Tag Archives: COVID-19
High level of RNA HAS2-AS1 in the buffy coat of a patient blood sample is a more informative prognostic marker of COVID-19 clinical course compared to the level of hyaluronic acid in plasma
E. Dubrovskyi*, T. Drevytska, V. Dosenko, D. Stroy
Department of General and Molecular Pathophysiology,
Bogomoletz Institute of Physiology, National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, Kyiv;
*e-mail: udjin1785@gmail.com
Received: 21 March 2024; Revised: 13 May 2024;
Accepted: 25 July 2024; Available on-line: 04 September 2024
Numerous studies have confirmed the association of COVID-19 clinical course with the blood levels of hyaluronic acid and long non-coding RNA HAS2-AS1 as a positive regulator of hyaluronan synthase. We aimed to estimate both the level of hyaluronic acid in plasma and the level of RNA HAS2-AS1 in leukocytes (buffy coat) from the same blood sample at the time of patient admission to the hospital and to analyze the specificity of these indicators as biomarkers of COVID-19 severity. The study involved 78 patients with confirmed COVID-19 who underwent treatment between 2020 and 2021 at the Kyiv City Clinical Hospital N 4. The patients were divided into three groups based on the severity of the disease and classified as mild (n = 12), moderate (n = 36), and severe (n = 30). The level of hyaluronic acid in plasma was determined using the Hyaluronic Acid ELISA kit “Abcam” (USA). The buffy coat was isolated by centrifugation of the blood stabilized with EDTA-K and further aspiration of the leukocyte “cloud”. The expression level of HAS2-AS1 in buffy coat leukocytes was estimated using reverse transcription and real-time PCR. According to the obtained data, the level of hyaluronic acid in the plasma of patients with moderate and severe illness was 1.5 and 2.2 times higher compared to the mild illness group, respectively. Meanwhile, the level of RNA HAS2-AS1 in blood lymphocytes (buffy coat) of patient with moderate and severe illness was increased by 7.7 and 22.6 times compared to patients with mild illness. The results of our study demonstrate that, unlike the level of hyaluronic acid in plasma, the level of HAS2-AS1 in a buffy coat is a more reliable prognostic criterion for severe COVID-19 and allows distinguishing patients with varying clinical severity during hospitalization.
Assessing the relationship between organ function test results and COVID-19 severity
A. K. Yadav1, M. K. Mishra2*, S. Prasad3, S. Singh4
1Department of Biochemistry, Heritage Institute of Medical Science, Varanasi, U.P., India;
2Department of Biochemistry, GMERS Medical College & Hospital, Vadnagar, Gujarat, India;
3Department of Biochemistry, K. J. Somaiya Medical College & Research Centre, Mumbai, India;
4Department of Microbiology, Integral Institute of Medical Science and Research, Lucknow, U.P., India;
*e-mail: mritunjaymishra007@gmail.com
Received: 25 July 2023; Revised: 12 October 2023;
Accepted: 27 October 2023; Available on-line: 06 November 2023
A number of recent reports have indicated the association of COVID-19 with multiple organ failure and the need to clarify the relationship between organ testing parameters and disease progression. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the degree of abnormal organ function test parameters and its correlation with COVID-19 severity. A cross-sectional study was conducted among COVID-19 patients admitted at Sanaka hospital, India, from August to September 2020. A total of 100 qRT-PCR-confirmed COVID-19 patients divided into groups with mild or severe cases were enrolled. The data from venous blood samples for liver, renal, cardiac and inflammatory test parameters were included from the Sanaka hospital laboratory database. Biochemical prognostic tests were carried out using a clinical automated ERBA analyzer, cardiac markers were estimated with Enzyme Linked Fluorescent Assay. The Pearson correlation analysis was used to analyze the data. Aspartate/Alanine aminotransferases and alkaline phosphatase activity, creatinine, urea and troponin levels were higher in the confirmed positive cases of COVID-19. Significantly higher levels of troponin, D-dimer and C reactive protein (CRP) were found in patients with severe COVID form compared to a mild one. A strong positive correlation between elevated D-dimer and Ferritin with CRP level was revealed in this group of patients. It was concluded that the positive relationship between serum D-dimer, ferritin levels and CRP level in patients can be considered a stable indicator of disease severity.
SARS-CoV-2 infection and thyroid dysfunction in children
K. V. Kozak1*, H. A. Pavlyshyn1, I. Y. Avramenko2,
O. M. Dyvonyak3, O. O.Shevchuk1, K. T. Hlushko1
1I. Horbachevsky Ternopil National Medical University, Ternopil, Ukraine;
2Danylo Halytsky Lviv National Medical University, Lviv, Ukraine;
3Ternopil Municipal Children’s Hospital, Ternopil, Ukraine;
*e-mail: kozakk@tdmu.edu.ua
Received: 08 May 2023; Revised: 28 May 2023;
Accepted: 29 May 2023; Available on-line: 11 July 2023
The problem of thyroid dysfunction related to SARS-CoV-2 infection remains unclear in children. Therefore, the study aimed to reveal the interrelationship between thyroid dysfunction and COVID-19 severity as well as to determine optimal cut-off values for screening for thyroid disorders in children. A total number of 90 children aged from 1 month to 17 years were involved in the study. Patients with known thyroid disease were not recruited for the research. A thyroid panel was assessed for all participants that included: free triiodothyronine (FT3), free thyroxine (FT4), thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) and anti-thyroid peroxidase (ATPO) antibodies. Statistical analysis was done using the computer software Statistica 13.0. Research has revealed euthyroid sick syndrome (ESS) in 14.10% of SARS-CoV-2 infected children more often among patients with severe COVID-19 and multisystem inflammatory syndrome (33.33%) compared to mild COVID-19 course (6.67%) and moderate disease severity (8.89%) (P < 0.05). Significant correlation relationships were revealed for next values – FT3 and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) (rs = -0.22; P < 0.05); FT3 and C-reactive protein (CRP) (rs = -0.33; P < 0.05); FT3 and procalcitonin (rs = -0.43; P < 0.05). The next cut-off values for ESS determination were revealed: ESR 18.5 mm/h (AUC 0.803); CRP 11.5 mg/l (AUC 0.763); ferritin 84.8 ng/ml (AUC 0.733). Results suggest that pediatricians should pay attention to the endocrine disruptions by COVID-19 in children.
Immunological mechanisms of increased susceptibility to COVID-19 disease and its severe course in patients with diabetes mellitus type 2 and obesity
K. P. Zak1, M. D. Tronko1, S. V. Komisarenko2*
1V. P. Komisarenko Institute of Endocrinology and Metabolism,
National Academy of Medical Sciences of Ukraine, Kyiv;
2Palladin Institute of Biochemistry, National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, Kyiv;
*e-mail: svk@biochem.kiev.ua
Received: 28 April 2023; Revised: 28 May 2023;
Accepted: 05 June 2023; Available on-line: 20 June 2023
In this review, we analyze and summarize literature data and the results of our own research related to the immunity status of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D) and those T2D patients who were infected with the SARS-CoV-2 virus. It was shown that in the blood plasma of T2D patients, especially those with elevated BMI, the level and ultrastructure of the main cellular components of natural immunity – neutrophils and monocytes – were affected accompanied by high levels of proinflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6, IL-17 and TNF-α). It was suggested that the increased susceptibility of T2D patients to SARS-CoV-2 infection is primarily due to a weakening of the innate immune defense against pathogens, whereas in T2D patients who have COVID-19, adaptive T-cell immunity disorders accompanied by a cytokine storm prevail. It was concluded that hyperinflammation in T2D+COVID19 patients is the result of enhancement of already existing before SARS-CoV-2 infection T2D-caused disorders of innate and adaptive immunity, in the mechanism of which cytokines and chemokines play a significant role.
CRISPR as a novel technique for COVID-19 diagnosis: a review
A. A. Saleem1*, A. F. Annooz2, I. M. A. Hadi3, A. H. H. Kabla4
1Medical Laboratory Techniques, Al-Hakim General Hospital, Najaf, Iraq;
2Faculty of Medicine, University of Kufa, Najaf, Iraq;
3Medical Laboratory Techniques, Al-Sadr Medical city, Najaf, Iraq;
4National Advanced IPv6 Centre, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Penang, Malaysia;
*e-mail: aliadil41994@gmail.com
Received: 30 November 2022; Revised: 21 February 2023;
Accepted: 13 April 2023; Available on-line: 27 April 2023
To this moment, the human coronavirus disease COVID-19 that occurs as a result of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection is still a critical case that provokes concern around the world. In January 2022, there were over 300 million infections and over 5 million fatalities from COVID-19. As a countermeasure against this rapid spread, there is a vital need for effective and low-cost diagnosis methods in order to control the danger of this pandemic. CRISPR technology has proved its efficiency in detecting COVID-19 due to its simplicity, specificity and high sensitivity. This paper reviews the state-of-the-art of developing the CRISPR platforms for the purpose of COVID-19 diagnosis and treatment. Limitations and challenges of CRISPR in terms of nucleic acid analytical methods for viral infection diagnosis are discussed.
Computational investigation of honeybee venom proteins as potential Omicron SARS-CoV-2 inhibitors
H. A. Al-Madhagi1*, M. G. Saleh2
1Biochemical Technology Program, Faculty of Applied Sciences, Dhamar University, Yemen;
2Division of Microbiology, Biology Department, Faculty of Applied Sciences, Dhamar University, Yemen;
*e-mail: bio.haitham@gmail.com
Received: 01 October 2022; Revised: 07 November 2022;
Accepted: 17 February 2023; Available on-line: 27 February 2023
Because of the catastrophic consequences of COVID-19 on the world population, there should be novel interventions to handle ongoing infections and daily death cases. The aim of the current study is to examine the effectiveness of HBV (Honeybee venom) proteins on spike protein RBD by in silico tools. The sequences of 5 HBV proteins were used for homology modeling by Phyre 2. The generated protein models were employed for protein-protein docking against Omicron Spike glycoprotein receptor binding domain (RBD) (PDB ID# 7T9L) through HDock and ClusPro platforms followed by prediction of binding affinity using PRODIGY web portal and PDBsum for revealing interaction details. It was found that all of the examined HBV proteins exhibited strong docking scores and binding affinity profiles toward RBD. The findings of the present study indicate the possible HBV as preventive as well as treatment options against Omicron SARS-CoV-2.
The level of nitric oxide and arginase activity in patients with arterial hypertension and diabetes mellitus during COVID-19
O. Y. Sklyarova1, S. R. Mahiiovych2, N. V. Denysenko3,
L. I. Kobylinska3*, Y. Y. Sklyarov2
1Department of Family Medicine FPGE, Danylo Halytsky Lviv National Medical University, Ukraine;
2Department of Therapy No 1 and Medical Diagnostics FPGE, Danylo Halytsky Lviv National Medical University, Ukraine;
3Department of Biological Chemistry, Danylo Halytsky Lviv National Medical University, Ukraine;
*e-mail: lesyaivanivna.biochemistry@gmail.com
Received: 28 September 2022; Revised: 06 November 2022;
Accepted: 11 November 2022; Available on-line: 19 December 2022
The aim of this study was to assess the level of nitric oxide production and arginase activity in patients with arterial hypertension and type II diabetes mellitus during infection with SARS-CoV-2. The study groups included patients with arterial hypertension, patients with arterial hypertension combined with a severe course of COVID-19 and patients who, in addition to arterial hypertension and COVID-19, were suffering from type II diabetes mellitus. The volunteers without any clinical signs of diseases and normal blood pressure formed the control group. It has been established that arterial hypertension, combined with COVID-19 occurs along with reduced L-arginine, nitric oxide, superoxide dismutase activity and increased arginase activity. At the same time, the presence of arterial hypertension in patients with diabetes and coronavirus disease is accompanied by a decline in the content of L-arginine and arginase activity. Our study’s results may help scientists find new pharmacological targets in the future treatment of coronavirus disease and comorbid disorders.
We are stronger and better together
Sandor G. Vari
International Research, and Innovation in Medicine Program, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA, and President of the RECOOP HST Association
I learned during twenty years in RECOOP HST Association that sharing ideas, plans and actions make a human network naturally productive. Also, I believed throughout these years that honesty is a key component of a healthy relationship. Not only because honesty helps us avoid harmful breaches of trust, but because it allows us to build creative collaborative research organizations.
Nonetheless, in the last two years, we were challenged with a vast scale of crises. First, the COVID-19 pandemic and second, beginning February 24, 2022, the brutal Russian aggression against Ukraine have impacted everybody’s life causing significant concern and insecurity across the globe. Economic instability, disturbed work routines and disrupted family lives have caused higher risks of physical and mental disorders [1, 2].
Socially isolated people often feel lonely or depressed. Constantly lonely people have higher blood pressure, are more vulnerable to infection and are more likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. Loneliness also interferes with an entire range of everyday functions such as sleep patterns, attention and logical and verbal reasoning [3-6].
At the time the pandemic calmed, the Russian barbaric aggression and bombardment of civilian targets exposed large populations to physical aggression, which grants more damage over time as many Ukrainians are losing human condition. Are we losing humanity also?
Humans are good or bad, or predators also capable of great kindness. Humanity symbolizes human love and sympathy toward each other. Human qualities include honesty, integrity, courage, self-awareness and dedication. These qualities define who we are as human beings. In this troubled time, we must look for the good in people and strengthen the care for others.
Gandhi taught us, “The power of humanity is the strength of individual commitment and the force of collective action.” When RECOOP HST Association does something to help in Ukraine, all of us gain a sense of being valuable, helpful and worthwhile. Gandhi’s words remind us, “The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.”
The human misery caused by Russia’s attacks only strengthen Ukrainians’ extraordinary spirit and their dedication to protect their family, culture and homeland. Putin is scrambled by the strength of Ukraine and getting more aggressive. His actions prove, like Gandhi wrote, “The weak can never forgive. Forgiveness is the attribute of the strong.” And we are stronger and better together.
Detection of unusual high molecular form of albumin in blood serum of COVID-19 patients
Yu. Kit1, M. Starykovych1, N. Manko1, S. Kannan2,
A. Orfin3, S. Souchelnytskyi4, R. Stoika1*
1Institute of Cell Biology, National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, Lviv;
2College of Medicine, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar;
3Municipal Non-commercial Enterprise of Lviv Regional Council “Lviv Regional Infection Clinical Hospital”, Lviv, Ukraine;
4Oranta CancerDiagnostics AB, Uppsala, Sweden;
*e-mail: stoika.rostyslav@gmail.com
Received: 07 June 2022; Revised: 15 September 2022;
Accepted: 29 September 2022; Available on-line: 06 October 2022
Blood sera of 12 severe Covid-19 patients and 14 healthy human donors were subjected to original TCA-extraction/acetone-precipitation followed by SDS-PAAG electrophoresis and mass-spectrometry. 76 kDa protein was detected as one of the differentially expressed proteins in the samples of Covid-19 patients. This 76 kDa protein was identified with mass-spectrometry as human serum albumin. Such molecular form of albumin was absent in blood serum of healthy human donors. The potential ways of generation of the unusual form of human serum albumin and its probable diagnostic value were discussed.
Tumor biomarkers CEA, CA19.9, CA15.3 and AFP levels in the serum of patients with COVID-19
Abubaker H. Ali1*, Abdullah H. Yaqub2, Ihssin A. Faraj2
1Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Science, Sebha University, Libya;
2Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Sebha University, Libya;
*e-mail: Abu.Ali@sebhau.edu.ly
Received: 11 December 2021; Accepted: 01 July 2022
Early diagnosis is very important to reduce morbidity and mortality in COVID-19 infected patients. The aim of this study was to detect of tumor antigens CEA, CA19.9, CA15.3, and AFP and to compare their levels in the serum of 69 COVID-19 patients and 69 healthy individuals who did not have COVID-19. The levels of CEA, CA19.9, CA15.3, and AFP in the serum were measured using ELISA. The levels of the tumor biomarkers in the serum of COVID-19 patients were found to be 7.74 ± 4.65 ng/ml for CEA, 29.33 ± 16.35 U/ml for CA19.9, 23.24 ± 13.48 U/ml for CA15.3 and 7.46 ± 5.57 ng/ml for AFP, while in the serum of healthy control patients 9.73 ± 43.58 ng/ml for CEA, 20.66 ± 11.1 for CA19.9, 19.64 ± 10.99 U/ml for CA15.3, and 3.83 ± 9.20 ng/ml for AFP, indicating no differences in the levels of the studied tumor biomarkers in the two experimental groups. It is concluded that tumor biomarkers CEA, CA19.9, CA15.3, and AFP cannot be used as effective screening tools for patients with COVID-19.