Milica Aćimović¹, Milena Popov², Nataša Mandić², Ana Tomić³, Biljana Lončar⁴, Lato Pezo⁵, Mirjana Cvetković⁶, Jovana Stanković Jeremić⁶, Olja Šovljanski^3,*

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.95, No.7, 2026, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2026.079695 - 30 July 2026

Abstract (1) Background: Plant hydrolates are widely generated as by-products of essential oil distillation, yet their potential biological properties remain insufficiently explored. This study evaluated whether that lemon catnip (Nepeta cataria var. citriodora) hydrolate exhibits allelopathic and antimicrobial effects in preliminary in vitro assays, contributing to the valorization of distillation residues within circular bioeconomy approaches. (2) Methods: Phytotoxic effects on germination and early seedling growth of crops (maize, soybean, and white clover) and weeds (common lambsquarters, amaranth, and wild carrot) were evaluated under in vitro conditions using hydrolate solutions (10%, 20%, 50%, and 100%). Germination kinetics were modelled using first-order,… More >

Katerina Basharova^1,2,#,*, Anastasia Bezrukova^1,2,#, Alena Kopytova^1,2, Anna Lavrinova^1,2, Galina Baydakova³, Irina Miliukhina^1,4, Ekaterina Zakharova^1,3, Anton Emelyanov^1,2, Sofya Pchelina^1,2, Tatiana Usenko^1,2,*

BIOCELL, Vol.50, No.8, 2026, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2026.079585 - 27 July 2026

Abstract Objectives: Synucleinopathies—Parkinson’s disease (PD), dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB), and multiple system atrophy (MSA)—involve alpha-synuclein aggregation and lysosomal dysfunction. We conducted a longitudinal study of lysosomal hydrolase activities and lysosphingolipid levels in blood and PBMC-derived macrophages from patients, and assessed the effects of LRRK2 inhibition (MLi-2). Methods: Blood and PBMC-derived macrophages were collected from patients with idiopathic PD (iPD), DLB, MSA, and controls. Enzyme activities (GCase, ASMase, GLA, GALC) and lysosphingolipids (HexSph, LysoGb3, LysoSM) were measured. Autophagy markers (p62, LC3B-II) and cathepsin D (CTSD) were analyzed by western blot. Effects of MLi-2 were evaluated in macrophages. Results:… More >

Liu Liu^1,2, Jie Liu^1,2, Shuangchen Ning³, Jin Wang³, Yingchun He^1,2,*

Oncology Research, Vol.34, No.8, 2026, DOI:10.32604/or.2026.081869 - 16 July 2026

Abstract Objectives: Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is an aggressive head and neck malignancy in which post-treatment recurrence and distant metastasis remain major contributors to poor clinical outcomes. Although microRNAs are important post-transcriptional regulators of tumor progression, the role of miR-320d in NPC remains incompletely understood. This study evaluated the biological role of miR-320d and explored whether it is involved in regulating neutrophil extracellular trap (NET) formation through the nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB)/interleukin-8 (IL-8) signaling axis. Methods: miR-320d was overexpressed in NPC cell lines S18 and 5-8F, and cell viability, migration, and invasion were evaluated. Integrated transcriptomic and proteomic… More >

Shijia Lu^1,#, Yanmin Wang^1,#, Han Zhang¹, Mengjia Yan¹, Mengdan Sang², Jinle Wang¹, Huaying Du³, Jinwen Sima³, Yiran Zhen², Xue Yang², Yutong Zhang¹, Hongwei Zhou^1,*

Oncology Research, Vol.34, No.8, 2026, DOI:10.32604/or.2026.079988 - 16 July 2026

Abstract Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen (PCNA) is a core protein in DNA replication and repair. Its functional dysregulation drives tumorigenesis and therapeutic resistance, making it a critical anticancer target. However, the fundamental conflict between PCNA’s indispensable “guardian” function in normal cells and its hijacked “accomplice” role in cancer cells constitutes the central challenge for targeted intervention: how to eradicate tumors while avoiding severe toxicity to normal tissues. This review aims to systematically review the latest advances and translational dilemmas in the field of PCNA-targeted therapy. It outlines various intervention strategies, including small-molecule inhibitors, proteolysis-targeting chimeras, post-translational More > Graphic Abstract

Mao-Lin Chen¹, I-Che Chung¹, Kevin Chih-Yang Huang^2,3,4,5, K. S. Clifford Chao^6,7,8, Ta-Tung Yuan^1,*

Oncology Research, Vol.34, No.8, 2026, DOI:10.32604/or.2026.077930 - 16 July 2026

Abstract Background: Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is characterized by an immunosuppressive and metabolically rewired tumor microenvironment (TME). Although α-enolase (ENO1) is frequently overexpressed in PDAC and associated with poor prognosis, its functional role in TME remodeling remains unclear. This study investigated the role of ENO1 in plasmin-dependent transforming growth factor β (TGFβ) activation and metabolic adaptation in PDAC and evaluated the therapeutic potential of HuL001, a first-in-class humanized anti-ENO1 monoclonal antibody. Methods: ENO1 expression and clinical relevance were evaluated in PDAC tissues by immunohistochemistry. Mechanistic studies were performed using PDAC-monocyte co-culture systems, reverse transcription-quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR), enzyme-linked… More >

An Xiong^1,2,#, Yi Tian^3,#, Xin Liang⁴, Shaoqun Liu^1,2, Chencheng Shi^1,2, Yiou Cao^1,2,*, Chang Su^1,2,*

European Cytokine Network, Vol.37, No.2, pp. 137-149, 2026, DOI:10.32604/ecn.2026.084018 - 30 June 2026

Abstract Backgrounds: Disruption of immune barrier function is considered a hallmark feature of inflammatory bowel disease. In the present study, the potential effects of the methyltransferase inhibitor procaine hydrochloride on intestinal barrier integrity, as well as T cell differentiation in the context of inflammatory bowel disease were explored. Methods: Using an experimental model of dextran sulfate sodium-induced ulcerative colitis, mice received daily treatment with either sulfasalazine (100 mg/kg) or procaine hydrochloride (45 mg/kg), or saline (10 μL/g) as a negative control, for 7 consecutive days. Subsequent analysis included disease activity index score, histopathology, expression levels of intestinal… More >

Tamer Y. A. Fahmy¹, Samir Kamel¹, Ahmed M. Khalil^2,*

Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol.14, No.6, 2026, DOI:10.32604/jrm.2025.02025-0180 - 29 June 2026

Abstract The growing threat of viral pandemics necessitates innovative antiviral strategies that are effective, sustainable, and scalable. This review highlights nanocellulose as a renewable, biocompatible nanomaterial and a promising multifunctional antiviral platform. We examine cellulose nanocrystals, nanofibrils, and bacterial nanocellulose, emphasizing their synergistic antiviral mechanisms, including nanoscale viral entrapment and surface-mediated inactivation via sulfation, cationic groups, and metal nanoparticles. Key advances include photothermally active nanocellulose-graphene composites for on-demand viral deactivation, sulfated nanocellulose mimicking heparin’s virus-trapping properties, and engineered biopolymer hybrids for targeted drug delivery and mucosal immunity. Translational applications span antiviral coatings, self-sterilizing filters, and regenerative More > Graphic Abstract

Xinliang Fu^1,#, Wen Du^1,#, Tao Li², Yifei Shen¹, Ngai-Fung Ruan¹, Huiling Ling¹, Xingbo Wu¹, Ziqi Qin¹, Xiting Zhu¹, Xueqi Gan^1,*

BIOCELL, Vol.50, No.7, 2026, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2026.077349 - 29 June 2026

Abstract Objectives: Mitochondrial function is intricately linked to osteogenic and osteoclastic differentiation. The mitochondrial calcium uniporter (MCU) is a critical regulator of mitochondrial function, influencing key aspects of cellular metabolism and signaling. However, the precise mechanisms by which MCU modulates osteogenic activity remain unclear. This study aimed to elucidate the impact of MCU-mediated regulation of mitochondrial function on bone remodeling and to explore the underlying mechanisms. Methods: The mouse pre-osteoblastic cells (MC3T3-E1) were treated with the MCU-specific inhibitor Ru265 during osteogenic induction to assess changes in osteogenic differentiation capacity, mitochondrial function, and mitochondrial dynamics. Additionally, MCU global… More >

Avetis Tsaturyan^1,2, Heghine Hakobyan¹, Kristina Hovsepyan¹, Anna Mkrtchyan^1,2, Tatevik Sargsyan^1,2,*, Raffaele Pastore³, Germano Guerra³, Giovanni N. Roviello^4,*

Oncology Research, Vol.34, No.7, 2026, DOI:10.32604/or.2026.078405 - 16 June 2026

Abstract Cancer is regarded as one of the leading causes of death worldwide, despite the progress of traditional therapies. Chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and surgery are often accompanied by significant side effects and the development of drug resistance contributes to making the fight against cancer even more challenging, which clearly highlights the urgent need to develop new therapeutic molecular approaches. In this context, natural peptides were introduced into the pharmaceutical market in the last decade and have replenished the ranks of effective anticancer agents due to their structural diversity, biocompatibility, and ability to selectively target tumor cells. Natural… More >

Sebastian A. Wohlfeil^1,2,3,*, Jochen S. Utikal^1,2,3

Oncology Research, Vol.34, No.6, 2026, DOI:10.32604/or.2026.078650 - 21 May 2026

Abstract Over the past decade, the therapeutic paradigm of cutaneous melanoma has been transformed strongly, driven by advances in immuno-oncology and precision medicine. Building on the success of immune checkpoint blockade and targeted therapy, new treatment strategies now aim to improve efficacy, overcome resistance, and prolong the durability of responses. Clinical trials on neoadjuvant therapy supporting its clinical use are presented. Furthermore, the latest progress in combinatorial immune checkpoint inhibition such as dual anti-LAG-3 or anti-TIGIT with anti-PD-1 blockade, next-generation bispecific antibody development, mRNA-based vaccines in clinical practice, and intralesional therapies are summarized. Additionally, it outlines More >