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Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is characterized by a procoagulant state that can lead to fatal thromboembolic events. Several studies have documented a high prevalence of lupus anticoagulant that may at least partially explain the procoagulant profile of COVID-19. However, the association between lupus anticoagulant and thrombotic complications in COVID-19 is controversial and no study has specifically evaluated the impact of lupus anticoagulant on mortality. The aim of our study was to investigate the association between lupus anticoagulant and mortality in a large group of 192 consecutive patients hospitalized for COVID-19. Lupus anticoagulant was found in 95 patients (49.5%). No difference in the percentage of patients with lupus anticoagulant was observed between 130 survivors and 62 non-survivors (47.7 versus 53,2%; p = 0.4745). When the combined outcome of death or need for mechanical ventilation in survivors was taken into account, the difference in the prevalence of patients with lupus anticoagulant between the patients with the combined outcome (n = 76) and survivors who did not require mechanical ventilation (n = 116) was not significant (52.6% versus 47.4%; p = 0.4806). In multivariate analysis predictors of mortality or need for mechanical ventilation in survivors were obesity, low oxygen saturation and elevated troponin levels measured on admission. In conclusion, our study did not show any association of lupus anticoagulant with mortality and with need for mechanical ventilation in survivors. The role of obesity, low SaO2 and elevated troponin levels as predictors of a worse prognosis in patients hospitalized for COVID-19 was confirmed., (© 2020. Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature.)

Introduction: When cervical cancer is detected at an early stage (International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics [FIGO] IA2-IB1), it can be successfully treated by radical surgery alone. Considering that most patients are young and sexually active at the moment of diagnosis and the long life expectancy of survivors after the treatment, quality of life (QoL) and sexual function are important issues for cancer survivors and caregivers. However, only a few studies have examined the QoL and sexual function in disease-free cervical cancer survivors, and there are no studies in the literature comparing prospectively sexual function after different types of radical hysterectomy., Aim: To compare sexual function in two groups of early stage cervical cancer survivors treated by radical surgery alone, undergoing two different types of radical hysterectomy., Methods: Patients treated by radical hysterectomy with systematic lymphadenectomy for early stage cervical cancer (FIGO IA2-IB1) have been enrolled and divided in two groups with regard to type of radical hysterectomy performed; S1: modified radical hysterectomy (Piver II/Type B), S2: classic radical hysterectomy (Piver III/ Type C2)., Main Outcome Measure: Twenty-four months after surgery we assessed the sexual function using the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Cervix Cancer Module Questionnaire, which is a validated system for the assessment of disease- and treatment-specific issues that affect the QoL and sexual functioning of women who are treated for cervical cancer., Results: Of the 31 patients enrolled in the S1 group and 46 in the S2 group, 23 and 33 patients have been included, respectively. We observed significant differences between the two groups in terms of symptom experience, sexual/vaginal functioning, sexual activity, and sexual enjoyment. There was not any significant difference regarding lymphedema, peripheral neuropathy, and sexual worry., Conclusion: Survivors of early stage cervical cancer treated by modified radical hysterectomy (Piver II/ Type B) have a better sexual function than those operated by classic radical hysterectomy (Piver III/ Type C2)., (© 2012 International Society for Sexual Medicine.)

Introduction: Bladder dysfunctions are a common sequela after radical hysterectomy (RH, former type III sec Piver) ranging from 8 to 80%. This discrepancy, probably, reflects the different bladder function evaluation methods utilized in literature., Material and Methods: We searched English-language medical reports published from 1952 to 2010, on MEDLINE. Inclusion criteria were: (1) studies of urological dysfunctions in patients with cervical cancer, treated with type III sec Piver (C2 sec Querleu) radical hysterectomy; (2) use of urodynamic measurement., Results: The overall incidence of urodynamic bladder dysfunctions is 72%. Follow-up >12 months studies report a high incidence of overactive detrusor low compliance (34%). Eight out of 19 studies show a decrease of the maximal urethral closure pressure (MUCP)., Discussion and Conclusions: Follow-up timing seems to be the major factor influencing the wide range of incidence of bladder dysfunction. Urodynamic data could help physicians to formulate appropriate evaluation and treatment for patients having urge incontinence (UI) after RH., (Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Introduction: The introduction of screening programs have made cervical cancer detectable at earlier stages and in younger patients. Nevertheless, only a few studies have examined the QoL and sexual function in disease-free cervical cancer survivors., Aim: The objective of this study is to evaluate the sexual function in a cervical cancer patient's group treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) plus type C2/type III radical hysterectomy (RH)., Methods: We have enrolled in the oncologic group (OG) sexually active patients affected by cervical cancer (stage IB2 to IIIB) treated with NACT followed by RH., Main Outcome Measures: Included subjects were interviewed with the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) QLQ-CX24 Questionnaire. Two consecutive assessments were recorded: at the first evaluation postoperatively (T1) and at the 12-month follow-up visit (T2). Results were compared with a benign gynecological disease group (BG) and with a healthy control group (HG)., Results: A total of 33 patients for OG, 37 for BG, and 35 women for HG were recruited. After surgery, sexual activity has been resumed by 76% of the OG patients and 83.7% of the BG patients (P = not significant). Cancer survivors had clinically worse problems with symptom experience, body image, and sexual/vaginal functioning than controls (P < 0.05). OG patients also reported more severe lymphedema, peripheral neuropathy, menopausal symptoms, and sexual worry. For sexual activity, the score difference between cancer survivors and women with benign gynecological disease is not statically significant. Concerning sexual enjoyment assessment, our study shows comparable results for OG and BG., Conclusion: Nevertheless, the worsening of symptom experience, body image, and sexual/vaginal functioning, OG patients have same sexual activity and sexual enjoyment data compared with those of BG patients. Thus, NACT followed by RH could be a valid therapeutic strategy to treat and improve well-being especially in young cervical cancer patients., (© 2010 International Society for Sexual Medicine.)

Lactose breath test have been performed in healthy newborns, in whom breath hydrogen excretion was preliminarily demonstrated by lactulose breath test. 27.5% of newborns showed positive lactose breath test, with no differences related to sex and gestational age, while a higher percentage of positive test has been found in < 2500 g and formula-fed neonates compared, respectively, to > or = 2500 g and breast-fed ones. In healthy newborns, without any clinical signs of lactose intolerance, it is possible to demonstrate hydrogen in expired air; this is not equivalent of lactose malabsorption, but, instead, depends on the phenomenon of colonic fermentation that allows energy and nutrient absorption.

In this study we evaluated the efficacy of a new preparation (Fast Dissolving Dosage Form--FDDF) of piroxicam (40 mg in a single sublingual dose) in the acute treatment of migraine. The study plan was of single blind type versus placebo and involved 40 patients with migraine without aura (according to the IHS Classification criteria) who had to take Piroxicam FDDF (or placebo) within 2 hours from the beginning of a migraine attack. Pain intensity and associated symptoms were evaluated in the basal condition and then monitored at serial intervals for 24 hours. In the group of patients treated with the active drug (n = 20), a significant reduction of pain intensity (Visual Analogue Scale) was observed after only 15 minutes (P = 0.0034). After an hour, headache has disappeared in 15 patients, become mild in 4 and remained unchanged in only one subject. Associated symptoms also quickly disappeared after Piroxicam FDDF administration and headache recurred in only two patients within the 24 hour period. Sublingual administration of Piroxicam FDDF was well tolerated: no systemic side-effects were reported and only two subjects complained about mouth dysesthesias which were described as mild and short-lasting. In conclusion, Piroxicam FDDF has been shown in this preliminary study to have striking efficacy in the acute treatment of migraine. The treatment is characterized by quick onset, long duration and good tolerability.