Purpose We evaluated whether the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 pandemic was associated with changes in the pattern of acute cardiovascular admissions across European centres. Methods We set-up a multi-centre, multi-national, pan-European observational registry in 15 centres from 12 countries. All consecutive acute admissions to emergency departments and cardiology departments throughout a 1-month period during the COVID-19 outbreak were compared with an equivalent 1-month period in 2019. The acute admissions to cardiology departments were classified into 5 major categories: acute coronary syndrome, acute heart failure, arrhythmia, pulmonary embolism and other. Results Data from 54331 patients were collected and analysed. Nine centres provided data on acute admissions to emergency departments comprising 50384 patients: 20226 in 2020 vs 30158 in 2019 – incidence rate ratio (IRR) with 95% confidence interval (95%CI): 0.66(0.58-0.76). The risk of death at the emergency departments was higher in 2020 vs 2019: odds ratio (OR) with 95%CI: 4.1(3.0-5.8), P<0.0001. All 15 centers provided data on acute cardiology departments admissions: 3007 patients in 2020 vs 4452 in 2019, respectively, IRR(95%CI): 0.68(0.64-0.71). In 2020, there were less admissions with IRR(95%CI): acute coronary syndrome: 0.68(0.63-0.73), acute heart failure: 0.65(0.58-0.74), arrhythmia: 0.66(0.60-0.72), other: 0.68(0.62-0.76); we found a relatively higher percentage of pulmonary embolism admissions in 2020: OR(95%CI): 1.5(1.1-2.1), P=0.02. Among patients with acute coronary syndrome there were fewer admissions with unstable angina: 0.79(0.66-0.94), non-ST segment elevation myocardial infarction: 0.56(0.50-0.64) and ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction: 0.78(0.68-0.89). Conclusion In the European centres during the COVID-19 outbreak, there were fewer acute cardiovascular admissions. Also, fewer patients were admitted to the emergency departments with 4-times higher death risk at the emergency departments.

BackgroundAcute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a heterogeneous neoplasm of the bone marrow with poor prognosis. In clinical practice new prognostic factors are still needed. MicroRNAs (miRs), small endogenous noncoding RNAs, play an essential role in the development and progression of acute leukemia. The aim of the study was to evaluate miR-204 expression in patients with AML at diagnosis and after induction chemotherapy, in comparison to healthy controls. We also investigated, if miR-204 expression correlates with clinical features of AML patients.MethodsmiR-204 expression has been analyzed using RT-PCR in 95 bone marrow specimens from newly diagnosed AML patients in comparison to 20 healthy subject.ResultsWe showed down-regulated miR-204 expression in AML patients, which was associated with shorter patients’ survival. Higher expression of miR-204 in patients after induction therapy was correlated with complete remission achieving.ConclusionsWe showed low miR-204 expression in AML and found it to be an independent prognostic factor in this patient population.

The purpose of this study was to compare the efficacy of dressings containing octenidine vs. dressings containing silver in the wound healing in the course of a chronic venous disease. There were two groups of 40 patients who met the inclusion criteria and who did not meet the exclusion criteria. The patients were randomly assigned into the groups (envelope method). The first, "O group" was treated with octenidine-based dressings. The second, "S group" was treated with silver dressings. The study lasted for 56 days. All patients in the research were treated with medical compression stockings with cotton understockings. Microbiological eradication was observed on the 28th day of the study among 33% of patients in the treatment group vs. 6% in control group. On the 56th day of the treatment, these percentages equalled 72% and 35%. The rate of healing was faster in the 0 group than in the S group. In the wounds <10 cm(2) it was faster by 1.35 cm(2)/week and in wounds >10 cm(2) it equalled 3.44 cm(2). The reduction of pain level was 37.5% higher in the O group, in contrast with the S group. One change of a dressing in the O group led to a 0.06 cm(2) greater wound size reduction and in the case of wounds >10 cm(2) to 0.29 cm(2) reduction compared with the S group. The presented results indicate that the efficacy of dressings containing octenidine is higher compared to silver dressings.

Lucilia sericata bottle fly worms can be used to heal infected, chronic, or necrotic wounds, including those associated with ulceration and diabetic foot.The study aimed to evaluate changes in the microflora in patients treated with L sericata larvae due to leg ulcers and diabetic foot. One hundred twenty-nine patients diagnosed with lower limb ulceration and diabetic foot were enrolled in the study, of which 80 of them met the eligibility criteria for maggot debridement therapy (MDT). On the contrary, 49 unqualified patients were offered ozone therapy (22 with leg ulcers; 27 with diabetic foot). In each of these patients, a microbiological swab was performed before and after the start of therapy. The group of 80 patients was further divided into four equal groups in terms of the treated area (lower leg vs foot) and the number of larvae/cm 2 (5 vs 10). Twenty-three particular species of bacteria in the infected wound were studied microbiologically in terms of presence/absence within the wound environment before and after treatment of patients with diabetic foot and lower limb ulceration. It was noted that there was a more intensive bacterial accumulation in the feet of patients compared to legs; furthermore, this applies to almost all analysed species. Diabetes status is also a clinical factor that generates a lower chance of bacterial appearance in the wound environment. Densification of MDT larvae per wound area unit also reduced the chance of the presence of Corynebacterium species, Enterobacteriaceae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus MSSA, and Streptococcus coagulase negativa; however, it increased the likelihood of occurrence for Proteus mirabilis and the Proteus species. A microbiological analysis in this non-reference study shows the efficacy of larval therapy for leg and foot ulcers. Rearrangement of the microflora within the wound has been reported as a result of the therapy.

Background: Anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) is considered to be one of the most significant indicators of women’s fertility. Many studies have shown that vitamin D may modify human reproductive functions; however, the results are conflicting. The composition of follicular fluid (FF) creates the biochemical environment of the oocyte and affects its quality, which later determines the embryo quality. In this study, we aimed to revise with advanced statistical techniques the relationship between AMH and vitamin D in FF. Methods: The study was designed as a prospective single-center study in infertile patients with AMH ≥ 0.7 ng/mL who underwent controlled ovarian hyperstimulation for in vitro fertilization. AMH and vitamin D levels in FF were measured. Next, the standard and advanced statistical (including segmented regression) techniques were applied. Results: We observed a negative linear correlation between levels of AMH in serum and FF and total vitamin D concentrations up to approximately 30 ng/mL; with a statistically significant relationship in FF. Beyond that concentration, the trend was positive but statistically insignificant. Conclusions: As an existing “change-point problem” was noticed, we suggest segmentation in the relationship between vitamin D and AMH during infertility treatment.

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Introduction: The study aimed to analyze the influence of restaging transurethral resection of bladder tumor (reTURB) timing on outcomes in patients receiving Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) immunotherapy. Material and Methods: This retrospective study enrolled 491 patients with bladder cancer receiving BCG intravesical therapy between 1998 and 2016. All patients were followed up for at least 12 months and received at least 7 BCG instillations. The patients were analyzed in terms of recurrence free, progression free, and cancer specific survival (CSS). Results: Median follow-up was 57 months (12–257 months). The risk for all analyzed clinical events was higher in patients who underwent reTURB after 6 weeks from primary TURB. After the change point of 57 days after primary resection, further delay was not associated with increased risk of recurrence and progression. The time limit for CSS was 76 days. With every 1 more day of time interval between TURB and reTURB, the risk of each clinical event in follow-up increased by 4%. Conclusions: There is no benefit of the reTURB performed after 8 weeks from primary TURB. Optimal timing of reTURB is from 2 to 6 weeks after initial TURB. However, even within this time frame, the sooner the procedure is performed, the risk of recurrence, progression, or cancer-specific death is lower.