ABSTRACT
Background and aims: Relative Bradycardia (RB) is a poorly understood condition that refers to inappropriately low heart rate response to a given increase in body temperature. Dysfunctional crosstalk between the immune system and the autonomous nervous system has been advocated. It is most often observed in intracellular gram negative and parasitic infections, with a prevalence ranging between 15% and 20%. The aim of this study was to identify the prevalence, clinical determinants and significance of RB in patients hospitalized for SARS-CoV-2 infection and to evaluate its prognostic value for long-covid syndrome during follow-up. Method(s): We enrolled consecutive patients hospitalized for SARS-CoV-2 infection from March 2020 to April 2021. We collected clinical parameters including clinostatic and orthostatic blood pressure (BP) and heart rate (HR) at 1,3 and 5 minutes, oxygen saturation, body temperature (BT), routine blood tests, 12-lead ECG, and 48-h Holter ECG. At follow up, clinical symptoms were investigated by novel Malmo POTS Symptoms (MAPS) questionnaire. Result(s): Total population included 269 inpatients (mean age 67+/-17 years, 59% male).Of these, 30 (11%) presented with sinus bradycardia and 37 (14%) RB. RB was more frequently observed in younger male patients with higher BT and heightened CRP levels. There were no significant correlations between BP and HR orthostatic changes and BR during hospital admission or during follow-up. No clinically relevant arrhythmias were revealed during 48-hour ECG monitoring. After mean16-month follow-up, MAPS score was higher in patients with RB (30+/-19) compared to those without RB (18+/-21, p=0.001) during index hospital admission. Dizziness, palpitations and fatigue were more frequently reported in patients with RB(p<0.001). Conclusion(s): RB is not an uncommon condition during acute COVID-19. SARS-CoV-2 inpatients who presented RB during index hospitalization showed a higher symptom burden during follow-up, as recorded by MAPS score. Further studies are needed to clarify the clinical significance of RB and its value to predict post-acute sequelae of COVID-19. (Figure Presented).
ABSTRACT
In Italy, most of the cultivated walnuts belong to the Sorrento ecotype, and they are considered commercially valuable due to their specific organoleptic characteristics. The aim of this study is to evaluate and compare the morphological and compositional characteristics of walnuts sampled from 'Sorrento' trees cultivated in different locations in Campania and trees of both the 'Chandler' and 'Sorrento' varieties derived from the same location. The results demonstrated that 'Sorrento' and 'Chandler' walnuts have different biometric characteristics and a different fat content, with the highest fat content being found in the 'Sorrento' variety. Regarding the fatty acid (FA) composition, the content of monounsaturated and saturated fatty acids (MUFAs and SFAs) was highest in the 'Sorrento' variety (from 13 to 15% for MUFAs and from 11 to 13% for SFAs), while the polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) content was highest in the 'Chandler' variety (77%). The total phenolics content (TPC) was highest in the 'Sorrento' variety (from 910 to 1230 mg GAE/100 g), while no difference in γ-tocopherol content was found. Furthermore, the influence of walnut area cultivation was shown for fat content, FA composition and TPC. Therefore, both walnut varieties demonstrated good nutritional properties considering the PUFAs and γ-tocopherol content.
ABSTRACT
The need to limit the spread of the virus in the population has forced many countries to impose strict measures of social distancing and home isolation. These measures, although necessary, have caused unprecedented social disruption. One of the most worrying effects of this social crisis is the increase in episodes of family violence which can be extremely serious up to the killing of family members. Matricide is a fairly rare event worldwide. Many authors have over time attempted to figure out the origins of a pathological condition-but not limited to-underlying such crimes often executed through particularly brutal criminal acts against the victims. In this study we present a case of a 66-year-old woman who was killed with multiple stab wounds from a diving knife and then burned. It was determined that the victim was murdered by her 36-year-old son, unemployed for about a year and with a history of alcohol abuse, had a suspected diagnosis of bipolar disorder in treatment with antidepressant drugs. On the victim’s body there were 31 stab wounds, localized mostly to the skull, face and thorax. Some of the typical characteristics highlighted in the literature regarding individuals who commit matricide are actually found in this case. This correspondence underscores the need to recognize and, in some cases, prevent the possible occurrence of such an eventuality within a family.