Pharmaceutical and Natural Sciences

Rosaceae, the rose family, is a medium-sized family of flowering plants, including 4,828 known species in 91 genera. The name is derived from the type genus Rosa. Among the most species-rich genera are Alchemilla, Sorbus, Crataegus, Rubus, and Prunus with about 200 species. Kreu i Ahishtës is part of the Sharr Mountains massif which lies in the southern part of Kosovo. The altitude ranges from 560 - 1700m. In research conducted in the period 2018-2019. Within the botanical research we have identified the Rosaceae family as the species of this family are of great medical, aromatic and decorative importance. The large change in altitude, pedological, geological composition, climatic conditions and field exposures have enabled a diversity of plant species. Many of the herbs are aromatic in all parts and include edible and medicinal herbs which were used in modern and traditional medicine.

This work has been done for the purpose of new medicine or drug identification which should substitute many antibiotics from which nowadays many bacteria are developing immunity. Therefore, the main purpose of this work has been the synthesis of some new components which would contribute at some point in our country as well. Acrylic acid (IUPAC: propenoic acid) is an organic compound with the formula CH₂=CHCOOH. It is the simplest unsaturated carboxylic acid, consisting of a vinyl group connected directly to a carboxylic acid terminus. This colorless liquid has a characteristic acrid or tart smell. It is miscible with water, alcohols, ethers, and chloroform. While the carbamoyl derivatives are the univalent carboacyl group formed by loss of -OH from the carboxy group of carbamic acid. We have used derivatives of various heterocyclic compounds such as amine and maleic anhydride to synthesized dhe carbamoyl derivatives of acrilic acid. The making of this work has been done in three phases: In the first part we will summaries some of the most important recent research, in the part of new carbamoyl derivatives of acrylic acid. İn the second part we will have given the results of our research which contain the new component synthesis whose structure will be defined according to spectral data: IR, ¹HNMR, and ¹³CNMR. İn the third part we will describe in detail the experimental conditions of new components synthesis and their spectroscopic properties.

The areas of Opoja, Gora and Zupa in the district of Prizren are populated by the Albanian, Bosnian and Goran communities. These areas are distinguished for their rich flora and fauna. Continuing our reasearch work in the field of Ethnopharmacognosy, we started this study with the purpose of evidencing and scientific documenting these medical plants and their preparation, which are aplied in the traditional medicine in the areas of Prizren, in order to save and enrich our knowledge of ethnobotany, as a first step in scientific evaluation of medical plants. Data was collected using interviews conducted with residents of these areas during different time periods 2016 - 2019. A total of 90 residents belonging to the Albanian, Bosnian, Goran, Turkey and Roma communities were interviewed. Voucher plant specimens were deposited in the herbarium. The collected data have been compared with the existing Ethnobotanic and Phytotherapeutic in Kosovo and around Kosovo. A total of 82 species of plantas belonging to different botanical families were collected. The most abundand ones were; Rosaceae family (14 species), Asteraceae (5 species), and Gentianaceae (4 species). The plants were raported to be used in the treatment of various diseases, mainly those of the respiratory system (asthma,bronchitis), gastrointestinal disordes and wound healing. Chamomile results to be the most udes medical plants by alla the communities that participated in the study. Other plants used the most by the Albanian and Bosnian community are; Elder and Saint John’s wort, for the Goran community: Saint John’s wort and Yarrow, for the Roma community: Common mettle and Linden whereas for the Turkish community are: Saint John’s wort and Bitter melon. This study identified the most commonly plants and formulations used commonly by the abovementioned communities. Investigating phytochemical and pharmacological properites through further studies of this vegetation represent not only scientific interest but they will also contribute to the overall development of these areas.

Modern analytical methodologies play an essential role regarding the quality evaluation of complex components, such as biologicals, where their implementation turned out to be crucial to assure their quality, safety, and efficacy. Glycoprotein hormones possess a highly complex structure and the study of their quality requires advanced analytical methodologies. Therefore, the aim of this study was the evaluation of suitable analytical methods for the quality study of such complex compounds. In order to satisfy the aim, 1D-SDS-PAGE and 2D gel electrophoresis in conjunction with mass spectrometry-based analyses were implemented. Gel electrophoretic techniques revealed the pI, Mr and glycoforms pattern, while MS analyses shed light upon the identity, structural integrity and glycosylation extent. The results demonstrated high complexity and extreme heterogeneity, typical for glycoproteins. Mass spectrometry provided information regarding structural identity parameters and glycosylation model. This methodology proved to be capable for the determination of purity and structural integrity of such complex compounds, although further investigations are required to fully understand glycosylation pattern since it has a significant effect on the pharmacokinetics and their biological activity.

The purpose of this paper is to determine infections at two different clinics, the intensive unit of the infectious clinic and the intensive care MIQ, based on the variability of CRPs (reactive protein C) and PTCs (procalcitonin) in patients with suspected intrahospital infections. There were also changes in these parameters based on the gender of patients admitted to the two clinics, as well as these compared with the control group who were healthy patients. During this study 136 patients were examined in total 27 patients from intensive care unit of infectious clinic and 109 patients from central intensive care unit in UCCK in Prishtina. By gender 63 cases or 46% were ill females while 73 cases or 54% were males. In the control group 63 cases were 61% female while 53 cases or 39% were male. The parameters determined are CRP and PCT. The assays were worked in the Biochemistry Clinical Biochemistry Laboratory at UCCK. In our cases CRP and PCT resulted in a significantly higher proportion of hospitalized patients than the control group, meaning patients other than primary illnesses were also with bacterial infections, the results being of high statistical reliability demonstrating conclusive risk of hospitalized patients for secondary diseases. Based on the results presented, the level of infection marker CRP in the central intensive care unit was higher than in the intensive unit of the infective clinic, thus the possibility of central intensive care unit patients for infections is higher than in the infective clinic. It is worth noting that with low CRP reliability, values were slightly higher in males than females.

The quality of irrigation water is assessed in the main water sources of Peja-Istog area, Kosovo. Thirty-two water samples were collected in the sampling points during the peak dry season (2015). Sixteen of these samples were collected in July, whereas the rest were collected in August from the same sampling points. The content of the samples have been analyzed. The classification used to assess the suitability of irrigation water for various qualities are FAO and USSL classification criteria. An additional evaluation for the suitability of irrigation water was also used including assessment of sodium adsorption ratio (SAR), sodium percentage (SSP), residual sodium bi-carbonate (RSBC), magnesium content (MAR), permeability index (PI), and Kelly’s ratio (KR). The results of physicchemical analyses and calculated parameters of water quality suggest that all water samples are suitable for irrigation purposes. Therefore, the surface water of this area is of an excellent quality and is highly recommended for irrigation purposes.

A new electroanalytical method has been developed for the determination of phenolic compounds in extra virgin olive oils. This method is based on the extraction of phenolic compounds from EVOO with DES and their determination by GC/MWCNT/TiO₂ electrode, whose sensitivity is based on the use of MWCNT and TiO₂ nanoparticles as modifiers and Nafion as binders on the GCE. This built platform has shown very good sensitivity in detecting phenolic compounds in EVOO at a fairly wide range of concentrations. The measurements were performed by using square wave voltammetry. By using this method, we were able to divide antioxidants in two groups: the group of compounds oxidizing at about 220 mV (1^st Group) was the mixture of CA and gallic acid (GA), while for the group oxidizing at about 570 mV (2^nd Group) the mixture contained VA, p-Coumaric Acid (p-CA) and tyrosol (TS). The extraction could be performed without using organic solvents and the detection limits for CA and VA were found to be 1.82 and 5.32 µmol/L with GCE, whilst 0.6 and 1.03 µM with GC/MWCNT/TiO₂. Based on the results compared with the spectrophotometric method we can say that this method can be used in the determination of phenolic compounds in EVOO.

Ibuprofen is a medication in the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug class that is used for treating pain, fever, and inflammation. It can be used by mouth or intravenous. It typically begins working within an hour. Usual adult dose for pain or fever is 200 to 400 mg orally every 4 to 6 hours as needed. Side effects include nausea, dyspepsia, diarrhea, constipation, gastrointestinal ulceration/bleeding, headache, dizziness, rash, salt and fluid retention, and high blood pressure. Infrequent side effects include esophageal ulceration, heart failure, high blood levels of potassium, kidney impairment, confusion, and bronchospasm. Ibuprofen can exacerbate asthma, sometimes fatality. Ibuprofen was derived from propionic acid by the research arm of Boots Group during the 1960s. The purpose of this paper is to compare the use of Ibuprofen as analgesic with other drugs of the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory group and to see the knowledge of the young people on its use. The study includes 117 students at the UBT - University of Business and Technology. Of which 76.1% were women and 23.9% males. Their age was 17-32 years. The students who attended were mostly in the field of Nursing, Dentistry, Pharmacy, Architecture, etc. The students underwent the survey which was questions about the use of ibuprofen. Although results showed that Paracetamol is used mostly by many young people, the use of Ibuprofen is still high compared to other analgesics. The reason for the use of Ibuprofen was headache, menstrual pain, muscle pain, and less other type of pains. Only a small percentage of 0.9% of participants found that they were allergic to Ibuprofen. Although Ibuprofen can be taken without a doctor's description only 76.9% of them took it without description. Most of the participants did not have side effects, but the most common side effect was stomach ache. Based on the results presented and the conclusion of this paper we may suggest that Ibuprofen is a safe drug to use, side effects are not observed much among young people, and participants have used the ibuprofen for the intended purpose.

The research is important to identify the woody and shrub plants that grow in this area as well as their economic, food and pharmaceutical importance. The researched area is located at an altitude of 700 – 1100 m. lies from the eastern part of the Carraleve mountain massif - Sharr Mountains. Plants are dominated by: Oaks (Querrqus), Hazelnut (Corylus), Beech (Fagus), Elder (Sambucus), Acacia (Robinia), Cornel (Cornus), Poplar (Populus), Wild Apple (Malus), Pear (Pyrus) , Cherry (Prunus) etc. This research was conducted during 2020, during the expeditions, UBT students also participated, in order to get to know the plants and their habitat directly in nature.

The study was based on a questionnaire for self-adminstered laxatives. Part of this study were 76 pharmacists from Municipality of Tetovo. The questionnaire was developed in two different languages, Albanian and Macedonian. The response format included multiple choice questions in which the participants were asked to choose the most reasonable answer for them on the given list of options. 35% of patients have taken laxatives with doctor's recommendation, 36% from pharmacists recommendation. Only 17% of patients have taken laxatives without recommendations. 48% of healthcare professionals for constipation treatment recommend use of synthetic laxatives and 51% of them recommend use of natural-based laxatives. The most common pharmaceutical forms of laxatives that pharmacists recommend the most, majority of them, 29% have given herbal tea laxatives and 21% syrup forms of laxatives. Other types of pharmaceutical forms are less given to patients. Pharmacists also have rarely encountered the appearance of side effects in patients during the use of natural laxatives.

SARS-CoV-2 is a strain of the coronavirus that was first discovered in the Chinese city of Wuhan - and the spread began as a pneumonia of the unknown causative agent on December 31, 2019. On January 30, 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the explosion as a Public Health Emergency at the level of International Concern. On February 11, 2020, the International Committee on Virus Taxonomy (ICTV) decided to name the virus as (SARS-CoV-2) severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 and the WHO finally decided to name the disease caused by this virus as COVID-19 (for Coronavirus disease identified in 2019). The responsible institutions and also the Kosovo Chamber of Pharmacists have immediately given various recommendations regarding preventive measures which should be taken by pharmacists in pharmacies in order to prevent the spread of the virus. These recommendations have also been made in collaboration with the organizations FIP and PGEU which expertise has also been utilized and such materials have been translated and sent to pharmacists as a reference with the latest news regarding the situation. This work shows an analysis of the role of community and hospital pharmacists in pandemic management as well as the challenges faced by pharmacists. Also part of the analysis is the chronology of medicines which are recommended for use according to clinical protocols and approval by the EMA with the indication for COVID-19.

An analysis of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) genomes collected from the patients worldwide has identified mutations in the virus that could aid in drug and vaccine development. The researchers found that the virus’s genetic diversity in most countries is similar to what it is globally, suggesting that it was introduced repeatedly by many infected people in each country rather than by a “patient zero.” The genetic analysis found 198 mutations that have occurred more than once. “Mutations in themselves are not a bad thing it is nothing to suggest SARS-CoV-2 is mutating faster or slower than expected. Several factors, including pharmacogenetics, it is possible to contribute to inter-individual variability in drug response. However, till today little is known about the host genetics interaction with infection and COVID-19 progression. To understand the role of host gene, we review the current literature, aggregate readily available genetic resources, and provide some updated analysis relevant to COVID-19 and associated phenotypes.

The medical information and medical literature available nowadays, is enormously growing. The usage of electronic information sources is becoming more and more common nowadays. Pharmacists are required every day to respond to multiple requests for different drug information from different people. Evaluation skills of medication information and medication literature are vital for the Pharmacist because it can provide medication information and other information to patients and their families. This study aims to research the use and utilization of pharmaceutical information electronically to enhance professional knowledge, following new pharmaceutical trends, inform the patient about the use, dosage, usage of medicines, etc. Quantitative method. The target group was Pharmacists (n = 120) surveyed from 1125 (10.67%) licensed pharmacists of the Republic of Kosovo. Out of 120 pharmacists all stated that they know how to use and use electronic resources, 100%. Have you received training during your studies: YES 50% NO 50%. After studies: YES 37.5% NO 62.5%. Do you use electronic resources in your pharmacy: YES 90.83% NO 9.17% How long do I use: 60% daily, 26.67% biweekly, 8.33% monthly, once a year 0.83%, never 4.17%. Informing the patient about his medications: 58.33% agree, 12.50% partially, 9.17% disagree, 11.67% have no idea. To gain knowledge: 75% agree 1.67% disagree 5.83% have no idea, follow the innovation in the pharmacy: 75% agree 1.67% disagree 7.50% have no idea. Electronic sources used for bar name 66.67% agree 3.33% disagree 14.17% have no idea. Drug dose: 55.83% agree 5% disagree 12.5% have no idea. Way of use: 44.17% agree 11.67% disagree 14.17% have no idea. Taking grass before or after meals: 38.33% agree 13.33% disagree 21.67% have no idea. Side effects: 61.67% agree 1.67% disagree 11.67% have no idea. Drug interactions; 54.17% agree 3.33% disagree. Drug interactions: 47.50% agree 6.67% disagree. Contraindications: 59.17% agree 7.5% disagree. Most used information sources: drugs.com 76.67%, WebMed 40%, Rx List 20.83%. How secure are the electronic resources: YES 48.33% NO 51.67%. Most frequently used sources: electronic 70.83%, printed literature 29.17%. Do you use the drug registry; YES 90%, NO 10%. Most used registry: registry5 63.33%. Electronic sources: 80% accurate, 15% very accurate, 1.67% not at all accurate. Does it contain all the information you are looking for: 75% in many cases yes, 16.67% sometimes. More accurate sources of information: information from electronic sources 31.67% from printed literature 68.33%.

Screen printed carbon electrodes (SPCE) bulk modified with Tl2O3 were used for the amperometric detection of hydrogen peroxide in flow injection analysis (FIA) at optimum conditions of -100 mV operating potential, 0.2 mL/min flow rate and as carrier medium phosphate buffer (0.1 M, pH 7.5). The linear range of the response of screen-printed electrodes for hydrogen peroxide detection was from 5 mg/L to 200 mg/L with a detection limit (LOD) of 2.5 mg/L. The repeatability of measurements was 1.1 % RSD (n=8 measurements) and the reproducibility 1.4 % RSD (n=8 sensors). The sensor was further tested for its selectivity for the detection of H2O2 in the presence and absence of possibly interfering compounds. Besides, an amperometric biosensor was developed using the screen printed carbon electrode modified with Tl2O3, Nafion and glucose oxidase as the bio-recognition layer for the determination of glucose. Calibration curves of the glucose biosensors with an operating potential of -100 mV and a flow rate of 0.2 mL/min in the concentration range from 10 mg/L to 1000 mg/L glucose showed a quasi-linear relation between concentration and signal up to 200 mg/L. LOD was estimated as 6.6 mg/L and the repeatibility of the measurements was 2.4 % (n=7 measurements). The glucose biosensor was tested for its selectivity to possibly interfering substances which might occur in blood and exhibited negligible effect. Finally, the biosensor was used for the detection of glucose in human blood samples showing satisfactory results compared to the results obtained from a commercial glucose biosensor. Additionally, a protein biosensor using amino acid oxidase and protease was designed using SPCE bulk-modified with the mediator (Tl2O3) and a double enzyme film at the surface containing L-amino acid oxidase and a protease. The operating potential was -400 mV with bovine serum albumin (BSA) as a template analyte in the concentration range from 20 mg/L to 200 mg/L. LOD was estimated as 5.3 mg/L and the repeatability of the measurements was 2.8 % (n=3 measurements). Finally the biosensor was applied to the determination of protein in milk samples with flow injection analysis and the results were in good agreement with data obtained with a spectrophotometric method (Bradford assay).

Limni Lake, which is one of efficiency lagoons of Aegean Region, covers an area of approximately 68 ha. This study was carried out to determine the water quality of Limni Lake and possible ecological parameters affecting the lake at 7 stations selected between April 2018 and March 2019. Some physico-chemical parameters (Water temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen, saturated oxygen, electrical conductivity, salinity, nitrite, nitrate, ammonium, ortho- phosphate, total phosphorus, suspended solids, turbidity, chlorophyll-a, BOD 5 were analyzed and compared with the older datas. Water samples were analysed in the Water Analysis Laboratory of the accredited Research Laboratories of Muğla Sıtkı Koçman University and evaluated in terms of water quality. As a result of this study which continued one year, especially in summer period, some contaminations are inspected in terms of water quality and ecology which are related to vacational season, mine exportation from Güllük Port and aquaculture that is managed in soil pools.

The newly identified severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV- 2) that originated in December 2019 in Wuhan, China. By July 2020, the WHO reported over 17 million confirmed cases in over 200 countries around the globe. This review discusses how the COVID-19 pandemic may affect healthy people, structure and replication cycle of SARS- CoV-2; targets and therapeutics SARS- CoV-2 and anti-COVID drugs: strategies and perspectives.

The aim of this study is to assess the quality of the surface water used for irrigation purposes by examining the presence of trace elements in the main irrigation sources in Istog area in Kosovo. Samples were taken from several of these sources (rivers, some reservoirs, pump stations and canals) and were then analyzed for trace elements content such as zinc, iron, copper, manganese, lead, nickel, cobalt, cadmium, chromium, and molybdenum, by Microwave Plasma Atomic Emission Spectrometry (MP-AES 4100). The findings revealed no significant differences in terms of trace elements content in the samples coming from the various sources. Copper, manganese, nickel, cobalt, lead and chromium were found in normal concentrations in all the water sources, whereas zinc and iron were found to be in deficient concentrations. Cadmium was at recommended maximum concentrations. Molybdenum is found in high concentrations especially in the water samples taken from pump stations and irrigation reservoirs. In the future it is necessary to closely and continuously monitor the concentrations of molybdenum in the irrigation waters of this area. Furthermore, it is essential to identify the causes of the high molybdenum levels in these waters. However, these sources can be used for irrigation purposes without posing a threat to the soil and plants.