Prenatal stress-induced neurobehavioral deficits observed in offspring are multifactorial, including oxidative stress in the developing brain. The time by which the developing brain acquires self-defense against oxidative stress is not clear. Hence in the present study we aimed to evaluate the...

Cancer poses a significant burden on global public health, contributing to high mortality rates worldwide. Ongoing diagnostic strategies have predominantly relied on imaging techniques, histopathological examination and molecular analyses which have limitations in sensitivity, and specificity. Early cancer detection is a pivotal determinant of successful treatment and patient survival rates. Metabolomic applications involve the comprehensive analysis of metabolites to understand the metabolic profile of an organism, tissue, or cell under different conditions such as lack of oxygen in tumors. The aim of this review is to provide an extensive approach of metabolomic applications in early cancer detection and to provide an overview of the strengths and limitations of metabolomic approaches in early cancer detection. Metabolomic profiling can identify specific metabolic biomarkers indicative of early-stage cancer. The identification of these biomarkers can lead to development of non-invasive diagnostic tests which can be used for early cancer screening. Several researchers have already employed the metabolomics approach for biomarker discovery, diagnosis, identifying new drug targets along with the clinical trials observations. When discussing challenges, researchers currently face a notable obstacle, the absence of standardized analytical procedures. It is imperative for the field to prioritize implementing computational tools for constructing open-source databases, thereby advancing metabolomic studies in cancer research

Prenatal adversaries like stress are known to harm the progeny and oxidative stress, which is known to be one of the causative factors. N-acetyl cysteine (NAC), which is a potent antioxidant, has been shown to play a neuroprotective role in humans and experimental animals. This study examines the benefits of NAC on the prenatal stress-induced learning and memory deficits and alteration in brain neurotransmitter in rat pups. Pregnant dams were restrained (45 min; 3 times/day) during the early or late gestational period. Other groups received early or late gestational restrain stress combined with NAC treatment throughout the gestational period. At postnatal day (PND) 28, offspring were tested in a shuttle box for assessing learning and memory, which was followed by a brain neurotransmitter (dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin) estimation on PND 36. Late gestational stress resulted in learning deficits, the inability to retain the memory, and reduced brain dopamine content while not affecting norepinephrine and serotonin. NAC treatment in prenatally stressed rats reversed learning and memory deficits as well as brain dopamine content in offspring. These findings suggest that NAC protect the progeny from an undesirable cognitive sequel associated with prenatal stress.

Background and Aim: Staphylococcus aureus, with its diverse virulence factors and immune response evasion mechanisms, presents a formidable challenge as an opportunistic pathogen. Developing an effective vaccine against S. aureus has proven elusive despite extensive efforts. Autologous Staphylococcus lysate (ASL) treatment has proven effective in triggering an immune response against bovine mastitis. Peptides that stimulate the immune response can be the subject of further research. The study aimed to use immunoinformatics tools to identify epitopes on S. aureus surface and secretory proteins that can bind to major histocompatibility complex class I (MHC I) and CD8+ T-cells. This method aids in discovering prospective vaccine candidates and elucidating the rationale behind ASL therapy’s efficacy. Materials and Methods: Proteins were identified using both literature search and the National Center for Biotechnology Information search engine Entrez. Self and non-self peptides, allergenicity predictions, epitope locations, and physicochemical characteristics were determined using sequence alignment, AllerTOP, SVMTriP, and Protein-Sol tools. Hex was employed for simulating the docking interactions between S. aureus proteins and the MHC I + CD8+ T-cells complex. The binding sites of S. aureus proteins were assessed using Computer Atlas of Surface Topography of Proteins (CASTp) while docked with MHC I and CD8+ T-cells. Results: Nine potential S. aureus peptides and their corresponding epitopes were identified in this study, stimulating cytotoxic T-cell mediated immunity. The peptides were analyzed for similarity with self-antigens and allergenicity. 1d20, 2noj, 1n67, 1nu7, 1amx, and 2b71, non-self and stable, are potential elicitors of the cytotoxic T-cell response. The energy values from docking simulations of peptide-MHC I complexes with the CD8+ and T-cell receptor (TCR) indicate the stability and strength of the formed complexes. These peptides – 2noj, 1d20, 1n67, 2b71, 1nu7, 1yn3, 1amx, 2gi9, and 1edk – demonstrated robust MHC I binding, as evidenced by their low binding energies. Peptide 2gi9 exhibited the lowest energy value, followed by 2noj, 1nu7, 1n67, and 1d20, when docked with MHC I and CD8 + TCR, suggesting a highly stable complex. CASTp analysis indicated substantial binding pockets in the docked complexes, with peptide 1d20 showing the highest values for area and volume, suggesting its potential as an effective elicitor of immunological responses. These peptides – 2noj, 2gi9, 1d20, and 1n67 – stand out for vaccine development and T-cell activation against S. aureus. Conclusion: This study sheds light on the design and development of S. aureus vaccines, highlighting the significance of employing computational methods in conjunction with experimental verification. The significance of T-cell responses in combating S. aureus infections is emphasized by this study. More experiments are needed to confirm the effectiveness of these vaccine candidates and discover their possible medical uses. Keywords: autologous Staphylococcus lysate therapy, CD8+ T-cell immunity, computational tools, epitopes, immunoinformatics, immunological responses, major histocompatibility complex class I binding epitopes, molecular docking simulations, Staphylococcus aureus, vaccine development.

Background In recent days, video games have become a popular mode of entertainment; especially among adolescents and children. Proficient video gaming demands fast reflexes, good visual-motor coordination, and fast decision making abilities to cope with its tricky challenges. Earlier studies have revealed that video games influence several cognitive processes, by stimulating some of the important brain areas associated with cognition, especially the grey matter in the hippo campus. Thus regular involvement in video games improves one's performance in terms of sensory, perceptual, attentional tasks and reflex action. There is also a common belief that video gaming has negative impact on one's mental wellness and therefore playing video game is being restricted in young population. Objectives In this study we aimed at evaluating the impact of video gaming on cognitive abilities such as reaction time, memory, visual, verbal, numerical and abstract reasoning skills in adolescent population. Method Reaction time was measured using a phone application. A questionnaire designed to test the cognitive abilities with respect to visual, verbal, numerical and abstract reasoning were distributed to 195 volunteers, which included gamers and non-gamers. Following this, the volunteers participated in a memory test for assessing the short term/active memory. The scores were evaluated and results were analyzed using SPSS software version 16. Results We found that video-game players outperformed non-gamers on several cognitive measures. Habitual gamers were found to have a lower reaction time, better active memory, and higher numerical, abstract and verbal reasoning skills. Conclusion From the present study we can conclude that, habitual video gaming may have beneficial role on the cognitive functions among young minds.

Animal-assisted therapy (AAT) is a form of therapeutic approach aimed at faster achievement of therapeutic goals, through the use of certain animals. It is generally used as an adjunct or alternative therapy in people receiving other treatments for their health conditions. In recent decades, significant number of studies, to evaluate the effect of AAT on physical, psychological, social, and academic well-being of pediatric population have been completed, and most of these studies have proved AAT to be beneficial. This study aims to review the literature on AAT for children and to obtain a clearer understanding of the evidence supporting this interventional practice, and the possible risks involved.