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Topic Review
Cell Mechanics in Embryoid Bodies
Embryoid bodies (EBs) resemble self-organizing aggregates of pluripotent stem cells that recapitulate some aspects of early embryogenesis. Within few days, the cells undergo a transition from rather homogeneous epithelial-like pluripotent stem cell colonies into a three-dimensional organization of various cell types with multifaceted cell–cell interactions and lumen formation—a process associated with repetitive epithelial-mesenchymal transitions. In the last few years, culture methods have further evolved to better control EB size, growth, cellular composition, and organization—e.g., by the addition of morphogens or different extracellular matrix molecules. There is a growing perception that the mechanical properties, cell mechanics, and cell signaling during EB development are also influenced by physical cues to better guide lineage specification; substrate elasticity and topography are relevant, as well as shear stress and mechanical strain. Epithelial structures outside and inside EBs support the integrity of the cell aggregates and counteract mechanical stress. Furthermore, hydrogels can be used to better control the organization and lineage-specific differentiation of EBs. In this review, we summarize how EB formation is accompanied by a variety of biomechanical parameters that need to be considered for the directed and reproducible self-organization of early cell fate decisions.
  • 1.1K
  • 08 Oct 2021
Topic Review
Radiation Induced Graft Copolymerization
Radiation-induced graft copolymerization (RIGC) is a powerful technique enabling permanent tunable and desired surface modifications imparting antimicrobial properties to polymer substrates to prevent disease transmission and provide safer biomaterials and healthcare products.
  • 1.1K
  • 19 Oct 2021
Topic Review
Platelet-Activating Factor Inhibitors as Therapeutics and Preventatives
Platelet-activating factor (PAF) refers to the classical structure reported in 1979, which is a pro-inflammatory phospholipid mediator. PAF mediates a wide variety of cellular functions and cell–cell interactions. 
  • 1.1K
  • 02 Dec 2021
Topic Review
Gene Therapy for Mitochondrial Dysfunction in Parkinson’s Disease
Mitochondrial dysfunction has been identified as a pathophysiological hallmark of disease onset and progression in patients with Parkinsonian disorders. Besides the overall emergence of gene therapies in treating these patients, this highly relevant molecular concept has not yet been defined as a target for gene therapeutic approaches. 
  • 1.1K
  • 03 Dec 2021
Topic Review
COVID-19 Limitations on Doodling in Measuring Burnout
Burnout is a negative, job-related psychological state exhibited through physical fatigue, emotional exhaustion, and loss of motivation. Pre-COVID-19, doodling was identified as a measure of burnout in researchers attending a weekly, in-person health narratives research group manifesting team mindfulness. Doodling was not retained as a possible measure of burnout during COVID-19 once the weekly health narratives research group moved online and aware attention to present perceptions—one aspect of team mindfulness—was no longer evident.
  • 1.1K
  • 17 Dec 2021
Topic Review
Organoselenium Compounds
Organoselenium compounds have anti-oxidative effects, several natural and synthetic organoselenium compounds and metabolites act as histone deacetylase inhibitors, which influence the acetylation status of histones and non-histone proteins, altering gene transcription.
  • 1.1K
  • 14 Feb 2022
Topic Review
BRAF V600K-Mutant Cutaneous Melanoma
BRAF is a serine/threonine protein kinase that, activating MAPK and ERK signalling, is involved in cell proliferation. About 50% of melanomas harbour a BRAF mutation. Of these 50%, 10% have a V600K mutation. Recent findings have underlined how melanoma V600K seems to be less dependent on the ERK/MAPK pathway, with a higher expression of PI3KB and a strong inhibition of multiple antiapoptotic pathways. Both target therapy with BRAF inhibitors + MEK inhibitors and immunotherapy with anti-checkpoint blockades are effective in melanoma V600K, although no sufficient evidence can currently support a formal recommendation for first line treatment choice in IIIC unresectable/IV stage patients.
  • 1.1K
  • 15 Feb 2022
Topic Review
Organ-Preserving Radiation Therapy in Gastric Marginal Zone Lymphoma
Gastric marginal zone lymphoma (MZL) of the stomach is a rare cancer type, often primarily treated with oral proton pump inhibitors, especially in Helicobacter pylori (Hp)-positive cases. However, the prevalence of Hp-unrelated gastric MZL has increased over the last two decades and 70-80% of Hp-negative gastric MZL are antibiotic-unresponsive. Radiation treatment can provide excellent local control in localized antibiotic-refractory gastric MZL.
  • 1.1K
  • 21 Feb 2022
Topic Review Peer Reviewed
Smoke Hazards of Tall Timber Buildings with New Products
Timber buildings can now stand very tall using new products. As timber materials are expected to be easily ignitable, the fire hazard of timber is a concern. Charring of the timber surface would maintain structural stability, but would also be accompanied by smoke. Although treating timber products with fire retardants would delay the ignition time under low radiative heat flux, toxic combustion products and unburnt fuel would be emitted immediately upon burning. More smoke and higher toxic gas concentrations such as carbon monoxide would be given off upon burning some fire retardants under high flashover heat fluxes. Due to the fast upward movement of smoke under stack effect, spreading of toxic smoke in tall timber buildings would lead to a hazardous environment. Engineered timber consists of derivative timber products. New engineered timber products are manufactured with advanced technology and design, including cross-laminated-timber (CLT), laminated veneer lumber (LVL) and glue-laminated timber (Glulam). The fire behaviour of timber products has been studied for several decades. However, the smoke hazards of using new timber products in building construction should be monitored. The objective of this study is to inspire stakeholders in fire safety of timber buildings, inter alia smoke hazards, to use new timber products to build tall buildings.
  • 1.1K
  • 13 Apr 2022
Topic Review
Application of Machine Learning in Traumatic Brain Injury
One of the main challenges in traumatic brain injury (TBI) patients is to achieve an early and definite prognosis. Despite the recent development of algorithms based on artificial intelligence for the identification of these prognostic factors relevant for clinical practice, the literature lacks a rigorous comparison among classical regression and machine learning (ML) models. The utility of comparing traditional regression modeling to ML is highlighted here, particularly when using a small number of reliable predictor variables after TBI. The dataset of clinical data used to train ML algorithms will be publicly available to other researchers for future comparisons. 
  • 1.1K
  • 21 Mar 2022
Topic Review
CNN-XG: A Hybrid Framework for sgRNA On-Target Prediction
Convolutional neural network (CNN), is mainly composed of two parts: a feature extractor CNN is used to automatically extract features from sequences and predictor XGBoost is applied to predict features extracted after convolution. 
  • 1.1K
  • 06 Apr 2022
Topic Review
Keratinocytes, Sex Hormones and Inflammatory Skin Diseases
The skin exerts several fundamental functions that are the first physical, chemical and immune barriers to the human body. Keratinocytes, the main cell type of the epidermis, provide mechanical defense, support skin integrity and actively endorse cutaneous immune responses. Not surprisingly, considering these crucial activities, alterations in keratinocyte functions are associated with different inflammatory skin diseases. Recent findings indicate that the skin should not only be regarded as a target for hormones but that it should also be considered as an endocrine peripheral organ that is directly involved in the synthesis and metabolism of these chemical messengers. Sex hormones have multiple effects on the skin, attributed to the binding with intracellular receptors expressed by different skin cell populations, including keratinocytes, that activate downstream signaling routes that modulate specific cellular functions and activities.
  • 1.1K
  • 19 Apr 2022
Topic Review
AS-OCT in Corneal Disorders
Anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT) is a non-contact method of in vivo ocular imaging technology. It uses low coherence interferometry that measures the echo time delay of light backscattered from tissue structures and combines multiple axial scans into a composite B-scan image. Earlier ultrasound bio microscopy was used for anterior segment imaging, but with time AS-OCT has become a popular imaging tool for anterior segment imaging. AS-OCT is faster and provides more in-depth assessment of the anterior chamber and is repeatable and reproducible. For AS imaging, longer wavelengths (1050–1310 nm) are preferred than retinal OCT (800–900 nm) due to higher penetration and less scattering.
  • 1.1K
  • 15 Apr 2022
Topic Review
Interstitial Brachytherapy for Breast Cancer Treatment
Breast cancer represents the second leading cause of cancer-related death in the female population, despite continuing advances in treatment options that have significantly accelerated in recent years. Conservative treatments have radically changed the concept of healing, also focusing on the psychological aspect of oncological treatments. In this scenario, radiotherapy plays a key role. Brachytherapy is an extremely versatile radiation technique that can be used in various settings for breast cancer treatment. Although it is invasive, technically complex, and requires a long learning curve, the dosimetric advantages and sparing of organs at risk are unequivocal. Literature data support muticatheter interstitial brachytherapy as the only method with strong scientific evidence to perform partial breast irradiation and reirradiation after previous conservative surgery and external beam radiotherapy, with longer follow-up than new, emerging radiation techniques, whose effectiveness is proven by over 20 years of experience.
  • 1.1K
  • 10 Jun 2022
Topic Review
Participation of Marginalised Groups in Climate Change Governance
For many of the world’s poor people, adaptation to climate change is not a choice but a reality. Existing evidence suggests that the poor, particularly those in the developing world, are the most vulnerable to any changes in climate variability and change. Climate change is having devastating impacts on the livelihood-supporting systems of many poor and rural households in South Africa. These changes are not only affecting the biophysical elements of the natural resource base, but they are also greatly compromising the ability of many small-scale farmers, especially women, who, in most cases, lack any form of productive assets to deploy so as to minimise the impacts of climate change.
  • 1.1K
  • 23 Jun 2022
Topic Review
Through the COVID-19 to Prospect Online School Learning
Online learning has been a trend in education globally since the 1980s. There are several similar concepts such as E-learning, online education, distance education, and digital learning. They refer to an educational model incorporating information and communication technologies (ICTs) into the classroom and students’ learning process. As higher education increasingly incorporates online learning, numerous studies have emerged on the online learning experiences of college students. There are several well-established types of online learning, such as the MOOC, and there are already examples of online learning replacing traditional classroom instruction in higher education and adult education. Many colleges are now providing online undergraduate and graduate degrees. Unlike the practice of online education in the higher education sector, online learning in the K-12 sector is more commonly used as a supplement to traditional school education. Online education courses and programs designed for high school students are mostly private, after-school, and voluntary. Also, most online courses for younger students require parental or adult teaching assistants to participate in supervision. Online learning during the COVID-19 pandemic had several characteristics. First, it was the first large-scale online learning of its kind to be conducted both nationally and globally; second, it was for regular school learning rather than remediation or additional learning after school; and third, it was required of all school teachers and students rather than optional. In this way, the large-scale school learning that was forced to move online during the pandemic gave people an unprecedented opportunity to explore how online learning was implemented.
  • 1.1K
  • 21 Jul 2022
Topic Review
Lesion Mimic Formation in Rice
Plant lesion mutation usually refers to the phenomenon of cell death in green tissues before senescence in the absence of external stress, and such mutants also show enhanced resistance to some plant pathogens. The occurrence of lesion mimic mutants in rice is affected by gene mutation, reactive oxygen species accumulation, an uncontrolled programmed cell death system, and abiotic stress.
  • 1.1K
  • 31 Aug 2022
Topic Review
The interleukin-1 Family Cytokines, Receptors and Co-Receptors
The interleukin-1 (IL-1) family is involved in the correct functioning and regulation of the innate immune system, linking innate and adaptative immune responses. This complex family is composed by several cytokines, receptors, and co-receptors, all working in a balanced way to maintain homeostasis. 
  • 1.1K
  • 06 Sep 2022
Topic Review
Atomic Carbon
Atomic carbon, systematically named carbon and λ0-methane, also called monocarbon, is a colourless gaseous inorganic chemical with the chemical formula C (also written [C]). It is kinetically unstable at ambient temperature and pressure, being removed through autopolymerisation. Atomic carbon is the simplest form of carbon, and is also the progenitor of carbon clusters. In addition, it may be considered to be the monomer of all (condensed) carbon allotropes like graphite and diamond.
  • 1.1K
  • 28 Sep 2022
Topic Review
Soyuz TM-22
Soyuz TM-22 was a Soyuz spaceflight to the Soviet space station Mir. It launched from Baikonur Cosmodrome Launch Pad 1 on September 3, 1995. After two days of free flight, the crew docked with Mir to become Mir Principal Expedition 20 and Euromir 95. Mir 20 was a harbinger of the multinational missions that would be typical of the International Space Station. After 179 days, 1 hour and 42 minutes on orbit, Reiter obtained the record for spaceflight duration by a Western European.
  • 1.1K
  • 11 Oct 2022
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