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Topic Review
Carbonic Anhydrases
Carbonic anhydrases are of fundamental importance for dynamics of both intracellular and extracellular pH in tumors.
  • 1.7K
  • 10 May 2021
Topic Review
Epigenetics in Crop Breeding
Epigenetic regulation has the potential to revolutionize plant breeding and improve crop yields by regulating gene expression in plants. DNA methylation and histone modifications are key epigenetic modifications that can impact plant development, stress responses, productivity, and yields. 
  • 1.7K
  • 11 Aug 2023
Topic Review
α-Lipoic Acid
α-lipoic acid (ALA, thioctic acid) is an organosulfur component produced from plants, animals, and humans. It has various properties, among them great antioxidant potential and is widely used as a racemic drug for diabetic polyneuropathy-associated pain and paresthesia. Naturally, ALA is located in mitochondria, where it is used as a cofactor for pyruvate dehydrogenase (PDH) and α-ketoglutarate dehydrogenase complexes. Despite its various potentials, ALA therapeutic efficacy is relatively low due to its pharmacokinetic profile. Data suggests that ALA has a short half-life and bioavailability (about 30%) triggered by its hepatic degradation, reduced solubility as well as instability in the stomach. However, the use of various innovative formulations has greatly improved ALA bioavailability. The R enantiomer of ALA shows better pharmacokinetic parameters, including increased bioavailability as compared to its S enantiomer. Indeed, the use of amphiphilic matrices has capability to improve ALA bioavailability and intestinal absorption. 
  • 1.7K
  • 29 Jul 2021
Topic Review
Autosomal Recessive Polycystic Kidney Disease
Autosomal recessive polycystic kidney disease (ARPKD) is a rare disorder and one of the most severe forms of polycystic kidney disease, leading to end-stage renal disease (ESRD) in childhood. PKHD1 is the gene that is responsible for the vast majority of ARPKD. However, some cases have been related to a new gene that was recently identified (DZIP1L gene), as well as several ciliary genes that can mimic a ARPKD-like phenotypic spectrum. In addition, a number of molecular pathways involved in the ARPKD pathogenesis and progression were elucidated using cellular and animal models. However, the function of the ARPKD proteins and the molecular mechanism of the disease currently remain incompletely understood. 
  • 1.7K
  • 25 Jun 2021
Topic Review
Nanostructured Antibiotics
Bacterial strains resistant to antimicrobial treatments, such as antibiotics, have emerged as serious clinical problems, necessitating the development of novel bactericidal materials. Nanostructures with particle sizes ranging from 1 to 100 nanometers have appeared recently as novel antibacterial agents, which are also known as “nanoantibiotics”. Nanomaterials have been shown to exert greater antibacterial effects on Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria across several studies. Antibacterial nanofilms for medical implants and restorative matters to prevent bacterial harm and antibacterial vaccinations to control bacterial infections are examples of nanoparticle applications in the biomedical sectors. The development of unique nanostructures, such as nanocrystals and nanostructured materials, is an exciting step in alternative efforts to manage microorganisms because these materials provide disrupted antibacterial effects, including better biocompatibility, as opposed to minor molecular antimicrobial systems, which have short-term functions and are poisonous.
  • 1.7K
  • 10 Nov 2022
Topic Review
Medicinally Viable Plants of the Genus Tylophora
Plants of the genus Tylophora have commonly been used in traditional medicine in various communities, especially in the tropical and subtropical regions of climatic zones. Of the nearly 300 species reported in the Tylophora genus, eight are primarily used in various forms to treat a variety of bodily disorders based on the symptoms. Certain plants from the genus have found use as anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor, anti-allergic, anti-microbial, hypoglycemic, hypolipidemic, anti-oxidant, smooth muscle relaxant, immunomodulatory, and anti-plasmodium agents, as well as free-radical scavengers. Pharmacologically, a few plant species from the genus have exhibited broad-spectrum anti-microbial and anti-cancer activity, which has been proven through experimental evaluations. Some of the plants in the genus have also helped in alcohol-induced anxiety amelioration and myocardial damage repair. The plants belonging to the genus have also shown diuretic, anti-asthmatic, and hepato-protective activities. Tylophora plants have afforded diverse structural bases for secondary metabolites, mainly belonging to phenanthroindolizidine alkaloids, which have been found to treat several diseases with promising pharmacological activity levels. 
  • 1.7K
  • 09 Mar 2023
Topic Review
Bifunctional Non-Canonical Amino Acids
Genetic code expansion is a powerful tool for the study of protein interactions, as it allows for the site-specific incorporation of a photoreactive group via non-canonical amino acids. Recently, several groups have published bifunctional amino acids that carry a handle for click chemistry in addition to the photo-crosslinker. This allows for the specific labeling of crosslinked proteins and therefore the pulldown of peptides for further analysis. This review describes the properties and advantages of different bifunctional amino acids, and gives an overview about current and future applications.
  • 1.7K
  • 17 Jun 2021
Topic Review
Biological and Hydrobiological Background of Pond Carp Breeding
In the Central European region, there is a long tradition of breeding fish in artificially constructed ponds. As the area belongs to the temperate zone, farmed fish need to survive cold winter periods. Common carp (Cyprinus carpio L.), which is an omnivorous, bioturbating species, is well adapted to warm and cold periods and the alluvial water environment. Since the Middle Ages, a large scale, efficient carp farming methodology has been developed in the region, where production is based on natural resources (protein and fatty acid sources) of renewable water ecosystems.
  • 1.7K
  • 03 Nov 2022
Topic Review
Biosurfactants as Food Additives
Microbial surfactants as food additives comprise molecules that may be introduced to food in order to confer emulsifying, foaming, thickening, texture-improving, and/or preserving properties, along with the encapsulation of fat-soluble substances such as vitamins (called “direct food additives”).
  • 1.7K
  • 14 Apr 2023
Topic Review
List of Dolichopodid Genera
The fly family Dolichopodidae contains approximately 200 genera.
  • 1.7K
  • 10 Oct 2022
Topic Review
Retinoic Acid and Stemness
Stem cells have the capacity of self-renewal and, through proliferation and differentiation, are responsible for the embryonic development, postnatal development, and the regeneration of tissues in the adult organism. Cancer stem cells, analogous to the physiological stem cells, have the capacity of self-renewal and may account for growth and recurrence of tumors. Development and regeneration of healthy tissues and tumors depend on the balance of different genomic and nongenomic signaling pathways that regulate stem cell quiescence, proliferation, and differentiation. During evolution, this balance became dependent on all-trans retinoic acid (RA), a molecule derived from the environmental factor vitamin A. 
  • 1.7K
  • 22 Sep 2021
Topic Review
Arachidonic Acid and Its Metabolites
Studies concerning the role of arachidonic acid (AA) and its metabolites in kidney disease are scarce, and this applies in particular to idiopathic nephrotic syndrome (INS). INS is one of the most frequent glomerular diseases in childhood; it is characterized by T-lymphocyte dysfunction, alterations of pro- and anti-coagulant factor levels, and increased platelet count and aggregation, leading to thrombophilia. AA and its metabolites are involved in several biological processes. Herein, we describe the main fields where they may play a significant role, particularly as it pertains to their effects on the kidney and the mechanisms underlying INS. AA and its metabolites influence cell membrane fluidity and permeability, modulate platelet activity and coagulation, regulate lymphocyte activity and inflammation, preserve the permeability of the glomerular barrier, influence podocyte physiology, and play a role in renal fibrosis. 
  • 1.6K
  • 08 Jun 2021
Topic Review
Blue Gourami (Trichogaster trichopterus)
Blue gourami (Trichogaster trichopterus) is a labyrinth fish of the suborder Anabantoidei, order Perciformes. It is a small tropical freshwater fish characterized by the presence of a chamber, or labyrinth, above the gills for the uptake of oxygen from the air for breathing. The labyrinth enables adaptation to life in water with low dissolved oxygen by partial air breathing.
  • 1.6K
  • 07 Apr 2021
Topic Review
Cell-Type Annotation
Multicellular organisms consist of cells that can be categorized by their function and morphology. Single-cell transcriptomics makes it possible to individually profile thousands of cells in multiple tissues and organisms within a single experiment. Determining and labeling cell types or states in single cell transcriptomic data is known as cell-type annotation or identification. Several methods are employed for cell-type annotation, including signature scoring, supervised learning, cell-integration-based label transfer, and semi-supervised annotation. Considering the lineage relationships among cell types, hierarchical classification methods are crucial for accurately identifying cell types and subtypes at an optimal clustering resolution. The use of well-curated reference datasets, implementation of quality control measures, and careful consideration of cluster resolutions heavily influence the reliability of cell-type annotation. The aim of cell-type annotation is to gain insights into cell heterogeneity in various biological processes and diseases, with the potential to drive improvements in therapeutic interventions.
  • 1.6K
  • 08 Aug 2023
Topic Review
Marine Collagen
Marine organisms harbor numerous bioactive substances that can be utilized in the pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries. Scientific research on various applications of collagen extracted from these organisms has become increasingly prevalent. Marine collagen can be used as a biomaterial because it is water-soluble, metabolically compatible, and highly accessible. 
  • 1.6K
  • 29 Mar 2022
Topic Review
Andean Blueberry
Andean blueberry (Vaccinium floribundum Kunth), also known as mortiño, is a promising wild berry of the family Ericaceae that grows spontaneously in the Andean regions of Ecuador. The demand for these small (~8 mm diameter), black, and round fruits has been increasing due to their antioxidant characteristic, similar to other Vaccinium species, such as cranberry, blueberry, or bilberry, mostly related to the high content of (poly) phenolic compounds.
  • 1.6K
  • 14 May 2021
Topic Review
Galectin-3 as Biomarker
Galectin-3, predominantly located in the cytoplasm and expressed on the cell surface, is a β-galactoside-binding lectin which is important in numerous biological activities in various organs, including cell proliferation, apoptotic regulation, inflammation, fibrosis, and host defense. Galectin-3 is often secreted into biological fluids, like serum and urine, thus used as a biomarker. It is also released from injured cells and inflammatory cells under various pathological conditions. Galectin-3 plays an important role as a diagnostic or prognostic biomarker for certain types of heart disease, kidney disease, viral infection, autoimmune disease, neurodegenerative disorders, and tumor formation. In particular, galectin-3 is extremely useful for detecting many of these diseases in their early stages.
  • 1.6K
  • 08 Jun 2021
Topic Review
Hemiboreal Tree Dynamics
Climate change and the associated disturbances have disrupted the relative stability of tree species composition in hemiboreal forests. The natural ecology of forest communities, including species occurrence and composition, forest structure, and food webs, have been affected. Yet, the hemiboreal forest zone of Lithuania is the least studied in the country for climate change risks and possible management adaption techniques. Moreover, the adverse effects of the phenomenon of global climate change can undermine the resilience of forest ecology in terms of its capacity for natural regeneration to occur successfully on the scale of the expected time. Especially since forests are meta-networks that constantly evolve toward the successional processes and patterns that cannot be reached at an individual species level. Therefore, in the context of hemiboreal forests, assisted natural regeneration lays the groundwork necessary to consider the life-cycle features of trees that affect the organic relationships between individual species and ecological communities indirectly via their effects on growth, reproduction, and survival, such as tree regeneration strategies that correspond to the various trade-offs in the adaptations to competition, stress, and forest disturbances. With the concept of assisted natural regeneration, embedded in the principle of deep ecology, the natural powers of forest ecology can be revitalized and fast-tracked to keep up with the pace of global climate change or even overtake it ahead its disruptions.
  • 1.6K
  • 03 Nov 2022
Topic Review
Trichoderma
There is no doubt that Trichoderma is an inhabitant of the rhizosphere that plays an important role in how plants interact with the environment. Beyond the production of cell wall degrading enzymes and metabolites, Trichoderma spp. can protect plants by inducing faster and stronger immune responses, a mechanism known as priming, which involves enhanced accumulation of dormant cellular proteins that function in intracellular signal amplification. One example of these proteins is the mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK) that are triggered by the rise of cytosolic calcium levels and cellular redox changes following a stressful challenge. Transcription factors such as WRKYs, MYBs, and MYCs, play important roles in priming as they act as regulatory nodes in the transcriptional network of systemic defence after stress recognition.
  • 1.6K
  • 06 May 2021
Topic Review
Silver and Gold Nanoparticles
Silver and gold nanoparticles can be found in a range of household products related to almost every area of life, including patches, bandages, paints, sportswear, personal care products, food storage equipment, cosmetics, disinfectants, etc. Their confirmed ability to enter the organism through respiratory and digestive systems, skin, and crossing the blood–brain barrier raises questions of their potential effect on cell function. Therefore, this manuscript aimed to summarize recent reports concerning the influence of variables such as size, shape, concentration, type of coating, or incubation time, on effects of gold and silver nanoparticles on cultured cell lines. Due to the increasingly common use of AgNP and AuNP in multiple branches of the industry, further studies on the effects of nanoparticles on different types of cells and the general natural environment are needed to enable their long-term use. However, some environmentally friendly solutions to chemically synthesized nanoparticles are also investigated, such as plant-based synthesis methods.
  • 1.6K
  • 29 Oct 2021
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