Kinetics of Different Blood Biomarkers during Polymyxin-B Extracorporeal Hemoperfusion in Abdominal Sepsis.

INTRODUCTION: Comparison of the marker kinetics procalcitonin, presepsin, and endotoxin during extracorporeal hemoperfusion with polymyxin-B adsorbing cartridge (PMX-HA) has never been described in abdominal sepsis. We aimed to compare the trend of three biomarkers in septic post-surgical abdominal patients in intensive care unit (ICU) treated with PMX-HA and their prognostic value. METHODS: Ninety abdominal post-surgical patients were enrolled into different groups according to the evidence of postoperative sepsis or not. Non-septic patients admitted in the surgical ward were included in C group (control group). ICU septic shock patients with endotoxin levels <0.6 EAA receiving conventional therapy were addressed in S group and those with endotoxin levels ≥0.6 EAA receiving treatment with PMX-HA, besides conventional therapy, were included in SPB group. Presepsin, procalcitonin, endotoxin and other clinical data were recorded at 24 h (T0), 72 h (T1) and 7 days (T2) after surgery. Clinical follow-up was performed on day 30. RESULTS: SPB group showed reduced levels of the three biomarkers on T2 versus T0 (p < 0.001); presepsin, procalcitonin and endotoxin levels decreased, respectively, by 25%, 11%, and 2% on T1 versus T0, and 40%, 41%, and 26% on T2 versus T0. All patients in C group, 73% of patients in SPB group versus 37% of patients in S group survived at follow-up. Moreover, procalcitonin had the highest predictive value for mortality at 30 days, followed by presepsin. CONCLUSION: The present study showed the reliability of presepsin in monitoring PMX-HA treatment in septic shock patients. Procalcitonin showed better predicting power for the mortality riSsk.

Homogenizing effect of PEEP on tidal volume distribution during neurally adjusted ventilatory assist: study of an animal model of acute respiratory distress syndrome.

BACKGROUND: The physiological response and the potentially beneficial effects of positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) for lung protection and optimization of ventilation during spontaneous breathing in patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) are not fully understood. The aim of the study was to compare the effect of different PEEP levels on tidal volume distribution and on the ventilation of dependent lung region during neurally adjusted ventilatory assist (NAVA). METHODS: ARDS-like lung injury was induced by using saline lavage in 10 anesthetized and spontaneously breathing farm-bred pigs. The animals were ventilated in NAVA modality and tidal volume distribution as well as dependent lung ventilation were assessed using electric impedance tomography during the application of PEEP levels from 0 to 15 cmH20, in steps of 3 cmH20. Tidal volume distribution and dependent fraction of ventilation were analysed using Wilcoxon signed rank test. Furthermore, airway, esophageal and transpulmonary pressure, as well as airway flow and delivered volume, were continuously measured during the assisted spontaneous breathing. RESULTS: Increasing PEEP improved oxygenation and re-distributed tidal volume. Specifically, ventilation distribution changed from a predominant non-dependent to a more even distribution between non-dependent and dependent areas of the lung. Dependent fraction of ventilation reached 47 ± 9% at PEEP 9 cmH20. Further increasing PEEP led to a predominant dependent ventilation. CONCLUSION: During assisted spontaneous breathing in this model of induced ARDS, PEEP modifies the distribution of ventilation and can achieve a homogenizing effect on its spatial arrangement. The study indicates that PEEP is an important factor during assisted spontaneous breathing and that EIT can be of valuable interest when titrating PEEP level during spontaneous breathing, by indicating the most homogeneous distribution of gas volumes throughout the PEEP spectrum.

Best practice guidelines for idiopathic nephrotic syndrome: recommendations versus reality.

BACKGROUND: The optimal therapeutic regimen for managing childhood idiopathic nephrotic syndrome (INS) is still under debate. We have evaluated the choice of steroid regimen and of symptomatic treatment adopted by pediatricians and pediatric nephrologists in a large number of centers as the first step towards establishing a shared protocol METHODS: This was a multicenter, retrospective study. A total of 231 children (132 admitted to pediatric units) aged 6 months to <15 years who presented with onset of nephrotic syndrome to 54 pediatric units and six pediatric nephrology units in Italy between 2007 and 2009 were eligible for entry into the study. RESULTS: Median steroid dosing was 55 (range 27-75) mg/m(2)/day. The overall median cumulative dose regimen for the first episode was 3,440 (1,904-6,035) mg/m(2), and the median duration of the therapeutic regimen was 21 (9-48) weeks. The total duration and cumulative steroid dose were significantly higher in patients treated by pediatricians than in those treated by pediatric nephrologists (p = 0.001 and p = 0.008). Among the patient cohort, 55, 64 and 22 % received albumin infusions, diuretics and acetyl salicylic acid treatment, respectively, but the laboratory and clinical data did not differ between children treated or not treated with symptomatic drugs. Albumin and diuretic use did not vary between patients in pediatric units and those in pediatric nephrology units. CONCLUSIONS: This study shows major differences in steroid and symptomatic treatment of nephrotic syndrome by pediatricians and pediatric nephrologists. As these differences can influence the efficacy of the treatments and the appearance of side-effects, shared guidelines and their implementation through widespread educational activities are necessary.

Actual implementation of sick children's rights in Italian pediatric units: a descriptive study based on nurses' perceptions.

BACKGROUND: Several charters of rights have been issued in Europe to solemnly proclaim the rights of children during their hospital stay. However, notwithstanding such general declarations, the actual implementation of hospitalized children's rights is unclear. The purpose of this study was to understand to which extent such rights, as established by the two main existing charters of rights, are actually implemented and respected in Italian pediatric hospitals and the pediatric units of Italian general hospitals, as perceived by the nurses working in them. METHODS: Cross-sectional study. A 12-item online questionnaire was set up and an invitation was sent by email to Italian pediatric nurses using professional mailing lists and social networks. Responders were asked to score to what extent each right is respected in their hospital using a numeric scale from 1 (never) to 5 (always). RESULTS: 536 questionnaires were returned. The best implemented right is the right of children to have their mothers with them (mean score 4.47). The least respected one is the right of children to express their opinion about care (mean 3.01). Other rights considered were the right to play (4.29), the right to be informed (3.95), the right to the respect of privacy (3.75), the right to be hospitalized with peers (3.39), the right not to experience pain ever (3.41), and the right to school (3.07). According to the majority of nurses, the most important is the right to pain relief. Significant differences in the implementation of rights were found between areas of Italy and between pediatric hospitals and pediatric units of general hospitals. CONCLUSION: According to the perception of pediatric nurses, the implementation of the rights of hospitalized children in Italian pediatrics units is still limited.

Dual mode imaging in mid infrared with thermal signal reconstruction for innovative diagnostics of the "Monocromo" by Leonardo da Vinci.

Dual mode imaging in the mid infrared band, a joint use of thermography and quasi-thermal reflectography, was recently proposed as a full field diagnostic tool in cultural heritage. Here we discuss for the first time, to the best of our knowledge, a detailed application of such non destructive technique to the diagnostics of frescoes, with an emphasis on the location of detachments. We also investigate the use of a thermographic method based on TSR (thermal signal reconstruction), in a long pulse stimulus scheme, as well as the spatial registration of thermal images after post-processing analysis to their visible counterpart, so as to obtain a fine resolution diagnostic map. As an exemplar case study, we report about the application of dual mode imaging with a 500 [Formula: see text] pixel size at object plane on the "Monocromo", a fresco by Leonardo da Vinci located in the Sforza Castle (Milan, Italy). Our technique was used to guide the conservators during the restoration works, opening new perspectives in artwork diagnostics.

Effectiveness of Combined Strategies for the Prevention of Hypothermia Measured by Noninvasive Zero-Heat Flux Thermometer During Cesarean Section.

Background: Perioperative hypothermia (body temperature <36°C) is a common complication of anesthesia increasing the risk for maternal cardiovascular events and coagulative disorders, and can also influence neonatal health. The aim of our work was to evaluate the impact of combined warming strategies on maternal core temperature, measured with the SpotOn. We hypothesized that combined modalities of active warming prevent hypothermia in pregnant women undergoing cesarean delivery with spinal anesthesia. Methods: Seventy-eight pregnant women were randomly allocated into three study groups receiving warmed IV fluids and forced-air warming (AW), warmed IV fluids (WF), or no warming (NW). Noninvasive core temperature device (SpotOn) measured maternal core temperature intraoperatively and for 30 min after surgery. Maternal mean arterial pressure, incidence of shivering, thermal comfort and newborn's APGAR, axillary temperature, weight, and blood gas analysis were also recorded. Results: Incidence of hypothermia was of 0% in AW, 4% in WF, and 47% in NW. Core temperature in AW was constantly higher than WF and NW groups. Incidence of shivering in perioperative time was significantly lower in AW and WF groups compared with the NW group (p < 0.04). Thermal comfort was higher in both AW and WF groups compared with NW group (p = 0.02 and p = 0.008, respectively). There were no significant differences among groups for the other evaluated parameters. Conclusion: Combined modalities of active warming are effective in preventing perioperative hypothermia. The routine uses of combined AW are suggested in the setting of cesarean delivery.

Severe hemorrhagic bullous lesions in Henoch Schonlein purpura: three pediatric cases and review of the literature.

Henoch Schonlein purpura (HSP) is a small-sized blood vessels vasculitis, resulting from immunoglobulin A-mediated inflammation. It is the most common acute systemic vasculitis in childhood and mainly affects skin, gastrointestinal tract, joints and kidney. Skin lesions, usually presenting as erythematous maculopapules, petechiae, and purpura, often involve lower extremities and buttocks, but may also extend to the upper extremities, face and trunk. Conversely to adults, hemorrhagic bullous evolution has been seldom described in childhood. The pressure is likely a factor into the pathogenesis of bullae. We report on three new pediatric cases of HSP with hemorrhagic bullous skin lesions, and a review of the literature. Bullous evolution represents an unusual, but well-recognized cutaneous manifestation that may be a source of diagnostic dilemma, but does not seem to have any prognostic value in the outcome of HSP.

The natural history of vesicoureteral reflux.

Vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) is the greatest and most recent challenge in pediatric nephrology, with explosive and relentless growth of knowledge. Many diagnostic and therapeutic indications must be revised with regards to up-to-date discoveries on the origin and evolution of congenital anomalies of kidneys and urinary tracts (CAKUT), because prompt diagnosis and aggressive intervention often seem to have only marginal influence on remote prognosis. Diagnostic strategies must tend to minimize the number of useless studies, preferring the ones that are less invasive and which expose to the smallest radiologic risk, reminding that the target is prevention of parenchymal damage, and not detecting VUR.