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Topic Review
Stem Cell Therapy for Infertility
Stem cells are a subtype of cells that remain in undifferentiated form in embryos and in adult tissues and can self-renew and differentiate as and when required. Stem cells in differentiated organs contribute to the restoration of function through organ damage repair. According to their origin, stem cells are classified as embryonic stem cells (ESC), adult stem cells (includes mesenchymal stem cells MSC), induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC), spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs), and ovarian stem cells. Stem Cells can be applicable for several disorders including infertility both in male and female.
  • 1.7K
  • 22 Jul 2021
Topic Review
Substantia Nigra Imaging in Parkinson
Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder, characterized by motor and non-motor symptoms due to the degeneration of the pars compacta of the substantia nigra (SNc) with dopaminergic denervation of the striatum. Although the diagnosis of PD is principally based on a clinical assessment, great efforts have been expended over the past two decades to evaluate reliable biomarkers for PD. Among these biomarkers, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-based biomarkers may play a key role. Conventional MRI sequences are considered by many in the field to have low sensitivity, while advanced pulse sequences and ultra-high-field MRI techniques have brought many advantages, particularly regarding the study of brainstem and subcortical structures. Nowadays, nigrosome imaging, neuromelanine-sensitive sequences, iron-sensitive sequences, and advanced diffusion weighted imaging techniques afford new insights to the non-invasive study of the SNc. 
  • 1.6K
  • 07 Sep 2023
Topic Review
Healthy Benefits of Hylocereus Species
The dragon fruit of pitaya is a rustic fruit belonging to the Cactaceae family, the genus Hylocereus. It is known as dragon fruit due to the presence of bright red skin with overlapping green fins covering the fruit. Other common names given to this fruit are pitahaya, dragon pearl fruit, night-blooming cereus, strawberry pear, and Cinderella plant. Depending on the species, its fruits may have different characteristics, such as shape, presence of thorns, skin, and pulp color, reflecting high genetic variability. The health-promoting potential of pitaya fruit is due to the presence of bioactive compounds related to numerous benefits such as anti-diabetic, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-cancer, and antimicrobial. As a result of these beneficial actions, the consumption of this fruit has increased in different regions worldwide.
  • 1.6K
  • 13 Jun 2023
Topic Review
Dietary Flavonoids
Over the past few years, interest in health research has increased, making improved health a global goal for 2030. The purpose of such research is to ensure healthy lives and promote wellbeing across individuals of all ages. It has been shown that nutrition plays a key role in the prevention of some chronic diseases such as obesity, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and cancer. One of the aspects that characterises a healthy diet is a high intake of vegetables and fruits, as both are flavonoid-rich foods. Flavonoids are one of the main subclasses of dietary polyphenols and possess strong antioxidant activity and anti-carcinogenic properties. Moreover, some population-based studies have described a relationship between cancer risk and dietary flavonoid intake.
  • 1.6K
  • 03 Sep 2021
Topic Review
γ-Glutamyltransferase in Urologic Neoplasms
γ-Glutamyltransferase (GGT), a membrane-bound enzyme, contributes to the metabolism of glutathione (GSH), which plays a critical physiological role in protecting cells against oxidative stress. GGT has been proposed as a biomarker of carcinogenesis and tumor progression given that GGT activity is important during both the promotion and invasion phases in cancer cells.
  • 1.6K
  • 14 Apr 2021
Topic Review
Food-Derived Protease Inhibitors
Plant protease inhibitors (PI) are usually small water-soluble proteins having many roles in the host biology, and they appear widely in the plant kingdom. Among many other functions in plant physiology, PIs are components of plants’ defensive systems. PIs protect plants against pathogens and also against herbivores; thus, several classes of PIs inhibiting mammal and insect digestive enzymes are often expressed in many plant tissues. PIs are present in many common food and feed plants. Many plant-derived PIs, such as Bowman-Birk inhibitors and Kunitz-type inhibitors, have been suggested to negatively affect dietary protein digestion by blocking the activity of trypsin and chymotrypsin in the human gastrointestinal system. In addition, some PIs may possess proinflammatory activities. However, there is also scientific evidence on some beneficial effects of PIs, for example, gut-related anti-inflammatory and chemopreventive activities in vitro and in vivo.
  • 1.6K
  • 12 Oct 2021
Topic Review
Taurine in Mitochondria Health
Taurine is a naturally occurring sulfur-containing amino acid that is found abundantly in excitatory tissues, such as the heart, brain, retina and skeletal muscles. Taurine was first isolated in the 1800s, but not much was known about this molecule until the 1990s. In 1985, taurine was first approved as the treatment among heart failure patients in Japan. Accumulating studies have shown that taurine supplementation also protects against pathologies associated with mitochondrial defects, such as aging, mitochondrial diseases, metabolic syndrome, cancer, cardiovascular diseases and neurological disorders.
  • 1.6K
  • 17 Aug 2021
Topic Review
Lung Fibrosis after COVID-19
The incidence rate of post-COVID lung fibrosis can be estimated at 2–6% after a moderate illness. According to this estimation, the prevalence of post-COVID lung fibrosis will be from 10 to 30 patients per 10,000 populations, which is 30 times higher than the IPF prevalence.
  • 1.6K
  • 08 Sep 2021
Topic Review
Peptic Ulcer Bleeding and AI
Peptic ulcer bleeding (PUB) is a common gastrointestinal (GI) emergency requiring prompt assessment, with a mortality rate of 2–10%.
  • 1.6K
  • 17 Sep 2021
Topic Review
HRCT of Drug-Induced ILD
Interstitial Lung Diseases (ILDs) represent a heterogeneous group of pathologies, which may be related to different causes. A low percentage of these lung diseases may be secondary to the administration of drugs or substances. Several different high resolution computed tomography (HRCT) patterns related to pulmonary drug toxicity have been reported in literature, and the most frequent ILDs patterns reported include Nonspecific Interstitial Pneumonia (NSIP), Usual Interstitial Pneumonia (UIP), Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis (HP), Organizing Pneumonia (OP), Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS), and Diffuse Alveolar Damage (DAD). 
  • 1.6K
  • 14 Jul 2021
Topic Review
Enzymatic Metabolism of Flavonoids
Gastrointestinal (GI) cancer is a prevalent global health disease with a massive burden on health care providers. Internal and external factors such as obesity, smoking, diet (red meat), low socioeconomic status and infection with Helicobacter pylori are the critical risk factors of GI cancers. Flavonoids are natural phenolic compounds found abundantly in fruits and vegetables. Upon ingestion, 90% of flavonoids consumed require further enzymatic metabolism by the gut microbiome to enhance their bioavailability and absorption. Several epidemiological studies reported that consumption of flavonoids and their enzymatic conversion by gut microbes is strongly associated with the reduced risk of GI cancer development. This review summarizes the current knowledge on the enzymatic conversion of flavonoids by the human gut microbiome. It also addresses the underlying anti-GI cancer effects on metabolic pathways such as apoptosis and cellular proliferation. Overall, metabolites produced from flavonoid’s enzymatic conversion illustrate anti-GI cancer effects, but the mechanisms of action need further clarification.
  • 1.6K
  • 09 Aug 2021
Topic Review
Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis
Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis (NASH) may further progress to cirrhosis and end-stage liver disease hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). NASH-related  HCC is currently the most rapid-growing indication for liver transplant in HCC patients.
  • 1.5K
  • 31 May 2021
Topic Review
KRAS in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
In NSCLC (Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer), KRAS (Kirsten Rat sarcoma virus) mutations occur in up to 30% of all cases, most frequently at codon 12 and 13. KRAS mutations have been linked to adenocarcinoma histology, positive smoking history, and Caucasian ethnicity, although differences have been described across KRAS mutational variants subtypes. KRAS mutations often concur with other molecular alterations, notably TP53, STK11, and KEAP1, which could play an important role in treatment efficacy and patient outcomes.
  • 1.5K
  • 02 Dec 2022
Topic Review
Pediatric Vulvar Lichen Sclerosus
Vulvar lichen sclerosus (VLS) is a chronic inflammatory condition affecting the anogenital region, which may present in a prepubertal or adolescent patient. The most popular theories are its autoimmune and genetic conditioning, although theories concerning hormonal and infectious etiology have also been raised. The most common presenting symptoms of VLS is vulva pruritus, discomfort, dysuria and constipation. The lesions initially are white, flat-topped papules, thin plaques, or commonly atrophic patches. Purpura is a hallmark feature of VLS. The treatment includes topical anti-inflammatory agents and long-term follow-up, as there is a high risk of recurrence and an increased risk of vulvar cancer in adult women with a history of lichen sclerosus.
  • 1.5K
  • 15 Jul 2021
Topic Review
Triple Overlap Syndrome (OSAHS-COPD-CHF)
Obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are independently linked to an increase in cardiovascular disease (CVD). Only a few studies have been published linking the association between overlap syndrome and congestive heart failure (CHF). It is becoming increasingly clear through research that there is a strong connection between OSA, COPD, and CHF. 
  • 1.5K
  • 06 Sep 2023
Topic Review
Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease Pathogenesis and Oxidative Stress
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a challenging disease caused by multiple factors, which may partly explain why it still remains an orphan of adequate therapies. It highlights the interaction between oxidative stress (OS) and disturbed lipid metabolism. Several reactive oxygen species generators, including those produced in the gastrointestinal tract, contribute to the lipotoxic hepatic (and extrahepatic) damage by fatty acids and a great variety of their biologically active metabolites in a “multiple parallel-hit model”. This leads to inflammation and fibrogenesis and contributes to NAFLD progression. The alterations of the oxidant/antioxidant balance affect also metabolism-related organelles, leading to lipid peroxidation, mitochondrial dysfunction, and endoplasmic reticulum stress. This OS-induced damage is at least partially counteracted by the physiological antioxidant response. Therefore, modulation of this defense system emerges as an interesting target to prevent NAFLD development and progression. For instance, probiotics, prebiotics, diet, and fecal microbiota transplantation represent new therapeutic approaches targeting the gut microbiota dysbiosis. The OS and its counter-regulation are under the influence of individual genetic and epigenetic factors as well.
  • 1.5K
  • 14 Feb 2022
Topic Review
Coherence Therapy
Coherence therapy is a system of psychotherapy based in the theory that symptoms of mood, thought and behavior are produced coherently according to the person's current mental models of reality, most of which are implicit and unconscious. It was founded by Bruce Ecker and Laurel Hulley in the 1990s. It has been considered among the most well respected postmodern/constructivist therapies.
  • 1.5K
  • 29 Sep 2022
Topic Review
CD123
The interleukin-3 receptor alpha chain (IL-3R), more commonly referred to as CD123, is widely overexpressed in various hematological malignancies, including acute myeloid leukemia (AML), B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia, hairy cell leukemia, Hodgkin lymphoma and particularly, blastic plasmacytoid dendritic neoplasm (BPDCN). Importantly, CD123 is expressed at both the level of leukemic stem cells (LSCs) and more differentiated leukemic blasts, which makes CD123 an attractive therapeutic target. Various agents have been developed as drugs able to target CD123 on malignant leukemic cells and on the normal counterpart. Tagraxofusp (SL401, Stemline Therapeutics), a recombinant protein composed of a truncated diphtheria toxin payload fused to IL-3, was approved for use in patients with BPDCN in December of 2018 and showed some clinical activity in AML. Different monoclonal antibodies directed against CD123 are under evaluation as antileukemic drugs, showing promising results either for the treatment of AML minimal residual disease or of relapsing/refractory AML or BPDCN. 
  • 1.5K
  • 13 Sep 2021
Topic Review
Polyphenolic Compounds of Seaweed
The disease-preventive and medicinal properties of plant polyphenolic compounds have long been known. As active ingredients, they are used to prevent and treat many noncommunicable diseases. In recent decades, marine macroalgae have attracted the attention of biotechnologists and pharmacologists as a promising and almost inexhaustible source of polyphenols. This heterogeneous group of compounds contains many biopolymers with unique structure and biological properties that exhibit high anti-infective activity. In the present review, the authors focus on the antiviral potential of polyphenolic compounds (phlorotannins) from marine algae and consider the mechanisms of their action as well as other biological properties of these compounds that have effects on the progress and outcome of viral infections. 
  • 1.5K
  • 28 Mar 2021
Topic Review
Molecular Mechanisms of Colistin Resistance in Acinetobacter baumannii
Colistin, as a positively charged peptide, exerts its antibacterial effect via electrostatic interactions with negatively charged lipid A, a component of lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Accordingly, two main mechanisms of colistin resistance have been described in Acinetobacter baumannii (A. baumannii): the complete loss or modifications of the target LPS, leading to abolishing or reducing its negative charge. The complete loss of LPS results from inactivation of the first three genes of the lipid A biosynthetic pathway (lpxA, lpxC, and lpxD genes), whereas the modification of LPS occurs through the addition of phosphoethanolamine (PEtN) moieties to lipid A by the pmrCAB operon-encoded enzymes. Although 4-amino-4-deoxy-L-arabinose (L-Ara4N) modification of LPS has been described as a more common and effective colistin resistance mechanism compared to PEtN LPS modification in diverse Gram-negative pathogens (Salmonella enterica, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Escherichia coli, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa), it was absent in A. baumannii. In addition to chromosome-mediated mechanisms, plasmid-mediated colistin resistance encoded by mcr genes has been recognized as a major driver of rapid dissemination by horizontal gene transfer among pathogenic Gram-negative bacteria, including A. baumannii.
  • 1.5K
  • 21 Mar 2023
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