Derivation and External Validation of the Ottawa Bloodstream Infection Model for Acutely Ill Adults.

Background: Knowing the probability that patients have a bloodstream infection (BSI) could influence the ordering of blood cultures and interpretation of their preliminary results. Many previous BSI probability models have limited applicability and accuracy. This study used currently recommended modeling techniques and a large sample to derive and validate the Ottawa BSI Model.

The Independent Association of Plasma and Red Blood Cell Zinc Concentrations with Long-Term Outcomes of Hospitalized Patients.

Background: Plasma and RBC zinc values are unrelated in hospitalized patients. The independent association of these values with important patient outcomes is unknown.

Objectives: Measure the independent association of plasma and RBC zinc with outcomes in hospitalized patients.

Relationship between Plasma Zinc and Red Blood Cell Zinc Levels in Hospitalized Patients.

Background: Patient zinc stores are quantified with plasma or red blood cell (RBC) measures. The relationship between these 2 measures of zinc status has not been determined in a broad population of hospitalized patients.

Methods: Both plasma zinc and RBC zinc were prospectively collected and measured in 252 consenting patients admitted urgently to hospital.

Concurrent external validation of bloodstream infection probability models.

Objective: Accurately estimating the likelihood of bloodstream infection (BSI) can help clinicians make diagnostic and therapeutic decisions. Many multivariate models predicting BSI probability have been published. This study measured the performance of BSI probability models within the same patient sample.

Do Blood Lactate Levels Affect the Kinematic Patterns of Jump Shots in Handball?

The aim of this study was to determine whether the dynamic motor stereotype of movement (shooting technique) is violated under conditions of an increased lactate concentration in a player's blood after a 30-15 intermittent fitness test. The hypotheses was that there would be statistically significant differences in ball speed and shooting accuracy in jump shots on the goal before and after the occurrence of fatigue in the player. The sample of respondents consisted of 10 top-level handball players of the highest competition rank in Croatia.

The Prognostic Value of Serum Zinc Levels in Acutely Hospitalized Patients: a Systematic Review.

Several small studies have identified possible associations between low serum zinc levels and worse outcomes in patients acutely hospitalized for a variety of diseases. This study systematically evaluated all published literature to determine whether serum zinc might independently predict important outcomes in hospitalized patients. PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Libraries databases were searched from 1970 to 2019 to identify all citations having the keyword "zinc" with hospital outcomes.

Factors associated with zinc levels in hospitalized patients: An observational study using routinely collected data.

Background: Zinc deficiency is easily treated and has been associated with worse outcomes in hospitalized patients. Zinc testing is time-consuming and relatively costly. We identified every zinc level measured at our teaching hospital and quantified how much zinc variation is explained by other hospital factors.

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are a key determinant of cancer's metabolic phenotype.

Cancer cells exhibit a wide range of metabolic phenotypes, ranging from strict aerobic glycolysis to increased mitochondrial respiration. The cause and utility of this metabolic variation is poorly understood. Given that cancer cells experience heavy selection within their microenvironment, survival requires metabolic adaptation to both extracellular and intracellular conditions.

ArmAssist Robotic System versus Matched Conventional Therapy for Poststroke Upper Limb Rehabilitation: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

The ArmAssist is a simple low-cost robotic system for upper limb motor training that combines known benefits of repetitive task-oriented training, greater intensity of practice, and less dependence on therapist assistance. The aim of this preliminary study was to compare the efficacy of ArmAssist (AA) robotic training against matched conventional arm training in subacute stroke subjects with moderate-to-severe upper limb impairment. Twenty-six subjects were enrolled within 3 months of stroke and randomly assigned to the AA group or Control group ( = 13 each).

Validation of the Serbian Version of Multiple Sclerosis Spasticity Scale 88 (MSSS-88).

Objective: Multiple Sclerosis Spasticity Scale (MSSS)-88 has been developed for self-assessment of spasticity symptoms in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). The objective of this study was to validate MSSS-88 and evaluate the psychometric properties in patients with MS in Serbia.

Methods: The study comprised 65 MS patients with spasticity.

Validity and reliability of the Serbian version of Patient-Reported Impact of Spasticity Measure in multiple sclerosis.

The Patient-Reported Impact of Spasticity Measure (PRISM) has been developed recently to assess the impact of spasticity on quality of life after spinal cord injury. Although PRISM may also be useful in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS), its psychometric properties in MS have not been established and PRISM is currently available only in English. The aims of this cross-sectional study were to translate PRISM into the Serbian language (PRISMSR) and examine its validity (construct, convergent, divergent) and reliability (internal consistency, test-retest reliability) in 48 patients with spasticity because of MS diagnosed at least 1 year earlier and in remission at least 3 months.

Feedback-mediated upper extremities exercise: increasing patient motivation in poststroke rehabilitation.

Purpose: This proof-of-concept study investigated whether feedback-mediated exercise (FME) of the affected arm of hemiplegic patients increases patient motivation and promotes greater improvement of motor function, compared to no-feedback exercise (NFE).

Method: We developed a feedback-mediated treatment that uses gaming scenarios and allows online and offline monitoring of both temporal and spatial characteristics of planar movements. Twenty poststroke hemiplegic inpatients, randomly assigned to the FME and NFE group, received therapy five days a week for three weeks.

Detection methods of circulating tumor cells in cutaneous melanoma: a systematic review.

The vast majority of melanoma-related deaths are due to disseminated malignancy. Many treated patients who are clinically disease-free will go on to relapse. Therefore, new prognostic tools must be developed to better assess metastatic potential and assist in patient management.