74 research outputs found
Enteropatie croniche del cane: follow up di 150 casi
No full textLe enteropatie croniche sono una condizione comune del cane e del gatto nella pratica clinica, il follow-up in queste patologie è prassi comune in medicina umana, ben poco è presente in medicina veterinaria. In questo studio sono stati rivalutati 150 cani visitati presso l’Ospedale Didattico Veterinario “Mario Modenato” del Dipartimento di Scienze Veterinarie dell'Università di Pisa, negli anni 2009-2014
Parenting stress and broader phenotype in parents of children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, dyslexia or typical development
No full textIn the present study parenting stress and the broader phenotype are investigated in two highly common developmental disorders, namely Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and specific reading impairment (dyslexia). Within a total sample of 130 parents, 27 were parents of children with ADHD (P-ADHD), 38 were parents of children with a diagnosis of dyslexia (P-DYS) and the other 65 participants were parents of children with typical development (P-TD). A battery of cognitive tasks was administered which included verbal and non-verbal Intellectual Quotient (IQ), reading speed (passage and nonwords), verbal fluency and the Attention Network Task (ANT). Reading history, symptoms of ADHD in adults and parenting stress were measured through questionnaires. Group differences evidenced that the P-DYS group had lower scores in the reading tasks, in the verbal fluency task and in the reading history questionnaire. Conversely, the P-ADHD group had more transversal cognitive weaknesses (IQ, reading tasks, verbal fluency) and the highest scores in parenting stress and ADHD symptoms, together with poor reading history. The groups did not differ in the ANT task. Parenting stress was predicted, on the whole sample, by lower socioeconomic status (SES) and number of family members and higher ADHD symptoms. Implications for research and clinical settings are discussed. © 2019 by the author. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland
Intestinal Fibrogenesis in Inflammatory Bowel Diseases: Exploring the Potential Role of Gut Microbiota Metabolites as Modulators
No full text: Fibrosis, sustained by the transformation of intestinal epithelial cells into fibroblasts (epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition, EMT), has been extensively studied in recent decades, with the molecular basis well-documented in various diseases, including inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs). However, the factors influencing these pathways remain unclear. In recent years, the role of the gut microbiota in health and disease has garnered significant attention. Evidence suggests that an imbalanced or dysregulated microbiota, along with environmental and genetic factors, may contribute to the development of IBDs. Notably, microbes produce various metabolites that interact with host receptors and associated signaling pathways, influencing physiological and pathological changes. This review aims to present recent evidence highlighting the emerging role of the most studied metabolites as potential modulators of molecular pathways implicated in intestinal fibrosis and EMT in IBDs. These studies provide a deeper understanding of intestinal inflammation and fibrosis, elucidating the molecular basis of the microbiota role in IBDs, paving the way for future treatments
Phonic and Motor Stereotypies in Autism Spectrum Disorder: Video Analysis and Neurological Characterization
No full textStereotypies are among the core symptoms of Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and can cause significant clinical impairment. At present, phonic stereotypies in ASD have been scarcely explored. This study investigates the frequency, variability, and typologies of phonic and motor stereotypies in children with ASD and their association with clinical neurological variables. We examined 35 patients by recording standardized video sessions and administering the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule-Second Edition (ADOS-2). Phonic stereotypies were present in 83.0% of the patients. The most prevalent subtypes were noncommunicative vocalizations (60.0%), single syllables (37.1%), and echolalic stereotypies (22.9%). Noncommunicative vocalizations were more frequent in nonverbal patients (OR = 4.629, p = 0.008), while echolalic stereotypies were more represented in verbal patients (OR = 0.279, p = 0.028). Patients with intellectual disability (ID) showed a higher number (F(1,26) = 9.406, p = 0.005) and variability (F(1,25) = 7.174, p = 0.013) of motor stereotypies, with a higher number (F(1,26) = 13.268, p = 0.005) and variability (F(1,26) = 9.490, p = 0.005) of stereotypies involving the head/trunk/shoulders category. Patients with guttural stereotypies showed a higher variability of total motor stereotypies (OR = 1.487, p = 0.032) and self-directed motor stereotypies (OR = 4.389, p = 0.042). These results, combined with a standardized video-analysis, document the frequency and variability of phonic stereotypies among children with ASD. Correlations between specific phonic stereotypies and verbal abilities should be investigated further
Relationship between Sensory Alterations and Repetitive Behaviours in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders: A Parents' Questionnaire Based Study
No full textThe relationship between sensory profile and repetitive behaviours in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) has long been known. However, there is no consensus on the type of relationship that exists between them. This monocentric retrospective-prospective observational study aimed (a) to detect a clinical correlation between the severity of repetitive behaviours and the alterations of sensory profile in a sample of 50 children diagnosed with ASD; (b) to evaluate how different patterns of stereotypies and sensory alterations correlate with each other and with the main clinical-instrumental variables in the same sample. We enrolled 29 children in the retrospective phase of the study and 21 in the prospective phase. The Repetitive Behaviour Scale-Revised (RBS-R) and the Short Sensory Profile (SSP) were administered to the caregivers, and clinical-instrumental data were collected. SSP and RBS-R total scores directly correlated with a high significance rate. Among the subscales, the strongest correlations involved "Visual/Auditory Sensitivity", related to "Stereotyped Behaviour" and "Sameness Behaviour". "Under-Responsive/Seeks Sensation" related to "Stereotyped Behaviour". Sex and intellectual disability significantly influenced both the stereotypies and the sensory alterations of the examined population. In conclusion, this study provides new insights into the relationship between sensory alterations and repetitive behaviours in ASD children by using direct medical observation and parent observation
Is BMI Associated with Covid-19 Severity? A Retrospective Observational Study
No full textBackground: Coronavirus-19 disease (Covid-19) is an infection with high morbidity and mortality. Obesity and low body mass index (BMI) have both been linked to severe Covid-19, but recent studies have failed to confirm these associations. Objectives: The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between BMI and disease progression in hospitalised patients with Covid-19. Methods: We performed a monocentric, retrospective observational study at the Fondazione Policlinico Gemelli in Rome. We enrolled 1544 (977 men) patients who presented to the emergency department with a positive Covid-19 test between January and December 2021. We divided patients into five classes based on BMI. Demographic, clinical, laboratory, and radiological data were collected for all patients. Results: Of the 1544 patients, 1297 recovered after hospitalization, whereas 247 (16%) died. Of those who died, 16/247 (6.5%) had a BMI below18.5 kg/m2, 72/247 (29%) had a BMI between 18.5 and 24.99 kg/m2, 103/247 (42%) had a BMI between 25 and 29.99 kg/m2, 36/247 (15%) had a BMI between 30 and 35 kg/m2, and 20/247 (8%) had a BMI above 35 kg/m2. After adjusting the results for age, sex, and concomitant diseases using multivariate logistic regression, we found a significantly increased risk of intensive care unit (ICU) admission in severely obese patients (BMI > 35) compared to normal weight patients (BMI: 18.5-24.99) (p > 0.001). Mortality was not associated with BMI. Conclusion: We confirm that severe obesity is a risk factor for ICU admission in patients with Covid-19. No association was found between BMI and mortality
Interaction between lipopolysaccharide and gut microbiota in inflammatory bowel diseases
No full textLipopolysaccharides (LPSs) are bacterial surface glycolipids, produced by Gram-negative bacteria. LPS is known to determine acute inflammatory reactions, particularly in the context of sepsis. However, LPS can also trigger chronic inflammation. In this case, the source of LPS is not an external infection, but rather an increase in endogenous production, which is usually sustained by gut microbiota (GM), and LPS contained in food. The first site in which LPS can exert its inflammatory action is the gut: both GM and gut-associated lymphoid tissue (GALT) are influenced by LPS and shift towards an inflammatory pattern. The changes in GM and GALT induced by LPS are quite similar to the ones seen in IBD: GM loses diversity, while GALT T regulatory (Tregs) lymphocytes are reduced in number, with an increase in Th17 and Th1 lymphocytes. Additionally, the innate immune system is triggered, through the activation of toll-like receptor (TLR)-4, while the epithelium is directly damaged, further triggering inflammation. In this review, we will discuss the importance of the crosstalk between LPS, GM, and GALT, and discuss the possible implications
PAMPs and DAMPs in Sepsis: A Review of Their Molecular Features and Potential Clinical Implications
No full textSepsis is a serious organ dysfunction caused by a dysregulated immune host reaction to a pathogen. The innate immunity is programmed to react immediately to conserved molecules, released by the pathogens (PAMPs), and the host (DAMPs). We aimed to review the molecular mechanisms of the early phases of sepsis, focusing on PAMPs, DAMPs, and their related pathways, to identify potential biomarkers. We included studies published in English and searched on PubMed® and Cochrane®. After a detailed discussion on the actual knowledge of PAMPs/DAMPs, we analyzed their role in the different organs affected by sepsis, trying to elucidate the molecular basis of some of the most-used prognostic scores for sepsis. Furthermore, we described a chronological trend for the release of PAMPs/DAMPs that may be useful to identify different subsets of septic patients, who may benefit from targeted therapies. These findings are preliminary since these pathways seem to be strongly influenced by the peculiar characteristics of different pathogens and host features. Due to these reasons, while initial findings are promising, additional studies are necessary to clarify the potential involvement of these molecular patterns in the natural evolution of sepsis and to facilitate their transition into the clinical setting
Follow-up a lungo termine nelle enteropatie croniche del cane: 150 casi (2009-2014)
No full textIl follow-up nelle enteropatie croniche è prassi comune in medicina umana, ben poco è presente in medicina veterinaria. In questo studio sono stati rivalutati 150 cani visitati presso l’Ospedale Didattico Veterinario “Mario Modenato” negli anni 2009-2014. I proprietari sono stati contattati telefonicamente e sottoposti a un questionario. Al momento della diagnosi i cani sono stati approcciati con terapia dietetica e terapia antibiotica e/o immunosoppressiva in caso di necessità. Al follow-up, 88 cani (59%) sono stati classificati come “in remissione” dai segni clinici di enteropatia cronica. L’età dell’animale è stata proporzionalmente associata al rischio di ricaduta dei segni clinici (P .0006) e l’ipoalbuminemia al momento della diagnosi è stata associata significativamente a un risultato negativo (P < .0001). La qualità della vita al momento del follow-up secondo la valutazione del proprietario sembra essere legata alla presenza di ricadute della malattia. (P < .0004)
ANCOC Score to Predict Mortality in Different SARS-CoV-2 Variants and Vaccination Status
No full textbackground: more than three years after the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic outbreak, hospitals worldwide are still affected by coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19). the availability of a clinical score that can predict the risk of death from the disease at the time of diagnosis and that can be used even if population characteristics change and the virus mutates can be a useful tool for emergency physicians to make clinical decisions. during the first COVID-19 waves, we developed the ANCOC (age, blood urea nitrogen, C-reactive protein, oxygen saturation, comorbidities) score, a clinical score based on five main parameters (age, blood urea nitrogen, C-reactive protein, oxygen saturation, comorbidities) that accurately predicts the risk of death in patients infected with SARS-CoV-2. A score of less than -1 was associated with 0% mortality risk, whereas a score of 6 was associated with 100% risk of death, with an overall accuracy of 0.920. the aim of our study is to internally validate the ANCOC score and evaluate whether it can predict 60-day mortality risk independent of vaccination status and viral variant. methods: we retrospectively enrolled 843 patients admitted to the emergency department (ED) of our hospital with a diagnosis of COVID-19. a total of 515 patients were admitted from July 2021 to september 2021, when the delta variant was prevalent, and 328 in January 2022, when the omicron 1 variant was predominant. all patients included in the study had a diagnosis of COVID-19 confirmed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) on an oropharyngeal swab. demographic data, comorbidities, vaccination data, and various laboratory, radiographic, and blood gas parameters were collected from all patients to determine differences between the two waves. ANCOC scores were then calculated for each patient, ranging from -6 to 6. results: patients infected with the omicron variant were significantly older and had a greater number of comorbidities, of which hypertension and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) were the most common. Immunization was less common in delta patients than in omicron patients (34% and 56%, respectively). to assess the accuracy of mortality prediction, we constructed a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve and found that the area under the ROC curve was greater than 0.8 for both variants. these results suggest that the ANCOC score is able to predict 60-day mortality regardless of viral variant and whether the patient is vaccinated or not. conclusion: In a population with increasingly high vaccination rates, several parameters may be considered prognostic for the risk of fatal outcomes. this study suggests that the ANCOC score can be very useful for the clinician in an emergency setting to quickly understand the patient's evolution and provide proper attention and the most appropriate treatments
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