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DETECTION OF EPSTEIN-BARR VIRUS (EBV) IN WOMEN WITH BREAST CANCER IN IRAQ USING IN-SITU HYBRIDIZATION AND IMMUNOHISTOCHEMICAL TECHNIQUES

Background: The Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) has recently been identified in human breast cancer globally, potentially contributing to the initiation and progression of this malignancy, as well as gastric cancer, nasopharyngeal carcinoma, and bladder cancer. It has been newly associated with breast cancer. Globally, breast cancer affects more women than any other type of cancer. In Iraq, the prevalence of breast cancer is comparable. Aims: The study examined Iraqi women diagnosed with invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC) and invasive lobular carcinoma (ILC) to detect Epstein-Barr Virus Nuclear Antigen-1 (EBNA-1) and encoded RNA (EBER). Methods: A total of 50 formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissues from invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC) (92%) and invasive lobular carcinoma (ILC) (8%) biopsy samples constituted the case group, while 30 formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissues from non-cancerous breast tissue served as the control group. The presence of Epstein-Barr virus protein (EBER) in breast tissue was assessed using immunohistochemistry (IHC) and chromogenic in situ hybridization (CISH) methods. Results: EBER RNA signals were found in 31 (62%). EBER RNA signals were seen in 3 (10%) control group participants. Significant differences (P<0.04) were seen in EBV EBER RNA positive signals among study groups. Immunohistochemistry showed nuclear brown staining in 34 (68%) breast cancer patients. Control group: 3 (10%). Discussion: The research identified a statistically significant correlation between EBV positivity and breast cancer among Iraqi women, especially concerning invasive ductal carcinoma. The results corroborate previous reports of elevated EBV levels in malignant breast tissues relative to controls. Although detection approaches such as CISH and IHC provide complementary insights, additional studies are needed. Conclusions: The study concludes that EBNA-1 and EBV EBER RNA were overexpressed in our population group.
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TREATMENTS FOR ACUTE LYMPHOBLASTIC LEUKEMIA: A COMPARISON BETWEEN TISAGENLECLEUCEL AND CLOFARABINE

Background: Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is a heterogeneous hematological malignancy predominantly affecting individuals under 20 years of age. Traditional chemotherapy, such as clofarabine, has shown efficacy; however, novel immunotherapeutic strategies like tisagenlecleucel (Kymriah®) have significantly altered the treatment paradigm. Aim: This study aimed to perform a comparative analysis of tisagenlecleucel, a CAR-T cell therapy, and clofarabine, a second-generation purine nucleoside analog, evaluating their mechanisms of action, therapeutic benefits, limitations, and clinical applicability across diverse patient populations. Methods: A systematic comparative evaluation was conducted, encompassing pharmacological characteristics, mechanisms of action, treatment protocols, efficacy, safety profiles, and clinical indications of both agents. The analysis considered pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic data and included patient demographic variables. Results: Tisagenlecleucel demonstrated high efficacy in refractory B-cell ALL, with durable responses and a blood half-life of 128 days, but with notable immune-related adverse effects such as cytokine release syndrome. Clofarabine, effective across a broader patient population, acts via multiple antitumor mechanisms but carries significant toxicity risks, including infection and sepsis. Discussion: The therapies present distinct clinical profiles: tisagenlecleucel offers targeted immunotherapy with high specificity but requires specialized infrastructure and management of immune toxicities. Clofarabine is more widely accessible and applicable, but is associated with conventional chemotherapy-related side effects. Treatment accessibility and cost differ markedly between the two. Conclusions: Therapy selection should be personalized based on patient-specific factors and institutional resources. Tisagenlecleucel is ideal for pediatric and young adult patients with relapsed/refractory B-cell ALL in CAR-T-capable centers, while clofarabine remains a viable option for broader ALL populations, particularly when genetic therapies are not feasible. Further research is needed to optimize therapeutic strategies and improve access to advanced treatments.
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RESEARCH LANDSCAPE OF REPURPOSED MEDICATIONS IN CANCER TREATMENT: A MULTI-DATABASE BIBLIOMETRIC ANALYSIS OF ELEVEN OFF-PATENT THERAPEUTICS

Background: Drug repurposing offers potential advantages for cancer therapy development, particularly when utilizing medications with established safety profiles and expired patents. While individual repurposed medications have been investigated for oncological applications, comprehensive comparative analyses of research distribution patterns across multiple therapeutic candidates appear limited in the literature. Understanding these patterns may provide insights into research priorities and potential knowledge gaps. Aim: This exploratory study was designed to quantify and compare the volume of scientific literature examining the anticancer potential of eleven selected off-patent medications across different pharmacological classes. Methods: Bibliometric searches were conducted across five databases (Google Scholar, BVS, PubMed, NIH, and Science.gov) using standardized search terms combining each medication name with "cancer" and "cancer treatment." The selected medications included ivermectin, fenbendazole, mebendazole, albendazole, metformin, propranolol, disulfiram, valproic acid, thalidomide, dexamethasone, and hydroxychloroquine. Basic statistical analyses were performed to examine the distribution patterns and correlations within the database. Results: The search yielded 3,226,066 total publications with considerable variation in distribution patterns. Dexamethasone accounted for the largest proportion (1,538,058 publications, 47.68%), followed by metformin (697,172 publications, 21.61%). Some medications with smaller overall publication volumes demonstrated higher proportions of treatment-specific research, such as fenbendazole (87.82%), disulfiram with copper (86.54%), and hydroxychloroquine with zinc (75.21%). The Herfindahl Index indicated a high concentration of research attention (0.2870). Discussion: The findings suggest substantial variation in research attention across the selected medications. While some medications dominate the literature, others with focused treatment-specific research may warrant further investigation. The inverse relationship observed between total publication volume and treatment specificity suggests that research patterns in this field may be more complex than absolute publication counts indicate. Conclusions: This preliminary bibliometric assessment reveals an uneven distribution of research attention among repurposed medications being investigated for cancer applications. These patterns may inform future research prioritization, though further qualitative analysis would be valuable to assess the clinical significance of these quantitative observations.
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General information

SOUTHERN JOURNAL OF SCIENCES

    General information about this journal
  • Title: SOUTHERN JOURNAL OF SCIENCES
  • Short Title: South. J. Sci.
  • ISSN: 2764-5959 (Online); ISSN: 2764-5967 (Print)
  • Universal Decimal Classification (UDC): 001
  • Review Process: Double-Blind Peer-Review
  • Accessibility: Platinum Open Access, NO-APCs.
  • Digital preservation: Portico
  • Frequency of Publication: biannual [2 issues per year]. Journal publication schedule
  • DOI: 10.48141/2764-5959
  • Website: https://www.sjofsciences.com/
  • Country: BRAZIL
  • Publisher: Araucária - Scientific Association.
  • Language of Publication: ENGLISH / PORTUGUESE*
  • *Year that the Journal started accepting manuscripts in Portuguese: 2020
  • First issue year: 1993
  • Free full text: Yes
  • Indexed in: Index Copernicus; Latindex, and I2OR.
  • Formerly known as the Southern Brazilian Journal of Chemistry (1993 to 2021).
  • Former ISSN: 2674-6891 (Online); Former ISSN: 0104-5431 (Print).
  • Website last update: 06/07/2025.

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D-DIMER A RISK FACTOR ASSOCIATED WITH C-REACTIVE PROTEIN FOR PREDICTING THE SEVERITY OF INFECTION BY COVID-19

Background: COVID-19, caused by SARS-CoV-2, has unresolved mortality risk factors and clinical course, highlighting the need for further research. Aims: The study aimed to asses D-dimer and C-Reactive Protein (CRP) as the risk factors for severity covid-19 and who are less capable of surviving. Methods: A retrospective study conduct of COVID-19 in adult inpatients aged >20 at Al-sadder and Alamal Hospital in Iraq. Demographics, clinical trials, treatments, and viral RNA samples were analyzed. The study involved 100 patients, with 67 discharged and 33 hospitalized died. The majority of the participants 45% were aged < 40, but 55% were aged >40 years. Results: A significant and 57% were male 37(55.2%) Survivor vs. 20 (60.6%) non-survivor, p=0.024), more than 43% were female (30(44.8%) Survivor vs. 13(39.4%) non-survivor, p=0.010. Patients had underlying comorbidities (66%), survivor 37(55%), and non-survivor 29(87%). The most prominent comorbidity in non-survivors more than survivors was diabetic mellitus 85%, asthma 58%, stroke 48%, renal failure 42%, heart strake 33%, and hypertension 18%. The study found significant differences in WBC, lymphocyte count, D-dimer, Ferritin, CRP, and LDH levels in non-survivors compared to survivor patients, with a positive correlation between D- dimer and these parameters. The ROC analysis curve showed CRP with a high AUC of 80.2%, 87.9% sensitivity, and 37.3% specificity, while D-dimer and LDH had AUCs of 0.74.9 and 70%, respectively. Discussion: The study found that older age, higher d-dimer, ferritin, CRP, and LDH are associated with disease severity and higher mortality risk in adult COVID-19 patients. Conclusions: These biomarkers could aid in early detection of disease progression signs and better patient management
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GEOSPATIAL IDENTIFICATION OF BUILT-UP STRUCTURES ALONG THE DISCERNED KAZAURE–KARAUKARAU–KUSHAKA–ILESHA SCHIST BELT

Background: The desire to create a database of research documents providing information about the tracts of gold deposits across the local geological province provides the impetus for a study of the kind being considered here. Geospatial identification of built-up structures within Phase I Development along the Kazaure-Karaukarau-Kushaka-Ilesha Schist Belt, trending through Minna town and its outlying districts, constitutes the veritable reference material desired in this regard. Methods: This study began by segmenting the area of study for ground-based and remotely sensed attribute mapping, using the key reference map from a previous study as the area-of-study guide. A handheld Garmin GPSmap78® global positioning system unit and a standard smartphone with a built-in camera were the key equipment used for the fieldwork. Polygonal-format georeferenced coordinate information was collected at conveniently detached buildings, beginning with the cluster of residential homes at the Staff Quarters, for the ground-based survey. Result: Nine of the ten built-up structure clusters on the path of the Belt in Phase I Development were mapped for this study, as well as six neighborhoods in the Minna built-up area beyond Phase I. The nine clusters occupy almost 40% of the circa 2 km2 areal extent of the Phase I Development. The belt's trend and structures were north-northeast. Discussion: The nine cluster structures in Phase I and the six neighborhoods of Minna identified in this study have been determined to align with the path of the belt. Conclusion: Having now determined that the trace of the belt exits the Campus at the northern sector of the Gidan Kwano village and trends in a long arc beyond the town, this study becomes the desired reference material to be archived and consulted for information relating to gold exploitation in the Minna Area geological province.
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E-SELECTIN AS A BIOMARKER IN FEMALE PATIENTS WITH Β-THALASSEMIA IN AL- NAJAF PROVENCE, IRAQ

E-selectin, as identified (CD62E), is expressed on endothelial cells after stimulation with inflammation cytokines. β-Thalassemia diseases (βT) and early diagnosis are of utmost significance in the entire world population. This study was performed in the Thalassemia Center of the Al-Zahraa Educational Hospital in Al-Najaf Province, Iraq, on sixty-nine with β-thalassemia (54 βT major and 15 βT Intermedia) aged 8-40 years who transfused blood. Compared to 20 healthy volunteers as a control group. In both βT patients and healthy groups were assessed serum E-selectin levels. It was investigated the relationship with RBC, Hb, PCV, WBC, PLT, BMI, splenic status, iron, and ferritin levels. The results revealed a significant (P<0.05) decreased values of HB, RBC, P.C.V, and BMI. In contrast, values of WBC, PLT, Iron, and Ferritin were significantly increased in βT patients as compared to the healthy control groups. A significant (P<0.05) increase in serum E- Selectin level in βT patients (20.55±0.47) ng/ml to compare with the healthy group (9.16±0.50) ng/ml. Furthermore, it was a significant decrease in groups of βT major (19.87±0.42) ng/ml more than in βT intermedia (23±1.42) ng/ml. E-Selectin revealed a significant increase (P<0.05) in progress age and associated with splenectomies and underweight groups compared to splenectomies and the normal weight groups, respectively. Also, E-Selectin levels significantly positively correlated with WBC, PLT value, iron, and Ferritin levels. However, it was no significant with RBC, PCV, Hb. As a conclusion from this study, E- Selectin is an important biomarker in β-thalassemia patients can be identified as the complications associated with iron overload, inflammatory process, and endothelial dysfunction in βT disease. 
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SOUTHERN JOURNAL OF SCIENCES

The SOUTHERN JOURNAL OF SCIENCES publishes articles in Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics, Biology, Pharmacy, Medicine, Engineering, Industrial Science, Agriculture, and related interdisciplinary areas and is intended to fill a gap in terms of scientific information worldwide. All manuscripts can be published either in English or Portuguese, with tile, abstracts, and keywords in English. At present, there are NO PUBLICATION FEES. Editors will cover web hosting, open access, DOI number, and other service costs.

We have set high standards for the articles to be published by ensuring strong but fair refereeing by at least two reviewers. We hope that this Journal will provide a forum for disseminating high-quality research in chemistry and related areas and are open to any questions and suggestions. Starting in 2020, the SOUTHERN JOURNAL OF SCIENCES will have two issues per year (June and December).

Thank you very much for choosing the SOUTHERN JOURNAL OF SCIENCES to publish your paper!
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