The Role of Metallurgical Features in the Microbially Influenced Corrosion of Carbon Steel: A Critical Review.

Microbially influenced corrosion (MIC) is a potentially critical degradation mechanism for a wide range of materials exposed to environments that contain relevant microorganisms. The likelihood and rate of MIC are affected by microbiological, chemical, and metallurgical factors; hence, the understanding of the mechanisms involved, verification of the presence of MIC, and the development of mitigation methods require a multidisciplinary approach. Much of the recent focus in MIC research has been on the microbiological and chemical aspects, with less attention given to metallurgical attributes. Here, we address this knowledge gap by providing a critical synthesis of the literature on the metallurgical aspects of MIC of carbon steel, a material frequently associated with MIC failures and widely used in construction and infrastructure globally. The article begins by introducing the process of MIC, then progresses to explore the complexities of various metallurgical factors relevant to MIC in carbon steel. These factors include chemical composition, grain size, grain boundaries, microstructural phases, inclusions, and welds, highlighting their potential influence on MIC processes. This review systematically presents key discoveries, trends, and the limitations of prior research, offering some novel insights into the impact of metallurgical factors on MIC, particularly for the benefit of those already familiar with other aspects of MIC. The article concludes with recommendations for documenting metallurgical data in MIC research. An appreciation of relevant metallurgical attributes is essential for a critical assessment of a material's vulnerability to MIC to advance research practices and to broaden the collective knowledge in this rapidly evolving area of study.

Fresh Frozen Cartilage in Rhinoplasty Surgery: A Systematic Review of Outcomes.

INTRODUCTION: Cadaveric fresh frozen cartilage provides an enticing alternative to traditional autologous cartilage grafts. This review provides a systematic analysis of existing literature on the use of fresh frozen rib for in rhinoplasties and focuses on clinical and aesthetic outcomes. METHODS: The methodology was designed and registered in the PROSPERO database (CRD42023447166). The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis guideline was used to perform this systematic review. RESULTS: Four articles were included, with a total of 554 patients. A total of 477 patients were female (86%). Mean age ranged between 35.8 and 40.6. Mean follow-up ranged from 12.2 to 20.3 months. Only one article had a suitable control (with autologous rib graft). Pooled complications rates were low. Infection occurred in 12 patients (2%), warping in 8 patients (1.4%) and resorption in 3 patients (0.5%). CONCLUSION: Fresh frozen cartilage may be a safe and reliable alternative to autologous rib grafts. Complication rates were comparable to previous systematic reviews of autologous graft and irradiated allograft. Overall, patients reported high satisfaction rates with low rates of revision procedures. Further studies are required to assess both clinical and cost effectiveness against the current gold standard (autologous graft). LEVEL OF EVIDENCE III: Rhinoplasty. This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266 .

Self-reported preparedness of final year undergraduate dental students and interns in Saudi Arabia: a multi-institutional study.

BACKGROUND: Contemporary undergraduate dental education aims to equip the dental students with clinical competence, empathy, and professionalism to enable them to deliver safe and effective dental care to the communities. The purpose of this study was to assess the self-reported preparedness of final year dental students and interns at three Saudi dental institutions, using the pre-validated Dental Undergraduates Preparedness Assessment Scale (DU-PAS). METHODS: A cross-sectional study design was employed to assess the self-reported preparedness of the participants using the DU-PAS. Following ethics approval, a probability sampling technique was used to recruit undergraduate dental students and interns from three dental institutions in Saudi Arabia. The data was collected online on Google Forms and all participants provided their consent to participate in the study prior to providing their responses to DU-PAS. RESULTS: Responses were received from 397 participants including 171 males and 226 females yielding a response rate of 60.3%. The total mean score of the participants was 81.85 ± 13.11. Although higher scores were reported in males, the interaction between gender and DU-PAS scores were not significant. Interaction between DU-PAS scores and stage of education showed significant effect of the stage of education with interns reporting higher overall scores. The participants reported that they were able to perform most clinical procedures independently. However, low confidence was reported in performing multi-rooted endodontics, fabrication of removable dentures and orthodontic assessment. The participants also expressed their confidence in a wide range of behavioural attributes related to communication, teamworking and professionalism. However, lack of experience was noted in referral for oral cancer, interpreting research, and evaluation of new dental products using an evidence-based approach. CONCLUSION: The study provides useful insights into the self-reported preparedness of undergraduate dental students and interns in three dental institutions. While the overall preparedness of the participants was comparable to their international peers, the findings underscore the need for further enhancements to the teaching and training of undergraduate students particularly in multirooted endodontics, removable prosthodontics and orthodontics.

Liposuction-Only Breast Reduction: A Systematic Review of Outcomes.

INTRODUCTION: Over the past few decades, there have been multiple reports of liposuction assisted breast reduction. This technique appeals to patients due to the limited scars and complication profile, compared to traditional reduction mammaplasty techniques. We aimed to systematically review the literature, to elucidate the outcomes and safety of liposuction-only breast reduction. METHODS: A systematic review was performed using the Ovid (Medline/PubMed) database, in accordance with the PRISMA checklist. RESULTS: In total 7 articles were included within this systematic review. A total of 652 patients were included. Liposuction-only breast reduction appears to lead to improvements in subjective outcome measures, patient satisfaction, and objective outcomes such as moderate breast volume reduction and reduction in breast ptosis. Overall, the procedure had a low complication profile. Liposuction did not preclude further surgery. No evidence of malignancy or difficulty in future breast cancer screening was noted. CONCLUSION: Macromastia leads to a considerable health burden, especially in health-related costs. From the current evidence base, liposuction-only breast reduction appears to be a safe and effective procedure, especially in patients requiring a mild-moderate breast volume reduction and mild ptosis correction. More research is required, with standardised subjective and objective outcome measures, and longer follow-up periods to confirm the effectiveness and safety of this technique. Level of Evidence III This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine Ratings, please refer to Table of Contents or online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266 .

Genome-wide in-silico analysis of ethylene biosynthesis gene family in Musa acuminata L. and their response under nutrient stress.

Ethylene is a gaseous phytohormone involved in plants' growth and developmental processes, including seed germination, root initiation, fruit ripening, flower and leaf senescence, abscission, and stress responses. Ethylene biosynthesis (EB) gene analysis in response to nitrogen (N) and potassium (K) stress has not yet been conducted in Musa acuminata (banana) roots. The genome mining of banana (Musa acuminata L.) revealed 14 putative 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate synthase (ACS), 10 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate oxidase (ACO), and 3 Ethylene overproducer 1 (ETO1) genes. ACS, ACO, and ETO1 proteins possessed amino acid residues ranging from 422-684, 636-2670, and 893-969, respectively, with molecular weight (Mw) ranging from 4.93-7.55 kD, 10.1-8.3 kD and 10.1-10.78 kD. The number of introns present in ACS, ACO, and ETO1 gene sequences ranges from 0-14, 1-6, and 0-6, respectively. The cis-regulatory element analysis revealed the presence of light-responsive, abscisic acid, seed regulation, auxin-responsive, gibberellin element, endosperm-specific, anoxic inducibility, low-temperature responsiveness, salicylic acid responsiveness, meristem-specific and stress-responsive elements. Comprehensive phylogenetic analyses ACS, ACO, and ETO1 genes of Banana with Arabidopsis thaliana revealed several orthologs and paralogs assisting in understanding the putative functions of these genes. The expression profile of Musa acuminata genes in root under normal and low levels of nitrogen and potassium shows that MaACS14 and MaACO6 expressed highly at normal nitrogen supply. MaACS1 expression was significantly upregulated at low potassium levels, whereas, MaACO6 gene expression was significantly downregulated. The functional divergence and site-specific selective pressures on specific gene sequences of banana have been investigated. The bioinformatics-based genome-wide assessment of the family of banana attempted in the present study could be a significant step for deciphering novel ACS, ACO, and ETO1 genes based on genome-wide expression profiling.

In vitro silicon supplementation enhanced acclimatisation and growth of sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum) via improved antioxidant and nutrient acquisition patterns in saline soil.

Salinity affects crop growth by modulating cellular ionic concentrations and generation of reactive oxygen species. Application of silicon (Si) has proved beneficial in ameliorating salinity-triggered plant growth and yield retardations. Leaf roll explants of three sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum ) genotypes (HSF-240, CPF-246, CPF-250) were cultured in Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with K2 SiO3 . In vitro regenerated plantlets were acclimatised and grown in natural saline soil. In absence of Si, cv. CPF-246 exhibited better salt tolerance as indicted by maximum chlorophyll a and chlorophyll b contents, rate of photosynthesis and root K+ uptake along with less cellular hydrogen peroxide content. Silicon restricted root Na+ uptake but assisted in K+ , Ca2+ , Mg2+ and Fe2+ accretion in roots and their translocation towards shoots. Cv. HSF-240 and cv. CPF-250 exhibited more increase in photosynthetic pigment content, stomatal conductance and photosynthetic rate after addition of 25 or 50mgL-1 Si than control group. Optimum phenolic content and antioxidant enzyme activity along with decreased lipid peroxidation and hydrogen peroxide content were recorded in all three sugarcane genotypes raised in presence of 25 or 50mgL-1 Si. These findings signify Si supplementation (50mgL-1 ) in tissue culture medium and plant adaptation in saline soil. Further in vitro studies involving Si-mediated gene expression modulations in sugarcane protoplasts shall assist in deciphering cross-talk between Si uptake and cellular responses. The application of Si can further be tested for other plant species to devise strategies for improved crop growth and utilisation of saline areas for crop cultivation.

Efficacy and safety of itopride SR for upper gastrointestinal symptoms in patients with diabetic gastroparesis: real-world evidence from Pakistan.

Background: Gastroparesis is a serious condition that can be caused by diabetes, surgery or infection, or can be idiopathic. When there is no mechanical obstruction, gastroparesis is characterized by delayed stomach emptying. Itopride, a prokinetic drug, inhibits acetylcholinesterase activity in addition to antagonizing dopamine D2 receptors. Methods: This prospective, multicentre study is based on real-world data from 988 patients with a diagnosis of diabetic gastroparesis for index (PAGI-SYM2) evaluation at baseline and week 4 of treatment for upper gastrointestinal disorder symptoms. Results: Upper gastrointestinal symptom severity scores improved significantly after 4 weeks of treatment (p<0.001), with significant improvement across all categories of gastroparesis (very mild (37-58.6%), mild degree (24.6-31.6%), moderate (29.3-7.3%) and severe (8.8-2.6%). Conclusion: Itopride SR (Nogerd SR) in a 150 mg once-daily dose showed promising results in reducing the severity of upper gastrointestinal disorder symptoms associated with diabetic gastroparesis. Both statistical and clinical effectiveness were observed. Moreover, the treatment demonstrated a favourable tolerability profile, with a low incidence of adverse effects.

Deciphering the electrochemical sensing capability of novel Ga12As12 nanocluster towards chemical warfare phosgene gas: insights from DFT.

The applications of 3D inorganic nanomaterials in environmental and agriculture monitoring have been exploited continuously; however, the utilization of semiconductor nanoclusters, especially for detecting warfare agents, has not been fully investigated yet. To fill this gap, the molecular modelling of novel inorganic semiconductor nanocluster Ga12As12 as a sensor for phosgene gas (highly toxic for living things and the environment) is accomplished employing benchmark DFT and TD-DFT investigations. Computational tools have been applied to explore different adsorption sites and the potential sensing capability of the Ga12As12 nanoclusters. The calculated adsorption energy (-21.34 ± 2.7 kcal mol-1) for ten selected complexes, namely, Pgn-Cl@4m-ring (MS1), Pgn-Cl@6m-ring (MS2), Pgn-Cl@XY66 (MS3), Pgn-O@4m-ring (MS4), Pgn-O@XY66 (MS5), Pgn-O@XY64 (MS6), Pgn-O@Y (MS7), Pgn-planar@Y (MS8), Pgn-planar@X (MS9), and Pgn-planar@4m-ring (MS10), manifest the remarkable and excessive adsorption response of the studied nanoclusters. The explored molecular electronic properties, such as interaction distance (3.05 ± 0.5 Å), energy gap (∼2.17 eV), softness (∼0.46 eV), hardness (1.10 ± 0.01 eV), electrophilicity index (10.27 ± 0.45 eV), electrical conductivity (∼1.98 × 109), and recovery time (∼3 × 10-12 s-1) values, ascertain the elevated reactivity and an imperishable sensitivity of the Ga12As12 nanocluster, particularly for its complex MS8. QTAIM analysis exhibits the presence of a strong electrostatic bond (positive ∇2ρ(r) values), electron delocalization (ELF < 0.5), and a strong chemical bond (because of high all-electron density values). In addition, NBO analysis explores the lone pair electron delocalization of phosgene to the nanocluster stabilized by intermolecular charge transfer (ICT) and different kinds of non-covalent interactions. Also, the green region existence expressed by NCI analysis (between the nanocluster and adsorbate) stipulate the energetic and dominant interactions. Furthermore, the UV-Vis, thermodynamic analysis, and density of state (DOS) demonstrate the maximum absorbance (562.11 nm) and least excitation energy (2.21 eV) by the complex MS8, the spontaneity of the interaction process, and the significant changes in HOMO and LUMO energies, respectively. Thus, the Ga12As12 nanocluster has proven to be a promising influential sensing material to monitor phosgene gas in the real world, and this study will emphasize the informative knowledge for experimental researchers to use Ga12As12 as a sensor for the warfare agent (phosgene).

Left Pulmonary Artery Aneurysm Secondary to Metastatic Lung Sarcoma: A Case Report.

Aneurysms are characterized by focal dilation of the blood vessel wall due to weakening. The involvement of two layers of the vessel wall is classified as a pseudoaneurysm while the involvement of all three layers is called a true aneurysm. Involvement of neoplastic lesions is rare, but the few reported cases have been associated with pulmonary artery pseudoaneurysms as opposed to true pulmonary artery aneurysms (PAAs). Our case of a true left PAA of a patient with metastatic sarcoma of the lung shows an association that has previously not been reported to the best of our knowledge.

Influence of Root Canal Treatment on Oral-Health-Related Quality of Life (OHRQoL) in Saudi Patients: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Objective This cross-sectional study aimed to assess the influence of root canal treatment on the oral-health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) of patients in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). The data on KSA's population are significantly limited, highlighting the significance of additional research to be carried out in this particular field. Methods The study was conducted at the dental clinics of the College of Dentistry, Qassim University, from January to June 2022. A total of 112 patients who had undergone endodontic therapy (ET) for teeth with irreversible pulpitis were included. Demographic data and treatment procedures were recorded. The patients' responses to the OHIP-14 questionnaire were analyzed to assess their OHRQoL. The scores were converted into qualitative categories (good, moderate, poor) for classification. Results The majority of patients (59.8%) reported a good OHRQoL after ET. Physical pain was the only variable where more than 50% of patients reported experiencing pain. Older age and smoking status were significantly associated with a poorer OHRQoL. However, no significant gender differences in OHRQoL were observed. Conclusion ET had a positive impact on the OHRQoL of patients in Saudi Arabia. The study highlights the importance of considering patient-centered outcomes, such as OHRQoL, in assessing the success of root canal treatment. Further research with longitudinal designs and randomized controlled trials is needed to better understand the long-term effects of root canal treatment on patients' OHRQoL and to compare them with other dental treatments.

Identification and Classification of Lungs Focal Opacity Using CNN Segmentation and Optimal Feature Selection.

Lung cancer is one of the deadliest cancers around the world, with high mortality rate in comparison to other cancers. A lung cancer patient's survival probability in late stages is very low. However, if it can be detected early, the patient survival rate can be improved. Diagnosing lung cancer early is a complicated task due to having the visual similarity of lungs nodules with trachea, vessels, and other surrounding tissues that leads toward misclassification of lung nodules. Therefore, correct identification and classification of nodules is required. Previous studies have used noisy features, which makes results comprising. A predictive model has been proposed to accurately detect and classify the lung nodules to address this problem. In the proposed framework, at first, the semantic segmentation was performed to identify the nodules in images in the Lungs image database consortium (LIDC) dataset. Optimal features for classification include histogram oriented gradients (HOGs), local binary patterns (LBPs), and geometric features are extracted after segmentation of nodules. The results shown that support vector machines performed better in identifying the nodules than other classifiers, achieving the highest accuracy of 97.8% with sensitivity of 100%, specificity of 93%, and false positive rate of 6.7%.

A Retrospective Analysis of Pinnaplasty Outcomes: The Welsh Experience.

Prominent ears (PEs) are the most frequent congenital external ear deformity, occurring in ∼5% of the population. Although the deformity does not usually cause functional difficulties, it can significantly affect the patient's psychological and social health. The authors aim to present the Welsh experience of pinnaplasty, reviewing our outcomes and complications. A retrospective cross-sectional study was performed of all patients undergoing pinnaplasty in Morriston Hospital, Swansea, Wales. We represent the tertiary plastic surgery referral unit across Wales. We included all patients undergoing pinnaplasty between 2015 and 2022 inclusive. We excluded patients undergoing revision procedures or those who had no follow-up. Over the 7-year period, 236 pinnaplasties were performed and 203 were included in the analysis. Ninety-six percent of cases were performed using a cartilage-sparing approach, which represents the mainstay in our unit. The mean follow-up length for our cases was 12 months. Revision procedures were required in 4% of cases. Three hematomas (1.5%) and one (0.5%) wound dehiscence due to infection were recorded and required a return to the operating room. Suture extrusion was noted in 5% of cases (10 patients); 4.5% (9) cases were affected by either hypertrophic or keloid scarring. Across the United Kingdom, cosmetic procedures have come under scrutiny, namely, because of a difficult economic climate. In the era of tight fiscal control in health care, it is pertinent to analyze the outcomes and performance metrics of our operations regularly, thus aiding in the development of an established evidence base to advocate for our respective patients.

The Biogenic Synthesis of Bimetallic Ag/ZnO Nanoparticles: A Multifunctional Approach for Methyl Violet Photocatalytic Degradation and the Assessment of Antibacterial, Antioxidant, and Cytotoxicity Properties.

In this study, bimetallic nanoparticles (NPs) of silver (Ag) and zinc oxide (ZnO) were synthesized using Leptadenia pyrotechnica leaf extract for the first time. Monometallic NPs were also obtained for comparison. The characterization of the prepared NPs was carried out using various techniques, including UV-Visible spectroscopy (UV-Vis), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The latter confirmed the crystalline nature and diameter of the monometallic and bimetallic NPs of Ag and ZnO. The SEM images of the prepared NPs revealed their different shapes. The biological activities of the NPs were evaluated concerning their antibacterial, antioxidant, and cytotoxic properties. The antibacterial activities were measured using the time-killing method. The results demonstrated that both the monometallic and bimetallic NPs inhibited the growth of Gram-negative (Escherichia coli) and Gram-positive (Staphylococcus aureus) bacteria. The antioxidant activities of the NPs were evaluated using the DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) assay and their cytotoxicity was checked using the MTT (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) assay. The results indicated that the controlled quantity of the monometallic and bimetallic NPs did not affect the viability of the cells. However, the decreased cell (L-929) viability suggested that the NPs could have anticancer properties. Furthermore, the photocatalytic degradation of methyl violet and 4-nitrophenol was investigated using the prepared Ag/ZnO NPs, examining the factors affecting the degradation process and conducting a kinetic and thermodynamic study. The prepared Ag/ZnO NPs demonstrated good photocatalytic degradation (88.9%) of the methyl violet (rate constant of 0.0183 min-1) in comparison to 4-nitrophenol (NPh), with a degradation rate of 81.37% and 0.0172 min-1, respectively. Overall, the bimetallic NPs showed superior antibacterial, antioxidant, cytotoxic, and photocatalytic properties compared to the monometallic NPs of Ag and ZnO.

A Systematic Review of Outcomes and Complications of Tuberous Breast Surgery.

BACKGROUND: Tuberous breast is a complex congenital breast anomaly that can be challenging to correct surgically. OBJECTIVES: The authors conducted a systematic review with pooled analysis of data, with the aim of determining the effectiveness and complications related to operative management of the deformity. METHODS: Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines were adopted in performing this systematic review. A simplified classification system for tuberous breast deformity was developed to accurately compare data and guide analysis. RESULTS: The review identified 38 studies, reporting a total of 897 patients undergoing tuberous breast surgery. The mean age of patients was 24 years (range 13-53 years). Mean follow-up was 39 months. A combination of tissue rearrangement and implant augmentation was the most common technique (73% of patients) followed by fat transfer alone (9%). Breast implants were employed in 83% of patients. The mean implanted volume per breast was 263 cc. Fat grafting was performed in 13% of patients and mean volume of fat grafted per breast was 185 cc. An overall complication rate of 20% was reported. Subjective assessment of patient satisfaction was 99%, and the mean score on BREAST-Q for satisfaction with clinical outcome was 86.7. Future studies should focus on robust study designs including randomized and cohort studies, use of patient-reported outcome measures, and long-term follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: The surgical techniques to correct tuberous breast deformity are safe, effective, and have a high satisfaction rate. Fat transfer has the capacity to provide promising results in treating tuberous breast deformity.

Screening of four signature genes for clinical testing through bioinformatics and in vitro methods in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.

Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSC) is the 6th most common cancer around the globe; its underlying molecular mechanisms and accurate molecular markers are still lacking. In this study, we explored hub genes and their potential signaling pathways through which these genes participate in the development of HNSC. The GSE23036 gene microarray dataset was attained from the GEO (Gene Expression Omnibus) database. Hub genes were identified via the Cytohubba plug-in application of the Cytoscape. The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) datasets and cell lines (HOK and FuDu) were used to evaluate expression variations in the hub genes. Moreover, promoter methylation, genetic alteration, gene enrichment, miRNA network, and immunocyte infiltration analysis were also performed to confirm the oncogenic role and biomarker potential of the hub genes in HNSC patients. Based on the hub gene analysis results, four hub genes, including KNTC1 (Kinetochore Associated 1), CEP55 (Centrosomal protein of 55 kDa), AURKA (Aurora A Kinase), and ECT2 (Epithelial Cell Transforming 2), with the highest degree scores were denoted as hub genes. All these four genes were significantly up-regulated in HNSC clinical samples and cell lines relative to their counterparts. Overexpression of KNTC1, CEP55, AURKA, and ECT2 was also associated with poor survival and various clinical parameters of the HNSC patients. Methylation analysis through targeted bisulfite sequencing of HOK and FuDu cell lines revealed that the overexpression of KNTC1, CEP55, AURKA, and ECT2 hub genes was due to their promoter hypomethylation. Moreover, higher expressions of KNTC1, CEP55, AURKA, and ECT2 were positively correlated with the abundance of the CD4+ T cells and macrophage while with the reduction of CD8+ T cells in HNSC samples. Finally, gene enrichment analysis showed that all hub genes are involved in "nucleoplasm, centrosome, mitotic spindle, and cytosol" pathways. In conclusion, the KNTC1, CEP55, AURKA, and ECT2 genes could be potential biomarkers for HNSC patients and provide a novel insight into the diagnosis and treatment of the disease.

Current advances in microbial-based cancer therapies.

Microbes have an immense metabolic capability and can adapt to a wide variety of environments; as a result, they share complicated relationships with cancer. The goal of microbial-based cancer therapy is to treat patients with cancers that are not easily treatable, by using tumor-specific infectious microorganisms. Nevertheless, a number of difficulties have been encountered as a result of the harmful effects of chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and alternative cancer therapies, such as the toxicity to non-cancerous cells, the inability of medicines to penetrate deep tumor tissue, and the ongoing problem of rising drug resistance in tumor cells. Due to these difficulties, there is now a larger need for designing alternative strategies that are more effective and selective when targeting tumor cells. The fight against cancer has advanced significantly owing to cancer immunotherapy. The researchers have greatly benefited from their understanding of tumor-invading immune cells as well as the immune responses that are specifically targeted against cancer. Application of bacterial and viral cancer therapeutics offers promising potential to be employed as cancer treatments among immunotherapies. As a novel therapeutic strategy, microbial targeting of tumors has been created to address the persisting hurdles of cancer treatment. This review outlines the mechanisms by which both bacteria and viruses target and inhibit the proliferation of tumor cells. Their ongoing clinical trials and possible modifications that can be made in the future have also been addressed in the following sections. These microbial-based cancer medicines have the ability to suppress cancer that builds up and multiplies in the tumor microenvironment and triggers antitumor immune responses, in contrast to other cancer medications.

In Vitro Anti-Microbial Activity and Anti-Cancer Potential of Novel Synthesized Carbamothioyl-Furan-2-Carboxamide Derivatives.

A series of carbamothioyl-furan-2-carboxamide derivatives were synthesized using a one-pot strategy. Compounds were obtained in moderate to excellent yields (56-85%). Synthesized derivatives were evaluated for their anti-cancer (HepG2, Huh-7, and MCF-7 human cancer cell lines) and anti-microbial potential. Compound p-tolylcarbamothioyl)furan-2-carboxamide showed the highest anti-cancer activity at a concentration of 20 µg/mL against hepatocellular carcinoma, with a cell viability of 33.29%. All compounds showed significant anti-cancer activity against HepG2, Huh-7, and MCF-7, while indazole and 2,4-dinitrophenyl containing carboxamide derivatives were found to be less potent against all tested cell lines. Results were compared with the standard drug doxorubicin. Carboxamide derivatives possessing 2,4-dinitrophenyl showed significant inhibition against all bacterial and fungal strains with inhibition zones (I.Z) in the range of 9-17 and MICs were found to be 150.7-295 µg/mL. All carboxamide derivatives showed significant anti-fungal activity against all tested fungal strains. Gentamicin was used as the standard drug. The results showed that carbamothioyl-furan-2-carboxamide derivatives could be a potential source of anti-cancer and anti-microbial agents.

Transcriptome analysis reveals key transcription factors and pathways of polian vesicle associated with cell proliferation in Vibrio splendidus-challenged Apostichopus japonicus.

Polian vesicle is thought to produce coelomocytes and contribute to the sea cucumber's immune system. Our previous work has indicated that polian vesicle was responsible for cell proliferation at 72 h post pathogenic challenge. However, the transcription factors related to the activation of effector factors and the molecular process behind this remained unknown. In this study, to reveal the early functions of polian vesicle in response to the microbe, a comparative transcriptome sequencing of polian vesicle in V. splendidus-challenged Apostichopus japonicus, including normal group (PV 0 h), pathogen challenging for 6 h (PV 6 h) and 12 h (PV 12 h) was performed. Compared PV 0 h to PV 6 h, PV 0 h to PV 12 h, and PV 6 h to PV 12 h, we found 69, 211, and 175 differentially expressed genes (DEGs), respectively. KEGG enrichment analysis revealed the DEGs, including several transcription factors such as fos, FOS-FOX, ATF2, egr1, KLF2, and Notch3 between PV 6 h and PV 12 h were consistently enriched in MAPK, Apelin and Notch3 signaling pathways related to cell proliferation compared with that in PV 0 h. Important DEGs involved in cell growth were chosen, and their expression patterns were almost the same as the transcriptome profile analysis by qPCR. Protein interaction network analysis indicated that two DEGs of fos and egr1 were probably significant as key candidate genes controlling cell proliferation and differentiation in polian vesicle after pathogenic infection in A. japonicus. Overall, our analysis demonstrates that polian vesicles may play an essential role in regulating proliferation via transcription factors-mediated signaling pathway in A. japonicus and provide new insights into hematopoietic modulation of polian vesicles in response to pathogen infection.