ABSTRACT
AIM: The aim of this study was to explore whether red blood cell distribution width (RDW) can help predict the risk of short-term mortality in patients with acute decompensation of cirrhosis. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We carried out a retrospective analysis of all patients consecutively admitted to the emergency department (ED) of the University Hospital of Verona (Italy) for acute decompensation of liver cirrhosis, between 1 June 2013 and 31 December 2016. The RDW value was measured at ED admission, along with collection of clinical features and other laboratory data, and was then correlated with severity of disease (Chronic Liver Failure Consortium Acute Decompensation score; CLIF-C AD score) and 1-month mortality. RESULTS: The final study population consisted of 542 patients, 80 (14.8%) of whom died within 30 days after ED admission. The median RDW of patients who died was significantly higher than the median RDW of those who survived (17.4 vs. 15.5%; P<0.001). The percentage of patients who died significantly increased across different RDW quartiles (6.8, 9.7, 11.5 and 32.1%, P<0.001). In univariate analysis, significant correlation was observed between RDW and clinical severity of acute decompensate cirrhosis (Child-Pugh score: r=0.198, P<0.001; Model for End-Stage Liver Disease score: r=0.311, P=0.001; CLIF-C AD: 0.127, P=0.005). The combination of RDW and CLIF-C AD score exhibited better performance for predicting 1-month mortality than the CLIF-C AD score alone (area under the curve=0.769 vs. 0.720; P=0.006). In multivariate analysis, RDW was independently associated with a 1.2-2.3 higher risk of 1-month mortality. CONCLUSION: The assessment of RDW at ED admission may improve risk stratification of patients with acute decompensation of cirrhosis.
Subject(s)
Acute-On-Chronic Liver Failure/blood , Acute-On-Chronic Liver Failure/mortality , Emergency Service, Hospital , Erythrocyte Indices , Liver Cirrhosis/blood , Liver Cirrhosis/mortality , Patient Admission , Acute-On-Chronic Liver Failure/diagnosis , Acute-On-Chronic Liver Failure/therapy , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Area Under Curve , Disease Progression , Female , Hospitals, University , Humans , Italy , Kaplan-Meier Estimate , Liver Cirrhosis/diagnosis , Liver Cirrhosis/therapy , Logistic Models , Male , Middle Aged , Multivariate Analysis , Odds Ratio , Predictive Value of Tests , Prognosis , ROC Curve , Retrospective Studies , Risk Assessment , Risk Factors , Time FactorsABSTRACT
The development of a general catalytic asymmetric aldehyde alpha-alkylation reaction constitutes a major challenge in organic synthesis. Here, we report the first and successful approach toward its solution: (S)-alpha-methyl proline catalyzes the intramolecular alkylation of various halo aldehydes to the corresponding formyl cyclopentanes, -cyclopropanes, or -pyrrolidines in excellent yields and enantioselectivities. Most remarkably, racemization, aldolization, or catalyst alkylation do not occur to any significant extend, further illustrating the power, mildness, and profound selectivity of enamine catalysis.
ABSTRACT
The efficient esterification of various sulfonic acids and sulfonates using polymer-bound triazenes based on the triazene T2 linker is described. Esterification of enantiopure alpha-substituted sodium sulfonates was performed in the presence of an alkylating resin without racemization. Racemization is a serious drawback in the esterification route via sulfonyl chlorides because of intermediate sulfene formation. To demonstrate the versatility of this protocol, phosphoric and phosphinic acids have been converted into the corresponding esters as well. All products were obtained in good yield and excellent purities without any further purification steps.
