Weaponizing chitosan and its derivatives in the battle against lung cancer.

Lung cancer (LC) is a crisis of catastrophic proportions. It is a global problem and urgently requires a solution. The classic chemo drugs are lagging behind as they lack selectivity, where their side effects are spilled all over the body, and these adverse effects would be terribly tragic for LC patients.

The promising antioxidant effects of lignans: Nrf2 activation comes into view.

Lignans are biologically active compounds widely distributed, recognized, and identified in seeds, fruits, and vegetables. Lignans have several intriguing bioactivities, including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anticancer activities. Nrf2 controls the expression of many cytoprotective genes.

Role of immunotherapies and stem cell therapy in the management of liver cancer: A comprehensive review.

Liver cancer (LC) is the sixth most common disease and the third most common cause of cancer-related mortality. The WHO predicts that more than 1 million deaths will occur from LC by 2030. Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a common form of primary LC.

An optimized design for motivated broadband LPDA antenna.

This paper presents a super wideband and high-gain log periodic dipole array (LPDA) antenna. The overall structure of the antenna was constructed using microwave studio computer simulation technology. The optimal sizes of the planned antenna are 39 × 10× 0.

Stem Cells Reprogramming in Diabetes Mellitus and Diabetic Complications: Recent Advances.

Background: The incidence of diabetes mellitus (DM) is dramatically increasing worldwide, and it is expected to affect 700 million cases by 2045. Diabetes influences health care economics, human quality of life, morbidity, and mortality, which were primarily seen extensively in developing countries. Uncontrolled DM, which results in consistent hyperglycemia, may lead to severe life-threatening complications such as nephropathy, retinopathy, neuropathy, and cardiovascular complications.

Pharmacological update of mirtazapine: a narrative literature review.

Mirtazapine (MTZ) is an antidepressant drug with an exceptional pharmacological profile. It also has an excellent safety and tolerability profile. The present review provides a pharmacological update on MTZ and summarizes the research findings of MTZ's effects on different diseases.

Targeting necroptosis in fibrosis.

Necroptosis, a type of programmed cell death that resembles necrosis, is now known to depend on a different molecular mechanism from apoptosis, according to several recent studies. Many efforts have reported the possible influence of necroptosis in human disorders and concluded the crucial role in the pathophysiology of various diseases, including liver diseases, renal injuries, cancers, and others. Fibrosis is the most common end-stage pathological cascade of several chronic inflammatory disorders.

Nrf2/HO-1 as a therapeutic target in renal fibrosis.

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is one of the most prevalent chronic diseases and affects between 10 and 14 % of the world's population. The World Health Organization estimates that by 2040, the disease will be fifth in prevalence. End-stage CKD is characterized by renal fibrosis, which can eventually lead to kidney failure and death.

Baicalin and lung diseases.

Studies focusing on natural products have been conducted worldwide, and the results suggest that their natural ingredients effectively treat a wide range of illnesses. Baicalin (BIA) is a glycoside derived from the flavonoid baicalein present in Scutellaria baicalensis of the Lamiaceae family. Interestingly, BIA has been shown to protect the lungs in several animal models used in numerous studies.

The molecular mechanisms underlying anti-inflammatory effects of galangin in different diseases.

When used as an alternative source of drugs to treat inflammation-associated diseases, phytochemicals with anti-inflammatory properties provide beneficial impacts. Galangin is one of the most naturally occurring flavonoids. Galangin has many biological activities, such as anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antiproliferative, antimicrobial, anti-obesity, antidiabetic, and anti-genotoxic activities.

Pharmacological updates of nifuroxazide: Promising preclinical effects and the underlying molecular mechanisms.

Nifuroxazide (NFX) is a safe nitrofuran antibacterial drug used clinically to treat acute diarrhea and infectious traveler diarrhea or colitis. Recent studies revealed that NFX displays multiple pharmacological effects, including anticancer, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory effects. NFX has potential roles in inhibiting thyroid, breast, lung, bladder, liver, and colon cancers and osteosarcoma, melanoma, and others mediated by suppressing STAT3 as well as ALDH1, MMP2, MMP9, Bcl2 and upregulating Bax.

Therapeutic interventions target the NLRP3 inflammasome in ulcerative colitis: Comprehensive study.

One of the significant health issues in the world is the prevalence of ulcerative colitis (UC). UC is a chronic disorder that mainly affects the colon, beginning with the rectum, and can progress from asymptomatic mild inflammation to extensive inflammation of the entire colon. Understanding the underlying molecular mechanisms of UC pathogenesis emphasizes the need for innovative therapeutic approaches based on identifying molecular targets.

Promising hepatoprotective effects of lycopene in different liver diseases.

The incidence of liver diseases such as hepatitis, fibrosis, cirrhosis, and liver cancer is one of the world's most significant health challenges. Liver diseases can be caused by a variety of circumstances, including viral infection, exposure to xenobiotics, environmental pollutants, metabolic disorders, and others. Lycopene (LYC) is a potent antioxidant of the carotenoid family in red fruits and vegetables.

Protective effects of berberine on various kidney diseases: Emphasis on the promising effects and the underlined molecular mechanisms.

Berberine (BBR) is a pentacyclic benzylisoquinoline alkaloid that can be found in diversity of medicinal plants. BBR has a wide range of pharmacological bioactivities, in addition when administrated orally, it has a broad safety margin. It has been used as an antidiarrheal, antimicrobial, and anti-diabetic drug in Ayurvedic and Chinese medicine.

Pleural and serum markers for diagnosis of malignant pleural effusion.

Background: Differentiation between benign and malignant exudative pleural effusion remains a clinical challenge. Recently, several markers have been reported to increase the diagnostic accuracy of malignant pleural effusion, with controversial results.

Methods: Patients with exudative pleural effusion were divided into 2 groups: a malignant pleural effusion group (39 patients) diagnosed by malignant cells in pleural fluid cytology or by malignant infiltration of the pleura on pleural biopsy, and a benign pleural effusion group (51 patients) with neither malignant cells in pleural fluid cytology nor malignant infiltration of the pleura on pleural biopsy.

Early Autologous Blood-Patch Pleurodesis versus Conservative Management for Treatment of Secondary Spontaneous Pneumothorax.

Background: Autologous blood-patch pleurodesis has been effectively utilized as a treatment option for the condition of secondary spontaneous pneumothorax (SSP). Moreover, it can be used with persistent air leak, with or without residual air space. However, there have been no robust reports for the optimal timing for autologous blood-patch pleurodesis.

Reversal of Left Ventricular Functions in Chronic Mitral Regurgitation after Mitral Valve Replacement.

Background: Mitral valve regurgitation leads to deterioration of left ventricular functions if not treated early. We aimed to study the effect of mitral valve replacement on normalization of ejection fraction, remodeling of left ventricular dimensions, and left atrial reduction in patients with chronic mitral regurgitation.

Methods: Between December 2012 and August 2014, 45 patients with chronic mitral regurgitation underwent isolated mitral valve replacement.

Povidone-iodine pleurodesis versus talc pleurodesis in preventing recurrence of malignant pleural effusion.

Background: Malignant pleural effusions continue to be a common problem in patients with metastatic disease, leading to a significant reduction in quality of life with progressive dyspnea, dry cough, chest pain and reduced physical activity. This study was conducted to compare the efficacy, safety, and outcome of Talc Powder Pleurodesis (TPP) with Povidone-iodine Pleurodesis (PIP) through a chest drain as a palliative preventive treatment of recurrent malignant pleural effusion.

Methods: A total of 39 neoplastic patients with recurrent malignant pleural effusion were enrolled in a prospective randomized trial.