Procalcitonin concentration in the emergency department predicts 30-day mortality in COVID-19 better than the lymphocyte count, the neutrophil-tolymphocyte ratio, or the C-reactive protein level.

Objectives: Although many demographic and clinical predictors of mortality have been studied in relation to COVID-19, little has been reported about the prognostic utility of inflammatory biomarkers.

Material And Methods: Retrospective cohort study. All patients with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 treated in a hospital emergency department were included consecutively if baseline measurements of the following biomarkers were on record: lymphocyte counts, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio NRL, and C-reactive protein (CRP) and procalcitonin (PCT) levels.

Error Propagation in Microwave Soil Moisture and Vegetation Optical Depth Retrievals.

Satellite soil moisture and vegetation optical depth [(VOD); related to the total vegetation water mass per unit area] are increasingly being used to study water relations in the soil-plant continuum across the globe. However, soil moisture and VOD are typically jointly estimated, where errors in the optimization approach can cause compensation between both variables and confound such studies. It is thus critical to quantify how satellite microwave measurement errors propagate into soil moisture and VOD.

Effect of individualized coaching at home on walking capacity in subacute stroke patients: A randomized controlled trial (Ticaa'dom).

Background: The gains in walking capacity achieved during rehabilitation often plateau, or are lost, when the patient returns home. Moreover, maintaining or increasing the patient's daily physical activity level after a stroke remains challenging. We aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a six-month individualized coaching program at home on walking capacity, as evaluated by the six-minute walk test in subacute stroke patients.

Diagnostic groups and short-term outcomes in suspected COVID-19 cases treated in an emergency department.

Objectives: The primary objective was to describe the clinical characteristics and 30-day mortality rates in emergency department patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in different diagnostic groupings.

Material And Methods: Secondary analysis of the COVID-19 registry compiled by the emergency department of Hospital Clínico San Carlos in Madrid, Spain. We selected suspected COVID-19 cases treated in the emergency department between February 28 and March 31, 2020.

Clinical presentation and outcome across age categories among patients with COVID-19 admitted to a Spanish Emergency Department.

Purpose: To determine the differences by age-dependent categories in the clinical profile, presentation, management, and short-term outcomes of patients with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 admitted to a Spanish Emergency Department (ED).

Methods: Secondary analysis of COVID-19_URG-HCSC registry. We included all consecutive patients with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 admitted to the ED of the University Hospital Clinico San Carlos (Madrid, Spain).

Validity of the Actigraph GT3x and influence of the sensor positioning for the assessment of active energy expenditure during four activities of daily living in stroke subjects.

Objective:: To explore the validity of the Actigraph and the influence of the placement of the sensor when estimating the active energy expenditure in four common daily activities (transfers, manual task, walking in overground and walking up and down stairs) in stroke survivors.

Design:: Cross-sectional study.

Setting:: Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation.

Home-based physical activity incentive and education program in subacute phase of stroke recovery (Ticaa'dom): study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

Background: Stroke causes functional decline, psychological disorders and cognitive impairments that affect activities of daily living and quality of life. Although physical activity (PA) is beneficial in stroke recovery, PA recommendations are rarely met after hospital discharge. There is presently no standard strategy for monitoring and inciting PA at home during the subacute phase of stroke recovery.

In vivo tricalcium phosphate, bone morphogenetic protein and autologous bone marrow biomechanical enhancement in vertebral fractures in a porcine model.

Purpose: Minimally invasive techniques that introduce cement and bone substitutes inside the fractured vertebral body are a new treatment line with clinically proven efficacy. However, mechanical behaviours between different fillers throughout fracture evolution is yet to be clarified, as many substances are available for introduction into the vertebral body fracture.

Methods: We comparatively studied biomechanical properties of tricalcium phosphate, tricalcium phosphate with bone morphogenetic protein (rhBMP-7) and autologous bone marrow aspirate with rhBMP-7 in vivo to determine what substance is optimal for repairing vertebral lesions in a porcine model.