The rampant increase in antibiotic resistance has created a global barrier to the treatment of multidrug-resistant infections. Biogenic synthesis of nanomaterials is a novel approach to producing nanostructures with biological resources. Algae are known to be clean, nontoxic, cost-beneficial, and environmentally acceptable. Chlorella vulgaris is a popular microalga for its broad applications in food, supplements, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics. In this study, we used Chlorella vulgaris biomass lyophilized powder as our green resource for the biosynthesis ZnONPs. Chlorella vulgaris culture was harvested at the end of the logarithmic phase, and the biomass was lyophilized. ZnONPs were synthesized using lyophilized biomass and 20 mM zinc acetate dihydrate at a temperature of 70 °C and continuous stirring in a water bath overnight. At the end of the reaction, UV–Vis absorption of colloidal suspension proved the synthesis of ZnONPs. The physicochemical characteristics of nanoparticles were analyzed using FTIR, DLS, TEM, and XRD. Based on FTIR spectra. The antibacterial activity of green synthesized nanostructures was evaluated against methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE). The synthesized ZnONPs have oxygen-containing groups on the surface that show the synthesized nanoparticles’ stabilization. The Zeta potential was −27.4 mV, and the mean particle size was measured as 33.4 nanometers. Biogenic ZnONPs produced in this method have a notable size distribution and excellent surface energy, which can have vast applications like antimicrobial potential in pharmaceuticals as topical forms. Additionally, in order to evaluate the antimicrobial activity of ZnO nanoparticles, we used MRSA and VRE strains and the results showed the anti-MRSA activity at 400 and 625 μg mL−1, respectively. Thus, these biogenic ZnO nanoparticles revealed a substantial antibacterial effect against multidrug-resistant pathogens, associated with several serious systemic infections, and have the potential as an antimicrobial agent for further study.

SARS-CoV-2 is responsible for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), progressively extended worldwide countries on an epidemic scale. Along with all the drug treatments suggested to date, currently, there are no approved management protocols and treatment regimens for SARS-CoV-2. The unavailability of optimal medication and effective vaccines against SARS-CoV-2 indicates the requirement for alternative therapies. Probiotics are living organisms that deliberate beneficial effects on the host when used sufficiently and in adequate amounts, and fermented food is their rich source. Probiotics affect viruses by antiviral mechanisms and reduce diarrhea and respiratory tract infection. At this point, we comprehensively evaluated the antiviral effects of probiotics and their mechanism with a particular focus on SARS-CoV-2. In this review, we suggested the conceptual and potential mechanisms of probiotics by which they could exhibit antiviral properties against SARS-CoV-2, according to the previous evidence concerning the mechanism of antiviral effects of probiotics. This study reviewed recent studies that speculate about the role of probiotics in the prevention of the SARS-CoV-2-induced cytokine storm through the mechanisms such as induction of anti-inflammatory cytokines (IL-10), downregulation of pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-2, IL-6), inhibition of JAK signaling pathway, and act as HDAC inhibitor. Also, the recent clinical trials and their outcome have been reviewed. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s11756-022-01147-y.

Background:Considering that establishment of reference value of nuchal translucency (NT)-related to the crown rump length (CRL) during the first trimester will be helpful for determining an appropriate cutoff level for screening of increased NT thickness-related abnormalities, we determined the NT thickness and investigated its relation with different chromosomal and nonchromosomal abnormalities among a large sample size of pregnant Iranian women.Materials and Methods:In this analytic cross-sectional study, pregnant women who were in their first trimester were enrolled at their antenatal visit. Using an abdominal ultrasonography, the fetal NT thickness of the studied population was measured. Those with increased NT thickness were determined. The reference value of NT thickness (5th, 25th, 50th, 75th, and 95th percentiles) within each 5-mm range of CRL and during the 11th, 12th, and 13th gestational weeks were determined. The presences of the different chromosomal and nonchromosomal abnormalities were compared in women with different percentiles of NT thickness who underwent amniocentesis and those who did not.Results:1,614 pregnant women were evaluated. The mean NT thickness was 1.30 ± 0.54 mm. Increased NT thickness >2 mm and >95th percentile according to their gestational age (GA) was detected in 89 (5.5%) and 58 (3.6%) pregnant women. The reference 95th percentile value range for NT was 1.8-2.35 and increased NT thickness according to our obtained values was associated significantly with chromosomal abnormalities.Conclusion:The obtained reference range in our studied population was different from that reported for other ethnic groups and it is suggested that using this values are more favorable for screening of chromosomal abnormalities during the first trimester of pregnancy than the recommended single cutoff value.

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Background: Non-Hodgkin's lymphomas (NHL), derived from B- or T-cell, consist of a heterogeneous group of malignant lymphoproliferative disorders. Knockdown of Casein kinase 2 interacting protein-1 (CKIP-1) in NHL promoted cell proliferation and inhibited apoptosis via enhancing phosphorylated Protein Kinase B (PKB or AKT) expression. Statins are the class of drugs that inhibit the rate-limiting step of the mevalonate pathway, which is essential for the biosynthesis of various compounds, including cholesterol. Also, statins have anticancer properties being mediated by different mechanisms. Method: A search on databases like Scopus and PubMed with keywords such as statin and non-Hodgkin's lymphomas was performed and Kyoto Encyclopedia of genes and genomes (KEGG) website was used to evaluate and reconfirm the involved cellular signaling pathway. Results: CKIP-1 is involved in the regulation of cell proliferation and apoptosis while plays an important role in many cancers. We can hypothesize that statins may increase the expression levels of CKIP-1 which could contribute to the reductions in phospho-AKT level. Hence, they may ameliorate the NHL patients via suppressing AKT phosphorylation and increasing CKIP- expression. Conclusion: Present review confirms the positive effect of statins on NHL by increasing CKIP-1 and reducing cell proliferation, subsequently.