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Topic Review
Biography
Topic Review
Mechanisms of Myofibroblast Formation
At least three local events are needed to generate mature α-SMA-positive, fully differentiated myofibroblasts: (i) biologically active TGF-β1; (ii) extracellular stress, arising from the mechanical properties of the ECM (particularly collagen) and EDA–FN/integrin interactions; and (iii) the precursory production of phenotypic modulators (EDA–FN, HA) following activation. Increasing evidence strongly supports the role of inflammatory cell interactions in promoting myofibroblast development. Regardless of the origin, the resultant myofibroblast cells share the same properties and signalling cascade events that led to their formation.
298
11 Aug 2023
Topic Review
Venom Components of Imported Fire Ant Venom
In the United States, imported fire ants are often referred to as red imported fire ants, Solenopsis invicta Buren, black imported fire ants, S. richteri Forel, and their hybrid (S. invicta × S. richteri). Due to their aggressive stings and toxic venom, imported fire ants pose a significant threat to public health, agriculture, and ecosystem health.
407
11 Aug 2023
Topic Review
Myofibroblasts
Myofibroblasts are contractile, α-smooth muscle actin-positive cells with multiple roles in pathophysiological processes. Myofibroblasts mediate wound contractions, but their persistent presence in tissues is central to driving fibrosis, making them attractive cell targets for the development of therapeutic treatments. However, due to shared cellular markers with several other phenotypes, the specific targeting of myofibroblasts has long presented a scientific and clinical challenge.
444
11 Aug 2023
Topic Review
Atrial Natriuretic Peptide Signaling in Uteroplacental Cells
Endometrial decidualization is a uterine process essential for spiral artery remodeling, embryo implantation, and trophoblast invasion. Defects in endometrial decidualization and spiral artery remodeling are important contributing factors in preeclampsia, a major disorder in pregnancy. Atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) is a cardiac hormone that regulates blood volume and pressure. ANP is also generated in non-cardiac tissues, such as the uterus and placenta. In recent human genome-wide association studies, multiple loci with genes involved in natriuretic peptide signaling are associated with gestational hypertension and preeclampsia.
444
11 Aug 2023
Topic Review
Enterococcal Genetic Lineages
Enterococcus spp. are commensals of the gastrointestinal tracts of humans and animals and colonize a variety of niches such as water, soil, and food. Over the last three decades, enterococci have evolved as opportunistic pathogens, being considered ESKAPE pathogens responsible for hospital-associated infections. E. faecalis and E. faecium exhibit conserved genomes, although they possess a significant accessory genome (up to 38% in E. faecium), which contributes to remarkable genomic plasticity. The evolution of enterococci was predominantly influenced by recombination and proficiency in acquiring novel genes through HGT facilitated by MGEs, such as plasmids, transposons, genomic islands (GI), and prophages.
272
11 Aug 2023
Topic Review
Clustering Solid Tumors Based on Autophagy-Related Genes
There has been a boost in autophagy reports due to its role in cancer progression and its association with tumor resistance to treatment. The availability of large cancer datasets has provided an extensive evidence-based approach to understanding the role of autophagy-related genes in various human cancers and their clinical implications, including cancer progression, development, and treatment response.
236
11 Aug 2023
Topic Review
Direct Targeting of Myofibroblast Pathways with Peptides
Myofibroblasts are the principal effector cells driving fibrosis, and their accumulation in tissues is a fundamental feature of fibrosis. Essential pathways have been identified as being central to promoting myofibroblast differentiation, revealing multiple targets for intervention. Compared with large proteins and antibodies, peptide-based therapies have transpired to serve as biocompatible and cost-effective solutions to exert biomimicry, agonistic, and antagonistic activities with a high degree of targeting specificity and selectivity.
453
11 Aug 2023
Topic Review
Epigenetics in Crop Breeding
Epigenetic regulation has the potential to revolutionize plant breeding and improve crop yields by regulating gene expression in plants. DNA methylation and histone modifications are key epigenetic modifications that can impact plant development, stress responses, productivity, and yields.
373
11 Aug 2023
Topic Review
Caenorhabditis elegans
as an In Vivo Model
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) due to the prevalence of multidrug-resistant (MDR) pathogens is rapidly increasing worldwide, and the identification of new antimicrobial agents with innovative mechanisms of action is urgently required. Medicinal plants that have been utilised for centuries with minor side effects may hold great promise as sources of effective antimicrobial products. The free-living nematode Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans) is an excellent live infection model for the discovery and development of new antimicrobial compounds. However, while C. elegans has widely been utilised to explore the effectiveness and toxicity of synthetic antibiotics, it has not been used to a comparable extent for the analysis of natural products.
399
11 Aug 2023
Topic Review
Mushroom Bioactive Peptides
Mushroom bioactive peptides (MBPs) are bioactive peptides extracted directly or indirectly from edible mushrooms. MBPs are known to have antioxidant, anti-aging, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and anti-hypertensive properties, and facilitate memory and cognitive improvement, antitumour and anti-diabetes activities, and cholesterol reduction.
716
11 Aug 2023
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