Your browser does not fully support modern features. Please upgrade for a smoother experience.
Subject:
All Disciplines Arts & Humanities Biology & Life Sciences Business & Economics Chemistry & Materials Science Computer Science & Mathematics Engineering Environmental & Earth Sciences Medicine & Pharmacology Physical Sciences Public Health & Healthcare Social Sciences
Sort by:
Most Viewed Latest Alphabetical (A-Z) Alphabetical (Z-A)
Filter:
All Topic Review Biography Peer Reviewed Entry Video Entry
Topic Review
Antioxidants in Alzheimer’s Disease
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most common neurodegenerative disease, intensifying impairments in cognition, behavior, and memory. Histopathological AD variations include extracellular senile plaques’ formation, tangling of intracellular neurofibrils, and synaptic and neuronal loss in the brain. Multiple evidence directly indicates that oxidative stress participates in an early phase of AD before cytopathology. Oxidative stress plays a crucial role in activating and causing various cell signaling pathways that result in lesion formations of toxic substances, which advances the disease. Antioxidants are widely preferred to combat oxidative stress, and those derived from natural sources, which are often incorporated into dietary habits, can play an important role in delaying the onset as well as reducing the progression of AD. However, this approach has not been extensively explored yet. Moreover, a combination of antioxidants in conjugation with a nutrient-rich diet might be more effective in tackling AD pathogenesis.
  • 1.2K
  • 10 Feb 2022
Topic Review
Biomaterial Surface Modifications
Biomaterials exhibit various degrees of compatibility with the harsh environment within a living organism. They need to be nonreactive chemically and physically with the body, as well as integrate when deposited into tissue. The extent of compatibility varies based on the application and material required. Often modifications to the surface of a biomaterial system are required to maximize performance. The surface can be modified in many ways, including plasma modification and applying coatings to the substrate. Surface modifications can be used to affect surface energy, adhesion, biocompatibility, chemical inertness, lubricity, sterility, asepsis, thrombogenicity, susceptibility to corrosion, degradation, and hydrophilicity.
  • 1.2K
  • 18 Oct 2022
Topic Review
CRISPR-Based Technologies in Wine Yeasts
For the highly competitive wine market with new demands for improved wine quality and wine safety, it has become increasingly critical to develop new yeast strains. New possibilities arose for creating upgraded wine yeasts in the laboratory, resulting in the development of strains with better fermentation abilities, able to improve the sensory quality of wines and produce wines targeted to specific consumers, considering their health and nutrition requirements. However, only two genetically modified (GM) wine yeast strains are officially registered and approved for commercial use. Compared with traditional genetic engineering methods, CRISPR/Cas9 is described as efficient, versatile, cheap, easy-to-use, and able to target multiple sites.
  • 1.2K
  • 04 Aug 2023
Topic Review
The Cerebellar Involvement in Autism Spectrum Disorders
Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are pervasive neurodevelopmental disorders that include a variety of forms and clinical phenotypes. This heterogeneity complicates the clinical and experimental approaches to ASD etiology and pathophysiology. To date, a unifying theory of these diseases is still missing. With the recent acknowledgement of the cerebellar contribution to cognitive functions and the social brain, its involvement in ASD has become unmistakable, though its extent is still to be elucidated.
  • 1.2K
  • 28 Apr 2022
Topic Review
Discoveries on Ras Therapeutics
It has been over forty years since the isolation of the first human oncogene (HRAS), a crucial milestone in cancer research made possible through the combined efforts of a few selected research groups at the beginning of the 1980s. Those initial discoveries led to a quantitative leap in our understanding of cancer biology and set up the onset of the field of molecular oncology. The following four decades of RAS research have produced a huge pool of new knowledge about the RAS family of small GTPases, including how they regulate signaling pathways controlling many cellular physiological processes, or how oncogenic mutations trigger pathological conditions, including developmental syndromes or many cancer types. However, despite the extensive body of available basic knowledge, specific effective treatments for RAS-driven cancers are still lacking. Hopefully, recent advances involving the discovery of novel pockets on the RAS surface as well as highly specific small-molecule inhibitors able to block its interaction with effectors and/or activators may lead to the development of new, effective treatments for cancer. 
  • 1.2K
  • 10 May 2021
Topic Review
Anhydrobiosis
Anhydrobiosis is induced by loss of water and indicates dehydration tolerance. Survival of dehydration is possible through changes at different levels of organism organization, including a remarkable reduction in metabolic activity at the cellular level. Thus, anhydrobiosis may be regarded as an anti-aging strategy.
  • 1.2K
  • 23 Aug 2022
Topic Review
Parkinson’s Disease and Melatonin
Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a complex, multisystem disorder with both neurologic and systemic manifestations, which is usually associated with non-motor symptoms, including sleep disorders. Such associated sleep disorders are commonly observed as REM sleep behavior disorder, insomnia, sleep-related breathing disorders, excessive daytime sleepiness, restless legs syndrome and periodic limb movements. Melatonin has a wide range of regulatory effects, such as synchronizing circadian rhythm, and is expected to be a potential new circadian treatment of sleep disorders in PD patients.
  • 1.2K
  • 28 Feb 2023
Topic Review
Skin Appendages
The vertebrate integument forms the external body envelope, which creates the boundary between the organism and its environment. It includes both the epithelium, derived from the ectoderm, and the underlying mesenchyme, derived from diverse sources, depending on the anatomic region. The most extensive anatomic constituent is the skin, including both the epidermis, the dermis, and its appendages: glands, scales, feathers, or hair follicle/gland complexes. These structures facilitate a broad range of functions, such as protection, thermoregulation, communication, and locomotion. Integumental surfaces also include a transparent part (the cornea) as well as the anterior three-quarters of the oral cavity, comprising the gingiva and its appendages (the teeth). 
  • 1.2K
  • 28 Jun 2023
Topic Review
Dysregulation of Mitochondrial Metabolism in Fanconi Anemia-Deficient Cells
Fanconi anemia (FA) pathway deficiency is associated with dysregulated cellular metabolism in addition to defects in interstrand crosslinks (ICLs) repair, and metabolic abnormalities are an important potential contributor to the observed clinical phenotypes. Metabolic dysregulation is reflected by changes in mitochondrial structure and function with reduced energy production and an increase in oxidative stress and defective mitophagy. Furthermore, mutations in FA proteins cause increased aldehyde load and subsequent aldehyde induced damage, resulting in reduced cellular capacity for aldehyde detoxification, and hyperproduction of, and sensitivity to, inflammatory cytokines. Metabolic reprogramming in individuals with FA may be linked to an array of phenotypes poorly explained by deficient DNA repair, including short stature, insulin resistance, thyroid dysfunction, abnormal body mass index (BMI) and dyslipidemia. Metabolism is a dynamic process which is essential for cell viability, from maintaining membrane potentials, provision of metabolic energy in the form of ATP via oxidation of nutrients (catabolism) for cell maintenance and repair, to cell proliferation that requires ATP to drive the formation of complex macromolecules (anabolism), and tissue specific activities such as contraction of muscle and generation of action potentials in the brain. Nutrient uptake and utilization are commonly altered in cancers and many show a strong dependence on glutamine.
  • 1.2K
  • 08 Jul 2022
Topic Review
Trichiida
Trichiida (synonymous with Trichiales T.Macbrd.) is an order of slime moulds in the phylum Amoebozoa. Trichiida is one of five orders in the group Myxomycetes (also called Myxogastria), or the true plasmodial slime molds. It is also currently categorized under the superorder Lucisporidia with its sister group, Liceida. The order was first described by Thomas MacBride in 1922, and has retained the same name and status as a defined order in present phylogeny. In the plasmodium form, members of Trichiida lack a columella but have a well-developed capillitium for spore dispersal. The shape and details of the capillitium are used to define families within the order. Spores are brightly coloured, ranging from clear, white and yellow to pink and red-brown tones. The order currently has 4 families, 14 genera and 174 species. Recent molecular research has shown that while Trichiida probably represents a true taxonomic group, its sister group Liceida is likely paraphyletic, and it has been suggested that several genera from the Liceida should be reclassified under Trichiida instead.
  • 1.2K
  • 12 Oct 2022
Topic Review
Ru(II)-Dppz Derivatives and DNA
Transition metal complexes with dppz-type ligands (dppz = dipyrido[3,2-a:2′,3′-c]phenazine) are extensively studied and attract a considerable amount of attention, becoming, from the very beginning and increasingly over time, a powerful tool for investigating the structure of the DNA helix. In particular, [Ru(bpy)2(dppz)]2+ and [Ru(phen)2(dppz)]2+ and their derivatives were extensively investigated as DNA light-switches. 
  • 1.2K
  • 13 Apr 2021
Topic Review
Genealogy
Although biological relationships are a universal reality for all human beings, the concepts of “family” and “family bond” depend on both the geographic region and the historical moment to which they refer. However, the concept of “family” can be determinant in a large variety of societies, since it can influence the lines of succession, inheritances and social relationships, as well as where and with whom an individual is buried. The relation between a deceased person and other members of a community, other individuals of the same necropolis, or even with those who are buried in the same tomb can be analysed from the genetic point of view, considering different perspectives: archaeological, historical, and forensic.
  • 1.2K
  • 18 Nov 2021
Topic Review
YB1 in Triple Negative Breast Cancer
The Y Box binding protein 1 (YB1) is a multifunctional protein, found both in the cytoplasm and inside the nucleus, that belongs to the highly conserved Cold Shock Domain protein family. YB1 is highly expressed in TNBC tumors of AA origin when compared to CAs. Increased expression levels and activity of YB1 correlates with poor disease outcomes, resistance to chemotherapy, and the activation of the cancer stem cell (CSC) phenotype, with higher levels in AA than in CA TNBC tumors.
  • 1.2K
  • 23 Dec 2021
Topic Review
Exosomes in Liquid Biopsy
Exosomes are small vesicles of 100 nm in size that are released from every cell constantly. They contain different molecules (DNA, RNA, lipids, metabolites, etc.) that reflect the content of the cell they come from. Exosomes can be found in all biological fluids. In cancer, exosomes are involved in several events such as tumor growth, metastasis, and the immune response, by delivering their cargos to recipient cells. Due to their unique features, exosomes have become promising analytes in the field of liquid biopsy, which searches for biomarkers to manage different steps of the tumor process.
  • 1.2K
  • 12 May 2021
Topic Review
Anti-Photoaging Benefits of Seaweeds
The skin health benefits of seaweeds have been known since time immemorial. They are known as potential renewable sources of bioactive metabolites that have unique structural and functional features compared to their terrestrial counterparts. In addition, to the consciousness of green, eco-friendly, and natural skincare and cosmetics products, their extracts and bioactive compounds such as fucoidan, laminarin, carrageenan, fucoxanthin, and mycosporine like amino acids (MAAs) have proven useful in the skincare and cosmetic industries. These bioactive compounds have shown potential anti-photoaging properties. Furthermore, some of these bioactive compounds have been clinically tested and currently available in the market. In this contribution, the recent studies on anti-photoaging properties of extracts and bioactive compounds derived from seaweeds were described and discussed.
  • 1.2K
  • 13 Jul 2021
Topic Review
Adenosine Signaling in Mast Cells
Adenosine is a nucleoside involved in the pathogenesis of allergic diseases. Its effects are mediated through its binding to G protein-coupled receptors: A1, A2a, A2b and A3. The receptors differ in the type of G protein they recruit, in the effect on adenylyl cyclase (AC) activity and the downstream signaling pathway triggered. Adenosine can produce both an enhancement and an inhibition of mast cell degranulation, indicating that adenosine effects on these receptors is controversial and remains to be clarified.
  • 1.2K
  • 01 Jul 2021
Topic Review
The Role of Calcium in Cytosolic Protein-Mediated Apoptosis
Calcium is an essential intracellular messenger that plays a vital role in controlling a broad range of cellular processes, including apoptosis. Cytosolic calcium levels are tightly regulated, and an imbalance in calcium concentrations can trigger apoptosis through various mechanisms involving cytosolic proteins.
  • 1.2K
  • 30 May 2023
Topic Review
5-Bromo-2′-deoxyuridine
The thymidine analogue 5-bromo-2′-deoxyuridine (BrdU) is a pyrimidine 2′-deoxyribonucleoside compound having 5-bromouracil as the nucleobase. This agent is permanently incorporated into the DNA during the synthetic phase of the cell cycle. It has been argued that gene duplication, DNA repair or apoptotic cellular events might contribute to BrdU labeling in vivo.
  • 1.2K
  • 12 Oct 2021
Topic Review
Bacterial Mimicry in Gluten-related Disorders
Gluten-related disorders (GRDs) are a group of diseases that involve the activation of the immune system triggered by the ingestion of gluten, with a worldwide prevalence of 5%. Among them, Celiac disease (CeD) is a T-cell-mediated autoimmune disease causing a plethora of symptoms from diarrhea and malabsorption to lymphoma. Even though GRDs have been intensively studied, the environmental triggers promoting the diverse reactions to gluten proteins in susceptible individuals remain elusive. It has been proposed that pathogens could act as disease-causing environmental triggers of CeD by molecular mimicry mechanisms. Additionally, it could also be possible that unrecognized molecular, structural, and physical parallels between gluten and bacteria have a relevant role. 
  • 1.2K
  • 12 Oct 2021
Topic Review
Anticancer Drug Discovery Based on Natural Products
Malignancies cause one out of six mortalities, which is a serious health problem. Cancer therapy has always been challenging, apart from major advances in immunotherapies, stem cell transplantation, targeted therapies, hormonal therapies, precision medicine, and palliative care, and traditional therapies such as surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy. Natural products are integral to the development of innovative anticancer drugs in cancer research, offering the scientific community the possibility of exploring novel natural compounds against cancers. The role of natural products like Vincristine and Vinblastine has been thoroughly implicated in the management of leukemia and Hodgkin’s disease. The computational method is the initial key approach in drug discovery, among various approaches.
  • 1.2K
  • 24 Jan 2024
  • Page
  • of
  • 48
Featured Entry Collections
>>

Featured Reprints

>>
Encyclopedia of Digital Society, Industry 5.0 and Smart City
Encyclopedia of Engineering
Encyclopedia of Social Sciences
Encyclopedia of Medieval Royal Iconography
Academic Video Service
Feedback

Quick Survey

Encyclopedia MDPI is conducting a targeted survey to identify the specific barriers hindering efficient research. We invite you to spend 3 minutes defining the priorities for our next generation of structured knowledge tools.
Take Survey