Experimenting with Pig-based Skin Model for Burns. Testing of Mean Literature Findings.

Introduction: Animal models that closely mimic human burn wound healing processes are essential for developing effective burn wound treatments. Pigs are useful animal models for studying burn wound healing. From their extensive literature review, Andrews and Cuttle (2017) reported mean temperature and exposure time values. This study was done to provide initial burn depth for another experiment comparing two burn wound treatments. The secondary goal was to validate a systematic review on porcine burn model standardization. Materials and Methods: Six four-week-old Large White x Landrace gilts were housed in a closed structure for 10 days to acclimatize. The procedures were performed under general anesthesia. A round 2.5 cm copper plate welded to an aluminum rod with a wooden handle caused the injuries. The burning device was used to reach a contact temperature of 110ºC on the pig's skin. The objective was to create a superficial partial thickness (SPT) burn for 10 seconds (Group 10s) and a deep partial thickness (DPT) burn for 20 seconds (Group 20s) using a plate heated at 110ºC. No stabilizer or pressure controller was used. Wounds were conclusively dressed and harvested 24 hours later. The usual hematoxylin-eosin protocol was used to cut and stain 4-micron sections. Results: A significant difference (p 0.01) was observed in dermis involvement, with a mean of 85.61 % (95% CI= 80.62 to 90.61) for group 10s and 123.71% (95% CI= 114.91 to 132.50) for group 20s. An exposure time of 20 seconds increased dermis depth-related total collagen denaturation by almost 50% compared to 10 seconds. Conclusions: In conclusion, our experiment produced DPT burns in 10 seconds and FT burns in 20 seconds without a pressure application device.

Experimenting with Pig-based Skin Model for Burns. Testing of Mean Literature Findings.

Introduction: Animal models that closely mimic human burn wound healing processes are essential for developing effective burn wound treatments. Pigs are useful animal models for studying burn wound healing. From their extensive literature review, Andrews and Cuttle (2017) reported mean temperature and exposure time values. This study was done to provide initial burn depth for another experiment comparing two burn wound treatments. The secondary goal was to validate a systematic review on porcine burn model standardization. Material and Methods: Six four-week-old Large White x Landrace gilts were housed in a closed structure for 10 days to acclimatize. The procedures were performed under general anesthesia. A round 2.5 cm copper plate welded to an aluminum rod with a wooden handle caused the injuries. The burning device was used to reach a contact temperature of 110 C on the pig's skin. The objective was to create a superficial partial thickness (SPT) burn for 10 seconds (Group 10s) and a deep partial thickness (DPT) burn for 20 seconds (Group 20s) using a plate heated at 110ºC. No stabilizer or pressure controller was used. Wounds were conclusively dressed and harvested 24 hours later. The usual hematoxylin-eosin protocol was used to cut and stain 4-micron sections. Results: A significant difference (p 0.01) was observed in dermis involvement, with a mean of 85.61 % (95% CI= 80.62 to 90.61) for group 10s and 123.71% (95% CI= 114.91 to 132.50) for group 20s. An exposure time of 20 seconds increased dermis depth-related total collagen denaturation by almost 50% compared to 10 seconds. Conclusions: In conclusion, our experiment produced DPT burns in 10 seconds and FT burns in 20 seconds without a pressure application device.

Associated Bacterial Coinfections in COVID-19-Positive Patients.

Background and Objectives: The aim of this study was to identify specific rhino- and oropharyngeal microbiological pathogens as well as associated comorbidities that favor SARS-CoV-2 infection and corelate them. Materials and Methods: This prospective clinical study enrolled 61 patients (28 COVID-19-positive and 33 controls) who were tested for other comorbidities and co-existence of associated oral pathogenic microbiota. Results: A total of 247 bacterial isolates were identified in the bacterial cultures in both groups. Viral hepatitis type A was more prevalent in the COVID-19-positive group (p = 0.026), as was the presence of oral candidiasis (p = 0.006). In the control group, a moderate direct relationship was observed between the Beta hemolytic streptococcus group G and dermatitis, and strong direct relationships were observed between the Beta hemolytic streptococcus group G and external otitis, Streptococcus pyogenes and dental alveolitis, and Streptococcus pyogenes and chronic lymphocytic leukemia. In the test group, strong direct relationships were observed between Hemophilus influenzae and pulmonary thromboembolism; Staphylococcus aureus and autoimmune thyroiditis; post-viral immunosuppression, chronic coronary syndrome, and hypernatremia; Beta hemolytic streptococcus group C and rheumatoid polyneuropathy; Beta hemolytic streptococcus group G and hyperkalemia, hypothyroidism, secondary anemia, and splenomegaly; and active oral candidiasis and SARS-CoV-2 viral pneumonia. The following relationships were strong, but inverse: Beta hemolytic streptococcus group G and acute respiratory failure, and active oral candidiasis and SARS-CoV-2 viral bronchopneumonia. Conclusions: Briefly, COVID-19-positive patients have the predisposition to build up associated comorbidities and coinfections, which can be the expression of the immune burden that this virus generates to the host.

Identification of Microbial Species and Analysis of Antimicrobial Resistance Patterns in Acute Cholangitis Patients with Malignant and Benign Biliary Obstructions: A Comparative Study.

Background and Objectives: Acute cholangitis (AC) is still lethal if not treated promptly and effectively. Biliary drainage, also known as source control, has been acknowledged as the backbone treatment for patients with AC; nonetheless, antimicrobial therapy allows these patients to undergo non-emergent drainage procedures. This retrospective study aims to observe the bacterial species involved in AC and analyze the antimicrobial resistance patterns. Materials and Methods: Data were collected for four years, comparing patients with benign and malignant bile duct obstruction as an etiology for AC. A total of 262 patients were included in the study, with 124 cases of malignant obstruction and 138 cases of benign obstruction. Results: Positive bile culture was obtained in 192 (73.3%) patients with AC, with a higher rate among the benign group compared with malignant etiologies (55.7%.vs 44.3%). There was no significant difference between the Tokyo severity scores in the two study groups, identifying 34.7% cases of malignant obstruction with Tokyo Grade 1 (TG1) and 43.5% cases of TG1 among patients with benign obstruction. Similarly, there were no significant differences between the number of bacteria types identified in bile, most of them being monobacterial infections (19% in the TG1 group, 17% in the TG2 group, and 10% in the TG3 group). The most commonly identified microorganism in blood and bile cultures among both study groups was E. coli (46.7%), followed by Klebsiella spp. (36.0%) and Pseudomonas spp. (8.0%). Regarding antimicrobial resistance, it was observed that significantly more patients with malignant bile duct obstruction had a higher percentage of bacterial resistance for cefepime (33.3% vs. 11.7%, p-value = 0.0003), ceftazidime (36.5% vs. 14.5%, p-value = 0.0006), meropenem (15.4% vs. 3.6%, p-value = 0.0047), and imipenem (20.2% vs. 2.6%, p-value < 0.0001). Conclusions: The positive rate of biliary cultures is higher among patients with benign biliary obstruction, while the malignant etiology correlates with increased resistance to cefepime, ceftazidime, meropenem, and imipenem.

COVID-19 Biomarkers Comparison: Children, Adults and Elders.

Background and Objectives: this study aimed to research links between C-reactive protein (CRP), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), creatinekinase (CK), 25-OH vitamin D (25-OHD), ferritin (FER), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL)cholesterol and clinical severity in patients from the western part of Romania, and compare their potential use as biomarkers for intensive care units (ICU) admission and death in children, adults and elders. Materials and Methods: this study is a retrospective cohort study, performed on patients positively diagnosed with COVID-19. Available CRP, LDH, CK 25-OH vitamin D, ferritin, HDL cholesterol and clinical severity were recorded. The following were assessed: median group differences, association, correlation and receiver operating characteristic. Results: 381 children, 614 adults and 381 elders were studied between 1 March 2021 and 1 March 2022. Most children and adults presented mild symptomatology (53.28%, 35.02%, respectively), while most elders presented severe symptomatology (30.04%). ICU admission was 3.67% for children, 13.19% for adults and 46.09% for elders, while mortality was 0.79% for children, 8.63% for adults and 25.1% for elders. With the exception of CK, all other biomarkers showed some significant associations with clinical severity, ICU admission and death. Conclusions: CRP, LDH, 25-OH vitamin D, ferritin and HDL are important biomarkers for COVID-19 positive patients, especially in the pediatric population, while CK was mostly within normal ranges.

The Assessment of Antimicrobial Resistance in Gram-Negative and Gram-Positive Infective Endocarditis: A Multicentric Retrospective Analysis.

Background and Objectives: Multidrug-resistant microorganisms have made treating bacterial infections challenging. Resistance to antibiotics is expected to overcome efforts to produce new, effective antibacterial medication that is lifesaving in many situations. Infective endocarditis (IE) is a life-threatening infection that affects 5-15 per 100,000 patients annually and requires rapid antibiotic therapy to prevent morbidity and mortality. Materials and Methods: The present research assessed IE cases over five years, from a multicentric database, with the main objective of determining the degree of antibiotic resistance in these patients, stratified by Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. Results: Bad oral hygiene was present in 58.6% of patients from the Gram-negative group (vs. 38.7% in the Gram-positive group). Non-valvular heart disease was identified in approximately 40% of all patients, and valvopathies in approximately 20%. It was observed that 37.9% of Gram-negative IE bacteria were resistant to three or more antibiotics, whereas 20.7% were susceptible. Among Gram-positive infections, S. aureus was the most commonly involved pathogen, with a multidrug-resistant pattern in 11.2% of patients, while Acinetobacter baumannii had the highest resistance pattern of all Gram-negative pathogens, with 27.4% of all samples resistant to three or more antibiotics. Patients with Gram-negative IE were 4.2 times more likely to die. The mortality risk was 4 times higher when bacteria resistant to two or more antibiotics was involved and 5.7 times higher with resistance patterns to three or more antibiotics than the reference group with no antibiotic resistance. Peripheral catheters were the most common cause of multi-resistant IE, followed by heart surgery, dental procedures, and ENT interventions. Conclusions: Even though Gram-positive infections were the most frequent (83.0% of all cases), Gram-negative IE infections are substantially more deadly than Gram-positive IE infections. However, it was also observed that patients with Gram-negative infections were more likely to have underlying comorbidities, be institutionalized, and be underweight. Although the Gram-negative infections were more severe, their resistance patterns were similar to Gram-positive bacteria. As resistance patterns increase, more efforts should be made to prevent a healthcare catastrophe. At the same time, careful prophylaxis should be considered in patients at risk, including those with central catheters, undergoing dental procedures, and with poor oral hygiene.

COVID-19 and the Human Eye: Conjunctivitis, a Lone COVID-19 Finding - A Case-Control Study.

OBJECTIVES: COVID-19 has varied clinical manifestations, from asymptomatic to severe cases, and conjunctivitis is one of them, but sometimes a lone initial symptom is found to be present. The aim of this study was to identify the prevalence of conjunctivitis as the first symptom in COVID-19 patients in a primary healthcare unit. METHODOLOGY: A retrospective study was conducted, analyzing the presenting complains/symptoms and results of COVID-19-confirmatory tests. RESULTS: Out of the 672 cases that were sent for RT-PCR testing, only 121 (18%) were found to be positive. Among these, 2.67% patients had both conjunctivitis and COVID-19, 77.77% patients had unilateral eye affected, while 22.22% had bilateral conjunctivitis of varying degrees. Fifteen patients diagnosed to have both acute conjunctivitis and COVID-19 presented other symptoms associated with COVID-19 infection. Three patients had only acute conjunctivitis during their entire course of COVID-19. CONCLUSIONS: Conjunctivitis is a symptom of COVID-19 and may be the first sign of the infection, until the onset of the classical manifestations; such patients may continue to be a viral reservoir. Physicians should not miss unilateral conjunctivitis as it can be the only presenting complaint of COVID-19 during the initial phase, which might worsen if undetected and can aid in the spread of the contagion.

Insights on Lipomatosis after Platinum-Based Chemotherapy Use in Pediatric Oncology: A Case Report.

Agents of platinum-based chemotherapy, such as cisplatin or carboplatin, are used in the treatment of a wide range of malignancies that affect children, such as brain tumors, osteosarcoma, neuroblastoma, hepatoblastoma, and germ cell tumors (GCTs). The Cyclophosphamide Equivalent Dose (CED) calculator for reproductive risk does not take platinum-based chemotherapy into account, despite the fact that it accounts for the majority of chemotherapy medications that are typically administered for pediatric GCTs. As a result, exposure to platinum-based drugs throughout infancy can have predictable long-term effects such as infertility, as well as other rare encounters such as lipoma formation and lipomatosis. Lipomas are the most prevalent benign soft tissue tumor subtype. They may be either solitary entities or engaged in multiple lipomatosis, which may have a familial origin or be an acquired disorder. Chemotherapy is a possible cause of lipomatosis. Chemotherapy based on cisplatin has been linked to a variety of long-term consequences, including kidney damage, neurotoxicity, and pulmonary toxicity, and may even create secondary cancers. However, lipoma development is known to occur in fewer than 1 in 100 individuals, and only a few examples of multiple cutaneous lipomatosis triggered by this therapy have been documented. Here we present a very rare case of lipomatosis in a pediatric patient with GCT under cisplatin therapy, which might be the third report of this kind affecting children.

Is Multidrug Resistance in Acute Otitis Media with Streptococcus pneumoniae Associated with a More Severe Disease?

OBJECTIVES: Streptococcus pneumoniae is the leading bacterial etiologic agent in acute otitis media (AOM), and it produces a more severe inflammatory response than other otopathogens. Additionally, the presence of multidrug-resistant (MDR) S. pneumoniae is an important issue in the management of AOM. The present pilot study aimed to ascertain whether MDR S. pneumoniae is associated with a higher inflammatory response and/or a more severe disease. METHODS: This was a prospective, single-center study on nonpneumococcal conjugate vaccine-immunized pediatric patients with severe AOM. Demographic and clinical characteristics were recorded. Middle ear fluid was obtained and cultured for each patient; antibiotic-resistance profiling was tested for S. pneumoniae isolates. The C-reactive protein (CRP) level and complete blood count were determined. Patients with positive middle ear fluid culture for S. pneumoniae were divided into 2 groups according to antibiotic resistance profile: MDR and non-MDR. RESULTS: MDR S. pneumoniae was identified in 15 (35.7%) of the 42 eligible patients. Children in this group had significantly higher CRP levels (72.23 ± 62.92 vs. 14.96 ± 15.57 mg/L, p < 0.001), higher absolute neutrophil count (8.46 ± 3.97 vs. 5.22 ± 4.5 × 103/mm3, p = 0.004), higher percentage of neutrophils (52.85 ± 13.49% vs. 38.34 ± 16.16%, p = 0.004), and were more prone to develop acute mastoiditis (p = 0.01). Receiver operating characteristic analysis identified CRP as the best biomarker to discriminate between the 2 groups of patients (AUC = 0.891). CONCLUSION: MDR S. pneumoniae was associated with a more severe inflammatory response and a higher incidence of mastoiditis.

Cost-Effectiveness of Titanium Elastic Nail (TEN) in the Treatment of Forearm Fractures in Children.

Background and objectives: There are various methods in the management of forearm fractures in children. Elastic stable intramedullary nailing using Titanium Elastic Nail (TEN) is nowadays employed in diaphysis fractures of children, with clear benefits over other treatment options. However, in the case of TEN versus other treatment methods of forearm fractures in children, cost is an important issue. This report will focus on the cost assessment of using TEN versus other therapeutic means in the treatment of forearm fractures in children. Materials and Methods: We performed a retrospective longitudinal study of 173 consecutive patients with forearm fractures treated in a single institution during 2017. We calculated the cost for each patient by summing up direct costs plus indirect costs, calculated at an aggregate level. Hospital income data were extracted from the Diagnosis Related Groups database. Results: A total of 173 patients with forearm fractures were treated, 44 using TEN, 86 using K-wire, and 46 using closed reduction and cast. There were 66 radius fractures, 1 ulna fracture, and 106 that were both radius and ulna fractures. Mean treatment cost were $632.76 for TEN, $499.50 for K-wire, and $451.30 for closed reduction and cast. Costs for TEN were higher than for K-wire insertion (p = 0.00) and higher than closed reduction and cast ($182.42; p = 0.00). Reimbursement per patient was higher with TEN versus K-wire patients; $497.88 vs. $364.64 /patient (p = 0.00), and higher than for patients treated with closed reduction and cast (p = 0.00). Conclusions: The treatment of upper extremity fractures using TEN was more expensive than the other methods. In Romania, because the reimbursement for TEN is higher as well, there are no differences in the financial burden when treating forearm fractures with TEN versus K-wire. Non-surgical treatment has the lowest cost but also the lowest reimbursement.

Multidrug-Resistant Gram-Negative Bacilli: A Retrospective Study of Trends in a Tertiary Healthcare Unit.

Background and objective: Bacterial multidrug resistance is particularly common in Gram-negative bacilli (GNB), with important clinical consequences regarding their spread and treatment options. The aim of this study was to investigate the trend of multidrug-resistant GNB (MDR-GNB) in high-risk hospital departments, between 2000⁻2015, in intervals of five years, with the intention of improving antibiotic therapy policies and optimising preventive and control practices. Materials and methods: This is an observational, retrospective study performed in three departments of the most important tertiary healthcare unit in the southwestern part of Romania: the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), the General Surgery Department (GSD), and the Nutrition and Metabolic Diseases Department (NMDD). MDR was defined as acquired resistance to at least one agent in three or more antimicrobial categories. Trends over time were determined by the Cochran⁻Armitage trend test and linear regression. Results: During the study period, a total of 2531 strains of MDR-GNB were isolated in 1999 patients: 9.20% in 2000, 18.61% in 2005, 37.02% in 2010, and 35.17% in 2015. The most significant increasing trend was recorded in the ICU (gradient = 7.63, R² = 0.842, p < 0.001). The most common MDR-GNB in the ICU was isolated from bronchoalveolar aspiration samples. Concerning the proportion of different species, most of the changes were recorded in the ICU, where a statistically significant increasing trend was observed for Proteus mirabilis (gradient = 2.62, R² = 0.558, p < 0.001) and Acinetobacter baumannii (gradient = 2.25, R² = 0.491, p < 0.001). Analysis of the incidence of the main resistance phenotypes proportion identified a statistically significant increase in carbapenem resistance in the ICU (Gradient = 8.27, R² = 0.866, p < 0.001), and an increased proportion of aminoglycoside-resistant strains in all three departments, but more importantly in the ICU and GSD. Conclusion: A statistically significant increasing trend was observed in all three departments; the most significant one was recorded in the ICU, where after 2010, carbapenem-resistant strains were isolated.

Antimicrobial consumption, costs and resistance patterns: a two year prospective study in a Romanian intensive care unit.

BACKGROUND: Due to the vulnerable nature of its patients, the wide use of invasive devices and broad-spectrum antimicrobials used, the intensive care unit (ICU) is often called the epicentre of infections. In the present study, we quantified the burden of hospital acquired pathology in a Romanian university hospital ICU, represented by antimicrobial agents consumption, costs and local resistance patterns, in order to identify multimodal interventional strategies. METHODS: Between 1st January 2012 and 31st December 2013, a prospective study was conducted in the largest ICU of Western Romania. The study group was divided into four sub-samples: patients who only received prophylactic antibiotherapy, those with community-acquired infections, patients who developed hospital acquired infections and patients with community acquired infections complicated by hospital-acquired infections. The statistical analysis was performed using the EpiInfo version 3.5.4 and SPSS version 20. RESULTS: A total of 1596 subjects were enrolled in the study and the recorded consumption of antimicrobial agents was 1172.40 DDD/ 1000 patient-days. The presence of hospital acquired infections doubled the length of stay (6.70 days for patients with community-acquired infections versus 16.06/14.08 days for those with hospital-acquired infections), the number of antimicrobial treatment days (5.47 in sub-sample II versus 11.18/12.13 in sub-samples III/IV) and they increased by 4 times compared to uninfected patients. The perioperative prophylactic antibiotic treatment had an average length duration of 2.78 while the empirical antimicrobial therapy was 3.96 days in sample II and 4.75/4.85 days for the patients with hospital-acquired infections. The incidence density of resistant strains was 8.27/1000 patient-days for methicilin resistant Staphylococcus aureus, 7.88 for extended spectrum ß-lactamase producing Klebsiella pneumoniae and 4.68/1000 patient-days for multidrug resistant Acinetobacter baumannii. CONCLUSIONS: Some of the most important circumstances collectively contributing to increasing the consumption of antimicrobials and high incidence densities of multidrug-resistant bacteria in the studied ICU, are represented by prolonged chemoprophylaxis and empirical treatment and also by not applying the definitive antimicrobial therapy, especially in patients with favourable evolution under empirical antibiotic treatment. The present data should represent convincing evidence for policy changes in the antibiotic therapy.

Intensive care antibiotic consumption and resistance patterns: a cross-correlation analysis.

BACKGROUND: Over recent decades, a dramatic increase in infections caused by multidrug-resistant pathogens has been observed worldwide. The aim of the present study was to investigate the relationship between local resistance bacterial patterns and antibiotic consumption in an intensive care unit in a Romanian university hospital. METHODS: A prospective study was conducted between 1st January 2012 and 31st December 2013. Data covering the consumption of antibacterial drugs and the incidence density for the main resistance phenotypes was collected on a monthly basis, and this data was aggregated quarterly. The relationship between the antibiotic consumption and resistance was investigated using cross-correlation, and four regression models were constructed, using the SPSS version 20.0 (IBM, Chicago, IL) and the R version 3.2.3 packages. RESULTS: During the period studied, the incidence of combined-resistant and carbapenem-resistant P. aeruginosa strains increased significantly [(gradient = 0.78, R2 = 0.707, p = 0.009) (gradient = 0.74, R2 = 0.666, p = 0.013) respectively], mirroring the increase in consumption of ß-lactam antibiotics with ß-lactamase inhibitors (piperacillin/tazobactam) and carbapenems (meropenem) [(gradient = 10.91, R2 = 0.698, p = 0.010) and (gradient = 14.63, R2 = 0.753, p = 0.005) respectively]. The highest cross-correlation coefficients for zero time lags were found between combined-resistant vs. penicillins consumption and carbapenem-resistant P. aeruginosa strains vs. carbapenems consumption (0.876 and 0.928, respectively). The best model describing the relation between combined-resistant P. aeruginosa strains and penicillins consumption during a given quarter incorporates both the consumption and the incidence of combined-resistant strains in the hospital department during the previous quarter (multiple R2 = 0.953, p = 0.017). The best model for explaining the carbapenem resistance of P. aeruginosa strains based on meropenem consumption during a given quarter proved to be the adjusted model which takes into consideration both previous consumption and incidence density of strains during the previous quarter (Multiple R2 = 0.921, p = 0.037). CONCLUSIONS: The cross-correlation coefficients and the fitted regression models provide additional evidence that resistance during the a given quarter depends not only on the consumption of antibacterial chemotherapeutic drugs in both that quarter and the previous one, but also on the incidence of resistant strains circulating during the previous quarter.

Early Evaluation and Monitoring of Critical Patients with Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) Using Specific Genetic Polymorphisms.

A high percentage of critical patients are found to develop acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Several studies have reported high mortality rates in these cases which are most frequently associated with multiple organ dysfunctions syndrome. Lately, many efforts have been made to evaluate and monitor ARDS in critical patients. In this regard, the assessment of genetic polymorphisms responsible for developing ARDS present as a challenge and are considered future biomarkers. Early detection of the specific polymorphic gene responsible for ARDS in critically ill patients can prove to be a useful tool in the future, able to help decrease the mortality rates in these cases. Moreover, identifying the genetic polymorphism in these patients can help in the implementation of a personalized intensive therapy scheme for every type of patient, based on its genotype.

Early Prediction of Sepsis Incidence in Critically Ill Patients Using Specific Genetic Polymorphisms.

Several diagnostic methods for the evaluation and monitoring were used to find out the pro-inflammatory status, as well as incidence of sepsis in critically ill patients. One such recent method is based on investigating the genetic polymorphisms and determining the molecular and genetic links between them, as well as other sepsis-associated pathophysiologies. Identification of genetic polymorphisms in critical patients with sepsis can become a revolutionary method for evaluating and monitoring these patients. Similarly, the complications, as well as the high costs associated with the management of patients with sepsis, can be significantly reduced by early initiation of intensive care.

Genetic Expression in Cystic Fibrosis Related Bone Disease. An Observational, Transversal, Cross-Sectional Study.

BACKGROUND: Cystic fibrosis (CF) is the most frequent monogenic genetic disease with autosomal recessive transmission and characterized by important clinical polymorphism and significant lethal prospective. CF related bone disease occurs frequently in adults with CF. Childhood is the period of bone formation, and therefore, children are more susceptible to low bone density. Several factors like pancreatic insufficiency, hormone imbalance, and physical inactivity contribute to CF bone disease development. Revealing this would be important for prophylactic treatment against bone disease occurrence. The study was observational, transversal, with a cross-sectional design. METHODS: The study included 68 children with cystic fibrosis, genotyped and monitored in the National CF Centre. At the annual assessment, besides clinical examination, biochemical evaluation for pancreatic insufficiency, and diabetes, they were evaluated for bone mineral density using dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). RESULTS: Twenty-six patients, aged over 10 years were diagnosed with CF bone disease, without significant gender gap. Bone disease was frequent in patients aged over 10 years with exocrine pancreatic insufficiency, carriers of severe mutations, and CF liver disease. CONCLUSIONS: CF carriers of a severe genotype which associates pancreatic insufficiency and CF liver disease, are more likely predisposed to low bone mineral density. Further studies should discover other significant influences in order to prevent the development of CF bone disease and an improved quality of life in cystic fibrosis children.

Using the Expression of Damage-Associated Molecular Pattern (DAMP) for the Evaluation and Monitoring of the Critically Ill Polytrauma Patient.

BACKGROUND: The critically ill polytrauma patient continues to be one of the most complex cases in the intensive care unit (ICU). The molecular damage is closely connected with the severe, specific pathophysiological imbalances, such as severe inflammation, infections, hypermetabolism, oxidative stress, and ultimately multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS). METHODS: The literature available on PubMed and Scopus was analysed for this study. The key words used in the search were "biomarkers in critically ill patients", "molecular damage", "sepsis biomarkers", "miRNAs biomarkers", and "oxidative stress". RESULTS: After reviewing the available literature, 133 science articles were selected. According to recent studies, the gold goal in the management of the critically ill patient is the optimization of intensive care therapy dependent on the molecular damage. CONCLUSIONS: Furthermore, evaluation, monitoring, and therapy adaptation in this type of patient is closely related to the biochemical and molecular disorders.

The Use of Lipid Peroxidation Expression as a Biomarker for the Molecular Damage in the Critically Ill Polytrauma Patient.

BACKGROUND: The critically ill polytrauma patient, apart from the primary, traumatic injuries and the secondary, port-traumatic injuries, presents with a series of molecular disasters. Dysfunctions of the biochemical pathways and molecular damage add to the worsening of the clinical status of these patients, one of the most well-known molecular phenomena being oxidative stress (OS), responsible for an escalation of the inflammatory status, multiple infections, and multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS). METHODS: For this study was analysed the literature available on PubMed and Scopus. The key words used in the search were "oxidative stress", "lipid peroxidation", "critically ill", "polytrauma patients", and "biomarkers oxidative stress". RESULTS: For the study we selected 47 science articles. The oxidative attack on lipids is responsible for the biosynthesis of an increased quantity of free radicals (FR), which further intensifies and aggravates the redox status in these patients. CONCLUSIONS: One of the most aggressive redox mechanisms related to lipid molecules is known as lipid peroxidation (LPOX).

Modulation of the Redox Expression and Inflammation Response in the Critically Ill Polytrauma Patient with Thoracic Injury. Statistical Correlations between Antioxidant Therapy.

BACKGROUND: One of the major causes of mortality in the world is represented by multiple traumas. Thoracic trauma is commonly associated with polytraumas. A series of physiopathological complications follow polytraumas, leading to a significant decrease in the survival rate. As a result of injuries, significant quantities of free radicals (FR) are produced, responsible for oxidative stress (OS). To minimize the effects of OS, we recommend the administration of antioxidant substances. In this study we want to highlight statistically significant correlations between antioxidant therapy and a series of clinical variables. METHODS: This retrospective study included 132 polytrauma patients admitted to the ICU-CA between January 2013 and December 2014. The selection criteria were: injury severity score (ISS) ≥ 16, ≥ 18 years, presence of thoracic trauma (abbreviated injury scale, AIS ≥ 3). Eligible patients (n = 82) were divided into two groups: Group 1 (n = 32, antioxidant free, patients from 2013) and Group 2 (n = 50 antioxidant therapy, patients from 2014). Antioxidant therapy consisted in the administration of vitamin C (i.v.), vitamin B1 (i.v.), and N-acetylcysteine (i.v.). Clinical and biological tests were repeated until discharge from ICU-CA or death. RESULTS: Between Group 1 and Group 2 statistically significant differences were highlighted regarding the ISS score (p = 0.0030). 66% of patients from Group 2 were admitted at more than 24 hours after the trauma, in contrast to the patients from Group 1, where 62.5% were directly admitted to the ICU (p = 0.0114). Compared with the patients from Group 1, patients who received antioxidant therapy show improved parameters: leukocytes (p < 0.0001), platelets (p = 0.0489), urea (p = 0.0199), total bilirubin (p = 0.0111), alanine transaminase (p = 0.0010), lactat dehydrogenase (p < 0.0001). Between the two groups there were no statistically significant differences regarding the length of stay in the ICU-CA (p = 0.4697) and mortality (p = 0.1865). CONCLUSIONS: Following the study, we can affirm that due to the administration of antioxidant substances, posttraumatic complications are greatly reduced. Moreover, the administration of high dose of antioxidants remarkably improves the clinical status of the critical patient.

The Expression of Nuclear Transcription Factor Kappa B (NF-κB) in the Case of Critically Ill Polytrauma Patients with Sepsis and Its Interactions with microRNAs.

Critical polytrauma patients present a series of pathophysiological disturbances, biochemical and molecular dysfunction, which comprise to be the major cause of intensive care unit admission. In regard to molecular damage, there exists a series of factors, which all together contribute to the aggravation of the clinical status leading to increased mortality rate in these patients. One of the most important biochemical factors involved is the nuclear transcription factor B (NF-κB). Impaired NF-κB functioning is reflected on the clinical status of the patient through increased production of pro-inflammatory molecule, leading to multiple organ dysfunction syndrome. In addition to this, through microRNAs interactions, various pathophysiological as well as biochemical disturbances are produced, which altogether further reduce the patient's survival rate. In this paper, we would like to present the modifications seen in the expression of NF-κB in critically polytraumatized patients with sepsis. In additions to this, we would like to discuss the correlation between the microRNAs and its further implications in clinical status of these patients.