Open Access

COMMENTARY

BIOCELL, Vol.49, No.3, pp. 349-354, 2025, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2025.061810 - 31 March 2025
（This article belongs to the Special Issue: Advances in Cellular and Molecular Mechanisms and Therapeutic Strategies for Neurodegenerative Diseases)
Abstract Neurodegeneration of retinal tissue leads to progressive vision loss in millions of working-age adults each year. Metabolic alterations caused by modern diets that are high in fats and sugars contribute to the development of diabetic retinopathy. Chronic, diet-induced metabolic changes are linked to high glucose and harmful, pro-inflammatory compounds in the blood, called advanced glycation end products (AGEs), that can alter the integrity of neurovascular barriers. AGEs-induced changes to the permeability of the inner blood-retinal barrier can lead to progressive vision loss with disparate impacts in patients with low estrogen, such as via natural aging More >

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BIOCELL, Vol.49, No.3, pp. 355-379, 2025, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2025.059987 - 31 March 2025
（This article belongs to the Special Issue: Cell Death and Inflammation in Signaling and Diseases)
Abstract Melanomas are aggressive cancers, with a high rate of metastatic disease. Cutaneous (CM) and uveal (UM) melanomas are intrinsically different diseases, and most cell death inducers effective for CM do not function for UM. This is primarily due to the fact the eye is an immunologically privileged organ, and it fails to achieve the efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) comparable to that for CM. However, approaches utilizing specific melanoma-associated antigens are being developed for metastatic forms of CM and UM. The most promising to date are gp100 and tyrosinase related protein 1 (TYRP1), primarily… More >

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285

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BIOCELL, Vol.49, No.3, pp. 381-398, 2025, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2025.059432 - 31 March 2025
（This article belongs to the Special Issue: Cell Death and Inflammation in Signaling and Diseases)
Abstract Z-DNA binding protein 1 (ZBP1) has emerged as a critical player in cancer biology, functioning as a cytosolic nucleic acid sensor that triggers PANoptosis, a form of programmed cell death that integrates pyroptosis, apoptosis, and necroptosis. Although ZBP1 was initially recognized for its role in antiviral defense, recent research has highlighted its importance in the tumor microenvironment (TME), where it is essential for suppressing tumor growth and proliferation. This review explores the multifaceted role of ZBP1 in various cancer types, emphasizing its ability to detect Z-nucleic acids and double-stranded RNAs, leading to the initiation of… More >

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309

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BIOCELL, Vol.49, No.3, pp. 399-417, 2025, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2025.059908 - 31 March 2025
（This article belongs to the Special Issue: Mitochondrial Dynamics and Oxidative Stress in Disease: Cellular Mechanisms and Therapeutic Targets)
Abstract With the prevalence of obesity, metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) has become the most common chronic liver disease worldwide and can cause a series of serious complications. The pathogenesis of MASLD is complex, characterized by oxidative stress, impaired mitochondrial function and lipid metabolism, and cellular inflammation. Mitochondrial biology and function are central to the physiology of the liver. It has been suggested that mitochondrial oxidative stress plays a crucial role in MASLD progression. Excessive oxidative stress response is an important trigger for the occurrence and development of MASLD. In this review, we aim to More >

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319

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BIOCELL, Vol.49, No.3, pp. 419-435, 2025, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2025.060565 - 31 March 2025
（This article belongs to the Special Issue: Mitochondrial Dynamics and Oxidative Stress in Disease: Cellular Mechanisms and Therapeutic Targets)
Abstract Oxidative stress is characterized by elevated intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels. At physiological levels, ROS work as signaling molecules, helping cells go through the cell cycle normally and keeping their balance. They also balance several physiological processes. However, a shift in the delicate balance between antioxidants and ROS results in aberrant cell death and deleterious effects. Elevated ROS is implicated in many diseases and disorders like diabetes, autoimmune diseases, infertility, and cardiovascular disorders. The imbalance disrupts normal cellular functions, including cell division. ROS are important regulators of the cell cycle, exerting both favorable and More >

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231

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ARTICLE

BIOCELL, Vol.49, No.3, pp. 437-450, 2025, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2025.061798 - 31 March 2025
（This article belongs to the Special Issue: Mitochondrial Dysfunction in Metabolic and Neuromuscular Diseases: Mechanisms and Therapeutic Strategies)
Abstract Objectives: Skeletal muscle ischemia/reperfusion injury (IRI) occurs as a result of a marked reduction in arterial perfusion to a limb and can lead to tissue death and threaten limb viability. This work assessed the effects of 20-hydroxyecdysone (20E) on hindlimb skeletal tissue following tourniquet-induced ischemia/reperfusion injury. Methods: Animals were divided into 4 groups—control group (Control), Control + 20E (C + 20E), mice with IRI (IRI), and mice with IRI + 20E (IRI + 20E). IRI was modeled by applying a tourniquet to the hind limb for 2 h with reperfusion for 1 h. 5 mg/kg… More >

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190

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ARTICLE

BIOCELL, Vol.49, No.3, pp. 451-464, 2025, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2025.061624 - 31 March 2025
（This article belongs to the Special Issue: Mitochondrial Dysfunction in Metabolic and Neuromuscular Diseases: Mechanisms and Therapeutic Strategies)
Abstract Objective: Activation of mitophagy is a promising option to overcome the mitochondrial malfunction that accompanies many diseases. Herein, we investigate the mechanisms underlying the ability of sodium lactate and pyruvate to initiate mitophagy, from the perspective of action on mitochondrial network and expression levels. Methods: Fluorescent and confocal microscopy was used to assess key cell parameters characterizing the state of the mitochondrial network and the level of mitophagy in human fibroblasts carrying mutations in genes encoding LRRK2 and PINK1 after the combined application of lactate and pyruvate and after direct acidification. qRT-PCR was used to… More >

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143

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BIOCELL, Vol.49, No.3, pp. 465-482, 2025, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2025.062155 - 31 March 2025
Abstract Objectives: Epibrassinolide (EBR) is a steroid hormone with anti-tumor properties. Nevertheless, its potential to inhibit gastric cancer (GC) cells remains unknown. The aim of this research was to examine the effects of EBR on GC cells and to investigate the specific mechanism of EBR. Methods: A cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay was utilized to determine cell survival rates. The investigation of apoptosis, cell cycle progression, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels was performed using flow cytometry. To detect cell migration, a wound-healing assay was performed on AGS cells. Furthermore, western blotting assay was utilized to determine… More >

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451

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ARTICLE

BIOCELL, Vol.49, No.3, pp. 483-502, 2025, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2025.062143 - 31 March 2025
Abstract Objectives: Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) represents a formidable malignancy characterized by its marked metastatic potential and intrinsic resistance to therapeutic interventions. The identification of potential biomarkers delineating the progression and metastatic cascade of NSCLC assumes paramount importance in fostering advancements toward enhanced patient outcomes and prognostic stratification. Methods: The expression level of the actin-related protein 2/3 complex; subunit 1A (ARPC1A) in NSCLC was evaluated using The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and Gene Expression Profiling Interactive Analysis (GEPIA) databases; along with the LinkedOmics database for co-expression genes. Further verification of ARPC1A expression in normal lung cells… More >

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193

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ARTICLE

BIOCELL, Vol.49, No.3, pp. 503-518, 2025, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2025.059286 - 31 March 2025
（This article belongs to the Special Issue: Genetic Biomarkers of Cancer: Insights into Molecular and Cellular Mechanisms)
Abstract Background: Nudix Hydrolase 21 (NUDT21) is crucial for the regulation of alternative polyadenylation, with its reduced expression frequently resulting in a shortened mRNA 3^′ untranslated region (UTR), thereby enhancing the protein levels of downstream genes. Although NUDT21 is widely recognized for its tumor-suppressive function in various cancers, its involvement in colorectal cancer (CRC) remains poorly understood. Methods: The expression of NUDT21 in CRC and adjacent normal tissues was analyzed through qPCR, Western blot, and immunohistochemistry (IHC). Additionally, we investigated the correlation between NUDT21 expression and patient prognosis. With Cell Counting Kit-8 assay and Transwell assay, we… More >

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212

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BIOCELL, Vol.47, No.2, pp. 239-244, 2023, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2023.025357
Abstract An organism’s survival depends on its ability to adapt to stress. Mitochondria are the cellular integrators of environmental stressors that ultimately translate their responses at the organismal level, and are thus central to the process whereby organisms adapt to their respective environments. Mitochondria produce molecular energy via oxidative phosphorylation that then allows cells to biosynthetically respond and adapt to changes in their environment. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are by-products of oxidative phosphorylation that can be either beneficial or damaging, depending on the context; ROS are hence both the conveyors of environmental stress as well as More >

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REVIEW

BIOCELL, Vol.47, No.1, pp. 51-69, 2023, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2022.023392
（This article belongs to the Special Issue: Cellular and Molecular Toxicology in Reproductive and Developmental Biology)
Abstract Exposure to some toxic compounds causes structural and behavioral anomalies associated with the neurons in the later stage of life. Those toxic compounds are termed as a neurotoxicant, which can be a physical factor, a toxin, an infection, radiation, or maybe a drug. The incongruities caused due to a neurotoxicant further depend on the toxicity of the compound. More importantly, the neurotoxicity of the compound is associated with the concentration and the time point of exposure. The neurodevelopmental defect appears depending on the toxicity of the compound. A neurodevelopmental defect may be associated with a More >

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BIOCELL, Vol.47, No.11, pp. 2321-2334, 2023, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2023.043796
Abstract The biointerface dynamics influence any cancer spreading through the epithelium since it is documented in the early stages some malignancies (like epithelial cancer). The altered rearrangement of epithelial cells has an impact on the development of cancer. Therefore, it is necessary to comprehend the underlying biological and physical mechanisms of this biointerface dynamics for early suppression of cancer. While the biological mechanisms include cell signaling and gene expression, the physical mechanisms are several physical parameters such as the epithelial-cancer interfacial tension, epithelial surface tension, and compressive stress accumulated within the epithelium. Although the segregation of… More >

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BIOCELL, Vol.47, No.4, pp. 677-695, 2023, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2023.026081
Abstract Indian medicinal plants are referred to as the “nectar of life” owing to their phytochemicals and bioactive complexes that are beneficial in treating diseases. Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a global health issue without any proper medication. The indigenous plants of India can be exploited to control the precise signs of SARS-CoV-2. The Ministry of AYUSH (Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, and Homeopathy) has advised routine usage of medicinal plants for COVID-19. Medicinal plants like Zingiber officinalis, Azadirachta indica, Ocimum sanctum, Nigella sativa, Withania somnifera, Curcuma longa, Piper nigrum, Allium sativum, Tinospora cordifolia, etc. have More >

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BIOCELL, Vol.47, No.2, pp. 245-260, 2023, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2023.025311
Abstract The association of gut microflora and human health is being increasingly recognized, and the impact of gut microflora on the host is well characterized, including the body’s energy metabolism and immune system maintenance. Several human diseases, including metabolic, autoimmune, obesity, hypothyroidism, and intestinal disorders, are closely associated with gut dysbiosis. Inorganic nanoparticles (NPs) are extensively utilized in numerous fields due to their distinctive, attractive physicochemical properties. Estimation of the potential impacts of NPs, with a high number of microorganisms inside the human body (microbiota) and its genomes (microbiome), represents one of the most important aspects… More >

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BIOCELL, Vol.47, No.1, pp. 91-107, 2023, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2023.024310
（This article belongs to the Special Issue: Bioinformatics Study of Diseases)
Abstract In recent years, microbial metabolomics, a new field that has attracted wide attention, provides a map of metabolic pathways and clarifies the interaction mechanism between microorganisms and hosts. Many microorganisms are found in the human intestine, oral cavity, vagina, etc. Probiotics could maintain the good health of the host, while pathogens and an imbalance of bacterial flora lead to a series of diseases of the body and mind. Metabolomics is a science for qualitative and quantitative analysis of all metabolites in an organism or biological system, which could provide key information to understand the related… More >

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BIOCELL, Vol.47, No.1, pp. 81-89, 2023, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2023.024635
Abstract Bacterial endotoxins are a major concern in periodontal health and diseases owing to their structure and biological activity. With up-to-date knowledge of endotoxins and the recent findings about the influence of endotoxins in dental health, their probable mode of pathogenesis, and standard detection methods, this review analyzes the potential efficacy and benefits of probiotics in combination with conventional and contemporary treatment measures. In the oral cavity, Gram-negative bacteria are documented to predominate in the pulpal lesions with radiolucent areas and in the root canal with pulp necrosis, where they pose an absolute threat by promoting… More >

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ARTICLE

BIOCELL, Vol.47, No.1, pp. 187-194, 2023, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2022.023030
Abstract Liver cancer is the seventh most common malignant tumor in the world and is the second highest cause of death due to cancer. Quercetin, a flavonoid with low toxicity, widely exists in various fruits and vegetables. It has the potential to be a therapeutic agent against various cancers. This study aimed to demonstrate the anti-tumor effect of quercetin on HepG2 cells. Quercetin suppressed the HepG2 cell proliferation in a dose-dependent manner in cell viability assay. Induction of cell apoptosis was confirmed by apoptotic cells population (sub-G1 peak) detected by flow cytometer. A decrease in mitochondrial More >

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BIOCELL, Vol.47, No.1, pp. 109-123, 2023, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2023.024620
（This article belongs to the Special Issue: Bioinformatics Study of Diseases)
Abstract ATP binding cassette subfamily C member 8 (ABCC8) encodes a protein regulating the ATP-sensitive potassium channel. Whether the level of ABCC8 mRNA in lower grade glioma (LGG) correlates with immune cell infiltration and patient outcomes has not been evaluated until now. Comparisons of ABCC8 expression between different tumors and normal tissues were evaluated by exploring publicly available datasets. The association between ABCC8 and tumor immune cell infiltration, diverse gene mutation characteristics, tumor mutation burden (TMB), and survival in LGG was also investigated in several independent datasets. Pathway enrichment analysis was conducted to search for ABCC8-associated… More >

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BIOCELL, Vol.47, No.6, pp. 1225-1241, 2023, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2023.027884
（This article belongs to the Special Issue: Bioinformatics Study of Diseases)
Abstract The advent of genomic big data and the statistical need for reaching significant results have led genome-wide association studies to be ravenous of a huge number of genetic markers scattered along the whole genome. Since its very beginning, the so-called genotype imputation served this purpose; this statistical and inferential procedure based on a known reference panel opened the theoretical possibility to extend association analyses to a greater number of polymorphic sites which have not been previously assayed by the used technology. In this review, we present a broad overview of the genotype imputation process, showing More >

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