Topic Review
Pancreatitis in Pregnancy
Acute and chronic pancreatitis, until observed incidentally in pregnancy. Particularly severe complications for the mother and fetus may be a consequence of acute pancreatitis. Therefore, it is important to know more about the diagnostic and therapeutic possibilities of pancreatic diseases in the course of pregnancy.
  • 541
  • 23 Dec 2022
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.
  • 541
  • 18 Jan 2023
Topic Review
Screening for Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common cause of abnormal liver function tests worldwide, with an estimated prevalence ranging between 19–46% in the general population. Given the high prevalence and severity of NAFLD, especially in high-risk populations (i.e., patients with type-2 diabetes mellitus and/or obesity), there is a major interest in early detection of the disease in primary care.
  • 541
  • 19 Apr 2023
Topic Review
Regulation of NFR2 in Chronic Liver Diseases
Chronic liver disease (CLD) affects a significant portion of the global population, leading to a substantial number of deaths each year. Distinct forms like non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and alcoholic fatty liver disease (ALD), though they have different etiologies, highlight shared pathologies rooted in oxidative stress. Central to liver metabolism, mitochondria are essential for ATP production, gluconeogenesis, fatty acid oxidation, and heme synthesis. However, in diseases like NAFLD, ALD, and liver fibrosis, mitochondrial function is compromised by inflammatory cytokines, hepatotoxins, and metabolic irregularities. This dysfunction, especially electron leakage, exacerbates the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), augmenting liver damage. Amidst this, nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (NRF2) emerges as a cellular protector. It not only counters oxidative stress by regulating antioxidant genes but also maintains mitochondrial health by overseeing autophagy and biogenesis.
  • 541
  • 13 Nov 2023
Topic Review
Diagnostic Methods in H. pylori Infection
Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) develops potentially life-threatening conditions in adults if not appropriately treated. Helicobacter pylori is a common human pathogen that was first described in the stomach many years ago. 
  • 538
  • 11 Jan 2023
Topic Review
Wnt/β-Catenin Signaling Pathway in Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a major cause of cancer death worldwide due to its high rates of tumor recurrence and metastasis. Aberrant Wnt/β-catenin signaling has been shown to play a significant role in HCC development, progression and clinical impact on tumor behavior.
  • 534
  • 17 Jan 2023
Topic Review
Current Helicobacter Pylori Diagnostics
Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is one of the most common human pathogens and a leading etiological factor for various gastroduodenal diseases, including chronic gastritis, peptic ulcers, gastric adenocarcinoma, and MALT lymphoma. According to the latest systematic review with meta-analysis, 44.3% (95% CI: 40.9–47.7) of the global population are infected with this microorganism. Timely diagnosis and subsequent eradication of H. pylori in adults allows one to resolve inflammatory changes in the gastric mucosa and prevent the development of precancerous conditions (atrophic gastritis and intestinal metaplasia).
  • 533
  • 26 Aug 2021
Topic Review
Liver Tissue Engineering
The liver is the largest gland in the human body, mediating essential functions in homeostasis, metabolism, serum protein production, storage of glycogen, drug detoxification, immune system, and production and secretion of bile acids. The ultimate goal of liver tissue engineering (LTE)  is to restore partial or total function of the liver during liver failure. A fully functional liver is the ultimate aim of LTE, and functional liver tissue can be used for drug testing. Moreover, LTE has the potential to develop an extracorporeal liver support (ECLS) system performing the essential functions of the liver to reduce mortality or to bridge a patient to a liver transplant. With recent advances in the field of regenerative medicine, tissue engineering holds high potential to progress as an alternative or supplement to LT. A major advance in the LTE area was published by Chhabra and colleagues, reporting the development of a vascularized liver model to understand liver regeneration.
  • 533
  • 05 Jan 2024
Topic Review
Chronic Inflammatory Bowel Diseases
Susceptibility and disease course of COVID-19 among patients with inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) are unclear and epidemiological data on the topic are still limited. There is some concern that patients with immuno-mediated diseases such as IBD, which are frequently treated with immunosuppressive therapies, may have an increased risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection with its related serious adverse outcomes, including intensive care unit (ICU) admission and death. Corticosteroids, immunomodulators, and biologic drugs, which are commonly prescribed to these patients, have been associated with higher rates of severe viral and bacterial infections including influenza and pneumonia. It is not known whether these drugs can be so harmful as to justify their interruption during COVID-19 infection or if, on the contrary, patients with IBD can benefit from them. As shown by recent reports, it cannot be excluded that drugs that suppress the immune system can block the characteristic cytokine storm of severe forms of COVID-19 and consequently reduce mortality. Another cause for concern is the up-regulation of angiotensin converting enzyme-2 (ACE2) receptors that has been noticed in these patients, which could facilitate the entry and replication of SARS-CoV-2. The aim of this narrative review is to clarify the susceptibility of SARS-CoV-2 infection in patients with IBD, the clinical characteristics of patients who contract the infection, and the relationship between the severity of COVID-19 and immunosuppressive treatment. 
  • 532
  • 08 Oct 2021
Topic Review
Pathophysiology of Cholangiopathies
Cholestasis is a condition characterized by decrease in bile flow due to progressive pathological states that lead to chronic cholestatic liver diseases which affect the biliary tree at the intrahepatic and extrahepatic level. Cholestasis can pose risks to overall health, as the reduced flow of bile can hinder the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins and nutrients, leading to deficiencies. Additionally, it can induce other complications other such as cirrhosis, liver failure, malignancies and bone disease. Early diagnosis and adequate management are crucial in treating cholestasis in order to alleviate symptoms, prevent complications and address the underlying cause.
  • 532
  • 20 Jun 2023
Topic Review
Inflammation and Infections in Anal Cancer
The anal canal is a short (3–4 cm) segment located distal to the rectum, commencing at the anorectal ring and extending to the anal verge. The World Health Organization classifies anal canal cancers as epithelial, mesenchymal and secondary tumors. Anal squamous cell cancer (SCC) occurs most frequently, accounting for approximately 80% to 85% of all anal canal cancers.
  • 531
  • 13 May 2022
Topic Review
The Role of EPH/Ephrin System in the Pancreas
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a major concern for health care systems worldwide, since its mortality remains unaltered despite the surge in cutting-edge science. The EPH/ephrin signaling system was first investigated in the 1980s. EPH/ephrins have been shown to exert bidirectional signaling and cell-to-cell communication, influencing cellular morphology, adhesion, migration and invasion. 
  • 530
  • 04 May 2023
Topic Review
Risk Factors for Pancreatic Cancer
Pancreatic cancer is one of the most aggressive malignant neoplastic diseases. The incidence and mortality rates of this disease vary depending on geographical area, which might be explained by the different exposure to risk factors. Currently, the risk factors for pancreatic cancer fall into two broad categories, namely extrinsic and intrinsic factors. Extrinsic factors include alcohol consumption, smoking, a diet rich in saturated fats, and viral infections such as chronic infection with hepatitis B and C viruses. The pathophysiological mechanisms explaining how these hepatotropic viruses contribute to the development of pancreatic cancer are not fully elucidated. The common origin of hepatocytes and pancreatic cells in the multipotent endodermal cells, the common origin of the blood vessels and biliary ducts of the pancreas and the liver, or chronic inflammatory changes may be involved in this interaction.
  • 528
  • 19 Apr 2022
Topic Review
Endoscopic Ultrasound for Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumours
Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors (GISTs) are subepithelial lesions (SELs) that commonly develop in the gastrointestinal tract. GISTs, unlike other SELs, can exhibit malignant behavior, so differential diagnosis is critical to the decision-making process. Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) is considered the most accurate imaging method for diagnosing and differentiating SELs in the gastrointestinal tract by assessing the lesions precisely and evaluating their malignant risk.
  • 528
  • 22 Feb 2023
Topic Review
Nanoparticles in Scavenging the Free Radicals
Reactive oxygen species (ROS) play a significant role in the survival and decline of various biological systems. In liver-related metabolic disorders such as steatohepatitis, ROS can act as both a cause and a consequence. Alcoholic steatohepatitis (ASH) and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) are two distinct types of steatohepatitis. There has been growing interest in using medications that target ROS formation and reduce ROS levels as a therapeutic approach for oxidative stress-related liver disorders. Mammalian systems have developed various antioxidant defenses to protect against excessive ROS generation. These defenses modulate ROS through a series of reactions, limiting their potential impact. 
  • 528
  • 13 Jul 2023
Topic Review
Endoscope Capsules
There are multiple benefits offered by capsule endoscopy (CE). First, the patients do not need sedation to undergo a CE analysis. The CE can analyze the entire GI tract from the esophagus, passing through the stomach, until the small intestine, which could not be properly analyzed through conventional endoscopy. The capsule has the size of a conventional vitamin capsule, and it can be easily swallowed, moving naturally through the GI tract until excretion. This fact indicates a painless procedure compared with the discomfort suffered by the long endoscopy sessions.
  • 527
  • 28 Nov 2023
Topic Review
Osteoporosis/Sarcopenia in Chronic Liver Disease
The prevalence of osteoporosis and sarcopenia is significantly higher in patients with liver disease than in those without liver disease and osteoporosis and sarcopenia negatively influence morbidity and mortality in liver disease.
  • 526
  • 27 Apr 2021
Topic Review
Inflammatory Bowel Disease Nurse
Patients affected by inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs) are complex patients with various problems from a clinical and psychological point of view. This complexity must be addressed by a multidisciplinary team, and an inflammatory bowel disease nurse can be the ideal professional figure to create a link between doctor and patient. 
  • 521
  • 26 Apr 2021
Topic Review
Human Pluripotent Stem Cell-Based Models for Hirschsprung Disease
Hirschsprung disease (HSCR) is a complex congenital disorder caused by defects in the development of the enteric nervous system (ENS). It is attributed to failures of the enteric neural crest stem cells (ENCCs) to proliferate, differentiate and/or migrate, leading to the absence of enteric neurons in the distal colon, resulting in colonic motility dysfunction. Due to the oligogenic nature of the disease, some HSCR conditions could not be phenocopied in animal models. Building the patient-based disease model using human induced pluripotent stem cells (hPSC) has opened up a new opportunity to untangle the unknowns of the disease. The expanding armamentarium of hPSC-based therapies provides needed new tools for developing cell-replacement therapy for HSCR. 
  • 521
  • 09 Nov 2022
Topic Review
Colonic Mucosal TNF-α Levels in Diverticular Disease
Diverticular disease (DD) is the most frequent condition in the Western world that affects the colon. Although chronic mild inflammatory processes have recently been proposed as a central factor in DD, limited information is currently available regarding the role of inflammatory cytokines, such as tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α). 
  • 519
  • 07 Jul 2023
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