Correlation of Procalcitonin and C-Reactive Protein with Intra-Abdominal Hypertension in Intra-Abdominal Infections: Their Predictive Role in the Progress of the Disease

AIM: To analyse the correlation of procalcitonin (PCT) and C-reactive protein (CRP) values with increased intra-abdominal pressure and to evaluate their predictive role in the progression of Intra-abdominal infections.MATERIALS AND METHODS: A non-randomized prospective study conducted in the group of 80 patients. We have measured the PCT, CRP and intra-abdominal pressure (IAP).RESULTS: According to IAH grades (G), there was a significant difference of PCT values: G I 3.6 ± 5.1 ng/ml, G II 10.9 ± 22.6 ng/ml, G III 15.2 ± 30.2 ng/ml (p = 0.045) until CRP values were increased in all IAH groups but without distinction between the groups: GI 183 ± 64.5, GII 196 ± 90.2, GIII 224 ± 96.3 (p = 0.17). According to the severity of the infection, we yielded increased values of PCT, IAP and CRP in septic shock, severe sepsis and SIRS/sepsis resulting in significant differences of PCT and IAP.CONCLUSION: Based on the results of our research, we conclude that the correlation of PCT values with IAH grades is quite significant while the CRP results remain high in IAH but without significant difference between the different grades of IAH

The Predictive Role of Procalcitonin On the Treatment of Intra-Abdominal Infections

Aim: This study aims to evaluate the algorithm of procalcitonin (PCT) and its role on the duration of antibiotics prescription for intra-abdominal infections.Materials and Methods: This study is a prospective controlled study that is conducted in groups of 50 hospitalised patients and 50 controlled group patients.Results: The results indicated that the average duration of antibiotic delivery to the PCT group was -10.6 days (SD ± 6.6 days), while in the control group -13.2 days (SD ± 4.2 days). These data showed a significant difference in the duration of antibiotic therapy and the monitoring role of PCTs in the prediction success of antibiotic treatment. The antibiotic delivery was longer in the septic shock 17 (SD ± 11.7) that corresponds to high PCT values of 67.8 (SD ± 50.9). Recurrence of the infection after the cessation of antibiotics occurred in 2 cases (4%) in the standard group, while it occurred in 3 cases (6%) in the control group.Conclusion: The treatment of the intra-abdominal infections based on the PCT algorithm shortens the duration of antibiotic treatment and does not pose a risk for the recurrence of the infection

Transfer pricing in the public sector : a qualitative study on transfer pricing as management tool

Syftet med denna studie var att undersöka i vilken utsträckning implementeras internprissättningen inom Karlskrona kommun samt vilken roll har internprissättningen för organisationen. I min studie har jag kommit fram till att inom en offentlig verksamhet som är en divisionaliserad organisation, är internprissättningen ett viktigt styrverktyg. Detta bidrar till att offentliga organisationer underlättas till att följa upp resultatenheterna inom organisationen, man får en rättvis kostnadsfördelning samt att risken för felaktiga kostnadsbeslut elimineras. Detta leder till att personalen blir kostnadsmedvetna

Transfer pricing in the public sector : a qualitative study on transfer pricing as management tool

Syftet med denna studie var att undersöka i vilken utsträckning implementeras internprissättningen inom Karlskrona kommun samt vilken roll har internprissättningen för organisationen. I min studie har jag kommit fram till att inom en offentlig verksamhet som är en divisionaliserad organisation, är internprissättningen ett viktigt styrverktyg. Detta bidrar till att offentliga organisationer underlättas till att följa upp resultatenheterna inom organisationen, man får en rättvis kostnadsfördelning samt att risken för felaktiga kostnadsbeslut elimineras. Detta leder till att personalen blir kostnadsmedvetna

Metformin in glaucoma treatment

The objective of this study was to evaluate the potential beneficial impact of metformin on glaucoma risk factors and explore the underlying mechanisms. The goal is to contribute to the development of novel treatment strategies for glaucoma. We searched for studies that assessed the effects of metformin on glaucoma risk factors and the associated underlying mechanisms. Our search included electronic databases such as PUBMED, EMBASE, and clinicaltrials.gov. Unfortunately, we did not find any clinical trials that specifically investigated the impact of metformin on glaucoma. However, data from experimental studies demonstrated the capability of metformin to modulate various pathways that could contribute to neuroprotection in glaucoma. In order to develop comprehensive treatment strategies that fully utilize the therapeutic potential of metformin in glaucoma management, rigorous clinical studies are imperative. These studies are necessary to establish both the safety and efficacy of metformin in the context of glaucoma treatment. [Abstract copyright: Copyright © 2024 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.

Correlation between level of vitamin D in serum and value of lung function in children diagnosed with bronchial asthma

Introduction: Many authors in their research have suggested an association between vitamin D and asthma, but the results from these publications are sometimes confusing. Aim: Our aim was to assess the relationship between serum vitamin D and lung function in patients previously diagnosed with asthma. Materials and methods: The present study started in September 2019 and was completed in May 2020. All patients were diagnosed at the University Clinical Center-Prishtina, Kosovo. Spirometry was performed on children of ages 6-16 years old with a spirometer according to the recommendations of the American Thoracic Society. Results: Of the 57 children who visited the University Clinical Center of Kosovo-Department of Pediatrics, 29 were diagnosed with asthma. The Spearman coefficient correlation showed statistical significance between vitamin D and body weight, and vitamin D and FEF75% at level 0.05. Other parameters did not show statistical significance with vitamin D, but such statistical significance was found in other parameters between asthma and healthy groups. Conclusions: Our data suggested that serum vitamin D level was insignificant for FVC%, FEV1%, Tiffeneau Index values, and PEF. Statistical significance was observed between vitamin D and body weight; vitamin D and FEF75% (p=0.05)

Tuberculosis Treatment Adherence of Patients in Kosovo

Setting. The poor patient adherence in tuberculosis (TB) treatment is considered to be one of the most serious challenges which reflect the decrease of treatment success and emerging of the Multidrug Resistance-TB (MDR-TB). To our knowledge, the data about patients’ adherence to anti-TB treatment in our country are missing. Objective. This study was aimed to investigate the anti-TB treatment adherence rate and to identify factors related to eventual nonadherence among Kosovo TB patients. Design. This study was conducted during 12 months, and the survey was a descriptive study using the standardized questionnaires with total 324 patients. Results. The overall nonadherence for TB patient cohort was 14.5%, 95% CI (0.109–0.188). Age and place of residence are shown to have an effect on treatment adherence. Moreover, the knowledge of the treatment prognosis, daily dosage, side effects, and length of treatment also play a role. This was also reflected in knowledge regarding compliance with regular administration of TB drugs, satisfaction with the treatment, interruption of TB therapy, and the professional monitoring in the administration of TB drugs. Conclusion. The level of nonadherence TB treatment in Kosovar patients is not satisfying, and more health care worker’s commitments need to be addressed for improvement

Rivaroxaban improves vascular response in LPS-induced acute inflammation in experimental models.

Rivaroxaban (RVX) was suggested to possess anti-inflammatory and vascular tone modulatory effects. The goal of this study was to investigate whether RVX impacts lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced acute vascular inflammatory response. Male rats were treated with 5 mg/kg RVX (oral gavage) followed by 10 mg/kg LPS i.p injection. Circulating levels of IL-6, MCP-1, VCAM-1, and ICAM-1 were measured in plasma 6 and 24 hours after LPS injection, while isolated aorta was used for gene expression analysis, immunohistochemistry, and vascular tone evaluation. RVX pre-treatment significantly reduced LPS mediated increase after 6h and 24h for IL-6 (4.4±2.2 and 2.8±1.7 fold), MCP-1 (1.4±1.5 and 1.3±1.4 fold) VCAM-1 (1.8±2.0 and 1.7±2.1 fold). A similar trend was observed in the aorta for iNOS (5.5±3.3 and 3.3±1.9 folds reduction, P0.05, respectively), resulting in 24.5% and 19.7% change in maximal constriction in LPS and LPS+RVX respectively. These data indicate that RVX pre-treatment attenuates LPS-induced acute vascular inflammation and contractile dysfunction

Biomechanical and Macroscopic Evaluations of the Effects of 5-Fluorouracil on Partially Divided Flexor Tendon Injuries in Rabbits

Background: The main goals of flexor tendon surgery are to restore digital motion by providing tendon healing and to preserve tendon gliding. Our purpose was to investigate the effects of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) on tendon adhesions in partially divided profundus flexor tendons (flexor digitorum profundus [FDPs]) following surgical repair and in partially divided FDPs without surgical repair, and to compare the results of the repair versus the nonrepair of zone two injuries via macroscopic and biomechanical evaluations of tendon adhesions. Methods: We used 32 adult male European rabbits (Oryctolagus cunniculus) weighing from 2.5 to 3.5 kg. The study was performed on the deep flexor tendons of the second and third digits of the right hind paws of the rabbits; thus, a total of 64 tendons were examined in this study. Results: Based on the results achieved in our experimental study, the load (N) significantly increased in subgroup 1a in which the tendons were surgically repaired and were not treated with 5-FU compared with subgroup 2a in which tendons were surgically repaired and treated with 5-FU. Conclusions: The load (N) significantly increased in subgroup 1a in which the tendons were surgically repaired and were not treated with 5-FU compared to subgroup 2a in which the tendons were surgically repaired and treated with 5-FU. Therefore, these results revealed a decrease in adhesion formation in the subgroup that was treated with 5-FU due to increased resistance to tendon adhesions during their excursion through the tendon sheath, which in this case required greater traction force