Mental Healthcare in Pediatrics During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Call for International Public Health Action.

Public health measures associated with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), such as lockdowns and quarantine of suspected cases, can negatively affect children's mental health status. Although the current crisis provides personal growth and family cohesion opportunities, pitfalls appear to outweigh the benefits. The magnitude and quality of its impact on children depend on several factors, including anxiety, lack of social contact, and a reduced opportunity for stress regulation, along with an increased risk for parental mental health issues, child maltreatment, and domestic violence. Children with special needs and social disadvantages like trauma experiences, disabilities, pre-existing mental illness, e.g., autism spectrum disorders and hyperactivity, and low socioeconomic status, may be at higher risk in this context. Here, the potentials social support can provide for pediatrics, both healthy children and children with special needs, are reviewed after an overview of quarantine's adverse effects on this special population during a pandemic. The most common psychological issues associated with the COVID-19 pandemic are sleep disorders, mood swings, depression, anxiety, decreased attention, stress, irritability, anger, and fear. Moreover, the impact of COVID-19 on children's physical health includes weight gain, reduced physical activity, immune dysregulation, and cardiometabolic disorders. All support systems, involving parents, teachers/school counselors, pediatricians, mental healthcare workers, and Health and Art (HEART) groups, need to enter the scene and make their share of children's mental health care.

Cellular therapy for treatment of spinal cord injury in Zebrafish model.

Spinal cord injury is a serious problem with a high rate of morbidity and mortality for all persons, especially young people (15-25 years old). Due to the large burden and the costs incurred on the government, finding the best therapeutic approach is necessary. In this respect, treatment strategies based on the disease mechanism can be effective. After the first trauma of spinal cord cascades, cellular events happen one after the other known as secondary trauma. The mechanism of secondary events of spinal cord injury could be helpful for target therapy as trying to stop the secondary trauma. Herein, some medical and surgical therapy has been introduced and cell therapy strategy was considered as a recent method. Actually, cell therapy is defined as the application of different cells including mesenchymal stem cells, embryonic stem cells, induced pluripotent stem cells, and some others to replace or reconstruct the damaged tissues and restore their functions. However, as a newly emerged therapeutic method, cell therapy should be used through various subclinical studies in animal models to assess the efficacy of the treatment under controlled conditions. In this review, the role of Zebrafish as a recommended model has been discussed and combinatory approach as the probably most useful treatment has been suggested.

Human Coronaviruses SARS-CoV, MERS-CoV, and SARS-CoV-2 in Children.

The novel coronavirus, known as 2019-nCoV or severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), has caused an epidemic with high mortality and morbidity since December 2019, in Wuhan, China. The infection has now been transmitted to more than 210 countries worldwide and caused more than 200,000 deaths. Similar to other coronaviruses such as Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (SARS-CoV) and the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV), SARS-CoV-2 appears to less commonly affect pediatrics and to cause less severe disease along with fewer symptoms compared to adults. Available data suggest that the pediatric population is just as likely as adults to become infected with SARS-CoV-2. However, they may be asymptotic or have milder symptoms than adults; they can be potential carriers of the disease. This article reviews the present understanding of SARS-CoV-2 infection in the pediatric age group in comparison with MERS-CoV and SARS-CoV.

Intracardiac and Pericardial Hydatid Cyst Concurrent with Multi-Organ Involvement: A Case Report.

INTRODUCTION: Hydatidosis, a distinctive parasitic ailment, exhibits a broad range of imaging characteristics influenced by the growth stage, resultant complications, and tissue involvement. Its occurrence throughout the human anatomy underscores its ubiquitous propensity. Despite its relatively infrequent manifestation as diffuse hydatosis, the disease assumes particular significance in rural regions. Given its detrimental complications and resemblance to other cystic conditions, vigilance towards the potential presence of this ailment becomes imperative. Case Presentation: In 2022, a 12-year-old female patient residing in a village sought medical assistance for left flank pain. During the evaluation, an incidental discovery of a pancreatic cyst through sonography prompted further investigation. Subsequent abdominopelvic computed tomography (CT) scans identified multiple lesions consistent with hydatid cysts in various anatomical locations, including the pancreas, right atrium, ventricle of the heart, pericardium, and lung. Confirmation of the hydatid cysts was obtained through pathology examination and consideration of the patient's medical history, which included a previously diagnosed brain hydatid cyst. Treatment with albendazole was initiated, and the patient underwent cardiac surgical intervention. Unfortunately, the condition of the patient deteriorated, leading to septic shock and subsequent mortality. Case Presentation: In 2022, a 12-year-old female patient residing in a village sought medical assistance for left flank pain. During the evaluation, an incidental discovery of a pancreatic cyst through sonography prompted further investigation. Subsequent abdominopelvic computed tomography (CT) scans identified multiple lesions consistent with hydatid cysts in various anatomical locations, including the pancreas, right atrium, ventricle of the heart, pericardium, and lung. Confirmation of the hydatid cysts was obtained through pathology examination and consideration of the patient's medical history, which included a previously diagnosed brain hydatid cyst. Treatment with albendazole was initiated, and the patient underwent cardiac surgical intervention. Unfortunately, the condition of the patient deteriorated, leading to septic shock and subsequent mortality. Conclusion: In areas with a high prevalence of hydatid cysts, the presence of diverse lesions on radiologic assessments, despite negative serologic tests, should raise suspicion for this condition. Furthermore, understanding the importance of timely detection and intervention is crucial, as it greatly impacts patient prognosis,. In the advanced stages of the disease, particularly when cardiac involvement occurs, surgical excision of the cysts remains the sole therapeutic approach, albeit accompanied by certain complications. Through the utilization of various imaging modalities and early recognition and treatment, the need for more complex interventions can be minimized.

Are Herbal-peptides Effective as Adjunctive Therapy in Coronavirus Disease COVID-19?

BACKGROUND: Plant antiviral peptides (AVP) are macromolecules that can inhibit the pathogenesis of viruses by affecting their pathogenic mechanism, but most of these peptides can bind to cell membranes, inhibit viral receptors, and prevent viruses. Recently, due to the coronavirus pandemic, the availability of appropriate drugs with low side effects is needed. In this article, the importance of plant peptides in viral inhibition, especially viral inhibition of the coronavirus family, will be discussed. METHODS: By searching the databases of PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, the latest articles on plant peptides effective on the COVID-19 virus were collected and reviewed. RESULTS: Some proteins can act against the COVID-19 virus by blocking sensitive receptors in COVID-19, such as angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2). The 23bp sequence of the ACE2 alpha receptor chain can be considered as a target for therapeutic peptides. Protease and RNAP inhibitors and other important receptors that are active against COVID-19 should also be considered. CONCLUSION: Herbal medicines with AVP, especially those with a long history of antiviral effects, might be a good choice in complement therapy against the COVID-19 virus.

Quercetin and Its Role in Reducing the Expression of Pro-inflammatory Cytokines in Osteoarthritis.

Osteoarthritis is the most common human joint disease in the world. It is also one of the most common skeletal muscle defects, destructive joint changes, and the leading cause of disability and reduced quality of life. Destructive changes in inflammatory joints are associated with a range of biochemical events, including the overproduction of inflammatory cytokines. Cytokines are protein compounds that play an essential role in causing and regulating inflammation. A balance between pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines is crucial in maintaining a stable body. In some inflammatory diseases, including osteoarthritis, the balance between these compounds is disturbed, and the balance shifts to pre-inflammatory cytokines. For this reason, researchers today are trying to find an effective way to reduce inflammation and treat osteoarthritis by using certain compounds. Current treatments for osteoarthritis, including nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs, glucocorticoids, and hyaluronic acid, are mainly based on reducing pain and inflammation. However, they have limited effects in controlling symptoms and improving the patient's quality of life. Also, due to the high level of side effects, synthetic drugs have led to the identification of compounds of natural origin to give patients a chance to use painkillers and antiinflammatory drugs with fewer side effects. This review study aimed to present the role of quercetin as a natural compound in reducing the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines in osteoarthritis. This study also discusses the relationship between inflammation and cartilage destruction and other inflammation-related factors caused by cytokines.

Advancement of Organoid Technology in Regenerative Medicine.

Purpose: Organoids are three-dimensional cultures of stem cells in an environment similar to the body's extracellular matrix. This is also a novel development in the realm of regenerative medicine. Stem cells can begin to develop into 3D structures by modifying signaling pathways. To form organoids, stem cells are transplanted into the extracellular matrix. Organoids have provided the required technologies to reproduce human tissues. As a result, it might be used in place of animal models in scientific study. The key goals of these investigations are research into viral and genetic illnesses, malignancies, and extracellular vesicles, pharmaceutical discovery, and organ transplantation. Organoids can help pave the road for precision medicine through genetic editing, pharmaceutical development, and cell therapy. Methods: PubMed, Google Scholar, and Scopus were used to search for all relevant papers written in English (1907-2021). The study abstracts were scrutinized. Studies on the use of stem-cell-derived organoids in regenerative medicine, organoids as 3D culture models for EVs analysis, and organoids for precision medicine were included. Articles with other irrelevant aims, meetings, letters, commentaries, congress and conference abstracts, and articles with no available full texts were excluded. Results: According to the included studies, organoids have various origins, types, and applications in regenerative and precision medicine, as well as an important role in studying extracellular vesicles. Conclusion: Organoids are considered a bridge that connects preclinical studies to clinical ones. However, the lack of a standardized protocol and other barriers addressed in this review, hinder the vast use of this technology. Lay Summary: Organoids are 3D stem cell propagations in biological or synthetic scaffolds that mimic ECM to allow intercellular or matrix-cellular crosstalk. Because these structures are similar to organs in the body, they can be used as research models. Organoids are medicine's future hope for organ transplantation, tumor biobank formation, and the development of precision medicine. Organoid models can be used to study cell-to-cell interactions as well as effective factors like inflammation and aging. Bioengineering technologies are also used to define the size, shape, and composition of organoids before transforming them into precise structures. Finally, the importance of organoid applications in regenerative medicine has opened a new window for a better understanding of biological research, as discussed in this study.

Antiviral Compounds Based on Natural Astragalus polysaccharides (APS): Research and Foresight in the Strategies for Combating SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19).

Today, finding natural polymers with desirable properties for use in various industries is one of the critical axes of research in the world. Polysaccharides are a group of natural polymers that have various applications in the pharmaceutical industry. The attachment of monosaccharides forms polysaccharides through glycosidic bonds that are widely found in various sources, including plants. Genus Astragalus belongs to the Fabaceae family. Plants belonging to this genus have different polysaccharides. Astragalus polysaccharides (APS) have attracted a great deal of attention among natural polymers because they are non-toxic, biodegradable, and biocompatible. Currently, APS have great drug potential for curing or treating various diseases. Due to the different biological activities of polysaccharides, including Astragalus, this study has investigated the chemical structure of APS, reporting on the antiviral and anti-inflammatory activities as well as stimulation of cytokine secretion by these polysaccharides. Also, in this study, the pharmaceutical approaches of APS compounds, as a natural, new and inexpensive source, have been discussed as suitable candidates for use in pharmaceutical formulations and preparation of new drugs to control COVID-19 infection.

Pulmonary Embolism and Right Heart Thrombi: A Single-Center Experience.

Background: The right heart thrombus (RHT) embolizes from deep venous thrombi and sits in the right atrium or the right ventricle. We aimed to determine the occurrence and prognosis of the RHT in patients with pulmonary embolism. Methods: We reviewed the cohort data of 622 patients with acute pulmonary embolism obtained from the registry of Tehran Heart Center. Demographic, physiological, clinical, and echocardiographic data, as well as clinical outcomes, were compared between patients with and without the RHT. Results: The study population comprised 622 patients, including 329 men (52.8%). The mean age of the patients was 60.2±17.0 years. Thirty patients (4.8%) had echocardiographically proven RHT. Baseline demographic and clinical characteristics were not different between the 2 groups. Right ventricular dysfunction was more prevalent in the RHT (+) group, and more patients in this group were treated with thrombolysis (P=0.013 and P<0.001, respectively). Overall, 3 out of 21 patients (14.2%) in the RHT (+) group vs 29 out of 306 patients (9.4%) in the RHT (-) group died at 1 month (P=0.445) and 5 out of 21 patients (23.8%) in the RHT (+) group vs 56 out of 307 patients (18.2%) in the RHT (-) group died at 1 year (P=0.562). Conclusion: The RHT is an influential complication in patients with pulmonary emboli, and it seems to increase the mortality rate of patients with acute pulmonary embolism.

Innate lymphoid cell subsets and their cytokines in autoimmune diseases.

Both the innate and adaptive arms of the immune system are involved in the development of autoimmune diseases. The main mechanism of disease is due to adaptive immune cells that are active against self-antigens. These cells can cause major damage to body tissues. Innate lymphoid cells (ILCs) are an important type of innate immune cell, whose role has been highlighted in recent years. ILCs are responsible for some of the inflammation in the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases. In this review, we discuss the role of ILCs in the immune response, as well as their involvement in various autoimmune diseases.