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Objectives: Several meta-analyses have suggested the beneficial effect of vitamin D on patients infected with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2. This umbrella meta-analysis aims to evaluate influence of vitamin D supplementation on clinical outcomes and the mortality rate of COVID-19 patients. Design: Present study was designed as an umbrella meta-analysis. The following international databases were systematically searched till March 2023: Web of Science, PubMed, Scopus, and Embase. Settings: Random-effects model was employed to perform meta-analysis. Using AMSTAR critical evaluation tools, the methodological quality of the included meta-analyses was evaluated. Participants: Adult patients suffering from COVID-19 were studied. Results: Overall, 13 meta-analyses summarising data from 4 randomised controlled trial and 9 observational studies were identified in this umbrella review. Our findings revealed that vitamin D supplementation and status significantly reduced mortality of COVID-19 [Interventional studies: (ES = 0·42; 95 % CI: 0·10, 0·75, P < 0·001; I 2 = 20·4 %, P = 0·285) and observational studies (ES = 1·99; 95 % CI: 1·37, 2·62, P < 0·001; I 2 = 00·0 %, P = 0·944). Also, vitamin D deficiency increased the risk of infection and disease severity among patients. Conclusion: Overall, vitamin D status is a critical factor influencing the mortality rate, disease severity, admission to intensive care unit and being detached from mechanical ventilation. It is vital to monitor the vitamin D status in all patients with critical conditions including COVID patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is one of the immune‐mediated demyelinating disorders. Multiple components, including the environment and genetics, are possible factors in the pathogenesis of MS. Also, it can be said that infections are a key component of the host's response to MS development. Finally, we evaluated the relationship between different pathogens and MS disease in this umbrella research. We systematically collected and analysed multiple meta‐analyses focused on one particular topic. We utilised the Scopus, PubMed, and Web of Science databases starting with inception until 30 May 2023. The methodological quality of the analysed meta‐analysis has been determined based on Assessing the Methodological Quality of Systematic Reviews 2 and Grade, and graph construction and statistical analysis were conducted using Comprehensive Meta‐Analysis. The Confidence Interval of effect size was 95% in meta‐analyses, and p < 0.05 indicated a statistically meaningful relationship. The included studies evaluated the association between MS and 12 viruses containing SARS‐CoV‐2, Epstein–Barr virus (EBV), Hepatitis B virus, varicella–zoster virus (VZV), human herpesvirus 6 (HHV‐6), HHV‐7, HHV‐8, HSV‐1, HSV‐2, Cytomegalovirus, Human Papillomavirus, and influenza. SARS‐CoV‐2, with a 3.74 odds ratio, has a significantly more potent negative effect on MS among viral infections. After that, EBV, HHV‐6, HSV‐2, and VZV, respectively, with 3.33, 2.81, 1.76, and 1.72 odds ratios, had a significantly negative relationship with MS (p < 0.05). Although the theoretical evidence mostly indicates that EBV has the greatest effect on MS, recent epidemiological studies have challenged this conclusion and put forward possibilities that SARS‐CoV‐2 is the culprit. Hence, it was necessary to investigate the effects of SARS‐CoV‐2 and EBV on MS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is progressing considerably worldwide. Identifying the risk factors of NAFLD is a critical step in preventing its progression. Methods: In November 2022, two independent researchers studied seven databases, including PubMed, ISI/WoS, ProQuest, Scopus, SID, Magiran, and Google Scholar, and reference list of relevant articles, searching studies that assessed NAFLD risk factors in the Iranian adult population. Heterogeneity between studies was assessed by Cochran's test and its composition using I² statistics. A random-effects model was used when heterogeneity was observed; otherwise, a fixed-effects model was applied. Egger's regression test and Trim-and-Fill analysis were used to assess publication bias. Comprehensive Meta-analysis software (version 3) was used for the analyses of the present study. Results: The results of this study showed significant associations between NAFLD with age (n = 15, odds ratio (OR) = 2.12,95% CI: 1.79 - 2.51), body mass index (n = 46, OR= 5.00,95% CI: 3.34 - 7.49), waist circumference (n = 20, OR = 6.37,95% CI: 3.25 -12.48), waist-to-hip ratio (n = 17, OR = 4.72, 95% CI: 3.93 - 5.66), total cholesterol (n = 39, OR = 1.80, 95% CI: 1.52 - 2.13), high-density lipoprotein (n = 37, OR = 0.53, 95% CI: 0.44-0.65), low-density lipoprotein (n = 31, OR = 1.68, 95% CI: 1.38 - 2.05), triglyceride (n = 31, OR = 3.21, 95% CI: 2.67-3.87), alanine aminotransferase (n = 26, OR = 4.06,95% CI: 2.94 - 5.62), aspartate aminotransferase (n = 27, OR = 2.16,95% CI: 1.50-3.12), hypertension (n =13, OR = 2.53,95% CI: 2.32 - 2.77), systolic blood pressure (n = 13, OR = 1.83,95% CI: 1.53 - 2.18), diastolic blood pressure (n = 14, OR=1.80,95% CI: 1.48-2.20), fasting blood sugar (n = 31, OR=2.91,95% CI: 2.11-4.01), homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance (n = 5, OR = 1.92,95% CI: 1.48 - 2.59), diabetes mellitus (n =15, OR = 3.04,95% CI: 2.46-3.75), metabolic syndrome (n = 10, OR = 3.56,95% CI: 2.79 - 4.55), and physical activity (n = 11, OR= 0.32, 95% CI: 0.24-0.43) (P< 0.05). Conclusions: In conclusion, several factors are significantly associated with NAFLD. However, anthropometric indices had the strongest relationship with NAFLD in the Iranian adult population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and objective: Tuberculosis is a chronic granulomatous infection and has become a global concern. This disease is caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis, but other types of Mycobacterium can also cause the disease. Tuberculosis usually affects the respiratory system, but other organs, called extrapulmonary tuberculosis, can be involved. Lymph node tuberculosis is one of the manifestations of extrapulmonary tuberculosis, especially in regions where tuberculosis is endemic. The involvement of salivary glands with tuberculosis is an uncommon condition. Here we present three cases (two adults and one child) with tuberculosis salivary gland lymphadenitis. Subjects and methods: Three cases were studied in the current work. The first case was 27-year-old woman without any underlying diseases, was referred to our local hospital due to painful swelling of the submandibular region. The second case was 44-year-old woman without any underlying diseases, was referred to our hospital because of painful swelling in her left parotid gland region. The third case was 7-year-old boy without any underlying diseases, complaining of fever and painful swelling of the right submandibular gland. Results and conclusion: In all the cases, tuberculosis diagnosis was confirmed by biopsy. Although, the diagnosis of tuberculosis was easier in the child due to symptoms like night sweating and fever and positive purified protein derivative test, in adults, there were no abnormalities in the initial laboratory tests, and purified protein derivative tests were negative, which made the diagnosis of tuberculosis more complicated. Although, salivary gland involvement with tuberculosis is not common, it should be considered a differential diagnosis in patients with swelling of salivary glands. In addition, the diagnosis confirmation should be based on biopsy, and normal laboratory tests and negative purified protein derivative tests should not confuse us. An early diagnosis is essential, and early initiation of an anti-tuberculosis regimen can prevent the following complications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Rizatriptan benzoate is a potent and selective 5-HT1B/1D receptor agonist and is effective for the treatment of acute migraine. Difficulty in swallowing is common among all age groups, especially elderly and pediatrics. Orally disintegrating tablets may constitute an innovative dosage form that overcome the problem of swallowing and provides a quick onset of action. This study was aimed to formulate and evaluate an Orally Disintegrating Tablet (ODT) containing Rizatriptan while using semi-synthetic and natural superdisintegrants. Methods: Orodispersible tablets were prepared by direct compression using natural superdisntegrant (Plantago ovata mucilage) and semi-synthetic superdisntegrant (crospovidone). The prepared tablets were evaluated for hardness, friability, thickness, drug content uniformity, water absorption and wetting time. A 32 factorial design was used to investigate the effect of independent variables (amount of crospovidone and Plantago ovata mucilage) on dependent variables [disintegration time, wetting time and Q5 (cumulative amount of drug release after 5 minutes)]. A counter plot was also presented to graphically represent the effect of independent variable on the disintegration time, wetting time and Q5. The check point batch was also prepared to prove the validity of the evolved mathematical model. The systematic formulation approach helped in understanding the effect of formulation processing variable. Results: According to the results of optimized batches, the best concentration of superdisintegrant were as follows: 9.4 mg Psyllium mucilage and 8.32 mg crospovidone gave rapid disintegration in 35sec and showed 99% drug release within 5 minutes. Conclusion: Plantago ovata mucilage, a natural superdisintegrant, gives a rapid disintegration and high release when used with synthetic superdisntegrant in formulation of orally disintegrating tablet of Rizatriptan.

In this study, polyetherimide (Ultem) was chosen as a polymeric matrix, and micron‐sized Ni2+‐exchanged nano‐porous NaX zeolite was selected as an inorganic filler to fabricate novel mixed matrix membranes (MMMs) for CO2 separation. Fabricated membranes were evaluated by Differential scanning calorimeter, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X‐ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and energy dispersive X‐ray. The influences of filler loading (0–5 wt.%) and feed pressure (2–10 bar) on gas separation properties were surveyed. CO2/N2 ideal selectivity of 3 wt.% NiX loaded MMM (optimum MMM) was increased to 34 (about 36%) compared to 25 for the pristine membrane. Furthermore, CO2 permeability was improved by about 45%, from 1.3 Barrer for the pure membrane to 1.88 Barrer for MMM containing 3 wt.% functionalized filler. These improvements originate from a combination of the inherent surface diffusion mechanism of zeolite X and reversible reaction between free orbitals of transition metal ions (Ni2+) and electron pairs of CO2 molecules. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]