Oil-in-water cationic nanoemulsions (CNE) are fine dispersions consisting of an oil core (from natural or synthetic origin) stabilized by a single cationic lipid or a mixture with phospholipids, non-ionic surfactants, and/or PEG-lipids. CNEs are considered to be suitable and potential delivery system for nucleic acids in gene therapy field due to their positively charged surface which complex with negatively charged gene material through electrostatic interactions [1]. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of cationic lipid-sterylamine (SA) on mean droplet size, zeta potential and pH of the CNEs. Formulations containing various concentrations of SA were prepared on high-pressure homogenizer. The mean droplet size and zeta potential of the emulsions were determined by photon correlation spectroscopy and electrophoretic light scattering, respectively (Malvern NanoZs Zetasizer). The mean droplet size of emulsions varied from 126 to 129 nm while the polydispersity index varied from 0,068 to 0,137. As expected, zeta-potential increased from +43,7 mV to +53,7 mV with the SA concentration increase from 0,25 to 0,75 % (w/w). During the 60-day storage period at 25 °C, the droplets stayed in the nanometer range with only a minor size increase (~10 nm), no significant changes in droplet size distribution nor zeta potential or any difference in their visual appearance (no creaming or phase separation) proving therefore a satisfactory formulation stability.

Cationic NLCs represent lipid vesicles bearing cationic lipids on its surface, which leads to electrostatic interactions with negative charges of the nucleic acids such as miRNA and formation of a complex which protect the nucleic acids from the inevitable physicochemical biological impacts within the blood circulation [1]. This study aimed to develop cNLCs in order to obtain the most suitable formulation for further delivery of miRNAs.

Objectives: The global burden of the current severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) causing the corona virus disease-19 (COVID-19) is enormous No definitive treatment and prophylactic guidelines for COVID-19 currently exist except for physical distancing and aerial barriers between individuals This work explored the natural compound-binding efficiency of SARS-CoV-2 proteins essential for host cell interaction and infection Methods: The binding activity of artemisinin to SARS-CoV-2 spike glycoprotein (Protein Data Bank (PDB) ID: 6VYB), SARS-CoV-2 main protease (3C-like main protease (3CLpro);PDB ID: 6Y84) and SARS-CoV-2 papain-like protease (PLpro;PDB ID: 6W9C), were tested using in silico methods Moreover, chloroquine and hesperidin were used as the positive control of binding affinity and proven therapeutic effect, respectively Results: The highest affinities for binding to all tested SARS-CoV-2 proteins are observed for hesperidin (-5 8,-10 0, and -8 1 kcal/mol), then for artemisinin (-4 8,-8 3, and -6 0 kcal/mol), and the lowest for chloroquine (-4 1,-8 2, and -4 8 kcal/mol) Artemisinin, hesperidin, and chloroquine had similar positioning toward targeted proteins at specific sites when these interactions were visualized Conclusion: This study shows that artemisinin has the potential to bind and inhibit the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein, the 3CLpro main protease, and PLpro proteinase similar to hesperidin and chloroquine that have been proven as antivirals in previous preclinical and clinical studies

Background/Aim: Pulmonary embolism (PE) is a diagnostic challenge, particularly in prehospital care. The aim of this study was to determine to what extent the evaluation of D-dimer value helps physicians with differentiation of PE and whether D-dimer values are in correlation with the values of revised Geneva score. Methods: Data have been collected for the patients whose D-dimer has been evaluated at the Emergency Care Department of the City of Banja Luka in 2018. Gender, age, symptoms, working diagnosis and D-dimer value have all been recorded and also the fact whether the patient was referred to hospital treatment or not. For each patient the revised Geneva score was determined. Results: Sixty-eight tests were done in 2018. Out of 68 tests, 41 were negative (60.3 %). D-dimer results helped in making decisions about referring patients to the hospital or not (ch2 = 36.32, p < 0.001). Patients with elevated D-dimer levels, especially where the values were four times higher than the reference ones typically were referred to hospital treatment, whereas 67.5% patients with negative D-dimer results were sent home after giving a treatment and advice. In the elderly patients D-dimer was statistically more positive (F = 10.82, p < 0.001). Values of D-dimer were not significantly different regarding gender (ch2 = 2.19, p = 0.33). According to the results of the revised Geneva score, 5.1 % of patients had high risk of PTE, while moderate and low risk had 47.5 % each. Although it has been found that the values of D-dimer were slightly more elevated at higher values of the revised Geneva score and that the difference was not statistically significant (ch2 = 7.71, p = 0.10). Conclusion: Values of D-dimer considerably helped in differentiation of PE in the Emergency Care Department. D-dimer has a high negative predictive value and should be used to exclude PE diagnosis for patients with low clinical probability of PE.

In diagnosing COVID-19, false negative findings from the biological sample taken from a mucosal swab of the upper respiratory tract and tested with the real-time reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) technique have been reported. This patient has had a proven contact with an infected person, clear symptoms of viral respiratory disease, yet negative test results on the fifth day of self-isolation. On repeated test after 48 hours, on the 7th day of isolation, due to persistence of some symptoms, he tested positive for SARS-CoV-2. The existence of symptoms and characteristic sings after laboratory and radiological analysis of the patient prompted the repetition of the tests, which at the end led to the confirmed diagnosis and the possibility for adequate treatment of the patient as well.

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This article should be cited as follows: Igić R. Pharmacologist's view of the new corona virus. Scr Med 2020;51(1):6-8. Despite many advances in the prevention and treatment of infectious diseases, the global spread of infections is accelerated by close contact among concentrated populations. A pandemic caused by a new type of coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) continues to spread across the globe. This new disease attributed to COVID-19 emerged a century after the Spanish flu pandemic, which affected one-third of the world's population, killing more than 50 million people.1 The disease, caused by the H1N1 virus, has been around for less than two years and it is still unclear what contributed to its termination; possibly a mutation of the virus reduced its viral strength. Since information about biological sciences and human medicine is far more advanced today than at the beginning of the 20th century, it is expected that the current pandemic will be contained, regardless of the potential for viral mutation. Scientists and doctors now face an urgent task how to treat numerous sick people and stop the spread of this infection. The pandemic urgently requires identification of preventive measures, along with optimum means of diagnosis and treatment and data on dissemination of the infection, duration of incubation, clinical features of the disease, along with the best means of diagnosis and treatment for a very large number of people, and ultimately the long lasting consequences of the disease. In addition, we must identify pathways for the spread of the virus, its persistence on various surfaces and means of its inactivation.2

The aim of the work was to carry out a modal analysis of a multiple structure. Own forms of oscillation of the structure for five tones were obtained through the vector iteration process and were presented in table and graphic form. Using the different methods (Time history, SRSS and CQC), a calculation of the displacements was performed. Theoretically, all three methods are described and the results of the calculation for each of them are obtained. A comparison of the results, for the three methods in a given time interval, is graphically shown. Also, the results are compared which are all the same in all three methods. The modal seismic analysis of Spectral Theory was also performed. It can be concluded that by comparing the method of Time history and Spectral theory their results correspond to the maximum modal displacement.

Coefficients of organs, along with haematological characteristics, represent an important means of monitoring the health and condition of fish. Organosomatic indices show the state of organ systems and individual organs. They manifest as changes in size, which are reflected through a decrease or increase, under the influence of environmental factors. Chub individuals from the Suturlija River were used for analysis. The paper analyses the Fulton's condition factor, heart, liver, and spleen coefficients as a condition factor. Furthermore, the values of total length, standard length, and body weight were determined for all individuals. Also, certain haematological parameters were analysed in the paper: total leukocyte count and differential blood count. A total of 19 chubs caught from the Suturlija River were analysed. The obtained result of Fulton's condition factor (1.53) indicates favourable habitats for chub individuals in the Suturlija River. The results of organosomatic indices are without major variations between individuals (CSI = 0.184, SSI = 0.992, HSI = 0.133). The mean leukocyte count was 45.857x109/l, with the highest proportion of lymphocytes in the differential

Heavy metals belong to a group of substances, which, after reaching a natural habitat, can manifest various negative effects. This paper analyses heavy metals (Cu, Cd, and Pb) in the Una river and fish samples, whereby individuals of grayling (Thymallus thymallus) were used for analysis. The samples were taken at three locations at the Una river: Ripac, Hatinac, and Grmusa. Alongside with the examination of the content of heavy metals, quality of water was tracked, including the following parameters: temperature, pH, electrical conductivity, dissolved oxygen, suspended matter, BPK5, KPK – Cr, total nitrogen – N, total phosphorus P, sulphates, chlorides, nitrites – NO2, nitrates – NO3, fluoride, and heavy metals (Cu, Cd, and Pb). Besides the content of heavy metals, proteins, fats, water, carbohydrates, and mineral matter were found in the grayling fillets. Amount of heavy metals (Pb, Cu, and Cd) were under maximum allowed concentration (MAC).             Key words: heavy metals, water, fish.

Introduction. Cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) as attractive natural materials,have numerous applications in the biomedical field. Their unique biomechanicalcharacteristics, surface chemistry, low cost and sustainable naturemake them an engaging alternative to conventional materials and potentiatetheir use as progressive material. Therefore, it is critical to evaluate thecytocompatibility and immunomodulatory properties of nCNCs, which havenot been completely explored. The objective of this study was to examinea dose-dependent effect of native (n)CNCs on cytotoxicity and proliferativeactivity of human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMNCs) in vitro.Methods. PBMNCs, obtained from the healthy blood donors, were cultivatedwith nCNCs. Cell viability was analyzed by flow cytometry assay, whileproliferative activity was determined by MTT, [3H]-thymidine uptake assayand detection of IL-2 production.Results. The cytotoxicity results suggested that no concentration of nCNCs(50-400 μg/ml) affected necrosis of PBMNCs, whereas apoptosis was inducedby the highest concentration of nCNCs compared to control (p<0.05).Unexpectedly, the highest concentration of nCNCs increased the metabolicactivity of PHA-stimulated cells compared to control (p<0.05). In contrastto these findings, lower concentrations of nCNCs (50 μg/ml and 100 μg/ml)stimulated proliferation of PBMNCs (p<0.05 and p<0.001). It was followedby increased production of IL-2 (100 μg/ml) (p<0.001).Conclusion. The results suggest that non-cytotoxic concentrations of nCNCsmodulate the proliferative activity of human PBMNCs, a phenomenon whichhas not been published up to now and which is relevant for further studies.