How Stressed are our Postgraduate Medical and Dental Postgraduate Students in Southern Asia? A Cross-Sectional Survey

INTRODUCTION: Stress has been quite commonly reported in the literature among medical and dental students due to the nature of their work. AIM: To assess the level of stress among medical and dental postgraduates in various medical and dental Colleges in Southern Asia.MATERIALS AND METHOD: The study was cross-sectional in nature and conducted among 809 medical and dental postgraduates. Stress was measured using the Cohen’s Perceived stress scale-14 (PSS-14) online through google forms (convenience sampling). Data was entered in MS Excel and descriptive statistics was applied followed by the independent samples t-test, post-hoc modified Bonferroni test and Odd’s Ratio (OR) using SPPS version 22.0.8 Statistical significance was set at 5% (p<0.05).RESULTS: There were 342 (41.3%) medical and 467 (58.7%) dental postgraduates. Most medical postgraduates (73%) reported stress as “severe”, while among dental postgraduates, most of them(32.5%) reported having “mild” stress (p=0.03). Among both medical and dental postgraduates, the third year of their postgraduation was found to be most stressful and the association was found to be significant (p=0.04*, OR:1.5). Unmarried postgraduates among both groups reported having most stress and the association was non-significant (OR: 1.1).CONCLUSION: Both medical and dental postgraduates are requested to practice stress relieving exercises and ask for help if the need arises so

Daidzein in traditional Chinese medicine: A deep dive into its Ethnomedicinal and therapeutic applications

Introduction: Daidzein, a secondary metabolite found in Soybean (Glycine max L.) and Pueraria lobata (Willd.), plays a pivotal role in various therapeutic applications, including its potential as an anticancer agent, particularly in estrogen-dependent breast cancer, along with anti-allergic, anti-inflammatory, cardiovascular, antidiabetic, antioxidative, and neurogenerative effects. Daidzein's ability to traverse the blood-brain barrier enhances cognition, reduces aggression, and promotes locomotor activity. Its structural resemblance to estrogens positions it as a potential remedy for menopausal osteoporosis. Methodology: The methodology for the comprehensive review on Daidzein entailed a literature search utilising keywords such as ''Daidzein'' and various therapeutic activities, including “Antioxidant,” “Anti-inflammatory,” “Anticancer,” “Antiviral,” “Antiobesity,” “Antidiabetic,” “Nephrotoxicity,” “Cardiovascular,” “Neuroprotective,” “Osteoporosis,” “Menopausal Symptoms,” “Aging,” “Cognitive Activities”. Academic databases such as PubMed, Google Scholar, Scopus, and Web of Science were employed for the search, considering articles published within the last 20 years to capture recent research while encompassing significant historical studies. Results: The results provide insights into the diverse effects of daidzein across various health domains, including its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, antiviral, antiobesity, antidiabetic, nephrotoxicity, cardiovascular, neuroprotective, osteoporosis, menopausal symptoms, ageing, and cognitive activities. Discussion: : The discussion section critically analyses the collective evidence gathered from the studies. It explores the mechanisms underlying daidzein's therapeutic effects and discusses the implications of these findings for both Traditional Chinese Medicine and modern healthcare practices. However, challenges related to its low bioavailability and toxicity necessitate further research, providing a foundation for future studies on daidzein's potential applications

CircRNAs: Pivotal modulators of TGF-β signalling in cancer pathogenesis

The intricate molecular landscape of cancer pathogenesis continues to captivate researchers worldwide, with Circular RNAs (circRNAs) emerging as pivotal players in the dynamic regulation of biological functions. The study investigates the elusive link between circRNAs and the Transforming Growth Factor-β (TGF-β) signalling pathway, exploring their collective influence on cancer progression and metastasis. Our comprehensive investigation begins by profiling circRNA expression patterns in diverse cancer types, revealing a repertoire of circRNAs intricately linked to the TGF-β pathway. Through integrated bioinformatics analyses and functional experiments, we elucidate the specific circRNA-mRNA interactions that modulate TGF-β signalling, unveiling the regulatory controls governing this crucial pathway. Furthermore, we provide compelling evidence of the impact of circRNA-mediated TGF-β modulation on key cellular processes, including epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), migration, and cell proliferation. In addition to their mechanistic roles, circRNAs have shown promise as diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers, as well as potential molecular targets for cancer therapy. Their ability to modulate critical pathways, such as the TGF-β signalling axis, underscores their significance in cancer biology and clinical applications. The intricate interplay between circRNAs and TGF-β is dissected, uncovering novel regulatory circuits that contribute to the complexity of cancer biology. This review unravels a previously unexplored dimension of carcinogenesis, emphasizing the crucial role of circRNAs in shaping the TGF-β signalling landscape