scholarly journals A Review on the Current Knowledge on ZIKV Infection and the Interest of Organoids and Nanotechnology on Development of Effective Therapies against Zika Infection

2020 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
pp. 35
Author(s):  
Samanta Gasco ◽  
María Ángeles Muñoz-Fernández
Keyword(s):  
Animal Models ◽  
State Of The Art ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
3D Culture ◽  
Therapeutic Approaches ◽  
Therapeutic Tool ◽  
Zikv Infection ◽  
Basic Resource ◽  
Recent Addition ◽  
Special Relevance

Zika virus (ZIKV) acquired a special relevance due to the pandemic that occurred in the Americas in 2015, when an important number of fetal microcephaly cases occurred. Since then, numerous studies have tried to elucidate the pathogenic mechanisms and the potential therapeutic approaches to combat the virus. Cellular and animal models have proved to be a basic resource for this research, with the more recent addition of organoids as a more realistic and physiological 3D culture for the study of ZIKV. Nanotechnology can also offer a promising therapeutic tool, as the nanoparticles developed by this field can penetrate cells and deliver a wide array of drugs in a very specific and controlled way inside the cells. These two state-of-the-art scientific tools clearly provide a very relevant resource for the study of ZIKV, and will help researchers find an effective treatment or vaccine against the virus.

scholarly journals Animal models of medullary thyroid cancer: state of the art and view to the future

2017 ◽  
Vol 24 (1) ◽  
pp. R1-R12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Giovanni Vitale ◽  
Germano Gaudenzi ◽  
Luisa Circelli ◽  
Marco F Manzoni ◽  
Andrea Bassi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Animal Models ◽  
Thyroid Carcinoma ◽  
Medullary Thyroid Carcinoma ◽  
State Of The Art ◽  
Neuroendocrine Tumour ◽  
Progression Free Survival ◽  
Therapeutic Approaches ◽  
Medullary Thyroid ◽  
New Therapeutic Approaches ◽  
Treatment Responses

Medullary thyroid carcinoma is a neuroendocrine tumour originating from parafollicular C cells accounting for 5–10% of thyroid cancers. Increased understanding of disease-specific molecular targets of therapy has led to the regulatory approval of two drugs (vandetanib and cabozantinib) for the treatment of medullary thyroid carcinoma. These drugs increase progression-free survival; however, they are often poorly tolerated and most treatment responses are transient. Animal models are indispensable tools for investigating the pathogenesis, mechanisms for tumour invasion and metastasis and new therapeutic approaches for cancer. Unfortunately, only few models are available for medullary thyroid carcinoma. This review provides an overview of the state of the art of animal models in medullary thyroid carcinoma and highlights future developments in this field, with the aim of addressing salient features and clinical relevance.

scholarly journals Synaptic Reshaping and Neuronal Outcomes in the Temporal Lobe Epilepsy

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (8) ◽  
pp. 3860
Author(s):  
Elisa Ren ◽  
Giulia Curia
Keyword(s):  
Animal Models ◽  
Temporal Lobe Epilepsy ◽  
Temporal Lobe ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Focal Epilepsy ◽  
Ex Vivo ◽  
Hippocampal Sclerosis ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Epileptogenic Zone ◽  
Epileptiform Discharges

Temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) is one of the most common types of focal epilepsy, characterized by recurrent spontaneous seizures originating in the temporal lobe(s), with mesial TLE (mTLE) as the worst form of TLE, often associated with hippocampal sclerosis. Abnormal epileptiform discharges are the result, among others, of altered cell-to-cell communication in both chemical and electrical transmissions. Current knowledge about the neurobiology of TLE in human patients emerges from pathological studies of biopsy specimens isolated from the epileptogenic zone or, in a few more recent investigations, from living subjects using positron emission tomography (PET). To overcome limitations related to the use of human tissue, animal models are of great help as they allow the selection of homogeneous samples still presenting a more various scenario of the epileptic syndrome, the presence of a comparable control group, and the availability of a greater amount of tissue for in vitro/ex vivo investigations. This review provides an overview of the structural and functional alterations of synaptic connections in the brain of TLE/mTLE patients and animal models.

scholarly journals The Genomic Architecture of Bladder Exstrophy Epispadias Complex

Genes ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (8) ◽  
pp. 1149
Author(s):  
Glenda M. Beaman ◽  
Raimondo M. Cervellione ◽  
David Keene ◽  
Heiko Reutter ◽  
William G. Newman
Keyword(s):  
Urinary Tract ◽  
Animal Models ◽  
Abdominal Wall ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Bladder Exstrophy ◽  
Genomic Architecture ◽  
Developmental Mechanisms ◽  
Anatomical Characterization

The bladder exstrophy–epispadias complex (BEEC) is an abdominal midline malformation comprising a spectrum of congenital genitourinary abnormalities of the abdominal wall, pelvis, urinary tract, genitalia, anus, and spine. The vast majority of BEEC cases are classified as non-syndromic and the etiology of this malformation is still unknown. This review presents the current knowledge on this multifactorial disorder, including phenotypic and anatomical characterization, epidemiology, proposed developmental mechanisms, existing animal models, and implicated genetic and environmental components.

scholarly journals Current Knowledge on Functionality and Potential Therapeutic Uses of Donkey Milk

Animals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (5) ◽  
pp. 1382
Author(s):  
Mina Martini ◽  
Iolanda Altomonte ◽  
Domenico Tricò ◽  
Riccardo Lapenta ◽  
Federica Salari
Keyword(s):  
Animal Models ◽  
Randomized Clinical Trials ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Saturated Fatty Acids ◽  
Cow Milk ◽  
Donkey Milk ◽  
Alpha Linolenic Acid ◽  
High Concentration

The increase of knowledge on the composition of donkey milk has revealed marked similarities to human milk, which led to a growing number of investigations focused on testing the potential effects of donkey milk in vitro and in vivo. This paper examines the scientific evidence regarding the beneficial effects of donkey milk on human health. Most clinical studies report a tolerability of donkey milk in 82.6–98.5% of infants with cow milk protein allergies. The average protein content of donkey milk is about 18 g/L. Caseins, which are main allergenic components of milk, are less represented compared to cow milk (56% of the total protein in donkey vs. 80% in cow milk). Donkey milk is well accepted by children due to its high concentration of lactose (about 60 g/L). Immunomodulatory properties have been reported in one study in humans and in several animal models. Donkey milk also seems to modulate the intestinal microbiota, enhance antioxidant defense mechanisms and detoxifying enzymes activities, reduce hyperglycemia and normalize dyslipidemia. Donkey milk has lower calorie and fat content compared with other milks used in human nutrition (fat ranges from 0.20% to 1.7%) and a more favourable fatty acid profile, being low in saturated fatty acids (3.02 g/L) and high in alpha-linolenic acid (about 7.25 g/100 g of fat). Until now, the beneficial properties of donkey milk have been mostly related to whey proteins, among which β-lactoglobulin is the most represented (6.06 g/L), followed by α-lactalbumin (about 2 g/L) and lysozyme (1.07 g/L). So far, the health functionality of donkey milk has been tested almost exclusively on animal models. Furthermore, in vitro studies have described inhibitory action against bacteria, viruses, and fungi. From the literature review emerges the need for new randomized clinical trials on humans to provide stronger evidence of the potential beneficial health effects of donkey milk, which could lead to new applications as an adjuvant in the treatment of cardiometabolic diseases, malnutrition, and aging.

scholarly journals Molecular and Cellular Mechanisms Underlying Temperature-Dependent Sex Determination in Turtles

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-9
Author(s):  
Horacio Merchant-Larios ◽  
Verónica Díaz-Hernández ◽  
Diego Cortez
Keyword(s):  
Animal Models ◽  
Sex Determination ◽  
Incubation Temperature ◽  
State Of The Art ◽  
Current Understanding ◽  
Temperature Dependent ◽  
Cellular Mechanisms ◽  
Male Phenotype ◽  
History Of ◽  
Reptilian Species

The discovery in mammals that fetal testes are required in order to develop the male phenotype inspired research efforts to elucidate the mechanisms underlying gonadal sex determination and differentiation in vertebrates. A pioneer work in 1966 that demonstrated the influence of incubation temperature on sexual phenotype in some reptilian species triggered great interest in the environment’s role as a modulator of plasticity in sex determination. Several chelonian species have been used as animal models to test hypotheses concerning the mechanisms involved in temperature-dependent sex determination (TSD). This brief review intends to outline the history of scientific efforts that corroborate our current understanding of the state-of-the-art in TSD using chelonian species as a reference.

scholarly journals Regulatory T Cell-Enhancing Therapies to Treat Atherosclerosis

Cells ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 723
Author(s):  
Hafid Ait-Oufella ◽  
Jean-Rémi Lavillegrand ◽  
Alain Tedgui
Keyword(s):  
T Cell ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Experimental Studies ◽  
Therapeutic Approaches ◽  
Coronary Patients ◽  
Cell Subpopulations ◽  
Atherosclerotic Process ◽  
T Cell Subpopulations ◽  
Disease Analysis

Experimental studies have provided strong evidence that chronic inflammation triggered by the sub-endothelial accumulation of cholesterol-rich lipoproteins in arteries is essential in the initiation and progression of atherosclerosis. Recent clinical trials highlighting the efficacy of anti-inflammatory therapies in coronary patients have confirmed that this is also true in humans Monocytes/macrophages are central cells in the atherosclerotic process, but adaptive immunity, through B and T lymphocytes, as well as dendritic cells, also modulates the progression of the disease. Analysis of the role of different T cell subpopulations in murine models of atherosclerosis identified effector Th1 cells as proatherogenic, whereas regulatory T cells (Tregs) have been shown to protect against atherosclerosis. For these reasons, better understanding of how Tregs influence the atherosclerotic process is believed to provide novel Treg-targeted therapies to combat atherosclerosis. This review article summarizes current knowledge about the role of Tregs in atherosclerosis and discusses ways to enhance their function as novel immunomodulatory therapeutic approaches against cardiovascular disease.

scholarly journals Today Prospects for Tissue Engineering Therapeutic Approach in Dentistry

2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maurizio Bossù ◽  
Andrea Pacifici ◽  
Daniele Carbone ◽  
Gianluca Tenore ◽  
Gaetano Ierardo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Tissue Engineering ◽  
Stem Cells ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Dental Stem Cells ◽  
Therapeutic Tool ◽  
Exponential Increase ◽  
Major Interest ◽  
Adult Mesenchymal Stem Cells ◽  
Therapeutic Protocols ◽  
Near Future

In dental practice there is an increasing need for predictable therapeutic protocols able to regenerate tissues that, due to inflammatory or traumatic events, may suffer from loss of their function. One of the topics arising major interest in the research applied to regenerative medicine is represented by tissue engineering and, in particular, by stem cells. The study of stem cells in dentistry over the years has shown an exponential increase in literature. Adult mesenchymal stem cells have recently been isolated and characterized from tooth-related tissues and they might represent, in the near future, a new gold standard in the regeneration of all oral tissues. The aim of our review is to provide an overview on the topic reporting the current knowledge for each class of dental stem cells and to identify their potential clinical applications as therapeutic tool in various branches of dentistry.

Advances in the Biology and Genetics of the Podocytopathies: Implications for Diagnosis and Therapy

2009 ◽  
Vol 133 (2) ◽  
pp. 201-216 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura Barisoni ◽  
H. William Schnaper ◽  
Jeffrey B. Kopp
Keyword(s):  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Diffuse Mesangial Sclerosis ◽  
Therapeutic Approaches ◽  
Glomerular Diseases ◽  
Podocyte Injury ◽  
Collapsing Glomerulopathy ◽  
Novel Approach ◽  
Genes Encoding ◽  
Glomerular Morphology

AbstractContext.—Etiologic factors and pathways leading to altered podocyte phenotype are clearly numerous and involve the activity of different cellular function.Objective.—To focus on recent discoveries in podocyte biology and genetics and their relevance to these human glomerular diseases, named podocytopathies.Data Sources.—Genetic mutations in genes encoding for proteins in the nucleus, slit diaphragm, podocyte cytoplasm, and cell membrane are responsible for podocyte phenotype and functional abnormalities. Podocyte injury may also derive from secondary stimuli, such as mechanical stress, infections, or use of certain medications. Podocytes can respond to injury in a limited number of ways, which include (1) effacement, (2) apoptosis, (3) arrest of development, and (4) dedifferentiation. Each of these pathways results in a specific glomerular morphology: minimal change nephropathy, focal segmental glomerulosclerosis, diffuse mesangial sclerosis, and collapsing glomerulopathy.Conclusions.—Based on current knowledge of podocyte biology, we organized etiologic factors and morphologic features in a taxonomy of podocytopathies, which provides a novel approach to the classification of these diseases. Current and experimental therapeutic approaches are also discussed.

scholarly journals Therapeutic Effects of Hydrogen in Animal Models of Parkinson's Disease

2011 ◽  
Vol 2011 ◽  
pp. 1-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kyota Fujita ◽  
Yusaku Nakabeppu ◽  
Mami Noda
Keyword(s):  
Oxidative Stress ◽  
Parkinson’S Disease ◽  
Parkinson's Disease ◽  
Animal Models ◽  
Animal Studies ◽  
Clinical Symptoms ◽  
Therapeutic Effects ◽  
Therapeutic Approaches ◽  
Cellular Apoptosis ◽  
6 Hydroxydopamine

Since the first description of Parkinson's disease (PD) nearly two centuries ago, a number of studies have revealed the clinical symptoms, pathology, and therapeutic approaches to overcome this intractable neurodegenerative disease. 1-methy-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) and 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) are neurotoxins which produce Parkinsonian pathology. From the animal studies using these neurotoxins, it has become well established that oxidative stress is a primary cause of, and essential for, cellular apoptosis in dopaminergic neurons. Here, we describe the mechanism whereby oxidative stress evokes irreversible cell death, and propose a novel therapeutic strategy for PD using molecular hydrogen. Hydrogen has an ability to reduce oxidative damage and ameliorate the loss of nigrostriatal dopaminergic neuronal pathway in two experimental animal models. Thus, it is strongly suggested that hydrogen might provide a great advantage to prevent or minimize the onset and progression of PD.

State of the Art — 1973

1973 ◽  
Vol 18 (3) ◽  
pp. 175-183 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nathan B. Epstein ◽  
Duane S. Bishop
Keyword(s):  
State Of The Art ◽  
Therapeutic Process ◽  
Scientific Discipline ◽  
Therapeutic Approaches ◽  
Training And Education ◽  
Rigorous Approach ◽  
The Family ◽  
Process And Outcome ◽  
Scientific Approach ◽  
Made In

In summary, it can be said that progress is being made in the field, but slowly. The ‘art’ is vigorous, vital and exciting. The ranks of family therapists are swelling and they are coming from backgrounds of different theoretical persuasions and with varying degrees of sophistication in their training and education. This mélange does lead to excitement and turbulence but often detracts from the necessary rigour that a scientific discipline must develop in order to reach maturity. Systems theory allows for easy conceptualization of one another's behaviour in the system, and permits a much clearer understanding of the therapeutic process based upon it, in contrast to therapeutic approaches based on other models. The authors found negotiation to be therapeutically effective when made explicit. In addition they place the focus on the ‘here and now’ and encourage the increased labeling by family members of interactions (affective and behavioural) and their effects (affective and behavioural), according to the Family Categories Schema previously referred to. Efforts are directed especially towards dealing with the current resistances to problem solutions. Epstein et al. have reported on an ongoing program of research which attempts to examine the process and outcome of family therapy (7,10,21,22,25,26). What is needed now is a more rigorous approach to research and the development of a necessary theoretical base in order that a more systematic and scientific approach can be developed for treating families.

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