Emerging biomarkers and molecular targets for precision medicine in cervical cancer.

Cervical cancer remains a significant global health burden, necessitating innovative approaches for improved diagnostics and personalized treatment strategies. Precision medicine has emerged as a promising paradigm, leveraging biomarkers and molecular targets to tailor therapy to individual patients. This review explores the landscape of emerging biomarkers and molecular targets in cervical cancer, highlighting their potential implications for precision medicine. By integrating these biomarkers into comprehensive diagnostic algorithms, clinicians can identify high-risk patients at an earlier stage, enabling timely intervention and improved patient outcomes. Furthermore, the identification of specific molecular targets has paved the way for the development of targeted therapies aimed at disrupting key pathways implicated in cervical carcinogenesis. In conclusion, the evolving landscape of biomarkers and molecular targets presents exciting opportunities for advancing precision medicine in cervical cancer. By harnessing these insights, clinicians can optimize treatment selection, enhance patient outcomes, and ultimately transform the management of this devastating disease.

Therapeutic targeting of miRNA-216b in cancer.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs/or miR) are a type of small, non-coding RNAs that regulate gene expression by binding to 3'-UTRs of the target genes. miRNAs can serve as oncogenes or tumor suppressors, and have prognostic and therapeutic values that may be directly applicable in the clinic. miR-216b is located on chromosome 2p16.1. Accumulating evidence suggests that it acts as a tumor suppressor and its downregulation may play a significant role in cancer biology through the dysregulation of various oncogenes and signaling pathways related to cancer cell proliferation, cell cycle progression, migration, invasion, apoptosis, and chemoresistance. In this review, we discuss the aberrant expression of miR-216b in cancer and its role in tumor pathogenesis, which will offer novel insights into its clinical applications.

Efficacy of bilateral pectoralis nerve block for ultrafast tracking and postoperative pain management in cardiac surgery.

BACKGROUND: Good postoperative analgesia in cardiac surgical patients helps in early recovery and ambulation. An alternative to parenteral, paravertebral, and thoracic epidural analgesia can be pectoralis nerve (Pecs) block, which is novel, less invasive regional analgesic technique. AIMS: We hypothesized that Pecs block would provide superior postoperative analgesia for patients undergoing cardiac surgery through midline sternotomy compared to parenteral analgesia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty adult patients between the age groups of 25 and 65 years undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting or valve surgeries through midline sternotomy under general anesthesia were enrolled in the study. Patients were randomly allocated into two groups with 20 in each group. Group 1 patients did not receive Pecs block, whereas Group 2 patients received bilateral Pecs block postoperatively. Patients were extubated once they fulfilled extubation criteria. Ventilator duration was recorded. Patients were interrogated for pain by visual analog scale (VAS) scoring at rest and cough. Inspiratory flow rate was assessed using incentive spirometry. RESULTS: Pecs group patients required lesser duration of ventilator support (P < 0.0001) in comparison to control group. Pain scores at rest and cough were significantly low in Pecs group at 0, 3, 6, 12, and 18 h from extubation (P < 0.05). At 24 h, VAS scores were comparable between two groups. Peak inspiratory flow rates were higher in Pecs group as compared to control group at 0, 3, 6, 12, 18, and 24 h (P < 0.05). Thirty-four episodes of rescue analgesia were given in control group, whereas in Pecs group, there were only four episodes of rescue analgesia. CONCLUSION: Pecs block is technically simple and effective technique and can be used as part of multimodal analgesia in postoperative cardiac surgical patients for better patient comfort and outcome.

Evaluating the use and acceptability of a needle-remover device in India.

The objective of this study was to assess the effect of the use of a manually operated needle remover on sharps-waste management practices in clinical settings in India - specifically, evaluating its acceptability and performance. Thirty-one Balcan Mini-Destructor needle removers were introduced into seven health facilities in two cities in India - Delhi and Jaipur. One hundred and nineteen health workers, including auxiliary nurse midwives, nurses, and laboratory staff, used the device. Data were prospectively collected by observation and interview on device usage, malfunction and acceptability over a 23-week period. Focus group discussions on current practices were conducted prior to study initiation and, after completion, on device acceptability and performance. The manual needle remover was well accepted. Devices were seen as easy to use and durable. In total, 88,719 needles were removed. In conclusion, the needle-remover device was considered an acceptable method of preventing needle reuse and isolating infectious sharps waste in clinical settings.