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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.
  • 667
  • 12 Jan 2024
Topic Review
Isookanin Inhibits PGE2-Mediated Angiogenesis
Inflammation is increasingly recognized as a critical mediator of angiogenesis, and unregulated angiogenic responses often involve human diseases. The importance of regulating angiogenesis in inflammatory diseases has been demonstrated through some successful cases of anti-angiogenesis therapies in related diseases, including arthritis, but it has been reported that some synthetic types of antiangiogenic drugs have potential side effects. In recent years, the importance of finding alternative strategies for regulating angiogenesis has begun to attract the attention of researchers. Therefore, identification of natural ingredients used to prevent or treat angiogenesis-related diseases will play a greater role. Isookanin is a phenolic flavonoid presented in Bidens extract, and it has been reported that isookanin possesses some biological properties, including antioxidative and anti-inflammatory effects, anti-diabetic properties, and an ability to inhibit α-amylase. However, its antiangiogenic effects and mechanism thereof have not been studied yet. In this study, our results indicate that isookanin has an effective inhibitory effect on the angiogenic properties of microvascular endothelial cells.
  • 665
  • 02 Aug 2021
Topic Review
Extracellular Non-Coding RNAs as Biomarkers in Cardiovascular Diseases
Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) remain the world’s leading cause of death despite the best available healthcare and therapy. Extracellular non-coding RNAs (Ex-ncRNAs) are a heterogeneous group of RNAs, including small ncRNAs, long ncRNAs (lncRNAs), and circular RNAs (circRNAs), which encompass the majority of the extracellular transcriptome.
  • 665
  • 16 Jan 2023
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).  
  • 664
  • 29 Jun 2023
Topic Review
Epigenome and Epitranscriptome: Potential Resources for Crop Improvement
Crop breeding faces the challenge of increasing food demand, especially under climatic changes. Conventional breeding has relied on genetic diversity by combining alleles to obtain desired traits. In recent years, research on epigenetics and epitranscriptomics has shown that epigenetic and epitranscriptomic diversity provides additional sources for crop breeding and harnessing epigenetic and epitranscriptomic regulation through biotechnologies has great potential for crop improvement.
  • 663
  • 10 Dec 2021
Topic Review
Extracellular Vesicles and Cancer Multidrug Resistance
Cancer multidrug resistance (MDR) is one of the main mechanisms contributing to therapy failure and mortality. Overexpression of drug transporters of the ABC family (ATP-binding cassette) is a major cause of MDR. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are nanoparticles released by most cells of the organism involved in cell–cell communication. Their cargo mainly comprises, proteins, nucleic acids, and lipids, which are transferred from a donor cell to a target cell and lead to phenotypical changes.
  • 663
  • 02 Aug 2023
Topic Review
Terretonin
Endophytic fungi are proving to be an excellent source of chemical entities with unique structures and varied bioactivities. Terretonin (TE) and its structurally related derivatives are a class of meroterpenoids, possessing the same unique tetracyclic core skeleton, which have been reported from the Aspergillus genus.
  • 662
  • 11 Jan 2022
Topic Review
Noxious Alien Plant Species Bidens pilosa
Bidens pilosa L., belonging to the Asteraceae family, is an annual (or biennial) herbaceous plant. The species grows 20–180 cm tall, and the stems are quadrangular with hairy straggling branches. It has alternate leaves with 3–5 pinnate leaflets, which are supported by a petiole (10–70 mm long). The leaflets are broadly ovate, serrate, and 30–70 mm long and 12–18 mm wide. Capitula occur at the end of the main stems and lateral branches and expand 5–12 mm in diameter. Capitula consist of 0–8 ray florets and 35–55 disk florets. The corollas of the ray florets are 7–15 mm long and white–yellow. The ray florets have poorly developed pistils and lack stamens. The disk florets have 3–5 mm long yellow corollas, five stamens, and well-developed 2–3 mm long pistils. Its fruits are black liner cypselae with 2–5 stiff awns of 2–4 mm long. The species often forms thick monospecific stands. 
  • 660
  • 30 Jan 2024
Topic Review
Biomarkers for Alzheimer’s Disease Diagnosis and Progression
Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease characterized by amyloid-β (Aβ) plaque deposition and neurofibrillary tangle accumulation in the brain. Although several studies have been conducted to unravel the complex and interconnected pathophysiology of AD, clinical trial failure rates have been high, and no disease-modifying therapies are presently available. Fluid biomarker discovery for AD is a rapidly expanding field of research aimed at anticipating disease diagnosis and following disease progression over time. Currently, Aβ1–42, phosphorylated tau, and total tau levels in the cerebrospinal fluid are the best-studied fluid biomarkers for AD, but the need for novel, cheap, less-invasive, easily detectable, and more-accessible markers has recently led to the search for new blood-based molecules. 
  • 657
  • 26 Apr 2022
Topic Review
The Genus Eranthis
Despite the limited geographic range of Eranthis plants, it is possible to search for active substances, develop methods for biological and chemical synthesis of the isolated substances, and create a finished therapeutic substance based on them. Seven out of ~14 species found in Asia and parts of Europe have been studied to various degrees. Here, data are presented on the diversity of sets of chromones, furochromones, triterpene saponins, coumarins, and other classes of secondary metabolites of Eranthis species according to the literature. For new compounds—isolated from Eranthis for the first time—structural formulas are also provided. 
  • 657
  • 23 Nov 2023
Topic Review
Impact of Steatotic Liver Grafts for Transplantation
Liver allograft steatosis is a significant risk factor for postoperative graft dysfunction and has been associated with inferior patient and graft survival, particularly in the case of moderate or severe macrovesicular steatosis.
  • 655
  • 25 Jun 2023
Topic Review
Checkpoint Inhibitors in Solid Tumors
The emergence of cancer immunotherapy has already shown some remarkable results, having changed the treatment strategy in clinical practice for solid tumors. Despite these promising long-term responses, patients seem to lack the ability to respond to immune checkpoint inhibitors, thus demonstrating a primary resistance to immunotherapy. Moreover, a significant number of patients who initially respond to treatment eventually acquire resistance to immunotherapy. Both resistance mechanisms are a result of a complex interaction among different molecules, pathways, and cellular processes. Several resistance mechanisms, such as tumor microenvironment modification, autophagy, genetic and epigenetic alterations, tumor mutational burden, neo-antigens, and modulation of gut microbiota have already been identified, while more continue to be uncovered.
  • 651
  • 10 Jun 2021
Topic Review
Protein Phosphatases in Apicomplexa
Apicomplexa correspond to a large and diverse phylum of more than 6000 eukaryotic protozoa that live as obligate parasites in humans and animals. Protein phosphorylation is an ancient-in-origin post-translational modification that is probably universal across phyla. Protein kinases and phosphatases cover between 2% and 4% of a typical eukaryote’s proteome. Unlike protein kinases that catalyze the formation of a covalent bond between a protein substrate and a phosphate group, protein phosphatases catalyze the removal of that phosphate group by hydrolysis.
  • 651
  • 02 Apr 2022
Topic Review
TRP Channels in Cancer
Ion channels play a crucial role in a wide range of biological processes, including cell cycle regulation and cancer progression. In particular, the transient receptor potential (TRP) family of channels has emerged as a promising therapeutic target due to its involvement in several stages of cancer development and dissemination.
  • 651
  • 31 Oct 2023
Topic Review
Endothelial Extracellular Vesicles
Extracellular vesicles (EVs) produced by the endothelial cells mirror the remarkable molecular heterogeneity of their parent cells. Cargo molecules carried by EVs were shown to contribute to the physiological functions of endothelium and may support the plasticity and adaptation of endothelial cells in a paracrine manner. Endothelium-derived vesicles can also contribute to the pathogenesis of cardiovascular disease or can serve as prognostic or diagnostic biomarkers. Finally, endothelium-derived EVs can be used as therapeutic tools to target endothelium for drug delivery or target stromal cells via the endothelial cells.
  • 650
  • 08 Jun 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. 
  • 650
  • 12 Jul 2023
Topic Review
OctoPartenopin
Microorganism resistance to conventional antibiotics represents one of the major global health concerns. This entry focuses on a peptide (OctoPartenopin) extracted from suckers of Octopus vulgaris; bioassay-guided chromatographic fractionation was used to identify this sequence, which holds significant antibacterial activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. OctoPartenopin is encrypted within the calponin sequence and was associated with the high levels of proteolytic activity already reported in octopus arm suckers.
  • 649
  • 13 May 2021
Topic Review
The Nice Ocular MAlignancy Biobank
Ophthalmic malignancies include various rare neoplasms involving the conjunctiva, the uvea, or the periocular area. These tumors are characterized by their scarcity as well as their histological, and sometimes genetic, diversity. Uveal melanoma (UM) is the most common primary intraocular malignancy. UM raises three main challenges highlighting the specificity of ophthalmic malignancies. First, UM is a very rare malignancy with an estimated incidence of 6 cases per million inhabitants. Second, tissue biopsy is not routinely recommended due to the risk of extraocular dissemination. Third, UM is an aggressive cancer because it is estimated that about 50% of patients will experience metastatic spread without any curative treatment available at this stage. These challenges better explain the two main objectives in the creation of a dedicated UM biobank. First, collecting UM samples is essential due to tissue scarcity. Second, large-scale translational research programs based on stored human samples will help to better determine UM pathogenesis with the aim of identifying new biomarkers, allowing for early diagnosis and new targeted treatment modalities. Other periocular malignancies, such as conjunctival melanomas or orbital malignancies, also raise specific concerns. In this context, the number of biobanks worldwide dedicated to ocular malignancies is very limited.
  • 649
  • 04 May 2023
Topic Review
Protein Aggregates and Aggrephagy in Myopathies
A number of muscular disorders are hallmarked by the aggregation of misfolded proteins within muscle fibers. A specialized form of macroautophagy, termed aggrephagy, is designated to remove and degrade protein aggregates. Abnormalities in this pathway are highlighted in a specific muscular disorders.
  • 648
  • 19 Jun 2023
Topic Review
Bisphenol A in Female Rats
Bisphenol A (BPA) exposure is the most prevalent in the environment. Rahman et al. (2021) summarized several confounding factors that may be directly or indirectly related to human BPA exposure and detailed the disparities between scientifically derived safe dosages of BPA and those designated as “safe” by government regulatory agencies. Exposure to BPA during early development has been associated with the prevalence of various cardiometabolic diseases including obesity, metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases.
  • 644
  • 19 Jul 2021
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