La collaborazione del prof. Claudio Desinan con l’Università Popolare di Trieste

È con orgoglio che l’Università Popolare di Trieste ricorda i lunghi anni di proficua collaborazione del prof. Claudio Desinan con questa istituzione. Essa è iniziata in periodi difficili, negli anni Sessanta, quando i rapporti tra Italia e Jugoslavia, e in particolare con la Venezia Giulia, si sviluppavano faticosamente. I primi interventi del prof. Claudio Desinan riguardavano la preparazione degli insegnanti d’oltreconfine ed erano relativi soprattutto alla didattica della lingua, all’utilizzo della drammatizzazione di testi di prosa e poesia nell’insegnamento. La sua esperienza assunse un rilevante significato quando venne costituita a Pola la Cattedra di studi magistrali in lingua italiana del Dipartimento di Scienze della Formazione, sin dai primi anni Novanta. Fu un avvenimento importante per la Comunità Nazionale Italiana della Croazia, per gli studiosi, futuri docenti della lingua italiana e per gli studenti che avevano il loro punto di riferimento specifico

A 52-Week Study of Olanzapine with a Randomized Behavioral Weight Counseling Intervention in Adolescents with Schizophrenia or Bipolar I Disorder

Objectives: To evaluate the 52-week safety/tolerability of oral olanzapine for adolescents with schizophrenia or bipolar mania and compare effectiveness of a standard versus intense behavioral weight intervention in mitigating risk of weight gain. Methods: Patients 13?17 years old with schizophrenia (Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale for Children [BPRS-C] total score >30; item score ≥3 for hallucinations, delusions, or peculiar fantasies) or bipolar I disorder (manic or mixed episode; Young Mania Rating Scale [YMRS] total score ≥15) received open-label olanzapine (2.5?20?mg/day) and were randomized to standard (n?=?102; a single weight counseling session) or intense (n?=?101; weight counseling at each study visit) weight intervention. The primary outcome measure was mean change in body mass index (BMI) from baseline to 52 weeks using mixed-model repeated measures. Symptomatology was also assessed. Results: No statistically significant differences between groups were observed in mean baseline-to-52-week change in BMI (standard: +3.6?kg/m2; intense: +2.8?kg/m2; p?=?0.150) or weight (standard: +12.1?kg; intense: +9.6?kg; p?=?0.148). Percentage of patients at endpoint who had gained ≥15% of their baseline weight was 40% for the standard group and 31% for the intense group (p?=?0.187). Safety/tolerability results were generally consistent with those of previous olanzapine studies in adolescents, with the most notable exception being the finding of a mean decrease in prolactin. On symptomatology measures, patients with schizophrenia had a mean baseline-to-52-week change in BPRS-C of ?32.5 (standard deviation [SD]?=?10.8), and patients with bipolar disorder had a mean change in YMRS of ?16.7 (SD?=?8.9), with clinically and statistically significant improvement starting at 3?4 days for each. Conclusions: Long-term weight gain was high in both groups, with no statistically significant differences between the standard or intense behavioral weight interventions in BMI or weight. Safety, tolerability, and effectiveness findings were generally consistent with the known profile of olanzapine in adolescents.Peer Reviewedhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/140324/1/cap.2016.0010.pd

Tecnologias digitais para surdos: (im)possibilidades na apreensão de sentidos

Neste escrito, apresenta-se brevemente duas ferramentas digitais para tradução automática que visam ampliar e redimensionar o processo de interação e pertencimento que perfaz a comunidade surda, com vistas à educação e saúde coletiva, emocional, cultural e social destes indivíduos. Para tanto, realizou-se um estudo de dois softwares digitais que fazem a tradução da Língua Portuguesa para Libras - Hand Talk e VLibras. Considerando que existem diferenças primordiais nas línguas de sinais e orais a contar pela disposição viso-espacial da primeira, uma análise da tradução de algumas frases foi realizada para verificar as adequações em relação à Libras. Objetivando uma discussão crítico-reflexiva, ancorou-se em estudiosos da área de educação inclusiva como Brito (1995); Quadros (1999); Quadros e Karnopp (2004). A análise dos resultados deu-se à partir de um diálogo com a fenomenologia de Merleau-Ponty (1999), que emoldura uma compreensão existencial da experiência como atitude corpórea. Concluindo, aponta-se que os softwares digitais voltados para a inclusão de surdos possuem um potencial dentro dos limites de uma ferramenta complementar de tradução da língua de sinais, porém foram observadas fragilidades no que tange à tradução literal que se distancia do contexto enunciado e de um aprendizado que difere-se em contraste ao do encontro genuíno entre pessoas surdas e ouvintes, tendo como balizamento saberes que emolduram a perspectiva fenomenológica da apreensão de sentidos

MASTITIS AS ONE OF THE EARLY MANIFESTATIONS OF SYSTEMIC LUPUS ERYTHEMATOSUS: A CASE REPORT

O lúpus eritematoso sistêmico é uma doença autoimune crônica caracterizada pela presença de autoanticorpos e envolvimento de múltiplos órgãos. Suas manifestações mais comuns são mucocutâneas e músculo-esqueléticas. O envolvimento das mamas, conhecido como mastite lúpica, é pouco frequente e representa a extensão de uma paniculite provocada pelo lúpus. Os autores descrevem um caso incomum em que a mastite surgiu entre as primeiras manifestações da doença sistêmica. O tratamento com corticosteroide em doses altas associado a antimalárico mostrou-se efetivo. Apesar de incomum, a mastite lúpica deve ser elencada como diagnóstico diferencial nas doenças mamárias de grande extensão.Systemic lupus erythematosus is a chronic autoimmune disease characterized by the presence of autoantibodies and involvement of multiple organs. The most common manifestations are mucocutaneous and musculoskeletal. The involvement of the breasts, known as lupus mastitis, is infrequent and represents the extent of lupus-induced panniculitis. The authors describe an unusual case in which mastitis appeared among the first manifestations of systemic disease. High dose corticosteroid therapy associated with antimalarial was effective. Although uncommon, lupus mastitis should be listed as a differential diagnosis in large breast diseases

Maintenance treatment of adolescent bipolar disorder: open study of the effectiveness and tolerability of quetiapine

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The purpose of the study was to determine the effectiveness and tolerability of quetiapine as a maintenance treatment preventing against relapse or recurrence of acute mood episodes in adolescent patients diagnosed with bipolar disorder.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Consenting patients meeting DSM-IV lifetime criteria for a bipolar disorder and clinically appropriate for maintenance treatment were enrolled in a 48-week open prospective study. After being acutely stabilized (CGI-S ≤ 3 for 4 consecutive weeks), patients were started or continued on quetiapine and other medications were weaned off over an 8-week period. Quetiapine monotherapy was continued for 40-weeks and other mood stabilizers or antidepressants were added if clinically indicated. A neurocognitive test battery assessing the most reliable findings in adult patients was administered at fixed time points throughout the study to patients and matched controls.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Of the 21 enrolled patients, 18 completed the 48-week study. Thirteen patients were able to be maintained without relapse or recurrence in good quality remission on quetiapine monotherapy, while 5 patients required additional medication to treat impairing residual depressive and/or anxiety symptoms. According to symptom ratings and global functioning scores, the quality of remission for all patients was very good.</p> <p>Neurocognitive test performance over treatment was equivalent to that of a matched control group of never ill adolescents. Quetiapine was generally well tolerated with no serious adverse effects.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>This study suggests that a proportion of adolescent patients diagnosed with bipolar disorder can be successfully maintained on quetiapine monotherapy. The good quality of clinical remission and preserved neurocognitive functioning underscores the importance of early diagnosis and effective stabilization.</p> <p>Clinical Trials Registry</p> <p>D1441L00024</p

Type and duration of subsyndromal symptoms in youth with bipolar I disorder prior to their first manic episode

Objectives: The aim of the present study was to systematically evaluate the prodrome to mania in youth. Methods: New-onset/worsening symptoms/signs of \u3e= moderate severity preceding first mania were systematically assessed in 52 youth (16.2 +/- 2.8 years) with a research diagnosis of bipolar I disorder (BD-I). Youth and/or caregivers underwent semi-structured interviews, using the Bipolar Prodrome Symptom Scale-Retrospective. Results: The mania prodrome was reported to start gradually in most youth (88.5%), with either slow (59.6%) or rapid (28.8%) deterioration, while a rapid-onset-and-deterioration prodrome was rare (11.5%). The manic prodrome, conservatively defined as requiring \u3e= 3 symptoms, lasted 10.3 +/- 14.4 months [95% confidence interval (CI): 6.3-14.4], being present for \u3e= 4 months in 65.4% of subjects. Among prodromal symptoms reported in \u3e= 50% of youth, three were subthreshold manic in nature (irritability: 61.5%, racing thoughts: 59.6%, increased energy/activity: 50.0%), two were nonspecific (decreased school/work functioning: 65.4%, mood swings/lability: 57.7%), and one each was depressive (depressed mood: 53.8%) or subthreshold manic/depressive (inattention: 51.9%). A decreasing number of youth had \u3e= 1 (84.6%), \u3e= 2 (48.1%), or \u3e= 3 (26.9%) \u27specific\u27 subthreshold mania symptoms (i.e., elation, grandiosity, decreased need for sleep, racing thoughts, or hypersexuality), lasting 9.5 +/- 14.9 months (95% CI: 5.0-14.0), 3.5 +/- 3.5 months (95% CI: 2.0-4.9), and 3.0 +/- 3.2 months (95% CI: 1.0-5.0) for \u3e= 1, \u3e= 2, or \u3e= 3 specific symptoms, respectively. Conclusions: In youth with BD-I, a relatively long, predominantly slowonset mania prodrome appears to be common, including subthreshold manic and depressive psychopathology symptoms. This suggests that early clinical identification and intervention may be feasible in bipolar disorder. Identifying biological markers associated with clinical symptoms of impending mania may help to increase chances for early detection and prevention before full mania

AACAP 2006 Research Forum--Advancing research in early-onset bipolar disorder: barriers and suggestions

OBJECTIVE: The 2006 Research Forum addressed the goal of formulating a research agenda for early-onset bipolar disorder (EOBP) and improving outcome by understanding the risk and protective factors that contribute to its severity and chronicity. METHOD: Five work groups outlined barriers and research gaps in EOBP genetics, neuroimaging, prodromes, psychosocial factors, and pharmacotherapy. RESULTS: There was agreement that the lack of consensus on the definition and diagnosis of EOBP is the primary barrier to advancing research in BP in children and adolescents. Related issues included: the difficulties in managing co-morbidity both statistically and clinically; acquiring adequate sample sizes to study the genetics, biology, and treatment; understanding the EOBP\u27s developmental aspects; and identifying environmental mediators and moderators of risk and protection. Similarly, both psychosocial and medication treatment strategies for children with BP are hamstrung by diagnostic issues. To advance the research in EOBP, both training and funding mechanisms need to be developed with these issues in mind. CONCLUSIONS: EOBP constitutes a significant public health concern. Barriers are significant but identifiable and thus are not insurmountable. To advance the understanding of EOBP, the field must be committed to resolving diagnostic and assessment issues. Once achieved, with adequate personnel and funding resources, research into the field of EOBP will doubtless be advanced at a rapid pace

An application programming interface implementing Bayesian approaches for evaluating effect of time-varying treatment with R and Python

IntroductionMethods and tools evaluating treatment effect have been primarily developed for binary type of treatment. Yet, treatment is rarely binary outside the experimental setting, varies by dosage, frequency and time. Treatment is routinely adjusted, initiated or stopped when being administered over a period of time.MethodsBoth Gaussian Process (GP) regression and Bayesian additive regression tree (BART) have been used successfully for handling complex setting involving time-varying treatments that is either adaptive or non-adaptive. Here, we introduce an application programming interface (API) that implements both BART and GP for estimating averaged treatment effect (ATE) and conditional averaged treatment (CATE) for the two-stage time-varying treatment strategies.ResultsWe provide two real applications for evaluating comparative effectiveness of time-varying treatment strategies. The first example evaluates an early aggressive treatment strategies for caring children with newly diagnosed Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA). The second evaluates the persistent per-protocol treatment effectiveness in a large randomized pragmatic trial. The examples demonstrate the use of the API calling from R and Python, for handling both non-adaptive or adaptive treatments, with presences of partially observed or missing data issues. Summary tables and interactive figures of the results are downloadable