Papers by Antonino Mazzone
Internal and Emergency Medicine, Oct 28, 2020
Italian Journal of Medicine, Sep 22, 2015
Nailfold videocapillaroscopy Short history Capillaroscopy is an old but actual inexpensive imagin... more Nailfold videocapillaroscopy Short history Capillaroscopy is an old but actual inexpensive imaging technique, used to examine, non-invasively and safely, the morphology of nailfold dermal papillary capillaries. In the nailfold distal capillary row the dermal papillae run parallel to the surface of the nail, subsequently the capillaries of the distal row are visible in their whole length and appear as red, hairpinshaped loops. First Johan Christophorus Kolhaus, in 1663, had the idea to observe small vessels around the nails using a rudimentary microscope and about a hundred years later Giovanni Rasori (1766-1873), described the inextricable knot of capillary loops observed with a magnifying glass in inflamed conjunctives. After almost other hundred years, Maurice Raynaud (1834-1881), with his studies on local ischemic damage, validated and promoted capillaroscopy as a fundamental imaging technique for the study of microcirculation. 1
BackgroundTocilizumab blocks pro-inflammatory activity of interleukin-6 (IL-6), involved in patho... more BackgroundTocilizumab blocks pro-inflammatory activity of interleukin-6 (IL-6), involved in pathogenesis of pneumonia the most frequent cause of death in COVID-19 patients.MethodsA multicentre, single-arm, hypothesis-driven phase 2 trial was planned to study the effect of Tocilizumab on lethality rates at 14 and 30 days (co-primary endpoints). A cohort of patients consecutively enrolled after phase 2 was used as a validation dataset. A multivariable logistic regression was performed to generate hypotheses, while controlling for possible confounders.Resultsout of 301 patients in phase 2 intention-to-treat (ITT) analysis, 180 (59.8%) received tocilizumab. With 67 death events, lethality rates were 18.4% (97.5%CI: 13.6-24.0, P=0.52) and 22.4% (97.5%CI: 17.2-28.3, P<0.001) at 14 and 30 days. Lethality rates were lower in the validation dataset, including 920 patients. No signal of specific drug toxicity was reported. The multivariable logistic regression suggests tocilizumab might be...
British Journal of Medicine and Medical Research, 2013
Aims: The introduction of HBV vaccination in Italy has reduced the incidence and prevalence of HB... more Aims: The introduction of HBV vaccination in Italy has reduced the incidence and prevalence of HBV infection. However, increasing immigration from countries in which HBV is endemic has led to a wave of new HBsAg-positive subjects and their clinical impact needs evaluation. We compared the serological, clinical and epidemiological data relating to Italian and non-Italian subjects referred to a hospital in Northern Italy. Study Design: We retrospectively analysed the laboratory and clinical records of 488 subjects, including 107 (21.9%) non-Italians, in order to find data concerning clinical diagnoses, possible routes of infection, anti-HCV and anti-HDV antibodies. Results: The differences in gender distribution and mean age between the non-Italian
![Research paper thumbnail of Increased expression of peripheral benzodiazepine receptor (PBR) in dimethylbenz[a]anthracene-induced mammary tumors in rats](https://a.academia-assets.com/images/blank-paper.jpg)
Glycoconjugate Journal, 2006
Expression of peripheral benzodiazepine receptors (PBR) has been found in every tissue examined; ... more Expression of peripheral benzodiazepine receptors (PBR) has been found in every tissue examined; however, it is most abundant in steroid-producing tissues. Although the primary function of PBR is the regulation of steroidogenesis, its existence in nonsteroidogenic tissues as well as in other cellular compartments including the nucleus suggests that there may be other roles for PBR. Our laboratory reported earlier a significant increase of PBR density in the nucleus of DMBA-induced malignant submandibular glands of rats, suggesting a role of PBR in nuclear events of peripheral tissues. Since then numerous studies have demonstrated the abundance of PBR in tumors. Numerous studies implicate a role for cholesterol in the mechanisms underlying cell proliferation and cancer progression. Based on studies with a battery of human breast cancer cell lines and several human tissue biopsies, Hardwick et al. suggested that PBR expression, nuclear localization, and PBR-mediated cholesterol transport into the nucleus are involved in human breast cancer cell proliferation and aggressive phenotype expression. The purpose of the present study is to confirm this hypothesis by developing an animal breast cancer model and correlating the above events with the breast cancer. Weanling rats were maintained on a diet containing animal protein (casein) for 30 days and then a single dose of DMBA in sesame oil (80 mg/kg) was administered by gavage to the animals. Control animals received the vehicle only. After 122 days of DMBA administration, the animals were sacrificed. All tumors were detected by palpation. B(max) of PBRs was 52.6% and 128.4% higher in the non-aggressive and aggressive cancer tissues, respectively, than that in normal tissues. Cholesterol uptake into isolated nuclei was found to be higher in both non-aggressive and aggressive tumor breast tissue than that in control tissue. There was also corresponding increase in B(max) of PBRs in the nucleus of cancer tissues. Furthermore, the nuclear nucleoside triphosphatase (NTPase) activity was found to be higher in aggressive tumor tissues than that in non-aggressive tumor tissues. In conclusion, these data suggest that PBR ligand binding, and PBR-mediated cholesterol transport into the nucleus may be involved in the development of mammary gland adenocarcinoma, thus participating in the advancement of the disease.
Anales de Medicina Interna, 2001
La arteritis de células gigantes (ACG) es la vasculitis más frecuente en la edad avanzada (1-3). ... more La arteritis de células gigantes (ACG) es la vasculitis más frecuente en la edad avanzada (1-3). Los criterios que orientan el diagnóstico de ACG son fundamentalmente clínicos, aunque el diagnóstico definitivo requiere la demostración de arteritis en la biopsia de la arteria temporal (AT). Sus criterios de clasificación siguen siendo los propuestos por el American College of Rheumatology (ACR) en 1990 (4). La polimialgia reumática (PMR) es un síndrome clínico, que afecta también a personas mayores, caracterizado por dolor y rigidez en cintura escapular, pélvica y cuello (5). A falta de unos criterios diagnósticos multicéntricos y estandarizados, unos de los utilizados con mayor frecuencia en la práctica clínica para la PMR son los definidos por Healey en la Mason Clinic que datan de 1984 (6).
Scientific Reports
The study aims at defining the factors affecting the clinicians’ decision of changing or confirmi... more The study aims at defining the factors affecting the clinicians’ decision of changing or confirming the treatment options for frail patients in polytherapy, supporting prescribing patterns, thus also figuring out if the inclination of the clinicians towards digital solutions (INTERCheckWEB) and specific guidelines, could play a role in their decision. A literature review was performed, revealing the main individual, organizational and decisional factors, impacting on the clinicians’ propensity to change the current patients’ therapy: the clinician perceptions of support in case of clinical guidelines use or INTERCheckWEB use were studied. A qualitative approach was implemented, and thirty-five clinicians completed a questionnaire, aimed at evaluating fifteen different clinical cases, defining if they would change the patient’s current therapy depending on the level of information received. Three methodological approaches were implemented. (1) Bivariate correlations to test the relat...
Journal of Anesthesia, Analgesia and Critical Care
Introduction Discriminating between virus-induced fever from superimposed bacterial infections is... more Introduction Discriminating between virus-induced fever from superimposed bacterial infections is a common challenge in intensive care units. Superimposed bacterial infections can be detected in severe SARS-CoV2-infected patients, suggesting the important role of the bacteria in COVID-19 evolution. However, indicators of patients’ immune status may be of help in the management of critically ill subjects. Monocyte CD169 is a type I interferon-inducible receptor that is up-regulated during viral infections, including COVID-19. Monocyte HLA-DR expression is an immunologic status marker, that decreases during immune exhaustion. This condition is an unfavorable prognostic biomarker in septic patients. Neutrophil CD64 upregulation is an established indicator of sepsis. Methods In this study, we evaluated by flow cytometry the expression of cellular markers monocyte CD169, neutrophil CD64, and monocyte HLA-DR in 36 hospitalized patients with severe COVID-19, as possible indicators of ongoi...
European Journal of Medical Research
Background Differential diagnosis of interstitial lung diseases (ILDs) during the COVID-19 pandem... more Background Differential diagnosis of interstitial lung diseases (ILDs) during the COVID-19 pandemic is difficult, due to similarities in clinical and radiological presentation between COVID-19 and other ILDs on the one hand, and frequent false-negative swab results on the other. We describe a rare form of interstitial and organizing pneumonia resembling COVID-19, emphasizing some key aspects to focus on to get the right diagnosis and treat the patient properly. Case presentation A 76-year-old man presented with short breath and dry cough in the midst of the COVID-19 outbreak. He showed bilateral crackles and interstitial-alveolar opacities on X-ray, corresponding on computed tomography (CT) to extensive consolidations with air bronchograms, surrounded by ground glass opacities (GGO). Although his throat-and-nasopharyngeal swab tested negative, the picture was overall compatible with COVID-19. On the other hand, he showed subacute, rather than hyperacute, clinical onset; few and stab...
PLOS ONE, 2022
Background Venous thromboembolism is a frequent complication of COVID-19 infection. Less than 50%... more Background Venous thromboembolism is a frequent complication of COVID-19 infection. Less than 50% of pulmonary embolism (PE) is associated with the evidence of deep venous thrombosis (DVT) of the lower extremities. DVT may also occur in the venous system of the upper limbs especially if provoking conditions are present such as continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP). The aim of this study was to evaluate the incidence of UEDVT in patients affected by moderate-severe COVID-19 infection and to identify potential associated risk factors for its occurrence. Methods We performed a retrospective analysis of all patients affected by moderate-severe COVID-19 infection admitted to our unit. In accordance with the local protocol, all patients had undergone a systematic screening for the diagnosis of UEDVT, by vein compression ultrasonography (CUS). All the patients were receiving pharmacological thromboprophylaxis according to international guidelines recommendations. Univariate and multiv...
The bone marrow edema syndrome (BMES) is a severely disabling pain syndrome without a definite tr... more The bone marrow edema syndrome (BMES) is a severely disabling pain syndrome without a definite treatment and refers to transient clinical conditions with unknown pathogenic mechanism, such as transient osteoporosis of the hip, regional migratory osteoporosis, and reflex sympathetic dystrophy. Magnetic resonance imaging is used for early diagnosis and monitoring of its progression. Early differentiation from other aggressive conditions with longterm sequelae is essential in order to avoid unnecessary treatment. The aim of this monocentric trial was to test the efficacy and the safety of amino-bisphosphonate neridronate administered in two different regimens in patients with BMES. 192 patients with BMES secondary to osteoarthritis localized in the knee, hip, wrist or foot were randomly assigned to intravenous (iv) infusion of 100 mg neridronate given four times over 10 days (Group A, 72 subjects) or alternatively to iv infusions of 100 mg every 21 days over 3 months (Group B, 120 subj...
Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases, 2020
Background: Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a chronic immune-mediated connective tissue disease with ... more Background: Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a chronic immune-mediated connective tissue disease with heterogeneous organ involvement that reduces the life expectancy of this patients. In particular cardiopulmonary manifestations, such as pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), are currently the primary cause of death and stabilizing this condiction may represent an important therapeutic goal (1,2). An increased NT-proBNP is predictors of PAH in SSc and use this markers should result in improved PAH risk stratification (3)Some studies have suggested the role of intravenous iloprost in preventing the incidence of most severe vascular complications in long term treated patients (4). Objectives: The aim of our study is to evaluate the evolution of the disease, with particular focus on cardiopulmonary function, in a group of consecutive patients chronically treated with iloprost at the Rheumatology Unit of Catania Hospital, Italy, from 2006 to 2019. Methods: 68 SSc patients (58F, 52.88 ± 12.6...
Journal of Translational Medicine, 2021
Following publication of the original article [1] the authors identified that the collaborators o... more Following publication of the original article [1] the authors identified that the collaborators of the TOCIVID-19 investigators, Italy were only available in the supplementary file. The original article has been updated so that the collaborators are correctly acknowledged. For clarity, all collaborators are listed in this correction article.
Journal of NeuroVirology, 2021
We describe the case of a 79-year-old woman infected by SARS-CoV-2 and purely neurological confus... more We describe the case of a 79-year-old woman infected by SARS-CoV-2 and purely neurological confusional syndrome without clinically relevant respiratory disease and NMR alterations of the limbic system. Keywords Covid-19 • Limbic encephalitis A 79-year-old woman came to the emergency room (ER) of
Cytometry Part A, 2020
In patients with severe SARS-CoV-2 infection, the development of cytokine storm induces extensive... more In patients with severe SARS-CoV-2 infection, the development of cytokine storm induces extensive lung damage, and monocytes play a role in this pathological process. Non-classical (NC) and intermediate (INT) monocytes are known to be involved during viral and bacterial infections. In this study, 30 patients with different manifestations of acute SARS-CoV-2 infection were investigated with a flow cytometric study of NC, INT, and classical (CL) monocytes. Significantly reduced NC and INT monocytes and a downregulated HLA-DR were found in acute patients with severe SARS-CoV-2 symptoms. Conversely in patients with moderate symptoms NC and INT monocytes and CD11b expression were increased.
Italian Journal of Medicine, 2018
There are many feasible tools for the assessment of clinical practice, but there is a wide consen... more There are many feasible tools for the assessment of clinical practice, but there is a wide consensus on the fact that the simultaneous use of several different methods could be strategic for a comprehensive overall judgment of clinical competence. Multiple-choice questions (MCQs) are a well-established reliable method of assessing knowledge. Constructing effective MCQ tests and items requires scrupulous care in the design, review and validation stages. Creating high-quality multiple-choice questions requires a very deep experience, knowledge and large amount of time. Hereby, after reviewing their construction, strengths and limitations, we debate their completeness for the assessment of professional competence.
PLOS ONE, 2019
Background Recently we defined a user-friendly tool (FADOI-COMPLIMED scores-FCS) to assess comple... more Background Recently we defined a user-friendly tool (FADOI-COMPLIMED scores-FCS) to assess complexity of patients hospitalized in medical wards. FCS-1 is an average between the Barthel Index and the Exton-Smith score, while FCS-2 is obtained by using the Charlson score. The aim of this paper is to assess the ability of the FCS to predict mortality in-hospital and after 1-3-6-12-months. In this perspective, we performed comparisons with the validated Multidimensional Prognostic Index (MPI).
Journal of General Internal Medicine, 2019
Clinics and Practice, 2019
Good’s syndrome (GS) or thymomaassociated immunodeficiency is a rare clinical entity that should ... more Good’s syndrome (GS) or thymomaassociated immunodeficiency is a rare clinical entity that should be ruled out in patients with thymoma who develop severe, recurrent bacterial infections and opportunistic viral and fungal infections. There are no treatment protocols established, hence, early recognition is imperative to avoid complications. We report the case of a 42-year-old female, known for a previous thymectomy for giant thymoma who has suffered for a long time from recurrent pulmonary and urinary tract infections and cold sores. In March 2016 she referred to our unit complaining of fever, cough, chest pain, and cold sores due to Herpes simplex virus (HSV), confirmed serologically as HSV-1. Chest X-ray showed left pneumonia due to Streptococcus pneumoniae. She started antibiotics (amoxicillin/clavulanic acid associated with azithromycin) with gradual improvement. Given her history she was studied for an underlying immunodeficiency: IgG, IgA, and IgM were significantly low or abse...
Osteoarthritis, 2018
Background: Osteoporosis is a common disease, which can lead to fracture. New diagnosis includes ... more Background: Osteoporosis is a common disease, which can lead to fracture. New diagnosis includes fracture of the vertebral bodies and hips, T-scores of bone mineral density (BMD) less than 2.5 or osteopenia together with humeral, forearm or the pelvis facture. Vertebral assessment should be considered in some conditions. 1 Objectives: Our study was to investigate the condition of osteoporosis in patients who underwent bone mineral density in our hospital and fracture status according to lateral X-ray of cervical, thoracic and lumbar vertebra. Methods: Patients were enrolled from September to December in 2017 in the Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University. Demographic information, past medical history, and clinical information were collected by two rheumatologists. Bone mineral density measured by Dual Energy X-ray Absorptiometry was performed based on clinical needs. Patients with osteoporosis or osteopenia were asked to have X-ray scan of cervical, thoracic and lumbar vertebra. The Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) software version 21 was used for all data management and analysis. Results: Of all the 210 patients, 60 (28.6%) were male patients. 59.5% of female patients were in post-menopause stage. Mean age was 57.60±13.17 years.124 patients were asked to perform BMD by the rheumatologists. 20 patients did the test after they saw an endocrinologist. 40 patients did the test after they saw an orthopedist. 102 patients had T-scores less than 2.5. 61 patients had osteopenia according to BMD. 22 patients had fracture according to past history or X-ray scans' findings. 10 patients had multiple fractures. The most frequent fractures were located in L1 (nine patients) and L2 (four patients). The other parts included L3, L5, C7, T12, T6, T8, and T9. Two patients had ankle or humeral fractures before because of injury. Vertebral fractures were founded in 5 (8.2%) of the patients with T-scores of À2.5 to À1 during this study. Conclusions: Lateral X-ray scans of the vertebra can detect vertebral fractures in patients with osteopenia according to BMD scores, even in patients less than 50-year-old. Osteoporosis could be underestimated without measurement of the vertebra. The most frequent vertebra fracture happens in L1.
Uploads
Papers by Antonino Mazzone