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
Circulating Adaptive Immune Cells in End-Stage Liver Disease
End-stage liver disease (ESLD) from acute liver failure to compensated advanced chronic liver disease and decompensated cirrhosis at different stages (chronic decompensation, acute decompensation with or without acute-on-chronic liver failure) has high disease severity and poor patient outcome. Infection is a common complication in patients with ESLD and it is associated with a high mortality rate. Multiple mechanisms are involved in this marked susceptibility to infections, noticeably the inadequate immune response known as immune paresis, as part of cirrhosis-associated immune dysfunction (CAID). Specifically in the adaptive immune arm, lymphocyte impairments—including inadequate activation, reduced ability to secrete effector molecules and enhanced immune suppressive phenotypes—result in compromised systemic immune responses and increased risk of infections. 
  • 544
  • 08 Aug 2023
Topic Review
Risk Stratification in Primary Biliary Cholangitis
Primary Biliary Cholangitis (PBC) is a chronic cholestatic liver disease with a heterogeneous presentation, symptomatology, disease progression, and response to therapy. The risk stratification assessment, aimed at identifying patients with a higher risk of disease progression, encompasses an in-depth analysis of demographic data, clinical and laboratory findings, antibody profiles, and the evaluation of liver fibrosis using both invasive and noninvasive techniques. Treatment response scores after one year of therapy remain to date a major factor influencing the prognosis of PBC patients. While the initial therapeutic approach with ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) is universally applied, new second-line treatment options have recently emerged, with many others under investigation. Consequently, the prevailing one-size-fits-all approach is poised to be supplanted by tailored strategies, ensuring high-risk patients receive the most appropriate treatment regimen from diagnosis.
  • 544
  • 15 Sep 2023
Topic Review
High-Fat Diet in Inflammatory Bowel Disease
The intestinal immune balance is disrupted by a high-fat diet (HFD) in several ways, such as impairing the intestinal barrier, influencing immune cells, and altering the gut microbiota. In contrast, a rational diet is thought to maintain intestinal immunity by regulating gut microbiota.
  • 542
  • 25 Jun 2023
Topic Review
Multidisciplinary Approach for Acute Colonic Obstruction Endoscopic Management
Acute colonic obstruction is one of the most common manifestations of locally advanced colorectal cancer. Endoscopic stenting has become by far the minimally invasive treatment of choice for malignant colonic obstruction especially in the palliative setting. 
  • 539
  • 23 Feb 2024
Topic Review
The Contrast-Enhanced Harmonic Endoscopic Ultrasonography Fine-Needle Aspiration Technique
Endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) is useful for the diagnosis of pancreatic masses. According to three meta-analyses, the sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of EUS-FNA are 84–92%, 96–98%, and 86–91%, respectively. However, the occurrence of false-negative and false-positive results indicates that the diagnostic performance of EUS-FNA needs to be improved. Contrast-enhanced harmonic endoscopic ultrasonography (CH-EUS) is used for the characterization of pancreatic masses and can be applied to improve the performance of EUS-FNA. 
  • 538
  • 20 Apr 2023
Topic Review
Mesenteric Ischemia
Mesenteric ischemia is a medical condition in which injury to the small intestine occurs due to not enough blood supply. It can come on suddenly, known as acute mesenteric ischemia, or gradually, known as chronic mesenteric ischemia. The acute form of the disease often presents with sudden severe abdominal pain and is associated with a high risk of death. The chronic form typically presents more gradually with abdominal pain after eating, unintentional weight loss, vomiting, and fear of eating. Risk factors for acute mesenteric ischemia include atrial fibrillation, heart failure, chronic kidney failure, being prone to forming blood clots, and previous myocardial infarction. There are four mechanisms by which poor blood flow occurs: a blood clot from elsewhere getting lodged in an artery, a new blood clot forming in an artery, a blood clot forming in the superior mesenteric vein, and insufficient blood flow due to low blood pressure or spasms of arteries. Chronic disease is a risk factor for acute disease. The best method of diagnosis is angiography, with computed tomography (CT) being used when that is not available. Treatment of acute ischemia may include stenting or medications to break down the clot provided at the site of obstruction by interventional radiology. Open surgery may also be used to remove or bypass the obstruction and may be required to remove any intestines that may have died. If not rapidly treated outcomes are often poor. Among those affected even with treatment the risk of death is 70% to 90%. In those with chronic disease bypass surgery is the treatment of choice. Those who have thrombosis of the vein may be treated with anticoagulation such as heparin and warfarin, with surgery used if they do not improve. Acute mesenteric ischemia affects about five per hundred thousand people per year in the developed world. Chronic mesenteric ischemia affects about one per hundred thousand people. Most people affected are over 60 years old. Rates are about equal in males and females of the same age. Mesenteric ischemia was first described in 1895.
  • 537
  • 07 Nov 2022
Topic Review
Multi-Omics in Inflammatory Bowel Disease
The notion and importance of omes, omics and multi-omics in both health and complex diseases like inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is introduced, followed by a discussion of the various omics believed to be relevant to IBD pathogenesis, and how multi-omics “big data” can generate new insights translatable into useful clinical tools in IBD such as biomarker identification, prediction of remission and relapse, response to therapy, and precision medicine.
  • 537
  • 12 Oct 2023
Topic Review
Photodynamic, Photothermal and Photoimmune Therapy in Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Liver cancer is a malignancy that includes the structure of the liver and intrahepatic bile ducts and is classified as follows: hepatocellular carcinoma, cholangiocarcinoma, hepatic angiosarcoma (hemangiosarcoma), hepatoblastoma, and fibrolamellar carcinoma. Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), known also as hepatoma, is the most common type of primary liver neoplasm. HCC is known today as a major malignant disease with high morbidity and mortality, which seriously threatens the health and life span of patients. Conventional cancer therapies comprise surgical procedures, radiation therapy and chemotherapy, which may be efficient but have significant adverse effects. Newer, more prominent cancer-targeted action plans, such as the phototherapy methods including photodynamic therapy (PDT), photothermal therapy (PTT), and photoimmunotherapy (PIT), have sparked excitement and hope as synergistic multimodal cancer therapies, incorporating nanomedicine to overcome the biological barriers and to help treat cancer patients. 
  • 536
  • 15 May 2023
Topic Review
Metformin in Esophageal Cancer
Esophageal cancer (EC), ranking sixth in global cancer mortality, comprises two distinct diseases: esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC) and esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). EAC is linked to Barrett’s esophagus (BE), influenced by factors like gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and obesity, while ESSC arises from squamous cells, with tobacco and alcohol as notable risks.
  • 536
  • 14 Mar 2024
Topic Review
Glucocorticoids in Alcoholic Hepatitis
Alcoholic hepatitis is a major health and economic burden worldwide. Glucocorticoids (GCs) are the only first-line drugs recommended to treat severe alcoholic hepatitis (sAH), with limited short-term efficacy and significant side effects.
  • 534
  • 30 Sep 2022
Topic Review
Surgical Management of Gastroesophageal Junction Adenocarcinoma
Gastroesophageal (GE) junction adenocarcinoma is an aggressive malignancy of growing incidence and is associated with public health issues such as obesity and GERD. Management has evolved over the last two decades to incorporate a multidisciplinary approach, including endoscopic intervention, neoadjuvant chemotherapy/chemoradiation, and open or minimally invasive surgical approaches. Surgical approaches include esophagectomy, total gastrectomy, and, more recently, proximal gastrectomy. 
  • 534
  • 21 Feb 2024
Topic Review
The Molecular Mechanisms of Lipopolysaccharides Tolerance
Lipopolysaccharides (LPSs) are complex molecules found in the outer membrane of Gram-negative bacteria, which are composed of three main regions: lipid A, core oligosaccharide, and O antigen.
  • 530
  • 09 Nov 2023
Topic Review
Microwave Ablation Techniques for Pancreatic Lesions
Thermal ablation is increasingly being utilized for the management of solid parenchymal tumors, such as hepatocellular cancer, renal tumors, thyroid nodules, and pulmonary tumors. However, its application in the management of pancreas lesions was delayed due to fears of causing iatrogenic thermal injury to the surrounding organs. The initial success of radiofrequency ablation (RFA) in inoperable pancreatic cancers led to its application in pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors and pancreatic cystic neoplasms (PCLs).
  • 527
  • 15 Nov 2023
Topic Review
Estrobolome and Hepatocellular Adenomas
Hepatocellular adenoma (HCA) or hepatic adenoma is defined as a benign liver lesion, seen in patients with excessive exposure to estrogen (the higher the dose of estrogen therapy, the higher the risk of HCA), genetic and metabolic syndromes or who have undergone anabolic androgen therapy. It is known that the estrobolome plays an important role in the human endocrine system; specifically relevant in the metabolization of estrogen are bacterial species producing β-glucuronidase (GUS) enzymes.
  • 524
  • 20 Nov 2023
Topic Review
NAFLD and Reduced Bone Mineral Density
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is reaching epidemic proportions worldwide. Moreover, the prevalence of this liver disease is expected to increase rapidly in the near future, aligning with the rise in obesity and the aging of the population. The pathogenesis of NAFLD is considered to be complex and to include the interaction between genetic, metabolic, inflammatory, and environmental factors. It is well documented that NAFLD is linked to the other conditions common to insulin resistance, such as abnormal lipid levels, metabolic syndrome, and type 2 diabetes mellitus. Additionally, it is considered that the insulin resistance may be one of the main mechanisms determining the disturbances in both bone tissue metabolism and skeletal muscles quality and functions in patients with NAFLD. 
  • 522
  • 29 May 2023
Topic Review
Diagnostic Modalities of Endoscopic Ultrasound without Biopsy
Gastric subepithelial lesions (SELs) are intramural lesions that arise underneath the gastric mucosa. SELs can be benign, but can also be malignant or have malignant potential. Their correct identification is of vital importance for a successful management. Due to their location, standard luminal endoscopy cannot determine the exact nature of these lesions. Therefore, endosonography (EUS) alone or EUS with fine needle aspiration (FNA) or fine needle biopsy (FNB) have been established as the next step in the diagnostic algorithm.
  • 522
  • 12 Jul 2023
Topic Review
Enteric Glial Cells and Their Involvement in PD
The brain–gut axis has been identified as an important contributor to the physiopathology of Parkinson’s disease (PD).  In this pathology, inflammation is thought to be driven by the damage caused by aggregation of α-synuclein in the brain. Activation and reactive gliosis are associated to the neurodegeneration produced by Parkinson’s disease in the enteric nervous system.
  • 519
  • 26 Jan 2024
Topic Review
Gut Microbiota and NAFLD Development
NAFLD, the most common liver disorder in the Western world, is characterized by intrahepatic lipid accumulation; is highly prevalent in the aging population; and is closely associated with obesity, insulin resistance, hypertension, and dyslipidemia.
  • 517
  • 23 Sep 2022
Topic Review
Endoscopy on Reducing and Preventing Musculoskeletal Injuries
Gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopy forms an important part of the daily practice of a gastroenterologist. Its use and applicability nowadays shift from diagnostic to therapeutic fields, and it forms a significant part of the workload of the GI practitioner. Ergonomics in GI endoscopy plays an important role in occupational injury prevention. Due to a higher volume of procedures, the problem with musculoskeletal injuries is becoming bigger and everyday more present among fellow gastroenterologists.
  • 516
  • 22 Sep 2023
Topic Review
The Role of IL-23 Inhibitors in Crohn’s Disease
Promoting a Th17 pathogenic response, the interleukin (IL)-23 pathway is crucial in the pathophysiology of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). With a favorable safety profile, ustekinumab, a monoclonal antibody targeting the shared p40 component of IL-12/23, is currently approved for the treatment of IBD in patients with disease refractory to corticosteroids and biologic drugs. Risankizumab, mirikizumab, and guselkumab are specific IL-23p19 antagonists tested for the treatment of Crohn’s disease (CD). However, only risankizumab currently has been approved for its treatment. Trials with guselkumab and mirikizumab are currently ongoing, with promising preliminary efficacy and safety results.
  • 513
  • 11 Jan 2024
  • 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