Bactericidal versus bacteriostatic antibacterials: clinical significance, differences and synergistic potential in clinical practice.

Antibacterial activity can be classified as either bactericidal or bacteriostatic, using methods such as the MBC/MIC ratio and time-kill curves. However, such categorization has proven challenging in clinical practice, as these definitions only apply under specific laboratory conditions, which may differ from clinical settings. Several factors, such as the specific bacteria or infectious medium, can affect the action of antibiotics, with many antibacterials exerting both activities.

Distinctive characteristics, risk factors, and prevention of premature myocardial infarction: A narrative review.

The proportion of young individuals that present with acute myocardial infarction is a major problem that keeps increasing. The specific characteristics of premature coronary artery disease and its differences between young and older individuals need to be elucidated. Although risk factors are similar in different age categories, there is a great difference in their prevalence.

Primary healthcare professionals' perceptions, attitudes and ideas regarding asthma management in Greece: A mixed-method study.

Background: Implementing asthma guideline recommendations is challenging and there is variation between countries, and different healthcare professionals (HCPs). The International Primary Care Respiratory Group (IPCRG) has introduced the Asthma Right Care (ARC) programme implemented in 24 low, middle, and high countries, including Greece. It offers a promising approach drawn from social movements for health to improve asthma care by engaging HCPs in implementing guideline-based asthma care.

Urinary L-FABP Assay in the Detection of Acute Kidney Injury following Haematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation.

: Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) is a condition that affects a significant proportion of acutely unwell patients and is associated with a high mortality rate. Patients undergoing haemopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) are in an extremely high group for AKI. Identifying a biomarker or panel of markers that can reliably identify at-risk individuals undergoing HSCT can potentially impact management and outcomes.

Lipid Accumulation Product Is Predictive of Cardiovascular Hospitalizations among Patients with Stable Ischemic Heart Disease: Long-Term Follow-Up of the LAERTES Study.

Lipid accumulation product (LAP) is an anthropometric index of abdominal adiposity that has been associated with increased cardiovascular risk. We aimed to explore the association of LAP with cardiovascular hospitalizations and compare its predictive accuracy with other indices such as body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference. LAERTES was a prospective, population-based cohort that recruited consecutive patients with stable ischemic heart disease (SIHD) from two Greek hospitals in Athens.

Integration of a dose management system in the public hospitals of Cyprus: Key areas and initial outcomes.

Despite the growing use of dose management systems (DMSs), there is limited guidance on their optimal setup. This study aims to fill this gap by outlining the process followed to integrate "DOSE" (Qaelum NV, Belgium) DMS within the Cypriot public hospitals. DOSE was connected to the available central PACS, followed by a thorough data and functioning validation.

Transcatheter Closure of a Patent Foramen Ovale With a Small Adjacent Atrial Septal Defect and a Double Interatrial Septum Post Cryptogenic Stroke.

The phenomenon of double interatrial septum (DIAS) represents a particularly rare subtype of atrial septal malformation, characterized by the presence of dual membranes separating the atria, resulting in a distinctive interatrial space. This unique anatomical structure has been linked to a paradoxical right-to-left shunt, potentially contributing to embolic ischemic strokes. Within this context, we report a rare case of a 34-year-old female who presented with a transient ischemic attack (TIA) and was diagnosed with patent foramen ovale (PFO) and a small adjacent atrial septal defect (ASD), along with the presence of a DIAS.

Exploring the Role and Pathophysiological Significance of Aldehyde Dehydrogenase 1B1 (ALDH1B1) in Human Lung Adenocarcinoma.

Aldehyde dehydrogenases (ALDHs) constitute a diverse superfamily of NAD(P)-dependent enzymes pivotal in oxidizing endogenous and exogenous aldehydes to carboxylic acids. Beyond metabolic roles, ALDHs participate in essential biological processes, including differentiation, embryogenesis and the DNA damage response, while also serving as markers for cancer stem cells (CSCs). Aldehyde dehydrogenase 1B1 (ALDH1B1) is a mitochondrial enzyme involved in the detoxification of lipid peroxidation by-products and metabolism of various aldehyde substrates.

Neurohormonal Effects of Intravenous Dopamine in Patients with Acute Heart Failure.

: Many clinical trials have shown beneficial effects of low-dose dopamine on renal function, diuresis and symptom relief, or cardiac function in hospitalized patients with acute decompensated heart failure (HF). The aim is to assess the neurohormonal effects and the effects on clinical outcomes of the addition of low-dose dopamine in furosemide treatment in patients hospitalized for acute decompensated HF. : A total of 62 patients hospitalized for acute decompensation of HF, were randomly allocated to one of the following three groups: i.

Quality of life issues in patients with ductal carcinoma in situ: a systematic review.

Purpose: Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) of the breast is one of the most common pre-invasive cancers diagnosed in women. Quality of life (QoL) is extremely important to assess in studies including these patients due to the favorable prognosis of the disease. The primary objective of this systematic review was to compile a comprehensive list of QoL issues, all existing QoL assessment tools, and patient-reported outcome measures used to assess DCIS.

The impact of a 12-week tele-exercise program on cognitive function and cerebral oxygenation in patients with OSA: randomized controlled trial-protocol study.

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is associated with a number of adverse health effects, particularly on brain health. Chronic sleep disruption caused by OSA can adversely affect cognitive health. Exercise is recommended as a non-pharmacological intervention for patients who are intolerant to continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) and has been shown to have beneficial effects on brain health and cognitive function.

Plasma volume response patterns and a physiologic model of ultrafiltration in hemodialysis.

Background: Ultrafiltration (UF) is an essential process of restoring fluid homeostasis during hemodialysis (HD). Fluid shifts across the extracellular compartments during UF, predominantly across the capillary interface and between the macro- and microcirculation. A mismatch between UF and transcapillary fluid transport can lead to hemodynamic instability leading to cardiac morbidity.

Mapping Transmission Dynamics and Drug Resistance Surveillance in the Cyprus HIV-1 Epidemic (2017-2021).

The human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) epidemic has been a major public health threat on a global scale since the early 1980s. Despite the introduction of combination antiretroviral therapy (cART), the incidence of new HIV-1 infections continues to rise in some regions around the world. Thus, with the continuous transmission of HIV-1 and the lack of a cure, it is imperative for molecular epidemiological studies to be performed, to monitor the infection and ultimately be able to control the spread of this virus.

Adherence to Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) Diet as a Protective Factor for Ischemic Stroke and Its Influence on Disability Level: A Case-Control Study in Lebanon.

Background: Hypertension is a major risk factor for ischemic stroke. An important strategy in controlling hypertension is dietary modification. The present study evaluates the effect of Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet on the risk of ischemic stroke.

Erythropoietin Reduces Inflammation, Oxidative Stress, and Apoptosis in a Rat Model of Bleomycin-Induced Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis.

Background: Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a lethal interstitial disease with unknown etiology and no effective cure, posing a great health burden to society. Erythropoietin (EPO) has been demonstrated to have protective roles in various tissues such as brain, spinal cord, heart, kidney and lung tissues. In this study, we investigate the specific anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and antiapoptotic effects of erythropoietin on lung tissue in a bleomycin-induced rat model of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.