Panminerva medica
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Comparison of two mechanical insufflation-exsufflation devices in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: a preliminary study.
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is an incurable neurodegenerative disease affecting upper and lower motor neurons and resulting in progressive skeletal muscle weakness. Weak cough and difficulty in clearing secretions are often the cause of pulmonary infections and acute respiratory failure. Cough assistance is commonly used to provide support in coughing for patients with ALS. ⋯ The cough-assist device with EFA technology performed better than a traditional MI/E device in ALS patients regarding respiratory function and cough efficacy, although number of exacerbations and acceptability of the two devices was similar. Following these promising preliminary results, further investigation is required in a larger cohort to confirm the superiority of EFA technology associated with a MI/E device.
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Multicenter Study
Differences between sexes concerning COVID-19-related pneumonia.
Pneumonia is both the most common type of lower respiratory tract infection and a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. The COVID-19 pandemic caused by the SARS-CoV-2 raised an extremely serious concern, because its most frequent clinical presentation was pneumonia. Features such as sex play an active role in the incidence and outcomes of pneumonia. This study aimed to evaluate differences between sexes concerning COVID-19-related pneumonia. ⋯ Males had significantly higher mortality and longer ICU stay than females. More comorbidities in males than in females could explain the difference in mortality rates. The protective role of genetic factors can partially explain the better outcomes observed in female patients with COVID-19.
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Omentin-1, a newly discovered adipokine, is implicated in the modulation of the adipose phenotype, ameliorating systemic metabolism and exhibiting anti-atherogenic, anti-oxidative, cardioprotective, anti-inflammatory and insulin-sensitizing properties. Our goal was to explore circulating omentin-1 in subclinical hypothyroidism (SH) and determine its correlations with cardiometabolic risk factors. ⋯ Omentin-1 may be a useful non-invasive biomarker reflecting cardiometabolic risk as well as a promising therapeutic target. More mechanistic and larger prospective studies shedding light on the pathogenetic role of omentin-1 in SH are required to confirm these findings.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
A nutrigenetic tool for precision dietary management of NAFLD deeming insulin resistance markers.
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) development is linked to insulin resistance and influenced by environmental factors, but it also underlined a genetic predisposition. The aim of this research was to build a predictive model based on genetic and hepatic health information, deeming insulin resistance markers in order to personalize dietary treatment in overweight/obese subjects with NAFLD. ⋯ Models integrating genetic screening and insulin resistance markers can be useful for the personalization of NAFLD weight loss treatments.
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Observational Study
Baseline plasma SARS-CoV-2 RNA detection predicts an adverse COVID-19 evolution in moderate to severe hospitalized patients.
SARS-CoV-2 is a single-stranded RNA virus, known to be the causative agent of COVID-19. As the resulting disease shows a very heterogeneous range of clinical manifestations, the identification of early biomarkers allowing patients stratification according to the expected disease severity is still an unmet clinical need. ⋯ Our data thus suggest that plasma viral RNA load at the time of hospital admission could represent a useful independent biomarker allowing early patients' stratification according to the expected disease evolution, and driving clinical decisions tailored on the specific needs of the individual patient.