Monkeypox: Virology, laboratory diagnosis and therapeutic approach.

Monkeypox infection outbreaks have been observed sporadically in Africa, usually as a result of interaction with wildlife reservoirs. The genomes of the new strain range in size from 184.7 to 198.0 kb and are identified with 143-214 open reading frames. Viral cores are rapidly carried on microtubules away from the cell's perimeter and deeper into the cytoplasm once the virus and cell membranes fuse. Depending on the kind of exposure, patients with monkeypox may experience a febrile prodrome 5-13 days after exposure, which frequently includes lymphadenopathy, malaise, headaches, and muscle aches. A different diagnostic approach is available for monkeypox, including histopathological analysis, electron microscopy, immunoassays, polymerase chain reaction, genome sequencing, microarrays, loop-mediated isothermal amplification technology and CRISPR (i.e., "clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats"). There are currently no particular, clinically effective treatments available for the monkeypox virus. An initial treatment is cidofovir. As a monophosphate nucleotide analog, cidofovir is transformed into an inhibitor of viral DNA polymerase by cellular kinases, which is analogous to cidofovir's function in inhibiting viral DNA synthesis. The European Medicine Agency and the Food and Drug Administration have both granted permission for IMVAMUNE, a replication-deficient, attenuated third-generation modified vaccinia Ankara vaccine, to be used for the prevention of smallpox and monkeypox in adults.

Resveratrol and endothelial function: A literature review.

Endothelial dysfunction is a major contributing factor to diseases such as atherosclerosis, diabetes mellitus, obesity, hypertension, acute lung injury, preeclampsia, among others. Resveratrol (RSV) is a naturally occurring bioactive polyphenol found in grapes and red wine. According to experimental studies, RSV modulates several events involved in endothelial dysfunction such as impaired vasorelaxation, eNOS uncoupling, leukocyte adhesion, endothelial senescence, and endothelial mesenchymal transition. The endothelial protective effects of RSV are found to be mediated by numerous molecular targets (e.g. Silent Information Regulator 1 (SIRT1), 5' AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), nuclear factor-erythroid-derived 2-related factor-2 (Nrf2), peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR), Krüppel-like factor-2 (KLF2), and nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-kB)). Herein, we present an updated review addressing pharmacological effects and molecular targets of RSV in maintaining endothelial function, and the potential of this phytochemical for endothelial dysfunction-associated disorders.

Association between polymorphisms of VKORC1 and CYP2C9 genes with warfarin maintenance dose in a group of warfarin users in Birjand city, Iran.

Warfarin is the cardinal anticoagulant drug prescribed around the world. Due to stochastic bleeding in patients, it is essential to adjust the dose for every individual. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the frequency of CYP2C9 and VKORC1 gene polymorphisms and their association with warfarin maintenance dose in a sample of cardiovascular patients in Birjand, South-Khorasan province of Iran. Patients with a history of cardiovascular disorders who take warfarin daily were selected. CYP2C9 and VKORC1 gene polymorphisms were detected by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism in all participants. A total of 114 patients (mean age: 52.7 ± 14.9 years, M/F ratio: 0.76) participated in this study. Regarding CYP2C9 gene polymorphisms, the most frequent genotype was 1*/1* (80.4% in females and 62.5% in males). The frequency of 1*/2* and 2*/2* variants was 13% and 6.5% in females and 25% and 12.5% in males, respectively. The frequency of VKORC1 gene (1639 G > A), was 31.5%, 39.5%, and 29% for GG, GA, and AA in males, respectively. Besides, the mentioned genotype frequencies for females were 50%, 40.5%, and 9.5%, respectively. Moreover, there was a statistically significant correlation between VKORC1 gene -1639 G > A variant and warfarin maintenance dose (P < 0.001) but not for CYP2C9 variants. The results of the current study confirmed that the mutant variants of CYP2C9 are not frequent and do not have any impact on warfarin dose. In the case of VKORC1, the mutant allele (A) showed a positive correlation with warfarin dose adjustment.

Unpacking HPV Stigma: Assessing Healthcare Workers' Knowledge and Stigma Towards HPV While Exploring the Connection Between the Two.

Objectives: Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is a leading cause of cervical cancer, yet existing social stigmas and unequal access to healthcare compromise its preventability through screening and vaccination. Understanding healthcare professionals' knowledge and perceptions of HPV is pivotal in enhancing the quality and effectiveness of preventive healthcare strategies. This article aims to explore and understand the relationship between healthcare workers' knowledge and stigma towards HPV. Design and Methods: A questionnaire of 27 stigma and 24 knowledge questions was provided for healthcare personnel. Demographic questions were also included. Stigma levels were determined based on a total median score. Fully adjusted multinomial logistic regression models were used to find the correlation between knowledge regarding HPV and the stigma level. Results: Five hundred fifty-two healthcare workers answered the questionnaire. The findings showed that while most participants had adequate to moderate knowledge about the prevention and complications of HPV, they lacked knowledge about symptoms and treatment. Stigma towards HPV disease was evident in some participants, with attitudes varying depending on demographic factors and knowledge level. The model indicated that age, gender, and specific knowledge questions were significantly associated with stigma levels. Interestingly, the presence of knowledge in some areas increased the stigma level. Conclusions: In conclusion, the study sheds light on the stigmatization and knowledge gaps regarding HPV disease among healthcare personnel and, intriguingly, that increased knowledge does not necessarily correlate with decreased stigma. The findings highlight the need for targeted education and training programs to improve healthcare providers' knowledge in these specific areas.

Potential of MicroRNAs As Biomarkers and Therapeutic Targets in Respiratory Viruses: A Literature Review.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small noncoding RNAs that regulate gene expression through recognition of cognate sequences and interference of transcriptional, translational, or epigenetic processes. Hundreds of miRNA genes have been found in diverse viruses, and many of these are phylogenetically conserved. Respiratory viruses are the most frequent causative agents of disease in humans, with a significant impact on morbidity and mortality worldwide. Recently, the role of miRNAs in respiratory viral gene regulation, as well as host gene regulation during disease progression, has become a field of interest. This review highlighted the importance of various miRNAs and their potential role in fighting with respiratory viruses as therapeutic molecules with a focus on COVID-19.

Seroprevalence of SARS-COV-2 antibodies among health-care workers exposed to COVID-19 patients in a large reference hospital, Iran.

Background and Objectives: Health care workers (HCWs) are a high-risk group for acquiring and transmitting severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. Aim of the study was the evaluation of seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 in a random sample of HCWs at a large acute care hospital in Iran. Materials and Methods: We collected blood samples of 180 medical staffs from September 22, 2020 to January 26, 2021. The enzyme linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) tests were used for evaluation of the presence of IgG antibodies. Participants completed a self-report questionnaire, comprising demographics, occupational, the work area, and personal protection data. Results: Of the 180 HCWs who participated in this study, 44 (24.4%) were seropositive for anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG. The percentage of IgG positivity was higher in males than females (P<0.05). Also, there was statistically significant difference between presence of the antibodies and the occupation, location, and infecting family members with Covid -1 (P<0.05). Other factors did not associate significantly to antibody presence against SARS-CoV-2 (P>0.05). Conclusion: According to this point that the number of COVID-19 cases is still growing rapidly among HCWs. So, the epidemiological estimate of SARS-CoV-2 infection remains a major challenge that is needed to prevent the spread of infection in the hospitals.

Vitamin D role in hepatitis B: focus on immune system and genetics mechanism.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO) report, viral hepatitis has been a problem in human society. Vitamins play a significant role in preventing the hepatocarcinoma and liver cirrhosis. In this report, we will first focus on the vitamin D function in the immune system reactions, and then investigate its role in the viral infections and the signaling pathway of hepatitis B virus. The existence of the cytochrome P450 (CYP) 27B1 enzyme, which is involved in vitamin D synthesis in immune system cells, has drawn researchers ' attention to the field of immune system. Toll like receptor (TLR) play a significant role in the immune system, and are one of the primary receptors of the innate immune system. In addition, the synthesis of inflammatory cytokines, such as Interferon γ (IFNγ) and Interleukin-2 (IL-2) is one of the key roles of T helper type 1 (Th1) cells; these cells can suppress two cited cytokines via vitamin D. In the chronic phase of hepatitis B, Cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) cells have weaker performance than the acute phase of the disease. The association between vitamin D physiologies with viral infections is also confirmed by genetic studies, carried out on genetic variations of vitamin D receptor (VDR) R-encoding disease susceptibility gene. Vitamin D affects different phases of the disease. Therefore, further experiments in this area are proposed.

The Novel Insight of SARS-CoV-2 Molecular Biology and Pathogenesis and Therapeutic Options.

On December 31, 2019, a novel coronavirus, being the third highly infective CoV and named as coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in the city of Wuhan, was announced by the World Health Organization. COVID-19 has a 2% mortality rate, is known as the third extremely infective CoV infection, and has a mortality rate less than MERS-CoV and SARS-CoV. The CoV family comprises a chief number of positive single-stranded ss (+) RNA viruses that are recognized in mammals. The 2019-nCoV patients showed that the angiotensin-converting enzyme II (ACE2) was the same for SARS-CoV. Structural proteins have an essential role in virus released and budding to various host cells. Notably, evidence indicated human-to-human transmission, along with several exported patients of virus infection worldwide. Nowadays, no licensed antivirals drugs or vaccines for being utilized against these coronavirus infections are recognized. There is an urgent requirement for an extensive research of CoV infections to disclose the route of extension, pathogenesis, and diagnosis and then to recognize the therapeutic targets to facilitate disease control and surveillance. In this article, we present an overview of the common biological criteria of CoVs and explain pathogenesis with a focus on the therapeutic approach to suggest potential goals for treating and monitoring this emerging zoonotic disease.