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As global temperatures rise due to climate change, the occurrence and intensity of heat waves are anticipated to increase. Despite this anticipation, there remains a gap in comprehending the underlying defense mechanisms against heat stress, particularly exhibited by Heat Shock Proteins (HSP) within vulnerable populations. Hence, this study aims to assess the expression of heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) in response to heat exposure among vulnerable populations residing in both urban and rural areas. A total of 108 respondents were recruited using multistage sampling. This study consists of three (3) methods: Part I: face-to-face questionnaire; Part II: indoor heat exposure monitoring using Universal Thermal Climate Index (UTCI) classification; and Part III: blood sample collection to determine HSP70 protein expression using HSP70 High Sensitivity Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) kit. The results show that urban areas were exposed to strong UTCI thermal stress, whereas rural areas experienced moderate UTCI thermal stress. A higher level of HSP70 protein expression was observed in urban (2.524 ± 0.26) than in rural respondents (2.095 ± 0.27). This study concludes that both urban and rural vulnerable populations demonstrated different patterns of HSP70 protein expression in response to various levels of heat exposure.

Introduction: Stingless bee honey (SBH), produced by the kelulut bee of Trigona or Meliponine species, is a natural product-derived food that has been extensively utilized for therapeutic purposes since ancient times. This study aims to compare the antioxidant and antidiabetic activities of honey from three species of Malaysian stingless bee, namely Heterotrigona itama, Geniotrigona thoracica, and Lophotrigona canifrons in Perak. Methods: The methods used were total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), ABTS, phosphomolybdenum, Ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), and α-amylase inhibition assays. Result: From this study, SBH from H. itama exhibited significantly the highest TPC value (46.020±12.559 mg GAE/100 g SBH) and TFC value (44.494±0.932 mg QE/100 g SBH). In the antioxidant activity measurement, SBH produced by H. itama showed significantly the lowest IC50 values of 7.429±0.078 mg/ml in the DPPH assay, significantly higher ABTS scavenging activities (26.801±2.526 mg TEAC/100 g SBH), FRAP (153.973±18.388 mg FeSO4 equivalent/100 g SBH), and phosphomolybdenum (242.203.733±4.095 mg AAE/100 g SBH) compared to SBH produced by G. thoracica and L. canifrons. Meanwhile, SBH from H. itama showed significantly the lowest IC50 value (13.773±3.163 mg/ml) in the α-amylase assay than G. thoracica and L. canifrons. A strong correlation between TPC, TFC, DPPH, ABTS, FRAP, phosphomolybdenum, and α-amylase activity was also detected in all SBH samples. The variability observed in the total phenolic and flavonoid contents within SBH can be attributed to several factors, including the bee species, botanical origins, and geographical locations. Moreover, the intricate composition of honey, along with the interactions among its numerous antioxidant compounds, and the possible synergistic relationships among them, may significantly contribute to its antioxidant activities. Conclusion: The study suggests that the high phytochemical composition and antioxidant activities in SBH from H. itama may account for its antidiabetic potential. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plants have been a good source of therapeutic agents for thousands of years; an impressive number of modern drugs used for treating human diseases are derived from natural sources. The Theobroma cacao tree, or cocoa, has recently garnered increasing attention and become the subject of research due to its antioxidant properties, which are related to potential anti-cancer effects. In the past few years, identifying and developing active compounds or extracts from the cocoa bean that might exert anti-cancer effects have become an important area of health- and biomedicine-related research. This review provides an updated overview of T. cacao in terms of its potential anti-cancer compounds and their extraction, in vitro bioassay, purification, and identification. This article also discusses the advantages and disadvantages of the techniques described and reviews the processes for future perspectives of analytical methods from the viewpoint of anti-cancer compound discovery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aims of this study were to determine the antioxidant and antiproliferative activity of the following Theobroma cacao plant part methanolic extracts: leaf, bark, husk, fermented and unfermented shell, pith, root, and cherelle. Antioxidant activity was determined using 2,2-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS), and Folin-Ciocalteu assays; the 3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5- diphenyltetrazolium (MTT) assay was used to determine antiproliferative activity. The root extract had the highest antioxidant activity; its median effective dose (EC50) was 358.3 ± 7.0 µg/mL and total phenolic content was 22.0 ± 1.1 g GAE/100 g extract as compared to the other methanolic plant part extracts. Only the cherelle extract demonstrated 10.4% ± 1.1% inhibition activity in the lipid peroxidation assay. The MTT assay revealed that the leaf extract had the highest antiproliferative activity against MCF-7 cells [median inhibitory concentration (IC50) = 41.4 ± 3.3 µg/mL]. Given the overall high IC50 for the normal liver cell line WRL-68, this study indicates that T. cacao methanolic extracts have a cytotoxic effect in cancer cells, but not in normal cells. Planned future investigations will involve the purification, identification, determination of the mechanisms of action, and molecular assay of T. cacao plant extracts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nutritional or dietary factors have drawn attention due to their potential as an effective chemopreventive agent, which is considered a more rational strategy in cancer treatment. This study was designed to evaluate the effect of IP6 extracted from rice bran on azoxymethane-(AOM-) induced colorectal cancer (CRC) in rats. Initially, male Sprague Dawley rats were divided into 5 groups, with 6 rats in each group. The rats received two intraperitoneal (i.p.) injections of AOM in saline (15 mg/kg body weight) over a 2-week period to induce CRC. IP6 was given in three concentrations, 0.2% (w/v), 0.5% (w/v), and 1.0% (w/v), via drinking water for 16 weeks. The deregulation of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway and the expression of cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 have been implicated in colorectal tumorigenesis. β-Catenin and COX-2 expressions were analysed using the quantitative RT-PCR and Western blotting. Herein, we reported that the administration of IP6 markedly suppressed the incidence of tumors when compared to the control. Interestingly, the administration of IP6 had also markedly decreased β-catenin and COX-2 in colon tumors. Thus, the downregulation of β-catenin and COX-2 could play a role in inhibiting the CRC development induced by IP6 and thereby act as a potent anticancer agent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Candida albicans (C. albicans) has several virulence factors, in particular heat shock protein 90 (Hsp90), which is expressed by Hsp90 gene. The purposes of this study were to assess the expression of Hsp90 gene in clinical and control isolates of C. albicans obtained from different geographical regions (Malaysia and Iran), different temperatures (25°C, 37°C and 42°C) and mice with candidiasis. Methods: C. albicans isolates were cultured onto sabouraud dextrose agar (SDA). The assessment of the expression of Hsp90 gene was performed using real time-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Results: The results showed a significant increase in the expression of C. albicans Hsp90 gene under high thermal shock (42°C) when compared to other temperatures tested (P-value = 0.001). The mean differences in the expression of Hsp90 gene at 37°C were 0.20 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.13-0.29) between Malaysian and Iranian controls (P-value = 0.040) and 0.47 (95% CI 0.27-0.60) between Malaysian and Iranian patients (P-value = 0.040). Conclusion: The results demonstrated that the expression of C. albicans Hsp90 gene varied between Malaysian and Iranian subjects, representing the efficacy of geographical and thermal conditions on virulence gene expression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The Ph3PAu[SC(OR)=NPh], R=Me (1), Et (2) and iPr (3), compounds are significantly cytotoxic to the HT-29 cancer cell line with 1 being the most active. Based on human apoptosis PCR-array analysis, caspase activities, DNA fragmentation, cell apoptotic assays, intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) measurements and human topoisomerase I inhibition, induction of apoptosis is demonstrated and both the extrinsic and intrinsic pathways of apoptosis have been shown to occur. Compound 1 activates the p73 gene, whereas each of 2 and 3 activates the p53 gene. An additional apoptotic mechanism is exhibited by 2, that is, via the JNK/MAP pathway. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Introduction: Kappaphycus alvarezii (K. alvarezii) or locally known as red seaweed, was claimed to improve health and well-being. The goal of this study is to investigate how K. alvarezii affects blood pressure (BP), total cholesterol (TC), ACE, and antioxidant activities in rats with hyperten-sion and hypercholesterolemia (HTN-HC). Methods: Induction of HTN-HC was achieved by feeding rats a high sodium fat diet containing 1% cho-lesterol+7% sodium chloride (NaCl) for 6 weeks except for Normal group. HTN-HC rats were then supplemented with K. alvarezii (5 % (w/w) or 10% (w/w) per food intake) or treated with Captopril 30mg/kg/day + Simvastatin 2 mg/kg/day, or on similar diet for another 4 weeks. Before and after induction, as well as after treatment, BP and TC were measured. The rats' TC, ACE, and antioxidant activities were analysed using blood and liver samples. Results: The results demonstrate that BP and TC were significantly higher in all groups except the Normal Control after the induction period (p<0.05). Drug-treated rats (statin and captopril) and K. al-varezii significantly lowered BP and TC levels when compared to the HTN-HC group (p<0.05). Compared to the drug-treated and K. alvarezii groups, the HTN-HC group had the highest ACE activity (p<0.05). Meanwhile, HTN-HC rats had the lowest FRAP value and the highest CAT activities, while 10% K. alvarezii had the opposite reading (p<0.05). Conclusion: In conclusion, K. alvarezii improves blood pressure and total cholesterol levels while decreasing ACE activity in HTN-HC induced rats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper mainly aims to calculate socioeconomic determinants predict older rural women Civil Society Organisation (CSO) leaders (RWCL) in Malaysian fisheries communities by water system (freshwater and brackishwater system). In n=310 RWCL respondents reported in this paper, and 23.9 percent age ≥60-years-old. One null hypothesis used to test one Ho by one Binary Logistic Regression (BLR) Model respectively for three Hos (fisheries [p≤0.05], freshwater [p≤0.05], and brackishwater [p>0.05], community). Married status and low-level academic backgrounds (primary school and not schooling) predict less 65.5 percent and 67.9 percent; 3.6- and 3.95-time likelihood of older RWCL in fisheries and freshwater communities respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Analysis of cancer biomarkers has enormous promise for advancing our molecular understanding of illness and facilitating more precise and timely diagnosis and follow-up care. MicroRNA, exosomes, ctDNA, CTCs, and proteins are only some of the circulating biomarkers that can be detected by liquid biopsy instead of the more intrusive and time-consuming process of doing a tissue biopsy. As the cancer diagnosis bio-markers reveal ultra-low levels in the early stages of the disease, highly sensitive approaches are urgently required. Researchers have taken an interest in a optical biosensor for detecting cancer biomarkers as a potential tool for early disease diagnosis. These techniques have the potential to aid in the development of effective treatments, ultimately leading to a higher rate of patient survival. This review briefly discuss the i) understanding of cancer and biomarkers for early diagonosis purpose ii) Molecular methods and ii) biosensor-based diagnostics. The reseach primary focus on advancement in biosensor design using various concepts ie., Electrochemical, Chemiluminescence and Colorimetric, Surface plasmons (SP), Surface plasmon resonance (SPR), localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR), Fluorescence, Fiber-based sensors, Terahertz based biosensors, and Surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS). As a result of the local electric field amplification around plasmonic (usually gold and silver) nanostructures, surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) has emerged as a rapid, selective, and sensitive alternative to conventional laboratory analytical methods, making significant strides in a number of biosensing applications but still under developing stage to be used as diagnostic tool in clinical research., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflict of interest., (Copyright: © 2022 Journal of Advanced Pharmaceutical Technology & Research.)

Cancer is an uncontrolled growth of normal cells due to unchecked regulatory mechanisms working inside the rapidly dividing cells. In this complex cancer disease treatment, various strategies are utilized to get rid of cancer cells effectively. The different methods combine approaches used to treat cancer, such as radiotherapy, surgery, and chemotherapy. Chemotherapy is among the most effective ways, along with radiotherapy and surgical removal of cancer tissue. Effective chemotherapy based on modification of conventional drugs along with various molecular therapeutic targets, which involve different inhibitors that work in a specific manner in inhibiting particular events activated in cancer cells-the understanding of molecular signaling pathways holds key in the development of targeted therapeutics. After the fundamental signaling pathway studies, a single signaling pathway targeting approach or multiple targeting could display remarkable results in cancer therapeutics. The signal approach includes the signal pathway target. However, a double targeted pathway could effectively aid in inhibiting cell growth or metastasis either due to triggering natural suicidal mechanism (apoptosis) activation. The particular environment of cells regulates cell growth and differentiation. Various proteins in the extracellular matrix (ECM) regulate the process of cancer initiation or progression. The ECM collagens, elastins proteins, fibronectins, and laminins might reduce the effectiveness of treatment therapy, reflecting them as an essential target. Any dysregulation in the composition of ECM reflects the regulatory ineffectiveness in a particular area. These have an association with poor prognosis, cell propagation, and metastasis, along drug resistance.Regulation in physiological processes associated with developmental process and maintaining the homeostasis. The pathogenesis of cancer might be connected to dysregulation in cell death programs, including autophagy, necrosis, and the most desirable cell death mechanism called apoptosis: programmed cell death, the highly regulatory mechanism of natural cell death involved in tissue development. The apoptosis involves characteristic feather of cell death which includes specific morphological change along with biochemical alteration. It includes tightly regulated irreversible events, i.e., phosphatidylserine externalization and DNA fragmentation, mainly via the intrinsic and extrinsic pathways. Targeting apoptosis in the development of therapeutics could be the ultimate process in treating cancer via chemotherapy. During apoptosis, cell death occurs without causing much damage or inflammation in neighboring cells. Various pro-apoptosis and anti-apoptosis proteins involved in the regulation of apoptosis could act as a remarkable target. The apoptosis inactivation is the critical dysregulatory process in the majority of cancer types. There is an increase in research development regarding apoptosis-targeted therapeutics. A understanding of apoptotic signaling pathways, a fundamental knowledge, aids in developing particular inhibitors for anti-apoptotic and activator of pro-apoptotic proteins.In both apoptosis pathways (extrinsic and intrinsic), pro-apoptotic and anti-apoptotic proteins act as potential regulators in cell division and growth. The pro-apoptotic proteins Bax trigger the activation of the intrinsic pathway, an excellent target for developing therapeutics, and are currently in clinical trials. Similarly, the inhibitor of the anti-apoptotic proteins is also on track in the drug development process. The considerable importance of apoptosis-based anticancer drugs is also due to improving the drug sensitivity via reversing the resistive mechanisms in cancer cells. The dysregulatory or inactivated apoptosis mechanism involve Bcl-2 family proteins which include both pro-apoptotic members downregulation and anti-apoptotic upregulation, various inhibitors of apoptosis as inhibitory proteins (IAPs), cell cycle dysregulation, dysregulatory repair system, cell progression pathway activation of NF-κB, tumor suppressor (p53) regulation, and death receptors (DRs) of the extrinsic pathway., (© 2022. The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature.)

The asymptomatic properties and high treatment resistance of ovarian cancer result in poor treatment outcomes and high mortality rates. Although the fundamental chemotherapy provides promising anticancer activities, it is associated with severe side effects. The derivative of phenothiazine, namely, 10 H -3,6-diazaphenothiazine (PTZ), was synthesized and reported with ideal anticancer effects in a previous paper. In this study, detailed anticancer properties of PTZ was examined on A2780 ovarian cancer cells by investigating the cytotoxicity profiles, mechanism of apoptosis, and cell invasion. Research outcomes revealed PTZ-induced dose-dependent inhibition on A2780 cancer cells (IC 50 =0.62 µM), with significant less cytotoxicity toward HEK293 normal kidney cells and H9C2 normal heart cells. Generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and polarization of mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm) suggests PTZ-induced cell death through oxidative damage. The RT 2 Profiler PCR Array on apoptosis pathway demonstrated PTZ-induced apoptosis via intrinsic (mitochondria-dependent) and extrinsic (cell death receptor-dependent) pathway. Inhibition of NF-κB and subsequent inhibition of (BIRC6-XIAP) complex activities reduced the invasion rate of A2780 cancer cells penetrating through the Matrigel™ Invasion Chamber. Lastly, the cell cycle analysis hypothesizes that the compound is cytostatic and significantly arrests cell proliferation at G 2 /M phase. Hence, the exploration of the underlying anticancer mechanism of PTZ suggested its usage as promising chemotherapeutic agent., Competing Interests: Disclosure The authors report no conflicts of interest in this work.