Short-term cardiac outcome in survivors of COVID-19: a systematic study after hospital discharge

Background COVID-19 has caused considerable morbidity and mortality worldwide and cardiac involvement has been reported during infection. The short-term cardiac outcome in survivors of COVID-19 is not known.Objective To examine the heart of patients who survived COVID-19 and to compare the cardiac outcome between patients who recovered from mild-to-moderate or severe illness.Methods With use of ECG and echocardiography, we examined the heart of 105 patients who had been hospitalized with COVID-19 and were consecutively recruited after hospital discharge while attending follow-up visits. Survivors of COVID-19 were compared with 105 matched controls. We also compared the cardiac outcome and lung ultrasound scan between COVID-19 patients who had mild-to-moderate or severe illness.Results Cardiac data were collected a median of 41 days from the first detection of COVID-19. Symptoms were present in a low percentage of patients. In comparison with matched controls, no considerable structural or functional differences were observed in the heart of survivors of COVID-19. Lung ultrasound scan detected significantly greater residual pulmonary involvement in COVID-19 patients who had recovered from severe than mild-to-moderate illness. No significant differences were detected in ECG tracings nor were found in the left and right ventricular function of patients who had recovered from mild-to-moderate or severe illness.Conclusions In a short-term follow-up, no abnormalities were identified in the heart of survivors of COVID-19, nor cardiac differences were detected between patients who had different severity of illness. With the limitations of a cross-sectional study, these findings suggest that patients who recover from COVID-19 do not have considerable cardiac sequelae.[GRAPHICS]

Video time lag analysis in a remote collaborative framework

The paper discusses the design and implementation of a low-cost tool for analysis and design of applications involving video based networked interaction or teleoperation, such as remotely operated devices and collaborative environments. The tool is intended for providing an accurate measure of the video lag involved in the encoding and streaming video over packet networks, and for assessing the impact that delays in the video communication has in terms of human performance. A visuomotor experiment is reported in which two subjects are requested to accomplish a remote control task by using delayed video feedback, under different delay conditions. Finally, some considerations are given on the system and on its future developments. \ua9 2016 IEEE

The experience of dysgeusia in allogeneic haematopoietic cell transplantation survivors: a qualitative study

Taste disorders are one of the most common side effects of treatment in oncology patients and often occur after allogeneic haematopoietic cell transplantation (allo-HCT). Dysgeusia does not receive close medical attention, and information about this disorder is largely based on the clinician's own experience. However, taste disorders can have an impact on the quality of life and nutritional status of survivors of allo-HCT. The number of performed annual transplantations is growing, as the number of older long-term survivors increases, but only few research studies examine survivors of allo-HCT with taste disorders. We conducted a qualitative descriptive study to explore experiences of dysgeusia in patients undergoing allo-HCT and to examine what strategies they used to mitigate it

Listening to the voice of patients with head and neck cancer: a systematic review and meta-synthesis

The aim was to conduct a systematic review and a meta-synthesis of primary qualitative studies exploring experiences of head and neck cancer patients (HNC) undergoing radio and/or chemotherapy, in order to provide a better understanding of this phenomenon and supply new directions for care and clinical practice. Six databases were systematically searched, and 13 studies were included. The meta-synthesis methodology was adopted to conceptualise the way in which patients lived their cancer journey and the impact of treatments on their daily life. Four themes embracing various aspects of HNC patients' experiences were identified: (a) self-body image and perceived quality of life; (b) experiences and treatment of symptoms; (c) cancer journey; and (d) the relationship with health professionals. The finding demonstrates the importance of acknowledging that treatment sequelae and patients' daily issues do not appear, develop and affect people's lives in isolation and should be considered and analysed as a whole within the social and cultural context of patients' lives. Further research is needed to explore the treatment experience of HNC patients throughout their cancer journey with a more holistic approach that involves health professionals, caregivers and other family members and peers in the community

Providing care to a family member affected by head and neck cancer: a phenomenological study

Cancer is recognized as a family illness as many head and neck cancer (HNC) patients after treatment require assistance from a family caregiver throughout the rest of their life. The purpose of this study was to explore the lived experience of primary family caregivers of HNC patients dealing with laryngectomy regarding their complex supportive role

Providing care to a family member affected by head and neck cancer: a phenomenological study

Background Cancer is recognized as a family illness as many head and neck cancer (HNC) patients after treatment require assistance from a family caregiver throughout the rest of their life. The purpose of this study was to explore the lived experience of primary family caregivers of HNC patients dealing with laryngectomy regarding their complex supportive role. Methods Phenomenological study based on individual interviews of twelve primary caregivers of HNC patients, recruited by purposeful sampling. Interview contents were analyzed in depth, in accordance with Colaizzi\u2019s descriptive analysis framework, to explore and identify significant themes and subthemes. Results Analysis evidenced three main topics and subthemes embracing various aspects of the caregiver\u2019s lived experiences: (1) experiencing disease and the pathway of care, (2) handling changes to everyday life, and (3) support received by others. Conclusion Given the essential role the caregiver has in the patient\u2019s post-treatment recovery, future planning ofHNC patient care must consider the caregivers\u2019 needs. In order to guarantee an appropriate and effective health professional care, it is important to consider caregivers\u2019 issues and needs as part of HNC patient care planning from the diagnosis to the follow-up

The Pivotal Role of Oleuropein in the Anti-Diabetic Action of the Mediterranean Diet: A Concise Review

Type 2 diabetes currently accounts for more than 90% of all diabetic patients. Lifestyle interventions and notably dietary modifications are one of the mainstays for the prevention and treatment of type 2 diabetes. In this context, the Mediterranean diet with its elevated content of phytonutrients has been demonstrated to effectively improve glucose homeostasis. Oleuropein is the most abundant polyphenolic compound contained in extra-virgin olive oil and might account for some of the anti-diabetic actions of the Mediterranean diet. With the aim to provide an overview of the possible contributions of oleuropein to glucose metabolism, we conducted a PubMed/Medline search in order to provide an update to the available evidence regarding this interesting compound. This narrative review summarizes the data that was obtained in in vitro and animal studies and the results of clinical investigations. Preclinical studies indicate that oleuropein improves glucose transport, increases insulin sensitivity, and facilitates insulin secretion by pancreatic β-cells, thereby supporting the hypothesis of the possible benefits of the control of hyperglycemia. However, on the clinical side, the available evidence is still preliminary and requires more extensive investigations. Thus, many questions remain unanswered in regards to the potential benefits of oleuropein in diabetes prevention and treatment. These questions should be addressed in appropriately designed studies in the future

Assessing pain in children with autism spectrum disorders: findings from a preliminary validation study

Assessing pain in children with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) can be extremely challenging, since many cannot self-report pain. This study aims to test the validity of the Non-Communicating Children's Pain Checklist - Revised (NCCPC-R) in identifying pain in children and adolescents affected by ASDs

Differences in Regulation of Cortisol Secretion Contribute to Left Ventricular Abnormalities in Patients with Essential Hypertension

Background: Left ventricular (LV) abnormalities were reported in patients with overt and subclinical Cushing syndrome. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationships of daily plasma cortisol profile and cortisol response to an overnight suppression test with cardiac changes in patients with hypertension. Methods: In a cross-sectional study, we included 136 nondiabetic, patients with essential hypertension who were free of cardiovascular and renal complications. Plasma cortisol was measured at 8 am, 3 pm, and 12 am and at 8 am after overnight suppression with 1 mg dexamethasone (dexamethasone suppression test [DST]). Echocardiography was performed with standard B-mode and tissue-Doppler imaging. Results: LV hypertrophy was present in 30% and LV diastolic dysfunction in 51% of patients who were older and had significantly higher body mass index, systolic blood pressure, duration of hypertension, and 12 am and DST cortisol. LV mass index and relative wall thickness increased progressively across tertiles of DST cortisol, together with progressive worsening of diastolic function. LV mass index was directly related to age, systolic blood pressure, duration of hypertension, and 12 am and DST cortisol, and inversely to creatinine clearance. Multivariate regression analysis showed independent correlation of LV mass index with body mass index, systolic blood pressure, and 12 am and DST cortisol. Logistic regression showed that DST cortisol independently predicted LV hypertrophy. Conclusions: Midnight and DST plasma cortisol levels are independent determinants of LV mass and geometry in patients with essential hypertension suggesting that even minor changes in regulation of cortisol secretion could contribute to cardiac abnormalities in these patients

Alcohol Intake and Arterial Hypertension: Retelling of a Multifaceted Story

Alcoholic beverages are common components of diets worldwide and understanding their effects on humans' health is crucial. Because hypertension is the leading risk factor for cardiovascular diseases and all-cause mortality, the relationship of alcohol consumption with blood pressure (BP) has been the subject of extensive investigation. For the purpose of this review, we searched the terms "alcohol", "ethanol", and "arterial hypertension" on Pubmed MeSH and selected the most relevant studies. Short-term studies showed a biphasic BP response after ingestion of high doses of alcohol, and sustained alcohol consumption above 30 g/day, significantly, and dose-dependently, increased the risk for hypertension. These untoward effects of alcoholic beverages on BP can be mediated by a multiplicity of neurohormonal mechanisms. In addition to the effects on BP, excess alcohol intake might contribute to cardiac and renal hypertensive organ damage, although some studies suggest possible benefits of moderate alcohol consumption on additional cardiovascular risk factors, such as diabetes and lipoprotein(a). Some intervention studies and cumulative analyses support the evidence of a benefit of the reduction/withdrawal of alcohol consumption on BP and cardiovascular outcomes. This is why guidelines of scientific societies recommend avoidance or limitation of alcohol intake below one unit/day for women and two units/day for men. This narrative article overviews all these topics, providing an update of the current knowledge on the relationship between alcohol and BP