International Journal of Cell and Biomedical Science

Disruption of focal adhesions by Clostridioides difficile TcdB variants

2026-06-03T11:15:10+07:00

Background: Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) is a leading cause of antibiotic-associated nosocomial diarrhea, with disease severity predominantly influenced by the activity of toxin B (TcdB). Although TcdB-mediated inactivation of Rho family GTPases is well established, the downstream consequences for cell–matrix adhesion architecture remain poorly defined. Objective: This study examined how TcdB variants with distinct substrate specificities (VPI 10463, NAP1/RT027, and NAP1v/RT019) disrupt focal adhesion organization and cytoskeletal integrity. Results: Purified TcdB variants were standardized by functional equipotency and applied to HeLa cells. While most structural adhesion proteins, including talin and zyxin, demonstrated quantitative stability, plectin exhibited a selective and progressive loss following exposure to RhoA-inactivating toxins. Concurrently, paxillin phosphorylation was significantly diminished, and co-immunoprecipitation analyses disclosed a substantial dissociation of paxillin from pivotal adhesion components, with no indication of global proteolytic degradation. Morphological outcomes correlated with toxin substrate specificity: RhoA-inactivating variants resulted in cell rounding, while NAP1v promoted an arborizing phenotype. Conclusion: Collectively, these findings suggest that TcdB variants predominantly induce a biochemical disassembly of focal adhesion complexes rather than widespread protein degradation. This adhesion uncoupling mechanism may represent a molecular framework linking toxin specificity to epithelial barrier disruption and could potentially be associated with differences in clinical severity among CDI strains.

Biomedical Profile of Hemoglobin Level, Nutritional Status, and Blood Type in Community-Based Health Screening at Pematang Kamasan Posyandu

2026-06-03T11:14:45+07:00

Background: Community-based health screening is essential for the early detection of hematological abnormalities, nutritional disorders, and limited health awareness, particularly in rural populations with restricted access to routine medical services. Objective: This study aimed to describe hemoglobin levels, body mass index (BMI) status, blood type distribution, and community health knowledge among residents participating in Posyandu-based screening in Pematang, Kamasan Village. Methods: A descriptive observational study was conducted using secondary data from community health screening. Among 143 attendees, complete biomedical and knowledge assessment data were available for 45 participants. Variables included sex, hemoglobin level, BMI category, blood type, and awareness of personal blood type and hemoglobin status. Data were analyzed descriptively using frequency distribution, percentage, and mean ± standard deviation. Results: Female participants predominated in the screened population. Blood group O was the most common type, and obesity represented the dominant BMI category. Mean hemoglobin levels in both males and females were generally within normal physiological ranges. Despite measurable biomedical parameters, most participants were unaware of their personal blood type and hemoglobin status, indicating low community health literacy. Conclusion: This study demonstrates a coexistence of relatively normal hemoglobin status with high obesity prevalence and limited biomedical awareness in a rural community. Strengthening integrated community screening combined with targeted health education is necessary to improve preventive health behavior and reduce future cardiometabolic risk.

Effect of Anredera cordifolia (Binahong) Extract on C-Peptide Levels in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Sprague–Dawley Rats

2026-06-03T11:14:14+07:00

Background: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a metabolic disorder characterized by chronic hyperglycemia resulting from impaired insulin secretion, impaired insulin action, or both, and remains a major global health concern. Anredera cordifolia (binahong) is a medicinal plant commonly used in traditional medicine and is known to contain bioactive compounds such as saponins, alkaloids, polyphenols, and flavonoids, which have been suggested to possess antidiabetic and antioxidant properties. Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of Anredera cordifolia leaf extract on C-peptide levels as a marker of endogenous insulin secretion in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats. Results: A total of 24 male Sprague–Dawley rats were randomly divided into three groups: negative control (without STZ induction or treatment), positive control (STZ-induced), and treatment group (STZ-induced rats receiving Anredera cordifolia leaf extract at a dose of 100 mg/kg body weight/day). Diabetes was induced by a single intraperitoneal injection of STZ at a dose of 50 mg/kg body weight, and rats with random blood glucose levels ≥200 mg/dL were included in the diabetic groups. The extract was administered orally for 14 days. At the end of the intervention period, blood samples were collected, and plasma C-peptide levels were measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and analyzed with a microplate reader. Statistical analysis using the Kruskal–Wallis test demonstrated no significant difference in mean C-peptide levels among the three groups (p = 0.132). Conclusion: These findings indicate that administration of Anredera cordifolia leaf extract at the tested dose and duration did not significantly affect C-peptide levels in STZ-induced diabetic Sprague–Dawley rats, suggesting that its potential antihyperglycemic effects may not be associated with measurable improvement in pancreatic β-cell secretory function under these experimental conditions.

From Oxidative Stress to Fibrogenesis: A Comprehensive Review of a Composite Oxidative-Fibrotic Index in Hypoxia-Associated MAFLD

2026-06-03T11:15:48+07:00

Metabolically associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) is a leading cause of chronic liver disease, with fibrosis representing the strongest predictor of adverse clinical outcomes. Emerging evidence suggests that intermittent hypoxia, commonly associated with obstructive sleep apnea, contributes to fibrosis progression through oxidative stress-mediated mechanisms. This review aims to synthesize current evidence on the role of intermittent hypoxia in driving oxidative stress and hepatic fibrogenesis in MAFLD, and to propose a Composite Oxidative-Fibrotic Index as an integrative biomarker framework. A narrative review was conducted using major biomedical databases to identify experimental and clinical studies evaluating hypoxia-induced oxidative stress, redox-sensitive signaling pathways, and fibrogenic responses in MAFLD. Intermittent hypoxia induces repetitive hypoxia-reoxygenation cycles that promote reactive oxygen species generation, impair antioxidant defenses, and activate redox-sensitive pathways, including HIF-1α, NF-κB, and Nrf2 dysregulation. These mechanisms contribute to hepatic stellate cell activation, extracellular matrix remodeling, and increased liver stiffness. Evidence indicates that individual oxidative and fibrogenic biomarkers are insufficient to capture the dynamic progression of fibrosis. The proposed Composite Oxidative-Fibrotic Index integrates oxidative stress markers, signaling mediators, fibrogenic indicators, and liver stiffness measurement into a unified framework. This approach may improve early detection, risk stratification, and monitoring of fibrosis progression in hypoxia-associated MAFLD, with potential implications for biomarker-guided clinical management and targeted therapeutic strategies.

Engineered Stem Cell-Derived Exosomes for Precision Regenerative Medicine: Molecular Targeting, Cargo Optimization, and Therapeutic Applications

2026-06-03T11:16:17+07:00

Regenerative medicine has increasingly transitioned from cell-based therapies to cell-free approaches due to the constraints of stem cell transplantation, such as limited engraftment efficiency, immunogenicity, tumorigenic potential, and difficulties in clinical standards. Among novel cell-free methodologies, stem cell-derived exosomes have garnered considerable interest as nanoscale extracellular vesicles that facilitate tissue repair via paracrine signaling. Recent advancements in molecular biology and bioengineering have facilitated the creation of modified exosomes, permitting precise alterations of surface molecules and bioactive cargo to improve therapeutic specificity and efficacy. This narrative review encapsulates current advancements in synthetic stem cell-derived exosomes for precision regenerative medicine, emphasizing molecular targeting techniques, therapeutic cargo optimization, and applicability across various disease types. Literature pertinent to the years 2020 to 2025 was sourced from PubMed, Scopus, and ScienceDirect and subjected to qualitative analysis. The results demonstrate that modified exosomes can efficiently regulate critical biological pathways associated with apoptosis, inflammation, angiogenesis, and tissue regeneration. Improved targeting specificity increases tissue accumulation and therapeutic efficacy, while tailored cargo allows for precise modulation of molecular signaling in damaged microenvironments. Despite encouraging preclinical results, challenges related to production standardization, cargo uniformity, dosage optimization, and long-term safety hinder clinical translation. However, ongoing advancements in bioengineering, nanotechnology, and regulatory structures position modified exosomes as strong contenders for the development of next-generation regenerative therapeutics. Engineered stem cell-derived exosomes are a versatile and unique platform with considerable promise to connect molecular mechanisms and clinical applications in precision regenerative medicine.

Hernia Nucleus Pulposus: Pathophysiology, Risk Factors, and Clinical Management – A Literature Review

2026-06-03T11:13:52+07:00

Background: Lumbar Herniated Nucleus Pulposus (HNP) is a leading cause of low back pain and radicular symptoms that significantly impair functional capacity and quality of life. The condition arises from a complex interaction of biomechanical stress, inflammatory responses, and degenerative biological changes in the intervertebral disc. This article aims to comprehensively review current evidence on the pathophysiology, risk factors, and clinical management of lumbar HNP using a narrative literature review approach.. Methode: A literature search was conducted across PubMed, Google Scholar, and accredited national journals using the keywords “hernia nucleus pulposus,” “lumbar disc herniation,” “low back pain,” “pathophysiology,” and “clinical management.” Eligible articles were full-text publications in English or Indonesian published between 2015 and 2025, including original research, literature reviews, systematic reviews, and clinical practice guidelines. Studies related to traumatic or non-lumbar disc herniation and those without full-text availability were excluded. Selected articles were analyzed descriptively and synthesized narratively. Results: The review indicates that lumbar HNP is a progressive degenerative disorder influenced by altered disc biomechanics, inflammatory cascades, and cellular aging. Major risk factors include advancing age, increased body mass index, sedentary lifestyle, and occupational exposure to heavy physical workload. Clinical management follows a stepwise strategy, prioritizing conservative therapy, while surgical intervention is reserved for selected cases. Conclusion: A comprehensive understanding of the pathophysiological mechanisms and associated risk factors of lumbar HNP is essential to support evidence-based and individualized patient management.