Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) regulate cell proliferation, migration, differentiation, inflammation, metabolism of clinically important biomolecules, and other cellular processes. They do not encode proteins but are involved in the regulatory network of various proteins that are directly related to the pathogenesis of diseases. Little is known about the ncRNA-associated mechanisms of atherosclerosis and related cardiovascular disorders. Remodeling of the extracellular matrix (ECM) is critical in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis and related disorders; however, its regulatory proteins are the potential subjects to explore with special emphasis on epigenetic regulatory components. The activity of regulatory proteins involved in ECM remodeling is regulated by various ncRNA molecules, as evident from recent research. Thus, it is important to critically evaluate the existing literature to enhance the understanding of nc-RNAs-regulated molecular mechanisms regulating ECM components, remodeling, and progression of atherosclerosis. This is crucial since deregulated ECM remodeling contributes to atherosclerosis. Thus, an in-depth understanding of ncRNA-associated ECM remodeling may identify novel targets for the treatment of atherosclerosis and other cardiovascular diseases.

Background/Objectives: Dietary fats have been linked to the increasing incidence of chronic diseases, including inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), namely, Crohn’s disease (CD). Methods: This study investigated the impact of pentadecanoic acid (C15:0), a type of an odd-numbered chain saturated fatty acid, for its potential anti-inflammatory properties in different mouse models of experimental IBD using the SAMP1/YitFc (SAMP) mouse line (14- or 24-week-old), including chronic ileitis and DSS-induced colitis. To quantitively assess the effect of C:15, we tested two dosages of C:15 in selected experiments in comparison to control mice. Intestinal inflammation and intestinal permeability were used as primary outcomes. Results: In ileitis, C:15 supplementation showed an anti-inflammatory effect in SAMP mice (e.g., a reduction in ileitis severity vs. control p < 0.0043), which was reproducible when mice were tested in the DSS model of colitis (e.g., reduced permeability vs. control p < 0.0006). Of relevance, even the short-term C:15 therapy prevented colitis in mice by maintaining body weight, decreasing inflammation, preserving gut integrity, and alleviating colitis signs. Conclusions: Collectively, the findings from both ileitis and colitis in SAMP mice indicate that C:15 may have therapeutic effects in the treatment of IBD (colitis in the short term). This promising effect has major translational potential for the alleviation of IBD in humans.

The colder regions of Earth are inhabited by cold-adapted microorganisms designated as psychrophiles that are known to produce cold-active enzymes, such as peptidases, chaperones, lipases, cellulases, and phosphatases. These types of enzymes are a major part of the market of industrial enzymes. Bacteria isolated from water samples collected from the Chamba region in the Himalayas were screened for peptidase production using skim milk agar plates. Among the peptidase-producing bacteria isolated, 20% of the isolates exhibited fast growth and maximum zones of clearance, and thus, were used for further studies. The 16S rDNA sequence analysis of isolate S1DI 10 identified it as a Bacillus sp. The peptidase was cloned in pET28a vector and expressed in Escherichia coli BL21(DE3) and the His-tagged recombinant protein was purified using Ni-NTA column. The purified peptidase of SIDI 10 was found to be an alkaline, cold-active peptidase with optimal enzyme activity at 10°C and pH 8. An approach of one variable at a time was used to further study the effect of various metal ions, organic solvents and detergents on the peptidase enzyme. The peptidase activity was enhanced in the presence of Fe²⁺ and Mn²⁺ (metal ions), hexane (organic solvent), SDS- sodium dodecyl sulfate (anionic detergent) and Tween 80 (nonionic detergent). Response surface methodology (RSM) was used to determine the cumulative effect of these five variables. A 2⁵ full factorial central composite design was applied for the five independent variables to determine the optimal combinations of these constituents at the maximum peptidase activity.

The foremost concern in forensic entomology is the explicit identification of the species recovered from the crime scene. From the different orders of insects, Diptera is the prime focus in this field, followed by Coleoptera, whose identification can be extremely helpful for corpses in later decomposition stages. In this study, cytochrome oxidase subunit II (COII) was used to check its adequacy as a genetic marker and to create a reference database for eleven species belonging to five families of Coleoptera, namely, Silphidae, Staphylinidae, Histeridae, Dermestidae and Scarabaeidae, from two different states in India to assist in the accurate identification of imperative beetle species in medico-legal entomology. To achieve this, standard protocols of DNA isolation, amplification and sequencing were followed. We concluded that the COII gene can be used as a molecular marker for the identification of forensically relevant species, as observed from the similarities between the phylogenetic relationship constructed by COII and morphological data.

Fungal β-1,3-glucans are structurally conserved polysaccharide components of the fungal cell wall that exhibit potent immunomodulatory activity. These molecules are recognized by pattern recognition receptors, Toll-like receptors, complement receptor 3, lactosylceramide, scavenger receptors, and EphA2. Binding of β-1,3-glucans through these receptors triggers coordinated innate and adaptive immune responses such as cytokine production, phagocytosis, and trained immunity. In addition to receptor-mediated immune activation, dietary β-1,3-glucans function as fermentable prebiotic fibers that modulate gut microbiota composition, increase short-chain fatty acid production, and strengthen epithelial barrier integrity. These combined immunological and microbiome-mediated effects position β-1,3-glucans as key regulators of gut homeostasis. Preclinical and emerging clinical evidence supports broad therapeutic potential across multiple disease domains, including inflammatory bowel disease, metabolic disorders, respiratory infections, and cancer. In oncology, β-1,3-glucans enhance anti-tumor immunity, improve responses to monoclonal antibodies and chemotherapy, and serve as promising adjuvants in vaccine-based strategies. Additionally, β-1,3-glucan is widely used as a biomarker for invasive fungal infections and represents a validated target of antifungal therapies such as echinocandins. Despite these advances, clinical translation remains limited by heterogeneity in glucan source, structure, and formulation, as well as a lack of appropriately powered, standardized human clinical trials. Future efforts should focus on clarifying mechanisms of action, as well as rigorous clinical evaluation, to fully define the therapeutic utility of fungal β-1,3-glucans.

Understanding the complex link between inflammation, gut health, and dietary amino acids is becoming increasingly important in the pathophysiology of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). This study tested the hypothesis that a leucine-rich diet could attenuate inflammation and improve gut health in a mouse model of IBD. Specifically, we investigated the effects of a leucine-rich diet on dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis in germ-free (GF) SAMP1/YitFC (SAMP) mice colonized with human gut microbiota (hGF-SAMP). hGF-SAMP mice were fed one of four different diets: standard mouse diet (CHOW), American diet (AD), leucine-rich AD (AD + AA), or leucine-rich CHOW diet (CH + AA). Body weight, myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity, gut permeability, colonoscopy scores, and histological analysis were measured. Mice on a leucine-rich CHOW diet showed a decrease in fecal MPO prior to DSS treatment as compared to those on a regular diet (p > 0.05); however, after week five, prior to DSS, this effect had diminished. Following DSS treatment, there was no significant difference in gut permeability, fecal MPO activity, or body weight changes between the leucine-supplemented and control groups. These findings suggest that while a leucine-rich diet may transiently affect fecal MPO levels in hGF-SAMP mice, it does not confer protection against DSS-induced colitis symptoms or mitigate inflammation in the long term.