Modelling the SARS-CoV-2 vaccination campaign in Italy: the fundamental role of unreported cases.

In Italy and around the world, the year 2021 was dedicated to vaccination campaigns against the COVID-19 epidemic arising after the outbreak of SARS-CoV-2 in China in 2019. In December 2020, we proposed a model prediction for the effects of vaccination, and now, after more than 9 months of the vaccination campaign, a comparison of those predictions with the actual data is mandatory. Surprising evidences emerge suggesting new strategies to consider regarding the spread of the virus and to protect frail people.

Modelling SARS-CoV-2 unreported cases in Italy: Analysis of serological survey and vaccination scenarios.

Objectives: Aim of the present paper is the study of the large unreported component, characterizing the SARS-CoV-2 epidemic event in Italy, taking advantage of the Istat survey. Particular attention is devoted to the sensitivity and specificity of the serological test and their effects.

Methods: The model satisfactory reproduces the data of the Italian survey showing a relevant predictive power and relegating in a secondary position models which do not include, in the simulation, the presence of asymptomatic groups.

Rapid Release of Interleukin-1β from Human Platelets Is Independent of NLRP3 and Caspase.

Objective:  Platelets are critical in mediating both rapid responses to injury and the development and progression of coronary disease. Several studies have shown that, after prolonged exposure to agonists, they produce and release inflammatory mediators including interleukin-1β (IL-1β), via the classical pathway (NLRP3 inflammasome and caspase-1 cleavage to release active IL-1β) as described for leukocytes. This study aimed to determine whether there is rapid release of IL-1β in response to soluble platelet agonists and whether such rapid release is NLRP3- and caspase-1-dependent.

Colchicine inhibits ROS generation in response to glycoprotein VI stimulation.

Colchicine inhibits coronary and cerebrovascular events in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD), and although known to have anti-inflammatory properties, its mechanisms of action are incompletely understood. In this study, we investigated the effects of colchicine on platelet activation with a particular focus on its effects on activation via the collagen glycoprotein (GP)VI receptor, P2Y receptor, and procoagulant platelet formation. Therapeutic concentrations of colchicine in vitro (equivalent to plasma levels) significantly decreased platelet aggregation in whole blood and in platelet rich plasma in response to collagen (multiplate aggregometry) and reduced reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation (HDCF-DA, flow cytometry) in response to GPVI stimulation with collagen related peptide-XL (CRP-XL, GPVI specific agonist).

Factors Associated With the Risk of Progression of Low-Risk Branch-Duct Intraductal Papillary Mucinous Neoplasms.

Importance: Branch-duct intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms (BD-IPMNs) are common pancreatic preneoplastic lesions, but their surveillance is not personalized.

Objective: To investigate patient- and cyst-related factors associated with progression into worrisome features (WFs) or high-risk stigmata (HRS) categories of BD-IPMNs.

Design, Setting, And Participants: Cyst- and patient-related factors of consecutive BD-IPMNs without WFs or HRS in 540 patients diagnosed from 2009 to 2018 with at least 12 months' surveillance until February 28, 2020, were registered in a 2-center ambispective cohort study in Italy.