Efficacy of Noble Metal–alloy Endotracheal Tubes in Ventilator-associated Pneumonia Prevention: a Randomized Clinical Trial.

Background: Endotracheal tube (ETT) is an important risk factor for the development of Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP), as it acts as a reservoir for infectious microorganisms and bypasses the host’s defenses. One of the preventive measures for VAP is endotracheal tube composition. It has been reported that biofilm formation is reduced by using ETTs coated with pure silver or silver compounds.

Comparison between open and laparoscopic gastrectomy for gastric cancer: A monocentric retrospective study from a western country.

Background: The majority of laparoscopic gastrectomy (LG) reports arise from Asia and the benefit of this approach in western countries remains unclear. The objective of this study was to compare the postoperative outcomes between LG and open gastrectomy (OG) for gastric cancer in a western center.

Methods: Between 2005 and 2015, all consecutive patients with gastric cancer who underwent either LG or OG were enrolled.

The Compartment Syndrome Associated with Deep Vein Thrombosis due to Rattlesnake Bite: A Case Report.

Background: Snakebite is a health issue specific to some parts of the world, especially in the tropical areas, where it produces many victims. The main clinical damage caused by snakebite involves haemotoxic, neurotoxic and myotoxic reactions. We report the case of a young woman suffering from snakebite who developed deep vein thrombosis and compartment syndrome.

Erratum to: 36th International Symposium on Intensive Care and Emergency Medicine: Brussels, Belgium. 15-18 March 2016.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1186/s13054-016-1208-6.].

Acute mercury poisoning from occult ritual use.

Mercury exposure is a serious environmental issue that concerns people worldwide. Industrial emissions containing mercury, some pharmaceutical and cosmetic products represent exposure sources. In Romania, as in many other countries, a supplementary cause for mercury exposure is represented by various occult rituals where liquids containing mercury are supposed to be ingested.

Comparative assay of Vipera ammodytes antivenom potency.

The finding of the most appropriate way to assess precisely the antivenom efficacy represents one of the major issues for antivenom standardization and success increasing of antivenom therapy. The efficacy of experimental Vipera ammodytes antivenom raised in sheep was determined using in vivo mouse lethality test, respectively, L-aminoacid oxidase, total proteinase and phospholipase A2 antienzymatic effectiveness. The values gained for the antivenom potency depend on the method of measure.

Molecular processes in the streptokinase thrombolytic therapy.

The aim of this research is to evaluate the current streptokinase thrombolytic treatment and to identify or improve new techniques that will base new approaches with a higher efficiency in this area of expertise. In order to be as realistic as possible a new method was set up using magnetic vectorized nanoparticles streptokinase and human blood thrombus. The experimental data confirm the maximum 83% thrombus lyses whenever increase streptokinase concentration.

Peritoneal carcinomatosis from unusual cancer origins: Is there a role for hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy?

Introduction: Complete cytoreductive surgery (CCRS) plus hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) is the gold standard for curative treatment of peritoneal carcinomatosis (PC) arising from colorectal cancer, peritoneal mesothelioma and peritoneal pseudomyxoma peritonei (PMP). The results of HIPEC remain controversial in PC that originates from ovarian cancer, stomach cancer, neuroendocrine tumors, or sarcoma. HIPEC has also been used, although very rarely, for other malignant carcinomatoses.

Linear Relationship of Peritoneal Cancer Index and Survival in Patients with Peritoneal Metastases from Colorectal Cancer.

Background: The peritoneal cancer index (PCI) is the main prognostic factor for establishing potentially resectable peritoneal metastases from colorectal cancer. Attempts have been made to set a PCI cutoff on which to base indications of complete cytoreductive surgery (CCRS) with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC), but none have reached consensus. The aim of this study was to investigate the relation between the PCI and overall survival (OS).

The effects of Zinc on human body, including on renal failure and renal transplantation.

Zinc (Zn) is an important element in human body and in the last period of time there were a lot of studies regarding its importance. It is significant for the good working of many organs. A special attention was given to the importance of the serum Zn in patients with renal failure.