Do dynamic changes in haematological and biochemical parameters predict mortality in critically ill COVID-19 patients?

Background: Critically ill COVID-19 patients are usually subjected to clinical, laboratory, and radiological diagnostic procedures resulting in numerous findings. Utilizing these findings as indicators for disease progression or outcome prediction is particularly intriguing.

Objectives: Exploring the significance of dynamic changes in haematological and biochemical parameters in predicting the mortality of critically ill COVID-19 patients.

Liraglutide Protects Cardiomyocytes against Isoprenaline-Induced Apoptosis in Experimental Takotsubo Syndrome.

Takotsubo syndrome (TTS) is a stress-induced cardiomyopathy, characterized by an increased concentration of catecholamines, free radicals, and inflammatory cytokines, endothelial dysfunction, and increased apoptotic activity. High doses of isoprenaline are used in animal models to induce Takotsubo (TT)-like myocardial injury. The aim of the study was to investigate the antiapoptotic effects of liraglutide in experimental TTS and its role in the NF-κB pathway.

Beneficial Effects of Ursodeoxycholic Acid on Metabolic Parameters and Oxidative Stress in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Randomized Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Study.

Background: Oxidative stress and inflammation are closely related pathophysiological processes, both occurring in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). In addition to the standard treatment of T2DM, a potential strategy has been focused on the use of bile acids (BAs) as an additional treatment. Ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA), as the first BA used in humans, improves glucose and lipid metabolism and attenuates oxidative stress.

Effect of folic acid on isoprenaline-induced myocardial injury in rats.

Background: Isoprenaline (ISO), a synthetic catecholamine and a β-adrenoceptor agonist, is widely used to develop an experimental model of myocardial injury (MI) in rats. The leading hypothesis for ISO-induced MI in rats is that it results from catecholamine overstimulation, oxidative stress, inflammatory responses, and development of cardiomyopathy during ISO administration. Folic acid (FA) reduces oxidative stress, improves endothelial function and prevents apoptosis, thereby contributing to cardiovascular protection.

Methodological challenges in using human umbilical artery as a model for in vitro studies.

New Findings: What is the central question of this study? What are the biggest challenges in performing in vitro studies on isolated human umbilical arteries? What is the main finding and its importance? The protocols presented in this study indicate some potential outcomes important for interpretation of the vascular responsivities of human umbilical arteries and could be useful for planning future in vitro studies with human umbilical arteries.

Abstract: Human umbilical artery (HUA) preparations are of particular importance for in vitro studies on isolated blood vessels because their sampling is not risky for the patient, and they can provide the closest possible impression of changes related to the uteroplacental circulation during pre-eclampsia. Using organ bath techniques, useful experimental protocols are provided for measuring some pathophysiological phenomena in the vascular responses of HUAs.

Eleven-Year Trends in Lipid-Modifying Medicines Utilisation and Expenditure in a Low-Income Country: A Study from the Republic of Srpska, Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Background: In last two decades, there have been substantial changes in the pattern of lipid-modifying medicines utilisation following the new treatment guidelines based on clinical trials. The main purpose of this study was to analyse the overall utilisation and expenditure of lipid-modifying medicines in the Republic of Srpska, Bosnia and Herzegovina during an 11-year follow-up period and to express its share in relation to the total cardiovascular medicines (C group) utilisation.

Methods: In this retrospective, observational study, medicines utilisation data were analysed between 2010 and 2020 period using the ATC/DDD methodology and expressed as the number of DDD/1000 inhabitants/day (DDD/TID).

Pomegranate Peel Extract Attenuates Isoprenaline-Induced Takotsubo-like Myocardial Injury in Rats.

Takotsubo syndrome (TTS) is an acute heart failure syndrome characterised by catecholamine-induced oxidative tissue damage. , a fruit-bearing tree, is known to have high polyphenolic content and has been proven to be a potent antioxidant. This study aimed to investigate the effects of pomegranate peel extract (PoPEx) pre-treatment on isoprenaline-induced takotsubo-like myocardial injury in rats.

Folic Acid and Leucovorin Have Potential to Prevent SARS-CoV-2-Virus Internalization by Interacting with S-Glycoprotein/Neuropilin-1 Receptor Complex.

The interaction of the SARS-CoV-2 spike (S) glycoprotein receptor-binding domain with the host-cell ACE2 receptor is a well-known step in virus infection. Neuropilin-1 (NRP-1) is another host factor involved in virus internalization. The interaction between S-glycoprotein and NRP-1 has been identified as a potential COVID-19 treatment target.

Cardioprotective effects of liraglutide pretreatment on isoprenaline-induced myocardial injury in rats.

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) increases the risk of cardiovascular disease, especially myocardial injury. Due to their hypoglycemic effects, glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs) are efficiently used for T2DM management. GLP-1RAs also have anti-inflammatory and antioxidative effects and can improve cardiac function.

Antibiotic Utilization during COVID-19: Are We Over-Prescribing?

The aims of this study were to analyze the utilization of antibiotics before (2018, 2019) and during the COVID-19 pandemic (2020) and the practice of prescribing antibiotics in outpatient settings for COVID-19 patients during the 2020-2022 period. The Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical Classification/Defined Daily Dose methodology was used for the analysis of outpatient antibiotic utilization in the Republic of Srpska. The data was expressed in DDD/1000 inhabitants/day.

The Impact of Thrombolytic Therapy on Anxiety, Depression and Quality of Life of Patients with Acute Ischemic Stroke.

Background: It is well established that thrombolytic therapy improves the functional recovery by reducing disability measured as National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) and Rankin score in patients with ischemic stroke. However, the role of alteplase treatment on anxiety and depression in those patients is less clear. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine whether patients treated with thrombolytic therapy had a better quality of life, less anxiety and depression compared to patients who were not treated with thrombolysis.

Dynamic changes in coagulation, hematological and biochemical parameters as predictors of mortality in critically ill COVID-19 patients: A prospective observational study.

Introduction: This study was created to analyze dynamic alterations in coagulation, hematological and biochemical parameters and their association with mortality of COVID-19 patients. To identify the most sensitive biomarkers as predictors of mortality more research is required.

Methods: The present study was a prospective, one-year-long observational study conducted on all critically ill, COVID-19 patients with respiratory failure.

Characteristics and Patterns of Proton Pump Inhibitors Prescribing at the Primary Health Care.

Background and objectives: the aim of this study was to analyse the utilisation of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) during a 12-year period and to show the characteristics and patterns of their prescribing. Materials and methods: firstly, in the pharmacoepidemiological analyses the ATC/DDD methodology was used to assess the utilisation of PPIs in the Republic of Srpska. The annual PPI utilisation was expressed as a number of DDD/1000 inhabitants/year.

The Characteristics of Benzodiazepine Prescribing in the Republic of Srpska, Bosnia and Herzegovina.

: Benzodiazepines (BZDs) are among the most prescribed psychotropic drugs and significant number of patients use these drugs for longer periods than recommended. The objective of this study was to determine the factors associated with prescribing of BZDs at the primary healthcare level. : A retrospective analysis of family physicians' prescriptions from the databases of family medicine teams of the Republic of Srpska was performed.

Dose-Dependency of Toxic Signs and Outcomes of Paraoxon Poisoning in Rats.

Organophosphorus compounds induce irreversible inhibition of acetylcholinesterase, which then produces clinically manifested muscarinic, nicotinic and central effects. The aim of the study was to analyse the clinical signs of acute paraoxon poisoning in rats and to determine the relationship between the intensity of signs of poisoning and the dose of paraoxon and/or the outcome of poisoning in rats. Animals were treated with either saline or atropine (10 mg/kg intramuscularly).

Trends in Antihypertensive Medicine Utilization in the Republic of Srpska, Bosnia and Herzegovina: An Eleven-Year Follow-Up.

In last 2 decades, there have been substantial changes in the utilization patterns of antihypertensive medicines following new clinical trials and the introduction of new treatment guidelines. The aim of this study was to analyze utilization and prescribing patterns regarding antihypertensive medicines in the Republic of Srpska, Bosnia and Herzegovina during an 11-years follow-up according to national and European treatment guidelines. In this retrospective, observational study, medicine utilization data were analyzed between 2009-2019 period using the ATC/DDD methodology and expressed as the number of DDD/1,000 inhabitants/day (DID/TID).

Vasorelaxant effect of monoterpene carvacrol on isolated human umbilical artery.

Carvacrol (CRV) is the main compound of essential oils extracted primarily from and species. Its various biological activities were confirmed: antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antifungal, anti-tumour, antinematodal, and vasorelaxant action. Although vasodilation mediated by CRV was previously described, the exact mechanism of its action has not yet been established.

Homocysteine, Vitamins B6 and Folic Acid in Experimental Models of Myocardial Infarction and Heart Failure-How Strong Is That Link?

Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of death and the main cause of disability. In the last decade, homocysteine has been found to be a risk factor or a marker for cardiovascular diseases, including myocardial infarction (MI) and heart failure (HF). There are indications that vitamin B6 plays a significant role in the process of transsulfuration in homocysteine metabolism, specifically, in a part of the reaction in which homocysteine transfers a sulfhydryl group to serine to form α-ketobutyrate and cysteine.

A prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of polyphenols on the outcomes of inflammatory factors and oxidative stress in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Background: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is commonly associated with hyperglycemia, dyslipidemia, oxidative stress and inflammation which are well known cardiovascular risk factors. Pomegranate peel polyphenols have a proven hypolipemic, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity. However, there is a lack of clinical studies that would confirm its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects in diabetic patients.

Seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies among primary healthcare workers in the Republic of Srpska, Bosnia & Herzegovina: A cross-sectional study.

Healthcare workers (HCW) in primary healthcare centres in the Republic of Srpska, Bosnia and Herzegovina, are on the first combat line with COVID-19. This study aimed to assess the seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 among HCW at the primary healthcare centres and to analyse the risk exposure to COVID-19, clinical signs and vaccination status. A cross-sectional study was conducted among HCW at the selected primary healthcare centres between 19 March and 30 April 2021.

The Effect of Three-Month Vitamin D Supplementation on the Levels of Homocysteine Metabolism Markers and Inflammatory Cytokines in Sera of Psoriatic Patients.

Psoriasis is an autoimmune and inflammatory skin disease. Psoriatic patients express higher levels of plasma homocysteine (Hcy) concentration and pro-inflammatory mediators than healthy people; this is frequently associated with vitamin D deficiency. The aim of this clinical study was to investigate the effects of high doses of vitamin D supplementation on the parameters of Hcy metabolism and cytokines in sera of psoriatic patients.

Acute organophosphate and carbamate pesticide poisonings - a five-year survey from the National Poison Control Center Of Serbia.

Pesticide poisonings, intentional as well as accidental, are common, especially in undeveloped and developing countries. The goal of this study was to analyze the clinical presentation of patients hospitalized due to acute organophosphate (OPP) or carbamate pesticide (CP) poisoning as well as to analyze the factors that potentially influenced the severity and outcome of the poisonings. A retrospective cross-sectional study was performed.

Pomegranate peel extract polyphenols attenuate the SARS-CoV-2 S-glycoprotein binding ability to ACE2 Receptor: In silico and in vitro studies.

The novel coronavirus disease (Covid-19) has become a major health threat globally. The interaction of SARS-CoV-2 spike (S) glycoprotein receptor-binding domain (RBD) with ACE2 receptor on host cells was recognized as the first step of virus infection and therefore as one of the primary targets for novel therapeutics. Pomegranate extracts are rich sources of bioactive polyphenols that were already recognized for their beneficial health effects.

Prevalence of five pharmacologically most important and allelic variants in the population from the Republic of Srpska in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The enzymes of the cytochrome P450 superfamily play a critical role in phase I drug metabolism. Among them, CYP2C9 and CYP2C19 are clinically important, as they can mediate severe toxicity, therapy failure, and increased susceptibility to cancer and other diseases caused by chemicals. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of pharmacologically most important allelic variants of the and genes in the general population of the Republic of Srpska (Bosnia and Herzegovina) and to compare them with other populations.