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Topic Review
DNA Vaccine
A DNA vaccine is a type of vaccine that transfects a specific antigen-coding DNA sequence into the cells of an organism as a mechanism to induce an immune response. DNA vaccines work by injecting genetically engineered plasmid containing the DNA sequence encoding the antigen(s) against which an immune response is sought, so the cells directly produce the antigen, thus causing a protective immunological response. DNA vaccines have theoretical advantages over conventional vaccines, including the "ability to induce a wider range of types of immune response". Several DNA vaccines have been tested for veterinary use. In some cases, protection from disease in animals has been obtained, in others not. Research is ongoing over the approach for viral, bacterial and parasitic diseases in humans, as well as for cancers. In August 2021, Indian authorities gave emergency approval to ZyCoV-D. Developed by Cadila Healthcare, it is the first DNA vaccine approved for humans.
  • 1.1K
  • 11 Oct 2022
Topic Review
Monoclonal Gammopathies of Clinical Significance
Monoclonal gammopathy of clinical significance (MGCS) refers to a recently coined term describing a complex and heterogeneous group of nonmalignant monoclonal gammopathies. These patients are characterized by the presence of a commonly small clone and the occurrence of symptoms that may be associated with the clone or with the monoclonal protein through diverse mechanisms. This is an evolving, challenging, and rapidly changing field. Patients are classified according to the key organ or system involved, with kidneys, skin, nerves, and eyes being the most frequently affected. However, multiorgan involvement may be the most relevant clinical feature at the presentation or during the course. 
  • 1.1K
  • 07 Nov 2022
Topic Review
Distribution of eDNA in Different Environments
In nature, DNA is ubiquitous, existing not only inside but also outside of the cells of organisms. Intracellular DNA (iDNA) plays an essential role in different stages of biological growth, and it is defined as the carrier of genetic information. In addition, extracellular DNA (eDNA) is not enclosed in living cells, accounting for a large proportion of total DNA in the environment. Both the lysis-dependent and lysis-independent pathways are involved in eDNA release, and the released DNA has diverse environmental functions.
  • 1.1K
  • 18 Nov 2022
Topic Review
Granulicatella spp.
Granulicatella spp. are non-motile, non-sporulating, facultatively anaerobic Gram-positive cocci. These organisms have been referred to by several names, such as “nutritionally deficient streptococci”, “vitamin-B dependent streptococci” and “pyridoxal-dependent streptococci”, because of their fastidious nutritional requirements, which can often make culture isolation challenging. Known to be a member of the normal microbiota of the human oral cavity and urogenital and intestinal tracts, similar to other streptococci, Granulicatella spp. can cause bacteremia, sepsis and infective endocarditis. Considering the difficulty in growing this organism on culture medium, the fact that it is now included among the bacteria known to be responsible for culture-negative infective endocarditis suggests that its pathogenic role could be highly underestimated. Moreover, being considered such a rare causative agent, it is not a target of standard antibiotic empiric treatment. 
  • 1.1K
  • 27 Dec 2022
Topic Review
Liquid Crystal-Tuned Planar Optics in Terahertz Range
Terahertz waves of higher frequencies compared to microwave and radio frequency have shown great potential in radar detection and high-speed wireless communication. To spatially control the wavefront of terahertz beams, various novel components, such as terahertz filters, polarization converters and lenses, have been investigated. Metamaterials and metasurfaces have become the most promising technique for the free manipulation of terahertz waves. Metadevices integrated with liquid crystals have been widely used in active terahertz devices.
  • 1.1K
  • 17 Feb 2023
Topic Review
Hematology and Biochemistry in Northern Portugal Erinaceus europaeus
The Western European hedgehog (Erinaceus europaeus) is an insectivorous animal with an extensive geographic distribution. Owing mostly to climate changes and anthropogenic pressures, hedgehogs live now in urban areas close to humans where it is exposed to contaminants and biological agents that may result in disease with the correspondent hematological and biochemical alterations. These animals can work as bioindicators to environmental pollution and host multiple zoonotic agents making them relevant for a One Health approach. Reference intervals for the usual hematological and biochemical parameters are very important since they are important medical decision criteria used to determine the animal’s health status or to identify disease.
  • 1.1K
  • 27 Mar 2023
Topic Review
Processes Responsible for Nitrate Pollution in Water
Nitrate (NO3−) pollution of surface and groundwater bodies is a global problem of increasing concern, which has stimulated significant research interest. Nitrogen is crucial for life as a macronutrient for living organisms on Earth, but the global nitrogen cycle has been seriously altered by intensification of human activities, leading to eutrophication and hypoxic conditions of aquatic ecosystems. Due to nitrogen overfertilization, intensive agricultural practices generate huge nitrate fluxes that inadvertently deteriorate water quality. Different industrial processes also contribute to NO3− pollution in the environment. 
  • 1.1K
  • 14 Apr 2023
Topic Review
Infection-Related Glomerulonephritis and C3 Glomerulopathy
The comprehensive concept of “infection-related glomerulonephritis (IRGN)” has replaced that of postinfectious glomerulonephritis (PIGN) because of the diverse infection patterns, epidemiology, clinical features, and pathogenesis. In addition to evidence of infection, hypocomplementemia particularly depresses serum complement 3 (C3), with endocapillary proliferative and exudative GN developing into membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis (MPGN); also, C3-dominant or co-dominant glomerular immunofluorescence staining is central for diagnosing IRGN. Moreover, nephritis-associated plasmin receptor (NAPlr), originally isolated from the cytoplasmic fraction of group A Streptococci, is vital as an essential inducer of C3-dominant glomerular injury and is a key diagnostic biomarker for IRGN. Meanwhile, “C3 glomerulopathy (C3G)”, also showing a histological pattern of MPGN due to acquired or genetic dysregulation of the complement alternative pathway (AP), mimics C3-dominant IRGN. Initially, C3G was characterized by intensive “isolated C3” deposition on glomeruli.
  • 1.1K
  • 22 May 2023
Topic Review
Historical Solar Eclipses and Implications in Celestial Mechanics
Solar and lunar eclipses are indeed the first astronomical phenomena which have been recorded since very early antiquity. Their periodicities gave birth to the first luni-solar calendars based on the Methonic cycle since the sixth century before Christ. 
  • 1.1K
  • 23 Feb 2024
Topic Review
Challenges in Agricultural Image Datasets and Filter Algorithms
Smart farming is facilitated by remote sensing because it allows for the inexpensive monitoring of crops, crop classification, stress detection yield forecasting using lightweight sensors over a wide area in a relatively short amount of time. Deep learning (DL)-based computer vision is one of the important aspects of the automatic detection and monitoring of plant stress. Challenges for DL algorithms in the agricultural dataset include size variation in objects, image resolution, background clutter, precise annotation with the expert, high object density or the demand for different spectral images.
  • 1.1K
  • 07 Mar 2024
Topic Review
ARAN-NM
Autosomal recessive axonal neuropathy with neuromyotonia is a disorder that affects the peripheral nerves. Peripheral nerves connect the brain and spinal cord to muscles and to sensory cells that detect sensations such as touch, pain, heat, and sound.
  • 1.1K
  • 04 Jan 2021
Topic Review
The ADAMTS/Fibrillin Connection
Secreted a disintegrin-like and metalloprotease with thrombospondin type 1 motif (ADAMTS) proteases play crucial roles in tissue development and homeostasis. The biological and pathological functions of ADAMTS proteases are determined broadly by their respective substrates and their interactions with proteins in the pericellular and extracellular matrix. For some ADAMTS proteases, substrates have been identified and substrate cleavage has been implicated in tissue development and in disease. For other ADAMTS proteases, substrates were discovered in vitro, but the role of these proteases and the consequences of substrate cleavage in vivo remains to be established. Mutations in ADAMTS10 and ADAMTS17 cause Weill–Marchesani syndrome (WMS), a congenital syndromic disorder that affects the musculoskeletal system (short stature, pseudomuscular build, tight skin), the eyes (lens dislocation), and the heart (heart valve abnormalities). WMS can also be caused by mutations in fibrillin-1 (FBN1), which suggests that ADAMTS10 and ADAMTS17 cooperate with fibrillin-1 in a common biological pathway during tissue development and homeostasis.
  • 1.1K
  • 22 Sep 2021
Topic Review
Actinobacteria Diversity Associated with Plant Growth Promotion
Abiotic stressors, such as drought, flooding, extreme temperature, soil salinity, and metal toxicity, are the most important factors limiting crop productivity. Plants use their innate biological systems to overcome these abiotic stresses caused by environmental and edaphic conditions. Microorganisms that live in and around plant systems have incredible metabolic abilities in mitigating abiotic stress. Recent advances in multi-omics methods, such as metagenomics, genomics, transcriptomics, and proteomics, have helped to understand how plants interact with microbes and their environment. These methods aid in the construction of various metabolic models of microbes and plants, resulting in a better knowledge of all metabolic exchanges engaged during interactions. Actinobacteria are ubiquitous and are excellent candidates for plant growth promotion because of their prevalence in soil, the rhizosphere, their capacity to colonize plant roots and surfaces, and their ability to produce various secondary metabolites. Mechanisms by which actinobacteria overcome abiotic stress include the production of osmolytes, plant hormones, and enzymes, maintaining osmotic balance, and enhancing nutrient availability. With these characteristics, actinobacteria members are the most promising candidates as microbial inoculants. 
  • 1.1K
  • 18 Nov 2022
Topic Review
Impact of COVID-19 on Urban-Mobility
       Covid-19 has caused a huge impact on all aspects of the world, and the urban transport systems have experienced a severe challenge during the epidemic. Taxies play an important role in ensuring basic travel and show their unique advantages in epidemic prevention and control while the large volume of public transport modes are limited during the epidemic period. It is necessary to reevaluate the occupancy and consumption of resources and benefits of similar taxi transport modes, consider the relationship between similar taxi transport modes and other public transport modes, and establish a harmonious and symbiotic urban travel system. In the future, we aim to contribute to the establishment of an innovative, healthy, and safe urban transport system, restore the confidence in the public transport, and promote the development of sustainable transport systems after the epidemic through more research on the relationship between the epidemic and urban transport. After all, Urban mobility is not the main cause of the spread of the virus.
  • 1.1K
  • 22 Oct 2020
Topic Review
Black Rhinoceros
Black rhinoceros under human care are predisposed to Iron Overload Disorder that is unlike the hereditary condition seen in humans. We aim to address the black rhino caretaker community at multiple perspectives (keeper, curator, veterinarian, nutritionist, veterinary technician, and researcher) to describe approaches to Iron Overload Disorder in black rhinos and share learnings. This report includes sections on (1) background on how iron functions in comparative species and how Iron Overload Disorder appears to work in black rhinos, (2) practical recommendations for known diagnostics, (3) a brief review of current investigations on inflammatory and other potential biomarkers, (4) nutrition knowledge and advice as prevention, and (5) an overview of treatment options including information on chelation and details on performing large volume voluntary phlebotomy. The aim is to use evidence to support the successful management of this disorder to ensure optimal animal health, welfare, and longevity for a sustainable black rhinoceros population.
  • 1.1K
  • 17 Nov 2020
Topic Review
Endocrine Disruptors
Endocrine disruptors (EDs) are contaminants that may mimic or interfere with the body’s hormones, hampering the normal functions of the endocrine system in humans and animals. These substances, either natural or man-made, are involved in development, breeding, and immunity, causing a wide range of diseases and disorders. The traditional detection methods such as enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and chromatography are still the golden techniques for EDs detection due to their high sensitivity, robustness, and accuracy. Nevertheless, they have the disadvantage of being expensive and time-consuming, requiring bulky equipment or skilled personnel. On the other hand, early stage detection of EDs on-the-field requires portable devices fulfilling the Affordable, Sensitive, Specific, User-friendly, Rapid and Robust, Equipment free, Deliverable to end users (ASSURED) norms. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS)-based sensors can be easily implemented in fully automated, sample-to-answer devices by integrating electrodes in microfluidic chips.
  • 1.1K
  • 01 Dec 2020
Topic Review
Stroke Rehabilitation
Because of the complexity of a stroke, various approaches to chronic stroke rehabilitation, such as facilitation technique, functional electric stimulation (FES), transcutaneous electrical stimulation (TENS), electromyography (EMG) biofeedback, exercise, physical and occupational therapy, robotics, and virtual reality, have been studied to help functional recovery from hemiplegia due to brain damage.
  • 1.1K
  • 10 Dec 2020
Topic Review
Platelet Concentrates
Platelet concentrates (PCs) typically refer to a group of materials produced from autologous blood designed to improve tissue regeneration.
  • 1.1K
  • 19 Feb 2021
Topic Review
ZNF71 KRAB in NSCLC
Lung cancer is the second most common cancer and remains the leading cause of cancer-related mortality in the U.S. Non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) accounts for 84% of lung cancer cases. Our previous study found that zinc finger protein 71 (ZNF71) mRNA expression was associated with chemosensitivity and its protein expression was prognostic of non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). 
  • 1.1K
  • 12 Apr 2021
Topic Review
Prophylaxis and Treatment Against Kp
Klebsiella pneumoniae (Kp) is an opportunistic pathogen and the leading cause of healthcare-associated infections, mostly affecting subjects with compromised immune systems or suffering from concurrent bacterial infections. However, the dramatic increase in hypervirulent strains and the emergence of new multidrug-resistant clones resulted in Kp occurrence among previously healthy people and in increased morbidity and mortality, including neonatal sepsis and death across low- and middle-income countries. As a consequence, carbapenem-resistant and extended spectrum β-lactamase-producing Kp have been prioritized as a critical anti-microbial resistance threat by the World Health Organization and this has renewed the interest of the scientific community in developing a vaccine as well as treatments alternative to the now ineffective antibiotics. Capsule polysaccharide is the most important virulence factor of Kp and plays major roles in the pathogenesis but its high variability (more than 100 different types have been reported) makes the identification of a universal treatment or prevention strategy very challenging. However, less variable virulence factors such as the O-Antigen, outer membrane proteins as fimbriae and siderophores might also be key players in the fight against Kp infections.
  • 1.1K
  • 10 May 2021
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