A genomic estimated breeding value-assisted reduction method of single nucleotide polymorphism sets: a novel approach for determining the cutoff thresholds in genome-wide association studies and best linear unbiased prediction.

Traditionally, the p-value is the criterion for the cutoff threshold to determine significant markers in genome-wide association studies (GWASs). Choosing the best subset of markers for the best linear unbiased prediction (BLUP) for improved prediction ability (PA) has become an interesting issue. However, when dealing with many traits having the same marker information, the p-values' themselves cannot be used as an obvious solution for having a confidence in GWAS and BLUP. We thus suggest a genomic estimated breeding value-assisted reduction method of the single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) set (GARS) to address these difficulties. GARS is a BLUP-based SNP set decision presentation. The samples were Landrace pigs and the traits used were back fat thickness (BF) and daily weight gain (DWG). The prediction abilities (PAs) for BF and DWG for the entire SNP set were 0.8 and 0.8, respectively. By using the correlation between genomic estimated breeding values (GEBVs) and phenotypic values, selecting the cutoff threshold in GWAS and the best SNP subsets in BLUP was plausible as defined by GARS method. 6,000 SNPs in BF and 4,000 SNPs in DWG were considered as adequate thresholds. Gene Ontology (GO) analysis using the GARS results of the BF indicated neuron projection development as the notable GO term, whereas for the DWG, the main GO terms were nervous system development and cell adhesion.

The Complex Roles of DNA Repair Pathways, Inhibitors, Hyperthermia, and Contact Inhibition in Cell Cycle Halts.

The cell cycle has the capacity to safeguard the cell's DNA from damage. Thus, cell cycle arrest can allow tumor cells to investigate their own DNA repair processes. Cancer cells become extremely reliant on G1-phase cyclin-dependent kinases due to mutated oncogenes and deactivated tumor suppressors, producing replication stress and DNA damage during the S phase and destroying checkpoints that facilitate progression through the S/G2/M phase. DNA damage checkpoints activate DNA repair pathways to prevent cell proliferation, which occurs when the genome is damaged. However, research on how cells recommence division after a DNA lesion-induced arrest is insufficient which is merely the result of cancer cells' susceptibility to cell cycle arrest. For example, defects in the G1 arrest checkpoint may cause a cancer cell to proliferate more aggressively, and attempts to fix these complications may cause the cell to grow more slowly and eventually die. Defects in the G2-M arrest checkpoint may enable a damaged cell to enter mitosis and suffer apoptosis, and attempts to boost the effectiveness of chemotherapy may increase its cytotoxicity. Alternatively, attempts to promote G2-M arrest have also been linked to increased apoptosis in the laboratory. Furthermore, variables, such as hyperthermia, contact inhibition, nucleotide shortage, mitotic spindle damage, and resting phase effects, and DNA replication inhibitors add together to halt the cell cycle. In this review, we look at how nucleotide excision repair, MMR, and other variables, such as DNA replication inhibitors, hyperthermia, and contact inhibition, contribute to the outlined processes and functional capacities that cause cell cycle arrest.

Phytochemicals as Chemo-Preventive Agents and Signaling Molecule Modulators: Current Role in Cancer Therapeutics and Inflammation.

Cancer is one of the deadliest non communicable diseases. Numerous anticancer medications have been developed to target the molecular pathways driving cancer. However, there has been no discernible increase in the overall survival rate in cancer patients. Therefore, innovative chemo-preventive techniques and agents are required to supplement standard cancer treatments and boost their efficacy. Fruits and vegetables should be tapped into as a source of compounds that can serve as cancer therapy. Phytochemicals play an important role as sources of new medication in cancer treatment. Some synthetic and natural chemicals are effective for cancer chemoprevention, i.e., the use of exogenous medicine to inhibit or impede tumor development. They help regulate molecular pathways linked to the development and spread of cancer. They can enhance antioxidant status, inactivating carcinogens, suppressing proliferation, inducing cell cycle arrest and death, and regulating the immune system. While focusing on four main categories of plant-based anticancer agents, i.e., epipodophyllotoxin, camptothecin derivatives, taxane diterpenoids, and vinca alkaloids and their mode of action, we review the anticancer effects of phytochemicals, like quercetin, curcumin, piperine, epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), and gingerol. We examine the different signaling pathways associated with cancer and how inflammation as a key mechanism is linked to cancer growth.

Role of Nrf2, STAT3, and Src as Molecular Targets for Cancer Chemoprevention.

Cancer is a complex and multistage disease that affects various intracellular pathways, leading to rapid cell proliferation, angiogenesis, cell motility, and migration, supported by antiapoptotic mechanisms. Chemoprevention is a new strategy to counteract cancer; to either prevent its incidence or suppress its progression. In this strategy, chemopreventive agents target molecules involved in multiple pathways of cancer initiation and progression. Nrf2, STAT3, and Src are promising molecular candidates that could be targeted for chemoprevention. Nrf2 is involved in the expression of antioxidant and phase II metabolizing enzymes, which have direct antiproliferative action as well as indirect activities of reducing oxidative stress and eliminating carcinogens. Similarly, its cross-talk with NF-κB has great anti-inflammatory potential, which can be utilized in inflammation-induced/associated cancers. STAT3, on the other hand, is involved in multiple pathways of cancer initiation and progression. Activation, phosphorylation, dimerization, and nuclear translocation are associated with tumor cell proliferation and angiogenesis. Src, being the first oncogene to be discovered, is important due to its convergence with many upstream stimuli, its cross-talk with other potential molecular targets, such as STAT3, and its ability to modify the cell cytoskeleton, making it important in cancer invasion and metastasis. Therefore, the development of natural/synthetic molecules and/or design of a regimen that can reduce oxidative stress and inflammation in the tumor microenvironment and stop multiple cellular targets in cancer to stop its initiation or retard its progression can form newer chemopreventive agents.

Diagnostic and Therapeutic Potential of Circulating-Free DNA and Cell-Free RNA in Cancer Management.

Over time, molecular biology and genomics techniques have been developed to speed up the early diagnosis and clinical management of cancer. These therapies are often most effective when administered to the subset of malignancies harboring the target identified by molecular testing. Important advances in applying molecular testing involve circulating-free DNA (cfDNA)- and cell-free RNA (cfRNA)-based liquid biopsies for the diagnosis, prognosis, prediction, and treatment of cancer. Both cfDNA and cfRNA are sensitive and specific biomarkers for cancer detection, which have been clinically proven through multiple randomized and prospective trials. These help in cancer management based on the noninvasive evaluation of size, quantity, and point mutations, as well as copy number alterations at the tumor site. Moreover, personalized detection of ctDNA helps in adjuvant therapeutics and predicts the chances of recurrence of cancer and resistance to cancer therapy. Despite the controversial diagnostic values of cfDNA and cfRNA, many clinical trials have been completed, and the Food and Drug Administration has approved many multigene assays to detect genetic alterations in the cfDNA of cancer patients. In this review, we underpin the recent advances in the physiological roles of cfDNA and cfRNA, as well as their roles in cancer detection by highlighting recent clinical trials and their roles as prognostic and predictive markers in cancer management.

cAMP Signaling in Cancer: A PKA-CREB and EPAC-Centric Approach.

Cancer is one of the most common causes of death globally. Despite extensive research and considerable advances in cancer therapy, the fundamentals of the disease remain unclear. Understanding the key signaling mechanisms that cause cancer cell malignancy may help to uncover new pharmaco-targets. Cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) regulates various biological functions, including those in malignant cells. Understanding intracellular second messenger pathways is crucial for identifying downstream proteins involved in cancer growth and development. cAMP regulates cell signaling and a variety of physiological and pathological activities. There may be an impact on gene transcription from protein kinase A (PKA) as well as its downstream effectors, such as cAMP response element-binding protein (CREB). The position of CREB downstream of numerous growth signaling pathways implies its oncogenic potential in tumor cells. Tumor growth is associated with increased CREB expression and activation. PKA can be used as both an onco-drug target and a biomarker to find, identify, and stage tumors. Exploring cAMP effectors and their downstream pathways in cancer has become easier using exchange protein directly activated by cAMP (EPAC) modulators. This signaling system may inhibit or accelerate tumor growth depending on the tumor and its environment. As cAMP and its effectors are critical for cancer development, targeting them may be a useful cancer treatment strategy. Moreover, by reviewing the material from a distinct viewpoint, this review aims to give a knowledge of the impact of the cAMP signaling pathway and the related effectors on cancer incidence and development. These innovative insights seek to encourage the development of novel treatment techniques and new approaches.

Mosquirix™ RTS, S/AS01 Vaccine Development, Immunogenicity, and Efficacy.

Malaria is a parasitic infection caused by bites from Plasmodium falciparum (P. falciparum)-infected mosquitoes with a present scale of symptoms ranging from moderate fever to neurological disorders. P. falciparum is the most lethal of the five strains of malaria, and is a major case of morbidity and mortality in endemic regions. Recent advancements in malaria diagnostic tools and prevention strategies have improved conjugation antimalarial therapies using fumigation and long-lasting insecticidal sprays, thus lowering malarial infections. Declines in the total number of infected individuals have been correlated with antimalarial drugs. Despite this, malaria remains a major health threat, affecting more than 30 million men, women, and children around the globe, and 20 percent of all children around the globe have malaria parasites in their blood. To overcome this life-threatening condition, novel therapeutic strategies, including immunization, are urgently needed to tackle this infection around the world. In line with this, the development of the RTS, S vaccine was a significant step forward in the fight against malaria. RTS, S is a vaccine for P. falciparum in which R specifies central repeat units, T the T-cell epitopes, and S indicates surface antigen. The RTS, S/AS01 malarial vaccine was synthesized and screened in several clinical trials between 2009 and 2014, involving thousands of young children in seven African countries, showing that children who received the vaccine did not suffer from severe malaria. Mosquirix™ was approved by the World Health Organization in 2021, indicating it to be safe and advocating its integration into routine immunization programs and existing malaria control measures. This paper examines the various stages of the vaccine's development, including the evaluation of its immunogenicity and efficacy on the basis of a total of 2.3 million administered doses through a routine immunization program. The protection and effectiveness provided by the vaccine are strong, and evidence shows that it can be effectively delivered through the routine child immunization platform. The economic cost of the vaccine remains to be considered.

PRP4 Induces Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition and Drug Resistance in Colon Cancer Cells via Activation of p53.

Pre-mRNA processing factor 4B (PRP4) promotes pre-mRNA splicing and signal transduction. Recent studies have shown that PRP4 modulates the assembly of actin cytoskeleton in cancer cells and induces epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and drug resistance. PRP4 displays kinase domain-like cyclin-dependent kinases and mitogen-activated protein kinases, making it capable of phosphorylating p53 and other target proteins. In the current study, we report that PRP4 induces drug resistance and EMT via direct binding to the p53 protein, inducing its phosphorylation. Moreover, PRP4 overexpression activates the transcription of miR-210 in a hypoxia-inducible factor 1α (HIF-1α)-dependent manner, which activates p53. The involvement of miR-210 in the activation of p53 was confirmed by utilizing si-miR210. si-miR210 blocked the PRP4-activated cell survival pathways and reversed the PRP4-induced EMT phenotype. Moreover, we used deferoxamine as a hypoxia-mimetic agent, and si-HIF to silence HIF-1α. This procedure demonstrated that PRP4-induced EMT and drug resistance emerged in response to consecutive activation of HIF-1α, miR-210, and p53 by PRP4 overexpression. Collectively, our findings suggest that the PRP4 contributes to EMT and drug resistance induction via direct interactions with p53 and actions that promote upregulation of HIF-1α and miR-210. We conclude that PRP4 is an essential factor promoting cancer development and progression. Specific PRP4 inhibition could benefit patients with colon cancer.

Elucidating breed-specific variants of native pigs in Korea: insights into pig breeds' genomic characteristics.

Although conserving native pig breeds is important in Korea, research on the genomic aspects to identify breed-specific variations in native pig breeds is uncommon. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) can be a powerful source for identifying breed-specific variants. We used whole genome sequencing data, including Jeju Native Pig (JNP), Korean Native Pig (KNP), Korean Wild Boar (KWB), and other western commercial pig breeds to determine native pig breed-specific SNPs. Furthermore, the goal was not only to determine the genomic specificity of native pig breeds but also to identify SNPs that carry breed-specific information (breed-informative SNPs) that can be related to breed characteristics. The representative characteristics of native pigs are their unique meat quality and disease resistance. We surveyed the gene ontology (GO) of native pigs with breed-specific SNPs. Examining the genes associated with GO may contribute to revealing the reasons for the unique characteristics of native pig breeds. The enriched GOs terms were neuron projection development, cell surface receptor signaling pathway, ion homeostasis in JNP, cell adhesion and wound healing in KNP, and DNA repair and reproduction in KWB. We expect that this study of breed-specific SNPs will enable us to gain a deeper understanding of native pigs in Korea.

PRP4 Promotes Skin Cancer by Inhibiting Production of Melanin, Blocking Influx of Extracellular Calcium, and Remodeling Cell Actin Cytoskeleton.

Pre-mRNA processing factor 4B (PRP4) has previously been shown to induce epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and drug resistance in cancer cell lines. As melanin plays an important photoprotective role in the risk of sun-induced skin cancers, we have investigated whether PRP4 can induce drug resistance and regulate melanin biosynthesis in a murine melanoma (B16F10) cell line. Cells were incubated with a crucial melanogenesis stimulator, alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone, followed by transfection with PRP4. This resulted in the inhibition of the production of melanin via the downregulation of adenylyl cyclase-cyclic adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate (AC)-(cAMP)-tyrosinase synthesis signaling pathway. Inhibition of melanin production by PRP4 leads to the promotion of carcinogenesis and induced drug resistance in B16F10 cells. Additionally, PRP4 overexpression upregulated the expression of ß-arrestin 1 and desensitized the extracellular calcium-sensing receptor (CaSR), which in turn, inhibited the influx of extracellular Ca2+ ions. The decreased influx of Ca2+ was confirmed by a decreased expression level of calmodulin. We have demonstrated that transient receptor potential cation channel subfamily C member 1 was involved in the influx of CaSR-induced Ca2+ via a decreasing level of its expression. Furthermore, PRP4 overexpression downregulated the expression of AC, decreased the synthesis of cAMP, and modulated the actin cytoskeleton by inhibiting the expression of Ras homolog family member A (RhoA). Our investigation suggests that PRP4 inhibits the production of melanin in B16F10 cells, blocks the influx of Ca2+ through desensitization of CaSR, and modulates the actin cytoskeleton through downregulating the AC-cAMP pathway; taken together, these observations collectively lead to the promotion of skin carcinogenesis.

An Overview About the Role of Adaptive Immunity in Keeping SARS-CoV-2 Reinfections at Bay.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a worldwide emergency that has affected millions of populations in developed and underdeveloped countries. To our surprise, many people have been tested positive twice. Few cases of true reinfections involved genetic alterations in the virus. Appearance of multiple positive tests may be due to human errors or remnant genetic material, but genetic modification in virus represents very serious issue of controlling this pandemic. It is the need of the day that all the gaps and deficiencies, represented by variable response of adaptive immune system toward this infection, be filled and rectified. We have discussed reinfections with variable outcomes along with the possible reasons for variable response. Phenomena such as T cell memory, absence of cross-reactive immunity, T cell exhaustion, drawbacks pertaining to neutralizing antibodies, and immune enhancement are crucial areas by which adaptive immune response can weaken considerably. Earlier and stronger herd immunity is also at the mercy of strong adaptive immune system to avoid future pandemics by the same microorganism. Likewise, consequences of this phenomenon should also be considered during vaccine development as resources worth billions are being used and staked. Many countries have entered the second/third waves of COVID-19. Therefore, we need to come up with ways toward uniform strengthening of adaptive immune response to fight off this pandemic. Also, to develop and maintain constant resistance to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2), the mentioned weakened links in the chain of adaptive immunity may be explored to keep viral invasion and physiological damage to minimum.

Recent Molecular Mechanisms and Beneficial Effects of Phytochemicals and Plant-Based Whole Foods in Reducing LDL-C and Preventing Cardiovascular Disease.

Abnormal lipid metabolism leads to the development of hyperlipidemia, a common cause of multiple chronic disorders, including cardiovascular disease (CVD), obesity, diabetes, and cerebrovascular disease. Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) currently remains the primary target for treatment of hyperlipidemia. Despite the advancement of treatment and prevention of hyperlipidemia, medications used to manage hyperlipidemia are limited to allopathic drugs, which present certain limitations and adverse effects. Increasing evidence indicates that utilization of phytochemicals and plant-based whole foods is an alternative and promising strategy to prevent hyperlipidemia and CVD. The current review focuses on phytochemicals and their pharmacological mode of actions for the regulation of LDL-C and prevention of CVD. The important molecular mechanisms illustrated in detail in this review include elevation of reverse cholesterol transport, inhibition of intestinal cholesterol absorption, acceleration of cholesterol excretion in the liver, and reduction of cholesterol synthesis. Moreover, the beneficial effects of plant-based whole foods, such as fresh fruits, vegetables, dried nuts, flax seeds, whole grains, peas, beans, vegan diets, and dietary fibers in LDL-C reduction and cardiovascular health are summarized. This review concludes that phytochemicals and plant-based whole foods can reduce LDL-C levels and lower the risk for CVD.

Characterization of metapopulation of Ellobium chinense through Pleistocene expansions and four covariate COI guanine-hotspots linked to G-quadruplex conformation.

The land snail Ellobium chinense (L. Pfeiffer, 1855) (Eupulmonata, Ellobiida, Ellobiidae), which inhabits the salt marshes along the coastal areas of northwestern Pacific, is an endangered species on the IUCN Red List. Over recent decades, the population size of E. chinense has consistently decreased due to environmental interference caused by natural disasters and human activities. Here, we provide the first assessment of the genetic diversity and population genetic structures of northwestern Pacific E. chinense. The results analyzed with COI and microsatellites revealed that E. chinense population exhibit metapopulation characteristics, retaining under the influence of the Kuroshio warm currents through expansion of the Late-Middle and Late Pleistocene. We also found four phylogenetic groups, regardless of geographical distributions, which were easily distinguishable by four unidirectional and stepwise adenine-to-guanine transitions in COI (sites 207-282-354-420: A-A-A-A, A-A-G-A, G-A-G-A, and G-G-G-G). Additionally, the four COI hotspots were robustly connected with a high degree of covariance between them. We discuss the role of these covariate guanines which link to form four consecutive G-quadruplexes, and their possible beneficial effects under positive selection pressure.

Extracellular vesicles in cancer diagnostics and therapeutics.

Cancer promotion, development, and malignant transformation is greatly influenced by cell-to-cell interactions in a complex tissue microenvironment. Cancer and stromal cells secrete soluble factors, as well as deport membrane-encapsulated structures, which actively contribute and mediate cell-to-cell interaction within a tumor microenvironment (TME). These membrane structures are recognized as extracellular vesicles (EVs), which include exosomes and microvesicles. They can carry and transport regulatory molecules such as oncogenic proteins, coding and non-coding RNAs, DNA, and lipids between neighboring cells and to distant sites. EVs mediate crucial pathophysiological effects such as the formation of premetastatic niches and the progression of malignancies. There is compelling evidence that cancer cells exhibit a significant amount of EVs, which can be released into the surrounding body fluids, compared with nonmalignant cells. EVs therefore have the potential to be used as disease indicator for the diagnosis and prognosis of cancers, as well as for facilitating research into the underlying mechanism and biomolecular basis of these diseases. Because of their ability to transport substances, followed by their distinct immunogenicity and biocompatibility, EVs have been used to carry therapeutically-active molecules such as RNAs, proteins, short and long peptides, and various forms of drugs. In this paper, we summarize new advancement in the biogenesis and physiological roles of EVs, and underpin their functional impacts in the process of cancer growth and metastasis. We further highlight the therapeutic roles of EVs in the treatment, prevention, and diagnosis of human malignancies.

Detecting the differential genomic variants using cross-population phenotype-associated variant (XP-PAV) of the Landrace and Yorkshire pigs in Korea.

Although there have been many genome-wide association studies (GWAS) and selective sweep analyses to understand pig genomic regions related to growth performance, these methods considered only the gene effect and selection signal, respectively. In this study, we suggest the cross-population phenotype associated variant (XP-PAV) analysis as a novel method to determine the genomic variants with different effects between the two populations. XP-PAV analysis could reveal the differential genetic variants between the two populations by considering the gene effect and selection signal simultaneously. In this study, we used daily weight gain (DWG) and back fat thickness (BF) as phenotypes and the Landrace and Yorkshire populations were used for XP-PAV analysis. The main aim was to reveal the differential selection by considering the gene effect between Landrace and Yorkshire pigs. In the gene ontology analysis of XP-PAV results, differential selective genes in DWG analysis were involved in the regulation of interleukin-2 production and cell cycle G2/M transition. The protein modification and glycerophospholipid biosynthetic processes were the most enriched terms in the BF analysis. Therefore, we could identify genetic differences for immune and several metabolic pathways between Landrace and Yorkshire breeds using the XP-PAV analysis. In this study, we expect that XP-PAV analysis will play a role in determining useful selective variants with gene effects and provide a new interpretation of the genetic differences between the two populations.

Potential applications of bacterial cellulose and its composites for cancer treatment.

Bacterial cellulose (BC) has received immense interest in medical, pharmaceutical, and other related fields owing to its intrinsic physical, mechanical, and biological features. Its structural features offer an ideal environment for developing composites, thereby further extending its areas of applications. BC was initially used in wound dressing, artificial blood vessels, organ development, and tissue regeneration; however, the recent focus has switched to 3D printing techniques. BC can serve as suitable material for treating different cancers due to unique liquid absorbing and drug loading properties. BC-based scaffolds have been synthesized and tested for in vitro culturing of cancer cells to simulate tumor microenvironments. These scaffolds support normal growth of cancer cells, particularly breast and ovarian cancer cells, showing significant adhesion, proliferation, ingrowth, and differentiation. This review describes the different approaches of manipulating BC for use in medicine, with particular focus on the applications of BC composites in cancer treatment. A detailed discussion about various formulations of BC in multiple cancer therapeutics is summarized.

Concomitant Drug Treatment and Elimination in the RCC-affected Kidneys: Can We Kill Two Birds with One Stone?

BACKGROUND: The kidneys are vital organs acting as the body's filters that eliminate drugs and other waste products from the body. For effective cancer therapy, a delicate balance is required in the drug treatment and its elimination, which is critical for drug accumulation, toxicity, and kidney malfunction. However, how renal cell carcinoma (RCC) affects the kidneys in safely eliminating the byproducts of drug treatments in patients with severely dysregulated kidney functions had remained elusive. Recent advancements in dose adjustment have added to our understanding regarding how drug treatments could be effectively regulated in aberrant kidney cells, driving safe elimination and reducing drug accumulation and toxicity at the right time and space. Dose adjustment is the only standard systemic way applicable; however, it presents certain limitations. There is significant room for developing new strategies and alternatives to improve it. OBJECTIVES: Our analysis of the available treatments in literature discusses the treatment and their safe eliminations. In this study, we give an overview of the measures that could be taken to maintain the elimination gradient of anti-cancer drugs and restore normal kidney function in RCC. Differential therapeutics of RCC/mRCC in various clinical phase trials and the interaction of targeted therapeutics in response to vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) were also discussed. CONCLUSION: Such information might suggest a new direction in controlling treatment with safe elimination through dose adjustment and its associated alternatives in a judicious manner. A strategy to systematically focus on the safe elimination of anti-cancer drugs in RCC strongly needs advocating.

Molecular phylogenetic, population genetic and demographic studies of Nodularia douglasiae and Nodularia breviconcha based on CO1 and 16S rRNA.

Freshwater mussels belonging to the genus Nodularia (Family Unionidae) are known to be widely distributed in East Asia. Although phylogenetic and population genetic studies have been performed for these species, there still remain unresolved questions in their taxonomic status and biogeographic distribution pathways. Here, the nucleotide sequences of CO1 and 16S rRNA were newly determined from 86 N. douglasiae and 83 N. breviconcha individuals collected on the Korean Peninsula. Based on these data, we revealed the following results: (1) N. douglasiae can be divided into the three genetic clades of A (only found in Korean Peninsula), B (widely distributed in East Asia), and C (only found in the west of China and Russia), (2) the clade A is not an independent species but a concrete member of N. douglasiae given the lack of genetic differences between the clades A and B, and (3) N. breviconcha is not a subspecies of N. douglasiae but an independent species apart from N. douglasiae. In addition, we suggested the plausible scenarios of biogeographic distribution events and demographic history of Nodularia species.

Potential Applications of Bacterial Cellulose in Environmental and Pharmaceutical Sectors.

Biopolymers and their composites have been extensively investigated in recent years for multiple applications, especially in environmental, medical, and pharmaceutical fields. Bacterial cellulose (BC) has emerged as a novel biomaterial owing to its nontoxic, high-liquid absorbing and holding capacity, drug-carrying ability, and pollutant absorbing features. Additionally, its web-shaped three-dimensional (3D) structure and hydrogen bonding sites have incited a combination of various nanoparticles, polymers, and other materials with BC in the form of composites. Such BC-based composites have been developed through in-situ, ex-situ, and solution casting methods for targeted applications, such as air and water filters, controlled drug delivery systems, wound dressing materials, and tissue regeneration. This review details the production and development of BCbased composites with different materials and by various methods. It further describes various applications of BC-based composites in the environmental and pharmaceutical sectors, with specific examples from the recent literature. This review could potentially appeal a wide readership in these two emerging fields, where novel and advanced materials for different applications have been developed on a regular basis using BC as the base material.

An Update on the Role of Dietary Phytochemicals in Human Skin Cancer: New Insights into Molecular Mechanisms.

Human skin is continuously subjected to environmental stresses, as well as extrinsic and intrinsic noxious agents. Although skin adopts various molecular mechanisms to maintain homeostasis, excessive and repeated stresses can overwhelm these systems, leading to serious cutaneous damage, including both melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancers. Phytochemicals present in the diet possess the desirable effects of protecting the skin from damaging free radicals as well as other benefits. Dietary phytochemicals appear to be effective in preventing skin cancer and are inexpensive, widely available, and well tolerated. Multiple in vitro and in vivo studies have demonstrated the significant anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-angiogenic characteristics of dietary phytochemicals against skin malignancy. Moreover, dietary phytochemicals affect multiple important cellular processes including cell cycle, angiogenesis, and metastasis to control skin cancer progression. Herein, we discuss the advantages of key dietary phytochemicals in whole fruits and vegetables, their bioavailability, and underlying molecular mechanisms for preventing skin cancer. Current challenges and future prospects for research are also reviewed. To date, most of the chemoprevention investigations have been conducted preclinically, and additional clinical trials are required to conform and validate the preclinical results in humans.