The red seaweed Jania rubens (J. rubens) is prevalent along the Lebanese coast and has drawn attention for its notable antineoplastic properties. Our previous data showed that its dichloromethane–methanol (DM) extract possesses antioxidant, cytotoxic, and anti-migratory effects on colon cancer cells. In the present study, a GC-MS analysis of DM extract identified a diverse profile of bioactive compounds, including flavonoids and pyrazole derivatives with antioxidant and anticancer activities. In vitro assays demonstrated that the DM extract exerts significant cytotoxic activity against various cancer cell lines, including colon, breast, and cervical types. Further investigation into the underlying molecular mechanisms revealed that the extract induces G2/M cell cycle arrest and reduces the expression of EMT (epithelial–mesenchymal transition) markers, N-cadherin and Twist. In addition, the extract showed anti-metastatic properties through its ability to decrease MMP-2 and MMP-9 activity. Mechanistically, DM caused a substantial reduction in Ten-Eleven Translocation (TET) enzymes TET-1, TET-2, and TET-3, which are essential DNA demethylation regulators, thus decreasing their enzymatic product 5-hydroxymethylcytosine (5-hmC). Interestingly, despite a significant increase in intracellular ROS (reactive oxygen species), suggesting a contribution to cytotoxicity, no substantial change in the biogenesis of promyelocytic leukemia nuclear bodies (PML-NBs) was detected. These findings demonstrate that J. rubens DM extract contains bioactive compounds with multiple anticancer effects, thus making it a promising candidate for developing new therapeutic agents.

Premarital screening (PMS) is an intervention designed to reduce the burden of genetic and sexually transmitted diseases. Understanding individuals’ knowledge, attitudes and future practices (KAP) toward PMS is essential for promoting informed decision-making in marriage planning. This study aims to assess the KAP of unmarried Lebanese individuals toward PMS and to identify the factors associated with these constructs. A cross-sectional web-based survey was conducted in Lebanon between April and May 2025, using snowball sampling through social media platforms. The survey comprised sociodemographic questions and three sections to assess the KAP toward PMS. Descriptive statistics summarized participants’ characteristics and outcomes, while independent t-tests, ANOVA, and multiple linear regression analyses examined associations and predictors. A total of 422 unmarried participants (mean age: 23.34 ± 3.62 years) completed the survey. The mean knowledge and attitude scores were 17.86 ± 3.25 and 37.89 ± 3.59, respectively. Most participants (97.4%) indicated that they would carry out PMS, and 96.7% disagreed with consanguineous marriage. Higher knowledge scores were found among participants working in the healthcare field (p < 0.001), those who had heard about PMS (p < 0.001), and those who knew its objectives (p < 0.001). Females (p = 0.034), individuals with a history of genetic disease (p < 0.001), and those aware of PMS (p = 0.002) had significantly higher attitude scores. Multiple linear regression analysis identified working in the healthcare field (p = 0.002), marital status (p = 0.006), and awareness of PMS (p = 0.003) as significant predictors of higher knowledge scores. For attitude scores, higher knowledge (p < 0.001) and intention to carry out PMS (p = 0.040) emerged as significant independent predictors. This study revealed a moderate level of knowledge and a good attitude toward PMS among unmarried Lebanese individuals, highlighting the importance of targeted interventions to enhance PMS concepts.

Sulfated polysaccharides (SPs) isolated from the marine red macroalga Jania rubens exhibit diverse biological activities. Streptococcus agalactiae (S. agal

Background: Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative characterized by amyloid-β (Aβ) peptide aggregation and tangles. Protein translation deregulation and viral exposures, including SARS-CoV-2, have been implicated in increased AD risk. Genes such as YIF1A, PABPC4, and MRPS27, which are involved in mRNA translation and protein folding have been linked to neurodegeneration and host responses to SARS-CoV-2. Objective: This study investigates the association of three genetic variants, rs7945723G>A , rs6587A>G, and rs6831A>G, respectively correlated with YIF1A , PABPC4, and MRPS27 , with AD, and explored their expression in COVID-19 samples to assess potential shared pathways. Methods: A KASP genotyping assay was performed on 127 AD patients and 250 controls. A Binary logistic regression model assessed the association between AD and the single nucleotide polymorphisms, adjusting for age, sex, body mass index, and education. Gene expression was quantified by RT-qPCR in nasopharyngeal samples from 32 COVID-19 patients and 39 controls. The Mann- Whitney test compared gene expression between groups, and logistic regression evaluated associations with COVID-19 status. Results: Results showed that rs6587A>G in PABPC4 is significantly associated with AD risk with the GG genotype conferring increased susceptibility (OR = 4.3, p = 0.010). Gene expression analysis revealed no significant differences in PABPC4 , YIF1A , or MRPS27 between COVID-19 and control groups. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that post-transcriptional regulatory mechanisms, particularly involving PABPC4, may contribute to AD-related pathways. Larger multi-ethnic cohorts and functional studies are needed to clarify the role of PABPC4 and potential shared mechanisms between AD and COVID-19.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) treatment with standard chemotherapeutics such as capecitabine (CAP) and irinotecan (IRT) is frequently limited by toxicity and resistance. To identify novel adjuvant strategies, we investigated the dichloromethane–methanol (DM) Soxhlet extract of the red alga Jania rubens, previously shown to exert intrinsic antiproliferative effects via reactive oxygen species (ROS) induction, inhibition of epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT), and suppression of TET enzymes. The present study evaluated the effect of the DM extract in combination with chemotherapeutic agents in HCT-116, Caco-2, and HT-29 colorectal cancer cell lines, assessing its potential to enhance treatment response. Co-treatment with the DM extract significantly enhanced the cytotoxic and anti-migratory effects of CAP and IRT in HCT-116 and Caco-2 cells. Combination treatment also impaired long-term clonogenic survival, suggesting the inhibition of therapy-resistant subpopulations. Flow cytometric analysis (Annexin V-FITC/PI) revealed a dose-dependent increase in apoptosis in HCT-116 cells following DM treatment. Western blot analysis further supported the pro-apoptotic activity of the DM extract by demonstrating reduced BCL-2 protein expression. The extract additionally modulated the mRNA expression levels of cytokines (TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-10), suggesting potential immunomodulatory effects in colorectal cancer cells. Notably, co-administration of IRT and the DM extract enhanced apoptosis, primarily through the downregulation of the anti-apoptotic gene BCL-2. Together, these findings indicate that the Jania rubens DM extract modulates multiple cellular pathways and enhances the response to conventional CRC chemotherapeutic agents.

Jania rubens (J. rubens), a Mediterranean red seaweed, is rich in bioactive compounds with potential medicinal applications. This study investigates the therapeutic potential of Lebanese J. rubens through in vitro evaluation of its anti-diabetic, anti-coagulant, anti-inflammatory and anti-hemolytic activities. Various extracts were prepared and characterized using GC-MS and HPLC. Biological activities were assessed through α-amylase inhibition assays, effects on prothrombin time and partial thromboplastin time, anti-inflammatory activity and anti-hemolytic activity. Significant α-amylase inhibition was observed with dichloromethane/methanol and lipid extracts, comparable to acarbose. All types of extracts prolonged PT and PTT, with the lipid extract showing the strongest effect at higher concentrations. Additionally, dichloromethane/methanol extracts exhibited potent anti-hemolytic activity. Moreover, all extracts showed strong anti-inflammatory activity, achieving levels of inhibition of heat-induced BSA denaturation comparable to diclofenac. Characterization revealed 11 amino acids in the protein extracts, and significant fatty acids in the lipid profile. The crude extracts contained diverse compounds, including flavonoids, aldehydes, diterpenoids, terpenoids, fatty acids, and sterol esters, which may contribute to the observed biological activities. These results highlight J. rubens as a potential reservoir of bioactive compounds with promising in vitro activities related to diabetes, thrombotic disorders, inflammation, and oxidative stress. Further research is needed to isolate the active compounds, validate their efficacy in vivo, assess safety, and elucidate the underlying mechanisms.