Vaccine-Derived Polioviruses and Children with Primary Immunodeficiency,Iran, 1995–2014

Widespread use of oral poliovirus vaccine has led to an ≈99.9% decrease in global incidence of poliomyelitis (from ≈350,000 cases in 1988 to 74 cases in 2015) and eradication of wild-type poliovirus serotypes 2 and 3. However, patients with primary immunodeficiency might shed vaccine-derived polioviruses (VDPVs) for an extended period, which could pose a major threat to polio eradication programs. Since 1995, sixteen VDPV populations have been isolated from 14 patients with immunodeficiency in Iran. For these patients, vaccine-associated paralysis, mostly in >1 extremity, was the first manifestation of primary immunodeficiency. Seven patients with humoral immunodeficiency cleared VDPV infection more frequently than did 6 patients with combined immunodeficiencies. Our results raise questions about manifestations of VDPVs in immunodeficient patients and the role of cellular immunity against enterovirus infections. On the basis of an association between VDPVs and immunodeficiency, we advocate screening of patients with primary immunodeficiency for shedding of polioviruses.     

Structural characterization of polysaccharide‐coated iron oxide nanoparticles produced by Staphylococcus warneri,isolated from a thermal spring

The biocompatible‐coated iron oxide nanoparticles (IONs) have attracted a great interest because of their various applications in biological science and medicine. In most cases, the toxic effect of naked iron oxide nanoparticles is completely cleared by adding a biocompatible coating, such as polysaccharides, polyethylene glycol (PEG), or biosynthesis of biocompatible‐coated IONs using microorganisms such as bacteria. In the present study, polysaccharide‐coated iron oxide nanoparticles were produced by a strain of Staphylococcus warneri isolated from a thermal spring. For identification of the isolated bacterium, 16S rRNA gene sequencing was done. Characterization of the nanoparticles was performed for the first time, using transmission electron microscopy (TEM), dynamic light scattering (DLS), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), X‐ray crystallography (XRD), Fourier‐transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM), and 3‐(4,5‐dimethylthiazol‐2‐yl)?2,5‐diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. Results indicated that the spherical iron oxide nanoparticles were coated by a polysaccharide (13.6%), which provided a large negative charge of ?91 mV and very low saturation magnetization of around 0.28 emu/g. The result of MTT assay on MOLT‐4 cell lines showed that the percentage of viability was between 95.6% and 68.9% in the 10–100 µM of nanoparticle concentrations with a high IC ₅₀ value, which makes it appropriate for biomedical applications such as cancer therapy.     

Methylprednisolone pulse therapy plus adjuvant therapy for pemphigus vulgaris: an analysis of 10 years' experience on 312 patients

Steroid pulse therapy has shown satisfactory efficacy and safety in treating pemphigus vulgaris (PV). However, there is a paucity of data about the efficacy and safety of methylprednisolone, despite its frequent administration. The aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of steroid pulse therapy in treating PV. In this 10‐year retrospective cohort study, 312 patients with PV, who had received methylprednisolone pulse therapy, were included. Data of pulse therapy sessions, adjuvant medications, dosages, remission rates, complications, and mortalities were collected from all patients. A total of 276 patients out of 312 underwent the final follow‐up at least 6 months after the last session of pulse therapy. Complete remission off therapy was achieved in 83 patients (30%), and 152 patients (55%) had complete remission on therapy. About 29 (10.5%) patients had lesions of pemphigus at the time of the study follow‐up, and 26.8% of remained patients were on the minimal therapy. Methylprednisolone pulse therapy could be considered as an option for proper control of PV in severe cases. It might lead to shorter periods of hospitalization and reduce the need to take long‐term high‐dose oral steroid therapy.     

Distribution of high-level mupirocin resistance among clinical MRSA

Mupirocin is a topical antibiotic for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) decolonization in hospital settings and nursing homes and is used as a highly effective antibiotic against MRSA. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the frequency of high-level mupirocin-resistant (HLMR) strains among the MRSA subtypes. A total of 188 clinical MRSA isolates were collected from 2011 to 2014, and their susceptibility to antimicrobial agents and vancomycin resistance was evaluated using disc diffusion method and micro-dilution method, respectively. Furthermore, the presence of mecA, SSCmec, mupA and mupB was assessed by PCR. All isolates were multi-drug resistant (MDR) but 2 strains (1.06%) were resistant to mupirocin. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of vancomycin for 8 strains (4.7%) was higher than 2 μg/ml. Of 188 isolates, 188 (100%), 64 (34.04%), 8 (4.3%), 150 (79.8%), 26 (13.8%), 2 (1.06) and 2 (1.06%) isolates possessed mecA, SCCmec types I, II, III, IV, mupA and mupB genes, respectively. Our data showed that despite infection control policy enforced by health care committee, the rate of mupirocin resistance among MRSA strains is continuously rising.     

The Effects of Curcumin and Curcumin–Phospholipid Complex on the Serum Pro‐oxidant–Antioxidant Balance in Subjects with Metabolic Syndrome

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is defined by a clustering of metabolic and anthropometric abnormalities and is associated by an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. We have investigated the effect of curcumin supplementation on the serum pro‐oxidant–antioxidant balance (PAB) in patients with MetS. This double‐blind, randomized, placebo‐controlled trial was conducted over 6 weeks. Subjects (n = 120) were randomly allocated to one of three groups (curcumin, phospholipidated curcumin, and placebo). The curcumin group received 1 g/day of simple curcumin, the phospholipidated curcumin group received 1 g/day of phospholipidated curcumin (containing 200 mg of pure curcumin), and the control group received 1 g/day of placebo. Serum PAB was measured before and after the intervention (at baseline and at 6 weeks). Data analyses were performed using spss software (version 16.0). Serum PAB increased significantly in the curcumin group (p < 0.001), but in the phospholipidated curcumin group, elevation of PAB level was not significant (p = 0.053). The results of our study did not suggest any improvement of PAB following supplementation with curcumin in MetS subjects. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

The genus Hymenocrater: a comprehensive review

Context: The genus Hymenocrater Fisch. et Mey. (Lamiaceae) contains over 21 species in the world. Some species have been used in folk medicine around the world. The present review comprises the ethnopharmacological, phytochemical and therapeutic potential of various species of Hymenocrater.

Objective: This review brings together most of the available scientific research regarding the genus Hymenocrater. Through this review, the authors hope to attract the attention of natural product researchers throughout the world to focus on the unexplored potential of Hymenocrater species.

Methods: This review has been compiled using references from major databases such as Chemical Abstracts, Medicinal and Aromatic Plants Abstracts, ScienceDirect, SciFinder, Google Scholar, Scopus, PubMed, Springer Link and books, without limiting the dates of publication. General web searches were also carried out using Google and Yahoo search engines by applying some related search terms (e.g., Hymenocrater spp., phytochemical, pharmacological, extract, essential oil and traditional uses). The articles related to agriculture, ecology, and synthetic works and those using languages other than English or Persian have been excluded.

Results: The genus Hymenocrater contains essential oil. Flavonoids, phenolic acids and terpenoids are important constituents of this genus. The pharmacological studies confirmed that the species of the genus Hymenocrater showed antimicrobial, antiparasitic, antioxidant, anticancer and antidiabetic activities.

Conclusion: This review discusses the current knowledge of Hymenocrater species that review therapeutic potential, especially their effects on the cancer cells and gaps offering opportunities for future research.     

Food Hypersensitivity in Patients Over 14 Years of Age Suffering from Atopic Dermatitis

Background:

Patients suffering from atopic dermatitis often describe food hypersensitivity. Rising prevalence of food hypersensitivity and severe allergic reactions to foods have been reported, but the data are scarce.

Aims and Objectives:

Evaluation of food hypersensitivity reactions in patients suffering from atopic dermatitis.

Materials and Methods:

The dermatological examination was performed in patients of age 14 years and above and the detailed history was taken concerning the food hypersensitivity.

Results:

A total of 228 patients were examined-72 men, 156 women, average age 26.2 (SD 9.5) years. The food hypersensitivity reactions were recorded in 196 patients from 228 (86%), no reactions were recorded in 32 patients (24%). Foods with the most often recorded reactions are: Nuts (in 35% of patients), tomatoes (in 20%), and kiwi (in 17, 5%), apples and spices (in 16%), tangerines and oranges (in 15%), capsicum (in 13%), fishes (in 12%), celery (in 9%), and chocolate (in 7%).

Conclusion:

Food hypersensitivity reactions are recorded in 86% of patients suffering from atopic dermatitis. Nuts, tomatoes, and pollen–associated foods play a role in the majority of patients suffering from atopic dermatitis.     

Daytime Napping and Nighttime Sleep During Pregnancy and Preterm Birth in Iran

ObjectivesThis study investigated the relationship between sleep quality during pregnancy and preterm birth.MethodsThis longitudinal study was conducted between August 2018 and May 2019. The participants were 150 pregnant women who had been referred to 7 healthcare centers in the city of Qazvin, Iran and met the inclusion criteria. The Petersburg Sleep Quality Index, the Epworth Sleepiness Scale, and 2 questions about daytime sleep status and a demographic questionnaire were administered at 14-18 weeks and 28-32 weeks of gestation. Data were analyzed using the Mann-Whitney test, the Fisher exact test, and univariate and multivariable logistic regression.ResultsIn the present study, poor sleep quality affected 84.7% of the participants at 14-18 weeks and 93.3% at 28-32 weeks of gestation. The final model for preterm birth prediction incorporated age and the Petersburg Sleep Quality Index score in the second and third trimesters. Preterm birth increased by 14% with each unit increase in age. With each unit increase in the Petersburg Sleep Quality Index score in the second and third trimesters, preterm birth increased by 42% and 28%, respectively, but the p-values of these factors were not significant.ConclusionsAlthough a significant percentage of pregnant women had poor sleep quality, no significant relationship was found between sleep quality during pregnancy and preterm birth.