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Topic Review
Aspirin and Infection
Aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid) is one of the most commonly used drugs in the world. It derives from the extract of white willow (Salix alba) bark. The first evidence of the therapeutic use of salix (now known as willow) dates back to 1534 BC from the Egyptian Ebers Papyrus, considered the most comprehensive medical papyrus ever recovered. Then, the use of willow bark continued through ancient Greece and through to Roman times. In the 19th century, scientists were able to produce a compound from the crystals isolated from willow bark which was named salicylic acid and in 1852, salicylic acid was acetylated for the first time to reduce its irritant properties. In 1899, aspirin was coined.
  • 644
  • 09 Feb 2022
Topic Review
Molecular Mechanisms of COVID-19 on Non-Lung Organs
The SARS-CoV-2 is a single-stranded RNA virus that is encapsulated. It belongs to the genus Betacoronavirus, the family Coronaviridae, the subfamily Coronavirinae, and the order Nidovirales. The genome size of the virus, which is 29.99 kB, is significant. The mechanisms of this virus on various organs such as brain, eye, and olfactory nerve and different systems such as the endocrine and gastrointestinal systems are discussed.
  • 644
  • 03 Apr 2023
Topic Review
Infections in Acute Care Surgery
The burden of infections in acute care surgery (ACS) is huge. Surgical emergencies alone account for three million admissions per year in the United States (US) with estimated financial costs of USD 28 billion per year. Acute care facilities and ACS patients represent boost sanctuaries for the emergence, development and transmission of infections and multi-resistant organisms.
  • 642
  • 02 Feb 2023
Topic Review
Tools for Molecular Epidemiology of Streptococcus suis
Streptococcus suis is a pathogen of pigs that can cause infections in humans who are in close contact with infected animals and/or contaminated pork-derived products, as well as those who have consumed raw pork products. Several molecular methods have been applied to investigate S. suis strain diversity and identify phylogenetic groups. Multilocus sequence typing (MLST), commonly used to differentiate between S. suis strains, has been instrumental in identifying that the species is genetically highly diverse. Recent advances in whole-genome analysis have resulted in schemes permitting the classification of S. suis populations as pathogenic or non-pathogenic, or disease-associated or non-disease associated. 
  • 641
  • 10 Feb 2022
Topic Review
Infections in DNA Repair Defects
DNA repair defects are rare heterogeneous conditions typically present with an increased risk of cancer, accelerated aging, and defects in the development of various organs and systems. The immune system can be affected in a subset of these disorders leading to susceptibility to infections and autoimmunity. Infections in DNA repair defects may occur due to primary defects in T, B, or NK cells and other factors such as anatomic defects, neurologic disorders, or during chemotherapy. 
  • 641
  • 22 Mar 2023
Topic Review
Drug Candidates Targeting HTLV-1 and Related Diseases
Among the human T-lymphotropic virus (HTLV) types, HTLV-1 is the most prevalent, and it has been linked to a spectrum of diseases, including HAM/TSP, ATLL, and hyperinfection syndrome or disseminated strongyloidiasis. There is no globally standard first-line treatment for HTLV-1 infection and its related diseases. To address this, a comprehensive research was conducted, analyzing 30 recent papers from databases PubMed, CAPES journals, and the Virtual Health Library (VHL). The studies encompassed a wide range of therapeutic approaches, including antiretrovirals, immunomodulators, antineoplastics, amino acids, antiparasitics, and even natural products and plant extracts. Notably, the category with the highest number of articles was related to drugs for the treatment of ATLL. Studies employing mogamulizumab as a new perspective for ATLL received greater attention in the last 5 years, demonstrating efficacy, safe use in the elderly, significant antitumor activity, and increased survival time for refractory patients. Concerning HAM/TSP, despite corticosteroid being recommended, a more randomized clinical trial is needed to support treatment other than corticoids. The research also included a comprehensive review of the drugs used to treat disseminated strongyloidiasis in co-infection with HTLV-1, including their administration form, in order to emphasize gaps and facilitate the development of other studies aiming at better-directed methodologies. Additionally, docking molecules and computer simulations show promise in identifying novel therapeutic targets and repurposing existing drugs. These advances are crucial in developing more effective and targeted treatments against HTLV-1 and its related diseases.
  • 632
  • 10 Nov 2023
Topic Review
Fecal Microbiota Transplantation in Non-Gastroenterological Diseases
The gut microbiota has a critical function in human health, and its various disorders are associated with the development of particular diseases. Disruption of the gut microbiota may lead to both gastrointestinal and non-gastrointestinal diseases, such as cancer, metabolic syndrome, or neuropsychiatric diseases. In this context, it is not surprising that gut microbiota modification methods may constitute a therapy whose potential has not yet been fully investigated. In this regard, the most interesting method is thought to be fecal microbiota transplantation, which consists of the simultaneous replacement of the intestinal microbiota of a sick recipient with fecal material from a healthy donor. 
  • 630
  • 24 Feb 2022
Topic Review
Virally Infected Donor Grafts
The ideal management for end stage liver disease, acute liver failure, and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), within specific criteria, is liver transplantation (LT). Due to continuous increase in LT cases, there has been consideration to increase utilization of organs from donor livers which were previously discarded, including virally infected donor livers. 
  • 629
  • 07 Jan 2022
Topic Review
Diagnostic Performances of Nuclear Imaging in Infective Endocarditis
Infective endocarditis (IE) is a life-threatening disease with stable prevalence despite prophylactic, diagnostic, and therapeutic advances. While echocardiography remains the first line imaging technique, especially in native valve endocarditis, the incremental value of two nuclear imaging techniques, 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography with computed tomography (18F-FDG-PET/CT) and white blood cells single photon emission tomography with computed tomography (WBC-SPECT), has emerged for the management of prosthetic valve and CIED IE.
  • 628
  • 05 Jan 2022
Topic Review
Nasal Nanovaccines for SARS-CoV-2
A vaccine-based nanoparticle (NP) delivery vehicle is the inoculum to deliver an antigen in vivo. The nanovaccine has been a novel vaccine delivery platform in recent years. NPs function as an adjuvant to enhance the immune response and the effect of cross-reactivity. Functional NPs in SARS-CoV-2 vaccines mainly include promoting cell uptake of antigens, protecting antigens, and fully mimicking pathogens (like nano-virus). NPs are mainly divided into four categories: polysaccharide NPs; lipid NPs and protein NPs; Nano-biomimetic delivery vehicles; polymer NPs
  • 626
  • 24 Mar 2022
Topic Review
HIV and Drug-Resistant Subtypes
Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) is a human viral infectious disease caused by the positive-sense single-stranded (ss) RNA Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) (Retroviridae family, Ortervirales order). HIV-1 can be distinguished into various worldwide spread groups and subtypes. HIV-2 also causes human immunodeficiency, which develops slowly and tends to be less aggressive. HIV-2 only partially homologates to HIV-1 despite the similar derivation. Antiretroviral therapy (ART) is the treatment approved to control HIV infection, based on multiple antiretroviral drugs that belong to different classes: (i) NNRTIs, (ii) NRTIs, (iii) PIs, (iv) INSTIs, and (v) entry inhibitors. These drugs, acting on different stages of the HIV life cycle, decrease the patient’s total burden of HIV, maintain the function of the immune system, and prevent opportunistic infections.
  • 626
  • 15 May 2023
Topic Review
Clinical and Laboratory Diagnosis of Legionella Pneumonia
Legionella pneumonia is a relatively rare but extremely progressive pulmonary infection with high mortality. Traditional cultural isolation remains the gold standard for the diagnosis of Legionella pneumonia. However, its harsh culture conditions, long turnaround time, and suboptimal sensitivity do not meet the clinical need for rapid and accurate diagnosis, especially for critically ill patients. Pathogenic detection techniques including serological assays, urinary antigen tests, and mass spectrometry, as well as nucleic acid amplification technique, have been developed, and each has its own advantages and limitations. 
  • 623
  • 07 Feb 2023
Topic Review
Animal-Associated Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) remains an important etiological factor of human and animal infectious diseases, causing significant economic losses not only in human healthcare but also in the large-scale farming sector. The constantly changing epidemiology of MRSA observed globally affects animal welfare and raises concerns for public health. High MRSA colonization rates in livestock raise questions about the meaning of reservoirs and possible transmission pathways, while the prevalence of MRSA colonization and infection rates among companion animals vary and might affect human health in multiple ways.
  • 623
  • 05 Jul 2023
Topic Review
Babesia Parasite Species' Pathogenicity That Infect Dogs
Canine babesiosis is the most common tick-borne infection of dogs in many parts of the world. The disease severity is largely dependent on the infecting species of Babesia parasite and can vary from asymptomatic to a peracute presentation with a high mortality. 
  • 623
  • 09 Jan 2024
Topic Review
The General Endocrine Picture of COVID-19 Infection
From an endocrinological point of view, a high risk of severe COVID-19 infection is related to the presence of diabetes mellitus, high blood pressure, obesity, Cushing’s syndrome, sleep apnea (associated with acromegaly or obesity), coagulation anomalies, glucocorticoid therapy for various conditions, etc.. Hypocortisolemia may develop on immune grounds (in addition or not to primary/secondary hypothyroidism) due to direct or immune-mediated pituitary and adrenal lesions.
  • 621
  • 28 Apr 2022
Topic Review
Natural Polyketides
Invasive fungal infections present a significant risk to human health. The current arsenal of antifungal drugs is hindered by drug resistance, limited antifungal range, inadequate safety profiles, and low oral bioavailability. Consequently, there is an urgent imperative to develop novel antifungal medications for clinical application.
  • 621
  • 04 Jan 2024
Topic Review
Oral Antibacterial Therapy Treat Bone Infections in Adults
Chronic osteomyelitis in adults is managed with prolonged courses of intravenous antibiotics in conjunction with surgical debridement of necrotic bone. The oral route for infections requiring prolonged treatment is intuitively and practically more favorable due to several advantages, the most important of which is the avoidance of long-term IV antimicrobial therapy with its complications, inconvenience, and cost.
  • 620
  • 09 Jan 2024
Topic Review
Thromboinflammation in Sepsis and COVID-19
Sepsis and COVID-19 (Coronavirus Disease-2019) patients often manifest an imbalance in inflammation and coagulation, a complex pathological mechanism also named thromboinflammation, which strongly affects patient prognosis.
  • 619
  • 16 Feb 2023
Topic Review
Combating Antimicrobial Resistance in the Post-Genomic Era
Constantly evolving drug-resistant “superbugs” have caused an urgent demand for novel antimicrobial agents. Natural products and their analogs have been a prolific source of antimicrobial agents, even though a high rediscovery rate and less targeted research has made the field challenging in the pre-genomic era. With recent advancements in technology, natural product research is gaining new life. Genome mining has allowed for more targeted excavation of biosynthetic potential from natural sources that was previously overlooked. Researchers use bioinformatic algorithms to rapidly identify and predict antimicrobial candidates by studying the genome before even entering the lab.
  • 619
  • 01 Jun 2023
Topic Review
Immunopathogenesis of COVID-19
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is caused by the infection of the novel highly contagious severe acute respiratory syndrome virus (SARS-CoV-2), viral infection can cause acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and, in severe cases, can even be lethal. Behind the inflammatory process lies the so-called cytokine storm (CS), which activates various inflammatory cytokines that damage numerous organ tissues.
  • 617
  • 26 Jun 2023
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