In recent years, liquid smoke rice husk (LSRH) has shown its therapeutic potency to diabetes, wound healing, stomatitis, and periodontitis. The phenol, 6-octadecenoic acid, oleic acid, and 9-octadecanoic acid were responsible for their therapeutic effect. The LSRH also demonstrated their potential for infectious diseases such as coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Therefore, the molecular dynamics (MDs) simulation and pharmacophore analysis was performed to analyse the binding stability of 6-octadecenoic and oleic acid. Based on MD simulation, 6-octadecenoic and oleic acids seemed to retain their interactions with Ser144 and Thr24, respectively, with hydrogen bond distance less than 2.9 Å. This interaction was stable during the simulation and has hydrophobic and hydrogen bonds/acceptors. The 6-octadecenoic acid and oleic acid were confirmed to have great potency as inhibitors for COVID-19. These compounds also showed that the existence of hydrophobic and hydrogen bonds/acceptors could increase biological activity.

Background and aims: Entamoeba histolytica is an intestinal parasite and a causative agent of amoebiasis which is a common life-threatening parasitic disease. This study was intended to determine the prevalence of E. histolytica and to provide the primary data about its infections among the patients attending Nyanza District Hospital in Rwanda. Methods: Bottles were used to collect 138 stool specimens from patients. All the samples were physically analyzed based on their colors, states, and the presence of blood or mucus. The wet preparation method and zinc sulphate floatation technique were used to concentrate the parasites. Microscopic analysis was done to examine the presence of cysts and trophozoites. Data were statistically analyzed by SPSS using chi-square test and independent t test. Results: The prevalence of E. histolytica was 15.94%. The sex distribution of infections revealed that males (21.54%) were more infected than females (10.95%). The highest prevalence of E. histolytica was found in the age group of 1-19 years old (27.11%) and the lowest prevalence was observed in the age group of 20-39 years old (6.89%). A prevalence of 33.33% was reported among the people who directly drink tap water and 40% of infections among the patients who did not wash their hands before eating and after using latrines. Conclusion: Overall, E. histolytica is still considered as a health burden in Nyanza District Hospital. Therefore, it is vital to control direct exposure to its risk factors for mitigating the occurrence of amoebiasis.

Oral cancer is currently the sixth leading malignancy in the world, with over 330,000 cases resulting in death. Several cytokines and proteins protect the survival of cancer cells, such as TNF-α, HSP27, and IL-10. Moringa oleifera is an herbal medicine with anti-cancer properties. Nanoparticles of M. oleifera have the property to be easily absorbed by water-soluble cells, so only small doses are needed to be used as anti-cancer ingredients. This research aims to prove the ability of M. oleifera nanoparticle extract against oral cancer through the expression of tumour necrosis factor α (TNF-α), heat shock protein (HSP27), and interleukin 10 (IL-10). Rat as non-human experimental subjects were divided into four groups: control group (K), treatment group 1 (P1), treatment group 2 (P2), and treatment group 3 (P3). Cancer induction was carried out by injecting with benzo[a]pyrene, and then M. oleifera nanoparticle extract was administered in three forms of treatment doses of 125 μg/mL (P1), 250 μg/mL (P2), and 500 μg/mL (P3). Immunohistochemical examination was analysed through TNF-α, HSP27, and IL-10’s expression. The expression of TNF-α and HSP27 between control and treatment groups was significantly different. P2 had the lowest expression of TNF-α and HSP27. The expression of IL-10 between control and treatment groups was also significantly different. P1 had the lowest expression of IL-10. M. oleifera nanoparticle extract can reduce oral cancer progression by decreasing the expression of TNF-α, HSP27, and IL-10.

Hydrogel scaffold is a biomaterial that can facilitate cells in forming a tissue structure. It can promote cell adhesion, migration, and proliferation. Further research to find a new scaffold from natural resources is challenging, so this study aimed to characterize a hydrogel composite scaffold, which has the potential to be used as a regenerative material. The formulation of HAp-Col-EGCG was mixed with different ratios of 1%, 2%, and 4% hydroxyapatite. We analyzed its injectability, pH, and gelation time. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy X-ray Spectroscopy (EDX), and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) were used to evaluate the surface morphologies, element composition, and chemical properties of HAp-Col-EGCG. The results showed that the injectability test was almost 90 % in all groups. There was no significant difference in the median value of the pH at 0, 20, and 60 min in all groups, but there was a significant difference at 40 min. The average gelation times in all groups were not significant. SEM-EDX showed a microporous scaffold, with the HAp particles well distributed in the collagen pores at a ratio of 1.9, 2.29, and 1.89 Ca/P. The FTIR results showed intermolecular bonds in the HAp-Col-EGCG scaffold. The X-ray diffraction analysis showed that collagen and EGCG did not affect the crystal structure and size of HAp. Cytotoxicity test showed more dental pulp cell viability at the 4 % HAp concentration at 514.35 ± 15.45. This study indicates that hydrogel scaffold from eggshell hydroxyapatite, collagen, and EGCG has a high potential for pulp regenerative therapy.

Background: Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC) is a type of cancer that is often found in oral cavity and areas ofthe head and neck. Viruses are major etiological factors through production of factors that can disturb proliferationand apoptosis regulators such as p53i, c-myc and bcl-2. This study aimed to determine the molecular grading of oralsquamous cell carcinoma (OSCCs) infected with the Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV). Methods: Twenty-seven OSCC patientsunderwent biopsy to detect EBV infection through in situ hybridization for RNA EBV (EBER) and immunohistochemicalanalysis of latent membrane protein-1 (LMP-1) and EBV nuclear antigen-1 (EBNA-1). To assess molecular grades, cellproliferation and apoptosis regulator expression i.e. inactive p53 (p53i), c-myc and bcl-2, were immunohistochemicallyanalysed. Results: The cases were divided into two groups; infected and non-infected by EBV. Regression analysisshowed that only EBNA-1 expression could affect p53i expression. Based on regression equations molecular grading ofOSCCs infected by EBV was divided into three: Grade I (low), EBNA-1 expression was 7.60, and p53i expressionwas 9.74-17.5; Grade II (medium), EBNA-1 expression was 7.61-19.7, and p53i 17.5-30.1; Grade III (high), EBNA-1expression was 19.71, and p53i ≥ 30.1. Conclusion: In OSCC infected with EBV, only EBNA-1 expression caninfluence p53i expression.