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Topic Review
Parasitic Connection between COVID-19 and Diarylamidines
As emerging severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) variants (Omicron) continue to outpace and negate combinatorial vaccines and monoclonal antibody therapies targeting the spike protein (S) receptor binding domain (RBD), the appetite for developing similar COVID-19 treatments has significantly diminished, with the attention of the scientific community switching to long COVID treatments.
  • 996
  • 21 Apr 2023
Topic Review
Gut Microbiota, Immune Development, and Fecal Microbiota Transplantation
The enormous and diverse population of microorganisms residing in the digestive tracts of humans and animals influence the development, regulation, and function of the immune system. Recently, the understanding of the association between autoimmune diseases and gut microbiota has been improved due to the innovation of high-throughput sequencing technologies with high resolutions.
  • 995
  • 30 Aug 2022
Topic Review
PPARγ in Brain Viral Infections
Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor gamma (PPARγ) is a master regulator of metabolism, adipogenesis, inflammation and cell cycle, and it has been extensively studied in the brain in relation to inflammation or neurodegeneration. Specific to viral infections is the ability to subvert signaling pathways of the host cell to ensure virus replication and spreading, as deleterious as the consequences may be for the host.
  • 992
  • 28 Sep 2021
Topic Review
Inorganic Nanoparticles Carrying Amphotericin B
Amphotericin B is the oldest antifungal molecule which is still currently widely used in clinical practice. Recently, its redox properties (i.e., both prooxidant and antioxidant) have been highlighted in the literature as mechanisms involved in both its activity and its toxicity. Interestingly, similar properties can be described for inorganic nanoparticles. Moreover, in a majority of the published studies, inorganic nanoparticles carrying Amphotericin B are described as having a synergistic activity directly related to the rupture of the redox homeostasis of the pathogen (i.e., fungi, parasites, and yeasts). Consequently, due to the unique properties of inorganic nanoparticles (e.g., magnetism, intrinsic anti-infectious properties, stimuli-triggered responses, etc.), these nanomaterials (i.e., inorganic nanoparticles carrying Amphotericin B) may represent a new generation of medicine that can synergistically enhance the antimicrobial properties of Amphotericin B.
  • 992
  • 24 Oct 2023
Topic Review
Hepatitis B Surface Antigen Isoforms
The hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) is a multifunctional glycoprotein composed of large (LHB), middle (MHB), and small (SHB) subunits. HBsAg isoforms have numerous biological functions during HBV infection—from initial and specific viral attachment to the hepatocytes to initiating chronic infection with their immunomodulatory properties. Their immunogenic properties make them a major target for developing HBV vaccines, and they have been recognised as valuable targets for new therapeutic approaches. In addition, HBsAg isoform quantitation can become a useful non-invasive biomarker for assessing chronically infected patients.
  • 992
  • 11 Jan 2024
Topic Review
SARS-CoV-2 Infection and Valproic Acid
The histone deacetylase inhibitor valproic acid (VPA) is a potential drug that could be adapted to prevent the progression and complications of SARS-CoV-2 infection. VPA has a history of research in the treatment of various viral infections. VPA inhibits SARS-CoV-2 virus entry, suppresses the pro-inflammatory immune cell and cytokine response to infection, and reduces inflammatory tissue and organ damage by mechanisms that may appear to be sex-related. The antithrombotic, antiplatelet, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, glucose- and testosterone-lowering in blood serum effects of VPA suggest that the drug could be promising for therapy of COVID-19. Sex-related differences in the efficacy of VPA treatment may be significant in developing a personalised treatment strategy for COVID-19.
  • 991
  • 18 May 2022
Topic Review
Mesenchymal Stem Cell Viral Infection and Host Responses
Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) play a critical role in response to stress such as infection. They initiate the removal of cell debris, exert major immunoregulatory activities, control pathogens, and lead to a remodeling/scarring phase. Interestingly, many viruses and particularly those associated to chronic infection and inflammation may hijack and polarize MSC’s immune regulatory activities to their own advantages. Virus will remain in the MSC perivascular niche while being protected from immune attack. In the context of immunodepression (e.g. organ transplantation) the hidden viruses may rebound and causing tissue injuries. 
  • 991
  • 01 Aug 2022
Topic Review
Invasive aspergillosis induces complex chemokine and cytokine responses
Invasive aspergillosis is a frequent complication in immunocompromised individuals, and it continues to be an important cause of mortality in patients undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. In addition to antifungal therapy used for mycoses, immune-modulatory molecules such as cytokines and chemokines can modify the host immune response and exhibit a promising form of antimicrobial therapeutics to combat invasive fungal diseases. Cytokine and chemokine profiles may also be applied as biomarkers during fungal infections and clinical research has demonstrated different activation patterns of cytokines in invasive mycoses such as aspergillosis.
  • 990
  • 19 Nov 2021
Topic Review
In Silico Strategies in Tuberculosis Drug Discovery
Tuberculosis (TB) remains a serious threat to global public health, responsible for an estimated 1.5 million mortalities in 2018. Discovering new and more potent antibiotics that target novel TB protein targets is an attractive strategy towards controlling the global TB epidemic. In silico strategies can be applied at multiple stages of the drug discovery paradigm to expedite the identification of novel anti-TB therapeutics.
  • 990
  • 29 Dec 2021
Topic Review
Vaccinations of COVID-19
Vaccination has been identified as a critical method of disease control in the context of the current COVID-19 pandemic. This research updated information on vaccine development and to identify areas of concern that require further research. The researchers reviewed the literature on the development of COVID-19 vaccines, their efficacy, and use in special populations, as well as current vaccination strategies. To date, 170 vaccines are in clinical development, with 41 being already approved for use in various countries. The majority of vaccines approved for human use are vector-, subunit-, DNA-, or mRNA-based vaccines, or inactivated viruses. Because of the ongoing mutation of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, well-studied vector vaccines are losing relevance due to the ability of new virus strains to bypass neutralizing antibodies. Simultaneously, PS-based vaccines are becoming more popular. There is mounting evidence that the immunogenicity of COVID-19 vaccines is linked to their clinical efficacy. This has resulted in a shift in vaccination strategies, as well as the use of booster doses and revaccination. Furthermore, vaccination restrictions for children, pregnant women, the elderly, and people with chronic immunosuppressive diseases have been lifted, allowing more people to be vaccinated. New data on vaccine safety, including the incidence of serious adverse events, have been collected. Despite significant advances in the development of and research on COVID-19 vaccines, many questions remain that require further investigation.
  • 990
  • 06 Dec 2022
Topic Review
Nucleic Acid Testing of SARS-CoV-2
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has caused a large global outbreak. It is accordingly important to develop accurate and rapid diagnostic methods. The polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based method including reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) is the most widely used assay for the detection of SARS-CoV-2 RNA. Along with the RT-PCR method, digital PCR has emerged as a powerful tool to quantify nucleic acid of the virus with high accuracy and sensitivity. Non-PCR based techniques such as reverse transcription loop-mediated isothermal amplification (RT-LAMP) and reverse transcription recombinase polymerase amplification (RT-RPA) are considered to be rapid and simple nucleic acid detection methods and were reviewed in this entry. Non-conventional molecular diagnostic methods including next-generation sequencing (NGS), CRISPR-based assays and nanotechnology are improving the accuracy and sensitivity of COVID-19 diagnosis. 
  • 988
  • 04 Aug 2021
Topic Review
Visceral Leishmaniasis in COVID-19
Leishmaniasis is a zoonosis that may present general symptoms, including fever, malaise, and arthralgia, rendering it indistinguishable from COVID-19.
  • 986
  • 09 Sep 2022
Topic Review
Overcome Antibiotic Resistance against Mycobacterium tuberculosis
Tuberculosis (TB) is an infectious disease caused by the bacillus Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb). TB treatment is based on the administration of three major antibiotics: isoniazid, rifampicin, and pyrazinamide. However, multi-drug resistant (MDR) Mtb strains are increasing around the world, thus, allowing TB to spread around the world. The stringent response is demonstrated by Mtb strains in order to survive under hostile circumstances, even including exposure to antibiotics. The stringent response is mediated by alarmones, which regulate bacterial replication, transcription and translation. Moreover, the Mtb cell wall contributes to the mechanism of antibiotic resistance along with efflux pump activation and biofilm formation.
  • 986
  • 01 Nov 2022
Topic Review
FimH and Anti-Adhesive Therapeutics
Chaperone-usher fimbrial adhesins are powerful weapons against the uropathogens that allow the establishment of urinary tract infections (UTIs). As the antibiotic therapeutic strategy has become less effective in the treatment of uropathogen-related UTIs, the anti-adhesive molecules active against fimbrial adhesins, key determinants of urovirulence, are attractive alternatives. The best-characterized bacterial adhesin is FimH, produced by uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC). Hence, a number of high-affinity mono- and polyvalent mannose-based FimH antagonists, characterized by different bioavailabilities, have been reported. Given that antagonist affinities are firmly associated with the functional heterogeneities of different FimH variants, several FimH inhibitors have been developed using ligand-drug discovery strategies to generate high-affinity molecules for successful anti-adhesion therapy. As clinical trials have shown d-mannose’s efficacy in UTIs prevention, it is supposed that mannosides could be a first-in-class strategy not only for UTIs, but also to combat other Gram-negative bacterial infections. 
  • 984
  • 29 Mar 2022
Topic Review
Hematologic Malignancies in COVID-19 Pandemic
Obesity is epidemiologically and likely, causally related to various hematological cancers, while both conditions may predispose to severe SARS-CoV-2 infection. The COVID-19 pandemic brought about a variety of obstacles with respect to numerous aspects in the management of hematological malignancies. Patients with hematologic malignancies faced a variety of challenges, pertinent to the nature of an underlying hematologic disorder itself as well as its therapy as a risk factor for severe SARS-CoV-2 infection, suboptimal vaccine efficacy and the need for uninterrupted medical observation and continued therapy. Obesity constitutes another factor which was acknowledged since the early days of the pandemic that predisposed people to severe COVID-19, and shares a likely causal link with the pathogenesis of a broad spectrum of hematologic cancers.
  • 984
  • 25 May 2022
Topic Review
Infections Caused by Fungi of the Genus Candida
Colonizing mucous membranes, mainly the oral cavity, intestines, vagina, and skin, fungi of the genus Candida are part of the human microbiota. Vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) is one of the most common types of vaginal infections in women around the world and is often underestimated by both patients and doctors. 
  • 983
  • 01 Jun 2022
Topic Review
COVID-19-Induced Diabetes
The COVID-19 pandemic has revealed a significant association between SARS-CoV-2 infection and diabetes, whereby individuals with diabetes are more susceptible to severe disease and higher mortality rates. The association between diabetes and COVID-19 is probably bidirectional, recent findings suggest a reciprocal relationship between COVID-19 and diabetes, wherein COVID-19 may contribute to developing new-onset diabetes and worsen existing metabolic abnormalities.
  • 981
  • 08 Aug 2023
Topic Review
COVID-19 and New-Onset Psychosis
Psychosis is a multifactorial condition that typically involves delusions, hallucinations, and disorganized thought, speech or behavior. The observation of an association between infectious epidemics and acute psychosis dates back to the last century. Though infrequently, cases of new-onset psychosis have been observed in patients with COVID-19 since the beginning of the pandemic, leading to concerns that SARS-CoV-2 infection may be associated with an increased risk for the development of psychosis. 
  • 980
  • 31 Jan 2023
Topic Review
Henoch–Schönlein Purpura
Henoch–Schönlein purpura or IgA vasculitis is the most common type of pediatric vasculitis that may affect adults as well. It is classified as a type of small-vessel vasculitis. It can cause cutaneous and systemic symptoms with a minority of patients developing kidney failure.
  • 979
  • 23 Feb 2023
Topic Review
Antimicrobial Treatment of Pseudomonas aeruginosa Severe Sepsis
Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a pathogen often encountered in a healthcare setting. It has consistently ranked among the most frequent pathogens seen in nosocomial infections, particularly bloodstream and respiratory tract infections. Aside from having intrinsic resistance to many antibiotics, it rapidly acquires resistance to novel agents. Given the high mortality of pseudomonal infections generally, and pseudomonal sepsis particularly, and with the rise of resistant strains, treatment can be very challenging for the clinician.
  • 978
  • 03 Nov 2022
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