Journal of Advanced Biomedical Sciences
Volume:15 Issue: 3, Autumn 2025

Over a decade ago, Eric Lander, a distinguished biologist, observed, “Biology is becoming a data science.” This foresight has proven profoundly prescient. With the exponential growth of biological data and the rapid ascent of artificial intelligence (AI), we are witnessing a transformative shift in how life is studied, understood, and engineered. This editorial explores the pivotal role of AI in redefining biology, its associated challenges, and a responsible path forward for the broader scientific community, including biologists, data scientists, and science policymakers. AI is reshaping the landscape of biological research. In genomics, advanced algorithms, such as deep learning models, integrate complex datasets—from DNA sequences to epigenetic patterns and proteomic profiles—unveiling insights previously beyond reach. For instance, recent AI-driven studies have identified novel gene-disease associations, such as new biomarkers for type 2 diabetes (Nature Genetics, 2023). In structural biology, DeepMind’s AlphaFold has resolved a decades-long grand challenge by making protein structure prediction a routine step in research pipelines. Introduced in 2020, this breakthrough has accelerated drug design and deepened our understanding of biological mechanisms. In drug discovery, AI now prioritizes therapeutic targets, designs novel molecules, and enables personalized treatments at unprecedented speeds. For example, Insilico Medicine leveraged AI to develop a potential drug for pulmonary fibrosis in under 18 months—a process that traditionally took over five years.

 Obesity is a multifaceted and chronic disease characterized by profound metabolic dysregulation and significant biomechanical impairments, both of which compromise functional capacity and elevate the risk of comorbidities. This narrative review critically examines functional training (FT) as a comprehensive, multidimensional intervention for obesity management, emphasizing its physiological, biomechanical, and translational impacts. It aims to elucidate underlying mechanisms, synthesize current empirical evidence, and highlight clinical implications. 

A thematic synthesis was conducted based on a systematic search of electronic databases up to April 2025. Eligible studies included randomized controlled trials, non-randomized controlled trials, and cohort studies involving adults classified as overweight or obese (BMI ≥ 25). These studies assessed the effects of FT on metabolic parameters, neuromuscular performance, and functional outcomes. The findings were organized into three analytical domains—physiological, biomechanical, and translational—guided by principles from systems physiology and movement science.

FT has been shown to elicit marked enhancements in mitochondrial function, insulin sensitivity, and systemic inflammatory modulation (e.g., reductions in IL-6 and TNF-α, increases in adiponectin). From a biomechanical perspective, FT improves gait efficiency, postural stability, joint load distribution, and neuromuscular coordination. In comparison to traditional exercise modalities, FT confers distinct translational benefits, such as fall risk mitigation, injury prevention, and greater applicability in rehabilitation settings—particularly for individuals with sarcopenic obesity, musculoskeletal dysfunction, or cardiovascular comorbidities.

FT represents a powerful integrative strategy that bridges metabolic restoration and biomechanical resilience in the context of obesity therapy. Its integration into clinical rehabilitation pathways and public health initiatives is strongly supported by current evidence and should be prioritized. Future investigations should focus on protocol standardization, mechanistic randomized controlled trials, and longitudinal studies across heterogeneous populations to enable widespread clinical adoption.

 Schizophrenia and bipolar disorder are among the most prevalent psychiatric conditions. Owing to the overlap in symptomatology and clinical manifestations, it is hypothesized that similar underlying dynamics may elicit comparable countertransference reactions in clinicians working with individuals diagnosed with these disorders. Accordingly, the present study undertakes a qualitative exploration of countertransference in clinical interactions with patients diagnosed with schizophrenia presenting positive symptoms and those with bipolar I disorder exhibiting manic and psychotic features. 

 This qualitative study involved psychiatric residents and faculty members at Kerman University of Medical Sciences, with 1 to 30 years of clinical experience, as well as patients admitted to Shahid Beheshti Hospital in Kerman. Patients were interviewed, after which the clinicians’ emotional responses and experiences of countertransference were discussed within a structured focus group session lasting approximately thirty minutes. This process was repeated for multiple selected patients until data saturation was achieved. A conventional content analysis approach was employed to analyze the collected data.

The findings revealed that nineteen distinct emotional responses were elicited during interviews with patients diagnosed with bipolar I disorder with manic and psychotic features, whereas fourteen emotional responses were reported in relation to patients with schizophrenia exhibiting positive symptoms.

The results indicated that feelings of restlessness, happiness, affection, and respect were more prominently evoked in response to patients with schizophrenia exhibiting positive symptoms, whereas intense feelings of anger and rage were more frequently reported in interactions with patients with bipolar I disorder presenting manic and psychotic features. These emotional patterns may thus serve as valuable clinical cues in the differential diagnosis of these two disorders.

 Cigarette smoke is a major risk factor for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and plays a pivotal role in tumor initiation and angiogenesis. This study aimed to elucidate the molecular mechanisms through which cigarette smoke influences angiogenesis in NSCLC by integrating transcriptomic data, with a particular emphasis on the regulatory role of microRNA-1 (miR-1) and its downstream targets.

 We analyzed the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) dataset GSE290190, comprising gene expression profiles from 18 samples with different smoking statuses (9 normal and 9 tumor tissues). Differential expression analysis, Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA), Gene Ontology (GO) enrichment, and Protein–Protein Interaction (PPI) network analysis were conducted to identify critical genes and signaling pathways. Statistical analyses were employed to determine differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and to assess their biological relevance.

Differential expression analysis identified 2,449 DEGs between normal and tumor tissues, with significant enrichment in angiogenesis, cell cycle regulation, and DNA repair pathways. Key angiogenesis-related genes—VEGFC, FGF2, and ANGPT1—were recognized as direct targets of miR-1. GSEA and GO analyses revealed marked alterations in biological processes such as chromosome segregation, mitotic nuclear division, and extracellular matrix organization. PPI network analysis identified E2F7, PLK1, and TOP2A as hub genes, suggesting their potential roles as key regulators in cell cycle progression and tumorigenesis.

This study highlights the transcriptomic heterogeneity of NSCLC and proposes miR-1 and its downstream targets—VEGFC, FGF2, and ANGPT1—as promising biomarkers and therapeutic targets. However, further validation using larger datasets and functional assays is essential to confirm these findings and facilitate their clinical translation.

 Stroke is a major consequence of cerebral ischemia. This study investigated the effects of peanut skin extract (PSE) (or Arachis hypogaea) on behavioral, biochemical, and histological parameters of the hippocampus in rats subjected to global ischemia-reperfusion (I/R). 

In this experimental study, adult male Wistar rats were assigned to the following groups: control (no I/R and no manipulation; received 0.9% saline), sham (no I/R; surgical site opened; received 0.9% saline), PSE (100 mg/kg), I/R, and I/R + PSE (10 and 100 mg/kg). Ischemia was induced by bilateral occlusion of the common carotid arteries for 20 minutes, followed by 24 hours of reperfusion. PSE was extracted using the maceration method and was administered following 24 hours of ischemia induction and then given daily for 1 week. Anxiety-like behavior, pain perception, and recognition memory were assessed after the final injection. Hippocampal microscopic structure and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity and serum oxidative stress markers were measured.

PSE improved anxiety-like behavior, pain perception, and recognition memory in I/R rats (P < 0.05). I/R decreased superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione reductase (GR) activities (both P < 0.001) and increased serum (P < 0.05) and hippocampal AChE activity (P < 0.01). PSE treatment decreased GSSG levels and AChE activity (P < 0.01) and increased catalase activity (P < 0.01). PSE treatment reduced the percentage of dead pyramidal cells in the hippocampal CA1 region of I/R rats (P < 0.05).

PSE appears to exert neuroprotective effects, likely by reducing oxidative stress markers and attenuating histopathological damage in the hippocampus.

 Contemporary societies are increasingly affected by the adverse consequences of substance abuse, tobacco use, and alcohol consumption, which have profound impacts on various economic, social, cultural, and political dimensions of communities. This study aims to examine the relationship between substance abuse, tobacco use, and alcohol consumption in relation to the socioeconomic status of participants in the Fasa PERSIAN Cohort Study. 

 This cross-sectional cohort study encompassed approximately 10,000 individuals aged over 35 years from the Sheshdeh and Qarah Bolagh regions of Fasa (southern Iran), who were enrolled between 2012 and 2017 through a comprehensive census approach. The research utilized data from the Fasa Cohort Center at Fasa University of Medical Sciences. With the cooperation of the Research Deputy, data were obtained from general information questionnaires and medical information forms completed by attendees at the Fasa Cohort Center, and subsequently analyzed in collaboration with a statistical consultant.

The total number of participants in this study was 10,138, comprising 4,580 men (45.2%) and 5,558 women (54.8%). Among the participants, 9,014 (88.9%) were married, while 375 (3.7%) were single. Only 212 individuals (2.1%) reported alcohol consumption. Additionally, 7,779 participants (76.7%) reported no substance abuse, while 2,356 (23.2%) reported substance use. Furthermore, 1,942 individuals (19.1%) were tobacco smokers. Statistical analysis revealed a significant relationship between socioeconomic status and alcohol consumption (P = .01). Similarly, a statistically significant difference was observed between socioeconomic status and substance abuse (P = .04).

The findings of this research indicate a significant relationship between socioeconomic status and variables such as alcohol consumption and substance abuse. Based on the results of this study and previous research, it can be concluded that while the factors identified in the present investigation are important, a complex interplay of individual, familial, social, cultural, economic, and other factors influences the propensity for substance abuse.

 This study aimed to investigate the frequency and demographic characteristics of patient readmissions across various departments of Vali-Asr Hospital in Fasa, Fars Province, Iran. 

 This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted using a census sample comprising 1,599 patients who experienced hospital readmissions. Demographic and clinical information was extracted from the Hospital Information System (HIS) for the period spanning 2020 to 2023. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and independent t-tests, Chi-square tests, one-way analysis and Pearson correlation coefficients.

Of the study population, 352 individuals (22%) were under 30 years of age, 642 (40%) were aged between 30 and 60 years, and 605 (38%) were over 60 years old. Readmission rates for gynecological, cardiac, and internal medicine conditions were higher among women, whereas men exhibited higher readmission rates for respiratory and surgical conditions. Gender differences were significant (P<0.01), with women more frequently readmitted for gynecological/cardiac conditions and men for respiratory/surgical issues. Additionally, a positive and statistically significant correlation was found between age and the number of readmissions (r = 0.08, P = 0.001).

Targeted interventions for elderly patients and high-readmission departments (internal medicine/gynecology) are urgently needed. Additionally, given the elevated rate of readmissions identified in this study particularly among older adults raising awareness about the importance of follow-up care, enhancing the attentiveness of healthcare providers to the medical and psychosocial needs of patients, and informing hospital administrators of the financial consequences of readmissions may be instrumental in reducing their occurrence.

 Evaluating nurses’ clinical reasoning skills is essential for identifying areas in need of enhancement in professional competency and for informing targeted educational interventions. Accordingly, the present study aimed to translate and rigorously evaluate the psychometric properties of the Persian version of the Clinical Reasoning Competency Scale (CRCS).

 A cross-sectional, multicenter design was employed in this methodological study. A total of 1100 nurses were recruited through convenience sampling from seven hospitals in Iran. Following the translation of the original CRCS into Persian, its psychometric properties were systematically assessed in accordance with the COSMIN guidelines.

Exploratory factor analysis revealed that the factor loadings for all 22 items ranged from 0.62 to 0.88, with each loading achieving statistical significance. Moreover, the analysis identified three principal factors—plan setting, intervention strategy regulation, and self-instruction—which collectively accounted for 60.52% of the total variance. The analysis yielded an overall Cronbach's alpha of 0.89, demonstrating that the CRCS possesses strong internal reliability. At the subscale level, the Cronbach's alpha coefficients were notably robust: 0.97 for plan setting, 0.96 for intervention strategy regulation, and 0.94 for self-instruction

The Persian version of the Clinical Reasoning Competency Scale has been validated as a reliable and valid tool. Consequently, it represents a valuable instrument for nurse managers seeking to assess clinical reasoning competency, thereby facilitating the identification of developmental needs and guiding the implementation of targeted interventions to enhance clinical reasoning and overall professional performance.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a widespread endocrine disorder with profound implications for both physical and psychological health. Women affected by PCOS are at an increased risk of diminished quality of life, as well as heightened susceptibility to mental health challenges, including anxiety and depression. The multifactorial etiology of PCOS—encompassing genetic, hormonal, and lifestyle factors—highlights the pivotal role of stress in both its development and progression. Although interventions such as dietary modifications, physical activity, and cognitive behavioral therapy have proven effective in enhancing overall well-being, their sustained success necessitates a more integrative and personalized approach.