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Results 271 to 300 of 375:

ZANUBRUTINIB ACTS AS AN EFFECTIVE RESISTANCE MODULATOR BY INHIBITING ANTHRACYCLINE METABOLISM AND EFFLUX

Meeting abstracts

Lucie Čermáková, Jakub Hofman, Vladimír Wsól

MMSL 2022, 91(88):93

Anthracycline (ANT) resistance represents a significant challenge in cancer therapy. Besides other mechanisms, ANT resistance is mediated by the metabolic activity of carbonyl-reducing enzymes (CREs) and/or the efflux activity of ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters. CREs reduce ANTs to their corresponding less potent alcohol metabolites, while ABC transporters pump ANT drugs out of cancer cells decreasing their concentrations below cytotoxic level. Among CREs, AKR1C3 is of great importance because its overexpression has been detected in many hematological and solid malignancies, similar to some ABC transporters such as ABCB1, ABCG2, and ABCC1. In the present study, we describe the effect of Bruton´s tyrosine kinase inhibitor, zanubrutinib (ZAN), on ANT carbonyl reduction catalyzed by AKR1C3 and ANT active efflux mediated by ABC transporters. Our results show potent inhibition of recombinant AKR1C3, while the interaction was confirmed at the level of intact cells as well. Subsequent experiments proved a synergistic effect of combination of ZAN with daunorubicin in cancer cells with AKR1C3 overexpression. In gene induction studies, ZAN did not affect the mRNA level of AKR1C3. Finally, using ANT accumulation assays, ZAN was found to significantly inhibit ABC transporters ABCB1 and ABCC1, suggesting additional mechanism contributing to combatting ANT resistance. In summary, our data introduce ZAN as an effective modulator targeting multiple pharmacokinetic resistance mediators. Following in vivo confirmation, our data might be translated into the therapy of ANT resistant tumors.

ONE-DIMENSIONAL NANOMATERIALS AND THEIR (NON)TOXICITY

Meeting abstracts

Jana Báčová, Luděk Hromádko, H. Sopha, Tomáš Roušar, Jan M. Macak

MMSL 2022, 91(88):95

This presentation will introduce one-dimensional nanomaterials that we have been developing for various applications over past years. Two main types of materials will be discussed – nanofibers of inorganic oxides and nanotubes of TiO2.
In the first part, the first comprehensive toxicity study of Al2O3, SiO2, ZrO2, TiO2 and WO3 nanofibers effects in cultured epithelial A549 cells will be presented. The nanofibers were produced by centrifugal spinning from suitable spinning solutions and have an average diameter in the sub-micrometer range. At first, we characterized the nanofibers for their morphological, compositional and structural properties. Then, we estimated the biological effects of nanofibers in pulmonary epithelial A549 cells comparing them with biological effects of Al2O3, SiO2, ZrO2, TiO6 and WO3 nanoparticles. Multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) were used as a positive control. The cells were treated with 1, 10 and 100 µg.mL-1 concentrations of a nanomaterial for 24 and 48 h. The dehydrogenase activity and glutathione levels were determined in cells as markers of cell injury. Experimental details and results of these investigations will be presented and discussed (1).
In the second part, the comprehensive toxicity study of TiO2 nanotubes, prepared by anodic oxidation of Ti and followed by various post-treatments, will be presented.

SOLID LIPID NANOPARTICLES AS A PROMISING APPROACH FOR DELIVERY OF ANTICANCER AGENTS: REVIEW ARTICLE

Review article

Salam Shanta Taher, Zainab Ahmed Sadeq, Khalid Kadhem Al-Kinani, Zahraa Salim Alwan

MMSL 2022, 91(3):197-207 | DOI: 10.31482/mmsl.2021.042

Cancer disease has a complicated pathophysiology and is one of the major causes of death and morbidity. Classical cancer therapies include chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and immunotherapy. A typical treatment is chemotherapy, which delivers cytotoxic medications to patients to suppress the uncontrolled growth of cancerous cells. Conventional oral medication has a number of drawbacks, including a lack of selectivity, cytotoxicity, and multi-drug resistance, all of which offer significant obstacles to effective cancer treatment. Multidrug resistance (MDR) remains a major challenge for effective cancer chemotherapeutic interventions. The advent of nanotechnology approach has developed the field of tumor diagnosis and treatment. Cancer nanotechnology enables direct access to tumor cells, resulting in enhanced drug localization and cellular uptake. Since the early 1990’s, several solid lipid nanoparticle (SLN) or SLN-based systems for the delivery of cytotoxic drugs have been manufactured and tested with success. High shear homogenization, microemulsion-based SLN, Supercritical fluid technology, spray drying, and solvent emulsification/evaporation methods can all be used to successfully formulate SLN.There is great potential to enhance cancer chemotherapy by incorporating it into a solid lipid nanoparticle (SLN) drug delivery system. Improving tumor diffusivity, improvement of body distribution, and inhibiting MDR are the main attributes. This type of review article discusses advantages and disadvantages of SLNs, their production techniques, and their potential usage in the treatment of various cancers.

INFLUENCE OF COENZYME Q10 ON HYPERLIPIDEMIA INDUCED IN MICE

Original article

Zena S. Hamed, Labeeb H. Al-Alsadoon, Khalid A. Shaban, Ghada A. Taqa

MMSL 2022, 91(3):208-215 | DOI: 10.31482/mmsl.2021.043

Background and objectives: hyperlipidemia is the hallmark of cardiovascular diseases, namely hypertension, ischemic heart diseases, and strokes. Treatment should be satisfactory to tackle the lipid disorder and maintain the circulatory normal lipid profile. Many factors/cofactors coordinate to maintain lipid levels within normal to avoid subsequent hazards associated with hyperlipidemia. Coenzyme Q10 is a ubiquitous endogenous biomolecule that plays an important biological role in the lipid catabolic pathway. The goal of the study is to define the role of Coenzyme Q10 in hyperlipidemic mice model induced manually.Methods: to do so, a diet based hyperlipidemia state was induced in mice and they were distributed into different groups to conform with our study objectives. A Coenzyme Q10 treated group was compared to the negative control group and the positive control group was used as well.Results: The biochemical and histological outcomes declared that Coenzyme Q10 has important lipid-reducing effects which are parallel or even superior to lipid reducing drugs (e.g. Rosuvastatin). Conclusion of the present study addressed the lipid-lowering properties of Coenzyme Q10 in a newly induced hyperlipidemia mouse model bestowing the use of Coenzyme Q10 as add-on adjuvant therapy in a high-risk group or as a monotherapy in a prophylactic group.

EVALUATION OF THE THERAPEUTIC EFFECTS OF COMBINED HYDROXYCHLOROQUINE AND AZITHROMYCINE IN PATIENTS WITH COVID-19

Original article

Zeina A. Althanoon

MMSL 2022, 91(3):216-223 | DOI: 10.31482/mmsl.2021.045

Introduction: Coronavirus pandemic is currently a global health concern with no established treatment guidelines. The aim of the present study was to determine the therapeutic effectiveness of hydroxychloroquine combined with azithromycin in patients with positive coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) admitted to the hospital with severe dyspnea, as well as the incidence of occurrence of adverse effects.Methods: It was intended to utilize a retrospective clinical study of approximately 250 adult patients admitted to the ALSALAM Teaching Hospital in Mosul city with mild to moderate COVID-19 in order to evaluate treatment efficacy in combination with clinical and biochemical findings. Two groups were involved in the research. The first patient group consisted of 250 people who got hydroxychloroquine in conjunction with azithromycin, while the second untreated control group consisted of 100 individuals who received no medication as part of the research.Results: Baseline parameters (clinical and biochemical assays) did not vary substantially among the two groups. Patients in the treatment group were hospitalized at a rate of 30%, compared to 27% in the untreated control group (P<0.001). Between groups, there were no statistically significant changes in mortality,non - invasive oxygen demand, or hospitalization duration. Biochemical and Clinical outcomes were comparable between those receiving hydroxychloroquine with azithromycin and those do not receive any medication.Conclusion: This treatment regimen was shown to be not affective in mild to severe positve COVID-19 hospitalized patients and was associated with a small number of mild to moderate clinical adverse effects.

EVALUATION OF ANTIMICROBIAL EFFECTS OF CITRUS PEEL EXTRACTS AND ITS SILVER NANOPARTICLES AGAINST MULTIPLE PATHOGENS

Original article

Maimonah Q. Yahya, Khadeeja Y. Abid

MMSL 2022, 91(3):244-255 | DOI: 10.31482/mmsl.2021.052

The majority of nanomaterials have unique properties that make them helpful in a variety of biotechnology applications. The study assesses the phytochemical, antioxidant (using a DPPH radical scavenging assay) and antimicrobial activities and identifies minimum inhibitor concentrations of Citrus sinensis (orange), Citrus Limonum (lemon), and Citrus reticulata (tangerine) extracts and their silver nanoparticles. Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to analyze the produced AgNPs. The synthesized AgNPs have a size of less than 100 nm according to SEM examination. Their DPPH radical scavenging activity and reducing power increased in a dose-dependent way that was more than that of their aqueous and alcoholic extracts. In comparison to Staphylococcus aureus and Candida albicans, silver nanoparticles were found to be more efficient towards Escherichia coli. Their activities were increased with increasing dosage. Whereas, no inhibition zones were conducted with the examined plain citrus peel extracts. This finding revealed that the biomolecules that cover nanoparticles can increase metal nanoparticles' biological activity and the organic AgNPs green alcoholic and aqueous extracts from orange, lemon, and tangerine peels could be used as a potential source of new antioxidant and antimicrobial agents.

THE EFFECT OF CYCLOPHOSPHAMIDE ON HIPPOCAMPAL STRUCTURE OF ADULT MALE RATS (ROLE OF ROSUVASTATIN)

Original article

Luma I Al-Allaf, Rana KA Attarbashee, Jawnaa K Mammdoh

MMSL 2022, 91(3):256-264 | DOI: 10.31482/mmsl.2022.022

Background: Limited researchs were noticed on the histological impact of cyclophosphamide on rats’ brains and the reports on the effects of antioxidants to protect these harmful effects are scanty. Trials have assessed the effect of statins in cancer regarding the association between statins use and cancer incidence.Aim: To investigate the protective and ameliorative effects of rosuvastatin on the brain toxicity induced by a single dose of cyclophosphamide in male rats.Materials and methods: Twenty-four rats were divided into 3 groups (n=8 for each). The control group includes animals which were received no treatment for 15 days. The cyclophosphamide group includes rats which were received a single dose of 150 mg/kg cyclophosphamide intraperitoneally on day 8 of the experiment, then left for 7 days without treatment. The rosuvastatin+ cyclophosphamide group enrolled rats which were gavaged with rosuvastatin (20 mg/kg/day) for 7 days and then they have received an injection of cyclophosphamide and gavaged with the same dose of rosuvastatin for other 7 days. All rats were subjected to euthanasia. Brain from each case was extracted and prepared for histological examination.Results: The hippocampal sections of rats which were belonged to group 2 showed some alterations including the presence of cells with ghost appearance and damaged neurons. Features of dense nuclei of damaged hilar cells were manifested with evidence of extracellular vacuoles besides some pyknotic nuclei in these sections. Hippocampal sections of rats of group 3 showed that the majority of pyramidal cells and granule cells manifested seminormal appearance with improvement in the thickness of both granule and pyramidal cell layers.Conclusions: Rosuvastatin has a protective and ameliorative role against the adverse effect of cyclophosphamide on rat hippocampus which may be useful in clinical practice of cancer treatment.

ETANERCEPT IN PATIENTS WITH ANKYLOSING SPONDYLITIS: EFFECTIVENESS AND RATE OF RESPONSE

Original article

Zahraa R. Albagoa, Imad A. Thanoon, Faez Ibraheem Abdulla, Ali A. Younis

MMSL 2022, 91(4):266-273 | DOI: 10.31482/mmsl.2022.001

Introduction: “Ankylosing spondylitis (AS)” is an inflammatory disorder that affects the axial skeleton,   peripheral joints, as well as entheses, resulting in significant disability. “Tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α)” inhibitors are regarded to be a helpful treatment for patients with active “AS”. This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness and response rate of “etanercept” in a group of patients with “ankylosing spondylitis” in Mosul, Iraq.Methods: A prospective, “open-labeled”, non-randomized 12 weeks study was undertaken on 43 participants with “ankylosing spondylitis” in the “Rheumatology unit” of “Ibn Sina Teaching Hospital”, and the diagnosis was made using the “modified New York criteria”. Participants were assessed at the outset of the study, week 4, and week 12 after receiving etanercept 50mg subcutaneously once weekly. The “Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI)” was utilized to assess disease activity, while the “Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Function Index” was utilized to assess functional status (BASFI) at baseline, 4 weeks, and 12 weeks. BASDAI 50 was used to assess the response rate.Results: Mean patients’ age was “36.6±8.47” years; men accounted for “90.7 %” of the cases, with the mean disease length being “9.6±5.90” years. A marked decrease in BASFI and BASDAI was found four and twelve weeks after commencing treatment compared to baseline (p=0.000).  “BASDAI 50 %” response was fulfilled by 42.5 % of the participants after 4 weeks and by 65%% after 12 weeks of therapy with “etanercept”. There was a marked fall in the mean ESR and CRP after four and twelve weeks of “etanercept” therapy.Conclusion: In “AS” patients,  once weekly “etanercept” 50 mg given subcutaneously for twelve weeks was an effective therapy.

PREMENSTRUAL SYMPTOMS SCREENING AND SELF-MEDICATION AMONG WOMEN IN RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA

Original article

Elham Alshammari, Khlood Aldossary

MMSL 2022, 91(4):274-281 | DOI: 10.31482/mmsl.2022.002

Most women experience some premenstrual symptoms regularly. Because of this, PMS/ PMDD has emerged as a 20th century phenomenon, mostly since women now have better control over reproduction. The symptoms associated with these conditions may be minimal, moderate, or severe depending on the ratings of the symptoms recorded daily. Women also continue to report lower levels of productivity in the 5 to 10 days after the start of menses. As part of exploring these conditions, the study sought to examine the screening of premenstrual symptoms and self-medication acts among women in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The findings were as follows. There were 56 participants in the study, with their ages ranging between 18 and 54. Most of the participants were also either working or students. Regarding diagnosis, nearly half of the sample (n=27, 48.2 %) were diagnosed as normal, while 4 out of 10 study participants (n=23, 41.1 %) had PMS. Additionally, 10.7 % were diagnosed as having both PMDD and PMS. On self-medication, the findings revealed that 1 out of every 2 study participants (n=28, 50 %) self-medicated to ease PMS/PMDD. Among the 28 persons, only 17 (60.17 %) had PMS/PMDD. These findings suggest that nearly half of persons who did not have PMS/PMDD self-medicated themselves thinking that they had PMS/PMDD. The findings of this study provide government and other policymakers with the data required to inform debate and to increase access to public health. Having established a sensible belief that PMS may substantially affect women in Saudi Arabia, further studies might estimate the magnitude of the problem.

STRATEGIES OF STRESS MANAGEMENT OF BURNOUT SYNDROME IN STUDENTS OF PREGRADUATE STUDY COURSE OF SOCIAL WORK

Original article

Alena Vosečková, Zuzana Truhlářová, Pavel Blažek

MMSL 2022, 91(4):282-292 | DOI: 10.31482/mmsl.2022.003

The effect of chronic stress is one of the most important initiating factors in the development of the burnout syndrome. Students, who face a high level of stress and at the same time they are not able to use suitable strategies of coping those stressful situations, they tend to be at risk of developing burnout syndrome already during their studies. Authors of the paper focus on the issue of stress in connection of the development of burnout syndrome in students of pregradual study of social work. The aim of the survey was to determine used strategies of stress coping and the risk of development of burnout syndrome in students. According to number of respondents there is no intention of this study to generalize the results, but enabling a deeper insight into a given issue and transferring acquired knowledge into practice regarding teaching of social work students.The questionnaire SVF 78 was used to evaluate strategies of stress coping, burnout syndrome was assessed by a questionnaire Burnout Measure.The most frequently used strategies of stress management were perseveration. This strategy is included into negative strategies, as it directly worsens and prolongs the stress response of the organism to the experiencing stress. In the question of the relationship between stress management and burnout syndrome, a positive correlation was shown for all negative stress management (escape tendency, perseveration, resignation and self-blame). Positive correlation in those parameters means, that students, who use strategies for stress management, are at a higher risk of burnout syndrome. Among these strategies belong escape tendency, perseveration, resignation and self-blame. Negative correlation was found in positive strategies (diversion, substitute satisfaction, situation control and positive self-satisfaction). The total level of correlation for both questionnaires was 0,4 – 0,59.

COMPARATIVE STUDY OF IRON STATUS IN APPARENTLY HEALTHY PREGNANT WOMEN WITH NON PREGNANT WOMEN

Original article

Ahmed H. AL-Hamdani

MMSL 2022, 91(4):305-310 | DOI: 10.31482/mmsl.2022.006

Iron status in this clinical trial was represented as "Serum  Iron, Total  iron˗  binding capacity (TIBC), Unsaturated iron˗ binding capacity  (UIBC), Transferrin saturation, Packed cell volume (PCV), Hemoglobin (Hb)", were evaluated in the blood of  98 healthy participant women, including 35 healthy non-pregnant women aged between (18-45) years as a control group and 63 healthy pregnant women aged between (15-44) years which divided into two groups depending on gestational age, the first group in the first trimester aged between (15-38) years; the second group in the third trimester aged between (21-44) years; in order to investigate the impacts of pregnancy and gestational period on iron status. The dedication of the contemporary research was to conclude the physiological changes in iron conditions in pregnant women in relation with non-pregnant women. Regarding this results that are recorded in the current research, a great significant drop in the level of the serum iron, transferrin saturation, PCV, Hb in "the first and third trimester" of pregnant women when comparison done with the control cases, while a statistical significance elevation of TIBC and UIBC level in the first and third trimester of pregnancy compared with control groups. Finally, the results of the mean value of iron status showed a meaningful difference between the first and third trimesters of pregnancy.

VARIATION OF CALCIUM DISTRIBUTION IN DIFFERENT ORGANS OF LIVER FLUKE FASCIOLA HEPATICA

Original article

H.S. Sadoon, Buthaina H. Al-Sabawi, Sundus N. Al-Kallak

MMSL 2022, 91(4):335-342 | DOI: 10.31482/mmsl.2022.011

Introduction: Livestock, including sheep, are infected with many types of parasitic diseases, and among these diseases is fascioliasis, or the so-called liver rot, which is caused by the Fasciola hepatica worm. This disease is widespread in many regions of the world, especially those with moderate climatic conditions. This disease harms the state’s economy and livestock breeders due to the high rates of infection, which greatly affects animal production.Materials: Wax sections were made from F. hepatica, cut with a thickness of 7 microns, and stained with Hematoxylin and Eosin stain and Von Kossa technique to investigate the calcium sites in different organs of the worm.Results: There was a clear discrepancy in the density of calcium present in several internal organs of F. hepatica.Conclusion: We infer from this research that there is a clear variation in the density of calcium as well as the size and shape of the calcareous corpuscles in their different locations in the worm’s organs.

BEHIND THE SCENES OF HOST–MICROBE INTERACTIONS

Review article

Magdaléna Prokšová, Jiří Stulík, Klára Kubelková

MMSL 2020, 89(3):160-176 | DOI: 10.31482/mmsl.2020.010

Interaction between a host cell and pathogen is a permanent event and can have either adverse outcome leading to disease or great benefit for their mutual co-existence. Understanding pathological host–pathogen interaction is a prerequisite for unveiling the strategies of pathogens virulence. A number of methods exist today for deciphering and characterizing host–pathogen interaction. To increase their sensitivity and accuracy, these methods are commonly used in combinations, such as affinity purification and liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry analysis, cross-linking together with liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry analysis, or stable isotope labeling with amino acids in cell culture with affinity purification. In this review, we focus on study of the early interaction time interval when the pathogen binds and invades the host cell and activates sophisticated mechanisms to overcome the host defense barrier. We briefly describe the methods applied in identifying bacterial–host cell protein interactions while emphasizing these methods’ various strengths and weaknesses.

WHOLE HEALTH FOR LIFE – A PROJECT AIMED AT REDESIGNING HEALTH CARE FOR AMERICAN VETERANS

Review article

Ales Kubat

MMSL 2020, 89(4):221-228 | DOI: 10.31482/mmsl.2020.009

The Veterans Health Administration provides health care for 9 million American armed forces veterans every year. The system is currently undergoing transformation to personalized, proactive and patient-driven health care. One part of this transformation is called Whole Health for Life and is discussed in this article in greater detail with an emphasis on holistic approach and using some complementary and alternative methods, such as for example yoga. It could be inspiring for health care about both the veterans and patients with chronic health conditions in the Czech Republic.

ANTIOXIDANTS IN PATIENTS LIVING WITH HIV ON ANTIRETROVIRALS

Original article

Katerina Havlickova, Svatava Snopkova, Miroslav Pohanka, Radek Svacinka, Petr Husa j., Filip Zlamal, Lenka Fabianova, Petr Husa

MMSL 2021, 90(2):54-60 | DOI: 10.31482/mmsl.2021.005

Oxidative stress is considered predictors of diseases associated with aging (cardiovascular disease, neurodegenerative disease, malignancies, and others) in HIV-negative general population. Antioxidants were investigated in people living with HIV on antiretroviral treatment to determine whether they had an immunosenescent phenotype that might predispose to the development of premature age-related diseases. Clinical studies in this population are controversial.Methods: The study was conducted among 213 subjects with HIV, including 172 subjects on antiretro-virals and 41 subjects before the initiation of treatment. The control group consisted of healthy HIV-negative adults. We compared the reduced glutathione and ferric reducing antioxidant power levels in HIV untreated and treated patients and controls. Significant differences were determined by appropriate statistical tests (t - test, Mann–Whitney U test, Kolmogorov–Smirnov test, ANOVA, Kruskal–Wallis test). Relationships between continuous variables were quantified using Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient.Results: Glutathione levels were significantly lower in the treated group compared with the untreated group and controls (P ˂ 0.001). Differences in total antioxidant levels between groups were not found.Conclusions: Significant decrease of antioxidants was found independent of the virologic status of HIV patients on antiretroviral treatment. Persistence of these abnormal parameters may contribute and predispose to the premature development of diseases associated with aging.

IMPLEMENTATION OF DISTANCE LEARNING INTO EDUCATION OF THE DEPARTMENT OF MILITARY MEDICAL SERVICE ORGANIZATION AND MANAGEMENT OF THE UNIVERSITY OF DEFENCE UNDER THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC CONDITIONS

Original article

Milan Růžička, Pavel Blažek, Jaroslav Žďára, Tomáš Kučera, Vojtěch Humlíček, Hynek Schvach, Zbyněk Suchánek, Petr Smola, Dana Knajflová

MMSL 2021, 90(2):61-71 | DOI: 10.31482/mmsl.2021.009

As in everyday life, it was necessary to respond to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic at the campus of the Faculty of Military Health Sciences, University of Defence, as well. The management of the faculty took a number of measures, but for the academic sphere, the most important of these was the restriction of contact teaching. The way, in which teaching and training would proceed in the limited conditions, has been delegated to the heads of departments and guarantors of individual subjects. The Department of Military Medical Service Organization tested a teaching model which brought new knowledge that can be worked with in the future.

SENIOR AT RISK OF MENTAL DISORDER

Original article

Lukáš Stárek

MMSL 2021, 90(2):72-76 | DOI: 10.31482/mmsl.2021.014

The aim of this paper is to highlight the problematic of significant growth of mental health issues in retire people category, and the care of retire people with mental health issues, primarily the perspective of this paper is social. The main focus of this article is on characteristic and approach to mental health issues with addition of arise of mental health issues in the population. Also, it reflects the pandemic of COVID-19. Furthermore, the article is presenting the aspect of social influence. Besides, it focuses on the possibilities of healing the mental health diseases with regards to chosen age category.

CLIMATE CHANGE AND HUMAN HEALTH

Review article

Anna Valentová, Vanda Bostik

MMSL 2021, 90(2):93-99 | DOI: 10.31482/mmsl.2021.010

This paper’s aim is to provide clear basic explanation of the relationship between human health and climate change. It focuses on global warming, connecting it with the greenhouse effect and describing various effects the global warming has already had on human health. After the disclosure of other threats connected to climate change, the paper studies the history of it according to the Anthropocene concept theory. It also uses the perspective of weather extremes to explain climate change in the past and its connection to human health. Furthermore, this article focuses on the air pollution and its impact on the health of human population. Lastly, it touches on the topic of health inequalities and provides collected data and numbers for the future of climate change and human health.

CLIMATE CHANGE AND HUMAN SECURITY - THE PROLIFERATION OF VECTOR-BORNE DISEASES DUE TO CLIMATE CHANGE

Review article

Martina Benito Olmos, Vanda Bostik

MMSL 2021, 90(2):100-106 | DOI: 10.31482/mmsl.2021.011

Human activity has had severe effects on the changes in climate over the last decades affecting, as a consequence, human security overall. The importance of changes in climate and their consequent effects have been long overlooked to the point that nowadays human health is being threatened by sea rise, extreme weather events, lack of adequate basic resources, and the spread of numerous diseases, to name some. This article aims to demonstrate how these variations have promoted the spread of vector-borne diseases (VBD). More specifically, it follows the developments of Dengue fever (DENV) as a result of higher temperatures and abundant precipitations, with a particular focus on the effects of humidity and a warm environment on the proliferation of VBD. To provide evidence of these climate consequences, two empirical cases are analysed and explained, one in Bangladesh and another in Ecuador. Overall, the analysis shows a positive correlation between the increase in temperatures and the changes in the weather and the proliferation of DENV in the above-mentioned territories. This article concludes that the increased temperatures, together with the evolution of extreme weather events have facilitated the reproduction of mosquitoes carrying DENV, and have enlarged the geographic and temporal distribution in which they inhabit. On this basis, the importance of climate change and its effects on human health should be tagged as a primary concern when facing challenges over human security.

ASSESSMENT OF THE TOURNIQUETS APPLICATION TIME, EFFECTIVENESS AND SIMPLICITY

Original article

Michal Potac, Vojtech Humlicek, Jaroslav Zdara, Milan Ruzicka, Pavel Blazek, Jana Vankova

MMSL 2021, 90(3):137-145 | DOI: 10.31482/mmsl.2021.013

BACKGROUND: Damaged arteries bleeding can cause a life-threatening condition and it is one the main causes of death which can be prevented both on the battlefield and in the civilian environment. In case when severe external bleeding in a limb cannot be controlled by direct pressure a tourniquet should be used. The purpose of this study was to test four different types of tourniquets and to determine which type of tourniquet is effective to be used in the Army of the Czech Republic. METHODS: Four different types of tourniquets were tested: SOFTT, C-A-T Generation 6, C-A-T Generation 7 and the CZ Tactical tourniquet. 59 students of military medicine (35 males and 24 females) from the Faculty of Military Health Sciences volunteered for the study. Each student applied all four types of tourniquets by self-application on the non-dominant upper arm. 20 students applied all four types of tourniquets on the arm as a buddy aid. Tourniquets order was determined by randomization. Time to placement, effectiveness and a subjective assessment of the application were recorded. RESULTS: The C-A-T 7 tourniquet was the fastest applicable one, with 52, 5% of students being able to apply it up to 30 seconds. In the range of 31-60 seconds, 66, 1% of the C-A-T 6 and 54, 2% the CZ Tactical tourniquets were applied. On the contrary, the SOFTT tourniquet, as the only one, 5, 1% exceeded the application time of 2 minutes. The C-A-T 7, the C-A-T 6 and the CZ Tactical tourniquets were more effective (95%, 95% and 86%, respectively) compared with the SOFTT (56%). The correct application was found in men in 89% of the cases, while in women in 74% of the cases. A higher rate of failure was recorded for women in all types of the tourniquets. Average subjective students´ score was in the tourniquet SOFTT 3, 46 (assessment between neutral and difficult), the other tourniquets were assessed between easy and very easy (C-A-T 6 1.63, CZ Tactical tourniquet 1.46 and C-A-T 7 1.34). CONCLUSIONS: The C-A-T 7 tourniquet was best evaluated, followed by the CZ Tactical tourniquet, the C-A-T 6 and the SOFTT.  A significant difference between C-A-T 7, CZ Tactical tourniquet and C-A-T 6 on one side and SOFTT one the other side and a significant difference between male and female correct tourniquet application was found out. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The trial was approved by the IRB of the Faculty of Military Health Sciences of the University of Defence, Czech Republic (No. MO 4330/2017-2994 HK).

THE ROLE OF EPIDEMIC MODELLING IN POLICYMAKING AND THE CASES OF SARS AND COVID-19

Review article

Chiara Artico, Vanda Bostik

MMSL 2021, 90(3):146-153 | DOI: 10.31482/mmsl.2021.016

Over the past two decades, the world has witnessed the onset of three different coronaviruses: severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV), Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) and the current severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Each of these has resulted in features that have made it in some ways stronger than the previous one. Predictive epidemic models are widely recognised as one of the most reliable and valuable tools to help policymakers take decisions regarding the management of sanitary crises and have been helping governments by calculating potential consequences and benefits of related containment measures. A comparison of epidemic models that were elaborated on SARS-CoV, which caused severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), and on SARS-CoV-2, which is currently causing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) will lead to an overview of the potential reasons why the current one has led the world into an ongoing pandemic, while the other two remained relatively delimited.

THE PROTEINS OF SARS- CoV-2 AND THEIR FUNCTIONS

Review article

Zohreh Taheri Kangarshahi, Shermin Lak, Mona Ghadam, Nasrin Motamed, Sorosh Sardari, Samin Rahimi

MMSL 2021, 90(4):172-190 | DOI: 10.31482/mmsl.2021.018

Coronavirus 2 (SARS- CoV-2) leads to Coronavirus disease 2019, is recognized as a lethal epidemic in 2020. SARS-CoV-2 is an enveloped, non-segmented, positive sense RNA virus that belongs to the beta-corona family of viruses. The genome of this virus is about 30 kb representing 16 non-structural proteins (Nsp1-16), four structural proteins (N, M, E, S) and nine accessory proteins are encoded by its genome, which are involved in survival and pathogenesis the viruses. In order to produce medicines and vaccines for SARS-CoV-2, it is essential to fully understand the genomic structure of the virus and function of its proteins. This review collects and investigates the functional properties of SARS-CoV-2 proteins that have been reported to date.

VANGUARD IN GLOBAL HEALTH – HELPING NURSES IN COMBATING GLOBAL HEALTH CHALLENGES

Review article

Valentín Pecuch, Vanda Bostik

MMSL 2021, 90(4):191-197 | DOI: 10.31482/mmsl.2021.021

While everyone has differences in priorities, one aspect which people usually put onto top positions is our health. As the most numerous group among medical professionals, nurses are usually among the first in which people seeking medical help come into contact with. As such, they are an essential asset, though their contributions are often not valued enough. With the world becoming more and more connected, national health issues such as climate change, maternal health or human trafficking, or transmissible diseases are taking on a global scale, with the COVID-19 pandemic highlighting such developments. To provide healthcare for the people affected, nurses need to have the best conditions possible, which requires the challenges in the nursing field to be addressed as soon as possible. These challenges include nursing shortages, inequalities or education which is not able to keep up with globalizing. The possible policy solutions include raising salaries or providing social securities, which could address nursing shortages, and implementing global health concepts in nursing curricula, connected to more possibilities for nursing students to experience healthcare in other countries. Such solutions, coupled with boosting the status of the nursing profession and giving nurses bigger voice in policymaking can result in bigger numbers of well-educated nursing professionals, which will strongly improve overall global health prospects.

CAN BAICALEIN BECOME A NEW DRUG FOR COVID-19?

Review article

Jiří Patočka, Zdeňka Navrátilová, Kamil Kuča, Patrik Olekšák, Uday Kumar Killi

MMSL 2021, 90(4):198-207 | DOI: 10.31482/mmsl.2021.020

The ongoing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has become a global health crisis. Flavon baicalein, a major bioactive molecule of Scutellaria baicalensis, inhibits the replication of SARS-CoV-2 which causes severe acute respiratory syndrome in humans. Animal experiments show that baicalein has the character of a broad-spectrum coronavirus drug. It is non-toxic and can inhibit SARS-CoV-2-induced damage. Baicalein may therefore be a promising therapeutic drug for the treatment of COVID-19.

COVID-19 AS AN OCCUPATIONAL DISEASE – INTERIM REPORT FROM THE CZECH NATIONAL REGISTRY OF OCCUPATIONAL DISEASES AS OF MARCH 31, 2021

Review article

Miroslav Urban, Michael Vít, Pavel Urban, Zdenka Fenclová, Peter Urban, Robin Šín, Vladimír Pavlík

MMSL 2021, 90(4):220-227 | DOI: 10.31482/mmsl.2021.023

The article provides an interim analysis of cases of COVID-19 reported as an occupational disease to the National Registry of Occupational Diseases in 2020 and in the 1st quarter of 2021. There were 370 cases, of which 285 are women representing 77% and 85 men representing 23%. The age range was from 18 to 70 years. The average age was 43 years. All the diseases occurred in 2020, mostly in the first wave of the epidemic. Because the average time between illness and the case reporting was 170 days, it can be expected that many cases are still under assessment. Most cases come from the Moravian-Silesian, Olomouc and Hradec Králové regions. Virtually all of these patients were infected during various health care or social work activities. They were mostly nurses, physicians, and other healthcare professionals. It is just tip of the iceberg. According to the Czech Medical Chamber, over 55 000 health professionals have contracted COVID-19 since the beginning of the epidemic until January 10, 2021. It is therefore essential that the first contact physicians thought about the possibility of the occupational origin of COVID-19, sufficiently informed their patients and referred them to the relevant occupational disease centers. Physicians should also initiate compensation for the families of workers who died of COVID-19.

WHAT KILLED KIM JONG-NAM? WAS IT THE AGENT VX?

Letter to the editor

Jiří Patočka

MMSL 2017, 86(2):86-89 | DOI: 10.31482/mmsl.2017.013

Kim Jong-nam (10 May 1971 - 13 February 2017) was the eldest son of Kim Jong-il, leader of North Korea, and the estranged half-brother of North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un. From roughly 1994 to 2001, he was considered the heir to his father [1]. Following a series of actions showing dissent to the North Korean regime, including a failed attempt to visit Tokyo Disneyland in May 2001 by entering Japan with a false passport, he was thought to have fallen out of favour with his father. On 13 February 2017, Kim was allegedly murdered by two women who fled after the crime [2]. The murder was commited in Malaysia during his return trip to Macau, at the low-cost carrier terminal of the Kuala Lumpur International Airport [3]. Initial reports suggest that Kim Jong-nam was murdered by VX, a type of agent used in chemical warfare [4]. Toxicological tests showed the presence of VX in Kim's eyes and face [5]. What is the agent VX and could this toxic substance cause the death of Kim?

EVIDENCE-BASED TOXICOLOGY: WHERE DOES IT GO?

Review article

Jiri Patocka

MMSL 2019, 88(2):51-53 | DOI: 10.31482/mmsl.2018.045

Evidence-Based Toxicology (EBT) was established in 2005 as a tool for toxicological risk assessment and causal link on the basis of the parallel relationship between the toxicological test method evaluation and the Evidence-Based Diagnostic Testing Assessment (EBM). The introduction of evidence-based principles can provide new tools that are necessary to validate toxicological testing methods. EBT should contribute to testing strategies to address toxicology problems in the 21st century. Practice has shown that the underlying concepts of EBT, such as the use of systematic reviews to capture and consider all available information, improve the results of toxicological assessment conducted by different groups and orga-nizations. New challenges are emerging before toxicology, such as safety assessments of new agrochemicals, pharmaceuticals and nanomaterials, and EBT can provide important results for their application in practice.

BATS - A PANDORA'S BOX FOR VIRUSES IN THE 21st CENTURY

Review article

Vanda Boštíková

MMSL 2020, 89(2):58-65 | DOI: 10.31482/mmsl.2020.012

More attention has been paid to bat research in recent years, resulting in the detection of viruses similar to those that cause serious infectious diseases in both humans and other mammals. The ability to fly, among other atypical characteristics, probably influenced their antiviral immune response during evolution. They can control the propagation of the virus and limit self-damaging inflammatory processes. The study of these properties is very important for understanding and possible prediction of virus jump to new hosts.

SEARCHING FOR NEW ANTIMICROBIAL AGENTS BY TARGETING BACTERIAL NAD METABOLISM: EVALUATION OF FRENTIZOLE DERIVATIVES SELECTED BY MOLECULAR DOCKING

Original article

Michaela Hympanova, Tomas Kucera, Ondrej Benek, Jan Korabecny, Jan Marek

MMSL 2020, 89(2):66-73 | DOI: 10.31482/mmsl.2020.005

Growing evidence of antibiotic-resistant pathogens is a serious medical issue that has to be addressed. Our antimicrobial research is focused on searching for novel small molecules that differ from the most clinically used antibiotics by chemical structure and mechanism. However, this fundamental research is like looking for a needle in a haystack. In addition, in vitro methods are time-consuming and expensive to screen large number of compounds in reasonable time. Off-target screening can represent a solution to find novel and effective antimicrobial agents that can eliminate these problems. Accordingly, molecular docking in the family of selected frentizole derivatives predicted their potential to inhibit bacterial nicotinate mononucleotide adenylyltransferase (NadD). This bacterial-essential specific enzyme has an important role in NAD metabolism. Thus, underlying mechanism of antimicrobials derived from frentizole would be interference with this biochemical process. Unfortunately, broth microdilution assay did not display any antimicrobial activity of tested compounds. On the other hand, herein we propose that off-target screening can facilitate searching for new drugs and that NadD could be a relevant target for antimicrobials.

TELEMEDICINE AND OBESITY TREATMENT

Review article

Miroslav Urban, Ondřej Kádě, Vladimír Pavlík, Václav Šafka, Petr Lašák, Lucie Pravdová, Martin Matoulek

MMSL 2020, 89(2):74-79 | DOI: 10.31482/mmsl.2020.007

The telemedicine shows rapid development in the past decades of 20th century. It’s principally based on the transmission of sound, pictures and other kind of data using wireless technology. The establishing of the telemedicine in the obezitology begins at die end of 20th century. That time shows the technique a rapidly development, but even more, there were first menus made and shared trough the PCs. All the mend facts are connected due to rapidly increased amount of the people with obesity. In the Czech Republic, approximately 60 % of the adult population suffer obesity or overweight.  The telemedicine would applied specially for the cases as collecting a data about energetically receive, monitoring of physical activity, glycaemia records and the communication between the therapist and the patient. The telemedicine should change the motivation and the adherence of the obesity patients during the treatment in upcoming future. The results of the patients are better than in the group without telemedicine support. The telemedicine, using and analysing dates, it’s the method that could rapidly decrease a costs of the diagnostic and the treatment.

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