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Topic Review
Coronary Atherosclerosis Imaging
Identifying patients at increased risk of coronary artery disease, before the atherosclerotic complications become clinically evident, is the aim of cardiovascular prevention. Imaging techniques provide direct assessment of coronary atherosclerotic burden and pathological characteristics of atherosclerotic lesions which may predict the progression of disease. Atherosclerosis imaging has been traditionally based on the evaluation of coronary luminal narrowing and stenosis. However, the degree of arterial obstruction is a poor predictor of subsequent acute events. More recent techniques focus on the high-resolution visualization of the arterial wall and the coronary plaques. Most acute coronary events are triggered by plaque rupture or erosion. Hence, atherosclerotic plaque imaging has generally focused on the detection of vulnerable plaque prone to rupture. 
  • 882
  • 14 Jul 2021
Topic Review
Obesity and Bone
The increase in body weight causes an increase in BMD (bone mineral density), both for a mechanical effect and for the greater amount of estrogens present in the adipose tissue. Nevertheless, despite an apparent strengthening of the bone witnessed by the increased BMD, the risk of fracture is higher.
  • 880
  • 05 Jan 2022
Topic Review
Medical Insights of Hemodiafiltration
Hemodiafiltration, a dialysis method that was implemented in clinics many years ago and that combines the two main principles of hemodialysis and hemofiltration—diffusion and convection—has had a positive impact on mortality rates, especially when delivered in a high-volume mode as a surrogate for a high convective dose. The achievement of high substitution volumes during dialysis treatments does not only depend on patient characteristics but also on the dialyzer (membrane) and the adequately equipped hemodiafiltration machine. 
  • 878
  • 07 Feb 2023
Topic Review
Antioxidants and Male Fertility
Spermatozoa are physiologically exposed to reactive oxygen species (ROS) that play a pivotal role on several sperm functions through activation of different intracellular mechanisms involved in physiological functions such as sperm capacitation associated-events. However, ROS overproduction depletes sperm antioxidant system, which leads to a condition of oxidative stress (OS). Subfertile and infertile men are known to present higher amount of ROS in the reproductive tract which causes sperm DNA damage and results in lower fertility and pregnancy rates. Thus, there is a growing number of couples seeking fertility treatment and assisted reproductive technologies (ART) due to OS-related problems in the male partner. Interestingly, although ART can be successfully used, it is also related with an increase in ROS production. This has led to a debate if antioxidants should be proposed as part of a fertility treatment in an attempt to decrease non-physiological elevated levels of ROS. However, the rationale behind oral antioxidants intake and positive effects on male reproduction outcome is only supported by few studies. 
  • 877
  • 16 Aug 2021
Topic Review
Risk Stratification in Patients with Pulmonary Embolism
Pulmonary thromboembolism is a very common cardiovascular disease, with a high mortality rate. This disease still represents a great challenge both in diagnosis and treatment. The heterogeneous clinical picture, often without pathognomonic signs and symptoms, represents a huge differential diagnostic problem even for experienced doctors. The decisions surrounding this therapeutic regimen also represent a major dilemma in the group of patients who are hemodynamically stable at initial presentation and have signs of right ventricular (RV) dysfunction proven by echocardiography and positive biomarker values (pulmonary embolism of intermediate–high risk).
  • 877
  • 14 Oct 2022
Topic Review
Vesicular Stomatitis in the U.S.
Vesicular stomatitis (VS) is a vector-borne livestock disease caused by vesicular stomatitis New Jersey virus (VSNJV) or vesicular stomatitis Indiana virus (VSIV). The disease circulates endemically in northern South America, Central America, and Mexico and only occasionally causes outbreaks in the United States. Over the past 20 years, VSNJV outbreaks in the southwestern and Rocky Mountain regions occurred with incursion years followed by virus overwintering and subsequent expansion outbreak years. Regulatory response by animal health officials is deployed to prevent spread from lesioned animals. The 2019 VS incursion was the largest in 40 years, lasting from June to December 2019 with 1144 VS-affected premises in 111 counties in eight states (Colorado, Kansas, Nebraska, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas, Utah, and Wyoming) and was VSIV serotype, last isolated in 1998. A subsequent expansion occurred from April to October 2020 with 326 VS-affected premises in 70 counties in eight states (Arizona, Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas). The primary serotype in 2020 was VSIV, but a separate incursion of VSNJV occurred in south Texas. Summary characteristics of the outbreaks are presented along with VSV-vector sampling results and phylogenetic analysis of VSIV isolates providing evidence of virus overwintering. 
  • 875
  • 17 Aug 2021
Topic Review
The Role of Annexin A1 in the Kidney
Renal disorders are very prevalent and associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Among diverse pathogenic mechanisms, the dysregulation of immune and inflammatory responses plays an essential role in such disorders. Consequently, the discovery of Annexin A1, as a glucocorticoid-inducible anti-inflammatory protein, has fueled investigation of its role in kidney pathologies. Thus, its role has been examined in diverse renal pathologies, including acute kidney injury, diabetic nephropathy, immune-mediated nephropathy, drug-induced kidney injury, kidney stone formation, and renal cancer.
  • 873
  • 03 Mar 2022
Topic Review
Gender and Autoimmune Liver Diseases
Autoimmune liver diseases (AILDs) include autoimmune hepatitis, primary biliary cholangitis and primary sclerosing cholangitis. The etiologies of AILD are not well understood but appear to involve a combination of genetic and environmental factors. AILDs commonly affect young individuals and are characterized by a highly variable clinical course. These diseases significantly influence quality of life and can progress toward liver decompensation or the onset of hepatocellular or cholangiocarcinoma; a significant number of patients eventually progress to end-stage liver disease, requiring liver transplantation.
  • 873
  • 24 Jun 2022
Topic Review
The P2X7R and Diabetic Retinopathy
Diabetes is a worldwide emergency. Its chronic complications impose a heavy burden on patients, health systems, and on society as a whole. Diabetic retinopathy is one of the most common and serious complications of diabetes, and an established risk factor for blindness in adults. Over 15 years of investigation led to the identification of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) as a main pathogenic factor in diabetic retinopathy and to the introduction of highly effective anti-VEGF-based therapies, such as the monoclonal antibody bevacizumab or its fragment ranibizumab, which helped to prevent diabetes-related blindness in millions of patients. Recently, a pathogenic role for uncontrolled increases in the extracellular ATP concentration (eATP) and for overactivation of the purinergic receptor P2X7 (P2X7R) has been suggested. The P2X7R is an eATP-gated plasma membrane channel expressed in multiple tissues and organs, with a pleiotropic function in inflammation, immunity, cancer, and hormone and growth factor release. P2X7R stimulation or overexpression positively regulate the secretion and buildup of VEGF, thus promoting neo-angiogenesis in a wide variety of disease processes.
  • 872
  • 13 Jul 2021
Topic Review
Vitamin D and Infectious Diseases
It is now 2 years since we have seen the impact of the CoronaVirus Disease-19 (COVID-19) caused by Syndrome-Coronavirus-2 worldwide, affecting millions of people and rates of mortality close to 6 million. Although we are beginning to see the real benefit of vaccines, in terms of reduced mortality rates, many individuals still remain to be vaccinated or do not respond to them leaving a large number of patients still experiencing severe respiratory symptoms associated with COVID-19. In recent months, we have seen another surge in individuals infected with COVID-19 and mortality rates are also increasing. In the absence of effective therapies or vaccines, the medical and scientific community have extensively explored a range of current available therapeutic agents, mainly focused on targeting viral replication as well as managing severe respiratory symptoms associated with COVID-19.  Vitamin D has emerged as one such candidate due to its recognized immunomodulatory effects. In this regard, the activation of the vitamin D receptor (VDR) signaling pathway may generate beneficial effects in acute respiratory distress syndrome by decreasing the cytokine/chemokine storm, thus having an important immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory role.
  • 872
  • 07 Feb 2022
Topic Review
Molecular Mechanisms and Clinical Insights of Diabetic Vasculopathy
Clinical and basic studies have documented that both hyperglycemia and insulin-resistance/hyperinsulinemia not only constitute metabolic disorders contributing to cardiometabolic syndrome, but also predispose to diabetic vasculopathy, which refers to diabetes-mellitus-induced microvascular and macrovascular complications, including retinopathy, neuropathy, atherosclerosis, coronary artery disease, hypertension, and peripheral artery disease.
  • 872
  • 22 Jan 2024
Topic Review
Hypoglycemia, Vascular Disease and Cognitive Dysfunction in Diabetes
Hypoglycemia has been recognized as a risk factor for diabetic vascular complications and cognitive decline. In this work, gene networks of hypoglycemia and cardiovascular disease, diabetic retinopathy, diabetic nephropathy, diabetic neuropathy, cognitive decline, and Alzheimer’s disease were reconstructed. The gene network of hypoglycemia included 141 genes and 2467 interactions. Hypoglycemia-related genes were overrepresented in the reconstructed gene networks of diabetic complications and comorbidity. Some GO biological processes, including glucose homeostasis, nitric oxide biosynthesis, smooth muscle cell proliferation, ERK1 and ERK2 cascade, were overrepresented in all reconstructed networks.  
  • 869
  • 29 Mar 2022
Topic Review
Neutropenic Enterocolitis and Sepsis
Neutropenic enterocolitis (NE), which in the past was also known as typhlitis or ileocecal syndrome for the segment of the gastrointestinal tract most affected, is a nosological entity that is difficult to diagnose and whose pathogenesis is not fully known to date. Initially described in pediatric patients with leukemic diseases, it has been gradually reported in adults with hematological malignancies and non-hematological conditions, such as leukemia, lymphoma, multiple myeloma, aplastic anemia, and also myelodysplastic syndromes, as well as being associated with other immunosuppressive causes such as AIDS treatment, therapy for solid tumors, and organ transplantation. Therefore, it is associated with high mortality due to the rapid evolution in worse clinical pictures: rapid progression to ischemia, necrosis, hemorrhage, perforation, multisystem organ failure, and sepsis
  • 864
  • 21 Jun 2021
Topic Review
Control Mastery Theory
Control mastery theory or CMT is an integrative theory of how psychotherapy works, that draws on psychodynamic, relational and cognitive principles. Originally the theory was developed within a psychoanalytical framework, by psychoanalyst and researcher Joseph Weiss, MD (1924-2004). CMT is also a theory of how the mind operates, with an emphasis of the unconscious, and how psychological problems may develop based on traumatic experiences early in life. The name of the theory comes from two central premises; the assumption that people have control over their mental content, and the belief that patients who come to therapy are fundamentally motivated to master their lives.
  • 860
  • 25 Oct 2022
Topic Review
Role of Melatonin in Fibromyalgia
Fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) is a chronic widespread pain syndrome that is accompanied by fatigue, sleep disturbances, anxiety, depression, lack of concentration, and neurocognitive impairment. Melatonin is a low-molecular-weight indolamine (N-acetyl-5-methoxytryptamine) synthesized from the amino acid L-tryptophan, which is present in animals, plants, and even unicellular organisms. Melatonin is produced in the main cell of the pineal gland, the pinealocyte, and is controlled in mammals via ambient light.
  • 858
  • 24 Jul 2023
Topic Review
NLRP3 Inflammasome in Neuromuscular Diseases
Inflammasomes are molecular platforms that are formed and activated by a host in response to pathogen- and damage-associated molecular patterns as well as cellular injury and stress. Inflammasome activation is benefical to the host as it plays a pivotal role in the clearance of the pathogen and restore tissue homeostasis. However, aberrant activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome by a wide variety of sterile triggers, including misfolded protein aggregates drives pathological sterile inflammation and is associated with several neuromuscular diseases. Assembly of the NLRP3 inflammasome leads to the caspase-1-mediated proteolytic cleavage and secretion of key proinflammatory cytokines, interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-18, and a lytic form of cell death known as pyroptosis. These cytokines further amplify inflammatory responses by activating various signaling cascades, leading to the recruitment of immune cells and overproduction of proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines, resulting in a vicious cycle of chronic inflammation and tissue damage.
  • 856
  • 08 Jul 2021
Topic Review
Resveratrol in Bone Regeneration
The natural polyphenol Resveratrol (RSV) claims numerous positive effects on health due to the well documented biological effects demonstrating its potential as a disease-preventing agent and as adjuvant for treatment of a wide variety of chronic diseases. Since several studies, both in vitro and in vivo, have highlighted the protective bone aptitude of RSV both as promoter of osteoblasts’ proliferation and antagonist of osteoclasts’ differentiation, they could be interesting in view of applications in the field of dentistry and maxillofacial surgery.
  • 855
  • 14 Jul 2021
Topic Review
Proprotein Convertase Subtilisin/Kexin Type 9 and Atherosclerosis
Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) is the last discovered member of the family of proprotein convertases (PCs), mainly synthetized in hepatic cells. This serine protease plays a pivotal role in the reduction of the number of low-density lipoprotein receptors (LDLRs) on the surface of hepatocytes, which leads to an increase in the level of cholesterol in the blood. The main anti-atherosclerotic effect of PCSK9 inhibitors results from their lipid-lowering efficiency.
  • 854
  • 01 Apr 2022
Topic Review
Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy
With increasing awareness amongst physicians and improved radiological imaging techniques, the peritoneal cavity is increasingly recognized as an important metastatic site in various malignancies. Prognosis of these patients is usually poor as traditional treatment including surgical resection or systemic treatment is relatively ineffective. Intraperitoneal delivery of chemotherapeutic agents is thought to be an attractive alternative as this results in high tumor tissue concentrations with limited systemic exposure. The addition of hyperthermia aims to potentiate the anti-tumor effects of chemotherapy, resulting in the concept of heated intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) for the treatment of peritoneal metastases as it was developed about 3 decades ago. With increasing experience, HIPEC has become a safe and accepted treatment offered in many centers around the world. However, standardization of the technique has been poor and results from clinical trials have been equivocal.
  • 852
  • 07 Jul 2021
Topic Review
Achieving Optimum Clinical Outcomes with Vitamin D
Musculoskeletal benefits of vitamin D include calcium homeostasis, bone mineralization, etc., through its hormonal actions. This requires serum 25(OH)D less than 20 ng/mL. In contrast, many other tissues require above 30 or 40 ng/mL steady-state concentrations. To reduce infections, autoimmune diseases, cancer, and all-cause mortality require a minimum level of 50 ng/mL. Vitamin D is an economical and widely available (generic) nutrient obtained over the counter without a prescription. At the recommended doses, vitamin D does not cause any adverse effects. Disease prevention and minimizing complications and premature deaths can be achieved by maintaining serum 25(OH)D concentrations between 50 and 80 ng/mL. This costs less than 0.01% of the cost of one day of hospitalization.
  • 852
  • 21 Sep 2023
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