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Respiratory Care Jun 2018Corticosteroids have numerous applications in treating inflammation and diseases of immune function based on their significant anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive... (Review)
Review
Corticosteroids have numerous applications in treating inflammation and diseases of immune function based on their significant anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive effects. Corticosteroids modulate immune function through various effects in the nucleus of numerous cells. When used in pharmacologic doses to suppress allergic responses or inflammation, these agents can cause numerous adverse effects associated with an excess of glucocorticoid activity. Prolonged use (>2 wk) results in suppression of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, which requires tapering of doses. Dosing strategies for systemic corticosteroids are designed to minimize the risk for hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis suppression. Topical administration of corticosteroids, including oral inhalation, is often used to avoid the significant adverse effects associated with chronic use. Inhaled corticosteroids are potent synthetic agents that exert their actions locally in the airways but can cause systemic effects based on several factors that influence systemic bioavailability. Inhaled corticosteroids are the cornerstone of asthma therapy and important options for COPD in patients who experience frequent exacerbations. By the nasal route, they are the most effective therapy for treating moderate-to-severe allergic rhinitis.
Topics: Anti-Inflammatory Agents; Asthma; Glucocorticoids; Humans; Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System; Pituitary-Adrenal System; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive
PubMed: 29794202
DOI: 10.4187/respcare.06314 -
Nature Mar 2003The sequencing of the human genome and that of numerous pathogens has opened the door for proteomics by providing a sequence-based framework for mining proteomes. As a... (Review)
Review
The sequencing of the human genome and that of numerous pathogens has opened the door for proteomics by providing a sequence-based framework for mining proteomes. As a result, there is intense interest in applying proteomics to foster a better understanding of disease processes, develop new biomarkers for diagnosis and early detection of disease, and accelerate drug development. This interest creates numerous opportunities as well as challenges to meet the needs for high sensitivity and high throughput required for disease-related investigations.
Topics: Disease; Drug Design; Electrophoresis, Gel, Two-Dimensional; Gene Expression Profiling; Humans; Neoplasms; Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis; Protein Array Analysis; Proteome; Proteomics
PubMed: 12634796
DOI: 10.1038/nature01514 -
Endothelial to Mesenchymal Transition: Role in Physiology and in the Pathogenesis of Human Diseases.Physiological Reviews Apr 2019Numerous studies have demonstrated that endothelial cells are capable of undergoing endothelial to mesenchymal transition (EndMT), a newly recognized type of cellular... (Review)
Review
Numerous studies have demonstrated that endothelial cells are capable of undergoing endothelial to mesenchymal transition (EndMT), a newly recognized type of cellular transdifferentiation. EndMT is a complex biological process in which endothelial cells adopt a mesenchymal phenotype displaying typical mesenchymal cell morphology and functions, including the acquisition of cellular motility and contractile properties. Endothelial cells undergoing EndMT lose the expression of endothelial cell-specific proteins such as CD31/platelet-endothelial cell adhesion molecule, von Willebrand factor, and vascular-endothelial cadherin and initiate the expression of mesenchymal cell-specific genes and the production of their encoded proteins including α-smooth muscle actin, extra domain A fibronectin, N-cadherin, vimentin, fibroblast specific protein-1, also known as S100A4 protein, and fibrillar type I and type III collagens. Transforming growth factor-β1 is considered the main EndMT inducer. However, EndMT involves numerous molecular and signaling pathways that are triggered and modulated by multiple and often redundant mechanisms depending on the specific cellular context and on the physiological or pathological status of the cells. EndMT participates in highly important embryonic development processes, as well as in the pathogenesis of numerous genetically determined and acquired human diseases including malignant, vascular, inflammatory, and fibrotic disorders. Despite intensive investigation, many aspects of EndMT remain to be elucidated. The identification of molecules and regulatory pathways involved in EndMT and the discovery of specific EndMT inhibitors should provide novel therapeutic approaches for various human disorders mediated by EndMT.
Topics: Animals; Disease; Embryonic Development; Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition; Humans
PubMed: 30864875
DOI: 10.1152/physrev.00021.2018 -
Frontiers in Bioscience (Landmark... Jan 2021Aging in mammals results in numerous age related pathologies such as diabetes, and Alzheimer's disease which ultimately lead to organ failure and the demise of the... (Review)
Review
Aging in mammals results in numerous age related pathologies such as diabetes, and Alzheimer's disease which ultimately lead to organ failure and the demise of the organism. Numerous cell-centric hypotheses have attributed the disorders of aging to lie downstream to age dependent cellular damage to biologic signaling pathways, bio-informational molecules, telomeres, organelles, and stem cells. Here, we review these cell-centric causes of aging that range from the disposable soma theory, to somatic mutation theory, and free radical theory, to theories that ascribe aging to DNA damage and methylation (DNAaging and DNA superaging), impairment of autophagy (GarbAging), telomeric attrition, senescence, immunoscencence and inflammaging. Others view that aging is caused by MitoAging, NutrimiRaging and miRagings to exhaustion of stem cell pool. Together, the current models of aging, show the existence of damage to different cellular compartments. However, it is not yet clear which, if any, of these cellular damages represent the most proximal cause of aging.
Topics: Animals; Autophagy; Cellular Senescence; DNA Methylation; Humans; Inflammation; Mutation
PubMed: 33049664
DOI: 10.2741/4888 -
Frontiers in Plant Science 2017Tetraspanins are small transmembrane proteins that laterally associate with each other and cluster with numerous partner proteins as well as lipids. These interactions... (Review)
Review
Tetraspanins are small transmembrane proteins that laterally associate with each other and cluster with numerous partner proteins as well as lipids. These interactions result in the formation of a distinct class of membrane domains, the tetraspanin-enriched microdomains (TEMs), which influence numerous cellular processes such as cell adhesion and fusion, intracellular membrane trafficking, signaling, morphogenesis, motility as well as interaction with pathogens and cancer development. The majority of information available about tetraspanins is based on studies using animal models or cell lines, but tetraspanins are also present in fungi and plants. Recent studies indicate that tetraspanins have important functions in plant development, reproduction and stress responses. Here we provide a brief summary of the current state of tetraspanin research in plants.
PubMed: 28458676
DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2017.00545 -
The Journal of Biocommunication 2022This JBC Showcase is a bountiful offering of natural science images captured by BCA Emeritus Member, Bob Turner. Retired now for better than eleven years, Bob has...
This JBC Showcase is a bountiful offering of natural science images captured by BCA Emeritus Member, Bob Turner. Retired now for better than eleven years, Bob has maintained a passion for traveling to various locations, regardless of whether it's local, national, or an international destination in pursuit of imaging wildlife species and unusual scenic environs. The scope of wildlife species, primarily birds and mammals, are diverse, as are the medley of elegant landscapes and waterscapes. In addition to the pleasure Bob derives from going "on-the-hunt" capturing elusive images, he takes great satisfaction in sharing the images. Numerous photos have been donated to nature organizations' newsletters or birding web sites to help illustrate species identity. And he enjoys posting images on social media for public viewing. Additionally, Bob has presented numerous papers and short talks at BCA's BIOCOMM meetings about his imaging making during Show-Us-Your-Stuff, BCA's popular image sharing session. Each image in this Showcase of wildlife species is identified with both its common and scientific name. The general location of all images, including scenic destinations, are documented as well. All images were captured using a variety of conventional digital imaging methods, or digiscoping techniques.
PubMed: 36405861
DOI: No ID Found -
Indian Journal of Sexually Transmitted... Jul 2010Circumcision is one of the oldest and the most controversial surgical procedures performed worldwide and is almost universal among Muslim and Jewish men. Most medical...
Circumcision is one of the oldest and the most controversial surgical procedures performed worldwide and is almost universal among Muslim and Jewish men. Most medical institutions in various countries agree that although there may be health benefits, there is no medical justification for routine circumcision in neonates or children. It should be performed only for established medical reasons and should not be universally recommended. There are modern techniques that provide safer, simpler, quicker, and cheaper alternatives to the traditional means of circumcision with good functional and cosmetic results. Female genital mutilation (FGM) includes procedure that alters or injures female genital organs for nonmedical reasons. Various degrees of FGM are prevalent, the most mutilating one being infibulation. There are numerous gynecologic and obstetrical complications with infibulation. FGM also plays a significant role in facilitating the transmission of HIV infection through numerous mechanisms. Health care providers have an important role to play in the eradication of this practice. Increased professional and public awareness about such a practice is required.
PubMed: 21716785
DOI: 10.4103/0253-7184.74967