Background and Objectives: Ischaemic stroke (IS) is the leading cause of death and disability worldwide. All stages of cerebral ischaemia, but especially acute phase, are associated with inflammatory response. Recent studies showed that neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio (LMR) may be used to assess inflammation in IS. To test whether there is a relationship between these parameters and type of stroke treatment, we analysed NLR and LMR in IS patients treated with three different modalities. Materials and Methods: The study included 58 adults with acute IS. A total of 28 patients received intravenous thrombolysis. In another 10 patients, the thrombolytic therapy was followed by thrombectomy and 20 patients did not undergo causal treatment. Blood samples were obtained within 24 h of the stroke diagnosis to calculate NLR and LMR. Next, NLR and LMR of the study subgroups were compared. Results: Our study revealed that NLR was significantly higher in patients treated with thrombectomy following thrombolysis, compared to no causal treatment. Statistical analysis demonstrated that patients with high National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) scores presented higher NLR than in those with low NIHSS scores. Additionally, patients with high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) ≥ 3 mg/L presented with significantly higher NLR and significantly lower LMR than the group of patients with lower hs-CRP (<3 mg/L). Conclusions: The main finding of this pilot study was that NLR in IS patients treated using thrombectomy following thrombolysis was markedly higher than that in other treatment groups, which was associated with increased severity of the disease in these patients. Therefore, patients with higher NLR may be expected to have more severe stroke. The link between stroke severity and NLR deserves further study.

A disseminated Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG ATCC 53103 infection was suspected in a 6 day-old newborn with intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) symptoms, treated empirically with antibiotics and given L. rhamnosus GG with the aim of preventing antibiotic-associated gastrointestinal complications. The level of C-reactive protein on day 5 compared with day 2 was increased in spite of negative urine and cerebrospinal fluid cultures. The blood sampled on day 6 was found to be positive for lactobacilli, and the isolate was pre-identified as L. rhamnosus or Lactobacillus casei on day 11. The strain identity was then verified as L. rhamnosus GG through PCR and 16S rRNA sequencing. Genotyping with the rep-PCR and AFLP methods confirmed the 100% genetic similarity for both the strain isolated from patient blood and the probiotic product. The newborn became touch-sensitive, cried a lot, had worsening laboratory test results, and increased inflammation parameters, but no fever was observed. After a further 9 days of antibiotic therapy, blood cultures became negative, and laboratory tests improved on day 25. The patient was discharged from the hospital after 27 days. IUGR with a possible link to L. rhamnosus GG bacteraemia might be a new potential risk group, beside patients with organ failure, immunocompromised status and dysfunctional gut barrier mechanisms, for which safe use of probiotics needs careful attention. Universally accepted or improved guidelines for the safer administration of probiotics in risk groups are urgently needed. This report should not discourage the use of probiotics, but should highlight the need for their careful use in IUGR patients.

Objectives: Our retrospective study aimed to evaluate the rate and the appropriate use of antenatal corticosteroid therapy, and their effect on the incidence and treatment of respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) and its complications. Material and methods:A retrospective analysis of clinical practice in Poland was performed using standard investigating tools: a questionnaire on the frequency of using antennal corticosteroids in the selected centers, as well as neonatal data. A total of 987 newborns at ≤ 32 weeks of gestation, treated in 54 centers (including 42 tertiary and 12 secondary referral centers) over a period of 6 months in 2013, were deemed eligible. The study group consisted of 749 newborns whose mothers received antenatal steroids. The non-steroid group included 238 newborns.Results: Antenatal corticosteroids were administered to 75.89% of the neonates from the study group, with 79% and 21% receiving one and two courses, respectively. Children whose mothers received prenatal steroids presented with less extensive radiographic changes typical of RDS, and less often required surfactant therapy (70% vs. 78%; p = 0.0143). In the group of children undergoing antenatal steroid therapy, the percentage of BPD was lower (13.27% vs. 18.63%) (p = 0.0881). The mortality rates were 20.91% and 10.81% in controls and the study group, respectively (p = 0.0001). Conclusions:1. The percentage of antenatal steroid use in secondary and tertiary referral centers in Poland is unsatisfactorily low (76%). 2. Antenatal corticosteroids demonstrated high efficacy in decreasing severe forms of RDS, less need for surfactant therapy, and reduced BPD and mortality rates.

We found fewer severe nasal complications but no statistically significant advantage in treatment success in infants assigned to Infant Flow nasal continuous positive airway pressure compared with those assigned to constant flow nasal continuous positive airway pressure treatment. Significant risk factors of treatment failure include small size, maturity, and severity of respiratory distress syndrome.

Addition of P80 to PCV13 did not adversely affect PCV13 immunogenicity or safety when compared with vaccine formulated without P80.

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We demonstrated that CA and PCA are efficacious methods for assessing the relationship between iron metabolism parameters in cord blood and large amounts of clinical characteristics.

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