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Influenza vaccine: Where are we and where do we go?
Get PDFThe alarming rise of morbidity and mortality caused by influenza pandemics and epidemics has drawn attention worldwide since the last few decades. This life-threatening problem necessitates the development of a safe and effective vaccine to protect against incoming pandemics. The currently available flu vaccines rely on inactivated viral particles, M2e-based vaccine, live attenuated influenza vaccine (LAIV) and virus like particle (VLP). While inactivated vaccines can only induce systemic humoral responses, LAIV and VLP vaccines stimulate both humoral and cellular immune responses. Yet, these vaccines have limited protection against newly emerging viral strains. These strains, however, can be targeted by universal vaccines consisting of conserved viral proteins such as M2e and capable of inducing cross-reactive immune response. The lack of viral genome in VLP and M2e-based vaccines addresses safety concern associated with existing attenuated vaccines. With the emergence of new recombinant viral strains each year, additional effort towards developing improved universal vaccine is warranted. Besides various types of vaccines, microRNA and exosome-based vaccines have been emerged as new types of influenza vaccines which are associated with new and effective properties. Hence, development of a new generation of vaccines could contribute to better treatment of influenza. © 2018 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd
Melatonin: A promising agent targeting leukemia
No full textLeukemia or cancer of blood is a well-known cancer, which affects a range of people from newborns to the very old. It is a public health problem throughout the world. By way of treatment, due to the lack of specific anticancer therapies, common treatments of leukemia lead to severe side effects. Nonspecific anticancer drugs result in inhibition of normal cell growth and thereby their necrosis. Moreover, drug resistance is an additional problem, which stands in the way of leukemia treatment. Thus, finding new treatments for leukemia is essential. Melatonin, as a natural product, has been shown to be effective in a wide variety of diseases such as coronary heart disease, schizophrenia, chronic pain, and Alzheimer's disease. In addition, melatonin levels have been observed to be altered in different cancers, such as breast cancer, colorectal cancer endometrial cancer, and hematopoetical cancers. Anticancer features of melatonin such as pro-oxidation, apoptosis induction, antiangiogenesis property and metastasis and invasion inhibition suggest that this natural compound can be used as a potential agent in novel therapeutic strategies for cancers. Also, it has been reported that melatonin has positive and protective effects on different physiological reactions and in normal bone marrow cells suggesting effectiveness in leukemia therapy. Thus, the aim of our paper was to depict and summarize the main molecular targets of melatonin on leukemia models. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc
Therapeutic options to treat mustard gas poisoning � Review
Get PDFAmong the blistering (vesicant) chemical warfare agents (CWA), sulfur mustard is the most important since it is known as the �King of chemical warfare agents�. The use of sulfur mustard has caused serious damages in several organs, especially the eyes, skin, respiratory, central and peripheral nervous systems after short and long term exposure, incapacitating and even killing people and troops. In this review, chemical properties, mechanism of actions and their effects on each organ, clinical manifestations, diagnostic evaluation of the actions triage, and treatment of injuries have been described. © 2019 Babol University of Medical Sciences. All rights reserved
Study on the killing effect of cold atmospheric pressure plasma on MRSA Staphylococcus aureus in vitro and in vivo infection model
No full textAims: Non-thermal atmospheric-pressure plasma (cold plasma), is described as a partly ionized gas. Cold plasma is a new method of medicine for killing the bacteria, treatment of cancer diseases, accelerates the healing of infectious ulcers, especially in infection caused by Meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). This study aimed to investigate the impact of Non-thermal atmospheric-pressure plasma on MRSA S. aureus organism isolated from burn wound infection in vitro and in vivo. Methodology and results: Five MRSA S. aureus strains were recovered in burn patients from Shahid Motahari Burns Hospital, Tehran, Iran. They confirmed by microbiology and biochemical tests. Antibiotic susceptibility testing was performed using Kirby Bauer Disk Diffusion Method with selected antibiotics. Then, the antibacterial impact of atmospheric non-thermal plasma on MRSA in vitro and in vivo at different times was assessed. After that, the tissue was randomly separated from control and treated mice with plasma and transferred to the Histopathology Laboratory for further evaluation. Results of the inactivation of MRSA by non-thermal atmospheric plasma showed no bacterial growth. Also, results of the impact of non-thermal helium plasma in vivo environment revealed that, in addition to healing in the animal wound, the burn wounds infection was healed and treated according to the histological results. Conclusion, significance and impact of study: Our results confirmed the inactivation of MRSA S. aureus, healing of animal burn wound and complete treatment by non-thermal atmospheric plasma. It recommended that cold plasma can be used for the treatment of burn wounds infection due to the gentle on the human skin. © 2019 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland
Retraction Note: Elevated blood pressure reduction after α-lipoic acid supplementation: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (Journal of Human Hypertension, (2019), 10.1038/s41371-019-0174-2)
No full textThe Editors have retracted this article because there are fundamental errors in the data presented that undermine the conclusions drawn. Standard errors were used instead of standard deviations when using data from one of the studies (Koh et al) included in the meta-analyses. Numerous inconsistencies were noted from the numbers used in the meta-analyses when compared to the original studies. All authors agree to this retraction. Boccardi V, Taghizadeh M, Amirjani S, Jafarnejad S. Elevated blood pressure reduction after α-lipoic acid supplementation: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. J Hum Hypertens. 2019 Feb 11:1. © 2019, The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature Limited
Hypoxia in solid tumors: a key promoter of cancer stem cell (CSC) resistance
No full textPurpose: Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are highly tumorigenic cell types that reside within specific areas of tumor microenvironment (TME), and are endowed with self-renewal and resistance properties. Here, we aimed to discuss mechanisms involved in hypoxia-derived CSC resistance and targeting for effective cancer therapy. Results: Preferential localization within hypoxic niches would help CSCs develop adaptive mechanisms, mediated through the modification of responses to various stressors and, as a result, show a more aggressive behavior. Conclusion: Hypoxia, in fact, serves as a multi-tasking strategy to nurture CSCs with this adaptive capacity, complexing targeted therapies. © 2019, Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature
Does plastic incise drape prevent recolonization of endogenous skin flora during lumbar spine procedures?
Get PDFBackground: The aim of this study was to compare the PID with bare skin (without PID) regarding bacterial recolonization and bacterial regrowth of the adjacent skin of surgical incision in lumbar spine surgery patients. Methods: This quasi-experimental study was conducted from February to May 2018 on 88 patients who were candidate for lumbar spine surgery. Patients were assigned to one of two groups, treatment (with PID) and control (without PID). Skin sampling (adjacent of surgical incision) for bacterial culture was done in two steps, immediately after surgical skin prep (IASSP) and immediately after surgical wound closure (IASWC) by researcher. Finally, samples were sent to the laboratory. Results: The mean total bacterial count of patient's skin in stage IASSP was not significantly different between treatment and control groups (0.34 vs 0.27, P = 0.68). However, mean total bacterial count in stage IASWC in treatment group was significantly higher than control group (2.2 vs 0.93, P = 0.03). The frequency distribution of S. aureus (P = 0.04) and S. epidermidis (P = 0.02) was significantly higher in treatment group compared with control group in stage IASWC. Conclusions: The results showed that using PID is unable to reduce recolonization and regrowth of bacteria on patients' skin adjacent to surgical wound in clean lumbar spine surgeries. However, making a definite decision about using or not using of PID requires further studies. © 2019 Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications. All rights reserved
The Effects of L-Carnitine Supplementation on Serum Lipids: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials
No full textBACKGROUND: The findings of trials investigating the effects of L-carnitine administration on serum lipids are inconsistent. This meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) was performed to summarize the effects of L-carnitine intake on serum lipids in patients and healthy individuals. METHODS: Two authors independently searched electronic databases including MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, PubMed and Google Scholar from 1990 until August 1, 2019, in order to find relevant RCTs. The quality of selected RCTs was evaluated using the Cochrane Collaboration risk of bias tool. Cochrane's Q test and I-square (I2) statistic were used to determine the heterogeneity across included trials. Weight mean difference (SMD) and 95 CI between the two intervention groups were used to determine pooled effect sizes. Subgroup analyses were performed to evaluate the source of heterogeneity based on suspected variables such as, participant's health conditions, age, dosage of L-carnitine, duration of study, sample size, and study location between primary RCTs. RESULTS: Out of 3460 potential papers selected based on keywords search, 67 studies met the inclusion criteria and were eligible for the meta-analysis. The pooled results indicated that L-carnitine administration led to a significant decrease in triglycerides (WMD: -10.35; 95 CI: -16.43, -4.27), total cholesterol (WMD: -9.47; 95 CI: - 13.23, -5.70) and LDL-cholesterol (LDL-C) concentrations (WMD: -6.25; 95 CI: -9.30, -3.21), and a significant increase in HDL-cholesterol (HDL-C) levels (WMD: 1.39; 95 CI: 0.21, 2.57). L-carnitine supplementation did not influence VLDL-cholesterol concentrations. When we stratified studies for the predefined factors such as dosage, and age, no significant effects of the intervention on triglycerides, LDL-C, and HDL-C levels were found. CONCLUSION: This meta-analysis demonstrated that L-carnitine administration significantly reduced triglycerides, total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol levels, and significantly increased HDL-cholesterol levels in the pooled analyses, but did not affect VLDL-cholesterol levels; however, these findings were not confirmed in our subgroup analyses by participant's health conditions, age, dosage of L-carnitine, duration of study, sample size, and study location. Copyright© Bentham Science Publishers; For any queries, please email at [email protected]
The Effects of Probiotic Supplementation on Clinical Symptom, Weight Loss, Glycemic Control, Lipid and Hormonal Profiles, Biomarkers of Inflammation, and Oxidative Stress in Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: a Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials
Get PDFThe purpose of this systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) is to determine the effectiveness of probiotic supplementation on clinical symptoms, weight loss, glycemic control, lipid and hormonal profiles, and biomarkers of inflammation and oxidative stress in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Eligible studies were systematically searched from Cochrane Library, Embase, Medline, and Web of Science databases until January 2019. Cochran (Q) and I-square statistics were used to measure heterogeneity among included studies. Data were pooled by using random-effect model and expressed as standardized mean difference (SMD) with 95 confidence interval (CI). Eleven articles were included in this meta-analysis. Probiotic supplementation significantly decreased weight (SMD � 0.30; 95 CI, � 0.53, � 0.07; P = 0.01), body mass index (BMI) (SMD � 0.29; 95 CI, � 0.54, � 0.03; P = 0.02), fasting plasma glucose (FPG) (SMD � 0.26; 95 CI, � 0.45, � 0.07; P < 0.001), insulin (SMD � 0.52; 95 CI, � 0.81, � 0.24; P < 0.001), homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) (SMD � 0.53; 95 CI, � 0.79, � 0.26; P < 0.001), triglycerides (SMD � 0.69; 95 CI, � 0.99, � 0.39; P < 0.001), VLDL-cholesterol (SMD � 0.69; 95 CI, � 0.99, � 0.39; P < 0.001), C-reactive protein (CRP) (SMD � 1.26; 95 CI, � 2.14, � 0.37; P < 0.001), malondialdehyde (MDA) (SMD � 0.90; 95 CI, � 1.16, � 0.63; P < 0.001), hirsutism (SMD � 0.58; 95 CI, � 1.01, � 0.16; P < 0.001), and total testosterone levels (SMD � 0.58; 95 CI, � 0.82, � 0.34; P < 0.001), and also increased the quantitative insulin sensitivity check index (QUICKI) (SMD 0.41; 95 CI, 0.11, 0.70; P < 0.01), nitric oxide (NO) (SMD 0.33; 95 CI 0.08, 0.59; P = 0.01), total antioxidant capacity (TAC) (SMD 0.64; 95 CI, 0.38, 0.90; P < 0.001), glutathione (GSH) (SMD 0.26; 95 CI, 0.01, 0.52; P = 0.04), and sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) levels (SMD 0.46; 95 CI, 0.08, 0.85; P = 0.01). Probiotic supplementation may result in an improvement in weight, BMI, FPG, insulin, HOMA-IR, triglycerides, VLDL-cholesterol, CRP, MDA, hirsutism, total testosterone, QUICKI, NO, TAC, GSH, and SHBG but did not affect dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate levels, and total, LDL, and HDL cholesterol levels in patients with PCOS. © 2019, Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature
Effects of crocin in reducing DNA damage, inflammation, and oxidative stress in multiple sclerosis patients: A double-blind, randomized, and placebo-controlled trial
No full textMultiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disease in which the immune system attacks the nerve cells, resulting in neurological disorders. Oxidative stress, free radicals, and neuritis have important roles in MS pathogenesis. Here, we aim to evaluate the effect of crocin on inflammatory markers, oxidative damage, and deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) damage in the blood of patients with MS. A total of 40 patients were divided into two groups, drug and placebo-treated groups, using random assignment. Participants of the intervention and control groups received two crocin capsules or placebo per day for 28 days, respectively. Findings revealed a significant decrease in the level of important pathogenic factors in MS, including lipid peroxidation, DNA damage, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, and interleukin 17 as well as a significant increase in the total antioxidant capacity in the serum of patients treated with crocin compared with the placebo group. Our results suggest the beneficial and therapeutic effects of crocin in MS. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc