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Topic Review
Heavy Metals Bioremediation
Cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr) and lead (Pb) are heavy metals that have been classified as priority pollutants in aqueous environment while methane-oxidizing bacteria as a biofilter arguably consume up to 90% of the produced methane in the same aqueous environment before it escapes into the atmosphere. However, the underlying kinetics and active methane oxidizers are poorly understood for the hotspot of epipelon that provides a unique micro-ecosystem containing diversified guild of microorganisms including methane oxidizers for potential bioremediation of heavy metals. In the present study, the Pb2+, Cd2+and Cr6+ bioremediation potential of epipelon biofilm was assessed under both high (120,000 ppm) and near-atmospheric (6 ppm) methane concentrations. Epipelon biofilm demonstrated a high methane oxidation activity following microcosm incubation amended with a high concentration of methane, accompanied by the complete removal of 50 mg L−1 Pb2+ and 50 mg L−1 Cd2+ (14 days) and partial (20%) removal of 50 mg L−1 Cr6+ after 20 days. High methane dose stimulated a faster (144 h earlier) heavy metal removal rate compared to near-atmospheric methane concentrations. DNA-based stable isotope probing (DNA-SIP) following 13CH4 microcosm incubation revealed the growth and activity of different phylotypes of methanotrophs during the methane oxidation and heavy metal removal process. High throughput sequencing of 13C-labelled particulate methane monooxygenase gene pmoA and 16S rRNA genes revealed that the prevalent active methane oxidizers were type I affiliated methanotrophs, i.e., Methylobacter. Type II methanotrophs including Methylosinus and Methylocystis were also labeled only under high methane concentrations. These results suggest that epipelon biofilm can serve as an important micro-environment to alleviate both methane emission and the heavy metal contamination in aqueous ecosystems with constant high methane fluxes.
  • 1.5K
  • 27 Oct 2020
Topic Review
Bone Resorption
Bone resorption, the process by which bone is broken down to liberate products needed by the body’s metabolism, most prominently, but not exclusively, calcium, is incompletely understood.
  • 1.5K
  • 29 Jan 2022
Topic Review
NMR-Based Metabolomics in Metal-Based Drug Research
Thanks to recent advances in analytical technologies and statistical capabilities, the application field of metabolomics has increased significantly. Currently, this approach is used to investigate biological substrates looking for metabolic profile alterations, diseases markers, and drug effects. Due to the low work-up required, high data reproducibility, and high throughput, NMR spectroscopy is an optimal detection technique in metabolomics studies.  The use of NMR-based metabolomic approaches in the investigation of a metal drug action mechanism or for assessing tumour response to anticancer metal agents is a recent, fast-growing tool. Only in recent years has the NMR-based metabolomic approach been extended to investigate the cell metabolic alterations induced by metal-based antitumor drug administration. The future perspectives are even more interesting.  The use of a metabolomics approach was very effective in assessing tumor response to drugs and providing insights into the mechanism of action and resistance. Therefore, metabolomics may open new perspectives into the development of metal-based drugs. In particular, it has been shown that NMR-based in vitro metabolomics is a powerful tool for detecting variations of the cell metabolites induced by the metal drug exposure, thus offering also the possibility of identifying specific markers for in vivo monitoring of tumor responsiveness to anticancer treatments. Moreover, NMR-based metabolomics could also play an important role in clinical trials, preventing or reducing unwanted side effects of metal anticancer drugs by the early detection of metabolic dysfunctions in bio-fluids. 
  • 1.5K
  • 15 Feb 2021
Topic Review
Amperometric Biosensors and Biofuel Cells
Amperometric biosensors and biofuel cells are mostly based on immobilized enzymes or living cells. Among the many oxidoreductases, glucose oxidase (GOx) is used mostly in biosensor design. The same GOx can be well applied for the development of biofuel cells and self-charging capacitors based on the operation of biofuel cells. 
  • 1.5K
  • 24 Aug 2021
Topic Review
Anticancer Properties of Carnosol
Cancer is characterized by unrestricted cell proliferation, inhibition of apoptosis, enhanced invasion and migration, and deregulation of signaling cascades. These properties lead to uncontrolled growth, enhanced survival, and the formation of tumors. Carnosol, a naturally occurring phyto-polyphenol (diterpene) found in rosemary, has been studied for its extensive antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer effects. In cancer cells, carnosol has been demonstrated to inhibit cell proliferation and survival, reduce migration and invasion, and significantly enhance apoptosis. These anticancer effects of carnosol are mediated by the inhibition of several signaling molecules including extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), p38, c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), Akt, mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2). Additionally, carnosol prevents the nuclear translocation of nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB) and promotes apoptosis, as indicated by increased levels of cleaved caspase-3, -8, -9, increased levels of the pro-apoptotic marker Bcl-2-associated X (BAX), and reduced levels of the anti-apoptotic marker B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2).
  • 1.5K
  • 15 Oct 2020
Topic Review
Bile Acids and Microbiota
After their synthesis from cholesterol in hepatic tissues, bile acids (BAs) are secreted into the intes-tinal lumen. Most BAs are subsequently re-absorbed in the terminal ileum and are transported back for recycling to the liver. Some of them, however, reach the colon and change their physico-chemical properties upon modification by gut bacteria, and vice versa, BAs also shape the compo-sition and function of the intestinal microbiota. This mutual interplay of both BAs and gut micro-biota regulates many physiological processes, including the lipid, carbohydrate and energy metab-olism of the host. Emerging evidence also implies an important role of this enterohepatic BA cir-cuit in shaping mucosal colonization resistance as well as local and distant immune responses, tissue physiology and carcinogenesis.
  • 1.5K
  • 20 Feb 2021
Topic Review
Insulin Growth-Factor-Binding Protein 2
Evidence from observational and in vitro studies suggests that insulin growth-factor-binding pro-tein type 2 (IGFBP2) is a promising protein in non-communicable diseases, such as obesity, insulin resistance, metabolic syndrome, or type 2 diabetes. Accordingly, great efforts have been carried out to explore the role of IGFBP2 in obesity state and insulin-related diseases, which it is typically found decreased.
  • 1.5K
  • 28 Jan 2021
Topic Review
JNKs in Development of Disease
c-Jun N-terminal kinases (JNKs) have emerged as suitable therapeutic strategies. In fact, it has been demonstrated that some unspecific JNK inhibitors exert antidiabetic and neuroprotective effects, albeit they usually show high toxicity or lack therapeutic value. In this sense, natural specific JNK inhibitors, such as Licochalcone A, are promising candidates. Nonetheless, research on the understanding of the role of each of the JNKs remains mandatory in order to progress on the identification of new selective JNK isoform inhibitors. In the present review, a summary on the current gathered data on the role of JNKs in pathology is presented, as well as a discussion on their potential role in pathologies like epilepsy and metabolic-cognitive injury. Moreover, data on the effects of synthetic small molecule inhibitors that modulate JNK-dependent pathways in the brain and peripheral tissues is reviewed.
  • 1.5K
  • 23 Oct 2020
Topic Review
Antioxidants and Human Oocyte Mitochondrial
Mitochondria produce adenosine triphosphate (ATP) while also generating high amounts of reactive oxygen species (ROS) derived from oxygen metabolism. ROS are small but highly reactive molecules that can be detrimental if unregulated. While normally functioning mitochondria produce molecules that counteract ROS production, an imbalance between the amount of ROS produced in the mitochondria and the capacity of the cell to counteract them leads to oxidative stress and ultimately to mitochondrial dysfunction. This dysfunction impairs cellular functions through reduced ATP output and/or increased oxidative stress. Mitochondrial dysfunction may also lead to poor oocyte quality and embryo development, ultimately affecting pregnancy outcomes. Improving mitochondrial function through antioxidant supplementation may enhance reproductive performance. Recent studies suggest that antioxidants may treat infertility by restoring mitochondrial function and promoting mitochondrial biogenesis. Antioxidant properties of coenzyme-Q10, resveratrol, melatonin and several vitamins have been evaluated in the human oocyte, although their direct action on mitochondrial function has yet to be elucidated.
  • 1.5K
  • 10 Jan 2021
Topic Review
Gut Microbiome and Lipid Metabolism
Lipids are the major structural constituents of cell membranes.
  • 1.5K
  • 18 Mar 2021
Topic Review
Therapeutic Potential of Intrabodies for Cancer Immunotherapy
Tumor cells are characterized by overexpressed tumor-associated antigens or mutated neoantigens, which are expressed on the cell surface or intracellularly. One strategy of cancer immunotherapy is to target cell-surface-expressed tumor-associated antigens (TAAs) with therapeutic antibodies. Intrabodies are suitable to knockdown TAAs and neoantigens without off-target effects. Intrabodies can now be selected against virtually any protein inside the cell. RNA sequencing and proteome analysis of single tumor cells combined with computational methods is bringing forward the identification of new neoantigens for the selection of anti-cancer intrabodies, which can be easily performed using phage display antibody repertoires. Anti-cancer intrabodies demonstrated tumor growth inhibition in appropriate xenograft tumor mouse models. At the moment, the biggest challenge in translating TAA/neoantigen-directed intrabodies into the clinic is the specific targeting of the intrabodies to the tumor cells. The promising development of tumor-specific lipid nanoparticles which could be embedded with an mRNA transgene or new capsid-modified and tumor-specific recombinant AAVs should enable tumor-cell-specific intrabody transfection/transduction in cancer patients and may finally bring intrabodies into the clinic.
  • 1.5K
  • 02 Sep 2022
Topic Review
Mitochondrial Transporter Protein Families
Mitochondrial carriers facilitate the transfer of small molecules across the inner mitochondrial membrane (IMM) to support mitochondrial function and core cellular processes. In addition to the classical SLC25 (solute carrier family 25) mitochondrial carriers, the past decade has led to the discovery of additional protein families with numerous members that exhibit IMM localization and transporter-like properties. These include mitochondrial pyruvate carriers, sideroflexins, and mitochondrial cation/H+ exchangers. These transport proteins were linked to vital physiological functions and disease.
  • 1.5K
  • 20 Jan 2021
Topic Review
NRF2 Signaling Pathway in Cancer
Nuclear factor-erythroid 2-related factor 2 (NRF2) and its major negative modulator Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (KEAP1) are main players of the cellular defense mechanisms against internal and external cell stressors.
  • 1.5K
  • 26 May 2021
Topic Review
Nrf2 to Maintain Redox Homeostasis in Cardiometabolic Diseases
The transcription factor Nrf2 is a master regulator of multiple cytoprotective genes that maintain redox homeostasis and exert anti-inflammatory functions. The Nrf2-Keap1 signaling pathway is a paramount target of many cardioprotective strategies, because redox homeostasis is essential in cardiovascular health. Nrf2 gene variations, including single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), are correlated with cardiometabolic diseases and drug responses. SNPs of Nrf2, KEAP1, and other related genes can impair the transcriptional activation or the activity of the resulting protein, exerting differential susceptibility to cardiometabolic disease progression and prevalence.
  • 1.5K
  • 21 Mar 2022
Topic Review
The Physiological and Pathological Role of Acyl-CoA Oxidation
Fatty acid metabolism, including β-oxidation (βOX), plays an important role in human physiology and pathology. βOX is an essential process in the energy metabolism of most human cells. Moreover, βOX is also the source of acetyl-CoA, the substrate for (a) ketone bodies synthesis, (b) cholesterol synthesis, (c) phase II detoxication, (d) protein acetylation, and (d) the synthesis of many other compounds, including N-acetylglutamate—an important regulator of urea synthesis. 
  • 1.5K
  • 20 Oct 2023
Topic Review
RNA Polymerase II
Central to the development and survival of all organisms is the regulation of gene expression, which begins with the process of transcription catalyzed by RNA polymerases. During transcription of protein-coding genes, the general transcription factors (GTFs) work alongside RNA polymerase II (Pol II) to assemble the preinitiation complex at the transcription start site, open the promoter DNA, initiate synthesis of the nascent messenger RNA, transition to productive elongation, and ultimately terminate transcription.
  • 1.5K
  • 19 Feb 2024
Topic Review
MTOR Signaling in Cancer
The mammalian or mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway plays a crucial role in regulation of cell survival, metabolism, growth and protein synthesis in response to upstream signals in both normal physiological and pathological conditions, especially in cancer.
  • 1.5K
  • 21 Jan 2022
Topic Review
Anticancer Activity of Aminophenoxazinones
Aminophenoxazinones are degradation products resulting from the metabolism of different plant species, which comprise a family of natural products well known for their pharmacological activities. Aminophenoxazinones are tricyclic structures with double bonds in aromatic systems containing oxygen and nitrogen atom, which facilitates the development of synthetic derivatives to enhance the properties of these molecules. Aminophenoxazinones possess a number of promising properties like anticarcinogenic, antifungal, antiparasitic, antibacterial or antimicrobial activities.
  • 1.5K
  • 17 Jun 2021
Topic Review
Clostridium botulinum
Clostridium botulinum is a Gram-positive, spore-forming, obligate anaerobic bacterium widely distributed in soils, sediments, and aquatic environments. It is best known as the causative agent of botulism, a severe neuroparalytic disease caused by the production of botulinum neurotoxins (BoNTs), among the most potent biological toxins known.
  • 1.5K
  • 23 Sep 2025
Topic Review
Bioluminescence Imaging
Bioluminescence imaging (BLI) is based on the catalytic activity of luciferase enzymes, which oxidize the substrate called luciferin to generate an excited-state molecule that emits bioluminescence.
  • 1.5K
  • 12 Oct 2020
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