Cerebral venous hemodynamic abnormalities in episodic and chronic migraine

Alterations of cerebral venous drainage have been demonstrated in chronic migraine (CM), suggesting that cerebral venous hemodynamic abnormalities (CVHAs) play a role in this condition. The aim of the present study was to look for a correlation between CM and CVHAs. We recruited 33 subjects suffering from CM with or without analgesic overuse, 29 episodic migraine (EM) patients with or without aura, and 21 healthy subjects as controls (HCs). CVHAs were evaluated by transcranial and extracranial echo-color Doppler evaluation of five venous hemodynamic parameters. CVHAs were significantly more frequent in the CM and EM patients than in the HCs. In the migraine patients, CVHAs were not correlated with clinical features. Cerebral venous hemodynamic abnormalities in episodic and chronic migraine The significantly greater frequency of CVHAs observed in the migraineurs may reflect a possible relationship between migraine and these abnormalities. Prospective longitudinal studies are needed to investigate whether CVHAs have a role in the processes of migraine chronification

Polyphase folding at upper structural levels in the Borbera valley (Northern Apennines, Italy): implications for the tectonic evolution of the linkage area between Alps and Apennines

The Borbera Valley (northwestern Italy) is located in a complex geological area where the linkage between Alps and Apennines occurs. In this area the Antola Unit (Late Cretaceous–Palaeocene) is unconformably overlain by the Upper Eocene–Miocene succession of the Tertiary Piedmont Basin. The structural analysis indicates the occurrence of a folding phase of Late Oligocene–Early Miocene age, characterised by recumbent F2 folds. These folds are superposed onto D1 structures related to an early folding phase of Middle Eocene, affecting only the Antola Unit. The occurrence of map-scale D2 folding phase structures that affect the Tertiary Piedmont Basin succession suggests that the linkage area between Alps and Apennines was reactivated during the Late Oligocene–Early Miocene

Interventions to prevent urinary catheter-associated infections in children and neonates: a systematic review.

INTRODUCTION: Few data are available to inform strategies for the prevention of catheter-associated urinary tract infection (CAUTI) in children and neonates. Many recommendations are derived from studies in adults and cannot be applied to the paediatric population. OBJECTIVE: This study was aimed to identify all studies that measured the efficacy of an intervention for the prevention of CAUTI in children and neonates. METHODS: A systematic review using the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses) was conducted. Eligible studies published between January 1st, 1995 and December 31st, 2017, were identified in PubMed, the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, LILACS, SciELO and DOAJ if applying an intervention with the aim of CAUTI prevention in inpatient children, infants or neonates. The following study designs were included: controlled and non-controlled before-and-after studies, (controlled) interrupted time series analyses and randomized controlled trials. Quantitative or qualitative studies on interventions in both adults and children were eligible if data on children could be extracted. Reviews, case series, letters, notes, conference abstracts and opinion articles were excluded. RESULTS: Of 99 articles identified, six were included in the final analysis, after consensus from three independent investigators. Four studies used a multimodal strategy (using at least four or more different components at the same time) as follows: aseptic rules during catheter insertion and removal; cleaning the urethral meatus with sterile water; use of a new silicone catheter per insertion with a closed sterile drainage system by a sterile technique; daily evaluation of catheter requirement; placement of indwelling urinary catheters only for approved indications; reducing of urinary catheter days and positioning of the patient and collection device to assist in urine drainage. One study tested periurethral cleaning intervention to reduce CAUTI. One study described the association of the presence of a physician safety champion with urinary catheter device utilization ratios. Catheter-associated UTI reduction rates were reported in four studies; three achieved statistically significant decreases in CAUTI rates. Positive results were achieved only when a multimodal strategy was used with at least four or more components. This strategy could be adopted for paediatric healthcare institutions to reduce CAUTI rates in children and neonates. CONCLUSION: Evidence exists to support the use of a multimodal strategy for CAUTI reduction in hospitalized children and neonates

Towards a new framework of English language learning in Malaysian preschools

At the preschool level in Malaysia, all preschools, including those from public and private sectors are required to follow the guidelines stated in the National Preschool Standard-based Curriculum (NPSC) issued by the Ministry of Education (MOE) in 2017. However, the NPSC is very general and schools are not provided with any further guidance on the program, which leads to some preschools, mainly private ones, to supplement their curriculum by subscribing to various private education franchisors available on the market. There seems to be a need to propose improvements to current curriculum practices. It is proposed that this is best done by investigating the theoretical foundations of language learning. In particular, this paper discusses Pienemann‟s Processability Theory (1998, 2005) and elaborates on the Developmentally Moderated Focus-on-Form instruction (DMFonF) (Di Biase, 2002,2008). It proposes the development of a new model of English language learning based on the latter leading towards a new framework aiming to assist teachers, linguists and syllabus-designers to create a developmentally moderated English curriculum

Human Cancer Cells Signal Their Competitive Fitness Through MYC Activity

MYC-mediated cell competition is a cell-cell interaction mechanism known to play an evolutionary role during development from Drosophila to mammals. Cells expressing low levels of MYC, called losers, are committed to die by nearby cells with high MYC activity, called winners, that overproliferate to compensate for cell loss, so that the fittest cells be selected for organ formation. Given MYC's consolidated role in oncogenesis, cell competition is supposed to be relevant to cancer, but its significance in human malignant contexts is largely uncharacterised. Here we show stereotypical patterns of MYC-mediated cell competition in human cancers: MYC-upregulating cells and apoptotic cells were indeed repeatedly found at the tumour-stroma interface and within the tumour parenchyma. Cell death amount in the stromal compartment and MYC protein level in the tumour were highly correlated regardless of tumour type and stage. Moreover, we show that MYC modulation in heterotypic co-cultures of human cancer cells is sufficient as to subvert their competitive state, regardless of genetic heterogeneity. Altogether, our findings suggest that the innate role of MYC-mediated cell competition in development is conserved in human cancer, with malignant cells using MYC activity to colonise the organ at the expense of less performant neighbours

Clinical and Kinematic Features of Valproate-Induced Tremor and Differences with Essential Tremor

Tremor is a common movement disorder that can be induced by medications, including valproate, which is used for the treatment of epilepsy. However, the clinical and neurophysiological features of valproate-induced tremor are still under-investigated. We performed a clinical and kinematic assessment of valproate-induced tremor by considering tremor body distribution and activation conditions. We investigated possible correlations between demographic and clinical data and kinematic features. Valproate-induced tremor results were also compared with those collected in a large sample of patients with essential tremor. Sixteen valproate-induced tremor patients and 93 essential tremor patients were enrolled. All participants underwent a standardised neurological examination and video recording. Patients also underwent an objective assessment of postural, kinetic and rest tremor of the upper limbs and head tremor through kinematic analysis. Nonparametric tests were used for statistical comparisons between the two groups. Clinical evaluation showed a higher occurrence of rest tremor as well as head or voice, and lower limb involvement in patients with valproate-induced tremor. Kinematic analysis showed a substantial variability in the tremor features of patients with valproate-induced tremor. Compared to essential tremor, we found a higher occurrence of rest tremor of the upper limbs and the involvement of more body segments in valproate-induced tremor patients. Valproate-induced tremor has distinctive clinical and kinematic features, which may suggest that valproate interferes with the cerebellar functions

Midwives autonomy in discharge women after physiological childbirth

BACKGROUND: International literature identifies the midwife as the professional figure deals with women and newborns in the context of childbirth; it is however found to be still difficult to ensure this continuity of care. In Italy both the national laws and the indications of Emilia Romagna region promote this practice, ensuring the midwives management of the low risk women immediately after childbirth. The aim of the study is to investigate and describe the midwives autonomy as regards the post-partum discharge. METHODS: The computerised medical records were consulted to identify the mothers after childbirth who can be discharged independently by the obstetrician following the guidelines of the Emilia-Romagna region. RESULT S: A retrospective analysis of 1371 medical records related to the period January-June 2017 showed that 41% of discharges were managed handled by the midwives, while the remaining 59% by obstetricians. Fifty-seven percent of the women followed by the family counselling service were discharged by the obstetricians and 43% independently by the midwives. Considering the women followed by a private physician 62% were discharged by the obstetricians and 38% by the midwives. CONCLUSIONS: The study shows that, in a short time from the beginning of the project, the results as regards midwives autonomy were excellent. Indeed the midwives discharges does not differed significantly from the medical ones, and care continuity between the hospital and territory is strengthened. Further studies must include questionnaires concerning satisfaction of the mother not administered in this sample of women

Comparison of three perioperative fluid regimes for laparoscopic donor nephrectomy: A prospective randomized dose-finding study

Background: Pneumoperitoneum (PP), as used for laparoscopic procedures, impairs stroke volume, renal blood flow, glomerular filtration rate and urine output. This study investigated whether perioperative fluid management can abolish these negative effects of PP on hemodynamics. Methods: Twenty-on