Search

Background and objectives: Positive role of coffee consumption on regulation of human blood sugar has been highlighted by researchers. On the other hand, metformin is the common drug against type 2 diabetes. This study aimed to explore possible ways to use coffee as a complementary agent beside metformin or independently versus type 2 diabetes. Methods: Proteomic data about effect of two major compounds of coffee (caffeine and trigonelline) on improvement of diabetic condition was searched and analyzed via protein-protein interaction (PPI) network analysis and gene ontology enrichment. Gene expression profiles of human whole blood of diabetic patients (responsive to metformin) versus control were extracted from GSE83983 which is recorded in Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. After pre-evaluation of data by GEO2R program, the significant differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were assessed via PPI network analysis and regulatory network evaluation. Results: Caffeine and trigonelline effectively regulate the glycolytic processes to fight against diabetic condition. HSP90AA1, TLR4, RELA, ARRB, LRRK2, STAT5B, LYN, and TLR2 genes that are involved in diabetes were affected significantly by metformin. Conclusion: It can be concluded that coffee consumption can improve sugar regulation in diabetes similar to metformin. IT seems that the optimized consumption quantity of coffee can be considered as controller of blood sugar in diabetic patients.

Abstract Background In mammals, amino acid metabolism has evolved to control immune responses. Tryptophan (Trp) is the rarest essential amino acid found in food and its metabolism has evolved to be a primary regulatory node in the control of immune responses. Celiac disease (CeD) is a developed immunological condition caused by gluten intolerance and is linked to chronic small intestine enteropathy in genetically predisposed individuals. Dendritic cells (DCs), serving as the bridge between innate and adaptive immunities, can influence immunological responses in CeD through phenotypic alterations. Objective This review aims to highlight the connection between Trp metabolism and tolerogenic DCs, and the significance of this interaction in the pathogenesis of CeD. Results It is been recognized that various DC subtypes contribute to the pathogenesis of CeD. Tolerogenic DCs, in particular, are instrumental in inducing immune tolerance, leading to T‐reg differentiation that helps maintain intestinal immune tolerance against inflammatory responses in CeD patients and those with other autoimmune disorders. T‐regs, a subset of T‐cells, play a crucial role in maintaining intestinal immunological homeostasis by regulating the activities of other immune cells. Notably, Trp metabolism, essential for T‐reg function, facilitates T‐reg differentiation through microbiota‐mediated degradation and the kynurenine pathway. Conclusion Therefore, alterations in Trp metabolism could potentially influence the immune response in CeD, affecting both the development of the disease and the persistence of symptoms despite adherence to a gluten‐free diet.

The global incidence of cancer is increasing, with estimates suggesting that there will be 26 million new cases and 17 million deaths per year by 2030. Cancer stem cells (CSCs) and extracellular vesicles (EVs) are key to the resistance and advancement of cancer. They play a crucial role in tumor dynamics and resistance to therapy. CSCs, initially discovered in acute myeloid leukemia, are well-known for their involvement in tumor initiation, progression, and relapse, mostly because of their distinct characteristics, such as resistance to drugs and the ability to self-renew. EVs, which include exosomes, microvesicles, and apoptotic bodies, play a vital role in facilitating communication between cells within the tumor microenvironment (TME). They have a significant impact on cellular behaviors and contribute to genetic and epigenetic changes. This paper analyzes the mutually beneficial association between CSCs and EVs, emphasizing their role in promoting tumor spread and developing resistance mechanisms. This review aims to investigate the interaction between these entities in order to discover new approaches for attacking the complex machinery of cancer cells. It highlights the significance of CSCs and EVs as crucial targets in the advancement of novel cancer treatments, which helps stimulate additional research, promote progress in ideas for cancer treatment, and provide renewed optimism in the effort to reduce the burden of cancer.

This research aimed to fabricate a natural hybrid biomaterial and assess its physicochemical/biological properties to study the role of the therapeutic biomaterial in the growth of human monocytes, synoviocytes, chondrocytes, expression of type-I/II collagen, and osteogenic differentiation for bone tissue engineering applications, as well as to assess effects of bio-ointment derived from this biomaterial on relief of musculoskeletal pains. Hence, an oily formula [turmeric:ginger:chili pepper:rose oils (1:1:1:1w/w)] was mixed with the base oil [sesame:black seed:olive oils (1:0.4:0.6w/w)] in 3 wt ratios of 1:6(H1), 1.5:5.5(H2), and 2:5(H3). Accordingly, H2 indicated a better performance in cell growth and decrease of inflammatory mediators and led to the highest expression of osteoblastic genes of RUNX2, OCN, and OPN, as well as collagen I and II (COL1A1,COL2A) respectively 1.3-fold, 1.7-fold, and 1.4-fold, as well as %87 % and ∼ 60 % higher than H1, and ∼ 2-fold, 2.1-fold, and 3.4-fold, and ∼ 19 % and ∼ 16 % higher than H3. A clinical study on H2 was also performed on 50 patients with musculoskeletal pains. H2-based bio-ointment could relieve pain in less than 10 min for 40 % of patients and after 30 min from use for 35 %. Moreover, the analgesia period for 60 % and 36 % of patients lasted for longer than 3 h and between 2 h and 3 h, respectively. 76 % also stated that bio-ointment possesses stronger effects than other treatments along with moderate warming functions. Finally, although 6 % of patients reported mild effectiveness in pain relief, 92 % of users stated this therapeutic method has resulted in more effects on their pain relief and damaged organ performance recovery.

Background : Obesity is a global health challenge. Traditional approaches, including increased physical activity, dietary interventions, and medical therapy, often yield limited success, propelling some patients toward costly and invasive procedures like bariatric surgery. Laser acupuncture has been suggested as a complementary therapeutic approach to overcome this challenge. The present study investigated the effectiveness of laser acupuncture treatment in weight loss and abdominal subcutaneous fat reduction. Methods : A randomized, blinded, sham-controlled clinical trial was conducted, with 30 subjects each in the intervention and control groups. Patients in the intervention group underwent 12 sessions of laser acupuncture treatment within a month (three sessions/week), whereas those in the control group received sham laser treatment on identical acupoints. The patients were instructed not to alter their physical activity levels or dietary regimens. All parameters were evaluated before and after the treatment. Results : Significant reductions in weight, body mass index, and waist circumference were noted in both intervention and control groups. Further analysis revealed a more significant decrease in the laser acupuncture group. Abdominal sonography revealed a marked decrease in periumbilical fat thickness in the intervention group. Conversely, laboratory evaluations showed no significant difference between the two groups. Conclusion : Laser acupuncture is an effective method for weight loss in patients with periumbilical abdominal fat. The observed impact on subcutaneous fat suggests its potential as a non-invasive intervention for individuals seeking weight management alternatives. Further research is warranted to validate these findings and explore the underlying mechanisms of laser acupuncture in adipose tissue modulation.

Background and objectives: Coffee is a favorable drink in the world with advantages that are documented during different investigations. In the present study, the effect of caffeine which is one of the important compounds of coffee has been evaluated on function of mice liver via network analysis and gene ontology enrichment. Methods: Results of GSE53131 from Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) were analyzed and the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were assessed via protein-protein interaction (PPI) network analysis and gene ontology. Cytoscape software and STRING database were used to analyze the data. Results: Effect of caffeine on mice liver was appeared in the gene expression profiles of the mice liver which were fed with caffeinated and decaffeinated coffee. Acat2, Acly, Acss2, Akr1d1, Ehhadh, Elovl2, Fasn, Fdps, Gsta3, Hmgcr, Ldlr, Lss, Mmab, Mvd, Mvk, Nsdhl, Prodh, Rdh11, and Thrsp that are related mostly to lipid metabolism and cholesterol biosynthesis were pointed out as the discriminator genes in response to caffeine effect on liver function. Conclusion: In conclusion, assessment of mice liver gene expression profiles revealed that lipid metabolism of the mice liver was affected considerably by consumption of caffeinated coffee versus liver of mice that were fed with decaffeinated coffee. Using caffeine as a preventing factor for hepatic disorders is recommended base on the findings of present study.

Background and objectives: Human diet is branded with higher caloric and protein content and cooking processes in comparison with the diet of the primate species. The aim of this study was to explore the differences between human diet and chimpanzee diet which consists of fruits and vegetables, to find benefits and harmful aspects of human nutritional behavior. Methods: Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) of mouse liver in response to consume “human cafeteria diet” and “chimpanzee diet” were acquired form Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. The DEGs were assessed based on p-adj and fold change criteria. The significant DEGs were included in a protein-protein interaction (PPI) network to form an interactome unit. Central nodes of the studied network were determined based on degree value and betweenness centrality. The identified central genes were evaluated via gene ontology. Results: Numbers of 150 significant DEGs that discriminated the two nutrition diet regimes were introduced. Fatty acid synthase (FASN), stearoyl-CoA desaturase (SCD), and farnesyl-diphosphate farnesyltransferase 1 (FDFT1) were pointed out as the central DEGs. “Activation of gene expression by SREBF (SREBP)” and “NR1H2 & NR1H3 regulate gene expression linked to lipogenesis” were highlighted as two classes of the biological terms that were related to the central DEGs. Conclusion: The findings indicated that human cafeteria diet is a lipogenic regime compared to the chimpanzee diet which is enriched with vegetables. The studied human nutrition behavior was accompanied with increased level of fatty acid synthesis enzymes beside cholesterol accumulation in body.

Abstract Background Celiac disease (CD) is a chronic autoimmune disorder characterized by an abnormal immune response to gluten, a protein found in wheat, barley, and rye. It is well established that the integrity of epithelial tight junctions (TJs) and adherens junctions (AJs) plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis of CD. These junctional complexes contribute to the apical–basal polarity of the intestinal epithelial cells, which is crucial for their proper functioning. Methods Sixty CD subjects, and 50 controls were enrolled in the current study. Mucosal samples were obtained from the distal duodenum, total RNA was extracted and complementary DNA was synthesized. The relative expression levels of the desired genes were evaluated by quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction based on ΔΔCt method. The gene–gene interaction network was also constructed using GeneMANIA. Results CRB3 (p = .0005), LKB1 (p .05). CRB3 represented a significant diagnostic value for differentiating CD patients from the control group (p = .02). Conclusion The aim of the current study was to evaluate the changes in the mRNA expression levels of SCRIB, PRKCZ, LKB1, and CRB3 genes in the small intestinal biopsy samples of CD patients in comparison to the healthy control subjects. Our data uncover the importance of polarity‐related genes (especially CRB3) in CD pahtomechanism, that may facilitate the planning of the future studies looking for finding innovative diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for CD.

Cervical cancer (CC) is a major global health problem and leading cause of cancer deaths among women worldwide. Early detection through screening programs has reduced mortality; however, screening compliance remains low. Identifying non-invasive biomarkers through proteomics for diagnosis and monitoring response to treatment could improve patient outcomes. Here we review recent proteomics studies which have uncovered biomarkers and potential drug targets for CC. Additionally, we explore into the role of cervical cancer stem cells and their potential implications in driving CC progression and therapy resistance. Although challenges remain, proteomics has the potential to revolutionize the field of cervical cancer research and improve patient outcomes.

Background and objectives: Radix Scropholaria is dried root Scrophularia ningpoensis Hemsl. which is used uses as a drug against several diseases. In the present study, the crucial affected proteins of rat liver in the presence of radix Scrophularia have been investigated. Methods: The differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) were downloaded from literature. The significant DEPs plus 100 added first neighbors were determined and included in “protein query” of STRING database via Cytoscape software. The network was analyzed and the central nodes among the queried DEPs were identified. The 10 first neighbors of the central DEPs were determined. Results: RT1-CE12, Gfer, Serpina3c, Rab13, Rbm14, Ighg Psmb8, COX2, Olr796, Mga, Ugt1a6, Ugt2b, Ebpl, Ugt2b, Igf2r, and Amacr as significant DEPs were analyzed via protein-protein interaction (PPI) network analysis, Ugt1a1 and Ugt2b the two up-regulated proteins were highlighted as the crucial proteins in response to the radix Scrophularia. Conclusion: Two members of UDP glucuronosyltransferase family; Ugt1a1 and Ugt2b, were pointed as the critical liver enzyme which are dysregulated under effect of radix Scrophulariae. Due to crucial role of Ugt1a1 in the liver function, it is suggested that consumption of Scrophularia ningpoensis Hemsl. as a traditional medicine required more investigation.

Hypothesis: Chemical cross-linked shape memory polyurethanes (CSMPUs) can have various applications in different fields such as medicine, where mechanical behavior and shape memory are improved in these samples compared to linear shape memory polyurethanes. Shape memory polyurethanes consist of at least two different phases. The first phase, which is in the form of a net point, is responsible for maintaining the permanent shape of the shape memory polyurethane. In contrast, the second phase, also known as shape memory switches, temporarily fixes the temporary shape of the polyurethane by crystallinity. The aim of this research is the synthesis of linear and star polycaprolactones (PCLs) in the first step and the synthesis of CSMPUs using linear and star PCLs in the second step, as well as the investigation and comparison of hydrogen-bonding indices through -C=O groups and -NH CSMPU samples that were synthesized using glycerol as the initiator of the soft segment or the chain extender of the hard segment.Methods: Linear and star polycaprolactones (PCLs) were synthesized using ring-opening polymerization (ROP) of caprolactone, and shape memory polyurethanes with chemical cross-linking (CSMPU) were synthesized using a two-step pre-polymerization method. By changing the molar ratios of the functional groups, the weight percentage of the hard segment in polyurethane samples was kept constant at 10%.Findings: The hydrogen-bond index is decreased with the introduction of glycerol as a chain extender. Also, the degree of crystallinity in CSMPU samples is decreased compared to those of pure PCLs. With the increase of chemical cross-linking the crystallinity of CSMPU samples is decreased. In addition, in the studies of mechanical behavior no significant difference was observed in the presence of glycerol in the soft segment or the hard segment.

Background and objectives: Widespread consuming of onion as a nutrient in the world implies more investigations about useful and harmful aspects of this common supplementary food. Assessment of molecular mechanism of yellow onion extract on cell line Caco-2 was the aim of this study. Methods: Data was extracted from gene expression omnibus (GEO) database. The gene expression profiles of Caco-2 cells in the presence of yellow onion extract versus control cells were analyzed via GOE2R software. The significant differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were assessed via network analysis and the central nodes were enriched via gene ontology. Results: Thirteen central nodes including JUN, ATF3, DUSP1 VEGF, CDKN1A, SNAI1, HSPB1, MCL1, SQSTM1, SREBF1, MAP1LC3B, EZR, and DUSP5 were identified. The related biological terms in five groups were introduced. JUN as a crucial DEG was highlighted. Conclusion: Based on findings, yellow onion extract effects on the wide range of cellular function such as apoptosis, cell proliferation and more other vital functions. The significant role of c-Jun proto-oncogene (among JUN, ATF3, and DUSP1 as hub-bottlenecks) and “c-Jun-ATF3 complex” biological term group as the affected individuals by yellow onion extract were pointed in this study.

The optimal therapy for deep wounds is based on the early debridement of necrotic tissue followed by wound coverage to avoid a systemic inflammatory response and optimize scar-free healing. The outcomes are affected by available resources and underlying patient factors, which cause challenges in wound care and suboptimal outcomes. Here we report a patient with deep dermal injury wounds, who was treated with platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) gel, plasma rich in growth factor (PRGF) gel, and acellular fish skin. Patient’s outcomes regarding healing and scar quality were collected objectively and subjectively for one year after the injury. Wounds treated with acellular fish skin demonstrated accelerated wound healing, a significantly higher water-storage capacity, and better pain relief. Furthermore, improved functional and cosmetic outcomes, such as elasticity, skin thickness, and pigmentation, were demonstrated. It seems that, the PRGF gel and PRF in combination with acellular fish skin grafts resulted in the faster healing of wounds and better functional and aesthetic outcomes than split-thickness skin grafts treatment.

Background: There are various approaches in primary health care regarding the key role of nurses. This systematic review investigates the roles of nurses, as part of the family medicine team. Materials and Methods: All published articles related to the role of nurses in the family medicine team from January 2000 to March 2022 were the subjects of this study. The eligibility criteria included original articles published in English or Persian in the last two decades. International credible scholarly databases (PubMed, Scopus, Magiran, IranMedex, and SID) were searched using keywords and syntax. Some of the keywords included “Family Health Nurse,” “Nurses in Primary Care,” “Family Medicine,” “Family Physician Care Program,” “General Physician Program,” “Role,” and “Nurse.” Data were extracted based on Sample, Phenomenon of Interest, Design, Evaluation, Research type (SPIDER) technique and reported based on the structure of Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA). Results: Of 147 identified publications by the search strategy, eight eligible empirical studies were included. The results showed that besides providing nursing care, nurses play vital roles in communication and teamwork, assessment, securing health services relevant to communities' needs, education, empowerment, clinical practice, health promotion, prevention, reflective research practice, and counseling. Conclusions: This study identified different roles nurses could play in providing primary health care. These findings are helpful for the replanning or reform of primary health care in countries, which aimed to expand the Family Physician Program (FPP) in their countries, including Iran.

Background and objectives: Propolis is a natural product of honey bees that is characterized by therapeutic effects on diverse diseases. To elucidate the molecular mechanism of propolis effects on tumor, protein-protein interaction (PPI) network analysis of proteome data of Hep-2 cells treated with red propolis was conducted. Methods: Cytoscape V 3.9.1 and its plug-ins evaluated the differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) in terms of network construction and the corresponding topological features. Results: The results implied that six hub-bottlenecks including ACTB, GAPDH, HSP90AA1, HSPA8, HSP90AB1, and HSPA5 were present in the PPI network; however, only the last central protein was among DEPs. ClueGO+ CluePedia identified five related biological processes and three action types of their connections. Results refer to anticancer property of red propolis. Conclusion: The proposed crucial proteins and their linked biological processes may represent as key players in the anticancer underlying mechanism of red propolis.

Abstract Background: Hospital readmissions are one of the costliest challenges facing healthcare systems, but conventional models fail to predict readmissions well. Many existing models use exclusively manually-engineered features, which are labor intensive and dataset-specific. Our objective was to develop and evaluate models to predict hospital readmissions using derived features that are automatically generated from longitudinal data using machine learning techniques. Methods: We studied patients discharged from acute care facilities in 2015 and 2016 in Alberta, Canada, excluding those who were hospitalized to give birth or for a psychiatric condition. We used population-level linked administrative hospital data from 2011 to 2017 to train prediction models using both manually derived features and features generated automatically from observational data. The target value of interest was 30-day all-cause hospital readmissions, with the success of prediction measured using the area under the curve (AUC) statistic. Results: Data from 428,669 patients (62% female, 38% male, 27% 65 years or older) were used for training and evaluating models: 24,974 (5.83%) were readmitted within 30 days of discharge for any reason. Patients were more likely to be readmitted if they utilized hospital care more, had more physician office visits, had more prescriptions, had a chronic condition, or were 65 years old or older. The LACE readmission prediction model had an AUC of 0.66 ± 0.0064 while the machine learning model’s test set AUC was 0.83 ± 0.0045, based on learning a gradient boosting machine on a combination of machine-learned and manually-derived features. Conclusion: Applying a machine learning model to the computer-generated and manual features improved prediction accuracy over the LACE model and a model that used only manually-derived features. Our model can be used to identify high-risk patients, for whom targeted interventions may potentially prevent readmissions.

Background and objectives: Treatment with root extract of valerian can reduce anxiety neurosis symptoms. To investigate the related therapeutic impacts, bioinformatics analysis of proteome profile of rat’s hippocampus tissue was carried out. Methods: Cytoscape V.3.9.1, and its plug-ins were applied for the construction of protein-protein interaction network of the treated subjects. NetworkAnalyzer and ClueGO+CuePedia were used to study centrality and gene ontology of the protein-protein interaction (PPI) network. Results: Results indicated that seven central proteins Actb, Alb, Akt1, Egfr, Tp53 as hub-bottlenecks and Th and H2afx as hub and bottleneck differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) are present in the PPI network and four corresponding biological processes. Among these seven proteins, two including tyrosine 3-monooxygenase (Th) and Histone H2A (H2afx) are differentially expressed proteins in the exposure of valerian. Conclusion: It was found that the histone H2A and tyrosine 3-monooxygenase as central nodes are the main targets of valerian which are associated with anti-anxiety effects of the herb.

Background and objectives: Coffee as a common drink for many people has been evaluated in the preset study due to its relationship with cancer risk or prevention, regulation of cholesterol level, and anti-oxidant properties. The dysregulated genes in liver of high-fat dieted mice which were treated with coffee were evaluated via network analysis to explore molecular mechanism of the event. Methods: Data were downloaded from gene expression omnibus (GEO) and the significant differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were analyzed via protein-protein interaction (PPI) network analysis by Cytoscape V.3.7.2. The Selected DEGs were enriched via gene ontology by ClueGO. Results of PPI network analysis and gene ontology enrichment were interpreted together to find the critical genes and pathways. Results: Hmgcr, Hmgcs1, Msmo1, Nsdhl, Lss, Fdps, Idi1, Mvd, Ppara, and Hsp90aa1 were identified as the central targeted genes while “cholesterol metabolism pathway” was introduced as the main affected pathway. Conclusion: Final analysis led to determine Hmgcr, Hmgcs1, Msmo1, Nsdhl, Lss, Fdps, Idi1, and Mvd as key dysregulated genes which are related to the most biological terms of “cholesterol metabolism pathway”.

Background and objectives: 20S-Ginsenoside Rg3 is a pharmacological active compound of ginseng. Evidences indicate that S20-Rg3 as an anti-cancer factor plays role in prevention and treatment of cancer. In the present study, proteomic data of 20S-ginsenoside Rg3 effect on human colorectal adenocarcinoma cell line HT-29 was analyzed via network analysis to understand more details about the molecular events. Methods: The differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) related to the effect of 20S-ginsenoside Rg3 on human colorectal adenocarcinoma cell line HT-29 were extracted from literature and analyzed via protein-protein interaction (PPI) network. The central nodes of the network were determined based on degree value and betweenness centrality. Results: Eight DEPS plus 100 added first neighbors were included in the PPI network. Five central nodes as hub-bottlenecks including ACTB, GAPDH, TP53, AKT1, and ALB among the added first neighbors and ANXA5 as hub-bottleneck and GSTP1 and PCNA as bottlenecks among the queried DEPs were introduced. Conclusion: PCNA, GSTP1, and ANxA5 as cell protective proteins are the crucial targeted proteins by 20S-ginsenoside Rg3 in the treated cell line HT-29. Up-regulation of GSTP1 and ANXA5 is correspondent to the cell protective property of 20S-ginsenoside Rg3, and down-regulation of PCNA refers to the opposite effect. It seems that cell protective roles of 20S-ginsenoside Rg3 are accompanied with the possible side effects.

Background: Methanol is a toxic alcohol for the human body. The molecular biology of methanol metabolites affecting different organs, such as the brain, is under investigation. This systematic review aimed to consider methanol toxic molecular biology, based on the original articles obtained from data banks to figure out recent achievements. Methods: Scientific articles regarding the toxic effects and metabolites of methanol on the central nervous system (CNS) were collected from valid databases and classified based on their validity. Exclusion criteria were articles with duplicates, no available full text, review articles, case reports, and letters. Results: Current metabolic reactions were addressed in the development of CNS diseases, such as optic neuropathy, basal ganglia lesions, and Alzheimer’s disease. However, proteomic investigations introduced new metabolic changes, and serum proteins regarding blood coagulation, vitamin A metabolism, and immune responses were suggested for early detection of toxicity. Conclusion: Besides CNS disorders introduced for methanol toxicity, there is no exact proteomic serum marker to diagnose toxicity soon; however, the interleukin-1 beta system is suggested as a candidate, and more investigation is required to improve its competency.

Background: Okadaic acid (OA) is a toxin of polluted shellfish. Consuming the contaminated shellfish is accompanied by diarrhea and paralytic and amnesic disorders. There is a correlation between diarrhea and the consumed OA. Determining the critical targeted genes by OA was the aim of this study. Methods: The transcriptomic data about the effect of OA on human intestinal caco-2 cells were extracted from gene expression omnibus (GEO) and evaluated via the GEO2R program. The significant differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were included in a protein-protein interaction (PPI) network and the central nodes were enriched via gene ontology to find the crucial affected biological terms. Results: Among the 178 significant DEGs plus 50 added first neighbors, four hub-bottleneck genes (ALB, FOS, JUN, and MYC) were determined. Twenty-eight critical biological terms were identified as the dysregulated individuals in response to the presence of OA. “ERK1/2-activator protein-1 (AP-1) complex binds KDM6B promoter” was highlighted as the major class of biological terms. Conclusion: It can be concluded that down-regulation of ALB as a potent central gene leads to impairment of blood homeostasis in the presence of OA. Up-regulation of the other three central genes (JUN, FOS, and MYC) grossly affects the vital pathways in the human body.

Purpose: Recently, bone tissue engineering as a new strategy is used to repair and replace bone defects due to limitations in allograft and autograft methods. In this regard, we prepared nanofibrous scaffolds composed of polycaprolactone and magnesium oxide nanoparticles using the electrospinning technique for possible bone tissue engineering applications. Methods: The fabricated composites were characterized via scanning electron microscopy imaging of scaffolds and seeded cells, water contact angle, DAPI staining, and MTT assay. Then osteogenic differentiation of adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells cultured on this composite scaffold was determined by standard osteogenic marker tests, including alkaline phosphatase activity, calcium deposition, and expression of osteogenic differentiation genes in the laboratory conditions. Results: The Scanning electron microscopy analysis demonstrated that the diameter of nanofibers significantly decreased from 1029.25±209.349 µm to 537.83+0.140 nm, with the increase of MgO concentration to 2% (p

Background and objectives: Anti-proliferative activity of carnosol from Rosemary on malignancies has revealed its potential for cancer therapeutic purposes. Molecular studies such as proteomics could open a new insight in underling mechanisms of anticancer processes of carnosol treatment through analysis of the most relevant modulated proteins in cancer. Methods: Protein-protein interaction (PPI) network analysis of adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATL) treated with carnosol proteome was conducted. Cyroscape and its plug-ins explored the PPI network construction and its features including centrality and gene ontology. Results: Among 22 differentially expressed proteins (DEPs), 21 individuals were recognized by the STRING database. The queried DEPs and the added first neighbors formed a scale-free network. GAPDH, TPI1, ENO1, and PGK1 were identified as the hub-bottlenecks of the PPI network of carnosol-treated ATL. Conclusion: ALDOA, PFKFB3, PKM2, and LDHA and related metabolic processes are targets of anticancer compounds of rosemary extract; however, more investigation is suggested.

Abstract SARS-CoV-2, a novel coronavirus, is the agent responsible for the COVID-19 pandemic and is a major public health concern nowadays. The rapid and global spread of this coronavirus leads to an increase in hospitalizations and thousands of deaths in many countries. To date, great efforts have been made worldwide for the efficient management of this crisis, but there is still no effective and specific treatment for COVID-19. The primary therapies to treat the disease are antivirals, anti-inflammatories and respiratory therapy. In addition, antibody therapies currently have been a many active and essential part of SARS-CoV-2 infection treatment. Ongoing trials are proposed different therapeutic options including various drugs, convalescent plasma therapy, monoclonal antibodies, immunoglobulin therapy, and cell therapy. The present study summarized current evidence of these therapeutic approaches to assess their efficacy and safety for COVID-19 treatment. We tried to provide comprehensive information about the available potential therapeutic approaches against COVID-19 to support researchers and physicians in any current and future progress in treating COVID-19 patients.

Abstract Background Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is defined as an emerging infectious disease caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 and celiac disease (CD) is one of the autoimmune multiorgan diseases, which can be accompanied by an increased risk of viral infections. CD patients, especially untreated subjects, may be at greater risk of infections such as viral illnesses. Interleukin (IL)-6, CD4, CD25, and FOXP3 are known as genes affecting immune homeostasis and relate to the inflammation state. This study aimed to compare the expression levels of aforementioned genes in peripheral blood samples of CD and severe COVID-19 patients. Methods Sixty newly diagnosed CD patients with median age (mean ± SD) of 35.40 ± 24.12 years; thirty confirmed severe COVID-19 patients with median age (mean ± SD) of 59.67 ± 17.22, and 60 healthy subjects with median age (mean ± SD) of 35.6 ± 13.02 years; were recruited from March to September 2020. Fresh whole blood samples were collected, total RNA was obtained and cDNA synthesis was carried out. RNA expression levels of IL-6, CD4, CD25, and FOXP3 genes were assessed using real-time quantitative RT-PCR according to the 2−∆∆Ct formula. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS (V.21) and GraphPad, Prism (V.6). Results While increased expression of CD4, CD25, and FOXP3 was observed in CD patients compared to the control group (p = 0.02, p = 0.03, and p

Celiac disease, also known as gluten intolerance, is an autoimmune digestive disorder in genetically susceptible individuals. Currently, a totally gluten free diet is considered as the only treatment for celiac disease, which means cutting out foods containing gluten protein from the diet completely. Strict adherence to this regimen can be challenging as several processed foods contain hidden gluten, added as flavor enhancer or texture modifier. In addition, the high cost and unavailability of gluten-free foods have led to patient's dissatisfaction. Moreover, there are celiac disease patients who have persistent symptoms despite dietary compliance. Emerging research have focused on discovering alternative non-dietary treatments for this disorder. There are herbal medicines and other natural resources with anti-inflammatory activity and valuable therapeutic effects in preventing or treating inflammatory diseases. As these are effective and affordable, several studies have focused on treating different diseases using these agents. However, there are few studies evaluating the effects and potential role of naturally derived compounds in celiac disease treatment. In this review, we gathered current information in this regard; hoping our article can serve as catalysts for researchers to pay more attention to natural therapies for celiac disease.

The gut microbiota undergoes significant alterations in response to viral infections, particularly the novel SARS-CoV-2. As impaired gut microbiota can trigger numerous neurological disorders, we suggest that the long-term neurological symptoms of COVID-19 may be related to intestinal microbiota disorders in these patients. Thus, we have gathered available information on how the virus can affect the microbiota of gastrointestinal systems, both in the acute and the recovery phase of the disease, and described several mechanisms through which this gut dysbiosis can lead to long-term neurological disorders, such as Guillain-Barre syndrome, chronic fatigue, psychiatric disorders such as depression and anxiety, and even neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease. These mechanisms may be mediated by inflammatory cytokines, as well as certain chemicals such as gastrointestinal hormones (e.g., CCK), neurotransmitters (e.g., 5-HT), etc. (e.g., short-chain fatty acids), and the autonomic nervous system. In addition to the direct influences of the virus, repurposed medications used for COVID-19 patients can also play a role in gut dysbiosis. In conclusion, although there are many dark spots in our current knowledge of the mechanism of COVID-19-related gut-brain axis disturbance, based on available evidence, we can hypothesize that these two phenomena are more than just a coincidence and highly recommend large-scale epidemiologic studies in the future.

Humanity is currently facing immense challenges related to the reduction of CO2 emissions and satisfying energy demand whilst mitigating environmental impacts, hence, developing smart cities is one of the most important goals for every country. This paper presents a comprehensive discussion on smart city development across successful cities including London, Singapore, Barcelona, New York, Melbourne, Amsterdam, Dubai, and Helsinki, highlighting the importance of appropriate policies in overcoming barriers and creating solutions with regard to the importance of clean energy in each section. This paper focuses on three sectors: Energy, Transport, and Buildings. This research aims to illustrate fruitful pathways for smart city development based on these successful cities in using appropriate policies and strategies to overcome the relative hurdles often limiting these three important sectors in improving and achieving the necessary development for smart city status. Additionally, the stakeholder cooperation with the local government has a prominent role in carrying and executing the ideas of the politicians and the energy experts for more utilization of clean energy in different sections as a proper policy in smart city development.

BackgroundTryptophan (TRP) is an essential amino acid that must be provided in the diet. The kynurenine pathway (KP) is the main route of TRP catabolism into nicotinamide adenosine dinucleotide (NAD+), and metabolites of this pathway may have protective or degenerative effects on the nervous system. Thus, the KP may be involved in neurodegenerative diseases.ObjectivesThe purpose of this systematic review and meta-analysis is to assess the changes in KP metabolites such as TRP, kynurenine (KYN), kynurenic acid (KYNA), Anthranilic acid (AA), 3-hydroxykynurenine (3-HK), 5-Hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA), and 3-Hydroxyanthranilic acid (3-HANA) in Alzheimer’s disease (AD), Parkinson’s disease (PD), and Huntington’s disease (HD) patients compared to the control group.MethodsWe conducted a literature search using PubMed/Medline, Scopus, Google Scholar, Web of Science, and EMBASE electronic databases to find articles published up to 2022. Studies measuring TRP, KYN, KYNA, AA, 3-HK, 5-HIAA, 3-HANA in AD, PD, or HD patients and controls were identified. Standardized mean differences (SMDs) were used to determine the differences in the levels of the KP metabolites between the two groups.ResultsA total of 30 studies compromising 689 patients and 774 controls were included in our meta-analysis. Our results showed that the blood levels of TRP was significantly lower in the AD (SMD=-0.68, 95% CI=-0.97 to -0.40, p=0.000, I2 = 41.8%, k=8, n=382), PD (SMD=-0.77, 95% CI=-1.24 to -0.30, p=0.001, I2 = 74.9%, k=4, n=352), and HD (SMD=-0.90, 95% CI=-1.71 to -0.10, p=0.028, I2 = 91.0%, k=5, n=369) patients compared to the controls. Moreover, the CSF levels of 3-HK in AD patients (p=0.020) and the blood levels of KYN in HD patients (p=0.020) were lower compared with controls.ConclusionOverall, the findings of this meta-analysis support the hypothesis that the alterations in the KP may be involved in the pathogenesis of AD, PD, and HD. However, additional research is needed to show whether other KP metabolites also vary in AD, PD, and HD patients. So, the metabolites of KP can be used for better diagnosing these diseases.

Background: Vitamin E is known as a preventive or therapeutic antioxidant that improves the total antioxidant capacity (TAC) of saliva in individuals at risk of different oral cavity oxidative stresses. This study aimed to compare the effect of this vitamin on the salivary TAC between smokers and non-smokers. Materials and Methods: In this single-blind crossover clinical trial, non-stimulated saliva samples were collected from smoker and nonsmoker participants (n=60 per group) at three stages (baseline and after the two interventional phases). They were divided into subgroups to receive daily vitamin E (200 IU) and placebo for three weeks alternatively in the first or second phase. The salivary TAC was measured via fluorescence recovery after photobleaching method. The TAC changes were calculated in each phase. Data were analyzed by using SPSS software through repeated measures ANOVA, independent sample t-test, and covariate test. Results: The mean changes of TAC of smokers first receiving vitamin E and then placebo were 0.06±0.091 (U/mL) and 025.0±0.089 (U/mL), respectively (P=0.017). The non-smokers' mean TAC changes were 0.059±0.13 versus 0.053±0.129, respectively, after taking vitamin E and placebo; being statistically insignificant (P=0.791). Conclusion: Accordingly, vitamin E improved the salivary TAC in both non-smokers and smokers.

Parkinson's disease (PD), the second most common neurodegenerative disorder, is characterized by neuroinflammation, formation of Lewy bodies, and progressive loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra of the brain. In this review, we summarize evidence obtained by animal studies demonstrating neuroinflammation as one of the central pathogenetic mechanisms of PD. We also focus on the protein factors that initiate the development of PD and other neurodegenerative diseases. Our targeted literature search identified 40 pre-clinical in vivo and in vitro studies written in English. Nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kB) pathway is demonstrated as a common mechanism engaged by neurotoxins such as 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) and 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA), as well as the bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS). The α-synuclein protein, which plays a prominent role in PD neuropathology, may also contribute to neuroinflammation by activating mast cells. Meanwhile, 6-OHDA models of PD identify microsomal prostaglandin E synthase-1 (mPGES-1) as one of the contributors to neuroinflammatory processes in this model. Immune responses are used by the central nervous system to fight and remove pathogens; however, hyperactivated and prolonged immune responses can lead to a harmful neuroinflammatory state, which is one of the key mechanisms in the pathogenesis of PD.

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) refers to a complicated range of childhood neurodevelopmental disorders which can occur via genetic or non-genetic factors. Clinically, ASD is associated with problems in relationships, social interactions, and behaviors that pose many challenges for children with ASD and their families. Due to the complexity, heterogeneity, and association of symptoms with some neuropsychiatric disorders such as ADHD, anxiety, and sleep disorders, clinical trials have not yielded reliable results and there still remain challenges in drug discovery and development pipeline for ASD patients. One of the main steps in promoting lead compounds to the suitable drug for commercialization is preclinical animal testing, in which the efficacy and toxicity of candidate drugs are examined in vivo. In recent years, zebrafish have been able to attract the attention of many researchers in the field of neurological disorders such as ASD due to their outstanding features. The presence of orthologous genes for ASD modeling, the anatomical similarities of parts of the brain, and similar neurotransmitter systems between zebrafish and humans are some of the main reasons why scientists draw attention to zebrafish as a prominent animal model in preclinical studies to discover highly effective treatment approaches for the ASD through genetic and non-genetic modeling methods.

According to the historical and geographical resources of the Islamic period, the city of Borujerd has always been regarded as an urban center since at least the first centuries of the Islamic era. The old mosque of “Atiq”, which is the oldest monument of the Borujerd city, has been identified by archaeological findings and architectural characteristics, to bear evidence of existence from the earliest Islamic centuries to the present time. In several stages of archaeological explorations in this mosque, which have mostly been carried out with the aim of renewal, many pieces of clay have been discovered in the campus of this ancient building which mainly date back to the middle-Islamic centuries. In recent years, with the implementation of some reconstruction projects and excavations in the old site of Borujerd city, some evidences of cultural and historical layers have been discovered which are indicators for the study of pottery in Islamic period. The present research, through applying classification and typology of pottery and studying the role of the carvings under the enamels of the excavated finds, aims at introducing the technical and artistic characteristics of pottery carvings under the Atiq mosque. Highlighting similarities and differences between the studied samples and the findings of pottery centers is another purpose of this study. The results of this study show that underglaze carving was the most widely applied method in pottery clay since 4-7 centuries AH in Islamic era. In terms of shape, the themes and techniques of glazed motifs are of considerable diversity and have many shared technical and artistic characteristics with other pottery areas of the same period, especially those of west of Iran.Borujerd, has been identified elsewhere as early as the second half of the third century in the Islamic era. Of the many names that Borujerd has been referred to during history, “Nahavand” and “Moon of Basreh” are the two most common ones. Since the fourth century and the formation of local governments, an increase of the role of western parts of Iran in the political-military developments could be seen. In the meantime, the city of Borujerd, took root and left a defining rule in the social and historical developments of that period due to being in the neighborhood of important cities such as Isfahan, Karaj Abodelf, Hamedan, and finally, Baghdad, which all flourished during the reigns of the Buyid and the Seljuk dynasties. The old texture of the Borujerd city has about 280 hectares of area. The central and primary core of the city is located in a range surrounded by the old Razan square, the Jameh Mosque of Soltani, Bazaar and the Jameh Mosque of Atiq. Despite the many works and signs of the existence of Islamic-period pottery in the area of study, including those in the old urban texture, layers and pottery, the area of Jameh Mosque has never been seriously and scientifically studied. In this regard, the present study was conducted with the aim of categorizing and classifying underglaze pottery carvings of the Jameh Mosque and the historical context of Borujerd, which count for a remarkable volume of glazed pottery and stained glass collection. It also intends to introduce the technical and artistic characteristics of this species in the study area. Therefore, this research is an attempt to answer questions such as: 1- What are the technical characteristics of the studied sgraffito pottery? 2. The artistic style of the studied samples is comparable to which well-known art patterns of this type of pottery? The present study was conducted by collecting information through library sources and field matching of field findings of this region with other regions.In the present research, the descriptive-analytical research method has been used. In this regard, after initial observation and through survey, the basis for sample classification was as follows: technical similarity, the subject of motifs, methods of glazing, and comparison with a variety of commonly studied species of this style in the first and the middle centuries which have been introduced, categorized and analyzed by researchers in the field and based on scientific research available in books and specialized publications. Therefore, the clay components of the index in terms of forms of dishes, diversity of enamels and the role of the classification and typology and their characteristics were analyzed.

Objective:The relationship between drug resistance and the expression of hexokinase (HK) has been indicated in leishmaniasis. According to the prolonged treatment period in cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) patients co-infected with Crithidia in Iran, this study aims to investigate the expression of HK in the proteome of Leishmania major and Crithidia using a proteomic approach.Methods:A total of 205 samples were removed from the lesions of patients in Fars province, Iran, for the characterization of L. major and Crithidia using polymerase chain reaction (PCR). After protein extraction, two-dimensional gel electrophoresis was employed for protein separation. Several spots were isolated for HK determination in the proteomes of L. major and Crithidia using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI TOF/TOF MS).Results:The PCR results showed 5 positive cases for Crithidia and 96 positive cases for L. major. MALDI TOF/TOF MS indicated HK as a common protein in the proteome of L. major and Crithidia. HK was up-regulated in the Crithidia proteome in comparison with the L. major proteome.Conclusion:Since a relationship between HK expression and drug resistance has been indicated in leishmaniasis, the overexpression of HK in Crithidia might be related to the increased duration of the treatment period in CL patients co-infected with Crithidia.

Background and objectives: Natural sources can be effective in treating diverse pathological conditions especially cancer. Molecular evaluations of pepper on renal cancer could provide further information about its anticancer property. Methods: To achieve a clear understanding of pepper effect on cancer cells, protein-protein interaction network analysis of differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) in human renal adenocarcinoma cells treated with ghost pepper were evaluated. Cytoscape V. 3.8.2 and its applications were applied to analyze the DEPs. Results: Centrality study showed CYCS and CAT as DEPs were the hub-bottlenecks that were essential for the network stability. Among the 10 introduced central proteins, eight individuals belonged to the added first neighbors from STRING database. The finding indicated that the main central proteins belonged to the first neighbors of the queried proteins and were involved in the anticancer activity. Conclusion: Analysis highlighted anticancer property of ghost pepper on the human renal adenocarcinoma cells and also antioxidant effect which was associated with catalase activity.

Background and objectives: There are several documents about protective properties of saffron against stress conditions which refer to the effect of saffron on gene expression pattern of the treated samples.The aim of the present study was determination of the main regulated proteins by saffron extract. Methods: Twenty differentially expressed proteins from a published research were investigated via network analysis and assessed to determine the crucial regulated individuals by Cetoscape software. The network was analyzed by network analyzer application of Cytoscape software, and the central nodes were identified. Results: Twenty queried proteins were included in a network with 9005 nodes and 11446 edges. Analysis of the network revealed that VCP, SOD1, GRP78 (HSPA5), GRP75 (HSPA9), PRDX1, PHB, COMT, and ATP5H are the central proteins which are regulated by saffron extract. Conclusion: Based on the regulated proteins, regulation of mithoconderia and endoplasmic reticulum was identified as the main target of saffron in stress management.

Herein, flyweight organic-inorganic hybrid scaffolds were fabricated by self-assembly and reduction of graphene oxide via covalent reaction of octa(aminophenyl) polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane with graphene oxide. Octa(aminophenyl) polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane created a decorative coating on the graphene oxide surface. It acts as a nano-crosslinker, especially on the overlapped-zone of graphene oxide platelets to bind them close-fitting. The resulting hybrid hydrogel was transformed into aerogel by the solvent exchange process with liquid carbon dioxide, followed by liquid carbon dioxide supercritical drying. Different concentrations of graphene oxide and octa(aminophenyl) polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane were prepared and the structure-property relationship of obtained aerogels is elucidated. The bulk density and porosity of the aerogels are located between the super-low values of 2.7 to 5.9 mg cm-3 and beyond 99.5 %, respectively. According to the adsorption-desorption isotherms of BET-technique, the surface area of obtained aerogels was between 250 to 713 m2/g. The findings remark the potential application of obtained aerogels in the production of supercapacitors, lithium-ion batteries, solar cells, etc. in energy storage and conversion devices, electrode materials, sensors, gas/oil/dye adsorbents, and high-temperature insulators in the aerospace industry.

Background and objectives: It is reported that cinnamonconsumption is corelated with improving several diseases and advanced methods are applied to detect the molecular mechanism of this effect. The aim of this study was introducing the main protein targets of cinnamon extract. Methods: Among the 100 regulated significant differentially expressed proteins, the recognized individuals by STRING database plus 100 added first neighbors were included in a network and the central nodes of the network were determined and analyzed. Results: The queried and added proteins were included in a scale free network. Seven hub nodes as central proteins were determined as critical target proteins. Five hub proteins were members of 50S ribosomal proteins family and others weretsf and dnaK. The last two hubs were related to protein synthesis and protein folding processes, respectively. Conclusion: 50S ribosomal proteins family and protein synthesis were identified as the main target of cinnamon and the core affected process, respectively.

Background and objectives: Promising anticancer properties are associated with the consumption of green tea. On the other hand, lung cancer has been showing to possess the highest number of death compared to other types of cancer. The aim of this study was to understand the mechanisms by which green tea shows this effect; bioinformatics study of proteome profile could be essential. For this reason, the proteomics analysis of human lung adenocarcinoma A-549 cells treated with green tea extract was chosen for protein-protein interaction (PPI) network analysis. Methods: Cytoscape v.3.8.2 and its applications analyzed a number of 14 differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) from green tea treatment experiment as two networks. The biological annotations and action type exploration of the hub-bottlenecks of the PPI network were then carried out. Results. The investigation indicated that among 14 queries DEPs, HNRNPA2B1, PCBP1, and HNRNPC may show substantial role. Moreover, HSPA8 was the top hub-bottleneck and half of the central protein groups were enriched with heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoproteins complex family (HNRNPs). Conclusion. The anticancer bioinformatics study of green tea suggests a complex nature for green tea. This finding urges complementary evaluations to validate whether green tea is applicable as an anticancer agent in medicine.

Introduction: Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is one of the complex neuropsychiatric conditions. This disorder disables individuals in many different aspects of their personal and social life. Interactome analysis may provide a better understanding of this disorder’s molecular origin and its underlying mechanisms. Methods: In this study, the OCD-associated genes were extracted from the literature. The criterion for gene selection was to choose genes with at least one significant report. Furthermore, by applying Cytoscape and its plugins, protein-protein interaction network, and gene ontology of the 31 candidate genes related to OCD from genetic association studies is examined. The cross-validation method was used for network centrality assessment. Results: A scale-free network, including 1940 nodes and 3269 edges for 31 genes, was constructed. According to the network centrality evaluation, ESR1, TNFα, DRD2, DRD4, HTR1B, HTR2A, and CDH2 showed the highest values and can be considered hub-bottlenecks elements. It is also confirmed by the number of 123 cross-validation tests that the frequency of these essential genes remains unaltered against the initial seed genes’ changes with the accuracy of 0.962. Besides, enrichment analysis identified four highlighted biological processes related to the 31 candidate genes. The top biological processes are determined as dopamine transport, learning, memory, and monoamine transport. Conclusion: Among 31 initial genes, 7 were introduced as crucial elements for onset and development in OCD and can be suggested for further investigations. Furthermore, the complex molecular origin of OCD requires high-throughput screening for diagnosis and treatment goals. The findings are a possible valuable source to establish molecular-based diagnostic tools for OCD.

Background: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), is a new global health threat. Objectives: To analyze the effectiveness of the measurement of specific antibodies to SARS-CoV2 (IgM and IgG) for the diagnosis of COVID-19 and to analyze the rate of SARS-CoV2 seroprevalence in the population. Methods: 11 relevant studies, published before June 5, 2020, were included in this meta-analysis. These studies were identified by searching the MEDLINE and Scopus databases. The final selected studies were analyzed using STATA version 14. Publication bias was examined using both Egger's test and Funnel plots. Moreover, the I² statistic has been used to evaluate and verify heterogeneity. Results: The 11 relevant studies selected for the present meta-analysis cover a total of 996 infection cases. According to the results, the average rate of positive cases for IgM (AU/mL) was 2.10 (95% CI: 1.65-2.55; I2=92.2%), and the sensitivity in individuals with positive IgM test was 63% (95% CI: 47-79; I2=94.9%). In addition, the average rate of positive cases for IgG (AU/mL) was 67.44 (95% CI: 28.79-106.09; I2=99.4%), and the sensitivity in individuals with positive IgG test was 79% (95% CI: 67-90; I2=89.5%). Conclusions: According to this analysis, detection of anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgM and IgG antibodies may assist early detection of SARS-CoV2 infection. Whether antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 confer protective immunity warrants further studies.

Abstract Cancer is a leading cause of death in both developed and developing countries, and because of population growth and aging, it is a growing medical burden worldwide. With robust development in medicine, the use of stem cells has opened new treatment modalities in cancer therapy. In adult stem cells, mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are showing rising promise in cancer treatment due to their unique properties. Among different sources of MSCs, human amniotic fluid/membrane is an attractive and suitable reservoir. There are conflicting opinions about the role of human amniotic membrane/fluid mesenchymal stem cells (hAMSCS/hAFMSCs) in cancer, as some studies demonstrating the anticancer effects of these cells and others suggesting their progressive effects on cancer. This review focuses on recent findings about the role of hAMSCs/hAFMSCs in cancer treatment and summarizes the suppressing as well as promoting effects of these cells on cancer progression and underling mechanisms.

Introduction: Down syndrome as a genetic disorder is a popular research topic in molecular studies. One way to study Down syndrome is via bioinformatics. Methods: In this study, a gene expression profile from a microarray study was selected for more investigation. Results: The study of Down syndrome patients shows specific genes with differential expression and network centrality properties. These genes are introduced as RHOA, FGF2, FYN, and CD44, and their level of expression is high in these patients. Conclusion: This study suggests that besides chromosomes 21, there are additional contributing chromosomes to the risk of Down syndrome development. Besides, these genes could be used for clinical studies after more analysis.

Abstract This systematic review and meta-analysis study was conducted to estimate the pooled prevalence of CD in low and high risk groups in this region. Following keywords were searched in the Medline, PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science and Cochrane database according to the MeSH terms; celiac disease, prevalence, high risk population and Asian-Pacific region. Prevalence studies published from January 1991 to March 2018 were selected. Prevalence of CD with 95% confidence interval (CI) was calculated using STATA software, version 14. The pooled sero-prevalence of CD among low risk group in Asia–Pacific region was 1.2% (95% CI 0.8–1.7%) in 96,099 individuals based on positive anti-tissue transglutaminase (anti-t-TG Ab) and/or anti-endomysial antibodies (EMA). The pooled prevalence of biopsy proven CD in Asia–Pacific among high and low risk groups was 4.3% (95% CI 3.3–5.5%) and 0.61% (95% CI 0.4–0.8%) in 10,719 and 70,344 subjects, respectively. In addition, the pooled sero-prevalence and prevalence of CD in general population was significantly higher in children compared with adults and it was significantly greater in female vs. male (P

Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are subpopulation of cells which have been demonstrated in a variety of cancer models and involved in cancer initiation, progression, and development. Indeed, CSCs which seem to form a small percentage of tumor cells, display resembling characteristics to natural stem cells such as self-renewal, survival, differentiation, proliferation, and quiescence. Moreover, they have some characteristics that eventually can demonstrate the heterogeneity of cancer cells and tumor progression. On the other hand, another aspect of CSCs that has been recognized as a central concern facing cancer patients is resistance to mainstays of cancer treatment such as chemotherapy and radiation. Owing to these details and the stated stemness capabilities, these immature progenitors of cancerous cells can constantly persist after different therapies and cause tumor regrowth or metastasis. Further, in both normal development and malignancy, cellular metabolism and stemness are intricately linked and CSCs dominant metabolic phenotype changes across tumor entities, patients, and tumor subclones. Hence, CSCs can be determined as one of the factors that correlate to the failure of common therapeutic approaches in cancer treatment. In this context, researchers are searching out new alternative or complementary therapies such as targeted methods to fight against cancer. Molecular docking is one of the computational modeling methods that has a new promise in cancer cell targeting through drug designing and discovering programs. In a simple definition, molecular docking methods are used to determine the metabolic interaction between two molecules and find the best orientation of a ligand to its molecular target with minimal free energy in the formation of a stable complex. As a comprehensive approach, this computational drug design method can be thought more cost-effective and time-saving compare to other conventional methods in cancer treatment. In addition, increasing productivity and quality in pharmaceutical research can be another advantage of this molecular modeling method. Therefore, in recent years, it can be concluded that molecular docking can be considered as one of the novel strategies at the forefront of the cancer battle via targeting cancer stem cell metabolic processes.

Cancer is a multifaceted global health issue and one of the leading causes of death worldwide. In recent years, medical science has achieved great advances in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer. Despite the numerous advantages of conventional cancer therapies, there are major drawbacks including severe side effects, toxicities, and drug resistance. Therefore, the urgency of developing new drugs with low cytotoxicity and treatment resistance is increasing. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) have attracted attention as a novel therapeutic strategy for the treatment of various cancers, targeting tumor cells with less toxicity to normal tissues. In this review, we present the structure, biological function, and underlying mechanisms of AMPs. The recent experimental studies and clinical trials on anticancer peptides in different cancer types as well as the challenges of their clinical application have also been discussed.

“The Effect of COVID-19 Vaccination on Reducing the Risk of Infection, Hospitalization, and Death in Isfahan Province, Iran.” by Ziba Taherian, Mostafa Rezaei, Asefeh Haddadpour, Zahra Amini, Iran J Public Health, 51(1), Jan 2022, 188-195. The above article, published online at https://ijph.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijph/article/view/26539 has been retracted by agreement between the authors & the journal's Editor-in-Chief. After post-publication peer review, some concerns were raised on the terminology used in the results, discussion & related analysis. Some dates were reported incorrectly & there were some inconsistencies in reporting vaccine brand names. In addition, some unintentional errors have been found in the paper typesetting. The retraction has been agreed by all panel of authors mentioned in the paper, so that the necessary corrections and completing the analysis are being made properly.

Deciphering the molecular downstream consequences of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV)− 2 infection is important for a greater understanding of the disease and treatment planning. Furthermore, greater understanding of the underlying mechanisms of diagnostic and therapeutic strategies can help in the development of vaccines and drugs against COVID-19. At present, the molecular mechanisms of SARS-CoV-2 in the host cells are not sufficiently comprehended. Some of the mechanisms are proposed considering the existing similarities between SARS-CoV-2 and the other members of the β-CoVs, and others are explained based on studies advanced in the structure and function of SARS-CoV-2. In this review, we endeavored to map the possible mechanisms of the host response following SARS-CoV-2 infection and surveyed current research conducted by in vitro, in vivo and human observations, as well as existing suggestions. We addressed the specific signaling events that can cause cytokine storm and demonstrated three forms of cell death signaling following virus infection, including apoptosis, pyroptosis, and necroptosis. Given the elicited signaling pathways, we introduced possible pathway-based therapeutic targets; ADAM17 was especially highlighted as one of the most important elements of several signaling pathways involved in the immunopathogenesis of COVID-19. We also provided the possible drug candidates against these targets. Moreover, the cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction pathway was found as one of the important cross-talk pathways through a pathway-pathway interaction analysis for SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Background: We aimed to evaluate the effect of COVID-19 vaccines in preventing infection, hospitalization, and mortality due to COVID-19 in Isfahan Province, Iran. Methods: Following a retrospective cohort design, data of all vaccinated individuals since the rollout of vaccination of the general population are analyzed, Mar 2020 to Aug 13, 2021. Moreover, the data of all non-vaccinated people were collected by the census method for this period. The two groups were compared concerning hospitalization and mortality using the Chi-square test. Kaplan-Meyer was also used to calculate the median interval between receiving a vaccine and outcome (hospitalization and death). Results: Overall, 583434 people have received a second dose of a vaccine from Mar 2020 to Aug 2021, which 74% (n=433403) was Sinopharm, 18.2% (n=106027) AstraZeneca, 3.6% (n=21216) Sputnik, and 3.9% (n=22,788) Barekat. In contrast, 2,551,140 people living in the Isfahan Province did not receive a vaccine. The median interval between injection of the first dose and the hospitalization for those who received Sinopharm, AstraZeneca, Sputnik, and Barekat was 22, 61, 19, and 19 days, respectively. For unvaccinated cases, the rates of infection, hospitalization, and mortality (per 1000 population) were 69.7, 12.1, and 1.04, respectively. In contrast, for vaccinated individuals, these rates were 3.9, 1.08, and 0.09, two weeks after the second dose, respectively. Conclusion: The highest and lowest reduction in relative risk was for those who received AstraZeneca and Sputnik, respectively.