SARS-CoV-2 infection might cause a critical disease, and patients’ follow-up is based on multiple parameters. Oxidative stress is one of the key factors in the pathogenesis of COVID-19 suggesting that its level could be a prognostic marker. Therefore, we elucidated the predictive value of the serum non-enzymatic total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and that of the newly introduced TAC/lymphocyte ratio in COVID-19. We included 61 COVID-19 (n = 27 ward, n = 34 intensive care unit, ICU) patients and 29 controls in our study. Serum TAC on admission was measured by an enhanced chemiluminescence (ECL) microplate assay previously validated by our research group. TAC levels were higher (p < 0.01) in ICU (median: 407.88 µmol/L) than in ward patients (315.44 µmol/L) and controls (296.60 µmol/L). Besides the classical parameters, both the TAC/lymphocyte ratio and TAC had significant predictive values regarding the severity (AUC-ROC for the TAC/lymphocyte ratio: 0.811; for TAC: 0.728) and acute kidney injury (AUC-ROC for the TAC/lymphocyte ratio: 0.747; for TAC: 0.733) in COVID-19. Moreover, the TAC/lymphocyte ratio had significant predictive value regarding mortality (AUC-ROC: 0.752). Serum TAC and the TAC/lymphocyte ratio might offer valuable information regarding the severity of COVID-19. TAC measured by our ECL microplate assay serves as a promising marker for the prediction of systemic inflammatory diseases.

Early endotracheal intubation improves neurological outcomes in cardiopulmonary resuscitation, although cardiopulmonary resuscitation is initially carried out by personnel with limited experience in a significant proportion of cases. Videolaryngoscopes might decrease the number of attempts and time needed, especially among novices. We sought to compare videolaryngoscopes with direct laryngoscopes in simulated cardiopulmonary resuscitation scenarios. Forty-four medical students were recruited to serve as novice users. Following brief, standardized training, students executed endotracheal intubation with the King Vision^®, Macintosh and VividTrac^® laryngoscopes, on a cardiopulmonary resuscitation trainer in normal and difficult airway scenarios. We evaluated the time to and proportion of successful intubation, the best view of the glottis, esophageal intubation, dental trauma and user satisfaction. In the normal airway scenario, significantly shorter intubation times were achieved using the King Vision^® than the Macintosh laryngoscope. In the difficult airway scenario, we found that the VividTrac^® was superior to the King Vision^® and Macintosh laryngoscopes in the laryngoscopy time. In both scenarios, we noted no difference in the first-attempt success rate, but the best view of the glottis and dental trauma, esophageal intubation and bougie use were more frequent with the Macintosh laryngoscope than with the videolaryngoscopes. The shortest tube insertion times were achieved using the King Vision^® in both scenarios. All providers achieved successful intubation within three attempts, but we found no device superior in any of our scenarios regarding the first-attempt success rate. The King Vision^® was superior to the Macintosh laryngoscope in the intubation time in the normal airway scenario and noninferior in the difficult airway scenario for novice users. We noted significantly less esophageal intubation using the videolaryngoscopes than using the Macintosh laryngoscope in both scenarios. Based on our results, the KingVision^® might be recommended over the VividTrac^® and Macintosh laryngoscopes for further evaluation.

(1) Background and Objectives: Morbid obesity significantly increases the prevalence of comorbidities, such as heart disease, restrictive lung disease, stroke, diabetes mellitus and more. (2) Methods: Patients undergoing gastric sleeve surgery were divided into three groups with BMI between 30–34.9 kg/m² (Group I), 35–39.9 kg/m² (Group II), and over 40 kg/m² (Group III). Preoperative examinations included cardiac ultrasound, respiratory function and laboratory tests, and preoperative comorbidities were also recorded. Following a one-year follow-up, we compared the rate of weight loss in the three groups at six months and one year following surgery, specifically, the effect of surgery on preoperative comorbidities at one year. (3) Results: The weight loss surgeries performed were successful in all three groups. Preoperative laboratory examinations, an echocardiogram and respiratory function results showed no clinically significant difference, except moderate elevations in blood lipid levels. Hypertension was the most common comorbidity. (4) Conclusions: In our patient population, hypertension and diabetes were the only comorbidities with a high prevalence. It can be explained by the relatively younger age among the patients (mean age 44.5 years) and the fact that they had not yet developed the pathological consequences of severe obesity. Consequently, while performing the surgery at a relatively younger age, it seems far more likely that the patient will return to a more active and productive life and enjoy a better quality of life. Additionally, the perioperative risk is lower, and the burden upon health systems and health expenditure is reduced by preventing comorbidities, in particular, multimorbidity. On this basis, it may be advisable to direct patients who do not exhaust the classical indications for bariatric surgery toward the surgical solution at a younger age. Our results suggest it is not worth waiting for comorbidities, especially multimorbidity, to appear.

Background: Successful early endotracheal intubation improves neurological outcomes in cardiopulmonary resuscitation. However, endotracheal intubation should not compromise cardiopulmonary resuscitation effectiveness and thus requires experience. The use of videolaryngoscopes might decrease the number of attempts as well as the time needed for intubation, especially among novice users. We sought to compare videolaryngoscopes with direct laryngoscopy in simulated cardiopulmonary resuscitation scenarios in mannequins by novices.Methods: Forty-four medical students were recruited to serve as novice users. Following brief, standardized training, students were asked to execute endotracheal intubation with each of the devices, including the King Vision®, the Macintosh laryngoscope and the VividTrac®, on acardiopulmonary resuscitation trainer (Ambu Man Advanced®) in normal and difficult airway scenarios. We evaluated the time to and the proportion of successful intubation, the best view of the glottis, esophageal intubation, dental trauma and user satisfaction.Results: In the normal airway scenario, significantly shorter intubation times (P < 0.05) were measured by King Vision®than by Macintosh laryngoscope. However, VividTrac® was proven to be similar (P > 0.05) to Macintosh laryngoscope in this regard in the normal airway scenario. In the difficult airway scenarios, we found VividTrac® superior (P < 0.05) to King Vision® and Macintosh laryngoscope regarding laryngoscopy times, but there were no significant differences between devices in intubation times. In both normal and difficult airway cardiopulmonary resuscitation scenarios, we noted no difference (P > 0.05) in first attempt success rates, the best view of the glottis and dental trauma, but esophageal intubation and the use of bougie were more frequent (P < 0.05) withMacintosh laryngoscopethan with videolaryngoscopes. The shortest tube insertion times were related to King Vision® in both scenarios.Conclusion: Based upon our results, King Vision®was superior to Macintosh laryngoscoperegarding intubation time in the normal airway cardiopulmonary resuscitation scenario for novice users. We noted significantly less esophageal intubationwhen using videolaryngoscopes compared to Macintosh laryngoscope in both scenarios; thus,videolaryngoscopes might be recommended for novice users for both cardiopulmonary resuscitation scenarios.

Purpose: Implantable venous ports provide durable intravenous access but carry inherent risks. This study aimed to characterise portacath complication rates at our institution over eight years and to assess the impact of the COVID19 pandemic. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 344 consecutive patients who underwent port placement at the University of Pécs between 1 March 2018 and 29 November 2025. Data collected included demographics, underlying malignancy, comorbidities, immunocompromise and timing of implantation relative to chemotherapy. Complications were recorded and classified as acute or delayed. Associations between patient factors and complications were analysed using descriptive statistics and χ2 tests. Results: Overall, 31 of 344 ports developed complications, resulting in a complication rate of 9.25%. Infections (8.95%) and skin breakdown or decubitus ulcers (7.63%) were the most common events, while mechanical failure, catheter malposition, and pneumothorax occurred only rarely. Complication rates did not differ significantly by age, sex, comorbidities, immunocompromised status, timing of implantation or pandemic period. Conclusions: At our centre, ultrasound-guided portacath implantation was associated with a low complication rate, even during the COVID19 pandemic. Complications were primarily infectious or cutaneous and showed no clear association with demographic variables or timing of insertion. Rigorous aseptic technique, meticulous surgical placement and comprehensive patient education are essential to minimise adverse events.

We report the case of a 58-year-old man who experienced moderate renal and liver impairment after accidental poisoning with Colchicum autumnale, which he confused with wild garlic (Allium ursinum). Colchicum autumnale contains colchicine, a toxic compound that disrupts cell division. The patient received intensive care therapy, intravenous lipid emulsion, vitamin K supplementation, and N-acetylcysteine replacement. After seven days of hospitalisation, he was discharged in good health. This case highlights the importance of patients presenting at the emergency department with uncertain anamnesis, gastrointestinal symptoms or recent consumption of perennial plants before symptom onset, which should raise the suspicion of intoxication. Early diagnosis, organ-specific supportive therapy, and timely initiation of disease-specific therapy are crucial for improving patients’ outcomes.