Association of polymorphisms in TLR3 and TLR7 genes with susceptibility to COVID-19 among Iranian population: a retrospective case-control study.

Background And Objectives: Host genetic changes like single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) are one of the main factors influencing susceptibility to viral infectious diseases. This study aimed to investigate the association between the host SNP of Toll-Like Receptor3 (TLR3) and Toll-Like Receptor7 (TLR7) genes involved in the immune system and susceptibility to COVID-19 in a sample of the Iranian population.

Materials And Methods: This retrospective case-control study evaluated 244 hospitalized COVID-19 patients as the case group and 156 suspected COVID-19 patients with mild signs as the control group.

Added γ-oryzanol boosted anti-inflammatory effects of canola oil in adult subjects with type 2 diabetes: a randomized controlled clinical trial.

Purpose: This study was conducted to examine the effects of daily intake of γ-oryzanol (ORZ)-fortified canola oil, as compared with plain canola and sunflower oils, on certain inflammatory and oxidative stress biomarkers in adult subjects with Type 2 Diabetes (T2D).

Methods: We randomly allocated 92 adult subjects with T2D from both sexes to one of the following groups to receive: (a) ORZ-fortified canola oil (ORZO; n = 30); (b) unfortified canola oil (CANO; n = 32); or (c) sunflower oil (SUFO; n = 30) for 12 weeks. Dietary and laboratory evaluations were performed initially and finally.

Daily consumption of γ-oryzanol-fortified canola oil, compared with unfortified canola and sunflower oils, resulted in a better improvement of certain cardiometabolic biomarkers of adult subjects with type 2 diabetes: a randomized controlled clinical trial.

Background: This study was undertaken to examine the effects of daily consumption of γ-oryzanol (ORZ)-fortified canola oil, as compared with plain canola and sunflower oils, on certain cardiometabolic indicators.

Methods: Ninety-two adult subjects from both sexes with T2D were randomly assigned to one of the three groups to receive: (a) ORZ-fortified canola oil (Group 1; n = 30); (b) unfortified canola oil (Group 2; n = 32); or (c) sunflower oil (Group 3; n = 30) for 12 weeks. The participants were instructed to use only the given oils for all cooking (but frying) purposes.

Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone Axis Inhibition Improves Outcome of Diabetic Patients with Chronic Hypertension and COVID-19: An Iranian Perspective.

Background: Safe use of drugs such as angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) inhibitors and angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) in COVID diabetic patients needs comprehensive studies. This study addressed this issue from the Iranian perspective.

Materials And Methods: Admitted COVID-19 patients were divided into four groups in this historical cohort study.

The combined effect of fish oil containing Omega-3 fatty acids and on colorectal cancer.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the deadliest malignancies. Recent attempts have indicated the role of diet in the etiology of CRC. Natural dietary compounds such as probiotics and Omega-3 fatty acids that act synergistically can be beneficial in finding a tremendous solution against CRC.

Texture and viscoelastic characteristics of silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix) surimi affected by combination of washing regimes and hydrogen peroxide.

This study aimed to apply H O at different concentrations in combination with mince:water (M:W) ratios and different washing cycles (WCs) to produce surimi gel from silver carp without compromising its quality characteristics. Color, texture, microstructure, and rheological properties of surimi gels were investigated. Water holding capacity, texture profile, and gel strength showed a greater dependency on number of WCs than the M:W ratios and percentage of H O (p < .

A multicenter retrospective study of clinical features, laboratory characteristics, and outcomes of 166 hospitalized children with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19): A preliminary report from Iranian Network for Research in Viral Diseases (INRVD).

Background: The objectives of this study were to analyze the clinical features and laboratory profiles and risk factors associated with critical illness of children with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2).

Methods: One hundred and sixty-six coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) Iranian pediatric patients were recruited through a collaborative research network between March and May 2020. Demographics, clinical, laboratory, and radiological results were obtained from patient files.

A historical cohort study to investigation of statins safety in COVID-19 hospitalized patients.

Background And Objectives: A notable proportion of COVID-19 patients need statins for their co-existing conditions. Statins possess several anti-inflammatory properties. We have attempted to describe potential association of exposure to statins and severity of COVID symtpoms in a historical study in hospitalized COVID-19 patients.

Influence of non-thermal microwaveradiationon emulsifying properties of sunflower protein.

Sunflower protein isolate obtained from industrially de-oiled press cake was treated with non-thermal microwave, aiming to investigate how structure and emulsifying properties were affected. Our results indicated that the content of polar amino acids was decreased and solubility and surface hydrophobicity were altered upon exposure to non-thermal microwave. Higher solubility and surface hydrophobicity of the samples treated with defrost mode and also 350 W were accompanied by a smaller size and lower uniformity of the oil droplets compared to the control and other samples.

Viral Coinfection among COVID-19 Patient Groups: An Update Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background: Coinfections have a potential role in increased morbidity and mortality rates during pandemics. Our investigation is aimed at evaluating the viral coinfection prevalence in COVID-19 patients.

Methods: We systematically searched scientific databases, including Medline, Scopus, WOS, and Embase, from December 1, 2019, to December 30, 2020.

Sleep disturbance, psychiatric issues, and employment status of Iranian people living with HIV.

Objectives: There are limited studies on the psychological issues and sleep problems among the Iranian people living with HIV (HIV). In this study, we aimed to assess sleep disorders, psychiatric characteristics, and employment status among Iranian PLWH.

Results: In total, 304 PLWH with a mean age of 40.

Droplet digital PCR of viral ‎DNA/RNA, current progress, challenges, and future perspectives.

High-throughput droplet-based digital PCR (ddPCR) is a refinement of the conventional polymerase chain reaction (PCR)‎ methods. In ddPCR, DNA/RNA is encapsulated stochastically inside the microdroplets as reaction chambers. A small percentage of the reaction chamber contains one or fewer copies of the DNA or RNA.

Biofunctionality of Enzymatically Derived Peptides from Codfish () Frame: Bulk In Vitro Properties, Quantitative Proteomics, and Bioinformatic Prediction.

Protein hydrolysates show great promise as bioactive food and feed ingredients and for valorization of side-streams from e.g., the fish processing industry.

Overcoming the blood-brain barrier in neurodegenerative disorders and brain tumours.

Drug delivery is one of the major challenges in the treatment of central nervous system disorders. The brain needs to be protected from harmful agents, which are done by the capillary network, the so-called blood-brain barrier (BBB). This protective guard also prevents the delivery of therapeutic agents to the brain and limits the effectiveness of treatment.

Effects of silver nanoparticles coated with anti-HER2 on irradiation efficiency of SKBR3 breast cancer cells.

Breast cancer is the second cause of death in the world. Ionising radiation is a potent mutagen that can cause DNA damage, chromosomes breakage, and cell death. In the present study, radiotherapy and nanoparticle-antibodies (ABs) have been combined to enhance the efficacy of cancer cell treatment.

Effect of resveratrol on the radiosensitivity of 5-FU in human breast cancer MCF-7 cells.

The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy of resveratrol (Res) on radiosensitivity of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) in the spheroid culture of MCF-7 breast cancer cell line using colony formation examination. Spheroids on day 9 with 300 µm diameters were treated with 20 µM resveratrol and/or 1 µM 5-FU for one volume doubling time (VDT) (42 hours) and then irradiated with 2 Gy gamma radiation ( Co) in various groups. Then the viability of the cells and clonogenic ability were acquired by blue dye exclusion and colony formation assay, respectively.

Role of iron in cancer development by viruses.

Increased levels of iron in body are attributed to higher cancer risk. Given the fact that 16% of all human cancers are caused by viral infections, iron is suggested to play an important role in carcinogenesis particularly those induced by viral infections. The present study provides an updated summary of the literature and the plausible mechanisms of iron involvement in cancer development by viruses.

Targeting siRNA in colorectal cancer therapy: Nanotechnology comes into view.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is known as one of the most important causes of death and mortality worldwide. Although several efforts have been made for finding new therapies, no achievements have been made in this area. Multidrug resistance (MDR) mechanisms are one of the key factors that could lead to the failure of chemotherapy.

Sequential extraction of gel-forming proteins, collagen and collagen hydrolysate from gutted silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix), a biorefinery approach.

Collagen and collagen hydrolysate (CH) was recovered from the bone and skin containing sediment residue emerging during pH-shift-based protein isolation from silver carp. Hydrolysis resulted in higher yield (15.1-15.

Dynamic rheological, microstructural and physicochemical properties of blend fish protein recovered from kilka (Clupeonella cultriventris) and silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix) by the pH-shift process or washing-based technology.

This study aimed to evaluate how blending pH-shift produced protein isolates from gutted kilka (Clupeonella cultriventris) and silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix) affected dynamic rheological and chemical properties of the proteins as well as microstructural and physico-mechanical properties of produced gels. Studied variables were protein solubilization pH (acid vs. alkaline) and blending step (before or after protein precipitation).

Rheological and microstructural properties of beef sausage batter formulated with fish fillet mince.

Rheological properties and microstructure of beef meat sausage batter, incorporated with different percentages of fish fillet mince (5 %, 20 %, 35 % and 50 %), were investigated and compared to the control (0 % fish). By increasing the proportion of fish fillet mince to the sausage formula up to 35 % and 50 %, hardness was increased by 40 % and 16 %, respectively, (P < 0.05), whereas, cohesiveness and springiness showed no significant differences (P > 0.

Childhood central nervous system tumors at MAHAK's Pediatric Cancer Treatment and Research Center (MPCTRC), Tehran, Iran.

Purpose: As central nervous system (CNS) tumors account for second most common childhood malignancies and the first cause of mortality in children with cancer, improving treatment modalities can lead to increase the health care of patients. In this study, we examined the prevalence of childhood brain tumors in patients who referred to MAHAK's Pediatric Cancer Treatment and Research Center (MPCTRC) for treatment.

Methods: A retrospective review of all children less than 15 years old with a CNS histologically proven tumor, who presented to MPCTRC from April 2007 to April 2010, was performed.