Essential oil therapy for the short-term treatment of behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia: a monocentric randomized pilot study.

BACKGROUND: The behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) can be severely distressing for both patients and caregivers. AIMS: This study assessed the efficacy of environmental diffusion essential oil therapy (EOT) combined with psychotropic drug therapy (group A) in BPSD management, compared with psychotropic drug therapy alone (group B). The stress responses of attending caregivers were also assessed. METHODS: Thirty-two patients with dementia and BPSD were enrolled. The presence and severity of BPSD were assessed using the Italian version of the NPI-NH scale, which also measures the stress felt by professional caregivers. Global geriatric evaluations were performed to rule out acute diseases that could contribute to delirium and worsen patients' mental status. RESULTS: Following treatment, the average NPI-NH value was significantly reduced in group A compared with group B (p < 0.001). Caregiver distress was also significantly reduced in group A (p < 0.01). DISCUSSION: This pilot study showed that BPSD were better treated using EOT combined with standard pharmacological treatment, compared with standard pharmacological treatment alone. No adverse effects of EOT were observed. Reductions in caregiver distress could be due either to reductions in BPSD severity and frequency resulting in decreased caregiver burden, and/or the emotional benefit for caregivers of exposure to essential oils. CONCLUSIONS: This study supports the combined use of EOT and psychotropic drugs in the treatment of BPSD. Essential oils may improve the wellbeing of both patients and caregivers, without adverse effects. Additionally, EOT is easy to administer by environmental diffusion.

Cytokine storm in aged people with CoV-2: possible role of vitamins as therapy or preventive strategy.

BACKGROUND: In December 2019, a novel human-infecting coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2, had emerged. The WHO has classified the epidemic as a "public health emergency of international concern". A dramatic situation has unfolded with thousands of deaths, occurring mainly in the aged and very ill people. Epidemiological studies suggest that immune system function is impaired in elderly individuals and these subjects often present a deficiency in fat-soluble and hydrosoluble vitamins. METHODS: We searched for reviews describing the characteristics of autoimmune diseases and the available therapeutic protocols for their treatment. We set them as a paradigm with the purpose to uncover common pathogenetic mechanisms between these pathological conditions and SARS-CoV-2 infection. Furthermore, we searched for studies describing the possible efficacy of vitamins A, D, E, and C in improving the immune system function. RESULTS: SARS-CoV-2 infection induces strong immune system dysfunction characterized by the development of an intense proinflammatory response in the host, and the development of a life-threatening condition defined as cytokine release syndrome (CRS). This leads to acute respiratory syndrome (ARDS), mainly in aged people. High mortality and lethality rates have been observed in elderly subjects with CoV-2-related infection. CONCLUSIONS: Vitamins may shift the proinflammatory Th17-mediated immune response arising in autoimmune diseases towards a T-cell regulatory phenotype. This review discusses the possible activity of vitamins A, D, E, and C in restoring normal antiviral immune system function and the potential therapeutic role of these micronutrients as part of a therapeutic strategy against SARS-CoV-2 infection.

An innovative hyperbaric hypothermic machine perfusion protects the liver from experimental preservation injury.

PURPOSE: Hypothermic machine perfusion systems seem more effective than the current static storage to prevent cold ischemic liver injury. Thus, we test an innovative hyperbaric hypothermic machine perfusion (HHMP), which combines hyperbaric oxygenation of the preservation solution and continuous perfusion of the graft. METHODS: Rat livers were preserved with Celsior solution according to 4 different modalities: normobaric static preservation; hyperbaric static preservation at 2 atmosphere absolute (ATA); normobaric dynamic preservation, with continuous perfusion; hyperbaric dynamic preservation, with continuous perfusion at 2 ATA. After 24 h cold preservation, we assessed different parameters. RESULTS: Compared to baseline, livers preserved with the current static storage showed severe ultrastructural damage, glycogen depletion and an increased oxidative stress. Normobaric perfused livers showed improved hepatocyte ultrastructure and ameliorated glycogen stores, but they still suffered a significant oxidative damage. The addition of hyperbaric oxygen produces an extra benefit by improving oxidative injury and by inducing endothelial NO synthase (eNOS) gene expression. CONCLUSIONS: Preservation by means of the present innovative HHMP reduced the liver injury occurring after the current static cold storage by lowering glycogen depletion and oxidative damage. Interestingly, only the use of hyperbaric oxygen was associated to a blunted oxidative stress and an increased eNOS gene expression.

A Severe Case of Drug-Induced Liver Injury after Gemcitabine Administration: A Highly Probable Causality Grading as Assessed by the Updated RUCAM Diagnostic Scoring System.

Gemcitabine is an antineoplastic drug used in several forms of advanced pancreatic, lung, breast, ovarian, and bladder cancer. Common side effects include bone marrow suppression, fatigue, diarrhea, nausea, gastrointestinal upset, rash, alopecia, and stomatitis. Transient serum enzyme elevations could be observed during therapy, but clinically significant acute liver injury has been rarely associated with its use. Few cases of acute liver injury have been reported in the literature. We reported the clinical case of a 73--year-old man who developed clinically significant acute hepatic injury after using gemcitabine. Possible causes, clinical presentation, and treatments are discussed. According to the updated RUCAM score, the case was rated 10 points and became a suspected drug-induced liver injury. Moreover, on the liver biopsy, there were histological findings of mild-to-moderate portal hepatitis, eosinophilia, bile duct injury, and mild perisinusoidal fibrosis, suggesting drug damage.

QT interval prolongation in liver cirrhosis: innocent bystander or serious threat?

The ECG QT interval measures the length of ventricular systole. Its prolongation is essentially caused by a delayed repolarization phase, and is associated with an increased risk of ventricular arrhythmias and sudden death in several congenital and acquired conditions. Abnormalities in cardiac electrophysiology are well documented in patients with liver cirrhosis, and the prolonged QT interval has emerged as the electrophysiological hallmark of cirrhotic cardiomyopathy. This article will focus on: first, the epidemiology of QT interval prolongation in cirrhosis; second, the potential molecular mechanisms responsible for the pathogenesis of this electrophysiological abnormality and the putative role of circulating cardiotoxins; third, its prognostic meaning; and fourth, its clinical relevance, in terms of the association between the presence of a long QT interval and the occurrence of ventricular arrhythmias in cirrhotic patients treated with drugs known to increase the QT length or exposed to stressful conditions, such as liver transplantation, gastrointestinal bleeding and shock.

Acute Liver Failure Caused by Amanita phalloides Poisoning.

Mushroom poisoning is a relatively rare cause of acute liver failure (ALF). The present paper analyzes the pathogenesis, clinical features, prognostic indicators, and therapeutic strategies of ALF secondary to ingestion of Amanita phalloides, which represents the most common and deadly cause of mushroom poisoning. Liver damage from Amanita phalloides is related to the amanitins, powerful toxins that inhibit RNA polymerase II resulting in a deficient protein synthesis and cell necrosis. After an asymptomatic lag phase, the clinical picture is characterized by gastrointestinal symptoms, followed by the liver and kidney involvement. Amatoxin poisoning may progress into ALF and eventually death if liver transplantation is not performed. The mortality rate after Amanita phalloides poisoning ranges from 10 to 20%. The management of amatoxin poisoning consists of preliminary medical care, supportive measures, detoxification therapies, and orthotopic liver transplantation. The clinical efficacy of any modality of treatment is difficult to demonstrate since randomized, controlled clinical trials have not been reported. The use of extracorporeal liver assist devices as well as auxiliary liver transplantation may represent additional therapeutic options.

Transcatheter embolization for giant splenic artery aneurisms: still an open question.

Transcatheter embolization is the mainstay of the therapy of splenic artery aneurysms (SAAs) in patients with portal hypertension. It is indicated when the SAA diameter reaches 20 mm. Although endovascular techniques are effective and safe for the treatment of medium-sized SAAs, little is known about their applicability to large-sized SAAs. Herein, we report a case of giant SAA, which was treated with transcatheter coil embolization. The case was not considered suitable for surgery because of the presence of severe portal hypertension. The procedure was complicated by bacterial infection of the coils within the aneurismatic sac, leading to the development of hepatic failure. A liver transplant was then successfully performed despite the presence of a nonresponsive infection.

A case of prolonged cholestatic hepatitis induced by azithromycin in a young woman.

Azithromycin, a semisynthetic macrolides, is frequently prescribed for the treatment of middle ear and upper respiratory tract infections, bronchitis, and community-acquired pneumonia. This antibiotic is usually well tolerated, and a rapid resolving cholestatic hepatitis has been described up to now only in six patients all, except one, over 65 years of age. We here report the case of a prolonged cholestatic hepatitis after administration of azithromycin in a young woman with no history of liver disease.