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Targeting cell cycle and inducing DNA damage by activating cell death pathways are considered as effective therapeutic strategy for combating breast cancer progression. Many of the naturally known small molecules target these signaling pathways and are effective against resistant and/or aggressive types of breast cancers. Here, we investigated the effect of catechol, a naturally occurring plant compound, for its specificity and chemotherapeutic efficacies in breast cancer (MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231) cells. Catechol treatment showed concentration-dependent cytotoxicity and antiproliferative growth in both MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cells while sparing minimal effects on noncancerous (F-180 and HK2) cells. Catechol modulated differential DNA damage effects by activating ATM/ATR pathways and showed enhanced γ-H2AX expression, as an indicator for DNA double-stranded breaks. MCF-7 cells showed G1 cell cycle arrest by regulating p21-mediated cyclin E/Cdk2 inhibition. Furthermore, activation of p53 triggered a caspase-mediated cell death mechanism by inhibiting regulatory proteins such as DNMT1, p-BRCA1, MCL-1, and PDCD6 with an increased Bax/Bcl-2 ratio. Overall, our results showed that catechol possesses favorable safety profile for noncancerous cells while specifically targeting multiple signaling cascades to inhibit proliferation in breast cancer cells.

Antibiotic resistance (AR) is a significant threat to the health of many worldwide. The emergence of AR has become the main source of morbidity and mortality from infections that would otherwise have been treatable. AR is mainly caused by the inappropriate use of antibiotics. In the United Arab Emirates (UAE), bacterial resistance to antibiotics is escalating due to: a) practice of self-medication with antibiotics among the residents of the UAE; b) the easy procurement of antibiotics from local pharmacies without prescription; and c) expatriates’ importation of antibiotics from their home country. The present study focused on the usage of antibiotics among the population of Ras Al Khaimah. This study surveyed 306 residents of Ras Al Khaimah to understand their knowledge, awareness, attitude, practices, and perceptions on antibiotics usage. The major pharmacies in Ras Al Khaimah were also surveyed to identify whether the policies on dispensing antibiotics are followed. Of the 306 respondents, %49 have practiced self-medication using antibiotics at least once. The study also finds that pharmacies dispense antibiotics without prescription due to customer demand for antibiotics, lack of patients’ time, patients’ needs, lack of medical insurance, and money concerns. In conclusion, this study provides insight into the level of AR awareness and usage among the Ras Al Khaimah population and emphasizes the need to implement best practices at the grassroots level to overcome the crisis.

Siglecs (Sialic acid-binding immunoglobulin-type lectins) are a I-type lectin that typically binds sialic acid. Siglecs are predominantly expressed in immune cells and generate activating or inhibitory signals. They are also shown to be expressed on the surface of cells in the nervous system and have been shown to play central roles in neuroinflammation. There has been a plethora of reviews outlining the studies pertaining to Siglecs in immune cells. However, this review aims to compile the articles on the role of Siglecs in brain function and neurological disorders. In humans, the most abundant Siglecs are CD33 (Siglec-3), Siglec-4 (myelin-associated glycoprotein/MAG), and Siglec-11, Whereas in mice the most abundant are Siglec-1 (sialoadhesin), Siglec-2 (CD22), Siglec-E, Siglec-F, and Siglec-H. This review is divided into three parts. Firstly, we discuss the general biological aspects of Siglecs that are expressed in nervous tissue. Secondly, we discuss about the role of Siglecs in brain function and molecular mechanism for their function. Finally, we collate the available information on Siglecs and neurological disorders. It is intriguing to study this family of proteins in neurological disorders because they carry immunoinhibitory and immunoactivating motifs that can be vital in neuroinflammation.

Mitochondria are unique organelles carrying their own genetic material, independent from that in the nucleus. This review will discuss the nature of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) and its levels in the cell, which are the key elements to consider when trying to achieve molecular identification in ancient and degraded samples. mtDNA sequence analysis has been appropriately validated and is a consistent molecular target for the examination of biological evidence encountered in forensic cases—and profiling, in certain conditions—especially for burnt bodies and degraded samples of all types. Exceptional cases and samples will be discussed in this review, such as mtDNA from leather in Beethoven’s grand piano, mtDNA in mummies, and solving famous historical criminal cases. In addition, this review will be discussing the use of ancient mtDNA to understand past human diet, to trace historical civilizations and ancient trade routes, and to uncover geographical domestication origins and lineage relationships. In each topic, we will present the power of mtDNA and how, in many cases, no nuclear DNA was left, leaving mitochondrial DNA analysis as a powerful alternative. Exploring this powerful tool further will be extremely useful to modern science and researchers, due to its capabilities in providing us with previously unattainable knowledge.