COVID-19 and cancer: reflections 2 years into the pandemic.

The COVID-19 pandemic, which emerged in the light of day toward the end of 2019, has changed almost every field of health care basically, and oncology is no exception. After reflecting on events of the past 2 years, it becomes evident that while the pandemic has put several difficulties in the way of cancer diagnosis, treatment, and research, it has also brought about a few positive changes and once again highlighted how strong the global cancer care community is.

Tobacco-free generation: reflecting on progress globally and its potential feasibility in India.

Tobacco-free generation (TFG) policies, also conceptualised as smoke-free or nicotine-free generation in some geographies, envision the elimination of tobacco use initiation by preventing tobacco sales to generations born after a specified birth date. This cohort-based policy approach eventually aims to phase out tobacco use. This paper defines TFG, reviews its international developments and explores the feasibility of the TFG policy approach in India, considering the country's federal governance structure with health as a state responsibility, within a national policy framework.

mHealth-based intervention by community workers to support family caregivers of persons with dementia living at home: study protocol for a cluster randomised controlled trial.

Background: India is undergoing a significant demographic shift with a growing older population, leading to an anticipated increase in people with dementia. Family caregivers, who are predominantly informal, carry the burden of care within households, facing numerous challenges that impact their well-being. Despite the cultural emphasis on family support, there is a lack of targeted interventions for caregivers in India.

Small Molecule with Big Impact: Metarrestin Targets the Perinucleolar Compartment in Cancer Metastasis.

Metarrestin (ML246) is a first-in-class pyrrole-pyrimidine-derived small molecule that selectively targets the perinucleolar compartment (PNC). PNC is a distinct subnuclear structure predominantly found in solid tumor cells. The occurrence of PNC demonstrates a positive correlation with malignancy, serving as an indicator of tumor aggressiveness, progression, and metastasis.

Interactions between lncRNAs and cyclins/CDKs complexes; key players in determining cancer cell response to CDKs inhibitors.

Transcription takes place over a significant portion of the human genome. However, only a small portion of the transcriptome, roughly 1.2%, consists of RNAs translated into proteins; the majority of transcripts, on the other hand, comprise a variety of RNA families with varying sizes and functions.

Association between vascular endothelial growth factor and atrial fibrillation: a systematic review.

Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most prevalent form of sustained cardiac arrhythmia, with vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) increasingly recognized for its potential role in the pathogenesis of AF through mechanisms involving atrial remodeling, inflammation, and fibrosis. This systematic review aims to synthesize available evidence on the association between VEGF and AF, exploring the implications of VEGF as a biomarker and therapeutic target.

Methods: We conducted a comprehensive search across PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science until November 10 2024, selecting studies based on pre-defined criteria that involve adults with AF and measurements of VEGF levels.

Wealth-based inequalities in tuberculosis prevalence among households having children and young adults in India: insights from Indian demographic and health surveys (2015-2021).

Background: Tuberculosis (TB) remains a significant health concern in India, especially among households with children and young adolescents aged 6-17 years. Despite ongoing research, there is a knowledge gap regarding specific risk factors for TB within this demographic. This study aims to bridge this gap by examining the association between TB and various socio-demographic factors, including socioeconomic status, nutritional status, and environmental conditions.

Association of Specific Dietary Fatty Acids with Asthma in Urban School Children and Adolescents: Inferences from a Cross-Sectional Multicentric Study From India.

Objective: To assess the association of dietary fatty acids with asthma in Indian school children.

Methods: Children aged 6-16 years were enrolled from randomly selected urban schools in 10 cities. The International Study on Asthma and Allergies in Childhood Phase III Questionnaire was used to assess the prevalence of asthma.

A cutting-edge investigation of the multifaceted role of SOX family genes in cancer pathogenesis through the modulation of various signaling pathways.

This detailed study examines the complex role of the SOX family in various tumorigenic contexts, offering insights into how these transcription factors function in cancer. As the study progresses, it explores the specific contributions of each SOX family member. The significant roles of the SOX family in the oncogenic environment are well-recognized, highlighting a range of regulatory mechanisms that influence tumor progression.

P300 Event-Related Potential: A Surrogate Marker of Cognitive Dysfunction in Parkinson's Disease Patients with Psychosis.

Background And Objectives: Psychosis is one of the major neuropsychiatric non-motor symptoms of Parkinson's disease (PD). Prolonged latency and decreased amplitude of the P300 event-related potential (ERP) is a potential neurophysiologic biomarker of deeper neurocognitive deficits in PD. We aimed to characterize electroencephalogram (EEG)/ERP parameters in PD patients with and without psychosis (PDP and PDNP, respectively), and to determine if such measures could act as endophenotypes for PD-associated psychosis (PDP).

Exploring the role of exosomal lncRNA in cancer immunopathogenesis: Unraveling the immune response and EMT pathways.

Exosomes are membrane-bound vesicles secreted by diverse cell types, serving as crucial mediators in intercellular communication and significantly influencing cancer development. Exosomes facilitate complex signaling processes in the tumor microenvironment for immunomodulation, metastasis, angiogenesis, and treatment resistance. Notably, long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), a class of non-coding RNAs, engage with mRNA, DNA, proteins, and miRNAs to modulate gene expression through multiple mechanisms, including transcriptional, post-transcriptional, translational, and epigenetic pathways.

Escherichia coli in diarrhoeic lambs: Prevalence, virulence and antibiotic resistance.

The present study aimed to detect the prevalence, virulence and antimicrobial resistance genes profile of Escherichia coli isolated from diarrhoeic lambs. A total of 61 faecal samples were collected from diarrhoeic lambs. The presence of various virulence and antimicrobial resistance genes in E.

Beyond metabolic messengers: Bile acids and TGR5 as pharmacotherapeutic intervention for psychiatric disorders.

Psychiatric disorders pose a significant global health challenge, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic and insufficiently addressed by the current treatments. This review explores the emerging role of bile acids and the TGR5 receptor in the pathophysiology of psychiatric conditions, emphasizing their signaling within the gut-brain axis. We detail the synthesis and systemic functions of bile acids, their transformation by gut microbiota, and their impact across various neuropsychiatric disorders, including major depressive disorder, general anxiety disorder, schizophrenia, autism spectrum disorder, and bipolar disorder.

Hydroxyethylamine based analog targets microtubule assembly: an in silico study for anti-cancerous drug development.

Microtubules are dynamic cytoskeletal structures essential for cell architecture, cellular transport, cell motility, and cell division. Due to their dynamic nature, known as dynamic instability, microtubules can spontaneously switch between phases of growth and shortening. Disruptions in microtubule functions have been implicated in several diseases, including cancer, neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease, and birth defects.

The gut-brain axis: Unveiling the impact of xenobiotics on neurological health and disorders.

The Gut-Brain Axis (GBA) is a crucial link between the gut microbiota and the central nervous system. Xenobiotics, originating from diverse sources, play a significant role in shaping this interaction. This review examines how these compounds influence neurotransmitter dynamics within the GBA.

Assessing the concentration, distribution and characteristics of suspended microplastics in the Malaysian indoor environment.

This study examines the concentration, distribution, and characteristics of suspended microplastics (MPs) across various indoor environments in Malaysia, including offices, classrooms, landed homes, and apartments. Over a six-week period, MPs were collected using a vacuum pump and analyzed through gravimetric analysis, stereomicroscopy, and Raman spectroscopy. The results revealed significant variability in MPs concentrations among different locations, with fibers identified as the predominant morphological type.

Chronic kidney disease and aging: dissecting the p53/p21 pathway as a therapeutic target.

Chronic kidney diseases (CKD) are a group of multi-factorial disorders that markedly impair kidney functions with progressive renal deterioration. Aging contributes to age-specific phenotypes in kidneys, which undergo several structural and functional alterations, such as a decline in regenerative capacity and increased fibrosis, inflammation, and tubular atrophy, all predisposing them to disease and increasing their susceptibility to injury while impeding their recovery. A central feature of these age-related processes is the activation of the p53/p21 pathway signaling.

Knowledge and awareness of child sexual abuse related to POCSO (Protection of Children from Sexual Offences) Act among medical and dental professionals in India: A cross-sectional study.

Background: The POCSO (Protection Of Children from Sexual Offences) Act was introduced in 2012 as a measure to safeguard and prevent interests of children affected by sexual crimes. Both medical and dental professionals are capable of identifying such cases.

Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the knowledge and awareness of child sexual abuse related to POCSO Act among both medical and dental professionals in India.

Remodeling of tumour microenvironment: strategies to overcome therapeutic resistance and innovate immunoengineering in triple-negative breast cancer.

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) stands as the most complex and daunting subtype of breast cancer affecting women globally. Regrettably, treatment options for TNBC remain limited due to its clinical complexity. However, immunotherapy has emerged as a promising avenue, showing success in developing effective therapies for advanced cases and improving patient outcomes.

Mortality reduction with 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Pneumococcal disease, caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae, imposes a significant global health burden, particularly affecting vulnerable groups such as the elderly and immunocompromised. The 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPV23) is designed to protect against 23 serotypes of Streptococcus pneumoniae. However, there is ongoing debate about its effectiveness in reducing all-cause mortality.

is implicated in central nervous system, orofacial and maxillofacial anomalies.

Background: Previous studies in mouse, and zebrafish embryos show strong expression in progenitor cells of neuronal and neural crest tissues suggesting its involvement in neural crest specification. However, the role of human transcription factor activator protein 2 ( in human embryonic central nervous system (CNS), orofacial and maxillofacial development is unknown.

Methods: Through a collaborative work, exome survey was performed in families with congenital CNS, orofacial and maxillofacial anomalies.

Exosome-mediated delivery of CRISPR-Cas9: A revolutionary approach to cancer gene editing.

Several molecular strategies based on targeted gene delivery systems have been developed in recent years; however, the CRISPR-Cas9 technology introduced a new era of targeted gene editing, precisely modifying oncogenes, tumor suppressor genes, and other regulatory genes involved in carcinogenesis. However, efficiently and safely delivering CRISPR-Cas9 to cancer cells across the cell membrane and the nucleus is still challenging. Using viral vectors and nanoparticles presents issues of immunogenicity, off-target effects, and low targeting affinity.