23 February 2026

Integration of metabolomics and transcriptomics to reveal metabolic characteristics and the role of mTORC1 in β-cell proliferation induced by a short-term high-fat diet

"This study reveals how nutrient overload (e.g., lipids/glucose) activates mTORC1 to promote early pancreatic β-cell compensation, helping prevent type 2 diabetes progression during initial metabolic stress. However, mTORC1 dysregulation can lead to β-cell failure, underscoring its dual role: adaptive short-term but maladaptive long-term."

Rodolfo García-Contreras, Handling Editor

20 February 2026

A double agent? Unveiling the chemical profile of the pathogenic fungus Pyrrhoderma noxium as an endophyte in true mangroves

"This work reports the first isolation of Pyrrhoderma noxium (a major brown root rot pathogen) as a harmless endophyte in mangrove leaves. Identifies diverse bioactive compounds via LC-MS/MS with proven pharmaceutical potential (anticancer, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antiviral). And highlights the fungus's overlooked value for drug discovery despite its pathogenic reputation."

Rodolfo García-Contreras, Handling Editor

19 February 2026

Hippocampal expression of Wnt7a and β-catenin in depression: evidence from chronic unpredictable mild stress

"This study presents a significant and paradoxical finding. It challenges the prevailing model by providing evidence that a specific stress-induced depressive phenotype may be correlated with an activation of the Wnt7a/β-catenin/GSK-3β axis in the hippocampus."

Sonia Oliveira, Section Editor

13 February 2026

Proteome-wide analysis by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry reveals the role of retinoic acid during adipogenesis in human bone mesenchymal stem cells

"The LC-MS/MS data presented on the effect of all-trans retinoic acid (RA) on human bone mesenchymal stem cells advances understanding of the role of this important developmental regulator. Observations on the role of RA on adipogenesis in vitro will need to be followed by animal studies and in vivo experiments."

Clement Kent, Handling Editor

11 February 2026

Optimization of environmental DNA-based methods: a case study for detecting brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis)

"This article is a prominent study on the development and optimization of the eDNA method."

Sercan Yapıcı, Handling Editor

30 January 2026

Mini-review: red seaweed Hydropuntia edulis and agar derivatives for food, medicinal and agriculture applications

"This review adds useful scientific insights into research on H. edulis, which appears to be in its early stages. For example, the safety of H. edulis is important; however, not much is known. Therefore, this review highlights some of the gaps in the scientific literature."

Charles Okpala, Handling Editor

27 January 2026

The orchestrated interplay between DNA methylation and N6-methyladenosine modification: status quo and future perspectives

"The study presents a comprehensive bibliometric overview of the emerging research area investigating the interplay between DNA methylation and m6A modifications. It categorizes interaction modes systematically, thus consolidating fragmented knowledge, highlighting research trends, and offering a structured conceptual model, thereby providing a resource that can serve as a framework for future research."

Sonia Oliveira, Section Editor

8 January 2026

Non-targeted metabolomic profiling of Cremastra appendiculata providing insights for phytochemical analyses

"This work transitions C. appendiculata from empirical folk use to evidence-based herbal medicine by delivering the molecular foundation needed for reliable quality control, pharmacological research, and future drug development."

Rodolfo García-Contreras, Handling Editor

7 January 2026

Zmpste24 deficiency contributes to intervertebral disc degeneration by undermining the stability of the nuclear membrane of nucleus pulposus cells

"This manuscript makes a credible and valuable contribution by extending the ZMPSTE24 > nuclear envelope/aging axis into intervertebral disc biology. The claim is consistent with prior literature showing ZMPSTE24’s role in musculoskeletal aging and the centrality of senescence in IVDD. At present the mechanistic causal chain is plausible but not fully proven (systemic KO vs NP-cell identity; lopinavir specificity; lack of rescue experiments; small n). Altogether, his work identifies ZMPSTE24 as a previously unrecognised regulator of intervertebral disc cell aging and degeneration, directly linking nuclear-envelope biology to disc disease. By showing that loss of ZMPSTE24 drives senescence and structural disc failure, the study adds a new mechanistic pathway to the biology of spine degeneration and opens potential avenues for targeted, mechanism-based therapies against age-related disc disease."

Sonia Oliveira, Section Editor

3 December 2025

Metabolites of traffic-related volatile organic compounds in age-related macular degeneration

Worradorn Phairuang, Handling Editor