antiproteinuric effect of chemokine c c motif ligand 2 inhibition in subjects with acute proliferative lupus nephritis

Background/Aims: To test the role of chemokine C-C motif ligand 2 (CCL2) in the pathogenesis of lupus nephritis (LN), we evaluated the effects of CCL2 inhibition by bindarit therap

A randomized, double-blind study comparing the efficacy and safety of trazodone once-a-day and venlafaxine extended-release for the treatment of patients with major depressive disorder

This double-blind, randomized study evaluated the efficacy and safety of trazodone OAD (once-a-day) in comparison with venlafaxine XR (extended-release) in 324 patients (166 trazodone and 158 venlafaxine) with major depressive disorder (MDD). The primary efficacy endpoint was the mean change from baseline in the 17-item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D) at week 8. Both treatments were effective in reducing the HAM-D-17 total score at week 8 vs. baseline (intent-to-treat: trazodone -12.9, venlafaxine -14.7; per protocol: trazodone -15.4, venlafaxine -16.4). Patients in the venlafaxine group achieved better results after 8 weeks, whereas the trazodone group achieved a statistically significant reduction in HAM-D-17 following only 7 days of treatment. The most frequent adverse events (AEs) were dizziness and somnolence in the trazodone group, and nausea and headache in the venlafaxine group. Most AEs were mild-to-moderate in severity. This study confirmed that both venlafaxine XR and trazodone OAD may represent a valid treatment option for patients with MDD

Occurrence of Legionella in showers at recreational facilities.

Critical environments, including water systems in recreational settings, represent an important source of Legionella pneumophila infection in humans. In order to assess the potential risk for legionellosis, we analyzed Legionella contamination of water distribution systems in 36 recreational facilities equipped with swimming pools. One hundred and sixty water samples were analyzed from shower heads or taps located in locker rooms or in bathrooms. By culture method and polymerase chain reaction, 41/160 samples were positive for Legionella from 12/36 recreational centers. Hotels (57.1%) and sports centers (41.2%) were the most contaminated. L. pneumophila serotypes 2–14 (25/41) were more frequently found than serotype 1 (10/41). Samples at temperature ≥30 °C were more frequently positive than samples at temperature <30 °C (n = 39 vs n = 2, p < 0.00001). The presence of L. pneumophila was investigated by comparison with heterotrophic plate count (HPC), an indicator of water quality. The presence of L. pneumophila was associated more frequently with high and intermediate HPC load at 37 °C, therefore should be considered a potential source when HPC at 37 °C is >10 CFU/mL. Maintenance, good hygiene practices, interventions on the hydraulic system and regular controls must be implemented to minimize exposure to L. pneumophila infection risk

Glocal Melville

Numero monografico della rivista "Acoma" interamente dedicato all'opera di Herman Melville, studiata in un'ottica comparativa, transnazionale e globale

Long QT, alteration of calcium-phosphate product, prevalence of ventricular arrhythmias and sudden death in peritoneal dialysis patients: a Holter study

Materials and methods We studied 79 patients on peritoneal dialysis. Each underwent 24-h electrocardiography (Holter monitoring) and measurement of the rate-corrected QT interval (QTc). We analyzed the correlation between QTc and plasma levels of Ca++, PO4−, K+, Na+, Mg++, and parathyroid hormone (PTH). Results The mean QTc was 0.445 ± 0.04 s. In 55 patients, the QTc was prolonged (> 0.45 s). Mean laboratory values for the group were: PTH 344 ± 25 pg/mL, Ca++ 9.27 ± 0.11 mg/dL, PO4− 5.5 ± 1.5 mg/dL, Na+ 139.6 ± 3.4 mmol/L, K+ 4.04 ± 0.64 mmol/L, and Mg++ 2.52 ± 0.43 mg/dL. Holter monitoring revealed complex premature ventricular contractions in 44 patients, monomorphic premature ventricular contractions in 16, and nonsustained ventricular tachycardia (NSVT) in 10. The QTc was significantly correlated with plasma levels of PO4− (r = 0.045, p < 0.05), PTH (r = 0.077, p < 0.02), and Ca++ (r = 0.076, p < 0.02). Eleven patients had Lown class 4a or 4b ventricular arrhythmias, and their mean QTc was 465 ± 0.02 ms. Ten had NSVT and their QTc was 464 ± 0.03 ms. Eleven patients died suddenly (mean QTc 465 ± 0.03 ms); all 11 had either NSTV or Lown class 4 ventricular arrhythmias. Conclusions Long QTc seems to be associated with an increased prevalence of ventricular arrhythmias that may be the cause of sudden cardiac death

Long QT, alteration of calcium-phosphate product, prevalence of ventricular arrhythmias and sudden death in peritoneal dialysis patients: a Holter study

Materials and methods We studied 79 patients on peritoneal dialysis. Each underwent 24-h electrocardiography (Holter monitoring) and measurement of the rate-corrected QT interval (QTc). We analyzed the correlation between QTc and plasma levels of Ca++, PO4−, K+, Na+, Mg++, and parathyroid hormone (PTH). Results The mean QTc was 0.445 ± 0.04 s. In 55 patients, the QTc was prolonged (> 0.45 s). Mean laboratory values for the group were: PTH 344 ± 25 pg/mL, Ca++ 9.27 ± 0.11 mg/dL, PO4− 5.5 ± 1.5 mg/dL, Na+ 139.6 ± 3.4 mmol/L, K+ 4.04 ± 0.64 mmol/L, and Mg++ 2.52 ± 0.43 mg/dL. Holter monitoring revealed complex premature ventricular contractions in 44 patients, monomorphic premature ventricular contractions in 16, and nonsustained ventricular tachycardia (NSVT) in 10. The QTc was significantly correlated with plasma levels of PO4− (r = 0.045, p < 0.05), PTH (r = 0.077, p < 0.02), and Ca++ (r = 0.076, p < 0.02). Eleven patients had Lown class 4a or 4b ventricular arrhythmias, and their mean QTc was 465 ± 0.02 ms. Ten had NSVT and their QTc was 464 ± 0.03 ms. Eleven patients died suddenly (mean QTc 465 ± 0.03 ms); all 11 had either NSTV or Lown class 4 ventricular arrhythmias. Conclusions Long QTc seems to be associated with an increased prevalence of ventricular arrhythmias that may be the cause of sudden cardiac death

Theoretical Considerations when Estimating the Mesophyll Conductance to CO(2) Flux by Analysis of the Response of Photosynthesis to CO(2)

The conductance for CO(2) diffusion in the mesophyll of leaves can limit photosynthesis. We have studied two methods for determining the mesophyll conductance to CO(2) diffusion in leaves. We generated an ideal set of photosynthesis rates over a range of partial pressures of CO(2) in the stroma and studied the effect of altering the mesophyll diffusion conductance on the measured response of photosynthesis to intercellular CO(2) partial pressure. We used the ideal data set to test the sensitivity of the two methods to small errors in the parameters used to determine mesophyll conductance. The two methods were also used to determine mesophyll conductance of several leaves using measured rather than ideal data sets. It is concluded that both methods can be used to determine mesophyll conductance and each method has particular strengths. We believe both methods will prove useful in the future