Markers of increased risk of death in polytrauma patients with associated chest trauma

Introduction. Polytrauma patients represent one of the most difficult pathology. Therefore, developing methods of assessing the risk of death in these patients is a continuous challenge for physicians. The aim of the study was to evaluate the levels of creatine kinase isoenzyme MB (CK-MB) and troponin, as markers of increased risk of death in the first 24 hours after admission, in polytrauma patients with associated chest trauma. Material and methods. The study included 33 polytrauma patients treated in the Emergency Department of the County Clinical Emergency Hospital Constanta, Romania, between 2014-2017. In all these patients, clinical evaluation and paraclinical investigations have been performed, including measurements of CK-MB levels. The results of the study suggest that CK-MB does not offer additional information for the risk of death in these patients, while in the case of troponin, higher values were observed in patients that didn’t survive after 24 hours. Conclusions. The results of our study suggest that troponin values may be useful in identifying the increased risk of death in polytrauma patients

Prostate Imaging Reporting and Data System score (PI-RADS) and Glutathione S-transferase P1 methylation status (GST-P1) in the diagnosis of prostate cancer patients with borderline PSA values

Objectives. The objective of this study was to evaluate the potential use of Prostate Imaging – Reporting and Data System version 2 (PI-RADS) in combination with Glutathione S-transferase P1 (GST-P1) expression for an improved diagnosis of prostate cancer, in patients with inconclusive values of prostate-specific antigen (PSA). Materials and Methods. The study was conducted on 80 patients for whom PSA values were evaluated and were found to be inconclusive (4-10 ng/ml). These patients underwent imagistic evaluation (PI-RADS), followed by transurethral prostate biopsy, with the evaluation of GST-P1 expression and histopathological examination (for diagnosis confirmation). Results. By combining the results of PI-RADS and GST-P1 the capacity of the tests to correctly identify healthy subjects, with an area under curve of 0,832 (95% CI 0.732–0.907), with a sensitivity of 73,25% and a specificity of 77,78%. Conclusions. PI-RADS lesions and GST-P1 methylation testing when PSA levels are in a “grey zone”, provide a better specificity and sensitivity by comparison through single testing. Testing patients with inconclusive PSA levels allows for a more accurate diagnosis and less over-diagnosis by non-invasive procedures, such as repeated biopsies

Colonization, Infection and Risk Factors for Death in an Infectious Disease ICU in Romania

Knowing the bacterial strains in the intensive care unit (ICU) is important for reducing the rate of bacterial transmission and the risk of healthcare-associated infections (HAIs), allowing for targeted interventions to reduce the risk of death by HAIs. We performed a retrospective case-control study in a single center that included 320 bacteriologically screened patients from the ICU of the Infectious Diseases Hospital in Constanta between September 2017 and March 2020. Sixty-five secondary bacterial infections were identified as the cause of hospital admission and 60 bacterial colonizations. There were 20 cases and 300 controls for the mortality rate and risk factors for death. Multivariate analysis identified that hospitalization of patients for HIV infection (OR 11.82, 95% CI: 1.69-83.62, P ≤0.05) and Clostridioides difficile infection (OR 7.38, 95% CI: 1.39 -39.22, P ≤ 0.05) were independent risk factors associated with death. We observed that the number of colonizations or secondary infections in the ICU was similar, and the mortality rate in the ICU was influenced by HIV infection or Clostridioides difficile infection

The FRESHAIR4Life study:Global implementation research on non-communicable disease prevention targeting adolescents' exposure to tobacco and air pollution in disadvantaged populations

In the FRESHAIR4Life study, we aim to reduce the non-communicable disease (NCD) burden by implementing preventive interventions targeting adolescents’ exposure to tobacco use and air pollution (AP). This paper presents the methodology of FRESHAIR4Life and initial rapid review results. The rapid review showed variable NCD mortality rates related to tobacco use and AP exposure in the five participating countries. Tobacco is the predominant risk factor for NCD-related deaths in the Kyrgyz Republic, Greece, and Romania, whereas AP exposure causes most NCD-related deaths in Pakistan and Uganda. Adolescents’ risk factor exposure, sources of exposure, and trends also differ significantly. As the next step in FRESHAIR4Life, an in-depth situational analysis will inform the selection, adaptation, and integration of evidence-based interventions into the FRESHAIR4Life prevention package. Subsequently, this package will be implemented, evaluated, and iteratively refined. Throughout the research process, a strong emphasis is on co-creation, capacity building, and comprehensive communication and dissemination

The FRESHAIR4Life study:Global implementation research on non-communicable disease prevention targeting adolescents' exposure to tobacco and air pollution in disadvantaged populations

In the FRESHAIR4Life study, we aim to reduce the non-communicable disease (NCD) burden by implementing preventive interventions targeting adolescents’ exposure to tobacco use and air pollution (AP). This paper presents the methodology of FRESHAIR4Life and initial rapid review results. The rapid review showed variable NCD mortality rates related to tobacco use and AP exposure in the five participating countries. Tobacco is the predominant risk factor for NCD-related deaths in the Kyrgyz Republic, Greece, and Romania, whereas AP exposure causes most NCD-related deaths in Pakistan and Uganda. Adolescents’ risk factor exposure, sources of exposure, and trends also differ significantly. As the next step in FRESHAIR4Life, an in-depth situational analysis will inform the selection, adaptation, and integration of evidence-based interventions into the FRESHAIR4Life prevention package. Subsequently, this package will be implemented, evaluated, and iteratively refined. Throughout the research process, a strong emphasis is on co-creation, capacity building, and comprehensive communication and dissemination

The FRESHAIR4Life study: Global implementation research on non-communicable disease prevention targeting adolescents’ exposure to tobacco and air pollution in disadvantaged populations

The FRESHAIR4Life study aims to reduce the non-communicable disease (NCD) burden by implementing preventive interventions targeting adolescents’ exposure to tobacco use and air pollution (AP) worldwide. This paper presents the FRESHAIR4Life methodology and initial rapid review results. The rapid review, using various databases and PubMed, aimed to guide decision-making on risk factor focus, target areas, and populations. It showed variable NCD mortality rates related to tobacco use and AP across the participating countries, with tobacco as the main risk factor in the Kyrgyz Republic, Greece, and Romania, and AP prevailing in Pakistan and Uganda. Adolescent exposure levels, sources, and correlates varied. The study will continue with an in-depth situational analysis to guide the selection, adaptation, and integration of evidence-based interventions into the FRESHAIR4Life prevention package. This package will be implemented, evaluated, assessed for cost-effectiveness, and iteratively refined. The research places a strong emphasis on co-creation, capacity building, and comprehensive communication and dissemination.<br/

Antibiotics Use in Adult Population, as Perceived by Family Doctors in Romania

Introduction: In recent years, the problem of overprescribed antibiotics has become one of the most serious public health issues at global level. Clear evidence shows direct relation between antibiotics consumption and the resistance developed by the microbial agent

Study of Biochemical and Hematological Markers in Patients Diagnosed with Basal Cell Carcinoma

In recent years, numerous scientific research papers have focused on the analysis of immunological, biochemical, ultrastructural, molecular and genetic factors that govern the clinical aspects of basal cell carcinomas. This retrospective study was carried out in the Clinical Department of Dermatovenerology at the County Emergency Clinical Hospital “Sf. Apostol Andrei”, Constanta. The research included a total of 140 patients treated in the clinic, with a diagnosis of basal cell epithelioma. We analyzed several biochemical and hematological markers including creatinine, male HDL cholesterol, female HDL cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, urea, serum glucose. More than half of patients with BCC present data of possible hepatic impairment and high atherogenic risk

Effects of Complex Medical Rehabilitation Treatment on Ligament Instability in Patients with Knee Osteoarthritis

Knee osteoarthritis represents one of the most frequent conditions in the elderly population. This condition affects the whole joint, having an important impact on the patient’s quality of life