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. Antibodies against the SARS-CoV-2 virus were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). A total of 1,023 HCW (mean age 45 years; 71% female) were included in the study. The anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies were detected in 69.5% of all participants. There was a significant difference in seropositivity among primary healthcare centres from different geographical regions. As many as 432 (42%) of all participants had confirmed COVID-19 symptoms before the study and, 84.8% of them were seropositive. This study showed that 702 primary HCW were vaccinated with any of these vaccines: Sputnik V, Sinopharm, Pfizer/Biontech. High titre of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies was found amongst those who received one (92.6%) or both (97.2%) doses of vaccines. In this study, we report high prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibody among HCW in primary healthcare in the Republic of Srpska, Bosnia and Herzegovina during the third pandemic wave

Basic mechanisms of the cellular alterations in T-2 toxin poisoning: Influence on the choice and result of the therapy

T-2 mycotoxin, secondary metabolite of Fusarium fungi, is one of the most potent cytotoxic representatives of trichothecene mycotoxin type A. After ingestion, T-2 toxin affects actively dividing cells and irreversible post-mitotic cells. In our experiments, the best protective effects were produced by dexametasone (PI = 3.37) and different methylprednisolone formulations (PI = 2.43-2.64). Significant protective efficacy was shown by nimesulide (PI = 1.44) and N-acethyilcistein (PI = 1.29), but their values were higher in a combination with methylprednisolone (PI = 2.16-2.34). Radioprotector amifostine (WR-2721) expressed good protective effects (PI = 1.26) or/and different absorbent formulations, such as: activated charcoal (PI = 1.13) and various Min-a-zel® powder compounds, which are a well known zeolite clinoptilolite absorbents. Among the five zeolite regimens investigated, only Min-a-zel Plus® showed a significant protective effect (PI = 1.77). In summary, the steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs could be recommended as a regimen of choice for treatment of acute T-2 toxicosis while nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory compounds, different absorbent formulations and their combinations with antioxidants or radioprotectors could be important for the treatment of subacute and chronic T-2 toxin poisonings.T-2 mikotoksin, sekundarni metabolit gljivica iz roda Fusarium, jedan je od najtoksičnijih predstavnika trihotecenskih mikotoksina tipa A. Njegove osnovne osobine, prvenstveno velika stabilnost u prirodi, jeftina proizvodnja, teška detekcija i još uvek nepostojanje adekvatnog antidota čine ga veoma dobrim potencijalnim bojnim otrovom. Posle unošenja, u organizmu otrovane jedinke T-2 toksin se u ćelijama vezuje za receptore na ribozomima i pokreće seriju kaskadnih reakcija koje za posledicu imaju smanjenje stabilnosti gRNK i povećanu ekspresiju proinflamatornih gena koji su između ostalog odgovorni za nastanak anoreksije, gubitak telesne mase imunosupresiju, autoimunih efekata i oštećenje većine tkiva. Toksično oštećenje ciljnih organa, nastalo pod dejstvom T-2 toksina, posledica je njegovog citotoksičnog efekta na labilne ćelije i proinflamatornog efekta na stabilne ćelije u organizmu životinja i ljudi. S obzirom na napred iznete činjenice, jasno je što je u našim istraživanjima najbolji terapijski efekat, kod akutnog trovanja T-2 toksinom, postignut primenom antiinflamatornih lekova steroidne strukture, prvenstveno deksametazona (ZI = 3,37) i različitih oblika metilprednizolona (ZI = 2,43-2,64). Osim toga antiinflamatorni lekovi nesteroidne strukture ispoljili su značajan terapijski efekat, nimesulid (ZI = 1,44) i N-acetlilcistein (ZI = 1,29), ali se njihovo zaštitno dejstvo potencira u kombinaciji sa metilprednisolonom (ZI = 2,16-2,34). Terapijsku efikasnost ispoljili su radioprotektor amifostin (WR-2721) (ZI = 1,26) i/ili različiti apsorbensi. Od primenjenih apsorbenasa, kao što su aktivni ugalj (ZI = 1,13) i različiti oblici Min-a-zel-a®, najveći protektivni efekat ispoljio je Min-a-zel Plus® oblik klinoptiolinskog zeolita (ZI = 1,77). Na osnovu prikazanih rezultata, a u skladu sa činjenicom da je citotoksično i proinflamatorno dejstvo T-2 toksina u direktnoj srazmeri sa njegovom akutnom toksičnošću, u potpunosti je opravdano korišćenje visokih doza antiinflamatornih lekova steroidne strukture u terapiji akutnog trovanja T-2 toksinom. Sa druge strane, u terapiji subakutnih ili hroničnih trovanja T-2 toksinom, preporučuje se upotreba antiinflamatornih lekova nesteroidne strukture, različitih apsorbenasa, ili njihove kombinovane primene sa antioksidansima ili radioprotektorima

Assessing the potential of para-donor and para-acceptor substituted 5-benzylidenebarbituric acid derivatives as push-pull electronic systems: Experimental and quantum chemical study

Electronic interactions in donor-pi-linker-acceptor systems with barbituric acid as an electron acceptor and possible electron donor were investigated to screen promising candidates with a push-pull character based on experimental and quantum chemical studies. The tautomeric properties of 5-benzylidenebarbituric acid derivatives were studied with NMR spectra, spectrophotometric determination of the pKa values, and quantum chemical calculations. Linear solvation energy relationships (LSER) and linear free energy relationships (LFER) were applied to the spectral data - UV frequencies and C-13 NMR chemical shifts. The experimental studies of the nature of the ground and excited state of investigated compounds were successfully interpreted using a computational chemistry approach including ab initio MP2 geometry optimization and time-dependent DFT calculations of excited states. Quantification of the push-pull character of barbituric acid derivatives was performed by the (CNMR)-C-13 chemical shift differences, Mayer pi bond order analysis, hole-electron distribution analysis, and calculations of intramolecular charge transfer (ICT) indices. The results obtained show, that when coupled with a strong electron-donor, barbituric acid can act as the electron-acceptor in push-pull systems, and when coupled with a strong electron-acceptor, barbituric acid can act as the weak electron-donor

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. Therefore, an elevated homocysteine concentration (hyperhomocysteinemia) could be a consequence of vitamin B6 and/or folate deficiency. Hyperhomocysteinemia in turn could damage the endothelium and the blood vessel wall and induce worsening of atherosclerotic process, having a negative impact on the mechanisms underlying MI and HF, such as oxidative stress, inflammation, and altered function of gasotransmitters. Given the importance of the vitamin B6 in homocysteine metabolism, in this paper, we review its role in reducing oxidative stress and inflammation, influencing the functions of gasotransmitters, and improving vasodilatation and coronary flow in animal models of MI and HF

Prenatal monitoring of pregnancies complicated by diabetes mellitus

Preconception and prenatal monitoring evaluate the condition of the mother's underlying disease and possible complications during pregnancy. Before conception, patients with diabetes should be informed that suboptimal glycoregulation is associated with reduced fertility and pregnancy losses. The task of the perinatologist in pregnancies affected by diabetes mellitus is to prevent complications of the underlying disease, such as hypoglycemic crises. Another important component of prenatal care in diabetic pregnancies is the recognition and prevention of pregnancy complications such as preeclampsia, polyhydramnios, congenital malformations, fetal macrosomia, and infections

Nutrition in pregnancy with diabetes mellitus

The nutritional needs of diabetic pregnancies are different from normal pregnancies. Differences in nutritional recommendations can also be seen between pregnant women who are using and who are not using insulin therapy. In this literature review, recommendations for different meal proportions of carbohydrates, proteins, and fats in the diets of pregnant women with diabetes mellitus are listed. Different meal plans were also addressed in this group of patients. The role of exercise in the management of diabetes in pregnancy is undeniable and different approaches found in the literature are presented

Mechanism and Clinical Importance of Respiratory Failure Induced by Anticholinesterases

Respiratory failure is the predominant cause of death in humans and animals poisoned with anticholinesterases. Organophosphorus and carbamate anticholinesterases inhibit acetylcholinesterase irreversibly and reversibly, respectively. Some of them contain a quaternary atom that makes them lipophobic, limiting their action at the periphery, i.e. outside the central nervous system. They impair respiratory function primarily by inducing a desensitization block of nicotinic receptors in the neuromuscular synapse. Lipophilic anticholinesterases inhibit the acetylcholinesterase both in the brain and in other tissues, including respiratory muscles. Their doses needed for cessation of central respiratory drive are significantly less than doses needed for paralysis of the neuromuscular transmission. Antagonist of muscarinic receptors atropine blocks both the central and peripheral muscarinic receptors and effectively antagonizes the central respiratory depression produced by anticholinesterases. To manage the peripheral nicotinic receptor hyperstimulation phenomena, oximes as acetylcholinesterase reactivators are used. Addition of diazepam is useful for treatment of seizures, since they are cholinergic only in their initial phase and can contribute to the occurrence of central respiratory depression. Possible involvement of central nicotinic receptors as well as the other neurotransmitter systems – glutamatergic, opioidergic – necessitates further research of additional antidotes

Theoretical basis of perinatology therapy in pregnant women with diabetes mellitus

Diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disorder that can occur before pregnancy, be detected during pregnancy, or develop during pregnancy. Therapeutic modalities available today significantly facilitate glycoregulation during pregnancy and childbirth. This review presents different insulin regimens, as well as the advantages and disadvantages of oral antidiabetic agents use with a special focus on hypoglycemia. The importance of maintaining optimal glycemic levels and educating patients in blood glucose self-measurement is explained