You're using an outdated browser. Please upgrade to a modern browser for the best experience.
Subject:
All Disciplines Arts & Humanities Biology & Life Sciences Business & Economics Chemistry & Materials Science Computer Science & Mathematics Engineering Environmental & Earth Sciences Medicine & Pharmacology Physical Sciences Public Health & Healthcare Social Sciences
Sort by:
Most Viewed Latest Alphabetical (A-Z) Alphabetical (Z-A)
Filter:
All Topic Review Biography Peer Reviewed Entry Video Entry
Topic Review
Obesity-Associated Long Non-Coding RNAs
Due to the increased consumption of high energy and calorie food (e.g., fat, oil, and sugar) coupled with physical inactivity, the number of obese people has increased dramatically worldwide. Because obesity is an underlying cause and risk factor for many diseases (e.g., type II diabetes, cardiovascular disease (CVD)), the interest to study obesity-associated lnRNAs has increased. 
  • 849
  • 06 Feb 2023
Topic Review
Seminal Plasma Proteomic Biomarkers
The prevalence of idiopathic male infertility is high, up to 75% of patients with abnormal sperm parameters. Hence, the research of its causes is mandatory. Oxidative stress (OS) can be responsible for male infertility in 30–80% of cases. In recent years, seminal plasma (SP) proteomics has developed as a useful tool to provide biomarkers of specific diseases. 
  • 843
  • 26 Jan 2021
Topic Review
Oxytocin from the Uterus to the Heart
The research program on oxytocin started in 1895, when Oliver and Schafer reported that a substance extracted from the pituitary gland elevates blood pressure when injected intravenously into dogs. Dale later reported that a neurohypophysial substance triggers uterine contraction, lactation, and antidiuresis. Purification of this pituitary gland extracts revealed that the vasopressor and antidiuretic activity could be attributed to vasopressin, while uterotonic and lactation activity could be attributed to oxytocin. In 1950, the amino-acid sequences of vasopressin and oxytocin were determined and chemically synthesized. Vasopressin (CYFQNCPRG-NH2) and oxytocin (CYIQNCPLG-NH2) differ by two amino acids and have a disulfide bridge between the cysteine residues at position one and six conserved in all vasopressin/oxytocin-type peptides. This characterization of oxytocin led to the Nobel Prize awarded in 1955 to Vincent du Vigneaud.
  • 842
  • 11 May 2023
Topic Review
Type 2 Diabetes: Beta Cell Compensation and Death
Type 2 diabetes (T2D) has become a worldwide epidemic, primarily driven by obesity from overnutrition and sedentariness. Physiologically, T2D manifests as an inability of the pancreatic beta cells to produce and secrete a sufficient bolus of insulin to elicit a response in target cells to transport glucose from the blood and properly regulate glucose levels. Insulin is synthesized in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) of pancreatic beta cells where it undergoes a series of post-translational modifications to form mature insulin. Insulin resistance requires more insulin to be produced by beta cells to compensate for these desensitized cells. Consequently, this compensation causes additional strain on beta cells. This stress primarily originates from the ER and can also trigger oxidative stress. These cellular stresses can lead to beta cell decompensation, manifested by dysfunction and eventually a loss of beta cell mass.
  • 840
  • 04 Mar 2024
Topic Review
Parathyroid Tumors
Parathyroid tumors, and the related Primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT), manifest primarily as a sporadic single-gland disease in over 90% of cases, while only about 1 in 10 cases are hereditary familial forms, which can affect from 1 to 4 parathyroid. Inherited forms include both familial isolated parathyroid tumors and four autosomal dominant syndromic forms, in which the parathyroid neoplasms are associated with other endocrine and non-endocrine abnormalities.
  • 839
  • 01 Nov 2021
Topic Review
Semaphorin3A-Inhibitor Ameliorates Doxorubicin-Induced Podocyte Injury
Podocyte injury is an independent risk factor for the progression of renal diseases. Semaphorin3A (SEMA3A), expressed in podocytes and tubular cells in the mammalian adult kidneys, has been reported to regulate diverse biological function and be associated with renal diseases. Here, we investigated pathological roles of SEMA3A signaling on podocyte injury using doxorubicin (Dox)-induced mouse model and examined the therapeutic effect of SEMA3A-inhibitor (SEMA3A-I). We demonstrated that Dox caused massive albuminuria and podocyte apoptosis as well as increase of SEMA3A expression in podocytes, all of which were ameliorated with SEMA3A-I treatment. In addition, c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), known as a downstream of SEMA3A signaling, was activated in Dox-injected mouse podocytes while SEMA3A-I treatment partially blocked the activation. In vitro, SEMA3A-I protected against Dox-induced podocyte apoptosis and recombinant SEMA3A caused podocyte apoptosis with activation of JNK signaling. JNK inhibitor, SP600125, attenuated SEMA3A-induced podocyte apoptosis, indicating that JNK pathway would be involved in SEMA3A-induced podocyte apoptosis. Furthermore, the analysis of human data revealed a positive correlation between urinary SEMA3A level and proteinuria, suggesting that SEMA3A is associated with podocyte injury. In conclusion, SEMA3A has essential roles on podocyte injury and it would be the therapeutic target for protecting from podocyte injury.
  • 838
  • 17 Jun 2020
Topic Review
Adipose Lipolysis
The heart primarily uses fatty acids as energy substrates. Adipose lipolysis is a major source of fatty acids, particularly under stress conditions. Emerging evidence suggests a bidirectional communication between the heart and adipose tissue. The entry is the first to define how adipose CGI58-mediated lipolysis influences cardiac remodeling and function. The adipose-heart axis may be targeted for the management of cardiac dysfunction.  
  • 836
  • 09 Feb 2022
Topic Review
The Role of Insulin-like Growth Factor-1
The anterior pituitary also referred to as the adenohypophysis, originates from the oral ectoderm during embryonic development. It is enclosed by a network of blood capillaries originating from the hypothalamus, as a part of the hypophyseal portal system, responsible for transporting hormones from the hypothalamus to the anterior pituitary and from the anterior pituitary to the circulatory system. Hence, the hypophyseal portal system prevents hypothalamic hormones from entering directly into the circulation..
  • 830
  • 29 Mar 2022
Topic Review
Identifying Insulin Granule Proteins
Only four studies have attempted to investigate ISG proteins by proteomic analysis to date. These studies employ various combinations of density gradient centrifugations, in silico analyses, and immunoprecipitation techniques . As a result, Li and colleagues identified 81 total ISG proteins from the INS-1 rat beta-cell line, while Schvartz et al. identified 140 ISG proteins, Hickey et al. identified 51 ISG proteins, and Brunner et al. identified 130 ISG proteins from the INS-1E rat beta-cell line. Proteomic data obtained from these four studies on ISG proteins from INS-1 or INS1-E cells produced a total of 5 proteins that were consistently identified. These were: Insulin-1 (Ins1), Insulin-2 (Ins2), Carboxypeptidase E (CPE), Chromogranin-A (CgA) and Prohormone convertase 2 (PC2). Rat beta-cells synthesize two different forms of insulin encoded by the Ins1 and Ins2 gene that share 90% homology [66,67], hence two insulin forms found in these proteomes. Though different isolation techniques would influence the proteins identified, one would expect that using similar cell lines would result in more than a handful of proteins consistently identified across all four studies.
  • 825
  • 25 May 2021
Topic Review
Physiology of Cortisol
Cardiac hypertrophy is a well-known condition that indicates the possibility of hypercortisolemia-inducing autonomous cortisol secretion (ACS). Because of its relationship with induction of heart failure and cardiac death, timely detection of such an alteration can lead to early diagnosis and contribute to reducing mortality. 
  • 816
  • 09 Dec 2022
Topic Review
Hepatokines and Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease
Hepatokines are hormone-like proteins secreted by hepatocytes, and a number of these have been associated with extra-hepatic metabolic regulation. Mounting evidence has revealed that the secretory profiles of hepatokines are significantly altered in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), the most common hepatic manifestation, which frequently precedes other metabolic disorders, including insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes. 
  • 813
  • 21 Dec 2021
Topic Review
Effects of Isorhamnetin on Diabetes
Diabetes mellitus, especially type 2 (T2DM), is a major public health problem globally. DM is characterized by high levels of glycemia and insulinemia due to impaired insulin secretion and insulin sensitivity of the cells, known as insulin resistance. T2DM causes multiple and severe complications such as nephropathy, neuropathy, and retinopathy causing cell oxidative damages in different internal tissues, particularly the pancreas, heart, adipose tissue, liver, and kidneys. Isorhamnetin, a plant flavonoid, has long been studied for its potential anti-diabetic effects. Isorhamnetin is a monomethoxyflavone or an O-methylated flavonol from the class of flavonoids. It is quercetin in which a methoxy group replaces the hydroxy group at position 3’. Some isorhamnetin derivatives are present in nature, such as isorhamnetin 3-O-β-d-glucopyranoside, isorhamnetin 3-O-neohesperidoside, and isorhamnetin 3-O-rutinoside from Calendula officinalis L.. Isorhamnetin presents significant biological properties such as antioxidant, anticancer, antimicrobial, antiviral, anti-inflammatory and anti-diabetic effects.
  • 805
  • 21 Jan 2022
Topic Review
Lipid Metabolism in Metabolic-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease
Metabolic-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is a cluster of pathological conditions primarily developed due to the accumulation of ectopic fat in the hepatocytes. During the severe form of the disease, i.e., metabolic-associated steatohepatitis (MASH), accumulated lipids promote lipotoxicity, resulting in cellular inflammation, oxidative stress, and hepatocellular ballooning. If left untreated, the advanced form of the disease progresses to fibrosis of the tissue, resulting in irreversible hepatic cirrhosis or the development of hepatocellular carcinoma. Although numerous mechanisms have been identified as significant contributors to the development and advancement of MASLD, altered lipid metabolism continues to stand out as a major factor contributing to the disease.
  • 796
  • 29 Dec 2023
Topic Review
Estrogen Receptors and Myocardial Infarction
Estrogen receptors (ER) mediate functions beyond their endocrine roles, as modulation of cardiovascular, renal, and immune systems through anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic effects, preventing necrosis of cardiomyocytes and endothelial cells, and attenuating cardiac hypertrophy. Estradiol (E2) prevents cardiac dysfunction, increases nitric oxide synthesis, and reduces the proliferation of vascular cells, yielding protective effects, regardless of gender. Such actions are mediated by ER (ER-alpha (ERα), ER-beta (ERβ), or G protein-coupled ER (GPER)) through genomic or non-genomic pathways, which regulate cardiovascular function and prevent tissue remodeling.
  • 785
  • 22 Mar 2021
Topic Review
Viruses and Type 1 Diabetes
Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is characterised by the chronic immune-mediated destruction of pancreatic β-cells, with affected individuals requiring lifelong exogenous insulin. An interplay between genetics and environmental factors such as the virome is suggested to regulate immune tolerance, with environmental, lifestyle or dietary exposures currently being investigated as either accelerating or protective. The hypothesised role of viral infections in the initiation of IA and the progression to T1D is supported by a large body of epidemiological and animal model-based evidence, beginning almost a century ago.
  • 784
  • 03 Aug 2021
Topic Review
Osteosarcopenic Adiposity Syndrome: The Update
Osteosarcopenic adiposity (OSA), originally termed osteosarcopenic obesity (OSO), syndrome (both terms currently used interchangeably) describes the simultaneous deterioration of bone, muscle and adipose tissues, resulting in reduced functionality, systemic metabolic dis-regulation, and possibly exacerbating several other chronic diseases creating a vicious cycle. The key factors contributing to this syndrome are the excess of body fat and/or ectopic fat in the bone, muscle, and viscera, accompanied by the low-grade chronic inflammation, as well as ageing. However, it could also occur in younger individuals with some chronic diseases (like obesity, diabetes, cancer).
  • 776
  • 26 Nov 2021
Topic Review
Genomics Biomarkers for Type 2 Diabetes
Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is a deficiency in how the body regulates glucose. Uncontrolled T2D will result in chronic high blood sugar levels, eventually resulting in T2D complications. These complications, such as kidney, eye, and nerve damage, are even harder to treat.
  • 772
  • 29 Mar 2022
Topic Review
Autophagy and β Cell
Pancreatic β cells are central to glycemic regulation through insulin production. Studies show autophagy as an essential process in β cell function and fate. Autophagy is a catabolic cellular process that regulates cell homeostasis by recycling surplus or damaged cell components.
  • 753
  • 15 May 2023
Topic Review
Prader–Willi Syndrome and Hypogonadism
Prader-Labhart-Willi syndrome (PWS) is a rare genetic disorder characterized by intellectual disability, behavioural problems, hypothalamic dysfunction and specific dysmorphisms. Hypothalamic dysfunction causes dysregulation of energy balance and endocrine deficiencies, including hypogonadism. 
  • 749
  • 25 Mar 2021
Topic Review
Etiopathogenic Factors for Obesity
Obesity is an abnormal or excessive accumulation of fat that represents a health risk, and it is characterized by reaching a body mass index (BMI) equal to or greater than 30 kg/m2. Obesity is a chronic disease of multifactorial etiology that involves an energy imbalance, genetic and epigenetic factors, alterations in glucose and lipid metabolism, disorders of adipose tissue functioning, neuroendocrine dysregulation, and alterations in the intestinal microbiota, among others.
  • 747
  • 05 Mar 2024
  • Page
  • of
  • 17
Featured Entry Collections
>>

Featured Books

>>
Encyclopedia of COVID-19
Encyclopedia of Engineering
Encyclopedia of Social Sciences
Encyclopedia of Digital Society, Industry 5.0 and Smart City
Academic Video Service
Feedback