Gut Microbiota in T1DM-Onset Pediatric Patients: Machine-Learning Algorithms to Classify Microorganisms as Disease Linked.

Aims: The purpose of this work is to find the gut microbial fingerprinting of pediatric patients with type 1 diabetes.

Methods: The microbiome of 31 children with type 1 diabetes at onset and of 25 healthy children was determined using multiple polymorphic regions of the 16S ribosomal RNA. We performed machine-learning analyses and metagenome functional analysis to identify significant taxa and their metabolic pathways content.

Efficacy of a strict surveillance policy towards inappropriateness of plasma transfusion.

Background: Plasma transfusion is not without risks. Despite a limited spectrum of indications, plasma is frequently used as prophylaxis in non-bleeding patients, to correct altered coagulation tests. A high rate of inappropriate use of plasma transfusion is frequently reported, as well as underdosage.

Phenotypic characterization of Grm1 mice reveals a functional role for the type 1 metabotropic glutamate receptor in bone mineralization.

Recent increasing evidence supports a role for neuronal type signaling in bone. Specifically glutamate receptors have been found in cells responsible for bone remodeling, namely the osteoblasts and the osteoclasts. While most studies have focused on ionotropic glutamate receptors, the relevance of the metabotropic glutamate signaling in bone is poorly understood.

Diagnostic potential of hepcidin testing in pediatrics.

Objectives: Hepcidin, a peptide hormone released by hepatocytes into circulation is the main regulator of dietary iron absorption and cellular iron release. Although commercial tests are available, assay harmonization for hepcidin has not been yet reached, making reference intervals and consequent clinical decisions still elusive for each assay and specific population. The aim of this study is to set up hepcidin measurement in pediatric age and to investigate its potential usefulness in the diagnosis and management of iron disorders in children.

Effective intracoronary thrombectomy with the X-sizer catheter of the right coronary artery and left anterior descending artery in a patient with acute inferior and right ventricular infarction complicated by hypotension and diffuse intracoronary thrombosis.

Intracoronary thrombosis of non infarct-related arteries during an episode of acute myocardial infarction can be correlated with a general thrombogenic state and precipitated by prolonged hypotension. We report the case of a patient with acute inferior and right ventricular infarction with acute thrombotic obstruction of the proximal right coronary artery and associated sessile thrombus in the proximal left anterior descending artery, both successfully treated by thromboaspiration with the X-Sizer catheter (ev3, Inc., Plymouth, Minnesota, USA).

Occurrence of non-Q wave myocardial infarction following percutaneous coronary intervention in the stent era: systematic monitoring of the three markers of myocardial necrosis.

Objectives: To compare the elevation of the three markers total creatine kinase (CK), CK-MB mass, and troponin I (TnI) and their relationship with clinical and procedural characteristics following percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

Methods: We prospectively evaluated 385 patients consecutively undergoing successful PCI. The three markers were systematically measured before and at 6, 12, and 24 hours after PCI.

Cost of single-vessel and multivessel coronary drug-eluting stenting: comparison to the DRG funding level.

Background: Large-scale utilization of drug-eluting stents (DES) presents significant economic limitations, related to the current high cost of the device and the absence of adequate reimbursement from the health care system. The aim of the study was to evaluate the cost of single-vessel and multivessel drug-eluting stenting and to compare it with the DRG funding level.

Methods: Between November 2003 and May 2004, we studied 100 consecutive patients who underwent a percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with DES, 50 single-vessel and 50 multivessel procedures, in order to evaluate the real procedure costs of DES.