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Topic Review
Golgi's Role in Cancer Therapies
The Golgi apparatus is an important organelle found in most eukaryotic cells. It plays a vital role in the processing and sorting of proteins, lipids and other cellular components for delivery to their appropriate destinations within the cell or for secretion outside of the cell. The Golgi complex also plays a role in the regulation of protein trafficking, secretion and post-translational modifications, which are significant in the development and progression of cancer. Abnormalities in this organelle have been observed in various types of cancer, although research into chemotherapies that target the Golgi apparatus is still in its early stages.
  • 1.1K
  • 19 Jun 2023
Topic Review
Biogenic Volatile Organic Compounds
Upon pathogen attack, plants very quickly undergo rather complex physico-chemical changes, such as the production of new chemicals or alterations in membrane and cell wall properties, to reduce disease damages. An underestimated threat is represented by root parasitic nematodes. In Vitis vinifera L., the nematode Xiphinema index is the unique vector of Grapevine fanleaf virus, responsible for fanleaf degeneration, one of the most widespread and economically damaging diseases worldwide. The aim of this study was to investigate changes in the emission of biogenic volatile organic compounds (BVOCs) in grapevines attacked by X. index. BVOCs play a role in plant defensive mechanisms and are synthetized in response to biotic damages. In our study, the BVOC profile was altered by the nematode feeding process. We found a decrease in β-ocimene and limonene monoterpene emissions, as well as an increase in α-farnesene and α-bergamotene sesquiterpene emissions in nematode-treated plants. Moreover, we evaluated the PR1 gene expression. The transcript level of PR1 gene was higher in the nematode-wounded roots, while in the leaf tissues it showed a lower expression compared to control grapevines.
  • 1.1K
  • 15 Jul 2020
Topic Review
Src Family Kinase
Src family kinases (SFKs) are key regulators of cell proliferation, differentiation, and survival. The expression of these non-receptor tyrosine kinases is strongly correlated with cancer development and tumor progression. Thus, this family of proteins serves as an attractive drug target.
  • 1.1K
  • 14 Jul 2021
Topic Review
Suicidal Erythrocyte Death in Metabolic Syndrome
Eryptosis is a coordinated, programmed cell death culminating with the disposal of cells without disruption of the cell membrane and the release of endocellular oxidative and pro-inflammatory milieu. While providing a convenient form of death for erythrocytes, dysregulated eryptosis may result in a series of detrimental and harmful pathological consequences highly related to the endothelial dysfunction (ED). Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is described as a cluster of cardiometabolic factors (hyperglycemia, dyslipidemia, hypertension and obesity) that increases the risk of cardiovascular complications such as those related to diabetes and atherosclerosis.
  • 1.1K
  • 01 Aug 2022
Topic Review
Mitochondrial Electron Transport Pathway Components
All plants contain an alternative electron transport pathway (AP) in their mitochondria, consisting of the alternative oxidase (AOX) and type 2 NAD(P)H dehydrogenase (ND) families, that are thought to play a role in controlling oxidative stress responses at the cellular level. These alternative electron transport components have been extensively studied in plants like Arabidopsis and stress inducible isoforms identified, but we know very little about them in the important crop plant chickpea. Previously we demonstrated AOX  activity in purified mitochondria from chickpea, identified the genes that encode the AOX isoforms and analysed their relative transcript levels. Here we do the same for NDs, and also explore the response of all AP gene transcripts to salinity stress in leaves of chickpea cultivars differing in their salinity response. A coordinated up-regulation of particular AP genes suggests that the mitochondrial alternative pathway of respiration is an important facet of the stress response in chickpea, in high Na accumulators in particular, despite high capacities for both of these activities in leaf mitochondria of non-stressed chickpeas.
  • 1.1K
  • 02 Nov 2020
Topic Review
Bone in Inherited Endocrine Tumors
Endocrine tumors are neoplasms originating from specialized hormone-secreting cells. They can develop as sporadic tumors, caused by somatic mutations, or in the context of familial Mendelian inherited diseases. Congenital forms, manifesting as syndromic or non-syndromic diseases, are caused by germinal heterozygote autosomal dominant mutations in oncogenes or tumor suppressor genes.
  • 1.1K
  • 30 Aug 2021
Topic Review
The Neurokinin-1 Receptor
Substance P (SP), through the neurokinin-1 receptor (NK-1R), behaves as a universal mitogen in cancer cells. The NK-1R is overexpressed in tumor cells and, in addition, affects the viability of cancer cells. NK-1R antagonists counteract all the previous actions mediated by SP through NK-1R. In a concentration-dependent manner, these antagonists promote tumor cell death by apoptosis. Therefore, NK-1R is a potential and promising therapeutic target for cancer treatment by using NK-1R antagonists (e.g., aprepitant) alone or in combination therapy with chemotherapy or radiotherapy.
  • 1.1K
  • 16 Nov 2022
Topic Review
Pre-Molten, Wet, and Dry Molten Globules
Transitions between the unfolded and native states of the ordered globular proteins are accompanied by the accumulation of several intermediates, such as pre-molten globules, wet molten globules, and dry molten globules. Structurally equivalent conformations can serve as native functional states of intrinsically disordered proteins.
  • 1.1K
  • 17 Sep 2023
Topic Review
Cyclic Dinucleotides in Bacterial Behavior
Cyclic dinucleotides (CDNs) constitute intracellular signaling second messenger systems, they determine the regulation of multiple bacterial phenotypes. Most notably, c-di-GMP, along with proteins related to its synthesis, sensing, and degradation, was identified as playing a central role in the switching from biofilm to planktonic modes of growth. 
  • 1.1K
  • 26 Nov 2021
Topic Review
Characteristics of Pyroptosis
Pyroptosis is an active and ordered form of programmed cell death. The signaling pathways of pyroptosis are mainly divided into canonical pathways mediated by caspase-1 and noncanonical pathways mediated by caspase-11. Cell pyroptosis is characterized by the activation of inflammatory caspases (mainly caspase-1, 4, 5, 11) and cleavage of various members of the Gasdermin family to form membrane perforation components, leading to cell membrane rupture, inflammatory mediators release, and cell death. Moderate pyroptosis is an innate immune response that fights against infection and plays an important role in the occurrence and development of the normal function of the immune system.
  • 1.1K
  • 20 Jan 2023
Topic Review
Squamous Cell Carcinomas
Squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs) are cancers that arise from both stratified squamous and non-squamous epithelium of diverse anatomical sites and collectively represent one of the most frequent solid tumors. Despite such heterogeneous anatomical origins, SCCs have unified oncogenic and metabolic features centered around maintaining redox homeostasis that may ultimately be attractive therapeutic targets.
  • 1.1K
  • 06 Apr 2021
Topic Review
ADGRG1/GPR56 in Tumor Progression
Cellular communication plays a critical role in diverse aspects of tumorigenesis including tumor cell growth/death, adhesion/detachment, migration/invasion, angiogenesis, and metastasis. G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) which constitute the largest group of cell surface receptors are known to play fundamental roles in all these processes. When considering the importance of GPCRs in tumorigenesis, the adhesion GPCRs (aGPCRs) are unique due to their hybrid structural organization of a long extracellular cell-adhesive domain and a seven-transmembrane signaling domain. Indeed, aGPCRs have been increasingly shown to be associated with tumor development by participating in tumor cell interaction and signaling. ADGRG1/GPR56, a representative tumor-associated aGPCR, is recognized as a potential biomarker/prognostic factor of specific cancer types with both tumor-suppressive and tumor-promoting functions. 
  • 1.1K
  • 16 Dec 2021
Topic Review
Principles of NMR and MRI
Depending on the appropriately tuned amplifiers and transceiver coils, in theory, any nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) active nucleus can be used for imaging by MRI. A nucleus with a spin quantum number of ½ (e.g., 1H, 3He, 13C, 14N, 15N, 19F, 19O, 31P, etc.) is designated to be in two spin states and the direction of spin alignment depends on the sign (+/−) of the gyromagnetic ratio, one of the two spin states will align along the magnetic field (ground state, lower energy), whereas the other one will align against it (excited state, higher energy). When an external magnetic field is applied, the spins in the ground state can be promoted to the excited state after absorbing the energy. Upon the termination of the external magnetic field, the spin returns to its equilibrium state (ground state) by a process called relaxation. There are two processes involved, each with an exponential time constant (Ti, i = 1,2): ‘T1’ (longitudinal or spin-lattice) or ‘T2’ (transverse or spin-spin) relaxation times. These parameters help in determining the signal/contrast-to-noise ratio (SNR) and the image resolution.
  • 1.1K
  • 18 Feb 2022
Topic Review
Drug-Induced Liver Injury Assessment by Metabolomics
Drug-induced liver injury (DILI) is one of the most frequent adverse clinical reactions and a relevant cause of morbidity and mortality. Hepatotoxicity is among the major reasons for drug withdrawal during post-market and late development stages, representing a major concern to the pharmaceutical industry. The biochemical parameters for the detection of DILI are based on enzymes (alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), gammaglutamyl transpeptidase (GGT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP)) and bilirubin serum levels that are not specific of DILI and therefore there is an increasing interest on novel, specific, DILI biomarkers discovery. Metabolomics has emerged as a tool with a great potential for biomarker discovery, especially in disease diagnosis, and assessment of drug toxicity or efficacy.
  • 1.1K
  • 07 Jul 2022
Topic Review
MicroRNAs Responding to Space Radiation
High-energy and high-atom-number (HZE) space radiation poses an inevitable potential threat to astronauts on deep space exploration missions. In addition to inducing damage at the DNA level, space radiation also causes epigenetic changes, such as microRNAs, which is important to understanding of the machanisms underlying space radiobiological effects.
  • 1.1K
  • 22 Sep 2020
Topic Review
Post-Translational Control of Protein Expression
Proteins are fundamental biomolecules of living cells, and their expression levels depend on the balance between the synthesis and degradation. The genetic manipulation of the target protein using CRISPR/Cas9, Cre/loxP, tetracyclin system, and RNA interference, are widely used for the regulation of proteins at the DNA, transcriptional, or mRNA level. Recently, researchers have developed various types of molecular tools for the regulation of protein expression at the post-translational level, which rely on harnessing cellular proteolytic machinery including ubiquitin–proteasome pathway, autophagy-lysosome pathway, and endocytosis. The post-translational control of protein expression using small molecules, antibodies, and light can offer significant advantages regarding speed, tunability, and reversibility. These technologies are expected to be applied to pharmacotherapy and cell therapy, as well as research tools for fundamental biological studies.
  • 1.1K
  • 23 Sep 2021
Topic Review
Multiplex Detection of Infectious Diseases on Microfluidic Platforms
Infectious diseases contribute significantly to the global disease burden. Sensitive and accurate screening methods are some of the most effective means of identifying sources of infection and controlling infectivity. Conventional detecting strategies such as quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR), DNA sequencing, and mass spectrometry typically require bulky equipment and well-trained personnel. Therefore, mass screening of a large population using conventional strategies during pandemic periods often requires additional manpower, resources, and time, which cannot be guaranteed in resource-limited settings. Emerging microfluidic technologies have shown the potential to replace conventional methods in performing point-of-care detection because they are automated, miniaturized, and integrated. By exploiting the spatial separation of detection sites, microfluidic platforms can enable the multiplex detection of infectious diseases to reduce the possibility of misdiagnosis and incomplete diagnosis of infectious diseases with similar symptoms. 
  • 1.1K
  • 27 Apr 2023
Topic Review
Clinical Applications of Polypodium leucotomos (Fernblock®) in Oncodermatology
Exposure to sun radiation leads to higher risk of sunburn, pigmentation, immunosuppression, photoaging and skin cancer. In addition to ultraviolet radiation (UVR), recent research indicates that infrared radiation (IR) and visible light (VIS) can play an important role in the pathogenesis of some of these processes. Detrimental effects associated with sun exposure are well known, but new studies have shown that DNA damage continues to occur long after exposure to solar radiation has ended. Regarding photoprotection strategies, natural substances are emerging for topical and oral photoprotection. In this sense, Fernblock®, a standardized aqueous extract of the fern Polypodium Leucotomos (PLE), has been widely administered both topically and orally with a strong safety profile. Thus, this extract has been used extensively in clinical practice, including as a complement to photodynamic therapy (PDT) for treating actinic keratoses (AKs) and field cancerization.
  • 1.1K
  • 21 Jul 2023
Topic Review
ICIs for HCC treatment
Immunotherapies are promising approaches for treating hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs) refractory to conventional therapies. However, a recent clinical trial of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) revealed that anti-tumor responses to ICIs are not satisfactory in HCC cases. Therefore, it is critical to identify molecular markers to predict outcome and develop novel combination therapies that enhance the efficacy of ICIs. Recently, several attempts have been made to classify HCC based on genome, epigenome, and transcriptome analyses. These molecular classifications are characterized by unique clinical and histological features of HCC, as well immune phenotype. For example, HCCs exhibiting gene expression patterns with proliferation signals and stem cell markers are associated with the enrichment of immune infiltrates in tumors, suggesting immune-proficient characteristics for this type of HCC. However, the presence of activating mutations in β-catenin represents a lack of immune infiltrates and refractoriness to ICIs. Although the precise mechanism that links the immunological phenotype with molecular features remains controversial, it is conceivable that alterations of oncogenic cellular signaling in cancer may lead to the expression of immune-regulatory molecules and result in the acquisition of specific immunological microenvironments for each case of HCC. Therefore, these molecular and immune characteristics should be considered for the management of HCC using immunotherapy.
  • 1.1K
  • 02 Nov 2020
Topic Review
Acute Phase of Brain Injury
Early or primary injury due to brain aggression, such as mechanical trauma, hemorrhage or is-chemia, triggers the release of damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) in the extracellular space. Some DAMPs, such as S100B, participate in the regulation of cell growth and survival but may also trigger cellular damage as their concentration increases in the extracellular space. When DAMPs bind to pattern-recognition receptors, such as the receptor of advanced glycation end-products (RAGE), they lead to non-infectious inflammation that will contribute to necrotic cell clearance but may also worsen brain injury.
  • 1.1K
  • 23 Mar 2021
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