Caregivers of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders: The Role of Guilt Sensitivity and Support.

: Burden Syndrome, also known as Caregiver Syndrome, particularly affects those who serve in the role of informal caregiver in the presence of family members with conditions. The ABCX dual model examines the impact on the caregiver of the diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) on the family. This model considers the severity of the stressor (A), the additional demands of life stress (aA), the family's internal resources (B), the family's external resources (bB), the family's assessment of the situation (C), coping strategies (cC), and outcome (X).

Exhaled and non-exhaled non-invasive markers for assessment of respiratory inflammation in patients with stable COPD and healthy smokers.

We aimed at comparing exhaled and non-exhaled non-invasive markers of respiratory inflammation in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and healthy subjects and define their relationships with smoking habit. Forty-eight patients with stable COPD who were ex-smokers, 17 patients with stable COPD who were current smokers, 12 healthy current smokers and 12 healthy ex-smokers were included in a cross-sectional, observational study. Inflammatory outcomes, including prostaglandin (PG) E2 and 15-F2t-isoprostane (15-F2t-IsoP) concentrations in exhaled breath condensate (EBC) and sputum supernatants, fraction of exhaled nitric oxide (FENO) and sputum cell counts, and functional (spirometry) outcomes were measured.

Within-day and between-day repeatability of measurements with an electronic nose in patients with COPD.

Electronic noses (e-noses), artificial sensor systems generally consisting of chemical sensor arrays for the detection of volatile compound profiles, have potential applications in respiratory medicine. We assessed within-day and between-day repeatability of an e-nose made from 32 sensors in patients with stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). We also compared between-day repeatability of an e-nose, fraction of exhaled nitric oxide (FENO) and pulmonary function testing.

Diffuse peritoneal chlamydial infection presenting as possible ovarian peritoneal carcinomatosis in an adolescent female.

A 17-year-old girl presented with significant abdominal ascites associated with periumbilical pain. On examination, her abdomen was found to be soft and moderately distended with left lower quadrant tenderness. Abdominal computed tomographic scan demonstrated not only ascites but also diffuse peritoneal enhancement, a left-sided enhancing adnexal mass displacing the uterus to the right, as well as omental caking.

Transition from ziprasidone im to oral formulation in agitated patients with acute exacerbation of schizophrenia: an open trial.

Introduction: A transition from IM to oral formulation of an antipsychotic agent is often required during the long-term management of schizophrenia. This multicenter trial evaluates the IM/oral sequential administration of ziprasidone in agitated subjects with an exacerbation of schizophrenia.

Methods: Adult patients requiring IM therapy for schizophrenic symptoms were assigned to IM ziprasidone 10 mg for 3 days, followed by oral ziprasidone (initial dose: 80 mg/day) for 8 weeks.

Contrast-induced nephropathy in patients undergoing elective and urgent procedures.

Contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) is an acute and severe complication after contrast media administration. The most important step in preventing CIN is identifying high-risk patients. In this review, we evaluate and summarize the evidence regarding the CIN prophylaxis, including the withdrawal of the potentially nephrotoxic drugs, hydration by isotonic solution or NaHCO(3), pharmaceutical treatment with N-acetylcysteine (N-AC), adenosine antagonists, ascorbic acid, renal procedures including hemofiltration or dialysis, and to the optimal use of the contrast.

Aortic intima media thickness in fetuses and children with intrauterine growth restriction.

Objective: To measure aortic intima media thickness and diameter by ultrasonography in fetuses with intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) and in appropriate for gestational age (AGA) fetuses and in the same children after a mean follow-up of 18 months.

Methods: This was a prospective study performed between January 2006 and August 2008. Fetuses were classified as having IUGR if the estimated fetal weight was below the 10th percentile and umbilical artery pulsatility index was greater than 2 standard deviations; they were classified as AGA if the estimated fetal weight was between the 10th and 90th percentiles.

Rationale and design of an independent randomised controlled trial evaluating the effectiveness of aripiprazole or haloperidol in combination with clozapine for treatment-resistant schizophrenia.

Background: One third to two thirds of people with schizophrenia have persistent psychotic symptoms despite clozapine treatment. Under real-world circumstances, the need to provide effective therapeutic interventions to patients who do not have an optimal response to clozapine has been cited as the most common reason for simultaneously prescribing a second antipsychotic drug in combination treatment strategies. In a clinical area where the pressing need of providing therapeutic answers has progressively increased the occurrence of antipsychotic polypharmacy, despite the lack of robust evidence of its efficacy, we sought to implement a pre-planned protocol where two alternative therapeutic answers are systematically provided and evaluated within the context of a pragmatic, multicentre, independent randomised study.

Intranasal phenylephrine-surfactant treatment is not beneficial in otitis media with effusion.

Background: Otitis media is the most common reason for non-well-child visits to the primary care physician. Various treatments are in use to try to ameliorate the pain arising from Eustachian tube (ET) dysfunction. One such treatment is topical phenylephrine spray, despite clinical evidence disputing its use.

Delayed closure of the ductus arteriosus in term newborns with congenital hypothyroidism: effect of L-thyroxine therapy.

Congenital hypothyroidism is associated with an increased incidence of congenital defects (15.6%), frequently involving the heart (5.8%).

Delayed closure of ductus arteriosus in term newborns with congenital hypothyroidism: effect of L-thyroxine therapy.

Congenital hypothyroidism is associated with increased incidence of congenital defects (15.6%), frequently involving the heart (5.8%).

Early low-dose hydrocortisone in very preterm infants: a randomized, placebo-controlled trial.

Background: Several reports indicate a decreased cortisol response to adrenocorticotropic hormone in preterm infants developing chronic lung disease and in preterm infants with refractory hypotension. Low-dose hydrocortisone (HC) may allow for beneficial effects.

Objective: Our aim was to assess whether HC is able to increase survival without chronic lung disease.

Effect of a fermented formula on thymus size and stool pH in healthy term infants.

To investigate the effects of fermented formula (FF) with Bifidobacterium breve C50 and Streptococcus thermophilus 065 on thymus size and stool pH of healthy term infants, ultrasound examinations and evaluations of thymus sizes and thymus indices (TI) and measurements of stool pH were performed in the same 90 term neonates on the 3rd d of life and on the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th mo of life. Thirty newborns were exclusively breast-fed while the remaining 60 were randomly assigned to receive either a FF or a standard formula (SF). The fecal pH of the breast-fed group was lower than the SF group (p < 0.

Does calprotectin represent a regulatory factor in host defense or a drug target in inflammatory disease?

Calprotectin, a protein composed by two subunits of 8 and 14 kD respectively, is released by neutrophils in the biological fluids under inflammatory states. For instance, detection of calprotectin in faeces represents a diagnostic tool in the case of inflammatory bowel disease. Quite interestingly, calprotectin is increased in the stool of healthy newborns from day three up to day thirty and, physiologically, this increase may be interpreted as a defense mechanism against yeast and fungi.

Multichannel intraluminal impedance to detect relationship between gastroesophageal reflux and apnoea of prematurity.

Background: The association between gastroesophageal reflux and apnoea of prematurity is still controversial. Available data are biased by the heterogeneity of the infants enrolled as regard to some confounding factors and by the use of the traditional pH monitoring that is unable to detect non acid reflux events which might be prevalent in infants receiving frequent milk feeding. Multichannel intraluminal impedance has been recently introduced as a pH-independent method to investigate the bolus transport in hollow organs.

Percutaneous retrieval of a broken catheter from the pulmonary artery.

We describe a case regarding the percutaneous retrieval of a broken catheter from the pulmonary artery of a 54-year-old female patient in which we successfully used a "Goose Neck" snare. The analysis of relevant literature and the successful outcome of the case confirm that the percutaneous retrieval of a foreign body is a feasible, sure, and effective procedure.

Plasma protein Z levels in healthy and high-risk newborn infants.

Aim: To evaluate plasma protein Z (PZ) levels in healthy and high-risk newborn infants.

Methods: A longitudinal observational study was conducted. Inclusion criteria were: healthy term and preterm newborns normal for gestational age and newborns belonging to one of the following groups: newborns small for gestational age (SGA), newborns affected by respiratory distress syndrome (RDS), newborns from mothers with pre-eclampsia.

Otitis media: treatment with intranasal aerosolized surfactant.

Objectives/hypothesis: The objective was to determine the effect of intranasal surfactant alone and with other medications administered by metered dose inhaler aerosol on the function of the eustachian tube and on the resolution of experimentally induced otitis media with effusion (OME) and acute otitis media (AOM).

Study Design: Randomized, experimental, controlled animal studies.

Methods: Previously unreported (experiment 4) as well as published (experiments 1-3) data were detailed so that the reader could understand the continuum of information leading to the conclusions.

Calprotectin levels in meconium.

Aim: To evaluate the effect of gender, gestational age, birthweight, mode of delivery, 5'-Apgar score and maternal conditions on calprotectin concentrations in meconium.

Methods: Calprotectin was measured in 131 neonates, in the first passed meconium.

Results: Calprotectin levels (mean +/- SD) resulted in 145.

Intranasal metered dose aerosolized surfactant reduces passive opening pressure of the eustachian tube: comparison study in two animal models.

Hypothesis: Intranasal metered dose aerosolized inhaler surfactant will reduce opening pressure of the eustachian tube in gerbils and mice.

Background: Eustachian tube opening pressure necessary to allow ventilation of the middle ear must exceed the contractile force exerted by the tension on the curved surface of the eustachian tube. When the active function of opening the eustachian tube is inefficient, functional collapse of the tube persists, resulting in negative middle ear pressure.