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Topic Review
Medium-Temperature CO2 Sorbents
Hydrogen is a promising energy vector, with a high calorific value (122 kJ g−1), which is being considered as the cleanest energy option, with a zero-carbon footprint, since it burns cleanly, giving water as the only product. Therefore, if linked with renewable energy sources and CO2 capture, it allows for decarbonizing a wide range of final sectors of use, providing clean power and heat to transport and stationary applications. Hydrogen is an important raw material of some industrial processes, such as hydrocracking, ammonia synthesis, methanol production, and the manufacture of hydrochloric acid; it is also a reducing agent in the steel industry.
  • 844
  • 21 Jun 2022
Topic Review
Generation of Chemerin Forms
Chemerin is the product of the RARRES2 gene which is secreted as a precursor of 143 amino acids. That precursor is inactive, but proteases from the coagulation and fibrinolytic cascades, as well as from inflammatory reactions, process the C-terminus of chemerin to first activate it and then subsequently inactivate it. Chemerin can signal via two G protein-coupled receptors, chem1 and chem2, as well as be bound to a third non-signaling receptor, CCRL2. Chemerin is produced by the liver and secreted into the circulation as a precursor, but it is also expressed in some tissues where it can be activated locally.
  • 841
  • 31 Aug 2022
Topic Review
Nanozymes in Pesticide Residues and Veterinary Drugs
Food safety issues caused by foodborne pathogens, chemical pollutants, and heavy metals have aroused widespread concern because they are closely related to human health. Nanozyme-based biosensors have excellent characteristics such as high sensitivity, selectivity, and cost-effectiveness and have been used to detect the risk factors in foods. 
  • 839
  • 31 Jan 2023
Topic Review
Periodontal Pathogens and Preterm Birth
In periodontal diseases, pro-inflammatory cytokines and mediators, including IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α and PGE2, were produced in subgingival area and then entered systemic circulation. Some authors identified periodontal disease as the cause of more than 18% of all preterm birth cases. Therefore, there is a significant evidence that periodontal pathogens, its enzymes and toxins can induce inflammation in placental tissues and cells.
  • 838
  • 30 Jun 2021
Topic Review
Auxin's Role in Nitrate-Regulated Plant Growth and Development
As a major component of vital macromolecules such as nucleic acids, amino acids, and chlorophyll, nitrogen is an essential macronutrient for plants. Although nitrogen is one of the most abundant elements in nature, accounting for about 70% of atmospheric gasses, its availability for plant uptake in the soil varies temporally and spatially. Therefore, modern agriculture relies heavily on nitrogen fertilization to maximize crop quality and yield. Auxins are a group of naturally occurring molecules derived from tryptophan, with indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) being the major form of auxin. The biosynthesis of IAA is defined by a two-step metabolic pathway, in which the TAA family of aminotransferases converts tryptophan (Trp) to indole-3-pyruvate (IPA), followed by a YUC flavin monooxygenases-mediated conversion of IPA to IAA. Auxin has extensive regulatory functions in plant development. 
  • 835
  • 10 Jul 2023
Topic Review
Mechanisms of Ferroptosis in Intervertebral Disc Degeneration Therapy
Intervertebral disc degeneration (IVDD) is a common pathological condition responsible for lower back pain, which can significantly increase economic and social burdens. Although considerable efforts have been made to identify potential mechanisms of disc degeneration, the treatment of IVDD is not satisfactory. Ferroptosis, a recently reported form of regulated cell death (RCD), is characterized by iron-dependent lipid peroxidation and has been demonstrated to be responsible for a variety of degenerative diseases. Accumulating evidence suggests that ferroptosis is implicated in IVDD by decreasing viability and increasing extracellular matrix degradation of nucleus pulposus cells, annulus fibrosus cells, or endplate chondrocytes.
  • 834
  • 12 Jan 2023
Topic Review
3D Tumor Spheroid to Model Tumor Microenvironment
The tumor microenvironment (TME) is a complex and dynamic entity composed of malignant and non-malignant cells, including innate and adaptive immune cells, fibroblasts, adipocytes, vascular and lymphatic endothelial cells, pericytes, and the extracellular matrix (ECM).  Both the physical and biochemical features of the tumor microenvironment (TME) play a critical role in promoting the differentiation, proliferation, invasion, and metastasis of cancer cells. It is therefore essential to understand how malignant cells interact and communicate with an assortment of supportive tumor-associated cells including macrophages, fibroblasts, endothelial cells, and other immune cells. To study the complex mechanisms behind cancer progression, 3D spheroid and organoid models are widely in favor because they replicate the stromal environment and multicellular structure present within an in vivo tumor. It provides more precise data about the cell–cell interactions, tumor characteristics, drug discovery, and metabolic profile of cancer cells compared to oversimplified 2D systems and unrepresentative animal models. 
  • 833
  • 01 Mar 2023
Topic Review
Multiple Neurosyphilitic Maladies
Treponema pallidum (Tp) subspecies pallidum causes syphilis, a sexually transmitted disease that infects more than 2.1 million pregnant women every year. Due to its maximum death rates of neonates, augmented risk of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, and continued morbidity particularly in low-income countries as well as in high-income countries, such as Japan, where the rate of cases is increasing at an alarming level in heterosexual men and women, syphilis is a disease of worldwide concern, the disease is still a matter of debate in many low- and high-income countries. The infection has three stages that lead to several complications if left untreated and can lead to many tertiary complications in the brain, eyes, ears, heart, and pregnancy. Principally, the infection is transmitted through sexual contact, exceptionally with blood transfusion and blood products, and transmits vertically from mother to child (Syphilis Transmission from Mother-to-Child (MTCT)) during pregnancy. The Tp spirochete transmits vertically to the fetus, leading to congenital syphilis infections in poorly treated or utterly treated pregnant women, and causes multiple clinical manifestations, including stillbirth and neonatal death, skin and visceral manifestations, and other asymptomatic infections. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), a recently published study estimating the burden of congenital syphilis showed more than half a million (almost 661,000) cases of congenital syphilis in 2016, consequently facing 200,000 stillbirths and neonatal deaths. Congenital syphilis is the second leading cause of preventable stillbirth globally, preceded only by “Malaria”. Neurosyphilis (NS) is also known as the clinical result of infection of the central nervous system by Tp subspecies pallidum. It can evolve at any time and from any stage of syphilis exposure. NS involves all neurological disorders related to nervous system invasion by the Tp and can be seen during the primo-secondary (early NS) or tertiary stages. Importantly, NS has two forms: an early form often strikes the CSF, meninges, and vasculature; the late form hits the brain and spinal cord parenchyma, and in several cases, it goes unnoticed or unidentified, leading to multifarious neurological complications.
  • 829
  • 28 Jun 2022
Topic Review
Zebrafish Research
Zebrafish (Danio rerio) are a versatile and invaluable model organism in scientific research. These small, freshwater fish have gained prominence due to their transparency, rapid development, and genetic tractability. Zebrafish embryos are transparent, allowing researchers to observe developmental processes in real time, making them ideal for studies in developmental biology. Their genetic makeup can be easily manipulated, enabling forward and reverse genetics studies, including the use of advanced techniques like CRISPR-Cas9. Zebrafish have made significant contributions to various research areas, such as neurobiology, where their neural development and behaviors are studied. They are also crucial in disease modeling, including cancer, cardiovascular diseases, and neurodegenerative disorders, providing insights into disease mechanisms and potential therapies. Furthermore, zebrafish play a pivotal role in drug discovery, toxicology, regenerative medicine, and environmental studies. Despite certain limitations, their unique attributes continue to drive breakthroughs in scientific understanding and medical advancements.
  • 829
  • 09 Oct 2023
Topic Review
Implication of Neuroinflammation in Parkinson’s Disease
Parkinson’s disease (PD) is the second most common neurodegenerative disorder after Alzheimer’s disease. It affects about 1% of the population over the age of 60, with the total number of patients exceeding 6.1 million worldwide. As a highly diverse and complex pathology, PD is represented by a plethora of motor symptoms such as tremor, muscle rigidity, bradykinesia, and postural instability. Non-motor symptoms, including cognitive and behavioral impairments, sleep irregularities, sensory and autonomic dysfunction, are also common in PD.
  • 828
  • 19 Dec 2022
Topic Review
B Cells and B-Cell Receptor Signaling
B-cell receptor (BCR) is a B cell hallmark surface complex regulating multiple cellular processes in normal as well as malignant B cells. Igα (CD79a)/Igβ (CD79b) are essential components of BCR that are indispensable for its functionality, signal initiation, and signal transduction. CD79a/CD79b-mediated BCR signaling is required for the survival of normal as well as malignant B cells via a wide signaling network. Studies identified the great complexity of this signaling network and revealed the emerging role of CD79a/CD79b in signal integration.
  • 828
  • 09 Jan 2024
Topic Review
Biological Alterations Underlying Suicidal Behaviour
Suicidal behaviour is a complex, multi-factorial, polygenic and independent mental health problem caused by a combination of alterations and dysfunctions of several biological pathways and disruption of normal mechanisms in brain regions that remain poorly understood and need further investigation to be deciphered. Suicide complexity and unpredictability gained international interest as a field of research. Several studies have been conducted at the neuropathological, inflammatory, genetic, and molecular levels to uncover the triggers behind suicidal behaviour and develop convenient and effective therapeutic or at least preventive procedures.
  • 827
  • 03 Apr 2023
Topic Review
T-2054
Osteoarthritis (OA), a degenerative joint disorder, has been reported as the most common cause of disability worldwide. The production of inflammatory cytokines is the main factor in OA. Previous studies have been reported that obeticholic acid (OCA) and OCA derivatives inhibited the release of proinflammatory cytokines in acute liver failure, but they have not been studied in the progression of OA. In our study, we screened our small synthetic library of OCA derivatives and found T-2054 had anti-inflammatory properties.
  • 826
  • 06 May 2021
Topic Review
Se-Nanoparticles from Bacterial Biotransformation
Selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) are gaining importance in the food and medical fields due to their antibacterial properties. The microbial inhibition of these kinds of particles has been tested in a wide range of Gram (+) and Gram (−) pathogenic bacteria. When SeNPs are synthesized by biological methods, they are called biogenic SeNPs, which have a negative charge caused by their interaction between surface and capping layer (bioorganic material), producing their high stability. 
  • 826
  • 03 Aug 2021
Topic Review
Gastric Stump Cancer after Partial Gastrectomy
Distal gastrectomy for benign gastroduodenal peptic disease has become rare, but it still represents a widely adopted procedure for advanced and, in some countries, even for early distal gastric cancer.
  • 824
  • 25 Mar 2022
Topic Review
TRPC Channels in SOCE Scenario
Transient receptor potential (TRP) proteins form non-selective Ca2+ permeable channels that contribute to the modulation of a number of physiological functions in a variety of cell types. Since the identification of TRP proteins in Drosophila, it is well known that these channels are activated by stimuli that induce PIP2 hydrolysis. The canonical TRP (TRPC) channels have long been suggested to be constituents of the store-operated Ca2+ (SOC) channels; however, none of the TRPC channels generate Ca2+ currents that resemble ICRAC. STIM1 and Orai1 have been identified as the components of the Ca2+ release-activated Ca2+ (CRAC) channels and there is a body of evidence supporting that STIM1 is able to gate Orai1 and TRPC1 in order to mediate non-selective cation currents named ISOC. STIM1 has been found to interact to and activate Orai1 and TRPC1 by different mechanisms and the involvement of TRPC1 in store-operated Ca2+ entry requires both STIM1 and Orai1. In addition to the participation of TRPC1 in the ISOC currents, TRPC1 and other TRPC proteins might play a relevant role modulating Orai1 channel function. 
  • 821
  • 19 May 2021
Topic Review
Promising Phytocompounds for Stroke
Stroke is a serious condition that results from an occlusion of blood vessels that leads to brain damage. Globally, it is the second highest cause of death, and deaths from strokes are higher in older people than in the young. There is a higher rate of cases in urban areas compared to rural due to lifestyle, food, and pollution.
  • 820
  • 31 Oct 2022
Topic Review
Informational Perspective on Evolutionary Theory
Countless informational proposals and models have explored the singular characteristics of biological systems: from the initial choice of information terms in the early days of molecular biology to the current bioinformatic avalanche in this “omic” era. Herein we propose an enlarged informational perspective, grounded on the information flow and coding mechanisms in the living cell, and extended along the complexity growth in the evolutionary process.
  • 819
  • 12 Nov 2021
Topic Review
CDK4/6 Inhibitors’ Resistance Mechanisms
Cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) 4 and its functional homolog CDK6 are two structurally related kinases with biochemical and biological similarities. Despite having few differences in some of their activities, these enzymes are constantly expressed throughout the cell cycle and, with their partners, D-cyclins, are fundamental for integrating mitogenic and antimitogenic extracellular signals, among which stimulating factors, cytokines, cell–cell contacts and other factors are included, representing a boundary between the environment and the cell cycle machinery. The cyclin D-CDK4/6 complex is a driving force that controls the transition from the G1 to the S phases. Also, the INK4 (the cyclin D-CDK4/6 inhibitor molecule) retinoblastoma protein (pRb) pathway regulates cellular proliferation by controlling the G1 to the S cell cycle checkpoint. The dysregulation of this pathway is frequently observed in cancer and contributes to cell cycle progression and persistent growth. CDK4/6 mediates the transition from the G1 phase to the S phase by associating with D-type cyclins and regulating the phosphorylation state of pRb. Unphosphorylated pRb binds and represses the functions of the E2 family (E2F) transcription factors; upon phosphorylation, pRb dissociates from the E2F transcription factors, freeing them to be able to participate in DNA replication and cell division.
  • 817
  • 09 Oct 2023
Topic Review
Questionable Boundaries between Biological Disciplines
Recent and ongoing debates in biology and in the philosophy of biology reveal widespread dissatisfaction with the current definitions or circumscriptions, which are often vague or controversial, of key concepts such as the gene, individual, species, and homology, and even of whole disciplinary fields within the life sciences. To some extent, the long growing awareness of these conceptual issues and the contrasting views defended in their regard can be construed as a symptom of the need to revisit traditional unchallenged partitions between the specialist disciplines within the life sciences. I argue here that the current relationships between anchor disciplines (e.g., developmental biology, evolutionary biology, biology of reproduction) and nomadic concepts wandering between them is worth being explored from a reciprocal perspective, by selecting suitable anchor concepts around which disciplinary fields can flexibly move. Two examples are offered: a generalized anchor concept of generation that may suggests new perspectives on development and reproduction) and a species concept as unit of representation of biological diversity that may lead to a taxonomic pluralism to be managed with suitable adjustments of current nomenclature rules.
  • 815
  • 08 Oct 2021
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