SARS-CoV-2 infection and COVID-19 outcomes across mental disorders and the role of sex: A register-based study from Catalonia.

Introduction: This study investigated the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection and severe COVID-19 outcomes among different mental health diagnoses and the role of sex in these associations.

Methods: Using electronic records from Catalonia, we identified adults receiving mental health care from 2017-2019 with diagnoses of non-affective psychosis (NAP), bipolar disorder (BD), depressive disorder (DEP), stress-related disorders, neurotic/somatoform disorders (NSD), and substance misuse (SUB) (exposed). The outcomes assessed were SARS-CoV-2 infection, COVID-19 hospitalization, and COVID-19-related death, compared to matched individuals without these mental disorders (unexposed).

Gamma oscillations and auditory perception: A cluster-based statistic investigation in infants at higher likelihood of autism and developmental language disorder.

The ability to process auditory information is one of the foundations of the ability to appropriately acquire language. Moreover, early difficulties in basic auditory abilities have cascading effects on the appropriate wiring of brain networks underlying higher-order linguistic processes. Language impairments represent core difficulties in two different but partially overlapping disorders: developmental language disorder (DLD) and autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

When the Others Are Dangerous: Paranoid Presentations in Subclinical Forms of Personality Disorders.

The discriminant validity of paranoid personality disorder has been recently questioned, and paranoid presentations are now conceived of as transdiagnostic features of personality disorders (PDs). However, empirical results are inconsistent. This study investigated the link between subclinical personality disorders (except paranoid PD) and paranoid presentations, exploring how the severity of personality functioning affects this relationship.

State of the art of CT myocardial perfusion.

Coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) is a powerful tool to rule out coronary artery disease (CAD). In the last decade, myocardial perfusion CT (CTP) technique has been developed for the evaluation of myocardial ischemia, thereby increasing positive predictive value for diagnosis of obstructive CAD. A diagnostic strategy combining CCTA and perfusion acquisitions provides both anatomical coronary evaluation and functional evaluation of the stenosis, increasing the specificity and the positive predictive value of cardiac CT.

Operative and non-operative management of acute appendicitis during pregnancy: a population-based study.

Purpose: Acute appendicitis during pregnancy poses unique challenges due to altered anatomical and physiological dynamics and concern about foetal well-being. This study aimed to assess management strategies and outcomes of acute appendicitis during pregnancy, focusing on non-operative management versus surgical intervention.

Methods: The study is based on the computerized healthcare utilization database of Lombardy.

Rehabilitation of post-stroke aphasia by a single protocol targeting phonological, lexical, and semantic deficits with speech output tasks: a randomized controlled trial.

Background: The defective spoken output of persons with aphasia has anomia as a main clinical manifestation. Improving anomia is therefore a main goal of any language treatment.

Aim: This study assessed the effectiveness of a novel, 2-week, rehabilitation protocol (PHOLEXSEM), focused on PHonological, SEmantic, and LExical deficits, aiming at improving lexical retrieval, and, generally, spoken output.

Groundwater electro-bioremediation via diffuse electro-conductive zones: A critical review.

Microbial electrochemical technologies (MET) can remove a variety of organic and inorganic pollutants from contaminated groundwater. However, despite significant laboratory-scale successes over the past decade, field-scale applications remain limited. We hypothesize that enhancing the electrochemical conductivity of the soil surrounding electrodes could be a groundbreaking and cost-effective alternative to deploying numerous high-surface-area electrodes in short distances.

Hb Monza: A novel extensive HBB duplication with preserved α-β subunit interaction and unstable hemoglobin phenotype.

Background: Unstable hemoglobins are caused by single amino acid substitutions in the HBB gene, often affecting key histidine residues, leading to protein destabilization and hemolytic crises. In contrast, long HBB variants, exceeding 20 bp, are rare and associated with a β-thalassemia phenotype due to disrupted α-β chain interactions. We describe a family wherein four of six members carry a novel 23-amino-acid in-frame duplication of HBB (c.

Enabling amidation in water: micellar catalysis approach for sustainable synthesis of iopamidol.

Micellar catalysis is becoming an increasingly versatile tool to carry out a wide range of organic transformations using water as the reaction medium. The approach was recently found to be effective also in the case of water sensitive organics such as acyl chlorides. This finding is of great relevance for the manufacturing of challenging substrates such as the known iodinated contrast agent iopamidol, requiring the use of aprotic dipolar solvents (DMF, NMP, DMAc) in the key amidation step of an acyl dichloride intermediate with serinol.

Use of ICD-9-CM coding for identifying antibiotic prescriptions during hospitalization: a Delphi consensus model.

A Delphi consensus-seeking procedure was conducted to validate a list of ICD-9-CM codes that could help identify hospital admissions in which antimicrobials are more likely to be prescribed. The panel agreed to include 2967 codes out of 16229 (18.28%).

Effects of red blood cell transfusion on cerebral hemodynamics of preterm neonates.

Significance: Anemia is a common problem in preterm neonates, and red blood cell transfusion (RBCT) is used to improve oxygen delivery. However, RBCT is associated with complications, although an increase in cerebral oxygenation has been documented, and no universally accepted biomarker for the need for transfusion (i.e.

How Italian radiation oncologists use ChatGPT: a survey by the young group of the Italian association of radiotherapy and clinical oncology (yAIRO).

Purpose: To investigate the awareness and the spread of ChatGPT and its possible role in both scientific research and clinical practice among the young radiation oncologists (RO).

Material And Methods: An anonymous, online survey via Google Forms (including 24 questions) was distributed among young (< 40 years old) ROs in Italy through the yAIRO network, from March 15, 2024, to 31, 2024. These ROs were officially registered with yAIRO in 2023.

Nasal High-Flow Therapy Versus Low-Flow Oxygen Therapy Post-Discharge in Infants With Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia: A Retrospective Observational Study.

Introduction: Low-flow oxygen therapy (LFOT) has been the only option for infants with bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) requiring supplemental oxygen after discharge for years. Nasal high-flow therapy (NHFT) has more recently become available as a home device. We compared the impact of NHFT and LFOT on respiratory morbidity and lung function over the first 4 years in infants with BPD requiring respiratory support post-discharge.

Combined CAR-T/HSCT approach in a patient with refractory acute lymphoblastic leukemia and cystic fibrosis.

Introduction: The association of acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) and cystic fibrosis (CF) is rare. We present the case of a paediatric patient affected by CF and refractory B-cell precursor (BCP) ALL, who was treated with combined chimeric antigen receptor T-cells (CAR-T) and allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT).

Case Description: Autologous-CD19 targeting CAR-T allowed to achieve molecular remission and spare chemo-related toxicity.

Treatment of Peritonsillar Abscess in Children: A Systematic Review.

This review aims to analyze the treatment options for peritonsillar abscess (PTA) in children. We searched PubMed and EMBASE for studies regarding the treatment of PTA in children. Relevant studies were reviewed based on systematic review (PRISMA) guidelines.

Is There a Pediatric Role for the General Thoracic Surgeon in a General Hospital? A 22-Year Single-Center Experience.

: Although general thoracic surgery is usually focused on adult patients, there are some settings of pediatric diseases which can benefit from thoracic surgical procedures. In this study, we retrospectively reviewed the contribution of general thoracic surgeons to pediatric patients in a high-volume hospital. : From September 2002 to August 2024, 8897 consecutive patients were operated on; among them, 202 patients (2.

The Between Lung Cancer and Interstitial Lung Diseases: A Focus on Acute Exacerbation.

Patients with interstitial lung disease (ILD) are about five times more likely to develop lung cancer than those without ILD. The presence of ILD in lung cancer patients complicates diagnosis and management, resulting in lower survival rates. Diagnostic and treatment procedures needed for cancer can increase the risk of acute exacerbation (AE), one of the most severe complications for these patients.

The Evil Twins of Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis on Interstitial Cystitis/Painful Bladder Syndrome and Endometriosis.

Background: Chronic pelvic pain is a debilitating condition affecting quality of life. Endometriosis is one of the leading causes of CPP, but recent studies highlighted the role of interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome (IC/PBS) in causing CPP. Only some studies addressed the coexistence of these two conditions, which seems more frequent than what is supposed, leading to diagnostic delays and unnecessary surgeries.

The Frequency and Main Characteristics of Obesity in Undocumented Migrants Receiving Medical Assistance from a Charitable Organisation in Italy.

Background: Obesity is continually growing not only in medium- and high-income countries but also in low-income countries, from where increasing numbers of migrants arrive in Western countries. We aimed to investigate the frequency and characteristics of obesity in a sample of undocumented migrants, a population for which official health data are not available.

Methods: We collected demographic and socio-economic data and information on medical diagnoses and pharmacologic treatments for 341 undocumented migrants consecutively attending the outpatient clinic of a big non-governmental organisation in Milan, Italy, from March to July 2023.