Abstract.Proteinase-activated receptor-2 (PAR2) is widely expressed in the CNS but whether it plays a key role in inflammation-related behavioural changes remains unknown. Hence, in the present study we have examined whether PAR2 contributes to behaviour associated with systemic inflammation using PAR2 transgenic mice. The onset of sickness behaviour was delayed and the recovery accelerated in PAR2 -/-mice in the LPS-induced model of sickness behaviour. In contrast, PAR2 does not contribute to behaviour under normal conditions. In conclusion, these data suggest that PAR2 does not contribute to behaviour in the normal healthy brain but it plays a role in inflammation-related behavioural changes.

Liver cancer is the sixth most prevalent cancer and ranks third in cancer‐related death, after lung and colorectal cancer. Various natural products have been discovered as alternatives to conventional cancer therapy strategies, including radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and surgery. Curcumin (CUR) with antiinflammatory, antioxidant, and antitumor activities has been associated with therapeutic benefits against various cancers. It can regulate multiple signaling pathways, such as PI3K/Akt, Wnt/β‐catenin, JAK/STAT, p53, MAPKs, and NF‐ĸB, which are involved in cancer cell proliferation, metastasis, apoptosis, angiogenesis, and autophagy. Due to its rapid metabolism, poor oral bioavailability, and low solubility in water, CUR application in clinical practices is restricted. To overcome these limitations, nanotechnology‐based delivery systems have been applied to use CUR nanoformulations with added benefits, such as reducing toxicity, improving cellular uptake, and targeting tumor sites. Besides the anticancer activities of CUR in combating various cancers, especially liver cancer, here we focused on the CUR nanoformulations, such as micelles, liposomes, polymeric, metal, and solid lipid nanoparticles, and others, in the treatment of liver cancer.

The anti-oxidative potential of extracts from two Iranian medicinal plants, Oliveria decumbens and Capparis spinosa, is assessed in this study. The Oliveria genus is part of the Apiaceae family and contains only one species, O. decumbensVent. Capers are either wild or cultivated plants that are found in many tropical and subtropical countries. Oliveria decumbens and Capparis spinosa aerial parts were dried and ground. The herbal solution was then created by combining herbal powder and methanol. Finally, the total antioxidant capacity of the plants was determined using the Ferric Iron Reducing Antioxidant Power (FRAP) assay and the ELISA reader at 570 nm. The total antioxidant capacities of O. decumbens, C. spinosa fruit, and C. spinosa leaves, respectively, were 3.82 mmol Fe2+/L, 1.96 mmol Fe2+/L, and 1.65 mmol Fe2+/L. These plants' essential oils are secondary metabolites that are widely used in the food, pharmaceutical, and health industries as antioxidant and antimicrobial compounds. In general, the traditional Iranian edible plants studied are good sources of natural antioxidant compounds.

Increasing data have shown the significance of various miRNAs in malignancy. In this regard, parallel to its biological role in normal tissues, miRNA-128 (miR-128) has been found to play an essential immunomodulatory function in the process of cancer initiation and development. The occurrence of the aberrant expression of miR-128 in tumors and the unique properties of miRNAs raise the prospect of their use as biomarkers and the next generation of molecular anticancer therapies. The function of miR-128 in malignancies such as breast, prostate, colorectal, gastric, pancreatic, esophageal, cervical, ovarian and bladder cancers and hepatocellular carcinoma is discussed in this review. Finally, the effect of exosomal miR-128 on cancer resistance to therapeutics and cancer immunotherapy in certain malignancies is highlighted.

Background & Objective: Toxoplasmosis is a zoonotic infection caused by Toxoplasma gondii, a parasite that causes a variety of clinical symptoms in humans. It is a facultatively heteroxenous, polyxenous protozoon that has evolved several potential transmission routes within and between the host species. Infections caused by Toxoplasma gondii are more frequently seen in immunocompetent patients. The infection acquired by the mother during pregnancy puts the fetus at risk of congenital infection due to the parasite transmission across the placenta. The severity and frequency of infection are determined by the gestational age of the mother at the time of infection. The objective of this research was to study the toxoplasmosis infection in women, and to estimate the relationship between T. gondii infection and parameters including abortion time, chronic diseases, and age. Materials & Methods:The case-control study was conducted on 50 healthy women (pregnant and non-pregnant) as control group and 135 women with abortion experience as case group at the Women's and Children's Hospital in Baghdad, Iraq from December 2021 until March 2022. The questionnaire was used to gather information from the women. The participant's name, age, gestational age, address, medications taken, medical history, previous abortions, and the date the sample was taken were all included. Under sterile conditions, five milliliters of the venous blood were drawn from each woman. The ELISA test was used to determine the level of anti-T. gondii IgM and IgG antibodies in serum samples. Results:The anti-Toxoplasma IgM and IgG antibodies were found to be positive in 51% and 8% of the cases, respectively. However, the anti-T. gondii antibodies seroprevalence was 59% in women who had abortion. The healthy women had 0% for all antibodies. Conclusion:Despite reporting the high rates of infection among women who had single abortions, the current study found no significant association between the percentage of infection and the number of abortions. The cause of high incidence among women who had abortion could be due to decrease in the immune system function.