Impact of Classical Risk Factors on Subclinical Carotid Atherosclerosis Progression: Insights from a Non-Diabetic Cohort.

Background: Several markers have been proposed for the detection and progression of subclinical atherosclerosis. We aimed to analyse the impact of classical risk factors on the presence and short-term progression of subclinical carotid atherosclerosis in a non-diabetic, primary prevention cohort.

Methods: This analysis included participants with completed visits at baseline and at 5-year follow-up (N = 141; 56.

SLAM Family Receptors in B Cell Chronic Lymphoproliferative Disorders.

The signaling lymphocytic activation molecule (SLAM) receptor family (SLAMF) consists of nine glycoproteins that belong to the CD2 superfamily of immunoglobulin (Ig) domain-containing molecules. SLAMF receptors modulate the differentiation and activation of a wide range of immune cells. Individual SLAMF receptors are expressed on the surface of hematopoietic stem cells, hematopoietic progenitor cells, B cells, T cells, NK cells, NKT cells, monocytes, macrophages, dendritic cells, neutrophils, and platelets.

Full recovery of lung tissue after severe viral pneumonia H1N1: A case report with 10 years follow-up.

Rationale: World healthcare frequently faced severe viral pneumonia cases in the last decades, due to pandemic situations such as H1N1, MERS-CoV, and SARS-COVID-19.

Patient Concerns: The impact of viral infection on lung structure, lung function, and overall mortality was significant. The quality of life and assumed life expectancy was decreased with the supposed development of lung fibrosis in involved survived patients.

Single centre clinical experience with fidaxomicin in the treatment of Clostridium difficile infection in Slovakia.

Objective: Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) has become one of the most common causes of hospital-acquired infections. Fidaxomicin is one of the latest antibiotics used in the treatment of CDI, however, treatment cost affects recommendations for its use in several countries. We have analysed the treatment of our patients with CDI, treated by fidaxomicin since it was introduced to the market in 2018 and became available in the second biggest Slovak hospital, University Hospital of L.

Seroprevalence of Lyme disease in Eastern Slovakia.

Objective: Lyme disease (LD) is chronic, multi-system zoonosis transmitted by ticks, and LD aetiological agents are spirochetes of the Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato complex. The aim of the cross-sectional study was to analyze the LD incidence on the basis of the presence of specific antibodies in the serum of patients in Eastern Slovakia, and to compare the results of serological ELISA and immunoblot assays.

Methods: Venous blood with questionnaires was obtained by field sampling of respondents from Eastern Slovakia.

Association of seroprevalence and risk factors in Lyme disease.

Objective: The aim of the presented cross-sectional seroepidemiological study was to determine the current presence of antibodies against B. burgdorferi s.l.

Serostatus and risk factors of tick-borne encephalitis.

Objective: The aim of this seroepidemiological study was to determine the current prevalence of antibodies against tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) in the representative group of Slovak population with included potential risk factors for TBEV.

Methods: Representative group consisted of 428 persons (also with possible exposure to risk factors for tick bite or raw milk consumption). Serum samples were screened by commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

West Nile virus - a new infection in the Slovak Republic?

Objective: The aim of the study was to evaluate the seroprevalence of West Nile virus (WNV) among the variable population of Eastern Slovakia.

Methods: A serologic survey was conducted using 464 serum samples. The basic demographic, epidemiologic and clinical information was obtained for each serum sample at the time of specimen collection.

Milk outbreaks of tick-borne encephalitis in Slovakia, 2012-2016.

Objective: Tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) is most commonly transmitted to humans via the bite of an infected tick. Alimentary infection through the consumption of TBEV-contaminated dairy products is also well-documented and is responsible for some diseases in endemic areas. The aim of the study was to emphasize the risk of contracting tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) by consuming raw milk and dairy products and to describe TBE epidemics in Slovakia for the period 2012-2016.

Effectiveness of primary vaccination against tick-borne encephalitis in employees of the armed forces.

Objective: The aim of our study is to evaluate immune response after receiving the primary vaccination against tick-borne encephalitis (TBE), and to establish a link between seropositivity and selected factors in soldiers.

Methods: Blood samples, questionnaires and vaccination records were obtained. TBE antibodies were detected using both ELISA and a neutralization test (NT).

Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease surveillance in Eastern Slovakia from 2004 to 2016.

Objectives: An extraordinary incidence of genetic Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (gCJD) appearing in clusters in the Slovak Republic was described in the 1990's. The aim of the study was to analyse data of CJD cases obtained from surveillance in Eastern Slovakia (ES) (2004-2016), the region outside the described geographical clusters.

Methods: The database set in the project was the source for epidemiological and clinical analysis of CJD cases.

EU questionnaire to screen for obstructive sleep apnoea validated in Slovakia.

Objective: Obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome (OSAS) associated with daytime sleepiness (DS) contributes to a higher incidence of motor vehicle accidents. Validation of fitness to drive in driving license applicants, with special concern regarding OSAS accompanied by excessive DS, became mandatory under new EU legislation in January 2016. The aim of the study was to translate and validate the recommended questionnaire to screen for OSAS (Q-OSAS) in the Slovak population.

Risk factors of preterm birth and low birth weight neonates among Roma and non-Roma mothers.

Objective: This study analyses the differences in birth outcomes between Roma and non-Roma mothers and investigates the potential causes of such differences.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study of 1,989 non-Roma and 799 Roma mothers who gave birth in 2014 and 2015 at the Gynaecology and Obstetrics Clinic of Louis Pasteur University Hospital in Košice. Data on mothers and new-born infants have been obtained from the birth book and from the reports on mothers at childbirth.

Compliance with gluten-free diet in a selected group of celiac children in the Slovak Republic.

Objective: Celiac disease (CD) is a chronic long-term disease with autoimmune disorder connected to an allergic reaction to the molecule of gluten. CD is manifested in persons who are genetically predisposed. The only therapy for CD is a strong gluten-free (GF) diet.

Prevalence of lifestyle and cardiovascular risk factors in a group of medical students.

Objective: The aim of the cross-sectional study was to evaluate cardiovascular risk factors in the group of medical students with gender, overweight and obesity categorisation.

Methods: Cross-sectional study included 364 medical students, 207 females and 157 males. We investigated anthropometric parameters, BMI, body fat percentage, WHR (waist-hip ratio), TCH (total cholesterol) and LDL-CH (LDL-cholesterol), SBP and DBP (systolic and diastolic blood pressure).

Anthropometric predictors of systolic and diastolic blood pressure considering intersexual differences in a group of selected schoolchildren.

Objectives: Although the association between anthropometric parameters and blood pressure has been established for adults, the relationship for children has not been thoroughly studied in Slovakia. Present study investigates the association between anthropometric parameters and systolic and diastolic blood pressure in the group of randomly selected schoolchildren.

Methods: Examinations were conducted as a cross-sectional study with 760 schoolchildren from Eastern Slovakia, 381 boys and 379 girls.

Smoking Prevalence and Its Clinical Correlations in Patients with Narcolepsy-cataplexy.

Narcolepsy-cataplexy (NC) is a chronic neurological disease with suggested autoimmune etiopathogenesis. Nicotine stimulates central nervous system and smoking increases the risk of autoimmune diseases. Assessment of smoking habits and its correlation to clinical parameters among 87 adult NC patients (38 male, 49 female) included night polysomnography and multiple sleep latency test.

Diabetes mellitus prevalence and control in sleep-disordered breathing: the European Sleep Apnea Cohort (ESADA) study.

Background: OSA is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular morbidity. A driver of this is metabolic dysfunction and in particular type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Prior studies identifying a link between OSA and T2DM have excluded subjects with undiagnosed T2DM, and there is a lack of population-level data on the interaction between OSA and glycemic control among patients with diabetes.