Severity Of Thedisease Research Articles

Unveiling Immunological and Hematological Markers in COVID-19: Insights from a Clinical Study.

The COVID-19 pandemic has affected the global health system and economies largely. Therefore, knowledge about the clinical and laboratory profiles of patients with COVID-19 would help in the management and prognosis of the disease. The immunological and hematological indices have emerged as critical determinants for the severity of the disease and the prognosis; however, association with COVID-19 is clouded. The present study is aimed to characterize the immunological and hematological profiles of patients with COVID-19 in correlation with the disease severity. The study included 1,019 polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-confirmed patients with COVID-19 who were classified into serious and nonserious groups, considering severity criteria. Clinical laboratory investigations included hematological, biochemical, and immunological parameters regarding leukocyte counts, hemoglobin levels, and inflammatory markers. Our analysis of immunological and hematological differences between serious and nonserious patients with COVID-19 indicates that serious cases reflected elevated levels of pro-inflammatory markers such as lactate dehydrogenase, C-reactive protein (CRP), D-dimer, and ferritin, representing immune system dysregulation and systemic inflammation. Furthermore, in serious cases, discrepancies had also been noticed for many hematological parameters than nonserious ones, which also contained leukocyte count and hemoglobin level. Additionally, the CRP, D-dimer, blood urea nitrogen, alanine transaminase, and albumin levels could be independent predictors of COVID-19 severity by multivariate logistic regression analysis. Cutoff values for these biomarkers were defined by receiver operating characteristic curve analysis defining optimal parameters for the risk stratification and prognostication. The current investigation provides a comprehensive understanding of immunological and hematological correlation with COVID-19 severity, refining clinical decision-making and therapeutic interventions to improve patient outcomes.

Herbal Self-medication Practice for Coronavirus Disease 2019 in Sudan: A Public Survey, 2021

Background: the COVID19 emerged in China in late 2019 with high rate of spread and transmission. As there was no recognized therapy many people worldwide used herbs in attempt to help their body overcome the disease. This study aimed to document Sudanese patients experience in using herbs to treat the disease and decrease its severity. Methods: A cross-sectional population-based online survey was done targeting those who experienced COVID-19 among Sudanese through an online internet-based questionnaire distributed on social media platforms (mainly Facebook and WhatsApp). Descriptive statistics used to summarize data and present it as frequency tables and graphs. Multivariate logistic regression was used to quantify the association between independent variables (comorbidities and use of herbs) and the outcome variable reflecting the severity of the disease (hospitalization). Results: a total of 204 responses received from COVID-19 former and active cases. Typical symptoms of the disease were identified; fever (68.1%), cough (52.7%), shortness of breathing (59.3%), sore throat (76.5%), and loss of smelling and/or taste (67.2%). All the respondents reported using traditional herbs or plants for cure with strong statement of their usefulness. Citrus plants like lemon, orange and grape fruits, were the commonest, used by 94%, followed by the local herbs, Acacia (65%), Ginger (56%), Baobab (46%), Hibiscus (45%), Black Seed (45%) and Cinnamon (17%). Other used plants included onion (29%) and garlic (24%). An adjusted analysis found that obesity was associated with higher hospital admission, while using herbs had no effect on hospital admission. Conclusions: all participants reported the use of herbs for cure beside other treatment. The most commonly used herbs were citrus fruits followed by Acacia and Ginger and other herbs. All participants stated that herbs were useful for their recovery, however our analysis revealed no significant effect on rate of hospitalization. We recommend further deeper, well-designed study to better assess the effect of herbs.

Improvement of Patients with Long COVID 19

Introduction: The term “long-term Covid” is commonly used to describe signs and symptoms that persist or develop after acute Covid-19. Recovery time for these patients may vary depending on other comorbidities and the severity of the disease, severely ill patients are more likely to have a longer course than those with mild or moderate disease.

A study of the prevalence of psoriasis in the city of Fallujah and its correlation with some immunological and hematological parameters

Psoriasis is a common, chronic inflammatory skin disease with associated systemic inflammation. This study was conducted to determine the prevalence of psoriasis in the city of Fallujah on 859 patients visiting dermatology physician and also to determine the effect of psoriasis on the levels of some hematological parameters including total and differential white blood cell count, red blood cell count, hemoglobin level, platelets count in 102 psoriatic patient and 62 people for control. The study concluded presence of mild prevalence of cutaneous psoriasis among patients visiting dermatologist physicians in Fallujah city which was abundant mostly in young adults (21-30) years and elevated incidence in males. Some hematological markers could be considered as a tool for differentiating cutaneous psoriasis from other cutaneous infections and have correlations with PASI system of diagnosis. WBCs count was elevated in psoriasis. The most abundant types in psoriasis are neutrophils and lymphocytes and platelets would be lower in psoriatic patients in correlation with severity of the disease.

STUDY OF SERUM SODIUM LEVELS AND ITS CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE IN DECOMPENSATED CHRONIC LIVER DISEASE PATIENTS ADMITTED IN A TERTIARY CARE CENTRE OF NORTH EASTERN STATE, TRIPURA

Introduction: Chronic Liver Disease is a major source of death and morbidity globally. Hyponatremia is one of the most common electrolyte abnormalities in chronic liver disease patients. Various studies have established a correlation between serum sodium levels and survival in these patients. Hyponatremia is a marker of severity in CLD patients and studies have shown its relationship with MELD score and Child Pugh score. The complications of DCLD and mortality also increases with hyponatremia. The aim of this study was to study the serum sodium levels in patients with DCLD and to establish its significance. Materials And Methods: Data was collected from 100 patients admitted in medical wards. Patients were divided into 3 groups based on serum sodium levels and the relevant parameters analyzed among the groups. OBSERVATIONS: Among 100 patients, 45 had serum sodium levels ≥136 mEq/L, while 32 had serum sodium levels between 131 and 135 mEq/L and 23 patients had serum sodium level ≤130. No patients had serum sodium levels greater than 145. Serum sodium levels were associated strongly with the severity of liver disease as assessed by Child Pugh and MELD scores. Serum sodium ≤130 indicated the existence of Hepatic Encephalopathy, Hepatorenal Syndrome and Spontaneous Bacterial Peritonitis. Patients with serum sodium less than 130 mEq/L had increased frequency of complications than those with ≥136 mEq/L. Patient with serum sodium levels ≤130 had increased mortality. Conclusion: Hyponatremia is more common in DCLD and low serum sodium levels are associated with increased frequency of complications such as hepatic encephalopathy, hepatorenal syndrome, spontaneous bacterial peritonitis and GI bleeding. Lower serum sodium levels were associated with increased MELD and Child Pugh score and mortality indicating the inverse relationship between serum sodium levels and severity of the disease.

The Inflammatory Cytokines in Rheumatoid Arthritis and Their effect in the Progression and Pathogenesis of the Disease

Background: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a systemic autoimmune disorder affected the entire body. Aims of the study: Estimation of levels of inflammatory biomarkers in patients with RA and investigation of their impact on the development and severity of the disease. Methodology: This trial is a case-control one involving 44 patients with RA and 44 healthy age matched controls. Blood samples (5 ml) were collected from each participant, anti-CCP, RF, CRP, and ANA levels were measured using a Cobas device, while TNF-α, IL-10, IL-6 and IL-1β, were determined by an ELISA assay. Result: The results showed no significant variations in age, place of residence, and smoking between the RA and control groups, while there were significant variations in BMI, gender, and professional status. The levels of ESR, anti-CCP, RF, ANA, and CRP were significantly elevated in the RA group (P<0.001 for each) than in the control group. The study of cytokine levels also showed significant variations between the two groups, with an increase in TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-1β, and a decrease in IL-10 in the patients. IL-1β was positively correlated with age, IL-6, IL-10, and TNF-α. Conclusions: The results indicate that cytokines levels such as TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1β, and CRP are elevated in RA patients, reflecting elevated inflammatory activity, while levels of IL-10 are decreased, which may contribute to the exacerbation of the disease.

Comparing Absolute Eosinophil and Monocyte Counts in Critical and Non-Critical COVID-19 Patients

Emerging evidence suggests that variations in immune cell counts, particularly absolute eosinophil and monocyte counts may be important in predicting the clinical course and severity of the disease in COVID-19 patients. Objective: To compare the absolute eosinophil and monocyte counts ‘between critical and non-critical COVID-19 patients to elucidate potential associations with disease severity and prognosis. Methods: Between March 19th and June 6th, 2021, peripheral blood samples were taken from 26 ‘critical COVID-19 patients and 26 non-critical COVID-19 patients. Standard laboratory procedures were used to determine the immunological and haematological parameters for every participant. Whole blood samples were taken in ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) tubes and processed per the manufacturer's instructions using an automated haematology analyser (XN-1000, Sysmex, Japan). Results: Critical patients of COVID-19 exhibited significantly reduced absolute eosinophil, absolute monocyte, and lymphocyte count compared to non-critical patients. Additionally, critical patients were significantly older. However, there is no significant differences in the two groups' basophil counts, neutrophil counts, WBC counts, RBC counts, HCT percentage, HGB levels, MCH levels, MCV, MCHC levels, and MPV or platelet counts. Conclusions: Critical patients exhibited significantly reduced absolute eosinophil and monocyte counts suggesting a potentially weaker immune response in these subgroups. The significance of immune cell counts in assessing the severity of COVID-19 is highlighted by these results which may aid in developing targeted therapeutic interventions and prognostic indicators. Validating these results and clarifying their therapeutic significance will require more investigation.

Association between Serum Vitamin D Level and Parkinson’s Disease: Case Control Study in a Tertiary Level Hospital, Bangladesh

Background: Parkinson's disease is a neurodegenerative disorder that is frequently observed in individuals who are 50 years of age or older. The etiology of this disease is still unknown, but research has shown the influence of factors like vitamin D acting as a hormone in Parkinson's disease. The current study aimed to explore the association between serum vitamin D levels and Parkinson's disease. Methods: In 2019 to 2020, the current researchers conducted this case control study on 50 patients with Parkinson’s disease and 50 healthy subjects as the control group in the department of Neurology of Sir Salimullah Medical College & Mitford Hospital, Dhaka, Bangladesh. Demographic information (age, gender, and education), serum levels of vitamin D in the two groups, disease duration, disease severity, and cardinal features of the disease in the patient group were investigated. Data were analyzed using the SPSS 23 software with the t-test, Kruskal Wallis, Mann-Whitney, and adjusted logistic regression. Results: The mean age of cases was 72.30 ±454 and the control group had a mean age of 60.08±8.305. Regarding the symptoms of the cases tremor 30 (60%), rigidity 5 (10%), bradykinesia 12 (24%) and postural instability 3 (6%) and regarding disease duration (y) <5 years-26 (52%), 5 to 10 years-17 (34%), >10years 7 (14%) and disease severity 1 to 2.5 – 26 (52%) , 2.5-to-3 -18 (36%) and >3 – 6 (12%) Serum vitamin D levels of males were 17.70±6.06 ng/mL in patients and 30.31±5.59ng/mL in control groups, respectively which is clinically significant. Serum vitamin D levels of females were 20.03±5.75ng/mL in patients and 28.53±6.31ng/mL in control groups, respectively, which is clinically significant (P = 0.001). For the participants under 60 years of age, the mean serum vitamin D levels were 27.70±0.00 ng/mL and 30.78±5.44 ng/mL in patient and control groups, respectively. In participants aged 60 and older, the mean serum vitamin D levels were 18.40±5.91 ng/mL and 28.13±6.26 ng/mL in patient and control groups, respectively. These differences were statistically significant (P=0.001).Logistic regression analysis with adjusted demographic variables showed that the observed lower levels of serum vitamin D in cases compared with the control group was statistically significant(OR=4.17;95% CI:1.37,12.71;P=0.012). Conclusion: There was a significant relationship between low serum vitamin D and Parkinson’s disease. Bangladesh J Medicine 2024; 35: 180-186

Assessing COVID-19 outcomes among healthcare workers: a retrospective study.

The purpose of this research was to investigate the outcomes of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection in healthcare workers, assess the incidence of infection among them, and identify factors linked to the severity of the disease. This cross-sectional study was conducted retrospectively in Duhok city, Kurdistan Region of Iraq, from September 2021 to January 2023. The study included 1,958 participants, of whom 1,338 (68.33%) contracted the infection. Among them, 830 (62.03%) and 372 (27.81%) patients experienced mild and moderate infections, respectively, while 136 (10.1%) had severe infections. The results indicated that several factors, including maintaining a healthy lifestyle, avoiding obesity, having a chronic condition, working consecutive hours, and being in an overwhelmed work environment were significantly associated with a higher severity of infection (p < 0.05). However, factors such as smoking habits, adherence to preventive health guidelines, direct exposure to COVID-19 patients, work days and patterns, family members with COVID-19, and hand/glove sterilization did not appear to have a significant effect on the severity of infection (p > 0.05). These findings may offer valuable insights for clinicians and public health officials, and aid in the development of effective strategies to manage COVID-19 patients based on their risk factors for infection severity.

Effectiveness of laboratory tests in tracking severely COVID-19 infections

AIM: Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) is a virus that causes COVID-19 (Coronavirus Disease 2019), and poses serious difficulties in terms of healthcare systems and global public health. With the large number of publications on COVID-19, clinicians need a synthesis of evidence to provide guidance when dealing with patients with COVID-19. Emerging studies reveal the existence of numerous demographic, clinical, immunological, biochemical and radiographic data that may be useful for clinicians to predict the severity and mortality of COVID-19. The aim is of this study; To determine laboratory parameters that can predict the course and severity of COVID-19 disease in patients with diagnosed solely SARS-CoV 2 PCR test positivity results and independently of the clinic status of selected patients and based on laboratory findings. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study is a retrospective cross-sectional study conducted at Karacabey State Hospital between January and April 2022. Among the patients who applied to the COVID-19 outpatient clinic, 469 patients (261 females, 208 males) over the age of 18 and positive for SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR were included in the study. The patients were divided into groups as outpatients, inpatients and patients in need of intensive care (intensive care unit, ICU). Demographic data (age, gender), COVID-19 RT-PCR results, and simultaneous laboratory parameters of the patients were scanned retrospectively. RESULTS: When CRP, urea, ferritin, LEU, NEU, MONO, RBC, HGB, HCT, MCV, NLR, PLR, CRP-NR, and SII index values were taken into consideration, a statistically significant difference was found between the groups. Creatinine, ALT, AST, LDH, troponin I, mass CK-MB, D dimer, LYM, EOS, PLT, ELR, and PNR values were not significantly different between the groups. CONCLUSIONS: Advantages of this study; Comparing the changes in the patient's other laboratory findings based on a single positive PCR test result and finding meaningful rates in terms of serious covid risk. The disadvantage of this study is that it is a study independent of the patient's clinic and disease stage. CRP, urea, ferritin, and indexes such as NLR, PLR, CRP-NR, and SII index values can be used to predict the severity of the disease.

Comparative Study of Coagulation Profile and Haematological Parameters in Pregnancy-Induced Hypertension (PIH).

Background Pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH) is a major cause of maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality. PIH, including gestational hypertension, pre-eclampsia, and eclampsia, often leads to significant alterations in coagulation profiles and haematological parameters, posing risks for thromboembolic and haemorrhagic complications. This study aimed to compare the coagulation and haematological parameters between women with PIH and normotensive pregnant women. Methods A cross-sectional observational study was conducted on 110 pregnant women, divided into two groups: 55 with PIH and 55 with normotensives. Coagulation markers such as prothrombin time (PT), activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT), international normalised ratio (INR), and platelet count were measured. Bleeding and clotting times were also evaluated. Data were statistically analysed using student's t-test and chi-square tests, with p ≤ 0.05 considered significant. Results Women with PIH exhibited significantly lower platelet counts, PT, aPTT, and INR values compared to the normotensive group (p < 0.0001). Thrombocytopenia and prolonged bleeding time were more common in the PIH group, suggesting an increased risk of both bleeding and clotting complications. Proteinuria was observed in 32 women (58.18%) in the PIH group, reflecting the severity of the disease. Additionally, the PIH group had markedly elevated blood pressure levels. Conclusion PIH is associated with significant coagulation and haematological abnormalities, including thrombocytopenia and a hypercoagulable state, which increase the risk of thromboembolic and hemorrhagic events. Routine monitoring of coagulation profiles and haematological parameters in PIH patients is essential for timely interventions and improving maternal and fetal outcomes.

Effect of galectin-3, IL-1, IL-6 and TNF-alpha on disease prognosis and mortality in COVID-19 patients.

COVID-19 is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality. It is crucial to identify biomarkers that can aid in predicting patients' prognosis and mortality. This study evaluated the relationship between galectin-3 (Gal-3), interleukin-1 (IL-1), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) levels and the prognosis and mortality of COVID-19 patients. The study included 69 COVID-19 patients (32 outpatients, 37 inpatients) and 19 healthy controls. Gal-3, IL-1, IL-6, and TNF-α levels in serum samples were measured using an ELISA test. In a comparison between the patient and healthy control groups, it was observed that the patient group had significantly higher levels of Gal-3, IL-6, and TNF-α. Comparison between the outpatient and inpatient groups revealed that the hospitalized patient group had significantly higher levels of IL-6 and TNF-α, while the Gal-3 levels were lower in this group. In the analysis of subgroups to assess disease severity, critical COVID-19 patients exhibited elevated levels of Gal-3 and IL-6 compared to those with severe COVID-19. Moreover, Gal-3 and IL-6 were identified as having predictive value for mortality in hospitalized patients, while both IL-6 and TNF-α demonstrated diagnostic accuracy across all patient groups. The study results indicate that the levels of IL-6 TNF-α play a crucial role in determining the hospitalization and mortality of COVID-19 patients. Additionally, it was observed that Gal-3 and IL-6 levels can be utilized to assess the severity of the disease and predict mortality in patients who require hospitalization.

A prospective longitudinal cohort study of the association between nurses' subjective and objective workload.

Critical care nurses have high workloads due to the severity of the disease and the complexity of the treatment and care. Understanding the factors that influence subjective workload as well as the association between subjective and objective workload could lead to new insights to reduce critical care nurses' workload. (1) To describe critical care nurses' subjective and objective workload per shift in a university-affiliated interdisciplinary adult intensive care unit in Switzerland and (2) to explore the association between objective and subjective workload. The study used a prospective longitudinal cohort design. Critical care nurses completed the adapted Questionnaire on the Experience and Evaluation of Work 2.0 (QEEW2.0) to assess the subjective workload after every shift for four weeks (0 = never loaded, 100 = always loaded). The objective workload was assessed with the Therapeutic Intervention Scoring System-28 (TISS-28), Nine Equivalents of Nursing Manpower Use Score (NEMS), Swiss Society for Intensive Care Medicine (SGI)-patients' categories and Patient-to-Nurse Ratio (PNR). Data was analysed using multilevel mixed models. The workload of 60 critical care nurses with a total of 765 shifts were analysed. The critical care nurses experienced a subjective high mental load (66 ± 26), moderate pace and amount of work (30 ± 25) and physical load (33 ± 25), and low emotional-moral load (26 ± 22). The one-time baseline subjective workload values were higher than the day-to-day values. The mean objective shift load using the TISS-28 was 43 ± 16 points, the NEMS 36 ± 14 points, the SGI-category 1.1 ± 0.5 nurses needed per patient and the PNR 1.2 ± 0.4. We found positive associations between day-to-day objective variables with subjective pace and amount of work, with physical and mental load but not with emotional-moral load and performance. Measured objective workload is associated with only certain subjective workload domains. To promote and retain critical care nurses in the profession, nursing management should give a high priority to understanding subjective workload and strategies for reducing it.

Vitamin D deficiency and the need to replenish it in COVID-19

More than five years have passed since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, but although the fundamental role of vitamin D’s effect on the immune system is quite obvious to the vast majority of specialists, there are publications expressing a sharply negative attitude towards the use of vitamin D preparations for the treatment of patients infected with SARSCoV- 2. The purpose of the work: «generalization of international experience on the issue of vitamin D deficiency in COVID-19 patients and the need to replenish it.» From the archive of the National Library of Medicine of the USA, containing 15,768 full versions of articles on the effect of vitamin D on the incidence of coronavirus in the population, we selected 49 articles presenting the results of clinical use of vitamin D preparations for the treatment of patients with a confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19. Of these, the results of 38 studies involving more than 3,800 patients infected with SARS-CoV-2 showed positive results of using vitamin D preparations as a therapeutic agent for the treatment of patients with a confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19 (improvement of inflammation markers, reduction of the need for artificial ventilation, reduction of the length of stay in the clinic, reduction of hospital mortality). In three more articles, the authors conclude that the use of vitamin D preparations for the treatment of patients with COVID-19 is ineffective, but they contain information about the usefulness of such use, although the differences in results in the intervention groups and control groups are not statistically significant. Seven articles indicate zero results from the use of vitamin D preparations, and one article says that taking vitamin D worsened the condition of critically ill patients. The ratio of positive, positive, but statistically insignificant, zero and negative results of clinical trials of vitamin D preparations for the treatment of patients with a confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19 (38:3:7:1) It is significantly biased towards the usefulness of vitamin D supplements to reduce the severity of the disease and reduce hospital mortality from coronavirus infection. The most common type of vitamin D drug used in COVID-19 therapy is cholecalciferol, calcidiol is less often used, and calcitriol and ergocalciferol are used even less often (isolated cases have been described). To date, calcidiol has demonstrated the greatest effectiveness in the complex therapy of COVID -19.

TANNERELLA FORSYTHIA AS ONE OF THE PREDICTORS OF THE SEVERITY OF CHRONIC GENERALIZED PERIODONTITIS

Chronic generalized periodontitis ranks second in prevalence among diseases of the maxillofacial region in the world. The high importance of the problem of the incidence of chronic generalized periodontitis among modern society is determined by early tooth loss, decreased chewing efficiency, and the formation of chronic foci of infection. It is known that the main factor in the etiology of chronic periodontitis is microbial. One of the representatives of this flora is Tannerella Forsythia, which is a gram-negative, anaerobic bacterium. The aim: to verify T. Forsythia in chronic generalized periodontitis, depending on the severity of the disease. Materials and methods: the total number of patients with chronic generalized periodontitis for scientific research was 126 patients. The patients of all the studied groups were taken from the periodontal pocket, and the control group had the contents of the gingival furrow. All samples were examined by PCR with the detection of results in real time on the DT-96 detecting amplifier of NPO DNA Technology LLC with the Periodontoscreen kit. The results of the study: the value of the correlation coefficient was 0.997 p(0.05), which indicates a direct strong relationship between the occurrence of this microorganism and the severity of the disease. Based on the conducted study, a direct strong relationship (0.948 p(0.05)) was revealed between the concentration of the genomic equivalent of Tannerella Forsythia and the severity of chronic periodontitis. Conclusion: as a result of the study, a direct correlation was found between an increase in the genomic equivalent and an increase in the degree of destructive changes in periodontal tissues. Thus, the results obtained confirm that the concentration of Tannerella Forsythia is a predictor of the severity of chronic periodontitis.

Nanoformulations containing rosemary oil for gray mold control in strawberries

Gray mold, caused by Botrytis cinerea, affects strawberry crops (Fragaria x ananassa) and can cause major losses. Managing the disease with fungicides can harm health and the environment and can lead to the selection of pathogens resistant to their active ingredients. The use of essential oils (EOs) represents an alternative control method due to their richness in antimicrobial compounds, such as rosemary EO (Rosmarinus officinalis). However, the high volatility of several components of these oils makes commercial use difficult, and nanoencapsulation presents a technology to increase stability. In the present study, three formulations containing rosemary EO—nanoemulsion (NE), nanostructured lipid carrier (NLC), and nanocapsules with chitosan (NC)—were evaluated on strawberry fruits and against the fungus. The nanoformulations retained their characteristics (mean values: size 142 nm; polydispersity index 0.131; pH 4.99; zeta potential -20.2 mV for NE and NLC, and 19.1 mV for NC) when stored at 40 °C for 60 days. All nanoformulations had a direct effect on spore germination and mycelial growth of B. cinerea, possibly due to damage caused to the cell wall and plasma membrane, and changes in the pathogen's oxidative balance. NE containing 2 % EO, when applied by immersion, reduced the incidence and severity of the disease by around 40 % and 70 %, respectively, 6 days after treatment. The fruits treated with this formulation maintained their physicochemical characteristics for longer. Thus, the use of rosemary oil from NE can be an option for managing gray mold and increasing the shelf life of the fruits.

Importance of ferritin research in clinical practice

Serum ferritin (SF) is typically present in serum at concentrations directly related to iron (Fe) storage and is therefore traditionally used as an indicator of Fe levels in body tissues. Reducing its level is the “gold standard” for diagnosing widespread iron deficiency conditions. No less significant is hyperferritinemia — a nonspecific syndrome that occurs when Fe reserves are overloaded, a number of immunoinflammatory, infectious, oncological diseases, liver diseases, etc. In many pathological conditions, the level of SF determines the severity and prognosis of the disease. Ferritin concentrations greater than 1000 ng/mL, regardless of cause, have been shown to be associated with higher mortality. The reason for the increase in the level of SF in liver pathologies (cancer, hepatitis, cirrhosis) is associated with the process of its release from hepatocytes during their destruction. On the other hand, excessive synthesis and/or cellular secretion of ferritin occurs under the influence of various stimuli (cytokines, oxidative stress, hypoxia, oncogenes and growth factors). The interpretation of elevated ferritin values goes far beyond the role of an indicator of replenishment of Fe stores in tissues. Only 10% of cases of hyperferritinemia are associated with iron overload; in most patients, it is defined as the result of the acute phase and a reactive increase in ferritin levels against the background of any disease. The variety of symptoms of iron deficiency syndromes and hyperferritinemia is due to the involvement of many organs and systems, which requires a thorough examination (study of complaints, anamnesis, family and concomitant diseases, as well as the necessary laboratory and instrumental studies) to search for possible causes. Systemic Fe homeostasis must be closely monitored on a regular basis. It is required to comply with the conditions for blood sampling for SF. Reference values for SF concentrations vary depending on the analytical methods used and the population studied. Age and gender play an important role. Given the range of reference values, it is important for a particular patient to focus on the initial level of his ferritin, determined against the background of health and well-being during clinical observation.

A New Biomarker Copeptin in Determining Disease Severity in COVID-19.

Copeptin is released from the posterior pituitary gland into systemic circulation in response to various stimuli, including stress. We aimed to evaluate the role of copeptin in determining the severity of the disease in patients with COVID-19. The study was conducted prospectively in two centers between June 1, 2022, and October 1, 2022. Severe and mild-moderate COVID-19 patients were compared in terms of clinical, laboratory and imaging findings, and serum copeptin levels at hospitalization. A total of 90 patients were included in the study; 45 patients were in severe disease groups. Dyspnea, loss of appetite, and loss of smell were significantly more common in the severe disease group (p<0.001, p=0.025, and p<0.001, respectively). Among the tomography findings, the consolidation frequency was similar in both groups (p=0.259). C-reactive protein (CRP), D-dimer, ferritin, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), procalcitonin, troponin and copeptin levels were higher in the severe group (p<0.05); hemoglobin, total protein and vitamin D levels were lower (p=0.05). The area under the curve (AUC) values for severe disease were 0.643 for copeptin (p=0.019), 0.656 for CRP (p=0.011), 0.684 for procalcitonin (p=0.004), 0.657 for ferritin (p=0.01), 0.72 for D-dimer (p=0), 0.688 for troponin (p=0.002), and 0.672 for age (p=0.005). In our study, copeptin was identified as a new prognostic biomarker indicating the severity of the disease in patients with COVID-19.

Ebola Virus Matrix Protein VP40 Single Mutations G198R and G201R Significantly Enhance Plasma Membrane Localization.

Viral proteins frequently undergo single or multiple amino acid mutations during replication, which can significantly alter their functionality. The Ebola virus matrix protein VP40 is multifunctional but primarily responsible for creating the viral envelope by binding to the inner leaflet of the host cell plasma membrane (PM). Changes to the VP40 surface cationic charge via mutations can influence PM interactions, resulting in altered viral assembly and budding. A recent mutagenesis study evaluated the effects of several mutations and found that mutations G198R and G201R enhanced VP40 assembly at the PM and virus-like particle budding. These two mutations lie in the loop region of the C-terminal domain (CTD), which directly interacts with the PM. To understand the role of these mutations in PM localization at the molecular level, we performed both all-atom and coarse-grained molecular dynamics simulations using a dimer-dimer configuration of VP40, which contains the CTD-CTD interface. Our studies indicate that the location of mutations on the outer surface of the CTD regions can lead to changes in membrane binding orientation and degree of membrane penetration. Direct PI(4,5)P2 interactions with the mutated residues seem to further stabilize and pull VP40 into the PM, thereby enhancing interactions with numerous amino acids that were otherwise infrequently or completely inaccessible. These multiscale computational studies provide new insights at the atomic and molecular level as to how VP40-PM interactions are altered through single amino acid mutations. Given the high case fatality rates associated with Ebola virus disease in humans, it is essential to explore the mechanisms of viral assembly in the presence of mutations to mitigate the severity of the disease and understand the potential of future outbreaks.

Serum vitamin D levels and the severity and clinical course of COVID-19.

Low vitamin D levels are associated with different pulmonary diseases, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, bronchial asthma, and obstructive sleep apnea. In this study, we aimed to assess the relation between vitamin D levels and COVID-19 severity. Positive COVID-19 patients were subjected to clinical examination, computed tomography of the chest, and laboratory investigations. Serum vitamin D level was measured and correlated with the severity and the clinical course of the disease. The study included 72 patients, classified into four groups according to the severity of the disease. There was a statistically significant difference between the four groups regarding age, lymphocyte count, serum vitamin D, C-reactive protein, and lactate dehydrogenase levels. Serum vitamin D levels can be correlated with COVID-19 severity and clinical course.