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Topic Review
Knee Osteoarthritis
Being the most common musculoskeletal progressive condition, osteoarthritis is an interesting target for research. It is estimated that the prevalence of knee osteoarthritis (OA) among adults 60 years of age or older is approximately 10% in men and 13% in women, making knee OA one of the leading causes of disability in elderly population. Today, we know that osteoarthritis is not a disease characterized by loss of cartilage due to mechanical loading only, but a condition that affects all of the tissues in the joint, causing detectable changes in tissue architecture, its metabolism and function. All of these changes are mediated by a complex and not yet fully researched interplay of proinflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines, chemokines, growth factors and adipokines, all of which can be measured in the serum, synovium and histological samples, potentially serving as biomarkers of disease stage and progression. Another key aspect of disease progression is the epigenome that regulates all the genetic expression through DNA methylation, histone modifications, and mRNA interference. A lot of work has been put into developing non-surgical treatment options to slow down the natural course of osteoarthritis to postpone, or maybe even replace extensive surgeries such as total knee arthroplasty. At the moment, biological treatments such as platelet-rich plasma, bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells and autologous microfragmented adipose tissue containing stromal vascular fraction are ordinarily used. Furthermore, the latter two mentioned cell-based treatment options seem to be the only methods so far that increase the quality of cartilage in osteoarthritis patients. Yet, in the future, gene therapy could potentially become an option for orthopedic patients.
  • 1.1K
  • 26 Oct 2020
Topic Review
5-alpha Reductase Deficiency
5-alpha reductase deficiency is a condition that affects male sexual development before birth and during puberty. People with this condition are genetically male, with one X and one Y chromosome in each cell, and they have male gonads (testes). Their bodies, however, do not produce enough of a hormone called dihydrotestosterone (DHT). DHT has a critical role in male sexual development, and a shortage of this hormone disrupts the formation of the external sex organs before birth.
  • 1.1K
  • 23 Dec 2020
Topic Review
TEK Gene
TEK receptor tyrosine kinase: The TEK gene (also called the TIE2 gene) provides instructions for making a protein called TEK receptor tyrosine kinase.
  • 1.1K
  • 24 Dec 2020
Topic Review
ORC1 Gene
origin recognition complex subunit 1
  • 1.1K
  • 24 Dec 2020
Topic Review
CHD7 Gene
chromodomain helicase DNA binding protein 7
  • 1.1K
  • 24 Dec 2020
Topic Review
Mutations and Health
A gene mutation is a permanent alteration in the DNA sequence that makes up a gene, such that the sequence differs from what is found in most people.  By changing a gene's instructions for making a protein, a mutation can cause the protein to malfunction or to be missing entirely. When a mutation alters a protein that plays a critical role in the body, it can disrupt normal development or cause a medical condition.
  • 1.1K
  • 24 Dec 2020
Topic Review
Chromosome 18
Humans normally have 46 chromosomes in each cell, divided into 23 pairs. Two copies of chromosome 18, one copy inherited from each parent, form one of the pairs.
  • 1.1K
  • 24 Dec 2020
Topic Review
Williams Syndrome
Williams syndrome is a developmental disorder that affects many parts of the body. This condition is characterized by mild to moderate intellectual disability or learning problems, unique personality characteristics, distinctive facial features, and heart and blood vessel (cardiovascular) problems.  
  • 1.1K
  • 24 Dec 2020
Topic Review
Sitosterolemia
Sitosterolemia is a condition in which fatty substances (lipids) from vegetable oils, nuts, and other plant-based foods accumulate in the blood and tissues.
  • 1.1K
  • 25 Dec 2020
Topic Review
Cytogenetic Variability in Festuca (Poaceae)
Polyploidy has played an important evolutionary role in the genus Festuca (Poaceae), and several ploidy levels (ranging from 2n = 2x = 14 to 2n = 12x = 84) have been detected to date. Our understanding of ploidy diversity has greatly improved over the last two decades owing to the usage of flow cytometry (FCM). This valuable method makes it possible to not only estimate the genome size in a large number of individuals and populations but also infer ploidy levels. FCM has been used successfully in Festuca and its use is very useful in detecting a possible overlooked cytogenetic diversity that is generally manifested in the morphological variability exhibited in some of its taxa.
  • 1.1K
  • 18 Feb 2022
Topic Review
SMA-LED
Spinal muscular atrophy with lower extremity predominance (SMA-LED) is characterized by muscle weakness and wasting (atrophy) in the lower limbs, most severely affecting the thigh muscles (quadriceps). (In SMA-LED, the "D" stands for dominant, which refers to the inheritance pattern of this condition.) The loss of nerve cells that control muscle movement (motor neurons) leads to atrophy of the muscles in the lower limbs. Affected individuals often have a waddling or unsteady walk and walk on the balls of their feet. They may have difficulty rising from a seated position and climbing stairs. Some people with SMA-LED also have weakness in upper limb muscles. Joint deformities (contractures) in the hips, knees, feet, and ankles can occur in SMA-LED, and in severe cases are present from birth and can impair walking. Some individuals with this disorder have rigidity of joints (arthrogryposis) in their shoulders, elbows, and hands. In most people with SMA-LED, the muscle problems are apparent in infancy or early childhood; however, about one-quarter of affected individuals do not develop muscle weakness until adulthood. The muscle weakness and related health problems typically do not worsen over time.
  • 1.1K
  • 23 Dec 2020
Topic Review
Epilepsy-aphasia Spectrum
The epilepsy-aphasia spectrum is a group of conditions that have overlapping signs and symptoms. A key feature of these conditions is impairment of language skills (aphasia).
  • 1.1K
  • 25 Dec 2020
Topic Review
Bare Lymphocyte Syndrome Type II
Bare lymphocyte syndrome type II (BLS II) is an inherited disorder of the immune system categorized as a form of combined immunodeficiency (CID). People with BLS II lack virtually all immune protection from bacteria, viruses, and fungi. They are prone to repeated and persistent infections that can be very serious or life-threatening. These infections are often caused by "opportunistic" organisms that ordinarily do not cause illness in people with a normal immune system.
  • 1.1K
  • 24 Dec 2020
Topic Review
Nicolaides-Baraitser Syndrome
Nicolaides-Baraitser syndrome is a condition that affects many body systems. Affected individuals can have a wide variety of signs and symptoms, but the most common are sparse scalp hair, small head size (microcephaly), distinct facial features, short stature, prominent finger joints, unusually short fingers and toes (brachydactyly), recurrent seizures (epilepsy), and moderate to severe intellectual disability with impaired language development.
  • 1.1K
  • 24 Dec 2020
Topic Review
Clock Genes
Inflammation is a common feature of several diseases, including obesity, diabetes and neurodegenerative disorders. Circadian clock genes are expressed and oscillate in many cell types such as macrophages, neurons and pancreatic β cells. During inflammation, these endogenous clocks control the temporal gating of cytokine production, the antioxidant response, chemokine attraction and insulin secretion, among other processes. Deletion of clock genes in macrophages or brain-resident cells induces a higher production of inflammatory cytokines and chemokines, and this is often accompanied by an increased oxidative stress. In the context of obesity and diabetes, a high-fat diet disrupts the function of clock genes in macrophages and in pancreatic β cells, contributing to inflammation and systemic insulin resistance. 
  • 1.1K
  • 07 Jan 2021
Topic Review
MYOC and Glaucoma
MYOC encodes a secretary glycoprotein of 504 amino acids named myocilin. MYOC is the first gene to be linked to juvenile open-angle glaucoma (JOAG) and some forms of adult-onset primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG).
  • 1.1K
  • 02 Feb 2021
Topic Review
Hereditary Angioedema
Hereditary angioedema is a disorder characterized by recurrent episodes of severe swelling (angioedema). The most common areas of the body to develop swelling are the limbs, face, intestinal tract, and airway.
  • 1.1K
  • 23 Dec 2020
Topic Review
CLPB Deficiency
CLPB deficiency is a rare disorder characterized by neurological problems and a shortage of infection-fighting white blood cells (neutropenia). Signs and symptoms of the condition develop by early childhood, and their severity varies widely among affected individuals.
  • 1.1K
  • 24 Dec 2020
Topic Review
Cutis Laxa
Cutis laxa is a disorder of connective tissue, which is the tissue that forms the body's supportive framework. Connective tissue provides structure and strength to the muscles, joints, organs, and skin.
  • 1.1K
  • 24 Dec 2020
Topic Review
Romano-Ward Syndrome
Romano-Ward syndrome is a condition that causes a disruption of the heart's normal rhythm (arrhythmia).
  • 1.1K
  • 27 Jan 2022
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