Breaking down the clotting conundrum: analyzing the role of plasma tissue plasminogen activator in COVID-19 patients through a systematic review and meta-analysis

INTRODUCTION: The SARS-CoV-2 virus pandemic has been a global challenge for medical services in terms of patient care and early prognosis of hospitalized patients' situations. Early identification and classification of COVID-19 patients in hospitals is critical for optimal management. The purpose of this study is to compile existing data on tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) concentrations in COVID-19 patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A systematic review and meta-analysis were carried out in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) Guidelines. Qualified articles were found systematically using relevant databases such as PubMed Central, Scopus, EMBASE, and the Cochrane databases until May 4th, 2023. RESULTS: Tissue plasminogen activator levels among COVID-19 positive vs negative patients T-PA levels among COVID-19 positive vs negative patients varied and amounted to 26.67 ± 40.65 vs 4.68 ± 3.83, respectively (SMD = 2.49; 95% CI: 1.85 to 3.14; p < 0.001). The mean t-PA level among patients requiring ICU admission was 24.06 ± 12.44, compared to 16.55 ± 10.01 for patients not treated in the ICU (SMD = 0.69; 95% CI: −0.68 to 2.05; p = 0.32). Moreover, t-PA levels among severe COVID-19 compared to non-severe were 11.89 ± 9.05 and 16.87 ± 20.39, respectively (SMD = 2.74; 95% CI: −0.71 to 6.19; p = 0.12). The t-PA values were, respectively: 15.33 ± 8.01 for patients who survived hospital discharge, and 19.04 ± 11.88 for patients who died in hospital due to COVID-19 (SMD = −0.50; 95% CI: −2.45 to 1.44; p = 0.61). CONCLUSIONS: According to this meta-analysis, the key conclusion of this study is that COVID-19 infection is connected to t-PA levels. Nonetheless, extensive prospective studies addressing the possible diagnostic relevance of t-PA as a marker of COVID-19 severity are required to corroborate the presented results

Endocrine disorders and fertility and pregnancy: An update

It is estimated that more and more couples suffer from fertility and pregnancy maintenance disorders. It is associated with impaired androgen secretion, which is influenced by many factors, ranging from genetic to environmental. It is also important to remember that fertility disorders can also result from abnormal anatomy of the reproductive male and female organ (congenital uterine anomalies – septate, unicornuate, bicornuate uterus; acquired defects of the uterus structure – fibroids, polyps, hypertrophy), disturbed hormonal cycle and obstruction of the fallopian tubes resulting from the presence of adhesions due to inflammation, endometriosis, and surgery, abnormal rhythm of menstrual bleeding, the abnormal concentration of hormones. There are many relationships between the endocrine organs, leading to a chain reaction when one of them fails to function properly. Conditions in which the immune system is involved, including infections and autoimmune diseases, also affect fertility. The form of treatment depends on infertility duration and the patient’s age. It includes ovulation stimulation with clomiphene citrate or gonadotropins, metformin use, and weight loss interventions. Since so many different factors affect fertility, it is important to correctly diagnose what is causing the problem and to modify the treatment regimen if necessary. This review describes disturbances in the hormone secretion of individual endocrine organs in the context of fertility and the maintenance of pregnancy

International cooperation between Poland and Ukraine in higher education: case study

Вища освіта в Україні та Польщі активно розвиває міжнародну співпрацю. Ця співпраця сприяє обміну науковим досвідом та культурним збагаченням між вишами обох країн. Через такі проекти студенти та викладачі мають унікальну можливість для спільних досліджень та навчання

Can climate-smart agriculture help to assure food security through short supply chains? A systematic bibliometric and bibliographic literature review

Purpose – This paper aims to reveal potential research possibilities for enhancing climate-smart agriculture through short supply chains. Research question – How can short supply chains assure food security and the promotion of climate-smart agriculture? Research methodology – Bibliographic and bibliometric coupling techniques were employed using data from 1990–2022. The raw data was processed using the VOSviewer 1.6.18 software version. Findings – The results confirm the positive effect of the systemically important relationship between the short supply chain and food security. Research limitations – Climate-smart agriculture is a complex and multifaceted phenomenon. Additional variables may have moderating and mediating effects on the impact of short supply chains on food security. Practical implications – The results establish the importance of having a short supply chain for food security in different aspects of the process from the harvest to the table. Originality and value – This study confirms the rationale for developing shorter food supply chains to assure food security and climate-smart agriculture when possible

Emergency Medical Teams Interventions due to Cardiovascular Diseases in 2018: Polish Regional Observational Study

Background and objectives: The goal of this work was to assess the interventions for cardiovascular causes (ICD-10: I) and analyze the time between the request for intervention and the arrival of the Medical Emergency Team realized by the Voivodeship Rescue Service in Katowice in the period between 1 January 2018 to 31 December 2018. Materials and Methods: Analysis of the characteristics of the interventions was completed based on the information contained on the dispatch order cards and medical emergency services. Statistical analysis was done using the Chi-square test (p < 0.05). Results: Out of 211,548 cases, 26,672 were associated with cardiovascular diseases. It can be observed that the large majority of interventions took place in urban areas (89.98%; 23,998 cases), whereas only 11.02% took place in rural areas (2674 cases). The most common cause for medical interventions being made by the Medical Emergency Team was primary hypertension—11,649 cases. The average arrival time to urban areas was 9 min and 12 s ± 3 min and 54 s, whereas for rural areas it was 11 min and 57 s ± 4 min and 32 s (p < 0.05). Conclusions: It can be observed that the Medical Emergency System in Katowice operates accordingly with the intentions of the legislator. The obtained data also indicates that there is a high societal awareness of the residents about the purpose of the Medical Emergency Team