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Topic Review
Calcium Indicator NCaMP7
Green fluorescent genetically encoded calcium indicators (GECIs) are the most popular tool for visualization of calcium dynamics in vivo. However, most of them are based on the EGFP protein and have similar molecular brightnesses. The NTnC indicator, which is composed of the mNeonGreen fluorescent protein with the insertion of troponin C, has higher brightness as compared to EGFP-based GECIs, but shows a limited inverted response with an ΔF/F of 1. By insertion of a calmodulin/M13-peptide pair into the mNeonGreen protein, we developed a green GECI called NCaMP7. In vitro, NCaMP7 showed positive response with an ΔF/F of 27 and high affinity (Kd of 125 nM) to calcium ions. NCaMP7 demonstrated a 1.7-fold higher brightness and similar calcium-association/dissociation dynamics compared to the standard GCaMP6s GECI in vitro. According to fluorescence recovery after photobleaching (FRAP) experiments, the NCaMP7 design partially prevented interactions of NCaMP7 with the intracellular environment. The NCaMP7 crystal structure was obtained at 1.75Å resolution to uncover the molecular basis of its calcium ions sensitivity.The NCaMP7 indicator retained a high and fast response when expressed in cultured HeLa and neuronal cells. Finally, we successfully utilized the NCaMP7 indicator for in vivo visualization of grating-evoked and place-dependent neuronal activity in the visual cortex and the hippocampus of mice using a two-photon microscope and an NVista miniscope, respectively.
  • 2.0K
  • 26 Oct 2020
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.
  • 2.0K
  • 30 Oct 2020
Topic Review
SLIDE and Apocrine Sweat Sampling
We designed a concept of 3D-printed attachment with porous glass filter disks—SLIDE (Sweat sampLIng DevicE) for easy sampling of apocrine sweat. By applying advanced mass spectrometry coupled with the liquid chromatography technique, the complex lipid profiles were measured to evaluate the reproducibility and robustness of this novel approach. Moreover, our in-depth statistical evaluation of the data provided an insight into the potential use of apocrine sweat as a novel and diagnostically relevant biofluid for clinical analyses. Data transformation using probabilistic quotient normalization (PQN) significantly improved the analytical characteristics and overcame the ‘sample dilution issue’ of the sampling. The lipidomic content of apocrine sweat from healthy subjects was described in terms of identification and quantitation.
  • 2.0K
  • 11 Aug 2021
Topic Review
Soybean Callus as a Tocopherols Source
Soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.) is a key species used by the nutraceutical and functional food industries for its secondary metabolites such as polyphenolic compounds, tocopherols, tannins, lignins, and alkaloids. Particularly, soybean is an excellent source of tocopherols with about 300 μg g−1/seed total tocopherols. In fact, tocopherols exist in four forms (i.e., α, β, γ, and δ). Among them, γ-tocopherol is found in higher concentrations (more than 60%), and α-tocopherol accounts for less than 10% of total tocopherols in soybean seeds. Therefore, as the α-tocopherol is an essential nutrient that functions as a peroxyl radical scavenger in the body, the dietary reference intake for vitamin E is currently based solely on α-tocopherol. Despite the lesser presence, α-tocopherol is reported to have the most significant antioxidant activity among tocopherols and is preferred by the human body, as it is the predominant form of vitamin E found in the blood and tissues. α-tocopherol is a fat-soluble antioxidant and serves as a peroxyl radical scavenger protecting the polyunsaturated fatty acids in membranes and lipoproteins (protects the fats in low-density lipoproteins from oxidation). Furthermore, vitamin E is of vital importance for the nervous system, as a deficiency in humans leads to ataxia and myopathy. α-tocopherol is found naturally in plant sources as RRR-a-tocopherol and synthetically manufactured as all-rac-a-tocopherol.
  • 2.0K
  • 02 Dec 2021
Topic Review
Hydraulic Empire
A hydraulic empire (also known as a hydraulic despotism, or water monopoly empire) is a social or government structure which maintains power and control through exclusive control over access to water. It arises through the need for flood control and irrigation, which requires central coordination and a specialized bureaucracy. Often associated with these terms and concepts is the notion of a water dynasty. This body is a political structure which is commonly characterized by a system of hierarchy and control often based on class or caste. Power, both over resources (food, water, energy) and a means of enforcement such as the military, is vital for the maintenance of control.
  • 2.0K
  • 10 Oct 2022
Topic Review
Artificial Intelligence Techniques in Surveillance Video Anomaly Detection
The Surveillance Video Anomaly Detection (SVAD) system is a sophisticated technology designed to detect unusual or suspicious behavior in video surveillance footage without human intervention. The system operates by analyzing the video frames and identifying deviations from normal patterns of movement or activity. This is achieved through advanced algorithms and machine learning techniques that can detect and analyze the position of pixels in the video frame at the time of an event.
  • 2.0K
  • 10 May 2023
Topic Review
Green Extraction Techniques for Bioactive Natural Products
Green extraction techniques represent a paradigm shift in the field of NP extraction, emphasizing sustainability, environmental consciousness, and efficiency. These methods prioritize minimizing the environmental impact associated with traditional extraction processes. Their importance lies in addressing the limitations of conventional techniques, such as low yields, substantial solvent usage, and the risk of degrading heat-sensitive compounds. The benefits of green extraction include enhanced efficiency, reduced solvent consumption, and the preservation of valuable bioactive compounds. Examples of green extraction techniques encompass “supercritical fluid extraction (SFE), subcritical water extraction (SWE), ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE), and microwave-assisted extraction (MAE)”, among others. The significance and advantages of each method contribute to a more sustainable and eco-friendly approach to NP extraction. Detailed discussions on each green extraction technique are provided below, highlighting their unique principles, applications, and advantages in obtaining bioactive natural products.
  • 2.0K
  • 29 Dec 2023
Topic Review
Control–Value Theory and Achievement Emotions
Control–value theory is a theoretical framework that integrates antecedents of achievement emotions with the motivational, information processing, and self-regulative effects of those emotions. Distal antecedents include the cultural, environmental, and social context of learning (e.g., school ethos and quality of instruction).
  • 2.0K
  • 01 Feb 2024
Topic Review
The Internationalization of Nongovernmental Organizations
Internationalization is one of several growth strategies adopted by both profit and nonprofit organizations. Although the internationalization of business firms has been intensively studied, the internationalization of nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) is still in a growing-up stage as NGOs are focused on serving specific social interests. They may not only be influenced by social, political, and economic goals, but also cater to social or humanitarian services dealing with health, environmental protection, and human rights.
  • 2.0K
  • 02 Nov 2022
Topic Review
X Chromosome
The X chromosome is one of the two sex chromosomes in humans (the other is the Y chromosome). The sex chromosomes form one of the 23 pairs of human chromosomes in each cell.
  • 2.0K
  • 24 Dec 2020
Topic Review
Biopollution
Biopollution describes the biological pollution caused by the introduction of non-indigenous species into biogeographic regions where they were not present before. It is considered one of the main threats to environmental health, and it is a factor of disturbance that can be consistently viewed as a pollution agent, albeit of a different nature if compared with physical and chemical factors. Ecosystem deterioration may be induced by the development of massive alien population outbreaks following introduction events. Biopollution assessment procedures have been proposed, adopting criteria already used for xenochemical compounds. Also prevention and mitigation measures to reduce biopollution impact have been developed in a similar way as for chemical pollution.
  • 2.0K
  • 12 May 2021
Topic Review
The HSP40/DnaJ Proteins Existing in Leishmania
Abrupt environmental changes are faced by Leishmania parasites during transmission from a poikilothermic insect vector to a warm-blooded host. Adaptation to harsh environmental conditions, such as nutrient deprivation, hypoxia, oxidative stress and heat shock needs to be accomplished by rapid reconfiguration of gene expression and remodeling of protein interaction networks. Chaperones play a central role in the maintenance of cellular homeostasis, and they are responsible for crucial tasks such as correct folding of nascent proteins, protein translocation across different subcellular compartments, avoiding protein aggregates and elimination of damaged proteins. Nearly one percent of the gene content in the Leishmania genome corresponds to members of the HSP40 family, a group of proteins that assist HSP70s in a variety of cellular functions. 
  • 2.0K
  • 12 May 2022
Topic Review
Ionic Liquids in Liquid–Liquid Microextraction
Ionic liquids (ILs) are a new chemical medium and soft functional material developed under the framework of green chemistry and possess many unique properties, such as low melting points, low-to-negligible vapor pressures, excellent solubility, structural designability and high thermal stability. 
  • 2.0K
  • 26 Jul 2022
Topic Review
Tolerogenic Vaccines to Induce Antigen-Specific Tolerance
Conventional therapies for immune-mediated diseases, including autoimmune disorders, transplant reactions, and allergies, have undergone a radical evolution in the last few decades; however, they are still not specific enough to avoid widespread immunosuppression. The idea that vaccine usage could be extended beyond its traditional immunogenic function by encompassing the ability of vaccines to induce antigen-specific tolerance may revolutionize preventive and therapeutic strategies in several clinical fields that deal with immune-mediated disorders. 
  • 2.0K
  • 22 Sep 2022
Topic Review
Noocracy
Noocracy (/noʊˈɒkrəsi, ˈnoʊ.əkrəsi/), or "aristocracy of the wise", as originally defined by Plato, is a system of governance where decision making is in the hands of philosophers, similar to his idea of philosopher kings. The idea was further expanded upon by geologist Vladimir Vernadsky, and philosophers (who attended Vernadsky's lectures) Pierre Teilhard de Chardin and Édouard Le Roy, and their concept of the noosphere.
  • 2.0K
  • 19 Oct 2022
Topic Review Video
Cyclodextrin-Based Polymers
Cyclodextrins (CDs) are cyclic oligosaccharide structures that could be used for theranostic applications in personalized medicine. These compounds have been widely utilized not only for enhancing drug solubility, stability, and bioavailability but also for controlled and targeted delivery of small molecules. These compounds can be complexed with various biomolecules, such as peptides or proteins, via host-guest interactions. CDs are amphiphilic compounds with water-hating holes and water-absorbing surfaces. Architectures of CDs allow the drawing and preparation of CD-based polymers (CDbPs) with optimal pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties. These polymers can be cloaked with protein corona consisting of adsorbed plasma or extracellular proteins to improve nanoparticle biodistribution and half-life. Besides, CDs have become famous in applications ranging from biomedicine to environmental sciences.
  • 2.0K
  • 16 Nov 2022
Topic Review
Driving Forces behind Climate Change
Climate change occurs through a complex set of interactive driving forces. According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change sixth assessment report (AR6; https://wg1.ipcc.ch/index.php/ar6/sixth-assessment-report-ar6; Accessed on 5 November 2022), human activity is the main driving force of climate change, whereas others contend that natural factors are also main causes.
  • 2.0K
  • 06 Dec 2022
Topic Review
New Insight on the Pathophysiology of Osteoarthritis
Understanding the basis of osteoarthritis (OA) has seen some interesting advancements. It has been observed that cartilage degeneration is preceded by subchondral bone lesions, suggesting a key role of this mechanism within the pathogenesis and progression of OA, as well as the formation of ectopic bone and osteophytes. Moreover, low-grade, chronic inflammation of the synovial lining has gained a central role in the definition of OA physiopathology, and central immunological mechanisms, innate but also adaptive, are considered crucial in driving inflammation and tissue destruction.
  • 2.0K
  • 15 Dec 2022
Topic Review
IoT-Based Technologies for Smart Home Automation
IoT-based technologies for home automation are now available for every home. There are ones that can be applied using the existing wired infrastructure (powerline cables or Ethernet), connecting sensors, controllers, and other devices, while others are using wireless technologies.
  • 2.0K
  • 27 Apr 2023
Topic Review
Application of Isocyanide-Based Multicomponent Reactions
Multicomponent reactions are a fascinating family of organic chemistry transformations. Traditional bimolecular reactions are outperformed by such reactions, which combine three or more reactants into one reaction product. Multicomponent reactions speed up chemical space exploration by minimizing the quantity of synthesis and refinement steps needed to create a particular target. Isocyanides (isonitriles) were the only stable organic molecules containing a formally divalent carbon atom for a long period of time. The group of isocyanides are distinguishable from other functional groups due to their reactivity.
  • 2.0K
  • 10 May 2023
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