Laila Anjuman Banu

CRISPR-Cas9: a promising genetic engineering approach in cancer research:

Bacteria and archaea possess adaptive immunity against foreign genetic materials through clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat (CRISPR) systems. The discovery of this intriguing bacterial system heralded a revolutionary change in the field of medical science. The CRISPR and CRISPR-associated protein 9 (Cas9) based molecular mechanism has been applied to genome editing. This CRISPR-Cas9 technique is now able to mediate precise genetic corrections or disruptions in in vitro and in vivo environments. The accuracy and versatility of CRISPR-Cas have been capitalized upon in biological and medical research and bring new hope to cancer research. Cancer involves complex alterations and multiple mutations, translocations and chromosomal losses and gains. The ability to identify and correct such mutations is an important goal in cancer treatment. In the context of this complex cancer genomic landscape, there is a need for a simple and flexible genetic tool that can easily identify functional cancer driver genes within a comparatively short time. The CRISPR-Cas system shows promising potential for modeling, repairing and correcting genetic events in different types of cancer. This article reviews the concept of CRISPR-Cas, its application and related advantages in oncology.

Craniofacial Anthropometric Profile of Adult Bangladeshi Buddhist Chakma Females

The present descriptive, observational, and cross-sectional study was designed to establish the baseline measurements of the craniofacial anthropometrical parameters and indices of 100 adult Bangladeshi Buddhist Chakma females aged between 25 and 45 years, residing at different locations of Chittagong and Rangamati cities. A total of ten craniofacial variables were measured using physical and photographic procedures. Craniofacial indices were calculated from those craniofacial variables. The craniofacial indices showed that Chakma females are mostly hyperbrachycephalic, hypereuryprosopic, and mesorrhine, with intermediate eyes and long narrow ears.

Brugada syndrome: A major cause of sudden cardiac death

In 1992 a new syndrome was described consisting of syncopal episodes or sudden death in patients with a structurally normal heart and an electrocardiogram characteristic of right bundle branch block with ST segment elevation in leads V1 to V3. Brugada syndrome is an autosomal dominant disorder. It has been shown to be associated with mutations in the gene (SCN5A) that encodes for the sodiumion channel in cardiac myocyte. Over 160 mutations of gene SCN5A have been identified. The incidence of the disease is difficult to estimate, but it causes sudden deaths of 5 per 10,000 inhabitants per year and involved much more frequently in people of Asian ancestry. Diagnosis can be easily made by means of genetic analysis and ECG. Recent data suggest that loss of the action potential dome in the right ventricular epicardium underlies ST segment elevation seen in this syndrome. Right ventricular epicardium is preferentially affected because of the predominance of transient outward current in this tissue. Antiarrhythmic drugs like amiodarone and beta-blockers do not prevent death in symptomatic or asymptomatic individuals. Though Implantation of an automatic cardioverter–defibrillator is the only recently proven effective therapy; Quinidine has been found to decrease Ventricular fibrillation and could prove to be a secured option of implantable cardioverter–defibrillator. However, researcher set focus on gene therapy that may offer an enduring cure in future years. The purpose of this brief review is to record the past highlights that have brought us to our present understanding of Brugada syndrome.

Gene Therapy: A Veracity or Myth.

Gene therapy is a novel approach to treat, cure, or ultimately prevent disease by changing the expression of a persons gene. It involves the transfer of a therapeutic or working gene copy into specific cells of an individual in order to repair a faulty gene copy. Thus it may be used to replace a faulty gene, or to introduce a new gene whose function is to cure or to favorably modify the clinical course of a condition. The scope of this new approach to the treatment of a condition is broad, with potential in the treatment of many genetic conditions. Though single gene disorders are best treated than multifactorial disorder; the challenge of developing successful gene therapy for any specific condition is considerable. The problem of ‘gene delivery’ into the desired tissues is very complex and challenging. Some of the ‘vectors’ for delivering the working copy of the gene to the target cells include using harmless viruses and non viral vectors. Till date, in gene therapy, only somatic cells and not the germ cells are targeted for treatment. The possible genetic manipulation of the germ cells remains the subject of intense ethical and philosophical discussion. Though some devastation was recorded in gene therapy trial; the potential benefits of new treatments must always be balanced against such risks. In particular, safety will appropriately remain an important consideration as the field of gene therapy evolves. The purpose of this review is to focus on merit and demerit of gene therapy and to provide information about its future prospective.