COVID-19. Liver damage - visualization features and possible causes

Item. To evaluate the features of CT imaging of the liver and the possible causes of pathological changes in COVID-19. Materials and methods. An analysis of the literature and our own data on the features of CT imaging of the liver in combination with biochemical analyzes in patients with COVID-19 was performed. The main possible causes of changes in the liver, as well as symptoms with CT, are examined. Results. The main target of the new SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus is the respiratory system. But among patients with COVID-19, along with damage to the central nervous system, myocardium, and intestines, cases of liver damage or dysfunction have been reported. This is expressed in an increase in biochemical markers of liver damage, as well as in a diffuse decrease in its density during CT, which is usually observed in the acute stage of the disease. © 2020 Medical Visualization. All rights reserved

Rare-Earth Complexes with the 5,5′-Bitetrazolate Ligand – Synthesis, Structure, Luminescence Properties, and Combustion Catalysis

A complete series of complexes of the lanthanides and yttrium (except radioactive Pm) with the 5,5′-bitetrazolate (BT2–) ligand were synthesized from sodium 5,5′-bitetrazolate and available rare-earth (RE) salts. Eight new complexes were structurally characterized by single-crystal XRD. The [M(BT)(H2O)7]2[BT]·6H2O [M = Pr (1), Gd (2)] complexes are isomorphous and consist of [M(BT)(H2O)7]+ ions in which only one BT2– ligand acts as a chelate for each metal center. The complexes [M(H2O)8]2[BT]3·4H2O [M = Y (3), Dy (4), Ho (5), Tm (6), Yb (7), Lu (8)] are saltlike compounds that do not exhibit any significant metal–nitrogen contacts. Luminescence was very informative for the determination of the number of inner-sphere coordinated water molecules in the solid samples. Despite its low luminescence intensity owing to its high hydrate composition, the deuterated europium complex exhibited an internal quantum yield of 44 %. The catalytic activities of the 5,5′-bitetrazolate salts for the decomposition and combustion reactions of energetic materials were tested. Although no effect was found for nitramine (HMX) explosive, the impact of the salts on the thermolysis of ammonium perchlorate (AP) was established. The addition of 5 % [Dy(H2O)8]2[BT]3·4H2O decreases the temperature at the maximum reaction rate by 100 °C. The catalytic effect during combustion is apparently masked by the inhibitory influence of water; however, for [Pr(BT)(H2O)7]2[BT]·6H2O, a 20 % increase in the AP burning rate was observed. © 2018 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinhei

Rare-Earth Complexes with the 5,5′-Bitetrazolate Ligand – Synthesis, Structure, Luminescence Properties, and Combustion Catalysis

A complete series of complexes of the lanthanides and yttrium (except radioactive Pm) with the 5,5′-bitetrazolate (BT2–) ligand were synthesized from sodium 5,5′-bitetrazolate and available rare-earth (RE) salts. Eight new complexes were structurally characterized by single-crystal XRD. The [M(BT)(H2O)7]2[BT]·6H2O [M = Pr (1), Gd (2)] complexes are isomorphous and consist of [M(BT)(H2O)7]+ ions in which only one BT2– ligand acts as a chelate for each metal center. The complexes [M(H2O)8]2[BT]3·4H2O [M = Y (3), Dy (4), Ho (5), Tm (6), Yb (7), Lu (8)] are saltlike compounds that do not exhibit any significant metal–nitrogen contacts. Luminescence was very informative for the determination of the number of inner-sphere coordinated water molecules in the solid samples. Despite its low luminescence intensity owing to its high hydrate composition, the deuterated europium complex exhibited an internal quantum yield of 44 %. The catalytic activities of the 5,5′-bitetrazolate salts for the decomposition and combustion reactions of energetic materials were tested. Although no effect was found for nitramine (HMX) explosive, the impact of the salts on the thermolysis of ammonium perchlorate (AP) was established. The addition of 5 % [Dy(H2O)8]2[BT]3·4H2O decreases the temperature at the maximum reaction rate by 100 °C. The catalytic effect during combustion is apparently masked by the inhibitory influence of water; however, for [Pr(BT)(H2O)7]2[BT]·6H2O, a 20 % increase in the AP burning rate was observed. © 2018 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinhei

Neutralizing activity of sera from sputnik v-vaccinated people against variants of concern (VOC: B.1.1.7, B.1.351, P.1, B.1.617.2, B.1.617.3) and Moscow endemic SARS-CoV-2 variants

Since the beginning of the 2021 year, all the main six vaccines against COVID-19 have been used in mass vaccination companies around the world. Virus neutralization and epidemiological efficacy drop obtained for several vaccines against the B.1.1.7, B.1.351 P.1, and B.1.617 genotypes are of concern. There is a growing number of reports on mutations in receptor-binding domain (RBD) increasing the transmissibility of the virus and escaping the neutralizing effect of antibodies. The Sputnik V vaccine is currently approved for use in more than 66 countries but its activity against variants of concern (VOC) is not extensively studied yet. Virus-neutralizing activity (VNA) of sera obtained from people vaccinated with Sputnik V in relation to internationally relevant genetic lineages B.1.1.7, B.1.351, P.1, B.1.617.2, B.1.617.3 and Moscow endemic variants B.1.1.141 (T385I) and B.1.1.317 (S477N, A522S) with mutations in the RBD domain has been assessed. The data obtained indicate no significant differences in VNA against B.1.1.7, B.1.617.3 and local genetic lineages B.1.1.141 (T385I), B.1.1.317 (S477N, A522S) with RBD mutations. For the B.1.351, P.1, and B.1.617.2 statistically significant 3.1-, 2.8-, and 2.5-fold, respectively, VNA reduction was observed. Notably, this decrease is lower than that reported in publications for other vaccines. However, a direct comparative study is necessary for a conclusion. Thus, sera from “Sputnik V”-vaccinated retain neutralizing activity against VOC B.1.1.7, B.1.351, P.1, B.1.617.2, B.1.617.3 as well as local genetic lineages B.1.1.141 and B.1.1.317 circulating in Moscow. © 2021 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland