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Topic Review
MicroRNA Expression in Sepsis
A critically ill polytrauma patient is one of the most complex cases to be admitted to the intensive care unit, due to both the primary traumatic complications and the secondary post-traumatic interactions. From a molecular, genetic, and epigenetic point of view, numerous biochemical interactions are responsible for the deterioration of the clinical status of a patient, and increased mortality rates. From a molecular viewpoint, microRNAs are one of the most complex macromolecular systems due to the numerous modular reactions and interactions that they are involved in. Regarding the expression and activity of microRNAs in sepsis, their usefulness has reached new levels of significance. MicroRNAs can be used both as an early biomarker for sepsis, and as a therapeutic target because of their ability to block the complex reactions involved in the initiation, maintenance, and augmentation of the clinical status.
  • 1.1K
  • 11 Jul 2022
Topic Review
Metabolomics in Atopic Eczema
Atopic eczema (AE) is an inflammatory skin disorder affecting approximately 20% of children worldwide and early onset can lead to asthma and allergies. Metabolomics, the analysis of small molecules in the skin produced by the host and microbes, opens a window to observe the mechanisms of the disease which then may lead to new drug targets for AE treatment. 
  • 1.1K
  • 27 Sep 2022
Topic Review
Amyloid Precursor Protein in AD
       Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most common neurodegenerative disease, and globally, over 46 million people are affected by this devastating disease. AD causes irreversible mental and cognitive deficiency including memory loss, personality disorder, and intellectual abnormality in patients older than 65 years. Central sensory systems including the visual system are also affected during the advanced stages of the disease . Collectively, complications of AD diminish the lifespan, hamper the quality of life, and cause physical impairment, which finally appears as a terrible difficulty in normal life activities. To decrease the social and economic costs and the burden of the disease on patients and their families, recently, several attempts have been made to identify disease diagnostic markers. Neuroimaging methods, such as magnetic resonance imaging and positron emission tomography, have been developed enabling researchers to diagnose AD at the early stages of the disease. Moreover, distinct biomarkers, which are essential to figure out the pathological characteristics of AD, have been observed in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). The advancement of AD is associated with three cardinal neuropathological features such as extracellular deposition of amyloid-β (Aβ) to produce neuritic plaques, intracellular neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs) and synaptic degeneration. These pathological alterations arise in the neocortex, hippocampus, and other subcortical regions that are crucial for cognitive functions. Aβ has been considered as the foremost risk factor that playing a vital role in the initiation and progression of AD. Aβ is generated into the typical individual, but in some instances, this peptide leads to aggregation, the starting point of disease progression. Many findings elucidate that Aβ oligomers might play a central role in neuronal dysfunction and AD. 
  • 1.1K
  • 20 Apr 2021
Topic Review
Entamoeba histolytica and the Microbiome
In the gut, E. histolytica feeds on bacteria. Increasing evidences support the role of the gut microbiota in the development of the disease.
  • 1.1K
  • 18 Jun 2021
Topic Review
The Insulin-like Growth Factor System and Colorectal Cancer
Insulin-like growth factors (IGFs) are peptides which exert mitogenic, endocrine and cytokine activities. Together with their receptors, binding proteins and associated molecules, they participate in numerous pathophysiological processes, including cancer development. Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a disease with high incidence and mortality rates worldwide, whose etiology usually represents a combination of the environmental and genetic factors. IGFs are most often increased in CRC, enabling excessive autocrine/paracrine stimulation of the cell growth. Overexpression or increased activation/accessibility of IGF receptors is a coinciding step which transmits IGF-related signals. A number of molecules and biochemical mechanisms exert modulatory effects shaping the final outcome of the IGF-stimulated processes, frequently leading to neoplastic transformation in the case of irreparable disbalance.
  • 1.1K
  • 24 Oct 2022
Topic Review
Exosomes Diversity
Cells can communicate through special “messages in the bottle”, which are recorded in the bloodstream inside vesicles, namely exosomes. The exosomes are nanovesicles of 30–100 nm in diameter that carry functionally active biological material, such as proteins, messanger RNA (mRNAs), and micro RNA (miRNAs). Therefore, they are able to transfer specific signals from a parental cell of origin to the surrounding cells in the microenvironment and to distant organs through the circulatory and lymphatic stream. More and more interest is rising for the pathological role of exosomes produced by cancer cells and for their potential use in tumor monitoring and patient follow up. In particular, the exosomes could be an appropriate index of proliferation and cancer cell communication for monitoring the minimal residual disease, which cannot be easily detectable by common diagnostic and monitoring techniques. The lack of unequivocal markers for tumor-derived exosomes calls for new strategies for exosomes profile characterization aimed at the adoption of exosomes as an official tumor biomarker for tumor progression monitoring.
  • 1.1K
  • 21 Nov 2020
Topic Review
ABCG2
The ABCG2 (also named breast cancer resistance protein—BCRP, or mitoxantrone resistance protein—MXR) is an integral membrane protein belonging to the ABC (ATP-binding cassette) protein superfamily. ABCG2 is an active transporter utilizing the energy of ATP binding and hydrolysis to translocate various substrate molecules across the plasma membrane from the cells to the extracellular space. Its transported substrates include endobiotics (endogenous substances), such as uric acid, as well as xenobiotics, such as anti-cancer drugs. ABCG2 plays a pivotal role in uric acid clearance; thus, its malfunction may lead to hyperuricemia and gout. On the other hand, ABCG2 residing in various barrier tissues is involved in the innate defense mechanisms of the body, influencing the absorption, distribution, excretion of potentially toxic endo- and exogenous compounds.
  • 1.1K
  • 11 May 2021
Topic Review
Structure Dynamics and Signaling of the Neurokinin-1 Receptor
Substance P (SP), the first isolated neuropeptide, belongs to the family of tachykinin peptides and is the natural ligand of neurokinin-1 receptors (NK-1R), also named SP receptors. The undecapeptide activates the receptor after specifically binding to the protein and triggers intracellular signals leading to different biochemical events and subsequent physiological responses. 
  • 1.1K
  • 21 Oct 2022
Topic Review
Glutathione in Brain Disorders and Aging
Glutathione is a remarkably functional molecule with diverse features, which include being an antioxidant, a regulator of DNA synthesis and repair, a protector of thiol groups in proteins, a stabilizer of cell membranes, and a detoxifier of xenobiotics. Glutathione exists in two states-oxidized and reduced. Under normal physiological conditions of cellular homeostasis, glutathione remains primarily in its reduced form.
  • 1.1K
  • 22 Feb 2022
Topic Review
Alcohol-Poisoning Symptoms
Lactic Acid Bacteria (LAB) are recognized as “probiotics.” The word “probiotics” is defined as “the live microorganisms conferring a health benefit on the host when administered in adequate amounts”, and probiotic LAB strains traditionally have been used to manufacture fermented foods. It has been reported that some LAB cells and fermented foods containing the bacteria have potent health benefits, such as promoting intestinal homeostasis, possessing anti-allergic properties, and preventing and improving obesity.
  • 1.1K
  • 01 Nov 2020
Topic Review
Interconversion, Turnover and Degradation of Chlorophyll
Chlorophylls (Chls, Chl a and Chl b) are tetrapyrrole molecules essential for photosynthetic light harvesting and energy transduction in plants. Once formed, Chls are noncovalently bound to photosynthetic proteins on the thylakoid membrane. In contrast, they are dismantled from photosystems in response to environmental changes or developmental processes; thus, they undergo interconversion, turnover, and degradation.
  • 1.1K
  • 23 Nov 2021
Topic Review
Bio-Photonic Cavities
An eco-friendly approach to usual optical cavities, in which an electromagnetic radiation can release energy to matter by interacting with its molecular or atomic structure. Based on bio-inspired and biodegradable meta-surfaces, able to behave as a resonator for light, their optical response can be engineered at will to accomplish a particular optical task.  
  • 1.1K
  • 24 Nov 2021
Topic Review
Synthetic Polymers and Protein Fibrillation under Crowded Conditions
Protein amyloid fibrils have widespread implications for human health. Fibrillation has been studied using a variety of crowding agents to mimic the packed interior of cells or to probe the mechanisms and pathways of the process. One commonly used class of crowding agents is synthetic polymers. Complex effects are observed depending on the specific paring of polymer and fibrillating protein, but generally crowding with synthetic polymers favors fibrillation.
  • 1.1K
  • 22 Jul 2022
Topic Review
Controlling Gene Expression in Hypoxia
Hypoxia—reduction in oxygen availability—plays key roles in both physiological and pathological processes. Given the importance of oxygen for cell and organism viability, mechanisms to sense and respond to hypoxia are in place. A variety of enzymes utilise molecular oxygen, but of particular importance to oxygen sensing are the 2-oxoglutarate (2-OG) dependent dioxygenases (2-OGDs). Of these, Prolyl-hydroxylases have long been recognised to control the levels and function of Hypoxia Inducible Factor (HIF), a master transcriptional regulator in hypoxia, via their hydroxylase activity. However, recent studies are revealing that dioxygenases are involved in almost all aspects of gene regulation, including chromatin organisation, transcription and translation. We highlight the relevance of HIF and 2-OGDs in the control of gene expression in response to hypoxia and their relevance to human biology and health. 
  • 1.1K
  • 05 Mar 2021
Topic Review
δ-Cells
Somatostatin-secreting δ-cells have aroused great attention due to their powerful roles in coordination of islet insulin and glucagon secretion and maintenance of glucose homeostasis. δ-cells exhibit neuron-like morphology with projections which enable pan-islet somatostatin paracrine regulation despite their scarcity in the islets. 
  • 1.1K
  • 06 Apr 2021
Topic Review
Cannabinoids
Cannabinoids can be classified as (1) endocannabinoids (AEA, 2-AG), (2) phytocannabinoids (THC, CBD), and (3) synthetic analogs (AJA)—. Phytocannabinoids constitute more than 110 chemical compounds, while synthetic analogs are even more numerous.
  • 1.1K
  • 05 Aug 2021
Topic Review
Polyethyleneimine-Based Lipopolyplexes
Lipopolyplexes based on poliethylenimine are an interesting platform for future anti-cancer gene therapies. The carrier consists of nucleic acids condensed with poliethylenimine chains and enclosed in lipid vesicles. Lipopolyplexes could be very versatile, what enables tailoring the carrier for specific thereapeutic needs, however the preparation process is a multistage and fairly sensitive one, which additionally requires a specific balance to be maintained between its stability in the body, which would allow the appropriate dose of the preparation to reach the target site, and the ability to release nucleic acid at the right place and time.
  • 1.1K
  • 10 Jan 2022
Topic Review
Clinical Applications of Short Non-Coding RNA-Based Therapies
RNA therapies have demonstrated clinical potential for both the treatment of cancer and other pathologies. Therapeutic delivery and resulting adverse events remain significant roadblocks in implementing many of these drugs into clinical practice, but the FDA approval of three Alnylam Pharmaceuticals’ small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) therapies has been a milestone in developing therapies tailored to disease-driving target genes. While it seems that RNAs can be administered “naked” in closed-compartment organs such as eyes and lungs, more research is needed for systemic administration. Lipid nanoparticles represent a promising delivery method, but some challenges remain because of their potential to elicit an immune response, relatively low circulation times, and relatively large size. The use of GalNAc for the delivery and targeting of siRNAs has made significant progress, but delivery systems targeted to organs other than the liver would broaden the range of diseases that could be treated with RNA therapies.
  • 1.1K
  • 07 Apr 2022
Topic Review
Cytochrome c oxidase Assembly Factors
An overview of cytochrome c oxidase assembly factors in baker's yeast and humans with hypotheses regarding the assembly process in low oxygen conditions and during initial entry into the inner mitochondrial membrane.
  • 1.1K
  • 10 Oct 2020
Topic Review
Aromatic Plants Metabolic Engineering
Secondary metabolites of aromatic plants are used in many health applications as drugs, pheromones, insecticides, fragrances, and antioxidants. Due to the huge commercial demand for these secondary metabolites, the need to overcome the insufficient productivity of aromatic plants has become a significant challenge. Plant breeding is a traditional, labor-intensive, and limited method to improve the ability of aromatic plants to produce secondary metabolites.
  • 1.1K
  • 23 Dec 2022
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