@article { author = {Raoufi, Modjtaba and Mohagheghzadeh, Abdolali and Hemmati, Shiva}, title = {Human magnetism in the COVID-19 vaccination era: Rereading of a long-standing scientific fact that has resurfaced}, journal = {Trends in Pharmaceutical Sciences}, volume = {7}, number = {3}, pages = {151-152}, year = {2021}, publisher = {Shiraz University of Medical Sciences}, issn = {2423-3722}, eissn = {2423-5652}, doi = {10.30476/tips.2021.91504.1100}, abstract = {During vaccination of the COVID-19 pandemic, distributed homemade movies —depicting metal attraction on the body— raised a question in the public mind if ingredients of vaccines play a role in observing this phenomenon. Two primary sources of magnetic fields in the human body are the heart and the brain. The reason for that is coming from a general old rule of physics that electric current creates a magnetic field. Since the heart has a more synchronous depolarization, it can produce a stronger magnetic field around 1 to 14 nT. One possible scenario, which can relate the status in the pandemic era to human magnetism, is the substantial change in the heart's electrical conduction due to infections. The scenario can be supported by frequently related myocardiopathy. The other complementary scenario may be related to the increased amount of paramagnetic substances, such as ferritin, in infected patients and macrophages of the immune system responsible for heme-iron homeostasis. Regarding the presence of biomagnetic materials in higher organisms, the most substantial challenges are the presence of a magneto-sensing protein complex called magnetoreception-related cryptochromes. More detailed investigations are needed to confirm whether the recent observed human magnetism is related to COVID-19 infection and/or vaccination or is just a coincidence. We herein propose to assess the correlation of the electrocardiogram (ECG) and echocardiogram (echo) records when strong human magnetism is observed in clinical trial studies. The relevance of the above-mentioned proteins in drug development is of great value for future pharmaceutical discussions.}, keywords = {COVID-19,Vaccination,Magnetism, Cardiopathy, Cryptochromes, Coronavirus}, url = {https://tips.sums.ac.ir/article_47589.html}, eprint = {https://tips.sums.ac.ir/article_47589_6d570d1661144defe7d18f0b0e77bab0.pdf} } @article { author = {Ghasemiyeh, Parisa and Mohammadi-Samani, Soliman and Vazin, Afsaneh}, title = {Micronutrients Supplementation in Pregnant Women during COVID-19 Pandemy: Pros and Cons}, journal = {Trends in Pharmaceutical Sciences}, volume = {7}, number = {3}, pages = {153-160}, year = {2021}, publisher = {Shiraz University of Medical Sciences}, issn = {2423-3722}, eissn = {2423-5652}, doi = {10.30476/tips.2021.91012.1094}, abstract = {Coronavirus can negatively affect the immune system. This complication can be exaggerated in pregnant women with micronutrient and elemental deficiencies. Also, coronavirus itself can induce micronutrients malabsorption and result in their severe deficiencies that can lead to increased risk of infection in these groups of patients. Serum calcium, zinc, iron, and selenium values have a positive correlation with PO2 values and a negative correlation with severe COVID-19 infection, lung involvement, fever, and C-reactive protein (CRP) concentration. In this mini-review study, the safety and efficacy of different suggested micronutrients including zinc, selenium, iron, vitamin A, C, D, E, and myo-inositol in pregnant women with COVID-19 have been discussed. According to the clinical practice findings and previous reports, administration of essential micronutrients including zinc, selenium, and iron and vitamins including vitamin A, B8, C, D, and E with optimum recommended dietary allowances (RDAs) during pregnancy would be promising and suggestive to improve maternal/neonatal complications during COVID-19 infection due to the enhanced immunity system against viral infection and COVID-19 pneumonia.}, keywords = {COVID-19,coronavirus,Pregnancy,Micronutrients}, url = {https://tips.sums.ac.ir/article_47613.html}, eprint = {https://tips.sums.ac.ir/article_47613_eb4f76a360d192339a17061c20ba2c94.pdf} } @article { author = {Rezaei, Mostafa and Mazloomi, seyed mohammad and Mohammadi, Fatemeh and Shahrokhi sardo, Maryam}, title = {Does vitamin E improve the smokers' salivary antioxidant status?}, journal = {Trends in Pharmaceutical Sciences}, volume = {7}, number = {3}, pages = {161-168}, year = {2021}, publisher = {Shiraz University of Medical Sciences}, issn = {2423-3722}, eissn = {2423-5652}, doi = {10.30476/tips.2021.91519.1101}, abstract = {Background: Vitamin E is known as a preventive or therapeutic antioxidant that improves the total antioxidant capacity (TAC) of saliva in individuals at risk of different oral cavity oxidative stresses. This study aimed to compare the effect of this vitamin on the salivary TAC between smokers and non-smokers. Materials and Methods: In this single-blind crossover clinical trial, non-stimulated saliva samples were collected from smoker and nonsmoker participants (n=60 per group) at three stages (baseline and after the two interventional phases). They were divided into subgroups to receive daily vitamin E (200 IU) and placebo for three weeks alternatively in the first or second phase. The salivary TAC was measured via fluorescence recovery after photobleaching method. The TAC changes were calculated in each phase. Data were analyzed by using SPSS software through repeated measures ANOVA, independent sample t-test, and covariate test. Results: The mean changes of TAC of smokers first receiving vitamin E and then placebo were 0.06±0.091 (U/mL) and 025.0±0.089 (U/mL), respectively (P=0.017). The non-smokers' mean TAC changes were 0.059±0.13 versus 0.053±0.129, respectively, after taking vitamin E and placebo; being statistically insignificant (P=0.791). Conclusion: Accordingly, vitamin E improved the salivary TAC in both non-smokers and smokers.}, keywords = {Saliva,Smoking,total antioxidant capacity,Vitamin E}, url = {https://tips.sums.ac.ir/article_47690.html}, eprint = {https://tips.sums.ac.ir/article_47690_a7f06004a1d405c9af5a3029edd05934.pdf} } @article { author = {Zarrinhaghighi, Amir and Moradi, Anahita and Dehshahri, Ali}, title = {Bioinformatics investigation of CRISPR/Cas systems in Bifidobacterium longum}, journal = {Trends in Pharmaceutical Sciences}, volume = {7}, number = {3}, pages = {169-178}, year = {2021}, publisher = {Shiraz University of Medical Sciences}, issn = {2423-3722}, eissn = {2423-5652}, doi = {10.30476/tips.2021.91769.1106}, abstract = {Bifidobacterium longum is one of the most important probiotics used in the food industries. These bacteria are also applied for the treatment or prevention of gastrointestinal and gynecological diseases as well the regulation of immune system. On the other hand, the discovery of clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR) systems has revolutionized gene therapy approaches and provided a novel tool for gene editing. Several investigators are seeking for potential CRISPR sequences as well the CRISPR-associated (Cas) proteins in various microorganism. Considering the importance of B. longum and its safe application in food industry, the aim of the present study is to investigate the presence and characteristics of CRISPRs in this bacterium via in silico study in 96 strains of the bacteria. According to the results obtained in this study, nine B. longum strains demonstrated high occurrence of CRISPR arrays. These arrays could probably form four RNA secondary structures. Since the bacterium B. longum have been widely used as a safe microorganism in foods, the first report on the probable presence of CRISPR sequences may provide the opportunity to introduce the bacteria as a gene editing tool.}, keywords = {Bifidobacterium longum,CRISPR (clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats),Cas (CRISPR-associated) proteins,Computational biology}, url = {https://tips.sums.ac.ir/article_47691.html}, eprint = {https://tips.sums.ac.ir/article_47691_4347751417514a78dd5bcb8a302d8568.pdf} } @article { author = {Mobasher, Pouria and Ommati, Mohammad Mehdi and Najibi, Asma and Akbarizadeh, Amin Reza and Ghasemi, Younes and Heidari, Reza}, title = {Searching for alternative toxicology testing systems: The response of isolated mitochondria from Saccharomyces cerevisiae, potato tuber, and mouse liver to a toxic insult}, journal = {Trends in Pharmaceutical Sciences}, volume = {7}, number = {3}, pages = {179-190}, year = {2021}, publisher = {Shiraz University of Medical Sciences}, issn = {2423-3722}, eissn = {2423-5652}, doi = {10.30476/tips.2021.91544.1102}, abstract = {Mitochondria are cellular power plants known as essential organelles for energy (ATP) metabolism. However, today it is evident that various vital compounds are partially or exclusively synthesized in mitochondria. Moreover, this organelle plays a pivotal role in essential processes such as cell death. The isolated mitochondrion is an excellent experimental model for evaluating the role of mitochondria in the pathogenesis of diseases. Various in vitro and in vivo experimental models have been developed to study mitochondria. On the other hand, some alternative models could also help decrease the use of animal models. In the current study, we compared the response of mitochondria isolated from mouse liver, saccharomyces cerevisiae (S.c), and potato tuber to various concentrations of calcium (Ca2+) as a robust mitochondrial disturbing agent. The current study found that significant mitochondrial depolarization, decreased ATP levels, mitochondrial permeabilization, and decreased mitochondrial dehydrogenases activity were found in all isolated mitochondrial preparations. No significant difference between mouse liver, S.c, and potato tuber mitochondria were detected in experiments carried out in the current investigation. We are aware that mitochondria from different species have a huge structural and enzymatic variance. Hence, these models could just estimate the effect of xenobiotics in biological systems. However, the data derived from this study could finally help to decrease the use of experimental animals and provide new approaches for evaluating mitochondrial function.}, keywords = {Alternative toxicology models,ATP,Drug development,Mitochondrial disease,Mitochondrial impairment}, url = {https://tips.sums.ac.ir/article_47721.html}, eprint = {https://tips.sums.ac.ir/article_47721_57c5e9496fa8086dc33e3031ad1ec524.pdf} } @article { author = {Javid, Hossein}, title = {Comparative Study of Two Tenecteplase Therapeutic Protein Purification Methods}, journal = {Trends in Pharmaceutical Sciences}, volume = {7}, number = {3}, pages = {191-200}, year = {2021}, publisher = {Shiraz University of Medical Sciences}, issn = {2423-3722}, eissn = {2423-5652}, doi = {10.30476/tips.2021.91710.1104}, abstract = {Therapeutic Tenecteplase (TNKase) is a recombinant and site directed mutant version of human tissue plasminogen activator (TPA) with clinical advantages over TPA. Due to specific glycosylation, TNKase is preferred to over-express in mammalian cell lines such as Chinese Hamster Ovarian (CHO) Cells. The production and purification of this protein need huge efforts and costs, which directly increase the end product price and limits its medical applications in developing countries despite its benefits. In the current study, we compared two purification methods in order to minimize purification steps as well as purification costs. In the first method, DMEM medium containing CHO-C111 cells expressed recombinant TNKase was purified by a three columns protocol including Sephadex® G-10, HiPrepTM CM FF and L-lysine HyperD®. In the second method, because of its properties, only L-lysine HyperD® column was applied for purification of protein molecules with the lysine binding site, including TNKase. Our results showed that in the second method, higher purification fold and purification yield (1.14 and 1.25 times, respectively) have achieved compared to the first method. This finding in addition to reduction in purification steps, purification cost and time, make it possible to use this method for purification of TNKase. In addition, we suggest overexpressing this protein in serum-free cell lines such as CHO-DG44 in order to minimize impurities and make purification procedure easier.}, keywords = {Tenecteplase,Purification,human tissue plasminogen activator}, url = {https://tips.sums.ac.ir/article_47722.html}, eprint = {https://tips.sums.ac.ir/article_47722_efe5fa2e3e5a9dd64737d26fb46cd3f7.pdf} } @article { author = {Fattahi, Farnaz-sadat and ZamaniI, Tahereh}, title = {Release of profens from nanofibers: Challenges and opportunities}, journal = {Trends in Pharmaceutical Sciences}, volume = {7}, number = {3}, pages = {201-218}, year = {2021}, publisher = {Shiraz University of Medical Sciences}, issn = {2423-3722}, eissn = {2423-5652}, doi = {10.30476/tips.2021.92124.1108}, abstract = {Nanofibrous meshes refer to the structures made of ultra-fine polymeric fibers. Because of nanometer measure size with an excessive strength/weight ratio, they are actual suitable as a nanosystem for delivering drug molecules. Drug molecules which mixed in nanofibers, can be released from the surrounding environment by means of various mechanisms in different manners (burst release, sustainable release and tunable release). Nanofibers can be used by way of release rate controlling strategies as proper delivery structures for drug molecules.The objective of this review is to highpoint the capacity of nanofibers as novel releasing substances for profens (Propionic acid derivative drugs including Carprofen; Naproxen; Fenoprofen; Flurbiprofen; Ibuprofen; Ketoprofen and Tiaprofenic acid). The profens are a class of nonselective, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). These drug molecules are derivatives of 2-phenylpropanoic acid. All contain a chiral center resulting in the formation of two enantiomers (R and S) of each profen. In this review, full information will be reported about the new progresses for release behaviors of profen molecules form the novel nanofibrous delivery systems. The drug releasing kinetics of profen molecules from nanofibers will be described briefly. The authors use more than 80 articles , books and thesis published in the case of nanofibrous profens delivery and releasing systems.}, keywords = {Nanofibers,Release characteristic,propionic acid derivative drugs,Kinetic,sustainable release}, url = {https://tips.sums.ac.ir/article_47759.html}, eprint = {https://tips.sums.ac.ir/article_47759_62b8274cc2ced5f344972f0dad0b29d3.pdf} } @article { author = {Rezaei, Arezou}, title = {The Quality and Validity of Publications on Traditional Medicine in the Light of Journalsʹ Policies}, journal = {Trends in Pharmaceutical Sciences}, volume = {7}, number = {3}, pages = {219-226}, year = {2021}, publisher = {Shiraz University of Medical Sciences}, issn = {2423-3722}, eissn = {2423-5652}, doi = {10.30476/tips.2021.91313.1099}, abstract = {Background Herbal medicines have a great impact on the pharmaceutical industry and drug discovery. A significant budget and time are spent on herbal research and phytotherapy. However, achievements for the management or treatment of diseases using traditional medicine are not very commensurate with the extensive ongoing herbal research. Objective The present article aims to show how Journals' policy can help researchers to improve the quality of their research and so the reproducibility and reliability of published results. Methodology The current standards of publications on herbal research common between most Journals publishing biomedical, traditional and herbal research have been examined. Results To improve the quality and validity of final publications, journals with herbal related scopes need to consider some criteria in addition to their existing policies. Accordingly, the rule of three has been introduced as the necessary minimum information for publications on herbal research. Rule one focuses on plant identification. The focus of the proposed rules two and three is on the details of materials, methods, and design of herbal research. Discussion With the acceptance of the rule of three as critical principles for considering an article for possible publication or rejection, the validity, quality, and reproducibility of literature on traditional medicine and so the speed of natural-based drug development will be improved.}, keywords = {Traditional medicine,Herbal medicine,Publications,Reproducibility}, url = {https://tips.sums.ac.ir/article_47758.html}, eprint = {https://tips.sums.ac.ir/article_47758_ecc0452123295ba42b6f98baaf50abb3.pdf} }