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Topic Review
Chemical Changes in Atherosclerosis
Fiberoptic Raman spectroscopy and Raman microscopy were used to investigate alterations in the aorta wall and the surrounding perivascular adipose tissue (PVAT) in the murine model of atherosclerosis (Apoe-/-/Ldlr-/- mice). Both abdominal and thoracic parts of the aorta were studied to account for the heterogenic chemical composition of aorta and its localization-dependent response in progression of atherosclerosis. The average Raman spectra obtained for both parts of aorta cross sections revealed that the chemical composition of intima-media layers along aorta remains relatively homogeneous while the lipid content in the adventitia layer markedly increases with decreasing distance to PVAT. Moreover, our results demonstrate that the increase of the lipid to protein ratio in the aorta wall correlates directly with the increased unsaturation level of lipids in PVAT and these changes occur only in the abdominal, but not in thoracic, aorta. In summary, distinct pathophysiological response in the aortic vascular wall could be uncovered by fiber optic Raman spectroscopy based on simple parameters detecting chemical contents of lipids in PVAT.
  • 705
  • 21 Jul 2020
Topic Review
Heat Shock Protein B8
The Heat Shock Protein B8 (HSPB8) is a small chaperone involved in chaperone-assisted selective autophagy (CASA). CASA promotes the selective degradation of proteins to counteract cell stress such as tumor-induced stress. HSPB8 is also involved in (i) the cell division machinery regulating chromosome segregation and cell cycle arrest in the G0/G1 phase and (ii) inflammation regulating dendritic cell maturation and cytokine production. HSPB8 expression and role are tumor-specific, showing a dual and opposite role.
  • 705
  • 10 Mar 2021
Topic Review
Lysosomal Calcium Channels
Ca2+ is pivotal intracellular messenger that coordinates multiple cell functions such as fertilization, growth, differentiation, and viability. Intracellular Ca2+ signaling is regulated by both extracellular Ca2+ entry and Ca2+ release from intracellular stores. Apart from working as the cellular recycling center, the lysosome has been increasingly recognized as a significant intracellular Ca2+ store that provides Ca2+ to regulate many cellular processes. The lysosome also talks to other organelles by releasing and taking up Ca2+. In lysosomal Ca2+-dependent processes, autophagy is particularly important, because it has been implicated in many human diseases including cancer.
  • 705
  • 27 Apr 2021
Topic Review
Metformin Regulates Gluconeogenesis through Foxo1
Metformin is the first-line pharmacotherapy for type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D). Metformin exerts its glucose-lowering effect primarily through decreasing hepatic glucose production (HGP). However, the precise molecular mechanisms of metformin remain unclear due to supra-pharmacological concentration of metformin used in the study. 
  • 705
  • 28 Sep 2021
Topic Review
Selective COX-2 Inhibitors
Knee osteoarthritis (OA) is a condition that leads to pain and is mainly characterized by cartilage degradation.
  • 704
  • 26 Oct 2020
Topic Review
K+-2Cl− cotransporter 2 (KCC2)
Intracellular chloride levels in the brain are regulated primarily through the opposing effects of two cation-chloride co-transporters (CCCs), namely K+-Cl− co-transporter-2 (KCC2) and Na+-K+-Cl− co-transporter-1 (NKCC1). These CCCs are differentially expressed throughout the course of development, thereby determining the excitatory-to-inhibitory γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) switch. GABAergic excitation (depolarisation) is important in controlling the healthy development of the nervous system; as the brain matures, GABAergic inhibition (hyperpolarisation) prevails. This developmental switch in excitability is important, as uncontrolled regulation of neuronal excitability can have implications for health.
  • 703
  • 22 Jan 2021
Topic Review
Neuroprotective Effects of Epigallocatechin-3-Gallate in Alzheimer’s Disease
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most common cause of dementia, characterised by a marked decline of both memory and cognition, along with pathophysiological hallmarks including amyloid beta peptide (Aβ) accumulation, tau protein hyperphosphorylation, neuronal loss and inflammation in the brain. Additionally, oxidative stress caused by an imbalance between free radicals and antioxidants is considered one of the main risk factors for AD, since it can result in protein, lipid and nucleic acid damage and exacerbate Aβ and tau pathology. Green tea, and its main bioactive compound, epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), have been targeted as a plausible option for the modulation of AD. Specifically, EGCG acts as an antioxidant by regulating inflammatory processes involved in neurodegeneration such as ferroptosis and microglia-induced cytotoxicity and by inducing signalling pathways related to neuronal survival. Furthermore, it reduces tau hyperphosphorylation and aggregation and promotes the non-amyloidogenic route of APP processing, thus preventing the formation of Aβ and its subsequent accumulation.
  • 703
  • 20 Oct 2023
Topic Review
Seminal Plasma Transcriptome and Proteome
As the "-omic" technology has largely developed, its application in the field of medical science seems a highly promising tool to clarify the etiology, at least in part, of the so-called idiopathic male infertility. The seminal plasma (SP) is made-up of secretions coming from the male accessory glands, namely epididymis, seminal vesicles, and prostate. It is not only a medium for sperm transport since it is able to modulate the female reproductive environment and immunity, to allow the acquisition of sperm competence, to influence the sperm RNA content, and even embryo development. The aim of this systematic review was to provide an updated and comprehensive description of the main transcripts and proteins reported by transcriptome and proteome studies performed in the human SP of patients with idiopathic infertility, in the attempt of identifying possible candidate molecular targets. We recurrently found that micro RNA (miR)-34, miR-122, and miR-509 are down-regulated in patients with non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA) and oligozoospermia compared with fertile controls. These molecules may represent interesting targets whose predictive role in testicular sperm extraction (TESE) or assisted reproductive techniques (ART) outcome deserves further investigation. Furthermore, according to the available proteomic studies, ECM1, TEX101, lectingalactoside-binding andsoluble 3 binding protein (LGALS3BP) have been reported as accurate predictors of TESE outcome. Interestingly, ECM1 is differently expressed in patients with different ART outcomes. Further prospective, ample-sized studies are needed to validate these molecular targets that will help in the counseling of patients with NOA or undergoing ART.
  • 702
  • 10 Oct 2020
Topic Review
Application of Molecular Hydrogen to Postharvest Produce
Molecular hydrogen (H2) has been found to have significant effects in a range of organisms, from plants to humans. In the biomedical arena it has been found to have positive effects for neurodegenerative disease and even for treatment of COVID-19. In plants H2 has been found to improve seed germination, foliar growth, and crops: effects being most pronounced under stress conditions. It has also been found that treatment with H2 can improve the postharvest preservation of fruits, vegetables and flowers.
  • 702
  • 04 Nov 2022
Topic Review
Epigenetics of Atrial Fibrillation
Atrial fibrillation (AF) is known to be the most common supraventricular arrhythmia affecting up to 1% of the general population. Its prevalence exponentially increases with age and could reach up to 8% in the elderly population. The management of AF is a complex issue that is addressed by extensive ongoing basic and clinical research. AF centers around different types of disturbances, including ion channel dysfunction, Ca2+-handling abnormalities, and structural remodeling. 
  • 702
  • 15 Nov 2022
Topic Review
ER Stress with Rhinologic Diseases
The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress has already been correlated with various diseases through many studies. In the rhinologic field, the relationship between ER stress in obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) associated with chronic intermittent hypoxia (CIH) and inflammatory diseases such as chronic rhinosimusitis (CRS) or allergic rhinitis (AR) has been relatively studied. The role of ER stress in the development of AR is related to Type 2 allergic immune responses, similar to that in asthma, and some are also related to non-Th2 immune responses. ER stress may be involved in various pathways that cause chronic inflammation in CRS. CIH—the main pathological mechanism of OSA—induces ER stress that impacts the heart, brain, and liver to increase OSA-related morbidity. Therefore, targeting the pathophysiological mechanisms in diseases such as AR, CRS, or OSA by appropriately managing ER stress could be utilized as new therapeutic strategy.
  • 702
  • 26 Oct 2020
Topic Review
Thrombospondin-1 CD47 Signalling
Recent advances provide evidence that the cellular signalling pathway comprising the ligand-receptor duo of thrombospondin-1 (TSP1) and CD47 is involved in mediating a range of diseases affecting renal, vascular, and metabolic function, as well as cancer. In several instances, research has barely progressed past pre-clinical animal models of disease and early phase 1 clinical trials, while for cancers, anti-CD47 therapy has emerged from phase 2 clinical trials in humans as a crucial adjuvant therapeutic agent. This has important implications for interventions that seek to capitalize on targeting this pathway in diseases where TSP1 and/or CD47 play a role. Despite substantial progress made in our understanding of this pathway in malignant and cardiovascular disease, knowledge and translational gaps remain regarding the role of this pathway in kidney and metabolic diseases, limiting identification of putative drug targets and development of effective treatments. This review considers recent advances reported in the field of TSP1-CD47 signalling, focusing on several aspects including enzymatic production, receptor function, interacting partners, localization of signalling, matrix-cellular and cell-to-cell cross talk. The potential impact that these newly described mechanisms have on health, with a particular focus on renal and metabolic disease, is also discussed.
  • 700
  • 02 Jul 2021
Topic Review
Hepatitis B and Hepatitis D Viruses
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis delta virus (HDV) are highly prevalent viruses estimated to infect approximately 300 million people and 12–72 million people worldwide, respectively. HDV requires the HBV envelope to establish a successful infection. Concurrent infection with HBV and HDV can result in more severe disease outcomes than infection with HBV alone. These viruses can cause significant hepatic disease, including cirrhosis, fulminant hepatitis, and hepatocellular carcinoma, and represent a significant cause of global mortality.
  • 700
  • 26 Dec 2022
Topic Review
Drug Testing Applications
The development of artificial tissue/organs with the functional maturity of their native equivalents is one of the long-awaited panaceas for the medical and pharmaceutical industries. Advanced 3D cell printing technology and functional bioinks are promising innovations in the field of tissue engineering that have enabled the fabrication of complex, living 3D tissue/organs. Various requirements for these tissues, including complex and large-volume structure, tissue-specific microenvironments, and functional vasculatures, have been addressed to engineer tissue/organs with the functionality of native tissue. Tissue/organ constructs that satisfy such criteria may facilitate the development of reliable in vitro testing platforms for drug development. 
  • 699
  • 18 Nov 2020
Topic Review
Curcumin and Alzheimer’s Disease
Curcumin is a polyphenolic natural compound with diverse and attractive biological properties, which may prevent or ameliorate pathological processes underlying age-related cognitive decline, Alzheimer’s disease (AD), dementia, or mode disorders. AD is a chronic neurodegenerative disorder that is known as one of the rapidly growing diseases, especially in the elderly population. Moreover, being the eminent cause of dementia, posing problems for families, societies as well a severe burden on the economy. There are no effective drugs to cure AD. Although curcumin and its derivatives have shown properties that can be considered useful in inhibiting the hallmarks of AD, however, they have low bioavailability. Furthermore, to combat diagnostic and therapeutic limitations, various nanoformulations have also been recognized as theranostic agents that can also enhance the pharmacokinetic properties of curcumin and other bioactive compounds. Nanocarriers have shown beneficial properties to deliver curcumin and other nutritional compounds against the blood-brain barrier to efficiently distribute them in the brain. 
  • 699
  • 06 Jan 2021
Topic Review
Pancreatic Stellate Cells
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), is characterized by an overall poor prognosis and a five-year survival that is less than 10% due to late diagnosis, aggressive disease progression, and resistance to conventional chemotherapy. A large proportion of a pancreatic tumor is made up of stromal fibroblasts, the pancreatic stellate cells (PSCs, also known as cancer-associated fibroblasts – CAFs). Increasing evidence indicates that PSCs contribute to the overall tumor progression, drug resistance, and metabolic rewiring in PDAC.
  • 699
  • 20 Feb 2021
Topic Review
UBR Box-Containing E3 Ligases
UBR box E3 ligases, also called N-recognins, are integral components of the N-degron pathway. Representative N-recognins include UBR1, UBR2, UBR4, and UBR5, and they bind destabilizing N-terminal residues, termed N-degrons. Understanding the molecular bases of their substrate recognition and the biological impact of the clearance of their substrates on cellular signaling pathways can provide valuable insights into the regulation of these pathways.
  • 698
  • 13 Aug 2021
Topic Review
Treat COVID-19 through Mass Spectrometry and Next-Generation Sequencing
COVID-19 is caused by a coronavirus called severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The difficulty in containing SARS-CoV-2 has underscored the need for techniques such as mass spectrometry in the diagnosis and treatment of COVID-19. Mass spectrometry-based methods have been employed in several studies to detect changes in interactions among host proteins, and between host and viral proteins in COVID-19 patients. The methods have also been used to characterize host and viral proteins, and analyze lipid metabolism in COVID-19 patients. Information obtained using the above methods are complemented by high-throughput analysis of transcriptomic and epigenomic changes associated with COVID-19, coupled with next-generation sequencing.
  • 698
  • 22 Nov 2021
Topic Review
Polyadenylation in Animal Cells
During polyadenylation, a polyadenosine sequence-namely, a poly(A) tail-is added to the 3′ end of a transcript. Together with the removal of introns and the addition of a 5′ cap, polyadenylation constitutes a major step in pre-mRNA maturation. The polyadenylation process can be divided into two major steps: first, newly transcribed pre-mRNA is cleaved and its 3′ end is generated; then, a specific enzyme-poly(A) polymerase (PAP)-generates the poly(A) tail independently from the template, starting from the cleavage site.
  • 698
  • 03 Mar 2022
Topic Review
Stress-associated Plant Acyl-CoA-binding Proteins
Plants are constantly exposed to environmental stresses during their growth and development. Owing to their immobility, plants possess stress-sensing abilities and adaptive responses to cope with the abiotic and biotic stresses caused by extreme temperatures, drought, flooding, salinity, heavy metals and pathogens. Acyl-CoA-binding proteins (ACBPs), a family of conserved proteins among prokaryotes and eukaryotes, bind to a variety of acyl-CoA esters with different affinities and play a role in the transport and maintenance of subcellular acyl-CoA pools. In plants, studies have revealed ACBP functions in development and stress responses through their interactions with lipids and protein partners.
  • 698
  • 03 Jun 2021
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