Topic Review
Molecular Aspects of Thyroid Calcification
In thyroid cancer, calcification is mainly present in classical papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) and in medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC), despite being described in benign lesions and in other subtypes of thyroid carcinomas. Thyroid calcifications are classified according to their diameter and location. At ultrasonography, microcalcifications appear as hyperechoic spots ≤ 1 mm in diameter and can be named as stromal calcification, bone formation, or psammoma bodies (PBs), whereas calcifications > 1 mm are macrocalcifications. The mechanism of their formation is still poorly understood. Microcalcifications are generally accepted as a reliable indicator of malignancy as they mostly represent PBs. In order to progress in terms of the understanding of the mechanisms behind calcification occurring in thyroid tumors in general, and in PTC in particular, we decided to use histopathology as the basis of the possible cellular and molecular mechanisms of calcification formation in thyroid cancer. We explored the involvement of molecules such as runt-related transcription factor-2 (Runx-2), osteonectin/secreted protein acidic and rich in cysteine (SPARC), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), bone sialoprotein (BSP), and osteopontin (OPN) in the formation of calcification. The present review offers a novel insight into the mechanisms underlying the development of calcification in thyroid cancer.
  • 1.9K
  • 02 Dec 2020
Topic Review
Pathophysiology of Sepsis
Sepsis is a life-threatening condition characterized by an uncontrolled inflammatory response to an infectious agent and its antigens. Immune cell activation against the antigens causes severe distress that mediates a strong inflammatory response in vital organs. Sepsis is responsible for a high rate of morbidity and mortality in immunosuppressed patients. 
  • 1.9K
  • 13 Mar 2023
Topic Review
Lipid Metabolism in COVID-19
The current Coronavirus disease 2019 or COVID-19 pandemic has infected over two million people and resulted in the death of over one hundred thousand people at the time of writing this review. The disease is caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV2). Even though multiple vaccines and treatments are under development so far, the disease is only slowing down under extreme social distancing measures that are difficult to maintain. SARS-COV2 is an enveloped virus that is surrounded by a lipid bilayer. Lipids are fundamental cell components that play various biological roles ranging from being a structural building block to a signaling molecule as well as a central energy store. The role lipids play in viral infection involves the fusion of the viral membrane to the host cell, viral replication, and viral endocytosis and exocytosis. Since lipids play a crucial function in the viral life cycle, we asked whether drugs targeting lipid metabolism, such as statins, can be utilized against SARS-CoV-2 and other viruses. In this review, we discuss the role of lipid metabolism in viral infection as well as the possibility of targeting lipid metabolism to interfere with the viral life cycle.
  • 1.9K
  • 28 Oct 2020
Topic Review
Hydroxyurea
Hydroxyurea (HU) is a non-alkylating agent administered for the management of different types of cancer or sickle cell disease. HU has a cytostatic action, blocking cell cycle in S-phase and also inducing double-stranded breaks in DNA. HU is generally well tolerated, however its widespread use has revealed the presence of adverse events related to tissues that have a high cellular turnover.
  • 1.9K
  • 16 Feb 2021
Topic Review
Interleukin-2 and Interleukin-15
The immune system is a complex network dedicated to protecting an organism against harmful substances, including the eradication of invading pathogens or malignant cells, maintenance of specific memory lymphocytes and elimination of autoreactive immune cells to yield self-tolerances. Homeostasis of immune systems relies on two main components—the innate and adaptive immune responses, which are regulated by a series of cytokines that are released in response to certain stimulus. One of the most extensively studied cytokines is the common cytokine receptor common gamma chain (γc) family of cytokines, including interleukin-2 (IL-2), IL-4, IL-7, IL-9, IL-15 and IL-21, which is named based on the usage of γc subunit for their receptors. This set of cytokines display broad pleiotropic actions to regulate both the innate and adaptive immune system, collectively contributing to the development of various immune cell populations, modulating cell differentiation, and either promoting the survival or inducing the apoptosis depending on the cellular context.
  • 1.8K
  • 08 Feb 2021
Topic Review
Coronavirus Invasion
Single-strand RNA (ssRNA) viruses such as the coronavirus family replicate the virus genomes by taking advantage of host cells. For example, after coronavirus approaches the ribosome of the epithelial cells or other host cells, it uses the ribosome of the host cell to replicate polyproteins. The replication and subsequent processes of precursor polyproteins can occur in the epithelial cells. After the coronavirus’ polyproteins are expressed, two enzymes — specifically, coronavirus main proteinase (3CLpro) and the papain-like protease (PLpro) — are thought to be involved in cleaving the polyproteins into smaller products used for replicating new viruses. In order to generate the daughter RNA genome, the coronavirus expresses an RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp), which is a crucial replicase that catalyzes the synthesis of a complementary RNA strand using the virus RNA template
  • 1.8K
  • 28 Oct 2020
Topic Review
IgG antibodies
IgG antibodies include two functional portions: the F(ab′)2 fragment, which is responsible for antigen recognition, and the crystallizable fragment (Fc), which is important for activation of the immune response by interacting with Fcγ receptors on B-cells and other innate immune cells. The Fc fragment also plays an important role in the activation of complement and in the clearance of microorganisms.
  • 1.7K
  • 01 Nov 2020
Topic Review
Punica Granatum Vrs COVID-19
Punica granatum is historically known worldwide as a versatile medicinal fruit. 2 major varieties are presented (i) indo Ayurvedic type (Punica Ayurvedica ? ) that is small, harsh and yields no juice and (ii) the juice variety which is commercialised. Indo-Iranian joint effort presents a tome of textual data pertaining to the medicinal aspects of Punica. Ayurvedic texts and Occidental research modelled papers in tabulated form chronologically succinctly bringing out the evidence based historiography & medico-cultural heritage. On such platform a range of formulations; fruit-to-finished product are presented for the 1st time machine makeable and very specifically also by hand, at home. Poly pathology spectrum; versatile therapeutic range; medico-legal; lyophilisation; sterilisation; etc. aspects are also indicated. Includes Tablets; Suspensions for General to Geriatric case types. Ground breaking. Frank.
  • 1.7K
  • 27 Oct 2020
Topic Review
Tricarboxylic Acid (TCA) Cycle Intermediates
The tricarboxylic acid cycle (TCA) is a series of chemical reactions used in aerobic organisms to generate energy via the oxidation of acetylcoenzyme A (CoA) derived from carbohydrates, fatty acids and proteins. 
  • 1.7K
  • 20 Feb 2021
Topic Review
SARS-CoV-2
In December of 2019, the first few cases of novel coronavirus-infected pneumonia were reported in Wuhan, China. Since then, in a series of novel reports, a research group from Nankai University of China (the Nankai group) presented several important findings of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2): (1) The alternative translations of Nankai CDS (a 465- or 468-bp genomic region) could produce more than 17 putative proteins of the betacoronavirus subgroup B (BB coronavirus); (2) A furin protease cleavage site (FCS) was discovered in the Spike (S) protein of SARS-CoV-2; (3) 5' UTR barcoding can be used for the detection, identification, classification and phylogenetic analysis of, but not limited to coronavirus; (4) The FCS in the SARS-CoV-2 genome was acquired through the combination of copy number variations of short tandem repeats and single nucleotide substitutions [4]; and (5) two criteria were proposed to determine the intermediate host(s).
  • 1.7K
  • 13 Apr 2021
  • Page
  • of
  • 77