latest articles

Endocrine-disrupting pesticides and SARS-CoV-2 infection: Role of ACE2, TMPRSS2 and CD147
by Dixit
S.,
Ahsan
H.,
Khan
F.
Summary: COVID-19 is a global pandemic caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) coronavirus- 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The three main receptors used by SARS-CoV-2 to bind and gain entry into human cells are ACE, TMPRSS2, and CD147. These molecular factors have crucial roles in human metabolism and homeostasis, but the upregulation of these factors causes severe diseases such as myocarditis, prostate cancer, and other endocrine-related cancers. Studies have found that once humans come into contact with SARS-CoV-2, the chances of being affected by such disorders increase; indeed, infection with the virus is associated with increased morbidity and mortality from heart attacks and pulmonary inflammation. Notably, exposure to some pesticides, such as chlorpyrifos, cypermethrin, and imidacloprid, which are identified as potential endocrine disruptors, causes such disorders by interfering with hormonal signaling pathways, such as the insulinglucagon pathway and the thyroid pathway. This review focuses on the potential role of pesticides in exacerbating the comorbidities linked with SARS-CoV-2 and their effect on the molecular factors associated with SARS-CoV-2. Understanding the potential therapeutic implications of this link between SARS-CoV-2 severity and pesticides requires further clinical trials and investigations.

Assessment of circulating miRNA-218, miRNA-222, and miRNA-146 as biomarkers of polycystic ovary syndrome in epileptic patients receiving valproic acid
by Rajabi
M.,
Kalantar
S., M.,
Mojodi
E.,
Salehi
M.,
Firouzabadi
R., D.,
Etemadifar
S., M.,
Montazeri
F.
Summary: This study was designed to evaluate the relationship between taking sodium valproate (VPA) and the onset of polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) in women with epilepsy (WWE) and analyze the biochemical factors and expression levels of three miRNAs as diagnostic or predictive biomarkers. These miRNAs target numerous genes and molecular pathways involved in hyperandrogenism, insulin resistance, and obesity in PCOS patients.

Early Alzheimer’s disease diagnosis using an XG-Boost model applied to MRI images
by Nguyen
K.,
Nguyen
M.,
Dang
K.,
Pham
B.,
Huynh
V.,
Vo
T.,
Ngo
L.,
Ha
H.
Summary: Early Alzheimer's disease (AD) diagnosis is critical to improving the success of new treatments in clinical trials, especially at the early mild cognitive impairment (EMCI) stage. This study aimed to tackle this problem by developing an accurate classification model for early AD detection at the EMCI stage based on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Efficacy of trocar site, intraperitoneal, and laparoscopically guided posterior transversus abdominis muscle bupivacaine injection for reducing pain after laparoscopic hysterectomy surgery: A double-blind randomized clinical trial
by Majd
M.,
Asgari
Z.,
Marjani
N.,
Gheshlaghi
P.,
Rezaeinejad
M.,
Fatehnejad
M.
Summary: Few studies have investigated the pain-reducing effects of bupivacaine after laparoscopic hysterectomy. Therefore, this study compared the efficacy of three methods of bupivacaine injection—subcutaneous injection into the trocar site, intraperitoneal injection, and posterior transversus abdominis muscle block under laparoscopic guidance—for reducing pain after laparoscopic hysterectomy; the efficacy of each method was also compared with that of placebo.

Epstein–Barr virus-encoded RNA expression and its relationship with the clinicopathological parameters of Vietnamese patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma
by Dung
T.,
Thinh
P.,
Hanh
N.,
Linh
N.,
Thi
P.,
Tra
D.,
Tien
T.,
The
L.,
Hung
N.,
Chung
D.
Summary: Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is a common malignancy in Viet Nam, and its pathogenesis is closely associated with Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) infection. However, the relationship between EBV infection and clinicopathological characteristics related to NPC prognosis in Vietnamese patients remains poorly understood. This study aimed to investigate the association between EBV infection and various clinical parameters in Vietnamese patients with NPC.

Tridax procumbens leaf antioxidants and hormonal activity ameliorate variable stress-induced erectile and reproductive impairments in Wister rats
by Ademola
S., S.,
Irenemarie
A., C.,
Olabode
A., M.,
Mofomosara
S., H.,
Adekunle
M. B.
Summary: The role of Tridax procumbens leaf extract in erectile dysfunction (ED) of chronic variable stress (CVS) etiology is unknown. This study investigates the potential of the ethanol fraction of Tridax procumbens leaf (EETP) in modulation of CVS-induced ED.

Acute Myeloid Leukemia with 8:21 Translocation and Aberrant B-Marker Expression
by Saidin
N., I., S.,
Zulkeflee
R., H.,
Abdullah
A., H.,
Hassan
M., N.,
Abdullah
M.,
Akbar
N., A., N.,
Noor
N. H. M.
Summary: Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) with t(8;21)(q22;q22) is a frequently encountered subtype of AML with recurrent genetic abnormalities, found in approximately 1–5% of AML cases. Here, we present cases of AML with t(8;21) in elderly patients with aberrant B-marker expression identified at our institution, including their clinical outcomes when treated with hypomethylating agents and BCL-2 inhibitors.

The Engineering Biology Problems Book: Bridging the gap between biomedicine and engineering
by Klabukov
I.,.
Baranovskii
D.
Summary: Progress in the biological sciences requires advanced approaches to biological education. The current well-established paradigm rarely uses engineering design to solve biological problems. Engineering biology is a novel science field and academic discipline that focuses on the engineering of living objects using biological techniques. We believe that the integration of engineering components into biological education together with a wide application of engineering methods can provide considerable benefits to the education system. We developed the ``Engineering Biology Problems Book'' to bridge the gap between biology, medicine, and engineering.

Plasmablastic transformation of multiple myeloma post-autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplant
by Akbar
N., A., N.,
Hassan
M.,
Iberahim
S.,
Saidin
N., I., S.,
Roslan
W.,
Halim
N., A., I., A.,
Abdullah
A., D.,
Hanafi
H., H., W.,
Shukri
N., D., M.,
Adzahar
S.
Summary: The present case report describes the uncommon and adverse plasmablastic transformation of multiple myeloma (MM) following autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case of plasmablastic myeloma (PBM) after an autologous hematopoietic transplant to be reported in Malaysia. A 41-year-old man initially diagnosed with MM IgG kappa reported lower back pain symptoms for a year, along with other associated symptoms. After receiving several lines of chemotherapy, the patient displayed a partial response (PR), and an autologous stem cell transplant (ASCT) was subsequently performed. Two months after the transplant, the patient showed signs of anemia, with a hemoglobin level of 8.0 g/dL. A peripheral blood film revealed the presence of a leucoerythroblastic blood film with normocytic normochromic red blood cells and rouleaux formation but no apparent plasma cells. The main infiltrating cells in the bone marrow aspirate (BMA) and trephine biopsy were plasmablasts with kappa light chain restriction. An increase in serum kappa free light chain (FLC), serum lambda FLC, and a low albumin/globulin (A/G) ratio were observed. In addition, serum protein electrophoresis showed an IgG kappa paraprotein band in the gamma region. Post-ASCT, the disease transformed into PBM, which conferred a poor prognosis on thepatient despite his post-transplant status. This case report highlights the diagnostic challenges of plasmablastic transformation in MM. Diagnosing PBM is thus crucial for the prompt and proper management of affected patients. Another consideration in the present case is whether the transplant procedure itself or the immunopathogenesis that took place after the ASCT resulted in the subsequent transformation into PBM.

The cytotoxic effect of Vernonia amygdalina Del. extract on myeloid leukemia cells
by Quan
N.,
Ly
B.,
Chi
H.
Summary: This study aimed to demonstrate the cytotoxic effect of a bitter leaf (Vernonia amygdalina Del.) ethanol extract on myeloid leukemia cells.

Comparison of cancer stem cell enrichment between spheroids derived from single-cell and multicellular aggregate cultures
by Hairuddin
O.,
Yahaya
B.,
Ibahim
M.,
Verakumarasivam
A.,
Choy
C.,
Mazlan
M.,
Rahim
N.,
Dzulkarnain
S., M.,
Mansor
S.
Summary: Cancer stem cells (CSCs) represent a distinct group of cells within cancerous tissue that possess the ability to initiate tumorigenesis and exhibit potency, self-renewal, and drug resistance. The study of CSCs often encounters challenges in obtaining these cells of interest or generating a sufficient quantity for downstream analysis. Nevertheless, it is feasible to enrich CSCs in vitro by subjecting them to conditions that stimulate their CSC properties, such as prolonged exposure to drugs or radiation, or by promoting their self-renewal capability through spheroid culture. Spheroids are a specific type of cell culture that organizes cells into a three-dimensional structure, closely mimicking the in vivo environment. These spheroids consist of a heterogeneous cell population, including CSCs or tumor-propagating cells responsible for tumor growth and maintenance. In our study, we cultured spheroids derived from single cells as well as multicellular aggregates to enrich CSCs based on their self-renewal capability and the structural organization provided by the three-dimensional context.

Correlation between Angiotensin Converting Enzyme Insertion-Deletion Polymorphisms and Cardiovascular Risk Factor Determinants in Urban and Rural Populations
by Ismail
I.,
Basri
M.,
Mustafa
M.,
Nukhotimah
A.
Summary: The angiotensin converting enzyme insertion-deletion (ACE I/D) polymorphism located on chromosome 17q23 (287 bp in intron 16) is associated with cardiovascular risk factors (CRFs), but results vary among populations, which is thought to be the cause of ethnic differences. This study explored the role of the ACE I/D polymorphism and its correlation with CRF determinants among urban and rural groups.

Association Between Interleukin 6 Immunohistochemical and Plasma Levels in Invasive Ductal Carcinoma Breast: A Cross-Sectional Study
by Girdhar
A.,
Raju
K.,
Prasad
K.
Summary: Breast carcinoma (BC) is one of the most common malignancies in women, affecting 1 in 8.Interleukin 6 (IL6) is a proinflammatory cytokine. The role of IL6 pathways in breast cancer motivated the development of anti-IL6 agents or monoclonal antibodies, which inhibit the IL6/signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) pathway. This study aimed to determine the proportion and intensity of immunohistochemical (IHC) IL6 expression in invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC) breast tissue sections and estimate plasma IL6 levels using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in the same patients to evaluate the association between IHC and plasma IL6 levels.

Case series report: simultaneous internal fixation of multiple fractures
by Vo
T.,
Nguyen
T., H.,
To
K.,
Nguyen
L.,
Nguyen
D.,
Ha
D.,
Ngo
V.,
Doan
N.,
Le
Q.
Summary: Polytrauma is often associated with a high mortality rate and requires intensive management. Although several cases of polytrauma have been reported as being related to thoracic or brain injury, there are few reports concerning multiple fractures. We aimed to present a case series report about polytrauma with multiple fractures, highlighting several clinical importance and management strategies.
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