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Topic Review
Hepatitis B Virus Nucleocapsid
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a small enveloped DNA virus which replicates its tiny 3.2 kb genome by reverse transcription inside an icosahedral nucleocapsid, formed by a single ~180 amino acid capsid, or core, protein (Cp). HBV causes chronic hepatitis B (CHB), a severe liver disease responsible for nearly a million deaths each year. Dynamic changes in Cp chemical modification and capsid conformation are crucial in the viral life-cycle and represent a promising new antiviral target.
  • 1.3K
  • 07 Mar 2022
Topic Review
Nutritional Approach to Chronic Constipation1
Chronic constipation (CC) is one of the most common gastroenterological diagnoses in clinical practice. Treatment includes several steps, depending on the severity of symptoms. Lifestyle modifications and increased intake of fiber and water are suggested by most health professionals. Unfortunately, the recommendations in this regard are the most varied, often conflicting with each other and not always based on solid scientific arguments. 
  • 1.3K
  • 25 Oct 2021
Topic Review
Gut Microbiome and Liver Diseases
The important role of human gut microbiota in liver diseases has long been recognized as dysbiosis and the translocation of certain microbes from the gut to liver. With the development of high-throughput DNA sequencing, the complexity and integrity of the gut microbiome in the whole spectrum of liver diseases is emerging. Specific patterns of gut microbiota have been identified in liver diseases with different causes, including alcoholic, non-alcoholic, and virus induced liver diseases, or even at different stages, ranging from steatohepatitis, fibrosis, cirrhosis, to hepatocellular carcinoma. At the same time, the mechanism of how microbiota contributes to liver diseases goes beyond the traditional function of the gut–liver axis which could lead to liver injury and inflammation.
  • 1.3K
  • 11 May 2021
Topic Review
Intestinal Permeability and Liver Cirrhosis
An alteration of gut microbiota and their products, particularly endotoxins may play a major role in the pathogenesis of liver diseases. Gut dysbiosis caused by a high-fat diet and alcohol consumption induces increased intestinal permeability, the so-called “leaky gut.” Clinical studies have found that plasma endotoxin levels are elevated in patients with chronic liver diseases. The decreased diversity of gut microbiota in cirrhotic patients before liver transplantation is also related to a higher incidence of posttransplant infections and cognitive impairment. The exposure to endotoxins activates macrophages via toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), leading to a greater production of proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines including tumor necrosis factor–alpha, interleukin (IL)–6, and IL-8, which play key roles in the progression of liver diseases. TLR4 is also a major receptor activated by the binding of endotoxins in hepatic stellate cells, which play a crucial role in liver fibrogenesis that could develop into hepatocarcinogenesis, suggesting the importance of the interaction between endotoxemia and TLR4 signaling as a target for preventing liver disease progression.
  • 1.3K
  • 13 Jul 2021
Topic Review
Bile Acid Diarrhoea
Bile acid diarrhoea (BAD) is a widespread gastrointestinal disease that presents as chronic watery diarrhoea as well as bloating and abdominal pain. This condition is often misdiagnosed as irritable bowel syndrome and is estimated to affect 1% of the United Kingdom population alone. BAD is associated with excessive bile acid synthesis secondary to a gastrointestinal or idiopathic disorder (also known as primary BAD). Current treatment includes diet changes and bile acid sequestrant medication.
  • 1.3K
  • 19 May 2021
Topic Review
Bile Acid Malabsorption
Bile acid malabsorption (BAM), known also as bile acid diarrhea, is a cause of several gut-related problems, the main one being chronic diarrhea. It has also been called bile acid-induced diarrhea, cholerheic or choleretic enteropathy, bile salt diarrhea or bile salt malabsorption. It can result from malabsorption secondary to gastrointestinal disease, or be a primary disorder, associated with excessive bile acid production. Treatment with bile acid sequestrants is often effective.
  • 1.3K
  • 09 Oct 2022
Topic Review
Chemotherapy-Induced Gastrointestinal Mucositis and Anti-Infective Drugs
Gastrointestinal mucositis (GI-M) is a frequently observed side effect of chemotherapy in patients with cancer that affects the gastrointestinal microenvironment and potentially drug absorption. 
  • 1.3K
  • 15 Oct 2021
Topic Review
Endoscopy Lifetime Systems Architecture
Systems engineering captures the desires and needs of the customer to conceptualize a system from the overall goal down to the small details prior to any physical development. While many systems projects tend to be large and complicated (i.e., cloud-based infrastructure, long-term space travel shuttles, missile defense systems), systems engineering can also be applied to smaller, complex systems. The system of interest is the endoscope, a standard biomedical screening device used in laparoscopic surgery, screening of upper and lower gastrointestinal tracts, and inspection of the upper airway.
  • 1.3K
  • 25 Oct 2022
Topic Review
BCAAs Metabolism during Chronic Liver Disease in Humans
Branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs), indispensable for protein synthesis and metabolic pathways, undergo unique tissue-specific processing in skeletal muscle and liver. The liver, responsible for amino acid metabolism, plays a distinctive role in sensing BCAAs catabolism, influencing glucose regulation and contributing to the systemic metabolism of BCAAs.
  • 1.3K
  • 18 Mar 2024
Topic Review
Protocols of Investigation of Neonatal Cholestasis
Neonatal cholestasis (NC) starts during the first three months of life and comprises extrahepatic and intrahepatic groups of diseases, some of which have high morbimortality rates if not timely identified and treated. Prolonged jaundice, clay-colored or acholic stools, and choluria in an infant indicate the urgent need to investigate the presence of NC, and thenceforth the differential diagnosis of extra- and intrahepatic causes of NC. The differential diagnosis of NC is a laborious process demanding the accurate exclusion of a wide range of diseases, through the skillful use and interpretation of several diagnostic tests. A wise integration of clinical-laboratory, histopathological, molecular, and genetic evaluations is imperative, employing extensive knowledge about each evaluated disease as well as the pitfalls of each diagnostic test. 
  • 1.3K
  • 02 Nov 2022
Topic Review
Probiotic-Produced Metabolites
Probiotic bacteria (PB) are live microorganisms that, when administered in adequate amounts, confer a health benefit on the host. Lactobacilli and Bifidobacteria are the most common probiotics, but the yeast Saccharomyces boulardii and Bacillus species are also widely known.
  • 1.3K
  • 30 Nov 2021
Topic Review
Neural Signaling in the Pancreatic Cancer Microenvironment
Pancreatic cancer is one of the most lethal malignant diseases. Various cells in the tumor microenvironment interact with tumor cells and orchestrate to support tumor progression. Several kinds of nerves are found in the tumor microenvironment, and each plays an essential role in tumor biology. Studies have shown that sympathetic, parasympathetic, and sensory neurons are found in the pancreatic cancer microenvironment. Neural signaling not only targets neural cells, but tumor cells and immune cells via neural receptors expressed on these cells, through which tumor growth, inflammation, and anti-tumor immunity are affected. Thus, these broad-range effects of neural signaling in the pancreatic cancer microenvironment may represent novel therapeutic targets. The modulation of neural signaling may be a therapeutic strategy targeting the whole tumor microenvironment.
  • 1.3K
  • 15 Sep 2022
Topic Review
Vitamin D, microbiome, and IBD
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract (GIT), including Crohn’s disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC), which differ in the location and lesion extensions. Both diseases are associated with microbiota dysbiosis, with a reduced population of butyrate-producing species, abnormal inflammatory response, and micronutrient deficiency (e.g., vitamin D hypovitaminosis). Vitamin D (VitD) is involved in immune cell differentiation, gut microbiota modulation, gene transcription, and barrier integrity. Vitamin D receptor (VDR) regulates the biological actions of the active VitD (1α,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3), and is involved in the genetic, environmental, immune, and microbial aspects of IBD. VitD deficiency is correlated with disease activity and its administration targeting a concentration of 30 ng/mL may have the potential to reduce disease activity. Moreover, VDR regulates functions of T cells and Paneth cells and modulates release of antimicrobial peptides in gut microbiota-host interactions. Meanwhile, beneficial microbial metabolites, e.g., butyrate, upregulate the VDR signaling.
  • 1.3K
  • 31 Jan 2021
Topic Review
Components of Post-Liver Transplantation Metabolic Syndrome
Survival rates after liver transplantation have increased dramatically over the past 20 years. Cardiovascular disease is the most common extra-hepatic cause of mortality in the long-term post liver transplant. This is intimately linked with both the higher pre-existing rates of metabolic syndrome in these patients as well as increased propensity to develop de novo metabolic syndrome post-transplant. This unfavorable metabolic profile that contributes to cardiovascular disease is multifactorial and largely preventable. 
  • 1.3K
  • 06 Jun 2022
Topic Review
Dietary Interventions for Complementing Celiac Disease and Beyond
Celiac Disease (CeD) is a chronic small intestinal immune-mediated enteropathy caused by ingesting dietary gluten proteins in genetically susceptible individuals. CeD is one of the most common autoimmune diseases, affecting around 1.4% of the population globally. The only acceptable treatment for CeD is strict, lifelong adherence to a gluten-free diet (GFD). However, in some cases, GFD does not alter gluten-induced symptoms. In addition, strict adherence to a GFD reduces patients’ quality of life and is often a socio-economic burden. Therefore, dietary and non-dietary interventions are investigated. This entry concentrates on the recent research on the degradation of gluten through enzymes, the modulation of the microbiome, and the different types of “biotics” strategies, from probiotics to the less explored “viromebiotics” as possible beneficial complementary interventions for CeD management and other less understood gluten-related disorders beyond the GFD.
  • 1.3K
  • 03 Jan 2023
Topic Review
Pathogenesis of Microscopic Colitis
Microscopic colitis is a type of inflammatory bowel disease and is classified as either collagenous colitis or lymphocytic colitis. The typical presentation is chronic watery diarrhea.
  • 1.3K
  • 01 Aug 2023
Topic Review
Primary and Acquired Resistance to Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common liver cancer and a relevant global health problem. Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) represent the most effective systemic treatment for HCC. However, due to primary resistance, approximately 40% of HCC patients do not achieve a disease control with ICIs. Moreover, a similar proportion will experience disease progression after an initial response caused by secondary resistance. 
  • 1.3K
  • 18 Oct 2022
Topic Review
Liver Injury and Macrophage Issue
The liver is an essential immunological organ due to its gatekeeper position to bypassing antigens from the intestinal blood flow and microbial products from the intestinal commensals. The tissue-resident liver macrophages, termed Kupffer cells, represent key phagocytes that closely interact with local parenchymal, interstitial and other immunological cells in the liver to maintain homeostasis and tolerance against harmless antigens. Upon liver injury, the pool of hepatic macrophages expands dramatically by infiltrating bone marrow-/monocyte-derived macrophages. The interplay of the injured microenvironment and altered macrophage pool skews the subsequent course of liver injuries. It may range from complete recovery to chronic inflammation, fibrosis, cirrhosis and eventually hepatocellular cancer.
  • 1.3K
  • 29 Jul 2021
Topic Review
Oxidative Stress-Induced Senescence during Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease is characterized by disturbed lipid metabolism and increased oxidative stress. These conditions lead to the activation of different cellular response mechanisms, including senescence. Cellular senescence constitutes an important response to injury in the liver. Researches show that chronic oxidative stress can induce senescence, and this might be a driving mechanism for NAFLD progression, aggravating the disturbance of lipid metabolism, organelle dysfunction, pro-inflammatory response and hepatocellular damage. In this context, the modulation of cellular senescence can be beneficial to ameliorate oxidative stress-related damage during NAFLD progression.
  • 1.3K
  • 06 Jun 2022
Topic Review
Fructose and the Liver
Fructose possesses an open-chain chemical conformation and is therefore much more reactive than glucose. Experimental studies have shown that a high fructose intake promotes oxidative stress, inflammation, higher serum uric acid levels, hypertriglyceridemia, higher systolic blood pressure, and insulin resistance(). In humans, the physiological impact depends on the formulation in which the fructose is consumed; consumption via solids and liquids differently affects microbiota composition, gut integrity, and liver toxicity.
  • 1.3K
  • 12 Oct 2021
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