Self-perception on physical activity of elderly people

Problem statement. Ageing consists of gradual deterioration of the organism and concerns changes that occurs over time to detriment of functions and structures at the level of organs, cells and systems, with consequent difficulty in dealing with the multiple environmental factors. Physical activity is the most effective way to counteract a sedentary lifestyle and other risk factors. The aim of the study was to investigate perceptions, knowledge and propensities towards physical activity by people over 50. Methods. The present study was designed to describe the characteristics of people aged between 50 and 80+, residing in the province of Salerno. A survey was prepared with Google Forms and administered to the participants by sharing it on WhatsApp. It is consisting of 12 items and aimed at knowledge and perceptions of the importance of physical activity in relation to the second (last), third and fourth age groups. Descriptive statistics were used to express the participants' responses as a percentage. Chi square or Fisher exact test were used as a statistical tool to analyse perceptions on the physical activity. Results. Most of respondents did not practice physical activity (54.4%) mainly because they did not feel like it (43.2%). About 70.3% of the total would accept a personalized training program based on needs to improve their physical condition (82.2%). No significant associations were found (p > .05). Conclusion. The results of the present study showed us that only half of the elderly were physically active. For this reason, it was necessary to intervene with careful information, work regarding the benefits of sports and encouraging coaches and instructors to propose courses of adapted physical activity

Teaching method to improve eye-hand coordination in volleyball serve

Problem statement. One of the many problems that learning to serve in volleyball may require is an ineffective eye-hand coordination. In the school environment, two approaches are used to train this fundamental: cognitive and dynamic ecological. The objective of the study is to verify if a mixed approach is used, high school students will be able to improve the expectation of the service more than the other two types of approaches most used in schools. Methods. The sample is made up of 45 3rd high school students (average age of 16 years ± 2.99). All students will be divided into three groups of 15 students each: the experimental group will train with a mixed approach; the control group 1 will perform a program based on the ecological-dynamic approach and the control group 2 will train following the logic of the cognitive approach. All the groups performed a manual eye coordination test and a one-way anova was performed to verify the improvements between groups and subsequently the Post Hoc Bonferroni. Results. The result is statistically significant (p < .05). All the groups had an improvement in coordination but, from the post hoc, it is noted that the experimental group had clearly superior improvements to the other two groups. Conclusion. The mixed group proved to be an effective method to improve manual eye coordination in the volleyball serve as the relationship and fun were placed at the centre, which, combined with the practice of the gesture, made the students more motivated to learn

Intraventricular hemorrhage following removal of external ventricular drains: Report of 2 pediatric cases

Risk of intraventricular bleeding following External Ventricular Drains (EVDs) placement is well recognized. On the contrary, hemorrhage following removal of EVD is considered highly unlikely. We report two cases of massive, symptomatic intraventricular hemorrhage that occurred soon after removal of EVD, in two pediatric patients, one affected by posterior fossa tumor, and the other by acute post-traumatic hydrocephalus. This complication significantly affected outcome: in both cases EVD should be replaced, hospitalization was prolonged and further surgery was required for persisting hydrocephalus. The first patient also presented neurological deficits and delay in starting oncological therapies. There are currently no articles that specifically address hemorrhagic risk in EVDs removal. Only one paper that evaluates EVD associated hemorrhage also discuss about hemorrhages caused by removal of the catheter in children. Such risk appears to be not negligible, with hemorrhagic rate of 21.9%. More often, these hemorrhages have few clinical significance, but severe sequelae, may also occur. This should be considered in decision making, and in discussing the risks with a patient's family. Keywords: Hydrocephalus, Pediatric, Complication, Shuntin

A novel MEIS2 mutation explains the complex phenotype in a boy with a typical NF1 microdeletion syndrome

Concurrence of distinct genetic conditions in the same patient is not rare. Several cases involving neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) have recently been reported, indicating the need for more extensive molecular analysis when phenotypic features cannot be explained by a single gene mutation. Here, we describe the clinical presentation of a boy with a typical NF1 microdeletion syndrome complicated by cleft palate and other dysmorphic features, hypoplasia of corpus callosum, and partial bicoronal craniosynostosis caused by a novel 2bp deletion in exon 2 of Meis homeobox 2 gene (MEIS2) inherited from the mildly affected father. This is only the second case of an inherited MEIS2 intragenic mutation reported to date. MEIS2 is known to be associated with cleft palate, intellectual disability, heart defects, and dysmorphic features. Our clinical report suggests that this gene may also have a role in cranial morphogenesis in humans, as previously observed in animal models

Noninvasive Ventilatory Support of COVID-19 Patients Outside the Intensive Care Units (WARd-COVID)

Treatment with non-invasive ventilation (NIV) in COVID-19 is frequent. Shortage of Intensive care unit (ICU) beds led clinicians to deliver NIV also outside intensive care units (ICUs). Data about the use of NIV in COVID-19 is limited