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S100 proteins are calcium (Ca2+)-binding proteins and these have an important function in progression, manifestation and therapeutic aspects of various inflammatory, metabolic and neurodegenerative disorders. Based on their involvement in intracellular or extracellular regulatory effects, S100 proteins are classified into three subgroups: one subgroup is specialized in exerting only intracellular effects, other performs both intracellular and extracellular functions and the third subgroup members only display extracellular regulatory effects. S100 proteins are expressed particularly in vertebrates and have cell-specific expression. Functionally, S100 proteins act through their surface receptors and regulate cell functions in autocrine or paracrine mode. Receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGEs) and toll-like receptor 4 are the main surface receptors. S100 proteins participate in the regulation of cellular differentiation, proliferation, apoptosis and inflammation along with Ca2+ homeostasis, energy metabolism and cellular migration, and perform the respective functions through their interaction with transcription factors, nucleic acids, enzymes, receptors, cytoskeleton system, etc. Currently, their role in adverse pregnancy outcomes and compromised reproductive health is being explored. These proteins are present in amniotic fluid, endometrium tissue and foetal brain; therefore, it is quite likely that alterations in the expression levels of S100 family members will be affecting the particular function they are involved in and ultimately affecting the pregnancy in adverse manner. The current review discusses about an association of S100 proteins in pregnancy disorders such as endometriosis, intrauterine growth retardation and miscarriage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background & objectives: Gonorrhoea is among the most frequent of the estimated bacterial sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and has significant health implications in women. The use of nucleic acid amplification tests (NAATs) has been shown to provide enhanced diagnosis of gonorrhoea in female patients. However, it is recommended that an on-going assessment of the test assays should be performed to check for any probable sequence variation occurring in the targeted region. In this study, an in-house PCR targeting opa-gene of Neisseria gonorrhoeae was used in conjunction with 16S ribosomal PCR to determine the presence of gonorrhoea in female patients attending the tertiary care hospitals. Methods: Endocervical samples collected from 250 female patients with complaints of vaginal or cervical discharge or pain in lower abdomen were tested using opa and 16S ribosomal assay. The samples were also processed by conventional methods. Results: Of the 250 female patients included in the study, only one was positive by conventional methods (microscopy and culture) whereas 17 patients were found to be positive based on PCR results. Interpretation & conclusions: The clinical sensitivity of conventional methods for the detection of N. gonorrhoeae in female patients was low. The gonococcal detection rates increased when molecular method was used giving 16 additional positives. Studies should be done to find out other gene targets that may be used in the screening assays to detect the presence of gonorrhoea. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Problem: Vitamin D is well‐known for having anti‐inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties. Impaired maternal vitamin D status has been known to increase the risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes like pre‐term birth. The present study aims to evaluate the impact of fetal cord serum 25‐hydroxyvitamin D‐mediated signaling in mediating inflammatory responses in placenta during pre‐term birth. Method of study: For the above purpose, cord serum 25 hydroxyvitamin D 25(OH)D were measured in term (n = 20) and pre‐term (n = 20) born babies using ELISA. Vitamin D downstream signaling has also been checked in placenta (VDR, CYP27B1, cathelicidin LL37) along with expression of inflammatory markers (S100A8, HMGB1, TLR2, p‐NF‐kappaB) using Western blotting and immunohistochemistry. Pearson correlation model was used to do correlation study. Results: Compared with term born babies (59.31 ± 3.476), decline in cord serum 25(OH)D levels is observed in pre‐term born babies (22.26 ± 1.083, P = <0.0001) that showed strong positive correlation with gestational age (r =.9368***) and birthweight (r =.9559***). On the other hand, vitamin D signaling markers were found to be downregulated and inflammatory markers were upregulated in placental tissue of pre‐term born babies. Conclusion: Thus, our study demonstrated that insufficient cord 25(OH)D levels may disturb the homeostasis of inflammation in placenta. Altered cord serum 25(OH)D mediated anti‐inflammatory signaling may be acting as trigger signals in modulating inflammatory responses in placenta and eliciting premature activation of spontaneous labor in pre‐term birth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cancer is one of the deadly diseases all over the world which is defined as unregulated growth and division of the cells. Natural remedies, particularly derived from plants, were used to treat a range of illnesses for thousands of years, including cancer. Several orchid species have been reported as a cure to treat various types of cancers. Orchids are huge family of flower bearing plants. They are traditionally used in folk medicine for the cure of various infectious diseases and tumour. Many of bioactive compounds isolated from orchid plants such as Dendrobium longicornu Lindl., Dendrobium transparens, Rhyncostylish retusa , Vanda cristata, Anoectochilus formosanus etc. possess anticancer activities via modifying the biotransformation of potential carcinogens by xenobiotic-metabolizing enzymes, alteration of hormone synthesis, inhibition of cancer cell proliferation, suppression of protein expression, impede of cell cycle and impairment of cell growth. In actual circumstances active constituents present in orchidaceae family are not so explored. So, in this review we covered the article published till 2022 using different electronic databases PubMed/ MEDLINE, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar. The present review highlights the orchid plant family and its bioactive constituents with anticancer activity via various signalling pathways, as well as their possible mechanisms of action. [Display omitted] • Cancer is a spectrum of disorders thats can leads to death. • Several orchid plants have been reported to cure various types of cancers. • Many bioactive compounds isolated from orchid plants such as Dendrobium longicornu, Dendrobium transparens, Rhyncostylish retusa, Vanda cristata, Anoectochilus formosanus etc. possess anticancer activities. • They showed anticancer activity against various types of cancer cell line. • In this study, we reviewed several anticancer properties identified in orchid plants via various signalling pathways, as well as their possible mechanisms of action. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bloodborne pathogens (BBPs) pose formidable challenges in the realm of infectious diseases, representing significant risks to both human and animal health worldwide. The review paper provides a thorough examination of bloodborne pathogens, highlighting the serious worldwide threat they pose and the effects they have on animal and human health. It addresses the potential dangers of exposure that healthcare workers confront, which have affected 3 million people annually, and investigates the many pathways by which these viruses can spread. The limitations of traditional detection techniques like PCR and ELISA have been criticized, which has led to the investigation of new detection methods driven by advances in sensor technology. The objective is to increase the amount of knowledge that is available regarding bloodborne infections as well as effective strategies for their management and detection. This review provides a thorough overview of common bloodborne infections, including their patterns of transmission, and detection techniques., Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 Khanal et al.)

Nowadays, fruits are gaining high demand due to their promising advantages on human health. Astonishingly, their by-products, that is, seeds and peels, account for 10-35% of fruit weight and are usually thrown as waste after consumption or processing. But it is neglected that fruit seeds also have functional properties and nutritional value, and thus could be utilized for dietary and therapeutic purposes, ultimately reducing the waste burden on the environment. Owing to these benefits, researchers have started to assess the nutritional value of different fruits seeds, in addition to the chemical composition in various bioactive constituents, like carotenoids (lycopene), flavonoids, proteins (bioactive peptides), vitamins, etc., that have substantial health benefits and can be used in formulating different types of food products with noteworthy functional and nutraceutical potential. The current review aims to comprehend the known information of nutritional and phytochemical profiling of non-edible fruits seeds, viz. apple, apricot, avocado, cherry, date, jamun, litchi, longan, mango, and papaya. Additionally, clinical studies conducted on these selected non-edible fruit seed extracts, their safety issues and their enrichment in food products as well as animal feed has also been discussed. This review aims to highlight the potential applications of the non-edible fruit seeds in developing new food products and also provide a viable alternative to reduce the waste disposal issue faced by agro-based industries.

Pruritis is a common symptom of many systemic and cutaneous localized diseases and diabetes mellitus is a common syndrome with multiple long term complications, including diabetic painful neuropathy. The involvement of small fibre neurons, in diabetic neuropathy, is recognized as the main pathophysiology. While the C fibres that mediate the sensation of pain and pruritus may belong to different neuronal circuits, there is evidence of cross talk between them. We therefore posit that pruritus may be a symptom of diabetic neuropathy. It should be viewed as an equivalent of microvascular disease, with its accompanying clinical significance and therapeutic implications.

Diabetic dermopathy (DD) is a common complication of long-standing diabetes, and is often seen in association with chronic micro- and macro-vascular dysfunction. Hence, it can be considered an equivalent of vascular complications of diabetes. Our article focuses on a proactive approach to its management, involving both dermo-cosmetic and metabolic targeted therapies. A combination of occlusive and humectant moisturisers, with anti-inflammatory and pro-regenerative topical treatments, can help manage and minimize DD, while preventing its complications. We term such topical preparations as 'healing moisturisers' or 'regenerative moisturisers.

We report a rare occurrence of primary meningococcal polyarthritis in a 19-year-old man. The fluid in the elbow joint showed Gram-negative diplococci but the culture was sterile. The diagnosis was confirmed by polymerase chain reaction targeting crgA gene of Neisseria meningitidis., (Copyright 2011, NMJI.)