BioNexus Bulletin

DIAGNOSIS OF RIFAMPICIN-RESISTANT TUBERCULOSIS AND BIOMARKER-BASED ASSESSMENT OF DISEASE SEVERITY WITH DENTAL AND PHYSICAL THERAPY FINDINGS IN DISTRICT PESHAWAR

Imam Hussain — Wed, 31 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0530

Tuberculosis remains a leading global cause of infectious mortality, with multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB), particularly rifampicin resistance, posing a major therapeutic challenge. Despite the widespread use of molecular diagnostics, the relationship between rifampicin resistance and inflammatory biomarkers remains underexplored. This study assessed rifampicin resistance using the GeneXpert assay and evaluated its association with selected inflammatory markers in pulmonary tuberculosis.A total of 150 sputum and 150 blood samples were collected from patients with confirmed pulmonary Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection. Sputum samples were examined by Ziehl–Neelsen staining and analyzed using GeneXpert for rifampicin resistance. Blood samples were evaluated for C-reactive protein (CRP), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), and D-dimer levels.GeneXpert analysis identified 87% non-MDR and 13% MDR cases, with rifampicin resistance detected in 26 samples. Elevated CRP levels were observed in 143 (95.3%) patients, while ESR was increased in 119 (79.3%) cases. In contrast, D-dimer positivity was detected in only 7 (4.7%) patients.In conclusion, CRP and ESR were markedly elevated in GeneXpert-confirmed tuberculosis cases, whereas D-dimer showed limited diagnostic or prognostic relevance. These findings suggest that CRP and ESR may serve as valuable adjunct biomarkers for assessing disease severity in pulmonary tuberculosis, complementing molecular diagnostic approaches in clinical practice.

NOVEL HETEROCYCLIC SCAFFOLDS IN DRUG DISCOVERY: DESIGN STRATEGIES AND THERAPEUTIC APPLICATIONS

RAVI KUMAR KONDA — Wed, 31 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0530

Heterocyclic compounds constitute a cornerstone of modern medicinal chemistry due to their structural diversity, tunable physicochemical properties, and broad biological activity. A significant proportion of approved drugs contain one or more heterocyclic rings, underscoring their importance in drug discovery and development. Recent advances in synthetic chemistry, computational design, and biological screening have enabled the identification of novel heterocyclic scaffolds with enhanced therapeutic potential. This review highlights contemporary strategies for the design and synthesis of novel heterocyclic frameworks and discusses their applications across major therapeutic areas, including oncology, infectious diseases, and central nervous system disorders. Emerging trends such as scaffold hopping, bioisosteric replacement, and privileged structure exploration are examined, along with current challenges and future perspectives in heterocycle-based drug discovery.

ADVANCES AND CHALLENGES IN NANOPARTICLE DRUG DELIVERY SYSTEMS FOR CANCER TREATMENT: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW

HARSHITH R — Wed, 31 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0530

Nanoparticle drug delivery systems have emerged as a transformative approach in cancer therapy, offering targeted delivery, reduced systemic toxicity, and improved therapeutic efficacy. Despite significant advancements, challenges such as biocompatibility, scalability, and clinical translation remain unresolved. This systematic literature review aims to synthesize recent developments and identify critical gaps in nanoparticle-based drug delivery systems for cancer treatment, focusing on their design, functionality, and application across diverse cancer types. We conducted a comprehensive analysis of peer-reviewed studies, evaluating the progress in general nanoparticle systems, specific nanoparticle types, and their mechanisms of action in targeted cancer therapy. The review highlights the versatility of nanoparticles, including liposomes, polymeric nanoparticles, and inorganic carriers, which exhibit unique advantages in drug encapsulation, stability, and controlled release. Furthermore, we examine how these systems address the heterogeneity of cancers, enabling precise delivery to tumours while minimizing off-target effects. Key findings reveal that surface modifications and stimuli-responsive designs significantly enhance targeting efficiency and therapeutic outcomes. However, translational challenges such as immune responses, manufacturing consistency, and regulatory hurdles persist. By consolidating current knowledge, this review provides a critical assessment of the field's state, emphasizing the need for interdisciplinary collaboration to bridge the gap between preclinical research and clinical implementation. The insights gained underscore the potential of nanoparticle drug delivery systems to revolutionize cancer treatment while outlining future directions for overcoming existing limitations.

EMERGING INFECTIOUS DISEASES IN WILDLIFE: ZOONOTIC RISKS, ECOLOGY AND CONTROL STRATEGIES

Dileepu Kumar Banisetti — Wed, 31 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0530

Emerging infectious diseases (EIDs) originating from wildlife represent a growing global threat to public health, biodiversity, and ecosystem stability. The majority of recently emerging human pathogens are zoonotic, with wildlife acting as natural reservoirs. Anthropogenic pressures such as habitat destruction, climate change, wildlife trade, and agricultural expansion have intensified human–wildlife interactions, facilitating pathogen spillover. The ecology of wildlife diseases is shaped by host diversity, pathogen evolution, environmental conditions, and socio-economic factors. This review examines the role of wildlife in zoonotic disease emergence, key ecological drivers, mechanisms of spillover, and current control and mitigation strategies. Emphasis is placed on surveillance, One Health approaches, habitat management, and policy interventions to reduce future zoonotic risks while conserving wildlife populations.

A CASE STUDY OF ALCOHOL DEPENDENCE SYNDROME WITH PSYCHOTIC FEATURES IN A 55-YEAR-OLD MALE

Pranathi K — Wed, 31 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0530

Alcohol Dependence Syndrome (ADS) is a chronic psychiatric condition often associated with withdrawal symptoms and psychotic manifestations. This case study describes a 55-year-old male admitted to the psychiatry department with complaints of self-talk, decreased sleep, and delusions of perception. The patient exhibited hallucinations and delusional beliefs suggestive of alcohol-induced psychotic disorder. Comprehensive psychiatric assessment, detoxification, vitamin supplementation, and antipsychotic management resulted in clinical improvement. This report highlights the importance of early identification and multidisciplinary management of alcohol dependence with psychotic features to prevent morbidity and relapse.