Minerva medica
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Antiandrogen therapy can reduce the expression of transmembrane protease 2, which is essential for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 to enter the host cells. Prior trials suggested the efficacy of antiandrogen agents in patients with COVID-19. We investigated whether antiandrogen agents reduce mortality compared to placebo or usual care. ⋯ Antiandrogen therapy reduced mortality and clinical worsening in adult patients with COVID-19.
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Review
Right ventricle: current knowledge of echocardiographic evaluation of this "forgotten" chamber.
In the past the right ventricle (RV) has been traditionally regarded as a simple conduit between the venous system and the pulmonary circulation and it has aroused little interest in both clinical and echocardiographic cardiologists to such an extent that it has been defined as the "forgotten chamber." Subsequently it was clearly shown that the right heart (RH) plays an important physiologic role in cardiac activity, and that congenital or acquired alterations in its structure and function have an important prognostic value. Aim of this review is to shed the light on the echocardiographic approach to this cardiac chamber. ⋯ However, RV may now be evaluated quantitatively and qualitatively in many ways, and some new methods can partially overcome some of the limits imposed by its complex anatomy, thereby yielding a quantitative evaluation. Furthermore, due to the wide range of pathologies which may involve the RV a disease-oriented approach should be considered in the echocardiographic investigation of right heart disease.
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Case Reports
Primary retroperitoneal renal cell carcinoma associated with transcription EB gene fusion.
Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) with the distinct type of t(6;11) (p21;q12) translocation (transcription factor EB, TFEB) is a rare neoplasm. It is even less when talks about primary retroperitoneal TFEB RCCs. To our knowledge, no previous literature has been reported about this kind of RCCs. In this article, we report a case of primary retroperitoneal renal cell carcinoma associated with transcription EB gene fusion. ⋯ We reported the first case of primary retroperitoneal renal cell carcinoma associated with transcription EB gene fusion. The pathological feature of the case we reported was very typical. The best treatment at presentation is the total resection. Long-term follow-up study is needed in order to acquire better diagonitic quality and fulfill diagnostic requirements.
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Comparative Study
Comparison among populations with severe and intermediate alpha1-antitrypsin deficiency and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
Severe alpha1-antitrypsin (AAT) deficiency (AATD) is associated with a high risk of airflow obstruction and emphysema. The risk of lung disease in those with intermediate AAT deficiency is unclear. Our aims were to compare pulmonary function, time of onset of symptoms, and indicators of quality of life among patients with severe AATD (PI*ZZ), patients with intermediate AATD (PI*MZ) from the Italian Registry of AATD with a chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) cohort of patients without AATD (PI*MM). ⋯ The comparison of populations with PI*ZZ, MZ and MM genotypes allows to delineate the role of alpha1-antitrypsin deficiency on respiratory function and on the impact on quality of life, in relation to other risk factors. These results highlight the crucial role of primary and secondary prevention on smoking habits in PI*MZ subjects and the importance of an early diagnosis.