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Topic Review
Diagnosis and Risk Stratification of Dilated Cardiomyopathy
Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) represents one of the most common causes of non-ischemic heart failure, characterised by ventricular dilation alongside systolic dysfunction. Despite advances in therapy, DCM mortality rates remain high, and it is one of the leading causes of heart transplantation. Developments in complementary diagnostic procedures, namely cardiac magnetic resonance and genetic testing, have shed new light on DCM understanding and management. 
  • 1.2K
  • 19 May 2023
Topic Review
Electrochemical Lithium Recovery System
Various lithium recovery technologies have been developed as securing lithium resources has become increasingly important. Among these technologies, the electrochemical lithium recovery (ELR) system is a rapid and eco-friendly extraction method that has been studied recently. In this study, an ELR system using a spinel-type LiMn2O4 (LMO) is briefly reviewed. As LMO electrodes have high Li+ selectivity and stability compared to other lithium battery cathodes, they have been widely used as positive electrodes for the ELR system. 
  • 1.2K
  • 15 Dec 2020
Topic Review
The KEAP1–NRF2 System
The Kelch-like ECH-associated protein (KEAP1)– Nuclear factor erythroid-derived 2-like 2 (encoded by the Nfe2l2 gene; NRF2) system attracts extensive interest from scientists in basic and clinical cancer research fields, as NRF2 exhibits activity as both an oncogene and tumor suppressor, depending on the context. Especially unique and malignant, NRF2-addicted cancers exhibit high levels of NRF2 expression. Somatic mutations identified in the NRF2 or KEAP1 genes of NRF2-addicted cancers cause the stabilization and accumulation of NRF2. NRF2-addicted cancers hijack the intrinsic roles that NRF2 plays in cytoprotection, including antioxidative and anti-electrophilic responses, as well as metabolic reprogramming, and acquire a marked advantage to survive under severe and limited microenvironments. Therefore, NRF2 inhibitors are expected to have therapeutic effects in patients with NRF2-addicted cancers. In contrast, NRF2 activation in host immune cells exerts significant suppression of cancer cell growth, indicating that NRF2 inducers also have the potential to be therapeutics for cancers. Thus, the KEAP1–NRF2 system makes a broad range of contributions to both cancer development and suppression. These observations thus demonstrate that both NRF2 inhibitors and inducers are useful for the treatment of cancers with high NRF2 activity.
  • 1.2K
  • 12 Jan 2021
Topic Review
Hereditary Haemorrhagic Telangiectasia
Hereditary haemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT) is an inherited vascular disease characterised by bleeding from small blood vessels in the nose and gastrointestinal tract and by larger arteriovenous malformations in the lungs, liver and neural tissues. Recent advances have been made in gaining a better understanding of the cell defects that cause this disease.
  • 1.2K
  • 20 Feb 2021
Topic Review
VALTOCO®
Valtoco® is a new FDA-approved nasal spray version of diazepam indicated for the treatment of acute, intermittent, and stereotypic episodes of frequent seizure activity in epilepsy patients six years of age and older. Although IV and rectal diazepam are already used to treat seizure clusters, Valtoco® has less variability in plasma concentration compared to rectal diazepam. Furthermore, the intranasal administration of Valtoco® is more convenient and less invasive than rectal or IV diazepam, making it ideal for self-administration outside of a hospital setting. Multiple clinical trials have taken place comparing Valtoco® to the oral, rectal, and IV forms of diazepam. Aside from mild nasal irritation and lacrimation, Valtoco® was found to have no increased safety risk in comparison to traditional forms of diazepam.
  • 1.2K
  • 25 Feb 2021
Topic Review
GSK-3
The serine/threonine kinase, GSK-3, is a promising drug discovery target for treating multiple pathological disorders. Most GSK-3 inhibitors that were developed function as ATP competitive inhibitors, with typical limitations in specificity, safety and drug-induced resistance. In contrast, substrate competitive inhibitors (SCIs), are considered highly selective, and more suitable for clinical practice. The development of SCIs has been largely neglected in the past because the ambiguous, undefined nature of the substrate-binding site makes them difficult to design. In this study, we used our previously described structural models of GSK-3 bound to SCI peptides, to design a pharmacophore model and to virtually screen the “drug-like” Zinc database (~6.3 million compounds). We identified leading hits that interact with critical binding elements in the GSK-3 substrate binding site and are chemically distinct from known GSK-3 inhibitors. Accordingly, novel GSK-3 SCI compounds were designed and synthesized with IC50 values of~1–4 μM. Biological activity of the SCI compound was confirmed in cells and in primary neurons that showed increased β-catenin levels and reduced tau phosphorylation in response to compound treatment. We have generated a new type of small molecule GSK-3 inhibitors and propose to use this strategy to further develop SCIs for other protein kinases.
  • 1.2K
  • 11 Mar 2021
Topic Review
Child and Adolescent Obesity
Child and adolescent obesity constitute one of the greatest contemporary public health menaces. The enduring disproportion between calorie intake and energy consumption, determined by a complex interaction of genetic, epigenetic, and environmental factors, finally leads to the development of overweight and obesity. Child and adolescent overweight/obesity promotes smoldering systemic inflammation (“para-inflammation”) and increases the likelihood of later metabolic and cardiovascular complications, including metabolic syndrome and its components, which progressively deteriorate during adulthood. Exosomes are endosome-derived extracellular vesicles that are secreted by a variety of cells, are naturally taken-up by target cells, and may be involved in many physiological and pathological processes. Over the last decade, intensive research has been conducted regarding the special role of exosomes and the non-coding (nc) RNAs they contain (primarily micro (mi) RNAs, long (l) non-coding RNAs, messenger (m) RNAs and other molecules) in inter-cellular communications. Through their action as communication mediators, exosomes may contribute to the pathogenesis of obesity and associated disorders. There is increasing evidence that exosomal miRNAs and lncRNAs are involved in pivotal processes of adipocyte biology and that, possibly, play important roles in gene regulation linked to human obesity. 
  • 1.2K
  • 14 Apr 2021
Topic Review
Gut Microbiome and T2DM
Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a disease that affects over 9% of the United States population and is closely linked to obesity. While obesity was once thought to stem from a sedentary lifestyle and diets high in fat, recent evidence supports the idea that there is more complexity pertinent to the issue. The human gut microbiome has recently been the focus in terms of influencing disease onset. Evidence has shown that the microbiome may be more closely related to T2DM than what was originally thought. High fat diets typically result in poor microbiome heath, which then shifts the gut into a state of dysbiosis. Dysbiosis can then lead to metabolic deregulation, including increased insulin resistance and inflammation, two key factors in the development of T2DM.
  • 1.2K
  • 23 Jun 2021
Topic Review
Concrete from Construction Solid Waste
With the development of human society and urban modernization, a large amount of construction waste is generated every year due to the demolition of buildings. The annual output of these construction wastes can reach 4 billion tons, and the output is increasing year by year. Most of these construction wastes are directly dumped or landfilled, and the recycling rate is extremely low; pollution of the environment is increasingly serious. In recent years, with the awakening of human environmental awareness, coupled with natural aggregates and cementing material in short supply, people have gradually turned their attention to this part of construction waste. Various technical means to prepare it into RCA, RFA, and RP, and recycled concrete. However, the performance of these recycled materials is generally inferior to that of natural materials.
  • 1.2K
  • 24 Nov 2021
Topic Review
[18F]FDG PET/CT Diagnosis
According to the international societies’ recommendations, the 2-deoxy-2-[18F]fluoro-D-glucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography ([18F]FDG PET/CT) technique should not be used as the method of choice in brain tumour diagnosis. Therefore, the brain region can be omitted during standard [18F]FDG PET/CT scanning. We performed comprehensive literature research and analysed results from 14,222 brain and torso [18F]FDG PET/CT studies collected in 2010–2020 to discuss whether the [18F]FDG PET/CT method may be useful in brain tumours detection.
  • 1.2K
  • 29 Mar 2022
Topic Review
Long-Term Effects of Bariatric Surgery on Gut Microbiota
Obesity is a worldwide disease characterized by an excessive body fat accumulation and by the presence of a subclinical  chronic inflammatory status, which is associated with high morbidity and mortality rates. There are multiple pharmacological and non-pharmacological (exercise or dietary interventions) therapeutic strategies to face this disease. However, when these therapies failed, bariatric surgery is the most efficient treatment for obesity. In the last few years, different research studies have demonstrated a key role of gut microbiota, defined as all the microorganisms that habit in the digestive tract, in the development and progression of obesity. For that reason, going deepen in the knowledge of the link between bariatric surgery and gut microbiota could elucidate mechanistic and therapeutic approaches.
  • 1.2K
  • 23 Nov 2021
Topic Review
Metformin and Insulin Resistance
Metformin is the most commonly used treatment to increase insulin sensitivity in insulin-resistant (IR) conditions such as diabetes, prediabetes, polycystic ovary syndrome, and obesity. This study explores the underlying mechanisms of the metformin's effect on IR mainly through the changes in the glucose transporter 4 (GLUT4)-mediated glucose transport.
  • 1.2K
  • 29 Mar 2022
Topic Review
Vaccinium myrtillus L. in Baltic-Nordic Region
Bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus L.) is a natural resource and a useful wild berry in Europe. Various parts of the plant contain many benefits for human health. The adaptation and secondary metabolism of V. myrtillus plants can be synergistically affected by a community of microbial endophytes.
  • 1.2K
  • 07 Feb 2022
Topic Review
Virtual Reality-Assisted Language Learning
Virtual Reality (VR) refers to a three-dimensional (3D) environment generated by computer technology, which can provide a context similar to visual simulation and other senses. It allows users to communicate with people, machines, and other entities in the virtual environment by using computers and various devices. The dramatic reduction in the cost of devices and technology has driven a rapid growth of VR applications in educational fields such as medicine, science, and mathematics in recent years that has been proven to be positive. Learners feel the actual situation through sensory organs, which can help them improve their motivation, participation, and learning ability. Moreover, VR has also been applied to language learning and has shown the importance and potential of applications to support language learning.
  • 1.2K
  • 22 Mar 2022
Topic Review
Cytotoxicity of Thiopurine Drugs in Inflammatory Bowel Disease
As the principal representatives of thiopurines, 6-mercaptopurine (6MP) and its prodrug azathioprine (AZA) are primary immunomodulating agents. They are used for example to manage inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), including ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn’s disease (CD), chronic inflammatory disorders of the gastrointestinal tract. Thiopurines were used to treat CD in the late 1960s and they are currently applied in around 60% of IBD patients.
  • 1.2K
  • 31 Mar 2022
Topic Review
Chemically Modified Extracellular Vesicles
Extracellular vesicles (EVs) have been exploited as bio-inspired drug delivery systems (DDS) in the biomedical field. EVs have more advantages than synthetic nanoparticles: they are naturally equipped to cross extra- and intra-cellular barriers. Furthermore, they can deliver functional biomolecules from one cell to another even far away in the body. These advantages, along with obtained promising in vivo results, clearly evidenced the potential of EVs in drug delivery.
  • 1.2K
  • 14 Apr 2022
Topic Review
β-Caryophyllene in Oxidative Stress and Mitochondrial Dysfunction
Mitochondrial dysfunction results in a series of defective cellular events, including decreased adenosine triphosphate (ATP) production, enhanced reactive oxygen species (ROS) output, and altered proteastasis and cellular quality control. An enhanced output of ROS may damage mitochondrial components, such as mitochondrial DNA and elements of the electron transport chain, resulting in the loss of proper electrochemical gradient across the mitochondrial inner membrane and an ensuing shutdown of mitochondrial energy production. Neurons have an increased demand for ATP and oxygen, and thus are more prone to damage induced by mitochondrial dysfunction. Mitochondrial dysfunction, damaged electron transport chains, altered membrane permeability and Ca2+ homeostasis, and impaired mitochondrial defense systems induced by oxidative stress, are pathological changes involved in neurodegenerative disorders. A growing body of evidence suggests that the use of antioxidants could stabilize mitochondria and thus may be suitable for preventing neuronal loss. Numerous natural products exhibit the potential to counter oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction; however, science is still looking for a breakthrough in the treatment of neurodegenerative disorders. β-caryophyllene is a bicyclic sesquiterpene, and an active principle of essential oils derived from a large number of spices and food plants. As a selective cannabinoid receptor 2 (CB2) agonist, several studies have reported it as possessing numerous pharmacological activities such as antibacterial (e.g., Helicobacter pylori), antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, analgesic (e.g., neuropathic pain), anti-neurodegenerative and anticancer properties.
  • 1.2K
  • 27 Apr 2022
Topic Review
Transcription Factor MAFA in Pancreatic β-cells
MAFA is a basic leucine zipper family transcription factor. In pancreas, MAFA can activate the expression of insulin in β-cells with PDX1 and NEUROD1. MAFA is indeed indispensable for the maintenance of not only insulin expression but also function of adult β-cells. Here, role of MAFA in pancreatic β-cells is mainly described. 
  • 1.2K
  • 13 May 2022
Topic Review
Relative Localization of Robot Swarms
For robot swarm applications, accurate positioning is one of the most important requirements for avoiding collisions and keeping formations and cooperation between individuals. However, in some worst cases, the GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) signals are weak due to the crowd being in a swarm or blocked by a forest, mountains, and high buildings in the environment. Thus, relative localization is an indispensable way to provide position information for the swarm.
  • 1.2K
  • 27 Jun 2022
Topic Review
The Metabolomics Approaches for Analysis of Non-Halal Meats
Halal meats are meats that are allowed to be consumed by Muslim societies according to Islamic law (Syariah). Due to the development of food technology, non-halal meats such as pork or canine meat are added to food products to reduce the production costs. Non-halal meats also include meats from animals which are not slaughtered according to Syariah law; therefore, the availability of a standardized analytical method capable of detecting the presence of non-halal meats with high sensitivity is very urgent. The metabolomics technique, either targeted or untargeted approaches based on liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) measurements is an emerging analytical method applied to the identification of non-halal meats in food products. The LC-MS/MS measurements provide an enormous metabolomics data, therefore, sophisticated data analysis tools such as chemometrics is required.
  • 1.2K
  • 19 Jul 2022
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