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Topic Review
Bacteriophage Therapy of Bacterial Infections
Antibiotic-resistant infections present a serious health concern worldwide. It is estimated that there are 2.8 million antibiotic-resistant infections and 35,000 deaths in the United States every year. Such microorganisms include Acinetobacter, Enterobacterioceae, Pseudomonas, Staphylococcus and Mycobacterium. Alternative treatment methods are, thus, necessary to treat such infections. Bacteriophages are viruses of bacteria. In a lytic infection, the newly formed phage particles lyse the bacterium and continue to infect other bacteria. In the early 20th century, d’Herelle, Bruynoghe and Maisin used bacterium-specific phages to treat bacterial infections. Bacteriophages are being identified, purified and developed as pharmaceutically acceptable macromolecular “drugs,” undergoing strict quality control. Phages can be applied topically or delivered by inhalation, orally or parenterally. Some of the major drug-resistant infections that are potential targets of pharmaceutically prepared phages are Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Acinetobacter baumannii.
  • 1.6K
  • 27 Jan 2021
Topic Review
Marine Algae-Derived Bioactive Compounds
Marine algae are rich in bioactive nutraceuticals (e.g., carbohydrates, proteins, minerals, fatty acids, antioxidants, and pigments). Biotic (e.g., plants, microorganisms) and abiotic factors (e.g., temperature, pH, salinity, light intensity) contribute to the production of primary and secondary metabolites by algae. Easy, profitable, and sustainable recovery methods include novel solid-liquid and liquid-liquid extraction techniques (e.g., supercritical, high pressure, microwave, ultrasound, enzymatic). The spectacular findings of algal-mediated synthesis of nanotheranostics has attracted further interest because of the availability of microalgae-based natural bioactive therapeutic compounds and the cost-effective commercialization of stable microalgal drugs. 
  • 1.6K
  • 07 Sep 2021
Topic Review
Leukocytosis Associated with Clozapine Treatment
Clozapine is the only antipsychotic approved for treatment-resistant schizophrenia. Despite its superior efficacy profile as compared with other antipsychotics, clozapine remains underutilized. Clozapine monitoring systems clearly describe the proposed management of clozapine-induced neutropenia; however, no specific mention is made of how to interpret neutrophilic leukocytosis, despite that being a relatively frequent finding. 
  • 1.6K
  • 28 Sep 2021
Topic Review
Lewy Body Dementia Mice Model
Lewy bodies are pathological characteristics of Lewy body dementia (LBD) and are composed of α-synuclein (α-Syn), which is mostly degraded via the ubiquitin–proteasome system. More importantly, 26S proteasomal activity decreases in the brain of LBD patients. 
  • 1.6K
  • 22 Sep 2021
Topic Review
Stabilization of Essential Oil
Essential oils (EOs) have stability problems, including volatility, oxidation, photosensitivity, heat sensitivity, humidity sensitivity, pH sensitivity, and ion sensitivity. A drug delivery system is an effective way to stabilize EOs, especially due to the protective effect of polymeric drug carriers. Polysaccharides are frequently employed as drug carrier materials because they are highly safe, come in a variety of forms, and have plentiful sources.
  • 1.6K
  • 24 Aug 2023
Topic Review
Algae-Derived Compounds against PM-induced Diseases
Air pollution has recently become a subject of increasing concern in many parts of the world. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimated that nearly 4.2 million early deaths are due to exposure to fine particles in polluted air, which causes multiple respiratory diseases. As a natural product, algae can be an alternative treatment due to potential biofunctional properties and advantages.
  • 1.6K
  • 07 Jun 2021
Topic Review
Pathological Angiogenesis
Pathological angiogenesis, which is mainly induced through vascular endothelial growth factors (VEGF) and their receptors, is involved in many of these vision-impairing ocular disorders, such as age-related macular degeneration (AMD), diabetic retinopathy (DR), and corneal neovascularization. 
  • 1.6K
  • 23 Feb 2021
Topic Review
Scleroderma
Vitamin D status has been linked to immune system and autoimmune disorders; in fact, low levels of vitamin D are common in many autoimmune disorders. The aims of our study were to assess the prevalence of vitamin D insufficiency and the possible correlation with clinical parameters in systemic sclerosis (SSc). We recruited 40 patients (38 female and two male) with scleroderma and 40 healthy controls matched for age and gender. Demographic and clinical parameters were recorded and the 25-hydroxivitamin D3 serum levels were measured. Serum 25-hydroxivitamin D3 levels were significantly lower in patients with systemic sclerosis than in the control group. The prevalence of 25-hydroxivitamin D3 insufficiency was 50% in the patients and 22.5% in the control group. A statistically significant association was observed between the insufficiency of 25-hydroxivitamin D3 and skin involvement (p = 0.02) and echocardiography systolic pulmonary artery pressure >35 mmHg (p = 0.02). Our data show that the systemic sclerosis group has significantly lower serum 25-hydroxivitamin D3 concentrations compared to the control group; skin involvement and pulmonary hypertension are associated with vitamin D3 insufficiency.
  • 1.6K
  • 01 Nov 2020
Topic Review
Hydrodynamic Delivery
The principle of hydrodynamic delivery was initially used to develop a method for delivering plasmids into mouse hepatocytes through tail vein injection and has since been expanded for use in delivering various biologically active materials to cells in different organs of several animal species. 
  • 1.6K
  • 18 Apr 2023
Topic Review
Physiologically Based Pharmacokinetic Modeling of Nanoparticle Biodistribution
Cancer treatment and pharmaceutical development require targeted treatment and less toxic therapeutic intervention to achieve real progress against this disease. In this scenario, nanomedicine emerged as a reliable tool to improve drug pharmacokinetics and to translate to the clinical biologics based on large molecules. However, the ability of body to recognize foreign objects together with carrier transport heterogeneity derived from the combination of particle physical and chemical properties, payload and surface modification, make the designing of effective carriers very difficult. In this scenario, physiologically based pharmacokinetic modeling can help to design the particles and eventually predict their ability to reach the target and treat the tumor. This effort is performed by scientists with specific expertise and skills and familiarity with artificial intelligence tools such as advanced software that are not usually in the “cords” of traditional medical or material researchers. 
  • 1.6K
  • 04 Nov 2022
Topic Review
Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor
The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) was first identified as the intracellular protein that 14 bound and mediated the toxic effects of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD, dioxin) and 15 dioxin-like compounds (DLCs). Subsequent studies show that the AhR plays an important role in 16 maintaining cellular homeostasis and in pathophysiology and there is increasing evidence that the 17 AhR is a important drug target. The AhR binds structurally diverse compounds including 18 pharmaceuticals, phytochemicals, endogenous biochemicals some of which may serve as 19 endogenous ligands. Classification of DLCs and non-DLCs based on their persistence (metabolism), 20 toxicities, binding to wild-type/mutant AhR and structural similarities have been reported. This 21 review provides data suggesting that ligands for the AhR are selective AhR modulators (SAhRMs) 22 which exhibit tissue/cell-specific AhR agonist and antagonist activities and their functional diversity 23 is similar to selective receptor modulators that target steroid hormone and other nuclear receptors.
  • 1.6K
  • 10 Feb 2021
Topic Review
Stability and Activity of L-ASNases
L-asparaginases (EC 3.5.1.1) are a family of enzymes that catalyze the hydrolysis of L-asparagine to L-aspartic acid and ammonia. These proteins with different biochemical, physicochemical and pharmacological properties are found in many organisms, including bacteria, fungi, algae, plants and mammals. To date, asparaginases from E. coli and Dickeya dadantii (formerly known as Erwinia chrysanthemi) are widely used in hematology for the treatment of lymphoblastic leukemias. 
  • 1.6K
  • 24 Mar 2022
Topic Review
Resveratrol from Dietary Supplement to a Drug Candidate
Resveratrol (RVT) is a well known phyto-chemical and is widely used in dietary supplements and botanical products. It shows a wide range of pharmacological/beneficial effects. it can be a potential candidate to be developed as phyto-pharmaceutical. Multiple diseases are reported to be treated by the therapeutic effect of RVT since it has antioxidant, anti-cancer activity and anti-inflammatory activities. It also has a major role in diabetes, arthritis, cardiac disorder and platelet aggregation etc. The major requirements are establishments regarding safety, efficacy profile and physicochemical characterization. 
  • 1.6K
  • 29 Aug 2022
Topic Review
JAMM Deubiquitinating Enzymes in Disease
Deubiquitinating enzymes (DUBs) are a group of proteases that are important for maintaining cell homeostasis by regulating the balance between ubiquitination and deubiquitination. As the only known metalloproteinase family of DUBs, JAB1/MPN/Mov34 metalloenzymes (JAMMs) are specifically associated with tumorigenesis and immunological and inflammatory diseases at multiple levels. The far smaller numbers and distinct catalytic mechanism of JAMMs render them attractive drug targets. Several JAMM inhibitors have been successfully developed and have shown promising therapeutic efficacy. 
  • 1.5K
  • 22 Jul 2022
Topic Review
Zoopharmacology
Zoopharmacognosy is the multidisciplinary approach of the self-medication behavior of many kinds of animals. Recent studies showed the presence of antitumoral secondary metabolites in some of the plants employed by animals and their use for the same therapeutic purposes in humans. Other related and sometimes confused term is Zootherapy, which consists on the employment of animal parts and/or their by-products such as toxins, venoms, etc., to treat different human ailments. Therefore, the aim of this work is to provide a brief insight for the use of Zoopharmacology (comprising Zoopharmacognosy and Zootherapy) as new paths to discover drugs studying animal behavior and/or using compounds derived from animals.
  • 1.5K
  • 28 Jun 2021
Topic Review
Bacterial Virulence Factors
There are several levels to influence the expression of eukaryotic genes. A first level of interference is changing of the DNA’s structure on the chromatin level. Epigenetic modulation enables remodelling of the chromatin to transfer heterochromatin into euchromatin allowing transcription or vice versa. In addition, the affinity of promotors and other regulatory DNA sequences for RNA polymerases and transcription factors (TFs) can be influenced by cytosine or adenine methylation. Only a minor portion (fewer than 2%) of genes is transcribed into mRNAs, instead the majority is transferred into so called non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs). Certain long ncRNAs (lncRNAs) are also involved in epigenetic regulations. Epigenetic mechanisms are used for manipulation of gene expression in the course of several cellular processes. Here, we give an overview on the epigenetic control of gene expression by bacterial virulence factors during host cell infection.
  • 1.5K
  • 27 Oct 2020
Topic Review
5-Aminolevulinic Acid Photodynamic Therapy in Cancer Treatment
5-aminolevulinic acid-photodynamic therapy (5-ALA-PDT) is a therapeutic option for a variety of cutaneous and internal malignancies. PDT uses a photosensitizer that, activated by light in the presence of molecule oxygen, forms ROS, which are responsible for the apoptotic activity of the malignant tissues. 5-ALA is usually used as an endogenous pro-photosensitizer because it is converted to Protoporphyrin IX (PpIX), which enters into the process of heme synthesis and contextually becomes a photosensitizer, radiating a red fluorescent light. PDT has the benefit of being administered before or after chemotherapy, radiation, or surgery, without impairing the efficacy of these treatment techniques. Furthermore, sensitivity to PDT is unaffected by the negative effects of chemotherapy or radiation. 
  • 1.5K
  • 30 May 2023
Topic Review
Tea Resists Carcinogenesis
Tea remains one of the most prevalent beverages consumed due in part to its physiological properties. The active compounds in tea, including tea polyphenols, tea polysaccharides, L-theanine, tea pigments, caffeine and other minor composition, can directly or indirectly reduce oncogenesis and cancerometastasis. Interestingly, the different types of tea (such as unfermented green tea, partially fermented oolong tea, and fully fermented black tea or pu-erh tea) have the different anti-cancer property.
  • 1.5K
  • 13 Oct 2021
Topic Review
Sphingosine Kinase/Sphingosine-1-Phosphate
Sphingolipid metabolites have emerged as critical players in the regulation of various physiological processes. Ceramide and sphingosine induce cell growth arrest and apoptosis, whereas sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) promotes cell proliferation and survival. 
  • 1.5K
  • 28 Apr 2021
Topic Review
JNKs in Development of Disease
c-Jun N-terminal kinases (JNKs) have emerged as suitable therapeutic strategies. In fact, it has been demonstrated that some unspecific JNK inhibitors exert antidiabetic and neuroprotective effects, albeit they usually show high toxicity or lack therapeutic value. In this sense, natural specific JNK inhibitors, such as Licochalcone A, are promising candidates. Nonetheless, research on the understanding of the role of each of the JNKs remains mandatory in order to progress on the identification of new selective JNK isoform inhibitors. In the present review, a summary on the current gathered data on the role of JNKs in pathology is presented, as well as a discussion on their potential role in pathologies like epilepsy and metabolic-cognitive injury. Moreover, data on the effects of synthetic small molecule inhibitors that modulate JNK-dependent pathways in the brain and peripheral tissues is reviewed.
  • 1.5K
  • 23 Oct 2020
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