The data on seroprevalence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in Kazakhstani population are non-existent, but are needed for planning of public health interventions targeted to COVID-19 containment. The aim of the study was to estimate the seropositivity of SARS-CoV-2 infection in the Kazakhstani population from 2020 to 2021. We relied on the data obtained from the results from “IN VITRO” laboratories of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays for class G immunoglobulins (IgG) and class M (IgM) to SARS-CoV-2. The association of COVID-19 seropositivity was assessed in relation to age, gender, and region of residence. Additionally, we related the monitoring of longitudinal seropositivity with COVID-19 statistics obtained from Our World in Data. The total numbers of tests were 68,732 for SARS-CoV-2 IgM and 85,346 for IgG, of which 22% and 63% were positive, respectively. The highest rates of positive anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgM results were seen during July/August 2020. The rate of IgM seropositivity was the lowest on 25 October 2020 (2%). The lowest daily rate of anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG was 17% (13 December 2020), while the peak of IgG seropositivity was seen on 6 June 2021 (84%). A longitudinal serological study should be envisaged to facilitate understanding of the dynamics of the epidemiological situation and to forecast future scenarios.

Background Actovegin is a hemodialysate of calf’s blood and has been used for several decades in the countries of Central Asia, East Asia, Russia and some European countries. It has been used to treat patients with various neurological conditions, vascular disorders, and ischemic stroke. Objectives To perform a systematic review to evaluate the effect of Actovegin in patients who have suffered an ischemic stroke. Methods A search of MEDLINE, PubMed, Cochrane and Embase was carried out from inception to October 10, 2021 for clinical trials and observational studies with a control group, published in English or Russian. Results Of 220 identified unique records, 84 full-text articles were screened, and 5 studies were selected that met the inclusion criteria. This included 4 observational studies with control groups and one randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial. These studies enrolled a total of 3879 patients of which 720 patients received Actovegin administered intravenously and/or orally for a duration ranging from 10 to 180 days. Because of study heterogeneity, meta-analysis was not performed. No consistent evidence on improved survival, quality of life, neurologic symptoms, activities of daily living or disability was identified. One study showed statistically significant improvements in the Alzheimer’s Disease Assessment Scale, cognitive subscale, extended version (ADAS-cog+) for Actovegin compared with placebo at 6 months but the clinical relevance of this change is uncertain. One study reported a higher incidence of recurrent ischemic stroke, transient ischemic attack or intracerebral hemorrhage in patients taking Actovegin compared to placebo. Conclusions The benefits of Actovegin are uncertain and that there is potential risk of harm in patients with stroke. More evidence is needed from rigorously designed clinical trials to justify the role of Actovegin in patients with ischemic stroke.

Over the two years that we have been experiencing the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic, our challenges have been the race to develop vaccines and the difficulties in fighting against new variants due to the rapid ability of the virus to evolve. In this sense, different organizations have identified and classified the different variants that have been emerging, distinguishing between variants of concern (VOC), variants of interest (VOI), or variants under monitoring (VUM). The following review aims to describe the latest updates focusing on VOC and already de-escalated variants, as well as to describe the impact these have had on the global situation. Understanding the intrinsic properties of SARS-CoV-2 and its interaction with the immune system and vaccination is essential to make out the underlying mechanisms that have led to the appearance of these variants, helping to determine the next steps for better public management of this pandemic.

In December 2019, SARS-CoV-2 was identified in Wuhan, China. Infection by SARS-CoV-2 causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), which is characterized by fever, cough, dyspnea, anosmia, and myalgia in many cases. There are discussions about the association of vitamin D levels with COVID-19 severity. However, views are conflicting. The aim of the study was to examine associations of vitamin D metabolism pathway gene polymorphisms with symptomless COVID-19 susceptibility in Kazakhstan. The case-control study examined the association between asymptomatic COVID-19 and vitamin D metabolism pathway gene polymorphisms in 185 participants, who previously reported not having COVID-19, were PCR negative at the moment of data collection, and were not vaccinated. A dominant mutation in rs6127099 (CYP24A1) was found to be protective of asymptomatic COVID-19. Additionally, the G allele of rs731236 TaqI (VDR), dominant mutation in rs10877012 (CYP27B1), recessive rs1544410 BsmI (VDR), and rs7041 (GC) are worth consideration since they were statistically significant in bivariate analysis, although their independent effect was not found in the adjusted multivariate logistic regression model.

Secondhand smoke (SHS) is a combination of sidestream (smoke emitted from the tobacco stick) and mainstream smoke (smoke exhaled by a person), resulting in the production of numerous gasses and particulate matter 1. The International Agency for Research on Cancer stated that SHS exposure has a cancerogenic nature 2-4. SHS exposure increases risk of developing a range of serious illnesses, including lung cancer, cardiovascular disease, respiratory disease, and asthma. Other significant health outcomes such as eye irritation, nasal inflammation, and low birthweight are caused by secondhand smoke exposure 1. In the post-Soviet and former pro-Soviet block countries of Estonia,