AbstractPlatelet rich plasma (PRP) represents a relatively new approach in regenerative medicine. It is obtained from patient’s own blood and contains different growth factors and other biomolecules necessary for wound healing. Since there are various protocols for PRP preparing, it usually results with PRP generation with different amounts of bioactive substances, which finally may modulate the intensity of wound healing. The reference data about potential effect of some PRP compounds on wound healing, in different tissues, are still controversial. This review summarizes recently known facts about physiological role of certain PRP components and guidance for further research. Also, this review discusses different procedure for PRP generation and potential effect of leukocytes on wound healing.

Platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) represents second generation of platelet concentrates, which has gained increasing awareness in recent years for regenerative procedures. This biologic additive is completely autologous, easy to prepare, has minimal expense, and possesses prolonged growth factor release, together with several other advantages over traditionally prepared platelet concentrates. Since its introduction, various protocols for PRF preparation have been proposed with different amounts of growth factors and other biomolecules necessary for wound healing. However, reference data about potential effect of some PRF components on hard and soft tissue healing are still conflicting. The current article intends to clarify the relevant advances about physiological role of certain PRF components and to provide insight into the new developmental approach. Also, this review summarizes the evolution of platelet concentrates and biologic properties of different modifications of PRF procedure.

Despite the increasing of onychomycosis caused by Candida spp., in referent literature, there is still data insufficiency about this nail infection. The objectives of this retrospective study were to determine epidemiological characteristics of Candida onychomycosis, the antifungal susceptibility of isolated species in vitro, and to compare the results of antifungal susceptibility testing with conducted treatment in period from 2011 to the end of March 2015. Out of 761 patients who were underwent clinical and mycological examinations, 137 had Candida species isolated from nails. The dominant species was Candida albicans (C. albicans) (36.59%) followed by C. parapsilosis (23.78%), C. krusei (9.76%), and C. guilliermondii (6.71%). Antifungal susceptibility in vitro testing showed good susceptibility to antimycotics, except C. krusei, which was resistance to fluconazole (FCZ) and isolates of C. tropicalis and C. glabrata which were dose dependent to itraconazole (ITZ) and fluconazole. Evaluation of medical histories determined that combined therapy, which included pulsed systemic regimen of ITZ with topical application of clotrimazole, had better clinical outcomes regarding the proscribed only topical application of clotrimazole. Multidisciplinary approach of dermatologists and mycologists is required in solving the problem of onychomycosis, which is the dominant nail disease.

The intervention reduced immediate stress and provided a respite from the stress response in this population. Maternal child nurses may consider incorporating stress coping interventions as standard care practice.

Clostridium difficile is the leading cause of infectious diarrhoea in hospitalized patients. The aim of this study was to determine the risk factors important for the development of hospital-acquired Clostridium difficile-associated disease and clinical manifestations of Clostridium difficile-associated disease. The clinical trial group included 37 hospitalized patients who were selected according to the inclusion criteria. A control group of 74 hospitalized patients was individually matched with cases based on hospital, age (within 4 years), sex and month of admission.Clostridium difficile-associated disease most commonly manifested as diarrhoea (56.76%) and colitis (32%), while in 8.11% of patients, it was diagnosed as pseudomembranous colitis, and in one patient, it was diagnosed as fulminant colitis. Statistically significant associations (p < 0.05) were found with the presence of chronic renal failure, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, cerebrovascular accident (stroke) and haemodialysis. In this study, it was confirmed that all the groups of antibiotics, except for tetracycline and trimethoprim–sulfamethoxazole, were statistically significant risk factors for Clostridium difficile-associated disease (p < 0.05). However, it was difficult to determine the individual role of antibiotics in the development of Clostridium difficile-associated disease. Univariate logistic regression also found that applying antibiotic therapy, the duration of antibiotic therapy, administration of two or more antibiotics to treat infections, administering laxatives and the total number of days spent in the hospital significantly affected the onset of Clostridium difficile-associated disease (p < 0.05), and associations were confirmed using the multivariate model for the application of antibiotic therapy (p = 0.001), duration of antibiotic treatment (p = 0.01), use of laxatives (p = 0.01) and total number of days spent in the hospital (p = 0.001). In this study of patients with hospital-acquired diarrhoea, several risk factors for the development of Clostridium difficile-associated disease were identified.

No abstract

Introduction: Candida spp. frequently cause hospital-acquired bloodstream infections (BSI) with a high mortality rate (up to 70%). We analyzed the frequency, infection characteristics, potential predisposing factors, susceptibility to antifungal drugs, biofilm production and other virulence characteristics of Candida spp. isolates obtained from a tertiary care hospital in Niš, Serbia, during a one year period. Methods: Medical histories, characteristics of isolated strains and drug susceptibility, as well as the effect on the function of isolated macrophages and other virulence features were evaluated. The obtained results were subjected to student's t-test and multivariate statistical analyzes. Results: Herein we report an annual incidence of 3.65 cases of C. albicans, C. lusitaniae and C. lipolytica infections per 10 5 population. Out of eight isolated strains, two (25%) were shown to be strong biofilm producers, one (12.5%) caused hemolysis on blood agar and in two (25%) cases macrophages were able to completely eliminate the yeast colonies. Chronic kidney disease, diabetes, malignant and other diseases were present in 37.5, 62.5, 50 and 75%, respectively, in the study group. All patients with Candida BSI received antifungal therapy (amphotericin B), however, hospital mortality was observed in 25% of patients. Conclusions: Evaluation of local Candida epidemiology, antifungal susceptibility and virulence factors, as well as personalized patient risk factors are important for the surveillance of Candida BSI, especially in intensive care unit patients and may contribute to the improved options and outcome for patients with Candida BSI.

AbstractThe aim of the research was to determine the intestinal carriers of C. difficile in different human population groups in Serbia. The research enrolled 877 persons with formed stools: (newborn children in maternity hospitals for up to two weeks old) (23), group A; children aged from two weeks to two years (121), group B; children aged two to 10 years (54), group C, healthy individuals aged 10 and over (516), group D; patients hospitalized for at least 48 hours (100), group E; staff of the Clinical Center in Nis, Serbia, (63), group F. The toxins A and B of C. difficile were detected by ELISA-ridascreen Clostridium difficile Toxin A/B (R — Biopharm AG, Darmstadt, Germany). The toxin A of C. difficile was detected using ColorPAC Toxin A test (BectonDickinson, New Jersey, USA). Out of the total number of persons (877), the carriers of certain types of toxin-producing strains of C. difficile were distributed as: 6.04% (A−/B−), 1.83% (A+/B+) and 0.11% (A−/B+). In most groups (5/6), the dominance of non-toxigenic (A−/B−) isolates was established, with the rate of carriers 1.75 – 30.43% depending on the group. Toxigenic isolates were prevalent only in the group F in relation to non — toxigenic (7.94% versus 4.76% of persons). In other groups, the carriers of toxigenic strains ranged from 0.00 – 17.45%. The presence of asymptomatic intestinal carriers of C. difficile in the human population, indicate the possible reservoirs and sources of infection.