The KRAS mutation stands out as one of the most influential oncogenic mutations, which directly regulates the hallmark features of cancer and interacts with other cancer-causing driver mutations. However, there remains a lack of precise information on their cooccurrence with mutated variants of KRAS and any correlations between KRAS and other driver mutations. To enquire about this issue, we delved into cBioPortal, TCGA, UALCAN, and Uniport studies. We aimed to unravel the complexity of KRAS and its relationships with other driver mutations. We noticed that G12D and G12V are the prevalent mutated variants of KRAS and coexist with the TP53 mutation in PAAD and CRAD, while G12C and G12V coexist with LUAD. We also noticed similar observations in the case of PIK3CA and APC mutations in CRAD. At the transcript level, a positive correlation exists between KRAS and PIK3CA and between APC and KRAS in CRAD. The existence of the co-mutation of KRAS and other driver mutations could influence the signaling pathway in the neoplastic transformation. Moreover, it has immense prognostic and predictive implications, which could help in better therapeutic management to treat cancer.

Objective: To compare the salivary MMP – 9 concentration among subjects with oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), oral potentially malignant disorders (OPMD), tobacco users, and control groups. Materials and methods: A total of 88 subjects were enrolled and divided into four study groups viz., OSCC (n=24), OPMD (n=20), tobacco habits (n=22), and healthy controls (n=22). All subjects gave unstimulated saliva samples for the evaluation MMP – 9 by ELISA kit. Demographic information like age, gender, type of tobacco, and duration of the habit were recorded. Results: Subjects with OSCC and OPMD had significantly higher mean MMP-9 levels than subjects with tobacco habits and control groups (P<0.001). Also, poorly differentiated OSCC group had significantly higher mean saliva MMP-9 than moderate and well-differentiated OSCC. The optimal cut-off point was 214.37 ng/mL with a sensitivity of 100% and specificity of 59% for OSCC versus the control group. The optimal cut-off point was as 205.87 ng/mL with a sensitivity of 100% and a specificity of 54% for OPMD versus the control group. Conclusion: The data obtained from this study indicated that OSCC and OPMD had an increased level of salivary MMP-9. Salivary MMP-9 could be a useful, non-invasive adjunct technique in the diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up of OSCC and OPMD.

Background. Oral Lichen Planus (OLP) is an inflammatory disease of unknown etiology while Oral Lichenoid Reaction (OLR) is a condition mimicking OLP. As these conditions are exposed to oxidative stress, they could release reactive oxygen species (ROS) which are implicated in the pathogenesis of a plethora of inflammatory conditions to lethal diseases. We evaluated and compared the levels of a series of oxidative stress markers in patients with OLP and OLR with that of normal controls and tried to identify the role of these oxidative stress markers in these conditions. Methods. Protein thiol oxidation, malondialdehyde (MDA) and total antioxidant activity were estimated in both the groups (OLP and OLR) and compared with that of normal subjects. Results. There were significantly lower levels of serum protein thiols in OLP (p < 0.005) while in patients with OLR the difference was not statistically significant (p < 0.489) when compared with controls. Serum MDA levels were significantly higher in OLP (p < 0.001) and OLR (p < 0.001) than in controls. However, there was no significant difference in serum MDA levels between OLP and OLR patients (p >0.05), but with a significant difference in serum thiol levels between the two (p < 0.047). Total antioxidant levels were lower in OLP (p < 0.016) and OLR (p < 0.017) when compared to normal subjects, while between the study group total antioxidant levels were not significantly different (p < 0.632). Conclusions. The findings from the present study demonstrate involvement of ROS in the pathogenesis of OLP and OLR, though both these disease conditions have a different clinical course.

The mortality and morbidity rate of diabetes patients is increasing worldwide which requires an ideal treatment to prevent the disease worsening. Traditional medicine is gaining more attention in diabetes due to its efficacy and safety. We, therefore performed a systematic review study of clinical trials to assess the comparative effect of polyherbal formulations in type 2 Diabetes mellitus. To find the effectiveness of polyherbal formulations in blood sugar and lipid level for type 2 Diabetes mellitus. PubMed, Scopus and CINAHL databases for clinical trials investigating the effect of polyherbal formulations in Type 2 Diabetes mellitus patients were searched. Meta-analysis of eligible trials was conducted employing Revman 5.2 software. Fourteen randomized controlled trials were found eligible for meta-analysis. Meta-analysis of findings showed a significant effect of polyherbal formulations on blood sugar level compared to control group. The estimated standard mean changes at 95% confidence interval, following polyherbal formulations treatment were -0.59, (-0.91 to - 0.27) mg/dL; for fasting blood sugar(p < 0.001), -0.69, (-1.18 to -0.21) mg/dL; for postprandial blood sugar (p = 0.005) and -0.46, (-0.88 to -0.04) gm%; for glycated haemoglobin (p = 0.03). The reduction in postprandial sugar and glycated haemoglobin was statistically significant with polyherbal formulations compared to metformin treatment but not for fasting sugar. Similarly in lipid profile the reduction for total cholesterol and triglycerides was statistically significant with polyherbal formulations compared to control group but was not significant for HDL and LDL whereas in other group of polyherbal formulations and metformin only HDL was favouring polyherbal formulations. Polyherbal formulations occurred to be effective in lowering blood sugar level in Type 2 diabetes but their further efficacy in managing diabetes needs to be validated. Therefore, a qualitative, long term, randomized placebo-controlled trials of adequate sample size are necessary to determine the efficacy of polyherbal formulation in managing diabetes.