Review
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Leonor Resina, Carlos Aleman, Frederico Castelo Ferreira, Teresa Esteves
Summary: Antibodies are considered the gold standard for recognition affinity tools due to their high selectivity and sensitivity. However, their production cost and downstream processing are expensive and time-consuming. Molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs), specifically designed with molecular recognition sites, have emerged as cheaper and easier alternatives to antibodies. Research on MIPs for protein and peptide recognition has gained importance in various biomedical applications, including biosensors and targeted drug delivery systems. This mini review focuses on recent advances in (bio)molecular imprinting technology for sensing and therapeutic applications, discussing template selection, immobilization approaches, monomers, and highlighting potential drawbacks and research gaps.
BIOTECHNOLOGY ADVANCES
(2023)
Review
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Qurrat Ul Ain, Estefania V. R. Campos, Ariel Huynh, Dominik Witzigmann, Sarah Hedtrich
Summary: Gene therapies are powerful in treating diseases, but face challenges in skin disorders due to the unique barrier properties of human skin that limit the efficient delivery of nucleic acid payloads. Delivery strategies are identified as the major obstacle in fully utilizing the potential of gene therapies for various human diseases, not just skin disorders.
TRENDS IN BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Bianca de Oliveira Horvath-Pereira, Gustavo Henrique Dona Rodrigues Almeida, Leandro Norberto da Silva Junior, Pedro Gabriel do Nascimento, Barbara de Oliveira Horvath Pereira, Joao Victor Barbosa Tenorio Fireman, Maria Laura dos Reis Ferre Pereira, Ana Claudia Oliveira Carreira, Maria Angelica Miglino
Summary: Traditional therapies for male infertility focus on restoring fertility or preserving sperm in severe cases, but have limitations that impact their effectiveness. Reproductive medicine has turned to biotechnological alternatives, such as tissue-engineered testicular tissue reconstruction, to improve infertility treatment and gamete preservation. This approach mimics the testicular microenvironment to maintain male gametes in culture or produce viable grafts for transplantation. The use of biomaterials plays a crucial role in these artificial biological systems, but each material has advantages and disadvantages. This review discusses the progress and challenges in testicular regenerative medicine and the reconstruction of the testicular microenvironment using tissue bioengineering approaches.
FRONTIERS IN ENDOCRINOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Omkar Indari, Shweta Jakhmola, Elangovan Manivannan, Hem Chandra Jha
Summary: The COVID-19 pandemic has posed a significant global challenge, with millions being affected. Drug repurposing is an essential approach in quickly identifying effective treatments for the virus. International clinical trials, like the WHO's solidarity trial, have limitations, and ongoing trials are crucial in providing reliable results for different regions and populations.
FRONTIERS IN PHARMACOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Developmental Biology
Bernhard Klinger, Angelika Schnieke
Summary: The birth of Dolly challenged the scientific consensus that a nucleus from a terminally differentiated cell could not control the development of offspring. This led to the use of somatic cell nuclear transfer for animal cloning and genetically modified farm animals, facilitating research on gene function and the establishment of animal models for various human conditions and diseases.
Article
Allergy
Elissa M. Abrams, Matthew Greenhawt, Waleed Alqurashi, Alexander G. Singer, Marcus Shaker
Summary: Overdiagnosis of anaphylaxis risk is an underappreciated aspect of anaphylaxis prevention, but recent progress has been made to avoid unintended consequences. Recent paradigm shifts in anaphylaxis risk management include approaches like peanut allergy prevention without screening and deferring corticosteroids.
JOURNAL OF ALLERGY AND CLINICAL IMMUNOLOGY-IN PRACTICE
(2021)
Review
Neurosciences
Mohamed Bilal Fares, Somanath Jagannath, Hilal A. Lashuel
Summary: Lewy bodies (LBs) are important pathological features of Parkinson disease and other neurodegenerative diseases, with increasing evidence suggesting that the aggregation of alpha-synuclein plays a central role in LB formation. However, little is known about the mechanisms underlying LB formation, their biochemical and ultrastructural properties, evolution and spreading with disease progression, and their role in neurodegeneration.
NATURE REVIEWS NEUROSCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Critical Care Medicine
Valerie G. Press, Laura C. Myers, Laura C. Feemster
Summary: The HRRP aims to reduce 30-day hospital readmissions for certain conditions, with COPD being one of the target diseases. While hospital policies have shown some impact in reducing readmission rates for COPD, interventions for this condition have had mixed results. Further research is needed to understand the long-term effects of the policy, the role of competing risks, optimal postdischarge care for COPD patients, and the integrated use of predictive modeling and advanced technologies to prevent readmissions.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Michaela van Staden, David A. Ebert, Enrico Gennari, Rob W. Leslie, Meaghen E. McCord, Matthew Parkinson, Ralph G. A. Watson, Sabine Wintner, Charlene da Silva, Aletta E. Bester-van der Merwe
Summary: The ability to accurately identify specimens at the species level is crucial for biodiveristy assessment and conservation. However, there is a lack of species-specific data for many of South Africa's catsharks due to their morphological similarities. In this study, DNA sequencing was used to contribute to the available sequences for catsharks in South Africa. The study revealed the presence of unidentified genetic diversity and highlighted the need for integrated taxonomic assessments on catsharks to fully understand their biodiversity.
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Jie Wang, Ping Li, Chao Wang, Ning Liu, Dongming Xing
Summary: A wide range of nanostructures show promise for biomedical applications, but only a few have been practically implemented. The limited structural preciseness is a critical challenge, making it difficult to control product quality, ensure accurate dosing, and maintain material performance repeatability. However, the construction of nanoparticles with molecule-like preciseness is an emerging research field. This review focuses on artificial nanomaterials that currently achieve molecular or atomic preciseness, including DNA nanostructures, metallic nanoclusters, dendrimer nanoparticles, and carbon nanostructures. It provides a comprehensive overview of their syntheses, bio-applications, limitations, and potential for clinical translation.
MATERIALS HORIZONS
(2023)
Review
Oncology
Phuong Dung (Yun) Trieu, Claudia R. Mello-Thoms, Melissa L. Barron, Sarah J. Lewis
Summary: Developments in screening mammography have significantly reduced breast cancer mortality rates by 20%-30% over 30 years. However, screening programs vary in each country due to factors such as incidence rate, legislation, health infrastructure, and training opportunities. Mammography, although widely used, misses 15% to 35% of cancers due to errors by radiologists and readers. Some countries lack access to mammography screening, and less developed countries have seen a rapid increase in breast cancer cases. Variations in diagnostic performance have been observed in different countries, with radiologists from developed countries outperforming those from less established countries. Differences in breast features, experiences, and training contribute to these variations. Tailored education training programs are recommended to improve radiologists' interpretation skills. The findings from the review highlight the effectiveness of interventions such as the BREAST program in improving radiologist performance and diagnostic accuracy. Self-testing and immediate feedback loops are crucial for global benchmarking and better breast cancer control.
FRONTIERS IN ONCOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Biology
Pragya Prasanna, Shweta Rathee, Vedanabhatla Rahul, Debabrata Mandal, Macherla Sharath Chandra Goud, Pardeep Yadav, Susan Hawthorne, Ankur Sharma, Piyush Kumar Gupta, Shreesh Ojha, Niraj Kumar Jha, Chiara Villa, Saurabh Kumar Jha
Summary: Alzheimer's disease is a significant global health concern with limited therapeutic options and poor understanding of its pathophysiology. Microfluidics offers new possibilities in AD research by providing insights into disease pathways and mechanisms.
Article
Business, Finance
Cynthia Weiyi Cai
Summary: The paper explores triple-entry accounting, utilizing blockchain technology, as a promising and efficient way to address trust and transparency issues in current accounting systems. Through three case studies, it is found that triple-entry accounting, combined with blockchain, can fundamentally improve accounting practices.
ACCOUNTING AND FINANCE
(2021)
Review
Oncology
Fabrizio Tabbo, Chiara Pisano, Julien Mazieres, Laura Mezquita, Ernest Nadal, David Planchard, Anne Pradines, David Santamaria, Aurelie Swalduz, Chiara Ambrogio, Silvia Novello, Sandra Ortiz-Cuaran
Summary: The emergence of high-throughput sequencing has allowed for a deeper understanding of the molecular characteristics of non-small cell lung cancer, providing better strategies for the treatment of specific BRAF-mutated lung cancers, but there remains a lack of targeted approaches for some patients.
CANCER TREATMENT REVIEWS
(2022)
Article
Oncology
Kelly A. Metcalfe, Jacek Gronwald, Nadine M. Tung, Jeanna M. McCuaig, Andrea Eisen, Christine Elser, William D. Foulkes, Susan L. Neuhausen, Leigha Senter, Pal Moller, Louise Bordeleau, Robert Fruscio, Lea Velsher, Dana Zakalik, Olufunmilayo Olopade, Charis Eng, Tuya Pal, Carey A. Cullinane, Fergus J. Couch, Joanne Kotsopoulos, Ping Sun, Jan Lubinski, Steven A. Narod
Summary: The study aimed to estimate the cumulative risks of all cancers in women aged 50 to 75 with a BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene mutation. The results showed that women with BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutations have a high risk of cancer, particularly breast and ovarian cancer, between the ages of 50 and 75. Therefore, appropriate counseling should be provided to these women.