Your browser does not fully support modern features. Please upgrade for a smoother 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
Cognitive Dysfunction in NAFLD
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has emerged as the hepatic component of the metabolic syndrome and now seemingly affects one-fourth of the world population. Several features associated with NAFLD have frequently been linked to cognitive dysfunction, i.e. systemic inflammation, impaired urea synthesis, vascular dysfunction, gut dysbiosis, and sleep apnoea. Considering the growing burden of NAFLD, the morbidity from cognitive dysfunction is expected to have huge societal and economic impact. Here, a review of the clinical evidence of cognitive dysfunction in NAFLD is provided.
  • 786
  • 04 Mar 2021
Topic Review
Use of Herbal Dietary Supplements in the USA
Herbal and dietary supplement (HDS) use has grown exponentially in the United States. Unfortunately, the incidence of HDS-related liver injury has proportionally increased. Despite the potential for certain HDSs to cause clinically significant liver injury, they are not regulated by the Food and Drug Administration. The efforts have been made to regulate HDSs but are far removed from the scrutiny of prescription medications. Scant literature exists on HDSs and their risks of causing liver injury.
  • 786
  • 19 Aug 2022
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.
  • 784
  • 19 Apr 2022
Topic Review
Inflammatory Bowel Disease Biological Treatments
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic disease that requires lifelong medication and whose incidence is increasing over the world. There is currently no cure for IBD, and the current therapeutic objective is to control the inflammatory process. Approximately one third of treated patients do not respond to treatment and refractoriness to treatment is common. Therefore, pharmacological treatments, such as monoclonal antibodies, are urgently needed, and new treatment guidelines are regularly published. 
  • 783
  • 03 Sep 2021
Topic Review
Medical Treatment of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease
Gastroesophageal reflux disease has a high incidence and prevalence in the general population. Clinical manifestations are heterogenous, and so is the response to medical treatment. Proton pump inhibitors are still the most common agents used to control reflux symptoms and for healing esophagitis, but they are not a one-size-fits-all solution for the disease. Patients with persistent troublesome symptoms despite medical therapy, those experiencing some adverse drug reaction, or those unwilling to take lifelong medications deserve valid alternatives.
  • 783
  • 04 Jul 2023
Topic Review
Autophagy and Apoptosis
The pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) implicates several interconnecting factors. Immunity and external factors interact, and most aspects are still under investigation. Autophagy and apoptosis are two critical pathways that decide the fate of the individual cells of the intestinal mucosa.
  • 783
  • 29 Nov 2023
Topic Review
Diagnosis and Prognosis of Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common chronic liver disease worldwide, occurring in both obese and lean patients. It can lead to life-threatening liver diseases and nonhepatic complications, such as cirrhosis and cardiovascular diseases, that burden public health and the health care system. While liver biopsies are the gold-standard in diagnosing NAFLD, it is highly invasive. Hence, several non-invasive methods are developed to diagnose various stages of disease progression and predict NAFLD-related morbidity and mortality. 
  • 782
  • 18 Jan 2023
Topic Review
Fibroblast Growth Factors for Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), a chronic condition associated with metabolic dysfunction and obesity, has reached epidemic proportions worldwide. Although early NAFLD can be treated with lifestyle changes, the treatment of advanced liver pathology, such as nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), remains a challenge. There are currently no FDA-approved drugs for NAFLD. Fibroblast growth factors (FGFs) play essential roles in lipid and carbohydrate metabolism and have recently emerged as promising therapeutic agents for metabolic diseases. Among them, endocrine members (FGF19 and FGF21) and classical members (FGF1 and FGF4) are key regulators of energy metabolism. FGF-based therapies have shown therapeutic benefits in patients with NAFLD, and substantial progress has recently been made in clinical trials. These FGF analogs are effective in alleviating steatosis, liver inflammation, and fibrosis.
  • 781
  • 24 Apr 2023
Topic Review
Diagnosis of Cytomegalovirus Infection
Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection is still a matter of concern in Inflammatory Bowel Diseases (IBD) patients, especially regarding the disease’s relapse management. Why IBD patients, particularly those affected by ulcerative colitis, are more susceptible to CMV reactivation is not totally explained, although a weakened immune system could be the reason. 
  • 780
  • 10 Jan 2024
Topic Review
Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease and Peripheral Diabetic Polyneuropathy
Peripheral diabetic polyneuropathy (DPN) is a microvascular complication of diabetes mellitus (DM), representing the most clinically relevant manifestation of typical forms of diabetic neuropathy (DN). DPN has been associated with another pathological condition linked to DM and obesity, the nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). NAFLD is a metabolically derangement-based liver disease, defined by the presence of steatosis in more than 5% of hepatocytes, in association with metabolic risk factors (such as obesity, diabetes, and dyslipidemia) and in the absence of excessive alcohol consumption or other chronic liver diseases.
  • 778
  • 21 Oct 2021
Topic Review
Epigenetics and Inflammatory Biomarkers in Necrotizing Enterocolitis
Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is a severe inflammatory necrosis of the distal small intestine/colon that primarily affects preterm or very low birth weight infants after the introduction of enteral feeds. Epigenetic alternation in the immature intestine, such as changes in DNA methylation and long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) patterns, may contribute to increased risk of NEC. 
  • 775
  • 22 Feb 2023
Topic Review
HCC Surveillance
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is probably the epitome of a screening target, with a well-defined high-risk population, accessible screening methods, and multiple curative-intent treatments available for early disease. 
  • 771
  • 21 Jul 2021
Topic Review
Role of Antioxidants  in Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Oxidative stress (OS) is defined as an imbalance between the induction of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the antioxidant components of the body’s defence system. ROS are molecules composed of at least one oxygen atom and containing at least one unpaired electron. From a biochemical perspective, ROS are highly reactive compounds that interact reactively with cell organelles. ROS include hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), superoxide radicals (O2•−), hydroxyl radicals (•OH), and singlet oxygen (O2). They are mainly produced as by-products of oxygen metabolism processes, but there are external triggers that contribute to their increase.
  • 771
  • 26 May 2023
Topic Review
Neuroendocrine Regulation in Liver Fibrosis
Liver fibrosis is a complicated process that involves different cell types and pathological factors. The excessive accumulation of extracellular matrix (ECM) and the formation of fibrotic scar disrupt the tissue homeostasis of the liver, eventually leading to cirrhosis and even liver failure. Myofibroblasts derived from hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) contribute to the development of liver fibrosis by producing ECM in the area of injuries. It has been reported that the secretion of the neuroendocrine hormone in chronic liver injury is different from a healthy liver. Activated HSCs and cholangiocytes express specific receptors in response to these neuropeptides released from the neuroendocrine system and other neuroendocrine cells. Neuroendocrine hormones and their receptors form a complicated network that regulates hepatic inflammation, which controls the progression of liver fibrosis.
  • 770
  • 06 Dec 2022
Topic Review
Cytokines in Spondyloarthritis and Inflammatory Bowel Diseases
Spondyloarthritis and inflammatory bowel diseases are chronic immune disorders of the joints and the gut that often coexist in the same patient, increasing the burden of each disorder, worsening patients’ quality of life, and influencing therapeutic strategies. Genetic predisposition, environmental triggers, microbiome features, immune cell trafficking, and soluble factors such as cytokines contribute to the pathogenesis of both articular and intestinal inflammation. Cytokines have a central role in immune disorders and seem to be involved at different levels in the pathogenesis of articular and intestinal IMID, leading to the activation and perpetuation of proinflammatory pathways with consequent tissue damage.
  • 768
  • 28 Feb 2023
Topic Review
Genetic Alterations in Intraductal Papillary Mucinous Neoplasms
Intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms (IPMN) are benign pancreatic cysts found in the ducts of the pancreas that have the potential to become malignant. Identifying IPMNs that have high potential to become pancreatic cancer may help prevent unnecessary surgery which is the definitive treatment of IPMNs. Whole exome and targeted sequencing were utilized to better characterize the genetic alterations in IPMNs. The most commonly mutated gene in IPMNs is KRAS with 50–80% of IPMNs harboring a KRAS mutation.
  • 768
  • 31 Mar 2023
Topic Review
Effects of Probiotics in Fetal Growth Restriction
Fetal growth restriction (FGR) is a pathological state that represents a fetus’s inability to achieve adequate growth during pregnancy. Several maternal, placental, and fetal factors are likely associated with FGR etiology. FGR is linked to severe fetal and neonatal complications, as well as adverse health consequences in adulthood. Numerous randomized controlled trials (RCTs) have demonstrated improved growth in FGR fetuses with promising treatment strategies such as maternal micronutrient, amino acid, and nitric oxide supplementation. Elevated inflammation in pregnant women diagnosed with FGR has been associated with an imbalance between pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines. Gut microbiota dysbiosis may result in increased FGR-related inflammation. Probiotic treatment may relieve FGR-induced inflammation and improve fetal growth. 
  • 764
  • 30 Nov 2023
Topic Review
Osteoporosis after Sleeve Gastrectomy and Roux-En-Y-gastric Bypass
Obesity has become a worldwide epidemic accompanied by adverse health effects. The limited efficiency of traditional weight reduction regimens has led to a substantial increase in the use of bariatric surgery. Sleeve gastrectomy (SG) and Roux-en-Y-gastric bypass (RYGB) are the most used procedures. Preoperatively, the dietary habits of obese individuals might lead to deficiencies in vitamin D and other nutrients affecting bone mineral metabolism. Bariatric surgery with SG or RYGB can aggravate these deficiencies. The various surgical procedures appear to affect nutrient absorption differently. Being purely restrictive, SG may particularly affect the absorption of vitamin B12 and also vitamin D. In contrast, RYGB has a more profound impact on the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins and other nutrients, although both surgical methods induce only a mild protein deficiency. Despite adequate supplementation of calcium and vitamin D, osteoporosis may still occur after the surgery. This might be due to deficiencies in other micronutrients, e.g., vitamin K and zinc. Regular follow-ups with individual assessments and nutritional advice are indispensable to prevent osteoporosis and other adverse postoperative issues.
  • 762
  • 21 Mar 2023
Topic Review
Microbial Translocation Disorders
Gut microbes are immunologically tolerated in the gastrointestinal tract but trigger aggressive immune responses upon translocation across the gut barrier. Although oral tolerance, a physiological process that dampens immune responses to food proteins and commensal microbiota, remains poorly defined, significant progress was made during and after the Human Immunodeficiency Virus epidemic in the 1980s and the discovery of regulatory T cells in 1995. Additional insight was gained after the discoveries of innate lymphoid cells in 2008 and the functional elucidation of mucosal mast cells.
  • 762
  • 28 Apr 2023
Topic Review
Prognostic and Predictive Biomarkers in Familial Breast Cancer
Large numbers of breast cancers arise within a familial context, either with known inherited germline mutations largely within DNA repair genes, or with a strong family history of breast and/or ovarian cancer, with unknown genetic underlying mechanisms. These cancers appear to be different to sporadic cases, with earlier age of onset, increased multifocality and with association with specific breast cancer histological and phenotypic subtypes. Furthermore, tumours showing homologous recombination deficiency, due to loss of BRCA1, BRCA2, PALB2 and CHEK2 function, have been shown to be especially sensitive to platinum-based chemotherapeutics and PARP inhibition. 
  • 759
  • 15 Mar 2023
  • Page
  • of
  • 33
Featured Entry Collections
>>

Featured Reprints

>>
Encyclopedia of Digital Society, Industry 5.0 and Smart City
Encyclopedia of Engineering
Encyclopedia of Social Sciences
Encyclopedia of Medieval Royal Iconography
Academic Video Service
Feedback

Quick Survey

Encyclopedia MDPI is conducting a targeted survey to identify the specific barriers hindering efficient research. We invite you to spend 3 minutes defining the priorities for our next generation of structured knowledge tools.
Take Survey