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Topic Review
The Proteasome Activator PA200/PSME4
Proteasomes comprise a family of proteasomal complexes essential for maintaining protein homeostasis. Accordingly, proteasomes represent promising therapeutic targets in multiple human diseases. Several proteasome inhibitors are approved for treating hematological cancers. Their side effects impede their efficacy and broader therapeutic applications. Therefore, understanding the biology of the different proteasome complexes present in the cell is crucial for developing tailor-made inhibitors against specific proteasome complexes. 
  • 1.1K
  • 09 Sep 2022
Topic Review
Ca2+-Independent Phospholipase A2β
The Ca2+-independent phospholipase A2β (iPLA2β) is a member of the PLA2 family that has been proposed to have roles in multiple biological processes including membrane remodeling, cell proliferation, bone formation, male fertility, cell death, and signaling. Such involvement has led to the identification of iPLA2β activation in several diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular abnormalities, glaucoma, periodontitis, neurological disorders, diabetes, and other metabolic disorders. More recently, there has been heightened interest in the role that iPLA2β plays in promoting inflammation.
  • 1.1K
  • 10 Jun 2021
Topic Review
Melissa officinalis subsp. officinalis
The investigation aimed to study the in vitro and in silico antioxidant properties of Melissa officinalis subsp. officinalis essential oil (MOEO). The chemical composition of MOEO was determined using GC–MS analysis. Among 36 compounds identified in MOEO, the main were beta-cubebene (27.66%), beta-caryophyllene (27.41%), alpha-cadinene (4.72%), caryophyllene oxide (4.09%), and alpha-cadinol (4.07%), respectively. In vitro antioxidant properties of MOEO have been studied in 2,2’-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free-radical scavenging, and inhibition of β-carotene bleaching assays. The half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) for the radical scavenging abilities of ABTS and DPPH were 1.225 ± 0.011 μg/mL and 14.015 ± 0.027 μg/mL, respectively, demonstrating good antioxidant activity. Moreover, MOEO exhibited a strong inhibitory effect (94.031 ± 0.082%) in the β-carotene bleaching assay by neutralizing hydroperoxides, responsible for the oxidation of highly unsaturated β-carotene. Furthermore, molecular docking showed that the MOEO components could exert an in vitro antioxidant activity through xanthine oxidoreductase inhibition. The most active structures are minor MOEO components (approximately 6%), among which the highest affinity for the target protein belongs to carvacrol.
  • 1.1K
  • 12 Aug 2021
Topic Review
Skin Architecture, ECM, and Cellular Components
Matricellular proteins are nonstructural, modular, extracellular proteins that exert their effects by binding to cell surface receptors, extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins, soluble signaling molecules, and proteases, thereby modulating cellular responses to changes in their microenvironment, particularly during tissue remodeling. The skin is the largest organ of the body and protects us against environmental insults. It shields the body from mechanical abrasion, pathological infections, dehydration, and fluctuations in body temperature, while the nerves in the skin also provide us with sensations of touch. The skin needs to act as a resilient mechanical barrier, yet provide structural flexibility. The functional unit of skin consists of the stratified epidermis and dermis (including dermal adipose and skin appendages such as hair follicles, sweat, and sebaceous glands) as well as the panniculus carnosus (PC) muscle and the subcutaneous fascia. Notably, the human skin has a thicker epidermis and dermis compared with mouse skin, and the epidermis exhibits undulations forming the rete ridge and inter-ridge (also known as dermal papillae) structures that are absent in mouse skin.
  • 1.1K
  • 07 Oct 2023
Topic Review
Great Video Abstract
In today's information-rich landscape, the art of scientific communication is evolving, with video abstracts emerging as a dynamic tool. This comprehensive guide explores the power of video abstracts to engage a diverse audience. It dissects key components, including narration, visuals, music, structure, and accessibility. Practical tips, examples, and case studies highlight best practices. Researchers are encouraged to plan, practice, and promote their video abstracts while considering legal and ethical considerations. By mastering this skill, scientists can bridge the gap between their research and a global audience, advancing knowledge dissemination and fostering scientific understanding.
  • 1.1K
  • 15 Sep 2023
Topic Review
Role of Raf Family in Biology
The Raf kinase family consists of three isoforms, C-Raf/Raf-1, B-Raf and A-Raf. They are located directly downstream of Ras and upstream of MEK1/2. Since the discovery of v-Ras, v-Raf and ERK and the connection of this regulatory hub with oncogenesis, tremendous efforts have been invested in the elucidation of the mechanisms underlying the activation of Raf kinases. The Raf/MEK/ERK pathway is the first and clearly defined mitogenic pathway whose signal is invoked by extracellular mitogenic ligands and serves as a framework for other MAPK pathways. Among three isoforms of the Raf family, B-Raf is the only one that has so far been found mutated in many types of cancers. As all of the Raf family members directly act downstream of Ras, C-Raf and A-Raf are also important factors contributing to oncogenesis, either mediating the effects of mutated Ras or participating in oncogenic B-Raf-mediated pathogenesis. Thus, the development of Raf inhibitors has been a focus in cancer therapy.
  • 1.1K
  • 19 May 2022
Topic Review
Neutrophil Extracellular Traps and NLRP3 Inflammasome
Atherosclerosis is the formation of plaque within arteries due to overt assemblage of fats, cholesterol and fibrous material causing a blockage of the free flow of blood leading to ischemia. It is harshly impinging on health statistics worldwide because of being principal cause of high morbidity and mortality for several diseases including rheumatological, heart and brain disorders. Atherosclerosis is perpetuated by pro-inflammatory and exacerbated by pro-coagulatory mediators. Besides several other pathways, the formation of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) and the activation of the NOD-like receptor family pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome contribute significantly to the initiation and propagation of atherosclerotic plaque for its worst outcomes.
  • 1.1K
  • 27 Apr 2023
Topic Review
Different Types of Region-Based Oral Cancer
Oral cancer is a type of head and neck cancer that affects the mouth, tongue, lips, and throat. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), oral cancer is the sixth most common cancer worldwide, with an estimated 300,000 new cases diagnosed each year. The incidence of oral cancer varies widely between different regions of the world, with the highest rates being reported in South and Southeast Asia.
  • 1.1K
  • 06 May 2023
Topic Review
Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction: Microvascular Dysfunction
Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) is a condition with increasing incidence, leading to a health care problem of epidemic proportions for which no curative treatments exist. Consequently, an urge exists to better understand the pathophysiology of HFpEF. Accumulating evidence suggests a key pathophysiological role for coronary microvascular dysfunction (MVD), with an underlying mechanism of low-grade pro-inflammatory state caused by systemic comorbidities.
  • 1.1K
  • 24 Feb 2022
Topic Review
Radiation-Induced Intestinal Normal Tissue Toxicity Protein Signatures
Radiation-induced toxicity to healthy/normal intestinal tissues, especially during radiotherapy, limits the radiation dose necessary to effectively eradicate tumors of the abdomen and pelvis. Although the pathogenesis of intestinal radiation toxicity is highly complex, understanding post-irradiation alterations in protein profiles can provide crucial insights that make radiotherapy safer and more efficient and allow for increasing the radiation dose during cancer treatment.
  • 1.1K
  • 26 Dec 2022
Topic Review
RNase III
RNase III endoribonucleases cleave dsRNA and are conserved from bacteria (e.g., RNase III) to eukaryotes (e.g., Rnt1, Drosha and Dicer) both in terms of structure and function.
  • 1.1K
  • 27 Dec 2021
Topic Review
Thermogenic Fat
The concerning worldwide increase of obesity and chronic metabolic diseases, such as T2D, dyslipidemia, and cardiovascular disease, motivates further investigations into preventive and alternative therapeutic approaches. Over the past decade, there has been growing evidence that the formation and activation of thermogenic adipocytes (brown and beige) may serve as therapy to treat obesity and its associated diseases owing to its capacity to increase energy expenditure and to modulate circulating lipids and glucose levels. Thus, understanding the molecular mechanism of brown and beige adipocytes formation and activation will facilitate the development of strategies to combat metabolic disorders. 
  • 1.1K
  • 17 Jun 2021
Topic Review
Glycolytic Switch in Malignant Glioma
Malignant glioma represents a fatal disease with a poor prognosis and development of resistance mechanisms against conventional therapeutic approaches. The distinct tumor zones of this heterogeneous neoplasm develop their own microenvironment, in which subpopulations of cancer cells communicate. Adaptation to hypoxia in the center of the expanding tumor mass leads to the glycolytic and angiogenic switch, accompanied by upregulation of different glycolytic enzymes, transporters, and other metabolites. These processes render the tumor microenvironment more acidic, remodel the extracellular matrix, and create energy gradients for the metabolic communication between different cancer cells in distinct tumor zones. Escape mechanisms from hypoxia-induced cell death and energy deprivation are the result. The functional consequences are more aggressive and malignant behavior with enhanced proliferation and survival, migration and invasiveness, and the induction of angiogenesis. 
  • 1.1K
  • 03 Jun 2021
Topic Review
CRISPR/Cas and Herbicide Resistance
The rapid increase in herbicide-resistant weeds creates a huge challenge to global food security because it can reduce crop production, causing considerable losses. Combined with a lack of novel herbicides, cultivating herbicide-resistant crops becomes an effective strategy to control weeds because of reduced crop phytotoxicity, and it expands the herbicidal spectrum. Recently developed clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat/CRISPR-associated protein (CRISPR/Cas)-mediated genome editing techniques enable efficiently targeted modification and hold great potential in creating desired plants with herbicide resistance.
  • 1.1K
  • 16 Jun 2021
Topic Review
Structure Character and Mechanism of PROteolysis TArgeting Chimeras
The PROteolysis TArgeting Chimeras (PROTACs) is an innovative technique for the selective degradation of target proteins via the ubiquitin–proteasome system. Compared with traditional protein inhibitor drugs, PROTACs exhibit advantages in the efficacy and selectivity of and in overcoming drug resistance in cancer therapy, providing new insights into the discovery of anti-cancer drugs.
  • 1.1K
  • 28 Dec 2022
Topic Review
Cannabidiol as an OX1R Antagonist
The potential, multifaceted therapeutic profile of cannabidiol (CBD), a major constituent derived from the Cannabis sativa plant, covers a wide range of neurological and psychiatric disorders, ranging from anxiety to pediatric epilepsy and drug addiction. However, the molecular targets responsible for these effects have been only partially identified. In this view, the involvement of the orexin system, the key regulator in arousal and the sleep/wake cycle, and in motivation and reward processes, including drug addiction, prompted us to explore, using computational and experimental approaches, the possibility that CBD could act as a ligand of orexin receptors, orexin 1 receptor of type 1 (OX1R) and type 2 (OX2R). Ligand-binding assays showed that CBD is a selective ligand of OX1R in the low micromolar range (Ki 1.58 ± 0.2 μM) while in vitro functional assays, carried out by intracellular calcium imaging and mobilization assays, showed that CBD acts as an antagonist at this receptor. Finally, the putative binding mode of CBD has been inferred by molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulations and its selectivity toward the OX1R subtype rationalized at the molecular level. This study provides the first evidence that CBD acts as an OX1R antagonist, supporting its potential use in addictive disorders and/or body weight regulation. 
  • 1.1K
  • 18 Aug 2021
Topic Review
Phytochemical of Euphorbia neriifolia
In the Indian subcontinents, Euphorbia neriifolia Linn. (EN) is one of the valuable plants from the big family of Euphorbiaceae, which is usually found in rocky and hilly areas. E. neriifolia was found to be useful in curing tumors, abdominal swelling, bronchial infection, hydrophobia, earache, cough and cold, asthma, leprosy, gonorrhea, spleen enlargement, leucoderma, snake bites, scorpion stings, and causing appetite improvement, etc. Different in vitro and in vivo experimental studies were performed to determine the antioxidant, anti-diabetic, immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory, anti-arthritic, wound healing, anti-atherosclerosis, radioprotective, anti-anxiety, anti-convulsant, anti-psychotic, anti-thrombotic, dermal irritation, hemolytic, analgesic, anti-fertility, diuretic, anti-microbial, anti-diarrheal, and anti-carcinogenic activities of the various parts of EN. Several bioactive compounds, such as euphol, nerifoliol, taraxerol, euphonerins A–G, lectin, etc., were isolated from E. neriifolia and need to be investigated further for various biological activities (cardiovascular and neuronal diseases). In the pharmaceutical sector, E. neriifolia was selected for the development of new drugs due to its broad pharmacological activities. 
  • 1.1K
  • 23 Oct 2023
Topic Review
Therapy Dog Welfare
Animal-assisted interventions (AAIs) seek to positively affect human health by utilizing animals as adjuncts to therapy. AAIs are broadly defined as any practice that involves animals as a part of a therapeutic or ameliorative process. In an AAI setting, the intensity and duration of the procedure vary with the recipient′s particular situation-specific need. 
  • 1.1K
  • 23 Nov 2021
Topic Review
Melatonin Function under Normal and Stressful Conditions
Plants are exposed to a variety of environmental stresses (biotic and abiotic) during the course of development. Stressful conditions alter the basic metabolism of the affected plants. Plants must cope with environmental constraints to effectively complete their life cycle. Plant produce and regulate various biomolecules to adapt to adverse environmental conditions. Melatonin (N-acetyl-5-methoxytryptamine) is a ubiquitous molecule that is present in plants, animals, and microorganisms. It has been revealed as an indolic chemical compound with structural similarities with other vital compounds such as tryptophan, serotonin, and indole-3-acetic acid (IAA). In plants, melatonin is a putative hormone involved in the regulation of plant growth and productivity, even under biotic and abiotic stress conditions.
  • 1.1K
  • 27 Sep 2022
Topic Review
The ADAMTS/Fibrillin Connection
Secreted a disintegrin-like and metalloprotease with thrombospondin type 1 motif (ADAMTS) proteases play crucial roles in tissue development and homeostasis. The biological and pathological functions of ADAMTS proteases are determined broadly by their respective substrates and their interactions with proteins in the pericellular and extracellular matrix. For some ADAMTS proteases, substrates have been identified and substrate cleavage has been implicated in tissue development and in disease. For other ADAMTS proteases, substrates were discovered in vitro, but the role of these proteases and the consequences of substrate cleavage in vivo remains to be established. Mutations in ADAMTS10 and ADAMTS17 cause Weill–Marchesani syndrome (WMS), a congenital syndromic disorder that affects the musculoskeletal system (short stature, pseudomuscular build, tight skin), the eyes (lens dislocation), and the heart (heart valve abnormalities). WMS can also be caused by mutations in fibrillin-1 (FBN1), which suggests that ADAMTS10 and ADAMTS17 cooperate with fibrillin-1 in a common biological pathway during tissue development and homeostasis.
  • 1.1K
  • 22 Sep 2021
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