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Topic Review
Hydroxyurea
Hydroxyurea (HU) is a non-alkylating agent administered for the management of different types of cancer or sickle cell disease. HU has a cytostatic action, blocking cell cycle in S-phase and also inducing double-stranded breaks in DNA. HU is generally well tolerated, however its widespread use has revealed the presence of adverse events related to tissues that have a high cellular turnover.
  • 2.3K
  • 16 Feb 2021
Topic Review
Syngeneic Tumor Models
Developments in cancer immunotherapy mean that complex cancer animal models which accurately relfect the tumor and its environment are required now more than ever. Mice remain good animals to investigate as they are relatively inexpensive, have short reproductive cycle, exhibit high tumor growth rates, and can be genetically modified. Despite being good models, some drugs which look promising in murine models still fail when trialed in humans. Increasing reliability is essential and the tumor model must reflect the tumor and its microenvironment including immune cells, to which the action of immunotherapeutic drugs are directed. This review investigates discusses the current immunocompetent and immunocompromised mouse models used to evaluate the effectiveness of immunotherapeutic agents, in particular chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cells and immune checkpoint inhibitors.
  • 2.3K
  • 09 Nov 2020
Topic Review
Molecular Aspects of Thyroid Calcification
In thyroid cancer, calcification is mainly present in classical papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) and in medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC), despite being described in benign lesions and in other subtypes of thyroid carcinomas. Thyroid calcifications are classified according to their diameter and location. At ultrasonography, microcalcifications appear as hyperechoic spots ≤ 1 mm in diameter and can be named as stromal calcification, bone formation, or psammoma bodies (PBs), whereas calcifications > 1 mm are macrocalcifications. The mechanism of their formation is still poorly understood. Microcalcifications are generally accepted as a reliable indicator of malignancy as they mostly represent PBs. In order to progress in terms of the understanding of the mechanisms behind calcification occurring in thyroid tumors in general, and in PTC in particular, we decided to use histopathology as the basis of the possible cellular and molecular mechanisms of calcification formation in thyroid cancer. We explored the involvement of molecules such as runt-related transcription factor-2 (Runx-2), osteonectin/secreted protein acidic and rich in cysteine (SPARC), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), bone sialoprotein (BSP), and osteopontin (OPN) in the formation of calcification. The present review offers a novel insight into the mechanisms underlying the development of calcification in thyroid cancer.
  • 2.3K
  • 02 Dec 2020
Topic Review
Interleukin-2 and Interleukin-15
The immune system is a complex network dedicated to protecting an organism against harmful substances, including the eradication of invading pathogens or malignant cells, maintenance of specific memory lymphocytes and elimination of autoreactive immune cells to yield self-tolerances. Homeostasis of immune systems relies on two main components—the innate and adaptive immune responses, which are regulated by a series of cytokines that are released in response to certain stimulus. One of the most extensively studied cytokines is the common cytokine receptor common gamma chain (γc) family of cytokines, including interleukin-2 (IL-2), IL-4, IL-7, IL-9, IL-15 and IL-21, which is named based on the usage of γc subunit for their receptors. This set of cytokines display broad pleiotropic actions to regulate both the innate and adaptive immune system, collectively contributing to the development of various immune cell populations, modulating cell differentiation, and either promoting the survival or inducing the apoptosis depending on the cellular context.
  • 2.2K
  • 08 Feb 2021
Topic Review
Lipid Metabolism in COVID-19
The current Coronavirus disease 2019 or COVID-19 pandemic has infected over two million people and resulted in the death of over one hundred thousand people at the time of writing this review. The disease is caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV2). Even though multiple vaccines and treatments are under development so far, the disease is only slowing down under extreme social distancing measures that are difficult to maintain. SARS-COV2 is an enveloped virus that is surrounded by a lipid bilayer. Lipids are fundamental cell components that play various biological roles ranging from being a structural building block to a signaling molecule as well as a central energy store. The role lipids play in viral infection involves the fusion of the viral membrane to the host cell, viral replication, and viral endocytosis and exocytosis. Since lipids play a crucial function in the viral life cycle, we asked whether drugs targeting lipid metabolism, such as statins, can be utilized against SARS-CoV-2 and other viruses. In this review, we discuss the role of lipid metabolism in viral infection as well as the possibility of targeting lipid metabolism to interfere with the viral life cycle.
  • 2.2K
  • 28 Oct 2020
Topic Review
Platelets
Recent advances in proteomic studies provided additional important information concerning the platelet biology and their response to several pathophysiological pathways. Platelets indeed are a heterogeneous small anucleate blood cell population with a central role both in physiological haemostasis and in pathological states, spanning from thrombosis to inflammation, and cancer.  Herein, a critical overview is provided on principal platelet proteomic studies focused on platelet biology from signalling to granules content, platelet proteome changes in several diseases, and the impact of drugs on platelet functions. Targeted quantification methods by means of mass spectrometry might be employed for more precise, robust and accurate quantification of selected proteins, which might be used as biomarkers for disease diagnosis, prognosis and therapy, and their strong clinical impact in the near future.
  • 2.2K
  • 07 Jul 2020
Topic Review
Embryology of Aorta
The aorta is the largest elastic artery in the human body and is classically divided into two anatomical segments, the thoracic and the abdominal aorta, separated by the diaphragm. The thoracic aorta includes the aortic root, the ascending aorta, the arch, and the descending aorta. The aorta’s elastic properties depend on its wall structure, composed of three distinct histologic layers: intima, media, and adventitia. The different aortic segments show different embryological and anatomical features, which account for their different physiological properties and impact the occurrence and natural history of congenital and acquired diseases that develop herein.
  • 2.1K
  • 30 Jun 2023
Topic Review
Tricarboxylic Acid (TCA) Cycle Intermediates
The tricarboxylic acid cycle (TCA) is a series of chemical reactions used in aerobic organisms to generate energy via the oxidation of acetylcoenzyme A (CoA) derived from carbohydrates, fatty acids and proteins. 
  • 2.1K
  • 20 Feb 2021
Topic Review
Inflammatory Cytokines Induce Melanogenesis
The production of melanin pigments by melanocytes and their quantity, quality, and distribution play a decisive role in determining human skin, eye, and hair color, and protect the skin from adverse effects of ultraviolet radiation (UVR) and oxidative stress from various environmental pollutants. Melanocytes reside in the basal layer of the interfollicular epidermis and are compensated by melanocyte stem cells in the follicular bulge area. Various stimuli such as eczema, microbial infection, ultraviolet light exposure, mechanical injury, and aging provoke skin inflammation. These acute or chronic inflammatory responses cause inflammatory cytokine production from epidermal keratinocytes as well as dermal fibroblasts and other cells, which in turn stimulate melanocytes, often resulting in skin pigmentation. It is confirmed by some recent studies that several interleukins (ILs) and other inflammatory mediators modulate the proliferation and differentiation of human epidermal melanocytes and also promote or inhibit expression of melanogenesis-related gene expression directly or indirectly, thereby participating in regulation of skin pigmentation. Understanding of mechanisms of skin pigmentation due to inflammation helps to elucidate the relationship between inflammation and skin pigmentation regulation and can guide development of new therapeutic pathways for treating pigmented dermatosis. 
  • 2.0K
  • 07 May 2021
Topic Review
Coronavirus Invasion
Single-strand RNA (ssRNA) viruses such as the coronavirus family replicate the virus genomes by taking advantage of host cells. For example, after coronavirus approaches the ribosome of the epithelial cells or other host cells, it uses the ribosome of the host cell to replicate polyproteins. The replication and subsequent processes of precursor polyproteins can occur in the epithelial cells. After the coronavirus’ polyproteins are expressed, two enzymes — specifically, coronavirus main proteinase (3CLpro) and the papain-like protease (PLpro) — are thought to be involved in cleaving the polyproteins into smaller products used for replicating new viruses. In order to generate the daughter RNA genome, the coronavirus expresses an RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp), which is a crucial replicase that catalyzes the synthesis of a complementary RNA strand using the virus RNA template
  • 2.0K
  • 28 Oct 2020
Topic Review
Punica Granatum Vrs COVID-19
Punica granatum is historically known worldwide as a versatile medicinal fruit. 2 major varieties are presented (i) indo Ayurvedic type (Punica Ayurvedica ? ) that is small, harsh and yields no juice and (ii) the juice variety which is commercialised. Indo-Iranian joint effort presents a tome of textual data pertaining to the medicinal aspects of Punica. Ayurvedic texts and Occidental research modelled papers in tabulated form chronologically succinctly bringing out the evidence based historiography & medico-cultural heritage. On such platform a range of formulations; fruit-to-finished product are presented for the 1st time machine makeable and very specifically also by hand, at home. Poly pathology spectrum; versatile therapeutic range; medico-legal; lyophilisation; sterilisation; etc. aspects are also indicated. Includes Tablets; Suspensions for General to Geriatric case types. Ground breaking. Frank.
  • 2.0K
  • 27 Oct 2020
Topic Review
IgG antibodies
IgG antibodies include two functional portions: the F(ab′)2 fragment, which is responsible for antigen recognition, and the crystallizable fragment (Fc), which is important for activation of the immune response by interacting with Fcγ receptors on B-cells and other innate immune cells. The Fc fragment also plays an important role in the activation of complement and in the clearance of microorganisms.
  • 2.0K
  • 01 Nov 2020
Topic Review
Chromothripsis
Chromothripsis has been defined as complex patterns of alternating genes copy number changes (normal, gain or loss) along the length of a chromosome or chromosome segment (International System for Human Cytogenomic Nomenclature 2020). The phenomenon of chromothripsis was discovered in 2011 and changed the concept of genome variability, mechanisms of oncogenic transformation, and hereditary diseases.
  • 2.0K
  • 27 May 2021
Topic Review
Prodromal Symptoms of Bipolar Disorder
The onset of prodromal symptoms in subjects who are at familial or clinical risk for bipolar disorder could be considered as an important alarm bell for the development of the disease and should be carefully detected. The management of prodromes in bipolar high-risk patients appears to be an important means of prevention; nevertheless, at the moment, there aren’t clear and widely shared treatment indications. 
  • 1.9K
  • 28 Jun 2021
Topic Review
Chondrocytes
Chondrocytes are the cells found in cartilage that responsible for the production and maintenance of the cartilaginous matrix, which consists of collagen, proteoglycans, glycoproteins and hyaluronan. Autologous chondrocyte implantation (ACI) is a new treatment modality with the potential to promote regeneration of worn cartilage. ACI has been used to treat osteoarthritis (OA), a degenerative joint disease that affects many people worldwide. Human platelet lysate (HPL) has been identified as a potential replacement for foetal bovine serum (FBS) for the expansion of chondrocytes.
  • 1.9K
  • 05 Feb 2021
Topic Review
ARDS
Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is a serious clinical illness, defined by severe hypoxemic respiratory failure, which continues to be associated with significant morbidity, mortality, and healthcare resource utilization. 
  • 1.9K
  • 16 Dec 2020
Topic Review
Personal Protective Equipment for Dentists
Severe Acute Respiratory-Syndrome-CoronaVirus-2 ( SARS-CoV-2) and all infectious agents can determine serious risk for systemic diseases. In literature there are some models of safety protocols in dentistry. All the personal protective equipment (PPE) actually on the market and their indications are reported and compared before and after COVID-19 onset, focusing on the correct safety procedures for each dental practice. 
  • 1.9K
  • 06 Nov 2020
Topic Review
Biofluids: Storage of Biomarkers
In recent years, there has been an increase in knowledge of cancer, accompanied by a technological development that gives rise to medical oncology. An instrument that allows the implementation of individualized therapeutic strategies is the liquid biopsy. Currently, it is the most innovative methodology in medical oncology. Its high potential as a tool for screening and early detection, the possibility of assessing the patient’s condition after diagnosis and relapse, as well as the effectiveness of real-time treatments in different types of cancer. Liquid biopsy is capable of overcoming the limitations of tissue biopsies. The elements that compose the liquid biopsy are circulating tumor cells, circulating tumor nucleic acids, free of cells or contained in exosomes, microvesicle and platelets. Liquid biopsy studies are performed on various biofluids extracted in a non-invasive way, and they can be performed both from the blood and in urine, saliva or cerebrospinal fluid. The development of genotyping techniques, using the elements that make up liquid biopsy, make it possible to detect mutations, intertumoral and intratumoral heterogeneity, and provide molecular information on cancer for application in medical oncology in an individualized way in different types of tumors. Therefore, liquid biopsy has the potential to change the way medical oncology could predict the course of the disease.
  • 1.9K
  • 29 Oct 2020
Topic Review
Clinical Manifestations of Arthropod Bites
Arthropod blood feeders are vectors of several human pathogenic agents, including viruses (e.g., yellow fever, chikungunya, dengue fever), parasites (e.g., malaria, leishmaniasis, lymphatic filariasis...), or bacteria (e.g., plague...). Besides their role as a vector of pathogens, their biting activities cause a nuisance to humans. We document herein, clinical symptoms associated with the biting of ten clusters of hematophagous arthropods, including mosquitoes, biting midges and sandflies, lice, ticks, tsetse flies, blackflies, horse flies, fleas, triatomine and bed bugs. Within the framework of clinical history and entomo-epidemiological information, we propose a  discriminative key that can be helpful for practicing physicians in identifying hematophagous arthropods biting humans and delivering treatment for the associated clinical disorders.
  • 1.9K
  • 04 Jun 2020
Topic Review
Connective Tissue
This is an overview of the main molecular components, structural organization and main functions of the connective tissue, which is constitutively present in tissues and organs of the body. Connective tissue is known to provide structural and functional “glue” properties to other tissues. It contains cellular and molecular components that are arranged in several dynamic organizations. Connective tissue is the focus of numerous genetic and nongenetic diseases. Genetic diseases of the connective tissue belong to minority or rare diseases, but no less important than the nongenetic diseases.
  • 1.9K
  • 13 Nov 2020
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