Cellular Physiology and Biochemistry最新文献

{"title":"Diagnostic Performance of the Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio for the Identification of Insulin Resistance in Patients with Fibrotic Chronic Hepatitis C: a Case-Control Study.","authors":"Yaqot Raed Alnaqqash, Ahmed M Amshawee, Ahmed Flayyih Hasan, Fatma Makni Ayadi","doi":"10.33594/000000892","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.33594/000000892","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background/aims: </strong>Chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is accompanied by persistent hepatic inflammation, progressive fibrogenesis and metabolic disturbance, of which insulin resistance (IR) is the most consistently reported. The neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), derived from a routine complete blood count, has been proposed as an inexpensive index of systemic inflammatory activity, but its diagnostic accuracy for IR in fibrotic chronic hepatitis C has not been quantified in Iraqi patients. To quantify the cross-sectional diagnostic performance of NLR for the identification of insulin resistance in patients with fibrotic chronic hepatitis C, and to characterise its associations with metabolic, inflammatory and hepatic biochemical parameters.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A case-control study was conducted at the Baghdad Hospital for Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Medical City, Baghdad, Iraq, between December 2021 and January 2022. One hundred and fifty participants were enrolled consecutively until each of three groups reached its a priori target of 50: patients with fibrotic chronic hepatitis C and insulin resistance (CHC+IR), patients with fibrotic chronic hepatitis C without insulin resistance (CHC-IR), and apparently healthy controls. Insulin resistance was defined a priori as a Homeostatic Model Assessment for Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR) value ≥ 2.6. Hepatic fibrosis was recorded as present or absent from clinical, ultrasonographic and available histological records; stage-level fibrosis data were not available. Complete blood count, liver function tests including alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST), fasting glucose, fasting insulin, C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) were measured. Groups were compared by Welch analysis of variance with Games-Howell post hoc tests. Diagnostic performance was assessed by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis with DeLong confidence intervals and Youden-optimal cut-offs; associations were quantified by Pearson and Spearman correlation with 95 % confidence intervals, and independence was examined by multivariable linear regression and by Firth penalised logistic regression. A sensitivity analysis in which the HOMA-IR threshold of 2.6 was applied strictly, so that a single clinically allocated patient with a recalculated value of 2.59 was reassigned, was performed for all principal outcomes.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The three groups were comparable for age (p = 0.075) and sex (p = 0.593). NLR increased stepwise across controls, CHC-IR and CHC+IR (1.79 ± 0.02, 1.95 ± 0.13 and 2.53 ± 0.15, respectively; Welch F = 625.5, p < 0.001; all pairwise comparisons p < 0.001). Within the chronic hepatitis C cohort (n = 100), NLR separated insulin-resistant from non-insulin-resistant patients completely, giving an area under the curve (AUC) of 1.000 at an exploratory, cohort-derived Youden-o","PeriodicalId":9845,"journal":{"name":"Cellular Physiology and Biochemistry","volume":"60 5","pages":"592-610"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2026-09-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149135217","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"An in Vitro Comparison of the Effects of Tetrabromobisphenol A and Tetrabromobisphenol S on Threshold-Like Hemolysis in Human Erythrocytes.","authors":"Agata Pyrzanowska-Banasiak, Mariusz Szabelski, Anita Krokosz","doi":"10.33594/000000891","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.33594/000000891","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background/aims: </strong>The use of tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA) as a brominated flame retardant has raised growing concerns of its potential toxicity due to its widespread use and persistence. The present study compares the threshold-like mechanism of hemolysis induced by TBBPA with that of its sulfone analog, tetrabromobisphenol S (TBBPS), using an in vitro model of human erythrocytes.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Isolated red blood cells (5% hematocrit) obtained from healthy donors were exposed to TBBPA (10-50 µg/mL) or TBBPS (10-100 µg/mL) for 24 hours at 37°C. Hemolysis, methemoglobin formation, lipid peroxidation, glutathione levels, ATPase activity, membrane protein integrity, and interactions with human serum albumin were evaluated using spectrophotometric, fluorometric, flow cytometric, and electrophoretic (SDS-PAGE) analyses. Interactions of both compounds with human serum albumin (HSA) were investigated by fluorescence quenching and fluorescence lifetime measurements.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>TBBPA induced a distinct threshold-like hemolytic response, with hemolysis increasing sharply above 12.5 µg/mL and reaching approximately 43.7% at 30 µg/mL, whereas TBBPS did not induce hemolysis within the tested concentration range. TBBPA-induced hemolysis was preceded by increased MetHb formation and accompanied by depletion of glutathione, impaired ATPase activity, and alterations in membrane proteins, including aggregation and loss of cytoskeletal components, but not by detectable lipid peroxidation. TBBPS produced substantially weaker effects on erythrocyte membrane integrity and antioxidant status. Fluorescence studies demonstrated that both TBBPs interacted with HSA, with predominantly static quenching accompanied by a contribution from dynamic quenching. The two compounds exhibited similar effects on HSA fluorescence under the experimental conditions used.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>TBBPA and TBBPS exhibit markedly different effects on erythrocytes despite their structural similarity, with TBBPA showing a distinct threshold-like hemolytic response associated with protein and antioxidant system damage rather than lipid peroxidation. The results suggest that differences in the chemical structure of TBBPs influence their interactions with proteins and may contribute to their distinct biological effects.</p>","PeriodicalId":9845,"journal":{"name":"Cellular Physiology and Biochemistry","volume":"60 5","pages":"576-591"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2026-09-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149069251","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Genetic Susceptibility to Allergic Rhinitis: Impact of IL-4 Rs2243250 Polymorphism on Inflammatory Markers and Leukocyte Profiles.","authors":"Alaq Kareem Jawad, Ahmed Flayyih Hasan, Fatma Makni Ayadi","doi":"10.33594/000000890","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.33594/000000890","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background/aims: </strong>Allergic rhinitis is a common chronic inflammatory disease affecting millions of people worldwide and substantially impairing quality of life. This study aimed to investigate the association of the IL-4 rs2243250 polymorphism with allergic rhinitis, inflammatory markers, and leukocyte profiles.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A total of 182 participants were included, comprising 91 patients with allergic rhinitis and 91 healthy controls. Peripheral blood samples were collected for complete blood count, DNA extraction, and measurement of IL-4, IL-13, and IgE levels using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. Skin prick testing for weed, grass, tree, and mite allergens was performed to confirm IgE-mediated sensitization. The IL-4 rs2243250 polymorphism was detected by polymerase chain reaction followed by restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis using the AvaII restriction enzyme.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Significant differences (P < 0.001) between patients and controls were observed for all investigated immunological markers and differential white blood cell counts. For rs2243250, the CC genotype was associated with a reduced likelihood of allergic rhinitis (OR = 0.25; 95% CI: 0.11-0.55), whereas the TT genotype was associated with an increased likelihood (OR = 3.8; 95% CI: 1.82-8.17). Similarly, the C allele was associated with reduced disease likelihood (OR = 0.35; 95% CI: 0.23-0.53), while the T allele was associated with increased likelihood (OR = 2.88; 95% CI: 1.88-4.41; P < 0.001). Significant positive correlations among several white blood cell types were also observed.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The findings demonstrate an association between the IL-4 rs2243250 polymorphism and allergic rhinitis. The C allele and CC genotype were associated with reduced disease likelihood, whereas the T allele and TT genotype were associated with increased likelihood. These genetic associations, together with alterations in inflammatory markers and leukocyte profiles, may contribute to understanding susceptibility to allergic rhinitis.</p>","PeriodicalId":9845,"journal":{"name":"Cellular Physiology and Biochemistry","volume":"60 5","pages":"560-575"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2026-09-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149069216","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Association of DNMT3A Polymorphism, Oxidative Stress, and Global DNA Methylation in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Patients.","authors":"Ali Majeed Allami, Hawraa Sabah Al-Musawi, Hiba Abdulameer Mohammed, Ahmed M Amshawee, Maryam A Hussain, Thura Alyasiri, Mohammed Al-Daraji, Islam K Alazzawi, Mona N Al-Terehi, Ahmed Flayyih Hasan","doi":"10.33594/000000889","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.33594/000000889","url":null,"abstract":"&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Background/aims: &lt;/strong&gt;DNA methylation is a critical epigenetic mechanism involved in the regulation of gene expression, including genes implicated in glucose metabolism. Despite growing evidence indicating that epigenetic mechanisms are involved in the pathogenesis and progression of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), available data remain limited. This study analyzed the genetic association of two single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the DNA methyltransferase 3A (DNMT3A) gene, rs11683424 and rs1550117, with T2DM susceptibility and investigated their potential associations with global DNA methylation.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Methods: &lt;/strong&gt;Total antioxidant status (TAS) and total oxidant status (TOS) were evaluated, the oxidative stress index (OSI) was calculated, and diabetes-related parameters were assessed in T2DM patients and healthy controls, including HbA1c, fasting blood glucose (FBG), insulin, insulin sensitivity (IS), and insulin resistance (IR). Global DNA methylation was determined, and rs11683424 and rs1550117 were genotyped. Associations between metabolic and oxidative stress parameters, global DNA methylation, DNMT3A genotypes, and T2DM status were statistically analyzed.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Results: &lt;/strong&gt;T2DM patients exhibited significantly higher HbA1c, FBG, insulin, and IR levels than healthy controls (p=0.001), whereas IS was significantly lower (p=0.001). TAS, TOS, and OSI were significantly increased in T2DM patients compared with controls (p=0.001), as was global DNA methylation (p=0.001). In patients, a weak but statistically significant inverse correlation was observed between 5mC levels and BMI. Global methylation showed weak inverse associations with TAS and TOS; however, these associations did not reach statistical significance. No significant associations (p&gt;0.05) were observed between 5mC levels and the other studied biomarkers. Neither regression model for predictors of global DNA methylation was statistically significant in T2DM patients (F(5,94)=0.852, p=0.516) or healthy controls (F(4,95)=0.592, p=0.669), and all variance inflation factor (VIF) values were &lt;2.0. For rs11683424, the CT genotype was detected in 15.6% of T2DM patients compared with 2.6% of controls (OR=6.81, 95% CI=1.50-31.25, χ²=7.902, p=0.005). The T allele was present at frequencies of 7.8% and 1.3%, respectively (χ²=7.502, p=0.006). In contrast, rs1550117 was not significantly associated with T2DM. Linkage disequilibrium analysis indicated incomplete or moderate linkage disequilibrium between the two SNPs. The CG haplotype was the most common in both groups, whereas the TG and TA haplotypes were enriched among patients and showed increased disease odds, particularly TG (OR=7.89); however, neither association reached statistical significance. Genotype-phenotype analyses revealed only limited differences in global DNA methylation among the investigated genotypes.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Conclusion: &lt;/strong&gt;T2DM was associated with altered oxidative","PeriodicalId":9845,"journal":{"name":"Cellular Physiology and Biochemistry","volume":"60 5","pages":"543-559"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2026-09-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148944407","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Impact of a Novel Pre-Procedural ECG Schematic for Accessory Pathway Localization on Procedural Outcomes of Radiofrequency Catheter Ablation in Typical Wolff-Parkinson-White Syndrome.","authors":"Si Dung Chu, Minh Thi Tran","doi":"10.33594/000000888","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.33594/000000888","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background/aims: </strong>This study aimed to evaluate the clinical efficacy, procedural metrics, and safety outcomes of radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA) for typical Wolff - Parkinson - White (WPW) syndrome utilizing a pre-procedural 12-lead surface electrocardiogram (ECG) schematic for accessory pathway (AP) localization in a Vietnamese cohort.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A prospective, descriptive study was performed on 109 consecutive patients with typical WPW syndrome undergoing electrophysiological study (EPS) and RFCA. A stepwise 12-lead ECG algorithm (the new schematic) was applied to predict the AP anatomical site prior to ablation, which was validated against intraprocedural electroanatomical mapping endpoints. Diagnostic performance (concordance between predicted and electrophysiologically confirmed AP locations) was evaluated. Operational metrics were compared with a historical control cohort (n=189) managed without the algorithm.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>All 109 patients (51.4% male, mean age 43.6 ± 14.9 years) presented with a single manifest AP (52 right-sided, 47.7%; 57 left-sided, 52.3%). The overall diagnostic accuracy of the ECG schematic for predicting the correct AP anatomical zone was 92.7% (101/109 cases). The acute procedural success rate was 100%. Right-sided AP ablations showed longer total procedure duration (52.9 ± 21.5 min vs. 44.9 ± 14.5 min, p < 0.05) higher total radiofrequency delivery time (368.1 ± 202.5 sec vs. 261.6 ± 110.6 sec, p < 0.01), and more RF applications (10.9 ± 8.3 vs. 5.7 ± 3.7, p < 0.001) than left-sided APs. Fluoroscopy time did not differ significantly between right- and left-sided groups (7.3 ± 4.2 min vs. 7.0 ± 3.8 min, p > 0.05). Compared with the historical control group (n=189), implementation of the ECG schematic was associated with reductions in total procedure duration (48.7 ± 18.5 min vs. 55.0 ± 29.7 min, p < 0.05) and fluoroscopy exposure (7.2 ± 4.0 min vs. 9.0 ± 5.0 min, p < 0.001). No major adverse cardiovascular events or permanent AV blocks occurred; one minor transient phrenic nerve response (0.9%) resolved spontaneously.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The pre-procedural surface ECG prediction schematic provides reliable anatomical localization of APs in typical WPW syndrome. Its clinical application was associated with reduced total procedure duration and fluoroscopy exposure time, while maintaining a high acute success rate and a favorable safety profile.</p>","PeriodicalId":9845,"journal":{"name":"Cellular Physiology and Biochemistry","volume":"60 5","pages":"530-542"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2026-09-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148910871","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Mechanistic Insights into the Anticancer Effects of Homeopathic Arsenicum Iodatum: Apoptosis Induction, Cell-Cycle Arrest, and Caspase Activation in A549 Lung Cancer Cells.","authors":"Vinu Krishnan, Manju Sreeranganathan","doi":"10.33594/000000886","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.33594/000000886","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background/aims: </strong>Homeopathic medicines, including Arsenicum iodatum, have attracted increasing interest as potential adjunctive approaches in cancer research. However, the cellular mechanisms underlying their reported biological effects remain poorly understood. This study investigated the effects of homeopathic Arsenicum iodatum on apoptosis, cell cycle progression, and caspase activation in A549 human lung adenocarcinoma cells.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A549 cells were treated with Arsenicum iodatum potencies (6C, 12C, 30C, and 200C). Apoptosis and cell cycle distribution were assessed by flow cytometry, while Caspase-7 and Caspase-9 activities were determined using indirect ELISA to evaluate the involvement of the intrinsic apoptotic pathway.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>All tested potencies increased apoptotic cell populations compared with the control groups. The most pronounced biological effects were observed at the 30C and 200C potencies. These higher potencies were also associated with increased Caspase-7 and Caspase-9 activities, suggesting activation of the intrinsic apoptotic pathway. Vehicle-treated cells exhibited only minimal changes, indicating that the observed effects were not attributable to the solvent alone.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Homeopathic Arsenicum iodatum induced measurable apoptosis-associated and cell cycle-related changes in A549 cells, accompanied by increased caspase activity. The strongest responses were observed at the 30C and 200C potencies. These findings suggest the involvement of intrinsic apoptotic signaling and warrant further mechanistic investigation. As this study represents an exploratory in vitro analysis, validation in additional experimental models and independent biological systems is required before broader conclusions can be drawn.</p>","PeriodicalId":9845,"journal":{"name":"Cellular Physiology and Biochemistry","volume":"60 5","pages":"518-529"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2026-09-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148905214","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Tumor Destructive Mechanical Impulse (TMI) Treatment of Solid Tumors. Part IV: Palliative Management of Painful Bone Metastases, Pain Relief - and Beyond.","authors":"Axel Erich Theuer, Stella Exner, Ioannis Thomas, Florian Lang, John Warlick, John David Mullins, Thomas K Eigentler, Gerhard Franz Walter","doi":"10.33594/000000885","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.33594/000000885","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background/aims: </strong>Bone metastases are a frequent and highly debilitating complication of advanced malignancies and are associated with severe pain, structural instability and loss of functional capacity. Radiotherapy, systemic antineoplastic therapy, bone-targeted agents and interventional techniques remain the clinical standard, yet a relevant proportion of patients experience only incomplete or transient pain relief. Non-invasive focal approaches are therefore being explored. Tumor-destructive mechanical impulses (TMI) - an umbrella term for shock-type, high-strain acoustic pulses generated by electrohydraulic, electromagnetic or piezoelectric systems - have a long safety record in musculoskeletal medicine and are increasingly investigated in oncology. We report the palliative use of TMI in patients with painful bone metastases.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Patient-specific DICOM data were segmented using Simpleware ScanIP® and imported into ANSYS SpaceClaim for geometry preparation, enabling coupled device-tissue simulations under clinical pressure wave forms; the resulting anatomical models were simulated in ANSYS Explicit Dynamics. In parallel, DICOM data were processed using MATLAB®/TABLIN and converted into OnScale® for high-frequency pressure wave propagation analysis, predicting pressure fields, focal volumes and attenuation through bone. The outputs of the numerical solution of the finite element (FEM) propagation models comprise total energy, energy flux density, pulse count and frequency, and the optimal placement of the TMI applicator. TMI was applied within individual healing attempts in patients in whom conventional therapy had failed.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>In two patients with metastatic prostate carcinoma described in detail, and in thirteen further patients with bone metastases, TMI applied to metastatic bone lesions was followed by relief of periosteal pain. In both index patients, follow-up Ga-68-PSMA PET-CT showed marked regression of the osseous lesions. Treatments were tolerated without device-related complications; in one patient the piezoelectric technique was not tolerated and was replaced by the electrohydraulic technique.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>TMI treatment combines direct mechanotransduction with controlled cavitation, potentially disrupting tumor cells and microvasculature and inducing features of immunogenic cell death. In the patients reported here, palliative TMI treatment was associated with pain relief and radiographic tumor regression, including observations compatible with a possible immunological abscopal response. These observations derive from uncontrolled individual healing attempts under concomitant systemic therapy and require prospective confirmation.</p>","PeriodicalId":9845,"journal":{"name":"Cellular Physiology and Biochemistry","volume":"60 5","pages":"503-517"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2026-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148863413","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Corrigendum to: Tendon Cell Biology: Effect of Mechanical Loading.","authors":"Mikołaj Stańczak, Bartłomiej Kacprzak, Piotr Gawda","doi":"10.33594/000000884","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.33594/000000884","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":9845,"journal":{"name":"Cellular Physiology and Biochemistry","volume":"60 4","pages":"473-502"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2026-08-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148863026","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Effects of Mebendazole and Flutamide Combination in Prostate Cancer Cell Lines: a Comprehensive in Vitro Analysis.","authors":"Mohammad Reza Fattahi, Diana Taheri, Seyed Hassan Inanloo, Akram Mirzaei, Helia Azodian Ghajar, Leonardo Oliveira Reis, Seyed Mohammad Kazem Aghamir","doi":"10.33594/000000883","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.33594/000000883","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background/aims: </strong>The aim of this research was to use Mebendazole as an anticancer candidate to reduce the dose of Flutamide and reduce its side effects.</p><p><strong>Method: </strong>In this in vitro study, we evaluated the effect of Mebendazole, Flutamide and Mebendazole-Flutamide combination therapy in LNCaP, DU145 and PC3 cell lines as representatives of human prostate cancer. The assessment includes scratch-wound assay, colony formation assay, flow cytometric analysis of apoptosis and DNA cell cycle, real-time PCR (BAX/BCL2, E-cadherin, N-cadherin, Snail, HIF1α, VEGFC, KLK3, TUBB1 and TUBB3 genes).</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>To determine IC50 levels, cell lines were exposed to different concentration of the drugs. Our data indicated that IC50 values for Mebendazole (55μM) and for 3 cell lines and flutamide (12μM and 10μM) for PC3 and LNCaP/DU145 respectively, with MTT were approved by flow cytometry in a dose and time-dependent manner which was as a consequence of cell cycle arrest at G1/S phase. Furthermore, for the first time, we offered that combination of mebendazole and flutamide produced a greater inhibitory effect on cell viability, colony formation, and migration than either agent alone at the tested concentrations. The combination treatment also increased apoptotic cell populations and upregulated the BAX/BCL2 mRNA ratio and E-cadherin expression in all three cell lines (P<0.01) and downregulated the expression of TUBB1 in DU145 and TUBB3 genes in DU145 and PC3 cell lines (P<0.01).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Mebendazole in combination with flutamide reduced dose of flutamide and increased the sensitivity of prostate cancer cells to treatment. Therefore, this combination may represent a promising in vitro strategy that warrants further mechanistic and in vivo investigation.</p>","PeriodicalId":9845,"journal":{"name":"Cellular Physiology and Biochemistry","volume":"60 4","pages":"458-472"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2026-08-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148863161","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Molecular Characterization of OXA Carbapenemase Genes in Acinetobacter Baumannii Isolated from Different Clinical Samples.","authors":"Alaa Aziz Abdulhassan, Hiba Hazim Hamid, Sara Mahdi Al-Lami, Zainab Muayad Saber","doi":"10.33594/000000882","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.33594/000000882","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background/aims: </strong>Acinetobacter baumannii is an opportunistic gram-negative pathogen and an increasingly important cause of hospital-acquired infections, particularly in intensive care units. Its remarkable ability to rapidly acquire resistance mechanisms, especially against carbapenems, represents a major public health concern. This study aimed to investigate the molecular detection and characterization of OXA-type carbapenemase genes in A. baumannii isolates collected from various clinical sources in Baghdad, Iraq.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Between March and July 2025, 36 non-repetitive A. baumannii isolates were obtained from patients with different infections. Identification was performed using standard biochemical tests, CHROMagar Acinetobacter, and the VITEK 2 system and was confirmed by PCR amplification of the intrinsic blaOXA-51 gene. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was conducted according to CLSI guidelines. The prevalence of blaOXA-23, blaOXA-24, blaOXA-51, and blaOXA-58 genes was determined by PCR. Selected PCR products were sequenced and subjected to phylogenetic analysis.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Extensive antimicrobial resistance was observed among the isolates, particularly to carbapenems, with resistance rates of 83.3% for imipenem and 72.2% for meropenem. High resistance rates were also detected for fluoroquinolones and aminoglycosides, whereas colistin and tigecycline retained comparatively greater activity. PCR screening revealed prevalence rates of 100% for blaOXA-51, 86.1% for blaOXA-23, 69.4% for blaOXA-24, and 47.2% for blaOXA-58. Multiple blaOXA genes were detected in more than half of the isolates, suggesting horizontal gene transfer and local clonal expansion. Phylogenetic analysis demonstrated high similarity between local isolates and international reference strains, supporting the widespread dissemination of resistance determinants. Several nucleotide substitutions were identified within the blaOXA-23 and blaOXA-24 genes.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The findings indicate that blaOXA-23 is the predominant contributor to carbapenem resistance among A. baumannii isolates in Baghdad, while blaOXA-24 and blaOXA-58 are also increasingly prevalent. The observed resistance patterns and phylogenetic relationships underscore the importance of continuous molecular surveillance, antimicrobial stewardship, and effective infection control measures to limit the spread of multidrug-resistant A. baumannii. These data contribute valuable regional information to the global understanding of antimicrobial resistance epidemiology.</p>","PeriodicalId":9845,"journal":{"name":"Cellular Physiology and Biochemistry","volume":"60 4","pages":"445-457"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2026-08-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148863315","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}