Biochemistry, Biophysics, and Structural Biology Commons^™

Evaluation Of Mdm2 Mrna Expression According To Clinicopathological Characteristics In Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma (Oscc) Patients, Tirta Wardana

Chulalongkorn Medical Journal

Background: The murine double minute 2 (MDM2) gene encodes an E3 ubiquitin ligase that targets p53 for degradation, thereby influencing the pathogenesis of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC).

Objective. The present study investigates MDM2 mRNA expression and its association with clinical and pathological characteristics in OSCC patients.

Methods: We conducted an observational-analytical study using a cross-sectional design. The study involved 39 OSCC patients. RNA extraction, cDNA synthesis, and quantitative PCR (qPCR) were performed. We quantified relative MDM2 mRNA expression using the Livak method (2-ΔΔCT) and GenEX MultiD software version 6.0. Statistical significance was assessed using independent t-tests.

Results: Although no …

Enzymatic Synthesis Of Salicylate In Yersina Pestis Proceeds Via Intramolecular Hydroxyl Group Transfer., Clarke Miller

Georgia Journal of Science

The salicylate synthase (YbtS) of Yersinia pestis catalyzes the initial step in the biosynthesis of yersiniabactin, an iron-scavenging siderophore and critical virulence factor. While YbtS is proposed to share a  reaction mechanism with other anthranilate synthase homologs, the exact catalytic pathway has remained unresolved.  In this work, stable isotope (¹⁸O) labeling and mass spectrometry are utilized to clarify the catalytic mechanism of YbtS.  The results of the following set of experiments demonstrate that the salicylate hydroxyl group does not originate from solvent water, directly challenging previously proposed models. Instead, the lack of solvent-labeled oxygen incorporation and the absence …

Selenoprotein P And Selenium As Potential Diagnostic Biomarkers For Breast Cancer Patients, Farah A. Rashid, Rawaa A. Ali, Hanaa A. Ali

Karbala International Journal of Modern Science

Breast cancer incidence increases in last decade. Oxidative stress increases during cancer development causes consuming of antioxidants. Selenium and its transporting protein, selenoprotein P have an important role in redox homeostasis. This study aims to investigate whether or not selenium and selenoprotein P could be diagnostic biomarkers for breast cancer patients. This study was included 30 individuals in control group who is age- and BMI-matched with 60 breast cancer patients. Selenium was measured by colorimetric assay kit and selenoprotein P was determined by Sandwich ELISA kits. The results indicate significant decrease (p < 0.0001) of serum selenium and selenoprotein P in breast cancer patients compared to control. A positive significant correlation (r = 0.6214, p < 0.0001) was found between selenium and selenoprotein P in breast cancer patients. Selenium has an excellent diagnostic accuracy with area under curve 0.9831, sensitivity 95% and specificity 100% at cut-off less than 3.54 mmol/L. Furthermore, selenoprotein P has also an excellent area under curve 0.9958 with sensitivity 96.77% and specificity 100% at cut-off less than 4.15 ng/ml. These exploratory findings appear that selenium and selenoprotein P could be potential diagnostic biomarkers for breast cancer patients. Further investigations in large-multicenter populations are needed to confirm results.

Fish Tissue Digestion And Microplastic Polymer Identification Protocol Using Open-Source Ftir Database, Shawn L. Kissinger, Vick-Ariel Privert, Jason Bystriansky, Kyle A. Grice

DePaul Discoveries

Microplastic (MP) contamination in aquatic ecosystems poses significant concerns for environmental and public health, as seafood represents a critical food source worldwide. Despite increasing evidence of MP presence in marine organisms, efficient and accessible detection methods remain essential for characterizing contamination patterns and informing regulatory frameworks. This study extracted MPs from brain, gill, intestine, liver, and muscle tissues of gilt-head bream (Sparus aurata) and European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax), two commercially important species from the Gulf of Cádiz, Spain, using a NaOH–HNO₃ chemical digestion protocol. Isolated particles were characterized by Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, with …

Recent Advances In Phosphatidylinositol Phosphate Kinases (Pipks) And Their Inhibitors, Mengxia Sun, Jian Hu, Xuefei Huang

BAU Journal - Science and Technology

Phosphatidylinositol phosphate kinases (PIPKs) are an important class of enzymes in humans, which produce lipid signaling molecules playing central roles in pathogenesis of diseases such as cancer, neurodegenerative diseases, and viral infection. Consequently, they are attracting increasing attention as drug targets for disease treatment. This review summarizes the functions of the PIPK family enzymes and highlights recent efforts on designing novel inhibitors against PIPKs. These advances are extensively discussed to stimulate interest in this field and promote further development of highly potent and selective inhibitors for innovative therapeutic applications.

Comparative Screening Of Cytotoxic Potential Of Berberis Aristata And Senna Alexandrina Extracts, Rida Noor Akhtar, Javaria Zahoor, Rizwan Ullah Khan, Aziz Ullah, Naila Malkani

Journal of Bioresource Management

Medicinal plants provide a safe and efficient source of drugs for cancer treatment. Berberis aristata and Senna alexandrina are traditionally used to treat several ailments because they contain compounds with antimicrobial, antitoxic, anti-inflammatory, and other properties. The objective of the study was to prepare crude ethanolic extracts of B. aristata and S. alexandrina and to determine their cytotoxic potential against cancer cells. Ethanolic extracts were prepared for both plants. Hepatocellular carcinoma cells (HepG2) were used for all assays. The cytotoxicity of extracts was determined by 3‑(4,5‑Dimethylthiazol‑2‑yl)‑2,5‑diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay using various concentrations of extracts. The obtained sub-lethal concentrations were used …

In Vitro Anticancer Evaluation Of Tamoxifen And Paclitaxel-Loaded Chitosan Nanoparticles Against Breast And Lung Cancer With In Silico Docking, Arshia Amaan, Farah Mehak, Amer Jamil, Fatma Hussain

Journal of Bioresource Management

Breast and lung cancer are the primary cause of death worldwide, underlining the need for an improved therapeutic strategy. In the current study, tamoxifen (TAM) and paclitaxel (PTX) loaded chitosan nanoparticles (NPs) were produced for the evaluation of sustained drug delivery and enhanced anticancer potential of nanocarriers over conventional chemotherapy against breast and lung cancers, respectively. Nanoparticles were produced by the ionic gelation method and characterized by UV-visible spectroscopy, Dynamic Light Scattering and Fourier Transform Infrared Microscopy (FTIR), verifying the nanoscale morphology, stability and successful encapsulation. A drug release profile study (in vitro) (78 %, 60-75 %) and …

Investigating Quinclorac Binding To Human Serum Albumin Using Spectroscopy And Molecular Docking, Le Nguyen, L. Hicks, L. Jodoin, S. Carby, D. S. Sanford, D. Benavides, A. Mishra, R. Yadav

Journal of the Arkansas Academy of Science

Human serum albumin (HSA) is the most abundant plasma protein and serves as a major transporter and reservoir for a wide range of endogenous ligands, including fatty acids, heme, bilirubin, prostaglandins, and metal ions, as well as numerous exogenous compounds, such as pharmaceuticals. HSA is a 66 kDa monomeric, multidomain protein containing two principal ligand-binding sites, Sudlow sites I and II. Sudlow site I contains Trp214, the sole tryptophan residue in HSA, whose intrinsic fluorescence provides a sensitive probe for studying ligand–protein interactions.

In this study, the interaction between HSA and the persistent organochlorine herbicide quinclorac (QNC) was investigated using …

In Silico And Toxicological Evaluation Of Crescentia Cujete Aqueous Extract: Potential Anticancer Activity Against Breast Cancer, Rahma Diyan Martha, Fatimah Fatimah, Syahputra Wibowo, Bantari Wisynu Kusuma Wardhani, Josephine Elizabeth Siregar, Elisabeth Farah Novita Coutrier, Alfia Fitrianita, Andri Pramesyanti Pramono, Ita Margaretha Nainggolan, Yudhi Nugraha, Danar Danar, Naufal Abiyyu, Lalu Unsunnidhal, Aswin Rafif Khairullah, Arif Nur Muhammad Ansori, Hesty Parbuntari, Wimbuh Tri Widodo

Makara Journal of Science

Majapahit plant (Crescentia cujete), commonly found in Indonesia, has not been extensively explored for its medicinal properties. Given that many cancer treatments are derived from plants, this study aimed to examine the effects of plants on cancer chemical composition of the C. cujete fruit pulp extract, identify its primary compounds, and assess its potential as an antioxidant, anticancer agent, particularly for breast cancer. An insilico approach was used to evaluate the toxicity and interactions, of the compounds with cancer biomarker proteins, in addition to an in vivo Brine Shrimp Lethality Test (BSLT) for BSLT, toxicity screening using six …

Advancing Paradigm Of Quantitative Synthetic Biology And Strengthening Mission-Oriented Basic Research, Chenli Liu

Bulletin of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Chinese Version)

Synthetic biology is an important frontier in the life sciences, yet its further development remains constrained by limited capacity for rational design. Quantitative synthetic biology, which iteratively integrates quantitative modeling with the construction and analysis of synthetic systems, offers a promising paradigm for addressing this challenge. In this perspective, the study discusses the background and motivations underlying the emergence of this field and summarizes recent developments and exploratory efforts. Considering the unique characteristics of quantitative synthetic biology, it is suggested that progress in the field may benefit from strategically organized collaborative research that balances mission-oriented goals with investigator-driven exploration. On …

Influence Of Smoking On Mlh1 Gene Polymorphism: Insights Into Colorectal Cancer Incidence, Ali Mohammed Al-Abedi, Rand Muhammed Abdul-Hussein Al-Husseini

Al-Bahir

Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide. The MutL Homolog 1 (MLH1) gene plays a critical role in DNA mismatch repair (MMR). Evidence suggests cigarette smoking increases CRC risk, potentially interacting with genetic factors.

Materials and Methods: This case-control study involved 50 Iraqi CRC patients and 50 age- and gender-matched healthy controls. The PCR-RFLP technique was employed for genotyping the -93G/A (rs1800734) polymorphism. Statistical analysis included Chi-square, Fisher's Exact Test, and logistic regression adjusted for confounders. Hardy-Weinberg Equilibrium (HWE) was assessed in controls.

Results: The frequency of the rs1800734 variant was significantly higher in CRC …

Allosteric And Uncompetitive Inhibition Of Yeast Alcohol Dehydrogenase Identified By Enzyme Kinetics, Dylan Jeremy Harrison, Jenny A. Cappuccio

IdeaFest: Interdisciplinary Journal of Creative Works and Research from Cal Poly Humboldt

Enzyme kinetics is a powerful technique used to quantify the rate at which an enzyme converts a substrate into a product and to identify potential inhibitors. In this study, kinetic analysis was employed to assess the activity of yeast alcohol dehydrogenase (YADH) in the presence and absence of sweeteners commonly found in alcoholic beverages. YADH catalyzes the oxidation of ethanol to acetaldehyde using NAD⁺ as a cofactor; the reduction to NADH can be monitored spectrophotometrically at 340 nm. Based on structural similarities to the ribose moiety of NAD⁺, it was hypothesized that sucrose and sucralose could directly interact with the …

Napier Grass (Pennisetum Purpureum) Meal Modulates Growth Efficiency, Gut Morphology, And Systemic Health In Broiler Chickens, Eric Lim Teik Chung, Yee Lyn Ong, Nazri Nayan, Muhamad Faris Ab Aziz, Faez Firdaus Abdullah Jesse, Faizal Andri, Arissara Sopawong

The Thai Journal of Veterinary Medicine

Grass and leaf meals, which include vital phytocompounds, have the potential to be a natural and safe alternative to antibiotics in the poultry industry. Therefore, this study aims to assess Pennisetum purpureum leaf meal and its phytocompounds on the health performances of colored-broilers. A total of 216 unsexed Sasso chicks were assigned to six diet groups. The negative control (T1) received a commercial basal diet without antibiotics, while the positive control (T2) received the same diet with oxytetracycline (100 mg/kg). Groups T3 to T6 received no antibiotics and included P. purpureum meal at 1.25, 2.50, 3.75, or 5.00 grams per …

The Influence Of Prosthetic Obturators On Quality Of Life In Individuals With Maxillectomy Defects, Minseok Kim

Oral Health

Abstract

Introduction: In recent years, there has been a growing focus on understanding the impact of oral cancer on patients' quality of life. Prosthetic rehabilitation techniques, such as maxillary obturators, often in conjunction with reconstructive surgery, have emerged as interventions to address the challenges posed by post-maxillectomy abnormalities.

Objective: This study aims to systematically review and evaluate the effectiveness of maxillofacial prosthetic rehabilitation using obturators in enhancing the quality of life of patients following maxillectomy.

Methodology: Systematic review of identified literature spanning the timeframe from 2000 to 2020 was used. The comprehensive search encompassed widely recognized databases including PubMed, …

Optimizing Expression Conditions For The Overexpression Of Iron Regulatory Protein Bol2 From C. Glabrata, Jade Ikahihifo-Bender, Dr. Caryn Outten, Mrs. Evan Talib

Caravel Undergraduate Research Journal

Due to its unique ability to serve as both an electron donor and acceptor, iron is utilized as a co-factor for many biological processes, including electron transfer, oxygen binding, and vitamin synthesis. Iron is also a key factor during fungal infections as the human host and invading pathogens battle over limited iron pools. The primary iron-responsive transcription factor Aft1 in the opportunistic pathogenic yeast Candida glabrata responds to iron deficiency by activating expression of iron acquisition genes. However, the mechanisms for sensing intracellular iron levels and regulating Aft1 activity in response to iron are unknown. The C. glabrata iron regulation …

The Universe Under A Microscope, Claire Chabot

Caravel Undergraduate Research Journal

No abstract provided.

Discovering The Southern Appalachian Grassy Balds, Nicholas Lenze

Caravel Undergraduate Research Journal

Grassy balds are unique Appalachian wonders, open meadows in the mountains where, ecologically, there should be trees. It has been hypothesized that some of the balds originated more than ten thousand years ago and were kept open by the grazing of large herbivores such as the mastodon and the wooly mammoth. Over the course of earth’s history, environmental and anthropogenic factors have shaped, modified and maintained the balds. Up to one hundred grassy balds were once recognized to exist in the southern Appalachians, but fewer exist today due to forest succession (Gersmehl, 1970). Collectively, the grassy balds share a common …

Rna Interference Targeting Autocrine Motility Factor Receptor In Unfolded Protein Response In Acyrthosiphon Pisum, Micah A. Von Stroh, James Balthazor

SACAD: Scholarly Activities

Acyrthosiphon pisum, more commonly known as pea aphids, are a pest to many species of Fabaceae (legumes) mainly due to the species being prone to carrying Fabaceae diseases. Protection against A. pisum currently includes insecticides and natural predators, both of which bring potential negative effects to other organisms in the surrounding area. In this study, the use of RNA interference (RNAi) provides an alternative and species-specific elimination of A. pisum. The targeted proteins in this study, Autocrine Motility Factor Receptor, plays a role in removing misfolded proteins from the cells of A. Pisum and is encoded by the AMFR gene. …

Atp Architect - Development Of A Metabolism Boardgame, Selene J. Welch, Micah Burk, Brooklyn Gilchrist, Emma Haase, Timothy T. Jones

SACAD: Scholarly Activities

Traditional metabolism instruction often leaves students struggling with pathway interconnectedness and metabolite flux. To foster systems thinking, we are developing an educational board game where students manipulate tokens to navigate physiological constraints and achieve target energy goals. Grounded in Design-Based Research (DBR), the game undergoes iterative refinement based on player feedback. The design utilizes constructivism by allowing students to "fail safely" and revise strategies in real-time, while leveraging embodied cognition to externalize abstract flux into the physical trading of resource tokens.

Morphological Characteristics Of The Mediophyceae Diatom Lampriscus Cf. Shadboltianus Var. Crenulatus Collected From Gili Meno, Indonesia, Arief Rachman, Riani Widiarti, Setiarti Sukotjo, Mark Wells

Makara Journal of Science

Diatoms are the most common and abundant microalgae group in seawater, with an estimated 200 genera and 200,000 species categorized into three distinct taxonomic classes: Mediophyceae, Bacillariophyceae, and Coscinodiscophyceae. This study describes the morphological characteristics of Lampriscus GM052022, a diatom belonging to the Mediophyceae family, which was collected from Gili Matra, Lombok, Indonesia. Analysis using light microscopy (LM) and electron microscopy (EM) showed that the morphological characteristics of the Lampriscus GM052022 specimen are similar to those of Lampriscus shadboltianus var. crenulatus due to the distinct crenulation lines on the frustule, which differentiate this variation from Lampriscus shadboltianus. However, the …

Design And In Silico Modeling Of Heterocyclic-Based Xanthone Derivatives As Potential Anticancer Agents Through Tyrosine Kinase Inhibition, Yehezkiel Steven Kurniawan, Ervan Yudha, Nela Fatmasari, Radite Yogaswara, Harno Dwi Pranowo, Eti Nurwening Sholikhah, Jumina Jumina

Makara Journal of Science

Cancer is one of the deadliest diseases nowadays, and tyrosine kinase receptors play crucial roles in cancer cell survival, differentiation, proliferation, and migration. This study designed and developed a new inhibitor from heterocyclic-based xanthone derivatives to target two tyrosine kinase receptors, epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and platelet-derived growth factor receptor (PDGFR), through in silico screening. Eighteen heterocyclic-based xanthones were evaluated through molecular docking for both receptors. All heterocyclic-based xanthones gave the root mean square deviation (RMSD) value lower than 2.00 Å. Xanthone with isobenzothiazole substituent (iBzThio) was found as the most potent inhibitor with binding energies of -10.60 and …

In Vitro And In Silico Analysis Of The Antibacterial Activity Of Bioactive Compounds Extracted From Pineapple Peel, Wafa Mohammad Sadik, Iman Tajer Abdullah, Lana Abed Alnajar

Makara Journal of Science

Antibiotic resistance is a critical global challenge that requires the discovery of alternative therapeutic agents. Plants -derived compounds, such as those found in Ananas comosus (pineapple)peel, offer promising antibacterial potential. This study aimed to evaluate the antibacterial activity of pineapple peel extract using both in vitro and in silico approaches. Ethanolic extracts of pineapple peel were fractionated using silica gel chromatography, and the resulting fractions were analyzed by GC-MS. Antibacterial activity was tested against Gram-positive and Gram-negative pathogens using the agar well diffusion method, and the inhibition zones were recorded. Molecular docking was performed to assess the interaction of identified …

Disrupted Nuclear Function And Nucleocytoplasmic Transport In Parkinson’S Disease, Ichiro M. Matoba

The Cardinal Edge

No abstract provided.

Evaluation Of The Posterior Segment Of The Dromedary Camel’S Eye Using Spectral-Domain Optical Coherence Tomography (Sd-Oct), Amine Berghiche, Djallal Eddine Rahmoun, Nassiba Reghaissia, Allaoua Chaouki Bentazir, Mohamed Kamal Merai Abdel Maksoud

The Thai Journal of Veterinary Medicine

The dromedary camel possesses unique ocular adaptations enabling survival in harsh desert environments. This study aimed to characterize the posterior segment of the dromedary camel’s eye using spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) and fundus photography. Fourteen healthy adult camels were sedated and imaged. High-resolution OCT images enabled clear visualization and measurement of the retina, choroid, and sclera. The retina exhibited well-defined layers, including the retinal pigment epithelium, photoreceptor layer, plexiform layers, and nerve fiber layer. Mean thicknesses of the retina, choroid, and sclera were 267 ± 2.54 μm, 299 ± 3.15 μm, and 155 ± 2.74 μm in the right …

Oral Streptococcus And Vitamin B12 Deficiency In E-Cigarette Users: A Microbial–Nutrient–Neurotransmitter Axis Linking To Mood Disturbances, Maryam Sabah Naser, Ali Jabbar Abd Al-Hussain Alkawaz, Ali Abbas Hashim Almusawi, Ali Jalil Obaid, Hasanain Ayed Mohammed Al-Khafaji, Reihaneh Sabbaghzadeh

Karbala International Journal of Modern Science

Background: With the rising popularity of e-cigarettes, questions have emerged regarding their broader influence on oral ecology, nutrient absorption, and psychological health. Disruptions in the oral microbiome may alter vitamin B12 dynamics. This, in turn, may indirectly influence serotonin biosynthesis and mood regulation.

Methods: An observational cross-sectional study involved 150 young adults segregated into groups of 50 each as vapers, smokers, or non-users. Streptococcus sanguinis and vitamin B12 metabolism-related variable statuses methylmalonic acid and holotranscobalamin were quantified in samples, along with inflammatory markers interleukin-6, kynurenine/tryptophan ratio, and serotonin. Statistical techniques, including ANOVA and the Kruskal-Walli’s test, correlation, and serial mediation …

Potency Dependent Angiogenic Effect Of Bellis Perennis On In Ovo Chick Chorioallantoic Membrane Assay, Jayanthdevan V, Winston Vargheese V, Anish Fathima K, Lohita S

Indian Journal of Research in Homoeopathy

Background: Hormesis is the biological response of an organism for a particular dosage of a substance. The lower dose stimulates and higher dose inhibits. J Compton Burnett, an eminent homeopath, prescribed Bellis perennis for breast and uterine tumours, which suggests it could be due to the antiangiogenic property or angiogenic inhibiting property and clinically also it is used for healing of fractured bone and wound healing which may be due to angiogenic promoting property. This experiment deals with the dose dependent effect of Bellis perennis on In Ovo Chick Chorioallantoic Membrane Assay. Objective: To evaluate the Hormesis effect of Bellis …

Developing A Tool To Measure Resistance To Sustainable Food Choices: A Pilot Study In Ireland And The Netherlands, Kate Flanagan, Bart Sinteur, Patricia J. Bulsing, John M. Kearney

SURE Journal: Science Undergraduate Research Experience Journal

Consumer uptake of a sustainable diet is critical for addressing environmental challenges and promoting public health. Understanding why consumers resist adopting sustainable eating habits can inform targeted interventions and policies. This pilot study examines whether a newly developed scale can effectively detect consumer resistance to a sustainable diet. Currently, there is a lack of research on a tool to measure consumer resistance to a sustainable diet, highlighting the need for a reliable instrument.

The aim of this study is to develop a scale, based on existing literature, to measure consumer resistance to a sustainable diet. Additionally, the study aims to …

Editorial-Sure Journal Volume 7, Issue 2, Geraldine M. Dowling, Eva Campion, Sinead Loughran, Ariane Perez-Gavilan, Josephine Treacy

SURE Journal: Science Undergraduate Research Experience Journal

No abstract provided.

Losing Focus In The Age Of Tik Tok: Clinical Evidence For Policy Action On Social Media Use, Megan Conefrey, Robert Griffin

SURE Journal: Science Undergraduate Research Experience Journal

No abstract provided.

Tracking Livestock Heart Rate & Location Using Long-Range Radio Networks. An Immediate Solution For Farms Without Reliable Wi-Fi, Dermott Harkin, Martin Bradley

SURE Journal: Science Undergraduate Research Experience Journal

No abstract provided.