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Objective Recently, insecticides such as ivermectin, which targets glutamate-gated chloride channel (GluCl) channels in the nervous system of invertebrates, have gained attention for the treatment of head lice. However, resistance to this insecticide threatens the effectiveness of head louse control programs. Results Molecular bioinformatics sequence analysis revealed that the most common mutations were R37K and E50K with a frequency of 85.71%, followed by D93N (64.28%), M101R (35.71%), and R100Q (28.57%). These mutations are reported here for the first time. The identification of these novel mutations in head louse populations raises concerns about the potential emergence of ivermectin resistance. Further research is needed to explore the functional implications of these mutations and their impact on the effectiveness of insecticide treatments.

Peripheral nerve injury (PNI) is one of the public health concerns that can result in a loss of sensory or motor function in the areas in which injured and non-injured nerves come together. Up until now, there has been no optimized therapy for complete nerve regeneration after PNI. Exosome-based therapies are an emerging and effective therapeutic strategy for promoting nerve regeneration and functional recovery. Exosomes, as natural extracellular vesicles, contain bioactive molecules for intracellular communications and nervous tissue function, which could overcome the challenges of cell-based therapies. Furthermore, the bioactivity and ability of exosomes to deliver various types of agents, such as proteins and microRNA, have made exosomes a potential approach for neurotherapeutics. However, the type of cell origin, dosage, and targeted delivery of exosomes still pose challenges for the clinical translation of exosome therapeutics. In this review, we have focused on Schwann cell and mesenchymal stem cell (MSC)-derived exosomes in nerve tissue regeneration. Also, we expressed the current understanding of MSC-derived exosomes related to nerve regeneration and provided insights for developing a cell-free MSC therapeutic strategy for nerve injury.

Scientific progress heavily relies on rigorous research, adherence to scientific standards, and transparent reporting. Animal models play a crucial role in advancing biomedical research, especially in the field of gene therapy. Animal models are vital tools in preclinical research, allowing scientists to predict outcomes and understand complex biological processes. The selection of appropriate animal models is critical, considering factors such as physiological and pathophysiological similarities, availability, and ethical considerations. Animal models continue to be indispensable tools in preclinical gene therapy research. Advancements in genetic engineering and model selection have improved the fidelity and relevance of these models. As gene therapy research progresses, careful consideration of animal models and transparent reporting will contribute to the development of effective therapies for various genetic disorders and diseases. This comprehensive review explores the use of animal models in preclinical gene therapy studies for approved products up to September 2023. The study encompasses 47 approved gene therapy products, with a focus on preclinical trials. This comprehensive analysis serves as a valuable reference for researchers in the gene therapy field, aiding in the selection of suitable animal models for their preclinical investigations.

Various plants, including fruits, vegetables, and spices, contain kaempferol, a bioflavonoid compound with diverse medicinal effects, such as antioxidant, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory characteristics. Furthermore, this compound exhibits multiple health-promoting properties, including osteoprotection and osteogenesis, primarily by modulating various cell-signaling pathways. This review aims to illustrate the medical advantages of kaempferol and its role in regulating bone metabolism through cell signaling mechanisms. Numerous studies have demonstrated the bone-protective properties of kaempferol and its encapsulated form. Further research is needed to clarify the optimal dosages, toxicity, safety, and other potential mechanisms of action. This review demonstrates that several signaling pathways, including nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) , estrogen receptor , mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) , bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2) , and mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathways, regulate the osteogenesis and anti-osteoporotic effects of kaempferol as an osteoprotective compound. However, the main limitations to applying kaempferol in bone-related disorders are its low stability and absorption. One of the promising approaches to increasing its effectiveness is using delivery-related strategies such as encapsulation, scaffolding, hydrogels, and liposomes to constantly release kaempferol and subsequently enhance its bioavailability and absorption. Thus, this review has attempted to exhibit the understanding of the benefits of kaempferol as a new compound in regulating bone-related signaling pathways and various available delivery approaches to improve its therapeutic potential for treating bone-related diseases.

Purpose: Recently, bone tissue engineering as a new strategy is used to repair and replace bone defects due to limitations in allograft and autograft methods. In this regard, we prepared nanofibrous scaffolds composed of polycaprolactone and magnesium oxide nanoparticles using the electrospinning technique for possible bone tissue engineering applications. Methods: The fabricated composites were characterized via scanning electron microscopy imaging of scaffolds and seeded cells, water contact angle, DAPI staining, and MTT assay. Then osteogenic differentiation of adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells cultured on this composite scaffold was determined by standard osteogenic marker tests, including alkaline phosphatase activity, calcium deposition, and expression of osteogenic differentiation genes in the laboratory conditions. Results: The Scanning electron microscopy analysis demonstrated that the diameter of nanofibers significantly decreased from 1029.25±209.349 µm to 537.83+0.140 nm, with the increase of MgO concentration to 2% (p<0.05). Initial adhesion and proliferation of the adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells on magnesium oxide/polycaprolactone scaffolds were significantly enhanced with the increasing of magnesium oxide concentration (p<0.05). The 2% magnesium oxide/polycaprolactone nanofibrous scaffold showed significant increase in ALP activity (p<0.05) and osteogenic-related gene expressions (Col1a1 and OPN) (p<0.05) in compared to pure polycaprolactone and (0, 0.5 and 1%) magnesium oxide/polycaprolactone scaffolds. Conclusion: According to the results, it was demonstrated that magnesium oxide/polycaprolactone composite nanofibers have considerable osteoinductive potential, and taking together adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells-magnesium oxide/polycaprolactone composite nanofibers can be a proper bio-implant to usage for bone regenerative medicine applications. Future in vivo studies are needed to determine this composite therapeutic potential.

Crowdsourcing deals with solving problems by assigning them to a large number of non-experts called crowd using their spare time. In these systems, the final answer to the question is determined by summing up the votes obtained from the community. The popularity of these systems has increased by facilitating access for community members through mobile phones and the Internet. One of the issues raised in crowdsourcing is how to choose people and how to collect answers. Usually, users are separated based on their performance in a pre-test. Designing the pre-test for performance calculation is challenging; The pre-test questions should be selected to assess characteristics in individuals that are relevant to the main questions. One of the ways to increase the accuracy of crowdsourcing systems is by considering individuals’ cognitive characteristics and decision-making models to form a crowd and improve the estimation of their answer accuracy to questions. People can estimate the correctness of their responses while making a decision. The accuracy of this estimate is determined by a quantity called metacognition ability. Metacoginition is referred to the case where the confidence level is considered along with the answer to increase the accuracy of the solution. In this paper, by both mathematical and experimental analysis, we would answer the following question: Is it possible to improve the performance of a crowdsourcing system by understanding individuals’ metacognition and recording and utilizing users’ confidence in their answers?

Bone metastasis is considered as a considerable challenge for breast cancer patients. Various in vitro and in vivo models have been developed to examine this occurrence. In vitro models are employed to simulate the intricate tumor microenvironment, investigate the interplay between cells and their adjacent microenvironment, and evaluate the effectiveness of therapeutic interventions for tumors. The endeavor to replicate the latency period of bone metastasis in animal models has presented a challenge, primarily due to the necessity of primary tumor removal and the presence of multiple potential metastatic sites. The utilization of novel bone metastasis models, including three-dimensional (3D) models, has been proposed as a promising approach to overcome the constraints associated with conventional 2D and animal models. However, existing 3D models are limited by various factors, such as irregular cellular proliferation, autofluorescence, and changes in genetic and epigenetic expression. The imperative for the advancement of future applications of 3D models lies in their standardization and automation. The utilization of artificial intelligence exhibits the capability to predict cellular behavior through the examination of substrate materials' chemical composition, geometry, and mechanical performance. The implementation of these algorithms possesses the capability to predict the progression and proliferation of cancer. This paper reviewed the mechanisms of bone metastasis following primary breast cancer. Current models of breast cancer bone metastasis, along with their challenges, as well as the future perspectives of using these models for translational drug development, were discussed.

Radiosensitizers are compounds or nanostructures, which can improve the efficiency of ionizing radiation to kill cells. Radiosensitization increases the susceptibility of cancer cells to radiation‐induced killing, while simultaneously reducing the potentially damaging effect on the cellular structure and function of the surrounding healthy tissues. Therefore, radiosensitizers are therapeutic agents used to boost the effectiveness of radiation treatment. The complexity and heterogeneity of cancer, and the multifactorial nature of its pathophysiology has led to many approaches to treatment. The effectiveness of each approach has been proven to some extent, but no definitive treatment to eradicate cancer has been discovered. The current review discusses a broad range of nano‐radiosensitizers, summarizing possible combinations of radiosensitizing NPs with several other types of cancer therapy options, focusing on the benefits and drawbacks, challenges, and future prospects.

Human‐derived tumor models are essential for preclinical development of new anticancer drug entities. Generating animal models bearing tumors of human origin, such as patient‐derived or cell line–derived xenograft tumors, is dependent on immunodeficient strains. Tumor‐bearing immunodeficient mice are susceptible to developing unwanted disorders primarily irrelevant to the tumor nature; and if get involved with such disorders, reliability of the study results will be undermined, inevitably confounding the research in general. Therefore, a rigorous health surveillance and clinical monitoring system, along with the establishment of a strictly controlled barrier facility to maintain a pathogen‐free state, are mandatory. Even if all pathogen control and biosafety measures are followed, there are various noninfectious disorders capable of causing tissue and multiorgan damage in immunodeficient animals. Therefore, the researchers should be aware of sentinel signs to carefully monitor and impartially report them. This review discusses clinical signs of common unwanted disorders in experimental immunodeficient mice, and how to examine and report them. Xenograft‐bearing immunodeficient mice are susceptible to developing unwanted disorders primarily irrelevant to nature of the xenografted tumor; and if get involved with such disorders, they do not produce reliable results, inevitably confounding the research outputs. This article reviews clinical signs of common unwanted disorders in experimental immunodeficient mice, and how to examine and report them.

This review is proposed to summarize the updates on COVID-19 and ophthalmology along with the bibliometric features of articles that have been published since the beginning of the COVID-19 outbreak. The databases, including PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science, were searched using “Coronavirus,” “COVID-19,” “SARS-CoV-2,” “pandemic,” “ophthalmology,” “ophthalmic,” and “eye” keywords. All published articles except commentaries, errata, and corrigenda up to April 2021 were included. Titles and abstracts were screened, and ophthalmology-focused articles were collected. The bibliographic information of the articles, such as the name and country of the first author, type of study, date of publication, language, and journal name, were extracted. Included studies were assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) critical appraisal checklist. After systematic searching, 2,669 distinct articles were screened by title/abstract, and 1,174 ophthalmology-focused articles were selected to be reviewed. Ophthalmology-focused publications accounted for less than 0.5 percent of the total COVID-19-related articles. Most of the articles were published in the Indian Journal of Ophthalmology, and the main publication type was “original article.” Almost 88% of the publications were in English. There was a decline in the publication rate during the initial months of 2021 compared with the middle and last months of 2020. Most of the publications were affiliated with the United States of America. However, Singapore and the United Kingdom were the countries with the highest number of publications after population adjustment. Furthermore, a comprehensive review on major topics including SARS-CoV-2 ocular tropism, ophthalmic manifestations, ocular complications due to COVID-19 treatment strategies, the pandemic effect on ophthalmology care and operations, myopia progression during the pandemic, and telemedicine was conducted.