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Topic Review
DCR based on SCLs
Ophthalmic drug delivery has always been a challenge for ophthalmologists and scientists from a variety of disciplines. It is estimated that the bioavailability of ophthalmic drugs is uncertain and is about 5% or less. This is a consequence of anatomical and physiological barriers, including tear drainage and epithelial transport limitations. Unique static and dynamic eye barriers exclude the penetration of xenobiotics and discourage the active absorption of therapeutic agents. Designing an ideal delivery regimen should involve increased bioavailability and controlled drug release at the target tissue, overcoming the ocular barriers.Eye medications administered in the conventional form of eye drops or ointments are often characterised by low bioavailability. In addition, they require repeated daily administration, which, combined with low patient compliance, causes doses to be avoided or administered incorrectly, contrary to therapeutic recommendations. Attempts to increase the bioavailability of ophthalmic medicines by using various modern solutions such as viscous solutions, suspensions, emulsions, ointments, gels, polymer inserts, and colloidal systems are still unsatisfactorily challenging in pharmaceutical research. Hence, the use of contact lenses as drug delivery systems has been increasingly explored in recent years.The main objectives for the development of DCR (drug-controlled release) based on SCLs (soft contact lenses) are:to increase the drug delivery efficiency;to improve patient compliance and reduce undesirable systemic side effects, especially in chronic diseases such as glaucoma and dry eye;to enhance SCLs tolerance, particularly in patients affected by dry eye syndrome and ocular allergies;to design “bandage contact lenses” modified with antimicrobial or anti-inflammatory agents for managing corneal wound healing.
  • 700
  • 09 Oct 2021
Topic Review
Oxidative Stress-Induced Hypertension of Developmental Origins
Hypertension remains the leading cause of disease burden worldwide. Hypertension can originate in the early stages of life. A growing body of evidence suggests that oxidative stress, which is characterized as a reactive oxygen species (ROS)/nitric oxide (NO) disequilibrium, has a pivotal role in the hypertension of developmental origins. Results from animal studies support the idea that early-life oxidative stress causes developmental programming in prime blood pressure (BP)-controlled organs such as the brain, kidneys, heart, and blood vessels, leading to hypertension in adult offspring. Conversely, perinatal use of antioxidants can counteract oxidative stress and therefore lower BP. 
  • 700
  • 18 Mar 2022
Topic Review
Epigenetic Mechanisms of Tree Responses to Climatic Changes
Forest trees are complex perennial organisms that are adapted to the local environment as a result of prevailing climate conditions in population history. Because they lead a sedentary lifestyle, plants are exposed to various environmental stimuli, such as changes which can lead to the rapid adjustment or failure of their defence mechanisms. As forests play a crucial role in environmental homeostasis and are the source of many products, it is crucial to estimate the position of forest trees’ plasticity mechanisms in the face of climate change. Fast epigenetic adjustment is the basis for surviving climate fluctuations, however, the question is whether this mechanism will also be efficient if climate fluctuations increase. Epigenetic modifications enable rapid reactions to the inducing stimulus by establishing chromatin patterns and manipulating gene expression without affecting the DNA itself.
  • 700
  • 18 Nov 2022
Topic Review
Candidate Genes/Proteomic Biomarkers of MOH
Chronic headache is a topical problem of neurology, psychiatry and general practice. The medication-overuse headache (MOH) is one of the leading pathologies in the structure of chronic headache. The serum and urine proteomic biomarkers of MOH can potentially help with the identification of patients with MOH development. 
  • 699
  • 26 Aug 2021
Topic Review
EVOO’s Flavor
Extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) is one of the most distinctive ingredients of the Mediterranean diet. EVOO can be defined as the oil obtained from the fruit of the olive tree (Olea europaea), using exclusively mechanical or physical procedures. To obtain an EVOO, olives cannot be treated with other procedures than washing, decanting, centrifugation, and filtration, thus excluding oils obtained with solvents or by re-esterification or oil mixing procedures.
  • 698
  • 09 Mar 2021
Topic Review
Small Molecules to Enhance Gene Therapy
In the rapidly evolving landscape of genetic engineering, the advent of CRISPR-Cas technologies has catalyzed a paradigm shift, empowering scientists to manipulate the genetic code with unprecedented accuracy and efficiency. Despite the remarkable capabilities inherent to CRISPR-Cas systems, recent advancements have witnessed the integration of small molecules to augment their functionality, introducing new dimensions to the precision and versatility of gene editing applications. 
  • 698
  • 03 Jan 2024
Topic Review
Enzymatic Functions of DJ-1
DJ-1 (also known as PARK7) is a multifunctional enzyme in human beings that is highly conserved and that has also been discovered in diverse species (ranging from prokaryotes to eukaryotes). Its complex enzymatic and non-enzymatic activities (such as anti-oxidation, anti-glycation, and protein quality control), as well as its role as a transcriptional coactivator, enable DJ-1 to serve as an essential regulator in multiple cellular processes (e.g., epigenetic regulations) and make it a promising therapeutic target for diverse diseases (especially cancer and Parkinson’s disease).
  • 698
  • 04 May 2023
Topic Review
Algal Lipids as Modulators of Skin Disease
Lipids from algae have been scarcely applied to modulate skin diseases, but they are well known antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agents. They have shown scavenging activities and can modulate redox homeostasis enzymes. They can also downmodulate key inflammatory signaling pathways and transcription factors such as NF-κB, decreasing the expression of pro-inflammatory mediators. Thus, the exploitation of algae lipids as therapeutical agents for the treatment of inflammatory skin diseases is highly attractive.
  • 696
  • 28 Feb 2022
Topic Review
LincRNAs and snoRNAs in Breast Cancer Metastasis
LncRNAs are defined as RNAs whose transcript length exceeds 200 nucleotides and is not translated into proteins. They are transcribed by RNA polymerase II and although they can be categorized based on their length, function, location, and mechanism of action, so far there are no standard guidelines for this classification. According to their position in the genome in relation to protein-coding genes, they are categorized as (i) sense, which are transcribed in the same direction as that of the protein-coding gene, (ii) antisense, which are transcribed in a direction opposite to that of the protein-coding gene, (iii) bidirectional, which are transcribed in both directions, (iv) intronic, that are transcribed from introns found within protein-coding genes, (v) intergenic (lincRNAs), that are transcribed between two protein-coding genes, and (vi) enhancer lncRNAs. Small nucleolar RNAs (snoRNAs) are 60–300 nucleotides in length and as the name suggests, are mainly found in the nucleolus where they function as guide RNAs for the post-transcriptional modification of ribosomal RNAs and some spliceosomal RNAs. 
  • 696
  • 30 Sep 2022
Topic Review
Galectin-3 and ST2 in Cardiology
Gal3 is a protein that belongs to the family of galectins, which are beta-galactoside binding proteins. Gal3 is broadly expressed in tissues, including all types of immune cells, epithelial cells, and sensory neurons. Furthermore, it participates in a wide variety of processes involved in the genesis of fibrosis, such as apoptosis, angiogenesis, and inflammation. ST2 is a protein that is part of the interleukin-1 receptor, and there are two isoforms, a transmembrane receptor (ST2L) and a soluble receptor (sST2, denoted as ST2). Interleukin-33 plays a cardioprotective role. It prevents fibrosis and cardiac hypertrophy through ST2L. In addition, ST2 reduces the cardioprotective effect of the Interleukin-33/ST2L pathway by binding to free interleukin-33.
  • 695
  • 11 Aug 2021
Topic Review
HIV- and Antiretroviral-Induced Metabolic Syndrome
Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a non-communicable disease characterised by a cluster of metabolic irregularities. The prevalence of MetS in people living with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and antiretroviral (ARV) usage is increasing rapidly. The findings suggest that mitochondrial dysfunction was the most common mechanism that induced metabolic complications. Furthermore, protease inhibitors (PIs) are more commonly implicated in MetS-related effects than other classes of ARVs.
  • 695
  • 29 Mar 2022
Topic Review
The HIF-Dependent Transcriptional Response
The Hypoxia Inducible Factor 1 (HIF-1) plays a major role in the cellular response to hypoxia by regulating the expression of many genes involved in adaptive processes that allow cell survival under low oxygen conditions. Adaptation to the hypoxic tumor micro-environment is also critical for cancer cell proliferation and therefore HIF-1 is also considered a valid therapeutical target. Despite the huge progress in understanding regulation of HIF-1 expression and activity by oxygen levels or oncogenic pathways, the way HIF-1 interacts with chromatin and the transcriptional machinery in order to activate its target genes is still a matter of intense investigation.
  • 695
  • 21 Mar 2023
Topic Review
The Structure and Function of LRP5
The LRP5 protein plays a significant role in the highly conserved canonical WNT signaling pathway, also known as the WNT–β-catenin pathway, which is involved in multiple processes, including cell fate determination, organogenesis, limb pattern formation, injury repair, and the pathogenesis of a variety of diseases.
  • 695
  • 09 Oct 2023
Topic Review
Therapeutic Interventions of Heat Shock Proteins
Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is the most common endocrine disorder in women of reproductive age and post-menopausal women. PCOS is a multifactorial heterogeneous disorder associated with a variety of etiologies, outcomes, and clinical manifestations. Heat shock proteins (HSPs) play a significant role in the progression of this multifactorial disorder. Abnormal levels of HSPs are a common finding in women with PCOS, and it has been established that they are involved in many aspects of the condition, making them suitable targets for possible treatments. HSPs cannot broadly be labeled as “good” or “bad”, but simply integral factors in the mechanism of PCOS that, once disrupted, contribute to its pathogenesis and can potentially be modulated to alleviate the condition.
  • 694
  • 08 Feb 2023
Topic Review
ROS and Autophagy in Cisplatin-Induced Acute Kidney Injury
Cisplatin-induced acute kidney injury (AKI) is the main factor restraining the clinical application of cisplatin. As increased levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) may promote the progression of the injury, the elimination of ROS has been considered as an effective method to prevent the cisplatin-induced AKI. In addition, it has been revealed that an inducer of autophagy could protect kidney cells in the autophagy dependent manner. Induction of autophagy could also modulate the production of ROS in cases of renal injury.
  • 694
  • 08 Sep 2023
Topic Review
DNA Methylation
DNA methylation is a key epigenetic signature implicated in regulation of gene expression that occurs predominantly within CpG dinucleotides.
  • 693
  • 08 Jan 2024
Topic Review
MicroRNAs in Signaling Pathways of Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis
Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a chronic and progressive disease with high mortality and unclear etiology. Previous evidence supports that the origin of this disease is associated with epigenetic alterations, age, and environmental factors. IPF initiates with chronic epithelial lung injuries, followed by basal membrane destruction, which promotes the activation of myofibroblasts and excessive synthesis of extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins, as well as epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). Due to miRNAs’ role as regulators of apoptosis, proliferation, differentiation, and cell-cell interaction processes, some studies have involved miRNAs in the biogenesis and progression of IPF.
  • 692
  • 27 Jun 2022
Topic Review
Receptor-Mediated Nutrient Sensing in Metabolism
Nutrients are essential organic substances, and how they are distinguished in the stomach is pivotal for stabilizing the body’s nutritional and energy requirements. Diverse gene expressions are elicited after food perception by their respective receptors. Nutritional signalling is a broad term that refers to various cell signalling pathways influenced by nutrient availability. Signalling cascades are activated when nutrient levels change, modulating essential cellular activities including metabolism, proliferation, secretion, and autophagy.
  • 692
  • 08 Oct 2022
Topic Review
Sialylation and Cancer Metastasis
Metastasis is a multi-step, inefficient process that accounts for approximately 90% of cancer-related deaths. The process of cancer metastasis can be briefly summarized as cancer cells escaping their initial sites, surviving in blood and lymph transfer, and developing new distal tumor sites. Sialylation modifies the conformation of essential proteins to promote cancer cell proliferation, invasion, and migration. α2-6-Sialylation of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) regulates the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) of cancer cells and sustains its membrane retention, regulating integrin tension, focal adhesion, and cell motility.
  • 692
  • 12 Dec 2022
Topic Review
microRNAs Deregulation in Prostate Cancer
Prostate cancer (PCa) is the most frequently diagnosed cancer and the second leading cause of cancer deaths among American men. Complex genetic and epigenetic mechanisms are involved in the development and progression of PCa. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are short noncoding RNAs that regulate protein expression at the post-transcriptional level by targeting mRNAs for degradation or inhibiting protein translation.
  • 692
  • 24 Aug 2023
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