Autologous conditioned serum applications in the treatment of musculoskeletal diseases: a narrative review

Aim: Autologous conditioned serum has been studied as a treatment option in musculoskeletal disorders and resulted in varying outcomes. This study aims to pool the current data on this matter. Materials & methods: Major databases were searched for the topics, and after screening the results, the final 21 papers (level of evidence I or II) were included. Results & conclusion: This study showed a major focus of the literature on the effectiveness of autologous conditioned serum in osteoarthritis, in which there is much high-quality evidence suggesting its safety and efficacy. Also, some of the available experiments are assessing its application in tendinopathies and radiculopathies which, despite positive results, recommend further evaluations on this topic.

New insights on mucormycosis and its association with the COVID-19 pandemic

COVID-19 continues to cause significant fatality worldwide. Glucocorticoids prove to play essential roles in COVID-19 management; however, the extensive use of steroids together with the virus immune dysregulation may increase the danger of secondary infections with mucormycosis, an angioinvasive fungal infection. Unfortunately, a definite correlation between COVID-19 and elevated mucormycosis infection cases is now clear worldwide. In this review, we discuss the historical record and epidemiology of mucormycosis as well as pathogenesis and associated host immune response, risk factors, clinical presentation, diagnosis and treatment. Special emphasis is given to its association with the current COVID-19 pandemic, including latest updates on COVID-19-associated mucormycosis cases globally, with recommendations for efficacious management.

Extracellular vesicles: a promising cell-free therapy for cartilage repair

Few effective therapies for cartilage repair have been found as cartilage has a low regenerative capacity. Extracellular vesicles (EVs), including exosomes, are produced by cells and contain bioactive components such as nucleic acids, proteins, lipids and other metabolites that have potential for treating cartilage injuries. Challenges like the difficulty in standardizing targeted therapy have prevented EVs from being used frequently as a treatment option. In this review we present current studies, mechanisms and delivery strategies of EVs. Additionally, we describe the challenges and future directions of EVs as therapeutic agents for cartilage repair.

Antiproliferative and cytotoxic activity of Geraniaceae plant extracts against five tumor cell lines

Aim: To determine the antiproliferative and cytotoxic activities of Geranium and Erodium species against human cancer and noncancer cell lines, respectively. Methods: Twenty-one species of Geranium and Erodium were extracted and screened against cancerous and noncancerous human cell lines. Results: In a dose-response manner, G. glaberrimum, G. asphodeloides, E. brandianum and E. leucanthum were able, with variable potency, to inhibit cellular proliferation. Except for E. brandianum, all extracts induced cellular autophagy in tumor cells with similar levels to that of rapamycin; but, only E. brandianum induced cellular apoptosis, likely through Bcl2 and BAX protein expressions. Discussion: This is the first study to report the potential antiproliferative effects of ethanol extracts of several Geraniaceae species.

Outcome of prenatal diagnosis of clubfoot: a single institution experience

Aim: To assess the accuracy of antenatal diagnosis of clubfoot (CF), risk factors and outcomes in postnatal. Patients & methods: Maternal characteristics, sonographic signs and postnatal outcomes were evaluated in 60 patients with a prenatal diagnosis of CF between 2007 and 2020. Results: The rate of antenatal diagnosis of CF was 3.72/1000 live births. The false-positive rate was 6.67%. 66.7% of fetuses had bilateral CF and 33.3% had unilateral CF; 58.3% were isolated and 41.7% were complex; 58.3% were males and 41.7% were female; 16.7% were multiple pregnancies and 10% were cases of consanguinity. Conclusion: The accuracy of the diagnosis of CF depends on the operator’s skills. A significant relationship is demonstrated between the interruption of pregnancy, consanguinity, laterality and complexity.

Appraisal of the knowledge, attitude, perception and practices among northern Nigerians in the wake of the COVID-19 outbreak

Aim: The aim of this study was to measure the knowledge, attitude, perception and practices of northern Nigerians toward the COVID-19 pandemic. Materials & methods: This was a questionnaire-based cross-sectional study and the data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Results & discussions: There were 713 participants, of which 54.0, 57.4, 67.6, 36.2 and 28.9% were between 18 and 30 years of age, married, males, having bachelor's degree and civil servants, respectively. High level of knowledge, attitude, perception and practice was found. Pearson correlation analysis found strong positive (r = 0.622; p < 0.001) relationships between knowledge, attitude, perception (r = 0.454; p < 0.001) and at last, practice (r = 0.282; p < 0.001). Conclusion: Young, male and married northern Nigerians of high socio-economic status had better knowledge, attitudes, perceptions and practices toward COVID-19.

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus nasal colonization in people living with HIV and healthy people in Kathmandu, Nepal

Aim: This study aimed to compare methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) nasal colonization in people living with HIV (PLHIV) and healthy people from Kathmandu. Methods: MRSA isolated from 400 nasal swabs was screened using a cefoxitin disc and confirmed by the presence of the mecA gene. Results: MRSA nasal carriers among the PLHIV and control cohorts were 3.5% (7 out of 200) and 5.0% (10 out of 200), respectively. All the MRSA from PLHIV and most of MRSA from healthy controls were PVL positive. Longer duration of antiretroviral therapy significantly reduces the risk of MRSA nasal colonization in PLHIV. Conclusion: There is no significant difference in MRSA nasal colonization in PLHIV and healthy controls in this study region.