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Topic Review
Definition and Characterization of Coronary Calcification
Coronary artery calcification is increasingly prevalent in our patient population. It significantly limits the procedural success of percutaneous coronary intervention and is associated with a higher risk of adverse cardiovascular events both in the short-term and long-term. 
  • 829
  • 03 Jan 2023
Topic Review
The Potential Role of Toll-like Receptors in Schizophrenia
Toll-like receptors (TLRs) are a family of pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) ubiquitously expressed in the human body. They protect the brain and central nervous system from self and foreign antigens/pathogens. The immune response elicited by these receptors culminates in the release of cytokines, chemokines, and interferons causing an inflammatory response, which can be both beneficial and harmful to neurodevelopment. Such changes due to TLRs are shown to be associated with alterations in cognitive functions in various neurodegenerative and psychiatric disorders, and schizophrenia is one such disorder where multiple genetic and environmental factors contribute to alterations associated with TLRs.
  • 827
  • 15 Aug 2023
Topic Review
Thiopurines’ Metabolites and Drug Toxicity
Thiopurines (comprising azathioprine (AZA), 6-mercaptopurine (6-MP), and 6-thioguanine) have been used for over 5 decades in the treatment of a myriad of disorders, including acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), auto-immune hepatitis (AIH), and also in the prophylaxis of rejection in organ transplant recipients. Many questions remain unanswered regarding therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) utility with thiopurines. We performed a systematic review with inclusion of studies evaluating the relationship between thiopurines’ metabolites and drug toxicity. Meta-analysis of mean difference (MD), correlations and odds ratio (OR) was performed. We identified 21,240 records, 72 of which were eligible for meta-analysis. Levels of 6-thioguanine nucleotides (6-TGN) were higher in patients with leukopenia (MD 127.06 pmol/8 × 108 RBC) and gastrointestinal intolerance (MD 201.46 pmol/8 × 108 RBC), and lower in patients with hepatotoxicity (MD −40.6 pmol × 108 RBC). We established a significant correlation between 6-TGN and leukocytes (r = −0.21), neutrophils (r = −0.24) and alanine aminotransferase levels (r = −0.24). OR for leukopenia in patients with elevated 6-TGN was 4.63 (95%CI 2.24;9.57). An optimal cut-off of 135 pmol/8 × 108 RBC for leukopenia was calculated (sensitivity 75.4%; specificity 46.4%). 6-methylmercaptopurine ribonucleotides (6-MMPR) were significantly associated with hepatotoxicity (MD 3241.2 pmol/8 × 108 RBC; OR 4.28; 95%CI 3.20; 5.71). Levels of 6-MMPR measured in the first 8 weeks of treatment were associated with leukopenia. We conclude that TDM could be used to prevent thiopurines’ toxicity. As optimal metabolites level may vary according to indication, physicians may adapt posology to decrease toxicity without compromising efficacy.
  • 826
  • 16 Aug 2020
Topic Review
High-Grade Gliomas
High-grade glioma (HGG)'s treatment development is hampered by (1) the blood–brain barrier (BBB), (2) an infiltrative growth pattern, (3) rapid development of therapeutic resistance, and, in many cases, (4) dose-limiting toxicity due to systemic exposure. Convection-enhanced delivery (CED) has the potential to significantly limit systemic toxicity and increase therapeutic index by directly delivering homogenous drug concentrations to the site of disease.
  • 826
  • 05 May 2021
Topic Review
Lycopene Metabolism, Bioavailability and Immunomodulatory Effects
Lycopene is a carotenoid found commonly in fruits and vegetables such as tomatoes, pink grapefruit and watermelons with non-provitamin A activity. It is the compound responsible for the red coloration of the fruits. It shares the same molecular mass and chemical formula with beta-carotene, but lycopene is an open-polyene chain which lacks the β-ionone ring structure found in beta-carotene. 
  • 824
  • 13 Feb 2023
Topic Review
Pharmacokinetics/Pharmacogenetics in Atypical LAI Antipsychotics
Over the last two decades, pharmacogenetics and pharmacokinetics have been increasingly used in clinical practice in Psychiatry due to the high variability regarding response and side effects of antipsychotic drugs. Specifically, long-acting injectable (LAI) antipsychotics have different pharmacokinetic profile than oral formulations due to their sustained release characteristics. In addition, most of these drugs are metabolized by CYP2D6, whose interindividual genetic variability results in different metabolizer status and, consequently, into different plasma concentrations of the drugs. In this context, there is consistent evidence which supports the use of therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) along with pharmacogenetic tests to improve safety and efficacy of antipsychotic pharmacotherapy. 
  • 823
  • 07 Jul 2021
Topic Review
Synthetic Cathinones and Synthetic Cannabinoids
Novel psychoactive substances (NPS) are compounds of natural and synthetic origin, similar to traditional drugs of abuse. NPS are involved in a contemporary trend whose origin lies in a thinner balance between legitimate therapeutic drug research and legislative control. The contemporary NPS trend resulted from the replacement of MDMA by synthetic cathinones in ‘ecstasy’ during the 2000s. The most common NPS are synthetic cannabinoids and synthetic cathinones. Interestingly, during the last 50 years, these two classes of NPS have been the object of scientific research for a set of health conditions. 
  • 823
  • 06 May 2022
Topic Review
Therapeutic Potential of Fungal Terpenes and Terpenoids
Terpenes and their derivatives comprise a diverse group of natural compounds with versatile medicinal properties. This article elucidates the general characteristics of fungal terpenes and terpenoids, encompassing their structure and biogenesis. The focal point of this work involves a comprehensive overview of these compounds, highlighting their therapeutic properties, mechanisms of action, and potential applications in treating specific skin conditions. Numerous isolated terpenes and terpenoids have demonstrated noteworthy anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial effects, rivalling or surpassing the efficacy of currently employed treatments for inflammation or skin infections. Due to their well-documented antioxidant and anti-cancer attributes, these compounds exhibit promise in both preventing and treating skin cancer. Terpenes and terpenoids sourced from fungi display the capability to inhibit tyrosinase, suggesting potential applications in addressing skin pigmentation disorders and cancers linked to melanogenesis dysfunctions.
  • 821
  • 15 Apr 2024
Topic Review
Seaweed as a Marine Source for Anti-Inflammatory Activity
Inflammation is a defense mechanism of the body in response to harmful stimuli such as pathogens, damaged cells, toxic compounds or radiation. However, chronic inflammation plays an important role in the pathogenesis of a variety of diseases. Marine organisms produce a broad spectrum of bioactive compounds with anti-inflammatory activities. Several are considered as lead compounds for development into drugs. Anti-inflammatory compounds have been extracted from algae, corals, seaweeds and other marine organisms. Seaweed is a popular food source rich in bioactive compounds, polysaccharides, fatty acids, peptides, proteins and vitamins. Seaweeds have several potential therapeutic activities, including anti-bacterial, anti-viral, anti-cancer, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory.
  • 818
  • 18 Oct 2023
Topic Review
Capsaicin in Weight Control
Capsaicin is the main ingredient in chili peppers, responsible for the characteristic “hot” sensation that this spice evokes in the human mouth. Capsaicin is eaten on a daily basis by an estimated quarter of the world‘s population. This is surprising since the same “hot” taste which is found pleasurable by many humans repels most animals. It was posited that the pepper pod uses capsaicin as a chemical weapon to deter herbivores. Indeed, capsaicin is added to bird-feed to keep it safe from squirrels and other rodents.
  • 817
  • 19 Jul 2022
Topic Review
Drug Delivery Systems for Age-Related Macular Degeneration
The number of patients with ocular disorders has increased due to contributing factors such as aging populations, environmental changes, smoking, genetic abnormalities, etc. Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is one of the common ocular disorders which may advance to loss of vision in severe cases. The advanced form of AMD is classified into two types, dry (non-exudative) and wet (exudative) AMD.
  • 817
  • 15 Aug 2023
Topic Review
Enhanced Drug Penetration and Retention in Airway Mucosa
Airway mucus is a complex viscoelastic gel mainly composed of water, glycoproteins, lipids, enzymes, minerals, etc. Among them, glycoprotein is the main factor determining mucus-gel-like rheology. Airway mucus forms a protective barrier by secreting mucin, which represents the absorption barrier, especially for more lipophilic drugs. It rapidly clears the drug from the airways through physiological mucus clearance mechanisms, so the drug does not remain in the lungs or reach the airway epithelial tissue for a long time.
  • 814
  • 08 Nov 2023
Topic Review
Pathophysiology of Takotsubo Syndrome
Takotsubo syndrome (TTS) is a transient dysfunction of the left and/or right ventricle, without the presence of ruptured atherosclerotic plaque, thrombus, dissection of the artery or other condition, which may cause the aforementioned symptoms. The term “tako-tsubo” was first used by Sato et al in 1990 because of the similarities between LV morphologic features and the shape of a ceramic fishing pot used since ancient times in Japan for trapping octopi.
  • 810
  • 07 Sep 2021
Topic Review
Advantages and Mechanisms of Bacteria for Cancer Therapy
Cancer is one of the major diseases that endanger human health. Bacteria is a novel drug delivery system that has shown great potential in cancer therapy because of its tumor-targeting, oncolytic, and immunomodulatory properties.
  • 809
  • 08 Sep 2023
Topic Review
Immunomodulatory of Ginseng
Ginseng, a medicinal plant of the genus Panax, boasts a rich historical record of usage that dates back to the Paleolithic period. This botanical is extensively acknowledged and consumed in Eastern countries for its therapeutic properties, and, in Western countries, it is becoming increasingly popular as a remedy for fatigue and asthenia. 
  • 808
  • 22 May 2023
Topic Review
Natural Polymer Nanofibrous Scaffold
Nanofibrous scaffolds mimicking artificial extracellular matrices provide a natural environment for tissue regeneration owing to their large surface area, high porosity, and appreciable drug loading capacity. Electrospun nanofibrous scaffolds have demonstrated promising potential in bone tissue regeneration using a variety of nanomaterials. Natural and synthetic polymeric nanofibrous scaffolds are extensively inspected to regenerate bone tissue. Bone tissue engineering (BTE) procedures make usage of various scaffolds (e.g., composite scaffolds, nanofibrous scaffolds, porous scaffolds, hydrogel scaffolds) in conjunction with biological materials.
  • 807
  • 17 Oct 2022
Topic Review
TRPA1 Role in Inflammatory Disorders
The transient receptor potential ankyrin 1 (TRPA1), a member of the TRP superfamily of channels, is primarily localized in a subpopulation of primary sensory neurons of the trigeminal, vagal, and dorsal root ganglia, where its activation mediates neurogenic inflammatory responses. The TRPA1 pathway could be a protective mechanism to detect and respond to harmful agents in various pathological conditions, including several inflammatory diseases.
  • 806
  • 09 May 2022
Topic Review
Enhancing Brain Drug Bioavailability in Depression and Anxiety
Depression and anxiety are high incidence and debilitating psychiatric disorders, usually treated by antidepressant or anxiolytic drug administration, respectively. Three main strategies have been used to improve brain drug targeting: the intranasal route of administration, which allows the drug to be directly transported to the brain by neuronal pathways, bypassing the blood–brain barrier and avoiding the hepatic and gastrointestinal metabolism; the use of nanosystems for drug encapsulation, including polymeric and lipidic nanoparticles, nanometric emulsions, and nanogels; and drug molecule functionalization by ligand attachment, such as peptides and polymers. Pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic in vivo studies’ results have shown that intranasal administration can be more efficient in brain targeting than other administration routes, and that the use of nanoformulations and drug functionalization can be quite advantageous in increasing brain–drug bioavailability. These strategies could be the key to future improved therapies for depressive and anxiety disorders.
  • 806
  • 31 Mar 2023
Topic Review
Potential Therapeutic Targets for TNBC Therapy
TNBC exhibits high heterogeneity, which is the major limitation of chemotherapy. Also, TNBC is regarded as an aggressive type of cancer that grows faster and metastasizes to the brain and visceral organs, providing a much shorter average survival time of about 12 months to patients suffering from advanced TNBC. Therefore, the recognition of definitive targets, for providing efficient treatment against TNBC, becomes a noteworthy task.
  • 805
  • 31 May 2022
Topic Review
TG2 in Inflammation and Sepsis
Transglutaminase 2 (TG2) is a crosslinking enzyme that forms a covalent bond between lysine and glutamine. TG2 plays important roles in diverse cellular processes, including extracellular matrix stabilization, cytoskeletal function, cell motility, adhesion, signal transduction, apoptosis, and cell survival.
  • 804
  • 10 Mar 2021
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