Hepatocellular carcinoma is one of the most lethal malignancies which is a rapidly growing and aggressive cancer of the liver. It ranks as the third most common cause of cancer-related death and the sixth most common tumor. The herb Curcuma longa contains a hydrophobic polyphenol called curcumin, which possesses a diverse range of biological and pharmacological properties, including anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, anti-proliferative, and antiangiogenic activities. Despite these known effects, the specific molecular mechanism by which curcumin exerts its anti-cancer effects on HCC-related targets through network pharmacology has yet to be fully understood. In this study, To assess the drug-like properties and ADME characteristics of curcumin, the QikProp tool in the Maestro module of Schrödinger software was utilized. Further we identified a total of 407 potential targets that overlapped between HCC and curcumin through network pharmacology approch. To gain further insights into these targets, we conducted gene ontology, and pathway enrichment analyses using the Enrichr webserver. Additionally, we constructed a protein-protein interaction network using Cytoscape software and identified the top 10 hub nodes using the CytoNCA plugin. To validate the significance of these hub nodes, we performed survival analysis using the KM plotter database and expression analysis using the GEPIA2 database. The results obtained from Molecular Docking and Molecular dynamic simulations, conducted using the Glide module and Desmond module respectively (Schrödinger software), and identified TNF as potential target for curcumin in the treatment of HCC. Furthermore, the Prime module in the Schrödinger suite was employed to compute the free energy of binding between curcumin and the protein target, employing the MM/GBSA (Molecular Mechanics/Generalized Born Surface Area) procedure. This analysis revealed a strong binding affinity between TNF and curcumin. Our findings not only support the anti-oncogenic role of curcumin but also shed light on the potential clinical application of curcumin in HCC therapeutics, with TNF as a promising target.

The essential autophagy regulator EPG5 has been implicated in a rare but severe autosomal recessive disorder known as Vici syndrome, which is characterized by multisystem involvement, including agenesis of the corpus callosum, cataracts, immunodeficiency, cardiomyopathy, and hypopigmentation. This review systematically elucidates the dual roles of EPG5 in autophagy and endocytic trafficking, comprehensively delineates the clinical manifestations of Vici syndrome, critically evaluates current therapeutic strategies, and proposes potential approaches to improve diagnosis and treatment for this debilitating disease. Furthermore, we highlight future research directions aimed at bridging molecular mechanisms with clinical translation, which may advance our understanding of the pathogenesis of Vici syndrome.

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is a globally prevalent gastric pathogen with substantial genetic diversity shaped by human co-evolution. Although extensive research has been conducted on H. pylori, the mechanisms underlying its adaptation and virulence remain incompletely understood. Here, we performed a phylogenomic analysis of 1467 isolates from 26 countries by constructing a core-genome single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) phylogeny and analyzing population structure, revealing five major lineages with distinct regional adaptations. A genome-wide Fixation Index (Fst) analysis identified 20 highly differentiated genes, with cagE (Fst = 0.8041)—a key component of the Type IV Secretion System (T4SS)—showing the strongest signal of positive selection. We discovered a novel N792D mutation in cagE, fixed in cluster c1, particularly in North America, which may enhance immune evasion and promote persistent colonization. Bayesian Evolutionary Analysis Sampling Trees 2 (BEAST2) analysis estimated that the most recent common ancestor (tMRCA) of highly virulent H. pylori emerged around 1934 (95% HPD: 1933–1934), coinciding with global conflicts and migrations that likely facilitated its spread. This study provides new insights into H. pylori evolution, highlighting the cagE mutation as a potential therapeutic target.

The genome, which is an organism’s complete genetic blueprint, consists of a dynamic mixture of unique and repetitive DNA sequences that are continuously evolving, making the human genome a prime example of this complexity. Repetitive sequences emerge through mechanisms such as replication slippage, transpositions, and unequal recombination, whereas non-repetitive sequences evolve through point mutations, insertions and deletions, segmental duplication errors, and horizontal gene transfers. This review explores the evolution of polymeric nucleic acids, genome proliferation and homeostasis, and the various mechanisms that drive genomic diversity. It further highlights the occurrence and biological significance of DNA repeats across different domains of life. In addition, the review critically evaluates the impact of these sequences on genome instability, regulatory processes, and their involvement in human diseases. The concluding sections integrate current evidence on the contribution of repetitive elements to evolution, focusing on the interplay between genetic and epigenetic mechanisms that govern their fate, and emphasize how this knowledge is crucial for advancing genome function research and personalized medicine.

Infection with hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a global health problem, causing diseases such as acute and chronic hepatitis, liver cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma. Numerous studies in the literature have demonstrated hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) as the first virological marker of HBV infection, and that serum HBsAg levels are reported to be an important criterion for the diagnosis and management of HBV infection. Therefore, the sensitive and selective detection of HBsAg is critical for the early diagnosis of hepatitis B and for the management of the diseases associated with HBV infection. Electrochemical immunosensors play an important role in the early diagnosis of infection with hepatitis B virus since they are rapid, easy-to-use, and reliable diagnostic tools with a possibility of on-site detection. Besides, they might have superior performance in terms of multiple analytical parameters compared to more commonly used alternatives in the clinic, including ELISA. Herein, we review the reported success and potential of electrochemical biosensors for the detection of HBsAg in the early diagnosis and monitoring of hepatitis B virus infection, and provide a brief overview for future studies, with the ultimate aim of directing more research focus into this topic.