Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome of the Adults (MIS-A) - The undercover threat for young adults. A systematic review and meta-analysis of medical cases.

Background: COVID-19 related syndromes are not yet well described and understood. Multisystem inflammatory syndrome of the adults (MIS-A) is a recently characterized syndrome affecting multiple organs of young adults, causing serious complications, even shock and death.

Objectives: To determine the clinical characteristics, course, and complications of MIS-A in a systematic way and summarize currently used treatments.

A case report and literature review of a triple-vaccinated, rituximab-treated systemic lupus erythematosus patient with COVID-19 pneumonia.

Introduction: Patients being on immunosuppressive treatment of any reason, along with other risk factors such as smoking and obesity, are vulnerable to be infected from SARS-CoV2. Aim of this report is to describe a case of a female patient under Rituximab therapy who experienced episodes of lung infection due to Severe Acute Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2 ) invasion although fully vaccinated.

Case Report: A 50-year-old woman, with a past medical history of lupus nephritis on rituximab was diagnosed with lung infection due to SARS-CoV-2.

Diagnostic and Prognostic Ability of Pancreatic Stone Protein: A Scoping Review.

Pancreatic stone protein (PSP) is an acute-phase reactant mainly produced in response to stress. Its diagnostic and prognostic accuracy for several types of infection has been studied in several clinical settings. The aim of the current review was to assess all studies examining a possible connection of pancreatic stone protein levels with the severity and possible complications of patients diagnosed with infection.

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation versus invasive ventilation in patients with COVID-19 acute respiratory distress syndrome and pneumomediastinum: A cohort trial.

Background: Patients with severe respiratory failure due to COVID-19 who are not under mechanical ventilation may develop severe hypoxemia when complicated with spontaneous pneumomediastinum (PM). These patients may be harmed by invasive ventilation. Alternatively, veno-venous (V-V) extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) may be applied.

Inflammatory biomarker-based clinical practice in patients with pneumonia: A systematic review of randomized controlled trials.

Unlabelled: Biomarker-based clinical practice is currently gaining ground and increasingly affects decision making. A variety of biomarkers have been studied through the years and some of them have already an established role in modern medicine, such as procalcitonin (PCT) which has been proposed to reduce antibiotic exposure. We purposed to systematically review all biomarkers examined for guiding the clinical practice in patients with pneumonia.

"When," "Where," and "How" of SARS-CoV-2 Infection Affects the Human Cardiovascular System: A Narrative Review.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is caused by the novel severe acute respiratory coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2). Several explanations for the development of cardiovascular complications during and after acute COVID-19 infection have been hypothesized. The COVID-19 pandemic, caused by SARS-CoV-2, has emerged as one of the deadliest pandemics in modern history.

The Role of the Pancreatic Stone Protein in Predicting Intra-Abdominal Infection-Related Complications: A Prospective Observational Single-Center Cohort Study.

Background: The Pancreatic Stone Protein (PSP) is an acute-phase protein that is mainly secreted by pancreatic cells in response to stress. The current literature supports its use as a predictor of sepsis. Its prognostic role has recently been evaluated in a point-of-care setting, mostly in high-risk patients.

Presepsin in the diagnosis of sepsis.

Objectives: Sepsis is a life-threatening condition characterized by organ dysfunction. It occurs due to the host's dysregulated response to an infection. Clinicians use inflammatory biomarkers to evaluate patients at risk of sepsis in various settings.

Outcomes of Atrioventricular Node Ablation and Pacing in Patients with Heart Failure and Atrial Fibrillation: From Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy to His Bundle Pacing.

To review the relevant literature on the use of atrioventricular node ablation and pacing in patients with heart failure and atrial fibrillation. APubMed/MEDLINE and SCOPUS search was performed in order to assess the clinical outcomes of atrioventricular node ablation and pacemaker implantation, as well as the complications that may occur. Several clinical trials, observational analyses and meta-analyses have shown that the "pace and ablate" strategy not only improves symptoms but also can enhance cardiac performance in patients with heart failure and atrial fibrillation.

Evaluation of Reliability and Validity of the RALE and BRIXIA Chest-X Ray Scores in Patients Hospitalized with COVID-19 Pneumonia.

Introduction: Chest X-rays are commonly used to assess the severity in patients that present in the emergency department with suspected COVID-19 pneumonia, but in clinical practice quantitative scales are rarely employed.

Aims: To evaluate the reliability and validity of two semi-quantitative radiological scales in patients hospitalized for COVID-19 pneumonia (BRIXIA score and RALE score).

Methods: Patients hospitalized between October 2021 and March 2022 with confirmed COVID-19 pneumonia diagnosis were eligible for inclusion.

A Literature Review of Pathophysiology, Clinical Manifestations, Medications and Optimal Dosage, Outpatient, and Post-hospitalization Use of Anticoagulation in COVID-19 Patients.

Since severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 led to a world pandemic, extensive research has been conducted to identify its characteristics and form an appropriate management plan. One recognized complication of COVID-19 is coagulation defects that can lead to thromboembolic events. We have reviewed the literature to summarize and present the latest research about the pathophysiology, clinical manifestations, anticoagulation use and appropriate dose in COVID-19 patients, as well as the effect of anticoagulation in outpatient and post-hospital settings.

Effects of COVID-19 Infection and Vaccination on the Female Reproductive System: A Narrative Review.

Several studies and research papers have been published to elucidate and understand the mechanism of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and its long-term effects on the human body. COVID-19 affects a number of organs, including the female reproductive system. However, less attention has been given to the effects of COVID-19 on the female reproductive system due to their low morbidity.

Impact of Bacterial Infections on COVID-19 Patients: Is Timing Important?

Background: Along with important factors that worsen the clinical outcome of COVID-19, it has been described that bacterial infections among patients positive for a SARS-CoV-2 infection can play a dramatic role in the disease process. Co-infections or community-acquired infections are recognized within the first 48 h after the admission of patients. Superinfections occur at least 48 h after admission and are considered to contribute to a worse prognosis.

The role of cerebrospinal fluid levels of neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) and electroencephalography in the assessment of impaired consciousness in the context of infection.

Introduction: The sepsis syndrome is potentially affecting several organs and systems irrespectively of the primary source of the infection. Alterations of the brain function in sepsis patients may result either from a primary central nervous system (CNS) infection or could be part of the sepsis-associated encephalopathy (SAE), a common complication of sepsis, characterized by a diffuse dysfunction of the brain due to an infection elsewhere in the body without overt CNS infection. Aim of the study was to evaluate the usefulness of electroencephalography and the biomarker neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) when measured in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in the management of these patients.

Ratio of carbon dioxide veno-arterial difference to oxygen arterial-venous difference is not associated with lactate decrease after fluid bolus in critically ill patients with hyperlactatemia: results from a prospective observational study.

Background: High ratio of the carbon dioxide veno-arterial difference to the oxygen arterial-venous difference (PCO/CO) is associated with fluid bolus (FB) induced increase in oxygen consumption (VO). This study investigated whether PCO/CO was associated with decreases in blood-lactate levels FB in critically ill patients with hyperlactatemia.

Methods: This prospective observational study examined adult patients in the intensive care unit (ICU) with lactate levels > 1.

Alterations in Laboratory Parameters Related to Disease Severity in Vaccinated Patients Against SARS-CoV-2.

Background: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has spread rapidly worldwide with global financial and health care systems consequences. It is already well recognized that immunization against the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is a precondition for blocking mutations and prevent the emergence of variants. The aim of the study was to investigate the possible relationship between COVID-19 vaccines and the commonly used disease-related blood biomarkers.

Soluble urokinase plasminogen activator receptor (suPAR) in the emergency department: An update.

Background: The biomarker soluble urokinase plasminogen activator receptor (suPAR) is an indicator of inflammation which is increased in a variety of chronic and acute disease states. Its most promising application in the emergency setting is to aid in the prognostic stratification of patients by identifying those at high risk of deterioration. This is a narrative review of studies evaluating the use of suPAR.

External validation of the 4C Mortality Score and PRIEST COVID-19 Clinical Severity Score in patients hospitalized with COVID-19 pneumonia in Greece.

Prognostic scores can be used to facilitate better management of patients suffering from life-threatening diseases, provided that they have been tested in the population of interest. To perform external validation of the 4C Mortality Score and PRIEST COVID-19 Clinical Severity Score. Prospective observational Study.

Anti-Diabetic Therapy, Heart Failure and Oxidative Stress: An Update.

Diabetes mellitus (DM) and heart failure (HF) are two chronic disorders that affect millions worldwide. Hyperglycemia can induce excessive generation of highly reactive free radicals that promote oxidative stress and further exacerbate diabetes progression and its complications. Vascular dysfunction and damage to cellular proteins, membrane lipids and nucleic acids can stem from overproduction and/or insufficient removal of free radicals.

The role of soluble urokinase plasminogen activator receptor (suPAR) in patients with cancer: a review of the current literature.

Aim Several biomarkers are currently used as diagnostic and prognostic tools in patients with cancer. Soluble urokinase plasminogen activator receptor (suPAR) is elevated in acute and chronic inflammatory procedures and several observational studies during the last 20 years have investigated its role in oncology. The purpose of this article was to review the current literature regarding suPAR's role in clinical practice.