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Topic Review
Immunomodulatory Role of Cell-Free DNA
The basic function of the immune system is the protection of the host against infections, along with the preservation of the individual antigenic identity. The process of self-tolerance covers the discrimination between self and foreign antigens, including proteins, nucleic acids, and larger molecules. Consequently, a broken immunological self-tolerance results in the development of autoimmune or autoinflammatory disorders. Immunocompetent cells express pattern-recognition receptors on their cell membrane and cytoplasm. The majority of endogenous DNA is located intracellularly within nuclei and mitochondria. Extracellular, cell-free DNA (cfDNA) can also be detected in a variety of diseases, which has sparked interest in using cfDNA as a possible biomarker. The widespread use of liquid biopsies and the increasing demand for screening, as well as monitoring disease activity and therapy response, have enabled the revival of cfDNA research.
  • 971
  • 21 Nov 2022
Topic Review
Internal Ribosome Entry Site-Dependent Translation Dysregulation-Related Diseases
Internal ribosome entry site (IRES)-mediated translation is an alternative mechanism of translation initiation, known for maintaining protein synthesis when canonical translation is impaired. During a stress response, it contributes to cell reprogramming and adaptation to the new environment. 
  • 969
  • 23 Aug 2022
Topic Review
mRNA and Synthesis-Based Therapeutic Proteins
Recombinant technology has been around for nearly three-quarters of a century and has revolutionized protein therapy. However, the cost of developing recombinant therapeutic proteins and the manufacturing infrastructure keep their cost unaffordable for most patients. Proteins are produced in the body via messenger RNA (mRNA) translation. This process can be readily replicated by administering a chemical nucleic acid product to manufacture the same protein recombinantly. The progress made in creating these proteins ex vivo in a cell-free system also offers a lower-cost option to produce therapeutic proteins.
  • 968
  • 23 Nov 2023
Topic Review
Malnutrition/Cachexia/Sarcopenia in Oncology
Malnutrition is a frequent hallmark of cancer patients, resulting in unintentional weight loss due to a lack of intake or uptake of nutrients. This condition has a definitive impact on several aspects of cancer treatment and outcome: reducing treatment intensity, increasing treatment toxicities, worsening patients’ quality of life, and ultimately jeopardizing their survival. Malnutrition is present with the diagnosis of cancer in about 15–40% of cases and this incidence increases during treatment, characterizing 40–80% of the patients in this phase. Malnutrition increases the risk of toxicity, worsens quality of life, and decreases patients’ functionality. Moreover, it is strictly linked to sarcopenia in that it worsens muscle function, causing a decrease in lean body mass and muscle performance. Weight loss and loss of skeletal muscle mass are two hallmarks of cancer cachexia, a well-known, gradual, and irreversible process in advanced cancer patients.
  • 965
  • 21 Jun 2021
Topic Review
Transplantation Research in Small Animal Models
Transplantation research is a discipline that largely benefits from the use of animal models with mouse and pig models being the most frequently used models in organ transplantation research. A suitable animal model should reflect best the situation in humans, and the researcher should be aware of the similarities as well as the limitations of the chosen model. Small animal models with rats and mice are contributing to the majority of animal experiments with the obvious advantages of these models being easy handling, low costs, and high reproductive rates. 
  • 965
  • 11 Nov 2021
Topic Review
Diabetic Foot with Exercise Therapy
Diabetic foot (DF) is a long-term diabetes complication that can increase morbidity and mortality in addition to affecting mobility and the overall well-being of patients. In particular, the DF has a complex multifactorial pathogenesis that makes it difficult to prevent and treat. In this sense, it is well known that the prevention and treatment of DF disease requires a multidisciplinary approach. Physical activity has always been considered a potential pillar in the prevention of DFD. More recently, it has been reported, that physical activity can contribute in the wound healing phase. Unfortunately, to date, there is no clear and definitive evidence on the role that protocols of physical activity can play in the treatment of patients at risk or with DFD. In order to pursue this objective, it is important to standardize exercise training protocols for the prevention or treatment of these patients. Moreover, it is now possible to organize innovative methods of conducting, monitoring and analysing physical activity performed by patients, even remotely.
  • 965
  • 29 Mar 2022
Topic Review
G Protein-Coupled Receptors in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a degenerating disease involving the motor neurons, which causes a progressive loss of movement ability, usually leading to death within 2 to 5 years from the diagnosis. Much effort has been put into research for an effective therapy for its eradication, but still, no cure is available. The only two drugs approved for this pathology, Riluzole and Edaravone, are onlyable to slow down the inevitable disease progression. As assessed in the literature, drug targets such as protein kinases have already been extensively examined as potential drug targets for ALS, with some molecules already in clinical trials.
  • 965
  • 12 May 2022
Topic Review
Multifaceted Roles of Gold Nanoparticles
Gold nanoparticles (GNPs) have been recently applied for various diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. The unique properties of these nanoparticles (NPs), such as relative ease of synthesis in various sizes, shapes and charges, stability, high drug-loading capacity and relative availability for modification accompanied by non-cytotoxicity and biocompatibility, make them an ideal field of research in bio-nanotechnology. Moreover, their potential to alleviate various inflammatory factors, nitrite species, and reactive oxygen production and the capacity to deliver therapeutic agents has attracted attention for further studies in inflammatory and autoimmune disorders. Furthermore, the characteristics of GNPs and surface modification can modulate their toxicity, biodistribution, biocompatibility, and effects. 
  • 965
  • 20 Sep 2023
Topic Review
Live Attenuated Influenza Vaccines
To induce broadly protective immune responses by vaccination, various strategies using live attenuated influenza vaccines (LAIVs) and novel vaccine platforms are under investigation. Despite superior cross-protection ability, very little attention has been paid to LAIVs for the development of UIV.
  • 964
  • 18 Apr 2021
Topic Review
Heme Oxygenase-1 Modulation for Diabetic Foot Ulcers treatment
Diabetic foot ulcer (DFU) is one of the major complications of diabetes. Wound healing under diabetic conditions is often impaired. This is in part due to the excessive oxidative stress, prolonged inflammation, immune cell dysfunction, decreased infection control, delayed re-epithelialization, and decreased  angiogenesis  present at the wound site. Heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) is the rate-limiting enzyme in heme degradation generating carbon monoxide (CO), biliverdin (BV) which is converted into bilirubin (BR), and iron. HO-1 is a potent antioxidant. HO-1 can act as an anti-inflammatory, proliferative, angiogenic and cytoprotective enzyme, in wound healing suggesting that HO-1 modulation could be a potential therapeutic approach for the treatment of diabetic foot ulcers. 
  • 964
  • 21 Oct 2022
Topic Review
Enhancing Antisense Oligonucleotide-Based Therapeutic Delivery with DG9
Antisense oligonucleotide-based (ASO) therapeutics have emerged as a promising strategy for the treatment of human disorders. Charge-neutral phosphorodiamidate morpholino oligomers (PMOs) have promising biological and pharmacological properties for antisense applications. Despite their great potential, the efficient delivery of these therapeutic agents to target cells remains a major obstacle to their widespread use. Cellular uptake of naked PMO is poor. Cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs) appear as a possibility to increase the cellular uptake and intracellular delivery of oligonucleotide-based drugs. Among these, the DG9 peptide has been identified as a versatile CPP with remarkable potential for enhancing the delivery of ASO-based therapeutics due to its unique structural features. Notably, in the context of PMOs, DG9 has shown promise in enhancing delivery while maintaining a favorable toxicity profile. 
  • 963
  • 18 Dec 2023
Topic Review
Sympathetic Regulation in Normal Wound Healing
Sympathetic mediators could constrict arteries in the skin to prevent excessive blood loss. In intact skin around the wound, sympathetic fibers are crucial in maintaining physical properties of the skin. Without normal regulation, sweating skin can become dry and vulnerable to infections.
  • 963
  • 06 Mar 2023
Topic Review
Whole Genome Amplification and the appropriate DNA polymerases
In the same way that specialized DNA polymerases (DNAPs) replicate cellular and viral genomes, only a handful of dedicated proteins from various natural origins as well as engineered versions are appropriate for competent exponential amplification of whole genomes and metagenomes (WGA). Different applications have led to the development of diverse protocols, based on various DNAPs. Isothermal whole genomes and metagenomes (WGA) is currently widely used due to the high performance of Φ29 DNA polymerase, but polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based methods are also available and can provide competent amplification of certain samples. Replication fidelity and processivity must be considered when selecting a suitable enzyme for WGA. However, other properties, such as thermostability, capacity to couple replication, and double helix unwinding, or the ability to maintain DNA replication opposite to damaged bases, are also very relevant for some applications.
  • 961
  • 29 Jun 2023
Topic Review
Gestational diabetes mellitus and EDCs
Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) remains a significant clinical and public health issue due to its increasing prevalence and the possibility for numerous short- and long-term complications. The growing incidence of GDM seems to coincide with the widespread use of endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs). The extensive production and common use of these substances in everyday life has resulted in constant exposure to harmful substances from the environment. That may result in epigenetic changes, which may manifest themselves also after many years and be passed on to future generations. It is important to consider the possible link between environmental exposure to endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) during pregnancy, epigenetic mechanisms and an increased risk for developing gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM).
  • 959
  • 11 May 2021
Topic Review
Biomaterials-Based Regenerative Therapies for Intervertebral Disc
Intervertebral disc (IVD) degeneration is a common cause of low back pain and most spinal disorders. Recent advances in regenerative medicine and tissue engineering suggest the potential of biomaterial-based IVD regeneration therapies. These treatments may be indicated for patients with IVDs in the intermediate degenerative stage, a point where the number of viable cells decreases, and the structural integrity of the disc begins to collapse.
  • 959
  • 28 Mar 2022
Topic Review
COVID-19 Variants
This literature review aims to analyze all the vaccine candidates that went to phase II and above with the rationale behind the completion of some vaccines to phase III and why others failed to continue to phase III. Moreover, this paper will provide comprehensive information about COVID-19 infection, its symptoms, the structure of the virus, the variants that we have become aware off and how they differ. Furthermore, it will inform the literature about vaccines that developed for COVID-19 infection, vaccine vehicles and trials on vaccines. This paper shall open doors for further research and better understanding for reasons that hinder vaccines from reaching the market, which is important to be taken into consideration when developing new vaccines for viruses in the future.
  • 953
  • 01 Jan 2023
Topic Review
Potential Medical Applications of Chitooligosaccharides
Chitooligosaccharides (COSs), also known as chitosan oligomers or chitooligomers, are made up of chitosan with a degree of polymerization (DP) that is less than 20 and an average molecular weight (MW) that is lower than 3.9 kDa. COS can be produced through enzymatic conversions using chitinases, physical and chemical applications, or a combination of these strategies. COS is of significant interest for pharmacological and medical applications due to its increased water solubility and non-toxicity, with a wide range of bioactivities, including antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, anti-obesity, neuroprotective, anticancer, and antioxidant effects. 
  • 952
  • 01 Dec 2022
Topic Review
Structural Characteristics, Classification, and Nomenclature of Glycosphingolipids
Glycosphingolipids (GSLs) are a glycolipid subtype which plays vital roles in numerous biological processes, cell–cell interactions, as well as oncogenesis and ontogenesis. They are ubiquitous molecules found mostly in cell membranes.
  • 952
  • 11 Sep 2023
Topic Review
MicroRNA Therapeutics
microRNAs (miRs) are emerging as attractive therapeutic targets because of their small size, specific targetability, and critical role in disease pathogenesis. However, <20 miR targeting molecules have entered clinical trials, and none progressed to phase III. The advances in understanding miR’s roles in disease pathogenesis, the development of nuclease-resistant γ-modified PNA-based anti-miRs and plant-derived miRs are novel approaches that help resolve or weaken some of the challenges and support the development of miR therapeutics.
  • 949
  • 22 Nov 2021
Topic Review
Molecules Used to Prevent Nasal Polyp Recurrences
Chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) is the most bothersome phenotype of chronic rhinosinusitis, which is typically characterized by a Type 2 inflammatory reaction, comorbidities and high rates of nasal polyp recurrence, causing severe impact on quality of life. Nasal polyp recurrence rates, defined as the number of patients undergoing revision endoscopic sinus surgery, are 20% within a 5 year period after surgery. The cornerstone of CRSwNP management consists of anti-inflammatory treatment with local corticosteroids. The therapeutic strategies used to prevent nasal polyp recurrence (NPR) after surgical treatment are discussed. 
  • 944
  • 22 May 2023
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