Increasing rate of hospitalizations for food-induced anaphylaxis in Italian children: an analysis of the Italian Ministry of Health database.

emerged regarding other day-to-day issues. Physicians were overall misinformed about the availability of epinephrine in both restaurants and ambulances. When questioned regarding quality of life, only 10% of family practitioners and 31% of pediatricians believed that ‘‘severe allergies’’ have a major impact on quality of life. This differs markedly from results of previous studies about patients’ perceptions regarding the effects of food allergy on quality of life.10 More pediatric A/I specialists (78%) than others (P 5 .03) believed that life-threatening allergic reactions today are more common than 10 years ago, consistent with published data,11 and most physicians in all groups recognized that asthma is a risk factor for severe reactions. Similar to our surveys of patients and the general public, this study clearly demonstrates the need for ongoing education regarding anaphylaxis. As with previous studies, knowledge gaps are especially apparent for primary care and emergency physicians, who are most often the physicians on the front line in the treatment of this common and life-threatening condition

Direct effects of fermented cow's milk product with Lactobacillus paracasei CBA L74 on human enterocytes

Cow's milk fermented with Lactobacillus paracasei CBA L74 (FM-CBAL74) exerts a preventive effect against infectious diseases in children. We evaluated if this effect is at least in part related to a direct modulation of non-immune and immune defence mechanisms in human enterocytes. Human enterocytes (Caco-2) were stimulated for 48 h with FM-CBAL74 at different concentrations. Cell growth was assessed by colorimetric assay; cell differentiation (assessed by lactase expression), tight junction proteins (zonula occludens1 and occludin), mucin 2, and toll-like receptor (TRL) pathways were analysed by real-time PCR; innate immunity peptide synthesis, beta-defensin-2 (HBD-2) and cathelicidin (LL-37) were evaluated by ELISA. Mucus layer thickness was analysed by histochemistry. FMCBA L74 stimulated cell growth and differentiation, tight junction proteins and mucin 2 expression, and mucus layer thickness in a dose-dependent fashion. A significant stimulation of HBD-2 and LL-37 synthesis, associated with a modulation of TLR pathway, was also observed. FM-CBAL74 regulates non-immune and immune defence mechanisms through a direct interaction with the enterocytes. These effects could be involved in the preventive action against infectious diseases demonstrated by this fermented product in children

Tiagabine in glial tumors.

Preliminary reports have suggested a possible 'aetiology-specific' efficacy of tiagabine (TGB) in patients with drug-resistant partial epilepsy (DRPE) related to cerebral glial tumors (GTs). This efficacy should be related to selective blocking of GAT-1 transporter by TGB. We presented our open-label, add-on TGB experience in a group of patients with GTs, compared with other symptomatic DRPEs of different aetiology.eleven patients with DRPE related to oligodendroglioma (six cases), astrocytoma (4) or multiform gliobastoma (1); 12 patients with DRPE related to a miscellanea of CNS lesions. TGB was added to previous AEDs, at dosage of 20-60 mg per die. Responders are defined by seizure frequency reduction >50\% compared with baseline.Seven patients are responders with three seizure-free (SF) in GTs group, a rate of efficacy much higher than in matching group (63.6 vs. 16.6\%). Adverse events have been observed only rarely, not leading to discontinuation, in GTs group.This preliminary observation seems to confirm the high efficacy and tolerability of TGB in DRPE related to GTs

Efficacy of a partially hydrolyzed whey formula on infant colic: a randomized controlled trial

Background: Infant colic (IC) affects up to 20% of infants in the first 4 months of life. Although IC is a benign affection that spontaneously resolves after the first 3-4 months of life, it is often a stressful problem for parents. Methods: Babies, aged ≤ 3 months, observed at family pediatrician office because a suspect of IC, were randomized in two groups of 3-week dietary intervention: Group 1, receiving non-analgesic, non-nutritive soothing maneuvers, continuing a standard formula; Group 2, receiving a partially hydrolyzed whey formula (w-pHF), containing GOS (0.5g/100ml), low content of lactose (2.5g/100ml) and low osmolarity (185 mOsm). All infants performed clinical examinations at enrollment and after 7, 14 and 21 days. Number of colic episodes, and the number and consistency of fecal outputs were recorded daily. Results: Fifty infants with IC were enrolled and randomized: 25 in Group 1 and 25 in Group 2. The rate of infants with IC in Group 2 decreased significantly within 14 days compared to Group 1 and the number of bowel movements increased significantly within 7 days in Group 2 compared to Group 1. Stool consistency significantly improved in Group 2 within 7 days. Conclusion: The studied formula could represent a useful approach in infants with IC reducing pharmacological treatments

Applicazione di una metodologia sistemica per la valutazione della suscettibilità al dissesto dei versanti tufacei del Comune di Napoli

It is here described a study which deals with the analysis of landslide susceptibility related to the tuff slopes in Naples, Italy. This type of instability has an important role in the hydro-geological emergencies which affected the city both in historical times and in recent years. The developed GIS algorithm is based on a system model, named RES (Rock Engineering Systems – Hudson, 1992), which accounts for the interactions among the factors involved into the analysed system. Survey campaigns and in situ tests have been carried up to collect the data necessary to allow the characterization of rock masses using classification methods recognized by the International Society of Rock Mechanics. Finally, using the RES a landslide susceptibility index has been estimated for the tuff slopes, which allowed to create the related map. The work here illustrated is part of a larger framework which aim is to create an Integrated Geographic Information System to study the hydro-geological risk in Naples’ territory. This System, hopefully enriched with new thematic layers, while providing the basis for future researches in the field, can also provide local decision-makers and community planners with the scientific and technological support for decisions involving management of risks and urban development

Prognostic factors facilitating multiple food allergies and atopiv march occurrence in children with Non-IgE mediated gastrointestinal Food Allergy: results of two years follow up of the NIGEFA project

Objectives and Study: Non-IgE mediated gastrointestinal food allergies (non-IgE-GIFA) are an increasing problem in pediatric gastroenterology clinical practice. These conditions include food protein-induced: enterocolitis syndrome (FPIES), enteropathy (FPE), allergic proctocolitis (FPIAP), and motility disorders (FPIMD). The NIGEFA project is focused on the investigation of main clinical features, prognostic factors (presence atopic dermatitis (AD), multiple food allergies, diagnostic delay, and familial history of allergy), and natural history (atopic march (AM) prevalence and timing of immune tolerance acquisition). Methods: Prospective observational study evaluating children with non-IgE-GIFA diagnosed according to standard criteria observed at a tertiary center for pediatric gastroenterology and allergy (both sexes, aged <36 m, follow up 12 m after diagnosis). Main anamnestic, demographic, and clinical data were collected from all enrolled patients. Immune tolerance acquisition was evaluated by the result of oral food challenge. Results: A total of 100 patients were enrolled: 58% male, mean age at diagnosis (SD) 8.5(8.8) m. Non-IgE-GIFA conditions were: FPE (44%), FPIES (11%), FPIAP (18%), FPIMD (27%). Mean diagnostic delay was 5.3 (7.4) m. Multiple non-IgE-GIFA were observed in 47% at baseline. Familial history of allergy was observed in 64% of subjects. Presence of AD before the onset of non-IgE-GIFA was observed in 40% of subjects. The overall rate of immune tolerance acquisition at 12 m was 27%, with a higher rate in FPIAP (44%) compared with FPIMD (29.6%), FPE (22.7%) and FPIES (9.1%) subjects (p<0.05). The rate of immune tolerance acquisition at 12 m was significantly lower in children with familial history of allergy (-48%, estimated risk ratio (RR)0.52 (95% CI 0.28 to 0.99, p<0.05)) and in those with multiple non-IgE-GIFA (-61%, RR at 12 m 0.39 (95% CI 0.18 to 0.85, p<0.05)). At 12 m follow up, the rate of subjects presenting AM was 24% with no difference among the 4 disease groups. The occurrence of AM was significantly higher in subjects with multiple (38%) vs. mono non-IgE-GIFA (11%) (p<.001) at baseline, with an estimated RR of 3.38 (95% CI 1.47 to 7.81, p<0.01) at 12 m. Moreover, for every 1-month of diagnostic delay there was an increase of 1.04 RR(95% CI 1.01 to 1.07) of AM occurrence at 12 m. No associations with other potential predictors (sex, familial allergy risk, AD before the onset of GIFA, type of non-IgE-GIFA) were found. Conclusions: These data shed lights on prognostic factors and natural history of non-IgE-GIFA suggesting the importance of early diagnosis in preventing the occurrence of AM occurrence in these patients. Contac