Topic Review
Genetic Resistance to COVID-19 Virus Entry
Numerous efforts have been made to comprehend the pathogenic and host variables that contribute to COVID-19 susceptibility and pathogenesis. One of these endeavours is understanding the host genetic factors predisposing an individual to COVID-19. Genome-Wide Association Studies (GWAS) have demonstrated the host predisposition factors in different populations. These factors are involved in the appropriate immune response, their imbalance influences susceptibility or resistance to viral infection.
  • 469
  • 13 Jan 2023
Topic Review
Photodynamic Therapy and Hyperthermia
Cancer is one of the leading causes of death in humans. Despite the progress in cancer treatment, and an increase in the effectiveness of diagnostic methods, cancer is still highly lethal and very difficult to treat in many cases. Combination therapy, in the context of cancer treatment, seems to be a promising option that may allow minimizing treatment side effects and may have a significant impact on the cure. It may also increase the effectiveness of anti-cancer therapies. Moreover, combination treatment can significantly increase delivery of drugs to cancerous tissues. Photodynamic therapy and hyperthermia seem to be ideal examples that prove the effectiveness of combination therapy. These two kinds of therapy can kill cancer cells through different mechanisms and activate various signaling pathways. Both PDT and hyperthermia play significant roles in the perfusion of a tumor and the network of blood vessels wrapped around it. 
  • 468
  • 08 Oct 2021
Topic Review
Seaweeds and Cardiovascular Disease
Cardiovascular disease (CVD), which involves the onset and exacerbation of various conditions including dyslipidemia, activation of the renin–angiotensin system, vascular endothelial cell damage, and oxidative stress, is a leading cause of high mortality rates and accounts for one-third of deaths worldwide. Accordingly, as dietary changes in daily life are thought to greatly reduce the prevalence of CVD, numerous studies have been conducted to examine the potential use of foods and their bioactive components for preventing and treating CVD. In particular, seaweeds contain unique bioactive metabolites that are not found in terrestrial plants because of the harsh environment in which they survive, leading to in vitro and in vivo studies of their prevention and treatment effects. 
  • 467
  • 24 Sep 2021
Topic Review
Molecular Dynamics Simulations, Cyclodextrin Complexes
Cyclodextrins (CDs) are highly respected for their ability to form inclusion complexes via host–guest noncovalent interactions and, thus, ensofance other molecular properties. Various molecular modeling methods have found their applications in the analysis of those complexes. However, as showed in this entry, molecular dynamics (MD) simulations could provide the information unobtainable by any other means.
  • 465
  • 24 Sep 2021
Topic Review
The Svedberg Laboratory
The Svedberg Laboratory (TSL) is a university facility, based in Uppsala, Sweden.The activities at TSL are based around the particle accelerator Gustaf Werner cyclotron. The main activity is proton therapy for the treatment of cancer, based on an agreement between the Oncology clinic at Uppsala University Hospital and Uppsala University.Beamtime not used for proton therapy is devoted to commercial neutron and proton irradiation projects, mainly for Radiation testing.There is also some time for basic (academic) research and in this case the experiments should be associated to Uppsala University or to EC projects. TSL is supported by the European Community and belong to the EC projects ERINDA, SkyFlash and CHANDA.
  • 464
  • 27 Oct 2022
Topic Review Peer Reviewed
The Effects of SARS-CoV-2 on the Angiopoietin/Tie Axis and the Vascular Endothelium
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection can cause potentially life-threatening coronavirus disease (COVID-19). COVID-19 is a multisystem disease and is associated with significant respiratory distress, systemic hyperinflammation, vasculitis, and multi-organ failure. SARS-CoV-2 causes the deterioration of numerous systems, with increasing evidence implying that COVID-19 affects the endothelium and vascular function. The endothelium is important for preserving vascular tone and homeostasis. The overactivation and dysfunction of endothelial cells are significant outcomes of severity in patients with COVID-19. The Angiopoietin 1/Tie 2 pathway plays an important role in endothelium quiescence and vessel stability. The disruption of Angiopoietin/Tie balance affects the vessel contact barrier and leads to vessel leakage, and this in turn causes endothelial dysfunction. Although vascular instability through SARS-CoV-2 is associated with endothelial dysfunction, it is still not understood if the virus affects the Angiopoietin/Tie axis directly or via other mechanisms such as cytokine storm and/or immune response associated with the infection. This review provides an overview of the impact SARS-CoV-2 has on endothelial function and more specifically on the Angiopoietin/Tie pathway.
  • 466
  • 21 Mar 2024
Topic Review
Molecular Mechanisms of Colistin Resistance in Acinetobacter baumannii
Colistin, as a positively charged peptide, exerts its antibacterial effect via electrostatic interactions with negatively charged lipid A, a component of lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Accordingly, two main mechanisms of colistin resistance have been described in Acinetobacter baumannii (A. baumannii): the complete loss or modifications of the target LPS, leading to abolishing or reducing its negative charge. The complete loss of LPS results from inactivation of the first three genes of the lipid A biosynthetic pathway (lpxA, lpxC, and lpxD genes), whereas the modification of LPS occurs through the addition of phosphoethanolamine (PEtN) moieties to lipid A by the pmrCAB operon-encoded enzymes. Although 4-amino-4-deoxy-L-arabinose (L-Ara4N) modification of LPS has been described as a more common and effective colistin resistance mechanism compared to PEtN LPS modification in diverse Gram-negative pathogens (Salmonella enterica, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Escherichia coli, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa), it was absent in A. baumannii. In addition to chromosome-mediated mechanisms, plasmid-mediated colistin resistance encoded by mcr genes has been recognized as a major driver of rapid dissemination by horizontal gene transfer among pathogenic Gram-negative bacteria, including A. baumannii.
  • 461
  • 21 Mar 2023
Topic Review
GERD after Bariatric Surgery
Bariatric surgery remains the gold standard treatment for morbidly obese patients. Roux-en-y gastric bypass and laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy are the most frequently performed surgeries worldwide. Obesity has also been related to gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). The management of a preoperative diagnosis of GERD, with/without hiatal hernia before bariatric surgery, is mandatory. Endoscopy can show abnormal findings that might influence the final type of surgery.
  • 460
  • 04 Jun 2021
Topic Review
Adipose-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells
Adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (AMSCs) are more accessible and easier to collect from subcutaneous tissue, they can be collected in large quantities, with less morbidity of the patients, via lipoaspirates or adipose tissue biposy, they are easily isolated, and can simply be expanded in vitro. Moreover, AMSCs have been shown to be immunoprivileged, with low risk of rejection, and more genetically stable in long term culture, with a greater proliferative rate than BM-MSCs.
  • 460
  • 14 Jan 2022
Topic Review Peer Reviewed
Diabetic Kidney Disease: Goals for Management, Prevention, and Awareness
Diabetic kidney disease (DKD), which is diagnosed on the basis of reduced glomerular filtration rate (GFR), increased albuminuria, or both, is the leading cause of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and end-stage renal disease (ESRD) worldwide. Future projections anticipate a significant increase in diabetes cases, with close to 700 million diabetes patients internationally by the year 2045. Amidst ongoing research into novel biomarkers and therapeutic agents for DKD, the current clinical preventative strategy for DKD involves (1) intensive glycemic control, (2) treatment of associated co-morbidities (hypertension and hyperlipidemia), and (3) instruction on lifestyle modifications, including smoking cessation, exercise, and dietary habits. In addition to these three categories, patient education on renal injury, a fourth category, is equally important and necessary in the collaborative effort to reduce global rates of DKD. In this entry, authors highlight and discuss these four core categories for DKD prevention.
  • 459
  • 28 Sep 2023
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