Congenital lung malformations: a nationwide survey on management aspects by the Italian Society of Pediatric Surgery.

INTRODUCTION: Over the years, congenital lung malformations (CLM) management remains a controversial topic in pediatric thoracic surgery. The Italian Society of Pediatric Surgery performed a national survey to study the current management variability among centers, trying to define national guidelines and a standardized approach of children with congenital lung malformations. METHODS: Following a National Society approval, an electronic survey including 35 items on post-natal management was designed, focusing on surgical, anesthesiology, radiology and pneumology aspects. The survey was conducted contacting all pediatric surgical units performing thoracic surgery. RESULTS: 39 pediatric surgery units (97.5%) participated in the study. 13 centers (33.3%) were classified as high-volume (Group A), while 26 centers (66.7%) were low volume (Group B). Variances in diagnostic imaging protocols were observed, with Group A performing fewer CT scans compared to Group B (p = 0.012). Surgical indications favored operative approaches for asymptomatic CLM and pulmonary sequestrations in both groups, while a wait-and-see approach was common for congenital lobar emphysema. Surgical timing for asymptomatic CLM differed significantly, with most high-volume centers operating on patients younger than 12 months (p = 0.02). Thoracoscopy was the preferred approach for asymptomatic CLM in most of centers, while postoperative long-term follow-up was not performed in most of the centers. CONCLUSION: Thoracoscopic approach seems uniform in asymptomatic CLM patients and variable in symptomatic children. Lack of uniformity in surgical timing and preoperative imaging assessment has been identified as key areas to establish a common national pattern of care for CLM.

Antioxidant Effect of a Dietary Supplement Containing Fermentative S-Acetyl-Glutathione and Silybin in Dogs with Liver Disease.

Oxidative stress is often involved in liver disease progression. Liver is the primary site for the synthesis of glutathione (GSH), the major intracellular antioxidant. GSH erythrocyte concentration can decrease in case of liver damage. So, the use of food supplements with antioxidant capacity has been reported in the veterinary literature. In this case-control study, we tested a new supplement containing S-acetyl-glutathione (SAG), silybin, and other antioxidant ingredients in dogs affected by liver disease. After two weeks of supplement administration, we were able to report a significant increase in the level of erythrocyte GSH in the treated (TRT) group, nearly reaching the physiological limit at the end of the study. In addition, most of the key liver parameters are significantly reduced in the TRT group by the end of the trial. The results of this study support the effectiveness of the tested complementary feed, which may be helpful in managing dogs with liver conditions.

Long-term effects of a diet supplement containing Cannabis sativa oil and Boswellia serrata in dogs with osteoarthritis following physiotherapy treatments: a randomised, placebo-controlled and double-blind clinical trial.

Dogs are commonly affected by Osteoarthritis (OA). Different approaches can be used to alleviate animals' symptoms. In this randomised, placebo-controlled and double-blind clinical trial, we performed a three months follow-up study assessing the efficacy of a food supplement containing natural ingredients (Cannabis sativa oil, Boswellia serrata Roxb. Phytosome® and Zingiber officinale extract) in dogs with OA after the interruption of physiotherapy that was performed during the previous three months. Inflammation and oxidative stress were reduced in the treated group (higher glutathione (GSH) and lower C-reactive protein [CRP] levels in blood) as well as chronic pain.

The other-race effect does not apply to infant faces: An ERP attentional study.

It is known that paedomorphic characteristics, called "baby schema" by Lorenz, trigger an orienting response in adults, are judged as attractive and stimulate parental care. On the other hand, it is known that ethnicity may influence face encoding, with an advantage in recognizing faces of their own ethnicity (called own-race effect). Some have argued that this effect holds also for infant faces, which conflicts with the "baby schema" phenomenon. The aim of the study was to investigate the possible presence of the own-race effect on infant vs. adult face processing. Seventeen Caucasian students participated to the study. Their EEG/ERPs were recorded as they watched 400 pictures of adult and infant faces of different ethnicity (half Caucasian, half non-Caucasian), and subsequently responded to a target orientation. The behavioral results showed that responses were faster when the target was preceded by a child face, which enhanced the arousal level, regardless of ethnicity. The electrophysiological results showed an enhanced anterior N2 response to infant than adult faces, and a lack of ORE effect only for infant faces. Overall, the data indicate that baby faces automatically attract the adult viewer's attention and that face ethnicity has no effect on this innate response.

Multicenter retrospective study on management and outcome of newborns affected by surgical necrotizing enterocolitis.

BACKGROUND: Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is the most common surgical emergency in newborns and it is still a leading cause of death despite the improvements reached in the management of the critically ill neonate. The purpose of this study was to evaluate risk factors, surgical treatments and outcome of surgical NEC. METHODS: We retrospectively evaluated a multicentric group of 184 patients with surgical NEC over a period of 5 years (2008-2012). Indications to operation were modified NEC Bell stages IIIA or IIIB. The main outcome was measured in terms of survival and postsurgical complications. RESULTS: Data on 184 patients who had a surgical NEC were collected. The majority of patients (153) had a primary laparotomy (83%); 10 patients had peritoneal drainage insertion alone (5%) and 21 patients had peritoneal drainage followed by laparotomy (12%). Overall mortality was 28%. Patients with lower gestational age (P=0.001), lower birth weight (P=0.001), more extensive intestinal involvement (P=0.002) and cardiac diseases (P=0.012) had a significantly higher incidence of mortality. There was no statistically significant association between free abdominal air on the X-ray and mortality (P=0.407). Mortality in the drainage group was 60%, in the laparotomy group and drainage followed by laparotomy group was of 23-24% (P=0.043). There was a high incidence of stenosis (28%) in the drainage group (P=0.002). On multivariable regression, lower birth weight, feeding, bradycardia-desaturation and extent of bowel involvement were independent predictors of mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Laparotomy was the most frequent method of treatment (83%). Primary laparotomy and drainage with laparotomy groups had similar mortalities (23-24%), while the drainage alone treatment cohort was associated with the highest mortality (60%) with statistical value (P=0.043). Consequently laparotomy is highly protective in terms of survival rate. Stenosis seemed to be statistically associated with drainage. These findings could discourage the use of peritoneal drainage versus a primary laparotomy whenever the clinical conditions of patients allow this procedure.