ScientificaPub Date : 2026-02-25eCollection Date: 2026-01-01DOI: 10.1155/sci5/9161837
Hossein Khodadadi, Reza Ghasemi, Forough Karami, Ahmad Vaez, Hasti Nouraei, Kimia Sahraeian, Zahra Zareshahrabadi
{"title":"Antimicrobial and Antioxidant Effects of Aqueous, Methanolic, and a Deep Eutectic Solvent-Based Extracts of <i>Althaea officinalis</i>.","authors":"Hossein Khodadadi, Reza Ghasemi, Forough Karami, Ahmad Vaez, Hasti Nouraei, Kimia Sahraeian, Zahra Zareshahrabadi","doi":"10.1155/sci5/9161837","DOIUrl":"10.1155/sci5/9161837","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>The increase in antimicrobial resistance has become a worldwide health emergency, rendering most conventional antibiotics ineffective and encouraging the research into alternative therapeutic methods.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>The antioxidant and antimicrobial activity of <i>Althaea officinalis</i> flower extracts was investigated in this research with specific focus on the deep eutectic solvent-mediated extraction method. Deep eutectic solvent was synthesized using ammonium acetate and lactic acid in different molar ratios and utilized as a sustainable extraction solvent under ultrasound-assisted extraction conditions. Deep eutectic solvent-based extraction was optimized to produce high amounts of bioactive compounds, and extracts obtained were compared with aqueous and methanolic solvents. Total phenolic content, antimicrobial activity against standard bacterial and fungal strains, as well as azole-resistant and azole-sensitive clinical isolates of <i>Candida albicans</i>, were measured. Antioxidant capacity was calculated by 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging assay.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Deep eutectic solvent-based extract was superior in extraction with greater total phenolic content (8.9 ± 0.4) and improved antimicrobial and antioxidant activity compared to the conventional extracts. Particularly, the deep eutectic solvent extract exhibited noteworthy inhibitory activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative standard strains of bacteria, as well as standard and clinical yeast fungi. The biocompatibility of the deep eutectic solvent extract was assured by cytotoxicity analyses against 3T3 fibroblast cells.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>These results demonstrate that DES-based extraction serves as a green and effective method for isolating bioactive compounds from <i>Althaea officinalis</i>. This procedure deserves its potential use in the synthesis of novel antimicrobial agents.</p>","PeriodicalId":21726,"journal":{"name":"Scientifica","volume":"2026 ","pages":"9161837"},"PeriodicalIF":3.6,"publicationDate":"2026-02-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12933183/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147309835","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
ScientificaPub Date : 2026-02-23eCollection Date: 2026-01-01DOI: 10.1155/sci5/7463939
Hanan Y Aati, Renad Al-Arifi, Chitchamai Ovatlarnporn, Mohsin Abbas Khan, Abdul Rauf, Hossam M Hassan, Abdul Basit, Huma Rao, Laiba Rehman, Kashif Ur Rehman Khan
{"title":"Bottle Gourd (<i>Lagenaria siceraria</i>): Novel Insights Into the Biochemical Propensities of the Unexplored Cultivar.","authors":"Hanan Y Aati, Renad Al-Arifi, Chitchamai Ovatlarnporn, Mohsin Abbas Khan, Abdul Rauf, Hossam M Hassan, Abdul Basit, Huma Rao, Laiba Rehman, Kashif Ur Rehman Khan","doi":"10.1155/sci5/7463939","DOIUrl":"10.1155/sci5/7463939","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The fruit of <i>Lagenaria siceraria</i> (bottle gourd), widely consumed as a vegetable, possesses notable health benefits. This study investigated the chemical and biological profiles of the Saudi cultivar through quantitative bioactive analysis, GC-MS characterization, and in vitro evaluation of antioxidant, antibacterial, and enzyme inhibition activities. The 80% hydroethanolic extract (HEELS) exhibited a rich phytochemical profile, with the highest total tannin content (97.66 ± 3.33 mg/g). GC-MS identified 55 compounds, including fatty acids, esters, sterols, and triterpenoids. HEELS displayed potent antioxidant activity, particularly in the FRAP assay (582 ± 1.18 mg AAE/g DE), and strong urease inhibition (91.8 ± 0.45%). Antibacterial assays showed the highest activity (12-mm inhibition zone) against <i>Staphylococcus epidermidis</i> at 150 mg/mL. Molecular docking revealed significant interactions with α-amylase, urease, and tyrosinase. These results suggest HEELS as a potential therapeutic agent, warranting further pharmacological and toxicological evaluation to confirm safety and efficacy for clinical applications.</p>","PeriodicalId":21726,"journal":{"name":"Scientifica","volume":"2026 ","pages":"7463939"},"PeriodicalIF":3.6,"publicationDate":"2026-02-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12927919/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147285095","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Plant-Beneficial <i>Streptomyces thermocarboxydus</i> S3 Mitigates Heat Stress in Hydroponically Grown Lettuce.","authors":"Benyapa Kitwetch, Yupa Chromkaew, Wasu Pathom-Aree","doi":"10.1155/sci5/3095586","DOIUrl":"10.1155/sci5/3095586","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Climate change presents a significant threat to global agriculture by increasing abiotic stresses that negatively impact crop yields. Lettuce (<i>Lactuca sativa</i>), a cool-season crop, is particularly vulnerable to heat stress, which accelerates metabolism and increases respiration rates beyond photosynthetic capacity, ultimately leading to growth and yield reduction. In hydroponic systems, elevated temperatures further impair plant development by altering nutrient solubility and availability, resulting in deficiencies. Microbial bioinoculants offer a sustainable and ecofriendly strategy to mitigate heat stress and enhance plant performance in crop production. Actinobacteria, in particular, are recognized for their plant growth-promoting properties. This study evaluates the effectiveness of <i>Streptomyces thermocarboxydus</i> S3 in enhancing hydroponic lettuce growth under heat stress conditions. Inoculation with <i>S. thermocarboxydus</i> S3 significantly improved key growth parameters, including fresh weight, dry weight, number of leaves, and chlorophyll content. The strain also induced the accumulation of osmoprotective compounds, such as proline and total soluble sugar (TSS), contributing to cellular protection under thermal stress Additionally, <i>S. thermocarboxydus</i> S3 reduced hydrogen peroxide (H<sub>2</sub>O<sub>2</sub>) levels, indicating a potential role in oxidative stress mitigation and activation of plant defense responses. Root colonization assays confirmed the strain's ability to establish itself in the lettuce roots, supporting its applicability for long-term application. These findings highlight <i>S. thermocarboxydus</i> S3 as a promising bioinoculant for promoting hydroponic lettuce growth under heat stress, offering a sustainable approach to crop production in the context of changing climate.</p>","PeriodicalId":21726,"journal":{"name":"Scientifica","volume":"2026 ","pages":"3095586"},"PeriodicalIF":3.6,"publicationDate":"2026-02-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12927965/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147285013","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
ScientificaPub Date : 2026-02-23eCollection Date: 2026-01-01DOI: 10.1155/sci5/2796708
E C Ogbuadike, S M Nkadimeng, E T Khunoana, C C Igwe, D N Qekwana, I M Petzer, L J McGaw
{"title":"Mechanisms of Anti-Inflammatory and Antioxidant Activity of Extracts of Selected South African Celastraceae and Crassulaceae Plant Species With Known Efficacy Against Bovine Mastitis Bacterial Pathogens.","authors":"E C Ogbuadike, S M Nkadimeng, E T Khunoana, C C Igwe, D N Qekwana, I M Petzer, L J McGaw","doi":"10.1155/sci5/2796708","DOIUrl":"10.1155/sci5/2796708","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Inflammation, a complicated reaction to microbial infection or injury, promotes healing under normal circumstances. However, when it becomes uncontrolled, it can result in cell damage or even death. Inflammation is a major feature of infectious mastitis in cattle as well as in humans, with substantial health, welfare and financial challenges. Uncontrolled inflammation is commonly accompanied by excess reactive oxygen species (ROS), which may be harmful. Ethanol and acetone leaf extracts of <i>Bryophyllum pinnatum</i> (Lam.) Oken (synonym: <i>Kalanchoe pinnata</i> (Lam.) Pers.), <i>Kalanchoe gunniae</i> Gideon F. Sm. and Figueiredo<i>, Maytenus undata</i> (Thunb.) Blakelock and <i>Maurocenia frangula</i> Mill. were investigated for their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. In previous work, these plant species had promising antimicrobial activity against mastitis-causing bacteria. In this study, anti-inflammatory activity of the extracts was investigated in terms of their ability to inhibit the action of the enzymes implicated in inflammation, namely 15-lipoxygenase (15-LOX) and cyclooxygenase (COX). Their ability to inhibit the production of nitric oxide (NO) by lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-activated RAW 264.7 macrophages was also tested. Using ELISA kits, the effect of the plant extracts on the regulation of cytokine production was determined. Evaluation of antioxidant activity was done using electron reducing 2, 2'-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) and radical scavenging 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assays. The best 15-LOX inhibitory activity with IC<sub>50</sub> values of 1.25 and 2.03 μg/mL for acetone and ethanol extracts, respectively, was observed with <i>K. gunniae</i> extracts. The best NO inhibition of 80.48% and cell viability of 96.75% was produced by the acetone extract of <i>B. pinnatum</i> at the highest concentration (100 μg/mL). Significant inhibition of COX-2 was observed with both extracts of <i>K. gunniae</i> and <i>B. pinnatum</i>. In this study, the highest inhibitory activity against proinflammatory cytokines and enhanced production of anti-inflammatory cytokines were observed with extracts of <i>B. pinnatum</i>. <i>Kalanchoe gunniae</i> extracts had the best antioxidant activity with IC<sub>50</sub> values ranging from 0.06 to 0.42 μg/mL. This research highlights the therapeutic potential of the selected plant species in managing inflammation and oxidative stress associated with bacterial mastitis.</p>","PeriodicalId":21726,"journal":{"name":"Scientifica","volume":"2026 ","pages":"2796708"},"PeriodicalIF":3.6,"publicationDate":"2026-02-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12927916/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147285042","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Home Environmental Hazard Levels Among Community-Dwelling Older Adults Across Different Frailty States in Southern Thailand.","authors":"Charupa Lektip, Jiraphat Nawarat, Eiji Miyake, Keiichiro Aoki, Shinji Nemoto, Hiroyuki Ohtsuka, Yasuko Inaba, Yoshinori Kagaya, Chadapa Rungruangbaiyok","doi":"10.1155/sci5/6628363","DOIUrl":"10.1155/sci5/6628363","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Frailty is a common geriatric condition associated with increased risks of falls, disability, and functional decline. Identifying modifiable factors, including home environmental hazards, may support frailty prevention and healthy aging among community-dwelling older adults.</p><p><strong>Objective: </strong>This study aimed to describe home environmental hazard levels across different frailty states and to examine their association with frailty among community-dwelling older adults in southern Thailand.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A cross-sectional study was conducted among 98 older adults aged 60 years and above residing in Tha Sala District, Nakhon Si Thammarat Province. Frailty status was assessed using the Thai Frailty Screening Tool and categorized as non-frail, pre-frail, or frail. Home environmental hazards were evaluated using the Thai Home Falls Hazards Assessment Tool (Thai-HFHAT). Ordinal logistic regression analysis was performed to examine the association between home hazard scores and frailty status, adjusting for age, gender, body mass index (BMI), education level, marital status, and comorbidity.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Most participants across all frailty states lived in nonhazardous home environments. Higher home environmental hazard scores tended to be associated with more severe frailty status; however, this association did not reach statistical significance after adjustment. Education level was significantly associated with frailty, whereas age, gender, BMI, marital status, and comorbidity were not.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Home environmental hazard levels vary across frailty states and may contribute to frailty vulnerability among older adults. Incorporating home hazard screening into community-based health assessments may support frailty prevention strategies and aging-in-place initiatives.</p>","PeriodicalId":21726,"journal":{"name":"Scientifica","volume":"2026 ","pages":"6628363"},"PeriodicalIF":3.6,"publicationDate":"2026-02-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12927960/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147285052","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
ScientificaPub Date : 2026-02-23eCollection Date: 2026-01-01DOI: 10.1155/sci5/1200900
Mohammed Sirmolo, Aleme Asresie, Sefa Salo, Yilkal Tadele
{"title":"Productive Performance and Egg Quality Traits of Exotic Chicken Breeds Reared Under Traditional Management System in Misrak Silte District, Central Ethiopia.","authors":"Mohammed Sirmolo, Aleme Asresie, Sefa Salo, Yilkal Tadele","doi":"10.1155/sci5/1200900","DOIUrl":"10.1155/sci5/1200900","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This study assessed feeding practices, egg production performance, egg quality, and production constraints of exotic chicken breeds (Sasso and Bovans Brown) reared under traditional management systems in Misrak Silte District, Central Ethiopia. Purposive and random sampling was used to select study kebeles and 316 households. Data were collected on household characteristics, husbandry practices, egg production performance, and egg quality traits, and 160 eggs were sampled for quality evaluation. Results showed that 87.7% of respondents provided supplementary feed, mainly household food leftovers (70.8%) and grain leftovers (17.5%). Most respondents (60.76%) housed chickens only at night. The average age at first lay (days) for Sasso chickens in the midland and lowland was 170.35 ± 14.54 and 149.06 ± 8.21, respectively, while Bovans Brown recorded 180.69 ± 12.17 and 168.22 ± 8.73. Annual egg production (eggs/hen/year) was higher in the midland than the lowland for both breeds (<i>p</i> < 0.05), with Sasso producing 167.9 ± 8.48 and 149.6 ± 6.92 eggs and Bovans Brown producing 145.2 ± 4.04 and 136.6 ± 4.73 eggs, respectively. Agroecology significantly affected (<i>p</i> < 0.05) both external and internal egg quality traits, and higher values for most quality parameters were recorded in the midland agroecology than in the lowland. Disease, feed shortage, predator attacks, and lack of capital were the major constraints in both agroecologies. In conclusion, productive performance and egg quality traits of exotic chickens under traditional management were significantly influenced by breed and agroecology, with Sasso chickens and the midland agroecology showing superior performance.</p>","PeriodicalId":21726,"journal":{"name":"Scientifica","volume":"2026 ","pages":"1200900"},"PeriodicalIF":3.6,"publicationDate":"2026-02-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12927972/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147285015","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
ScientificaPub Date : 2026-02-20eCollection Date: 2026-01-01DOI: 10.1155/sci5/9307457
Adane Bahiru, Sefinew A Mekonnen, Liuel Yizengaw, Ambaye Kenubih, Wubneh Aklog, Yeshiwas Walle, Getahun Mihiret Chane, Abebe Tibebu, Teklu Yitbarek, Wudu T Jemberu, Wassie Molla
{"title":"Rabies Post Exposure Vaccine Effectiveness: A Retrospective Case-Control Study in Amhara Region, Ethiopia.","authors":"Adane Bahiru, Sefinew A Mekonnen, Liuel Yizengaw, Ambaye Kenubih, Wubneh Aklog, Yeshiwas Walle, Getahun Mihiret Chane, Abebe Tibebu, Teklu Yitbarek, Wudu T Jemberu, Wassie Molla","doi":"10.1155/sci5/9307457","DOIUrl":"10.1155/sci5/9307457","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Rabies can be prevented by vaccination of dogs and provision of post exposure vaccine (PEV) for exposed subjects. There are many post exposure rabies vaccines in the market with their efficacy extending to 100%; however, there are complaints on the effectiveness of the vaccine in the field level. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess PEV effectiveness and identify factors associated with rabies cases. A retrospective case-control study was conducted in the Amhara regional state of Ethiopia from December 2020 to June 2021. Data were collected from a total of 138 subjects (92 controls and 46 cases). Descriptive statistics was used to summarize the data, and logistic regression model was used to identify risk factors. The vaccine effectiveness (VE) was determined by computing the percentage reduction in risk of rabies among vaccinated humans relative to unvaccinated individuals. Majority of rabies exposure (56.5%) were due to bite of stray dogs or dogs owned by others. About 65.2% of the study subjects had taken PEV. Subjects with rabies PEV were less likely to have rabies than subjects who did not take rabies PEV (OR = 0.058, 95% CI = 0.001-0.21), and the rabies PEV reduced 94.2% of the rabies cases. Females, children <15 years of age, and increased number of days from bite to PEV had higher odds of deaths due to rabies. There was a considerable reduction in the odds of rabies case in vaccinated humans as compared to that of nonvaccinated subjects. By focusing on target populations such as females and children under the age of 15 and by capitalizing health education on early search of PEV following dog bite, the reduction level rabies-related death has the potential to be larger than the reported findings.</p>","PeriodicalId":21726,"journal":{"name":"Scientifica","volume":"2026 ","pages":"9307457"},"PeriodicalIF":3.6,"publicationDate":"2026-02-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12921419/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147271884","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
ScientificaPub Date : 2026-02-15eCollection Date: 2026-01-01DOI: 10.1155/sci5/9862553
Mequanente Dagnaw, Eden Hailu, Suleyman Mohammed Arage
{"title":"Assessment of the Effect of School Feeding on Dropout Rate in Kolfe Keranio Public Primary School, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia: A Quasi-Experimental Study.","authors":"Mequanente Dagnaw, Eden Hailu, Suleyman Mohammed Arage","doi":"10.1155/sci5/9862553","DOIUrl":"10.1155/sci5/9862553","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>School feeding programs aim to reduce children's immediate hunger and improve health and education outcomes. The study will apply trend analysis to investigate the changes in dropout rate before and after implementing the school feeding program. However, there is limited data on the effect of school feeding programs on dropout rates in Addis Ababa, especially in the study area.</p><p><strong>Objective: </strong>The objective of the study was to assess the effect of the school feeding program on the dropout rate in Kolfe Keranio subcity, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 2024<b>.</b></p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Quantitative research approaches were employed to investigate the problem. Twenty-three primary schools, from grade one to grade 8, were included in the research. A school roster document was a source of quantitative data. A statistical test, a one-group pretest-post-test design, was used to measure the differences in dropout rate before and after the program's implementation.</p><p><strong>Result: </strong>The results of the retrospective study revealed that each year's female students had a higher dropout rate than male students before as well as after the implementation of the school feeding program. Concerning the trend from 2009 to 2015, the dropout rate decreased from 3.18% to 0.91% from 2009 to 2012 (before school feeding implementation), and an up-and-down trend was observed from 2012 to 2015 (after school feeding program implementation). However, the magnitude of the dropout rate was lower from 2012 to 2015, which indicates that the after-school feeding program had started. The paired sample <i>T</i>-test also identifies that the decreased trend in dropout was really due to the school feeding program implementation.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Based on the findings, the following recommendations were forwarded for Kolfe Keranio subcity for each woreda educational office and each public primary school needed to make a proactive effort to decrease the dropout rate by bringing out-of-school children into schools by advocating the benefits of the SFSIS program, and SFSIS implementers, with the help of educational planners, should set up more effective monitoring and evaluation mechanisms to provide all the SFSIS program components.</p>","PeriodicalId":21726,"journal":{"name":"Scientifica","volume":"2026 ","pages":"9862553"},"PeriodicalIF":3.6,"publicationDate":"2026-02-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12907255/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146214044","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Chemopreventive Effects of Lycopene in miR-21 Knockout and Wild-Type Pancreatic Cancer Cells.","authors":"Basak Dalbayrak, Burcu Taluğ Taştan, Tuğçe Temel, Pinar Obakan Yerlikaya, Pinar Uysal Onganer, Elif Damla Arisan","doi":"10.1155/sci5/8865270","DOIUrl":"10.1155/sci5/8865270","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Pancreatic cancer is one of the most lethal malignancies, characterized by late diagnosis, rapid progression, and resistance to conventional therapies. The oncogenic microRNA miR-21 is frequently upregulated in pancreatic tumors and contributes to tumor growth, migration, and chemoresistance by targeting tumor suppressor genes. Lycopene, a naturally occurring carotenoid with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, has shown promise as a chemopreventive agent in several cancer types. This study investigates the therapeutic potential of lycopene in human pancreatic cancer cell lines (PANC-1 and MIA PaCa-2) and their miR-21 knockout counterparts. Treatment with 50 μM lycopene significantly reduced cell viability, colony formation, migration, and spheroid integrity and decreased intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, with more pronounced effects in miR-21-deficient cells. These findings highlight the role of miR-21 in modulating lycopene sensitivity and support the potential of lycopene as an adjunctive therapeutic agent in pancreatic cancer.</p>","PeriodicalId":21726,"journal":{"name":"Scientifica","volume":"2026 ","pages":"8865270"},"PeriodicalIF":3.6,"publicationDate":"2026-02-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12901648/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146201985","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
ScientificaPub Date : 2026-02-12eCollection Date: 2026-01-01DOI: 10.1155/sci5/6656174
Tun Yi Darren Ong, Wei Nee Lim, Li Jia Ong, Ju Wen Lim, Gursimrendeep Kaur, Anchu Rachel Thomas, Venkata Bharatwaj Narasu
{"title":"Comparison of the Effectiveness of Grape Seed Extract and Low-Level Laser Therapy in the Management of Dentin Hypersensitivity: A Randomized Controlled Trial.","authors":"Tun Yi Darren Ong, Wei Nee Lim, Li Jia Ong, Ju Wen Lim, Gursimrendeep Kaur, Anchu Rachel Thomas, Venkata Bharatwaj Narasu","doi":"10.1155/sci5/6656174","DOIUrl":"10.1155/sci5/6656174","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>To evaluate the effectiveness of grape seed extract (GSE) and its combination with low-level laser therapy (LLLT) in alleviating pain from dentin hypersensitivity (DH) compared to LLLT alone.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Patients aged 20-50 years with at least three sensitive teeth in different quadrants and baseline pain scores ≥ 2 on the visual analog scale (VAS) were recruited. Each tooth was randomly allocated to one of three groups: LLLT + placebo, GSE + placebo, or GSE + LLLT. Pain scores were recorded on Days 1, 3, and 7 using cold and air spray tests.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The GSE + LLLT group demonstrated the greatest reduction in pain sensitivity, showing a 72.8% decrease for air spray and 59.51% for the cold test at Day 3, compared to the LLLT or GSE groups alone. However, there were no statistically significant differences (<i>P</i> > 0.05) in pain score reduction among the groups at any time point.</p><p><strong>Discussion: </strong>The combination of GSE and LLLT may enhance early pain reduction in DH compared to individual treatments, but the improvement was not statistically significant. GSE presents a potentially feasible and patient-friendly alternative for DH management, warranting further clinical validation.</p><p><strong>Statistical analysis used: </strong>Data were collected and analyzed using IBM Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) software program, Version 20.0 (IBM, Chicago, Illinois). General linear model-repeated measure ANOVA was carried out to assess the reduction in DH pain score among individual interventions and the comparison between the three interventions. The significance level was set at <i>p</i> < 0.05.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>While GSE combined with LLLT showed the greatest numerical reduction in DH pain scores, the difference was not statistically significant. Further large-scale studies are recommended to confirm the clinical benefits of this combination.</p><p><strong>Trial registration: </strong>ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT05927831.</p>","PeriodicalId":21726,"journal":{"name":"Scientifica","volume":"2026 ","pages":"6656174"},"PeriodicalIF":3.6,"publicationDate":"2026-02-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12901653/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146202139","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}