Relationship between leukocytosis and ischemic complications following aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage.

The prognostic significance of admission leukocytosis with respect to ischemic complications of subarachnoid hemorrhage was retrospectively investigated in a series of patients with recently ruptured intracranial aneurysms. The present study concerned 47 consecutive cases admitted within 72 hours following the last hemorrhage, in the years 1982-1984. There was no difference in the admission WBC counts between patients who subsequently deteriorated due to ischemic complications and those who did not. However, the cell count rose significantly at the time of the clinical manifestations of ischemia, possibly as a result of structural damage of brain tissue and/or increased sympathetic and adrenocortical activity. The possible contribution of leukocytes to the pathogenesis of ischemic damage following subarachnoid hemorrhage--perhaps through the release of leukotrienes--will require further investigation

Usefulness of ambulatory blood pressure monitoring in predicting the presence of autonomic neuropathy in type I diabetic patients.

This study investigated whether nondipping (defined as a day–night change in blood pressure (BP) <=0%) could be assumed as a diagnostic index for autonomic neuropathy, and assessed its accuracy in discriminating between type I diabetic patients with and without autonomic neuropathy. In 87 type I diabetic patients with normal renal function (age 36+-11, duration 17+-9 years, serum creatinine 67.2+-15.9 mcmol/l), four cardiovascular tests and 24-h BP monitoring were performed, and the percentage day–night change (Delta) in systolic (SBP) and diastolic BP (DBP) was calculated. Sixteen patients had Delta SBP and/or Delta DBP <=0%. In a multiple logistic regression with adjustment for sex, age, and body mass index, the odds ratio for having autonomic neuropathy was seven times higher in patients with DSBP <=0% as opposed to those without (odds ratio 6.97, CI 1.4–34.9, P=0.018). Using Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) analysis, DBP showed an acceptable accuracy in discriminating between patients with and without autonomic neuropathy (area under the ROC curve 0.69+-0.06 and 0.72+-0.05 for Delta SBP and Delta DBP, respectively). Adequate cutoff values were 0% for Delta SBP (sensitivity, 26%; specificity, 95%; positive predictive value, 87%) and 5% for Delta DBP (sensitivity, 26%; specificity, 92%; positive predictive value, 81%). In type I diabetic patients with normal renal function, a value of Delta SBP p0% identifies the presence of autonomic neuropathy with a very high chance. Nondipping at the cutoff proposed could be considered an adjunctive marker of autonomic neuropathy provided with a high specificity and low sensitivity

Covid 19: How Really is the Epidemiological Curve? Epidemiological Curve Growth Rate is Less than One

This paper shows some views on the mathematical structure of the diffusion of the Coronavirus (COVID-19), often claimed to have a positive exponential structure. However, we find that the exponential growth rate is past the inflection point and that growth is much slower than this implication. It presents conclusions on the future expected outcome of the current situation-not only in terms of diffusion of the disease but also for the hysteria that have been created around it

3D Reconstruction and Presentation of Cultural Heritage: AR and VR Experiences at the Museo d’Arte Orientale di Torino

For years, virtual reconstruction in the figurative arts, and sculpture, in particular, has been developing and consolidating. The workflow from the acquisition to three-dimensional modelling and to the integration of missing parts, has been optimized through processes entirely implemented in the digital dimension. The most recent developments in augmented reality and virtual reality technologies, together with the possibility of using low-cost and widely available devices, have made it possible to establish new links between the real and the virtual. The experiences presented in this paper comes up within the agreement between the Politecnico di Torino and the Museo d’Arte Orientale (MAO). The workflow set up for this research involves: structure from motion (SfM) survey, 3D modelling, and 3D philological reconstruction, then develops a proposal to implement augmented and virtual reality experiences aimed at the communication and fruition of the exhibits. The case study concerns two Japanese statues, and proposes their visualisation with the respective weapons virtually reconstructed, and through VR, involving the reconstruction of the interior space of a temple recognised as philologically compatible with the location of the statues within a statuary complex

Efalizumab

Introduction: Conventional systemic therapies for psoriasis are associated with serious toxicities that can limit long-term use. In recent years, biological therapies have offered the possibility of long-term therapy with improved safety and efficacy for the treatment of psoriasis. Biological therapies can be classified into three categories: the T-cell modulating agents (alefacept and efalizumab), the inhibitors of TNF-alpha (adalimumab, etanercept, infliximab) and the inhibitors of IL-12 and -23 (ustekinumab). Efalizumab is a humanized recombinant monoclonal IgG1 antibody. It targets multiple stages in the immunopathogenesis of psoriasis: initial T-cell activation, migration of T-cells into dermal and epidermal tissues, and T-cell reactivation. On 19 February 2009, the Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) recommended the suspension of the marketing authorisation for efalizumab.Areas covered: Numerous clinical trials have demonstrated the efficacy, safety and health-related quality of life benefits of efalizumab in patients with moderate-to-severe chronic plaque psoriasis. Efalizumab was approved by the FDA in November 2003 and by the European Medicines Evaluation Agency in September 2004 for the treatment of adult patients with moderate-to-severe chronic plaque psoriasis. Recently, three cases of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy were described in patients on long-term (&gt; 3 years) efalizumab therapy, leading to its withdrawal from the market.Expert opinion: Although initially favorable, the safety profile of efalizumab revealed the appearance of severe adverse events in long-term treated patients. Therefore, post-marketing surveillance is essential for correct evaluation of drug potential