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Topic Review
Gene Expression of Wistar Rats after REM Sleep
Sleep is essential for the survival of most living beings. Numerous researchers have identified a series of genes that are thought to regulate “sleep-state” or the “deprived state”. As sleep has a significant effect on physiology, lack of total sleep, or particularly rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, for a prolonged period would have a profound impact on various body tissues.  REM sleep deprivation affected a total of 652 genes in the brain and 426 genes in the liver. Only 23 genes were affected commonly, 10 oppositely, and 13 similarly across brain and liver tissue. Nine-day REM sleep deprivation differentially affects genes and processes in the brain and liver of rats.
  • 581
  • 11 Sep 2023
Topic Review
Potassium Binders for Optimizing Therapies in Heart Failure
Heart failure (HF) is a worrisome cardiac pandemic with a negative prognostic impact on the overall survival of individuals. International guidelines recommend up-titration of standardized therapies in order to reduce symptoms, hospitalization rates, and cardiac death. Hyperkalemia (HK) has been identified in 3–18% of HF patients from randomized controlled trials and over 25% of HF patients in the “real world” setting. Pharmacological treatments and/or cardio-renal syndrome, as well as chronic kidney disease may be responsible for HK in HF patients. These conditions can prevent the upgrade of pharmacological treatments, thus, negatively impacting on the overall prognosis of patients. Potassium binders may be the best option in patients with HK in order to reduce serum concentrations of K+ and to promote correct upgrades of therapies.
  • 578
  • 16 Aug 2022
Topic Review
Systems Immunology Approach for Tumor Microenvironment
The tumor microenvironment (TME) is a complex and dynamic system that plays a critical role in cancer development and progression. It consists of a variety of cell types, including cancer cells, immune cells, and stromal cells (fibroblasts and endothelial cells), as well as extracellular matrix components and signaling molecules.
  • 576
  • 08 Aug 2023
Topic Review
Oxidative Stress and Bio-Regulation
Reactive oxygen species (ROS) and free radicals work to maintain homeostasis in the body, but their excessive production causes damage to the organism. The human body is composed of a variety of cells totaling over 60 trillion cells. Each cell performs different functions and has a unique lifespan. The lifespan of cells is preprogrammed in their genes, and the death of cells that have reached the end of their lifespan is called apoptosis. This is contrary to necrosis, which is the premature death of cells brought about by physical or scientific forces. Each species has its own unique lifespan, which in humans is estimated to be up to 120 years. Elucidating the mechanism of the death of a single cell will lead to a better understanding of human death, and, conversely, the death of a single cell will lead to exploring the mechanisms of life. In this sense, research on active oxygen and free radicals, which are implicated in biological disorders and homeostasis, requires an understanding of both the physicochemical as well as the biochemical aspects. Based on the discussion above, it is clear to see that active oxygen and free radicals have dual functions of both injuring and facilitating homeostasis in living organisms.
  • 576
  • 27 Mar 2024
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.
  • 575
  • 31 Oct 2022
Topic Review
Molecular Diagnostic Tools against SARS-CoV-2 in Poland
The most effective way to stop the spread of COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) is to detect severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and isolate those infected as soon as possible. More than 1000 types of molecular and antigen-based immunoassay tests to detect SARS-CoV-2 are commercially available worldwide.
  • 573
  • 03 Jan 2023
Topic Review
Monocytes in Tumorigenesis and Tumor Immunotherapy
Monocytes are highly plastic innate immune cells that display significant heterogeneity during homeostasis, inflammation, and tumorigenesis. Tumor-induced systemic and local microenvironmental changes influence the phenotype, differentiation, and distribution of monocytes. Meanwhile, monocytes and their related cell subsets perform an important regulatory role in the development of many cancers by affecting tumor growth or metastasis. Thanks to recent advances in single-cell technologies, the nature of monocyte heterogeneity and subset-specific functions have become increasingly clear, making it possible to systematically analyze subset-specific roles of monocytes in tumorigenesis.
  • 573
  • 03 Jul 2023
Topic Review
Mitochondrial Neurodegenerative Diseases
Neurodegenerative diseases are characterized by the progressive degeneration of nerve cells. Some neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s are caused by disorders in the mitochondria, which are organelles present in the eukaryotic cells of animals, plants and fungi, and their function is to produce energy.
  • 571
  • 19 Jul 2023
Topic Review
Apoptosis in Brief
Apoptosis, or programmed cell death, is a vital biological process crucial for tissue balance, embryonic development, and removing damaged cells. Discovered in the 1970s, it has been extensively researched, revealing intricate molecular pathways. This research explores apoptosis comprehensively, focusing on its roles in tissue maintenance, embryogenesis, and disease. It delves into molecular mechanisms, regulatory proteins, and implications for conditions like cancer and neurodegenerative disorders. Additionally, it highlights apoptosis's pivotal role in immunology, shaping the adaptive immune response. Understanding apoptosis offers valuable insights into various fields of biology and medicine, promising therapeutic advancements and deeper comprehension of life's intricacies.
  • 570
  • 13 Sep 2023
Topic Review
Pathogenesis of FGF23-Related Hypophosphatemic Diseases
Since phosphate is indispensable for skeletal mineralization, chronic hypophosphatemia causes rickets and osteomalacia. Fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23), which is mainly produced by osteocytes in bone, functions as the central regulator of phosphate metabolism by increasing the renal excretion of phosphate and suppressing the production of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D. The excessive action of FGF23 results in hypophosphatemic diseases, which include a number of genetic disorders such as X-linked hypophosphatemic rickets (XLH) and tumor-induced osteomalacia (TIO). Phosphate-regulating gene homologous to endopeptidase on the X chromosome (PHEX), dentin matrix protein 1 (DMP1), ectonucleotide pyrophosphatase phosphodiesterase-1, and family with sequence similarity 20c, the inactivating variants of which are responsible for FGF23-related hereditary rickets/osteomalacia, are highly expressed in osteocytes, similar to FGF23, suggesting that they are local negative regulators of FGF23. Autosomal dominant hypophosphatemic rickets (ADHR) is caused by cleavage-resistant variants of FGF23, and iron deficiency increases serum levels of FGF23 and the manifestation of symptoms in ADHR. Enhanced FGF receptor (FGFR) signaling in osteocytes is suggested to be involved in the overproduction of FGF23 in XLH and autosomal recessive hypophosphatemic rickets type 1, which are caused by the inactivation of PHEX and DMP1, respectively. TIO is caused by the overproduction of FGF23 by phosphaturic tumors, which are often positive for FGFR. FGF23-related hypophosphatemia may also be associated with McCune-Albright syndrome, linear sebaceous nevus syndrome, and the intravenous administration of iron. 
  • 568
  • 09 Aug 2022
Topic Review
Aquaporins in Astrocytes
Astrocytes have distinctive morphological and functional characteristics, and are found throughout the central nervous system. Astrocytes are now known to be far more than just housekeeping cells in the brain. Their functions include contributing to the formation of the blood–brain barrier, physically and metabolically supporting and communicating with neurons, regulating the formation and functions of synapses, and maintaining water homeostasis and the microenvironment in the brain. Aquaporins (AQPs) are transmembrane proteins responsible for fast water movement across cell membranes. Various subtypes of AQPs (AQP1, AQP3, AQP4, AQP5, AQP8 and AQP9) have been reported to be expressed in astrocytes, and the expressions and subcellular localizations of AQPs in astrocytes are highly correlated with both their physiological and pathophysiological functions.
  • 567
  • 02 Sep 2022
Topic Review
Fertility Preservation in Transgender Men Patients
Fertility preservation (FP) is becoming a critical issue in transgender men who desire biological offspring in the future. The prevalence of transgender individuals in the United States is increasing, and as a result, the demand for gender-affirming surgeries (GAS) and associated FP techniques is rising.
  • 564
  • 08 Jun 2023
Topic Review
Lipid Peroxidation Assays
This research comprehensively explores the techniques for evaluating lipid peroxidation, a critical process in oxidative stress implicated in various diseases. Direct methods, including TBARS assay, HPLC-based analyses, GC-MS, EPR spectroscopy, and mass spectrometry imaging, offer precise quantification of lipid peroxidation products. Indirect methods, such as LOOH assays, conjugated dienes assays, F2-isoprostane assays, antioxidant capacity assays, and EMSA, provide insights into downstream effects and antioxidant responses. Balancing specificity and accessibility, these methods collectively advance our understanding of lipid peroxidation's role in health and disease. Integrating these techniques with emerging technologies promises to drive further innovation and therapeutic discoveries in oxidative stress-related conditions.
  • 564
  • 11 Sep 2023
Topic Review
Large-Scale Transcriptomes from Multiple Cancer Types
Various abnormalities of transcriptional regulation revealed by RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) have been reported in cancers. However, strategies to integrate multi-modal information from RNA-seq, which would help uncover more disease mechanisms, are still limited. Here, we present PipeOne, a cross-platform one-stop analysis workflow for large-scale transcriptome data. It was developed based on Nextflow, a reproducible workflow management system. PipeOne is composed of three modules, data processing and feature matrices construction, disease feature prioritization, and disease subtyping. It first integrates eight different tools to extract different information from RNA-seq data, and then used random forest algorithm to study and stratify patients according to evidences from multiple-modal information. Its application in five cancers (colon, liver, kidney, stomach, or thyroid; total samples n = 2024) identified various dysregulated key features (such as PVT1 expression and ABI3BP alternative splicing) and pathways (especially liver and kidney dysfunction) shared by multiple cancers. Furthermore, we demonstrated clinically-relevant patient subtypes in four of five cancers, with most subtypes characterized by distinct driver somatic mutations, such as TP53, TTN, BRAF, HRAS, MET, KMT2D, and KMT2C mutations. Importantly, these subtyping results were frequently contributed by dysregulated biological processes, such as ribosome biogenesis, RNA binding, and mitochondria functions. PipeOne is efficient and accurate in studying different cancer types to reveal the specificity and cross-cancer contributing factors of each cancer.It could be easily applied to other diseases and is available at GitHub. 
  • 560
  • 29 Mar 2022
Topic Review
Molecular Mechanisms of Prostate Cancer Development
Prostate cancer (PCa) is characterized by various genomic alterations that play a pivotal role in carcinogenesis. Efforts in precision medicine aimed at improving diagnosis, prevention, and surveillance based on genetic alterations are advancing. Notably, no tumor markers surpass prostate-specific antigen in specificity, and existing treatments primarily target the androgen receptor axis, with exceptions for patients with alterations in homologous recombination repair-related genes, such as BRCA1/2 and ATM, who may benefit from poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase inhibitors.
  • 560
  • 28 Feb 2024
Topic Review
Animal Models of Rheumatoid Arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA), a global health concern affecting millions, has prompted extensive research using animal models to develop effective treatments. Among these models, Adjuvant-Induced Arthritis (AIA) and Pristane-Induced Arthritis (PIA) have gained prominence. In part 2 of this series, the unique features, advantages, and limitations of AIA and PIA  were described. These models provide valuable insights into RA but also have specific constraints. By understanding their characteristics and drawbacks, their crucial role in advancing RA research and facilitating the discovery of novel therapies for this debilitating autoimmune disorder were emphasizes, which continues to challenge healthcare worldwide.
  • 559
  • 08 Sep 2023
Topic Review
Epigenetic Crosstalk within the Microvascular Unit
Epigenetic changes might be classified into three main categories: (i) DNA chemical modifications (e.g., DNA methylation); (ii) histone tails post-translational modifications; (iii) gene expression regulation by noncoding RNAs (e.g., microRNAs (miRNAs), PIWI-interacting RNAs, endogenous short interfering RNAs, long noncoding RNAs). DNA methylation consists of the binding of a methyl group to the 5′ region of a cytosine of the cytosine–guanine dinucleotide (CpG), defined as a CpG island. CpG methylation functionally suppresses gene transcription and is mediated by DNA methyltransferases (DNMTs). In addition to DNA methylation, DNA hydroxymethylation (i.e., the binding of a methyl group to the 5′ cytosine of a CpG island) has recently been discovered to be an epigenetic marker involved in the methylation reprogramming. However, its precise biological meaning still needs further investigation. Histone tails post-translational modifications include methylation, acetylation, ubiquitination and phosphorylation. They come as specific clustered patterns, allowing for the hyperexpression of genes by opening the chromatin, or vice versa. The main enzymes regulating these processes are histone acetyltransferases, deacetylases, methyltransferases and demethylases. While acetylation is, overall, a chromatin opening modification, the effect of methylation depends on the methylated residue and the number of methylations. Finally, noncoding RNAs are involved in transcriptional and post-transcriptional regulations. In particular, based on their size, they can be further classified into small noncoding RNA (<200 nucleotides), including miRNAs, PIWI-interacting RNAs and endogenous short interfering RNAs, and long noncoding RNAs (200–2000 nucleotides). Their potential pathogenetic role might indicate their targeting as a promising therapeutic strategy.
  • 555
  • 15 Mar 2023
Topic Review
Krüppel-like Factor 10 for Prognostic and Predictive Biomarker
Despite recent improvement in chemotherapy regimens for pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PDAC), the clinical outcomes are still unsatisfactory compared to other solid tumors. Radiotherapy was demonstrated to improve locoregional control of PDAC; however, the survival benefit of radiotherapy in localized PDAC is undefined due to early distant progression in the majority of patients. Upfront chemotherapy for localized PDAC was suggested recently to avoid radical local therapy for patients of localized PDAC high risk of distant metastasis. Potential tissue biomarkers were developed to select PDAC patients who will benefit from local radiotherapy. 
  • 555
  • 29 Dec 2023
Topic Review
Mitochondrial Phenotype in Obesity and Insulin Resistance
African Americans (AA) are disproportionately burdened by metabolic diseases. While largely unexplored between Caucasian (C) and AA, differences in mitochondrial bioenergetics may provide crucial insight to mechanisms for increased susceptibility to metabolic diseases. AA display lower total energy expenditure and resting metabolic rate compared to C, but paradoxically have a higher amount of skeletal muscle mass, suggestive of inherent energetic efficiency differences between these races.
  • 554
  • 01 Jul 2022
Topic Review
HDAC Inhibitors as Antiparasitic Agents
Ongoing therapy for human parasite infections has a few known drugs but with serious side effects and the problem of drug resistance, impelling us to discover novel drug candidates with newer mechanisms of action. Universally, this has boosted the research in the design and development of novel medicinal agents as antiparasitic drugs with a novel mode of action. Histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACis) are used in a vast variety of diseases due to their anti-inflammatory properties. Drug repurposing strategies have already approved HDACis as cancer therapeutics and are now under investigation for many parasitic infections. Along with the expression of the gene, histone deacetylase (HDAC) enzymes also act as a slice of great multi-subunit complexes, targeting many non-histones, changing systemic and cellular levels signaling, and producing different cell-based specified effects. Zinc (Zn2+)- and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+)-dependent HDACs of parasites play pivotal roles in the alteration of gene expression of parasites. Some of them are already known to be responsible for the survival of several parasites under odd circumstances; thus, targeting them for therapeutic interventions will be novel for potential antiparasitic targets. 
  • 554
  • 25 Jan 2024
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