Personalized and Precision Medicine Journal

Abstract Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a multifaceted autoimmune disorder characterized by immune dysregulation and multi-organ involvement. Central to its pathogenesis is the CD154/CD40 signaling axis, which orchestrates key immunological processes, including T-B cell collaboration, dendritic cell activation, and cytokine production. Recent findings have expanded the scope of CD154 beyond its classical receptor CD40, identifying integrins as alternative receptors, thus broadening its biological impact. These discoveries underline the complexity of CD154's role in SLE and its potential as a therapeutic target. First-generation CD154/CD40-targeted therapies showed promise but were hindered by thromboembolic complications. However, second-generation therapeutics, including monoclonal antibodies, small molecules, and gene-editing technologies, exhibit improved safety and efficacy profiles. This review delves into the molecular and cellular mechanisms of CD154 in SLE, explores its emerging roles through integrin interactions, and evaluates the therapeutic advancements targeting this axis. The findings highlight CD154 as a central mediator in SLE pathogenesis and a compelling target for innovative treatment strategies.

Abstract Introduction: In this context, the use of medicinal plants as a natural and effective remedy for relieving Menstrual pain has been acknowledged in the western border region of Iran, serving as an alternative or complementary therapeutic approach. The aim of this study is to identify the medicinal plants employed in this region of Iran for the treatment of menstrual pain.
Methodology: This review study employed keywords such as medicinal plants, Iran, menstrual pain, and the provinces of West Azerbaijan, East Azerbaijan, Ardabil, Kurdistan, Kermanshah, Ilam, Khuzestan, and their cities, along with ethnobotany terms. Databases such as Google Scholar, SID, MegaIran, PubMed, and Scopus were utilized for article searches. Ethnobotanical articles related to the topic were selected for text review.
Results: Based on the ethnobotanical review, it was identified that in the cities and provinces of the western border region of Iran, medicinal plants such as fennel, wild parsley, shepherd's purse, black cumin, thyme, dandelion, rue, safflower, myrtle, European hornbeam, Kurdistan pistachio, mint, marshmallow root, male orchid, yarrow, agrimony, nettle, bitter herb, verbena, horsetail, periwinkle, marigold, saffron, wild thyme, savory, rhubarb, and eastern chamomile are commonly used for managing, controlling, and treating menstrual pain. Notably, the highest diversity of plant species was observed in the regions of Behbahan, Khuzestan, and Zrewar, Kurdistan. Leaves were the most commonly used plant part, and the Asteraceae and Lamiaceae families presented the highest number of species, indicating the rich diversity of medicinal and traditional plant applications.
Conclusion: The findings of this study demonstrate that the local communities in the western border region of Iran possess extensive knowledge regarding the use of medicinal plants for alleviating menstrual pain. Documenting and scientifically exploring this knowledge could lay the groundwork for the development of effective and natural herbal medicines in the domain of women’s health.

Abstract Cancer is a catastrophic illness with a significant worldwide fatality rate, anticipated to rise in the next years. Contemporary treatment modalities, including chemotherapy and radiation therapy, include constraints such as adverse effects, inconsistent efficacy, elevated expenses, and restricted accessibility. Bacteriophages have arisen as multifaceted instruments in bioengineering, with significant promise in tissue engineering, vaccine formulation, and immunotherapy. Bacteriophages are being used extensively in several fields of biotechnology and medicine, with cancer treatment being the most compelling application. Numerous studies are increasingly validating the effectiveness and safety of phage-based vectors as systemic delivery vehicles for therapeutic genes and medicines in cancer treatment. Moreover, the genetic composition of phages may be used for the creation of innovative DNA vaccines and antigen display systems, since they provide a highly structured and repeated presentation of antigens to immune cells. Bacteriophages have created novel opportunities for the precise targeting of certain molecular determinants in cancer cells. Phages may serve as anticancer agents and as carriers for imaging compounds and medicines. This article introduces bacteriophage and examines the performance of bacteriophages and bacteriophage engineering in targeted cancer treatment.

Abstract Breast cancer is responsible for more than 2.3 million newly diagnosed cases each year, according to the statistics. A hormonal imbalance, which is defined by unregulated activity of estrogen and progesterone, is often the cause of this type of cancer. It has become easier to handle patients who have HR+ breast cancer, particularly in women who have both advanced and early-stage disease, as a result of the deployment of estrogen-blocking hormone treatment. The permissiveness of tamoxifen, which was the first selective estrogen receptor modulator (SERM) to be commercialized, made it possible for more hormonal therapies to be developed. The cornerstone of breast cancer treatment is comprised of aromatase inhibitors (AIs), selective estrogen receptor degraders (SERDs), and cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors (CDK) 4/6. These three types of drugs ultimately lead to improved patient outcomes. On the other hand, the inherent or acquired resistance of cancers to hormone therapy continues to be a serious cause for concern. Alterations in the genetic makeup of the tumor, as well as the activation of alternate pathways, make this situation even worse. The increasing development of molecular biology, precision medicine, and targeted therapies, on the other hand, is pointing to a new strategy for dealing with these problems. The purpose of this study is to investigate prospective treatment options and to shed light on the significant role that hormone therapy plays in the management of HR-positive breast cancer.

Abstract Background: Menopause comes along with a set of hormonal and physiological changes that can change cardiovascular responses during surgeries, along with altering pain perception. This research intends to analyze pain intensity during and after anesthesia and changes in hemodynamics in pre- and post-menopausal women during elective abdominal hysterectomy under general anesthesia.
Methods: Elective surgery patients, in this case, were 88 in number, with each division having 44 patients (before menopause and after). Women in each group were defined as premenopausal (n=44) and postmenopausal (n=44) in equal proportion. Other metrics looked at were Systolic Blood Pressure (SBP) and Diastolic Blood Pressure (DBP), also known as SpO₂. Patients’ heart rate and SpO₂ were checked during the surgery and after the surgery as well. Pain was assessed with the use of standardized scale methods, and participants were questioned on the pain felt during the post-operative period.
Results: While the premenopause cohort showed lower fluctuations in sensitivity to changes in SBP, DBP, and HR during and after anesthesia, the Postmenopause cohort exhibited the opposite (p<0.05). In each group, the SpO₂ levels were maintained within normal limits and showed no significant group differences. In the postoperative period, the pain score was significantly higher in the postmenopausal group with lower pain tolerance and a higher requirement for analgesic treatment. Spoken demographics such as age, body mass index (BMI), and other associated conditions showed a moderating influence on the hemodynamic response and pain outcomes.
Conclusion: Following menopause, diminished vascular adaptability, along with increased sympathetic tone and decreased central pain modulatory control due to lack of estrogen, might explain the instability of hemodynamics and increased postoperative pain. These observations could help in the formulation of appropriate anaesthetic techniques and postoperative pain relief policies in relation to the reproductive status of women.