Hemoglobin A and Heterogeneous Diagnostic Relevance Observed in Eight New Variants of the Delta Globin Gene.

Background: Hemoglobin A (Hb A) (αβ) in the normal adult subject constitutes 96-98% of hemoglobin, and Hb F is normally less than 1%, while for hemoglobin A (Hb A) (αδ), the normal reference values are between 2.0 and 3.3%.

Ceruloplasmin gene variants are associated with hyperferritinemia and increased liver iron in patients with NAFLD.

Background & Aims: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a multifactorial disorder resulting from genetic and environmental factors. Hyperferritinemia has been associated with increased hepatic iron stores and worse outcomes in patients with NAFLD. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of variants of iron-related genes and their association with hyperferritinemia, hepatic iron stores and liver disease severity in patients with NAFLD.

Padua prediction score and IMPROVE score do predict in-hospital mortality in Internal Medicine patients.

Padua prediction score (PPS) and IMPROVE bleeding score are validated tools for venous thromboembolism (VTE) risk assessment recommended by guidelines, albeit not frequently used. Some data suggest that a positive PPS and IMPROVE score may be were associated with early mortality in Internal Medicine patients. Aim of the study was to characterize the predictive ability on mortality of the two scores using two different populations, respectively, as derivation and validation cohort.

Short and long-term mortality in elderly patients with suspected not confirmed pulmonary embolism.

Introduction: Most patients evaluated for suspected pulmonary embolism(PE) conclude the Emergency Department(ED) work-up with a diagnosis of PE not confirmed(PE excluded;PE-E). We aimed to investigate the clinical features, short and long-term mortality, and prognostic factors for death in elderly with PE-E, and to compare these figures with those of patients with PE confirmed(PE-C).

Methods: Consecutive patients ≥65 years old evaluated in the ED for clinically suspected hemodynamically stable acute PE were included in this retrospective cohort study.

[PHYSICAL, CHEMICAL AND MORPHOLOGICAL URINE EXAMINATION: RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE POST ANALYTICAL PHASE FROM THE INTERDISCIPLINARY URINALYSIS GROUP (GIAU)].

With these recommendations the Interdisciplinary Urinalysis Group (GIAU) aims to stimulate the following aspects : improvement and standardization of the post analytical approach to physical, chemical and morphological urine examination (ECMU); emphasize the value added to ECMU by selection of clinically significant parameters, indication of analytical methods, of units of measurement, of reference values; improvement of interpretation of dip stick urinalysis with particular regard to the reconsideration of the diagnostic significance of the evaluated parameters together with an increasing awareness of the limits of sensitivity and specificity of this analytical method. Accompanied by the skills to propose and carry out in-depth investigations with analytical methods that are more sensitive and specific;increase the awareness of the importance of professional skills in the field of urinary morphology and their relationships with the clinicians. through the introduction, in the report, of descriptive and interpretative comments depending on the type of request, the complexity of the laboratory, the competence of the pathologist;implement a policy of evaluation of the analytical quality by using, in addition to traditional internal and external controls, a program for the evaluation of morphological competence.