Emerging Evidence for MicroRNAs as Regulators of Cancer Stem Cells

Cancer stem cells are defined as a subpopulation of cells within a tumor that are capable of self-renewal and differentiation into the heterogeneous cell lineages that comprise the tumor. Many studies indicate that cancer stem cells may be responsible for treatment failure and relapse in cancer patients. The factors that regulate cancer stem cells are not well defined. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small non-coding RNAs that regulate translational repression and transcript degradation. miRNAs play a critical role in embryonic and inducible pluripotent stem cell regulation and emerging evidence supports their role in cancer stem cell evolution. To date, miRNAs have been shown to act either as tumor suppressor genes or oncogenes in driving critical gene expression pathways in cancer stem cells in a wide range of human malignancies, including hematopoietic and epithelial tumors and sarcomas. miRNAs involved in cancer stem cell regulation provide attractive, novel therapeutic targets for cancer treatment. This review attempts to summarize progress to date in defining the role of miRNAs in cancer stem cells

BASIL (Ocimum sanctum L.) aromatic medicinal plant: a review

Ocimum sanctum (Basil; Tulssi) is important traditional herb and used for therapeutic purposeall over the world. It has been used in traditional medicine from 3000 years, because of itsmiraculous healing properties. In India it is consider as the holiest herb. It is considered asassign of goddness in Hinduism. Each part of this plant is worshipped in India. It is used innumerous ailments such as insomnia, malaria, skin and digestive disorders, diarrhoea and alsoused in cough, cold and flu. Studies revealed its antifungal, antiviral, analgesic,bronchodilators, anti-asthmatic and anti-oxidant activites. Volatile oil, eugenol, urosolic acid,linalool, carvacrol, limatrol, sesquiterpene, methyl eugenol, estragole and caryophyllene arephytoconstituents present in Ocimum sanctum

Human papilloma virus infection: vaccine knowledge attitude, and informational behavior among undergraduate students

Background: The study aimed to know the Human Papilloma Virus infection, vaccine knowledge attitude, and informational behavior among university students. Methodology: The study was conducted on students of Government College University Faisalabad from January 2022 to March 2022. The study consisted of a questionnaire that verbalized the awareness and prevalence of HPV in particular age groups male and female students. The questionnaire was divided into four sections to assess the awareness, knowledge, and behavior of students toward the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV). Results: In the demographic representation about 85% (n=235 out of 275) of students belong to the age group of 18-22 while 14% (n=38 out of 275) students were from 23 to 24 years old. 23%(n=64) students were males while 76%(n=211) participants were females. Figures collected showed that 1%(n=3) participants were married while the remaining (about 98%) were single. According to the figures, about 70% of the partakers knew about the mode of transmission and the complications caused by the Human Papilloma Virus while 34% of all the students had no idea about HPV, its transmission, complications, or treatment. 65% had an idea that HPV causes genital warts and 75% were aware of the HPV vaccine. Moreover, 65% of students thought condoms as a source of prevention against HPV and 54% marked contact with body fluids as a mode of transmission of HPV. Conclusion: The knowledge and attitude towards HPV infection and HPV-related diseases and HPV vaccine among female students in the Government College University Faisalabad were significant. There is a need of well-defined education programs in the form of seminars, workshops and symposiums on the awareness of HPV infection are necessary to fill the knowledge gap among general population

Emerging Evidence for MicroRNAs as Regulators of Cancer Stem Cells

Cancer stem cells are defined as a subpopulation of cells within a tumor that are capable of self-renewal and differentiation into the heterogeneous cell lineages that comprise the tumor. Many studies indicate that cancer stem cells may be responsible for treatment failure and relapse in cancer patients. The factors that regulate cancer stem cells are not well defined. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small non-coding RNAs that regulate translational repression and transcript degradation. miRNAs play a critical role in embryonic and inducible pluripotent stem cell regulation and emerging evidence supports their role in cancer stem cell evolution. To date, miRNAs have been shown to act either as tumor suppressor genes or oncogenes in driving critical gene expression pathways in cancer stem cells in a wide range of human malignancies, including hematopoietic and epithelial tumors and sarcomas. miRNAs involved in cancer stem cell regulation provide attractive, novel therapeutic targets for cancer treatment. This review attempts to summarize progress to date in defining the role of miRNAs in cancer stem cells

Dermatologic conditions of adult refugees following resettlement in the United States, 2015 to 2018

Background: There is a paucity of literature regarding dermatologic conditions in migrant and refugee populations. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study of all adult refugees resettling in a region of Connecticut, U.S. from 7 January 2015 to 20 November 2018. We conducted a manual chart review to determine dermatologic conditions diagnosed during and within one year of resettlement. We used multivariable logistic regression to determine demographic and clinical factors associated with having any dermatologic condition. Results: We included 545 refugees primarily from Afghanistan (40.6%), Syria (24.6%) and Iraq (10.5%), with a median (interquartile range) age of 33 (28–40) years. Of the 545 participants, 213 (39.1%) had dermatologic conditions. Fifty-four participants (25%) had more than one dermatologic condition and 114 (53.5%) were diagnosed within the first month of resettlement. The most common categories of conditions were cutaneous infections (24.9%), inflammatory conditions (11.1%), and scar or burn (10.7%). Tobacco use was associated with having a cutaneous infection (OR 2.37, 95%CI:1.09–4.95), and younger age was associated with having a scar or burn (for each year increase in age, OR 0.95, 95%CI:0.91–0.99). Conclusion: Dermatologic conditions are common among adult refugees. The majority of conditions were diagnosed in the first month following resettlement suggesting that a high number of dermatologic conditions arise or go undetected and untreated during the migration process

Biochemical properties and biological potential of Syzygium heyneanum with antiparkinson's activity in paraquat induced rodent model.

Syzygium heyneanum is a valuable source of flavonoids and phenols, known for their antioxidant and neuroprotective properties. This research aimed to explore the potential of Syzygium heyneanum ethanol extract (SHE) in countering Parkinson's disease. The presence of phenols and flavonoids results in SHE displaying an IC50 value of 42.13 when assessed in the DPPH scavenging assay. Rats' vital organs (lungs, heart, spleen, liver, and kidney) histopathology reveals little or almost no harmful effect. The study hypothesized that SHE possesses antioxidants that could mitigate Parkinson's symptoms by influencing α-synuclein, acetylcholinesterase (AChE), TNF-α, and IL-1β. Both in silico and in vivo investigations were conducted. The Parkinson's rat model was established using paraquat (1 mg/kg, i.p.), with rats divided into control, disease control, standard, and SHE-treated groups (150, 300, and 600 mg/kg) for 21 days. According to the ELISA statistics, the SHE treated group had lowers levels of IL-6 and TNF-α than the disease control group, which is a sign of neuroprotection. Behavioral and biochemical assessments were performed, alongside mRNA expression analyses using RT-PCR to assess SHE's impact on α-synuclein, AChE, TNF-α, and interleukins in brain homogenates. Behavioral observations demonstrated dose-dependent improvements in rats treated with SHE (600 > 300 > 150 mg/kg). Antioxidant enzyme levels (catalase, superoxide dismutase, glutathione) were significantly restored, particularly at a high dose, with notable reduction in malondialdehyde. The high dose of SHE notably lowered acetylcholinesterase levels. qRT-PCR results indicated reduced mRNA expression of IL-1β, α-synuclein, TNF-α, and AChE in SHE-treated groups compared to disease controls, suggesting neuroprotection. In conclusion, this study highlights Syzygium heyneanum potential to alleviate Parkinson's disease symptoms through its antioxidant and modulatory effects on relevant biomarkers

Dermatology and HIV/AIDS in Africa

Human immunodeficiency virus and the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) have greatly complicated dermatologic disease and the required care in most regions of Africa. Opportunistic infections, ectoparasites, Kaposi sarcoma, and skin manifestations of systemic infections are exceedingly common in patients with HIV/AIDS. Dermatologists have contributed significantly to our knowledge base about HIV/AIDS and have played an important educational role regarding the clinical manifestations historically. Because of the increased burden of skin disease in Africa due to the HIV/AIDS epidemic we must redouble our efforts to provide dermatology education to care providers in Africa. We review the burden of skin disease in Africa, how it relates to HIV/AIDS and global infectious disease, current educational strategies in Africa to address this need, and suggest potential solutions to move these efforts forward