Bio-Stimulated Surface Healing of Historical and Compatible Conservation Mortars.

The main focus of this research was the bio-stimulated healing of cracks in lime mortar samples (historical and newly designed). The investigation started from comprehensive characterisation of historical mortars, while in the next stage a compatible conservation mortar was designed and characterised, with special attention given to the contact zone formation between original and conservation mortars. The next step was the design of a bio-stimulating crack-sealing agent, a two-component liquid system: bacteria culture DSM 33 and nutrients.

Cognitive and socio-cognitive functioning of chronic non-medical prescription opioid users.

Rationale: Non-medical prescription opioid use (NMPOU) has become a major public health issue in the USA and is also increasing in Europe. However, little is known about neuropsychological associations of NMPOU-specifically regarding social cognition, which is essential for social functioning and treatability of opioid dependence. Previous studies with heroin users and opioid-substituted patients reported deficits in various cognitive functions, but these results are likely confounded by comorbid physical and psychiatric diseases, overdose-associated hypoxia, and adulteration of street heroin.

Model for Developing a Health-Related Quality of Life Questionnaire for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.

Introduction: The St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ), Modified Medical Research Council (mMRC) Dyspnea Scale, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), and general health questionnaire (SF-36) are widely used for chronic respiratory diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Aim: We examined the reliability and validity of a modified questionnaire (MQ) to create a model for assessing the health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in COPD.

Prevalence of Escherichia coli Resistant to Beta-Lactam Antibiotics among Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease and Urinary Tract Infection.

Urinary tract infection (UTI), which is typically caused by Escherichia coli (E. coli), is an insufficiently recognized co-morbidity among patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Adequate treatment can be complicated by resistance of the causative pathogen to beta-lactam antibiotics, which often produce beta-lactamase enzymes that destroy the antibiotic.