Gut microbiome dynamics and predictive value in hospitalized COVID-19 patients: a comparative analysis of shallow and deep shotgun sequencing.

The COVID-19 pandemic caused by SARS-CoV-2 has led to a wide range of clinical presentations, with respiratory symptoms being common. However, emerging evidence suggests that the gastrointestinal (GI) tract is also affected, with angiotensin-converting enzyme 2, a key receptor for SARS-CoV-2, abundantly expressed in the ileum and colon. The virus has been detected in GI tissues and fecal samples, even in cases with negative results of the reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction in the respiratory tract.

Experimental Identification of Cross-Reacting IgG Hotspots to Predict Existing Immunity Evasion of SARS-CoV-2 Variants by a New Biotechnological Application of Phage Display.

Multiple pathogens are competing against the human immune response, leading to outbreaks that are increasingly difficult to control. For example, the SARS-CoV-2 virus continually evolves, giving rise to new variants. The ability to evade the immune system is a crucial factor contributing to the spread of these variants within the human population.

3D printing in the endovascular treatment of visceral artery aneurysms.

Visceral artery aneurysms (VAAs) are vascular pathologies that are difficult to treat. The variable geometry of the vessels and the location of aneurysms render difficult their evaluation in radiological imaging studies. Less invasive endovascular procedures are increasingly used in common practice.

Complementary Gene Therapy after Revascularization with the Saphenous Vein in Diabetic Foot Syndrome.

Diabetic foot syndrome (DFS) is one of the most serious macroangiopathic complications of diabetes. The primary treatment option is revascularization, but complementary therapies are still being sought. The study group consisted of 18 patients diagnosed with ischemic ulcerative and necrotic lesions in DFS.

The Impact of Left Ventricular Diastolic Dysfunction on Respiratory Adverse Events in Cardiac Surgery Patients-An Observational Prospective Single-Center Study.

Background: Left ventricular diastolic dysfunction (LV DD) is the most dominant cause of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) worldwide. This pathological condition may contribute to postcapillary pulmonary hypertension (pcPH) development. Hypoxemia, often observed in pcPH, may significantly negatively impact the course of hospitalization in patients after cardiac surgery.

New Phage-Derived Antibacterial Enzyme PolaR Targeting spp.

is an opportunistic pathogen, particularly life-threatening for the immunocompromised. It is associated with pneumonia, endocarditis, peritonitis and many other serious infections, including septicemia. Of note, produces metabolites that support and increase overgrowth of , one of the ESKAPE bacteria.

Novel Approach for the Approximation of Vitamin D Pharmacokinetics from In Vivo Absorption Studies.

The changing environment and modified lifestyles have meant that many vitamins and minerals are deficient in a significant portion of the human population. Therefore, supplementation is a viable nutritional approach, which helps to maintain health and well-being. The supplementation efficiency of a highly hydrophobic compound such as cholecalciferol (logP > 7) depends predominantly on the formulation.

Echocardiographic Probability of Pulmonary Hypertension in Cardiac Surgery Patients-Occurrence and Association with Respiratory Adverse Events-An Observational Prospective Single-Center Study.

Background: Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is an independent risk factor of increased morbidity and mortality in cardiac surgery patients (CS). The most common cause underlying PH is left ventricular (LV) diastolic dysfunction. This study aimed to evaluate the echocardiographic probability of PH in patients undergoing CS and its correlation with postoperative respiratory adverse events (RAE).

Two-Stage Gene Therapy (VEGF, HGF and ANG1 Plasmids) as Adjunctive Therapy in the Treatment of Critical Lower Limb Ischemia in Diabetic Foot Syndrome.

One of the most serious problems in people with diabetes is diabetic foot syndrome. Due to the peripheral location of atherosclerotic lesions in the arterial system of the lower extremities, endovascular treatment plays a dominant role. However, carrying out these procedures is not always possible and does not always bring the expected results.

Correlation between COVID-19 severity and previous exposure of patients to Borrelia spp.

Predictors for the risk of severe COVID-19 are crucial for patient care and control of the disease. Other infectious diseases as potential comorbidities in SARS-CoV-2 infection are still poorly understood. Here we identify association between the course of COVID-19 and Lyme disease (borreliosis), caused by Borrelia burgdorferi transmitted to humans by ticks.

Dynamics of anti-SARS-CoV-2 seroconversion in individual patients and at the population level.

The immune response and specific antibody production in COVID-19 are among the key factors that determine both prognostics for individual patients and the global perspective for controlling the pandemics. So called "dark figure", that is, a part of population that has been infected but not registered by the health care system, make it difficult to estimate herd immunity and to predict pandemic trajectories. Here we present a follow up study of population screening for hidden herd immunity to SARS-CoV-2 in individuals who had never been positively diagnosed against SARS-CoV-2; the first screening was in May 2021, and the follow up in December 2021.

The Clinical Significance of Urinary Retinol-Binding Protein 4: A Review.

Effective biomarkers for early diagnosis, prognostication, and monitoring in renal diseases (in general) comprise an unmet need. Urinary retinol-binding protein 4, which is the most sensitive indicator of renal tubular damage, holds great promise as a universal biomarker for renal pathologies, in which tubular injury is the driving force. Here, we summarize the most important existing data on the associations between urinary retinol-binding protein 4 and renal diseases and highlight the untapped potential of retinol-binding protein 4 in clinical use.

Machine-learning-based Analysis Identifies miRNA Expression Profile for Diagnosis and Prediction of Colorectal Cancer: A Preliminary Study.

Background: The stage of colorectal cancer (CRC) at the day of diagnosis has the greatest influence on survival rate. Thus, for CRC, which is mainly identified as advanced disease, non-invasive, molecular blood or stool tests could boost the diagnosis and lower mortality. Evaluation of miRNA expression levels in serum of patients diagnosed with CRC is a potential tool in early screening.

Bioavailability by design - Vitamin D liposomal delivery vehicles.

Vitamin D3 deficiency has serious health consequences, as demonstrated by its effect on severity and recovery after COVID-19 infection. Because of high hydrophobicity, its absorption and subsequent redistribution throughout the body are inherently dependent on the accompanying lipids and/or proteins. The effective oral vitamin D formulation should ensure penetration of the mucus layer followed by internalization by competent cells.

The Value of Clinical Frailty Scale (CFS) as a Prognostic Tool in Predicting Mortality in COVID-19-A Retrospective Cohort Study.

Background: Due to the unpredictable nature of COVID-19, there is a need to identify patients at high risk of severe course of the disease and a higher mortality rate.

Objective: This study aims to find the correlation between frailty and mortality in adult, hospitalized patients with COVID-19.

Methods: Clinical records of 201 patients who suffered from COVID-19 and were hospitalized between October 2020 and February 2021 were retrospectively analyzed.

Hidden fraction of Polish population immune to SARS-CoV-2 in May 2021.

Population immunity (herd immunity) to SARS-CoV-2 derives from two sources: vaccinations or cases of infection with the virus. Infections can be diagnosed as COVID-19 and registered, or they can be asymptomatic, oligosymptomatic, or even full-blown but undiagnosed and unregistered when patients recovered at home. Estimation of population immunity to SARS-CoV-2 is difficult and remains a subject of speculations.

Associations of Genes for Killer Cell Immunoglobulin-like Receptors and Their Human Leukocyte Antigen-A/B/C Ligands with Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm.

Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is an immune-mediated disease with a genetic component. The multifactorial pathophysiology is not clear and there is still no pharmacotherapy to slow the growth of aneurysms. The signal integration of cell-surface KIRs (killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptors) with HLA (ligands, human leukocyte class I antigen molecules) modulates the activity of natural killer immune cells.

Modulating Properties of Piroxicam, Meloxicam and Oxicam Analogues against Macrophage-Associated Chemokines in Colorectal Cancer.

The mechanisms underlying the antineoplastic effects of oxicams have not been fully elucidated. We aimed to assess the effect of classic and novel oxicams on the expression/secretion of macrophage-associated chemokines (RTqPCR/Luminex xMAP) in colorectal adenocarcinoma cells, and on the expression of upstream the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID)-activated genes , , , and as well as at the chemokine profiling in colorectal tumors. Meloxicam downregulated 9.

Pentoxifylline as a Potential Adjuvant Therapy for COVID-19: Impeding the Burden of the Cytokine Storm.

The outburst of inflammatory response and hypercoagulability are among the factors contributing to increased mortality in severe COVID-19 cases. Pentoxifylline (PTX), a xanthine-derived drug registered for the treatment of vascular claudication, has been reported to display broad-spectrum anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties via adenosine A2A receptor (A2AR)-related mechanisms, in parallel to its rheological actions. Prior studies have indicated the efficacy of PTX in the treatment of various pulmonary diseases, including the management of acute respiratory distress syndrome of infectious causes.

Antibodies specific to SARS-CoV-2 proteins N, S and E in COVID-19 patients in the normal population and in historical samples.

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has spread globally; recognition of immune responses to this virus will be crucial for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) control, prevention and treatment. We comprehensively analysed IgG and IgA antibody responses to the SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid protein (N), spike protein domain 1 (S1) and envelope protein (E) in: SARS-CoV-2-infected patient, healthy, historical and pre-epidemic samples, including patients' medical, epidemiological and diagnostic data, virus-neutralizing capability and kinetics. N-specific IgG and IgA are the most reliable diagnostic targets for infection.

From Primary MSC Culture of Adipose Tissue to Immortalized Cell Line Producing Cytokines for Potential Use in Regenerative Medicine Therapy or Immunotherapy.

For twenty-five years, attempts have been made to use MSCs in the treatment of various diseases due to their regenerative and immunomodulatory properties. However, the results are not satisfactory. Assuming that MSCs can be replaced in some therapies by the active factors they produce, the immortalized MSCs line was established from human adipose tissue (HATMSC1) to produce conditioned media and test its regenerative potential in vitro in terms of possible clinical application.

Delirium Severely Worsens Outcome in Patients with COVID-19-A Retrospective Cohort Study from Temporary Critical Care Hospitals.

Delirium is a sign of deterioration of homeostasis and worse prognosis. The aim of this study was to investigate the frequency, risk factors and prognosis of delirium in patients with COVID-19 in a temporary acute setting hospital. A retrospective cohort analysis of data collected between October 2020 and February 2021 from two temporary acute care hospitals was performed.