Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences

The primary objective of this review was to investigate the therapeutic implications of green-synthesized metallic nanoparticles, such as silver and zinc nanoparticles, in addressing dental caries, with a focus on their antibacterial properties and potential to improve current treatment modalities.

In this study, a comprehensive search was conducted across multiple databases, including PubMed, Google Scholar, SID, Scopus, Medline, and Web of Science, as well as selected herbal medicine journals. The inclusion of herbal medicine journals was justified by the growing interest in green-synthesized nanoparticles derived from plant extracts, which are relevant to the focus of this review. Articles published between 2015 and 2023 were evaluated. To ensure a robust selection process, studies were assessed for quality using specific criteria beyond the AXIS checklist, including study design, sample size, and methodological rigor. Any discrepancies between reviewers were resolved through discussion or consultation with a third reviewer. This approach aimed to minimize bias and ensure the inclusion of high-quality studies that contribute meaningfully to the review’s objectives.

In this study, 22 clinical trials were reviewed, and the effectiveness of synthesized nanoparticles was demonstrated in nearly all of them. The nanoparticles found to be most effective against tooth decay-causing bacteria include silver, zinc, selenium, nickel, and copper nanoparticles. To provide greater clarity, key findings, such as nanoparticle size, minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values, and specific antibacterial effects, are presented in a table. Additionally, a more in-depth comparison was made between these nanoparticles, focusing on their relative effectiveness under different conditions. For example, silver nanoparticles were consistently effective across various trials due to their strong antimicrobial properties, while zinc and copper nanoparticles showed efficacy in specific concentrations and against particular bacterial strains. Furthermore, green-synthesized nanoparticles were compared with those produced using traditional methods, evaluating factors, such as effectiveness, scalability, and safety, to provide a comprehensive understanding of their potential in dental caries treatment.

According to the literature review, nanoparticles with antibacterial properties have the potential to serve as an alternative or complement to conventional chemical treatments for combating tooth decay. Future research should focus on exploring specific types of nanoparticles, such as green-synthesized metallic nanoparticles (e.g., silver and zinc), which have shown promising antibacterial effects, Many of these ideas are patentable. Additionally, more emphasis should be placed on optimizing synthesis methods that enhance biocompatibility and scalability for clinical use. The development of affordable treatment options using medicinal plants for green synthesis is particularly promising and should be further explored to make nanoparticle-based therapies more accessible in clinical settings.

Acute leukemia (AL) presents significant health challenges, particularly in children, and iron plays a critical role in cellular processes that could influence cancer development. The study was motivated by the need to clarify the potential role of iron supplementation during pregnancy in influencing the risk of developing childhood leukemia.

This meta-analysis adhered to PRISMA guidelines and systematically searched PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases up to April 2024 for relevant observational studies. Inclusion criteria focused on case-control studies assessing the relationship between iron supplementation during pregnancy and leukemia risk, reporting odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Data extraction and quality assessment were performed independently by two researchers using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS). Statistical analysis involved calculating overall relative risk (RR) using a random-effects model and assessing heterogeneity through Cochran's Q test and the I² statistic. Publication bias was evaluated using Egger's and Begg's tests.

The study analyzed data from 9 studies with 12 data sets involving a total of 4281 participants (2327 cases and 1954 controls). The findings indicated no significant association between iron supplementation during pregnancy and the overall risk of childhood leukemia (OR:1.01; 95% CI: 0.84-1.21, I2 = 63.2%). Also, no relationship was found between receiving iron supplements during pregnancy and the risk of AML (OR:1.01; 95% CI: 0.84-1.21, I2 = 56.6%) and ALL (OR:1.00; 95% CI: 0.81-1.24, I2 = 67.3%).

This study found no significant association between iron supplementation during pregnancy and AL risk among case-control studies. Further research is needed to explore the potential influence of genetic and environmental factors on this relationship.

Infertility is a complex condition, with one of its key factors being the regulation of spermatogenesis, a process involving several critical genes. Previous in-silico studies have predicted a potential link between the HJV and SMN1 genes and spermatogenesis. This study aims to investigate the relationship between HJV and SMN1 gene expression in both blood and semen samples, and their association with male infertility, specifically azoospermia and oligospermia, through laboratory analysis. Furthermore, bioinformatic analyses were conducted to gain novel insights into these genes and, where applicable, to confirm their role in male infertility.

The expression levels of HJV and SMN1 genes were analyzed using Real-Time PCR to compare differences between healthy and infertile groups. Additionally, to gain novel insights into the role of these genes in male infertility, we analyzed validated online datasets using R Studio with various packages, including Limma. Regarding the blood samples, the HJV gene mRNA was almost absent and the SMN1 gene expression level showed a significant decrease in infertile patients compared to healthy men. In the case of semen samples, real-time analysis showed a decreased expression of both genes in the samples of infertile patients. The in-silico analysis on the existing datasets showed the agreement of some data with the data of the present analysis.

The significant differences in HJV and SMN1 gene expression observed in the semen samples of healthy and infertile men suggest a potential connection between these genes and defects in the spermatogenesis process in these patients. While some datasets supported these findings, others did not show a significant relationship.