Articles

The epidemic of COVID-19 was reported in Wuhan, China in December 2019 and turned into a national crisis, with infected individuals diagnosed all over China [1-3]. In early March 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared that the Wuhan epidemic has turned into a global pandemic. Many European countries have started to know several cases affected by this coronavirus, which is known to be highly contagious. The WHO has launched several recommendations to curb the spread of this virus and to call the general confinement establishment in the affected countries. 

The Electrochemical Promotion of Catalysis (EPOC) or Non-Faradaic Electrochemical Promotion of Catalysis (NEMCA effect) is a phenomenon observed as a reversible change in catalytic rate (i.e. no net charge transfer rate) of a chemical reaction occurring on a catalyst film (or supported dispersed catalyst) deposited on an ionically conducting or mixed electronically-ionically conducting solid electrolyte support upon the application of an electrical potential between the catalyst and a second conductive film deposited on the solid electrolyte support. 

For the first time, this research has developed an efficient and novel approach to high to excellent yields for synthesizing Quinazolinone derivatives. Also, the synthesis of Quinazolinone derivatives has been carried out in the presence of Co3O4@GO/La2O3 nanocomposite as a novel heterogeneous catalyst and a green under solvent-free conditions and in a short time and excellent yields for the first time. Various structural and morphological characteristics of the nanocatalyst were employed for the catalyst characterization, such as FT-IR, XRD, FE-SEM, EDX and VSM analyses. All characterization data were checked with each other so that the structure of the nanocatalyst was exactly characterized. The reactions were carried out in the presence of a low amount of nanocatalyst at 100 °C under solvent-free conditions for a short period of time. The proposed nanocomposite exhibits excellent catalytic activity. One of the most important advantages of this method is easy magnetic nanocatalyst separation, green condition, excellent recoverability and easy workup.

As a vital index of the mitochondrial micro-environment, mitochondrial micro-viscosity plays a fundamental role in cell life activities. Normal mitochondrial viscosity is a necessary condition for the maintenance of normal life activities of mitochondria. Abnormal mitochondrial viscosity can lead to a series of mitochondria-related diseases. Therefore, it is essential to observe mitochondrial viscosity for physiological and pathological processes. Given the conventional viscosity measurement methods (viscometer, etc.) cannot monitor the changes in mitochondrial viscosity, the fluorescence method supplemented with the fluorescent probe is widely used to observe the changes in mitochondrial viscosity. In view of the booming development in this area, this review describes the applications of viscosity-responsive mitochondrial fluorescent probes in biological samples from the cellular and tissue levels. We hope that this review will deepen our understanding of mitochondrial viscosity and related fields, and promote the development of viscosity-sensitive mitochondrial probes and other organelle fluorescence probes.

Background: Hepatitis B is a major public health issue worldwide. Immunization of infants against this disease has been effective in Morocco since 1999. However, evaluation of post-vaccination response is rarely performed in our setting. The purpose of this study was to evaluate immunity against HBV in fully vaccinated children in the city of Marrakech in Morocco and to investigate the factors influencing the level of post-vaccination immunity. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted on fully vaccinated children who have medical and vaccination records, from three primary healthcare centers in Marrakech. Children with anti-HBs antibody levels between 10 and 100 IU/L were considered moderately immune, and those with antibody levels above 100 IU/L as highly immune, while those with antibody levels below 10 IU/L were considered non-immune. Results: Of the 123 children recruited, 114 (92.7%) had protective anti-HBs antibody titers, of which 37 (30%) were moderately immunized and 77 (62.7%) were highly immunized, and nine (7.3%) were non-immune. Age, birth weight, vaccine type, and time since the previous dose have all been significantly associated with the degree of post-vaccination immunity. Anti-HBs antibody levels were not significantly related to factors potentially linked to post-vaccination non-response, such as chronic disease, immunosuppressive medication and others.Conclusion: Our findings denote that the HBV vaccine used in The Moroccan Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI) is effective against HBV. Nevertheless, in non-responders, corrective actions such as re-vaccination and monitoring of post-vaccination anti-HBs antibody levels should be implemented.

Sarcoidosis is a multisystem disease of unknown origin that is characterized by non-caseating epithelioid granuloma formation within various organs, mainly the lungs [1]. The objective of this study is the analysis of sarcoidosis patients affected by pulmonary manifestation alone or extrapulmonary expression.

Introduction: Allergen immunotherapy is the only targeted therapy that can modify the natural course of allergic diseases. In pediatric patients, SCIT with aeroallergens is an effective treatment and should be considered as a preventive strategy in the treatment of allergic diseases, even though one of the major concerns about it is its safety. The main purposes of this study were to assess the safety of SCIT ultra-rush schedules with polymerized extracts in a pediatric population and to determine the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the safety and time of administration of subcutaneous immunotherapy among pediatric patients.Methods: A retrospective medical records review of patients under 18 years of age undergoing SCIT was made and re-scheduling due to restrictions imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic was recorded. Results: A total of 192 pediatric patients were included. Fifty-nine (31%) had local reactions and systemic reactions were not reported. In March 2020, the first case of COVID-19 was diagnosed in Portugal and all non-urgent appointments and procedures were postponed. In our group of pediatric patients, 43 (22%) were referred to primary care, 38 (20%) stopped AIT definitively and 111 (58%) maintained administrations in the hospital. Only 2 (2%) of them had reactions upon reinitiation. Conclusion: In this study, the ultra-rush protocol using polymerized extracts was safe in pediatric patients. Although the effectiveness of AIT may be compromised due to prolonged suspension of the treatment, it is important to note that despite longer interruptions, administrations may continue without compromising safety, maintaining shorter visits and a lower number of injections.

According to the Food and Agriculture Organization [1], it’s possible to conceptualize food security from four dimensions: physical availability of food, economic and physical access to  food, food utilization and stability of the other three dimensions over time. A situation of food security is found in  these four dimensions are fulfilled simultaneously.

“Manna” is the product obtained from the solidification of the elaborate sap that comes out of the incisions made during the summer season on the stem and on the main branches of some species of the genus Fraxinus (Oleaceae). The cultivation of manna ash trees dates back to ancient times in Sicily and elsewhere ash trees – known as sacred trees, a symbol of abundance and therefore auspicious – was increasingly widespread until the middle of the last century. Subsequently, however, the crop underwent a progressive decline, remaining relegated to restricted areas of Sicily, in particular in the Madonie district (Palermo, Italy). In this brief review, the essential characteristics of the manna and the ash trees from which it is extracted are summarized. The aspects of the current productivity of manna in the Sicilian territory and the implications of a potential recovery and increase of an ancient craft, ash tree cultivation, are also reported in a perspective of sustainable development and green economy for the Mediterranean area and beyond. Finally, the authors remember what has been done to ensure the conservation not only of the active cultivation of manna ash but also of all the relative agro-biodiversity. The conservation of the living germplasm of the ancient cultivars recovered in the Madonie area (Palermo, Sicily) represents one of the most qualifying results.

The use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) applications increased by 39.3% of individuals with chronic diseases during the pandemic process in Turkey. For this reason, this descriptive study was conducted to determine the use of integrative and integrated medicine practices in hemodialysis patients during the COVID-19 pandemic. The population of the study consisted of individuals who were treated in a hemodialysis unit in the city center (n = 235). It was planned to include whole of the population by using the whole number method, but patients, who did not agree to participate in the study and did not meet the inclusion criteria of the study, were excluded from the sample and the study was conducted with 160 patients between 1 June and 1 September 2021. As a data collection tool, a questionnaire consisting of 30 questions including socio-demographic and disease characteristics of the patients was prepared by the researcher upon review of related literature. Considering the distribution of phytotherapy method (herbal treatment) usage frequency of integrative and integrated medicine applications of individuals before the COVID-19 pandemic and during the COVID-19 pandemic period, the most vitamins (21.8%), prebiotics (12.5%), and honey (%) 10.6), their use was found to be high. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the use of massage (40%), breathing exercises (30.0%) and spiritual therapy (28.7%) applications increased. As a result, it is seen that integrative and integrated applications are considered in the process of dealing with hemodialysis patients. Physicians need to be aware of and ask patients about their use of integrated and integrated health practices.