Voltage-gated sodium channels (VGSCs) play pivotal roles in cancer progression and have emerged as promising therapeutic targets and biomarkers. VGSCs comprise multiple subtypes with distinct tissue distributions, influencing tumour characteristics in different ways. Among these, the tetrodotoxin-sensitive α-subunits and the β1 subunit, commonly found in breast cancer, have been implicated in metastasis and tumour aggressiveness. The NaV1.5 channel and its neonatal variant (nNaV1.5) are overexpressed in aggressive cancers such as breast, prostate, colorectal, and lung cancers, thereby enhancing their invasive capacity. nNaV1.5 is particularly significant due to its tumour-specific expression and strong association with poor prognosis, especially in breast cancer, where it regulates cell proliferation, invasion, and tumour microenvironment remodelling. This review highlights nNaV1.5 as a critical ion channel that drives metastasis through ion regulation, extracellular acidification, and cytoskeletal remodelling. We further evaluate current therapeutic strategies, including siRNA, monoclonal antibodies, and small-molecule inhibitors, while addressing translational challenges such as tumour heterogeneity, drug delivery limitations, and off-target cardiotoxicity due to its similarity with the adult isoform. In addition, we explore the potential of nNaV1.5 as a biomarker subject to epigenetic regulations by factors including RE1-silencing transcription factor (REST) and histone deacetylase 2 (HDAC2), which may facilitate patient stratification and treatment optimization. By integrating mechanistic insights, therapeutic opportunities, and translational challenges, this review goes beyond descriptive summaries to provide a framework for advancing nNaV1.5 research from preclinical studies toward clinical application in cancer therapy.

Vibrio vulnificus is a halophilic gram-negative bacillus that can cause fulminant septicaemia in immunocompromised patients. A 67-year-old man who was immunosuppressed as a result of cytotoxic chemotherapy presented with a brief history of fever, lethargy, myalgia, and reduced oral intake. He had recently travelled to the beach to consume seafood. His blood pressure was 81/47 mm Hg, necessitating fluid resuscitation followed by inotropic support and admission to the intensive care unit. His blood culture was positive for curved gram-negative bacilli. The isolate was oxidase-positive and produced an acid butt with an alkaline slant in triple sugar iron agar. Matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry conclusively identified the isolate as V. vulnificus. Intravenous ceftazidime plus ciprofloxacin were administered, and by the fifth day of admission, he was successfully transferred out to the general ward. In total, the patient completed a 14-day course of antibiotic therapy.

For centuries, deer antler velvet (DAV) has been a staple in traditional medicine due to its numerous health benefits, including immune stimulation, anti-ageing, wound healing, and anti-osteoporosis properties. Researchers attribute the therapeutic advantages of DAV to various compounds in its extract, ranging from growth hormones to minerals and amino acids. Recently, there has been renewed interest in these natural products for their potential use in treating chronic diseases such as bone health and development, bacterial infections, and sports supplementation to increase athletic performance. The available literature supports that DAV significantly affects bone development, chondrogenesis, and antimicrobial properties, making it a valuable resource in medical and dental settings. This review aims to provide an in-depth overview of the potential applications of DAV in modern medicine and dentistry.

Background: The value of direct decompression of neural structures to treat lumbosacral plexus injury associated with sacral fractures is still debatable. Direct decompression allows decompression of nerve roots by sacral laminectomy and removal of bone fragments in the spinal canal. In contrast, indirect decompression may offer similar neurological outcomes if good fracture reduction and correction of sacral kyphosis are achieved. In this comparative retrospective study, we analyzed differences between direct and indirect neurological decompression in terms of neurological recovery, complications, and functional outcome. Methods: This study included 33 cases with spinopelvic dissociation with variable degrees of lumbosacral plexus injury. All cases were managed by spinopelvic fixation. Eighteen patients (group 1) had direct decompression of lumbosacral nerve roots while 15 patients (group 2) had indirect decompression. Results: Initial sacral kyphosis, quality of fracture reduction, and postoperative residual kyphosis were the main factors that significantly affected functional and neurological outcome in both groups. The final neurological improvement was similar in both groups. No significant difference was observed between both groups in the residual Gibbons’ score recorded in the last visit (p = 0.206). The final Majeed score also showed no significant difference between the two groups (p = 0.869). Conclusions Indirect decompression of sacral fractures showed similar final functional outcome and neurological recovery compared to direct decompression. Restoration of lumbosacropelvic stability and anatomic reduction seem to be the cornerstone for better functional outcome and neurological recovery rather than direct decompression of neural elements.

Background: Childbearing is the most important determinant of population fluctuations, and its study is more important than other population phenomena. Owing to the lack of a valid questionnaire based on the extended theory of planned behavior, this mixed-method study was conducted to determine the validity and reliability of a questionnaire designed to examine related belief-based factors on the intention to bear children in Iranian society. Methods: This study was conducted in two phases in Hamadan city, western Iran, in 2021. Phase 1 consisted of an extensive literature review and a qualitative study using a directed content analysis approach to generate an item pool. Psychometrics were measured in phase 2, including content, face, and construct validity. Reliability was assessed based on internal consistency and stability. The collected data were analyzed using IBM SPSS and AMOS ver. 24.0. Results: Mean content validity ratio and content validity index were 0.7 and 0.85, respectively. Exploratory factor analysis of the 32 items identified an eight-factor solution. These factors jointly accounted for 79.1% of the observed variance in the outcome variables. Confirmatory factor analysis indicated a good fit for the data. The internal consistency based on Cronbach’s α was 0.85 (0.71–0.93). In addition, stability was confirmed using the test-retest method and intraclass correlation coefficient (0.74–0.94). Conclusion The designed questionnaire is a valid and reliable instrument for evaluating related belief-based factors on the intention and behavior of childbearing among married men and women in Iran.

Aims: Providing safe drinking water is an ongoing global concern. Coagulation is an essential process in water treatment. However, most of the coagulants are chemical in nature and have negative impacts on human health and the environment. This study investigated the production of myco-coagulant in solid-state fermentation using a fungal strain. Methodology and results: A scale-up was performed using the tray method to investigate the influence of substrate thickness (from 2-30 mm) on myco-coagulant production. The results revealed that the turbidity removal efficiency of myco-coagulant in kaolin suspension was found to be increasing with the increase in thickness of the coco peat substrate. However, the myco-coagulant extracted from the media with a thickness of 30 mm was able to remove the highest turbidity by 96%. Three different subculturing methods for mycelium inoculation were evaluated. The surface inoculation approach produced better results than other inoculation processes. The effect of initial turbidity values (50-300 NTU) on turbidity removal was studied too. The myco-coagulant was found to be the most suitable for high-turbidity water (300 NTU) with turbidity removal of 52%. Subculturing of fungus from solid-state to solid-state was also studied, which showed that the strategy was just as effective as an inoculum-based subculture. Conclusion, significance and impact of study Excellent bio-coagulation activity has been shown for the myco-coagulant that was isolated from the fungus strain. Subculturing using existing substrates will be more economical than subculturing using fresh inoculum. This strategy saves time, labour and cost of the coagulant production.

Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) is a highly adaptive pathogen that emerged as a devastating and mortality-related disease agent. The limited efficacy of the Mycobacterium bovis BCG vaccine, antibiotics and intensive treatment to prevent mortality have piqued researchers' interest in host-pathogen interactions. Besides the emergence of multi-drug resistant TB as a drawback, the host immune responses could be successfully subverted and exploited by the MTB-host pathogenesis during the early stages of innate immunity. Factors contributing to mycobacterial pathogenesis are concomitant and multifactorial, including virulence factors such as adhesins, toxins and enzymes that drive the progression of MTB infection. Initially, alveolar macrophage (AM), which has been considered to restrain bacterial growth, facilitates the spread of disease through interactions with MTB. The progression to bacterial replication and systemic infection before the initiation of cell-mediated immunity (CMI) indicates a delay in the activation of adaptive immunity, which is crucial. The findings are supported by the bacterial multiplication and dissemination in the infected alveolar macrophage in animal models. On the other hand, mangrove plants have revealed a structural diversity and a plethora of compounds responsible for antibacterial, antifungal and antiviral activities. These may serve as potential bioactive compounds for anti-TB drugs. In this review, we discuss mycobacterial colonisation, tissue invasion and host inflammatory responses that lead to the pathogenesis of MTB, along with the potential bioactive compounds for alternative plant-derived anti-TB drugs. The mechanistic insights provide significant discoveries on the limitations of immunity, offering important strategies for developing immunomodulating drugs.

Cleft lip with or without cleft palate (CLP) and cleft palate only (CP) are the most common orofacial deformities observed in humans where almost 1 in 700 to 1 in 2,000 babies born each year are affected worldwide. This condition occurs when the specific and independently derived facial primordial fails to fuse together, hence forming the cleft of the lip and palate or the palate alone. These orofacial abnormalities can be divided into syndromic and non-syndromic where the deformities are either associated with other disorders or present on their own, respectively. It is important to understand every step in the lip and palate development during the embryonic stage to pinpoint the exact problem affecting the normal development of the human face. With current technologies, more genes are identified to be associated with and cause CLP and CP in humans. Therefore, this review aims to elaborate on the latest updates on the genetics of CLP and CP. Polymorphism in some of the genes has been associated with the incidence of these anomalies. Identification of these genes provides new knowledge on how these craniofacial abnormalities occur and hopefully will enable earlier treatment of these deformities to be implemented.

Aims: In this study, three putative factors that commonly contribute to antibacterial properties in honey were determined, namely acidity (pH level), peroxide compounds and non-peroxide compounds. Methodology and results: Honey samples were prepared based on the known factors of acidity, peroxide compounds,and non-peroxide compounds to identify factors that contribute to the antibacterial properties of the honey based on agar diffusion assay. Liquid chromatography quadropole time-of-flight mass spectrometry was employed to detect and quantify the presence of acidic, peroxide, and non-peroxide compounds in the honey samples. Acidity and non-peroxide compounds were identified as the significant factors contributing to the antibacterial properties of Kelulut, Tualang and Acacia honey. No peroxide compound was detected in this study across all honey samples. In Kelulut, the presence of the additional compounds (reptoside, platycogenic acid and kauranoic acid) may explain its higher antibacterial properties against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus as compared to Tualang and Acacia honey based on the inhibition zones on the agar plates. Conclusion, significance and impact of study The presence of multiple antibacterial factors in honey is notably important as it gives an advantage of using honey compared to antibiotics in preventing the growth of a wide range of bacterial species with multiple modes of action.

Aims: The antibiofilm activity of endophytic fungus Nigrospora sphaerica CL-OP30 isolated from Swietenia macrophylla King was investigated. Methodology and results: The ability of the fungal endophytic crude extract to impede Streptococcus mutans biofilm formation was preliminarily screened with Congo red agar test. It was proven that S. mutans biofilm formation was hindered on the agar supplemented with the fungal endophytic crude extract. The antibiofilm activity of the fungal endophytic crude extract was evaluated using a microtiter plate method on both initially formed and preformed biofilm. Antibiofilm activity was recorded in a concentration-dependent pattern whereby higher concentrations reduced biofilm formation better than the lower concentrations of extract for both initially formed and preformed biofilm. The architecture of biofilm tested with fungal endophytic crude extract was also observed. Visualization under a light microscope and SEM revealed that the adherence of S. mutans biofilm treated with fungal endophytic crude extract was significantly reduced in both initially formed and preformed biofilm. In addition, observation under SEM showed that the matrices surrounding the bacterial cells were disintegrated and bacterial cells in biofilm completely lost their original shape. The overall data demonstrated that the ethyl acetate N. spaherica CL-OP30 crude extract showed good antibiofilm activity. Conclusion, significance and impact of study The antibiofilm study suggested the potential of N. sphaerica CL-OP30 crude extract against S. mutans biofilm by disrupting the biofilm formation, the disintegration of matrices surrounding the biofilm and responsible for the formation of irregular cell shape. This extract may have a promising potential to be developed as an antibiofilm agent.