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

27 November 2025

Application analysis of two nucleic acid detection systems in blood detection of hepatitis B virus, hepatitis C virus and human immunodeficiency virus

"This study provides the first large-scale comparison of Kehua and Roche NAT systems for HBV, HCV, and HIV screening in blood donations. Analyzing over 670,000 samples, it shows Kehua performs comparably to Roche but with fewer invalid tests and lower operational costs, supporting its use as a reliable, cost-effective alternative."

Travis Beddoe, Handling Editor

18 November 2025

Machine learning classification of mango maturity based on carotene content from Raman spectra

"This article makes a meaningful step forward in non-invasive fruit quality assessment by integrating Raman spectroscopy with machine learning for mango maturity classification. This contributes new knowledge about carotenoid spectral fingerprints as reliable markers of ripening and positions Raman spectroscopy as a superior alternative to color-based or NIR methods."

Timothy Omara, Handling Editor

17 November 2025

Tryptophan-kynurenine pathway: a possible new mechanism for the prevention and treatment of reproductive system-related diseases

"This work highlights the significance of the tryptophan–kynurenine metabolic pathway as an overlooked but potentially crucial mechanism in reproductive health. By linking abnormalities in this pathway’s enzymes and metabolites to reproductive disorders, it suggests new therapeutic strategies—such as targeting pathway inhibitors or modulating gut tryptophan metabolism, presenting an interesting perspective and offering novel targets for preventing and treating reproductive diseases."

Sonia Oliveira, Handling Editor

10 November 2025

Assessment of distinct effects of Parinari curatellifolia Planch.ex Benth Ethanolic leaf extract on glucose transport in different cell types

"Parinari curatellifolia leaf extract (PCE) shows antidiabetic potential, inhibiting glucose transport in adipocytes (50% at 100 µg/mL) while doubling it in Caco-2 intestinal cells via increased GLUT1. Effects vary by cell type, suggesting further in vivo studies at low doses."

Rodolfo García-Contreras, Handling Editor

31 October 2025

NAT10 inhibits ferroptosis and promotes the progression of renal clear cell carcinoma by regulating the NFE2L1-GPX4 signaling pathway

"The research demonstrates that NAT10 enhances the malignant behavior of ccRCC cells, suggesting its involvement in tumor progression. The study identifies that NAT10 inhibits ferroptosis by modulating the NFE2L1-GPX4 signaling pathway, a novel finding in the context of ccRCC. Given its regulatory role in ferroptosis and tumor progression, NAT10 presents as a promising target for ccRCC treatment options. So, this study contributes to the understanding of ccRCC pathogenesis and opens avenues for targeted therapies that modulate ferroptosis pathways, of which, thus far, there is limited direct evidence in literature."

Sonia Oliveira, Section Editor

30 October 2025

Optimizing target-to-total DNA ratio in eDNA studies: effects of sampling, preservation, and extraction methods on single-species detection

"There are numerous methods for isolating environmental DNA (eDNA). However, this work provides, for the first time, an extensive and careful analysis for optimizing the isolation of eDNA using different statistical frameworks, and offers a novel approach to this field of research."

Bernardo Franco, Handling Editor

27 October 2025

Antimicrobial and scavenging potential of green synthesized silver/manganese bimetallic nanoparticles using Euphorbia cactus extract

"This work is a strong, novel, and thoughtfully executed step in the direction of sustainable nanomedicine. The use of Euphorbia-based bio-reduction to generate Ag/Mn bimetallic nanoparticles, characterised in detail and shown to possess potent antimicrobial and antioxidant function, is valuable. The main outstanding challenges are proof of biocompatibility, mechanistic clarity, reproducibility, and translation feasibility. Translational impact remains preliminary."

Sonia Oliveira, Section Editor