In vivo efficacy of uvangoletin from Piper aduncum (Piperaceae) against Schistosoma mansoni and in silico studies targeting SmNTPDases.

Schistosomiasis stands as one of the most significant parasitic diseases on a global scale, with approximately 250 million infections worldwide. It is imperative to address this pressing issue by developing new antischistosomal drugs. Chalcones have emerged as a promising class of natural compounds, demonstrating noteworthy effects observed in vitro experiments with Schistosoma mansoni, and demonstrating the ability to inhibit SmNTPDases and apyrase from potatoes.

Assessment of change in end-tidal CO after fluid challenge as a marker of fluid responsiveness as measured by the aortic velocity time integral in healthy anesthetized mechanically ventilated dogs.

Objective: To evaluate if variation in the end-tidal CO partial pressure (∆Petco) after a fluid challenge could predict fluid responsiveness with a sensitivity of 75% and a specificity of 70% in healthy anesthetized and mechanically ventilated dogs.

Design: Diagnostic accuracy study.

Setting: University hospital.

Evaluation of cerebral autoregulation in dogs via transcranial color-coded duplex sonography and transient hyperemia testing.

Objective: To evaluate the changes in flow velocities of the middle cerebral artery before and after a carotid compression maneuver using transcranial color-coded duplex sonography (TCCD) in healthy anesthetized dogs under mechanical ventilation.

Design: Prospective study.

Setting: University teaching hospital.

Tidal volume selection in volume-controlled ventilation guided by driving pressure versus actual body weight in healthy anesthetized and mechanically ventilated dogs: A randomized crossover trial.

Objective: To compare static compliance of the respiratory system (C) and the ratio of partial pressure of end-tidal to arterial carbon dioxide (Pe'CO/PaCO), in healthy dogs using two approaches for tidal volume (V) selection during volume-controlled ventilation: body mass based and driving pressure (ΔPaw) guided.

Study Design: Randomized, nonblinded, crossover, clinical trial.

Animals: A total of 19 client-owned dogs anesthetized for castration and ovariohysterectomy.

Histopathologic and transmission electron microscopic findings in monkeypox cutaneous lesions.

Background: a few pathologic and ultrastructural findings of monkeypox skin lesions are available in the literature. To integrate such evidence, we aimed to describe the pathologic features of monkeypox skin lesions and to show monkeypox virions by transmission electron microscopy (TEM).

Methods: we studied the cutaneous biopsies of three patients affected by monkeypox during the 2022 monkeypox outbreak.

Long follow-up of BNT162b2 mRNA vaccine in healthcare workers (2020-2022): A retrospective longitudinal SARS-CoV-2 serological surveillance.

SARS-CoV-2 anti-spike IgG production and protection from severe respiratory illness should be explored in greater depth after COVID-19 booster vaccination. This longitudinal observational retrospective study investigated the anti-spike IgG response elicited by the first, second and booster doses of BNT162b2 mRNA vaccine in healthcare workers (HCW) at San Martino IRCCS Policlinico Hospital (Genoa) up to the 12 month. Sequential blood sampling was performed at T0 (prior to vaccination), T1 (21 days after the 1 dose of vaccine), T2, T3, T4, T5, T6 (7 days and 1, 3, 6 and 9 months after the 2 dose, respectively), T7 and T8 (1 and 3 months after a booster dose).

Distinguishing Gender Identity From Biological Sex in Dermatologic Health Care: Methods, Harms, and Paths Forward.

Accurate assessment of gender identity and biological sex in dermatology research is crucial since their conflation or poor demarcation undermines patient respect and study accuracy. Clearer guidance is needed for health care researchers, particularly in light of the notable disparities in skin disease rates, skincare practices, literature representation, and the persistent underrepresentation of transgender and nonbinary patients.

Rapid diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia on lower respiratory tract specimens.

Background: The ongoing SARS-CoV-2 pandemic requires the availability of accurate and rapid diagnostic tests, especially in such clinical settings as emergency and intensive care units. The objective of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic performance of the Vivalytic SARS-CoV-2 rapid PCR kit in lower respiratory tract (LRT) specimens.

Methods: Consecutive LRT specimens (bronchoalveolar lavage and bronchoaspirates) were collected from Intensive Care Units of San Martino Hospital (Genoa, Italy) between November 2020 and January 2021.

Use of high-resolution thermography as a validation measure to confirm epidural anesthesia in mice: a cross-over study.

Background: Effective epidural anesthesia is confirmed in humans by sensory assessments but these tests are not feasible in mice. We hypothesized that, in mice, infrared thermography would demonstrate selective segmental warming of lower extremities following epidural anesthesia.

Methods: We anesthetized 10 C57BL/6 mice with isoflurane and then inserted a PU-10 epidural catheter under direct surgical microscopy at T11-12.

Cosyntropin testing does not predict response to glucocorticoids in community-acquired pneumonia in a randomized controlled trial.

Objective: Glucocorticoids have been shown to improve outcome in community-acquired pneumonia (CAP). However, glucocorticoids have potential side-effects, and treatment response may vary. It is thus crucial to select patients with high likelihood to respond favourably.

Influence of Outdoor Temperature and Relative Humidity on Incidence and Etiology of Hyponatremia.

Context: Hyponatremia is the most common electrolyte disturbance in hospitalized patients. Known risk factors are heart or renal failure, excessive drinking, or the use of diuretics. The incidence of hyponatremia may also be influenced by climate.

Copeptin levels and commonly used laboratory parameters in hospitalised patients with severe hypernatraemia - the "Co-MED study".

Background: Hypernatraemia is common in inpatients and is associated with substantial morbidity. Its differential diagnosis is challenging, and delayed treatment may have devastating consequences. The most important hormone for the regulation of water homeostasis is arginine vasopressin, and copeptin, the C-terminal portion of the precursor peptide of arginine vasopressin, might be a reliable new parameter with which to assess the underlying cause of hypernatraemia.

Characteristics and outcomes of patients with profound hyponatraemia due to primary polydipsia.

Objective: Hyponatraemia due to excessive fluid intake (ie primary polydipsia [PP]) is common. It may culminate in profound hyponatraemia-carrying considerable risk of morbidity. However, data on patients with PP leading to hyponatraemia are lacking.

Hypothyroidism following allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation for acute myeloid leukemia.

Background: Hypothyroidism may complicate allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT); we therefore analyzed risk factors in this study.

Patients And Methods: We studied 229 patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) who underwent an allo-HSCT between 2003 and 2013 with different conditioning regimens (myeloablative, reduced-intensity, chemotherapy-based, or total body irradiation-based). Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) and free thyroxine levels (fT4) were available in 104 patients before and after allo-HSCT.

Copeptin for risk stratification in non-traumatic headache in the emergency setting: a prospective multicenter observational cohort study.

Background: In the emergency setting, non-traumatic headache is a benign symptom in 80% of cases, but serious underlying conditions need to be ruled out. Copeptin improves risk stratification in several acute diseases. Herein, we investigated the value of copeptin to discriminate between serious secondary headache and benign headache forms in the emergency setting.

Metformin prevents metabolic side effects during systemic glucocorticoid treatment.

Objectives: Patients receiving glucocorticoid treatment are prone to develop metabolic complications. In preclinical studies, metformin prevented the development of the metabolic syndrome during glucocorticoid excess. We herein investigated the metabolic effect of metformin during glucocorticoid treatment in non-diabetic patients.

Influence of hospital characteristics on quality of care in patients with community-acquired pneumonia.

Principles: In-hospital care of patients with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) varies across hospitals. Understanding of the underlying factors is the basis for tailored quality improvements. Using data from a randomised controlled Swiss-wide multicentre trial, we compared length of stay (LOS) and other patient outcomes according to (A) the use of a procalcitonin (PCT)-based antibiotic stewardship protocol, (B) institution type (university vs non-university), and (C) historical time period in relation to the introduction of Diagnosis Related Group (DRG) reimbursement (2012).

Evaluation of copeptin and commonly used laboratory parameters for the differential diagnosis of profound hyponatraemia in hospitalized patients: 'The Co-MED Study'.

Objective: Hyponatraemia is common and its differential diagnosis is challenging. Commonly used diagnostic algorithms have limited diagnostic accuracy. Copeptin, the c-terminal portion of the precursor peptide of arginine vasopressin might help in the differential diagnosis of hyponatraemia.

Benefit of adjunct corticosteroids for community-acquired pneumonia in diabetic patients.

Aims/hypothesis: We have recently shown that adjunct prednisone shortens the time taken to reach clinical stability (time to clinical stability, TTCS) in patients with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP). Considering the hyperglycaemic effects of prednisone, there are concerns about the efficacy and safety of this therapy for diabetic patients with CAP. Our objective was to evaluate whether diabetes and/or hyperglycaemia on admission to hospital has an influence on the effect of corticosteroids on outcome in a well-defined cohort of patients with CAP.

Long-term outcome of profound hyponatremia: a prospective 12 months follow-up study.

Background: Hyponatremia is the most common electrolyte abnormality in hospitalized patients and given its impact on mortality and morbidity, a relevant medical condition. Nevertheless, little is known about factors influencing long-term outcome.

Methods: This is a prospective observational 12-month follow-up study of patients with profound hyponatremia (≤125 mmol/L) admitted to the emergency department of two tertiary care centers between 2011 and 2013.

Predictors of nonresponse to fluid restriction in hyponatraemia due to the syndrome of inappropriate antidiuresis.

Background: Fluid restriction (FR), the first-line treatment for hyponatraemia due to the syndrome of inappropriate antidiuresis (SIAD), often does not lead to successful correction of hyponatraemia. Therefore, predictive markers of treatment response are desirable. We evaluated routinely measured serum (s) and urine (u) parameters, s-copeptin and s-mid-regional pro-atrial natriuretic peptide (s-MR-proANP), as possible predictors of FR response.