False-negative real-time polymerase chain reaction tests in COVID-19 patients: an epidemiological analysis of 302 patients.

Objectives: Patients who arrive at the emergency department (ED) with COVID-19, who test negative at the first real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), represent a clinical challenge. This study aimed to evaluate if the clinical manifestation at presentation, the laboratory and imaging results, and the prognosis of COVID-19 differ in patients who tested negative at the first RT-PCR compared with those who tested positive and also to evaluate if comorbid conditions patient-related or the period of arrival are associated with negative testing.

Study Design: We retrospectively collected clinical data of patients who accessed the ED from March 1 to May 15, 2020.

Heparin induces an accumulation of atherogenic lipoproteins during hemodialysis in normolipidemic end-stage renal disease patients.

Dyslipidemias may account for the excess of cardiovascular mortality in end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Lipoprotein studies in ESRD patients are usually relative to prehemodialysis samples even if significative changes may occur after dialysis. In this study, we aimed to investigate the effects of ESRD on triglyceride-rich lipoproteins (TRL) subpopulations distribution and acute change following hemodialytic procedures, including the relative contribution of heparin administration.

Municipal waste management in Sicily: practices and challenges.

There are numerous problems yet to be solved in waste management and although efforts towards waste recovery and recycling have been made, landfills are still the most common method used in the EU and many other industrialised countries. Thermal disposal, particularly incineration, is a tested and viable alternative. In 2004, only 11% of the annual waste production of Italy was incinerated.

Immune response in relation to zinc status, sex and antioxidant defence in Italian elderly population: the ZENITH study.

Objective: Evaluation of some immune markers in Italian elderly population in relation to zinc status, gender and antioxidant defence.

Design: Observational study.

Setting: Italian population.