A sensory-driven controller for quadruped locomotion.

Locomotion of quadruped robots has not yet achieved the harmony, flexibility, efficiency and robustness of its biological counterparts. Biological research showed that spinal reflexes are crucial for a successful locomotion in the most varied terrains. In this context, the development of bio-inspired controllers seems to be a good way to move toward an efficient and robust robotic locomotion, by mimicking their biological counterparts. This contribution presents a sensory-driven controller designed for the simulated Oncilla quadruped robot. In the proposed reflex controller, movement is generated through the robot's interactions with the environment, and therefore, the controller is solely dependent on sensory information. The results show that the reflex controller is capable of producing stable quadruped locomotion with a regular stepping pattern. Furthermore, it is capable of dealing with slopes without changing the parameters and with small obstacles, overcoming them successfully. Finally, system robustness was verified by adding noise to sensors and actuators and also delays.

Social and economic value of Portuguese community pharmacies in health care.

BACKGROUND: Community pharmacies are major contributors to health care systems across the world. Several studies have been conducted to evaluate community pharmacies services in health care. The purpose of this study was to estimate the social and economic benefits of current and potential future community pharmacies services provided by pharmacists in health care in Portugal. METHODS: The social and economic value of community pharmacies services was estimated through a decision-model. Model inputs included effectiveness data, quality of life (QoL) and health resource consumption, obtained though literature review and adapted to Portuguese reality by an expert panel. The estimated economic value was the result of non-remunerated pharmaceutical services plus health resource consumption potentially avoided. Social and economic value of community pharmacies services derives from the comparison of two scenarios: "with service" versus "without service". RESULTS: It is estimated that current community pharmacies services in Portugal provide a gain in QoL of 8.3% and an economic value of 879.6 million euros (M€), including 342.1 M€ in non-remunerated pharmaceutical services and 448.1 M€ in avoided expense with health resource consumption. Potential future community pharmacies services may provide an additional increase of 6.9% in QoL and be associated with an economic value of 144.8 M€: 120.3 M€ in non-remunerated services and 24.5 M€ in potential savings with health resource consumption. CONCLUSIONS: Community pharmacies services provide considerable benefit in QoL and economic value. An increase range of services including a greater integration in primary and secondary care, among other transversal services, may add further social and economic value to the society.

Antineoplastic Activity Evaluation of Brazilian Brown Propolis and Artepillin C in Colorectal Area of Wistar Rats.

OBJECTIVE: The study's aim was to evaluate Brazilian Brown Propolis (BBP) and Artepillin C (ARC) chemopreventive action in Wistar rats' colons. METHODS: Fifty male Wistar rats were divided into ten experimental groups, including control groups, groups with and without 1,2-dimethylhydrazine (DMH) induction, and BBP, ARC, and ARC enriched fraction (EFR) treatments, for sixteen weeks. Aberrant crypt foci (ACF) were classified as hyperplastic or dysplastic, and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) expression was quantified. RESULT: ACF amounts in experimental groups (induced or not) decreased in both colon portions, while the isolated Aberrant Crypt (AC) number increased. Experimental groups of animals showed higher hyperplasia and dysplasia amounts compared with control groups. The ACF dysplastic amount present in groups induced and treated, in both colon portions, had similar values to IDMH (DMH induction group without treatment). In addition, DMH was effective in ACF inducing and there was positive staining for PCNA in basal and upper dysplastic foci portions in all experimental groups, in the mitotic index (MI) evaluation. To conclude, considering all the experimental groups, the one treated with EFR (fraction enriched with ARC) had the lowest rates of cell proliferation. CONCLUSION: BBP and its derivatives prevented crypt cell clonal expansion.

An integrative telehealth platform managed by nurses.

OBJECTIVE: Our aim was to assess the feasibility and preliminary results of implementing a telehealth system, Alice Agora, as a tool for optimizing health delivery in a new primary care-based health system. RESULTS: We had 4193 consultations over the last 6 months (February and August 2021). Preliminary results show patients high level of satisfaction (Consumer satisfaction score of 4.92). The chief complaints were related to upper respiratory tract (n = 1542; 28.5%), gastrointestinal (n = 781; 14.43%), musculoskeletal (n = 607; 11.22%), and other (n = 643; 11.88%). We found that 20.1% (842) of the cases were solved digitally, that is, by a chat only with a nurse, through the use of health protocols, and 43.9% were solved by nurses with medical assistance. Only 6.6% (277) of the cases had to be referred to the emergency room (ER). This means that 64% of the cases were completely resolved by our nurses-driven system. Forty-eight hours readmission rates were higher for the uncoordinated ER cases compared with the coordinated cases (14.81% vs. 5.87%; p = 0.016). The same pattern was observed for the 72-h readmission rates (16.67 vs. 7.26%; p = 0.02).

Perfil clínico-epidemiológico de pacientes com suspeita de síndrome respiratória aguda grave durante um período de cinco anos em um município de grande porte de Minas Gerais / Clinical and epidemiological profile of severe acute respiratory syndrome suspected patients during a period of five years in a large city of Minas Gerais

Introdução: As infecções do trato respiratório representam importante causa de morbidade e mortalidade no mundo. Dentre as apresentações clínicas das infecções virais temos a síndrome respiratória aguda grave (SRAG) que é um quadro de síndrome gripal com sinais de gravidade, representando um agravo de notificação compulsória. Objetivo: Avaliar a ocorrência da síndrome respiratória aguda grave na população de Juiz de Fora, Minas Gerais, durante o período de 5 anos. Material e Métodos: Os dados clínico/epidemiológicos presentes nas fichas de notificação entre os anos de 2016 a 2021 foram fornecidos pela vigilância epidemiológica do município sendo submetidos à análise, perfazendo 20.817 pacientes estudados. Resultados: A média de idade entre 2016 e 2019 foi de 24,36 anos (DP± 25,7) e entre 2020 e 2021 a média foi de 52,17 anos (DP± 24,4). Entre 2016-2019, o acometimento por faixa etária, se concentrou entre pacientes infantis (0-2 anos) 25,41% dos casos, crianças (3-12 anos) 22,31% e adultos jovens (18-39 anos) 23,45% dos casos. Entre 2019 e 2021, houve mudança nesse perfil com maior ocorrência dos casos concentrados em adultos de meia idade e idosos. Em relação à etiologia, o vírus Influenza foi responsável por 6,11 % dos casos, 19,4% foram causados por outros vírus respiratórios e o SARS-CoV-2 em 2 anos foi responsável por 72,59% dos casos. Entre 2019 e 2021, 99,41% dos casos precisaram de internação sendo que 48,01% dos pacientes foram para a unidade de terapia intensiva (UTI). Pacientes com fatores de risco apresentaram Odds Ratio de 3,7 de evoluir para óbito. Conclusão: Em Juiz de Fora, há um predomínio de casos em pacientes de 0-12 anos seguidos por adultos jovens (18-39 anos). A Covid-19 alterou o perfil epidemiológico de acometimento. Outros vírus respiratórios, além do Influenza podem ser etiologia de casos graves. Quase 100% dos casos necessitaram de internação em enfermaria, além disso, quase 50% dos casos necessitam de cuidados em UTI.

Introduction: Respiratory tract infections represent a significant cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Among the clinical presentations of viral infections the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) which is a severe flu-like syndrome with signs of severity, representing a notifiable condition. Objective: To evaluate the occurrence of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome in the population of Juiz de Fora, MG, during a 5-year period. Material and Methods: Clinical/epidemiological data from notification forms between the years 2016 and 2021 were provided by the epidemiological surveillance of the municipality and subjected to analysis, comprising 20,817 studied patients.Results: The mean age between 2016 and 2019 was 24.36 years (SD ± 25.7), and between 2020 and 2021, the average age was 52.17 years (SD ± 24.4). Between 2016-2019, the affected age groups were mainly Infants (0-2 years) accounting for 25.41% of cases, Children (3-12 years) with 22.31%, and Young Adults (18-39 years) with 23.45% of cases. Between 2019 and 2021, there was a profile change, with a higher occurrence of cases concentrated among middle-aged adults and the elderly. Regarding etiology, the Influenza virus was responsible for 6.11% of cases, 19.4% were caused by other respiratory viruses, and the SARS-CoV-2 virus accounted for 72.59% of cases in a years period. Between 2019-2021, 99.41% of cases required hospitalization, with 48.01% of patients admitted to the ICU. Patients with risk factors presented an odds ratio of 3.7 to progress to death. Conclusion: In Juiz de Fora city, there is a predominance of cases in patients aged 0-12, followed by young adults (18-39 years). COVID-19 has altered the epidemiological profile of SARS. Besides Influenza, other respiratory viruses can be the etiology of severe cases. Almost 100% of the cases required hospitalization in the ward, and nearly 50% of the cases required ICU care.

Dermatoscopia do cisto veloso eruptivo / Dermoscopy of eruptive vellus hair cyst

Cisto veloso eruptivo é condição dermatológica rara e benigna do desenvolvimento dos folículos pilosos do tipo vellus, que acomete principalmente crianças e adultos jovens, e se caracteriza por múltiplas pápulas assintomáticas, especialmente no tronco. Apresentamos o caso de um homem adulto, de 33 anos, branco, que apresentava múltiplas pápulas eritematosas e pústulas, localizadas no tronco há cerca de cinco anos, refratárias a tratamentos tópicos para acne. A dermatoscopia revelou lesões ovaladas, com exulceração excêntrica e raras estruturas filiformes acrômicas protrusas do seu interior. Estabeleceu-se o diagnóstico de cisto veloso eruptivo a partir dos achados da dermatoscopia e do exame histopatológico

Eruptive vellus hair cyst is a rare and benign dermatological condition in the development of vellus-type hair follicles. It affects mainly children and young adults, and is characterized by multiple asymptomatic papules, especially on the trunk. We report the case of a 33-year-old white man who presented multiple erythematous papules and pustules located on the trunk for about five years, refractory to topical treatments for acne. Dermoscopy revealed oval lesions with eccentric exulceration and rare protruding filiform structures. We established the diagnosis of eruptive vellus hair cyst based on the findings of dermoscopy and histopathological examination.

Desenvolvimento e validação de rede neural artificial para suporte ao diagnóstico de melanoma em imagens dermatoscópicas / Development and validation of an artificial neural network to support the diagnosis of melanoma from dermoscopic images

Introdução: Com o avanço da análise digital de imagens, análises preditivas e métodos de aprendizagem de máquina, surgiram estudos referentes ao uso da inteligência artificial nos exames de imagem como a dermatoscopia. Objetivo: Construção, teste e implementação de uma rede neural artificial baseada em características de imagens dermatoscópicas. Métodos: Foram incluídas 1949 imagens de nevos melanocíticos e melanomas, tanto de arquivos dos autores, quanto de bancos de imagens dermatoscópicas disponíveis na internet, e desenvolvidas rotinas e plugins para a extração de 58 características aplicadas a um algoritmo de construção de rede neural multicamadas. Quarenta imagens aleatórias foram também avaliadas por 52 dermatologistas e os acertos comparados. Resultados: O treinamento e o teste da rede neural obtiveram uma porcentagem correta de classificação de 78,5 e 79,1%, respectivamente, com uma curva ROC abrangendo 86,5% da área. A sensibilidade e especificidade dos dermatologistas foi de 71,8 e 52%. Para as mesmas imagens e um ponto de corte de 0,4 (40%) do valor de saída, o aplicativo obteve valores de 62 e 56%, respectivamente. Conclusões: Modelos de rede neural multicamada podem auxiliar na avaliação dermatoscópica de nevos melanocíticos e melanomas, quanto ao diagnóstico diferencial entre eles.

Introduction: With the advancement of digital image analysis, predictive analysis, and machine learning methods, studies have emerged regarding the use of artificial intelligence in imaging tests such as dermoscopy. Objective: Construction, testing, and implementation of an artificial neural network based on characteristics of dermoscopic images. Methods: 1949 images of melanocytic nevi and melanomas were included, both from the authors' files and from dermoscopic image banks available on the internet, and routines and plugins were developed to extract 58 features applied to a multilayered neural network construction algorithm. Also, 52 dermatologists assessed 40 random images and compared the results compared. Results: The training and testing of the neural network obtained a correct percentage of classification of 78.5% and 79.1%, respectively, with a ROC curve covering 86.5% of the area. The sensitivity and specificity of dermatologists were 71.8% and 52%. For the same images and a cutoff point of 0.4 (40%) of the output value, the application obtained 62% and 56% values, respectively. Conclusions: Multilayer neural network models can assist in the dermoscopic evaluation of melanocytic nevi and melanomas regarding the differential diagnosis between them

Histiocitoma fibroso maligno no tornozelo: relato de caso / Malignant fibrous histiocytoma in ankle: case report

Histiocitoma fibroso maligno (MFH) ou sarcoma pleomórfico indiferenciado (UPS) é um sarcoma moderadamente agressivo, capaz de invadir estruturas adjacentes. Trata-se de neoplasia mesenquimal que predomina em homens entre a sexta e sétima décadas de vida. Localiza-se, principalmente, nos membros inferiores, podendo acometer cabeça e pescoço, tronco e retroperitônio, com tendência à recorrência e à metástase local. O presente relato tem como objetivo apresentar um caso de MFH no tornozelo de uma mulher de 49 anos, com invasão óssea adjacente, que evoluiu com amputação transtibial. São abordados aspectos clínicos, radiológicos, histopatológicos e terapêuticos, salientando-se a importância do diagnóstico precoce.

Malignant fibrous histiocytoma (MFH) or undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma (UPS) is a sarcoma capable of invading adjacent structures. It is a mesenchymal neoplasia that predominates in men between the sixth and seventh decades of life. It is located mainly in the lower limbs and may affect the head and neck, trunk, and retroperitoneum, presenting a tendency to recurrence and local metastasis. This report aims to present a case of MFH in the ankle of a 49-year-old woman with an adjacent bone invasion, which evolved with transtibial amputation. Clinical, radiological, histopathological, and therapeutic aspects were addressed, highlighting the importance of early diagnosis

[Vascular Wallerian degeneration on magnetic resonance in a patient with probable progressive supranuclear palsy: aetiology or casual link?]. / Degeneração Walleriana de origem vascular em ressonância magnética de paciente com paralisia supranuclear progressiva provável: fator etiológico ou associação fortuita?

Progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) is one of the most important causes of parkinsonism non responsive to therapy. Vascular parkinsonism is not uncommon. However, the cause-effect relationship between them is uncertain. We report on a 65 year old man with probable PSP who developed the clinical features of the disease after a ischaemic stroke. Magnetic resonance imaging disclosed a corticospinal tract Wallerian degeneration. There is not such an observation in the literature about this possible correlation.

Twenty years of vasoplegic syndrome treatment in heart surgery. Methylene blue revised.

OBJECTIVE: This study was conducted to reassess the concepts established over the past 20 years, in particular in the last 5 years, about the use of methylene blue in the treatment of vasoplegic syndrome in cardiac surgery. METHODS: A wide literature review was carried out using the data extracted from: MEDLINE, SCOPUS and ISI WEB OF SCIENCE. RESULTS: The reassessed and reaffirmed concepts were 1) MB is safe in the recommended doses (the lethal dose is 40 mg/kg); 2) MB does not cause endothelial dysfunction; 3) The MB effect appears in cases of NO up-regulation; 4) MB is not a vasoconstrictor, by blocking the cGMP pathway it releases the cAMP pathway, facilitating the norepinephrine vasoconstrictor effect; 5) The most used dosage is 2 mg/kg as IV bolus, followed by the same continuous infusion because plasma concentrations sharply decrease in the first 40 minutes; and 6) There is a possible "window of opportunity" for MB's effectiveness. In the last five years, major challenges were: 1) Observations about side effects; 2) The need for prophylactic and therapeutic guidelines, and; 3) The need for the establishment of the MB therapeutic window in humans. CONCLUSION: MB action to treat vasoplegic syndrome is time-dependent. Therefore, the great challenge is the need, for the establishment the MB therapeutic window in humans. This would be the first step towards a systematic guideline to be followed by possible multicenter studies.

Measurement of intracranial pressure and short-term outcomes of patients with traumatic brain injury: a propensity-matched analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the impact of intracranial pressure monitoring on the short-term outcomes of traumatic brain injury patients. METHODS: Retrospective observational study including 299 consecutive patients admitted due to traumatic brain injury from January 2011 through July 2012 at a Level 1 trauma center in São Paulo, Brazil. Patients were categorized in two groups according to the measurement of intracranial pressure (measured intracranial pressure and non-measured intracranial pressure groups). We applied a propensity-matched analysis to adjust for possible confounders (variables contained in the Crash Score prognostic algorithm). RESULTS: Global mortality at 14 days (16%) was equal to that observed in high-income countries in the CRASH Study and was better than expected based on the CRASH calculator score (20.6%), with a standardized mortality ratio of 0.77. A total of 28 patients received intracranial pressure monitoring (measured intracranial pressure group), of whom 26 were paired in a 1:1 fashion with patients from the non-measured intracranial pressure group. There was no improvement in the measured intracranial pressure group compared to the non-measured intracranial pressure group regarding hospital mortality, 14-day mortality, or combined hospital and chronic care facility mortality. Survival up to 14 days was also similar between groups. CONCLUSION: Patients receiving intracranial pressure monitoring tend to have more severe traumatic brain injuries. However, after adjusting for multiple confounders using propensity scoring, no benefits in terms of survival were observed among intracranial pressure-monitored patients and those managed with a systematic clinical protocol.

Dorsal minithoracotomy for ductus arteriosus clip closure in premature neonates.

We present a new surgical technique for patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) occlusion in premature neonates (PN). Through a dorsal minithoracotomy the PDA is dissected extrapleurally with q-tips and clipped. The short surgical time, avoidance of pleural drainage, and prevention of late breast deformity are the operation highlights.

[Brucella spondylodiscitis: case report]. / Espondilodiscite brucelósica: relato de caso.

Vertebral localization of Brucellosis has a low occurrence nowadays. Because of its rarity, it is essential to pay attention to structural modifications of the vertebral segment caused by bacterial spondylodiscitis. Based on a clinical case, with radiological, anatomicopathological and labatorial aspects related to the diagnostic and also the treatment of this disease, the authors underscore the importance and serious consequences arising from a late diagnostic definition.

Alveolar recruitment manoeuvre is safe in children prone to pulmonary hypertensive crises following open heart surgery: a pilot study.

OBJECTIVES: To test the tolerance and safety of an alveolar recruitment manoeuvre performed in the immediate postoperative period of corrective open heart surgery in children with congenital heart disease associated with excessive pulmonary blood flow and pulmonary arterial hypertension due to left-to-right shunt. METHODS: Ten infants aged 1-24 months with congenital heart disease associated with excessive pulmonary blood flow and pulmonary artery hypertension (mean pulmonary artery pressure ≥ 25 mmHg) were evaluated. The alveolar recruitment manoeuvre was performed in the operating theatre right after skin closure, and consisted of three successive stages of 30 s each, intercalated by a 1-min interval of baseline ventilation. Positive end-expiratory pressure was set to 10 cmH2O in the first stage and to 15 cmH2O in the two last ones, while the peak inspiratory pressure was kept at to 30 cmH2O in the first stage and at 35 cmH2O in the latter ones. Haemodynamic and respiratory variables were recorded. RESULTS: There was a slight but significant increase in mean pulmonary artery pressure from baseline to Stage 3 (P = 0.0009), as well as between Stages 1 and 2 (P = 0.0001), and 1 and 3 (P = 0.001), with no significant difference between Stages 2 and 3 (P = 0.06). Upon completion of the third stage, there were significant increases in arterial haemoglobin saturation as measured by pulse oximetry (P = 0.0009), arterial blood partial pressure of oxygen (P = 0.04), venous blood oxygen saturation of haemoglobin (P = 0.03) and arterial oxygen partial pressure over inspired oxygen fraction ratio (P = 0.04). A significant reduction in arterial blood partial pressure of carbon dioxide (P = 0.01) and in end tidal carbon dioxide also occurred (P = 0.009). The manoeuvre was well tolerated and besides a slight and transitory elevation in mean pulmonary artery, no other adverse haemodynamic or ventilatory effect was elicited. CONCLUSIONS: The alveolar recruitment manoeuvre seemed to be safe and well tolerated immediately after open heart surgery in infants liable to pulmonary hypertensive crises.

Assistance of inhalation injury victims caused by fire in confined spaces: what we learned from the tragedy at Santa Maria.

On January 2013, a disaster at Santa Maria (RS) due to a fire in a confined space caused 242 deaths, most of them by inhalation injury. On November 2013, four individuals required intensive care following smoke inhalation from a fire at the Memorial da América Latina in São Paulo (SP). The present article reports the clinical progression and management of disaster victims presenting with inhalation injury. Patients ERL and OC exhibited early respiratory failure, bronchial aspiration of carbonaceous material, and carbon monoxide poisoning. Ventilation support was performed with 100% oxygen, the aspirated material was removed by bronchoscopy, and cyanide poisoning was empirically treated with sodium nitrite and sodium thiosulfate. Patient RP initially exhibited cough and retrosternal burning and subsequently progressed to respiratory failure due to upper airway swelling and early-onset pulmonary infection, which were treated with protective ventilation and antimicrobial agents. This patient was extubated following improvement of edema on bronchoscopy. Patient MA, an asthmatic, exhibited carbon monoxide poisoning and bronchospasm and was treated with normobaric hyperoxia,bronchodilators, and corticosteroids. The length of stay in the intensive care unit varied from four to 10 days, and all four patients exhibited satisfactory functional recovery. To conclude, inhalation injury has a preponderant role in fires in confined spaces. Invasive ventilation should not be delayed in cases with significant airway swelling. Hyperoxia should be induced early asa therapeutic means against carbon monoxide poisoning, in addition to empiric pharmacological treatment in suspected cases of cyanide poisoning.

A variant technique for the surgical treatment of left ventricular aneurysms.

OBJECTIVE: To present a surgical variant technique to repair left ventricular aneurysms. METHODS: After anesthesia, cardiopulmonary bypass, and myocardial protection with hyperkalemic tepic blood cardioplegia: 1) The left ventricle is opened through the infarct and an endocardial encircling suture is placed at the transitional zone between the scarred and normal tissue; 2) Next, the scar tissue is circumferentially plicated with deep stitches using the same suture thread, taking care to eliminate the entire septal scar; 3) Then, a second encircling suture is placed, completing the occlusion of the aneurysm, and; 4) Finally, the remaining scar tissue is oversewn with an invaginating suture, to ensure hemostasis. Myocardium revascularization is performed after correction of the left ventricle aneurysm. The same surgeon performed all the operations. RESULTS: Regarding the post-surgical outcome 4 patients (40%) had surgery 8 eight years ago, 2 patients (20%) were operated on over 6 years ago, and 1 patient (10%) was operated on more than 5 years ago. Three patients (30%) were in functional class I, class II in 2 patients (20%) and 2 patients (20%) with severe comorbidities remains in class III of the NYHA. There were three deaths (at four days, 15 days and eight months) in septuagenarians with acute myocardial infarction, diabetes and pulmonary emphysema. CONCLUSION: The technique is easy to perform, safe and it can be an option for the correction of left ventricle aneurysms.

Improving maternal mental health after a child's diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder: results from a randomized clinical trial.

IMPORTANCE: The prevalence of psychological distress among mothers of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) suggests a need for interventions that address parental mental health during the critical period after the child's autism diagnosis when parents are learning to navigate the complex system of autism services. OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether a brief cognitive behavioral intervention, problem-solving education (PSE), decreases parenting stress and maternal depressive symptoms during the period immediately following a child's diagnosis of ASD. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: A randomized clinical trial compared 6 sessions of PSE with usual care. Settings included an autism clinic and 6 community-based early intervention programs that primarily serve low-income families. Participants were mothers of 122 young children (mean age, 34 months) who recently received a diagnosis of ASD. Among mothers assessed for eligibility, 17.0% declined participation. We report outcomes after 3 months of follow-up (immediate postdiagnosis period). INTERVENTIONS: Problem-solving education is a brief, cognitive intervention delivered in six 30-minute individualized sessions by existing staff (early intervention programs) or research staff without formal mental health training (autism clinic). MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: Primary outcomes were parental stress and maternal depressive symptoms. RESULTS: Fifty-nine mothers were randomized to receive PSE and 63 to receive usual care. The follow-up rate was 91.0%. Most intervention mothers (78.0%) received the full PSE course. At the 3-month follow-up assessment, PSE mothers were significantly less likely than those serving as controls to have clinically significant parental stress (3.8% vs 29.3%; adjusted relative risk [aRR], 0.17; 95% CI, 0.04 to 0.65). For depressive symptoms, the risk reduction in clinically significant symptoms did not reach statistical significance (5.7% vs 22.4%; aRR, 0.33; 95% CI, 0.10 to 1.08); however, the reduction in mean depressive symptoms was statistically significant (Quick Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology score, 4.6 with PSE vs 6.9 with usual care; adjusted mean difference, -1.67; 95% CI, -3.17 to -0.18). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: The positive effects of PSE in reducing parenting stress and depressive symptoms during the critical postdiagnosis period, when parents are asked to navigate a complex service delivery system, suggest that it may have a place in clinical practice. Further work will monitor these families for a total of 9 months to determine the trajectory of outcomes. TRIAL REGISTRATION: clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT01021384.