Summary The administration of antenatal corticosteroids (ACS) to accelerate fetal lung maturation is considered one of the most valuable antenatal therapies in preterm labour. Although early indications that administering antenatal corticosteroids has a positive impact on fetal lung maturation and despite the widespread recommendations to use this treatment in women at risk of preterm birth, there is still some uncertainty regarding its effectiveness, particularly in lower-resource settings and in high-risk groups such as women with hypertension or multiple pregnancies. The optimal timing of administration has not improved in over 50 years. This assessment aimed to evaluate the effects of administering a course of corticosteroids to women before anticipated preterm birth (before 37 weeks of pregnancy) on fetal and neonatal morbidity and mortality, maternal mortality and morbidity, and the child’s health later in life. It is advised that clinicians only administer a single course of ACS in high-risk cases of preterm birth likely to occur within the next seven days, and the gestational age is between 22+0 and 33+6 weeks. The diagnosis of preterm labour should be made based on available resources and expertise and supported by comprehensive protocols in the relevant setting.
{"title":"50 Years of Antenatal Corticosteroids: A Systematic Review","authors":"E. Gyokova","doi":"10.2478/jbcr-2023-0013","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2478/jbcr-2023-0013","url":null,"abstract":"Summary The administration of antenatal corticosteroids (ACS) to accelerate fetal lung maturation is considered one of the most valuable antenatal therapies in preterm labour. Although early indications that administering antenatal corticosteroids has a positive impact on fetal lung maturation and despite the widespread recommendations to use this treatment in women at risk of preterm birth, there is still some uncertainty regarding its effectiveness, particularly in lower-resource settings and in high-risk groups such as women with hypertension or multiple pregnancies. The optimal timing of administration has not improved in over 50 years. This assessment aimed to evaluate the effects of administering a course of corticosteroids to women before anticipated preterm birth (before 37 weeks of pregnancy) on fetal and neonatal morbidity and mortality, maternal mortality and morbidity, and the child’s health later in life. It is advised that clinicians only administer a single course of ACS in high-risk cases of preterm birth likely to occur within the next seven days, and the gestational age is between 22+0 and 33+6 weeks. The diagnosis of preterm labour should be made based on available resources and expertise and supported by comprehensive protocols in the relevant setting.","PeriodicalId":15099,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Biomedical and Clinical Research","volume":"192 1","pages":"96 - 104"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139305072","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
K. Gospodinova, Adriana D. Angelova, Malena Y. Gergovska, Daniela T. Grozeva
Summary The study aimеd to investigate the association between the professional environment and hypersensitivity reactions to various contact allergens, features of the clinical course, and types of allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) in 34 manicurists and ten service users. The analysis was based on the data on length of professional experience, localisation of rashes, clinical diagnoses and allergens, and the cause of positive reactions in epicutaneous testing. Pathological skin changes most often affected the upper limbs (hands, palms, fingers). As a diagnosis, the frequency of ACD was the highest – 79.4%, followed by that of dyshidrotic eczema (DE) – 17.6%, which also determines the highest percentage of dermatitis on the upper limbs (97%). Of the patients, 47.1% had a history of the disease for up to one year. For manicurists, the results of patch tests with the specialised MH-1000 series showed the highest frequency of positive reactions to 2-Hydroxyethyl methacrylate (2-HEMA) and 2-Hydroxypropyl methacrylate (2-HPMA) – 88.88% each, Ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (EGDMA) – 83.33% and 2-Hydroxyethyl acrylate (2-HEA) – 61.11%. After combining data for manicurists and clients, correlation analysis found a significant effect on the development of ACD to 2-HPMA (p=0.003) and EGDMA (p=0.005), as well as for hand dermatitis to 2-HEMA (p=0.05) and 2-HEA (p=0.044).
{"title":"Allergic Contact Dermatitis to Acrylates: A Study Among Manicurists and Clients","authors":"K. Gospodinova, Adriana D. Angelova, Malena Y. Gergovska, Daniela T. Grozeva","doi":"10.2478/jbcr-2023-0025","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2478/jbcr-2023-0025","url":null,"abstract":"Summary The study aimеd to investigate the association between the professional environment and hypersensitivity reactions to various contact allergens, features of the clinical course, and types of allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) in 34 manicurists and ten service users. The analysis was based on the data on length of professional experience, localisation of rashes, clinical diagnoses and allergens, and the cause of positive reactions in epicutaneous testing. Pathological skin changes most often affected the upper limbs (hands, palms, fingers). As a diagnosis, the frequency of ACD was the highest – 79.4%, followed by that of dyshidrotic eczema (DE) – 17.6%, which also determines the highest percentage of dermatitis on the upper limbs (97%). Of the patients, 47.1% had a history of the disease for up to one year. For manicurists, the results of patch tests with the specialised MH-1000 series showed the highest frequency of positive reactions to 2-Hydroxyethyl methacrylate (2-HEMA) and 2-Hydroxypropyl methacrylate (2-HPMA) – 88.88% each, Ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (EGDMA) – 83.33% and 2-Hydroxyethyl acrylate (2-HEA) – 61.11%. After combining data for manicurists and clients, correlation analysis found a significant effect on the development of ACD to 2-HPMA (p=0.003) and EGDMA (p=0.005), as well as for hand dermatitis to 2-HEMA (p=0.05) and 2-HEA (p=0.044).","PeriodicalId":15099,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Biomedical and Clinical Research","volume":"17 1","pages":"186 - 193"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139299842","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Summary Perforation of the gallbladder wall leads to a local perivesical abscess or progression to biliary peritonitis. The study aimed to analyse clinical, laboratory, and imaging indicators that have the strongest relationship with the presence of gangrenous cholecystitis and perforation of the wall and to design a predictive scoring system that highlights the risk of developing gangrenous cholecystitis with perforation. We performed a retrospective analysis of a total of 331 patients operated for five years (2016-2020) at the Department of Surgical Diseases” of Medical University - Pleven, with histologically verified chronic cholecystitis (120 patients; 36.4%), acute cholecystitis (100 patients; 30.1%), and destructive cholecystitis (111 patients; 33.5%). The statistical analysis identified nine main factors with the most substantial statistical significance in patients with gangrene and perforation of the gallbladder wall: age >65, male gender, diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular pathology, tachycardia>90 bpm, WBC>14.109, the thickness of gallbladder wall > 4 mm with pericholecystic fluid, ASAT and ALAT > 40 UI, CRP>150 ng/l. The total possible score was 11 points. The positive predictive value of the scale was 96% and identified the cases with micro-perforation and perivesical abbesses among the group with the highest total score.
{"title":"Predictors for Gangrene and Perforation of Gallbladder Wall in Patients with Acute Cholecystitis","authors":"Polina G. Marinova","doi":"10.2478/jbcr-2023-0020","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2478/jbcr-2023-0020","url":null,"abstract":"Summary Perforation of the gallbladder wall leads to a local perivesical abscess or progression to biliary peritonitis. The study aimed to analyse clinical, laboratory, and imaging indicators that have the strongest relationship with the presence of gangrenous cholecystitis and perforation of the wall and to design a predictive scoring system that highlights the risk of developing gangrenous cholecystitis with perforation. We performed a retrospective analysis of a total of 331 patients operated for five years (2016-2020) at the Department of Surgical Diseases” of Medical University - Pleven, with histologically verified chronic cholecystitis (120 patients; 36.4%), acute cholecystitis (100 patients; 30.1%), and destructive cholecystitis (111 patients; 33.5%). The statistical analysis identified nine main factors with the most substantial statistical significance in patients with gangrene and perforation of the gallbladder wall: age >65, male gender, diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular pathology, tachycardia>90 bpm, WBC>14.109, the thickness of gallbladder wall > 4 mm with pericholecystic fluid, ASAT and ALAT > 40 UI, CRP>150 ng/l. The total possible score was 11 points. The positive predictive value of the scale was 96% and identified the cases with micro-perforation and perivesical abbesses among the group with the highest total score.","PeriodicalId":15099,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Biomedical and Clinical Research","volume":"232 1","pages":"146 - 152"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139296527","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Preslava Gatseva, Alexander B. Blazhev, Zarko Y. Yordanov, Victoria G. Atanasova
Summary The aim of this study was to determine the potential of early inflammatory markers to diagnose late-onset neonatal sepsis – interleukin 6 (IL-6), interleukin 8 (IL-8) and endocan (ESM-1), and to compare them with routinely used markers like C-reactive protein (CRP) and procalcitonin (PCT). A prospective (January, 2022 – January, 2023) clinical-epidemiological study was conducted in a third level NICU in Pleven, Bulgaria. Patients with suspected nosocomial infection and healthy controls were tested. A sandwich ELISA method was used to measure the serum concentrations. Sixty newborns with an average gestational age of 29.75±3.61 gestational weeks were included, of which 35% were symptomatic and infected, 33.3% were symptomatic but uninfected, and 31.7% were asymptomatic controls. The mean values of PCT and IL-6 differ significantly in the three groups. For ESM-1, IL-8 and CRP, the difference was statistically insignificant. The best sensitivity (78%) and negative predictive value (84%) was found for IL-6. The introduction into routine practice of indicators such as PCT and IL-6 may provide an opportunity to promptly optimize the diagnostic and therapeutic approach to LOS.
{"title":"Diagnostic Utility of Endocan and Interleukins for Late-Onset Neonatal Sepsis","authors":"Preslava Gatseva, Alexander B. Blazhev, Zarko Y. Yordanov, Victoria G. Atanasova","doi":"10.2478/jbcr-2023-0016","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2478/jbcr-2023-0016","url":null,"abstract":"Summary The aim of this study was to determine the potential of early inflammatory markers to diagnose late-onset neonatal sepsis – interleukin 6 (IL-6), interleukin 8 (IL-8) and endocan (ESM-1), and to compare them with routinely used markers like C-reactive protein (CRP) and procalcitonin (PCT). A prospective (January, 2022 – January, 2023) clinical-epidemiological study was conducted in a third level NICU in Pleven, Bulgaria. Patients with suspected nosocomial infection and healthy controls were tested. A sandwich ELISA method was used to measure the serum concentrations. Sixty newborns with an average gestational age of 29.75±3.61 gestational weeks were included, of which 35% were symptomatic and infected, 33.3% were symptomatic but uninfected, and 31.7% were asymptomatic controls. The mean values of PCT and IL-6 differ significantly in the three groups. For ESM-1, IL-8 and CRP, the difference was statistically insignificant. The best sensitivity (78%) and negative predictive value (84%) was found for IL-6. The introduction into routine practice of indicators such as PCT and IL-6 may provide an opportunity to promptly optimize the diagnostic and therapeutic approach to LOS.","PeriodicalId":15099,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Biomedical and Clinical Research","volume":"32 1","pages":"124 - 130"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139295854","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Summary Two periods adjacent to starting dialysis are called “chronic kidney disease - peridialysis.” The predialysis period is of varying duration, while the dialysis period lasts up to 3 months after the first dialysis session. During the peridialysis period of chronic kidney disease, complications, mortality, and treatment costs increase significantly. The rate of glomerular filtration rapidly decreases, which requires intensive treatment. Management of the peridialysis period is a challenging clinical problem. This review aims to acquaint all working with patients with chronic kidney disease with the novelties published in the medical literature in recent years about the principle of work in patients with glomerular filtration below 15 ml/min per 1.73 m².
{"title":"Chronic Kidney Disease - Peridialysis Period: Predialysis, Dialysis Preparation, and Initial Dialysis Prescription","authors":"K. Ashikova, S. Linkova","doi":"10.2478/jbcr-2023-0014","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2478/jbcr-2023-0014","url":null,"abstract":"Summary Two periods adjacent to starting dialysis are called “chronic kidney disease - peridialysis.” The predialysis period is of varying duration, while the dialysis period lasts up to 3 months after the first dialysis session. During the peridialysis period of chronic kidney disease, complications, mortality, and treatment costs increase significantly. The rate of glomerular filtration rapidly decreases, which requires intensive treatment. Management of the peridialysis period is a challenging clinical problem. This review aims to acquaint all working with patients with chronic kidney disease with the novelties published in the medical literature in recent years about the principle of work in patients with glomerular filtration below 15 ml/min per 1.73 m².","PeriodicalId":15099,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Biomedical and Clinical Research","volume":"12 1","pages":"105 - 117"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139292031","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Summary Hepatobiliary sepsis and biliary septic shock are defined as a group of purulent-inflammatory diseases of the biliary tract which, in their progression, lead to sepsis in case of delayed diagnosis and treatment. The study aimed to analyse all the cases of hepatobiliary sepsis treated at the Clinic of Surgery, Dr G. Stranski University Hospital – Pleven, from 2016 to 2020 and create a reliable prognostic score for surveillance for patients with hepatobiliary sepsis. Retrospectively, we analysed the records of 697 patients (81%) with a hepatobiliary tract infection, including 79 (11.3%) diagnosed with hepatobiliary sepsis and six fatal cases (1.3%). We evaluated all statistically significant factors that affected mortality: immune deficiency comorbidity (р<0.005), pathogenesis-related to trauma and ascending biliary tract infection (p<0.005), positive hemoculture (p<0.001), length of hospital stay, the need of treatment in intensive care unit and all septic complications. We designed four different prognostic indices based on calculated individual SOFA scores and factors that significantly affected mortality in the high SOFA score patients: immune deficiency, pathogenesis-related risks of sepsis or positive blood culture. The newly designed indices for the outcome are original and have 80% sensitivity and 87% specificity, compared with a simple SOFA score.
{"title":"Surgical Sepsis of Hepatobiliary Origin: Cоmplications and Prognosis","authors":"Polina G. Marinova","doi":"10.2478/jbcr-2023-0021","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2478/jbcr-2023-0021","url":null,"abstract":"Summary Hepatobiliary sepsis and biliary septic shock are defined as a group of purulent-inflammatory diseases of the biliary tract which, in their progression, lead to sepsis in case of delayed diagnosis and treatment. The study aimed to analyse all the cases of hepatobiliary sepsis treated at the Clinic of Surgery, Dr G. Stranski University Hospital – Pleven, from 2016 to 2020 and create a reliable prognostic score for surveillance for patients with hepatobiliary sepsis. Retrospectively, we analysed the records of 697 patients (81%) with a hepatobiliary tract infection, including 79 (11.3%) diagnosed with hepatobiliary sepsis and six fatal cases (1.3%). We evaluated all statistically significant factors that affected mortality: immune deficiency comorbidity (р<0.005), pathogenesis-related to trauma and ascending biliary tract infection (p<0.005), positive hemoculture (p<0.001), length of hospital stay, the need of treatment in intensive care unit and all septic complications. We designed four different prognostic indices based on calculated individual SOFA scores and factors that significantly affected mortality in the high SOFA score patients: immune deficiency, pathogenesis-related risks of sepsis or positive blood culture. The newly designed indices for the outcome are original and have 80% sensitivity and 87% specificity, compared with a simple SOFA score.","PeriodicalId":15099,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Biomedical and Clinical Research","volume":"52 1","pages":"153 - 162"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139297075","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Alexander K. Popov, K. Gospodinova, V. Gincheva, Daniela T. Grozeva, D. Gospodinov
Summary Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic inflammatory disease based on genetic and immune alterations and is part of the atopic symptom complex, including allergic rhinitis, allergic conjunctivitis, and bronchial asthma. A disturbed barrier function facilitates antigen penetration through the skin, with the subsequent development of allergic contact dermatitis (ACD). The gold standard for diagnosing ACD is epicutaneous (patch) testing, also applied to objectify contact sensitization in AD. This study aimed to determine the frequency of contact allergy (CA) among individuals with atopic history and the allergens that caused ACD in those cases. We studied 453 individuals tested in the period 2009-2022. Of these, a subpopulation of 189 individuals with atopic diathesis was identified. A retrospective analysis was used. Using clinical and allergological methods, we divided the tested patients according to sex, age, professional occupation, and areas of the body affected by dermatitis and identified the most common contact allergens that cause positive reactions and ACD. In conclusion, our results highlight the possibility of developing ACD in people with atopic diathesis. As far as we know, our study is the first one in Bulgaria to examine the frequency of contact sensitization in AD patients.
{"title":"Contact Allergy in Atopic Patients","authors":"Alexander K. Popov, K. Gospodinova, V. Gincheva, Daniela T. Grozeva, D. Gospodinov","doi":"10.2478/jbcr-2023-0026","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2478/jbcr-2023-0026","url":null,"abstract":"Summary Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic inflammatory disease based on genetic and immune alterations and is part of the atopic symptom complex, including allergic rhinitis, allergic conjunctivitis, and bronchial asthma. A disturbed barrier function facilitates antigen penetration through the skin, with the subsequent development of allergic contact dermatitis (ACD). The gold standard for diagnosing ACD is epicutaneous (patch) testing, also applied to objectify contact sensitization in AD. This study aimed to determine the frequency of contact allergy (CA) among individuals with atopic history and the allergens that caused ACD in those cases. We studied 453 individuals tested in the period 2009-2022. Of these, a subpopulation of 189 individuals with atopic diathesis was identified. A retrospective analysis was used. Using clinical and allergological methods, we divided the tested patients according to sex, age, professional occupation, and areas of the body affected by dermatitis and identified the most common contact allergens that cause positive reactions and ACD. In conclusion, our results highlight the possibility of developing ACD in people with atopic diathesis. As far as we know, our study is the first one in Bulgaria to examine the frequency of contact sensitization in AD patients.","PeriodicalId":15099,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Biomedical and Clinical Research","volume":"60 1","pages":"194 - 199"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139297403","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Summary Our study aimed to determine and analyze the serum levels of 25 (OH) vitamin D and parathyroid hormone (PTH) to assess vitamin D deficiency as a risk factor for increased morbidity of acute respiratory infections (ARI) in childhood. The changes in the serum parathormone level were used as a criterion for vitamin D sufficiency since an optimal level of 25 (OH) vitamin D is required for normal PTH values. The study included 87 children divided into four subgroups, respectively – children with acute bronchopneumonia (n=49), children with acute laryngotracheitis (n=11), children with acute bronchiolitis (n=16), and a control group (n=11). Subnormal Vit. D levels were found in the individual groups: in the bronchopneumonia group, 18 children showed evidence of insufficiency; in the group of children with laryngotracheitis, five children showed insufficiency, and one child had Vit.D deficiency; children with acute bronchiolitis showed abnormalities in vit. D levels: seven children with insufficiency and two children - with deficiency. The preliminary results showed that Vit. D status deviations are more common in children with acute respiratory infections than in healthy children.
摘要 我们的研究旨在测定和分析血清中25 (OH)维生素D和甲状旁腺激素（PTH）的水平，以评估维生素D缺乏症是导致儿童急性呼吸道感染（ARI）发病率增加的一个风险因素。血清副甲状腺激素水平的变化被用作维生素 D 不足的标准，因为正常的 PTH 值需要 25 (OH) 维生素 D 的最佳水平。研究包括 87 名儿童，分为四个亚组，分别是急性支气管肺炎患儿（49 人）、急性喉气管炎患儿（11 人）、急性支气管炎患儿（16 人）和对照组（11 人）。各组的维生素 D 水平均不正常：支气管肺炎组有 18 名儿童显示维生素 D 含量不足；喉气管炎儿童组有 5 名儿童维生素 D 含量不足，1 名儿童维生素 D 缺乏；急性支气管炎儿童的维生素 D 含量异常：7 名儿童维生素 D 含量不足，1 名儿童维生素 D 缺乏。急性支气管炎患儿的维生素 D 含量出现异常：7 名患儿维生素 D 含量不足，2 名患儿维生素 D 含量缺乏。初步结果显示，与健康儿童相比，患急性呼吸道感染的儿童更容易出现维生素 D 状态偏差。
{"title":"Study on 25 (OH) Vitamin D Status in Hospitalizied Children with Acute Respiratory Infections: Preliminary Results","authors":"Gena S. Petkova, Boiko R. Shentov","doi":"10.2478/jbcr-2023-0017","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2478/jbcr-2023-0017","url":null,"abstract":"Summary Our study aimed to determine and analyze the serum levels of 25 (OH) vitamin D and parathyroid hormone (PTH) to assess vitamin D deficiency as a risk factor for increased morbidity of acute respiratory infections (ARI) in childhood. The changes in the serum parathormone level were used as a criterion for vitamin D sufficiency since an optimal level of 25 (OH) vitamin D is required for normal PTH values. The study included 87 children divided into four subgroups, respectively – children with acute bronchopneumonia (n=49), children with acute laryngotracheitis (n=11), children with acute bronchiolitis (n=16), and a control group (n=11). Subnormal Vit. D levels were found in the individual groups: in the bronchopneumonia group, 18 children showed evidence of insufficiency; in the group of children with laryngotracheitis, five children showed insufficiency, and one child had Vit.D deficiency; children with acute bronchiolitis showed abnormalities in vit. D levels: seven children with insufficiency and two children - with deficiency. The preliminary results showed that Vit. D status deviations are more common in children with acute respiratory infections than in healthy children.","PeriodicalId":15099,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Biomedical and Clinical Research","volume":"61 1","pages":"131 - 135"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139299008","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Georgi Manchev, Valya Goranovska, Georgi Y. Stoitsev, Boyan Markov, V. Gegouskov
Summary The choice between mechanical and bioprosthetic aortic valve implants is affected by relatively clear criteria. However, the choice between porcine or pericardial valve is more complex regarding bioprosthetic devices. We aimed to elucidate any hemodynamic and clinical difference between two widely used bioprosthetic valves: the Sorin Mitroflow bovine pericardial valve and the St. Jude Medical Epic Supra porcine valve. We retrospectively studied 71 consecutive patients separated into two groups based on the valve they received. Clinical outcomes included patient survival and hemodynamic performance of the implanted prostheses. Patients were assessed at one and five years postoperatively. Mean transprosthetic pressure gradients were used as a marker of hemodynamic performance. The Mitroflow valve exhibited lesser mean transvalvular gradients than the Epic valve for all labelled sizes at one and five years postoperatively. The 5-year survival was equal between groups. Both prostheses demonstrated a small but significant increase in mean pressure gradients in the fifth year. Most patients enjoyed significant clinical improvement as assessed by NYHA functional class. Both bioprostheses performed very well with excellent hemodynamic parameters. The pericardial valves are a safe and appropriate choice for surgical bioprosthetic aortic valve replacement.
{"title":"Porcine or Bovine Tissue Valves: Which are Better for Surgical Aortic Valve Replacement?","authors":"Georgi Manchev, Valya Goranovska, Georgi Y. Stoitsev, Boyan Markov, V. Gegouskov","doi":"10.2478/jbcr-2023-0023","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2478/jbcr-2023-0023","url":null,"abstract":"Summary The choice between mechanical and bioprosthetic aortic valve implants is affected by relatively clear criteria. However, the choice between porcine or pericardial valve is more complex regarding bioprosthetic devices. We aimed to elucidate any hemodynamic and clinical difference between two widely used bioprosthetic valves: the Sorin Mitroflow bovine pericardial valve and the St. Jude Medical Epic Supra porcine valve. We retrospectively studied 71 consecutive patients separated into two groups based on the valve they received. Clinical outcomes included patient survival and hemodynamic performance of the implanted prostheses. Patients were assessed at one and five years postoperatively. Mean transprosthetic pressure gradients were used as a marker of hemodynamic performance. The Mitroflow valve exhibited lesser mean transvalvular gradients than the Epic valve for all labelled sizes at one and five years postoperatively. The 5-year survival was equal between groups. Both prostheses demonstrated a small but significant increase in mean pressure gradients in the fifth year. Most patients enjoyed significant clinical improvement as assessed by NYHA functional class. Both bioprostheses performed very well with excellent hemodynamic parameters. The pericardial valves are a safe and appropriate choice for surgical bioprosthetic aortic valve replacement.","PeriodicalId":15099,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Biomedical and Clinical Research","volume":"197 1","pages":"170 - 179"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139299545","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2023-10-31DOI: 10.47363/jcbr/2023(5)162
Joyce K Anastasi, Bernadette Capili, Londa Hackett, Nigel Dawes, Margaret Norton
Distal sensory peripheral neuropathy (DSP) is a chronic, painful condition in the lower limbs of many individuals with Type 2 Diabetes (T2DM). DSP is the most prevalent complication of T2DM. Moxibustion, a traditional Chinese medicine therapy, offers a non-invasive and promising treatment for DSP pain. This study examined Traditional and Smokeless Moxibustion in a prospective, randomized, placebo-and waitlist-controlled, subject-and evaluator-blinded, parallel-group clinical trial. Participants received twice weekly moxibustion treatments for three weeks and were followed for two months. Participants in this preliminary study completed symptom diaries, Gracely Pain Scale (GPS), Subjective Peripheral Neuropathy Scale (SPNS), and Clinical Global Impression Scale (CGIS) patient-rated outcomes. In both Traditional and Smokeless Moxibustion groups, not control groups, GPS symptom severity decreased from baseline to end of treatment, and the benefit was sustained for two months post-treatment, p< 0.001. In treated groups, all three SPNS characteristics (pain, pins/needles, numbness) decreased by >3 severity levels at the end of treatment and were unchanged from baseline in control groups, p <0.001. Traditional and Smokeless Moxibustion show promise as a non-invasive and non-pharmacologic therapy in DSP symptoms associated with T2DM. Standards for Reporting Interventions in Controlled Trials of Acupuncture-Moxibustion (STRICTA-M) guided the development and design of this study.
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