Mapping and ranking outcomes for the evaluation of seasonal influenza vaccine efficacy and effectiveness: a delphi study.

Background: Protection provided by seasonal influenza vaccination (SIV) may be measured against numerous outcomes, and their heterogeneity may hamper decision-making. The aim of this study was to explore outcomes used for estimation of SIV efficacy/effectiveness (VE) and obtain expert consensus on their importance.

Research Design And Methods: An umbrella review was first conducted to collect and map outcomes considered in systematic reviews of SIV VE.

Project R. Evolution for improving clinical research in Italy: challenges and strategies.

Objective: The R.Evolution project aimed to reach a consensus on the main challenges of conducting clinical research in Italy and possible strategies and approaches to address them and optimize clinical research management.

Methods: A scientific board of experts initially discussed potentially critical areas in clinical research conduct and further explored them through an online national survey.

A real-time integrated framework to support clinical decision making for covid-19 patients.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic affected healthcare systems worldwide. Predictive models developed by Artificial Intelligence (AI) and based on timely, centralized and standardized real world patient data could improve management of COVID-19 to achieve better clinical outcomes. The objectives of this manuscript are to describe the structure and technologies used to construct a COVID-19 Data Mart architecture and to present how a large hospital has tackled the challenge of supporting daily management of COVID-19 pandemic emergency, by creating a strong retrospective knowledge base, a real time environment and integrated information dashboard for daily practice and early identification of critical condition at patient level.

Low-dose Aspirin prevents hypertension and cardiac fibrosis when thromboxane A is unrestrained.

Enhanced platelet activation has been reported in patients with essential hypertension and heart failure. The possible contribution of platelet-derived thromboxane (TX)A in their pathophysiology remains unclear. We investigated the systemic TXA biosynthesis in vivo and gene expression of its receptor TP in 22 essential hypertension patients and a mouse model of salt-sensitive hypertension.

Prevalence and characteristics of myocardial injury during COVID-19 pandemic: A new role for high-sensitive troponin.

Background: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a pandemic disease that is causing a public health emergency. Characteristics and clinical significance of myocardial injury remain unclear.

Methods: This retrospective single-center study analyzed 189 patients who received a COVID-19 diagnosis out of all 758 subjects with a high sensitive troponin I (Hs-TnI) measurement within the first 24 h of admission at the Policlinico A.

Scurvy: A Disease not to be Forgotten.

An 18-year-old man presented to our hospital with muscular pain, diffuse petechiae, spontaneous thigh ecchymosis, edema and pain of the right knee, bilateral pretibial subcutaneous nodules, and gingival hypertrophy and hemorrhage. His history was positive for a mixed anxiety-depressive disorder and a restrictive diet caused by self-diagnosed food allergies. Skin lesions appeared like hyperkeratotic papules with coiled hairs and perifollicular hemorrhages.

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) severity is associated to a nonhemostatic contribution and proinflammatory phenotype of platelets.

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the main cause of chronic liver disease and ranges from simple steatosis to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis. Recently, a platelet role in NAFLD pathogenesis and progression has been reported in mouse models and in patients. We investigated whether platelets are involved in liver and systemic inflammation processes in NAFLD.

Cardiovascular Disease and SARS-CoV-2: the Role of Host Immune Response Versus Direct Viral Injury.

The 2019 novel coronavirus [2019-nCoV], which started to spread from December 2019 onwards, caused a global pandemic. Besides being responsible for the severe acute respiratory syndrome 2 [SARS-CoV-2], the virus can affect other organs causing various symptoms. A close relationship between SARS-CoV-2 and the cardiovascular system has been shown, demonstrating an epidemiological linkage between SARS-CoV-2 and cardiac injury.

"Early transfusion of convalescent plasma in older patients with COVID-19 to prevent disease progression: A structured summary of a study protocol for a randomised controlled trial".

Objectives: The primary objective is to demonstrate that COVID-19 convalescent plasma (CCP) prevents progression to severe pneumonia in elderly COVID-19 pneumonia patients with chronic comorbidities. Secondary objectives are to demonstrate that CCP decreases the viral load in nasopharyngeal swabs and increases the anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibody titre in recipients.

Trial Design: This is a randomized, open-label, parallel group, phase II/III study with a superiority framework.

Sarilumab use in severe SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia.

Background: Interleukin-6 signal blockade showed preliminary beneficial effects in treating inflammatory response against SARS-CoV-2 leading to severe respiratory distress. Herein we describe the outcomes of off-label intravenous use of Sarilumab in severe SARS-CoV-2-related pneumonia.

Methods: 53 patients with SARS-CoV-2 severe pneumonia received intravenous Sarilumab; pulmonary function improvement or Intensive Care Unit (ICU) admission rate in medical wards, live discharge rate in ICU treated patients and safety profile were recorded.

Association between omentin-1 and major cardiovascular events after lower extremity endovascular revascularization in diabetic patients: a prospective cohort study.

Background: Cardiovascular complications represent the major cause of morbidity and mortality of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients. In particular, peripheral artery disease (PAD) represents a frequent T2DM vascular complication and a risk factor for the development of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE). Among adipokines, omentin-1 serum levels are reduced in T2DM patients with PAD and are inversely related to disease severity.

Sortilin levels correlate with major cardiovascular events of diabetic patients with peripheral artery disease following revascularization: a prospective study.

Background: Peripheral artery disease (PAD) represents one of the most relevant vascular complications of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Moreover, T2DM patients suffering from PAD have an increased risk of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) and major adverse limb events (MALE). Sortilin, a protein involved in apolipoproteins trafficking, is associated with lower limb PAD in T2DM patients.

Anabolic Hormones Deficiencies in Heart Failure With Preserved Ejection Fraction: Prevalence and Impact on Antioxidants Levels and Myocardial Dysfunction.

In heart failure with reduced ejection fraction, catabolic mechanisms have a strong negative impact on mortality and morbidity. The relationship between anabolic hormonal deficiency and heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) has still been poorly investigated. On the other hand, oxidative stress is recognized as a player in the pathogenesis of HFpEF.

Biomarkers of vascular disease in diabetes: the adipose-immune system cross talk.

Experimental and clinical studies aimed at investigating the mechanism(s) underlying vascular complications of diabetes indicate that a great number of molecules are involved in the pathogenesis of these complications. Most of these molecules are inflammatory mediators or markers generated by immune or adipose tissue. Some of them, i.

High Mobility Group Box-1 and Diabetes Mellitus Complications: State of the Art and Future Perspectives.

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is an endemic disease, with growing health and social costs. The complications of diabetes can affect potentially all parts of the human body, from the heart to the kidneys, peripheral and central nervous system, and the vascular bed. Although many mechanisms have been studied, not all players responsible for these complications have been defined yet.

Inflammatory Cytokines Associated With Failure of Lower-Extremity Endovascular Revascularization (LER): A Prospective Study of a Population With Diabetes.

Objective: Peripheral artery disease (PAD) is one of the most relevant complications of diabetes. Although several pharmacological and revascularization approaches are available for treating patients with diabetes and PAD, an endovascular approach is often associated with postprocedural complications that can increase the risk for acute limb ischemia or amputation. However, no definitive molecular associations have been described that could explain the difference in outcomes after endovascular treatment in patients with diabetes, PAD, and chronic limb-threatening ischemia (CLTI).

The Role of the Microbiota in the Diabetic Peripheral Artery Disease.

Vascular complications of diabetes mellitus represent a major public health problem. Although many steps forward have been made to define the causes and to find the best possible therapies, the problem remains crucial. In recent years, more and more evidences have defined a link between microbiota and the initiation, promotion, and evolution of atherosclerotic disease, even in the diabetic scenario.

Association between plasma omentin-1 levels in type 2 diabetic patients and peripheral artery disease.

Background: Type-2 diabetes mellitus is one of the major risk factors of atherosclerosis, particularly in peripheral artery disease (PAD). Several studies have documented a correlation between omentin-1 serum levels, atherosclerosis, and cardiovascular diseases. However, a clear link between circulating omentin-1 and PAD in diabetic patients has yet to be established.

The Role of the Stem Cells Therapy in the Peripheral Artery Disease.

Vascular complications of diabetes mellitus are an important issue for all clinicians involved in the management of this complex pathology. Although many therapeutic advances have been reached, peripheral arterial disease is still an unsolved problem that each year compromises the quality of life and life span of affected patients. Oftentimes, patients, after ineffective attempts of revascularization, undergo greater amputations.

Sortilin levels are associated with peripheral arterial disease in type 2 diabetic subjects.

Background: Sortilin is a 95-kDa protein which has recently been linked to circulating cholesterol concentration and lifetime risk of developing significant atherosclerotic disease. Sortilin is found inside different cell types and circulating in blood. Higher circulating sortilin concentration has been found in patients with coronary atherosclerosis compared to control subjects.

Fever of unknown origin and splenomegaly: A case report of blood culture negative endocarditis.

Rationale: Fever of unknown origin (FUO) can be determined by different conditions among which infectious diseases represent the main cause.

Patient Concerns: A young woman, with a history of aortic stenosis, was admitted to our unit for a month of intermittent fever associated with a new diastolic heart murmur and splenomegaly. Laboratory tests were negative for infectious screening.

Fecal calprotectin in management of Clostridium difficile infection: a longitudinal study.

Background: Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) is characterized by a relevant intestinal neutrophil infiltrate. So far, role of fecal calprotectin in CDI, has been investigated only in few studies, mainly focused on diagnosis of the disease.

Aim: By a longitudinal design, we assess fecal calprotectin concentrations (FCCs) in subjects with CDI, evaluating the correlation between fecal marker and response to therapy.