Polski Merkuriusz Lekarski最新文献

Objective: Aim: This study was aimed to detect and determine genotypes of Candida albicans and its cooperative interaction with streptococci isolated from throat infections.

Patients and methods: Materials and Methods: This survey was carried out during November 2023 and March 2024 to collect a total of 80 throat swab samples from patients in in Al-Sadr Medical City in Najaf during. Candida was isolated from culturing throat swab samples on Sabouraud agar, and Blood agar. Each isolate (Candida & Streptococci) enhanced in monoculture using enrichment media; Potato Dextrose broth. Molecular assay included detecting three of biofilm forming genes; Als1, Als2, Als3.

Results: Results: Twelve out of fifteen Candida isolates showed increase in number after mixing with Streptococci and incubation. In contrast, three isolates showed no change or decrease after mixing in co-culture media. Five Candida isolates (out of 15 isolates) were positive in gel electrophoresis to three biofilm genes classified as first genotype (CALSG1). Four Candida isolates were negative in gel electrophoresis to three biofilm genes, classified as second genotype (CALSG2). Other Candida isolates were positive to one or two of three biofilm genes, classified with genotypes (CALSG3, CALSG4, CALSG5 and CALSG6).

Conclusion: Conclusions: Candida albicans has biofilm formation genes (Als), which attract other organisms, like streptococci resulting in synergistic interaction. Despite the presence of some Als genes, it's not necessary to found strong biofilm results as Als genes may not be translated to form biofilm.

Interventional radiology (IR) is one of the fastest growing medical subspecialties, offering minimally invasive procedures associated with reduced postoperative complications and faster recovery. However, the rapid expansion of this field has increased physicians' workload, contributing to a rising risk of occupational burnout (OB). Burnout, recognized as a distinct disorder in ICD-11, adversely affects physicians' mental and physical health, professional performance, and patient safety. This narrative review aimed to summarize current findings on the prevalence, risk factors, and potential interventions regarding OB among interventional radiologists worldwide. A systematic search of PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science, complemented by an additional manual search, identified seven eligible original research articles. According to available data, the prevalence of OB among IRs ranges from 44% to 71.9%, depending on applied methodological criteria. Key risk factors include excessive workload, administrative burdens, disturbed work-life balance, younger age, limited IR experience, dysfunctional coping strategies, and lack of time for academic activities. Proposed interventions can be divided into systemic changes, such as workload reduction and improved departmental organization, and individual strategies aimed at resilience-building, including mindfulness training, physical exercise, and structured group discussions. Evidence suggests that combined approaches yield the most sustainable results. Despite methodological limitations, the reviewed studies highlight the alarming scale of burnout in IR. Further standardized research is urgently needed to inform effective prevention strategies. Addressing burnout is crucial not only to protect physician well-being but also to improve patient outcomes and sustain healthcare system efficiency.

Objective: Aim: To investigate the impact of winter swimming on the cardiovascular system.

Patients and methods: Material and methods: A group of 30 adult subjects underwent an ECG Holter examination twice (during the winter swimming season and after its end). The following parameters available in the results of the ECG Holter examination were analysed: HR, VE and SVE beats, QT and heart rate variability parameters: SDNN, SDANN, pNN50, RMSSD and Tiangular index.

Results: Results: In subjects over 45 years of age, higher values of the SDNN and SDANN parameters during the winter period may suggest a positive impact of winter swimming on the cardiovascular system. The QTc max parameter showed higher values in males during the winter study, whereas higher values were recorded in females during the summer study. As the frequency of winter swimming episodes increased, higher HR min values and lower SDNN and SDANN values were observed.

Conclusion: Conclusions: In healthy subjects under 45 years of age, winter swimming appears to have no significant impact on the heart rate variability parameters, whereas in individuals over 45 years of age, it shows a statistically significant positive impact. Winter swimming practised more frequently than once a week may reduce the autonomous reserve and increase cardiovascular risk. Further research with a larger sample size is necessary to better understand the effects of winter swimming on the cardiovascular system.

Objective: . Aim: This review aims to analyze scientific articles and publications on the role of oxidative stress and xanthine oxidase in the pathogenesis of type 1 diabetes mellitus and diabetic nephropathy in order to update the theories underlying its development and progression.

Patients and methods: Materials and Methods: The literature analysis used peer-reviewed articles, reviews, and descriptions of experimental studies from 2021-2024. The study describes the role of oxidative damage in the pathogenesis of diabetic nephropathy and the function of xanthine oxidase as a trigger.

Conclusion: Conclusions: The study of the molecular mechanisms of the cytoprotective and renoprotective effects of xanthine oxidase inhibition confirms its leading role in the pathogenesis of diabetic nephropathy and opens up new prospects for the development of biomarkers, and therefore new approaches in the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of diabetes and its dangerous complications.

Objective: Aim: This study explores the feasibility and psychosocial outcomes of using somatic methods as a mental and psychosocial health intervention in the context of active violent conflict..

Patients and methods: Materials and Methods: Project leaders taught an 8-day program in somatic methods to local mental health care providers in the Donbas region of Ukraine. In the following seven months, 20 mental health care providers applied the somatic methods in their work with clients. The progress of clients participating in the study was tracked utilizing a software designed for the project. Longitudinal data was collected from 460 clients between December 2020 and May 2021 and was analyzed using mixed linear models to estimate changes in outcomes of depression, functionality, anxiety and alcohol problems.

Results: Results: The program was successfully implemented despite the challenges posed by the ongoing conflict. Demographic data on participants and survey results were successfully collected and analyzed. Data demonstrated significant declines over time for depression and anxiety as well as a significant increase in daily functioning.

Conclusion: Conclusions: The results of this pilot study support the feasibility of developing a subsequent randomized controlled trial study to further assess the impact of somatic methods on psycho-social wellness in Ukraine.

Objective: Aim: This study investigates dehumanization and attitudes toward LGBTQ+ individuals among primary healthcare nurses in Greece, exploring the influence of personality traits, empathy, and LGBTQ+ health knowledge.

Patients and methods: Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional design was used with 114 public-sector primary healthcare nurses completing self-report questionnaires between July and October 2023. Instruments included a culturally adapted dehumanization scale, the Ten-Item Personality Inventory, and the Toronto Empathy Questionnaire. Statistical analysis included Mann-Whitney and Kruskal-Wallis tests, Spearman's correlations, and linear regression.

Results: Results: The sample was predominantly female (74.6%), heterosexual (93.9%), and Christian Orthodox (93%). Only 8.8% had attended LGBTQ+ healthcare courses, and 33.3% had cared for LGBTQ+ patients. Mechanistic dehumanization showed limited associations with personality traits, while animalistic dehumanization was negatively correlated with willingness to care (r = -0.441, p < 0.001) and comfort with LGBTQ+ care (r = -0.391, p < 0.001). Empathy and openness to experience influenced attitudes and willingness to care. Higher empathy unexpectedly reduced willingness to care, while emotional stability and conscientiousness predicted dehumanization.

Conclusion: Conclusions: Findings highlight a moderate dehumanization trend among nurses, affecting LGBTQ+ patients' care quality. Educational initiatives targeting LGBTQ+ health knowledge, empathy training, and the influence of personality traits are critical to fostering inclusive care and reducing dehumanization in healthcare settings.

Objective: Aim: To determine how Apelin levels and other biochemical markers affect thyroid function of Iraqi diabetic women.

Patients and methods: Materials and Methods: 88 subjects participated in this study, 44 diabetic women with hypothyroidism, whose ages between 40 and 60 years, and 44 healthy as a control group, whose ages between 40 and 55 years, during December 2022 to the end of April 2023. Demographic characters such as age, height, and weight of all participants were noted. Serum thyroxin, triiodothyronine and thyroid stimulating hormone were measured by Minivans with Biomerix Kits. Fasting serum glucose, glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), lipid profile (total cholesterol, triglyceride, high density lipoprotein, and low-density lipoprotein, and very low-density lipoprotein), blood urea, and serum creatinine were among the tests performed on blood samples for the laboratory research. ELISA kit was used to measure amount of apelin.

Results: Results: A highly significant increase of apelin levels in diabetic women with hypothyroidism when compared with control, a significant positive correlation P <0.05 between Apelin level and each of: weight, body mass index, TSH, glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), TG and VLDL and shows a highly significant positive correlation P<0.05 between Apelin level vs. TT4, FBS, TC and LDL. A significant negative correlation P<0.05 was found between Apelin levels vs. serum HDL in diabetic women with hypothyroidism.

Conclusion: Conclusions: A significant increase in results of Apelin in women with hypothyroidism and diabetes led to a significant imbalance in lipid metabolism, in the future, this might be an indicator of their risk of heart disease.

Objective: Aim: To evaluate plasma levels of TGF-β1 and the clinical impact of platelet-rich plasma injections on mandibular opening and pain in patients with anterior disc displacement and intermittent locking.

Patients and methods: Materials and Methods: Twenty-seven temporomandibular disorder patients, diagnosed by oral medicine specialists, received three intra-articular PRP injections over three months, with evaluations conducted two weeks after the final injection. Plasma TGF-β1 levels were measured before and after treatment, with visual analog scale pain scores and mouth opening measurements.

Results: Results: Results showed that the mean plasma TGF-β1 level in temporomandibular disorder patients increased significantly from (312.6 pg/ml ± 67.96) before PRP injection to (400.4 pg/ml± 108.51) after PRP injection. Platelet-rich plasma-treated patients also experienced a significant reduction in Visual Analogue Scale scores, which decreased from (6.21 ± 0.95) to (0.78 ± 0.79), with improved range of mouth opening after PRP injection.

Conclusion: Conclusions: Intra-articular platelet-rich plasma injections effectively increased plasma TGF-β1 levels, reduced pain intensity, and improved mandibular opening range in temporomandibular disorder patients.

Objective: . Aim: The aim of this ambispective, two-center, observational study was to evaluate the clinical characteristics and 3-years prognosis of patients with non-STelevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) and AF.

Patients and methods: Materials and methods: Patients hospitalized with a diagnosis of NSTEMI were included. Baseline demographic and clinical features, in-hospital procedures, and occurrence of cardiovascular events in patients with sinus rhythm (SR) and AF confirmed before admission were analyzed.

Results: Results: A total of 273 patients with NSTEMI were enrolled between 2012 and 2015, of whom 102 had AF (37.3%, 60.8% men) and 171 had SR (64.3% men). Patients with AF and NSTEMI were significantly older: 76.6±8.4 vs. 65.9±11.1 years (p<0.0001). The permanent pattern of AF was observed in 54 patients (52.9%) and paroxysmal in 48 patients (47.1%). They more often had heart failure with higher NYHA class (p<0.0001), type 2 diabetes (p=0.0001), abnormal renal function (p<0.0001), and history of stroke (p<0.0001). The presence of AF was not correlated with the number of stenotic coronary vessels. Significantly more NSTEMI patients with AF had a pacemaker implanted before admission (p<0.0001). Duration of hospital stay of NSTEMI AF patients was longer: 10.5±9.9 vs.6.6±4.2 days and it was related to age, Rho=0.5,p=0.0002. During the 2-year and 3-year follow-ups, AF was significantly related to higher mortality, both cardiovascular disease and all-cause mortality (p<0.0001). Independent long-term all-cause mortality predictors were heart failure, liver insufficiency, and age. At the 3-years follow-up, there were no significant differences in all-cause and cardiovascular mortality between groups with permanent AF and paroxysmal AF (p=0.696).

Conclusion: Conclusions: Patients with atrial fibrillation and NSTEMI were older and more likely to have comorbidities. During the 2-year and 3-year follow-ups, AF was related significantly to higher mortality, both cardiovascular and of all causes. The long-term prognosis of patients with AF was adversely affected by heart failure, liver insufficiency and age.