The Value of Body Plethysmography (sGaw) in the Assessment of Airway Hyperreactivity in Cough Variant Asthma.

: Cough variant asthma (CVA) is characterized by nonspecific symptoms and normal spirometric values, which makes diagnosis challenging. To diagnose CVA it is necessary to document airway hyperreactivity (AHR). The aim of our study was to evaluate the diagnostic value of body plethysmography in the assessment of AHR using the methacholine challenge test (MCT).

Novel de Novo Nonsense Variants in AGO3 and KHSRP: Insights into Global Developmental Delay and Autism Spectrum Disorders through Whole Genome Analysis.

BACKGROUND Neurodevelopmental disorders (NDD) are umbrella disorders that encompass global developmental delay (GDD), intellectual disability, autism spectrum disorders, motor developmental disorders, and sleep disorders. Both GDD and autism spectrum disorder are common and yet clinically and genetically heterogeneous disorders. Despite their high prevalence and the advent of sequencing detection methods, the genomic etiology of GDD and autism spectrum disorder in most patients is largely unknown.

Refractory systemic lupus erythematosus with chylous effusion successfully treated with sirolimus: a case report and literature review.

Chylous effusion is a rare manifestation of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). When it does occur in SLE, it is generally well treated with standard pharmacologic or surgical measures. We present a decade of management in a case of SLE with lung affliction and development of refractory bilateral chylous effusion and pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH).

Revisiting the Epworth sleepiness scale : Is excessive daytime sleepiness still a valid screening tool for obstructive sleep apnea in a population at risk?

Objective: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a common medical problem with numerous comorbidities and high costs. Since the introduction of the Epworth sleepiness scale (ESS), excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) has been considered the most common and prominent symptom of OSA. Aim of this study was to re-evaluate the ESS for detection of OSA in a population at risk compared to the gold standard overnight polysomnography (PSG).

Autoantibodies in COVID-19, a possible role in the pathogenesis of the disease.

Objectives: In this study, we investigated whether SARS-CoV-2 stimulates autoantibody production.

Methods: The study included 91 patients hospitalized due to COVID 19, with no previous history of immunological diseases. Immunofluorescence assays were performed to detect antinuclear antibodies (ANAs) and antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCAs), along with tests for specific autoantibodies.

Value of Fractional Exhaled Nitric Oxide in Diagnosing Mild Asthma Responsive to Inhaled Corticosteroids.

Background: Mild asthma is often characterized by normal spirometric values and a negative bronchodilation test (BDT), which makes accurate diagnosis challenging. The aim of our study was to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) in mild asthma.

Methods: In adults with symptoms suggestive of asthma and normal spirometry values, BDT, FeNO, BPT and skin prick testing were performed.

NONINVASIVE MECHANICAL VENTILATION IN COVID-19 RELATED ACUTE RESPIRATORY FAILURE.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is presented with a wide range of symptoms, from asymptomatic disease to severe and progressive interstitial pneumonia. As part of interstitial pneumonia, respiratory failure is typically presented as hypoxia and is the most common cause of hospitalization. When oxygen therapy fails, continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) or noninvasive mechanical ventilation (NIV) are used as respiratory support measures of first choice.

Psychometric Characteristics of the Croatian Version of the Zarit Burden Interview Questionnaire Among Informal Caregivers of Long-Term Mechanically Ventilated Patients.

Background: The aim is to evaluate the reliability and validity of the Croatian version of the Zarit Caregiver Burden Interview (ZBI) among the population of informal caregivers of long-term mechanically ventilated patients.

Subjects And Methods: After a preliminary analysis, 25 participants were selected by using strictly defined criteria and they were asked to complete the Croatian version of the ZBI. The test - retest method was used for reliability assessment while an exploratory strategy of factor analysis was used to identify real-life existent subscales.

Causative agents of bloodstream infections in two Croatian hospitals and their resistance mechanisms.

Blood samples were collected alongside with routine blood cultures (BC) from patients with suspected sepsis, to evaluate the prevalence of different causative agents in patients with bacteraemia. Among 667 blood samples, there were 122 positive BC (18%). Haemoglobin content, platelet number, and systolic blood pressure values were significantly lower in patients with positive BC, whereas serum lactate levels, CRP, creatinine and urea content were significantly higher in patients with positive BC.

Diagnostic accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity of CT pulmonary artery to aorta diameter ratio in screening for pulmonary hypertension in end-stage COPD patients.

Aim: To determine the diagnostic accuracy of pulmonary artery to aorta ratio in screening for pulmonary hypertension in advanced chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients.

Methods: A prospective, diagnostic study was conducted in University Hospital Center Zagreb between January 2015 and March 2018. The study enrolled 100 patients who consecutively underwent chest computed tomography (CT), echocardiographic exam, and right heart catheterization.

Weight Gain in Lung Transplantation Patients during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Croatia.

Background: To determine the effect of lockdown measures on lung transplant patients during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Subjects And Methods: We collected data from Croatian lung transplant patients before and after the lockdown and analyzed changes in weight, BMI, lung function and blood lipid status.

Results: An average increase of 3.

Extracorporeal blood purification is associated with improvement in biochemical and clinical variables in the critically-ill COVID-19 patients.

This study tried to investigate the impact of oXiris filter on both clinical and laboratory parameters in critically-ill COVID-19 intensive care unit (ICU) patients receiving extracorporeal blood purification and the clinical setting for the initiation of therapy. A consecutive sample of 15 ICU patients with COVID-19 was treated with oXiris membrane for blood purification or for support of renal function due to acute kidney injury. We have included 19 non treated ICU COVID-19 patients as a control group.

Tibial tuberosity-tibial intercondylar midpoint distance measured on computed tomography scanner is not biased during knee rotation and could be clinically more relevant than current measurement systems.

Purpose: The purpose of this retrospective cross-sectional case-control study was to evaluate an alternative imaging test for lateralization of the tibial tuberosity, unbiased towards knee rotation.

Methods: On axial CT images of 129 knees, classified as cases (two or more patellar luxations) and controls (no patellar luxations), two raters gauged the standard tibial tuberosity-trochlear groove (TT-TG) distance, tibial tuberosity-femoral intercondylar midpoint (TT-FIM) distance, and new tibial tuberosity-tibial intercondylar midpoint (TT-TIM) distance singly, and knee longitudinal rotation angles (LRAs), and the presence of femoral trochlear dysplasia (FTD) jointly.

Results: All imaging tests intercorrelated and discriminated between stability groups.

Reversible Peripheral Facial Nerve Palsy During Airplane Travel.

Facial baroparesis is reversible palsy of the facial nerve that may occur due to a pressure change in the middle ear when ascending in an airplane or during scuba diving. The objective is to present a rare case of facial paresis during airplane travel. We report a 49-yr-old female patient who presented with a 30-min episode of transient right facial paresis with loss of taste during airplane travel.

Management of idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus (iNPH) - a retrospective study.

Normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH) is communicating hydrocephalus characterised by normal intraventricular pressures. It presents with the triad of gait impairment, cognitive decline, and urinary incontinence. The term idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus (iNPH) is used in cases where the etiology is unknown.

Attenuation of ALS progression during pregnancy-lessons to be learned or just a coincidence?

ALS is the most frequent motor neuron disorder in adults with suggested complex relationship regarding gender. Studies investigating ALS and hormones have provided varying results. ALS onset during pregnancy is uncommon and pregnancy after the ALS symptom onset is even rarer.

Hemothorax as the first manifestation of idiopathic pulmonary arteriovenous malformation.

Background: Pulmonary arteriovenous malformations (PAVM) are rare pulmonary vascular anomalies and hemothorax as a presenting feature of PAVM is a very rare occurrence.

Case Presentation: A 45-year old woman presented with chest pain and breathlessness. A chest x-ray showed left-sided pleural effusion.

Anemia, hypoalbuminemia, and elevated troponin levels as risk factors for respiratory failure in patients with severe exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease requiring invasive mechanical ventilation.

Aim: To determine in-hospital and post-discharge mortality, readmission rates, and predictors of invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV) in patients treated at intensive care unit (ICU) due to acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD).

Methods: A retrospective observational cohort study included all patients treated at a respiratory ICU for AECOPD during one year. A total of 62 patients (41 men) with mean age 68.