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Topic Review
Human Pluripotent Stem Cell-derived Cardiomyocytes
Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a type of sustained arrhythmia in humans often characterized by devastating alterations to the cardiac conduction system as well as the structure of the atria. AF can lead to decreased cardiac function, heart failure, and other complications. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been shown to play important roles in the cardiovascular system, including AF; however, a large group of lncRNAs is not conserved between mouse and human. Furthermore, AF has complex networks showing variations in mechanisms in different species, making it challenging to utilize conventional animal models to investigate the functional roles and potential therapeutic benefits of lncRNAs for AF. Fortunately, pluripotent stem cell (PSC)-derived cardiomyocytes (CMs) offer a reliable platform to study lncRNA functions in AF because of certain electrophysiological and molecular similarities with native human CMs.
  • 899
  • 27 Oct 2020
Topic Review
Iron and Glucose Metabolism
Iron is essential for energy metabolism, and states of iron deficiency or excess are detrimental for organisms and cells. Therefore, iron and carbohydrate metabolism are tightly regulated. Serum iron and glucose levels are subjected to hormonal regulation by hepcidin and insulin, respectively. Hepcidin is a liver-derived peptide hormone that inactivates the iron exporter ferroportin in target cells, thereby limiting iron efflux to the bloodstream. Insulin is a protein hormone secreted from pancreatic β-cells that stimulates glucose uptake and metabolism via insulin receptor signaling. There is increasing evidence that systemic, but also cellular iron and glucose metabolic pathways are interconnected. 
  • 899
  • 27 Apr 2021
Topic Review
Staphylococcus aureus in Inflammatory Diseases
Staphylococcus aureus is a very common Gram-positive bacterium, and S. aureus infections play an extremely important role in a variety of diseases. Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus), a Gram-positive bacterium, is one of the most notorious human pathogens, causing illnesses ranging from mild skin and wound infections to fatal sepsis or multi-organ failure. Inflammatory cells play an important role in S. aureus infection. S. aureus infection and toxins can activate a variety of inflammatory cells, such as keratinocytes, helper T cells, innate lymphoid cells (ILCs), macrophages, dendritic cells (DCs), mast cells, neutrophils, eosinophils, and basophils, which release inflammatory factors that accumulate at the site of infection and cause an inflammatory response.
  • 899
  • 22 Jul 2022
Topic Review
Medical Applications of Senescence-Associated β-Galactosidase Assay
β-galactosidase is a lysosomal hydrolase, which cleaves terminal β-d-galactose residues. Senescence-associated β-galactosidase (SA-β-gal) assay found its place in the routine work of thousands of biological laboratories. There is a bulk of evidence that supports the future implementation of β-galactosidase detection as a prognostic marker in medical practice as well.
  • 899
  • 11 Oct 2022
Topic Review
Diverticulosis
Diverticulosis is the condition of having multiple pouches (diverticula) in the colon that are not inflamed. These are outpockets of the colonic mucosa and submucosa through weaknesses of muscle layers in the colon wall, and may be due in part to low-fiber diet prompting changes in intestinal microflora with consequent low-grade inflammation. Diverticula do not cause symptoms in most people. Diverticular disease occurs when diverticula become clinically inflamed, a condition known as diverticulitis. Diverticula typically occur in the sigmoid colon, which is commonplace for increased pressure. The left side of the colon is more commonly affected in the United States while the right side is more commonly affected in Asia. Diagnosis is often during routine colonoscopy or as an incidental finding during CT scan. It is common in Western countries with about half of those over the age of 60 affected in Canada and the United States. Diverticula are uncommon before the age of 40, and increase in incidence beyond that age. Rates are lower in Africa; the reasons for this remain unclear but may involve the greater prevalence of a high fiber diet in contrast with the lower-fiber diet characteristic of many Western populations.
  • 899
  • 10 Nov 2022
Topic Review
Applications of Saponins
Saponins are a diverse group of naturally occurring plant secondary metabolites present in a wide range of foods ranging from grains, pulses, and green leaves to sea creatures. They consist of a hydrophilic sugar moiety linked to a lipophilic aglycone, resulting in an amphiphilic nature and unique functional properties. Their amphiphilic structures enable saponins to exhibit surface-active properties, resulting in stable foams and complexes with various molecules. In the context of food applications, saponins are utilized as natural emulsifiers, foaming agents, and stabilizers. They contribute to texture and stability in food products and have potential health benefits, including cholesterol-lowering and anticancer effects. Saponins possess additional bioactivities that make them valuable in the pharmaceutical industry as anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antiviral, and antiparasitic agents to name a few. Saponins can demonstrate cytotoxic activity against cancer cell lines and can also act as adjuvants, enhancing the immune response to vaccines. 
  • 900
  • 11 Sep 2023
Topic Review
Interplay between Polyphenols and Lysyl Oxidase Enzymes
Collagen, the most abundant structural protein found in mammals, plays a vital role as a constituent of the extracellular matrix (ECM) that surrounds cells. Collagen fibrils are strengthened through the formation of covalent cross-links, which involve complex enzymatic and non-enzymatic reactions. Lysyl oxidase (LOX) is responsible for catalyzing the oxidative deamination of lysine and hydroxylysine residues, resulting in the production of aldehydes, allysine and hydroxyallysine. These intermediates undergo spontaneous condensation reactions, leading to the formation of immature cross-links, which are the initial step in the development of mature covalent cross-links. Additionally, non-enzymatic glycation contributes to the formation of abnormal cross-linking in collagen fibrils. During glycation, specific lysine and arginine residues in collagen are modified by reducing sugars, leading to the creation of Advanced Glycation End-products (AGEs). These AGEs have been associated with changes in the mechanical properties of collagen fibers.
  • 901
  • 13 Jul 2023
Topic Review
Polyphenols against Dry Eye Disease
Dry eye disease is a multifactorial pathology compromising the quality of life of patients, resulting in significant damage of the ocular surface and discomfort. The current therapeutical strategies are not able to definitively resolve the underlying causes and stop the symptoms. Polyphenols are promising natural molecules that are receiving increasing attention for their activity/effects in counteracting the main pathologic mechanisms of dry eye disease and reducing its symptoms.
  • 898
  • 27 Feb 2021
Topic Review
Biogenesis and Composition of RBC-Derived Extracellular Vesicles
Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are cell-derived membrane vesicles that represent an endogenous mechanism for intercellular communication. The original classification distinguished exosomes (nano-sized vesicles with a diameter in the range of 30 to 120 nm), originating from the formation of multivesicular bodies, microvesicles, which are formed by cell membrane budding, and apoptotic bodies, derived from dying cells. 
  • 898
  • 20 Feb 2023
Topic Review
Aquilaria Identification Methods and Phytochemicals
Aquilaria sinensis (Lour.) Gilg is the resin-containing wood of the Aquilaria. Agarwood is a traditional Chinese medicine included in the 2020 edition of Chinese Pharmacopoeia.  The main phytochemicals of agarwood include terpenoids, dominated by sesquiterpenes. For centuries, terpenoids have been used in traditional Chinese medicine and have been shown to possess various pharmacological properties, including bacteriostatic, antibacterial, sedation, analgesia, anti-inflammation, anti-asthmatic, hypoglycemic, antidepressant, and many others. Alongside biological activity screening, phytochemical advances and pharmacological research have also made certain progress. 
  • 899
  • 29 Mar 2022
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