You're using an outdated browser. Please upgrade to a modern browser for the best experience.
Subject:
All Disciplines Arts & Humanities Biology & Life Sciences Business & Economics Chemistry & Materials Science Computer Science & Mathematics Engineering Environmental & Earth Sciences Medicine & Pharmacology Physical Sciences Public Health & Healthcare Social Sciences
Sort by:
Most Viewed Latest Alphabetical (A-Z) Alphabetical (Z-A)
Filter:
All Topic Review Biography Peer Reviewed Entry Video Entry
Topic Review Peer Reviewed
Supplements for Smoking-Related Lung Diseases
Supplements for smoking-related lung diseases are considered as nonfood products and thought to improve health. Multivitamins and antioxidants are the most commonly dietary supplements used by cancer and asthma patients. There are currently no clear regulatory guidelines that include dietary supplements and their effect on lung cancer and asthma patients, particularly in smokers. Several countries have taken steps to overcome challenges in regulating dietary supplements in the marketplace. These challenges include inadequate assurance of safety/efficacy, inaccuracy of product labeling, misleading health claims, and lack of analytical techniques for dietary supplements. There is a need to establish standards and regulation of dietary supplement use in patients with lung cancer and asthma. The aim of this entry is to expand knowledge on dietary supplements use and smoking-related lung diseases (lung cancer and asthma). 
  • 1.0K
  • 13 Apr 2022
Topic Review
Treatment of Chronic Hyperuricemia
Uric acid [UA] is the final product of purine catabolism, mostly produced in the intestine and liver, as the final product of purine catabolism.
  • 1.0K
  • 28 Jan 2021
Topic Review
MicroRNA Biomarkers in IBD
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) includes Crohn’s disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC). These are chronic autoimmune diseases of unknown etiology affecting the gastrointestinal tract. The IBD population includes a heterogeneous group of patients with varying disease courses requiring personalized treatment protocols. The complexity of the disease often delays the diagnosis and the initiation of appropriate treatments. In a subset of patients, IBD leads to colitis-associated cancer (CAC). MicroRNAs are single-stranded regulatory noncoding RNAs of 18 to 22 nucleotides with putative roles in the pathogenesis of IBD and colorectal cancer. They have been explored as biomarkers and therapeutic targets. Both tissue-derived and circulating microRNAs have emerged as promising biomarkers in the differential diagnosis and in the prognosis of disease severity of IBD as well as predictive biomarkers in drug resistance. In addition, knowledge of the cellular localization of differentially expressed microRNAs is a prerequisite for deciphering the biological role of these important epigenetic regulators and the cellular localization may even contribute to an alternative repertoire of biomarkers.
  • 1.0K
  • 10 Nov 2020
Topic Review
Peritoneal Impact of IL-17A
Peritoneal dialysis (PD) is a current replacement therapy option for end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients until renal transplantation can be achieved. One important problem in long-term PD patients is peritoneal membrane failure. The mechanisms involved in peritoneal damage include activation of the inflammatory and immune responses, associated with submesothelial immune infiltrates, angiogenesis, loss of the mesothelial layer, and collagen accumulation in the submesothelial compact zone. These processes lead to fibrosis and loss of peritoneal membrane function. Among the inflammatory mediators involved in peritoneal damage, cytokine IL-17A has recently been proposed as a potential therapeutic target for chronic inflammatory diseases, including chronic kidney diseases (CKD). Experimental studies demonstrated that IL-17A blockade ameliorated peritoneal damage caused by exposure to PD fluids. This article provides a comprehensive review of recent advances in the role of IL-17A in peritoneal membrane injury during PD and other PD-associated complications.
  • 1.0K
  • 13 Oct 2020
Topic Review
Acute Coronary Syndrome in Elders
Coronary artery disease is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality, and its prevalence increases with age. The growing number of older patients and their differential characteristics make its management a challenge in clinical practice.
  • 1.0K
  • 28 Sep 2021
Topic Review
Multiple Sclerosis Treatment
Therapy of multiple sclerosis (MS) with disease-modifying agents such as natalizumab or fingolimod has been clinically associated with the development of cutaneous melanoma. Published data do not support the hypothesis of a direct action of natalizumab or fingolimod on melanoma cell proliferation and migration that could lead to tumor progression. More probably, by acting on the tumor microenvironment through changing in the tumor inflammatory cell infiltration and angiogenesis, these treatments could indirectly favor melanoma evolution.
  • 1.0K
  • 28 Oct 2020
Topic Review
Cardiovascular Risk Factors in DM
The main cardiovascular risk factors in diabetes mellitus (DM) are hyperglycaemia, hypertension and dyslipidaemia; all of them share the same substrate: insulin-resistance. Primary prevention of cardiovascular events that compose the 3P-MACE (non-fatal acute coronary events, non-fatal stroke, cardiovascular-death) is the universal desiderate in DM patients. The modern management of cardiovascular risk factors includes: early identification, addressing all the cardiovascular risk factors, use of moderate to intensive therapy in order to ensure the safety of the patients and the adequate risk-benefit ratio, usage of therapeutic agents proven to decrease cardiovascular risk such as GLP-1 agonists, SGLT2-inhibitors, ACEI inhibitors or statins.
  • 1.0K
  • 04 Jun 2020
Topic Review
Animal Stone Disease
Animals have stone disease too. There are several animal models for the research of human stone disease. Rodents are the most frequently used for stone research, although they are not prone to forming crystals in the kidneys. Ethylene glycol (EG), sodium oxalate and -hydroxyproline are common lithogenic agents. Dogs and pigs were also reported as a study animal for stone disease. However, the breeding costs and body size are too high. The most-used genetic study animal for stone disease was the mouse, but it was high-cost. Calcium oxalate (CaOx) crystals can also be light microscopically observed in the Malphigian tubules of Drosophila melanogaster, induced by adding EG to the food. Genetic studies of flies can be done by cross-breeding, and this has a lower cost than using mice. The fly model also has several advantages, including minimal breeding equipment, the fact that it is easier to reach larger numbers in a short time with flies, that crystals can be observed under microscopy, and that they allow genetic study. We suggest the fly will be an ideal animal model for stone research in the future.
  • 1.0K
  • 22 Jul 2020
Topic Review
Friedreich’s Ataxia
Friedreich’s ataxia (FRDA, MIM 229300) is an autosomal recessive neurodegenerative disease and it is the most prevalent hereditary ataxia in the Caucasian population, with a prevalence of around 2–4 in 100,000 individuals.  FRDA is classically characterized by progressive gait ataxia, dysarthria, dysphagia, oculomotor dysfunction, loss of deep tendon reflexes, signs of pyramidal tract involvement, scoliosis, visual loss, and poor hearing, and in some cases, cardiomyopathy, diabetes mellitus. FRDA is caused by an unstable GAA expansion located in intron 1 of the FXN gene (9q21.11) that encodes for frataxin (Fxn). The function of Fxn is not completely known, but the most widely accepted theory is that it plays a role in the biogenesis of iron-sulfur clusters required for the correct function of several proteins.
  • 1.0K
  • 07 Jan 2021
Topic Review
Sildenafil
Oxidative stress linked to vascular damage plays an important role in the pathogenesis of systemic sclerosis (SSc). Indeed, vascular damage at nailfold capillaroscopy in patients with Raynaud’s Phenomenon (RP) is a major risk factor for the development of SSc together with presence of specific autoantiobodies. Here we investigated the effects of the phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitor (PDE5i) sildenafil, currently used in the management of RP, in modulating the proinflammatory response of dermal fibroblasts to oxidative stress in vitro. Human fibroblasts isolated by SSc patients and healthy controls were exposed to exogenous reactive oxygen species (ROS) (100µM H2O2), in the presence or not of sildenafil (1µM). Treatment with sildenafil significantly reduced dermal fibroblasts gene expression and cellular release of IL-6, known to play a central role in the pathogenesis of tissue damage in SSc and IL-8, directly induced by ROS. This reduction was associated with suppression of STAT3, ERK, NF-κB and PKB/AKT dependent pathways. Our findings support the notion that the employment of PDE5i in the management of RP may be explored for its efficacy in modulating the oxidative stress induced proinflammatory activation of dermal fibroblasts in vivo and ultimately aid in the prevention of tissue damage in SSc.
  • 1.0K
  • 30 Oct 2020
Topic Review
Biomarkers for Early Diagnostics on Oral Cancer
One of the most frequent head and neck cancers is oral cancer, with less than half of those diagnosed surviving five years. Despite breakthroughs in the treatment of many other cancers, the prognosis for people with OSCC remains dismal. The conventional methods of detection include a thorough clinical examination, biochemical investigations, and invasive biopsies. Early identification and treatment are important for a better chance of extending a patient’s life. Early diagnosis may be possible by identifying biomarkers in biological fluids.
  • 1.0K
  • 26 May 2022
Topic Review
Epigenetics' Role in Synucleinopathies
Epigenetic modifications alter the gene function without changing the underlying DNA sequence. Negatively charged DNA is wrapped around positively charged histones forming a nucleosome, a simple chromatin unit. Chemical alterations to histone proteins include methylation and acetylation. These histone modifications can induce the formation of an open DNA state. The open state enables gene expression by allowing TFs and enzymes to bind to DNA. Alternatively, chromatin may acquire a closed heterochromatin state suppressing gene expression by inhibiting the initiation of transcript. These epigenetic modifications can be induced by various factors, including phytochemicals present in the diet. Epigenetic changes in gene function are heritable and are not attributed to alterations of the DNA sequence.
  • 1.0K
  • 03 May 2021
Topic Review
Ultraviolet Radiation and Chronic Inflammation
The process of skin carcinogenesis is still not fully understood. Both experimental and epidemiological evidence indicate that chronic inflammation is one of the hallmarks of microenvironmental-agent-mediated skin cancers and contributes to its development. Maintaining an inflammatory microenvironment is a condition leading to tumor formation. Multiple studies focus on the molecular pathways activating tumorigenesis by inflammation and indicate several biomarkers and factors that can improve diagnostic and prognostic processes in oncology and dermatology. Reactive oxygen species produced by ultraviolet radiation, oxidizers, or metabolic processes can damage cells and initiate pro-inflammatory cascades. Considering the potential role of inflammation in cancer development and metastasis, the identification of early mechanisms involved in carcinogenesis is crucial for clinical practice and scientific research. Moreover, it could lead to the progress of advanced skin cancer therapies.
  • 1.0K
  • 23 Apr 2021
Topic Review
Biosensors for Autoimmune Chronic Disease
Although relatively rare, affecting 10% of the general population, autoimmune disorders are causative linked with chronic diseases and morbidity. Control of the course of the disease is closely dependent on the ability to monitor its onset, as well as its response to treatment.
  • 1.0K
  • 14 Jul 2023
Topic Review
Remnant Gastric Cancer
Authors investigated the clinicopathological features of remnant gastric cancer based on initial disease of partial gastrectomy. Pyloric metaplasia was a characteristic feature in the anastomosis area accompanied by foveolar epithelial hyperplasia, which is a characteristic of reflux gastritis. Remnant gastric cancers that occurred following benign disease were strongly associated with pyloric metaplasia of the anastomosis site, whereas malignant remnant gastric cancers were characterized by both pyloric metaplasia and intestinal metaplasia. EBV-type gastric cancer was highly represented in the benign group (31.8%), while it was present in only 3% of the malignant cases. In the benign group, remnant gastric cancer occurred after 10 years or more, and was almost located within 3 cm from the anastomosis site. These findings may be helpful to the endoscopic surveillance for remnant stomach.
  • 1.0K
  • 27 Oct 2020
Topic Review
Mitochondrial Dysfunction in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Pathogenesis
Mitochondrial dysfunction occurs in numerous neurodegenerative diseases, particularly amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), where it contributes to motor neuron (MN) death. Of all the factors involved in ALS, mitochondria have been considered as a major player, as secondary mitochondrial dysfunction has been found in various models and patients. 
  • 1.0K
  • 14 Nov 2023
Topic Review
Smoking and Osteoporosis in IBD
Cigarette smoking constitutes one of the most important modifiable factors of osteoporosis, as well as contributes to an early death, tumors, and numerous chronic diseases. The group with an increased risk of a lower bone mineral density are patients suffering from inflammatory bowel diseases. In fact, tobacco smoke, which contains more than 7000 chemical compounds, affects bone mineral density (BMD) both directly and indirectly, as it has an impact on the RANK-RANKL-OPG pathway, intestinal microbiota composition, and calcium–phosphate balance. Constant cigarette use interferes with the production of protective mucus and inhibits the repair processes in the intestinal mucus. Nicotine as well as the other compounds of the cigarette smoke are important risk factors of the inflammatory bowel disease and osteoporosis. Additionally, cigarette smoking may decrease BMD in the IBD patients. Interestingly, it affects patients with Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis in different ways—on the one hand it protects against ulcerative colitis, whereas on the other it increases the risk of Crohn’s disease development. Nevertheless, all patients should be encouraged to cease smoking in order to decrease the risk of developing other disorders.
  • 1.0K
  • 07 May 2021
Topic Review
Leukotriene Signaling Pathway in PD
Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder where misfolded alpha-synuclein-enriched aggregates called Lewy bodies are central in pathogenesis. Parkinson’s disease is considered a multifactorial disease and evidence from multiple patient studies and animal models has shown a significant immune component during the course of the disease, highlighting immunomodulation as a potential treatment strategy. The immune changes occur centrally, involving microglia and astrocytes but also peripherally with changes to the innate and adaptive immune system.
  • 1.0K
  • 08 Jun 2021
Topic Review
Inflammasome and Pyroptosis in Hypertension
Inflammasomes are components of the innate immune response that have recently emerged as crucial controllers of tissue homeostasis. In particular, the nucleotide-binding domain, leucine-rich-containing (NLR) family pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome is a complex platform involved in the activation of caspase-1 and the maturation of interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-18, which are mainly released via pyroptosis. Pyroptosis is a caspase-1-dependent type of cell death that is mediated by the cleavage of gasdermin D and the subsequent formation of structurally stable pores in the cell membrane.
  • 1.0K
  • 18 Mar 2021
Topic Review
Phytophthora sansomeana
Phytophthora sansomeana has been shown to be a causal agent of Phytophthora root rot (PRR) in soybean in addition to P. sojae. The emergence and spread of a second pathogen causing PRR poses a significant threat to soybean production.
  • 1.0K
  • 20 Sep 2022
  • Page
  • of
  • 39
Featured Entry Collections
>>

Featured Books

>>
Encyclopedia of COVID-19
Encyclopedia of Engineering
Encyclopedia of Social Sciences
Encyclopedia of Digital Society, Industry 5.0 and Smart City
Academic Video Service
Feedback