Charlson comorbidity index and the severity of community-acquired pneumonia caused by SARS-CoV-2: A retrospective analysis.

Background: The Charlson comorbidity index (CCI) has been considered as a valid and reliable tool for predicting poor clinical outcomes and mortality in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). However, its relationship with the severity of pneumonia caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has not been thoroughly explored.

Objectives: The aim of the present study was to identify the impact of the comorbidity burden, quantitatively assessed by applying CCI, on the severity of inpatient community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) caused by SARS-CoV-2.

Insulin receptor substrate-1 gene polymorphism and lipid panel data in type 2 diabetic patients with comorbid obesity and/or essential hypertension.

The hallmarks of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) are insulin resistance (IR) and insulin receptor substrate (IRS) proteins essential for the insulin signaling. gene has not only been shown to be associated with T2DM, but also has indicated that it may significantly correlate with diabetic complications, such as coronary heart disease and obesity. The aim of this study was to evaluate changes of the lipid panel data in T2DM patients with comorbid obesity and/or essential hypertension in connection with the (rs2943640) polymorphism.

Comorbid overweight/obesity and chronic pancreatitis exacerbate the dyslipidemia progression in type 2 diabetic patients.

The aim of present study was to analyze the serum lipid profile parameters in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and comorbidities [overweight/obesity and/or chronic pancreatitis (CP)] to determine the contribution of these pathologic factors to lipid metabolism disorders in T2DM. The study involved 579 type 2 diabetic (T2D) patients with comorbid overweight/ obesity and/or CP. The serum lipid panel parameters [total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C)] were determined by commercially available kits on a Cobas 6000 analyzer (Roche Hitachi, Germany).

Influence of chronic hyperhomocysteinemia on the features of bone metabolism in the case of lipopolysaccharide-induced periodontitis.

Background: Periodontal disease is the second most common oral health problem after dental caries. This increasing prevalence makes it not only a health problem, but also a social issue. The pathogenesis of periodontal disease is associated with a number of adverse exogenous and endogenous factors, including hyperhomocysteinemia (HHcy).

SUBCLINICAL HYPOTHYROIDISM AS A CONTRIBUTOR TO MACROVASCULAR COMPLICATIONS IN PATIENTS WITH TYPE 2 DIABETES MELLITUS.

This study aimed to evaluate changes of the lipid panel data in patients with comorbid type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH) and to identify the probable prognostic values of the lipid profile for macrovascular complication (MVC) development. The study included 370 patients presented with only T2DM and 30 patients suffering from both T2DM and SCH. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was used to identify prognostically significant values of the lipid profile with the optimal ratio of sensitivity and specificity for MVC development.

COVID-19-associated acute respiratory distress syndrome versus classical acute respiratory distress syndrome (a narrative review).

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by the novel coronavirus, Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome-Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), led to the ongoing global public health crisis. Existing clinical data suggest that COVID-19 patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) have worse outcomes and increased risk of intensive care unit (ICU) admission. The rapid increase in the numbers of patients requiring ICU care may imply a sudden and major challenge for affected health care systems.

Insulin Receptor Substrate 1 Gene and Glucose Metabolism Characteristics in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus with Comorbidities.

Background: Genetic variants that affect insulin signaling play an important role in insulin resistance (IR) in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). This study aimed to evaluate changes of the glycemic profile and IR in T2DM with comorbid obesity and chronic pancreatitis (CP) considering the allele status of the IRS1 gene (rs2943640).

Methods: The study involved 33 type-2 diabetic patients and 10 healthy individuals.

Insulin receptor substrate 1 gene variations and lipid profile characteristics in the type 2 diabetic patients with comorbid obesity and chronic pancreatitis.

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is one of diseases that develops in a setting of polymorbid processes or more often promotes their development, forming in this spectrum the phenomenon of comorbidity. The aim of this study was to evaluate changes in the lipid panel data in T2DM patients with comorbid obesity and chronic pancreatitis (CP) taking into account the C/A polymorphism of the insulin receptor substrate 1 () gene (rs2943640). The study involved 34 T2DM patients and 10 healthy individuals.

Diagnostics of Gonococcal Infection in Ukraine: Current Challenges in Resource-Constrained Settings.

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the compliance of laboratory diagnostics of gonorrhoea in Ukraine with the World Health Organization (WHO) laboratory manual.

Materials And Methods: A quantitative non-randomised cross-sectional descriptive postal survey was conducted to evaluate the diagnostics of gonorrhoea in sexually transmitted infections (STI) clinics in Ukraine.

Results: The survey provided data about diagnostics of Neisseria gonorrhoeae in STI clinics from 14 regions of Ukraine from January 2013 to September 2014.

THE INFLUENCE OF CHRONIC HYPERHOMOCYSTEINEMIA ON PHAGOCYTIC AND METABOLIC ACTIVITY OF PERIPHERAL BLOOD NEUTROPHILS IN CASE OF LIPOPOLYSACCHARIDE-INDUCED PERIODONTITIS.

The aim of the study was to investigate the phagocytic and metabolic activity of peripheral blood neutrophils in rats with lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced periodontitis combined with chronic thiolactone hyperhomocysteinemia (HHcy).The experiment included non-linear mature male rats (n=48), which were divided into 4 groups: control; animals with a periodontitis model; animals with a model of chronic thiolactone HHcy; animals with a model of periodontitis in combination with chronic thiolactone HHcy. Phagocytic activity, phagocytic index and phagocytic number were determined as indicators of phagocytosis of peripheral blood neutrophils.

The association of angiotensin-converting enzyme gene insertion/deletion polymorphism with bronchial asthma.

Bronchial asthma (BA) is among the most prevalent chronic inflammatory disorders of the lung airways, and it has become clear that a mixture of genetic predisposition and environmental factors plays a critical role in its pathogenesis. The aim of presented review is to analyze the published data on the possible role of ACE gene polymorphism in BA development. The article is based on available literature found in Pubmed, Elsevier, Scopus, and Google scholar databases.

Does thyroid dysfunction influence inflammatory mediators in experimental periodontitis?

The aim of the present study was to investigate the presence of inflammatory mediators in rats with only periodontitis and periodontitis in a setting of hyper- and hypo-thyroidism and to analyze the correlative linkages between inflammatory mediators and thyroid hormones. White male 12-14 weeks old inbred rats (n=48) weighing 180-200 g were employed in the experiment. They were randomly divided into the following groups: Group I - control group, Group II - group with a model of periodontitis, Group III - group with a periodontitis in a setting of hyperthyroidism, and Group IV - group with periodontitis in a setting of hypothyroidism.

Comparative performance of commercial Amies transport media with and without charcoal for culture for gonococcal isolation and antimicrobial resistance monitoring in Ukraine.

Introduction: Culture is the only laboratory method that provides live gonococcal isolates for monitoring antimicrobial resistance. Many clinical settings do not have direct access to laboratories for the immediate processing of biological samples. Validated and quality-assured transport media are recommended to maintain the viability of .

Arterial Hypertension as a Risk Comorbidity Associated with COVID-19 Pathology.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by the novel coronavirus severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), is an ongoing global public health challenge. Current clinical data suggest that, in COVID-19 patients, arterial hypertension (AH) is one of the most common cardiovascular comorbidities; it can worsen outcomes and increase the risk of admission to intensive care unit (ICU). The exact mechanisms through which AH contributes to the poor prognosis in COVID-19 are not yet clear.

Changes in the transcriptional activity of the entero-insular axis genes in streptozotocin-induced diabetes and after the administration of TNF-α non-selective blockers.

Objective: The aim of the present study was to investigate the transcriptional activity of the GLP-1R, DPP-4, SGLT-1, INSR, and IGF-1R genes in GALT cells of rats with streptozotocin-induced diabetes in both untreated and treated with pentoxifylline, as a non-specific blocker of TNF-α.

Methods: The expression of GLP-1R, DPP-4, SGLT-1, INSR, and IGF-1R genes in GALT cells of rats was studied by real time quantitative polymerase chain reaction.

Results: It was shown that the development of diabetes was accompanied by the decrease of GLP-1R and an increase of DPP-4 genes expression in rat ileum.

A Comparative Study of Connective Tissue Metabolism Indices in Experimental Comorbidity-Free Periodontitis and Periodontitis Combined with Thyroid Dysfunction.

Periodontal disease is a chronic bacterial infection characterized by persistent inflammation, connective tissue breakdown, and alveolar bone destruction. The current study aimed to compare the connective tissue metabolism indices in rats with comorbidity-free periodontitis and in animals with periodontitis in a setting of hyper-and hypothyroidism. 12-14-week-old inbred white male rats (n=48) were included in the experiment.

The effect of immunoregulatory bacteria on the transcriptional activity of Foxp3 and RORyt genes in the gut-associated lymphoid tissue with -induced inflammation in the presence of vancomycin and .

Background And Objectives: Intestinal microbiota is involved in the development and maintenance of immune homeostasis. This study was conducted to investigate the levels of key immunoregulatory bacteria in the intestinal wall-associated microflora and its effect on the transcriptional activity of the Foxp3 and RORyt genes in the gut-associated lymphoid tissue (GALT) of rats with -induced inflammation, both untreated and treated with vancomycin and .

Materials And Methods: To determine the levels of immunoregulatory bacteria in GALT of rats Q-PCR was used to identify them by species-specific 16S rDNA genes.

Comparison of deferred and bedside culture of : a study to improve the isolation of gonococci for antimicrobial susceptibility testing.

Background And Objectives: Antimicrobial resistance of is globally spread and threatening. Culturing of is the only method to collect live isolates for investigation antimicrobial resistance profile. Therefore, quality assessment of culture is essential for successful isolation of gonococci.

Nerve impulse transmission pathway-focused genes expression analysis in patients with primary hypothyroidism and autoimmune thyroiditis.

Objective: Thyroid hormones have important actions in the adult brain. They regulate genes expression in myelination, differentiation of neuronal and glial cells, and neuronal viability and function.

Methods: We used the pathway-specific real-time PCR array (Neurotrophins and Receptors RT2 Profiler PCR Array, QIAGEN, Germany) to identify and verify nerve impulse transmission pathway-focused genes expression in peripheral white blood cells of patients with postoperative hypothyroidism, hypothyroidism as a result of autoimmune thyroiditis (AIT) and AIT with elevated serum an anti-thyroglobulin (anti-Tg) and anti-thyroid peroxidase (anti-TPO) antibodies.

Genomic epidemiology and antimicrobial resistance determinants of Neisseria gonorrhoeae isolates from Ukraine, 2013-2018.

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in Neisseria gonorrhoeae is a major health threat compromising the gonorrhoea treatment globally. AMR surveillance including whole genome sequencing (WGS)-based epidemiology provides ideal resolution to identify and describe AMR gonococcal clones, AMR determinants and populations, which can inform management guidelines and antimicrobial stewardship policies. Our aims were to, for the first time, elucidate the WGS-based epidemiology and characterize AMR determinants of gonococcal strains spreading in Ukraine, 2013-2018.

The role of Candida spp. contamination and efficacy of camphorated oil in skin care of incontinent associated dermatitis patients.

Unlabelled: Candida albicans is the most prevalent human fungal commensal organism and is reported to be the most frequent aetiological factor responsible for infection associated with incontinence-associated dermatitis (IAD).

Aim: The aim of the study was to investigate the Candida spp. colonisation and efficacy of camphorated oil in the skin care of the patients with incontinence-associated dermatitis.

The Clinico-Epidemiological Profile of Patients with Gonorrhoea and Challenges in the Management of Neisseria gonorrhoeae Infection in an STI clinic, Ternopil, Ukraine (2013-2018).

Gonorrhea is the second most common sexually transmitted infection spreading worldwide and a serious public health problem. However, further data are required to improve the management of gonorrhea. Our aim was to review the features of gonococcal infection and characterize the challenges of its management.

A comparative study of oral microbiocenosis structure in experimental comorbidity-free periodontitis and in periodontitis combined with thyroid dysfunction.

Unlabelled: Thyroid hormones regulate numerous metabolic processes. Therefore, any alteration in their synthesis or function has important health implications. However, limited data are available regarding the relationship between thyroid hormone imbalance and periodontal health.

Peculiarities of arterial hypertension in postmenopausal women with bone mineral density disorders and dyslipidemia.

Unlabelled: As a long-term multisystem disorders, cardiovascular diseases can gravely affect on bone metabolism, prompting a severe bone loss and increasing predisposition to fractures and the development of osteoporosis.

Aim: The aim of the study was to analyze the peculiarities of bone mineral density (BMD), lipid spectrum, lipid peroxidation (LPO) and antioxidant system (AOS) activity in postmenopausal women with arterial hypertension (AH).

Materials And Methods: Using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, we measured BMD in 193 women aged 45-62 years with the Stage II of AH.

The Severity of Oxidative Stress in Comorbid Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and Hypertension: Does it Depend On ACE and AGT Gene Polymorphisms?

There is an increasing number of studies suggesting the role of genetic factors in the development and progression of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and hypertension. Therefore, our study aimed to establish the role of ACE and AGT gene polymorphisms in the mechanisms behind the development of oxidative stress in patients with concomitant chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and hypertension. The study group consisted of 96 patients: Group 1 (individuals with a chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), Group 2 (individuals with arterial hypertension), Group 3 (individuals with a chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and arterial hypertension).