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Topic Review
CXCL12/CXCR4 Biological Axis and Its Physiological Functions
The CXCL12/CXCR4 biological axis is a coupled molecular pair, which is formed by the interaction of CXCL12 and its corresponding receptor CXCR4, and is closely related to intercellular messaging and cell migration.
  • 1.3K
  • 05 Aug 2022
Topic Review
Properties of Pistacia lentiscus L.
Pistacia lentiscus L. (PlL) is a wild-growing shrub rich in terpenoids and polyphenols, the oil and extracts of which have been widely used against inflammation and infections, and as wound healing agents.
  • 1.3K
  • 11 May 2021
Topic Review
Pyonephrosis: Ultrasound and Computed Tomography
Ultrasound and computed tomography represent the imaging processes of choice in the diagnosis and staging pyonephrosis in emergency settings. 
  • 1.3K
  • 21 Apr 2021
Topic Review
Biomechanical Factors in Track and Field Sprint Start
In athletics sprint events, the block start performance can be fundamental to the outcome of a race. Several biomechanical determinants of sprinters have been identified. In the “Set” position, an anthropometry-driven block setting facilitating the hip extension and a rear leg contribution should be encouraged. At the push-off, a rapid extension of both hips and greater force production seems to be important. After block exiting, shorter flight times and greater propulsive forces are the main features of best sprinters. 
  • 1.3K
  • 13 Apr 2022
Topic Review
Fused Deposition Modeling and 3D Printing
The operating principle of 3D printing is the layer-by-layer fabrication of objects, using a digital design. Before printing, a 3D digital model of the object is created with a computer-aided design (CAD) software, offering the ability of designing various complex final structures. The structure is then “sliced” in 2D layers which are printed one by one, on top of each other, in order to finally afford the 3D object. Stereolithography, which is based on the selective photo-polymerization of a liquid resin, was the first technique developed for 3D printing technology. Two other methods have mainly been employed for printing polysaccharides: fused deposition modeling (FDM), mostly for cellulose and its derivatives, owing to the good processing window between their glass transition temperature and the onset of thermal degradation temperature; and extrusion-based printing, which is appropriate for hydrogels.
  • 1.3K
  • 11 Feb 2022
Topic Review
Aqueous Soluble Drug
The low water solubility of pharmacoactive molecules limits their pharmacological potential, but the solubility parameter cannot compromise, and so different approaches are employed to enhance their bioavailability. Pharmaceutically active molecules with low solubility convey a higher risk of failure for drug innovation and development. Pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and several other parameters, such as drug distribution, protein binding and absorption, are majorly affected by their solubility.
  • 1.3K
  • 20 Sep 2022
Topic Review
Autotaxin (ATX) in Breast Cancer
       This entry deals with the role of the secreted enzyme, autotaxin (ATX), in the progression of breast cancer. ATX produces lysophosphatidate (LPA), which signals through six G-protein coupled receptors, promoting tumor growth, metastasis, immune evasion and survival from chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Many cancer cells produce ATX, but breast cancer cells express little ATX. Instead, in breast cancer, ATX is produced by tumor-associated stroma. Breast tumors are also surrounded by adipose tissue, which is a major bodily source of ATX. In mice, a high-fat human type diet increases ATX production in adipocytes. ATX production in obesity is also increased because of low-level inflammation in the expanded adipose tissue. This increased ATX secretion and consequent LPA signaling is associated with decreased adiponectin production, which results in adverse metabolic profiles and glucose homeostasis. Increased ATX production by inflamed adipose tissue could contribute to the association between obesity and breast cancer. This would result from the cross talk between breast tumors and adjacent adipose tissue. Breast tumors produce inflammatory mediators that stimulate ATX transcription in adipocytes adjacent to the tumors. This drives a feedforward inflammatory cycle since increased LPA signaling increases the production of more inflammatory cytokines/chemokines and cyclooxygenase-2 resulting in more ATX secretion. This cycle is typical of a wound healing response, which in the case of cancers become maladaptive. Thus, inhibiting ATX activity derived from adipocytes and/or tumor stromal cells has implications as an adjuvant for breast cancer treatments by attenuating the inflammatory cycle. Targeting ATX activity and LPA signaling could potentially increase the efficacy of chemotherapy and radiotherapy independently of the breast cancer type because most ATX is not derived from breast cancer cells. Blocking ATX activity and LPA signaling could also decrease morbidity from radiation-induced fibrosis.
  • 1.3K
  • 30 Oct 2020
Topic Review
Plasma Proteins
Blood contains various plasma proteins and cells to which endogenous and exogenous molecules can bind together to be transported throughout the circulatory system. Among the different plasma proteins, the binding of small molecular weight drug molecules is mostly associated with serum albumin and alpha-1 acid glycoprotein and, to a lesser extent globulins and lipoproteins. Although linear binding applies for most clinically used drugs, some physiopathological factors and/or dietary-drug interactions may lead to alterations of the drug-protein binding, which in turn may result in clinically changes in the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of the drug. As polyphenols (flavonoids and non-flavonoids) are widely present in plant-derived feeds, beberages, herbal medicines, and dietary supplements, the knowledge of how they bind to plasma proteins can prevent/avoid such interactions.
  • 1.3K
  • 30 Dec 2020
Topic Review
Food–Drug Interactions with Fruit Juices
Fruit juices contain a large number of phytochemicals that, in combination with certain drugs, can cause food–drug interactions that can be clinically significant and lead to adverse events. The mechanisms behind such interactions are in most cases related to phytochemical interference with the activity of cytochrome P450 metabolizing enzymes (CYPs) or drug transporters. Moreover, alterations in their activity can have a clinical relevance if systemic exposure to the drug is decreased or increased, meaning that the pharmacological drug effects are suboptimal, or the drug will cause toxicity. In general, the common pharmacokinetic parameters found to be altered in food–drug interactions regarding fruit juices are the area under the concentration–time curve, bioavailability, and maximum plasma concentration. In most cases, the results from the drug interaction studies with fruit juices provide only limited information due to the small number of subjects, which are also healthy volunteers. Moreover, drug interactions with fruit juices are challenging to predict due to the unknown amounts of the specific phytochemicals responsible for the interaction, as well as due to the inter-individual variability of drug metabolism, among others. Therefore, this work aims to raise awareness about possible pharmacological interactions with fruit juices. 
  • 1.3K
  • 29 May 2021
Topic Review
Anti-NLRP3 Inflammasome Natural Compounds
The nucleotide-binding domain and leucine-rich repeat related (NLR) family, pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome is a multimeric protein complex that recognizes various danger or stress signals from pathogens, the host, and the environment, leading to activation of caspase-1 and inducing inflammatory responses. This pro-inflammatory protein complex plays critical roles in pathogenesis of a wide range of diseases including neurodegenerative diseases, autoinflammatory diseases, and metabolic disorders. Therefore, intensive efforts have been devoted to understanding its activation mechanisms and to searching for its specific inhibitors. Approximately forty natural compounds with anti-NLRP3 inflammasome properties have been identified.
  • 1.3K
  • 26 Feb 2021
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