An Update on Genetic Predisposition for Prostate Cancer: Perspectives and Prospects.

Prostate cancer (PC) is a heterogeneous disease that kills a significant number of people all over the world. It is the most common cancer in men, especially in the western world, and causes morbidity and mortality. There are several important risk factors known for PC like age, ethnicity, and inherited genetic variants which contribute significantly. The current research studies are endeavoring to identify genetic markers for PC and to understand underlying molecular mechanisms, so that new diagnostic and screening tests based on genetics can be developed for PC. The present review discusses candidate genes such as HOXB13, BRCA1, BRCA2, ATM, MMR gene, RAD51C, CHECK2, etc., and family-based linkage studies which defined the location of loci on chromosomal regions like 1q24-25, 1q42-43, Xq27-28, 1p36, 20q13, 17q21. Furthermore, the major part of the review focuses on important PC susceptible loci (8q24, 10q11, 17q12, 17q24, and 19q13, etc.) and risk variants identified by population-based genome-wide association studies (GWAS).

Molecular docking and pharmacokinetic evaluation of natural compounds as targeted inhibitors against Crz1 protein in Rhizoctonia solani.

Crz1p regulates Calcineurin, a serine-threonine-specific protein phosphatase, in Rhizoctonia solani. It has attracted consideration as a novel target of antifungal therapy based on studies in numerous pathogenic fungi, including, Cryptococcus neoformans, Candida albicans and Aspergillus fumigatus. To investigate whether Calcineurin can be a useful target for the treatment of Crz1 protein in R. solani causing wet root rot in Chickpea. The work presented here reports the in-silico studies of Crz1 protein against natural compounds. This study Comprises of quantitative structure-toxicity relationship (QSTR) and quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR). All compounds showed high binding energy for Crz1 protein through molecular docking. Further, a pharmacokinetic study revealed that these compounds had minimal side effects. Biological activity spectrum prediction of these compounds showed potential antifungal properties by showing significant interaction with Crz1. Hence, these compounds can be used for the prevention and treatment of wet root rot in Chickpea.

Effect of Hawthorn (Crataegus aronia syn. Azarolus (L)) on platelet function in albino Wistar rats.

OBJECTIVE: This study was designed to investigate the possible antiplatelet effect of aqueous whole-plant C. aronia syn: Azarolus (L) extract using Wistar albino rats as a model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty-two male albino Wistar rats weighing 200 to 250 g were divided into seven groups with six rats in each group. Group 1 served as the control and received equal volumes of distilled water. Groups 2-6 served as the experimental groups and were given C. aronia extract at doses of 100, 200, 500, 1,000, and 2,000 mg/kg, while group 7 served as a positive control and was given aspirin (25mg/kg). All the doses were administered orally once a day and the treatment was continued for seven days. In all groups, at the end of the experimental procedure, blood samples were obtained for platelet function measurements, including PFA-100, thromboxane B2 levels, platelet count, and haematocrit. The bleeding time was determined using a modified tail cutting method described previously. RESULTS: The aqueous C. aronia syn. Azarolus (L) extract significantly altered the bleeding time and the closure time, as determined by the PFA-100 and thromboxane B2 levels, suggesting significant platelet function inhibition. These effects were observed with C. aronia doses between 100 - 500 mg/kg, which yielded thromboxane B2 levels of 1,000 mg/kg, whereas the higher dose (2,000 mg/kg) produced opposite effects on these parameters. CONCLUSION: C. aronia syn. Azarolus (L) aqueous extract has antiplatelet effects in Wistar albino rats.