Catheter ablations were efficiently and effectively performed in adults with a variety of arrhythmias using only IE, EAM, and ICE for catheter guidance. This nonfluoroscopic technique was feasible, posed no additional safety concerns, and should be readily implementable in most electrophysiology laboratories.

This study aimed to determine the effects of sea buckthorn pulp oil treatment (800 mg/day for 60 days) on inflammatory, systemic oxidative/reductive status and endothelial function, in obese children. A total of 41 obese children (10–18 years old) and thirty controls were enrolled. The measurements were done before and after pulp oil administration. Ultrasounds were used for flow-mediated dilatation (FMD) and carotid artery intima-media thickness (IMT) measurements and colorimetric and ELISA methods for biochemical parameters. In the obese children versus the lean ones, increased oxidative stress (high malonyldialdehyde, high respiratory burst (RB)), low antioxidant defence (low blood glutathione, low TEAC), inflammatory status (high CRP, ceruloplasmin), adipocytokines disturbance (low adiponectin and high leptin), insulin resistance (high fasting C peptide), low FMD (P<0.001), and high IMT (P<0.01) were measured. Treatment reduced total cholesterol (P<0.03), triglycerides (P<0.01), RB (P<0.03), leptin (P<0.049), ceruloplasmin (P<0.01), fasting C peptide (P<0.01), blood pressure (P<0.01), and IMT (P<0.03). In conclusion, sea buckthorn pulp oil treatment prevents atherosclerosis by lowering triglyceridemia, cholesterolemia, and blood pressure (strong effects) and by reducing oxidative stress, inflammation, and insulin resistance (weak effects).

Background and Objectives: the comorbidity of personality disorders in patients who use psychoactive substances is common in psychiatric practice. The epidemiology of disharmonious personality traits in patients with ADHD and addictions in adulthood is still insufficiently researched. The study investigated the typology of personality traits in a group of adult patients consuming psychoactive substances, in whom symptoms of ADHD were identified. Materials and Methods: the study evaluates a group of 104 patients with chronic psychoactive substances abuse, in whom symptoms of ADHD were identified in early adulthood, in terms of comorbid personality traits. Results: statistically significant data have been obtained regarding the presence of clinical traits characteristic for cluster B personality disorders, the patients presenting lower levels of self-control, self-image instability, difficulties in the areas of social relationships and own identity integration. Conclusions: ADHD symptomatology precedes the clinical traits of personality disorders in patients with addictions, negatively influencing chronic evolution and quality of life.

Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) are highly heterogeneous disorders. The heterogeneity of Autistic Spectrum Disorders can be determined by comorbid psychiatric disorders like ADHD (Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder).The objective of this research is to analyse the outcome of a sample of preschoolers diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) comorbid with ADHD symptoms involved in an Applied Behavioural Analysis program and to compare the efficacy of ABA between this group and a control group comprised of children with ASD alone.We monitored, using ADOS (Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule) and ADHD -RS (ADHD Rating Scale) at the baseline (T0) and after one year (T1), a sample of 48 children (2-5 years old

Background Lack of physicians’ knowledge regarding mental health, including Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) could have adverse effects on affected individuals’ health and quality of life. The purpose of this study was to provide construct validity for a modified questionnaire in order to determine the self-reported competency for underlying sub-constructs in ASD, make inferences on perceived competence in ASD based on a sample of Romanian physicians, and identify physicians’ characteristics associated with these sub-domains of competency. Methods For this survey, we modified a questionnaire that was used in Pakistan and Turkey, and administered it to a sample of 383 practicing physicians in Romania to assess their perceived competency regarding ASD. Exploratory factor analysis on 12 knowledge questions revealed five sub-domains: stigma, potential causes, children’s behavior, misconceptions, and educational needs associated with ASD knowledge. Using General Linear Models, we determined physicians’ characteristics that predict the total competency score and various competency sub-scores. Results Seventy-five percent of the responding physicians were female and 30% had over 30 years practicing medicine. The majority (73–94%) of physicians have correctly responded to some basic questions regarding knowledge about ASD. We also found that younger physicians were more knowledgeable about potential causes of ASD than older physicians (Adjusted Mean Score (AMS): 2.90 vs. 2.18, P < 0.01), while older physicians knew more about the behavior of children with ASD (AMS: 0.64 vs. 0.37, P = 0.02). We found a significant interaction (P < 0.01) between television as source of ASD knowledge and city where the clinic is located in relation to knowledge of the physicians regarding stigma related to ASD. However, the total score was not associated with the variables associated with sub-domains. Conclusion Using factor analysis, we demonstrated construct validity of five sub-domains related to Romanian physicians’ knowledge about ASD that include stigma, potential causes, behavior in ASD children, special education needs, and misconceptions related to ASD. The lack of significant association of the knowledge of physicians on ASD neither with the Psychiatry nor the Pediatric ward rotations at medical school may support the need for improving the curriculum on ASD in Romanian medical schools.