Topic Review
Detecting Analytes in Urine for Urinalysis
Human urine samples contain several components that can indicate the health condition of a patient, and therefore aid in the diagnosis of common clinical conditions such as diabetes mellitus (DM), urinary tract infections (UTIs), renal stone disease, kidney disorders, liver problems, obesity, other metabolic disorders, or fetal hypothyroidism. Urine samples also provide evidence of underlying health problems in pre-symptomatic and asymptomatic individuals, which can facilitate early intervention and therapy. These benefits play an important role in encouraging individual access to continuous and regular health monitoring.
  • 1.2K
  • 06 Dec 2022
Topic Review
Polyamines
Polyamines (PAs), such as putrescine (PUT), spermine (SPE), and spermidine (SPD), are organic polycationic alkylamines, which are synthesized from L-ornithine or by the decarboxylation of amino acids. They are found in all living cells and mammalian cells contain a millimolar concentration of PAs. In 1678, the SPE was first identified by Van Leeuwenhoek as crystals in dried semen but not in fresh ones.
  • 1.2K
  • 28 Jun 2021
Topic Review
Metabolic Reprogramming
Metabolic reprogramming is now recognized as a hallmark of cancer cells and supports cancer growth. Elucidating the underlying mechanisms of metabolic reprogramming in cancer cells may help identifying cancer targets and treatment strategies.
  • 1.1K
  • 20 Jan 2021
Topic Review
Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM)
Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM) is a transient condition characterized by carbohydrate intolerance, hyperglycemia, peripheral insulin resistance, insufficient insulin secretion or activity, endothelial dysfunction, and low-grade inflammation during pregnancy, frequently with the first onset between 24 and 28 weeks of gestation.
  • 1.1K
  • 28 Sep 2021
Topic Review
Thermogenesis
Thermogenesis is an energy demanding process by which endotherms produce heat to maintain their body temperature in response to cold exposure. Mitochondria in the brown and beige adipocytes play a key role in thermogenesis, as the site for uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1), which allows for the diffusion of protons through the mitochondrial inner membrane to produce heat. 
  • 1.1K
  • 23 Mar 2021
Topic Review
Diabetes Mellitus
Diabetes mellitus has become a serious and chronic metabolic disorder that results from a complex interaction of genetic and environmental factors, principally characterized by hyperglycemia, polyuria, and polyphagia.
  • 1.1K
  • 29 Apr 2021
Topic Review
New Insights into Melanocytes Beyond Conventional Recognition
Melanocytes produce melanin to protect the skin from UV-B radiation. Notwithstanding, the spectrum of their functions extends far beyond their well-known role as melanin production factories. Melanocytes have been considered as sensory and computational cells. The neurotransmitters, neuropeptides, and other hormones produced by melanocytes make them part of the skin’s well-orchestrated and complex neuroendocrine network, counteracting environmental stressors. Melanocytes can also actively mediate the epidermal immune response. Melanocytes are equipped with ectopic sensory systems similar to the eye and nose and can sense light and odor.In addition, melanocytes have also been shown to be localized in internal sites such as the inner ear, brain, and heart, locations not stimulated by sunlight.
  • 1.1K
  • 18 Jul 2022
Topic Review
T2DM and the Gut Microbiota
Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) affects over 9% of the United States population alone, constitutes a cause for ensuing cardiovascular disease, and is typically closely linked to obesity status. While obesity has long been perceived to stem from a sedentary lifestyle and high fat intake there is increasing evidence supporting the idea that this is a more complex issue than initially thought. The human gut microbiome has been a recent point of investigation due to the idea that it may be closely linked to T2DM. The aforementioned high fat diets can impact the gut microbiome in a significant way, altering the demography of the gut’s microflora, hence shifting the gut into a state of dysbiosis. Dysbiosis is a state that favors the initiation of a cascade inducing metabolic deregulation, increasing inflammation and insulin resistance systemically. Below the relationship of the microbiome to T2DM is briefly discussed.
  • 1.1K
  • 29 Oct 2020
Topic Review
Genetics of Primary Aldosteronism
Primary aldosteronism (PA) is the most common form of secondary hypertension, with a prevalence of 5–10% among patients with hypertension. PA is mainly classified into two subtypes: aldosterone-producing adenoma (APA) and bilateral idiopathic hyperaldosteronism. Recent developments in genetic analysis have facilitated the discovery of mutations in KCNJ5, ATP1A1, ATP2B3, CACNA1D, CACNA1H, CLCN2, and CTNNB1 in sporadic or familial forms of PA in the last decade. These findings have greatly advanced our understanding of the mechanism of excess aldosterone synthesis, particularly in APA. Most of the causative genes encode ion channels or pumps, and their mutations lead to depolarization of the cell membrane due to impairment of ion transport. Depolarization activates voltage-gated Ca2+ channels and intracellular calcium signaling and promotes the transcription of aldosterone synthase, resulting in overproduction of aldosterone. 
  • 1.0K
  • 07 May 2021
Topic Review
Advanced Glycation End Products and Cardiovascular Disease
Epidemiological studies demonstrate the role of early and intensive glycemic control in the prevention of micro and macrovascular disease in both type 1 and type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM). Hyperglycemia elicits several pathways related to the etiopathogenesis of cardiovascular disease (CVD), including the generation of advanced glycation end products (AGEs). 
  • 1.0K
  • 11 Mar 2022
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