Tikam Chand Dakal

Piwi-interacting RNAs (piRNAs) and PIWI proteins are emerging key players in the regulation of cancer gene expression and tumor biology. piRNAs (24-31 nucleotides), interact with PIWI proteins to regulate gene expression via epigenetic mechanisms, modulating cell proliferation, apoptosis, and metastasis. Dysregulated piRNA-PIWI axis is implicated across cancer types - breast, colorectal, genitourinary, etc., and correlates with tumor progression and poor patient outcomes. Notably, piRNAs influence cancer stem cell maintenance, contributing to tumor aggressiveness and therapeutic resistance. We also highlight the significant diagnostic and prognostic potential of piRNAs (e.g. piRNA-823) due to their unique expression profiles in cancerous tissues potentially contributing to early detection and disease monitoring. Additionally, noninvasive detection of piRNAs in extracellular vesicles offers promise for liquid biopsy applications, enabling real-time monitoring of cancer progression and treatment response. On the therapeutic front, piRNA-PIWI protein axis offers innovative avenues - modulating piRNA expression or restoring normal PIWI function can limit tumor growth, metastasis, etc. Despite cumulative evidence supporting their role in cancer, challenges remain in translating piRNA research into clinical practice (lack of standardized protocols, effective therapeutic strategies). Ongoing studies into elucidating molecular implications of piRNA-PIWI axis are crucial for tapping this axis for diagnostic and therapeutic applications.

Maintaining a balanced diet is crucial for overall health and well-being, as it ensures the body receives the necessary nutrients to function optimally. Numerous studies have shown that a diet rich in essential vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients can have a significant impact on mental health and cognitive function. Appropriate nutrition is not only one of the main life processes but also a key element for successful treatment of most acute and chronic diseases, including liver diseases. A large number of scientists and health professionals recognize that balanced nutrition is fundamental for a good state of physical health, and the World Health Organization working group focused on nutrition as a key component of disease prevention, indicating that a balanced and varied diet, composed of a wide range of nutritious and tasty foods, adds years to life and life to years. Nutritional deficiencies often result in impaired function, and, conversely, intakes at recommended levels can resume or further enhance body functions. Numerous epidemiologic studies have shown that dietary patterns characterized by high intakes of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins are associated with reduced risk of chronic diseases, such as cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and certain types of cancer.

Clinical Nutrition in Special Populations: Women, Elderly, Children, and Ill Patients is a comprehensive book that addresses the unique nutritional requirements

An integrated nutritional treatment strategy in primary health care is becoming more important due to the increasing importance of active and healthy aging and the longer life expectancy of the population. In primary health care, this chapter aims to summarize the evidence for dietary therapies and classify interventions according to their kind. First, there were holistic, multifaceted interventions; second, there were targeted, individual interventions; and third, there were eHealth and tele-medical interventions. Despite encouraging results, the analysis finds contradictory evidence about the value and efficacy of nutritional care programs in primary health care. There is a cautious but encouraging trend in eHealth and tele-medical interventions. The same holds true for patients: when they undergo a series of specific therapies, their health results improve significantly. There has been substantial improvement in intervention groups after receiving diverse and thorough treatments, according to the research. Care for the elderly and those with complex medical needs are best provided by primary healthcare providers. An exhaustive analysis of current nutrition care practices in primary health care is provided by this scoping review. The results highlight the significance of the interdisciplinary primary care team's ability to better carry out complicated interventions in order to raise the quality of advanced nutritional treatment. Nutritional interventions for specialized populations, including women, the elderly, and those with diseases, will be discussed in this chapter, with an emphasis on both targeted and multi-modal approaches. In recent decades, there has been a surge of interest in nutrition and nutritional therapy among both clinicians and scientists. Nutritional support has been rapidly advanced in design, development, and clinical application due to the increasing knowledge of metabolic abnormalities and nutritional assessment in chronic and acute disorders. The aim of this chapter is to promote the quick dissemination and practical implementation of scientific information in the area of clinical nutrition and metabolism, more generally.

Tuberculosis (TB) remains a major global health challenge, necessitating the development of novel therapeutic interventions. Enoyl-acyl carrier protein (ACP) reductase (InhA), a key enzyme in the fatty acid biosynthesis pathway of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, has emerged as a promising target for anti-TB drug discovery. Exploration of InhA-inhibitors is important for advancing the drug discovery process. This study systematically investigates the molecular and pharmacological interactions of bioactive phytochemicals from Indian traditional medicinal plants with InhA to elucidate their therapeutic potential. Among 42 screened phytocompounds, the top five (Ebastine, 2-Phenylaminoadenosine, Gosogliptin, Lorcainide, and Levomefolic acid) showed promising binding affinities towards InhA (PDB: 2X22), with binding free energy ranging from −9.6 to −10.9 kcal/mol. Comprehensive computational analyses, including pharmacokinetic predictions, drug-likeness evaluation, and biological activity assessment, highlighted their potential as a drug candidate. These top-ranking ligands exhibited potential target-lead interactions, forming stable hydrogen bonds and hydrophobic contacts crucial for inhibitory activity. This multidisciplinary computational approach, including molecular docking and dynamic simulations, identifies these phytochemicals as high-affinity and stable inhibitors of InhA. These identified phytocompounds could serve as promising scaffolds for further optimization and experimental validation in the quest for new plant-based anti-TB agents.