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The issue of leadership is one of the most topical. The focus of the research is on identifying the characteristics a person must possess to be a leader, where the term indicates anyone who has a role in coordinating and guiding a group of people. In a globalised world in which production processes are carried out by teams of people, the possibility of identifying people with leadership skills or, better still, of training people to be leaders acquires fundamental importance. The article attempts to identify the intellectual, personality, emotional and relational characteristics of a leader and suggest ways to 'educate' for leadership, highlighting the centrality of psychology in the study, identification and enhancement of these characteristics.

The increase in the elderly population is a phenomenon of growing importance with various repercussions on the economic side, both in terms of costs that society has to bear from a social and health care point of view, and in terms of opportunities for the various economic sectors that can see the third age as a possible market. The change in attitudes towards ageing has led to an increase in the proportion of older people who are actively living in the third age. Travelling, visiting new places and/or spending time away from home, even abroad, are activities that are now part of the lives of older people, at least those with an adequate income level. Consequently, the elderly have become potential users of the tourism sector: this article attempts to outline the dimensions and characteristics of this phenomenon.

To review the literature relevant to diagnosis and management of meningococcal disease (MD).Non-systematic review of medical literature through the MEDLINE database using the terms meningococcal, septic shock, diagnosis, and treatment. Articles were selected according to their relevance to the objective of the study and according to the authors' opinion.MD is a leading cause of death due to infection in children. It progresses rapidly and a high level of suspicion is necessary for early diagnosis. Early intervention with aggressive fluid resuscitation and antibiotic therapy can significantly improve outcome. In the pediatric intensive care unit, a large amount of fluids may be required during the first few days and vasoactive drug infusions are often needed. Coagulopathy is frequent, but it has no specific treatment. The use of colloids and steroids may be beneficial, but other new therapies such as insulin and activated protein C still need further assessment. Rescue therapy with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation may be appropriate in cases complicated by severe acute respiratory distress syndrome, but not for refractory shock. Meningitis is often not diagnosed in MD because of the severity of illness and the inability to perform a lumbar puncture safely in a patient with coagulopathy, coma, or hemodynamic instability. When present, cerebral edema and altered cerebral blood flow are the main concerns. The use of osmolar solution may be necessary, but the main therapeutic intervention is to ensure adequate blood pressure for adequate cerebral perfusion. Seizures and hyponatremia should be aggressively treated. Steroids do not appear to affect outcome in meningococcal meningitis.MD is a life-threatening infection that requires early recognition and treatment. Time sensitive fluid resuscitation and antibiotic therapy are the most effective therapies for MD. Other therapies such as steroids may have a place in MD treatment but more definitive studies are necessary.

In 2006, paediatric intensive care-related subjects were discussed in a number of papers published in various journals, including Critical Care. Because they focused on the cardiovascular system and its support, we summarize them here. In particular, these papers highlighted the management of refractory septic shock, extracorporeal support, outcome markers in sepsis, and outcome after cardiac arrest.

OBJETIVO: Revisar a literatura pertinente ao diagnóstico e tratamento de doença meningocócica (DM). FONTES DOS DADOS: Revisão não-sistemática da literatura médica através de busca na base de dados MEDLINE usando os seguintes termos: meningocócico, choque séptico, diagnóstico, e tratamento. Os artigos foram selecionados de acordo com sua relevância para o objetivo do trabalho e de acordo com a opinião dos autores. SÍNTESE DOS DADOS: A DM é uma das principais causas de morte em crianças, devido à infecção. Ela progride rapidamente e é preciso um alto grau de suspeita para se estabelecer o diagnóstico precocemente. Intervenção precoce com fluidoterapia agressiva e antibioticoterapia podem melhorar significativamente o desfecho. Na unidade de tratamento intensivo pediátrico, uma grande quantidade de volume pode ser necessário durante os primeiros dias e drogas vasoativas são geralmente usadas. Coagulopatia é freqüente, mas não tem tratamento específico. O uso de colóides e esteróides pode ser benéfico, mas outros tratamentos novos tais como insulina e proteína C ativada ainda precisam ser investigados em mais detalhe. O tratamento de resgate com circulação extracorpórea pode ser adequado em casos com complicações causadas pela síndrome do desconforto respiratório agudo grave, mas não no caso de choque refratário. A meningite geralmente não é diagnosticada na DM por causa da gravidade da doença e da incapacidade de realização de uma punção lombar com segurança em um paciente com coagulopatia, coma, ou instabilidade hemodinâmica. Quando presentes, edema cerebral e fluxo sangüíneo cerebral anormal são as principais preocupações. O uso de solução hiperosmolar pode ser necessário, mas a principal intervenção terapêutica é garantir pressão sangüínea adequada para que a perfusão cerebral seja adequada. Convulsões e hiponatremia devem ser tratadas agressivamente. Esteróides parecem não afetar o desfecho na meningite meningocócica. CONCLUSÕES: DM é uma infecção com risco de vida que necessita reconhecimento e tratamento precoces. Ressuscitação volumétrica e antibioticoterapia em tempo adequado são as terapias mais efetivas no tratamento da DM. Outras terapias, como uso de esteróides, podem ser úteis em seu tratamento mas ainda necessitam estudos confirmatórios. OBJECTIVE: To review the literature relevant to diagnosis and management of meningococcal disease (MD). SOURCES: Non-systematic review of medical literature through the MEDLINE database using the terms meningococcal, septic shock, diagnosis, and treatment. Articles were selected according to their relevance to the objective of the study and according to the authors’ opinion. SUMMARY OF THE FINDINGS: MD is a leading cause of death due to infection in children. It progresses rapidly and a high level of suspicion is necessary for early diagnosis. Early intervention with aggressive fluid resuscitation and antibiotic therapy can significantly improve outcome. In the pediatric intensive care unit, a large amount of fluids may be required during the first few days and vasoactive drug infusions are often needed. Coagulopathy is frequent, but it has no specific treatment. The use of colloids and steroids may be beneficial, but other new therapies such as insulin and activated protein C still need further assessment. Rescue therapy with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation may be appropriate in cases complicated by severe acute respiratory distress syndrome, but not for refractory shock. Meningitis is often not diagnosed in MD because of the severity of illness and the inability to perform a lumbar puncture safely in a patient with coagulopathy, coma, or hemodynamic instability. When present, cerebral edema and altered cerebral blood flow are the main concerns. The use of osmolar solution may be necessary, but the main therapeutic intervention is to ensure adequate blood pressure for adequate cerebral perfusion. Seizures and hyponatremia should be aggressively treated. Steroids do not appear to affect outcome in meningococcal meningitis. CONCLUSIONS: MD is a life-threatening infection that requires early recognition and treatment. Time sensitive fluid resuscitation and antibiotic therapy are the most effective therapies for MD. Other therapies such as steroids may have a place in MD treatment but more definitive studies are necessary.

522 Low and Stardard Doses of Synthetic Acth in the Assessment of Adrenal Function of Children with Septic Shock