Computed tomography use in a large Italian region: trend analysis 2004-2014 of emergency and outpatient CT examinations in children and adults.

Objectives: To analyse CT use in recent years in a high-density Italian area (±10 million inhabitants, including 1 million children), focusing on developing age.

Methods: Retrospective analysis of records from HealthCare IT System, covering >400 hospitals and clinics. Description of CT use between 2004-2014 in emergency and outpatient care and assessment of radiation exposure trend.

High interleukin-10 production is associated with low antibody response to influenza vaccination in the elderly.

The present study was designed to determine the correlation among dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), cortisol plasma levels, and immune functionality at the time of vaccination with antibody response to influenza vaccination in young and old, healthy volunteers. Fifty-two elderly subjects, ages 63-85 years, and 14 young subjects, ages 26-41 years, entered the study. Plasma levels of DHEA and cortisol and in vitro cytokine production in response to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and phytohaemagglutinin (PHA) by peripheral blood leukocytes were assessed at the time of vaccination, and antibody titer was measured before and 18 days after influenza virus vaccination.