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Topic Review
Dermo-Cosmetic Benefits of Marine Macroalgae-Derived Phenolic Compounds
Marine macroalgae have an interesting profile of bioactive compounds and have gained tremendous attention in cosmeceuticals with negligible toxicity effects (cytotoxicity, reproductive toxicity, genotoxicity, mutagenicity, carcinogenicity, etc.) on humans and exhibit strong benefits for the skin. Among the diversified compounds, phenolic compounds are the group of phytochemicals found in high amounts with great structural diversity. Phlorotannin is the most studied polyphenol compound in brown algae, but besides there are some other phenolic compounds observed and studied in macroalgae such as terpenoids, bromophenols, mycosporine amino acids (MAAs), and flavonoids. These compounds are already characterized and studied for their full range of cosmeceutical benefits such as skin whitening, moisturizing, photoprotection, antiaging, antiwrinkle, anti-melanogenic, and antioxidant activities as well as in the treatment of pruritus (caused by acne, eczema, dermatitis, hives, psoriasis), photoaging, and skin pigmentation disorders (hypopigmentation due to the absence of melanocytes and hyperpigmentation caused by skin irritation or metabolic disorders). 
  • 1.1K
  • 05 Dec 2022
Topic Review
Bioactive Antimicrobial Peptides
Among the biomolecules of emerging scientific interest are antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), potent biomolecules that can potentially act as important weapons against infectious diseases. Moreover, synthetic AMPs are easily tailored (bioinformatically) to target specific features of the pathogens to hijack, inducing no or very low resistance. 
  • 1.1K
  • 17 Aug 2022
Topic Review
Non-Amyloidbeta-Tau Biomarkers
Core biomarkers amyloid beta (Aβ) and Tau have been considered as key neuropathological hallmarks of Alzheimer's disease. However, they did not sufficiently reflect clinical severity and therapeutic response, proving the difficulty of the Aβ- and Tau-targeting therapies in clinical trials. Along with these core biomarkers, non-Amyloidbeta-Tau pathophysiological biomarkers (Neurodegeneration-related biomarkers, biomarkers for neuroinflammation and phagocytosis of an innate immune system, lipid metabolism biomarkers) could serve as advanced reporters for early diagnosing AD, predicting AD progression, and monitoring the treatment response.
  • 1.1K
  • 18 Nov 2020
Topic Review
Glycans on Cell Surface Receptors
Cells undergo proliferation and apoptosis, migration and differentiation via a number of cell surface receptors, most of which are heavily glycosylated.We discuss the structures and roles of glycan chains of receptors to better understand their regulation in cell survival and cell death.
  • 1.1K
  • 10 Jun 2021
Topic Review
G-Quadruplexes: Emerging Anticancer Roles
G-quadruplexes, a family of (thermodynamically and kinetically stable) tetraplex helices, are non-canonical secondary structures derived from guanine (G)-rich sequences of nucleic acids. G-quadruplexes were found to occur in functionally-important regions of the human genome, including the telomere tandem sequences, several proto-oncogene promoters and other regulatory regions, ribosomal DNA (rDNA), as well as mRNA sequences encoding for proteins with roles in tumorigenesis, thus establishing a clear connection between G-quadruplexes and known hallmarks of cancer. Stabilization of G-quadruplexes belonging to the above categories, by means of small-molecule intervention, has been correlated with a range of anticancer effects, which has led to classifying G-quadruplexes as novel potential targets in anticancer research. The most common ways in which G-quadruplexes are now understood to serve in an anticancer capacity are presented herein.
  • 1.1K
  • 03 Mar 2021
Topic Review
Clavulanic Acid
Clavulanic acid is an irreversible β-lactamase enzyme inhibitor with a weak antibacterial activity produced by the filamentous actinomycete Streptomyces clavuligerus (S. clavuligerus) and, in a lesser extent, by other streptomyces species. Clavulanic acid is typically co-formulated with broad-spectrum β‑lactam antibiotics such as amoxicillin and ticarcillin, conferring them high potential to treat infectious diseases caused by β‑lactam-resistant bacteria like Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Neisseria gonorrhoeae and Streptococcus pneumonia.
  • 1.1K
  • 22 Sep 2021
Topic Review
Glucagon-Like Peptide 1 and Taste
Preclinical studies provided some important insights into the action of glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) in taste perception. This review examines the literature to uncover some molecular mechanisms and connections between GLP-1 and the gustatory coding. Local GLP-1 production in the taste bud cells, the expression of GLP-1 receptor on the adjacent nerves, a functional continuum in the perception of sweet chemicals from the gut to the tongue and an identification of GLP-1 induced signaling pathways in peripheral and central gustatory coding all strongly suggest that GLP-1 is involved in the taste perception, especially sweet. However, the impact of GLP-1 based therapies on gustatory coding in humans remains largely unaddressed. Based on the molecular background we encourage further exploration of the tongue as a new treatment target for GLP-1 receptor agonists in clinical studies. Given that pharmacological manipulation of gustatory coding may represent a new potential strategy against obesity and diabetes, the topic is of utmost clinical relevance.
  • 1.1K
  • 25 Jan 2021
Topic Review
Yeast Cells in Microencapsulation
Yeasts are uni/multicellular eukaryotic organisms, originally thought to be ascomycetous fungi, but later recognized to also comprise basidiomycetous organisms; more typically, yeasts reproduce asexually (rapid duplication) but can also adopt sexual reproduction.
  • 1.1K
  • 02 Jul 2021
Topic Review
Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor(AhR)
The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) is a member of the family of basic helix-loop-helix transcription factors and well-known for its role in xenobiotic metabolism and detoxification.
  • 1.1K
  • 01 Mar 2021
Topic Review
Heavy Metals Bioremediation
Cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr) and lead (Pb) are heavy metals that have been classified as priority pollutants in aqueous environment while methane-oxidizing bacteria as a biofilter arguably consume up to 90% of the produced methane in the same aqueous environment before it escapes into the atmosphere. However, the underlying kinetics and active methane oxidizers are poorly understood for the hotspot of epipelon that provides a unique micro-ecosystem containing diversified guild of microorganisms including methane oxidizers for potential bioremediation of heavy metals. In the present study, the Pb2+, Cd2+and Cr6+ bioremediation potential of epipelon biofilm was assessed under both high (120,000 ppm) and near-atmospheric (6 ppm) methane concentrations. Epipelon biofilm demonstrated a high methane oxidation activity following microcosm incubation amended with a high concentration of methane, accompanied by the complete removal of 50 mg L−1 Pb2+ and 50 mg L−1 Cd2+ (14 days) and partial (20%) removal of 50 mg L−1 Cr6+ after 20 days. High methane dose stimulated a faster (144 h earlier) heavy metal removal rate compared to near-atmospheric methane concentrations. DNA-based stable isotope probing (DNA-SIP) following 13CH4 microcosm incubation revealed the growth and activity of different phylotypes of methanotrophs during the methane oxidation and heavy metal removal process. High throughput sequencing of 13C-labelled particulate methane monooxygenase gene pmoA and 16S rRNA genes revealed that the prevalent active methane oxidizers were type I affiliated methanotrophs, i.e., Methylobacter. Type II methanotrophs including Methylosinus and Methylocystis were also labeled only under high methane concentrations. These results suggest that epipelon biofilm can serve as an important micro-environment to alleviate both methane emission and the heavy metal contamination in aqueous ecosystems with constant high methane fluxes.
  • 1.1K
  • 27 Oct 2020
Topic Review
CRISPR FokI Dead Cas9 System
FokI–dCas9 (fdCas9) or RNA-guided FokI nuclease (RFN) is a genome editing tool engineered by fusing  the catalytic domain of the FokI endonuclease to the N-terminal catalytic inactive Cas9 protein. The fdCas9 system is active only as a heterodimer, requiring the simultaneous binding of two fdCas9/sgRNAs monomers at adjacent target sites in a PAM-out orientation, and a specific spacer distance separating the two binding sites of the two sgRNAs. The five engineered and published constructs induce significant gene editing activities and specificities, as tested on various gene targets and overcome the off-target effects associated with other genome editing tools, including ZFNs, TALENs, and CRISPR/Cas systems.
  • 1.1K
  • 30 Nov 2020
Topic Review
Vitamin C and Kidney Injury
Vitamin C is an important micronutrient and antioxidant for the human body.  In animal experiments, it can protect the kidneys from injury caused by nephrotoxic drugs.  A major feature of COVID-19 and similar viral infection is the cytokine storm, which causes a rise of multiple cytokines in the blood. Those cytokines result in the oxidative stress in cells, which leads to damage to organs and tissues, including the kidneys.  Here, we reviewed the current literature on kidney damage in COVID-19 patients and analyzed the possible etiology and mechanisms.  In addition, we summarized the potential use of vitamin C in preventing kidney damage in experimental animal models and the underlying mechanisms.  Vitamin C appears to protect and facilitate recovery of kidneys from injuries derived from excessive of oxidative stress, a feature of cytokines storm in people with COVID-19.  Finally, we would like to argue that vitamin C may be protective of the renal functions in COVID-19 patients with pre-existing kidney diseases. 
  • 1.1K
  • 26 Jul 2021
Topic Review
Fluorescence Microscopy to Aanalyze Lignin
Lignin is one of the most studied and analyzed materials due to its importance in cell structure and in lignocellulosic biomass. Because lignin exhibits autofluorescence, fluorescence microscopy methods have been developed that allow it to be analyzed and characterized directly in plant tissue and in samples of lignocellulose fibers. Compared to destructive and costly analytical techniques, fluorescence microscopy presents suitable alternatives for the analysis of lignin autofluorescence. The existing qualitative methods are Epifluorescence and Confocal Laser Scanning Microscopy; however, other semi-qualitative methods have been developed that allow fluorescence measurements and to quantify the differences in the structural composition of lignin. The methods are fluorescence lifetime spectroscopy, two-photon microscopy, Föster resonance energy transfer, fluorescence recovery after photobleaching, total internal reflection fluorescence, and stimulated emission depletion. With these methods, it is possible to analyze the transport and polymerization of lignin monomers, distribution of lignin of the syringyl or guaiacyl type in the tissues of various plant species, and changes in the degradation of wood by pulping and biopulping treatments as well as identify the purity of cellulose nanofibers through lignocellulosic biomass.
  • 1.1K
  • 21 Mar 2022
Topic Review
Histone Acetyltransferase GCN5
Transcription of protein-encoding genes starts with forming a pre-initiation complex comprised of RNA polymerase II and several general transcription factors. To activate gene expression, transcription factors must overcome the repressive chromatin structure, which is accomplished with multiprotein complexes. Histone Acetyl Transferases (HAT) catalyze acetylation of specific lysine residues in histone N-tails, which are involved in transcriptional regulation and other nuclear processes. HATs are parts of large multiprotein complexes, like the SAGA complex, where their activity is enhanced, and their substrate specificity is altered. The whole complex is recruited to target sequences on the genome with other components involved in protein-protein interactions. A prototypical HAT which acts as a transcriptional adaptor is known as General Control Nonrepressed protein 5 (GCN5), first identified in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. GCN5 was defined biochemically as the first transcription-linked HAT with specificity for histone H3 lysine 14 (H3K14). However, GCN5 could also acetylate additional histone lysine residues, such as H3K9, H3K18, H3K23, H3K27, H3K36, other histones such as H4 and H2B and non-histone nuclear proteins.  In Arabidopsis, GCN5 is required for many developmental processes such as leaf development, apical dominance, root meristem activity, inflorescence, floral meristem function and flower fertility. 
  • 1.1K
  • 10 Feb 2021
Topic Review
The Endocannabinoid System (ECS)
The endocannabinoid system (ECS) employs a huge network of molecules (receptors, ligands, and enzymatic machinery molecules) whose interactions with other cellular networks have still not been fully elucidated. Endogenous cannabinoids are molecules with the primary function of control of multiple metabolic pathways. Maintenance of tissue and cellular homeostasis by functional fine-tuning of essential metabolic pathways is one of the key characteristics of the ECS. It is implicated in a variety of physiological and pathological states and an attractive pharmacological target yet to reach its full potential. 
  • 1.1K
  • 20 Apr 2021
Topic Review Peer Reviewed
Brainstem fMRI
The human brainstem plays important roles in maintaining basic vital functions. In comparison with brain functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), only a few fMRI studies investigating the brainstem have been reported because of a number of technical challenges. This entry briefly introduces technical difficulties, recent advances, and further directions of brainstem fMRI in humans. 
  • 1.1K
  • 13 Apr 2022
Topic Review
Neural Stem Cell
Stem cells have extensive proliferative potential and the ability to differentiate into one or more mature cell types. The mechanisms by which stem cells accomplish self-renewal provide fundamental insight into the origin and design of multicellular organisms. These pathways allow the repair of damage and extend organismal life beyond that of component cells, and they probably preceded the evolution of complex metazoans.
  • 1.1K
  • 11 Mar 2021
Topic Review
Voltage-Gated K+ Channels
Voltage-gated K+ (Kv) channels are intrinsic plasma membrane proteins mediating the selective flow of potassium ions in response to depolarization of the transmembrane electric field. Their ionic selectivity and voltage dependence allow Kv channels to be central players in virtually all physiological functions, including the maintenance and modulation of neuronal and muscular (both cardiac and skeletal) excitability, regulation of calcium signaling cascades, control of cell volume, immune response, hormonal secretion, and others.
  • 1.1K
  • 29 Jan 2022
Topic Review
Immune Thrombocytopenia in Antiphospholipid Syndrome
Antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is frequently associated with thrombocytopenia, in most cases mild and in the absence of major bleedings. In some patients with a confirmed APS diagnosis, secondary immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) may lead to severe thrombocytopenia with consequent major bleeding. At the same time, the presence of antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL) in patients with a diagnosis of primary ITP has been reported in several studies, although with some specific characteristics especially related to the variety of antigenic targets. 
  • 1.1K
  • 28 Sep 2021
Topic Review
Reactive Species on Amino Acids
Reactive oxygen species ROS can be triggered by exogenous sources (tobacco, pollution, xenobiotics, drugs, ionizing radiation and so on), but they can also be generated inside the cell by two different mechanisms: enzymatic and non-enzymatic; in both cases, they can have irreversible effects on animal and plant cells and tissues. The superoxide anion •O2− is unstable and cannot pass through membranes, but is rapidly converted to hydrogen peroxide H2O2 and it is membrane-permeable. In the Fenton reaction, H2O2 produces the hydroxyl radical •OH + −OH, which is highly reactive in the mitochondrial matrix. Elevated levels of ROS lead to increased mtDNA damage.
  • 1.1K
  • 23 Nov 2022
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