Association of anthelmintic treatment with malaria prevalence, incidence, and parasitemia: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

A chronic helminth infection can alter host immune response and affect malaria infection. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to find the impact of anthelmintic treatment on malaria prevalence, incidence, and parasitemia. Nine and 12 electronic databases were searched on 28 July 2015 and 26 June 2020 for relevant studies.

Investigating the Synergistic Interactions of Surface Immobilized and Free Natural Ocular Lubricants for Contact Lens Applications: A Comparative Study between Hyaluronic Acid and Proteoglycan 4 (Lubricin).

The main reasons for the discontinuation of contact lens wear are ocular dryness and discomfort. Proteoglycan 4 (PRG4), a mucinous glycoprotein, and hyaluronic acid (HA), a nonsulfated linear glycosaminoglycan, are naturally present in the eye and contribute to ocular hydration and lubrication. This study aimed to investigate the impact of the structure of the recombinant human PRG4 (rhPRG4)/HA complex on contact lens properties, when one agent is grafted and the counterpart is physisorbed on the surface of model conventional or silicone contact lens materials.

Investigating the effect of proteoglycan 4 on hyaluronan solution properties using confocal fluorescence recovery after photobleaching.

Background: The objective of this study was to use confocal fluorescence recovery after photobleaching (FRAP) to examine the specific and dose-dependent effect of proteoglycan 4 (PRG4) on hyaluronan (HA) solutions of different molecular weight; and assess the effect of reduction and alkylation (R/A) of PRG4 on its effects on HA solutions.

Methods: Confocal FRAP was used to determine the diffusion coefficient of fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-dextran tracer (D) through 1500 kDa and 500 kDa HA solutions (0-3.3 mg/ml) ± PRG4 or a control protein, bovine serum albumin (BSA), at physiological (450 μg/ml) or pathophysiological (45 μg/ml) concentrations.

Surface-Functionalized Model Contact Lenses with a Bioinspired Proteoglycan 4 (PRG4)-Grafted Layer.

Ocular dryness and discomfort are the primary reasons for the discontinuation of contact lens wear. This is mainly due to poorly hydrated contact lens surfaces and increased friction, particularly at the end of the day and can potentially cause reduced vision or even inflammation. Proteoglycan 4 (PRG4) is a mucinous glycoprotein with boundary lubricating properties, naturally found in the eye, able to prevent tear film evaporation and protect the ocular surface during blinking.

Dengue hemophagocytic syndrome: A systematic review and meta-analysis on epidemiology, clinical signs, outcomes, and risk factors.

We systematically searched and meta-analyzed the epidemiological characteristics, frequency of clinical signs, and outcomes of dengue-associated hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis. Ten electronic databases were searched systematically plus manual search of reference lists to identify relevant articles published until May 2017. The highest number of reported cases were from South-East Asia region (62 cases), followed by Western Pacific region (20 cases), and America (31 cases).