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Topic Review
Sex, Asthma and Exercise
Exercise-induced bronchoconstriction (EIB) is a common complication of athletes and individuals who exercise regularly. It is estimated that about 90% of patients with underlying asthma (a sexually dimorphic disease) experience EIB; however, sex differences in EIB have not been studied extensively. With the goal of better understanding the prevalence of EIB in males and females, and because atopy has been reported to occur at higher rates in athletes, in this study, we investigated sex differences in EIB and atopy in athletes. A systematic literature review identified 60 studies evaluating EIB and/or atopy in post-pubertal adult athletes (n = 7501). Collectively, these studies reported: (1) a 23% prevalence of EIB in athletes; (2) a higher prevalence of atopy in male vs. female athletes; (3) a higher prevalence of atopy in athletes with EIB; (4) a significantly higher rate of atopic EIB in male vs. female athletes. Our analysis indicates that the physiological changes that occur during exercise may differentially affect male and female athletes, and suggest an interaction between male sex, exercise, and atopic status in the course of EIB. Understanding these sex differences is important to provide personalized management plans to athletes with underlying asthma and/or atopy.
  • 1.3K
  • 30 Sep 2021
Topic Review
Children with Bipolar Disorder
Childhood onset bipolar disorder (CO-BD) presents a panoply of difficulties associated with early recognition and treatment. CO-BD is associated with a variety of precursors and comorbidities that have been inadequately studied, so treatment remains obscure. The earlier the onset, the longer is the delay to first treatment, and both early onset and treatment delay are associated with more depressive episodes and a poor prognosis in adulthood.
  • 1.3K
  • 23 Jun 2021
Topic Review
Epigenetics of Anxiety and Stress-Related Disorders
Epigenetics of anxiety and stress-related disorders is the field studying the relationship between epigenetic modifications of genes and anxiety and stress-related disorders, including mental health disorders such as generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), post-traumatic stress disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and more. Epigenetic modifications play a role in the development and heritability of these disorders and related symptoms. For example, regulation of the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis by glucocorticoids plays a major role in stress response and is known to be epigenetically regulated. As of 2015 most work has been done in animal models in laboratories, and little work has been done in humans; the work is not yet applicable to clinical psychiatry.
  • 1.3K
  • 29 Nov 2022
Topic Review
Sarcopenia in Liver Disease
Sarcopenia is characterized by a skeletal muscle disorder with progressive and generalized loss of muscle mass and function, and it increases the risk of adverse outcomes with considerable prevalence in patients with chronic liver disease. Sarcopenia in chronic liver disease underlies complicated and multifactorial mechanisms for pathogenesis, including alterations in protein turnover, hyperammonemia, energy disposal, hormonal changes, and chronic inflammation. The key contribution to sarcopenia in patients with chronic liver diseases can be the hyperammonemia-induced upregulation of myostatin, which causes muscle atrophy via the expression of atrophy-related genes.
  • 1.3K
  • 28 Apr 2021
Topic Review
New Treatment Strategies for IgA Nephropathy
Immunoglobulin A nephropathy (IgAN) is a rare autoimmune disorder and the leading cause of biopsy-reported glomerulonephritis (GN) worldwide. Disease progression is driven by the formation and deposition of immune complexes composed of galactose-deficient IgA1 (Gd-IgA1) and Gd-IgA1 autoantibodies (anti-Gd-IgA1 antibodies) in the glomeruli, where they trigger complement-mediated inflammation that can result in loss of kidney function and end-stage kidney disease (ESKD). 
  • 1.3K
  • 01 Sep 2022
Topic Review
Imaging for Normal BP
High resolution ultrasound is an emerging tool for evaluation of neuromuscular diseases. It has been widely used in assessment of brachial plexus disorders. However, ultrasound imaging is user-dependent. It is not easy to master the nerve tracking technique on that region. In this regard, we would like share certain tips to help investigators scan the brachial plexus in a prompt and precise way. 
  • 1.3K
  • 09 Jun 2020
Topic Review
Ocular Drug Delivery through thermosensitive strategies
The low bioavailability, due to the presence of physiological barriers, requires repeated ocular administrations. Hence, the development of drug delivery systems that ensure suitable drug concentration for prolonged times in different ocular tissues is certainly of great importance. In situ forming gels, expecially the nanocomposite ones,  have the undoubted advantage of being easily injectable and, owing to their sudden thickening at body temperature, have the ability to form an in situ drug reservoir. As a result, the frequency of administration can be reduced, also favoring the patient’s adhesion to therapy. Here, some of the most common treatment options for ocular diseases, with a special focus on posterior segment treatments, are summarized highlighting the most recent improvement deriving from thermosensitive drug delivery strategies. Aside from this, an additional section describes the most widespread in vitro models employed to evaluate the functionality of novel ophthalmic drug delivery systems.
  • 1.3K
  • 29 Oct 2020
Topic Review
Health Effects of Isoflavones
Estrogenic isoflavones are essentially considered to be the hydroxylated compounds i.e. genistein, daidzein and glycitein, the methoxylated substances i.e. biochanin A and formononetin as well as the isoflavane metabolite: equol. Their estrogenic effects have been shown in many occasions and many models and they can be either beneficial or adverse depending on the physiological status of the consummers.
  • 1.3K
  • 08 Feb 2023
Topic Review
Hydrogen Sulfide Signaling
Emerging evidence indicates that the dysregulation of cellular redox homeostasis and chronic inflammatory processes are implicated in the pathogenesis of kidney and brain disorders. In this light, endogenous dipeptide carnosine (β-alanyl-L-histidine) and hydrogen sulfide (H2S) exert cytoprotective actions through the modulation of redox-dependent resilience pathways during oxidative stress and inflammation. Several recent studies have elucidated a functional crosstalk occurring between kidney and the brain. The pathophysiological link of this crosstalk is represented by oxidative stress and inflammatory processes which contribute to the high prevalence of neuropsychiatric disorders, cognitive impairment, and dementia during the natural history of chronic kidney disease.
  • 1.3K
  • 05 Jan 2021
Topic Review
Green Synthesis of Platinum Nanoparticles Utilizing Plant Extracts
Platinum nanoparticles (PtNPs) have superior physicochemical properties and great potential in biomedical applications. Eco-friendly and economic approaches for the synthesis of PtNPs have been developed to overcome the shortcomings of the traditional physical and chemical methods. Various biogenic entities have been utilized in the green synthesis of PtNPs, including mainly plant extracts, algae, fungi bacteria, and their biomedical effects were assessed. Other biological derivatives have been used in the synthesis of PtNPs such as egg yolk, sheep milk, honey, and bovine serum albumin protein. The green approaches for the synthesis of PtNPs have reduced the reaction time, the energy required, and offered ambient conditions of fabrication. Plant extracts contain diverse primary and secondary metabolites, which could serve as natural reducing and capping agents. The plant-mediated biosynthesis of MNPs is a simple and rapid process involving mixing the plant extract with the metal ions solution at an optimized temperature and pH. The nanoparticle generation is indicated by the change in color of the reaction medium.
  • 1.3K
  • 31 Oct 2022
Topic Review
Fibromyalgia
Fibromyalgia (FM) is a complex multifactorial syndrome characterized by chronic widespread pain that is often accompanied by fatigue, cognitive problems and sleep disturbances causing a considerable decline in patient quality of life.
  • 1.3K
  • 25 Nov 2020
Topic Review
Steroid-Resistant Nephrotic Syndrome
The genetic landscape of steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome (SRNS) is dramatically changing. Extended genetic testing is a key tool in understanding the pathophysiology of the disease and in identifying a precise etiology, with important implications in the clinical management of patients. However, forward genetics (i.e. moving from phenotype to genotype) is frequently insufficient. In this view, advancing and finishing diagnostic strategies, including reverse genetics and phenocopies identification, is pivotal in improving the approach to patients with SRNS. 
  • 1.3K
  • 26 Nov 2020
Topic Review
Platelet-activating Factor
Platelet-activating factor, also known as PAF, PAF-acether or AGEPC (acetyl-glyceryl-ether-phosphorylcholine), is a potent phospholipid activator and mediator of many leukocyte functions, platelet aggregation and degranulation, inflammation, and anaphylaxis. It is also involved in changes to vascular permeability, the oxidative burst, chemotaxis of leukocytes, as well as augmentation of arachidonic acid metabolism in phagocytes. PAF is produced by a variety of cells, but especially those involved in host defense, such as platelets, endothelial cells, neutrophils, monocytes, and macrophages. PAF is continuously produced by these cells but in low quantities and production is controlled by the activity of PAF acetylhydrolases. It is produced in larger quantities by inflammatory cells in response to specific stimuli.
  • 1.3K
  • 18 Oct 2022
Topic Review
Oxidative-Stress Modulators in Hematological Malignancies
Among the different mechanisms involved in oxidative stress, protein carbonylation and lipid peroxidation are both important modifications associated with the pathogenesis of several diseases, including cancer. Hematopoietic cells are particularly vulnerable to oxidative damage, as the excessive production of reactive oxygen species and associated lipid peroxidation suppress self-renewal and induce DNA damage and genomic instability, which can trigger malignancy. A richer understanding of the clinical effects of oxidative stress might improve the prognosis of these diseases and inform therapeutic strategies. The most common protein carbonylation and lipid peroxidation compounds, including hydroxynonenal, malondialdehyde, and advanced oxidation protein products, have been investigated for their potential effect on hematopoietic cells in several studies.
  • 1.3K
  • 17 Jan 2021
Topic Review
Genetics of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is the most frequent motor neuron disease and a neurodegenerative disorder, affecting the upper and/or lower motor neurons. Notably, it invariably leads to death within a few years of onset. Although most ALS cases are sporadic, familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (fALS) forms 10% of the cases. In 1993, the first causative gene (SOD1) of fALS was identified. With rapid advances in genetics, over fifty potentially causative or disease-modifying genes have been found in ALS so far. Accordingly, routine diagnostic tests should encompass the oldest and most frequently mutated ALS genes as well as several new important genetic variants in ALS.
  • 1.3K
  • 07 Jan 2021
Topic Review
Advances in Translational Nanotechnology
       The burgeoning field of nanotechnology aims to create and deploy nanoscale structures, devices, and systems with novel, size-dependent properties and functions. The nanotechnology revolution has sparked radically new technologies and strategies across all scientific disciplines, with nanotechnology now applied to virtually every area of research and development in the US and globally. NanoFlorida was founded to create a forum for scientific exchange, promote networking among nanoscientists, encourage collaborative research efforts across institutions, forge strong industry-academia partnerships in nanoscience, and showcase the contributions of students and trainees in nanotechnology fields. The 2019 NanoFlorida International Conference expanded this vision to emphasize national and international participation, with a focus on advances made in translating nanotechnology. This review highlights notable research in the areas of engineering especially in optics, photonics and plasmonics and electronics; biomedical devices, nano-biotechnology, nanotherapeutics including both experimental nanotherapies and nanovaccines; nano-diagnostics and -theranostics; nano-enabled drug discovery platforms; tissue engineering, bioprinting, and environmental nanotechnology, as well as challenges and directions for future research.
  • 1.3K
  • 30 Oct 2020
Topic Review
Resveratrol and Cancer Evidence
Resveratrol (3,5,4′-trihydroxystilbene) is a natural phytoalexin that accumulates in several vegetables and fruits like nuts, grapes, apples, red fruits, black olives, capers, red rice as well as red wines. Being both an extremely reactive molecule and capable to interact with cytoplasmatic and nuclear proteins in human cells, resveratrol was studied in these years as complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) for the therapy of cancer, metabolic and cardiovascular diseases like myocardial ischemia, myocarditis, cardiac hypertrophy, heart failure. This review will describe the main biological targets, cardiovascular outcomes, physico-chemical and pharmacokinetic properties of resveratrol in preclinical and clinical models implementing its potential use in cancer patients.
  • 1.3K
  • 29 Oct 2020
Topic Review
Flashback (Psychology)
A flashback, or involuntary recurrent memory, is a psychological phenomenon in which an individual has a sudden, usually powerful, re-experiencing of a past experience or elements of a past experience. These experiences can be happy, sad, exciting, or of any other emotion one can consider. The term is used particularly when the memory is recalled involuntarily, and/or when it is so intense that the person "relives" the experience, unable to fully recognize it as memory and not something that is happening in "real time".
  • 1.3K
  • 22 Nov 2022
Topic Review
Metabolic-Associated Fatty Liver Disease
Metabolic-Associated Fatty Liver Disease (MAFLD) is defined as the presence of hepatic steatosis (detected either histologically or by imaging techniques) in those individuals who have either type 2 diabetes or obesity.
  • 1.3K
  • 12 Oct 2021
Topic Review
Imprinted Brain Theory
The imprinted brain theory is an evolutionary psychology theory regarding the causes of autism spectrum disorders and psychosis. In certain ways, autistic traits are the opposite of schizotypal traits, such as autism being associated with literal-mindedness while schizotypy is associated with imagination. These differences tend to resemble sex differences, such as autism being linked to larger brain size and schizotypy to slower brain growth. Bernard Crespi proposes that these tendencies show that autism is linked to epigenetic imprinting of the X chromosome by the father, in the case of autism, or by the mother, in the case of psychosis.
  • 1.3K
  • 08 Oct 2022
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