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Topic Review
EVs, Substance Abuse, and HIV
While extracellular vesicles (EVs) have been shown to play a role in CNS disorders, the intersection of EVs, drug use, and HIV is of particular interest. The interactions of HIV and drugs of abuse are a growing concern given the increasing incidence of HIV transmission via shared needles in illicit drug use. As a drug commonly taken through shared needles, METH is being investigated due to its role in exacerbating HIV-mediated inflammation through both increased vesicular shedding and extracellular release. In vivo experiments have shown that cocaine-induced EV release impacts synaptic plasticity through noncoding RNA. Nicotine studies have also highlighted how the differential packaging of antioxidant enzyme cargoes into EVs affects nicotine-mediated HIV pathogenesis. Additionally, studies of both morphine and heroin have demonstrated differences in the miRNA cargoes of EVs, potentially impacting gene expression and exacerbating HIV. Studies of alcohol use in combination with HIV have shown that EV cargoes such as cytokines are affected in HIV-infected subjects who use alcohol. Investigating EV cargo alterations in all forms of substance abuse studies may allow the EV, HIV, and addiction fields to progress towards diagnosis and remedies for substance-abuse-induced toxicity in HIV patients.
  • 901
  • 27 Sep 2020
Topic Review
Phenolic Compound Family Extracted from Raspberries
In plant physiology, a phenolic compound family can act as an antioxidant and antimicrobial agent, and their biosynthesis follows the shikimate and phenylpropanoid pathways.
  • 901
  • 04 Jul 2022
Topic Review
Development of Anticancer Agents with Peptide-Based Drugs
Peptides are increasingly being developed for use as therapeutics to treat many ailments, including cancer. Therapeutic peptides have the advantages of target specificity and low toxicity. The anticancer effects of a peptide can be the direct result of the peptide binding its intended target, or the peptide may be conjugated to a chemotherapy drug or radionuclide and used to target the agent to cancer cells. Peptides can be targeted to proteins on the cell surface, where the peptide–protein interaction can initiate internalization of the complex, or the peptide can be designed to directly cross the cell membrane. Peptides can induce cell death by numerous mechanisms including membrane disruption and subsequent necrosis, apoptosis, tumor angiogenesis inhibition, immune regulation, disruption of cell signaling pathways, cell cycle regulation, DNA repair pathways, or cell death pathways. 
  • 901
  • 25 Nov 2021
Topic Review
Storage, Preservation and Processing of Toona sinensis
Toona sinensis, a perennial and deciduous tree belonging to the Meliaceae family, has been cultivated for more than 2000 years in China. Storing the buds of T. sinensis is difficult, as it is easy for them to rot during storage, which seriously affects their edible and commodity value. There are three kinds of storage and preservation methods of T. sinensis buds; although they can extend the shelf life of T. sinensis, the nutrients in this vegetable plant experience different degrees of loss. Because bio-preservation methods have the advantages of being natural, safe, and simple, it has become one of the research hotspots of food preservation technology. Furthermore, in order to extend the consumption period of T. sinensis, it is processed into a wide variety of foods.
  • 899
  • 19 Jul 2022
Topic Review
Coenzyme Q10 Metabolism
The variable success in the outcome of randomised controlled trials supplementing coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) may in turn be associated with a number of currently unresolved issues relating to CoQ10 metabolism.
  • 899
  • 27 Feb 2023
Topic Review
Histone Lysine Methylation
The level and state of histone lysine methylation depends not only on the activity of histone methyltransferases (KMTs) but also on the counteracting activity of histone lysine demethylases (KDMs). The variety of methylation sites and differentially methylated states describes the level of complexity of signaling mediated by histone lysine methylation, which is involved in transcription regulation, gene silencing, genome stability and RNA processing.
  • 899
  • 10 Feb 2021
Topic Review
PERK
Multiple myeloma is a bone marrow cancer that represents a severe health threat. The drugs used nowadays in chemotherapy often encounter resistance leading to a dramatic loss of their efficacy, which consequently affects patients’ survival. Previous studies have shown that the protein kinase R (PKR)-like ER kinase (PERK) pathway, which is one of the three branches of the unfolded protein response, is highly activated in multiple myeloma, possibly contributing to the chemotherapy resistance that these patients develop. In this study, we have used the compound GSK2606414, which is a PERK inhibitor, and found that myeloma cells are highly sensitive to this molecule. These effects were more pronounced when the inhibitor was used in combination with an anti-myeloma drug such as the proteasome inhibitor bortezomib, suggesting that the PERK pathway could be a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of multiple myeloma patients.
  • 898
  • 02 Nov 2020
Topic Review
Pharmacological Activities of Galactomannan Derivatives
Galactomannans are versatile macromolecules with broad industrial potential. The influence of changes in the chemical structures and respective bioactivities of these polysaccharides have been extensively studied. The derivatives obtained by sulfation, complexation, and phosphorylation are the most studied biological properties in galactomannans. The derivatives obtained have shown several pharmacological activities such as antiviral, antimicrobial, anticoagulant, fibrinolytic, chemopreventive, anticancer, antioxidant, chondroprotective, analgesic, immunomodulatory, and antileishmanial. 
  • 896
  • 24 Feb 2021
Topic Review
Extracellular Vesicles in Neurogenic Niches
Adult neurogenesis, involving the generation of functional neurons from adult neural stem cells (NSCs), occurs constitutively in discrete brain regions such as hippocampus, sub-ventricular zone (SVZ) and hypothalamus. The intrinsic structural plasticity of the neurogenic process allows the adult brain to face the continuously changing external and internal environment and requires coordinated interplay between all cell types within the specialized microenvironment of the neurogenic niche. NSC-, neuronal- and glia-derived factors, originating locally, regulate the balance between quiescence and self-renewal of NSC, their differentiation programs and the survival and integration of newborn cells. Extracellular Vesicles (EVs) are emerging as important mediators of cell-to-cell communication, representing an efficient way to transfer the biologically active cargos (nucleic acids, proteins, lipids) by which they modulate the function of the recipient cells. At present, little is known on the physiological role of EVs in neurogenic niches. 
  • 894
  • 02 Jan 2021
Topic Review
Gluten Enteropathy
Gluten enteropathy, namely Celiac disease (CD), is a hereditary predisposed disease, accompanied by the atrophy of the small intestine mucosa, associated malabsorption syndrome, and the development of various deficiency conditions. Celiac disease is caused by food containing gluten—the proteins of cereals that are the diet of the majority of the world population. Some immunogenic peptides of gluten proteins formed during digestion, mainly gliadins from wheat, rye, and barley, are resistant to proteolysis by human digestive peptidases and cause CD in predisposed people.
  • 894
  • 19 Oct 2021
Topic Review
Cytochrome P450 in Escherichia coli
Cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes play important roles in metabolising endogenous and xenobiotic substances. Characterisations of human CYP proteins have been advanced with the rapid development of molecular technology that allows heterologous expression of human CYPs. Among several hosts, bacteria systems such as Escherichia coli (E. coli) have been widely used thanks to their ease of use, high level of protein yields, and affordable maintenance costs.
  • 894
  • 23 Feb 2023
Topic Review
Molecular concepts in vascular disorders
In physiology and pathophysiology the molecules involved in blood cell–blood cell and blood cell–endothelium interactions have been identified. Platelet aggregation and adhesion to the walls belonging to vessels involve glycoproteins (GP), GP llb and GP llla and the GP Ib–IX–V complex. Red blood cells (RBCs) in normal situations have little interaction with the endothelium. Abnormal adhesion of RBCs was first observed in sickle cell anemia involving vascular cell adhesion molecule (VCAM)-1, α4β1, Lu/BCAM, and intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM)-4. More recently RBC adhesion was found to be increased in retinal-vein occlusion (RVO) and in polycythemia vera (PV). The molecules which participate in this process are phosphatidylserine and annexin V in RVO, and phosphorylated Lu/BCAM and α5 laminin chain in PV. The additional adhesion in diabetes mellitus occurs due to the glycated RBC band 3 and the advanced glycation end-product receptors. The multiligand receptor binds advanced glycation end products (AGEs) or S100 calgranulins, or β-amyloid peptide. This receptor for advanced glycation end products is known as RAGE. The binding to RAGE-activated endothelial cells leads to an inflammatory reaction and a prothrombotic state via NADPH activation and altered gene expression. RAGE blockade is a potential target for drugs preventing the deleterious consequences of RAGE activation.
  • 893
  • 28 Sep 2021
Topic Review
Insulin-Degrading Enzyme
Insulin-degrading enzyme (IDE) is a highly conserved and ubiquitously expressed metalloprotease that degrades insulin and several other intermediate-size peptides. For many decades, IDE had been assumed to be involved primarily in hepatic insulin clearance, a key process that regulates availability of circulating insulin levels for peripheral tissues. Emerging evidence, however, suggests that IDE has several other important physiological functions relevant to glucose and insulin homeostasis, including the regulation of insulin secretion from pancreatic β-cells. Investigation of mice with tissue-specific genetic deletion of Ide in the liver and pancreatic β-cells (L-IDE-KO and B-IDE-KO mice, respectively) has revealed additional roles for IDE in the regulation of hepatic insulin action and sensitivity.
  • 893
  • 21 Feb 2021
Topic Review
Integrins
Integrins belong to a group of cell adhesion molecules (CAMs) which is a large group of membrane-bound proteins. They are involved both in cell attachment to the extracellular matrix (ECM) and in signal transduction from the ECM to the cells. They also take part in numerous biological activities, namely extravasation, cell-to-cell adhesion, cell migration, and function as receptors for certain viruses, including adenovirus, echovirus, hantavirus, foot-and-mouth disease, polio virus and severe acute respiratory syndrome-related coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). CAMs also include selectins, cadherins, immunoglobulin superfamily and other molecules, including CD44. Cell adhesion molecules are classified using the CD nomenclature (from 1 to 130). Integrins receive and transmit biochemical and mechanical signals through the cell membrane in both directions. Signals which develop inside the cell lead to conformational changes of the molecule and transmission of integrin into a state which enables ligand binding. The name “integrins” has been coined to denote the function they have maintaining a multicellular organism as a whole. They significantly affect the integrity of the cytoskeleton–ECM connections.
  • 893
  • 04 Aug 2021
Topic Review
Microphthalmia-Associated Transcription Factor
Microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF) is a central player of melanocyte survival, function and development. It belongs to the MiT/TFE family of transcription factors in vertebrates, consisting of four distinct but closely related and evolutionary conserved members, including MITF, transcription factor EB (TFEB), TFE3 and TFEC. Structurally, MITF encodes a basic–helix–loop–helix leucine zipper (bHLH-ZIP) transcription factor, thereby exerting its function by regulating genes involved in cell cycle progression and differentiation, a role sustained throughout the process of melanogenesis and in melanoma.
  • 893
  • 13 Aug 2021
Topic Review
The Plant Response to Mechanical Stress
Mechanical stimuli, together with the corresponding plant perception mechanisms and the finely tuned thigmomorphogenetic response, has been of scientific and practical interest since the mid-17th century. As an emerging field, there are many challenges in the research of mechanical stress. Indeed, studies on different plant species (annual/perennial) and plant organs (stem/root) using different approaches (field, wet lab, and in silico/computational) have delivered insufficient findings that frequently impede the practical application of the acquired knowledge. 
  • 893
  • 21 Feb 2023
Topic Review
Nociceptive TRP Channel
Transient receptor potential (TRP) channels have emerged as key molecular identities in the sensory transduction of pain-producing stimuli. The ability of nociceptors to behave as noxious stimuli detectors relies on the presence of specialized transducing molecules at their peripheral nerve terminals capable of transforming the harmful physical (thermal and mechanical) and chemical stimuli into generator potentials. Upon nerve terminal stimulation, the output signal conveying to the central nervous system depends on the properties of transducer channels which produce generator potentials. Voltage-gated channels subsequently translate it into action potential firing. Nociceptive TRP channels are among the most studied transducer channels expressed in nociceptors and play a pivotal role in the study of pain.
  • 892
  • 09 Feb 2021
Topic Review
Brillouin Spectroscopy
Brillouin spectroscopy has recently gained considerable interest within the biomedical field as an innovative tool to study mechanical properties in biology. The Brillouin effect is based on the inelastic scattering of photons caused by their interaction with thermodynamically driven acoustic modes or phonons and it is highly dependent on the material’s elasticity. Therefore, Brillouin is a contactless, label-free optic approach to elastic and viscoelastic analysis that has enabled unprecedented analysis of ex vivo and in vivo mechanical behavior of several tissues with a micrometric resolution, paving the way to a promising future in clinical diagnosis.
  • 892
  • 20 Aug 2021
Topic Review
Hydroxyapatite in Oral Care Products
Calcium phosphate compounds form the inorganic phases of our mineralised tissues such as bone and teeth, playing an important role in hard tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. In dentistry and oral care products, hydroxyapatite (HA) is a stable and biocompatible calcium phosphate with low solubility being used for various applications such as tooth remineralisation, reduction of tooth sensitivity, oral biofilm control, and tooth whitening. 
  • 892
  • 08 Sep 2021
Topic Review
Tau protein Interaction Partners
Tau protein belongs to the family of microtubule-associated proteins (MAPs) and can influence axonal transport and growth, neuronal polarization, and thus the normal function of neurons and the brain.
  • 892
  • 15 Dec 2021
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