Topic Review
Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy
As medicine continues to advance our understanding of and knowledge about the complex and multifactorial nature of cancer, new major technological challenges have emerged in the design of analytical methods capable of characterizing and assessing the dynamic heterogeneity of cancer for diagnosis, prognosis and monitoring, as required by precision medicine. With this aim, novel nanotechnological approaches have been pursued and developed for overcoming intrinsic and current limitations of conventional methods in terms of rapidity, sensitivity, multiplicity, non-invasive procedures and cost. Eminently, a special focus has been put on their implementation in liquid biopsy analysis. Among optical nanosensors, those based on surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) have been attracting tremendous attention due to the combination of the intrinsic prerogatives of the technique (e.g., sensitivity and structural specificity) and the high degree of refinement in nano-manufacturing, which translate into reliable and robust real-life applications.
  • 839
  • 15 Sep 2021
Topic Review
Electrochemical Biosensors for Pathogen Detection
Electrochemical biosensors are a family of biosensors that use an electrochemical transducer to perform their functions. In recent decades, many electrochemical biosensors have been created for pathogen detection. These biosensors for detecting infections have been comprehensively studied in terms of transduction elements, biorecognition components, and electrochemical methods. The integration of transducers and electrode changes in biosensor design is a major discussion topic. Pathogen detection methods can be categorized by sample preparation and secondary binding processes. Diagnostics in medicine, environmental monitoring, and biothreat detection can benefit from electrochemical biosensors to ensure food and water safety.
  • 839
  • 02 Nov 2022
Topic Review
Neuroprotective Herbs for Alzheimer’s Disease
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a multifactorial, progressive, neurodegenerative disease that is characterized by memory loss, personality changes, and a decline in cognitive function. Medicinal plants and herbal remedies are now gaining more interest as complementary and alternative interventions and are a valuable source for developing drug candidates for AD. Indeed, several scientific studies have described the use of various medicinal plants and their principal phytochemicals for the treatment of AD. 
  • 839
  • 11 Oct 2021
Topic Review
Amylin Receptors
Amylin, a peptide hormone with 37 residue units, has been linked as a putative target for cognitive damage and glycemic irregularities in relation to Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and obesity.
  • 839
  • 30 Dec 2021
Topic Review
Neurodegeneration in Diabetic Retinopathy
Diabetic retinopathy (DR) remains a critical global burden, with 103.12 million individuals affected and an estimated increase to 160.5 million by 2045. It represents a common and preventable complication of both type 1 and type 2 diabetes affecting the adult working population. Neurodegeneration is a critical element of diabetic retinopathy pathogenesis. The neuronal cells’ apoptosis contributes to microvascular impairment and blood–retinal barrier breakdown.
  • 839
  • 03 Mar 2022
Topic Review
The Role of Melatonin in Pregnancy
Melatonin is a lipophilic hormone synthesized and secreted mainly in the pineal gland, acting as a neuroendocrine transducer of photoperiodic information during the night. In addition to this activity, melatonin has shown an antioxidant function and a key role as a regulator of physiological processes related to human reproduction. Several studies have evaluated its role in ovarian dysfunction, ovarian ageing, embryo maturation and gynecological cancer. 
  • 839
  • 01 Jan 2023
Topic Review
Pathogenesis and Management of Brugada Syndrome
Brugada syndrome (BrS) is a primary electrical disease associated with arrhythmias and an elevated risk of sudden cardiac death (SCD). It was described by Pedro and Josep Brugada in 1992 as a syndrome comprised of “right bundle branch block, persistent ST segment elevation and SCD”. The prevalence of BrS electrocardiogram (ECG) patterns differs largely among various regions and populations of the world. Patients with BrS are considered symptomatic if they have history of aborted SCD, ventricular fibrillation (VF), sustained ventricular tachycardia (VT), or syncope. BrS usually presents during the third or fourth decade of life, and about 63% of patients are asymptomatic at diagnosis. However, syncope or major arrhythmic events (MAE) can occur at any age, or SCD may even present as the first event. BrS contributes towards sudden infant death syndrome, SCD in children, and is estimated to cause about 20% of all SCDs in individuals with anatomically normal cardiac structures.
  • 839
  • 18 Apr 2022
Topic Review
Pro-Inflammatory Cytokines
Pro-inflammatory cytokines released from tumor cells or stromal cells act in both autocrine and paracrine manners to induce phenotype changes in tumor cells, recruit bone marrow-derived cells, and form an inflammatory milieu, all of which prime a secondary organ’s microenvironment for metastatic cell colonization.
  • 839
  • 30 Sep 2021
Topic Review
Alpha 1-Antitrypsin Deficiency
Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency (A1AD or AATD) is a genetic disorder that may result in lung disease or liver disease. Onset of lung problems is typically between 20 and 50 years old. This may result in shortness of breath, wheezing, or an increased risk of lung infections. Complications may include COPD, cirrhosis, neonatal jaundice, or panniculitis. A1AD is due to a mutation in the SERPINA1 gene that results in not enough alpha-1 antitrypsin (A1AT). Risk factors for lung disease include cigarette smoking and environmental dust. The underlying mechanism involves unblocked neutrophil elastase and build up of abnormal A1AT in the liver. It is autosomal co-dominant, meaning that one defective allele tends to result in milder disease than two defective alleles. The diagnosis is suspected based on symptoms and confirmed by blood tests or genetic tests. Treatment of lung disease may include bronchodilators, inhaled steroids, and when infections occur antibiotics. Intravenous infusions of the A1AT protein or in severe disease lung transplantation may also be recommended. In those with severe liver disease liver transplantation may be an option. Avoiding smoking is recommended. Vaccination for influenza, pneumococcus, and hepatitis is also recommended. Life expectancy among those who smoke is 50 years old while among those who do not smoke it is almost normal. The condition affects about 1 in 2,500 people of Europeans descent. Severe deficiency occurs in about 1 in 5,000. In Asians it is uncommon. About 3% of people with COPD are believed to have the condition. Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency was first described in the 1960s.
  • 839
  • 11 Nov 2022
Topic Review Peer Reviewed
Integrating Positive Psychology into Substance Use Treatments
Positive psychology is a rapidly expanding and recent empirical. interdisciplinary research topic (i.e., within the last 25 years). Early evidence supported that targeting positive variables (i.e., empathy or kindness) has numerous benefits, including improving health outcomes, vocational success, psychological well-being, and interpersonal connectedness. Positive Psychological Interventions (PPIs) are activities and behavioral interventions that target positive variables to promote adaptive functioning (e.g., reducing depression or promoting psychological well-being). PPIs may make excellent contributions to treating substance use, substance use disorders (SUDs), and substance use problems because the interventions can partially shift the notable negative treatment focus (e.g., avoiding the consequences of using) onto positive aspects (e.g., pursuing an ideal future). Current substance use treatment outcomes demonstrate a need for improvements (e.g., low abstinence rates and lifetime symptom remission of SUDs), and positive psychology may provide a framework for improving existing treatments. In the current paper, the author reviewed research supporting the use of PPIs in substance use treatments, provide suggestions for PPI applications, examine advantages and practical issues, outline the current limitations, and provide future directions for continuing this line of work. The author aimed to encourage researchers to advance substance use treatment improvements with positive psychology because the growing consequences from substance use (e.g., the growing frequency of accidental fatal overdose) and the variable, limited treatment outcomes, placing those who use substances in a uniquely vulnerable position.
  • 839
  • 14 Sep 2023
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