Increased use of high-flow nasal cannulas after the pandemic in bronchiolitis: a more severe disease or a changed physician's attitude?

After the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, we noticed a marked increase in high-flow nasal cannula use for bronchiolitis. This study aims to report the percentage of children treated with high-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) in various seasons. The secondary outcomes were admissions for bronchiolitis, virological results, hospital burden, and NICU/PICU need. We conducted a retrospective study in four Italian hospitals, examining the medical records of all infants (< 12 months) hospitalized for bronchiolitis in the last four winter seasons (1 September-31 March 2018-2022). In the 2021-2022 winter season, 66% of admitted children received HFNC versus 23%, 38%, and 35% in the previous 3 years. A total of 876 patients were hospitalized in the study periods. In 2021-2022, 300 infants were hospitalized for bronchiolitis, 22 in 2020-2021, 259 in 2019-2020, and 295 in 2018-2019. The percentage of patients needing intensive care varied from 28.7% to 18%, 22%, and 15% in each of the four considered periods (p < 0.05). Seventy-seven percent of children received oxygen in the 2021-2022 winter; vs 50%, 63%, and 55% (p < 0.01) in the previous 3 years. NIV/CPAP was used in 23%, 9%, 16%, and 12%, respectively. In 2021-2020, 2% of patients were intubated; 0 in 2020-2021, 3% in 2019-2020, and 1% in 2018-2019

Revisão bibliográfica: TDAH em adultos / Literature review: TDAH in adults

O transtorno de déficit de atenção e hiperatividade (TDAH), um dos transtornos neuropsiquiátricos mais comuns da infância e adolescência, muitas vezes persiste na idade adulta. Tal transtorno está associado a um prejuízo significativo no funcionamento ocupacional, acadêmico e social quando não tratado adequadamente. O objetivo desse estudo é revisar sobre transtorno do déficit de atenção e hiperatividade, compreendendo-o em sua totalidade. Os bancos de dados Pubmed e UpToDate, além de diretrizes foram pesquisados eletronicamente utilizando os descritores Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity; Attention Deficit and Disruptive Behavior Disorders; Cognition nos idiomas inglês e português, utilizando as publicações dos últimos 05 anos. Clinicamente é caracterizado por sintomas de desatenção, impulsividade e inquietação, resultando em prejuízo funcional. Os critérios de TDAH no DSM-5 são aplicáveis ao diagnóstico em crianças e adultos e incluem exemplos de manifestações adultas do transtorno. O tratamento é pautado em medicamentos e/ou terapia comportamental

A role of BRCA1 and BRCA2 germline mutations in breast cancer susceptibility within Sardinian population

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>In recent years, numerous studies have assessed the prevalence of germline mutations in <it>BRCA1 </it>and <it>BRCA2 </it>genes in various cohorts. We here extensively investigated the prevalence and geographical distribution of <it>BRCA1-2 </it>mutations in the entire genetically-homogeneous Sardinian population. The occurrence of phenotypic characteristics which may be predictive for the presence of <it>BRCA1-2 </it>germline mutations was also evaluated.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Three hundred and forty-eight breast cancer patients presenting a familial recurrence of invasive breast or ovarian carcinoma with at least two affected family members were screened for <it>BRCA1-2 </it>mutations by DHPLC analysis and DNA sequencing. Association of <it>BRCA1 </it>and <it>BRCA2 </it>mutational status with clinical and pathological parameters was evaluated by Pearson's Chi-Squared test.</p> <p>Results and Conclusion</p> <p>Overall, 8 <it>BRCA1 </it>and 5 <it>BRCA2 </it>deleterious mutations were detected in 35/348 (10%) families; majority (23/35;66%) of mutations was found in <it>BRCA2 </it>gene. The geographical distribution of <it>BRCA1-2 </it>mutations was related to three specific large areas of Sardinia, reflecting its ancient history: <it>a</it>) the Northern area, linguistically different from the rest of the island (where a <it>BRCA2 c.8764_8765delAG </it>mutation with founder effect was predominant); <it>b</it>) the Middle area, land of the ancient Sardinian population (where <it>BRCA2 </it>mutations are still more common than <it>BRCA1 </it>mutations); and <it>c</it>) the South-Western area, with many Phoenician and Carthaginian locations (where <it>BRCA1 </it>mutations are prevalent). We also found that phenotypic features such as high tumor grading and lack of expression of estrogen/progesterone receptors together with age at diagnosis and presence of ovarian cancer in the family may be predictive for the presence of <it>BRCA1-2 </it>germline mutations.</p

Migrazioni, Politiche e Territorio in Veneto

Seconda regione italiana per numero di residenti stranieri, il Veneto ha conosciuto un progressivo radicamento dell’immigrazione facilitato dalla crescita economica e dalla diffusione di centri di piccole e medie dimensioni che mostrano una capacità di attrazione superiore a quella dei comuni più grandi. L’immigrazione ha rafforzato il modello della ‘città diffusa’, facendo della dimensione micropolitana un elemento peculiare del territorio regionale all’interno del quale il tradizionalmente basso livello di istituzionalizzazione ha demandato a attori non pubblici la gestione del fenomeno. L’equazione lavoro = integrazione ha consentito di investire solo parzialmente in politiche di integrazione, inclusione e coesione sociale. Oggi la crisi economica ha di molto rallentato l’integrazione degli immigrati nel mercato del lavoro sollevando seri interrogativi sulle capacità che il volontariato cattolico e non, il sindacato, gli imprenditori, i network e le stesse associazioni degli immigrati hanno per continuare a assumere il ruolo centrale nel governo dell’immigrazione e nelle pratiche a favore dell’inclusione svolto fino a oggi

Photopolymerization of keratin-based thiol-ene coatings

Keratin extracted from wool by sulphitolysis, up to a content of 15 wt/wt% was used as a natural reinforcing agent for cross-linked polymers obtained by photopolymerization of thiol-ene systems. The keratin-based photocured coatings obtained show significant improvement in terms of thermal stability, crosslinking density, Tg values and mechanical properties. Moreover, a clear increase of the biodegradability of the starting thiol-ene polymer matrix was induced by the presence of the keratin biopolymer as reinforcemen

Ogilvie syndrome in a 8 year old girl after laparoscopic appendectomy

Abstract Background Ogilvie’s syndrome is described in the adult population, but rarely seen in children. Case presentation We present a case of a girl who suffered acute colonic pseudo-obstruction after laparoscopic appendectomy. Conclusions Ogilvie’s syndrome, although rare in the pediatric population, should be considered as possible diagnosis after a surgical procedure in presence of persisting subocclusive symptoms and radiological signs of massive colonic dilatation without mechanical obstruction

Amyloid myopathy: an intriguing diagnosis

[no abstract available

Trypanosoma brucei RRP44: a versatile enzyme for processing structured and non-structured RNA substrates

International audienceRrp44/Dis3 is a conserved eukaryotic ribonuclease that acts on processing and degradation of nearly all types of RNA. It contains an endo- (PIN) and an exonucleolytic (RNB) domain and, its depletion in model organisms supports its essential function for cell viability. In Trypanosoma brucei, depletion of Rrp44 (TbRRP44) blocks maturation of ribosomal RNA, leading to disruption of ribosome synthesis and inhibition of cell proliferation. We have determined the crystal structure of the exoribonucleolytic module of TbRRP44 in an active conformation, revealing novel details of the catalytic mechanism of the RNB domain. For the first time, the position of the second magnesium involved in the two-metal-ion mechanism was determined for a member of the RNase II family. In vitro, TbRRP44 acts preferentially on non-structured uridine-rich RNA substrates. However, we demonstrated for the first time that both TbRRP44 and its homologue from Saccharomyces cerevisiae can also degrade structured substrates without 3’-end overhang, suggesting that Rrp44/Dis3 ribonucleases may be involved in degradation of a wider panel of RNA than has been assumed. Interestingly, deletion of TbRRP44 PIN domain impairs RNA binding to different extents, depending on the type of substrate