A survey on planning, expectations and factors influencing the stabilization process of migrating people in Palermo, western Sicily.

BACKGROUND: Europe constitutes a major pole of attraction for the migratory fluxes. The migrating population is made up of many different individuals, carrying different projects of life and expectations. The consistence of the phenomena, in few decades, will be responsible for deep changes in the demographic structure of the European population. The purpose of this investigation was to attempt to draw an identikit of migrating people and to evaluate those factors which may be considered important to positively influence the process of stabilization. Moreover, the research tried to evaluate the differences among those migrating people who have recently arrived, still considering this country as a landing shore, and those who have definitely settled in Sicily. METHODS: The research was carried out through a 42 items multiple choice answer questionnaire administered to two groups of individuals who were born in a non European Union (EU) country. Individuals, who were still trying to settle (group A), were chosen at random in the streets of the city, while individuals with a solid and integrated family were chosen at random from the municipality of Palermo, Sicily. To compare the two different groups of individuals Student's t and Chi square tests were used together with standard descriptive statistics and linear regression analysis. RESULTS: Results seem to indicate that positive factors for integration are years of residence in the same place, support from the family since the very beginning of the migratory project, stable interethnic social structure. What did not seem to constitute determining factors in the territory analysed are: age, gender, country of origin, religion. Higher education levels apparently play a negative role. Child bearing indexes are higher than European levels. Birth rate was use in the attempt of modelling a projection of population growth. DISCUSSION: The collected data brings forth the snapshot of the typical immigrant as a young strong healthy individual, longing to start a family on safe values, who accepts transitory precarious living conditions in order to improve them. The major negative factors in the migratory project are those of social nature. Governments have generally adopted a politics of control on entry and of managing the emergency. There is a need for a politics of empowerment and exploitation of the capacity of the migrants. Deep changes occurring in the demographic structure of the European population might influence the social contest. Decrease European birth rate and increasing immigration may create a melting pot, where Europeans may take a role of an endangered species.

A survey on knowledge and perceptions regarding head lice on a sample of teachers and students in primary schools of north and south of Italy.

High rates of pediculosis are found in every part of the world. The age-range most affected is between 3 and 12 years. No-nit policies are ineffective in preventing infestations. On the other hand, misdiagnosis and overuse of pediculicides, increase resistance to treatment. Lack of information leads people to consider this kind of infestation to be associated to low social classes and immigrants. This research has been implemented to find out about the information level on pediculosis on a sample of students (722) and teachers (408) of some primary schools in northern and southern Italy, and to highlight the role of personal aspects such as age, gender, cultural level, geographical position which may influence this topic and, eventually, allow the use of the correct knowledge in developing appropriate procedures within the school district. Data was obtained through a questionnaire containing 21 multiple choice questions for the teachers and 14 for the students. Standard descriptive statistics were computed. chi2 tests were applied to highlight statistical association among observed variables; test for the difference of two proportions were applied to confirm significant differences among the observed proportions. The level of information for students seems to be, approximately, the same both for northern and southern Italy. There was a slight prevalence of correct answers from southern teachers, probably because the phenomenon of pediculosis has a positive trend of growth in the south. The number of correct answers was, for all, on average about 60.0%; a negative result in itself considering the simplicity of the questions. Knowledge about the biology of the louse was virtually absent. The area of prevention showed lack of information and need for improvement. Most of the teachers believe that there are specific products that can prevent infestation by louse. Most of the teachers have information which does not come from scientific sources. Students receive some short and incomplete information from their parents. Deficiencies in teachers' knowledge indicate that they are inadequately equipped to manage lice infestation. Educational interventions with teachers and families and, as a consequence, with students should be taught at school to allow a correct understanding of the pediculosis, increasing the teachers' competence and, consequently, as soon as the infestation should manifest, a rapid alert of the Health Service so that proper treatment could be provided.

Long-term studies of metopic synostosis: frequency of cognitive impairment and behavioral disturbances.

Although the occurrence of cognitive impairment and behavioral disturbances in patients with metopic synostosis has been described, the incidence of this dysfunction has not been established. The records of 36 consecutive children with metopic synostosis followed at one craniofacial center from 1978 to 1993 were reviewed and parental questionnaires were completed to establish the frequency of mental retardation, learning disabilities, and behavioral problems associated with this synostosis. Documentation of syndromes, abnormal karyotype, and central nervous system anomalies also was done. The study group consisted of 27 males and 9 females. The average age at most recent follow-up was 7 years and 1 month (range 6 months to 22 years). Two patients had chromosomal abnormalities (9p syndrome and trisomy 21). On the basis of CT and MRI scans, intracranial anomalies were identified for only one patient having an absent corpus callosum. Thirty-two of the study patients had adequate information for longitudinal assessment. Twenty patients have normal development without apparent disability. Of these, those of school age are at appropriate grade level. Eight patients have mild to moderate learning disabilities or behavioral problems, including attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder and impaired language development. Four patients have significant mental impairment. Impaired cognitive development was not limited to children with abnormal karyotype or central nervous system anomaly. Cognitive and behavioral abnormalities occur in at least a third of patients with metopic synostosis. The, at times, subtle nature of these abnormalities mandates longitudinal developmental and neurologic evaluation for infants with metopic synostosis.

Pediatric management of Robin sequence.

The care of infants with Robin sequence is discussed with special reference to upper airway obstruction and feeding difficulties. The use of nasopharyngeal tubes is recommended initially to alleviate the immediate consequences of hypoxia. Modifications in feeding procedures are minor and involve enlarging the hole in the nipple and keeping the nipple and infant positioned appropriately.

Pharyngeal flap surgery: postoperative complications.

Using a protocol specifically designed to decrease the risk factors for postoperative morbidity and upper airway obstruction, we have essentially eliminated major complications after pharyngeal flap surgery while maintaining excellent speech results. The protocol includes inserting a short pharyngeal flap into a tissue "sandwich" and keeping an NP tube in place for 48 hours postoperatively. The complications reduced by use of this protocol include apnea and other upper respiratory complications, as well as bleeding. In addition, postoperative discomfort is decreased with the current protocol. Using this approach, pharyngeal flap surgery is highly effective in improving speech and is associated with low morbidity.

Mylicon drops in the treatment of infant colic.

The efficacy of simethicone (available in liquid form as Mylicon Drops) in the treatment of infant colic was assessed in 51 healthy infants between 2 and 12 weeks of age. The open-label trial consisted of a one-week study period. Care-givers were to report on the infant's response to treatment after one day and one week of treatment, and in terms of the overall quality of life of both infant and family. Symptoms of colic improved or resolved in 38 infants (78%) after one day of treatment and in 44 (86%) after seven days. On both days, caregivers also noted that the quality of family life was noticeably improved. Mylicon Drops, in a dose of 0.3 ml with each feeding, can cause improvement or complete resolution of the symptoms of infant colic in the vast majority of patients and a better quality of life for both infant and family.

Male-to-male transmission of Robinow's syndrome. Its occurrence in association with cleft lip and cleft palate.

The inheritance of Robinow's syndrome has been thought to be autosomal dominant. However, since no cases of male-to-male transmission have been reported, it has been impossible to rule out X-linked dominant inheritance. We studied a case of male-to-male transmission in a father and son with Robinow's syndrome and cleft lip-cleft palate, confirming autosomal dominant inheritance in at least some cases.

The penetrance and variable expression of the Van der Woude syndrome: implications for genetic counseling.

The presence of congenital fistulae in the lower lip in combination with cleft lip, cleft palate, or both is diagnostic of the Van der Woude syndrome. This autosomal dominant syndrome had been reported to have a penetrance of 80% with variable expression. An analysis of eleven families with 67 affected individuals showed variable expression of clefting and lower lip pits. However, penetrance was found to be close to 100%. An approach to counseling advocates advising a 50% chance of inheriting the gene for Van der Woude syndrome.

A new syndrome involving cleft palate, cardiac anomalies, typical facies, and learning disabilities: velo-cardio-facial syndrome.

This report describes a pattern of similarities among 12 patients which are felt to represent a newly recognized congenital malformation syndrome. The symptoms shown most consistently by the 12 patients were overt or submuscous clefts of the secondary palate, ventricular septal defects, typical facies, and learning disabilities. Other symptoms were noted with varying frequency. The occurrence of velopharyngeal insufficiency in all twelve patients reflected poor motion in the lateral pharyngeal walls, thus necessitating specific forms of treatment. Treatment was often dependent on the extent of cardiac lesions.