National Research Centre

Background Narcolepsy, obesity, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder are all treated with amphetamine (a central nervous system stimulant) while valerenic acid (VA) has a pharmacological effect in the central nervous system. Objectives The purpose of this study was to ascertain whether VA is able to make amends for neurotoxicity by modifying hypothalamus expressions of the enzymes tyrosine hydroxylase and histamine-N-methyl transferase in rats orally administered with methamphetamine (METH). Methods There were thirty-six male albino rats split up into six equal groups, Control, VA (5 mg/kg)-treated, and VA (10 mg/kg)-treated groups: For four weeks, normal rats received oral administration of 1 ml of distilled water, 5 mg/kg of VA, and 10 ml/kg of VA once daily. METH-treated, VA (5 mg/kg) prior to METH-treated, and VA (10 mg/kg) before METH-treated groups: normal rats were oral administrated with METH (2.5 mg/kg), 3 days/week for 3 weeks, where the last two groups were oral administrated daily during four weeks at 5 mg/kg and 10 mg/kg VA, starting one week prior to METH administration. Results METH decreased superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, catalase, NADPH oxidase, interleukin-10, sucrose preference test, distance traveled test, and center square entries test, ATPase activity and the enzymes tyrosine hydroxylase and histamine-N-methyl transferase but increased malondialdehyde, conjugated dienes, oxidative index, serotonin, dopamine, norepinephrine, γ-aminobutyric acid, tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-1β, interleukin-6, nuclear factor kappa B levels, the center square duration test, tail suspension test, and forced swimming test. in the METH-treated animals' brain in contrast to the control group. After four weeks of oral administration of VA to METH-treated rats, all of these parameters returned to levels that were nearly control, indicating that a higher dose was more effective than a lower one. Conclusion VA ameliorated METH-related neurotoxicity by improving hypothamalus expressions of the enzymes tyrosine hydroxylase and histamine-N-methyl transferase.

This research aims to prepare a new antimicrobials biological macromolecule packaging film instead of petroleum-based plastic products by crosslinking the hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) with shellac and loading it with carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs). FTIR and XRD confirmed the successful incorporation of CNTs/ZnO-NPs into the HPMC/shellac- matrix. It was found that adding CNTs/ZnO nanoparticles improved the thermal stability of HPMC films. Different weights of ZnO-NPs (0.08-0.25%) were loaded onto the film. The uniform distribution of ZnO-NPs within the film was confirmed using SEM, which revealed clearly that the biological macromolecule of HPMC/shellac-CNTs/ZnO was prepared. Evaluations were also conducted on the film's thickness, air permeability, tensile strength, burst strength, and Young's modulus. Tensile strength, Young's modulus, and stress at maximum load increased by 104.48, 203.19, and 86%, respectively, when 0.125% ZnO-NPs were added to 95% HPMC: 5% shellac)/CNT. Unlike HPMC films, which showed no antibacterial properties, modified films exhibited greater antibacterial activity levels against Candida albicans, B. mycoides, and E. coli. The prepared films have improved qualities compared with HPMC films, including their thermal stability, biological activity, air permeability, and tensile strength. Thus, the films composed of HPMC/shellac/CNTs-ZnO-NPs show promise as future packing components.

This study reports the green synthesis of cobalt ferrite (CoFe2O4) nanoparticles using Brachychiton populneus extract as a sustainable alternative to conventional chemical synthesis. The objective is to develop an eco-friendly nanomaterial with enhanced photocatalytic properties for wastewater treatment. The plant-based synthesis method minimizes reliance on harmful chemicals while improving particle size control and morphology. Chemically synthesized CoFe2O4 was also prepared for comparison. Both materials were characterized using XRD, VSM, FTIR, BET, FESEM-EDX, Zeta potential and UV-Vis DRS to evaluate their structural, magnetic, surface, and optical properties. The plant-based CoFe2O4 exhibited superior textural features, including a higher surface area, smaller crystallite size, and a reduced bandgap energy of 1.59 eV, enhancing its photocatalytic performance. Under visible light irradiation, it achieved 87% degradation of Congo Red (20 mg/L) within 120 min, following pseudo-first-order kinetics (k = 0.014 min⁻¹). Increasing the catalyst dosage to 150 mg resulted in complete dye degradation within 30 min. The degradation efficiency reached 89% at pH 9.0, demonstrating its effectiveness under alkaline conditions. This study highlights the novelty of green-synthesized CoFe2O4 as a cost-effective and sustainable photocatalyst, contributing to wastewater treatment solutions in alignment with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 6 (SDG 6) on clean water and sanitation. Graphical Abstract

Metal oxide nanoparticle-polymer hybrids are appealing solid materials that combine enhanced chemical and physical characteristics with elasticity, making them highly suitable for electrical device applications. This study focuses on the preparation and characterization of hybrid films composed of carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) and polyethylene oxide (PEO) in a 70:30 weight ratio, incorporated with zinc oxide and copper oxide nanoparticles (ZCNP). The films were fabricated using a solution casting method, with the nanoparticles synthesized via the sol-gel technique. The temperature dependence of key electrical properties, including dielectric constant (ε'), dielectric modulus, relaxation behavior, AC conductivity, and activation energy, was systematically analyzed. At frequency (f) = 10 Hz, ε' of the CMC/PEO and CMC/PEO-ZCNP (2 wt%) samples was 56.34 and 7916.36 at 308 K respectively, while it reached 6222.65 and 152364 when the temperature changes to 333 K. Their relaxation time (τ) dropped from 59.5 and 0.40 µs to 1 and 0.18 µs in the same temperature range. At f = 10 Hz and T=308 K, electrical conductivity (σ') improved, with CMC/PEO showing log(σ') = -9.3605 (σ' = 4.36E-10 Ω·m⁻1) and 2% ZCNP achieving log(σ') = -7.3142 (σ' = 4.85E-8 Ω·m⁻1). The results demonstrated a significant enhancement in the dielectric constant of the hybrid films compared to the unmodified polymer blend, while maintaining a low dielectric loss. These enhancements are attributed to the incorporation of zinc oxide and copper oxide nanoparticles, which promote multiple polarization mechanisms and enhance charge carrier dynamics. The findings suggest that these hybrid films hold great potential for use in high-density energy storage devices and integrated thin-film capacitors, offering a scalable and efficient solution for next-generation electronic applications.

Nowadays, the battery is the primary power source for electrifying the transition of the transport sector and bridging the gap in renewable energy intermittency. Furthermore, optimizing the electrochemical performance of the battery prevents its chemical aging, which can be verified by tuning the kinetic and diffusion parameters of the electrodes and electrolyte/electrode interface. This work focuses on predicting the diffusion parameters of metal batteries that are currently not experimentally realized in laboratory conditions. First, diffusion equations are used to analyze the relation between the diffusion coefficient and Warburg factor for the monovalent and multivalent metal ion batteries to predict the theoretical values of the diffusion coefficient at different temperatures. Second, the relationship between the charge transfer resistance and the Warburg factor is modeled to predict speculative behavior and calculate the fitting parameters. Finally, the modeled Randles‐Sevcik equation indicated the relationship between peak current and the scan rate at different diffusion coefficients. Compared to the existing algorithms available for battery modeling, this research is the first of its kind.

A pot experiment was conducted to study the effect of nitric oxide treatment on barley plants under salinity stress. The results showed that, salt-stressed plants accumulated higher levels of proline, total soluble nitrogen, total soluble sugars, free amino acids, and sodium and exhibited an increase in membrane leakage compared with the control plants. Additionally, salt stress markedly increased endogenous abscisic acid levels, while significantly decreasing auxins, gibberellic acid, cytokinins, and the membrane stability index. These alterations negatively affected growth traits, and leaf photosynthetic pigments of stressed plants. However, both unstressed and salt-stressed barley plants treated with the SNP exhibited enhanced synthesis of proline, total soluble nitrogen, total soluble sugars, and free amino acids that resulted in reduced membrane leakage and sodium content, improved enhanced growth attributes, and different photosynthetic pigments, as well as endogenous hormones. In conclusion, our findings emphasize the potential mitigatory role of NO “donor sodium nitroprusside” in mitigating the reduced impact of salinity stress and draw attention to the necessity of more studies to fully comprehend the underlying mechanisms and investigate their usefulness in agricultural practices.

Breath analysis is a relatively new topic of study that has a lot of potential for both therapeutic and scientific applications. The volatile organic compounds (VOCs) found in breath are created internally by the body due to environmental interactions, gut and air passage bacteria, and metabolites of ingested precursors. Breath analysis may help diagnose disorders linked to changes in breath composition, according to several recent research. An analytical technique that shows promise for the metabolic examination of breath is infrared spectroscopy. Chemical substances found in exhaled human breath can be used to diagnose illnesses, determine physiological states, or evaluate environmental exposure. Exhaled breath (EB) is the perfect biological fluid because it is nearly limitless and causes little to no discomfort for the patient, which promotes collaboration. Furthermore, EB can be sampled without requiring medical professionals or privacy, and it usually doesn’t produce infectious waste (despite airborne infections), which makes breath analysis a desirable method for a variety of applications. Breath analysis is a non-invasive method that solely uses the volatile composition of the EB to characterize the bloodstream and airways’ volatile content, which indicates the state and condition of the entire body’s metabolism. The absorption strength of the metabolites is still very modest, though, because EB contains minimal amounts of them. Several of the most recent uses of infrared spectroscopy for breath analysis, published between 2020 and 2024, are presented in this study.

Square-planar complexes were synthesized by the reaction of 2′,6′-di(thiazol-2-yl)-2,4′-bipyridine with either Na2[PdCl4] or K2[PtCl4], and these were thoroughly structurally characterized using some analytical and spectroscopic techniques. Density functional theory computations, including natural bond orbital analysis, were used to complement the experimental work to gain insight into the natural charge and electronic arrangement of the metal ion, as well as the strength of the metal–ligand bonds. The Pd(ii) complex exhibited exceptional cytotoxicity against the A549 and HCT-116 cell lines with IC50 values of 60.1 ± 3.45 and 23.8 ± 1.48 μM, respectively. Unfortunately, the Pd(ii) complex was harmful to the Vero normal cell line with an IC50 value of 24.5 ± 2.13 μM. The Pt(ii) complex is unstable and has a high likelihood of exchanging the chlorido ligand for solvent molecules such as DMSO. The fluorescent-stain photos of the treated HCT-116 cells with the Pd(ii) complex showed increased apoptotic bodies, indicating both early (18%) and late apoptosis (32%), as well as a necrosis ratio of about 10%. Flow cytometric analysis demonstrated that a cell arrest was induced by the Pd(ii) complex on HCT-116 cells in the G2/M phase.

Background Gastric ulcer is a multifaceted ailment of multiple causes and is chronic warranting the discovery of remedies to alleviate its symptoms and severity. Pancratium maritimum L. is recognized for its several health benefits, although its potential against gastric ulcers has yet to be reported. Methods and findings This study reports on the effects of P. maritimum L. whole plant (PM-EtOH) ethanol extract at a dose of 25, 50, and 100 mg/kg body weight orally for managing ethanol-induced peptic ulcer in rats. The anti-ulceration capacity of PM-EtOH was determined against ethanol (EtOH)-induced rats via biochemical, histological, immunohistochemical, and western blotting assays. The profiling of the bioactive metabolites in P. maritimum extract was based on Ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with electrospray ionization quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UHPLC-ESI-qTOF-MS/MS) analysis. Following PM-EtOH treated group, the gastric glutathione (GSH) level dropped in the ulcer group receiving ethanol was restored to normal levels. Additionally, following PM-EtOH, elevated malondialdehyde (MDA) content in the stomach tissues diminished. PM-EtOH treated group displayed recovery and comparable morphology compared with normal group, concurrent with lower levels of Tumor Necrosis Factor α (TNF-α), MyD88, and NLRP3, along with low expression of Nuclear Factor kappa β (NF-кβ) and high-mobility group box protein 1 (HMGB1) proteins. Immune-histochemicals of caspase-3 and toll-like receptors-4 (TLR-4) showed their normalization. These findings imply that PM-EtOH exerts a protective effect on rat stomach damage that has yet to be further tested in clinical trials for treatment of stomach ulcers. Phytochemical profiling of PM-EtOH via UHPLC-ESI-qTOF-MS/MS led to the identification of 84 metabolites belonging to amino acids, organic acids, phenolic acids, alkaloids, flavonoids, and fatty acids to likely mediate for the observed effects. Conclusions These outcomes provided evidence for the potential of PM-EtOH in gastric ulcers management.

The genus Streptomyces has been recently proven to be a valuable and rich source of producing several bioactive compounds with substantial biological activity and applications in many fields such as medicine, environmental science, food industries, and agronomy. This study highlights the importance of Streptomyces as an antimicrobial, antibiofilm, and anticancer. Out of the 75 actinobacteria isolated from both marine and soil habitats, one isolate, HG2, was selected based on its potent antimicrobial activity. The isolate has been identified morphologically by studying colony and spore chain morphology using TEM and genetically by sequencing their 16 sr RNA gene as Streptomyces sp. 22SH with Accession number OK326829.1. Bioassay-guided fractionation of the Streptomyces sp. 22SH crude extract led to the isolation and purification of Cis-9-Octadecenoic. Biological evaluation including antimicrobial and antibiofilm activity of the crude and purified compound was performed on four clinical microbes (S. aureus ATCC6538-P, B. subtilis ATCC6633, and P. aeruginosa ATCC27853). The compound showed the ability to eradicate the biofilm formation by the tested pathogens. Additionally, the antitumor activity was assessed, and the compound showed a cytotoxic effect against liver carcinoma and breast cancer cells, with IC50 values of 17.48 ± 0.94 and 88.73 ± 4.78 µg/ml, respectively. While it displayed anti-topoisomerase activity with an IC50 of 0.65 ± 0.023 µg/ml. Furthermore, the compound’s ADME-related physicochemical features and docking analysis were investigated.

It is well known that 5-aminolevulinic acid (5ALA) is a non-protein amino acid and essential for the formation of biosynthesis of tetrahydropyrroles. So, two field experiments were carried out in a private farm at Sharkia Governorate to study effect of foliar spraying with 5ALA (1, 3, and 6 mgL⁻¹) on both quality and economic characters of two cultivars of Vicia faba L. (Giza 843 and Nubaria 1). Results indicated that plants belong to Nubaria 1 cv. are characterized by significant increases in all components of photosynthetic pigments, indole acetic acid, free amino acids, seed yield /fed and straw yield/fed over those of Giza 843 cv. under control treatments. Notably, yielded seeds of Giza 843 cv. are characterized by significant increases in total carbohydrate and protein content than those of Nubaria 1 cv. Whereas, yielded seeds of Nubaria 1 cv. are characterized by significant increases in total phenolic content and vicine. Moreover, 5ALA treatments significantly increased most of all values of vegetative growth parameters, photosynthetic pigments, indole acetic acid, proline and free amino acids as well as seed and straw yield/fed, total carbohydrate and protein, and phenolic contents accompanied by significant decreases in vicine content of two faba bean cultivars relative to corresponding controls. On the other hand, the increments in most of investigated parameters were in opposite direction with concentration of 5ALA.The least concentration of 5ALA (1mg/L) was the most significant treatment in both cultivars. Since it increased seed yield by 17.86% and 72.27% in Giza 843 cv. and Nubaria 1 cv. respectively relative to corresponding controls. Regarding anti-nutritional substance called vicine, 5ALA at 3mg/L caused significant decrease in vicine content of Giza 843 cv. relative to control. It could be concluded that faba bean plants belong to Nubaria 1 cv. effectively responded to 5ALA at 1mg/L more than faba bean plants belong to Giza 843 cv.

Olanzapine, an atypical antipsychotic drug, is used to treat psychological diseases. However, it’s use carries common side effects. Those include weight gain, dyslipidemia, elevated glucose levels, and disrupted oxidative balance. We aimed to test the effect of zinc coadministration to lessen metabolic disturbances, inflammation and oxidative stress in a rat model. Four treatment groups (n = 6) were involved in this investigation. Group 1 was the control group (received no intervention). Group 2 received olanzapine (10 mg/kg, p.o.; daily) for six weeks, whereas Groups 3 and 4 received 50 mg/kg and 100 mg/kg of zinc sulphate (ZnSO4,p.o.; daily) respectively, in addition to olanzapine (10 mg/kg p.o.; daily). Following treatment completion, group 2 showed increased levels of stress markers (GSSG, MDA, and NO) and impaired levels of antioxidant markers (CAT, SOD, and GSH). Further, a strong positive correlation between insulin resistance index (HOMA-IR) and IL-6, TNF-α, and MDA of liver. Insulin resistance is a possible manifestation of the oxidative stress burden and the widespread inflammatory environment. In groups 3 and 4, however, ZnSO4 recovered each of these markers in a dose-dependent manner. Improvements were also noted in other homeostatic markers, such as taurine, coenzyme Q10, ascorbic acid, and vitamin E. Remarkably, in both combination groups, there was a significant improvement in all metabolic indicators of dyslipidemia (triglycerides, total cholesterol) and insulin resistance index. The biochemical study and the histological assessment of the liver slices agreed with the results. Thus, the results clearly suggest that Zinc supplementation can significantly improve oxidative stress, inflammation, metabolic perturbation (dyslipidemia and insulin resistance), and liver injury caused by olanzapine in Albino rats.

Phenolic antioxidants (PhA), a novel antioxidant for natural rubber (NR), were used in the current study. As anti-aging agents, different concentrations of gallic acid (G) or tannic acid (T) were added to NR/PhA composites to increase their heat resistance. The NR/PhA composites’ mechanical, Physico-chemical, and DSC characteristics were evaluated, as well as their thermo-oxidative aging evaluations. This led to a significant improvement in the mechanical properties of the NR/PhA composites, making them superior to the NR/Antage (as a traditional antioxidant) composites. Additionally, the addition of phenolic antioxidants raised the crosslinking density of the NR composites, which significantly impacted the mechanical characteristics. According to the findings, phenolic antioxidants enhanced the NR/silica composites’ resistance to solvent extraction and thermo-oxidative aging, much like Antage. Upon ionizing irradiation, the mechanical characteristics of the vulcanized composites rise with increasing absorbed dose at 10 kGy and then decrease at 30 kGy.

The rural population in Sudan comprises approximately 67.1% of the total population, with 55% residing in areas outside the Nile system. A significant portion of the population relies on surface rainwater harvesting facilities, known as Hafirs, for their domestic and drinking water needs. These sources are susceptible to contamination due to the surrounding livelihood activities. Algae as a biological indicator has attracted little attention when the water quality is assessed, despite its potential harm if diagnosed as toxic species. The blooming of Cyanophyta (Blue-Green Algae), especially their toxins-producing genera and species, is the most harmful phenomenon triggered by nutrient contamination, and anthropogenic and environmental factors. As a result, this pioneering study aimed to classify the types of algae and identify the toxins producing algae genera and species. Water samples were collected during the wet and dry seasons from eleven sites in five states (Gazira, Khartoum, North Kordofan, Gadarif, and Sinnar) based on different practices, such as agriculture and rangeland. Laboratory results of this study indicated the presence of green and blue-green algae with a very remarkable percentage across different sites and different seasons. Blue-Green algae were dominated by the following very well-known toxic genera: Anabaena, Cylindrospermum, Merismopedia, and Oscillatoria. It is concluded that these water supply facilities become unsafe for domestic and drinking purposes due to the dominance of toxins-producing algae species, especially during the end of the dry season. It is recommended that attention be paid to and remedies be applied to mitigate the algae development. It is also of utmost necessity to develop a strategy plan and policies to control harmful algae to protect drinking water sources from pollution. Furthermore, comprehensive water quality monitoring and algae toxicity prevention measures are necessary to improve natural resource management, maintain sustainable ecosystems, and protect public health. This will eventually enhance achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and particularly the sixth goal by 2030, which urges universal access to safe drinking water.

Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), chitosan (Cs), aluminum oxide (Al2O3) nanoparticles, and vanadium pentoxide (V2O5) nanoparticles were used to synthesize PVA/Cs-Al2O3/V2O5 nanocomposites to enhance their structural, thermal, and electrical properties. The Al2O3 and V2O5 nanoparticles were prepared via laser ablation, and their effects on the properties of the nanocomposite were systematically studied. XRD results confirmed the presence of characteristic peaks of Al2O3 and V2O5, suggesting strong ion interactions and the formation of ion clusters within the composite. The FTIR spectra indicated significant interactions between the polymer matrix and the nanofillers, as evidenced by the reduced intensity of functional group peaks. FESEM images demonstrated the uniform dispersion of V2O5 nanoparticles within the polymer matrix, contributing to enhanced structural properties. UV–vis analysis performed a redshift in absorption edge with increasing V2O5 content, indicating modifications in the electronic structure and band gap. The results showed that the optical band gap reduced from 5.24 eV (pristine blend) to 3.43 eV with the highest V2O5 content. Additionally, the AC conductivity raised from 1.12 × 10⁻¹² S/cm to 2.62 × 10⁻⁹ S/cm, indicating enhanced charge carrier mobility. Furthermore, the thermal stability improved, as the degradation temperature at 50% weight loss increased from 276 to 368 °C with the incorporation of nanofillers, demonstrating enhanced thermal resistance. These findings highlight the potential of PVA/Cs-Al2O3/V2O5 nanocomposites for applications in flexible electronics and energy storage devices.

Triclosan (TCS), a widely used antimicrobial agent, has prompted the search for effective degradation methods. This study explored the catalytic oxidation of triclosan (TCS) employing hydrogen peroxide over Fe/TiO 2 and Ag-Fe/TiO 2 catalysts under mild conditions. Process parameters, including pH, iron loading, temperature, and hydrogen peroxide dosage, were optimized for maximum efficiency. TCS degradation and catalyst performance were monitored using HPLC analysis with a C18 column and an acetonitrile-water mobile phase. Complete TCS conversion was achieved within 110 min over the 0.5Ag-3Fe/TiO 2 catalyst calcined in oxygen. Characterization techniques (XRD, N 2 physisorption, H2-TPR, elemental analysis) revealed a strong correlation between the close interaction of silver and iron oxide species and the catalyst's activity and stability. This information could pave the way for the development of high-performance catalysts at ambient temperatures.

In recent decades, viral outbreaks have significantly threatened global health, with herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) being one of the most prevalent infections. This study evaluated novel spiropyrimidine derivatives as potential antiviral agents against HSV-2, building on previous research that examined spirocyclic thiopyrimidinone derivatives against human coronavirus 229E (hCoV-229E). Among the eleven synthesized compounds, spiropyrimidinone derivative 3 demonstrated promising antiviral activity, with a selectivity index of 11.2. The drug mechanism of infection studies indicated that compound 3 primarily inhibits HSV-2 at the viral adsorption stage, achieving approximately 83% inhibition and reducing viral multiplication by 34%. Its efficacy is linked to its diketone moiety, which is known for its ability to enhance antiviral effects. Furthermore, the effect of compound 3 on viral inhibition is reflected in the level of caspase-3 protein expression, revealing that the apoptotic pathway is modulated. Docking studies revealed multiple interactions with herpes virus entry mediator (HVEM), indicating its potential as an entry inhibitor. These findings confirm that compound 3 could be a potential candidate for further development in HSV-2 antiviral therapy. Graphical Abstract

Introduction Mitochondria are essential organelles for many aspects of cellular homeostasis. They play an indispensable role in the development and progression of diseases, particularly cancer which is a major cause of death worldwide. We analyzed the scientific research output on mitochondria and cancer via PubMed and Web of Science over the period 1990–2023. Methods Bibliometric analysis was performed by extracting data linking mitochondria to cancer pathogenesis over the period 1990–2023 from the PubMed database which has a precise and specific search engine. Only articles and reviews were considered. Since PubMed does not support analyses by countries or institutions, we utilized InCites, an analytical tool developed and marketed by Clarivate Analytics. We also used the VOSviewer software developed by the Centre for Science and Technology Studies (Bibliometric Department of Leiden University, Leiden, Netherlands), which enables us to graphically represent links between countries, authors or keywords in cluster form. Finally, we used iCite, a tool developed by the NIH (USA) to access a dashboard of bibliometrics for papers associated with a portfolio. This module can therefore be used to measure whether the research carried out is still basic, translational or clinical. Results In total, 169,555 publications were identified in PubMed relating to ‘mitochondria’, of which 34,949 (20.61%) concerned ‘mitochondria’ and ‘dysfunction’ and 22,406 (13.21%) regarded ‘mitochondria’ and ‘cancer’. Hence, not all mitochondrial dysfunctions may lead to cancer or enhance its progression. Qualitatively, the disciplines of journals were classified into 166 categories among which cancer specialty accounts for only 4.7% of publications. Quantitatively, our analysis showed that cancer/neoplasms in the liver (2569 articles) were placed in the first position. USA occupied the first position among countries contributing the highest number of publications (5695 articles), whereas Egypt came in the thirty-eight position with 84 publications (0.46%). Importantly, USA is the first-ranked country having both the top 1% and 10% impact indicators with 207 and 1459 articles, respectively. By crossing the query ‘liver neoplasms’ (155,678) with the query ‘mitochondria’ (169,555), we identified 1336 articles in PubMed over the study period. Among these publications, research areas were classified into 65 categories with the highest percentage of documents included in biochemistry and molecular biology (28.92%), followed by oncology (23.31%). Conclusions This study underscores the crucial yet underrepresented role of mitochondria in cancer research. Despite their significance in cancer pathogenesis, the proportion of related publications remains relatively low. Our findings highlight the need for further research to deepen our understanding of mitochondrial mechanisms in cancer, which could pave the way for new therapeutic strategies. Graphical Abstract

Control of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) is hampered by inadequate biosecurity measures, border transcending serotype strains and unavailability of broad coverage vaccines. In this investigation, six FMD antibody-free calves, aged 1.5–2 years, received a tetravalent, inactivated, aluminum hydroxide gel vaccine (Aphthovac-4) containing 6 PD50/dose of certain strains for protection against a wide range of strains in the Middle East, Africa, Southeast Asia, and parts of Europe. The vaccine contained 2 strains of serotype A/Asia (A/Asia (A/Iran-05 and A/Ind/40/2000 G-VII), 2 of serotype O (O/Middle East-South Asia topotype and O/Manisa/TUR/69), and one strain each of serotype SAT-2 (topotype VII) and Asia-1 (Sindh-8). Primary and booster doses were administered 3 weeks apart and sera were collected one week after the booster vaccination, preserved frozen then shipped to The Pirbright Institute, UK, for antibody evaluation by virus neutralization test (VNT) against 22 lineages circulating in the targeted regions. Serum titers against test strains of serotype A were high (range = 355– < 1413 or 2.6– < 3.15 log10), and those demonstrating relatively lower values included A/Irn/25/18 (G-VII), A/Irn-05 Far-11, A/Iran05 SIS-13 and SEA-97. Serotype O test strains presented higher titers (≤ 1/1413 or ≤ 3.0 log10), but O/Cathay, O/Panasia-2 ant-10 and one O/Ind-2001e lineage exhibited somewhat lower values (range (355–1024 or 2.6–3.01 log10). Antibodies against SAT-2 test strains (XIV Topotype) ranged between 128 and 178 (1.9–2.2 log10) in 5 animals (5/6, 83%), despite the reported high r1 values. Likewise, Asia-1 strain elicited a similar titer range against IRN/1/2020 in the same 5 animals. The 6th animal generally showed one dilution less. The results portray a dynamic antigenic change between the vaccinal and test strains, underscoring the value of strain matching, use of high payload and incorporation of double antigen lineages within each serotype to broaden coverage in enzootic and epizootic situations.