *RANDOMIZED controlled trials , *SOCIAL skills , *INVESTIGATIONAL therapies - Abstract
Objective: Evidence on the efficacy of social skills training for adolescents with Level 1 Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is unclear. Method: We searched Pubmed, Scopus, and Web of Science until July 27th, 2023, for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of social skills training for pre-adolescents and adolescents (aged 9-18) with Level 1 ASD. We then pooled data on efficacy from individual RCTs by conducting multivariate mixed-effects meta-analyses in R. We estimated possible bias in the retained RCTs using the RoB2 tool. Results: We retained 36 RCTs (encompassing 2796 participants), including 18 RCTs comparing an experimental treatment to a waiting list, and 18 RCTs comparing it to standard care/control treatment. Meta-analyses showed that experimental treatments were significantly more efficacious than waiting list or standard care/ control treatments in improving social skills (SMD = 0.3745; 95%CI = [0.2396; 0.5093]), as well as reducing behavioral symptoms (0.3154;0.1783, 0.4525) and anxious/depressive symptoms (0.2780; 0.0432, 0.5128). However, for some outcomes there was significant heterogeneity across studies and evidence of publication bias. Subgroup analyses and meta-regressions did not identify any specific clinical or demographic factors as significant predictors of outcome. The most common risk of bias across studies was related to deviations from intended interventions and measurement of the outcomes. Conclusions: At the group level, social skills training for adolescents with Level 1 ASD is efficacious, with small-to-moderate effect size. Future research should focus on personalized medicine approaches, aimed at tailoring interventions to specific characteristics of adolescents with Level 1 ASD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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- 2024
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7. Emotional Dysregulation and Sleep Problems: A Transdiagnostic Approach in Youth.
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Sesso, Gianluca, Guccione, Fulvio, Pisano, Simone, Valente, Elena, Narzisi, Antonio, Berloffa, Stefano, Fantozzi, Pamela, Viglione, Valentina, Milone, Annarita, and Masi, Gabriele
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SLEEP quality , *PATHOLOGICAL psychology , *INTERNALIZING behavior , *EMOTION regulation , *COGNITIVE ability , *SLEEP , *SLEEP interruptions - Abstract
Background: Sleep is a complex phenomenon that affects several aspects of life, including cognitive functioning, emotional regulation, and overall well-being. Sleep disturbances, especially during adolescence, can negatively impact emotional regulation, making it a critical factor in targeting psychopathology. Methods: This study explores the interplay between emotional dysregulation (ED) and sleep patterns in a sample of 90 adolescent patients by means of self- and parent-rated clinical measures. Results: Our findings reveal a bidirectional relationship between ED and sleep problems. Adolescents with higher affective instability experience poorer sleep quality, while those with worse sleep quality exhibit higher internalizing problems. Additionally, emotional reactivity is associated with disrupted circadian rhythms. Conclusions: These results emphasize the significance of addressing sleep problems in the context of psychopathology treatment, potentially leading to improved outcomes. Further research is needed to determine the most effective treatment strategies, including nonpharmacological and pharmacological interventions. Understanding the intricate relationship between sleep problems and emotion regulation offers insights for more targeted and effective treatment approaches for youths struggling with ED. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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- 2024
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8. Clozapine Treatment for Aggressive Behaviors in Youths with Neurodevelopmental Disorders.
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Berloffa, Stefano, Masi, Gabriele, Falcone, Francesca, Simonelli, Valerio, Narzisi, Antonio, Valente, Elena, Viglione, Valentina, Milone, Annarita, and Sesso, Gianluca
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Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess effectiveness and tolerability of Clozapine in the treatment of aggression in youth with Neurodevelopmental Disorders. Methods: Patients were consecutively admitted at our third-level university hospital with nationwide catchment from June 2018 to October 2022, and followed up to July 2023. Eligibility criteria were as follows: (1) Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and/or Intellectual Disability/Borderline Cognitive Functioning, (2) behavioral dyscontrol with physical aggression; (3) age range between 8 and 18 years; (4) clinical indication for Clozapine treatment after at least two failed trials with other Second-Generation Antipsychotics (SGAs); (5) availability of an at least 6-month-long follow-up. To evaluate the response to Clozapine, we used the Clinical Global Impressions (CGI) rating scales (Clinical Global Impressions-Severity [CGI-S] and Clinical Global Impressions-Improvement [CGI-I]), the Children's Global Assessment Scale (CGAS), and the Aberrant Behavior Checklist (ABC). Results: Twenty-six children and adolescents (21 boys, age 13.47 ± 2.05 years, follow-up duration 9.77 ± 3.50 months) were included in the analysis. Clinical severity (CGI-S) and functional impairment (Clinical Global Assessment Scale) significantly improved, as well as the ABC Total Score and the scores in several subscales. Sixteen patients (61.54%) were responders (CGI-I ≤2), and 13 (50.00%) displayed remission of aberrant behaviors (ΔABC-Total >35), while response/remission condition was not affected by add-on medications and psychotherapy. Most frequent side effects were increased appetite (50.00%), sialorrhea (38.46%), and increased repetitive behaviors (26.92%). Two patients presented epileptic seizures, while no patients presented leucopoenia. Conclusions: Our results suggest that Clozapine may be helpful in ameliorating treatment-resistant aggression in youth with neurodevelopmental conditions. Possible pharmacological strategies for the management of most frequent side effects are also suggested. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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- 2024
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9. Human lysozyme as a potential diagnostic marker in malaria: a mechanistic study of haemozoininduced monocyte degranulation.
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Polimeni, Manuela, Valente, Elena, Aldieri, Elisabetta, Khadjavi, Amina, Giribaldi, Giuliana, and Prato, Mauro
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MALARIA , *BIOMARKERS - Abstract
An abstract of the article "Human lysozyme as a potential diagnostic marker in malaria: a mechanistic study of haemozoininduced monocyte degranulation," by Manuela Polimeni, Elena Valente, Elisabetta Aldieri, Amina Khadjavi, Giuliana Giribaldi, and Mauro Prato is presented.
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- 2012
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10. Posttranslational Modification of Human Cytochrome CYP4F11 by 4-Hydroxynonenal Impairs ω-Hydroxylation in Malaria Pigment Hemozoin-Fed Monocytes: The Role in Malaria Immunosuppression.
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Skorokhod, Oleksii, Triglione, Vincenzo, Barrera, Valentina, Di Nardo, Giovanna, Valente, Elena, Ulliers, Daniela, Schwarzer, Evelin, and Gilardi, Gianfranco
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MALARIA , *MONOCYTES , *POST-translational modification , *AMINO acid residues , *PARASITIC diseases , *PALMITIC acid - Abstract
Malaria is a frequent parasitic infection becomes life threatening due to the disequilibrated immune responses of the host. Avid phagocytosis of malarial pigment hemozoin (HZ) and HZ-containing Plasmodium parasites incapacitates monocyte functions by bioactive lipoperoxidation products 4-hydroxynonenal (4-HNE) and hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acids (HETEs). CYP4F conjugation with 4-HNE is hypothesised to inhibit ω-hydroxylation of 15-HETE, leading to sustained monocyte dysfunction caused by 15-HETE accumulation. A combined immunochemical and mass-spectrometric approach identified 4-HNE-conjugated CYP4F11 in primary human HZ-laden and 4-HNE-treated monocytes. Six distinct 4-HNE-modified amino acid residues were revealed, of which C260 and H261 are localized in the substrate recognition site of CYP4F11. Functional consequences of enzyme modification were investigated on purified human CYP4F11. Palmitic acid, arachidonic acid, 12-HETE, and 15-HETE bound to unconjugated CYP4F11 with apparent dissociation constants of 52, 98, 38, and 73 µM, respectively, while in vitro conjugation with 4-HNE completely blocked substrate binding and enzymatic activity of CYP4F11. Gas chromatographic product profiles confirmed that unmodified CYP4F11 catalysed the ω-hydroxylation while 4-HNE-conjugated CYP4F11 did not. The 15-HETE dose dependently recapitulated the inhibition of the oxidative burst and dendritic cell differentiation by HZ. The inhibition of CYP4F11 by 4-HNE with consequent accumulation of 15-HETE is supposed to be a crucial step in immune suppression in monocytes and immune imbalance in malaria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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- 2023
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11. Persistent Non-Suicidal Self-Injury and Suicidality in Referred Adolescents: A Longitudinal Study Exploring the Role of Cyclothymic Temperament.
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Masi, Gabriele, Pisano, Simone, Sesso, Gianluca, Mazzullo, Cristina, Berloffa, Stefano, Fantozzi, Pamela, Narzisi, Antonio, Placini, Francesca, Valente, Elena, Viglione, Valentina, and Milone, Annarita
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SELF-injurious behavior , *SUICIDAL ideation , *SUICIDAL behavior , *ATTEMPTED suicide , *TEMPERAMENT - Abstract
Non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) is deliberate harm to the body surface without suicidal intent, though it may be a predictor of suicide attempts. Our aim was to test the hypothesis that persisting and recovering NSSI may have a different longitudinal risk for suicidal ideation and behavior and that the intensity of Cyclothymic Hypersensitive Temperament (CHT) may increase this risk. Fifty-five patients (mean age 14.64 ± 1.77 years) referred for mood disorders according to the DSM-5 were consecutively recruited and followed-up for a mean of 19.79 ± 11.67 months and grouped according to the presence/absence of NSSI at baseline and follow-up into three groups: without NSSI (non-NSSI; n = 22), with NSSI recovered at follow-up (past-NSSI; n = 19), and with persistent NSSI at follow-up (pers-NSSI; n = 14). At follow-up, both NSSI groups were more severely impaired and failed to improve internalizing problems and dysregulation symptoms. Both NSSI groups reported higher scores in suicidal ideation compared to non-NSSI, but only pers-NSSI presented higher scores in suicidal behavior. CHT was higher in pers-NSSI, followed by past-NSSI and then by non-NSSI. Our data support a continuity between NSSI and suicidality, and they suggest the prognostic validity of persistent NSSI, associated with highest CHT scores. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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- 2023
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12. Early Sensory Profile in Autism Spectrum Disorders Predicts Emotional and Behavioral Issues.
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Fabbri-Destro, Maddalena, Maugeri, Federica, Ianni, Carolina, Corsini, Sofia, Di Stefano, Erica, Scatigna, Stefano, Crifaci, Giulia, Bruzzi, Gianina, Berloffa, Stefano, Fantozzi, Pamela, Prato, Adriana, Muccio, Rosy, Valente, Elena, Pelagatti, Susanna, Pecchini, Edoardo, Zulli, Filippo, Rizzo, Renata, Milone, Annarita, Viglione, Valentina, and Barone, Rita
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AUTISM spectrum disorders , *CHILD Behavior Checklist , *EMOTIONAL problems of children , *SOCIAL impact , *SOCIAL participation - Abstract
Background: Abnormal sensory reactivity is considered one of the diagnostic criteria for autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and has been associated with autism severity, poorer functional outcomes, and behavioral difficulties across the lifespan. Its early characterization could provide valuable insights into the processes favoring the instantiation of maladaptive behaviors. Objectives: The present study has two aims: (1) to describe the sensory profile of preschool children with ASD compared with an age-matched population of children with a diagnosis of language disorder (DLD) and typically developing (TD) control peers; (2) to explore within each group whether the sensory alterations play a predictive role in the instantiation of emotional and behavioral issues. Methods: The parents of 42 ASD, 18 DLD, and 56 TD filled out the Sensory Processing Measure—Preschool (SPM-P). To gather information on competencies, behaviors, and emotional problems of children, the Child Behavior Checklist 1½-5 (CBCL 1½-5) was also administered. Results: On the SPM-P, ASD and DLD samples generally had scores more compromised than control peers. The contrast between ASD and DLD was reflected in a higher (and highly significant) impairment on the social participation and hearing subscales, suggesting a greater sensitivity and a possible specificity of these scores for ASD. More importantly, linear regression analyses revealed a strong and predictive association for ASD children with SPM total scores explaining more than 50% of the variance of the CBCL 1½-5 total scores (p < 0.001). Conclusions: Our findings reinforce the need to detect the abnormal sensory profiles of ASD already at an early stage and during clinical evaluations. Due to the impact on the emotional and behavioral manifestations, such a procedure has significant clinical and social implications, potentially guiding the development of new interventions relying on multisensory strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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- 2022
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13. Sensory Profiles in School-Aged Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Descriptive Study Using the Sensory Processing Measure-2 (SPM-2).
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Narzisi, Antonio, Fabbri-Destro, Maddalena, Crifaci, Giulia, Scatigna, Stefano, Maugeri, Federica, Berloffa, Stefano, Fantozzi, Pamela, Prato, Adriana, Muccio, Rosy, Valente, Elena, Viglione, Valentina, Pecchini, Edoardo, Pelagatti, Susanna, Rizzo, Renata, Milone, Annarita, Barone, Rita, and Masi, Gabriele
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CHILDREN with autism spectrum disorders , *SCHOOL children , *SENSORIMOTOR integration , *AUTISM spectrum disorders , *PSYCHOEDUCATION , *AUTONOMY (Psychology) - Abstract
Background: Sensory reactivity is considered one of the diagnostic criteria for Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) and has been associated with poorer functional outcomes, behavioral difficulties, and autism severity across the lifespan. The characterization of the sensory processing in ASD has thus become crucial to identify the sensory and motor features influencing the development of personal autonomy. Objectives: The present study has two aims: (1) to compare the sensory processing between school-aged children with ASD and typically developing peers (TD); (2) to evaluate whether, within the ASD sample, the cognitive level and reported sensory symptoms explain the scores exhibited at the Sensory Processing Measure (SPM-2). Methods: The SPM-2 test was administered to the parents of 105 children with ASD and 70 TD. The ASD group was further subdivided into two groups, namely high and low functioning based on their cognitive level (High Functioning (HF), IQ > 80; Low Functioning (LF), IQ < 80). Results: ASD children exhibited higher scores throughout the SPM-2 total score and its multiple subscales. Within ASD, while HF and LF children did not differ in terms of the SPM-2 total score, a significant difference was found for the hearing, social participation, and balance and motion subscales. Conclusions: Aside from classical knowledge that the ASD population suffers from sensory processing disorders, we revealed that different sensory patterns are associated with high or low cognitive functioning. Beyond its neurobiological interest, such knowledge may be of fundamental importance for individualizing psychoeducational interventions in preschool- and school-aged children and later developmental stages. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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- 2022
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14. A novel multidimensional questionnaire for the assessment of emotional dysregulation in adolescents: Reactivity, Intensity, Polarity and Stability questionnaire-youth version (RIPoSt-Y).
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Sesso, Gianluca, Milone, Annarita, Drago, Flavia, Viglione, Valentina, Berloffa, Stefano, Boldrini, Silvia, Loriaux, Nina, Valente, Elena, Molesti, Agnese, Placini, Francesca, Montesanto, Anna Rita, Pisano, Simone, and Masi, Gabriele
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TEENAGERS , *QUESTIONNAIRES , *ADOLESCENT psychiatry , *TEST validity , *GENDER - Abstract
Background: The failure to regulate emotions, namely emotional dysregulation (ED), is a relevant construct in adolescent psychiatry, in terms of prognostic and developmental implications. We developed and validated a novel self-report questionnaire for the assessment of ED, the RIPoSt-Y, both in clinical and non-clinical samples.Methods: Items selection and subscales construction were conducted on healthy controls (n=374), while test-retest reliability was evaluated in a subsample (n=72); internal consistency was examined both in the control group and in two clinical samples, respectively including patients with Bipolar Spectrum Disorders (BSD; n=44) and ADHD (n=34). Construct, concurrent and convergent validity were also assessed.Results: Thirty-one items were finally retained, and three subscales were identified (Affective Instability, Emotional Reactivity, Interpersonal Sensitivity). Test-retest was significant for each subscale with moderate-to-good correlations, and internal consistency showed good-to-excellent coefficients. Construct validity was supported by significant differences between patients and controls and gender-related differences. Concurrent validity was confirmed through significant associations with two subscales of the CHT-Q, while convergent validity proved to be significant with the CBCL/YSR dysregulation-profile. Cut-offs were also computed to discriminate clinically significant scores of ED.Limitations: The use of a school-based survey to recruit controls could have biased our results; gender distributions between clinical and non-clinical samples were significantly different.Conclusions: Our novel questionnaire proved to be a valid and reliable tool able to assess the presence of ED in youths and to characterize this fundamental construct in its multidimensional facets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]- Published
- 2021
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15. Narcissistic traits as predictors of emotional problems in children with oppositional defiant disorder: A longitudinal study.
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Muratori, Pietro, Milone, Annarita, Levantini, Valentina, Pisano, Simone, Spensieri, Valentina, Valente, Elena, Thomaes, Sander, and Masi, Gabriele
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OPPOSITIONAL defiant disorder in children , *NARCISSISTIC personality disorder , *EMOTIONAL problems of children , *BEHAVIOR disorders in children , *LONGITUDINAL method , *NARCISSISM , *RESEARCH , *SELF-perception , *RESEARCH methodology , *EVALUATION research , *COMPARATIVE studies , *CHILD Behavior Checklist - Abstract
Background: Children's self-views encompass two independent dimensions: self-esteem and narcissism, which recently have received growing attention from researchers and clinicians. The current study sought to test whether these dimensions might predict the developmental course of children with Oppositional Defiant Disorder diagnosis.Method: The sample (N = 64, M age = 10.1 years, 57 boys) included children with Oppositional Defiant Disorder diagnosis. We examined longitudinal relationships between self-views (both self-esteem and narcissism) and parent-reported internalizing and externalizing behavioral problems.Results: The study spanned two time-points, spaced 12 months apart. None of the predictors were longitudinally associated with the levels of externalizing behavioral problems in children. However, narcissism predicted the levels of children's internalizing problems at the follow-up, whereas self-esteem did not.Limitations: The relatively small sample and the lack of assessing causality limit the generalizability of the findings. Results need to be replicated in larger samples.Conclusions: These findings illustrate the value of taking into account children's narcissistic traits in clinical assessment. By broadening knowledge of narcissistic traits in clinical samples of children, we hope to inform assessment procedures in standard clinical practice, as well as the development of tailored interventions to curb the emergence of later negative outcomes related to childhood narcissism, such as internalizing problems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]- Published
- 2020
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16. Narcissistic traits and self-esteem in children: Results from a community and a clinical sample of patients with oppositional defiant disorder.
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Muratori, Pietro, Milone, Annarita, Brovedani, Paola, Levantini, Valentina, Melli, Gabriele, Pisano, Simone, Valente, Elena, Thomaes, Sander, and Masi, Gabriele
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NARCISSISM in children , *SELF-esteem in children , *OPPOSITIONAL defiant disorder in children , *PSYCHOMETRICS , *CONDUCT disorders in children , *CHILD psychopathology , *COMPARATIVE studies , *EMOTIONS , *RESEARCH methodology , *MEDICAL cooperation , *NARCISSISM , *PSYCHOLOGICAL tests , *RESEARCH , *SELF-evaluation , *SELF-perception , *EVALUATION research , *CROSS-sectional method , *STANDARDS ,RESEARCH evaluation - Abstract
Background: Several studies have investigated relationships between narcissism, self-esteem and behavioral problems in children. Most of these studies have been conducted in community samples, rather than in clinical referred samples. This field of research is clinically important, because data on community samples suggest that narcissism is a significant risk factor for children's behavioral problems.Methods: The study aimed to test the psychometric properties of the Child Narcissism Scale (CNS) in a community sample of Italian children and to explore the clinical utility of CNS in a sample of referred children with Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD).Results: In the community sample, the Italian version of the CNS was shown to be a normally distributed, single-factor measure of childhood narcissism with very good internal consistency. Furthermore, high levels of narcissism were associated with less self-esteem in family relationships, more parent-reported conduct problems, and less teacher-reported pro-social behaviors. In the ODD sample, high levels of narcissism were associated with more conduct problems and emotional symptoms. Low levels of self-esteem were associated with more conduct problems.Limitations: The cross sectional design does not allow for estimates of CNS test-retest reliability and sensitivity to change, nor does it allow for interpretations that suggest temporal precedence or causality.Conclusions: We found support for the cross-cultural utility of the CNS as a short and comprehensive self-report measure of narcissistic traits, which can be used in community and clinical samples of children, and suggested how narcissism may be involved in children's behavioral problems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]- Published
- 2018
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17. Non suicidal self-injury in referred adolescents with mood disorders and its association with cyclothymic-hypersensitive temperament.
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Masi, Gabriele, Milone, Annarita, Montesanto, Anna Rita, Valente, Elena, and Pisano, Simone
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SELF-mutilation , *SUICIDE risk factors , *PATHOLOGICAL psychology , *AFFECTIVE disorders , *DISEASES in teenagers , *SUICIDAL behavior , *MENTAL depression , *BIPOLAR disorder , *SELF-injurious behavior , *SEX distribution , *TEENAGERS' conduct of life , *TEMPERAMENT , *SUICIDAL ideation , *CROSS-sectional method , *PSYCHOLOGICAL factors , *PSYCHOLOGY - Abstract
Background: Non suicidal self-injuries (NSSIs) are deliberate self-harm behaviors without suicidal intent, usually starting in adolescence, with increasing rates of occurrence both in epidemiological and clinical samples. Several studies associated cyclothymic-hypersensitive temperament (CHT) with self-harm behaviors and suicidal risk. Aim of this study is to explore the association between NSSIs and CHT in a clinical sample of adolescents. We hypothesized that CHT may differentiate NSSI from non-NSSI adolescents with mood disorders, when other psychopathological features are controlled for.Methods: A consecutive sample of 89 adolescents with mood disorders were assessed for presence and phenomenology of NSSIs, CHT, demographics, comorbid categorical psychiatric diagnoses, dimensional psychopathology, impairment and previous suicide attempts.Results: NSSIs were reported in 52% of the sample, with higher rates in females and in bipolar disorder. Regression analyses showed that CHT, but not age, gender, bipolar vs depression diagnosis, functional impairment, was associated with NSSIs.Discussion: CHT may be in close association with NSSIs in adolescents with mood disorders. An assessment of CHT in adolescents referred for mood disorder may help to detect specific psychological features of NSSIs, which may improve diagnostic and treatment strategies.Limitations: Given the cross-sectional design, a developmental relation between CHT and NSSIs cannot be determined. The small sample size and the selection bias of severely impaired patients limit the generalization of the results. More sophisticated measures of CHT may consent to explore other dimensions of the cyclothymic construct (i.e., emotional intensity, emotional reactivity, emotional stability, positive vs. negative emotions, interpersonal sensitivity, impulsivity). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]- Published
- 2018
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18. Oxidative stress-mediated antimalarial activity of plakortin, a natural endoperoxide from the tropical sponge Plakortis simplex.
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Skorokhod, Oleksii A., Davalos-Schafler, Denise, Gallo, Valentina, Valente, Elena, Ulliers, Daniela, Notarpietro, Agata, Mandili, Giorgia, Novelli, Francesco, Persico, Marco, Taglialatela-Scafati, Orazio, Arese, Paolo, and Schwarzer, Evelin
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OXIDATIVE stress , *ANTIMALARIALS , *PEROXIDES , *ANTIPARASITIC agents , *LIPID peroxidation (Biology) , *REACTIVE oxygen species - Abstract
Plakortin, a polyketide endoperoxide from the sponge Plakortis simplex has antiparasitic activity against P. falciparum . Similar to artemisinin, its activity depends on the peroxide functionality. Plakortin induced stage-, dose- and time-dependent morphologic anomalies, early maturation delay, ROS generation and lipid peroxidation in the parasite. Ring damage by 1 and 10 µM plakortin led to parasite death before schizogony at 20 and 95%, respectively. Treatment of late schizonts with 1, 2, 5 and 10 µM plakortin resulted in decreased reinfection rates by 30, 50, 61 and 65%, respectively. In both rings and trophozoites, plakortin induced a dose- and time-dependent ROS production as well as a significant lipid peroxidation and up to 4-fold increase of the lipoperoxide breakdown product 4-hydroxynonenal (4-HNE). Antioxidants and the free radical scavengers trolox and N-acetylcysteine significantly attenuated the parasite damage. Plakortin generated 4-HNE conjugates with the P. falciparum proteins: heat shock protein Hsp70-1, endoplasmatic reticulum-standing Hsp70-2 (BiP analogue), V-type proton ATPase catalytic subunit A, enolase, the putative vacuolar protein sorting-associated protein 11, and the dynein heavy chain-like protein, whose specific binding sites were identified by mass spectrometry. These proteins are crucially involved in protein trafficking, transmembrane and vesicular transport and parasite survival. We hypothesize that binding of 4-HNE to functionally relevant parasite proteins may explain the observed plakortin-induced morphologic aberrations and parasite death. The identification of 4-HNE-protein conjugates may generate a novel paradigm to explain the mechanism of action of pro-oxidant, peroxide-based antimalarials such as plakortin, artemisinins and synthetic endoperoxides. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2015
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19. Effect of heterozygous beta thalassemia on the phosphorylative response to Plasmodium falciparum infection
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Pantaleo, Antonella, Ferru, Emanuela, Carta, Franco, Valente, Elena, Pippia, Proto, and Turrini, Francesco
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BETA-Thalassemia , *PHOSPHORYLATION , *PLASMODIUM falciparum , *PROTOZOAN diseases , *ERYTHROCYTES , *MEMBRANE proteins , *ANEMIA - Abstract
Abstract: Malaria parasites interact with the host cell membrane inserting new proteins and inducing oxidative and phosphorylative changes of erythrocyte proteins. In the present report we monitored the time dependent oxidative and phosphorylative modifications induced by parasites in heterozygous beta thalassemia (Het-βThal). Het-βThal causes mild anemia and is known to determine a pro-oxidant milieu and a protective effect against severe malaria. In malaria cultures Het-βThal has been reported to induce accumulation of hemoglobin denaturation products. At early parasite development stages (rings), tyrosine hyper-phosphorylation of band 3 was the most notable modification, and at later development stages (trophozoites), additional membrane proteins displayed significant hyper-phosphorylation of their serine and tyrosine residues (adducins, ankyrin, catalase). Het-βThal also caused membrane destabilization. Free radical scavengers effectively inhibited the phosphorylative response and membrane destabilization. Kinase inhibitors exerted similar effects suggesting a causal relationship between oxidative stress, membrane protein hyper-phosphorylation and increased membrane damage exacerbated by Het-βThal. In conclusion, different lines of evidence suggest that Het-βThal enhances the redox stress caused by malaria parasites inducing its protective effect destabilizing the host cell membrane. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Integrated omics. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]
- Published
- 2012
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20. Neuropsychological Characterization of Aggressive Behavior in Children and Adolescents with CD/ODD and Effects of Single Doses of Medications: The Protocol of the Matrics_WP6-1 Study.
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Balia, Carla, Carucci, Sara, Milone, Annarita, Romaniello, Roberta, Valente, Elena, Donno, Federica, Montesanto, Annarita, Brovedani, Paola, Masi, Gabriele, Glennon, Jeffrey C., Coghill, David, and Zuddas, Alessandro
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CHILD psychology , *AGGRESSION (Psychology) , *MENTAL health services , *DYSAUTONOMIA , *CONDUCT disorders in children , *HEART beat , *DRUGS , *CONDUCT disorders in adolescence - Abstract
Aggressive behaviors and disruptive/conduct disorders are some of the commonest reasons for referral to youth mental health services; nevertheless, the efficacy of therapeutic interventions in real-world clinical practice remains unclear. In order to define more appropriate targets for innovative pharmacological therapies for disruptive/conduct disorders, the European Commission within the Seventh Framework Programme (FP7) funded the MATRICS project (Multidisciplinary Approaches to Translational Research in Conduct Syndromes) to identify neural, genetic, and molecular factors underpinning the pathogenesis of aggression/antisocial behavior in preclinical models and clinical samples. Within the program, a multicentre case-control study, followed by a single-blind, placebo-controlled, cross-over, randomized acute single-dose medication challenge, was conducted at two Italian sites. Aggressive children and adolescents with conduct disorder (CD) or oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) were compared to the same age (10–17 y) typically developing controls (TDC) on a neuropsychological tasks battery that included both "cold" (e.g., inhibitory control, decision making) and "hot" executive functions (e.g., moral judgment, emotion processing, risk assessment). Selected autonomic measures (heart rate variability, skin conductance, salivary cortisol) were recorded before/during/after neuropsychological testing sessions. The acute response to different drugs (methylphenidate/atomoxetine, risperidone/aripiprazole, or placebo) was also examined in the ODD/CD cohort in order to identify potential neuropsychological/physiological mechanisms underlying aggression. The paper describes the protocol of the clinical MATRICS WP6-1 study, its rationale, the specific outcome measures, and their implications for a precision medicine approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2021
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21. Could You Give Me the Blue Brick? LEGO ® -Based Therapy as a Social Development Program for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Systematic Review.
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Narzisi, Antonio, Sesso, Gianluca, Berloffa, Stefano, Fantozzi, Pamela, Muccio, Rosy, Valente, Elena, Viglione, Valentina, Villafranca, Arianna, Milone, Annarita, and Masi, Gabriele
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CHILDREN with autism spectrum disorders , *SOCIAL development , *SOCIAL services , *CHILD development , *SOCIAL skills - Abstract
LEGO®-based therapy is a social skills development program aimed at children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). A systematic review of the literature was conducted using PRISMA guidelines. PubMed, Scopus and Web of Science bibliographic databases were searched from their date of inception to August 2020. The review included 19 studies. Studies were classified according to experimental designs (e.g., Randomized Control Trial, Non-Randomized Studies of Interventions and case report and series) and a narrative synthesis of each was provided, along with a critical discussion of the strengths and weaknesses of the available literature on the topic. Although LEGO®-based therapy appears a promising treatment for social interaction in ASD, the findings of LEGO®-based therapy studies should be interpreted and generalized with caution, due to the low quality of the studies and the small sample sizes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2021
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22. Autism Spectrum Disorder and Disruptive Behavior Disorders Comorbidities Delineate Clinical Phenotypes in Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: Novel Insights from the Assessment of Psychopathological and Neuropsychological Profiles.
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Sesso, Gianluca, Cristofani, Chiara, Berloffa, Stefano, Cristofani, Paola, Fantozzi, Pamela, Inguaggiato, Emanuela, Narzisi, Antonio, Pfanner, Chiara, Ricci, Federica, Tacchi, Annalisa, Valente, Elena, Viglione, Valentina, Milone, Annarita, and Masi, Gabriele
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BEHAVIOR disorders , *ATTENTION-deficit hyperactivity disorder , *AUTISM spectrum disorders , *NEUROPSYCHOLOGICAL tests , *METACOGNITIVE therapy , *CHILD Behavior Checklist - Abstract
Although childhood-onset psychiatric disorders are often considered as distinct and separate from each other, they frequently co-occur, with partial overlapping symptomatology. Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) commonly co-occur with each other and with other mental disorders, particularly disruptive behavior disorders, oppositional defiant disorder/conduct disorder (ODD/CD). Whether these associated comorbidities represent a spectrum of distinct clinical phenotypes is matter of research. The aim of our study was to describe the clinical phenotypes of youths with ADHD with and without ASD and/or ODD/CD, based on neuropsychological and psychopathological variables. One-hundred fifty-one participants with ADHD were prospectively recruited and assigned to four clinical groups, and assessed by means of parent-reported questionnaires, the child behavior checklist and the behavior rating inventory of executive functions. The ADHD alone group presented a greater impairment in metacognitive executive functions, ADHD+ASD patients presented higher internalizing problems and deficits in Shifting tasks, and ADHD+ODD/CD subjects presented emotional-behavioral dysregulation. Moreover, ADHD+ASD+ODD/CD individuals exhibited greater internalizing and externalizing problems, and specific neuropsychological impairments in the domains of emotional regulation. Our study supports the need to implement the evaluation of the psychopathological and neuropsychological functioning profiles, and to characterize specific endophenotypes for a finely customized establishment of treatment strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2020
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23. The Role of Executive Functions in the Development of Empathy and Its Association with Externalizing Behaviors in Children with Neurodevelopmental Disorders and Other Psychiatric Comorbidities.
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Cristofani, Chiara, Sesso, Gianluca, Cristofani, Paola, Fantozzi, Pamela, Inguaggiato, Emanuela, Muratori, Pietro, Narzisi, Antonio, Pfanner, Chiara, Pisano, Simone, Polidori, Lisa, Ruglioni, Laura, Valente, Elena, Masi, Gabriele, and Milone, Annarita
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EXTERNALIZING behavior , *CHILDREN with autism spectrum disorders , *BEHAVIOR disorders in children , *ATTENTION-deficit hyperactivity disorder , *COMORBIDITY , *EMPATHY , *MENTAL illness - Abstract
Executive functions have been previously shown to correlate with empathic attitudes and prosocial behaviors. People with higher levels of executive functions, as a whole, may better regulate their emotions and reduce perceived distress during the empathetic processes. Our goal was to explore the relationship between empathy and executive functioning in a sample of children and adolescents diagnosed with Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder alone or associated with comorbid Disruptive Behavior Disorders and/or Autism Spectrum Disorder. We also aimed to examine the role of empathic dimensions and executive skills in regulating externalizing behaviors. The 151 participants with ADHD were assigned to four groups according to their psychiatric comorbidity (either "pure" or with ASD and/or ODD/CD) and assessed by means of either parent- or self-reported questionnaires, namely the BRIEF−2, the BES, and the IRI. No questionnaire was found to discriminate between the four groups. Affective Empathy was found to positively correlate with Emotional and Behavioral Regulation competences. Furthermore, Aggressiveness and Oppositional Defiant Problems were positively associated with Executive Emotional and Behavioral Regulation competences. On the other hand, Rule-Breaking Behaviors and Conduct Problems were negatively associated with Affective Empathy and with Behavioral skills. Our study provides an additional contribution for a better understanding of the complex relationship between empathic competence and executive functions, showing that executive functioning and empathic attitudes interact with each other to regulate aggressive behaviors. This study further corroborates developmental models of empathy and their clinical implications, for which externalizing behaviors could be attenuated by enhancing executive functioning skills. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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- 2020
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24. EYES Are The Window to the Mind: Eye-Tracking Technology as a Novel Approach to Study Clinical Characteristics of ADHD.
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Levantini, Valentina, Muratori, Pietro, Inguaggiato, Emanuela, Masi, Gabriele, Milone, Annarita, Valente, Elena, Tonacci, Alessandro, and Billeci, Lucia
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EYE tracking , *EYE movements , *TECHNOLOGY , *EYE - Abstract
• Brief excursus on the eye tracking technology and its application in the field of neurodevelopmental disorders • Eye tracking is a novel approach to evaluate ADHD clinical characteristics • Eye movements could be represent a possible biomarker of ADHD In recent years, the study of eye movements has increasingly become a window into neurological function and processes. This paper reports data about applications of eye-tracking technology in the field of neurodevelopmental disorders, especially in studying the clinical characteristics of ADHD. These studies indicated that eye-tracking approach represents a non-invasive methodology to test specific domains, such as attention networks and inhibition control, in an objectively and reliable way in youths. Although the studies results are still not conclusive, eye-tracking represents a potential valid support for clinicians in identifying specific biomarkers to orient ADHD diagnosis and the best intervention strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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- 2020
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25. Incidental finding of genital PEComa in patient with post-menopausal bleeding.
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Zola, Paolo, Ribotta, Marisa, Mitidieri, Marco, Valente, Elena, Bono, Lorenzo, Macchi, Chiara, De Ruvo, Daniele, Piovano, Elisa, and Poma, Cinzia Baima
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FEMALE reproductive organ tumors , *MENSTRUATION , *POSTMENOPAUSE , *IMMUNOHISTOCHEMISTRY , *DISEASE incidence , *HYSTEROSCOPY - Published
- 2016
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