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Topic Review
Malignant Brain Tumors
A discussion of malignant brain tumors including both primary tumors (gliomas, embryonal CNS tumors) and secondary tumors (brain metastasis).
  • 10.6K
  • 18 Jun 2021
Topic Review
COVID-19
Researchers present an overview of the current state of knowledge on the SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19 pandemic. In addition to an overview of the epidemiological, clinical, and radiological features of SARS-CoV-2, researchers also summarize possible therapeutic options currently under investigation and the future outlook for the disease. Whereas the trials on SARS-CoV-2 genome-based specific vaccines and therapeutic antibodies are currently being tested, this solution is more long-term, as they require thorough testing of their safety. On the other hand, the repurposing of the existing therapeutic agents previously designed for other virus infections and pathologies happens to be the only practical approach as a rapid response measure to the emergent pandemic. The current pandemic emergency will be a trigger for more systematic drug repurposing design approaches based on big data analysis. Further on, regression analytical review is presented on the virological and evolutionary history of SARS-CoV viruses, indicating to the autoimmune pathogen.
  • 7.8K
  • 14 Jan 2024
Topic Review
Brainstem Encephalitis
Brainstem encephalitis refers to inflammatory diseases affecting the midbrain, pons, and medulla oblongata. The causes of brainstem encephalitis include infections, autoimmune diseases, and paraneoplastic syndromes. Listeria is a common etiology of infectious rhombencephalitis. The trigeminal nerve has been proposed as a pathway through which Listeria monocytogenes reaches the brainstem after entering damaged oropharyngeal mucosa or periodontal tissues. Listeria monocytogenes may also invade the brainstem along the vagus nerve after it infects enteric neurons in the walls of the gastrointestinal tract.
  • 6.0K
  • 22 Oct 2020
Topic Review
Transmission Dynamics of COVID-19
COVID-19 is pneumonia caused by a novel coronavirus which is an emerging infectious disease, and outbreaks in more than 200 countries around the world. Consequently, the spread principles and prevention and control measures of COVID-19 have become a global problem to be solved. Here, we pose a series of dynamical models to reveal the transmission mechanisms of COVID-19. Based on these mathematical models, data fitting and spread trend of COVID-19 are explored to show the propagation law between human populations. We hope that our work may provide some useful insights for effective control of the COVID-19.
  • 5.1K
  • 28 Oct 2020
Topic Review
The Fibrosis-4 (FIB-4) Index
The fibrosis-4 (FIB-4) index is the first triaging tool for excluding advanced fibrosis because of its accuracy, simplicity, and cheapness, especially for general physicians or endocrinologists, although the FIB-4 index has several drawbacks. Accumulating evidence has suggested that vibration-controlled transient elastography (VCTE) and the enhanced liver fibrosis (ELF) test may become useful as the second step after triaging by the FIB-4 index. The leading cause of mortality in MAFLD is cardiovascular disease (CVD), extrahepatic malignancy, and liver-related diseases. MAFLD often complicates chronic kidney disease (CKD), resulting in increased simultaneous liver kidney transplantation. The FIB-4 index could be a predictor of not only liver-related mortality and incident hepatocellular carcinoma, but also prevalent and incident CKD, CVD, and extrahepatic malignancy.
  • 4.5K
  • 25 May 2021
Topic Review
Disse (Space of Disse)
Space of Disse: a thin perisinusoidal area between the endothelial cells and hepatocytes filled with blood plasma, nutrients and oxygen, but also debris from our organism, that have acquired great importance in liver disease
  • 4.0K
  • 20 Feb 2021
Topic Review
Candida albicans
Candida albicans is a common commensal fungus that colonizes the oropharyngeal cavity, gastrointestinal and vaginal tract, and healthy individuals’ skin.
  • 3.8K
  • 23 Feb 2021
Topic Review
Repeated SARS Outbreaks in China
Within last 17 years two widespread epidemics of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) occurred in China, which were caused by related coronaviruses (CoVs): SARS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2. Although the origin(s) of these viruses are still unknown and their occurrences in nature are mysterious, some general patterns of their pathogenesis and epidemics are noticeable. Both viruses utilize the same receptor—angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2)—for invading human bodies. Both epidemics occurred in cold dry winter seasons celebrated with major holidays, and started in regions where dietary consumption of wildlife is a fashion. Thus, if bats were the natural hosts of SARS-CoVs, cold temperature and low humidity in these times might provide conducive environmental conditions for prolonged viral survival in these regions concentrated with bats. The widespread existence of these bat-carried or -released viruses might have an easier time in breaking through human defenses when harsh winter makes human bodies more vulnerable. Once succeeding in making some initial human infections, spreading of the disease was made convenient with increased social gathering and holiday travel. These natural and social factors influenced the general progression and trajectory of the SARS epidemiology. However, some unique factors might also contribute to the origination of SARS in Wuhan. These factors are discussed in different scenarios in order to promote more research for achieving final validation.
  • 3.5K
  • 01 Nov 2020
Topic Review
Serotonin Pathway
Serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT) is a biogenic monoamine produced from the essential amino acid tryptophan. Serotonin’s role as a neurotransmitter in the central nervous system and a motility mediator in the gastrointestinal tract has been well defined, and its function in tumorigenesis in various cancers (gliomas, carcinoids, and carcinomas) is being studied. Many studies have shown a potential stimulatory effect of serotonin on cancer cell proliferation, invasion, dissemination, and tumor angiogenesis.
  • 3.4K
  • 22 Sep 2021
Topic Review
Caffeine, a Factor for Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis (OA) is one of the most common and disabling rheumatic diseases. It is mainly characterized by articular cartilage degradation, which is fundamental for correct joint function, lubrication, and resistance to mechanical loading. However, the whole joint is normally compromised. As a result of the articular cartilage alterations, typical OA symptoms such as pain and joint failure appear, increasing population’s dependency. OA aetiology is not fully understood. However, there are some risk factors such as certain genetic profiles, gender, age, exercise, metabolic alterations, obesity and diet habits, which could increase its prevalence. Notably, diet can play a crucial role in OA onset and evolution. Specifically, it is known that caffeine intake exerts a negative impact on articular cartilage. Overall, there is ample evidence indicating that caffeine intake has a negative impact on the physiology of articular cartilage, increasing consumers predisposition to suffer OA. Considering these results, caffeine consumption should be reduced and closely controlled. Specifically, this control should be compulsory to those people whose caffeine metabolism is reduced, such as children and pregnant women.
  • 3.3K
  • 02 Nov 2020
Topic Review
Apitherapy
Apitherapy is a complementary and alternative medicine approach, which involves the therapeutic use of various bee products including apilarnil (atomized drone larva) to prevent and treat various diseases.
  • 3.2K
  • 06 Oct 2020
Topic Review
Cytokines in Inflammatory Disease
This review aims to briefly discuss a short list of a broad variety of inflammatory cytokines. Numerous studies have implicated that inflammatory cytokines exert important effects with regard to various inflammatory diseases, yet the reports on their specific roles are not always consistent. They can be used as biomarkers to indicate or monitor disease or its progress, and also may serve as clinically applicable parameters for therapies. Yet, their precise role is not always clearly defined. Thus, in this entry, researchers focus on the existing literature dealing with the biology of cytokines interleukin (IL)-6, IL-1, IL-33, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), IL-10, and IL-8. We will briefly focus on the correlations and role of these inflammatory mediators in the genesis of various inflammatory impacts.
  • 3.0K
  • 13 Oct 2021
Topic Review
Pathophysiology of Sepsis
Sepsis is a life-threatening condition characterized by an uncontrolled inflammatory response to an infectious agent and its antigens. Immune cell activation against the antigens causes severe distress that mediates a strong inflammatory response in vital organs. Sepsis is responsible for a high rate of morbidity and mortality in immunosuppressed patients. 
  • 3.0K
  • 13 Mar 2023
Topic Review
Prevention and Treatment of COVID-19
Since the pandemic induced by the coronavirus SARS-CoV2 began to be spread throughout the whole world, many medical attempts to control the infection and avoid the high rate of mortality and morbidity have been made, collapsing the ICUs of many Hospitals. Many different treatments have been tested, but mortality reached very high values, especially in people in the middle/ elder age. Survivors usually develop important sequelae, even time after the infection had been controlled. In this article, we propose two different approaches to avoid the infection or mitigate their effects. One of them is based in the administration of GH, as preventive,  given its known effect on the production of lymphocytes and a high number of antibodies, as well as for helping in the recovery of the damaged organs. The other one is the administration of melatonin, both to prevent the infection and to act on inflammation once the disease is established. Both hormones are safe and can synergize when the damage to organs is established. GH administration has to be interrupted if the cytokine storm appears because the hormone can increase it. This is a novel approach that will be analyzed in extent, on scientific bases, throughout this article.  
  • 2.9K
  • 05 Nov 2020
Topic Review
Research on COVID-19
As of March, most of the world is under the order of a “lockdown” or “restricted movement control” whereby world leaders and medical experts believe that social isolation is the best option at reducing the spread of the highly infectious and novel disease, that is Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19). While this preventive measure is in place, various diagnostic kits and treatment strategies are being researched daily to diagnose and curb this disease quickly. This report summarizes the characteristics of the SARS-CoV-2 virus and evaluates the diagnostic kits and treatment drugs as well as vaccines that are either currently being used (RT-PCR) or in the clinical pipeline for safety and efficacy testing, respectively. The sooner efficient diagnosis and treatment can be made, the greater the number of lives will be saved.
  • 2.9K
  • 30 Oct 2020
Topic Review
IgG Transplacental Transfer: Benefits & Risks
IgG antibodies can cross and do cross the placenta during pregnancy from the mother to the fetus. The passage starts by the end of the first trimester and continues throughout pregnancy. This is a manner by which the fetus gets passive humoral immunity from the mother. In the early neonatal period, these transferred maternal antibodies will act as a defense and help the developing immunity of the baby. While they are short-lived and cleared from the neonatal circulation within several months, they may be very helpful. A down-side is that in certain maternal autoimmune conditions auto-antibodies seem to have the capacity to hijack the transfer mechanism. It is the case for anti-Ro antibodies. These antibodies are frequent in women with systemic lupus erythematosus and/or Sjogren syndrome. They can lead to fetal atrioventricular block.   
  • 2.8K
  • 17 Jan 2022
Topic Review
MMP-13 in Osteoarthritis Treatment
Osteoarthritis (OA) is a common degenerative disease characterized by the destruction of articular cartilage and chronic inflammation of surrounding tissues. Matrix metalloproteinase-13 (MMP-13) is the primary MMP involved in cartilage degradation through its particular ability to cleave type II collagen. Hence, it is an attractive target for the treatment of OA.
  • 2.7K
  • 07 May 2021
Topic Review
Histopathology of Choroidal Melanoma
Choroidal melanoma (CM), despite its rarity, is the most frequent intraocular malignancy. Over time, several histological variants of CM have been distinguished, including spindle A and B cell, fascicular, epithelioid and necrotic type. However, they have been progressively abandoned as having no prognostic value and currently, the American Joint Committee of Cancer (AJCC) classification identifies three CM cell types: spindle, epithelioid and mixed cell type. Other rare histological variants of CM include: (i) diffuse melanoma; (ii) clear cell; and (iii) balloon cell melanoma. Immunohistochemically, CMs are stained with Human Melanoma Black 45 (HMB45) antigen, S-100 protein, Melan-A (also known as melanoma antigen recognized by T cells 1/MART-1), melanocyte inducing transcription factor (MITF), tyrosinase, vimentin, and Sex determining region Y-Box 10 (SOX10). Several genetic and histopathological prognostic factors of CM have been reported in the literature, including epithelioid cell type, TNM staging, extraocular extension, monosomy 3 and 6p gain and loss of BAP-1 gene. The aim of this review was to summarize the histopathological, immunohistochemical and genetic features of CM, establishing “the state of the art” and providing colleagues with practical tools to promptly deal with patients affected by this rare malignant neoplasm.
  • 2.5K
  • 17 Dec 2020
Topic Review
Hereditary Hemochromatosis
The environment and the human genome are closely entangled and many genetic variations that occur in human populations are the result of adaptive selection to ancestral environmental (mainly dietary) conditions. However, the selected mutations may become maladaptive when environmental conditions change, thus becoming candidates for diseases. Hereditary hemochromatosis (HH) is a potentially lethal disease leading to iron accumulation mostly due to mutations in the HFE gene. Indeed, homozygosity for the C282Y HFE mutation is associated with the primary iron overload phenotype. However, both penetrance of the C282Y variant and the clinical manifestation of the disease are extremely variable, suggesting that other genetic, epigenetic and environmental factors play a role in the development of HH, as well as, and in its progression to end-stage liver diseases. Alcohol consumption and dietary habits may impact on the phenotypic expression of HFE-related hemochromatosis. Indeed, dietary components and bioactive molecules can affect iron status both directly by modulating its absorption during digestion and indirectly by the epigenetic modification of genes involved in its uptake, storage and recycling. Thus, the premise of this review is to discuss how environmental pressures led to the selection of HFE mutations and whether nutritional and lifestyle interventions may exert beneficial effects on HH outcomes and comorbidities.
  • 2.4K
  • 13 Nov 2021
Topic Review
Exercise and Cartilage Regeneration Therapy
In response to exercise, articular chondrocytes increase their production of glycosaminoglycans, bone morphogenic proteins, and anti-inflammatory cytokines and decrease their production of proinflammatory cytokines and matrix-degrading metalloproteinases. These changes are associated with improvements in cartilage organization and reductions in cartilage degeneration. Studies in humans indicate that exercise enhances joint recruitment of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells and upregulates their expression of osteogenic and chondrogenic genes, osteogenic microRNAs, and osteogenic growth factors. Rodent experiments demonstrate that exercise enhances the osteogenic potential of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells while diminishing their adipogenic potential, and that exercise done after stem cell implantation may benefit stem cell transplant viability. Physical exercise also exerts a beneficial effect on the skeletal system by decreasing immune cell production of osteoclastogenic cytokines interleukin-1β, tumor necrosis factor-α, and interferon-γ, while increasing their production of antiosteoclastogenic cytokines interleukin-10 and transforming growth factor-β.
  • 2.3K
  • 28 Jan 2021
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