Numerous studies point to the significance of cathepsin B (CTSB) in the development of carcinoma. Therefore, the aim of this pilot study was to investigate the levels of cathepsin B (CTSB) and the expression of CTSB mRNA in the plasma of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) patients. Methods: The study included 44 newly diagnosed NHL patients and 35 healthy volunteers comprising the control group. CTSB in the plasma samples were detected using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results: The level of CTSB was significantly higher in NHL patients compared to control subjects: 15.28 (11.68–17.23) versus 11.57 (10.12–13.41), p = 0.003. In addition, a positive correlation between plasma CTSB mRNA and CTSB after therapy was observed (rho = 0.591, p = 0.026). Regarding redox parameters, we found a negative correlation between CTSB and the total antioxidant status (TAS) (rho = −0.499, p = 0.035), as well as a positive correlation with the total oxidant status (TOS) (rho = 0.576, p = 0.012). Conclusions: Targeting CTSB might have significant clinical relevance in the diagnostics of NHL.

Introduction/Objective. Nonspecific clinical signs of neonatal infection dictate routinely determination of C-reactive protein (CRP) and procalcitonin levels in order to confirm the diagnosis. As hepcidin is an acute phase reactant, the aim of our study was to analyze its significance in diagnosis of neonatal infections. Methods. The prospective study included 71 term neonates, 37 with signs of infection in the absence of other pathological conditions and 34 healthy neonates. After standard bacteriological examination, at the time of diagnosis and after six days of antibiotic therapy, complete blood count, serum CRP, procalcitonin, and hepcidin were determined. Results. There was no difference in serum hepcidin levels between the control (55.17 ? 21.22 ng/ml) and the infection group (59.72 ? 59.7 ng/ml) on the first day. Hepcidin values in neonates with infection up to 72 hours were significantly lower (30.2 ng/ml, IQ: 25.9?39.9 ng/ml) than in older neonates (82.2 ng/ml, IQ: 39.7?128.1 ng/ml). In neonates up to 72 hours, after six days of antibiotics, the hepcidin values show a significant increase (36.68 ng/ml, IQ; 31.23?50.3 ng/ml). High hepcidin values (128.05 ng/ml, IQ: 60.95?201 ng/ml) were recorded in neonates with CRP over 100 mg/l. Conclusion. Our results shows that the determination of serum hepcidin as a marker of neonatal infection is not relevant in neonates up to 72 hours of life. After six days of antibiotic therapy, the neonates of this group reacted with an increase in hepcidin, while the parallel determined values of CRP and procalcitonin showed a significant decrease.

Haracteristics of infants with bronchiolitis diagnosed in the Banja Luka Children's Hospital in the 2022/2023 season. Methods: Prospectivelly – retrospectively we analyzed data from medical records. Results: In the period from November 2022 to the end of February 2023, Children’s Diseases Clinic in Banja Luka treated 81 infants with bronchiolitis. Out of 81 infants, 19 had a proven respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). Infant boys were more affected than grils. We treated the most children in January. The median age for infants was two months old. Conclusion: Infection with RSV virus complicates the clinical state and prolongs the duration of treatment. The therapeutic approach is individual and depends on the severity of the clinical characteristics. Given that it is an infection that can be prevented by the use of Palivizumab, we believe that there is a justified extension of the indications for its use as a mandatory vaccine in the Republic of Srpska.