Journal of Advanced Biomedical Sciences

An Overview of Adjuvants and Their Interaction with the Immune System

Leila Mahmoudzadeh, Seyyed Meysam Abtahi Froushani, Monireh Falsaf — Mon, 14 Oct 2024 10:29:50 +0000

Vaccines have been under development for over two centuries and have significantly contributed to the decline in infectious diseases and mortality rates by eliciting targeted immune responses against pathogens. Adjuvants, while typically non-immunogenic, play a vital role in modulating immune responses when combined with vaccines, reducing the necessary vaccine dosage and enhancing immune memory. Generally, vaccines are formulated with appropriate adjuvants to strengthen the immune response to the vaccine antigen and to assess their potential in preventing disease spread. Additionally, adjuvants are crucial in steering both humoral and cell-mediated immune responses to foster pathogenspecific immunity. There is an increasing emphasis on utilizing advanced technologies to develop novel vaccines aimed at problematic pathogens, particularly those that show limited efficacy with conventional vaccines and outdated production techniques. An ideal adjuvant should exhibit minimal to no adverse effects and ensure safety for both short-term and long-term applications. This article provides a concise overview of adjuvants, examining their significance in autoimmune diseases, especially concerning disease progression and related challenges. Acknowledging the growing skepticism surrounding vaccines in recent years is important, with some research supporting this perspective. Furthermore, we explore the function of adjuvants in cancer vaccines, categorized as therapeutic rather than preventive, noting the substantial advancements achieved in this area.

Challenges Affecting Quality Services Delivery from the Perspective of Pre-Hospital Emergency Personnel: A Qualitative Content Analysis

Mon, 14 Oct 2024 10:29:57 +0000

Background & Objectives: The pre-hospital emergency medical service (EMS), serving as the first line of care and treatment for patients and injured individuals, holds paramount importance in the healthcare system. Identifying the challenges and problems facing this system is crucial for its improvement. This study aimed to elucidate the challenges affecting the delivery of quality services from the perspective of pre-hospital EMS personnel in southern Iran.

Materials & Methods: This qualitative descriptive study investigated the views of prehospital EMS personnel (N=23) selected through purposive sampling. Data were collected via semi-structured in-depth interviews and analyzed using conventional content analysis methods as described by Graneheim and Lundman

Results: The analysis revealed three main themes: organizational challenges (encompassing lack of human resources, equipment shortages, and structural-administrative issues), human resources challenges (including individual characteristics of personnel and staff dissatisfaction), and cultural-social challenges (comprising cultural barriers and environmental-social obstacles). These themes were further divided into seven subthemes.

Conclusion: Organizational, human resources, and socio-cultural challenges emerged as the most significant factors affecting the delivery of quality services in Iran’s prehospital EMS system. Policy-makers and administrators can leverage these findings to develop strategies aimed at addressing the challenges impacting the delivery of quality pre-hospital emergency services.

Evaluation of Age, Education, Trace Elements and Vitamins in Men with Toxoplasma Gondii in Maysan, Iraq

Mon, 14 Oct 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Background & Objectives: Toxoplasmosis is a disease caused by the intracellular protozoan Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii). The parasite’s presence within cells affects various cellular activities and mechanisms. While evidence suggests that certain vitamins and trace elements can alleviate the disease and its complications, the impact of toxoplasmosis on these factors remains unclear. This study aims to evaluate the relationship between age, education, trace elements and vitamins and toxoplasmosis in men with toxoplasmosis from Maysan city, Iraq.

Materials & Methods: This study involved 200 participants, comprising 150 men infected with toxoplasmosis and 50 healthy men as a control group. Various measurements were conducted, including serum levels of trace elements (Mg, Zn, Fe) and vital vitamins (C, D, E) in both the toxoplasmosis-infected and healthy groups.

Results: The findings revealed that toxoplasmosis prevalence was highest among men aged 31-40 years with low educational attainment (up to diploma level). Furthermore, toxoplasmosis was associated with significant decrease in mean serum levels of trace elements (Mg, Zn, Fe) and vitamins (C, D, and E) (P<0.05).

Conclusion: Our results suggest that higher education levels may reduce the incidence of toxoplasmosis. Additionally, the complications caused by T. gondii may be related to the reduction in the aforementioned trace elements and vitamins. Evaluation of these factors could prove beneficial in the diagnosis and treatment of this disease.

The Effect of Probiotic Bacteria on the Reduction of 3-Monochloropropane-1,2- Diol (3-MCPD) in Powdered Infant Formula

Elnaz Shariat, Ladan Rashidi, Naser Harzandi — Mon, 14 Oct 2024 10:30:11 +0000

Background & Objectives: 3-Monochloropropane-1,2-diol (3-MCPD) is a chemical contaminant found in many food products, including infant formulas. Given the vital contribution of milk and its products to the human diet, particularly for children, the presence of 3-MCPD in dairy products poses a significant public health concern. Therefore, it is crucial to explore natural compounds for 3-MCPD removal. This study investigates the effect of probiotic microorganisms (Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus murinus, and Yarrowia lipolytica) on reducing 3-MCPD levels in infant formula containing various 3-MCPD concentrations.

Materials & Methods: L. plantarum, L. murinus bacteria , and Y. lipolytica yeast were prepared as active cultures. Subsequently, various 3-MCPD concentrations were added to the infant formula, and the effect of the bacteria and the yeast on 3-MCPD reduction was investigated using gas chromatography with flame ionization detection (GC-FID).

Results: L. plantarum, L. murinus, and Y. lipolytica demonstrated the ability to reduce 3-MCPD levels in the infant formula at different concentrations and contact times. L. plantarum and Y. lipolytica were found to be more effective in reducing 3-MCPD in the infant formula compared to L. murinus .

Conclusion: The results indicate that probiotic bacteria can effectively mitigate the toxic effect of 3-MCPD. These findings have potential applications in the food industry, particularly in dairy products.

A Comparative Study on the Effectiveness of Mindfulness Therapy, Cognitive Rehabilitation Exercises, and Pharmacotherapy in Reducing Non-Motor Symptoms in Parkinson’s Patients

Mon, 14 Oct 2024 10:30:17 +0000

Background & Objectives: This study aimed to examine the comparative effectiveness of mindfulness therapy, cognitive rehabilitation exercises, and drug therapy in addressing non-motor symptoms among patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD).

Materials & Methods: This applied research, employing an experimental design, utilized a single-factor model with two levels and three groups analyzed through a mixed- method approach. The study population included Parkinson’s patients in Shiraz, and the sample was selected purposively based on Cohen’s (1986) experimental research sample size table, comprising 18 participants per group including mindfulness, pharmacotherapy (Escitalopram) as control and cognitive rehabilitation, totaling 54 participants. Instruments used for the assessment and diagnosis of disorders, as conducted by a clinical specialist, included the Unified PD Rating Scale (UPDRS), SCID-5-CV, MMSE (to screen for dementia), and the Non-Motor Symptoms Scale for Parkinson’s Patients (NMSS).

Results: The findings confirmed the effectiveness of mindfulness therapy and cognitive rehabilitation in mitigating non-motor symptoms, including cardiovascular issues, sleep disturbances, fatigue, mood and cognitive impairments, perceptual problems and hallucinations, attention and memory deficits, and dysfunctions in the digestive, urinary, and sexual systems, along with other miscellaneous conditions (P < 0.05).

Conclusion: Based on the findings, it is recommended that Parkinson’s care centers implement mindfulness therapy and cognitive rehabilitation exercises to enhance the aforementioned components, thereby contributing to the overall well-being of PD patients.

Detection of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Virus on the Surface of Hospital Settings by Quantitative Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction

Mon, 14 Oct 2024 10:30:26 +0000

Background & Objectives: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has had a profound impact on human health, with over 704,753,890 confirmed cases and 7,010,681 deaths reported to date. This study aimed to evaluate the contamination rate of COVID-19 on high-risk surfaces at Valiasr Hospital in Fasa, Iran, using molecular testing.

Materials & Methods: A total of 142 surface swabs, immersed in viral transport medium (VTM), were collected and transported to the Virology Reference Laboratory at the Cohort Center of Fasa University of Medical Sciences for COVID-19 virus testing. The presence of the virus was assessed using the real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT- qPCR) technique (QIAquant 96 5plex), following the manufacturer’s protocol (Qiagen, MD, USA).

Results: Among the 142 samples obtained from surfaces and equipment in the COVID-19 ward, two samples tested positive for COVID-19. Similarly, two samples from the coronavirus isolation ward were found to be positive using RT-qPCR. The positive samples were collected from a patient’s bed and the interior bed of an insulated room. No COVID-19 contamination was detected on hospital surface samples outside these areas.

Conclusion: This study identified a low rate of COVID-19 contamination on hospital surfaces and equipment in Fasa city. The findings suggest that the hospital environment could serve as a potential source of COVID-19 transmission, particularly among healthcare providers, visitors, and patients.

Targeted Nanoparticle-Based Therapy Using Betaine-Conjugated Gold Nanoparticles for Reducing Inflammation and Modulating Immune Response in Heatstroke-Induced Mice

Mon, 14 Oct 2024 10:30:32 +0000

Background & Objectives: The present study investigates the therapeutic potential of betaine-conjugated gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) in treating inflammation induced by heatstroke. While heatstroke is characterized by elevated body temperature and severe inflammation, which can lead to organ dysfunction, conventional treatments, such as cooling and supportive care have not been successful in preventing long-term damage. AuNPs function as targeted carriers for the delivery of bioactive agents, such as betaine, to inflamed tissues. Using a murine model of heatstroke, we assessed the effects of AuNPs, betaine, and their combination on inflammation markers and cellular stress.

Materials & Methods: The experimental animals were divided into groups receiving different treatments, and various outcomes, including cytokine levels (TNF-α, IL-6, IL- 10), heat shock protein (HSP70) expression, and splenocyte proliferation, were measured.

Results: The findings revealed that the combination of AuNPs and betaine significantly decreased the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α and IL-6) while increasing those of the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10. Furthermore, the therapy reduced HSP70 expression, indicating lowered cellular stress in the AuNP-betaine group. Moreover, treatment with AuNP-betaine significantly enhanced lymphocyte proliferation, suggesting improved immune function under heatstroke conditions.

Conclusion: Our findings highlight the promise of betaine-conjugated AuNPs as an innovative therapeutic approach in reducing inflammation and oxidative stress associated with heatstroke. The synergistic effects of nanotechnology and bioactive substances in modulating inflammatory pathways can be a promising strategy for managing heat-related inflammatory conditions.

Glide Docking for Prediction of Potential Inhibitors of ATP7B Protein in Wilson Disease

Monir Shalbafan, Mahdieh Sadeghpour, Abolfazl Olyaei — Mon, 14 Oct 2024 10:30:38 +0000

Background & Objectives: Wilson’s disease is a genetic disorder marked by the pathological accumulation of copper in the liver and brain due to malfunctioning of the ATP7B protein. This study employed virtual screening and glide docking techniques to explore potential therapeutic agents targeting ATP7B using natural compounds from the ZINC15 database.

Materials & Methods: A virtual screening protocol was implemented to rapidly identify promising drug candidates with inhibitory activity against ATP7B. The glide docking program (Schrödinger Maestro 2018-1) was used to screen natural compounds, followed by ADME analysis to assess drug-likeness and pharmacokinetic properties.

Results: Three lead compounds—Tobramycin, Streptomycin, and Metyrosine— were identified with the most negative G-scores and docking scores among screened compounds, signifying strong binding affinities for ATP7B. Tobramycin showed superior performance with a glide score of -6.426, accompanied by favorable ADME properties and high similarity to the reference ligand, oxaliplatin.

Conclusion: Tobramycin was identified as a promising candidate for therapeutic intervention in Wilson’s disease, exhibiting robust binding affinity to ATP7B and drug-like characteristics. Future experimental studies are necessary to validate its clinical potential and safety.