Treatment for COVID-19-a cohort study from Northern Italy.

Multicentre, retrospective cohort study with multivariable Cox proportional-hazards modelling and survival-time inverse-probability-weighting, evaluating the impact of different treatments on survival of proven COVID-19 patients admitted to two Hospitals in the province of Piacenza, Italy. Use of tocilizumab and of high doses of low molecular weight heparin, but not of antivirals (either alone or in combination), azithromycin, and any corticosteroid, was independently associated with lower mortality. Our results support further clinical evaluation of high doses of low molecular weight heparin and tocilizumab as COVID-19 therapeutics.

Deforming Mucocutaneous Leishmaniasis of the Nose.

The authors present a clinical report of deforming mucocutaneous leishmaniasis of the nose in a native American woman, left untreated for 25 years. The nose was reconstructed using the local tissue displaced as flaps, and using cartilage grafts taken from the nasal septum and the ear shell. To the best of the authors' knowledge, the literature offers just 1 report on a similar patient.

Breast reconstruction de novo by water-jet assisted autologous fat grafting--a retrospective study.

BACKGROUND: Autologous fat grafting has become a frequent, simple, reproducible and low-risk technique for revisional or partial breast reconstruction. The presented European multicenter study describes an optimized treatment and follow-up protocol for the de novo breast reconstruction after total mastectomy by lipotransfer alone. METHODS: A retrospective European multicenter trial included 135 procedures on 28 (35 breasts) postmastectomy patients (mean 52.4 years). All women were treated with the water-jet assisted fat grafting method (BEAULI™) combined with additional procedures (NAC reconstruction, contralateral mastoplasty) and evaluated with at least 6 months follow-up (mean 2.6 years). Sonography or mammography, clinical examination, patient questionnaire (10-point Likert scale) and digital photographs were carried out. RESULTS: On average the patients received 4 to 6 procedures each with a single volume of 159 ml (±61 ml) over 21 months (range 9 months to 2.5 years). In total 1,020 ml (±515 ml) fat were grafted till a complete breast reconstruction was achieved. Irradiated patients needed a significantly higher volume than non-irradiated (p<0.041). Main treatment complications were liponecrosis (2.59%), infection (0.74%) and granuloma (0.74%). Patient satisfaction was overall high to very high (96%) and confirmed the good aesthetic results (68%) and the natural softness, contour and shape of the reconstructed breast. CONCLUSIONS: A complete breast reconstruction with large volume fat grafting is alternatively possible to standard techniques in selected cases. It takes at least 4 to 6 lipotransfers in the course of 2 years. Patients with prior radiotherapy may require even up to 8 sessions over nearly 3 years of treatment.

[Analysis of the causes of death in the Umbria Region (Italy) 1994-2008]. / Trend di mortalità per cause nella regione Umbria, 1994-2008.

The leading causes of death in the Umbria Region (Italy) between 1994-2008 were analysed and a comparison was made between data from three five-year time periods: 1994-1998, 1999-2003 and 2004-2008. Standardized rates of Years of Potential Life Lost (YPLL) at 75 years, by gender and cause of death, were also measured. Mortality data was obtained from the Umbria Registry of causes of death; diagnoses were codified according to the International Classification of Diseases 10th revision (ICD10). Mortality trends over time were analysed by using standardized mortality rates with the 2001 Umbria census data as the reference population . The joinpoint regression program was used to analyze rates calculated by the SEER (Surveillance Epidemiology and End Results) software of the National Cancer Institute (USA). Mortality for all causes, standardised by age, show a significantly decreasing trend from 1994 to 2008 in both genders. Mortality rates for cardiovascular diseases and malignant tumours show a significant constant decline in both genders. Standardised rates of YPLL at 75 years declined by 32% in males and 29% in females between the five-year period 1994-1998 and the period 2004-2008. In conclusion, a generalised decline in mortality and a shift towards older age groups is observed with a consequent decline in YPLL, allowing a positive judgment to be given regarding the efficacy of preventive, therapeutic and rehabilitation interventions implemented by the regional health care system.