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Topic Review
Monocytic HLA-DR Expression in Acute Pancreatitis and COVID-19
Acute pancreatitis is a common gastrointestinal disease with increasing incidence worldwide. COVID-19 is a potentially life-threatening contagious disease spread throughout the world, caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2. More severe forms of both diseases exhibit commonalities with dysregulated immune responses resulting in amplified inflammation and susceptibility to infection. Human leucocyte antigen (HLA)-DR, expressed on antigen-presenting cells, acts as an indicator of immune function. Research advances have highlighted the predictive values of monocytic HLA-DR (mHLA-DR) expression for disease severity and infectious complications in both acute pancreatitis and COVID-19 patients. 
  • 780
  • 25 Feb 2023
Topic Review
Overview of Human Reproduction and Unintended Pregnancy
Hormonal contraceptives, by their nature, prevent pregnancy by regulating pituitary production of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH), which act as reproductive signals for ovulation in women and sperm maturation in men. Unintended pregnancies are pregnancies that occur in advance of a preferred timeframe or completely unplanned. Each year, 121 million unintended pregnancies occur, accounting for nearly half (48%) of all pregnancies across the globe. 
  • 780
  • 07 Aug 2023
Topic Review
LncRNA PVT1
LncRNA PVT1 (plasmacytoma variant translocation 1) has become a staple of the lncRNA profile in patients with renal cell carcinoma (RCC). 
  • 778
  • 19 May 2021
Topic Review
MicroRNAs, Multiple Sclerosis, and Depression
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic disease of the central nervous system that affects the brain and spinal cord. There are several disease courses in MS including relapsing–remitting MS (RRMS), primary progressive MS (PPMS), and secondary progressive MS (SPMS). Up to 50% of MS patients experience depressive disorders. Major depression (MD) is a serious comorbidity of MS. Many dysfunctions including neuroinflammation, peripheral inflammation, gut dysbiosis, chronic oxidative and nitrosative stress, and neuroendocrine and mitochondrial abnormalities may contribute to the comorbidity between MS and MD. In addition to these actions, medical treatment and microRNA (miRNA) regulation may also be involved in the mechanisms of the comorbidity between MS and MD.
  • 777
  • 05 Aug 2021
Topic Review
Use of Genomic Databases in Medicine
Attention has been increasingly focused on the non-coding sequences that encompass 98% of the genome and may play an important regulatory function. The first WGS-based datasets have already been released including underrepresented populations. Although many databases contain pooled data from several cohorts, the importance of local databases has been highlighted. Genomic databases are not only collecting data but may also contribute to better diagnostics and therapies. They may find applications in population studies, rare diseases, oncology, pharmacogenetics, and infectious and inflammatory diseases. Further data may be analysed with Al technologies and in the context of other omics data. 
  • 777
  • 21 Apr 2023
Topic Review
Biomechanical Forces for Receptivity Status of the Endometrium
Myometrium cells are an important reproductive niche in which cyclic mechanical forces of a pico-newton range are produced continuously at millisecond and second intervals. Overproduction and/or underproduction of micro-forces, due to point or epigenetic mutation, aberrant methylation, and abnormal response to hypoxia, may lead to the transformation of fibroid stem cells into fibroid-initiating stem cells. Fibroids are tumors with a high modulus of stiffness disturbing the critical homeostasis of the myometrium and they may cause unfavorable and strong mechanical forces. Micro-mechanical forces and soluble-chemical signals play a critical role in transcriptional and translational processes’ maintenance, by regulating communication between the cell nucleus and its organelles. Signals coming from the external environment can stimulate cells in the format of both soluble biochemical signals and mechanical ones. The shape of the cell and the plasma membrane have a significant character in sensing electro-chemical signals, through specialized receptors and generating responses, accordingly. In order for mechanical signals to be perceived by the cell, they must be converted into biological stimuli, through a process called mechanotransduction. Transmission of fibroid-derived mechanical signals to the endometrium and their effects on receptivity modulators are mediated through a pathway known as solid-state signaling.
  • 776
  • 02 Dec 2022
Topic Review
Alcohol, Inflammation, and Microbiota in Alcoholic Liver Disease
Alcoholic liver disease (ALD) is a consequence of excessive alcohol use. According to many studies, alcohol represents a significant socioeconomic and health risk factor in population. According to data from the World Health Organization, there are about 75 million people who have alcohol disorders, and it is well known that its use leads to serious health problems. ALD is a multimodality spectrum that includes alcoholic fatty liver disease (AFL) and alcoholic steatohepatitis (ASH), consequently leading to liver fibrosis and cirrhosis. In addition, the rapid progression of alcoholic liver disease can lead to alcoholic hepatitis (AH). Alcohol metabolism produces toxic metabolites that lead to tissue and organ damage through an inflammatory cascade that includes numerous cytokines, chemokines, and reactive oxygen species (ROS). In the process of inflammation, mediators are cells of the immune system, but also resident cells of the liver, such as hepatocytes, hepatic stellate cells, and Kupffer cells. These cells are activated by exogenous and endogenous antigens, which are called pathogen and damage-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs, DAMPs). Both are recognized by Toll-like receptors (TLRs), which activation triggers the inflammatory pathways. It has been proven that intestinal dysbiosis and disturbed integrity of the intestinal barrier perform a role in the promotion of inflammatory liver damage. These phenomena are also found in chronic excessive use of alcohol. The intestinal microbiota has an important role in maintaining the homeostasis of the organism, and its role in the treatment of ALD has been widely investigated. Prebiotics, probiotics, postbiotics, and symbiotics represent therapeutic interventions that can have a significant effect on the prevention and treatment of ALD.
  • 775
  • 10 May 2023
Topic Review
Characterization of Urine-Derived Stem Cells
Urine-derived stem cells (USC) of kidney origin, obtained via non-invasive acquisition, possess high stemness properties, self-renewal ability, trophic effects, multipotent differentiation potential, and immunomodulatory ability.
  • 774
  • 24 Aug 2022
Topic Review Peer Reviewed
Predictive Modeling in Medicine
Predictive modeling is a complex methodology that involves leveraging advanced mathematical and computational techniques to forecast future occurrences or outcomes. This tool has numerous applications in medicine, yet its full potential remains untapped within this field. Therefore, it is imperative to delve deeper into the benefits and drawbacks associated with utilizing predictive modeling in medicine for a more comprehensive understanding of how this approach may be effectively leveraged for improved patient care. When implemented successfully, predictive modeling has yielded impressive results across various medical specialities. From predicting disease progression to identifying high-risk patients who require early intervention, there are countless examples of successful implementations of this approach within healthcare settings worldwide. However, despite these successes, significant challenges remain for practitioners when applying predictive models to real-world scenarios. These issues include concerns about data quality and availability as well as navigating regulatory requirements surrounding the use of sensitive patient information—all factors that can impede progress toward realizing the true potential impact of predictive modeling on improving health outcomes.
  • 774
  • 11 May 2023
Topic Review
Generation of Reactive Oxygen Species in Endothelial Cells
Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are radical oxygen intermediates that serve as important second messengers in signal transduction. However, when the accumulation of these molecules exceeds the buffering capacity of antioxidant enzymes, oxidative stress and endothelial cell (EC) dysfunction occur.
  • 774
  • 07 Jun 2023
Topic Review
Clinical Relevance of Circulating Tumor Cells in Immunology
Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) are a heterogeneous population of tumor cells that have shed from a tumor into the lymphatics and vasculature, ultimately disseminating into blood circulation. Immune modulation is a hallmark of cancer. Cancer–immune interaction shapes the course of disease progression at every step of tumorigenesis, including metastasis, of which circulating tumor cells (CTCs) are regarded as an indicator. 
  • 772
  • 07 Mar 2022
Topic Review
Antioxidant Phytochemicals in HIV+ Patients
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection has continued to be the subject of study since its discovery nearly 40 years ago. Significant advances in research and intake of antiretroviral therapy (ART) have slowed the progression and appearance of the disease symptoms and the incidence of concomitant diseases, which are the leading cause of death in HIV+ persons.
  • 770
  • 01 Jun 2022
Topic Review
Application of Calcitriol in Breast Cancer
Calcitriol represents the most active VD metabolite and hormonal form, which modulates calcium homeostasis through actions on the kidney, bone, and intestinal tract. However, calcitriol is also known for its potent anticancer effects. In particular, calcitriol inhibits breast cancer cells proliferation and tumorigenesis.
  • 769
  • 03 Dec 2021
Topic Review
Vaccines in Solid Tumor
Conventional vaccines are widely used to boost human natural ability to defend against foreign invaders, such as bacteria and viruses. Therapeutic cancer vaccines attracted the most attention for anti-cancer therapy. According to the main components, it can be divided into five types: cell, DNA, RNA, peptide, and virus-based vaccines. They mainly perform through two rationales: (1) it trains the host immune system to protect itself and effectively eradicate cancer cells; (2) these vaccines expose the immune system to molecules associated with cancer that enable the immune system to recognize and destroy cancer cells.
  • 768
  • 28 Feb 2023
Topic Review
Mesenchymal Stem Cells as Vehicles for Drug Delivery
Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have a high tropism for the hypoxic microenvironment of tumors. The combination of nanoparticles in MSCs decreases tumor growth in vitro as well as in rodent models of cancers in vivo. Covalent conjugation of nanoparticles with the surface of MSCs can significantly increase the drug load delivery in tumor sites. Nanoparticle-based anti-angiogenic systems (gold, silica and silicates, diamond, silver, and copper) prevented tumor growth in vitro. For example, glycolic acid polyconjugates enhance nanoparticle drug delivery and have been reported in human MSCs. Labeling with fluorescent particles (coumarin-6 dye) identified tumor cells using fluorescence emission in tissues; the conjugation of different types of nanoparticles in MSCs ensured success and feasibility by tracking the migration and its intratumor detection using non-invasive imaging techniques. 
  • 768
  • 20 Nov 2023
Topic Review
Curcumin and Inflammasome
Curcumin, a traditional Chinese medicine extracted from natural plant rhizomes, has become a candidate drug for the treatment of different diseases due to its anti-inflammatory, anticancer, antioxidant, and antibacterial activities. Curcumin is generally beneficial to human health, with anti-inflammatory and antioxidative properties, as well as antitumor and immune regulation properties. Inflammasomes are nucleotide-binding domain and leucine-rich repeat receptors (NLRs) family, pyrin domain-containing 3 (NLRP3) proteins that are active in response to a variety of stress signals and promote the proteolytic conversion of pro-interleukin-1β and pro-interleukin-18 to active forms, which are central mediators of the inflammatory response; inflammasomes can also induce pyroptosis, a type of cell death. The NLRP3 protein is involved in a variety of inflammatory pathologies, including neurological and autoimmune disorders, lung diseases, atherosclerosis, myocardial infarction, and many others. Different functional foods may have preventive and therapeutic effects in a wide range of pathologies in which inflammasome protein results activated.
  • 766
  • 19 Jan 2023
Topic Review
Impaired Mitophagy in Neurons and Glial Cells
Aging is associated with a decline in cognitive function, which can partly be explained by the accumulation of damage to the brain cells over time. Neurons and glia undergo morphological and ultrastructure changes during aging. Over the past several years, it has become evident that at the cellular level, various hallmarks of an aging brain are closely related to mitophagy. The importance of mitochondria quality and quantity control through mitophagy is highlighted by the contribution that defects in mitochondria–autophagy crosstalk make to aging and age-related diseases.
  • 765
  • 11 Jan 2022
Topic Review
Roux-En-Y Gastric Bypass (RYGB) Surgery
Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) surgery has been proven successful in weight loss and improvement of co-morbidities associated with obesity. Chronic complications such as malabsorption of micronutrients in up to 50% of patients underline the need for additional therapeutic approaches. 
  • 764
  • 28 Feb 2022
Topic Review
Migraine with Aura
A sizable portion of the world’s population suffers from migraines with aura. Estrogen is crucial in migraine pathophysiology, especially in women, which might be used to develop hormone-regulating medications. Migraine’s underlying mechanism or visual abnormalities may explain migraine sufferers’ variations in brain activity or visual system processing.
  • 764
  • 16 Nov 2023
Topic Review
Potential of Noscapine in Cancer Treatment
Noscapine is a naturally occurring alkaloid isolated from Papaver somniferum, commonly known as opium poppy or bread seed poppy. It edges over other opioids as it lacks addictive, sedative or euphoric effects. Noscapine, a substance first noted for its antitussive and anti-stroke qualities, has drawn significant interest for its potential as a cancer treatment.
  • 764
  • 22 Jan 2024
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