Health Crisis in Gaza: The Urgent Need for International Action.

The current and ongoing conflict imposed in Gaza has led to severe environmental challenges in Gaza, resulting in a health crisis that demands immediate attention and intervention. A comprehensive study has evaluated the pressing mental health, water and sanitation, access to healthcare, and infectious disease challenges plaguing the region. Mental health issues, particularly among children and adolescents, have surged in the wake of the conflict, with trauma-related symptoms expected to persist.

Effects of Iranian herbal Zofa syrup for the management of clinical symptoms in patients with COVID-19: A randomized clinical trial.

Objective: The objective of this study was to determine the role of Iranian herbal Zofa syrup in improving the clinical symptoms of patients with COVID-19.

Materials And Methods: This randomized clinical trial was conducted on 105 patients with COVID-19. Patients were randomly assigned to the intervention (n=35) group (received 10 ml of Zofa syrup every 8 hours/seven days plus standard treatment) or the control (n=70) group (received only standard treatment).

Evaluation of the efficacy and safety of an innovative flavonoid lotion in patients with haemorrhoid: a randomised clinical trial.

Objective: Haemorrhoids are one of the most common gastrointestinal and anal diseases. In olive oil and honey propolis, flavonoids have beneficial effects on improving vascular function and decreasing vascular resistance. In this study, we aimed to produce a combination of these two substances in the form of lotions and assess their healing and side effects in comparison with routine treatment, anti-haemorrhoid ointment (containing hydrocortisone and lidocaine).

Corrigendum to ‟Repurposing FDA-approved drugs to fight COVID-19 using in silico methods: Targeting SARS-CoV-2 RdRp enzyme and host cell receptors (ACE2, CD147) through virtual screening and molecular dynamic simulationsˮ [Inform. Med. Unlocked 23 (2021) 1-9/100541].

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1016/j.imu.

Effectiveness of different vaccine platforms in reducing mortality and length of ICU stay in severe and critical cases of COVID-19 in the Omicron variant era: A national cohort study in Iran.

Various severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 vaccines with different platforms have been administered worldwide; however, their effectiveness in critical cases of COVID-19 has remained a concern. In this national cohort study, 24 016 intensive care unit (ICU) coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) admissions were included from January to April 2022. The mortality and length of ICU stay were compared between the vaccinated and unvaccinated patients.

An overview on the treatments and prevention against COVID-19.

Background: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) continues to plague the world. While COVID-19 is asymptomatic in most individuals, it can cause symptoms like pneumonia, ARDS (acute respiratory distress syndrome), and death in others. Although humans are currently being vaccinated with several COVID-19 candidate vaccines in many countries, however, the world still is relying on hygiene measures, social distancing, and approved drugs.

Evaluation the efficacy and safety of N-acetylcysteine inhalation spray in controlling the symptoms of patients with COVID-19: An open-label randomized controlled clinical trial.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect and safety of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) inhalation spray in the treatment of patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). This randomized controlled clinical trial study was conducted on patients with COVID-19. Eligible patients (n = 250) were randomly allocated into the intervention group (routine treatment + NAC inhaler spray one puff per 12 h, for 7 days) or the control group who received routine treatment alone.

Fully understanding the efficacy profile of the COVID-19 vaccination and its associated factors in multiple real-world settings.

We performed a review study according to recent COVID-19 vaccines' real-world data to provide comparisons between COVID-19 vaccines regarding their relative efficacy. Although most vaccine platforms showed comparable effectiveness and efficacy, we highlight critical points and recent developments generated in studies that might affect vaccine efficacy including population-dependent effects of the vaccine (transplantation, adiposity, and specific comorbidities, as well as older age, male sex, ethnicity, and prior infection), vaccine type, variants of concern (VOC), and an extended vaccine schedule. Owing to these factors, community-based trials can be of great importance in determining vaccine effectiveness in a systematic manner; thus, uncertainty remains regarding vaccine efficacy.

Asthma can Promote Cardiomyocyte Mitophagy in a Rat Model.

Clinical observations have shown the risk of cardiovascular disease during asthmatic changes. Whether and how asthma causes heart failure is the subject of debate. Here, we aimed to investigate the possibility of cardiomyocyte mitophagy in a rat model of asthma.

Tumor Cells-derived exosomal CircRNAs: Novel cancer drivers, molecular mechanisms, and clinical opportunities.

Recently, circular RNAs (circRNAs) have appealed to a growing interest due to their abundant expression and potential functions in cancer development. The most biological function of circRNAs may include acting as a sponge for miRNAs and proteins in different physio/pathological conditions. CircRNAs promote cancer progression by regulating several procedures such as growth, invasion, metastasis, angiogenesis, and drug resistance.

On Therapeutic Plasma Exchange Against Severe COVID-19-Associated Pneumonia: An Observational Clinical Study.

Background: There is a risk of novel mutations of SARS-CoV-2 that may render COVID-19 resistant to most of the therapies, including antiviral drugs and vaccines. The evidence around the application of therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) for the management of critically ill patients with COVID-19 is still provisional, and further investigations are needed to confirm its eventual beneficial effects.

Aims: To assess the effect of TPE on the risk of mortality in patients with COVID-19-associated pneumonia, using three statistical procedures to rule out any threats to validity.

The impact of protein corona on the biological behavior of targeting nanomedicines.

For successful translation of targeting nanomedicines from bench to bedside, it is vital to address their most common drawbacks namely rapid clearance and off-target accumulation. These complications evidently originate from a phenomenon called "protein corona (PC) formation" around the surface of targeting nanoparticles (NPs) which happens once they encounter the bloodstream and interact with plasma proteins with high collision frequency. This phenomenon endows the targeting nanomedicines with a different biological behavior followed by an unexpected fate, which is usually very different from what we commonly observe in vitro.

Effect of Vitamin D Supplementation on the Regulation of Blood Pressure in Iranian Patients with Essential Hypertension: A Clinical Trial.

Background: Low serum vitamin D level is associated with both high blood pressure and incidence of primary hypertension. Experimental studies suggest that vitamin D supplements may reduce blood pressure.

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate whether vitamin D supplementation reduces systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), and mean arterial pressure (MAP) in Iranian patients with essential hypertension.

Resveratrol as a Probable Multiheaded Treatment Approach for COVID-19.

The COVID-19 pandemic has plagued the world for more than 1 year now and has resulted in over 77 million cases and 1.7 million related deaths. While we await the rollout of the vaccines, new treatments are urgently needed to reduce the effects of this devastating virus.

Safety and Efficacy of Oral Supplementation of Lentil (Lens culinaris Medic) in Dry Eye Patients.

Objective: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of dietary lentil capsules in patients suffering from dry eye symptoms.

Methods: A randomized, triple-blind, interventional, placebo-controlled study was done. Sixty patients were randomized in two groups to receive either one capsule containing 500 mg of lentil powder or placebo daily for 3 months.

The Effects of Curcumin on the Side Effects of Anticancer Drugs in Chemotherapy: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Curcumin, the active ingredient of the spice turmeric, has been shown to have anticancer activities in several preclinical and clinical studies. The prophylactic effect of curcumin against chemotherapy-induced damage and side effects was evaluated in a double-blind, placebo-controlled randomized trial. Eighty cancer patients on standard chemotherapy regimens were randomly assigned to receive curcumin as adjuvant therapy (500 mg per 12 hours) and matched control group to receive placebo for 9 weeks.

Effects of Curcuminoids on Systemic Inflammation and Quality of Life in Patients with Colorectal Cancer Undergoing Chemotherapy: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third and the fourth most common cancer in Iranian men and women, respectively. Curcuminoids are known to exertprotective effects against several kinds of cancers. We aim to assess the effects of curcuminoids on serum pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines and quality of life in patients with colorectal cancer undergoing chemotherapy.

Protocol for Testing the Potential Antioxidant Effects of Curcuminoids on Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus.

Oxidative stress has a key role in the pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes mellitus. Alternative therapy with antioxidants has been tested as a potential approach to curb the effects of this disorder. Here, we present a protocol to set up a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial to assess the impact of treatment with a mixture of curcuminoids on a number of physiological and molecular biomarker measures with the main focus on determining the total antioxidant capacity.

Antidiabetic drugs and oxidized low-density lipoprotein: A review of anti-atherosclerotic mechanisms.

Cardiovascular disease is one of the leading causes of mortality globally. Atherosclerosis is an important step towards different types of cardiovascular disease. The role of oxidized low-density lipoprotein (oxLDL) in the initiation and progression of atherosclerosis has been thoroughly investigated in recent years.

Protective Effects of Intravenous Magnesium Sulfate in Stroke Patients Receiving Amiodarone: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Anti-arrhythmic agents, like amiodarone, interfere at different stages of the ischemic stroke. However, amiodarone was accompanied with immunological pulmonary complications and adverse neurological effects. We hypothesize that magnesium sulfate in combination with amiodarone holds promise for stroke treatment.

Effect of Curcumin on Severity of Functional Dyspepsia: a Triple Blinded Clinical Trial.

BackgroundFunctional dyspepsia is the main cause of upper abdominal discomfort affecting 5-10% of the world population. Despite various therapeutic approaches, up to 50% of patients with functional dyspepsia seek alternative treatments. In the present study we evaluated the effect of curcumin supplementation along with famotidine therapy on severity of functional dyspepsia.

A Review of Monoclonal Antibody-Based Treatments in Non-small Cell Lung Cancer.

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is one of the most common types of lung cancer worldwide. It metastasizes rapidly and has a poor prognosis. The first-line treatment for most patients is a combination of chemotherapy and radiation.

Structure Prediction and Expression of Modified rCTLA4-Ig as a Blocker for B7 Molecules.

CTLA4-Ig (Abatacept) has been produced to suppress immune response by inhibition of T cells functions in autoimmune disease. A new drug, which is called belatacept, has recently been recently developed that is more efficient. The development has been occurred by two substitutions (A29Y, L104E) in the extracellular domain of CTLA4.

The Primary Outcomes and Epidemiological and Clinical Features of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Iran.

Aim: We aimed to describe the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of Iranian patients with COVID-19.

Methods: In this single-center and retrospective study, patients with confirmed COVID-19 infections were enrolled. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression methods were used to explore the risk factors associated with outcomes.

Repurposing FDA-approved drugs to fight COVID-19 using methods: Targeting SARS-CoV-2 RdRp enzyme and host cell receptors (ACE2, CD147) through virtual screening and molecular dynamic simulations.

Background: Different approaches have been proved effective for combating the COVID-19 pandemic. Accordingly, drug repurposing strategy, has been highly regarded as an accurate computational tool to achieve fast and reliable results. Considering SARS-CoV-2's structural proteins and their interaction the host's cell-specific receptors, this study investigated a drug repurposing strategy aiming to screen compatible inhibitors of FDA-approved drugs against viral entry receptors (ACE2 and CD147) and integral enzyme of the viral polymerase (RdRp).