Effectiveness of a Calgary-Cambridge model-based communication skills training for paediatric trainees in Sri Lanka: A nationwide pre-post intervention study using observed practices.

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of a Calgary-Cambridge model-based communication skills training program for postgraduate paediatric trainees in Sri Lanka.

Methods: A pre-post intervention study was conducted among 133 paediatric trainees across Sri Lanka. The training program focused on relationship-building, information gathering, and information giving.

Epidemiological patterns and trends of paediatric snakebites in Sri Lanka.

Objectives: This study aimed to analyse the epidemiological patterns of paediatric snake bites in Sri Lanka over a 4-year period (2020-2024).

Methods: A multi-centre, retrospective observational study was conducted from June 2020 to June 2024 across nine governmental hospitals in seven provinces of Sri Lanka. Data were collected based on 757 children presenting with snake bites.

The Role of Diet in the Management of Irritable Bowel Syndrome: A Comprehensive Review.

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a highly prevalent gastrointestinal disorder that has a significant impact on the general population. The suboptimal medical treatments available for IBS contribute to its large economic burden. The pathophysiology of IBS is complex, and treatments often focus on managing specific symptoms.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome: Treating the Gut and Brain/Mind at the Same Time.

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is one of the most common functional gastrointestinal (GI) disorders in the world. Although IBS does not affect a person's life span, it can significantly influence their quality of life. The treatment of IBS should be tailored to each patient's specific symptomatology because it can often be difficult to manage.

Human Cytomegalovirus (HCMV) - specific T-cell response after letermovir prophylaxis is predictive for subsequent HCMV reactivation in haematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients.

Background: Human Cytomegalovirus (HCMV) is still one of the major concerning infection in hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) recipients. Letermovir (LTV) has been recently introduced for HCMV prophylaxis in adult patients who received allogeneic HSCT. However, many aspects related to immune reconstitution need to be further explored.

Colon Cancer Screening Methods: 2023 Update.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. National screening guidelines have been implemented to identify and remove precancerous polyps before they become cancer. Routine CRC screening is advised for people with average risk starting at age 45 because it is a common and preventable malignancy.

A Comprehensive Review of Bradykinin-Induced Angioedema Versus Histamine-Induced Angioedema in the Emergency Department.

Angioedema (AE) is a condition that is frequently encountered in the emergency department (ED). It is a rare condition with localized, asymmetrical swelling of the skin and/or mucosa that is frequently nonpruritic and primarily affects locations with loose connective tissue. Physicians must have a thorough understanding of this condition since it can cause fatal airway compromise, which might be the presenting symptom.

Prenatal maternal depression predicts neural maturation and negative emotion in infants.

Despite widespread acceptance that prenatal symptoms of depression in mothers are detrimental to infants' long-term emotional and cognitive development, little is known about the mechanisms that may integrate outcomes across these domains. Rooted in the integrative perspective that emotional development is grounded in developing cognitive processes, we hypothesized that prenatal symptoms of depression in mothers would be associated with delays in neural maturation that support sociocognitive function in infants, leading to more problematic behaviors. We used a prospective longitudinal study of mothers (N = 92) and their infants to test whether self-reported symptoms of depression in mothers during the second and third trimesters were associated with neural development and infant outcomes at 4 months of age.

Waking Up to Monkeypox in the Midst of COVID-19.

The first incidence of the monkeypox virus (MPXV) was reported in a Danish research facility. Even though first discovered in monkeys, rodents account for the largest reservoir of the disease. It is an encapsulated, brick-shaped double-stranded DNA virus strongly related to the smallpox virus.

The Role of Diet and Gut Microbiome in Multiple Sclerosis.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic demyelinating condition of the central nervous system (CNS) characterized by immune-mediated damage to the myelin sheath of nerve cells. Genetic and environmental factors are believed to play a significant role. Unfortunately, the knowledge of therapeutic modalities in MS remains very limited, necessitating the need for novel therapeutic strategies.

Human Cytomegalovirus-Specific T-Cell Reconstitution and Late-Onset Cytomegalovirus Infection in Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation Recipients following Letermovir Prophylaxis.

Letermovir (LTV), recently approved for the prophylaxis of human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) reactivation after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT), has been shown to decrease the rate of infection in the first months post-transplantation. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of LTV prophylaxis on immune reconstitution and late-onset infection. We studied HCMV infection and HCMV-specific T cell reconstitution in 2 matched groups of HSCT recipients, those treated with LTV prophylaxis (n = 30; LTV group) and those receiving preemptive therapy (n = 31; PET group).

Age, criterion flexibility, and item recognition.

We examined young and older adults' ability to flexibly adapt response criterion on a recognition test when the probability that a test item had been studied was cued by test color. One word color signaled that the probability of the test item being old was 70% and a second color signaled that the probability of the test item being new was 70%. Young and older adults demonstrated similar levels of criterion shifting in response to color cues.

Impact of intimate partner violence on children's well-child care and medical home.

Objectives: Intimate partner violence has been linked to poor child health. A continuous relationship with a primary care pediatric provider can help to detect intimate partner violence and connect families with needed services. The objectives of this study were to determine the relationship between intimate partner violence and (1) maternal report of a regular site for well-child care, (2) maternal report of a primary pediatric provider, (3) well-child visits in the first year of life, (4) up-to-date immunizations at 2 years of age, (5) maternal report of medical neglect, and (6) maternal report of the pediatric provider-caregiver relationship.

Human cytomegalovirus-specific CD4+ and CD8+ T-cell reconstitution in adult allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients and immune control of viral infection.

Background: Human cytomegalovirus infection is the most frequent viral complication in patients undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. We investigated the development of human cytomegalovirus-specific T cells in adult recipients of hematopoietic stem cell transplants.

Design And Methods: From May 2003 through October 2006 a total of 45 patients were monitored for human cytomegalovirus-specific T-cell reconstitution.

Validation of a DNAemia cutoff for preemptive therapy of cytomegalovirus infection in adult hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients.

A randomized trial comparing a DNAemia cutoff of 10 000 copies per ml whole blood and first pp65 antigenemia positivity for initiation of preemptive therapy of human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) infection in adult hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients was completed. DNAemia was chosen for cutoff definition since it is more automatable and standardizable than antigenemia, and more closely reflects the actual viral replication. The primary end point of the study was to compare the number of patients treated in the two arms.

Impact of a statewide home visiting program on parenting and on child health and development.

Objectives: To assess the impact of a voluntary, paraprofessional home visiting program on promoting child health and development and maternal parenting knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors.

Methods: This collaborative, experimental study of 6 Healthy Families Alaska (HFAK) programs enrolled 325 families from 1/00 to 7/01, randomly assigned them to HFAK and control groups, interviewed mothers at baseline, and followed families until children were 2 years old (85% follow-up). Child outcomes included health care use, development and behavior.

Impact of a statewide home visiting program to prevent child abuse.

Objectives: To assess the impact of a voluntary, paraprofessional home visiting program in preventing child maltreatment and reducing the multiple, malleable psychosocial risks for maltreatment for which families had been targeted.

Methods: This collaborative, experimental study focused on 6 Healthy Families Alaska (HFAK) programs; 325 families were enrolled in 2000-2001, randomized to intervention and control groups, and interviewed to measure baseline attributes. Follow-up data were collected when children were 2 years old (85% follow-up rate).

Long-term study on symptomless human metapneumovirus infection in hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients.

From October 2004 through October 2006 a study was performed to evaluate the prevalence of human Metapneumovirus (hMPV) infection in adult hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) recipients. Sequential nasopharyngeal aspirates (NPA) were collected independently from respiratory symptoms and evaluated for hMPV-RNA by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and sequence analysis. Results indicate epidemiological and molecular differences between the 2004-2005 and 2005-2006 periods and that hMPV seems not to symptomatically affect HSCT patients or cause late respiratory sequelae.

Nephrotic syndrome after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation as a late complication of chronic graft-versus-host disease.

Background: This study aims to determine the incidence and outcome of nephrotic syndrome in patients who underwent allogeneic stem cell transplantation in a single center.

Methods: Records of 279 adult patients with hematological diseases who underwent allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation were analyzed to evaluate the incidence and outcome of nephrotic syndrome. The diagnosis of chronic graft-versus-host disease was based on clinical evidence with histological confirmation whenever possible.

Incidence of human cytomegalovirus infection in patients with refractory solid tumors receiving nonmyeloablative allogeneic stem cell transplants versus recipients of standard SCT for hematologic malignancies.

Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) infection is the most frequent infectious complication after conventional allogeneic stem cell transplantation (alloSCT). From December 1998 to December 2002, we prospectively monitored HCMV reactivation in 59 patients affected by solid tumors and undergoing nonmyeloablative alloSCT (NST). Patients were allografted from HLA-identical sibling donors after fludarabine/cyclophosphamide-based conditioning regimens.

Reduced-intensity conditioning regimen with thiotepa and fludarabine followed by allogeneic blood stem cell transplantation in haematological malignancies.

The aim of this study was to investigate thiotepa (TT) and fludarabine (Fluda) as a preparative regimen for allogeneic peripheral stem cell transplant in patients not eligible for a standard myeloablative regimen due to comorbidities and/or poor performance status. TT was given at a dose of 10 mg/kg over 2 days and Fluda at 125 mg/m(2) over 5 days. In all, 21 patients (14 male, seven female; 10 acute leukaemia, eight myelodysplastic syndrome, two non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, one Hodgkin's disease) were treated.

Thiotepa and fludarabine (TT-FLUDA) as conditioning regimen in poor candidates for conventional allogeneic hemopoietic stem cell transplant.

Standard conditioning for allogeneic bone marrow transplantation induces high transplant-related mortality (TRM) in patients with a poor performance status. Less intensive regimens have been tested to reduce the TRM; our purpose was to evaluate the feasibility and tolerability of a new combination: thiotepa and fludarabine (TT-FLUDA). Six patients received 5 mg thiotepa/kg daily from day -8 to -7 and 25 mg fludarabine/m2 daily from day -6 to -2 followed by an allogeneic peripheral blood progenitor cell infusion; three of these patients with signs of overt leukemia received 18 mg idarubicin/m2 i.

[Leprosy surgery in a bush hospital in Africa: experience in Madagascar].

We report our experience of leprosy surgery in terms of feasibility and efficacy in a small hospital of bush in Madagascar during the period of September 1989 to January 1993. Operations of neurolysis, corrections of claw hands by the techniques of Lasso-Zancolli or Van Droogenbroeck, arthrodesis, resections and amputations have been performed. Our results suggest that at least a part of these surgical procedures may be performed by a non specialized medical team, taught on the premises.