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Acute and chronic effects of ultraviolet radiation (UVR) on human health have long been a concern. It is well known that acute UVR causes epidermal hyperplasia, erythema, delayed tanning, pigment darkening, and free-radical formation. Apart from acute effects of UVR, its chronic effects involve immunosuppression, photoaging, exacerbation, photodermatoses, and photocarcinogenesis. To protect skin from harmful effects of UVR, UV filters were developed. But these may cause harmful effects in humans and on the environment; adverse effects of these chemicals have been evaluated for > 20 yr. Studies show that UV filters may lead to endocrine disruption, hepatotoxicity, mutagenicity, and systemic toxicity. Literature on environmental effects of UV filters suggests that they are bioaccumulative, pseudopersistent, and possibly toxic to aquatic ecosystems. Cobimetinib supplier The objective of this review is to summarize toxic effects and safety concerns of organic UV filters on human beings and the environment. We focus on UV filters’ organic endocrine-disrupting effects by reviewing both in vivo and in vitro studies.The gut microbiome (GM) is a multifaceted environment wherein nearly 1014 microorganisms play various roles in host immune regulation, intestinal cell proliferation, bone mineralization, xenobiotics metabolism, and protection against pathogens. GM is also strongly coupled with the development and progression of nutrition-related diseases such as nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), wherein the gut-liver axis plays a major role as the gut and liver are functionally and anatomically associated through the portal vein. Dysbiosis causes leaky gut, resulting in the activation of inflammatory processes in the liver. Disruption of the gut barrier enhances microbial infiltration into the sub-mucosae, which through the bloodstream causes harmful microbial metabolites, such as butyrate, long-chain fatty acids, endotoxins, and indole-3-acetic acid, to seep into the liver. In NAFLD patients, these metabolites can lead to the development of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), fibrosis, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). In this review, we will discuss the important molecular pathways through which various metabolites and other signaling substances released by the GM regulate liver biology, under both physiological and pathological conditions. Finally, we highlight numerous therapeutic attempts, such as probiotics, prebiotics, and fecal microbial transplantation (FMT), to reprogram the gut-liver axis for decreasing liver diseases.Liver cancer is the 6th leading cause of cancer related deaths in the US even though it ranks 14th in incidence. More men are diagnosed with liver cancer than women, and the number of projected deaths among men (20,020) is almost double that among women (10,140) in the US. Infections like hepatitis and metabolic conditions like obesity are believed to be major risk factors for the onset of liver cancer. Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the most common type of liver cancer, accounts for 75% of all cases. Chemotherapy has not been effective in treating HCC. Targeted therapies are being used in advanced HCC patients due to a better survival and less side effects when compared to traditional chemotherapy. Therapeutic agents targeting the regulators of growth factor signaling pathways and the mediators of downstream signaling-for example, inhibitors of the tyrosine kinase receptor-are used as targeted molecular therapies. Kinase inhibitors that modulate growth signals, such as sorafenib and lenvatinib, are commonly employed in targeted molecular therapy for HCC patients. This review covers these agents, highlighting modes of action and providing details on clinical trials.Liver cancer is a particularly aggressive group of malignancies with historically low survival rates. Despite advancements in cancer treatments in general in the last few decades, incidence and mortality have not changed. Even though some phase 1 and 2 studies have shown promising results, many medication have failed to reach a sustainable level of efficacy to move into the clinical setting. Immunotherapy drugs have shown impressive results in the treatment of specific immunogenic cancers, prompting the possibility of their use in liver cancers. Immunotherapy medications approved for other cancers have received FDA accelerated approval for treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma. But, these approvals are contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in confirmatory trials. With more treatments in development involving cancer vaccines and natural killer cell-mediated therapy, liver cancer treatment is being reinvigorated with a broad array of new treatment angles. In this review article, we discuss these treatments, focusing on mechanism of action and clinical trials. Much needed advancements in treating late- and early-stage liver cancers will require new and innovative immunotherapeutic treatments.Autophagy is a self-destructive process that occurs in the cells during abnormal conditions like protein aggregation due to misfolding, nutrient deprivation, damage to vital cell organelles, pathogenic infections, and during cancer. Typically, autophagy plays a key role in the renovation of new cells by balancing the equilibrium between cell death and cell renewal. Dysregulation of autophagy has a profound effect on protein turnover, mitochondrial homeostasis, clearance of damaged organelles, and cellular metabolism, which lead to neurodegenerative, metabolic, and proliferative diseases. Despite its antitumorigenic role, autophagy can promote cell proliferation by enhancing chemotherapeutic resistance in liver cancer. In the present review, we provide a comprehensive overview and discussion on the role of autophagy in the drug-resistant mechanisms of liver cancer.Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common primary hepatic tumors, and it is ranked as the third most common cause of cancer-linked deaths. Although the precise etiology of HCC is unknown, inflammation has been considered the foremost cause of HCC. Previous studies indicated that tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) is associated with increased risk of HCC, but the results are conflicting. In the present study, we assessed the correlation between TNF-α G-308A polymorphism as well as HCC risk via a meta-analysis. We searched databases such as PubMed, EMBASE, and Web of Science for articles related to this subject. To evaluate the correlation between TNF-α G-308A polymorphism and HCC, the odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated. Between-study heterogeneity was assessed using Cochrane Q test and I2 statistics. To assess the robustness of data, sensitivity analysis, publication bias, and subgroup analysis were conducted. Approximately 30 articles with 4,753 cases of HCC and 6,667 controls were included for the meta-analysis. Overall, the TNF-α G-308A polymorphism notably correlated with increased risk of HCC in the dominant model (OR = 1.41, 95% CI 1.02-1.94, P = 0.036). Furthermore, a subgroup investigation showed significant correlation between TNF-α G-308A polymorphisms and HCC risk only in Asian populations (dominant model OR = 1.55, 95% CI 1.05-2.23, P = 0.025). Studies in ethnic groups showed significant heterogeneity (I2 > 50%). Funnel plot and Eggers p values did not reveal publication bias. The present meta-analysis suggested that TNF-α G-308A polymorphisms are correlated with an elevated risk of HCC in Asian populations.The tumor microenvironment (TME) favors the complex interaction of tumor cells with stromal cells that are recognized to be the regulators of hallmarks of liver cancer growth and metastasis. The most common components of TME include cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs), and tumor-associated extracellular matrix (ECM) are involved in facilitating the enhancement of liver cancer and can be exploited as potential targets. In addition, cancer stem cells (CSCs) that are known to regulate tumor initiation and progression are present in the TME. All these accumulated factors of the TME represent the driving force for liver cancer progression. This review is focused on the functions of each of the above-mentioned components of the TME and their roles as potential key players in targeting liver cancer.Nanotechnology provides an excellent platform for the development of a new generation of vaccines. These are based on purified subunit proteins or polysaccharides, recombinant proteins, synthetic peptides, or nucleic acids. These types of vaccines may be insufficiently immunogenic, thus requiring adjuvants that augment their immunogenicity. Nanoparticles (NPs) can act as adjuvants for vaccines, hence they are referred to as a nano-adjuvant (NA). NPs can either encapsulate or adsorb the vaccine antigen or DNA in an appropriate formulation, thus increasing stability, cellular uptake, and immunogenicity. In addition, the biodistribution and systemic release of a vaccine can also be controlled by different NA formulations. This review provides an overview of the classification of NAs and also addresses factors influencing the stability, release, and immunogenicity of the formulated vaccine. A basic understanding of these factors enables a more rational design of NA formulations. Applications of NAs and key challenges in their formulation development are also discussed.Increasing drift in antimicrobial therapy failure against Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the causative agent of tuberculosis (TB), and the advent of extended resistant strains strongly demand discovery of mechanisms underlying development of drug resistance. The emergence of resistance against anti-TB drugs has reached an alarming level in various parts of the world, providing an active platform for the design of new targeted drug delivery. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) have an important role in controlling TB pathogenesis. At macrophage activation, ROS that are produced inside macrophages directly kill resident bacteria. These ROS possess a dual character because they can kill macrophages along with the resident bacteria. Targeting these ROS can play a remarkable part in overcoming resistance of conventional drugs. Nanoparticles (NPs) have evolved as a potential drug carrier for targeted delivery and elimination of various resistance mechanisms against antimicrobials. Receptor-mediated targeting of macrophages via different NPs may be a promising strategy for combating drug resistance and enhancing efficacy of old-fashioned antimycobacterial agents.Nail psoriasis is a chronic condition which causes pain and functional impairment; thus, it restricts the activities of daily living and worsens the quality of life. Different chemotherapeutic options are available for treating nail psoriasis such as systemic, intralesional, and topical therapies. However, current chemotherapy suffers from several limitations and to overcome them, new advancements are being made worldwide. Various reports have been published on current progress in the treatment of nail psoriasis such as clinical efficacy studies of novel antipsoriatic agents and novel formulation strategies for current chemotherapy. There are several novel nail formulations for the treatment of nail disorders, particularly onychomycosis, such as vesicular colloidal structure (liposomes, niosomes, transfersomes, ethosomes, etc.) and nonvesicular colloidal structures (nano-emulgel, nanocapsules, thermosensitive gel, etc.) These formulations can also prove beneficial for the treatment of nail psoriasis, and will be heavily explored in the near future.