The PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling axis is a pivotal regulator of key cellular functions, including proliferation, metabolism, survival, and immune modulation. In cancer, its dysregulation drives malignant transformation, tumor progression, therapeutic resistance, and immune evasion. Despite numerous studies, an integrated understanding of this pathway's multifaceted role in tumor biology and treatment remains incomplete. This review comprehensively outlines the oncogenic mechanisms governed by the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway, including its regulation of epithelial–mesenchymal transition, autophagy, apoptosis, glycolysis, ferroptosis, and lipid metabolism. We emphasize the dual role of autophagy, its interplay with therapeutic resistance, and its contextual impact on cancer dynamics. Moreover, we explore the epigenetic regulation of this axis by noncoding RNAs (miRNAs, lncRNAs, circRNAs) and its influence on tumor hallmarks. The review also highlights the pathway's involvement in modulating responses to chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and immunotherapy, as well as its role in remodeling the tumor microenvironment. We critically evaluate emerging therapeutic strategies targeting the PI3K/AKT/mTOR axis, including small‐molecule inhibitors, phytochemicals, and nanoparticle‐based systems. By elucidating the integrated landscape of this pathway, our review highlights its value as a central therapeutic target and offers insights into precision oncology approaches aimed at overcoming drug resistance and enhancing treatment efficacy.

The continued expand of the coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) pandemic, confinement measures and an urgent change in the education of nursing students from traditional education to distance learning throughout the country affect the mental health of university students. This study analyzed state-trait anxiety levels of nursing students because of e-Learning during two periods of the COVID-19 confinement. A mixed follow-up study was used, which evaluates the same cohort cross-sectionally but with a longitudinal component. A sample of 460 nursing students of the Nursing Degree at the University of Lorca (Murcia) and University of Almería (Spain) completed an online anxiety level questionnaire using the Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) during the first and fourth weeks of the COVID-19 confinement. Total anxiety levels increased in the fourth week, as compared to the first week (first week: 50.4 ± 20.8 and fourth week: 59.9 ± 10.6 (p < 0.001)). The linear regression model showed that the significant predictors for STAI anxiety in nursing students were being in the last year of the degree program, being female, and spending confinement in a house without a garden. In general, most nursing students were emotionally affected by high levels of anxiety of state-trait during the COVID-19 outbreak.

Although there are studies that show that some pesticides produce gonadal dysfunction and gonadal cancer in different animals, there are not many studiesregardinghumans. This study determined the prevalence and risk in humans of developing ovarian or testicular dysfunction or cancer in areas with distinct exposure to pesticides, which have endocrine disrupting properties. A population-based case-control study was carried out on humans living in ten health districts of Andalusia (Southern Spain) classified as areas of high or low environmental exposure to pesticides according to agronomic criteria. The study population included 5332 cases and 13,606 controls. Data were collected from computerized hospital records between 2000 and 2018.The risk of gonadal dysfunction or cancer was significantly higher in areas with higher use of pesticides in relation to those with lower use.

Nanomaterials are redefining the landscape of gene and genome editing, yet their translation to clinical reality remains constrained by multiple unresolved

Background: Osteoarthritis (OA) is a common degenerative joint disease causing chronic pain, disability, and mobility limitations, severely affecting quality of life. Traditional treatments like physical therapy and surgery often have limited efficacy due to side effects, incomplete recovery, and disease progression, highlighting the need for innovative therapies. Methods: We searched PubMed and Embase from January 1, 2010 to November 1, 2024, preliminary included studies involving animal experiments on the therapeutic effects of decellularized extracellular matrix (dECM) and its derived materials on cartilage defect. After removing duplicates, we conducted a bibliometric analysis. Following the exclusion and evaluation of literature, the random/fixed effects model was employed to perform meta-analysis and obtain Weighted Mean Difference (WMD) of Osteoarthritis Research Society International (OARSI) score and International Cartilage Repair Society (ICRS) score between the dECM treatment group and corresponding control group. We verify the robustness of the results through subgroup analysis and sensitivity analysis, with heterogeneity assessed by Q-test and quantified via I ² values. Results: We included a total of 10 studies, of which 7 were used for ICRS-based meta-analysis and 3 were used for OARSI-based meta-analysis. The combined mean ICRS of dECM treatment group/control group resulted in an WMD of 2.45 (95% CI: 1.07 to 3.84; I ² = 97.4%); P-value < 0.001). Meanwhile, the combined mean OARSI of dECM treatment group/control group resulted in an WMD of -1.65 (95% CI: -3.63 to 0.34; I ² = 97.3%). The subsequent funnel plot confirmed the low publication bias of the above results. Conclusions: Based on the dual-index meta-analysis, the dECM and relative derivatives have been proved to possess significant cartilage repair function in OA, which can be further explored in tissue regeneration filed.