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Topic Review
PDE2A for Mouse Liver Development
cAMP and cGMP are intracellular signaling molecules produced in response to a plethora of extracellular signals in order to coordinate cellular metabolism, proliferation, differentiation and apoptosis. Phosphodiesterases (PDEs) are the enzymes that hydrolyze cAMP and cGMP in order to end or to limit the responses to these signals. To date 11 PDE families (named PDE1 to PDE11) have been identified across each cell type expressed in a peculiar pattern. They enclose 21 genes that codify approximately 100 enzymes that form a redundant network ensuring the compensation of activity in case of alteration of activity or lack of expression of one of the members. PDE2A, a cAMP-hydrolyzing enzyme, represents the exception to this picture, as PDE2A knockout is embryonic lethal. Knockout embryos show that the lack of the enzyme has the greatest impact on the development of the heart and of the liver, which is no longer able to assume its hematopoietic role. The increase of the intracellular cAMP level and the downregulation of the anti-apoptotic gene Bcl2 might explain the loss of integrity in the PDE2A knockout liver niche that compromises the hematopoietic function and maturation.
  • 1.1K
  • 29 Oct 2020
Topic Review
Airway Microbiota for Lung Cancer
Recent research on cancer-associated microbial communities has elucidated the interplay between bacteria, immune cells, and tumor cells; the bacterial pathways involved in the induction of carcinogenesis; and their clinical significance. Although accumulating evidence shows that a dysbiotic condition is associated with lung carcinogenesis, the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Microorganisms possibly trigger tumor initiation and progression, presumably via the production of bacterial toxins and other pro-inflammatory factors. The purpose of this review is to discuss the basic role of the airway microbiome in carcinogenesis and the underlying molecular mechanisms, with the aim of developing anticancer strategies involving the airway microbiota. In addition, the mechanisms via which the microbiome acts as a modulator of immunotherapies in lung cancer are summarized.
  • 1.1K
  • 29 Oct 2020
Topic Review
Dnmt3a2/Dnmt3L
This study investigates how DNA methylation regulates motor behavior in single neuron type resolution. This topic is important for understanding that the behaviors like hyperactivity in relevant diseases are also regulated by epigenetic factors. Although accumulative researches have demonstrated that epigenetic factor is a potential regulator for brain function, the specific role of these factors in certain type of neurons is still unclear, especially in motor neurons, has not been studied. We aim to examine if the DNA methylation level of neurons are regulated by DNA methyltransferase and how is the consequence in locomotion. The study generated a transgenic mouse model with overexpression of Dnmt3a2 and Dnmt3L, the DNA methyltransferase and its partner, in dopaminergic neurons which controls locomotor function. We found that the DNA methylation level was up-regulated in neurons with overexpression, and the spontaneous activity and exercise performance of the mice were increased significantly. Furthermore, the higher fire frequency and excitability of dopaminergic neuron were detected without dopaminergic biosynthesis change.
  • 1.1K
  • 26 Oct 2020
Topic Review
Clozapine, Pharmacogenetic Biomarkers, Particularities COVID-19
Clozapine (CLZ) use is precarious due to its neurological, cardiovascular, and hematological side effects; however, it is the gold standard in therapy-resistant schizophrenia (TRS) in adults and is underused. Objective: to examine the most recent CLZ data on (a) side effects concerning (b) recent pharmacological mechanisms, (c) therapy benefits, and (d) the particularities of the COVID-19 pandemic. Data sources: a search was performed in two databases (PubMed andWeb of Science) using the specific keywords “clozapine” and “schizophrenia”, “side effects”, “agranulocytosis”, “TRS”, or “bipolar affective disorder (BAF)” for the last ten years. Study eligibility criteria: clinical trials on adults with acute symptoms of schizophrenia or related disorders. Results: We selected 37 studies, randomized controlled trials (RCTs), and clinical case series (CCS), centered on six main topics in the search area: (a) CLZ in schizophrenia, (b) CLZ in bipolar disorder, (c) side effects during the clozapine therapy, (d) CLZ in pregnancy, (e) CLZ in early-onset schizophrenia, and (f) CLZ therapy and COVID-19 infection. Limitations: we considered RCTs and CCS from two databases, limited to the search topics. Conclusions and implications of key findings: (a) clozapine doses should be personalized for each patient based on pharmacogenetics testing when available; the genetic vulnerability postulates predictors of adverse reactions’ severity; patients with a lower genetic risk could have less frequent hematological monitoring; (b) a CLZ-associated risk of pulmonary embolism imposes prophylactic measures for venous thromboembolism; (c) convulsive episodes are not an indication for stopping treatment; the plasma concentration of clozapine is a better side effect predictor then the dosage; (d) COVID-19 infection may enhance clozapine toxicity, generating an increased risk of pneumonia. Therapy must be continued with the proper monitoring of the white blood count, and the clozapine dose decreased by half until three days after the fever breaks; psychiatrists and healthcare providers must act together.
  • 1.1K
  • 20 Nov 2020
Topic Review
Antimicrobial Peptides and Porcine Viruses
Antimicrobial peptides display the property of combating viruses in swine production of animal husbandry, clarify the mechanism of action of antimicrobial peptides on viruses and raise some suspending questions and prospect the future potential of antimicrobial peptides in animal husbandry.
  • 1.1K
  • 18 Dec 2020
Topic Review
Athletes and COVID-19
The COVID-19 pandemic is having major economic and personal consequences for collegiate and professional sportsThe COVID-19 pandemic is having major economic and personal consequences for collegiate and professional sports. It is proposed that vitamin D supplementation be included as a method by which to reduce the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection and progression to and severity of COVID-19. Evidence supporting this suggestion includes approximately 30 observational studies from several countries finding that serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] concentrations are inversely correlated with SARS-CoV-2 infection and severity, progression and risk of death of COVID-19. In addition, “quasi-experimental” studies in France found that COVID-19 patients receiving high-dose vitamin D supplements before or shortly after development of COVID-19 had significantly reduced risk of death. A pilot randomized controlled trial in Spain using high-dose 25(OH)D3 on COVID-19 patients found significant reductions in progression to the intensive care unit and death. Sports teams are already aware of the better athletic performance associated with higher 25(OH)D concentrations and vitamin D supplementation. Thus, supplementing with vitamin D by athletes and associated staff could add an extra measure of protection against COVID-19 as well as help maintain peak athletic ability. This review provides guidelines for supplementation.  
  • 1.1K
  • 16 Jun 2021
Topic Review
Russell-Silver Syndrome
Russell-Silver syndrome is a growth disorder characterized by slow growth before and after birth.
  • 1.1K
  • 24 Dec 2020
Topic Review
Wind Models
Wind forecasts are widely spread because of the growth in wind power, but also because there are other applications to consider, such as the long-term scenario forecasts regarding the effects of global warming. Overall, there have been big developments in global circulation models (GCM) that inform future scenarios at the large scale, but wind forecast at a local scale is a problem that has not totally been solved.
  • 1.1K
  • 26 Mar 2021
Topic Review
Lipidomics
Lipid analysis provides additional insight into the pathogenesis of ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) disorders and reveals new targets for drug action. The profile of changes in the composition of fatty acids in the cell, as well as the time course of these changes, indicate both the mechanism of damage and new therapeutic possibilities. 
  • 1.1K
  • 27 Apr 2021
Topic Review
Stem Cells and the Endometrium
Adult stem cells (ASCs) were long suspected to exist in the endometrium. Indeed, several types of endometrial ASCs were identified in rodents and humans through diverse isolation and characterization techniques. Putative stromal and epithelial stem cell niches were identified in murine models using label-retention techniques. In humans, functional methods (clonogenicity, long-term culture, and multi-lineage differentiation assays) and stem cell markers (CD146, SUSD2/W5C5, LGR5, NTPDase2, SSEA-1, or N-cadherin) facilitated the identification of three main types of endogenous endometrial ASCs: stromal, epithelial progenitor, and endothelial stem cells. Further, exogenous populations of stem cells derived from bone marrow may act as key effectors of the endometrial ASC niche.
  • 1.1K
  • 29 Apr 2021
Topic Review
Daylight in Downtown Area of a Compact City
Daylight is of utmost importance and should be the main source of light in most areas dedicated to working and living. When considering the contemporary way of living, it can be easily discerned that most of human life is spent indoors, yet in a typical architectonic design approach, daylight is too often hardly of consequence. Hence daylight becomes a critical factor. Designers comply with the legal requirements of the solar hours required for areas subjected to constant use. Simultaneously for electrical engineers’ daylight is only an additional source of light valued only where energy efficiency is concerned. 
  • 1.1K
  • 28 Mar 2022
Topic Review
Antimicrobial Peptides and Proteins (AMPs)
Mycotoxins are toxic secondary metabolites produced by filamentous fungi in crops or during storage, transport and processing of food and feed commodities, which pose serious health risks for both humans and animals. The trend of mycotoxin contamination in food and feed has reached alarming levels. Antimicrobial peptides and proteins (AMPs) with antifungal activity are gaining much interest as natural antifungal compounds due to their properties such as structure diversity and function, antifungal spectrum, mechanism of action, high stability and the availability of biotechnological production methods. 
  • 1.1K
  • 14 Jan 2022
Topic Review
The Effect of Dynamic Lighting
Dynamic CCT lighting is proposed as a method to control sleep quality, and a novel hypnotic lighting system is developed according to the experimental design.
  • 1.1K
  • 10 Mar 2022
Topic Review
Smartphone Addiction for Body Dissatisfaction and Eating Behaviors
A consideration of the roles of smartphone addiction and depression is crucial in order to more fully understand the association between body dissatisfaction and disordered eating behaviors among Chinese college students. The findings indicate that interventions that target smartphone addiction and the various emotions relating to depression could be of great value for mitigating the detrimental effects of body dissatisfaction on disordered eating behaviors.
  • 1.1K
  • 21 Mar 2022
Topic Review
Detection of SARS-CoV-2 and Its Immune Response
Coronaviruses are a large family of well-established pathogens of various hosts, including domestic animals, wildlife, and humans.
  • 1.1K
  • 22 Sep 2022
Topic Review
Osmium-188
Osmium (76Os) has seven naturally occurring isotopes, five of which are stable: 187Os, 188Os, 189Os, 190Os, and (most abundant) 192Os. The other natural isotopes, 184Os, and 186Os, have extremely long half-life (1.12×1013 years and 2×1015 years, respectively) and for practical purposes can be considered to be stable as well. 187Os is the daughter of 187Re (half-life 4.56×1010 years) and is most often measured in an 187Os/188Os ratio. This ratio, as well as the 187Re/188Os ratio, have been used extensively in dating terrestrial as well as meteoric rocks. It has also been used to measure the intensity of continental weathering over geologic time and to fix minimum ages for stabilization of the mantle roots of continental cratons. However, the most notable application of Os in dating has been in conjunction with iridium, to analyze the layer of shocked quartz along the Cretaceous–Paleogene boundary that marks the extinction of the dinosaurs 66 million years ago. There are also 30 artificial radioisotopes, the longest-lived of which is 194Os with a half-life of six years; all others have half-lives under 94 days. There are also nine known nuclear isomers, the longest-lived of which is 191mOs with a half-life of 13.10 hours. All isotopes and nuclear isomers of osmium are either radioactive or observationally stable, meaning that they are predicted to be radioactive but no actual decay has been observed.
  • 1.1K
  • 30 Sep 2022
Topic Review
Bioplastics for Food Packaging
The huge negative impact that the disposal of so-called “single-use plastics” has on the environment is propelling the market to search for new solutions, and requires initiatives to drive faster responses from the scientific community, the industry, and governmental bodies for the adoption and implementation of new materials. Bioplastics are an alternative group of materials that are partly or entirely produced from renewable sources. Some bioplastics are biodegradable or even compostable under the right conditions.
  • 1.1K
  • 01 Nov 2022
Topic Review
Decarbonization in Higher Education Institutions for Green Campus
Reducing the carbon footprint (CF) helps to meet the targets of the sustainable development goals (SDGs), with emphasis on SDG 13, which seeks urgent measures to combat climate change and its impacts. Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) or universities, as organizations engaged in education, research, and community service, play an important role in promoting sustainable development. Thus, HEIs are increasingly interested in practices to reduce their CF, in addition to training professionals for this worldwide need. CF reduction is a tool to assess the sustainability and decarbonization of a campus that aligns with Green Campus (GC) initiatives. 
  • 1.1K
  • 15 Mar 2023
Topic Review
Robotic Systems in Urology and Prostate Cancer Surgery
Robot-assisted surgical systems (RASS) have revolutionised the management of many urological conditions with robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP) being considered by many to be the preferred surgical approach.
  • 1.1K
  • 07 Apr 2023
Topic Review
Hybrid Artificial Intelligence in Groundwater
As one of the world’s most valuable and vital water sources, groundwater is integral to many facets of human life, including food production, economic growth, and safe drinking water. Developing precise soft computing methods for groundwater management, which includes quality and quantity, is crucial for improving water resources planning and management. Significant progress has been made in groundwater management using hybrid machine learning (ML) models as artificial intelligence (AI). 
  • 1.1K
  • 12 May 2023
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