Bratisl Med J
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Vitamin D has anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects via the downregulation of pro-inflammatory cytokines. We aimed to demonstrate the effect of vitamin D levels on survival in COVID-19 patients. ⋯ Although a few retrospective studies put forth a relation between vitamin D deficiency and COVID-19 course severity there is still paucity of data about the efficacy of vitamin supplementations in COVID-19 patients. A single 300.000 IU dose of vitamin D seems to represent a useful, practical, and safe adjunctive approach for the treatment or prevention of COVID-19 (Tab. 1, Fig. 1, Ref. 30).
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In the COVID-19 pandemic, the concern about mask-harmful effects disturbed mask-adherence. However, it is not certain whether the masks cause cardiopulmonary overload. ⋯ In healthy volunteers, HR, RR, EtCO2 were increased, and SpO2 and walking distance were decreased in the short-term, light exercise performed with the surgical mask. Findings support the concern that masks may cause cardiopulmonary overload (Tab. 3, Fig. 1, Ref. 17). Text in PDF www.elis.sk Keywords: COVID-19, masks, physiology, psychological side effects, questionnaire.
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We aimed to investigate the effects of juglone on angiogenesis, metastasis and cell proliferation processes in pancreatic cancer (PC) and to understand whether its possible effects occur via the Wnt signaling pathway by analyzing the expression levels of target genes of Wnt signaling. ⋯ Juglone has a promising potential to develop new strategies for the treatment of PC (Tab. 2, Fig. 4, Ref. 35).
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Our study aimed to investigate neurological symptoms in patients with COVID-19 and contribute to this area of limited knowledge. ⋯ The nervous system and skeletal muscle system may be among viral targets. Detection of some neurological findings may be valuable in predicting the course of the disease. Some laboratory values can allow predicting disease severity and neurological symptoms (Tab. 5, Ref. 23) Keywords: COVID-19, neurotropism, muscle injury, headache.
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Data describing contemporary profile of infective endocarditis (IE) in the Czech Republic are lacking. The aim of this study was to describe the current profile and outcomes of IE patients. ⋯ High proportion of culture negative IE and IE related to artificial intra-cardiac materials calls for action. Furthermore, we show that cardiac surgery should be more often contemplated, especially in the presence of risk factors as septic shock and congestive heart failure (Tab. 6, Fig. 1, Ref. 32).