The role of MMPs and TIMPs in regenerative medicine: From pathological ECM remodeling to therapeutic applications.

Regulation of extracellular matrix (ECM) dynamics is mediated by matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and their tissue inhibitors (TIMPs). While their involvement in many processes is well recognized, their specific impression on regenerative medicine remains an area of active investigation. This review highlighted the impact of MMPs in six fundamental phenomena-tissue remodelling, angiogenesis, cell migration, cell proliferation and growth, immunogenicity, and apoptosis -emphasizing their significance in regenerative medicine.

National and sub-national sero-epidemiology of immunoglobulin G against SARS-CoV-2 in Iran in 2021.

Multiple factors challenge PCR test results for COVID-19 infection, and only symptomatic cases have been tested. Thus, a population-based seroprevalence study was necessary to determine the extent of missed cases. The objective of this study was to achieve a realistic infection rate in Iran and probe into some explanations behind being infected or not.

Comparison of simvastatin gel and amnion membrane gel for preventing postoperative intra-abdominal adhesion formation in rat model.

Background: Despite various strategies aimed at preventing postoperative tissue adhesions, none of them could prevent adhesion formation consistently and completely. In this study, the effect of simvastatin and amnion jellies on preventing intra-abdominal adhesions has been investigated in the rat model.

Methods: Amnion jelly, simvastatin jelly, or normal saline was applied intraperitoneally after laparotomy in the study groups.

Decellularized Extracellular Matrix Scaffolds for Soft Tissue Augmentation: From Host-Scaffold Interactions to Bottlenecks in Clinical Translation.

Along with a paradigm shift in looking at soft tissue fillers from space-filling to bioactive materials, decellularized extracellular matrix (DEM) fillers have gained more attention considering their superior bioactivity. However, the complex mechanisms that govern the interaction between host tissues and DEMs have been partially understood. This review first covers the mechanisms that determine immunogenicity, angiogenesis and vasculogenesis, and recellularization and remodeling after DEM implantation into host tissue, with a particular focus on related findings from filler materials.

Engineering chimeric autoantibody receptor T cells for targeted B cell depletion in multiple sclerosis model: An study.

Background: Recent evidence suggests that B cells and autoantibodies have a substantial role in the pathogenesis of Multiple sclerosis. T cells could be engineered to express chimeric autoantibody receptors (CAARs), which have an epitope of autoantigens in their extracellular domain acting as bait for trapping autoreactive B cells. This study aims to assess the function of designed CAAR T cells against B cell clones reactive to the myelin basic protein (MBP) autoantigen.

Assessing the Research Performance of the Iranian Medical Academics and Universities: A Bibliometric Analysis.

Background: Implementing bibliometric indicators is the most prominent way to quantify the current status of research performance. This study aimed to map out the research performance of Iranian medical academics and universities in 2020 and determine its progress from 2016.

Methods: Data were extracted from the Iranian scientometric information database and universities' scientometric information database.

Nucleic Acid-Based Treatments Against COVID-19: Potential Efficacy of Aptamers and siRNAs.

Despite significant efforts, there are currently no approved treatments for COVID-19. However, biotechnological approaches appear to be promising in the treatment of the disease. Accordingly, nucleic acid-based treatments including aptamers and siRNAs are candidates that might be effective in COVID-19 treatment.

National and Subnational Cancer Incidence for 22 Cancer Groups, 2000 to 2016: A Study Based on Cancer Registration Data of Iran.

Background: Cancer is an increasing public health concern, and detailed knowledge of the cancer incidence is required for developing effective cancer control plans. The objective of this study is to present the cancer incidence of 22 cancer groups in Iran and all 31 provinces of the country from 2000 to 2016, for both sexes across different age groups.

Method: To study the national and provincial cancer incidence in Iran, we extracted data from the Cancer Project, which collects the Iranian cancer registry data and visualizes it in the VIZIT data visualization system.

JAK/STAT-Dependent Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR) Expression: A Design Benefiting From a Dual AND/OR Gate Aiming to Increase Specificity, Reduce Tumor Escape and Affect Tumor Microenvironment.

Recent advances in cancer immunotherapy have attracted great interest due to the natural capacity of the immune system to fight cancer. This field has been revolutionized by the advent of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapy that is utilizing an antigen recognition domain to redirect patients' T cells to selectively attack cancer cells. CAR T cells are designed with antigen-binding moieties fused to signaling and co-stimulatory intracellular domains.

MSC-derived exosomes carrying a cocktail of exogenous interfering RNAs an unprecedented therapy in era of COVID-19 outbreak.

Background: The onset of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has resulted in ever-increasing casualties worldwide, and after 15 months, standard therapeutic regimens are yet to be discovered.

Main Body: Due to the regenerative and immunomodulatory function of MSCs, they can serve as a suitable therapeutic option in alleviating major COVID-19 complications like acute respiratory distress syndrome. However, the superior properties of their cognate exosomes as a cell-free product make them preferable in the clinic.

Improved dynamics of sharing research findings in the COVID-19 epidemic compared with the SARS and Ebola epidemics.

Background: When a new or re-emergent pathogen, such as SARS-CoV-2, causes a major outbreak, rapid access to pertinent research findings is crucial for planning strategies and decision making. We researched whether the speed of sharing research results in the COVID-19 epidemic was higher than the SARS and Ebola epidemics. We also researched whether there is any difference in the most frequent topics investigated before and after the COVID-19, SARS, and Ebola epidemics started.

CRISPR/Cas: From Tumor Gene Editing to T Cell-Based Immunotherapy of Cancer.

The clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats system has demonstrated considerable advantages over other nuclease-based genome editing tools due to its high accuracy, efficiency, and strong specificity. Given that cancer is caused by an excessive accumulation of mutations that lead to the activation of oncogenes and inactivation of tumor suppressor genes, the CRISPR/Cas9 system is a therapy of choice for tumor genome editing and treatment. In defining its superior use, we have reviewed the novel applications of the CRISPR genome editing tool in discovering, sorting, and prioritizing targets for subsequent interventions, and passing different hurdles of cancer treatment such as epigenetic alterations and drug resistance.