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Article
Biology and Life Sciences
Biophysics

Yuri A. Purtov,

Olga N. Ozoline

Abstract: Intrinsically disordered regions enable transcription factors (TFs) to undergo structural changes upon ligand binding, facilitating the transduction of environmental signals into gene expression. In this study, we combined molecular modeling methods to explore the hypothesis that unstructured inter-domain and subdomain linkers in bacterial TFs can function as sensors for carbohydrate signaling molecules. We combined molecular dy-namics simulations and carbohydrate docking to analyze six repressors with GntR-type DNA-binding domains, including UxuR, GntR and FarR from Escherichia coli, as well as AraR, NagR and YydK from Bacillus subtilis. Protein models obtained from different time points of the dynamic simulations were subjected to the sequential carbohydrates dock-ing. We found that the inter-domain linker of the UxuR monomer binds D-fructuronate, D-galacturonate, D-glucose, and D-glucuronate with affinities lower that its structured FadR-type effector-binding domain. However, in the monomer, these ligands formed mul-timolecular clusters, a feature absent in the dimer, suggesting that protein dimerization may depend on linker occupancy by cellular carbohydrates. Interacting with linkers con-necting subdomains of the LacI/GalR-type E-domains in GntR and AraR, D-glucose was able to form hydrogen bonds connecting distant structural modules of the proteins, while in NagR, FarR and YydK it bridged the inter-domain linkers and a β-sheet within the HutC-type E-domains. Our results establish flexible linkers as pivotal metabolic sensors that directly integrate nutritional cues to alter gene expression in bacteria.
Review
Biology and Life Sciences
Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics

Ilaria Negri,

Mario E. Toledo

Abstract: Insect pollination, a critical ecological process, pre-dates the emergence of angiosperms by nearly 300 million years, with fossil evidence indicating pollination interactions between insects and non-angiosperm seed plants during the Late Paleozoic. This re-view examines the symbiotic relationships between insects and gymnosperms in pre-angiosperm ecosystems, highlighting the complexity of these interactions. Fossil records suggest that the mutualistic relationships between insects and gymnosperms, which facilitated plant reproduction, were as intricate and diverse as the modern in-teractions between angiosperms and their pollinators, particularly bees. These early pollination systems likely involved specialized behaviors and plant adaptations, re-flecting a sophisticated evolutionary dynamic long before the advent of flowering plants. The Anthropocene presents a dichotomy: while climate change and anthropogenic pressures threaten insect biodiversity and risk disrupting angiosperm reproduction, such upheaval may simultaneously generate opportunities for novel plant–insect in-teractions as ecological niches are vacated. Understanding the deep evolutionary his-tory of pollination offers critical insight into the mechanisms underlying the resilience and adaptability of these mutualisms. The evolutionary trajectory of bees—originating from predatory wasps, diversifying alongside angiosperms, and reorganizing after mass extinctions—exemplifies this dynamic, demonstrating how pollination networks persist and reorganize under environmental stress and underscoring the enduring health, resilience, and adaptability of these essential ecological systems.
Article
Biology and Life Sciences
Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

Muhammad Hashim,

Gerald Timelthaler,

Dominik Kirchhofer,

Beatrice Kudlacek,

Berta Mosleh,

Katharina Sinn,

Ezzat Mohamed Awad,

Alireza Mir Hoda,

Bettina Grasl Kraupp,

Balazs Dome

+4 authors

Abstract: Reactive oxygen species (ROS)-induced aberrant oncogenic signaling has been proposed to mediate the progression and development of pleural mesothelioma (PM). Here we demonstrate how ROS initiates oncogenic signaling especially in the context of cell migration and immune evasion via YB-1 phosphorylation in mesothelial and PM cell models. Xanthine (X) and xanthine oxidase (XO)-generated ROS exposure led to increased migration and more elongated cell shape in mesothelial and PM cells in live cell videomicroscopy analyses. These effects were associated with enhanced phosphorylation of ERK, AKT and YB-1, alongside elevated gene expression of PD-L1 and PD-L2, which were analysed with immunoblotting and quantitative real-time RT-PCR, respectively. Pharmacological inhibition of AKT (ipatasertib), MEK (trametinib) or RSK (BI-D1870) resulted in reversal of ROS-induced effects, with the strongest effects observed upon inhibition of YB-1 phosphorylation by BI-D1870. The results suggest that ROS exposure has a strong impact on cell migration and immune evasion not only in PM cells but also in mesothelial cells, from which PM arises. Interfering with ROS responsive kinase pathways, particularly YB-1 phosphorylation, could counteract pro-migratory and immune evasive effects in PM.
Article
Biology and Life Sciences
Endocrinology and Metabolism

Bárbara Suarez,

Adriana Mabel Álvarez,

María Florencia Mascardi,

Ana Laura Manzano Ramos,

Dong Hoon Woo,

María Mercedes Gutiérrez,

Guillermo Alzueta,

María del Carmen Basbus,

Santiago Bruzone,

Patricia Cuart

+10 authors

Abstract:

Background: Local specific biomarkers for MASLD risk stratification are urgently needed in Argentina. Aim: To characterized the interaction of gut microbiome signatures, genetic and clinical risk factors for MASLD in diabetics from different regions of Argentina. Material Methods: We recruited 214 diabetics from different regions. Anthropometric, clinical, and lifestyle data were obtained from all participants, who also underwent abdominal ultrasound for MASLD diagnosis and oral swabbing. PNPLA3 gene was amplified by PCR from the swabs, and rs738409 genotype was determined by bidirectional sequencing. To profile the MASLD-associated microbiome, stool was collected from 170 participants. V4 16S rRNA gene sequencing was performed and reads were analysed using QIIME2 2024.10.1. R Studio 2022.12.0 was used for statistical analyses. Results: MASLD prevalence was 77.9%, with similar rates in all regions. FIB-4 scores <1.3 and >2.67 were detected in 55.3% and 7.4% of patients, respectively. Half of diabetics had PNPLA3-GG genotype, with the highest rates in Northwestern Argentina (64.9%; p=0.02 vs Buenos Aires). PNPLA3-GG genotype was an independent risk factor for FIB-4 score (p=0.0008), and a protective factor against HbA1c (p=0.004), fasting plasma glucose (p=0.008), and cholesterol levels (p=0.02). Marked regional differences were observed in microbiota diversity and composition in Argentina. After adjusting for geographical region, Negativibacillus genus was exclusively detected in diabetics with MASLD and GG carriers. Catenibacterium genus was related to FIB-4>2.67. Short-chain fatty acids-producing bacteria were linked to absence of MASLD. Conclusions: These specific signatures could be potentially useful as MASLD biomarkers for risk stratification in diabetics from Argentina.

Review
Biology and Life Sciences
Aging

Maxim A. Kovalev

Abstract: Aging is not an immutable fate but a malleable biological process driven by interconnected molecular, cellular, and systemic failures. While modern medicine excels at managing acute conditions, it largely fails to address the root cause of most chronic diseases – aging itself. In this review, I synthesize current evidence that aging arises from the interplay of stochastic damage and evolutionarily shaped regulatory programs (exemplified by conserved parameters such as AROCM) and manifests through the hallmarks of aging, including genomic instability, proteostatic collapse, mitochondrial dysfunction, cellular senescence, and inflammaging, ultimately driving chronic disease across organ systems. I argue that defeating aging requires a strategic shift from symptom palliation to restoration of youthful function, achieved through three synergistic pillars: (1) elimination of damage (e.g., senolytics, monoclonal antibodies against pathogenic immune clones or DAMPs), (2) reactivation of endogenous repair mechanisms (e.g., caloric restriction, metformin, GLP-1 agonists, transient OSK expression), and (3) cell, tissue, and organ replacement (e.g., stem cell–derived islets, FOXO3-enhanced MSCs). I highlight evolutionary insights from long-lived species, the centrality of chronic inflammation and fibrosis in age-related disease, and the transformative role of AI: from multi-omic aging clocks to agentic systems for target discovery and personalized longevity medicine. The tools to initiate this paradigm shift are already emerging; what is needed now is scientific rigor, interdisciplinary integration, and a collective commitment to treating aging as the fundamental driver of human morbidity and mortality.
Article
Biology and Life Sciences
Life Sciences

Maria Eduarda Oliveira Diniz,

Letícia Fóffano Monteiro Almeida,

Vitor Gabriel Soares Araújo,

Fernando Guimarães Teixeira,

Carly De Faria Coelho,

Rodrigo Alvaro Brandão Lopes-Martins

Abstract: Background: Cancer-related malnutrition and inflammation worsen clinical outcomes. Bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) provides raw parameters—resistance (R) and reactance (Xc)—from which phase angle (PhA) is derived as a proxy of cell‐membrane integrity and hydration. We reviewed the clinical utility of PhA (and related metrics) in oncology. Methods: We conducted an integrative review (PubMed/MEDLINE, Embase, Scopus, and Virtual Health Library; 2005–2025) including human studies reporting BIA with PhA in patients with cancer. Screening and reporting followed PRISMA 2020. Study design, tumor site, interventions, and outcomes (nutrition, complications, length of stay, treatment tolerance, and survival) were extracted and narratively synthesized. Results: We included 159 studies, predominantly observational. Across settings and tumor sites, lower PhA was consistently associated with worse overall survival, more postoperative and treatment-related complications, longer hospitalization, poorer functional status, and lower quality of life. In longitudinal analyses, PhA typically declined after surgery and along chemo/radiotherapy, whereas stabilization or increases occurred with structured nutritional support and multimodal care. Vector analysis (BIVA) showed the canonical right-downward displacement on the R/H × Xc/H plane, consistent with higher ECW/TBW, reduced body cell mass, and impaired membrane integrity. Standardized PhA (SPhA, age/sex-adjusted) improved comparability and prognostic performance in several cohorts. Methodological variability—device/frequency, posture, hydration control, and heterogeneous cut-offs—remains the main barrier to guideline-level adoption. Conclusions: PhA is an accessible, non-invasive, and responsive biomarker that adds prognostic and nutritional value across oncologic scenarios. We recommend integrating PhA (preferably SPhA), together with BIVA and fluid-distribution metrics, into routine screening, peri-treatment monitoring, and risk stratification. Future multicenter studies should establish tumor-, sex-, age-, and stage-specific cut-offs and standardized measurement/reporting protocols.
Article
Biology and Life Sciences
Agricultural Science and Agronomy

Yanzhen Wang,

Jialu Li,

Xia Liu,

Rui Huang,

Menglin Lei,

Yaoyuan Zhang,

Guoqing Cui

Abstract: Background: Ammonium nitrogen (NH₄⁺) serves as a vital nitrogen source, playing pivotal regulatory roles in plant growth, development, and high-yield formation. Ammonium transporters (AMTs), encoded by the AMT gene family, are central to NH4+ transport. However, the functional roles of AMT genes in wheat remain poorly understood.Methods: In this study, a total of 21 TaAMT members were identified. A comprehensive genome-wide analysis was conducted, encompassing investigations into gene structure, protein motif composition, gene duplication events, collinearity relationships, and cis-acting regulatory elements. Furthermore, the expression patterns of distinct TaAMT members were examined under varying ammonium supply conditions and pathogen stress. Results: All TaAMT proteins exhibited hydrophobic characteristics and localized to the plasma membrane. Phylogenetic analysis clustered these genes into four distinct subgroups. Comparative analyses of gene structure and conserved motifs revealed conserved domain composition and motif organization within each subgroup. Interspecific synteny analysis highlighted evolutionary conservation across species. Promoter region analysis identified multiple cis-regulatory elements associated with hormone signaling, light responsiveness, and abiotic stress adaptation. Expression profiling demonstrated that TaAMT members exhibit both tissue-specific and constitutive expression patterns across developmental stages. RT-qPCR further revealed that the expression of TaAMT members responds to varying concentrations of ammonium nitrogen supply, as well as infection stresses caused by stripe rust and powdery mildew. Conclusions: Collectively, this study provides the useful molecular information into the roles of TaAMT members in nitrogen use efficiency and disease resistance, offering valuable genetic resources for wheat breeding programs aimed at enhancing agronomic traits.
Review
Biology and Life Sciences
Agricultural Science and Agronomy

Manuel Agustí,

Carmina Reig,

Amparo Martínez-Fuentes,

Carlos Mesejo

Abstract: Citrus species develop fruits through both sexual reproduction and parthenocarpy, following a growth pattern with an initial exponential phase dominated by cell division in the ovary wall, followed by a linear phase driven by cell expansion in juice vesicles. Sustained carbohydrate supply is essential to support the metabolic energy required for these processes, which are tightly regulated by hormonal signaling pathways involving gibberellins (GAs), auxins (IAA), cytokinins, and abscisic acid (ABA). Recent studies across cultivars have identified genes associated with hormone biosynthesis, carbohydrate metabolism, cell cycle regulation, and abscission in ovule and pericarp tissues. Manipulation of these hormones through targeted treatments and cultural practices has shown potential to enhance fruit set and growth. Notably, exogenous GA₃ application promotes fruit set in parthenocarpic cultivars by upregulating GA20ox2/GA3ox and CYCA1.1, whereas synthetic auxins enhance fruit enlargement by improving assimilate partitioning and water uptake. Optimizing such treatments, however, requires a comprehensive understanding of physiological, environmental, and agronomic factors influencing fruit development. This review summarizes recent advances in hormonal and molecular regulation of citrus fruit set and developments, assesses applied strategies to improve productivity, and identifies current knowledge gaps needed to refine biotechnological and management aimed at enhancing both yield and fruit quality.
Article
Biology and Life Sciences
Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

Farzaneh Sharifzad,

Nawal Alsadi,

Hamed Yasavoli-Sharahi,

Roqia Shahbazi,

Dylan Burger,

Chantal Matar

Abstract: Background: Breast carcinoma represents the most frequent malignancy in women in Canada. The intrinsic or acquired drug resistance significantly contributes to in-creased risk of recurrence and metastasis. Although, front-line therapy is multimodal, chemoresistance remains a major hurdle in treatment and therapy. Intake of natural compounds issued from the fermentation processes are now considered a god strategy to help overcome chemoresistance. Materials and Methods: Extracellular vehicles (EVs) from Mesenchymal Stro-mal/Stem Cells (MSCs) pretreated with Lentinula edodes cultured extract (AHCC) were used to study the effect on reducing chemoresistance and modulating mi-croRNAs in cell lines, MCF-7 and MCF-7/DOX cells by EVs derived from MSCs under AHCC treatment. Characterization of EVs was done by using nanoparticles tracking analysis. MicroRNas and the formation of cancer stem cells were studied. Results: miRNA analysis revealed that AHCC remarkably affected the expression of several microRNAs, amongst which are miR-155, miR-34a, miR-Let7 and miR-200c. In vitro experiments showed inhibition of cancer stem cell proliferation after challenging the cells with EVs pretreated with AHCC. Conclusion: Our data demonstrated that AHCC may contribute to the modulation of tumor microenvironment, thus influenc-ing the development of cancer stem cells.
Review
Biology and Life Sciences
Animal Science, Veterinary Science and Zoology

Fernando Barreto Atroch,

Luis Filipe Rangel,

Camilo Ayra-Pardo,

Maria João Santos

Abstract: Climate changes caused by anthropogenic actions can directly and indirectly affect living beings, including parasites and their hosts. Several factors are involved in climatic changes. Some of them are water temperature, salinity, pH, distribution of nutrients in the aquatic environment and those can interfere with the fish community, whether in open water or in production systems. In this review, we will show how climate change factors can affect the hosts and parasites in the aquatic environment.
Article
Biology and Life Sciences
Agricultural Science and Agronomy

Cleiton Farias de Oliveira,

Romildo da Silva Neves,

Thiago Felipe de Lima Arruda,

Sabrina dos Santos Costa,

Railene Hérica Carlos Rocha Araújo,

Ronaldo do Nascimento,

Alexandre Paiva da Silva,

Francisco Vaniés da Silva Sá,

Josinaldo Lopes Araujo Rocha

Abstract: Nitrogen (N) is the most widely used nutrient in agriculture in the form of urea, yet it is one of the least efficient in terms of application due to losses through volatilization and leaching. The combination of urea with micronutrient sources, especially in the form of nanoparticles, is a promising technology to reduce these losses. Two greenhouse experi-ments were conducted with the objective of evaluating the influence of coating urea with zinc oxide nanoparticles (NPZnO) and iron oxide nanoparticles (NPFe₂O₃), associated with elemental sulfur (S°), on the leaching of mineral nitrogen and the production of dry mass and accumulation of N in young corn plants.The coating (0.26% w/w) of urea with elemental sulfur (S°) and NPZnO and NPFe₂O₃ reduced N losses through leaching (-21.3%) and delayed the nitrification process of N in the soil (-71.8%). This coating in-creased the efficiency of nitrogen fertilization in young corn plants, boosting the produc-tion of dry mass in leaves (+39.4%), stems (+68.8%), and roots (+61.6%), as well as the ab-sorption of N in the above-ground biomass (+64.1%), compared to conventional urea. The use of urea coated with NPZnO and NPFe₂O₃ associated with S° is an environmentally sound solution for supplying N and micronutrients such as Fe and Zn in a more efficient and sustainable manner, especially in sandy soils with low organic matter content, which are common in the semi-arid region of Brazil.
Hypothesis
Biology and Life Sciences
Biophysics

Marcus Schmieke

Abstract: We propose a generalization of the dissipative quantum field theory (DQFT) of Ricciardi and Vitiello to describe the dynamic informational feedback underlying biological coherence. The new framework, termed the Quantum Blueprint Formalism (QBF), reinterprets the conjugate field ψ̃ not as a passive record of dissipation but as an active informational field that restores order through feedback coupling. A state-dependent dissipation operator Γ(ψ, ψ̃) couples the physical and informational domains through correlation parameters Θ = {θₖ}, which evolve in time according to a nonlinear stochastic differential equation. The resulting formalism quantitatively links informational coherence to physiological observables such as heart rate variability (HRV), EEG phase synchronization, water domain ordering, and ultraweak photon emission. This model establishes a bridge between dissipative quantum physics, information theory, and experimental biophysics, offering a consistent mathematical and empirical basis for understanding life as an informationally self-organizing process.
Article
Biology and Life Sciences
Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

Pavel Straňák

Abstract: We propose that complex systems in mind and life follow a dual architecture: a computational component generating structures (e.g., thoughts, biochemical states) and a directional component ensuring long-term coherence and creativity. Large language models (LLMs) simulate the former but lack the latter, resulting in entropic decay during autonomous operation—a process governed by Shannon’s Data Processing Inequality. Drawing on autopoiesis theory*and developmental canalization, this hypothesis posits that consciousness and evolutionary directionality are ontologically distinct control layers, falsifiable through long-term AI autonomy tests and evolutionary simulations. The framework bridges empirical AI failures with theoretical principles of adaptive complexity, offering testable predictions for complex systems research.
Article
Biology and Life Sciences
Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

Maria Yurievna Konoshenko,

Olga Evgenievna Bryzgunova,

Ekaterina Viktorovna Shutko,

Ekaterina Alekseevna Murina,

Antonina Aleksandrovna Ilyushchenko,

Yaroslava Mikhailovna Danilova,

Stanislav Dmitrievich Gorbunkov,

Kirill Alekseevich Zykov,

Pavel Petrovich Laktionov

Abstract: The stability of miRNAs in biological fluids and their association with pathological conditions make miRNAs promising biomarkers for non-invasive disease diagnostics, including non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, variability in miRNA expression and technical aspects of quantitative reverse transcription PCR (RT-qPCR) necessitate effective normalization methods to ensure accurate evaluation of miRNA levels and identification of biological differences. In this study, we performed a comparative analysis of several miRNA normalization approaches applied to extracellular vesicles isolated from plasma of NSCLC patients, including pairwise normalization, “Tres” and “Quadro” normalization strategies, normalization to the mean, and normalization considering miRNA functional groups. Method effectiveness was evaluated using quality metrics of diagnostic models. The most robust results were observed with normalization methods utilizing miRNA pairs, triplets, and quadruplets, which provided high accuracy, model stability, and minimal overfitting. In contrast, normalization to the general or exclusive mean and functional group-based normalization showed lower efficiency in terms of classification performance and feature selection stability. These findings highlight the critical importance of normalization strategy choice to improve the accuracy and interpretability of RT-qPCR-based diagnostic models, particularly in the development of biomarker panels for NSCLC diagnostics. Pairwise normalization, combining computational simplicity and high efficiency, appears optimal for practical applications.
Article
Biology and Life Sciences
Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics

Shunsuke Nozawa,

Yosuke Seto,

Kyoko Watanabe

Abstract: Recent developments in next-generation sequencing have improved the reliability of phylogenetic trees, allowing genome-wide phylogenetic analyses. Fusarium fungi are important phytopathogenic and clinical fungi. As the identification of species in this genus is conducted on a species complex (SC) basis, evaluating the monophyly of each SC and its evolutionary history are important. Recently, genome-scale phylogenetic analyses using a concatenation approach based on DNA data identified the putative phylogeny of Fusarium SCs. However, different data types and analytical approaches often yield different trees, and the possibility of alternative phylogenetic relationships has not yet been discussed. In this study, phylogenetic analyses using concatenation and coalescence approaches as well as polytomy tests based on DNA and amino acid data from 1,190 genes were performed on 23 Fusarium SCs. Our results suggest that (i) F. commune is independent of F. nisikadoi SC; (ii) the branching order among F. oxysporum SC, F. newnwsense SC, and F. nisikadoi SC cannot be determined; and (iii) the phylogenetic position of F. buxicola is inconsistent among the analyses. This study provides novel insights into the evolutionary history of Fusarium SCs and has implications for their classification and identification.
Article
Biology and Life Sciences
Aquatic Science

Shehu L. Akintola,

Lateef A. Badmos,

Akinkunmi S Ojo,

Gbenga R. Ajepe,

Matthew A. Ajibade,

Mary A. Gbadamosi,

Victor T. Okomoda,

Idowu J Fasakin,

Sunil Siriwardena,

Charles Iyangbe

+2 authors

Abstract: This field study was conducted as part of efforts to introduce Integrated Multi-Trophic Aquaculture (IMTA) into Nigeria’s aquaculture system. It examined extant aquatic food production and marketing in three coastal states of Lagos, Ogun, and Ondo before IMTA across 15 Local Government Areas (LGAs) /Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs). Marketing mix practices in coastal aquatic food systems were explored through a structured, qualitative assessment using a multi-value chain perspective. Monthly sales volumes most frequently fell within the 1–5 tonnes range. The local market was dominant, with some sales into the international markets. Respondents asserted that post-harvest was diverse, and some were satisfied with the technology available to preserve their products. Cold storage practices across coastal states were hindered by unreliable power supply. Zero-channel distribution dominated among traders, with over 90% relying on word-of-mouth (WOM) to promote their products. Consumers show a strong preference for the quality of local products and expressed openness to incorporating seaweeds into their purchases. Health benefits and taste were widely recognized as key motivators for purchasing aquatic food products. Findings provide a baseline for IMTA in Nigeria, highlighting existing strengths, market dynamics, and infrastructure gaps that must be addressed to support sustainable integration.
Review
Biology and Life Sciences
Cell and Developmental Biology

Jiayi Zhao,

Shanshan Li,

Xin Jin

Abstract: Neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs), including autism spectrum disorder (ASD), attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and intellectual disability (ID), arise from disruptions of tightly orchestrated molecular programmes that govern neurogenesis, synaptogenesis and circuit maturation. Although large-scale genomic analyses have identified numerous susceptibility loci, DNA variation alone explains only a fraction of disease heritability, highlighting the pivotal contribution of post-transcriptional and epigenetic regulation. Among these regulatory layers, non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs)—encompassing microRNAs (miRNAs), long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), circular RNAs (circRNAs), PIWI-interacting RNAs (piRNAs) and transfer-RNA-derived small RNAs (tsRNAs)—have emerged as key modulators of neural differentiation, synaptic plasticity and intercellular communication. Multi-omics studies reveal that ncRNAs fine-tune chromatin accessibility, transcriptional output and translation through complex competing-endogenous-RNA (ceRNA) and ribonucleoprotein networks. While miRNAs sculpt neurogenesis and circuit remodelling, lncRNAs and circRNAs integrate chromatin and transcriptional control with exquisite spatial and temporal precision. Newly characterized small RNAs such as tsRNAs and piRNAs extend this regulatory repertoire by linking translational reprogramming, epigenetic memory and even intergenerational inheritance. Advances in single-cell and spatial transcriptomics have further mapped ncRNA expression to discrete neuronal and glial populations, revealing cell-type-specific vulnerability signatures across cortical and subcortical regions. Clinically, circulating ncRNAs—particularly those encapsulated within plasma or extracellular vesicles—exhibit robust and disease-specific expression patterns, supporting their promise as non-invasive biomarkers for early diagnosis and patient stratification. In parallel, innovations in RNA interference, antisense oligonucleotides, CRISPR-based editing and exosome-mediated delivery are transforming ncRNAs from molecular indicators into therapeutic instruments capable of restoring transcriptional and epigenetic equilibrium. Together, these converging insights position ncRNAs as both mechanistic determinants and translational targets in neurodevelopmental pathology. The emerging ncRNA landscape redefines the molecular architecture of brain development, offering a unifying framework that links genome regulation, environmental responsiveness and neural plasticity. Decoding this multilayered RNA circuitry will be pivotal for the development of next-generation diagnostics and RNA-guided therapies for neurodevelopmental disorders.
Article
Biology and Life Sciences
Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

Alshymaa Hassan

Abstract:

Estrogens govern the female reproductive cycle indefinitely. Estrogens, including estrone (E1), estradiol (E2), estriol (E3), and estetrol (E4), regulate the female life cycle since early embryonic stages and play a crucial role in development, metabolism, and cell function. Throughout evolution, estrogen has regulated reproduction by affecting reproductive organ development and behavior. Estrogen impacts all vertebrates, including fish, and has a role in physiological and pathological states in both genders. The RUNX-2 gene is a member of the RUNX family of transcription factors and encodes a nuclear protein with a Runt DNA-binding domain. This protein is essential for osteoblastic differentiation and skeletal morphogenesis and acts as a scaffold for nucleic acids and regulatory factors involved in skeletal gene expression. The protein can bind DNA both as a monomer or, with more affinity, as a subunit of a heterodimeric complex. In 2022, a study was conducted to characterize novel genes that are regulated by estrogen binding to its receptors (α or β). The PDLIM3 gene, with a coefficient of variation (CV) of 0.083, received the most stable CV score among other genes. Our integrative research uncovers a unique regulatory cascade in which estrogen binding to ERα/β enhances PDLIM3 expression, then modulating the expression of miR-9, miR-10, and the newly identified miR-6769b, finally activating RUNX2 transcription.

Review
Biology and Life Sciences
Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

Sadam Abubakar,

Latifat Abdulsalam,

Lamin Fatty,

Rimsha Kanwal,

Muhammad Naeem,

Irshad Ahmad

Abstract: Cancer immunotherapy has recently become an essential approach for treating cancer, showing considerable promise as a substitute for surgery, radiation therapy, and conventional chemotherapy. It primarily aims to boost the host’s natural defense system to com-bat cancer malignancies by utilizing components of immune checkpoint blockades (ICBs), mainly programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) and cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated antigen 4 (CTLA-4), and along with elements of adoptive cellular therapies (ACTs) like Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR) therapy, T Cell Receptor (TCR) therapy and Tu-mor-Infiltrating Lymphocyte (TIL) therapy. However, cancer cells tend to undermine the effectiveness of cancer immunotherapeutic strategies by employing one or more immune evasion mechanisms. The present review briefly discusses the key mechanisms of cancer immune evasion and highlights how the CRISPR/Cas9 systems, as gene editing tools, are set to enhance cancer immunotherapy for treating various challenging cancers. We emphasize that CRISPR/Cas9 systems can be used to explore and positively alter the genes of the immune system, boosting the effectiveness of cancer immunotherapy by editing immune checkpoints, TILs, and CAR-T cells, and disrupting genes facilitating tumors to evade the immune system.
Review
Biology and Life Sciences
Neuroscience and Neurology

Arturo Tozzi

Abstract: The search for thought’s representational format has traditionally focused on Mentalese, neural codes, predictive processing, embodied sensorimotor models. Here we examine another hypothesis: human cognition may operate by default through a structurally poetic mode characterized by metaphorical mapping, rhythmic/repetitive patterning, imagistic compression, controlled ambiguity, acoustic structuring and affective resonance. These features correspond to identifiable computational and neurobiological mechanisms. Metaphor and analogy recruit fronto-parietal networks for cross-domain alignment, enabling dimensionality reduction and transfer across abstract spaces. Rhythmic and metrical structure entrain delta–theta–gamma hierarchies, improving prediction and memory via phase-aligned hippocampo-cortical loops. Imagery activates hippocampal–visual circuits and default-mode subsystems, supporting high-level generative simulation. Ambiguity/polysemy sustains parallel semantic states in frontal networks, enabling probabilistic inference under uncertainty. Sound patterning exploits phonological memory and auditory statistical learning, enhancing signal-to-noise resilience. Emotional resonance engages limbic and reward pathways, modulating salience and long-term retention. Comparative evidence indicates that structurally homologous “proto-poetic” systems exist across species. Birdsong and whale song show hierarchical, rhythmic sequence generation with cultural drift; honeybee dances encode spatial data cross-modally; primate calls display affix-like combinatoriality and contextual ambiguity; frog and insect chorusing reflects large-scale oscillator coupling; and ritual displays compress identity and fitness cues into symbolic form. These convergent data support the view that poetic structuring constitutes an evolutionarily conserved cognitive technology optimized for memory efficiency, predictive precision, adaptive flexibility and social synchrony. Reframing poetry as a computational architecture of thought motivates new empirical programs integrating neuroimaging, comparative biology and formal models of information compression, oscillatory coordination and cross-domain mapping.

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