Systemic Review and Clinical Management in Diagnosis and Treatment of the Iron Deficiency Anemia in Adults

This study aimed at exploring with a systematic review the clinical management in diagnosis and treatment of the iron deficiency anemia in adults, as the iron deficiency is the most frequent cause of anemia worldwide. And it impairs quality of life, increases asthenia and can lead to clinical worsening of patients. In addition, iron deficiency has a complex mechanism whose pathologic pathway is recently becoming better understood. This review summarizes the current knowledge regarding diagnostic algorithms for iron deficiency anemia. The majority of aetiologies occur in the digestive tract, and justify morphological examination of the gut. First line investigations are upper gastrointestinal endoscopy and colonoscopy, and when negative, the small bowel should be explored; newer tools such as video capsule endoscopy have also been developed. The treatment of iron deficiency is aetiological if possible and iron supplementation whether in oral or in parenteral form

A first update on mapping the human genetic architecture of COVID-19

peer reviewe

Exploring the therapeutic potential of GC–MS separated compounds from Dracaena cinnabari against dengue virus and Aedes aegypti using in silico tools

The paper's main aim was to investigate bioactive molecules in Dracaena cinnabari extract using gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy (GC–MS) and to assess their therapeutic potential using molecular docking algorithm, ProTox II and ADME studies on dengue virus and Aedes aegypti. Molecular docking was carried out using AutoDock Vina, followed by drug-likeness potential and toxicity using in silico tools (ProTox II and ADME). A total of 25 different compounds were detected in the methanol extract, and the major compounds were cis-13-Octadecenoic acid (19.04 %), n-Hexadecanoic acid (16.5 %), beta-Sitosterol (10.5 %), and n-Heptadecanol-1 (9.74 %). Molecular docking revealed that beta-Sitosterol and stigmasterol are the lead compounds and scored the highest docking value among the compounds. The best-docked ligand score for dengue virus was recorded for 4V0Q (stigmasterol, −9.0 kcal/mol), whereas the best-docked ligand score for Ae. agypti was recorded for 1PZ4 (beta-Sitosterol, −9.9 kcal/mol). The toxicity prediction for the beta-Sitosterol and 4,4′-Dihydroxy-2 methoxydihydrochalcone did not violate the Lipinski rules. The values of LD50 predicted using ProTox II revealed that stigmasterol, 4,4′-dihydroxy-2-methoxydihydrochalcone, beta-Sitosterol, and vitamin E ranged from 890 to 5000 mg kg − 1 in a rat model. This study depicts the potential of promising molecules of D. cinnabari. However, in vivo and in vitro investigation is needed to support the results of this study

In vitro antiproliferative efficacy of Annona muricata seed and fruit extracts on several cancer cell lines

In Saudi Arabia, breast cancer is the second-most frequently identified common malignant cause of death for women. The present investigation was carried out to assess the impact of different Soxhlet solvent extracts of Annona muricata on apoptosis induction in breast cancer cells. Cell survival was estimated by post-incubation of cells with the extract for 24 h using 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium (MTT) assay. Acridine orange (AO)/propidium iodide (PI) and 4′,6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI) staining were employed to study cell apoptosis. qRT-PCR was also employed to assess apoptotic genes’ expression, such as BAX and P53 genes. The results of the MTT assay showed that the chloroform extract inhibited the proliferation of MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 cells dose-dependently. AO/PI and DAPI staining showed chromatin condensation and fragmentation. In treated cells, P53 expression significantly increased, correlated with the increase in BAX activity. The findings suggest that apoptosis may have been triggered post-chloroform extract treatment. Combining chloroform extract of A. muricata and doxorubicin at a 1:1 ratio increased the IC50 value (292.3 µg/mL). The chloroform extract of A. muricata contained a variety of substances, including diethyl carbonate (7.38%), 4-acetoxy-2,11-dodecadiene (58.13%), and hexadecanoic acid (34.48%), according to the results of the gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis. As a result, future research on the A. muricata chloroform extract as a potential anticancer drug could be suggested

Foliar spray of salicylic acid and ascorbic acid ameliorates the biochemical compounds in hybrid chillies

Chillies (Capsicum annuum) are a spice crop with great medicinal value of its biochemical ingredients. Its high antioxidant value along with good nutritional properties. Foliar application of Salicylic Acid may stimulate various plant physiological parameter i.e., stomatal activity, ions uptake, seed germination, leave membrane response to electrolytes and growth rate. Salicylic Acid (SA) is known as a molecule that is participated in physiological processes in chillies, plant tolerance and resistance to abiotic and biotic stresses. Ascorbic acid possesses antioxidant properties, has positive impact on flowering and expounds effective plant defense system against pesticide toxicity. Moreover, ascorbic acid is effective chemical to mitigate the destructive impacts of salt stress. All the treatments improved the yield, fruit length and fruit width as compared to control treatment. Although, various treatments, salicylic acid and ascorbic acid combination showed the maximum plant height (80.3 cm), shoot weight (161 g), root weight (47.1 g) and pericarp thickness (1.99 mm) in treatment T9 variety of V4. Results declared that foliar spray of plants growth regulators increased the carbohydrates, protein, fiber and ash content. Results declared that foliar spray of plants growth regulators increased the carbohydrates, protein, fiber and ash contents. Furthermore, Biochemical attributes and Enzymes like proline (19.1%), SOD (1.40ug-1Fw), POD (17.9 ug-1Fw g) and CAT (6.15ug-1Fw) were significantly improved in plants sprayed with salicylic acid (SA) and ascorbic acid (AA) at T9 treatment. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of foliar application of ascorbic acid and salicylic acid on the yield and biochemical traits of hybrid chillies. Generally, the highest values were obtained from T9 treatment application of SA and AA combination. Based on these findings, the SA and AA treatments may help alleviate the positive effect on the growth of Chillies

Identification and characterization of testis-specific gene expressions in mouse tissues

The growth and fertilization of germ cells require the identification and characterization of their unique genes. Because the processes that take place in male germ cells are unique; that is, they do not occur in any other tissue. The testis is a specialized male gonad with complicated gene expressions for spermatogenesis and steroidogenesis. RT-PCR analysis was performed to determine whether the candidate genes selected from the NCBI database are true genes with testis-specific expressions in mice. In total, 20 testis-specific genes were selected randomly and examined in 15 adult mouse tissue samples, including the testis. The expression profiles of the 20 selected genes in the 15 mouse tissue samples showed 3 expression categories: ubiquitously expressed genes, which were detected in all types of mouse tissues; the testis-predominant genes, which were not detected in all mouse tissue samples, were strongly expressed in the testis and weakly expressed in a few types mouse tissue; and the testis-specific genes, which were exclusively expressed in the mouse testis, were not observed in non-testicular tissues. Of the 20 characterized genes, the testis-specific genes include Adad1, Dmrtc2, Luzp4, Prm2, Prss54, and Syce1, which may play a role in meiosis and/or spermatogenesis. Therefore, further research is required to elucidate the functional importance of these identified testis-specific genes in mouse male fertility

Cancer-Testis Gene Biomarkers Discovered in Colon Cancer Patients

In Saudi Arabia, colon cancer (CC) is the most prevalent cancer in men and the third most common cancer in women. Rather than being detected through screening programs, most CC cases are diagnosed mainly during clinical exams. Because of the slow growth of CC and its ability to be treated at an early stage, screening for CC can reduce the incidence of death and mortality. Consequently, there is an urgent need to identify a potential new cancer-specific biomarker for detecting early illness. Much research has been conducted on distinct antigen classes as potential new cancer-specific biomarkers for the early identification of malignancy. The cancer-testis antigens (CTAs) are one such category of antigens, with protein presence largely normally confined to human germ line cells in the testis and aberrantly produced in some cancer cells. CTAs are potentially valuable for use as cancer biomarkers and in cancer therapeutics due to their distinctive expression pattern. The aim of this current study was to identify potential cancer-testis (CT) gene biomarkers in Saudi Arabian CC patients. In this study, a total of 20 matching CC and normal colon (NC) tissues were obtained from the Saudi population. Any genes that showed expression in CC tissues but not in matching NC tissues were subsequently verified for mRNA expression in eight breast and eight leukemia malignancies using RT-PCR to determine the specificity of any CC biomarkers. CTAG1A, SPZ1, LYZL6, SCP2D1, TEX33, and TKTL2 genes were expressed in varying numbers of CC tissues compared to no measurable expressions in all NC tissue specimens, making these genes suitable potential candidates for CC markers. The most frequently expressed CT genes in CC patients were CTAG1A (35%) and SCP2D1 (35%), followed by TKTL2 (25%), SPZ1 (20%), LYZL6 (15%), and TEX33 (5%). The LYZL6 gene shows a weak RT-PCR product in 25% of breast cancer (BC) patients but not in leukemia patients. The SCP2D1 gene appears to display expression in all leukemia patients but not in the BC patients. TKTL2 expression was also observed in 50% of leukemia samples but not in the BC samples. More experiments at the protein level and with a larger cohort of patients are required to evaluate this finding

The Expression Patterns of Human Cancer-Testis Genes Are Induced through Epigenetic Drugs in Colon Cancer Cells

Background: The expression of human germline genes is restricted to the germ cells of the gonads, which produce sperm and eggs. The germline genes involved in testis development and potentially activated in cancer cells are known as cancer-testis (CT) genes. These genes are potential therapeutic targets and biomarkers, as well as drivers of the oncogenic process. CT genes can be reactivated by treatment with drugs that demethylate DNA. The majority of the existing literature on CT gene activation focuses on X-chromosome-produced CT genes. We tested the hypothesis that epigenetic landscape changes, such as DNA methylation, can alter several CT gene expression profiles in cancer and germ cells. Methods: Colon cancer (CC) cell lines were treated with the DNA methyltransferase inhibitor (DNMTi) 5-aza-2’-deoxycytidine, or with the histone deacetylase inhibitor (HDACi) trichostatin A (TSA). The effects of these epigenetic treatments on the transcriptional activation of previously published CT genes (CTAG1A, SCP2D1, TKTL2, LYZL6, TEX33, and ACTRT1) and testis-specific genes (NUTM1, ASB17, ZSWIM2, ADAM2, and C10orf82) were investigated. Results: We found that treatment of CC cell lines with 5-aza-2’-deoxycytidine or TSA correlated with activation of X-encoded CT genes and non-X-encoded CT genes in somatic (non-germline) cells. Conclusion: These findings confirm that a subset of CT genes can be regulated by hypomethylating drugs and subsequently provide a potential therapeutic target for cancer