Raman and resonance Raman spectroscopic study of red blood cells in patients diagnosed with malaria.

Raman spectroscopy was used to study erythrocytes collected from patients diagnosed with malaria at the University Hospital in Kraków and from healthy volunteers. A laser line with a wavelength of 442 nm was used to induce the Raman resonance of haem, while a laser with a wavelength of 785 nm was used for the normal Raman effect. The results were analysed using Principal Component Analysis.

Raman spectroscopy of lymphocytes from patients with the Epstein-Barr virus infection.

In this study, Raman spectroscopy is applied to trace lymphocytes activation following contact with the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) of the herpesvirus family. The biomarker of cell activation is found to be the 520 cm band, indicating formation of immunoglobulins. The blood samples are obtained from patients diagnosed with infectious mononucleosis and treated at the University Hospital in Kraków.

Course of Plasmodium infection studied using 2D-COS on human erythrocytes.

Background: The threat of malaria is still present in the world. Recognizing the type of parasite is important in determining a treatment plan. The golden routine involves microscopic diagnostics of Giemsa-stained thin blood smears, however, alternative methods are also constantly being sought, in order to gain an additional insight into the course of the disease.

It is time to define an organizational model for the prevention and management of infections along the surgical pathway: a worldwide cross-sectional survey.

Background: The objectives of the study were to investigate the organizational characteristics of acute care facilities worldwide in preventing and managing infections in surgery; assess participants' perception regarding infection prevention and control (IPC) measures, antibiotic prescribing practices, and source control; describe awareness about the global burden of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and IPC measures; and determine the role of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 pandemic on said awareness.

Methods: A cross-sectional web-based survey was conducted contacting 1432 health care workers (HCWs) belonging to a mailing list provided by the Global Alliance for Infections in Surgery. The self-administered questionnaire was developed by a multidisciplinary team.

Neurological Prognostic Factors in Hospitalized Patients with COVID-19.

We aimed to search whether neurological symptoms or signs (NSS) and the MEWS (Modified Early Warning Score) score were associated with in-hospital mortality or oxygen requirement during the first 14 days of hospitalization in COVID-19 patients recruited at the University Hospital in Krakow, Poland. The detailed clinical questionnaires on twenty NSS were either filled out by patients prospectively or retrospectively assessed by neurologists based on daily medical records. NSS were considered high or low-risk if they were associated with increased or decreased mortality in the univariable analysis.

Therapeutic role of eicosapentaenoic and arachidonic acid in benzo(a) pyrene-induced toxicity in HUVEC endothelial cells.

Endothelial cells are characterized by intense metabolic activity and control of homeostasis. Exposure to benzo(a)pyrene (BaP) plays an important role in the etiology of atherosclerosis. The study aimed to determine the effect of arachidonic (ARA), and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) on pro-inflammatory gene and protein levels in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) exposed to BaP.

POEMS Syndrome: Real World Experience in Diagnosis and Systemic Therapy - 108 Patients Multicenter Analysis.

POEMS syndrome, a rare plasma cell disorder, is challenging both in the diagnostic and therapeutic management. We present real word retrospective analysis of 108 cases analyzing clinical features and therapeutic modes. We compare our results with the available literature.

Incidence of Vaccine-Preventable Childhood Diseases in the European Union and in the European Free Trade Association Countries.

Introduction: Despite the widespread availability of vaccines, the incidence of vaccine-preventable childhood diseases (VPCD) started to grow in recent years. The aim of the study was to compare the annual incidence of selected VPCDs in the EU (European Union) and EFTA (European Free Trade Association) countries in the period of the last 5 years (2014-2019 or other intervals, depending on data availability), and the country-specific vaccine schedules.

Methods: VPCD incidence rates in Europe were based on "The Surveillance Atlas of Infectious Diseases" by the ECDC (European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control); vaccination schedules were based on ECDC reports.

Mortality review as a tool to assess the contribution of healthcare-associated infections to death: results of a multicentre validity and reproducibility study, 11 European Union countries, 2017 to 2018.

IntroductionThe contribution of healthcare-associated infections (HAI) to mortality can be estimated using statistical methods, but mortality review (MR) is better suited for routine use in clinical settings. The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control recently introduced MR into its HAI surveillance.AimWe evaluate validity and reproducibility of three MR measures.

Mortality Following Infection in Europe: A Retrospective Multicenter Case-Control Study.

We aimed to describe the clinical presentation, treatment, outcome and report on factors associated with mortality over a 90-day period in infection (CDI). Descriptive, univariate, and multivariate regression analyses were performed on data collected in a retrospective case-control study conducted in nine hospitals from seven European countries. A total of 624 patients were included, of which 415 were deceased (cases) and 209 were still alive 90 days after a CDI diagnosis (controls).

Musculoskeletal manifestations of Lyme borreliosis - a review.

Lyme borreliosis (LB) is a zoonotic disease caused by Gram-negative bacteria sensu lato. The majority of reported cases of LB originate in the northern hemisphere, mostly in the US and Europe. One of the typical manifestations of LB are musculoskeletal symptoms; they may appear in any of the three LB stages.

Different MAF translocations confer similar prognosis in newly diagnosed multiple myeloma patients.

The MAF translocations, t(14;16) and t(14;20), are considered as adverse prognostic factors based on few studies with small sample sizes. We report on their prognostic impact in a large group of 254 patients - 223 (87.8%) with t(14;16) and 31 (12.

A multicenter retrospective study of 223 patients with t(14;16) in multiple myeloma.

The t(14;16) translocation, found in 3%-5% of newly diagnosed (ND) multiple myeloma (MM), has been associated with adverse outcomes. However, the studies establishing the characteristics of t(14;16) included solely small cohorts. The goal of the current international, multicenter (n = 25 centers), retrospective study was to describe the characteristics and outcomes of t(14;16) patients in a large, real-world cohort (n = 223).

The level of fecal calprotectin significantly correlates with Clostridium difficile infection severity.

Introduction: Fecal calprotectin (FC) rises significantly in intestinal inflammation accompanied by neutrophil activation - such as Clostridium difficile infection (CDI). The aim of the study was to evaluate the benefit of FC testing in assessing the severity of CDI.

Materials And Methods: The study group included 76 patients with CDI hospitalized in the Jagiellonian University Hospital in Krakow from July 2017 till January 2018.

Clostridium difficile caused changes in fatty acids profile and resolvin D1 content in plasma of infected patients.

Objectives: Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) is an acute gastrointestinal infection caused by anaerobic, toxin-producing bacteria. During the course of CDI, there is a general inflammatory state. In order to gain a deeper understanding of the role of fatty acids (FAs) in the pathogenesis of acute infection we analyzed their plasma content in both patients with CDI and controls.

Prevalence of Function-Dependent Temporomandibular Joint and Masticatory Muscle Pain, and Predictors of Temporomandibular Disorders among Patients with Lyme Disease.

The aim was to determine the occurrence of temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) in patients with Lyme disease (LD), and to estimate the contribution of factors that may identify TMD among LD patients. In seventy-six ( = 76) adult patients with LD (mean age 57.6 ± 14.

Analysis of cases of Lyme arthritis in patients hospitalized in Infectious Diseases Department, University Hospital in Cracow.

Lyme disease is an emerging problem in Poland. Analysis has been undertaken of the medical documentation of 86 patients hospitalized in the Infectious Diseases Department, University Hospital in Cracow in 2013-2016, suspected of Lyme arthritis. It has especially considered medical history including potential exposure to the infection, detailed characteristics of the symptoms, diagnostic challenges and results of the treatment.

Differences between palpation and static/dynamic tests to diagnose painful temporomandibular disorders in patients with Lyme disease.

Objectives: The aim was to determine the frequency of Research Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders (RDC/TMD)-based pain diagnoses and dynamic/static tests-based pain diagnoses, and to assess the agreement of palpation tests with static/dynamic tests.

Materials And Methods: Eighty-six (N = 86) adult patients with Lyme disease (mean age 57.0 ± 14.

Clostridium difficile infection: review.

Clostridium difficile (C. difficile) is a Gram-positive, spore-forming, anaerobic bacillus, which is widely distributed in the intestinal tract of humans and animals and in the environment. In the last decade, the frequency and severity of C.

2019 update of the WSES guidelines for management of () infection in surgical patients.

In the last three decades, infection (CDI) has increased in incidence and severity in many countries worldwide. The increase in CDI incidence has been particularly apparent among surgical patients. Therefore, prevention of CDI and optimization of management in the surgical patient are paramount.

Analysis of risk factors and outcomes of Clostridium difficile infection.

Introduction: Clostridium difficile (C. difficile) is a Gram-positive, anaerobic rod-shaped bacteria, widely spread in the human environment. In the last decade, the frequency and severity of Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) have been increasing, making this particular disease one of the most significant nosocomial infections.