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Introduction: COVID-19 has been a major focus of scientific research since early 2020. Due to its societal, economic, and clinical impact worldwide, research efforts aimed, among other questions, to address the effect of host genetics in susceptibility and severity of COVID-19.Methods: We, therefore, performed next-generation sequencing of coding and regulatory regions of 16 human genes, involved in maintenance of the immune system or encoding receptors for viral entry into the host cells, in a subset of 60 COVID-19 patients from the General Hospital Tešanj, Bosnia and Herzegovina, classified into three groups of clinical conditions of different severity (“mild,” “moderate,” and “severe”).Results: We confirmed that the male sex and older age are risk factors for severe clinical picture and identified 13 variants on seven genes (CD55, IL1B, IL4, IRF7, DDX58, TMPRSS2, and ACE2) with potential functional significance, either as genetic markers of modulated susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2 infection or modifiers of the infection severity. Our results include variants reported for the first time as potentially associated with COVID-19, but further research and larger patient cohorts are required to confirm their effect.Discussion: Such studies, focused on candidate genes and/or variants, have a potential to answer the questions regarding the effect of human genetic makeup on the expected infection outcome. In addition, loci we identified here were previously reported to have clinical significance in other diseases and viral infections, thus confirming a general, broader significance of COVID-19-related research results following the end of the pandemic period.

Aim To analyse the resolution of chest X-ray findings in relation to laboratory parameters in patients infected with acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in a two- month followup. Analysis of chest X-ray findings in the first few months after the disease is the main goal of our work. Methods Out of the total of 343 patients chest X-ray findings were followed in 269 patients. Patients were divided into groups according to the severity of findings. D-dimer, inflammatory markers, blood cell count, neutrophil lymphocyte ratio (NLR) were analysed. Chest X-ray was analysed during the hospitalization on the day of admission, on the third, the seventh and the fourteenth day (scoring method was used). After discharge chest X-ray was performed in a two-week follow-up, then after one and two months, and after three months if necessary. Results Incomplete chest X-ray resolution was identified in 24 (39.34%) patients with severe, 27 (22.31 %) patients with moderate and in three (3.91%) patients with mild findings. Statistical significance was established in overall score by comparison between all groups (p

Summary: Background: The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) causes a respiratory illness named coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), which is one of the main global health problems since 2019. Glycans attached to the Fc portion of immunoglobulin G (IgG) are important modulators of IgG effector functions. Fc region binds to different receptors on the surface of various immune cells, dictating the type of immune response. Here, we performed a large longitudinal study to determine whether the severity and duration of COVID-19 are associated with altered IgG glycosylation. Methods: Using ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography analysis of released glycans, we analysed the composition of the total IgG N-glycome longitudinally during COVID-19 from four independent cohorts. We analysed 77 severe COVID-19 cases from the HR1 cohort (74% males, median age 72, age IQR 25-80); 31 severe cases in the HR2 cohort (77% males, median age 64, age IQR 41-86), 18 mild COVID-19 cases from the UK cohort (17% males, median age 50, age IQR 26-71) and 28 mild cases from the BiH cohort (71% males, median age 60, age IQR 12-78). Findings: Multiple statistically significant changes in IgG glycome composition were observed during severe COVID-19. The most statistically significant changes included increased agalactosylation of IgG (meta-analysis 95% CI [0.03, 0.07], adjusted meta-analysis P=

Aim To investigate interleukin 6 (IL-6) values depending on duration of diabetes mellitus (DM) and evaluate possible correlation with diabetic polyneuropathy. Methods The research study included 90 patients with DM divided into three groups (30 patients each) according to the duration of DM: group A – patients who had DM for less than 10 years, group B - duration of DM was 10 to 20 years, and group C - patients with DM over 20 years. Control group (K) included 30 healthy participants. Results IL-6 was significantly higher in the healthy control group, 180.318 pg/mL±94.18, than in group A, 47.23pg/ml±34.8, group B, 43.31pg/ml±33.17, and group C, 70.39 pg/ml±59.26 (p=0.0001). All groups had significantly different values of IL-6 between each other (p=0.0001). Level of IL-6 was in correlation with diabetic polyneuropathy in the group A (the youngest participants) (p=0.0001). In other groups there was no significant correlation between IL-6 and diabetic polyneuropathy. Conclusion The level of IL-6 was in correlation with neuropathy among younger patients. A higher level of IL-6 in the control group than in diabetic groups is a sign of stronger inflammatory response among younger and healthy people than in patients with DM.

Aim To investigate whether or not additional treatment of ischemic heart disease with trimetazidine could improve effort tolerance and overall quality of life of patients with ischemic heart disease. Methods The study included 200 patients with ischemic heart disease. The sample was divided into 2 randomly selected groups: experimental and control group. The diagnostic procedures included: trade-mill test according to Bruce protocol, heart ultrasound for assessment of ejection fraction, test for the assessment of quality of life and subjective problems (Short Form SF 36). Patients were tested for time of discharge from hospital, after 6 and 12 months, including re-evaluation of the overall condition of the previous period. Results Patients have been tested for the tolerance of effort with the measurement Metabolic Equivalent of TASK (METs), which is the equivalent of physical labor. Patients treated with trimetazidine since the time of hospital discharge achieved an average of 3.68, after 6 months 5.68, and after 12 months 7.79 METs. The control group achieved 3.68, 3.59 and 3.87 METs, respectively. Using Mann-Whitney test no difference at discharge time (p=0.880), but after six and twelve months there was some difference (p

The response to metformin, the most commonly used drug for the treatment of type 2 diabetes (T2D), is highly variable. The common variant rs7903146 C>T within the transcription factor 7-like 2 gene (TCF7L2) is the strongest genetic risk factor associated with T2D to date. In this study, we explored the effects of the TCF7L2 rs7903146 genotype on metformin response in T2D. The study included 86 newly diagnosed patients with T2D, incident users of metformin. Levels of fasting glucose, insulin, HbA1c, total cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, triglycerides, and anthropometric parameters were measured prior to metformin therapy, and 6 and 12 months after the treatment. Genotyping of the TCF7L2 rs7903146 was performed by the Sequenom MassARRAY® iPLEX® platform. At baseline, the diabetes risk allele (T) showed an association with lower triglyceride levels (p = 0.037). After 12 months of metformin treatment, the T allele was associated with 25.9% lower fasting insulin levels (95% CI 10.9–38.3%, p = 0.002) and 29.1% lower HOMA-IR index (95% CI 10.1–44.1%, p = 0.005), after adjustment for baseline values. Moreover, the T allele was associated with 6.7% lower fasting glucose levels (95% CI 1.1–12.0%, p = 0.021), adjusted for baseline glucose and baseline HOMA-%B levels, after 6 months of metformin treatment. This effect was more pronounced in the TT carriers who had 16.8% lower fasting glucose levels (95% CI 7.0–25.6%, p = 0.002) compared to the patients with CC genotype. Our results suggest that the TCF7L2 rs7903146 variant affects markers of insulin resistance and glycemic response to metformin in newly diagnosed patients with T2D within the first year of metformin treatment.

Aim Differences in the frequency of distribution of the cytochromeP450 (CYP) allelic variants have been demonstrated between distinct ethnic groups, contributing to observed interindividual variation in drug response. In this study we determined, for the irst time, prevalence of the common allelic variants of the polymorphic CYP enzymes, CYP3A4*1B and CYP3A5*3, in the population of Bosnia and Herzegovina (BH). Methods Genomic DNA was extracted from blood samples collected from 140 unrelated subjects. A real-time PCR was used for the detection of CYP polymorphisms, with the application of the speciic TaqMan® SNP Genotyping Assay (Applied Biosystems)for CYP3A5*3, while CYP3A4*1B was genotyped by high-resolution melting analysis. Results Our results have shown that the distribution of CYP3A4*1B and CYP3A5*3 alleles was in line with the data reported in European Caucasians. We conirmed that CYP3A4*1B mutant allele is rare in Caucasians, being present in only 5.1% individuals. However, CYP3A5*3 polymorphism was found to be predominant in the Bosnian population with an incidence of 94%, similarly to other European populations tested so far. Interestingly, we have demonstrated a strong linkage disequilibrium between CYP3A5*3 and CYP3A4*1B alleles. No signiicant difference in allele frequencies for CYP3A4*1B and CYP3A5*3 has been shown between male and female subjects participating in our study. Conclusion Our data demonstrated the high prevalence of CYP3A5*3 allele in Bosnian population, indicating signiicance of analysis of CYP3A5 and CYP3A4 polymorphisms and corresponding allele frequencies in speciic ethnic groups. Importantly, results of this study may lead to translation of pharmacogenetics and individualized therapeutic approach in current clinical practices in BH.

Aim Lipin 1 is a recently discovered multifunctional protein involvedin the metabolism of lipids, while PPAR?? is involved in adipocytedifferentiation, and regulation of lipid metabolism. Up to now, LPIN1 and PPARG gene polymorphisms have been associated with type 2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome, and central obesity. In this study, we hypothesized that genetic variants within LPIN1 and PPARG genes were associated with traits of metabolic syndrome. Correlation between biochemical parameters (including but not limited to, glucose, HbA1c, insulin levels, HDL and LDL cholesterol, triglycerides, serum proteins, liver enzymes) and frequency of polymorphisms in LPIN1 (rs11693809 and rs2716610) and PPARG gene (rs10865710, rs3856806 and rs1801282), was tested in this study. Methods The study included 70 patients diagnosed with metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes. Two polymorphisms of LPIN1 gene (rs11693809 and rs2716610), and three polymorphisms of PPARG gene (rs10865710, rs385806 and rs1801282) were analyzed by real time PCR and conventional PCR-RFLP methods.Results Our analysis revealed correlation between insulin levels and rs11693809 LPIN1 polymorphism in diabetic patients. Also the results of this study showed an association of rs10865710 and rs385806 polymorphism of PPARG with HDL cholesterol and LDL plus total cholesterol levels, respectively. Conclusion These data relect an association of analyzed PPARG and LPIN1 gene polymorphisms with values of insulin, HDL, LDL and total cholesterol witch indicates an important role of these genes in lipid metabolism and pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome.

Aim To analyze usefulness of measurement amino-terminal pro-B type natriuretic peptide of (NT pro-BNP) as the one of parameters of water overload in patients with chronic kidney diseases. Mmethods A total number of 277 patients with chronic kidney diseases(CKD) were followed up in the period of ten years between January 2000 and July 2010. Patients with creatinine clearance of 60 ml/min or less were included in the study. Changes of creatinine clearance, and in last ive years changes of NT pro-BNP were followed. Water overload was analyzed using chest x-ray in relation with concentration of NT pro-BNP in the blood. Results Decrease of clearance of creatinine ranged from average 54,7 ml/min in the irst year to 14,6 ml/min in the ifth year of the monitoring. Average NT pro-BNP level in patients without any sign of water overload was 94 pg/ml (SD 21), mean value in thosewith Kerley lines was 231 pg/ml/L (SD 64), in those with clear signs of water overload but without pleural effusion it was 525 pg/ml (SD 223), and in those with water retention including pleural effusion it was 1606 pg/ml (SD 1134). Using test of multiple correlation a statistically signiicant correlation between X-ray signs of water overload and NT pro-BNP concentration was shown, p

Contemporary inhabitants of the Balkan Peninsula belong to several ethnic groups of diverse cultural background. In this study, three ethnic groups from Bosnia and Herzegovina - Bosniacs, Bosnian Croats and Bosnian Serbs - as well as the populations of Serbians, Croatians, Macedonians from the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Montenegrins and Kosovars have been characterized for the genetic variation of 660 000 genome-wide autosomal single nucleotide polymorphisms and for haploid markers. New autosomal data of the 70 individuals together with previously published data of 20 individuals from the populations of the Western Balkan region in a context of 695 samples of global range have been analysed. Comparison of the variation data of autosomal and haploid lineages of the studied Western Balkan populations reveals a concordance of the data in both sets and the genetic uniformity of the studied populations, especially of Western South-Slavic speakers. The genetic variation of Western Balkan populations reveals the continuity between the Middle East and Europe via the Balkan region and supports the scenario that one of the major routes of ancient gene flows and admixture went through the Balkan Peninsula.

This is the first study performed in population from Bosnia & Herzegovina (BH), in which we analysed a significance of genetic variations in drug-metabolising enzyme, cytochrome P450 (CYP), in pathogenesis of Type 2 diabetes. We have determined allele frequencies for CYP2C9*2, CYP2C19*2, and CYP2D6*4 in diabetic patients and nondiabetic controls. Genomic DNA was extracted from blood samples collected from 37 diabetic and 44 nondiabetic subjects. A real-time polymerase chain reaction was used for the detection of specific CYP polymorphisms, with the application of the specific TaqMan’ SNP genotyping tests (AppliedBiosystems). Interestingly, results from this study have demonstrated that frequencies of CYP2C19*2 and CYP2D6*4 variants were in line, while frequency of CYP2C9*2 polymorphism seemed to be lower in this sample of BH population as compared to the Caucasians genotype data. Furthermore, no significant difference in allele frequencies for CYP2C9*2, CYP2C19*2, and CYP2D6*4 was demonstrated between diabetic and nondiabetic subjects. Thus, results form this study seem to indicate no relationship between CYP2C9, CYP2C19, and CYP2D6 genotype and diabetes susceptibility in Bosnian population. This in part may reflect a limited study population included in our study and would require larger cohorts to reveal potential relationships between analysed CYP genetic variants and diabetes risk. In addition, it would be pertinent to further explore possible effects of CYP genetic variations on therapeutic and adverse outcomes of oral antidiabetics, which might be the key in optimising therapy for individual patient with Type 2 diabetes.

Recent studies have introduced serum uric acid (UA) as a potential risk factor for developing diabetes, hypertension, stroke, and cardiovascular diseases. The value of elevated levels of UA in serum as a risk factor for diabetes development is still under scrutiny. Recent data suggest that clearance of UA is being reduced with increase in insulin resistance and UA as a marker of prediabetes period. However, conflicting data related to UA in serum of patients with Type 2 diabetes prompted us to study the urine/serum ratio of UA levels (USRUA) in these patients and healthy controls. All subjects included in the study were free of evidence of hepatitis B or C viral infection or active liver and kidney damage. Patients receiving drugs known to influence UA levels were also excluded from this study. Analysis of glucose and uric acid were performed on Dade Behring analyzer using standard IFCC protocols. Interestingly, our data demonstrated about 2.5 fold higher USRUA values in diabetic patients as compared to control subjects. Furthermore, there was a trend of correlation of USRUA value with the blood glucose levels in diabetic patients, which was more prominent in diabetic men than in women. With aging, levels of uric acid increased in serum of diabetic patients, and this effect was also more profound in male than in female diabetics. In conclusion, this study showed significantly elevated USRUA levels in patients with Type 2 diabetes, a negative USRUA correlation with the blood glucose levels in diabetic patients, and an effect of sex and age on the uric acid levels. Since literature data suggest a strong genetic effect on UA levels, it would be pertinent to perform further, possibly genetic studies, in order to clarify gender and ethnic differences in UA concentrations.

The combined model of testing the athletes encompasses the assessment of basic motor skills, psychological stress testing, and genetic testing, whereby genetic predisposition is important for determining the athletes’ predisposition for specific disciplines and risk of sports-related injuries. The insertion/deletion (I/D) allele of the angiotensin-converting enzyme gene (ACE) (rs1799752) is one of the most studied polymorphisms, with the I allele linked to enhanced performance in runners and rowers and generally in disciplines requiring endurance, while the D allele is associated with sports requiring strength and power. The ACTN3 (alpha-actinin-3) rs1815739 polymorphism is linked to athletic performance, with the 577R allele associated with lower risk of training-related injuries and a better response to intensive exercises and training process, while the 577X variant is found in fewer athletes and is associated with increased likelihood of injuries due to intensive training process, thus requiring additional caution. We are hereby presenting the first results of genetic testing of 32 young Alpine skiers over these two genetic polymorphisms. DNA isolation from whole blood samples was done using the PureLink™ Genomic DNA Mini kit, followed by amplification of target polymorphisms using real-time PCR with TaqMan SNP assays. Regarding ACTN3 genotypes, 58.1% of successfully analyzed participants were C/C homozygotes (577RR), 32.3% were T/C heterozygotes (577RX), and 9.7% were T/T homozygotes (577XX). The results were inconclusive for one participant. Regarding ACE testing, 25 participants were successfully genotyped and none of them carried Alu sequence (i.e., all participants were D/D homozygotes). The results of genetic testing could serve as valuable guidance for optimizing training based on the obtained results, potentially reducing the frequency of athletes’ injuries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

COVID-19 has been a major focus of scientific research since early 2020. Due to its societal, economic, and clinical impact worldwide, research efforts aimed, among other questions, to address the effect of host genetics in susceptibility and severity of COVID-19. We, therefore, performed next-generation sequencing of coding and regulatory regions of 16 human genes, involved in maintenance of the immune system or encoding receptors for viral entry into the host cells, in a subset of 60 COVID-19 patients from the General Hospital Tešanj, Bosnia and Herzegovina, classified into three groups of clinical conditions of different severity (“mild,” “moderate,” and “severe”). We confirmed that the male sex and older age are risk factors for severe clinical picture and identified 13 variants on seven genes (CD55, IL1B, IL4, IRF7, DDX58, TMPRSS2, and ACE2) with potential functional significance, either as genetic markers of modulated susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2 infection or modifiers of the infection severity. Our results include variants reported for the first time as potentially associated with COVID-19, but further research and larger patient cohorts are required to confirm their effect. Such studies, focused on candidate genes and/or variants, have a potential to answer the questions regarding the effect of human genetic makeup on the expected infection outcome. In addition, loci we identified here were previously reported to have clinical significance in other diseases and viral infections, thus confirming a general, broader significance of COVID-19-related research results following the end of the pandemic period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

COVID-19 manifests with a spectrum of symptoms, varying in intensity, and can lead to fatal outcomes in certain instances. Within the human genetic makeup, the ACE2 (angiotensinconverting enzyme 2) gene governs the production of the ACE2 protein--a receptor situated on the surface of human cells. This receptor holds a pivotal role in the control of blood pressure and cardiovascular functions. This study aimed to investigate the potential impact of the ACE2 gene polymorphism (rs2285666) on serum creatinine and creatine kinase (CK) levels among COVID-19 patients and to assess its association with disease severity. The research encompassed 750 individuals diagnosed with COVID-19, all of whom were enrolled at General Hospital Tešanj. These patients were categorized into three groups based on the severity of their condition--mild, moderate, and severe. Genomic DNA was isolated from whole blood samples. The genotyping process was carried out using the Applied Biosystems QuantStudio5 RT-PCR System. Our findings revealed noteworthy associations within the group of patients exhibiting mild disease severity. Specifically, individuals carrying the CC (93.59±3.02) and TT genotypes (93.59±3.02) demonstrated significantly elevated creatinine levels in comparison to those with the CT genotype (79.32±3.27), with p-values of <0.001 and 0.011, respectively. Additionally, among patients with a mild clinical outcomes, those with the CC genotype (322.98 ± 59.04) displayed significantly higher creatine kinase levels (p=0.043) when contrasted with individuals carrying the CT genotype (151.87 ± 38.07). However, within the groups of patients with moderate and severe clinical picture, our results did not reveal statistically significant associations between different genotypes and creatinine and CK levels. ACE2 gene polymorphism (rs2285666) appears to influence creatinine and creatine kinase levels specifically in COVID-19 patients with mild disease severity, suggesting a potential genetic basis for variations in renal and muscle function within this subgroup. However, no statistically significant associations were found in patients with moderate and severe clinical outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To assess the association of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the ACE2 and TMPRSS2 genes with COVID-19 severity and key biomarkers., Methods: The study involved 750 COVID-19 patients from Bosnia and Herzegovina, divided into three groups: mild, moderate, and severe cases. Genetic variations within the ACE2 (rs2285666) and TMPRSS2 (rs2070788) genes were examined with real-time polymerase chain reaction. Biochemical markers were determined with standard procedures., Results: There was a significant difference in the rs2070788 genotype distribution between patients with mild and moderate symptoms, but not between other groups. For the rs2285666 polymorphism, no significant difference in genotype distribution was found. In patients with mild symptoms, carriers of the GG genotype of rs2070788 had significantly higher total bilirubin levels than carriers of the AA genotype. Similarly, carriers of the TT genotype of rs2285666 had significantly higher activated partial thromboplastin time and international normalized ratio, and lower lactate dehydrogenase levels compared with the CC genotype. Among patients with severe symptoms, carriers of the GG genotype showed significantly higher potassium levels than carriers of the AA genotype, while carriers of the TT genotype showed significantly higher erythrocyte count as well as hemoglobin and hematocrit levels compared with the CC genotype., Conclusion: This study highlights the role of genetic factors, particularly SNPs in the ACE2 and TMPRSS2 genes, in determining COVID-19 severity, aiding patient risk assessment and prognosis.