Topic Review
Collagen Type XI Alpha 1
Collagen type XI alpha 1 (COL11A1) is one of the alpha chains of type XI collagen, which is important for bone development. Interestingly, COL11A1 levels are frequently upregulated in various cancers and high levels of COL11A1 are correlated with poor clinical outcome in many solid cancers. Increasing evidence shows that COL11A1 promotes tumor cell aggressiveness through multiple mechanisms.
  • 744
  • 15 Mar 2021
Topic Review
PDE2A for Mouse Liver Development
cAMP and cGMP are intracellular signaling molecules produced in response to a plethora of extracellular signals in order to coordinate cellular metabolism, proliferation, differentiation and apoptosis. Phosphodiesterases (PDEs) are the enzymes that hydrolyze cAMP and cGMP in order to end or to limit the responses to these signals. To date 11 PDE families (named PDE1 to PDE11) have been identified across each cell type expressed in a peculiar pattern. They enclose 21 genes that codify approximately 100 enzymes that form a redundant network ensuring the compensation of activity in case of alteration of activity or lack of expression of one of the members. PDE2A, a cAMP-hydrolyzing enzyme, represents the exception to this picture, as PDE2A knockout is embryonic lethal. Knockout embryos show that the lack of the enzyme has the greatest impact on the development of the heart and of the liver, which is no longer able to assume its hematopoietic role. The increase of the intracellular cAMP level and the downregulation of the anti-apoptotic gene Bcl2 might explain the loss of integrity in the PDE2A knockout liver niche that compromises the hematopoietic function and maturation.
  • 744
  • 29 Oct 2020
Topic Review
Dendrimers in Personalized Medicine
Dendrimers are a special class of synthetic macromolecules, constituted of branches built, step by step, around a central multifunctional core. Each layer of branching points creates a new “generation”. Most of the properties of dendrimers depend on the type of their terminal functions. Dendrimers are often considered as 3-dimensional soft nanoparticles, in opposition to hard metal nanoparticles. Despite the fact that nature has favored branching structures at all levels, from galaxies to trees and to dendritic cells, examples of branching at the molecular level are extremely rare. One can cite glycogen, a branched polymer of glucose, and also some cases of branched lignin, but none of them have a precisely highly branched structure, as do dendrimers. Such unusual structure has generated a many expectations for dendrimers: a huge number of publications and patents exist in relation to medicine, including in relation to personalized medicine but have resulted in very poor clinical translation up to now. This entry focusses on some of the clinical trials carried out with dendrimers.
  • 744
  • 14 Sep 2022
Topic Review
Targeting Autophagy for Cancer Treatment
Autophagy is a tightly regulated catabolic process that facilitates nutrient recycling from damaged organelles and other cellular components through lysosomal degradation. Deregulation of this process has been associated with the development of several pathophysiological processes, such as cancer and neurodegenerative diseases. In cancer, autophagy has opposing roles, being either cytoprotective or cytotoxic. Thus, deciphering the role of autophagy in each tumor context is crucial. Moreover, autophagy has been shown to contribute to chemoresistance in some patients. In this regard, autophagy modulation has recently emerged as a promising therapeutic strategy for the treatment and chemosensitization of tumors, and has already demonstrated positive clinical results in patients.
  • 744
  • 22 Sep 2021
Topic Review
Fenamates for Neurodegenerative Disorders
Neurodegenerative disorders are desperately lacking treatment options. It is imperative that drug repurposing be considered in the fight against neurodegenerative diseases. Fenamates have been studied for efficacy in treating several neurodegenerative diseases. 
  • 744
  • 06 May 2021
Topic Review Peer Reviewed
Dental Patients’ Perspective on COVID-19: A Systematic Review
The COVID-19 epidemic has changed patients’ approach to dental treatments. While dentists worldwide have shown an excellent level of adaptability to face the new challenges presented by the unprecedented situation due to the rapid spread of COVID-19, dental patients have witnessed a sudden suspension of elective treatments and a slow resumption of dental care activities after several national lockdowns. In addition, the general climate of anxiety and fear due to the high COVID-19 risk and the high level of mortality has influenced the perception and attitudes of people towards dental activity, inducing many dental patients to avoid appointments to the dentist if not highly urgent. We present an overview of the current state of knowledge about dental patients’ perception, perspective, attitude, and expectations towards a full resumption of regular dental treatments.
  • 744
  • 27 Sep 2022
Topic Review
Citrus Flavonoids Neohesperidin, Hesperidin and Its Aglycone, Hesperetin
Neohesperidin, hesperidin and hesperetin are citrus flavonoids from the flavanones subclass that have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant potential. Neohesperidin, in the form of neohesperidin dihydrochalcone (NHDC), also has dietary properties as a sweetener. 
  • 744
  • 23 May 2022
Topic Review
Hyperuricemia and Chronic Kidney Disease
Hyperuricemia is described as elevated levels of serum uric acid (UA), which is more commonly known as gout, an acute, symptomatic disease where urate crystals deposit in the joint and cause subsequent inflammatory arthritis. Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is defined as abnormalities of the kidney structure or function presented for more than 3 months, according to the Kidney Disease Improving Global Outcome guidelines. Several mechanisms have been identified that explain the relationship between hyperuricemia and chronic kidney disease, including the crystal effect, renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system activation, nitric oxide synthesis inhibition, and intracellular oxidative stress stimulation, and urate-lowering therapy (ULT) has been proven to reduce renal disease progression.
  • 744
  • 09 Aug 2022
Topic Review
Genetics of Blastic Plasmacytoid Dendritic Cell Neoplasms
Differential diagnosis between Blastic pDC Neoplasm (BPDCN) and Acute Myeloid Leukemia with pDC expansion (pDC-AML) is particularly challenging, and genomic features can help in diagnosis. The genetic landscape of BPDCN is now well-defined, with important updates concerning MYC/MYC rearrangements, but also epigenetic defects and novel concepts in oncogenic and immune pathways.
  • 743
  • 09 Sep 2022
Topic Review
Gut-Microbial Metabolites and Probiotics in Type 2 Diabetes
Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is a worldwide prevalent metabolic disorder defined by high blood glucose levels due to insulin resistance (IR) and impaired insulin secretion. Disturbances of gut microbiota have been widely found in T2D patients and contribute to the development of IR.
  • 743
  • 01 Dec 2021
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