Effect of Lactoferrin on Clinical Outcomes of Hospitalized Patients with COVID-19: The LAC Randomized Clinical Trial

As lactoferrin is a nutritional supplement with proven antiviral and immunomodulatory abilities, it may be used to improve the clinical course of COVID-19. The clinical efficacy and safety of bovine lactoferrin were evaluated in the LAC randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial. A total of 218 hospitalized adult patients with moderate-to-severe COVID-19 were randomized to receive 800 mg/die oral bovine lactoferrin (n = 113) or placebo (n = 105), both given in combination with standard COVID-19 therapy. No differences in lactoferrin vs. placebo were observed in the primary outcomes: the proportion of death or intensive care unit admission (risk ratio of 1.06 (95% CI 0.63–1.79)) or proportion of discharge or National Early Warning Score 2 (NEWS2) ≤ 2 within 14 days from enrollment (RR of 0.85 (95% CI 0.70–1.04)). Lactoferrin showed an excellent safety and tolerability profile. Even though bovine lactoferrin is safe and tolerable, our results do not support its use in hospitalized patients with moderate-to-severe COVID-19

Ultrasound-guided parasternal injection in dogs: a cadaver study

Objectives: To describe the technique of performing an ultrasound-guided distal parasternal intercostal block and to determine the distribution of two volumes of methylene blue dye solution injected in canine cadavers. Study design: Prospective cadaver study. Animals: A group of seven canine cadavers weighing 12–34 kg. Methods: The space between the transversus thoracic and the internal intercostal muscles is a virtual cavity. Ultrasound-guided injections in the distal (parasternal) intercostal space were performed using dye solution at 0.05 mL kg–1 in each intercostal space from the second to seventh (LV, low volume, six injections per dog) in one hemithorax, and 0.1 mL kg–1 in the third, fifth and seventh intercostal spaces (HV, high volume, three injections in each dog) on the contralateral side. Anatomical dissection was carried out to describe dye spread characteristics and staining of intercostal nerves. Results: The ultrasonographic landmarks for injection were identified in each cadaver. In the LV group the solution was found in every intercostal space (36/36), whereas the HV injection stained six intercostal spaces in two dogs, five in two, and in two dogs the solution was found in four and three spaces, respectively, demonstrating multisegmental distribution. Intrapleural staining was observed after two injections. Conclusions and clinical relevance: Ultrasound-guided injection of 0.05 mL kg–1 at the distal intercostal space resulted in staining of the intercostal nerve in all dogs when performed in every space and may be an appropriate alternative to previously reported techniques. A single injection of 0.1 mL kg–1 may anaesthetize more than one intercostal nerve, but not consistently. Clinical investigations are warranted to better characterize and to refine this locoregional technique

The paths of the Italian young poets. A Social Network Analysis of the contemporary poetic field

This paper explores the social dynamics and the interactions between young poets and the Italian poetic network. More specifically, 70 poets were questioned about their participation in poetic activities and their cultural path. Using Social Network Analysis approach, we obtained preliminary information about the roles and structure of the Italian poetic network. Moreover, the explorative multidimensional analysis of a two-mode network was conducted using Multiple Correspondence Analysis in order to focus on the nature of relational data and the presence of asymmetry between actors and events in the network. The main results show low density network with many isolated experiences, where traditional publishers are still determinant in the building of personal career path and in the distribution network’s support. Moreover, in a market that tends to “squeeze out,” platforms and online journals are strongly emerging as places of co-production and co-distribution of the young poetry in Italy