Fetal Cerebellar Vermis Circumference Measured by 2-Dimensional Ultrasound Scan: Reference Range, Feasibility and Reproducibility.

Purpose: To provide 2-dimensional ultrasonographic (2D-US) normograms of cerebellar vermis biometry, as well as to evaluate the feasibility and the reproducibility of these measurements in clinical practice. Materials and Methods: A prospective cross-sectional study of 328 normal singleton pregnancies between 18 and 33 weeks of gestation. Measurements of the fetal cerebellar vermis circumference (VC) in the mid-sagittal plane were performed by both a senior and a junior operator using 2D-US. VC as a function of gestational age (GA) was expressed by regression equations. In 24 fetuses 3-dimensional (3D) reconstructed planes were obtained in order to allow comparisons with 2D-US measurements. The agreement between 2D and 3D measurements and the interobserver variability were assessed by interclass correlation coefficients (ICC). Results: Satisfactory vermis measurements could be obtained in 89.9% of cases. The VC (constant= - 12.21; slope=2.447; r=0.887, p<0.0001) correlated linearly with GA. A high degree of consistency was observed between 2D and 3D ultrasound measurements (ICC=0.846 95% CI 679-0.930) as well as between measurements obtained by different examiners (ICC=0.890 95% CI 989-0.945). Conclusion: 2-dimensional ultrasonographic measurements of cerebellar vermis throughout gestation in the mid-sagittal view seem to be feasible and reproducible enough to be potentially used in clinical practice. Such measurements may supply a tool for accurate identification of posterior fossa anomalies, providing the basis for proper counseling and management and of these conditions.

[Pentalogy of Cantrell: first trimester prenatal diagnosis and association with multicistic dysplastic kidney]. / Pentalogia di Cantrell: diagnosi prenatale nel primo trimestre ed associazione con la displasia renale multicistica.

Pentalogy of Cantrell is a rare congenital anomaly consisting of the following features: 1) midline supraumbilical abdominal wall defects; 2) deficiency of the anterior diaphragm; 3) defects in the diaphragmatic pericardium; 4) defects of the lower sternum; 5) congenital intracardiac defects. We report 3 cases of pentalogy of Cantrell diagnosed respectively at 13, 18 and 24 weeks of gestation. In case 1 Cantrell's pentalogy was diagnosed during the 1(st) trimester. Case 2 revealed the coexistence of cystic hygroma. Case 3 showed an association with dysplastic left kidney and mild pyelectasis of the right kidney. Our results confirm the possibility of an early detection of Cantrell's pentalogy and reveal the possibility of associations with other pathological findings.

[Burnout syndrome among health workers caring for AIDS patients: predictive variables]. / La sindrome del burnout in operatori sanitari a contatto con malati di AIDS: variabili predittive.

UNLABELLED: Psychological stress and coping strategies in staff working with AIDS patients were assessed using self report methods. MEASURES: Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI), Coping Orientations to Problems Experiences (COPE), State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) and Depression Questionnaire (DQ) were completed by staff from 20 hospitals of North-Center Italy, including 329 doctors and nurses working with people with AIDS. The results suggested important correlations among burnout, coping style, depression and anxiety. Inadequate strategies used as Focusing on and Venting of emotion, Behavioral Disengagement and depression predicted high level of Emotional Exhaustion and Depersonalization, while Personal Accomplishment were predicted by more adequate strategies (Planning, Restrain coping and Seeking social support) and low level of anxiety.

[Fetal obstructive uropathies: prenatal diagnosis, prenatal and postnatal management]. / Uropatie ostruttive fetali: diagnosi prenatale, management pre e postnatale.

The urinary tract obstruction may depend by: ureteropelvic junction obstruction, vesicoureteric reflux, posterior urethral valves, megacystis-microcolon syndrome. Hydronephrosis accounts for 75% of prenatally diagnosed fetal renal abnormalities with, in many cases, renal dysplasia, oligohydramnios and Potter's sequence. With ultrasound is possible to diagnose most urinary tract obstructions that occurs in 1% of all pregnancy, but only 0.2% have clinical relevance. We have conceived an ultrasonographic protocol to evaluate the renal and urinary tract morphology, the cystis, the amniotic fluid and the external genitalia for a more easy ultrasonographic diagnosis and for the exact pre and postnatal management.

Coping and cognitive processing style in HIV-positive subjects.

BACKGROUND: People's reactions to traumatic events are mediated by their subjective style of coping. This is of particular importance for HIV+ patients, mainly in the first phases of the disease. This work aimed at examining whether an 'acceptance' style of coping, as opposed to a 'mental disengagement' style, selectively influences the first stages of the processing of neutral, emotional and HIV-related information. METHOD: Two groups of 11 HIV+ asymptomatic subjects were chosen according to their coping strategies, acceptance or mental disengagement, as measured by Coping Orientations to the Problems Experienced (COPE). Twenty-two patients completed the Emotional Stroop Task and an incidental memory recognition task containing neutral, emotional and HIV-related stimuli. RESULTS: Analysis of reaction times (RTs) on the Emotional Stroop Task showed that HIV+ subjects have longer RTs for emotional and HIV-related than for neutral words. Instead, no effect was found as regards interaction with style of coping. CONCLUSION: Results confirmed a processing bias of emotional information, whereas Acceptance and Mental disengagement strategies, as measured by the COPE scales, did not appear to influence information processing.