Recent Advancements in the Application of Circulating Tumor DNA as Biomarkers for Early Detection of Cancers.

Early detection of cancer is vital for increasing patient survivability chances. The three major techniques used to diagnose cancers are instrumental examination, tissue biopsy, and tumor biomarker detection. Circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) has gained much attention in recent years due to advantages over traditional technology, such as high sensitivity, high specificity, and noninvasive nature. Through the mechanism of apoptosis, necrosis, and circulating exosome release in tumor cells, ctDNA can spread throughout the circulatory system and carry modifications such as methylations, mutations, gene rearrangements, and microsatellite instability. Traditional gene-detection technology struggles to achieve real-time, low-cost, and portable ctDNA measurement, whereas electrochemical biosensors offer low cost, high specificity alongside sensitivity, and portability for the detection of ctDNA. Therefore, this review focuses on describing the recent advancements in ctDNA biomarkers for various cancer types and biosensor developments for real-time, noninvasive, and rapid ctDNA detection. Further in the review, ctDNA sensors are also discussed in regards to their selections of probes for receptors based on the electrode surface recognition elements.

Enhancing Immunological Memory: Unveiling Booster Doses to Bolster Vaccine Efficacy Against Evolving SARS-CoV-2 Mutant Variants.

A growing number of re-infections with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in previously immunized individuals has sparked discussions about the potential need for a booster vaccine dosage to counteract declining antibody levels and new strains. The protective immunity produced by vaccinations, and past illnesses relies on immunological memory. CD4 + T cells, CD8 + T cells, B cells, and long-lasting antibody responses are all components of the adaptive immune system that can generate and maintain this immunological memory. Since novel mutant variants have emerged one after the other, the world has been hit by repeated waves. Various vaccine formulations against SARS-CoV-2 have been administered across the globe. Thus, estimating the efficacy of those vaccines against gradually developed mutant stains is the essential parameter regarding the fate of those vaccine formulations and the necessity of booster doses and their frequency. In this review, focus has also been given to how vaccination stacks up against moderate and severe acute infections in terms of the longevity of the immune cells, neutralizing antibody responses, etc. However, hybrid immunity shows a greater accuracy of re-infection of variants of concern (VOCs) of SARS-CoV-2 than infection and immunization. The review conveys knowledge of detailed information about several marketed vaccines and the status of their efficacy against specific mutant strains of SARS-CoV-2. Furthermore, this review discusses the status of immunological memory after infection, mixed infection, and vaccination.

Bioactive Pentacyclic Triterpenes Trigger Multiple Signalling Pathways for Selective Apoptosis Leading to Anticancer Efficacy: Recent Updates and Future Perspectives.

Nowadays, discovering an effective and safe anticancer medication is one of the major challenges. Premature death due to the unidirectional toxicity of conventional therapy is common in cancer patients with poor health status. Plants have been used as medicine since prehistoric times, and extensive research on the anticancer properties of various bioactive phytomolecules is ongoing. Pentacyclic triterpenoids are secondary metabolites of plants with well-known cytotoxic and chemopreventive properties established in numerous cancer research studies. The lupane, oleanane, and ursane groups of these triterpenoids have been well-studied in recent decades for their potential antitumor activity. This review delves into the molecular machinery governing plant-derived triterpenes' anticancer efficacy. The highlighted mechanisms are antiproliferative activity, induction of apoptosis through regulation of BCL-2 and BH3 family proteins, modulation of the inflammatory pathway, interference with cell invagination and inhibition of metastasis. Lack of solubility in mostly used biological solvents is the major barrier to the therapeutic progress of these triterpenoids. This review also highlights some probable ways to mitigate this issue with the help of nanotechnology and the modification of their physical forms.

Modulatory role of miRNAs in thyroid and breast cancer progression and insights into their therapeutic manipulation.

Over the past few decades, thyroid cancer has become one of the most common types of endocrine cancer, contributing to an increase in prevalence. In the year 2020, there were 586,202 newly diagnosed cases of thyroid cancer around the world. This constituted approximately 3.0% of all patients diagnosed with cancer. The World Health Organization reported that there will be 2.3 million women receiving treatment for breast cancer in 2020, with 685,000. Despite the fact that carcinoma is one of the world's leading causes of death, there is still a paucity of information about its biology. MicroRNAs (miRNAs; miRs) are non-coding RNAs that can reduce gene expression by cleaving the 3' untranslated regions of mRNA. These factors make them a potential protein translation inhibitor. Diverse biological mechanisms implicated in the genesis of cancer are modulated by miRNA. The investigation of global miRNA expression in cancer showed regulatory activity through up regulation and down-regulation in several cancers, including thyroid cancer and breast cancer. In thyroid cancer, miRNA influences several cancers related signaling pathways through modulating MAPK, PI3K, and the RAS pathway. In breast cancer, the regulatory activity of miRNA was played through the cyclin protein family, protein kinases and their inhibitors, and other growth promoters or suppressors, which modulated cell proliferation and cell cycle progression. This article's goal is to discuss key miRNA expressions that are involved in the development of thyroid and breast cancer as well as their therapeutic manipulation for these two specific cancer types.

Alteration of dietary habits and lifestyle pattern during COVID-19 pandemic associated lockdown: An online survey study.

BACKGROUND & AIM: A few population-based studies have looked at how the Corona virus disease (COVID-19) pandemic and outbreak-related lockdown has impacted people's daily eating habits and lifestyles. Due to the emergence of the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Corona Virus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), continuous lockdown or social isolation can alter dietary consumption patterns and lifestyle routines, resulting in significant negative health consequences. Focused on the COVID-19 and disease related lockdown effects, this study aims to reflect the evolving trend in dietary habits and lifestyle status during the COVID-19 lockdown in West Bengal through a population mediated retrospective survey distributed via social media platforms. METHODS: This survey was conducted using Google form via online platform from July 7 to July 31, 2020, with 1059 participants reported their eating habits and lifestyle preferences, as well as basic socio-demographic details. Entire variables were qualitatively examined and uttered as frequency (f) and percentage (%). The Chi-square test was performed to conclude whether categorical variables differed. RESULTS: A high number of participants reported that they were consumed healthy foods and physically active during this pandemic situation. Females were more likely to be involved in exercise and consume protein-rich food, as well as the majority of them, maintain basic dietary and Ayurvedic home remedies precautions like consumption of lemon, consumption of herbs, taking warm water, etc. A majority of older participants were tried to maintain a healthy lifestyle with extra protective essential protection during the COVID-19 stage. The frequency of going to market was decreased by the participants. Females were more likely to decrease their frequency of going to market than males. In terms of hygiene and sanitization of food items after buying from the market, females were more careful than males. Participants with higher education were more likely to be careful regarding the hygiene of food preparation and eating during this situation. CONCLUSION: From this study, dieticians, legislators, and public health experts can have a better understanding of the current situation of food intake and lifestyle trends in communities of West Bengal, India. It also has the potential to have a significant impact on future public health research.