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
PCSK9 Inhibitors
Proprotein convertase subtilisin-kexin type 9 (PCSK9) inhibitors are a novel group of hypolipidemic drugs that are recommended particularly for high-risk hypercholesterolemia patients, including those with primary hypercholesterolemia (PH), where lifelong exposure to high low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels results in an elevated risk of atherosclerosis at an early age. The onset and progression of atherosclerosis is significantly influenced by activated platelets. Oxidized LDL influences platelet activation by interacting with their surface receptors and remodeling the composition of their cell membrane. This results in platelet aggregation, endothelial cell activation, promotion of inflammation and oxidative stress, and acceleration of lipid accumulation in atherosclerotic plaques. PCSK9 inhibitors reduce platelet activation by both significantly lowering LDL levels and reducing the LDL receptor-mediated activation of platelets by PCSK9. They also work synergistically with other hypolipidemic and antithrombotic drugs, including statins, ezetimibe, acetylsalicylic acid, clopidogrel, and ticagrelor, which enhances their antiplatelet and LDL-lowering effects. 
  • 1.9K
  • 28 May 2021
Topic Review
Connexin 26
Connexin 26, one of the smallest connexins, is expressed in diverse epithelial tissue and mutations in this protein are associated with hearing loss, skin and eye conditions of differing severity.
  • 1.9K
  • 26 Jan 2021
Topic Review
Mitochondrial Genetic and Epigenetic Regulations in Cancer
Mitochondria are dynamic organelles managing crucial processes of cellular metabolism and bioenergetics. Enabling rapid cellular adaptation to altered endogenous and exogenous environments, mitochondria play an important role in many pathophysiological states, including cancer. Being under the control of mitochondrial and nuclear DNA (mtDNA and nDNA), mitochondria adjust their activity and biogenesis to cell demands. In cancer, numerous mutations in mtDNA have been detected, which do not inactivate mitochondrial functions but rather alter energy metabolism to support cancer cell growth. Increasing evidence suggests that mtDNA mutations, mtDNA epigenetics and miRNA regulations dynamically modify signalling pathways in an altered microenvironment, resulting in cancer initiation and progression and aberrant therapy response. 
  • 1.9K
  • 10 Aug 2022
Topic Review
Transcription Factors
Transcription factors (TFs) are regulatory proteins that are responsible for the mechanistic control of gene transcription.
  • 1.9K
  • 25 Jan 2021
Topic Review
Lipoprotein Lipase Regulation in Atherosclerosis
Lipoprotein lipase (LPL) plays a major role in the lipid homeostasis mainly by mediating the intravascular lipolysis of triglyceride rich lipoproteins. Impaired LPL activity leads to the accumulation of chylomicrons and very low-density lipoproteins (VLDL) in plasma, resulting in hypertriglyceridemia. While low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) is recognized as a primary risk factor for atherosclerosis, hypertriglyceridemia has been shown to be an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD) and a residual risk factor in atherosclerosis development.
  • 1.9K
  • 01 Aug 2021
Topic Review
Seaweeds
Seaweeds have a long history of use as food, as flavouring agents, and also used in traditional folk medicine. Seaweed products range from food, feed, and dietary supplements to pharmaceuticals, and from bioenergy intermediates to materials. At present, 98% of the seaweed required by the seaweed industry is provided by five genera and only ten species. The two brown kelp seaweeds Laminaria digitata, a native Irish species, and Macrocystis pyrifera, a native New Zealand species, are not included in these eleven species, although they have been used as dietary supplements and as animal and fish feed. The properties associated with the polysaccharides and proteins from these two species have resulted in increased interest in them, enabling their use as functional foods. Improvements and optimisations in aquaculture methods and bioproduct extractions are essential to realise the commercial potential of these seaweeds.
  • 1.9K
  • 16 Jan 2022
Topic Review
Calcium Indicator NCaMP7
Green fluorescent genetically encoded calcium indicators (GECIs) are the most popular tool for visualization of calcium dynamics in vivo. However, most of them are based on the EGFP protein and have similar molecular brightnesses. The NTnC indicator, which is composed of the mNeonGreen fluorescent protein with the insertion of troponin C, has higher brightness as compared to EGFP-based GECIs, but shows a limited inverted response with an ΔF/F of 1. By insertion of a calmodulin/M13-peptide pair into the mNeonGreen protein, we developed a green GECI called NCaMP7. In vitro, NCaMP7 showed positive response with an ΔF/F of 27 and high affinity (Kd of 125 nM) to calcium ions. NCaMP7 demonstrated a 1.7-fold higher brightness and similar calcium-association/dissociation dynamics compared to the standard GCaMP6s GECI in vitro. According to fluorescence recovery after photobleaching (FRAP) experiments, the NCaMP7 design partially prevented interactions of NCaMP7 with the intracellular environment. The NCaMP7 crystal structure was obtained at 1.75Å resolution to uncover the molecular basis of its calcium ions sensitivity.The NCaMP7 indicator retained a high and fast response when expressed in cultured HeLa and neuronal cells. Finally, we successfully utilized the NCaMP7 indicator for in vivo visualization of grating-evoked and place-dependent neuronal activity in the visual cortex and the hippocampus of mice using a two-photon microscope and an NVista miniscope, respectively.
  • 1.9K
  • 26 Oct 2020
Topic Review
Biological Detoxification of Mycotoxins
The continuous occurrence of food contaminants worldwide poses a critical threat to the health of human and livestock. One of the major contaminants in food and feed products are mycotoxins, the secondary metabolites synthesized by toxigenic fungi strains, mainly those belonging to Penicillium, Aspergillus, Alternaria and Fusarium genera. Both acute and chronic exposure to mycotoxin-contaminated food may cause deleterious health effects including retarded growth, suppression of the immune response, vomiting, infertility and gastrointestinal and carcinogenic diseases. These mycotoxins occur in various products, from raw agricultural products such as corn, barley, oats, fruits and herbs, to commercial commodities including aquafeeds, beverages, fruit and vegetable-derived products. The contamination of mycotoxins can occur during any part of the complex food chain, including harvest, industry processing, transportation and/or storage, imposing social burdens on the food industry due to the waste created by contaminated products. This creates an urgent demand for mycotoxin removal methods to minimize economic loss and hazards to consumers.
  • 1.9K
  • 22 Apr 2022
Topic Review
Homologous Recombination Deficiency
The Homologous Recombination Deficiency (HRD) phenotype makes these tumors sensitive to DNA double strand break-inducing agents, including poly-(ADP-ribose)-polymerase (PARP) inhibitors.
  • 1.9K
  • 17 Jun 2021
Topic Review
Modular CAR T Platforms
The engineering of T cells through expression of chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) against tumor-associated antigens (TAAs) has shown significant potential for use as an anti-cancer therapeutic. The development of strategies for flexible and modular CAR T systems is accelerating, allowing for multiple antigen targeting, precise programming, and adaptable solutions in the field of cellular immunotherapy. Moving beyond the fixed antigen specificity of traditional CAR T systems, the modular CAR T technology splits the T cell signaling domains and the targeting elements through use of a switch molecule. The activity of CAR T cells depends on the presence of the switch, offering dose-titratable response and precise control over CAR T cells.
  • 1.9K
  • 25 Feb 2021
Topic Review
WASF3
WASF3 (WAVE3), a Wiskott–Aldrich syndrome protein family member, appears to play a major role not only in the regulation of actin cytoskeleton dynamics but also in cancer cell invasion/metastasis. Blocking the WASF3-dependent metastatic signaling network remains an attractive and promising therapeutic option for the treatment of advanced tumors. 
  • 1.9K
  • 02 Feb 2021
Topic Review
cAMP-Response Element Modulator in Spermatogenesis and Male Fertility
Spermatogenesis is a very complex process with an intricate transcriptional regulation. The transition from the diploid to the haploid state requires the involvement of specialized genes in meiosis, among other specific functions for the formation of the spermatozoon. The transcription factor cAMP-response element modulator (CREM) is a key modulator that triggers the differentiation of the germ cell into the spermatozoon through the modification of gene expression. CREM has multiple repressor and activator isoforms whose expression is tissue-cell-type specific and tightly regulated by various factors at the transcriptional, post-transcriptional and post-translational level. The activator isoform CREMτ controls the expression of several relevant genes in post-meiotic stages of spermatogenesis. In addition, exposure to xenobiotics negatively affects CREMτ expression, which is linked to male infertility. On the other hand, antioxidants could have a positive effect on CREMτ expression and improve sperm parameters in idiopathically infertile men.
  • 1.9K
  • 01 Nov 2023
Topic Review
The HSP40/DnaJ Proteins Existing in Leishmania
Abrupt environmental changes are faced by Leishmania parasites during transmission from a poikilothermic insect vector to a warm-blooded host. Adaptation to harsh environmental conditions, such as nutrient deprivation, hypoxia, oxidative stress and heat shock needs to be accomplished by rapid reconfiguration of gene expression and remodeling of protein interaction networks. Chaperones play a central role in the maintenance of cellular homeostasis, and they are responsible for crucial tasks such as correct folding of nascent proteins, protein translocation across different subcellular compartments, avoiding protein aggregates and elimination of damaged proteins. Nearly one percent of the gene content in the Leishmania genome corresponds to members of the HSP40 family, a group of proteins that assist HSP70s in a variety of cellular functions. 
  • 1.9K
  • 12 May 2022
Topic Review
Anti-inflammatory potential of Sesquiterpene Lactones
Inflammation is a crucial and complex process that reestablishes the physiological state after a noxious stimulus. In pathological conditions the inflammatory state may persist, leading to chronic inflammation and causing tissue damage. Sesquiterpene lactones (SLs) are composed of a large and diverse group of highly bioactive plant secondary metabolites, characterized by a 15-carbon backbone structure. In recent years, the interest in SLs has risen due to their vast array of biological activities beneficial for human health. The anti-inflammatory potential of these compounds results from their ability to target and inhibit various key pro-inflammatory molecules enrolled in diverse inflammatory pathways, and prevent or reduce the inflammatory damage on tissues. Research on the anti-inflammatory mechanisms of SLs has thrived over the last years, and numerous compounds from diverse plants have been studied, using in silico, in vitro, and in vivo assays. Besides their anti-inflammatory potential, their cytotoxicity, structure–activity relationships, and pharmacokinetics have been investigated.
  • 1.9K
  • 14 Jul 2021
Topic Review
PH-Sensitive Cubosome Liquid Crystalline Nanocarriers
Cubosomes are soft biocontinuous nanoparticles whose 3D geometry can be engineered to render the structures responsive to pH variations, which is of large interest to the production of efficient drug delivery materials. We have reviewed the literature to provide a state of the art in this regard and shed lights on prominent perspectives and strategies for pH-sensitive cubosomes development, taking advantage of the pH changes of the biological media at targeted application sites.
  • 1.9K
  • 27 Oct 2020
Topic Review
Histone Deacetylase Inhibitors
Histone deacetylases (HDACs) are key components of the epigenetic machinery controlling gene expression. They are involved in chromatin remodeling events via post-translational histone modifications but may also act on nonhistone proteins, influencing many fundamental cellular processes. Due to the key involvement of HDACs in serious human pathologies, including cancer, HDAC inhibitors (HDACis) have received increased attention in recent years. It is known that marine invertebrates produce significant amounts of secondary metabolites showing active pharmacological properties and an extensive spectrum of biomedical applications. Some of these compounds possess HDACi properties.
  • 1.9K
  • 11 Dec 2020
Topic Review
Haemophilus influenzae HP1 Bacteriophage
Haemophilus influenzae is an obligate commensal of the upper respiratory tract in humans and may be responsible for upper respiratory tract infections and even meningitis. Seven biologically active H. influenzae dsDNA phages have been currently described: HP1, HP2, HP3, S2A, S2B, S2C, N3 and Mu-like phage φflu. The most studied is the group of HP1/S2 phages. The temperate H. influenzae phage HP1 belongs to the Myoviridae family of phages and infects Rd strains of H. influenzae. HP1 has a head-tail structure. Its genome is about 32 kb long and encodes 41 potential proteins. Early promoters, which control the lysis-versus-lysogeny decision seem to be located toward the 5’ end of the genome. The late promoter is located between orf16 and orf17, and regulates the expression of late genes, including the lys and hol genes, encoding a SAR-endolysin and a pinholin. Endolysin alone is responsible for cell lysis. The control of endolysin activity seems to be related to conformational changes in holin structure. HP1 phages encodes Dam methyltransferase, which role in HP1 life cycle remains unknown.
  • 1.9K
  • 06 Nov 2020
Topic Review
Storage, Preservation and Processing of Toona sinensis
Toona sinensis, a perennial and deciduous tree belonging to the Meliaceae family, has been cultivated for more than 2000 years in China. Storing the buds of T. sinensis is difficult, as it is easy for them to rot during storage, which seriously affects their edible and commodity value. There are three kinds of storage and preservation methods of T. sinensis buds; although they can extend the shelf life of T. sinensis, the nutrients in this vegetable plant experience different degrees of loss. Because bio-preservation methods have the advantages of being natural, safe, and simple, it has become one of the research hotspots of food preservation technology. Furthermore, in order to extend the consumption period of T. sinensis, it is processed into a wide variety of foods.
  • 1.9K
  • 19 Jul 2022
Topic Review
Software for Mass Spectrometry-based Lipidomics
Mass spectrometry (MS) is a state-of-the-art analytical technology, which enables the rapid and consistent identification and quantification of lipids in lipidomics, metabolites in metabolomics and proteins in proteomics for biomedical and biochemical research purposes.
  • 1.9K
  • 01 Jul 2022
Topic Review
Cells Fusion
The biological phenomenon of cell fusion remains a mystery. Even though it is mandatory for several physiological and pathopyhsiological processes considerably less is still known how the merging of two (and more) cells is regulated. Cells are not fusogenic per se. They first have to be converted into a pro-fusogenic state and have to re-enter to a non-fusogenic state after hybridisation. Likewise, different cell fusion mechanisms have been developed during evolution depending on different proteins and different membrane merging strategies. This entry gives a brief overview about those molecules and conditions that direct cell fusion.
  • 1.9K
  • 27 Oct 2020
  • Page
  • of
  • 133
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