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Topic Review
Extracellular Vesicles Based Drug Delivery
Extracellular vesicles (EVs) play major roles in intracellular communication and participate in several biological functions in both normal and pathological conditions. Surface modification of EVs via various ligands, such as proteins, peptides, or aptamers, offers great potential as a means to achieve targeted delivery of therapeutic cargo, i.e., in drug delivery systems (DDS). This study summarizes recent studies pertaining to the development of EV-based DDS and its advantages compared to conventional nano drug delivery systems (NDDS). 
  • 663
  • 30 Mar 2021
Topic Review
Links between Epigenetics, COVID-19 Infection, and Vitamin D
The highly transmittable and infectious COVID-19 remains a major threat worldwide, with the elderly and comorbid individuals being the most vulnerable. While vaccines are currently available, therapeutic drugs will help ease the viral outbreak and prevent serious health outcomes. Epigenetic modifications regulate gene expression through changes in chromatin structure and have been linked to viral pathophysiology. Since epigenetic modifications contribute to the life cycle of the virus and host immune responses to infection, epigenetic drugs are promising treatment targets to ameliorate COVID-19. Deficiency of the multifunctional secosteroid hormone vitamin D is a global health threat. Vitamin D and its receptor function to regulate genes involved in immunity, apoptosis, proliferation, differentiation, and inflammation. Amassed evidence also indicates the biological relations of vitamin D with reduced disease risk, while its receptor can be modulated by epigenetic mechanisms. The immunomodulatory effects of vitamin D suggest a role for vitamin D as a COVID-19 therapeutic agent.
  • 663
  • 23 Nov 2022
Topic Review
Ferroptosis in H9c2 Cardioblasts: Metabolome Analysis
Ferroptosis is a newly discovered iron-dependent non-apoptotic programmed cell death pathway. It is characterized by the accumulation of oxidized phospholipids due to the excessive oxygenation of polyunsaturated fatty acid (FA) residues of phospholipids by lipoxygenases and the limited capability of glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) to neutralize oxidized phospholipids. Mitochondria play a central role in the pathogenesis of human diseases. They contain the main components and enzymes of the ferroptotic machinery, such as lipoxygenase, GPX4, GSH, glutamate, and iron. Mitochondria do not synthesize GSH and are therefore dependent on the synthesis of cytosolic GSH.  The effects of ferroptosis on the metabolome in H9c2 cardioblasts by gas chromatography-mass spectrophotometry (GC-MS) are described here.
  • 663
  • 29 Mar 2022
Topic Review
Coformer Utilization in Multicomponent Crystal Formation
Most recently discovered active pharmaceutical molecules and market-approved medicines are poorly soluble in water, resulting in limited drug bioavailability and therapeutic effectiveness. The application of coformers in a multicomponent crystal method is one possible strategy to modulate a drug’s solubility. A multicomponent crystal is a solid phase formed when several molecules of different substances crystallize in a crystal lattice with a certain stoichiometric ratio. 
  • 663
  • 20 Jan 2023
Topic Review
Dendritic Cell-Based Approaches in Autoimmunity
Dendritic cells (DCs) dictate the outcomes of tissue-specific immune responses. DCs instruct T cells to respond to antigens (Ags), including self-Ags, leading to organ damage in the context of autoimmune diseases, or to becoming regulatory T cells (Tregs) promoting and perpetuating immune tolerance. DCs can acquire tolerogenic properties in vitro and in vivo in response to several stimuli, a feature that opens the possibility to generate or to target DCs to restore tolerance in autoimmune settings.
  • 662
  • 09 Oct 2021
Topic Review
Current Potential Therapeutic Approaches against SARS-CoV-2
The ongoing SARS-CoV-2 pandemic is a serious threat to public health worldwide and, to date, no effective treatment is available. Thus, we herein review the pharmaceutical approaches to SARS-CoV-2 infection treatment. Numerous candidate medicines that can prevent SARS-CoV-2 infection and replication have been proposed. These medicines include inhibitors of serine protease TMPRSS2 and angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2). The S protein of SARS-CoV-2 binds to the receptor in host cells. ACE2 inhibitors block TMPRSS2 and S protein priming, thus preventing SARS-CoV-2 entry to host cells. Moreover, antiviral medicines (including the nucleotide analogue remdesivir, the HIV protease inhibitors lopinavir and ritonavir, and wide-spectrum antiviral antibiotics arbidol and favipiravir) have been shown to reduce the dissemination of SARS-CoV-2 as well as morbidity and mortality associated with COVID-19
  • 662
  • 12 Nov 2021
Topic Review
MSC-Derived Secretome in Parkinson’s Disease
       Mesenchymal stem cell (MSC)-derived secretome demonstrated therapeutic effects like those reported after MSCs transplantation. MSC-derived secretome may avoid various side effects of MSC-based therapy, comprising undesirable differentiation of engrafted MSCs and potential activation of the allogeneic immune response. MSC-derived secretome comprises soluble factors and encapsulated extravesicles (EVs). MSC-derived EVs comprise microvesicles, apoptotic bodies, and exosomes. In this review, we focus on the recent insights into the effects of MSC-derived secretome in Parkinson’s disease (PD). In particular, MSC-derived secretome and exosomal components counteracted neuroinflammation and enhanced antioxidant capacity and neurotrophic factors expression. In light of the insights reported in this review, MSC-derived secretome or their released exosomes may be used as a potential therapeutic approach or as adjuvant therapy to counteract the disease progression and improve PD symptoms. Also, MSC-derived secretome may be used as a vehicle in cell transplantation approaches to enhance the viability and survival of engrafted cells. Furthermore, since exosomes can cross the blood–brain barrier, they may be used as biomarkers of neural dysfunction. Further studies are necessary to fully characterize the bioactive molecules present in the secretome and to create a new, effective, cell-free therapeutic approach towards a robust clinical outcome for PD patients.
  • 662
  • 28 Sep 2020
Topic Review
MIT for Uric Acid Determination
The application of molecular imprinting technology (MIT) is a fascinating way to obtain the highly selective analytical systems. The terminology of MIT is applicable to both (i) inorganic compounds as it was demonstrated on the silica gel-based system at the very beginning of the history of this technology and also for the (ii) polymeric compounds. In case of the MIT application for the systems based on the polymers, the obtained structures are called MIPs. Uric acid is a biologically active compound, which is found in human fluids (blood and urine). The increased (hyperuricemia) or decreased (hypouricemia) levels of uric acid in the blood and urine are linked to many diseases, including gout, diabetes (type 2), cardiovascular, kidney, and many other. MIPs are offering many analytical and/or technological advantages for electrochemical and some other analytical systems dedicated to the determination of uric acid, which is an important issue in biomedicine, environmental and food chemistry. 
  • 662
  • 21 May 2021
Topic Review
Oxidative Stress in Retinal Dystrophies
Retinal cell survival requires an equilibrium between oxygen, reactive oxygen species, and antioxidant molecules that counteract oxidative stress damage. Oxidative stress alters cell homeostasis and elicits a protective cell response, which is most relevant in photoreceptors and retinal ganglion cells, neurons with a high metabolic rate that are continuously subject to light/oxidative stress insults. Any alteration on the retinal cell mechanisms to respond to oxidative stress injuries results in cell damage and apoptosis. Therefore, antioxidants agents, modulators of gene expression and inducers of cytoprotective signaling pathways may be used as potential therapies to ameliorate phenotypic symptoms in multifactorial and rare retinal dystrophies associated to oxidative stress injuries.
  • 661
  • 22 Sep 2021
Topic Review
Telomerase and Telomere Natural Modulation
Proper functioning of cells—their ability to divide, differentiate, and regenerate—is dictated by genomic stability. The main factors contributing to this stability are the telomeric ends that cap chromosomes. All these processes are accompanied by telomere-length modulation. Maintaining the key levels of telomerase component (hTERT) expression and telomerase activity that provide optimal telomere length as well as some nontelomeric functions represents a promising step in advanced anti-aging strategies, especially in dermocosmetics. Therefore telomere biology and telomerase activity have been of interest to scientists in various medical science fields for years, including the study of both cancer and of senescence and aging. This paper focuses on the metabolic potential of natural compounds to modulate telomerase and telomere biology and thus prevent senescence and skin aging.
  • 661
  • 11 Oct 2021
Topic Review
Advanced Microsamples
Although the application of microsamples in metabolic phenotyping exists, it is still in its infancy, with whole blood being overwhelmingly the primary biofluid collected through the collection method of dried blood spots. Research into the metabolic phenotyping of microsamples is limited; however, with advances in commercially available microsampling devices, common barriers such as volumetric inaccuracies and the ‘haematocrit effect’ in dried blood spot microsampling can be overcome.
  • 661
  • 02 Aug 2022
Topic Review
Formyl-Peptide Receptors
G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are the most important regulators of cardiac function and are commonly targeted for medical therapeutics. Formyl-Peptide Receptors (FPRs) belong to the GPCR superfamily and include three members (FPR1, FPR2 and FPR3). FPRs are functionally expressed in several cells and tissues where they can significantly contribute to inflammatory disorders, cancer, infections and cardiovascular pathologies. FPRs stimulation induces phosphorylation of several signaling proteins modulating different cellular functions such as cell growth, proliferation, intracellular communication, migration, differentiation, apoptosis, and survival. FPRs can also modulate oxidative stress through nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase-dependent reactive oxygen species (ROS) production whose dysregulation has been observed in different cardiovascular diseases.
  • 661
  • 25 Mar 2021
Topic Review
Tumor-Infiltrating Lymphocytes and PD-L1-Positive Cells
This review discusses two topics: (i) the prognostic impact of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes and (ii) predictive biomarkers for immune checkpoint inhibitors, to shed light on lymphocyte migration in four solid tumors, the urothelial carcinoma, renal cell carcinoma, prostate cancer, and retroperitoneal sarcoma.
  • 660
  • 19 Nov 2020
Topic Review
Mycophenolate
Microbiota is involved in the host blood pressure (BP) regulation. The immunosuppressive drug mofetil mycophenolate (MMF) ameliorates hypertension. The present study analyzed whether MMF improves dysbiosis in mineralocorticoid-induced hypertension. Male Wistar rats were assigned to three groups: untreated (CTR), deoxycorticosterone acetate (DOCA)-salt, and DOCA treated with MMF for 4 weeks. MMF treatment reduced systolic BP, improved endothelial dysfunction, and reduced oxidative stress and inflammation in aorta. A clear separation in the gut bacterial community between CTR and DOCA groups was found, whereas the cluster belonging to DOCA-MMF group was found to be intermixed. No changes were found at the phylum level among all experimental groups. MMF restored the elevation in lactate-producing bacteria found in DOCA-salt joined to an increase in the acetate-producing bacteria. MMF restored the percentage of anaerobic bacteria in the DOCA-salt group to values similar to control rats. The improvement of gut dysbiosis was associated with an enhanced colonic integrity and a decreased sympathetic drive in the gut. MMF inhibited neuroinflammation in the paraventricular nuclei in the hypothalamus.
  • 660
  • 15 Dec 2020
Topic Review
Protein Translocation to Endosymbiotic Organelles
The problem with increasing the yield of recombinant proteins is resolvable using different approaches, including the transport of a target protein to cell compartments with a low protease activity. In the cell, protein targeting involves short-signal peptide sequences recognized by intracellular protein transport systems. 
  • 660
  • 17 Oct 2022
Topic Review
DNA:RNA Hybrids in DNA Repair
During the past several years, an increasing number of obstacles to DNA-related transactions was found to similarly trigger DNA repair and tolerance mechanisms. Among them, RNA-containing structures have recently caught the attention of DNA biologists. These range from single ribonucleotide insertions to RNA stretches, DNA:RNA hybrids and R-loops, in which a single-stranded DNA is displaced. Such structures are observed in diverse species and represent a significant fraction of their genomes: for example, ribonucleotides are incorporated in newly synthesized DNA at an overall rate of ~1:1000 nucleotides and R-loops occupy approximately 5% of the human genome. It has become increasingly clear that these structures are relevant for genome integrity: on the one hand, genetic screens have highlighted the importance of RNA metabolism factors in the DNA damage response, and on the other hand, factors classically associated with DNA repair or genome maintenance handle RNA-containing substrates in vitro.
  • 660
  • 28 Jun 2021
Topic Review
Insulin in Health and Disease
Insulin is a polypeptide hormone mainly secreted by β cells in the islets of Langerhans of the pancreas. The hormone potentially coordinates with glucagon to modulate blood glucose levels; insulin acts via an anabolic pathway, while glucagon performs catabolic functions. Insulin regulates glucose levels in the bloodstream and induces glucose storage in the liver, muscles, and adipose tissue, resulting in overall weight gain. The modulation of a wide range of physiological processes by insulin makes its synthesis and levels critical in the onset and progression of several chronic diseases. Although clinical and basic research has made significant progress in understanding the role of insulin in several pathophysiological processes, many aspects of these functions have yet to be elucidated. This review provides an update on insulin secretion and regulation, and its physiological roles and functions in different organs and cells, and implications to overall health. We cast light on recent advances in insulin-signaling targeted therapies, the protective effects of insulin signaling activators against disease, and recommendations and directions for future research.
  • 660
  • 30 Jun 2021
Topic Review
Oxytocin-System
Oxytocin (OXT) is  hypothalamic neuropeptide synthetized in the brain by magnocellular and parvo cellular neurons of the paraventricular, supraoptic and accessory nuclei of the hypothalamus. OXT acts in central and peripheral nervous system via G-protein-coupled receptors. The classical physiological functions of OXT are uterine contractions, the milk ejection reflex during lactation, penile erection and sexual arousal, but recent studies have demonstrated that OXT may has anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant properties and regulates the immune and anti-inflammatory responses. In the pathogenesis of various neurodegenerative diseases, microglia are present in active form and release high levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines,  that are implicated in the process of neural injury.  A promising treatment for neurodegenerative diseases involves new therapeutic approaches targeting activated microglia. Recent studies have reported that OXT exerts neuroprotective effects through inhibition of production of pro-inflammatory mediators, and in development of correct neural circuitry. The focus of this review is to attribute a new important role of OXT in neuroprotection through microglia-OXT interaction of immature and adult brain. In  addition, we also analyzed the strategies that could enhance its delivery in the brain to amplificated its positive effects .  
  • 659
  • 28 Sep 2021
Topic Review
Potential Chemicals from Plastic Wastes
Plastic is referred to as a “material of every application”. From the packaging and automotive industries to the medical apparatus and computer electronics sectors, plastic materials are fulfilling demands efficiently. These plastics usually end up in landfills and incinerators, creating plastic waste pollution. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), in 2015, 9.1% of the plastic materials generated in the U.S. municipal solid waste stream was recycled, 15.5% was combusted for energy, and 75.4% was sent to landfills. 
  • 658
  • 10 Jun 2021
Topic Review
C1q as Biomarker in ME/CFS
This study revealed high levels of circulating complement factor C1q of the participants, placing C1q as a key molecule to identify an myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) subtype/subgroup with more apparent pain symptoms.
  • 658
  • 26 Nov 2021
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