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Topic Review
Epithelial–Mesenchymal Transition in Colorectal Cancer
The epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a cellular reprogramming process that occurs during embryonic development and adult tissue homeostasis. This process involves epithelial cells acquiring a mesenchymal phenotype. Epithelial–mesenchymal plasticity (EMP) has become a hot issue in colorectal cancer (CRC) because strong inducers of EMT (such as transforming growth factor β, TGF-β) can initiate EMT and regulate metastasis, micro-environment, and immune system resistance in CRC.
  • 1.1K
  • 16 Oct 2023
Topic Review
Vitamin D Metabolism in Celiac Disease
Celiac disease is a chronic autoimmune disorder involving the small intestine, characterized by villous atrophy, crypt hyperplasia and an increase in intraepithelial lymphocytes. Due to both calcium malabsorption and immune activation, a high prevalence of bone mass derangement is evident in this condition, regardless of the presence of overt malabsorption. In untreated patients, secondary hyperparathyroidism is responsible for the hyperconversion of 25-vitamin D into 1,25-vitamin D making mandatory the determination of serum levels of both vitamin metabolites to avoid a wrong diagnosis of vitamin D deficit. A gluten-free diet allows for a normalization of bone and mineral metabolism, reverting these abnormalities and raising some doubts on the need for vitamin supplementation in all the patients. 
  • 1.1K
  • 19 Jan 2023
Topic Review
Artificial Intelligence in Monitoring Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis remain debilitating disorders, characterized by progressive bowel damage and possible lethal complications. The growing number of applications for artificial intelligence in gastrointestinal endoscopy has already shown great potential, especially in the field of neoplastic and pre-neoplastic lesion detection and characterization, and is under evaluation in the field of inflammatory bowel disease management. The application of artificial intelligence in inflammatory bowel diseases can range from genomic dataset analysis and risk prediction model construction to the disease grading severity and assessment of the response to treatment using machine learning. 
  • 1.1K
  • 02 Mar 2023
Topic Review
Chemerin in Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Chemerin belongs to the adipokines—proteins secreted by white adipose tissue. It plays an important role in angiogenesis and metabolism and its levels correlate with inflammation severity in many clinical states. 
  • 1.1K
  • 26 Oct 2021
Topic Review
The Mediterranean Diet and Inflammatory Bowel Diseases
The Mediterranean diet is considered one of the healthiest dietary patterns worldwide, thanks to a combination of foods rich mainly in antioxidants and anti-inflammatory nutrients. Many studies have demonstrated a strong relationship between the Mediterranean diet and some chronic gastrointestinal diseases, such as inflammatory bowel diseases.
  • 1.1K
  • 18 Jan 2023
Topic Review
ICIs for HCC treatment
Immunotherapies are promising approaches for treating hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs) refractory to conventional therapies. However, a recent clinical trial of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) revealed that anti-tumor responses to ICIs are not satisfactory in HCC cases. Therefore, it is critical to identify molecular markers to predict outcome and develop novel combination therapies that enhance the efficacy of ICIs. Recently, several attempts have been made to classify HCC based on genome, epigenome, and transcriptome analyses. These molecular classifications are characterized by unique clinical and histological features of HCC, as well immune phenotype. For example, HCCs exhibiting gene expression patterns with proliferation signals and stem cell markers are associated with the enrichment of immune infiltrates in tumors, suggesting immune-proficient characteristics for this type of HCC. However, the presence of activating mutations in β-catenin represents a lack of immune infiltrates and refractoriness to ICIs. Although the precise mechanism that links the immunological phenotype with molecular features remains controversial, it is conceivable that alterations of oncogenic cellular signaling in cancer may lead to the expression of immune-regulatory molecules and result in the acquisition of specific immunological microenvironments for each case of HCC. Therefore, these molecular and immune characteristics should be considered for the management of HCC using immunotherapy.
  • 1.1K
  • 02 Nov 2020
Topic Review
Gallstone Disease
Gallstone disease (GSD) has, for many years, remained a high-cost, socially significant public health problem. Over the past decade, a number of studies have been carried out—both in humans and in animal models—confirming the role of the microbiota in various sections of the gastrointestinal tract as a new link in the etiopathogenesis of GSD. The microbiome of bile correlates with the bacterial composition of saliva, and the microbiome of the biliary tract has a high similarity with the microbiota of the duodenum. Pathogenic microflora of the oral cavity, through mechanisms of immunomodulation, can affect the motility of the gallbladder and the expression of mucin genes (Muc3, MUC4), and represent one of the promoters of stone formation in the gallbladder. The presence of H. pylori infection contributes to the formation of gallstones and affects the occurrence of complications of GSD, including acute and chronic cholecystitis, cholangitis, pancreatitis. Intestinal bacteria (Clostridium, Bifidobacterium, Peptostreptococcus, Bacteroides, Eubacterium, and Escherichia coli) participating in the oxidation and epimerization of bile acids can disrupt enterohepatic circulation and lead to the formation of gallstones. At the same time, cholecystectomy due to GSD leads to the further transformation of the composition of the microbiota in various parts of the gastrointestinal tract, increasing the risk of developing stomach cancer and colorectal cancer. Further research is required to determine the possibility of using the evaluation of the composition of the microbiota of the gastrointestinal and biliary tracts as an early diagnostic marker of various gastroenterological diseases.
  • 1.1K
  • 27 Oct 2020
Topic Review
Serum Visfatin Levels in NAFLD
Adipokines, including visfatin, have been studied in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Several studies evaluated visfatin levels in NAFLD, the presence and severity of hepatic steatosis, liver fibrosis, lobar inflammation, nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), and gender differences. 
  • 1.1K
  • 23 Jul 2021
Topic Review
Chitosan and Chitosan Derivatives in Enteric Infections Treatment
Chitosan is a nontoxic natural antimicrobial polymer and is approved by GRAS (Generally Recognized as Safe by the United States Food and Drug Administration). Chitosan and chitosan derivatives can kill microbes by neutralizing negative charges on the microbial surface. Besides, chemical modifications give chitosan derivatives better water solubility and antimicrobial property. 
  • 1.1K
  • 08 Dec 2021
Topic Review
Eating Disorders and Gastrointestinal Diseases
Eating disorders (ED) are frequently associated with a wide range of psychiatric or somatic comorbidities. The most relevant ED are anorexia nervosa (AN), bulimia nervosa (BN), and binge eating disorders (BED). Patients with ED exhibit both upper and lower gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms. Evidence of alterations throughout the GI tract in ED will be analyzed given the role of the GI tract in food intake and its regulation. It remains a matter of debate whether GI disorders are inherent manifestations of ED or the results of malnutrition occurring from ED. Moreover, recent clinical studies have highlighted the growing role of intestinal microbiota in the pathogenesis of ED, making it possible to hypothesize a modulation of intestinal microbiota as a co-adjuvant to standard therapy. 
  • 1.1K
  • 28 Jul 2021
Topic Review
Apoptosis and Autophagy in Human Colorectal Cancer Development
Colorectal cancer (CRC) remains a major life-threatening malignancy. Apoptosis and autophagy are two processes that share common signaling pathways, are linked by functional relationships and have similar protein components. During the development of cancer, the two processes can trigger simultaneously in the same cell, causing, in some cases, an inhibition of autophagy by apoptosis or apoptosis by autophagy. Malignant cells that have accumulated genetic alterations can take advantage of any alterations in the apoptotic process and as a result, progress easily in the cancerous transformation. Autophagy often plays a suppressive role during the initial stages of carcinogenicity, while in the later stages of cancer development it can play a promoting role. It is extremely important to determine the regulation of this duality of autophagy in the development of CRC and to identify the molecules involved, as well as the signals and the mechanisms behind it. All the reported experimental results indicate that, while the antagonistic effects of autophagy and apoptosis occur in an adverse environment characterized by deprivation of oxygen and nutrients, leading to the formation and development of CRC, the effects of promotion and collaboration usually involve an auxiliary role of autophagy compared to apoptosis. 
  • 1.1K
  • 20 Jun 2023
Topic Review
Tumor Stroma Ratio in Colorectal Cancer
Colorectal cancer is the third leading cause of cancer-related death, and its incidence is rising in the younger patient population.  In the past decade, research has unveiled several processes (underlying tumorigenesis, many of which involve interactions between tumor cells and the surrounding tissue or tumor microenvironment (TME). Interactions between components of the TME are mediated at a sub-microscopic level. 
  • 1.1K
  • 19 May 2022
Topic Review
Pig in Pediatric Drug Discovery
Drug therapy in pediatric patients is challenging in view of the maturation of organ systems and processes that affect pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics. Especially for the youngest age groups and for pediatric-only indications, neonatal and juvenile animal models can be useful to assess drug safety and to better understand the mechanisms of diseases or conditions. In this respect, the use of neonatal and juvenile pigs in the field of pediatric drug discovery and development is promising, although still limited at this point. This study summarizes the comparative postnatal development of pigs and humans and discusses the advantages of the juvenile pig in view of developmental pharmacology, pediatric diseases, drug discovery and drug safety testing. Furthermore, limitations and unexplored aspects of this large animal model are covered. At this point in time, the potential of the neonatal and juvenile pig as nonclinical safety models for pediatric drug development is underexplored.
  • 1.1K
  • 19 Jan 2021
Topic Review
Anti-TNFs in Pediatric Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic immune-mediated condition that affects the gastrointestinal tract. The incidence of the disease in children is increasing. However, most clinical trials in this disease have been carried out in adults, and the results have been extrapolated with minimal changes to determine treatment in children. Pediatric IBD (pIBD) is characterized by various factors, including a more severe phenotype than adult diseas. Since IBD is a chronic autoimmune disease, patients diagnosed during childhood live longer with the illness and consequently need treatment for longer. Biological drugs and, more specifically, anti-TNF drugs such as infliximab and adalimumab have proven efficient for treatment of IBD in adults and in children. However, the use of biological drugs differs between children and adults with IBD. For instance, the time between diagnosis and initiation of biological treatment is shorter in children than in adults. In addition, not all the biological drugs approved for adult IBD are approved for children. 
  • 1.1K
  • 17 Nov 2021
Topic Review
Genetic Markers of Hepatocellular Carcinoma and Cholangiocarcinoma
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common primary liver cancer with an increasing worldwide mortality rate. Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is the second most common primary liver cancer. In both types of cancers, early detection is very important. Biomarkers are a relevant part of diagnosis, enabling non-invasive detection and control of cancer recurrence, as well as in the application of screening tests in high-risk groups. Furthermore, some of these biomarkers are useful in controlling therapy and treatment selection. Detection of some markers presents higher sensitivity and specificity in combination with other markers when compared with a single detection. Some gene aberrations are also prognostic markers in the two types of cancers.
  • 1.0K
  • 19 Apr 2022
Topic Review
Hepatic Encephalopathy
Hepatic encephalopathy (HE) is a major complication of cirrhosis, which is associated with gut microbial composition and functional alterations.
  • 1.0K
  • 12 Oct 2021
Topic Review
Multiple Sclerosis Therapies and Drug-Induced Liver Injury
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic demyelinating disease of the central nervous system and the association with other autoimmune diseases is well-documented. There are many therapeutic options for the treatment of MS. Most of the available drugs cause drug-induced liver injury (DILI) to variable extents with heterogeneous clinical and biological manifestations, including liver injury with or without signs of hypersensitivity and autoimmunity. The different disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) and immunomodulating treatments used in the management of MS include interferon beta (IFN-β), glatiramer acetate (GA), natalizumab, fingolimod, mitoxantrone, teriflunomide, dimethyl fumarate, alemtuzumab, daclizumab, and ocrelizumab. These drugs are largely available in the USA and Europe, but with some differences in indications.
  • 1.0K
  • 28 Jan 2023
Topic Review
Galectin-1 in Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma
Galectin-1 is a unique and critical member of the galectin family, characterized by its ability to bind to β-galactoside-containing glycoconjugates. 
  • 1.0K
  • 07 Nov 2023
Topic Review
H. pylori Marker Detection
The Gram-negative bacterium Helicobacter pylori colonizes c.a. 50% of human stomachs worldwide and is the major risk factor for gastric adenocarcinoma. Its high genetic variability makes it difficult to identify biomarkers of early stages of infection that can reliably predict its outcome. 
  • 1.0K
  • 01 Jun 2022
Topic Review
Contribution of Leukocytes in Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is currently the most prevalent chronic liver disease in Western countries, affecting approximately 25% of the adult population. This condition encompasses a spectrum of liver diseases characterized by abnormal accumulation of fat in liver tissue (non-alcoholic fatty liver, NAFL) that can progress to non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), characterized by the presence of liver inflammation and damage. Lymphocytes are certainly the most relevant leukocytes of the adaptive immune system. 
  • 1.0K
  • 20 Feb 2023
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