Outcomes of Patients with Heart Failure Hospitalized for COVID-19-A Study in a Tertiary Italian Center.

Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), triggered by SARS-CoV-2, has represented a global pandemic associated with an elevated rate of mortality, mainly among older individuals. The extensive pulmonary involvement by the viral infection might have precipitated pre-existing chronic conditions in this vulnerable population, including heart failure (HF). The aim of this retrospective, observational study was to assess the impact of COVID-19 in patients with a prior diagnosis of HF referred to the Emergency Department of the Agostino Gemelli University Hospital between March 2020 and January 2023.

Modulation of Canine Gut Microbiota by Prebiotic and Probiotic Supplements: A Long-Term In Vitro Study Using a Novel Colonic Fermentation Model.

The gut microbiota plays a crucial role in dogs' health, influencing immune function, digestion, and protection against pathogens. This study evaluates the effects of three canine dietary supplements-Microbiotal (prebiotic), (probiotic), and a combination of both-on the gut microbiota composition of a healthy canine donor using an in vitro colonic fermentation model. The SCIME™ platform, adapted to simulate the canine gastrointestinal tract, was used to monitor microbial shifts in the luminal and mucosal environments of the proximal and distal colon over a 2-week treatment period.

Homemade Diet as a Paramount for Dogs' Health: A Descriptive Analysis.

Pet nutrition awareness has risen enormously, with an increasing interest in homemade diets aimed at controlling food composition. The literature in this field is scarce, especially regarding the homemade diet's long-term effects on pathological conditions. This prospective study encompassed 167 healthy and sick dogs subjected to a customized dietary plan based on homemade food.

Effects of a Nutraceutical Treatment on the Intestinal Microbiota of Sled Dogs.

Dog sledding is the main discipline of working dogs on snow, consisting of a team of dogs pulling a sled under the guidance of the owner. To carry out this sport, dogs must have adequate nutrition and vitamin and antioxidant supplementation to ensure that the physical effort is optimal. The present study evaluated the effect that sporting activity and stress have on the canine intestinal microbiota by dividing the dogs into two groups: a control group that did not take any nutraceutical products and the treated group to which a nutraceutical product was administered.

Intestinal Fibrogenesis in Inflammatory Bowel Diseases: Exploring the Potential Role of Gut Microbiota Metabolites as Modulators.

Fibrosis, sustained by the transformation of intestinal epithelial cells into fibroblasts (epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition, EMT), has been extensively studied in recent decades, with the molecular basis well-documented in various diseases, including inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs). However, the factors influencing these pathways remain unclear. In recent years, the role of the gut microbiota in health and disease has garnered significant attention.

Effects of NBF 2 DSM 32264 Consumption on the Body Weight, Body Condition Score, Fecal Parameters, and Intestinal Microbiota of Healthy Persian Cats.

In the literature, there are several studies showing the effects of different probiotic administrations in dogs, while there is limited information about their effects in cats. Furthermore, there are no studies that examined the effects of the probiotic strain on cats' welfare, especially considering a specific breed. In this study, the effects of NBF 2 DSM 32264 on body weight, body condition score (BCS), and fecal parameters (fecal score and fecal moisture) of healthy Persian cats were assessed; additionally, a microbiological analysis was carried out to quantify bacterial species like (for the total coliform count) and Lactobacilli.

PAMPs and DAMPs in Sepsis: A Review of Their Molecular Features and Potential Clinical Implications.

Sepsis is a serious organ dysfunction caused by a dysregulated immune host reaction to a pathogen. The innate immunity is programmed to react immediately to conserved molecules, released by the pathogens (PAMPs), and the host (DAMPs). We aimed to review the molecular mechanisms of the early phases of sepsis, focusing on PAMPs, DAMPs, and their related pathways, to identify potential biomarkers.

In Vitro Assessment of Postbiotic and Probiotic Commercial Dietary Supplements Recommended for Counteracting Intestinal Dysbiosis in Dogs.

Many environmental aspects influence the preservation of a beneficial microbiome in dogs, and gut dysbiosis occurs when imbalances in the intestinal ecosystem cause functional changes in the microbial populations. The authors evaluated the effects of two specific commercial dietary supplements: a combination of a postbiotic and prebiotics (Microbiotal cane) and a probiotic product (NBF 1) recommended for counteracting intestinal dysbiosis in dogs, on the gut canine microbiota composition and its metabolic activities (production of short-chain fatty acids). The investigation was performed using an in vitro fermentation system inoculated with dog fecal samples.

The Interplay between and Gut Microbiota in Non-Gastrointestinal Disorders: A Special Focus on Atherosclerosis.

The discovery of Helicobacter pylori () in the early 1980s by Nobel Prize winners in medicine Robin Warren and Barry Marshall led to a revolution in physiopathology and consequently in the treatment of peptic ulcer disease. Subsequently, has also been linked to non-gastrointestinal diseases, such as autoimmune thrombocytopenia, acne rosacea, and Raynaud's syndrome. In addition, several studies have shown an association with cardiovascular disease and atherosclerosis.

ANCOC Score to Predict Mortality in Different SARS-CoV-2 Variants and Vaccination Status.

Background: More than three years after the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic outbreak, hospitals worldwide are still affected by coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19). The availability of a clinical score that can predict the risk of death from the disease at the time of diagnosis and that can be used even if population characteristics change and the virus mutates can be a useful tool for emergency physicians to make clinical decisions. During the first COVID-19 waves, we developed the ANCOC (age, blood urea nitrogen, C-reactive protein, oxygen saturation, comorbidities) score, a clinical score based on five main parameters (age, blood urea nitrogen, C-reactive protein, oxygen saturation, comorbidities) that accurately predicts the risk of death in patients infected with SARS-CoV-2.

Are Short-Stay Units Safe and Effective in the Treatment of Non-Variceal Upper Gastrointestinal Bleeding?

: Emergency Department (ED) overcrowding is a health, political, and economic problem of concern worldwide. The causes of overcrowding are an aging population, an increase in chronic diseases, a lack of access to primary care, and a lack of resources in communities. Overcrowding has been associated with an increased risk of mortality.

Effect of COVID-19 Vaccination on the In-Hospital Prognosis of Patients Admitted during Delta and Omicron Waves in Italy.

All-cause mortality related to the SARS-CoV-2 infection has declined from the first wave to subsequent waves, probably through vaccination programs and the availability of effective antiviral therapies. Our study aimed to evaluate the impact of the SARS-CoV-2 vaccination on the prognosis of infected patients. Overall, we enrolled 545 subjects during the Delta variant wave and 276 ones during the Omicron variant wave.

Is BMI Associated with COVID-19 Severity? A Retrospective Observational Study.

Background: Coronavirus-19 disease (COVID-19) is an infection with high morbidity and mortality. Obesity and low body mass index (BMI) have both been linked to severe COVID-19, but recent studies have failed to confirm these associations.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between BMI and disease progression in hospitalised patients with COVID-19.

Gut Microbiota and : What We Know and the New Frontiers.

Our digestive system, particularly our intestines, harbors a vast amount of microorganisms, whose genetic makeup is referred to as the microbiome. is a spore-forming Gram-positive bacterium, which can cause an infection whose symptoms range from asymptomatic colonization to fearsome complications such as the onset of toxic megacolon. The relationship between gut microbiota and infection has been studied from different perspectives.

Autoimmune Pancreatitis: From Pathogenesis to Treatment.

Autoimmune pancreatitis (AIP) is a rare disease. The diagnosis of AIP is difficult and should be made by a comprehensive evaluation of clinical, radiological, serological, and pathological findings. Two different types of AIP have been identified: autoimmune pancreatitis type 1 (AIP-1), which is considered a pancreatic manifestation of multiorgan disease related to IgG4, and autoimmune pancreatitis type 2 (AIP-2), which is considered a pancreas-specific disease not related to IgG4.

Use of POCUS in Chest Pain and Dyspnea in Emergency Department: What Role Could It Have?

Chest pain and dyspnea are common symptoms in patients presenting to the emergency room (ER); oftentimes it is not possible to clearly identify the underlying cause, which may cause the patient to have to return to the ER. In other cases, while it is possible to identify the underlying cause, it is necessary to perform a large number of tests before being able to make a diagnosis. Over the last twenty years, emergency medicine physicians have had the possibility of using ultrasound to help them make and rule out diagnoses.

Troponin Testing in Adult Patients Presenting to the Emergency Department for Paroxysmal Supraventricular Tachycardia: A Review.

International guidelines define paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia (PSVT) as all supraventricular tachyarrhythmias other than atrial flutter and atrial fibrillation. Associate symptoms, such as chest pain and dyspnea, and possible ECG changes during arrhythmia, such as ST depression, may suggest to the emergency physician a diagnosis of acute coronary syndrome (ACS), and thus lead to a request for troponin (cTn) level. Here, we provide a comprehensive synthesis covering published literature on the diagnostic and prognostic role of cTn in patients admitted to Emergency Department (ED) for an episode of PSVT.

Factors Associated with ICU Admission in Patients with COVID-19: The GOL2DS Score.

: The COVID-19 pandemic has been shaking lives around the world for nearly two years. The discovery of highly effective vaccines has not been able to stop the transmission of the virus. SARS-CoV-2 shows completely different clinical manifestations.

Microbiota in Pancreatic Diseases: A Review of the Literature.

The gut microbiota is a critical element in the balance between human health and disease. Its impairment, defined as dysbiosis, is associated with gastroenterological and systemic diseases. Pancreatic secretions are involved in the composition and changes of the gut microbiota, and the gut microbiota may colonize the pancreatic parenchyma and be associated with the occurrence of diseases.

Humoral Predictors of Malignancy in IPMN: A Review of the Literature.

Pancreatic cystic lesions are increasingly detected in cross-sectional imaging. Intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm (IPMN) is a mucin-producing subtype of the pancreatic cyst lesions arising from the pancreatic duct system. IPMN is a potential precursor of pancreatic cancer.

Inclusion of small intestinal absorption and simulated mucosal surfaces further improve the Mucosal Simulator of the Canine Intestinal Microbial Ecosystem (M-SCIME™).

While a large set of in vitro models are available to study the effects of specific food ingredients (e.g. pre- and probiotics) on the human gut microbiome, the availability of such models for companion animals is limited.