Topic Review
G-Quadruplexes: Emerging Anticancer Roles
G-quadruplexes, a family of (thermodynamically and kinetically stable) tetraplex helices, are non-canonical secondary structures derived from guanine (G)-rich sequences of nucleic acids. G-quadruplexes were found to occur in functionally-important regions of the human genome, including the telomere tandem sequences, several proto-oncogene promoters and other regulatory regions, ribosomal DNA (rDNA), as well as mRNA sequences encoding for proteins with roles in tumorigenesis, thus establishing a clear connection between G-quadruplexes and known hallmarks of cancer. Stabilization of G-quadruplexes belonging to the above categories, by means of small-molecule intervention, has been correlated with a range of anticancer effects, which has led to classifying G-quadruplexes as novel potential targets in anticancer research. The most common ways in which G-quadruplexes are now understood to serve in an anticancer capacity are presented herein.
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  • 03 Mar 2021
Topic Review
Actin Cytoskeleton in Podocytes
Proteinuria is one of the hallmarks of kidney disease. Serum proteins such as albumin are prevented from being filtered into the urine by the glomerular filtration barrier of which podocytes are a key part. Podocyte structure and function are dependent on maintenance of the actin cytoskeleton in podocyte foot processes. Foot processes contain two structural and signaling hubs: the slit diaphragm and focal adhesions, both of which maintain foot process integrity and relay signals to and from the podocyte exterior in response to hemodynamic changes. The entry below describes the key components of foot process actin cytoskeleton structure and regulation. 
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  • 27 Oct 2020
Topic Review
Epigenetics and Probiotics Application in Fish Reproductive Performance
Fish represent an excellent source of animal protein as well as a biomedical research model as a result of their evolutionary relatedness and similarity with the human genome. Commercial and ornamental fish culture has achieved popularity, but reproductive dysfunctions act as a limiting factor for quality fry production, interfering with the sustainability of the aquaculture industry. Fish reproduction is crucial for any species’ existence, and reproductive performance can potentially be improved through applications of epigenetics and probiotics. Epigenetics is a highly sensitive molecular approach that includes chromatin structure and function alteration, DNA methylation, and modification of non-coding RNA molecules for the transfer of desired information from parents to offspring. DNA methyltransferase improves reproductive cyp11a1, esr2b, and figla gene expression and feminizes zebrafish (Danio rerio). Moreover, epigenetics also contributes to genome stability, environmental plasticity, and embryonic development. However, methylation of specific genes can negatively affect sperm quality, resulting in poor fertilization. Probiotic administration is able to induce responsiveness of incompetent follicles to maturation-inducing hormones and can change oocyte chemical composition during vitellogenic development. The positive role of probiotics on testicular cells is validated by upregulating the transcription levels of leptin, bdnf, and dmrt1 genes facilitating the spermatogenesis.
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  • 02 Aug 2022
Topic Review
Fire-Fighting Adapter
The presented article presents an innovative solution of a fire-fighting adapter based on the basic hypothesis: to provide sufficient technical support in difficult terrain conditions for water transport logistics in order to quickly prevent the spread and destruction of forest fire. At present, when forest fires begin, it is often quite complicated to provide sufficient technical support for the quick prevention and elimination of fires. This fact is largely eliminated by the designed fire-fighting adapter. The mentioned fire-fighting adapter can be used as a fire-fighting mobile device with a base machine of a forest wheeled skidder (LKT), part of the long-distance transport of water in difficult terrain (lake system), a water tank in difficult terrain with the possibility of filling the Bambi bag with a helicopter, part of the long-distance transport of water in the case of a difficult water source without a forest access road network, and a mobile device for emergency transportation of materials in difficult terrain. In addition to the use for fighting forest fires, the fire adapter can also be used to provide for transport of water for forest nurseries (irrigation), freshly planted areas in the event of prolonged drought, the filling of watering-places for forest animals and filling puddles in the dry season. When designing the supporting frame, we used and imitated the evolutionary approach of nature in the form of generative design. The presented paper deals with the use of modern composite materials in the design of superstructures for base machines, which gradually acquire meaning. The main reason for the increasing use of fiberglass is to achieve higher strength and safer weight reduction. This adapter is designed for forest wheel tractors that reach 40% slope availability, areable to work on the stand area, overcome obstacles and are available in sufficient quantities in all Slovak forest areas.
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  • 18 Aug 2020
Topic Review
Biomass-Based Chemical Looping Gasification
Chemical Looping Gasification is a process allowing for the conversion of solid feedstock (e.g. biomass) into N2-free, high-calorific syngas or producer gas. The process utilizes the ability of so-called oxygen carriers (e.g. ilmenite, iron ore) to take up and release oxygen in oxidizing and reducing atmospheres, respectively. Employing this characteristic, the oxygen carrier is cycled between two or more reactors to transport oxygen into the so-called fuel reactor, where the inlet feedstock is firstly gasified using steam or CO2, before intermediate gaseous products (e.g. H2, CH4) are further oxidized by the oxygen carrier, providing additional process heat to drive the endothermic gasification reactions. The loop is then closed as the reduced oxygen carrier is re-oxidized in a so-called air reactor, using the oxygen contained in ambient air, resulting in a stream of pure nitrogen at the air reactor outlet.
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  • 03 Nov 2021
Topic Review
Tolerogenic Vaccines to Induce Antigen-Specific Tolerance
Conventional therapies for immune-mediated diseases, including autoimmune disorders, transplant reactions, and allergies, have undergone a radical evolution in the last few decades; however, they are still not specific enough to avoid widespread immunosuppression. The idea that vaccine usage could be extended beyond its traditional immunogenic function by encompassing the ability of vaccines to induce antigen-specific tolerance may revolutionize preventive and therapeutic strategies in several clinical fields that deal with immune-mediated disorders. 
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  • 22 Sep 2022
Topic Review
Finger Millet Seed Coat
Finger millet (FM) is one of the little millets grown in Asia and Africa. Although still classified as an “orphan crop”, there is an increasing interest in the research of FM seed coat (FMSC), also known as bran. It houses 90% of the seed’s polyphenols and dietary fibre. 
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  • 01 Dec 2022
Topic Review
Bacterial Vaccines in Poultry
Bacterial vaccines have become a crucial tool in combating antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in poultry. The overuse and misuse of antibiotics in poultry farming have led to the development of AMR, which is a growing public health concern. Bacterial vaccines are alternative methods for controlling bacterial diseases in poultry, reducing the need for antibiotics and improving animal welfare. These vaccines come in different forms including live attenuated, killed, and recombinant vaccines, and they work by stimulating the immune system to produce a specific response to the target bacteria. There are many advantages to using bacterial vaccines in poultry, including reduced use of antibiotics, improved animal welfare, and increased profitability.
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  • 23 Mar 2023
Topic Review
Adnexotropic Variants of Interface Dermatitides
Interface dermatitis is a pathological pattern characterized by the presence of basal cell vacuolization and apoptotic keratinocytes. A variety of dermatoses exhibit interface dermatitis on pathology including the lichenoid dermatoses, graft versus host disease, connective tissue diseases, and drug reactions, among others. Several entities of interface dermatitides are known to have distinct rare adnexotropic variants whereby the inflammation involves the adnexa of the skin such as the hair follicle or the sweat gland. In lichen planus for example, follicular and syringotropic variants have been classically described. Adnexal involvement can also at times be seen on histopathology of the interface dermatitides that do not have distinct adnexotropic variants. For example, adnexal inflammation can be seen in lichen striatus or in pityriasis lichenoides.
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  • 22 Sep 2021
Topic Review
Chemical Speciation of Iodine and Practical Applications
Iodine is one of the 30 essential elements for life, and its chemical speciation defines its biological activities. Both inorganic and organic chemical species have crucial roles in the biology of most living organisms. The most relevant inorganic species are iodate (IO3−) and iodide (I−), as the major sources of iodine for living beings, together with molecular iodine (I2) and hypoiodous acid (HIO) as the most reactive performing catalytic activities. Conversely, Thyroid Hormones (THs) are the master regulators of the metabolism of vertebrates and the representative organic species. Mainly inorganic species are exploited in the health science industry to produce disinfectants, supplements, medicines, and X-ray contrast media. 
  • 1.0K
  • 25 Oct 2022
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