Relationship between Vitamin D3 Deficiency, Metabolic Syndrome and VDR, GC, and CYP2R1 Gene Polymorphisms.

The presence of vitamin D3 deficiency associated with the presence of metabolic syndrome (MS) has important public health effects. This study aims to investigate the relationship between vitamin D3 deficiency, MS and vitamin D3 receptor (VDR), GC Vitamin D binding protein (GC), and cytochrome P450 family 2 subfamily R member 1 (CYP2R1) gene polymorphisms, and genes whose encoded proteins are responsible for vitamin D3 metabolism and transport. A total of 58 participants were included in this study (age 39 ± 12 years) and were selected over a 12-month period. They were divided into four groups, depending on the presence of polymorphisms in VDR, GC, and CYP2R1 genes and their weight status. At baseline, in months 3, 6, and 12, biochemical parameters including 25(OH)D3, total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, triglycerides, and homeostatic model assessment (HOMA index), the insulin resistance indicator were measured. Our results show that all subjects in the polymorphism group supplemented with vitamin D3 reached an optimal level of vitamin D3 associated with high concentrations of 25(OH)D3. Weight loss was most significant in patients in the POW group (overweight patients).

Inflammatory Biomarkers for Assessing In-Hospital Mortality Risk in Severe COVID-19-A Retrospective Study.

(1) Background: Our study aims to investigate the utility of inflammatory factors as prognostic indicators for disease severity and mortality in COVID-19 patients admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) Department of Pelican Clinical Hospital Oradea Romania. While elevated white blood cell (WBC) levels are associated with COVID-19 severity and mortality, they may not effectively predict the risk of death; (2) Methods: In our ICU department, we conducted assessments on the 10th and 14th days of COVID-19 patients' hospitalization, measuring the following markers: C-reactive protein (CRP) levels, procalcitonin (PCT) levels, granulocytes/lymphocytes (G/L) ratios, ferritin levels, age, and obesity status. We included a total of 209 eligible COVID-19 patients in the final analysis. Our goal was to identify biomarkers that could quickly identify high-risk patients with a potential for disease progression and mortality; (3) Results: Our study (a retrospective, single-center observational cohort study) demonstrated statistically significant differences in predicting mortality and disease severity based on G/L ratio (p < 0.0001), PCT (p < 0.0002), CRP (p < 0.0001), ferritin (p < 0.0001), age (p < 0.0001), and obesity (p < 0.0001); (4) Conclusions: Having a G/L ratio exceeding 20 units, along with elevated levels of PCR, PCT, and ferritin in older and obese patients on the 3rd day of ICU admission, represents significant risk factors for in-hospital mortality in severe COVID-19 patients.

Perioperative Analgesia and Patients' Satisfaction in Spinal Anesthesia for Cesarean Section: Fentanyl Versus Morphine.

Perioperative analgesia for cesarean section aims to ensure the mother's comfort, facilitate a smooth surgical experience, and promote a successful recovery. One-hundred-ninety patients were enrolled in a randomized double-blind study designed to assess the quality of perioperative analgesia, level of satisfaction, and incidence of adverse reactions in elective cesarean section under spinal anesthesia when fentanyl or morphine was added to bupivacaine. Two treatment groups comprising 173 subjects were compared in the per-protocol analysis: F (fentanyl, standard dose 25 µg) and M (morphine, standard dose 100 µg). Numerical pain scores were recorded perioperatively for 72 h (both at rest and on mobilization), with overall postoperative satisfaction and analgesic-related side effects. The patients in the morphine group had significantly better pain management (Mann-Whitney U test, p < 0.001) and higher level of satisfaction (Mann-Whitney U test, p < 0.001). The latter was related to the greater need for rescue medication in the fentanyl group (OR = 4.396; p = 0.019). On the other hand, fentanyl had significantly fewer non-life-threatening side effects, such as high-intensity pruritus (Mann-Whitney U test, p < 0.001), nausea (OR = 0.324; p = 0.019), vomiting and dizziness upon first mobilization (OR = 0.256; p < 0.001). It remains for future clinical trials to help establish doses that will tilt the scale to one side or the other.

Anterior Approach to Hip Arthroplasty with Early Mobilization Key for Reduced Hospital Length of Stay.

Background and Objectives: This study aimed to explore the preoperative factors related to early mobilization and length of stay (LOS) after total hip arthroplasty and the benefits of the anterior approach over the traditional lateral approach. Materials and Methods: Every patient benefits from information regarding details of the surgery approach, possible intra, and postoperative complications, post-operator medical care, and steps in the early mobilization protocol. The patient underwent a pre-anesthetic evaluation, was checked for preoperatory vital function, and was reevaluated for mobilization at 6, 12, 24, 36, 48, and 96 h after total hip arthroplasty using the anterior versus lateral approach. Results: The result of the statistical calculations indicates the independent negative risk factors for reaching the mobilization target: age with a coefficient of -0.046, p = 0.0154 and lateral approach with a relative risk of 0.3802 (95% CI: 0.15-0.90), p = 0.0298. Statistical data concerning the length of stay (LOS) showed significant differences in the total days spent in the hospital. The patients who were operated on using the lateral approach presented a higher body mass index than those with the anterior approach, but this difference did not reach the threshold of statistical significance. Conclusions: In our study, patient mobilization is crucial to reduce LOS.

Fertility Predictors in Intrauterine Insemination (IUI).

(1) Background: Intrauterine insemination (IUI) is considered a first-line procedure for infertile or hypo-fertile couples among assisted reproductive techniques. In our retrospective study, we identified variables associated with a successful IUI and the probability of obtaining a pregnancy. This is useful to identify couples with a good chance of obtaining a pregnancy through an IUI procedure (2) Methods: The study was conducted at a university-level fertility clinic in Oradea, Romania. Patients eligible to participate in the study were infertile couples who underwent IUI treatment in the interval between January 2015 and October 2020. (3) Results: In our study, we found that duration of infertility, couple age, endometrium thickness, sperm concentration, and motility are important factors in determining the outcome of IUI. Several demographics were measured for each couple including maternal and paternal age, the type and duration of infertility, the number of procedures, the type of ovarian stimulation, number of follicles, endometrial thickness, the type and day of ovulation induction, associated pathology, tubal patency, and pre/post washes sperm count and progressive sperm motility. (4) Conclusions: Fertility prediction studies are necessary, and an individualized prognostic score should be applied for each couple for tailoring their expectations and better counseling.

The effectiveness of intrauterine antibiotic infusion versus oral antibiotic therapy in the treatment of chronic endometritis in patients during IVF (in vitro fertilization) procedures.

BACKGROUND: Chronic Endometritis (CE) is a subtle pathology, likely infectious in most cases, with a negative impact on the female fertility, but often overlooked even among fertility specialists. The purpose of the study is to demonstrate the predominant infectious nature of CE and to find the best therapeutic option by comparing the results of oral antibiotic therapy versus intrauterine antibiotic infusion in patients with CE undergoing IVF procedures. The objective was to compare the cure rate of CE-defined as the percentage of patients without CE at the test of cure, between the two groups and, the hysteroscopic aspect with the positive CD 138 staining. METHODS: This was a prospective, case-control study that took place in a single university fertility clinic, in Oradea, Romania and included 57 patients with CE divided into 2 groups: orally administered antibiotics group who received a combination of antibiotics compared to intrauterine infusion group who received intrauterine infusion of antibiotic. Chronic Endometritis was diagnosed through hysteroscopy and immunohistochemistry for CD 138. Patients in both groups were tested for CE twice to evaluate the cure rate after oral combination antibiotic therapy versus intrauterine infusion of antibiotic. RESULTS: Out of 115 patients with endometrial biopsies 57 tested positive for CE, with a 49.6% chronic endometritis prevalence. Among the group that was administered oral antibiotics, 11 patients (45.83%) experienced CE resolution after triple antibiotic therapy. Of the intrauterine infusion group, 25 patients (89.29%) presented negative results (p 0.0020). The normal hysteroscopic aspect had a similar prevalence in the patients with immunohistochemical positive and negative CD 138. CONCLUSIONS: Our study demonstrated the effectiveness and superiority of intrauterine antibiotic infusion over the use of oral combination antibiotic therapy for CE cure. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ISRCTN17542620/14.09.2022.

Evaluation of Geriatric Sarcopenia and Nutrition in the Case of Cachexia before Exitus: An Observational Study for Health Professionals.

It is important to assess the physical and nutritional status of the body using a bioelectrical impedance analyzer (BIA) in patients with cachexia; however, the correlation between cachexia and nutritional evaluations remains unclear. The objective of this study is to follow the effects of diet therapy in patients with cachexia/sarcopenia, using parameters measured by BIA, clinical parameters, and other nutrition-related assessments in patients with osteoporosis. This study aims to clarify the correlation between BIA-measured parameters, clinical parameters, and other nutrition-related assessments. Methods: Measurements of body composition, a clinical assessment of the sarcopenia/cachexia, and nutritional goal setting/a nutrition care process were performed. Results: The number of subjects was 200, of which 15 people (7.5%) were diagnosed with sarcopenia/cachexia. Univariate analyses showed that participants with a high body-fat mass tend to develop sarcopenic obesity (p = 0.029), those who lost a significant and progressive amount of muscle mass tend to develop sarcopenia (p = 0.001), as well as those with malnutrition (p < 0.001). The regression study shows not only the correlation but also the cause of the correlation, as is the case with obesity. As obesity increases, so does the sarcopenic index (this can explain sarcopenic obesity), and as fat mass decreases it leads to muscle mass loss, increasing the risk of cachexia with age. Conclusions: There was an improvement, but statistically insignificant, in cachexia and the nutritional objectives (p > 0.05); at the same time, correlations were established between the independent parameters (sex, age) and malnutrition parameters (hemoglobin and amylase) with the parameters of the research.

Incidence and Clinical Implications of Autoimmune Thyroiditis in the Development of Acne in Young Patients.

Autoimmune thyroiditis (AIT) is on the rise among the population, and is frequently associated with patients with acne vulgaris, especially females aged between 18-55 years old. The connection between the two is not fully elucidated. In this study, 236 patients diagnosed with acne in the dermatological office of the private Pelican Hospital and in few private dermatological offices from Oradea, Romania, during January 2018-December 2020, aged between 12 and 55 years old, were endocrinologically investigated to determine AIT and its influence on the severity of the acne. The values for the thyroid antibodies and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) were determined for all of the subjects. The frequency of AIT in the study group was 72% and was associated with severe acne (p < 0.001). Patients with AIT with normal or hypofunction had more frequent severe acne than those with hyperfunction (p < 0.001, p = 0.002). The TSH and anti thyroidperoxidase (TPO) values did not influence the severity of the acne (p = 0.494; p = 0.111), while the anti-TG values were associated with severe acne (p = 0.007). The risk analysis indicated that raised values of anti-TPO (2.91 times greater) correlated with high anti-thyroglobulin (TG) values (4.36 times greater) doubled the risk of developing severe acne in patients. In acne evolution, the existence of AIT involves significant modifications.

The Antimicrobial Activity of Origanum vulgare L. Correlated with the Gastrointestinal Perturbation in Patients with Metabolic Syndrome.

(1) The metabolic syndrome (MS) promotes acute and chronic infections, due to the pro-inflammatory condition given by TNFα and IL6 or by affecting the microbiota. MS is also correlated with insulin resistance, causing inflammation and infections throughout the organism. (2) The purpose of this study was to track the effect of using the essential oil of Origanum vulgare L. (EOO) as an antibacterial treatment, compared to allopathic treatment with antibiotics in MS patients. A group of 106 people with MS was divided into four subgroups: L1-staphylococcal infection group, L2-Escherichia coli infection group, L3-streptococcal infection group with EOO treatment, and CG-control group without infection or treatment. (3) EOO is responsible for the antibacterial effect, and reduced minor uncomplicated infections. After a 10-day treatment, intestinal side effects were absent, improving the phase angle. (4) The results suggest that EOO may exhibit an antibacterial effect, similar to the antibiotic treatment, without promoting MS-specific dysbiosis, and it also improves the phase angle in patients, which is used as an index of health and cellular function.