Articles: function.
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Severe systemic inflammatory response to infection results in severe sepsis and septic shock, which are the leading causes of death in critically ill patients. Septic shock is characterised by refractory hypotension and is typically managed by fluid resuscitation and administration of catecholamine vasopressors such as norepinephrine. Vasopressin can also be administered to raise mean arterial pressure or decrease the norepinephrine dose. ⋯ Patients with severe sepsis present with hypovitaminosis C, and pre-clinical and clinical studies have indicated that administration of high-dose ascorbate decreases the levels of pro-inflammatory biomarkers, attenuates organ dysfunction and improves haemodynamic parameters. It is conceivable that administration of ascorbate to septic patients with hypovitaminosis C could improve endogenous vasopressor synthesis and thus ameliorate the requirement for exogenously administered vasopressors. Ascorbate-dependent vasopressor synthesis represents a currently underexplored biochemical mechanism by which ascorbate could act as an adjuvant therapy for severe sepsis and septic shock.
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Cystic fibrosis (CF) is the most common genetic disorders in the Caucasian population, with estimated between 70,000 and 100,000 patients worldwide. Even if improved diagnostics and clinical management have led to an increased life expectancy, CF still remains a disease that significantly impacts patients' life in terms of symptoms, daily functioning, psychological morbidity and health related quality of life. Available data suggest that symptoms of anxiety and depression, such as in other chronic conditions, are common features in CF patients and in their caregivers, with a significant impact on disease outcomes. ⋯ The TIDES provides useful insights about the psychological/psychiatric comorbidities in CF and its conclusions are absolutely shareable. Nevertheless some doubts remain on the methods and the tools. Further investigation and understanding of anxiety and depression in CF (in terms of prevalence, association with clinical, psychological and sociocultural factors) is necessary and evidence is crescent that a global and multidisciplinary approach is wanted.