Muhammad Ali

Dr. Muhammad Ali

Molecular and clinical medicine, University of Palermo, Palermo, Sicilia, Italy
orcid

Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

4Years (2023-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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15 February 2025 in Journal of Imaging
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
Muhammad AliMuhammad Ali
Muhammad Ali
Viviana BenfanteViviana Benfante
Viviana Benfante
GBGhazal Basirinia
Ghazal Basirinia
Pierpaolo AlongiPierpaolo Alongi
Pierpaolo Alongi
ASAlessandro Sperandeo
Alessandro Sperandeo
Albert ComelliAlbert Comelli
Albert Comelli
Artificial intelligence (AI) transforms image data analysis across many biomedical fields, such as cell biology, radiology, pathology, cancer biology, and immunology, with object detection, image feature extraction, classification, and segmentation applications. Advancements in deep learning (DL) research have been a critical factor in advancing computer techniques for biomedical image analysis and data mining. A significant improvement in the accuracy of cell detection and segmentation algorithms has been achieved as a result of the emergence of open-source software and innovative deep neural network architectures. Automated cell segmentation now enables the extraction of quantifiable cellular and spatial features from microscope images of cells and tissues, providing critical insights into cellular organization in various diseases. This review aims to examine the latest AI and DL techniques for cell analysis and data mining in microscopy images, aid the biologists who have less background knowledge in AI and machine learning (ML), and incorporate the ML models into microscopy focus images.

18 January 2024 in Pharmaceuticals
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
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Muhammad AliMuhammad Ali
Muhammad Ali
Viviana BenfanteViviana Benfante
Viviana Benfante
Domenico Di RaimondoDomenico Di Raimondo
Domenico Di Raimondo
Giuseppe SalvaggioGiuseppe Salvaggio
Giuseppe Salvaggio
Antonino TuttolomondoAntonino Tuttolomondo
Antonino Tuttolomondo
Albert ComelliAlbert Comelli
Albert Comelli
Resveratrol is a polyphenolic compound that has gained considerable attention in the past decade due to its multifaceted therapeutic potential, including anti-inflammatory and anticancer properties. However, its anticancer efficacy is impeded by low water solubility, dose-limiting toxicity, low bioavailability, and rapid hepatic metabolism. To overcome these hurdles, various nanoparticles such as organic and inorganic nanoparticles, liposomes, polymeric nanoparticles, dendrimers, solid lipid nanoparticles, gold nanoparticles, zinc oxide nanoparticles, zeolitic imidazolate frameworks, carbon nanotubes, bioactive glass nanoparticles, and mesoporous nanoparticles were employed to deliver resveratrol, enhancing its water solubility, bioavailability, and efficacy against various types of cancer. Resveratrol-loaded nanoparticle or resveratrol-conjugated nanoparticle administration exhibits excellent anticancer potency compared to free resveratrol. This review highlights the latest developments in nanoparticle-based delivery systems for resveratrol, focusing on the potential to overcome limitations associated with the compound’s bioavailability and therapeutic effectiveness.

28 January 2023 in Life
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
Muhammad AliMuhammad Ali
Muhammad Ali
Viviana BenfanteViviana Benfante
Viviana Benfante
Alessandro StefanoAlessandro Stefano
Alessandro Stefano
AYAnthony Yezzi
Anthony Yezzi
Domenico Di RaimondoDomenico Di Raimondo
Domenico Di Raimondo
Albert ComelliAlbert Comelli
Albert Comelli
Polyphenols have gained widespread attention as they are effective in the prevention and management of various diseases, including cancer diseases (CD) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA). They are natural organic substances present in fruits, vegetables, and spices. Polyphenols interact with various kinds of receptors and membranes. They modulate different signal cascades and interact with the enzymes responsible for CD and RA. These interactions involve cellular machinery, from cell membranes to major nuclear components, and provide information on their beneficial effects on health. These actions provide evidence for their pharmaceutical exploitation in the treatment of CD and RA. In this review, we discuss different pathways, modulated by polyphenols, which are involved in CD and RA. A search of the most recent relevant publications was carried out with the following criteria: publication date, 2012–2022; language, English; study design, in vitro; and the investigation of polyphenols present in extra virgin olive, grapes, and spices in the context of RA and CD, including, when available, the underlying molecular mechanisms. This review is valuable for clarifying the mechanisms of polyphenols targeting the pathways of senescence and leading to the development of CD and RA treatments. Herein, we focus on research reports that emphasize antioxidant properties.

26 June 2023 in Life
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
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ACAntonio Lo Casto
Antonio Lo Casto
GSGiacomo Spartivento
Giacomo Spartivento
Viviana BenfanteViviana Benfante
Viviana Benfante
RRRiccardo Di Raimondo
Riccardo Di Raimondo
Muhammad AliMuhammad Ali
Muhammad Ali
Albert ComelliAlbert Comelli
Albert Comelli
The purpose of this investigation was to evaluate the diagnostic performance of two convolutional neural networks (CNNs), namely ResNet-152 and VGG-19, in analyzing, on panoramic images, the rapport that exists between the lower third molar (MM3) and the mandibular canal (MC), and to compare this performance with that of an inexperienced observer (a sixth year dental student). Utilizing the k-fold cross-validation technique, 142 MM3 images, cropped from 83 panoramic images, were split into 80% as training and validation data and 20% as test data. They were subsequently labeled by an experienced radiologist as the gold standard. In order to compare the diagnostic capabilities of CNN algorithms and the inexperienced observer, the diagnostic accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, and positive predictive value (PPV) were determined. ResNet-152 achieved a mean sensitivity, specificity, PPV, and accuracy, of 84.09%, 94.11%, 92.11%, and 88.86%, respectively. VGG-19 achieved 71.82%, 93.33%, 92.26%, and 85.28% regarding the aforementioned characteristics. The dental student’s diagnostic performance was respectively 69.60%, 53.00%, 64.85%, and 62.53%. This work demonstrated the potential use of deep CNN architecture for the identification and evaluation of the contact between MM3 and MC in panoramic pictures. In addition, CNNs could be a useful tool to assist inexperienced observers in more accurately identifying contact relationships between MM3 and MC on panoramic images.

23 March 2023 in Diagnostics
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
Viviana BenfanteViviana Benfante
Viviana Benfante
Alessandro StefanoAlessandro Stefano
Alessandro Stefano
Muhammad AliMuhammad Ali
Muhammad Ali
RLRiccardo Laudicella
Riccardo Laudicella
WAwalter arancio
walter arancio
Albert ComelliAlbert Comelli
Albert Comelli
Radionuclides are unstable isotopes that mainly emit alpha (α), beta (β) or gamma (γ) radiation through radiation decay. Therefore, they are used in the biomedical field to label biomolecules or drugs for diagnostic imaging applications, such as positron emission tomography (PET) and/or single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT). A growing field of research is the development of new radiopharmaceuticals for use in cancer treatments. Preclinical studies are the gold standard for translational research. Specifically, in vitro radiopharmaceutical studies are based on the use of radiopharmaceuticals directly on cells. To date, radiometric β- and γ-counters are the only tools able to assess a preclinical in vitro assay with the aim of estimating uptake, retention, and release parameters, including time- and dose-dependent cytotoxicity and kinetic parameters. This review has been designed for researchers, such as biologists and biotechnologists, who would like to approach the radiobiology field and conduct in vitro assays for cellular radioactivity evaluations using radiometric counters. To demonstrate the importance of in vitro radiopharmaceutical assays using radiometric counters with a view to radiogenomics, many studies based on 64Cu-, 68Ga-, 125I-, and 99mTc-labeled radiopharmaceuticals have been revised and summarized in this manuscript.

28 September 2024 in Cancers
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
GBGhazal Basirinia
Ghazal Basirinia
Muhammad AliMuhammad Ali
Muhammad Ali
Albert ComelliAlbert Comelli
Albert Comelli
ASAlessandro Sperandeo
Alessandro Sperandeo
SPSebastiano Piana
Sebastiano Piana
Viviana BenfanteViviana Benfante
Viviana Benfante
Gastric cancer (GC) is the second most common cause of cancer-related death worldwide and a serious public health concern. This high death rate is mostly caused by late-stage diagnoses, which lead to poor treatment outcomes. Radiation immunotherapy and targeted therapies are becoming increasingly popular in GC treatment, in addition to surgery and systemic chemotherapy. In this review, we have focused on both in vitro and in vivo research, which presents a summary of recent developments in targeted therapies for gastric cancer. We explore targeted therapy approaches, including integrin receptors, HER2, Claudin 18, and glutathione-responsive systems. For instance, therapies targeting the integrin receptors such as the αvβ3 and αvβ5 integrins have shown promise in enhancing diagnostic precision and treatment efficacy. Furthermore, nanotechnology provides novel approaches to targeted drug delivery and imaging. These include glutathione-responsive nanoplatforms and cyclic RGD peptide-conjugated nanoparticles. These novel strategies seek to reduce systemic toxicity while increasing specificity and efficacy. To sum up, the review addresses the significance of personalized medicine and advancements in gastric cancer-targeted therapies. It explores potential methods for enhancing gastric cancer prognosis and treatment in the future.