A rare association of liver abscess and rhabdomyolysis induced by Klebsiella oxytoca.

Introduction: We report the case of a 76-year-old male who was hospitalized with severe dehydration, pain in the hepatic region, and weakness in the limbs.

Methodology: A contrast-enhanced abdomen CT and a contrast-enhanced ultrasound identified a large liver abscess. The patient underwent percutaneous drainage of the abscess.

Adjunctive use of oral MAF is associated with no disease progression or mortality in hospitalized patients with COVID-19 pneumonia: The single-arm COral-MAF1 prospective trial.

Based on a growing body of evidence that a dysregulated innate immune response mediated by monocytes/macrophages plays a key role in the pathogenesis of COVID-19, a clinical trial was conducted to investigate the therapeutic potential and safety of oral macrophage activating factor (MAF) plus standard of care (SoC) in the treatment of hospitalized patients with COVID-19 pneumonia. Ninety-seven hospitalized patients with confirmed COVID-19 pneumonia were treated with oral MAF and a vitamin D3 supplement, in combination with SoC, in a single-arm, open label, multicentre, phase II clinical trial. The primary outcome measure was a reduction in an intensive care unit transfer rate below 13% after MAF administration.

Successful Treatment of Iron Deficiency Anemia with Ferric Carboxymaltose in an Elderly Patient with Multiple Comorbidities and COVID-19.

Anemia is frequently associated with older age and comorbidities. Also, anemia is a frequent finding in patients hospitalized for Coronavirus infectious disease 2019 (COVID-19), where it has been associated with poor outcomes. Management of anemia is thus crucial in this setting.

A Triad of Ketoacidosis, Hypertriglyceridemia, and Acute Pancreatitis Associated With Sugar-Sweetened Soft Drinks Abuse in a Caucasian Patient With Undiagnosed Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus.

A 24-year-old obese Caucasian male, without relevant anamnesis, who was admitted to the ER presented with abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting, hyperglycemia, and diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). The diagnosis of acute pancreatitis (AP) was supported by increased serum levels of triglycerides and lipase associated with abdominal CT scans. The patient was treated for five days with IV regular insulin, hydration, electrolytes replacement, and statin/fibrate therapy with clinical improvement.

Peripheral Vascular Function in Dilated Cardiomyopathy of Different Etiology.

Vascular function in dilated cardiomyopathy of different etiology has been poorly investigated. Moreover, reference values of flow-mediated dilation (FMD) in chronic heart failure (CHF) need to be updated according to the new standardized protocols. We characterized the vascular impairment in different stages of post-ischemic dilated cardiomyopathy (PI-DC) or idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy (I-DC).

Long-term follow-up in high risk hypertensive patients with carotid dolicoarteriopathies.

Background: Carotid dolicoarteriopathies (CDA) are a common finding during the carotid ultrasound or angiography, but their potential role in the development of cerebrovascular diseases is still unclear. Aim of this study is to clarify the possible relationship between CDA and the occurrence of cerebral events.

Methods: We performed a retrospective analysis on 2124 hypertensive patients with high cardiovascular risk that underwent carotid ultrasound from January 2000 to December 2008.

Mesoglycan improves vascular reactivity and insulin sensitivity in patients with metabolic syndrome.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the acute and chronic effects of mesoglycan on the endothelial function and arterial elastic properties in patients with metabolic syndrome (MetS).

Background: MetS is defined by a clustering of vascular risk factors that demand both pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic interventions, including body weight reductions and physical activity. The correction of endothelial dysfunction and arterial wall distensibility associated with MetS have lately received increasing interest.

Management of chronic heart failure: Role of home echocardiography in monitoring care programs.

Aim: To identify a possible role of home echocardiography for monitoring chronic heart failure (CHF) patients.

Methods: We prospectively investigated 118 patients hospitalized during the last year for CHF who could not easily reach the pertaining District Healthcare Center. The patients were followed up with 2 home management programs: one including clinical and electrocardiographic evaluations and also periodic home echocardiographic examinations (group A), the other including clinical and electrocardiographic evaluations only (group B).

Impaired diastolic function in naïve untreated human immunodeficiency virus infected patients.

Aim: To evaluate cardiac function and structure in untreated human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) patients without clinical evidence of cardiovascular disease.

Methods: Fifty-three naïve untreated HIV-infected patients and 56 healthy control subjects underwent clinical assessment, electrocardiography (ECG) and echocardiography, including tissue doppler imaging. Moreover, a set of laboratory parameters was obtained from all subjects, including HIV-RNA plasma levels, CD4 cell counts and tumor necrosis factor-α levels.

Effects of long-term L-thyroxine treatment on endothelial function and arterial distensibility in young adults with congenital hypothyroidism.

Objective: Patients with congenital hypothyroidism (CH) display subclinical abnormalities of the cardiovascular system that are related to unphysiological fluctuations of TSH levels and occur despite careful replacement therapy.

Design: The aim of the present case-control study was to evaluate the effects of long-term levothyroxine (l-T(4)) replacement therapy on the vascular district in CH patients by assessing endothelial function with flow-mediated dilation (FMD) and brachial artery distensibility with the measurement of the coefficient of distensibility (DC).

Methods: Thirty-two young adults with CH aged 18.

Recombinant human thyrotropin enhances endothelial-mediated vasodilation of conduit arteries.

Context: Endothelial cells possess receptors to TSH. Their role is largely unknown.

Objectives: The objective of the study was to determine whether elevated serum TSH levels, as occur in hypothyroidism, affect endothelial function of large arteries and vascular risk biomarkers.

Human immunodeficiency virus per se exerts atherogenic effects.

Objective: Premature atherosclerosis in HIV-infected patients has been attributed to highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) and the associated metabolic complications. Whether HIV per se plays a role is an unresolved issue. The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether HIV per se exerts atherogenic effects.