Enhancing Social Initiations Using Naturalistic Behavioral Intervention: Outcomes from a Randomized Controlled Trial for Children with Autism

Deficits in social skills are common in children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), and there is an urgent need for effective social skills interventions, especially for improving interactions with typically developing peers. This study examined the effects of a naturalistic behavioral social skills intervention in improving social initiations to peers through a randomized controlled trial. Analyses of multimethod, multi-informant measures indicated that children in the active group (SIMI) demonstrated greater improvement in the types of initiations which were systematically prompted and reinforced during treatment (i.e., behavior regulation). Generalization to joint attention and social interaction initiation types, as well as collateral gains in broader social functioning on clinician- and parent-rated standardized measures were also observed.

     

Treatment with a Toll-like receptor inhibitory GpG oligonucleotide delays and attenuates lupus nephritis in NZB/W mice

Herein we report the case of a patient with antiphospholipid Syndrome (APS) and an ischemic stroke suffered while he was anticoagulated, and we discuss the usefulness of magnetic resonance angiography in the early diagnosis of such a complication. We also attempt to emphasize the great value of an individual risk evaluation when warfarin therapy is introduced. In fact, our case supports the importance of high-intensity anticoagulation in patients with multiple thrombotic recurrences, and the exceptional value that strict anticoagulation control has in this kind of patients.     

Characterization of the release profile of doxycycline by PLGA microspheres adjunct to non-surgical periodontal therapy

The aim of this pilot study was to assess the release of locally delivered doxycycline by poly (l-lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) microspheres in the periodontal pocket of patients with chronic periodontitis, treated by non-surgical periodontal therapy. Nineteen sites of non-adjacent teeth of four different patients were evaluated. Five milligram of PLGA microspheres loaded with 16 doxycycline hyclate (DOX) was administered per periodontal site. To quantify DOX released into the periodontal pocket, gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) was collected from the sites on days 2, 5, 7, 10, 15, and 20 after DOX application, and high-performance liquid chromatography was performed. Data were statistically assessed by ANOVA/Tukey test. At days 2, 5, and 7, the DOX concentration was stably sustained (23.33 ± 1.38, 23.4 ± 1.82, and 22.75 ± 1.33 μg/mL, respectively), with no significant differences over these assessment times (p > 0.05). At days 10 and 15, a tendency was observed toward a decrease in DOX concentration (21.74 ± 0.91 and 20.53 ± 4.88 μg/mL, respectively), but a significant decrease in GCF drug concentration (19.69 ± 4.70 μg/mL) was observed only on day 20. The DOX delivery system developed demonstrated a successful sustained release after local administration, as an adjunct to non-surgical periodontal therapy.     

Percutaneous Microwave Ablation of Desmoid Fibromatosis

ObjectiveTo demonstrate the feasibility of percutaneous microwave ablation in desmoid fibromatosis with respect to tumor volume control and improvement in the quality of life.Materials and MethodsTwelve microwave ablations were performed in 9 patients with a histological diagnosis of desmoid fibromatosis between January 2010 and January 2019. The study population included 6 female and 3 male, with an age range of 21–76 years (mean = 46.6 years; standard deviation [SD] = 19.3 years). The mean major axis of the tumors was 10.9 cm (SD = 5.2 cm) and mean lesion volume was 212.7 cm³ (SD = 213 cm³). Their anatomical distribution was as follows: 3 lesions in the thigh, 2 in the gluteus, 2 in the leg and 2 in the periscapular region. We evaluated the reduction in tumor volume and improvement in the quality of life based on the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) scale.ResultsAn average tumor volume reduction of 70.4% (SD = 24.9) was achieved, while the quality of life (ECOG scale) improved in 88.9% of patients.ConclusionPercutaneous microwave ablation may potentially be a safe, effective, and promising technique for controlling tumor volume and improving the quality of life in patients with desmoid fibromatosis.     

Elder abuse among Spanish and Iranian people: new methodological approach to the same old story

International Journal of Legal Medicine - Elder abuse continues to be a taboo, mostly underestimated, ignored by societies across the world. Recent systematic reviews and meta-analyses have...     

COVID-19 pandemic impacts physical activity levels and sedentary time but not sleep quality in young badminton athletes

Purpose

Regular physical activity is a good strategy to maintain the health of athletes, and prevent pain and decreased joint flexibility during the pandemic. On the other hand, higher sedentary time during the pandemic period can have deleterious effects. The objective of this study was to compare physical activity levels, sedentary time, and sleep parameters during the pre-COVID period and the COVID-19 pandemic period in young badminton athletes.

Methods

Fifteen young badminton athletes were evaluated during a pre-COVID period (July 2019) and during the COVID-19 period (July 2020). Sleep parameters, physical activity level, and sedentary time were measured using a tri-axial accelerometer. Participants wore the accelerometer on their dominant wrist for 7 days consecutively. In addition, the average of each sleep parameter [time in bed and total sleep time in hours per day, sleep efficiency (%), wake after sleep onset (WASO, total per day), and sleep latency (minutes per day)] was reported over the 7-day period.

Results

Athletes presented increased sedentary time (pre-COVID?=?7.0?±?1.1 vs.COVID-19?=?8.9?±?1.9 h/day, p?=?0.004, d?=?1.30) and significant decreases in the total PA observed in counts per day (pre-COVID?=?2,967,064.4?±?671,544.1 vs. COVID-19?=?1,868,210.2?±?449,768.4 counts/day, p?=?0.001, d?=?1.99), time in vigorous PA (pre-COVID?=?7.7?±?0.9 vs. COVID-19?=?6.1?±?1.2 h/day, p?=?0.001, d?=?1.56), and time in moderate-to-vigorous PA (pre-COVID?=?8.1?±?0.9 vs. COVID-19?=?6.5?±?1.3 h/day, p?=?0.001, d?=?1.48). There were no significant differences for time in light and moderate PA or in sleep parameters (p?>?0.05).

Conclusion

Young badminton athletes presented increased sedentary time, and decreased total physical activity, time in MVPA, and time in vigorous activities during the COVID-19 pandemic compared to the pre-COVID period, however, there were no significant differences in sleep parameters.

     

Real world experience with teriflunomide in multiple sclerosis: the TER-Italy study

Journal of Neurology - To identify baseline factors associated with disease activity in patients with relapsing–remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) under teriflunomide treatment. This was an...