Primi risultati di un censimento di pipistrelli mediante catture notturne in Sardegna

The preliminary results of a study of non-troglophilous Sardinian bats, carried out after nocturnal capture with mist-nets, along the course of the rivers, are reported here. The paper describes the method of capture in 25 different places and reviews the 8 species of non troglophilous bats caught

Miniere e pipistrelli in Sardegna

Attualmente sono note in Sardegna 89 cavità minerarie che ospitano pipistrelli nel loro interno; esse costituiscono il 27 % di tutte le cavità sotterranee studiate. Le specie di pipistrelli sino ad oggi segnalate in miniera o grotte di miniera sono 8: Rhinolophus ferrumequinum, Rhinolophus hipposideros, Rhinolophus mehelyi, Rhinolophus euryale, Myotis myotis, Myotis capaccinii, Myotis emarginatus, Miniopterus schreibersii. Di queste, le specie più frequentemente riscontrate sono il Rhinolophus ferrumequinum e il Rhinolophus hipposideros. Particolarmente importanti risultano essere 9 miniere perché nel loro interno ospitano colonie nursery, cioè di riproduzione, ubicate prevalentemente nella provincia di Cagliari. Si esaminano le problematiche di chiusura delle miniere dismesse e di tutela dei pipistrelli

Prevalence of co-occurring conditions in children and adults with autism spectrum disorder: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

This systematic review estimates the prevalence of co-occurring conditions (CCs) in children and adults with autism. A comprehensive search strategy consulting existing guidelines, diagnostic manuals, experts, carers, and autistic people was developed. PubMed and PsycInfo databases from inception to May 2022 were searched. PROSPERO registration: CRD42019132347. Two blind authors screened and extracted the data. Prevalence estimates for different CCs were summarized by using random effects models. Subgroup analyses were performed for age groups (children/adolescents vs adults) and study designs (population/registry-based vs clinical sample-based). Of 19,932 studies, 340 publications with about 590,000 participants were included and meta-analyzed to estimate the prevalence of 38-point prevalence, 27-lifetime, and 3 without distinction between point and lifetime prevalence. Point prevalence of developmental coordination disorder, sleep-wake problem, gastrointestinal problem, ADHD, anxiety disorder, overweight/obesity, feeding and eating disorder, elimination disorder, disruptive behavior, and somatic symptoms and related disorder were the most frequent CCs. Prevalence differed depending on the age group and study design. Knowing specific CCs linked to autism helps professional investigations and interventions for improved outcomes

Has COVID-19 Delayed the Diagnosis and Worsened the Presentation of Type 1 Diabetes in Children?

Objective: To evaluate whether the diagnosis of pediatric type 1 diabetes or its acute complications changed during the early phase of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic in Italy. Research design and methods: This was a cross-sectional, Web-based survey of all Italian pediatric diabetes centers to collect diabetes, diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), and COVID-19 data in patients presenting with new-onset or established type 1 diabetes between 20 February and 14 April in 2019 and 2020. Results: Fifty-three of 68 centers (77.9%) responded. There was a 23% reduction in new diabetes cases in 2020 compared with 2019. Among those newly diagnosed patient who presented in a state of DKA, the proportion with severe DKA was 44.3% in 2020 vs. 36.1% in 2019 (P = 0.03). There were no differences in acute complications. Eight patients with asymptomatic or mild COVID-19 had laboratory-confirmed severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2. Conclusions: The COVID-19 pandemic might have altered diabetes presentation and DKA severity. Preparing for any "second wave" requires strategies to educate and reassure parents about timely emergency department attendance for non-COVID-19 symptoms

Impact of COVID-19 on cardiovascular testing in the United States versus the rest of the world

Objectives: This study sought to quantify and compare the decline in volumes of cardiovascular procedures between the United States and non-US institutions during the early phase of the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted the care of many non-COVID-19 illnesses. Reductions in diagnostic cardiovascular testing around the world have led to concerns over the implications of reduced testing for cardiovascular disease (CVD) morbidity and mortality. Methods: Data were submitted to the INCAPS-COVID (International Atomic Energy Agency Non-Invasive Cardiology Protocols Study of COVID-19), a multinational registry comprising 909 institutions in 108 countries (including 155 facilities in 40 U.S. states), assessing the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on volumes of diagnostic cardiovascular procedures. Data were obtained for April 2020 and compared with volumes of baseline procedures from March 2019. We compared laboratory characteristics, practices, and procedure volumes between U.S. and non-U.S. facilities and between U.S. geographic regions and identified factors associated with volume reduction in the United States. Results: Reductions in the volumes of procedures in the United States were similar to those in non-U.S. facilities (68% vs. 63%, respectively; p = 0.237), although U.S. facilities reported greater reductions in invasive coronary angiography (69% vs. 53%, respectively; p < 0.001). Significantly more U.S. facilities reported increased use of telehealth and patient screening measures than non-U.S. facilities, such as temperature checks, symptom screenings, and COVID-19 testing. Reductions in volumes of procedures differed between U.S. regions, with larger declines observed in the Northeast (76%) and Midwest (74%) than in the South (62%) and West (44%). Prevalence of COVID-19, staff redeployments, outpatient centers, and urban centers were associated with greater reductions in volume in U.S. facilities in a multivariable analysis. Conclusions: We observed marked reductions in U.S. cardiovascular testing in the early phase of the pandemic and significant variability between U.S. regions. The association between reductions of volumes and COVID-19 prevalence in the United States highlighted the need for proactive efforts to maintain access to cardiovascular testing in areas most affected by outbreaks of COVID-19 infection

Intellectual Developmental Disorder and Autism Spectrum Disorder in the WPA Next Triennium Mainstream

Both intellectual developmental disorder (IDD) and autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are included in the section of neurodevelopmental disorders of the ICD-11 and DSM-5. They represent meta-syndromic groups including many different clinical conditions characterized by cognitive and relational impairment. The guiding syndromic pattern involves maladaptive cognitive impairment in IDD and severe limitation and restriction of complex interpersonal interactions in ASD . The two conditions often co-occur, and their differentiation may be difficult, especially in the context of increasing severity of cognitive impairment. About 30-40% of persons with ID have pervasive features of ASD, and about 80% of persons with ASD have lower intellectual functioning compared to the general populatio

A New Formulation of an Old Drug: A Potential New Therapy in the Management of Oral cGvHD

Oral chronic graft versus host disease (cGVHD) is often refractory to systemic therapies. Additional topical treatment is commonly required. The potency of the agent, the vehicle and formulation in which it is delivered are all critical factors in determining the effectiveness of topical therapies. High potency of budesonide, combined with its very low bioavailability when absorbed through mucosal surfaces, increased the potential role in topical application for oral cGVHD. Viscous formulation increases mucosal contact time resulting in a greater decrease in mucosal inflammation. This short communication suggests that oral viscous budesonide should be considered as a potential new therapy in the management of oral cGVHD