Effects of COVID-19 prevention procedures on other common infections: a systematic review

Introduction: Since the outbreak of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) began, necessary measures to prevent virus transmission and reduce mortality have been implemented, including mandatory public use of masks, regular hand-sanitizing and hand-washing, social distancing, avoidance of crowds, remote work, and cancellation of public events. During and after the introduction of COVID-19 lockout, we performed a systematic review of available published literature to investigate the incidence of seasonal influenza and other respiratory viral infections. Methods: PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Scopus, Science Direct, Google Scholar, Research Gate, and the World Health Organization databases and websites were systematically searched for original studies concerning the impact of COVID-19 prevention means and measures on other common respiratory infectious diseases during the pandemic published by March 2021. Results: The findings showed that the adherence to health protocols to prevent COVID-19 could help to reduce the incidence of other infectious diseases such as influenza, pneumonia, and Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Conclusion: The implemented prevention measures and protocols might have reduced the incidence of influenza and some other common respiratory infections. However, controversies exist on this matter and future large population-based studies might provide further information to address these controversies. © 2021, The Author(s)

Antimicrobial Activities of TiO2 Nanoparticle Against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus

Introduction: Organic antibacterial materials have been used as insecticides and bactericides for many years. Unfortunately, high temperatures in manufacturing process reduce their antibacterial properties. However, inorganic materials of antibacterial agents have excellent bacterial resistance and thermal stability. Over the past few decades, inorganic nanoparticles whose structures exhibit significantly novel and improved physical, chemical and biological properties and functionality due to their nano-scale size have elicited much interest. methods:The aim of this study was to investigate the antibacterial properties of one kind of nano-specimen (TiO2 nanoparticle) against Escherichia coli and Streptococcus aureus. Our study was research perusal. In the first study, the optical density of E. coli and S. aureus cultures were observed in the presence of 0.01%, 0.75% and 1.5% of TiO2. In the second study, 6.3 log CFU/ml of E. coli and S. areus were separately exposed to 1.5% TiO2 at 37 ºC in water. In third study, we studied thew growth of E.coli in solid medium with and without nanoparticles. Results: The presence of 0.01% TiO2 nanoparticles didn’t have a statistically significant effect, but in the presence of 0.75% and 1.5% nanoparticles, the bacterial colonies decreased significantly. In the control group, bacterial cells survival was nearly 13 days, while complete cell death of E. coli was seen when 1.5% TiO2 was applied for 24 hours. The same experiment for S. aureu, showed that complete cell death occured when the bacterial culture was exposed to 1.5% TiO2 for 16 hours.. It was shown that presence of 1.5% TiO2 in the solid medium suppressed the growth of E. coli 5.6 times more (p < 0.001). Discussion: Our findings showed antibacterial effects of TiO2 nanoparticles against both bacteria, but S. areus bacteria were more sensitive to nanoparticles as compared to E. coli bacteri

Kappa opioid receptor signaling in opiate use and addiction: Protocol for a scoping review

Background: Opiate use disorder (OUD) is associated with many deaths from overdoses each year. The dysphoria that OUD individuals experience during withdrawal explains why many individuals relapse to drug use to feel “normal”. This is particularly relevant as OUD has been hypothesized to result from a weakened reward system in which more opioids are required to stimulate dopamine release due to desensitization at µ and δ opioid receptors. At the same time, there is a strengthening of “anti-reward” systems, partially mediated by the dynorphin/κ opioid system, which is associated with dysphoria during withdrawal from opiates. Methods: A systematic scoping review will be conducted following the Joanna Briggs Institute methodology and PRISMA-ScR guidelines. A comprehensive search of the following databases will be done: Ovid MEDLINE, Embase (Ovid), PsycInfo (Ovid), Cochrane, Scopus, and Web of Science. We will include preclinical and clinical studies that measured dynorphin/prodynorphin levels or KOR expression and opiate consumption, opiate withdrawal symptoms, or outcomes in animal models of opiate addiction/reward. Only in vivo studies published in the English language will be included. In vitro studies, case reports, abstracts, studies available as ‘gray literature’, reviews/meta-analyses, or non-randomized studies conducted in one group of participants will be excluded. The protocol will be submitted to The Open Science Framework (OSF). Outcomes and dissemination: We will submit the findings of the review for publication in a peer-reviewed journal. We expect that the findings will contribute to development of translational research projects that elucidate mechanisms surrounding opiate use and addiction as well as potential future interventions