1. A cross-sectional study of laboratory parameters 5–6 months after the first COVID-19 infectionTaja Zore, Jasna Lojk, Katarina Reberšek, Elizabeta Božnar Alič, Urška Čegovnik Primožič, Alenka France Štiglic, Aleš Jerin, Irena Prodan Žitnik, Helena Podgornik, Nada Snoj, Barbara Ostanek, Gabriele Turel, Tatjana Lejko-Zupanc, Janja Marc, Darko Černe, 2025, izvirni znanstveni članek Povzetek: Objectives: Despite extensive study of COVID-19 disease, only a few studies also addressed the aftermath of the disease and potential long-term consequences. The aim of this study was to assess COVID-19 resolution through the cross-sectional analysis of an extensive range of haematological and biochemical laboratory parameters and to find potential markers still associated with disease severity 5-6-months post infection.
Methods: In this study, we analysed 92 routine biochemical, haematological and immunological parameters in 75 non-vaccinated patients 5–6 months after recorded first time SARS-CoV-2 infection without reinfection. Demographic and disease severity data were obtained through surveys.
Results: The majority of analysed parameters were within the normal reference intervals, however, statistically significant correlations with the disease severity were detected in 15 parameters: B lymphocytes, NK cells, interleukin (IL)-12, IL-1β, cortisol, ferritin, SARS-CoV-2 specific IgG and IgM antibodies, Na, Cl, creatinine, alkaline phosphatase, cholesterol, HbA1c and alpha 2 and beta 2 globulin fractions of the proteinogram.
Conclusions: Although most observed parameters returned to their normal reference intervals, significant correlations were still observed with disease severity, that could indicate either the pre-infection baseline state which affected disease outcome or minor remaining alterations in function of certain organs, pertaining their stress or damage during the acute phase of the disease. Ključne besede: disease severity, laboratory parameters, resolution, COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2, laboratory diagnosis Objavljeno v DiRROS: 07.11.2025; Ogledov: 314; Prenosov: 135
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2. Seasonal variation of total and bioavailable 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] in the healthy adult Slovenian populationJoško Osredkar, Vid Vičič, Maša Hribar, Evgen Benedik, Darko Siuka, Aleš Jerin, Urška Čegovnik Primožič, Teja Fabjan, Kristina Kumer, Igor Pravst, Katja Žmitek, 2024, izvirni znanstveni članek Povzetek: Objective: The aim of our study was to compare the total 25(OH)D fraction, the bioavailable vitamin fraction, and the free vitamin D fraction in spring and fall in a group of healthy individuals. Methods: In our study, we collected blood samples from healthy participants at the end of both summer and winter, and measured serum levels of albumin, DBP, and 25(OH)D. Utilizing these data, we calculated the percentage of free and bioavailable vitamin D. Our cohort comprised 87 participants, with a maleto- female ratio of 14:73, aged 35.95 ± 12.55 years, ranging from 19 to 70 years. We employed the chemiluminescence method to determine the vitamin 25(OH)D levels, the ELISA method was utilized to determine DBP levels, the albumin BCP Assay was performed using the ADVIA biochemical analyzer (Siemens) and an online calculator was used to determine the free and bioavailable 25(OH)D levels. Results: Our findings indicate significantly lower 25(OH)D levels in winter (44.13 ± 17.82 nmol/L) compared to summer (74.97 ± 22.75 nmol/L; p < 0.001). For vitamin D binding protein there was no significant difference from summer (236.2 ± 164.39 mg/L) to winter (239.86 ± 141.9 mg/L; p = 0.77), albumin levels were significantly higher in summer (49.37 ± 4.15 g/L vs. 47.97 ± 3.91 g/L, p = 0.01), but the magnitude of the change may not be large enough to be solely responsible for the stability of vitamin D levels throughout the year. In the winter season a significantly lower calculated bioavailable 25(OH)D vitamin (7.45 ± 5.66 nmol/L against 13.11 ± 8.27 nmol/L; p < 0.001) was observed, and the free fraction also showed a significant decrease (17.3 ± 12.9 pmol/L versus 29.7 ± 19.1 pmol/L; p < 0.0001). We observed a moderately positive correlation between 25(OH)D and bioavailable percentage in winter (r = 0.680; p < 0.001), in contrast with a lower positive association in summer (r = 0.343; p < 0.001). Conclusion: Our data suggest a positive correlation between total and bioavailable 25(OH)D levels. In addition to the statistically significant variation in 25(OH)D between the two observation periods, there was an additional variation in the free vitamin D percentage. The summertime synthesis of vitamin D in the skin could contribute directly to the free fraction of vitamin D. Standardizing the measurement of free 25(OH)D and clinical studies is necessary to establish reference values before these methods can be implemented in clinical practice. Ključne besede: body mass index, ultraviolet, D3, cholecalciferol, D2, ergocalciferol, total 25(OH)D, 25-hydroxycholecalciferol, calcifediol, calcidiol, 25-hydroxyvitamin, 1, 25-(OH)D, 1, 25-dihydroxyvitamin D, vitamin D binding protein, Odds ratio Objavljeno v DiRROS: 02.10.2025; Ogledov: 385; Prenosov: 179
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3. The performance of the Xpert Bladder Cancer Monitor Test and voided urinary cytology in the follow-up of urinary bladder tumorsTomaž Smrkolj, Urška Čegovnik Primožič, Teja Fabjan, Saša Šterpin, Joško Osredkar, 2021, izvirni znanstveni članek Povzetek: Background: Cystoscopy in complement with urinary cytology represents the gold standard for the follow-up of patients with urinary bladder tumours. Xpert Bladder Cancer Monitor Test (XBC) is a novel mRNA-based urine test for bladder cancer surveillance. The aim of the study was to evaluate the performance of the XBC and voided urinary cytology (VUC) in the follow-up of bladder tumours. Patients and methods. The XBC was performed on stabilized voided urine and VUC was performed on urine samples. The results were compared to cystoscopic findings and histopathological results after transurethral resection of the bladder lesion. Results. For the prediction of malignant histopathological result sensitivity, the specificity and negative predictive value were 76.9%, 97.5% and 93.0% for the XBC and 38.4%, 97.5% and 83.3%, respectively for VUC. For the prediction of suspicious or positive cystoscopic finding sensitivity, the specificity and negative predictive value were 75.0%, 95.2%, and 93.0% respectively for the XBC and 41.7%, 97.6%, and 85.4% for VUC. The sensitivities for papilary urothelial neoplasms of low malignant potential (PUNLMP), low- and high-grade tumours were 0.0%, 66.7% and 100.0% for the XBC and 0.0%, 66.7% and 42.9%, respectively for VUC. Conclusions: The XBC showed significantly higher overall sensitivity and negative predictive value than VUC and could be used to increase the recommended follow-up cystoscopy time intervals. Complementing the XBC and voided urinary cytology does not improve performance in comparison to the XBC alone. Ključne besede: cystoscopy, Xpert BC monitor test, urinary bladder neoplasm, voided urinary cytology Objavljeno v DiRROS: 19.07.2024; Ogledov: 1106; Prenosov: 576
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