ALI ADIL MAJEED MOHSIN

Microwave ablation (MWA) is an effective modality for the thermal destruction of malignant tumors; however, intense localized heating near the antenna may result in collateral damage to surrounding healthy tissue. In this study, a coupled electromagnetic–thermal numerical model is developed to quantify the impact of phase change materials (PCMs) on temperature distribution and thermal selectivity during MWA of liver tumors. The electromagnetic fields generated by single-slot and double-slot axial antennas are solved using the finite element method, while the transient temperature evolution is predicted via the bioheat transfer equation, incorporating PCM phase transition through an effective heat capacity formulation. This work extends PCM-assisted thermal regulation beyond conventional hyperthermia ranges to ablative microwave conditions (>60 °C), where hotspot formation and steep thermal gradients dominate tissue response. Unlike previous studies primarily focused on temperature homogenization, the present analysis evaluates peak temperature suppression, SAR distribution, Thermal Selectivity Index (TSI), and destroyed tissue fraction. Simulation results demonstrate that PCM integration reduces peak temperatures in surrounding healthy tissue by approximately 3–5 °C, accompanied by a 15–25% decrease in local thermal gradients near the antenna region. Tumor temperatures remain above the clinically required ablation threshold (>60 °C), indicating preservation of therapeutic efficacy. Increasing PCM latent heat from 1 × 107 to 4 × 108 J/m3 yields an additional 10–18% reduction in hotspot intensity. Comparative analysis further shows that although double-slot antennas produce broader heating zones, they generate higher peak temperatures, which are effectively moderated by PCM inclusion. Additionally, PCM-enhanced configurations increase TSI and spatially confine thermal damage, suggesting improved safety and controllability. These findings highlight the significance of integrating antenna design with PCM thermophysical optimization as a strategy for mitigating overheating and enhancing treatment selectivity in microwave ablation therapies. © 2026 Elsevier Ltd. All rights are reserved, including those for text and data mining, AI training, and similar technologies.

Genetic polymorphisms in detoxification enzyme genes may influence individual susceptibility to tobacco-related carcinogens. However, the association between metabolizing gene variants, lung cancer (LC), and waterpipe tobacco (WPT) smoking remains largely unexplored. This study aimed to evaluate the association of the NAT2 rs1801280 (T145C) polymorphism, alone and in combination with GSTT1, GSTM1, and GSTP1 variants, with LC risk in Arab Iraqi male WPT smokers. Previously, we investigated the relationship between phase I and II metabolizing gene polymorphisms and LC risk. In this study, we extended the investigation by evaluating the NAT2 rs1801280 (T145C) polymorphism, both independently and in combination with GSTT1/GSTM1 (active/null), and GSTP1 (rs1695 and rs1138272) polymorphisms. A total of 252 male participants (123 LC patients and 129 controls) were genotyped using tetra-ARMS PCR, multiplex PCR, and RFLP-PCR methods. While no significant overall association was found between NAT2 rs1801280 genotypes and LC, stratification by WPT smoking revealed that smokers carrying at least one C allele had a significantly increased LC risk (OR 4.60, 95% CI 2.13–9.94, p < 0.001). Interestingly, even non-smokers with the C allele exhibited a more than two-fold increased risk (OR 2.54, 95% CI 1.01–5.86, p = 0.03). Combined genotype analysis showed that carriers of both NAT2 rs1801280 and GSTP1 rs1695 variant alleles had a significantly elevated risk (OR 2.14, 95% CI 1.03–4.44, p = 0.04), while no significant interaction was found with GSTM1 or GSTT1. Although histological subtype analysis did not reach statistical significance, trends toward increased risk were noted in adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma. These findings highlight NAT2 T145C as a potential genetic marker for LC susceptibility, particularly in WPT smokers. © The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Association of Clinical Biochemists of India 2026.

The application of the classic electrochemical system for the fabrication of biosensor probes is challenging due to the requirement for bulky electrodes which limits practical use in clinical settings. Screen-printed carbon electrodes (SPCEs) offer a cost-effective solution to this issue, enhancing the sensitivity of the developed probes. A SPCE-based dual signal amplification electrochemical immunosensor was fabricated for the quantification of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) using reduced graphene oxide (rGO)-carboxymethyl β-cyclodextrin (β-CD-COOH) and terbium@amine-functionalized fibrous silica (Tb@FNS-NH2) for the electrode surface modification. Remarkably, the Tb@FNS-NH2/β-CD-COOH/rGO composite provides numerous active sites, high sensitivity, and excellent selectivity, attributing to abundant carboxylic groups in the β-CD-COOH thin layer and the vacant orbitals of Tb on the surface of Tb@FNS-NH2, which facilitate the grafting more CEA antibodies. The combination of rGO and Tb@FNS-NH2 accelerates electron transfer for enhanced dual signal amplification. The developed SPCE immunosensor displayed a wide dynamic range of 10 fg/mL to 1.0 ng/mL, with a limit of detection (LOD) of 6.0 fg/mL in serum samples. The accuracy of the developed probe was evaluated using a commercial method, yielding a mean relative error (ER%) of 5.5 %. The presence of two antifouling layers i.e. rGO aerogel and β-CD-COOH enhanced the sensing performance of the developed probe. Furthermore, the immunosensor was utilized to quantify CEA levels in the patient's serum samples with a relative standard deviation (RSD%) of 3.7 %. The obtained satisfying results reveal the favorable application of this CEA immunosensor for routine sample analysis in the clinical setting. © 2025 Elsevier B.V.

Abstract The clinical significance of PD-L1, STAT3, and SOCS3 in gastric cancer was also studied by serum levels measurement in 54 patients (before or after chemotherapy) and 20 healthy controls. The distribution of data was not normal, so non-parametric statistical methods were applied. The most important biomarker was STAT3. It was significantly increased following chemotherapy, especially in Paclitaxel-treated individuals, and associated with more chemotherapy cycles, higher metastasis risk (OR = 5.8), as well as remarkably poorer survival (HR = 7.2). STAT3 also exhibited a good diagnostic performance with an AUC of 0.92 (sensitivity, 90%; specificity, 88%). Its expression was increased in the younger patients (<50 y). PD-L1 moderately increased post-chemotherapy, and there were no significant correlations with stage of disease or survival. SOCS3 had no diagnostic, prognostic, or chemotherapy value. Conclusion: STAT3 is a robust and clinically relevant biomarker for GC, in the development of therapy resistance and metastasis, and prognosis to PD-L1 and SOCS3. It is also interesting to take the influence of age into account when assessing levels of biomarkers. © 2025, Society of Pathological Biochemistry and Hematology. All rights reserved.

The effects of 3mg/kg/day of Ferula hormonis on melanocortin-5-recepter (MC5R); total lipid compounds, essential pheromonal compounds and the histological structureof the preputial glands of intact male mice for 42 days of treatment were investigated. This treatment is resulted in a significant decreased (P<0.05) of MC5R level in preputial gland as compared with the control.Also this treatment is reduced the total lipid compounds from55 to 33and caused total disappearance of the essential pheromonal compounds. The histology of this gland showed an increase in the interstitial connective tissue between the acini with dilated ducts that are lined by cornified stratified squamous epithelium.

The effects of 3mg/kg/day of Eruca sativa on melanocortin-5-recepter (MC5R); total lipid compounds, essential pheromonal compounds and the histological structure of the castrated male mice preputial glands for 42 days of treatment were investigated.This treatment is resulted in a significant increase of MC5R level in preputial gland as compared with the control (P<0.01).Also such treatment has marked effects on the total volatile lipid compounds (only 26 compounds appeared out of 55). Additionally this treatment was able to restore four compounds of the essential pheromones which are (α-Farnesene and (E)-α-Farnesene); (1-Tetradecanol); (Tetradecanol, acetate) and (1-Hexadecanol, acetate). Histological sections of mouse preputial glands from castrated subjects treated with Eruca sativa revealed that the gland was well developed with acini at different stages of maturation.