Search

Inappropriate activation of immune functions in intestinal epithelial cells can lead to inflammation that is characterized also by infiltration into intestinal tissue of monocytes/macrophages. Current therapies for intestinal inflammation include anti-inflammatory, immunosuppressive and biological drugs. Ozoile (stable ozonides) has been reported to exert anti-inflammatory effects. However, ozonated oil has been used mainly for topical applications and no data are available about its effects on intestinal cells or immune cells. In this study, we evaluated Ozoile effects on human HT-29 colonic cells and THP-1 monocytic cells stimulated with LPS to induce inflammation. HT-29 and THP-1 cells were treated with LPS in the presence/absence of Ozoile for 4 h. Biomarkers of inflammation, some members of tight junctions and the adhesion molecule ICAM were assessed by qRT-PCR. Protein expression was analyzed by Western blotting. The release of TNF-α and IL-1β was measured by ELISA. In HT-29, Ozoile inhibited LPS-induced expression of TNF-α, IL-1β, ZO-1, CLDN1, NOS2 and MMP-2 and increased the expression of Nrf2 and SOD2 antioxidant proteins. In THP-1 cells, the LPS induction of TNF-α, IL-1β and ICAM was counteracted by Ozoile treatment. Our in vitro results demonstrate the effectiveness of Ozoile in reducing the inflammatory response in intestinal and monocytic cells. Further in vivo studies are necessary to confirm its possible use for intestinal inflammatory conditions.

Online teaching has resulted in university students adopting a sedentary lifestyle. Prolonged sitting and reduced physical activity due to pandemic restrictions have led to musculoskeletal pain in various body areas, significantly impacting students’ quality of life. This study aims to investigate the effects of remote learning on Sicilian physiotherapy students during the COVID-19 pandemic, specifically focusing on the occurrence of musculoskeletal pain. An observational study was conducted using an online survey administered through Google Forms. The survey consisted of 26 multiple-choice questions and was distributed to students enrolled in physiotherapy programs at the universities of Catania, Messina, and Palermo. Participants were contacted via social channels or email, and data collection spanned 5 weeks. The collected data were analyzed using R software. A total of 128 questionnaires were collected. At the time of compilation, most respondents (n = 103/201, 51.2%) were enrolled in the third year of the course of study in physiotherapy at the universities of Catania, Messina, and Palermo. Their ages ranged between 22 and 25 years (43.3%), and most were female (n = 104/201, 51.7%). More than half of the students (51.6%) reported dedicating 15–22 h per week to distance learning for a duration of 6–12 months (50%). Regarding study location, most students preferred studying at a desk (82.8%), and slightly over half (57.8%) adopted a backrest while studying remotely. Analysis of the students’ posture during study hours revealed common positions, including tilting the head forward by more than 20 degrees (47.8%), leaning the trunk forward by more than 20 degrees (71.9%), hunching both shoulders forward (57.0%), wrists positioned above the level of the elbows (46.1%), thighs pointing upwards (41.4%), and one or both feet in a downward or dorsiflexed position (69.5%). In conclusion the questionnaire responses indicate that the lifestyle of university students, influenced by online teaching, has deteriorated, leading to musculoskeletal pain, including myofascial pain. These results are primarily influenced by the adopted posture and the duration of time spent in these positions. Additionally, research is needed to identify the most effective therapeutic approaches for managing musculoskeletal pain.

Bronchiolitis is the most frequent cause of hospitalization in infants younger than 1 year of age. We sought to evaluate the correlation between lymphocyte count and clinical manifestation in infants hospitalized with bronchiolitis.We performed a retrospective cohort study evaluating 1297 children hospitalized for bronchiolitis from 2004 to 2019. A nasal washing was tested for 14 respiratory viruses by PCR. A clinical severity score, ranging 0-8, was assigned at hospital admission. History and clinical course were recorded for each infant. Patients were divided in 3 groups according to lymphocyte count tertiles. Parents of enrolled patients have been phoned annually over 5 years to evaluate respiratory sequelae.A total of 433 children had 2914.2 ± 745.5/mmInfants with low lymphocyte count are more likely to have a worse clinical course of bronchiolitis.

COVID-19 pandemic may affect children's mental health. Children

Anti-IgLON5 disease is a recently described autoimmune neurodegenerative disorder characterized by insidious onset, slow progression and a variety of neurological features. Neuroimaging in most patients with anti-IgLON5 disease is normal or shows nonspecific findings. Here, we report a case of anti-IgLON5 disease presenting with parkinsonism, falls, sleep problems with severe nocturnal dyspnea attacks, dysphagia, and dysautonomia. Imaging findings were initially suggestive of progressive supranuclear palsy. An altered cerebrospinal fluid dynamic was found on an MRI as well as high-convexity hyperperfusion on a brain SPECT. Further case descriptions with neuroimaging are required to characterize cerebral and cerebrospinal fluid dynamics abnormalities in this rare condition.

Preterm neonates display a high risk of postnatal malnutrition, especially at very low gestational ages, because nutritional stores are less in younger preterm infants. For this reason nutrition and growth in early life play a pivotal role in the establishment of the long-term health of premature infants. Nutritional care for preterm neonates remains a challenge in clinical practice. According to the recent and latest recommendations from ESPGHAN, at birth, water intake of 70–80 mL/kg/day is suggested, progressively increasing to 150 mL/kg/day by the end of the first week of life, along with a calorie intake of 120 kcal/kg/day and a minimum protein intake of 2.5–3 g/kg/day. Regarding glucose intake, an infusion rate of 3–5 mg/kg/min is recommended, but VLBW and ELBW preterm neonates may require up to 12 mg/kg/min. In preterm infants, lipid emulsions can be started immediately after birth at a dosage of 0.5–1 g/kg/day. However, some authors have recently shown that it is not always possible to achieve optimal and recommended nutrition, due to the complexity of the daily management of premature infants, especially if extremely preterm. It would be desirable if multicenter randomized controlled trials were designed to explore the effect of early nutrition and growth on long-term health.

Coronavirus pandemic has influenced our society with social distancing and management of chronic disease such as cystic fibrosis (CF). During the Italian lockdown from March to May 2020, CF patients reduced the number of outpatient visits, limited social interactions and spent more time at home. The aim of this study is to evaluate the impact of the lockdown on body mass index (BMI) and lung function tests on CF patients.We retrospectively reviewed clinical data about 111 CF patients followed in our Regional Cystic Fibrosis Reference Centre (Policlinico Umberto I, Rome) according to two periods: pre-lockdown (from October 2019-March 2020) and post-lockdown (from May 2020-October 2020). We collected data on nutritional (BMI and body weight) and lung function status; we chose the best values of the 'pre-lockdown' and 'post-lockdown' period for each patient. Patients were divided into 3 groups according to FEV1 value (Forced Expiratory Volume in the 1st second): group 1 (FEV140%), group 2 (FEV1 40-70%), group 3 (FEV170%). All patients received a telephone interview asking for the number of hours per week devoted to physical activity, number of pulmonary acute exacerbations and subjective evaluation of adherence to medical therapy, respiratory physiotherapy and diet, during the two periods.Comparing weight, BMI and respiratory function between pre and post lockdown periods, we noticed an increase in weight during among overall patients. Male patients improved weight, BMI, FEF 25-75% (Forced Expiratory flow between 25% and 75% of vital capacity) and Tiffenau index more than female patients. The most severely compromised patients (group 1), showed a significant loss of both weight and BMI. Instead, patients with moderate respiratory function (group 2) showed a significant increase of both weight and BMI and a slightly reduced CVF (Forced Vital capacity). We found no differences among patients with good respiratory function (group 3). Comparing each clinical sub-groups, we noticed a significative improvement of weight (Lockdown period had benefit among CF patients in terms of weight in particular in male patient. The greatest benefit on nutritional state was observed in patients with moderate reduction of respiratory function. In addition, we noted a stabilization and sometimes a slight improvement of lung function, instead of a continuous and steady decline that is normally observed in CF patients. These beneficial effects are slight but significative, bearing in mind the general worsening that CF patients experience annually.

Assessment and management of pain are essential components of pediatric care. Pain in pediatric age is characterized by relevant health and socio-economic consequences due to parental concern, medicalization, and long-term physical and psychological impact in children. Pathophysiological mechanisms of nociception include several pathways in which also individual perception and gut-brain axis seem to be involved. In this narrative review, we analyze the rational and the current clinical findings of probiotic use in the management of functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGID) in pediatric age, with special focus on infantile colic, irritable bowel syndrome, constipation, and gastroesophageal reflux. Some specific probiotics showed a significant reduction in crying and fussing compared to placebo in breastfed infants with colic, although their exact mechanism of action in this disorder remains poorly understood. In irritable bowel syndrome, a limited number of studies showed that specific strains of probiotics can improve abdominal pain/discomfort and bloating/gassiness, although data are still scarce. As for constipation, whilst some strains appear to reduce the number of hard stools in constipated children, the evidence is not adequate to support the use of probiotics in the management of functional constipation. Similarly, although some probiotic strains could promote gastric emptying with a potential improvement of functional symptoms related to gastroesophageal reflux, current evidence is insufficient to provide any specific recommendation for the prevention or treatment of gastroesophageal reflux. In conclusion, probiotics have been proposed as part of management of pain in functional gastrointestinal disorders in pediatric age, but mechanisms are still poorly understood and evidence to guide clinical practice is currently inadequate.

Background: We previously demonstrated an 81% reduction in pediatric Emergency Rooms (ER) admissions in Italy during lockdown, from March 9 to May 3, 2020 (doi: 10.3390/ijerph17238753.). Since May 2020 lockdown measures were mitigated allowing the reopening of schools in September 2020. Aim: To evaluate pediatric ER admissions during schools reopening in Italy. Methods: We performed a retrospective multicenter study involving 11 Italian pediatric ERs. We compared total ER admissions from September 24, 2020 to November 6, 2020 with those during the corresponding timeframe in 2019. We evaluated 16 ER specific diagnoses grouped in Air communicable and Non-air communicable. Finally, we recognized four different triage categories: white, green, yellow and red. Results: In 2020 total ER admissions reduced by 51% compared to 2019 (8744 vs 17080, respectively). The decrease in Air communicable diseases was significantly higher compared to Non-air communicable diseases (-60% vs -41%, respectively). ER admissions in each triage category decreased in 2020 compared to 2019 but, in percentage, yellow codes increased and green codes decreased. Conclusions: We can speculate that social distancing and simple hygiene measures drastically reduced the circulation of air communicable diseases even during the reopening of schools. The increase in yellow codes during the lockdown period may be related to a lack of primary care and, consequently, a delay in ER admissions.

Several studies have demonstrated a relevant role of intestinal epithelial cells in the immune response and in chronic inflammatory conditions, including ulcers, colitis, and Crohn’s disease. Baicalin (BA), extracted from the root of Scutellaria baicalensis, has various beneficial healthy effects, including anti-inflammatory activity. However, few studies have evaluated BA effects on autophagic signaling in epithelial cell response to inflammatory stimuli. To explore possible beneficial effects of BA, HT-29 cells were exposed to lipopolysaccharide (LPS), in presence or absence of BA, for 4 h. We evaluated mRNA levels of autophagy-related genes and cytokines, triggering inflammatory response. Furthermore, the expression of claudin 1, involved in the regulation of paracellular permeability was analyzed. BA treatment repressed LPS-induced expression of TNF-α and IL-1β. The down-regulation of autophagy-related genes induced by LPS was counteracted by cell pretreatment with BA. Under these conditions, BA reduced the NF-κB activation caused by LPS. Also, BA restored mRNA and protein levels of claudin 1, which were reduced by LPS. In conclusion, in intestinal epithelial cells BA regulates the NF-κB activation and modulates both autophagic and inflammatory processes, leading to an improvement of paracellular permeability. These results suggest that the anti-inflammatory effects of BA can be associated to the regulation of autophagic flux.

The diffusion of the SARS‐CoV‐2 virus and the implementation of restrictive measures led to a drastic reduction of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) diffusion. Few RSV cases have been detected worldwide, even after the removal of the restrictions. We review the current literature and present possible explanations on why there has been a significant reduction of RSV detection during the COVID‐19 pandemic. We also hypothesize what may happen when RSV begins to circulate again. The increase of an immunologically naïve population, with infants born from mothers who have not reinforced their immunity to RSV, could lead to greater RSV epidemics in the coming seasons. It is crucial to prepare the scientific community and to keep RSV surveillance active to avoid dramatic consequences.

From March 9 to May 3, 2020, lockdown was declared in Italy due to the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic. Our aim was to evaluate how the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic and related preventive strategies affected pediatric emergency rooms (ERs) during this period. We performed a retrospective cohort multicenter study, comparing the lockdown period to the corresponding period in 2019. We examined 15 Italian pediatric ERs in terms of visit rates, specific diagnoses (grouped as air communicable diseases and non-air communicable diseases), and triage categories. During the lockdown period, ER admissions decreased by 81% compared to 2019 (52,364 vs. 10,112). All ER specific diagnoses decreased in 2020 and this reduction was significantly higher for air communicable diseases (25,462 vs. 2934, p &lt, 0.001). Considering the triage category, red codes remained similar (1% vs. 1%), yellow codes increased (11.2% vs. 22.3%), and green codes decreased (80.3% vs. 69.5%). We can speculate that social distancing and simple hygiene measures drastically reduced the spread of air communicable diseases. The increase in yellow codes may have been related to a delay in primary care and, consequently, in ER admissions.

Melatonin, an indoleamine hormone produced and secreted at night by pinealocytes and extra-pineal cells, plays an important role in timing circadian rhythms (24-h internal clock) and regulating the sleep/wake cycle in humans. However, in recent years melatonin has gained much attention mainly because of its demonstrated powerful lipophilic antioxidant and free radical scavenging action. Melatonin has been proven to be twice as active as vitamin E, believed to be the most effective lipophilic antioxidant. Melatonin-induced signal transduction through melatonin receptors promotes the expression of antioxidant enzymes as well as inflammation-related genes. Melatonin also exerts an immunomodulatory action through the stimulation of high-affinity receptors expressed in immunocompetent cells. Here, we reviewed the efficacy, safety and side effects of melatonin supplementation in treating oxidative stress- and/or inflammation-related disorders, such as obesity, cardiovascular diseases, immune disorders, infectious diseases, cancer, neurodegenerative diseases, as well as osteoporosis and infertility.

Background: Adiposity rebound (AR) refers to the second rise of the BMI curve that usually occurs physiologically between 5 and 7 years of age. AR timing has a great impact on children´s health, being the early adiposity rebound (EAR) associated with the development of metabolic disease later in life. Aim: We aimed to investigate the prevalence of EAR in a cohort of preterm newborns. Secondary outcomes evaluated if some determinants such as (1) gender (male/female), (2) type of delivery (caesarean/vaginal), (3) birth weight (SGA/NGA/LGA), (4) type of feeding (5) duration of breastfeeding, (6) timing of introduction of solid food, (7) parental education and (8) parental pre-pregnancy BMI can influence EAR in this cohort. Tertiary aim was to evaluate the prevalence of obesity or overweight at 7 years of age in children according to early versus timely AR. Methods: This is a perspective, population-based longitudinal study, where infants born preterm were evaluated at birth and at 1, 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 24 months and 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 years of gestational-corrected age. Weight and height data were analyzed, and BMI was calculated. AR was assessed in the growth trajectory in a body mass index (BMI) plot. Results: Of the 250 preterm newborns included, 100 completed the 7 years follow-up and entered in the final analysis. The prevalence of EAR in our cohort of preterm newborns was 54%. EAR was associated with being LGA at birth. No other factors were associated to EAR. Early adiposity rebounders have a significant higher BMI at 7 years compared to children with timely AR (17.2 ±2.7 vs 15.6 ± 2.05, p=0.021). No significant differences were found in the prevalence of obesity or overweight at 7 years of age in children with early or timely AR (29% vs 14% p=0.202). Conclusions: Clinical management of preterm infants should focus on reducing excess weight gain to prevent long-term metabolic risk. Others neonatal factors are not associated to an higher risk of EAR.

Mosaic trisomy 20 is a genetic condition in which three chromosomes 20 are found in some cells. Its clinical phenotype seems to be highly variable, with most features not reported across all individuals and not considered pathognomonic of the condition. Limited and recent evidence indicates that neuropsychiatric manifestations may be more present in the context of trisomy 20 than was once thought. Here, we present a case of a 14-year-old female adolescent of White/Caucasian ethnicity with mosaic trisomy 20, who was admitted twice to an inpatient Child and Adolescent Neuropsychiatry Unit for persisting self-injury and suicidal ideation. A severe and complex neuropsychiatric presentation emerged at the cognitive, emotional, and behavioral levels, including mild neurodevelopmental issues, isolation, socio-relational difficulties, depressed mood, temper outbursts, irritability, low self-esteem, lack of interest, social anxiety, panic attacks, self-cutting, and low-average-range and heterogeneous intelligence quotient profile. Particularly, the patient was considered at high risk of causing harm, mainly to self, and appeared to be only partially responsive to medication, even when polypharmacy was attempted to improve clinical response. Except for school bullying, no other severe environmental risk factors were present in the patient’s history. The patient received a diagnosis of disruptive mood dysregulation disorder.

DJ-1 mutations are associated to early-onset Parkinson's disease and accounts for about 1-2% of the genetic forms. The protein is involved in many biological processes and its role in mitochondrial regulation is gaining great interest, even if its function in mitochondria is still unclear. We describe a 47-year-old woman affected by a multisystem disorder characterized by progressive, early-onset parkinsonism plus distal spinal amyotrophy, cataracts and sensory-neural deafness associated with a novel homozygous c.461C>A [p.T154K] mutation in DJ-1. Patient's cultured fibroblasts showed low ATP synthesis, high ROS levels and reduced amount of some subunits of mitochondrial complex I; biomarkers of oxidative stress also resulted abnormal in patient's blood. The clinical pattern of multisystem involvement and the biochemical findings in our patient highlight the role for DJ-1 in modulating mitochondrial response against oxidative stress.

Adiposity rebound (AR) refers to the second rise of the body mass index (BMI) curve that usually occurs physiologically between five and seven years of age. AR timing has a great impact on patients&rsquo, health, since early adiposity rebound (EAR) is associated with the development of metabolic syndrome later in life. We aimed to investigate the prevalence of EAR in a cohort of inborn preterm infants admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Section of the Policlinico University Hospital of Bari, Italy. Secondarily, we assessed whether some determinants such as (1) gender, (2) delivery mode, (3) birth weight and classification into small, normal, or large for gestational age, (4) type of feeding, (5) breastfeeding duration, (6) timing of introduction of solid food, (7) parental education, and (8) parental pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI) influenced EAR in this cohort. The tertiary aim was to evaluate the prevalence of obesity or being overweight at seven years of age in children according to early versus timely AR. This is a prospective, population-based longitudinal study conducted at the Neonatal Intensive Care Section of the Policlinico University Hospital of Bari, Italy. Inborn preterm infants admitted to the neonatal ward between 2009 and 2011 were eligible. Enrolled preterm infants were evaluated at birth and at 1, 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, and 24 months and 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7 years of age. Weight and height data were analyzed, and BMI was calculated. AR was assessed in the growth trajectory in a body mass index (BMI) plot. Of the 250 preterm newborns included, 100 completed the seven-year follow-up and entered the final analysis, 138 were lost during the seven-year follow-up, and in 12 cases parents withdrew over the course of the study. The prevalence of EAR in our cohort of preterm newborns was 54% at seven years of age. Early adiposity rebound was associated with being large for gestational age (LGA) at birth. No other factors were associated with EAR. Early adiposity rebounders had a significantly higher BMI at seven years compared to children with timely AR (17.2 &plusmn, 2.7 vs. 15.6 &plusmn, 2.05, p = 0.021). No significant differences were found in the prevalence of obesity or being overweight at seven years of age in children with early or timely AR (29% vs. 14%, p = 0.202). Ex-preterm infants have an increased risk of EAR. Since EAR may lead to long-term detrimental health effects with the onset of various chronic diseases (e.g., obesity, metabolic syndrome, etc.), healthcare providers should be prepared to counteract its occurrence, especially in delicate sub-populations of infants.

Agmatine, a metabolite generated by arginine decarboxylation, has been reported as neuromodulator and neuroactive substance. Several findings suggest that agmatine displays neuroprotective effects in several models of neurodegenerative disorders, such as Parkinson's disease (PD). It has been hypothesized that biogenic amines may be involved in neuroprotection by scavenging oxygen radicals, thus preventing the generation of oxidative stress. Mitochondrial dysfunction, that leads to a reduction of oxygen consumption, followed by activation of prolyl hydroxylase and decrease of hypoxia-inducible factor 1 alpha (HIF-1α) levels, has been demonstrated to play a role in PD pathogenesis. Using rotenone-treated differentiated SH-SY5Y cells as the in vitro PD model, we here investigated the molecular mechanisms underlying agmatine neuroprotective effects. Our results showed that the preliminary addition of agmatine induces HIF-1α activation, and prevents the rotenone-induced production of free radical species, and the activation of apoptotic pathways by inhibiting mitochondrial membrane potential decrease and caspase 3 as well as cytochrome c increase. Notably, these effects are mediated by HIF-1α, as indicated by experiments using a HIF-1α inhibitor. The present findings suggest that the treatment with agmatine is able to counteract the neuronal cell injury evoked by mitochondrial toxins.

OBJECTIVES The aims of this study were to determine the presence of endothelial dysfunction by measuring aortic intima-media thickness (aIMT) and carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT) and to evaluate the role of traditional risk factors for premature atherosclerosis in children with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). METHODS Thirty-four children with IBD (25 Crohn disease [CD] and 9 ulcerative colitis [UC]; mean age 11.1 years) and 27 healthy subjects matched for sex and age were enrolled. In all of the patients, demographic characteristics and risk factors for atherosclerosis (age, sex, body mass index, blood pressure, dyslipidemia, active and passive smoking, and family history for cardiovascular diseases), CD and UC clinical activity scores, and inflammatory markers were evaluated. aIMT and cIMT were measured by high-resolution B-mode ultrasound. RESULTS aIMT was significantly higher in patients than in controls (P

Myotonic dystrophy type 2 (DM2) is an autosomal dominant muscular dystrophy caused by the expansion of an intronic tetranucleotide CCTG repeat in CNBP on chromosome 3. As DM1, DM2 is a multisystem disorder affecting, beside the skeletal muscle, various other tissues, including peripheral nerves. Indeed, a subclinical involvement of peripheral nervous system has been described in several cohorts of DM2 patients, whereas DM2 patients manifesting clinical signs and/or symptoms of neuropathy have been only rarely reported. Here, we describe 2 related DM2 patients both of whom displayed an atypical disease onset characterized by dysautonomic symptoms, possibly secondary to peripheral neuropathy.

Introduction: To investigate the effectiveness and the safety of a probiotic-mixture (Vivomixx®, Visbiome®, DeSimone Formulation®; Danisco-DuPont, Madison, WI, USA) for the treatment of infantile colic in breastfed infants, compared with a placebo. Methods: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was conducted in exclusively breastfed infants with colic, randomly assigned to receive a probiotic-mixture or a placebo for 21 days. A structured diary of gastrointestinal events of the infants was given to the parents to complete. Samples of feces were also collected to evaluate microbial content and metabolome using fecal real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) and Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR)-based analysis. Study registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT01869426). Results: Fifty-three exclusively-breastfed infants completed three weeks of treatment with a probiotic-mixture (n = 27) or a placebo (n = 26). Infants receiving the probiotic-mixture had less minutes of crying per day throughout the study by the end of treatment period (68.4 min/day vs. 98.7 min/day; p = 0.001). A higher rate of infants from the probiotic-mixture group responded to treatment (defined by reduction of crying times of ≥50% from baseline), on day 14, 12 vs. 5 (p = 0.04) and on day 21, 26 vs. 17 (p = 0.001). A higher quality of life, assessed by a 10-cm visual analogue scale, was reported by parents of the probiotic-mixture group on day 14, 7.1 ± 1.2 vs. 7.7 ± 0.9 (p = 0.02); and on day 21, 6.7 ± 1.6 vs. 5.9 ± 1.0 (p = 0.001). No differences between groups were found regarding anthropometric data, bowel movements, stool consistency or microbiota composition. Probiotics were found to affect the fecal molecular profile. No adverse events were reported. Conclusions: Administration of a probiotic-mixture appears safe and reduces inconsolable crying in exclusively breastfed infants.

Healthy microbiota is a critical mediator in maintaining health and it is supposed that dysbiosis could have a role in the pathogenesis of a number of diseases. Evidence supports the hypothesis that maternal dysbiosis could act as a trigger for preterm birth; aberrant colonization of preterm infant gut might have a role in feeding intolerance and pathogenesis of necrotizing enterocolitis. Despite several clinical trials and meta-analyses, it is still not clear if modulation of maternal and neonatal microbiota with probiotic supplementation decreases the risk of preterm birth and its complications.

Cnidarians may negatively impact human activities and public health but concomitantly their venom represents a rich source of bioactive substances. Pelagia noctiluca is the most venomous and abundant jellyfish of the Mediterranean Sea and possesses a venom with hemolytic and cytolytic activity for which the mechanism is largely unknown. Here we show that exposure of mammalian cells to crude venom from the nematocysts of P. noctiluca profoundly alters the ion conductance of the plasma membrane, therefore affecting homeostatic functions such as the regulation and maintenance of cellular volume. Venom-treated cells exhibited a large, inwardly rectifying current mainly due to permeation of Na+ and Cl−, sensitive to amiloride and completely abrogated following harsh thermal treatment of crude venom extract. Curiously, the plasma membrane conductance of Ca2+ and K+ was not affected. Current-inducing activity was also observed following delivery of venom to the cytosolic side of the plasma membrane, consistent with a pore-forming mechanism. Venom-induced NaCl influx followed by water and consequent cell swelling most likely underlie the hemolytic and cytolytic activity of P. noctiluca venom. The present study underscores unique properties of P. noctiluca venom and provides essential information for a possible use of its active compounds and treatment of envenomation.

We assessed clinical, molecular and muscle histopathological features in five unrelated Italian DM1 patients carrying novel variant pathological expansions containing CCG interruptions within the 3'-end of the CTG array at the DMPK locus, detected by bidirectional triplet primed PCR (TP-PCR) and sequencing. Three patients had a negative DM1 testing by routine long-range PCR; the other two patients were identified among 100 unrelated DM1 cases and re-evaluated to estimate the prevalence of variant expansions. The overall prevalence was 4.8 % in our study cohort. There were no major clinical differences between variant and non-variant DM1 patients, except for cognitive involvement. Muscle RNA-FISH, immunofluorescence for MBNL1 and RT-PCR analysis documented the presence of ribonuclear inclusions, their co-localization with MBNL1, and an aberrant splicing pattern involved in DM1 pathogenesis, without any obvious differences between variant and non-variant DM1 patients. Therefore, this study shows that the CCG interruptions at the 3'-end of expanded DMPK alleles do not produce qualitative effects on the RNA-mediated toxic gain-of-function in DM1 muscle tissues. Finally, our results support the conclusion that different patterns of CCG interruptions within the CTG array could modulate the DM1 clinical phenotype, variably affecting the mutational dynamics of the variant repeat.

The Andersen-Tawil syndrome (ATS) is characterized by hypo-normokaliemic muscle periodic paralysis, dysmorphic features and ventricular arrhythmias. Most cases are caused by mutations in KCNJ2, encoding for the potassium inwardly rectifying channel, Kir2.1 (ATS1). Although KCNJ2 mutations show no obvious genotype-phenotype correlations and incomplete penetrance, signs of cardiac involvement are usually present in most ATS1 cases. In contrast, here we describe an Italian ATS1 patient, carrying a c.574A→G mutation in KCNJ2, who had both facial dysmorphisms and muscle periodic paralysis but who did not manifest any cardiac involvement, although the same mutation was originally described in a Japanese kindred, in which all affected individuals manifested a severe cardiac phenotype.

L’uso dei film nella formazione in psicoterapia e oggi abbastanza diffuso a partire dall’idea che la riflessione sulle tematiche presenti nelle storie cinematografiche possano facilitare negli allievi la capacita di trovare nessi, l’elaborazione di ipotesi diagnostiche e relazionali, l’utilizzo di diverse chiavi di lettura. Attraverso la scelta di film che propongono storie centrate sul dipanarsi di eventi critici, sulla trasformazione delle relazioni, sull’intreccio di eventi nelle diverse generazioni, e possibile, per i terapeuti familiari in formazione guidati dal didatta, riflettere sulle diverse rappresentazioni sociali della famiglia, rafforzare e rendere piu fruibili concetti teorici esemplificati in alcune particolari scene o dialoghi, utilizzare quanto osservato nella pratica clinica. L’articolo descrive un’esperienza formativa condotta in un secondo anno di training in psicoterapia ad indirizzo relazionale-sistemico attraverso la visione di due pellicole cinematografiche. Gli allievi, divisi in sottogruppi, dopo la visione dei film, hanno prodotto una relazione centrata sui temi emergenti, sui presupposti teorici riferibili alle problematiche dei protagonisti e sulle implicazioni cliniche presenti.

Background. Most chronic myeloid leukemia patients who receive imatinib as first line-terapy will obtain, after 12 months treatment, complete cytogenetic and molecular response . However several cases will not achieve molecular response, but their innate mechanism(s) of resistance remain poorly understood. We tried to explore the molecular events involved in innate resistance in CML. Study design. Five patients who were molecular “non responder” and seven “major” responder were investigated by using the expression profile of a set of 380 genes. Multiple testing procedure (MTP), Significance Analysis of Microarrays (SAM), Empirical Bayes Analysis of Microarrays (EBAM), False Discovery Rate (FDR) and support vector machine with linear kernel (SVM-RFE) were used for comparative analysis. Results. 323/380 genes (85%) were overexpressed in the non responder group compared with the responder ones. Following a very stringent statistical analysis, comprensive of all analysis used, a list of 26 genes was identified, in which overexpression in non-responders was highly statistically significant. These genes are involved in signal trasduction and transcription factors, apoptosis, cell adhesion and cycle progression. Discriminative power of proposed gene set was estimated by two different statistical methods which yielded a correct prediction of the drug response for each patient used as test sample. Conclusion. Our study identified a set of twenty-six genes involved in resistance to imatinib, which may be used as clinical predictors or therapeutic targets. We consider some of them of particular interest: IGFBP2, CDC37; MAPK3, ETS1, PEA15. Epigenetic mechanisms, such as genome-wide promoter hypomethilation, may be involved as the basic mechanism for innate resistance in CML.

Although chromosomal abnormalities are detected by conventional cytogenetic analysis (CCA) in 40-60% of patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML), cryptic chromosomal deletions may only be detected by molecular analysis. To determine their frequency, we studied 74 cases of AML by microsatellite allelotype assay using 35 microsatellites spanning eight chromosomal regions known to be frequently involved in AML. In 42 (57%) we found DNA imbalance at the screened loci. This was detected by CCA only in 4 cases. Our data show that cryptic deletions are a common event in AML.

High-grade gliomas are the main cause of death in children with brain tumours. Despite recent advances in cancer therapy, their prognosis remains poor and the treatment is still challenging. To date, surgery followed by radiotherapy and temozolomide is the standard therapy. However, increasing knowledge of glioma biology is starting to impact drug development towards targeted therapies. The identification of agents directed against molecular targets aims at going beyond the traditional therapeutic approach in order to develop a personalized therapy and improve the outcome of pediatric high-grade gliomas. In this paper, we critically review the literature regarding the genetic abnormalities implicated in the pathogenesis of pediatric malignant gliomas and the current development of molecularly targeted therapies. In particular, we analyse the impact of molecular biology on the prognosis and treatment of pediatric high-grade glioma, comparing it to that of adult gliomas.

Clinical variables and disease course of pediatric ulcerative colitis (UC) have been poorly reported. The aim of this study was to retrospectively describe the phenotype and disease course of pediatric onset UC diagnosed at a tertiary referral Center for Pediatric Gastroenterology. Patients and methods: 110 patients with a diagnosis of UC were identified at our Department database. Records were reviewed for disease location and behavior at the diagnosis, family history for inflammatory bowel disease, pattern changes at the follow-up, need of surgery and cumulative risk for colectomy. Results: Thirty-five % of patients had an early-onset disease (0–7 years). At the diagnosis, 29% had proctitis, 22% left-sided colitis, 15% extensive colitis and 34% pancolitis. Fifteen % presented with a rectal sparing, while a patchy colonic inflammation was reported in 18%. Rectal sparing was significantly related to the younger age (p: b0.05). Disease extension at the follow up was reported in 29% of pts. No clinical variables at the diagnosis were related to the subsequent extension of the disease. The cumulative rates of colectomy were 9% at 2 year and 14% at 5 years. An extensive disease as well as acute severe colitis and corticosteroid therapy at the diagnosis were significantly associated with an increased risk of colectomy. Conclusions: Pediatric UC is extensive and severe at the diagnosis, with an overall high rate of disease extension at the follow-up. Endoscopic atypical features are common in young children. The colectomy rate is related to the location and severity of the disease at the diagnosis.

The TPM2 gene encodes for beta-tropomyosin. Dominant mutations in TPM2 are associated with different congenital myopathies, including nemaline and cap myopathy [8]. In one family, a TPM2 mutation (p.Glu41Lys) has been reported to cause a myopathy with nemaline rods in the mother and cap structures in the daughter [7]. We describe a family with two siblings affected by congenital myopathy showing both rods and cap-like structures caused by a TPM2 mutation. Their clinically asymptomatic father was a somatic mosaic for the mutation. The proband, a 15-year-old girl, presented with slowly progressing muscle weakness in the first decade. At age 13, she developed rapidly progressing scoliosis and respiratory failure, leading to hypercapnic coma, with subsequent tracheostomy. On examination, she had moderate diffuse weakness more pronounced in ankle extensors, long narrow face, scoliosis and rigid spine. CK level and cardiological examinations were normal. Her 14-year-old brother displayed a similar, although milder, phenotype. He had elongated face, high arched palate, rigid spine and mild scoliosis. Ankle extensors, neck flexors, supra and infraspinatus muscles were weak. Forced vital capacity was 60 % of predicted value. Their parents were reported to be healthy. Muscle MRI features are shown in Fig. 1. Given the clinical and radiological phenotype and the possibly recessive pattern of inheritance, SEPN1 mutations were ruled out. Muscle biopsy disclosed in both patients the presence of nemaline rods, cap structures (Fig. 1d–i) and type 1 fiber predominance. These findings prompted us to examine the TPM2 gene, and a heterozygous deletion, c.412_414delGAG (p.E138del) in exon 4, was found (Fig. 1k). When their parents were examined, the 47-year-old father, who did not complain of any neuromuscular symptom and routinely practiced mountaineering, did not show any obvious weakness or contractures but had mild scoliosis and high arched palate. EMG displayed some polyphasic, short amplitude motor unit potentials. Muscle MRI showed features consistent with those of the siblings (Fig. 1c). Muscle biopsy showed mild myopathic features, with cap structures in rare fibers (Fig. 1j) and no nemaline rods. The electropherogram of the TPM2 gene revealed a relatively low level of the mutation in blood DNA suggesting a somatic mosaicism. SNaPshot analysis [1] confirmed the presence of mosaicism (Fig. 1k). The p.E138del pathogenic deletion found in the family has been previously reported only in pure cap disease [3, 5]. Our findings further substantiate the concept that nemaline rods and cap structures belong to the same spectrum of pathological alterations [4] and, although both nemaline myopathy and cap disease are genetically heterogeneous entities, the coexistence of both features should suggest investigating TPM2 first [7]. In the family, the proband’s father had the mildest phenotype so far reported in association with TPM2 G. Tasca G. Silvestri Don Carlo Gnocchi Onlus Foundation, Milan, Italy

The Andersen-Tawil syndrome (ATS) is characterized by hypo-normokaliemic muscle periodic paralysis, dysmorphic features and ventricular arrhythmias. Most cases are caused by mutations in KCNJ2, encoding for the potassium inwardly rectifying channel, Kir2.1 (ATS1). Although KCNJ2 mutations show no obvious genotype-phenotype correlations and incomplete penetrance, signs of cardiac involvement are usually present in most ATS1 cases. In contrast, here we describe an Italian ATS1 patient, carrying a c.574A→G mutation in KCNJ2, who had both facial dysmorphisms and muscle periodic paralysis but who did not manifest any cardiac involvement, although the same mutation was originally described in a Japanese kindred, in which all affected individuals manifested a severe cardiac phenotype.