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Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency (AATD) is a hereditary disorder involving lungs, characterized by low serum concentration of the protein alpha-1 antitrypsin (AAT) also called proteinase inhibitor (PI). Asthma is common in AATD patients, but there are only few data on respiratory function in asthmatic patients with AATD.<br />The aim of the study was to evaluate lung function in asthmatic outpatients with mutation in the SERPINA1 gene coding for AAT versus asthmatic subjects without mutation.<br />We performed the quantitative analysis of the serum concentration of AAT in 600 outpatients affected by mild to moderate asthma from the University Hospital of Parma, Italy. Fifty-seven of them underwent the genetic analysis subsequently; they were subdivided into mutated and non-mutated subjects. All the mutated patients had a heterozygous genotype, except 1 (PI*SS). We assessed the lung function through a flow-sensing spirometer and the small airway parameters through an impulse oscillometry system.<br />The values of forced vital capacity (% predicted) and those of the residual volume to total lung capacity ratio (%) were, respectively, lower and higher in patients mutated versus patients without mutation, showing a significantly greater air trapping (p = 0.014 and p = 0.017, respectively). Moreover, patients with mutation in comparison to patients without mutation showed lower forced expiratory volume in 3 s (% predicted) and forced expiratory volume in 6 s (L) spirometric values, reflecting a smaller airways contribution.<br />In asthmatic patients, heterozygosity for AAT with PI*MZ and PI*MS genotypes was associated with small airway dysfunction and with lung air trapping.<br />In asthmatic patients, heterozygosity for AAT with PI*MZ and PI*MS genotypes was associated with small airway dysfunction and with lung air trapping.<br />It has been reported that even using the swept-source optical coherence biometer, it is challenging to measure the axial length (AL) in cases with advanced cataracts. The enhanced retina visualization (ERV) mode, which is equipped with OCTB1 (ARGOS), shifts the peak of measurement sensitivity to the retina side so that the AL can be measured even if the light energy is attenuated. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the accuracy and efficacy of the ERV mode in measuring the AL of dense cataracts.<br />This was a single-center retrospective observational case series conducted in Japan. We included 213 eyes of 213 consecutive patients with advanced cataracts who underwent preoperative evaluation. The AL was measured before and after surgery using two swept-source (SS) optical coherence tomography biometers (OCTB1, OCTB2; IOLMaster 700). Cases in which OCTB1 the standard mode failed to measure AL, OCTB1 with the ERV mode was used instead. Primary outcome measures were the acquisition rate and the AL meash dense cataracts, AL measurement using the standard mode of an SS-OCT biometer is challenging. Furthermore, the ERV mode could be promising for AL measurement in such cases.<br />In patients with dense cataracts, AL measurement using the standard mode of an SS-OCT biometer is challenging. Furthermore, the ERV mode could be promising for AL measurement in such cases.Excimer-laser coronary angioplasty can be used to modify undilatable and uncrossable lesions in native arteries and in-stent restenosis which are increasingly encountered with the ageing population undergoing coronary intervention. We present our laser experience over a 10-year period in a large cardiac tertiary centre.<br />Retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data on all procedures where laser was used from August 2008 to December 2019. Clinical presentation, demographics, and procedural details were all recorded. [https://www.selleckchem.com/products/prgl493.html PRGL493 chemical structure] Successful procedures were defined as &lt;30% stenosis at the end. Periprocedural and in-hospital complications were recorded and verified. Results are presented as numbers and percentages.<br />A total of 331 patients were identified with 473 lesions treated with laser and an overall total of 637 lesions. Of the 473 lesions treated, 46 (9.9%) were in-stent restenosis, 146 (30.9%) were chronic total occlusions, and the rest were uncrossable or undilatable lesions. The vast majority of procedures (97.0%) were performed with the 0.9-mm laser catheter. The overall success rate was 81.6% (58-87%) from low- to high-volume user. Complications included dissection 3 (0.6%), no-reflow 3 (0.6%), coronary perforation 13 (2.7%), and tamponade in 1 (0.2%). Only 3 (0.6%) of the perforations were seen after the laser catheter passage, the rest were seen later following balloon preparation or stent insertion.<br />Laser is a valuable tool for treating complex and resistant coronary lesions. Its efficacy and safety are well established and when applied appropriately, it helps to achieve optimal outcomes for our patients.<br />Laser is a valuable tool for treating complex and resistant coronary lesions. Its efficacy and safety are well established and when applied appropriately, it helps to achieve optimal outcomes for our patients.<br />Oxygenated hemoglobin(OxyHem) is a simple-to-measure marker of oxygen content capable of predicting all-cause mortality in stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).<br />We aimed to analyze its predictive value during acute exacerbations of COPD (AECOPD).<br />In this retrospective study, data from 227 patients discharged after severe AECOPD at RoMed Clinical Center Rosenheim, Germany, between January 2012 and March 2018, was analyzed. OxyHem (hemoglobin concentration [Hb] × fractional SpO2, g/dL) was calculated from oxygen saturation measured by pulse oximetry and hemoglobin assessed within 24 h after admission. The follow-up (1.7 ± 1.5 years) covered all-cause mortality, including readmissions for severe AECOPD.<br />During the follow-up period, 127 patients died, 56 due to AECOPD and 71 due to other reasons. Survivors and non-survivors showed differences in age, FVC % predicted, C-reactive protein, hemoglobin, Cr, Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI), and OxyHem (p &lt; 0.05 each). Significant independent predictors of survival were BMI, Cr or CCI, FEV1 % predicted or FVC % predicted, Hb, or OxyHem. The predictive value of OxyHem (p = 0.006) was superior to that of Hb or SpO2 and independent of oxygen supply during blood gas analysis. OxyHem was also predictive when using a cutoff value of 12.1 g/dL identified via receiver operating characteristic curves in analyses including either the CCI (hazard ratio 1.85; 95% CI 1.20, 2.84; p = 0.005) or Cr (2.04; 95% CI 1.35, 3.10; p = 0.001) as covariates.<br />The concentration of OxyHem provides independent, easy-to-assess information on long-term mortality risk in COPD, even if measured during acute exacerbations. It therefore seems worth to be considered for broader clinical use.<br />The concentration of OxyHem provides independent, easy-to-assess information on long-term mortality risk in COPD, even if measured during acute exacerbations. It therefore seems worth to be considered for broader clinical use.