Volume 7 Issue 1 (2023)

We investigated the association of anticardiolipin antibodies (aCL) with epilepsy development and characteristics in children. This prospective case-control study included 40 epileptic children and 40 sex- and age-matched controls. Epileptic children had higher levels of aCL compared to healthy controls (5.66 ± 5.41 versus 2.37 ± 2.28; p value = 0.001). The novel finding of elevated levels of aCL predicted response to IVIg therapy (p value = 0.009). Patients with normal EEG had lower levels of aCL compared to those with EEG abnormal findings (p value = 0.015). Patients with the combined type of epilepsy had statistically significant higher levels of aCL compared to other types (p value = 0.046). Also, aCL levels were correlated with seizure frequency (p value = 0.019). These results declare the possible involvement of such antibodies in the onset or pathogenesis of epilepsy. Screening for aCL may help in the timely diagnosis of epilepsy and initiation of appropriate treatment.

β-hydroxybutyric acid (β-HBA) is a water soluble small molecule and the main component of ketone body. Upon facing energy shortage, free fatty acids in liver are oxidized and decomposed in mitochondria to produce β-HBA. β-HBA is a carbon source providing energy for extrahepatic tissues such as brain, heart, and skeletal muscles. Intestinal flora is the key component of regulating the host lipid metabolism and other metabolic activities of human body. The imbalance of intestinal flora may lead to the disorders of fatty acid metabolism having impact on cardiovascular, nervous, metabolic systems, etc. This work discusses the potential regulatory mechanism of intestinal flora involved in producing β-HBA through metabolic pathway, molecular mechanism of β-HBA production, physiological effects in animals, and relation between intestinal flora and fatty acid metabolism. These outcomes can provide reference for further work on β-HBA production in treating diseases, especially for cancer treatment in terms of the energy metabolism. 

Pulmonary fibrosis is a diverse group of lung disorders defined by varying degrees of fibrosis and inflammation in the pulmonary parenchyma. While it may be caused by a known disease, e.g., autoimmune or connective tissue disorder, drugs, hypersensitivity to inhaled organic antigens, or sarcoidosis, it also occurs to be idiopathic. When we examine the pathogenesis of lung fibrosis, we see that cellular aging plays a major role. Lung fibroblasts play an active role in the regeneration process. However, despite all the information, the pathogenesis of lung fibrosis is not clearly understood. It is not yet clear how senescent cells in the lung mingle and cause fibrosis. The pathogenesis of lung fibrosis will be understood more clearly following future studies.

The phrase “3D printing” is frequently used to illustrate a fabrication technique that constructs objects by sequentially adding layers. Additive manufacturing, commonly referred to as rapid prototyping or “solid free-form technology”, is a name that more appropriately reflects this method. As a result of the advancement of this technology, 3D objects are converted into 3D photos that are then precisely and perfectly reproduced as required. Using this technique, normal 2D systems are used to visualise 3D objects that are typically seen in radiology. From the perspectives of numerous dental disciplines, including orthodontics, endodontics, prosthodontics, and periodontics, 3D printing technology has been expanding its application in experimental, clinical, and educational sides of medicine and dentistry. It involves innovation and research, training, treatment modalities and education while utilising the swiftly advancing 3D printing technology. It is a promising clinical tool since it makes it possible to see how treatments are working. The use of 3D-printed models in educational programmes encourages students and trainees to practise their dental skills. The improvement of dental education, clinical treatment, and research could all be made possible by the use of 3D printing.

Dendritic cells (DCs) are potent antigen presenting cells that play a crucial role in stimulating T cell responses against cancer. DC vaccines have been utilized as an immunotherapy approach for cancer treatment, but their effectiveness is hampered by challenges in the tumor microenvironment. Graphene oxide (GO), a cutting-edge carbon-based nanomaterial, has shown promise in modulating DC activation and function. This review highlights the recent advancements in DC vaccines and explores how GO can enhance their efficacy for cancer treatment. By leveraging the unique properties of GO, such as its biocompatibility and immunomodulatory effects, DC vaccines can potentially be optimized to overcome the limitations of the tumor microenvironment and achieve improved outcomes in cancer immunotherapy.

Allergen-specific immunotherapy (AIT) is an allergen-specific treatment for people with IgE-related allergies. Allergen-specific immunotherapy (AIT) is used to treat allergic disorders when symptoms persist despite medication and allergen avoidance. The therapy is presumed effective if it reduces the use of medications, improves the quality of life even after discontinuation of treatment, as well as prevents the conversion of one type of allergy to the other and the development of new sensitization. The allergen-specific immunotherapeutic agents can be administered sublingually, subcutaneously, or through some other routes, such as intra-lymphatically and epicutaneously to induce allergen tolerance by modifying immune responses (innate and adaptive). The primary mechanism of AIT is the induction of functional regulatory cells, such as regulatory T cells, follicular T cells, B cells, dendritic cells, innate lymphoid cells, and natural killer cells, which results in the control of the functions of type 2 inflammatory cells. However, there are several downsides to AIT, including the contentious treatment period resulting in high cost, systemic allergic reactions, and the lack of a biomarker for forecasting treatment responders. Vaccine adjuvants, adjunctive therapies, and novel vaccine technologies are currently being researched to address the issues associated with AIT. This article focuses on defined molecular approaches for improving the potential of specific immunotherapy that use recombinant allergen derivatives, allergen-derived peptides, virus-coupled allergens, nanoparticles, and specific adjuvants.

Conjunctivitis, also known as pink eye, is a conjunctival inflammation. It is brought on by bacteria, viruses, toxins, and allergies, including coronaviruses, the most frequent reason being allergic conjunctivitis (AC), which is brought on by exposure to pollutants like pollen, animal hair, or mold. The primary contributor to it is the linkage of immunoglobulin E caused by allergens and receptors on stimulated conjunctival mast cells. As a consequence, mast cells are degranulated, along with the release of histamine, cytokines, chemokines, and lipid mediators. The particular eye tissues impacted and the immune mechanism(s) (both local and systemic) that are involved all play a role in the clinical course, length, intensity, and co-morbidities. It frequently occurs in conjunction with allergic rhinitis, also known as allergic rhino-conjunctivitis and other allergy conditions. Atopic keratoconjunctivitis, giant papillary conjunctivitis, seasonal and perennial conjunctivitis, and vernal keratoconjunctivitis are the different types of allergic conjunctivitis. Ocular allergies are frequently misdiagnosed and undertreated, despite the emergence of innovative therapeutic strategies. This review focuses on several previously published studies to discuss the available therapeutic options for treating allergic conjunctivitis as well as the potential targets for the therapies. The association of conjunctivitis with COVID-19, along with recent patents and research, has also been explored.

The angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptor gained prominence in 2020, having been identified as a prime receptor for entry of the novel coronavirus COVID-19, which has led to the current global pandemic. Many stud-ies have reported that lung cancer patients have a higher risk of contracting COVID-19 due to the up-regulated expres-sion of ACE2 in lung cancer cells. Lung cancer is a heterogeneous disease and the most frequently occurring cancer globally. It is more prevalent in men than in women and accounts for an estimated 40% of cancer cases. Over the years, many studies have reported on the ACE2 expression in lung cancer. Conventional methods currently available for the detection and treatment of lung cancer face numerous challenges. Nanomedicine has risen to many challenges facing cancer therapy and drug delivery. With the array of nano delivery systems available, nanomedicine can be used to de-velop alternative methods to help overcome these challenges and improve the therapeutic efficiency in cancer therapy. Hence, this review focuses on lung cancer, the ACE2 receptor, and the use of nanomedicine in formulating a novel tar-geted cancer treatment strategy directed at the ACE2 receptor. This may serve as a stepping stone for exploring further targeting strategies and therapies.

Jab1 (c-Jun activation domain-binding protein-1) overexpression has been extensively linked to cancer development (or metastasis) in various malignancies by positively regulating cancer cell proliferation or inactivating several tumor suppressors. Recent research has focused on utilizing plant products to target crucial elements of dysregulated signaling pathways to elucidate a potent cancer therapeutic approach. Terpenoids have shown significant anti-inflammatory and anti-cancerous properties in a broader range of carcinomas by inducing apoptosis. Through an extensive literature search, we have selected only those terpenoids (from the NPACT database) that have not been explored against Jab1 (CSN5, COP9 signalosome subunit 5) in breast cancer for our research study. We have used two docking servers, PATCH DOCK, and CB DOCK, to find the binding interaction between selected terpenoids and Jab1. Further, we have also used SWISS ADME to investigate the pharmacokinetics of selected ligands. Amongst all selected ligands, lutein (belongs to the xanthophylls class) has displayed maximum binding energy in both CB Dock and Patch Dock analysis. Hence, our preliminary in silico results have shown lutein as the potent lead candidate for developing a better drug against breast cancer. However, more in silico and in vitro studies are still needed to validate the inhibitory potential of lutein terpenoid against Jab1 in breast cancer.