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β-Glucans
β-glucans are complex polysaccharides that are found in several plants and foods, including mushrooms. β-glucans display an array of potentially therapeutic properties.
  • 897
  • 13 Apr 2022
Topic Review
α-Lipoic Acid
α-lipoic acid (ALA, thioctic acid) is an organosulfur component produced from plants, animals, and humans. It has various properties, among them great antioxidant potential and is widely used as a racemic drug for diabetic polyneuropathy-associated pain and paresthesia. Naturally, ALA is located in mitochondria, where it is used as a cofactor for pyruvate dehydrogenase (PDH) and α-ketoglutarate dehydrogenase complexes. Despite its various potentials, ALA therapeutic efficacy is relatively low due to its pharmacokinetic profile. Data suggests that ALA has a short half-life and bioavailability (about 30%) triggered by its hepatic degradation, reduced solubility as well as instability in the stomach. However, the use of various innovative formulations has greatly improved ALA bioavailability. The R enantiomer of ALA shows better pharmacokinetic parameters, including increased bioavailability as compared to its S enantiomer. Indeed, the use of amphiphilic matrices has capability to improve ALA bioavailability and intestinal absorption. 
  • 645
  • 29 Jul 2021
Topic Review
Zinc Transporters of the Brain
Zinc ions play an essential role in the physiology of brain function. Zinc acts as a potent neuromodulatory agent and signaling ions, regulating healthy brain development and the function of both neurons and glial cells. Therefore, the concentration of zinc within the brain and its cells is tightly controlled. Zinc transporters are key regulators of (extra-)cellular zinc levels, and deregulation of zinc homeostasis and zinc transporters has been associated with neurodegenerative and neuropsychiatric disorders. Here, more information is provided about the presence of specific zinc transporters and their subcellular localization within brain cells (neurons, astrocytes).
  • 530
  • 12 May 2021
Topic Review
Zebrafish Research
Zebrafish (Danio rerio) are a versatile and invaluable model organism in scientific research. These small, freshwater fish have gained prominence due to their transparency, rapid development, and genetic tractability. Zebrafish embryos are transparent, allowing researchers to observe developmental processes in real time, making them ideal for studies in developmental biology. Their genetic makeup can be easily manipulated, enabling forward and reverse genetics studies, including the use of advanced techniques like CRISPR-Cas9. Zebrafish have made significant contributions to various research areas, such as neurobiology, where their neural development and behaviors are studied. They are also crucial in disease modeling, including cancer, cardiovascular diseases, and neurodegenerative disorders, providing insights into disease mechanisms and potential therapies. Furthermore, zebrafish play a pivotal role in drug discovery, toxicology, regenerative medicine, and environmental studies. Despite certain limitations, their unique attributes continue to drive breakthroughs in scientific understanding and medical advancements.
  • 170
  • 09 Oct 2023
Topic Review
Zebrafish Larvae Behavior Models for Pre-Clinical Assays
Phenotype-based screenings can transpose the organism’s compensatory pathways by adopting multi-target strategies for treating complex diseases, and zebrafish emerged as an important model for biomedical research and drug screenings. Zebrafish’s clear correlation between neuro-anatomical and physiological features and behavior is very similar to that verified in mammals, enabling the construction of reliable and relevant experimental models for neurological disorders research. Zebrafish presents highly conserved physiological pathways that are found in higher vertebrates, including mammals, along with a robust behavioral repertoire. Moreover, it is very sensitive to pharmacological/environmental manipulations, and these behavioral phenotypes are detected in both larvae and adults. These advantages align with the 3Rs concept and qualify the zebrafish as a powerful tool for drug screenings and pre-clinical trials.
  • 320
  • 01 Jul 2022
Topic Review
Zebrafish Kidney's Response to Fasting
Animals obtain nutrition and energy by eating and to achieve a balance between growth and body health. When the nutrient intake is abnormal, the growth status changes, presumably resulting in changes in the intrinsic immune system. The zebrafish (Danio rerio), a well-known fish model organism, can serve as a suitable model to explore the changes happened to the innate immune system. In this study, the zebrafish underwent 3 weeks of fasting and refeeding for 3 to 7day periods. During this period, zebrafish displayed a specific growth phenomenon so called compensatory growth (CG), accompanied by increased susceptibility to pathogens after starvation. The kidneys suffering starvation displayed an increase of the amount of melano-macrophage centers and appeared oxidative stress, and the antioxidant enzymes activity like CAT, GSH-Px and SOD increased after fasting. In addition, the activity of ALP and lysozyme as well as il-1β mRNA expression enhanced after starvation. Taken together, oxidative stress caused by starvation and the danger-associated molecular patterns produced by injured renal tubules may have contributed to inflammation. This study showed that the function of the innate immune system in zebrafish could be influenced by nutrition status. Further study is needed to explore how starvation increases susceptibility and how the metabolic state influences different kinds of immune cells.
  • 504
  • 21 Jun 2021
Topic Review
Yes-Associated Protein in Psoriasis and Skin Tumor Pathogenesis
Psoriasis and skin tumors (such as basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and melanoma) are chronic diseases that endanger physical and mental health, and yet the causes are largely unknown and treatment options limited. Yes-associated protein (YAP) is a key member of the Hippo signaling pathway. It was originally identified in Drosophila, with a molecular weight of 65 kDa, and is also known as YAP65.
  • 451
  • 28 Jun 2022
Topic Review
YB1 in Triple Negative Breast Cancer
The Y Box binding protein 1 (YB1) is a multifunctional protein, found both in the cytoplasm and inside the nucleus, that belongs to the highly conserved Cold Shock Domain protein family. YB1 is highly expressed in TNBC tumors of AA origin when compared to CAs. Increased expression levels and activity of YB1 correlates with poor disease outcomes, resistance to chemotherapy, and the activation of the cancer stem cell (CSC) phenotype, with higher levels in AA than in CA TNBC tumors.
  • 652
  • 23 Dec 2021
Topic Review
Xenobiotic Pollution and Its Impact on the Environment
In the industrial revolution and urbanization era, the global environment’s poisoning by a complex mixture of xenobiotics has become a major environmental threat worldwide. Xenobiotic contaminants such as azodyes, phenolics, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), halogenated compounds, personal care products (PCPs), pharmaceuticals’ active compounds (PhACs), pesticides, nitroaromatic compounds, triazines, and chlorinated compounds adversely affect the environment by their long-term persistence and slow or no biodegradation in the ecosystems. Xenobiotic pollution of the environment is a global concern caused by anthropogenic activities such as urbanization and population expansion. The enormous amounts of harmful compounds released into the environment result in widespread ecosystem contamination. Prominent substances such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, heavy metal ions, pesticides, fertilizers, and oil derivatives are found in soil, sediment, and water. 
  • 4.4K
  • 07 Sep 2022
Topic Review
WWOX Impairment in Neurological Disorders
There is an emerging role of the transcriptional regulator WW domain containing oxidoreductase (WWOX) in a number of neurological disorders including early-onset epilepsy, autism spectrum disorder (ASD), multiple sclerosis (MS), and Alzheimer’s disease. However, the underlying mechanism of WWOX function is still currently unknown.  
  • 465
  • 21 Apr 2021
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