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Topic Review
Microbiome in the Pathogenesis of Inflammatory Bowel Disease
The microbiome of patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is characterized by bacterial dysbiosis (i.e., an imbalance of pathogenic and commensal bacteria). Bacterial diversity has been shown to be reduced during active inflammation in IBD.
  • 1.3K
  • 12 Jul 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
Topic Review
Treatments for Acute Intermittent Porphyria
Rare diseases, especially monogenic diseases, which usually affect a single target protein, have attracted growing interest in drug research by encouraging pharmaceutical companies to design and develop therapeutic products to be tested in the clinical arena. Acute intermittent porphyria (AIP) is one of these rare diseases. AIP is characterized by haploinsufficiency in the third enzyme of the heme biosynthesis pathway. Identification of the liver as the target organ and a detailed molecular characterization have enabled the development and approval of several therapies to manage this disease.
  • 1.3K
  • 22 Dec 2022
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
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
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
Dysregulation of the Gut Barrier Function during ALD
Chronic alcohol consumption and alcohol-associated liver disease (ALD) represent a major public health problem worldwide. Only a minority of patients with an alcohol-use disorder (AUD) develop severe forms of liver disease (e.g., steatohepatitis and fibrosis) and finally progress to the more advanced stages of ALD, such as severe alcohol-associated hepatitis and decompensated cirrhosis. Emerging evidence suggests that gut barrier dysfunction is multifactorial, implicating microbiota changes, alterations in the intestinal epithelium, and immune dysfunction. This failing gut barrier ultimately allows microbial antigens, microbes, and metabolites to translocate to the liver and into systemic circulation. Subsequent activation of immune and inflammatory responses contributes to liver disease progression.
  • 1.3K
  • 09 Mar 2022
Topic Review
Impact of Female Gender in Inflammatory Bowel Diseases
Inflammatory bowel diseases show a gender bias, as reported for several other immune-mediated diseases. Female-specific differences influence disease presentation and activity, leading to a different progression between males and females. Women show a genetic predisposition to develop inflammatory bowel disease related to the X chromosome. Female hormone fluctuation influences gastrointestinal symptoms, pain perception, and the state of active disease at the time of conception could negatively affect the pregnancy. Women with inflammatory bowel disease report a worse quality of life, higher psychological distress, and reduced sexual activity than male patients. 
  • 1.3K
  • 13 Feb 2023
Topic Review
Genetics and Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the commonest cause of chronic liver disease worldwide. It is closely related to obesity, insulin resistance (IR) and dyslipidemia so much so it is considered the hepatic manifestation of the Metabolic Syndrome. The NAFLD spectrum extends from simple steatosis to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), a clinical condition which may progress up to fibrosis, cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). NAFLD is a complex disease whose pathogenesis is shaped by both environmental and genetic factors.
  • 1.3K
  • 15 Oct 2021
Topic Review
Pancreatic Fluid Collection
Pancreatic fluid collection (PFC) is one of the local complications that occurs after acute pancreatitis. Recently, the gold standard for management of pancreatic fluid collection has changed from aggressive debridement to a more conservative approach. Endoscopic drainage and necrosectomy are now accepted treatment approaches for patients with symptomatic walled-off pancreatic necrosis (WON). The current recommendations advocate step-up approaches for the treatment of symptomatic WON. Previous recommendations stipulated that endoscopic intervention should be delayed until more than four weeks after the onset. Recent data on early drainage have been increasing and this option might be considered in well-encapsulated cases, but the percutaneous route is preferred if the drainage is performed within two weeks after onset or in nonencapsulated cases.
  • 1.3K
  • 20 Jan 2021
Topic Review
Inflammatory Bowel Disease and Reproductive Health
Despite the fact that knowledge on obstetrical management of Inflammatory Bowel Diseases (IBDs) has greatly improved over the years, many patients still actively avoid pregnancy for fear of adverse maternal or neonatal outcomes, of adverse effects of pregnancy on the disease activity, of eventual IBD inheritance, or of an increased risk of congenital malformations. Indeed, though data prove that fertility is hardly affected by the disease, a reduced birth rate is nevertheless observed in patients with IBD. Misconceptions on the safety of drugs during gestation and breastfeeding may influence patient choice and negatively affect their serenity during pregnancy or lactation.
  • 1.3K
  • 20 Apr 2022
Topic Review
Etiological Factors of Acute on Chronic Liver Failure
Acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF) is a syndrome characterized by acute and severe decompensation of chronic liver disease (CLD) correlated with multiple organ failure, poor prognosis, and increased mortality. In 40–50% of ACLF cases, the trigger is not recognized; for many of these patients, bacterial translocation associated with systemic inflammation is thought to be the determining factor; in the other 50% of patients, sepsis, alcohol consumption, and reactivation of chronic viral hepatitis are the most frequently described trigger factors. Other conditions considered precipitating factors are less common, including acute alcoholic hepatitis, major surgery, TIPS insertion, or inadequate paracentesis without albumin substitution.
  • 1.3K
  • 17 Jul 2023
Topic Review
Genetic Abnormalities in Pancreatitis
Hereditary pancreatitis (HP) has been defined as either two or more individuals within a family exhibiting pancreatitis for two or more generations, or pancreatitis linked to mutation of the PRSS1 gene. In 2000, a mutation in the serine protease inhibitor gene (Kazal type 1: SPINK1) was reported to be related to sporadic pancreatitis of unknown etiology.
  • 1.3K
  • 26 Jan 2021
Topic Review
High-Fat Diet and Small Intestine
The high-fat diet (HFD) of western countries has dramatic effect on the health of several organs, including the digestive tract, leading to the accumulation of fats that can also trigger a chronic inflammatory process, such as that which occurs in non-alcohol steatohepatitis. The effects of a HFD on the small intestine, the organ involved in the absorption of this class of nutrients, are still poorly investigated.
  • 1.3K
  • 19 Jul 2021
Topic Review
Gut-Liver Axis and Liver Diseases
The gut-liver axis has an impact on pathogenesis of numerous chronic liver diseases such as chronic hepatitis B (CHB), chronic hepatitis C (CHC), alcoholic liver disease (ALD), non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), development of liver cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).
  • 1.3K
  • 16 Nov 2021
Topic Review
Dietary Fibers in Inflammatory Bowel Diseases
Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs) are chronic, progressive, immune-mediated diseases of the intestinal tract. The main subtypes of IBDs are Chron’s disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC). The etiology is still unclear, but there are genetic, environmental and host-related factors that contribute to the development of these diseases. Literature has shown that dietary therapy is the cornerstone of IBD treatment in terms of management of symptoms, relapse and care of the pathology. IBD patients show that microbiota dysbiosis and diet, especially dietary fiber, can modulate its composition. These patients are more at risk of energy protein malnutrition than the general population and are deficient in micronutrients. So far, no dietary component is considered responsible for IBD and there is not a specific therapeutic diet for it. 
  • 1.3K
  • 02 Dec 2022
Topic Review
Pathogenesis of Iron Overload and Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common malignancies in both transfusion-dependent thalassemia (TDT) and non-transfusion-dependent thalassemia (NTDT). The mechanisms of iron-overloading-associated HCC development include the increased reactive oxygen species (ROS), inflammation cytokines, dysregulated hepcidin, and ferroportin metabolism.
  • 1.3K
  • 15 Aug 2023
Topic Review
Screening for Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common cause of abnormal liver function tests worldwide, with an estimated prevalence ranging between 19–46% in the general population. Given the high prevalence and severity of NAFLD, especially in high-risk populations (i.e., patients with type-2 diabetes mellitus and/or obesity), there is a major interest in early detection of the disease in primary care.
  • 1.3K
  • 19 Apr 2023
Topic Review
Infertility and Celiac Disease
Celiac disease (CD) is an autoimmune condition that is initiated in genetically susceptible individuals by the exposure of the intestines to gluten, a protein that is typically present in wheat, barley, and rye.
  • 1.3K
  • 12 Dec 2023
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