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Topic Review
CRISPR-Cas System for Genetic Disease Therapy
CRISPRs (clusters of regularly inter-spaced palindromic repeats) is a term that refers to regular and repetitive nucleotide sequences that are universally present in bacterial DNA. It was first discovered in 1987 by Professor Nakada’s team at Osaka University in Japan. Since then, several researchers have discovered that this repeating sequence is the microorganism’s defense system for fighting virus invasion. That is, when a microorganism is infected with a bacteria-specific virus, some of the surviving individuals cut part of the virus’s DNA and insert it into their genome one after another. Bacteria defend themselves against phages and plasmids by using the CRISPR-CRISPR-associated protein (Cas) system, which is a genetically encoded RNA-mediated adaptive immunity system. The CRISPR-Cas system is extremely diverse, and it is broadly classified into two classes (I and II), which are further classified into six types (I-VI) and several subtypes. Cascade is the effector complex for CRISPR interference in class I/type I systems. It is composed of CRISPR RNA (crRNA), a large and small Cas subunit, as well as a variable number of Cas5, Cas6, and Cas7 that recognize the target and recruit Cas3, cleaving the target DNA. On the other hand, the RNP surveillance complex in class II systems is made up of a single Cas protein, Cas9 or Cpf1, and this effector complex participates in both target recognition and cleavage.
  • 887
  • 08 Oct 2022
Topic Review
Autologous Chondrocytes from Different Sources
Damaged hyaline cartilage gradually decreases joint function and growing pain significantly reduces the quality of a patient’s life. The clinically approved procedure of autologous chondrocyte implantation (ACI) for treating knee cartilage lesions has several limits. Various ACI modifications are being developed using autologous chondrocytes from alternative sources, such as the auricles, nose, and ribs.
  • 881
  • 12 Oct 2022
Topic Review
Functionalized Nanomaterials as Theranostic Agents in Brain Imaging
Theranostic nanoparticles in molecular imaging significantly impact non-invasive strategies to understand biological and biochemical events in intact cells within living subjects. It plays a prominent role in disease diagnosis and therapeutic monitoring outcomes in vivo. The theranostic application of nanomaterials can be classified into morphological and functional imaging based on their roles in image contrast abilities during applicable imaging methods.
  • 869
  • 08 Apr 2022
Topic Review
Engineered Vasculature
Engineered vasculature refers to the creation or fabrication of artificial blood vessel networks within biological systems or tissue constructs by combining organ-specific cells and vasculature cells, scaffolds, and biologically active molecules to form functional tissues. Engineered vasculature is inspired by the structure and function of the natural vascular system that facilitates nutrients and oxygen exchange between cells and blood vessels. It has been used to study vascular pathophysiology, vasculature–organ interaction, and drug and cell trans-endothelium trafficking. In particular, it has been applied in cancer research to study angiogenesis, vascular remodeling, and metastasis. Moreover, engineered vascular conduits that are usually large vessels (>1 cm3) have been used for regenerative purposes, replacing large dysfunctional arteria.
  • 866
  • 11 May 2023
Topic Review
Patient-Derived Lung Tumoroids
Synthetic 3D multicellular systems derived from patient tumors, or tumoroids, have been developed to complete the cancer research arsenal and overcome the limits of current preclinical models. Lung cancer is the deadliest cancer worldwide; non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is the most common form, with 85% of all cases. The survival rate over 5 years for patients with advanced stage lung cancer remains below 15% despite the diversity of therapeutic treatments and very important progress. Treatment options mainly rely on surgery, complemented with radiotherapy, targeted chemotherapy, or immunotherapy, thanks to the development of specific markers of response. 
  • 864
  • 05 Aug 2022
Topic Review
Long Non-Coding RNAs in Neuroblastoma
Neuroblastoma (NB) is a heterogeneous developmental tumor occurring in childhood, which arises from the embryonic sympathoadrenal cells of the neural crest. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are a group of RNAs longer than 200 nucleotides. Whether lncRNAs are destined to become a protein or not, they exert multiple biological functions such as regulating gene expression and functions. In recent decades, different research has highlighted the possible role of lncRNAs in the pathogenesis of many diseases, including cancer. Moreover, lncRNAs may represent potential markers or targets for diagnosis and treatment of diseases.
  • 862
  • 05 May 2021
Topic Review
Scaffolds and Biomaterials for Soft Tissue Engineering
The utilization of materials in medical implants, serving as substitutes for non-functional biological structures, supporting damaged tissues, or reinforcing active organs, holds significant importance in modern healthcare, positively impacting the quality of life for millions of individuals worldwide. Biodegradable metals, including zinc (Zn), magnesium (Mg), iron, and others, present a new paradigm in the realm of implant materials. Research focuses on developing optimized materials that meet medical standards, encompassing controllable corrosion rates, sustained mechanical stability, and favorable biocompatibility. Achieving these objectives involves refining alloy compositions and tailoring processing techniques to carefully control microstructures and mechanical properties. Among the materials under investigation, Mg- and Zn-based biodegradable materials and their alloys demonstrate the ability to provide necessary support during tissue regeneration while gradually degrading over time. Furthermore, as essential elements in the human body, Mg and Zn offer additional benefits, including promoting wound healing, facilitating cell growth, and participating in gene generation while interacting with various vital biological functions. 
  • 861
  • 10 Jan 2024
Topic Review
Multifunctionality in Microbial Adhesins
Microbial adhesins have multiple functions, and these activities are all evolved and selected. Adhesins can act as enzymes, as assembly scaffolds and components of complex nano-machines. Sometimes, these activities are called secondary because they were discovered secondarily. For instance, microbial type IV pili were first called adhesive. In contrast, phosphoglycerate kinase has its well-known enzymatic activity, but in fungi it also moonlights as an extracellular adhesin.
  • 860
  • 16 Jun 2023
Topic Review
Spinal-Cord Injury: Lentiviral-Vectors and Biomaterials
Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a devastating trauma that can cause permanent disability, life-long chronic issues for sufferers and is a big socioeconomic burden. Therapies that target multiple different cellular and molecular mechanisms prove to be a superior approach in attempts at regeneration. Studies indicate that a combination of biomaterials and LVs is more effective than either approach alone. 
  • 859
  • 01 Sep 2021
Topic Review
Antioxidant Materials in Oral and Maxillofacial Tissue Regeneration
Oral and maxillofacial tissue defects caused by trauma, tumor reactions, congenital anomalies, ischemic diseases, infectious diseases, surgical resection, and odontogenic cysts present a formidable challenge for reconstruction. Antioxidants are materials that preserve cells from the damage caused by free radicals. They can control the harm of oxidative stress directly through the reaction with free radicals or indirectly through inhibition of the activity of free radical-producing enzymes or improvement of the activity of intracellular antioxidant enzymes. In addition to the inhibitory impact of antioxidant materials on reactive oxygen species (ROS) products, their osteogenic/odontogenic differentiation effects are of great interest in dental and facial tissue regeneration.
  • 859
  • 23 May 2023
Topic Review
3D Microenvironment Cell Culture in Snake Venom Research
Snake venoms are a natural biological source of bioactive compounds, mainly composed of proteins and peptides with specific pathophysiological functions. The diversity of protein families found in snake venoms is reflected by the range of targets and toxicological effects observed, and consequently, a wide variety of potential pharmacological activities. In this context, in vitro biomimetic models such as spheroid and organoid systems, which are three-dimensional (3D) cell culture models, enable extensive screening and identification of substances with pharmacological potential and the determination of the mechanisms underlying their activities.
  • 859
  • 01 Jul 2022
Topic Review
Sex Hormone-Specific Neuroanatomy of Takotsubo Syndrome
TTS(Takotsubo syndrome) was first officially reported in 1991 as a reversible cardiomyopathy that appeared to be precipitated by acute emotional stress. The majority of TTS patients were postmenopausal females and usually developed symptoms similar to those of an acute coronary syndrome. A strong emotional stressor was thought to cause a transient abnormality of LV wall motion in the apical and mid-ventricular portion without obstructive coronary artery disease with ECG changes. TTS was initially called “Takotsubo cardiomyopathy”. Although most TTS cases were described as having been caused by negative emotions, there are cases in which positive emotions, such as joy, triggered TTS. In addition, 10% of TTS patients are male.
  • 857
  • 21 Jan 2022
Topic Review
Cardiac Regeneration
Cardiac regeneration is a critical endeavor in the treatment of heart diseases, aimed at repairing and enhancing the structure and function of damaged myocardium. Stem cell-based therapies, which involve the utilization of adult stem cells and pluripotent stem cells hold immense potential for replenishing lost cardiomyocytes and facilitating cardiac tissue repair and regeneration. Tissue engineering also plays a prominent role employing synthetic or natural biomaterials, engineering cardiac patches and grafts with suitable properties, and fabricating upscale bioreactors to create functional constructs for cardiac recovery. These constructs can be transplanted into the heart to provide mechanical support and facilitate tissue healing. Additionally, the production of organoids and chips that accurately replicate the structure and function of the whole organ is an area of extensive research. 
  • 856
  • 24 Aug 2023
Topic Review
3D Organoids
The 3D organoid model system represents a powerful tool for capturing the physiology of the normal or neoplastic esophagus. These 3D organoids are easily manipulatable, require little patient material, and are amenable to medium- or high-throughput screening. While no studies have yet leveraged the 3D organoid system to characterize the functional consequences of microbiome alterations in esophageal neoplasia, this system has been applied to other cancer types.
  • 856
  • 11 Jan 2022
Topic Review
Oral Diseases and Related Biomaterials
Oral diseases such as gingivitis, periodontitis, and oral cancer affect millions of people worldwide. Much research has been conducted to understand the pathogenetic mechanisms of these diseases and translate this knowledge into therapeutics. 
  • 854
  • 24 May 2022
Topic Review
Prostate Cancer Applying Upconversion Nanoparticles
Upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs) are nanoscale crystals equipped, for instance, with rare earth ions that have the ability to absorb two or even more low energy photons and therefore are able to emit fluorescence at a shorter wavelength than the excitation wavelength. 
  • 851
  • 31 May 2021
Topic Review
Human Pluripotent Stem Cells and 3D Cardiac Microtissues
Cardiovascular disorders (CVDs) are the number one cause of death globally, according to the World Health Organization, being responsible for 17.9 million deaths in 2016, which represented 31% of all global deaths. Human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) have aroused attention as a powerful source of cardiac cells that could help to mitigate some of these problems, namely (1) the identification of new mechanisms of action in different cardiac disorders; (2) improving the reliability of cardiotoxicity side effect detection in newly developed compounds; and (3) providing a source of cardiac cells for the development of new regenerative medicine-based therapies.
  • 850
  • 23 Dec 2021
Topic Review
Bone Mineral Phase and Localized Ionic Microenvironment
Calcium phosphates (CaPs) based on inorganic biomaterials are one of the most extensively studied types for bone grafting. They are composed of calcium ions and phosphate groups, which are omnipresent in the bloodstream or fixed in the bone mineral phase. Considering the abundance of ions in the bone environment and the current knowledge of their modulatory roles in maintaining the bone remodeling balance, it is expected that a deeper understanding of ions in the bone environment would provide new insights to guide the future design of inorganic biomaterials for bone tissue engineering.
  • 848
  • 20 Feb 2023
Topic Review
White Adipose Tissue
The immune and endocrine dysfunctions of white adipose tissue are a hallmark of metabolic disorders such as obesity and type 2 diabetes. In humans, white adipose tissue comprises distinct depots broadly distributed under the skin (hypodermis) and as internal depots (visceral). Depot-specific ASCs could account for visceral and subcutaneous adipose tissue properties, by regulating adipogenesis and immunomodulation. More importantly, visceral and subcutaneous depots account for distinct contributions to obesity and its metabolic comorbidities. Distinct ASCs subpopulations were also described in subcutaneous adipose tissue. Interestingly, the superficial layer closer to the dermis shows hyperplastic and angiogenic capacities, whereas the deep layer is considered as having inflammatory properties similar to visceral. 
  • 848
  • 29 Dec 2023
Topic Review
Growth Factors for Bone
Growth factors are bio-factors that target reparatory cells during bone regeneration. These growth factors are needed in complicated conditions of bone and joint damage to enhance tissue repair. The delivery of these growth factors is key to ensuring the effectiveness of regenerative therapy. Therapeutic growth factors are needed to enhance bone or cartilage repair in some conditions where healing is complicated or delayed. Traumatic bone healing could be complicated in up to 15% of the cases. Several other pathological conditions, such as osteonecrosis and arthritis, are accompanied by degenerative bone lesions. 
  • 846
  • 27 May 2022
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