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Background: Age may be one of the determinants that increases the probability of COVID-19 infection. Furthermore, gender has been recognized as a major predictor of COVID-19 illness, with males having a larger proportion of severe COVID-19 disease than females. Some biological markers in the host have also been discovered as putative COVID-19 infection indicators. The kind of markers have recently been discovered as a major determinant for COVID-19 infection among these parameters. Objective: To detect if COVID-19 infection is associated with blood type with respect to age and gender. Methods: It was a case-control study that took place at COVID ICU of Hussain Lakhni Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan from Jun 2021 to Dec 2021. Cases (n=511) were individuals ranging in age from 15 to 80 years old, of either gender, who had COVID-19 infection confirmed by a real-time PCR test. Healthy people (n=511) served as controls. Data on age, gender, weight, height, BMI, residence, educational status, socio-economic status, comorbid and ABO blood type of patients were collected. The data were analyzed using statistical software SPSS version 23. Results: The mean age of the subjects was 54.01±11.16 years, 57% were males and 43% were females. COVID-19 infection was 2.84 times higher in people with blood type A (OR=2.84, 95% CI=1.68-4.79) and 2.19 times higher in people with blood group B (OR=2.19, 95% CI=1.29-3.72, p=0.003) than in people with blood group O. In age group≥50 years, the odds of COVID-19 infection were 1.88 times higher in individuals with blood type B as compared to blood group O (aOR=1.88, 95% CI=1.01-3.52). Among females, the odds of COVID-19 infection were 2.51 folds higher in individuals with blood type A as compared to blood group O (aOR=2.51, 95% CI=1.05-6.05). On the multivariable model, no association of blood group with COVID-19 was observed for subgroup of age

Objective(s): Traditionally, Bee venom (BV) is used through stinging or injection to treat rheumatoid arthritis (RA). This study aimed to assess the side effects of local bee venom nanoemulsions (BV-NEs) in the collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) model by examining biochemical and hematological parameters. Materials and Methods: The BV-NEs were prepared, and the CIA model was induced in rats. After the seventh day, the groups were locally treated for two weeks as the following: blank (free treatment), negative control (NE-0), positive control (hydrocortisone acetate ointment 1%, 50 mg/day), BV control (37.5 µg/ml/ day), and BV-NEs receiving 75, 37.5, 18.75, and 9.37 µg/ml/day. Three steps of blood sampling were done on days 0, 7, and 21 (healthy rats, before treatment, and at the end of treatment, respectively). Results: The results revealed that blood levels of Glucose, Cholesterol, Urea, Aspartate aminotransferase (AST), Alkaline phosphatase (ALP), White blood cell (WBC), and %Neutrophil significantly increased before the treatment. Nevertheless, most parameters declined at the end of the treatment compared to the blank and negative control groups about BV-NEs dose-dependently. The drastic changes in biochemical parameters in the CIA model indicated the effect of the immune system function on the metabolic system. Also, NE's impact of BV passed through the skin on these items. Conclusion: BV-NEs can reduce inflammation caused by arthritis without acute adverse effects on the routine biochemical and hematological parameters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Over the past decades, opium derivatives have been discovered as new anticancer agents. In our study, Fe3O4 superparamagnetic nanoparticles (SPIONs) decorated with chitosan were loaded with papaverine or noscapine to surmount drug delivery-related obstacles. Modifying the magnetic nanoparticles (MNP) surface with polymeric materials such as chitosan prevents oxidation and provides a site for drug linkage, which renders them a great drug carrier. The obtained systems were characterized by DLS (20–40 nm were achieved for MNPs and drug- loaded MNPs), TEM (spherical with average size of 11–20 nm) FTIR, XRD, and VSM (71.3 − 42.8 emu/g). Contrary to noscapine, papaverine-MNPs attenuated 4T1 murine breast cancer cell proliferation (11.50 ± 1.74 µg/mL) effectively compared to the free drug (62.35 ± 2.88 µg/mL) while sparing L-929 fibroblast cells (138.14 ± 4.38 µg/mL). Furthermore, SPION and SPION-chitosan displayed no cytotoxic activity. Colony-formation assay confirmed the long-term cytotoxicity of nanostructures. Both developed formulations promoted ROS production accompanied by late apoptotic cell death. The biocompatible nanoparticle exerted an augmenting effect to deliver papaverine to metastatic breast cancer cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microemulsions (MEs) and nanoemulsions (NEs) are dispersions of two immiscible liquids which are usually transparent/translucent. Several reports are available on uses of MEs/NEs to increase efficacy of the loaded active ingredient(s) in topical dosage forms. This review aims to describe brief applications of MEs/NEs in common skin diseases as well as skincare products. Advantages of MEs/NEs in comparison with the traditional bulk form, including their improved efficacy and safety, have been discussed to highlight the importance of use of such delivery systems. The review briefs mechanism of action of MEs/NEs in enhancing delivery of the cargo. Furthermore, applications of MEs/NEs in common skin diseases including infectious rashes, pigmentation disorders (hyperpigmentaion and hypopigmentation), wound healing, skin cancers and scaling patches and plaques/papulosquamous disorders (psoriasis, atopic dermatitis and acne) have been discussed. MEs/NEs in skin care products have also been reviewed here. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Acanthamoeba keratitis (AK) is a corneal sight-threatening infection caused by the free-living amoebae of the genus Acanthamoeba. Early and appropriate treatment significantly impacts visual outcomes. Mucoadhesive polymers such as chitosan are a potential strategy to prolong the residence time and bioavailability of the encapsulated drugs in the cornea. Regarding the recent administration of miltefosine (MF) for treating resistant AK, in the present study, we synthesized miltefosine-loaded chitosan nanoparticles (MF-CS-NPs) and evaluated them against Acanthamoeba. Methodology/Principal findings: Chitosan nanoparticles (CNPs) were prepared using the ionic gelation method with negatively charged tripolyphosphate (TPP). The zeta-potential (ZP) and the particle size of MF-CS-NPs were 21.8±3.2 mV and 46.61±18.16 nm, respectively. The release profile of MF-CS-NPs indicated linearity with sustained drug release. The cytotoxicity of MF-CS-NPs on the Vero cell line was 2.67 and 1.64 times lower than free MF at 24 and 48 hours. This formulation exhibited no hemolytic activity in vitro and ocular irritation in rabbit eyes. The IC50 of MF-CS-NPs showed a significant reduction by 2.06 and 1.69-fold in trophozoites at 24 and 48 hours compared to free MF. Also, the MF-CS-NPs IC50 in the cysts form was slightly decreased by 1.26 and 1.21-fold at 24 and 48 hours compared to free MF. Conclusions: The MF-CS-NPs were more effective against the trophozoites and cysts than free MF. The nano-chitosan formulation was more effective on trophozoites than the cysts form. MF-CS-NPs reduced toxicity and improved the amoebicidal effect of MF. Nano-chitosan could be an ideal carrier that decreases the cytotoxicity of miltefosine. Further analysis in animal settings is needed to evaluate this nano-formulation for clinical ocular drug delivery. Author summary: Acanthamoeba keratitis (AK) is a painful corneal disease that causes vision loss if not treated promptly. AK incidence is increasing worldwide, especially among those who wear contact lenses. Prompt and proper treatment is essential for complete recovery of vision. The successful treatment has been complicated due to low efficacy, toxicity, and ineffectual ocular drug delivery. Mucoadhesive polymers, like chitosan nanoparticles, are a promising approach to enhancing drug residence time and transcorneal permeation. Miltefosine (MF) is an effective medication for treating refractory AK. In the present study, miltefosine-loaded chitosan nanoparticles were prepared, and their therapeutic effect and cytotoxicity were compared with free miltefosine. The MF-CS-NPs demonstrated a significant decrease in the viability of trophozoite forms compared to free miltefosine. The nano-chitosan formulation was more effective toward trophozoites than the cysts form. Overall, the chitosan nanoparticles improved the effectiveness of miltefosine against Acanthamoeba. Besides, this formulation notably reduced toxicity compared to free MF, exhibiting no in-vivo irritation. The nano-chitosan carrier can be proposed as an ideal nanocarrier for future evaluation in AK treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Silver nanoparticles is successfully biosynthesized in a one-pot procedure by using a mixture of green tea extract (GTE) and Rosemary oil (RO). Different relative ratios of GTE, RO and AgNO3 in reaction mixture has affected the sizes and concentration of produced nanoparticles. Increasing the relative concentrations of GTE/RO resulted to the increase in size of obtained SNPs, and optimal conditions is observed with relative ratio of RO(1 mL), GTE(0.135 mg) and AgNO3(15.3 mg) producing 9 nm nanoparticles. By varying ratio of GTE(g)/AgNO3(mol) from 0.4 to 2.8, the optimum results and smallest nanoparticles has observed at ratio of 1.5. Antibacterial activity of the products is evaluated against various bacteria strains. The maximum inhibition zone diameter is observed for optimal sample against S. dysenteriae, S. epidermidis and S. pyogenes strains. The optimal sample capped with PVA nanofibers (94 nm) has exhibited a sensibly better antibacterial performance as compared to bare nanoparticles, with almost 15% larger exhibition zones than other samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Streptokinase is being successfully used as a thrombolytic agent for restoring the blood flow following thromboembolism and myocardial infarction. However, high immunogenicity of the drug has limited its use in clinics. To overcome this limitation, several approaches including PEGylation, use of polymeric particles and liposomes have been suggested. Here, an overview of options for encapsulating the streptokinase has been provided. The suggested options in the literature include PEGylation, polymeric nano/micro-capsules and liposomes. In each approach, efficacy, side effect(s) and pharmacokinetic profile of streptokinase has been evaluated. The data show that while efficacy of streptokinase does not appear to change importantly, side effects and pharmacokinetics have been improved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]