1,725,130 research outputs found
Attachment, adaptation and psychopathology in perinatal period: the father’s role.
No full textIn the perinatal period, fathers may suffer from affective disorders similar to post-partum depression with a frequency ranging in the world from 2% to 31.3%, with a mean of 10.4 % in 2010 (Paulson, Bazemore, 2010, Baldoni, Ceccarelli, 2010). The clinical expression of Paternal Perinatal Depression (PPND) differs from Maternal Perinatal Depression. In these cases the depressive symptoms are less severe, less definite, and often occur in comorbidity with other disorders whose symptoms could overlap with the affective one causing complicated clinical pictures. In particular anxious disorders, illness behaviour alteration (in particular somatically focused) and behavioural acting outs (aggressiveness, alcoholism, addiction disorders) are frequent. Moreover, in the perinatal period the mother’s and father’s emotional states are linked and empirical research has found a significant correlation between PPD and MPD.
In fact, anxious or depressed fathers, or those with behavioural problems, can be a handicap for the emotional equilibrium of their companion and for the good development of the relationship between mother and child. A lack of their “secure base” protective function can foster an affective disorder in the mother and negatively influence the attachment and psychomotor development of the child.
Some research data that confirm this hypothesis will be presented, in particular:
1. Fathers whose companions have undergone affective post-partum disorders show anxiety, depressive symptoms, irritability, somatic complaints and worry about their own health and paternal role up to the fifth month of pregnancy (Baldoni, Baldaro, Benassi 2009);
2. During In Vitro Fertilization and Embryo Transfer Procedure (IVF-ET), when the male is anxious, depressed or hostile, women manifest more severe affective disorders, anxiety and somatization independently of the success of the procedure (Baldoni et al. 2010);
3. Depression, low dyadic sensitivity and insecure attachment forerunners in fathers influence the development of preterm born children (Baldoni et al. 2012)
The Perinatal Assessment of Paternal Affectivity (PAPA): A new screening tool based on fatherhood research
No full textThe Perinatal Assessment of Paternal Affectivity (PAPA) (Baldoni et al., 2016, 2018) is a new self-report questionnaire for the screening of affective symptoms in fathers. It has been developed on recent research on perinatal affective disorders and assesses different dimensions of paternal affective problems: anxiety, depression, irritability/anger, relational and couple difficulties, somatic complaints, dangerous behaviors and addictions (smoking, alcohol, drugs, gambling, internet abuse, physical or sexual compulsive and risky behavior). It also considers some ethnic and socio-cultural influences
La raccolta delle firme online nella democrazia regionale: linfa tecnologica per una partecipazione ancora offline
No full text[...] Ancora sul rapporto tra nuove tecnologie e diritti politici, ma stavolta esaltandone le potenzialità, si è concentrato l’intervento di Diego Baldoni il quale – muovendo da quelle disposizioni della legge di bilancio per il 2021 che hanno previsto la possibilità di sottoscrivere telematicamente le proposte di referendum costituzionale, le richieste di referendum abrogativo e le proposte di legge di iniziativa popolare (disposizioni sulle quali il legislatore è altresì intervenuto recentemente in sede di conversione del decreto-legge n. 77 del 2021, anticipandone peraltro l’efficacia, originariamente prevista a far data dal 1° gennaio 2022) – si è augurato che tale normativa statale possa stimolare analogo sviluppo negli ordinamenti regionali, i cui statuti post riforma del Titolo V sono stati deludenti nel delineare strumenti di coinvolgimento dell’elettorato. Al riguardo, Baldoni – conscio dei rischi pur presenti in materia, a partire dal digital divide – ha affermato che, se il web non è di per sé sufficiente a garantire una maggiore democratizzazione, le correlate nuove tecnologie possono offrire una crescita democratica, consentendo un maggior coinvolgimento dei cittadini nella determinazione della politica nazionale. [...]
Presentazione del coordinatore della Parte IV Daniele Chinni "Potere politico e nuove tecnologie. Spunti conclusivi a margine della discussione nell'atelier
Innovative methods for the diagnosis and treatment of implant-associated infections
Full text linkIndwelling devices and prosthesis are increasingly used in modern medicine practices. Failures of prosthetic joint devices constitute an important complication. Especially, the management of patients with a septic failure is characterized by difficulties in the diagnosis and by frequent treatment failures, with infection relapses. Thus, the goal of our studies was to establish and evaluate innovative methods for the diagnosis, prophylaxis and treatment of prosthetic infections.
The accurate differentiation between septic and aseptic loosening of the implants is difficult. Nuclear medicine methods are promising, non-invasive procedures aiming to visualize the specific accumulation at sites of infection of an injected radiotracer. In our study, we compared in vitro and in the tissue cage mouse model of implant infection: 99mTc-UBI, 99mTc-ciprofloxacin, 99mTcN-CIPROCS2 and 111In-DTPA-biotin for targeting E. coli and S. aureus. Radiochemical purity of the labeled agents ranged between 94 % and 98 %. Stability in serum was high for all tracers. In vitro binding assays displayed a rapid and non-displaceable bacterial binding for all tested agents. Using the tissue cage mouse model, the tested agents accumulated in vivo in infected sites, being 99mTc-ciprofloxacin and 111In-DTPA-biotin from 4 h p.i. discriminative for both E. coli and S. aureus infections, whereas 99mTc-UBI 29-41 and 99mTcN-CiproCS2 discriminated only for E. coli infected cages. The measured tissue cage to blood (T/NT) ratios remained lower than 3, a finding that in our opinion may constitute a limiting factor for the use of the tested tracers in patients.
Following, we evaluated the potentials for targeting infections of the novel transcobalamin II non-binder 99mTc-labeled derivative of Vitamin B12 (99mTc-PAMA(4)-Cbl). For comparison, we tested in parallel the labeled native vitamin 57Co-Cbl and the 99mTc-PAMA(4)-Cbl derivative. In vitro binding to a S. aureus and an E. coli strain was specific and could be antagonized by addition of unlabeled Cbl. 99mTc-PAMA(4)-Cbl showed lower in vitro binding than 57Co-Cbl to E. coli, but similar binding to S. aureus. In vivo, 57Co-Cbl showed gradual accumulation into the cage fluids, and discriminated only for E. coli infected cages. On the contrary, 99mTc-PAMA(4)-Cbl showed a rapid kinetic, it was rapidly cleared from most tissues and was able to discriminate both S. aureus and E. coli infected from sterile cages at 4 h p.i.. Thus, the new 99mTc-PAMA(4)-Cbl derivative may represent a promising candidate for bacterial imaging in humans.
In addition, we demonstrated the validity of the mouse tissue cage model for screening radiotracers targeting infections. The negative control, 99mTc-DTPA, showed rapid accumulation and clearance from both sterile and infected cages, whereas, the positive control, 67Gallium citrate, accumulated selectively in infected cages between 48 h and 72 h p.i.
Early and accurate detection of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is essential in the hospital and the outpatient setting. We established a calorimetry assay for discrimination of MRSA from methicillin susceptible S. aureus (MSSA). The assay consisted of paired heat measurements of batch cultures in pure medium and in medium supplied with cefoxitin. Relative heat was calculated as ratio between the total heat, measured in the presence and absence of cefoxitin. Using a relative heat cutoff of 0.4, 19 of 20 MRSA (95%) and 10 of 10 MSSA (100%) clinical isolates were correctly identified within 5 h. Thus, microcalorimetry may be successfully applied in routine screening for MRSA and potentially be extended to screen resistance patterns of other pathogens and antibiotic agents.
Ga3+ is a semi-metal element competing for iron-binding sites of transporters and enzymes. We investigated the activity of gallium maltolate (GaM), against laboratory and clinical strains of MSSA, MRSA and methicillin susceptible or resistant S. epidermidis (MSSE, MRSE). The MICs of GaM were higher for S. aureus (375-2000 µg/ml) than S. epidermidis (94-200 µg/ml). Minimal biofilm inhibitory concentrations (MBIC) were 3000-≥6000 (S. aureus) and 94-3000 µg/ml (S. epidermidis). In time-kill studies, GaM exhibited a slow and dose-dependent killing mechanism. Sub-inhibitory concentrations of GaM inhibited growth-related heat production measured in a batch calorimeter. The GaM minimal heat inhibitory concentrations (MHIC) correlated well with the MIC values. Thus, GaM exhibited activity against staphylococci, but high concentrations were required. These data supports the potential use of GaM for local application, including treatment of wound infections, MRSA decolonization and implant coating.
Finally, we investigated the efficacy of linezolid, alone and in combination with rifampin (rifampicin), against MRSA in a guinea pig model of foreign-body infection. In vitro, linezolid was bacteriostatic against the tested strain. In time-kill studies, development of rifampin resistance was observed with rifampin alone, but was prevented by the addition of linezolid. After the administration of single intraperitoneal doses, linezolid concentrations into sterile cage fluids remained above the MIC during 12 h. Antimicrobial treatments administered to animals with cage implant infections were given twice daily for 4 days. Linezolid alone reduced planktonic bacteria in cage fluid during treatment. Efficacy in eradication of cage-associated infection was achieved only when linezolid was combined with rifampin, with cure rates being between 50% and 60%. For comparison, the levofloxacin-rifampin combination was tested and demonstrated the highest cure rate (91%). Thus, the linezolid-rifampin combination may be a treatment option for infections caused by quinolone-resistant MRSA
La Psicoterapia Dinamica basata sul Modello Dinamico-Maturativo.
No full textUn vantaggio del Modello Dinamico-Maturativo (DMM) è che considera tre livelli distinti del funzionamento umano, ognuno dei quali può essere oggetto specifico di trattamenti anche diversi (Crittenden, 2008a): le distorsioni di pensieri e affetti, che possono comportare inadeguatezze del comportamento, gli aspetti relazionali (in particolare quelli familiari) e le strategie utilizzate per proteggersi dal pericolo. Le stesse tecniche di valutazione del DMM, poi, in quanto esperienze relazionali, oltre a fornire informazioni fondamentali sulla configurazione di attaccamento del paziente possono costituire una prima occasione di trattamento e di sviluppo di un’alleanza terapeutica. Le innovazioni introdotte dalla teoria dell’attaccamento e dal DMM risultano quindi straordinariamente utili e compatibili con una psicoterapia di tipo psicoanalitico, per cui oggi si può parlare di una “Psicoterapia Dinamica basata sul DMM” (DMM based Dynamic Psychotherapy o DMM-DP) (Baldoni, 2011)
Attachment, mentalization and emotional regulation: what relationship with the psychological trauma?
No full textATTACHMENT, MENTALIZATION AND EMOTION REGULATION: WHAT RELATIONSHIP WITH THE PSYCHOLOGICAL TRAUMA?
Baldoni Franco
Attachment Assessment Lab, Department of Psychology, University of Bologna
[email protected]
Research on mentalization processes and knowledge on brain activity recently acquired by neurosciences have allowed to identify mental functions and processes involved in the regulation of emotions and impulses, including aggressive ones. People who have experienced maltreatment or neglect during childhood (developmental trauma), or other psychological traumas, show an inhibition of the prefrontal areas with a deficit in the mentalizing processes (Van der Kolk, 2014). In these cases, emotions (and the related physiological states) are not regulated and the impulses can be uncontrolled manifested in the form of acting-outs or generalized reactions, such as Fight-or-flight or Freezing. The same people will tend to present dissociative symptoms and to control mental tension using external regulators of emotions (smoking, alcohol, drugs, physical or compulsive sexual activity, internet abuse) that will promote the exhibition of maladaptive behaviors and addictions (Baldoni, 2014).
Two clinical cases undergoing dynamic psychotherapy and assessed through Adult Attachment Interview (coded according to the Dynamic-Maturative Model, DMM) will be described. In these patients the alteration of mentalization processes, and the consequent emotional dysregulation and maladaptive behavior, can be interpreted as the result of the non-resolution of a traumatic experience.
Knowledge acquired on attachment and mentalization in psychological trauma can open new perspectives in the psychotherapy of impulse control and emotional regulation problems (panic attacks, antisocial and violent patients, personality disorders), abnormal illness behavior (somatization, functional disorders, hypochondria) and dissociative and post-traumatic disorders. In these cases, interventions based on rational and conscious aspects are not very effective, while therapist’s non-verbal behavior and interventions focused on the body experiences are more important for the treatment
DMM at the University of Bologna, Italy
No full textThe interest of the University of Bologna in the Dynamic-Maturational Model (DMM) began in 2000, when Patricia Crittenden was contacted regarding a longitudinal research, founded by the Italian Ministry of Education, University, and Research (MUIR) on “The development of attachment and the onset of psychological suffering in pregnancy and post-partum”.
In 2001, the Attachment Assessment Lab (AAL) was founded at the Department of Psychology, and Patricia Crittenden and Andrea Landini became official partners and advisers. AAL activities includes many DMM based research, in particular on the transmission of attachment, on the attachment in families of preterm born children, and on attachment in psychotherapy.
Annual conferences, seminars and training courses on the DMM are organized by the AAL, including a course from 2001 to 2005 on the administration and coding of the Adult Attachment Interview (AAI) following DMM criteria. This led to the training of the first Italian reliable coders, very active in Italian and international research. Franco Baldoni, Head of the Attachment Assessment Lab, is the International Editor and the editor of the Italian Edition of DMM News, the official journal of IASA. In 2008, at the University Centre of Bertinoro, University of Bologna, the 1st Biennial Conference of IASA was held, attended by about 200 researchers from 10 different countries.
The teaching of the DMM in academic programs at the University of Bologna includes the fundamentals of the DMM, taught by Franco Baldoni in the “Clinical Methodology” course and short workshops on the CARE-Index and on DMM based AAI conducted by AAL collaborators, at the “Magistrale” degree in Clinical Psychology (a two years degree after the bachelor in Psychology). These classes are taught in Italian, but the degree course provides also some English lessons. Finally, AAL activities include internships and stages for students and mentorships for thesis and research
Paternal Perinatal Depression
No full textPaternal Perinatal Depression (PPND) refers to the onset of depressive symptoms in fathers from pregnancy to the first post-partum year (Baldoni, Ceccarelli, 2010, 2013). Although this clinical expression has been known for several decades, a specific diagnosis was suggested for the first time only a few years ago in the French psychoanalytic-oriented literature (Luca, Bydlowski, 2001). A diagnosis of PPND is preferable to that of Paternal Postpartum Depression or Paternal Postnatal Depression, since clinical onset appears to occur long before the baby’s birth, although the symptoms tend to last throughout the 12 months postpartum period. Less severe affective disorders in fathers have been described sometimes as Paternal Blues or Baby Blues. PPND differs from Couvade Syndrome which is characterized by mild somatic symptoms and typical female pregnancy behaviour that rarely develops into a worrying psychopathology.
Symptoms of PPND are different from those of Maternal Perinatal Depression (MPND), even if time of onset and duration of the disease may be the same. Depressive symptoms in fathers are generally milder and less defined than in mothers and often occur in comorbidity with other syndromes whose symptoms could overlap with the affective one, or mask it, causing complicated clinical pictures
Perinatal affective disorders in fathers and their effects on mothers and children
No full textDuring the perinatal period affective alterations in fathers, like Paternal Perinatal Depression, are very frequent (ranging from 2% to 31%, with a mean of 10.4 %), but occur differently than in women and they are often under-assessed or undiagnosed. Depressive symptoms in fathers tend to be less severe, less definite, and often occur in comorbidity with anxiety disorders, alteration of illness behavior and behavioral acting outs like anger attacks. Moreover, in the perinatal period the mother’s and father’s emotional states are linked and empirical research has found a significant correlation between maternal and paternal depression.
Some research data will be presented:
1. Fathers whose partner have suffered from affective disorders during post-partum (maternity blues or post-partum depression) show anxiety (p= .02), depressive symptoms (p= .01) and worry about their own health and paternal role up to the fifth month of pregnancy (Baldoni et al. 2014);
2. If the male is anxious, depressed or hostile during the In Vitro Fertilization and Embryo Transfer Procedure (IVF-ET), women tend to manifest more severe affective disorders, anxiety and somatization independently of the success of the procedure (Baldoni et al. not published);
3. In researches using the CARE-Index (a video recorded procedure for the study of the parent-child relationship) depression, low sensitivity and insecure attachment forerunners in fathers negatively influence the psycho-motor development of the child (p= .01) (Baldoni et al. 2012).
These results suggest that anxious or depressed fathers, or those with behavioral problems, may hamper the emotional equilibrium of their companion and the development of a good mother-child relationship. In these cases, a lack of a paternal protective function as “secure base” can foster an affective disorder in the mother and negatively influence the attachment relationships and the psychosomatic development of the child
Sandro Baldoni
No full textIl saggio propone una disamina della poetica di Sandro Baldoni attraverso l'analisi del suo primo film: Strane Storie
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