The role of the gut microbiome in gastrointestinal cancers

The gut microbiota present in the human digestive system is incredibly varied and is home to trillions of microorganisms. The gut microbiome is shaped at birth, while numerous genetic, dietary, and environmental variables primarily influence the microbiome composition. The importance of gut microbiota on host health is becoming more widely acknowledged. Digestion, intestinal permeability, and immunological and metabolism responses can all be affected by changes in the composition and function of the gut microbiota. There is mounting evidence that the microbial population's complex traits are important biomarkers and indicators of patient outcomes in cancer and its therapies. Numerous studies have demonstrated that changed commensal gut microorganisms contribute to the development and spread of cancer through various routes. Despite the ongoing controversy surrounding the gut microbiome and gastrointestinal cancer, accumulating evidence points to a potentially far more intricate connection than a simple cause-and-effect relationship. SIMPLE SUMMARY: Due to their high frequency and fatality rate, gastrointestinal cancers are regarded as a severe public health issue with complex medical and economic burdens. The gut microbiota may directly or indirectly interact with existing therapies like immunotherapy and chemotherapy, affecting how well a treatment works. The gut microbiome influences the immune response's activity, function, and development. Generally, certain gut bacteria impact the antitumor actions during cancer by creating particular metabolites or triggering T-cell responses. Yet, certain bacterial species have been found to promote cellular proliferation and metastasis in cancer, and comprehending these interactions in the context of cancer may help identify possible treatment targets. Notwithstanding the improvements in the field, additional research is still required to comprehend the underlying processes, examine the effects on existing therapies, and pinpoint certain bacteria and immune cells that can cause this interaction.

Carbon nanotube-wastewater treatment nexus: Where are we heading to?

Water treatment is crucial in solving the rising people's appetite for water and global water shortages. Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have considerable promise for water treatment because of their adjustable and distinctive arbitrary, physical, as well as chemical characteristics. This illustrates the benefits and risks of integrating CNT into the traditional water treatment resource. Due to their outstanding adsorbent ability and chemical and mechanical properties, CNTs have gained global consideration in environmental applications. The desalination and extraction capability of CNT were improved due to chemical or physical modifications in pure CNTs by various functional groups. The CNT-based composites have many benefits, such as antifouling performance, high selectivity, and increased water permeability. Nevertheless, their full-scale implementations are still constrained by their high costs. Functionalized CNTs and their promising nanocomposites to eliminate contaminants are advised for marketing and extensive water/wastewater treatment.

Aptamers Versus Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF): A New Battle against Ovarian Cancer

Cancer is one of the diseases that causes a high mortality as it involves unregulated and abnormal cell growth proliferation that can manifest in any body region. One of the typical ovarian cancer symptoms is damage to the female reproductive system. The death rate can be reduced through early detection of the ovarian cancer. Promising probes that can detect ovarian cancer are suitable aptamers. Aptamers, i.e., so-called chemical antibodies, have a strong affinity for the target biomarker and can typically be identified starting from a random library of oligonucleotides. Compared with other probes, ovarian cancer targeting using aptamers has demonstrated superior detection effectiveness. Various aptamers have been selected to detect the ovarian tumor biomarker, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). The present review highlights the development of particular aptamers that target VEGF and detect ovarian cancer at its earliest stages. The therapeutic efficacy of aptamers in ovarian cancer treatment is also discussed.

Exploring the Knowledge Regarding Mucormycosis and Its Management Among a Cohort of Dental Undergraduates in India: A Cross-Sectional Survey

INTRODUCTION

 Mucormycosis is an angioinvasive fungal infection associated with a high mortality rate in both low- and middle-income countries. A dentist plays a crucial role and first line in the diagnosis and treatment of mucormycosis since the majority of the site of infection is the rhino cerebral or rhino maxillary area. The present study was designed to ascertain knowledge about mucormycosis and its management among a sample of dental undergraduates in India.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

 A self-administered questionnaire covering demographic details, knowledge relating to underlying disease and risk factors (10 items), clinical features and diagnosis (8 items), and management of mucormycosis (six items) was employed. Responses were recorded on a dichotomous scale. Data analysis was done using SPSS 20 (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA). The mean and standard deviation for correct answers and knowledge levels were determined.

RESULTS

 A total of 437 respondents were included. Classification of participants based on the level of correct knowledge demonstrated that the majority of students had good knowledge (232, 53.1%). Comparison of the same based on the college type showed significant differences for only clinical features, diagnosis (p=0.002), and management (p=0.035) whereas no significance was seen for gender. Correlation by Karl's Pearson correlation coefficient revealed a significant positive correlation between the entire knowledge scores.

CONCLUSION

 The study portrays adequate knowledge among dental interns that can be used to modify preventive care measures to lessen the public health emergency. Stakeholders can take the necessary action to spread knowledge about mucormycosis through training workshops and continuing dental education programs to combat the health crisis.

MEASUREMENT OF OPERATIONAL QUANTITIES Hp(0.07) AND Hp(3) FOR INDIGENOUSLY DEVELOPED 106Ru/106Rh SOURCE USING AN EXTRAPOLATION CHAMBER

In the present study, a prototype 106Ru/106Rh source was fabricated using high level liquid waste from reactor fuel, fixed in a stainless steel housing with a window and backing made of silver. The study involves measurement of the operational quantities Hp(0.07), Hp(3) and the percentage depth dose (PDD) using an extrapolation chamber. It also involves determination of necessary correction factors to arrive at Hp(0.07) and Hp(3) following International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) and methods suggested in literature. The study facilitates incorporation of the 106Ru/106Rh source as a beta reference source for quality assurance programme in TLD personnel monitoring as per the guidelines of ISO.