The twin challenges of longevity and climate change in controlling antimicrobial resistance.

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is one of the global health challenges of the 21st century that is faced with the twin threats of global climate change and greater longevity, which pose a synergistic risk to the management of AMR. Antimicrobial agents are in high demand due to the challenges faced by increasing life expectancy and the dynamic changes in disease ecology prompted by climate change. In light of global aging and climate change, the complexity and importance of addressing antibiotic resistance are further highlighted by this interplay of issues.

Association between psychological discomforts and sleep quality among people living with HIV/AIDS.

BACKGROUND: Psychological discomfort and sleep problems are considered separate disorders. Due to the high prevalence of both disorders among people living with HIV (PLWH), this study was designed to evaluate how those challenges are present among PLWH. METHOD: A cross-sectional study was conducted using data from a national survey of 1185 confirmed PLWH from 15 provinces in Iran from April to August 2019. Psychological discomfort and sleep quality were assessed using standardized versions of related Persian questionnaires. Logistic regression was used to assess the association between psychological discomfort and sleep quality in PLWH. RESULTS: The overall prevalence of poor sleep quality, depression, anxiety, and stress was 47.71%, 50.95%, 44.26%, and 41.77%, respectively. The results of multivariate-adjusted logistic regression showed that each psychological discomfort covariate increased the odds of poor sleep quality. Depression by adjusting for anxiety and stress, anxiety by adjusting for depression and stress, and stress by adjusting for depression and anxiety all increased the odds of poor sleep quality. CONCLUSION: A high prevalence of psychological discomfort was observed in PLWH. Depression, anxiety, and stress were strongly associated with sleep quality. PLWH needed more attention and social support in order to reduce sleep and psychological issues.

Non-communicable disease comorbidities in HIV patients: diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, and obstructive sleep apnea as a neglected issue.

The present study evaluates the non-communicable disease (NCD) patterns and related risk factors among people living with HIV (PLWH) in Iran. This national cross-sectional survey study was conducted on 1173 confirmed PLWHs with a mean age of 35.35 (56.82 Over 50 years old, 33.90 Under 50 years old) admitted from 15 different provinces in the country. Logistic regression was used to analyze the association of factors with having at least one NCD comorbidity. From 1173 PLWH, 225(19.18%) participants experienced at least one NCD (15.20% and 38.69% among under- and over-50-year-old patients, respectively). The prevalence of heart disease, hypertension, diabetes, and sleep apnea among all patients was 1.59%, 2.05%, 1.55%, and 10.26%, respectively. The similar prevalence for each NCD among those over 50 years was 10.11%, 15.71%, 9.01%, 25.44%, and 1.01%, 1.12%, 1.04%, and 9.23% among those under 50 years, respectively. The odds of being at risk of at least one NCD stood higher in patients over 50 years (ORadj = 2.93, 95% CI 1.96-4.37), married (ORadj = 2.48, 95% CI 1.41-4.35), divorced or widowed (ORadj = 2.78, 95% CI 1.48-5.20), and obese (ORadj = 3.82, 95% CI 2.46-5.91). According to our findings regarding the prevalence of NCDs among patients under 50 years of age, we recommend that policymakers give greater consideration to this group in the screening and care programs for NCDs since adults and the elderly are both vulnerable to the risk factors for developing NCDs.

Targeting CD47 as a therapeutic strategy: A common bridge in the therapy of COVID-19-related cancers.

Macrophages are essential mediators of innate immunity. Non-self-cells resist phagocytosis through the expression of the checkpoint molecule CD47. CD47, as the integrin-associated protein, is overexpressed on tumor and SARS-CoV-2-infected cells as a potential surface biomarker for immune surveillance evasion. CD47-signal-regulating protein alpha (SIRPα) interaction is a promising innate immunotarget. Previous findings based on monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) or fusion proteins that block CD47 or SIRPα have been developed in cancer research. While CD47 efficacy in infectious diseases, especially severe COVID-19 studies, is lacking, focus on macrophage-mediated immunotherapy that increases "eat me" signals in combination therapy with mAbs is optimistic. This integrin-related protein can be as a potential target to therapy for COVID-19. Here, we concentrate on the role of the CD47 signaling pathway as a novel therapeutic strategy for COVID-19-associated cancer treatment.

The protection quest is a primary key to sharing the neutralizing antibody response to cover against all emerging VOCs based on BIV1-CovIran studies.

Over time, the antigenic evolution of emerging variants of SARS-CoV-2 has demanded the development of potential protective vaccines. Administration of additional doses of current vaccines based on the WT spike protein may boost immunity, but their effectiveness has dwindled for patients with more recent variants. Here, we studied the neutralization activity of post-WT strain-based vaccination and a structural simulation in-silico based on the interactions of the RBD-hACE2 as the key to initiating infection among the VOCs of SARS-CoV-2. Our data display shows that WT sera showed a markedly greater reduction in Delta and Omicron, suggesting that the Wuhan-based vaccines may be more susceptible to breakthrough and new VOCs. According to the MD simulation, mutations of Omicron result in a significant change in the variant charge distribution throughout the binding interface that consequently alters the critical interface electrostatic potential in comparison to other variants. This observation provides new insights into immunization policy and next-generation vaccine development.

Mechanisms of immune evasion of monkeypox virus.

The mpox (disease caused by the monkeypox virus) epidemic in 2022 provides a good opportunity to study the immune response to mpox. Vaccinia virus-infected monocytes could be recognized by monkeypox virus-specific CD4+ and CD8+ T cells, which produce inflammatory cytokines including IFNγ and TNFα. However, these cells are mostly unable to react to monkeypox virus-infected cells. The monkeypox virus also has no effect on the expression of MHC classes. Cells infected with monkeypox virus can prevent T cells from being activated via their T cell receptors. Insensitivity is an MHC-independent strategy for controlling antiviral T cells activation and inflammatory cytokines production. It is likely a critical aspect of virus spread in the infected host. The ability of monkeypox virus to spread efficiently as cell-associated viremia may be explained by the evasion strategies employed by the virus to subvert immunological surveillance by virus-specific T cells.

Monkeypox virus replication underlying circadian rhythm networks.

The mammalian brain has an endogenous central circadian clock that regulates central and peripheral cellular activities. At the molecular level, this day-night cycle induces the expression of upstream and downstream transcription factors that influence the immune system and the severity of viral infections over time. In addition, there are also circadian effects on host tolerance pathways. This stimulates adaptation to normal changes in environmental conditions and requirements (including light and food). These rhythms influence the pharmacokinetics and efficacy of therapeutic drugs and vaccines. The importance of circadian systems in regulating viral infections and the host response to viruses is currently of great importance for clinical management. With the knowledge gained from the COVID-19 pandemic, it is important to address any outbreak of viral infection that could become endemic and to quickly focus research on any knowledge gaps. For example, responses to booster vaccination COVID-19 may have different time-dependent patterns during circadian cycles. There may be a link between reactivation of latently infected viruses and regulation of circadian rhythms. In addition, mammals may show different seasonal antiviral responses in winter and summer. This article discusses the importance of the host circadian clock during monkeypox infection and immune system interactions.

Human monkeypox (hMPXV) re-emergence: Host immunity status and current vaccines landscape.

Monkeypox virus is a member of the Orthopoxvirus genus and the Poxviridae family. Orthopoxviruses are among the most intricate animal viruses. The pathogenicity of human monkeypox infection has been emphasized in response to its recent emergence in non-endemic countries and the threat of bioterrorism. It is always necessary to take appropriate precautions in exposure to emerging or re-emerging infections. Here, we focus on the current state of the human monkeypox infection outbreak, research & development of immune responses, and clinical interventions to prevent and treat the human monkeypox virus and other human poxviruses.

The role of SARS-CoV-2 accessory proteins in immune evasion.

Many questions on the SARS-CoV-2 pathogenesis remain to answer. The SARS-CoV-2 genome encodes some accessory proteins that are essential for infection. Notably, accessory proteins of SARS-CoV-2 play significant roles in affecting immune escape and viral pathogenesis. Therefore SARS-CoV-2 accessory proteins could be considered putative drug targets. IFN-I and IFN-III responses are the primary mechanisms of innate antiviral immunity in infection clearance. Previous research has shown that SARS-CoV-2 suppresses IFN-ß by infecting host cells via ORF3a, ORF3b, ORF6, ORF7a, ORF7b, ORF8, and ORF9b. Furthermore, ORF3a, ORF7a, and ORF7b have a role in blocking IFNα signaling, and ORF8 represses IFNß signaling. The ORF3a, ORF7a, and ORF7b disrupt the STAT1/2 phosphorylation. ORF3a, ORF6, ORF7a, and ORF7b could prevent the ISRE promoter activity. The main SARS-CoV-2 accessory proteins involved in immune evasion are discussed here for comprehensive learning on viral entry, replication, and transmission in vaccines and antiviral development.

State-of-the-art on monkeypox virus: an emerging zoonotic disease.

The non-endemic monkeypox outbreak in 2022 is the largest outside of Africa in recorded history. The assumption is that monkeypox, an emerging zoonotic disease, has a high potential for epidemic spread with increased human outbreaks in recent years. The vaccinia-based smallpox vaccination has been discontinued globally for more than 40 years. Additionally, there are now more vulnerable populations. Populations who have not received the vaccine are more susceptible to monkeypox viral infection, while smallpox cannot spontaneously recur. As a member of the orthopoxvirus family and because of its potential for rapid adaptation in humans, the monkeypox virus (MPXV) has emerged as a pathogen that needs further study. Many non-endemic countries with no prior history of travel to an endemic region had increased global health concerns after the finding of MPXV cases in May 2022. Here, we summarize the clinical significance of MPXV and its unique infection characteristics. Finally, this review sheds light on worries regarding its resurgence in global health.