Gene Polymorphisms are Associated With Clinical and Biochemical Parameters in COVID-19 Patients in Serbian Population.

The hypoxia-inducible factor-1 alpha (HIF-1 alpha) is a major regulator of adaptive response to hypoxia, common in patients with severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). In addition, HIF-1 alpha regulates the expression of the most important proteins necessary for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection of cells. The study included 129 hospitalized COVID-19 patients.

Vitamin D, Albumin, and D-Dimer as Significant Prognostic Markers in Early Hospitalization in Patients with COVID-19.

Unlabelled: SARS-CoV-2 continues to pose a major challenge to scientists and clinicians. We examined the significance of the serum concentrations of vitamin D, albumin, and D-dimer for the severity of the clinical picture and mortality in COVID-19.

Materials And Methods: A total of 288 patients treated for COVID-19 infection participated in the research.

Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in a young adult successfully treated with plasmapheresis, immunoglobulins, and corticosteroids: a case report.

A novel condition named multisystem inflammatory syndrome has raised the alarm worldwide and is leading to severe illness and long-term effects in the post-COVID era. This condition includes infection with fever, abdominal symptoms, acute cardiac injury, and shock. It has similarities with severe forms of Kawasaki disease (KD).

Generalised lymphadenopathy in a patient with fever of unknown origin as a differential diagnostic challenge - case report.

Fever of unknown origin (FUO) presents a major diagnostic challenge as it is a consequence of many infectious as well as malignant, rheumatologic and other diseases. Here we present the case of a woman with mediastinal and abdominal lymphadenopathy who was initially suspected to have lymphoproliferative disease, but our histopathologic examination revealed sarcoidosis. Sarcoidosis, especially chronic, is a rare cause of FUO, because it usually manifests as a febrile condition.

Molecular Mechanisms Responsible for Mesenchymal Stem Cell-Based Treatment of Viral Diseases.

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are adult, immunomodulatory stem cells which reside in almost all postnatal tissues. Viral antigens and damage-associated molecular patterns released from injured and infected cells activate MSCs, which elicit strong antiviral immune response. MSC-sourced interferons and inflammatory cytokines modulate the cytotoxicity of NK cells and CTLs, enhance the antigen-presentation properties of DCs and macrophages, regulate cytokine synthesis in CD4+ T helper cells and promote antibody production in B cells.

Therapeutic Potential of Mesenchymal Stem Cells and Their Secretome in the Treatment of SARS-CoV-2-Induced Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome.

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the etiological agent responsible for the development of a new coronavirus disease (COVID-19), is a highly transmittable virus which, in just ten months, infected more than 40 million people in 214 countries worldwide. After inhalation, aerosols containing SARS-CoV-2 penetrate to the depths of the lungs and cause severe pneumonia, alveolar injury, and life-threatening acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Since there are no specific drugs or vaccines available to cure or prevent COVID-19 infection and COVID-19-related ARDS, a new therapeutic agent which will support oxygen supply and, at the same time, efficiently alleviate SARS-CoV-2-induced lung inflammation is urgently needed.

Synthesis, Characterization and Biological Studies of Organoselenium trans-Palladium(II) Complexes.

Background: Over the years, transition metal complexes have exhibited significant antimicrobial and antitumor activity. It all started with cisplatin discovery, but due to the large number of side effects it shows, there is a growing need to find a new metal-based compound with higher selectivity and activity on more tumors.

Objectives: Two novel trans-palladium(II) complexes with organoselenium compounds as ligands, [Pd(L1)Cl] (L1 = 5-(phenylselanylmethyl)-dihydrofuran-2(3H)-one) and [Pd(L2)Cl] (L2 = 2- methyl-5-(phenylselanylmethyl)- tetrahydrofuran) were synthesized, in the text referred to as Pd-Se1 and Pd-Se2.

Potential Hepatoprotective Role of Galectin-3 during HCV Infection in End-Stage Renal Disease Patients.

Hepatitis C virus infection (HCV), one of the greatest causes of liver disease, is a frequent complication in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) on dialysis. ESRD is defined as decreased glomerular filtration and also accompanied by impaired function of the immune system. Galectin-3 is a -galactoside-binding lectin, involved in various biological processes including pathogenesis of chronic renal disease.

Fever of unknown origin: Most frequent causes in adults patients.

Background/aim: The differential diagnosis of fever of unknown origin (FUO) includes more than 200 different diseases and conditions. The aim of this study was to identify the most frequent causes of FUO among adult patients according to gender and age.

Methods: The study included 74 patients examined from June 2010 to June 2013 at the Infectious Disease Clinic, Clinical Center Kragujevac in Serbia, according to the defined criteria for FUO.

Assessment of viral genotype impact to the cost-effectiveness and overall costs of care for PEG-interferon-2α + ribavirine treated chronic hepatitis C patients.

Background: Pegylated interferon alfa plus ribavirin protocol is currently considered the most efficient hepatitis C treatment. However, no evidence of costs comparison among common viral genotypes has been published.

Objectives: We aimed to assess core drivers of hepatitis C medical care costs and compare cost effectiveness of this treatment among patients infected by hepatitis C virus with genotypes 1 or 4 (group I), and 2 or 3 (group II).