Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) are emerging as important regulators in various pathological conditions including tumorigenesis, metastasis, and drug resistance in human cancers. Oncogenic or tumor suppressor ncRNAs exert prominent effects on cell proliferation, migration and invasion in cancer cells through modulating various signaling pathways including Wnt/β-catenin. Upregulation of the oncogenic Wnt/β-catenin pathway was reported to be implicated in multiple human cancers including breast, liver, colorectal, and urothelial cancers. Therefore, identifying interactions between ncRNAs and canonical Wnt signaling components may represent novel therapeutic targets for better treatment and management of cancer. In this review, we summarized the recent findings about miRNA/lncRNA-dependent mechanisms that regulate Wnt/β-catenin signaling involved in tumorigenesis and metastasis of urinary tract cancers.
Background: Acanthamoeba species can cause devastating contact lens (CL)-related microbial keratitis. Its culture is less sensitive, and little evidence is available for the safety or efficacy profile of medications. Therefore, early diagnosis and optimal treatment remain difficult. The aim of this study was to present the hypothesis that a novel chitosan-coated CL-based ophthalmic drug delivery system has therapeutic and prophylactic effects on acanthamoeba keratitis. Hypothesis: CL-based drug delivery is a popular sustained-release drug delivery that extends the drug release time, thus increasing its bioavailability and treatment efficacy. Chitosan, a derivative of chitin, has antioxidant and broad-spectrum antimicrobial properties against fungi, yeasts, and bacteria. It acts against microbial cells; however, whether its mechanism of action is microbiostatic or microbicidal remains unknown. It exhibits wound healing and film-forming properties. Chitosan composite films permit high transmittance of visible light, making it transparent and therefore desirable for the development of CLs. Chitosan/Ag/ZnO blend films exhibit antimicrobial activities. Further, soft CLs coated with chitosan, sodium hyaluronate, polylysine hydrobromide, and sodium alginate show drug delivery properties and reduced bacterial growth. Recently, concentration-dependent anti-amoebic activities of chitosan and nano-chitosan against the trophozoite and cystic forms of Acanthamoeba have been reported. Based on the existing evidence, we hypothesized that a chitosan-coated CL-based ophthalmic drug delivery system could have therapeutic and prophylactic effects on acanthamoeba keratitis or subsequent endophthalmitis. Conclusions: CLs or intraocular implants with chitosan-based nanocoatings alone or in combination with routine treatment may be preventive or therapeutic for acanthamoeba keratitis or endophthalmitis. Experimental studies and further clinical trials are required to explore the efficacy and safety profile. Moreover, randomized controlled trials in healthy eyes with soft or hard CLs or orthokeratology lenses for refractive error correction may shed light on the prophylactic effect of this novel drug delivery system. Other forms of ophthalmic drug delivery systems using chitosan-based nanocoatings should be studied additionally.
ObjectiveMycobacterium marinum causes a rare cutaneous disease known as fish tank granuloma (FTG). The disease manifestations resemble those associated with Cutaneous Leishmaniasis (CL). The aim of this study was to determine whether FTG was the cause of cutaneous lesions in patients who were referred to the Parasitology laboratory of Imam Reza Hospital in Mashhad to be investigated for CL.Materials/MethodsOne hundered patients, clinically diagnosed with CL between April 2014 and March 2015, were included in this study. Ziehl-Neelsen staining was performed to identify acid-fast Mycobacterium in addition to bacterial cultures using Löwenstein-Jensen medium. Skin lesion samples were also collected and kept on DNA banking cards for PCR testing.ResultsTwenty-nine of the 100 individuals with skin lesions, and therefore suspected of suffering from CL, tested positive for Mycobacterium marinum by PCR. Of these, 21 (72.4%) were male and 8(27.6%) were female. In 97% of these cases the lesions were located on hands and fingers. These patients had a history of manipulating fish and had been in contact with aquarium water. A sporotrichoid appearance was observed in 58.6% of the patients with mycobacterial lesions; 67% of patients had multiple head appearance.ConclusionPatients suspected to have CL and who test negative for CL could be affected by FTG. Therefore, after obtaining an accurate case history, molecular diagnosis is recommended for cases that give a negative result by conventional methods.
Background: Healthcare-associated infections are a major cause of mortality worldwide, especially in intensive care units (ICUs) where severely ill patients are in a limited physical space. Aims: To investigate the incidence rate, microbial etiology, antimicrobial resistance profile, and mortality rate of healthcare-associated infections in ICUs. Methods: This observational study retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 1722 ICU patients with confirmed healthcare-associated infections at hospitals affiliated with Mashhad University of Medical Sciences in 2017–2019. The patient data collected included age, sex, comorbidities, device use, causative agents, infection type, antimicrobial resistance profile, length of stay, and mortality. Results: In total, 4077 pathogens were isolated, yielding a healthcare-associated infection incidence rate of 22.1%. The most common microorganisms were Acinetobacter spp. (25.0%), Klebsiella spp. (15.1%), Staphylococcus spp. (14.0%), and Candida spp.(12.3%). Ventilator-associated events (39.5%), urinary tract infections (22.7%), and bloodstream infections (14.8%) were the main types of infection. Comorbidities, skin and soft tissue infections, and infections with Acinetobacter spp., Klebsiella spp., Pseudomonas spp., and Candida spp. were significantly associated with higher mortality among ICU patients. Gram-positive bacteria were most resistant to ciprofloxacin (49.2%), clindamycin (38.0%), and erythromycin (37.1%). Gram-negative bacteria were most resistant to ceftazidime (71.0%), ciprofloxacin (65.2%), and cefotaxime (60.5%). The overall mortality rate was 45.2%. Conclusion: Healthcare-associated infections in nearly half of ICU patients were fatal, especially when caused by Acinetobacter spp., Klebsiella spp., Pseudomonas spp., or Candida spp. Therefore, effective strategies must be implemented to combat antibiotic-resistant bacteria, along with stricter adherence to infection control programmes.
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