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Background. On March 11, 2020, coronavirus disease (COVID-19) was declared a global threat by the World Health Organization (WHO). It quickly became apparent that reducing inpatient mortality rates and early phase prediction of possible deterioration or severe disease course relied on finding more specific biomarkers. Objectives. This retrospective study assessed initial clinical, laboratory and radiological features of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)-infected patients and explored their impact on mortality and the course of the disease. Such efforts aimed to facilitate the identification of high-risk patients and to improve the formulation of treatment plans for these individuals. Materials and methods. The cohort comprised 111 consecutive adult inpatients diagnosed with COVID-19 and hospitalized in the Internal Medicine Ward of the University Clinical Center of prof. K. Gibiński of the Medical University of Silesia in Katowice, Poland, a COVID-19 Treatment Unit, between November 16, 2020 and February 15, 2021. All available clinical, laboratory and radiological findings were extracted from electronic records and assessed as possible risk factors for poor prognosis. Results. Clinicasl and radiological features with higher frequency in COVID-19 non-survivors included older age, history of smoking, concomitant cardiovascular diseases, low oxygen saturation (SpO2), and high infection risk assessed on admission as well as high opacity score, percentage of opacity and percentage of high opacity in computed tomography. Non-survivors had decreased serum lymphocytes, monocytes, calcium, magnesium, and hemoglobin oxygen saturation. They also had increased red cell distribution width (RDW), C-reactive protein (CRP), procalcitonin, alkaline phosphatase (ALP), creatinine, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), D-dimer, troponin, and N-terminal prohormone of brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) levels, as well as a base deficit. Conclusions. This retrospective study identified several markers associated with a fatal course of COVID-19. The early assessment of SARS-CoV-2-infected inpatients should consider these markers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background & Aims: Fatty liver disease (FLD) is common in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Here, we use non‐invasive tests to quantify liver injury in women with PCOS and analyse whether FLD‐associated genetic variants contribute to liver phenotypes in PCOS. Methods: Prospectively, we recruited women with PCOS and controls at two university centres in Germany and Poland. Alcohol abuse was regarded as an exclusion criterion. Genotyping of variants associated with FLD was performed using TaqMan assays. Liver stiffness measurements (LSM), controlled attenuation parameters (CAP) and non‐invasive HSI, FLI, FIB‐4 scores were determined to assess hepatic steatosis and fibrosis. Results: A total of 42 German (age range 18–53 years) and 143 Polish (age range 18–40 years) women with PCOS, as well as 245 German and 289 Polish controls were recruited. In contrast to Polish patients, Germans were older, presented with more severe metabolic profiles and had significantly higher LSM (median 5.9 kPa vs. 3.8 kPa). In the German cohort, carriers of the PNPLA3 p.I148M risk variant had an increased LSM (p =.01). In the Polish cohort, the minor MTARC1 allele was linked with significantly lower serum aminotransferases activities, whereas the HSD17B13 polymorphism was associated with lower concentrations of 17‐OH progesterone, total testosterone, and androstenedione (all p <.05). Conclusions: FLD is common in women with PCOS. Its extent is modulated by both genetic and metabolic risk factors. Genotyping of variants associated with FLD might help to stratify the risk of liver disease progression in women suffering from PCOS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As the number of smartphones increases, so does the number of medical apps. Medical mobile applications are widely used in many medical fields by both patients and doctors. However, there are still few approved mobile applications that can be used in the diagnostic-therapeutic process and radiological apps are affected as well. We conducted our research by classifying radiological applications from the Google Play® store into appropriate categories, according to our own qualification system developed by researchers for the purposes of this study. In addition, we also evaluated apps from the App Store®. The radiology application rating system we created has not been previously used in other articles. Out of 228 applications from the Google Play store, only 6 of them were classified as "A" category with the highest standard. Apps from the App Store (157) were not categorized due to the lack of download counts, which was necessary in our app-rating system. The vast majority of applications are for educational purposes and are not used in clinical practice. This is due to the need of obtaining special permits and certificates from relevant institutions in order to use them in medical practice. We recommend applications from the Google Play store that have been classified in the "A" category, evaluating them as the most valuable. App Store apps data is described and presented in the form of diagrams and tables., (© 2023. The Author(s).)

Background and objectives: In the paediatric population, hand injuries are one of the most frequent injuries and the second most frequent area of fracture. It is estimated that hand injuries account for up to 23% of the trauma-related causes of emergency department visits. Not only are they a significant factor in health care costs, but they may also lead to detrimental and long-term consequences for the patient. The discrepancy observed between the published studies suggests a geographical variation in their epidemiology. The aim of this study is to determine the localisation of injuries and fractures involving the hand in the paediatric population of the Polish Silesia region. This exploratory cross-sectional study involved 1441 post-traumatic hand X-ray examinations performed at the Department of Diagnostic Imaging of the John Paul II Upper Silesian Child Health Centre in Katowice between January and December 2014. Materials and Methods: The study group consisted of 656 girls and 785 boys who were 11.65 ± 3.50 and 11.51 ± 3.98 years old, respectively (range: 1-18 years). All examinations were evaluated for the location of the injury and presence of fracture(s). Results: Finger injuries were dominant ( n = 1346), with the fifth finger being the most frequently injured ( n = 381). The majority of injuries were observed among children who were 11 years old ( n = 176), with a visible peak in the 11- to 13-year-old group. A total of 625 bone fractures were detected. Fractures of the proximal phalanges ( n = 213) and middle phalanges ( n = 159) were most common, and fifth finger ( n = 189) predominance was again observed. A gender-independent positive correlation was found between patients' age and finger injuries ( p < 0.01) as well as metacarpal injuries ( p < 0.01). There was no correlation between patients' age and fractures in these locations ( p > 0.05). Metacarpal injuries ( p < 0.01), finger injuries ( p < 0.01), fractures ( p = 0.01), and fractures with displacement ( p = 0.03) were more common among males regardless of age. Conclusions: The results indicate that 11-year-old boys are at an increased risk of hand injuries and fractures. The distal and middle phalanges of the right hand, especially of the fifth digit, were the most susceptible to fracture localisation. Thus, injuries in these areas should be perceived as most likely to cause fractures and therefore demand careful examination.