Topic Review
Aetiology and Pathogenesis of Vitiligo
Vitiligo is an acquired, chronic condition characterised by depigmentation of the epidermis or by destruction/loss of melanin. Skin cells (melanocytes) are responsible for producing melanin, the substance that gives pigmentation to the skin. Although there is no specific ethnic group, gender, or skin type that is more prone to vitiligo than others, it can affect anyone. Even though vitiligo is typically thought of as a cosmetic disorder, its effects on the physical and psychosocial health of sufferers cannot be ignored.
  • 224
  • 09 Jun 2023
Topic Review
Anti-Haemonchus Contortus Vaccines Development
Haemonchosis/barber’s pole disease is a socio-economically important disease caused by one of the most pathogenic nematode parasite of ruminants called Haemonchus contortus. The control practices through anthelmintics, and resistance to these drugs demands for an effective, safe and durable vaccine against H. contortus.  During host-parasite relationship, parasites excrete and secrete large number of molecules into the host, which perform adversative immune-regulatory functions upon bindings to host immune cells. Various potential vaccine antigens have been tested by different ways and strategies applied in animal models, and significant progress has been made in the development of vaccines against H. contortus.
  • 700
  • 28 Oct 2020
Topic Review
Australian Tropical Medicinal Plants
Australian tropical plants have been a rich source of food (bush food) and medicine to the first Australians (Aboriginal people), who are believed to have lived for more than 50,000 years. Plants such as spreading sneezeweed (Centipeda minima), goat’s foot (Ipomoea pes-caprae), and hop bush (Dodonaea viscosa and D. polyandra) are a few popular Aboriginal medicinal plants.
  • 659
  • 01 Jul 2022
Topic Review
Bisphenol A
Bisphenol A (BPA) is an oestrogenic endocrine disruptor widely used in the production of certain plastics, e.g., polycarbonate, hard and clear plastics, and epoxy resins that act as a protective coating for food and beverage cans. Human exposure to this chemical is thought to be ubiquitous. BPA alters endocrine function, thereby causing many diseases in human and animals. In the last few decades, studies exploring the mechanism of BPA activity revealed a direct link between BPA induced oxidative stress and disease pathogenesis. Antioxidants, reducing agents that prevent cellular oxidation reactions, can protect BPA toxicity. Although the important role of antioxidants in minimizing BPA stress has been demonstrated in many studies, a clear consensus on the associated mechanisms is needed, as well as the directives on their efficacy and safety. Herein, considering the distinct biochemical properties of BPA and antioxidants, we provide a framework for understanding how antioxidants alleviate BPA‐associated stress. We summarize the current knowledge on the biological function of enzymatic and non‐enzymatic antioxidants, and discuss their practical potential as BPA‐detoxifying agents.
  • 1.2K
  • 26 Oct 2020
Topic Review
Chloroquine and Hydroxychloroquine
The chloroquine family of antimalarials has a long history of use, spanning many decades. Despite this extensive clinical experience, novel applications, including use in autoimmune disor-ders, infectious disease, and cancer, have only recently been identified. While short term use of chloroquine or hydroxychloroquine is safe at traditional therapeutic doses in patients without pre-disposing conditions, administration of higher doses and for longer durations are associated with toxicity, including retinotoxicity. Additional liabilities of these medications include pharmacokinetic profiles that require extended dosing to achieve therapeutic tissue concentrations. To improve chloroquine therapy, researchers have turned toward nanomedicine reformulation of chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine to increase exposure of target tissues relative to off-target tissues, thereby improving the therapeutic index.
  • 546
  • 19 Jan 2021
Topic Review
Control Strategies for Mosquito-Borne Diseases
Mosquito-borne diseases are spread by the bite of infected female mosquitoes. The main mosquito-borne diseases include malaria, Chikungunya, Zika, Dengue, West Nile, yellow fever, Rift Valley fever, Lymphatic filariasis, and tick-borne encephalitis. Various chemical, biological, and mechanical methods are used to control mosquito-borne diseases hence reducing their burden.
  • 186
  • 13 Mar 2023
Topic Review
Eclipta prostrata (L.)L.(Asteraceae): Ethnomedicinal Uses and Chemical Constituents
Eclipta prostrata (L.) L. (Syn.: Eclipta alba (L.) Hassak, Family: Asteraceae) is an important medicinal plant in the tropical and subtropical regions. It is widely used in treating various diseases of skin, liver and stomach in India, Nepal, Bangladesh, and other countries.
  • 2.1K
  • 09 Dec 2021
Topic Review
Efficacy and Effectiveness of SARS-CoV-2 Vaccines
The major determinants of vaccine acceptance are vaccine safety and efficacy. Most COVID-19 vaccines have mild side effects, such as pain at the site of injection, tiredness, headache, fever, or shivering for 1–2 days after vaccination. Very rare side effects include allergic reactions and blood clotting problems, the latter affecting a small number of people who had the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine. Vaccine efficacy is defined as the degree to which a vaccine prevents disease, and possibly, also its transmission under ideal and controlled circumstances; this is determined by comparing a vaccinated group with a placebo group in a randomized controlled trial (RCT). Vaccine effectiveness also refers to how well the vaccine performs in the real world based on observational studies.
  • 380
  • 04 Mar 2022
Topic Review
Eumycetoma Medical Treatment
Mycetoma is a neglected tropical disease that is associated with poor communities and socioeconomically impaired individuals in the tropical and sub-tropical areas. Interestingly, the disease is caused by either bacteria (actinomycetoma) or fungus (eumycetoma). The latter form of the disease, eumycetoma, is the most common type in Africa. Eumycetoma is characterized by a prolonged disease duration and low cure rate. The effective case management of eumycetoma largely depends on the accurate diagnosis and identification of the causative agent to the species level and evaluating its susceptibility to the available drugs.
  • 358
  • 23 Mar 2022
Topic Review Peer Reviewed
Generational Effects of Opioid Exposure
The inheritance of substance abuse, including opioid abuse, may be influenced by genetic and non-genetic factors related to the environment, such as stress and socioeconomic status. These non-genetic influences on the heritability of a trait can be attributed to epigenetics. Epigenetic inheritance can result from modifications passed down from the mother, father, or both, resulting in either maternal, paternal, or parental epigenetic inheritance, respectively. These epigenetic modifications can be passed to the offspring to result in multigenerational, intergenerational, or transgenerational inheritance. Human and animal models of opioid exposure have shown generational effects that result in molecular, developmental, and behavioral alterations in future generations. 
  • 679
  • 13 Apr 2022
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