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    Back to the basics: Propolis and COVID-19
    (Wiley Online Library, 2020-07)
    Dimitri Bachevski
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    The epidemiological burden of COVID-19 is a healthcare challenge throughout the world, not only in terms of testing the limits of medical capacities, but also as an enigma considering preventive strategies and methods. The upper respiratory tract mucosa is the first line of defense, as a physical barrier, as well as through multiple innate and adaptive immune mechanisms which are crucial for efficient antiviral responses. Identifying methods able to reduce or prevent colonization, viral adhesion, and promote virus shedding on mucous membranes or have the ability to inactivate pathogens and thus reduce virus dose and/or increase immune response would be essential in the management of COVID-19 outbreak and help in flattening the curve. We review the effects of propolis, an old remedy with proven antiviral properties, as a possible low-cost inhibitor of SARS-CoV-2 in the oropharyngeal niche, prophylaxis, or adjuvant therapy.
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    DISRUPTION OF HAIR FOLLICLE IMMUNE PRIVILEGE IN ALOPECIA AREATA: ENIGMATIC MECHANISMS AND EMERGING CONCEPTS
    (Faculty of Medicine, Ss. Cyril and Methodius University in Skopje, 2025-12-12)
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    Mircheska Arsovska, Elena
    Immune privilege (IP) is a specialized immunological state that protects certain tissues, including the hair follicle (HF), from immune-mediated destruction. The maintenance of hair follicle immune privilege (HFIP) is crucial for uninterrupted hair growth and is mediated by several mechanisms. These include the downregulation of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I molecules, the secretion of immunosuppressive cytokines such as transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) and alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH), and the recruitment of regulatory immune cells that suppress pro-inflammatory responses. Additionally, the blood-hair follicle barrier limits immune cell infiltration, further preserving immune privilege. However, in alopecia areata (AA), HFIP collapses triggering an autoimmune attack against follicular structures. This breakdown is marked by increased antigen presentation, heightened expression of MHC class I and II molecules, and an influx of autoreactive cytotoxic CD8+ T cells. These T cells, particularly those expressing the NKG2D receptor, recognize stress-induced ligands on follicular keratinocytes and initiate a cytotoxic response. Interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) and interleukin-15 (IL-15) play central roles in amplifying inflammation by activating the JAK-STAT signaling pathway, further promoting immune cell infiltration and follicular destruction. Additional immune cells, including natural killer cells, dendritic cells, and macrophages, contribute to disease pathogenesis by enhancing antigen presentation and sustaining the inflammatory cascade. Given the central role of HFIP collapse in AA, therapeutic strategies aimed at restoring immune privilege represent a promising avenue for long-term disease management. Future research should focus on identifying key molecular regulators of HFIP and developing targeted interventions to re-establish immune tolerance within the hair follicle.
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    CHRONIC WOUNDS - MICROBIOLOGY AND BIOFILM FORMATION
    (Faculty of Medicine, Ss. Cyril and Methodius University in Skopje, 2024)
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    Ahtarova, Biljana
    Introduction: Chronic wounds are wounds that do not heal for more than 4 weeks. Among the most important causes of wound chronicity are wound infection, biofilm formation with microbial agents that are resistant to antimicrobial agents. Aim: To investigate microbial agents in chronic wounds, their potential to form biofilm. Material and methods: This was a prospective study involving 24 patients from the University Clinic for in Skopje. Microbiological swabs were taken from patients with chronic wounds on the lower extremities,and were analyzed at the Institute of Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine in Skopje. The biofilm formation potential in isolates was determined using the tissue culture plate (TCP) biofilm detection method. Results: In 17 patients, at least one microorganism was isolated from 23 wounds, a total of 36, and in 7 patients there was no positive isolate from 7 wounds. Eighteen wounds (60%) had an isolate with the potential to form a biofilm. The following microorganisms from the wound samples were recorded: 17 (47%) isolates of the genus Staphylococcus, 4 (11%) isolates each from the genera Proteusand Pseudomonas, 3 (8%) isolates each from Enterococcusand Escherichia, 2 (6%) isolates from Streptococcus, 1 (3%) each isolate from the genera Acinetobacter, Enterobacterand Candida albicans. Conclusion: In 60% of the isolates, a biofilm formation with different degrees was confirmed. A statistically significant association was found between the degree of wound healing and isolates with low potential for biofilm formation, as well as the type of isolate.
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    BIOFILM IN CHRONIC DIABETIC FOOT ULCER-CASE REPORT
    (Macedonian Association of Anatomists and Morphologists, 2023)
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    Labacevska Gjatovska, Liljana
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    Dohceva Karajovanov, Ivana
    Diabetic foot ulcers(DFUs) as one of the most common complications in patients with diabetes mellitus are usually chronic wounds.The reason for its chronicity are infections and biofilm formation. We present a patient with diabetic foot neuropathic ulcer on the right foot. Microbiological swab showed isolates of bacteria and fungi, Candida albicans,Enterococcus and Acinetobacter which were tested for biofilm formation with microtiter plate assay. Biofilm mass was evaluated spectrophotometrically by measuring the absorbence of crystal violet. Enterococcus was with high potential of biofilm formation. Wound surface was measured every week for a period of one month and it was reduced for 23.93%. Ulcer was treated with peroral antibiotic and antifungal medications and standard wound care was performed. Microorganisms isolated from wound swabs showed mixed bacterial and fungal components. Current sudies show that relation in between this biofilm is still unclear. All of this is a key role in treating chronic wounds, making it a challenge for everyone not only in the field of making diagnosis , but also in the field of treatment.
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    Lindsay's Nails and Terry's Nails in End Stage Renal Disease - Case Series
    (Balkan Cities Association of Nephrology, Dialysis, Transplantation and Artificial Organs, 2021-02)
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    Introduction. Nail changes occur as part of a single organ disease, multisystemic diseases or because of the intake of some medications. Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is associated with various nail abnormalities. Тo identify Lindsay’s nails and Terry’s nails in patients with end stage renal disease (ESRD) on maintenance he-modialysis (HD) and to determine the common anam-nestic, clinical and/or laboratory parameters that would help elucidate the etiopathogenesis of these nail pathology. Methods. Twenty patients with ESRD on hemodialysis were included into the study. Dermatological examina-tion took place during the dialysis session. Lindsay’s nails were identified when the distal part of the nail bed is red/rose-brown, clearly separated from the proxi-mal part of the nail bed, occupying 20-60% of the entire length of the nail bed. The proximal part of the nail bed is whitish, resembling grounded glass. When pressing the nail, the discoloration of the distal part of the nail bad does not fade completely. Terry’s nails were identified by a 0.5-3.0 mm wide distal band, pink-brown in color, with a proximal part of the nail bed that is white and occupies 80% of the entire nail bed. Data on demographic characteristics, history of the disease and the laboratory values were noted for each patient. Results. Out of 20 patients, all males, we diagnosed Half-and-Half nails, also called Lindsay’s nails, and Terry’s nails in 6(30%) patients [5 Half-and-Half nails (25%), and 1 with Terry’s nails (5%)]. All patients had sideropenic-free anemia, elevated urea and creatinine values and elevated parathyroid hormone (PTH) values (>190 pg/L, range 190.3-387.5 pg/L). Conclusion. After searching the relevant literature (MEDLINE, PubMed), we found this is the first study to link elevated PTH values and Half-and-Half nails (also called Lindsay’s nails), and Terry's nails in patients with ESRD on HD.
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    MICROBIOME AND MYCOBIOME IN CHRONIC WOUNDS
    (Faculty of Medicine, Ss. Cyril and Methodius University in Skopje, 2023)
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    Skin as the biggest organ with protective function in the human body, makes an equilibrium between microbial communities and immune system. Skin microbiome is defined as the genome of microorganisms found on the skin with which microorganisms have a complex relationship. Microbiota of healthy skin consists of resident and transient microorganisms. Two most common factors for delayed healing process in chronic wounds are infection and biofilm formation. Thus, it is important to analyze microbiome and mycobiome of chronic wounds.
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    НОКТИТЕ НА LINDSAY И НОКТИТЕ НА TERRY КАЈ ПАЦИЕНТИ СО ХРОНИЧНА БУБРЕЖНА БОЛЕСТ СТАДИУМ 5 НА ХЕМОДИЈАЛИЗА – СЕРИЈА НА СЛУЧАИ
    (2022)
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    Митрова Телента, Јулија
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    Филиповиќ, Дејан
    Цел: Да се идентификуваат половина-и-половина но- ктите или уште наречени ноктите на Lindsay и ноктите на Terry кај пациентите со хронична бубрежна болест (ХББ) на хемодијализа (ХД) и да се утврдат заедничките анам- нестички, клинички и/или лабораториски параметри кои би помогнале во расветлување на етиопатогенезата на оваа ноктена патологија. Материјали и методи: 20 пациенти со ХББ стадиум 5 на хроничен хемодијализен програм беа вклучени во студијата. Дерматолошкиот преглед се одвиваше за време на дијализната сесија. Критериуми за дијагноза на поло- вина-и-половина нокти беа присуство на јасна граница помеѓу проксималниот и дисталниот дел од ноктеното лежиште, дисколорација на дисталниот дел со црвено/ розеникавo-кафеава пребоеност со афекција на 20-60% од целата должина на ноктеното лежиште и проксимален дел со белузлава пребоеност, налик на заматено стакло. При притисок на ноктот, дисколорацијата на дисталниот дел од ноктеното лежиште не бледее во целост. Ноктите на Terry се идентификуваа со наод на 0.5-3.0 мм широка дистална трака/лента, розево-кафеавкасто пребоена, со проксимален дел на ноктеното лежиште кој е белузлав и зафаќа 80% од целото ноктено лежиште. За секој пациент се нотираа податоците за демографските карактеристики (возраст и пол), за историјата на болеста (дијагноза на бубрежното заболување, стандардната терапија, време- траење на ХД) и за лабораториските вредности од меди- цинските истории [хемоглобин, феритин, калциум, фос- фор, албумини, креатинин, уреа и паратхормонот (PTH)]. Резултати: Кај 6/20 пациенти (30%), сите од машки пол, се дијагностицираа промени на ноктите од типот половина-и-половина нокти и ноктите на Terry. Кај 5 па- циенти се дијагностицираа половина-и-половина нокти (25%), а само кај 1 пациент се дијагностицираа ноктитена Terry (5%). Сите пациенти имаа анемија без сидеропе- нија, покачени вредности на уреа и креатинин и покачени вредности на паратхормонот (PHT) ( >190 pg/L, ранг 190.3 pg/L -387.5 pg/L). Заклучок: По пребарување на релевантната литера- тура (MEDLINE, PubMed), утврдивме дека ова е прва сту- дија во која се доведуваат во врска покачените вредности на РТН и промени на ноктите од типот половина-и-по- ловина нокти и нокти на Terry кај пациентите со ХББ на ХД. Секундарниот хиперпаратироидизам е основа да се постави хипотезата дека РТН со своето вазорелаксирачко и вазодилататорно дејство е одговорен за присуство на дилатиран венски плексус во ноктеното лежиште и црве- но-кафеавото пребојување на дисталниот дел од ноктот, додека белата боја на проксималниот дел од ноктите се должи на анемијата и депозитите на калциум во зидот на крвните садови.
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    Контактен дерматит на рацете кај здравствените работници во Македонија во тек на ковид-19 пандемијата
    (Лекарска комора на Република Северна Македонија, 2020-10)
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    Neloska, Lenche
    Пандемијата со ковид-19 резултираше со потребата и препораките зазасилена хигиена и носење на заштитни ракавици. Тоа резултира со зачестена појава на контактен дерматит (КД)на рацете кај здравствените работници (ЗР), особено кај ониекои се директно вклучени во грижата за пациенти заболени со корона вирусот. Цел Да се истражи појавата на контактен дерматит нарацете кај здравствените работници кои не се директно вклучени во лекувањето на пациенти со ковид-19. Метод Беше спроведена интернет анкета кај 272 здравствени работницикои не се директно вклучени во грижата за пациенти со ковид-19, на територијата на цела Македонија. Анкетата содржеше прашања за појава на промени на кожата на рацете и фактори кои влијаат на тоа. Резултати Во тек на епидемијата соковид-19, контактен дерматит на рацете забележале 132 (49%) од испитаниците, од нив 110 (53.9%) се лекари. Оваа појава е почеста кај здравствените работницивработени во секундарназдравствена заштита (56 или 47%) и нехируршките гранки (92 или 52.5%). Заклучок Зголемената хигиена на рацете, употребата на алкохолни дезинфициенси, како и ретката примена на емолиенти, се поврзани со појава наконтактен дерматиткај здравствените работници.