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The ongoing pandemic of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) stimulated an unprecedented international collaborative effort for rapid diagnosis, epidemiologic surveillance, clinical management, prevention, and treatment. This review focuses on the current and new therapeutical approaches, summarizing the viral structure and life cycle, with an emphasis on the specific steps that can be interfered by antivirals: (a) inhibition of viral entry with anti-spike monoclonal antibodies; (b) inhibition of the RNA genome replication with nucleosidic analogs blocking the viral RNA polymerase; (c) inhibition of the main viral protease (Mpro), which directs the formation of the nonstructural proteins. An overview of the immunomodulatory drugs currently used for severe COVID-19 treatment and future therapeutical options are also discussed.

Cellulose is the most widely used biopolymer, accounting for about 1.5 trillion tons of annual production on Earth. Bacterial cellulose (BC) is a form produced by different species of bacteria, representing a purified form of cellulose. The structure of bacterial cellulose consists of glucose monomers that give it excellent properties for different medical applications (unique nanostructure, high water holding capacity, high degree of polymerization, high mechanical strength, and high crystallinity). These properties differ depending on the cellulose-producing bacteria. The most discussed topic is related to the use of bacterial cellulose as a versatile biopolymer for wound dressing applications. The aim of this review is to present the microbial aspects of BC production and potential applications in development of value-added products, especially for biomedical applications.

By adjusting the synthesis process, silver nanoparticles (AgNp) of various shapes, sizes, and structures can be obtained, all of which have a substantial impact on the biological effect, notably, the regulation of antibacterial activity in the present circumstances of growing bacterial resistance. Due to their relatively small size, nanoparticles may be disseminated evenly throughout the body of the experimental animal, even at low doses, and exert more potent antibacterial activities. Our research was centered on the synthesis, production, and biological evaluation of antibacterial silver nanoparticles. Using the Turkevich method, we were able to effectively synthesize and characterize nanoscale silver particles, with an average crystallite size of 9.49 nm. We examined their acute toxicity and pharmacokinetic characteristics in rats after administering a single dosage. In addition, we evaluated the biological effect of topical AgNp suspension on the progression of burn-type lesions in the experimental animals. The pharmacokinetic profile demonstrated that the plasma concentration of silver nanoparticles, as well as their clearance rate, and dispersion throughout the body, are significantly enhanced in large rodent species. The restorative effect of synthesized silver nanoparticles in the form of a suspension in distilled water was corroborated by the values of the hematological parameters. These results demonstrated an intense stimulation of the cellular and molecular processes of the local immune defense, which has resulted in significantly faster regeneration in the AgNp-treated group.

The advent of COVID-19 vaccines brought hope in combating the global pandemic. However, their acceptance and uptake have faced significant challenges due to vaccine hesitancy and concerns regarding adverse reactions. Various factors influencing vaccine hesitancy, such as fear of side effects, lack of trust in vaccine development processes, misinformation, and socio-cultural beliefs, are discussed. Understanding the reasons behind vaccine hesitancy is crucial in formulating effective strategies to address public concerns. This article aims to explore the factors contributing to vaccine hesitancy and examine the reported adverse reactions following COVID-19 vaccination. By fostering trust, providing accurate information, and establishing robust surveillance systems, public health officials can combat hesitancy and enhance vaccination rates. Efforts must be made to educate individuals about the benefits of vaccination while maintaining transparency regarding potential risks, ultimately paving the way for widespread immunization and mitigating the impact of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Based on our study findings, it is evident that the population of Romania has exhibited a lack of positive response towards the vaccination campaign aimed at curbing the transmission of COVID-19. These results strongly indicate that Romania will face significant challenges in achieving the World Health Organization's recommended vaccination threshold of at least 70% coverage.