Publications by authors named "P Marotta Stephen"
Notorious for its high mortality rate, the current standard treatment for high-grade gliomas remains a challenge. This is largely due to the complex heterogeneity of the tumour coupled with dysregulated molecular mechanisms leading to the development of drug resistance. In recent years, microRNAs (miRNAs) have been considered to provide important information about the pathogenesis and prognostication of gliomas.
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- Systemic diseases of liver origin (SDLO) affect multiple organ systems due to irregular liver function, with examples including primary hyperoxaluria and hereditary transthyretin amyloidosis.
- Nucleic acid therapeutics, particularly antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) and small interfering RNAs (siRNAs), are emerging as promising treatments for these conditions, aiming to alter gene expression.
- The article reviews the epidemiology, symptoms, genetic factors, and current treatments of various SDLOs while also discussing the potential benefits and challenges of using nucleic acid therapeutics in liver-targeted therapies.
New insights into the substrate inhibition of human 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1.
J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol
April 2023
Article Synopsis
- Human type 1 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (17β-HSD1) catalyzes the conversion of estrone to estradiol, a crucial step in estrogen bioactivation linked to various diseases.
- The enzyme's activity can vary based on the cofactors used (primarily NADPH) and its binding interactions with substrates like estrone, which can lead to substrate-induced inhibition.
- By analyzing the enzyme's structures and performing molecular dynamics simulations, the study highlights how the binding modes of substrates and different cofactors affect the enzyme's function and allosteric interactions between its subunits.
Article Synopsis
- A systems approach was created to replace traditional quarantine methods for treating Thaumatotibia leucotreta in South African citrus exports, involving pre and postharvest controls, postpacking inspections, and low-temperature exposure.
- Trials tested the effectiveness of seven cold temperatures (0-5°C) for 14 to 26 days, finding that temperatures of 0, 1, 2, and 3°C could achieve 100% mortality in the pest after specific durations.
- Efficacy varied significantly among different temperatures, with lower temperatures leading to higher mortality rates, suggesting that a combination of cold treatments and other preventive measures can be effective while minimizing fruit damage.
Paclitaxel (taxol), a chemotherapeutic agent, remains the standard of care for the lethal triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). However, over 50% of TNBC patients become resistant to chemotherapy and, to date, no solution is available. CR6-interacting factor 1 (CRIF1) is reported to act as a negative regulator of the cell cycle by interacting with cyclin-dependent kinase 2 (CDK2).
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