BAU International University

The advent of genome editing technologies, most notably CRISPR-Cas systems, has further expanded the therapeutic scope of gene therapy by enabling precise modification of endogenous DNA. Genome editing allows direct correction of pathogenic mutations, targeted gene disruption, and modulation of gene expression, marking a conceptual shift from gene addition toward permanent genetic repair. The clinical approval of CRISPR-based therapies and the rapid translation of engineered T-cell therapies, such as chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapy, illustrate the growing feasibility and impact of these approaches across oncology, hematology, and emerging non-malignant indications. Despite remarkable progress, significant barriers continue to limit broader implementation of gene therapy. Immunogenicity to viral vectors and transgene products, manufacturing complexity, scalability constraints, long-term safety monitoring requirements, and unprecedented treatment costs remain critical challenges. The economic burden associated with gene therapies necessitates innovative reimbursement models and policy frameworks to ensure sustainability and equitable access. Ethical considerations, including informed consent, long-term risk assessment, and governance of genome editing technologies, are increasingly central as gene therapy expands to more common and complex diseases. Gene therapy now represents a diverse and rapidly evolving ecosystem of therapeutic platforms rather than a single technological approach. Continued innovation in delivery systems, genome editing precision, manufacturing processes, and regulatory frameworks will be essential to fully realize it’s potential. As integration into routine clinical practice accelerates, multidisciplinary collaboration, rigorous long-term surveillance, and responsible ethical oversight will be critical to ensuring that gene therapy fulfills its promise as a cornerstone of precision and personalized medicine. Gene therapy has emerged as a transformative paradigm in modern biomedical science, fundamentally redefining approaches to disease treatment by targeting underlying genetic and molecular mechanisms rather than solely managing clinical symptoms. Over the past four decades, advances in molecular biology, virology, genome engineering, and translational medicine have driven the evolution of gene therapy from an experimental concept to a clinically validated therapeutic modality with multiple regulatory approvals and expanding indications. This comprehensive review critically examines the scientific foundations, technological breakthroughs, clinical achievements, and persistent challenges shaping the contemporary gene therapy landscape. The gene therapy now represents a diverse and rapidly evolving ecosystem of therapeutic platforms rather than a single technological approach. Continued innovation in delivery systems, genome editing precision, manufacturing processes, and regulatory frameworks will be essential to fully realize it’s potential. As integration into routine clinical practice accelerates, multidisciplinary collaboration, rigorous long-term surveillance, and responsible ethical oversight will be critical to ensuring that gene therapy fulfills its promise as a cornerstone of precision and personalized medicine.  

ABSTRACT This study mapped the availability, integration, and referral patterns of mental health (MH) and substance use disorder (SUD) services for people living with HIV (PLWH) in Georgia. PLWH face a heightened burden of MH conditions, compounded by systemic and social barriers. In Georgia, these challenges are exacerbated by fragmented healthcare system, centralized HIV care, and limited service integration. Cross-sectional survey was conducted between January-August 2024 using a structured questionnaire distributed to 80 institutions across 11 regions of Georgia, including MH centers, HIV-focused NGOs, PLWH treatment and support organizations, and primary healthcare (PHC) centers. Data analysis included descriptive statistics and social network-informed methods. Findings revealed geographic disparities, with services concentrated in urban centers, particularly Tbilisi. Specialized MH institutions provided most clinical MH and SUD services, while HIV-focused organizations delivered treatment and support services. However, formal service protocols for HIV-related MH care were rare. Referral pathways were siloed, showing strong internal linkages among HIV service providers but weak or absent connections with MH and PHC sectors. These findings highlight the urgent need to integrate MH services into HIV platforms and strengthen inter-organizational referrals ensuring comprehensive, person-centered care for PLWH.

Research aimed to examine the effects of β-blockers on cytokine release in Jurkat cells under basal conditions and during oxidative stress. Oxidative stress was induced in Jurkat cells through the application of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). Subsequently, β-blockers were administered to the incubation medium for 24 h, encompassing both intact and oxidatively stressed cell conditions. For β-blocker toxicity screening, the viability of Jurkat cells was determined using the MTT (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazolyl-2)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) test. The IL-6, IL-17, and TNF-α content were measured in the supernatant of Jurkat cells incubated under different conditions. The study results show that propranolol, metoprolol, carvedilol, but not nebivolol, revealed toxic effects on the intact Jurkat cells (pc-p = 0.0001; pc-m > 0.0001; pc-c = 0.0003; pc-n = 0.0525). Under oxidative stress conditions, the viability of Jurkat cells decreased significantly (pc-H2O2 = 0.0001). Propranolol and metoprolol did not affect ((pc-p = 0.0001; pc-m > 0.0001), while nebivolol and carvedilol improved the viability of Jurkat cells incubated under oxidative stress conditions (pc-n = 0.002; pc-c = 0.0002). Oxidative stress significantly increased the cytokines (IL-6, TNF-α, IL-17) expression levels (pc-H2O2 < 0.0001; pc-H2O2 < 0.0001; pc-H2O2 < 0.0001) in Jurkat cells. Propranolol, carvedilol, nebivolol, and metoprolol did not significantly affect the expression levels of IL-6, TNF-α, and IL-17 in intact Jurkat cells, but decreased IL-6, TNF-α, and did not change IL-17 expression levels in Jurkat cells incubated under oxidative stress conditions. This study demonstrates that β-blockers can influence redox-sensitive cytokine pathways in Jurkat T lymphocytes when they are under oxidative stress. All the agents tested inhibited the production of IL-6 and TNF-α, but nebivolol and carvedilol showed the strongest protective and anti-inflammatory effects. These effects likely result from their combined properties, including antioxidant effects, nitric oxide modulation, and the regulation of NF-κB/MAPK pathways. In contrast, propranolol and metoprolol exhibited more limited activity. These findings suggest that third-generation β-blockers may offer both cardiovascular and immunomodulatory benefits, although further validation in primary immune cells and in vivo models is still required.

In the era of climate change, optimizing both photosynthesis and radiation use efficiency (RUE) is essential to meet the growing global food demand and minimizing environmental impacts. Climate change poses significant challenges to photosynthesis and RUE through increased temperatures, altered precipitation patterns, and elevated atmospheric CO2 levels. These changes can disrupt plant metabolic processes, reduce water availability, and increase the frequency of extreme weather events, thereby affecting crop productivity. However, there is a lack of comprehensive documentation on the understanding of relationship between photosynthesis and RUE in this era of climate change. Peer-reviewed electronic databases such as Scopus, PubMed, Web of Science, Google Scholar and Science Direct were used for relevant articles in order to address this gap through desk research. Out of 252 initially identified articles, 127 were deemed pertinent, focusing primarily on the relationship and strategies to improve photosynthesis and RUE for better growth and development of agricultural crops. Taking into account research findings worldwide, we found that several strategies such as climate-resilient crop varieties, optimizing canopy architecture, employing precision agriculture techniques etc. can improve the ability of plants to harness solar radiation effectively. Integrating these insights with sustainable agricultural practices can promote resource-use efficiency, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and enhance food security. This review article underscores the critical role of optimizing photosynthesis and RUE in developing sustainable agricultural systems that are resilient to climate change, ultimately contributing to global sustainability goals.

Background: Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women and one of the most important causes of death among them. Breast cancer is a multi-factorial disease and various factors contribute to its occurrence. Objective: The objective of the study was to find out the association of risk factors of breast cancer among women in a selected cancer specialized hospital in Dhaka city. Methodology: This was a case-control study conducted on breast cancer patients who had been admitted and diagnosed at the department of Oncology of Delta Medical College and Hospital within the defined period from January 2022 to December 2022. Following informed written consent, 108 healthy women and 108 breast cancer patients were included into the study. They were interviewed and information was recorded in the questionnaire. Ethical issues were maintained and the results of histological diagnosis were obtained to complete the data sheet and analyzed by SPSS. Result: Total of 216 patients were interviewed with a minimum age of 20 and a maximum age of 82. The average age of the respondents was 45.88 years ± 2.79 years. The most common weight for the breast cancer patients was in the range of 40-50 kgs with frequency of 43(39.81%). The most common weight for the non breast cancer patients was in the range of 50-60 kgs with frequency of 43(39.81%). The difference was statistically significant (p&lt;.05). 43.5% breast cancer patients used contraceptive pills and 59.26% had reported their children have been breastfed. 40.74% of the breast cancer patients had X-ray exposure and 55.56% of them did not do daily exercise. For the breast cancer patients, 73 of them have reported their husband had regular tobacco smoking habit (67.59%) compared to non smoking habit of only 35 respondents (32.41%). On the other hand, for non breast cancer patients, 75 of them have reported of no smoking habit of husband (69.44%) compared to only 33 (30.56%) of the husband’s smoking habit. The difference was statistically significant (p&lt;0.05). 43.52% breast cancer patients had alcohol consumption habit. We found significant association of breast cancer with the number of children, contraceptive pill usage, X-ray exposure, husband’s tobacco smoking habit, hormonal contraceptive pill usage. Conclusion: Data of the present study confirmed a marked relationship between breast cancer and all the risk factors being identified in the study.

Adolescents' daily lives have been greatly changed by the rapid spread of technology and the increased accessibility of screens. With the pervasive use of screens in daily life, understanding the relationship between screen habits and mental health is crucial. This research investigates the association between different types of screen behavior (social media, video games, and TV viewing) and mental health outcomes among adolescents in Adjara, Georgia. A cross-sectional method was used. A total of 384 samples were collected, and the study focused on two unique age groups, namely those aged 14 to 18 years and 19 to 24 years. The research revealed significant gender- and age-related differences in the association between screen behavior and mental health outcomes. The extensive users of social media, particularly females in the age group 19-24, have comparatively higher rates of depression identified through the self-report scale. Moreover, the research establishes a significant correlation between the levels of anxiety and the use of social networks and highlights the outcomes of screen time. Residency also appears to play the role of an independent variable that affects the mental health of teenage males, notably males aged 14-18, specifically in the context of self-esteem. Cultural and environmental differences such as differences between rural, high mountainous areas of Adjara, where people are more conservative and have less access to the internet, and the urban city center, where screen usage is more prevalent. These differences impacted self-esteem, with males in rural areas reporting higher self-esteem compared to their urban counterparts. Knowledge of these dynamics is crucial in constructing strategies that will ensure healthy screen habits and good mental health.

IntroductionA visual digital tool called SEXual Dysfunction Evaluation Tool (SEX-DET) was created for assessing the causes of sexual dysfunction, based on a biopsychosocialsexual and relational schema, to assist patients in understanding the relative influence of the various factors contributing to their sexual dysfunction. The aim of this study was to evaluate satisfaction of this tool in sexual dysfunction patients and practitioners. MethodsA satisfaction study of the SEX-DET was performed in 50 patients (20 F, 30 M) consulting for a sexual trouble and 3 practitioners. The main reasons for consultation were erectile dysfunction (36%) and desire disorder (30%). ResultsAll the participants agreed that the SEX-DET helped them to understand the origin their trouble (46% strongly, 42% moderately, 12% somewhat), the various factors involved (56% strongly, 22% moderately and 18% somewhat) and the management of their trouble (6% strongly, 47% moderately, 33% somewhat). Overall, 94% of participants found that the SEX-DET was easy to use (58% strongly, 16% moderately and 20% somewhat). Practitioners acknowledged the user-friendly interface, its critical role in improving patients’ understanding and providing a comprehensive visualization of the dimensions associated with sexual dysfunction, even if one practitioner threatened the tool's intrinsic inclination to oversimplify complex data. ConclusionSEX-DET enabled to improve patients’ understanding of their trouble and helped practitioners in structuring better communication during consultations communication regarding sexual dysfunction. The shortcomings of this study was its focus on short-term outcomes, self-reported data, and the absence of control group. Level of evidence3.

The article examines the benefits of self-assessment and emphasizes its paramount importance in the teaching process. Our work analyzes the purpose of self-assessment, which is accompanied by numerous benefits when coupled with teachers’ feedback. The primary aim of this article is to highlight the role of students in educational activities, who are equipped with the opportunity to involve in self-assessment through different approaches. Providing constructive feedback and setting adequate goals for the learning outcomes are also indispensable components in this process. Notably, students with low self-esteem often experience anxiety and depression, which is closely intertwined with academic performance and assessment. Modern educational standards offer a plethora of possibilities to integrate innovative practices into the teaching process, establishing engaging and welcoming environment for all students. Hence, constructive and appropriate self-assessment can significantly contribute to improving students’ self-esteem, sharpening their skills, and promoting academic success. The article employs various methods, including self-reflective rubrics, self-assessment questionnaires and direct observation. Using these methods proves to have positive results in students’ academic life. The final results and conclusions of our research, conducted at Bahcesehir International University Batumi (BAU) are thoroughly discussed and conceived in the study. These findings underline the powerful impact of self-assessment on students’ academic development, marking its role in personal and educational outcomes. Results revealed that the majority of students gained autonomy and identified their strengths and areas for improvement in the learning process.

This study aimed to investigate and compare water sorption and solubility properties of current restorative materials with different contents. Alkasite, self-adhesive restorative material (Cention N, Ivoclar Vivadent AG, Schaan, Liechtenstein), bulk-fill glass hybrid restorative material (EQUIA Forte HT, GC Corp., Tokyo, Japan), nanohybrid universal composite material (OptiShade, Kerr Dental, United States), and bulk-fill composite material (Filtek One Bulk Fill Restorative, 3M ESPE, St. Paul, Minnesota, United States) were used. Samples (n = 6) were prepared (2 × 10 mm) according to the ISO 4049 standards. Water sorption and solubility values were calculated according to the ISO 4049 standards. One-way ANOVA, Tukey's post-hoc, Tamhane's T2 post-hoc, Pearson's correlation, and independent samples t-tests were used for statistical analysis (p < 0.05). Group EQUIA Forte HT significantly showed the highest water sorption values (57.278 ± 3.174), while Group Filtek One Bulk Fill Restorative exhibited the lowest (4.429 ± 0.174; p < 0.05). The water sorption values for Group Cention N were 5.000 ± 0.542. Group EQUIA Forte HT significantly had the lowest water solubility values (-99.799 ± 1.909), while Group Cention N (-2.966 ± 0.402) significantly exhibited the highest (p < 0.05). There was no significant correlation between water sorption and solubility values for each material (p > 0.05). The bulk-fill nano-filled composite resin material was successful in terms of water sorption while the bulk-fill glass hybrid restorative system in terms of water solubility. Alkasite can be recommended to be used as a base material due to its high solubility feature. Monomer, filler type, and amount had an impact on the water sorption and solubility properties of the tested materials.