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
Biomaterials Applied to Bone Regeneration
Bone loss raises great concern in numerous situations, such as ageing and many diseases and in both orthopedic and dentistry fields of application, with an extensive impact on health care. Therefore, it is crucial to understand the mechanisms and the determinants that can regulate osteogenesis and ensure bone balance. In particular, new strategies for the improvement of the ability of biomaterials to trigger and sustain osteogenesis need to be developed. Autophagy is a well conserved lysosomal degradation pathway, which is known to be highly active during differentiation and development. An extensive revision of the literature on biomaterials, both for orthopedic and dentistry applications, enhancing osteogenesis by modulation of the autophagic process is here presented. Already investigated conditions regulating bone regeneration via autophagy need to be better understood for designing novel biomaterials with improved bioactivity.
  • 1.4K
  • 28 Oct 2020
Topic Review
Vascular Calcification
A variety of actively regulated processes on cellular and systemic level with various contributing and inhibiting factors can result in vascular calcification (VC). Currently, treatment is limited to management of risk factors including regulation of the calcium-phosphate metabolism. Due to the complex pathophysiology, the mechanisms underlying ectopic calcification are studied in various, distinctly different research models. Beside in vitro models using cells of different origin, ex vivo settings using aortic tissue are available. In addition, various in vivo disease-induced animal models are currently used in research. All of these experimental settings depict (patho)physiologic mechanisms within the vascular calcification process.
  • 1.4K
  • 29 Oct 2020
Topic Review
Cardiac Autonomic Neuropathy
Cardiac autonomic neuropathy (CAN) is one of the earliest manifestations of type 2 diabetes (T2D). It constitutes the major cause of silent cardiovascular events in patients without overt cardiac disease. The high prevalence of CAN in patients newly diagnosed with T2D suggests that its pathophysiology is rooted in an earlier stage of metabolic derangement, possibly being prediabetes.
  • 1.4K
  • 11 Dec 2020
Topic Review
Multiple Myeloma
Multiple myeloma (MM), characterized by malicious clonal explanation of plasma cells in the bone marrow with creation of monoclonal gammopathy, is the second most prevalent hematologic malignancy in adults. It accounts for approximately 13% of all hematologic malignancies and 1% of all cancers in the world, with a median age of onset of 69 years [1][2]. 
  • 1.4K
  • 27 Oct 2020
Topic Review
Treatment of Corneal Burn Injuries
Ocular chemical and thermal burns are frequent causes of hospitalization and require immediate interventions and care. Various surgical and pharmacological treatment strategies are employed according to damage severity. Controlling inflammation and neovascularization while promoting normal ocular surface anatomy and function restoration is the principal aim. In the most severe cases, when epithelial healing is severely affected, reconstruction of the ocular surface may be a valid option, which, however, requires expertise, adequate instruments, and qualified donors. Numerous endogenous and exogenous strategies have been considered for corneal repair. Among these, stem cells and their derivatives have offered numerous attractive possibilities in finding an effective way in stimulating corneal regeneration.
  • 1.4K
  • 27 Jan 2021
Topic Review
Anaplastic large cell lymphoma, anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK)-negative
Anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL) is a subtype of T-cell lymphoma composed of large cells and a characteristic strong and diffuse expression of the activation marker CD30 (>75% of the cells). ALCL is composed of large epithelioid and anaplastic cells and cells with horseshoe-shaped nucleus (hallmark cells). This lymphoma is divided into two major groups based on the presence/absence of the rearrangement and of the expression of anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) into ALK-positive and ALK-negative. The latter is currently classified into systemic, primary cutaneous, and breast implant-associated ALCL.
  • 1.4K
  • 02 Dec 2021
Topic Review
SMARCB1 in the Pathobiology of Epithelioid Sarcoma
SMARCB1 (SWI/SNF-related matrix-associated actin-dependent regulator of chromatin subfamily B member 1) is a key component of the SWI/SNF (SWItch/Sucrose Non-Fermentable) chromatin remodeling complexes. Functional inactivation of SMARCB1 is the only recurrent genetic alteration reported in so far in Epithelioid Sarcoma (ES), a very rare and aggressive mesenchymal tumor of unclear origin and uncertain lineage characterized by a prevalent epithelioid morphology.
  • 1.4K
  • 13 Sep 2022
Topic Review
Vulvovaginal Candidosis
Vulvovaginal candidosis (VVC) is a frequently occurring infection of the lower female genital tract, mostly affecting immuno-competent women at childbearing age. Candida albicans is the most prevalent pathogenic yeast—apart from other non-albicans species—related to this fungal infection. Different virulence factors of C. albicans have been identified, which increase the risk of developing VVC. To initiate treatment and positively influence the disease course, fast and reliable diagnosis is crucial. In this narrative review, we cover the existing state of understanding of the epidemiology, pathogenesis and diagnosis of VVC. However, treatment recommendations should follow current guidelines.
  • 1.4K
  • 20 Nov 2020
Topic Review
Vascular Inflammation and Atherosclerosis
Atherosclerosis (AS) is a chronic metabolic disorder and the primary cause of cardiovascular diseases, resulting in substantial morbidity and mortality worldwide. Initiated by endothelial cell stimulation, AS is characterized by arterial inflammation, lipid deposition, foam cell formation, and plaque development. Certain nutrients such as carotenoids, polyphenols, and vitamins can prevent the atherosclerotic process by modulating inflammation and metabolic disorders through the regulation of gene acetylation states, mediated with histone deacetylases (HDACs).
  • 1.4K
  • 06 Jun 2023
Topic Review
EVs in Delivering Cytokines
Cytokines are small proteins with well characterised effects on cell survival, migration and activation in a range of biological systems and cell types. Currently, the best described activities of cytokine are those whose delivery has been observed in a free soluble or cell tethered form. Interestingly, cytokines may also be delivered, and exert biological functions, in association with extracellular vesicles (EVs). EVs are a heterogenous population of constitutively released cellular material typically characterised by their size. EVs may for example be released by the direct blebbing of the cell membrane and in doing so, may encapsulate cellular contents. Cargo laden EVs have been found to contain a wide array of cargo, either via encapsulation or associated to the surface of EVs, and includes nucleic acids, lipid mediators and proteins, such as cytokines. EV encapsulation provides cytokine cargo protection of degradation and allows the delivery of cytokines far from the site of inflammation and injury. However, it is becoming more apparent that during pathophysiological conditions, such as those observed during autoimmunity, EVs may represent a large reservoir of ‘stealth’ cytokine that might prove difficult to target with current therapies.
  • 1.3K
  • 09 Oct 2020
Topic Review
Long-Chain Acyl-Carnitines
In the human heart, the energy supplied by the production of ATP is predominately accomplished by ß-oxidation in mitochondria, using fatty acids (FAs) as the primary fuel. Long-chain acylcarnitines (LCACs) are intermediate forms of FA transport that are essential for FA delivery from the cytosol into mitochondria.
  • 1.3K
  • 20 Aug 2021
Topic Review
Tunneling Nanotubes
Tunneling nanotubes (TNTs) are recognized long membrane nanotubes connecting distance cells. In the last decade, growing evidence has shown that these subcellular structures mediate the specific transfer of cellular materials, pathogens, and electrical signals between cells. As intercellular bridges, they play a unique role in embryonic development, collective cell migration, injured cell recovery, cancer treatment resistance, and pathogen propagation. Although TNTs have been considered as potential drug targets for treatment, there is still a long way to go to translate the research findings into clinical practice.
  • 1.3K
  • 10 Mar 2021
Topic Review
The PD-1/PD-L1 Pathway
Binding of the immune checkpoint programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) to its ligand programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) downregulates the adaptive immune response. PD-L1 is regularly expressed by antigen presenting cells. During an acute immune response, effector T cells transiently upregulate PD-1. In contrast, chronic immune stimulation leads to continuous expression of PD-1 on effector T cells. The latter also occurs in the tumor microenvironment, where PD-L1 can be expressed by tumor cells. The PD-1/PD-L1 pathway is an excellent example for the clinical application of biomarker research in the context of comparative immuno-oncology. Initial comparator studies on this pathway were mainly conducted on cells and tissues derived from mice and humans. This resulted in the discovery of anti PD-1 or anti-PD-L1 immune checkpoint therapy that is widely applied for the treatment of human cancers. The use of monoclonal antibodies directed against PD-1 or PD-L1 as therapeutic agents restores the anti-cancer immune response. In recent years, investigations on these molecules have been extended to canine cancers and confirm the expression of PD-1 and PD-L1 in several canine tumors. Whether immune checkpoint therapy may be a possible treatment option for those canine cancers remains to be revealed in future clinical trials.
  • 1.3K
  • 02 Dec 2022
Topic Review
Risk Factors for Thoracic Aortic Dissection
Thoracic aortic aneurysms involving the root and/or the ascending aorta enlarge over time until an acute tear in the intimal layer leads to a highly fatal condition, an acute aortic dissection (AAD). These Stanford type A AADs, in which the tear occurs above the sinotubular junction, leading to the formation of a false lumen in the aortic wall that may extend to the arch and thoracoabdominal aorta. Type B AADs originate in the descending thoracic aorta just distal to the left subclavian artery. Genetic variants and various environmental conditions that disrupt the aortic wall integrity have been identified that increase the risk for thoracic aortic aneurysms and dissections (TAD). 
  • 1.3K
  • 04 Nov 2022
Topic Review
RF, ACPA and anti-CarP Ab
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic systemic inflammatory disease mainly involving synovial inflammation and articular bone destruction. RA is a heterogeneous disease with diverse clinical presentations, prognoses and therapeutic responses. Following the first discovery of rheumatoid factors (RFs) 80 years ago, the identification of both anti-citrullinated protein antibodies (ACPAs) and anti-carbamylated protein antibodies (anti-CarP Abs) has greatly facilitated approaches toward RA, especially in the fields of early diagnosis and prognosis prediction of the disease.
  • 1.3K
  • 24 Feb 2021
Topic Review
Angiogenesis Inhibitors for Colorectal Cancer
Targeting angiogenesis, the formation of new blood vessels, is an integral part of many cancer treatments, including colorectal cancer. The overall clinical benefit is well documented but modest. It has been an ongoing task for the last decade to isolate patient and tumor characteristics instrumental in identifying the subgroups to truly benefit; so far with limited success. The introduction of immunotherapy has opened a new era for anti-angiogenic treatment, as these two therapeutic strategies seem to work in synergy. This review will highlight the clinical achievements of anti-angiogenic treatment of colorectal cancer since 2004 and elaborate on the perspectives of combining it with immunotherapy.  
  • 1.3K
  • 17 Mar 2021
Topic Review
Acute Myeloid Leukemia
The present investigation expands the knowledge on the immunogenic and tolerogenic potential of the chemotherapy drugs commonly used in the therapy of AML such as Daunorubicin, Cytarabine, Fludrabine and Etoposide . Among these, important differences have been observed, indicating that, particularly in an era when immunotherapy is being included in the clinical stage of AML treatment, the immunological perspective of chemotherapy should be taken into consideration in therapy decision-making. 
  • 1.3K
  • 28 Sep 2020
Topic Review
Fibronectin in Osteoarthritis
Fibronectin is a component of the extracellular matrix essential to its assembly, which also regulates some cellular functions. However, cleavage of fibronectin in pathological conditions releases fibronectin fragments with pro-inflammatory and degradative properties. During the development of osteoarthritis, tissue proteolysis and injury induce extracellular matrix degradation, generating fibronectin fragments that promote inflammation and degradation by the induction of cytokine and proteinase expressions.
  • 1.3K
  • 02 Dec 2021
Topic Review
Chromoblastomycosis
Chromoblastomycosis (CBM) is a neglected, chronic, and progressive subcutaneous mycosis caused by different species of fungi from the Herpotrichiellaceae family. CBM disease is usually associated with agricultural activities, and its infection is characterized by verrucous, erythematous papules, and atrophic lesions on the upper and lower limbs, leading to social stigma and impacts on patients’ welfare. The economic aspect of disease treatment is another relevant issue. There is no specific treatment for CBM, and different anti-fungal drug associations are used to treat the patients.
  • 1.3K
  • 22 Feb 2021
Topic Review
LGMD2D myotubes
LGMD2D (LGMD-R3 according to the new nomenclature) is a rare autosomal recessive disease affecting striated muscle. It belongs to the group of limb girdle muscular dystrophies because of the involvement of the proximal musculature of the shoulders and pelvic girdle. LGMD2D is caused by mutations in the SGCA gene coding for α-sarcoglycan (SG).  
  • 1.3K
  • 01 Nov 2020
  • Page
  • of
  • 39
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

Quick Survey

Encyclopedia MDPI is conducting a targeted survey to identify the specific barriers hindering efficient research. We invite you to spend 3 minutes defining the priorities for our next generation of structured knowledge tools.
Take Survey