Personalized and Precision Medicine Journal

Abstract Background: Circulating microRNAs have emerged as promising minimally invasive biomarkers for colorectal cancer (CRC). This study evaluated the expression and diagnostic performance of circulating hsa-miR-21-5p and investigated its potential molecular targets using integrated bioinformatics analysis.
Methods: Plasma samples were obtained from 50 treatment-naïve male patients with histologically confirmed grade II CRC and 20 healthy male controls. Circulating RNA was extracted and miR-21-5p expression was quantified using stem-loop reverse transcription quantitative PCR. Hsa-miR-1228-3p was used as the endogenous reference, and relative expression was calculated using the 2^−ΔΔCq method. Diagnostic performance was assessed by receiver operating characteristic analysis. High-confidence target genes were identified using miRDB and TargetScan, followed by protein–protein interaction analysis using STRING.
Results: The mean ages of patients and controls were 55 and 49 years, respectively, with no significant between-group difference (P=0.162). Circulating miR-21-5p expression was significantly higher in CRC patients than in healthy controls (P=0.002). ROC analysis yielded an area under the curve of 0.873 (95% CI, 0.766–0.979; P<0.0001). Target prediction identified a set of high-confidence genes involved in cell proliferation, apoptosis, immune regulation, adhesion, extracellular-matrix organization, and transcriptional control. STRING analysis revealed a functionally connected network containing central signaling proteins, including STAT3, YAP1, SKP2, PDCD4, TRAF6, and SPRY-family proteins.
Conclusion: Circulating miR-21-5p demonstrated good ability to distinguish CRC patients from healthy controls. The bioinformatics findings suggest that its biological effects may involve interconnected oncogenic, apoptotic, immune, and invasion-related pathways.

Abstract Chancroid is an STI characterized by the Gram-negative bacteria Haemophilus ducreyi. Controlling chancroid is challenging, and the primary treatment accessible is antimicrobial therapy. However, drug resistance has been seen in places where the disease is common. Due to recent global outbreaks of sexually transmitted infections (STIs), it is crucial to continue researchi ng innovative treatment options and prevention measures. We used reverse vaccinology and subtraction genomic methods to determine potential vaccination and therapeutic targets against H. ducreyi in silico. We found 56 Secreted proteins, with 159 membrane molecules and 515 cytoplasmic proteins. We assessed their need, operation, and ability to cause disease. We identified 6 potential vaccination targets and three pharmacological targets inside pathogenicity islands. The discovered targets may be utilized in future initiatives to manage chancroid globally.