In vitro anti-clostridial action and potential of the spice herbs essential oils to prevent biofilm formation of hypervirulent Clostridioides difficile strains isolated from hospitalized patients with CDI.

Background: Clostridioides difficile is the most common causative agent of antibiotic-acquired diarrhea in hospitalized patients associated with substantial morbidity and mortality. The global epidemic of CDI (Clostridioides difficile infection) began in the early 20th century with the emergence of the hypervirulent and resistant ribotype 027 strains, and requires an urgent search for new therapeutic agents.

Objective: The aim of this study is to investigate the antibacterial activity of the three essential oils isolated from spice herbs (wild oregano, garlic and black pepper) against C.

D-dimer, CRP, PCT, and IL-6 Levels at Admission to ICU Can Predict In-Hospital Mortality in Patients with COVID-19 Pneumonia.

Introduction: Health care workers have had a challenging task since the COVID-19 outbreak. Prompt and effective predictors of clinical outcomes are crucial to recognize potentially critically ill patients and improve the management of COVID-19 patients. The aim of this study was to identify potential predictors of clinical outcomes in critically ill COVID-19 patients.

Predicting no-reflow phenomenon prior to primary percutaneous coronary intervention using a novel probability risk score derived from clinical and angiographic parameters.

Objective: We aimed to create a clinically usable probability risk score for prediction of no-reflow (NRF) phenomenon prior to primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI).

Patients And Methods: This single-center and retrospective study included 1254 patients with acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) who underwent PPCI. Patients were randomly assigned into two groups in the ratio 2:1, the derivation dataset (n=840) and validation dataset (n=414).

New scale for assessing spasticity based on the pendulum test.

Quantified assessment of spasticity is essential for the rehabilitation of persons with paralysis. We introduce the new SPAsticity Scale (SPAS), which we found highly correlated with the Modified Ashworth Score (MAS); yet, with a delicate gradation of spasticity compared to the MAS. The parameters defining the SPAS show the level and the type of spasticity (flexion or extension).

Development and Validation of a Multivariable Predictive Model for Mortality of COVID-19 Patients Demanding High Oxygen Flow at Admission to ICU: AIDA Score.

Introduction: Risk stratification is an important aspect of COVID-19 management, especially in patients admitted to ICU as it can provide more useful consumption of health resources, as well as prioritize critical care services in situations of overwhelming number of patients.

Materials And Methods: A multivariable predictive model for mortality was developed using data solely from a derivation cohort of 160 COVID-19 patients with moderate to severe ARDS admitted to ICU. The regression coefficients from the final multivariate model of the derivation study were used to assign points for the risk model, consisted of all significant variables from the multivariate analysis and age as a known risk factor for COVID-19 patient mortality.

Antioxidant Activity of Hemp ( L.) Seed Oil in Larvae under Non-Stress and HO-Induced Oxidative Stress Conditions.

The oil extracted from hemp seeds has significant nutritional and biological properties due to the unique composition of polyunsaturated fatty acids and various antioxidant compounds. The potential of this oil for the prevention of oxidative stress and for the treatment of oxidative-stress-induced ailments is of increasing interest. Most studies of hemp seed oil were conducted in-vitro, meaning we lack information about effects and activity in vivo.

Impacts of Covid-19 on peer-to-peer accommodation platforms: Host perceptions and responses.

The Covid-19 pandemic has brought international tourism at a standstill. Peer-to-peer (P2P) accommodation, in particular, has been greatly affected with platforms being heavily criticised for lacking a strategic response to users' needs. Drawing from semi-structured interviews with P2P accommodation hosts, this study aims to explore: a) their perceptions of the short-term impacts of the pandemic on their hosting practice, b) their responses to the pandemic and c) their perceptions of the long-term impacts of the pandemic on the P2P accommodation sector.

Probiotics: Versatile Bioactive Components in Promoting Human Health.

The positive impact of probiotic strains on human health has become more evident than ever before. Often delivered through food, dietary products, supplements, and drugs, different legislations for safety and efficacy issues have been prepared. Furthermore, regulatory agencies have addressed various approaches toward these products, whether they authorize claims mentioning a disease's diagnosis, prevention, or treatment.

Human microbiome and homeostasis: insights into the key role of prebiotics, probiotics, and symbiotics.

The interest in the study of the gut microbiome has grown exponentially. Indeed, its impact on health and disease has been increasingly reported, and the importance of keeping gut microbiome homeostasis clearly highlighted. However, and despite many advances, there are still some gaps, as well as the real discernment on the contribution of some species falls far short of what is needed.

European Position Paper on Rhinosinusitis and Nasal Polyps 2020.

The European Position Paper on Rhinosinusitis and Nasal Polyps 2020 is the update of similar evidence based position papers published in 2005 and 2007 and 2012. The core objective of the EPOS2020 guideline is to provide revised, up-to-date and clear evidence-based recommendations and integrated care pathways in ARS and CRS. EPOS2020 provides an update on the literature published and studies undertaken in the eight years since the EPOS2012 position paper was published and addresses areas not extensively covered in EPOS2012 such as paediatric CRS and sinus surgery.

Histochemical, immunohistochemical and ultrastructural analysis of aortic wall in neonatal coarctation.

The neonatal type of coarctation is characterized by the presence of the ductal sling and coarctational shelf placed proximally in relation to the ductal orifice. Those morphological features are not described in detail yet from immunohistochemical and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) aspects, so the aim of this study was to investigate the smooth muscle cells (SMCs) phenotype in aortic intimal thickening, presence of inflammatory cells and contents of intimal and medial, and adventitial connective tissue. We examined samples of coarctation segments excised at surgery after end-to-end anastomosis from 30 patients, ages from 14 days to three months, histochemicaly, immunocytochemically and by TEM.

The β-blocker uptitration in elderly with heart failure regarding biomarker levels: CIBIS-ELD substudy.

Aim: We investigated if the baseline value of mid-regional pro-atrial natriuretic peptide (NP), N-terminal pro-B-type NP and copeptin may be helpful in optimizing β-blocker uptitration in elderly patients with heart failure.

Patients & Methods: According to the biomarkers' levels, 457 patients were divided into three subgroups and compared with each other at baseline and 3 months after.

Results: All mid-regional pro-atrial NP and N-terminal pro-B-type NP subgroups had significant amelioration of left ventricle ejection fraction and New York Heart Association (NYHA) class after 3 months of β-blocker uptitration (p < 0.

Selection of recycling centre locations by using the interval type-2 fuzzy sets and two-objective genetic algorithm.

In the sense of contemporary industrial challenges, it may be said that many issues in the field of recycling may be analysed. In this paper, the model for choosing locations for construction of recycling centres equipped with new technology is proposed. The considered problem may be stated as a two-objective optimization problem, if the optimization criteria are presented as total distance and the overall suitability index sum.

Does galvanic vestibular stimulation decrease spasticity in clinically complete spinal cord injury?

The aim of this study was to determine changes in clinical and biomechanical measures of spasticity after administering galvanic vestibular stimulation in patients with a complete spinal cord injury (SCI). The spasticity in the lower limbs was assessed using the Modified Ashworth Scale and the pendulum test in seven SCI patients (grade A on the ASIA Impairment Scale) before (0), immediately after (0), and at 5 and 30 min after the real versus sham galvanic vestibular stimulation (15 s each, anode over the right mastoid). Overall, the changes in spasticity were not significantly different between the real and sham galvanic vestibular stimulation.

Matrix Metalloproteinase-9 and Tissue Inhibitor of Matrix Metalloproteinase-1 in Sepsis after Major Abdominal Surgery.

Background: The role of matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) and tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1) in sepsis after major abdominal surgery and sepsis-associated organ dysfunction is unexplored.

Materials And Methods: Fifty-three patients with sepsis after major abdominal surgery were compared to 50 operated and 50 nonoperated controls. MMP-9, TIMP-1, biomarkers of inflammation, kidney and liver injury, coagulation, and metabolic disorders were measured daily during 96 h following diagnosis of sepsis and once in controls.

Assessment of Spasticity by a Pendulum Test in SCI Patients Who Exercise FES Cycling or Receive Only Conventional Therapy.

Increased muscle tone and exaggerated tendon reflexes characterize most of the individuals after a spinal cord injury (SCI). We estimated seven parameters from the pendulum test and used them to compare with the Ashworth modified scale of spasticity grades in three populations (retrospective study) to assess their spasticity. Three ASIA B SCI patients who exercised on a stationary FES bicycle formed group F, six ASIA B SCI patients who received only conventional therapy were in the group C, and six healthy individuals constituted the group H.

Utility of angiotensin-converting enzyme activity in aqueous humor in the diagnosis of ocular sarcoidosis.

Purpose: Many studies include elevated activity of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) in serum in sarcoidosis and in ocular sarcoidosis as well, but there are only a few analyzing ACE activities in aqueous humor. The aim of this study is to illuminate the diagnostic value of ACE in aqueous humor in patients with ocular sarcoidosis.

Methods: We analyzed twenty patients with ocular sarcoidosis and 18 patients with nonocular involvement.

Whitening-dependent changes of fluorescence of extracted human teeth.

Objective: To evaluate in vitro the fluorescence properties of extracted human teeth whitened with 40% hydrogen peroxide.

Materials And Methods: A total of 28 extracted human teeth were pumiced for 1 minute using a low-speed dental handpiece and a disposable rubber cup. Pre-whitening fluorescence measurements (T0), maximum excitation (Ex ), maximum emission (Em ), and maximum intensity (I 10 ), were performed using a spectrofluorometer.

Normal Tissue Complication Probability (NTCP) Modelling of Severe Acute Mucositis using a Novel Oral Mucosal Surface Organ at Risk.

Aims: A normal tissue complication probability (NTCP) model of severe acute mucositis would be highly useful to guide clinical decision making and inform radiotherapy planning. We aimed to improve upon our previous model by using a novel oral mucosal surface organ at risk (OAR) in place of an oral cavity OAR.

Materials And Methods: Predictive models of severe acute mucositis were generated using radiotherapy dose to the oral cavity OAR or mucosal surface OAR and clinical data.

THE EFFECT OF RIGHT VENTRICULAR PACEMAKER LEAD POSITION ON FUNCTIONAL STATUS IN PATIENTS WITH PRESERVED LEFT VENTRICULAR EJECTION FRACTION.

Introduction: The study was aimed at assessing the difference between the right ventricle apex versus the right ventricular outflow tract lead position in functional capacity in the patients with the preserved left ventricular ejection fraction after 12 months of pacemaker stimulation.

Material And Methods: This was a prospective, randomized, follow-up study, which lasted for 12 months. The study sample included 132 consecutive patients who were implanted with permanent anti-bradicardiac pacemaker.

Influence of manual thrombus aspiration on left ventricular diastolic function in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction treated with primary percutaneous coronary intervention.

Introduction: Data on effects of thrombus aspiration on left ventricular diastolic function in ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) population are scarce.

Objective: We sought to compare echocardiographic indices of the diastolic function and outcomes in STEMI patients treated with and without manual thrombus aspiration, in an academic, high-volume percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) center.

Methods: A total of 433 consecutive patients who underwent primary PCI in 2011-2012 were enrolled in the study.

Factors affecting severity of positive and negative symptoms of psychosis in a polysubstance using population with psychostimulant dependence.

Approximately half of psychostimulant users experience psychotic symptoms, which include both positive and negative symptoms. Prior reports have exclusively used positive symptoms to characterize psychostimulant associated psychosis. Symptoms vary dramatically in severity, though most investigations categorize psychosis as a dichotomous occurrence.