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This study was designed to determine the effective therapeutic parameters and evaluate the regenerative potential of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) after traumatic spinal cord injuries (TSCIs) in animal studies. The EMBASE and MEDLINE databases were searched on October 5, 2019, and followed with an update on January 2, 2021. All animal studies discussing the effect of LLLT on main pathophysiological events after TSCI, including inflammation, axon growth, remyelination, glial scar formation, cavity size, and locomotor recovery, were included. For statistical analysis, we used mean difference with 95% confidence intervals for locomotor recovery. In total, 19 articles were included based on our criteria. The results showed that regardless of laser type, laser beams with a wavelength between 600 and 850 nm significantly suppress inflammation and led inflammatory cells to M2 polarization and wound healing. Also, laser therapy using these wavelengths for more than 2 weeks significantly improved axon regeneration and remyelination. Improvement of locomotor recovery was more efficient using wavelengths less than 700 nm (SMD = 1.21; 95%CI: 0.09, 2.33; p = 0.03), lasers with energy densities less than 100 J/cm2 (SMD = 1.72; 95%CI: 0.84, 2.59; p = 0.0001) and treatment duration between 1 and 2 weeks (SMD = 2.21; 95%CI: 1.24, 3.19; p < 0.00001). The LLLT showed promising potential to modulate pathophysiological events and recovery after TSCI, although there was heterogeneity in study design and reporting methods, which should be considered in future studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Suboptimal blood pressure (BP) control in patients with type 2 diabetes is associated with adverse micro‐ and macrovascular complications. This study aimed to investigate the predictors of uncontrolled hypertension in an Iranian population with type 2 diabetes. This is a cross‐sectional study of 2612 patients with type 2 diabetes, including 944 patients with hypertension. Controlled and uncontrolled hypertension were assessed. Multivariate logistic regression modeling was used to determined independent predictors of uncontrolled hypertension. Of 2612 patients with type 2 diabetes, 944 (36.1%) patients had hypertension. Of all patients with hypertension, 580 (61.4%) were still on monotherapy. Uncontrolled hypertension was detected in 536 participants (56.8%). Patients with uncontrolled hypertension had significantly higher body mass index (BMI) (29.8±4.8 vs. 28.6±4.6), waist circumference (99.11±10.95 vs. 96.68±10.92), pulse pressure (67.3±17.3 vs. 48.4±10.7), total cholesterol (177.1±45.5 vs. 164.3±40.5), non‐HDL cholesterol (133.0±43.5 vs. 120.1±38.7), triglycerides (175.7±80.3 vs. 157.4±76.7), and Atherogenic Index of Plasma (AIP) (0.57±0.23 vs. 0.52±0.24) (p <.05 for all of them) compared to patients with controlled hypertension. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that uncontrolled hypertension was significantly associated with BMI (p =.001), pulse pressure (p =.001), total cholesterol (p =.006), and non‐HDL cholesterol (p =.009). In patients with triglycerides levels > 200 mg/dl non‐HDL cholesterol had a significant correlation with uncontrolled hypertension (OR = 4.635, CI95%:1.781–12.064, p =.002). In conclusion, BMI, pulse pressure, total cholesterol, and non‐HDL cholesterol are significant predictors of uncontrolled hypertension in patients with type 2 diabetes. Also, ineffective monotherapy, medical inertia and patients' non‐compliance were other contributors to the uncontrolled hypertension. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to the rapidly spreading of novel coronavirus disease (COVID‐19) worldwide, there is an urgent need to develop efficient vaccines and specific antiviral treatments. Pathways of the viral entry into cells are interesting subjects for targeted therapy of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2). The present study aims to provide a systematic evaluation of the most recent in vitro and in vivo investigations targeting SARS‐CoV‐2 cell entry. A systematic search was carried out in major medical sources, including MEDLINE (through PubMed), Web of Science, Scopus, and EMBASE. Combinations of the following search terms were used: SARS‐CoV‐2, in vitro, in vivo, preclinical, targeted therapy, and cell entry. A modified version of the Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials and Systematic Review Centre for Laboratory Animal Experimentation assessment tools were applied for evaluating the risk of bias of in vitro and in vivo studies, respectively. A narrative synthesis was performed as a qualitative method for the data synthesis of each outcome measure. A total of 2,649 articles were identified through searching PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, EMBASE, Google Scholar, and Biorxiv. Finally, 22 studies (one in vivo study and 21 in vitro studies) were included. The spike (S) glycoprotein of the SARS‐CoV‐2 was the main target of investigation in 19 studies. SARS‐CoV‐2 can enter into the host cells through endocytosis or independently. SARS‐CoV‐2 S protein utilizes angiotensin‐converting enzyme 2 or CD147 as its cell‐surface receptor to attach host cells. It consists of S1 and S2 subunits. The S1 subunit mediates viral attachment to the host cells, while the S2 subunit facilitates virus‐host membrane fusion. The cleavage of the S1–S2 protein, which is required for the conformational changes of the S2 subunit and processing of viral fusion, is regulated by the host proteases, including cathepsin L (during endocytosis) and type II membrane serine protease (independently). Targeted therapy strategies against SARS‐CoV‐2 cell entry mechanisms fall into four main categories: strategies targeting virus receptors on the host, strategies neutralizing SARS‐CoV‐2 spike protein, strategies targeting virus fusion to host cells, and strategies targeting endosomal and non‐endosomal dependent pathways of virus entry. Inhibition of the viral entry by targeting host or virus‐related components remains the most potent strategy to prevent and treat COVID‐19. Further high‐quality investigations are needed to assess the efficacy of the proposed targets and develop specific antivirals against SARS‐CoV‐2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a cluster of risk factors, mainly central obesity, insulin resistance, and dyslipidemia, leading to life-threatening cardiovascular diseases. The prevalence of MetS can vary based on different ethnicities and many cultural and lifestyle factors. We aimed to evaluate the prevalence of MetS and possible correlations with lifestyle-associated factors among different ethnicities in Khuzestan, Iran. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in Khuzestan province of Iran, among 30, 504 participants aged 20-65 years, between October 2016 and November 2019. Data was collected through questionnaires along with anthropometric and biological measurements. The National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III definition was used to estimate MetS prevalence. Results: Overall, 31.9% (95% CI 31.4-32.4) had MetS (34.2% [95% CI 33.3-35.1] among males; 30.7% [95% CI 30.0-31.3] among females [p < 0.001]). Central obesity, elevated fasting blood sugar levels, and dyslipidemia were the most common abnormalities among those with MetS. The risk of MetS was estimated to increase by age, male gender, residing in urban regions, lower educational levels, lower physical activity levels, lower sleep time, and a positive family history of diabetes mellitus (p < 0.001). Individuals of the Arab and Bakhtiary ethnicities had the highest and lowest risk of MetS, respectively. Conclusion: MetS prevalence varied among different ethnicities. Aging and some lifestyle-associated factors such as physical activity and sleep time were related to the isk of MetS. Raising awareness about risk factors of MetS would be of great value in setting new health policies to manage the rising trend of MetS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]