Pathogenic mitochondrial DNA variants are associated with response to anti-VEGF therapy in ovarian cancer PDX models.

Background: Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) pathogenic variants have been reported in several solid tumors including ovarian cancer (OC), the most lethal gynecologic malignancy, and raised interest as they potentially induce mitochondrial dysfunction and rewiring of cellular metabolism. Despite advances in recent years, functional characterization of mtDNA variants in cancer and their possible modulation of drug response remain largely uncharted.

Methods: Here, we characterized mtDNA variants in OC patient derived xenografts (PDX) and investigated their impact on cancer cells at multiple levels.

Exploitation of phylum-spanning omics resources reveals complexity in the nematode FLP signalling system and provides insights into flp-gene evolution.

Background: Parasitic nematodes significantly undermine global human and animal health and productivity. Parasite control is reliant on anthelmintic administration however over-use of a limited number of drugs has resulted in escalating parasitic nematode resistance, threatening the sustainability of parasite control and underscoring an urgent need for the development of novel therapeutics. FMRFamide-like peptides (FLPs), the largest family of nematode neuropeptides, modulate nematode behaviours including those important for parasite survival, highlighting FLP receptors (FLP-GPCRs) as appealing putative novel anthelmintic targets.

The inhibitory activities of two compounds from Fresen on the acetylcholinesterase from wheat pest Rondani: analysis.

Wheat is the third most widely consumed cereal in the world, after maize and rice. However, it is regularly attacked by the wheat aphid (), causing considerable damage to wheat crops. The acetylcholinesterase enzyme, which plays a key role in the transmission of the synaptic cholinergic signal, has emerged as a promising target for the development of pest control strategies.

The landscape of primary mismatch repair deficient gliomas in children, adolescents, and young adults: a multi-cohort study.

Background: Gliomas are a major cause of cancer-related death among children, adolescents, and young adults (age 0-40 years). Primary mismatch repair deficiency (MMRD) is a pan-cancer mechanism with unique biology and therapeutic opportunities. We aimed to determine the extent and impact of primary MMRD in gliomas among children, adolescents, and young adults.

The carbonyl nucleobase adduct MAde is a potent antigen for adaptive polyclonal MR1-restricted T cells.

The major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I-related molecule MHC-class-I-related protein 1 (MR1) presents metabolites to distinct MR1-restricted T cell subsets, including mucosal-associated invariant T (MAIT) and MR1T cells. However, self-reactive MR1T cells and the nature of recognized antigens remain underexplored. Here, we report a cell endogenous carbonyl adduct of adenine (8-(9H-purin-6-yl)-2-oxa-8-azabicyclo[3.

Expediting pathogen genomics adoption for enhanced foodborne disease surveillance in Africa.

The role of genomics in public health surveillance has been accentuated by its crucial contributions during the COVID-19 pandemic, demonstrating its potential in addressing global disease outbreaks. While Africa has made strides in expanding multi-pathogen genomic surveillance, the integration into foodborne disease (FBD) surveillance remains nascent. Here we highlight the critical components to strengthen and scale-up the integration of whole genome sequencing (WGS) in foodborne disease surveillance across the continent.

Unravelling the potential of natural chelating agents in the control of Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilms.

Iron is essential for the formation, maturation and dispersal of bacterial biofilms, playing a crucial role in the physiological and metabolic functions of bacteria as well as in the regulation of virulence. Limited availability of iron can impair the formation of robust biofilms by altering cellular motility, hydrophobicity and protein composition of the bacterial surface. In this study, the antibiofilm activity of two natural iron chelating agents, kojic acid (5-hydroxy-2-hydroxymethyl-4H-pyran-4-one) and maltol (3-hydroxy-2-methyl-4-pyrone), were investigated against Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

Constructing High-Yielding for (-)-α-Bisabolol Production Based on the Exogenous Haloarchaeal MVA Pathway and Endogenous Molecular Chaperones.

(-)-α-Bisabolol exhibits analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and skin-soothing properties and is widely applied in the cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries. The use of plant essential oil distillation or chemical synthesis to produce (-)-α-bisabolol is both inefficient and unsustainable. Currently, the microbial production of (-)-α-bisabolol mainly relies on and as chassis strains; however, high concentrations of (-)-α-bisabolol have certain toxicity to the strain.

Structural plasticity of the coiled-coil interactions in human SFPQ.

The proteins SFPQ (splicing Factor Proline/Glutamine rich) and NONO (non-POU domain-containing octamer-binding protein) are mammalian members of the Drosophila Behaviour/Human Splicing (DBHS) protein family, which share 76% sequence identity in their conserved 320 amino acid DBHS domain. SFPQ and NONO are involved in all steps of post-transcriptional regulation and are primarily located in mammalian paraspeckles: liquid phase-separated, ribonucleoprotein sub-nuclear bodies templated by NEAT1 long non-coding RNA. A combination of structured and low-complexity regions provide polyvalent interaction interfaces that facilitate homo- and heterodimerisation, polymerisation, interactions with oligonucleotides, mRNA, long non-coding RNA, and liquid phase-separation, all of which have been implicated in cellular homeostasis and neurological diseases including neuroblastoma.

Identification of Serum-Derived CricRNA Diagnostic Panel and Revealing Their Regulatory Mechanisms in HCV-HCC: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Aims And Objectives: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a significant risk factor for the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Serum-derived circular RNAs (circRNAs) play several crucial roles in HCV and HCC. They represent a promising area of research for improving the diagnosis and understanding the mechanisms of HCV-HCC.

Analysis of gene variants in familial and non-familial primary open angle glaucoma Pakistani patients.

Aim: To find out the association of secreted protein acidic and rich in cysteine (SPARC)-related modular calcium binding 2 () gene variants rs2255680 and rs13208776 with genotypic and phenotypic characteristics in both familial and non-familial primary open angle glaucoma (POAG) patients.

Methods: A total of 212 POAG patients, comprising 124 familial and 88 non-familial, were enrolled. For genotyping the variant rs2255680, amplification refractory mutation system (ARMS)-polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method and PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) were utilized for analyzing rs13208776 variant.

Molecular surveillance and antimicrobial susceptibility profile of bacterial contamination in pastries of Iranian confectioneries: a public health concern.

Introduction: Microbial contamination in food products such as pastries, poses a significant public health concern due to the potential risks of foodborne infection and outbreak, Therefore, to prevent these infections, it is essential to investigate the frequency and extent of microbial contamination as well as the level of drug resistance in pastries. Due to this issue, our study aimed to assess the microbial diversity and the drug susceptibility patterns of microbial pollutants in pastry shops in Markazi province, Iran.

Methods: The study involved collecting 120 pastry samples from 30 pastry shops in Markazi province, Iran.

Altered amino and fatty acids metabolism in Sudanese prostate cancer patients: insights from metabolic analysis.

Introduction: Prostate cancer (PCa) management presents a multifaceted clinical challenge, intricately linking oncological considerations with cardiovascular health. Despite the recognized importance of lipid metabolism and hypertension in this interwoven relationship, their involvement in PCa development remains partially understood. This study aimed to explore variations in plasma metabolome among Sudanese PCa patients and their associated comorbidities.

Efficiency and safety of cannabinoid medical use: an analysis of discussions and observed trends on Instagram.

Background: Cannabis and its derivatives show encouraging therapeutic effects in the treatment of various diseases. However, further studies are needed to better assess their efficacy and safety. A promising base for research in the field of medicine and additional pharmacovigilance is social networks, in which experience and knowledge are exchanged between researchers, doctors, and patients, as well as information about the potential risks and benefits of using drugs for medical purposes is disseminated.

Development of a Microphysiological Cartilage-on-Chip Platform for Dynamic Biomechanical Stimulation of Three-Dimensional Encapsulated Chondrocytes in Agarose Hydrogels.

Osteoarthritis (OA) is one of the most prevalent joint diseases globally, characterized by the progressive breakdown of articular cartilage, resulting in chronic pain, stiffness, and loss of joint function. Despite its significant socioeconomic impact, therapeutic options remain limited, largely due to an incomplete understanding of the molecular mechanisms driving cartilage degradation and OA pathogenesis. Recent advances in in vitro modeling have revolutionized joint tissue research, transitioning from simplistic two-dimensional cell cultures to sophisticated three-dimensional (3D) constructs that more accurately mimic the physiological microenvironment of native cartilage.

The hidden impact of GLP-1 receptor agonists on endometrial receptivity and implantation.

Increasing infertility rates represent a growing medical challenge in modern societies resulting from a complex interplay of sociocultural trends, lifestyle factors, exposure to environmental toxins, and underlying health problems. Women's fertility is particularly vulnerable to these shifts. The obesogenic lifestyle not only accelerates weight gain, but also disrupts ovulation driving the rise in infertility.

FAM96B negatively regulates FOSL1 to modulate the osteogenic differentiation and regeneration of periodontal ligament stem cells via ferroptosis.

Background: Periodontal ligament stem cell (PDLSC)-based therapy is one of the methods to assist bone regeneration. Understanding the functional regulation of PDLSCs and the mechanisms involved is a crucial issue in bone regeneration. This study aimed to explore the roles of the family with sequence similarity 96 member B (FAM96B) in the functional regulation of PDLSCs.

Effect of statins on arterial wall inflammation as assessed by 18F-FDG PET CT: an updated systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Pathogenesis of atherosclerosis is largely mediated by inflammatory process. Statins are lipid-lowering drugs which also have anti-inflammatory effects. 18 fluorine radiolabeled fluorodeoxyglucose (18 F-FDG) positron emission tomography-computed tomography (PET-CT) is considered to be a good indicator of arterial wall inflammation.

Regulatory effects of statins on CCL2/CCR2 axis in cardiovascular diseases: new insight into pleiotropic effects of statins.

Background: HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors are well-known medications in the treatment of cardiovascular disorders due to their pleiotropic and lipid-lowering properties. Herein, we reviewed the effects of statins on the CCL2/CCR2 axis.

Method: Scopus and Pubmed databases were systematically searched using the following keywords:" Hydroxymethylglutaryl CoA Reductase Inhibitors"," HMG-CoA Reductase Inhibitors"," Statins", "CCL2, Chemokine", "Monocyte Chemoattractant Protein-1" and "Chemokine (C-C Motif) Ligand 2".

CLOCK gene 3'UTR and exon 9 polymorphisms show a strong association with essential hypertension in a North Indian population.

Background: Hypertension (HTN) is a medical condition characterized by persistent systolic and diastolic blood pressures of ≥ 140 mmHg and ≥ 90 mmHg, respectively. With more than 1200 million adult patients aged 30-79 years worldwide according to the latest WHO data, HTN is a major health risk factor; more importantly, 46% of patients are unaware of this condition. Essential hypertension (EH), also known as primary hypertension, is the predominant subtype and has a complex etiology that involves both genetic and non-genetic factors.

Ecytonucleospora hepatopenaei (EHP) disease prevalence and mortality in Litopenaeus vannamei: a comparative study from Eastern India shrimp farms.

Ecytonucleospora hepatopenaei (EHP), a microsporidian parasite first named and characterized from the Penaeus monodon (black or giant tiger shrimp), causes growth retardation and poses a significant threat to shrimp farming. We observed shrimp farms associated with disease conditions during our fish disease surveillance and health management program in West Bengal, India. Shrimp exhibited growth retardation and increased size variability, particularly in advanced stages, exhibiting soft shells, lethargy, reduced feeding and empty midguts.

PGRN protects against serum deprivation-induced cell death by promoting the ROS scavenger system in cervical cancer.

Progranulin (PGRN), an autocrine growth factor with tumorigenic roles in a variety of tumors, is a putative survival factor for normal and cancer cells in vitro. However, the fundamental mechanism of PGRN-mediated survival of cancer cells suffering from various types of microenvironmental stresses, such as serum deprivation, remains unknown. We show here that serum deprivation decreases intracellular PGRN protein levels in cervical cancer cells.

In Vitro Bioassay and In silico Pharmacokinetic Characteristics of Xanthium strumarium Plant Extract as Possible Acaricidal Agent.

Background: Effective management strategies against tick infestations are necessary because tickborne diseases represent serious hazards to the health of humans and animals worldwide. The aim of this study was to examine the larvicidal and ovicidal properties of Xanthium strumarium extract against a notorious tick species, Rhipicephalus microplus.

Methodology: The maceration method was used to prepare the ethanolic extract of X.

Aloin reduces advanced glycation end products, decreases oxidative stress, and enhances structural stability in glycated low-density lipoprotein.

Glycation of proteins has been linked to several cardiovascular diseases, including atherosclerosis and diabetes mellitus. Various natural compounds have been explored for their anti-glycating ability. Aloin is the major anthraquinone glycoside, acquired from the Aloe species.