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Topic Review
Applications of Carbon-Based Nanomaterials as Antimicrobials
Antimicrobial activities of various carbon-based nanomaterials against specific pathogens have become one of the most significant research interests in this field. Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are promising multidisciplinary nanostructures in biomedicine, drug delivery, genetic engineering, biosensors, and artificial implants. However, the biomedical administration of CNTs is dependent on their solubility, toxicity, and biocompatibility, as well as novel drug-delivery applications through optimization of the drug’s loading capacity, cellular absorption, and continuous release within the target cell. The usage of CNTs and Graphene materials as antimicrobial agents and nanocarriers for antibiotics delivery would possibly improve their bioavailability and facilitate better anti-infective therapy.
  • 1.1K
  • 23 Dec 2022
Topic Review
Nanotechnology Platform for Advancing Vaccine Development Against COVID-19
The COVID-19 pandemic has had a profound impact on societies, public health, healthcare systems, and the world economy. Vaccination emerged as the most effective strategy to combat this infectious disease. For vaccination strategies, any conventional vaccine approach using attenuated live or inactivated/engineered virus, as well as other approaches, typically requires years of research and assessment. However, the urgency of the situation promoted a faster and more effective approach to vaccine development against COVID-19. The role of nanotechnology in designing, manufacturing, boosting, and delivering vaccines to the host to counter this virus was unquestionably valued and assessed.
  • 1.1K
  • 26 Dec 2023
Topic Review
Novel Strategies to Combat Antimicrobial Resistance
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is one of the most important global public health problems. The imprudent use of antibiotics in humans and animals has resulted in the emergence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. The dissemination of these strains and their resistant determinants could endanger antibiotic efficacy. Therefore, there is an urgent need to identify and develop novel strategies to combat antibiotic resistance. 
  • 1.1K
  • 20 Feb 2023
Topic Review
Dipeptidyl Peptidase-4 (DPP4) on COVID-19 Physiopathology
DPP4/CD26 is a single-pass transmembrane protein with multiple functions on glycemic control, cell migration and proliferation, and the immune system, among others. It has acquired an especial relevance due to the possibility to act as a receptor or co-receptor for SARS-CoV-2, as it has been already demonstrated for other coronaviruses. The broad spectrum of functions regulated by DPP4 is performed both as a protease enzyme, as well as an interacting partner of other molecules on the cell surface. 
  • 1.1K
  • 07 Sep 2022
Topic Review
Treatment Advances in Sepsis and Septic Shock
Sepsis is defined as a life-threatening organ dysfunction caused by a dysregulated host response to infection, and it affects over 25 million people every year. Even more severe, septic shock is a subset of sepsis defined by persistent hypotension, and hospital mortality rates are higher than 40%. As new pathophysiological mechanisms have been uncovered, immunostimulatory therapy has emerged as a promising path forward. Highly investigated treatment strategies include cytokines and growth factors, immune checkpoint inhibitors, and even cellular therapies.
  • 1.1K
  • 04 May 2023
Topic Review
Intranasal Live Attenuated Influenza Vaccine
Although influenza is a major public health concern, little is known about the use of spray live attenuated influenza vaccine (LAIV) among adults. For this reason, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to investigate the efficacy and safety of LAIV, especially in adults with/without clinical conditions and children <2 years, with the final aim of possibly extending the clinical indications. PubMed/MEDLINE and Scopus were the two databases consulted through February 2021. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines were followed. A critical appraisal was conducted. Analyses were performed by using ProMeta3 software. Twenty-two studies were included, showing that LAIV was associated with a higher probability of seroconversion when compared with a placebo and considering the A/H1N1 serotype (pooled OR = 2.26 (95% CI = 1.12–4.54), p-value = 0.022; based on 488 participants, without heterogeneity (I2 = 0.0%)). The meta-analysis also confirmed no significant association with systemic adverse events. Only rhinorrhea, nasal congestion, and sore throat were significantly associated with LAIV compared to the placebo. Despite the limited available evidence, LAIV has proved to be a safe and effective flu vaccination, also due to its very low invasiveness, and our review’s results can be considered a starting point for guiding future research and shaping forthcoming vaccination campaigns. 
  • 1.1K
  • 22 Sep 2021
Topic Review
COVID-19 and Rheumatoid Arthritis Crosstalk
COVID-19 and RA share similar immune-inflammatory features of disease pathogenesis executed by analogous mechanistic pathways. However, the treatment of RA patients in the COVID-19 setting itself stands as a challenging task. Implementation of individualized clinical surveillance of RA patients considering the disease severity and appropriate risk-benefit study referring to the recommendations of using anti-rheumatic drugs in the COVID-19 setting by different professional rheumatology associations would stand as the optimal therapeutic strategy for effective disease control during the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • 1.1K
  • 02 Dec 2021
Topic Review
Antiseptic Agents for Chronic Wounds
Chronic wounds are wounds failing to proceed through the normal phases of healing in an orderly and timely manner. The definition of time without complete or partial healing differs across countries, ranging from 4 weeks to 3 months. In many parts of the world, antiseptic agents remain non-indicated in chronic wound care. In the current context of bacterial resistance to antibiotics and the development of new-generation antiseptic agents, wound antisepsis represents an asset for the prevention of wound infection.
  • 1.1K
  • 28 Mar 2022
Topic Review
Membrane Efflux Pumps of Pathogenic Vibrio Species
Infectious diseases caused by bacterial species of the Vibrio genus have had considerable significance upon human health for centuries. V. cholerae is the causative microbial agent of cholera, a severe ailment characterized by profuse watery diarrhea, a condition associated with epidemics, and seven great historical pandemics. V. parahaemolyticus causes wound infection and watery diarrhea, while V. vulnificus can cause wound infections and septicemia. Species of the Vibrio genus with resistance to multiple antimicrobials have been a significant health concern for several decades. Mechanisms of antimicrobial resistance machinery in Vibrio spp. include biofilm formation, drug inactivation, target protection, antimicrobial permeability reduction, and active antimicrobial efflux. Integral membrane-bound active antimicrobial efflux pump systems include primary and secondary transporters, members of which belong to closely related protein superfamilies. The RND (resistance-nodulation-division) pumps, the MFS (major facilitator superfamily) transporters, and the ABC superfamily of efflux pumps constitute significant drug transporters for investigation.
  • 1.1K
  • 11 Mar 2022
Topic Review
Aspergillus sp. and Calcineurin Pathway
Aspergillus species, especially A. fumigatus, and to a lesser extent others (A. flavus, A. niger, A. terreus), although rarely pathogenic to healthy humans, can be very aggressive to immunocompromised patients (they are opportunistic pathogens). Calcineurin is a serine/threonine phosphatase activated by elevated concentrations of calcium, which connects upstream calcium signaling pathways to downstream protein signaling through changes in phosphorylation states.
  • 1.1K
  • 27 Oct 2022
Topic Review
Candidiasis
Candida spp. can be found colonizing the skin, oral mucosa, and/or the gastrointestinal and genitourinary tracts in healthy individuals. Most cases of subsequent disease usually emerge from this endogenous microbiota. Although there are now more than 200 species of Candida identified, only a relatively small and yet not clearly defined number (~10–20) have been reported in the context of disease in children and adults. Historically, C. albicans has been, by far, the most commonly isolated species, although the rates of non-albicans species have variably increased globally, probably due to modifications in prophylactic approaches as well as changes in the characteristics of the most vulnerable patient populations, such as preterm neonates and immunosuppressed children. Overall, Candida infections in children can be divided into two main disease presentations: chronic mucocutaneous candidiasis, which can manifest as oropharyngeal candidiasis (OPC, also known as “thrush”), esophagitis, diaper dermatitis, onychomycosis, and/or vulvovaginitis, and invasive candidiasis (IC).
  • 1.1K
  • 02 Feb 2023
Topic Review
Kingella kingae Osteoarticular
Osteoarticular infections (OAI) represent serious affections, which may perturb subsequent bone development and may have severe consequences for articular function. 
  • 1.0K
  • 07 Jan 2022
Topic Review
Host Defense Peptides
Host defense peptides (HDPs), also known as antimicrobial peptides, are an important component of the innate immune system. HDPs possess both antimicrobial and immunomodulatory properties. HDPs and their derivatives are being actively explored for antimicrobial therapies. A host-directed approach to stimulate the synthesis of endogenous HDPs is also being developed to treat infections with a minimum risk for developing antimicrobial resistance.
  • 1.0K
  • 18 Apr 2023
Topic Review
A Defective Viral Particle Approach to COVID-19
Defective interfering particles, which arise naturally and interfere with viruses, have long inspired the idea that they might be adapted to treat viral diseases. Here, we explore how such defective interfering particles and other therapeutic nanoparticles might be designed and constructed to interfere with SARS-CoV-2.
  • 1.0K
  • 28 Jan 2022
Topic Review
The COVID-19 Molecular Pathophysiology
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) induces immune-mediated type 1 interferon (IFN-1) production, the pathophysiology of which involves sterile alpha motif and histidine-aspartate domain-containing protein 1 (SAMHD1) tetramerization and the cytosolic DNA sensor cyclic-GMP-AMP synthase (cGAS)–stimulator of interferon genes (STING) signaling pathway.
  • 1.0K
  • 17 Nov 2022
Topic Review
Disseminated Intravascular Coagulopathy and Venous Thromboembolism in COVID-19
SARS-CoV-2 infection, discovered and isolated in Wuhan City, Hubei Province, China, causes acute atypical respiratory symptoms and has led to profound changes in  lives. COVID-19 is characterized by a wide range of complications, which include pulmonary embolism, thromboembolism and arterial clot formation, arrhythmias, cardiomyopathy, multiorgan failure, and more. The disease has caused a worldwide pandemic, and despite various measures such as social distancing, various preventive strategies, and therapeutic approaches, and the creation of vaccines, the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) still hides many mysteries for the scientific community.
  • 1.0K
  • 11 Oct 2023
Topic Review
Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs)
Recent estimates of 8 common bacterial, viral, and parasitic sexually-transmitted infections in the United States (chlamydia, gonorrhea, trichomoniasis, syphilis, herpes simplex virus type 2, human papillomavirus, hepatitis B virus, and human immunodeficiency virus) found them to have a combined prevalence of 67.6 million and incidence of 26.2 million. Though preventative health guidelines have clarified screening recommendations for some populations, many bacterial sexually-transmitted infections (STIs) are asymptomatic, leading to missed opportunities for diagnosis and underreporting of disease prevalence and incidence. The best available estimates, published in early 2021, are from 2018. Overall, it is thought that 1 in 5 people in the United States has an STI, with 45.5% of all new STIs occurring in adolescents and young adults. New infections amount to $16 billion in direct medical costs.
  • 1.0K
  • 24 Jan 2022
Topic Review
Enterococcus and COVID-19
Based on the uncontrolled use of antibiotics and the lack of worldwide-accepted healthcare policies, the COVID-19 pandemic has provided the best premises for the emergence of life-threatening infections. Based on changes described in the intestinal microbiome, showing an increased number of Enterococcus bacteria and increased intestinal permeability due to viral infection, infections with Enterococcus have taken the spotlight in the healthcare setting. The COVID-19 pandemic has launched the best premises for the development of highly resistant bacterial strains due to unregulated antimicrobial use and the lack of proper worldwide-accepted protocols. Enterococcus genus represents one of the most common findings in human infections. It is no surprise that during the pandemic, a high number of this type of infection was anticipated.
  • 1.0K
  • 21 Jun 2022
Topic Review
Ampicillin Plus Ceftriaxone Regimen against Enterococcus faecalis Endocarditis
Enterococcus faecalis infective endocarditis (EFIE) continues to represent a potentially fatal infectious disease characterized by elevated morbidity and mortality. Despite advances in antimicrobial therapy, changing demographics and the reduced availability of useful antibiotics combined with the dissemination of multi-drug resistant strains, the mortality rate remained unchanged in the last decades. Nowadays, optimizing the antibiotic regimen is still of paramount importance.
  • 1.0K
  • 15 Oct 2021
Topic Review
Echinacea as a Potential Force against Coronavirus Infections?
Echinacea purpurea has been shown to broadly inhibit coronaviruses and SARS-CoV-2 in vitro. Results from clinical studies confirm the antiviral activity found for Echinacea in vitro, embracing enveloped respiratory pathogens and therefore coronaviruses as well. Substantiating results from a new, completed study seem to extrapolate these effects to the prevention of SARS-CoV-2 infections. As hypothesized, the established broad antiviral activity of Echinacea extract appears to be inclusive for SARS-CoV-2.
  • 1.0K
  • 29 Mar 2022
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