Risk factors for respiratory failure among hospitalized patients with Guillain-Barré syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) is an acute inflammatory polyneuropathy that can lead to respiratory failure. In this study, we evaluate early clinical risk factors for respiratory failure at the time of hospital admission. METHODS: We studied a retrospective cohort of patients with GBS admitted to a tertiary care center. The potential risk factors studied were sociodemographic characteristics, GBS symptoms, overall and cervical muscle weakness (Medical Research Council [MRC] scores), electromyography findings, and cerebrospinal fluid analysis findings. Unadjusted odds ratios (OR) were calculated and exact logistic regression analysis (adjusted OR) performed to assess the association between baseline risk factors and respiratory failure. RESULTS: Overall, 13 of 113 (12%) patients included in the study developed respiratory failure. Unadjusted analyses showed that involvement of any cranial nerve (OR: 14.7; 95% CI, 1.8-117.1), facial palsy (OR: 17.3; 95% CI, 2.2-138.0), and bulbar weakness (OR: 10.7; 95% CI, 2.3-50.0) were associated with increased risk of respiratory failure. Lower MRC sum scores (for scores <30, OR: 14.0; 95% CI, 1.54-127.2) and neck MRC scores (for scores ≤3, OR: 21.0; 95% CI, 3.5-125.2) were associated with higher likelihood of respiratory failure. Adjusted analyses showed that presence of bulbar weakness (OR: 7.6; 95% CI, 1.3-43.0) and low neck MRC scores (scores ≤3, OR: 9.2; 95% CI, 3.5-125.2, vs scores >3) were independently associated with respiratory failure. CONCLUSIONS: Bulbar and neck muscle weakness at admission are clinical predictors of increased risk of respiratory failure in patients with GBS. These findings could guide the adequate management of high-risk patients.

Risk factors for respiratory failure among hospitalized patients with Guillain-Barré syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) is an acute inflammatory polyneuropathy that can lead to respiratory failure. In this study, we evaluate early clinical risk factors for respiratory failure at the time of hospital admission. METHODS: We studied a retrospective cohort of patients with GBS admitted to a tertiary care center. The potential risk factors studied were sociodemographic characteristics, GBS symptoms, overall and cervical muscle weakness (Medical Research Council [MRC] scores), electromyography findings, and cerebrospinal fluid analysis findings. Unadjusted odds ratios (OR) were calculated and exact logistic regression analysis (adjusted OR) performed to assess the association between baseline risk factors and respiratory failure. RESULTS: Overall, 13 of 113 (12%) patients included in the study developed respiratory failure. Unadjusted analyses showed that involvement of any cranial nerve (OR: 14.7; 95% CI, 1.8-117.1), facial palsy (OR: 17.3; 95% CI, 2.2-138.0), and bulbar weakness (OR: 10.7; 95% CI, 2.3-50.0) were associated with increased risk of respiratory failure. Lower MRC sum scores (for scores <30, OR: 14.0; 95% CI, 1.54-127.2) and neck MRC scores (for scores ≤3, OR: 21.0; 95% CI, 3.5-125.2) were associated with higher likelihood of respiratory failure. Adjusted analyses showed that presence of bulbar weakness (OR: 7.6; 95% CI, 1.3-43.0) and low neck MRC scores (scores ≤3, OR: 9.2; 95% CI, 3.5-125.2, vs scores >3) were independently associated with respiratory failure. CONCLUSIONS: Bulbar and neck muscle weakness at admission are clinical predictors of increased risk of respiratory failure in patients with GBS. These findings could guide the adequate management of high-risk patients.

Prevalence of stroke in Argentina: A door-to-door population-based study (EstEPA).

BACKGROUND: Stroke burden is highest and is still rising in low- and middle-income countries. Epidemiologic stroke data are lacking in many of these countries. Stroke prevalence in Argentina has been unexplored for almost three decades. AIM: This population-based study aims to determine prevalence of stroke in a representative sample of the Argentinean population. METHODS: We performed a door-to-door survey of randomly selected households in a city of 18,650 inhabitants. A structured questionnaire screening for potential stroke cases was used. All subjects screened positive were then evaluated by stroke neurologists for final adjudication. Data about stroke subtypes, neurological status, vascular risk factors, medications, and diagnostic tests were also collected. RESULTS: Among 2156 surveys, 294 were screened positive for a possible stroke. After neurological evaluation, there were 41 confirmed cases. The adjusted stroke prevalence was 1,974/100,000 inhabitants older than 40 years, and it was higher in men than in women (26.3‰ vs 13.2‰, p<0.01). Prevalence of ischemic stroke, intracranial hemorrhage, and transient ischemic attack were 15.8‰, 2.93‰, and 2.93‰, respectively. The most prevalent vascular risk factors in stroke survivors were hypertension, obstructive sleep apnea, and dyslipidemia. CONCLUSION: Approximately 2 in every 100 subjects older than 40 years in this population are stroke survivors. Stroke prevalence in Argentina has remained stable over the last 30 years; it is higher than in most Latin American countries and similar to western populations.

Impact of molecular subtypes classification concordance between preoperative core needle biopsy and surgical specimen on early breast cancer management: Single-institution experience and review of published literature.

BACKGROUND: Core needle biopsy (CNB) plays a crucial role as diagnostic tool for breast cancer (BC). The characterization of biomarkers status before surgical treatment is crucial when primary systemic therapy is a therapeutic option. The aim of this analysis was to report concordance between preoperative CNB and surgical specimen (SS) in evaluating biomarkers and molecular subtypes. METHODS: Data have been collected from a cohort of 101 patients affected by early BC treated at Careggi Florence University Hospital, between January 2014 and March 2015. The conformity between molecular subtype classification was tested using kappa (κ) test. RESULTS: Mean age was 57.5 years (range 29-86). There was concordance between the estrogen receptor (ER) assessment on CNB and SS in 95 cases (94.1%). Concordance of the progesterone receptor (PgR) assessment was observed in 89 cases (88.1%). Concordance for detecting immunohistochemistry-assessed BC molecular subtypes was 87.1% (κ = 0.78). Concerning Ki-67 evaluation, we report a concordance rate of 88.1% (κ = 0.68). The evaluation of luminal A plus luminal B/HER negative subgroup showed a κ-value of 0.65. CONCLUSIONS: CNB showed good accuracy in evaluating hormonal receptors status, HER2, and BC molecular subtypes. Evaluation of Ki67 status was less accurate than other biomarkers; therefore, we recommend that it should be detected both on CNB and SS samples, especially in hormonal positive HER2 negative tumors, in order to avoid a misclassification of tumor subtypes that could lead to an omission of potential effective systemic therapy.

Chiral nanoscale pores created during the surface explosion of tartaric acid on Cu(111).

The autocatalytic decomposition of tartaric acid on Cu(111) exhibits unique kinetics, which are linked to a hexagonal surface structure adopted at high coverage. The chirality imposed on the surface by tartaric acid throughout the explosion process is presented, and the hexagonal structure shows promise as a chiral template for enantiospecific surface chemistry.

Computerized system for nuclear emergency response in the ENEA Nuclear Research Center of Frascati.

At the National Committee for Research and Development of Nuclear Energy and Alternate Energy Sources (ENEA) Center of Frascati, there are several radiation-producing machines: two tokamaks and three electron accelerators; moreover, a neutron generator will begin to operate in a short time. A completely automatic monitoring system has been developed. Radiation control is performed by means of classical active and passive detectors. An automatic acquisition system has been developed: Measured quantities are acquired and stored in a specific data base; information regarding radioactivity levels, machines status, personnel dosimetry and meteorological parameters are available in real time. If any of the radiometric quantities exceeds appropriate reference levels, the following operations automatically activate: An automatic switch turns off the machines and an alarm signal is broadcast to the Health Physics group. In addition, the "Nuclear Emergency" software module starts if a radionuclide emission is detected. This module has been implemented to provide response to radiological emergencies in the ENEA nuclear research centers. The modularity of the computer-based system allows its utilization also in other nuclear centers, such as at nuclear power plants. When activated, the "Nuclear Emergency" displays an alarm signal and informs the Health Physics group about the monitor's location and characteristics and the measured data exceeding the reference level. If emission of radionuclides occurs, a preliminary evaluation of their diffusion in the atmosphere and an estimation of the population dose are performed. Statistical analysis of the event is also possible.

Preliminary calculations and radioprotection considerations on prompt and delayed radiation from the DD-operated Frascati Tokamak Upgrade Tokamak.

This work presents a preliminary evaluation of the expected dose rate levels from prompt and delayed radiation around the Frascati Tokamak Upgrade (FTU) Tokamak machine, a future fusion experimental device operated with 2H. Great care is devoted to the machine, activation. The dose rate levels from activated materials are calculated by an ad hoc code, based on a priori semi-empirical evaluations of the neutron spectra and fluences. The most relevant nuclides contributing to the dose at different cooling times are identified. Finally, the radiation shielding design, the radiation monitoring system and the safety system are discussed.