Local Application of Combined Drugs of Natural Essential Oils for the Prevention of Acute Pharyngitis

Objective: Viral pharyngitis, commonly known as a sore throat, is a widespread condition affecting people of all ages globally. This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of a medical device containing the combined drugs of natural essential oils (CDNEO) formulation in managing throat pain in patients with acute viral pharyngitis. With the growing resistance to traditional antibacterial treatments, essential oils have attracted interest for their potential analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial properties. Results: The study involved 81 patients randomly divided into two groups: those taking a medical device containing combined drugs of natural essential oils (CDNEO) and those taking a placebo. A questionnaire was used to assess throat pain among the participants, with 45 receiving the CDNEO and 36 the placebo. The CDNEO group experienced a significant reduction in throat pain, with the average VAS score decreasing from 5.36 to 1.09, compared to the placebo group, which saw a decrease from 4.97 to 2.19. This difference, with p Conclusion: By using a double-blind research method, it was possible to evaluate the effectiveness of the oils more objectively, since there was also a control placebo group. The study shows that CDNEO significantly reduces throat pain and decreases the need for additional pain relief medication in patients with acute viral pharyngitis. The findings suggest that natural essential oils could serve as an alternative treatment for pharyngitis, particularly in efforts to minimize NSAID use and combat antibiotic resistance.

Use of intravascular imaging in managing coronary artery disease

For many years,coronary angiography has been considered "the gold standard" for evaluating patients with coronary artery disease. However,angiography only provides a planar two-dimensional silhouette of the lumen and is unsuitable for the precise assessment of atherosclerosis. With the introduction of intravascular imaging,direct visualization of the arterial wall is now feasible. Intravascular imaging modalities extend diagnostic information,thereby enabling more precise evaluation of plaque burden and vessel remodeling. Of all technologies,intravascular ultrasound(IVUS) is the most mature and widely used intravascular imaging technique. Optical coherence tomography(OCT) is an evolving technology that has the highest spatial resolution of existing imaging methods,and it is becoming increasingly widespread. These methods are useful tools for planning interventional strategies and optimizing stent deployment,particularly when stenting complex lesions. We strongly support the mandatory use of IVUS for left main percutaneous coronary intervention(PCI). In addition,it can be used to evaluate vascularresponses,including neointimal growth and strut apposition,during follow-ups. Adequately powered randomized trials are needed to support IVUS or OCT use in routine clinical practice and to answer whether OCT is superior to IVUS in reducing adverse events when used to guide PCI. The current perception and adoption of innovative interventional devices,such as bioabsorbable scaffolds,will increase the need for intravascular imaging in the future.

Prognostic Biomarkers in Patients with Ischemic Stroke Who Received Thrombolytic Therapy

Background： The aim of the research was to evaluate the association between CRP （C-reactive protein）, troponin I, d-dimer, creatinine, glucose, GFR （glomerular filtration rate） and LDL-C （low-density lipoprotein cholesterol） levels at the admission and the results of thrombolytic therapy. Materials and methods： 113 patients who underwent thrombolytic therapy for acute ischemic stroke in Pauls Stradins Clinical University Hospital from 01.01.2015 to 01.01.2016 were studied retrospectively. Blood samples were collected in the emergency department. The neurological status was estimated using the NIHSS （National Institute of Health Stroke Scale）. The efficacy of thrombolytic therapy was assessed by comparing NIHSS score at the admission and after treatment. Afterward all patients were divided into three groups-the major improvement （NIHSS 〉 4）, minor improvement （NIHSS ≤ 4） and without any clinical effect. Results： Only the median levels of GFR were significantly （p = 0.015） lower in patients who did not have any clinical improvements after thrombolytic therapy as compared to patients with the major or minor improvements （60.0, IQR （interquartile range） 42.4-72.3 mL/min/1.73m2; 83.2, IQR 65.3-98.3 mL/min/1.73m2 and 75.9, IQR 59.2-94.6 mL/min/1.73m2）. Based on the ROC （receiver operating characteristic） curve, the optimal cut-off value of GFR level as an indicator for prediction of worsen clinical outcome after thrombolytic therapy was projected to be 61.65 mL/min/1.73m2, which yielded a sensitivity of 71.4% and a specificity of 24.5%, the area under the curve was 0.788 （95% CI （confidence interval）, 0.648-0.928）. According Spearman rank correlation test was founded statistically significant indirect correlation between GFR level and NIHSS score after treatment （r = -0.410, p = 0.020） in patients with severe stroke （NIHSS 〉 14）. Conclusions： GFR level lower than 61.65 mL/min/1.73m2 at the admission could predict as a worse outcome, especially in patients with severe stroke.

Seaweed Dietetic Food for the Functional Gastrointestinal Complaint Treatment

Despite the common nature of dyspeptic complaints, the treatment is still a problem. There is very little research done on the impact of dietary nutrition on the general health of the patients with dyspeptic complaints and overall nutritional safety. Study Objective: To evaluate the clinical effectiveness of the brown seaweed dietary product “Vitamarine” for the treatment of dyspepsia, as well as product safety. Material and Methods: An open, uncontrolled pilot study with questionnaires before and after the vitamarine course with the patient’s self-perception reports. Data were processed with multivariate analysis. Results: The study included 46 patients with 45 valid end result questionnaires for data processing. After 8 to 10 days use of vitamarine, 33 (76.8%) patients noted symptom disappearance or significant improvement, no improvement of symptoms or their increase was noted by 10 patients (23.2%). Complaints about weakness, fatigue and rapid tiredness significantly decreased or disappeared entirely (p = 0.04), including months long epi-gastric pain (p = 0.02) and constipation (p = 0.01). Conclusions: 1) Use of the dietetic food product “Vitamarine” with a dose of 50 - 60 g per day in two cases out of three improve the general well-being of the patients: months long dyspeptic abdominal pain and constipation disappear or significantly decrease. 2) In the first 8 - 10 days of the vitamarine course clinical effectiveness already can be noted. 3) Use of vitamarine is safe, including patients with a history of allergies to medications, elderly and patients with concomitant diseases.

Bone Marrow Mononuclear Cell Extraction. Does the Operator Performance Affect Processing Efficacy？

Different cell populations from bone marrow are used in various clinical trials for cardiac diseases during last decade. Four clinical studies are on going in our institution and enrol patients with cardiac diseases, coronary disease and type 2 diabetes, patients with osteoarthritis. Density gradient is used to separate bone marrow mononuclear cells. Cell processing looses are significant. To find out critical control points we analysed processing process and differences in cell yields between operators performing cell extraction. Bone marrow mononuclear cells were isolated using Ficoll density gradient centrifugation. Cells were counted using flow cytometry for mononuclear cell total counts, CD34＋ population count and viability analysis. The patients who underwent bone marrow aspiration followed by cell isolation received cell suspension for transplantation. Two cells processing for separate patients were performed at once. Same standard operation procedures were applied. Processing looses between operators performing cell extraction were analysed. Bone marrow samples from eight patients were processed. Mononuclear cells were extracted. Operator performances were compared. Operator A average bone marrow mononuclear cell yield in starting material was 9,97 ± 9,98 %, CD34＋ population yield 75,46±79,67%. Operator B average bone marrow mononuclear cell yield in starting material was 24,68 ± 14,8 %, CD34＋ population yield 70,42 ±44.84%. Operator A average cell viability in starting material was 45,24 ± 9,55%, after cell processing 42,96 ± 23,66 %. Operator B average cell viability in starting material was 49,85 ± 5,48%, after cell processing 69,52 ± 6,65 %.

Pathological Complete Remission in Young Colon Cancer Patient with a Large Liver Metastasis after FOLFOX-4/Bevacizumab Treatment-A Case Report

Introduction. Pathological complete remission of liver metastases is a rare colon cancer treatment outcome with increased 5-year survival of 76%. Case report. Metastatic colorectal cancer patient with pathological complete remission of large hepatic metastasis after palliative chemotherapy in combination with bevacizumab is presented. Solitary liver metastasis measuring 8 cm was observed in computed tomography (CT) scan before combined treatment. The best radiological response during treatment with FOLFOX-4 and bevacizumab therapy was partial remission and patient underwent partial hepatectomy. Since the operation material was free of viable adenocarcinoma cells the effect of FOLFOX-4 in combination with bevacizumab treatment was interpreted as the pathological complete remission. Conclusion. Use of combination chemotherapy and targeted therapy with the aim to reduce initially unresectable liver metastasis is the best option to achieve complete pathological remission and significantly prolong survival.