Cancer and COVID-19 have been deemed as world health concerns due to the millions of lives that they have claimed over the years. Extensive efforts have been made to develop sophisticated, site-specific, and safe strategies that can effectively diagnose, prevent, manage, and treat these diseases. These strategies involve the implementation of metal nanoparticles and metal oxides such as gold, silver, iron oxide, titanium oxide, zinc oxide, and copper oxide, formulated through nanotechnology as alternative anticancer or antiviral therapeutics or drug delivery systems. This review provides a perspective on metal nanoparticles and their potential application in cancer and COVID-19 treatments. The data of published studies were critically analysed to expose the potential therapeutic relevance of green synthesized metal nanoparticles in cancer and COVID-19. Although various research reports highlight the great potential of metal and metal oxide nanoparticles as alternative nanotherapeutics, issues of nanotoxicity, complex methods of preparation, biodegradability, and clearance are lingering challenges for the successful clinical application of the NPs. Thus, future innovations include fabricating metal nanoparticles with eco-friendly materials, tailor making them with optimal therapeutics for specific disease targeting, and in vitro and in vivo evaluation of safety, therapeutic efficiency, pharmacokinetics, and biodistribution.

Two indigenous ascomycetes fungi, Trichoderma lixii strain FLU1 (TlFLU1) and Talaromyces pinophilus strain FLU12 (TpFLU12), were isolated from benzo(b)fluoranthene-enriched activated sludge and tested for bio-catalytically degrade fluoranthene as a sole carbon source. TlFLU1 and TpFLU12 degraded 98 and 99% of 400 mg/L of fluoranthene after 16 and 12 d incubation period, respectively. Degradation correlated with the upregulation of expression of ligninolytic enzymes. The GC-MS and FTIR analysis of the degradation products suggest that the degradation is initiated at the C1-C2 position of the compound ring via oxygenation and ring cleavage to form 9-oxo-9H-fluorene-1-carboxylic acid before undergoing ring cleavage to yield fluorenone, which then proceeds through the ß-Ketoadipate pathway via benzene-1,2,3-tricarboxylic acid. The degradation rate is better fitted in the first-order and zero-order kinetic model for TlFLU1 and TpFLU12, respectively. The metabolites from the TlFLU1 degradation media are shown to be toxic in Vibryo parahaemolyticus after 6 h of exposure with effective concentration (EC₅₀) and toxicity unit (TU) values of 14.25 mg/L and 7.018%, respectively, while also being observed as non-toxic from TpFLU12 degradation media with an EC₅₀ and TU values of 197.1 mg/L and 0.507%, respectively. Results from this study show efficient metabolism of fluoranthene into an innocuous state by TlFLU1 and TpFLU12.

Background/Objectives: Globally, there has been an increase in the prevalence of anxiety and depression among university students, and medical students are no exception. Medical students are especially susceptible to these mental health challenges, primarily due to multifaceted stressors, which can significantly impact their academic achievements and future career. There is a pressing need for comprehensive research that not only investigates the prevalence of anxiety and depression among medical students but also explores strategies for developing effective mental health interventions and support systems that can enhance the well-being of medical students. Therefore, this study aimed to identify the prevalence and severity of anxiety and depression among medical students at a university in South Africa, evaluating the association of socio-demographic, student, and clinical variables with total general anxiety disorder (GAD-7) and patient health questionnaire (PHQ-9) scores. Methods: A survey-based quantitative cross-sectional study was conducted with 208 medical undergraduate students at a South African university. Participants who provided written consent completed GAD-7 and PHQ-9 questionnaires together with socio-demographic, student, and clinical variable information. The relationship between socio-demographic, student, and clinical variables and total GAD-7 and PHQ-9 scores was determined using the Mann–Whitney U test and Kruskal–Wallis H test. Correlation analysis was used to establish the relationship between total anxiety and depression scores. The threshold for statistical significance was set at p ≤ 0.05. Results: More than half of the participants were female (n = 130; 62.5%), single (n = 123; 59.1%), and belonged to the Pedi ethnic group. A majority of the students were Christian (n = 183; 88.0%), received a bursary (n = 183; 88.0%), and had a rural background (n = 155; 74.5%). However, a small percentage of students reported a history of psychiatric and chronic illnesses (n = 26; 12.5%) and previously received professional psychological support (n = 38; 18.3%). In this study, 38% (n = 79) of the participants reported GAD and 67.8% (n = 141) reported symptoms of depression. Significant associations (p <0.05) were observed between variables such as year of study, repeating a module, and history of psychiatric illness with total GAD-7 and PHQ-9 scores. Correlation analysis revealed a moderate positive correlation (r_s = 0.400, df = 206, p < 0.001) between total GAD-7 and PHQ-9 scores. Conclusions: This study identified a high level of depression and anxiety among medical students and found a positive correlation between anxiety and depression scores. Addressing these mental health challenges is crucial not only for the well-being of the students but also for the future of healthcare, as the mental health of medical professionals directly impacts patient care.

Polyamines such as putrescine, spermidine, and spermine are small, positively charged organic cations that interact with negatively charged molecules, notably nucleic acids. These molecules play a vital role in cell proliferation, differentiation, and growth. Their involvement in wound healing has attracted considerable research interest, as they are key regulators of keratinocyte and fibroblast proliferation—two cell types essential for re-epithelialization and tissue regeneration. Polyamines also influence gene expression and protein synthesis, facilitating the transition of cells from a quiescent to an active state during the healing process. Enzymes such as Adenosylmethionine Decarboxylase 1 (AMD1), which are involved in polyamine biosynthesis, are upregulated during wound healing and contribute to gene regulation at multiple levels. In parasitic protozoa—including Plasmodium falciparum (malaria), Trypanosoma spp. (sleeping sickness), and Leishmania spp. (leishmaniasis)—polyamines are crucial for DNA stabilization, protein synthesis, and cellular proliferation. These parasites depend on both endogenous polyamine synthesis and host-derived polyamines to sustain their metabolic functions. Notably, Plasmodium falciparum, the causative agent of malaria, possesses a bifunctional enzyme complex linking S-Adenosylmethionine decarboxylase (AdoMetDC) and ornithine decarboxylase (ODC), unlike the human form, where these enzymes are separate. This structural distinction makes the parasite’s AdoMetDC/ODC complex a promising target for drug development. In Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb), polyamine metabolites have been shown to influence DNA methylation patterns, thereby affecting gene expression and bacterial adaptation. A 2025 study revealed that altered polyamine levels in the blood of patients with multidrug-resistant TB were associated with changes in Mtb DNA methylation, suggesting a potential role in resistance mechanisms. This chapter explores the multifaceted roles of polyamines in wound healing, parasitic infections, and tuberculosis-related bacteria. It also considers emerging technologies for wound treatment and highlights parasite-specific targets that may inform novel therapeutic strategies against TB.

Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) have garnered significant attention for their potential role in mitigating cancer through various mechanisms of action, such as immunoregulation. The LAB, primarily from the genera Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium, contribute to gut health by maintaining microbial balance, enhancing gut barrier function, and producing short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs). Colon cancer and colorectal cancer are some of the leading causes of cancer-related morbidity and mortality worldwide, with their incidence rising in many parts of the world. This review explores the ecology and the contributions of LAB species in maintaining the health of the human gut. We further discuss the specific mechanisms through which gut LAB may reduce the risk of colon cancer and/or colorectal cancer, including the modulation of inflammatory pathways, induction of apoptosis in cancer cells, regulation of gut microbiota composition, metabolic activity, and immunomodulation. By understanding these mechanisms, we could better appreciate the potential of LAB as a preventive strategy against cancer and inform future drug strategies and dietary recommendations.

Background: Pseudomonas aeruginosa, a multidrug-resistant pathogen, employs biofilm formation as a key virulence strategy, complicating treatment