81. Is diet partly responsible for differences in COVID-19 death rates between and within countries? : protocol for a systematic reviewJean Bousquet, Josep M. Antò i Boquè, Guido Laccarino, Wienczyslawa Czarlewski, Tari Haahtela, Aram Anto, Cezmi A. Akdis, Hubert Blain, Giorgio Walter Canonica, Karmen Kramer Vrščaj, Tari Haahtela, Mitja Košnik, Anja Koren, Peter Kopač, Maja Jošt, Samo Kreft, Klemen Jenko, Bojan Madjar, Davor Plavec, Tanja Soklič, Jure Urbančič, Mihaela Zidarn, 2020, pregledni znanstveni članek Povzetek: Reported COVID-19 deaths in Germany are relatively low as compared to many European countries. Among the several explanations proposed, an early and large testing of the population was put forward. Most current debates on COVID-19 focus on the differences among countries, but little attention has been given to regional differences and diet. The low-death rate European countries (e.g. Austria, Baltic States, Czech Republic, Finland, Norway, Poland, Slovakia) have used different quarantine and/or confinement times and methods and none have performed as many early tests as Germany. Among other factors that may be significant are the dietary habits. It seems that some foods largely used in these countries may reduce angiotensin-converting enzyme activity or are anti-oxidants. Among the many possible areas of research, it might be important to understand diet and angiotensin-converting enzyme-2 (ACE2) levels in populations with different COVID-19 death rates since dietary interventions may be of great benefit.
Ključne besede: coronavirus, diet, angiotensin-converting enzyme, antioxidant, food
Objavljeno v DiRROS: 09.09.2020; Ogledov: 1766; Prenosov: 1397
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82. Correlations between vitreous cytokine levels and inflammatory cells in fibrovascular membranes of patients with proliferative diabetic retinopathyMojca Urbančič, Danijel Petrovič, Aleksandra Milutinović Živin, Peter Korošec, Matjaž Fležar, Mojca Globočnik Petrovič, 2020, izvirni znanstveni članek Povzetek: Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the levels of cytokines in the vitreous, and their correlation with the density of inflammatory cells in fibrovascular membranes (FVMs) in patients with proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) to evaluate intraocular inflammatory conditions with regard to disease activity.Methods: Thirty-three patients (33 eyes) with PDR requiring vitreoretinal surgery because of FVMs and tractional detachment were enrolled in the study, and compared with 20 patients (20 eyes) with macular hole (MH; control group). All patients underwent complete ophthalmological examinations before surgery. The activity of the disease was noted in patients with PDR. Samples of vitreous and blood were taken, and cytokine (MCP-1, IL-8, IL-6, VEGF, IL-1%, TNF-%, MIP-1%, MIP-1%, IL-10, and IL-12) levels were measured using cytometric bead array (CBA). Samples of FVMs were analyzed with immunohistochemical methods for the presence of inflammatory cells (CD45+, CD14+, CD3+, CD4+, CD8+, and CD19+ cells), and the numerical areal density was calculated (NA). Spearman%s correlation was used to as-sess the association between variables. The Mann%Whitney test was used to assess the differences between independent groups. The Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used for assessing differences between two related groups. A p value of less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant.Results: Patients with active PDR had statistically significantly higher levels of MCP-1 (p = 0.003), VEGF (p = 0.009), and IL-8 (p = 0.02) in the vitreous in comparison with those with inactive PDR. CD45+, CD14+, CD3+, CD4+, CD8+, and CD19+ cells were identified in FVMs for patients with PDR. Statistically significantly higher numerical areal density of T lymphocytes (CD3+, CD4+, and CD8+) was demonstrated in patients with active PDR in comparison with patients with inactive PDR. Moderate to strong correlations were found between either MCP-1 or IL-8 in the vitreous, and the numerical areal density of cells (CD45+, CD3+, CD4+, and CD8+) in the FVMs, and weaker between either MCP-1 or IL-8 in the vitreous and the numerical areal density of CD14+ cells in the FVMs.Conclusions: The correlation of cytokine (MCP-1 and IL-8) vitreous levels with the density of inflammatory cells in FVMs, and differences in cytokine levels in the vitreous between patients with active and inactive PDR, and between the vitreous and serum in PDR indicate the importance of local intraocular inflammation in patients with PDR.
Ključne besede: diabetic retinopathy, fibrovascular membranes, inflammatory cells
Objavljeno v DiRROS: 09.09.2020; Ogledov: 1706; Prenosov: 855
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83. Non-invasive ventilation in patients with an altered level of consciousness : a clinical review and practical insightsGil Gonçalves, Haitham Saeed, Mohamed E Abdelrahim, Hadeer S Harb, Yasmin M Madney, Kevin Eng, Habib Mohammad Reazaul Karim, Mohamad F. El-Khatib, Bushra Mina, Szymon Skoczyński, Irena Šarc, 2020, pregledni znanstveni članek Povzetek: Non-invasive ventilation has gained an increasingly pivotal role in the treatment of acute hypoxemic and/or hypercapnic respiratory failure and offers multiple advantages over invasive mechanical ventilation. Some of these advantages include the preservation of airway defense mechanisms, a reduced need for sedation, and an avoidance of complications related to endotracheal intubation. Despite its advantages, non-invasive ventilation has some contraindications that include, among them, severe encephalopathy. In this review article, the rationale, evidence, and drawbacks of the use of noninvasive ventilation in the context of hypercapnic and non-hypercapnic patients with an altered level of consciousness are analyzed.
Ključne besede: noninvasive ventilation, brain diseases, consciousness disorders, coma, altered consciousness, encephalopathy
Objavljeno v DiRROS: 09.09.2020; Ogledov: 1621; Prenosov: 896
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84. Genomic insights into the Mycobacterium kansasii complex : an updateTomasz Jagielski, Paulina Borówka, Zofia Bakuła, Jakub Lach, Błażej Marciniak, Anna Brzostek, Jarosław Dziadek, Mikołaj Dziurzyński, Lian Pennings, Jakobus van Ingen, Marija Žolnir-Dovč, Dominik Strapagiel, 2020, izvirni znanstveni članek Povzetek: Only very recently, has it been proposed that the hitherto existing Mycobacteriumkansasii subtypes (I–VI) should be elevated, each, to a species rank. Consequently, the former M. kansasii subtypes have been denominated as Mycobacterium kansasii (former type I), Mycobacterium persicum (II), Mycobacterium pseudokansasii (III), Mycobacterium innocens (V), and Mycobacterium attenuatum (VI). The present work extends the recently published findings by using a three-pronged computational strategy, based on the alignment fraction-average nucleotide identity, genome-to-genome distance, and core-genome phylogeny, yet essentially independent and much larger sample, and thus delivers a more refined and complete picture of the M. kansasii complex. Furthermore, five canonical taxonomic markers were used, i.e., 16S rRNA, hsp65, rpoB, and tuf genes, as well as the 16S-23S rRNA intergenic spacer region (ITS). The three major methods produced highly concordant results, corroborating the view that each M. kansasii subtype does represent a distinct species. This work not only consolidates the position of five of the currently erected species, but also provides a description of the sixth one, i.e., Mycobacterium ostraviense sp. nov. to replace the former subtype IV. By showing a close genetic relatedness, amonophyletic origin, and overlapping phenotypes, our findings support the recognition of the M. kansasii complex (MKC), accommodating
all M. kansasii-derived species and Mycobacterium gastri. None of the most commonly used taxonomic markers was shown to accurately distinguish all the MKC species. Likewise, no species-specific phenotypic characteristics were found allowing for species differentiation within the complex, except the non-photochromogenicity of M. gastri.
To distinguish, most reliably, between the MKC species, and between M. kansasii and M. persicum in particular, whole-genome-based approaches should be applied. In the absence of clear differences in the distribution of the virulence-associated region of difference 1 genes among the M. kansasii-derived species, the pathogenic potential of each of these species can only be speculatively assessed based on their prevalence among the clinically relevant population. Large-scale molecular epidemiological studies are needed to provide a better understanding of the clinical significance and pathobiology of the MKC species. The results of the in vitro drug susceptibility profiling emphasize the priority of rifampicin administration in the treatment of MKC-induced infections, while
undermining the use of ethambutol, due to a high resistance to this drug.
Ključne besede: Mycobacteriumkansasii complex, Mycobacteriumostraviense sp. nov., non-tuberculous mycobacteria
(NTM), whole genome sequencing, taxonomy
Objavljeno v DiRROS: 31.07.2020; Ogledov: 2335; Prenosov: 1572
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85. Towards personalization of asthma treatment according to trigger factorsKatarzyna Niespodziana, Kristina Borochova, Petra Pazderova, Thomas Schlederer, Natalia Astafyeva, Tatiana Baranovskaya, Mohamed-Ridha Barbouche, Evgenyi Beltiukov, Angelika Berger, Elena Borzova, Jean Bousquet, Mihaela Zidarn, Rudolf Valenta, 2020, izvirni znanstveni članek Povzetek: Asthma is a severe and chronic disabling disease affecting more than 300 million people world-wide. While in the past few drugs for treatment of asthma were available, new treatment options are currently emerging which appear to be highly effective in certain subgroups of patients. Accordingly there is a need for biomarkers which allow selection of patients for refined and personalized treatment strategies. Recently, serological chip tests based on micro-arrayed allergen molecules and peptides derived from the most common rhinovirus strains have been developed which may discriminate two of the most common forms of asthma, i.e., allergen- and virus-triggered asthma. In this perspective we argue that classification of asthma patients according to these common trigger factors may open new possibilities for personalized management of asthma.
Ključne besede: allergy and immunology, asthma, signs and symptoms, respiratory, rhinovirus, allergens, microarray analysis, precision medicine, wheeze
Objavljeno v DiRROS: 31.07.2020; Ogledov: 2561; Prenosov: 1229
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86. Pulmonary pathology and COVID-19 : lessons from autopsy : the experience of European pulmonary pathologistsFiorella Calabrese, Federica Pezzuto, Francesco Fortarezza, Paul Hofman, Izidor Kern, Angel Panizo, Jan von der Thüsen, Sergei Timofeev, Gregor Gorkiewicz, Francesca Lunardi, 2020, izvirni znanstveni članek Povzetek: Since its initial recognition in December 2019, Coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) has quickly spread to a pandemic
infectious disease. The causative agent has been recognized as a novel coronavirus, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), primarily affecting the respiratory tract. To date, no vaccines are available nor any specific treatment. To limit the number of infections, strict directives have been issued by governments that have been translated into equally rigorous guidelines notably for post-mortem examinations by international and national scientific societies. The recommendations for biosafety control required during specimen collection and handling have strongly limited the practice of autopsies of the COVID-19 patients to a few adequate laboratories. A full pathological examination has always been considered an important tool to better understand the pathophysiology of diseases, especially when the knowledge of an emerging disorder is limited and the impact on the healthcare system is significant. The first evidence of diffuse alveolar damage in the context of an acute respiratory distress syndrome has now been joined by the latest findings that report a more complex scenario in COVID-19, including a vascular involvement and a wide spectrum of associated pathologies. Ancillary tools such as electron microscopy and molecular biology used on autoptic tissue samples from autopsy are also significantly contributing to confirm and/or identify new aspects useful for a deeper knowledge of the pathogenetic mechanisms. This article will review and summarize the pathological findings described in COVID-19 until now, chiefly focusing on the respiratory tract, highlighting the importance of autopsy towards a better knowledge of this disease.
Ključne besede: COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2, autopsy, lung, pandemic
Objavljeno v DiRROS: 31.07.2020; Ogledov: 13812; Prenosov: 1300
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87. Heat shock protein 27 as a predictor of prognosis in patients admitted to hospital with acute COPD exacerbationMatthias Zimmermann, Denise Traxler, Christine Bekos, Elisabeth Simader, Thomas Mueller, Alexandra Graf, Mitja Lainščak, Robert Marčun, Mitja Košnik, Matjaž Fležar, Aleš Rozman, Peter Korošec, 2020, izvirni znanstveni članek Povzetek: Episodes of acute exacerbations are major drivers of hospitalisation and death from COPD. To date, there are no objective biomarkers of disease activity or biomarkers to predict patient outcome. In this study, 211 patients hospitalised for an acute exacerbation of COPD have been included. At the time of admission,routine blood tests have been performed including complete blood count, C-reactive protein, cardiac troponin T and NT-proBNP. Heat shock protein 27 (HSP27) serum concentrations were determined at time of admission, discharge and 180 days after discharge by ELISA. We were able to demonstrate significantly increased HSP27 serum concentrations in COPD patients at time of admission to hospital as compared to HSP27 concentrations obtained 180 days after discharge. In univariable Cox regression analyses, a HSP27 serum concentration >/= 3098 pg/mL determined at admission was a predictor of all-cause mortality at 90 days, 180 days, 1 year and 3 years. In multivariable analyses, an increased HSP27 serum concentration at admission retained its prognostic ability with respect to all-cause mortality for up to 1year follow-up. However, an increased HSP27 serum concentration at admission was not an independent predictor of long-term all-cause mortality at 3 years. Elevated serum HSP27 concentrations significantly predicted short-term mortality in patients admitted to hospital with acute exacerbation of COPD and could help to improve outcomes by identifying high-risk patients.
Ključne besede: COPD, acute exacerbation, disease activity
Objavljeno v DiRROS: 29.07.2020; Ogledov: 1964; Prenosov: 1209
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88. Coping strategies of patients with advanced lung or colorectal cancer in six European countries : insights from the ACTION studyLea J. Jabbarian, Ida Joanna Korfage, Branka Červ, Johannes JM van Delden, Luc Deliens, Guido Miccinesi, Sheila Payne, Anna Thit Johnsen, Mariette Verkissen, Andrew Wilcock, Agnes van der Heide, Judith Anna Catharina Rietjens, 2020, pregledni znanstveni članek Povzetek: Objective: Even when medical treatments are limited, supporting patients' coping strategies could improve their quality of life. Greater understanding of patients' coping strategies, and influencing factors, can aid developing such support. We examined the prevalence of coping strategies and associated variables. Methods: We used sociodemographic and baseline data from the ACTION trial, including measures of Denial, Acceptance and Problem-focused coping (COPE; Brief COPE inventory), of patients with advanced cancer from six European countries. Clinicians provided clinical information. Linear mixed models with clustering at hospital level were used. Results: Data from 675 patients with stage III/ IV lung (342, 51%) or stage IV colorectal (333, 49%) cancer were used; mean age 66 (10 SD) years. Overall, patients scored low on Denial and high on Acceptance and Problem-focused coping. Older age was associated with higher scores on Denial than younger age ([beta] = 0.05; CI[0.023; 0.074]), and patients from Italy ([beta] = 1.57 CI[0.760; 2.388]) and Denmark ([beta] = 1.82 CI[0.881; 2.750]) scored higher on Denial than patients in other countries. Conclusions: Patients with advanced cancer predominantly used Acceptance and Problem-focused coping, and Denial to a lesser extent. Since the studied coping strategies of patients with advanced cancer vary between subpopulations, we recommend taking these factors into account when developing tailored interventions to support patients' coping strategies.
Ključne besede: ACTION study, lung cancer, colorectal cancer, coping strategies
Objavljeno v DiRROS: 29.07.2020; Ogledov: 2020; Prenosov: 1298
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89. Completeness of tuberculosis (TB) notification : inventory studies and capture-recapture analyses, six European Union countries, 2014 to 2016Masja Straetemans, Mirjam I Bakker, Sandra Alba, Christina Mergenthaler, Ente Rood, Peter H Andersen, Henrieke Schimmel, Aleksandar Šimunović, Petra Svetina, Carlos Carvalho, 2020, izvirni znanstveni članek Povzetek: Background. Progress towards the World Health Organization's End TB Strategy is monitored by assessing tuberculosis (TB) incidence, often derived from TB notification, assuming complete case detection and reporting. This assumption is unlikely to hold in many settings, including European Union (EU) countries. Aim. We aimed to assess observed and estimated completeness of TB notification through inventory studies and capture-recapture (CRC) methodology in six EU countries: Croatia, Denmark, Finland, the Netherlands, Portugal, Slovenia. Methods. We performed record linkage, case ascertainment and CRC analyses of data collected retrospectively from at least three national TB-related registers in each country between 2014 and 2016. Results. Observed completeness of TB notification by inventory studies was 73.9% in Croatia, 98.7% in Denmark, 83.6% in Finland, 81.6% in the Netherlands, 85.8% in Portugal and 100% in Slovenia. Subsequent CRC analysis estimated completeness of TB notification to be 98.4% in Denmark, 76.5% in Finland and 77.0% in Portugal. In Croatia, CRC analyses produced implausible results while in the Netherlands and Slovenia, it was methodologically considered not meaningful. Conclusion. Inventory studies and CRC methodology suggest a TB notification completeness between 73.9% and 100% in the six EU countries. Mandatory reporting by clinicians and laboratories, and cross-checking of registers, strongly contributes to accurate notification rates, but hospital episode registers likely contain a considerable proportion of false-positive TB records and are thus less useful. Further strengthening routine surveillance to count TB cases, i.e. incidence, accurately by employing record-linkage of high-quality TB registers should make CRC studies obsolete in EU countries.
Ključne besede: Mycobacterium tuberculosis, tuberculosis, incidence, public health surveillance, registries, reporting, notification, data collection, data analysis
Objavljeno v DiRROS: 27.07.2020; Ogledov: 1717; Prenosov: 1260
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