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Topic Review
Impact of Sex Hormones on Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Several chronic liver diseases are characterized by a clear gender disparity. Among them, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) shows significantly higher incidence rates in men than in women. The different epidemiological distribution of risk factors for liver disease and HCC only partially accounts for these gender differences. In fact, the liver is an organ with recognized sexual dysmorphism and is extremely sensitive to the action of androgens and estrogens. Sex hormones act by modulating the risk of developing HCC and influencing its aggressiveness, response to treatments, and prognosis. Furthermore, androgens and estrogens are able to modulate the action of other factors and cofactors of liver damage (e.g., chronic HBV infection, obesity), significantly influencing their carcinogenic power.
  • 954
  • 21 Jul 2023
Topic Review
Gastrointestinal Microbiota Dysbiosis with SARS-CoV-2 in Colorectal: Probiotic
GI microbiota dysbiosis has been associated with respiratory disorders, including COVID-19, as well as sporadic colorectal cancer (CRC) through imbalanced microbiota and compromised immune response. It is pertinent to understand the possible role of probiotics in stabilizing the microbial environment and maintaining the integrity of the respiratory and GI tracts in SARS-CoV-2 induced dysbiosis and colorectal carcinogenesis. 
  • 953
  • 16 Mar 2022
Topic Review
Epidemiology of Colorectal Cancer in Inflammatory Bowel Diseases
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is currently the third most frequent form of malignancy and the second in terms of mortality. Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs) are recognized risk factors for this type of cancer. Despite a worldwide increase in the incidence of CRC, the risk of CRC-related death in IBD patients has declined over time, probably because of successful surveillance strategies, the use of more effective drugs in the management of remission and improved indications to colectomy. 
  • 953
  • 21 Sep 2022
Topic Review
Phenotypes of Patients with Diabetes and NAFLD
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has become the most common chronic liver disease in Western countries. Its incidence is expected to keep growing, parallel to the incidence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) and its determinants. Within the MetS spectrum, the bulk of research addresses the relationship between either type 2 diabetes (T2DM) or obesity with NAFLD. However, a growing body of evidence shows that NAFLD is also prevalent in a variety of other forms of diabetes that typically have an earlier onset, such as type 1 diabetes (T1DM), Maturity-onset Diabetes of the Young (MODY) and ketosis-prone diabetes. 
  • 952
  • 22 Jun 2022
Topic Review
Sleeve Gastrectomy, Roux-En-Y Gastric Bypass
Bariatric/metabolic surgery involves different techniques leading to different effects on pancreatic cell populations. Currently, sleeve gastrectomy (SG) is one of the most performed techniques. A consequence of this procedure is the drastic removal of the gastric fundus and corpus ghrelin-producing cell population.
  • 951
  • 24 Sep 2021
Topic Review
Elective Early Upper Gastrointestinal Study
Assessment of discomfort as a sign for early postoperative complications in neurologically impaired (NI) children is challenging. The necessity of early routine upper gastrointestinal (UGI) contrast studies following laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication in NI children is unclear.  It aimed to evaluate the role of scheduled UGI contrast studies to identify early postoperative complications following laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication in NI children. Data for laparoscopic Nissen fundoplications performed in NI children between January 2004 and June 2021 were reviewed. A total of 103 patients were included, with 60 of these being boys. Mean age at initial operation was 6.51 (0.11–18.41) years. Mean body weight was 16.22 (3.3–62.5) kg. Mean duration of follow up was 4.15 (0.01–16.65 years) years. Thirteen redo fundoplications (12.5%) were performed during the follow up period; eleven had one redo and two had 2 redos. Elective postoperative UGI contrast studies were performed in 94 patients (91%). Early postoperative UGI contrast studies were able to identify only one complication: an intrathoracal wrap herniation on postoperative day five, necessitating a reoperation on day six. The use of early UGI contrast imaging following pediatric laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication is not necessary as it does not identify a significant number of acute postoperative complications requiring re-intervention. 
  • 948
  • 23 Nov 2021
Topic Review
Acute Coronary Syndromes and Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) induces a process of systemic inflammation, sharing common ground with acute coronary syndromes (ACS). Growing evidence points towards a possible association between IBD and an increased risk of ACS.
  • 948
  • 15 Dec 2021
Topic Review
Role of Short-Chain Fatty Acids in Human Diseases
Short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) are organic acids whose carbon chain is composed of less than six carbons. Short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) play a key role in health and disease, as they regulate gut homeostasis and their deficiency is involved in the pathogenesis of several disorders, including inflammatory bowel diseases, colorectal cancer, and cardiometabolic disorders. SCFAs play a significant anti-inflammatory role in the regulation of immune function, taking part in the prevention of various inflammatory chronic disorders. SCFAs are metabolites of specific bacterial taxa of the human gut microbiota, and their production is influenced by specific foods or food supplements, mainly prebiotics, by the direct fostering of these taxa.
  • 948
  • 10 May 2023
Topic Review
Surgical Management of Pancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumours (pNETs)
Pancreatic neuroendocrine tumours (pNETs) are a group of rare neoplasms with an incidence of 1–2/100,000 inhabitants/year. They represent 2% of all pancreatic neoplasms and are characterized by a great heterogeneity according to their genetic or sporadic origin, their functional or non-functional character, their degree of locoregional or systemic invasion and their single or multiple localization. The reference curative treatment is surgical resection of the pancreatic tumor in specialized high-volume centres, after a multidisciplinary discussion involving surgeons, oncologists, radiologists and pathologists.
  • 947
  • 14 Jan 2022
Topic Review
Epigenetics in Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) are chronic inflammatory disorders of the gastrointestinal tract that encompass two main phenotypes, namely Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. These conditions occur in genetically predisposed individuals in response to environmental factors. Epigenetics, acting by DNA methylation, post-translational histones modifications or by non-coding RNAs, could explain how the exposome (or all environmental influences over the life course, from conception to death) could influence the gene expression to contribute to intestinal inflammation.
  • 947
  • 25 Jul 2022
Topic Review
Cellular and Molecular Mechanisms Underlying Liver Fibrosis Regression
Hepatic fibrosis is a scar formation process consisting in altered deposition of extracellular matrix. Progression of fibrosis can lead to impaired liver architecture and function, resulting in cirrhosis and organ failure. In the liver, due to its high regenerative ability, the extent of fibrosis regression and reversion to normal architecture is higher than in other tissues, even in advanced disease. 
  • 947
  • 24 Aug 2022
Topic Review
CtDNA for Colorectal Cancer
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths worldwide. While there have been significant developments in the treatments for patients with metastatic CRC in recent years, improving outcomes in the adjuvant setting has been more challenging. Recent technological advances in circulating tumour DNA (ctDNA) assay with the ability to detect minimal residual disease (MRD) after curative intent surgery will fundamentally change how we assess recurrence risk and conduct adjuvant trials. Studies in non-metastatic CRC have now demonstrated the prognostic impact of ctDNA analysis after curative intent surgery over and above current standard of care clinicopathological criteria.
  • 943
  • 03 Feb 2021
Topic Review
Pre-/Probiotics and Akkermansia Muciniphila
This entry highlights the following main aspects: the relationship between probiotics/gut microbes with the pathogenesis of MetS, the particular positive roles of Akkermansia muciniphila supplementation in the onset of MetS, and the interaction between dietary polyphenols (prebiotics) with gut microbiota.
  • 943
  • 13 May 2021
Topic Review
FOXO3 as a Novel Biomarker in Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) represents one of the main causes of cancer-related death worldwide. The transcription factor forkhead box O3 (FOXO3) has been related to hepatic diseases and tumor progression, but the exact role played by FOXO3 on HCC still remains unclear. Recently, a novel systematic review with meta-analysis revealed the potential diagnostic and prognostic value of FOXO3 in this primary liver cancer type.
  • 941
  • 05 Nov 2021
Topic Review
Chromosomal Instability and Its Role in Therapeutics Response
Variation in chromosome structure is a central source of DNA damage and DNA damage response, together representinga major hallmark of chromosomal instability. Treatment of cancer usually includes surgery, radiotherapy, or chemotherapy. The activity of radiotherapy and most chemotherapy drugs induces DNA damage in proliferating tumor cells. For example, platinum drugs that are effective against cancer cells form DNA adducts. Other drugs, such as anthracyclines induce DNA damage by inhibiting DNA topoisomerases and promoting the production of mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS). In normal cells, DNA damage can be immediately recognized by a DNA damage response (DDR), which activates checkpoints for cell-cycle arrest and DNA repair. In cancer cells, DNA damage per se may be responsible for defective chromosome segregation and chromosomal instability (CIN) or the anomalous binding of DDR proteins to DNA or chromatin proteins. 
  • 940
  • 11 Jan 2023
Topic Review
Angiogenesis in NAFLD
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has become the leading cause of chronic liver disease, exposing to the risk of liver fibrosis, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).
  • 939
  • 19 Apr 2021
Topic Review
Bisphenol A (BPA)
Bisfenol A (2,2-bis-(p-hydroxyphenyl)-2-propane, BPA) is an organic chemical compound that belongs to the group of phenols. It is widely used in the production of plastics, including polycarbonates and epoxy resins.
  • 934
  • 03 Jun 2021
Topic Review
FOXO3, Autophagy and Sorafenib Resistance in Human Hepatocarcinoma
Early development of resistance to sorafenib accounts for the poor prognosis of advanced hepatocarcinoma (HCC). Autophagy, a double-edge autodegradative and recycling process, has been related to the modulation of drug sensitivity in cancer cells. The transcription factor forkhead box O3 (FOXO3) has been associated with the pathogenesis of HCC, but the involvement of FOXO3 on autophagy-related sorafenib resistance in HCC needs to be further investigated. A recent research verified that HCC cells are able to surpass sorafenib effects during chemoresistance acquisition via the upregulation of FOXO3 and the subsequent induction of a pro-survival autophagy. Hence, FOXO3-associated autophagy could constitute a novel therapeutic target in the advanced HCC landscape.
  • 930
  • 26 Nov 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.
  • 927
  • 20 Jun 2023
Topic Review
Endoscopic Stenting for Malignant Dysphagia with Esophageal Cancer
Malignant dysphagia is a common problem in patients with esophageal cancer. Endoscopic stenting can resolve dysphagia caused by malignant stricture; however, controversy exists regarding the use of esophageal stenting for the treatment of malignant stricture, including whether stenting or radiotherapy is superior, whether stenting before or after radiotherapy is safe, whether stenting before or after chemotherapy is safe, and whether low-radial-force stents are safer than conventional stents. 
  • 927
  • 27 Jun 2023
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