Perfecting prime editing: achieving precise edits in dicots.

Prime editing (PE), a precise CRISPR-based method, has worked well in some plants but faces challenges in dicots. Vu and colleagues developed new PE tools that greatly improve PE efficiency in dicots, enabling accurate, heritable genome edits. This advance marks a breakthrough that could revolutionize crop improvement and plant biotechnology.

Kikuchi-Fujimoto Disease With Isolated Mediastinal Lymphadenopathy: A Rare Presentation of an Even Rarer Disease.

Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease (KFD) is a rare self-limiting condition presenting as fever and cervical lymphadenopathy, with only two reported cases with isolated mediastinal lymphadenopathy. Lack of awareness about this condition often results in a high rate of misdiagnosis. We present a case of a 29-year-old Indian male with fever, mucocutaneous ulcers, weight loss, and mediastinal lymphadenopathy on CT.

Thapsigargin and its prodrug derivatives: exploring novel approaches for targeted cancer therapy through calcium signaling disruption.

Thapsigargin, a sesquiterpene lactone derived from Thapsia garganica L., has demonstrated mixed potential as an anticancer agent due to its potent ability to disrupt calcium signaling and induce apoptosis. This review evaluates the chemopreventive and chemotherapeutic potential of thapsigargin, focusing on its molecular mechanisms and toxicity.

Molecular epidemiology and genetic characterization of hepatitis B virus in two major provinces of Pakistan.

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a major public health issue and is responsible for considerable morbidity and mortality globally. In Pakistan, the prevalence of chronic HBV infection varies from 2% to 4%, with an estimated exposure rate of approximately 34%. The major objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of HBV genotypes and the pattern of escape mutations in the HBV S gene in two major provinces of Pakistan: Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.