Background/Objectives: FimH adhesin, located at the tips of type 1 pili in Escherichia coli (E. coli), plays a crucial role in bacterial adhesion to the surface urothelial cells—a key step in the pathogenesis of urinary tract infections (UTIs). Given the rising concern over antimicrobial resistance (AMR), and considering that E. coli is one of the pathogens with the largest AMR burdens on a global scale, alternative strategies targeting bacterial adhesion are gaining increasing attention. Products that contain D-mannose and cranberry-derived phenolic compounds have shown promise in preventing E. coli colonization and infection. The aim of this study was to investigate the antiadhesive effects of cranberry-related phenolic compounds on FimH-mediated E. coli adhesion using a cellular hemagglutination inhibition assay, as well as to assess the synergistic effects of mannose and phenolic compounds on biofilm formation. Methods: A range of phenolic acids (benzoic, chlorogenic, hippuric, p-coumaric, ferulic and caffeic), resveratrol, (+)-catechin and procyanidin A, as well as a Vaccinium macrocarpon extract, were evaluated for their ability to inhibit FimH-mediated adhesion. A binocular microscope was used to observe agglutination, and we also evaluated the biofilm inhibition potential of the phenolic compounds in the presence of D-mannose. Results: Our results demonstrated that these compounds significantly reduced hemagglutination, with benzoic acid, chlorogenic acid, caffeic acid and resveratrol exhibiting strong inhibitory effects at concentrations as low as 0.25 mM. Furthermore, the addition of 1 mM solutions of these phenolic compounds to D-mannose resulted in a twofold reduction in the inhibition titer, suggesting synergistic interactions. In addition to their antiadhesive properties, the tested phenolic compounds contributed slightly to the inhibition of FimH-mediated biofilm formation, further supporting their potential roles in UTI prevention. Conclusions: These findings highlight the potential of cranberry-derived phenolics as natural antiadhesive agents against E. coli and warrant further investigation into their mechanisms of action and possible applications in infection control.

Background and Objectives: Enhancing recovery after cardiac surgery involves minimally invasive procedures, early extubation/mobilization, and swift discharge. While mechanical ventilation is often essential post-operation, prolonged invasive ventilation (IMV) increases mortality risk. Duration is influenced by patient factors (age and comorbidities), surgical complexity, and complications. Prognostic scores like EuroSCORE II, sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA), the Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI), and the vasoactive–inotropic score (VIS) help to predict ventilation needs. The aim of this study is to analyze the effect of pre-/post-operation factors and procedure type as predictors of ventilation time. Materials and Methods: This is a retrospective cohort observational study analyzing factors affecting the duration of postoperative mechanical ventilation in elective cardiac surgical patients treated between 1 January and 31 December 2024 in a tertiary center in continental Croatia. Patients were stratified into two groups according to the duration of IMV: normal (first three quartiles) and prolonged (upper quartile). In total, 493 elective cardiac surgical patients operated on under general endotracheal anesthesia with sternotomy or mini-sternotomy were admitted postoperatively to the cardiovascular ICU and mechanically ventilated during the observed period, and 463 patients were included in the final analysis after the exclusion criteria had been applied. Results: The mean age was 64.7 ± 9.8 years, and 28.7% of the cohort were females while 71.3% were males. The median Charlton Comorbidity Index was 4 (IQR 3–5), the VIS was 2 (IQR 0–3), the SOFA score at ICU admission was 5 (IQR 3–6), and the adjusted SOFA score was 3 (IQR 2–4). In the multivariate logistic regression model, a significant effect of female sex (OR 1.98), age (OR 1.05), VIS (OR 1.05), and history of previous cardiac surgery (OR 6.67) on the duration of mechanical ventilation was observed. In the time-to-extubation multivariate analysis, there was a significant effect of re-do surgery (HR 3.70), corrected SOFA score (HR 1.14), and VIS (HR 1.05) on the duration of mechanical ventilation. There was no significant effect of the type of surgery (CABG, aorta, aortic valve, mitral/tricuspid valve, or other) or the amount of chest tube drainage on the duration of mechanical ventilation. Conclusions: A history of previous cardiac surgery and the vasoactive–inotropic score during the first 24 postoperative hours in the ICU are the strongest predictors of the duration of mechanical ventilation after elective cardiac surgery, with a statistically significant effect present in both the logistic regression model and hazard ratio analysis. Further analyses with more variables are warranted in the future to refine the prognostic model.