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Topic Review
FUBCs in gram negative bacteremia
Bloodstream infections still constitute an outstanding cause of in-hospital morbidity and mortality, especially among critically ill patients. Follow up blood cultures (FUBCs) are widely recommended for proper management of Staphylococcus aureus and Candida spp infections. On the other hand, their role is still a matter of controversy as far as Gram negative bacteremias are concerned. We revised, analyzed, and commented on the literature addressing this issue, to define the clinical settings in which the application of FUBCs could better reveal its value.
  • 598
  • 29 Dec 2020
Topic Review
Marine Drugs in Parkinson’s Disease
Terpenes, shikimates, polyketides, acetogenins, peptides, alkaloids, and many uncharacterized structures, extracted and purified from marine resources, showed various pharmacological activities as antioxidant, antibacterial, anticancer, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, antihypertensive, and anticoagulant.
  • 596
  • 23 Feb 2021
Topic Review
Grimelysin and Protealysin
The entry reviews the discovery, properties, and functional activities of new bacterial enzymes, proteases grimelysin (ECP 32) of Serratia grimesii and protealysin of Serratia proteamaculans, characterized by both a highly specific “actinase” activity and their ability to stimulate bacterial invasion. Grimelysin cleaves the only one polypeptide bond Gly42-Val43 in actin. This bond is not cleaved by any other proteases and leads to a reversible loss of actin polymerization. Similar properties were characteristic for another bacterial protease, protealysin. These properties made grimelysin and protealysin a unique tool to study the functional properties of actin. Furthermore, bacteria Serratia spp. producing grimelysin/protealysin invade eukaryotic cells, and the recombinant Escherichia coli expressing the grimelysin or protealysins gene become invasive. Being an intracellular enzyme, grimelysin/protealysin can be delivered by bacteria to eukaryotic cells. These data indicate that the protease is a virulence factor, and actin can be a target for the protease upon its translocation into the host cell.
  • 596
  • 27 Oct 2020
Topic Review
Pharmacological Interventions in Epilepsy
Epilepsy is a non-communicable disease of the brain that affects people of all ages. It is characterized by episodes of spontaneous and abnormal electrical activity in the brain. It is often accompanied by depression, anxiety, and substantially increased morbidity and mortality. A large number of third-generation antiepileptic drugs are available, but they have multiple side effects causing a decline in the quality of life. The inheritance and etiology of epilepsy are complex with multiple underlying genetic and epigenetic mechanisms. Different neurotransmitters play intricate functions to maintain the normal physiology of various neurons. 
  • 595
  • 06 Jul 2021
Topic Review
The Antioxidant Activity of Mistletoes
In addition to the European mistletoe, Viscum album, which is the most known and utilized one, there are several species commonly known as mistletoe. They are spread in various regions of the planet and are all characterized by hemiparasitism and epiphytic behaviour. The published studies evidence other similarities, including the sharing of important biological properties, with the common presence of antioxidant effects. Mistletoe is an example of the importance of the phytochemical and pharmacological research to update knowledge and utilization of medicinal plants. There are tendencies to limit to use of products derived from natural products, based on prejudices or wrong interpretation. The correct utilization of scientific results is necessary.
  • 596
  • 27 Jul 2023
Topic Review
Cardiac Fibrosis and Fibroblasts
Cardiac fibrosis is the excess deposition of extracellular matrix (ECM), such as collagen.
  • 593
  • 23 Jul 2021
Topic Review
Nanodelivery Systems for Herbal/Phytoconstituents
Herbs and spices have been historically characterized as plant components utilized in the diet for their fragrant characteristics, but have no or minimal nutritional value. Herbs and spices, on the other hand, have been found as sources of different phytochemicals with strong antioxidant activity. As a result, phytoconstituents from herbs and spices can be formulated in various forms of nano-drug delivery systems.
  • 591
  • 29 Dec 2022
Topic Review
Mevalonate Kinase Deficiency and Squalene Synthase Inhibitor (TAK-475)
Mevalonate Kinase Deficiency (MKD) is a rare inborn disease belonging to the family of periodic fever syndromes. The MKD phenotype is characterized by systemic inflammation involving multiple organs, including the nervous system. Current anti-inflammatory approaches to MKD are only partially effective and do not act specifically on neural inflammation. According to the new emerging pharmacology trends, the repositioning of drugs from the indication for which they were originally intended to another one can make mechanistic-based medications easily available to treat rare diseases. According to this perspective, the squalene synthase inhibitor Lapaquistat (TAK-475), originally developed as a cholesterol-lowering drug, might find a new indication in MKD, by modulating the mevalonate cholesterol pathway, increasing the availability of anti-inflammatory isoprenoid intermediates.
  • 590
  • 19 Oct 2021
Topic Review
Anticancer Secondary Metabolites of Astragalus Species
Some of the most effective anticancer compounds are still derived from plants since the chemical synthesis of chiral molecules is not economically efficient. Rapid discovery of lead compounds with pronounced biological activity is essential for the successful development of novel drug candidates. The genus Astragalus L. is the largest in the family Fabaceae (syn. Leguminosae), with more than 3500 species. Astragalus, excluding Astracantha (formerly Astragalus subgenus Tragacantha), has a world total of ca. 2500 species, of which ca. 500 are in the Americas. Many of the species have conservation status “vulnerable” or “critically endangered”.
  • 587
  • 09 Sep 2022
Topic Review
Induced Tissue-Specific Stem Cells (iTSCs)
Induced tissue-specific stem cells (iTSCs) are partially reprogrammed cells which have an intermediate state, such as progenitors or stem cells. They originate from the de-differentiation of differentiated somatic cells into pluripotent stem cells, such as induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) and embryonic stem cells (ESCs), or from the differentiation of undifferentiated cells. They show a limited capacity to differentiate and a morphology similar to that of somatic cell stem cells present in tissues, but distinct from that of iPSCs and ESCs. iTSCs can be generally obtained 7 to 10 days after reprogramming of somatic cells with Yamanaka’s factors, and their fibroblast-like morphology remains unaltered. iTSCs can also be obtained directly from iPSCs cultured under conditions allowing cellular differentiation. In this case, to effectively induce iTSCs, additional treatment is required, as exemplified by the conversion of iPSCs into naïve iPSCs. iTSCs can proliferate continuously in vitro, but when transplanted into immunocompromised mice, they fail to generate solid tumors (teratomas), implying loss of tumorigenic potential. The low tendency of iTSCs to elicit tumors is beneficial, especially considering applications for regenerative medicine in humans. Several iTSC types have been identified, including iTS-L, iTS-P, and iTS-D, obtained by reprogramming hepatocytes, pancreatic cells, and deciduous tooth-derived dental pulp cells, respectively. This review provides a brief overview of iPSCs and discusses recent advances in the establishment of iTSCs and their possible applications in regenerative medicine.
  • 586
  • 11 Oct 2021
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