Improving antimicrobial stewardship with penicillin allergy testing: a review of current practices and unmet needs.

Penicillin allergy, the most frequently reported drug allergy, has been associated with suboptimal antibiotic therapy, increased antimicrobial resistance, increased rates of colonization and infection, as well as extended hospital length of stay and increased cost. Although up to 10% of all patients may report penicillin allergy, most penicillin allergies are not confirmed. As such, most patients with a penicillin allergy can still safely use penicillin and related drugs following a more precise assessment.

What a Single Electroencephalographic (EEG) Channel Can Tell us About Alzheimer's Disease Patients With Mild Cognitive Impairment.

Abnormalities in cortical sources of resting-state eyes closed electroencephalographic (rsEEG) rhythms recorded by hospital settings (10-20 montage) with 19 scalp electrodes characterized Alzheimer's disease (AD) from preclinical to dementia stages. An intriguing rsEEG application is the monitoring and evaluation of AD progression in large populations with few electrodes in low-cost devices. Here we evaluated whether the above-mentioned abnormalities can be observed from fewer scalp electrodes in patients with mild cognitive impairment due to AD (ADMCI).

Changes in sleep duration and disturbances during Covid-19 lockdown and internalizing-externalizing behaviors in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorders.

Objective: To examine how changes in sleep patterns and sleep problems occurring between the pre-pandemic and the Covid-19 lockdown period influenced mood-behavioral functioning of children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).

Methods: Parents of 992 children with ADHD (85.4% boys, mean age: 11.

Nitric oxide/cGMP/CREB pathway and amyloid-beta crosstalk: From physiology to Alzheimer's disease.

The nitric oxide (NO)/cGMP pathway has been extensively studied for its pivotal role in synaptic plasticity and memory processes, resulting in an increase of cAMP response element-binding (CREB) phosphorylation, and consequent synthesis of plasticity-related proteins. The NO/cGMP/CREB signaling is downregulated during aging and neurodegenerative disorders and is affected by Amyloid-β peptide (Aβ) and tau protein, whose increase and deposition is considered the key pathogenic event of Alzheimer's disease (AD). On the other hand, in physiological conditions, the crosstalk between the NO/cGMP/PKG/CREB pathway and Aβ ensures long-term potentiation and memory formation.

H-NMR-Based Metabolomics in Autism Spectrum Disorder and Pediatric Acute-Onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome.

We recently described a unique plasma metabolite profile in subjects with pediatric acute-onset neuropsychiatric syndrome (PANS), suggesting pathogenic models involving specific patterns of neurotransmission, neuroinflammation, and oxidative stress. Here, we extend the analysis to a group of patients with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), as a consensus has recently emerged around its immune-mediated pathophysiology with a widespread involvement of brain networks. This observational case-control study enrolled patients referred for PANS and ASD from June 2019 to May 2020, as well as neurotypical age and gender-matched control subjects.

Psychopathological Risk Assessment in Children with Hyperphenylalaninemia.

Background: Phenylketonuria (PKU) is a rare congenital disorder caused by decreased metabolism of phenylalanine determining cerebral impairments. If untreated, PKU might lead to intellectual disability, seizures and behavioral disorders. The aim of this study is to provide a characterization of the psychopathological profile of a pediatric population diagnosed with PKU at newborn screening.

Dyslexia and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Associated to a De Novo 1p34.3 Microdeletion.

The authors report on a boy with dyslexia and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. A protocol of standardized tests assessed the neuroadaptive profile, allowing deep neuropsychiatric phenotyping. In addition to the diagnosis of dyslexia and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, such methodology led to endeavor cognitive, adaptive, and academic skills.

Effects of physical activity and exercise interventions on Alzheimer's disease: an umbrella review of existing meta-analyses.

Introduction: During the last decade, physical activity (PA) (or "exercise") has been identified as one of the main modifiable factors that influence the development of Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathophysiology. We performed an umbrella review to summarize the evidence on the association between PA/exercise and the risk of developing AD risk, and the effect of exercise interventions on the progression of AD.

Methods: A systematic search was performed in PubMed, SportDiscus, Cochrane Library and Web of Science (March 2022) to identify meta-analyses assessing the association between PA and the incidence of AD, and assessing the effect of exercise interventions on patients with AD.

What a single electroencephalographic (EEG) channel can tell us about patients with dementia due to Alzheimer's disease.

Abnormalities in cortical sources of resting-state eyes-closed electroencephalographic (rsEEG) rhythms recorded by hospital settings (10-20 electrode montage) with 19 scalp electrodes provide useful markers of neurophysiological dysfunctions in the vigilance regulation in patients with Alzheimer's disease dementia (ADD). Here we tested whether these markers may be effective from a few scalp electrodes towards the use of low-cost recording devices. Clinical and rsEEG data acquired in hospital settings (10-20 electrode montage) from 88 ADD participants and 68 age-, education-, and sex-matched normal elderly controls (Nold) were available in an international Eurasian database.

Early Sensory Profile in Autism Spectrum Disorders Predicts Emotional and Behavioral Issues.

Background: Abnormal sensory reactivity is considered one of the diagnostic criteria for autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and has been associated with autism severity, poorer functional outcomes, and behavioral difficulties across the lifespan. Its early characterization could provide valuable insights into the processes favoring the instantiation of maladaptive behaviors. Objectives: The present study has two aims: (1) to describe the sensory profile of preschool children with ASD compared with an age-matched population of children with a diagnosis of language disorder (DLD) and typically developing (TD) control peers; (2) to explore within each group whether the sensory alterations play a predictive role in the instantiation of emotional and behavioral issues.

Assessment of Executive and Cognitive Functions in Children with Restless Sleep Disorder: A Pilot Study.

Restless sleep disorder affects children and is characterized by frequent nocturnal movements, iron deficiency, and daytime symptoms such as poor school performance or behavioral problems. Although sleep parameters have been thoroughly studied and daytime sleepiness has been previously assessed, neurocognitive and executive functions have not. In this study, we evaluated neurocognitive functions in a group of 13 children diagnosed with restless sleep disorder using the National Institute of Health Toolbox (NIH toolbox).

Clinical efficacy and safety of intravenous ferric carboxymaltose treatment for restless legs symptoms and low serum ferritin in children with autism spectrum disorder.

Background: Restless legs syndrome (RLS) may be underdiagnosed in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) due to difficulty expressing the symptoms in their own words. In addition, administration of oral iron may be particularly difficult in children with ASD.

Methods: This was a retrospective, open-label case series of children with ASD, restless legs (RL) symptoms, and serum ferritin <30 μg/L, who either had failed or did not tolerate oral iron, and were subsequently treated with intravenous (IV) ferric carboxymaltose (FCM).

A Comparison among Different Strategies to Detect Potential Unstable Behaviors in Postural Sway.

Assistive Technology helps to assess the daily living and safety of frail people, with particular regards to the detection and prevention of falls. In this paper, a comparison is provided among different strategies to analyze postural sway, with the aim of detecting unstable postural status in standing condition as precursors of potential falls. Three approaches are considered: (i) a time-based features threshold algorithm, (ii) a time-based features Neuro-Fuzzy inference system, and (iii) a Neuro-Fuzzy inference fed by Discrete-Wavelet-Transform-based features.

A comprehensive review of transcranial magnetic stimulation in secondary dementia.

Although primary degenerative diseases are the main cause of dementia, a non-negligible proportion of patients is affected by a secondary and potentially treatable cognitive disorder. Therefore, diagnostic tools able to early identify and monitor them and to predict the response to treatment are needed. Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is a non-invasive neurophysiological technique capable of evaluating and in "real time" the motor areas, the cortico-spinal tract, and the neurotransmission pathways in several neurological and neuropsychiatric disorders, including cognitive impairment and dementia.

Motor characteristics in children with developmental coordination disorder and attentiondeficit/hyperactivity disorder: intergroup comparison and predictors.

Background: Children with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity (ADHD) and/or Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD) show high rates of motor difficulties in daily activities. This study aimed to examine the validity and reliability of the Developmental Coordination Disorder Questionnaire (DCDQ) in identifying motor characteristics in daily activities, differentiating children with ADHD-only, with DCD-only and with ADHD and DCD comorbidity.

Methods: Thirty-three children with ADHD-only, 30 with DCD-only, 33 with ADHD/DCD, and 35 controls participated to the study.

Cerebral hemodynamic changes to transcranial Doppler sonography in celiac disease: A pilot study.

Background: Sonographic mesenteric pattern in celiac disease (CD) suggests a hyperdynamic circulation. Despite the well-known CD-related neurological involvement, no study has systematically explored the cerebral hemodynamics to transcranial Doppler sonography.

Materials And Methods: Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) and 17-item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS) were assessed in 15 newly diagnosed subjects with CD and 15 age-, sex-, and education-matched healthy controls.

Impact of Three Kinds of Early Interventions on Developmental Profile in Toddlers with Autism Spectrum Disorder.

Autism spectrum disorder is a neurodevelopmental disorder with a rising prevalence disorder. This high-cost/high-burden condition needs evidence-based behavioral treatments that are able to reduce the impact of symptoms on children’s functioning. This retrospective chart review study compared the impact of different types of early interventions on toddlers diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder developmental profile.

Identification of a Novel Missense Mutation of Gene in a Cohort of Sicilian Patients with Leukodystrophy.

Recessive mutations in the POLR3A gene cause POLR3-HLD (the second-most-common form of childhood-onset hypomyelinating leukodystrophy), a neurodegenerative disorder featuring deficient cerebral myelin formation. To date, more than 140 POLR3A (NM_007055.3) missense mutations are related to the pathogenesis of POLR3-related leukodystrophy and spastic ataxia.

Clonazepam for the management of sleep disorders.

Background: The objectives of this review and meta-analysis of polysomnographic data are those to focus on the clinical use of clonazepam for the management of sleep disorders by re-analyzing clinical trials and randomized clinical trials which have been published in peer-reviewed journals.

Methods: A review of the literature including clinical trials and randomized controlled trials was performed in PubMed®, in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement protocol. A random effects model meta-analysis was then carried out for the four more frequently reported polysomnographic measures: total sleep time, sleep latency, sleep efficiency, and periodic leg movement during sleep (PLMS) index.

The Combined Use of Chronological and Morphological Criteria in the Evaluation of Immediate Penicillin Reactions: Evidence From a Large Study.

Background: Immediate hypersensitivity reactions to penicillins are often labeled on the basis of a similar set of symptoms, but a key feature of these reactions that can be reproduced in diagnostic testing may be the timing of a reaction in relation to the dose administration.

Objective: To determine whether the timing of a reaction in response to the last dose of a penicillin would predict the results of diagnostic testing.

Methods: We evaluated 1074 patients by performing skin tests, serum specific IgE assays (ImmunoCAP), and challenges.

Application of 3D Printing Technology to Produce Hippocampal Customized Guide Cannulas.

Implantation of guide cannulas is a widely used technique to access specific brain areas. Although commercially available, the need to personalize these implants and the high cost prompted us to design open-source customized devices taking advantage of 3D printing technology. Our cannulas consisted in a 3D-printed head mount designed according to the Paxinos coordinates to reach the CA1 area of the hippocampus.

Effects of bupropion and SSRI antidepressants on leg movement activity and chin muscle tone during sleep in adolescents.

Study Objectives: To evaluate the effects of bupropion on periodic limb movements during sleep (PLMS) and chin electromyography tone in children taking it for their mood disorder, compared to the effects of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and of bupropion combined with SSRIs.

Methods: Six adolescents (aged 16.0 ± 0.