Changes in pulse pressure variation induced by passive leg raising test to predict preload responsiveness in mechanically ventilated patients with low tidal volume in ICU: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Pulse pressure variation (PPV) is limited in low tidal volume mechanical ventilation. We conducted this systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate whether passive leg raising (PLR)-induced changes in PPV can reliably predict preload/fluid responsiveness in mechanically ventilated patients with low tidal volume in the intensive care unit.

Methods: PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane databases were screened for diagnostic research relevant to the predictability of PPV change after PLR in low-tidal volume mechanically ventilated patients.

The Effect of Prostaglandin F2 Analog Treatment on the Immunoexpression of Fibrosis-Associated Factors in Patients with Glaucoma Undergoing Deep Sclerotomy.

Long-term use of topical prostaglandins might initiate chronic conjunctival inflammation, leading to poor outcomes of glaucoma surgery. The aim of this study was to evaluate the immunoexpression pattern of HSP70, CTGF, SNAIL, aSMA, cMYB, and HIFa in the conjunctiva, episclera, and deep sclera in patients with glaucoma undergoing deep sclerectomy in order to establish an association between staining intensities and prostaglandin F2 (PGF2) treatment. Double immunofluorescence (HSP70, CTGF, SNAIL, aSMA, cMYB, and HIFa) was performed on conjunctiva, episclera, and deep sclera samples, which were obtained from 23 patients treated with PGF2 and 8 patients without PGF2 treatment.

The Potential Predictive Role of Oxidative Stress and Antioxidant Parameters Regarding Mortality and the Type of Causative Agent in Sepsis.

Oxidative stress represents an imbalance between oxidants and antioxidants, with a predominance of oxidants leading to cellular and tissue damage. Given the limited number of studies showing the predictive value of oxidative stress factors regarding sepsis type, the objectives of this study emerged as follows: to determine whether pro-oxidant and antioxidant values could predictively differentiate between Gram-positive (GP) and Gram-negative (GN) sepsis. Additionally, the study sought to assess whether bacterial type impacts treatment outcomes in sepsis patients.

Do dynamic changes in haematological and biochemical parameters predict mortality in critically ill COVID-19 patients?

Background: Critically ill COVID-19 patients are usually subjected to clinical, laboratory, and radiological diagnostic procedures resulting in numerous findings. Utilizing these findings as indicators for disease progression or outcome prediction is particularly intriguing.

Objectives: Exploring the significance of dynamic changes in haematological and biochemical parameters in predicting the mortality of critically ill COVID-19 patients.

Immunoexpression Patterns of Megalin, Cubilin, Caveolin-1, Gipc1 and Dab2IP in the Embryonic and Postnatal Development of the Kidneys in () Mice.

Our study examines the immunoexpression patterns of Megalin, Cubilin, Caveolin-1, Gipc1 and Dab2IP in the embryonic development (E) and postnatal (P) mouse kidney, with a focus on differentiating patterns between wild-type (wt) and , () mice. Immunofluorescence revealed raised immunoexpression of receptors Megalin and Cubilin at the ampulla/collecting ducts and convoluted tubules across all developmental stages, with the most prominent immunoexpression observed in the convoluted tubules and the parietal epithelium of the Bowman's capsule. Quantitative analysis showed a higher percentage of Megalin and Cubilin in wt compared to mice at E13.

Biological characteristics and clinical management of uveal and conjunctival melanoma.

Uveal and conjunctival melanomas are relatively rare tumors; nonetheless, they pose a significant risk of mortality for a large number of affected individuals. The pathogenesis of melanoma at different sites is very similar, however, the prognosis for patients with ocular melanoma remains unfavourable, primarily due to its distinctive genetic profile and tumor microenvironment. Regardless of considerable advances in understanding the genetic characteristics and biological behaviour, the treatment of uveal and conjunctival melanoma remains a formidable challenge.

The Role of a Clinical Pharmacist in the Identification of Potentially Inadequate Drugs Prescribed to the Geriatric Population in Low-Resource Settings Using the Beers Criteria: A Pilot Study.

Population aging is a global phenomenon. Each country in the world faces an increased number of older persons in the total population. With aging, a high prevalence of multiple chronic diseases occurs, leading to the use of complex therapeutic regimens and often to polypharmacy.

Thrombocytopenia risks in ARDS COVID-19 patients treated with high-dose linezolid during vvECMO therapy: an observational study.

Patients treated with ECMO are at great risk of nosocomial infections, and around 10% of isolates are gram-positive pathogens. Linezolid (LZD) is effective in the treatment of these infections but appropriate dosing is challenging. The aim was to evaluate the occurrence of thrombocytopenia during ECMO when treated with LZD.

Does adjunctive hemoadsorption provide benefit in the management of ischemia-reperfusion syndrome following near-drowning? A case report.

Drowning remains a significant global health concern, claiming over 300,000 lives annually, with a disproportionate impact on young individuals in low-and middle-income countries. Conventional mechanical ventilation, while common, falls short in addressing the hypoxemia and hypercapnia often observed in severe near-drowning cases. Veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (vvECMO) emerges as a critical intervention for cardiopulmonary failure post-drowning.

Population Pharmacokinetic Model of Linezolid and Probability of Target Attainment in Patients with COVID-19-Associated Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome on Veno-Venous Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation-A Step toward Correct Dosing.

During veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (vv ECMO) therapy, antimicrobial drugs are frequently used, and appropriate dosing is challenging due to there being limited data to support the dosage. Linezolid is effective against multidrug-resistant Gram-positive pathogens frequently isolated in ECMO patients. In total, 53 steady-state linezolid levels were obtained following 600 mg intravenous (IV) injections every 8 h, and these were used to develop a population pharmacokinetic (PopPK) model in patients with COVID-19-associated acute respiratory distress syndrome (CARDS) on vv ECMO.

Post VV-ECMO Weaning Hyperinflammation-Can Prophylactic Hemoadsorption Treatment Prevent Complications?

Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is a severe clinical condition characterized by acute respiratory failure and a high mortality risk despite conventional mechanical ventilatory support. Veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (vvECMO) has emerged as an effective life-support technology for patients with ARDS. However, complications may arise following the decannulation of vvECMO, with a relatively frequent development of systemic hyperinflammation (SHI).

Giant conjunctival melanoma treated with excision and primary reconstruction using a partial thickness skin graft.

Conjunctival melanoma is a rare type of malignancy of ocular surface tissue with a high recurrence rate, sight, and life-threatening malignancy. In this paper, we report a case of giant conjunctival melanoma in an 86-year-old woman, localized on her left eye. The pigmented tumor lesion was de novo occurred and treated by local wide excision and reconstruction of the presented defect by partial thickness skin from the inside parts of the forearm.

The role of high-income countries in the establishment and development of modern critical care in low resource settings: A Slovenian model.

Background: Critical care medicine is a young branch of medicine, of which the development was much faster in High Income Countries (HICs) than in Low Resources Settings (LRS). Slovenia, as one of the successor states of former Yugoslavia, passed the process of transition and joined the European Union successfully. On the contrary, Bosnia and Herzegovina (B&H) went through the extremely difficult process of transition (four years of civil war), which left a deep scar to the healthcare system, including critical care medicine.

High Flow Nasal Cannula Versus Noninvasive Positive Pressure Ventilation as Initial Respiratory Support in Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease and Covid-19: Exploratory Analysis in Two Intensive Care Units.

Objective: To identify the type of the non-invasive ventilatory treatment for patients diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), with respiratory status deteriorated by COVID-19 pneumonia, and in need of treatment in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU).

Materials And Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted over a one-year period in the medical intensive care units of two hospitals. As the patients' clinical condition deteriorated and the parameters of the arterial blood gas (ABG) analysis worsened, oxygen support was applied via a high flow nasal cannula (HFNC) or by non-invasive positive pressure ventilation (NPPV).

Boosting ICU capacity during the COVID-19 pandemic in the western Balkan region, The Republic of Srpska experience.

Background: Response to the outbreak of poliomyelitis in mid-1950 led to recognition and consequent development of critical care. Seventy years later the humankind was struck by COVID-19, another major challenge for critical care medicine which was especially big in Low-Resources-Settings where more than two thirds of the world population live, including the population of the Republic of Srpska (RS).

Design And Methods: The main aim was to show an overview of all interventions in order to boost hospitals' capacities to the level which is sufficient to manage high amount of critically ill COVID-19 patients in the RS.

Does the Prolonged Duration of Continuous Ambulatory Peritoneal Dialysis Affect the Serum Levels of Endothelin-1 and Nitric Oxide?

End-stage renal disease and its treatment with continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) can affect almost all organs and organ systems including vascular endothelium. Consequently, disturbance in the production of vasoactive substances endothelin-1 (ET-1) and nitric oxide (NO) occurs in these patients. There are only a small number of studies that investigated the impact of long-term CAPD on imbalance in production of vasoactive substances ET-1 and NO among these patients.

Characteristics and Outcomes of Critically Ill Pregnant/Postpartum Women with COVID-19 Pneumonia in Western Balkans, The Republic of Srpska Report.

: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a novel infectious disease that has spread worldwide. As of 5 March 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in approximately 111,767 cases and 6338 deaths in the Republic of Srpska and 375,554 cases and 15,718 deaths in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Our objective in the present study was to determine the characteristics and outcomes of critically ill pregnant/postpartum women with COVID-19 in the Republic of Srpska.

Dynamic changes in coagulation, hematological and biochemical parameters as predictors of mortality in critically ill COVID-19 patients: A prospective observational study.

Introduction: This study was created to analyze dynamic alterations in coagulation, hematological and biochemical parameters and their association with mortality of COVID-19 patients. To identify the most sensitive biomarkers as predictors of mortality more research is required.

Methods: The present study was a prospective, one-year-long observational study conducted on all critically ill, COVID-19 patients with respiratory failure.

Impact of prolonged duration of different types of renal replacement therapies on serum levels of endothelin-1 and pulmonary function tests.

Introduction: This study was carried out to investigate the impact of duration of different renal replacement therapies such as hemodialysis and continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis on potential overproduction of endothelin-1 (ET-1) and pulmonary function tests in these patients.

Materials And Methods: The study included 26 patients (14 males, mean age 54.9±16.

Comparison of IgA, IgG, and Neutralizing Antibody Responses Following Immunization With Moderna, BioNTech, AstraZeneca, Sputnik-V, Johnson and Johnson, and Sinopharm's COVID-19 Vaccines.

In an ongoing multinational trial, we obtained blood samples from 365 volunteers vaccinated with mRNA vaccines (Moderna, BioNTech), viral DNA-vectored vaccines (AstraZeneca, Sputnik-V, and Johnson and Johnson), or the attenuated virus vaccine from Sinopharm. After collecting reactogenicity data, the expression of S-Protein binding IgG and IgA was analyzed using an automated sandwich ELISA system. Serum neutralizing potentials were then investigated using an ACE-2-RBD neutralizing assay.