Background and objectives: Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) comprises a variety of physical and emotional symptoms that affect women of reproductive age. The distress caused by PMS often leads to self-medication, and many over-the-counter or non-prescription products are available for relieving PMS symptoms. The choice of a suitable product should be based on advice from a health professional, such as a community pharmacist. Hence, we assessed the knowledge, attitude, and practice of Malaysian community pharmacists in providing self-care recommendations for the management of PMS. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional survey was carried out in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia from September to November 2018 using a self-administered questionnaire. The respondents were community pharmacists working in Kuala Lumpur and were chosen from a list of Type A license holders in the city. Results: We achieved a response rate of 79% and included 181 questionnaires in the final analysis. Of the 181 respondents, most of them (76.8%; n = 139) had medium to good levels of knowledge of PMS. Likewise, most of the respondents (78.5%; n = 142) had positive attitudes toward their role in PMS management. Having taken courses on managing minor illnesses in women substantially enhanced their levels of knowledge of (p = 0.002), but not their attitude towards, PMS management. Among the PMS-relieving products, the most commonly recommended products were ibuprofen (79%; n = 143), mefenamic acid (74.5%; n = 135), and naproxen (66.9%; n = 121), which are well known for their anti-inflammatory effect. This suggests that the respondents based their product choice on sound evidence. Conclusions: Community pharmacists can play an important role in the management of PMS. In future work, a larger sample can be assembled to obtain more insight into the readiness of community pharmacists to help women in self-managing PMS and establish a specialized service to this end.

Stem cells such as induced pluripotent stem cells, embryonic stem cells, and hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells are growing in importance in disease modeling and regenerative medicine. The applications of CRISPR-based gene editing to create a mélange of disease and nondisease stem cell lines have further enhanced the utility of this innately versatile group of cells in the studies of human genetic disorders. Precise base edits can be achieved using a variety of CRISPR-centric approaches, particularly homology-directed repair and the recently developed base editors and prime editors. Despite its much-touted potential, editing single DNA bases is technically challenging. In this review, we discuss the strategies for achieving exact base edits in the creation of various stem cell-based models for use in elucidating disease mechanisms and assessing drug efficacy, and the unique characteristics of stem cells that warrant special considerations.

Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) is integral to cellular function. Alterations in mtDNA can lead to significant disruptions in mitochondrial function, including cellular energy production, metabolism, and apoptosis regulation. Mitochondrial dysfunction has emerged as a crucial factor in the progression of cancer, including head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). Based on a literature search conducted from August 2024 to March 2025 on PubMed and Google Scholar, our review summarizes the relevance of mtDNA alterations in HNSCC development. HNSCC has been found to cause significant variations in mtDNA, including mutations, copy number variations (or known as mtDNA content) and large-scale deletions. Notably, these alterations varied by disease stage, different key aspects of mitochondrial function, such as cellular growth, senescence, metabolism and apoptosis, and cell-specific genetic context. We further suggest that drugs that modulate mitochondrial pathways, mitochondrial transplantation, and gene-editing technologies, are future treatment strategies for HNSCC. Lastly, we discuss the potential of co-roles of nuclear DNA mutations with mtDNA alterations in HNSCC to provide a holistic view of HNSCC pathogenesis and the possibility for combined therapeutic strategies in HNSCC.

Aim: Rs16851030, a single-nucleotide variant located in the 3 '-untranslated region of the ADORA1 gene, has been proposed as a potential marker of caffeine sensitivity in apnea of prematurity. Besides, it is associated with aspirin-induced asthma and the development of acute chest syndrome. However, its functional significance is still unconfirmed. This study aimed to elucidate the functional impact of rs16851030 by using CRISPR/Cas9 approach to induce the DNA variant and attendant physiological changes.Methods: Rs16851030 was introduced into HEK293 cells via homology-directed repair (HDR). Edited cells were fluorescence-enriched, sorted, isolated, and expanded into single-cell-derived clones. The edit was confirmed by Sanger sequencing. RNA sequencing was used to analyze affected pathways.Results: Rs16851030-mutant cells showed increased susceptibility to hypoxia, a condition related to apnea of prematurity. After 24 h of hypoxia, the viability of mutant clones 1 and 2 was low compared with wild-type cells (75.45% and 74.47% vs. 96.34%). RNA sequencing revealed transcriptomic changes linked to this increased vulnerability.Conclusion: Rs16851030 impairs cellular resistance to hypoxia, suggesting its role in conditions like apnea of prematurity. Further research should investigate the molecular mechanisms and transcriptomic alterations caused by rs16851030 under hypoxic conditions.

Aim: This scoping review aims to determine the factors affecting the effective implementation of HMR. Data Sources: The PRISMA Extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) and Arksey and O’Malley’s method act as the groundwork in guiding this scoping review. Three electronic databases (PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science) were systematically searched from inception to 31 March 2025 to identify relevant articles. Search terms included combinations of keywords related to “Home Medication Review,” “Home Medicine Review,” and “Home Care Pharmacy Service” using Boolean operators “OR.” Study Selection and Data Extraction: Studies were included if they examined factors influencing the implementation of HMR services. Only articles published in English with accessible full texts were included. Extracted data were analyzed thematically, and a concept map was developed to summarize these factors. Data synthesis: A total of 261 articles were identified, and after removing duplicates, 227 were screened for eligibility. 42 studies met the inclusion criteria. Nine key themes were identified and mapped to the WHO health system building blocks. Policy and program structure, as well as patient awareness and engagement being the most frequently reported. Most included studies were conducted in Australia. Conclusion: In conclusion, identifying and addressing these interrelated factors can guide policymaking as well as strategy development to enhance the effectiveness, accessibility, and sustainability of HMR programs.