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Topic Review
Light and Smoke Compounds in Photoblastic Seeds
Light increases the germinability of positively photoblastic seeds and inhibits the germination of negative ones. In an area where plant-generated smoke from fire is a periodically occurring environmental factor, smoke chemicals can affect the germination of seeds, including those that are photoblastically sensitive. In general, germination is under control of inhibitors involved in seed dormancy (mostly abscisic acid, ABA, and auxin, IAA), while gibberellic acid (GA) stimulates the process. Light, via the phytochrome system positively affects GA and decreases ABA and IAA levels. Similarly, karrikin1 (KAR1), physiologically active smoke compound, regulates some light-induced genes which results in germination of positively photoblastic seeds in darkness. 
  • 1.1K
  • 02 Aug 2022
Topic Review
Alveolar Regeneration in COVID-19 Patients: Network Perspective
Lung alveolar regeneration to repair the damaged tissue and restoration of normal tissue function could be achieved by transplantation of progenitor or stem cells and exosome-mediated delivery of therapeutic agents, including miRNAs. Not only as a biomarker of COVID-19but also as therapeutic agents, miRNAs have proven to play a crucial role in lung damage and repair. miRNAs can either be regulated locally in the lungsor transported to the damaged site by extracellular vehicles (EVs) secreted by stem cells to induce tissue regeneration by decreasing inflammation and apoptosis, stimulating surfactant production, regulating gene expression of junction proteins to repair microvascular permeability, and reducing fibrosis.
  • 1.1K
  • 03 Nov 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
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
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
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
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
Cyanobacteria-Derived Biofuel for Sustainable Future
Cyanobacteria are valuable sources of many novel bioactive compounds, such as lipids and natural dyes, with potential commercial implications. One of the advantages of cyanobacteria is that their biochemical constituents can be modified by altering the source of nutrients and growth conditions.
  • 1.1K
  • 04 Jul 2023
Topic Review
Apelinergic System in Pregnancy
The apelinergic system is a highly conserved pleiotropic system. It comprises the apelin receptor apelin peptide jejunum (APJ) and its two peptide ligands, Elabela/Toddler (ELA) and apelin, which have different spatiotemporal localizations. This system has been implicated in the regulation of the adipoinsular axis, in cardiovascular and central nervous systems, in carcinogenesis, and in pregnancy in humans. During pregnancy, the apelinergic system is essential for embryo cardiogenesis and vasculogenesis and for placental development and function. It may also play a role in the initiation of labor. The apelinergic system seems to be involved in the development of placenta-related pregnancy complications, such as preeclampsia (PE) and intrauterine growth restriction, but an improvement in PE-like symptoms and birth weight has been described in murine models after the exogenous administration of apelin or ELA.
  • 1.1K
  • 08 May 2023
Topic Review
MiRNA Epitranscriptomic Modifications in Cancer
MicroRNAs are small non-coding RNAs, acting as post-transcriptional regula- tors of gene expression. In the last two decades, their role in cancer as oncogenes (oncomir), as well as tumor suppressors, has been extensively demonstrated. Recently, epitranscriptomics, namely the study of RNA modifications, has emerged as a new field of great interest, being an additional layer in the regulation of gene expression. Almost all classes of eukaryotic RNAs, including miRNAs, undergo epitranscriptomic modifications. Alterations of RNA modification pathways have been de- scribed for many diseases—in particular, in the context of malignancies. 
  • 1.1K
  • 20 Jul 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
Frataxin–Scaffold Interaction in Fe–S Cluster
Iron–sulfur clusters are essential to almost every life form and utilized for their unique structural and redox-targeted activities within cells during many cellular pathways. Proteins central to the eukaryotic ISC cluster assembly complex include the cysteine desulfurase, a cysteine desulfurase accessory protein, the acyl carrier protein, the scaffold protein and frataxin (in humans, NFS1, ISD11, ACP, ISCU and FXN, respectively). Recent molecular details of this complex (labeled NIAUF from the first letter from each ISC protein outlined earlier), which exists as a dimeric pentamer, have provided real structural insight into how these partner proteins arrange themselves around the cysteine desulfurase, the core dimer of the (NIAUF)2 complex.
  • 1.1K
  • 15 Jun 2021
Topic Review
Glia Dysfunction in Major Mental Diseases
Microglia exert multiple functional roles and contribute to the building of the neuronal circuit through synaptic pruning and stripping during development; they participate in surveillance by secreting neurotrophic factors that react against infectious agents or toxic elements and engage in phagocytic debris clearance, including the removal of dying neurons. The role of glia dysfunction, particularly Bergmann Glia in glutamate removal, is well described in autism.
  • 1.1K
  • 03 May 2023
Topic Review
Ubiquitylation and ISGylation
Ubiquitylation and ISGylation are protein post-translational modifications (PTMs) and two of the main events involved in the activation of pattern recognition receptor (PRRs) signals allowing the host defense response to viruses.
  • 1.1K
  • 21 Feb 2022
Topic Review
The Cerebellar Involvement in Autism Spectrum Disorders
Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are pervasive neurodevelopmental disorders that include a variety of forms and clinical phenotypes. This heterogeneity complicates the clinical and experimental approaches to ASD etiology and pathophysiology. To date, a unifying theory of these diseases is still missing. With the recent acknowledgement of the cerebellar contribution to cognitive functions and the social brain, its involvement in ASD has become unmistakable, though its extent is still to be elucidated.
  • 1.1K
  • 28 Apr 2022
Topic Review
Automated Stuttering Classification
Speech disfluency, particularly stuttering, can have a significant impact on effective communication. Stuttering is a speech disorder characterized by repetitions, prolongations, and blocks in the flow of speech, which can result in communication difficulties, social isolation, and low self-esteem. Stuttering can also lead to negative reactions from listeners, such as impatience or frustration, which can further exacerbate communication difficulties.
  • 1.1K
  • 07 Oct 2023
Topic Review
Targeting KRAS in Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma
Pancreatic cancer is one of the most intractable malignant tumors worldwide, and is known for its refractory and poor prognosis. Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is the most common type of pancreatic cancer. KRAS is the most commonly mutated oncogene in PDAC. It has been considered the “untargetable” oncogene for decades until the emergence of G12C inhibitors, which put an end to this dilemma by covalent binding to the switch-II pocket of the G12C mutant protein. However, G12C inhibitors showed remarkable efficacy against non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC), while the G12C mutation is rare in PDAC. Based on the successful experience of G12C inhibitors, targeting KRAS G12D/V, which forms the majority of KRAS mutations in PDAC, is gradually being regarded as a potential therapy.
  • 1.1K
  • 01 Nov 2022
Topic Review
Annexins and Membrane Repair Dysfunctions
Muscular dystrophies constitute a group of genetic disorders that cause weakness and progressive loss of skeletal muscle mass. Among them, Miyoshi muscular dystrophy 1 (MMD1), limb girdle muscular dystrophy type R2 (LGMDR2/2B), and LGMDR12 (2L) are characterized by mutation in gene encoding key membrane-repair protein, which leads to severe dysfunctions in sarcolemma repair. Cell membrane disruption is a physiological event induced by mechanical stress, such as muscle contraction and stretching. Like many eukaryotic cells, muscle fibers possess a protein machinery ensuring fast resealing of damaged plasma membrane. Members of the annexins A (ANXA) family belong to this protein machinery. ANXA are small soluble proteins, twelve in number in humans, which share the property of binding to membranes exposing negatively-charged phospholipids in the presence of calcium (Ca2+). Many ANXA have been reported to participate in membrane repair of varied cell types and species, including human skeletal muscle cells in which they may play a collective role in protection and repair of the sarcolemma. Here, we discuss the participation of ANXA in membrane repair of healthy skeletal muscle cells and how dysregulation of ANXA expression may impact the clinical severity of muscular dystrophies.
  • 1.1K
  • 31 May 2021
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
Topic Review
Flavonoids Targeting CSC
Cancer stem cells (CSC) have been identified in several types of solid tumors. In some cases, CSC may be the source of all the tumor cells, the cause of the tumor’s resistance to chemotherapeutic agents, and the source of metastatic cells. Thus, a combination therapy targeting non-CSC tumor cells as well as specifically targeting CSCs holds the potential to be highly effective. Natural products (NPs) have been a historically rich source of biologically active compounds and are known for their ability to influence multiple signaling pathways simultaneously with negligible side effects. Natural flavonoids or potent derivatives are good candidates in exhibiting anti-CSC activity and targeting key functions required for CSC survival.
  • 1.1K
  • 29 Mar 2022
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