Your browser does not fully support modern features. Please upgrade for a smoother 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
Lessons from nc886
Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs), such as microRNAs or long ncRNAs, have brought about a new paradigm in the regulation of gene expression. Sequencing technologies have detected transcripts with tremendous sensitivity and throughput and revealed that the majority of them lack protein-coding potential. Numerous papers on ncRNAs claim a role of ncRNAs they studied. However, it should be carefully evaluated whether the alleged role of an ncRNA is based on concrete data from correctly performed experiments. Here the story about a ncRNA, nc886, will provide lessons and guidelines to study an ncRNA.  
  • 483
  • 26 Apr 2022
Topic Review
Functionalization of OMVs for Biocatalytic Applications
Outer membrane vesicles (OMVs) are miniature versions of gram-negative bacteria that contain almost the same content as their parent cells, particularly in terms of membrane composition. Using OMVs as biocatalysts is a promising approach due to their potential benefits, including their ability to be handled similarly to bacteria while lacking potentially pathogenic organisms. To employ OMVs as biocatalysts, they must be functionalized with immobilized enzymes to the OMV platform. Various enzyme immobilization techniques are available, including surface display and encapsulation, each with advantages and disadvantages depending on the objectives. 
  • 483
  • 01 Sep 2023
Topic Review
Diagnosis and Treatment of Endometrial Cancer
The incidence and death rates of endometrial cancer are rising globally. International guidelines recommend radical hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy as the standard of care for this cancer; however, fertility-sparing alternatives should be tailored to motivated women of reproductive age, establishing an appropriate cost–benefit balance between childbearing desire and cancer risk. New molecular classifications such as that of The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) provide a robust supplementary risk assessment tool that can tailor the treatment options to the patient’s needs, curtail over- and under-treatment, and contribute to the spread of fertility-preserving strategies.
  • 481
  • 27 Jun 2023
Topic Review
Cytotoxicity of Polyamine-Derived Aminoaldehydes and Acrolein
Polyamines participate in the processes of cell growth and development. The degradation branch of their metabolism involves amine oxidases. The oxidation of spermine, spermidine and putrescine releases hydrogen peroxide and the corresponding aminoaldehyde. Polyamine-derived aminoaldehydes have been found to be cytotoxic.
  • 479
  • 08 Nov 2023
Topic Review
Epigenetic Effects of miRNAs in Glioblastoma
Glioblastoma is the most aggressive form of brain tumor originating from glial cells with a maximum life expectancy of 14.6 months. Despite the establishment of multiple promising therapies, the clinical outcome of glioblastoma patients is abysmal. Drug resistance has been identified as a major factor contributing to the failure of current multimodal therapy. Epigenetic modification, especially DNA methylation has been identified as a major regulatory mechanism behind glioblastoma progression. In addition, miRNAs, a class of non-coding RNA, have been found to play a role in the regulation as well as in the diagnosis of glioblastoma. The relationship between epigenetics, drug resistance, and glioblastoma progression has been clearly demonstrated. MGMT hypermethylation, leading to a lack of MGMT expression, is associated with a cytotoxic effect of TMZ in GBM, while resistance to TMZ frequently appears in MGMT non-methylated GBM. 
  • 478
  • 21 Jul 2023
Topic Review
Cell Envelope Synthesis Enzymes
Life-threatening systemic fungal infections occur in immunocompromised patients at an alarming rate. Current antifungal therapies face challenges like drug resistance and patient toxicity, emphasizing the need for new treatments. Membrane-bound enzymes account for a large proportion of antifungal targets, especially ones that contribute to cell wall and cell membrane biosynthesis. Moreover, structural biology has led to a better understanding of the mechanisms by which these enzymes synthesize their products, as well as the mechanism of action for some antifungals. 
  • 478
  • 27 Feb 2024
Topic Review
Biological Role of FAM111A and FAM111B
Proteases are critical enzymes in cellular processes that regulate intricate events like cellular proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis. FAM111A is implicated in DNA replication and replication fork protection, thereby maintaining genome integrity. Additionally, FAM111A functions as an antiviral factor against DNA and RNA viruses. FAM111B, a paralog of FAM111A, participates in cell cycle regulation and apoptosis. It influences the apoptotic pathway by upregulating anti-apoptotic proteins and modulating cell cycle-related proteins. Furthermore, FAM111B’s association with nucleoporins suggests its involvement in nucleo-cytoplasmic trafficking and plays a role in maintaining normal telomere length. FAM111A and FAM111B also exhibit some interconnectedness and functional similarity despite their distinct roles in cellular processes and associated diseases resulting from their dysfunction. 
  • 473
  • 13 Mar 2024
Topic Review
Chloroquine and Chemotherapeutic Compounds in Experimental Cancer Treatment
Chloroquine (CQ) and its derivate hydroxychloroquine (HCQ), the compounds with recognized ability to suppress autophagy, have been tested in experimental works and in clinical trials as adjuvant therapy for the treatment of tumors of different origin to increase the efficacy of cytotoxic agents. Such a strategy can be effective in overcoming the resistance of cancer cells to standard chemotherapy or anti-angiogenic therapy. The majority of experimental studies has shown that CQ/HCQ can effectively sensitize cancer cells to cytotoxic agents and increase the potential of chemotherapy, however, the results of clinical trials are often inconsistent. Although pharmacological suppression of autophagy remains a promising tool for increasing the efficacy of standard chemotherapy, the development of more specific inhibitors is required.
  • 472
  • 18 Jan 2024
Topic Review
Interplay of Kinases Involved in Autisms and ADHD
A brain-enriched multi-domain scaffolding protein, neurobeachin has been identified as a candidate gene for autism patients. Mutations in the synaptic adhesion protein cell adhesion molecule 1 (CADM1) are also associated with autism spectrum disorder, a neurodevelopmental disorder of uncertain molecular origin. Potential roles of neurobeachin and CADM1 have been suggested to a function of vesicle transport in endosomal trafficking. It seems that protein kinase B (AKT) and cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP)-dependent protein kinase A (PKA) have key roles in the neuron membrane trafficking involved in the pathogenesis of autism. Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is documented to dopaminergic insufficiencies, which is attributed to synaptic dysfunction of dopamine transporter (DAT). AKT is also essential for the DAT cell-surface redistribution.
  • 471
  • 08 Sep 2023
Topic Review
Metabolic Associated Fatty Liver Disease in CNS Disorders
Metabolic disorder-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD)/Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most ordinary liver disease categorized by hepatic steatosis with the increase of surplus fat in the liver and metabolic liver dysfunction, which is associated with bigger mortality and a high medical burden. An association between MAFLD/NAFLD and central nervous system disorders including psychological disorders has been demonstrated. Additionally, MAFLD/NAFLD has been correlated with various types of neurodegenerative disorders such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis or Parkinson’s disease. Contrasted to healthy controls, patients with MAFLD/NAFLD have a greater prevalence risk of extrahepatic complications within multiple organs. Dietary interventions have emerged as effective strategies for MAFLD/NAFLD. The PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway involved in the regulation of Th17/Treg balance might promote the pathogenesis of several diseases including MAFLD/NAFLD. 
  • 469
  • 22 Aug 2023
Topic Review
APRO Family Proteins in Cancer Invasiveness
The APRO family members may be involved in the regulation of cell growth, migration, and/or invasion. Although an APRO protein could suppress the invasiveness of several cancer cells, it has been reported that overexpression of the same APRO protein could also promote the invasiveness and/or metastasis of the same cancer cells. In general, the invasiveness of cancer cells might be associated with the function of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) as well as with the function of certain exosomes. However, it has been shown that exosomes involving particular APRO proteins, MMPs, and/or microRNA could contribute to the regulation of invasiveness.
  • 467
  • 08 Sep 2023
Topic Review
Extracellular Vesicles in Myocardial Injury and Healing Response
Increased prevalence of cardiovascular disease and potentially life-threatening complications of myocardial infarction (MI) has led to emerging therapeutic approaches focusing on myocardial regeneration and restoration of physiologic function following infarction. Extracellular vesicle (EV) technology has gained attention owing to the biological potential to modulate cellular immune responses and promote the repair of damaged tissue. Also, EVs are involved in local and distant cellular communication following damage and play an important role in initiating the repair process. Vesicles derived from stem cells and cardiomyocytes (CM) are of particular interest due to their ability to promote cell growth, proliferation, and angiogenesis following MI. 
  • 459
  • 02 Nov 2023
Topic Review
Protein Disorder in Plant Stress Adaptation
Global climate change has caused severe abiotic and biotic stresses, affecting plant growth and food security. The mechanical understanding of plant stress responses is critical for achieving sustainable agriculture. Intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs) are a group of proteins without unique three-dimensional structures. The environmental sensitivity and structural flexibility of IDPs contribute to the growth and developmental plasticity for sessile plants to deal with environmental challenges.
  • 459
  • 01 Feb 2024
Topic Review
MiRNA-146a
miRNA-146a, a single-stranded, non-coding RNA molecule, has emerged as a valuable diagnostic and prognostic biomarker for numerous pathological conditions. Its primary function lies in regulating inflammatory processes, haemopoiesis, allergic responses, and other key aspects of the innate immune system.
  • 457
  • 13 Oct 2023
Topic Review
Long Non-Coding RNAs in Melanoma
Long non-coding RNAs (LncRNAs) are key regulators of numerous intracellular processes leading to tumorigenesis. They are frequently deregulated in cancer, functioning as oncogenes or tumor suppressors. As they act through multiple mechanisms, it is not surprising that they may exert dual functions in the same tumor. In melanoma, a highly invasive and metastatic tumor with the propensity to rapidly develop drug resistance, LncRNAs play different roles in: (i) guiding the phenotype switch and leading to metastasis formation; (ii) predicting the response of melanoma patients to immunotherapy; (iii) triggering adaptive responses to therapy and acquisition of drug resistance phenotypes.
  • 456
  • 25 Feb 2022
Topic Review
Properties of the DNA Damage Response Mre11/Rad50 Complex
DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) are a significant threat to cell viability due to the induction of genome instability and the potential loss of genetic information. One of the key players for early DNA damage response is the conserved Mre11/Rad50 Nbs1/Xrs2 (MRN/X) complex, which is quickly recruited to the DNA ruptured ends and is required for their tethering and their subsequent repair via different pathways. The MRN/X complex associates with several other proteins to exert its functions, but it also exploits sophisticated internal dynamic properties to orchestrate the several steps required to address the damage. 
  • 455
  • 13 Nov 2023
Topic Review
Interrelation between Prostate Cancer, Androgen Receptor, and Cholesterol
Antineoplastic therapies for prostate cancer (PCa) have traditionally centered around the androgen receptor (AR) pathway, which has demonstrated a significant role in oncogenesis. Cholesterol is one of the lipids that has great relevance due to its role in the structure of the cell membrane as well as in signaling pathways linked to the AR pathway, not only due to its precursor role in the generation of androgens, which are the main AR ligands used as a target for therapies.
  • 455
  • 22 Feb 2024
Topic Review
Biomarkers of Phytonutrients in Epidemiological Studies
Phytonutrients are non-essential nutrients present in natural plants that are beneficial to human health. The phytonutrients contained in each plant are different. Among them, important phytonutrients include polyphenols, carotenoids, anthocyanins, chlorogenic acid and curcumin, which can regulate the physiological functions of the human body. Consuming phytonutrients through the diet may improve health and prevent chronic degenerative conditions including cancer, cardiovascular, and neurological illnesses. Biomarkers are a type of useful tools for determining the bioavailability of phytonutrients in humans, and their concentration in plasma, serum, or urine is the major indicator of a phytonutrient’s status. There are also emerging biomarkers from recent work in this field, such as stool polyphenols, breastmilk carotenoids, or macular pigment density for lutein and zeaxanthin. Research evidence based on biomarkers and epidemiological studies can effectively guide nutritional supplementation.
  • 452
  • 03 Mar 2023
Topic Review
MiR-181 in Endothelial Cell Differentiation
The miR-181 family is one of the essential angiogenic regulators. The miR-181 family consists of four highly conserved members: miR-181a, miR-181b, miR-181c, and miR-181d. They are independently derived from six precursors located on three chromosomes.
  • 449
  • 25 May 2022
Topic Review
DNA Damage Associated with Defective Genomic Recombination
During tissue turnover, the telomeres of cells undergoing differentiation can be damaged as a consequence of defective DNA repair caused by endogenous or exogenous agents. This may result in the emergence of new mechanism of telomere maintenance which is the final outcome of DNA damage and the initial signal that triggers malignant transformation. Instead, transformation of stem cells is directly induced by primary derangement of telomere maintenance mechanisms. The newly modified telomere complex may promote survival of cancer stem cells, independently of telomere maintenance. An inherent resistance of stem cells to transformation may be linked to specific, robust mechanisms that help maintain telomere integrity.
  • 449
  • 24 Nov 2023
  • Page
  • of
  • 133
Featured Entry Collections
>>

Featured Reprints

>>
Encyclopedia of Digital Society, Industry 5.0 and Smart City
Encyclopedia of Engineering
Encyclopedia of Social Sciences
Encyclopedia of Medieval Royal Iconography
Academic Video Service
Feedback