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Topic Review
Battling Chemoresistance in Cancer
Chemoresistance remains a lethal challenge in the realm of cancer biology and clinics. Various determinants with their modes of action have been reported with clinical implications. However, many patients regrettably die due to chemoresistance-induced failure in treatment.
  • 769
  • 22 Sep 2021
Topic Review
Methodologies for the physico-chemical characterization of biopharmaceuticals
Biopharmaceuticals are medicinal products obtained by biotechnological processes using molecular biology methods, which include proteins, sugars, nucleic acids, cells, tissues, used for therapeutic or diagnostic purposes in vivo. Genetically modified plants, animals, or microorganisms are also potentially used to produce biopharmaceuticals.
  • 769
  • 29 Mar 2022
Topic Review
Metformin in Diabetic and Non-Diabetic Bone Impairment
Metformin is a widely-used anti-diabetic drug in patients with type 2 diabetic mellitus (T2DM) due to its safety and efficacy in clinical. The classic effect of metformin on lowering blood glucose levels is to inhibit liver gluconeogenesis that reduces glucose production as well as increases peripheral glucose utilization. However, the factors such as hyperglycemia, insulin deficiency, reduced serum levels of insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) and osteocalcin, accumulation of advanced glycation end products (AGEs), especially in collagen, microangiopathy, and inflammation reduced bone quality in diabetic patients. However, hyperglycemia, insulin deficiency, reduced levels of insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) and osteocalcin in serum, accumulation of advanced glycation end products (AGEs) in collagen, microangiopathy, and inflammation, reduce bone quality in diabetic patients. Furthermore, the imbalance of AGE/RAGE results in bone fragility via attenuating osteogenesis. Thus, adequate glycemic control by medical intervention is necessary to prevent bone tissue alterations in diabetic patients. Metformin mainly activates adenosine 5′ -monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK), and inhibits mitochondrial respiratory chain complex I in bone metabolism. In addition, metformin increases the expression of transcription factor runt-related transcription factor2 (RUNX2) and Sirtuin protein to regulate related gene expression in bone formation. Until now, there are a lot of preclinical or clinical findings on the application of metformin to promote bone repair. Taken together, metformin is considered as a potential medication for adjuvant therapy in bone metabolic disorders further to its antidiabetic effect. Taken together, as a conventional hypoglycemia drug with multifaceted effects, metformin has been considered a potential adjuvant drug for the treatment of bone metabolic disorders. 
  • 769
  • 01 Nov 2022
Topic Review
Renoprotective Mechanisms of Medicinal Plants
Diabetic nephropathy (DN), also recognized as diabetic kidney disease, is a kidney malfunction caused by diabetes mellitus. A possible contributing factor to the onset of DN is hyperglycemia. Poorly regulated hyperglycemia can damage blood vessel clusters in the kidneys, leading to kidney damage. Its treatment is difficult and expensive because its causes are extremely complex and poorly understood. Extracts from medicinal plants can be an alternative treatment for DN. The bioactive content in medicinal plants inhibits the progression of DN.
  • 769
  • 13 Mar 2023
Topic Review
Elevated Procalcitonin and COVID-19
PCT is a precursor of calcitonin, which is secreted by neuroendocrine cells such as C cells of the thyroid and pancreatic tissues.  PCT plays an important role in the diagnosis of systemic bacterial infection.  Elevated serum PCT levels have also been reported in patients with pulmonary infection. Additionally, the positive feedback between procalcitonin and proinflammatory cytokines subsequently culminates in a severe systemic inflammatory response.  
  • 769
  • 23 Jun 2021
Topic Review
Gluten free diet
The aim of this entry was to assess the effects of a gluten free diet (GFD) in the management of epilepsy in people with coeliac disease (CD) or gluten sensitivity (GS). A systematic approach was used to undertake a literature review. Five electronic databases (PubMed; Scopus; Google Scholar; Cochrane Epilepsy Group specialised register; Cochrane Register of Controlled Trails (CENTRAL) via the Cochrane Register of Online Trials) were searched using predetermined relevant search terms. In total, 668 articles were identified. Duplicates were removed and predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria were applied, and a PRISMA flow chart was produced. Data was extracted using Covidence software. Twelve studies on Epilepsy and CD involving a total of 70 participants were selected for analysis; narrative synthesis was used owing to the small sample sizes in the selected studies. None of the 12 studies meeting inclusion criteria investigated gluten sensitivity and epilepsy. All the included studies support a link between epilepsy and CD. GFD was effective in 44 out of 70 participants across the studies in terms of a reduction of seizures, reduction of antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) or normalisation of EEG pattern. A total of 44 participants showed a reduction in seizures (across eight studies) and complete cessation of seizures was reported in 22 participants. In general, the earlier the GFD is implemented after the onset of seizures, the better the likelihood of the GFD being successful in supporting control of seizures. Mechanisms linking gluten with epilepsy are not fully understood; possible hypotheses include gluten mediated toxicity, immune-induced cortical damage and malabsorption. Evidence suggests the effectiveness of a GFD in supporting the management of epilepsy in patients with CD, although the quality of evidence is low. There appears to be a growing number of neurologists who are prepared to advocate the use of a GFD. A multidisciplinary approaches and further research are recommended. It could be argued that when balancing potential treatments such as AEDs or surgery, a GFD has a low likelihood of harm.
  • 766
  • 25 Sep 2020
Topic Review
Proadrenomedullin in Sepsis/Septic Shock
Sepsis and septic shock represent a leading cause of mortality in the Emergency Department (ED) and in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). For these life-threating conditions, different diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers have been studied. Proadrenomedullin (MR-proADM) is a biomarker that can predict organ damage and the risk of imminent death in patients with septic shock.
  • 765
  • 08 Sep 2021
Topic Review
Neuropeptides Inhibitors for Colorectal Cancer
Neuropeptides are mainly secreted from the human central and peripheral nervous systems. Neuropeptides bind to its cognate rhodopsin-like G-protein coupled receptor (GPCR) and perform various physiological functions. Conventional cancer treatments in clinical practice still present many drawbacks due to the lack of selectivity toward the target cell, drug-resistance, and side-effects, thus pushing for the development of new therapeutic agents and therapies. Recent research suggests that neuropeptides influence cancer cell proliferation, invasion, metastasis, and angiogenesis and, therefore, they could be exploited as a target for novel anticancer therapies. Very recently, targeted approaches that inhibit neuropeptides and their associated receptors are being developed in cancer treatment. 
  • 765
  • 29 Sep 2022
Topic Review
Reporting Bias in COVID-19 mRNA Vaccine Clinical Trials
Relative risk reduction and absolute risk reduction measures in the evaluation of clinical trial data are poorly understood by health professionals and the public. The absence of reported absolute risk reduction in COVID-19 vaccine clinical trials can lead to outcome reporting bias that affects the interpretation of vaccine efficacy. 
  • 765
  • 14 Mar 2024
Topic Review
Pleiotropic Effects of Vitamin D in Inflammatory-Based Diseases
Numerous pleiotropic effects have been reported for vitamin D (vit D) since its discovery a century ago. Today it is well known that in addition to its pivotal role in calcium homeostasis and bone metabolism, vit D has antibacterial, anti-proliferative, immunomodulatory, and anti-inflammatory actions, among other beneficial properties. In the context of inflammatory-based diseases, vit D and its receptor VDR might fulfil their roles as gene regulators through direct gene regulation and epigenetic mechanisms.
  • 762
  • 10 Feb 2023
Topic Review
Use of Letermovir for Cytomegalovirus Prophylaxis
Cytomegalovirus (CMV) reactivation after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant (allo-HSCT) is mainly due to an increase of latent viremia in previously exposed patients. Furthermore, CMV reactivation in this setting has a significant impact on patient survival. Traditional approach to CMV reactivation post allo-HSCT was a pre-emptive treatment with antivirals in the case of increased viremia. A new antiviral compound, letermovir, has been introduced in clinical practice and is deeply changing the common CMV approach. The toxicity profile of letermovir allowed its use in prophylaxes in patients at high risk of CMV reactivation.
  • 762
  • 09 May 2023
Topic Review
Diet-Induced Insulin Resistance
Insulin resistance (IR) is defined as the decreased ability of insulin to insert the glucose transporter (glut4) on the cell membrane facilitating glucose entry into body cells. IR in the hepatocytes is associated with increased de novo lipogenesis and gluconeogenesis, leading to hypertriglyceridemia and hyperglycemia.
  • 761
  • 06 Nov 2023
Topic Review
Single-Cell Analysis of Metallodrugs
Platinum compounds such as cisplatin (cisPt) embody the backbone of combination chemotherapy protocols against advanced lung cancer. However, their efficacy is primarily limited by inherent or acquired platinum resistance, the origin of which has not been fully elucidated yet, although of paramount interest.
  • 758
  • 09 Sep 2021
Topic Review
Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorders
Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders (NMOSD) are a heterogeneous group of monophasic or recurrent autoinflammatory diseases of the central nervous system (CNS).
  • 757
  • 02 Feb 2021
Topic Review
Antidiabetic Properties of Plant Secondary Metabolites
Plants with a general tonic effect, plants containing insulin-like substances, plant purifiers, and plants rich in vitamins, organic acids, and other nutrients have been shown to play an important role in the treatment and prevention of type 2 diabetes mellitus and its complications.
  • 756
  • 19 Jun 2023
Topic Review
Natural Products in Oncology
In recent decades, increasing interest in the use of natural products in anticancer therapy field has been observed, mainly due to unsolved drug-resistance problems. The antitumoral effect of natural compounds involving different signaling pathways and cellular mechanisms has been largely demonstrated in in vitro and in vivo studies. The encapsulation of natural products into different delivery systems may lead to a significant enhancement of their anticancer efficacy by increasing in vivo stability and bioavailability, reducing side adverse effects and improving target-specific activity. More and more studies in the nanomedicine field aim to design nanostructured systems containing natural compounds for new drug delivery tools in anticancer therapies.
  • 755
  • 22 Oct 2020
Topic Review
Pharmacists and Medication Regimen Complexity
Medication regimen complexity (MRC) may influence health outcomes, such as hospitalisation, hospital readmission and medication adherence. Pharmacists have been referred to as health professionals with the opportunity to act on MRC reduction.
  • 755
  • 31 Aug 2021
Topic Review
Advice of Medicine Shortages in Europe
The following recommendations should be considered to handle the issue of drug shortages more effectively in Europe. Since drug shortages do not respect borders and cross-country collaboration would be beneficial for more effective shortage management, a unified European definition and reporting criteria of shortages would be necessary to assure internationally consistent monitoring, reporting, comparisons, responses, and solutions. National authorities across Europe should be aware of shortages through coordinated systems, increasing cross-country transparency, and facilitating solutions in every country. It was a significant step forward in the European Union that in July 2019, the EMA published the “Guidance on detection and notification of shortages of medicinal products for Marketing Authorisation Holders in the Union”. The document contains the effort to facilitate the more uniform reporting and communication of drug shortages and create a harmonization “drug shortage” definition. The document “Good practice guidance for communication to the public on medicines availability issues”contains communication guidelines for the national authorities and the EMA for patients and healthcare professionals.
  • 755
  • 06 Apr 2022
Topic Review
SARS-CoV-2 Peptide Vaccines
Several times during the past two decades, epidemic viral diseases created global challenges. Although many solutions have been proposed to deal with this tight spot, it is still believed that public vaccination represents the most effective strategy to handle it. So far, various kinds of vaccines including protein subunits, virus-like particles, inactivated, live attenuated, viral vectors, RNA, and DNA vaccines have been used in the prevention of COVID-19. Among the various categories of vaccines, peptide vaccines have created a new hope for quick and trustworthy access due to the development of proteomics equipment.
  • 755
  • 14 Jul 2023
Topic Review
Bisphenol A and Obesity
Lines of evidence have shown the embryogenic and transgenerational impact of bisphenol A (BPA), an endocrine-disrupting chemical, on immune-metabolic alterations, inflammation, and oxidative stress, while BPA toxic effects in adult obese mice are still overlooked. Here, we evaluate BPA’s worsening effect on several hepatic maladaptive processes associated to high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obesity in mice. After 12 weeks HFD feeding, C57Bl/6J male mice were exposed daily to BPA (50 μg/kg per os) along with HFD for 3 weeks. Glucose tolerance and lipid metabolism were examined in serum and/or liver. Hepatic oxidative damage (reactive oxygen species, malondialdehyde, antioxidant enzymes), and mitochondrial respiratory capacity were evaluated. Moreover, liver damage progression and inflammatory/immune response were determined by histological and molecular analysis. BPA amplified HFD-induced alteration of key factors involved in glucose and lipid metabolism, liver triglycerides accumulation, and worsened mitochondrial dysfunction by increasing oxidative stress and reducing antioxidant defense. The exacerbation by BPA of hepatic immune-metabolic dysfunction induced by HFD was shown by increased toll-like receptor-4 and its downstream pathways (i.e., NF-kB and NLRP3 inflammasome) amplifying inflammatory cytokine transcription and promoting fibrosis progression.
  • 754
  • 17 Dec 2020
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