Hyperbaric oxygen therapy stimulates colonic stem cells and induces mucosal healing in patients with refractory ulcerative colitis: a prospective case series.

Background: Hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) is used as part of treatment in a variety of clinical conditions. Its use in the treatment of ulcerative colitis has been reported in few clinical reports.

Objective: We report the effect of HBO on refractory ulcerative colitis exploring one potential mechanism of action.

Bronchial aspirates glucose level as indicator for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in intubated mechanically ventilated patients.

This study evaluated if the level of glucose in bronchial aspirate serves as indicator for the risk of MRSA infection in intubated mechanically ventilated ICU patients. A total of 50 critically ill patients was enrolled and were under tight glycemic control to abolish the effect of hyperglycemia on bronchial secretion, if they were expected to require mechanical ventilation for more than 48 hours. Bronchial aspirates were detected for glucose and sent twice weekly for microbiological analysis and whenever an MRSA was expected.

Serum procalcitonin as a predicting value in severity and prognosis of CAP in sickle cell-patients.

The Pneumonia Severity Index (PSI) and CURB-65 predict outcomes in community acquired pneumonia but have limitations. The study evaluated if procalcitonin in community-acquired pneumonia provides prognostic information with the PSI and CURB-65 in sickle cell adult patients. Twenty sickle cell positive adult patients with a clinical and radiographic diagnosis of community acquired pneumonia were scored using PSI and CRUB-65, and measured procalcitonin levels.