Antiviral and antibacterial peptides: Mechanisms of action.

Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) present promising alternatives for addressing bacterial and viral multidrug resistance due to their distinctive properties. Understanding the mechanisms of these compounds is essential for achieving this objective. Therefore, this comprehensive review aims to highlight primary natural sources of AMPs and elucidate various aspects of the modes of action of antiviral and antibacterial peptides (ABPs).

Sub-minimum inhibitory concentrations (sub-MICs) of colistin on biofilm formation potency, adherence, and invasion to epithelial host cells: an experimental study in an Iranian children's referral hospital.

Here, we described the efficacy of colistin sub-minimum inhibitory concentrations (sub-MICs) on biofilm-forming activity, host epithelial cell adherence, and invasion capacity of strains collected from children admitted to the Children's Medical Center Hospital. Biofilm formation potency of clinical isolates was measured using a 96-well microtiter plate assay. Distribution of biofilm-related genes, including , , , , and , was detected by PCR.

Medium-Term Outcomes of COVID-19 Infection After Kidney Transplantation for Ongoing Living and Deceased Kidney Transplantations within the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Objectives: To present the early to midterm experience of two referral kidney transplantation centers with living and deceased kidney transplantations that were performed within the COVID-19 pandemic.

Materials And Methods: All cases performed in two referral centers in Iran within the COVID-19 pandemic were investigated. Transplantations were performed from May 2020 to February 2021.

Prevalence of β-lactamase-encoding genes and molecular typing of Acinetobacter baumannii isolates carrying carbapenemase OXA-24 in children.

Background: β-Lactam antibiotics have been broadly used for the treatment of Acinetobacter baumannii infections, resulting in development of β-lactam inactivating β-lactamases. Here, we described antibiotic resistance rate, prevalence of β-lactamase-encoding genes, and clonal relationships of A. baumannii strains isolated from children referred to Children's Medical Center in Tehran, Iran, during 2019-2020.

COVID-19 and Influenza Co-infection: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Co-infection of COVID-19 with other respiratory pathogens which may complicate the diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis of COVID-19 emerge new concern. The overlap of COVID-19 and influenza, as two epidemics at the same time can occur in the cold months of the year. The aim of current study was to evaluate the rate of such co-infection as a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Ultrasensitive and easily reproducible biosensor based on novel doped MoS nanowires field-effect transistor in label-free approach for detection of hepatitis B virus in blood serum.

An ultrasensitive field-effect transistor (FET) for hepatitis B virus deoxyribonucleic acid (HBV DNA) detection in label free approach and easily reproducible setup was reported. The fabricated FET biosensor was materialized by ZnO doped MoS nanowires (NWs). This report introduced a novel structure of the MoS in bio-sensing approach.

Coronavirus diseases and pregnancy: COVID-19,SARS, and MERS.

Around the end of December 2019, a new beta-coronavirus from Wuhan City, Hubei Province, China began to spread rapidly. The new virus, called SARS-CoV-2, which could be transmitted through respiratory droplets, had a range of mild to severe symptoms, from simple cold in some cases to death in others. The disease caused by SARS-CoV-2 was named COVID-19 by WHO and has so far killed more people than SARS and MERS.

Urinary Viral Shedding of COVID-19 and its Clinical Associations: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Observational Studies.

Objectives: To review the current literature on the presence of COVID-19 virus in the urine of infected patients and to explore the clinical features that can predict the presence of COVID-19 in urine.

Materials And Methods: A systematic review of published literature between 30th December 2019 and 21st June 2020 was conducted on Pubmed, Google Scholar, Ovid, Scopus, and ISI web of science. Studies investigating urinary viral shedding of COVID-19 in infected patients were included.

Phototherapy alters the oncogenic metabolic activity of breast cancer cells.

Background: Metabolic reprogramming in cancer cells is a strategy to attain a high proliferation rate, invasion, and metastasis. In this study, the effects of phototherapy at different wavelengths were investigated on the metabolic activity of breast cancer cells.

Methods: The states of the MCF7 cells proliferation and viability were measured by the MTT assay.

Inhibition of growth and gene expression in by anti- peptide nucleic acid.

Multidrug-resistant isolates have become a serious concern in clinical microbiology. Antisense strategy, which specifically targets essential genes, could be helpful. cultures were treated with peptide conjugate-peptide nucleic acid (PPNA) specific for the gene.

Phylogenetic Analysis of Virus among Household Members with HBV Chronic Infection.

Background: Intrafamilial spread of virus (HBV) infection in Iran has only been investigated with serological testing without using molecular studies as the most informative and definitive type of analysis.

Methods: In the present study, intrafamilial transmission of HBV among family members of Iranian index HBsAg carriers was investigated using phylogenetic analysis of the S region of the viral genome. Nested polymerase chain reaction was used for detection of HBV DNA in serum samples from 22 index and 43 contact patients with chronic HBV infection.

Nucleotide Substitutions in Hepatitis B Viruses Derived from Chronic HBV Patients.

Background: Mutations in the S gene (HBsAg), pre-core (PC), and basic core promoter (BCP) of the hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection are correlated with disease progression. This study assessed the frequency of mutations in the S gene, PC, and BCP regions in chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients.

Methods: 104 formerly known CHB patients who visited Tehran Hepatitis centers, were included.

Synergistic effect of phototherapy and chemotherapy on bladder cancer cells.

Drug resistance as an important barrier to cancer treatment, has a close relation with alteration of cancer metabolism. Therefore, in this study the synergistic effect of phototherapy and chemotherapy were investigated on the bladder cancer cells viability. The cytotoxicity effect of blue light irradiation was measured by the MTT assay.

Different Strains of BK Polyomavirus: VP1 Sequences in a Group of Iranian Prostate Cancer Patients.

Purpose: BK virus (BKV) has a worldwide seroprevalence in humans. Based on sequences of the major capsid proteins, i.e.

Characterization of Occult Hepatitis B Infection Among Injecting Drug Users in Tehran, Iran.

Background: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a major health problem worldwide.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the frequency of occult hepatitis B infection (OBI) and its associated risk factors, together with the molecular characterization of the virus in injecting drug users of Tehran.

Patients And Methods: The study consisted of 229 injecting drug users.

Polyomavirus Hominis 1(BK virus) Infection in Prostatic Tissues: Cancer versus Hyperplasia.

Purpose: Polyomavirus hominis 1, better known as BK virus (BKV) infection might be a predisposing factor for prostate cancer (PCa). The aim of this study was to compare the frequency of BK virus infection in pathological specimens of patients with PCa compared to patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia.

Materials And Methods: From July 2011 to June 2012, paraffin-embedded tissue blocks of patients with PCa (60 specimens) and also with benign prostatic hyperplasia (60 specimens) were investigated.

Effects of Probiotics on Gut Microbiota in Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A Double-blind, Placebo-controlled Clinical Trial.

Background/aims: Several clinical trials have revealed various advantages for probiotics in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The aim of this study was to further investigate the effects of probiotic yogurt consumption on gut microbiota in patients with this disease.

Methods: A total of 305 participants were divided into three groups; group A (IBD patients receiving probiotic yogurt; n=105), group B (IBD patients receiving placebo; n=105), and control group (healthy individuals receiving probiotic yogurt; n=95).

Hepatitis B viral DNA among HBs antigen negative healthy blood donors.

Background: Presence of occult hepatitis B infection (OBI) renders HBs antigen (HBsAg) undetectable by ELISA. Therefore it is valuable to evaluate the frequency of OBI among healthy blood donors to improve and perhaps change the strategies of blood screening to reduce the risk of HBV transmission.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine the presence of HBcAb and HBV DNA among Iranian HBsAg negative healthy blood donors who donated their blood to the Tehran Blood Transfusion Center during 2011.