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Topic Review
Metformin and Breast Cancer
Interest has grown in studying the possible use of well-known anti-diabetic drugs as anti-cancer agents individually or in combination with, frequently used, chemotherapeutic agents and/or radiation, owing to the fact that diabetes heightens the risk, incidence, and rapid progression of cancers, including breast cancer, in an individual. In this regard, metformin (1, 1-dimethylbiguanide), well known as ‘Glucophage’ among diabetics, was reported to be cancer preventive while also being a potent anti-proliferative and anti-cancer agent. While meta-analysis studies reported a lower risk and incidence of breast cancer among diabetic individuals on a metformin treatment regimen, several in vitro, pre-clinical, and clinical studies reported the efficacy of using metformin individually as an anti-cancer/anti-tumor agent or in combination with chemotherapeutic drugs or radiation in the treatment of different forms of breast cancer. 
  • 714
  • 26 Jul 2021
Topic Review
Nanomedicine for Targeted Endothelium Treatments
The term nanomedicine indicates a specific targeted treatment, which can enhance the delivery of targeted drugs and their bioavailability, as well as reduce the associated toxicity or side-effects and costs, using nanoparticles (NPs). Thus, they constitute specialized carriers with the potential to facilitate the delivery of drugs and efficient molecular targets into desired tissues, such as the endothelium.
  • 713
  • 15 Jul 2022
Topic Review
Rapha-Myr®:Antitumor Agent in Human Astrocytoma
We utilized Rapha Myr®, a novel blend of broccoli seed extract (Brassica Oleracea s.e., Sulforaphane glucosinolate titer 11%) plus active myrosinase, to treat the human astrocytoma cell line (1321N1). Rapha Myr® exhibited low antioxidant capability and exerted antiproliferative and genotoxic effects on 1321N1 cells by blocking the cell cycle, disarranging cytoskeleton structure and focal adhesions, decreasing the integrin α5 expression, renewing anoikis and modulating some important epigenetic pathways independently of the cellular p53 status. In addition, Rapha Myr® suppresses the expression of the oncogenic p53 mutant protein. These findings promote Rapha Myr® as a promising chemotherapeutic agent for integrated cancer therapy of human astrocytoma.
  • 712
  • 28 Apr 2021
Topic Review
Targets for Therapeutic Treatment of Alzheimer’s Disease
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is an adult-onset dementia characterised by progressive neurodegeneration and widespread brain damage, leading to long-term functional and cognitive impairment and greatly reduced life expectancy. While early genetic studies uncovered several polymorphisms associated with AD, more recently genome-wide association analyses and massive sequencing techniques have revealed numerous novel susceptibility genes, differentially expressed genes, and disease traits. Nevertheless, the mechanisms underlying disease onset are still not fully understood and, as with other complex human diseases, the causes of low heritability are unclear. Epigenetic mechanisms, in which changes in gene expression do not depend on changes in genotype, have been postulated as key factors in understanding the development of AD and the processes that influence age-related changes and various neurological diseases. Research on specific mutations in risk genes and epigenetic markers is increasing, enabling the development of therapeutic treatments that target the neuropathological changes associated with AD and, in many cases, are expected to reverse at least some of the cognitive impairment associated with the disease. The application of effective therapies therefore requires a growing understanding of the genetic risk factors and underlying epigenetic mechanisms involved in AD. 
  • 712
  • 23 Dec 2021
Topic Review
Effect of Long-Term Bio-Compost on Soil Microbial Community
High dosages of bio-compost significantly increased the bacterial and fungal richness. The compositions of bacterial and fungal communities were significantly altered by bio-compost addition. Bio-compost addition enriched the relative abundance of beneficial microorganisms (such as Sphingomonas, Acidibacter, Nocardioides, etc.) and reduced the relative abundance of harmful microorganisms (such as Stachybotrys and Aspergillus). Bio-composts altered the soil bacterial-community metabolic function with respect to carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus cycles and fungal community trophic modes. Suitable bio-compost addition is beneficial to the improvement of soil health and crop quality and therefore the sustainability of agriculture.
  • 712
  • 02 Apr 2022
Topic Review
Interaction of Antibiotic Mixing and Temperature
Use of antibiotics for the treatment and prevention of bacterial infections in humans, agri- and aquaculture as well as livestock rearing leads to antibiotic pollution of fresh water and these antibiotics have an impact on free-living bacteria. While we know which antibiotics are most common in natural environments such as rivers and streams, there is considerable uncertainty regarding antibiotics’ interactions with one another and the effect of abiotic factors such as temperature. 
  • 711
  • 27 Dec 2021
Topic Review
Essential Oils Extracted from Apiaceae Family Plants
The importance of antioxidants has gained much attention due to the increase in the prevalence of various non-communicable diseases such as cancer, diabetes mellitus, and cardiovascular diseases, which occur due to excess reactive species. The widespread use of synthetic antioxidants in the food industry has raised concerns about their potential harmful effects on health.
  • 711
  • 07 Mar 2024
Topic Review
Neuroimaging and Mitochondrial Dysfunction
Mitochondrial dysfunction is a pathophysiological hallmark of most neurodegenerative diseases. Several clinical trials targeting mitochondrial dysfunction have been performed with conflicting results. Reliable biomarkers of mitochondrial dysfunction in vivo are thus needed to optimize future clinical trial designs.  Neuroimaging methods could map in vivo changes of oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) and oxidative stress, which are based on various physical phenomena to generate molecule-specific image contrasts. 
  • 709
  • 08 Jul 2022
Topic Review
Allograft Inflammatory Factor-1 in Metazoans
Allograft inflammatory factor-1 (AIF-1) is a calcium-binding scaffold/adaptor protein often associated with inflammatory diseases. Originally cloned from active macrophages in humans and rats, this gene has also been identified in other vertebrates and in several invertebrate species. Among metazoans, AIF-1 protein sequences remain relatively highly conserved. Generally, the highest expression levels of AIF-1 are observed in immunocytes, suggesting that it plays a key role in immunity. In mammals, the expression of AIF-1 has been reported in different cell types such as activated macrophages, microglial cells, and dendritic cells. Its main immunomodulatory role during the inflammatory response has been highlighted. Among invertebrates, AIF-1 is involved in innate immunity, being in many cases upregulated in response to biotic and physical challenges. AIF-1 transcripts result ubiquitously expressed in all examined tissues from invertebrates, suggesting its participation in a variety of biological processes, but its role remains largely unknown. 
  • 708
  • 17 May 2021
Topic Review
The Beta-Globin Locus and the Hemoglobin Switching
Beta-hemoglobinopathies are the most common genetic disorders worldwide, caused by a wide spectrum of mutations in the β-globin locus, and associated with morbidity and early mortality in case of patient non-adherence to supportive treatment. Allogeneic transplantation of hematopoietic stem cells (allo-HSCT) used to be the only curative option, although the indispensable need for an HLA-matched donor markedly restricted its universal application. Hereditary persistence of fetal hemoglobin (HPFH), a syndrome characterized by increased γ-globin levels, when co-inherited with β-thalassemia or SCD, converts hemoglobinopathies to a benign condition with mild clinical phenotype.The evolution of gene therapy approaches made possible the ex vivo delivery of a therapeutic β- or γ- globin gene into patient-derived hematopoietic stem cells followed by the transplantation of corrected cells into myeloablated patients, having led to high rates of transfusion independence (thalassemia) or complete resolution of painful crises (sickle cell disease-SCD).  
  • 707
  • 29 Jun 2023
Topic Review
Bacteria-Mediated Modulatory Strategies for Colorectal Cancer Treatment
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most common tumors worldwide, with a higher rate of distant metastases than other malignancies and with regular occurrence of drug resistance. Therefore, scientists are forced to further develop novel and innovative therapeutic treatment strategies, whereby it has been discovered microorganisms, albeit linked to CRC pathogenesis, are able to act as highly selective CRC treatment agents. Consequently, researchers are increasingly focusing on bacteriotherapy as a novel therapeutic strategy with less or no side effects compared to standard cancer treatment methods. With multiple successful trials making use of various bacteria-associated mechanisms, bacteriotherapy in cancer treatment is on its way to become a promising tool in CRC targeting therapy.
  • 706
  • 25 Apr 2022
Topic Review
Modeling of Neurodegenerative Diseases
Neurodegenerative diseases have acquired the status of one of the leading causes of death in developed countries, which requires creating new model systems capable of accurately reproducing the mechanisms underlying these pathologies. Each model has unique properties that make it the optimal tool for modeling certain aspects of neurodegenerative disorders. It is necessary to combine models into complexes that include organisms and artificial systems of different organizational levels. Such complexes can be organized in two ways. The first method can be described as “step by step”, where each model for studying a certain characteristic is a separate step that allows using the information obtained in the modeling process for the gradual study of increasingly complex processes in subsequent models. The second way is a ‘network’ approach. Studies are carried out with several types of models simultaneously, and experiments with each specific type are adjusted in conformity with the data obtained from other models.
  • 705
  • 18 Jan 2023
Topic Review
Facultative Annual Life Cycles in Seagrasses
Plant species usually have either annual or perennial life cycles, but facultative annual species have annual or perennial populations depending on their environment. In terrestrial angiosperms, facultative annual species are rare, with wild rice being one of the few examples. 
  • 705
  • 19 Sep 2023
Topic Review
Risk Factors of Surgical Morbidity and Mortality
Despite advances in surgical techniques, surgical morbidity and mortality remain important public health problems. Postoperative complications often lead to greater morbidity and mortality, as well as increased length of hospital stay and medical costs. Therefore, a reduction in postoperative complications is particularly important with regard to positive long-term outcomes in patients with cancer. To improve patients’ postoperative prognosis, it is necessary to screen for and focus on modifiable risk factors and their subsequent resolution. It was reported that nutritional status, inflammation and surgical approaches are related to postoperative morbidity and mortality.
  • 704
  • 14 Oct 2022
Topic Review
Clinical Biofluid Assays for Prostate Cancer
Prostate cancer (PCa) is a heterogeneous disease, with a large percentage of prostate tumors being indolent, and with a relatively slow metastatic potential. However, due to the high case numbers, the absolute number of PCa-related deaths is still high. In fact, it causes the second highest number of cancer deaths in American men. As a first step for the diagnosis of PCa, the PSA test has been widely used. However, it has low specificity, which results in a high number of false positives leading to overdiagnosis and overtreatment. Newer derivatives of the original PSA test, including the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved 4K (four kallikreins) and the PHI (Prostate Health Index) blood tests, have higher specificities. Tissue-based PCa tests are problematic as biopsies are invasive and have limited accuracy due to prostate tumor heterogeneity. Liquid biopsies offer a minimally or non-invasive choice for the patients, while providing a more representative reflection of the spatial heterogeneity in the prostate. In addition to the abovementioned blood-based tests, urine is a promising source of PCa biomarkers, offering a supplementary avenue for early detection and improved tumor classification. Four urine-based PCa tests are either FDA- or CLIA-approved: PCA3 (PROGENSA), ExoDX Prostate Intelliscore, MiPS, and SelectMDx.
  • 704
  • 12 Jan 2024
Topic Review
Autophagy in Brief
This comprehensive entry delves into the multifaceted world of autophagy, a cellular process with profound implications for health and disease. Beginning with an exploration of the autophagic machinery, we uncover the intricate roles played by autophagosomes, autophagy-related proteins (ATGs), and lysosomes in maintaining cellular homeostasis. The regulatory mechanisms orchestrating autophagy, from mTOR to cellular stresses and post-translational modifications, are dissected, highlighting the precise control of this essential process. Autophagy's dual nature in health is unraveled, showcasing its role as a protector, eliminating toxic aggregates in neurodegenerative diseases, bolstering immunity, regulating metabolism, and potentially promoting healthy aging. Conversely, its dark side emerges in diseases, where dysregulation contributes to cancer cell survival, neurodegeneration, chronic inflammation, and pathogen exploitation.The therapeutic potential of autophagy is unveiled, as researchers explore autophagy modulators in cancer therapy, neurodegenerative disease treatments, and metabolic disorder management, with a promising avenue for anti-aging interventions. Yet, navigating autophagy's complexities presents challenges: contextual effects, safety concerns, the need for biomarkers, and the integration of autophagy-targeting therapies with existing treatments. In this ever-evolving field, understanding autophagy's intricacies is a captivating journey with far-reaching implications for human health.
  • 704
  • 14 Sep 2023
Topic Review
Antiviral Gene Expression
Influenza A virus (IAV) is a respiratory virus that alone or in combination with secondary bacterial pathogens can contribute to the development of acute pneumonia in persons >65 years of age.
  • 703
  • 01 Dec 2021
Topic Review
Microbiota and Glucidic Metabolism
The global prevalence of overweight and obesity has dramatically increased in the last few decades, with a significant socioeconomic burden. 
  • 703
  • 12 Jul 2023
Topic Review
Epigenetic Mechanisms of Tree Responses to Climatic Changes
Forest trees are complex perennial organisms that are adapted to the local environment as a result of prevailing climate conditions in population history. Because they lead a sedentary lifestyle, plants are exposed to various environmental stimuli, such as changes which can lead to the rapid adjustment or failure of their defence mechanisms. As forests play a crucial role in environmental homeostasis and are the source of many products, it is crucial to estimate the position of forest trees’ plasticity mechanisms in the face of climate change. Fast epigenetic adjustment is the basis for surviving climate fluctuations, however, the question is whether this mechanism will also be efficient if climate fluctuations increase. Epigenetic modifications enable rapid reactions to the inducing stimulus by establishing chromatin patterns and manipulating gene expression without affecting the DNA itself.
  • 699
  • 18 Nov 2022
Topic Review
Extracellular Vesicles from Human Perinatal Stem Cells
The potential of perinatal tissues to provide cellular populations to be used in different applications of regenerative medicine is well established. Efforts of researchers are being addressed regarding the evaluation of cell products (secreted molecules or extracellular vesicles, EVs) to be used as an alternative to cellular infusion. The data regarding the effective recapitulation of most perinatal cells’ properties by their secreted complement point in this direction. EVs secreted from perinatal cells exhibit key therapeutic effects such as tissue repair and regeneration, the suppression of inflammatory responses, immune system modulation, and a variety of other functions. 
  • 697
  • 25 Oct 2023
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