Bullying Victimization,Post-Traumatic Symptoms,and the Mediating Role of Alexithymia

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between bullying victimization, post-traumatic stress symptoms, and alexithymia. Self-report measures concerning bullying victimization, alexithymia, and post-traumatic stress symptoms were administered to 488 adolescents (52 % boys, 48 % girls) ages 16 to 17 attending high schools. Results show that the experience of being bullied is associated with post-traumatic stress symptoms. Moreover, alexithymia mediated the impact of bullying victimization on post-traumatic stress symptoms. Findings thus show that difficulties identifying and describing feelings combined with an externally oriented thinking, the core symptoms of alexithymia, can play a crucial role in linking bullying victimization with the onset of post-traumatic stress disorder among adolescents.     

Potential Role of Omega-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids in Pediatric Food Allergy

Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) are involved both in immune system regulation and inflammation. In particular, within the PUFAs category, omega-3 (ω-3) may reduce inflammation, whereas omega-6 (ω-6) PUFAs are generally considered to have a proinflammatory effect. Recent evidence highlights an imbalance in the ω-3:ω-6 ratio with an increased intake of ω-6, as a consequence of the shift towards a westernized diet. In critical age groups such as infants, toddlers and young children, as well as pregnant and lactating women or fish allergic patients, ω-3 intake may be inadequate. This review aims to discuss the potential beneficial effects of PUFAs on pediatric food allergy prevention and treatment, both at prenatal and postnatal ages. Data from preclinical studies with PUFAs supplementation show encouraging effects in suppressing allergic response. Clinical studies results are still conflicting about the best timing and dosages of supplementation and which individuals are most likely to benefit; therefore, it is still not possible to draw firm conclusions. With regard to food-allergic children, it is still debated whether PUFAs could slow disease progression or not, since consistent data are lacking. In conclusion, more data on the effects of ω-3 PUFAs supplementation alone or in combination with other nutrients are warranted, both in the general and food allergic population.     

Rituximab (Anti-cd20 Monoclonal Antibody) in Children with Chronic Refractory Symptomatic Immune Thrombocytopenic Purpura: Efficacy and Safety of Treatment

This retrospective study investigated the effects of rituximab in 19 pediatric patients (15 girls and 4 boys) with chronic refractory symptomatic immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP). Patients received from 2 to 5 weekly infusions of rituximab (375 mg/m(2)); 15 patients were younger than 12 years when treated. The median follow-up time was 30 months (range, 9-43 months). The overall response rate was 68% (13/19 patients). Six responders relapsed at a median of 4.5 months (range, 3-8 months). Seven patients still displayed a platelet count >150,000/microL at a median of 33 months (range, 14-43 months) after rituximab treatment. Six of 15 patients treated with 4 or 5 weekly infusions and 1 of 4 patients treated with 2 or 3 infusions are still in remission. No difference was detected between splenectomized and nonsplenectomized patients. The duration of ITP disease at the time of treatment did not influence the response rate. Patients still in remission showed significantly lower levels of CD19+ cells after 4 and 6 months than nonresponding or relapsed patients (P < .05). No major infections were reported during follow-up. Our data show the efficacy and tolerability of rituximab in young children with refractory symptomatic ITP. Nonrelapsed patients showed a more prolonged B-cell depletion.     

Virtual Gastroduodenoscopy: A New Look at the Bypassed Stomach and Duodenum After Laparoscopic Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass for Morbid Obesity

Background: After open or laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGBP) for morbid obesity, the bypassed stomach and duodenum are not readily available for radiological and endoscopic evaluation. Furthermore, little is known about the long-term physiologic and histologic changes that occur in the bypassed GI segments following these procedures. Many alternative radiological and endoscopic techniques have been described to access the distal gastric pouch and the duodenum after RYGBP. Apart from percutaneous gastrografin? studies, all these techniques require the insertion of a gastrostomy tube in the distal stomach. Methods: a new diagnostic method to access the bypassed segments by virtual CT gastroscopy (VG) was used in 5 morbidly obese patients who underwent laparoscopic RYGBP (LRYGBP). Results: All patients tolerated the procedure well, which appears safe and suitable for an outpatient setting.The virtual images offered an excellent intraluminal view of the stomach and duodenum. Conclusions: VG holds promise as the method of choice in the follow-up of LRYGB patients, having the potential to detect inflammatory changes and cancer in the excluded segments early.     

Maxillary sinus augmentation: histologic and histomorphometric analysis

PURPOSE: Implant placement in the posterior maxilla may often be contraindicated because of insufficient bone volume and the presence of the maxillary sinus. In these situations, sinus floor lifting and grafting frequently have been proposed as the best treatment. The aim of this study was to compare histologically the use of 100% autogenous bone versus a combination of autogenous bone and corticocancellous pig bone for maxillary sinus augmentation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eighteen patients requiring bilateral maxillary sinus augmentation were selected for this study. Bone for grafting was harvested from the iliac crest. Each patient received 100% autogenous bone in 1 randomly selected sinus (control side) and a 1:1 mixture of autogenous bone and corticocancellous pig bone particles in the contralateral sinus (test side). Five months after the augmentation procedure, bone biopsy specimens were taken at the time of implant placement. RESULTS: No complications were observed during the surgical procedures; all patients healed uneventfully. No signs or symptoms of maxillary sinus disease were observed during the 5 months after surgery. No significant differences in bone percentages were observed in the bone biopsies from test and control sides. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: It could be concluded from this study that corticocancellous pig bone particles can be successfully used in a 1:1 mixture with autogenous bone from the iliac crest for maxillary sinus augmentation in cases of severely atrophic maxilla.