Dermatophytoses affect about 25% of the world population, and the filamentous fungus Trichophyton rubrum is the main causative agent of this group of diseases. Dermatomycoses are caused by pathogenic fungi that generally trigger superficial infections and that feed on keratinized substrates such as skin, hair, and nails. However, there are an increasing number of reports describing dermatophytes that invade deep layers such as the dermis and hypodermis and that can cause deep infections in diabetic and immunocompromised patients, as well as in individuals with immunodeficiency. Despite the high incidence and importance of dermatophytes in clinical mycology, the diagnosis of this type of infection is not always accurate. The conventional methods most commonly used for mycological diagnosis are based on the identification of microbiological and biochemical features. However, in view of the limitations of these conventional methods, molecular diagnostic techniques are increasingly being used because of their higher sensitivity, specificity and rapidity and have become more accessible. The most widely used molecular techniques are conventional PCR, quantitative PCR, multiplex PCR, nested, PCR, PCR-RFLP, and PCR-ELISA. Another promising technique for the identification of microorganisms is the analysis of protein profiles by MALDI-TOF MS. Molecular techniques are promising but it is necessary to improve the quality and availability of the information in genomic and proteomic databases in order to streamline the use of bioinformatics in the identification of dermatophytes of clinical interest.

Breast cancer represents a critical global health issue, accounting for a substantial portion of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Metastasis, the spread of cancer cells to distant organs, is the primary cause of approximately 90% of breast cancer-related fatalities. Despite advances in cancer treatment, conventional chemotherapeutic drugs often encounter resistance and demonstrate limited efficacy against metastasis. Natural products have emerged as promising sources for innovative cancer therapies, with curcumin being one such example. However, despite its therapeutic potential, curcumin exhibits several limitations. Analogous compounds possessing enhanced bioavailability, potency, or specificity offer a promising avenue for overcoming these challenges and demonstrate potent anti-tumor activities. Our study investigates the antimetastatic potential of the curcumin analog NC2603 in breast cancer cells, utilizing BT-20 cells known for their migratory properties. Cell viability assessments were performed using the MTT reduction method, while migration inhibition was evaluated through scratch and Transwell migration assays. Transcriptome analysis via next-generation sequencing was employed to elucidate gene modulation and compound mechanisms, with subsequent validation using RT-qPCR. The IC50 of NC2603 was determined to be 3.5 μM, indicating potent inhibition of cell viability, and it exhibited greater specificity for BT-20 cells compared with non-cancerous HaCaT cells, surpassing the efficacy of doxorubicin. Notably, NC2603 demonstrated superior inhibition of cell migration in both scratch and Transwell assays compared with curcumin. Transcriptome analysis identified 10,620 modulated genes. We validated the expression of six: EGR3, ATF3, EMP1, SOCS3, ZFP36, and GADD45B, due to their association with migration inhibition properties. We hypothesize that the curcumin analog induces EGR3 expression, which subsequently triggers the expression of ATF3, EMP1, SOCS3, ZFP36, and GADD45B. In summary, this study significantly advances our comprehension of the intricate molecular pathways involved in cancer metastasis, while also examining the mechanisms of analog NC2603 and underscoring its considerable potential as a promising candidate for adjuvant therapy.

Breast cancer stands out as one of the most prevalent malignancies worldwide, necessitating a nuanced understanding of its molecular underpinnings for effective treatment. Hormone receptors in breast cancer cells substantially influence treatment strategies, dictating therapeutic approaches in clinical settings, serving as a guide for drug development, and aiming to enhance treatment specificity and efficacy. Natural compounds, such as curcumin, offer a diverse array of chemical structures with promising therapeutic potential. Despite curcumin’s benefits, challenges like poor solubility and rapid metabolism have spurred the exploration of analogs. Here, we evaluated the efficacy of the curcumin analog NC2603 to induce cell cycle arrest in MCF-7 breast cancer cells and explored its molecular mechanisms. Our findings reveal potent inhibition of cell viability (IC50 = 5.6 μM) and greater specificity than doxorubicin toward MCF-7 vs. non-cancer HaCaT cells. Transcriptome analysis identified 12,055 modulated genes, most notably upregulation of GADD45A and downregulation of ESR1, implicating CDKN1A-mediated regulation of proliferation and cell cycle genes. We hypothesize that the curcumin analog by inducing GADD45A expression and repressing ESR1, triggers the expression of CDKN1A, which in turn downregulates the expression of many important genes of proliferation and the cell cycle. These insights advance our understanding of curcumin analogs’ therapeutic potential, highlighting not just their role in treatment, but also the molecular pathways involved in their activity toward breast cancer cells.

The transmission of microorganisms via hands is a critical factor in healthcare-associated infections (HAIs), underscoring the importance of rigorous hand hygiene. The rise of antimicrobial-resistant microorganisms, driven in part by the overuse of antibiotics in clinical medicine, presents a significant global health challenge. Antimicrobial soaps, although commonly used, may exacerbate bacterial resistance and disrupt skin microbiota, posing additional health risks and environmental hazards. Essential oils, with their broad-spectrum antimicrobial properties, offer a promising alternative. This study evaluates the antimicrobial activity of essential oils against various bacterial and fungal strains, including multidrug-resistant isolates. Using a range of in vitro and in vivo antimicrobial assays, including minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC), minimal bactericidal concentration (MBC), and minimal fungicidal concentration (MFC), the essential oils were tested against a broad spectrum of pathogens. Additionally, the chemical composition of the oils was analyzed in detail using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (CG–MS). Clove, oregano, and thyme oils demonstrated potent inhibition of all tested ATCC bacterial strains, with MIC values ranging from 3.125 to 50 μL/mL. These oils also showed significant activity against multidrug-resistant Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains. Notably, clove oil exhibited remarkable efficacy against fungal strains such as Aspergillus fumigatus and Trichophyton rubrum, with MIC values as low as 1.56 μL/mL. Synergy tests revealed that combinations of clove, oregano, and thyme oils yielded significantly lower MIC values than individual oils, indicating additive or synergistic effects. The formulation of a soap incorporating clove and oregano oils demonstrated efficacy comparable to synthetic antiseptics in vivo. These findings highlight the exceptional antimicrobial potential of essential oils, mainly clove and oregano, against resistant microorganisms, offering a viable alternative to conventional antimicrobial agents.

Breast cancer is responsible for 25% of all cancers that affect women. Due to its high heterogeneity pattern in clinical diagnosis and its molecular profile differences, researchers have been seeking new targets and therapies, with more specificity and fewer side effects. Thus, one compound that has garnered our attention is trans-chalcone, which is naturally occurring in various plants and possesses promising biological properties, including antitumor effects. MiRNA is an extensive class of non-coding small, endogenous, and single-stranded RNAs, and it is involved in post-translational gene regulation. Therefore, the objective of this study was to investigate the effects of TChal on miRNAs expression and its relationship with anticancer activity against MCF-7. Initially, the trans-chalcone IC50 value was established by MTT assay for MCF-7and HaCat (non-cancer cell), in which we found out that it was 53.73 and 44.18 $\mathsf{\mu }$M, respectively. Subsequently, we treated MCF-7 cells with trans-chalcone at its IC50 concentration and performed Mi-seq analysis, which unveiled 23 differentially expressed miRNAs. From this set, we selected five miRNAs (miR-25-5p, miR-27a-3p, miR-891a, miR-449a, and miR-4485) for further validation using qRT-PCR, guided by in silico analysis and their known association with tumorigenesis. In conclusion, our research provides valuable insights into the potential use of TChal to reveal MicroRNAs molecular targets that can be applied in breast cancer therapy.