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Topic Review
Carbapenem-Resistant Enterobacterales
Improper use of antimicrobials has resulted in the emergence of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), including multi-drug resistance (MDR) among bacteria. Recently, a sudden increase in Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales (CRE) has been observed. This presents a substantial challenge in the treatment of CRE-infected individuals. Bacterial plasmids include the genes for carbapenem resistance, which can also spread to other bacteria to make them resistant. The incidence of CRE is rising significantly despite the efforts of health authorities, clinicians, and scientists. Many genotypic and phenotypic techniques are available to identify CRE. However, effective identification requires the integration of two or more methods. Whole genome sequencing (WGS), an advanced molecular approach, helps identify new strains of CRE and screening of the patient population; however, WGS is challenging to apply in clinical settings due to the complexity and high expense involved with this technique.
  • 1.2K
  • 29 Nov 2022
Topic Review
Nucleic Acid Vaccines for COVID-19
Nucleic acid vaccines employ genetic material from a pathogen, such as a virus or bacteria, to induce an immune response against it. Based on the vaccination, the genetic material might be DNA or RNA; as such, it offers instructions for producing a specific pathogen protein that the immune system will perceive as foreign and mount an immune response. Nucleic acid vaccines for multiple antigens might be made in the same facility, lowering costs even more. Most traditional vaccine regimens do not allow for this.  Nucleic acid vaccines could also be applied to COVID-19.
  • 1.2K
  • 05 Nov 2021
Topic Review
Glutamine Deficiency in COVID-19
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has caused the death of almost 7 million people worldwide. While vaccinations and new antiviral drugs have greatly reduced the number of COVID-19 cases, there remains a need for additional therapeutic strategies to combat this deadly disease. Accumulating clinical data have discovered a deficiency of circulating glutamine in patients with COVID-19 that associates with disease severity. Glutamine is a semi-essential amino acid that is metabolized to a plethora of metabolites that serve as central modulators of immune and endothelial cell function. A majority of glutamine is metabolized to glutamate and ammonia by the mitochondrial enzyme glutaminase (GLS). Notably, GLS activity is upregulated in COVID-19, favoring the catabolism of glutamine. This disturbance in glutamine metabolism may provoke immune and endothelial dysfunction leading to vascular occlusion, multiorgan failure, and death. Strategies that restore the plasma concentration of glutamine, its metabolites, or downstream effectors represent a promising therapeutic that approach that may correct immune and endothelial cell dysfunction and prevent the development of occlusive vascular disease in patients stricken with COVID-19.
  • 1.2K
  • 28 Apr 2023
Topic Review
Impacts of COVID-19
SARS-CoV-2, the causative agent of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), has caused widespread morbidity and mortality since its emergence. The COVID-19 pandemic has become widespread and known as a pathology of the respiratory system, affecting the ciliary epithelium at an early stage. In severe cases, COVID-19 can lead to development of lung disease: acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). A variety of extrapulmonary symptoms may also occur, including acute renal failure (AKI); acute heart failure; coagulopathy; thromboembolic complications, including stroke and pulmonary embolism; and circulatory shock. The COVID-19 pandemic caused by the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus remains a global public health concern due to the systemic nature of the infection and its long-term consequences, many of which remain to be elucidated. SARS-CoV-2 targets endothelial cells and blood vessels, altering the tissue microenvironment, its secretion, immune-cell subpopulations, the extracellular matrix, and the molecular composition and mechanical properties.
  • 1.2K
  • 05 Jun 2023
Topic Review
SARS-CoV-2 Interactions with the Host Cell Nucleus
SARS-CoV-2 components disturb the transport of certain proteins through the nuclear pores. Some SARS-CoV-2 structural proteins such as Spike (S) and Nucleocapsid (N), most non-structural proteins (remarkably, Nsp1 and Nsp3), as well as some accessory proteins (ORF3d, ORF6, ORF9a) can reach the nucleoplasm either due to their nuclear localization signals (NLS) or taking a shuttle with other proteins. A percentage of SARS-CoV-2 RNA can also reach the nucleoplasm. Remarkably, controversy has recently been raised by proving that-at least under certain conditions-, SARS-CoV-2 sequences can be retrotranscribed and inserted as DNA in the host genome, giving rise to chimeric genes. In turn, the expression of viral-host chimeric proteins could potentially create neo-antigens, activate autoimmunity and promote a chronic pro-inflammatory state.
  • 1.2K
  • 10 Jul 2023
Topic Review
Major Pharmacological Actions of Quercetin
Quercetin (3,3′,4′,5,7-pentahydroxy-2-phenylchromen-4-one), the major representative of the flavonoid subclass of flavonols, is derived from the Latin word “Quercetum,” meaning “Oak Forest”. It can be found in a variety of foods, including fruits and vegetables, and has been reported to be effective against a variety of viruses. 
  • 1.2K
  • 02 Feb 2023
Topic Review
Treatment of Bacterial Infections in T2DM Patients
Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is the metabolic disease with the highest morbidity rates worldwide. The condition is characterized by hyperglycemia, insulin resistance, hyperlipidemia, and chronic inflammation, among other detrimental conditions. These decrease the efficiency of the immune system, leading to an increase in the susceptibility to bacterial infections. Maintaining an optimal blood glucose level is crucial in relation to the treatment of T2DM, because if the level of this carbohydrate is lowered, the risk of infections can be reduced.
  • 1.2K
  • 27 Apr 2023
Topic Review
Cardiac Damage in Chagas Disease
Chagas disease is a complex zoonosis. Its natural history involves the interaction of transmitting arthropods with wild, peridomestic, and domestic mammals, and it has a great diversity of transmission forms. In a vertebrate host, the disease has two clinical phases: an acute phase and a chronic one; the former evolves without demonstrated pathology and can last 10–20 years. After this phase, some patients progress to the chronic symptomatic phase, in which they develop mainly cardiac lesions. The lesions in this cardiomyopathy involve several cardiac tissues, mainly the myocardium, and in severe cases, the endocardium pericardium; this can cause pleural effusion, which may evolve into sudden death, which is more frequent in cases with dilated heart disease and severe heart failure.
  • 1.2K
  • 02 Mar 2023
Topic Review
Heme Oxygenase 1 for Inflammatory Disease
Heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1), the rate-limiting enzyme in heme degradation, is involved in the maintenance of cellular homeostasis, exerting a cytoprotective role by its antioxidative and anti-inflammatory functions. HO-1 and its end products, biliverdin (BV), carbon monoxide (CO) and free iron (Fe2+), confer cytoprotection against inflammatory and oxidative injury. Additionally, HO-1 exerts antiviral properties against a diverse range of viral infections by interfering with replication or activating the interferon (IFN) pathway. Severe cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), an infectious disease caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), are characterized by systemic hyperinflammation, which, in some cases, leads to severe or fatal symptoms as a consequence of respiratory failure, lung and heart damage, kidney failure, and nervous system complications. Here we summarize the current research on the protective role of HO-1 in inflammatory diseases and against a wide range of viral infections, positioning HO-1 as an attractive target to ameliorate clinical manifestations during COVID-19.
  • 1.2K
  • 11 Feb 2022
Topic Review
Vaccines for Human Papillomavirus-Associated Head and Neck Cancers
Human papillomavirus (HPV) is recognized as a significant risk factor for head and neck cancers worldwide, and it is the most common cause of oropharyngeal cancers in the United States. Prophylactic HPV vaccines have demonstrated effectiveness against oral infection of HPV 16 and HPV 18. There are also various strategies in development of therapeutic HPV vaccines underway.
  • 1.2K
  • 10 Jan 2022
Topic Review
VLP-Based Vaccines for Trypanosomatid Diseases
Virus-like particle (VLP) technology is involved in many vaccines, including those undergoing studies related to COVID-19. The potential use of VLPs as vaccine adjuvants opens an opportunity for the use of protozoan antigens for the development of vaccines against diseases caused by Trypanosoma cruzi, Leishmania spp., and Trypanosoma brucei. 
  • 1.2K
  • 21 Jun 2021
Topic Review
Skin and Soft Tissue Infections
Skin and soft tissue infections are one of the most frequent types of infection, typically requiring medical intervention and contribute to morbidity and mortality in both primary care and hospitalised patients. Current antiseptics used in prevention are mainly formulated as traditional, simple dosage forms such as solutions and semi-solids. In recent years, there have been studies reporting the potential for nanotechnology ito improve the delivery of antiseptics.
  • 1.2K
  • 24 May 2021
Topic Review
Beneficial Effects of Thymoquinone against COVID-19
In order to overcome the serious complications associated with COVID-19 and to prevent SARS-CoV-2 entry into the host cell, it is necessary to repurpose drugs with a broad medicinal application as soon as they become available. It is in this pattern that Nigella sativa seeds manifest their extensive therapeutic effects, which have been reported to be particularly effective in the treatment of skin diseases, jaundice, and gastrointestinal problems. One important component of these seeds is thymoquinone (TQ), which has a wide range of beneficial properties, including antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, as well as antibacterial and parasitic properties, in addition to anticarcinogenic, antiallergic, and antiviral properties.
  • 1.2K
  • 17 Jan 2023
Topic Review
Multidrug Resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa in Lebanon
Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a common cause of healthcare-associated infections and chronic airway diseases in non-clinical settings. P. aeruginosa is intrinsically resistant to a variety of antimicrobials and has the ability to acquire resistance to others, causing increasingly recalcitrant infections and elevating public health concerns. It is showed that the bacterium was predominant in lesions of patients on mechanical ventilation and in burn patients and those with diabetic foot infections and hematological malignancies. It is also found that carbapenem resistance in P. aeruginosa isolates in Lebanon involved both enzymatic and non-enzymatic mechanisms but depended predominantly on VIM-2 production (40.7%). Additionally, MDR P. aeruginosa was detected in animals, where a study reported the emergence of carbapenemase-producing P. aeruginosa in livestock in Lebanon.
  • 1.2K
  • 10 Jun 2022
Topic Review
SARS-CoV-2 Intermittent Virulence
Pandemic viruses do not always show decreased virulence. Instead, it appears there is an evolutionary equilibrium between transmissibility and virulence. It can be termed this concept “intermittent virulence”. There is a high possibility that new virulent variants will arise in the near future, although it is improbable that SARS-CoV-2’s virulence will be the same as was seen during the alpha or delta waves, due to the fact that the human population has reached a sufficient level of herd immunity through natural infection or due to the vaccination programs. The most recent global mortality data raised the question of whether this pandemic is really over. Furthermore, it is uncertain when the endemic phase will begin. Darwin’s words: “the survival of the fittest” are still valid, and the virus will continue killing nonvaccinated old people, vaccinated old people, and those with comorbidities.
  • 1.2K
  • 08 Aug 2022
Topic Review
Vaccinology in the COVID-19 Pandemic Era
Different approaches have been used in parallel to make COVID-19 vaccines, including the use of nucleic acid-based vectors, whole virus (live-attenuated and inactivated), viral vectors (replicating and nonreplicating), adjuvant recombinant protein nanoparticles, and virus-like particles (VLPs). Among the protective antigens of SARS-CoV-2, the attention has mainly focused on the native S protein, which is able to induce potent neutralizing antibodies, even if its presentation to the immune system differs substantially between the different categories of vaccines. However, new evidence is being raised about potential roles for other, more conserved non-spike viral antigens, such as nucleocapsid (N) proteins, which might represent an innovation in the fight against emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants and a source for universal vaccines providing long-lasting immunity.
  • 1.2K
  • 29 Apr 2022
Topic Review
SARS-CoV-2 Clinical Trial Results
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has claimed over 7 million lives worldwide, providing a stark reminder of the importance of pandemic preparedness. Due to the lack of approved antiviral drugs effective against coronaviruses at the start of the pandemic, the world largely relied on repurposed efforts. Here, the researchers summarise results from randomised controlled trials to date, as well as selected in vitro data of directly acting antivirals, host-targeting antivirals, and immunomodulatory drugs. Overall, repurposing efforts evaluating directly acting antivirals targeting other viral families were largely unsuccessful, whereas several immunomodulatory drugs led to clinical improvement in hospitalised patients with severe disease. In addition, accelerated drug discovery efforts during the pandemic progressed to multiple novel directly acting antivirals with clinical efficacy, including small molecule inhibitors and monoclonal antibodies.
  • 1.2K
  • 09 Jan 2024
Topic Review
Thymus Gland
The thymus gland is the chief lymphoid organ that regulates the functions of the immune and endocrine systems by controlling the levels of hormones and cytokines. The thymus gland protects against various internal and external stresses through immunoregulatory properties, nerve systems, and endocrine pathways. The thymus gland controls cell proliferation, apoptosis, hormones, and neuropeptides, as well as regulating intrathymic T cell differentiation and production of a repertoire of the T cell.
  • 1.2K
  • 26 Oct 2021
Topic Review
Omicron vs. Delta Variant
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) first emerged in Wuhan city in December 2019, and became a grave global concern due to its highly infectious nature. The Severe Acute Respiratory Coronavirus-2, with its predecessors (i.e., MERS-CoV and SARS-CoV) belong to the family of Coronaviridae. Reportedly, COVID-19 has infected 344,710,576 people around the globe and killed nearly 5,598,511 persons in the short span of two years. On November 24, 2021, B.1.1.529 strain, later named Omicron, was classified as a Variant of Concern (VOC). SARS-CoV-2 has continuously undergone a series of unprecedented mutations and evolved to exhibit varying characteristics.
  • 1.2K
  • 04 Mar 2022
Topic Review
Monocytes’ and Macrophages’ Proinflammatory Immune Response
Monocytes and macrophages are a central component of the innate immune system and exert an important function in orchestrating inflammation.
  • 1.2K
  • 13 Jul 2022
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