Multidisciplinary study of sudden unexpected infant death in Liguria (Italy): a nine-year report.

Introduction: We conducted a retrospective analysis of cases of sudden unexpected infant death (SUID) referred to the SIDS-ALTE Center of the Liguria Region (Italy) from 2010 to 2018. In all cases, the death scene was inspected, and a multidisciplinary post-mortem evaluation was conducted. Our aim was to analyze the epidemiological data and etiological distribution.

MDMA Induced Cardio-toxicity and Pathological Myocardial Effects: A Systematic Review of Experimental Data and Autopsy Findings.

3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), more commonly known as "ecstasy," is a semi-synthetic entactogenic phenylethylamine. In recent years it has gained popularity as a recreational drug whose use has registered an upward trend especially among adolescents and young adults. Despite its unwarranted reputation of being a "safe" drug, the actual scientific data denote that it actually leaves a trail of cardio-toxicity, above and beyond its neurotoxicity and other somatic effects.

Reliability and diagnostic use of a test for the search of the hepatitis C virus Ag (AgHCV).

Background/aims: The detection of serum HCV nucleocapsid (core) antigen, besides being a valid alternative, by virtue of its low cost, to direct analysis of the virus in everyday transfusion practice, also aims to be employed in monitoring patients subjected to antiviral therapy. The verification of strict correlation between the two tests is the presupposition for such use.

Methodology: In a group of 112 HCV-positive subjects, we assessed blood transaminases, viremia (by PCR), and the circulating core antigen (by ELISA).