A systematic appraisal of the use of carvacrol-rich plants to treat hydatid cysts.

Hydatid cysts occur in the larval stage of Echinococcus granulosus worms in vital organs such as the liver, lung, brain, kidney, heart and spleen. As a result, the formation of these cysts in humans and animals is considered one of the most catastrophic common infections in humans and animals. So far, there is no definitive effective treatment strategy for this disease in humans. Cyst eradication through surgery is the only treatment, which might be difficult or impossible in some cases. The most difficult aspect of cyst removal surgery is recurrence and anaphylactic shock. As a result, many scolicidal medications are ineffective at inactivating the content of hydatid cysts in vivo. Herbal medicines are now considered a potential treatment for the treatment of hydatid cysts due to their effective anti-cystic activities, minimal side effects, and ability to improve immunity. In the present review study, the anti-cystic role of carvacrol as one of the main constituents of the Lamiaceae family on hydatid cyst has been discussed. The results demonstrate that carvacrol-containing essential oils may be utilized as a hydatid cyst inhibitor. This study has also shown the synergistic activity of carvacrol, thymol and other active plant metabolites.

The Relationship Between HCV-NS5A Gene Mutations and Resistance to Combination Therapy in Patients with HCV- Genotype 1-B.

BACKGROUND: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is one of the major causes of chronic liver disease, as it holds a significant role in developing liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Combination therapy with Pegaferon and Ribavirin leads to viral clearance of only 50% of patients. During the host antiviral response, protein kinase R (PKR) interacts with eukaryotic translation initiation factor 2 alpha (eIF2α), that leads to the inhibition of viral protein synthesis. The viral NS5A protein appears to interfere with this antiviral action, evading the host immune response. However, mutations in the NS5A gene have been observed to render HCV more susceptible to treatment. The aim of this study was to determine the mutations present in the IFN Sensitivity Determining Region (ISDR) and NS5A-PKRbinding domain regions in chronic HCV infected patients before and after therapy. METHODS: Viral RNA was isolated from the plasma of 52 chronic HCV infected patients before and after treatment. RT-Nested PCR reaction was used to reverse transcription and amplification of target fragment using the specific primers. RESULTS: Sequence analysis revealed no relationship between NS5A mutations and response to treatment. No significant difference was found between the mutations before and 3 months after treatment among responders and non-responders. CONCLUSION: This study showed that the number of mutations in NS5A did not significantly differ between the patients who responded to treatment and the patients that did not. Therefore, sequencing of these regions does not appear to be a suitable tool for predicting treatment outcomes.

Bio-inspired silver selenide nano-chalcogens using aqueous extract of Melilotus officinalis with biological activities.

For the first time, an aqueous extract of Melilotus officinalis was used to synthesize bimetallic silver selenide chalcogenide nanostructures (Ag2Se-NCs). The formation of NCs was confirmed and characterized by UV-visible and FTIR spectroscopy, SEM and TEM imaging, XRD and EDX crystallography, zeta potential (ZP) and size distribution (DLS). The bioactivities of biosynthesized Ag2Se-NCs, such as antibacterial, antibiofilm, antioxidant and cytotoxicity potentials, were then examined. Bio-based Ag2Se-NCs were successfully synthesized with mostly spherical shape in the size range of 20-40 nm. Additionally, the MIC and MBC values of Ag2Se-NCs against ß-lactam-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa (ATCC 27853) were 3.12 and 50 µg/ml, respectively. The DPPH scavenging potential of Ag2Se-NCs in terms of IC50 was estimated to be 58.52. Green-synthesized Ag2Se-NCs have been shown to have promising benefits and could be used for biomedical applications. Although the findings indicate promising bioactivity of Ag2Se-NCs synthesized by M. officinalis extract (MO), more studies are required to clarify the comprehensive mechanistic biological activities.

Emerging Involvement of long non-coding RNAs in gastrointestinal associated inflammatory disorders.

Gastrointestinal (GI) disorders including a wide range of infectious, inflammatory, autoimmune, etc. disorders. Inflammatory bowel and celiac disease are non-fatal but overwhelming GI associated disorders. IBD and celiac's complications, besides the great suffering, disturb the normal life of the patients and make them involved in mental and physical problems. The emerging role of genetic content is deniable for GI inflammatory disorders incidence, and long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) function is the recent topic for its association. Analyzing of absolute lncRNAs interference in GI inflammatory appearance remains in infancy, and more studies are requested. Here, we concisely performed a systematic review in the last knowledge up to 2020 to identify all of the significant lncRNAs associated with the initiation and progression of GI inflammatory diseases. Accordingly, this assay attempted to refer to the expression of lncRNAs changing from the normal state, discovery of genetic mechanisms, and main effectors that would trigger associated IBD and celiac expression and immune responses would be effective for therapeutic approaches. It could be useful for prognostic and diagnostic purposes of GI associated inflammatory disorders.

Oncogenesis and Tumor Inhibition by MicroRNAs and its Potential Therapeutic Applications: A Systematic Review.

MicroRNAs appear as small molecule modifiers, which improve many new findings and mechanical illustrations for critically important biological phenomena and pathologic events. The best-characterized non-coding RNA family consists of about 2600 human microRNAs. Rich evidence has revealed their crucial importance in maintaining normal development, differentiation, growth control, aging, modulation of cell survival or apoptosis, as well as migration and metastasis as microRNAs dysregulation leads to cancer incidence and progression. By far, microRNAs have recently emerged as attractive targets for therapeutic intervention. The rationale for developing microRNA therapeutics is based on the premise that aberrantly expressed microRNAs play a significant role in the emergence of a variety of human diseases ranging from cardiovascular defects to cancer, and that repairing these microRNA deficiencies by either antagonizing or restoring microRNA function may yield a therapeutic benefit. Although microRNA antagonists are conceptually similar to other inhibitory therapies, improving the performance of microRNAs by microRNA replacement or inhibition that is a less well- described attitude. In this assay, we have condensed the last global knowledge and concepts regarding the involvement of microRNAs in cancer emergence, which has been achieved from the previous studies, consisting of the regulation of key cancer-related pathways, such as cell cycle control and the DNA damage response and the disruption of profile expression in human cancer. Here, we have reviewed the special characteristics of microRNA replacement and inhibition therapies and discussed explorations linked with the delivery of microRNA mimics in turmeric cells. Besides, the achievement of biomarkers based on microRNAs in clinics is considered as novel non-invasive biomarkers in diagnostic and prognostic assessments.

A gene variation of Interferon Gamma Receptor-I promoter (rs1327474A>G) and chronic hepatitis C virus infection.

AIM: In present survey, we attempted to inquire the plausible linkage of rs1327474 A/G and HCV chronic infection or the clearance of the virus. BACKGROUND: IFN-γ signaling pathway is an important trigger for activating antiviral immune responses and production of wide variety of molecules with anti-microbial profiles including type 1 cytokines. Any defect or variation in IFNG signaling pathway may result in susceptibility or progression to diverse diseases such as inflammatory and virus associated disorders. Rs1327474 A/G also known as -611 A/G is an important variation which is located in promoter region of Interferon Gamma Receptor-I (IFNGR1) and may have potent risk for HCV susceptibility. METHODS: For this purpose, 154 HCV patients and 200 controls were enrolled in the study, and genomic DNA was isolated from PBMCS and IFNGR1 -611 polymorphism was genotyped by polymerase chain reaction- fragments length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) method. RESULTS: While, AA, AG and GG genotypes frequency included 37.8%, 53.7%, 8.5% in healthy controls, 41.6%, 46.1%, 12.3% were found in chronic HCV patients. Interestingly, allelic percentage was similar in both separated groups within 64.7%, 35.3% and 65.3%, 34.7% were obtained for T and G allele in control and case group respectively. CONCLUSION: In spite of our exception for the possible role of this variation in an important promoter region of IFGR1 gene, rs1327474 A/G was not associated with HCV chronic infection among an Iranian studied group. Comprehensively, -611A/G cannot be considered as a risk biomarker for susceptibility to chronic HCV disease.

Genetic association between a single nucleotide polymorphism in Interleukin-16 (rs4072111) and susceptibility to chronic HCV infection in an Iranian population.

AIM: Our goal was to identify the putative association of rs4072111 variant in IL-16 gene and HCV susceptibility in an Iranian population. BACKGROUND: Interleukin 16 (IL-16), a multifunctional cytokine, plays a vital role in modulation of immune system. METHODS: In present case control and cross sectional study, IL-16 gene variant in 300 patients with hepatitis C (HCV) infection and 300 healthy individuals were analyzed. To evaluate this possible association, genomic DNA from venous blood was extracted and genotypes of IL-16 rs4072111 variant were determined by polymerase chain reaction- Fragments Length Polymorphism Technique (PCR-RFLP). Then, rs4072111 C/T genotypes frequency and allelic distribution were evaluated in each group. RESULTS: The results of genotyping showed 82% CC, 17.3% CT, 0.7% TT in the control group and 78% CC, 20% CT and 2% TT in the case group. The distribution of rs4072111 C allele was 90.7% in controls and 88% in case group respectively.However, no correlation between IL-16 rs4072111 C/T variants and susceptibility to chronic HCV infection was found in the present study. CONCLUSION: We concluded the rs4072111 C/T cannot be considered as a proper biomarker to identify susceptibility to chronic hepatitis C virus infection.

Annual Antibiotic Related Economic Burden of Healthcare Associated Infections; a Cross-Sectional Population Based Study.

So far, too little attention has been paid to total burden of healthcare associated infections (HAIs) in Iran. In the present study, we aimed to assess the rate of HAIs, as well as economic burden of hospitalization and antibiotic related cost associated with HAIs in ICU at training Taleghani hospital in Iran and to compare our results with national nosocomial infections surveillance (NNIS) system. This research to date for the first time has tended to focus on the economic burden of HAIs rather than epidemiology of HAIs evaluation. The total of 474 patients was followed up in this study. Overall, the rate of HAIs was 19.2 % in which ventilator associated pneumonia (VAP) was dominant HAIs and followed by urinary tract infection (UTI). Importantly, mortality rate increased significantly in infected patients. The highest total hospitalization economic burden and antibiotic related cost were observed for patients having blood stream infection (BSI). The results demonstrated significant differences between antibiotic related cost in patients and uninfected patients. Antibiotic related absolute extra cost for HAIs was 2.09 PPP$ per day. Estimation of direct annually HAIs associated economic burden of antibiotic and Total hospitalization was 433,382.4 PPP$ and 705,024 PPP$ respectively in Iran at intensive care unit (ICU). The most obvious findings were a strong relationship between relatively heavy antibiotic related financial burden, higher mortality rate, longer hospitalization time, and HAIs emergence on the Iranian national health system. It also reflects, more fundamentally a shift toward the need for comprehensive thinking about HAIs at ICU ward from Iran's hospitals. On the question of the research found that: With the implementation of policies and strategies to reduce hospital infections, which will benefit; Patient, Society, and/or national health system?!

Lack of association between interleukin 28B gene polymorphisms (rs8099917G/T, rs12979860 C/T) and susceptibility to chronic hepatitis C virus infection, Tehran, Iran.

AIM: Chronic Hepatitis C infection is a critical health problem worldwide, which caused by hepatitis C virus (HCV). Interleukin 28B (IL28B) is a determinant factor in disease progression and also susceptibility to chronic HCV infection. BACKGROUND: The most significant aim of this study is to analyze the association between IL28B gene polymorphisms with susceptibility to chronic HCV infection in Iranian population. METHODS: This study follows a case- control study design, in which, 288 patients with chronic hepatitis C and 250 healthy individuals were genotyped for IL28B polymorphisms (rs12979860 C/T and rs8099917 G/T). Studied population collected from Taleghani Haospital, Tehran. Genotyping of IL28B gene polymorphisms were performed using PCR-Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) method. 10 percent of the studied population was sequenced to validate the results. RESULTS: rs8099917 G/T and rs12979860 C/T were differently distributed in hepatitis C patients and healthy controls in the female gender. TT, TG and GG genotypes distribution in the female gender were 56.7%, 39.8% and 4.5% in cases and 67%, 31.6% and 1.4% in controls (p=0.54). Also CC, CT and TT genotypes distribution were 31.8%, 61.4% and 6.8% in cases and 51.7%, 44.9% and 3.4% in controls (p=0.2). However, there was no significant difference in the allelic frequency and genotype distribution of rs12979860 C/T and rs8099917 T/G in both HCV patients with genotype 1a and 3a. CONCLUSION: It seems that rs8099917 G/T polymorphism plays a significant role in susceptibility to chronic HCV infection in Iranian population. On the other hand, no association was found between rs12979860 C/T polymorphisms and chronic hepatitis C.

Direct medical care costs associated with patients diagnosed with chronic HCV.

BACKGROUND: HCV virus (HCV) is a significant global problem with wide-ranging socio-economic impacts. Because of the high morbidity and mortality associated with end-stage liver disease, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the economic burden of HCV infection is substantial. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to estimate the direct medical care costs of chronic HCV infection. PATIENTS AND METHODS: For this cross-sectional study, 365 courses of HCV treatment were extracted from medical records of 284 patients being referred to Tehran HCV clinic, a clinical clinic of Baqiyatallah Research Center for Gastroenterology and Liver diseases, from 2005 to 2010. All the patients had been diagnosed with HCV. Direct medical care costs for each course of HCV treatment have been calculated based on Purchasing Power Parity Dollar (PPP$). RESULTS: Average direct medical costs for the courses treated with conventional interferon plus ribavirin (INF-RBV) were 4,403 PPP$, and 20,010 PPP$ for peg-interferon plus ribavirin (PEG-RBV) courses. There was an increase of the direct costs in both courses of treatment to achieve Sustain Viral Response (SVR). The costs amounted to 10,072 PPP$ in (INF-RBV) treatment and 34,035 PPP$ in (PEG-RBV). The significant difference between the costs of these two courses of treatment is attributable to high cost of Peg-interferon. This indicates that the medication costs are the dominant costs. CONCLUSIONS: According to the results, total direct medical costs for HCV patients in Iran exceeded 12 billion PPP$ in (INF-RBV) treatment and 55 billion PPP$ in (PEG-RBV).

Gluten related disorders.

Gluten associated disorders and the question around these associations has recently attracted attentions of many health professionals. This is because of high prevalence of undiagnosed gluten related disorders presenting with a multitude of symptoms and complications inside and outside small bowel. While the environmental factors associated with a complex genetics are leading to destructions of the small intestinal villi resulting in malabsorption syndrome in CD, GS is characterised by negative antibodies and grossly normal histology. The association between celiac disease and other disorders has been clearly established and there have been many reports of numerous intestinal and extra intestinal coexistent disorders with CD. But there is little information available regarding the clinical behavior of gluten sensitivity. In this review we discuss the clinical presentation of non-celiac GS and the prospect of current and the future diagnostic pathway.

Using statistical models to assess medical cost of hepatitis C virus.

AIM: This study compared PR and NB in predicting HCV patient costs. The objective of this study was to predict the direct cost of the HCV patient in Iran. BACKGROUND: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a common and expensive infectious disease in Iran. Cost associated with HCV and its complications has not been well characterized. Analysis of cost data is important in providing consistent information to aid budgeting decisions and certain statistical regression models need for prediction mean costs. Poisson regression (PR) and negative binomial regression (NB) are more common in cost prediction study. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This study designed as a cross-sectional clinic base from 2001 to 2010. First treatment period of each patient bring in study. We evaluated the doctor visiting, drugs, and hospitalization and laboratory tests of patients. Cost per person per one treatment period estimated in purchasing power parity dollars (PPP$). The PR is one of the models from general linear models (GLM) for describing count outcomes. The NB is another model from (GLM) as an alternative to the PR model. RESULTS: According to Likelihood ratio test NB was found to be more appropriate than PR (P < 0.001). Genotype, marriage, medication, and SVR were being significant. Genotype 3 versus 1 decreasing cost while marriage, consuming pegasys and SVR increasing. CONCLUSION: Choosing best model in cost data is important because of specific feature of this data. After fitting the best model, analyzing and predicting future cost for patient in different situation is possible.