Minerva medica
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The aim of this study was to explore the correlations of inflammatory factors, caspase-cleaved cytokeratin-18 (CCCK-18), matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) and D-Dimer (DD) with the acute physiology and chronic health evaluation (APACHE) II Score and prognosis of patients with acute cerebral hemorrhage (ACH). ⋯ ACH patients receiving emergency operation have a poorer prognosis and a higher APACHE II Score than those undergoing conservative treatment. The APACHE II Score has positive associations with the levels of inflammatory factors, CCCK-18, MMP-9 and DD. In addition, raised levels of hs-CRP, CCCK-18, MMP-9 and DD are considered as independent risk factors for poor neurologic outcomes of ACH patients.
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Observational Study
Role of comorbidities on the mortality in patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection: an Italian cohort study.
Cardiovascular comorbidities are a common cause of death in COVID-19 and the aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of comorbidities on mortality in COVID-19 patients. ⋯ Age, male gender, presence of diabetes and stroke appeared as independent predictors of mortality in COVID-19 patients. A table for risk of 30 days-mortality in SARS-CoV-2 infection was built, based on odds ratios derived from multivariate regression analysis.
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General population data on hepatitis C virus (HCV) prevalence in Italy come mostly from studies conducted in small towns. The highest rates have consistently been found in southern regions, especially in Calabria. Herein, we aimed to determine HCV prevalence, awareness, and risk factors in the general population of Catanzaro, the capital city of Calabria, Italy. ⋯ We detected a much lower anti-HCV prevalence than those previously found in Calabria, along with a substantial change in HCV transmission modes. Infected people were almost only elderly and mostly unaware of their infection. Improving diagnosis and linkage to care for these infected persons would be needed.
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The knowledge regarding the control of breathing during wakefulness in patients affected by obstructive sleep apnea (OSAS) is still challenging. The aim of this study is firstly to analyze hypoxic and hypercapnic ventilatory response in OSA patients in comparison to controls and secondly, to investigate correlations between chemosensivity and both lung function tests, such as arterial blood gas analysis and spirometric parameters, and clinical characteristics, such as age and BMI. ⋯ Nocturnal intermittent hypoxic stimuli increases daytime glomic reactivity to transient hypoxia, while BMI is the main independent determinants of the bulbar response to hypercapnia in normocapnic OSAS patients.