Liver masses account for 5 to 6% of pediatric cancer, which includes hepatoblastoma (HBL) along with rare cases of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The most dangerous form of pediatric liver cancer is aggressive HBL, which can be characterized by chemo-resistance and multiple nodules or metastases at diagnosis, all correlating with worse clinical prognosis. Despite intensive studies and a significant improvement in overall outcomes, very little is known about the key molecular pathways which determine the aggressiveness of pediatric liver cancer.

Maintenance of neuroendocrine-immune homeostasis is tightly regulated by the active involvement of neural, endocrine and immune mediators. As age progresses, this bidirectional regulation losses its robustness due to the influence of several factors especially, gonadal hormones. Among the hormones, estrogen has gained significant attention due to its diverse effects as a potent modulator on the cellular and systemic level which influences both physiological and psychological functions.

Neural circuits' role in regulating neurogenesis within the adult subventricular zone (SVZ) of the lateral ventricles (LV) has been extensively studied over the past two decades. The dynamic interplay between neurons, neurotransmitters, and LV neural stem cells (NSCs) highlights the critical influence of neural circuits on NSC renewal, proliferation, and differentiation.

Stroke is the 5th leading cause of death and the leading cause of long-term disability in the United States. Every 40 seconds, someone in the United States sustains a stroke, resulting in approximately 133,000 deaths per year. Stroke related deaths accounted for 11.8% of total deaths in 2015, making stroke the second leading cause of death worldwide, second only to heart disease 

Diabetes is a metabolic disease that compromises the integrity of multiple organs and systems including the nervous system. Not only does neurodegeneration occur in peripheral nerves of diabetic subjects but also in brain structures. Particularly, diabetes impairs olfactory functions which suggests the alteration of regions of the central nervous system related with olfaction, however, few studies have shed light on the mechanisms that cause these alterations.