COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy: a survey in a population highly compliant to common vaccinations.

Vaccination is a key protective factor against COVID-19. Some vaccines have already received emergency authorization from Health Agencies, but growing skepticism and vaccine hesitancy will probably affect COVID-19 vaccination campaigns. In the attempt to shed light on this issue, we conducted an online survey in a population of parents referring to 4 pediatric practices in Naples, Italy in whom we evaluated potential vaccine acceptability in relation to socio-demographic characteristics, perception of personal health and of the impact of COVID-19, and attitudes toward general vaccination practices.

Efficacy of ginger as antiemetic in children with acute gastroenteritis: a randomised controlled trial.

Background: Ginger is a spice with a long history of use as a traditional remedy for nausea and vomiting. No data on the efficacy of ginger are presently available for children with vomiting associated with acute gastroenteritis (AGE).

Aim: To test whether ginger can reduce vomiting in children with AGE.

Preventive Effect of Cow's Milk Fermented with Lactobacillus paracasei CBA L74 on Common Infectious Diseases in Children: A Multicenter Randomized Controlled Trial.

Unlabelled: Fermented foods have been proposed to prevent common infectious diseases (CIDs) in children attending day care or preschool.

Objectives: To investigate the efficacy of dietary supplementation with cow's skim milk fermented with the probiotic CBA L74 in reducing CIDs in children attending day care or preschool. Multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial on healthy children (aged 12-48 months) consuming daily 7 grams of cow's skim milk fermented with CBA L74 (group A), or placebo (maltodextrins group B) attending day care or preschool during the winter season.

Cow's milk and rice fermented with Lactobacillus paracasei CBA L74 prevent infectious diseases in children: A randomized controlled trial.

Background & Aim: Fermented foods have been proposed for the prevention of infectious diseases. We evaluated the efficacy of fermented foods in reducing common infectious diseases (CIDs) in children attending daycare.

Methods: Prospective randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial (registered under Clinical Trials.

Acceptability and efficacy of a gel hypotonic oral rehydration solution in children with acute gastroenteritis.

Objective: Oral rehydration solution remains the mainstay of acute gastroenteritis therapy. The aim of this study was to investigate the acceptability of a new zinc-containing hypotonic super-oral rehydration solution (ORS) in a gel formulation and its efficacy in reducing the duration and severity of diarrhea in children.

Methods: This was a randomized-controlled trial of children (5-36 months of age) observed for diarrhea lasting less than 24 h.

Efficacy of a new hypotonic oral rehydration solution containing zinc and prebiotics in the treatment of childhood acute diarrhea: a randomized controlled trial.

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of a hypotonic oral rehydration solution (ORS) containing zinc and prebiotics for treatment of acute diarrhea in children.

Study Design: We conducted a single-blind, prospective, controlled trial including children (age range, 3-36 months) with acute diarrhea randomly assigned to standard hypotonic ORS (group 1) or to new hypotonic ORS containing zinc and prebiotics (group 2). The main outcome was the rate of resolution of diarrhea at 72 hours.

Rotavirus induces a biphasic enterotoxic and cytotoxic response in human-derived intestinal enterocytes, which is inhibited by human immunoglobulins.

The mechanisms of diarrhea due to rotavirus infection in humans are not fully understood; no specific therapy is available, but orally administered human serum immunoglobulins are effective in blocking stool output. We aimed to investigate the effect of rotavirus on ion transport and the role of NSP4 in human-derived enterocytes, and to test the efficacy of human serum immunoglobulin in a model of rotavirus infection. Soon after infection, rotavirus induces active chloride secretion in enterocytes.

Lactoferrin induces concentration-dependent functional modulation of intestinal proliferation and differentiation.

Human milk stimulates intestinal development through the effects of various moieties. Lactoferrin (LF) is a glycoprotein of human milk whose concentration is highest in colostrum decreasing in mature milk. LF promotes enterocyte growth in intestinal cell lines.

Effect of Lactobacillus GG supplementation on pulmonary exacerbations in patients with cystic fibrosis: a pilot study.

Background & Aims: Probiotics reduce intestinal inflammation in children with cystic fibrosis (CF). We want to determine the effects of Lactobacillus GG (LGG) on pulmonary exacerbations in CF.

Methods: A prospective, randomized, placebo-controlled, cross-over study was performed.

Cancer rates after year 2000 significantly decrease in children with perinatal HIV infection: a study by the Italian Register for HIV Infection in Children.

Purpose: To evaluate the impact of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) on cancer incidence in HIV-infected children throughout a 20-year period.

Patients And Methods: An observational population study was conducted on 1,190 perinatally HIV-infected children enrolled onto the Italian Register for HIV Infection in Children from 1985 to 2004 and never lost to follow-up (total observation time, 10,037.66 years).

Antiemetics for children with gastroenteritis: off-label but still on in clinical practice.

Antiemetics are not included for treatment of vomiting associated with acute gastroenteritis (AGE) in children by standard guidelines. We performed a survey to determine antiemetic prescribing rates by Italian pediatricians. A structured questionnaire was distributed at a pediatric national conference.

Growth hormone regulates intestinal ion transport through a modulation of the constitutive nitric oxide synthase-nitric oxide-cAMP pathway.

Aim: Growth hormone (GH) directly interacts with the enterocyte stimulating ion absorption and reducing ion secretion induced by agonists of cAMP. Since nitric oxide (NO) is involved in the regulation of transepithelial ion transport and acts as a second messenger for GH hemodynamic effects, we tested the hypothesis that NO may be involved in the resulting effects of GH on intestinal ion transport.

Methods: Electrical parameters reflecting trans-epithelial ion transport were measured in Caco-2 cell monolayers mounted in Ussing chambers and exposed to GH and cholera toxin (CT) alone or in combination, in the presence or absence of the NO synthase (NOS) inhibitor, Nomega-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME).

Network approach to the child with primary intestinal failure.

Intestinal failure (IF) is a rare condition resulting from short gut and other heterogeneous intestinal diseases. Major centers in Italy merged in a national network to build common diagnostic and management approaches and to investigate the natural history of IF. Gastroenterological reference centers with specific expertise in intestinal morphology, diagnosis of autoimmune conditions, intestinal microbiology and parenteral nutrition were identified to act as consultants to the network.

Inhibitory effect of HIV-1 Tat protein on the sodium-D-glucose symporter of human intestinal epithelial cells.

Objective: The pathophysiology of HIV-1-related intestinal dysfunction is largely unknown. We previously found that the transactivator factor peptide (Tat) produced by HIV-1 induces ion secretion and inhibits cell proliferation in human enterocytes. Because sugar malabsorption is a frequent feature in AIDS patients, we evaluated whether Tat inhibits intestinal glucose absorption.

Reduction of inappropriate hospital admissions of children with influenza-like illness through the implementation of specific guidelines: a case-controlled study.

Background: In an attempt to reduce the burden of influenza-like illness (ILI) on health resources, the Italian Ministry of Health released clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) on ILI management that include specific indications for the admission of children to the hospital. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether application of these CPGs reduced the rate of inappropriate hospital admissions.

Methods: In the first phase, 2 independent observers recorded the number and clinical condition of children presenting with ILI to the emergency department (ED) of a large urban pediatric hospital and the main reasons for hospital admission.

Guanylin and E. coli heat-stable enterotoxin induce chloride secretion through direct interaction with basolateral compartment of rat and human colonic cells.

We previously detected specific binding activity of Escherichia coli heat-stable enterotoxin (ST), the guanylin exogenous ligand, in rat colonic basolateral membranes. Because guanylin circulates in the bloodstream, we tested the hypothesis that it modulates intestinal ion transport by acting on the serosal side of intestinal cells. The effects of the mucosal and serosal addition of ST and guanylin on ion transport were investigated in the rat proximal colon and in Caco-2 cells in Ussing chambers, by monitoring short-circuit current (Isc).

Zinc inhibits cholera toxin-induced, but not Escherichia coli heat-stable enterotoxin-induced, ion secretion in human enterocytes.

Background: Because zinc deficiency in malnourished children is associated with severe diarrhea, use of zinc supplementation has been proposed as an adjunct to oral rehydration. However, the effects of zinc on enterocyte ion transport are largely unknown. The objective of the present study was to investigate the effects of zinc on transepithelial ion transport under basal conditions and under conditions of enterotoxin-induced ion secretion.

Management of gastrointestinal disorders in children with HIV infection.

A double scenario characterizes the epidemiology of HIV infection in children. In countries where highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) is available, the pattern of HIV infection is evolving into that of a chronic disease, for which control strictly depends on patients' adherence to treatment. In developing countries with no or limited access to HAART, AIDS is rapidly expanding and is loaded with a high fatality ratio, due to the combined effects of malnutrition and opportunistic infections.

Microflora in inflammatory bowel diseases: a pediatric perspective.

Several lines of evidence link inflammatory bowel diseases to modifications of intestinal microflora. Epidemiologic and clinical data suggest a triggering role for select agents in ulcerative colitis and in Crohn disease. Experimental evidence indicates that intestinal microorganisms are needed for developing intestinal inflammation in IL-10 knockout mice, and this is associated with an increased number of adherent clostridia and a decrease of lactobacilli and bifidobacteria.

Natural history of intestinal failure, investigated through a national network-based approach.

Objectives: Intestinal failure (IF) is a condition whose treatment requires advanced knowledge and techniques and a multidisciplinary approach. Intestinal failure is the endpoint of many intestinal diseases and may result in full recovery, in life-long parenteral nutrition, or in the death of the child. The aim of this study was to evaluate the natural history of IF in children using a national network of resources.

Nitric oxide produced by the enterocyte is involved in the cellular regulation of ion transport.

The role of nitric oxide (NO) in the intestinal basal ion transport and under conditions of enterotoxin-induced ion secretion is controversial. Namely it is not clear whether NO enhances or counteracts intestinal ion secretion and whether the effects on transport result from a direct interaction with the enterocyte. The cell origin of NO is also unclear.