Clinical and laboratory characteristics of SARS-CoV-2 infection in overweight and obese patients.

Objective. To assess the impact of obesity and overweight on the course of COVID-19. Patients and methods. This prospective study included 218 patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection aged 18 to 94 years hospitalized between June 2020 and March 2021. We evaluated their clinical and laboratory parameters and their association with body weight. All patients were divided into 3 groups depending on their body mass index (BMI). Group 1 included 81 patients with grade 1-3 obesity (BMI >=30);group 2 comprised 71 overweight patients (BMI >=25 and <30);group 3 included 66 patients with normal body weight (BMI >=18.5 and <25). We analyzed clinical symptoms (including shortness of breath, fever, myalgia, headache, fatigue, changes in the oropharynx, cough, rhinorrhea, sore throat, anosmia, and diarrhea), prevalence of concomitant disorders and complications, findings of computed tomography and pulse oximetry, and findings of instrumental and laboratory examinations (complete blood count, urine test, electrocardiography, echo cardiography, biochemical assays, including C-reactive protein, procalcitonin, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, lactate, lactate dehydrogenase, activated partial thromboplastin time, prothrombin index, D-dimer, ferritin). Data analysis was performed using the Statistica 6.0 software. Results. We found that overweight and obese patients were more likely to have the main COVID-19 symptoms and comorbidities than those with normal weight. Overweight and obese patients also required respiratory support more frequently than patients with normal weight. Obese and overweight patients had more severe systemic inflammation (CRP, procalcitonin), cytolysis (ALT, AST), and thrombosis (D-dimer). Conclusion. Our findings suggest that obesity and overweight are the factors associated with a more severe SARS-CoV-2 infection, which should be considered when planning their treatment and developing resource strategies.Copyright © 2022, Dynasty Publishing House. All rights reserved.

Clinical and laboratory characteristics of SARS-CoV-2 infection in overweight and obese patients.

Objective. To assess the impact of obesity and overweight on the course of COVID-19. Patients and methods. This prospective study included 218 patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection aged 18 to 94 years hospitalized between June 2020 and March 2021. We evaluated their clinical and laboratory parameters and their association with body weight. All patients were divided into 3 groups depending on their body mass index (BMI). Group 1 included 81 patients with grade 1-3 obesity (BMI >=30);group 2 comprised 71 overweight patients (BMI >=25 and <30);group 3 included 66 patients with normal body weight (BMI >=18.5 and <25). We analyzed clinical symptoms (including shortness of breath, fever, myalgia, headache, fatigue, changes in the oropharynx, cough, rhinorrhea, sore throat, anosmia, and diarrhea), prevalence of concomitant disorders and complications, findings of computed tomography and pulse oximetry, and findings of instrumental and laboratory examinations (complete blood count, urine test, electrocardiography, echo cardiography, biochemical assays, including C-reactive protein, procalcitonin, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, lactate, lactate dehydrogenase, activated partial thromboplastin time, prothrombin index, D-dimer, ferritin). Data analysis was performed using the Statistica 6.0 software. Results. We found that overweight and obese patients were more likely to have the main COVID-19 symptoms and comorbidities than those with normal weight. Overweight and obese patients also required respiratory support more frequently than patients with normal weight. Obese and overweight patients had more severe systemic inflammation (CRP, procalcitonin), cytolysis (ALT, AST), and thrombosis (D-dimer). Conclusion. Our findings suggest that obesity and overweight are the factors associated with a more severe SARS-CoV-2 infection, which should be considered when planning their treatment and developing resource strategies.Copyright © 2022, Dynasty Publishing House. All rights reserved.

Pro-and Antioxidant Status in Newborn with COVID-19.

There is practically no information on the state of oxidative stress reactions in newborns with coronavirus infections. At the same time, such studies are extremely important and can contribute to better understanding of the process of reactivity in patients of different ages. The content of pro- and antioxidant status indicators was assessed in 44 newborns with confirmed COVID-19. It was found that the content of compounds with unsaturated double bonds, primary, secondary, and final LPO products were elevated in newborns with COVID-19. These changes were accompanied by higher SOD activity and retinol level and reduced activity of glutathione peroxidase. Contrary to popular opinion, newborns can be a COVID-19-susceptible age group and require more close monitoring of metabolic reactions during the period of neonatal adaptation that is an aggravating background during infection.

ASSESSMENT OF THE GENERAL CONDITION AND QUALITY OF LIFE OF WOMEN OF POST-REPRODUCTIVE AGE AFTER ASYMPTOMATIC COVID-19 AND 12 MONTHS AFTER MODERATE COVID-19

The aim. To assess the general condition, laboratory parameters, quality of life of women of post-reproductive age after asymptomatic COVID-19 and 12 months after moderate COVID-19. Material and methods. We examined 47 women (45-69 years old), divided into 3 groups: those who did not have COVID-19, not vaccinated (group 1- control;n = 15);women 12months after moderate COVID-19, accompanied by pneumonia (group2;n = 19);women with IgG in theirblood who deny anysymptoms of COVID-19 (group 3;n = 13). Results and discussion. An assessment of the general condition of women in postreproductive age was carried out. In women 12 months after COVID-19 we found a lower level of total bilirubin compared to the group with asymptomatic COVID-19 (p = 0.004). An increase in thrombin time was determined in the groups of patients with symptomatic (p = 0.014) and asymptomatic (p = 0.025) COVID-19 course compared with the control group. Patients with asymptomatic COVID-19 course had a higherlevelofhigh-density lipoprotein cholesterolcompared with thecontrolgroup (p = 0.016) and thegroup 2 (p = 0.006). Compared with the controlgroup, the group 2 had lower scores for general health (p = 0.006), vital activity (p = 0.013), general physical well-being (p = 0.039), physical functioning (p = 0.046);and the group 3 had higher scores in role functioning due to physical condition (p = 0.049). When comparing groups 2 and 3, lower scores in the group of women who recovered from the moderate COVID-19 were found in physical functioning (p = 0.002), pain intensity (p = 0.034), role functioning due to physical condition (p = 0.049), general health (p = 0.003), vital activity (p = 0.018), general physical well-being (p = 0.001). Conclusion. 12months after moderate COVID-19, there is a pronounced deterioration inphysicalandemotionalhealth;and in asymptomaticpatients, betterprotective functions of an organism can be assumed. © 2022 Acta Biomedica Scientifica. All rights reserved.

MECHANISMS OF AUTOIMMUNE PATHOLOGY IN POST-COVID SYNDROME

One of the delayed consequences of SARS-CoV-2 infection is post-acute COVID-19 - polymorphic disorders of various organ systems thataffect COVID-19 convalescents and persist for more than four weeks after an acute infection. Due to the infectious nature of the COVID-19, we would like to pay special attention to complications from the immune system, especially concomitant and new-onset autoimmune pathology. This review analyzes the current state of the issue of post-acute COVID-19 complications, discusses the molecular features of the SARS-CoV-2 virus and the mechanisms underlying the impaired immune response during acute COVID-19 infection and the occurrence of autoimmune and autoinflammatory conditions during convalescence. Particular attention is paid to the molecular mimicry of antigenic determinants of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, which are structurally similar to the epitopes of human autoantigens. The current data on post-acute COVID-19 autoimmune complications from humoral immunity and the endocrine system, as well as reproductive disorders faced by male patients are presented. For the first time, we hypothesize a role of the structural homology of the human SOX13 autoantigen (HMG box factor SOX13) associated with diabetes mellitus and SARS-CoV-2 envelope (E) protein in the development of the post-acute COVID-19 autoimmune pathologies. Due to the structural similarity of the two proteins and the overlap of their immunogenic regions, we suggest that the increased risk of developing diabetes mellitus and reproductive disorders in men after suffering from COVID-19 may be associated with immunological cross-reactivity. © 2022 Acta Biomedica Scientifica. All rights reserved.

SMELL AND TASTE DISORDERS IN PREGNANT WOMEN WITH COVID-19

Background. Smelldisorder is a recognizedclinicalsymptom of COVID-19 infection. The problem of the loss of sense of smell in the structure of COVID-19 pathogenesis during pregnancy remains unresolved. The aim of the study. To determine thesense of smell and taste in pregnant women with COVID-19, as well as to evaluate the relationship between the sense of smell and the number of SARS-CoV-2 genome equivalents in then a sopharyngeal secretion. Material and methods. In the case-control study, 121 pregnant women participated: 40 of them were infected with COVID-19;81 were not infected with COVID-19 earlier and at the time of the study. The survey was conducted in July 2021. Sense of smell was assessed using the Connecticut Chemosensory Clinical Research Center (CCCRC) olfactory test, which includes olfactory threshold determination and odor identification assessment. Taste was measuredaccording to the O. Massarellimethod. Viral load was calculated using a standardized method for determining the number of SARS-CoV-2 RNA copies in 1ml of nasopharyngeal secretion. Results. The incidence of olfactory disorders (moderate/severeand anosmia) in pregnant women with COVID-19 is 62.5% compared to22.23% among pregnant women who have neverhad COVID-19 (p = 0.002). No significant tastedisorders were identified. The threshold value for the manifestation of olfactory disorders was 17794 RNA copies of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, which corresponds to the 37th threshold cycle (Ct). Conclusion. During pregnancy in the acute phase of COVID-19, sense of smell is significantly impaired, but not sense of taste. Decreased sense of smell is associated with SARS-CoV-2 viral load. © This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC-BY 4.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.

Changes in Spermatogenesis, Lipoperoxidation Processes, and Antioxidant Protection in Men with Pathozoospermia after COVID-19. The Effectiveness of Correction with a Promising Antioxidant Complex.

The indicators of spermatogenesis and the state of LPO and antioxidant protection in men with pathozoospermia after COVID-19 were assessed before and after treatment an antioxidant complex. Blood plasma served as the material for biochemical studies. In the examined patients, the parameters of spermatogenesis, as well as blood concentration of LPO components (diene conjugates and TBA-reactive substances) were analyzed. The total antioxidant activity of the blood was determined as an indicator characterizing the total activity of LPO inhibitors and determining its buffer capacity. In patients recovered from COVID-19, an increase in spermatogenesis disorders and shifts towards the predominance of prooxidant factors were observed. After a course (1 month) of antioxidant complex, patients showed increased sperm motility, decreased leukocyte count in the ejaculate, and restored balance in the prooxidant-antioxidant system towards antioxidant components. The effectiveness of correction of post-COVID disorders largely depends on the degree of damage to the structure and function of cell membranes caused by oxidative stress. The use of the antioxidant complex is a promising option, because it reduces the level of LPO, enhances antioxidant protection of the body, and also normalizes some parameters of spermatogenesis.

Chemiluminescence analysis of free radical processes in seminal plasma of men with pathospermia who have undergone COVID-19 infection

Introduction. In the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, it seems relevant to study the clinical features and the effect of the SARS-CoV-2 virus on the reproductive system and male fertility. The study objective was to assess the intensity of oxidative processes in the seminal plasma of men with pathozoospermia after suffering a COVID-19 infection. Materials and methods. Spermogram parameters were assessed in accordance with the criteria of the 2010 WHO Guidelines, 5th edition, for the study and processing of human ejaculate two to three months after the patient received a negative polymerase chain reaction result of a nasopharyngeal swab for SARS-CoV-2 DNA. The intensity of free radical processes in seminal plasma was investigated by the method of chemiluminescence induced by ions of bivalent iron. Results. A decrease in sperm motility and an increase in the number of leukocytes were found in men with pathozoospermia who had undergone COVID-19 infection. There are lower levels of indicators such as ejaculate volume, total sperm concentration and the number of morphologically normal sperm forms. An increased ability to generate reactive oxygen species in seminal plasma was revealed in pathozoospermia and COVID-19. Conclusions. The results obtained indicate that SARS-CoV-2 affects the male reproductive system directly or indirectly and has a negative effect on male reproductive health, causing the activation of lipid peroxidation processes and spermatogenic insufficiency. © 2021 Cyrillo-Methodian Research Centre of BAS. Anales de Investigación,. All rights reserved.

Oxidative Stress Intensity in Children and Adolescents with a New Coronavirus Infection

The aim of our research was to assess the intensity of oxidative stress (OS) in children and adolescents with COVID-19 using the oxidative stress index (OSI). Methods and Results: The study was conducted between May 2020 and March 2021. The main group included 17 children and adolescents [8(47.1%) boys and 9(52.9%) girls;mean age of 12.35-14.01 years] with diagnosed COVID-19 infection (mild to moderate course) selected as a result of the primary diagnostic examination from among those admitted to hospitalization at the Irkutsk Regional Infectious Diseases Clinical Hospital. The control group included 17 healthy children and adolescents (average age of 12.35-14.01 years) matched by copy-pair type. The obtained data indicated statistically significant differences in a number of parameters between children and adolescents with COVID-19 and the contiol groups. We found statistically significant higher levels of lipid peroxidation (LPO) products (CDs, P<0.0001;KD and CT, P=0.006;and TBARs, (P=.013) in the study group than in the control group. Among antioxidant defense (AOD) system parameters, the levels of retinol (P=0.015) and reduced glutathione (P=0.048) and SOD activity (P<0.0001) were statistically lower in the study group than in the control group. The OSI level was significantly greater (by 8.5 times, P=0.028) in the study group than in the control group, which confirms the development of antioxidant deficiency in COVID-19. Conclusion: The results of the assessment of OSI in children and adolescents with COVID-19 indicate insufficient activity of some critical components of AOD and a shift of the redox balance toward pro-oxidant factors, which can have extremely negative consequences in the development of the disease. In this regard, we recommend carrying out corrective measures to stabilize LPO/AOD parameters by including drugs with antioxidant properties in the treatment complex.

Superoxide Dismutase Activity in Male and Female Patients of Different Age with Moderate COVID-19.

The study involved 271 patients (132 men and 139 women) with moderate COVID-19. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity in erythrocytes was measured spectrophotometrically. In total group of patients (divided into age groups of 18-35, 36-45, 46-60, and 61-90 years), higher SOD activity was found in the 18-35 age group in comparison with the groups 46-60 years (p<0.01) and 61-90 years (p<0.05). Then, the groups were additionally divided by sex. In men, no differences in enzyme activity were found between the age groups. In women of early reproductive age, SOD activity was higher than in groups 36-45, 46-60, and 61-90 years. The sex differences consisted in higher SOD activity in women aged 18-35 years in comparison with men of this age. These data should be taken into account when choosing the tactics of therapy for patients with moderate COVID-19 course.

[Male reproductive health and COVID-19]

The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has brought serious economic and social problems worldwide'. Due to its medical consequences, it is of importance to study the mechanisms of the disease and new therapeutic interventions, as well as rehabilitation processes. Despite the fact that the genome of the new coronavirus has been sequenced and studied, clinical and epidemiological data are constantly updated and analyzed, and exact pathogenesis has not yet been understood. At the same time, domestic and foreign studies suggest that the virus is an agent that affects not only the lungs, vascular wall, hemostasis, but also the reproductive system. The aim of the review is to summarize the current knowledge about novel SARS-CoV-2, including its pathophysiology and potential impact on male reproductive function.

A Method for Evaluation of the Level of Circulating Mitochondrial DNA by ND1 and ND2 Genes.

The measurement of the level of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) in the blood is a difficult problem due to high variability of mitochondrial genes, deletions in the mitochondrial genome in some pathological conditions, different sources of mtDNA into the bloodstream (mtDNA from tissues, from blood cells, etc.). We designed primers and TaqMan probes for highly conserved regions of the ND1 and ND2 genes outside the mitochondrial deletions "hot zones". For standardizing the technique, the true concentration of low-molecular-weight mtDNA was determined by real-time PCR for two targets: a fragment of the ND2 gene (122 bp) and the ND1 and ND2 genes (1198 bp). The sensitivity and specificity of the developed approach were verified on a DNA pool isolated from the blood plasma of healthy donors of various nationalities. The concentration of low-molecular-weight mtDNA in the blood plasma of two patients with COVID-19 was monitored over two weeks of inpatient treatment. A significant increase in the content of low-molecular-weight mtDNA was observed during the first 5 days after hospitalization, followed by a drop to the level of healthy donors. The developed technique makes it possible to assess the blood level of low-molecular-weight mtDNA regardless of the quality of sampling and makes it possible to standardize this biological marker in a wide range of infectious and non-infectious pathologies.

Antioxidant status in children and adolescents with COVID-19

Background. The COVID-19 pandemic has raised the importance of this problem to the first stage and has affected healthcare system around the world. Despite the more favorable COVID-19 course, the child population should be at focus of special attention, due to the active participation in its distribution. The course of COVI D-19 includes a cascade of pathological processes accompanied by the generation of reactive oxygen species, which can have extremely negative consequences for the developing organism. The research of these processes in children is vital and will improve the effectiveness of preventive and therapeutic measures. The aim: to analyze changes in enzymatic and non-enzymatic links in the antioxidant defense in children and adolescents with diagnosed COVID-19 infection. Materials and methods. 17 children and adolescents (average age - 12.35 ± 4.01 years) were examined, including 8 boys (47 %) and 9 girls (53 %) with COVID-19 infection. The control group of children and adolescents (practically healthy) according to the «copy-pair» principle was selected. We used spectrophotometric methods. Results. In the group of children and adolescents with diagnosed COVID-19 infection, there were lower levels of total antioxidant activity (p < 0.0001), superoxide dismutase activity (p < 0.0001), content of reduced glutathione (p = 0.048) and retinol (p = 0.015), increase in glutathione reductase activity (p = 0.015) relative to the control. Conclusion. The obtained data indicate the insufficiency of antioxidant system components number in children and adolescents with diagnosed COVID-19 infection and indicate the advisability of antioxidant therapy using to stabilize these indicators. © Acta Biomedica Scientifica 2021.

Glutathione-dependent mechanisms of antioxidant defense in men with pathozoospermia after covid-19 infection

The article presents results of studying the influence of COVID-19 infections on glutathione metabolism in men with pathozoospermia and COVID-19. In erythrocyte cytolysate, we determined concentration of reduced (GSH) and oxidized (GSSG) glutathione and the GSH/GSSG ratio as the main indication of cell redox-status and an important factor in cell redox-dependent signaling control along with the effect GSH-dependent enzymes. Results of our study allowed us to determine the peculiarity of the influence of COVID-19 infection on thee glutathione metabolic pathway. The understanding of the influence mechanisms of SARS-CoV-2 on metabolic processes in the body of men with pathozoospermia has been expanded. The data obtained give grounds and opportunities for a more reasonable approach to the organization of preventive, curative, and rehabilitative measures for COVID-19 infection. © 2021, International Medical Research and Development Corporation. All rights reserved.

SNP rs657152 Is Not Associated with the Level of Viral Load in COVID-19 or the Probability of Disease in the Population of Caucasians in Eastern Siberia.

Cross-replicating associations with rs657152 at the 9q34.2c locus and rs11385942 at the 3p21.31 locus found in patients with severe COVID-19 in the Caucasian population require the study of the discovered phenomenon in various populations, including as an independent biological marker. Primers and TaqMan probes for PCR discrimination of the A and C alleles in single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) rs657152 have been developed. The polymorphism of the rs657152 A/C locus was determined in 129 patients with COVID-19 and in a control group of 466 healthy individuals. There were no significant differences in the frequency of distribution of the A and C alleles, 0.47/0.53 and 0.45/0.55, between patients and healthy subjects, respectively. Also, no differences were found in the distribution of alleles in patients with a high viral load in the smear (Ct in the range of 16-25) in comparison with an average and low viral load (Ct in the range of 26-40).

Viral load in COVID-19: Underestimated clinical and epidemiological marker

Background. The viral load of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the causative agent of the new coronavirus infection, is becoming increasingly important in clinical and epidemiological contexts. Despite this, there are significant complexities in the implementation of viral load quantitative measurement into clinical practice due to the limited approaches to its assessment. The aim of this work was to develop an approach for SARS-CoV-2 viral load analysis by the value of sample threshold cycles (Ct) relative to the Ct of the internal control sample obtained in routine PCR diagnostics of the COVID-19, and to use this approach for quantitative monitoring of viral load in patients with first positive SARS-CoV-2 test from the Irkutsk region. Materials and methods. Using regression models based on the least squares method, an approach to determine the number of copies of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in 1 ml of nasopharyngeal secretion was developed. The viral load of SARS-CoV-2 was assessed in nasopharyngeal and pharyngeal samples obtained from 1370 patients from Irkutsk and Angarsk with primary diagnosed positive PCR result in the period from July 1 to November 10, 2020. Results. A tenfold increase in the average monthly viral load among patients in September-October 2020 was revealed. We assume that the change in the epidemiological pattern of the spread of the new coronavirus infection during this period is associated with an increase in the number of contacts in the population due to the school year beginning. Higher viral loads are observed in populations at risk for COVID-19 - among healthcare workers and adults/elderly patients. Conclusion. The development of a standardized quantification of SARS-CoV-2 viral load in the nasopharyngeal samples can be a predictive clinical marker and a reliable tool for improving COVID-19 surveillance using the proposed approach to assess average viral load in a local population. © 2021 Acta Biomedica Scientifica. All rights reserved.