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Topic Review
Paroxysmal Nocturnal Hemoglobinuria
Paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH) is a rare clonal disease that presents an estimated incidence of 1.3 cases per million per year, with a prevalence of 15.9 cases per million. It is characterized by hemolysis, bone marrow dysfunction with peripheral blood cytopenia, hypercoagulability, thrombosis, renal impairment and arterial and pulmonary hypertension. Hemolysis and subsequent hemosiderin accumulation in tubular epithelium cells induce tubular atrophy and interstitial fibrosis.
  • 2.1K
  • 29 Oct 2020
Topic Review
Cervical Epithelial Cells
Using Raman microscopy, we investigated epithelial cervical cells collected from 96 women with squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) or belonging to groups I, IIa, IIID-1 and IIID-2 according to Munich III classification (IIID-1 and IIID-2 corresponding to Bethesda LSIL and HSIL groups, respectively). All women were tested for human papillomavirus (HPV) infection using PCR. Subcellular resolution of Raman microscopy enabled to understand phenotypic differences in a heterogeneous population of cervical cells in the following groups: I/HPV−, IIa/HPV−, IIa/HPV−, LSIL/HPV−, LSIL/HPV+, HSIL/HPV−, HSIL/HPV+ and cancer cells (SCC/HPV+). We showed for the first time that the glycogen content in the cytoplasm decreased with the nucleus size of cervical cells in all studied groups apart from the cancer group. For the subpopulation of large-nucleus cells HPV infection resulted in considerable glycogen depletion compared to HPV negative cells in IIa, LSIL (for both statistical significance, ca. 45%) and HSIL (trend, 37%) groups. We hypothesize that accelerated glycogenolysis in large-nucleus cells may be associated with the increased protein metabolism for HPV positive cells. Our work underlines unique capabilities of Raman microscopy in single cell studies and demonstrate potential of Raman-based methods in HPV diagnostics.
  • 2.1K
  • 29 Oct 2020
Topic Review
Mitochondria and NLRP3 Inflammasome Interplay
Mitochondria are the power plants of the cell responsible not only for the generation of cellular energy required for myriad functions but also are important hubs for metabolism, reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, and Ca2+ homeostasis. Inflammasomes are a group of intracellular multicomplexes located in the cytosol which detect PAMPs and DAMPs and produce the activation, maturation, and release of pro-inflammatory cytokines (including IL-1β and IL-18).
  • 2.1K
  • 23 May 2022
Topic Review
Incretin Hormones
The term incretin was introduced in 1932 to describe compounds produced by intestinal mucosa in response to nutrient ingestion, which were capable of reducing blood glucose. There are two known incretins: glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) produced by the K cells of an upper gut and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) produced by the L cells of a lower gut. Incretins play a crucial role in stimulating insulin and glucagon secretion by the pancreas.
  • 2.1K
  • 18 Mar 2021
Topic Review
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and Thalamus
Post-traumatic stress disorder is a common mental disorder, with high lifetime prevalence approximately 6–10% . The prevalence of PTSD in trauma-exposed people has been approximately 20%. PTSD is induced by traumatic stress including life threatening, actual or threatened severe injury, and sexual violence. In DSM-V criteria, PTSD has the following symptoms: intrusion of unwanted memory updates related to traumatic stress, avoidance for reminders, negative alterations in mood, and hyper-arousal. Conservatively, fear-conditioned learning involving the amygdala has been considered one of the causative factors.
  • 2.1K
  • 03 Mar 2021
Topic Review
Phosphate
Phosphorous, in the form of phosphate, is a key element in the nutrition of all living beings. In nature, it is present in the form of phosphate salts, organophosphates, and phosphonates. 
  • 2.1K
  • 26 Feb 2021
Topic Review
Gender of the Human Host to Fungal Infection
Host sex or gender influences the incidence of some fungal infections in humans such as aspergillosis, cryptococcosis, paracoccidioidomycosis, dermatophytosis, and candidiasis due to differences in immune response, behavior, and awareness for early detection and treatment. The dimensions of sex and gender are important determinants throughout the fungal infection process and in approaches to prevent or treat these infections, as well as in development of antifungal drugs. Failure to consider sex and gender may be detrimental to the holistic understanding of the processes involved in fungal infection.
  • 2.0K
  • 17 Jun 2022
Topic Review
Diabetic Complications: Oxidative Stress/Inflammation
Oxidative stress and inflammation are considered major drivers in the pathogenesis of diabetic complications, including renal and cardiovascular disease. A symbiotic relationship also appears to exist between oxidative stress and inflammation. Several emerging therapies target these crucial pathways, to alleviate the burden of the aforementioned diseases. Oxidative stress refers to an imbalance between reactive oxygen species (ROS) and antioxidant defenses, a pathological state which not only leads to direct cellular damage but also an inflammatory cascade that further perpetuates tissue injury. Emerging therapeutic strategies tackle these pathways in a variety of ways, from increasing antioxidant defenses (antioxidants and Nrf2 activators) to reducing ROS production (NADPH oxidase inhibitors and XO inhibitors) or inhibiting the associated inflamma-tory pathways (NLRP3 inflammasome inhibitors, lipoxins, GLP-1 receptor agonists, and AT-1 re-ceptor antagonists).
  • 2.0K
  • 14 Jan 2021
Topic Review
Allergy and Allergic Diseases Prevention
Prophylactic interventions for the prevention of allergic diseases differ depending on the timing and the stage in the ontogeny of the processes leading from sensitisation to clinical symptoms.  They can be divided into primary, secondary and tertiary prophylaxis.
  • 2.0K
  • 25 Apr 2021
Topic Review
Thyroid Cancer
Thyroid cancer represents a heterogenous disease whose incidence has increased in the last decades. Although three main different subtypes have been described, molecular characterization is progressively being included in the diagnostic and therapeutic algorithm of these patients. In fact, thyroid cancer is a landmark in the oncological approach to solid tumors as it harbors key genetic alterations driving tumor progression that have been demonstrated to be potential actionable targets. Within this promising and rapid changing scenario, current efforts are directed to improve tumor characterization for an accurate guidance in the therapeutic management. In this sense, it is strongly recommended to perform tissue genotyping to patients that are going to be considered for systemic therapy in order to select the adequate treatment, according to recent clinical trials data.
  • 2.0K
  • 21 Jul 2020
Topic Review
Dermal Fibroblasts
Scarring and regeneration are two physiologically opposite endpoints to skin injuries, with mammals, including humans, typically healing wounds with fibrotic scars. We aim to provide an updated review on fibroblast heterogeneity as determinants of the scarring–regeneration continuum. We discuss fibroblast-centric mechanisms that dictate scarring–regeneration continua with a focus on intercellular and cell–matrix adhesion. Improved understanding of fibroblast lineage-specific mechanisms and how they determine scar severity will ultimately allow for the development of antiscarring therapies and the promotion of tissue regeneration.
  • 2.0K
  • 30 Oct 2020
Topic Review
Sjögren’s Syndrome
Sjögren’s syndrome (SS) is a chronic autoimmune inflammatory disease that affects primarily older women and is characterized by irreversible damage of the exocrine glands, including tear (xerophthalmia) and salivary glands (xerostomia). Secretory glands lose their functionality due to the infiltration of immune cells, which produce cytokines and cause inflammation. Primary SS is characterized by dry syndrome with or without systemic commitment in the absence of other pathologies. Secondary SS is accompanied by other autoimmune diseases with high activation of B lymphocytes and the production of autoantibodies, including the rheumatoid factor. Other cells, such as CD4+ T cells and mast cells (MCs), participate in SS inflammation. MCs are ubiquitous, but are primarily located close to blood vessels and nerves and can be activated early in autoimmune diseases to express a wide variety of cytokines and chemokines. In the SS acute phase, MCs react by generating chemical mediators of inflammation, tumor necrosis factor (TNF), and other pro-inflammatory cytokines such as interleukin (IL)-1 and IL-33.
  • 2.0K
  • 26 Oct 2020
Topic Review
Copper Complexes as Topoisomerases Inhibitors
Organometallics, such as copper compounds, are cancer chemotherapeutics used alone or in combination with other drugs. A group of copper complexes exerts an effective inhibitory action on topoisomerases, which participate in the regulation of DNA topology. Copper complexes of topoisomerase inhibitors work by different molecular mechanisms that have repercussions on the cell cycle checkpoints and death effectors. 
  • 2.0K
  • 14 Oct 2020
Topic Review
COVID-19 Mechanisms of Lung Damage
COVID-19 is a dangerous disease that  has been treated with dangerous and ineffective drugs like chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents may also be dangerous in the disease due to embolism formation.  Safe and potentially effective alternative medicines are proposed.
  • 2.0K
  • 29 Oct 2020
Topic Review
The Pathology of Parkinson’s Disease
Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder that is characterized by a loss of dopaminergic neurons, leading to bradykinesia, rigidity, tremor at rest, and postural instability, as well as non-motor symptoms such as olfactory impairment, pain, autonomic dysfunction, impaired sleep, fatigue, and behavioral changes. 
  • 2.0K
  • 23 Feb 2021
Topic Review
Lactase Persistence
In humans, the ability to digest milk lactose is conferred by a β-galactosidase enzyme called lactase-phlorizin hydrolase (LPH). The LPH enzyme is encoded by the lactase (LCT) gene, located on the chromosome 2q21. Exclusively expressed in the small intestine, in the apical part of microvilli within the brush border membrane of enterocytes, the LPH enzyme reaches the highest levels of activity during the nursing period. After the weaning phase, however, in the majority of humans, the activity of LPH declines rapidly because of a decrease in the levels of the enzyme, and this trait is known as lactase non-persistence (LNP). As a consequence of LNP, the majority of humans are unable to digest lactose during adulthood, and some suffer clinical complications when they consume it. It has been estimated that approximately two-thirds of humans are LNP worldwide. In the remaining third, however, there are individuals with the ability to digest milk and other lactose-rich dairy products during adulthood. This trait is known as lactase persistence (LP), and is particularly common in descendants from populations that have traditionally practiced cattle domestication.
  • 2.0K
  • 09 Sep 2020
Topic Review
Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. niveum
Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. niveum (Fon) is the causative agent of Fusarium wilt disease of watermelon; it is the most serious soil-borne pathogen around the globe. 
  • 1.9K
  • 29 Jun 2021
Topic Review
Cannabinoid Receptors
Spermatogenesis is a highly coordinated process that begins with division of spermatogonia, followed by meiosis to produce haploid spermatids, and finally the differentiation of haploid spermatids into mature spermatozoa. Several stages of male germ cell development are regulated by epigenetic mechanisms that are important for correct gamete development and functions.  The use of  Cannabis sativa has been demonstrated to induce spermatogenesis dysfunctions. Cannabis sativa (Marijuana) exerts its effect by binding to and activating  cannabinoid receptors CB1 and CB2 . In males, both the receptors CB1 and CB2, are involved in male germ cell development.  Here we will discuss on the importance of cannabinoid receptors signaling in the regulation of several stages of male germ cell development and their role in mediating epigenetic modifications that may be transmitted to the next generation by sperm.
  • 1.9K
  • 31 Jul 2020
Topic Review
Candida Infection
Candida species are common global opportunistic pathogens that could repeatedly and chronically cause oral mucosa infection and create an inflammatory environment, leading to organ dysfunction. Oral Candida infections may cause temporary or permanent damage to salivary glands, resulting in the destruction of acinar cells and the formation of scar tissue. Restricted function of the salivary glands leads to discomfort and diseases of the oral mucosa, such as dry mouth and associated infection.
  • 1.9K
  • 23 Feb 2021
Topic Review
FGF/FGFR Pathway in GIST
Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST) are rare neoplasms of mesenchymal origin arising in the gastrointestinal tract. The vast majority are characterized by mutually-exclusive activating mutations in KIT or Platelet-derived growth factor alpha (PDGFRA) receptors, or less frequently by succinate dehydrogenase complex (SDH) or NF1 inactivation, with very rare cases harboring mutant BRAF or RAS alleles. Approximately 5% of GISTs lack any of such mutations and are called quadruple wild-type (WT) GISTs. Recently, Fibroblast Growth Factor (FGF)/FGF-receptor (FGFR) signaling emerged as an activated pathway in different molecular subgroups of GISTs due to activating mutations, oncogenic gene fusions, or autocrine/paracrine signaling.
  • 1.9K
  • 30 Oct 2020
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