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Mojgan Sheikhpour1,2 1Department of Mycobacteriology and Pulmonary Research, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran; 2Microbiology Research Center, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, IranCorrespondence: Mojgan Sheikhpour Tel +98-9122969712Fax +98 21 64112313Email mshaikhpoor@gmail.comBackground: The coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) has been known as a pandemic disease by the World Health Organization (WHO) worldwide. The drugs currently used for treatment of COVID-19 are often selected and tested based on their effectiveness in other diseases such as influenza and AIDS and their major identified targets are viral protease, host cell produced protease, viral RNA polymerase, and the interaction site of viral protein with host cell receptors. Until now, there are no approved therapeutic drugs for definitive treatment of this dangerous disease.Methods: In this article, all of the documentary information, such as clinical trials, original research and reviews, government’s database, and treatment guidelines, were reviewed critically and comprehensively. Moreover, it was attempted to present the most common and effective drugs and strategies, to suggest the possible treatment way of COVID19 by focusing on the body’s defense mechanism against pathogens.Results: Antiviral drugs and immune-modulatory agents with the traditional medicines using the natural compound are usual accessible treatments. Accordingly, they have better beneficence due to the large existence studies, long time follow-ups, proximity to the natural system, and the normal physiological routine of the pathogen and host interactions. Besides, the serotonergic and dopaminergic pathways are considered as attractive targets to treat human immune, infectious, and cancerous diseases. Fluoxetine, as a host-targeted small molecule with immunomodulatory action, may be known as effective drug for treatment and prevention of COVID19 disease, in combination with antiviral drugs and natural compounds.Conclusion: Co-administration of fluoxetine in the treatment of COVID19 could be considered due to the possibility of its interaction with ACE2 receptors, immune-modulatory function, and a proper immune response at the right time. Fluoxetine plays a beneficial role in reducing stress due to fear of infecting by COVID19 or worsening the disease and psychological support for the affected patients.Keywords: COVID-19, clinical trials, therapeutic drugs, immunomodulatory, fluoxetine

Mojgan Sheikhpour,1,2 Maryam Naghinejad,1,2 Alibakhsh Kasaeian,3 Armaghan Lohrasbi,1,2 Seyed Sadegh Shahraeini,1,2 Shahab Zomorodbakhsh4 1Department of Mycobacteriology and Pulmonary Research, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran; 2Microbiology Research Center (MRC), Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran; 3Faculty of New Sciences and Technologies, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran; 4Department of Chemistry, Mahshahr Branch, Islamic Azad University, Mahshahr, IranCorrespondence: Mojgan Sheikhpour Tel +989122969712Email m_sheikhpour@pasteur.ac.irAbstract: The importance of timely diagnosis and the complete treatment of lung cancer for many people with this deadly disease daily increases due to its high mortality. Diagnosis and treatment with helping the nanoparticles are useful, although they have reasonable harms. This article points out that the side effects of using carbon nanotube (CNT) in this disease treatment process such as inflammation, fibrosis, and carcinogenesis are very problematic. Toxicity can reduce to some extent using the techniques such as functionalizing to proper dimensions as a longer length, more width, and greater curvature. The targeted CNT sensors can be connected to various modified vapors. In this regard, with helping this method, screening makes non-invasive diagnosis possible. Researchers have also found that nanoparticles such as CNTs could be used as carriers to direct drug delivery, especially with chemotherapy drugs. Most of these carriers were multi-wall carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) used for cancerous cell targeting. The results of laboratory and animal researches in the field of diagnosis and treatment became very desirable and hopeful. The collection of researches summarized has highlighted the requirement for a detailed assessment which includes CNT dose, duration, method of induction, etc., to achieve the most controlled conditions for animal and human studies. In the discussion section, 4 contradictory issues are discussed which are invited researchers to do more research to get clearer results.Keywords: carbon nanotubes, toxicity, lung cancer detection, lung cancer treatment, drug delivery

Shahab Zomorodbakhsh,1 Yasamin Abbasian,2 Maryam Naghinejad,3 Mojgan Sheikhpour3,4 1Department of Chemistry, Mahshahr Branch, Islamic Azad University, Mahshahr, Iran; 2Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran; 3Department of Mycobacteriology and Pulmonary Research, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran; 4Microbiology Research Center, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, IranCorrespondence: Mojgan Sheikhpour Tel +989122969712Fax +98 21 64112313Email mshaikhpoor@gmail.comBackground: Tuberculosis (TB) has always been recognized as one of the fatal infectious diseases, which is caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M.tb). Isonicotinic acid hydrazide or isoniazid (INH) is one of the most commonly utilized drugs in the treatment of TB. Patients need to take 300 mg daily of INH for 6 months in combination with another anti-TB drug and tolerate several side effects of INH. On the other hand, the emergence of resistant strains of anti-TB antibiotics is one of the major problems in the treatment of this disease. So, antimicrobial drug delivery by nanofluids could improve the efficacy, and reduce the adverse effects of antimicrobial drugs. The purpose of this study was to perform a novel method to synthesize INH-conjugated multi-wall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) for more effective drug delivery, as well as, TB treatment.Methods: INH-conjugated functionalized MWCNTs were prepared, using a reflux system. The characterization of the obtained nano-drug was performed by the elemental analyses of total nitrogen, hydrogen, carbon and sulfur (CHNS), Raman spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) methods. The nanofluid of nano-drug was prepared by the ultrasonic method, and the related antibacterial effect studies were carried out on the two strains of M.tb.Results: The antimicrobial effect of INH-conjugated MWCNTs was found to be much better at low concentrations than the pure drug in all of the strains.Conclusion: Since one of the main antimicrobial mechanisms of MWCNTs is through the destruction of the bacterial cell wall, in addition to its antimicrobial effects, it increased the drug delivery of INH at lower doses compared to drug alone. So, the nanofluid, containing INH-conjugated MWCNTs, had a better lethal effect on a variety of M.tb strains than that of the drug alone.Keywords: isoniazid, multi-wall carbon nanotubes, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, nano-drug, nanofluid

Mojgan Sheikhpour,1,2 Mohadeseh Arabi,3 Alibakhsh Kasaeian,4 Ali Rokn Rabei,4 Zahra Taherian5 1Department of Mycobacteriology and Pulmonary Research, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran; 2Microbiology Research Center (MRC), Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran; 3School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; 4Faculty of New Sciences and Technologies, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran; 5Research Laboratory of Advanced Water and Wastewater Treatment Processes, Department of Applied Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, IranCorrespondence: Mojgan Sheikhpour Tel +98-9122969712Fax +98 21 64112285Email m_sheikhpour@pasteur.ac.irAbstract: Recently, suspensions of several nanoparticles or nanocomposites have attained a vast field of application in biomedical research works in some specified conditions and clinical trials. These valuable suspensions, which allow the nanoparticles to disperse and act in homogenous and stable media, are named as nanofluids. Several studies have introduced the advantages of nanofluids in biomedical approaches in different fields. Few review articles have been reported for presenting an overview of the wide biomedical applications of nanofluids, such as diagnosis and therapy. The review is focused on nanosuspensions, as the nanofluids with solid particles. Major applications are focused on nanosuspension, which is the main type of nanofluids. So, concise content about major biomedical applications of nanofluids in drug delivery systems, imaging, and antibacterial activities is presented in this paper. For example, applying magnetic nanofluid systems is an important route for targeted drug delivery, hyperthermia, and differential diagnosis. Also, nanofluids could be used as a potential antibacterial agent to overcome antibiotic resistance. This study could be useful for presenting the novel and applicable methods for success in current medical practice.Keywords: biomedical applications, nanofluid, diagnosis, therapy, drug delivery, antibiotic resistance

Mojgan Sheikhpour,1,2 Darioush Eliaspour,3 Iraj Arabi,3 Seyed Ahmad Raeissadat,3 Arezou Lari,4 Tohid Seif Barghi5 1Department of Mycobacteriology and Pulmonary Research, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran; 2Microbiology Research Center (MRC), Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran; 3Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Tehran, Iran; 4Biomedicine Unit, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran; 5Department of Sports and Exercise Medicine, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, IranCorrespondence: Mojgan Sheikhpour; Darioush Eliaspour Tel +98 9122969712; +98 9125707896Fax +98 21 64112313Email m_sheikhpour@pasteur.ac.ir; d.eliaspour@yahoo.comObjective: Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis and one of the leading causes of job loss and motor disabilities. Recently, the involvement of dopaminergic pathways and dopamine receptor genes has been considered in this disease. Therefore, studying and comparing the expression pattern of these receptor genes can lead to a greater understanding of the pathogenesis of this disease.Methods: In this research, we used the systems biology approach to investigate the role of the dopaminergic pathway in osteoarthritis. Then the gene expression pattern of dopamine receptor genes was examined in an osteoarthritis patientgroup in comparison with healthy individuals by Real-time PCR method.Results: The analysis of the transcriptome dataset of osteoarthritis identified some genes in the dopaminergic pathway and the six most important genes in this disease are in the network with a significant relationship to dopamine receptors which differentially expressed compared to health groups. Statistical analysis of the case control study showed a significant difference (P-value< 0.05) in DRD1 and DRD2 family in the patients in comparison to healthy individuals.Discussion: We attained the significant expression pattern of dopamine receptors in the blood of osteoarthritis patients which could be useful to identify new strategies for the diagnosis, management, or treatment of this disease.Keywords: osteoarthritis, systems biology, dopamine receptor genes, gene expression

Identifying and prioritizing the key economic activities has a significant role in economic planning and policy-making, therefore, diverse methods have been developed and presented for this purpose. Besides, nowadays, pollution is also one of the globally critical issues. The aim of this study was to determine the key activities of the agricultural sector by considering carbon emission limitations, using numerical taxonomy methods, demand-driven (Leontief) and supply-driven (Ghosh) models, row and column multiplier, backward and forward dispersion index, carbon emission rate, profitability index and the ratio of water consumption value to value-added. Using numerical taxonomy methods, demand-driven, and supply-driven models, increasing row and column coefficients show that beekeeping and its sericulture activities are at the highest rank. The results obtained by using these models and backward and forward dispersion indexes show that forestry is also a key activity. These results and analysis of carbon emissions data indicate that the sub-sector forestry and beekeeping activities, which are located in the sub-sector of animal breeding, emit less carbon and create high value-added products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Research has demonstrated the association between susceptibility to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). On the other hand, the cytotoxic T lymphocyte-associated antigen-4 (CTLA-4) serves as a pivotal inhibitory receptor with a substantial impact on the advancement of viral infections. Besides, the disintegrin and metalloproteinase33 (ADAM33) gene is associated with both asthma and heightened airway responsiveness. Hence, this investigation sought to elucidate the potential association between the CTLA-4 rs5742909 and ADAM33 rs2280091 SNPs and the fatality rate of COVID-19 across various variants of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)., Methods: Both SNPs were genotyped with the PCR-RFLP assay in 1734 improved and 1450 deceased individuals., Results: Our obtained results revealed a significant association between the CTLA-4 rs5742909 C/T-T/T genotypes and increased mortality risk of COVID-19 in three different SARS-CoV-2 variants. The ADAM33 rs2280091 polymorphism demonstrated no significant association with COVID-19 mortality under various inheritance models. Nevertheless, subsequent adjustments for SARS-CoV-2 variants revealed a notable association between the GA genotype of ADAM33 rs2280091 and mortality rates specifically among individuals infected with the Delta variant., Conclusions: In summary, the prediction of COVID-19 severity could be facilitated through the utilization of the CTLA-4 rs5742909 marker. Conversely, in the case of ADAM33 rs2280091, such prognostication appears to be contingent upon the specific variants of the SARS-CoV-2 virus., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.)

Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) is a multifunctional cytokine that plays a role in the hemostasis of the immune system, inflammation, and cell proliferation. However, it can also have a dark side as it is involved in pro-inflammatory cytokines and pathological processes such as cell growth and death, autoimmunity, and inflammation, leading to a wide range of chronic inflammatory diseases, including digestive cancer. TNF-alpha binds to two distinct receptors, TNFRI and TNFRII. Upon binding of the ligand to these receptors, TNF receptor-associated factors (TRAFs) are recruited to the cytoplasmic receptor, triggering the activation of transcription factors such as NF-kB and Activator protein 1 (AP&#95;1). In contrast, binding of cytokines to certain family members, such as TNF RI and Fas Ligand (Fas L), leads to the secretion and initiation of apoptosis. Gastrointestinal malignancies are among the most common types of cancer globally. Despite extensive research, the exact cause of these tumors remains a mystery. Unfortunately, they often have a poor prognosis and are often detected at a late stage. The global incidence of gastrointestinal cancers, including those of the stomach, esophagus, colon, liver, and pancreas, is on the rise, leading to a surge in both incidence and mortality. Growth factors and cytokines, which are signaling molecules found in the tumor microenvironment, are thought to be major contributors to the development and metastasis of these cancers. In this review, we explored the role of TNF-α, and its receptors in the development of digestive cancers, including its signaling pathways and functions., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.)

Background: Lung cancer is one of the most dangerous cancers and tuberculosis is one of the deadliest infectious diseases in the world. Many studies have confirmed the connection between lung cancer and tuberculosis, and also the microRNAs (miRNAs) that play a major role in the development of these two diseases. This study aims to use different databases to find effective miRNAs and their role in different genes in lung and tuberculosis diseases. It also aims to determine the role of miR-34a and miR-182 in lung cancer and tuberculosis., Methods: Using the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database, the influential miRNA databases were studied in the two diseases. Finally, considering bioinformatics results and literature studies, two miR-34a and miR-182 were selected. The role of these miRNAs and their target genes was carefully evaluated using bioinformatics. The expression of miRNAs in the plasma of patients with lung cancer and tuberculosis and healthy individuals was investigated., Results: According to the GEO database, miR-34a and miR-182 are miRNAs that affect tuberculosis and lung cancer. By checking the miRBase, miRcode, DIANA, miRDB, galaxy, Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes databases, the role of these miRNAs on genes and different molecular pathways and their effect on these miRNAs were mentioned. The results of the present study showed that the expression of miR-34a and miR-182 was lower than that of healthy people. The p-value for miR-182 was &lt;0.0001 and for miR-34a was 0.3380., Conclusion: Reducing the expression pattern of these miRNAs indicates their role in lung cancer and tuberculosis occurrence. Therefore, these miRNAs can be used as a biomarker for prognosis, diagnosis, and treatment methods.

Lung cancer has a high morbidity rate worldwide due to its resistance to therapy. So new treatment options are needed to improve the outcomes of lung cancer treatment. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of oncolytic viruses (OVs) as a new type of cancer treatment. In this study, 158 articles from PubMed and Scopus from 1994 to 2022 were reviewed on the effectiveness of OVs in the treatment of lung cancer. The oncolytic properties of eight categories of OVs and their interactions with treatment options were investigated. OVs can be applied as a promising immunotherapy option, as they are reproduced selectively in different types of cancer cells, cause tumor cell lysis and trigger efficient immune responses.

Background: Clinical severity of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) outcomes could be influenced by genetic polymorphisms in angiotensin I-converting enzyme (ACE1) and ACE2. This study aims to examine three polymorphisms (rs1978124, rs2285666, and rs2074192) on the ACE2 gene and ACE1 rs1799752 (I/D) in patients who have coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) with various SARS-CoV-2 variants., Methods: Based on polymerase chain reaction-based genotyping, four polymorphisms in the ACE1 and ACE2 genes have been identified in 2023 deceased patients and 2307 recovered patients., Results: The ACE2 rs2074192 TT genotype was associated with the COVID-19 mortality in all three variants, whereas the CT genotype was associated with the Omicron BA.5 and Delta variants. ACE2 rs1978124 TC genotypes were related to COVID-19 mortality in the Omicron BA.5 and Alpha variants, but TT genotypes were related to COVID-19 mortality in the Delta variant. It was found that ACE2 rs2285666 CC genotypes were associated with COVID-19 mortality in Delta and Alpha variants, and CT genotypes in Delta variants. There was an association between ACE1 rs1799752 DD and ID genotypes in the Delta variant and COVID-19 mortality, whereas there was no association in the Alpha or Omicron BA.5 variants. In all variants of SARS-CoV-2, CDCT and TDCT haplotypes were more common. In Omicron BA.5 and Delta, CDCC and TDCC haplotypes were linked with COVID-19 mortality. In addition to COVID-19 mortality, the CICT, TICT, and TICC were significantly correlated., Conclusion: The ACE1/ACE2 polymorphisms had an impact on COVID-19 infection, and these polymorphisms had different effects in various SARS-CoV-2 variants. To confirm these results, however, more research needs to be conducted., (© 2023. The Author(s).)

Polyethersulfone (PES) membranes are widely used in medical devices, especially intravascular devices such as intravascular bioartificial pancreases. In the current work, the pure PES and PES-pyrolytic carbon (PyC) composite membranes were synthesized and permeability studies were conducted. In addition, the cytocompatibility and hemocompatibility of the pure PES and PES-PyC membranes were investigated. These materials were characterized using peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) activation, platelet activation, platelet adhesion, ß-cell viability and proliferation, and ß-cell response to hyperglycemia. The results showed that platelet activation decreased from 87.3% to 27.8%. Any alteration in the morphology of sticking platelets was prevented, and the number of attached platelets decreased by modification with PyC. The 3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2, 5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay corroborated that PBMC activation was encouraged by the PyC-modified PES membrane surface. It can be concluded that PES-modified membranes show higher hemocompatibility than pure PES membranes. ß-cells cultured on all the three membranes displayed a lower rate of proliferation although the cells on the PES-PyC (0.1 wt. %) membrane indicated a slightly higher viability and proliferation than those on the pure PES and PES-PyC (0.05 wt. %) membranes. It shows that the PES-PyC (0.1 wt. %) membrane possesses superior cytocompatibility over the other membranes.

Background: Lung cancer is one of the leading causes of death in the world and the deadliest of all cancers. Apoptosis is a key pathway in regulating the cell growth rate, proliferation, and occurrence of lung cancer. This process is controlled by many molecules, such as microRNAs and their target genes. Therefore, finding new medical approaches such as exploring diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers involved in apoptosis is needed for this disease. In the present study, we aimed to identify key microRNAs and their target genes that could be used in the prognosis and diagnosis of lung cancer., Methods: Signaling pathways, genes, and microRNAs involved in the apoptotic pathway were identified by bioinformatics analysis and recent clinical studies. Bioinformatics analysis was performed on databases including NCBI, TargetScan, UALCAN, UCSC, KEGG, miRPathDB, and Enrichr, and clinical studies were extracted from PubMed, web of science, and SCOPUS databases., Results: NF-κB, PI3K/AKT, and MAPK pathways play critical roles in the regulation of apoptosis. MiR-146b, 146a, 21, 23a, 135a, 30a, 202, and 181 were identified as the involved microRNAs in the apoptosis signaling pathway, and IRAK1, TRAF6, Bcl-2, PTEN, Akt, PIK3, KRAS, and MAPK1 were classified as the target genes of the mentioned microRNAs respectively. The essential roles of these signaling pathways and miRNAs/target genes were approved through both databases and clinical studies. Moreover, surviving, living, BRUCE, and XIAP was the main inhibitor of apoptosis which act by regulating the apoptosis-involved genes and miRNAs., Conclusion: Identifying the abnormal expression and regulation of miRNAs and signaling pathways in apoptosis of lung cancer can represent a novel class of biomarkers that can facilitate the early diagnosis, personalized treatment, and prediction of drug response for lung cancer patients. Therefore, studying the mechanisms of apoptosis including signaling pathways, miRNAs/target genes, and the inhibitors of apoptosis are advantageous for finding the most practical approach and reducing the pathological demonstrations of lung cancer., (© 2023. The Author(s).)

The correlation between tuberculosis (TB) and lung cancer (LC) in diagnosis, epidemiology, and treatment is still unclear. Based on different cohort and retrospective studies, this correlation could be justified by immune weakness because of exposure to TB which may increase the risk of LC. In this study, we tried to exhibit a prominent connection between TB and LC. The diagnosis and treatment of patients with concomitant TB and LC differ from patients with only one of the diseases. In this review, it was well clarified that the most practical diagnostic method for LC is chest tomography, biopsy, and histopathology, and for pulmonary TB sputum microscopic examination, Autofluorescence bronchoscopy (AFB), culture, and PCR. Also, immunological methods can be a good alternative for differential diagnosis. Most epidemiological studies were about concomitant TB and LC in TB-endemic areas, especially in the Middle East. The most suggested methods for definite treatment of LC are chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and surgery while for TB, a long course of anti-TB therapy can be used. Moreover, immunotherapy is considered a good treatment for lung cancer if the interferon-gamma release assay (IGRA) is negative., (Copyright© 2023 National Research Institute of Tuberculosis and Lung Disease.)

Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) is a particularly lethal subtype of lung cancer. Metastatic lung tumours lead to most deaths from lung cancer. Predicting and preventing tumour metastasis is crucially essential for patient survivability. Hence, in the current study, we focused on a comprehensive analysis of lung cancer patients' differentially expressed genes (DEGs) on brain metastasis cell lines. DEGs are analysed through KEGG and GO databases for the most critical biological processes and pathways for enriched DEGs. Additionally, we performed protein-protein interaction (PPI), GeneMANIA, and Kaplan-Meier survival analyses on our DEGs. This article focused on mRNA and lncRNA DEGs for LC patients with brain metastasis and underlying molecular mechanisms. The expression data was gathered from the Gene Expression Omnibus database (GSE161968). We demonstrate that 30 distinct genes are up-expressed in brain metastatic SCLC patients, and 31 genes are down-expressed. All our analyses show that these genes are involved in metastatic SCLC. PPI analysis revealed two hub genes (CAT and APP). The results of this article present three lncRNAs, Including XLOC&#95;l2&#95;000941, LOC100507481, and XLOC&#95;l2&#95;007062, also notable mRNAs, have a close relation with brain metastasis in lung cancer and may have a role in the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in tumour cells., (© 2022. The Author(s).)

Drug resistance in tuberculosis is exacerbating the threat this disease is posing to human beings. Antibiotics that were once effective against the causative agent, Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb), are now no longer usable against multi- and extensively drug-resistant strains of this pathogen. To address this issue, new drug combinations and novel methods for targeted drug delivery could be of considerable value. In addition, studies have shown that the use of the antidepressant drug fluoxetine, a serotonin reuptake inhibitor, can be useful in the treatment of infectious diseases, including bacterial infections. In this study, an isoniazid and fluoxetine-conjugated multi-walled carbon nanotube nanofluid were designed to increase drug delivery efficiency alongside eliminating drug resistance in vitro. The prepared nanofluid was tested against Mtb. Expression levels of inhA and katG mRNAs were detected by Real-time PCR. ELISA was applied to measure levels of cytokine secretion (TNF-α, and IL-6) from infected macrophages treated with the nano delivery system. The results showed that these nano-drug delivery systems are effective for fluoxetine at far lower doses than for free drugs. Fluoxetine also has an additive effect on the effect of isoniazid, and their concomitant use in the delivery system can have significant effects in treating infection of all clinical strains of Mtb. In addition, it was found that the expression of isoniazid resistance genes, including inhA, katG, and the secretion of cytokines TNFα and IL6 under the influence of this drug delivery system is well regulated. It was shown that the drug conjugation can improve the antibacterial activity of them in all strains and these two drugs have an additive effect on each other both in free and conjugated forms. This nano-drug delivery method combined with host targeted molecules could be a game-changer in the development of a new generation of antibiotics that have high therapeutic efficiencies, low side effects, and the potential to overcome the problem of drug resistance., (© 2022. The Author(s).)

Background: Mycobacterium fortuitum (M. fortuitum) is a bacterium, which can cause infections in many anatomical regions of the body, including the skin, lymph nodes, and joints. This bacterium, which belongs to a group of bacteria known as nontuberculous mycobacteria, is regarded as an important nosocomial pathogen worldwide owing to its increasing antibiotic resistance. Recently, the antimicrobial effects of carbon nanotubes have been reported in numerous studies. These nanotubes can be very useful in drug delivery; besides, they exhibit unique properties against multidrug-resistant bacterial infections. This study aimed to investigate the antimicrobial effects of carboxyl-functionalized multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT-COOH) to reduce antibiotic resistance., Methods: In this study, antibacterial effects of nanofluids containing functionalized MWCNTs at initial concentration of 2 mg/mL and serial dilutions of 54, 28.5, 14.25, 7.12, 3.5 µg/mL, antibiotics alone and combination of nanofluids with antibiotics were investigated. Standard and resistant strains of M. fortuitum were obtained from the microbial bank of the Department of Mycobacteriology and Pulmonary Research, Pasteur Institute of Iran., Results: It was observed that nanofluid containing MWCNT-COOH can exert antimicrobial effects on M. fortuitum and significantly reduce bacterial resistance to antibiotics including kanamycin and streptomycin. In the presence of antibiotics and nanofluids containing MWCNT-COOH at a dose of 28.5 µg/mL, no growth was observed., Conclusion: One of the main antimicrobial mechanisms of MWCNT-COOH is penetration into the bacterial cell wall. In this study, by using the nanofluid containing MWCNT-COOH with increased stability, the antibiotic resistance of M. fortuitum was significantly reduced at lower dilutions compared to the antibiotic alone., (© 2022. The Author(s).)

In this research, a new nano drug-based multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) was prepared and evaluated qualitatively. Bromocriptine (BRC) was conjugated to functionalized carbon nanotubes. Then, the CHNS, FT-IR, SEM, and RAMAN tests for characterization of the conjugated drug were done. The nanofluid-containing nano-drug was evaluated on lung cancer cells (A549 & QU-DB) and MRC5 by MTT and flow cytometry tests. Then, the gene expression studies of dopamine receptor genes were done before and after nano-drug treatment. After that, a western blotting test was carried out for further investigation of dopamine receptors protein production. Finally, Bax and Bcl-2 secretion were measured by the ELISA method in cells affected by MWCNTs-BRC Nf compared to untreated cells. The results showed that the nano-drug had a significant lethal effect on cancer cells, while it had no toxicity on MRC5. Also, the nano-drug could significantly induce apoptosis in lung cancer cells at a lower dose compared to the drug alone. In this study, a targeted nano-drug delivery system was designed, and its performance was evaluated based on neurotransmitter pathways, and the results showed that it may be useful in the treatment of lung cancer. However, additional studies on animal models are underway., (© 2021. The Author(s).)

Background: We aimed to prepare a nanofluid, containing f -MWCNTs, and investigate the antibacterial efficacy of f -MWCNTs+ ciprofloxacin (cip) on Klebsiella pneumoniae by evaluating the virulence gene expression., Methods: This study was carried out from 2019 to 2020, in the Department of Mycobacteriology and Pulmonary Research, Pasteur Institute of Iran. The nanofluid containing antibiotic and f -MWCNTs were prepared by the ultrasonic method. The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of ciprofloxacin and f -MWCNTs were determined using the broth micro dilution MIC tests. For examining the antibacterial effects, the expression level of virulence genes, under the influence of f -MWCNTs, was evaluated by a real-time PCR., Results: The effect of 8 μg/ml ciprofloxacin + 400 μg/ml f -MWCNTs, completely inhibited the growth of the resistant isolate of K. pneumoniae , while, in the ATCC 700,603 isolate, 2 μg/ml ciprofloxacin with 100 μg/ml f- MWCNT could inhibit a bacterial growth. In the resistant K. pneumoniae clinical isolate , after f -MWCNT+cip treatment, the expression of fimA , fimD , wza, and wzi genes was significantly downregulated, compared to the ciprofloxacin treatment, and upregulated, compared to the negative control. For the ATCC 700,603 isolate treated with f -MWCNT+cip, the expression of fimA , fimD and wza virulence genes showed upregulation, compared to the negative control and downregulated in comparison with the ciprofloxacin treatment., Conclusion: Simultaneous treatment of resistant isolate of K. pneumoniae with f -MWCNTs +antibiotic could improve the effectiveness of antibiotic at lower doses, due to the reduced expression of virulence genes in comparison with antibiotic treatment, besides the increased cell wall permeability to antibiotics., Competing Interests: Conflict of interest The authors have no conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2021 Mehdizadeh et al. Published by Tehran University of Medical Sciences.)

Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses that cause illnesses ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases such as Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS), Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), and the 2019 novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19). Currently, there is no analyzed data to examine the outbreak of COVID-19 by continent and no determination of prevalence trends; this article reviews COVID-19 epidemiology and immunology. Original research, reviews, governmental databases, and treatment guidelines are analyzed to present the epidemiology and immunology of COVID-19. Reports from patients who were COVID-19 infected showed typical symptoms of neutrophilia, lymphopenia, and increased systemic inflammatory proteins of IL-6 and C reactive protein (CRP). These observations agree with the results of severe conditions of MERS or lethal cases of SARS, in which there is an increased presence of neutrophils and macrophages in the airways. Additionally, analyzed data showed that Europe (49.37%), the Americas (27.4%), and Eastern Mediterranean (10.07%) had the most cumulative total per 100,000 population confirmed cases, and Africa (6.9%), Western Pacific (3.46%), and South-East Asia (2.72%) had the lowest cumulative total per 100,000 population confirmed cases. In general, the trend lines showed that the number of confirmed cases (cumulative total) and deaths (cumulative total) would decrease eventually., (Copyright © 2021. Published by Elsevier Ltd.)

Several studies show that childhood and adulthood asthma and its symptoms can be modulated through epigenetic modifications. Epigenetic changes are inheritable modifications that can modify the gene expression without changing the DNA sequence. The most common epigenetic alternations consist of DNA methylation and histone modifications. How these changes lead to asthmatic phenotype or promote the asthma features, in particular by immune pathways regulation, is an understudied topic. Since external effects, like exposure to tobacco smoke, air pollution, and drugs, influence both asthma development and the epigenome, elucidating the role of epigenetic changes in asthma is of great importance. This review presents available evidence on the epigenetic process that drives asthma genes and pathways, with a particular focus on DNA methylation, histone methylation, and acetylation. We gathered and assessed studies conducted in this field over the past two decades. Our study examined asthma in different aspects and also shed light on the limitations and the important factors involved in the outcomes of the studies. To date, most of the studies in this area have been carried out on DNA methylation. Therefore, the need for diagnostic and therapeutic applications through this molecular process calls for more research on the histone modifications in this disease.

Tuberculosis (TB) and non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) are two major contributors to mortality and morbidity worldwide. In this regard, TB and NSCLC have similar symptoms, and TB has symptoms that are identical to malignancy; therefore, sometimes it is mistakenly diagnosed as lung cancer. Moreover, patients with active pulmonary TB are at a higher risk of dying due to lung cancer. In addition, several signaling pathways involved in TB and NSCLC have been identified. Also, the miRNAs are biological molecules shown to play essential roles in the above-mentioned diseases through targeting the signaling pathways' genes. Most of the pathways affected by miRNAs are immune responses such as autophagy and apoptosis in TB and NSCLC, respectively. Several studies have separately investigated the expression of miRNAs profile in patients with NSCLC and infectious TB. In this critical review, we attempted to gather common miRNAs between TB and NSCLC and to explain the involved-pathways, which are affected by miRNAs in both TB and NSCLC. Results of this critical review show that the expressions of miR-155, miR-146a, miR-125b, miR-30a, miR-29a, and miR-Let7 have significantly changed in TB and NSCLC. The data suggest that miRNAs expression may provide a new method for screening or differential diagnosis of NSCLC and TB., Competing Interests: Conflict of interest The authors declare that there is no conflict of interest., (Copyright© 2021 National Research Institute of Tuberculosis and Lung Disease.)

In this research, a zinc oxide/copper oxide/graphene oxide (ZnO/CuO/GO) nanophotocatalyst was synthesized for photodegradation of aniline as a pollutant, upon exposure to ultraviolet light (UV). Three variables including initial aniline concentration, the nanophotocatalyst dosage, and pH were designed. The statistical test and optimal conditions were determined. The consequences specified that the optimum values of pH, initial aniline concentration, the dosage of nanophotocatalyst, and the reaction time were 6, 150 ppm, 1 g/L, and 3 h, respectively. The obtained results revealed that the photodegradation of aniline was enhanced with doping zinc oxide and CuO on the graphene oxide. Under optimal conditions, 97% photodegradation of aniline was observed. The mechanism of aniline degradation with nanophotocatalyst was evaluated by molecular dynamic (MD) graphs. The interactions between nanophotocatalysts and aniline were considered by energy, density graph.

Background: Dopamine and serotonin receptors are present in lymphocytes, macrophages, and neutrophils, and have a mediating role in the immune system to respond to infections, including bacterial tuberculosis., Materials and Methods: In this study, at first, the changes in the expression pattern of 5 dopamine and 2 serotonin (5HTR2B & 5HTR2C) gene receptors were examined in the two groups of healthy and Tuberculosis patients using Real-Time PCR. Then pharmacogenetic studies aimed to induce autophagy on a lung monocyte cell line (THP1) infected with the standard strain of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (H37RV) were performed. Stimulation of the pro-inflammatory pathway by secreting cytokines before and after drug efficacy was investigated., Results: According to the result, dopamine receptor 2 genes showed decreased expression in patients with tuberculosis compared to normal individuals, and serotonin receptor genes showed increased expression. Additionally, with the effects of Bromocriptine and Fluoxetine, pro-inflammatory pathways were activated in macrophages infected with H37RV, and ELISA results showed that the levels of IL6 and TNFα secreted in these cells were significantly increased., Conclusion: According to the results, these receptors agonists or antagonists can activate the autophagy pathway to kill TB bacteria., Competing Interests: Conflict of Interest The authors have no any conflict of interest., (Copyright© 2021 National Research Institute of Tuberculosis and Lung Disease.)

Background: In cystic fibrosis patients, the mucus is an excellent place for opportunistic bacteria and pathogens to cover. Chronic infections of upper and lower airways play a critical role in the mortality of cystic fibrosis. This study aimed to introduce the microbiota profiles in patients with cystic fibrosis., Materials and Methods: In this study, a comprehensive literature search was done for studies on upper and lower airway microbiota in cystic fibrosis patients. International and national databases were searched for the following MeSH words: microbiota, microbiome, upper airway, lower airway, cystic fibrosis, cystic fibrosis, upper airway microbiome, lower airway microbiome, microbiome pattern in cystic fibrosis, microbiome pattern in cystic fibrosis, upper airway microbiota, lower airway microbiota, and microbiota pattern., Results: Streptococcus spp. are in significantly higher relative abundance in infants and children with cystic fibrosis; however, Pseudomonas spp. are in higher relative abundance in adults with cystic fibrosis. Molecular diagnostic techniques can be remarkably accurate in detecting microbial strains., Conclusion: For the detection and isolation of most bacterial species, independent-culture methods in addition to the standard culture method are recommended, and sampling should include both upper and lower airways., Competing Interests: Conflict of interest The authors have no conflict of interest., (Copyright© 2021 National Research Institute of Tuberculosis and Lung Disease.)

Introduction: Proteins are molecules that have role in the progression of the diseases. Proteomics is a tool that can play an effective role in identifying diagnostic and therapeutic biomarkers for lung cancer. Cytokines are proteins that play a decisive role in activating body's immune system in lung cancer. They can increase the growth of the tumor (oncogenic cytokines) or limit tumor growth (anti-tumor cytokines) by regulating related signaling pathways such as proliferation, growth, metastasis, and apoptosis., Areas Covered: In the present study, a total of 223 papers including 196 research papers and 27 review papers, extracted from PubMed and Scopus and published from 1997 to present, are reviewed. The most important involved-cytokines in lung cancer including TNF-α, IFN- γ, TGF-β, VEGF and interleukins such as IL-6, IL-17, IL-8, IL-10, IL-22, IL-1β and IL-18 are introduced. Also, the pathological and biological role of such cytokines in cancer signaling pathways is explained., Expert Opinion: In lung cancer, the cytokine expression changes under the physiological conditions of the immune system, and inflammatory cytokines are associated with the progression of lung cancer. Therefore, the cytokine expression profile can be used in the diagnosis, prognosis, prediction of therapeutic responses, and survival of patients with lung cancer.

Background: The main goal of diabetes therapy is to control blood glucose levels., Objectives: In this study, the effect of Matricaria chamomilla L. oil as an herbal agent, on therapeutic properties of poly L-lactic acid-based (PLLA) scaffold loaded with differentiated stem cells, is examined in the diabetic rabbit., Methods: Adipose mesenchymal stem cells (AMSCs) were isolated from male New Zealand White rabbits and after seeding on the PLLA scaffold differentiated in the pancreatic region. In vivo differentiation of AMSCs toward pancreatic progenitor cells was evaluated by quantitative analysis of gene expressions and immunohistochemistry. Then, one normal and five diabetic groups including blank diabetic, scaffold, oil + scaffold, and differentiated cell + scaffold or oil + scaffold were assessed after 21 days of treatment. After the assessment, the diabetic groups were evaluated by clinical parameters and pancreatic histological sections., Results: It was found that AMSCs were differentiated to insulin-producing cells (IPCs) in the pancreatic environment which then used for implantation. Blood glucose in the oil + scaffold, cell + scaffold, and oil + cell + scaffold groups showed a significant decrease after 21 days. In the above mentioned three groups, insulin secretion was increased significantly. Chamomile oil also caused a significant decrease in High-density lipoprotein (HDL), Low-density lipoprotein (LDL), and total cholesterol levels. According to histological sections results, in cell + scaffold and oil + cell + scaffold groups, β cells were significantly increased compared to blank diabetic group., Conclusions: Together these data demonstrated chamomile oil along with in vivo-differentiated stem cell is a promising new treatment for diabetes., Competing Interests: Conflict of interestThe authors declare that they have no conflict of interest., (© Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2020.)

Background: In recent years, nanotechnology with modern advances in the macromolecular design of nano-carriers has proved to be helpful in the development of drugs delivery systems. This research represents a novel co-administration of nano-vehicles, known as liposomes. Liposomes efficiently encapsulate curcumin and bromocriptine (BR) in a polymer structure, which results in enhanced aqueous solubility of the mentioned hydrophobic agents and higher bioavailability of the drugs., Methods: Preparation of curcumin and BR liposomes were carried out by the thin film method, and the amounts of purified drug and its release were analyzed. After dose determination, the human lung cancer cells (QU-DB) were exposed to BR and curcumin liposomes for 12, 24, and 48 h. Then the viability and apoptosis assays were carried out by using tetrazolium dye and flow cytometry technique, respectively., Results: In this research, in vitro anti-cancer effects of former nano-formulations on lung cancer cells was confirmed, and no cytotoxicity effects of these nano-preparations were observed in the normal cells (HFLF-PI5)., Discussion: Our findings suggest the nano-liposomal drugs as effective anti-cancer agents; however, additional clinical examinations are required.

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is known as a major cause of irreversible blindness in elderly adults. The segment of the retina responsible for central vision damages in the disease process. Degeneration of retinal pigmented epithelium (RPE) cells, photoreceptors, and choriocapillaris associated with aging participate for visual loss. In 2010, AMD involved 6.6% of all blindness cases around the world. Some of the researches have evaluated the replacing of damaged RPE in AMD patients by using the cells from various sources. Today, the advancement of RPE differentiation or generation from stem cells has been gained, and currently, clinical trials are testing the efficiency and safety of replacing degenerated RPE with healthy RPE. However, the therapeutic success of RPE transplantation may be restricted unless the transplanted cells can be adhered, distributed and survive for long-term in the transplanted site without any infections. In recent years a variety of scaffold types were used as a carrier for RPE transplantation and AMD treatment. In this review, we have discussed types of scaffolds; natural or synthetic, solid or hydrogel and their results in RPE replacement. Eventually, our aim is highlighting the novel and best scaffold carriers that may have potentially promoting the efficacy of RPE transplantation.

Achieving a high cell density of animal cells is a prerequisite for different medical applications such as cell therapy, tissue engineering, and vaccine production. Microcarrier-based cell culture has been proved to be a promising method to attain this purpose mainly due to providing a high surface area to volume ratio. Adhesion and harvesting of cells to and from microcarriers are two critical stages influencing final cell productivity and quality. Low attachment efficiency or non-uniform initial cell distribution onto microcarriers' surfaces lead to the waste of inoculum and achievement of cellular yields less than expected. In other side, inappropriate detachment procedure decreases cell recovery along with having adverse effects on cell viability and behavior. In this review, a comprehensive study on these crucial steps is presented. In the attachment section, cellular mechanisms involved in the attachment process are briefly discussed. Due to the key role of microcarrier surface characteristics in cell attachment and behavior, the chemistry and physical features of various microcarrier surfaces are studied in detail. Then, the influence of seeding conditions on cell attachment is reviewed. In the detachment section, chemical harvesting methods are described initially followed by mechanical detachment. Finally, thermo-responsive microcarriers are discussed in detail. At the end of each section, current challenges and future directions are highlighted., (Copyright © 2019 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Cyanobacteria are photosynthetic microorganisms which can be found in various environmental habitats. These photosynthetic bacteria are considered as promising feedstock for the production of the third- and the fourth-generation biofuels. The main subject of this review is highlighting the significant aspects of the biofuel production from cyanobacteria. The most recent investigations about the extraction or separation of the bio-oil from cyanobacteria are also adduced in the present review. Moreover, the genetic engineering of cyanobacteria for improving biofuel production and the impact of bioinformatics studies on the designing better-engineered strains are mentioned. The large-scale biofuel production is challenging, so the economic considerations to provide inexpensive biofuels are also cited. It seems that the future of biofuels is strongly dependent to the following items; understanding the metabolic pathways of the cyanobacterial species, progression in the construction of the engineered cyanobacteria, and inexpensive large-scale cultivation of them., (© 2019 American Institute of Chemical Engineers.)

Introduction Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is one of the most common types of leukemia, and the early diagnosis of patients coincides with their proper treatment and survival. If patients are diagnosed late or proper treatment is not applied, it may lead to harmful results. Several methods could be used for the diagnosis of leukemia; some of these include complete blood count (CBC), immunophenotyping, lymph node biopsy, chest X-ray, computerized tomography (CT) scan, and ultrasound. Most of these methods are time-consuming and an application of more than one method will result as intended. This acknowledgment stresses the necessity of rapid and proper diagnosis for leukemia based on clinical and medical findings, inasmuch as it was decided to apply the artificial neural network (ANN) in order to identify a molecular biomarker for rapid leukemia diagnosis from blood samples and evaluate its potential for the detection of cancer. Materials & methods The independent sample t-test was applied with the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS; IBM Corp, Armonk, NY, US) software on the microarray gene expression data of Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) datasets (GSE22529); 12 genes that had shown the highest differences (among parameters whose p-value was less than 0.01) were selected for further ANN analysis. The selected genes of 53 patients were applied to the training network algorithm, with a learning rate of 0.1. Results The results showed a high accuracy of the relationship between the output of the trained network and the test data. The area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was 0.991, which provides proof of the precision and the relationship with identifying Gelsolin as a potential biomarker for this research. Conclusions With these results, it was concluded that the training process of the ANN could be applied to rapid CLL diagnosis and finding a potential biomarker. Besides, it is suggested that this method could be performed to diagnose other forms of cancer in order to get a rapid and reliable outcome., Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

Introduction: One of the major challenges in cancer treatment is the lack of specific and accurate treatment in cancer. Data analysis can help to understand the underlying molecular mechanism that leads to better treatment. Increasing availability and reliability of DNA microarray data leads to increase the use of these data in a variety of cancers. This study aimed at applying and evaluating microarray data analyzing, identification of important pathways and gene network for medulloblastoma patients to improve treatment approaches especially target therapy. Methods: In the current study, Microarray gene expression data (GSE50161) were extracted from Geo datasets and then analyzed by the affylmGUI package to predict and investigate upregulated and downregulated genes in medulloblastoma. Then, the important pathways were determined by using software and gene enrichment analyses. Pathways visualization and network analyses were performed by Cytoscape. Results: A total number of 249 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified in medulloblastoma compared to normal samples. Cell cycle, p53, and FoxO signaling pathways were indicated in medulloblastoma, and CDK1, CCNB1, CDK2, and WEE1 were identified as some of the important genes in the medulloblastoma. Conclusion: Identification of critical and specific pathway in any disease, in our case medulloblastoma, can lead us to better clinical management and accurate treatment and target therapy., (Creative Commons Attribution License)

Frequent abnormalities in 7p12 locus in different tumors like lung cancer candidate this region for novel regulatory elements. MiRNAs as novel regulatory elements encoded within the human genome are potentially oncomiRs or miR suppressors. Here, we have used bioinformatics tools to search for the novel miRNAs embedded within human chromosome 7p12. A bona fide stem loop (named mirZa precursor) had the features of producing a real miRNA (named miRZa) which was detected through RT-qPCR following the overexpression of its precursor. Then, endogenous miRZa was detected in human cell lines and tissues and sequenced. Consistent to the bioinformatics prediction, RT-qPCR as well as dual luciferase assay indicated that SMAD3 and IGF1R genes were targeted by miRZa. MiRZa-3p and miRZa-5p were downregulated in lung tumor tissue samples detected by RT-qPCR, and mirZa precursor overexpression in SW480 cells resulted in increased sub-G1 cell population. Overall, here we introduced a novel miRNA which is capable of targeting SMAD3 and IGF1R regulatory genes and increases the cell population in sub-G1 stage.

Recently, carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have attracted a lot of attention in the field of cancer diagnosis and therapy. The probability of variable functionalization, compatibility with biological systems, and the thermodynamic properties of CNTs might be the main reasons for such vast investigations. The aim of this study is to review the conducted researches in this field. Studies regarding to the contribution of CNTs in the diagnosis of cancer are reviewed, and the more accurate techniques which need lowest amounts of samples are introduced. In the case of cancer therapy, the studies are categorized in two main classes based on the conducted therapy strategies, including targeted drug delivery systems (DDS), and thermal ablation. In both schemes, use of chemical conjugation is the crucial parts of the studies, which is also emphasized in this review. It is tried to classify the researches based on the cancer type, and introduce the novel strategies developed for both diagnosis and treatment of cancer. The focus is mostly on the biomedical aspect of the methodologies and the subsequent biological responses of the cancer cells to the conducted procedures., (Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Today, the advanced drug delivery systems have been focused on targeted drug delivery fields. The novel drug delivery is involved with the improvement of the capacity of drug loading in drug carriers, cellular uptake of drug carriers, and the sustained release of drugs within target cells. In this review, six groups of therapeutic drug carriers including biomimetic hydrogels, biomimetic micelles, biomimetic liposomes, biomimetic dendrimers, biomimetic polymeric carriers and biomimetic nanostructures, are studied. The subject takes advantage of the biomimetic methods of productions or the biomimetic techniques for the surface modifications, similar to what accrues in natural cells. Moreover, the effects of these biomimetic approaches for promoting the drug efficiency in targeted drug delivery are visible. The study demonstrates that the fabrication of biomimetic nanocomposite drug carriers could noticeably promote the efficiency of drugs in targeted drug delivery systems., (Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)