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Topic Review
Biography
Topic Review
DDS Based on Polysaccharides
Polysaccharides are polymeric carbohydrates composed of repeating monomeric units of monosaccharides that are covalently linked to each other through glucosidic linkage. Polysaccharides are biocompatible, biodegradable biopolymers, and the presence of various functional groups, such as hydroxyl, carboxyl, and amino groups, allow their easy chemical modification in order to increase their intrinsic properties (solubility, chemical stability, etc.). Due to these improved properties, polysaccharides are largely used as biomaterials in food, biomedical, pharmaceutical, cosmetic industry, and also as micellar drug-loaded systems.
628
12 Apr 2021
Topic Review
Multifaceted Effects of Lycopene
Lycopene is a pigment belonging to the group of carotenoids and it is among the most carefully studied antioxidants found especially in fruit and vegetables. As a carotenoid, lycopene exerts beneficial effects on human health by protecting lipids, proteins, and DNA from damage by oxidation. Lycopene is a powerful oxygen inactivator in the singlet state.
626
17 Nov 2021
Topic Review
Cyclo- and Polyphosphazenes for Biomedical Applications
Cyclic and polyphosphazenes are extremely interesting and versatile substrates characterized by the presence of -P=N- repeating units. The chlorine atoms on the P atoms in the starting materials can be easily substituted with a variety of organic substituents, thus giving rise to a huge number of new materials for industrial applications. A wide variety of new phosphazene systems, either trimeric or polymeric, have been developed as biomaterials in view of different applications. The materials to apply in biomedical applications should be biocompatible.
623
09 Dec 2022
Topic Review
PKSIII
A putative Type III Polyketide synthase (PKSIII) encoding gene was identified from a marine yeast, Naganishia uzbekistanensis strain Mo29 (UBOCC-A-208024) (formerly named as Cryptococcus sp.) isolated from deep-sea hydrothermal vents. This gene is part of a distinct phylogenetic branch compared to all known terrestrial fungal sequences. This new gene encodes a C-terminus extension of 74 amino acids compared to other known PKSIII proteins like Neurospora crassa. Full-length and reduced versions of this PKSIII were successfully cloned and overexpressed in a bacterial host, Escherichia coli BL21 (DE3). Both proteins showed the same activity, suggesting that additional amino acid residues at the C-terminus are probably not required for biochemical functions. We demonstrated by LC-ESI-MS/MS that these two recombinant PKSIII proteins could only produce tri- and tetraketide pyrones and alkylresorcinols using only long fatty acid chain from C8 to C16 acyl-CoAs as starter units, in presence of malonyl-CoA. In addition, we showed that some of these molecules exhibit cytotoxic activities against several cancer cell lines.
624
13 Jan 2021
Topic Review
Memantine
Memantine is effective in blocking excessive activity of NMDA-type glutamate receptors and reduces the progression of dementia and may have benefits after TBI.
622
07 Feb 2021
Topic Review
Polyethylene-Glycol Formulations
Background: Soft tissue regeneration and remodeling is fundamental in periodontal surgery, thus we investigated the angiogenic response elicited in the subcutaneous tissue of rats by a proprietary, polyethylene glycol hydrogel formulation (PEG) alone or conjugated with specific amelogenins (EMD) or nanobioglass particles (NBG). Methods: Discs with three different formulations (PEG, PEG-EMD, and PEG-NBG) were inserted into four unconnected subcutaneous pouches, produced on the back of Sprague-Dawley rats (n=56, divided into three groups), and used for blood flow evaluation by Laser Doppler analysis at 1, 2, 4, 8, and 16 weeks or for histological and immunohistochemical analysis at 1, 2, 4, 8, and 16 weeks. Results: All formulations showed tissue integration, absence of inflammatory reaction (as revealed by myeloperoxidase staining), and increased vascularization (by counting microvascular density following CD31 staining). Laser Doppler analysis revealed a statistically significant increase in blood flow after 1 week for PEG-EMD and after 2 weeks for PEG-NBG. The angiogenic response was significantly increased at 1, 2, and 8 weeks for PEG-EMD, but only at 4 weeks for PEG-NBG. Conclusions: The studied biomaterials revealed equal biocompatibility and tissue integration properties. PEG-EMD showed the most pronounced and consistent angiogenic response in the early phases of wound healing, while the PEG-NBG formulation provided a slower and delayed, but relevant, response.
622
01 Nov 2020
Topic Review
Development of Trichosanthin
Tian Hua Fen, a herbal powder extract that contains trichosanthin (TCS), was used as an abortifacient in traditional Chinese medicine. In 1972, TCS was purified to alleviate the side effects. Because of its clinical applications, TCS became one of the most active research areas in the 1960s to the 1980s in China. These include obtaining the sequence information in the 1980s and the crystal structure in 1995. The replication block of TCS on human immunodeficiency virus in lymphocytes and macrophages was found in 1989 and started a new chapter of its development.
621
21 Mar 2022
Topic Review
Allosteric Modulation of Adenosine A2A Receptors
Adenosine is a naturally occurring purine nucleoside that regulates various physiologic functions, including inflammation and wound healing, cardiac contraction, blood vessel formation, vasodilation, learning, memory, sleep, and arousal. Adenosine is released by neurons and glial cells. Extracellular adenosine modulates neuronal excitability, synaptic plasticity, and the release and reuptake of several neurotransmitters. The effects of extracellular adenosine are modulated via four subtypes of G-protein coupled adenosine receptors (GPCRs), denoted A1, A2A, A2B, and A3. Adenosine A2A receptors (A2ARs) are broadly expressed in the brain, cardiovascular system, blood vessels, spleen, thymus, leukocytes, and lung, making them an important drug target. The therapeutic potential of targeting adenosine A2ARs is immense due to their broad expression in the body and central nervous system. The role of A2ARs in cardiovascular function, inflammation, sleep/wake behaviors, cognition, and other primary nervous system functions has been extensively studied.
621
29 Mar 2022
Topic Review
Nonribosomal Peptide and Polyketide Against Human Pathogens
Antibiotics are majorly important molecules for human health. Following the golden age of antibiotic discovery, a period of decline ensued, characterised by the rediscovery of the same molecules. At the same time, new culture techniques and high-throughput sequencing enabled the discovery of new microorganisms that represent a potential source of interesting new antimicrobial substances to explore.
619
15 Nov 2021
Topic Review
Encapsulation of Interferon
Interferons (IFNs) are cytokines involved in the immune response that act on innate and adaptive immunity. These proteins are natural cell-signaling glycoproteins expressed in response to viral infections, tumors, and biological inducers and constitute the first line of defense of vertebrates against infectious agents. They have been used in different presentations for several therapy applications. However, their administration has presented difficulties due to the molecules’ size, sensitivity to degradation, and rapid elimination from the bloodstream. An alternative to overcome these drawbacks is to formulate drug delivery systems to provide adequate therapeutic concentrations for these cytokines, decrease their toxicity and prolong their half-life in the circulation.
618
09 Oct 2021
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