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The genus Enterococcus is represented by some of the clinically important species and is well known for its antibiotic resistance, which participates in colonization and infection. Increasing resistance of enterococci has been evoked due to the excessive use of antibiotics not merely for therapeutic purposes or in indicated cases. One of the promising possibilities how to reduce the use of great amount of antibiotics is to utilize antimicrobial properties of natural substances. Usnic acid is a lichen compound possessing antibacterial activity against gram-positive bacteria including enterococci. Octyl gallate, gallic acid ester, has significant antibacterial and antifungal properties. This study was focused on the evaluation of resistant enterococci susceptibility to usnic acid and octyl gallate in comparison with control group of enterococci. Antibacterial activity of usnic acid and octyl gallate was defined as minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC value) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC value). Usnic acid inhibited all tested enterococci in concentration range 4.7-37.5 mg.L^-1. MIC values of octyl gallate for all tested enterococci ranged between 37.5-150 mg.L^-1. In contrast to octyl gallate, bactericidal activity of usnic acid was not confirmed. Antibacterial activities of tested compounds were almost equal among resistant enterococci and control group of enterococci exhibiting great potential of usnic acid and octyl gallate for treatment of enterococcal infections.

Uranium from the environment enters the human body by ingestion with food and drink and by inhalation of respirable airborne uranium-containing dust particles or aerosols. A 70 kg, non-occupationally exposed 'Reference Man' living in Europe or in the United States has an estimated total body uranium content of about 22 micrograms. Uranium is absorbed from the intestine or the lungs, enters the bloodstream, and is rapidly deposited in the tissues, predominantly kidney and bone, or excreted into the urine. In the bloodstream, uranium is associated with red cells, and its clearance is relatively rapid. Renal toxicity is a major adverse effect of uranium, but the metal has toxic effects on the cardiovascular system, liver, muscle, and nervous system as well. Any possible direct risk of cancer or other chemical- or radiation-induced health detriments from uranium deposited in the human body is probably less than 0.005% in contrast to an expected indirect risk of 0.2% to 3% through inhaling the radioactive inert gas radon, which is produced by the decay of environmental uranium-238 in rocks and soil and is present in materials that are used to build dwellings and buildings where people live and work.

Biochemical evaluation of acetylcholinesterase activity is an important factor for selection and evaluation of drugs, such as oxime reactivators, which modulate acetylcholinesterase activity. A spontaneous reaction between an Ellman reagent and an oxime reactivator is the main disadvantage of currently available Ellman's method used for identification of cholinesterase activity. In this study, an alternative chromogen, substrate indoxylacetate is used. It is suitable for evaluation of acetylcholinesterase reactivation efficacy without oxime interference in vitro. The method was successfully examined for five standard oxime reactivators (HI-6, methoxime, trimedoxime, obidoxime, and 2-PAM) and three organophosphate inhibitors: paraoxon-methyl, sarin and tabun.

Organophosphate (OP) compounds inhibit the enzyme acetylcholinesterase (AChE) resulting in severe symptoms and ultimately death. OP intoxications are currently treated by administration of atropine and certain oxime compounds (Obidoxime, HI-6 or 2-PAM). The latter compounds contain nucleophilic oximes that reactivate OP-inhibited AChE by liberating the phosphylated serine. However, these oximes have several drawbacks such as their intrinsic toxicity, their permanent charge which thwarts penetration of brain tissues and their inability to effectively reactivate all types of nerve agent inhibited AChEs. Therefore, the search for new (non-ionic) antidotes of nerve agent poisoning is of great importance. Recently, several papers reported on the discovery of non-oxime compounds as a result of the in vitro or in silico screening of libraries of bioactive compounds and approved drugs. For instance, Katz et al reported¹ a novel class of compounds in which the 4-amino-2-(diethylamino)phenol (ADOC) appeared to be a key motif responsible for reactivation of OP-inhibited AChE.² In addition, several structural derivatives of ADOC were synthesized and evaluated for OP-AChE reactivation by Cadieux et al.³ That study provided valuable information on key structural features of ADOC with respect to reactivation potency and enzyme inhibition, but unfortunately, none of the reported derivatives performed equal or better than the ADOC parent. We here report the design and synthesis of a new series of ADOC derivatives. We report that one of the compounds synthesized so far showed a remarkably improved in vitro performance compared to ADOC towards VX-, sarin-, cyclosarin- and paraoxon-inhibited human AChE.

DDeliberate sarin releases in Syria with large numbers of fatalities emphasize the need for OP countermeasures for both military and civilian populations. Therapeutic countermeasures  involve several strategies: (i) preventing OP poisoning through administering pre-exposure treatments that scavenge OPs before they inhibit their physiological AChE targets in the brain and in the periphery (ii) post-exposure oxime that can rapidly reactivate OP-inhibited AChE or (iii) a combination of both. In terms of a pretreatment, our recent studies have demonstrated that administration of an aerosolized (aer)-rHuBChE employing a user friendly nebulizer, forms a protective pulmonary bioshield in the lungs of macaques which to date remains intact for at least 4 days. Thus 8 mg/kg of aer-rHuBChE deposited in the lung can prevent symptoms and inhibition of RBC-AChE and plasma BChE following a high (55ug/kg) inhaled dose of aer-paraoxon (Px) 4 days later; an amount known to inhibit circulating ChEs by >95% and cause tremors.  In terms of oxime efficacy, macaque studies have demonstrated that a single IM post-exposure injection of the zwitterionic, centrally acting oxime RS194B (62-80ug/kg) plus low-dose atropine rapidly reactivates OP-inhibited RBC-AChE and circulating BChE and dramatically reverse both early and advanced clinical OP symptoms following lethal inhalation exposure to both sarin vapor (49.6ug/kg) and lethal aerosolized paraoxon (100ug/kg).            The increased efficacy of nebulizers in humans and the known synergy between aer-rHuBChE pretreatment with IM RS194B post exposure bodes well for a prophylactic or combination treatment which can protect against potent inhaled OP agents for >6 days without multiple injections.

Drug addiction is strongly influenced by biochemical, neuromodulator and genetics. It has been established that cholinergic system acts as neuromodulator with dopaminergic system, a major player in addiction. Putative role of cholinergic enzymes other than cocaine is hardly addressed. Present study was designed to evaluate the status of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) in heroin, hashish (cannabis) and polydrug users. Study was conducted with the approval from Ethical Review Board of the Department of Biosciences and consent from participants. Twenty healthy non-addict age and sex matched individuals and eighteen male substance abusers from each group were included who fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Exclusions criteria include no chronic diseases of any kinds, no other neuronal disorders and used drugs for three or more months. Age group of non-addicts was 29.50±2.17. Age groups of the addicts were; heroin, 28.44±1.32, hashish 27.00±1.38 and polydrug users 26.06±2.27. Cholinergic enzymes were measured by Worek et al.1999 method based on Ellman’s principal. AChE was measured from whole blood and BChE from plasma. Results are expressed as (µmol/L/min; Mean±SEM). Results showed statistically significant increased activity of AChE in heroin addicts (0.029 ±0.003) than non-addicts (0.021±0.002). AChE activity in hashish and polydrug users were 0.017±0.001 and 0.016±0.033 respectively and were not statistically significant. BChE measurement showed higher enzyme activity in all three groups; 0.031±0.007, 0.027±0.006, 0.027±0.006 for heroin, hashish and polydrug users respectively. The study concluded that butyrylcholinesterase have tentative physiological roles in addiction. Further studies in this direction may lead to novel approaches in therapy.

The Future Forces Forum in Prague occurs biennially and offers a premier venue to exchange best practices, ideas, academic and technical debate with key military decision makers on the future of military medicine. In the over 13 events in modern times, all sectors of military and defense forces have shared experiences, strategies of deterrence, common defense structures and modalities to mitigate human suffering and reduce the morbidity and mortality associated with conflict, war and disaster. Czech Republic Ministry of Defense Brigadier General Bubenik has taken the lead with this event to drive future innovation and all things battlefield medicine, to include chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear threats, with overall emphasis on emerging global health security threats. Under his tutelage, Brig. Gen. Bubenik has ushered in a marque venue for such debate at the Future Forces Forum, Prague 2018 (FFF 2018). The expert event took place from October 17^th to the 19^th, 2018 in Prague. This short conference report should serve as a synopsis of the key takeaways, in addition to highlighting some core conclusions to support all medical operations across NATO and at the civilian-military interface.

The issue of lone wolfs or a lone-actor terrorists become a serious and actual security problem that does not have an easy solution. The non-organized attackers are able to target any site at any time and they can become indoctrinated by internet and a contact with a terrorist group is not a condition of their activity. Currently, all countries over the world has to prepare for an eventuality of an attack. Some regions are hardly burdened by the attackers and preparation of countermeasures is a crucial task for law enforcement units. This review paper summarizes basic knowledge in the field of lone wolfs regarding to psychological and social aspects, distinguishes basic types of attacks and discuses effectivity of countermeasures.

The subjects of this article are cyclic alcohols with hydroxyl group bound directly to one carbon of the three- up to six-membered ring. They are thus predominantly secondary alcohols. These are substances frequently used as synthons in organic synthesis and many of them are important raw materials of chemical industry, such as cyclohexanol. Some cyclic alcohols were also found in nature, the bulk of them belong to the category of monoterpene substances. Many of them have biological activity, which is also discussed in this article.

Human granulocytic ehrlichiosis (HGE) is a new tick-borne zoonosis. HGE is caused by intracellular bakteria Anaplasma phagocytophila. The vector for this infection in Europe is the tick Ixodes ricinus. Typical clinical manifestations include fever, malaise, headache and myalgia. In more serious case gastrointestinal tract or respiratory and nervous systems may be affected. Characteristic laboratory abnormalities are leucopenia, thrombocytopenia and elevated liver transaminases. This disease can by confirmed by increasing of antibody titre (indirect immunofluorescence assay), microscopic identification of patogen in granulocytes from blood smear, eventually by means of specific DNA by polymerase change reaction (PCR). Tetracyclines, quinolones and rifampicin are effective therapeutically. The Czech population is relatively often exposed to Ehrlichia infections. We should consider this diagnosis, especially in immunodeficient patiens, where early treatment may prevent complicated course of the disease.

Background: The goal of our research is to show the effects and impacts of hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) on acute model wounds in animal subjects. Methods: Three experimental groups were created using injured rabbits (N=36)—randomly divided into three groups (N=12 per group). One group was treated only with standard wound care management. Two groups were additionally treated with HBOT either once or twice a day. The wounds were surgical, uninfected, and in healthy animal test subjects. We compared the immunohistochemical and histological parameters in 4-, 7- and 10-day intervals.Results: The detection of epidermal leaf parameters, the number of microabscesses, the Histopathological Superficial Epithelium Healing Score, Connective Tissue Healing Score, Histopathological Acute Inflammation Score and Total Histopathological Wound Healing Score all showed significant changes between time intervals within the individual groups.Conclusion: The results did not show that HBOT had a significant effect on the healing process of uncomplicated acute wounds.

Introduction: Gnostic functions are an important factor in the perception of the athlete`s body in space. When boxing, the boxer is exposed to frequent hit to the head. A hit to the head can lead to a reduction in the quality of gnostic and stereognostic abilities.Aim: The main aim of our study was to determine whether fatigue and boxing hit after completing the training unit will affect the quality of gnostic and stereognostic functions in boxers.The sample: The our sample consisted of 20 boxers from two amateur clubs.Method: Probands were tested by 4 tests. Somatognosis tests - body assessment tests 1, 2 and modified kinesthesia tests, which we adapted to the boxing position. We tested the probands before and after the training.Results: In the body assessment test, the probands achieved better values after training. In body assessment test 2 probands were able to get better results after training. In both modified kinesthesia tests probands improved after training.Conclusion: Boxing training did not lead to worse of gnostic functions. However, the long-term risk is questionable. In some tests, probands achieved improvement.

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.

The aim of this study is to evaluate and compare the physical, motoric and cardiovascular status of selected Czech professional and volunteer firefighters aged 25 to 35 years. Firefighters (especially professionals) were chosen as a template for Czech male population because they are considered the most physically fit among the adult population. Moreover, physical training is a part of the job description for professionals, their motoric performance is regularly checked, and a decline in fitness is grounds for termination of employment. Since volunteer firefighters assist professionals in emergencies, they tend to be under the same physical and mental stress and their motivation to maintain excellent physical condition is considerable. The somatic characteristics, body composition, motoric performance tests as an indicator of the level of speed, power and endurance abilities, blood pressure and heart rate measurements and the Ruffier test as an information about the status of the cardiovascular system were performed. This study used hand-grip dynamometry to determine muscle strength as well. The results of our investigation showed that professional and volunteer firefighters have good physical, motoric and cardiovascular status and do not differ significantly in body height and adiposity, in body composition, in motoric performance, in cardiovascular characteristics, but do differ significantly only in hand-grip dynamometry (higher mean values in professionals).

Depression is becoming the most common psychiatric illness worldwide. Its etiology is not fully understood, but the monoamine theory is supported by antidepressant mechanism of action that modulates monoaminergic systems. Known antidepressants have various side effects, so there is a need to search for new therapeutics. Our previous study revealed an antidepressant effect after acute pyridoindole derivative SMe1EC2M3 treatment (1).
We studied the effect of chronic administration of the SMe1EC2M3 under stressed conditions induced by chronic mild stress (CMS) procedure in Sprague-Dawley male rats (n=72). From day 8th of the CMS, we intraperitoneally treated the animals by 5 or 25 mg/kg/day dose. We evaluated changes in behavior in sucrose preference test (SPT), open field test (OF) and forced swim test (FST). Potential neurotoxicity was investigated using primary hippocampal neurons cultures from Wistar neonates. Cells were treated without or with SMe1EC2M3 (0.25; 0.50; 1.00; 1.50 µM) or all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA). We evaluated 3 coverslips/group and 7 areas of interest/ coverslip. Using Sholl analysis, we counted dendrites intersection by concentric circles from the soma to 200 µm and the length of the longest neurite from the nucleus to the apical end.
Higher immobility in FST, lower consumption in SPT and shorter distance traveled in OF confirmed the depression-like behavior. Both doses reversed the effect of CMS by reducing immobility and prolonging the swimming. No neurotoxicity of the SMe1EC2M3 was observed. In group 1.50 µM SMe1EC2M3, neurites length was stimulated and we found more neurons with the longest neurite over 200 µm. No significant changes in the number of neurite branches were found between groups.

Introduction: Symmetrical and Asymmetric dimethyl-L-arginine were previously discovered in urine, the present study explored the link between acute kidney injury (AKI) and modulation in the level of these biomarkers.Methods: Ninety volunteers were recruited in the current study, sixty of them were dialysis-dependent AKI patients, their ages ranged between 29-70 years, 13 were diabetic and 47 were non-diabetics patients. Thirty healthy subjects were recruited as a control group. Blood urea, serum creatinine, uric acid, glucose, lipid profile, albumin, hemoglobin, levels were measured using an automated analyzer (SK3002b). Asymmetric dimethyl-L-arginine (ADMA) and symmetric dimethyl-L-arginine (SDMA) serum concentrations were measured using ELISA.Results: The findings of the current study demonstrated a significant decrease in hemoglobin and serum albumin levels alongside an increase in the serum creatinine, uric acid, and serum triglyceride (TG) in the patients when compared to the apparently healthy controls. Serum concentrations of ADMA and SDMA were significantly lower in healthy controls compared to the patients. Conclusion: These data confirm the assumption which assumes that both, ADMA and SDMA serum levels are sensitive markers of reduced renal function and serum SDMA is more sensitive than ADMA in dialysis-dependent AKI patients.

Society, as much as an individual, has a certain capacity to cope with issues. The preparedness of the society for the issue significantly enhances the ability to overcome the issue with minimum possible harm. This article considers psychological consequences of climate change, the major challenge for society, from the perspective of European security. It proposes an increasement of aggressive behavior and intergroup hostility as a direct and indirect psychological consequence of climate change. In the final section, crisis intervention and de-securitization of climate change debate are considered to serve as mitigating factors for future development.

Emerging, as well as existing and known infectious threats represent a constant challenge in ensuring blood safety and blood transfusions. In addition to non-contributory donations and careful selection of blood donors and its components, robust laboratory screening procedures represent a significant complementary alternative in increasing the safety of transfusion products, the so-called pathogen reduction. This brief review article summarizes information on the principle and application of pathogen reduction technologies in transfusion medicine, as well as the latest research on their possible future application.

The ventricular septal defect (VSD) is a congenital lesion characterized by the presence of an opening between cardiac chambers. The treatment might involve medical therapy to control symptoms or in certain cases, surgical resuscitation might be required.Objectives: The study was conducted to establish a database about the prevalence and pattern of VSD and their prognosis in children referred to by echocardiography in Ibn-Sena Teaching Hospital over the period of March 2019 to January 2020. Method: The present study is a prospective descriptive study conducted on all patients diagnosed with cardiac lesions revealed by echocardiography. The sample included in the study involves newborns (day 1) to 14-years-old children.Result: Out of 500 children included in the study; most of these cases were cyanotic congenital heart lesions and out of which two-third were perimembranous defects.Conclusion: The study concluded a higher prevalence of non-cyanotic lesions and peri-membranous type is the commonest VSD lesion.

Many natural (poly)phenolic compounds including flavonoids are able to chelate biological trace metals such as iron, copper and cobalt. On the other hand, they are also frequently reducing these metals to lower oxidation states. Although this later reduction process is commonly understood as an antioxidant effect, it might be also associated with recovery of the catalyst in the known metal-catalyzed Fenton chemistry and can hence paradoxically lead to a tissue damage (pro-oxidation). For this reason, the final biological outcome ensuing from (poly)phenol-metal interaction varies from compound to compound depending on the individual differences in chelation and reduction toward the selected metal, and abilities to directly scavenge reactive oxygen species such as hydroxyl radical. Firstly, chelation properties of a row of flavonoids toward iron, copper and cobalt will be discussed. This will be followed by comparison of their ferric and cupric reducing capacity, ability to inhibit or potentiate iron, copper and cobalt triggered Fenton reaction and to block or stimulate metal-based red blood cell lysis. Also limited in vivo pro-oxidation data from rats will be mentioned.

Given their primacy in discussions over public health measures throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, this paper focuses on leadership’s messages around masks and mask-wearing, aiming to emphasise the responsibility of leadership in the formation of norms during public health crises. It argues for the importance of robust messaging as a key factor in confidence building and public abidance to health measures, using the shortcomings in mask-wearing communication as a case study. For this purpose, the paper first discusses securitization theory and places it in the context of health to build on risk communication framework. Secondly, it examines the role of leadership and meaning-making in that process by discussing the WHO’s early mask guidance and consequent challenges at the state-level by political and health leadership. Lastly, the paper confirms the importance of citizenry’s successful reception of health guidance and outlines potential tactics to do so. Having discussed that, the paper addresses other hindrances to public health messaging and confidence-building that rest outside official communication, namely disinformation and misinformation but also negative non-discursive messaging. This, with the aim of building on available literature on the development of epidemiological response and management from a security lens.

Background: Carbonated beverages are very popular worldwide. Carbonated beverage consumption vast increase raises great health concerns regarding their effect on calcium homeostasis besides obesity and renal function. Carbonated beverages sugar content, caffeine, and acidulant all can affect in a way or another calcium absorption, metabolism and excretion. The latter has direct effect on teeth, bone and general wellbeing. This study aims to reveal the effect of sub-chronic intake of carbonated beverage on urinary pH, crystalluria, calcium excretion.Methods: 21 healthy volunteers have been recruited in this study (9 males and 12 females) abstain for any carbonated beverages for at least the previous 4 weeks before participating in this study. Urine has been collected over 24 hours, the next day each volunteer has to drink 250 ml of carbonated beverage (Pepsi^®) daily for 3 weeks. On the last day, urine was collected again over 24hr. pH, crystalluria, and calcium in urine have been measured.Results: Urine pH and crystalluria after 3 weeks' intake of 250 ml of carbonated beverage did not statistically differ from urine pH before the intake. Although, there was a trend toward reduction in pH and an increase in crystalluria. Total calcium excretion in urine increase was statistically significant when compared with calcium excretion at the study beginning.Conclusion: The regular intake of carbonated beverage (Pepsi^®) increase calcium excretion. Thus, it may be advisable to increase the intake of milk or other dairy product to overcome the adverse impact of carbonated beverages.

Sonography has become a rising trend in first-contact medical care. Increased usage of sonography comes together with technical development, availability as well as compactness of new devices. Emergent echocardiography is reproducible method providing clinically significant information during primary survey of acute cardiovascular diseases. The main points in process of implementation of emergent echocardiography by non-cardiologists are standardization of the procedure, structure of scholarship and clarification of competences. This text brings an overview of the focused echocardiography in emergency medicine and provides information of heart ultrasonography education program in The Faculty Hospital in Hradec Králové.

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.

Most women experience some premenstrual symptoms regularly. Because of this, PMS/ PMDD has emerged as a 20^th 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.

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.

Introduction: Obesity is increasingly reported to be a contributing factor to vascular diseases resulting in increased patient morbidity and mortality rates leading to increase healthcare expenses. More precisely, the lipid deposition in cardiac tissues is interesting, due to their direct contribution to the disease initiation, prognosis, and all subsequent patients’ fate. We do focus on the determination of the link between changes in body mass index (BMI) and epicardial fat deposition concerning gastric operation.Objective: The objective of this work was to study the relationship between weight reduction and "epicardial thickness" after laparoscopic-sleeve gastrectomy.Methods: Critically-ill patients were recruited from private clinics and out-patients hospital clinics. Forty-two patients undergoing laparoscopic-sleeve gastrectomy due to morbid obesity were included in this research. Patients followed for four months after the operation.Results: The results of this work find there is significant weight reduction in these patients in parallel with a reduction of epicardial fat thickness.Conclusion: Patients who experience laparoscopic-sleeve gastrectomy showed a reduction in weight in a parallel reduction in epicardial fat thickness.

The objective of this research was to determine the effect of L-carnitine antioxidant ability on some hematological parameters such as the extent of red blood corpuscles (RBCs), "Packed cells volume (PCV)", Hemoglobin (Hb), and Mean cellular volume (MCV) in normal and oxidative stress exposed rats respectively. Using an animal model, "Hydrogen peroxide ((H₂O₂ 0.5 %)" was mixed with drinking tap water to induce oxidative stress through the experiment period (30 days). Three groups were used in this study (each containing 7 rats) one of them was the negative control group and the other two were the positive control group (oxidative stress group treated with H₂O₂) and the treatment group treated with H₂O₂ + L-carnitine. The oxidative stress group showed a significant decrease (P<0.05) in RBCs count, and no significant differences (P<0.05) were observed in Hb, PCV, and MCV compared with the control group on the other hand the treatment group revealed a significant increase (P<0.05) in RBCs count in cooperation with the oxidative stress group. It can be concluded that L-carnitine has a positive key role toward H₂O₂ induced oxidative stress. This role positively affects the red bone marrow and erythropoiesis through balancing the negative effect of oxidative stress and can be monitored through RBCs count only.

Introduction: Coronavirus (COVID-19)-patients with another critical ailment, such as tuberculosis need more effective care and therapy. This study aims to investigate the role of COVID-19 on active tuberculosis patients who are receiving directly observed therapy (DOT) for tuberculosis in Mosul.Methods: In a seven-month prospective observational case-control unicenter-study at a chest and respiratory disease clinic and control and disease center in Mosul, we examined two groups of the population. (cases): considered 100 patients who attend the chest and respiratory diseases clinic with clinically, laboratory, radiology diagnosed active tuberculosis and receiving Directly Observed Therapy for tuberculosis. The control group includes one hundred individuals randomly selected from daily reported tuberculosis-free COVID-19 patients at the control and disease center. The two groups were compared for COVID-19 infection clinical investigations, radiology, and laboratory tests (polymerase chain reaction test) for the cases and control. The present study revealed that from a total of 100 active tuberculosis patients who received Directly Observed Therapy for tuberculosis only one got COVID-19 infection and 10 of 100 for the controls which are significantly 9.1 times at risk of COVID-19 infection than those with tuberculosis and on Directly Observed Therapy.Conclusion: Patients with active tuberculosis and enrolled on Directly Observed Therapy appear to be at lower risk for COVID-19 infection.