What is the Role of the Anti-Parasitic Drugs in the Treatment of Coronavirus Disease 2019?

Background: Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is a rapidly emerging viral infection causing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The first report of the novel coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2, originated in Wuhan, China, in early December 2019 . Currently, there are no U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)–approved drugs for the treatment of patients with COVID-19. A great deal of effort is ongoing to find effective therapeutics and preventive measures against this transmissible virus with high mortality. As result, available data are limited, and there are minimal randomized controlled trial (RCT) data on the efficacy of antiviral or immunomodulatory agents for the treatment of COVID-19 . Most of the treatment protocols are based on observational studies and anecdotic reports

Which Test to Perform for Cystic hydatic Diagnosis and When?

Echinococcosis is one of the 17 neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) recognized by the World Health Organization. The two major species of medical importance are Echinococcus granulosus and Echinococcus multilocularis (1).There are many studies about diagnostic method of hydatidosis, but there is still the question that which test to perform and when

Time Modulated Linear Array (TMLA) Design

In this chapter, time modulated linear array (TMLA) is presented and discussed in detail where all its theoretical backgrounds are derived. The difference between single and multiple time modulation frequencies of TMLA is shown, where different examples in designing them are presented. In addition, the power and directivity of TMLAs are derived in their closed form. Moreover, the relation between the steering angle of each sideband with respect to the first sideband angle is developed analytically. Also, an efficient mathematical method is presented to design TMLA with desired sidelobe (SLL) and sideband levels (SBLs) with maximum attainable directivity. It is shown that the TMLA can be designed by only controlling its time sequence distributions which is a very good advantage as compared to the conventional antenna array

RETRACTED : Composite parameters analysis with boundary element method

This article has been retracted at the request of the Editors-in-Chief, according to the Publication Ethics Policy and Publication Malpractice Statement.Please see: http://revue.ummto.dz/index.php/JMES/about/editorialPolicies#custom-2 This note is published, 26 June 202

Nanomedicine: The Novel Weapon against Parasitic Infections

Due to the side effects of drugs and resistance to the used chemicals in the treatment of tropical diseases such as malaria, leishmaniosis, trypanosomiasis and Schistosomiasis, which millions of people around the world are infected, nowadays nanomedicine usage with the production of nanofibers and nanoparticles (nanopowders, nanocrystal or nanocluster). The particles with a diameter of less than 100 nanometers is considered as a special treatment in parasitic diseases1,2. Due to the intracellular nature of some parasites, their treatment is a major challenge for researchers to develop new drugs. Findings show that Chitosan nanoparticles and metals such as silver, gold, and metal oxides have a lethal or inhibitory effect on various parasites, including giardiasis, leishmaniosis, malaria, or toxoplasma and insect larvae1.  The effects of drug release from chitosan nanofibers have also been performed in various external and internal evaluations on lesions caused by Leishmania major and the therapeutic effect of gold and silver nanoparticles on malaria and their concomitant use with bioresonance waves on leishmaniasis2,4. The main purpose of using nanoparticles is to use it as a drug delivery system and to release the drug agent in order to affect the specific site. Recently, the use of particle systems such as nanomedicine as a physical tool to improve the pharmacokinetic properties of various types of drug molecules in vivo is being developed1,4. The endocytic pathway transfers nanoparticles to the site of pathogens. The breakdown of these substances by lysosomal enzymes releases drugs into the phagocytic or lysosomal vesicle, or this process is released into the cytoplasm by a diffusion phenomenon. Specific transmission depends on the physical and chemical nature of the molecules1. In recent years, the use of nanoparticles for the treatment of parasitic diseases has considered, although limited research has conducted in this regard (Table 1). Finally, it can be concluded that according to recent findings on the inhibitory and long-term effects of nanofibers and nanoparticles on different parasites with less side effects than conventional drugs, more effective and less side effects drugs can be developed. Useful vaccines have also been developed to control parasitic diseases

Prevalence of HIV Infection among Hemodialysis Patients

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) belongs to human retrovirus family and transmitted by blood transfusion and blood products. 36.9 million People were living with HIV infection worldwide in 2014 approximately1, during which 2 million (1.9–2.2 million) new infections with HIV had occurred. End-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients treated by hemodialysis (HD) are more susceptible for infection by human immunodeficiency virus infection. Renal failure can be an associated condition or could be a direct consequence of HIV infection2,3. Advanced HIV disease which is indicates by a low CD4 cell count is development of renal diseases subsequently4, however many other causes now may cause renal failure in patients with HIV, including drug-induced toxicity, hypertensive nephroangiosclerosis, and diabetes5. HIV infection and hemodialysis have same consequences such as cardiovascular diseases, immunosuppression, anemia, weight loss, and osteodystrophy6,7.Compared with rate of infection with other viral infection such as hepatitis B virus (HBV) or hepatitis C virus (HCV), the risk of HIV infection among hemodialysis patients is lower as the contact with contaminated sources.Although intensive HIV research has been done for 20 years, we have a little knowledge about mortality risk factor in ESRD on HIV-infected patients. Hemodialysis patients who have HIV-infected are assumed to a high risk for death4.The finding the current study demonstrated the prevalence of HIV in hemodialysis patients which was conducted in 5 hemodialysis centers in Tehran province, Iran, in the 2016. All the enrolled participants were informed about study and written informed consent was obtained. Statistical analysis was performed by SPSS version 16 (SPSS Inc, Chicago, IL, USA). Among 360 patients, 213 (59.17%) of patients were men and 147 (40. 83%) were females; the mean age of patients was 53.43. HIV Ab was negative in all cases. This result has been confirmed in other studies as well8. The highest frequency for duration of dialysis is 1-5 years.Nowadays viral transmission via hemodialysis routes is controlled and limited since more effective screening of blood donor. Screening and early diagnosis of kidney disease will improve outcomes in patients with HIV infection.Considering all of these evidences, further studies are recommended strongly to evaluate the real prevalence of HIV in these patients

Schizophrenia: The Dark Side of Toxoplasmosis

Toxoplasma gondii is an intracellular parasite that has been associated with several mental disorders. It usually causes an inapparent primary infection. Found worldwide, T. gondii is capable of infecting virtually all warm-blooded animals.1-3Schizophrenia is a neurological disorder characterized with long-term and devastating neuropsychological problems, usually presenting in adolescents or young adults. The disease affects almost 1.1% of the global population including all races and ethnic groups with an equal prevalence in both sexes.1 T. gondii seroprevalence is strongly associated with 12-month generalized anxiety disorder but not with other anxiety, depressive, or alcohol-related disorders. Because of the intracellular nature of some parasites, their treatment and development of new drugs is a major challenge for scientists.4 Recently, the use of nanoparticles and nano-scaffolds has suggested for the treatment of parasitic diseases, although limited research has been done in this regard.5-

Body mass index in children and its relation with socio-economic factors in West-Azerbaijan, Iran

BACKGROUND: By the epidemiological transition, most of the developing countries still have malnutrition problem as well as different levels of obesity and overweight as most important risk factors of non-communicable and chronic diseases. Body mass index (BMI) is a suitable index for studying them. Thus, the aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between children’s BMI and household socioeconomic status in West-Azerbaijan province, Iran, in 2015.METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 1024 children aged 6-7 years who were assessed in Sanjesh Plan conducted by Organization of Exceptional Education and Training. To determine BMI, world health organization (WHO) Growth Reference (2007) was used. Then, to estimate the risk factors affecting BMI, chi-square test and categorical (multinomial) logistic regression were used.RESULTS: The results showed that obesity, overweight, and thinness were 2.5%, 12.7%, 5.2% in girls, and 4.4%, 12.3%, and 1.8% in boys, respectively, which were statistically significant. Of all the variables studied, insurance, occupation and education level of parents, birth order, and number of household members were not statistically significant. The rest of indicators such as gender, location of residence (city or village), ethnicity, and development degree were statistically significant.CONCLUSION: Since analysis showed that BMI had relation with development degree and location of residence, it can be said that West-Azerbaijan is at the median of transition. Therefore, health policy makers should pay enough attention to prevention of obesity and overweight as well as elimination of thinness and malnutrition

Imported Malaria in an Iraqi Immigrant to Iran: Relevance for the Maintenance of Elimination Status

Background: Effective malaria control strategies require an accurate understanding of the epidemiology of locally transmitted Plasmodium species. Emerging evidence indicates that migrants from malaria endemic regions are at risk of delayed presentation of Plasmodium spp. and malaria infection.Cases Report: We reported a case of P. vivax malaria occurring after arrival in Iran. Patient was originally from Iraq. A 48-year-old male patient who was hospitalized with fever attacks, chills, and headache after arriving from Iraq to Tehran.Conclusion: In this patient, new prevention and screening strategies should be studied and blood safety policies adapted. Thus, ultimate elimination of malaria in Iran will require national malaria control program to adopt policy and practice aimed at all human species of malaria since neighbor country are still face to problem to control of malaria

Les déterminants des IDE : une revue de littérature.

Au cours des années 80 et 90, les Investissements Directs Etrangers ont été considérés comme étant un facteur de dominance des firmes multinationales dans les pays en voie de développement, or aujourd’hui ils sont considérés comme étant un moyen de développement économique et social dans les pays d’accueil. De ce fait, des efforts sont déployés par les pays en voie de développement pour attirer davantage d’investissements, et plusieurs projets de réformes ont été lancés. Il est à noter que la littérature sur les déterminants des Investissements Directs Etrangers est diversifiée et dénombre plusieurs facteurs qui tentent d’expliquer la décision de l’Investissement Direct Etranger, mais on peut observer que les résultats ne sont pas toujoursconsensuels. Notre travail a pour objectif de dresser une revue de la littérature ayant traité les déterminants des Investissements Directs Etrangers. Cette revue de littérature regroupe à la fois les déterminants des Investissements Directs Etrangers de nature théorique qu’empirique