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Topic Review
Contact Dermatitis in Nail Cosmetics
Many ingredients found within nail cosmetic products are capable of sensitizing patients’ immune systems and causing contact dermatitis (CD). Below this entry describes the most common allergens found within these products, how to identify them, and how to treat the contact dermatitis they’ve caused. 
  • 1.2K
  • 06 Dec 2021
Topic Review
Primary Immunodeficiency Disorders and Autoimmunity
Primary immunodeficiency disorders (PIDs) patients can develop an immune dysregulation of variable degree, which is responsible for a clinical picture featured by infectious complications and autoimmunity. Autoimmune manifestations are observed with considerable frequency in patients with primary antibody deficiencies, including common variable immunodeficiency (CVID) and selective IgA deficiency (sIgAD), but can also be evidenced in patients with combined immunodeficiency disorders (CID).
  • 1.2K
  • 29 Oct 2021
Topic Review
Energy Metabolism and Ketogenic Diets
It is well consolidated that a common mesenchymal cell progenitor shared by bone, skeletal muscle, and adipocytes cell progenitors exists. This makes the role of the skeleton in energy metabolism no longer surprising. Moreover, it also suggests that bone fragility could also be seen as a consequence of a “poor” quality in nutrition. Despite of the fact that ketogenic diet has been proven to be effective in epilepsy, long-term follow-up studies on epileptic children undergoing ketogenic diet reported an increased incidence of bone fractures and decreased bone mineral density too. However, the causes of such negative impacts on bone health have to be better defined. More recently, shorter-terms, or repeated cyclically for more or less short periods, KDs are used also in patients affected by T2DM, obesity, PCOS and so on. While possible correlations between KD and bone health were at least conceivable in children, it remains unclear whether the KD effects on bone health may be different in adults. Only few clinical studies have been adequately designed to investigate bone health are scarce and bone health related aspects, so far.  A narrative review on this issue, together practical advice on designing and implementing clinical studies on ketogenic nutritional regimens and bone health outcomes, is provided.
  • 1.2K
  • 02 Feb 2021
Topic Review
Alpha-Ketoglutarate
The generation of peroxynitrite (ONOO−) is associated with several diseases, including atherosclerosis, hypertension, neurodegeneration, cancer, inflammation, and sepsis. Alpha-ketoglutarate (αKG) is a known potential highly antioxidative agent for radical oxidative species such as peroxides. 
  • 1.2K
  • 22 Oct 2021
Topic Review
Clinical and Histopathological Features of Scleroderma-like Disorders
Scleroderma-like disorders include a set of entities involving cutis, subcutis and, sometimes, even muscular tissue, caused by several pathogenetic mechanisms responsible for different clinical–pathological pictures. The absence of antinuclear antibodies (ANA), Raynaud’s phenomenon and capillaroscopic anomalies constitutes an important element of differential diagnosis with systemic sclerosis.
  • 1.2K
  • 03 Dec 2021
Topic Review
Telehealth
The COVID-19 pandemic has led to the implementation of policies that mandate various restrictions on daily life, including social distancing, the closure of public services and schools, and movement limitations. Even though these restrictive measures decreased the COVID-19 spread, they may have detrimental effects on various lifestyle components such as physical inactivity, sedentary behavior, and dietary habits, influencing the maintenance of weight and contributing to obesity among children and adolescents. The coexistence of childhood obesity and COVID-19 and changes in the bioecological environment have put children and adolescents at increased risk for developing obesity and exacerbating the severity of this disorder. The use of telehealth technology is a modern approach useful for the delivery of health care services by health care professionals, where distance is a critical factor. Telehealth is effective in promoting increased self-monitoring and behavioral change, and provides the opportunity to perform online nutritional support and exercise training programs to promote a healthy lifestyle and reduce sedentary behaviors in children and adolescents. Telehealth, including tele-exercise and tele-nutrition, has the potential to address many of the key challenges in providing health services, including in patients with obesity during the COVID-19 outbreak. This narrative review aims to describe the role of telehealth as an opportunity in the management of pediatric obesity in the COVID-19 era, and to deliver nutrition and exercise programs for the maintenance of health  
  • 1.2K
  • 27 Oct 2021
Topic Review
Influenza Virus Polymerase Acidic (PA) Endonuclease Inhibitor
Drug repurposing can quickly and effectively identify novel drug repurposing opportunities. The PA endonuclease catalytic site has recently become regarded as an attractive target for the screening of anti-influenza drugs. PA N-terminal (PAN) inhibitor can inhibit the entire PA endonuclease activity. In this study, we screened the effectivity of PAN inhibitors from the FDA database through in silico methods and in vitro experiments. PAN and mutant PAN-I38T were chosen as virtual screening targets for overcoming drug resistance. Gel-based PA endonuclease analysis determined that the drug lifitegrast can effectively inhibit PAN and PAN-I38T, when the IC50 is 32.82 ± 1.34 μM and 26.81 ± 1.2 μM, respectively. Molecular docking calculation showed that lifitegrast interacted with the residues around PA or PA-I38 T’s active site, occupying the catalytic site pocket. Both PAN/PAN-I38T and lifitegrast can acquire good equilibrium in 100 ns molecular dynamic simulation. Because of these properties, lifitegrast, which can effectively inhibit PA endonuclease activity, was screened through in silico and in vitro research. This new research will be of significance in developing more effective and selective drugs for anti-influenza therapy.
  • 1.2K
  • 09 Dec 2021
Topic Review
Innate Immunity Promotes Programmed Death of Individual Organisms
Over-activation of innate immunity in response to bacterial or viral (including COVID-19) infections, massive trauma, or ischemia/reperfusion often causes severe illness and death. We suggest that such severe outcomes may be manifestations of an altruistic suicidal strategy protecting the entire population from the spread of pathogens and from dangerous pathologies rather than aberrant hyperstimulation of defense responses. 
  • 1.2K
  • 22 Dec 2021
Topic Review
Probiotics and Probiotic-like Agents against Chemotherapy-Induced Intestinal Mucositis
Cancer chemotherapy has allowed many patients to survive, but not without risks derived from its adverse effects. Drugs, such as 5-fluorouracil, irinotecan, oxaliplatin, methotrexate, and others, as well as different drug combinations trigger intestinal mucositis that may cause or contribute to anorexia, pain, diarrhea, weight loss, systemic infections, and even death. Dysbiosis is a hallmark of chemotherapy-induced intestinal mucositis and diarrhea, and, therefore, strategies aimed at modulating intestinal microbiota may be useful to counteract and prevent those dreadful effects.
  • 1.2K
  • 25 Oct 2023
Topic Review
Progression of the Learning Models for Anorexia Nervosa
Anorexia nervosa (AN), a serious and often treatment-refractory mental illness characterized by distorted body perception and pathological weight loss due to sustained attempts to restrict food intake, can be understood and addressed through the lens of learning theory; which provides a coherent framework of integrated constructs and principles that describe, explain, and predict how organisms learn and how this learning is translated into behavior.
  • 1.2K
  • 15 Feb 2023
Topic Review
Novel Potential Insulin Resistance Biomarkers in PCOS Patients
Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is a common endocrine disorder associated with hyperandrogenemia and failure of ovulation, which is often accompanied by metabolic abnormalities, including obesity, dyslipidemia, hyperinsulinemia, and insulin resistance. Research on proteins and peptides that play roles in metabolic regulation, which may be considered potential insulin resistance markers in some medical conditions, such as diabetes mellitus, obesity and PCOS.
  • 1.2K
  • 29 Mar 2022
Topic Review
Portal Vein Thrombosis in Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Hepatocellular carcinoma is the fourth leading cause of cancer worldwide, and the fastest increasing cause of cancer mortality in the United States. Its propensity for vascular invasion leads to the presence of portal vein tumor thrombus in up to half of patients.
  • 1.2K
  • 10 Nov 2021
Topic Review
Neuropsychiatric systemic lupus erythematosus
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an idiopathic chronic autoimmune disease that can affect any organ in the body, including the neurological system. Multiple factors, such as environmental (infections), genetic (many HLA alleles including DR2 and DR3, and genes including C4), and immunological influences on self-antigens, such as nuclear antigens, lead to the formation of multiple autoantibodies that cause deleterious damage to bodily tissues and organs. The production of autoantibodies, such as anti-dsDNA, anti-SS(A), anti-SS(B), anti-Smith, and anti-neuronal DNA are characteristic features of this disease. Patients with SLE also present numerous neuropsychiatric manifestations. These neuropsychiatric manifestations are referred to as neuropsychiatric systemic lupus erythematosus (NPSLE). NPSLE affects both the central nervous system (CNS) and the peripheral nervous system (PNS) and can present as various symptoms, such as cognitive dysfunction, organic brain syndromes, delirium, seizures, headache, and psychosis.
  • 1.2K
  • 11 Mar 2024
Topic Review
Fusarium in Clinical Practice
In recent years, human infections by Fusarium have been rising worldwide, mostly involving immunocompromised hosts. To understand this infection clinicians must recognize the intersecting points between the patient, the environment, and the relationship among all the elements that affect fusariosis in agriculture, and human and animal diseases.
  • 1.2K
  • 17 Nov 2020
Topic Review
Platelets in Allergic Asthma
Allergic asthma is a chronic and heterogeneous pulmonary disease in which platelets can be activated in an IgE-mediated pathway and migrate to the airways via CCR3-dependent mechanism. Activated platelets secrete IL-33, Dkk-1, and 5-HT or overexpress CD40L on the cell surfaces to induce Type 2 immune response or interact with TSLP-stimulated myeloid DCs through the RANK-RANKL-dependent manner to tune the sensitization stage of allergic asthma. Additionally, platelets can mediate leukocyte infiltration into the lungs through P-selectin-mediated interaction with PSGL-1 and upregulate integrin expression in activated leukocytes.
  • 1.2K
  • 27 Aug 2021
Topic Review
Lipoprotein(a) and Cardiovascular Diseases
Lipoprotein(a) (Lp(a)) is a low density lipoprotein particle that is associated with poor cardiovascular prognosis due to pro-atherogenic, pro-thrombotic, pro-inflammatory and pro-oxidative properties. Traditional lipid-lowering therapy does not provide a sufficient Lp(a) reduction. For PCSK9 inhibitors a small reduction of Lp(a) levels could be shown, which was associated with a reduction in cardiovascular events, independently of the effect on LDL cholesterol. Another option is inclisiran, for which no outcome data are available yet. Lipoprotein apheresis acutely and in the long run decreases Lp(a) levels and effectively improves cardiovascular prognosis in high-risk patients who cannot be satisfactorily treated with drugs. New drugs inhibiting the synthesis of apolipoprotein(a) (an antisense oligonucleotide (Pelacarsen) and two siRNA drugs) are studied. Unlike LDL-cholesterol, for Lp(a) no target value has been defined up to now. 
  • 1.2K
  • 09 Oct 2021
Topic Review
Probiotic Use in Allergic Rhinitis Management
Allergic rhinitis (AR) is a common medical condition affecting up to 40% of the general population. A type 2 immunity determines eosinophilic inflammation that, in turn, elicits typical nasal symptoms. Type 2 immunity is eminently characterized by polarization of innate and adaptative B and T cells, increased production of type 2 cytokines, including interleukin-4 (IL-4), IL-5, and IL-13, and impaired function of allergen-specific T regulatory cells (Tregs). This immunologic derangement promotes allergic inflammation, characterized by an abundant eosinophilic infiltrate and the presence of mast cells. The mast cells are activated by allergen exposure and release pro-inflammatory mediators, including histamine. These mediators interact with specific receptors and, consequently, are responsible for the appearance of typical AR symptoms: nasal itching, sneezing, rhinorrhea, and nasal congestion.
  • 1.1K
  • 30 Sep 2022
Topic Review
DNA Methylation in Tauopathies
Together with histone variants and modifications, alterations in nucleosome positioning, non-coding RNAs, and DNA methylation constitute the epigenetic toolkit. DNA methylation describes the chemical modification of the DNA itself by the addition of methyl groups mostly on cytosines, but also on adenines via DNA methyltransferases (DNMTs), with DNMT1 and DNMT3A being the major DNMTs in the CNS. DNA methylation effects, i.a. transcriptional control when occurring at enhancer and promoter sites, alternative promoter choice and alternative splicing. At the level of transcriptional regulation, methylated motifs of transcription factor (TF) binding sites physically impede the binding of methyl-sensitive TFs, leading to transcriptional suppression. Furthermore, the interaction of the methyl-CpG-binding domain proteins (MBDs) with methylated DNA prevents binding of TFs and promotes inactive heterochromatin formation by recruiting other chromatin and nucleosome remodeling factors.
  • 1.1K
  • 30 Nov 2021
Topic Review
Immune Resistance in Prostate Cancer
Utilizing the immune system to treat cancer has been a revolutionary development and has quickly become the standard treatment for many cancer types, superseding other targeted and systemic therapies. By targeting cancer cells and avoiding the toxicities of chemotherapy and radiation, immunotherapy offers a less toxic, yet, in many types of cancers, highly efficacious alternative. With regard to PCa, the interaction between prostatic epithelial cells and the immune and non-immune cells that make up the tumor microenvironment (TME) have been shown to have an important role in the complex changes that occur and ultimately result in disease progression, development of resistant metastases, and the overall resistance to both conventional and experimental therapies.
  • 1.1K
  • 09 Oct 2021
Topic Review
Development of Allergic Inflammation
Inflammation is an adaptive response to stimuli and conditions, such as infection, tissue damage, and cellular stress or malfunction. Regardless of the cause, inflammation likely evolved as an adaptive response to maintaining homeostasis. Many pathological and clinical burdens of allergic disease reflect the long-term consequences of chronic allergic inflammation at sites of persistent or repetitive exposure to allergens.
  • 1.1K
  • 18 Oct 2022
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