Open Access Published by De Gruyter

Volume 2 Issue 2

Issue of Medical Review

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Contents
Journal Overview

Publicly Available June 7, 2022

Editorial

Open Access May 10, 2022

The role of traditional Chinese medicine in the prevention and treatment of coronavirus disease 2019

Chensi Yao, Yingying Yang, Xiaolin Tong

Page range: 115-118

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Commentary

Open Access April 27, 2022

Oxytocin and arginine vasopressin: a bridge between acupuncture and autism spectrum disorder

Rong Zhang, Jisheng Han, Songping Han

Page range: 119-124

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Reviews

Open Access April 26, 2022

Extracellular matrix in cancer progression and therapy

Xiuxiu He, Byoungkoo Lee, Yi Jiang

Page range: 125-139

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Abstract

The tumor ecosystem with heterogeneous cellular compositions and the tumor microenvironment has increasingly become the focus of cancer research in recent years. The extracellular matrix (ECM), the major component of the tumor microenvironment, and its interactions with the tumor cells and stromal cells have also enjoyed tremendously increased attention. Like the other components of the tumor microenvironment, the ECM in solid tumors differs significantly from that in normal organs and tissues. We review recent studies of the complex roles the tumor ECM plays in cancer progression, from tumor initiation, growth to angiogenesis and invasion. We highlight that the biomolecular, biophysical, and mechanochemical interactions between the ECM and cells not only regulate the steps of cancer progression, but also affect the efficacy of systemic cancer treatment. We further discuss the strategies to target and modify the tumor ECM to improve cancer therapy.

Open Access April 26, 2022

MicroRNAs in cardiovascular diseases

Huaping Li, Jiabing Zhan, Chen Chen, Daowen Wang

Page range: 140-168

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Abstract

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the leading causes of death and disability worldwide, despite the wide diversity of molecular targets identified and the development of therapeutic methods. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a class of small (about 22 nucleotides) non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) that negatively regulate gene expression at the post-transcriptional level in the cytoplasm and play complicated roles in different CVDs. While miRNA overexpression in one type of cell protects against heart disease, it promotes cardiac dysfunction in another type of cardiac cell. Moreover, recent studies have shown that, apart from cytosolic miRNAs, subcellular miRNAs such as mitochondria- and nucleus-localized miRNAs are dysregulated in CVDs. However, the functional properties of cellular- and subcellular-localized miRNAs have not been well characterized. In this review article, by carefully revisiting animal-based miRNA studies in CVDs, we will address the regulation and functional properties of miRNAs in various CVDs. Specifically, the cell–cell crosstalk and subcellular perspective of miRNAs are highlighted. We will provide the background for attractive molecular targets that might be useful in preventing the progression of CVDs and heart failure (HF) as well as insights for future studies.

Open Access May 25, 2022

Comprehensive narrative review of real-world COVID-19 vaccines: viewpoints and opportunities

Shelan Liu, Min Kang, Na Zhao, Yali Zhuang, Shijian Li, Tie Song

Page range: 169-196

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Abstract

Currently, people all over the world have been affected by coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Fighting against COVID-19 is the top priority for all the countries and nations. The development of a safe and effective COVID-19 vaccine is considered the optimal way of ending the pandemic. Three hundred and 44 vaccines were in development, with 149 undergoing clinical research and 35 authorized for emergency use as to March 15 of 2022. Many studies have shown the effective role of COVID-19 vaccines in preventing SARS-CoV-2 infections as well as serious and fatal COVID-19 cases. However, tough challenges have arisen regarding COVID-19 vaccines, including long-term immunity, emerging COVID-19 variants, and vaccine inequalities. A systematic review was performed of recent COVID-19 vaccine studies, with a focus on vaccine type, efficacy and effectiveness, and protection against SARS-CoV-2 variants, breakthrough infections, safety, deployment and vaccine strategies used in the real-world. Ultimately, there is a need to establish a unified evaluation standard of vaccine effectiveness, monitor vaccine safety and effectiveness, along with the virological characteristics of SARS-CoV-2 variants; and determine the most useful booster schedule. These aspects must be coordinated to ensure timely responses to beneficial or detrimental situations. In the future, global efforts should be directed toward effective and immediate vaccine allocations, improving vaccine coverage, SARS-CoV-2 new variants tracking, and vaccine booster development.

Open Access April 28, 2022

Mass screening is a key component to fight against SARS-CoV-2 and return to normalcy

Zhaomin Feng, Yi Zhang, Yang Pan, Daitao Zhang, Lei Zhang, Quanyi Wang

Page range: 197-212

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Abstract

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) had highly transmissible and pathogenic, which caused serious economic loss and hazard to public health. Different countries have developed strategies to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic that fit their epidemiological situations, capacities, and values. Mass screening combined with control measures rapidly reduced the transmission of the SARS-CoV-2 infection. The COVID-19 pandemic has dramatically highlighted the essential role of diagnostics capacity in the control of communicable diseases. Mass screening has been increasingly used to detect suspected COVID-19 cases and their close contacts, asymptomatic case, patients attending fever clinics, high-risk populations, employees, even all population to identify infectious individuals. Mass screening is a key component to fight against SARS-CoV-2 and return to normalcy. Here we describe the history of mass screening, define the scope of mass screening, describe its application scenarios, and discuss the impact and challenges of using this approach to control COVID-19. We conclude that through a comprehension screening program and strong testing capabilities, mass screening could help us return to normalcy more quickly.

About this journal

Objective

CN: CN 10-1793/R
On-line ISSN: 2749-9642
Print ISSN: 2097-0733 (applies for copies in China)

Medical Review is a peer reviewed open access journal affiliate to Peking University Health Science Center. MR publishes high-quality internationally competitive review articles on cutting-edge progress and achievement from various areas of medical science, specifically focuses on clinical medicine, basic medicine, preventive medicine, medical ethics and multidisciplinary and emerging topics. MR is also committed to promote fundamental benefits among medical research communities, decision-makers and the public by conscientiously reviewing strategical and macro-level policies on medical-related issues and public health.

Your benefits

State-of-the-art research in physiology and pharmacology
Integrative approach to descriptive and behavioral studies
Leading-edge techniques
High quality peer-review

Topics

Clinical medicine
Basic medicine
Preventive medicine
Medical ethics

Article formats

Research Article
Review
Editorial
Research Highlight
Perspective
News and Comments
Scientists Forum
Letter

Volume 2 Issue 2

Issue of Medical Review

Frontmatter

The role of traditional Chinese medicine in the prevention and treatment of coronavirus disease 2019

Oxytocin and arginine vasopressin: a bridge between acupuncture and autism spectrum disorder

Extracellular matrix in cancer progression and therapy

Abstract

MicroRNAs in cardiovascular diseases

Abstract

Comprehensive narrative review of real-world COVID-19 vaccines: viewpoints and opportunities

Abstract

Mass screening is a key component to fight against SARS-CoV-2 and return to normalcy

Abstract