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We report a case of a 58-year-old female patient who presented with multiple, asymptomatic, slowly-growing, raised pigmented lesions all over her body for the past 10 years with ulceration in one of the lesions on the trunk for the past five months. Histopathology of the lesion revealed features consistent with melanoacanthoma. Here, we report the first case of cutaneous melanoacanthoma presenting with an ulcerated plaque and the third case of cutaneous melanoacanthoma with multiple lesions. To the best of our knowledge, ulceration has not yet been reported as a feature of cutaneous melanoacanthoma in the medical literature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. Mycobacterium leprae is the etiologic pathogen that causes leprosy. The outcome of disease is dependent on the host genetic background. Methods. We investigated the association of 51 single-nucelotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in anti-inflammatory cytokines (IL-10, TGFB1, IL-6, IL-4, and IL-13) and receptors (IL-10RA, IL-10RB, TGFBR1, TGFBR2, IL-6R, IL-4R, IL-5RA, IL-5RB, and IL-13RA1) with susceptibility to leprosy in a case-control study from New Delhi in northern India. This was followed by replication testing of associated SNPs in a geographically distinct and unrelated population from Orissa in eastern India. The functional potential of SNPs was established with in vitro reporter assays. Results. Significant associations (P < .05) were observed for 8 polymorphisms (rs1800871, rs1800872, and rs1554286 of IL-10; rs3171425 and rs7281762 of IL-10RB; rs2228048 and rs744751 of TGFBR2; and rs1800797 of IL-6) with leprosy. This association was replicated for 4 SNPs (rs1554286 of IL-10, rs7281762 of IL-10RB, rs2228048 of TGFBR2, and rs1800797 of IL-6). The interaction study revealed a significantly greater association with leprosy risk than was obtained for any SNP individually. Conclusions. This study provides an interesting insight on the cumulative polygenic host component that regulates leprosy pathogenesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE: To survey a cross section of patients presenting to three urban primary care clinics to understand online health information search behaviors. DESIGN AND ANALYSIS: At three urban primary care clinics affiliated with University at Buffalo, School of Medicine, 315 patients were interviewed. Interview questions included items on education, demographic information, employment, number of current prescriptions, insurance, online access, and specifics of health-searching behaviors. Chart review determined patient body mass index and number of chronic illnesses. Logistic regression and chi2 statistics were used to investigate the relationship between patient characteristics and the proportion of patients who use the Web for seeking health information. RESULTS: Approximately 53% of respondents reported using Web or e-mail in the past year and 68% (33% of total sample) of those who accessed the Web used it to search for health information. The two most commonly cited search areas included information about a physical illness and nutrition/fitness. Education and race significantly predicted online health-seeking behavior when considering all factors in the study. Many patients (22%) relied on friends and family to navigate the Web, and 45% of patients reported that the information that they sought was unrelated to their clinical visit. CONCLUSION: Current use of the Internet for health information was limited among more disadvantaged patient groups. More research is needed to examine the relationship between health-seeking behavior and patients' management of their health and well-being. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, water extract from Indian rosewood tree leaves was used to synthesize copper oxide nanoparticles (CuO NPs), further loaded on graphene oxide sheets to synthesize a novel nanocomposite (CuO@GO@IR). The maximum tetracycline removal was achieved at optimum conditions of pH 3, adsorbent dose 0.03g/50 mL, and 240 min contact time. The maximum adsorption capacity of the adsorbent was 769.23 mg/g. Experimental data was better fitted with the Freundlich isotherm and followed pseudo-second-order. The adsorption process was thermodynamically spontaneous and feasible. Nanocomposite has shown excellent regeneration efficiency with 0.1 M HCl as a desorbing agent. The overall performance of the nanocomposite suggests that it can be used as a promising adsorbent for treating antibiotics containing wastewater., Competing Interests: Declarations. Ethical approval: No prior ethical approval was necessary for the study. Consent to participate: No human subjects included in the study. Consent not required. Consent for publication: Not applicable. Competing interests: The authors declare no competing interests., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.)

In this prospective study, we evaluated the diagnostic yield and safety of two endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS) biopsy techniques - mediastinal cryobiopsy (EBUS-MCB) and Franseen tip needle biopsy (EBUS-ANB) - in patients with undiagnosed mediastinal lymphadenopathy. The study included 30 patients who underwent both EBUS-MCB and EBUS-ANB, with four biopsies taken from each patient using both methods. The results demonstrated that EBUS-MCB provided a higher diagnostic yield (96.4%) compared to EBUS-ANB (73.3%). Specimens from EBUS-MCB showed fewer artifacts and a higher density of granulomas and were adequate for ancillary studies in all cases. The most common complication observed was minor bleeding, which was more common with EBUS-MCB (36.6% versus 13.3%, p=0.04). This study demonstrates that EBUS-guided cryobiopsy has a higher diagnostic yield when compared to EBUS-guided Franseen tip needle biopsy and that both biopsy techniques have an acceptable safety profile. Larger studies comparing these two techniques are necessary to confirm the findings of the current study.

Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), particularly host defense peptides (HDPs), have gained recognition for their role in host defense mechanisms, but they have also shown potential as a promising anticancer, antiviral, antiparasitic, antifungal and immunomodulatory agent. Research studies in recent years have shown HDPs play a crucial role in endothelial cell function and biology. The function of endothelial cells is impacted by HDPs' complex interplay between cytoprotective and cytotoxic actions as they are known to modulate barrier integrity, inflammatory response and angiogenesis. This biphasic response varies and depends on the peptide structure, its concentration, and the microenvironment. These effects are mediated through key signaling pathways, including MAPK, NF-κB, and PI3K/Akt, which controls responses such as cell proliferation, apoptosis, and migration. In the present review, we have discussed the significance of the intriguing relationship between HDPs and endothelial cell physiology which suggests it potential as a therapeutic agents for the treating wounds, cardiovascular diseases, and inflammation-related endothelial damage., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest Authors declare no conflict of Interest., (Copyright © 2024. Published by Elsevier Inc.)

Black soldier fly larvae (BSFL) are considered important organisms, utilized as tools to transform waste including manure into valuable products. The growth and cultivation of BSFL are influenced by various factors, such as the presence of toxic substances in the feed and parasites. These factors play a crucial role in hormesis, and contributing to regulate these contaminants hermetic doses to get sustainable byproducts. This review aims to understand the effects on BSFL growth and activities in the presence of compounds like organic and inorganic pollutants. It also assesses the impact of microbes on BSFL growth and explores the bioaccumulation of pharmaceutical compounds, specifically focusing on heavy metals, pesticides, pharmaceuticals, indigenous bacteria, insects, and nematodes. The review concludes by addressing knowledge gaps, proposing future biorefineries, and offering recommendations for further research., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest 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 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Colorectal cancer (CRC) remains a significant global health burden with high incidence and mortality. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small non-protein coding transcripts, conserved throughout evolution, with an important role in CRC tumorigenesis, and are either upregulated or downregulated in various cancers. RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) are known as essential regulators of miRNA activity. Human antigen R (HuR) is a prominent RBP known to drive tumorigenesis with a pivotal role in CRC. In this review, we discuss the regulatory role of the HuR/miRNA axis in CRC. Interestingly, miRNAs can directly target HuR, altering its expression and activity. However, HuR can also stabilize or degrade miRNAs, forming complex feedback loops that either activate or block CRC-associated signaling pathways. Dysregulation of the HuR/miRNA axis contributes to CRC initiation and progression. Additionally, HuR-miRNA regulation by other small non-coding RNAs, circular RNA (circRNAs), or long-non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) is also explored here. Understanding this HuR-miRNA interplay could reveal novel biomarkers with better diagnostic or prognostic accuracy.

Next-generation sequencing (NGS) has emerged as a promising tool for diagnosing fungal infections. It enables the identification of a wide range of fungal species and provides more accurate and rapid results than traditional diagnostic methods. NGS-based approaches involve the sequencing of DNA or RNA from clinical samples, which can be used to detect and identify fungal pathogens in complex clinical samples. The development of targeted gene panels and whole-genome sequencing has allowed for identifying genetic markers associated with antifungal drug resistance, enabling clinicians to tailor patient treatment options. NGS can also provide insights into the pathogenesis of fungal infections and aid in discovering novel drug targets. Although NGS has some limitations, such as cost and data analysis, it can potentially revolutionize the future diagnosis and treatment of fungal infections.

In this study, the current distribution probability of Ephedra gerardiana (Somalata), a medicinally potent species of the Himalayas, was assessed, and its spatial distribution change was forecasted until the year 2100 under three Shared Socioeconomic Pathways. Here, we used the maximum entropy model (MaxEnt) on 274 spatially filtered occurrence data points accessed from GBIF and other publications, and 19 bioclimatic variables were used as predictors against the probability assessment. The area under the curve, Continuous Boyce Index, True Skill Statistics, and kappa values were used to evaluate and validate the model. It was observed that the SSP5-8.5, a fossil fuel-fed scenario, saw a maximum habitat decline for E. gerardiana driving its niche towards higher altitudes. Nepal Himalayas witnessed a maximum decline in suitable habitat for the species, whereas it gained area in Bhutan. In India, regions of Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Jammu and Kashmir, and Sikkim saw a maximum negative response to climate change by the year 2100. Mean annual temperature, isothermality, diurnal temperature range, and precipitation seasonality are the most influential variables isolated by the model that contribute in defining the species' habitat. The results provide evidence of the effects of climate change on the distribution of endemic species in the study area under different scenarios of emissions and anthropogenic coupling. Certainly, the area of consideration encompasses several protected areas, which will become more vulnerable to increased variability of climate, and regulating their boundaries might become a necessary step to conserve the regions' biodiversity in the future., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature Switzerland AG.)

Microplastics, which have a diameter of less than 5 mm, are becoming an increasingly prevalent contaminant in terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems due to the dramatic increase in plastic production to 390.7 million tonnes in 2021. Among all the plastics produced since 1950, nearly 80% ended up in the environment or landfills and eventually reached the oceans. Currently, 82-358 trillion plastic particles, equivalent to 1.1-4.9 million tonnes by weight, are floating on the ocean's surface. The interactions between microorganisms and microplastics have led to the transportation of other associated pollutants to higher trophic levels of the food chain, where microplastics eventually reach plants, animals, and top predators. This review paper focuses on the interactions and origins of microplastics in diverse environmental compartments that involve terrestrial and aquatic food chains. The present review study also critically discusses the toxicity potential of microplastics in the food chain. This systematic review critically identified 206 publications from 2010 to 2022, specifically reported on microplastic transport and ecotoxicological impact in aquatic and terrestrial food chains. Based on the ScienceDirect database, the total number of studies with "microplastic" as the keyword in their title increased from 75 to 4813 between 2010 and 2022. Furthermore, various contaminants are discussed, including how microplastics act as a vector to reach organisms after ingestion. This review paper would provide useful perspectives in comprehending the possible effects of microplastics and associated contaminants from primary producers to the highest trophic level (i.e. human health)., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature B.V.)

Osteopontin (OPN) is a heavily post-translationally modified protein with a molecular weight of 44-70 kDa, depending on the degree of glycosylation. OPN is involved in various biological processes, including bone remodeling, immune response, cell adhesion, migration, and survival. It is essential for controlling osteoclast and osteoblast activity for maintaining bone mass and bone strength. Additionally, OPN has been linked to cardiovascular, inflammatory illnesses, as well as the onset and progression of cancer. OPN is a multifunctional protein that can interact with a variety of cell surface receptors, such as integrins, CD44, the urokinase-type plasminogen activator receptor (uPAR), as well as extracellular matrix (ECM) components (e.g. collagen and hydroxyapatite). These interactions contribute to its wide range of biological functions in general and has significant implications for bone biology, immunology and cancer, specifically. In this chapter, we summarize the structure of OPN with a focus on its molecular mechanisms of action in various cancers., (Copyright © 2024. Published by Elsevier Inc.)

Zinc and magnesium oxide nanoparticles were fabricated using green synthesis method for the sequestration of hexavalent chromium Cr(VI) from the aqueous medium. The biogenically prepared ZnO@EC and MgO@EC nanoparticles were successfully loaded on the Eucalyptus. The prepared nanomaterials were characterized using various techniques such as FESEM, TGA, XRD, EDX, FTIR, BET, and elemental mapping. FE-SEM analysis has revealed the surface morphology of ZnO nanoparticles, which were rod-like and spherical in shape, whereas MgO nanoparticles were of irregular shape. Batch mode was selected to remove the hexavalent chromium from aqueous solution using the prepared nanomaterials. The Cr(VI) adsorption was carried out under optimized conditions, viz., pH (3.0), adsorbent dose (0.05 g), contact time (150 min), temperature (25 ± 2 °C), and initial concentration (50 mg/L). The experimental results were compared using the different isotherm models; The observations have indicated that experimental data fit better with Freundlich (R 2  = 0.99) and Langmuir (R 2  = 0.99) isotherms, respectively. The maximum adsorption capacity of ZnO@EC and MgO@EC for Cr(VI) was found to be 49.3 and 17.4 mg/g, respectively. The regeneration study of the adsorbents was conducted using different desorbing agents viz., ethanol, NaOH, and NaCl. The desorbing agent NaOH performed better and showed removal percentage of 34.24% and 20.18% for ZnO@EC and MgO@EC, respectively, after the three reusability cycles. The kinetics of reaction was assessed using the pseudo-first-order and pseudo-second-order kinetic models. The experimental data of both the nanomaterials ZnO@EC and MgO@EC obeyed pseudo-second-order model with correlation coefficient values 0.999 and 0.983, respectively. The thermodynamic study confirmed that adsorption was feasible, spontaneous, and endothermic. The adsorbents were tested for spiked real water which confirms their applicability and potential in real water systems also. The results indicated fair removal of chromium suggesting applicability of both adsorbents., (© 2023. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.)

Allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA) is a hypersensitivity reaction to Aspergillus fumigatus that occurs in patients with asthma or cystic fibrosis. Here, we report a case of a young female with bronchial asthma who presented to our hospital with worsening breathlessness on exertion. She was diagnosed to have ABPA and was initiated on oral itraconazole while continuing inhaled long acting beta-2 adrenergic agonist and medium dose inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) for her asthma. Three months after initiation of therapy, the patient had significant improvement in breathlessness. However, she had weight gain, facial puffiness, increased facial hair and development of striae on her inner thighs, calf and lower abdomen. Her serum cortisol levels were found to be suppressed and hence a diagnosis of iatrogenic Cushing's syndrome was made. Our case describes the potentially serious interaction between ICS and oral itraconazole, a treatment very commonly prescribed in patients with ABPA., Competing Interests: Competing interests: None declared., (© BMJ Publishing Group Limited 2023. No commercial re-use. See rights and permissions. Published by BMJ.)

This study deals with heavy metal ions removal from simulated water using biosynthesized silica-supported iron oxide nanocomposites (nano-IOS). Agricultural and garden wastes have been utilized to prepare nano-IOS through a green synthesis process. Nano-IOS was characterized by XRD, SEM, FTIR, and zeta potential analysis. The nanocomposites were used to remove five heavy metals, viz., Pb 2+ , Cd 2+ , Ni 2+ , Cu 2+ , and Zn 2+ , with optimization of reaction parameters including pH, the concentration of heavy metals, adsorbent dosage, and contact time in batch mode experiments. The optimized dose of nano-IOS was 0.75 g/L for the adsorption of Pb 2+ , Cd 2+ , Ni 2+ , Cu 2+ , and Zn 2+ (10.0 mg/L) with a contact duration of 70 min at pH 5.0 for Pb 2+ , Cd 2+ , and Cu 2+ and 6.0 for Ni 2+ and Zn 2+ . The adsorption behavior of the nano-adsorbent was well described by Langmuir adsorption isotherm and pseudo-second-order kinetic model indicating chemisorption on the surface of nano-IOS. The adsorption was also found spontaneous and endothermic. Thus, the environmentally benign and bio-synthesized nano-IOS can be utilized as an effective nano-adsorbent for the rapid sequestration of heavy metal ions from water and wastewater., (© 2022. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.)

To characterize the pollutant dispersal across major metropolitan cities in India, daily particulate matter (PM 10 and PM 2.5 ) data for the study areas were collected from the National Air Quality Monitoring stations database provided by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) of India. The data were analysed for three temporal ranges, i.e. before the pandemic-induced lockdown, during the lockdown, and after the upliftment of lockdown restrictions. For the purpose, the time scale ranged from 1st April to 31st May for the years 2019 (pre), 2020, and 2021 (post). Statistical distributions (lognormal, Weibull, and Gamma), aerosol optical thickness, and back trajectories were assessed for all three time periods. Most cities followed the lognormal distribution for PM 2.5 during the lockdown period except Mumbai and Hyderabad. For PM 10 , all the regions followed the lognormal distribution. Delhi and Kolkata observed a maximum decline in particulate pollution of 41% and 52% for PM 2.5 and 49% and 53% for PM 10 , respectively. Air mass back trajectory suggests local transmission of air mass during the lockdown period, and an undeniable decline in aerosol optical thickness was observed from the MODIS sensor. It can be concluded that statistical distribution analysis coupled with pollution models can be a counterpart in studying the dispersal and developing pollution abatement policies for specific sites. Moreover, incorporating remote sensing in pollution study can enhance the knowledge about the origin and movement of air parcels and can be helpful in taking decisions beforehand., Competing Interests: Conflict of interestThe authors have no competing interests to declare that are relevant to the content of this article. I confirm that the work is original and has not been published elsewhere, or currently under consideration for elsewhere publication., (© The Author(s) under exclusive licence to Iranian Society of Environmentalists (IRSEN) and Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University 2023. Springer Nature or its licensor (e.g. a society or other partner) holds exclusive rights to this article under a publishing agreement with the author(s) or other rightsholder(s); author self-archiving of the accepted manuscript version of this article is solely governed by the terms of such publishing agreement and applicable law.)

This study reports the exhalation rates of radon and thoron from surface soil collected from 60 rural sites of district Hisar, Haryana, India. The exhalation rates of Rn 222 (radon) and Rn 220 (thoron) were measured by portable SMART RnDuo (AQTEK SYSTEMS) using a mass accumulation chamber which was equipped with a scintillation material-coated cell. Dose rates due to natural gamma radiations ranged from 0.526 to 1.139 mSv y -1 . The Rn 222 mass exhalation rate in soil samples varied from 0.14 to 94.65 mBq kg -1  h -1 . Thoron surface exhalation rates ranged from 46.42 to 619.88 Bq m -2  h -1 . This study gives an idea about the differences in Rn 222 and Rn 220 exhalation at different locations which may be due to variations in geological features of the locations and characteristics of the topsoil. The findings show that usage of study area soil as building material is safe., (© 2023. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature Switzerland AG.)

Background: Lung cancer is one of the highly lethal forms of cancer whose incidence has worldwide rapidly increased over the past few decades. About 80-85% of all lung cancer cases constitute non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), with adenocarcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma and large cell carcinoma as the main subtypes. Immune checkpoint inhibitors have led to significant advances in the treatment of a variety of solid tumors, significantly improving cancer patient survival rates., Methods and Results: The cytotoxic drugs in combination with anti-PD-(L)1 antibodies is a new method that aims to reduce the activation of immunosuppressive and cancer cell prosurvival responses while also improving direct cancer cell death. The most commonly utilized immune checkpoint inhibitors for patients with non-small cell lung cancer are monoclonal antibodies (Atezolizumab, Cemiplimab, Ipilimumab, Pembrolizumab etc.) against PD-1, PD-L1, and CTLA-4. Among them, Atezolizumab (TECENTRIQ) and Cemiplimab (Libtayo) are engineered monoclonal anti programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1) antibodies that inhibit binding of PD-L1 to PD-1 and B7.1. As a result, T-cell proliferation and cytokine synthesis are inhibited leading to restoring the immune homeostasis to fight cancer cells., Conclusions: In this review article, the path leading to the introduction of immunotherapeutic options in lung cancer treatment is described, with analyzing the benefits and shortages of the current immunotherapeutic drugs. In addition, possibilities to co-administer immunotherapeutic agents with standard cancer treatment modalities are also considered., (© 2022. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature B.V.)

Oroxylin A (OA), a well-known constituent of the root of Scutellariae plants, has been used in ethnomedicine already for centuries in treating various neoplastic disorders. However, only recent molecular studies have revealed the different mechanisms behind its action, demonstrating antiproliferative, anti-inflammatory, and proapoptotic effects, restricting also the spread of cancer cells to distant organs. A variety of cellular targets and modulated signal transduction pathways regulated by OA have been determined in diverse cells derived from different malignant tissues. In this review article, these anticancer activities are thoroughly described, representing OA as a potential lead structure for the design of novel more potent anticancer medicines. In addition, co-effects of this natural compound with conventional anticancer agents are analyzed and the advantages provided by nanotechnological methods for more efficient application of OA are discussed. In this way, OA might represent an excellent example of using ethnopharmacological knowledge for designing modern medicines., (© 2022. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.)

Dysregulation of epigenetic mechanisms have been depicted in several pathological consequence such as cancer. Different modes of epigenetic regulation (DNA methylation (hypomethylation or hypermethylation of promotor), histone modifications, abnormal expression of microRNAs (miRNAs), long non-coding RNAs, and small nucleolar RNAs), are discovered. Particularly, lncRNAs are known to exert pivot roles in different types of cancer including breast cancer. LncRNAs with oncogenic and tumour suppressive potential are reported. Differentially expressed lncRNAs contribute a remarkable role in the development of primary and acquired resistance for radiotherapy, endocrine therapy, immunotherapy, and targeted therapy. A wide range of molecular subtype specific lncRNAs have been assessed in breast cancer research. A number of studies have also shown that lncRNAs may be clinically used as non-invasive diagnostic biomarkers for early detection of breast cancer. Such molecular biomarkers have also been found in cancer stem cells of breast tumours. The objectives of the present review are to summarize the important roles of oncogenic and tumour suppressive lncRNAs for the early diagnosis of breast cancer, metastatic potential, and chemotherapy resistance across the molecular subtypes., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2023 Kashyap, Sharma, Goel, Buttar, Garg, Pal, Rajab and Shaikh.)

Pure and doped iron oxide and hydroxide nanoparticles are highly potential materials for biological, environment, energy and other technological applications. On demand of the applications, single phase as well as multiple phase of different polymorphs or composites of iron oxides with compatible materials for example, zeolite, SiO 2 , or Au are prepared. The properties of the as-synthesized nanoparticles are predominantly dictated by the local structure and the distribution of the cations. Mössbauer spectroscopy is a perfect and efficient characterization technique to investigate the local structure of the Mössbauer-active element such as Fe, Au, and Sn. In the present review, the local structure transformation on the optimization of the magnetite coexisted with iron hydroxides, spin dynamics of the bare, caped, core-shell and the composites of iron oxide nanoparticles (IONPs), dipole-dipole interactions and the diffusion of IONPs were discussed, based on the findings using Mössbauer spectroscopy., Competing Interests: Conflict of interestThe authors declare no conflict of interest., (© The Author(s), under exclusive licence to The Materials Research Society 2022, Springer Nature or its licensor holds exclusive rights to this article under a publishing agreement with the author(s) or other rightsholder(s); author self-archiving of the accepted manuscript version of this article is solely governed by the terms of such publishing agreement and applicable law.)

Both Stevens-johnson syndrome (SJS) and Toxic-epidermal necrolysis (TEN) are generally medication-induced pathological conditions that mostly affect the epidermis and mucus membranes. Nearly 1 to 2 patients per 1,000,000 population are affected annually with SJS and TEN, and sometimes these maladies can cause serious life-threatening events. The reported death rates for SJS range from 1 to 5%, and 25 to 35% for TEN. The mortality risk may even be higher among elderly patients, especially in those who are affected by a significant amount of epidermal detachment. More than 50% of TEN patients who survive the illness may experience long-term lower quality of life and lesser life expectancy. The clinical and histopathological conditions of SJS and TEN are characterized by mucocutaneous discomfort, haemorrhagic erosions, erythema, and occasionally severe epidermal separation that can turn into ulcerative patches and dermal necrosis. The relative difference between SJS and TEN is the degree of ulcerative skin detachment, making them two extremes of a spectrum of severe cutaneous adverse drug-induced reactions (cADRs). In the majority of cases, serious drug-related hypercreativities are considered the main cause of SJS & TEN; however, herpes simplex virus and Mycoplasma pneumoniae infections may also produce similar type clinical conditions. The aetiology of a lesser number of cases and their underlying causative factors remain unknown. Among the drugs with a 'greater likelihood' of causing TEN & SJS are carbamazepine (CBZ), trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, phenytoin, aminopenicillins, allopurinol, cephalosporins, sulphonamides, antibiotics, quinolones, phenobarbital, and NSAIDs of the oxicam variety. There is also a strong genetic link between the occurrence of SJS and IEN in the Han Chinese population. Such genetic association is based on the human leukocyte antigen (HLA-B*1502) and the co-administration of carbamazepine. The diagnosis of SJS is made mostly on the gross observations of clinical symptoms, and confirmed by the histopathological examination of dermal biopsies of the patients. The differential diagnoses consist of the exclusion of Pemphigus vulgaris, bullous pemphigoid, linear IgA dermatosis, paraneoplastic pemphigus, disseminated fixed bullous drug eruption, acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis (AGEP), and staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome (SSSS). The management of SJS & TEN is rather difficult and complicated, and there is sometimes a high risk of mortality in seriously inflicted patients. Urgent medical attention is needed for early diagnosis, estimation of the SCORTEN prognosis, identification and discontinuation of the causative agent as well as highdose injectable Ig therapeutic interventions along with specialized supportive care. Historical aspects, aetiology, mechanisms, and incidences of SJS and TEN are discussed. An update on the genetic occurrence of these medication-related hypersensitive ailments as well as different therapy options and management of patients is also provided., (Copyright© Bentham Science Publishers; For any queries, please email at epub@benthamscience.net.)

Cancer prevalence and its rate of incidence are constantly rising since the past few decades. Owing to the toxicity of present-day antineoplastic drugs, it is imperative to explore safer and more effective molecules to combat and/or prevent this dreaded disease. Flavonoids, a class of polyphenols, have exhibited multifaceted implications against several diseases including cancer, without showing significant toxicity towards the normal cells. Shredded pieces of evidence suggest that flavonoids can enhance drug sensitivity and suppress proliferation, metastasis, and angiogenesis of cancer cells by modulating several oncogenic or oncosuppressor microRNAs (miRNAs, miRs). They play pivotal roles in regulation of various biological and pathological processes, including various cancers. In the present review, the structure, chemistry and miR targeting efficacy of quercetin, luteolin, silibinin, genistein, epigallocatechin gallate, and cyanidin against several cancer types are comprehensively discussed. miRs are considered as next-generation medicine of recent times, and their targeting by naturally occurring flavonoids in cancer cells could be deemed as a signature step. We anticipate that our compilations related to miRNA-mediated regulation of cancer cells by flavonoids might catapult the clinical investigations and affirmation in the future., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest There is no conflict of interest to declare., (Copyright © 2022. Published by Elsevier Inc.)

Cancer is a highly lethal disease, and its incidence has rapidly increased worldwide over the past few decades. Although chemotherapeutics and surgery are widely used in clinical settings, they are often insufficient to provide the cure for cancer patients. Hence, more effective treatment options are highly needed. Although licorice has been used as a medicinal herb since ancient times, the knowledge about molecular mechanisms behind its diverse bioactivities is still rather new. In this review article, different anticancer properties (antiproliferative, antiangiogenic, antimetastatic, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory effects) of various bioactive constituents of licorice ( Glycyrrhiza glabra L.) are thoroughly described. Multiple licorice constituents have been shown to bind to and inhibit the activities of various cellular targets, including B-cell lymphoma 2, cyclin-dependent kinase 2, phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase, c-Jun N-terminal kinases, mammalian target of rapamycin, nuclear factor-κB, signal transducer and activator of transcription 3, vascular endothelial growth factor, and matrix metalloproteinase-3, resulting in reduced carcinogenesis in several in vitro and in vivo models with no evident toxicity. Emerging evidence is bringing forth licorice as an anticancer agent as well as bottlenecks in its potential clinical application. It is expected that overcoming toxicity-related obstacles by using novel nanotechnological methods might importantly facilitate the use of anticancer properties of licorice-derived phytochemicals in the future. Therefore, anticancer studies with licorice components must be continued. Overall, licorice could be a natural alternative to the present medication for eradicating new emergent illnesses while having just minor side effects., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflict of interest., (© 2022 Tuli et al.)

Competing Interests: There are no conflicts of interest.

As a landmark, scientific investigation in cytokine signaling and interferon-related anti-viral activity, signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) family of proteins was first discovered in the 1990s. Today, we know that the STAT family consists of several transcription factors which regulate various molecular and cellular processes, including proliferation, angiogenesis, and differentiation in human carcinoma. STAT family members play an active role in transducing signals from cell membrane to nucleus through intracellular signaling and thus activating gene transcription. Additionally, they are also associated with the development and progression of human cancer by facilitating inflammation, cell survival, and resistance to therapeutic responses. Accumulating evidence suggests that not all STAT proteins are associated with the progression of human malignancy; however, STAT3/5 are constitutively activated in various cancers, including multiple myeloma, lymphoma, breast cancer, prostate hepatocellular carcinoma, and non-small cell lung cancer. The present review highlights how STAT-associated events are implicated in cancer inflammation, angiogenesis and non-coding RNA (ncRNA) modulation to highlight potential intervention into carcinogenesis-related cellular processes., (© 2022. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature B.V.)

A novel green nanocomposite has been prepared by immobilizing CaO nanoparticles (CaO NPs) on the surface of graphene oxide. Biogenic CaO-NPs were synthesized from Lala clamshells. Morphological and structural characterizations of the nanocomposite were studied extensively. The adsorption capacity (q max ) of the nanocomposite for removing Cr(VI) was 38.04 mg g -1 . In addition to this, the adsorption data were adequately simulated with Langmuir, Freundlich, Temkin, and pseudo-second-order models, suggesting that the adsorption process was the combination of external mass transfer and chemisorption. Electrostatic interaction was the dominant mechanism for Cr(VI) removal. In addition, the synthesized nanocomposites also serve as an excellent sensor for Cr(VI) sensing, with a limit of detection (LOD) of 0.02 μM utilizing electrochemical methods. Therefore, this green nanocomposite can simultaneously serve as an adsorbent and sensor for Cr(VI)removal from aqueous solutions., (Copyright © 2022 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Cancer is being considered as a serious threat to human health globally due to limited availability and efficacy of therapeutics. In addition, existing chemotherapeutic drugs possess a diverse range of toxic side effects. Therefore, more research is welcomed to investigate the chemo-preventive action of plant-based metabolites. Ampelopsin (dihydromyricetin) is one among the biologically active plant-based chemicals with promising anti-cancer actions. It modulates the expression of various cellular molecules that are involved in cancer progressions. For instance, ampelopsin enhances the expression of apoptosis inducing proteins. It regulates the expression of angiogenic and metastatic proteins to inhibit tumor growth. Expression of inflammatory markers has also been found to be suppressed by ampelopsin in cancer cells. The present review article describes various anti-tumor cellular targets of ampelopsin at a single podium which will help the researchers to understand mechanistic insight of this phytochemical., 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., (© 2022 The Authors.)

The pollutants released from pharmaceutical, steel, paper, and battery industries into water cause stress on the natural ecosystems, may mix with soil and water, enter into human food chain, and hence cause irreparable damage to the biotic system. Hence, the appropriate monitoring of water along with determination of heavy metals is very important for human beings. In present paper, total reflection X-ray fluorescence (TXRF) spectrometry technique is employed to determine the level of different contaminants in the water samples gathered from the various sites of an identified industrial area. Experimentation is carried out at Raja Ramanna Centre for Advanced Technology (RRCAT), Indore-India by using TXRF, which is one the advance techniques of element determination up to ppb levels. The elemental concentration of Cl, K, Ca, Fe, Cu, Zn, Ga, Br, Sr, As, Pb, and Ni is quantified and compared with the limits established by the WHO (World Health Organization) and BIS (Bureau of Indian Standard) guidelines regarding drinking water use. The levels of the Pb, Fe, As, Ni, Cr, Co, and Mn exceeded the values suggested by WHO and BIS at some locations/sites. To better understand the situation, water quality parameters such as Water Quality Index (WQI), Heavy metal Pollution Index (HPI), Contamination Index (CI), Metal Enrichment Index (MEI), and Heavy Metal Evaluation Index (HEI) have also been assessed for all the sites close to industrial hub. Among all sites except at A3 and A6, WQI is found to be much greater than WHO and BIS established limit. Level of arsenic in the water at A1 location was found 73 ppb. However, lead metal in water was found to be very high at all the six studied locations, and at A1 location, it is found extremely high 2613 ppb. Therefore, water at A1 and A2 sites is found to be unfit for drinking. PRACTITIONER POINTS: Total reflection X-ray fluorescence (TXRF) spectrometry technique is employed to determine the level of different contaminants in the water samples The elemental concentration of Cl, K, Ca, Fe, Cu, Zn, Ga, Br, Sr, As, Pb, and Ni is quantified and compared with the limits prescribed by the WHO Water Quality Index (WQI), Heavy metal Pollution Index (HPI), Contamination Index (CI), Metal Enrichment Index (MEI), and Heavy Metal Enrichment Index (MEI) have also been assessed for all the sites Water at some sites is found unfit for drinking purpose. Based on the observations, some remedial measures are suggested to reduce the level of water contaminants up to desired levels., (© 2022 Water Environment Federation.)

Background: The genus Providencia , earlier considered a rare pathogen, is now increasingly recognized as a notorious opportunistic pathogen capable of causing serious nosocomial infections, mainly urinary tract infections (UTIs). Treating these infections is an onerous task given the resistance seen in clinical strains to many currently available antimicrobials. The objective of the present study is to provide an overall view into the prevalence of Providencia spp. causing UTIs, their antibiotic susceptibility pattern, and respective clinical outcomes., Materials and Methods: This is a retrospective observational study carried out in a tertiary care teaching referral hospital located in Jaipur, India from March 2021 to May 2021. All Providencia spp. strains isolated from urine samples were included in the study. Data were entered in Microsoft Office Excel worksheet. Results are presented in numbers and percentages., Results: Out of 1,261 urine samples processed in the laboratory during the study period, 426 were culture positive and the majority were gram-negative isolates and included Escherichia coli (46.0%) and Klebsiella spp. (28.0%). Providencia spp. was the fourth most common gram-negative pathogen (6.0%). The median age of patients was 65 years. The male:female ratio was 3:2 and maximum patients belonged to the 30-60-year age-group. Diabetes was the commonest associated comorbidity. All patients had an indwelling urinary catheter. Three (20.0%) patients succumbed to infections., Conclusion: Providencia is an opportunistic pathogen that cannot be neglected due to escalating antibiotic resistance. Effective infection control and antibiotic stewardship policies are required to prevent the development of further antibiotic resistance., How to Cite This Article: Rajni E, Jain A, Garg VK, Sharma R, Vohra R, Jain SS. Providencia Causing Urinary Tract Infections: Are We Reaching a Dead End? Indian J Crit Care Med 2022;26(4):446-451., Competing Interests: Source of support: Nil Conflict of interest: None, (Copyright © 2022; Jaypee Brothers Medical Publishers (P) Ltd.)

Industrial effluents generally contain several metals, so during adsorptive treatment, they may influence the removal of each other. It is essential to explore the effect of co-cations on metal removal in multi-metal solutions. The present study examined the possibility of processed rice husk and saw dust to remove Cr 6+ , Ni 2+ , Cu 2+ , Cd 2+ and Zn 2+ , from the single, binary and multi-component aqueous solutions. A substantial lesser removal of metal ions was observed in the presence of co-ions. This study revealed antagonistic effect on the removal of a particular metal ion, from the industrial effluent, even at optimum process parameters if other metal ions are present in the effluent. Although, a higher concentration of one metal ion than others in effluents increased its removal due to a greater number of ions as compared to other for the biosorption, yet presence of other ions influences the uptake of individual ions. In case of industrial effluents, maximum adsorption was obtained at pH 2.0 for Cr 6+ , 5.0 for Ni 2+ and Cd 2+ and 6.0 for Zn 2+ and Cu 2+ . The study confirms the beneficial use of the studied biosorbents in water remediation., (Copyright © 2022 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Breast cancer is a global cause for concern owing to its high incidence around the world. The alarming increase in breast cancer cases emphasizes the management of disease at multiple levels. The management should start from the beginning that includes stringent cancer screening or cancer registry to effective diagnostic and treatment strategies. Breast cancer is highly heterogeneous at morphology as well as molecular levels and needs different therapeutic regimens based on the molecular subtype. Breast cancer patients with respective subtype have different clinical outcome prognoses. Breast cancer heterogeneity emphasizes the advanced molecular testing that will help on-time diagnosis and improved survival. Emerging fields such as liquid biopsy and artificial intelligence would help to under the complexity of breast cancer disease and decide the therapeutic regimen that helps in breast cancer management. In this review, we have discussed various risk factors and advanced technology available for breast cancer diagnosis to combat the worst breast cancer status and areas that need to be focused for the better management of breast cancer., Competing Interests: All authors have declared no conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2022 Dharambir Kashyap et al.)