Faculty of Medicine

Permanent URI for this communityhttps://repository.ukim.mk/handle/20.500.12188/14

Browse

Search Results

Now showing 1 - 8 of 8
  • Some of the metrics are blocked by your 
    Item type:Publication,
    NGAL and HPV Subtypes in Cervical Carcinoma: Implications for Cancer Progression and Treatment Response
    (MDPI AG, 2026-02-23)
    Raci, Behar
    ;
    ;
    Hodolli, Gezim
    ;
    ;
    Background/Objectives: Cervical cancer is a prominent source of morbidity and mortality among women, particularly in low- and middle-income nations. Neutrophil Gelatinase-Associated Lipocalin (NGAL), a glycoprotein involved in cancer-related activities, has been proposed as a biomarker; however, its involvement in cervical cancer remains unknown. The study aim is to evaluate the prognostic significance of serum NGAL levels in cervical cancer patients in relation to International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) stage, operability, and HPV subtype distribution before and after treatment. Methods: The study involved 130 women, 100 with histologically proven cervical cancer and 30 healthy controls. The serum NGAL levels were determined before and after treatment using an ELISA test. HPV genotyping was carried out using real-time PCR on 21 high- and low-risk subtypes. Results: NGAL levels increased marginally during therapy (from 134 to 144 ng/mL; p = 0.28), but the rise was significant in inoperable patients (p = 0.02) and increased with advanced FIGO stage, although this did not reach statistical significance (p = 0.07). HPV 16 was the most common subtype (26.0%), while women aged 51–60 had the highest overall HPV positive rate (72.7%). There was no significant association between NGAL levels and HPV subtypes (p = 0.17). Conclusion: NGAL does not appear to be an accurate short-term indicator of therapy response. However, increased levels in advanced-stage and inoperable instances indicate prognostic significance. NGAL most likely represents tumor-associated inflammation rather than HPV subtype. These findings support its possible inclusion in future biomarker panels, subject to validation in bigger investigations. Persistent HPV infection in midlife women highlights the significance of ongoing screening.</jats:p>
  • Some of the metrics are blocked by your 
    Item type:Publication,
    Linking inflammation and cardiovascular disease: the emerging role of lipoprotein-associated phosphoplipase A2
    (Ltd Chetverta Кhvylia, 2025-12)
    Kostovska, Irena
    ;
    ;
    Over the past decades, inflammation has been recognized as a key contributor to the development of atherosclerosis, prompting extensive research. Numerous inflammatory markers have demonstrated predictive value for both initial and recurrent coronary events in individuals with or without established coronary vascular disease (CVD). Among these, lipo protein associated phospholipase A2 (Lp PLA2) has garnered significant attention. Lp PLA2 may be involved in the athero sclerotic process and contribute to plaque destabilization through its inflammatory activity within atherosclerotic lesions. Lipoprotein associated phospholipase A2 (Lp PLA2), a recently identified cardiovascular specific inflammatory mediator, is closely associated with the onset and progression of cardiovascular events. This review explores the potential of Lp PLA2 as both a risk marker and a therapeutic target in CVD. Elevated levels of Lp PLA2 mass and activity have been linked to an increased risk of CVD in both the general population and patients with pre existing disease. However, it remains uncer tain whether incorporating Lp PLA2 measurements into risk prediction models significantly enhances risk stratification beyond traditional cardiovascular risk factors. Additionally, the failure of darapladib, a potent and selective Lp PLA2 inhibitor, to reduce CVD events in major randomized, placebo controlled trials suggests the importance of ongoing research to fully understand its functions and develop effective strategies for CVD prevention and treatment.
  • Some of the metrics are blocked by your 
    Item type:Publication,
    BIOMARKERS IN OBESITY-RELATED METABOLIC SYNDROME: FROM PATHOPHYSIOLOGY TO CLINICAL APPLICATION
    (Macedonian Association of Anatomists and Morphologists, 2025-11-25)
    Kostovska, Irena
    ;
    Obesity-related metabolic syndrome (MetS) represents a complex, multifactorial disorder characterized by central obesity, insulin resistance, dyslipidemia, hypertension, and chronic low-grade inflammation. Its rising global prevalence underscores the urgent need for comprehensive understanding and early detection strategies. While traditional clinical and biochemical parameters provide insight into overt metabolic dysfunction, they often fail to capture upstream molecular disturbances. Recent research has identified a spectrum of novel biomarkers that reflect the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying MetS, including inflammatory mediators (high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1, plasminogen activator inhibitor-1), adipokines and hormonal regulators (adiponectin, leptin, resistin, visfatin, ghrelin, glucagonlike peptide-1), oxidative stress and endothelial dysfunction markers (malondialdehyde, 8-isoprostane, oxidized LDL, asymmetric dimethylarginine, paraoxonase-1), thyroid function indicators (TSH, free thyroxine, anti-thyroid peroxidase antibodies), vitamin D, and genetic/epigenetic modulators (microRNAs and DNA methylation patterns). This review summarizes current evidence on these biomarkers, highlighting their roles in elucidating disease mechanisms, enabling early risk assessment, guiding therapeutic interventions, and supporting precision medicine approaches. Future research directions are proposed to standardize assays, validate findings across diverse populations, and develop integrated multi-marker panels to optimize the management of obesity-related MetS.
  • Some of the metrics are blocked by your 
    Item type:Publication,
    Plasma levels of C-reactive protein and Interleukin-6 as markers of inflammation in patients with operative treated fractures
    (Macedonian Pharmaceutical Association, Ss. Cyril and Methodius University in Skopje, Faculty of Pharmacy, 2024-11)
    ;
    Conditions that affect plasma concentrations of acute-phase proteins include infections, trauma, surgical treatment, burns, tissue ischemia (infarctions), various immunological inflammatory conditions and cancer. The cytokine Interleukin-6 (IL-6) is the main stimulator for the production of numerous acute-phase proteins. It has been established that the induction of C-reactive protein (CRP) and production of serum amyloid A is caused by the cytokines IL-6 and IL-1 or TNF-alpha. Elevated levels of IL-6 during acute injuries or stress are often used as an indicator of systemic inflammation and are predictors of preoperative morbidity. We undertook this prospective randomized study in 90 patients undergoing surgery procedure after high-energy trauma, low-energy trauma and open fracture to define plasma levels of IL-6 and CRP over a 2-week period. We presented our results at seven time points, namely 6 hours pre-operatively and post-operatively in 2, 4, 5, 7 and 14 days respectively. We have attempted to find out whether IL-6 and CRP levels returned to baseline during this study period. In our study, we determined the influence of the examined parameters CRP and IL-6 in plasma on the early detection of surgical postoperative inflammation in operatively treated fractures. With the obtained results of our examined parameters, we can state that is provided a place for the routine procedure of CRP and IL-6 as predictors of possible postoperative inflammation.
  • Some of the metrics are blocked by your 
    Item type:Publication,
    Correlation of serum levels of inflammatory cytokines with severe form of cholecystitis
    (Faculty of Medicine, Ss. Cyril and Methodius University in Skopje, 2022)
    Spasovski, Zharko
    ;
    ;
    Novevska Petrovska, Biljana
    ;
    Stojanoski, Sashko
    ;
    Introduction: Cholecystitis is an inflammatory response of the body triggered by a number of mutually supporting biological mechanisms, which by creating and releasing inflammatory mediators - cytokines activate the innate or acquired immune system, which leads to neutralization of the harmful stimulus and initiation of the process of repair and regeneration of damaged tissue or its continuation as a long-term chronic process with simultaneous tissue destruction and reparation. Material and methods: The study was conducted at the General City Hospital (GCH) "8th September" in Skopje and the Institute of Immunology and Human Genetics in Skopje, in the period of 2020-2022. Statistical analysis of the data was performed with the statistical package SPSS for Windows 26.0. Results: The study included 165 subjects with gallbladder inflammation divided into 3 groups: mild, moderate and severe inflammation grade. Patients with mild, moderate, and severe inflammatory processes differed significantly in IgG levels (p = 0.049), IgA (p = 0.021), and IgM (p = 0.016) and insignificantly in IgE1 levels (p = 0.16). Patients with a severe inflammatory process had a higher prevalence of IL-2R and IL-8 than patients with a mild grade (p = 0.035; p = 0.26, respectively). The intensity of inflammatory process had a nonsignificant effect on the levels of TNF-alpha (p = 0.078), and a significant effect on the levels of fibrinogen (p = 0.001), with significantly higher levels of fibrinogen in the group of patients with severe inflammatory process compared to the group with mild grade (p = 0.0009). Conclusion: The intensity of inflammatory process affects the serum levels of inflammatory cytokines with presence of strong correlation between the severe form of cholecystitis and elevated serum levels of certain inflammatory cytokines.
  • Some of the metrics are blocked by your 
    Item type:Publication,
    Cardiovascular disease and COVID-19: a consensus paper from the ESC Working Group on Coronary Pathophysiology & Microcirculation, ESC Working Group on Thrombosis and the Association for Acute CardioVascular Care (ACVC), in collaboration with the European Heart Rhythm Association (EHRA)
    (Oxford University Press (OUP), 2021-09-16)
    Cenko, Edina
    ;
    Badimon, Lina
    ;
    Bugiardini, Raffaele
    ;
    Claeys, Marc J
    ;
    De Luca, Giuseppe
    The cardiovascular system is significantly affected in coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19). Microvascular injury, endothelial dysfunction and thrombosis resulting from viral infection or indirectly related to the intense systemic inflammatory and immune responses are characteristic features of severe COVID-19. Pre-existing cardiovascular disease and viral load are linked to myocardial injury and worse outcomes. The vascular response to cytokine production and the interaction between SARS-CoV-2 and ACE2 receptor may lead to a significant reduction in cardiac contractility and subsequent myocardial dysfunction. In addition, a considerable proportion of patients who have been infected with SARS-CoV-2 do not fully recover and continue to experience a large number of symptoms and post-acute complications in the absence of a detectable viral infection. This conditions often referred to as "post-acute COVID-19" may have multiple causes. Viral reservoirs or lingering fragments of viral RNA or proteins contribute to the condition. Systemic inflammatory response to COVID-19 has the potential to increase myocardial fibrosis which in turn may impair cardiac remodelling. Here we summarize the current knowledge of cardiovascular injury and post-acute sequelae of COVID-19. As the pandemic continues and new variants emerge, we can advance our knowledge of the underlying mechanisms only by integrating our understanding of the pathophysiology with the corresponding clinical findings. Identification of new biomarkers of cardiovascular complications, and development of effective treatments for COVID-19 infection are of crucial importance.
  • Some of the metrics are blocked by your 
    Item type:Publication,
    Association of vascular and inflammatory markers with metabolic disorders in women with polycystic ovary syndrome
    (National Library of Serbia, 2019)
    ;
    ;
    <jats:p>Background/Aim. The prevalence of metabolic disorders, obesity and insulin resistance in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) occur early in life and places this group at risk of cardiovascular disease. Hyperhomocysteinemia and increased C-reactive protein (CRP) activity have an effect on promoting atherosclerosis. This study was designed to evaluate whether high sensitivity (hs-CRP) and homocysteine (Hcy) are elevated in PCOS and to elucidate their possible relation to obesity, insulin resistance, or metabolic changes usually present in women suffering from PCOS. Methods. Serum concentration of hs-CRP and plasma levels of Hcy were evaluated in 73 PCOS women and 43 healthy women, together with clinical, anthropometric and hormonal parameters. Results. The mean of body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), waist to hip ratio and mean concentration of luteinizing hormone (LH), testosterone, androstenedione, free androgen index, fasting insulin, homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA- IR), hs-CRP and Hcy were significantly higher in PCOS women compared to age-matched healthy women. There was a positive correlation between hs-CRP and BMI, WC, insulin, triglycerides (p < 0.001) and significant negative correlation with LH, sex hormone binding protein (SHGB), HOMA-IR, high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) (p < 0.001). The Hcy concentration had a significant negative correlation with HDL-C level (p < 0.05). The present study demonstrated increased mean concentration of Hcy in hs-CRP women with PCOS. Conclusion. Our results support the use of these biomarkers in the evaluation of potential risk for cardiovascular diseases and early prognosis and treatment implications.</jats:p>
  • Some of the metrics are blocked by your 
    Item type:Publication,
    Insulin resistance in patients with chronic hepatitis C
    (Македонско лекарско друштво = Macedonian Medical Association, 2016)
    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;
    Introduction: Insulin resistance is the most common extrahepatic manifestation associated with hepatitis C virus, which leads to developing more pronounced fibrosis and liver steatosis. The aim of the study was to assess the prevalence of insulin resistance in non-diabetic, treatment naive patients with chronic hepatitis C and to analyze the relation of insulin resistance with genotype, viral load, gender, age, laboratory parameters, inflammatory and fibrotic changes in the liver, body mass index (BMI) and the presence of steatosis. Material and methods: In this cross sectional study, 224 patients with hepatitis C viral infection were included. The patients were divided into two groups. The first group was with no insulin resistance and the second one with present insulin resistance. They were compared in terms of genotype, viral load, gender, age, inflammatory and fibrotic changes in the liver, BMI and liver steatosis. Results: Insulin resistance was present in 45.5% of patients. The following factors were associated with insulin resistance: age (p = 0.0022), inflammatory and fibrotic changes in the liver (p = 0.001, p = 0.006, respectively), steatosis (p = 0.015) and transaminase activities (for AST, p = 0,002, for ALT, p = 0.001). Conclusion: In the Republic of Macedonia, high percentage of 45.5% among non-diabetic and treatment naïve patients with chronic viral hepatitis C, had insulin resistance. Insulin resistance was more prevalent in older patients, in those with more pronounced inflammatory and fibrotic changes in the liver, in patients with steatosis and in those with higher transaminase activity.