Research Keyword: therapeutic targets

Molecular docking as a tool for the discovery of molecular targets of nutraceuticals in diseases management

This review explains how scientists use computer simulations to understand how natural food compounds (called nutraceuticals) interact with disease-causing molecules in the body. By using molecular docking software, researchers can predict which compounds might fight diseases like cancer and heart disease before conducting expensive laboratory tests. The review shows that many common foods like turmeric, grapes, and green tea contain compounds that could potentially treat various diseases by targeting specific proteins and pathways involved in disease development.

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The Gut Mycobiome for Precision Medicine

This comprehensive review explores how fungi in our gut play important roles in our health and disease. While fungi make up only a tiny fraction of our gut microbiota, they have outsized effects on conditions like diabetes, inflammatory bowel disease, and even certain cancers. The review discusses how scientists study these fungi and how understanding individual fungal profiles could lead to personalized medical treatments tailored to each person’s unique microbial makeup.

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Identification of a psychiatric risk gene NISCH at 3p21.1 GWAS locus mediating dendritic spine morphogenesis and cognitive function

Researchers identified a gene called NISCH that increases the risk of schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. When this gene is overactive, it changes the shape of connections between brain cells and impairs working memory in mice. Interestingly, blood pressure medications like clonidine can reduce NISCH activity and improve cognitive function, suggesting these drugs might help psychiatric patients.

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Breaking down biofilms across critical priority fungal pathogens: proteomics and computational innovation for mechanistic insights and new target discovery

This comprehensive review examines how scientists are fighting dangerous fungal infections that form protective biofilms resistant to current antifungal drugs. Researchers are using advanced protein analysis techniques (proteomics) and artificial intelligence-based computational tools to identify new targets for drug development against four critical fungal pathogens that cause life-threatening infections like meningitis and lung infections. By combining these technologies, scientists can better understand how these fungal biofilms form and develop more effective treatments.

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Healthcare-associated fungal infections and emerging pathogens during the COVID-19 pandemic

During the COVID-19 pandemic, fungal infections became a major health concern, especially in hospitalized patients. Treatments for COVID-19, such as steroids and immunosuppressive drugs, weakened patients’ immune systems, making them vulnerable to serious fungal infections like those caused by Candida auris. Current antifungal medications have significant side effects and many fungi are developing resistance, so scientists are urgently seeking safer and more effective antifungal treatments.

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Characterization of the gut mycobiome in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and correlations with serum metabolome

This study examined fungi in the gut of people with fatty liver disease and found that certain fungal species are more common in diseased patients. By analyzing both gut fungi and blood chemicals, researchers discovered that fungi significantly influence metabolic substances related to liver health. A computer model combining information about gut fungi and bacteria could identify fatty liver disease with reasonable accuracy, suggesting that fungi could be useful for disease diagnosis and potential treatment.

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Recent innovations and challenges in the treatment of fungal infections

Fungal infections are becoming more common and harder to treat due to drug resistance, especially in people with weakened immune systems. Current antifungal medications are becoming less effective because fungi are adapting to resist them, and these drugs can cause serious side effects. Scientists are developing new treatment strategies using combinations of existing drugs, engineered biological approaches, and specially designed delivery systems to overcome resistance and improve patient outcomes.

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Characterization of the gut mycobiome in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and correlations with serum metabolome

This research reveals that the types of fungi living in our gut are linked to fatty liver disease in ways we didn’t fully understand before. While researchers have long studied bacteria in our gut, they largely ignored fungi, which turns out to play an important role too. The study found that certain fungal species are more common in people with fatty liver disease, and these fungi influence the metabolites (chemical compounds) in the blood that affect liver health. By combining information about fungi, bacteria, and blood chemistry, scientists developed a test that could identify fatty liver disease with 77% accuracy, suggesting that looking at gut fungi could help doctors diagnose and treat this common liver condition.

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The protein kinases family in fungi: adaptability, virulence and conservation between species

Protein kinases are cellular ‘switches’ that help fungi survive harsh conditions by regulating how cells make proteins and adapt to stress. A particularly important kinase called GCN2 acts as a sensor that detects when fungi lack amino acids, triggering a survival response that helps the fungus adapt and maintain pathogenicity. This review shows how understanding GCN2 could help scientists develop new antifungal drugs to treat fungal infections.

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