Primary Pulmonary Epithelioid Hemangioendothelioma: A Rare Cause of PET-Negative Pulmonary Nodules

We report here a case of primary pulmonary epithelioid hemangioendothelioma diagnosed in a 67-year-old Caucasian man, presenting with exertion dyspnoea, dry cough, and multiple bilateral pulmonary nodules revealed by computed tomography. At the 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography, these nodules were negative. The histopathological diagnosis was made on a pulmonary wedge resection (performed during video-thoracoscopic surgery)

Broadband Multi-wavelength Properties of M87 during the 2017 Event Horizon Telescope Campaign

Abstract: In 2017, the Event Horizon Telescope (EHT) Collaboration succeeded in capturing the first direct image of the center of the M87 galaxy. The asymmetric ring morphology and size are consistent with theoretical expectations for a weakly accreting supermassive black hole of mass ∼6.5 × 109 M ⊙. The EHTC also partnered with several international facilities in space and on the ground, to arrange an extensive, quasi-simultaneous multi-wavelength campaign. This Letter presents the results and analysis of this campaign, as well as the multi-wavelength data as a legacy data repository. We captured M87 in a historically low state, and the core flux dominates over HST-1 at high energies, making it possible to combine core flux constraints with the more spatially precise very long baseline interferometry data. We present the most complete simultaneous multi-wavelength spectrum of the active nucleus to date, and discuss the complexity and caveats of combining data from different spatial scales into one broadband spectrum. We apply two heuristic, isotropic leptonic single-zone models to provide insight into the basic source properties, but conclude that a structured jet is necessary to explain M87’s spectrum. We can exclude that the simultaneous γ-ray emission is produced via inverse Compton emission in the same region producing the EHT mm-band emission, and further conclude that the γ-rays can only be produced in the inner jets (inward of HST-1) if there are strongly particle-dominated regions. Direct synchrotron emission from accelerated protons and secondaries cannot yet be excluded

Models of respiratory infections: Virus-induced asthma exacerbations and beyond

Respiratory infections are one of the main health problems worldwide. They are a challenging field of study due to an intricate relationship between the pathogenicity of microbes and the host's defenses. To better understand mechanisms of respiratory infections, different models have been developed. A model is the reproduction of a disease in a system that mimics human pathophysiology. For this reason, the best models should closely resemble real-life conditions. Thus, the human model is the best. However, human models of respiratory infections have some disadvantages that limit their role. Therefore, other models, including animal, in vitro, and mathematical ones, have been developed. We will discuss advantages and limitations of available models and focus on models of viral infections as triggers of asthma exacerbations, viral infections being one of the most frequent causes of exacerbating disease. Future studies should focus on the interrelation of various models

Models of respiratory infections: Virus-induced asthma exacerbations and beyond

Respiratory infections are one of the main health problems worldwide. They are a challenging field of study due to an intricate relationship between the pathogenicity of microbes and the host's defenses. To better understand mechanisms of respiratory infections, different models have been developed. A model is the reproduction of a disease in a system that mimics human pathophysiology. For this reason, the best models should closely resemble real-life conditions. Thus, the human model is the best. However, human models of respiratory infections have some disadvantages that limit their role. Therefore, other models, including animal, in vitro, and mathematical ones, have been developed. We will discuss advantages and limitations of available models and focus on models of viral infections as triggers of asthma exacerbations, viral infections being one of the most frequent causes of exacerbating disease. Future studies should focus on the interrelation of various models

Adolescents and blood donation: motivations, hurdles and possible recruitment strategies

Background. For years researchers have been trying to determine what factors infl uence a person's choice to give blood, with the aim of translating the data collected into ever more concrete operative methods for recruiting new donors and managing and using blood to meet the needs of the donor. Adolescents are a potential source of great interest not only for the blood they could supply, but also because information on the subject of "giving blood" could favour the spread of healthy lifestyles and contribute to the development of a mature, responsible civic culture. The aim of the present study was to investigate the motivations and obstacles to giving blood among adolescents and strategies to recruit donors from this group of subjects. Materials and methods. A self-report questionnaire was given to 3,050 pupils in 11 high schools in the Lombardy Region (Italy) (Age range: 13-21 years, mean 16.5, SD=1.65, males=47.7%, females=52.3%). The questionnaire comprised 14 items that addressed motivations and obstacles to giving blood and recruitment strategies in adolescents, knowledge about the world of blood donation and socio-demographic information. Descriptive analyses (frequencies, means and standard deviations), chi squared test (\u3c72) and the t-test (t) for independent samples were conducted. Results and discussion. The data collected regarding the three abovementioned areas of investigation (motivations, obstacles and recruitment strategies) were analysed with respect to gender. The results yielded some interesting information on which to build hypotheses concerning the pre-established objectives, including the importance of active involvement of adolescents by the organisations charged with promoting blood collection, emphasising the important role of the school and giving the adolescents the chance to meet with an expert on blood donation

New donors, loyal donors, and regular donors: Which motivations sustain blood donation?

The present contribution aims to investigate the motivations underlying blood donation and to probe how these differ on the basis of number of donations and donors' gender

An unusual case of acute respiratory failure in a patient with pulmonary veins stenosis late after catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation: A case report and the review of the literature

open9noThis work was supported by University of FerraraBackground: Atrial fibrillation (AF) can be treated with percutaneous catheter ablation procedures into the left atrium. Pulmonary veins stenosis (PV) stenosis is a severe complication of this procedure. Case presentation: we report a case of late hemoptysis secondary to severe PV stenosis in a man who underwent AF ablation 9 months before onset of symptoms. He presented four episodes of bleeding and developed an acute respiratory failure (ARF). Parameters of respiratory mechanics and medical investigation did not show any abnormalities. Only computed tomography (CT) angiography showed stenosis of 3 out of 4 native PVs. PV balloon dilatation in all affected PVs and a stent was implanted in 1 of the 3 PVs with full restoration of respiratory function during 1 year follow-up. Conclusion: PV stenosis may be the underlying cause of recurrent haemoptysis after AF ablation in the presence of normal respiratory parameters. This diagnosis can be confirmed by means of CT angiography and magnetic resonance imaging can provide accurate localization of stenosis.openSpadaro, Savino; Saturni, Sara; Cadorin, Delia; Colamussi, Maria V.; Bertini, Matteo; Galeotti, Roberto; Cappato, Riccardo; Ravenna, Franco; Volta, Carlo A.Spadaro, Savino; Saturni, Sara; Cadorin, Delia; Colamussi, Maria V.; Bertini, Matteo; Galeotti, Roberto; Cappato, Riccardo; Ravenna, Franco; Volta, Carlo Albert

Blood donation from adolescents point of view

Background Adolescents are a very interesting potential source for recruiting new blood donors. People who start giving blood as soon as they are adults are likely to donate for longer. Interest in this age group is also connected to several factors: the spread of healthy lifestyles; facilitate access of healthy people to the healthcare service; help develop a responsible mindset in terms of public spirit. Study design and methods Focus groups and analysis of the written results permitted the construction of an explorative questionnaire, administered to 3050 students in ten secondary schools in northern Italy; the participants were from 13 to 21 years old (M = 16.5, SD = 1.65; male = 47.7%, female = 52.3%). The elements covered by the questionnaire concern the tangible and psychological aspects of what could motivate or prevent donation. Descriptive analyses (frequencies, means and standard deviations) were conduced. Results A comprehensive interpretation of the data shows the key roles played by school, figures of reference, peer groups, what the group shares and independent choice. Conclusion This study provides tangible recommendations for appropriate promotion strategies to dedicate to adolescents; they are an important target to involve in recruitment programmes in order to make them aware of blood donation a long time before they can actually give blood

Looking to the future by acting on the present. Intention to donate blood and risk behavior: a research on adolescents

Background: The aim of this work was to investigate adolescents\u2019 propensity to donate blood, the incidence in this population of risk behaviors that limit and restrict the potential for blood donation, thus reducing the number of possible subjects suitable for donation, and the link between propensity to donate and healthy lifestyles. Materials and Methods: Adolescents were asked to complete an anonymous self-report questionnaire during class time. The questionnaire included ad hoc items designed to investigate the intention to donate blood and behaviors traditionally considered to put adolescents\u2019 health \u201cat risk.\u201d Participants were 201 students from northern Italy (range 12\u201319, M = 17.98, SD = 1.82; 38.9% male, 61.1% female). Results: About half of respondents perceived that they were able to donate blood and could overcome any obstacle that might prevent them from doing so. Some of the examined risk behaviors were widespread in the population under consideration. The linear regressions run show that there is no link between the propensity to give blood and a tendency to engage in healthy lifestyles. Conclusion: The study shows that adolescents demonstrate an interest in blood donation; however, it shows a real lack of \u201caction\u201d to make it happen: there is, indeed, a serious lack of attention to matters related to healthy lifestyles. In fact, adolescents are not aware of how to act to access the world of donation, with the risk that they present themselves at blood donation centers and are then found to be unfit to donate. The research offers many suggestions and implications

Economic crisis and blood donation: How are donors' motivations changing?

Background The economic crisis has exasperated people's feelings of loneliness; job instability often does not allow people to commit to voluntary work. The present work proposes to examine whether the motivations to donate blood have changed before and during the period of economic crisis, taking into consideration donors' gender. We adopted Omoto & Snyder's functionalist approach, which states that blood donation serves different functions for any one person, who may have different motivations from those held by other people. Materials and Methods We compared six-year pre\u2013post (t1 \u201cpre-crisis\u201d: 2008 \u2013 t2 \u201cduring the crisis\u201d: 2014) data on a sample of blood donors in a single blood donation center situated in Northern Italy. T-test was used for data analysis. Three hundred thirty donors (age range 18\u201360, M\u2009=\u200932.6, SD\u2009=\u20099.53; 54.5% male) were administered a survey at t1 and 444 (age range 18\u201360, M\u2009=\u200937.8, SD\u2009=\u200910.16; 68% male) six years later at t2. In both surveys, participants were administered a questionnaire with socio-demographic items and a version of Omoto & Snyder's Motivations to Volunteer scale adapted to blood donation. Results Donors' motivation priorities did not vary over time. Values and Self-enhancement motivations are the most prevalent. Knowledge and Ego-protection motivations decreased with the upsurge of the crisis. Women, in general, report higher mean values than men do for Values and Ego-protection motivations. Conclusion These results can offer valuable clues for the agencies that manage blood collection