Publications by authors named "Ishak R"

Article Synopsis
  • The study investigates how genetic variations in the TLR7 gene impact responses to HTLV-1 infection, focusing on cytokine production and disease symptoms.
  • Researchers analyzed blood samples from HTLV-1 infected individuals, including those with inflammatory diseases and asymptomatic cases, alongside controls, using techniques like PCR and ELISA.
  • Findings indicated that specific genetic variations (polymorphisms) affect levels of immune responses, with some variants linked to higher levels of antiviral activity, though they did not correlate with disease symptoms.
View Article and Find Full Text PDF
Article Synopsis
  • Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) includes chronic disorders like ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease, often requiring alternative treatments due to side effects of current medications.
  • Polyphenols, natural compounds found in fruits and vegetables, have shown potential in mitigating inflammation by affecting key pathways like NF-κB and JAK/STAT involved in IBD.
  • Although preclinical studies suggest polyphenols could reduce intestinal inflammation, further clinical research is essential to assess their long-term safety and effectiveness for IBD treatment.
View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Aims: Breast cancer is the second leading cause of death worldwide. Conventional chemotherapeutic therapies lack the specific targeting effect toward the cancerous cells resulting in extensive side effects. Our current study endeavors to prepare novel bioinspired folic acid-functionalized caffeic acid (CA)-loaded casein nanoparticles (CS NPs) for curbing breast cancer.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Human T-limphotropic virus 1 infection has a global distribution, with a high prevalence in some regions of Brazil and the world, while HTLV-2 infection is endemic mainly among indigenous people and drug users. To analyze intrafamilial transmission of HTLV-1/2 in five Kayapó indigenous peoples (Gorotire, Kararaô, Kokraimoro, Kubenkokre, and Xikrin do Bacajá), we investigated 1452 individuals who underwent serological and molecular tests. Among the 276 indigenous people with positive results, we identified intrafamily transmission in 42.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

This study aimed to describe the prevalence of HTLV-1/2 in communities in the state of Pará and investigate the possible sociodemographic risk factors associated with the infection, as well as to trace the occurrence of the familial transmission of the virus. A total of 310 individuals living in eight located in the state of Pará (northern Brazil) were investigated for the presence of anti-HTLV-1/2 antibodies using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and positive samples were confirmed using Western blot and/or real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). Participants answered a questionnaire about sociodemographic aspects and risk factors for infection.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

While conventional medicine has advanced in recent years, there are still concerns about its potential adverse reactions. The ethnopharmacological knowledge established over many centuries and the existence of a variety of metabolites have made medicinal plants, such as the stinging nettle plant, an invaluable resource for treating a wide range of health conditions, considering its minimal adverse effects on human health. The aim of this review is to highlight the therapeutic benefits and biological activities of the edible (UD) plant with an emphasis on its selective chemo-preventive properties against various types of cancer, whereby we decipher the mechanism of action of UD on various cancers including prostate, breast, leukemia, and colon in addition to evaluating its antidiabetic, microbial, and inflammatory properties.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

A novel composite carrier composed of Pluronic lecithin organogels and fatty acid vesicles was used to enhance the stability and facilitate the topical delivery of a natural bioactive drug, magnolol (Mag), for treatment of skin cancer. Jojoba oil was incorporated in the organogel (OG) base to provide a synergistic effect in treatment of skin cancer. The organoleptic properties, rheological behavior, morphology, and drug content of the OG formulations were investigated with emphasis on the impact of vesicle loading on the OG characteristics.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

TREX1 acts in the initial prevention of an autoimmune response, but it may contribute to the permissiveness of retrovirus infections. This study investigated the association between the levels of gene expression with the polymorphisms rs3135941 (T/C) and rs3135945 (G/A), and the presence of antinuclear antibodies (ANA) in antiretroviral therapy (ART)-naïve individuals and after 1 year of treatment. Blood samples from 119 individuals with HIV-1 were subjected to genotyping of polymorphisms and quantification of gene expression and HIV-1 viral load by qPCR.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Unlabelled: Since the authors are not responding to the editor’s requests to fulfill the editorial requirement, therefore, the article has been withdrawn of the journal "Current Drug Delivery". Bentham Science apologizes to the readers of the journal for any inconvenience this may have caused. The Bentham Editorial Policy on Article Withdrawal can be found at https://benthamscience.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Introduction: Transdermal delivery has been extensively investigated as a successful alternative to the oral and parenteral routes of administration. The use of polymeric nanoparticles as drug delivery systems through this route has always been controversial. The use of meta-analyses is a useful quantitative means to decide upon the efficiency of this type of vehicles transporting drugs through the skin.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Due to their unique characteristics, microemulsions (ME) represent one of the most promising delivery systems which can conquer poor ocular drug bioavailability providing long residence time. Development of a ME system, relying on the use of a safe and non-irritant surfactant combination derived from sustainable resources and which can consolidate the small ME droplets, is the goal of this work. Herein, we report the design and characterization of a novel biocompatible, eco-friendly ME system loaded with the hydrophilic dexamethasone sodium phosphate (DEXP) using a novel surfactant mixture composed of D-α-tocopherol polyethylene glycol succinate (TPGS) and Plantacare® (coco-Glycosides).

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Some genetic variations in cytokine genes can alter their expression and influence the evolution of (Mtb) infection. This study aimed to investigate the association of polymorphisms in cytokine genes and variability in plasma levels of cytokines with the development of tuberculosis (TB) and latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI). Blood samples from 245 patients with TB, 80 with LTBI, and healthy controls (n = 100) were included.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

The purpose of this research was to design innovative nanovesicles for ototopical conveyance of triamcinolone acetonide (TA) for otitis media (OM) treatment via incorporating glycerol into nanospanlastics to be termed "Glycerospanlastics". The glycerospanlastics were formulated employing ethanol injection procedure, and central composite design (CCD) was harnessed for optimization of the vesicles. Various attributes of the nanovesicles, viz.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF
Article Synopsis
  • HTLV-2 is an endemic virus in Brazilian indigenous populations, primarily spread through sexual contact and mother-to-child transmission, with varying prevalence based on age and sex.
  • In the Amazon region, studies over the past 50 years have shown HTLV-2 presence in 24 out of 41 communities, with prevalence rates among Kayapó villages reaching up to 41.2%.
  • Recent trends indicate a decline in HTLV-2 infection among Kayapó, particularly among males, while the rate among females has increased, possibly due to sociocultural changes and improved public health initiatives on sexually transmitted infections.
View Article and Find Full Text PDF

The past decades have witnessed tremendous expansion in utilization of plant-derived medicines as resveratrol (RES) in treating several diseases like idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). RES can exhibit its role in treating IPF via its outstanding antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. The goal of this work was to formulate RES-loaded spray-dried composite microparticles (SDCMs) suitable for pulmonary delivery via dry powder inhaler (DPI).

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

10-hydroxy decanoic acid (HDA), a naturally derived fatty acid, was used for the preparation of novel fatty acid vesicles for comparison with oleic acid (OA) ufasomes. The vesicles were loaded with magnolol (Mag), a potential natural drug for skin cancer. Different formulations were prepared using the thin film hydration method and were statistically evaluated according to a Box-Behnken design in terms of particle size (PS), polydispersity index (PDI), zeta potential (ZP), and entrapment efficiency (EE).

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

To date, the ophthalmic application of liquid crystalline nanostructures (LCNs) has not been thoroughly reconnoitered, yet they have been extensively used. LCNs are primarily made up of glyceryl monooleate (GMO) or phytantriol as a lipid, a stabilizing agent, and a penetration enhancer (PE). For optimization, the D-optimal design was exploited.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF
Article Synopsis
  • Researchers studied CCR5Δ32 and SDF1-3'A genetic variations in HIV-1-infected individuals known as viremia controllers and non-controllers to see how these factors affect immune cell counts and viral load.
  • The study involved 32 HIV-infected participants and a control group of 300, analyzing genetic makeup through PCR techniques and assessing immune responses using real-time PCR.
  • Findings showed that while CCR5Δ32 did not significantly affect AIDS progression markers like CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphocytes or viral load, the SDF1-3'A variant was linked to lower CD4+ cell counts and higher viral load, indicating it may impact disease progression differently.
View Article and Find Full Text PDF
Article Synopsis
  • Human T lymphotropic virus 1 (HTLV-1) is linked to inflammatory diseases like HTLV-1-associated myelopathy (HAM), and genetic factors may influence how these diseases develop.
  • The study focuses on a specific genetic variation (rs2232365) in the promoter region of the FOXP3 gene, which is important for regulating immune responses and may affect the severity of inflammatory disorders like HAM.
  • Researchers analyzed DNA samples from asymptomatic carriers, HAM patients, and controls, finding that certain genotypes were associated with higher proviral loads, CD4 T cell counts, and inflammatory markers in those with HAM.
View Article and Find Full Text PDF

HTLV-1/2 infection is endemic in Indigenous peoples of the Americas. Its origin is attributed to the migratory flow of Amerindian ancestral peoples. The present study aimed to investigate the seroprevalence of HTLV-1/2 infection in Indigenous peoples of the Brazilian Amazon.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Apoptosis of macrophages infected by via Fas-FasL is an important immune mechanism against infection. This study investigated the association of tuberculosis (TB) with the presence of the polymorphisms -670A/G and -124A/G, the levels of sFas and sFasL, and the gene expression of and cytokines. Samples of 200 individuals diagnosed with TB and 200 healthy controls were evaluated.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF
Article Synopsis
  • The study explored the relationship between specific gene polymorphisms (TNFA -308G/A and IL10 -819C/T) and gene expression levels in patients with pulmonary and extrapulmonary tuberculosis, compared to a control group.
  • Findings showed no significant link between gene polymorphisms and pulmonary tuberculosis, but TNFA -308G/A polymorphisms were associated with extrapulmonary cases.
  • Additionally, lower TNFA expression levels in patients with pulmonary tuberculosis were linked to a potential anti-inflammatory effect that may help the bacteria persist in the host.
View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Immobilizing natural antioxidant and biologically active molecules in layered double hydroxides (LDHs) is an excellent method to retain and release these substances in a controlled manner, as well as protect them from thermal and photochemical degradation. Herein, we describe the preparation of host-guest systems based on LDHs and rosmarinic and glycyrrhetinic acids, two molecules obtained from the extraction of herbs and licorice root, respectively, with antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory properties. Intercalation between the lamellae of the mono-deprotonated anions of rosmarinic and glycyrrhetinic acid (RA and GA), alone or in the presence of an alkyl surfactant, allows for readily dispersible systems in biobased polymer matrices such as poly(lactic acid) (PLA), poly(butylene succinate) (PBS), and a 60/40 wt.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

To improve the capability of non-woven polypropylene-based fabric (NWF-PP) used for face mask production to retain active biomolecules such as polyphenols, the surface functionalization of NWF-PP-directly cut from face masks-was carried out by employing cold plasma with oxygen. The nature/structure of the functional groups, as well as the degree of functionalization, were evaluated by ATR-FTIR and XPS by varying the experimental conditions (generator power, treatment time, and oxygen flow). The effects of plasma activation on mechanical and morphological characteristics were evaluated by stress-strain measurements and SEM analysis.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF