The relationship between residual insulin secretion and subclinical cardiovascular risk indices in young adults with type 1 diabetes.

Background: Patients with type 1 diabetes (DM1), even in the setting of adequate glycaemic control, have an excess risk for developing cardiovascular disease. Residual insulin secretion (RIS), measured by detectable C-peptide levels in patients with DM1, might protect against diabetes-related complications. This study aimed to examine the relationship between residual insulin secretion and prognostic markers of cardiovascular complications in patients with DM1.

Efficacy of Tixagevimab/Cilgavimab as Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis against Infection from SARS-CoV-2 and Severe COVID-19 among Heavily Immunocompromised Patients: A Single-Center, Prospective, Real-World Study.

Background: COVID-19 continues to pose a threat to immunocompromised individuals, even with vaccination. The monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) tixagevimab/cilgavimab (TXG/CIL) provide targeted prophylaxis against SARS-CoV-2 with the benefit of a prolonged half-life. Although approved for COVID-19 prevention, there is limited data on their effectiveness among heavily immunocompromised populations.

Prevalence and Incidence of Medication-Treated Diabetes and Pattern of Glucose-Lowering Treatment During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Real-World Data from the Electronic Greek Prescription Database.

Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the prevalence and incidence of medication-treated diabetes mellitus and the evolving patterns of glucose-lowering treatments the year before and during the first two years of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.

Methods: Data from the Greek electronic prescription database were analyzed for 2019, 2020, and 2021. The study population included individuals with active social security numbers.

Risk factors for the in‑hospital and 1‑year mortality of elderly patients hospitalized due to COVID‑19‑related pneumonia.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is characterized by poor outcomes and a high mortality rate, particularly among elderly patients. Since the beginning of the pandemic, an older age has been recognized as a critical risk factor for disease severity, with increasing mortality rates in each decade of life. This phenomenon may be a consequence of a poor previous health status, with a higher prevalence of pre-existing comorbidities and a higher degree of frailty.

Early 3‑day course of remdesivir for the prevention of the progression to severe COVID‑19 in the elderly: A single‑centre, real‑life cohort study.

Remdesivir, a viral RNA polymerase inhibitor, has constituted a key component of therapeutic regimens against the pandemic caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2). Originally approved for administration in hospitalized patients, remdesivir leads to improved outcomes in patients with moderate to severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). After proving to be effective in hospitalized patients, its use gained approval in early-stage disease for symptomatic outpatients who are at a high risk of progression to severe disease.

Effectiveness of Oral Nirmatrelvir/Ritonavir vs. Intravenous Three-Day Remdesivir in Preventing Progression to Severe COVID-19: A Single-Center, Prospective, Comparative, Real-Life Study.

Background: Nirmatrelvir/ritonavir (NMV/r) and three-day course remdesivir (3RDV) have been approved as early treatments for COVID-19 outpatients not requiring supplemental oxygen. Real-life data on the efficacy of antivirals among immunocompromised patients or directly comparing their effectiveness in preventing hospitalization and/or death are scarce.

Methods: Prospective, observational study conducted in a tertiary care hospital, from 1 January 2022 until 15 March 2023, during the prevalence of the Omicron variant.

Predictors of COVID‑19‑associated mortality among hospitalized elderly patients with dementia.

The mortality of elderly patients with dementia hospitalized with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)-associated pneumonia is high. The mortality rate of these patients continues to be high following their discharge. However, data on the outcomes of these patients in all phases of the pandemic are limited.

Characteristics and outcomes of elderly patients with Parkinson's disease hospitalized due to COVID‑19‑associated pneumonia.

Patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) and coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)-associated pneumonia present, according to the literature, high mortality rates due to the nature of the disease, advanced age, and underlying diseases. Most available studies, however, refer to the first waves of the pandemic. The aim of the present study was to investigate the clinical characteristics and outcomes of elderly patients (≥65 years old) with PD hospitalized with COVID-19-associated pneumonia during the period of prevalence of various severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) variants, as well as to determine possible prognostic factors for poor outcomes.

Validation of Sequential ROX-Index Score Beyond 12 Hours in Predicting Treatment Failure and Mortality in COVID-19 Patients Receiving Oxygen via High-Flow Nasal Cannula.

Background: High-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) is an oxygen delivery method shown to reduce the risk of intubation and mortality in patients with type 1 respiratory failure. The ROX-index score can predict HFNC failure. This study aims to evaluate sequential ROX-index assessments as predictors of HFNC failure and mortality.

Secondary Haemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis Syndrome (HLH) After Intravesical Instillation of Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG): A Case Report and Review of the Literature.

Unlabelled: Intravesical bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) instillation is widely used for the treatment of superficial bladder cancer. BCGitis is a serious immune-mediated complication with systematic manifestations and a high mortality rate. Here, we describe a case of a 64-year-old male patient who presented with haemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis syndrome (HLH) after BCG instillation and was effectively treated with high-dose dexamethasone, intravenous immunoglobulins and anti-tuberculosis treatment.

Factors predicting poor outcomes of patients treated with tocilizumab for COVID‑19‑associated pneumonia: A retrospective study.

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic is a significant global issue that has major implications for the healthcare system. The mortality rates associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection vary according to the geographical region and are associated with age, comorbidities and vaccination status. Organ damage is caused by the cytokine release syndrome, which plays a crucial role in the course of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection.

Biomarkers predicting the 30‑day mortality of patients who underwent elective surgery and were infected with SARS‑CoV‑2 during the post‑operative period: A retrospective study.

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is a significant global concern that has had major implications for the healthcare system. Patients with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) undergoing elective or emergency surgical procedures have a substantial risk of mortality and peri-operative complications. The present study aimed to describe the characteristics of patients who underwent elective surgery and developed nosocomial SARS-CoV-2 infection post-surgery.

Acute hepatitis and liver injury in hospitalized patients with COVID‑19 infection.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a systemic illness with an increased host inflammatory response that affects multiple extra-pulmonary organs, including the gastrointestinal tract. Abnormalities in liver biochemistry have been observed in a significant proportion of patients with COVID-19 upon admission, and this proportion increases with hospitalization. These abnormalities are typically manifested as elevations in aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels, with less frequently detected elevations in the levels of cholestatic enzymes.

The association of insulin resistance measured through the estimated glucose disposal rate with predictors of micro-and macrovascular complications in patients with type 1 diabetes.

Background And Aim: Insulin resistance (IR) is associated with a higher rate of type 1 diabetes (T1D) complications. We aimed to examine the relationship between estimated glucose disposal rate (eGDR), a readily available marker of IR in clinical practice and early predictor biomarkers of macrovascular and microvascular complications in patients with T1D.

Design: A cross-sectional study.

Onodera's prognostic nutritional index: Comparison of its role in the severity and outcomes of patients with COVID‑19 during the periods of alpha, delta and omicron variant predominance.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has posed a severe public health threat worldwide, affecting the function of multiple organs in affected individuals, in addition to respiratory function. Several strains of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) have been circulating worldwide since it first arose, with some of these having the ability to escape from natural or vaccine-mediated immunity. The Onodera's prognostic nutritional index (OPNI), which is derived from the peripheral lymphocyte count and serum albumin, has been reported to be significantly associated with a poor survival rate and post-operative complications in patients with various diseases and in some studies on patients with COVID-19.

Comparison of liver function test- and inflammation-based prognostic scores for coronavirus disease 2019: a single center study.

Background: Although several liver- and inflammation-based scores to predict the clinical course of patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) have been evaluated, no direct comparison regarding their predictive ability has been performed.

Methods: 1038 patients (608 males, age 63.5 ± 17 years) hospitalized with documented COVID-19 infection to the non-ICU ward, were included retrospectively.

Highlighting the Role of Obesity and Insulin Resistance in Type 1 Diabetes and Its Associated Cardiometabolic Complications.

Purpose Of Review: This narrative review appraises research data on the potentially harmful effect of obesity and insulin resistance (IR) co-existence with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM)-related cardiovascular (CVD) complications and evaluates possible therapeutic options.

Recent Findings: Obesity and IR have increasingly been emerging in patients with T1DM. Genetic, epigenetic factors, and subcutaneous insulin administration are implicated in the pathogenesis of this coexistence.

Prevalence of abnormal liver biochemistry and its impact on COVID-19 patients' outcomes: a single-center Greek study.

Background: Abnormalities in aminotransferases are frequently observed in hospitalized COVID-19 patients, but their clinical impact is poorly characterized.

Methods: A total of 1046 patients hospitalized to the non-intensive care unit ward with documented COVID-19 were included retrospectively. Demographic, clinical and laboratory characteristics on admission and during hospital stay, including the presence of liver injury (LI), defined as aspartate aminotransferase (AST) >200 IU/L, were recorded.

A Simple Prognostic Score for Critical COVID-19 Derived from Patients without Comorbidities Performs Well in Unselected Patients.

We aimed to search for laboratory predictors of critical COVID-19 in consecutive adults admitted in an academic center between 16 September 2020−20 December 2021. Patients were uniformly treated with low-molecular-weight heparin, and dexamethasone plus remdesivir when SpO2 < 94%. Among consecutive unvaccinated patients without underlying medical conditions (n = 241, 49 year-old median, 71% males), 22 (9.

The effectiveness of a community-based, type 2 diabetes prevention programme on health-related quality of life. The DE-PLAN study.

Background And Aims: The DE-PLAN was a European multicenter study, with the primary objective of testing whether a community-based lifestyle modification programme could serve as a means of primary prevention for type 2 diabetes (T2D) in high-risk individuals (based on the FINDRISC questionnaire). The aim of this study was to examine the impact of a 1-year community-based lifestyle intervention on health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in individuals from four participating European centers (Athens, Barcelona, Krakow, Kaunas), through a post-hoc analysis.

Materials And Methods: Each center was allowed to implement different intervention strategies specifically tailored to the needs of their corresponding population sample.

Preliminary qualification of a novel, hypoxic-based radiologic signature for trans-arterial chemoembolization in hepatocellular carcinoma.

Background: Survival advantage following trans-arterial chemoembolization (TACE) is variable in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). We combined pre-TACE radiologic features to derive a novel prognostic signature in HCC.

Methods: A multi-institutional dataset of 98 patients was generated from two retrospective cohorts from United Kingdom (65%) and Italy (36%).

Recurrent episodes of life-threatening vasodilatory shock following unintentional intoxication with amlodipine.

Calcium channel blockers (CCBs) have a narrow therapeutic index, and their intake in excess is associated with a critical clinical presentation of sustained hypotension and non-cardiogenic pulmonary edema, which are difficult to treat. Unfortunately, the available treatments fail to resuscitate a significant number of patients poisoned by CCBs, rendering them the main cardiovascular drugs involved in death due to overdose. Importantly, in all cases reported until now in the literature, CCB intoxication was known at the time of patients' presentation and the medical challenge solely consisted of the therapeutic approach.

The Kings Score refines prognostic prediction in hepatocellular carcinoma: a novel application.

Background & Aims: There are a number of prognostic scores in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), none of which is optimal in predicting overall survival (OS) in the individual patient, particularly in intermediate stage disease, where patients are not surgically treatable but may qualify for a wide range of palliative interventions. We evaluated the prognostic role of a biochemical algorithm, the Kings Score (KS), in the palliative setting of care.

Methods: We used the algorithm [age x AST x INR]/platelet count to derive the KS.

Dynamic changes of the inflammation-based index predict mortality following chemoembolisation for hepatocellular carcinoma: a prospective study.

Background: Transarterial chemoembolisation (TACE) is a standard treatment for unresectable, intermediate stage hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Survival after TACE, however, can be highly variable, with no suitable biomarker predicting therapeutic outcome. The inflammation-based index (IBI) has previously been shown to independently predict overall survival (OS) in all stages of HCC.