Rothia is an opportunistic pathogen, particularly life-threatening for the immunocompromised. It is associated with pneumonia, endocarditis, peritonitis and many other serious infections, including septicemia. Of note, Rothia mucilaginousa produces metabolites that support and increase overgrowth of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, one of the ESKAPE bacteria. Endolysins are considered as antibacterial enzymes derived from bacteriophages that selectively and efficiently kill susceptible bacteria without harming human cells or the normal microbiome. Here, we applied a computational analysis of metagenomic sequencing data of the gastric mucosa phageome extracted from human patients’ stomach biopsies. A selected candidate anti-Rothia sequence was produced in an expression system, purified and confirmed as a Rothia mucilaginosa- and Rothia dentocariosa-specific endolysin PolaR, able to destroy bacterial cells even when aggregated, as in a biofilm. PolaR had no cytotoxic or antiproliferative effects on mammalian cells. PolaR is the first described endolysin selectively targeting Rothia species, with a high potential to combat infections caused by Rothia mucilaginosa and Rothia dentocariosa, and possibly other bacterial groups. PolaR is the first antibacterial enzyme selected from the gastric mucosa phageome, which underlines the biological complexity and probably underestimated biological role of the phageome in the human gastric mucosa.

Background: Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA) remains a surgical challenge. There are many recognizable markers associated with the formation of AAA. Previous experiments carried out on animal models have shown a correlation between serum calprotectin and the occurrence of AAA. Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the level of calprotectin as a potential diagnostic biomarker in patients with diagnosed AAA. Methods: The study group consisted of 75 patients aged 35-75 years assigned to two groups: a control group (n=43) of healthy subjects without AAA and a study group (n=32) of patients with a diagnosed AAA. The first calprotectin test was performed upon patient admission to the hospital, and the second control test was performed after three months. The concentration of calprotectin in plasma was determined using the Immunoenzymatic Method (ELISA) with the commercially available Assaypro Kit (AssayMax™ Human Calprotectin ELISA Kit), as well as the sandwich method with polyclonal antibodies to human calprotectin and peroxidase enzyme. Results & Discussion: Serum calprotectin levels in AAA patients were three times higher than in healthy subjects (p<0.05). A statistically significant twofold decrease in calprotectin concentration was observed after AAA surgery compared to the control group (p<0.05). Conclusion: Calprotectin levels can be an important marker in the detection of AAA. In conclusion, AAA patients showed a threefold increase in serum calprotectin level and a twofold decrease in this marker after AAA surgery.

An abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is a dilatation of the abdominal aorta greater than 50% of the diameter of a healthy aorta. Previous experimental studies confirm the effect of calprotectin (CAL) on the onset of arterial pathology. It has been suggested that low levels of soluble receptors for advanced glycation end products (RAGEs) increase levels of cytokines that lead to the inhibition of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), affecting AAA formation. This study aimed to analyze the correlation of levels of RAGE and CAL with AAA diameter. A group of 32 patients aged 50–75 with diagnosed AAA was enrolled in the study. This group of patients was further divided into three subgroups based on AAA diameter: (1) 5.5 cm. Peripheral blood was drawn from all participants on admission to measure the serum CAL and RAGE levels. An enumeration survey was performed three months after AAA surgical treatment. CAL and RAGE plasma levels were measured with the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The median CAL levels were 2273.0 ng/mL before and 1217.0 ng/mL after treatment. There was a statistically significant decrease in CAL levels following the surgical treatment (p = 0.003). The correlation analysis between CAL levels and RAGE levels before and after surgical treatment showed no statistically significant correlations. In addition, there were no statistically significant correlations between CAL and RAGE levels with AAA size. In conclusion, CAL levels appear to be a significant marker in patients with AAA. There is an almost twofold decrease in CAL levels after AAA excision.

Spinal epidural hematoma (SEH) is blood accumulation between the dura mater of the spinal canal and the bone of the vertebrae. It is estimated to be an extremely rare incidence, affecting approximately 0.1 of 100,000 patients. When the suspected cause is a sport-related injury in the majority of cases it affects the trauma region. The aim of this case report was to outline the case of a 60-year-old man who was admitted to the Emergency Department due to acute, severe pain in the lumbar region which lasted 30 min. It occurred that 54 h prior to the admission, he suffered a head injury due to sport-related trauma during recreational skiing. When waiting for the laboratory and imaging test results the patient developed bilateral paralysis of the lower limbs. The MR examination results showed SEH at the level Th9-L1; therefore, immediate neurosurgical laminectomy was performed. After 36 months of rehabilitation, the patient can walk independently. In summary, SEH without immediate and appropriate treatment is linked with very poor clinical outcome. Moreover, a high mortality rate of 7% and the fact that more than half of patients do not return to full physical health incentives its inclusion in differential diagnosis every time when symptoms of spinal cord involvement are found. Furthermore, delayed aftermath in the form of paresis of the lower limbs requires long-term and intensive physical rehabilitation.

Spinal epidural hematoma (SEH) is a very rare condition associated with trauma or occurring as a complication of lumbar puncture and can appear spontaneously. It manifests with acute pain and neurological deficits, leading to severe and permanent complications. This study aimed to assess changes in health-related quality of life and functional status following long-term intensive neurorehabilitation in a patient after severe sport-related head injury with a related SEH. The 60-year-old male patient experienced bilateral weakness of lower limbs, loss of sensation, and sphincter dysfunction. A laminectomy was performed, followed by a slight superficial and deep sensation improvement. The patient underwent intensive neurological rehabilitation treatment. The proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) method, PRAGMA device exercises, and water rehabilitation were provided. The study outcomes were assessed using the validated questionaries World Health Organization Quality-of-Life Scale (WHOQOL-BREF) and Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQOL-14) for health-related quality of life as well as the Functional Independence Measure (FIM) and Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ) for functional status. A beneficial clinical improvement was observed following the intensive rehabilitation using PNF techniques, training with a PRAGMA device, and water exercises in the case of SEH. The patient’s physical condition significantly improved, with an increase in the FIM score from 66 to 122 pts. (by 56 pts.) and in the HAQ score from 43 to 16 pts. (by 27 pts.). Additionally, the QOL level increased after rehabilitation, with an increase in the WHOQOL-BREF from 37 to 74 pts. (by 37 pts.) and a decrease in unhealthy or limited days, as assessed using the HRQOL-14, from 210 to 168 (by 42 days). In conclusion, the improvement in QOL and functional level in the SEH patient were associated with high-intensity rehabilitation, simultaneous integration of three therapeutic modalities, and committed patient cooperation.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) represents a substantial burden on global healthcare, contributing to significant morbidity and mortality worldwide. Despite advances in screening methodologies, its incidence remains high, necessitating continued efforts in early detection and treatment. Neoplastic invasion and metastasis are primary determinants of CRC lethality, emphasizing the urgency of understanding underlying mechanisms to develop effective therapeutic strategies. This study aimed to explore the potential of serum biomarkers in predicting survival outcomes in CRC patients, with a focus on cathepsin B (CB), leukocytic elastase (LE), total sialic acid (TSA), lipid-associated sialic acid (LASA), antitrypsin activity (ATA), C-reactive protein (CRP), and cystatin C (CC). We recruited 185 CRC patients and 35 healthy controls, assessing demographic variables, tumor characteristics, and 7 serum biomarker levels, including (1) CB, (2) LE, (3) TSA, (4) LASA, (5) ATA, (6) CRP, and (7) CC. Statistical analyses included ANOVA with Tukey’s post hoc tests and MANOVA for continuous variables. Student’s t-test was used for dependent samples, while non-parametric tests like Mann–Whitney U and Wilcoxon signed-rank tests were applied for variables deviating from the normal distribution. Categorical variables were assessed using chi-square and Kruskal-Wallis tests. Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient was utilized to examine variable correlations. Survival analysis employed the Kaplan–Meier method with a log-rank test for comparing survival times between groups. Significant associations were observed between CB (p = 0.04), LE (p = 0.01), and TSA (p = 0.008) levels and survival outcomes in CRC patients. Dukes’ classification stages also showed a significant correlation with survival (p = 0.001). However, no significant associations were found for LASA, ATA, CRP, and CC. Multivariate analysis of LE, TSA, and ATA demonstrated a notable correlation with survival (p = 0.041), notwithstanding ATA’s lack of significance in univariate analysis (p = 0.13). CB, LE, and TSA emerged as promising diagnostic markers with prognostic value in CRC, potentially aiding in early diagnosis and treatment planning. Further research is needed to validate these findings and explore additional prognostic indicators.