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Purpose To explore the various aspects of adenoid cystic carcinoma of the lacrimal gland (LACC), including its clinical features, presentations, genetic factors, as well as current and potential future treatment options. Methods A thorough exploration of the literature was conducted by extensively searching the PubMed database. A total of 68 articles with a primary focus on adenoid cystic carcinoma were selected. Results LACC is the most frequent malignant epithelial tumor of the lacrimal gland. It is characterized by the symptoms such as pain, progressive swelling of the eye, double vision, and bulging of the eye. Although LACC is a rare tumor, early detection and appropriate treatment are crucial due to its aggressive nature which includes high recurrence rate and a significant risk of mortality. The primary treatment options for LACC involve a wide range of surgical procedures, including orbitotomy, exenteration, and cranio-orbital resection. Neoadjuvant intra-arterial chemotherapy represents the paradigm shift in the treatment of LACC enhancing patient survival when compared to conventional treatments. Conclusion The existing literature emphasizes the importance of identifying prognostic factors that can guide treatment decisions and enhance the outcomes for patients with LACC.

Soft tissue sarcomas are defined as relatively rare, wide-ranging mesenchymal tumors that present several forms of aggressive behavior. In order to improve the therapeutic result and thus the patient's prognosis, reliable diagnostic and evaluation tools are needed, capable of establishing the evolutive pattern of each patient. Materials and Methods. An analytical observational study was conducted in the period 2016-2023 in the Orthopedics Department of the Bucharest University Emergency Hospital, on patients diagnosed with soft tissue sarcoma. Data such as sex, age, site, size, depth, histotype, grade and margin status, vessel or bone involvement, adenopathies, adjuvant therapy, clinical findings, etc., were analyzed. Diagnosis included immunohistochemistry after macroscopic pathological findings were carefully reviewed by a dedicated pathologist. A molecular study was performed to increase the accuracy of diagnosis, prognosis and clinical management of selected sarcomas. Results. In adult soft tissue sarcomas, histotype has been reported to be a significant predictor of overall survival. In terms of survival rate, vascular invasion appears to be a significant pathological factor for progression in extremity STS. Even though the local control of the disease has improved, the development of systemic metastases seems to be largely influenced by the biological characteristics of the tumor. Conclusions. Significant prognostic factors for the likelihood of a lower survival and death rate are tumor size, tumor depth, histology type, and vascular invasion. The results of the study support and complement the literature data, thus improving the understanding of the prognosis of soft tissue sarcomas.

Eriophyid mites, minute arachnids within the family Eriophyidae, pose significant threats to fruit crops globally, leading to substantial economic losses in agriculture. This comprehensive review aims to elucidate the intricate biology, ecology, molecular aspects, and innovative control strategies of these pervasive pests. Eriophyid mites exhibit a complex life cycle and reproductive strategy, with their habitat preferences and distribution heavily influenced by environmental factors and host-plant interactions. Advances in molecular biology have provided more profound insights into their genetics and interactions at the molecular level, revealing crucial information for developing targeted pest management strategies. Control strategies for eriophyid mites encompass chemical methods, such as applying acaricides and understanding resistance mechanisms, as well as biological control using natural predators and parasitoids. Cultural and physical control methods, including crop rotation and mechanical removal, play vital roles in integrated pest management (IPM). Emerging approaches like RNA interference (RNAi) and semiochemical-based controls offer promising alternatives for sustainable pest management. This review underscores the importance of a multifaceted approach to effectively manage eriophyid mite infestations, integrating traditional and novel strategies. Future research should focus on overcoming current challenges, enhancing the efficacy of control methods, and further exploring the molecular mechanisms underlying mite-plant interactions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Eriophyid mites, minute arachnids within the family Eriophyidae, pose significant threats to fruit crops globally, leading to substantial economic losses in agriculture. This comprehensive review aims to elucidate the intricate biology, ecology, molecular aspects, and innovative control strategies of these pervasive pests. Eriophyid mites exhibit a complex life cycle and reproductive strategy, with their habitat preferences and distribution heavily influenced by environmental factors and host-plant interactions. Advances in molecular biology have provided more profound insights into their genetics and interactions at the molecular level, revealing crucial information for developing targeted pest management strategies. Control strategies for eriophyid mites encompass chemical methods, such as applying acaricides and understanding resistance mechanisms, as well as biological control using natural predators and parasitoids. Cultural and physical control methods, including crop rotation and mechanical removal, play vital roles in integrated pest management (IPM). Emerging approaches like RNA interference (RNAi) and semiochemical-based controls offer promising alternatives for sustainable pest management. This review underscores the importance of a multifaceted approach to effectively manage eriophyid mite infestations, integrating traditional and novel strategies. Future research should focus on overcoming current challenges, enhancing the efficacy of control methods, and further exploring the molecular mechanisms underlying mite-plant interactions

Background/Aim: Although the expression of mucin 1(MUC1) and prostate stem cell antigen (PSCA) genes is correlated with gastric cancer development and progression, the utility of these two genes as biomarkers of gastric cancer prognosis still needs to be confirmed in clinical practice. This study aimed to develop a model predictive of gastric cancer that integrates several significant single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of MUC1 and PSCA genes, and some health-risk behavior factors in a Vietnamese population. Patients and Methods: A total of 302 patients with primary gastric carcinoma and 304 healthy persons were included in a case–control study. The generalized linear model was used with the profile of age, sex, history of smoking and using alcohol, personal and family medical history of stomach diseases, and the SNPs of MUC1 and PSCA. The prognostic value of the model was assessed by the area under a receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) and Akaike Information Criterion (AIC) values. Results: In male participants, the final model, consisting of age, sex, history of smoking and using alcohol, personal and family medical history of stomach diseases and SNP MUC1 rs4072037, provided acceptable discrimination, with an AUC of 0.6374 and the lowest AIC value (539.53). In female participants, the predictive model including age, sex, history of smoking and using alcohol, personal and family medical history of stomach diseases, SNPs MUC1 rs4072037 and rs2070803 had an AUC of 0.6937 and AIC of 266.80. The calibration plots of the male model approximately fitted the ideal calibration line. Conclusion: The predictive model based on age, sex, medical history, and genetic and health-risk behavior factors has a high potential in determining gastric cancer. Further studies that elucidate other genetic variants should be carried out to define high-risk gastric cancer groups and propose appropriate personalized prevention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE: The study sought to identify the most common types of mutations in beta-thalassemia Sudanese patients in Khartoum State, as well as their relationship to anemia severity. PATIENTS AND METHODS: From July 2017 to July 2021, a cross-sectional study was conducted on 100 samples from known beta-thalassemia patients attending public health hospitals in Khartoum State, and fifty samples were taken from apparently healthy controls. Using a PCR test, blood samples were analyzed to detect the most common types of mutations. RESULTS: For the five mutations included in the study (IVS-I-110(G-A), IVS-I-1(G-A), IVS-I-6(T-C), IVS-I-5(G-C), and ß_87(C-G)), 25% of the patients were positive and 75% were negative, while the entire control group was negative for all five mutations. Positive results were found in only three of the five mutations tested; the most common was IVS-I-110, which was found in 14 (56%) of the subjects, followed by IVS-I-6 (T) in 7 (28%), and IVS-I-1 in only 4 (16%) of the subjects. IVS-I-5 and ß_87 mutations were not found in the study subjects. The Hb electrophoresis pattern revealed an increase in HbA2 (6.455±0.1318%), a decrease in HbF (1.865±0.1668%), and a decrease in HbA (78.50±0.2858%). The mean serum iron level was 82.99±3.063 ug/dL, which was considered normal. CONCLUSIONS: According to the findings, the IVS-1-110 mutation is the most common among Sudanese beta-thalassemia patients. Each type of positive mutation caused mild to moderate anemia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The pathogenetic mechanism of post-Covid-19 pulmonary fibrosis is currently a topic of intense research interest, but still largely unexplored. The aim of this work was to carry out a systematic exploratory search of the literature (Scoping review) to identify and systematize the main pathogenetic mechanisms that are believed to be involved in this phenomenon, in order to highlight the same molecular aspect of the lung. These aims could be essential in the future for therapeutic management. We identified all primary studies involving in post COVID19 syndrome with pulmonary fibrosis as a primary endpoint by performing data searches in various systematic review databases. Two reviewers independently reviewed all abstracts (398) and full text data. The quality of study has been assess through SANRA protocol. A total of 32 studies involving were included, included the possible involvement of inflammatory cytokines, concerned the renin-angiotensin system, the potential role of galectin-3, epithelial injuries in fibrosis, alveolar type 2 involvement, Neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) and the others implied other specific aspects (relationship with clinical and mechanical factors, epithelial transition mesenchymal, TGF-β signaling pathway, midkine, caspase and macrophages, genetics). In most cases, these were narrative reviews or letters to the editor, except for 10 articles, which presented original data, albeit sometimes in experimental models. From the development of these researches, progress in the knowledge of the phenomenon and hopefully in its prevention and therapy may originate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The pathogenetic mechanism of post-Covid-19 pulmonary fibrosis is currently a topic of intense research interest, but still largely unexplored. The aim of this work was to carry out a systematic exploratory search of the literature (Scoping review) to identify and systematize the main pathogenetic mechanisms that are believed to be involved in this phenomenon, in order to highlight the same molecular aspect of the lung. These aims could be essential in the future for therapeutic management. We identified all primary studies involving in post COVID19 syndrome with pulmonary fibrosis as a primary endpoint by performing data searches in various systematic review databases. Two reviewers independently reviewed all abstracts (398) and full text data. The quality of study has been assess through SANRA protocol. A total of 32 studies involving were included, included the possible involvement of inflammatory cytokines, concerned the renin-angiotensin system, the potential role of galectin-3, epithelial injuries in fibrosis, alveolar type 2 involvement, Neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) and the others implied other specific aspects (relationship with clinical and mechanical factors, epithelial transition mesenchymal, TGF-β signaling pathway, midkine, caspase and macrophages, genetics). In most cases, these were narrative reviews or letters to the editor, except for 10 articles, which presented original data, albeit sometimes in experimental models. From the development of these researches, progress in the knowledge of the phenomenon and hopefully in its prevention and therapy may originate.

Recently, the role of corn and its properties is a field of active research with a view to improving the quality of products being produced from corn flour. In the current study, scanning electron micrographs and textural attributes of three commercially available corn varieties (Xianyu 335, Zhengdan 958, Jade 3) were measured. The present study clearly explored a significant variation in the nutritional and chemical profile of corn verities. The change in the chemical and molecular structure of different corn flours was recorded through scanning the flour pellet using FTIR. The results illustrated that the chemical attributes showed significant variation in corn flours, but Jade 3 ranked higher followed by Xianyu 335 and zhengdan 958, respectively. The results of SEM revealed more intense bonding and round to oval shape with soft and sharp edges results in more water absorption capacity. In the current study,variations in storage modulus and loss modulus were observed corresponding to quality and process-ability of dough. Water was determined on the basis of H and OH group in the range of 1637 cm−1 and 3000–3700 cm−1 while protein was measured on the basis of amides (I &II) in the range of 1550 cm−1 and 1600 cm−1 respectively. The study concludes that analytical techniques (FTIR, NIR) are more reliable to analyze physicochemical mapping and molecular structure.

L-asparaginase is a hydrolase able to mediate the cleavage reaction of the amide bond from asparagine to ammonia and aspartate. This hydrolysis reaction plays a very important role in the medicine, bringing the solution to diseases considered incurable such as acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), malignant diseases of the lymphoid system, different lymphomas, being a treatment used in chemotherapy schemes. Despite the adverse effects that it can trigger in the body, L-asparaginase remains the main treatment for such diseases. It is well known that microorganisms, mainly bacteria, are able to produce important quantities of L-asparaginase. However, the level of this enzyme need to be improved in order to reduce the costs, and this could be realized both by identification of new microbial producers or optimization of the production technologies. Moreover, the new sources of L-asparaginase must be free of glutaminase and urease activity, these enzymes being involved in the side effects of enzymatic treatment of ALL. For this reason, the identification of new sources of L-asparaginase, free of glutaminase as well as urease, remains an important goal for researches in domain. The present review aims to discuss the microbial sources of L-asparaginase, the methods used for screening new microbial strains isolated from different sources able to produce large quantities of L-asparaginase, the molecular aspects of the main enzyme producers, as well as the characteristics of enzymes and their applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

COVID-19 is a respiratory disease caused by newly discovered severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The disease at first was identified in the city of Wuhan, China in December 2019. Being a human infectious disease, it causes high fever, cough, breathing problems. In some cases it can be fatal, especially in people with comorbidities like heart or kidney problems and diabetes. The current COVID-19 treatment is based on symptomatic therapy, so finding an appropriate drug against COVID-19 remains an immediate and crucial target for the global scientific community. Two main processes are thought to be responsible for the COVID-19 pathogenesis. In the early stages of infection, disease is determined mainly by virus replication. In the later stages of infection, by an excessive immune/inflammatory response, leading to tissue damage. Therefore, the main treatment options are antiviral and immunomodulatory/anti-inflammatory agents. Many clinical trials have been conducted concerning the use of various drugs in COVID-19 therapy, and many are still ongoing. The majority of trials examine drug reposition (repurposing), which seems to be a good and effective option. Many drugs have been repurposed in COVID-19 therapy including remdesivir, favipiravir, tocilizumab and baricitinib. The aim of this review is to highlight (based on existing and accessible clinical evidence on ongoing trials) the current and available promising drugs for COVID-19 and outline their characteristics.

Keratin intermediate filaments play an important role in maintaining the integrity of the skin structure. Understanding the importance of this subject is possible with the investigation of keratin defects in epidermolysis bullosa simplex (EBS). Nowadays, in addition to clinical criteria, new molecular diagnostic methods, such as next generation sequencing, can help to distinguish the subgroups of EBS more precisely. Because the most important and most commonly occurring molecular defects in these patients are the defects of keratins 5 and14 (KRT5 and KRT14), comprehending the nature structure of these proteins and their involved processes can be very effective in understanding the pathophysiology of this disease and providing new and effective therapeutic platforms to treat it. Here, we summarized the various aspects of the presence of KRT5 and KRT14 in the epidermis, their relation to the incidence and severity of EBS phenotypes, and the processes with which these proteins can affect them. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recently, the role of corn and its properties is a field of active research with a view to improving the quality of products being produced from corn flour. In the current study, scanning electron micrographs and textural attributes of three commercially available corn varieties (Xianyu 335, Zhengdan 958, Jade 3) were measured. The present study clearly explored a significant variation in the nutritional and chemical profile of corn verities. The change in the chemical and molecular structure of different corn flours was recorded through scanning the flour pellet using FTIR. The results illustrated that the chemical attributes showed significant variation in corn flours, but Jade 3 ranked higher followed by Xianyu 335 and zhengdan 958, respectively. The results of SEM revealed more intense bonding and round to oval shape with soft and sharp edges results in more water absorption capacity. In the current study,variations in storage modulus and loss modulus were observed corresponding to quality and process-ability of dough. Water was determined on the basis of H and OH group in the range of 1637 cm−1 and 3000–3700 cm−1 while protein was measured on the basis of amides (I &II) in the range of 1550 cm−1 and 1600 cm−1 respectively. The study concludes that analytical techniques (FTIR, NIR) are more reliable to analyze physicochemical mapping and molecular structure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For decades, isolated limb infusion (ILI) and hyperthermic isolated limb perfusion (HILP) have been used to treat melanoma in-transit metastases and unresectable sarcoma confined to the limb utilizing the effect of loco-regional high-dose chemotherapy to the isolated limb. Both procedures are able to provide high response rates in patients with numerous or bulky lesions in whom other loco-regional treatments are becoming ineffective. In comparison to systemic therapies, on the other hand, ILI and HILP have the advantage of not being associated with systemic side-effects. Although in principle ILI and HILP are similar procedures, ILI is technically simpler to perform and differs from HILP in that it takes advantage of the hypoxic and acidotic environment that develops in the isolated limb, potentiating anti-tumour activity of the cytotoxic agents melphalan +/− actinomycin-D. Due to its simplicity, ILI can be used in both preclinical and clinical studies to test new cytotoxic regimens and combinations with the aim to overcome tumour resistance. In the future, administration of cytotoxic agents by ILI, in combination with systemic treatments such as BRAF/MEK/KIT inhibitors, immunotherapy (CTLA-4 blockade), and/or programmed death (PD-1) pathway inhibitors, has the potential to improve responses further by inducing increased tumour cell death while limiting the ability of the tumour to suppress the immune response.