Search

COVID-19 first emerged in Wuhan, China, in December 2019. Since that time, the frequency of bacterial and fungal coinfections has been continuously increasing. Although invasive pulmonary aspergillosis is being increasingly recognized in association with COVID-19, there is limited information regarding COVID-19-associated mucormycosis. We describe a 50-year-old woman with uncontrolled diabetes who received systemic corticosteroids and remdesevir during her admission for COVID-19. A few days after discharge, the patient was readmitted because of facial swelling and numbness, and a diagnosis of COVID-19-associated rhinosinusitis mucormycosis caused by Rhizopus arrhizus (formerly called Rhizopus oryzae) was confirmed with sequencing of the internal transcribed spacer region of the ribosomal DNA. This report aimed to address the importance of short-term follow-up for COVID-19 patients who have received systemic corticosteroids, particularly those with predisposing conditions, because early detection and prompt, aggressive treatment are essential for the management of invasive fungal infections.

Background Bone tissue is one of the tissues that are capable of self-regeneration. However, bone self-regeneration is defeated in the case of broad lesion of bone structure. Isolated stem cells from wisdom tooth follicles can potentially differentiate into ectodermal and mesodermal cells. Saghez is a natural substance that has been extracted from Pistacia terebinthus with unique features, such as high temperature and mechanical stability, adhesive structure, biocompatibility, and anti-neoplastic properties. Methods In this study, Saghez-encapsulated BMP2 was applied as a scaffold for wisdom tooth follicle stem cell differentiation into the osteocyte. A total of three wisdom tooth follicles were obtained for stem cell isolation. For verification of differentiation of the isolated stem cells into osteocyte and adipocyte, Oil Red and Alizarin staining were applied, respectively. Moreover, mesenchymal stem cells were distinguished by profiling their cell surface markers, includingCD73, CD90, CD44, and CD105, by flow cytometry. Saghez scaffold loaded with BMP2 factor was prepared using sol-gel method. Four experimental groups were considered in this study: cells seeded on BMP2 encapsulated in Saghez scaffold, Saghez scaffold, osteogenic medium, and DMEM medium. Results Mechanical properties of Saghez scaffold, including tensile Young’s modulus, ultimate tensile stress, compression Young’s modulus, and complex shear modulus, were 19 MPa, 32 MPa, 0.42 MPa, and 0.9 MPa, respectively. The porosity of the scaffold was 70–140 μm, and the percentage of porosity was 75–98%. The results of flow cytometry studies indicated that CD44, CD73, CD90, and CD105 were positively expressed on the membrane of the tooth follicles’ stem cell. The results indicated that the rate of differentiation of the follicle stem cells into osteocyte was the highest in the Saghez-BMP2 scaffold containing differentiation medium groups. These findings were verified by morphological studies, osteoblast and osteocalcin gene and protein expression investigations, and alkaline phosphatase activity measurement. The highest osteopontin and osteocalcin genes expression levels (1.7 and 1.9) were seen in positive control, followed by DMEM + differentiation factor (1.5 and 1.6), scaffold + BMP2 (1.2 and 1.4), DMEM + stem cell (1 and 1) and scaffold (0.4 and 0.5), and negative control respectively. Conclusion This study provides a novel system for differentiation of the stem cell into osteocytes. The results of this study suggest that loaded BMP2 in Saghez scaffold possibly acts as an osteocyte differentiator factor.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) first emerged in Wuhan, China in December 2019, and since then the frequency of bacterial and fungal coinfections has been continuously rising. While invasive pulmonary aspergillosis is increasingly being recognized in association with COVID-19, there is limited information with regards to COVID-19 associated mucormycosis. Here, we describe a 50-year-old woman with uncontrolled diabetes who received systemic corticosteroids and remdesevir during her admission for COVID-19. Few days after discharge, the patient was readmitted due to facial swelling and numbness, and a diagnosis of COVID-19 associated rhinosinusitis mucormycosis due to Rhizopus oryzae was confirmed with PCR and DNA sequencing. This report aims to address the importance of short-term follow-up in COVID-19 patients who have received systemic corticosteroids, particularly those with predisposing conditions, as early detection and prompt, aggressive treatment is essential for the management of invasive fungal infections.

Introduction: Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma (OSCC) is one of the most common oral malignancies, which accounts for 80-90% of malignant neoplasms of the oral cavity. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small RNA molecules that regulate post-transcriptional gene expression by targeting mRNAs. Materials and Methods: In this case-control study, 40 patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma and 40 healthy individuals as control were studied. Blood samples were collected from both groups. Also, 30 cancer tissue samples and 30 healthy tissue samples were prepared and evaluated. RNA was extracted from collected peripheral blood and tissue samples and evaluated for the expression level of miR-494 via real-time PCR technique. P. value values

Background The development of lung cancer is a multifactorial process that involves the environmental and genetic factors. The mortality rate of this cancer is higher than breast, colorectal, and prostate cancers. In this study, we try to analyze the proteome of patients with Non‐Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) and compare it with the healthy samples. Methods This study has compared 30 lung tissue samples from patients with NSCLC and 30 healthy samples using proteomics and RT‐PCR. Hence, tissue samples were obtained from the surgical ward in sterile conditions, and then, protein extraction applied to them. At the next stage, two‐dimensional electrophoresis and mass spectrometry LCMS/MS were performed for protein isolation and sequencing, respectively. Results The proteome analysis identified more than 40 differences in proteomic pattern of normal lung tissues compared to lung tissues with NSCLC. Peroxiredoxin, Haptoglobin, and Alpha‐1 antitrypsin proteins were identified. Molecularly, it has also been shown that the two main proteins of Peroxiredoxin‐2 and Alpha‐1 antitrypsin were upregulated, and the expression of Haptoglobin protein was downregulated in cancer tissue. Conclusion The results of this study showed that there are some differences in term of protein content between the normal and cancerous lung tissues. Further studies are needed to evaluate these proteins that investigate whether these proteins can candidate as biomarkers to use in the early diagnosis of patients with NSCLC., Considering the results of past research and our current study, we find that the expression of two major proteins of Peroxiredoxin‐2 and Alpha‐1 antitrypsin is dramatically decreased in the cancerous tissues, and the expression level of Haptoglobin in the cancerous tissue is strongly increased.

A total of 105 independent Candida albicans strains isolated from patients in Iran were investigated. According to CLSI documents M27-A3 and M27-S4, the 24 h geometric mean MICs of caspofungin, itraconazole, and fluconazole were 0.27, 3.19, and 11.91 μg/ml, respectively. Microsatellites analysis of CEF3, CAIII, LOC4 Loci identified 93 different allelic genotypes clustered apart into six different clades. Antifungal susceptibility was not linked with the source of isolation and the corresponding genotype of C. albicans strains.

Background and Objectives: Breast cancer is among the most common causes of cancer related mortality in women worldwide. Early detection and prompt diagnosis of tumor is the first step to prevent cancer-related morbidity and mortality, and a comprehensive understanding of the involved molecular mechanisms can greatly help in this respect. Breast cancer, like many other types of cancer, is caused by a combination of genetic and epigenetic changes such as inactivation of tumor suppressor genes. Materials and Methods: This study was performed on 40 breast cancer patients and 40 healthy controls. Quantitative real time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (real time qRT-PCR) was used to assess the expression of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and mammaglobin mRNA in the peripheral blood of patients and healthy controls. The two groups were compared using t-test. Results: The two groups were not significantly different in terms of the mean age. Twenty-nine out of 40 cancer patients were positive for CEA mRNA and its sensitivity was calculated to be 72.5%. Twelve out of 40 healthy controls were positive for CEA mRNA. Twenty-six out of 40 patients were positive for mammaglobin mRNA indicative of 65% sensitivity while only five out of 40 healthy controls were positive for mammaglobin mRNA. Conclusion: Both CEA and mammaglobin mRNA had high sensitivity in cancer patients; thus, they can be used for screening and early detection of breast cancer patients. Further studies with larger sample sizes are required to confirm the current findings.

Objective Aspergillus sections Terrei and Nidulantes are the less common causes of invasive aspergillosis and pulmonary aspergillosis (PA) in immunocompromised patients when compared to A. fumigatus and A. flavus. Identifying these fungi as the infectious agent is crucial because of the resistance to amphotericin B (AMB) and increased lethality. The aim of this study was to identify the molecular status, evaluate the genetic diversity and examine the antifungal susceptibility profile of the uncommon Aspergillus species. Forty-five uncommon Aspergillus species were identified based on the microscopic and macroscopic criteria. Then, the molecular identification was performed using the sequencing beta tubulin (benA) gene. In vitro antifungal susceptibility to amphotericin B (AMB), itraconazole (ITC), ravuconazole (RAV), voriconazole (VRC), caspofungin (CFG) isavuconazole (ISA) and posaconazole (POS) test was performed according to the CLSI M38-A2 guidelines. Results A. terreus was the most species detected, followed by A. nidulans, A. latus, A. ochraceus, and A. citrinoterreus, respectively. The analysis of the benA gene showed the presence of 12 distinct genotypes among the A. terreus isolates. The other species did not show any intraspecies variation. CFG exhibited the lowest MEC50/MIC50 (0.007 μg/mL), followed by POS (0.125 μg/mL), VRC, ITC, ISA (0.25 μg/mL), RAV (0.5 μg/mL), and AMB (8 μg/mL). Among all the isolates, only 15.5% (7/45) were susceptible to AMB. Conclusion Antifungal susceptibility pattern of the uncommon Aspergillus species is useful to improve patient management and increase knowledge concerning the local epidemiology. Moreover, this information is necessary when an outbreak dealing with drug-resistant infections occurs.

BACKGROUND: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is one of the major causes of mortality all around the world, and research indicates that it will become more prevalent in future. Patients with COPD may sometimes also catch bacterial infections, including infections with Streptococcus Pneumonia, Mycoplasma Pneumonia, and Legionella Pneumophila. The purpose of this study is to use PCR as more sensitive, supplementary method for detection of these infections. METHODS: The study is of the cross-sectional-descriptive type. 109 specimens were collected under supervision of pulmonologists from the respiratory secretions of patients with COPD and suspicion of bacterial infections. The specimens entered the DNA extraction process. Then, molecular experiments were performed, and their results were finally analyzed with statistical tests. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in terms of gender (P value>0.05). The patients’ average age was 62.4±12.2. In the case of Legionella Pneumophila, 4 of the 109 patients were identified as positive using the kit, and 2 of them were reported as positive with the second PCR method using the designed primers. As for Streptococcus Pneumonia, 8 of the 109 patients were identified as positive with the standard kit me thod, and 5 of them were reported as positive with the second PCR method. Relative frequency was calculated for Legionella Pneumophila and Streptococcus Pneumonia as 4% and 7%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: In general, the methods employed in this study have good sensitivity and accuracy as compared to the conventional and common methods and to those in similar studies. Of course, it is suggested that the experiments be performed on more samples and with other genes.

Porous alginate/polyvinyl alcohol hybrid scaffolds have been extensively used in cartilage, bone, and dental tissue substitute applications. However, its mechanical and osteogenesis properties are not good enough to meet the requirement for use in hard tissues repair applications. In this study, to achieve the best mechanical and physical properties, we carried out the cross-linking of PVA physically and alginate chemically. Hydroxyapatite nanoparticles (nHA), the important component of hard tissues, was added to the hydrogel to improve its mechanical properties and osteoconductivity. The results showed that the fabricated alginate/polyvinyl alcohol-nHA scaffold has around 81% interconnected porosity, hydrophilic surface with the contact angle of water on the surface in the range of 38 ± 0.29°, 3.51 MPa compressive strength, and a degradation rate of 71%. The periodontal ligament stem cells (PDLSCs) culture results showed that both fabricated alginate/polyvinyl alcohol hybrid scaffolds with and without nHA had good cell attachment ability and could promote PDLSCs ingrowth. The real-time RT-PCR assay showed that the presence of nHA in the alginate/polyvinyl alcohol hybrid scaffold could significantly accelerate the expression of specific markers of pre- and mature osteoblast stages such as osteocalcin, alkaline phosphate, and osteopontin genes. These results showed that alginate/polyvinyl alcohol hybrid scaffolds with hydroxyapatite nanoparticles can be used in bone and dental substitute applications as osteoconductive and reinforcement components.

The efficacy of Alginate/ Polyvinyl alcohol/ Hydroxyapatite nanopowders (Alg/PVA/HANPs) mats was investigated for increasing periodontal ligament stem cells (PDLSCs) differentiation into the osteoblast cells. The Alg/PVA/HANPs nanofibers were fabricated through electospinning process and following ionic crosslinking of Ca+2 and glutaraldehyde crosslinkers. The physical features of mats and expression of osteoblast cell markers were evaluated. Results showed the diameter of nanofiber increases with decreasing the incorporation of HANPs in Alg/PVA nanofiber. According to MTT assay the viability of cells on scaffolds are better in the all of groups, so the scaffolds were not toxic for the cultured cells. The osteogenic culture media appropriately enhanced osteopontin and osteocalcin markers. Furthermore, in vitro study indicated that the Alg/PVA/HANPs nanofiber provided a suitable three-dimensional structure for osteoblast cells differentiation. Thus, the Alg/PVA/HANPs scaffold can be recommended for in bone repair.

Introduction: Anthracosis is known as the black lung disease and studies have shown relationships between the disease and lung carcinoma. In addition, the expression of CDH1 and EGFR genes can be used as the prognostic of anthracosis. The present study surveys the expression of CDH1 and EGFR genes in anthracosis patients and its relationship with non-small cells lung carcinoma. Methodology: Thirty anthracosis patients diagnosed by a specialist participated in the study. The subjects were asked to sign an informed letter of consent and then, to examine the expression of CDH1 and EGFR genes through real-time PCR, tissue samples were collected. Afterward, the relationship of expression of the biomarkers with tumor staging and cancer progress was examined. Results: Mean age of the patients was 48±10.5 years. As the reference gene, 18sRNA was adopted and comparison of mean CTs at the center and edges of lesions showed no significant difference. As to CDH1 gene at the center of lesions, 12 cases out of 30 were positive, which indicates 40% sensitivity; while at the edges, 20 cases out 30 were positive. Comparison of the positive rates of CDH1 gene at the center and edges of the lesions indicated a significant difference (P-value

There is variety of stem cell sources but problems in ethical issues, contamination, and normal karyotype cause many limitations in obtaining and using these cells. The cells in Wharton’s jelly region of umbilical cord are abundant and available stem cells with low immunological incompatibility, which could be considered for cell replacement therapy. Small molecules have been presented as less expensive biologically active compounds that can regulate different developmental process. Purmorphamine (PMA) is a small molecule that, according to some studies, possesses certain differentiation effects. In this study, we investigated the effect of the PMA on Wharton’s jelly mesenchymal stem cell (WJ-MSC) differentiation into motor neuronal lineages instead of sonic hedgehog (Shh) on PCL scaffold. After exposing to induction media for 15 days, the cells were characterized for expression of motor neuron markers including PAX6, NF-H, Islet1, HB9, and choline acetyl transferase (ChAT) by quantitative reverse transcription (PCR) and immunocytochemistry. Our results demonstrated that induced WJ-MSCs with PMA could significantly express motor neuron markers in RNA and protein levels 15 days post induction. These results suggested that WJ-MSCs can differentiate to motor neuron-like cells with PMA on PCL scaffold and might provide a potential source in cell therapy for nervous system.