Short-Term Neurodevelopmental Outcome in Term Neonates Treated with Phenobarbital versus Levetiracetam: A Single-Center Experience

BACKGROUND: Phenobarbital (PB) has been traditionally used as the first-line treatment for neonatal seizures. More recently, levetiracetam (LEV) has been increasingly used as a promising newer antiepileptic medication for treatment of seizures in neonates. OBJECTIVES: The aim of our study was to compare the effect of PB vs. LEV on short-term neurodevelopmental outcome in infants treated for neonatal seizures. METHOD: This randomized, one-blind prospective study was conducted on term neonates admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit of S. Bambino Hospital, University Hospital "Policlinico-Vittorio Emanuele," Catania, Italy, from February 2016 to February 2018. Thirty term neonates with seizures were randomized to receive PB or LEV; the Hammersmith Neonatal Neurological Examination (HNNE) was used at baseline (T0) and again one month after the initial treatment (T1). RESULTS: We found a significantly positive HNNE score for the developmental outcomes, specifically tone and posture, in neonates treated with LEV. There was no significant improvement in the HNNE score at T1 in the neonates treated with PB. CONCLUSION: This study suggests a positive effect of levetiracetam on tone and posture in term newborns treated for neonatal seizures. If future randomized-controlled studies also show better efficacy of LEV in the treatment of neonatal seizures, LEV might potentially be considered as the first-line anticonvulsant in this age grou

L-PRF application in extraction sockets of bisphosphonate-treated patients: preliminary results

Bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (BRONJ) is a severe adverse event related to bisphosphonates (BPs) therapy; tooth extraction has been described as the main trigger. Autologous platelet concentrates, such Leukocyte-Platelet Rich Fibrin (L-PRF, Intraspin !) are designed to release platelet growth factors, improving the tissue healing in oral surgery. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of our dental extraction protocol applied in BPs patients

Empowering refugee families in transit: the development of a culturally competent and compassionate training and support package

Background: Refugee parents who fled conflicts suffered violence and traumas and face huge challenges in supporting the health and welfare of their children whilst in transit. Aims: To describe the development of a culturally competent and compassionate Training and Support Package (TSP) for nurses, social and health care workers and volunteers, with a focus on parenting needs among unsettled refugees fleeing conflict. Methods: The multi-method approach included: a scoping review covering parenting needs of refugees fleeing conflict zones; collection of stories from refugee parents, healthcare workers and volunteers via a mobile application; discussions between team members; a piloted and evaluated curriculum. Results: High levels of family distress and deterioration of parental identity were identified. Informed by these results, the curriculum is articulated along twenty bite-sized learning units, covering four age stages of childhood as well as targeting adults’ wellbeing. Pilot training was evaluated positively confirming feasibility and usefulness of TSP. Conclusions: Unsettled refugee parents fleeing conflicts face psychosocial and practical difficulties negatively affecting their parenting skills. Care workforce should be trained in order to provide culturally competent and compassionate support to help these families. Open access digital platforms are promising as autodidactic and self-help tools amongst hard-to-reach populations

Strumento di supporto all\u2019implantologia orale.

Il brevetto si riferisce ad un dispositivo che trova applicazione nella tecnica "flap-less" in chirurgia implantare (inserimento di impianti senza esecuzione di lembo chirurgico), tecnica meno invasiva e traumatica per il paziente; esso consente di: - eseguire in modo diretto e preciso la rilevazione del profilo osseo esterno del sito implantare - determinare l'angolazione ottimale dell'asse di foratura - guidare l'operazione di fresatura secondo l'asse prescelto. Il dispositivo, grazie alla sua adattabilita' e modularita'. E' utilizzabile per eseguire siti implantari sia singoli che multipli ed \ue8 adattabile a tutte le variabili anatomiche che si possono presentare, \ue8 inoltre sterilizzabile e quindi riutilizzabile. Altre caratteristiche di rilievo sono la facilit\ue0 d\ueduso e la semplicit\ue0 costruttiva, che lo rendono competitivo rispetto ad altri sistemi pi\uf9 complessi e costosi presenti sul mercato

The treatment of medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (Mronj): A systematic review with a pooled analysis of only surgery versus combined protocols

Medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (MRONJ) is a serious adverse reaction of antiresorptive and antiangiogenic agents, and it is also a potentially painful and debilitating condition. To date, no specific studies have prospectively evaluated the efficacy of its treatment and no robust standard of care has been established. Therefore, a systematic review (2007–2020) with a pooled analysis was performed in order to compare MRONJ surgical techniques (conservative or aggressive) versus combined surgical procedures (surgery plus a non-invasive procedure), where 1137 patients were included in the pooled analysis. A statistically significant difference in the 6-month improvement rate, comparing combined conservative surgery versus only aggressive (91% versus 72%, p = 0.05), was observed. No significant difference regarding any group with respect to the 6-month total resolution rate (82% versus 72%) was demonstrated. Of note, conservative surgery combined with various, adjuvant, non-invasive procedures (ozone, LLLT or blood component + Nd:YAG) was found to achieve partial or full healing in all stages, with improved results and the amelioration of many variables. In conclusion, specific adjuvant treatments associated with minimally conservative surgery can be considered effective and safe in the treatment of MRONJ, although well-controlled studies are a requisite in arriving at definitive statements

Empowering the migrant and refugee family's parenting skills: a literature review

Bachground: Worldwide, more than 79.5 million people are forcibly displaced, including a significant number of migrant and refugee families with children. Migration and refugeedom affect these families in different dimensions, such as mental, physical and spiritual health. Identifying family needs and enhancing parenting skills can improve family cohesion and health, as well as smooth integration into the host country. This review is part of the Erasmus+ funded project- IENE 8 (Intercultural Education for Nurses in Europe) aiming at empowering migrant and refugee families regarding parenting skills. Methods: This was a scoping review of literature. The IENE 8 partner countries (Cyprus, Germany, Greece, Italy, Romania, and United Kingdom) searched for peer reviewed papers, grey literature and mass media reports at international, European and national level. The time period for the search of scientific and grey literature was between2013-2018, and for mass media, it was between 2016 and 2018. Results: 124 relevant sources were identified. They included 33 Peer reviewed papers, 47 Grey literature documents and 44 mass media reports. This revealed the importance of understanding the needs of migrant families with children. Conclusion: It is evident from the literature that there is a need to support refugee parents to adjust their existing skill and to empower them to develop new ones. Healthcare and social services professionals have an essential role in improving the refugees' parenting skills. This can be done by developing and implementing family-centered and culturally-sensitive intervention programs

STAFNE BONE CYST IN THE ANTERIOR MANDIBLE: AN UNUSUAL LOCATION

To describe clinical features of the anterior Stafne bone cyst. To supply radiologist a guide for diagnosis and classification of Stafne bone cyst