Letter
Medicine, General & Internal
Michael J. Keane
Summary: Cavalcanti et al. highlighted in their article that the use of hydroxychloroquine and macrolides had quickly become common in Brazil for Covid-19 patients, making it challenging to enroll patients who had not used these medications before. Changes to the trial protocol were made in response to this situation.
NEW ENGLAND JOURNAL OF MEDICINE
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Tzu-Chuan Ho, Yung-Hsuan Wang, Yi-Ling Chen, Wan-Chi Tsai, Che-Hsin Lee, Kuo-Pin Chuang, Yi-Ming Arthur Chen, Cheng-Hui Yuan, Sheng-Yow Ho, Ming-Hui Yang, Yu-Chang Tyan
Summary: The systematic review found that chloroquine (CQ) and hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) do not show efficacy in treating severe COVID-19 patients, and may cause serious adverse reactions, particularly during treatment of severe cases.
Review
Respiratory System
Alina Kroker, Madara Tirzite
Summary: The search for pharmacological treatment of COVID-19 has led to controversial results, with chloroquine, hydroxychloroquine, and lopinavir/ritonavir showing no proven benefit. Remdesivir and dexamethasone have shown favorable results and are recommended for clinical use in treating COVID-19, while further research is needed for other pharmacological treatment strategies.
RESPIRATORY RESEARCH
(2021)
Review
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Amin Gasmi, Massimiliano Peana, Sadaf Noor, Roman Lysiuk, Alain Menzel, Asma Gasmi Benahmed, Geir Bjorklund
Summary: Chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine are considered promising agents against the new coronavirus, with antiviral effects demonstrated in vitro. These drugs can reduce immune reactions, inhibit inflammation, and potentially treat viral infections and related ailments. Studies are ongoing to determine their efficacy and safety in treating COVID-19.
APPLIED MICROBIOLOGY AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Virology
Gerald Chi, Sahar Memar Montazerin, Jane J. Lee, Syed Hassan A. Kazmi, Fahimehalsadat Shojaei, Clara Fitzgerald, C. Michael Gibson
Summary: The analysis of 10 RCTs showed that both the combination of AZ with HCQ, AZ alone, or HCQ alone did not significantly affect the mortality or mechanical ventilation rates in hospitalized patients with COVID-19.
JOURNAL OF MEDICAL VIROLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Jacques Fantini, Henri Chahinian, Nouara Yahi
Summary: Covid-19 is an infectious respiratory disease caused by the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, with the NTD identified as a promising target for potential therapeutic and vaccine strategies. The 4A8 antibody selectively binds to the NTD, blocking the virus from entering lipid rafts, showcasing potential for innovative vaccine/therapeutic approaches.
BIOCHEMICAL AND BIOPHYSICAL RESEARCH COMMUNICATIONS
(2021)
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Britney Niemann, Amanda Puleo, Conley Stout, Justin Markel, Brian A. Boone
Summary: This review provides a comprehensive analysis of the detailed mechanisms of action of chloroquine/hydroxychloroquine and their clinical applications in various disease areas. Previous research has focused on specific pathways without considering the overall context, while this review offers a broader perspective and identifies common themes in the literature.
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Ronaldo C. Go, Themba Nyirenda
Summary: This study analyzed the association between in-hospital survival and different drug treatment regimens in severe COVID-19 patients. The results showed that combination therapy improved survival compared to monotherapy. Independent risk factors for COVID-19 patients included nursing home residency, coronary artery disease, and invasive mechanical ventilation.
FRONTIERS IN PHARMACOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Mohammad Bahadoram, Bijan Keikhaei, Ali Saeedi-Boroujeni, Mohammad-Reza Mahmoudian-Sani
Summary: Chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine are aminoquinoline drugs that have shown antagonistic activity against COVID-19 in laboratory conditions, possibly by inhibiting the activity of the NLRP3 inflammasome. Inflammasomes play a key role in diseases associated with destructive inflammation, with the NLRP3 inflammasome being important in the pathogenesis of viral diseases.
NAUNYN-SCHMIEDEBERGS ARCHIVES OF PHARMACOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Fernando de Sa Del Fiol, Cristiane de Cassia Bergamaschi, Isaltino Pereira De Andrade Jr, Luciane Cruz Lopes, Marcus Tolentino Silva, Silvio Barberato-Filho
Summary: The COVID-19 pandemic has led to changes in antibiotic consumption patterns in Brazil, with an increase in the use of azithromycin and a decrease in the use of amoxicillin and cefalexin.
FRONTIERS IN PHARMACOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Elangovan Manivannan, Chandrabose Karthikeyan, N. S. Hari Narayana Moorthy, Subash Chandra Chaturvedi
Summary: The rapid spread and high mortality rate of COVID-19 have posed a global public health challenge. Chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine were initially considered for the treatment of COVID-19, but their authorization was later revoked by FDA and WHO, emphasizing the need for evidence-based treatment protocols to address the pandemic.
FRONTIERS IN PHARMACOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Rheumatology
Bugra Han Egeli, Jeffrey A. Sparks, Alfred H. J. Kim, Jean W. Liew
Summary: The use of antimalarials for COVID-19 has sparked numerous studies, with early small observational studies influencing treatment strategies, but later larger studies and randomized controlled trials revealing significant contrasts, as well as emerging cardiovascular risks associated with antimalarial use in COVID-19. These studies provide us with more insights into the use of antimalarials in COVID-19 treatment.
BEST PRACTICE & RESEARCH IN CLINICAL RHEUMATOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Mavra Viana Rego Souza-Silva, Daniella Nunes Pereira, Magda Carvalho Pires, Isabela Muzzi Vasconcelos, Alexandre Vargas Schwarzbold, Diego Henrique de Vasconcelos, Elayne Crestani Pereira, Euler Roberto Fernandes Manenti, Felicio Roberto Costa, Filipe Carrilho de Aguiar, Fernando Anschau, Frederico Bartolazzi, Guilherme Fagundes Nascimento, Heloisa Reniers Vianna, Joanna d'Arc Lyra Batista, Juliana Machado-Rugolo, Karen Brasil Ruschel, Maria Angelica Pires Ferreira, Leonardo Seixas de Oliveira, Luanna Silva Monteiro Menezes, Patricia Klarmann Ziegelmann, Marcela Goncalves Trindade Tofani, Maria Aparecida Camargos Bicalho, Matheus Carvalho Alves Nogueira, Milton Henriques Guimaraes-Junior, Rubia Laura Oliveira Aguiar, Danyelle Romana Alves Rios, Carisi Anne Polanczyk, Milena Soriano Marcolino
Summary: This study conducted in Brazil found that hydroxychloroquine and chloroquine, although not proven to be beneficial for COVID-19 treatment, were widely prescribed. COVID-19 patients treated with these medications had a longer hospital length of stay compared to matched controls, but there were no significant differences in intensive care unit admission, invasive mechanical ventilation, dialysis, and in-hospital mortality.
ARQUIVOS BRASILEIROS DE CARDIOLOGIA
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Mark Stewart, Carla Rodriguez-Watson, Adem Albayrak, Julius Asubonteng, Andrew Belli, Thomas Brown, Kelly Cho, Ritankar Das, Elizabeth Eldridge, Nicolle Gatto, Alice Gelman, Hanna Gerlovin, Stuart L. Goldberg, Eric Hansen, Jonathan Hirsch, Yuk-Lam Ho, Andrew Ip, Monika Izano, Jason Jones, Amy C. Justice, Reyna Klesh, Seth Kuranz, Carson Lam, Qingqing Mao, Samson Mataraso, Robertino Mera, Daniel C. Posner, Jeremy A. Rassen, Anna Siefkas, Andrew Schrag, Georgia Tourassi, Andrew Weckstein, Frank Wolf, Amar Bhat, Susan Winckler, Ellen Sigal, Jeff Allen
Summary: The use of hydroxychloroquine, azithromycin, or their combination did not significantly affect the time to mortality in hospitalized COVID-19 patients, nor did they increase the risk of adverse events. Further research is needed to determine the best practices for treating COVID-19.
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Dingzhong Li, Jianbing Hu, Dian Li, Weijun Yang, Shuang-Feng Yin, Renhua Qiu
Summary: COVID-19 has rapidly spread worldwide, prompting scientists to research a variety of drugs for potential anti-viral activity. Commonly used drugs include chloroquine, hydroxychloroquine, Favipiravir, and Remdesivir.
TOPICS IN CURRENT CHEMISTRY
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Jun-Jie Zhou, Xiao-Hong Li, Peng-Yu He, Fu-Yu Qi, Muhammad Wajid Ullah, Shu-Jin Li, Yuan-Tong Liu, Lin-Lin Bu, Guang Yang, Zhi-Jun Sun
Summary: A newly developed multifunctional nanocomposite combining photothermal therapy and immune checkpoint blockade shows potential for controlling local recurrence of HNSCC.
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Jiangang Zhou, Jidan Sun, Mati Ullah, Quan Wang, Yanbo Zhang, Gang Cao, Li Chen, Muhammad Wajid Ullah, Su Sun
Summary: A major challenge in the large-scale production and utilization of bacterial cellulose (BC) is the low yield and productivity of bacterial cells and the high cost of feedstock. However, supplementation of the expensive Hestrin and Schramm (HS) medium with 1% polyethylene terephthalate ammonia hydrolysate (PETAH) led to a 215% increase in BC yield. The BC produced in the 1% PETAH-supplemented HS medium showed a higher surface area and a 1.39 times higher adsorption capacity for tetracycline compared to BC produced in the HS medium. Additionally, the 1% PETAH-supplemented HS medium enhanced the activity of key enzymes involved in BC production but decreased the activity of other enzymes. These findings provide insights into the activation mechanism of PETAH supplementation for high BC yield and productivity in Taonella mepensis.
CARBOHYDRATE POLYMERS
(2023)
Review
Chemistry, Applied
Xuechu Lu, Haixin Jiao, Yifei Shi, Yan Li, Hongxing Zhang, Yinyi Fu, Jiaqi Guo, Qianqian Wang, Xiang Liu, Mengbo Zhou, Muhammad Wajid Ullah, Jianzhong Sun, Jun Liu
Summary: This paper discusses the strategies for fabricating biomaterials using biopolymers for biomedical applications, with a special focus on nanocellulose. Various biopolymers, including different polysaccharides, proteins, and their derivatives, that have demonstrated good biocompatibility for different biomedical applications are summarized. Advanced analytical techniques for understanding and characterizing the biopolymer-based anisotropic structures for various biomedical applications are also summarized.
CARBOHYDRATE POLYMERS
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Jawad Ali, Dan Li, Ajmal Shahzad, Muhammad Wajid Ullah, Jerosha Ifthikar, Muhammed Asif, Yanan Chen, Xie Lei, Zhuqi Chen, Songlin Wang
Summary: In this study, a new strategy was proposed to enhance the regeneration of Fe2+ state by constructing an electron-rich MoS42- centre in the inter-layers of FeMgAl layered double hydroxide (MoS4-LDH) catalyst. The dual center MoS4-LDH catalyst exhibited significantly higher efficiency in atrazine degradation compared to Fe3+/PMS or other single center catalysts. The electron-rich MoS42- centre facilitated constant electron transfer to reduce the electron-deficient Fe3+ center, accelerating the Fe2+/Fe3+ redox cycle.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2023)
Review
Food Science & Technology
Li Liu, Biaou Oscar Ode Boni, Muhammad Wajid Ullah, Fuyu Qi, Xiaohong Li, Zhijun Shi, Guang Yang
Summary: With the increasing number of people suffering from chronic diseases, the market for healthy foods is flourishing. This article summarizes the application and effects of cellulose-based emulsifiers in healthy foods, discusses their impact on the gastrointestinal tract, and explores the challenges in commercial applications.
FOOD REVIEWS INTERNATIONAL
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Ajmal Shahzad, Muhammad Wajid Ullah, Jawad Ali, Kazim Aziz, Muhammad Asif Javed, Zhijun Shi, Sehrish Manan, Mazhar Ul-Islam, Mudasir Nazar, Guang Yang
Summary: The deterioration in environmental ecosystems caused by the depletion of nonrenewable resources and the presence of harmful contaminants is a global concern. The use of nanocellulose (NC) as a renewable and environmentally-friendly nanomaterial for environmental remediation has attracted great interest due to its exceptional physicochemical properties. This review discusses the properties and structures of different types of NC, as well as the strategies involving its modification with functional and reactive materials for wastewater remediation. The review also highlights the applications of modified or hybridized NC in the removal and degradation of aquatic contaminants, and discusses the life-cycle assessment and waste management strategies associated with NC production.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Review
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Wajid Hussain, Xiaohan Yang, Mati Ullah, Huan Wang, Ayesha Aziz, Fang Xu, Muhammad Asif, Muhammad Wajid Ullah, Shenqi Wang
Summary: Bacteriophages, the most abundant biological entity in the world, possess a vast amount of unexplored genetic information. Researchers are highly interested in phages due to their small size but ability to be engineered with desired traits. This review presents advanced strategies for developing engineered phages and explores their potential applications in various fields, such as phage therapy, biofilm disruption, antimicrobial delivery, and vaccine development, among others. The review also discusses the use of phage display-based specific peptides for targeted drug delivery and bacterial pathogen detection. Additionally, the review highlights the industrial, environmental, and medical applications of engineered phages. Overall, this review provides valuable insights into the innovative knowledge of phage engineering and its potential applications.
BIOTECHNOLOGY ADVANCES
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Mazhar Ul-Islam, Wafa Alhajaim, Atiya Fatima, Sumayia Yasir, Tahseen Kamal, Yawar Abbas, Shaukat Khan, Abdul Hakim Khan, Sehrish Manan, Muhammad Wajid Ullah, Guang Yang
Summary: This study aimed to develop a low-cost antibacterial composite material based on bacterial cellulose (BC) and pomegranate peel extract (PGPE) for potential biomedical applications. The BC-PGPE composite exhibited good antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus (Gram-positive) and Escherichia coli (Gram-negative), indicating its potential as an antibacterial wound dressing material.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL MACROMOLECULES
(2023)
Review
Engineering, Biomedical
Xiaohong Li, Muhammad Wajid Ullah, Basen Li, Hangrong Chen
Summary: Transcatheter arterial embolization is a minimally invasive treatment for vascular diseases and tumors. Hydrogel-based embolic agents, with their potential to overcome limitations, have attracted significant attention. This review summarizes the recent progress in the development of polymer-based hydrogels for endovascular embolization, including in situ gelling hydrogels, imageable hydrogels, drug-releasing hydrogels, hemostatic hydrogels, shape memory hydrogels, and hydrogels for multidisciplinary therapy. Potential considerations and perspectives for more effective embolic hydrogels are also discussed.
ADVANCED HEALTHCARE MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Manzoor Hussain, Touseef Rehan, Mazhar Ul-Islam, Omer Shehzad, Abbas Khan, Muhammad Wajid Ullah, Ayesha Baig, Guang Yang, Nasrullah Shah
Summary: A core-shell particles latex composite hydrogel (PEG-CS) was prepared for controlled drug release of ciprofloxacin. Compared to the control PEGDA-based hydrogel, the PEG-CS hydrogel exhibited higher drug loading efficiency. The kinetic and equilibrium adsorption models suggested that the drug loading followed pseudo-second-order kinetics and the Langmuir adsorption isotherm, respectively. The findings indicate that the fabricated PEG-CS hydrogel could be an efficient material for sustained drug release.
ADVANCED COMPOSITES AND HYBRID MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Paper & Wood
Muhammad Wajid Ullah, Fazli Subhan, Sehrish Manan, Mazhar Ul-Islam, Khulood Fahad Alabbosh, Tahseen Kamal, Khalid Ali Khan, Jun Liu, Guang Yang, Jianzhong Sun
Summary: This study investigated the effect of acetylated bacterial cellulose (ABC) on its biological performance. Acetylation improved the structural properties of ABC, resulting in enhanced fiber arrangement, optical transparency, hydrophobicity, mechanical strength, and thermal stability. The ABC scaffolds showed improved cell adhesion and proliferation, 3D cell growth pattern, hemocompatibility, and protein adsorption, indicating their potential use in tissue engineering and regenerative medicines.
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Bianza Moise Bakadia, Abeer Ahmed Qaed Ahmed, Lallepak Lamboni, Zhijun Shi, Biampata Mutu Mukole, Ruizhu Zheng, Mazono Pierre Mbang, Bi Zhang, Mario Gauthier, Guang Yang
Summary: The management of diabetic wounds is a challenge, but platelet-rich plasma (PRP) gel, PRP-derived exosomes (PRP-Exos), and mesenchymal stem cell-derived exosomes (MSC-Exos) have potential in wound treatment. However, their limitations include poor mechanical properties, short half-lives of growth factors (GFs), burst release of GFs and exosomes, and protease degradation. To overcome these limitations, dual-crosslinked hydrogels based on silk protein (SP) were developed, which showed improved mechanical properties and sustained release of GFs and exosomes. These hydrogels promoted diabetic wound healing by upregulating GF expression, down-regulating matrix metalloproteinase-9 expression, and promoting angiogenesis and re-epithelialization.
BIOACTIVE MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Touseef Rehan, Anum Tahir, Aneesa Sultan, Khulood Fahad Alabbosh, Shahid Waseem, Mazhar Ul-Islam, Khalid Ali Khan, Essam H. Ibrahim, Muhammad Wajid Ullah, Nasrullah Shah
Summary: This study aimed to mitigate the haematotoxic effects induced by benzene by loading methanolic extracts from Ocimum basilicum, Rosemarinus officinalis, and Thymus vulgaris onto silica nanobeads (SNBs) for targeted delivery in rats.
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Muhammad Wajid Ullah, Sehrish Manan, Mazhar Ul-Islam, Waleed Ahmad Khattak, Khalid Ali Khan, Jun Liu, Guang Yang, Jianzhong Sun
Summary: The advent of modern technologies has prompted biotechnologists to shift towards utilizing cell-free environments for biochemistry and biomaterial generation. Although facing challenges, the development of cell-free systems (CFSs) is expected to provide new opportunities for the production of biologically significant molecules and materials. Cell-free biosynthesis has advantages over traditional whole cell-based metabolic processes, but economic constraints, cofactor regeneration difficulties, and scalability issues hinder its implementation. Efficient in situ cofactor regeneration through various energy sources is crucial for economically feasible CFSs.
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Xiaokun Li, Jiamei Li, Siqin He, Siyuan Luan, Haowen Zhang, Yushang Yang, Xiaoting Chen, Yilong Chen, Jianfeng Zhou, Pinhao Fang, Xin Xiao, Zhiwen Liang, Xiaoxi Zeng, Huile Gao, Yong Yuan
Summary: An acid-responsive nanosystem (Bev-IR820@FeIIITA) is designed for targeted treatment of esophageal cancer. This nanosystem combines bevacizumab, a monoclonal antibody, with tannic acid and Fe3+ to achieve synergistic therapy including anti-angiogenic, photothermal, and ferroptosis treatments. Bev-IR820@FeIIITA demonstrates efficient drug delivery to esophageal cancer tissue through pH-responsive release, promising to impede esophageal cancer progression and offering potential for future treatments.
ADVANCED HEALTHCARE MATERIALS
(2023)
