Cellular and Molecular Biology

Donor site healing in follicular unit extraction hair transplantation: current evidence, cellular mechanisms, and future research directions

2025-09-08T11:10:50+02:00

Follicular unit extraction (FUE) has become a leading technique in hair transplantation, yet optimal management of the donor area remains a clinical challenge. This systematic review analyzes intraoperative and postoperative interventions applied to the donor area in FUE hair transplantation, with a focus on both clinical outcomes and the cellular and molecular mechanisms involved in tissue repair, inflammatory response, and regenerative processes. A comprehensive literature search was conducted in PubMed and EMBASE (January 2000–June 2025), identifying clinical studies that evaluated donor area treatments and reported outcomes related to healing, inflammation, infection, and patient satisfaction. Four studies met the inclusion criteria, encompassing corticosteroid infiltration, platelet-rich plasma (PRP), timing of postoperative care, and hair follicle-derived microtissue (HFMT) application. Evidence suggests that intraoperative corticosteroid use significantly reduces postoperative edema, likely by modulating local inflammatory pathways and vascular permeability. Early postoperative wound care is associated with decreased folliculitis incidence, highlighting the importance of timely intervention in preventing microbial colonization and dysregulated immune responses. While PRP and HFMT show potential for enhancing cellular proliferation and accelerating wound closure, current data are limited by heterogeneity in study design and lack of standardized molecular endpoints. The review identifies a critical gap in mechanistic studies exploring the cellular dynamics of donor area healing, including the roles of keratinocytes, fibroblasts, and immune cells. Future research integrating molecular biomarkers and advanced imaging is needed to elucidate the pathways driving optimal tissue regeneration. These insights may inform evidence-based protocols that not only improve clinical outcomes but also advance our understanding of scalp wound biology in the context of FUE.

Combinatorial targeting of PI3K/AKT pathway with BKM120 increases cisplatin sensitivity and apoptotic response in A549 lung cancer cells

2025-09-08T10:58:22+02:00

Despite significant advancements in the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) using conventional therapeutic methods, drug resistance remains a major factor contributing to disease recurrence. In this study, we aimed to explore the potential benefits of combining PI3K inhibition with Cisplatin in the context of NSCLC-derived A549 cells. Human non-small cell lung cancer A549 cells were cultured and treated with BKM120, cisplatin, or their combination. Cell viability was assessed using the MTT assay. Drug interactions were evaluated by calculating combination and dose reduction indices. Cell cycle progression and apoptosis were analyzed by flow cytometry. Quantitative real-time PCR was performed to measure the expression of key genes related to the cell cycle, apoptosis, autophagy, and proteasome function. The effects of autophagy and proteasome inhibition were further examined using chloroquine and bortezomib, respectively. Our findings demonstrated that BKM120 sensitized A549 cells to Cisplatin at lower concentrations. Moreover, we observed that BKM120 enhanced the anti-proliferative effects of Cisplatin by inducing cell cycle arrest in the G1 phase and upregulating the expression of P21 and FOXO4. Moreover, our real-time PCR analysis provided evidence that the combination treatment not only down-regulated Bcl-2 expression but also upregulated BAD and BAX expression in A549 cells, which ultimately led to apoptotic-mediated cell death. In conclusion, this investigation illuminated the role of PI3K inhibition in the chemo-sensitivity of 549 cells and revealed that the combination of BKM120 and Cisplatin may represent a viable therapeutic option for NSCLC.

Multi drug resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa in burn infection among Iraq patients

2025-09-08T10:58:32+02:00

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a prominent opportunistic pathogen, especially in burn wound infections, and is often associated with high morbidity and mortality due to its multidrug resistance (MDR) characteristics.This study aimed to evaluate the multidrug resistance profile and perform a molecular phylogenetic analysis of P. aeruginosa isolates recovered from human burn infection sample .Clinical specimens from burn wounds were subjected to traditional culture techniques and biochemical identification to isolate P. aeruginosa. The antibiotic susceptibility patterns were determined using the disc diffusion method according to CLSI guidelines. Molecular identification and phylogenetic characterization were performed using PCR amplification and Sanger sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene.The isolates demonstrated resistance to multiple antibiotics, notably cefixime and meropenem, indicating a multidrug-resistant phenotype. PCR confirmed the presence of P. aeruginosa through successful amplification of the 16S rRNA gene. Sequencing results and phylogenetic analysis revealed a high degree of genetic similarity between the local isolate and P. aeruginosa strains reported globally, suggesting potential international dissemination or conserved evolutionary patterns.

An early prediction of postprandial glycemia evolution using the MD001 algorithm: a muticentre prospective trial

2025-09-08T10:58:39+02:00

To date, the closed-loop system represents the best commercialized management of type 1 diabetes. However, mealtimes still require carbohydrate estimation and are often associated with postprandial hyperglycemia which may contribute to poor metabolic control and long -term complications. A multicentre, prospective, non-interventional clinical trial was designed to determine the effectiveness of a novel algorithm to predict changes in blood glucose levels two hours after a usual meal. Forty patients were included, and 765 meals were analyzed of which 278 were followed by a postprandial hyperglycemic event i.e. value > 160 mg/dL two hours after the start of the meal. The developed algorithm correctly predicts the postprandial hyperglycemia risk or absence of risk in 87% of cases. The results suggest that early prediction of the glycemic evolution within a few minutes after the end of a meal can considerably improve the postprandial hyperglycemia management and thus reduce the associated emotional burden. The study was supported by M-DT1 SAS, France.

Anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effect of purslane and turmeric in rheumatoid arthritis rat models

2025-09-08T10:58:46+02:00

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disorder characterized by joint inflammation. Given the side effects of conventional treatments, this study focuses on the anti-inflammatory effects of purslane (Portulaca oleracea) and turmeric (Curcuma longa). The research is driven by the growing demand for plant based-treatment for safer therapeutic options for RA management. Five groups were formed; the control group included only healthy rats and was used for baseline comparison. RA was experimentally induced in male rats using Complete Freund’s Adjuvant (CFA). Treated groups received extracts of purslane, turmeric and combination of both and one group was left untreated (RA group). Bioactive compounds in plant extracts were identified by GC-MS analysis. Paw edema and body weight were monitored thrice weekly for statistical analysis, and neutrophil counts were assessed microscopically. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to quantify the inflammatory biomarkers including IL-1, TNF-α, IL-6, IL10, CD14, CD4, MMP-1, alongside measuring cyclic citrullinated peptide (anti-CCP) levels. CFA-induced RA significantly increased paw edema, neutrophil counts (P<0.0001), and elevated levels of anti-CCP, CD4, IL-1, IL-6, and TNF-α compared to the control group (P<0.001). Treatments with purslane, turmeric and combination reduced paw swelling and these inflammatory markers in RA induced rats significantly (P< 0.01). Despite the increasing serum level of MMP-1, CD14 and IL-10 the reduction by plant extract did not show significant results. It is concluded that the bioactive compounds in the purslane and turmeric have anti-inflammatory effects through reducing inflammatory markers in RA induced rats.

Sodium Orthovanadate (SOV) mitigates alcohol & alcohol plus high-fat diet (HFD)-induced hepatotoxicity in rats

2025-09-08T10:58:57+02:00

Alcoholic fatty liver disease (AFLD) is a leading cause of chronic liver disease worldwide, contributing to significant morbidity and mortality. Despite its growing prevalence, no FDA-approved pharmacological treatments exist, leaving lifestyle modifications as the primary intervention. AFLD pathogenesis involves a complex interplay of lipid accumulation, oxidative stress, insulin resistance, and inflammation, highlighting the need for innovative therapeutic approaches. However, sodium orthovanadate (SOV), an inorganic vanadium-based compound, is a potent inhibitor of protein tyrosine phosphatases (PTPs), including PTP1B—a key regulator of insulin signalling and metabolic homeostasis. SOV has demonstrated insulin-mimetic properties and has shown promise in preclinical models of metabolic disorders. Given the emerging role of PTP1B in hepatic insulin resistance and lipid dysregulation, we hypothesize that SOV may offer therapeutic benefits in AFLD by modulating biochemical parameters and oxidative stress in liver. In this study, we investigate the effects of SOV in two rodent models of AFLD: (1) alcohol-induced liver disease and (2) high-fat diet plus alcohol-induced liver disease. We assess Biochemical Parameters like alkaline Phosphatase (ALP), aspartate amino transferase (AST), alanine amino transferase (ALT), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), total bilirubin, cholesterol, uric acid, triglyceride. Tissue analysis like TBARS/MDA activity, Glutathione (reduced GSH) assay, Glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity, Superoxide Dismutase, Catalase activity, and Histopathology to determine whether SOV can mitigate AFLD progression. Our research shows that SOV has promise as a treatment for fatty liver disease brought on by alcohol. Improvements in oxidative stress control,biochemical markers most likely mediate its hepatoprotective benefits. By uncovering the therapeutic potential of SOV, this study may pave the way for novel pharmacological strategies to combat fatty liver diseases.

Concentration and integrity index of circulating cell-free DNA as a biomarker in pediatric patients with B-ALL

2025-09-08T10:59:08+02:00

The objective of this study was to evaluate the concentration and integrity index of circulating cell-free DNA (ccf-DNA) as biomarkers for the detection and monitoring of minimal residual disease (MRD) in pediatric patients with B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL). Comparison with a validated methodology for the quantification of monoclonal rearrangements of the IGH gene was made. Peripheral blood and bone marrow samples were collected from 10 pediatric patients with B-ALL at diagnosis, remission, and maintenance phases. Total ccf-DNA concentration was estimated using Qubit® fluorometry, and the integrity index was obtained through qPCR amplification of ALU247/ALU115 fragments. Monoclonal rearrangements of the IGH gene were quantified by multiplex PCR and detected by capillary electrophoresis. Results showed that at diagnosis, the mean ccf-DNA concentration was 5,607 ng/mL with an integrity index of 0.38; during remission induction, they were 968 ng/mL and 0.35; and during the maintenance phase, 748 ng/mL and 0.33, respectively. Differences between treatment phases were significant (p=0.02). The reference group had a mean ccf-DNA concentration of 247 ng/mL and an integrity index of 0.20, showing significant differences compared to the patient group (p=0.01). Monoclonality analysis showed significant differences between diagnosis and remission (p=0.022) and between diagnosis and maintenance (p=0.001). Linear regression analysis during treatment demonstrated a similar trend for ccf-DNA concentration and monoclonality. In conclusion, ccf-DNA concentration and integrity index could be useful biomarkers for monitoring MRD in patients with B-ALL, showing comparable efficacy to the detection of monoclonality in the IGH gene.

Risk factors for coronary in-stent restenosis in Moroccan patients: a retrospective case-control study

2025-09-08T10:59:16+02:00

In-stent restenosis remains a significant challenge in interventional cardiology despite technological advancements. This retrospective case-control study conducted at the University Hospital Center Ibn Rochd in Casablanca (2020-2023) examined risk factors associated with coronary in-stent restenosis in 68 patients equally distributed between restenosis and no-restenosis groups. Diabetes emerged as a powerful predictor of restenosis (RR=4.15, 95% CI [1.05-16.4]), with notable differences in lipid profiles between groups. Restenosis patients exhibited significantly higher LDL cholesterol (2.19 vs. 1.31 mmol/L, p<0.001) and lower HDL levels. Univariate logistic regression identified multiple significant factors, including medication intake duration (OR=1.30, 95% CI [1.09-1.54], p=0.003) and LDL levels (OR=26.7, 95% CI [5.03-141.8], p<0.001). Dual antiplatelet therapy duration differed significantly between groups (p<0.001), while stent characteristics showed no significant differences. Our findings highlight diabetes mellitus as a critical determinant of coronary in-stent restenosis, operating synergistically with specific lipid abnormalities. These results underscore the need for targeted preventive strategies in diabetic patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention, including aggressive glycemic control, intensive lipid management, and optimized antiplatelet therapy regimens. The pronounced relationship between diabetes and restenosis emphasizes the importance of individualized approaches to coronary intervention in this high-risk population.

Prevalence, characterization, and transmissible factors of foodborne pathogens in the Al-Qassim Region, Saudi Arabia

2025-09-08T10:59:24+02:00

Foodborne illnesses pose a significant public health threat globally, particularly in Saudi Arabia, where the rapid growth of the food service sector has increased the risk of exposure to multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria. Traditional microbiological methods are often time-consuming and may lack precision, highlighting the need for faster and more accurate diagnostic alternatives. In this study, Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) was employed for the rapid and precise identification of bacterial contaminants in ready-to-eat (RTE) foods, alongside an assessment of their antibiotic resistance profiles. A total of 80 RTE food samples—including chicken shawarma, shish tawook, chicken burgers, and falafel sandwiches—were collected from restaurants across the Al-Qassim region between September and November 2024. Bacterial identification was performed using standard culturing techniques in combination with MALDI-TOF MS, while antimicrobial susceptibility testing was conducted using the Kirby–Bauer disk diffusion method in accordance with CLSI guidelines. The predominant pathogens identified were Escherichia coli (E. coli) (32.5%), Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) (27.5%), and Acinetobacter baumannii (A. baumannii) (18.75%), with the highest contamination observed in chicken shawarma samples. MALDI-TOF MS provided high-confidence species-level identifications, with score ranges between 2.00 and 2.49. E. coli isolates exhibited complete resistance (100%) to ampicillin, amoxicillin-clavulanic acid, cefoxitin, and cephalothin. High resistance rates were also observed for norfloxacin (80.8%) and tetracycline (73.1%). Similar MDR patterns were detected in S. aureus and A. baumannii. Imipenem remained the most effective antibiotic, showing 100% susceptibility among E. coli and S. aureus isolates and 93.3% effectiveness against A. baumannii. These findings underscore the critical need for routine microbial surveillance, implementation of rapid diagnostic tools, and enforcement of stringent food safety regulations to curb the spread of antimicrobial-resistant pathogens through the food supply chain.

Effect of cumin and coriander seeds consumption on dyslipidemia, abdominal fat, body weight, and lipid profile in rat models

2025-09-08T10:59:33+02:00

Dyslipidemia is considered a crucial risk factor for high risk of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular diseases. Cumin and coriander seeds are well-known flavoring agents that contain nutraceutical properties and appear to have beneficial health effects. A study was therefore conducted to investigate the effects of cumin and coriander seeds on body weight, abdominal fat and lipid profile in rats. For this purpose, 18 male albino rats were fed on fat-rich diet (diet A) for 14 days, followed by the control diet mixed separately with 20 g of cumin (diet B) and 20g of coriander (diet C) for the next 4 weeks. The body weights and lipid profiles of the rats were analyzed at the start of the intervention and thereafter weekly. Results showed that cumin seeds help to reduce body weight, ranging from 178g to 141g (37g), even for a short time. Post-mortem examination revealed that rats fed cumin diet have less fat accumulation in abdominal cavity compared to control and coriander seeds diets. Elevated values of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) were observed particularly from day 14 to 35 in rats fed with both cumin (from 72.3 to 88.0 mg/dl) and coriander seeds, (from 63.2 to 88.0 mg/dl) as compared to control group (55.0 mg/dl) (P>0.05). Also, a remarkable reduction of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and total lipid profile was seen in cumin group, as compared to the controls. This interventional study reported that cumin seeds helped in the significant reduction of weight, abdominal fat and total lipid profile while increasing the HDL in rats.

Hormonal receptor status and lymph nodes involvement in breast cancer: a retrospective study

2025-09-08T10:59:41+02:00

Hormonal status and lymphatic invasion are two important prognostic factors among cases of breast cancer. This study aims to assess and evaluate the hormonal receptor status and lymph node involvement among female breast cancer patients in Duhok city, Kurdistan region, Iraq. A retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted, involving 156 diagnosed cases of breast cancer who had undergone surgical treatment and laboratory investigations at Azadi Teaching Hospital and Duhok Private Hospital for 30 months. Hormonal status (ER, PR, HER2 enriched, and Ki67), luminal staging, and lymphatic invasions were analyzed using SPSS version 26. Invasive ductal carcinoma not otherwise specified accounted for 87.8% of the total sample, with Luminal A being the most common form (42.31%), followed by Luminal B (37.17%). The prevalence of hormonal status among cases of breast cancer with lymphatic invasion was ER 42.5%, PR 41.2%, HER2 enriched 21.01%, and Ki67 36.8%; however, these differences were not statistically significant (P values: 0.586, 0.65, 0.253, and 0.469, respectively). In conclusion, invasive ductal carcinoma is the most common histological type of breast cancer, and the most frequent biological form is Luminal A. A significant number of breast cancer cases with positive lymphatic invasion show positive hormonal receptor levels; however, the number of lymphatic invasions is not correlated with the type of hormonal receptor positivity

Isolation and characterization of β-sitosterol from Terminalia arjuna fruit and its growth-promoting effect on beneficial fungi

2025-09-08T10:59:51+02:00

Terminalia arjuna, an important medicinal plant in traditional Indian systems, has been extensively studied for its cardioprotective bark. However, limited attention has been given to its fruit, which contains several biologically active phytochemicals with potential antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and immunomodulatory properties. This study aimed to isolate and partially purify phytoactive compounds from the fruit of T. arjuna using chromatographic techniques, characterize them, and assess their effect on the growth of industrially important fungal strains. Dried and powdered T. arjuna fruit was extracted using 70% methanol. The crude extract was subjected to sequential solvent partitioning followed by column chromatography. The resulting fractions were evaluated using TLC, High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC), and LC-MS for partial purification and confirmation of the phytochemicals. The growth-promoting effect of the purified compound was tested on Trichoderma harzianum by measuring optical density after 48 hours of incubation in the presence of the compound. Methanolic extraction of T.arjuna fruit yielded approximately 1652 mg of dried extract. Column chromatography followed by TLC profiling led to the identification of three pooled fractions (A, B, and C), each with distinct banding patterns and Rf values. Among them, Fraction B exhibited a prominent TLC band at Rf 0.133 and was the most abundant (421 mg). HPLC analysis confirmed the high purity of Fraction B, showing a single dominant peak at retention time 3.113 minutes with an area percentage of 97.8%. In growth promotion assays using Trichoderma harzianum, Fraction B significantly enhanced fungal biomass, with a 32.54% increase in OD600 compared to control. LC-MS analysis in positive ion mode identified a molecular ion at m/z 415 [M+H]+ and a key fragment at m/z 256, consistent with β-sitosterol. The presence of β-sitosterol in fruit of T. arjuna reflects the plant’s long-recognized therapeutic significance and is associated with various beneficial pharmacological effects. This study established that the fruit of T. arjuna can serve as a viable source of β-sitosterol, which may have potential as a natural growth enhancer for industrial fungi.

SIRT1 modulation and lipid profile alterations in the cellular regulation of blood lipids in renal disorders among extremely obese individuals

2025-09-08T10:59:59+02:00

The global epidemic of overweight and obesity is closely linked to the development of chronic kidney disease (CKD), with extremely obese individuals facing a particularly high risk. This study aimed to assess the relationship between lipid profile levels, SIRT1 expression, and RNA-34a-5P in the regulation of blood lipid levels among severely obese individuals with renal diseases. Conducted over six months in three specialized hospitals, the study included 100 participants divided into two groups: 50 obese individuals with renal diseases and 50 obese controls without renal problems. Ethical standards, including confidentiality and informed consent, were strictly observed. Biochemical assessments included measurements of total cholesterol, LDL, HDL, triglycerides, creatinine, GFR, SIRT1 protein (via Western blotting), and RNA-34a-5P expression (via qPCR). Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS v26 and Pearson's correlation. The results revealed a negative association between RNA-34a-5P expression and total cholesterol, LDL, triglycerides, and SIRT1 expression, while a positive but non-significant association was found with HDL and GFR. Notably, SIRT1 expression was significantly downregulated in the patient group compared to controls. These findings provide compelling evidence that SIRT1 expression is markedly reduced in extremely obese individuals with renal diseases, suggesting a potential molecular link between SIRT1, lipid metabolism, and renal dysfunction in severe obesity.

Expression analysis of C-FOS and XRCC3 Thr241Met polymorphism in gastric cancer

2025-09-08T11:08:23+02:00

Gastric cancer is one of the causes of deaths related to cancer across the globe and both genetic and environmental
factors are the most prominent. Causes of its pathogenesis. This paper researches the expression
of the C-FOS gene. and Thr241Met talking in the XRCC3 gene in patients with gastric cancer and healthy
individuals. Controls, in an attempt to clarify their behavior as possible disease susceptibility molecular markers.
A total of 100 gastric cancer patients and 100 matched healthy individuals were enrolled, with genomic
DNA and RNA extracted from blood samples. Quantitative real-time PCR was used to assess C-FOS expression,
while PCR-RFLP determined XRCC3 Thr241Met genotypes. The C-FOS and the Thr/Met XRCC3
genotypes, 12 genotypes revealed that C-FOS was significantly overexpressed in patients than in controls (P
<0.001). The XRCC3 Thr/Met genotype was very frequent in patients, as well (P =0.0020). Also, blood type
A, family history of gastric cancer, and residing in the country were shown to be categorized as major factors
of the risk, and were not significant factors. These results indicate that upregulation of C-FOS and the XRCC3
Thr241Met variant are risk factors of gastric cancer and that blood type and familial history are additional
risk factors. We present in our findings that molecular profiling coupled with demographic profiling is highly
relevant in risk assessment and early detection techniques in gastric cancer. The study contributes to the
further comprehension of the molecular pathogenesis of gastric carcinogenesis and suggests C-FOS and
XRCC3 as possible clinical and epidemiological markers.

Salivary interleukin-17A and interleukin-18 as potential biomarkers of immunopathogenesis and oral health status in rheumatoid arthritis

2025-09-08T11:10:58+02:00

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disease characterized by persistent inflammation and is often associated with poor oral health. Cytokines play a central role in RA immunopathogenesis. This case-control study investigated the involvement of salivary interleukin-17A (IL-17A) and interleukin-18 (IL-18) in RA patients in relation to oral health status. Unstimulated whole saliva samples were collected from 20 RA patients and 20 age- and sex-matched healthy controls. Oral health was assessed using plaque and gingival indices. Salivary IL-17A and IL-18 concentrations were measured by ELISA. RA patients exhibited significantly higher salivary levels of IL-17A and IL-18 compared to controls (p < 0.05). Both cytokines showed positive correlations with gingival index, and IL-17A was also correlated with disease activity (DAS28). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis demonstrated that both interleukins effectively discriminated RA patients from healthy controls (AUC = 0.927 for IL-17A, AUC = 0.925 for IL-18). These findings suggest that elevated salivary IL-17A and IL-18 are associated with increased oral inflammation and may serve as non-invasive biomarkers for RA immunopathogenesis and oral health deterioration.