An assessment of post-COVID-19 infection pulmonary functions in healthcare professionals.

BACKGROUND: The medium- and long-term effects of COVID-19 infection on pulmonary function are still unknown. The present study aimed to investigate the pulmonary functions in healthcare professionals who had persistent complaints after contracting COVID-19 and returning to work. METHODS: The study included COVID-19-infected healthcare professionals from the Düzce University Medical Faculty Hospital who volunteered to participate. Medical histories, medical records, pulmonary function tests, the diffusing capacity of the lungs for carbon monoxide (DLCO) test, and the 6-minute walk test (6MWT) were used to collect data from all participants. RESULTS: The study included 53 healthcare professionals, with an average age of 38 ± 10 years (min: 24 years and max: 71 years), including 29 female (54.7%) and 24 male (45.3%) participants. Of the participants, 22.6% were smokers, 35.8% (19 individuals) had comorbidities, and 17% (9 individuals) were hospitalized. The mean length of stay was 9 ± 4 days (mean ± standard deviation). The most prevalent symptoms were weakness (88.7%), muscle aches (67.9%), inability to smell/taste (60.4%), headache (54.7%), fever (45.3%), cough (41.5%), and shortness of breath (37.7%). The mean time to return to work after a positive polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test for COVID-19 was 18 ± 13 days. The average time among post-disease pulmonary function, 6MW, and DLCO tests was 89 ± 36 days (min: 15 and max: 205). The DLCO level decreased in 39.6% (21) of the participants. Female participants had a significantly higher rate of decreased DLCO levels than male participants (25% vs. 55.2%, P = .026). DLCO levels were significantly higher in participants with long-term persistent complaints (P = .043). The later the time to return to work, the lower the DLCO value (r = -0.290 and P = .035). The 6MWT distance was positively correlated with hemoglobin and lymphocyte levels at the time of the disease onset and negatively correlated with D-dimer levels. The most prevalent symptoms during the control visits were shortness of breath/effort dyspnea (24.6%), weakness (9.5%), and muscle aches (7.6%). CONCLUSION: Significant persistent complaints (47.2%) and low DLCO levels (39.6%) were observed in healthcare professionals during control visits at a mean time of 3 months after the COVID-19 infection. Symptoms and spirometry measurements, including DLCO, may be helpful in the follow-up of healthcare professionals who contracted COVID-19. Further comprehensive studies with long-term follow-up periods are required.

Corrigendum to "Circulating Cancer Stem Cell-Derived Extracellular Vesicles as a Novel Biomarker for Clinical Outcome Evaluation".

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1155/2019/5879616.].

Circulating Cancer Stem Cell-Derived Extracellular Vesicles as a Novel Biomarker for Clinical Outcome Evaluation.

The recent introduction of the "precision medicine" concept in oncology pushed cancer research to focus on dynamic measurable biomarkers able to predict responses to novel anticancer therapies in order to improve clinical outcomes. Recently, the involvement of extracellular vesicles (EVs) in cancer pathophysiology has been described, and given their release from all cell types under specific stimuli, EVs have also been proposed as potential biomarkers in cancer. Among the techniques used to study EVs, flow cytometry has a high clinical potential. Here, we have applied a recently developed and simplified flow cytometry method for circulating EV enumeration, subtyping, and isolation from a large cohort of metastatic and locally advanced nonhaematological cancer patients (N = 106); samples from gender- and age-matched healthy volunteers were also analysed. A large spectrum of cancer-related markers was used to analyse differences in terms of peripheral blood circulating EV phenotypes between patients and healthy volunteers, as well as their correlation to clinical outcomes. Finally, EVs from patients and controls were isolated by fluorescence-activated cell sorting, and their protein cargoes were analysed by proteomics. Results demonstrated that EV counts were significantly higher in cancer patients than in healthy volunteers, as previously reported. More interestingly, results also demonstrated that cancer patients presented higher concentrations of circulating CD31+ endothelial-derived and tumour cancer stem cell-derived CD133 + CD326- EVs, when compared to healthy volunteers. Furthermore, higher levels of CD133 + CD326- EVs showed a significant correlation with a poor overall survival. Additionally, proteomics analysis of EV cargoes demonstrated disparities in terms of protein content and function between circulating EVs in cancer patients and healthy controls. Overall, our data strongly suggest that blood circulating cancer stem cell-derived EVs may have a role as a diagnostic and prognostic biomarker in cancer.

The Use of Antidepressants in the Long-Term Treatment Should not Improve the Impact of Fibromyalgia on Quality of Life.

BACKGROUND: Antidepressant (AD) drugs are effective in the short term treatment of fibromyalgia (FM). It may be useful to study the long-term impact of AD on patients with FM. METHODS: One-year follow-up study on 23 females with FM divided into groups on AD (ADg-N=7), and not taking AD (NADg-N=11). Evaluation at t1 and at the end (t2) with the Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ); at t2 with: SCID-IV; Mood Disorder Questionnaire (MDQ); Short Form-12; Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D); Functioning Assessment Short Test (FAST). RESULTS: After a year the AD group showed a worst impact of the disease by FIQ (p=0.017), worsened quality of life by SF-12 (p<0.01), and disability linked to bipolar symptoms by FAST (p=0.05). About 40% of the sample was screened positive at MDQ without difference in the two groups. The patients who recovered from a depressive episode did not differ between ADg and NADg (20% vs 33.3%), and were fewer than expected from the literature (40-60%). The HAM-D score at the end of the trial was worse in the ADg (p<0.03). LIMITATIONS: Observational research on few patients, not specifically designed to test the hypothesis. The results have a heuristic value only. DISCUSSION: The results should be read in the light of the high prevalence of patients screened positive for Bipolar Disorders and of the well-known poor response of the mood symptoms to antidepressants in Bipolar Depression. The deterioration in the long-term management of FM patients following AD treatments suggests the need for new and robust studies.

Purine metabolites in fibromyalgia syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate serum purine metabolite concentrations in patients affected by fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) and the relationships between their levels and FM clinical parameters. DESIGN AND METHODS: Serum purine levels were quantified using LC/UV-vis in 22 fibromyalgic females (according to the American College of Rheumatology classification criteria) and 22 healthy females. RESULTS: Significantly higher serum inosine, hypoxanthine and xanthine levels (p<0.001) and significantly lower serum adenosine (p<0.05) were detected in the FMS patients vs healthy controls. Our data show a negative correlation between adenosine and Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ). CONCLUSIONS: Study results suggest that purines, in particular adenosine and inosine, may be involved in pain transmission in fibromyalgia.

Non-contact microsphere--surface adhesion measurement via acoustic base excitations.

A non-contact adhesion measurement technique based on acoustic base excitation and laser interferometery has been introduced and demonstrated. The vibrational motion of 21.4-microm polystyrene latex particles (PSL) microspheres on surfaces were excited in the frequency range of 0-3.5 MHz, and their axial displacement responses were measured by an interferometer. It is shown that the rolling motion is dominant compared to the axial displacement of the bond. Using a formula for the rotational moment resistance of the particle-surface adhesion bond and the equation of rotational motion, the natural frequency of the rotational motion is related to the work of adhesion of the particle and substrate materials. The substrate materials used in the experiments include copper, aluminum, tantalum, and silicon. Measured work of adhesion values are compared to the data reported in the literature and good agreement is found.

Imaging of mucocoele of the appendix with emphasis on the CT findings: a report of 10 cases.

AIM: Mucocoele of the appendix denotes an obstructive dilatation of the appendiceal lumen due to abnormal accumulation of mucus. It is sometimes associated with pseudomyxoma peritonei, which predicts a malignant origin. We present the CT findings and additional imaging studies of 10 patients with neoplastic appendiceal mucocoele and discuss the clinical implications. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Abdominal CT findings from 10 patients with appendiceal mucocoele were reviewed. Barium enema, US and MRI were additionally performed in three patients. There were five men and five women aged 45-80 years. Special attention was directed to the shape and nature of the mass, its relation to the caecum and the presence of ascites or peritoneal implants, as well as possible additional ovarian tumours in female patients. RESULTS: The mucocoele was an incidental finding in five patients. They were either spherical or elongated cystic lesions, attached to the wall of the caecum, six of them with mural calcification. Ascites were present in six patients and hypodense large peritoneal implants representing pseudomyxoma peritonei in four. Pathologically the series included five cases of cystadenoma (in one, a malignant pseudomyxoma peritonei subsequently developed), four cases of cystadenocarcinoma and one villous adenoma (this patient later developed pseudomyxoma peritonei). Pseudomyxoma peritonei was found in five cases. Three women had associated ovarian cystic tumour. CONCLUSION: The appearance of an appendiceal mucocoele is quite characteristic and can be diagnosed on CT. CT can also depict additional findings suggesting pseudomyxoma peritonei. In women with an appendiceal mucocoele the ovaries should be examined closely for cystic tumour and vice versa.

Familial and environmental influences on body composition and body fat distribution in childhood in southern Italy.

The aim of this paper was to evaluate the factors affecting body fat excess and distribution in prepubertal age. A cross-sectional survey was carried out on children attending the 4th grade of a primary school in Naples. Eighty-eight per cent of the total sample was examined: 52 girls, 58 boys; mean age = 9.6 yrs (s.e. +/- 0.10). Each child underwent a medical examination, anthropometric measurements and bio-impedance analysis of body composition. The parents were asked to fill in a questionnaire that included demographic data, family history, parent's weight and height, child's perinatal history and his or her involvement in sports activities. Data were analyzed by multiple linear regression. The results showed a direct correlation between parental BMI and children's anthropometric measurements: the children's BMI correlated with the fathers' (P = 0.02) and mothers' BMI (P = 0.027); the children's waist/hip ratio correlated with the fathers' BMI (P = 0.07); the children's subscapular skinfolds correlated with the father's (P = 0.07) and mothers' BMI (P = 0.02); the children's triceps skinfolds correlated with the fathers' BMI (P = 0.004). Among congenital factors, sex was shown to be correlated with the children's waist/hip ratio (P = 0.05) with a lower ratio in the female, indicating a sex influence on body fat distribution even in prepubertal age. The children's BMI correlated with their waist/hip ratio (P = 0.001). Children's systolic blood pressure showed a positive correlation with triceps (P = 0.04) and subscapular (P = 0.05) skinfolds thickness % FAT-PLI (P = 0.02).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[Determinants of body fat in prepubertal age]. / Determinanti della massa corporea lipidica in età prepuberale.

In order to evaluate the factors affecting body fat excess and distribution, we have studied children attending the 4th grade of a primary school randomly selected in Naples. 52 girls, 58 boys; mean age = 9.6 years (SE +/- 0.1) were examined. Among the familial factors assessed, a correlation between parental BMI and child's anthropometry was found. Among congenital factors, sex correlates with the children's waist/hip ratio ("t" = -2.07; p = 0.05). Moreover the girl's percent body fat was higher. These two findings suggest the expression of sexual characters in prepubertal age. Systolic blood pressure showed a positive correlation with children's percent body fat ("t" = 2.43; p = 0.016) and subscapular skinfold thickness ("t" = 1.19; p = 0.05), suggesting an influence of these factors on blood pressure level since this age. No correlation was found between children's BMI and weight at birth, family history of diabetes, hypertension or hyperlipidemia. Among environmental factors, only the mothers weight gain during pregnancy ("t" = -2.21; p = 0.03) and breast feeding ("t" = -2.07; p = 0.05) correlated with the children's BMI. The correlation between children's BMI and waist/hip ratio ("t" = 4.64; p = 0.0001), was not confirmed in children who exercise, suggesting a beneficial action of physical activity on body fat distribution. The identification in different populations of factors associated with childhood obesity is important for prevention planning.

The effects of hormone replacement therapy in normal postmenopausal women: measurements of Doppler-derived parameters of aortic flow.

In this study the effects of hormone replacement therapy on cardiac function in healthy postmenopausal women were evaluated by Doppler echocardiography that was performed before (T1) and 2.5 months after the initiation of hormone replacement therapy (T2) in the peak estrogenic phase. The following parameters of aortic flow were measured: peak flow velocity, acceleration time, and ejection time. Additional parameters were calculated: flow velocity integral and mean acceleration. The study group included 24 postmenopausal women aged 43 to 60 years (mean 51.6 years). The control group consisted of 19 postmenopausal women aged 46 to 60 years (mean 53.5 years) who were not receiving hormone replacement therapy and who underwent the same evaluation. There were no changes in all Doppler parameters between T1 and T2 in the control group. However, in the study group there were significant increases in peak flow velocity (108.3 +/- 16.7 cm/sec at T1 vs 123 +/- 20.7 cm/sec at T2; p = 0.002), flow velocity integral (17.7 +/- 3.9 vs 21.5 +/- 4.7 cm; p = 0.0003), mean acceleration (11.5 +/- 1.9 vs 13.1 +/- 2.6 m/sec/sec; p = 0.001), and ejection time (324 +/- 37.6 vs 348.8 +/- 40.7 msec; p = 0.002). There was no change in acceleration time (94.8 +/- 6.6 vs 95 +/- 10.9 msec). These results demonstrate that estrogens increase both stroke volume and flow acceleration. The latter probably reflects a combination of enhanced inotropism and vasodilatation. We assume that the cardioprotective effect of hormone replacement therapy in postmenopausal women may be due not only to changes in lipid profile but also to direct effects of estrogens on central and peripheral hemodynamic parameters.

Two point analysis 15-minute 14C-urea breath test for diagnosing Helicobacter pylori infection.

The value of a two point analysis (double sample) 14C-urea breath test in diagnosing Helicobacter pylori (HP) infection in patients with suspected acid peptic disease has been studied and compared to histology and to a rapid agar plate urease test in 76 patients. Using the histological finding of HP as the gold standard, the 14C-breath test was positive in 59 of the 61 histologically confirmed infected patients and in 3 of the 15 noninfected ones, giving a sensitivity of 97% and specificity of 80%. In 12 patients, a smaller dose of 3 mu Ci 14C-urea was used. The results correlated well with those in whom the higher dose of 10 mu Ci was used. We conclude that a two point 14C-urea breath test with analysis at 5 and 15 min is effective in diagnosing HP infection thus obviating the need for endoscopy and biopsy.

[Incidence, mortality and survival in childhood tumors in meridional Sardinia. The Cagliari province, 1981-1988]. / Incidenza, mortalità e sopravvivenza per tumori infantili nella Sardegna meridionale. La provincia di Cagliari per gli anni 1982-1988.

Childhood cancer incidence, mortality and relative survival rates have been estimated in the province of Cagliari for the years 1982-86. Cases were collected from pediatric and non pediatric units operating either in the province or elsewhere. Deaths were identified through the registry offices of municipal administrations. A total of 151 cases were identified, corresponding to an incidence rate of 115.0 per million. Survival rate at three years of diagnosis was 63.3%.

[Efficacy of broxaterol (vs salbutamol) in asthma induced by physical exercise in children]. / Efficacia del broxaterolo (vs salbutamolo) nell'asma indotto da esercizio fisico in età pediatrica.

B2-agonists play a first-rate role in the exercise induced asthma (EIA) prevention for their capacity to modulate the bronchial tone. We studied the efficacy of a new B-sympathomimetic (Broxaterol) in 10 children (7 males and 3 females) with EIA in double blind vs salbutamol. During two consecutive days a basal treadmill incremental exercise test was made for determining bronchoconstriction rate (IB). Subsequently the test was repeated 30' and 150' after the drug's administration. The Broxaterol premedication determined, by comparison with the basal IB value, a mean difference of 11.9 after 30' (p less than 0.05) and 10.0 after 150' (p less than 0.01). No significant correlation was found comparing the salbutamol premedication. In conclusion our data confirms the Broxaterol efficacy in exercise-induced asthma prevention.

Diagnosis of a small ovarian tumor (androgen secreting) by magnetic resonance: a new noninvasive procedure.

Virilizing ovarian tumors are rare and establishing their exact location before operation is difficult. We report a case in which a small left ovarian tumor was seen with magnetic resonance imaging.

Quantitative simulation of image correction for astronomy with a segmented active mirror.

Correction by active mirror systems of image distortion due to atmospheric turbulence promises to improve the quality of ground-based astronomical observations. Although the ideal of fully correcting average-to-poor seeing to the diffraction limit of a large telescope cannot be easily realized with current technology, it has been demonstrated that partial correction of severe seeing disturbances can significantly improve image resolution. This paper describes a computer simulation of partial seeing correction by the Lockheed Active Mirror. Quantitative evaluation of the effects of partial correction on simulated wavefronts indicates that, even with a modest number of mirror actuators, one can achieve a diffraction-limited image superimposed on a background of scattered light.

Epidural analgesia for planned vaginal delivery following previous cesarean section.

The effect of lumbar epidural on the course of labor, delivery, and outcome was studied in 115 parturients with a previous cesarean section who were given a trial of vaginal delivery. One hundred three women were multiparous and 12 were grandmultiparous. Uterine contractions and fetal heart rate (FHR) were monitored continuously in all patients. Epidural block was performed using 8 mL of 0.35% bupivacaine without adrenaline. Supplemental doses were administered through an indwelling catheter. At the beginning of the second stage, 10 mL of 0.25% bupivacaine was added in the sitting position. Forty-eight women delivered spontaneously and 54 had an assisted second stage. Thirteen women delivered by a repeat low segmental cesarean section; dehiscence was observed in only one woman. Fetal outcome was satisfactory and similar to that of the authors' general parturient population.