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Topic Review
Circulating Tumor Cells as Precursors of Metastasis
Circulating tumor cells are cancer cells that detach from the primary tumor and enter the bloodstream. These cancer cells in the blood stream eventually result in secondary tumor growth referred to as metastasis. Research on circulating tumor cells is crucial because they can provide valuable insights into cancer progression and treatment response that enhances the patient outcomes. Findings from circulating-tumor-cell-based research can also shed light on cancer metastasis, drug resistance, and tumor evolution, ultimately benefiting the research community by advancing our understanding of cancer biology and guiding the development of innovative treatments. 
  • 350
  • 01 Mar 2024
Topic Review
ENPP2 Methylation in Health and Cancer
Autotaxin (ATX) encoded by Ectonucleotide Pyrophosphatase/Phosphodiesterase 2 (ENPP2) is a key enzyme in Lysophosphatidic Acid (LPA) synthesis implicated in cancer. Although its aberrant expression has been reported, ENPP2 methylation profiles in health and malignancy are not described. We examined in silico the methylation of ENPP2 analyzing publicly available methylome datasets, to identify Differentially Methylated CpGs (DMCs) which were then correlated with expression at gene and isoform levels. Significance indication was set to be FDR corrected p-value < 0.05. Healthy tissues presented methylation in all gene body CGs and lower levels in Promoter Associated (PA) regions, whereas in the majority of the tumors examined (HCC, melanoma, CRC, LC and PC) the methylation pattern was reversed. DMCs identified in the promoter were located in sites recognized by multiple transcription factors, suggesting involvement in gene expression. Alterations in methylation were correlated to an aggressive phenotype in cancer cell lines. In prostate and lung adenocarcinomas, increased methylation of PA CGs was correlated to decreased ENPP2 mRNA expression and to poor prognosis parameters. Collectively, our results corroborate that methylation is an active level of ATX expression regulation in cancer. Our study provides an extended description of the methylation status of ENPP2 in health and cancer and points out specific DMCs of value as prognostic biomarkers. 
  • 349
  • 11 Nov 2021
Topic Review
Secreted Non-Coding RNAs
Non-coding RNAs comprise ribosomal RNAs (rRNAs), transfer RNAs (tRNAs), microRNAs (miRNAs), small interfering RNAs (siRNAs), small nuclear RNAs (snRNAs), small nucleolar RNAs (snoRNAs), PIWI-interacting RNAs (piRNAs), extracellular RNAs (exRNAs), small Cajal body-specific RNAs (scaRNAs), long non-coding RNAs (lncRNA) and circular RNAs (circRNAs). These non-coding RNAs play a crucial role in many biological processes. Moreover, their aberrant expression can lead to cancer initiation, progression, and metastasis, therefore they might be considered as therapeutic targets and attractive tools for diagnosis and prognosis of cancer. Secreted non-coding RNAs play crucial roles during cancer progression and strongly contribute to remodel the tumor microenvironment and the metastatic niche, to enable the formation of a supporting vasculature, the inhibition of tumor recognition by the immune system and, finally, the spreading of tumor cells and metastatization. The full comprehension of the ncRNA-guided networks at the basis of these events is central for the development of novel effective therapies aimed at disrupting the cross-talk between tumor cells and other cell types in the tumor microenvironment; such therapeutic approaches would strongly prompt the immune system to recognize and eliminate tumor cells. At the same time secreted non-coding RNAs also represent powerful biomarkers to be exploited for diagnostic in liquid biopsy and for therapeutic purposes. A comprehensive understanding of the mechanisms of action of secreted ncRNAs in TNBC represents the future challenge, which will allow the widest use of these molecules both as diagnostic tools and as therapeutic targets.
  • 349
  • 10 Feb 2022
Topic Review
METTL3 in Neurophysiological Events
Methyltransferase-like 3 (METTL3) is a typical component of N6-methyladenosine writers that exhibits methyltransferase activity and deposits methyl groups on RNA. Accumulating studies have demonstrated the involvement of METTL3 in the regulation of neuro-physiological and pathological events.
  • 347
  • 27 Apr 2023
Topic Review
Network-Level Examination of Correspondence between Human-Brain and ANN
Artificial neural networks (ANNs) that are heavily inspired by the human brain now achieve human-level performance across multiple task domains. ANNs have thus drawn attention in neuroscience, raising the possibility of providing a framework for understanding the information encoded in the human brain. However, the correspondence between ANNs and the brain cannot be measured directly. They differ in outputs and substrates, neurons vastly outnumber their ANN analogs (i.e., nodes), and the key algorithm responsible for most of modern ANN training (i.e., backpropagation) is likely absent from the brain. Neuroscientists have thus taken a variety of approaches to examine the similarity between the brain and ANNs at multiple levels of their information hierarchy.
  • 347
  • 30 Oct 2023
Topic Review
Dysbiosis and Neurological Conditions
The prevalence of neurological conditions which manifest with chronic pain is increasing globally, where the World Health Organisation has now classified chronic pain as a risk factor for death by suicide. While many chronic pain conditions have a definitive underlying aetiology, non-somatic conditions represent difficult-to-diagnose and difficult-to-treat public health issues. The interaction of the immune system and nervous system has become an important area in understanding the occurrence of neuroinflammation, nociception, peripheral and central sensitisation seen in chronic pain.
  • 346
  • 17 Mar 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.
  • 345
  • 25 Jun 2023
Topic Review
The Relationship between Vitamin D and Estrogens
Vitamin D has a potential role of regulating many cellular functions. The totality of vitamin D transport depends on the activity of vitamin D binding protein (DBP) and albumin in a measure of 85% and 15%, respectively. Vitamin D is found in the free circulating form in percentages ranging from 0.01% to 3%. Both DBP and albumin are synthesized by the liver, and their production is regulated by estrogens, glucocorticoids, and inflammatory cytokines.
  • 345
  • 11 Jul 2023
Topic Review
Metagenomics in Biofouling Research
Biofouling is the growth of organisms on wet surfaces. Biofouling includes micro- (bacteria and unicellular algae) and macrofouling (mussels, barnacles, tube worms, bryozoans, etc.) and is a major problem for industries. However, the settlement and growth of some biofouling species, like oysters and corals, can be desirable. Thus, it is important to understand the process of biofouling in detail. Modern “omic” techniques, such as metabolomics, metagenomics, transcriptomics, and proteomics, provide unique opportunities to study biofouling organisms and communities and investigate their metabolites and environmental interactions.  Because "omics" originate from biomedical research and especially work at the cellular level, the learning curve for work in the environment is steep.  Researchers envision that as use of "omics" techniques especially combining different "omics" to address complex issues like biofouling will be transformational.
  • 344
  • 03 Jul 2023
Topic Review
RAGE as a Novel Biomarker for Prostate Cancer
Prostate cancer (PCa) is a commonly diagnosed cancer among men worldwide. The receptor for advanced glycation end-products (RAGE) has been implicated in driving PCa growth, aggression, and metastasis through the fueling of chronic inflammation in the tumor microenvironment. RAGE expression is strongly tied to PCa progression and can serve as an effective diagnostic target to differentiate between healthy prostate, low-grade PCa, and high-grade PCa, with potential theragnostic applications.
  • 344
  • 23 Oct 2023
Topic Review
In Vitro Culture of Panax ginseng Technologies
The use of in vitro tissue culture for herbal medicines has been recognized as a valuable source of botanical secondary metabolites. The tissue culture of ginseng species is used in the production of bioactive compounds such as phenolics, polysaccharides, and especially ginsenosides, which are utilized in the food, cosmetics, and pharmaceutical industries.
  • 342
  • 28 Sep 2023
Topic Review
Intracellular Functions of Caveolin-1
Caveolin-1 (Cav1) is a protein that exists in many different forms and locations in cells and tissues throughout the body. We can understand more about cell growth, death, and cellular processes by further understanding the structure and function of Cav1. The increasing knowledge of Cav1 and its roles in different organs and disease processes helps delineate its potential use in the development of treatments and therapies.
  • 341
  • 17 Nov 2023
Topic Review
Botulinum Neurotoxins beyond Neurons
Numerous studies have highlighted the significant use of botulinum neurotoxins (BoNTs) in the human therapy of various motor and autonomic disorders. The therapeutic action is exerted with the selective cleavage of specific sites of the SNARE’s protein complex, which plays a key role in the vesicular neuroexocytosis which is responsible for neural transmission. The primary target of the BoNTs’ action is the peripheral neuromuscular junction (NMJ), where, by blocking cholinergic neurons releasing acetylcholine (ACh), they interfere with neural transmission. A great deal of experimental evidence has demonstrated that BoNTs are also effective in blocking the release of other neurotransmitters or neuromodulators, such as glutamate, substance-P, and CGRP, and they can interfere with the function of glial cells, both at the peripheral and central level.
  • 339
  • 31 Oct 2022
Topic Review
Modulation of Gut Microbiome for Auditory Disorders
The gut microbiome has been shown to play a pivotal role in health and disease. Recently, there has been increased interest within the auditory community to explore the role of the gut microbiome in the auditory system and its implications for hearing disorders such as sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL), otitis media, and tinnitus. Studies have suggested that modulating the gut microbiome using probiotics as well as with diets high in monounsaturated and omega-3 fatty acids is associated with a reduction in inflammation prevalence in auditory disorders. 
  • 339
  • 30 Oct 2023
Topic Review
Pathogenic Impact of FABP in Parkinson’s Disease
Parkinson’s disease is a neurodegenerative condition characterized by motor dysfunction resulting from the degeneration of dopamine-producing neurons in the midbrain. This dopamine deficiency gives rise to a spectrum of movement-related symptoms, including tremors, rigidity, and bradykinesia. While the precise etiology of Parkinson’s disease remains elusive, genetic mutations, protein aggregation, inflammatory processes, and oxidative stress are believed to contribute to its development. In this context, fatty acid-binding proteins (FABPs) in the central nervous system, FABP3, FABP5, and FABP7, impact α-synuclein aggregation, neurotoxicity, and neuroinflammation. These FABPs accumulate in mitochondria during neurodegeneration, disrupting their membrane potential and homeostasis. In particular, FABP3, abundant in nigrostriatal dopaminergic neurons, is responsible for α-synuclein propagation into neurons and intracellular accumulation, affecting the loss of mesencephalic tyrosine hydroxylase protein, a rate-limiting enzyme of dopamine biosynthesis.
  • 339
  • 15 Dec 2023
Topic Review
Diversity and Distribution of Sturgeon Parasites
Sturgeon species have inhabited the world’s seas and rivers for more than 200 million years and hold significant taxonomic significance, representing a strong conservation interest in aquatic biodiversity as well as in the economic sector, as their meat and eggs (caviar) are highly valuable goods. Currently, sturgeon products and byproducts can be legally obtained from aquaculture as a sustainable source. Intensive farming practices are accompanied by parasitic infestations, while several groups of parasites have a significant impact on both wild and farmed sturgeons.
  • 339
  • 13 Mar 2024
Topic Review
Status of Cardiovascular Inflammatory Diseases
The diagnosis of myocardial injury inflammatory lesions is a difficult and challenging task, and despite various imaging modalities, myocardial injury inflammatory lesions are still a diagnosis of exclusion. Currently, endomyocardial biopsy (EMB) combined with genomics and immunohistochemistry can be used to evaluate myocardial inflammatory lesions in clinical practice. However, due to its invasiveness, sampling variability, limited spatial information, and low clinical implementation, it is difficult to apply in clinical practice and has great limitations. For inflammatory lesions of myocardium injury, clinical treatment strategies are supportive treatment or treatment of the primary underlying diseases, which are focused on delaying the disease process, are unable to reverse and repair the myocardial injury, and have limited effects on reducing morbidity and mortality. Therefore, it is of clinical urgency to actively seek effective treatment methods for myocardial injury and inflammation.
  • 337
  • 24 Apr 2022
Topic Review
GJB2 Missense Variants
The GJB2 gene is the most common gene responsible for hearing loss (HL) worldwide, and missense variants are the most abundant type. GJB2 pathogenic missense variants cause nonsyndromic HL (autosomal recessive and dominant) and syndromic HL combined with skin diseases.
  • 337
  • 08 May 2023
Topic Review
Circular RNAs Modulate Cancer Hallmark and Molecular Pathways
Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are noncoding products of backsplicing of pre-mRNAs which have been established to possess potent biological functions. Due to their circular nature, the are characterized by high stability. Dysregulated circRNA expression has been linked to diseases including different types of cancer.
  • 336
  • 10 Mar 2022
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. 
  • 336
  • 12 Jul 2023
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