Adv Exp Med Biol
-
There are several mechanisms that cause memory impairment, including motivated forgetting, active forgetting, natural decay, and memory interference. Interference occurs when one is attempting to recall something specific, but there is conflicting information making it more difficult to recall the target stimuli. In laboratory settings, it is common to measure memory interference with paired associate tasks-usually utilizing the AB-CD, AB-AC, AB-ABr, or AB-DE AC-FG method. ⋯ The memory effects of each condition differ, but are all related to alterations in brain physiology and general memory deterioration. Exercise, or physical activity, has been demonstrated to attenuate memory interference in some cases, but the mechanisms are still being determined. Further research is needed on memory interference, in regard to exercise and neuropsychiatric disorders.
-
The field of cancer therapy has been revolutionized through the use of immunotherapy, and treatment with these therapies now spans from early to late stage, and even into prevention. However, there are still a significant proportion of patients who do not derive long-term benefit from monotherapy and even combined therapy regimens, and novel approaches are needed to enhance therapeutic responses. Additionally, ideal biomarkers of response to immunotherapy are lacking and are critically needed. ⋯ The field of microbiome research in immuno-oncology is quickly emerging, with the potential use of the microbiome (in the gut as well as in the tumor) as a biomarker for response to IO as well as a therapeutic target. Notably, the microbiome may even have a role in toxicity to therapy. The state of the science in microbiome and IO are discussed and caveats and future directions are outlined to provide insights as we move forward as a field.
-
β-hemolytic streptococci are major causes of necrotizing soft tissue infections (NSTIs), Streptococcus pyogenes (group A streptococcus; GAS) in particular. NSTIs caused by Streptococcus dysgalactiae (SD) have also been reported. In the INFECT cohort of 409 NSTIs patients, more than a third of the cases were caused by GAS (31%) or SD (7%). ⋯ As in other studies, a significant microbial diversity was observed, but with predominance of a few emm types. Overall, the INFECT study gives a comprehensive and contemporary picture of the clinical characteristics and the microbes involved in streptococcal NSTIs. The reported severity of disease underscores the need for new efforts aimed at identifying novel diagnostic measures and improved treatment.
-
As a classical form of programmed cell death, autophagy is widely involved in cellular metabolism and vital for the maintenance of homeostasis in physiological and pathological states. With multiple levels of regulation and signaling integrated in, autography presents complicated relevance with various diseases, such as cancer and neurological diseases. The emerging subject, systems biology, along with multi-omics approaches, offers a new strategy to investigate these interactive processes from a holistic perspective. ⋯ The critical step of systematic study is to explore interplay between biological molecules based on massive biological data, which requires construction of networks in different biological levels, modification, and identification of key pathways and targets via optimized algorithm and experimental verification. Guided by systems biology research, drug design can thus be strengthened by efficient screening and accurate evaluation. Overall, systems biology promises to act as a powerful tool which both helps to clarify the profound mechanism and to develop efficacious medicine.
-
Review Comparative Study
Immune Responses to SARS-CoV, MERS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2.
The world has given an outbreak alarm in the last two decades, with different members of the coronavirus family infecting people at different times. The spread of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, which last appeared in December 2019 in China and spread rapidly to all over the world, has led the scientific world to studies on these viruses. ⋯ In this review, we aimed to provide a good view on immune strategies by comparing immunological responses to SARS-CoV-2 disease among other members of the family, SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV. In the near future, it may contribute to vaccine or drug studies to be developed on immune intervention.