Archives of Biological Sciences

18/08/2026

Bouhedadja et al https://doi.org/10.2298/ABS260805020B externally validated two published pharmacogenetic acenocoumarol dosing equations, and one matched clinical equation in 119 Algerian adults receiving stable therapy. Published coefficients were applied without refitting, and performance was assessed using prediction error, calibration, prediction R², tolerance-based accuracy, dose-group analyses and prespecified sensitivity analyses.
All three equations systematically underpredicted stable weekly dose, showed inadequate calibration and produced negative prediction R² values. Accuracy was particularly poor among participants requiring more than 21 mg/week. These findings show that dose-prediction equations may not retain their validity after geographical and clinical transport and that recalibration or model updating is required before use in comparable Algerian patients. The study provides clinically relevant evidence from a North African population that remains underrepresented in pharmacogenetic model-validation research.
The authors’ earlier article from the same cohort is published by Archives of Biological Sciences (doi: 10.2298/ABS260719018B). The article examined associations between selected VKORC1 variants and stable dose. The present manuscript addresses a distinct question: the external validity and transportability of published dosing equations. It incorporates subsequently generated CYP2C9 and CYP4F2 genotype data and evaluates calibration, prediction error, tolerance-based accuracy, dose-group performance, and sensitivity analyses. The previously reported VKORC1 association findings are not presented as new results, and the earlier article is fully cited.

Fig. 2. Observed versus predicted weekly acenocoumarol doses in the common 109-participant subset. A – Tong pharmacogenetic equation; B – Tong clinical equation; C – Bulgarian pharmacogenetic equation. Each open circle represents one participant. The dashed diagonal line represents perfect agreement between observed and predicted doses, the thin solid line represents the linear calibration regression of observed dose on predicted dose, and the dash-dot line represents a locally weighted non-parametric smoothing curve (LOWESS; span 0.60) across the empirical prediction range. Calibration lines and smoothing curves were estimated separately for each equation and were used for descriptive evaluation only; the published equations were not refitted. Identical axis limits and scales were used in all panels. Non-positive predictions generated by the Bulgarian equation were retained and displayed at their original values.

04/08/2026

In this case-control study of 221 individuals, Bouldjennet et al. https://doi.org/10.2298/ABS260623019B identified a significant association between the NOS3 intron 4 VNTR (4a/4b) polymorphism and susceptibility to essential hypertension. The 4a allele was associated with an increased risk of hypertension, remaining significant after adjustment for age and BMI. The association was stronger in women (n = 150), in whom 4a allele carriers had a 3.7-fold higher risk, and inclusion of the NOS3 genotype moderately improved risk prediction. These findings provide novel data from a North African population and suggest that NOS3 genetic variation may contribute to hypertension risk assessment beyond conventional risk factors. However, larger independent studies are needed to validate its potential role in risk stratification.

Fig. 2. Forest plots of the association between 4a/4b VNTR polymorphism and EH risk. A – Analysis in the overall population (adjusted for s*x, age (age at diagnosis for patients), and BMI). B – Subgroup analysis in women, demonstrating a markedly stronger effect size across all models, particularly in the dominant model (OR=5.12, 95% CI=2.28-11.52). Odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) are shown for five genetic models adjusted for BMI and age (age at diagnosis for patients). The vertical line represents the null hypothesis (OR=1.0). Note the logarithmic scale on the x-axis to accommodate the high effect sizes in the female subgroup. * P

23/07/2026

The prospective study by Bouheddadja et al https://doi.org/10.2298/ABS260719018B assessed the association of 3 preselected VKORC1 variants, rs9923231, rs7294, and rs17708472, with stable acenocoumarol maintenance-dose requirements in 119 patients recruited at the University Hospital Centre of Sétif, Algeria. Stable anticoagulation was defined using indication-specific international normalized ratio targets and a time in therapeutic range above 60% calculated by the Rosendaal method. Genotyping was performed by polymerase chain reaction–restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis, with complete genotype data, analytical controls, and duplicate testing of 25% of samples.
The principal contribution of this study is the genotype-specific characterization of the association between rs9923231 and stable acenocoumarol dose in an Algerian cohort. The largest adjusted dose reduction was observed among AA homozygotes, whereas the effect in GA heterozygotes was smaller and less precise. A formal lack-of-fit test indicated that the rs9923231 association was not adequately represented by a constant additive per-allele effect, supporting the use of categorical genotype estimates for interpretation. rs7294 showed an additional exploratory association with higher dose after multiplicity correction, whereas rs17708472 was not independently associated.
These findings add locally generated pharmacogenetic evidence from an underrepresented North African population and refine the interpretation of VKORC1 effects on acenocoumarol maintenance dose. The study does not claim that genotype-guided dosing improves clinical outcomes; rather, it provides association data that can inform future multicentre validation and prospective implementation studies in Algerian and Maghrebi populations.

Fig. 1. Flow diagram of participant selection and the final analysis population. Of 321 adults assessed for eligibility, 71 were not enrolled because the time in therapeutic range was below the eligibility threshold, medication adherence was inadequate, or consent was declined. Among 250 eligible participants, 3 died, 4 discontinued acenocoumarol, and 124 were lost to follow-up. The final analysis included 119 participants with complete clinical and VKORC1 genotype data. TTR, time in therapeutic range.

22/07/2026

In the current era of expanding nanotechnology, widespread use of the titanium dioxide (TiO₂) food additive (E171) nanoparticle in food, cosmetic, and pharmaceutical products raises serious environmental health concerns. Recent evidence suggests that TiO₂ accumulates in the male reproductive system, leading to oxidative stress and impaired s***matogenesis. Despite its severity, effective pharmacological interventions remain limited. The study of Feligha et al https://doi.org/10.2298/ABS260613017F explores a novel therapeutic approach to mitigate the adverse effects with Cinnamon cassia, a potent natural antioxidant. Due to the high content of bioactive compounds, the antioxidant activity of the C. cassia extract neutralized free radicals, reducing the TiO2-induced oxidative stress. The treatment helped normalize s***m characteristics, including the normal morphology index, a key indicator of fertility.

Fig. 4. Representative light micrographs of H&E-stained testicular sections showing seminiferous tubules in the different experimental groups after 30 days of treatment (×10 and ×40). A, B – control group; C, D – Cin group; E, F – TiO₂ group; G, H – TiO₂-Cin group. LC – Leydig cells; GC – germ cells; ST – seminiferous tubules; SZ – s***matozoa; BL – basal lamina of the seminiferous epithelium; circles indicate interstitial spaces; arrows indicate disorganization of Sertoli and Leydig cells; stars indicate a reduced apparent density of s***matozoa within the lumina of seminiferous tubules.

16/07/2026

Various pathological conditions caused by hypoxia in the developing and adult brain affect neurogenesis, leading to cognitive dysfunction and age-related neurodegenerative disorders. Despite extensive preclinical research mostly conducted in animal models, proposed neuroprotective treatments have largely failed in clinical trials. In the present study, Lazic et al https://doi.org/10.2298/ABS260522016L used a human in vitro model, the pluripotent embryonal carcinoma stem cell line NT2/D1, we identified molecular alterations associated with inefficient neural cell-fate determination, ultimately leading to a significant decrease in the number of differentiated neurons. Key genes and pathways are highlighted as potential targets for neuroprotective strategies after hypoxia-related injuries.

Fig. 5. Effect of CoCl₂ on the ability of treated NT2/D1 cells to differentiate into neurons and glial cells. A, B – Western blot analysis of DCX (A) and GFAP (B) protein expression in differentiated NT2/D1 cells. A1, B1 – Representative immunoblots probed with antibodies against DCX (A1) and GFAP (B1). A2, B2 – Densitometric analysis of three independent experiments. GAPDH was used as the loading control. Data are presented as the mean ± SD. P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant (*). C – Immunocytochemical analysis of DCX- and GFAP-positive cells. C1 – Representative immunofluorescence images of cells stained with antibodies against DCX and GFAP. C2 – Quantitative analysis of DCX-positive neurons in control and treated cultures. The relative number of DCX-positive cells was determined from two independent differentiation experiments (n = 464). Nuclei were stained with DAPI. Scale bar: 100 µm. C – control, T – treatment.

15/07/2026

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10/07/2026

📢 New issue published!

Archives of Biological Sciences Volume 78, Issue 2 (2026) is now available.

This issue features original research in morphology, genetics, plant sciences, experimental medicine, and natural products, including studies on wound healing, hepatoprotection, pancreatic cancer, multiple sclerosis, amphibian biology, and plant taxonomy.

Explore the latest research on our website.
https://www.serbiosoc.org.rs/arch/index.php/abs/issue/view/97

10/07/2026

Abdi et al https://doi.org/10.2298/ABS260529015A investigated the potential of Cystoseira compressa seaweed extract to mediate the green synthesis of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs), and their antifungal and anti-aflatoxinogenic activities in vitro and in situ, which is highly relevant to food and feed safety. Using a green synthesis approach, we produced ZnO-NPs with C. compressa as a natural reducing agent, thereby avoiding the use of harmful chemical reagents. Results show that the biosynthesized ZnO-NPs exhibited significant antifungal activity against two aflatoxigenic strains of Aspergillus flavus, one isolated from animal feed and the other a reference strain. The anti-aflatoxinogenic potential of these nanoparticles was assessed, revealing promising results for reducing aflatoxin contamination, a serious concern in feed safety. Our findings highlight the potential of ZnO-NPs as eco-friendly alternatives to conventional antifungal treatments and as promising biocontrol agents against aflatoxin-producing fungi.

Fig. 5. Antifungal activity of Cystoseira compressa extract and biosynthesized ZnO-NPs, and AFB1 inhibition by ZnO-NPs against Aspergillus flavus strains. A – Extract antifungal activity. B – ZnO-NPs antifungal activity; C – In vitro AFB1 inhibition by ZnO-NPs. D – In situ AFB1 inhibition. Treatments were tested at 1.25, 2.5, and 5 mg/mL. Nystatin (0.1 mg/mL) was used as a positive control.

09/07/2026

Acne vulgaris is a multifactorial inflammatory disorder in which excessive sebum production, Cutibacterium acnes-induced inflammation, oxidative stress, and bacterial proliferation contribute to lesion development. Although many cosmetic ingredients are used for acne care, natural materials that can simultaneously regulate sebum production and inflammatory responses remain limited. In their study, Bang et al https://doi.org/10.2298/ABS260601014B evaluated the anti-acne potential of the Rosmarinus officinalis ethanol extract using SEB-1 sebocytes, HaCaT keratinocytes, and C. acnes. The extract showed potent antioxidant activity, suppressed linoleic acid-induced sebum synthesis, attenuated C. acnes-induced IL-8 and TNF-α production, inhibited C. acnes growth, and downregulated PPAR-γ and SREBP-1 expression. These findings suggest that the extract exerts multifunctional anti-acne effects and may serve as a promising natural ingredient for acne-prone skin.

Fig. 5. Effects of REE on the expression of lipogenesis-related proteins in SEB-1 sebocytes. SEB-1 cells were stimulated with linoleic acid (100 µM) and treated with REE at 2.5, 5, or 10 µg/mL for 24 h. A – Protein expression levels of PPAR-γ and SREBP-1 were assessed by Western blot analysis, with β-actin used as a loading control. B – Band intensities were quantified by densitometric analysis using ImageJ software and normalized to β-actin expression. Data are presented as the mean±SD (n = 3). #