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Topic Review
Electrochemical Methods for Liquid Biopsy
The screening and early diagnosis of diseases are crucial for a patient’s treatment to be successful and to improve their survival rate, especially for cancer. The development of non-invasive analytical methods able to detect the biomarkers of pathologies is a critical point to define a successful treatment and a good outcome. A biopsy is a technique in which tissue samples are taken from the body and examined under a microscope to see if cancer (though the concept is applicable to many other diseases) or abnormal cells are present. Electrochemical methods, such as electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), differential pulse voltammetry (DPV), and cyclic voltammetry (CV), play a crucial role in both the development of biosensors and the evaluation of their performance. These methods are highly valuable approaches in the field of liquid biopsy.
  • 1.3K
  • 18 Oct 2023
Topic Review
A Paraoxonase for All Seasons
Paraoxonases (PON) are a multigene family consisting of three enzymes, PON1, PON2, and PON3, located on human chromosome 7 (7q21.3–22.1). All three PONs have been shown to act as antioxidants and consequently have anti-inflammatory effects in various disease states such as atherosclerosis and cardiovascular diseases.
  • 1.3K
  • 12 Apr 2022
Topic Review
Infrared and Resonance Raman Spectroscopies
Vibrational spectroscopy and in particular, resonance Raman (RR) spectroscopy can provide molecular details on metalloproteins, including those containing multiple cofactors, which are often challenging for other spectroscopies. Due to distinct spectroscopic fingerprints, RR spectroscopy has a unique capacity to monitor simultaneously and independently different metal cofactors that can have particular roles in metalloproteins. These include e.g., (i) different types of hemes, as well as their spin and redox states, (ii) different types of Fe-S clusters, and (iii) bi-metallic center and electron transfer (ET) Fe-S cluster in hydrogenases. IR spectroscopy can provide un-matched molecular details on specific enzymes like hydrogenases that possess catalytic centers coordinated by CO and CN- ligands, which exhibit spectrally well separated IR bands.
  • 1.3K
  • 12 Oct 2021
Topic Review
Resveratrol in Aging COVID-19 Patients
COVID-19 symptoms are highly heterogeneous, and the patient may be asymptomatic or may present with mild to severe or fatal symptoms. Factors, such as age, sex, and comorbidities, are key determinants of illness severity and progression. Aging is accompanied by multiple deficiencies in interferon production by dendritic cells or macrophages in response to viral infections, resulting in dysregulation of inflammatory immune responses and excess oxidative stress. Age-related dysregulation of immune function may cause a more obvious pathophysiological response to SARS-CoV-2 infection in elderly patients and may accelerate the risk of biological aging, even after recovery. Resveratrol is a potent antioxidant with antiviral activity. 
  • 1.3K
  • 14 Sep 2021
Topic Review
Polymer- and Lipid-Based siRNA Nanoparticles
The mechanism of RNA interference (RNAi) could represent a breakthrough in the therapy of all diseases that arise from a gene defect or require the inhibition of a specific gene expression. In particular, small interfering RNA (siRNA) offers an attractive opportunity to achieve a new milestone in the therapy of human diseases.
  • 1.3K
  • 17 Nov 2022
Topic Review
Hydroxy Fatty Acid
Fatty acid esters of hydroxy fatty acids (FAHFAs) are a new class of endogenous lipids with interesting physiological functions in mammals. Despite their structural diversity and links with nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (NRF2) biosynthesis, FAHFAs are less explored as NRF2 activators. 
  • 1.3K
  • 06 Aug 2021
Topic Review
Nucleases and Co-Factors in DNA Replication Stress Responses
DNA replication stress is a constant threat that cells must manage to proliferate and maintain genome integrity. DNA replication stress responses, a subset of the broader DNA damage response (DDR), operate when the DNA replication machinery (replisome) is blocked or replication forks collapse during S phase. There are many sources of replication stress, such as DNA lesions caused by endogenous and exogenous agents including commonly used cancer therapeutics, and difficult-to-replicate DNA sequences comprising fragile sites, G-quadraplex DNA, hairpins at trinucleotide repeats, and telomeres. Replication stress is also a consequence of conflicts between opposing transcription and replication, and oncogenic stress which dysregulates replication origin firing and fork progression. Cells initially respond to replication stress by protecting blocked replisomes, but if the offending problem (e.g., DNA damage) is not bypassed or resolved in a timely manner, forks may be cleaved by nucleases, inducing a DNA double-strand break (DSB) and providing a means to accurately restart stalled forks via homologous recombination. However, DSBs pose their own risks to genome stability if left unrepaired or misrepaired.  
  • 1.3K
  • 29 Mar 2022
Topic Review
Mechanisms of Alcohol-Mediated Toxicity
Alcohol is one of the commonly used drugs. Ethanol, together with its derivatives and metabolites, exhibits diverse direct and indirect toxic effects, which are responsible for damage to many organs. This toxicity depends on many factors, such as dose, gender, associated comorbidities, or genetic predisposition.
  • 1.3K
  • 26 Nov 2021
Topic Review
The Origin of Translation
Extant biology uses RNA to record genetic information and proteins to execute biochemical functions. Nucleotides are translated into amino acids via transfer RNA in the central dogma. tRNA is essential in translation as it connects the codon and the cognate amino acid. Among the three steps in the central dogma, translation is the most important as it bridges the world of nucleic acids and the world of amino acids. In the “RNA world” hypothesis, RNA came first from the primordial environment, recorded the genetic information, and catalyzed fundamental biochemical reactions. Later, RNA alienated the catalytic function of peptides and proteins and released the information storage function to DNA. DNA self-copy, i.e., replication, and DNA-templated RNA polymerization, i.e., transcription, are more intuitive and practicable in prebiotic settings compared to RNA-coded peptide formation. Translation takes place in the endoplasmic reticulum membrane in the cytoplasm with messenger RNA as the template, transfer RNA as the adaptor, and ribosome RNA as the catalytic core. 
  • 1.3K
  • 31 Jan 2023
Topic Review
C-type Lectin CD209L/L-SIGN and CD209/DC-SIGN
COVID-19 pandemic continues to pose a serious threat to global public health with overwhelming worldwide socio-economic disruption. SARS-CoV-2, the viral agent of COVID-19, uses its surface glycoprotein Spike (S) for host cell attachment and entry. The emerging picture of pathogenesis of SARS-CoV-2 demonstrates that S protein, in addition, to ACE2, interacts with the carbohydrate recognition domain (CRD) of C-type lectin receptors, CD209L and CD209. Recognition of CD209L and CD209 which are widely expressed in SARS-CoV-2 target organs can facilitate entry and transmission leading to dysregulation of the host immune response and other major organs including, cardiovascular system. Establishing a comprehensive map of the SARS-CoV-2 interaction with CD209 family proteins, and their roles in transmission and pathogenesis can provide new insights into host-pathogen interaction with implications in therapies and vaccine development. 
  • 1.3K
  • 13 Jan 2021
Topic Review
Tellurium: Its Influence on Organisms
Tellurium (Te) is a member of the chalcogen group, which includes oxygen, sulphur, selenium (Se) and polonium . The first three members of the chalcogen group have crucial functions in biochemistry, biology and medicine, whereas Te is a strange element with no apparent role in biological systems. Moreover, it belongs to the group of very few elements in the Periodic Table that have been almost completely ignored.
  • 1.3K
  • 09 Jul 2021
Topic Review
Chitosans and Nanochitosans
Chitosan displays a dual function, acting as both an active ingredient and/or carrier for pharmaceutical bioactive molecules and metal ions. Its hydroxyl- and amino-reactive groups and acetylation degree can be used to adjust this biopolymer’s physicochemical and pharmacological properties in different forms, including scaffolds, nanoparticles, fibers, sponges, films, and hydrogels, among others. 
  • 1.3K
  • 01 Jul 2022
Topic Review
ADAR-Mediated Site-Specific RNA Editing in Immune-Related Disease
ADAR (Adenosine Deaminases Acting on RNA) proteins are a group of enzymes that play a vital role in RNA editing by converting adenosine to inosine in RNAs. This process is a frequent post-transcriptional event observed in metazoan transcripts. Recent studies indicate widespread dysregulation of ADAR-mediated RNA editing across many immune-related diseases, such as human cancer. 
  • 1.3K
  • 09 Jan 2024
Topic Review
Gap Junctions in Atrial Fibrillation
Atrial fibrillation (AF) represents the most common type of clinical cardiac arrhythmia worldwide and contributes to substantial morbidity, mortality and socioeconomic burden. Aggregating evidence highlights the strong genetic basis of AF. In addition to chromosomal abnormalities, pathogenic mutations in over 50 genes have been causally linked to AF, of which the majority encode ion channels, cardiac structural proteins, transcription factors and gap junction channels. In the heart, gap junctions comprised of connexins (Cxs) form intercellular pathways responsible for electrical coupling and rapid coordinated action potential propagation between adjacent cardiomyocytes. Among the 21 isoforms of connexins already identified in the mammal genomes, 5 isoforms (Cx37, Cx40, Cx43, Cx45 and Cx46) are expressed in human heart. Abnormal electrical coupling between cardiomyocytes caused by structural remodeling of gap junction channels (alterations in connexin distribution and protein levels) has been associated with enhanced susceptibility to AF and recent studies have revealed multiple causative mutations or polymorphisms in 4 isoforms of connexins predisposing to AF.
  • 1.3K
  • 11 Apr 2022
Topic Review
Biotechnological Tools to Develop Abiotic Stress-Tolerant Plants
Biotechnological tools include several methods used for plants to develop tolerance to abiotic stress. The genetic transformation of tomato relies highly on the tissue culture technique. Advances in the field of plant genetic transformation have enabled the identification of genes that are responsible for tolerance to different environmental stresses. Various biotechnological tools can be used to alter the tomato genes so that this species can more rapidly or better adapt to abiotic stress. Further advancement in understanding the genomics of wild relatives of tomatoes and other Solanaceae has facilitated their exploitation in various breeding programs aiming to introgress genes responsible for abiotic stress resistance in cultivars.
  • 1.3K
  • 06 Jan 2023
Topic Review
Innate Immunity to Tick-Borne Pathogens
Tick borne pathogens, such as Anaplasma spp., Ehrlichia spp., Rickettsia spp., Babesia and Theileria sensu stricto species, cause infectious diseases both in animals and humans. Different types of immune effector mechanisms could be induced in hosts by these microorganisms. The components of innate immunity, such as natural killer cells, complement proteins, macrophages, dendritic cells and tumor necrosis factor alpha, cause a rapid and intense protection for the acute phase of infectious diseases. Moreover, the onset of a pro-inflammatory state occurs upon the activation of the inflammasome, a protein scaffold with a key-role in host defense mechanism, regulating the action of caspase-1 and the maturation of interleukin-1β and IL-18 into bioactive molecules. Innate immunity is activated immediately after the infection and inflammasome-mediated changes in the pro-inflammatory cytokines at systemic and intracellular levels can be detected as early as on days 2–5 after tick bite. The knowledge of the innate immunity mechanisms could lead to the development of new methods of emergency diagnosis and prevention of tick-borne infections.
  • 1.3K
  • 18 Dec 2020
Topic Review
CRISPR-Cas9 Genome Editing in GBM
Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is an aggressive malignancy of the brain and spinal cord with a poor life expectancy. The low survivability of GBM patients can be attributed, in part, to its heterogeneity and the presence of multiple genetic alterations causing rapid tumor growth and resistance to conventional therapy. The Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats (CRISPR)-CRISPR associated (Cas) nuclease 9 (CRISPR-Cas9) system is a cost-effective and reliable gene editing technology, which is widely used in cancer research. It leads to novel discoveries of various oncogenes that regulate autophagy, angiogenesis, and invasion and play important role in pathogenesis of various malignancies, including GBM.
  • 1.3K
  • 23 Sep 2021
Topic Review
Mineral Nutrient Biomarkers and Its Applications in Epidemiology
Minerals are dietary supplements that are essential for preserving healthy physiology and function. Mineral elements such as iron (Fe), zinc (Zn), iodine (I), and selenium (Se) are highly valued in modern healthy diets as they have special roles in cellular metabolism. In addition, the oxidative or antioxidant properties of certain metals may affect cardiovascular health, and reduce the risk of anemia, cancer and so on. Therefore, adequate intake of essential minerals through diet and/or supplements is recommended to promote health. 
  • 1.3K
  • 03 Mar 2023
Topic Review
Rumex Species
Today, more than ever, the search for non-trivial sources of biologically active substances is critical. Plants of the genus Rumex are noteworthy. Plants of this genus stand out for a number of advantages from the dominant plant core of meadow phytocenoses of the temperate climatic zone: a short growing season, an intensive increase in biomass, and undemanding growth conditions. In addition, this plant genus is known as a super-producer of secondary phenolic compounds.
  • 1.3K
  • 02 Mar 2022
Topic Review
Human Pluripotent Stem Cell-derived Cardiomyocytes
Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a type of sustained arrhythmia in humans often characterized by devastating alterations to the cardiac conduction system as well as the structure of the atria. AF can lead to decreased cardiac function, heart failure, and other complications. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been shown to play important roles in the cardiovascular system, including AF; however, a large group of lncRNAs is not conserved between mouse and human. Furthermore, AF has complex networks showing variations in mechanisms in different species, making it challenging to utilize conventional animal models to investigate the functional roles and potential therapeutic benefits of lncRNAs for AF. Fortunately, pluripotent stem cell (PSC)-derived cardiomyocytes (CMs) offer a reliable platform to study lncRNA functions in AF because of certain electrophysiological and molecular similarities with native human CMs.
  • 1.3K
  • 27 Oct 2020
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