To shock or not to shock - the accuracy of cardiac arrest rhythm assessment by paramedics in a simulated environment.

Purpose: Defibrillation in shockable rhythm is a well-known key intervention in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). The aim of this study was to analyze accuracy (the sum of the numbers of true positive results and true negative results, divided by the number of total results) of deciding by paramedics whether the rhythm was shockable or non-shockable.

Methods: In this study 103 paramedics from various regions of Poland participated voluntarily.

Effects of Acute Maximum-Intensity Exercise on Matrix Metalloproteinase-2, -9, and Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-1 Levels in Adult Males with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus Treated with Insulin Pumps.

Dysregulation of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) activity is considered one of the potential causes of vascular complications in diabetic patients. Since training volume may influence MMPs levels in varying ways, the aim of our study was to evaluate changes in MMPs levels following acute maximum-intensity exercise in male patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM). This study included 24 male T1DM patients and 10 healthy controls.

Initial Multicenter Experience With the New Castor Arch Branched Device in Europe: A Middle-term Results Study.

Background: Published reports demonstrate that the use of Castor stent-graft is a promising treatment of aortic pathologies with the need to land in zone 2. However, there is a lack of publications on the medium-term results of Castor in the European population. This research evaluates the mid-term results of the Castor stent-graft in several Polish centers for the treatment of aortic pathologies and enriches the current knowledge of Castor stent-grafts.

Noninvasive Total Cholesterol Level Measurement Using an E-Nose System and Machine Learning on Exhaled Breath Samples.

In this paper, the first e-nose system coupled with machine learning algorithm for noninvasive measurement of total cholesterol level based on exhaled air sample was proposed. The study was conducted with the participation of 151 people, from whom a breath sample was collected, and the level of total cholesterol was measured. The breath sample was examined using e-nose and gas sensors, such as TGS1820, TGS2620, TGS2600, MQ3, Semeatech 7e4 NO2 and 7e4 H2S, SGX_NO2, SGX_H2S, K33, AL-03P, and AL-03S.

Leukotrienes E4 and B4 and vascular endothelium - New insight into the link between vascular inflammation and peripheral arterial.

Leukotrienes are proinflammatory mediators that participate in the process of atherogenesis and contribute to the development of symptomatic peripheral arterial disease. The aim was to evaluate the relationship between leukotriene E4 (LTE4) and B4 (LTB4) with parameters reflecting endothelial vascular function in patients with chronic lower limb ischemia. This prospective observational study enrolled 50 consecutive patients undergoing endovascular treatment due to chronic lower limb ischemia (Rutherford 3).

Global R-wave peak time for diagnosis of left bundle branch capture.

Background: QRS axis deviation and rS configuration in V6 affect the ability of V6 R-wave peak time (RWPT) criterion to discriminate capture type during left bundle branch area pacing (LBBAP).

Objective: We hypothesized that combining RWPTs from lateral leads: I, aVL, V5, and V6 may better reflect left ventricular activation time and that such a global RWPT may be insensitive to changes in QRS configuration.

Methods: The analysis included 519 electrocardiograms (ECGs) with nonselective left bundle branch pacing (nsLBBP) and 176 ECGs with left ventricular septal pacing (LVSP).

Enhancing chronic disease management through physical activity and pedometry-based health monitoring.

Physical activity (PA) is a vital component in the management of chronic diseases, including cardiovascular, metabolic, and musculoskeletal conditions. In rheumatic diseases (RDs) such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA), systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), and osteoarthritis (OA), PA has been shown to alleviate symptoms, enhance functional capacity, and improve quality of life. Given these advantages, wearable trackers and smartphone apps have revolutionized PA monitoring, offering quantitative reports of step counts, sedentary behavior, intensity, and energy expenditure.

Healthcare professionals' knowledge and perceptions of post-stroke rehabilitation in the peripandemic period: an online cross-sectional survey.

The COVID-19 pandemic has profoundly affected healthcare systems, particularly post-stroke rehabilitation centers. The elevated severity of strokes and delayed hospital admissions caused numerous hurdles to rehabilitation administration during the peri-pandemic period. This study surveyed healthcare professionals' knowledge and perceptions of post-stroke rehabilitation during this period.

Transseptal Transition Patterns During Left Bundle Branch Area Lead Implantation.

Background: Continuous deep septal pacing and signal recording during implantation of left bundle branch pacing (LBBP) lead enables to monitor beat-to-beat changes of electrocardiogram (ECG) and myocardial current of injury (COI) as the lead crosses the septum.

Objectives: This study aimed to characterize patterns of continuous QRS, ST-T, and COI change for monitoring of the lead depth and instantaneous determination of the obtained capture type (LBBP vs left ventricular septal pacing [LVSP]).

Methods: The ECG and COI during lead implantation were scrutinized for sudden changes of V R-wave peak time, V initial and terminal R-wave amplitude, V-V R-wave amplitude, repolarization pattern and S-wave amplitude in I, V-V, and COI drop.

Comparison of the outcomes of Total Knee Arthroplasty (TKA): tourniquet and tourniquet-less arthroplasty.

Total knee replacement surgery (TKA) ranks among the most commonly performed orthopedic procedures nowadays. Many surgeons perform TKA with the use of tourniquet. It is also possible to carry out a tourniquet-less TKA.

Metabolic revitalization: exploring erythrocyte fatty acid profile following laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy.

Introduction: Obesity is linked to metabolic disorders. Bariatric surgery offers a promising therapeutic effect in the treatment of obesity, but its impact on fatty acid (FA) profiles within erythrocytes and the associated clinical implications remain underexplored.

Objectives: This study aimed to assess changes in erythrocyte membrane FA composition after laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) and to correlate these alterations with clinical parameters.

Half body irradiation (HBI) for bone metastases in the modern radiotherapy technique era - A systematic review.

Bone metastases (BMs) are the most common cause of cancer-related pain and radiation therapy plays a key role in treating pain caused by it. The half-body irradiation (HBI) is a modality that can be used to treat patients with multiple painful BMs. In the modern era, concerns about toxicity and the availability of new agents requiring robust bone marrow function have limited the use of HBI in advanced cancer.

The intensive physical activity causes changes in the composition of gut and oral microbiota.

This study aimed to compare the gut and oral microbiota composition of professional male football players and amateurs. Environmental and behavioral factors are well known to modulate intestinal microbiota composition. Active lifestyle behaviors are involved in the improvement of metabolic and inflammatory parameters.

Raman and resonance Raman spectroscopic study of red blood cells in patients diagnosed with malaria.

Raman spectroscopy was used to study erythrocytes collected from patients diagnosed with malaria at the University Hospital in Kraków and from healthy volunteers. A laser line with a wavelength of 442 nm was used to induce the Raman resonance of haem, while a laser with a wavelength of 785 nm was used for the normal Raman effect. The results were analysed using Principal Component Analysis.

Monoclonal gammopathy in systemic lupus erythematosus is associated with distinctive clinical course, malignancy and mortality rate: a single-centre retrospective cohort study.

Objectives: Rheumatic diseases were previously associated with increased incidence of monoclonal gammopathy (MG) and its malignant transformation. The present study aimed to investigate the prevalence, malignant transformation risk, clinical correlates and prognostic impact of MG in SLE.

Methods: A retrospective cohort study based on the medical records of n=1039 patients with SLE fulfilling the 1997 American College of Rheumatology (ACR), the 2019 European Alliance of Associations for Rheumatology (EULAR)/ACR and/or the 2012 Systemic Lupus International Collaborating Clinics (SLICC) criteria managed at two tertiary care departments of the University Hospital (Krakow, Poland) from January 2012 until November 2019.

Changes in Circulating Adipokine Levels in COVID-19 Patients.

: The COVID-19 pandemic has posed significant global health challenges. Despite extensive research efforts, the inflammatory response triggered by SARS-CoV-2 remains to be further explored and understood. Our study aims to examine the changes in serum concentrations of pro-inflammatory adipokines-visfatin and leptin-in COVID-19 patients in relation to a healthy control group.

Alterations in plasma proteome during acute COVID-19 and recovery.

Background: The severe course of COVID-19 causes cardiovascular injuries, although the mechanisms involved are still not fully recognized, linked, and understood. Their characterization is of great importance with the establishment of the conception of post-acute sequelae of COVID-19, referred to as long COVID, where blood clotting and endothelial abnormalities are believed to be the key pathomechanisms driving circulatory system impairment.

Methods: The presented study investigates temporal changes in plasma proteins in COVID-19 patients during hospitalization due to SARS-CoV-2 infection and six months after recovery by targeted SureQuant acquisition using PQ500 panel.

Excellence in the management of Advanced Hybrid Closed-Loop Systems: Lessons from the Polish cohort.

Background: The aim of the study was to analyze the real-world performance of MiniMed 780G (MM780G) Advanced Hybrid Closed Loop (AHCL) system users from Poland (PL) and compare it to the European region excluding Poland (EU-PL) in order to identify factors contributing to potential differences. The former achieved some of the best Time in Range (TIR) results globally using this technology.

Methods: CareLink Personal data uploaded by MM780G system users from August 2020 to December 2022 were analyzed.

Dialysis nanocomposite membranes based on carbon nanoforms inhibiting blood plasma protein adsorption.

Background: Protein adsorption on medical devices in contact with blood is a significant issue during renal replacement therapy. Main forces determining fouling are the electrostatic interactions between membrane and charged protein, but the dialysis membrane surface charges can be adjusted by modifying the polymer matrix to decrease the blood plasma protein adsorption.

Methods: In this study, polysulfone membranes (PSU) were modified by incorporation of carbon nanoparticles such as: multiwall carbon nanotubes (2 wt.