Topic Review
Melanin Transfer Models
Skin pigmentation ensures efficient photoprotection and relies on the pigment melanin, which is produced by epidermal melanocytes and transferred to surrounding keratinocytes. While the molecular mechanisms of melanin synthesis and transport in melanocytes are now well characterized, much less is known about melanin transfer and processing within keratinocytes.
  • 515
  • 02 Aug 2023
Topic Review
Megakaryocytes in Brief
Megakaryocytes are large bone marrow cells responsible for producing platelets crucial for blood clotting. They undergo endomitosis, becoming polyploid to generate thousands of platelets. Beyond thrombopoiesis, they regulate hematopoietic niches and immune responses. Dysregulation can lead to disorders like thrombocytopenia, myeloproliferative neoplasms, and acute megakaryoblastic leukemia.
  • 62
  • 26 Aug 2024
Topic Review
Mediterranean Diet (MD)
The Mediterranean Diet (MD), UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, has become a scientific topic of high interest due to its health benefits. The aim of this review is to pick up selected studies that report nutrigenomic or nutrigenetic data and recapitulate some of the biochemical/genomic/genetic aspects involved in the positive health effects of the MD. These include (i) the antioxidative potential of its constituents with protective effects against several diseases; (ii) the epigenetic and epigenomic effects exerted by food components, such as Indacaxanthin, Sulforaphane, and 3-Hydroxytyrosol among others, and their involvement in the modulation of miRNA expression; (iii) the existence of predisposing or protective human genotypes due to allelic diversities and the impact of the MD on disease risk. A part of the review is dedicated to the nutrigenomic effects of the main cooking methods used in the MD and also to a comparative analysis of the nutrigenomic properties of the MD and other diet regimens and non-MD-related aliments. Taking all the data into account, the traditional MD emerges as a diet with a high antioxidant and nutrigenomic modulation power, which is an example of the “Environment-Livings-Environment” relationship and an excellent patchwork of interconnected biological actions working toward human health.
  • 848
  • 25 Apr 2021
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.
  • 906
  • 11 Oct 2022
Topic Review
Mechanosensitive Ion Channels
Mechanosensitive ion channels mediate the neuronal sensation of mechanical signals such as sound, touch, and pain.
  • 671
  • 21 Oct 2021
Topic Review
Mechanobiology of Metastasis
The major cause (more than 90%) of all cancer-related deaths is metastasis, thus its prediction can critically affect the survival rate. Metastases are predicted by lymph-node status, tumor size, histopathology and genetic testing. The identification of new potential prognostic factors will be an important source of risk information for the practicing oncologist, potentially leading to enhanced patient care through the proactive optimization of treatment strategies. Mechanobiology, as a branch of biomechanics and/or a branch of biology, has reached a mature stage mainly because of the significant technological and methodological advances at the cellular, subcellular, and molecular levels and the need to disclose the mechanical basis of biology. The application of mechanobiology to medicine (mechanomedicine) may help advance human health and improve diagnostics, treatment, and therapeutics of cancer.
  • 310
  • 23 Mar 2023
Topic Review
Mechanisms of Synaptic Vesicle Exo- and Endocytosis
Within 1 millisecond of action potential arrival at presynaptic terminals voltage–gated Ca2+ channels open. The Ca2+ channels are linked to synaptic vesicles which are tethered by active zone proteins. Ca2+ entrance into the active zone triggers: (1) the fusion of the vesicle and exocytosis, (2) the replenishment of the active zone with vesicles for incoming exocytosis, and (3) various types of endocytosis for vesicle reuse, dependent on the pattern of firing. These time-dependent vesicle dynamics are controlled by presynaptic Ca2+ sensor proteins, regulating active zone scaffold proteins, fusion machinery proteins, motor proteins, endocytic proteins, several enzymes, and even Ca2+ channels, following the decay of Ca2+ concentration after the action potential. 
  • 1.1K
  • 13 Jul 2022
Topic Review
Mechanisms of Reticulocyte Maturation
Reticulocyte maturation begins after enucleation in the bone marrow. In rats, reticulocytes reside in the bone marrow from 6.5–17 hrs depending on the blood demand. These reticulocytes are termed as R1 and are characterized for their multi-lobular shape and their motility. The final stages of maturation occur during circulation where macrophages residing in the spleen may facilitate the process. These reticulocytes in circulation are termed as R2, are non-motile and have a “deep-dish” shape”. As part of their maturation, reticulocytes need to remove or degrade residual organelles and RNA. In addition, the reticulocyte must reduce its surface area and volume. On average, labelled baboon reticulocytes showed a reduction of 20% of their surface area and 15% of their volume after the first 24 h in circulation; at this point they showed a similar size distribution to that of mature RBC.
  • 678
  • 29 Mar 2022
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.
  • 292
  • 11 Aug 2023
Topic Review
Mechanisms of Modulation of Mitochondrial Architecture
Mitochondrial architecture is determined by several components, which include the following: mitochondrial distribution in the cytosol, supported by interaction with the cytoskeleton; events of fission and fusion, mediated by mitochondrial dynamics proteins; mitochondrial network contact with other organelles (e.g., endoplasmic reticulum (ER), lipid droplets (LDs), lysosomes, and plasma membrane); and the lipid composition of mitochondrial membranes.
  • 306
  • 28 Aug 2023
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