Tumor microenvironment expressed enzymes (Matrix metalloproteinases, cathepsins, urokinase-type plasminogen activator) triggered polymersomes for liquid biopsy and cancer diagnostics: A review.

Enzyme-triggered polymersomes have emerged as a transformative platform in liquid biopsy and cancer diagnostics, enabling high-accuracy biomarker detection through precise enzymatic responsiveness. This review comprehensively examines the rational design, synthesis, and functionalization strategies of enzyme-responsive polymersomes, which undergo programmed structural changes in the presence of tumor microenvironment-associated enzymes such as matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), cathepsins, and urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA). Key advances in polymer chemistry, including block copolymer self-assembly, stimuli-responsive linker integration, and surface ligand conjugation, have been critical in tailoring polymer specificity, enzymatic sensitivity, and biocompatibility.

Synthetic azo dye amaranth disrupts neuronal plasticity causing alpha-synuclein aggregation and cognitive disability in an in vivo zebrafish model.

Amaranth (AMR) or Acid red 27 is a synthetic dye widely used in the textile, pharmaceutical, and food industries. Its high solubility contributes to its environmental persistence as a pollutant, and its widespread use in confectioneries, due to its vibrant color, raises concerns about overexposure, particularly in children. Despite its prevalence, health and ecological risks of AMR remain poorly studied.

Thermo stable ZnO NPs/Asiatic acid nanocomposites for acidogenic neutralization, anti-biofilm, and enamel protection in dental enamel reinforcement.

Objectives: Dental caries, a pervasive oral health issue, is driven by Streptococcus mutans-mediated biofilm formation and acidogenesis, culminating in enamel demineralization and structural degradation. This study evaluates the efficacy of thermostable ZnO NPs/AA nanocomposites in suppressing S.mutans acid production, disrupting its biofilm matrix, and strengthening enamel integrity, with an emphasis on its potential as a novel dental healthcare material.

Letter to the Editor: Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on diagnosis and disease stage in HPV-positive oropharyngeal cancer: insights and future directions.

The recent publication titled "The Collateral Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on HPV-Positive Oropharyngeal Cancer Diagnosis" offers a timely investigation into how the pandemic influenced diagnostic delays and disease severity at presentation among patients with oropharyngeal cancer (OPC). Given that delays in diagnosis are closely associated with disease progression and poorer clinical outcomes, this study underscores the critical importance of timely detection. By analyzing and comparing patient cohorts from pre-pandemic and pandemic periods, the authors reveal shifts in diagnostic trends during a time of global healthcare disruption.

Addressing the prediabetes epidemic in India: Challenges and strategies for prevention - A narrative review.

Prediabetes is a global health concern, with India ranking second in terms of diabetes burden. The rapid transition from prediabetes to diabetes, driven by urbanization and globalization, underscores the need for effective intervention programs to prevent the diabetes epidemic. This narrative review explores the prevalence of prediabetes and its demographic determinants in India, the challenges in addressing prediabetes, the necessity for culturally tailored intervention programs and future directions for a population-based approach.

Isolation and identification of bacteriophage against Escherichia coli ATCC 25922 and their biofilm Inhibition studies.

Bacterial biofilm development plays a crucial role in causing serious health concerns in the medical sector. The adhesion of germs on living and non-living surfaces can lead to damage as well as diseases in humans, and other animals. To address this problem, researchers focus exclusively on bacteriophage therapy.

Letter to the Editor: Evaluating the risk-modifying effects of HSV-1 and HSV-2 on head and neck cancer in relation to tobacco, alcohol, and HPV-16.

This case-control study investigated the association between herpes simplex virus types 1 and 2 (HSV-1 and HSV-2) and the risk of head and neck cancer (HNC), considering established risk factors such as tobacco, alcohol, and HPV-16 infection. Analysis of 164 HNC cases and 295 controls using serological and ELISA assays revealed no independent association between HSV seropositivity and overall HNC risk. However, an inverse relationship was observed among individuals co-exposed to HSV and known carcinogens, suggesting a potential modulatory role of HSV in HNC development.

Pulmonary fibrosis and exosomes: pathways to treatment.

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a progressive, life-threatening lung disease characterized by excessive extracellular matrix (ECM) deposition, fibroblast proliferation, and epithelial injury. Disease progression involves key signaling pathways-TGF-β, WNT/β-catenin, PI3K/AKT, and YAP/TAZ-that drive fibroblast activation, epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT), endothelial-mesenchymal transition (EndMT), and ECM remodeling. Recent studies have highlighted the role of small extracellular vesicles (sEVs), particularly exosomes, as crucial modulators of the fibrotic microenvironment.

Exploring gender disparities in the relationship between food insecurity and depression among older adults in India.

Purpose: Food insecurity is a significant global issue impacting public health and human rights, affecting millions worldwide. Older population in India are vulnerable to food insecurity due to age-related changes in socioeconomic status and insecurity. This study explores gender differences in the association between food insecurity and depression among older adults in India aged 50 and above.

The Role of Functional Feed in Modulating Fish Gut Microbiome to Enhance Resistance Against Aquaculture Pathogens.

The gut microbiome, comprising of diverse microbial species, plays a critical role in the immunological responses and physiological functions of fish. Functional feed components such as probiotics, prebiotics, immunostimulants (e.g.

Anti-nucleolin aptamer-guided anticancer activity of AS1411-Chalcone conjugate in breast cancer.

The DNA aptamer AS1411 is a 26-nucleotide, guanine-rich oligonucleotide with high specificity for nucleolin-a multifunctional protein overexpressed on the surface of many cancer cells and involved in key processes such as proliferation and apoptosis. By selectively binding nucleolin, AS1411 serves as an ideal targeting ligand for delivering therapeutic agents. Chalcone, a naturally occurring flavonoid with documented anticancer activity, induces apoptosis and inhibits tumor growth; however, its clinical utility is limited by nonspecific cytotoxicity.

Biochemical Insights into Diverse Psilocybe Mushrooms and Their Metabolites as Sources of Neuroactive Agents: A Review.

Psilocybe species, commonly known as "magic mushrooms", are a group of hallucinogenic fungi known for their psychoactive compounds such as psilocybin, psilocin, baeocystin, and norbaeocystin. These species have been the focus of scientific study due to their potential therapeutic applications, despite their classification as controlled substances in many jurisdictions. This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of various Psilocybe mushrooms, highlighting their chemical compositions, genetic diversity, and therapeutic potential, particularly in the treatment of mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, PTSD, addiction, and cluster headaches.

Genomic insights into antibiotic resistance in dental caries among the south indian population: A bioinformatics approach with abrit AMR.

Objective: This research aims to explore the prevalence, diversity, and impact of Antibiotic Resistance Genes (ARGs) in dental caries within the South Indian population, as well as their association with microbial communities, with the goal of improving treatment outcomes and management strategies.

Methods: Metagenomic shotgun sequencing was performed on 24 dental caries samples using the Illumina NovaSeq platform. The quality assessment was done using the FASTQC tool.

Prevalence and predictors of depression in tuberculosis patients in india: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Introduction: TB and common mental disorders pose significant global health challenges that considerably impact human health. The combination of depression with TB can lead to a poor quality of life, low medication adherence, progression to drug-resistant tuberculosis, and ultimately, mortality.

Objectives: This study aimed to estimate the pooled prevalence of depression in TB patients and identify the predictors of depression in this population in India.

Biogenic amorphous calcium phosphate: a sustainable alternative for dentin remineralization.

Background: Dentin demineralization weakens tooth integrity, requiring effective remineralization approaches. Amorphous calcium phosphate (ACP) is commonly used to deliver calcium and phosphate ions for dentin repair. However, synthetic ACP (SACP) often exhibits instability and limited antibacterial properties.

Plasma-polymerized chitosan/agarose/chitosan-agarose composite coatings for antibacterial and antibiofilm wound dressings: A review.

Chronic wound infections complicated by bacterial biofilms and antibiotic resistance demand innovative solutions beyond conventional dressings. This review evaluates plasma-polymerized chitosan/agarose/chitosan-agarose composite coatings as a novel approach that overcomes critical problems associated with existing antimicrobial dressings. Relative to other antimicrobial surface engineering approaches, such as silver coatings that lose efficacy or photothermal agents requiring external activation, these plasma-engineered composites utilize the natural antimicrobial properties of chitosan and the wound-healing benefits of agarose through synergistic mechanisms, namely, plasma-enhanced activation generating 3-5 times more reactive oxygen species, permanent surface charge modifications thereby providing greater bacterial repulsion, and controlled molecular anchoring enabling the sustained release of bioactive compounds for longer durations.

An ensemble classifier for emotion classification from EEG and GSR signals for autism detection.

Determining individuals' psycho physiological states is essential in multiple fields, especially for integrating disabled individuals into social environments. Among these pursuits, the domain of autism detection emerges as an important area of concern. In this context, the importance of leveraging distinct physiological signals for emotion recognition becomes evident.

Renal protective efficiency of Isatin-linked Pyrazole (3E) derivative which mitigates gentamicin-induced nephrotoxicity and its anti-fibrotic mechanisms in an in-vivo zebrafish model.

Gentamicin (Gen), a commonly used aminoglycoside antibiotic, is associated with significant nephrotoxicity driven by oxidative stress, inflammation, and fibrosis, leading to renal impairment. This study investigates the therapeutic potential of the Isatin-linked Pyrazole (3E) derivative (or compound) in mitigating Gen-induced nephrotoxicity using in-vivo zebrafish as a model organism. The anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-fibrotic properties of the 3E derivative were assessed through biochemical, molecular, and histopathological analyses.

Evaluation of cytotoxicity and anti-inflammatory action of AH-Plus sealer with and without petasin, pachymic acid, curcumin & shilajit: an invitro-study.

AH Plus, an epoxy resin-based sealer extensively employed in endodontics, is renowned for its excellent dimensional stability and effective adhesion to dentin. Nevertheless, extensive clinical research has documented its propensity to induce inflammation, especially when freshly mixed. Phytochemicals such as petasin, pachymic acid, curcumin, and shilajit are known for their anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties.

Europium-doped cerium oxide nanoparticle-impregnated Hyalgan® (CartiOxgel): an intra-articular contrast agent for X-ray CT and optical imaging.

Cartilage internalizing metal-oxide gel ("CartiOxgel"), a novel hybrid contrast agent, was developed for enhanced X-ray computed tomography (CT) and optical intra-articular (IA) imaging. The formulation comprises europium (Eu)-doped cerium oxide nanoparticles (CeO NPs, C), denoted as Eu Cy NPs, which were incorporated into Hyalgan®, a commercial intra-articular (IA) injectable gel. Eu doping at 2% and 10% was achieved using a one-pot combustion method (as-prepared at 200 °C, = 2), followed by thermal treatment at 700 °C ( = 7) to investigate the effect of heat treatment on hybrid NP formation.

Comparative Analysis of Enamel Surface Integrity and Pulpal Temperature in Debonding Metallic Brackets: A Study of Two Intensity Levels of Diode Laser Versus Conventional Method.

Background: The process of removing metallic orthodontic brackets creates difficulties which affect the enamel surface condition along with excessive temperature rise in the pulp. Traditional ethnomethodological debonding methods lead to enamel destruction yet the advent of diode lasers promises to decrease adverse side effects. Speakers evaluate the impact of using two different laser intensity settings during diode laser-assisted bracket debonding on enamel surface preservation andclarations of intrapulpal temperature changes.

A multiport DC-to-DC converter-driven inductive wireless charging system for EVs with integrated photovoltaic and energy storage systems.

This paper introduces an innovative three-port DC-DC converter (TPC)-based wireless charging system (WCS) that seamlessly integrates photovoltaic (PV) and an energy storage system (ESS). The proposed system leverages the advantages of an isolated topology, enhancing safety, reducing electromagnetic interference, and enabling flexible power management. The regulation of input ports from PV and ESS (battery) is achieved through a pulse width modulation switching scheme, ensuring stable voltage across the WCS port.

Hepcidin vs Procalcitonin: Which biomarker best predicts bacteremia in the medical ICU?

Background: Sepsis is a life-threatening condition caused by a dysregulated host response to infection, necessitating early diagnosis and intervention. While traditional diagnostics like blood cultures are crucial, they often delay treatment decisions. This study evaluates and compares the diagnostic and prognostic efficacy of Procalcitonin (PCT) and Hepcidin-two emerging biomarkers-in patients with bacteremia admitted to the Medical Intensive Care Unit (MICU) of a tertiary care centre.

Engineering exosomes for liver disease: a new insight in regenerative medicine and drug delivery.

Exosomes, nanoscale extracellular vesicles derived from endosomes, have emerged as crucial mediators of intercellular communication, significantly influencing physiological balance and disease development. Their biogenesis occurs via two different pathways-ESCRT-dependent and ESCRT-independent mechanisms-that regulate the selective packing of lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids. This review offers a mechanistic understanding of exosome production, cargo sorting, and secretion, highlighting their dynamic regulation in response to cellular stress conditions.

Enhanced fruit preservation using compressed stabilized earth blocks and municipal solid waste incinerator bottom ash in pyramid structures.

Storage conditions play a crucial role in preserving fruit quality, regulating ripening, and preventing degradation. The current research examines the impact of fruit quality stored in controlled environment where compressed stabilised earth blocks (CSEBs) were produced incorporating municipal solid waste incinerator bottom ash (MSWIBA). To improve fruit storage efficiency, this research examines the impact of incorporating municipal solid waste incinerator bottom ash (MSWIBA) into compressed stabilised earth blocks (CSEBs).