31 October 2025

NAT10 inhibits ferroptosis and promotes the progression of renal clear cell carcinoma by regulating the NFE2L1-GPX4 signaling pathway

"The research demonstrates that NAT10 enhances the malignant behavior of ccRCC cells, suggesting its involvement in tumor progression. The study identifies that NAT10 inhibits ferroptosis by modulating the NFE2L1-GPX4 signaling pathway, a novel finding in the context of ccRCC. Given its regulatory role in ferroptosis and tumor progression, NAT10 presents as a promising target for ccRCC treatment options. So, this study contributes to the understanding of ccRCC pathogenesis and opens avenues for targeted therapies that modulate ferroptosis pathways, of which, thus far, there is limited direct evidence in literature."

Sonia Oliveira, Section Editor

30 October 2025

Optimizing target-to-total DNA ratio in eDNA studies: effects of sampling, preservation, and extraction methods on single-species detection

"There are numerous methods for isolating environmental DNA (eDNA). However, this work provides, for the first time, an extensive and careful analysis for optimizing the isolation of eDNA using different statistical frameworks, and offers a novel approach to this field of research."

Bernardo Franco, Handling Editor

27 October 2025

Antimicrobial and scavenging potential of green synthesized silver/manganese bimetallic nanoparticles using Euphorbia cactus extract

"This work is a strong, novel, and thoughtfully executed step in the direction of sustainable nanomedicine. The use of Euphorbia-based bio-reduction to generate Ag/Mn bimetallic nanoparticles, characterised in detail and shown to possess potent antimicrobial and antioxidant function, is valuable. The main outstanding challenges are proof of biocompatibility, mechanistic clarity, reproducibility, and translation feasibility. Translational impact remains preliminary."

Sonia Oliveira, Section Editor

27 October 2025

Modulation of PI3K/AKT/mTOR and apoptosis pathway in colon cancer cells by the plant flavonoid fisetin

"This research elucidates how fisetin affects key molecular pathways in CRC cells. By downregulating BCL-2, PI3K, mTOR, and NF-κB gene expression, and upregulating BAX gene expression, fisetin disrupts the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway and promotes apoptosis. Utilizing the Caco-2 human colon cancer cell line, the study provides a relevant in vitro model to assess fisetin's effects. Supporting analyses using GeneMANIA and OncoDB databases reinforce the observed gene expression changes, lending credibility to the findings. This study contributes to the growing body of evidence supporting fisetin as a promising natural compound for CRC prevention and therapy, making it an interesting therapeutic candidate for future formulations."

Sonia Oliveira, Section Editor

8 October 2025

Quality assessment from biobank plasma and serum specimens: a systematic review

"Unreliable blood sample quality can distort research findings, waste resources, and compromise clinical decisions. By identifying the key factors that damage samples and highlighting overlooked variables, this work helps to establish a foundation for standardized handling that preserves integrity, improves reproducibility, and strengthens trust in biobank-based studies."

Sonia Oliveira, Section Editor

3 October 2025

Proteomic landscape of porcine induced neural stem cell reprogramming and differentiation

"This article is significant as it presents the first proteomic map of porcine iNSC reprogramming, revealing key regulatory proteins and pathways that advance our understanding of neural fate and support translational regenerative medicine."

Travis Beddoe, Handling Editor

2 October 2025

Novel monoclonal antibodies for immunodetection of AmpC β-lactamases

"This article is important because it addresses a critical gap in the rapid and accurate detection of AmpC β-lactamase–producing bacteria, a major cause of antibiotic resistance worldwide. By developing and characterizing novel monoclonal antibodies targeting conserved epitopes of CMY β-lactamases, the study provides versatile tools adaptable to multiple immunoassay platforms"

Travis Beddoe, Handling Editor

30 September 2025

DNA damage-dependent mechanisms of ionizing radiation-induced cellular senescence

"Cellular senescence includes replicative senescence (from telomere shortening) and stress-induced premature senescence (e.g., from ionizing radiation, IR). While IR DNA damage is studied, its role in inducing senescence is unclear. Understanding these mechanisms is key to exploring radiation’s impact on aging, guiding future research."

Rodolfo García-Contreras, Handling Editor

29 September 2025

Study on the diagnostic potential and molecular mechanism of hsa_circ_0000831 in oral squamous cell carcinoma

"This article addresses the identification and validation of key circular RNAs with diagnostic relevance in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), a malignancy with considerable clinical challenges. By integrating public and clinical datasets, the study identifies hsa_circ_0000831 as a candidate biomarker, and provides evidence for its upregulation in OSCC along with an assessment of its diagnostic performance. The inclusion of functional assays adds support for the involvement of this circRNA in OSCC cell behavior, while the construction of a ceRNA network and pathway analysis offers some insight into possible underlying mechanisms. The approach is methodical, combining data mining with experimental work, and the results may contribute to the ongoing search for more effective diagnostic tools and therapeutic targets in OSCC. However, while the findings are of interest, the clinical implications remain preliminary and would benefit from further validation in larger, independent cohorts."

Fanglin Guan, Handling Editor

26 September 2025

Integrating network pharmacology, molecular docking, and molecular dynamics simulations to explore potential compounds and mechanisms of Coptis chinensis in treating streptococcal infections

"This research advances the understanding of C. chinensis as a multi-faceted therapeutic agent and lays the groundwork for its clinical application against Streptococcus infections."

Rodolfo García-Contreras, Handling Editor