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Topic Review
Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction
Successful detection of the first SARS-CoV-2 cases using the real-time polymerase chain reaction (real-time PCR) method reflects the power and usefulness of this technique. Real-time PCR is a variation of the PCR assay to allow monitoring of the PCR progress in actual time. PCR itself is a molecular process used to enzymatically synthesize copies in multiple amounts of a selected DNA region for various purposes. Real-time PCR is one of the most powerful molecular approaches and is widely used in biological sciences and medicine because it is quantitative, accurate, sensitive, and rapid. Applications of real-time PCR include gene expression analysis, mutation detection, detection and quantification of pathogens, detection of genetically modified organisms, detection of allergens, monitoring of microbial degradation, species identification, and determination of parasite fitness. The technique has been used as a gold standard for COVID-19 diagnosis. Modifications of the standard real-time PCR methods have also been developed for particular applications. 
  • 1.5K
  • 26 Dec 2022
Topic Review
Nuclear factor-κB in Psoriasis
Nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) plays a central role in psoriasis and canonical Wnt/β-catenin pathway blunts the immune-mediated inflammatory cascade in psoriasis. Adenosine A2A receptor activation blocks NF-κB and boosts the Wnt/β-catenin signaling. PDRN (Polydeoxyribonucleotide) is a biologic agonist of the A2A receptor and its effects were studied in an experimental model of psoriasis. Psoriasis-like lesions were induced by a daily application of imiquimod (IMQ) on the shaved back skin of mice for 7 days. Animals were randomly assigned to the following groups: Sham psoriasis challenged with Vaseline; IMQ animals challenged with imiquimod; and IMQ animals treated with PDRN (8 mg/kg/ip). An additional arm of IMQ animals was treated with PDRN plus istradefylline (KW6002; 25 mg/kg/ip) as an A2A antagonist. PDRN restored a normal skin architecture, whereas istradefylline abrogated PDRN positive effects, thus pointing out the mechanistic role of the A2A receptor. PDRN decreased pro-inflammatory cytokines, prompted Wnt signaling, reduced IL-2 and increased IL-10. PDRN also reverted the LPS repressed Wnt-1/β-catenin in human keratinocytes and these effects were abolished by ZM241385, an A2A receptor antagonist. Finally, PDRN reduced CD3+ cells in superficial psoriatic dermis. PDRN anti-psoriasis potential may be linked to a “dual mode” of action: NF-κB inhibition and Wnt/β-catenin stimulation.
  • 1.5K
  • 03 Nov 2020
Topic Review
Microbial Biosurfactants
Surface-active molecules also known as surfactants are chemicals that have key impacts on several aspects of our daily products and life. Most of these chemical surfactants originate from petrochemical of oleochemical sources and are ingredients of household laundry cleaning agents, cosmetics, pharmaceutical, environmental cleaning products, petroleum, and agro-food processing industry. Worldwide use of these compounds has been steadily increasing during the past few decades and will be further increasing in the future.  Most such chemical surfactants  however, have negative effects on the environment, a fact that led to the search for alternatives with less impact and the shift towards a more sustainable environmental friendly biological surfactants (biosurfactants) which was mainly driven by the sustainability agenda by many international players in the field. Most these biosurfactants are produced by microorganisms (bacteria and fungi) and the advantages they bring include much lower toxicity, relative stability at high temperature and in adverse environments in addition to being readily biodegradable when, discharged into the environment. Many chemical surfactants included in cosmetic and pharmaceutical compounds have been reported to have the potential to cause detrimental effects such as allergic reactions and skin irritations to the human skin which encouraged the search for a more suitable replacements  with less or no negative effects on skin health. As biosurfactants were known to exhibit skin compatibility, protection and surface moisturizing effects which are key components for an effective skincare routine in addition to lower toxicity. Interest therefore in biosurfactants that have antimicrobial, skin surface moisturizing and low toxicity properties which would make them suitable substitutes for chemical surfactants in current cosmetic and personal skincare and pharmaceutical formulations has been steadily increasing. 
  • 1.5K
  • 24 Mar 2023
Topic Review
Adjuvants for New Anti-Tuberculosis Vaccines
Tuberculosis (TB) is an infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) that sits in the top 10 leading causes of death in the world today and is the current leading cause of death among infectious diseases. Although there is a licensed vaccine against TB, the Mycobacterium bovis bacilli Calmette–Guérin (BCG) vaccine, it has several limitations, namely its high variability of efficacy in the population and low protection against pulmonary tuberculosis. New vaccines for TB are needed. The World Health Organization (WHO) considers the development and implementation of new TB vaccines to be a priority. Subunit vaccines are promising candidates since they can overcome safety concerns and optimize antigen targeting. Nevertheless, these vaccines need adjuvants in their formulation in order to increase immunogenicity, decrease the needed antigen dose, ensure a targeted delivery and optimize the antigens delivery and interaction with the immune cells. 
  • 1.5K
  • 10 Feb 2021
Topic Review
Ovarian Cancer Biomarkers
Ovarian cancer is the eighth-most common cause of death among women worldwide. In the absence of distinctive symptoms in the early stages, the majority of women are diagnosed in advanced stages of the disease. Surgical debulking and systemic adjuvant chemotherapy remain the mainstays of treatment, with the development of chemoresistance in up to 75% of patients with subsequent poor treatment response and reduced survival. Therefore, there is a critical need to revisit existing, and identify potential biomarkers that could lead to the development of novel and more effective predictors for ovarian cancer diagnosis and prognosis. The capacity of these biomarkers to predict the existence, stages, and associated therapeutic efficacy of ovarian cancer would enable improvements in the early diagnosis and survival of ovarian cancer patients. 
  • 1.5K
  • 15 Apr 2021
Topic Review
Arterial Hypertension and Tension-Type Headache
Arterial hypertension (AH) is a prevalent condition worldwide and is the key risk factor for non-fatal and fatal cardiovascular complications. Tension-type headache (TTH) is the most common type of primary headache and is considered a common everyday headache.
  • 1.5K
  • 11 Oct 2021
Topic Review
Pharmacogenetics Approach for COVID-19 Treatment
Pharmacogenetics could explain the interindividual variability in the treatment used for the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and improve patients’ outcomes with this complex disease. Relevant considerations should be taken into account in the design of the pharmacogenetic studies for drugs used in COVID-19. 
  • 1.5K
  • 10 Feb 2022
Topic Review
Electrochemical Biosensing of Dopamine Neurotransmitter
Neurotransmitters are biochemical molecules that transmit a signal from a neuron across the synapse to a target cell, thus being essential to the function of the central and peripheral nervous system. Dopamine is one of the most important catecholamine neurotransmitters since it is involved in many functions of the human central nervous system, including motor control, reward, or reinforcement. It is of utmost importance to quantify the amount of dopamine since abnormal levels can cause a variety of medical and behavioral problems. 
  • 1.5K
  • 17 Jun 2021
Topic Review
PHARC Syndrome
PHARC (polyneuropathy, hearing loss, ataxia, retinitis pigmentosa (RP) and early-onset cataract) is an acronym for a rare, neurodegenerative disease caused by biallelic variants in the ABHD12 gene
  • 1.5K
  • 12 Oct 2021
Topic Review
Prevalence of E. coli in Goats
Goat meat is the main source of animal protein in developing countries, particularly in Asia and Africa. Goat meat consumption has also increased in the US in the recent years due to the growing ethnic population. The digestive tract of goat is a natural habitat for Escherichia coli organisms. While researchers have long focused on postharvest intervention strategies to control E. coli outbreaks, recent works have also included preharvest methodologies. In goats, these include minimizing animal stress, manipulating diet a few weeks prior to processing, feeding diets high in tannins, controlling feed deprivation times while preparing for processing, and spray washing goats prior to slaughter.
  • 1.5K
  • 27 Oct 2021
Topic Review
Association between Diet and Xerostomia
Xerostomia is defined as a subjective symptom of dry mouth, which may affect swallowing, chewing, taste perception and is the most important predictor in reduced oral health-related quality of life; also, xerostomia has been associated with nutritional changes. Xerostomia is a common condition of patients with autoimmune diseases; 50% or more patients with systemic lupus erythematosus, polymyositis/dermatomyositis or systemic scleroderma reported xerostomia. Sjogren‘s syndrome is one of the three most prevalent systemic autoimmune diseases and 98% of patients reported to have xerostomia. Although xerostomia is often claimed to lead to an impaired nutrition, there is lacking knowledge of which specific food groups associate with this condition. Therefore, our study examines the association between xerostomia and 23 diet items.
  • 1.5K
  • 02 Dec 2021
Topic Review
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles in Precision Agriculture Sensing Applications
Precision agriculture (PA) is becoming highly significant in today’s technologically advanced world and has been considered as the farm for the future. This is a modern farming management concept using digital techniques to monitor and optimize agricultural production processes by using technological advancement. PA uses modern technology and principles to manage the spatial and temporal variability in all aspects of agricultural production for the goal of improving crop performance. 
  • 1.5K
  • 01 Apr 2022
Topic Review
Genetic and Genomic Alterations in Glioblastoma Multiforme
Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is a brain tumor characterized by high heterogeneity, diffuse infiltration, aggressiveness, and formation of recurrences. Patients with this kind of tumor suffer from cognitive, emotional, and behavioral problems, beyond exhibiting dismal survival rates. Current treatment comprises surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy with the methylating agent, temozolomide (TMZ). GBMs harbor intrinsic mutations involving major pathways that elicit the cells to evade cell death, adapt to the genotoxic stress, and regrow.
  • 1.5K
  • 23 May 2022
Topic Review
Smart and Mechanized Agricultural Application
Smart farming can be applied to improve crop quality and profit and reduce costs by optimizing various processes such as environmental conditions, growth status, soil status, irrigation water, pest control, fertilizers, weed management, and greenhouse production environments
  • 1.5K
  • 27 Jun 2022
Topic Review
Oral Fosfomycin Formulation in Bacterial Prostatitis
Bacterial prostatitis infections are described as infections that are difficult-to-treat, due to prostate anatomic characteristics along with clinical difficulty in terms of diagnosis and management. Furthermore, the emergence of multidrug resistant (MDR) bacteria, such as extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) producer Escherichia coli, also representing the main causative pathogen in prostatitis, poses major problems in terms of antibiotic management and favorable clinical outcome. Oral fosfomycin, an antibiotic commonly used for the treatment of uncomplicated urinary tract infections (UTIs), has been evaluated for the treatment of bacterial prostatitis due to its favorable pharmacokinetic profile, its activity against MDR gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria, safety profile, and multiple synergic effect with other antibiotics as well as the low resistance rate. 
  • 1.5K
  • 07 Sep 2022
Topic Review
Applications of Mycorrhizal Symbiosis to the Ecosystem
Mycorrhizal fungi exhibit the exceptional feature of dwelling partly inside as well as outside the plant roots. The term mycorrhizae comes from the Greek word ‘mykes’ and ‘rhiza’, meaning ‘fungus’ and ‘root’ respectively, which was first applied to the association of trees with fungal symbionts. Mycorrhizal fungi, which are members of Glomeromycota, are common on the landscape and associate with over 80% of plants in a diversity of managed (agricultural) and unmanaged (natural) ecosystems. Mycorrhization benefits plants by up-regulating the catalytic activities of soil enzymes (such as phosphatases, dehydrogenase, nitrogenase, etc.), assisting in the breakdown of complex organic compounds of soil, and positively influencing other microbes present in the rhizosphere for improved nutrients uptake. Activation of these mechanisms, in turn, provides the ability to withstand drought stress, alleviate salinity, helps with micronutrient absorption and better water absorption, and defense systems in the plants. Owing to these benefits, mycorrhizae have gained a lot of consideration towards multidisciplinary research and have huge applications in agriculture as bio-fertilizers, in fuel production due to the increased plant biomass, and in soil rehabilitation, phytoextraction, and phytoremediation, etc.
  • 1.5K
  • 13 Sep 2022
Topic Review
Lamport Timestamps
The algorithm of Lamport timestamps is a simple algorithm used to determine the order of events in a distributed computer system. As different nodes or processes will typically not be perfectly synchronized, this algorithm is used to provide a partial ordering of events with minimal overhead, and conceptually provide a starting point for the more advanced vector clock method. They are named after their creator, Leslie Lamport. Distributed algorithms such as resource synchronization often depend on some method of ordering events to function. For example, consider a system with two processes and a disk. The processes send messages to each other, and also send messages to the disk requesting access. The disk grants access in the order the messages were sent. For example process [math]\displaystyle{ A }[/math] sends a message to the disk requesting write access, and then sends a read instruction message to process [math]\displaystyle{ B }[/math]. Process [math]\displaystyle{ B }[/math] receives the message, and as a result sends its own read request message to the disk. If there is a timing delay causing the disk to receive both messages at the same time, it can determine which message happened-before the other: [math]\displaystyle{ A }[/math] happens-before [math]\displaystyle{ B }[/math] if one can get from [math]\displaystyle{ A }[/math] to [math]\displaystyle{ B }[/math] by a sequence of moves of two types: moving forward while remaining in the same process, and following a message from its sending to its reception. A logical clock algorithm provides a mechanism to determine facts about the order of such events. Lamport invented a simple mechanism by which the happened-before ordering can be captured numerically. A Lamport logical clock is a numerical software counter value maintained in each process. Conceptually, this logical clock can be thought of as a clock that only has meaning in relation to messages moving between processes. When a process receives a message, it re-synchronizes its logical clock with that sender. The above-mentioned vector clock is a generalization of the idea into the context of an arbitrary number of parallel, independent processes.
  • 1.5K
  • 24 Oct 2022
Topic Review
Varnam
Varnam (meaning ‘colours’) is a social enterprise that has been working with artisans in Channapatna, Karnataka in India , for over 4 years. It has produced a series of designs interpreting this 200-year-old toy-making craft in the home and lifestyle, women's accessories space, giving tradition a contemporary twist. Using traditional lac-turnery methods popularised by the traditional Channapatna toys range, the label produces home and lifestyle products, toys and jewelry.
  • 1.5K
  • 07 Nov 2022
Topic Review
List of Instruments by Harry Partch
The American composer Harry Partch composed using scales of unequal intervals in just intonation, derived from the natural Harmonic series; these scales allowed for more tones of smaller intervals than in the standard Western tuning, which uses twelve equal intervals. One of Partch's scales has 43 tones to the octave. To play this music, he built many unique instruments, with names such as the Chromelodeon, the Quadrangularis Reversum, and the Zymo-Xyl. Partch called himself "a philosophic music-man seduced into carpentry". The path towards Partch's use of many unique instruments was a gradual one. Partch began in the 1920s using traditional instruments, and wrote a string quartet in just intonation (now lost). He had his first specialized instrument built for him in 1930—the Adapted Viola, a viola with a cello's neck fitted on it. He re-tuned the reeds of several reed organs and labeled the keys with a color code. The first was called the Ptolemy, in tribute to the ancient music theorist Claudius Ptolemaeus, whose musical scales included ratios of the 11-limit, as Partch's did. The others were called Chromelodeons, a portmanteau of chrome (meaning "color") and melodeon. Most of Partch's works used the instruments he created exclusively. Some works made use of unaltered standard instruments such as oboe, clarinet, or cello, and Revelation in the Courtyard Park (1960) used an unaltered small wind band. In 1991, Dean Drummond became the custodian of the original Harry Partch instrument collection until his death in 2013. In 1999 the instruments began a residency at Montclair State University in Montclair, New Jersey which lasted until November 2014 when they moved to University of Washington in Seattle. They are currently under the care of Charles Corey. Those who have duplicated partial sets of Partch instruments include John Schneider, whose West Coast ensemble includes replicas of the Kithara, Surrogate Kithara, Cloud-Chamber Bowls, Adapted Guitars, Adapted Viola, Diamond Marimba, Bass Marimba, Chromelodeon, and two Harmonic Canons.
  • 1.5K
  • 14 Nov 2022
Topic Review
Endophytes in Agricultural Crops
Endophytes—both bacteria and fungi—have emerged as highly potent natural resources, which have been utilised to improve stress tolerances of plants post-inoculation and decreased susceptibility to diseases and predators.
  • 1.5K
  • 19 May 2023
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