Proceedings of the Latvian Academy of Sciences. Section B. Natural, Exact, and Applied Sciences.最新文献

{"title":"Overview and Outcomes of Patients Hospitalised with COVID-19 Pneumonia in Rīga East University Hospital","authors":"Reinis Rugājs, Monta Madelāne, A. Ivanovs, Ludmila Vīksna","doi":"10.2478/prolas-2024-0002","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2478/prolas-2024-0002","url":null,"abstract":"\u0000 The COVID-19 pandemic is still a burden to the global health care system, affecting its capacity to maintain essential health services. Even though specific treatment and prevention options are available, the SARS-CoV-2 virus keeps accumulating mutations over time and challenging the efficiency of vaccines, causing new outbreaks and increasing hospitalisation. Early studies suggest that mortality from COVID-19 is increased by age and certain comorbidities. Thus, the goal of this study was to analyse patients hospitalised with COVID-19 pneumonia in terms of age, sex, and comorbidities. Additionally, the influence of treatment with Remdesivir and vaccination on hospitalisation duration and disease outcome was also analysed. The results showed that lethal disease outcome is mainly increased by age and gender, where older and male patients are at a higher risk. There were less deaths in patients with primary arterial hypertension. Other comorbidities did not have a statistically significant influence on disease outcome. Among those who survived, a higher number of patients had been treated with Remdesivir. Vaccination did not have an impact on disease outcome. It could be concluded that older and male patients are the risk group with a worse disease outcome. Treatment with Remdesivir shows a positive effect on disease outcome, although further detailed analysis is necessary.","PeriodicalId":20651,"journal":{"name":"Proceedings of the Latvian Academy of Sciences. Section B. Natural, Exact, and Applied Sciences.","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140464322","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Efficacy of Facial Mask Use in COVID-19 Transmission Using a Bacterial Model","authors":"Katrīna Tomiņa, J. Kroiča, Anastasija Dovbenko, I. Skadiņš","doi":"10.2478/prolas-2024-0013","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2478/prolas-2024-0013","url":null,"abstract":"\u0000 The prevention of COVID-19, caused by SARS-CoV-2, involves reducing transmission of infectious respiratory droplets and aerosols with different methods, including the use of face masks. There have been a variety of studies published about the effectiveness of face masks — they have been recognised as an inexpensive yet expedient prevention method. In this research we aimed to investigate the microbial contamination of used face masks and to compare the results based on mask usage time to determine the efficiency of facial mask use against COVID-19. Microbiological contamination of 51 used face masks was analysed by the imprinting method on suitable cultivation agars and colony forming units were determined. The majority of microorganisms found in our study were those of normal human skin and respiratory tract microbiota. A greater number of bacterial species was found on the outsides of the facial masks, which furthermore increased with prolonged usage time. We conclude that face mask use is effective in both detaining excreted microorganisms as well as protecting the wearer from microbes in the air, and therefore, should be implemented in the prevention strategies of respiratory diseases. Furthermore, our results show the importance of correct facial mask usage by their contamination with a spectrum of microorganisms.","PeriodicalId":20651,"journal":{"name":"Proceedings of the Latvian Academy of Sciences. Section B. Natural, Exact, and Applied Sciences.","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140467196","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Observation of Automated Management Use of Self-Sampling Kits","authors":"D. Gavars, Egīls Gulbis, Mikus Gavars, Jānis Stašulāns, Valdis Gavars, Justīne Grundmane, Anna Stašulāne","doi":"10.2478/prolas-2024-0014","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2478/prolas-2024-0014","url":null,"abstract":"\u0000 In the current times of ever-growing prevalence of infectious diseases, it is requisite to explore ways to provide the safest and most effective medical care for our patients. The aim of this study is to explain how the issues raised by the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic were addressed by the E. Gulbis Laboratory in Latvia. The study looks back on the goal to introduce an automated and effective solution for the management of self-collected samples. The study is primarily aimed to formulate the conclusions about the data and use of automation in the self-sample kit collection. Results were collected from 18 automated (contactless) sample collection devices used by E. Gulbis Laboratory. Sixty-four thousand two hundred fifty-seven (64,257) saliva kits for SARSCoV-2 PCR testing were employed. It was found that 3.92% of them were positive (SARS-CoV-2 virus RNA found in saliva sample). The average processing time in automated devices located in the capital city was 11.13 hours, in the suburbs — 15.52 hours, rest of the country — 17.60 hours. The average age of patients that choose an automatic device to hand in their saliva sample kits was 33.94 years. These results suggest that by using the automated device, patient contacts are decreased, and direct communication with medical staff is excluded, which reduces the risk of infection during processing. Automated devices make sample kit distribution available 24 hours. They save workforce resources in the laboratory that are already very limited, especially during a pandemic period.","PeriodicalId":20651,"journal":{"name":"Proceedings of the Latvian Academy of Sciences. Section B. Natural, Exact, and Applied Sciences.","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140462933","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome Impact on the Cardiovascular System: Single-Centre Study of Latvia","authors":"Emīls Šmitiņš, D. Gardovska, I. Lubaua","doi":"10.2478/prolas-2024-0003","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2478/prolas-2024-0003","url":null,"abstract":"\u0000 MIS-C (Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children) is a hyperinflammatory syndrome caused by the Sars-CoV-2 virus, still an ongoing issue worldwide. MIS-C is associated with an impairment of various organ systems, including the cardiovascular system, and up to 100% of all MIS-C patients have a broad spectrum and severity of symptoms. Identifying MIS-C early and starting therapy is crucial to minimise possible complications and clinical worsening. A prospective cohort study in a single centre was conducted at the Children’s Clinical University Hospital in Latvia from January to December 2021. Patients between the ages of one and seventeen years who met the MIS-C criteria were included in the study. We evaluated the patient’s demographic data, blood pressure, echocardiographic data, ESG data, and cardiac biomarkers such as proBNP and troponin I. Thirty-one patients were included who met the MIS-C criteria. The median age was 8.0 years, and 52% were boys. Of all patients, 77% initially presented with hypotension, and 42% required inotropic support. Treatment in the paediatric intensive care unit (PICU) was required in 58% of patients. Reduced left ventricular ejection fraction was observed in 35% of patients. Mildly decreased ventricular ejection fraction (< 55%) was observed in 19% of cases, and moderate dysfunction (ejection fraction < 45%) in 16% of patients. Twelve per cent of patients received milrinone to improve left heart function. Left heart function significantly improved in all patients during the hospitalisation. In 6% of all patients, coronary artery dilations were observed. All patients had dilation resolution at the time of discharge. The median length of hospitalisation was twelve days, and the median length of PICU stay was three days. Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children is a significant and potentially life-threatening illness with cardiovascular involvement in 100% of cases. Patients who present primarily with higher ProBNP levels are more likely to have decreased left ventricle ejection fraction, which should be kept in mind when evaluating patients with MIS-C. Overall, patients with MIS-C have a good prognosis, and most cardiovascular changes have been resolved by discharge, but further follow-up and studies are needed to judge the long-term outcome.","PeriodicalId":20651,"journal":{"name":"Proceedings of the Latvian Academy of Sciences. Section B. Natural, Exact, and Applied Sciences.","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140464405","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Number of White Stork <i>Ciconia ciconia</i> Nests in Latvia Between 1934 and 2014","authors":"Māra Janaus, Andris Dekants","doi":"10.2478/prolas-2023-0022","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2478/prolas-2023-0022","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract The article summarises the results obtained during the 7 th International White Stork Census 2014 in Latvia as well as analyses of changes since 1934. More than 2000 participants were involved in the census. About 14,000 pairs of white storks (WS) were found nesting in Latvia in 2014, i.e. about 52% more than in 1934, and about 25% more than in 1994 and 2004. The breeding density was one of the highest in the breeding area — on average, 21.7 occupied nests/100 km 2 territory and 60.8 nests/100 km 2 agricultural lands. The proportion of occupied nests in 2014 was 90.1%, and the proportion of successful ones — 95.7%. The average number of raised chicks decreased from 2.7 in occupied nests and 2.8 in successful nests in 1934 to 2.1 and 2.4 in 2014, correspondingly. The main reasons for this decrease were deterioration of feeding conditions (amount and availability of food, as well as the regionally growing use of agricultural chemicals). Since 1934, considerable changes in WS nest location and human aid in their construction have been observed. Eighty years ago, an absolute majority of nests (about 80%) were built with human aid (artificial nest support) on trees; whereas in 2014, only 3.5% such nests were registered. Most nests (64.8%) in 2014 were built on electric poles without artificial support. According to observations after 2014, the growth of the breeding population of WS in Latvia has come to an end, and even a slight regional decrease has been observed. Nevertheless, at present, there are no reasons to consider the local breeding population of the WS as being endangered and vanishing.","PeriodicalId":20651,"journal":{"name":"Proceedings of the Latvian Academy of Sciences. Section B. Natural, Exact, and Applied Sciences.","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"135053260","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Evaluation of Prenatal and Postnatal Risk Factors of Obesity in Obese and Normal Weight Children and Adolescents","authors":"Jurgita Gailīte, Ieva Siliņa, Eva Petrošina, Iveta Dzīvīte-Krišāne, Dace Gardovska","doi":"10.2478/prolas-2023-0023","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2478/prolas-2023-0023","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract Obesity is considered a global epidemic worldwide. During the COVID lockdown, many daily habits changed not only for adults, but also for children. These changes are likely to further increase the prevalence and severity of obesity, which could lead to early health problems and chronic diseases. Therefore, it is important to identify preventable and non-preventable risk factors of obesity, which would be useful in planning long-term obesity prevention programmes in the country. The aim of the study was to investigate the prenatal and postnatal obesity risk factors in obese and normal weight children and adolescents. The prospective study from 2013 to 2018 included 198 children and adolescents — 181 children with obesity and 17 children with normal body weight who attended a paediatric endocrinologist. No statistically significant differences in prenatal risk factors of obesity were found between normal weight and obese children in the study: birth weight ( p = 0.530), excessive weight gain during pregnancy in mothers ( p = 0.787), type 2 diabetes mellitus in the family ( p &gt; 0.999). No statistically significant difference was found for the postnatal risk factor of obesity — duration of exclusive breastfeeding ( p = 0.120), a statistically significant difference was only observed in parental obesity prevalence between children with normal weight and obesity (p = 0.004). Therefore, it is important to involve all family members to change children’s daily habits.","PeriodicalId":20651,"journal":{"name":"Proceedings of the Latvian Academy of Sciences. Section B. Natural, Exact, and Applied Sciences.","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"135053261","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Development of a Marker within the Candidate <i>Un8</i> True Loose Smut Resistance Gene for Use in Barley Breeding","authors":"Vilnis Šķipars, Elīna Sokolova, Sanita Seile, Dainis Ruņģis, Linda Legzdiņa","doi":"10.2478/prolas-2023-0027","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2478/prolas-2023-0027","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract Breeding for resistance to true loose smut infection caused by the pathogen ( Ustilago nuda (Jens.) Rostr.) is an economical and environmentally safe way to limit the effect of this pathogen on barley. However, screening for resistance using natural infection can lead to inconsistent results and artificial inoculation is labour intensive, and unless done in growth chambers or greenhouses, can also be affected by environmental conditions, leading to inconsistent phenotyping. Marker-assisted selection of genes conferring disease resistance can increase the efficiency of breeding programmes. A candidate gene for Un8 resistance was used to develop a genetic marker, which was tested on a recombinant inbred line (RIL) population derived from the resistant ‘CDC Freedom’ and the susceptible ‘Samson’ varieties. The RIL population (98 lines) was pheno-typed for resistance to true loose smut by artificial inoculation and genotyped with the newly developed marker. Only one of the 98 RILs tested had a resistant genotype, but was susceptible according to the artificial inoculation results. The marker was also tested in 47 additional barley cultivars and breeding material, and of the five lines with inconsistent results, four were susceptible according to the genotyping results, but were resistant according to the artificial inoculation results, while one line was resistant according to the genotyping results but had a susceptible resistance phenotype.","PeriodicalId":20651,"journal":{"name":"Proceedings of the Latvian Academy of Sciences. Section B. Natural, Exact, and Applied Sciences.","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"135053262","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Primary Burkitt Lymphoma of the Rectum","authors":"Linda Kokaine, Inese Briede, Andrejs Brikuns, Andris Gardovskis, Jānis Gardovskis","doi":"10.2478/prolas-2023-0029","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2478/prolas-2023-0029","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract Burkitt lymphoma (BL) is a highly aggressive mature B-cell neoplasm with the highest incidence in a pediatric population. Three clinical subtypes of BL are known: sporadic, endemic, and immune deficiency associated. The most common site of involvement in the case of the sporadic form is an ileocecal region. We describe a rare case of sporadic BL in a 71-year-old male with a primary localisation in the rectum presenting with progressive bowel obstruction and rectal bleeding. The clinical evaluation involved colonoscopy, biopsy with a following morphological examination, computerised tomography of thorax, abdomen and pelvis, magnetic resonance imaging of pelvis, and laboratory analysis. Due to the unclear tumorous mass and progressive clinical symptoms, surgical treatment was applied – laparotomy, total mesorectal excision with the formation of permanent colostomy. Morphological examination of the specimen revealed a phenotype characteristic to BL. One month after the surgery, two single liver metastasis were detected. The patient received six courses of DA-EPOCH chemotherapy. Post-treatment radiological examinations revealed full clinical remission and disease-free survival for 68 months (5 years and 8 months).","PeriodicalId":20651,"journal":{"name":"Proceedings of the Latvian Academy of Sciences. Section B. Natural, Exact, and Applied Sciences.","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"135052918","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Composition of Mastitis Causing Microorganisms and Cytokines in Healthy Cow’s Milk: A Pilot Study","authors":"Anna Junga, Māra Pilmane, Ksenija Šerstņova, Elizabeta Lohova, Ivars Melderis, Łukasz Gontar, Maksymilian Kochański, Andżelika Drutowska, Gergely Maróti, Beatriz Prieto-Simón","doi":"10.2478/prolas-2023-0024","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2478/prolas-2023-0024","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract The aim of this study was to examine clinically healthy cow’s udder milk microbiota and presence of cytokines in different seasons. Milk samples taken from the cows were checked for the presence of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, and the somatic cell count was detected. Immunohistochemistry methods were performed to detect interleukin (IL) -2, IL-4, IL-8, IL-10, IL-12, IL-17a, β-defensin-3, transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1, interferon-γ and nuclear factor (NF)-κB presence in the milk. S. agalactiae, S. uberis, S. aureus, E. coli, and Klebsiella, Enterobacter, Citrobacter spp. were found in healthy cow’s milk. In the first round, the highest prevalence was observed for S. aureus . In the second round, the highest mean levels were observed for S. uberis , then followed S. aureus . IL-4, IL-17a and TGF-β1 demonstrated the highest expression in the milk samples. NF-κB had the lowest expression among all factors. The presence of a rich bacterial microbiome (mostly S.aureus , S.uberis ) in the milk of healthy animals, as well as changing bacterial species between in spring and autumn seasons occur as a result of both the immune state of the animal and many external factors, which consequently affects the amount of expressed cytokines.","PeriodicalId":20651,"journal":{"name":"Proceedings of the Latvian Academy of Sciences. Section B. Natural, Exact, and Applied Sciences.","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"135052670","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Cultivation of Saprobic Basidiomycetes (<i>Bjerkandera adusta</i>, <i>Phlebiopsis gigantea</i> and <i>Sistotrema brinkmannii</i>) Using Different Biological Waste Substrates","authors":"Natālija Burņeviča, Dārta Kļaviņa, Laima Ciseļonoka, Dainis E. Runģis, Tālis Gaitnieks","doi":"10.2478/prolas-2023-0030","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2478/prolas-2023-0030","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract Development of new biological preparations to control Heterobasidion root rot is a complex process, but when a potential antagonist is identified, cultivation of the fungus is required. In this study, five different substrates (deciduous sawdust, coniferous sawdust, rye bran, straw and corn kernels) were tested as substrates for the cultivation of three fungal species: Bjerkandera adusta, Phlebiopsis gigantea , and Sistotrema brinkmannii , which could be potentially used against Heterobasidion spp. Mycelial growth was evaluated visually, and oidia production was estimated microscopically. In the straw substrate, P. gigantea produced significantly more ( p < 0.05) oidia compared to the other substrates. In addition, oidia production at two different incubation temperatures were compared. As a result, the best substrate for cultivation of all three fungal species was coniferous sawdust.","PeriodicalId":20651,"journal":{"name":"Proceedings of the Latvian Academy of Sciences. Section B. Natural, Exact, and Applied Sciences.","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"135052919","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}