Cellular and Molecular Biology

Effects of naphthalene acetic acid on aborted okra production, antioxidants, minerals, phenol, flavonoid, and carotenoid content applied to flower ovary stigma

Abu Bakar Mohammad Sharif Hossain, Mekhled M Alenazi, Danial Kahrizi — Sat, 26 Apr 2025 00:00:00 +0200

The experiment was carried out to investigate the effect of different concentrations of NAA (naphthalene acetic acid) on the seedless (aborted) okra production, vitamin C, carotenoids, flavonoids, antioxidants (DPPH), phenolic, and mineral content. The micro-syringe injection in flower stigma was an innovative application method used in this experiment, rather than spray, which was a common and traditional method. The flower stigma injection method was applied on the flower stigma after the anthesis of the flower of the okra plant using NAA at different concentrations. In Experiment 1: The lowest concentration (25 mg/l) of NAA greatly increased the pod setting compared to the higher concentrations and control. NAA application at 25 and 50 mg/l concentrations induced higher values of pod length, diameter, size, weight, ascorbic acid, and soluble solid content over the control. The chlorophyll content in leaves was affected significantly by different concentrations of NAA. It was found that 25 and 50 mg/l concentrations of NAA significantly increased chlorophyll content, fiber, moisture, flavonoid, carotenoid, antioxidant (DPPH), minerals, and phenolic content compared to the other concentrations and control. In addition to that, control and 25 mg/l concentrations of NAA increased the production of healthy seeds compared to the 50 and 100 mg/l. Moreover, 50 and 100mg/l of concentrations showed higher aborted seed (seedless) than the other concentration and control. In Experiment 2: In the second year, the residual effects of aborted seed (seedless) were found to have a decreasing trend of most of the parameters like pod weight, size, aborted okra percent, leaf chlorophyll, antioxidant (DPPH), and Vitamin C. But, NAA concentrations showed better residual effects in the second year in comparison to the control. Therefore, it seemed that 25 mg/l was the best concentration for pod growth and development, and 100 mg/l was the best for seedless okra production in the first and second years.

Gender difference of Wharton's jelly-derived mesenchymal stem cells on differentiation potential into functional granulosa cells

Sat, 26 Apr 2025 00:00:00 +0200

The ovarian follicles consist of theca and granulosa cells, which play a crucial physiological role in sex hormone and cytokine secretion and provide an optimal induction microenvironment for oocytes. However, ethical concerns and the absence of a cellular model for investigating the molecular pathway in humans present challenges for research on granulosa cells. To address these challenges, differentiation induction into granulosa cells using mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) could offer a novel approach to advancing granulosa cell research. In this study, the granulosa cell differentiation ability and hormone synthesis function of MSCs derived from male and female donors were investigated to identify gender differences. MSCs isolated from Wharton’s jelly (WJ-MSCs) were successfully differentiated into granulosa cell-like cells, as evidenced by the expression of granulosa cell-specific markers at both the mRNA and protein levels. Differentiated WJ-MSCs into granulosa cell-like cells increased aromatase activity, which plays an important role in converting testosterone to estradiol, resulting in significantly increased estradiol levels in differentiated cells compared to undifferentiated WJ-MSCs. However, the activity in female-differentiated cells was significantly higher than in male-differentiated cells. The current study indicates that female-derived WJ-MSCs may represent a novel stem cell resource for understanding granulosa cells and could provide an excellent cellular source for studying various developmental stages and processes of human folliculogenesis.

Influence of di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate on dysregulation of testosterone production via alteration of aromatase expression

Sat, 26 Apr 2025 00:00:00 +0200

Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), an endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs), is commonly used as a plasticizer to improve the flexibility and durability of plastics. On a daily basis, we are exposed to varying amounts of this compound. Several studies have demonstrated that exposure to DEHP and its metabolite, mono(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (MEHP), leads to testosterone deficiency (TD) in both humans and animals. However, the precise mechanism that causes DEHP-induced TD is still not completely understood. This study aims to determine the effects of DEHP on testosterone levels and elucidate the underlying mechanisms. C57BL/6 mice and Leydig cells were exposed to various doses of DEHP (0, 0.5, and 5 mg/kg/day) for 9 weeks and MEHP (0, 0.05, 0.5, and 5 μM) for 24 hours, respectively. Both in vivo and in vitro results indicated significant reductions in testosterone levels due to DEHP and MEHP. Additionally, DEHP and MEHP increased the expression of aromatase, a gene that converts testosterone to estradiol and induced an increase in the expression of inflammatory cytokines such as IL-6, IL-1β, and TNF-α. Moreover, DEHP activated NF-κB, a key transcription factor regulating numerous genes associated with inflammation. These results suggest that sustained exposure to DEHP increases inflammatory factors, which may elevate aromatase activity and result in decreased testosterone levels in the body. Furthermore, this study provides a basis for discussing the potential correlation between persistent DEHP exposure and TD characterized by low testosterone levels in the body.

The effects of lysosomal dysfunction on cytoplasmic vacuolation and amyloid-beta 40 (Aß40) level in human brain endothelial cells (HBEC-5i)

Sat, 26 Apr 2025 00:00:00 +0200

Lysosomes are an important intracellular organelle that regulates cellular degradation. Dysfunctional lysosomes disrupt this process, leading to the accumulation of toxic proteins that are meant to be degraded inside the cell, leading to cellular stress and potential toxicity. One of the proteins is beta-amyloid which is associated with conditions like cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA) and Alzheimer's disease (AD). To identify its effects on the vascular compartment, the current study explored lysosomal dysfunction's impact on cytosolic vacuole formation and amyloid beta 40 (Aß40) levels in human brain endothelial cells (HBEC-5i). Cells treated with the lysosomotropic compound chloroquine (70.5 µM) exhibited morphological changes, including prominent cytosolic vacuole formation. The vacuole density was recorded at 11.86 ± 1.907 vacuoles per cell (p < 0.05), and its diameter was significantly increased (3.76 ± 0.182 µm, p < 0.05) compared to the negative control group. However, the average cell size remained unchanged despite the vacuole formation in CQ-treated cells. ELISA tests on lysate and supernatant revealed no significant differences between treatment and control groups in intracellular and extracellular Aß40 levels. This suggested that while lysosomal dysfunction induced cytosolic vacuole changes, it did not significantly alter Aß40 levels. Further research is needed to elucidate the pathways involved in Aß40.

Comparative analysis of stemness between dermal papilla cells and human dermal stem/progenitor cells

Joong Hyun Shim — Sat, 26 Apr 2025 00:00:00 +0200

Adult stem cells (ASCs) have great applicative potential in tissue regeneration. Comparative analyses of ASCs derived from various niches are essential for comprehending the unique traits of each population and evaluating their potential for therapeutic use. In this study, the proliferation ability, stem cell marker expressions, and differentiation potential of skin-derived ASCs were compared between hair follicle dermal papilla cells (HFDPCs) and human dermal stem/progenitor cells (hDSPCs). The cell division capacity of hDSPCs was significantly increased compared with HFDPCs, and the differentiation capacity into adipocytes, chondrocytes, and osteoblasts was significantly increased in hDSPCs. On the contrary, HFDPCs showed significantly increased expression of dermal papilla–related markers (SOX2, S100β, CORIN and Snai2) compared with hDSPCs. To analyze why these two types of ASCs have different properties, I analyzed intracellular signaling by protein kinase assay. Protein kinase assays showed that the phosphorylation of ERK1/2, c-JUN, CREB, YES, and GSK3α/β is significantly changed in HFDPCs and hDSPCs compared with dermal fibroblasts. HFDPCs have increased expression of markers related to hair regeneration compared with hDSPCs, on the other hand, hDSPCs are more multipotent than HFDPCs. The five above-mentioned phosphorylated signaling proteins (ERK1/2, c-JUN, CREB, YES, and GSK3α/β) are responsible for the characterization of HFDPCs and hDSPCs. The different characteristics of each skin-derived ASC might be a major factor influencing their effective use for tissue regeneration and therapeutics.

Spatial distribution and genetic diversity of TYLCV in Saudi Arabia

Zafar Iqbal — Sat, 26 Apr 2025 00:00:00 +0200

This study investigated the genetic diversity, phylogeny, and evolutionary dynamics of Tomato yellow leaf curl virus (TYLCV) across seven regions in Saudi Arabia. Analyzing 28 full-length TYLCV genomes, phylogenetic analysis revealed two distinct clades: one predominantly comprised of isolates from the Ahsa (Eastern province) region and the other encompassing isolates from Northern and Western regions. The Ahsa region exhibited significantly higher TYLCV prevalence and genetic diversity, harboring the most divergent isolates with high haplotype (Hd = 1.00) and nucleotide (π = 0.079) diversity. Conversely, regions like Jeddah and Hadasham showed lower diversity, suggesting less or stable viral populations. Genetic diversity analyses revealed high variation in coding regions like CP and Rep, which are under strong selective pressures and prone to recombination. Conversely, V2 displayed lower diversity, indicating purifying selection. Selection pressure analysis using dN/dS ratios indicated diversifying selection in C4 (2.20) and Rep (1.28). Single Likelihood Ancestor Counting identified one positively selected site in Rep. In contrast, Fast Unconstrained Bayesian AppRoximation identified multiple sites in C4 (8), TrAP (7), REn (6), and V2 (1), suggesting roles in host adaptation and immune evasion. A total of 32 credible recombination events, predominantly in Ahsa isolates, were identified using RDP and confirmed by GARD analysis. These events, involving both inter- and intraspecies recombination, play a crucial role in enhancing TYLCV genetic diversity and adaptability. The conservation of motifs in V2 and C4 indicated their essential roles in TYLCV function. In contrast, variations in ORFs like CP, Rep, TrAP, and REn among specific isolates may promote viral diversity and adaptation. This study demonstrates the crucial role of geographic and genetic factors, with Ahsa as a key hub for TYLCV diversity, in driving viral evolution and diversification. The findings emphasize the need to monitor regions with high viral diversity, like Ahsa, and develop strategies to manage TYLCV's swift spread.

Identification of candidate biomarkers and pathways associated with vedolizumab response in T cell populations of IBD patients by WGCNA

Abdelkader Oumeddour — Sat, 26 Apr 2025 00:00:00 +0200

Vedolizumab is a monoclonal IgG1 antibody that prevents T cells from migrating to the gut mucosa. The purpose of this study was to identify key genes with promising therapeutic targets, and molecular pathways associated with vedolizumab response. Gene expression profiles of the GSE234736 dataset were downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO). A co-expression network was constructed, and significant modules were identified using the weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) package. Next, functional enrichment analysis was performed using the R package clusterProfiler to explore gene ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathways. Then, protein-protein interaction (PPI) was constructed by using the function “exportNetworkToCytoscape” and visualized by Cytoscape software. There were three modules correlated with vedolizumab response: black (r=0.41; P<4e-05), magenta (r=0.3; P<0.004), and blue (cor = -0.29, P< 0.004). Genes in selected modules were mainly enriched in lymphocyte differentiation, cytoplasmic translation, and rRNA metabolic processes, respectively. KEGG pathway analysis showed that these genes were particularly enriched in Human T-cell leukemia virus 1 infection and protein processing in the endoplasmic reticulum. Furthermore, six selected hub genes were detected in each module by overlapping PPI and WGCNA networks. Finally, GO enrichment re-analysis of selected hub genes revealed 11 hub genes that were significantly enriched in the positive regulation of intracellular protein transport and regulation of alternative mRNA splicing. This study identified hub target genes and functional pathways that may provide new insights into responsiveness to vedolizumab, a targeted therapy for IBD.

Evaluating the antifungal potential of six essential oils against fungi causing wilt and dieback on olive trees

Sat, 26 Apr 2025 00:00:00 +0200

Essential oils, known for their antimicrobial properties, are being investigated as natural alternatives to synthetic fungicides in agriculture. This study aimed to assess the chemical composition of six commercial essential oils (clove, tea tree, rosemary, thyme, oregano, and garlic) and to evaluate their fungistatic and/or fungicidal activity against six phytopathogenic fungi that cause significant damage to olive trees in Tunisia. For this purpose, the essential oils' qualitative and quantitative chemical compositions were analyzed using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The antifungal activity was assessed using the poisoned substrate method at different concentrations (250, 500, 1000, and 4000 ppm). Results showed that the chemical composition analysis revealed that monoterpenoids were the dominant fraction in all oils except clove and garlic, which were primarily composed of eugenol (96.28%) and trisulfide (31.97%), respectively. The antifungal activity results showed that lower concentrations (250, 500, 1000 ppm) of tea tree, rosemary, thyme, and oregano oils had limited inhibitory effects on the tested fungi. However, Biscogniauxia mediterranea was highly sensitive to clove, garlic, and rosemary oils at 4000 ppm. Fusarium oxysporum, Fusarium solani, Verticillium dahliae, and Lasiodiplodia theobromae were mainly inhibited by clove oil at concentrations ranging from 500 to 4000 ppm, while Rhizoctonia bataticola was inhibited by clove and garlic oils at high concentrations. In conclusion, among the tested essential oils, clove oil demonstrated the highest antifungal efficacy, making it a promising natural alternative to synthetic fungicides for controlling olive tree phytopathogenic fungi.

Evaluation of blood components and their association with Interleukin-18 in chronic myeloid leukemia

Sat, 26 Apr 2025 00:00:00 +0200

This study investigated the association between Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML), Interleukin-18 (IL-18), and blood components. A case-control, multi-center trial was conducted from November 12, 2023, to August 8, 2024, including 134 CML patients and 44 healthy controls. Results indicated a statistically significant difference between the control group and CML patients in IL-18 levels, platelet count (PLT), and white blood cell count (WBC) (p = 0.048, 0.033, and 0.029, respectively). A significant age difference was also observed between the control group and patients (p = 0.0441). Furthermore, there was a highly significant difference in age distribution (>40, 40-60, <60 years) between the two groups (p = 0.0001). Significant differences were also found in PDW, RBC, MCHC, RDW-CV, MCH, HCT, and PCT levels (p = 0.0001). MPV and RDW-SD also showed significant differences between groups (p = 0.0006 and 0.0498, respectively). Finally, a significant difference was observed in age distribution (less than 40, 40-60, and more than 60 years) between the two groups (p=0.048). These findings suggest that IL-18 and specific blood components may play a role in the pathogenesis of CML.

Experimental visceral leishmaniasis: immunopathology and histology

Sat, 26 Apr 2025 00:00:00 +0200

This study aimed to assess the immunological and histopathological effects of Leishmania donovani infection in mice, and the impact of pentostam treatment. L. donovani promastigotes were cultured in Nicolle-Novy-McNeal (NNN) medium. Thirty mice were divided into three groups of ten: a negative control group given saline, a positive control group infected with promastigotes, and a treatment group infected with promastigotes and treated with pentostam. The mice were treated daily for 21 days. Blood samples were collected after 7, 14, and 21 days to measure serum levels of IL-1. After 21 days, the mice were euthanized, and their livers and spleens were collected for histopathological analysis. The results showed a significant decrease in IL-1 levels in the infected group compared to the control group, while IL-1 levels increased slightly in the treated group. Histopathological analysis revealed pathological changes in the liver and spleen of infected mice, which were reduced in the treated group. The study concluded that L. donovani infection leads to a decrease in IL-1 production and causes pathological damage to the liver and spleen, and that pentostam treatment is effective in mitigating these effects.

Unveiling the impact of CD133 and CD105 in MDA-MB-231 cell-derived exosomes on breast cancer cell signaling pathways

Sat, 26 Apr 2025 00:00:00 +0200

Recent studies have revealed the critical role of exosomes in cancer progression, particularly aggressive breast cancers. These findings underscore the requirement for further investigation into the mechanisms of exosome-mediated cancer and emphasize the urgency and critical nature of such studies. In the present study, exosomes of MDA-MB-231 cells were isolated from serum-free media using differential ultracentrifugation. Size distribution was assessed using dynamic light scattering, and exosome morphology was examined using scanning electron microscopy. Flow cytometry analysis showed considerable expression of the metastatic markers CD105 and CD133, although cancer cells exhibited low expression of these markers. Exosomes were labeled with Aco-490 and internalized by MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 cells. The results indicated that post-sorting, CD133-positive exosomes considerably increased the phosphorylation of AKT and extracellular signal-regulated kinase, although they did not have a notable influence on cyclin D1 levels. This study investigated the effects of exosomes on breast cancer, underscoring the requirement for further studies on exosomes that may potentially impede metastasis and tumor growth.

Metagenomic analysis microbial biodiversity of Trojena’ the Mountains of Neom

Sat, 26 Apr 2025 00:00:00 +0200

About 80% of the biosphere is constantly exposed to temperatures below 5 °C in cold environments. Microorganisms in cold environments can grow and decompose various organic compounds at sub-zero temperatures despite exposure to conditions that are harmful to their survival, such as sub-zero temperatures and low nutrient and water availability. The present study was designed to investigate metagenomic insights into the microbial diversity in (Al-Lawz Mountains / Trojena Mountains) Saudi Arabia. Metagenomic data sets are obtained by high-throughput sequencing of environmental soil samples and provide an aggregation of all the conceptually genetic materials of the intended area of this project. This study easily overcomes the bottlenecks associated with conventional molecular methods of retrieving genetic information and the unscientific shortage of microbial biodiversity research at Tabuk. High throughput bioinformatic analysis has been highlighted as the accurate exploration of the abundance and diversity of bacterial communities. Environmental DNA can be sequenced to identify the recent presence, relative abundance & distribution of a prokaryotic species or whole communities of bacteria. A total of 333 bacterial metagenomes were sequenced over two seasons, fall and winter. The 16S rRNA genes were quantified during this period. The most significant species regarding the relative abundance and diversity were in the location of sample1 by, Klebsiella michiganensis (251), stenotrophomonass maltophilia (110), Escherichia coli USML2 (88), Zhongshania aliphaticivorans (40), Acidibrevibacterium fodinaquatile (12) Calothrix spp. & Nibribacter ruber (10) Bacillus spp (10) respectively. On the other hand, the lowest abundances were in sample 4 location with Pseudomonas fluorescens (5) and Corynebacterium glutamicum (3) with (NA) species. This means these were unidentified yet. All these species have a growing demand for microbial biodiversity evaluations, given the pronounced impact of climate change in this region (Al-Lawz Mountains/Trojena Mountain). Benthic microbial communities are to be considered, given they have a potential role in CO₂ and nitrogen fixation, which is related to plant growth-promoting properties. They can resist salinity, radiation, low-temperature adaptation, and biocontrol properties. Thus, eDNA cold-mountain biodiversity is a fraction of the time it costs to conduct conventional ecological monitoring.

MORC2 facilitates cholangiocarcinoma progression through cell cycle acceleration and immune microenvironment modification

Sat, 26 Apr 2025 00:00:00 +0200

This study explored a novel therapeutic target, MORC2 (Microrchidia family CW-type zinc finger 2), for patients with unresectable advanced Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA), a lethal epithelial cell malignancy lacking effective treatments. Utilizing bioinformatics analysis, we examined MORC2's role in CCA progression. The focus was on its association with the cell cycle and its involvement in the tumor's immunosuppressive microenvironment. MORC2 was found to accelerate CCA cell proliferation by promoting cell cycle progression through the activation of TNF-α signaling via the NFKB signaling pathway. Furthermore, the downregulation of MORC2 induced cell cycle arrest and might facilitate neutrophil infiltration by upregulating CCL3, indicating its pivotal role in modifying the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment. Our findings suggest that MORC2 plays a crucial role in both the proliferation of CCA cells and the modification of the tumor microenvironment. Targeting MORC2 presents a novel potential therapeutic approach for patients with advanced CCA.

GC-MS analysis of volatile components in different populations of Ophiocordyceps sinensis

Zhou Jinna, Tahir Khan, Xia Haiwen, Liu Jinlin, Wang Zhenji — Sat, 26 Apr 2025 00:00:00 +0200

Cordyceps, a genus of ascomycete fungi, are renowned for their medicinal and functional food applications, and are attributed to bioactive compounds such as nucleosides, lipids, saccharides, and amino acids. Among its species, Ophiocordyceps sinensis has significant pharmacological value, impacting multiple organ systems and exhibiting antioxidant and antitumor properties. Although natural populations are limited, artificial cultivation has provided a sustainable source of medicinal products. This study investigated the volatile components of O. sinensis mycelia from five regions, Tibet, Yunnan, Sichuan, Gansu, and Qinghai, using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) combined with multivariate statistical analysis. Fifty volatile substances were identified, including hydrocarbons, acids, esters, alcohols, phenols, aldehydes, and ketones, with hydrocarbons being the most abundant (60%). Cluster analysis highlighted significant differences in the volatile profiles between populations, with 12 common compounds identified across all regions. Population-specific variations in volatile classes, such as hydrocarbons, acids, and alcohols, were observed, suggesting a composite odor profile for O. sinensis rather than a single characteristic scent. This study provides insights into the chemical diversity of volatile components in O. sinensis, emphasizing the influence of climatic factors and advancing their potential applications in medicinal and functional products.

Ferroptosis-associated microRNAs: Systematic review

Sat, 26 Apr 2025 00:00:00 +0200

Ferroptosis, an iron-dependent form of regulated cell death characterized by lipid peroxidation, has emerged as a critical process in various diseases. MicroRNAs (miRNAs), small non-coding RNAs that regulate gene expression, are increasingly recognized as key modulators of ferroptosis pathways. This systematic review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the current knowledge regarding miRNAs implicated in ferroptosis across a spectrum of diseases. We conducted a systematic search of EMBL-EBI, PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases to identify relevant studies published up to October 31, 2022. Our search strategy identified 127 articles encompassing 107 distinct miRNAs that influence ferroptosis. This review synthesizes the findings of these studies, highlighting the specific miRNAs that act as either inhibitors or inducers of ferroptosis in different disease contexts, including various cancers (e.g., lung, breast, colorectal) and degenerative conditions (e.g., acute renal failure, diabetic retinopathy). We discuss the molecular mechanisms by which these miRNAs regulate ferroptosis, often by targeting key genes involved in iron metabolism, lipid peroxidation, and antioxidant defense. Furthermore, we explore the potential of these miRNAs to serve as diagnostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets in ferroptosis-related disorders, offering insights into novel strategies for disease management.

New strategies for treating Sjogren's syndrome

Sat, 26 Apr 2025 00:00:00 +0200

Sjögren's syndrome (SS) is a complex autoimmune disorder characterized by dryness, fatigue, and systemic involvement, with current treatments largely limited to symptom management. This review explores promising new therapeutic strategies targeting specific molecular pathways implicated in SS pathogenesis, including the roles of B cells, T cells, dendritic cells, cytokines, and neuroendocrine factors. We examine recent advances in drug development and clinical trials focusing on novel biological agents that modulate these pathways, potentially offering a more targeted and effective approach to SS treatment. Ultimately, this review aims to provide an overview of these emerging therapies and their potential to improve outcomes for patients with SS.