Medicina
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Background and objectives: The ABO antibody (Ab) titration tests are used in monitoring in ABO-incompatible (ABOi) solid organ transplantation (SOT). However, currently developed ABO Ab tests show Ab binding reactions. This study attempted to measure ABO Ab level using complement-dependent cytotoxicity (CDC). ⋯ Conclusions: CDC can be used in a new trial for ABO Ab measurement. Furthermore, IgM rather than IgG seems to play a significant role in vivo activity, consistent with previous knowledge. Thus, this study may help in the development of the ABO Ab titration supplement test for post-transplant treatment policy establishment and pre-transplant desensitization.
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Background and Objectives: Even after the ‘death’ of Lewinnek’s safe zone, the orientation of the prosthetic cup in total hip arthroplasty is crucial for success. Accurate cup placement can be achieved with surgical navigation systems. The literature lacks study cohorts with large numbers of hips because postoperative computer tomography is required for the reproducible evaluation of the acetabular component position. ⋯ The accuracy and the precision were inferior compared to CT-based navigation systems particularly regarding the anteversion. However the assessed values are certainly within a clinically acceptable range. This use of image-less navigation offers an additional tool to address challenging hip prothesis in the context of the hip−spine relationship to achieve adequate placement of the acetabular components with a minimum of outliers.
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Background and Objectives: COVID-19 is a pandemic disease, and its unpredictable outcome makes it particularly dangerous, especially for pregnant women. One of the decisions they have to make is where they will give birth. This study aimed to determine the factors influencing the choice of place of delivery and the impact of the COVID 19 pandemic on these factors. ⋯ The most important factors affecting the choice of the place of delivery included the possibility of a partner's presence, excellent sanitary conditions and optimal distance from the hospital, and the availability of epidural analgesia for delivery. Conclusions: Our study identifies the determinants of place of delivery during the COVID-19 pandemic. The data we obtained can result in the healthcare system considering patients' needs in case of similar crisis in the future.
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Background and Objectives: Endothelial microparticles (EMP) particularly CD31+/42−/AV+, CD144+/AV+ and CD62e+/AV+ have been reported as having increased in cardiovascular-related diseases, making them potential biomarkers for endothelial dysfunction. This study aimed to compare these EMPs in patients with hypercholesterolemia and healthy controls and to correlate their levels with endothelium-dependent vasodilation (EDV) assessed via pulse wave analysis (PWA); an established method of assessing endothelial function. Materials and Methods: EMPs from 88 subjects (44 hypercholesterolemia patients and 44 controls) were quantified from whole blood using flow cytometry analysis. ⋯ Results: CD31+/42−/AV+ (3.45 ± 4.74 count/µL vs. 1.33 ± 4.40 count/µL; p = 0.03), CD144+/AV+ (7.37 ± 12.66 count/µL vs. 1.42 ± 1.71 count/µL; p = 0.003) and CD62e+/AV+ (57.16 ± 56.22 count/µL vs. 20.78 ± 11.04 count/µL; p < 0.001) were significantly elevated in the hypercholesterolemic group compared with the controls, respectively. There was a significant inverse moderate correlation between all circulating EMPs and EDV: CD31+/42−/AV+ (r = −0.36, p = 0.001), CD144+/AV+ (r = −0.37, p = 0.001) and CD62e+/AV+ (r = −0.35, p = 0.002). Conclusions: All EMPs were raised in the patients with hypercholesterolemia, and these values correlated with the established method of assessing endothelial function.
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Observational Study
Female Patients with Pneumonia on Intensive Care Unit Are under Risk of Fatal Outcome.
Background and Objectives: The impact of sex on mortality in patients with pneumonia requiring intensive care unit (ICU) treatment is still a controversial discussion, with studies providing heterogeneous results. The reasons for sex differences are widespread, including hormonal, immunologic and therapeutic approaches. This study's aim was to evaluate sex-related differences in the mortality of ICU patients with pneumonia. ⋯ Conclusions: ICU mortality was significantly higher in female patients with pneumonia. The identification of sex-specific differences is important to increase awareness among clinicians and allow resource allocation. The impact of sex on illness severity, sex differences in infectious diseases and the consequences on treatment need to be elucidated in the future.