Towards a Sentiment Analysis of Tweets from Online Newspapers Regarding the Coronavirus Pandemic

In the last year, both offline and online news have had the Coronavirus pandemic as their subject, especially since social networking such as Twitter has significantly increased the news regarding Covid-19. The objectives of the project are: the analysis of news regarding the Coronavirus pandemic was extracted from the Twitter profile of ANSA, a well-known Italian news agency, and the analysis of sentiment and the number of likes for each news extracted The sentiment analysis has been carried out using the MAL lexicon (Morphologically Affective Lexicon), where the tweet is split into words and each paola is associated with a score. Positive (with a score greater than zero), negative (with a score less than zero) and neutral (with a score equal to zero) news were identified. As a result, it emerges that sentiment changes day by day, so it is necessary to use sentiment indicators called indices, but only the positive sentiment index is taken into consideration as the negative one is complementary and the neutral one is almost zero. The positive index is then related to some parameters extrapolated from the Civil Protection site: the number of cases, the number of deaths, and the entry into intensive care. Furthermore, in addition to the parameters listed above, the positivity index is related to the days on which the Prime Minister's Decree (DPCM) was signed. The last relationship analyzed is that between the average number of likes and the number of deaths. The results of the research show that the sentiment of the news from the ANSA Agency contains 62.3% of positive news, 37.3% of negative news, and only 0.3% of neutral news. Furthermore, sentiment is not influenced by the daily parameters: the number of cases, number of deaths, entry into intensive care units, and DPCMs. But there is a relationship between the average of like and the number of deaths. Doi: 10.28991/HIJ-2021-02-04-08 Full Text: PD

The Great pretender: the first case of septic shock due to Capnocytophaga canimorsus in Sardinia. A Case report and review of the literature

Capnocytophaga canimorsus (C. canimorsus) is an emerging pathogen in critical care. C. canimorsus is a Gram-negative bacillus, commonly isolated as a commensal microorganism of the oral flora of healthy dogs and cats. A 63-year-old woman came to the emergency department with fever, chills, and malaise 2 days after a minor dog bite. After admission to the medicine ward, she developed respiratory failure and livedo reticularis. In the intensive care unit (ICU), she presented full-blown septic shock with thrombocytopenia, coagulopathy, severe acute kidney injury, and liver injury. We describe the first case of septic shock with Multiple Organ Dysfunction Syndrome related to Capnocytophaga canimorsus infection in Sardinia and its treatment in a tertiary hospital ICU. We also review recent literature on the relevance of C. canimorsus in human disease and critical illness

Pathology reporting in neuroendocrine neoplasms of the digestive system: everything you always wanted to know but were too afraid to ask

During the 5th NIKE (Neuroendocrine tumors Innovation in Knowledge and Education) meeting, held in Naples, Italy, in May 2019, discussions centered on the understanding of pathology reports of gastroenetropancreactic neuroendocrine neoplasms. In particular, the main problem concerned the difficulty that clinicians experience in extrapolating relevant information from neuroendocrine tumor pathology reports. During the meeting, participants were asked to identify and rate issues which they have encountered, for which the input of an expert pathologist would have been appreciated. This article is a collection of the most rated questions and relative answers, focusing on three main topics: 1) morphology and classification; 2) Ki67 and grading; 3) immunohistochemistry. Patient management should be based on multidisciplinary decisions, taking into account clinical and pathology-related features with clear comprehension between all health care professionals. Indeed, pathologists require clinical details and laboratory findings when relevant, while clinicians require concise and standardized reports. In keeping with this last statement, the minimum requirements in pathology datasets are provided in this paper and should be a baseline for all neuroendocrine tumor professionals

Increased Risk to Develop Hypertension and Carotid Plaques in Patients with Long-Lasting Helicobacter pylori Gastritis

Helicobacter pylori infection has been reported to be positively associated with hypertension, although with conflicting results. In this study, the relationship between H. pylori infection and hypertension, as well as atherosclerotic carotid lesions, was analyzed. Methods. Clinical records of patients referred to undergo upper endoscopy and gastric biopsy were retrieved. Information regarding the presence of H. pylori infection with atrophy/metaplasia/dysplasia (interpreted as a long-lasting infection), and current or past H. pylori infection was collected, as well as demographic variables, smoking habits, body mass index (BMI), dyslipidemia, diabetes, hypertension, presence of carotid lesions, and current treatment, and analyzed by multivariable regression models. Results. A total of 7152 clinical records from patients older than 30 years (63.4% women) were available for the study. Hypertension was present in 2039 (28.5%) patients and the risk was significantly increased in those with long-lasting H. pylori infection after adjusting for age decades, sex, BMI, cigarette smoking, diabetes, and dyslipidemia (OR 1.17, 95% CI 1.02–1.35). In addition, the long-lasting H. pylori infection was an independent risk for carotid plaques (OR 2.15, 95% CI 1.14–4.09). Conclusions. Our retrospective study demonstrated that long-lasting H. pylori infection is an independent risk factor for hypertension and the presence of carotid lesions after adjusting for potential confounders, although further validation our findings is needed from prospective studies

Overweight: A Protective Factor against Comorbidity in the Elderly

The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between body mass index (BMI) categories and comorbidity in 9067 patients (age range 18‒94 years) who underwent upper digestive endoscopy in Northern Sardinia, Italy. The majority of participants (62.2%) had a BMI under 25 kg/m2, overweight was detected in 30.4%, and obesity (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2) in 7.4% of patients. The most frequent illness recorded was hypertension followed by cardiovascular and liver disease. The multivariate analysis, after adjusting for sex, residence, marital status, smoking habits, occupation and hospitalization detected an association between comorbidity and aging that was statistically significant and progressive. Among patients younger than 60 years (n = 5612) the comorbidity risk was higher for BMI ranging 27.5‒29.9 kg/m2 compared with BMI 25.0‒27.4 kg/m2 (RR = 1.38; 95% CI 1.27‒1.50 vs. RR = 0.86; 95% CI 0.81‒0.90). In patients older than 60 years (n= 3455) the risk was lower for a BMI in the range 27.5–29.9 kg/m2 compared with a BMI in the range 25.0–27.4 kg/m2 (RR = 1.11; 95% CI 1.05‒1.18 vs. RR = 1.28; 95% CI 1.21‒1.35). These results suggest that being moderately overweight is a marker of a healthy aging process and might protect, at least in part, against comorbidity. However, further research is needed to better understand this unexpected finding

Inhibition of MELK Protooncogene as an Innovative Treatment for Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma

Background and Objectives: Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (iCCA) is a pernicious tumor characterized by a dismal outcome and scarce therapeutic options. To substantially improve the prognosis of iCCA patients, a better understanding of the molecular mechanisms responsible for development and progression of this disease is imperative. In the present study, we aimed at elucidating the role of the maternal embryonic leucine zipper kinase (MELK) protooncogene in iCCA. Materials and Methods: We analyzed the expression of MELK and two putative targets, Forkhead Box M1 (FOXM1) and Enhancer of Zeste Homolog 2 (EZH2), in a collection of human iCCA by real-time RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry (IHC). The effects on iCCA growth of both the multi-kinase inhibitor OTSSP167 and specific small-interfering RNA (siRNA) against MELK were investigated in iCCA cell lines. Results: Expression of MELK was significantly higher in tumors than in corresponding non-neoplastic liver counterparts, with highest levels of MELK being associated with patients’ shorter survival length. In vitro, OTSSP167 suppressed the growth of iCCA cell lines in a dose-dependent manner by reducing proliferation and inducing apoptosis. These effects were amplified when OTSSP167 administration was coupled to the DNA-damaging agent doxorubicin. Similar results, but less remarkable, were obtained when MELK was silenced by specific siRNA in the same cells. At the molecular level, siRNA against MELK triggered downregulation of MELK and its targets. Finally, we found that MELK is a downstream target of the E2F1 transcription factor. Conclusion: Our results indicate that MELK is ubiquitously overexpressed in iCCA, where it may represent a prognostic indicator and a therapeutic target. In particular, the combination of OTSSP167 (or other, more specific MELK inhibitors) with DNA-damaging agents might be a potentially effective therapy for human iCCA

Antihypertensive treatment changes and related clinical outcomes in older hospitalized patients

Background: Hypertension management in older patients represents a challenge, particularly when hospitalized. Objective: The objective of this study is to investigate the determinants and related outcomes of antihypertensive drug prescription in a cohort of older hospitalized patients. Methods: A total of 5671 patients from REPOSI (a prospective multicentre observational register of older Italian in-patients from internal medicine or geriatric wards) were considered; 4377 (77.2%) were hypertensive. Minimum treatment (MT) for hypertension was defined according to the 2018 ESC guidelines [an angiotensin-converting-enzyme-inhibitor (ACE-I) or an angiotensin-receptor-blocker (ARB) with a calcium-channel-blocker (CCB) and/or a thiazide diuretic; if >80 years old, an ACE-I or ARB or CCB or thiazide diuretic]. Determinants of MT discontinuation at discharge were assessed. Study outcomes were any cause rehospitalization/all cause death, all-cause death, cardiovascular (CV) hospitalization/death, CV death, non-CV death, evaluated according to the presence of MT at discharge. Results: Hypertensive patients were older than normotensives, with a more impaired functional status, higher burden of comorbidity and polypharmacy. A total of 2233 patients were on MT at admission, 1766 were on MT at discharge. Discontinuation of MT was associated with the presence of comorbidities (lower odds for diabetes, higher odds for chronic kidney disease and dementia). An adjusted multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that MT for hypertension at discharge was associated with lower risk of all-cause death, all-cause death/hospitalization, CV death, CV death/hospitalization and non-CV death. Conclusions: Guidelines-suggested MT for hypertension at discharge is associated with a lower risk of adverse clinical outcomes. Nevertheless, changes in antihypertensive treatment still occur in a significant proportion of older hospitalized patients

Patterns of infections in older patients acutely admitted to medical wards: data from the REPOSI register

No abstract availabl

Drug–drug interactions involving CYP3A4 and p-glycoprotein in hospitalized elderly patients

Polypharmacy is very common in older patients and may be associated with drug-drug interactions. Hepatic cytochrome P450 (notably 3A4 subtype, CYP3A4) is a key enzyme which metabolizes most drugs; P-glycoprotein (P-gp) is a transporter which significantly influences distribution and bioavailability of many drugs. In this study, we assess the prevalence and patterns of potential interactions observed in an hospitalized older cohort (Registro Politerapia Societa Italiana di Medicina Interna) exposed to at least two interacting drugs involving CYP3A4 and P-gp at admission, during hospitalization and at discharge. Individuals aged 65 and older (N-4039; mean age 79.2; male 48.1%), hospitalized between 2010 and 2016, were selected. The most common combinations of interacting drugs (relative frequency > 5%) and socio-demographic and clinical factors associated with the interactions were reported. The prevalence of interactions for CYP3A4 was 7.9% on admission, 10.3% during the stay and 10.7% at discharge; the corresponding figures for P-gp interactions were 2.2%, 3.8% and 3.8%. The most frequent interactions were amiodarone-statin for CYP3A4 and atorvastatin-verapamil-diltiazem for P-gp. The prevalence of some interactions, mainly those involving cardiovascular drugs, decreased at discharge, whereas that of others, e.g. those involving neuropsychiatric drugs, increased. The strongest factor associated with interactions was polypharmacy (OR 6.7, 95% CI 5.0-9.2). In conclusion, hospital admission is associated with an increased prevalence, but also a changing pattern of interactions concerning CYP3A4 and P-gp in elderly. Educational strategies and appropriate use of dedicated software seem desirable to limit drug interactions and the inherent risk of adverse events in older patients

Use and prescription appropriateness of drugs for peptic ulcer and gastrooesophageal reflux disease in hospitalized older people.

Purpose The aims of this study were to assess the prevalence of use and prescription appropriateness of drugs for peptic ulcer and gastrooesophageal reflux disease (GERD) at hospital admission and discharge. Methods Patients aged 65 years or more hospitalized from 2010 to 2016 in 101 Italian internal medicine and geriatric wards in the context of the REPOSI register were scrutinized to assess if they were prescribed with drugs for peptic ulcer and GERD at hospital admission and discharge. Appropriateness of prescription was assessed considering the presence of specific conditions (i.e., history of peptic ulcer or gastrointestinal hemorrhages, advanced age, Helicobacter Pylori) or gastro-toxic drug combinations, according to the criteria provided by the reimbursement rules of the Agenzia Italiana del Farmaco (NOTA 1 and 48). Results Among 4715 enrolled patients, 3899 were discharged alive. At hospital discharge, 2412 (61.9%, 95%CI: 60.3–63.4%) patients were prescribed with drugs for peptic ulcer and GERD, a 12% of increase from hospital admission. Almost half of the patients (N = 1776, 45.6%, 95%CI: 44.0–47.1%) were inappropriately prescribed or not prescribed: among the drugs for peptic ulcer and GERD users, about 60% (1444/2412) were overprescribed, and among nonusers, 22% (332/1487) were underprescribed. Among patients newly prescribed at hospital discharge, 60% (392/668) were inappropriately prescribed. The appropriateness of drugs for peptic ulcer and GERD therapy decreased by 3% from hospital admission to discharge. Conclusions Hospitalization missed the opportunity to improve the quality of prescription of this class of drug