In recent years, the field of clinical laboratory medicine has witnessed remarkable advancements, driven by technological innovations, interdisciplinary research, and the growing demand for precision diagnostics. As Co-Editor-in-Chief, I am pleased to introduce LabMed Discovery (LMD), a new open-access, peer-reviewed journal dedicated to facilitating scholarly communication and fostering innovation in laboratory medicine, in vitro diagnostics, and emerging diagnostic technologies.

LabMed Discovery is proudly sponsored by Ruijin Hospital and Shanghai Jiao Tong University and serves as the official journal of the College of Health Science and Technology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine. With a clear mission to “lead the innovation of laboratory medicine technology and promote international exchanges in medical technology,” LMD aspires to be a leading platform for global researchers and clinicians to disseminate cutting-edge research, novel diagnostic methodologies, and transformative clinical applications.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are endogenous single-stranded non-coding RNAs approximately 22 ​nt in length, which play a regulatory role in various biological processes by targeting and inhibiting protein-coding gene transcripts. Among the wide range of miRNAs, miR-668 exhibits abnormal expression patterns in different diseases, including head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSC), hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), breast cancer (BrC), ischemic acute kidney injury (ischemic AKI), myocardial infarction (MI), ischemic stroke (IS), Parkinson’s disease (PD), smoking-related interstitial fibrosis (SRIF), premature aging, and non-segmental vitiligo (NSV), among others. The expression of miR-668 is regulated by various upstream factors, including other non-coding RNAs and endogenous proteins. Functionally, miR-668 targets 6 protein-coding genes (SDF-1, Dvl1, BTG2, MTFP1, FHIT, and NFKBIA) and is involved in 3 signaling pathways: the Drp signaling pathway, NF-κB signaling pathway, and NLRP3 signaling pathway. Notably, miR-668 has contrasting effects depending on the context; it can promote the development and metastasis of HCC and induce radiation resistance in BrC cells, while also promoting aging and inhibiting HNSC progression in human keratinocytes. Furthermore, miR-668 exhibits anti-apoptotic effects, alleviates ischemia/reperfusion injury, improves intracerebral expansion, relieves hydrocephalus, and has prognostic value in gastric cancer (GC), HCC, and BrC, with high expression predicting poor outcomes. Notably, the cancer drugs melatonin and Pterostilbene (Ptero) exert their therapeutic effects by modulating miR-668. Future studies should focus on validating the reliability of miR-668 as a biomarker and elucidating the specific mechanisms through which miR-668 participates in cancer therapy.

Objective: Paper cups are mostly used for consuming beverages. These cups have an interior laminated hydrophobic thin film coated with polyethene and copolymers. During association with hot water or beverages ions like nitrite, chloride, fluoride and microplastic particles were released into water. Deposition of these particles has serious health effects in human. So, the objectives of the present study are to evaluate the degradation of the microplastic particles as a result of exposure to hot water. Methods: Different characterization techniques like UV-Vis spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, Gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and Inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy are used to identify microplastic particles. Information about microplastic content in such samples is limited, yet most of the analytical methods used are very time-consuming. Results: Sample preparation and detection require sophisticated analytical tools and eventually require high user knowledge. This research shown that microplastics can leach from the lining of disposable cups into the beverage within minutes of contact with hot liquids. GCMS report shows that Phthalates compound and chemical exposure affect the endocrine system which interferes with hormone function. When exposed to hot water, the plastic coatings start to break down and the compounds like Diethyl phthalate, Di-2-ethylhexyl-adipate, Butylated hydroxytoluene, Benzotriazole, Styrene, Vinyl chloride were found in the hot water. Some scientists have shown that certain bacterial enzymes can hydrolyze and degrade the microplastic compound. Conclusions: This research discusses paper cup microplastic compounds and the binding affinity of detoxification enzyme interaction have been discussed in silico. However, this research recommends to opting for reusable cups made of glass, steel, and safer materials like soil-made cup.