Cannabinoids and their therapeutic applications in mental disorders
Mental disorders represent a significant public health burden worldwide due to their high prevalence, chronically disabling nature, and substantial impact on quality of life.
Despite growing knowledge of the pathological mechanisms that underlie the development of these disorders, a high percentage of patients do not respond to first-line clinical treatments; thus, there is a strong need for alternative therapeutic approaches.
During the past half-century, after the identification of the endocannabinoid system and its role in multiple physiological processes, both natural and synthetic cannabinoids have attracted considerable interest as putative medications in pathological conditions such as, but not exclusive to, mental disorders.
Here, we provide a summary of cannabinoid effects in support of possible therapeutic applications for major depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety, posttraumatic stress disorder, and schizophrenia. Considering this evidence, highlighted benefits and risks of cannabinoid use in the management of these illnesses require further experimental study.
Impact of Mitophagy and Mitochondrial Unfolded Protein Response as New Adaptive Mechanisms Underlying Old Pathologies: Sarcopenia and Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease
Mitochondria are the first-line defense of the cell in the presence of stressing processes that can induce mitochondrial dysfunction. Under these conditions, the activation of two axes is accomplished, namely, (i) the mitochondrial unfolded protein response (UPRmt) to promote cell recovery and survival of the mitochondrial network; (ii) the mitophagy process to eliminate altered or dysfunctional mitochondria.
For these purposes, the former response induces the expression of chaperones, proteases, antioxidant components and protein import and assembly factors, whereas the latter is signaled through the activation of the PINK1/Parkin and BNIP3/NIX pathways.
These adaptive mechanisms may be compromised during aging, leading to the development of several pathologies including sarcopenia, defined as the loss of skeletal muscle mass and performance; and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). These age-associated diseases are characterized by the progressive loss of organ function due to the accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS)-induced damage to biomolecules, since the ability to counteract the continuous and large generation of ROS becomes increasingly inefficient with aging, resulting in mitochondrial dysfunction as a central pathogenic mechanism.
Nevertheless, the role of the integrated stress response (ISR) involving UPRmt and mitophagy in the development and progression of these illnesses is still a matter of debate, considering that some studies indicate that the prolonged exposure to low levels of stress may trigger these mechanisms to maintain mitohormesis, whereas others sustain that chronic activation of them could lead to cell death. In this review, we discuss the available research that contributes to unveil the role of the mitochondrial UPR in the development of sarcopenia, in an attempt to describe changes prior to the manifestation of severe symptoms; and in NAFLD, in order to prevent or reverse fat accumulation and its progression by means of suitable protocols to be addressed in future studies.
Cannabinoids and their therapeutic applications in mental disorders
Display Characteristics and Their Impact on Digital Pathology: A Current Review of Pathologists’ Future “Microscope”
Digital displays (monitors) are an indispensable component of a pathologists’ daily workflow, from writing reports, viewing whole-slide images, or browsing the Internet. Due to a paucity of literature and experience surrounding display use and standardization in pathology, the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) has currently restricted FDA-cleared whole-slide imaging systems to a specific model of display for each system, which at this time consists of only medical-grade (MG) displays.
Further, given that a pathologists’ display will essentially become their new surrogate “microscope,” it becomes exceedingly important that all pathologists have a basic understanding of fundamental display properties and their functional consequences. This review seeks to: (a) define and summarize the current and emerging display technology, terminology, features, and regulation as they pertain to pathologists and review the current literature on the impact of different display types (e.g. MG vs. consumer off the shelf vs. professional grade) on pathologists’ diagnostic performance and (b) discuss the impact of the recent digital pathology device componentization and the coronavirus disease 2019 public emergency on the pixel pathway and display use for remote digital pathology.
Display technology has changed dramatically over the past 20 years and continues to change at a rapid rate. There is a paucity of published studies to date that investigate how display type affects pathologist performance, with more research necessary in order to develop standards and minimum specifications for displays in digital pathology.
Description: EcoPURE Total RNA Kit is designed as a simple and convenient purification of high quality total RNA including small RNAs (e.g. microRNAs) from whole blood, cultured cells, and frozen or fresh tissues. This kit utilizes chaotropic ions and silica-based membrane technology, eliminating the need for expensive resins, hazardous phenol-chloroform extractions, β-mercaptoethanol, or time-consuming alcohol precipitation. The standard protocol lasts less than 10 minutes at room temperature and purified RNA can be effectively used in routine downstream applications including cDNA synthesis, northern blotting, differential display, primer extension, and mRNA selection.
Description: EcoPURE Genomic DNA Kit is designed as a simple and convenient purification of high quality genomic DNA from various samples including whole blood, cultured cells, frozen or fresh tissues, rodent tails, yeast, gram positive or gram negative bacteria, insects, dried blood spots, and buccal swaps. This kit utilizes chaotropic ions and silica-based membrane technology, eliminating the need for expensive resins, hazardous phenol-chloroform extractions, or time-consuming alcohol precipitation. The standard protocol lasts less than 25 minutes and purified DNA can be used directly in PCR, qPCR, sequencing and enzymatic reactions.
Description: EcoPURE Bacterial/Yeast/Fungi Genomic DNA Kit is designed for a simple and convenient purification of high quality genomic DNA from Gram (-) negative and Gram (+) positive bacterial cells, yeast, and fungi. This kit utilizes chaotropic ions and silica-based membrane technology, eliminating the need for expensive resins, hazardous phenol-chloroform extractions, or time-consuming alcohol precipitation. The standard protocol lasts less than 25 minutes and purified DNA can be used directly in PCR, qPCR, sequencing and enzymatic reactions.
Description: EcoPURE PCR/Gel Purification Kit combines 2 kits in 1. It is designed for effective and fast purification of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) products. Using this kit, primer dimers, free nucleotides in the reaction, salts, and Taq polymerase can be easily removed. This kit is also suitable for purification of nucleic acids from reactions including restriction digestion, alkaline phosphatase treatment, or kinase reactions.
Recombinant Staphylococcus saprophyticus subsp. saprophyticus Uro-adherence factor A (uafA), partial
Description: Ecopipam (SCH 39166) is a potent, selective and orally active antagonist of dopamine D1/D5 receptor, with Kis of 1.2 nM and 2.0 nM, respectively. Ecopipam shows more than 40-flod selectivity over D2, D4, 5-HT, and α2a receptor (Ki=0.98, 5.52, 0.08, and 0.73 μM, respectively). Ecopipam can be used for the research of schizophrenia and obesity[1][3].
Description: Ecopipam (SCH 39166) hydrobromide is a potent, selective and orally active antagonist of dopamine D1/D5 receptor, with Kis of 1.2 nM and 2.0 nM, respectively. Ecopipam hydrobromide shows more than 40-flod selectivity over D2, D4, 5-HT, and α2a receptor (Ki=0.98, 5.52, 0.08, and 0.73 μM, respectively). Ecopipam hydrobromide can be used for the research of schizophrenia and obesity[1].
Description: Ecopipam (SCH 39166) hydrochloride is a potent, selective and orally active antagonist of dopamine D1/D5 receptor, with Kis of 1.2 nM and 2.0 nM, respectively. Ecopipam hydrochloride shows more than 40-flod selectivity over D2, D4, 5-HT, and α2a receptor (Ki=0.98, 5.52, 0.08, and 0.73 μM, respectively). Ecopipam hydrochloride can be used for the research of schizophrenia and obesity[1][3].
Description: A polyclonal antibody raised in Rabbit that recognizes and binds to Human ECOP (Center). This antibody is tested and proven to work in the following applications:
ECOP, ID (VOPP1, ECOP, GASP, Vesicular, overexpressed in cancer, prosurvival protein 1, EGFR-coamplified and overexpressed protein, Glioblastoma-amplified secreted protein, Putative NF-kappa-B-activating protein 055N) (AP)
ECOP, ID (VOPP1, ECOP, GASP, Vesicular, overexpressed in cancer, prosurvival protein 1, EGFR-coamplified and overexpressed protein, Glioblastoma-amplified secreted protein, Putative NF-kappa-B-activating protein 055N) (AP)
ECOP, ID (VOPP1, ECOP, GASP, Vesicular, overexpressed in cancer, prosurvival protein 1, EGFR-coamplified and overexpressed protein, Glioblastoma-amplified secreted protein, Putative NF-kappa-B-activating protein 055N) (APC)
ECOP, ID (VOPP1, ECOP, GASP, Vesicular, overexpressed in cancer, prosurvival protein 1, EGFR-coamplified and overexpressed protein, Glioblastoma-amplified secreted protein, Putative NF-kappa-B-activating protein 055N) (APC)
ECOP, ID (VOPP1, ECOP, GASP, Vesicular, overexpressed in cancer, prosurvival protein 1, EGFR-coamplified and overexpressed protein, Glioblastoma-amplified secreted protein, Putative NF-kappa-B-activating protein 055N) (FITC)
ECOP, ID (VOPP1, ECOP, GASP, Vesicular, overexpressed in cancer, prosurvival protein 1, EGFR-coamplified and overexpressed protein, Glioblastoma-amplified secreted protein, Putative NF-kappa-B-activating protein 055N) (FITC)
ECOP, ID (VOPP1, ECOP, GASP, Vesicular, overexpressed in cancer, prosurvival protein 1, EGFR-coamplified and overexpressed protein, Glioblastoma-amplified secreted protein, Putative NF-kappa-B-activating protein 055N) (PE)
ECOP, ID (VOPP1, ECOP, GASP, Vesicular, overexpressed in cancer, prosurvival protein 1, EGFR-coamplified and overexpressed protein, Glioblastoma-amplified secreted protein, Putative NF-kappa-B-activating protein 055N) (PE)
ECOP, ID (VOPP1, ECOP, GASP, Vesicular, overexpressed in cancer, prosurvival protein 1, EGFR-coamplified and overexpressed protein, Glioblastoma-amplified secreted protein, Putative NF-kappa-B-activating protein 055N)
ECOP, ID (VOPP1, ECOP, GASP, Vesicular, overexpressed in cancer, prosurvival protein 1, EGFR-coamplified and overexpressed protein, Glioblastoma-amplified secreted protein, Putative NF-kappa-B-activating protein 055N)
ECOP, ID (VOPP1, ECOP, GASP, Vesicular, overexpressed in cancer, prosurvival protein 1, EGFR-coamplified and overexpressed protein, Glioblastoma-amplified secreted protein, Putative NF-kappa-B-activating protein 055N) (Biotin)
ECOP, ID (VOPP1, ECOP, GASP, Vesicular, overexpressed in cancer, prosurvival protein 1, EGFR-coamplified and overexpressed protein, Glioblastoma-amplified secreted protein, Putative NF-kappa-B-activating protein 055N) (Biotin)
Given the complexity of modern displays, pathologists must become better informed regarding display technology if they wish to have more choice over their future “microscopes.”
