bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Chitinase from the Latex of Ficus benjamina L. Displays Antifungal
Activity by Inducing ROS Generation and Structural Damage to the
Fungal Cell Wall and Plasma Membrane
Authors: Mota Handerson R.O. , Oliveira Jose T.A. , Martins Thiago F. , Vasconcelos Ilka M. , Costa Helen P.S. , Neres Dhel P. , Silva Fredy D.A. , Souza Pedro F.N.
Published: September 2022

Background:

Chitinases are plant defense-related proteins with a high biotechnological
potential to be applied in agriculture.

Objectives:

This study aimed to purify a chitinase from the latex of Ficus benjamina.

Methods:

An antifungal class I chitinase, named FbLx-Chi-1, was purified from the latex of Ficus
benjamina after precipitation with 30-60% ammonium sulfate and affinity chromatography on a chitin
column and antifungal potential assay against phytopathogenic fungi important to agriculture.

Results:

FbLx-Chi-1 has 30 kDa molecular mass, as estimated by SDS-PAGE and the optimal pH and
temperature for full chitinolytic activity were 5.5 and 60 ºC, respectively. FbLx-Chi-1 is a high pH-,
ion-tolerant and thermostable protein. Importantly, FbLx-Chi-1 hindered the growth of the
phytopathogenic fungi Colletotrichum gloeosporioides, Fusarium pallidoroseum, and Fusarium
oxysporum. The action mode of FbLx-Chi-1 to hamper F. pallidoroseum growth seems to be
correlated with alterations in the morphology of the hyphal cell wall, increased plasma membrane
permeability, and overproduction of reactive oxygen species.

Conclusion:

These findings highlight the biotechnological potential of FbLx-Chi-1 to control
important phytopathogenic fungi in agriculture. In addition, FbLx-Chi-1 could be further explored to
be used in industrial processes such as the large-scale environmentally friendly enzymatic hydrolysis
of chitin to produce its monomer N-acetyl-β-D-glucosamine, which is employed for bioethanol
production, in cosmetics, in medicine, and for other multiple applications.
The Role of High-density Lipoprotein in Oral and Dental Diseases
Authors: Sadeghalbanaei Leila , Shirban Farinaz , Bagherniya Mohammad , Sathyapalan Thozhukat , Sahebkar Amirhossein
Published: September 2022

High-density lipoprotein (HDL) is the smallest and densest of the lipoproteins. Beyond its well-known cardiovascular protective function, it has other actions, including structural function, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-thrombotic effects, transport of bioactive molecules, and induction of signal transduction pathways. Further, there is a mutual connection between oral health and general health. Hence HDL could be a potentially crucial factor relating oral health to general health. As far as we know, no comprehensive study has been carried out to date, which has explored the association between HDL concentration and oral diseases including lichen plan, recurrent aphthous ulcers, candidiasis, implant osseointegration, oral cancer and precancerous conditions. Here in this review, we summarized the relationship between HDL and oral health, suggesting a significant association between HDL concentration and oral health.
Epigallocatechin Gallate Protects Diabetes Mellitus Rats Complicated with Cardiomyopathy
through TGF-β1/JNK Signaling Pathway
Authors: Gui Liuming , Wang Fengxian , Hu Xiangka , Liu Xiaojuan , Yang He , Cai Zengxiaorui , Qi Mushuang , Dai Chunmei
Published: September 2022

Background:

Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) is the main component of rhubarb tannin, with antioxidant, anti-angiogenic, anti-cancer and antiviral activities. Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a high blood sugar and
protein metabolism disorder syndrome, which is caused by absolute or relative factors, such as deficiency of
insulin and oxidative stress. Diabetes cardiomyopathy (DCM) is one of the most frequent complications of DM.

Objective:

This study aims to explore whether EGCG can improve diabetic complication, myocardial fibrosis,
in diabetic rats with an intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (STZ) through the transforming growth factor
β1 (TGF-β1)/C-Jun N -terminal kinase (JNK) signaling pathway.

Methods:

50 male SD rats were randomly divided into five groups, including the control group, model group,
and EGCG drug groups (10 mg/kg, 20 mg/kg, 40 mg/kg), with 10 rats in each group. Rats, except for the control group, were intraperitoneally injected with STZ (65 mg/kg) to induce the diabetic rats model. EGCG drug
groups were given distilled water according to the dose, while the control group and model group were given
the same volume of distilled water for 12 weeks. The levels of glucose (GLU), triglyceride (TG), cholesterol
(CHO), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) in serum were detected by ELISA
of all rats. Myocardial function was observed by HE, Masson staining and Sirius red staining in DCM rats. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect the expression of Collagen I (COL-I) and Collagen III (COL-III), and
detect the degree of myocardial fibrosis of DM rats. Western blot was used to detect the expression of matrix
metalloproteinases (MMPs), tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase (TIMPs), TGF-β1, JNK and p-JNK in
the myocardium.

Results:

Compared to the model group, the levels of GLU, TG, CHO, and LDL in serum were decreased while the
level of HDL in serum was increased in EGCG groups rats; cardiac index and left ventricular mass index were decreased while heart function was improved in EGCG groups rats; the expressions of the COL-I and COL-III were
decreased in EGCG groups, and the high dose group was the best; the expressions of TGF-β1, JNK, p-JNK, and
TIMP-1 were down-regulated, and the expression of MMP-9 was up-regulated in EGCG groups.

Conclusion:

The results demonstrated that EGCG could improve STZ-induced diabetic complication, i.e., myocardial fibrosis, in diabetic rats, and protect their heart through TGF-β1/JNK signaling pathway
Recent Advances in Supported Ionic Liquid Membrane Technology in Gas/Organic
Compounds Separations
Authors: Kaur Pawanpreet , Chopra Harish Kumar
Published: September 2022

The development of the convenient separation processes is a major challenge being
examined by scientists and technologists due to its industrial applications. The supported liquid
membrane (SLM) technology has been widely employed to separate several species, like
permeable gas from binary gaseous mixtures, metal ions, and organic and biological compounds.
The main reason for the limited use of SLMs in the industry is their short life and less
stability due to the high volatility of traditional organic solvents. Room-temperature ionic
liquids (RTILs) are environmentally benign designer salts, exhibit negligible volatility, show
good thermal stability, and have remarkable solubility, thus, acting as an alternative solvent to
overcome the drawbacks of SLMs. Besides, the high viscosity of ionic liquids (ILs) offers
good capillary force, which prevents their flow into membrane pores even under high pressure.
Moreover, their tuned properties make them amenable compounds for their immobilization into membrane
pores to provide supported ionic liquid membranes (SILMs) with good mechanical strength. In literature (from
2007 to the present), a variety of SILMs have been designed, synthesized, and employed in the field of separation
science. This review is mainly focused on the applications of SILMs in the separation of more permeable gases
(CO2, O2, CO, H2, and C2H4) from binary gas mixtures as well as the separation of organic compounds (organic
acids, alcohols, aromatic hydrocarbons, amines, reactants and products of transesterification reaction, nitrogen- and
sulfur-containing aromatic compounds) from distinct mixtures.
CRISPR/Cas9-based Gene Therapies for Fighting Drug Resistance Mediated by Cancer Stem Cells
Authors: Ghasemi Sorayya , Dashtaki Masoumeh Eliyasi
Published: September 2022

Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are cancer-initiating cells found in most tumors and hematological cancers. CSCs are involved in cells progression, recurrence of tumors, and drug resistance. Current therapies have been focused on treating the mass of tumor cells and cannot eradicate the CSCs. CSCs drug-specific targeting is considered as an approach to precisely target these cells. Clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR/Cas9) gene-editing systems are making progress and showing promise in the cancer research field. One of the attractive applications of CRISPR/Cas9 as one approach of gene therapy is targeting the critical genes involved in drug resistance and maintenance of CSCs. The synergistic effects of gene editing as a novel gene therapy approach and traditional therapeutic methods, including chemotherapy, can resolve drug resistance challenges and regression of the cancers. This review article considers different aspects of CRISPR/Cas9 ability in the study and targeting of CSCs with the intention to investigate their application in drug resistance.
miRNA-1260b Promotes Breast Cancer Cell Migration and Invasion by Downregulating CCDC134
Authors: Han Yuanyuan , Lei Wen , Zhang Fuqing , Huang Zhijian , Zhen Shijian , Jin Liangzi , Chen Jian
Published: September 2022

Background:

Breast cancer (BRCA) is the most common type of cancer among women
worldwide. MiR-1260b has been widely demonstrated to participate in multiple crucial biological
functions of cancer tumorigenesis, but its functional effect and mechanism in human breast cancer
have not been fully understood.

Methods:

qRT-PCR was used to detect miR-1260b expression in 29 pairs of breast cancer tissues and
normal adjacent tissues. Besides, the expression level of miR-1260b in BRCA cells was also further validated
by qRT-PCR. miR-1260b played its role in the prognostic process by using Kaplan-Meier curves.
In addition, miR-1260b knockdown and target gene CCDC134 overexpression model was constructed in
cell line MDA-MB-231. Transwell migration and invasion assay was performed to analyze the effect of
miR-1260b and CCDC134 on the biological function of BRCA cells. TargetScan and miRNAWalk were
used to find possible target mRNAs. The relationship between CCDC134 and immune cell surface markers
was analyzed using TIMER and database and the XIANTAO platform. GSEA analysis was used to
identify possible CCDC134-associated molecular mechanisms and pathways.

Results:

In the present study, miR-1260b expression was significantly upregulated in human breast
cancer tissue and a panel of human breast cancer cell lines, while the secretory protein coiled-coil domain
containing 134 (CCDC134) exhibited lower mRNA expression. High expression of miR-1260b
was associated with poor overall survival among the patients by KM plot. Knockdown of miR-1260b
significantly suppressed breast cancer cell migration and invasion and yielded the opposite result. In
addition, overexpression of CCDC134 could inhibit breast cancer migration and invasion, and knockdown
yielded the opposite result. There were significant positive correlations of CCDC134 with CD25
(IL2RA), CD80 and CD86. GSEA showed that miR-1260b could function through the MAPK pathway
by downregulating CCDC134.

Conclusion:

Collectively, these results suggested that miR-1260b might be an oncogene of breast
cancer and might promote the migration and invasion of BRCA cells by down-regulating its target
gene CCDC134 and activating MAPK signaling pathway as well as inhibiting immune function and
causing immune escape in human breast cancer.
Simple Electric Device to Isolate Nucleic Acids from Whole Blood
Optimized for Point of Care Testing of Brain Damage
Authors: Han Hyung Soo , Bae Mi Jung , Lee Young Mi , Choi Ye Seul , Lee Eunmi , Le Minh Tan , Duc Nguyen Thi Hong , Lee Donghyeon , Cho Junghwan , Park Nora Jee-Young , Chong Gun Oh
Published: September 2022

Background:

Detection or monitoring of brain damage is a clinically crucial issue. Nucleic
acids in the whole blood can be used as biomarkers for brain injury. Polymerase chain reaction
(PCR) which is one of the most commonly used molecular diagnostic assays requires isolated nucleic
acids to initiate amplification. Currently used nucleic acid isolation procedures are complicated
and require laboratory equipments.

Objective:

In this study, we tried to develop a simple and convenient method to isolate nucleic acids
from the whole blood sample using a tiny battery-powered electric device. The quality of the isolated
nucleic acids should be suitable for PCR assay without extra preparation.

Methods:

A plastic device with separation chamber was designed and printed with a 3D printer.
Two platinum electrodes were placed on both sides and a battery was used to supply the electricity.
To choose the optimal nucleic acid isolation condition, diverse lysis buffers and separation buffers
were evaluated, and the duration and voltage of the electricity were tested. Western blot analysis and
PCR assay were used to determine the quality of the separated nucleic acids.

Results:

2ul of whole blood was applied to the cathode side of the separation chamber containing 78
ul of normal saline. When the electricity at 5 V was applied for 5 min, nucleic acids were separated
from segment 1 to 3 of the separation chamber. The concentration of nucleic acids peaked around
7~8 mm from cathode side. PCR assay using the separation buffer as the template was performed
successfully both in conventional and realtime PCR methods. The hemoglobin in the whole blood
did not show the inhibitory effect in our separation system and it may be due to structural modification
of hemoglobin during electric separation.

Conclusion:

Our simple electric device can separate nucleic acids from the whole blood sample by
applying electricity at 5 V for 5 min. The separation buffer solution taken from the device can be
used for PCR assay successfully.
BZW2, CDT1 and IVD Act As Biomarkers for Predicting Hepatocellular
Carcinoma
Authors: Lv Lizhi , Jiang Zhelong , Wei Zhihong , Chen Jianwei , Yang Fang , Jiang Yi
Published: September 2022

Background:

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths
globally. This study aimed to provide a comprehensive investigation to screen and identify biomarkers
for predicting HCC.

Methods:

Firstly, the bioinformatics technique was applied to screen potential HCC-related genes, and
the relationships between BZW2, CDT1, IVD expression and survival rate and clinicopathological factors
were assessed. Afterward, qRT-PCR, western blot and immunohistochemistry were employed to
validate the expression of BZW2, CDT1, and IVD in clinical resected cancer specimens. Furthermore,
in vitro assays, cell cycle, apoptosis, colony formation and scratch experiments were performed to detect
the effects of si-BZW2, si-CDT1 and oe-IVD in HCC cells. In vivo experiments, tumor volume
and weight were measured to assess the anti-tumor effect of si-BZW2, si-CDT1 and oe-IVD in HCCtumor-
bearing mice.

Results:

Bioinformatics analysis indicated that HCC patients with high expression of BZW2, CDT1
and low expression of IVD have a poor prognosis and unfavorable clinicopathological factors. Similarly,
clinical sample analysis revealed that BZW2 and CDT1 expression were increased while IVD expression
was decreased in HCC tissues. Meanwhile, in vitro experiments found that si-BZW2, si-
CDT1 and oe-IVD promoted apoptosis and inhibited the colony formation and migration of HCC cells.
As expected, in vivo experiments demonstrated that si-BZW2, si-CDT1 and oe-IVD could inhibit tumor
growth.

Conclusion:

Increased BZW2, CDT1 levels, and decreased IVD levels could act as biomarkers for
predicting HCC. Furthermore, targeting BZW2, CDT1, and IVD may offer a new approach to treat
HCC.
Xanthones: A Class of Heterocyclic Compounds with Anticancer Potential
Authors: Gul Somia , Aslam Khadija , Pirzada Quratulain , Rauf Abdur , Khalil Anees Ahmed , Semwal Prabhakar , Bawazeer Sami , Al-Awthan Yahya Saleh , Bahattab Omar Salem , Al Duais Mohammed Ali , Thiruvengadam Muthu
Published: September 2022

Xanthones (9H xanthen-9-one) are an important class of heterocyclic compounds containing oxygen and moiety of gamma-pirone, dense with a two-benzene ring structured, distributed widely in nature. Naturally occurring xanthones are found in micro-organisms and higher plants as secondary metabolites in fungi and lichens. Compounds of the family Calophyllaceae, Guttiferae and Gentianaceae are the most common natural source of xanthones. The structure of xanthones nucleus, coupled with its biogenetic source, imposes that the carbons are numbered according to the biosynthetic pact. The characteristics oxygenation pattern of xanthones earlier is mixed shikimate-acetate biogenesis. The major class of xanthones includes simple oxygenated, non-oxygenated, xanthonolignoids, bisxanthones, prenylated and related xanthones, as well as miscellaneous xanthones. Their great pharmacological importance and interesting scaffolds were highly encouraged by scientists to investigate either the synthesis design or natural products for cancer treatment. Because currently used antitumor drugs possess high toxicity and low selectivity, efficacious treatment may be compromised. This review is limited to the antitumor activity of xanthones and the chemistry of xanthone core, which may help provide fundamental knowledge to the medicinal chemist for new and advanced research in drug development.
Recent Advances in Chemical Composition and Transdermal Delivery
Systems for Topical Bio-actives in Skin Cancer
Authors: Rath Goutam , Halder Jitu , Mishra Ajit , Kar Biswakanth , Ghosh Goutam
Published: September 2022

Skin cancer, including basal cell carcinoma, melanoma, and squamous cell carcinoma, is conventionally treated by surgery, phototherapy, immunotherapy, and chemotherapy. For decades, surgical removal of malignant cancers has favored patients' therapeutic options. However, multiple aspects, such as the patient's comorbidities, the anatomical location of the lesion, and possible resistance to recurrent excisions, can influence the decision to conduct surgery. Therefore, topical and transdermal therapy may be a more appropriate option, allowing for higher therapeutic levels at the site of action and reducing toxicity than systemic therapy. The most commonly used topical agents for treating skin carcinoma are- 5-fluorouracil, imiquimod, sonidegib, dacarbazine, etc. However, drug physicochemical characteristics and skin physiological barriers limit the anticancer potency of topical as well as transdermal drug delivery. In recent years, unquestionable signs of progress have been demonstrated to circumvent these challenges. In particular, significant studies have been made, including modification of bio-actives, permeability enhancers, incorporation of advanced nano and microcarriers, and physical enhancement devices. This critical review summarizes the advancement in the chemical composition of bioactives used in skin cancer, such as sinecatechins, BIL-010t, patidegib, gingerol, curcumin, remetinostat, epigallocatechin-3-gallate, etc. Furthermore, this review, specifically addresses the progress in transdermal delivery systems for melanoma and non-melanoma cancer therapy, emphasizing advances in physical and chemical penetration enhancement and nanocarrier-assisted transdermal systems.
Exploring Plausible Therapeutic Targets for Alzheimer's Disease using
Multi-omics Approach, Machine Learning and Docking
Authors: Parvathy Dharshini S. Akila , Sneha Nela Pragathi , Yesudhas Dhanusha , Kulandaisamy A. , Rangaswamy Uday , Shanmugam Anusuya , Taguchi Y-H. , Gromiha M. Michael
Published: September 2022

The progressive deterioration of neurons leads to Alzheimer's disease (AD), and develop-ing a drug for this disorder is challenging. Substantial gene/transcriptome variability from multiple cell types leads to downstream pathophysiologic consequences that represent the heterogeneity of this disease. Identifying potential biomarkers for promising therapeutics is strenuous due to the fact that the transcriptome, epigenetic, or proteome changes detected in patients are not clear whether they are the cause or consequence of the disease, which eventually makes the drug discovery efforts intricate. The advancement in scRNA-sequencing technologies helps to identify cell type-specific biomarkers that may guide the selection of the pathways and related targets specific to different stages of the disease progression. This review is focussed on the analysis of multi-omics data from various perspectives (genomic and transcriptomic variants, and single-cell expression), which pro-vide insights to identify plausible molecular targets to combat this complex disease. Further, we briefly outlined the developments in machine learning techniques to prioritize the risk-associated genes, predict probable mutations and identify promising drug candidates from natural products.
In vivo PET Imaging of EGFR Expression: An Overview of Radiolabeled
EGFR TKIs
Authors: Zhu Jing , Li Yalun , Wu Xiaoai , Li Yunchun , Wang Li , Fan Hong
Published: September 2022

With the development of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-based tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) and their applications in the clinic, non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) treatment has entered a new era, and a great number of patients have benefited. However, there still exist other subgroups of patients who may not benefit from EGFR TKIs, although EGFR mutation is the main driving mutation that leads to NSCLC. To identify potential NSCLC responders for TKI therapy and to detect EGFR status in vivo, noninvasive technology, such as TKI PET imaging, has been developed in recent years, and a great number of tyrosine kinase-targeted PET tracers have been reported. The visualization and quantification of EGFR expression in vivo by PET would provide the most important information for personalizing NSCLC therapy and prediction of response in clinical. This article overreviews the progress of small molecular tyrosine kinase-targeted PET tracers and their applications in preclinical experiments and clinical studies. The current limitations and future development of these tracers are also briefly discussed.
Serum Interleukin-6 and Weight Loss in Antiretroviral-naïve and
Antiretroviral-treated Patients with HIV/AIDS: Relationships and
Predictors
Authors: Adedeji Tewogbade Adeoye , Adedeji Nife Olamide , Ajeigbe Abiodun Kofoworola , Smith Olufemi Samuel , Jeje Olusola Akanni , Fawale Michael Bimbo , Ajose Abiodun Olabamiji , Adebisi Simeon Adelani , Akande Adeyinka Abdulrasak , Okesina Bashiru Adekunle
Published: September 2022

Background:

Cachexia is usually associated with elevated serum interleukin-6 (IL-6) as
it stimulates the breakdown of muscle proteins and promotes wasting.

Objective:

A case-control study to evaluate the relationship between weight loss, facial fat loss, and
IL-6 in antiretroviral-naïve and treated participants living with HIV/AIDS.

Methods:

IL-6 was assayed by High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) in 97 in consecutive
newly diagnosed antiretroviral-naive (ART-naïve) people living with HIV/AIDS (age ≥18
years); and 118 consecutive, age-matched participants currently on Highly Active Antiretroviral
Therapy (HAART), using age as a criterion. In the treated group, 78 (66.7%) subjects were on zidovudine,
lamivudine with nevirapine (Z+L+N); 27(23.1%) on tenofovir, lamivudine with emtricitabine
(T+L+E); 5(4.3%) on zidovudine, lamivudine with emtricitabine (Z+L+E); 4(3.4%) on zidovudine,
lamivudine with tenofovir (Z+L+T); 2(1.7%) on lamivudine, tenofovir with nevirapine
(L+T+N); 1(0.9%) on tenofovir, zidovudine, emtricitabine (Z+T+E).

Results:

A total of 215 participants: 97 ART-naive and 118 HAART-treated, age-matched subjects
(40.3±9.6 versus 42.7±10.20years, p=0.08). The mean IL-6 was significantly higher in naïve than
treated (0.69±0.04 versus 0.66±0.04 pg/ml, p =0.002). In all, 73 subjects experienced weight loss,
56(76.7%) naive, 17(23.3%) treated, p <0.0001, with significantly higher IL-6 in those with weight
loss (0.69±0.05 versus 0.67±0.05pg/ml, p= 0.047). Fifty-eight (27.0%) subjects experienced facial
fat loss, 49 (84.5%) naïve, and 9 (15.5%) treated, p <0.0001, with significantly higher IL-6 in those
with facial fat loss (0.7 ± 0.05 versus 0.67±0.05pg/ml, p= 0.0001). Negative correlation exists between
IL-6 and CD4+ count (r=-0.141, p=0.041). In logistic regression, independent predictors of
weight loss include: IL-6 (Adjusted Odds Ratio, aOR 1.3, 95%CI 0·1–2·6, p=0.047); HIV duration
(aOR 11.6, p <0.0001); AIDS-defining illness (aOR 3.5, p <0.0001); CD4+ count (aOR 3.2,
p=0.004); HAART status (aOR 2.7, p<0.0001).

Conclusion:

HIV infection is associated with elevation of serum interleukin-6, which likely contributes
to weight and facial fat loss among the treatment-naïve participants; while HAART is associated
with suppressed IL-6 levels, thereby ameliorating weight and facial fat loss. Inverse relationship
exists between serum IL-6 and CD4+ count; serum IL-6 could differentiate between mild- to
moderate and severe immunosuppressive states.
Considering the Conception of Nanotechnology Integrated on Herbal
Formulation for the Management of Cancer
Authors: Ojha Smriti , Yadav Shalini , Ajeet  , Aggarwal Babita , Gupta Saurabh Kumar , Mishra Sudhanshu
Published: September 2022

Metastases result from a complicated process in which malignant cells detach from the initial
cancerous cells and disseminate to other locations. Few therapy options are available that aim to prevent
or counteract metastatic disorders. Identifying novel molecular targets and medications, developing techniques
to distribute preexisting chemicals, and combining resources to supervise individualized treatment
are all part of this process. Because of its improved sensitivity, accuracy, and multiplexed measurement
capacity, nanotechnology has been investigated to recognize extracellular cancer biomarkers, cancer cells,
and bioimaging. Nanotechnology is a vast and rapidly expanding field with enormous potential in cancer
treatment. Nanoparticles can treat resistant cancers with minimal harm to healthy tissues and organs by
targeting cancer stem cells. Nanoparticles can also trigger immune cells, which can help to destroy malignancies.
The potential of herbal-based nano formulation as a specialized and high-efficacy therapeutic
method opens the path for future research into the screening and use of herbal nanoparticles for cancer
treatment. The possible impacts of nanoparticles in the therapy of metastatic cancer, specifically on cell
stability, proliferation suppression, eventual interaction with adhesion molecules, and antiangiogenic
activity, are discussed in this paper.
A Brief Study on Drug Repurposing: New Way of Boosting Drug Discovery
Authors: Mazumder Rupa , Kaushik Kamal Kant , Debnath Abhijit , Patel Manisha
Published: September 2022

Background:

Even with the massive increase in financial investments in pharmaceutical research
over the last decade, the number of new drugs approved has plummeted. As a result, finding new
uses for approved pharmaceuticals has become a prominent alternative approach for the pharmaceutical
industry.

Objective:

Drug repurposing or repositioning is a game-changing development in the field of drug research
that entails discovering additional uses for previously approved drugs.

Methods:

In comparison to traditional drug discovery methods, drug repositioning enhances the preclinical
steps of creating innovative medications by reducing the cost and time of the process. Drug repositioning
depends heavily on available drug-disease data, so the fast development of available data as well as
developed computing skills has resulted in the boosting of various new drug repositioning methods. The
main goal of this article is to describe these different methods and approaches for drug repurposing.

Results:

The article describes the basic concept of drug repurposing, its significance in discovering new
medications for various disorders, drug repurposing approaches such as computational and experimental
approaches, and previous as well as recent applications of drug repurposing in diseases such as cancer,
COVID-19, and orphan diseases.

Conclusion:

The review also addresses obstacles in drug development using drug repurposing strategies,
such as a lack of financing and regulatory concerns and concludes with outlining recommendations for
overcoming these challenges.
Importance of Thymoquinone, Sulforaphane, Phloretin, and Epigallocatechin
and their Health Benefits
Authors: Shahrajabian Mohamad Hesam , Sun Wenli
Published: September 2022

Natural products have a broad diversity of multidimensional chemical formations, which play
an important role, and indicate the crucial nature as a golden source for gaining herbal drug discovery.
Thymoquinone performs various functions and impacts anticancer, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and
anti-diabetic. It shows the significant influence on the treatment of different cancer types, such as bone
cancer, bladder cancer, lung cancer, breast cancer, prostate cancer, and colon cancer. Sulforaphane has
anticancer and antimicrobial properties and anticarcinogenic constituents. Phloretin is a dihydrochalcone
flavonoid that indicates a potent antioxidant activity in peroxynitrite scavenging and restraint of lipid
peroxidation. The most important health benefits of phloretin are anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activity
and its impacts on cancer cells. Its antioxidant activity occurs through a reducer of lipid peroxidation,
the scavenger of ROS, and its anti-inflammatory impacts happen through a declined level of cytokines,
adhesion molecules, chemokines, suppression of NF-κβ transcription, and decreased expression of COX-
2 and iNOS. Phloretin impacts cancer cells through cytotoxic and apoptotic activity and activation of
immune cells against the tumor. Epigallocatechin-3-gallate is the most abundant tea polyphenol, followed
by other polyphenols, namely, catechin, epicatechin, epigallocatechin, and epicatechin-3-gallate. This
review manuscript mentions some important medical health advantages and pharmaceutical effects of
thymoquinone, sulforaphane, phloretin, and epigallocatechin.
The Design, Synthesis, and Evaluation of Evodiamine Derivatives with
Hydroxy Groups
Authors: Yang Zheng , Guo Hui , Zhang Keyao , Jiang Zebo , Jin Ruyi , Guo Dongyan , Li Zhi , Wang Yuwei , Meng Lingjie
Published: September 2022

Background:

Most of the structural modifications to evodiamine (EVO) have focused on the
3- and 10-positions, while structural modifications to the EVO 2-position have not yet been reported. In
this study, we investigated the scaffold diversity and bioactivity of EVO from position 2 to gain more
insight into the influence of the chemical space around EVO on bioactivity.

Objective:

The study aims to synthesize two derivatives of EVO with hydroxy groups, 8a and 8b, and to
investigate the antitumor activity of EVO derivatives with hydroxy groups compared to EVO.

Methods:

The synthesized compounds were structurally characterized by 1H NMR, 13C NMR, and mass
spectrometry. The effects of compounds 8a, 8b, and EVO on the proliferation of H460, A549, and Eca109
cells in vitro were determined by MTT. The effect of EVO, 8a and 8b on apoptosis of H460 cells was
investigated by the annexed V-FITC/propidium iodide (PI) combination assay. The expression of EVO,
8a and 8b on apoptosis-related proteins was examined by Western blot analysis. To simulate the binding
ability between small molecules and proteins, molecular docking calculations of EGFRWT and EGFRT790M
with 8a and 8b, respectively, were performed using Schrödinger software.

Results:

In the cytotoxicity assay, compound 8b showed lower IC50 values for the three tumor cell lines
(6.69 μM for H460 cells, 20.02 μM for A549 cells, and 16.47 μM for Eca109 cells) compared to compound
8a and EVO, and 8b induced apoptosis by affecting apoptosis-related proteins CRAF, AKT, and
ERK in a late apoptotic manner. The molecular docking results showed that 8b has a good binding ability
to EGFR upstream of apoptosis-related proteins.

Conclusion:

These findings suggest that 8b has significantly higher antitumor biological activity than
EVO and 8a. This antitumor effect has important implications for the study of EVO derivatives in antitumor
models.
Recent updates on folate targeted drug delivery systems in cancer: A minireview
Authors: Bisht Gopal Singh , Sharma Deepika , Sharma Manu
Published: September 2022

Targeted drug delivery systems that selectively deliver anticancer drugs to tumour cells have always been a field of interest to reduce side effects associated with chemotherapy in cancer patients. Cancer cells require nutrients for their multiplication; folic acid is one such nutrient. Expression of folate receptors is negligible in normal cells, whereas they are overexpressed in a variety of cancer cells. A number of studies have shown that selective targeting of folate receptors in cancer is a beneficial approach, as folate targeted anticancer conjugates are selective towards cancer cells, thereby sparing non-cancerous cells. In this review, we have discussed folate receptor, folic acid as a cancer targeting moiety, different folate targeted anticancer drug conjugates, and different folate conjugated nanodelivery systems. This summarized information may turn out to be valuable for researchers to design novel folate targeted anticancer drug delivery systems having the potential to reduce the drawbacks associated with conventional cancer therapeutics.
Targeted Treatment and Immunotherapy in High-risk and Relapsed/
Refractory Pediatric Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia
Authors: Temaj Gazmend , Graiqevci-Uka Violeta , Behluli Emir , Spahiu Lidvana , Liehr Thomas
Published: September 2022

Acute lymphoblastic leukemia is the most frequent pediatric malignancy in children, comprising 30% of all pediatric malignancies; adult ALL comprises 5% of all ALL cases, which have a 186.6 per 1 million incidence. In pediatric ALL (pALL), on which this review focuses, ap-proximately 1 in 285 children are diagnosed with cancer before the age of 20, and approximately 1 in 530 young adults between the ages of 20 and 39 years old is a childhood cancer survivor. The survival probability in pALL is now very high, approximately 80-90%. Thus, the most important is to improve supportive care and treatment based on relapse risk, optimally being based on the genet-ic feature of malignant cells. Improvements made by now are mainly the classifying of subgroups based on genetic characteristics such as aneuploidy or translocation and aligning them with treat-ment response. Relevant genetic changes in ALL pathogenesis are transcription regulators of lym-phoid development (PAX5, IKZF1, EBF1, and LEF1) and/or coactivators (TBL1XR1 and ERG), lymphoid signaling (BTLA, and CD200 TOX), and tumor suppressor genes (CDKN2A, CDKN2B, RB1, and TP53). This review aims to summarize treatment strategies inhibiting tyrosine kinases, in-fluencing different signaling pathways, BCL inhibitors, and anti-CD therapy (anti-cluster differenti-ation therapy) in pALL. CAR T-cell therapy (chimeric antigen receptors T-cell therapy) is under re-search and requires further development.
COVID-19: Recent Advances in Lung Ultrasound
Authors: Pandey Ramendra Pati , Mukherjee Riya , Chang Chung-Ming
Published: September 2022

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV 2) has become a global
threat that has led to tremendous societal instability. The SARS-CoV- 2 can exhibit a drastic variation in terms of the signs and symptoms in the patient’s body. This virus manifests its existence
through cough, fever, sore throat, body aches, chest pain, headaches, and dyspnoea. These can lead
to life-threatening respiratory insufficiency, thereby affecting several other organs such as the kidney, heart, lungs, liver, and nervous system. The lungs are the primary target site for SARS-CoV-2
and several diagnoses are being deployed in real time for treatment purposes.
Although chest CT is the standard method for early diagnosis and management of coronavirus disease (COVID-19), lung ultrasound (US) has some merits over chest CT and may be used in addition
to it in the workup of COVID-19. The goal of our review is to look at the observations of the reports
on lung ultrasound in COVID-19 patients and the current advances.
Phytosomes: A Novel Phytoconstituent Delivery Approach to Improve the
Efficacy of Obesity Treatment
Authors: Adiki Shanta Kumari , Sangeetha Shanmugasundaram , Kamireddy Srikala , Katakam Prakash , Obilineni Iswarya
Published: September 2022

Objectives:

This review provides a detailed review of the treatment of obesity with natural products that are formulated as phytosomes. When novel drug delivery technology is used instead of traditional drug delivery in herbal medicine, side effects are reduced while safety and efficacy are improved.This article provides information about obesity along with its treatment and with special emphasis on phytosomes, their preparation and evaluation along with their application in obesity.

Methods:

A comprehensive search of electronic databases such as Medline, Embase, Cochrane Library, Google, and Google Patents was carried out.

Results:

This review explains the details of research done on phytosomes with special reference to anti-obesity drugs. Still, there is a need to formulate anti-obesity herbal drugs as phytosomes to get better bioavailability, and fewer side effects. This phytosomal drug delivery approach may resolve the problems associated with conventional drug delivery.

Conclusion:

Integrating herbal medicine with novel drug delivery systems such as phytosomes to combat obesity has a significant scope and importance.
A Comprehensive Review on Nutritional and Medicinal Properties of
Pleurotus ostreatus: An Oyster Mushroom
Authors: Wal Pranay , Dwivedi Jyotsana , Kushwaha Shivangi , Yadav Anil , Singh Shashi Pratap , Hanumanthachar K. Joshi
Published: September 2022

Mushrooms are an important aspect of the human diet, and their popularity has increased over the years. Pleurotus ostreatus (P. ostreatus) are the most commonly consumed mushrooms by the rural dwellers in South Western Nigeria, perhaps, based on their nutritive value and health-enhancing benefits. Pleurotus is a genus of about 40 mushroom species popularly referred to as "oyster mushrooms." P. ostreatus is one of several Pleurotus species that are widely consumed for their flavour, nutritional value, and medicinal properties. Polysaccharides, proteins, peptides, triterpenoids, lectins, lipids, and their derivatives are all found in the P. ostreatus mushroom, in addition to its essential therapeutic components. P. ostreatus commonly consumed as food or as food supplement have been reported in folklore for their antihypertensive property with limited scientific proof. This review emphasizes the excellent nutritional value of P. ostreatus mushrooms.
Physicochemical Quality and Thermal Stability of Vegetable Oils during Deep-Fat Frying of Potato Chips
Authors: Khattab Rabie
Published: September 2022

Background:

Deep-fat frying induces organoleptic and physicochemical changes in
both oils and fried products. Excessive use of frying oils accrues decomposition products with
potential hazards to human health. Optimizing frying conditions and selecting the best frying oils
are needed for better-fried products.

Objective:

This study was conducted to investigate the physicochemical changes and thermal behavior
of vegetable oils (olive, canola, corn, sunflower and soybean oils) during deep-fat frying
of potato chips, and determine the optimum conditions required to produce the best quality fried
product.

Methods:

Thermal behavior, organoleptic characteristics, physicochemical properties (color index,
viscosity, specific gravity, peroxide value, free fatty acids, total polar compounds), and fatty
acid compositions of oils were investigated during the frying process every 8 hours up to 40
hours of heating.

Results:

Oils showed different quality and thermal stability. The optimum time and temperature
for frying were 10 minutes and 180°C. Sensory attributes, physicochemical characteristics and
fatty acid composition of oils were markedly affected by heating. Olive oil was the most stable
for frying. Total polar compounds of 27% (the rejection point for frying oils) would be reached
upon heating olive oil at 180°C for 114 hours. The corresponding times were 45, 43, 30 and 26
hours for canola, corn, sunflower and soybean oils, respectively.

Conclusion:

Olive oil showed the highest stability and produced the best-fried product, followed
by canola oil. Frying time increased with extended heating, and it could be used as a good indicator
of oil quality and when it should be discarded.
CHARGE-AF: A Useful Score For Atrial Fibrillation Prediction?
Authors: Goudis Christos , Daios Stylianos , Dimitriadis Fotios , Liu Tong
Published: September 2022

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the commonest arrhythmia in clinical practice and is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Various predictive scores for new-onset AF have been proposed, but so far none has been widely used in clinical practice. CHARGE-AF score was developed from a pooled diverse population from three large cohorts (Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities study, Cardiovascular Health Study and Framingham Heart Study). A simple 5-year predictive model includes the variables of age, race, height, weight, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, current smoking, use of antihypertensive medication, diabetes mellitus, history of myocardial infarction and heart failure. Recent studies report that CHARGE-AF score has good discrimination for incident AF and seems to be a quite promising prediction model for this arrhythmia. New screening tools (smartphone apps, smartwatches) are rapidly developing for AF detection. Therefore, the wide application of CHARGE-AF score in clinical practice along with the upcoming usage of mobile health technologies and smartwatches, may result in better AF prediction and adequate stroke prevention, especially in high-risk patients.
Effect of Sexual Empowerment Counseling on Self-efficacy, Assertive
Sexual Communication, Self-awareness, and Sexual Attitude, Awareness
of Sexually Transmitted Diseases, and HIV in Addicted Women - An
Interventional Study
Authors: Faridi Najmeh , Vakilian Katayon , Yousefi Alireza Agha
Published: September 2022

Background:

Healthy and satisfying sex life is one of the important elements of well-being
and quality of life in women.

Objectives:

This study aimed to investigate the effect of sexual counseling on self-efficacy, assertive
sexual communication, self-awareness, sexual attitude, awareness of sexually transmitted diseases,
and HIV in addicted women in mandatory drug treatment camps.

Material and Methods:

The present study was conducted on 68 women in two groups (intervention =
34, control = 34). The intervention group received the counseling program. The control group received
routine services from the rehabilitation center.

Results:

The results showed that in the intervention group, 31 (100) before the intervention and 26
(86.7) 4 weeks after intervention (p = 0.05), had heard the name of STDs (p = 0.28). Moreover, 12
(38.7) participants in the intervention group and 12 (38.7) in the control group could name 4 symptoms
of STDs in women 4 weeks after intervention (p = 0.001).
Additionally, the sexual attitude was 44.64 ± 4.21 and 45.38 ± 4.09 in the intervention group and
40.66 ± 4.50 and 39.93 ± 4.71 in the control group 4 and 8 weeks after the intervention, respectively.
(p = 0.01). Moreover, the obtained results showed that the mean score of sexual knowledge was 40.25
± 3.62, 41.74 ± 3.44 and 36.36 ± 5.37 in the intervention group 4 and 8 weeks after the intervention,
showing a significant difference (p = 0.02).

Conclusion:

The findings of this study showed that sexual knowledge, sexual attitude and selfefficacy,
and sexual assertiveness could be improved through interventions based on skills and empowerment.
In addition, by presenting knowledge on STDs, condom use for safe sex in addicted
women can be increased.
Does Female Sexuality Decrease in Pregnancy?: A Cross-sectional Questionnaire-
based Study
Authors: Dagar Neha , Nautiyal Ruchira , Mangla Mishu
Published: September 2022

BACKGROUND:

Reproductive health is considered a cardinal component of an individual's overall health and well-being. Cultural beliefs, myths, and taboos "about sexual practices during pregnancy depend on various factors, including education, occupation, religion, cultural practices, and even area of residence.

OBJECTIVES:

The present study was undertaken to evaluate the Sexual patterns and beliefs regarding the sexuality of women during pregnancy and compare it with the pre-pregnancy period.

METHODS:

A total of 190 pregnant women [>18years of age] in the third trimester of pregnancy, i.e., beyond 28 weeks of gestation, were interviewed using Female Sexual Function Index [FSFI] scale to assess female sexual dysfunction during pregnancy and pre-pregnancy periods. If the score came to be less than 26.55, the woman was diagnosed as suffering from female sexual dysfunction. An effort was also made to find out the causes of female sexual dysfunction in these women.

RESULTS:

64[35.56%] participants considered sexual activity unsafe during pregnancy. 45.56% of the study subjects reported no change in libido. The mean +/- 2SD FSFI score in the pre-pregnancy period was 30.93 ± 1.18, whereas, in the pregnancy, the score was 22.64 ± 7.91, with a wide range of 6.4-28.5. A significant decline was noted in all domains of sexual function, including desire, arousal, lubrication, orgasm, satisfaction and pain.

CONCLUSION:

Pregnancy is associated with a significant decline in all domains of female sexual function, including desire, arousal, lubrication, orgasm, satisfaction and pain. The fallacious knowledge regarding the safety of sex in pregnancy is the most important contributing factor.
A Case Report of Primary Extranodal Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma
Involving the Masseter Muscle: Histological-Radiological Correlation
Authors: Baek Hye Jin , Lim Sunggong , Kang Young Hoon
Published: September 2022

Introduction:

Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is the most common type of non-
Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL). However, the primary skeletal muscle involvement of DLBCL is extremely
rare, comprising less than 1% of all the extranodal lymphoma. To date, only 8 cases of extranodal NHL
involving the masticator muscles have been reported in the literature.

Case Presentation:

A 70-year-old male presented with a rapid progression of painless facial swelling in
the left cheek. CT, MRI and US findings demonstrated a well-defined, soft tissue mass in the left masseter
muscle. The histopathological diagnosis was DLBCL by US-guided core needle biopsy. The patient received
three cycles of chemotherapy.

Conclusion:

Because of its rarity, primary muscular DLBCL must be considered in differential diagnosis
with all possible causes of intramuscular masses. Even the integration of multiple imaging methods does
not lead to a definitive diagnosis, the biopsy is the only possibility for an early diagnosis. Therefore, clinical
awareness and high suspicion of this disease are important for early diagnosis and proper treatment.