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Breast cancer (BC) remains one of the leading causes of cancer-related mortality in women worldwide. Recent studies have explored the role of myokines, signaling proteins released during muscle contraction, in regulating tumor growth, metastasis, and the tumor microenvironment. This study investigates the correlation between myokines and breast cancer progression, focusing on the role of irisin and decorin. The study was conducted at two oncology centers in Baghdad, Iraq, from May to December 2022. A total of 88 Iraqi women, aged 20-70, were enrolled in the study across six groups: healthy controls (G1) and women with different treatment regimens (G2-G6). Blood samples were collected after fasting, and myokine concentrations were measured using ELISA. Additionally, histopathological examinations were performed on tissue biopsies to assess the presence of lobular carcinoma in situ (LCIS). The study found significant differences in myokine concentrations across the groups. Irisin levels were highest in the metastatic group (G6), while decorin levels showed significant variations across the different patient groups. Histological analysis revealed characteristic changes of LCIS, including irregular lobular structures, hyperplasia, and inflammatory cell infiltration. This study highlights the potential role of myokines, particularly irisin and decorin, as biomarkers for breast cancer progression. Elevated irisin levels in advanced stages suggest its involvement in tumor development and metastasis.

Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) is a prevalent inherited lipid disorder marked by elevated low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) from early life, significantly increasing the risk of premature atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). Recent advances in pharmacotherapy have transformed treatment possibilities, particularly for patients unresponsive to traditional therapies. This review synthesizes current evidence on emerging lipid-lowering agents, including PCSK9 monoclonal antibodies (e.g., evolocumab), small interfering RNA-based therapies (e.g., inclisiran), and angiopoietin-like protein 3 (ANGPTL3) inhibitors (e.g., evinacumab). Clinical trials demonstrate that these agents achieve substantial LDL-C reductions – often exceeding 40% – with favorable safety profiles, even in homozygous FH patients with null LDL receptor activity. Additionally, advances in genomic research have enabled more precise classification of pathogenic variants in genes such as APOB and ANGPTL3, improving diagnostic accuracy and guiding targeted therapy. The integration of these pharmacologic and genetic strategies represents a significant shift toward individualized management of FH. Further long-term and population-based studies are needed to validate these approaches and ensure equitable access across healthcare settings.

Breast cancer is a severe global health issue, having a high fatality rate worldwide. Because conventional cancer therapy is linked to tumour spread, drug resistance, and chemotherapy side effects, researchers should look into non-traditional methods. One intriguing strategy to deal with this issue is using nanoparticles and natural compounds like Lactobacillus metabolites as possible cancer treatments. Here, we tested the cytotoxicity of Lactobacillus cell-free supernatant (CFS), gold nanoparticles (AuNPs), and their combination against two cell lines MDA-MB-231 and Rat Embryonic Fibroblasts (REF) using MTT (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) assay and percentage of cell viability was recorded. Results showed a synergistic impact of the combination on MDA-MB-231 cells when the IC50 recorded was 70 µg/ml compared to treatments of CFS and AuNps alone when the IC50 recorded were 187 and 196 µg/ml respectively. On rat embryonic fibroblasts (REF) CFS displayed the most cytotoxic impact with IC50 equal to 115 µg/ml followed by combination treatment (IC50 = 693 µg/ml) and then by AuNPs with recorded IC50 of 895 µg/ml. In summary, we demonstrated that Lactobacillus cell-free supernatant, gold nanoparticles and their combination represent a promising candidate as anticancer agents. The cytotoxicity against breast cancer cell line was enhanced when the supernatant was combined with gold nanoparticles while the supernatant gave the best cytotoxic effect against REF cells. 

Purulent-septic skin infections occupy a leading position in the morbidity structure of newborns in obstetric hospitals, with Staphylococcus aureus identified as the primary etiological agent. Whole-genome sequencing (WGS) enables the acquisition of highly detailed genomic data on the spectra of pathogenicity genes, the mobilome, and the resistome of epidemic strains, as well as facilitating intraspecific typing of isolates. Aim of the study: To apply WGS technology to gain new insights into the genetic characteristics of S. aureus strains isolated during a period of epidemic occurrence in an obstetric hospital. This study employed WGS along with a range of bioinformatic tools, including dendrogram construction, calculation of average nucleotide identity (ANI) indices, and genetic mapping. The analysis established that the etiological agent of the epidemic outbreak of pemphigus neonatorum was a population of hospital-associated S. aureus ST121 t435 strains, isolated from both a healthcare worker and affected newborns. Strains of this genotype had not previously been associated with staphyloderma and were characterized by the presence of the eta gene (exfoliative toxin A) and two prophage-associated determinants of Panton-Valentine leukocidin, suggesting a high potential for horizontal gene transfer and dissemination among other S. aureus strains circulating within the hospital environment. Seven strains demonstrated resistance to oxacillin, attributed to modifications in native penicillin-binding proteins – an alternative mechanism to the well-known mec-mediated methicillin resistance pathway. These findings underscore the necessity of incorporating WGS technologies into molecular epidemiological surveillance in obstetric healthcare settings.