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OBJECTIVE: The aim of our study was to present the clinical alterations of CRP, LDH, neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio, platelets to lymphocyte ratio, D-dimer, blood gas analyses, vitamin D, VEGF, IL-6, IFN-1, CD4+, CD8+) and their correlation with oxidative stress index (OSI) in hospitalized COVID-19 patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Oxidative stress index and clinical parameters were determined at admission and/or 7 days after hospitalization in 50 patients divided in moderate and severe group. RESULTS: In the moderate group of patients, a good correlation (R2 = 0.7400, p<0.05) was found between OSI and PLR, D-dimers and LDH at admission and after 7 days. The OSI correlated well with vitamin D, INF-1, IL-6, CD4+, CD8+ and the absolute CD8 cell number on admission (R2=0.7635, p<0.05). Vitamin D deficiency (15.37 ng/mL ± 2.81) was observed at admission in the severe group, accompanied by increased levels of IL-6 (295.3 pg/mL ± 40.06), INF-1 (1.603 pg/mL ± 0.134), VEGF (546.8 pg/mL ± 124.2) compared to non-infected individuals. All patients had low partial pressure of oxygen, although it did not show statistically significant difference between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: All investigated parameters were altered in both groups of patients and a good correlation between them was demonstrated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. Clinical evidence suggests increased oxidative stress in COVID-19 patients and this worsened redox status could potentially contribute to the progression of the disease.

Background. The aim of this study was to evaluate the ability of severity scoring systems to predict 30-day mortality in patients with severe community-acquired pneumonia.

The last report of Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever (CCHF) in North Macedonia was more than 50 years ago in the northwest. We report on a fatal CCHF case following a Hyalomma tick bite in the east of the country in July 2023. Tracing of 67 contacts identified CCHF in one healthcare worker (HCW) providing care for the patient. Monitoring of contacts is concluded (including further 11 HCW contacts), thus far 28 days after the death of the case no additional cases were identified.

Goals : Arthroscopic ganglionectomy has become an increasingly popular surgical option for dorsal wrist ganglia. The aim of this study was to describe our technique for the arthroscopic treatment of dorsal wrist ganglia and to evaluate the clinical results as well as the recurrence rate in our patients. Methods : In a prospective study, 48 patients who underwent arthroscopic treatment of dorsal ganglion of the wrist were included. Patients were evaluated preoperatively and 3 and 24 months post arthroscopy. A presence of recurrence at 24 months was recorded. The subjective outcome was evaluated with The Patient-Rated Wrist Evaluation (PRWE) and the Visual analog scale (VAS). Objective outcomes included grip strength and range of movement measurements. Results : The mean age was 36 years; the majority were women (36/48). Mean grip strength and the average flexion and extension in the wrist showed improvement after 3 months. The total PRWE score improved from 26.7 preoperatively to 10.2 at three months and 2.4 two years after surgery. After 24 months follow-up, there were only two patients with recurrence (4.2%). Conclusion : The arthroscopic resection of the dorsal wrist ganglia is a procedure with a low recurrence rate and lowest scaring and stiffness; it should be considered as a golden standard for operative treatment of the dorsal wrist ganglia., (© 2023 Katerina Kasapinova et al., published by Sciendo.)

Background : COVID-19 is a disease in several stages starting with virus replication to dysregulation in immune system response, organ failure and recovery/death. Our aim was to determine the effect of Ganoderma lucidum, lycopene, sulforaphane, royal jelly and resveratrol extract on markers of oxidative stress, inflammation, routine laboratory analyses and duration of symptoms in COVID-19 patients. Methods : The oxidative stress parameters and interleukines 6 and 8 (IL-6, IL-8), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) were determined in order to estimate the antioxidant and the anti-inflammatory effect of the product using a spectrophotometric and a magnetic bead-based multiplex assay in serum of 30 patients with mild form of COVID-19. Results : Statistically significant differences were obtained for all investigated parameters between the treated patients and the control group. Moreover, significant differences were observed for leukocytes, neutrophil to leukocyte ratio and iron. The average duration of the symptoms was 9.4±0.487 days versus 13.1±0.483 days in the treatment and the control group, respectively (p=0.0003). Conclusion : Our results demonstrated the promising effect of Ge132+Natural TM on reducing the oxidative stress and the IL-6, IL-8 and TNF-α levels, and symptoms duration in COVID-19 patients. The evidence presented herein suggest that the combination of Ganoderma lucidum extract, lycopene, sulforaphane, royal jelly and resveratrol could be used as a potent an adjuvant therapy in diseases accompanied by increased oxidative stress and inflammation., (© 2023 Dragica Zendelovska et al., published by Sciendo.)

Background/aim : Hematological parameters are the starting point in COVID-19 severity classification. The aim of this study was to analyze oxidative stress in hospitalized COVID-19 patients and to determine its association with D-dimer, neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR), and platelets to lymphocyte ratio (PLR) as markers for disease progression. Materials and method s: 52 patients with moderate and severe forms of COVID-19 were enrolled. A hematological and coagulation profile was performed for each patient. PAT (total antioxidant power, iron-reducing) and d-ROMs (plasma peroxides) were determined in serum at admission and 7 days after hospitalization. Results : The severe group presented parameters that indicated a poor prognosis. Patients that recovered had a significant reduction in d-ROM (t-test, p<0.01) and improvement in oxidative stress index (t-test, p<0.05). Patients that died had significantly decreased PAT (p<0.01) resulting in an increase in oxidative stress. Except for d-ROM vs PLR in both groups and d-ROM vs D-dimer in the severe group, a good correlation between oxidative stress parameters and D-dimer, PLR, and NLR was demonstrated (p<0.01). Conclusion : Our results show that oxidative stress markers can be used as a tool for disease progression in COVID-19. This analysis is easily accessible and affordable in addition to conventional hematological parameters performed for severity classification., (© 2022 Kalina Gjorgjievska et al., published by Sciendo.)

Background: COVID-19 is characterized by the presence of oxidative stress. Vitamin D status has been reviewed as one of the factors that may affect disease severity. The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between serum vitamin D levels, oxidative stress markers and disease severity in hospitalized COVID-19 patients., Methods: Vitamin D levels were measured in 33 patients with COVID-19. The total antioxidant power and plasma peroxides were determined in serum., Results: Severe COVID-19 patients have lower vitamin D levels (18.39 ± 2.29 ng/mL vs. 28.47 ± 3.05 ng/mL, p  < .05) and higher oxidative stress compared to the moderate group. When divided according to serum vitamin D levels, significantly higher values of LDH (604.8 ± 76.98 IU/mL vs. 261.57 ± 47.33 IU/mL) and D-dimer (5978 ± 2028ng/mL vs. 977.7 ± 172 ng/mL) were obtained in the group with vitamin D below 30 ng/mL, followed with significantly higher levels of plasma peroxides (d-ROMs: 414.9 ± 15.82 U.Carr vs. 352.4 ± 18.77 U.Carr; p  < .05) and oxidative stress index (OSI: 92.25 ± 6.60 vs. 51.89 ± 6.45; p  < .001)., Conclusion: The presented data provide a justification to consider vitamin D as an important factor that could ameliorate disease severity through its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects.