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Topic Review
Colorectal Cancer(CRC)
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most common malignancy and cause of cancer death worldwide, and it still remains a therapeutic challenge for western medicine. There is strong evidence that, in addition to genetic predispositions, environmental factors have also a substantial impact in CRC development. The risk of CRC is attributed, among others to dietary habits, alcohol consumption, whereas physical activity, food containing dietary fiber, dairy products, and calcium supplements have a protective effect. Despite progress in the available therapies, surgery remains a basic treatment option for CRC. Implementation of additional methods of treatment such as chemo- and/or targeted immunotherapy, improved survival rates, however, the results are still far from satisfactory. 
  • 814
  • 16 Apr 2021
Topic Review
Pharmacogenetics
Pharmacogenetics is the study of inherited genetic differences in drug metabolic pathways (and other pharmacological principles, like enzymes, messengers and receptors) which can affect individual responses to drugs, both in terms of therapeutic effect as well as adverse effects. The term pharmacogenetics is often used interchangeably with the term pharmacogenomics which also investigates the role of acquired and inherited genetic differences in relation to drug response and drug behaviour through a systematic examination of genes, gene products, and inter- and intra-individual variation in gene expression and function. In oncology, pharmacogenetics historically is the study of germline mutations (e.g., single-nucleotide polymorphisms affecting genes coding for liver enzymes responsible for drug deposition and pharmacokinetics), whereas pharmacogenomics refers to somatic mutations in tumoral DNA leading to alteration in drug response (e.g., KRAS mutations in patients treated with anti-Her1 biologics). Pharmacogenetics is believed to account for inter-ethnic differences (e.g., between patients of Asian, Caucasian and African descent) in adverse events and efficacy profiles of many widely used drugs in cancer chemotherapy.
  • 814
  • 01 Nov 2022
Topic Review
PNETs
The incidence of pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (pNETs) is less or equal to one case per one hundred thousand people per-year, and they account for roughly 5% of all pancreatic cancers. However, in the last few decades, their incidence has risen.
  • 812
  • 30 Dec 2020
Topic Review
Stress-Related Disorders
Stress-related disorders can include mental health disorders that are a result of an atypical response to both short and long-term anxiety due to physical, mental, or emotional stress. These disorders can include, but are not limited to obsessive-compulsive disorder and posttraumatic stress disorder. Stress is a conscious or unconscious psychological feeling or physical condition resulting from physical or mental 'positive or negative pressure' that overwhelms adaptive capacities. It is a psychological process initiated by events that threaten, harm or challenge an organism or that exceed available coping resources and it is characterized by psychological responses that are directed towards adaptation. Stress is wear and tear on the body in response to stressful agents. Hans Selye called such agents stressors and said they could be physical, physiological, psychological or sociocultural. And stress is not an anxiety disorder and it is not a normative concept. A person typically is stressed when positive or negative (e.g., threatening) experiences temporarily strain or overwhelm adaptive capacities. Stress is highly individualized and depends on variables such as the novelty, rate, intensity, duration, or personal interpretation of the input, and genetic or experiential factors. Both acute and chronic stress can intensify morbidity from anxiety disorders. One person's fun may be another person's stressor. For an example, panic attacks are more frequent when the predisposed person is exposed to stressors.
  • 811
  • 16 Nov 2022
Topic Review
New Pediatric Vaccines against Pertussis
Whooping cough, or pertussis, mostly caused by Bordetella pertussis, is a respiratory disease that affects all age groups, but severe and fatal pertussis occurs almost exclusively in young children. Current vaccination strategies have shown their limits and novel vaccines are needed to definitively control this disease.
  • 810
  • 24 May 2021
Topic Review
Flavonoids, Obesity and Metabolic Syndrome
Obesity is a medical condition, defined by WHO as an abnormal or excessive accumulation of fat that can compromise health. Energy imbalance in which energy intake is greater than energy expenditure is the primary cause of visceral or central obesity, as excess energy is stored as triglycerides within adipocytes, which increase in size (hypertrophy phynotype), and number (hyperplasic phenotype), or both. By accumulating excess energy, adipocytes become hypertrophic, which causes the release of free fatty acids into the circulation (lipotoxicity), adipocytes change their immunological balance, which promotes, with adipose tissue resident immunes cells (macrophages), the production and the circulating levels of proinflammatory cytokines and decreases the concentration of anti-inflammatory adipokines, such as adiponectin. These changes in adipose tissue lead to the development of chronic state of low-grade inflammation that secondarily generates obesity-related complications, commonly known as metabolic syndrome. This syndrome includes insulin resistance, hyperglycemia type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), cardiovascular diseases, dyslipidemia (decreased concentration of cholesterol and triglycerides), steatosis, fibrosis, hypertension, heart attack. The literature strongly suggests that flavonoids demonstrate an important biological effect on obesity, as demonstrated by their ability to lower fat mass, lipid droplets in the liver, and total triglycerides/cholesterol in both in vitro and in vivo models.
  • 807
  • 24 Jun 2021
Topic Review
Urinary Biomarkers for Early Diagnosis of Disease
Urinary biomarkers are molecules found in urine that can be used as indicators of certain diseases or health conditions. The presence or absence of these biomarkers can help in the early detection of diseases, allowing for timely intervention and treatment, improving patients outcomes.
  • 806
  • 19 Apr 2023
Topic Review
PDX-1
The PDX-1, also known as IUF-1 (insulin upstream factor 1), IPF-1 (insulin promoter factor 1), STF-1 (somatostatin transcription factor 1), and IDX-1 (islet/duodenum homeobox-1), is a member of the homeodomain (HD)-containing transcription factor family and was first found in Xenopus laevis.
  • 804
  • 21 Dec 2022
Topic Review
Seaweed Sulfated Polysaccharides against virus
Respiratory viral infections have been a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Despite massive advancements in the virology field, no specific treatment exists for most respiratory viral infections. Approved therapies against respiratory viruses rely almost exclusively on synthetic drugs that have potential side effects, restricting their use. 
  • 803
  • 20 May 2021
Topic Review
Representative Components of Innate Immunity
The breach of the host immune system by pathogenic microorganisms generates an array of immune reactions through the synergy between the diversified cluster of pathogen-based virulence factors and defensive immune processes of the host. The host–pathogen encounter usually launches immune reactions via identification of conserved molecular structures known as pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs). Active recognition of a PAMP immediately elicits an immune response in the host by stimulating multiplex signaling pathways that climax in the inflammatory responses regulated by numerous chemokines and cytokines, which consequently promote the elimination of the harmful microorganism carrying the PAMP, such as viral double-stranded ribonucleic acid (RNA) and lipopolysaccharides (LPS). Moreover, the innate immune system expands efficient defense against pathogenic microbes by initiating adaptive immunity, which involves immunological memory and is long-lasting. Adaptive immunity is characterized by the formation of antigen-specific T and B lymphocytes via gene rearrangement.
  • 803
  • 28 Jun 2021
Topic Review
Clozapine and Constipation
Clozapine is a highly protein-bound drug that is metabolized to norclozapine (desmethylclozapine) and other metabolites by the cytochrome P450 enzymes CYP1A2, CYP3A4, CYP2C19, and also with some effect from the enzymes CYP2C9 and CYP2D6. Each enzyme is more effective at different clozapine concentrations and has its own set of inducers and inhibitors, which makes plasma level monitoring and dose adjustments crucial in maintaining the drug’s therapeutic value. Studies investigating the pharmacokinetic parameters of clozapine in patients with schizophrenia also echo this need for monitoring, as clozapine was shown to have a “wide interpatient variability” in the time it takes to reach peak plasma concentrations (1.1 to 3.6 h), elimination half-life (9.1 to 17.4 h), clearance (8.7 to 53.3 L/h), and volume of distribution (1.6 to 7.3 L/kg).
  • 803
  • 07 Sep 2021
Topic Review
RNA Technology and Challenges in Leishmaniasis Vaccines
Leishmania parasites cause a variety of discrete clinical diseases that present in regions where their specific sand fly vectors sustain transmission. Clinical and laboratory research indicate the potential of immunization to prevent leishmaniasis and a wide array of vaccine candidates have been proposed. Unfortunately, multiple factors have precluded advancement of more than a few Leishmania targeting vaccines to clinical trial.
  • 803
  • 23 Nov 2022
Topic Review
Medicinal Cannabis—Potential Drug Interactions
The endocannabinoids system (ECS) has garnered considerable interest as a potential therapeutic target in various carcinomas and cancer-related conditions alongside neurodegenerative diseases. Cannabinoids are implemented in several physiological processes such as appetite stimulation, energy balance, pain modulation and the control of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV). However, pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics interactions could be perceived in drug combinations, so in this short entry we tried to shed light on the potential drug interactions of medicinal cannabis. Hitherto, few data have been provided to the healthcare practitioners about the drug–drug interactions of cannabinoids with other prescription medications. In general, cannabinoids are usually well tolerated, but bidirectional effects may be expected with concomitant administered agents via affected membrane transporters (Glycoprotein p, breast cancer resistance proteins, and multidrug resistance proteins) and metabolizing enzymes (Cytochrome P450 and UDP-glucuronosyltransferases). Caution should be undertaken to closely monitor the responses of cannabis users with certain drugs to guard their safety, especially for the elderly and people with chronic diseases or kidney and liver conditions.  
  • 803
  • 17 Jan 2022
Topic Review
Protein Delivery in Anticancer Applications
Developments in cancer nanomedicine in the past decade have focused on enhancing efficacy while reducing adverse side effects. Researchers often focus on the ability of the delivery vehicles or the drugs themselves to target tumors and improve the biodistribution in the body. The rest of this review discusses the different biomaterials, especially nanoparticle-based therapeutic strategies, ranging from the use of protein—based as naturally derived nanocarriers for anticancer drugs—to exploiting the function of T cells by developing antigen/adjuvant vaccines, or genetically engineered T cells to improve the immunity of the hosts, and gene modification—especially using CRISPR/Cas9 system.
  • 800
  • 30 Jun 2021
Topic Review
Targeted Immunization Strategies
Targeted immunization strategies are approaches designed to increase the immunization level of populations and decrease the chances of epidemic outbreaks. Though often in regards to use in healthcare practices and the administration of vaccines to prevent biological epidemic outbreaks, these strategies refer in general to immunization schemes in complex networks, biological, social or artificial in nature. Identification of at-risk groups and individuals with higher odds of spreading the disease often plays an important role in these strategies.
  • 799
  • 31 Oct 2022
Topic Review
Home Care
Home care (also referred to as domiciliary care, social care, or in-home care) is supportive care provided in the home. Care may be provided by licensed healthcare professionals who provide medical treatment needs or by professional caregivers who provide daily assistance to ensure the activities of daily living (ADLs) are met. In-home medical care is often and more accurately referred to as home health care or formal care. Often, the term home health care is used to distinguish it from non-medical care, custodial care, or private-duty care which refers to assistance and services provided by persons who are not nurses, doctors, or other licensed medical personnel. For terminally ill patients, home care may include hospice care. For patients recovering from surgery or illness, home care may include rehabilitative therapies. Home health services help adults, seniors, and pediatric clients who are recovering after a hospital or facility stay, or need additional support to remain safely at home and avoid unnecessary hospitalization. These Medicare-certified services may include short-term nursing, rehabilitative, therapeutic, and assistive home health care. This care is provided by registered nurses (RNs), licensed practical nurses (LPN's), physical therapists (PTs), occupational therapists (OTs), speech language pathologists (SLPs), home health aides (HHAs) and medical social workers (MSWs) as a limited number of up to one hour visits, addressed primarily through the Medicare Home Health benefit. The largest segment of home care consists of licensed and unlicensed non-medical personnel, including caregivers who assist the individual. Care assistants may help the individual with daily tasks such as bathing, eating, cleaning the home and preparing meals. Caregivers work to support the needs of individuals who require such assistance. These services help the client to stay at home versus living in a facility. Non-medical home care is paid for by the individual or family. The term "private-duty" refers to the private pay nature of these relationships. Home care (non-medical) has traditionally been privately funded as opposed to home health care which is task-based and government or insurance funded. These traditional differences in home care services are changing as the average age of the population has risen. Individuals typically desire to remain independent and use home care services to maintain their existing lifestyle. Government and Insurance providers are beginning to fund this level of care as an alternative to facility care. In-Home Care is often a lower cost solution to long-term care facilities.
  • 799
  • 14 Nov 2022
Topic Review
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) has long been considered to be a purely motor disorder. However, it has become apparent that many ALS patients develop cognitive and behavioral manifestations similar to frontotemporal dementia and the term amyotrophic lateral sclerosis-frontotemporal spectrum disorder (ALS-FTSD) is now used in these circumstances. 
  • 797
  • 29 Apr 2021
Topic Review
Music as a Coping Strategy
Music as a coping strategy involves the use of music (through listening or playing music) in order to reduce stress, as well as many of the psychological and physical manifestations associated with it. The use of music to cope with stress is an example of an emotion-focused, adaptive coping strategy. Rather than focusing on the stressor itself, music therapy is typically geared towards reducing or eliminating the emotions that arise in response to stress. In essence, advocates of this therapy claim that the use of music helps to lower stress levels in patients, as well as lower more biologically measurable quantities such as the levels of epinephrine and cortisol. Additionally, music therapy programs have been repeatedly demonstrated to reduce depression and anxiety symptoms in the long term.
  • 797
  • 03 Nov 2022
Topic Review
CernySmith Assessment
The CernySmith Assessment (CSA) is a comprehensive online questionnaire developed by Leonard J. Cerny II and David S. Smith that inquires about the impact of change and stress on productivity and resilience. This self-discovery assessment for personal growth, coaching, mentoring, and counseling helps answer three basic questions: 1) How am I doing? 2) What can I learn from how I am doing? and 3) What can I do about it?
  • 795
  • 27 Oct 2022
Topic Review
Adverse Health Effects from Lunar Dust Exposure
The respirable fraction of lunar dusts may be toxic to humans. NASA has therefore determined that an exposure standard is necessary to limit the amount of respirable airborne lunar dusts to which astronauts will be exposed. The nominal toxicity that is expected from ordinary mineral dust may be increased for lunar dusts due to the large and chemically reactive surfaces of the dust grains. Human exposures to mineral dusts during industrial operations and from volcanic eruptions give researchers some sense of the relative toxicity of lunar dust, although the Earth-based analogs have serious limitations. Animal and cellular studies provide further evidence that mineral dusts can be somewhat toxic. Earth-based research of mineral dust has shown that freshly fractured surfaces are chemically reactive and can elicit an increased toxic response. Since lunar dust is formed in space vacuum from highly energetic processes, the grain surfaces can be expected to be indefinitely reactive on the lunar surface. NASA predicts that this chemical reactivity will change once the dust is brought into a habitable environment. Dust from lunar soil that was carried into spacecraft during the Apollo missions proved to be a nuisance. The lack of gravity, or the existence of microgravity, increases the time during which dust remains airborne, thereby increasing the probability that these dust particles will be inhaled. Lunar dust particles that are generated by impaction in a deep vacuum have complex shapes and highly reactive surfaces that are coated with a thin layer of vapor-deposited mineral phase. Airborne mineral dust in a variety of forms has been shown to present a serious health hazard to ground-based workers. Crew members who will be at a lunar outpost can be directly exposed to lunar dust in several ways. After crew members perform spacewalks or EVAs, they will introduce into the habitat a large quantity of dust that will have collected on spacesuits and boots. Cleaning of the suits between EVAs and changing of the Environmental Control Life Support System (ECLSS) filters are other operations that could result in direct exposure to lunar dusts. In addition, if the final spacesuit design is based on the current spacesuit design, EVAs may cause dermal injuries, and the introduction of lunar dusts into the suits' interior, which may enhance skin abrasions. When the crew leaves the lunar surface and returns to microgravity, the dust that is introduced into the crew return vehicle will "float," thus increasing the opportunity for ocular and respiratory injury.
  • 794
  • 14 Oct 2022
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