NICU Infants & SNHL: Experience of a western Sicily tertiary care centre

Introduction: The variability of symptoms and signs caused by central nervous system (CNS) lesions make multiple sclerosis difficult to recognize,Introduction: This study adds the evaluation of the independent etiologic factors that may play a role in the development of SNHL in a NICU population. We compared neonatal intensive care unit NICU infants with sensorineural hearing loss SNHL to age and gender matched normal hearing NICU controls. Materials and methods: 284 consecutive NICU infants positive to the presence of risk indicators associated with permanent congenital, delayed-onset, or progressive hearing loss underwent to global audiological assessment. The following risk factors were researched, making a distinction between prenatal and perinatal risk factors: in the first group, family history of permanent childhood hearing impairment, consanguinity, pregnant maternal infection and drugs exposition during pregnancy; in the second group, premature birth, respiratory distress, hyperbilirubinemia requiring exchange tranfusion, very low birth weight, cranio-facial abnormality, perinatal infections, ototoxic drugs administration, acidosis, hyponatremia, head trauma. Results: The analysis of the auditory deficit for infants according to numbers of risk factors showed mean values of: 78 + 28.08 dB nHL for infants positive to two risk factors; 75.71 + 30.30 dB nHL in cases positive to three risk factors; 96.66 + 34.46 dB nHL for four risk factors and 85 + 35 dB nHL in case of >5 risk factors. Conclusion: NICU infants have greater chances of developing SNHL, because of the presence of multiple risk factors; in fact, as the number of coexisting risk factors increases, the prevalence rate of SNHL also increases (r=0.81)

Management of infectious lymphadenitis in children

Lymphadenopathy is an irregularity in the size and texture of the lymph nodes, which is quite common in childhood. When the enlargement of lymph nodes is caused by inflammatory and infectious processes, it is called lymphadenitis. The main objective of this manuscript is to summarize the common infectious etiologies and presentations of lymphadenitis in children providing a management guide for clinical practice. PubMed was used to search for all of the studies published up to April 2021 using keywords such as “lymphadenitis” and “children”. Literature analysis showed that the differential diagnosis for lymphadenitis in pediatrics is broad. Although lymph node enlargement in children is usually benign and self-limited, it is important to exclude malignant etiology. In most cases, history and physical examination allow to identify the correct diagnosis and start a proper treatment with a prompt resolution of the lymphadenopathy. However, particularly in the case of persistent lymphadenitis, determining the cause of lymph node enlargement may be difficult, and the exact etiology may not be identified despite extensive investigations. Further studies should develop and validate an algorithm to assist pediatricians in the diagnosis and timely treatment of lymphadenitis, suggesting situations in which a watchful waiting may be considered a safe approach, those in which empiric antibiotic therapy should be administered, and those requiring a timely diagnostic work-up

Are PEI-coated SWCNTs conjugated with hepatitis A virus? A chemical study with SEM, Z-potential, EDXD and RT-PCR

The conjugation between nanotubes, coated with different doses of polyethylene imine (PEI) and hepatitis A virus (HAV) was investigated by scanning electron microscopy, Z-potential, thermogravimetric and differential thermal analysis, transmission electron microscopy, energy dispersive x-ray diffraction (EDXD) and reverse transcript polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). For the first time, to our knowledge, evidence is obtained that conjugation between the nanotubes and the HAV occurs and that it has an (at least a partial) electrostatic character. Since all components of the conjugated systems, nanotubes, coating material and virus are characterized by different peak shapes in the selected q range, it was possible to infer that conjugation occurred. RT-PCR measurements confirmed that the conjugation of the coated nanotubes and HAV occurred and the result was stable. This opens up the prospect of probing the coated nanotubes as intra-cellular carriers in transfection processes of the virus. Further biological applications will concern a possible vaccine especially for non-replicative viruses

Exploring the interplay between metabolic power and equivalent distance in training games and official matches in soccer: a machine learning approach.

Introduction: This study aimed to explore the interplay between metabolic power (MP) and equivalent distance (ED) and their respective roles in training games (TGs) and official soccer matches. Furthermore, the secondary objective was to investigate the connection between external training load (ETL), determined by the interplay of metabolic power and equivalent distance, and internal training load (ITL) assessed through HR-based methods, serving as a measure of criterion validity. Methods: Twenty-one elite professional male soccer players participated in the study. Players were monitored during 11 months of full training and overall official matches. The study used a dataset of 4269 training games and 380 official matches split into training and test sets. In terms of machine learning methods, the study applied several techniques, including K-Nearest Neighbors, Decision Tree, Random Forest, and Support-Vector Machine classifiers. The dataset was divided into two subsets: a training set used for model training and a test set used for evaluation. Results: Based on metabolic power and equivalent distance, the study successfully employed four machine learning methods to accurately distinguish between the two types of soccer activities: TGs and official matches. The area under the curve (AUC) values ranged from 0.90 to 0.96, demonstrating high discriminatory power, with accuracy levels ranging from 0.89 to 0.98. Furthermore, the significant correlations observed between Edwards' training load (TL) and TL calculated from metabolic power metrics confirm the validity of these variables in assessing external training load in soccer. The correlation coefficients (r values) ranged from 0.59 to 0.87, all reaching statistical significance at p < 0.001. Discussion: These results underscore the critical importance of investigating the interaction between metabolic power and equivalent distance in soccer. While the overall intensity may appear similar between TGs and official matches, it is evident that underlying factors contributing to this intensity differ significantly. This highlights the necessity for more comprehensive analyses of the specific elements influencing physical effort during these activities. By addressing this fundamental aspect, this study contributes valuable insights to the field of sports science, aiding in the development of tailored training programs and strategies that can optimize player performance and reduce the risk of injuries in elite soccer

Relationship between aerobic fitness and metabolic power metrics in elite male soccer players

The aim was to assess the relationship between aerobic fitness and metabolic power metrics in elite male soccer players, and the possible differences that playing positions might impose during match play over new metabolic power metrics. Sixty-two elite professional male soccer players (13 central backs, 13 side backs, 22 midfielders, and 14 forwards) took part in the study. Players were monitored during eleven months of full training (including pre-season and in-season) and over all official matches (Serie A matches, Italy Cup matches). Aerobic fitness tests were conducted one week after the start of the preseason, and 8, 24 and 36 weeks after the beginning of the Championship. Players' aerobic fitness and metabolic power metrics were considered as the mean of all seasonal testing and of pooling data of 38 championship matches and 3 or 6 Italy Cup matches for all the calculations respectively. The velocity at 4 mmol·L-1 (VL4) was significantly related to metabolic power metrics match variables with correlation ranging from trivial to very large (r = 0.32 to r = 0.89). Receiver-operating-characteristic (ROC) analysis showed that speed at VL4 was sensitive in detecting high metabolic power distance (HMPD) changes in all but central back players as revealed by area under the curve (central back .78, 95%CI .47 to .95; full back .93, 95%CI .64 to 0.99; midfielder .88, 95%CI .67 to 0.98; forward .90, 95%CI .62 to 0.99). This study's findings provide further evidence for the ecological validity of aerobic fitness in elite male soccer players. Players having a HMPD cut-off equal to or higher than > 1450 m for central backs, > 1990 m for full backs, > 2170 m for midfielders and > 1670 m for forwards may be considered as possessing superior aerobic fitness status. In light of this study's findings, the VL4 test may be considered a valid test to evaluate meaningful information for direct generic aerobic training in soccer players

State of the art on approved cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (Cftr) modulators and triple-combination therapy

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is the most common life-limiting inherited disease in Caucasian populations, affecting approximately 80,000 people worldwide. CF is a complex multi-organ monogenic autosomal recessive disorder caused by a mutation in cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene. Since the discovery of the CFTR gene in 1989, more than 2000 mutations have been identified so far and about 240 can cause CF. Until recently, the treatment for CF was aimed to prevent and manage the manifestations of CFTR dysfunction, primarily recurrent pulmonary infections and pancreatic exocrine failure. Over the past few decades, the therapeutic approach to CF has been revolutionized by the development of a new class of small molecules called CFTR modulators that target specific defects caused by mutations in the CFTR gene. CFTR modulators have been shown to change profoundly the clinical course of the CF, leading to meaningful improvements in the lives of a large proportion of people of CF heterozygous for F508del, especially if started in young children. Further studies are needed to extend the use of triple CFTR modulation therapy also for young children in order to prevent the irreversible effects of the disease and for patients with very rare mutations with a personalized approach to treatment

Management of solitary pulmonary nodule

Objectives: The pulmunary nodule is an important diagnostic and therapeutic problem. Diagnostic certainty is only obtained by histological examination. Mini-invasive surgery allows removal of the nodule with minimal sequelae fot the patient. Methods: From October 1991 to December 2006, 370 resections for a pulmunary nodule were performed at our Department of General Surgery of the University of Milan: 276 wedge resections and 94 lobectomies.Results: Frozen section was performed in all the wedge resections, and in the presence of cancer (77 cases), whenever possible (61 cases), the intervention was converted to lobectomy in the same session. In the other 94 cases, the nodule was removed by lobectomy due to impossibility of performing a wedge resection. Conclusions: Despite the refinement of diagnostic techniques, only exeresis of a pulmonary nodule ensures a definitive diagnosis, thus resolving the problem of benign pathologies and initiating the correct therapy for malignant lesions in the same session

Psychosocial care for adult cancer patients: guidelines of the Italian Medical Oncology Association

SIMPLE SUMMARY: People with cancer often experience psychological and social needs, related to their disease and treatments, that can negatively impact quality of life. Various social interventions can be helpful but are not always offered to patients who would benefit from them. This guideline aims to help oncology professionals address the psychosocial aspects of their adult patients and of those who care for them. It was compiled by a multidisciplinary panel, including patients, using rigorous methodology. Topics include patient information and communication, screening and management of psychosocial needs, and caregiver support. In particular, evidence emphasizes that nurses play a central role in providing psychosocial care and information for cancer patients, and that Physician communication skills must be improved with specific evidence-based training. In addition, psychosocial needs must be promptly detected and managed, especially with appropriate non-pharmacological interventions. ABSTRACT: Psychosocial morbidity can have negative consequences for cancer patients, including maladaptive coping, poor treatment adherence, and lower quality of life. Evidence shows that psychosocial interventions can positively impact quality of life, as well as symptoms and side effects; however, they are not always offered to patients who might benefit from them. These guidelines were produced by a multidisciplinary panel of 16 experts, including patients, following GRADE methodology. The panel framed clinical questions and voted on outcomes to investigate. Studies identified by rigorous search strategies were assessed to rate certainty of evidence, and recommendations were formulated by the panel. Although the quality of the evidence found was generally moderate, interventions could be recommended aimed at improving patient information, communication with healthcare professionals and involvement in decision-making; detecting and managing patient psychosocial needs, particularly with non-pharmacological therapy; and supporting families of patients with advanced cancer. The role of nurses as providers of information and psychosocial care is stressed. Most recommended interventions do not appear to necessitate new services or infrastructures, and therefore do not require allocation of additional resources, but predominantly involve changes in clinical staff behavior and/or ward organization. Patients should be made aware of psychosocial care standards so that they can expect to receive them