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        <title>Experimental Biology and Medicine | New and Recent Articles</title>
        <link>https://www.ebm-journal.org/journals/experimental-biology-and-medicine</link>
        <description>RSS Feed for Experimental Biology and Medicine | New and Recent Articles</description>
        <language>en-us</language>
        <generator>Frontiers Feed Generator,version:1</generator>
        <pubDate>2026-06-23T20:24:44.64+00:00</pubDate>
        <ttl>60</ttl>
        <item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.ebm-journal.org/articles/10.3389/ebm.2026.10979</guid>
        <link>https://www.ebm-journal.org/articles/10.3389/ebm.2026.10979</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Phenotypic profiling of Pathogen Box compounds MMV667494 and MMV028694 in bloodstream-form Trypanosoma brucei brucei]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-06-12T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Original Research</category>
        <author>Pearl Ihuoma Akazue</author><author>Neils Ben Quashie</author><author>Sue Vaughan</author><author>Harry P. de Koning</author><author>Theresa Manful Gwira</author>
        <description><![CDATA[Open-access drug discovery platforms have accelerated hit identification and lead prioritization across multiple diseases and enable systematic repurposing of bioactive compounds beyond their original indications. However, there remains a need for new chemotypes for African trypanosomiasis with improved efficacy and resilience to emerging drug resistance. In this study, we evaluated the antitrypanosomal potential and cellular effects of two Pathogen Box compounds, MMV667494 and MMV028694. The compounds were selected through a resazurin-based in vitro phenotypic viability screen that measures metabolic activity as a proxy for parasite viability against bloodstream-form Trypanosoma brucei brucei. To explore cellular phenotypes consistent with potential mechanisms of action, we applied cytological profiling using flow cytometry- and microscopy-based assays, including Annexin V/propidium iodide staining, cell-cycle DNA-content analysis, mitochondrial membrane potential (TMRE), and mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (MitoSOX) measurements. Both MMV667494 and MMV028694 (IC50 = 0.44 ± 0.05 µM and 0.33 ± 0.03 µM, respectively) displayed sub-micromolar antitrypanosomal potency and preferential toxicity toward trypanosomes over mammalian cells (selectivity indices >10). Growth profiling demonstrated dose-dependent inhibition of parasite proliferation, with evidence of trypanocidal activity at higher concentrations and longer exposure times. Treatment resulted in increased populations of phosphatidylserine-exposed and membrane-compromised cells, which is consistent with apoptosis-like phenotypes in trypanosomes. Although both compounds induced mitochondrial membrane depolarization in treated T. b. brucei cells, this effect was observed predominantly in a subpopulation of cells and is therefore unlikely to represent the primary cause of cell death. Increased mitochondrial production of reactive oxygen species and altered cell-cycle progression were also observed, which might indicate disruption of key cellular processes. These findings shows that MMV667494 and MMV028694 are selective antitrypanosomal compounds and their activities are associated with induce apoptosis-like features, cell-cycle disruption, and mitochondrial stress signatures in bloodstream-form T. b. brucei. These findings provide phenotypic insights into the activity of the compounds, warranting further target deconvolution and optimization, although validation in human-infective subspecies and in vivo systems will be required.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.ebm-journal.org/articles/10.3389/ebm.2026.10941</guid>
        <link>https://www.ebm-journal.org/articles/10.3389/ebm.2026.10941</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase 4 in lung disease: a review of its biology and therapeutic potential]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-06-12T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Review</category>
        <author>Yilin Wang</author><author>Tianru Ben</author><author>Jianjiang Fang</author><author>Zengpan Li</author><author>Jinhua Ding</author><author>Liyan Xu</author><author>Kai Lin</author><author>Li Jiang</author>
        <description><![CDATA[Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase 4 (NOX4) is a constitutively active enzyme that primarily produces hydrogen peroxide, a reactive oxygen species (ROS) with diverse cellular functions. While initially recognized for its role in oxidative stress, emerging evidence suggests that NOX4 plays a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of various lung diseases. This review delineates the structure characteristics of NOX4, emphasizing how its domain organization underlies a distinctive mode of molecular regulation. It further discusses current knowledge on the biological functions of NOX4-derived oxygen species, including their roles in modulating inflammation, cell death pathways, oxygen sensing, nuclear signaling, and metabolic reprogramming. Through these interconnected processes, NOX4 is positioned as a central mediator linking redox imbalance to cellular dysfunction. In addition, the contribution of NOX4 to the pathogenesis of major lung diseases, including idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma, acute lung injury/acute respiratory distress syndrome (ALI/ARDS), and pulmonary hypertension are critically evaluated. Emerging therapeutic strategies targeting NOX4 are also discussed, together with key challenges associated with clinical translation, including isoform specificity, off-target effects, and tissue-selective delivery. Overall, this review provides an integrated framework for understanding NOX4 biology across multiple levels and highlights its potential as a therapeutic target in lung disease.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.ebm-journal.org/articles/10.3389/ebm.2026.10868</guid>
        <link>https://www.ebm-journal.org/articles/10.3389/ebm.2026.10868</link>
        <title><![CDATA[High systolic blood pressure and stroke: evidence from the NHANES 1999–2023 and global burden of disease 2021]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-06-08T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Original Research</category>
        <author>LuYi Tang</author><author>BoWen Yang</author><author>PeiWen Li</author><author>YingQi Chen</author><author>Yi Liu</author><author>Ting Wang</author><author>Xiaohan Ye</author>
        <description><![CDATA[High systolic blood pressure (HSBP) is a major modifiable risk factor for stroke, but trends in disease burden and causal associations related to HSBP in the United States require further investigation using multidimensional approaches. This study aims to elucidate this relationship by utilizing data from the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) database, the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). This study integrated data from the GBD 2021 database and the NHANES. The GBD data provided macro-level estimates of stroke-related mortality and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) attributable to various risk factors within the United States. By employing multivariable logistic regression models on individual-level NHANES data, the study assessed the association between HSBP history and stroke risk after adjusting for multiple confounding factors. GBD analysis revealed HSBP as the leading risk factor for U.S. stroke burden in 2021, with an increasing attributable burden since 2010, particularly among the elderly and women. NHANES analysis showed that HSBP significantly increased the risk of stroke (fully adjusted OR = 1.33, 95% CI: 1.17–1.51). Elevated SBP was additionally associated with increased all-cause mortality risk in stroke survivors (HR = 1.01). A novel U-shaped relationship emerged: stroke risk decreased below an SBP of 100 mmHg but increased sharply above this threshold. HSBP is the core driver and modifiable risk factor behind the persistently increasing stroke burden in the United States. The findings of this study highlight the critical importance of HSBP in stroke prevention and management.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.ebm-journal.org/articles/10.3389/ebm.2026.11038</guid>
        <link>https://www.ebm-journal.org/articles/10.3389/ebm.2026.11038</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Scaling human liver microphysiological systems: implementing a higher-throughput liver acinus microphysiological system platform]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-05-22T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Original Research</category>
        <author>Dillon C. Gavlock</author><author>Michael W. Castiglione</author><author>Allen Wang</author><author>Mahboubeh Varmazyad</author><author>Lawrence A. Vernetti</author><author>Mark E. Schurdak</author><author>D. Lansing Taylor</author><author>Jacquelyn A. Brown</author><author>Mark T. Miedel</author>
        <description><![CDATA[The advancement in the use of all-human high content microphysiological systems (MPS) has enabled better in vitro modeling of liver function and disease progression as well as drug efficacy, metabolism and toxicity (ADME-Tox) testing. However, a continuing need in liver MPS development is balancing throughput without loss of the high-content biological complexity required for physiologically relevant modeling. Here, we present a scalable version of our well-established liver acinus microphysiological system (LAMPS). This higher-throughput format (ht-LAMPS) is designed to recapitulate the physiological complexity of the standard single-chamber LAMPS system while increasing experimental capacity through a seven-chamber microfluidic design. The ht-LAMPS is constructed using the same four key liver cell types as the LAMPS: primary hepatocytes and liver sinusoidal endothelial cells (LSECs) as well as Kupffer-like cells (THP-1) and hepatic stellate cells (LX-2). It recapitulates key physiological characteristics previously established in the LAMPS platform, including oxygen zonation–dependent liver phenotypes including model viability, secretion of functional and cytotoxicity markers, mitochondrial activity, and lipid accumulation, demonstrating reproducibility in the ht-LAMPS format. Finally, we also demonstrate that the ht-LAMPS model recapitulates key phenotypes associated with the progression of metabolic dysfunction–associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), including increased steatosis and elevated production of inflammatory cytokines and profibrotic markers using our established MASLD media formulations. Overall, by increasing throughput while maintaining key high-content biological features of the LAMPS, ht-LAMPS provides a scalable platform for investigating liver function, modeling disease progression, and enabling downstream drug testing in MASLD and other liver-related conditions.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.ebm-journal.org/articles/10.3389/ebm.2026.11094</guid>
        <link>https://www.ebm-journal.org/articles/10.3389/ebm.2026.11094</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Race, oxygen exposure, and retinopathy of prematurity: re-examining a persistent epidemiologic paradox]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-05-18T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Mini Review</category>
        <author>Beryl Zhou</author><author>Sarah H. Rodriguez</author><author>Alexis Warren</author><author>Dimitra Skondra</author>
        <description><![CDATA[Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is a leading cause of childhood blindness that arises from disrupted retinal vascular development in premature infants. Oxygen exposure remains a central driver of treatment-warranted ROP, as higher saturation levels suppress early retinal vascular growth and later promote pathological neovascularization. Large, randomized trials of oxygen targeting show that lower oxygen saturation ranges reduce the incidence of treatment-requiring ROP, though with trade-offs in mortality. Observational cohorts, including the CRYO-ROP, ETROP, and e-ROP trials, consistently report lower rates of treatment-warranted ROP and reduced treatment need among Black infants despite similar or greater prematurity risk. Multiple explanations have been proposed to account for the paradoxically lower rates of treatment-warranted ROP observed among Black infants. Although biologic variations in angiogenic pathways have been proposed, evidence suggests that structural and clinical factors may offer an alternative explanation for these patterns. Black race is strongly correlated with residence in neighborhoods with greater socioeconomic disadvantage, which is associated with increased risk of prematurity and missed ROP follow-up visits. In addition, pulse oximeters may overestimate oxygen saturation in individuals with darker skin pigmentation, potentially altering targeted oxygen exposure. Survival-related selection bias may further contribute to this paradox, as infants at the highest risk of both mortality and treatment-warranted ROP may not survive long enough to develop treatment-requiring disease. This review examines racial differences in ROP severity and examines how oxygen exposure and structural factors may contribute to these disparities, while acknowledging the limited evidence supporting biologic explanations.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.ebm-journal.org/articles/10.3389/ebm.2026.10987</guid>
        <link>https://www.ebm-journal.org/articles/10.3389/ebm.2026.10987</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Peripheral immune cells and glycation indices as potential diagnostic biomarkers in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-05-13T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Original Research</category>
        <author>Xue Yang</author><author>Jing Yang</author><author>Rui Li</author><author>Hui Dong</author><author>Yaling Liu</author>
        <description><![CDATA[The diagnosis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) mainly relies on clinical symptoms and the exclusion of other diseases, with a lack of specific biomarkers, leading to delayed diagnosis and a high rate of misdiagnosis. This study aims to explore the utility of peripheral immune cells and glycosylation indices as potential diagnostic biomarkers for ALS to enhance the accuracy and efficiency of early ALS diagnosis. This retrospective study included 54 ALS patients diagnosed in our hospital from June 2023 to October 2024, along with 54 healthy controls. Blood samples and laboratory data, including levels of peripheral immune cells and glycosylation indices, were collected from both groups. Through logistic regression, random forest models, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis, and SHAP interpretability analysis, the predictive abilities and clinical significance of each candidate indicator were screened and evaluated. Notable disparities were detected in age, leukocyte count, monocyte levels, glycated haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), and haemoglobin glycation index (HGI) between the control and ALS groups (all P < 0.05). Logistic regression analysis revealed that age (OR = 1.114) and monocyte (OR = 3.174) were risk factors for ALS, while leukocyte (OR = 0.533) and HbA1c (OR = 0.069) were protective factors. The random forest algorithm, ranked by decreasing importance, showed that leukocyte, HGI, monocyte, and HbA1c level all influenced ALS. Using these indicators to predict ALS resulted in a false-positive rate of 18% and a false-negative rate of 6%. ROC curve analysis indicated that the combined use of leukocyte, monocyte, HbA1c level, and HGI provided the highest diagnostic value for ALS (AUC = 0.774), which was higher than that of any individual indicator (all P < 0.05). SHAP analysis visualization demonstrated that increased monocyte and decreased leukocyte, HGI, and HbA1c level were all associated with an increased risk of ALS onset, ranked in descending order of feature importance as monocyte, leukocyte, HGI, and HbA1c. Peripheral blood white blood cells, monocytes, HbA1c, and HGI can serve as potential diagnostic biomarkers for ALS. Combined detection can improve the diagnostic accuracy of ALS, facilitating early diagnosis and intervention, and ultimately improving patient prognosis. Further validation in cohorts including disease controls is required to confirm specificity.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.ebm-journal.org/articles/10.3389/ebm.2026.10945</guid>
        <link>https://www.ebm-journal.org/articles/10.3389/ebm.2026.10945</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Antibody-mediated immune responses and cardiovascular disease: a Mendelian randomization study]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-05-12T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Original Research</category>
        <author>Yi Li</author><author>Jiuqi Fan</author><author>Lirong Wu</author>
        <description><![CDATA[Cardiovascular diseases represent the leading cause of global mortality and disability, posing a severe threat to human health. Accumulating evidence suggests that antigen–antibody–mediated immune responses may be involved in the pathogenesis of various cardiovascular conditions; however, whether these associations reflect causal relationships has long remained unclear. To address this question, we conducted a bidirectional two-sample Mendelian randomization study leveraging summary-level data from genome-wide association studies. In this analysis, 46 antibody-mediated immune traits were evaluated as exposures, and 11 cardiovascular outcomes, including aortic aneurysm, aortic valve stenosis, atrial fibrillation, coronary artery disease, dilated cardiomyopathy, atrioventricular block, heart failure with reduced ejection fraction, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, infective endocarditis, myocarditis, and pericarditis, were examined as outcomes. Our results revealed several significant causal associations: genetically predicted higher levels of Epstein–Barr virus EBNA-1 antibodies were associated with increased risks of myocarditis and aortic valve stenosis, while elevated VCA p18 antibody levels were linked to a higher risk of myocarditis. Furthermore, increased antibody levels against BK polyomavirus VP1 were causally associated with greater risks of aortic valve stenosis and dilated cardiomyopathy. In contrast, higher levels of antibodies against varicella-zoster virus glycoproteins and human herpesvirus 6 IE1B were associated with reduced risks of myocarditis and aortic aneurysm, respectively. These findings not only help clarify the causal role of immune-mediated mechanisms in cardiovascular pathogenesis but also provide a theoretical foundation for the future development of immune-targeted strategies for prevention and treatment.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.ebm-journal.org/articles/10.3389/ebm.2026.10922</guid>
        <link>https://www.ebm-journal.org/articles/10.3389/ebm.2026.10922</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Causal relationship between oral diseases and hypertension: a Mendelian randomization study]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-05-07T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Original Research</category>
        <author>Bofan Qian</author><author>Zhiwen Fang</author>
        <description><![CDATA[Current evidence supports the potential association between several common oral diseases and hypertension. The aim of the research is to clarify the causal relationship between these oral diseases and hypertension using Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) related to five oral traits (periodontitis, bleeding gums, loose teeth, periapical abscess and dental caries) were obtained from GWAS catalog, while those associated with hypertension (essential and secondary) were extracted from the FinnGen database. The SNPs were employed as instrumental variables (IVs) in the MR analysis. Assorted methods were applied, and inverse variance-weighted (IVW) analytical method was prioritized. Sensitivity analyses including MR-PRESSO method, MR Egger intercept test, Cochran’s Q test, leave-one-out analysis and MR Steiger test were conducted. Our analysis identified the potential causal relationship between dental caries and essential hypertension. The forward MR analysis demonstrated a significant causal effect of dental caries on essential hypertension (OR = 1.036, 95%CI: 1.012–1.059, P = 0.003). The reverse analysis also indicated a significant causal effect (OR = 1.160, 95%CI: 1.016–1.323, P = 0.028). Additionally, we observed a causal effect of bleeding gums on essential hypertension (OR = 1.145, 95%CI: 1.019–1.288, P = 0.023). These findings support the potential causality between specific oral diseases and essential hypertension.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.ebm-journal.org/articles/10.3389/ebm.2026.10997</guid>
        <link>https://www.ebm-journal.org/articles/10.3389/ebm.2026.10997</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Ferroptosis and futile recanalization after mechanical thrombectomy in acute ischemic stroke: mechanisms, risk factors, predictive models and therapeutic interventions]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-05-01T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Review</category>
        <author>Yuexin Wu</author><author>Cuiying Zhang</author><author>Yangyang Peng</author><author>Longlong Liu</author>
        <description><![CDATA[Acute ischemic stroke (AIS) remains a leading cause of mortality and long-term disability worldwide. Endovascular mechanical thrombectomy (EVT) has revolutionized stroke treatment by enabling rapid recanalization of occluded cerebral vessels. However, a significant proportion of patients experience futile recanalization, where successful vessel reopening fails to translate into favorable functional outcomes. Emerging evidence highlights ferroptosis, a regulated form of cell death driven by iron-dependent lipid peroxidation, as a critical mechanism contributing to neuronal damage in ischemic stroke, particularly during reperfusion injury. This comprehensive review examines the intricate relationship between ferroptosis and futile recanalization following mechanical thrombectomy. We systematically explore the molecular mechanisms underlying ferroptosis in the context of cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury, including iron metabolism dysregulation, lipid peroxidation cascades, glutathione depletion, and mitochondrial dysfunction. Multiple factors contribute to futile recanalization, including patient demographics (age, comorbidities), stroke characteristics (severity, infarct volume, collateral status), procedural variables (time to treatment, recanalization quality), and post-procedural complications (hemorrhagic transformation, reperfusion injury). We review current predictive models, including nomograms and machine learning algorithms, that integrate clinical, radiological, and biomarker data to stratify patient risk. Importantly, we discuss potential therapeutic interventions targeting ferroptosis pathways, such as iron chelators, lipophilic antioxidants, and ferroptosis-specific inhibitors. The integration of ferroptosis biomarkers into predictive models may enhance risk stratification and guide personalized treatment strategies. Future research should focus on validating ferroptosis-targeted therapies in clinical trials, developing real-time monitoring techniques, and establishing standardized protocols for neuroprotective interventions during mechanical thrombectomy. A deeper understanding of ferroptosis mechanisms and their contribution to futile recanalization may pave the way for novel therapeutic approaches to improve stroke outcomes.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.ebm-journal.org/articles/10.3389/ebm.2026.10946</guid>
        <link>https://www.ebm-journal.org/articles/10.3389/ebm.2026.10946</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Sacubitril valsartan combined with bisoprolol reduces doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity in rats by attenuating oxidative stress]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-04-28T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Original Research</category>
        <author>Ping Liu</author><author>Hui Yang</author><author>Runqi Li</author><author>Hui Huang</author><author>Min Xu</author>
        <description><![CDATA[Doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity remains a leading cause of mortality among cancer patients, with oxidative stress serving as a central pathogenic mechanism. This study investigated whether combination therapy with sacubitril valsartan and bisoprolol attenuates doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity through modulation of oxidative stress pathways. Sixty male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomized into five groups: control, doxorubicin (DOX), bisoprolol (1.0 mg/kg/d), sacubitril valsartan (30 mg/kg/d), and combination therapy. All groups except control received intraperitoneal DOX (2.5 mg/kg weekly for 5 weeks). Cardiac function was assessed by echocardiography, myocardial injury by histopathology and enzyme levels (CK-MB, cTnI, BNP), and oxidative stress by ROS fluorescence, MDA, and SOD. Protein expression of Nrf2, HO-1, and Keap1 was analyzed by Western blot. DOX administration significantly impaired cardiac function, induced myocardial structural damage, elevated cardiac enzymes and oxidative stress markers, and downregulated Nrf2 pathway proteins compared to controls (all P < 0.05). All treatment groups significantly attenuated these abnormalities versus DOX (all P < 0.05), with combination therapy demonstrating superior cardioprotection evidenced by greatest improvement in LVEF (68.74 ± 6.87% vs. 50.26 ± 6.11%, P < 0.05), lowest cardiac enzyme levels, and most robust restoration of Nrf2 pathway expression. These findings demonstrate that sacubitril valsartan combined with bisoprolol effectively reduces doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity in rats by activating Nrf2-mediated antioxidant responses, providing experimental evidence for a potentially synergistic prophylactic strategy.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.ebm-journal.org/articles/10.3389/ebm.2026.10988</guid>
        <link>https://www.ebm-journal.org/articles/10.3389/ebm.2026.10988</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Training the next-generation of biomedical scientists through artificial intelligence-driven education and research in pharmacology and pharmaceutical sciences]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-04-22T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Mini Review</category>
        <author>Santosh Kumar</author><author>Ritu Karwasra</author><author>Weinan Zhou</author><author>Jayaraman Seetharaman</author><author>Bhupesh Singla</author>
        <description><![CDATA[Artificial intelligence (AI)-driven graduate education and research in pharmacology and pharmaceutical sciences (AIPPS) aims to address the rapidly-growing role of AI and machine learning (ML) applications in biomedical sciences. This review provides perspectives on why and how the next-generation of biomedical scientists equip themselves with skills necessary to integrate AI and ML tools into their current fields of study, particularly pharmacology and pharmaceutical sciences. The AI-enabled approaches discussed in this article highlight opportunities for improving competitiveness in an evolving scientific landscape, that includes academia, pharmaceutical and biotech industries and regulatory science. Furthermore, this review discusses how graduate education and research can be enhanced through training in AI-driven disease prediction, molecular target identification drug design and discovery, drug repurposing and pharmacometric modelling. The knowledge outlined here may help graduate students and early career researchers navigate the challenges associated with applying AI-based methodologies in fundamental research, product and process development, service delivery, and regulatory policy and ethics. Overall, the insights provided in the review aim to support the development of skilled forward-thinking biomedical and pharmaceutical scientists capable of leveraging AI technologies in modern research environments.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.ebm-journal.org/articles/10.3389/ebm.2026.10827</guid>
        <link>https://www.ebm-journal.org/articles/10.3389/ebm.2026.10827</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Elevated ApoC3 levels in cerebrospinal fluid predict poor outcomes in patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-04-17T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Original Research</category>
        <author>Bin Tong</author><author>Junjie Wang</author><author>Jiarui Chen</author><author>Qia Zhang</author><author>Zhouhan Xu</author><author>Kaichuang Yang</author><author>Xiaomin Chen</author>
        <description><![CDATA[Aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH) is a devastating condition associated with approximately 30% mortality and 20% severe disability among survivors. Delayed cerebral ischemia due to cerebral vasospasm and hydrocephalus significantly contribute to poor neurological outcomes. Currently, reliable biomarkers for early prediction of these complications remain lacking. In this study, 63 patients with a mean age of 59.7 ± 11.53 years were enrolled. Functional outcomes were assessed by the modified Rankin Scale (mRS). Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples were obtained through lumbar drainage (LD) or external ventricular drainage (EVD) and analyzed by ELISA. The predictive value of biomarkers was evaluated using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. Elevated Apolipoprotein C-III (ApoC3) levels in CSF of aSAH patients were observed. Furthermore, increased ApoC3 concentrations were significantly associated with poor prognosis and an elevated risk of severe complications. At an optimal cutoff value of 4,463 ng/mL, patients with high ApoC3 levels exhibited significantly worse 3-month functional outcomes and a higher incidence of delayed cerebral ischemia and hydrocephalus. Monitoring ApoC3 levels in CSF may be beneficial for predicting complications such as delayed cerebral ischemia and hydrocephalus in patients with aSAH.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.ebm-journal.org/articles/10.3389/ebm.2026.11021</guid>
        <link>https://www.ebm-journal.org/articles/10.3389/ebm.2026.11021</link>
        <title><![CDATA[CAR T cell engineering approaches to minimise toxicities]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-04-15T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Mini Review</category>
        <author>Elizabeth Hogben</author><author>Anna Schurich</author><author>Charlotte Graham</author>
        <description><![CDATA[For the treatment of many forms of cancer, cell- and gene-based therapies are showing promise in both pre-clinical data and clinical trials. In particular, CAR T cell therapies, of which there are now 7 FDA-approved products, have shown ground-breaking results in haematological cancers such as multiple myeloma and B cell malignancies. Recent research is also attempting to develop effective CAR T cell therapies for solid tumours, with varying success. One of the key challenges faced by CAR T cell therapy is balancing strong cytotoxic activity for an effective treatment with preventing severe and potentially lethal toxicities, such as Cytokine Release Syndrome and Immune Effector Cell-Associated Neurotoxicity Syndrome. This mini review discusses some of the potential solutions that scientists have devised to overcome toxicities and improve existing CAR T cell therapies.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.ebm-journal.org/articles/10.3389/ebm.2026.10850</guid>
        <link>https://www.ebm-journal.org/articles/10.3389/ebm.2026.10850</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Lymphatic pumping technique in mice alters blood parameters and metastatic melanoma in an age-dependent manner]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-03-30T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Original Research</category>
        <author>Christopher Walsh</author><author>Matthew Kirstein</author><author>Elise Wagner</author><author>Emily Scott</author><author>Jerome Walsh</author><author>Shashank Reddy</author><author>Nathan Hoggard</author><author>Arshad Ahmad</author><author>Reetobrata Basu</author><author>Sam Mathes</author><author>Yanrong Qian</author><author>John J. Kopchick</author>
        <description><![CDATA[Therapeutic touch applied to primary tumors can increase metastasis. The goal of this project was to determine whether touch applied to metastatic tumors also increases metastasis. We evaluated touch on a mouse model of experimental metastasis using a manual treatment called Lymphatic Pumping Technique (LPT), which increases lymphatic fluid flow and is contraindicated in patients with cancer. The LPT, or a sham treatment, was administered for 5 minutes while the mice were anesthetized with vaporized isoflurane. Young adult (3 months old) and aged (20–24 months old) mice received daily sham or LPT treatments for 7 days prior to the injection of 200k B16F10-luc2 mouse melanoma cells into the tail vein, then treated every other day for 21 days. In middle-aged (9–11 months old) mice, we waited 8 days after tumor injection to start treatments and assessed the effect of LPT on immunotherapy efficacy. These mice also received either LPT or sham every other day, along with four doses of 200 µg anti–PD-1 or isotype control antibody. LPT did not increase tumor growth or spread in any of the experiments. Surprisingly, LPT was negatively associated with metastasis in young and middle-aged mice, without enhancing or diminishing the efficacy of immunotherapy. In mice without cancer, LPT rapidly elevated red blood cell, white blood cell, and platelet counts in young, but not middle-aged, animals. Taken together, these findings suggest that therapeutic touch near metastatic tumors does not worsen disease and may confer an age-dependent benefit.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.ebm-journal.org/articles/10.3389/ebm.2026.10857</guid>
        <link>https://www.ebm-journal.org/articles/10.3389/ebm.2026.10857</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Towards a standardized diabetic prolonged wound healing model in hairless SKH1 mice]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-03-20T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Original Research</category>
        <author>Elle Koivunotko</author><author>Julia Monola</author><author>Chris S. Pridgeon</author><author>Jere Linden</author><author>Riina Harjumäki</author><author>Emrah Yatkin</author><author>Mari Madetoja</author><author>Marjo Yliperttula</author>
        <description><![CDATA[Chronic wounds, particularly those associated with diabetes, pose a significant clinical challenge due to their impaired healing dynamics and lack of reliable and standardized preclinical models. This pilot study aimed to establish a diabetogenic, immunocompetent, hairless mouse model (SKH1 strain) to simulate prolonged wound healing. Diabetes was induced by streptozotocin administration, followed by the creation of full-thickness dorsal skin wounds. Wounds were treated with either saline or nanofibrillated cellulose hydrogel as a model treatment. Wound healing progression and blood glucose were monitored, and histopathological assessments were performed after a 14-day experiment. In addition, for the first time, the Thermidas thermal imaging system was used in an in vivo mouse model to evaluate skin temperature. Results demonstrated that diabetes induction successfully prolonged wound closure by 5 days compared with the previously described acute wound model in the same strain with the identical protocol without streptozotocin (STZ) induction. Histopathological analyses showed increased macrophage activity (16.2% vs. 2.2% in the treatment groups and 10.2% vs. 0.3% in the control groups) and decreased collagen deposition (12.2% vs. 43.2% in the treatment groups and 17.6% vs. 27.4% in the control groups), suggesting prolonged wound healing. These findings support the use of hairless SKH1 mice as a viable model for studying prolonged diabetic wound healing and evaluating future therapeutic candidates.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.ebm-journal.org/articles/10.3389/ebm.2026.10933</guid>
        <link>https://www.ebm-journal.org/articles/10.3389/ebm.2026.10933</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Genetics of epilepsy]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-03-19T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Review</category>
        <author>Kynen Piacentini</author><author>Athanasios Gaitatzis</author><author>Sulev Kõks</author>
        <description><![CDATA[Epilepsy is one of the most common neurological diseases in the world, but it is also complex and difficult to study. There is a significant genetic component to epilepsy and more information is being published frequently. It is difficult to group and summarise all of this information in a way that is beneficial for both researchers and clinicians. The aim of this paper is to create a summary of all currently known epilepsy associated genes in order to aid epilepsy research to better understand the aetiology of the disease. This was achieved through gathering genetic data from three databases: Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man (OMIM), Clincal Genome (ClinGen), and PubMed. Genes were filtered based on specific criteria and were summarised into three tables: Epilepsy genes, Epilepsy associated genes and Predicted epilepsy associated genes. A fourth table was produced to showcase all epilepsy genes that were identified in all three databases. A total of 2,536 genes were identified to have some level of association with epilepsy. A total of 238 genes were classified as Epilepsy genes, 1,317 genes were classified as Epilepsy associated genes and 981 genes were classified as Predicted epilepsy genes. Finally, 86 genes were identified to be epilepsy genes that were found in all three genetic databases and represent the highest confidence in association with epilepsy. The significance of this study involves the ability to give researchers an up-to-date list of genes that have an association to epilepsy and a summary of information about said genes.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.ebm-journal.org/articles/10.3389/ebm.2026.10907</guid>
        <link>https://www.ebm-journal.org/articles/10.3389/ebm.2026.10907</link>
        <title><![CDATA[A novel platelet-rich plasma clinically induces reliable, rapid, long-term chronic peripheral neuropathic pain elimination]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-03-13T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Brief Communication</category>
        <author>Damien P. Kuffler</author><author>Onix Reyes</author><author>Ivan J. Sosa</author><author>Christian A. Foy</author>
        <description><![CDATA[Peripheral nerve trauma results in 50%–84% of patients developing chronic neuropathic pain, which is eliminated when axons reinnervate targets. Autografts reduce pain by promoting target reinnervation. We hypothesized that applying a novel platelet-rich plasma (PRP) formulation to proximal stumps would permanently eliminate the pain. This prospective case series compared analgesia levels after bridging nerve gaps with an autograft (autograft repair) vs. a PRP-filled collagen tube (PRP repair). Autograft repairs were performed on 16 nerves with a 5.75-cm mean gap length, 2.0-year repair delay, 42.3-year age, and 8.6 chronic neuropathic pain. PRP repairs were performed on 10 nerves with a 6.0-cm gap length, 1-year repair delay, 36.7-year age, with 88% having 9.1 chronic neuropathic pain. For autograft repairs, the pain began to decrease when axons reinnervated targets, reaching a mean of 0.3 in 18.2% of patients, and was eliminated in 81.8%. Following PRP repairs, the pain reduction began within 2 weeks and was eliminated by 2 months. Thus, autografts contribute to pain reduction/elimination by promoting target reinnervation. However, PRP directly and rapidly induced long-term pain elimination in all patients, while axons were regenerating, and without target reinnervation. These results prove that platelet-released factors reliably and rapidly eliminate chronic neuropathic pain.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.ebm-journal.org/articles/10.3389/ebm.2026.10796</guid>
        <link>https://www.ebm-journal.org/articles/10.3389/ebm.2026.10796</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Enhanced oxidative stress resilience in C. elegans acox-1.1 mutants through CTL-3 and proteasomal regulation]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-03-13T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Brief Communication</category>
        <author>Woori Bae</author><author>Mina Norman</author><author>Myon Hee Lee</author>
        <description><![CDATA[Oxidative stress is a primary driver of aging, necessitating robust cellular adaptation mechanisms. While peroxisomal β-oxidation and proteasomal degradation are known to influence stress responses, their functional crosstalk remains elusive. In this study, we show that C. elegans acox-1.1 mutants, despite having a shortened lifespan under normal conditions, exhibit a paradoxical resistance to mild chronic oxidative stress (1 mM paraquat, PQ) compared to wild-type worms. This PQ-induced resistance in acox-1.1 mutants was independent of the canonical SKN-1 pathway but required the peroxisomal catalase CTL-3. RNA-mediated knockdown of ctl-3 largely abolished the stress resistance of acox-1.1 mutants, leading to rapid mortality. Proteomic and biochemical analyses revealed that acox-1.1 mutants possess reduced levels of PAS-5, a core 20S proteasome subunit, resulting in impaired proteasomal assembly and accumulation of ubiquitinated (Ub) substrates under basal conditions. Intriguingly, exposure to 1 mM PQ significantly reduced the Ub-smear in acox-1.1 mutants, suggesting a metabolic shift where the cell prioritizes ROS scavenging over ATP-dependent protein degradation. Under oxidative stress, acox-1.1 mutants bypass defective proteasomal machinery and redirect energy toward CTL-3-mediated antioxidant defense. This study identified a peroxisomal adaptation mechanism whereby reduced proteasome complexity, coupled with enhanced ROS-regulatory machinery, confers survival advantages under specific oxidative challenges.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.ebm-journal.org/articles/10.3389/ebm.2026.10679</guid>
        <link>https://www.ebm-journal.org/articles/10.3389/ebm.2026.10679</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Low dose thirdhand smoke exposure enhances platelet functional responses in mice]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-03-12T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Original Research</category>
        <author>Precious O. Badejo</author><author>Ahmed B. Alarabi</author><author>Hamdy E. A. Ali</author><author>Lanam Millican</author><author>Reina De La Paz</author><author>Shelby S. Umphres</author><author>Sadia Kamal</author><author>Fatima Z. Alshbool</author><author>Fadi T. Khasawneh</author>
        <description><![CDATA[Although cigarette smoking is the most preventable cause of cardiovascular diseases, most researchers have focused on either direct/firsthand or secondhand smoke exposures. Recently though, attention has shifted to an emerging/indirect exposure trend-known as thirdhand smoke (THS)- which was previously “overlooked.” This phenomenon, which was/is thought to be harmless, has been identified as a serious health risk, including in the context of thrombogenesis/platelets. However, whether low dose THS exposure has the capacity to modulate platelets has not been investigated. Two sets of household materials were exposed to 20 cigarettes/day for a week on an alternating basis, with controls exposed to clean air. After the first set of exposed materials is placed in mice cages, exposure of the second set is initiated. The materials were interchanged weekly, for a total exposure duration of 1 month. Mice were then subjected to multiple platelet function assays. THS exposed mice exhibited shortened tail bleeding and occlusion times, indicating a prothrombotic phenotype. Moreover, we also observed that platelets from the exposed mice exhibited an enhanced aggregation response. However, we did not observe any gender differences in our in vivo as well as aggregation experiments; hence, subsequent characterization was carried out on male mice. It was also found that dense granules release, integrin activation, and PS exposure were also potentiated in the exposed platelets compared to the controls. Finally, we observed for the first time that the tobacco-specific nitrosamine and THS toxicant NNK enhanced platelet aggregation and thrombus formation. Collectively, we provide documentation that low dose of THS exposure is detrimental to health by increasing the risk of thrombosis through a hyperactive platelet phenotype that involves the toxicant NNK.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.ebm-journal.org/articles/10.3389/ebm.2026.10867</guid>
        <link>https://www.ebm-journal.org/articles/10.3389/ebm.2026.10867</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Metabolomics-guided identification of bioactive phytometabolites from South African plants targeting neuroblastoma]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-03-05T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Original Research</category>
        <author>Mmei Cheryl Motshudi</author><author>Clarissa Marcelle Naidoo</author><author>Chikwelu Lawrence Obi</author><author>Benson Chucks Iweriebor</author><author>Earl Prinsloo</author><author>Muhammad Sulaiman Zubair</author><author>Nqobile Monate Mkolo</author>
        <description><![CDATA[Neuroblastoma constitutes a solid tumor in pediatric populations, characterized by a dismal prognosis and a scarcity of effective therapeutic interventions. Medicinal flora from South Africa represents valuable sources of bioactive phytometabolites with potential relevance to neuroblastoma. This study employed an integrated workflow merging untargeted UPLC-MS/MS metabolomics, mitochondrial functional assays, and in silico absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion (ADME) prediction to systematically identify bioactive metabolites from Acorus calamus and Lippia javanica with activity against SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells. Cytotoxic effects were quantified utilizing the CCK-8 assay, while mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm) was conducted through JC-1 flow cytometry. Untargeted UPLC-MS/MS profiling yielded metabolomic fingerprints, through PCA, PLS-DA, and OPLS-DA. ADME and drug-likeness were predicted using SWISSADME. Both plant extracts exhibited dose-dependent inhibition of SH-SY5Y cell viability, with IC50 values determined at 0.2886 μg/μL for A. calamus and 0.3066 μg/μL for L. javanica. The ΔΨm assessment indicated enhanced mitochondrial polarization (68.2% and 65.4% compared to 58.8% in untreated controls), implying modulation of mitochondrial functional status. Metabolomic profiling unveiled distinct phytochemical signatures, including flavonoids, phenolics, jasmonates, and alkaloids, exhibiting significant species-level differentiation (F = 936.71, R2 = 0.989, p = 0.005). Notable metabolites such as isopropyl β-glucoside, 6β-hydroxymethandienone, and 7-epi-12-hydroxyjasmonic acid demonstrated favorable ADME characteristics and permeability across the blood-brain barrier. This investigation elucidates that A. calamus and L. javanica possess potential efficacy against neuroblastoma, underscoring the translational potential of African medicinal flora in pediatric oncology and necessitating further preclinical exploration.]]></description>
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