Archives of Biological Sciences

Comparative histomorphology and histochemistry of the skin in different morphs of the Greek smooth newt Lissotriton graecus (Urodela: Salamandridae)

2026-04-02T11:53:23+02:00

Paper description:

The skin is one of the organs that changes the most during amphibian development.
The Greek smooth newt Lissotriton graecus is facultative paedomorphic and a common species in most parts of its range.
We provide the first detailed histological and histochemical description of graecus skin in all morphs existing during ontogeny; skin development and sexual maturity are partially uncoupled in the paedomorphs.
The work underlines the importance of histological investigation of the possible uncoupling of sexual and somatic development in different organ systems to obtain an improved understanding of paedomorphosis.

Abstract: In the biphasic life cycle of the smooth newts, the aquatic larvae transform into terrestrial adults, the metamorphs. The Greek smooth newt Lissotriton graecus is characterized by facultative paedomorphosis in which 2 adult morphs can coexist. Paedomorphs are reproducing adults that live in an aquatic habitat and retain some larval characteristics. In this study, histological and histochemical characteristics of the skin of the L. graecus in all morphs were investigated: larvae, paedomorphs, and metamorphs. The most remarkable finding is that skin development in paedomorphic L. graecus, whose skin is a mosaic of larval and metamorphic features, is partially uncoupled from sexual maturity. Leydig cells in the epidermis and numerous clear/vacuolated cells in the skin glands are common features with larval, while the relative thickness and keratinized surface of the epidermis are common features with adult skin. Our results provide new insights into this neglected field, given the gap in the existing literature on skin development in paedomorphic urodeles. The results of this study emphasized the importance of histological investigation of the possible uncoupling of sexual and somatic development in different organ systems to achieve a deeper understanding of the complex process of paedomorphosis.

Optimized Teucrium polium topical cream improves wound closure in a rat excisional model: A D-optimal design and RBF modelling approach

2026-03-26T07:51:11+01:00

Paper description:

Chronic wounds need topical systems that combine acceptable application properties with biological efficacy.
A D-optimal design evaluated Teucrium polium extract, cetyl alcohol, and shea butter in a rat excisional wound model.
The optimized cream contained 8% extract, 1.5% cetyl alcohol, and 1% shea butter, with high spreadability and 84.1% wound closure at day 7.
The study provides a resource-efficient framework for optimizing bio-based wound-healing creams with predictive modeling.

Abstract: Chronic wounds require topical formulations that combine favorable physicochemical properties with measurable biological activity. In this study, a bio-based, oil-in-water cream containing Teucrium polium methanolic extract was developed and optimized using a D-optimal design and a radial basis function (RBF) modeling approach. Three formulation variables, extract content (X1), cetyl alcohol (X2), and shea butter (X3), were evaluated in relation to two responses: spreadability (Y1) and wound closure on Day 7 (Y2). Predictive modeling was performed using an RBF network with leave-one-out cross-validation (LOOCV), which provided an internal estimate of predictive performance (R² training = 0.98-0.99; R² test = 0.95-0.96). Multi-response optimization identified an optimal formulation containing 8.0% extract, 1.5% cetyl alcohol, and 1.0% shea butter. Experimental confirmation yielded a spreadability of 54.8±0.9 cm² and 84.1±1.2% wound closure on Day 7. In the confirmatory in vivo comparison, a vehicle control, a positive control (Madecassol 1%), and selected formulations were followed through Day 14. F6, F11, and F18 showed the most favorable macroscopic wound-closure profiles, whereas F2 displayed a more moderate effect. These findings support the use of a multivariate optimization strategy for the rational development of bio-based topical creams, while the biological interpretation remains limited to wound closure under the tested conditions.

A pilot case-control study exploring the association of the XPC Lys939Gln (rs2228001) polymorphism and metabolic risk factors with pancreatic cancer in an Algerian cohort

2026-04-21T00:33:29+02:00

Paper description:

This is an exploratory pilot case-control study of XPC rs2228001 in pancreatic cancer in an Algerian patient cohort.
No statistically significant association was detected under study constraints. Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) was more frequent among cases; causal direction remains uncertain.
The findings are preliminary and hypothesis-generating.
Further studies in larger cohorts are needed to explore gene-environment interactions.

Abstract: The role of DNA repair gene polymorphisms in pancreatic cancer susceptibility remains insufficiently characterized, particularly in North African populations. This study investigated the association between the XPC Lys939Gln (rs2228001) polymorphism and pancreatic cancer risk in an Algerian cohort, alongside key metabolic risk factors. This exploratory hospital-based case-control study included 40 patients with histologically confirmed pancreatic cancer and 120 age- and sex-matched controls. Genotyping was performed using PCR-RFLP. Associations were evaluated using logistic regression models adjusted for demographic and metabolic variables. Given the limited sample size, the study was not powered to detect modest genetic effects. No statistically significant association was observed between XPC rs2228001 and pancreatic cancer risk under dominant, recessive, or allelic models (adjusted OR=1.22, 95% CI: 0.27-5.52; P=0.801). Type 2 diabetes mellitus was more frequent among cases and was associated with increased risk (OR=3.48, 95% CI: 1.24-9.77; P=0.018), although this finding should be interpreted with caution. The lower BMI observed in cases likely reflects disease-related weight loss. Under the constraints of this exploratory pilot investigation, no statistically detectable association was observed for the XPC rs2228001 variant. These findings are preliminary and should be considered hypothesis-generating. Larger, well-designed studies are required to clarify the interplay between genetic variation and metabolic factors in pancreatic cancer susceptibility.

Hepatoprotective effects of the Centaurea pungens n-butanol extract against carbon tetrachloride-induced liver injury in rats

2026-04-29T09:24:28+02:00

Paper description:

Species of the genus Centaurea (Asteraceae) are widely used in Algerian folk medicine to treat fever, digestive disorders, and inflammatory conditions.
The antioxidant activity and hepatoprotective potential of the n-butanol extract of pungens (BECP) were evaluated against carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄)-induced liver injury in Wistar rats, using biochemical, oxidative stress, and histological parameters. Cytotoxicity was assessed in vitro on HepG2 cells.
BECP was non-toxic in vitro and in vivo, and dose-dependently reduced liver enzyme levels, lipid peroxidation, and restored antioxidant enzyme activities, corroborated by histopathological improvement.
These findings support pungens as a safe natural source of bioactive polyphenols with potential therapeutic value in oxidative stress-related liver disorders.

Abstract: The study evaluated the antioxidant and hepatoprotective potential of the n-butanol extract of Centaurea pungens (BECP) against carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄)-induced hepatotoxicity in Wistar rats. The safety of BECP was demonstrated through acute cytotoxicity tests and MTT assays. BECP showed in vitro radical scavenging activity. Pretreatment with BECP (100, 200, and 400 mg/kg) significantly alleviated liver markers in a dose-dependent manner, restoring antioxidant status. The results suggested that Centaurea pungens exerts strong hepatoprotective effects mediated by bioactive compounds identified by total phenolic content and LC-MS analysis, supporting its potential in liver disorder treatment.

Acute paracetamol-induced hepatotoxicity in Wistar rats: biochemical and histopathological evaluation and the hepatoprotective effect of Silybum marianum (L.) Gaertn.

2026-04-28T06:49:43+02:00

Paper description:

This study investigated acute paracetamol-induced hepatotoxicity in male Wistar rats after aqueous infusion of Silybum marianum by an integrated biochemical and histopathological approach.
A single intraperitoneal dose of paracetamol (450 mg/kg) induced marked liver tissue alterations, including hepatocellular necrosis, inflammatory infiltration, and structural disorganization.
Infusion of marianum partially improved hepatic histoarchitecture and attenuated some biochemical disturbances after paracetamol exposure.
Histopathological assessment may provide complementary information to serum liver biomarkers in experimental acute hepatotoxicity.

Abstract: Paracetamol administration at hepatotoxic doses represents a widely used experimental model to investigate drug-induced liver injury, causing significant hepatic damage through the generation of reactive metabolites that deplete glutathione and trigger oxidative stress, without necessarily causing mortality. This study evaluated the hepatotoxic effects of acute paracetamol administration and the hepatoprotective potential of Silybum marianum in Wistar rats. Biochemical markers (alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, and bilirubin) and liver histopathology were examined. Paracetamol induced marked histological liver damage, including hepatocellular necrosis and architectural disorganization, with only moderate and inconsistent changes in serum enzyme levels, indicating a dissociation between biochemical markers and structural hepatic injury. S. marianum treatment improved liver histology and partially stabilized biochemical alterations, supporting its hepatoprotective activity through antioxidant and membrane-stabilizing mechanisms. These results show that histopathological examination is a more sensitive indicator of acute hepatic injury than serum transaminases and support the therapeutic potential of S. marianum in paracetamol-induced hepatotoxicity.

S1PR1 genetic variants may modulate disability outcomes and therapy response in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis

2026-05-06T09:23:49+02:00

Paper description:

S1PR1 modulators are an effective therapy for relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis, yet therapy response shows heterogeneity. S1PR1 genetic variation may influence receptor function and therapeutic binding.
Targeted Sanger sequencing of the 5′ genomic region of the S1PR1 gene was performed in 31 RRMS patients from Serbia to investigate genetic variability in the coding regions relevant for response to therapy.
Identification of polymorphic genetic variants revealed three variants: rs41287280, rs3737577 and rs3737578 of which rs41287280 was associated with disability outcomes and showed a trend toward association with therapy response.
In multivariable regression models, rs41287280 and rs3737577 were associated with disease severity, measured by disability outcomes.

Abstract: Sphingosine-1-phosphate receptor 1 (S1PR1) modulators are an effective therapy for patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS), although considerable inter-individual variability in treatment response remains. This study aimed to investigate genetic variability within the coding regions of S1PR1 and to assess its potential association with treatment response and clinical disability measures, including the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) and Multiple Sclerosis Severity Score (MSSS), in patients with RRMS. Thirty-one RRMS patients from Serbia underwent sequencing of the 5′ regulatory region and coding exons of S1PR1 using an Applied Biosystems 3130 Genetic Analyzer. Three polymorphic variants were identified. None of the analyzed variants demonstrated a significant association with treatment response. Despite the small sample size, rs41287280 showed a significant association with disability measures; in a dominant inheritance model, carriers of the G allele had lower EDSS and MSSS values (P=0.01 and P=0.006, respectively) compared with the CC genotype. In multivariable analyses, the rs41287280 G allele was associated with lower disability, whereas the rs3737577 T allele was associated with higher disability compared to the wild-type GG genotype after adjustment. These results provide preliminary evidence suggesting that S1PR1 genetic variation may be related to disease pathogenesis in RRMS, warranting further confirmation in larger, independent cohorts and, potentially, functional investigation.

Morphological variation of reproductive traits in the annual section Polygonum taxa and its taxonomic significance

2026-05-27T18:26:21+02:00

Paper description:

Reproductive morphological characters are widely used in the taxonomy of section Polygonum, although their diagnostic value remains uncertain because of extensive overlap among taxa.
This study analyzed quantitative and qualitative reproductive characters in seven annual taxa from 54 populations across the Balkan Peninsula and the Pannonian and Wallachian plains.
The results revealed substantial overlap among several taxa and showed that most qualitative characters are unstable at the taxon level.
The study highlights the limited resolving power of morphology alone and supports the need for integrative taxonomic approaches in section Polygonum.

Abstract: Reproductive traits are important taxonomic characters in section Polygonum. However, the taxonomic value of this character remains uncertain because of morphological variability and overlap among taxa. The goal of this research was to evaluate the discriminatory power of a comparative analysis of the quantitative and qualitative morphological characters of the bracts, perianth, and fruit in selected representatives of sect. Polygonum. The sample included seven taxa from 54 populations inhabiting the Balkan Peninsula and the Pannonian and Wallachian plains, and 23 quantitative and 9 qualitative morphological characters were analyzed. The results revealed a high degree of similarity between certain taxa, particularly P. aviculare and P. arenastrum, as well as P. arenarium subsp. arenarium and P. arenarium subsp. pulchellum. Almost all qualitative characters, with the exception of pericarp ornamentation, were found to be unstable at the taxon level, calling into question their previously emphasized taxonomic significance. Although newly analyzed quantitative characters provided additional information, they did not enable complete separation of the investigated taxa. Overall, the results indicate that morphology alone has limited resolving power within sect. Polygonum and highlight the need for an integrative taxonomic approach combining morphological, molecular, and ecological data.