A new device for minimally invasive mechano-chemical method of saphenous vein ablation. Report of 12 months of follow up

Introduction. The purpose of the study was to assess the effectiveness of endovascular mechanochemicalablation of the Great Saphenous vein and the Small Saphenous vein (GSV/SSV) using the use of Flebogrif®catheter and method, based on results obtained from the analysis of 200 patients. Material and methods. 200 patients underwent mechanochemical ablation using the Flebogrif® technique,of the 200 patients, 172 patients experienced insufficiency of the GSV and 28 experienced insufficiencies ofthe SSV. Follow-up assessment was established by outpatient appointments at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months postoperatively.During each subsequent visit, the result of the procedure was evaluated with the use of ultrasound.Furthermore, the intensity of clinical manifestations was assessed with the use of VCSS, CEAP, VASP scales. Anycomplications were also noted. Results. During 12-month follow-up the number of participants decreased to 168 (152 female, 16 male).Complete closure of the vein was achieved in 154 patients (140 female, 14 male). According to adoptedcriteria, 15 cases of recanalization were detected (10 complete and 5 partial). Based on the obtained resultsthe effectiveness of the method was assessed at 92%. Conclusions. The statistical analysis of the 12-month follow-up data allowed us to conclude the following theprocedural method had 92% of effectiveness at 12-month follow-up, vein diameter was not a significant limitationfor the application of the technique, there was a low rate of serious complications, and adverse cosmetic effectwas minimal. However , the method requires further long-term follow-up to allow for a complete assessment

Platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio as a prognostic biomarker for COVID-19 severity: a single center retrospective data analysis and systematic review with meta-analysis of 187 studies

INTRODUCTION: This study aims to evaluate the prognostic value of the platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio in determining the severity and mortality of adults hospitalized for COVID-19 using retrospective data and a meta-analysis of previous studies on the platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio worldwide. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted at the Kırdar City Hospital (Istanbul, Turkey) and included 521 COVID-19 patients. A systematic literature search of EMBASE, MEDLINE, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), and Google Scholar databases was performed for relevant trials relating to the PLR ratio in COVID-19 published before April 12, 2023. RESULTS: In the retrospective part of the study, PLR values were found to predict COVID-19 severity at admission with an AUC of 0.61 (SE = 0.03; 95% CI: 0.56 to 0.65; p = 0.0003) as well as survival status in a statistically significant fashion with an AUC of 0.59 (SE = 0.03; 95% CI: 0.55 to 0.64; p = 0.0004). Results of our meta-analysis showed a significant relationship between PLR and COVID-19 severity, with a pooled standardized mean difference (SMD) of 1.34 (95% CI: 1.13 to 1.55; p < 0 .001), and that PLR was significantly lower among patients who survived compared to deceased patients (SMD = –1.32; 95% CI: 1.57 to –1.07; p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: PLR is a valid, readily available marker that can distinguish COVID-19 individuals with distinct progression and survival outcomes

Analiza metod używanych w diagnostyce boreliozy – choroby z Lyme

Lyme borreliosis is a multi-organ disease transmitted by ticks, whose etiological factor is an anaerobic bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato. The incidence of this disease has risen each year for more than 10 years now in all parts of the world where ticks are present. Due to the multiplicity of the clinical symptoms, the disease is difficult to diagnose as it resembles other illnesses. Further, its pathomechanism through which Borrelia burgdorferi spirochetes attack joints, heart, nervous system and skin is not fully understood. This leads to many problems, both diagnostic and therapeutic. At present, there are two views on Lyme disease: one forwarded by the Polish Society of Epidemiology and Physicians of Infectious Diseases and the other one recommended by the International Lyme and Associated Diseases Society. The following article presents clinical diagnostic procedures as well as additional laboratory, serological, histological, microbiological and genetic analyzes. It is an attempt to provide the most reliable diagnostic methods although it should be noted that all of them encounter difficulties. Accordingly, the diagnosis of Lyme disease is far from perfect and requires further research and standardization.Borelioza jest wieloukładową chorobą przenoszona przez kleszcze, której czynnikiem etiologicznym jest bakteria beztlenowa Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato. Od ponad 10 lat z roku na rok wzrasta zachorowalność na tą chorobę we wszystkich miejscach świata, tam gdzie występują kleszcze. Ze względu na złożoność objawów klinicznych jest ona trudna do rozpoznania imitując inne jednostki chorobowe. Nie do końca poznany jest patomechanizm, w którym krętki Borrelia burgdorferi atakują stawy, serce, układ nerwowy i skórę. Rodzi to wiele problemów zarówno diagnostycznych jaki i terapeutycznych. Obecnie ścierają się dwa poglądy na boreliozę ten reprezentowany przez Polskie Towarzystwo Epidemiologów i Lekarzy Chorób Zakaźnych oraz ten sugerowany przez Międzynarodowe Towarzystwo ds. Boreliozy i Chorób z Nią Powiązanych. Artykuł przedstawia diagnostykę kliniczną oraz badania dodatkowe w postaci analiz laboratoryjnych, serologicznych, histologicznych, mikrobiologicznych i genetycznych. Jest on próbą przedstawienia najbardziej wiarygodnych metod diagnostycznych z zaznaczeniem jednak, że we wszystkich napotyka się trudności i wnioskiem, że diagnostyka boreliozy wciąż jest niedoskonała i wymaga jeszcze wielu badań i standaryzacji

HYPERBARIC THERAPY INFLUENCE ON PSYCHOMOTOR ABILITIES EFFECTIVENESS DEVELOPMENT – TWO CASES STUDY

Background: Hyperbaric therapy is a relatively new non-invasive therapeutic method. It involves inhaling the patient with pure oxygen using a pressure of 2 to 3 absolute atmospheres (ATA). The main purpose of this therapy is to improve the healing mechanisms and repairing processes in the case of various types of wounds and diseases. While in medicine this method is quite popular, in sport it is rarely used today and if so than mainly for the purposes of faster return to full fitness of athletes after injuries or after heavy, intense training conditions. Case study: Two subjects took part in the experiment. Training sessions were performed based on the selected original set of exercises within 29 days. Experiment participant was under conditions of increased pressure (2.5 ATA), during the session he breathed 100% oxygen, provided by the individual respiratory system. The measurement of muscle strength level of selected muscle groups, in selected motor tasks was estimated in (maximum weight – which is the maximum external resistance defeated in one repetition). It was found that there were increases in the level of muscle strength in selected muscles groups in first participant as a result of the applied set of exercises (motor tasks) and the effect of the hyperbaric sessions. Conclusions: The results of the study show that there was a visible/significant influence of the hyperbaric session on increasing the muscle function based on strength training example. This method in combination with adequate strength training sessions could be used in many areas connected with psychomotor development of human abilities

11β-HSD as a New Target in Pharmacotherapy of Metabolic Diseases

Glucocorticoids (GCs), which are secreted by the adrenal cortex, are important regulators in the metabolism of carbohydrates, lipids, and proteins. For the proper functioning of the body, strict control of their release is necessary, as increased GCs levels may contribute to the development of obesity, type 2 diabetes mellitus, hypertension, cardiovascular diseases, and other pathological conditions contributing to the development of metabolic syndrome. 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type I (11β-HSD1) locally controls the availability of the active glucocorticoid, namely cortisol and corticosterone, for the glucocorticoid receptor. Therefore, the participation of 11β-HSD1 in the development of metabolic diseases makes both this enzyme and its inhibitors attractive targets in the pharmacotherapy of the above-mentioned diseases