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Diverse pectinolytic enzymes are widely applied in the food, papermaking, and other industries, and they account for more than 25% of the global industrial enzyme demands. Efficient lignocellulose degradation microbiota are reservoirs of pectinolytic enzymes and other lignocellulose-degrading genes. Metagenomics has been widely used to discover new pectinolytic enzymes. Here, we used a metagenomic strategy to characterize pectinolytic genes from one efficient lignocellulose-degrading microbiota derived from pulp and paper wastewater treatment microbiota. A total of 23 predicted full-length GH28 and PL1 family pectinolytic genes were selectively cloned and expressed in Escherichia coli, and 5 of the expressed proteins had pectinolytic activities. Among them, the characterization of one pectinolytic enzyme, PW-pGH28-3, which has a 58.4% identity with an exo-polygalacturonase gene of Aquipluma nitroreducens, was further investigated. The optimal pH and optimal temperature of PW-pGH28-3 were 8.0 and 40 °C, respectively, and its pectinolytic activity at the optimal condition was 13.5 ± 1.1 U/mg protein. Bioinformatics analyses and structural modeling suggest that PW-pGH28-3 is a novel secretory exo-polygalacturonase, which is confirmed by its hydrolysates of polygalacturonic acid. The detection of PW-pGH28-3 and other pectinolytic genes showed that efficient lignocellulose degradation microbiota could provide potential efficient pectinolytic enzymes for industrial application. In the future, improving metagenomic screening efficiency would discover efficient lignocellulose-degrading enzymes and lead to the sustainable and green utilization of lignocellulose. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present study, we report the development of a cellulose-based affinity adsorbent and its application for the purification of proteases from fish by-products. The affinity adsorbent was synthesized using cellulose microfibers as the matrix, isolated from recycled newspapers using the acid precipitation method. As an affinity ligand, the triazine dye Cibacron Blue 3GA (CB3GA) was used and immobilized directly onto the cellulose microfibers. Absorption equilibrium studies and frontal affinity chromatography were employed to evaluate the chromatographic performance of the adsorbent using as model proteins bovine serum albumin (BSA) and lysozyme (LYS). Absorption equilibrium studies suggest that the adsorption of both proteins obeys the Langmuir isotherm model. The kinetics of adsorption obey the pseudo-second-order model. The affinity adsorbent was applied for the development of a purification procedure for proteases from Sparus aurata by-products (stomach and pancreas). A single-step purification protocol for trypsin and chymotrypsin was developed and optimized. The protocol afforded enzymes with high yields suitable for technical and industrial purposes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This year marks the 35th anniversary of Professor Walter Wahli's discovery of the PPARs (Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptors) family of nuclear hormone receptors. To mark the occasion, the editors of the scientific periodical Biomolecules decided to publish a special issue in his honor. This paper summarizes what is known about PPARs and shows how trends have changed and how research on PPARs has evolved. The article also highlights the importance of PPARs and what role they play in various diseases and ailments. The paper is in a mixed form; essentially it is a review article, but it has been enriched with the results of our experiments. The selection of works was subjective, as there are more than 200,000 publications in the PubMed database alone. First, all papers done on an animal model were discarded at the outset. What remained was still far too large to describe directly. Therefore, only papers that were outstanding, groundbreaking, or simply interesting were described and briefly commented on. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This correction notice addresses errors in a scientific paper titled "A Cell-Free SDKP-Conjugated Self-Assembling Peptide Hydrogel Sufficient for Improvement of Myocardial Infarction." The authors discovered that some representative images in Figures 4 and 5 overlapped with images from another published paper. This occurred because the experiments were performed simultaneously. The authors apologize for any inconvenience caused and state that the scientific conclusions were unaffected. The corrected version of the paper will be updated on the article webpage. Additionally, a correction was made to the peptide sequence in the Materials and Methods section due to intellectual property issues. The paper includes graphs showing the effects of the hydrogel on scar size, angiogenesis, and inflammation. [Extracted from the article]

The early diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease (AD) remains a challenge for medical scientists worldwide, leading to a number of research efforts that focus on biosensor development for AD biomarkers. However, the application of these complicated biosensors is limited in medical diagnosis, due to the difficulties in robust sensing platform development, high costs, and the necessity for technical professionals. We successfully developed a robust straightforward manufacturing process for the fabrication of multi-chamber paper devices using the wax printing method and exploited it to detect amyloid beta 42 oligomers (AβO42, a significant biomarker of AD) using copper-enhanced gold nanoprobe colorimetric immunoblotting. Small hydrophilic reaction chambers could concentrate the target sample to the desired size to improve the sensing performance. The copper-enhanced gold nanoprobe immunoblot using the designed multi-chamber platform exhibited a highly sensitive performance with a limit of detection of 320 pg/mL by the naked eye and 23.7 pg/mL by a smartphone camera. This process from sensing manufacture to sensing conduction is simple to perform whenever medical technicians require time- and cost-savings, without complicated instruments or the need for technical professionals, making it feasible to serve as a diagnostic tool worldwide for the early monitoring of AD and scalable devices for the sensing application of various biomarkers in clinical settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although both localized nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) and non-localized nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR) generate the same information, i.e., spectra generated by various groups from the structure of metabolites, they are rarely employed in the same study or by the same research group. As our review reveals, these techniques have never been applied in the same study of methylmalonic acidemia (MMA), propionic acidemia (PA) or vitamin B12 deficiency patients. On the other hand, MRS and NMR provide complementary information which is very valuable in the assessment of the severity of disease and efficiency of its treatment. Thus, MRS provides intracellular metabolic information from localized regions of the brain, while NMR provides extracellular metabolic information from biological fluids like urine, blood or cerebrospinal fluid. This paper presents an up-to-date review of the NMR and MRS studies reported to date for methylmalonic and propionic acidemias. Vitamin B12 deficiency, although in most of its cases not inherited, shares similarities in its metabolic effects with MMA and it is also covered in this review. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) represent a recently discovered polymorphonuclear leukocyte-associated ancient defence mechanism, and they have also been identified as part of polytrauma patients' sterile inflammatory response. This systematic review aimed to determine the clinical significance of NETs in polytrauma, focusing on potential prognostic, diagnostic and therapeutic relevance. The methodology covered all major databases and all study types, but was restricted to polytraumatised humans. Fourteen studies met the inclusion criteria, reporting on 1967 patients. Ten samples were taken from plasma and four from whole blood. There was no standardisation of methodology of NET detection among plasma studies; however, of all the papers that included a healthy control NET, proxies were increased. Polytrauma patients were consistently reported to have higher concentrations of NET markers in peripheral blood than those in healthy controls, but their diagnostic, therapeutic and prognostic utility is equivocal due to the diverse study population and methodology. After 20 years since the discovery of NETs, their natural history and potential clinical utility in polytrauma is undetermined, requiring further standardisation and research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This document discusses the role of redox imbalance and mitochondrial abnormalities in kidney disease. The kidney is an energy-demanding organ that relies on active mitochondrial bioenergetics metabolism. Disruptions in this process can lead to kidney dysfunction. The document includes several papers that explore different aspects of kidney disease, such as podocyte injury, redox metabolism and vascular calcification, the effects of vitamin C and metals, and risk factors for diabetic nephropathy. The papers also discuss potential strategies for preventing and treating kidney disease, including the modulation of mitophagy and the manipulation of gut microbiota. Overall, the document provides valuable insights into the mechanisms and potential interventions for kidney disease. [Extracted from the article]

Systematic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) and the accompanying sepsis pose a huge threat to human health worldwide. Heparin is a part of the standard supportive care for the disease. However, the molecular mechanism is not fully understood yet, and the potential signaling pathways that play key roles have not yet been elucidated. In this paper, the main findings regarding the molecular mechanisms associated with the beneficial effects of heparin, including inhibiting HMGB-1-driven inflammation reactions, histone-induced toxicity, thrombo-inflammatory response control and the new emerging mechanisms are concluded. To set up the link between the preclinical research and the clinical effects, the outcomes of the clinical trials are summarized. Then, the structure and function relationship of heparin is discussed. By providing an updated analysis of the above results, the paper highlights the feasibility of heparin as a possible alternative for sepsis prophylaxis and therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Transient receptor potential (TRP) melastatin member 8 (TRPM8) is a non-selective cation channel that can be activated by low temperatures (8–26 °C), cooling agents (including menthol analogs such as menthol, icilin, and WS-12), voltage, and extracellular osmotic pressure changes. TRPM8 expression has been identified in the digestive system by several research teams, demonstrating its significant involvement in tissue function and pathologies of the digestive system. Specifically, studies have implicated TRPM8 in various physiological and pathological processes of the esophagus, stomach, colorectal region, liver, and pancreas. This paper aims to comprehensively outline the distinct role of TRPM8 in different organs of the digestive system, offering insights for future mechanistic investigations of TRPM8. Additionally, it presents potential therapeutic targets for treating conditions such as digestive tract inflammation, tumors, sensory and functional disorders, and other related diseases. Furthermore, this paper addresses the limitations of existing studies and highlights the research prospects associated with TRPM8. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Trimethylamine-N-oxide (TMAO) is a gut microbiota-derived metabolite, the production of which in vivo is mainly regulated by dietary choices, gut microbiota, and the hepatic enzyme flavin monooxygenase (FMO), while its elimination occurs via the kidneys. The TMAO level is positively correlated with the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases. Recent studies have found that TMAO plays an important role in the development of ischemic stroke. In this review, we describe the relationship between TMAO and ischemic stroke risk factors (hypertension, diabetes, atrial fibrillation, atherosclerosis, thrombosis, etc.), disease risk, severity, prognostic outcomes, and recurrence and discuss the possible mechanisms by which they interact. Importantly, TMAO induces atherosclerosis and thrombosis through lipid metabolism, foam cell formation, endothelial dysfunction (via inflammation, oxidative stress, and pyroptosis), enhanced platelet hyper-reactivity, and the upregulation and activation of vascular endothelial tissue factors. Although the pathogenic mechanisms underlying TMAO's aggravation of disease severity and its effects on post-stroke neurological recovery and recurrence risk remain unclear, they may involve inflammation, astrocyte function, and pro-inflammatory monocytes. In addition, this paper provides a summary and evaluation of relevant preclinical and clinical studies on interventions regarding the gut-microbiota-dependent TMAO level to provide evidence for the prevention and treatment of ischemic stroke through the gut microbe–TMAO pathway. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The efficient analysis and interpretation of biological sequence data remain major challenges in bioinformatics. Graphical representation, as an emerging and effective visualization technique, offers a more intuitive method for analyzing DNA sequences. However, many visualization approaches are dispersed across research databases, requiring urgent organization, integration, and analysis. Additionally, no single visualization method excels in all aspects. To advance these methods, knowledge graphs and advanced machine learning techniques have become key areas of exploration. This paper reviews the current 2D and 3D DNA sequence visualization methods and proposes a new research direction focused on constructing knowledge graphs for biological sequence visualization, explaining the relevant theories, techniques, and models involved. Additionally, we summarize machine learning techniques applicable to sequence visualization, such as graph embedding methods and the use of convolutional neural networks (CNNs) for processing graphical representations. These machine learning techniques and knowledge graphs aim to provide valuable insights into computational biology, bioinformatics, genomic computing, and evolutionary analysis. The study serves as an important reference for improving intelligent search systems, enriching knowledge bases, and enhancing query systems related to biological sequence visualization, offering a comprehensive framework for future research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) belong to a family of nuclear receptors. To date, three types of PPARs, namely PPARα, PPARδ, and PPARγ, have been identified, demonstrating co-expression across numerous tissues. PPARγ is primarily distributed in adipose tissue, the colon, the immune system, and the retina, while PPARα is predominantly expressed in metabolic tissues such as brown adipose tissue, the liver, and the kidneys. Both PPARγ and PPARα play crucial roles in various cellular processes. Recent data suggest that the PPAR family, among other mechanisms, might also be regulated by epigenetic mechanisms. Our recent studies, alongside numerous others, have highlighted the pivotal roles of DNA methylation and histone modifications in the regulation of PPARγ and PPARα, implicating them in the deterioration of metabolic disorders via epigenetic mechanisms. This still not fully understood mechanism of regulation in the nuclear receptors family has been summarized and described in the present paper. The present review summarizes the available data on PPARγ and PPARα regulation via epigenetic mechanisms, elucidating the link between the development of metabolic disorders and the dysregulation of PPARγ and PPARα resulting from these mechanisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The fundamental biological characteristics of tumor cells are characterized by irregularities in signaling and metabolic pathways, which are evident through increased glucose uptake, altered mitochondrial function, and the ability to evade growth signals. Interventions such as fasting or fasting-mimicking diets represent a promising strategy that can elicit distinct responses in normal cells compared to tumor cells. These dietary strategies can alter the circulating levels of various hormones and metabolites, including blood glucose, insulin, glucagon, growth hormone, insulin-like growth factor, glucocorticoids, and epinephrine, thereby potentially exerting an anticancer effect. Additionally, elevated levels of insulin-like growth factor-binding proteins and ketone bodies may increase tumor cells' dependence on their own metabolites, ultimately leading to their apoptosis. The combination of fasting or fasting-mimicking diets with radiotherapy or chemotherapeutic agents has demonstrated enhanced anticancer efficacy. This paper aims to classify fasting, elucidate the mechanisms that underlie its effects, assess its impact on various cancer types, and discuss its clinical applications. We will underscore the differential effects of fasting on normal and cancer cells, the mechanisms responsible for these effects, and the imperative for clinical implementation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Circular RNA (circRNA) exhibits a higher stability and intracellular half-life than linear RNA and has better potential in the fields of RNA vaccines and RNAi drugs. The current strategies for circRNA preparation have low efficiency, high costs, and high complexity, which significantly limits their applications. In this paper, we propose a one-step synthesis of circRNA based on E. coli. The four RNA sequence lengths of 1700, 1400, 500, and 64 nt were connected to group II intron elements from the surface protein region of Clostridium tetani and then inserted downstream of the T7 promoter in the pET28a plasmid to assist in cyclization. Then, circRNA was produced in HT115, where the yields of pET28-1700, pET28-1400, pET28-500, and pET28-64 were improved to 820, 783, 691, and 460 ng/1 mL, respectively. Consequently, this system could achieve the mass production of circRNA using only a simple E. coli culture and inducible expression. Meanwhile, the overexpressed circRNA and small circular interference RNA (sciRNA) maintained their biological functions in the protein translation and RNAi. Therefore, this simple and efficient one-step synthesis system can be applied to the functional study and preparation of circRNA in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Knowledge about determinants of addiction in people taking addictive substances is poor and needs to be supplemented. The novelty of this paper consists in the analysis of innovative aspects of current research about relationships between determinants of addiction in Polish patients taking addictive substances and rare available data regarding the relationships between these factors from studies from recent years from other environments, mainly in Europe, and on the development of genetic determinants of physiological responses. We try to explain the role of the microelements Mn, Fe, Cu, Co, Zn, Cr, Ni, Tl, Se, Al, B, Mo, V, Sn, Sb, Ag, Sr, and Ba, the toxic metals Cd, Hg, As, and Pb, and the rare earth elements Sc, La, Ce, Pr, Eu, Gd, and Nd as factors that may shape the development of addiction to addictive substances or drugs. The interactions between factors (gene polymorphism, especially ANKK1 (TaqI A), ANKK1 (Taq1 A-CT), DRD2 (TaqI B, DRD2 Taq1 B-GA, DRD2 Taq1 B-AA, DRD2-141C Ins/Del), and OPRM1 (A118G)) in patients addicted to addictive substances and consumption of vegetables, consumption of dairy products, exposure to harmful factors, and their relationships with physiological responses, which confirm the importance of internal factors as determinants of addiction, are analyzed, taking into account gender and region. The innovation of this review is to show that the homozygous TT mutant of the ANKK1 TaqI A polymorphism rs 1800497 may be a factor in increased risk of opioid dependence. We identify a variation in the functioning of the immune system in addicted patients from different environments as a result of the interaction of polymorphisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, the rapid alkalinization factor (RALF) family of cysteine-rich peptides has been reported to be crucial for several plant signaling mechanisms, including cell growth, plant immunity and fertilization. RALF4 and RALF19 (RALF4/19) pollen peptides redundantly regulate the pollen tube integrity and growth through binding to their receptors ANXUR1/2 (ANX1/2) and Buddha's Paper Seal 1 and 2 (BUPS1/2), members of the Catharanthus roseus RLK1-like (CrRLK1L) family, and, thus, are essential for plant fertilization. However, the signaling mechanisms at the cellular level that follow these binding events remain unclear. In this study, we show that the addition of synthetic peptide RALF4 rapidly halts pollen tube growth along with the excessive deposition of plasma membrane and cell wall material at the tip. The ratiometric imaging of genetically encoded ROS and Ca2+ sensors-expressing pollen tubes shows that RALF4 treatment modulates the cytoplasmic levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and calcium (Ca2+) in opposite ways at the tip. Thus, we propose that pollen RALF4/19 peptides bind ANX1/2 and BUPS1/2 to regulate ROS and calcium homeostasis to ensure proper cell wall integrity and control of pollen tube growth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

MDA-9/Syntenin, a key scaffolding protein and a molecular hub involved in a diverse range of cell signaling responses, has proved to be a challenging target for the design and discovery of small molecule probes. In this paper, we report on the design and synthesis of small molecule ligands of this key protein. Genetic algorithm-based computational design and the five–eight step synthesis of three molecules led to ligands with affinities in the range of 1–3 µM, a 20–60-fold improvement over literature reports. The design and synthesis strategies, coupled with the structure-dependent gain or loss in affinity, afford the deduction of principles that should guide the design of advanced probes of MDA-9/Syntenin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The document explores the key determinants of cardiovascular and metabolic disease progression, focusing on conditions like dyslipidaemia and diabetes that impact the heart and blood vessels. Atherosclerosis, the accumulation of plaques in arteries, is identified as a principal cause of cardiovascular diseases. The document includes original research papers and reviews by experts, discussing cellular and molecular mechanisms, diagnostic biomarkers, and potential therapeutic strategies for these complex pathologies. It emphasizes the importance of early detection and understanding these diseases to develop effective interventions and monitoring strategies. [Extracted from the article]

Non-thermal plasma (NTP) synergistic anticancer strategies are a current hotspot of interest at the intersection of plasma biomedicine. Melittin (MEL) has been shown to inhibit cancer in many malignant tumors; however, its clinical application is controversial. Therefore, the transmembrane process and mechanism of MEL activity in different cell systems were studied and the combination of MEL and NTP was proposed in this paper. The results showed that the electrostatic attraction between MEL and the lipid bilayer contributes to the stable orientation of MEL on the membrane surface. In addition, sialic acid overexpression affects the degree to which MEL binds the membrane system and the stability of the membrane structure. The use of NTP to reduce the dosage of MEL and its related nonspecific cytolysis activity has certain clinical application value. The results of this study provide theoretical support for improving the clinical applicability of MEL and contribute to the further development of plasma biomedicine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The correction notice for the article "Intracellular Delivery of DNA and Protein by a Novel Cell-Permeable Peptide Derived from DOT1L" in Biomolecules addresses errors in Figure 2A, C, Figure 3A, C, and Figure S2C. The corrections involve the duplication of images and mismatched light and fluorescence images in the original publication. The corrected figures now accurately represent the data on Dot1l peptide penetration in cultured cells under different conditions. The scientific conclusions of the paper remain unaffected by these corrections. [Extracted from the article]

We learned that proteins with unique 3D structures can switch folds (referred to as "metamorphic" or shapeshifting proteins), and a new class of proteins, called intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs), that lack structure but can either transition to order, or in many cases, be functional in the absence of any structure ("fuzzy" logic), was discovered. This paper showed that structured proteins and IDPs could be separated by a straight line on a plot of a protein's net charge ( I Y i -axis) versus its overall hydropathy ( I X i -axis) using the Kyte and Doolittle hydropathy scale. Until the late 1990s, we believed that protein function required a unique, well-defined 3D structure encrypted in the amino acid sequence. This collection is a small token of the respect, admiration, and affection the contributors have for Prof. Vladimir (Volodya) Uversky. [Extracted from the article]

Protein folding and structural biology are highly active disciplines that combine basic research in various fields, including biology, chemistry, physics, and computer science, with practical applications in biomedicine and nanotechnology. However, there are still gaps in the understanding of the detailed mechanisms of protein folding, and protein structure-function relations. In an effort to bridge these gaps, this paper studies the equivalence of proteins and origami. Research on proteins and origami provides strong evidence to support the use of origami folding principles and mechanical models to explain aspects of proteins formation and function. Although not identical, the equivalence of origami and proteins emerges in: (i) the folding processes, (ii) the shape and structure of proteins and origami models, and (iii) the intrinsic mechanical properties of the folded structures/models, which allows them to synchronically fold/unfold and effectively distribute forces to the whole structure. As a result, origami can contribute to the understanding of various key protein-related mechanisms and support the design of de novo proteins and nanomaterials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microbial exopolysaccharides (EPSs) are receiving growing interest today, owing to their diversity in chemical structure and source, multiple functions, and immense potential applications in many food and non-food industries. Their health-promoting benefits for humans deserve particular attention because of their various biological activities and physiological functions. The aim of this paper is to provide a comprehensive review of microbial EPSs, covering (1) their chemical and biochemical diversity, including composition, biosynthesis, and bacterial sources belonging mainly to lactic acid bacteria (LAB) or probiotics; (2) their technological and analytical aspects, especially their production mode and characterization; (3) their biological and physiological aspects based on their activities and functions; and (4) their current and future uses in medical and pharmaceutical fields, particularly for their prebiotic, anticancer, and immunobiotic properties, as well as their applications in other industrial and agricultural sectors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The tricyclic-aromadendrene-type sesquiterpenes are widely distributed and exhibit a range of biological activities, including anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antioxidant, antibacterial, insecticidal and cytotoxic properties. Several key sesquiterpene synthases (STSs) of this type have been identified, of which, viridiflorol synthase has been engineered for efficiently biosynthesizing viridiflorol in an Escherichia coli strain. This paper comprehensively summarizes the distribution and biological activity of aromadendrene-type sesquiterpenes in plant essential oils and microorganisms. The progress in aromadendrene-type sesquiterpene biosynthesis research, including the modifications of key STSs and the optimization of synthetic pathways, is reviewed. Finally, the prospects and associated challenges for the application and biosynthesis of these natural products are also discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This editorial titled "Bringing Vitamin D and the Vitamin D Receptor into the Limelight" explores the growing knowledge surrounding the roles of vitamin D and the vitamin D receptor (VDR) in human health and diseases. It highlights a new clinical practice guideline recommending vitamin D supplementation for children and adolescents to prevent nutritional rickets and reduce the risk of respiratory tract infections, as well as for adults with high-risk prediabetes to lower the risk of progression to diabetes. The document also discusses the involvement of vitamin D and the VDR in innate immunity, metabolism, infection, microbiome diversity, anti-inflammatory properties, and cancer development. It includes research papers and reviews on the biological effects, molecular mechanisms, and therapeutic roles of vitamin D and the VDR, as well as their association with various health conditions such as skin health, psoriasis, atopic diseases, infant gut microbiota, colonic VDR expression, cardiological disease, and bone mineral density. The editorial concludes by emphasizing the importance of accurate supplementation schemes and dietary interventions for vitamin D. Additionally, it mentions a study that explores the association between vitamin D levels and gut microbiota composition in patients with obesity and metabolic syndrome who followed a Mediterranean diet for one year. The study suggests that both vitamin D levels and gut microbiota play a role in metabolic pathways, contributing to the understanding of the vitamin D receptor and potentially leading to further research in precision nutrition and medicine. The study was funded by various organizations, and the sponsors had no involvement in [Extracted from the article]

Combination therapy aims to synergistically enhance efficacy or reduce toxic side effects and has widely been used in clinical practice. However, with the rapid increase in the types of drug combinations, identifying the synergistic relationships between drugs remains a highly challenging task. This paper proposes a novel deep learning model MMFSyn based on multimodal drug data combined with cell line features. Firstly, to ensure the full expression of drug molecular features, multiple modalities of drugs, including Morgan fingerprints, atom sequences, molecular diagrams, and atomic point cloud data, are extracted using SMILES. Secondly, for different modal data, a Bi-LSTM, gMLP, multi-head attention mechanism, and multi-scale GCNs are comprehensively applied to extract the drug feature. Then, it selects appropriate omics features from gene expression and mutation omics data of cancer cell lines to construct cancer cell line features. Finally, these features are combined to predict the synergistic anti-cancer drug combination effect. The experimental results verify that MMFSyn has significant advantages in performance compared to other popular methods, with a root mean square error of 13.33 and a Pearson correlation coefficient of 0.81, which indicates that MMFSyn can better capture the complex relationship between multimodal drug combinations and omics data, thereby improving the synergistic drug combination prediction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, there has been increasing interest in developing novel materials based on natural biopolymers as a renewable alternative to petroleum-based plastics. The availability of proteins derived from agricultural by-products, along with their favourable properties, has fostered a renewed interest in protein-based materials, promoting research in innovative technologies. In this study, we propose the use of rapeseed protein-rich meal as the main ingredient for the preparation of novel sustainable materials combining excellent environmental properties such as biodegradability and renewability. The application of sustainable products in the present high-tech society requires the modification of the basic native properties of these natural compounds. The original route proposed in this paper consists of preparation via the compression moulding of flexible biomaterials stabilized by crosslinkers/chain extenders. An investigation of the effects of different denaturing and disulfide bond reducing agents, crosslinkers, and preparation conditions on the material mechanical behaviour demonstrated that the novel materials have appreciable strength and stiffness. The results show the potential of utilizing full meal from vegetable by-products to prepare protein-based materials with guaranteed ecofriendly characteristics and mechanical properties adequate for specific structural applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Melatonin is a relic, due to its millions-of-years-old presence in chemical reactions, found in evolutionarily diverse organisms. It has a multidirectional biological function. It controls diurnal rhythms, redox homeostasis, intestinal motor functions, mitochondrial biogenesis and fetal development and has antioxidant effects. It also has analgesic and therapeutic effects. The purpose of this paper is to describe the role of melatonin in vital processes occurring in interaction with the environment, with particular reference to various magnetic fields ubiquitous in the life of animate matter, especially radio frequency/extra low frequency (RF/ELF EMF) and static magnetic fields. The most important part of this article is to describe the potential effects of magnetic fields on melatonin secretion and the resulting possible health effects. Melatonin in some cases positively amplifies the electromagnetic signal, intensifying health effects, such as neurogenesis, analgesic effects or lowering blood pressure. In other cases, it is a stimulus that inhibits the processes of destruction and aggravation of lesions. Sometimes, however, in contrast to the beneficial effects of electromagnetic fields in therapy, they intensify pathogenic effects, as in multiple sclerosis by intensifying the inflammatory process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gene delivery therapy has emerged as a popular approach for the treatment of various diseases. However, it still poses the challenges of accumulation in target sites and reducing off-target effects. Aerosol gene delivery for the treatment of pulmonary diseases has the advantages of high lung accumulation, specific targeting and fewer systemic side effects. However, the key challenge is selecting the appropriate formulation for aerosol gene delivery that can overcome physiological barriers. There are numerous existing gene carriers under study, including viral vectors and non-viral vectors. With the development of biomaterials, more biocompatible substances have applied gene delivery via inhalation. Furthermore, many types of genes can be delivered through aerosol inhalation, such as DNA, mRNA, siRNA and CRISPR/Cas9. Aerosol delivery of different types of genes has proven to be efficient in the treatment of many diseases such as SARS-CoV-2, cystic fibrosis and lung cancer. In this paper, we provide a comprehensive review of the ongoing research on aerosol gene delivery therapy, including the basic respiratory system, different types of gene carriers, different types of carried genes and clinical applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Transcription factors (TFs) are crucial in modulating gene expression and sculpting cellular and organismal phenotypes. The identification of TF–target gene interactions is pivotal for comprehending molecular pathways and disease etiologies but has been hindered by the demanding nature of traditional experimental approaches. This paper introduces a novel web application and package utilizing the R program, which predicts TF–target gene relationships and vice versa. Our application integrates the predictive power of various bioinformatic tools, leveraging their combined strengths to provide robust predictions. It merges databases for enhanced precision, incorporates gene expression correlation for accuracy, and employs pan-tissue correlation analysis for context-specific insights. The application also enables the integration of user data with established resources to analyze TF–target gene networks. Despite its current limitation to human data, it provides a platform to explore gene regulatory mechanisms comprehensively. This integrated, systematic approach offers researchers an invaluable tool for dissecting the complexities of gene regulation, with the potential for future expansions to include a broader range of species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

(1) Background: The neddylation pathway assumes a pivotal role in the initiation and progression of cancer. MLN4924, a potent small-molecule inhibitor of the NEDD8-activating enzyme (NAE), effectively intervenes in the early stages of the neddylation pathway. By instigating diverse cellular responses, such as senescence and apoptosis in cancer cells, MLN4924 also exerts regulatory effects on non-malignant cells within the tumor microenvironment (TME) and tumor virus-infected cells, thereby impeding the onset of tumors. Consequently, MLN4924 has been widely acknowledged as a potent anti-cancer drug. (2) Recent findings: Nevertheless, recent findings have illuminated additional facets of the neddylation pathway, revealing its active involvement in various biological processes detrimental to the survival of cancer cells. This newfound understanding underscores the dual role of MLN4924 in tumor therapy, characterized by both anti-cancer and pro-cancer effects. This dichotomy is herein referred to as the "double-edged effects" of MLN4924. This paper delves into the intricate relationship between the neddylation pathway and cancer, offering a mechanistic exploration and analysis of the causes underlying the double-edged effects of MLN4924—specifically, the accumulation of pro-cancer neddylation substrates. (3) Perspectives: Here, the objective is to furnish theoretical support and novel insights that can guide the development of next-generation anti-cancer drugs targeting the neddylation pathway. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) often occurs in the process of kidney transplantation, which significantly impacts the subsequent treatment and prognosis of patients. The prognosis of patients with different subtypes of IRI is quite different. Therefore, in this paper, the gene expression data of multiple IRI samples were downloaded from the GEO database, and a double Laplacian orthogonal non-negative matrix factorization (DL-ONMF) algorithm was proposed to classify them. In this algorithm, various regularization constraints are added based on the non-negative matrix factorization algorithm, and the prior information is fused into the algorithm from different perspectives. The connectivity information between different samples and features is added to the algorithm by Laplacian regularization constraints on samples and features. In addition, orthogonality constraints on the basis matrix and coefficient matrix obtained by the algorithm decomposition are added to reduce the influence of redundant samples and redundant features on the results. Based on the DL-ONMF algorithm for clustering, two PRGs-related IRI isoforms were obtained in this paper. The results of immunoassays showed that the immune microenvironment was different among PRGS-related IRI types. Based on the differentially expressed PRGs between subtypes, we used LASSO and SVM-RFE algorithms to construct a diagnostic model related to renal transplantation. ROC analysis showed that the diagnostic model could predict the outcome of renal transplant patients with high accuracy. In conclusion, this paper presents an algorithm, DL-ONMF, which can identify subtypes with different disease characteristics. Comprehensive bioinformatic analysis showed that pyroptosis might affect the outcome of kidney transplantation by participating in the immune response of IRI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Detecting skeletal or bone-related deformities in model and aquaculture fish is vital for numerous biomedical studies. In biomedical research, model fish with bone-related disorders are potential indicators of various chemically induced toxins in their environment or poor dietary conditions. In aquaculture, skeletal deformities are affecting fish health, and economic losses are incurred by fish farmers. This survey paper focuses on showcasing the cutting-edge image analysis tools and techniques based on artificial intelligence that are currently applied in the analysis of bone-related deformities in aquaculture and model fish. These methods and tools play a significant role in improving research by automating various aspects of the analysis. This paper also sheds light on some of the hurdles faced when dealing with high-content bioimages and explores potential solutions to overcome these challenges. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two of the most prevalent neurodegenerative disorders (NDDs), Alzheimer's disease (AD) and Parkinson's disease (PD), present significant challenges to healthcare systems worldwide. While the etiologies of AD and PD differ, both diseases share commonalities in synaptic dysfunction, thereby focusing attention on the role of neurotransmitters. The possible functions that platelets may play in neurodegenerative illnesses including PD and AD are becoming more acknowledged. In AD, platelets have been investigated for their ability to generate amyloid-ß (Aß) peptides, contributing to the formation of neurotoxic plaques. Moreover, platelets are considered biomarkers for early AD diagnosis. In PD, platelets have been studied for their involvement in oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction, which are key factors in the disease's pathogenesis. Emerging research shows that platelets, which release glutamate upon activation, also play a role in these disorders. Decreased glutamate uptake in platelets has been observed in Alzheimer's and Parkinson's patients, pointing to a systemic dysfunction in glutamate handling. This paper aims to elucidate the critical role that glutamate receptors play in the pathophysiology of both AD and PD. Utilizing data from clinical trials, animal models, and cellular studies, we reviewed how glutamate receptors dysfunction contributes to neurodegenerative (ND) processes such as excitotoxicity, synaptic loss, and cognitive impairment. The paper also reviews all current medications including glutamate receptor antagonists for AD and PD, highlighting their mode of action and limitations. A deeper understanding of glutamate receptor involvement including its systemic regulation by platelets could open new avenues for more effective treatments, potentially slowing disease progression and improving patient outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Much is known about the natural history of syphilis; however, less is known about the immune response against it, and even less is known about people living with HIV (PLWH). Due to the lack of an animal model to study host-pathogen interactions, it remains unclear how the host eliminates the bacteria. Here, we attempt to elucidate the immune response against infection by summarizing all the reported data in a systematic review. We found that only seven papers included PLWH, and they did not accurately describe the immune response against Treponema pallidum since only lymphopenia was reported upon coinfection. On the other hand, at least sixteen papers described the host-pathogen interaction in individual cell populations. Using this information, we established the kinetics of the immune response against syphilis and hypothesized how CD4+ T cells, such as Th17 and T rex cells, worsen the progression of the disease in PLWH through their hallmark cytokines, IL-10 and IL-17, and how these two cytokines may play important roles as biomarkers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is a common cause of heart failure (HF) and heart transplantation (HTx), with genetic factors playing a significant role. In recent years, the RNA-binding protein motif 20 (RBM20), which affects the gene splicing of various proteins with different cellular functions, was identified as the first DCM gene with regulatory properties. Variants of RBM20 have been associated with severe forms of DCM. The aim of this critical systematic review was to analyse RBM20 cardiomyopathy clinical features and outcomes. According to PRISMA guidelines, a search was run in the PubMed, Scopus and Web of Science electronic databases using the following keywords: "RBM20"; "cardiomyopathy"; "arrhythmias"; "heart failure". A total of 181 records were screened, of which 27 studies were potentially relevant to the topic. Through the application of inclusion and exclusion criteria, eight papers reporting 398 patients with RBM20 pathogenic variants were analysed. The mean age at presentation was 41 years. Familiarity with cardiomyopathy was available in 59% of cases, with 55% of probands reporting a positive family history. Imaging data indicated a mild reduction of left ventricular ejection fraction (mean LVEF 40%), while tissue characterization was reported in 24.3% of cases, showing late gadolinium enhancement in 33% of patients. Composite outcomes of sustained monomorphic ventricular tachycardia or ventricular fibrillation occurred in 19.4% of patients, with 12% undergoing HTx. There were no gender differences in arrhythmic outcomes, while 96.4% of patients who underwent HTx were male. In conclusion, RBM20 cardiomyopathy exhibits a severe phenotypic expression, both in terms of arrhythmic burden and HF progression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reactive oxygen species (ROSs) are byproducts of normal cellular metabolism and play pivotal roles in various physiological processes. Disruptions in the balance between ROS levels and the body's antioxidant defenses can lead to the development of numerous diseases. Glutathione peroxidase 3 (GPX3), a key component of the body's antioxidant system, is an oxidoreductase enzyme. GPX3 mitigates oxidative damage by catalyzing the conversion of hydrogen peroxide into water. Beyond its antioxidant function, GPX3 is vital in regulating metabolism, modulating cell growth, inducing apoptosis and facilitating signal transduction. It also serves as a significant tumor suppressor in various cancers. Recent studies have revealed aberrant expression of GPX3 in several non-neoplastic diseases, associating it with multiple pathological processes. This review synthesizes the current understanding of GPX3 expression and regulation, highlighting its extensive roles in noncancerous diseases. Additionally, this paper evaluates the potential of GPX3 as a diagnostic biomarker and explores emerging therapeutic strategies targeting this enzyme, offering potential avenues for future clinical treatment of non-neoplastic conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

New furan, thiophene, and triazole oximes were synthesized through several-step reaction paths to investigate their potential for the development of central nervous systems (CNS)-active and cholinesterase-targeted therapeutics in organophosphorus compound (OP) poisonings. Treating patients with acute OP poisoning is still a challenge despite the development of a large number of oxime compounds that should have the capacity to reactivate acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE). The activity of these two enzymes, crucial for neurotransmission, is blocked by OP, which has the consequence of disturbing normal cholinergic nerve signal transduction in the peripheral and CNS, leading to a cholinergic crisis. The oximes in use have one or two pyridinium rings and cross the brain–blood barrier poorly due to the quaternary nitrogen. Following our recent study on 2-thienostilbene oximes, in this paper, we described the synthesis of 63 heterostilbene derivatives, of which 26 oximes were tested as inhibitors and reactivators of AChE and BChE inhibited by OP nerve agents–sarin and cyclosarin. While the majority of oximes were potent inhibitors of both enzymes in the micromolar range, we identified several oximes as BChE or AChE selective inhibitors with the potential for drug development. Furthermore, the oximes were poor reactivators of AChE; four heterocyclic derivatives reactivated cyclosarin-inhibited BChE up to 70%, and cis,trans-5 [2-((Z)-2-(5-((E)-(hydroxyimino)methyl)thiophen-2-yl)vinyl)benzonitrile] had a reactivation efficacy comparable to the standard oxime HI-6. In silico analysis and molecular docking studies, including molecular dynamics simulation, connected kinetic data to the structural features of these oximes and confirmed their productive interactions with the active site of cyclosarin-inhibited BChE. Based on inhibition and reactivation and their ADMET properties regarding lipophilicity, CNS activity, and hepatotoxicity, these compounds could be considered for further development of CNS-active reactivators in OP poisoning as well as cholinesterase-targeted therapeutics in neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Osteonecrosis of the femoral head (ONFH) is a refractory orthopedic condition characterized by bone cell ischemia, necrosis, bone trabecular fracture, and clinical symptoms such as pain, femoral head collapse, and joint dysfunction that can lead to disability. The disability rate of ONFH is very high, which imposes a significant economic burden on both families and society. Steroid-associated osteonecrosis of the femoral head (SANFH) is the most common type of ONFH. However, the pathogenesis of SANFH remains unclear, and it is an urgent challenge for orthopedic surgeons to explore it. In this paper, the pathogenesis of SANFH and its related signaling pathways were briefly reviewed to enhance comprehension of the pathogenesis and prevention of SANFH. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hepatocellular carcinoma is the most common primary malignancy of the liver, with hepatocellular differentiation. It is ranked sixth among the most common cancers worldwide and is the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths. The most important etiological factors discussed here are viral infection (HBV, HCV), exposure to aflatoxin B1, metabolic syndrome, and obesity (as an independent factor). Directly or indirectly, they induce chromosomal aberrations, mutations, and epigenetic changes in specific genes involved in intracellular signaling pathways, responsible for synthesis of growth factors, cell proliferation, differentiation, survival, the metastasis process (including the epithelial–mesenchymal transition and the expression of adhesion molecules), and angiogenesis. All these disrupted molecular mechanisms contribute to hepatocarcinogenesis. Furthermore, equally important is the interaction between tumor cells and the components of the tumor microenvironment: inflammatory cells and macrophages—predominantly with a pro-tumoral role—hepatic stellate cells, tumor-associated fibroblasts, cancer stem cells, extracellular vesicles, and the extracellular matrix. In this paper, we reviewed the molecular biology of hepatocellular carcinoma and the intricate mechanisms involved in hepatocarcinogenesis, and we highlighted how certain signaling pathways can be pharmacologically influenced at various levels with specific molecules. Additionally, we mentioned several examples of recent clinical trials and briefly described the current treatment protocol according to the NCCN guidelines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The production of nanomaterials through environmentally friendly methods is a top priority in the sustainable development of nanotechnology. This paper presents data on the synthesis of silver nanoparticles using an aqueous extract of Sphagnum fallax moss at room temperature. The morphology, stability, and size of the nanoparticles were analyzed using various techniques, including transmission electron microscopy, Doppler laser velocimetry, and UV-vis spectroscopy. In addition, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy was used to analyze the presence of moss metabolites on the surface of nanomaterials. The effects of different concentrations of citrate-stabilized and moss extract-stabilized silver nanoparticles on cell viability, necrosis induction, and cell impedance were compared. The internalization of silver nanoparticles into both monolayers and three-dimensional cells spheroids was evaluated using dark-field microscopy and hyperspectral imaging. An eco-friendly method for the synthesis of silver nanoparticles at room temperature is proposed, which makes it possible to obtain spherical nanoparticles of 20–30 nm in size with high bioavailability and that have potential applications in various areas of human life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Medical data have unique specificity and professionalism, requiring substantial domain expertise for their annotation. Precise data annotation is essential for anomaly-detection tasks, making the training process complex. Domain generalization (DG) is an important approach to enhancing medical image anomaly detection (AD). This paper introduces a novel multimodal anomaly-detection framework called MedicalCLIP. MedicalCLIP utilizes multimodal data in anomaly-detection tasks and establishes irregular constraints within modalities for images and text. The key to MedicalCLIP lies in learning intramodal detailed representations, which are combined with text semantic-guided cross-modal contrastive learning, allowing the model to focus on semantic information while capturing more detailed information, thus achieving more fine-grained anomaly detection. MedicalCLIP relies on GPT prompts to generate text, reducing the demand for professional descriptions of medical data. Text construction for medical data helps to improve the generalization ability of multimodal models for anomaly-detection tasks. Additionally, during the text–image contrast-enhancement process, the model's ability to select and extract information from image data is improved. Through hierarchical contrastive loss, fine-grained representations are achieved in the image-representation process. MedicalCLIP has been validated on various medical datasets, showing commendable domain generalization performance in medical-data anomaly detection. Improvements were observed in both anomaly classification and segmentation metrics. In the anomaly classification (AC) task involving brain data, the method demonstrated a 2.81 enhancement in performance over the best existing approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

RAMOSA1 (RA1) is a Cys2-His2-type (C2H2) zinc finger transcription factor that controls plant meristem fate and identity and has played an important role in maize domestication. Despite its importance, the origin of RA1 is unknown, and the evolution in plants is only partially understood. In this paper, we present a well-resolved phylogeny based on 73 amino acid sequences from 48 embryophyte species. The recovered tree topology indicates that, during grass evolution, RA1 arose from two consecutive SUPERMAN duplications, resulting in three distinct grass sequence lineages: RA1-like A, RA1-like B, and RA1; however, most of these copies have unknown functions. Our findings indicate that RA1 and RA1-like play roles in the nucleus despite lacking a traditional nuclear localization signal. Here, we report that copies diversified their coding region and, with it, their protein structure, suggesting different patterns of DNA binding and protein–protein interaction. In addition, each of the retained copies diversified regulatory elements along their promoter regions, indicating differences in their upstream regulation. Taken together, the evidence indicates that the RA1 and RA1-like gene families in grasses underwent subfunctionalization and neofunctionalization enabled by gene duplication. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hydrogen sulfide (H2S), previously regarded as a toxic exhaust and atmospheric pollutant, has emerged as the third gaseous signaling molecule following nitric oxide (NO) and carbon monoxide (CO). Recent research has revealed significant biological effects of H2S in a variety of systems, such as the nervous, cardiovascular, and digestive systems. Additionally, H2S has been found to impact reproductive system function and may have therapeutic implications for reproductive disorders. This paper explores the relationship between H2S and male reproductive disorders, specifically erectile dysfunction, prostate cancer, male infertility, and testicular damage. Additionally, it examines the impact of H2S regulation on the pathophysiology of the female reproductive system, including improvements in preterm birth, endometriosis, pre-eclampsia, fetal growth restriction, unexplained recurrent spontaneous abortion, placental oxidative damage, embryo implantation, recovery of myometrium post-delivery, and ovulation. The study delves into the regulatory functions of H2S within the reproductive systems of both genders, including its impact on the NO/cGMP pathway, the activation of K+ channels, and the relaxation mechanism of the spongy smooth muscle through the ROCK pathway, aiming to broaden the scope of potential therapeutic strategies for treating reproductive system disorders in clinical settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cancer remains one of the global leading causes of death and various vaccines have been developed over the years against it, including cell-based, nucleic acid-based, and viral-based cancer vaccines. Although many vaccines have been effective in in vivo and clinical studies and some have been FDA-approved, there are major limitations to overcome: (1) developing one universal vaccine for a specific cancer is difficult, as tumors with different antigens are different for different individuals, (2) the tumor antigens may be similar to the body's own antigens, and (3) there is the possibility of cancer recurrence. Therefore, developing personalized cancer vaccines with the ability to distinguish between the tumor and the body's antigens is indispensable. This paper provides a comprehensive review of different types of cancer vaccines and highlights important factors necessary for developing efficient cancer vaccines. Moreover, the application of other technologies in cancer therapy is discussed. Finally, several insights and conclusions are presented, such as the possibility of using cold plasma and cancer stem cells in developing future cancer vaccines, to tackle the major limitations in the cancer vaccine developmental process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Thrombopoietin, the primary regulator of blood platelet production, was postulated to exist in 1958, but was only proven to exist when the cDNA for the hormone was cloned in 1994. Since its initial cloning and characterization, the hormone has revealed many surprises. For example, instead of acting as the postulated differentiation factor for platelet precursors, megakaryocytes, it is the most potent stimulator of megakaryocyte progenitor expansion known. Moreover, it also stimulates the survival, and in combination with stem cell factor leads to the expansion of hematopoietic stem cells. All of these growth-promoting activities have resulted in its clinical use in patients with thrombocytopenia and aplastic anemia, although the clinical development of the native molecule illustrated that "it's not wise to mess with mother nature", as a highly engineered version of the native hormone led to autoantibody formation and severe thrombocytopenia. Finally, another unexpected finding was the role of the thrombopoietin receptor in stem cell biology, including the development of myeloproliferative neoplasms, an important disorder of hematopoietic stem cells. Overall, the past 30 years of clinical and basic research has yielded many important insights, which are reviewed in this paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Myocardial hypertrophy is the most common condition that accompanies heart development in children. Transcriptional gene expression regulating pathways play a critical role both in cardiac embryogenesis and in the pathogenesis of congenital hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, neonatal posthypoxic myocardial hypertrophy, and congenital heart diseases. This paper describes the state of cardiac gene expression and potential pharmacological modulators at different transcriptional levels. An experimental model of perinatal cardiac hypoxia showed the downregulated expression of genes responsible for cardiac muscle integrity and overexpressed genes associated with energy metabolism and apoptosis, which may provide a basis for a therapeutic approach. Current evidence suggests that RNA drugs, theaflavin, neuraminidase, proton pumps, and histone deacetylase inhibitors are promising pharmacological agents in progressive cardiac hypertrophy. The different points of application of the above drugs make combined use possible, potentiating the effects of inhibition in specific signaling pathways. The special role of N-acetyl cysteine in both the inhibition of several signaling pathways and the reduction of oxidative stress was emphasized. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Disruption of the airway epithelium triggers a defensive immune response that begins with the production and release of alarmin cytokines. These epithelial-derived alarmin cytokines, including thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP), are produced in response to aeroallergens, viruses, and toxic inhalants. An alarmin response disproportionate to the inhaled trigger can exacerbate airway diseases such as asthma. Allergens inhaled into previously sensitized airways are known to drive a T2 inflammatory response through the polarization of T cells by dendritic cells mediated by TSLP. Harmful compounds found within air pollution, microbes, and viruses are also triggers causing airway epithelial cell release of TSLP in asthmatic airways. The release of TSLP leads to the development of inflammation which, when unchecked, can result in asthma exacerbations. Genetic and inheritable factors can contribute to the variable expression of TSLP and the risk and severity of asthma. This paper will review the various triggers and consequences of TSLP release in asthmatic airways. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper aims to review the evidence of the cellular activity on titanium samples exposed to Plasma of Argon (PoA) treatment. A systematic review was carried out based on the PRISMA statement by searching the Cochrane Library, PubMed, Web of Science, EMBASE and Scopus, up to October 2020. Papers were selected according to PICOS format that is: Population (P): osteoblasts, fibroblasts, gingival cells; Intervention (I): PoA disinfection treatment; Comparison (C): untreated controls; Outcome (O): cell culture; Setting (S): in vitro assays. The quality assessment was performed according to the CRIS Guidelines (Checklist for Reporting In vitro Studies). A total of 661 articles were found, of which 16 were included. The quality assessment revealed an overall poor quality of the studies analyzed. In vitro studies on the potential of PoA showed a potential effect in promoting higher cell adhesion and protein adsorption in the earliest times (hours). This outcome was not so evident when later stages of cell growth on the surfaces were tested and compared to the control groups. Only one study was conducted in vivo on a human sample regarding abutment cleaning. No meta-analysis was conducted because of the variety of experimental settings, mixed methods and different cell lines studied. PoA seems to be effective in promoting cell adhesion and protein adsorption. The duration of this effect remains unclear. Further evidence is required to demonstrate the long-term efficacy of the treatment and to support the use of PoA treatment in clinical practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]