Subject:
All Disciplines Arts & Humanities Biology & Life Sciences Business & Economics Chemistry & Materials Science Computer Science & Mathematics Engineering Environmental & Earth Sciences Medicine & Pharmacology Physical Sciences Public Health & Healthcare Social Sciences
Sort:
Hottest Latest Alphabetical (A-Z) Alphabetical (Z-A)
Type:
All Topic Review Biography
Topic Review
Myostatin and the Heart
Myostatin (growth differentiation factor 8) is a member of the transforming growth factor-β superfamily. It is secreted mostly by skeletal muscles, although small amounts of myostatin are produced by the myocardium and the adipose tissue as well. Myostatin binds to activin IIB membrane receptors to activate the downstream intracellular canonical Smad2/Smad3 pathway, and additionally acts on non-Smad (non-canonical) pathways. Studies on transgenic animals have shown that overexpression of myostatin reduces the heart mass, whereas removal of myostatin has an opposite effect. 
  • 148
  • 20 Dec 2023
Topic Review
Molecular Mechanisms of IL18 in Disease
Interleukin 18 (IL18) was originally identified as an inflammation-induced cytokine that is secreted by immune cells. An increasing number of studies have focused on its non-immunological functions, with demonstrated functions for IL18 in energy homeostasis and neural stability. IL18 is reportedly required for lipid metabolism in the liver and brown adipose tissue. Furthermore, IL18 (Il18) deficiency in mice leads to mitochondrial dysfunction in hippocampal cells, resulting in depressive-like symptoms and cognitive impairment. 
  • 341
  • 20 Dec 2023
Topic Review
Endothelial Dysfunction and Oxidative Stress Influencing Thrombosis
The leading causes of death in people with diabetes are strokes and cardiovascular disease. Significant morbidity is associated with an increased risk of thrombosis, resulting in myocardial infarction, ischaemic stroke, and peripheral vascular disease, along with the sequelae of these events, including loss of functional ability, heart failure, and amputations. While the increased platelet activity, pro-coagulability, and endothelial dysfunction directly impact this risk, the molecular mechanisms linking poor glycaemic control with increased thrombotic risk remain unclear.
  • 253
  • 19 Dec 2023
Topic Review
The Mechanisms for Bone Regeneration
The bone regeneration process has historically been studied with the repair of fracture as a unique ability of our body by restoring it to its pre-injured functions. In bone biology, homeostasis is regulated by two main cellular components: osteoblasts (bone-forming cells) and osteoclasts (bone-resorbing cells). Furthermore, various inflammatory cells and cytokines dynamically interact with these cells in bone environments, which are responsible for their repair capacity. For the bone regeneration process, previous studies have emphasized the role of osteoblasts with morphogen gradients such as bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs).
  • 764
  • 19 Dec 2023
Topic Review
Characteristics of Mucosal Layer in Gastrointestinal Tract
The main constituents of mucus are water (90–95%), electrolytes, lipids (1–2%), and proteins. Owing to the presence of mucin, a large complex glycosylated protein, mucus can form mesh-like structured viscous gel layers on various mucosal tissues, such as the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, eyes, nose, and respiratory tract. In the GI tract, the mucus layer on the surface of the epithelial membrane can act as a smart physiological barrier not only for foreign substances with harmful potential and pathogens but also for orally dosed drugs. For effective and sufficient oral drug delivery, avoiding protective mechanisms and/or even turning barrier mechanisms should be considered. Therefore, several strategies have been developed to control the diffusive properties of drug nanoparticles within the mucus layer, including the mucopenetration and mucoadhesion of NCs.
  • 149
  • 19 Dec 2023
Topic Review
Tryptase for Suspected Mast Cell Disorders
Tryptase has proven to be a very useful and specific marker to demonstrate mast cell activation and degranulation when an acute (i.e., within 4 h after the event) and baseline value (i.e., at least 24 h after the event) are compared and meet the consensus formula (i.e., an increase of 20% + 2). The upper limit of normal determined by the manufacturer is 11.4 ng/mL; however, this boundary has been the subject of debate. According to ECNM and AIM experts, the normal range of baseline tryptase should be 1 to 15 ng/mL. A genetic trait, hereditary alpha tryptasemia, characterized by an increased alpha coding TPSAB1 copy number is associated with a baseline value above 8 ng/mL. Elevated tryptase can also be found in chronic kidney disease, obesity, and hematological neoplasms. A tryptase > 20 ng/mL serves as a minor criterion to diagnose systemic mastocytosis and an increase in tryptase > 20% + 2 during an acute event is a required criterion in the diagnosis of mast cell activation syndrome. 
  • 187
  • 19 Dec 2023
Topic Review
Different Cardiac Clinical Scenarios in Long COVID
Long COVID-19 or ‘post-acute COVID-19 syndrome’ emerged as the new pandemic, being characterized by a high variability of clinical manifestations ranging from cardiorespiratory and neurological symptoms such as chest pain, exertional dyspnoea or cognitive disturbance to psychological disturbances, e.g., depression, anxiety or sleep disturbance with a crucial impact on patients’ quality of life. Moreover, Long COVID is viewed as a new cardiovascular risk factor capable of modifying the trajectory of current and future cardiovascular diseases, altering the patients’ prognosis. 
  • 252
  • 19 Dec 2023
Topic Review
Skin Health and Microbiome-Targeted Strategies
The skin microbiome is a complex and dynamic ecology that resides in the skin, which is the largest organ of the human body. Prebiotics are non-digestible fibers and compounds found in certain foods that promote the activity and growth of beneficial bacteria in the gut or skin. On the other hand, live microorganisms, known as probiotics, benefit in sustaining healthy conditions when consumed in reasonable quantities.
  • 291
  • 19 Dec 2023
Topic Review
Type 2 Diabetes and Postprandial Dysmetabolism
The postprandial state is known as the metabolic assessment period during and after a meal (6–12 h), which involves the digestion and absorption of nutrients, mainly fatty acids and carbohydrates from food. This state spans most of the day, more than 16 h, and is characterized by an increase in glycemia and lipidemia associated with systemic low-grade inflammation. Inflammation is an essential component of innate (nonspecific) immunity and host defense, but a chronic systemic low-grade inflammatory state is also the basis of the metabolic syndrome.
  • 199
  • 19 Dec 2023
Topic Review
Pharmacological Activities of Nigella sativa
Nigella sativa (NS), also known as black cumin, is one of the plants used in traditional medicine the most. Many studies on the NS have shown that their therapeutic properties are attributed to the seed, oil, and secondary metabolites. This plant has been studied extensively and has many medical uses, such as anti-inflammatory. NS or its phytochemical compounds, such as thymoquinone, can cause cell apoptosis via oxidative stress, block efflux pumps, enhance membrane permeability, and exert potent biocidal effects. 
  • 210
  • 19 Dec 2023
  • Page
  • of
  • 1352
Featured Entry Collections
>>

Featured Books

>>
Encyclopedia of Social Sciences
Encyclopedia of COVID-19
Encyclopedia of Fungi
Encyclopedia of Digital Society, Industry 5.0 and Smart City
Video Production Service
Feedback