Epidemiology and clinical characteristics of acute malnutrition among under-5 children attending a rural hospital in the Democratic Republic of Congo: a cross-sectional study.

Background: Malnutrition, a public health problem in a low-income country such as the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo), is a major killer among children under 5 who are most at risk of acute malnutrition. This study aims to describe the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of acute malnutrition in children under 5 years old. Methods: The authors conducted a retrospective and descriptive cross-sectional study on children under 5 with acute malnutrition from April 2022 to April 2023. A total of 287 malnourished children were consulted, hospitalized in a rural hospital, and registered for participation in this study. Results: Two hundred eighty-seven (25%) children were victims of acute malnutrition. The age group between 13 and 24 months is the most affected by acute malnutrition with 30%. The male-to-female(M/F) sex ratio was 1.17. Kwashiorkor is the most common form of acute malnutrition with 171 (59.6%) cases. Abdominal bloating, weight loss as well as diarrhea and vomiting were the more frequent clinical signs. Shock is the most complication of acute malnutrition. Therapeutic milk (Food 75 and Food 100) was the most effective in management. Twenty-nine (10.1%) other children died from acute malnutrition and 258 (89.9%) children progressed to full recovery. Conclusion: Acute malnutrition in children remains a public health problem worldwide and particularly in low-income countries such as DR Congo. It is associated with multiple physiological vulnerabilities and has many short- and long-term complications in children who have suffered from it.

National burden of Ebola virus disease in Democratic Republic of the Congo: the urgency to act.

Ebola virus disease (EVD) has long been a major public health concern for Democratic Republic of the Congo (DR Congo). First identified in DR Congo in 1976, the country has witnessed more than 25 outbreaks of this deadly disease, which has a case fatality rate of nearly 90% and manifesting with symptoms such as diarrhoea, vomiting, stomachache and haemorrhagic fever. African fruit bats have been speculated to be the reservoir of this virus. DR Congo is currently facing another EVD outbreak simultaneously with other communicable diseases, rendering it vulnerable to a shortage of medical and paramedical staff along with distrust among remote communities towards local authorities due to armed conflict and political instability. Moreover, lack of ring vaccinations and inefficient surveillance of suspected individuals are some other significant hurdles in disease control. Despite the availability of rVSV-ZEBOV/Erbevo vaccine and many antibody-based vaccines, challenges including politicization, low access to remote communities, and illiteracy have limited their effectiveness. Recently, the Congolese govt. has put in efforts such as building local capacities at the health zone level, outbreak control intervention, community engagement and social mobilization to counter the rising EVD cases. Four successive Strategic Response Plans have been implemented to increase resource mobilization by DR Congo and her partners. The Spread of zoonotics such as EVD can be confronted by implementing the One Health approach, which involves medical staff, veterinarians and public health officials.

Integrative genomics reveals the polygenic basis of seedlessness in grapevine.

Seedlessness is a crucial quality trait in table grape (Vitis vinifera L.) breeding. However, the development of seeds involved intricate regulations, and the polygenic basis of seed abortion remains unclear. Here, we combine comparative genomics, population genetics, quantitative genetics, and integrative genomics to unravel the evolution and polygenic basis of seedlessness in grapes. We generated the haplotype-resolved genomes for two seedless grape cultivars, "Thompson Seedless" (TS, syn. "Sultania") and "Black Monukka" (BM). Comparative genomics identified a ∼4.25 Mb hemizygous inversion on Chr10 specific in seedless cultivars, with seedless-associated genes VvTT16 and VvSUS2 located at breakpoints. Population genomic analyses of 548 grapevine accessions revealed two distinct clusters of seedless cultivars, and the identity-by-descent (IBD) results indicated that the origin of the seedlessness trait could be traced back to "Sultania." Introgression, rather than convergent selection, shaped the evolutionary history of seedlessness in grape improvement. Genome-wide association study (GWAS) analysis identified 110 quantitative trait loci (QTLs) associated with 634 candidate genes, including previously unidentified candidate genes, such as three 11S GLOBULIN SEED STORAGE PROTEIN and two CYTOCHROME P450 genes, and well-known genes like VviAGL11. Integrative genomic analyses resulted in 339 core candidate genes categorized into 13 functional categories related to seed development. Machine learning-based genomic selection achieved a remarkable prediction accuracy of 97% for seedlessness in grapevines. Our findings highlight the polygenic nature of seedlessness and provide candidate genes for molecular genetics and an effective prediction for seedlessness in grape genomic breeding.

Developing a Help Desk Service for Enhanced Coordination in Health Informatics Projects: A Sharepoint and Power Automate Approach.

Healthcare projects necessitate effective collaboration between clinical and technical partners, particularly during pivotal phases like lab testing and piloting. However, challenges in coordination often impede seamless collaboration, leading to inefficiencies and delays. This paper presents a comprehensive approach to developing a help desk service tailored for CAREPATH projects, leveraging SharePoint services and Power Automate. The solution aims to bridge communication gaps, foster collaboration, and enhance coordination among clinical and technical partners. Through iterative development and testing, we refined the system based on stakeholder feedback, resulting in streamlined workflows and improved document management. During the lab testing phase, the help desk system demonstrated significant improvements in resolution duration, communication efficiency, and success solution rates. Stakeholder feedback highlighted enhanced collaboration and improved access to project documentation. With successful testing, the help desk is poised for implementation in subsequent phases, promising further enhancements in patient engagement, technology integration, and scalability. These findings underscore the critical role of help desks in healthcare ICT projects, offering a transformative approach to project management and stakeholder collaboration. Future directions include enhancing patient engagement, leveraging advanced technologies, and conducting longitudinal studies to evaluate long-term impact. Embracing these directions will drive positive change, delivering better outcomes for patients and caregivers in healthcare ICT projects.

Advancing Healthcare Through Interoperability: Implementing Scalable Solutions for Patient Data Integration.

Healthcare faces significant challenges in exchanging and utilizing health information across diverse providers, necessitating innovative solutions for improved interoperability. This study presents a comprehensive exploration of scalable technical and semantic solutions for patient care integration, emphasizing the implementation of these solutions within the framework of the Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resources (FHIR) standard. Our approach revolves around the development and deployment of Technical Interoperability Suite (TIS) and Semantic Interoperability Suite (SIS) technology solutions to disparate health information systems, predominantly Electronic Health Records (EHRs) into a unified Patient Care Platform, fostering comprehensive data exchange and utilization. The integration process involves importing data from various EHR systems and transforming imported patient data into FHIR-standardized formats. The provided solution supports various functionalities, including automatic and manual importation of patient data, through standard computer-readable templates. The integration of TIS and SIS solutions is underpinned by a robust technological framework, incorporating technologies such as Typescript, Deno, and document-oriented databases such as MongoDB. The effectiveness of our interoperability solutions was validated through deployment in multinational EU projects: ADLIFE and CAREPATH. The scalability and generalizability of our approach underscore its potential for diverse healthcare settings.

Diet, Gut Microbes, and Cancer.

Gut microbes are important and may play important role in spreading cancers specially the gastrointestinal malignancies preferably colorectal cancers. Gut microbes and diet can influence the tissues in gastrointestinal tract increasing the risk of cancer spread. Insufficient nutrient intake and imbalance diet can disturb the microbiome of gastrointestinal tract causing metabolism of xenobiotics which is beneficial as well as detrimental. Dietary imbalance may also weaken the immune system which is another reason for spreading and development of cancers. The triage of gut microbiome, host immune system, and dietary patterns may help the initiation of mechanism of carcinogenesis. In addition to its role in carcinogenesis and tumor development, there is still growing evidence as to how intestinal microflora influences the efficacy and toxicity of chemotherapy and immunotherapy by the gut microbiome. It can therefore be used as a biomarker to predict treatment response or poor response and can also be modified to improve cancer treatment.

Arabidopsis PROTODERMAL FACTOR2 binds lysophosphatidylcholines and transcriptionally regulates phospholipid metabolism.

Plant homeodomain leucine zipper IV (HD-Zip IV) transcription factors (TFs) contain an evolutionarily conserved steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (StAR)-related lipid transfer (START) domain. While the START domain is required for TF activity, its presumed role as a lipid sensor is not clear. Here we used tandem affinity purification from Arabidopsis cell cultures to demonstrate that PROTODERMAL FACTOR2 (PDF2), a representative member that controls epidermal differentiation, recruits lysophosphatidylcholines (LysoPCs) in a START-dependent manner. Microscale thermophoresis assays confirmed that a missense mutation in a predicted ligand contact site reduces lysophospholipid binding. We additionally found that PDF2 acts as a transcriptional regulator of phospholipid- and phosphate (Pi) starvation-related genes and binds to a palindromic octamer with consensus to a Pi response element. Phospholipid homeostasis and elongation growth were altered in pdf2 mutants according to Pi availability. Cycloheximide chase experiments revealed a role for START in maintaining protein levels, and Pi starvation resulted in enhanced protein destabilization, suggesting a mechanism by which lipid binding controls TF activity. We propose that the START domain serves as a molecular sensor for membrane phospholipid status in the epidermis. Our data provide insights toward understanding how the lipid metabolome integrates Pi availability with gene expression.

A transition from enemies to allies: how viruses improve drought resilience in plants.

Global crop production is severely affected by environmental factors such as drought, salinity, cold, flood etc. Among these stresses, drought is one of the major abiotic stresses reducing crop productivity. It is expected that drought conditions will further increase because of the increasing global temperature. In general, viruses are seen as a pathogen affecting the crop productivity. However, several researches are showing that viruses can induce drought tolerance in plants. This review explores the mechanisms underlying the interplay between viral infections and the drought response mechanisms in plants. We tried to address the molecular pathways and physiological changes induced by viruses that confer drought tolerance, including alterations in hormone signaling, antioxidant defenses, scavenging the reactive oxygen species, role of RNA silencing and miRNA pathway, change in the expression of several genes including heat shock proteins, cellulose synthase etc. Furthermore, we discuss various viruses implicated in providing drought tolerance and examine the range of plant species exhibiting this phenomenon. By applying current knowledge and identifying gaps in understanding, this review aims to provide valuable insights into the complex dynamics of virus-induced drought tolerance in plants, paving the way for future research directions and practical applications in sustainable agriculture.

Decoy peptides that inhibit TNF signaling by disrupting the TNF homotrimeric oligomer.

Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) is a pro-inflammatory cytokine and its functional homotrimeric form interacts with the TNF receptor (TNFR) to activate downstream apoptotic, necroptotic, and inflammatory signaling pathways. Excessive activation of these pathways leads to various inflammatory diseases, which makes TNF a promising therapeutic target. Here, 12-mer peptides were selected from the interface of TNF-TNFR based upon their relative binding energies and were named 'TNF-inhibiting decoys' (TIDs). These decoy peptides inhibited TNF-mediated secretion of cytokines and cell death, as well as activation of downstream signaling effectors. Effective TIDs inhibited TNF signaling by disrupting the formation of TNF's functional homotrimeric form. Among derivatives of TIDs, TID3c showed slightly better efficacy in cell-based assays by disrupting TNF trimer formation. Moreover, TID3c oligomerized TNF to a high molecular weight configuration. In silico modeling and simulations revealed that TID3c and its parent peptide, TID3, form a stable complex with TNF through hydrogen bonds and electrostatic interactions, which makes them the promising lead to develop peptide-based anti-TNF therapeutics.

Early Postoperative Small Bowel Obstruction after Colorectal Surgery: Incidence and Exploratory Analysis of Potential Risk Factors.

Background: Early postoperative small bowel obstruction (EPSBO) is a common complication following colorectal surgery, which can significantly impact patient outcomes. This study aimed to investigate the incidence of EPSBO and identify potential risk factors among patients who underwent colorectal surgery. Methods: A descriptive study was conducted on a cohort of 100 patients who underwent colorectal surgery at a tertiary center at SKIMS, Srinagar, Jammu & Kashmir, India. Descriptive, bivariate, and predictive screening analyses were performed to examine patient characteristics, assess association between different relevant variables and EPSBO, and identify significant predictors, respectively. Results: Our study included a total of 100 patients, with a mean age of 50.39 years. Postsurgery, 11% of the individuals in the cohort developed EPSBO. Early postoperative small bowel obstruction developed around 4.30 days after surgery, and radiographic data revealed dilated gut loops in 72.70% of EPSBO cases. Bivariate analysis revealed significant association between EPSBO and variables such as previously operated, medical comorbidities, smoking status, anemia, neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (NACRT), bowel preparation, operative procedure, surgery duration, and type of anastomosis (p < 0.05). History of previous bowel habits, previously operated, perioperative bowel preparation, and blood transfusion were identified as the most influential predictors of EPSBO in the predictive screening study. Conclusion: This study provides insights into the incidence of EPSBO and its potential risk factors for postcolorectal surgery among patients. The findings emphasize the need to take the patient's history of past bowel habits and other factors into account when determining the risk of EPSBO. Future studies should go deeper into these correlations and consider treatments to reduce the occurrence of EPSBO in this patient population. How to cite this article: Ahmad B, Ul Hag MF, Shah MA, et al. Early Postoperative Small Bowel Obstruction after Colorectal Surgery: Incidence and Exploratory Analysis of Potential Risk Factors. Euroasian J Hepato-Gastroenterol 2024;14(1):70-74.

Physicochemical evaluation, structural characterization, in vitro and in vivo bioactivities of water-soluble polysaccharides from Luobuma (Apocynum L.) tea.

Luobuma tea is made from the leaves of Apocynum hendersonii (Bt) and A. venetum (Ht) and has been used for a very long time in China and Japan as herbal tea. This study isolated water-soluble polysaccharides from the two species` teas. Physicochemical properties, structural properties, in vitro and in vivo antioxidant and immunomodulatory activities were determined for the first time. The results showed that the Bt and Ht polysaccharides with molecular weights of 31.21 and 49.11 kDa, respectively, composed of arabinose, galactose, rhamnose, glucose, xylose, fucose, and mannose. A dose-dependent nitric oxide production and interleukin-6 inhibitory effects were obtained. Also, they suppressed the expression of cyclooxygenase-2, tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin-6 mRNA in LPS-induced RAW 264.7 macrophages. Likewise, Bt and Ht have significantly reduced edema in the paws of mice after carrageenan injection. These results suggested that the Luobuma teas polysaccharides can be explored as potential antioxidants and anti-inflammatory agents.

Nuclear localization of Arabidopsis HD-Zip IV transcription factor GLABRA is driven by Importin α.

GLABRA2 (GL2), a class IV homeodomain leucine-zipper (HD-Zip IV) transcription factor (TF) from Arabidopsis, is a developmental regulator of specialized cell types in the epidermis. GL2 contains a monopartite nuclear localization sequence (NLS) that is conserved in most HD-Zip IV members across the plants. We demonstrate that NLS mutations affect nuclear transport and result in a loss-of-function phenotypes. NLS fusions to EYFP show that it is sufficient for nuclear localization in roots and trichomes. Despite partial overlap of the NLS with the homeodomain, genetic dissection indicates that nuclear localization and DNA binding are separable functions. Affinity purification of GL2 from plants followed by MS-based proteomics identified Importin α (IMPα) isoforms as potential GL2 interactors. NLS structural prediction and molecular docking studies with IMPα-3 revealed major interacting residues. Cytosolic yeast two-hybrid assays and co-immunoprecipitation experiments with recombinant proteins verified NLS-dependent interactions between GL2 and several IMPα isoforms. IMPα triple mutants (impα-1,2,3) exhibit abnormal trichome formation and defects in GL2 nuclear localization in trichomes, consistent tissue-specific and redundant functions of IMPα isoforms. Taken together, our findings provide mechanistic evidence for IMPα-dependent nuclear localization of GL2 in Arabidopsis, a process that is critical for cell-type differentiation of the epidermis.

Understanding Autoimmunity: Mechanisms, Predisposing Factors, and Cytokine Therapies.

Autoimmunity refers to an organism's immune response against its own healthy cells, tissues, or components, potentially leading to irreversible damage to vital organs. Central and peripheral tolerance mechanisms play crucial roles in preventing autoimmunity by eliminating self-reactive T and B cells. The disruption of immunological tolerance, characterized by the failure of these mechanisms, results in the aberrant activation of autoreactive lymphocytes that target self-tissues, culminating in the pathogenesis of autoimmune disorders. Genetic predispositions, environmental exposures, and immunoregulatory disturbances synergistically contribute to the susceptibility and initiation of autoimmune pathologies. Within the realm of immune therapies for autoimmune diseases, cytokine therapies have emerged as a specialized strategy, targeting cytokine-mediated regulatory pathways to rectify immunological imbalances. Proinflammatory cytokines are key players in inducing and propagating autoimmune inflammation, highlighting the potential of cytokine therapies in managing autoimmune conditions. This review discusses the etiology of autoimmune diseases, current therapeutic approaches, and prospects for future drug design.

Multi-Scale Digital Pathology Patch-Level Prostate Cancer Grading Using Deep Learning: Use Case Evaluation of DiagSet Dataset.

Prostate cancer remains a prevalent health concern, emphasizing the critical need for early diagnosis and precise treatment strategies to mitigate mortality rates. The accurate prediction of cancer grade is paramount for timely interventions. This paper introduces an approach to prostate cancer grading, framing it as a classification problem. Leveraging ResNet models on multi-scale patch-level digital pathology and the Diagset dataset, the proposed method demonstrates notable success, achieving an accuracy of 0.999 in identifying clinically significant prostate cancer. The study contributes to the evolving landscape of cancer diagnostics, offering a promising avenue for improved grading accuracy and, consequently, more effective treatment planning. By integrating innovative deep learning techniques with comprehensive datasets, our approach represents a step forward in the pursuit of personalized and targeted cancer care.

Ensemble Deep Learning-Based Image Classification for Breast Cancer Subtype and Invasiveness Diagnosis from Whole Slide Image Histopathology.

Cancer diagnosis and classification are pivotal for effective patient management and treatment planning. In this study, a comprehensive approach is presented utilizing ensemble deep learning techniques to analyze breast cancer histopathology images. Our datasets were based on two widely employed datasets from different centers for two different tasks: BACH and BreakHis. Within the BACH dataset, a proposed ensemble strategy was employed, incorporating VGG16 and ResNet50 architectures to achieve precise classification of breast cancer histopathology images. Introducing a novel image patching technique to preprocess a high-resolution image facilitated a focused analysis of localized regions of interest. The annotated BACH dataset encompassed 400 WSIs across four distinct classes: Normal, Benign, In Situ Carcinoma, and Invasive Carcinoma. In addition, the proposed ensemble was used on the BreakHis dataset, utilizing VGG16, ResNet34, and ResNet50 models to classify microscopic images into eight distinct categories (four benign and four malignant). For both datasets, a five-fold cross-validation approach was employed for rigorous training and testing. Preliminary experimental results indicated a patch classification accuracy of 95.31% (for the BACH dataset) and WSI image classification accuracy of 98.43% (BreakHis). This research significantly contributes to ongoing endeavors in harnessing artificial intelligence to advance breast cancer diagnosis, potentially fostering improved patient outcomes and alleviating healthcare burdens.

Cannabis use by individuals with spinal cord injury in the UK: a call for improved patient education and physician awareness for pain and spasticity management.

STUDY DESIGN: Prospective observational qualitative study. OBJECTIVE: Cannabis is used by patients for the treatment of chronic pain, spasticity, sleep issues or mood disorders such as anxiety and depression. Since 2018, it has been authorised in the United Kingdom for medical use as an unlicensed medicine. This study aims to determine if patients are using cannabis for the management of symptoms related to spinal cord injury, and if so, whether they are using medical or illicit cannabis. METHODS: Spinal cord injury patients from the Yorkshire Regional Spinal Injuries Centre and SPINE Community in the United Kingdom were surveyed. Participants were sent a 7-point electronic survey. All results were anonymous, and confidentiality was maintained throughout the process. RESULTS: In total, 223 patients completed the survey. Not all patients answered every question. Of those who responded 65.35% (n = 132) were paraplegic and 34.65% (n = 70) were tetraplegic. Patients were suffering from chronic pain (longer than 3 months), spasticity, loss of/difficulty in sleeping or anxiety/depression. Almost 15% (14.93%, n = 33 out of 221) used cannabis to manage their symptoms, out of those the majority used street cannabis (79.41%, n = 27 out of 34) were using street cannabis. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates that there are spinal cord injury patients in the UK using cannabis to treat their symptoms. A majority appear to be using illicit cannabis. Given that cannabis can interact with other medications, and that the quality and content of illicit cannabis can be highly variable and at times dangerous, it is important for physicians to discuss cannabis use with their patients. This can inform prescribing and allow them to educate patients on the dangers of medical cannabis and potential alternatives.

Transforming evidence-based clinical guidelines into implementable clinical decision support services: the CAREPATH study for multimorbidity management.

Introduction: The CAREPATH Project aims to develop a patient-centered integrated care platform tailored to older adults with multimorbidity, including mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or mild dementia. Our goal is to empower multidisciplinary care teams to craft personalized holistic care plans while adhering to evidence-based guidelines. This necessitates the creation of clear specifications for clinical decision support (CDS) services, consolidating guidance from multiple evidence-based clinical guidelines. Thus, a co-creation approach involving both clinical and technical experts is essential. Methods: This paper outlines a robust methodology for generating implementable specifications for CDS services to automate clinical guidelines. We have established a co-creation framework to facilitate collaborative exploration of clinical guidelines between clinical experts and software engineers. We have proposed an open, repeatable, and traceable method for translating evidence-based guideline narratives into implementable specifications of CDS services. Our approach, based on international standards such as CDS-Hooks and HL7 FHIR, enhances interoperability and potential adoption of CDS services across diverse healthcare systems. Results: This methodology has been followed to create implementable specifications for 65 CDS services, automating CAREPATH consensus guideline consolidating guidance from 25 selected evidence-based guidelines. A total of 296 CDS rules have been formally defined, with input parameters defined as clinical concepts bound to FHIR resources and international code systems. Outputs include 346 well-defined CDS Cards, offering clear guidance for care plan activities and goal suggestions. These specifications have led to the implementation of 65 CDS services integrated into the CAREPATH Adaptive Integrated Care Platform. Discussion: Our methodology offers a systematic, replicable process for generating CDS specifications, ensuring consistency and reliability across implementation. By fostering collaboration between clinical expertise and technical proficiency, we enhance the quality and relevance of generated specifications. Clear traceability enables stakeholders to track the development process and ensure adherence to guideline recommendations.

Diagnostic Accuracy of Non-invasive Tests Versus Arthroscopy in Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) Injuries.

BACKGROUND: The knee joint assessment to detect anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury after trauma involves clinical examination and radiography. The gold standard method is doing arthroscopy. We did this study seeking to evaluate the effectiveness of other non-invasive diagnostic methods, including the Anterior Drawer test, Lachman test and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in detecting ACL tears after trauma, compared to the reference standard method (the arthroscopy). METHODOLOGY: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in the Orthopaedic Department of the Khyber Teaching Hospital, Peshawar, for six months. A total of 86 participants with knee injuries fulfilling the inclusion criteria were recruited for the study. Mechanism of injury, side of injury and body weight were recorded. The Anterior Drawer test and Lachman test for ACL injury were performed by orthopaedic surgeons with at least five years of post-fellowship experience in orthopaedic surgery. Sensitivities, specificities and accuracy of the clinical tests and MRI were calculated. RESULTS: The statistical analysis revealed that the mean age of participants was 35.73 (SD 12.7) years, with a range from 18 to 55 years. Among the participants, 67 (77.91%) were male and 19 (22.09%) were female. The side of injury was predominantly right in 50 (58.14%) and left in 36 (41.86%) participants. Road traffic accidents (RTAs) were the leading cause of knee injury, accounting for 63.95% (55) of cases, followed by sports injuries at 23.26% (20). Regarding diagnostic accuracy, MRI showed a sensitivity of 98.57%, specificity of 87.50% and diagnostic accuracy of 96.51% in detecting ACL tears. The Lachman test demonstrated a sensitivity of 90%, specificity of 87.5% and diagnostic accuracy of 89.53% compared to arthroscopy. Similarly, the anterior Drawer test exhibited a sensitivity of 88.57%, specificity of 87.50% and diagnostic accuracy of 88.37% against the gold standard of arthroscopy. These findings underscore the effectiveness of these diagnostic modalities in identifying ACL injuries. CONCLUSIONS: All three tests (MRI, Lachman test and anterior Drawer test) can be used for the diagnosis of anterior cruciate ligament injury with optimal results.

An update on existing therapeutic options and status of novel anti-metastatic agents in breast cancer: Elucidating the molecular mechanisms underlying the pleiotropic action of Withania somnifera (Indian ginseng) in breast cancer attenuation.

Major significant advancements in pharmacology and drug technology have been made to heighten the impact of cancer therapies, improving the life expectancy of subjects diagnosed with malignancy. Statistically, 99% of breast cancers occur in women while 0.5-1% occur in men, the female gender being the strongest breast cancer risk factor. Despite several breakthroughs, breast cancer continues to have a worldwide impact and is one of the leading causes of mortality. Additionally, resistance to therapy is a crucial factor enabling cancer cell persistence and resurgence. As a result, the search and discovery of novel modulatory agents and effective therapies capable of controlling tumor progression and cancer cell proliferation is critical. Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal (WS), commonly known as Indian ginseng, has long been used traditionally for the treatment of several ailments in the Indian context. Recently, WS and its phytoconstituents have shown promising anti-breast cancer properties and, as such, can be employed as prophylactic as well as therapeutic adjuncts to the main line of breast cancer treatment. The present review is an attempt to explore and provide experimental evidences in support of the prophylactic and therapeutic potential of WS in breast cancer, along with a deeper insight into the multiple molecular mechanisms and novel targets through which it acts against breast and other hormonally-induced cancers viz. ovarian, uterine and cervical. This exploration might prove crucial in providing better understanding of breast cancer progression and metastasis and its use as an adjunct in improving disease prognosis and therapeutic outcome.

Silicon nanoparticles vs trace elements toxicity: Modus operandi and its omics bases.

Phytotoxicity of trace elements (commonly misunderstood as 'heavy metals') includes impairment of functional groups of enzymes, photo-assembly, redox homeostasis, and nutrient status in higher plants. Silicon nanoparticles (SiNPs) can ameliorate trace element toxicity. We discuss SiNPs response against several essential (such as Cu, Ni, Mn, Mo, and Zn) and non-essential (including Cd, Pb, Hg, Al, Cr, Sb, Se, and As) trace elements. SiNPs hinder root uptake and transport of trace elements as the first line of defence. SiNPs charge plant antioxidant defence against trace elements-induced oxidative stress. The enrolment of SiNPs in gene expressions was also noticed on many occasions. These genes are associated with several anatomical and physiological phenomena, such as cell wall composition, photosynthesis, and metal uptake and transport. On this note, we dedicate the later sections of this review to support an enhanced understanding of SiNPs influence on the metabolomic, proteomic, and genomic profile of plants under trace elements toxicity.