COVID-19 is a severe infectious disease that has claimed >150,000 lives and infected millions in the United States thus far, especially the elderly population. Emerging evidence has shown the virus ...to cause hemorrhagic and immunologic responses, which impact all organs, including lungs, kidneys, and the brain, as well as extremities. SARS-CoV-2 also affects patients', families', and society's mental health at large. There is growing evidence of re-infection in some patients. The goal of this paper is to provide a comprehensive review of SARS-CoV-2-induced disease, its mechanism of infection, diagnostics, therapeutics, and treatment strategies, while also focusing on less attended aspects by previous studies, including nutritional support, psychological, and rehabilitation of the pandemic and its management. We performed a systematic review of >1,000 articles and included 425 references from online databases, including, PubMed, Google Scholar, and California Baptist University's library. COVID-19 patients go through acute respiratory distress syndrome, cytokine storm, acute hypercoagulable state, and autonomic dysfunction, which must be managed by a multidisciplinary team including nursing, nutrition, and rehabilitation. The elderly population and those who are suffering from Alzheimer's disease and dementia related illnesses seem to be at the higher risk. There are 28 vaccines under development, and new treatment strategies/protocols are being investigated. The future management for COVID-19 should include B-cell and T-cell immunotherapy in combination with emerging prophylaxis. The mental health and illness aspect of COVID-19 are among the most important side effects of this pandemic which requires a national plan for prevention, diagnosis and treatment.
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•Preparing sodium treated HNT (tHNT)/alginate/xanthan/5-FU nanocomposite hydrogels.•Improving thermal/mechanical properties of hydrogels by increasing tHNTs content.•Controlling 5-FU ...from hydrogels at two different pHs of 5.5 and 7.4.•Enhancing death of HeLa cells using hydrogel scaffolds.
This work was aimed to synthesize 5-fluorouracil (5-FU)-loaded sodium alginate (SA)/xanthan gum (Xan) hydrogels containing sulfuric acid-treated halloysite nanotube (tHNT) using free radical polymerization and evaluate their apoptosis against HeLa cells in cervical cancer therapy. The nanocomposite hydrogel including tHNT (SA/Xan: tHNT, 1:1) showed a rough surface with cross-linking density of 171.9 × 10-4 mol/cm3 compared to tHNT-free sample (62.5 × 10-4 mol/cm3). The 5-FU encapsulation efficiency of the samples in the presence and absence of tHNT was obtained approximately 60 % and 76 %, respectively. Moreover, the drug release of the samples with and without tHNT were measured 72 % and 93 % in acidic medium as well as 32 % and 57 % in basic environment after 72 h. Finally, the cytotoxicity results revealed the minimum cell viability (3.3 %) for tHNT-loaded hydrogel sample on the 4th day, and flow cytometry assessments also exhibited that the apoptosis rate of HeLa cells for this sample was 85.4 %, resulting in its remarkable potential for destroying this cancerous cell line.
A novel electroactive biocompatible nanofibrous scaffold based on poly (ε-caprolactone) (PCL)/cellulose acetate (CA) containing graphene oxide (GO) is prepared by the use of electrospinning, which is ...employed for neural tissue regeneration potentially. By varying GO content, the PCL/CA nanofibers including 0.5 wt. % of GO is chosen as an optimum sample with an average diameter of approximately 280 nm and electrical conductivity of around 75 µS/m. According to the functional group analysis, no chemical reaction occurred during the physical distribution of GO within the PCL/CA nanofibers. Subsequently, the wetting and mechanical properties of the optimized sample reported a water contact angle of 39 and a tensile strength of 2.5 MPa, respectively. Moreover, the electrical activity of the PCL/CA nanofibers containing 0.5 wt. % of GO is higher than that of without GO based on cyclic voltammetry. Finally, the cell viability, adhesion, and differentiation of PCL/CA-0.5GO nanofibrous scaffold are shown that the presence of GO leads to providing a susceptible medium for living the cells, highly spread cells alongside tight adhesion as well as remarkable cell differentiation with their deep diffusion in the interlayers of the nanofibrous scaffold.
Background: Anti-tuberculosis drug-induced hepatotoxicity can result from genetic polymorphism of the isoniazid (INH) metabolizing enzyme. This study aimed to determine the effect of genetic ...polymorphism of N-acetyltransferase 2 (NAT2) and cytochrome P450 2E1 (CYP2E1) genes on serum isoniazid level and drug-induced hepatotoxicity.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 120 patients (with and without hepatotoxicity) with pulmonary tuberculosis from June 2019 to April 2022 in Tehran (Iran). High-performance liquid chromatography was used to measure the serum concentration of INH and acetylisoniazid (AcINH). NAT2 and CYP2E1 genotypes were determined using polymerase chain reaction and restriction fragment length polymorphism methods. Data were analyzed using SPSS software (version 22.0) with independent two-sample t test, Chi square test, or Fisher’s exact test. P<0.05 was considered statistically significant.Results: A total of 40 patients showed hepatotoxicity. The risk of anti-tuberculosis drug-induced hepatotoxicity was significantly higher in patients who are slow acetylator (SA) phenotype than in rapid or intermediate acetylator (P<0.001). NAT2*4/*4 genotypes were not found in patients with hepatotoxicity. The frequency of NAT2*5 and NAT2*6 haplotypes and serum INH concentration was significantly higher in patients with hepatotoxicity than in those without (P=0.003, P<0.001, and P<0.001, respectively). NAT2*4 haplotype was correlated with protection against hepatotoxicity. A combination of SA and CYP2E1 C1/C1 genotype was significantly associated with hepatotoxicity (P<0.001).Conclusion: Hepatotoxicity in Iranian patients with tuberculosis was confirmed due to the presence of NAT2 SA polymorphism. Determining NAT2 and CYP2E1 genotypes and/or INH concentration can be a valuable tool to identify patients susceptible to hepatotoxicity.
Background With the rapidly expanding pandemic of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2, a chronic immunosuppressed state in solid organ transplant recipients is a concern. We reported ...coronavirus disease 2019 in heart transplant recipients and described the patients' course from diagnosis to either hospital admission or improvement in symptoms. Case presentation This study retrospectively identified 13 white (Iranian) heart transplant patients with coronavirus disease 2019 between December 2019 and October 2020. The mean age of patients was 43.7 years (19-65 years); seven (70%) were men. Laboratory and treatment data were collected for those admitted or managed as outpatients. Outcomes were also recorded for all patients. This report demonstrates a range of symptoms, clinical severity, and disease course in heart transplant recipients with coronavirus disease 2019, including ten hospitalized patients and three patients, managed entirely in the outpatient setting. One patient passed away, and none of them experienced an episode of clinically overt rejection. Conclusions We would like to emphasize the importance of being alert in these patients to consider testing in a broad range of clinical presentations and gathering more data for better management. Keywords: COVID-19, Heart transplantation, Solid-organ transplantation, Immunosuppression
This study was directed to prepare poly (lactic acid) curcumin (Cur)-based nanofibers using the electrospinning method and their evaluation potentially in the presence of titanium dioxide (TiO
2
) ...nanoparticles as bioactive wound dressings. The interactions between components, crystallinity nature, and presence of Cur-TiO
2
in the prepared nanofibers were demonstrated by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. Furthermore, scanning electron microscopy images revealed that the existence of Cur-TiO
2
in the system caused a decrease in the nanofiber diameters from 264 ± 29 to 210 ± 18 nm, and the significant influence of TiO
2
on the hydrophilicity of nanofibers was proved by the water contact angle test. Based on the cytotoxicity studies, TiO
2
-containing nanofibers were biocompatible and did not reduce the viability of the cultured fibroblast cells. Moreover, it was found that the cell proliferation and level of cell adhesion increased in the presence of Cur-TiO
2
, and the highest amount of cell growth occurred on scaffolds containing TiO
2
, according to fluorescent staining. Finally, the antibacterial activities of the samples against Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria, named
Escherichia coli
and
Staphylococcus aureus,
respectively
,
were analyzed, which confirmed that the addition of Cur-TiO
2
caused bacterial resistance, resulting in their desired potential for being employed in wound dressing applications.
Introduction
In this case‐control study, we investigated the association between nucleotide oligomerization domain‐like receptor family pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3) single‐nucleotide ...polymorphisms (SNPs) rs10754558, rs3806265, rs4612666, and rs35829419 and myasthenia gravis (MG).
Methods
Samples from MG patients were selected from a previous study conducted in our neuromuscular clinic, which investigated the association between human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class II genes and MG. Genetic data of controls were also available from another study. The NLRP3 SNPs genotyping was performed using the TaqMan method.
Results
A total of 93 blood samples from eligible Iranian patients with MG and 56 samples from healthy controls were obtained. The NLRP3 rs3806265 “C” allele was significantly more frequent in MG patients (P < .001; odd ratio OR = 2.33, 95% confidence interval CI: 1.4‐4.0) than controls. The “CC” genotype of this SNP was found in 18.27% of patients, but none of the controls (P < .001). The distribution of other SNPs was similar between the groups.
Discussion
These preliminary results suggest that there might be some associations between the NLRP3 gene polymorphism and MG.
Since the rapid onset of the COVID‐19 or SARS‐CoV‐2 pandemic in the world in 2019, extensive studies have been conducted to unveil the behavior and emission pattern of the virus in order to determine ...the best ways to diagnosis of virus and thereof formulate effective drugs or vaccines to combat the disease. The emergence of novel diagnostic and therapeutic techniques considering the multiplicity of reports from one side and contradictions in assessments from the other side necessitates instantaneous updates on the progress of clinical investigations. There is also growing public anxiety from time to time mutation of COVID‐19, as reflected in considerable mortality and transmission, respectively, from delta and Omicron variants. We comprehensively review and summarize different aspects of prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of COVID‐19. First, biological characteristics of COVID‐19 were explained from diagnosis standpoint. Thereafter, the preclinical animal models of COVID‐19 were discussed to frame the symptoms and clinical effects of COVID‐19 from patient to patient with treatment strategies and in‐silico/computational biology. Finally, the opportunities and challenges of nanoscience/nanotechnology in identification, diagnosis, and treatment of COVID‐19 were discussed. This review covers almost all SARS‐CoV‐2‐related topics extensively to deepen the understanding of the latest achievements (last updated on January 11, 2022).
This review covers almost all topics related to SARS‐CoV‐2, including biological properties, pre‐clinical studies, clinical information, diagnostic and treatment methods, and in silico studies, which is very useful for a quick understanding of the latest advances in this field. Also, in a separate section, the applications of nanotechnology in COVID‐19 studies are examined.
Isoniazid, rifampicin, and pyrazinamide, the first-line antituberculosis (anti-TB) drugs, are associated with hepatotoxicity.
To study the hepatoprotective effect of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) on liver ...injury induced by anti-TB drugs.
A randomized clinical trial was conducted on 60 new TB patients who were aged 60 years or more. Patients were randomized into two groups. In group I (n=32), drug regimen included daily doses of isoniazid, rifampicin, pyrazinamide, and ethambutol. Patients in group II (n=28) were treated with the same regimen and NAC. The patients were followed up for 2 weeks. Liver enzymes and bilirubins were measured at baseline, after 1 and 2 weeks of treatment, and whenever the patients presented with clinical symptoms of hepatotoxicity.
The mean+/-SD values of aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase were significantly higher in group I than in group II after 1 and 2 weeks of treatment. Hepatotoxicity occurred in 12 patients with (37.5%) group I and none in group II. The mean duration of treatment before the onset of hepatotoxicity was 4.67+/-4.58 days.
NAC protects against anti-TB drug-induced hepatotoxicity.
Abstract Background Proper timing of catheter insertion and the use of a suitable surgical method are essential parts of producing rat models to evaluate neuropathic bladder following spinal cord ...injury (SCI). Methods Thirty-two female Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly allocated into four groups. Group 1 underwent surgical laminectomy using the classic method. Group 2 underwent SCI 7 d following insertion of the catheter, and group 3 underwent sham operation. For bladder catheterization, a 4.5 Fr catheter was fixed into the bladder and tunneled beneath the skin to reach out at the nape of the neck. Group 4 underwent urodynamic study via bladder catheter prior to surgery and every 10 d following the operation to determine the exact time of establishing neuropathic bladder following spinal shock. The animals' survival rate and bladder wall's histopathologic changes were assessed 30 d following the operation. Results Simultaneous suprapubic catheter placement raised the mortality rate in group 1 in comparison with group 2. Repeated urodynamic study in group 4 showed hypertonic behavior in the bladder 10 d after SCI, with significantly increased leak point pressure and bladder capacity; however, the end filling pressure and constant neuropathic bladder on cystometric indices are attained from 20 d after the operation. Conclusions Insertion of a bladder catheter 1 wk prior to SCI provides an applicable route for repeated cystometric studies in rats. The results demonstrate that sustained bladder overactivity is established in rats 20 d after SCI and animals are ready for further experiments on neuropathic bladder dysfunction following this period.
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