Association of Baseline Lipopolysaccharide-Binding Protein with Expanded Disability Status Score Dynamics in Patients with Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis: A Pilot Study.

Forecasting the progression of the disease in the early inflammatory stage of the most prevalent type of multiple sclerosis (MS), referred to as relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS), is essential for making prompt treatment modifications, aimed to reduce clinical relapses and disability. In total, 58 patients with RRMS, having an Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) score less than 4, were included in this study. Baseline magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was performed, and brain and spinal cord lesions were evaluated.

Association of human leukocyte antigen class II alleles with epithelial cell apoptosis and extracellular matrix production in acute COVID-19.

Introduction: Pathogenic mechanisms and long-term consequences of COVID-19 require attention in studies on SARS-CoV-2. The association of the severity of COVID-19 with genetic factors, such as human leukocyte antigen (HLA) genes, remains underexplored. Our study assessed the relationships between HLA class II alleles and COVID-19 severity and blood-based indicators of systemic inflammation and organ damage, serum markers of epithelial cell apoptosis such as caspase-cleaved CK18 fragment M30 (CK18-M30) and the extracellular matrix product hyaluronic acid (HA).

Seroprevalence of diphtheria and measles antibodies and their association with demographics, self-reported immunity, and immunogenetic factors in healthcare workers in Latvia.

Latvia is among European countries with outbreaks of diphtheria and measles. Healthcare workers (HCW) are exposed to infections and can transmit them to unvaccinated patients. We assessed the seroprevalence of antibodies against diphtheria and measles and their association with demographics, self-reported immunity, the presence of the allele, and level of interferon regulatory factor 5 (IRF5) in Latvian HCW.

Amino Acid Metabolism is Significantly Altered at the Time of Admission in Hospital for Severe COVID-19 Patients: Findings from Longitudinal Targeted Metabolomics Analysis.

The heterogeneity in severity and outcome of COVID-19 cases points out the urgent need for early molecular characterization of patients followed by risk-stratified care. The main objective of this study was to evaluate the fluctuations of serum metabolomic profiles of COVID-19 patients with severe illness during the different disease stages in a longitudinal manner. We demonstrate a distinct metabolomic signature in serum samples of 32 hospitalized patients at the acute phase compared to the recovery period, suggesting the tryptophan (tryptophan, kynurenine, and 3-hydroxy-DL-kynurenine) and arginine (citrulline and ornithine) metabolism as contributing pathways in the immune response to SARS-CoV-2 with a potential link to the clinical severity of the disease.

Evaluation of ECLIA antigen detection tests as screening methods for COVID-19 in comparison with molecular analysis.

Background: Data from literature shows that antigen tests are rapid and helpful tools for diagnosis of COVID-19.

Aim: This work aimed to evaluate the performances of the Elecsys SARS-CoV-2 Antigen test, in comparison to RT-qPCR, the gold standard.

Methods: A total of 110 swabs were tested; according to rRT-PCR, 76 were positive, and 34 were negative.

Expression of and genes in blood of patients with pulmonary tuberculosis.

This study aimed to detect the expression level of ORAI1 and STIM1 genes in blood of patients with bilateral pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) in comparison with the control group. Both genes encode proteins providing store-operated Ca entry (SOCE) into the cells, including immune cells, to activate transcriptional factors for producing cytokines and inflammation-restricting proteins. The study included 45 patients with confirmed TB, aged 20 to 86, and 35 volunteers, aged from 21 to 73, without active TB infection.

Intriguing findings of liver fibrosis following COVID-19.

Background: Studies on a new coronavirus disease (COVID-19) show the elevation of liver enzymes and liver fibrosis index (FIB-4) independently on pre-existing liver diseases. It points to increased liver fibrogenesis during acute COVID-19 with possible long-term consequences. This study aimed to assess liver fibrosis in COVID-19 patients by serum hyaluronic acid (HA) and FIB-4.

Herpes Simplex Virus-1 in the Brain: The Dark Side of a Sneaky Infection.

Herpes simplex virus-1 (HSV-1) establishes latency preferentially in sensory neurons of peripheral ganglia. A variety of stresses can induce recurrent reactivations of the virus, which spreads and then actively replicates to the site of primary infection (usually the lips or eyes). Viral particles produced following reactivation can also reach the brain, causing a rare but severe form of diffuse acute infection, namely herpes simplex encephalitis.

Anti- Biofilm Activity of Pterostilbene or Crude Extract from Non-Fermented Grape Pomace Entrapped in Biopolymeric Nanoparticles.

Polymeric nanoparticle-based carriers are promising agents to deliver drugs to cells. phenolic compounds are known for their antifungal activity against . The aim of the present study was to investigate the antifungal activity of pterostilbene or crude extracts from non-fermented grape pomace, entrapped in poly(lactic-co-glycolic) acid nanoparticles (NPs), with diameters of 50 and 150 nm, on biofilm.

Age-related trends of lesser pelvic architecture in females and males: a computed tomography pelvimetry study.

The pelvis and the spine form a system balancing human skeleton. Within this system, the pelvis adapts to age-related changes in the spine. Previous studies were predominantly focused on changes of pelvic parameters in the sagittal plane.

[Correction of the antioxidative system during ozone therapy in peritonitis].

Clinical studies revealed correlation of changes in anti-oxidative system and lipid peroxidation with peritonitis phases. The assessment of anti-oxidative system was used as an additional diagnostic and prognostic criterion for the disease. Data are presented in proof of efficiency of an ozone physiological solution included in combined treatment of acute peritonitis.

[Influence of fluoride containing preparations on lactobacillus level in oral fluid of preschool children].

The normal microflora of child's oral mounth is a safe system in which take the first place streptococcus and lactobacillus by frequency of meeting. Purpose of this research is to reveal the risk of caries development in children at the age of from 3 to 5 with using quantitative method of lactobacillus's definition in saliva after the application of fluoride preparations of deciduons teeth.

Redox status of rats during treatment by ozonated saline according to different protocols.

Repeated daily injections of ozonated saline to intact rats significantly modified their redox status. Intensification of free-radical processes paralleled by suppression of the antioxidant system creates prerequisites for failure of adaptation and compensation mechanisms of homeostasis.

Relationship between natural concentration of heavy water isotopologs and rate of H2O2 generation by mitochondria.

Relationship between natural concentration of heavy water isotope homologs in natural water and the kinetics of H(2)O(2) generation by isolated rat liver mitochondria in the presence of succinic acid as the substrate was studied. Natural concentrations of heavy water isotopologs significantly inhibited the studied reaction. The decrease in heavy isotopolog content in natural water leads to disinhibition and significant acceleration of the studied reaction.

Effect of insulin on the rate of hydrogen peroxide generation in mitochondria.

We studied the effect of insulin on H2O2 generation by mitochondria in rat liver and heart. Insulin markedly increased the rate of H2O2 generation, which was realized via short-term activation of mitochondrial succinate dehydrogenase. In terms of the Michaelis-Menten equation describing the dependence of H2O2 generation by mitochondria on succinate concentration (succinate dehydrogenase substrate), insulin decreased the Michaelis-Menten constant and increased the maximum rate of H2O2 generation compared to the control.

Key role of succinate dehydrogenase in insulin-induced inactivation of protein tyrosine phosphatases.

We studied the role of mitochondria in insulin-induced inactivation of protein tyrosine phosphatases in the liver. The mitochondrial respiratory chain is an insulin-sensitive source of H(2)O(2)that acts as a physiological inhibitor of protein tyrosine phosphatases. Succinate dehydrogenase plays a key role in insulin-stimulated generation of H(2)O(2)and inactivation of liver protein tyrosine phosphatases.

[Use of UV-irradiated donor plasma in the treatment of destructive pancreatitis].

Donor plasma exposed to UV rays was included in the complex of measures for the treatment of diffuse pancreonecrosis with marked signs of enzyme toxemia and endogenous intoxication in 14 patients. The irradiation was conducted on an original device in which a [symbol: see text] lamp with a wave length of 253.6 nm was used as the source of radiation.

[Homeostatic responses of the body during infusion of UV-irradiated autologous plasma].

Complex examination of changes in some structural and metabolic values in intact dogs after a single infusion of autoplasma irradiated with ultraviolet rays suggests that mobilization of the system of antioxidant protection, inducing a specific reorganisation of the metabolic system, is the trigger mechanism of the organism's adaptation reaction.

[Effect of induction of the synthesis of serotonin antibodies on lipid peroxidation in experimental alcoholism].

The effect of antibodies to serotonin on lipid peroxidation (LPO) in acute alcoholic intoxication was studied in rabbit experiments. Acute alcoholization causes marked LPO disorders which are manifested by a sharp increase of the content of intermediate products and reduction of the concentration of end products. Active immunization of the animals with a conjugated serotonin antigen, bovine serum albumin, reduces the LPO disorders induced by alcoholization.

[The use of ultraviolet-irradiated plasma in the treatment of peritonitis].

Intravenous infusion of the one-group lyophilized donor plasma irradiated with ultraviolet rays was included in the complex treatment of 43 patients with acute purulent peritonitis. The species-specific composition of the microflora was studied in the different groups of patients according to the cause of peritonitis and the degree of microbial contamination of the purulent wounds in patients treated with and without ultraviolet plasma irradiation (UVPI). For prognosticating the course and outcome of the disease the authors used a complex of indices linked with the manifestation of neutrophil bactericidal activity and the level of exogenous intoxication.

[Use of ribonuclease in multimodal treatment of acute pancreatitis].

The method of intraductal administration of ribonuclease as a therapeutic measure was developed on an experimental model of acute pancreatitis in albino rats. Morphological and biochemical examination showed that intraductal administration of ribonuclease in a dose of 0.5 mg produces a positive therapeutic effect, which allowed the method to be applied in complex treatment of 33 patients with various forms of acute pancreatitis.