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Topic Review
MicroRNA Let-7 in the Immunopathology of COVID-19
COVID-19 has presented itself as a challenging task to medical teams and researchers throughout the world, since the outbreak of SARS-CoV-2 started in the Chinese city of Wuhan. There are still new variants emerging, and the knowledge about the mechanisms used by the virus to infect cells and perpetuate itself are still not well understood. The scientific community is still trying to catch up with the velocity of new variants and, consequently, the new physiological pathways that appear along with it. It is known that the new coronavirus plays a role in changing many molecular pathways to take control of the infected cells. Many of these pathways are related to control genomic expression of certain genes by epigenetic ways, allowing the virus to modulate immune responses and cytokines production. The let-7 family of microRNAs, for instance, are known to promote increased viral fusion in the target cell through a mechanism involving the transmembrane serine protease 2 (TMPRSS2). It was also demonstrated they are able to increase the inflammatory activity through the NF-κB/IL-6/let-7/LIN-28 axis. 
  • 873
  • 30 Mar 2023
Topic Review
Type I Interferons in Mycobacterium tuberculosis Infection
Tuberculosis (TB) is a leading cause of mortality due to infectious disease and rates have increased during the emergence of COVID-19, but many of the factors determining disease severity and progression remain unclear. Type I Interferons (IFNs) have diverse effector functions that regulate innate and adaptive immunity during infection with microorganisms. 
  • 872
  • 01 Mar 2023
Topic Review
Effectiveness of COVID-19 Vaccines against Delta (B.1.617.2) Variant
The high transmissibility, mortality, and morbidity rate of the SARS-CoV-2 Delta (B.1.617.2) variant have raised concerns regarding vaccine effectiveness (VE). The short-term effectiveness of the Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna, AstraZeneca, Bharat Biotech, and CoronaVac vaccines for the prevention of infection and the reduction in the severity of illness and hospitalizations associated with the Delta variant are supported. 
  • 871
  • 06 Jan 2022
Topic Review
Drugs Repurposed against SARS CoV-2 Drug Targets
Drug repurposing is a process to identify new roles for existing drugs and is generally considered an efficient and economical approach. Repurposing—also known as re-profiling, re-tasking, repositioning, and rescue of drugs—can help identify new therapies for diseases, at a lower cost and in a shorter time.
  • 867
  • 14 Jul 2023
Topic Review
Clinical Manifestations of Human Exposure to Fungi
Biological particles, along with inorganic gaseous and particulate pollutants, constitute an ever-present component of the atmosphere and surfaces. Among these particles are fungal species colonizing almost all ecosystems, including the human body. Although inoffensive to most people, fungi can be responsible for several health problems, such as allergic fungal diseases and fungal infections. Worldwide fungal disease incidence is increasing, with new emerging fungal diseases appearing yearly. Reasons for this increase are the expansion of life expectancy, the number of immunocompromised patients (immunosuppressive treatments for transplantation, autoimmune diseases, and immunodeficiency diseases), the number of uncontrolled underlying conditions (e.g., diabetes mellitus), and the misusage of medication (e.g., corticosteroids and broad-spectrum antibiotics). 
  • 864
  • 05 May 2023
Topic Review
SARS-CoV-2 ORF3a Protein as Therapeutic Target against COVID-19
The ORF3a (open reading frame 3a) protein found in SARS-CoV-2, represents a promising target for antiviral treatment due to its multifaceted role in viral pathogenesis, cytokine storms, disease severity, and mortality. ORF3a contributes significantly to viral pathogenesis by facilitating viral assembly and release, essential processes in the viral life cycle, while also suppressing the body’s antiviral responses, thus aiding viral replication. ORF3a also has been implicated in triggering excessive inflammation, characterized by NF-κB-mediated cytokine production, ultimately leading to apoptotic cell death and tissue damage in the lungs, kidneys, and the central nervous system. 
  • 864
  • 19 Mar 2024
Topic Review
Cytomegalovirus, HIV and Humans
In stark contrast to the rapid development of vaccines against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), an effective human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) vaccine is still lacking. Furthermore, despite virologic suppression and CD4 T-cell count normalization with antiretroviral therapy (ART), people living with HIV (PLWH) still exhibit increased morbidity and mortality compared to the general population. Such differences in health outcomes are related to higher risk behaviors, but also to HIV-related immune activation and viral coinfections. Among these coinfections, cytomegalovirus (CMV) latent infection is a well-known inducer of long-term immune dysregulation. Cytomegalovirus contributes to the persistent immune activation in PLWH receiving ART by directly skewing immune response toward itself, and by increasing immune activation through modification of the gut microbiota and microbial translocation. In addition, through induction of immunosenescence, CMV has been associated with a decreased response to infections and vaccines.
  • 862
  • 05 Aug 2021
Topic Review
Nanocarriers in Tuberculosis Treatment
The World Health Organization identifies tuberculosis (TB), caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis, as a leading infectious killer. Although conventional treatments for TB exist, they come with challenges such as a heavy pill regimen, prolonged treatment duration, and a strict schedule, leading to multidrug-resistant (MDR) and extensively drug-resistant (XDR) strains. Nanocarriers, such as lipid nanoparticles, nanosuspensions, liposomes, and polymeric micelles, facilitate targeted delivery of anti-TB drugs. The benefits of nanocarriers include reduced drug doses, fewer side effects, improved drug solubility, better bioavailability, and improved patient compliance, speeding up recovery.
  • 861
  • 08 Nov 2023
Topic Review
HIV-Related Fatigue and Sleep Disturbance
HIV-related Fatigue: a subjective, unpleasant, potentially disabling, chronic symptom characterized by physical and/or psychological exhaustion.   HIV-related sleep disturbance: a disruption in the amount and quality of sleep that impairs functioning. 
  • 859
  • 29 Oct 2021
Topic Review
Fungal Coinfections in COVID-19 Infected Patients
COVID-19 is caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and has infected over 200 million people, causing over 4 million deaths. COVID-19 infection has been shown to lead to hypoxia, immunosuppression, host iron depletion, hyperglycemia secondary to diabetes mellitus, as well as prolonged hospitalizations. These clinical manifestations provide favorable conditions for opportunistic fungal pathogens to infect hosts with COVID-19. Interventions such as treatment with corticosteroids and mechanical ventilation may further predispose COVID-19 patients to acquiring fungal coinfections.
  • 859
  • 27 Dec 2021
Topic Review
Acute Infective Endocarditis
Infective endocarditis (IE) is a potentially fatal disease with a mortality rate of over 20%, largely unmodified over recent decades. Mechanisms of IE pathogenesis are still incompletely understood but involve bacteria, host immune responses and the coagulation system.
  • 853
  • 30 Nov 2021
Topic Review
Hepatitis B Viral Protein HBx
With 296 million cases estimated worldwide, chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is the most common risk factor for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). HBV-encoded oncogene X protein (HBx), a key multifunctional regulatory protein, drives viral replication and interferes with several cellular signalling pathways that drive virus-associated hepatocarcinogenesis.
  • 852
  • 07 Mar 2022
Topic Review
Symptoms and Treatments of COVID-19
The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), responsible for the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), is a member of the Coronaviridae family, with a 29 kb single-stranded RNA genome. It employs its structural spike (S) glycoprotein to attach to the ACE-2 (angiotensin-converting enzyme 2) receptor protein on the surface of the host cell. The S protein is composed of two subunits, S1 and S2. The S1 subunit is responsible for interaction with ACE-2, while the S2 subunit is involved in fusion with the cell. The very high affinity of protein S for ACE-2 is largely responsible for the increased infectivity of SARS-CoV-2 compared to other related viruses, such as SARS-CoV. This entry offers a general overview of the symptoms and treatments of COVID-19.
  • 852
  • 03 Aug 2023
Topic Review
Hepatitis B Virus Core Protein in Hepatocarcinogenesis
Chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is one of the most common factors associated with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), which is the sixth most prevalent cancer among all cancers worldwide. The mechanisms underlying HBV-induced malignant transformation remain unclear, but some studies have suggested that the hepatitis B virus core (HBc) protein has a potential function in the pathogenesis of hepatocellular carcinoma in addition to the HBV X protein. This review focuses its discussion on the involvement of HBc in the development of hepatocellular carcinoma. 
  • 851
  • 14 Jan 2022
Topic Review
Understanding COVID-19 Vaccines Today: Are T-cells Key Players?
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) has heavily mutated since the beginning of the coronavirus-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. In this regard, the so-called variants of concern (VOCs) feature mutations that confer increased transmissibility and evasion of antibody responses. The VOCs have caused significant spikes in COVID-19 cases, raising significant concerns about whether COVID-19 vaccines will protect against current and future variants. In this research, whereas the protection COVID-19 vaccines offer against the acquisition of infection appears compromised, the protection against severe COVID-19 is maintained. From an immunologic standpoint, this is likely underpinned by the maintenance of T-cell responses against VOCs. Therefore, the role of T-cells is essential to understanding the broader adaptive immune response to COVID-19, which has the potential to shape public policies on vaccine protocols and inform future vaccine design.
  • 851
  • 21 Jun 2022
Topic Review
Movement Disorders Induced by SARS-CoV-2 Infection
Infections are a significant cause of movement disorders. The clinical manifestations of SARS-CoV-2 infection are variable, with up to one-third of patients developing neurologic complications, including movement disorders. 
  • 850
  • 23 Feb 2022
Topic Review
Host Response to SARS-CoV-2
The massive expansion of the new coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 has urged countries to introduce lockdowns and set restrictive actions worldwide. When viruses attach to host receptors they penetrate into host cells by fusing with their membrane through endocytosis.
  • 850
  • 29 Nov 2022
Topic Review
Cardiac Rehabilitation in COVID-19 Patients
Recent scientific literature has investigated the cardiovascular implications of COVID-19. The mechanisms of cardiovascular damage seem to involve the protein angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), to which severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) coronavirus-2 (CoV-2) binds to penetrate cells and other mechanisms, most of which are still under study. Cardiovascular sequelae of COVID-19 include heart failure, cardiomyopathy, acute coronary syndrome, arrhythmias, and venous thromboembolism.
  • 849
  • 24 May 2021
Topic Review
Incidence and Risk Factors of Bilateral Herpetic Keratitis
Herpetic keratitis is the result of a corneal infection with Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) and it is recognized as a leading cause of corneal blindness worldwide. Bilateral HSV keratitis is a rare clinical manifestation and consists of simultaneously occurring infection in both eyes.
  • 849
  • 21 Jun 2022
Topic Review
Iron in Health and Disease
Iron dysregulation is a common characteristic in many subtypes of acute lung injury (ALI). On the one hand, iron is needed to produce reactive oxygen species (ROS) as part of the immune response to an infection; on the other hand, iron can accelerate the occurrence of ferroptosis and extend host cell damage. Iron chelation represents a novel therapeutic strategy for alleviating lung injury and improving the survival of patients with ALI. 
  • 848
  • 10 Aug 2023
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