Sharif Alhajlah

Background: Through a more precise and safer means of diagnosing foetal aneuploidies, non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT) with cell-free DNA (cfDNA) has revolutionized prenatal screening and removed the necessity of invasive diagnostic procedures. The aim of the systematic review was to determine the limits of, diagnostic accuracies, and clinical value of cfDNA-based NIPT in different foetal aneuploidies. Methods: We conducted a systematic review of studies assessing the diagnostic performance of cfDNA-based NIPT for detecting Trisomy 21 (T21), Trisomy 18 (T18), Trisomy 13 (T13), sex chromosome aneuploidies (SCA), and copy number variations (CNVs)The studies included were prospective, retrospective, or diagnostic accuracy studies that compared cfDNA results with invasive prenatal diagnostic tests, including amniocentesis, CVS, karyotyping, and chromosomal microarray analysis (CMA). Results: The number of studies reviewed was 20, and it involved a total of more than 67,500 individuals. NIPT utilizing cfDNA has proven sensitive and specific in T21, T18, and T13 and an excellent accuracy level in most risk populations. In the case of T21 there was 100% sensitivity and 100% specificity of cfDNA in various studies. For Trisomy 18 the sensitivity was between 92.3% to 100% with a high mean specificity of 99.6%–100%. The sensitivity was also good, with Trisomy 13 diagnostic performance, as it lies between 78.6% and 100% and a specificity of 99.8 to 100 percent. However, SCA and CNVs showed more variable performance with a sensitivity of between 75 to 100 per cent in SCA and between 53.6 and 97.7 per cent, respectively. The presence of discordant outcomes, particularly in relation to SCA and microdeletions, was a problem area and underscored the importance of genetic counseling and standardized procedures. Conclusion: cfDNA-based NIPT is a highly effective and non-invasive tool for screening common trisomies but has limitations in detecting SCA and CNVs. While the screening’s integration into clinical practice is beneficial, it is essential to address the limitations of discordant results and the psychological impacts on patients. Systematic Review Registration: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/view/CRD420261277611 , identifier CRD420261277611.

In recent years, an increase in the incidence of liver diseases has been reported all over the world. This study aims to comprehensively summarize and quantitatively analyze the existing evidence concerning the effectiveness of grape‐derived products on liver enzymes through a systematic review and meta‐analytic approach. PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane Library, and ISI Web of Science were comprehensively searched until January 2024. Articles that reported the effect of grape‐derived products on serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) levels were included. Weighted mean differences (WMDs) were pooled using a random‐effects model. Nine studies were included in the meta‐analysis. The results revealed that grape‐derived products did not significantly change the concentrations of ALT (WMD: −2.70 IU/L, 95% CI: −6.14 to 0.75, p = 0.12), and AST (WMD: ‐1.42 IU/L, 95% CI: −3.54 to 0.70, p = 0.18). However, a significant reduction was observed in serum ALP levels (WMD: ‐5.49 IU/L, 95% CI: −9.57 to −1.4, p = 0.008). The present findings suggest that grape‐derived products positively influence serum ALP levels among adults. However, a more comprehensive decision necessitates additional studies.

Cancer drug resistance remains a formidable challenge in modern oncology, necessitating innovative therapeutic strategies. The convergence of intricate regulatory networks involving long non-coding RNAs, microRNAs, and pivotal signaling pathways has emerged as a crucial determinant of drug resistance. This review underscores the multifaceted roles of lncRNAs and miRNAs in orchestrating gene expression and cellular processes, mainly focusing on their interactions with specific signaling pathways. Dysregulation of these networks leads to the acquisition of drug resistance, dampening the efficacy of conventional treatments. The review highlights the potential therapeutic avenues unlocked by targeting these non-coding RNAs. Developing specific inhibitors or mimics for lncRNAs and miRNAs, alone or in combination with conventional chemotherapy, emerges as a promising strategy. In addition, epigenetic modulators, immunotherapies, and personalized medicine present exciting prospects in tackling drug resistance. While substantial progress has been made, challenges, including target validation and safety assessment, remain. The review emphasizes the need for continued research to overcome these hurdles and underscores the transformative potential of lncRNA-miRNA interplay in revolutionizing cancer therapy.

One of the most common forms of the mammalian central nervous system (CNS) injuries is spinal cord injury (SCI), and any lesion to the CNS can result in a lifelong functional impairment since CNS axons cannot regenerate. The relative axon regenerating genes following spinal SCI were examined using the regenerative SN, pSN + DC, and non-regenerating DC lesion models. By using qRT-PCR, we discovered that fibroblast growth factor receptor-5 (FGFR5) was 4.2-fold more highly expressed in non-regeneration lesions compared to intact control and regenerating animals. Furthermore, in cultured dorsal root ganglion neurons (DRGN), short interfering RNA (siRNA)-mediated knockdown of FGFR5 had no effect on DRGN neurite outgrowth, indicating that the gene’s suppression has no effect on axon regeneration and may play other roles in the CNS besides axon regeneration.