Humans

Can haematological and hormonal biomarkers predict fitness parameters in youth soccer players? A pilot study

The study aimed to investigate the correlations among immune, haematological, endocrinological markers and fitness parameters, and assess if the physiological parameters could be a predictor of fitness values. Anthropometric, physical evaluations (countermovement jump—CMJ, 10 m sprint, VO2max, repeated sprint ability—RSA total time and index) and determination of blood (IL-6, IL-10, IL-17A and tumour necrosis factor) and salivary (testosterone and cortisol) samples parameters in 28 young male soccer players (age: 13.0 ± 0.2 years, body mass index (BMI): 19.5 ± 2.2 kg/m2) were analysed.

Midterm results of radiocapitellar arthroplasty of the elbow: a multicentre prospective study on two different implants

Aims The aim of this study was to analyze the results of two radiocapitellar prostheses in a large case series followed prospectively, with medium-term follow-up. Patients and Methods A total of 31 patients with a mean age of 54 years (27 to 73) were analyzed; nine had primary osteoarthritis (OA) and 17 had post-traumatic OA, three had capitellar osteonecrosis, and two had a fracture. Overall, 17 Lateral Resurfacing Elbow (LRE) and 14 Uni-Elbow Radio-Capitellum Implant (UNI-E) arthroplasties were performed.

Superinfections in patients treated with Teicoplanin as anti-SARS-CoV-2 agent

We read with interest the paper by Giacobbe et al. estimating a cumulative risk of developing at least one bloodstream infection (BSI) episode (largely due to Gram‐positive pathogens) of almost 50% after 30 days at risk in severe COVID‐19 patients. (2) Similarly, Somers et al. reported an increased risk to develop bacterial superinfections, principally represented by Staphylococcus aureus ventilatory associated pneumonia (VAP), in critically ill patients infected with SARS‐CoV‐2 and treated with Tocilizumab.

Albumin Supplementation Dampens Hypercoagulability in COVID-19: A Preliminary Report

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is characterized by
severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARSCoV-2) needing mechanical ventilation and intensive care
unit (ICU) treatment. In addition to lung disease, clinical
features of SARS-CoV-2 include myocardial damage and
ischemia-related vascular disease, which are associated
with a hypercoagulable state (e.g., high D-dimer levels)

Tobacco smoking and COVID-19 pandemic. Old and new issues. A summary of the evidence from the scientific literature

Introduction: COVID-19 pandemic burst onto the international scene as a new disease disproportionately affecting certain patient groups; hence it has risen many questions yet to be clarified. The aim of this study was to outline the main issues that led tobacco smoking being discussed as a potential risk factor associated with COVID-19. Methods: Articles from MEDLINE and pre-prints published from January to April 2020 were identified. Results: Data from China showed that men had more severe outcomes of COVID-19 than women.

High-Dose intravenous immunoglobulin is effective in painful diabetic polyneuropathy resistant to conventional treatments. Results of a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, multicenter trial

Objectives: The efficacy and safety of high-dose intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) in treatment-resistant diabetic painful polyneuropathy (DPN) were assessed. Design: This was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicenter trial (EudraCT 2010-023883-42). Setting: This trial was conducted at eight sites in Italy with a neurology specialist level of care.

Management of nonfunctioning pituitary tumors. Radiotherapy

External beam radiotherapy (RT) is an essential part of the management of intracranial tumors and has been used in treating pituitary adenomas for more than five decades. It has been demonstrated that conventional RT for postoperative residual or progressive nonfunctioning pituitary adenomas (NFAs) present an excellent long-term local tumor control, although its use has been limited because of the potential late toxicity related to radiation treatments.

Cardiometabolic multimorbidity is associated with a worse Covid-19 prognosis than individual cardiometabolic risk factors. A multicentre retrospective study (CoViDiab II)

Background: Cardiometabolic disorders may worsen Covid-19 outcomes. We investigated features and Covid-19 outcomes for patients with or without diabetes, and with or without cardiometabolic multimorbidity. Methods: We collected and compared data retrospectively from patients hospitalized for Covid-19 with and without diabetes, and with and without cardiometabolic multimorbidity (defined as ≥ two of three risk factors of diabetes, hypertension or dyslipidaemia).

Usefulness of bronchoalveolar lavage in suspect COVID-19 repeatedly negative swab test and interstitial lung disease

The diagnosis of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) relies on nasopharyngeal swab, which shows a 20–30% risk of false negativity [1]. Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) is reported to be useful in patients with pulmonary interstitial infiltrates on high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT). We investigated the usefulness of BAL in symptomatic patients with positive HRCT and a repeatedly negative swab test (‘grey zone’).

© Università degli Studi di Roma "La Sapienza" - Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Roma