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Topic Review
Limosilactobacillus Reuteri in Diverticulitis
The microbiota is the set of commensal microorganisms, residing in the organism, helping proper functioning of organs and systems. The role that the microbiota plays in maintaining the health of vertebrates is widely accepted, particularly in the gastrointestinal system, where it is fundamental for immunity, development, and conversion of nutrients. Dysbiosis is an alteration of the microbiota which refers to a disturbed balance, which can cause a number of pathologies. Probiotics have proven to be effective in modulating the microbiota of the gastrointestinal system and, therefore, in promoting the health of the individual. In particular, Lactobacilli are a group of Gram-positive bacteria, which are able to produce lactic acid through glucose metabolism. They are present in different microenvironments, ranging from the vagina, to the mouth, to different tracts of the small intestine.
  • 700
  • 20 Aug 2021
Topic Review
Mechanical Heart Valve Patients with Intracranial Hemorrhage
The management of an intracranial hemorrhage in patients receiving anticoagulant therapy presents a significant challenge for medical professionals. Anticoagulant treatment is intended to prevent blood clotting, but it can worsen active brain bleeds. Despite this risk, avoiding the prothrombotic state caused by mechanical heart valves remains crucial. 
  • 698
  • 17 May 2023
Topic Review
Estrogen Sulfotransferase
Estrogen sulfotransferase (SULT1E1) is a phase II enzyme that sulfates estrogens to inactivate them and regulate their homeostasis. This enzyme is also involved in the sulfation of thyroid hormones and several marketed medicines. Though the profound action of SULT1E1 in molecular/pathological biology has been extensively studied, its genetic variants and functional studies have been comparatively rarely studied. 
  • 690
  • 06 Jul 2021
Topic Review Peer Reviewed
Kidney Issues Associated with COVID-19 Disease
Infection with SARS-CoV-2 and the resulting COVID-19 can cause both lung and kidney damage. SARS-CoV-2 can directly infect renal cells expressing ACE2 receptors, resulting in kidney damage, and acute kidney injury (AKI) has been reported in COVID-19 hospitalized patients. The pathophysiology of COVID-19-associated AKI is multifactorial. Local and systemic inflammation, immune system dysregulation, blood coagulation disorders, and activation of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) are factors that contribute to the development of AKI in COVID 19 disease. COVID-19 patients with kidney involvement have a poor prognosis, and patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) infected with SARS-CoV-2 have an increased mortality risk. CKD patients with COVID-19 may develop end-stage renal disease (ESRD) requiring dialysis. In particular, patients infected with SARS-CoV-2 and requiring dialysis, as well as patients who have undergone kidney transplantation, have an increased risk of mortality and require special consideration. Nephrologists and infectious disease specialists face several clinical dilemmas in the prophylaxis and treatment of CKD patients with COVID-19. This entry presents recent data showing the effects of COVID-19 on the kidneys and CKD patients and the challenges in the management of CKD patients with COVID-19, and discusses treatment strategies for these patients.
  • 689
  • 05 Sep 2023
Topic Review
Natural Photosensitizers in APDT
Antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (APDT) is constantly evolving and can minimize this antimicrobial resistance problem. Reactive oxygen species produced when nontoxic photosensitizers are exposed to light are the main functional components of APDT responsible for microbial destruction; therefore, APDT has a broad spectrum of target pathogens, such as bacteria, fungi, and viruses. Various photosensitizers, including natural extracts, compounds, and their synthetic derivatives, are being investigated. Light, oxygen, and PSs in precise cooperation are the key factors determining APDT efficiency and are responsible for ROS production and the inactivation of the targeted cells.
  • 688
  • 01 Jun 2021
Topic Review
Comprehensive Brain Mind Health History
In the outpatient general practice setting, most practitioners do not have the time or resources to acquire a comprehensive history pertaining to patients' brain and mental health. This comprehensive brain-mind health history gives health care providers a simple and easy-to-use checklist, which can be filled out by patients before their appointment and/or while sitting in the waiting room. This will allow practitioners to have a more thorough and detailed history of their patients on hand, which they can quickly skim through as needed. In addition, it will help practitioners introduce and subsequently discuss more sensitive topics with their patients that are often associated with stigmas, such as substance use, mental health issues, etc. Ultimately, this comprehensive history will allow health care practitioners to make better decisions on behalf of their patients.
  • 688
  • 15 Nov 2021
Topic Review
UDP-Glucuronosyltransferase Genetic and Drug Responses
UDP-glucuronosyltransferases (UGTs) are phase II drug-metabolizing enzymes that metabolize endogenous fatty acids such as arachidonic acid metabolites, as well as many prescription drugs, such as opioids, antiepileptics, and antiviral drugs. The UGT1A and 2B genes are highly polymorphic, and their genetic variants may affect the pharmacokinetics and hence the responses of many drugs and fatty acids.
  • 686
  • 07 Jul 2021
Topic Review
Zebrafish Model to Understand Epigenetics
Epigenetic modifications are able to alter gene expression and include DNA methylation, different histone variants, and post-transcriptional modifications (PTMs), such as acetylation or phosphorylation, and through short/long RNAs, respectively. In this review, we focus on current knowledge concerning epigenetic modifications in gene regulation. We describe different forms of epigenetic modifications and explain how epigenetic changes can be detected. The relevance of epigenetics in renal diseases is highlighted with multiple examples and the use of the zebrafish model to study glomerular diseases in general and epigenetics in renal diseases in particular is discussed. We end with an outlook on how to use epigenetic modifications as a therapeutic target for different diseases. Here, the zebrafish model can be employed as a high-throughput screening tool not only to discover epigenetic alterations contributing to disease, but also to test novel substances that change epigenetic signatures in vivo. Therefore, the zebrafish model harbors the opportunity to find novel pathogenic pathways allowing a pre-selection of potential targets and compounds to be tested for renal diseases. 
  • 686
  • 29 Nov 2021
Topic Review
KRAS in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
In NSCLC (Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer), KRAS (Kirsten Rat sarcoma virus) mutations occur in up to 30% of all cases, most frequently at codon 12 and 13. KRAS mutations have been linked to adenocarcinoma histology, positive smoking history, and Caucasian ethnicity, although differences have been described across KRAS mutational variants subtypes. KRAS mutations often concur with other molecular alterations, notably TP53, STK11, and KEAP1, which could play an important role in treatment efficacy and patient outcomes.
  • 685
  • 02 Dec 2022
Topic Review
Heme Burden and Kidney
As it pertains to the kidney, several clinical conditions have been recognized that are associated with significant amount of free heme and subsequent kidney damage. The kidney is frequently involved during clinical settings, with the common denominator of increased heme burden given its primary function of filtration. Moreover, the proximal tubules possess a high number of mitochondria that upon injury release their cytochrome heme content leading to higher levels of local heme and hence potentiating the cycle of injury.
  • 684
  • 11 Aug 2021
Topic Review
Resveratrol and TGF-β Signaling Pathway
Resveratrol (Res) is a well-known natural product that can exhibit important pharmacological activities such as antioxidant, anti-diabetes, anti-tumor, and anti-inflammatory. An evaluation of its therapeutic effects demonstrates that this naturally occurring bioactive compound can target different molecular pathways to exert its pharmacological actions. Transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) is an important molecular pathway that is capable of regulating different cellular mechanisms such as proliferation, migration, and angiogenesis. TGF-β has been reported to be involved in the development of disorders such as diabetes, cancer, inflammatory disorders, fibrosis, cardiovascular disorders, etc. 
  • 683
  • 06 Jul 2021
Topic Review
Definition of Hypertension and Establishment of Treatment Targets
Hypertension is the most frequent chronic and non-communicable disease all over the world, with about 1.5 billion affected individuals worldwide. Its impact is currently growing, particularly in low-income countries. Even in high-income countries, hypertension remains largely underdiagnosed and undertreated, with consequent low rates of blood pressure (BP) control.
  • 679
  • 21 Mar 2022
Topic Review
Metformin and Insulin Resistance
Metformin is the most commonly used treatment to increase insulin sensitivity in insulin-resistant (IR) conditions such as diabetes, prediabetes, polycystic ovary syndrome, and obesity. This study explores the underlying mechanisms of the metformin's effect on IR mainly through the changes in the glucose transporter 4 (GLUT4)-mediated glucose transport.
  • 677
  • 29 Mar 2022
Topic Review
Assertive Community Treatment
Assertive community treatment (ACT) is an intensive and highly integrated approach for community mental health service delivery. ACT teams serve individuals with the most serious forms of mental illness, predominantly but not exclusively the schizophrenia spectrum disorders. ACT service recipients may also have diagnostic profiles that include features typically found in other DSM-5 categories (for example, bipolar, depressive, anxiety, and personality disorders, among others). Many have histories of frequent psychiatric hospitalization, substance abuse, victimization and trauma, arrests and incarceration, homelessness, and additional significant challenges. The symptoms and complications of their mental illnesses have led to serious functioning difficulties in several areas of life, often including work, social relationships, residential independence, money management, and physical health and wellness. By the time they start receiving ACT services, they are likely to have experienced failure, discrimination, and stigmatization, and their hope for the future is likely to be quite low.
  • 676
  • 27 Oct 2022
Topic Review
Liposomal Cytarabine
Cancer is the second leading cause of death worldwide. The main modality to fight against cancer is surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy, and more recently targeted therapy, gene therapy and immunotherapy, which play important roles in treating cancer patients. In the last decades, chemotherapy has been well developed. Nonetheless, administration of the drug is not always successful, as limited drug dosage can reach the tumor cells.. In this context, the possibility to use an encapsulated anti-cancer drug may potentially solve the problem. Liposomal cytarabine is a formulation with pronounced effectiveness in lymphomatous meningitis and reduced cardiotoxicity if compared to liposomal anthracyclines. Thus, the future liposomal cytarabine use could be extended to other diseases given its reduction in cytotoxic side effects compared to the free formulation. 
  • 673
  • 22 Jul 2021
Topic Review
Grief Counseling
Grief counseling is a form of psychotherapy that aims to help people cope with the physical, emotional, social, spiritual, and cognitive responses to loss. These experiences are commonly thought to be brought on by a loved person's death, but may more broadly be understood as shaped by any significant life-altering loss (e.g., divorce, home foreclosure, or job loss). Grief counselors believe that everyone experiences and expresses grief in personally unique ways that are shaped by family background, culture, life experiences, personal values, and intrinsic beliefs. They believe that it is not uncommon for a person to withdraw from their friends and family and feel helpless; some might be angry and want to take action. Some may laugh while others experience strong regrets or guilt. Tears or the lack of crying can both be seen as appropriate expressions of grief. Grief counselors know that one can expect a wide range of emotion and behavior associated with grief. Some counselors believe that in virtually all places and cultures, the grieving person benefits from the support of others. Further, grief counselors believe that where such support is lacking, counseling may provide an avenue for healthy resolution. Grief counselors also believe that where the process of grieving is interrupted, for example, by the one who is grieving having to simultaneously deal with practical issues of survival or by their having to be the strong one who is striving to hold their family together, grief can remain unresolved and later resurface as an issue for counseling.
  • 673
  • 19 Oct 2022
Topic Review
Sarcopenia and Cognitive Function
Sarcopenia is a geriatric syndrome characterized by the progressive degeneration of muscle mass and function. It is associated with cognitive impairment, defined as a decline in cognitive domains such as language, memory, reasoning, social cognition, planning, making decisions, and solving problems. Several studies have shown that skeletal muscle can regulate brain functions, including mood, learning, locomotor activity, and neuronal injury protection, showing the existence of muscle-brain crosstalk. 
  • 668
  • 04 Jun 2021
Topic Review
Hepatitis B Virus-Associated Polyarteritis Nodosa
Classic polyarteritis nodosa (PAN) is a vasculitis with systemic manifestations that is characterized by inflammatory and necrotizing lesions affecting medium and small muscular arteries, most frequently at the bifurcation of the vessels.
  • 664
  • 19 Jun 2023
Topic Review
Interactions between Antipsychotics and Non-Psychotropic Medications
Schizophrenia is a psychotic disorder that exists at the more extreme end of a spectrum of diseases, and significantly affects daily functioning. Cardiovascular adverse effects of antipsychotic medications are well known, and include changes in blood pressure and arrhythmias. Sudden cardiac death is the leading cause of death worldwide, and antipsychotic medications are associated with numerous cardiac side effects. A possible link exists between antipsychotic medications and sudden cardiac death. Common prescribing patterns that may influence cardiovascular events include the use of multiple antipsychotics and/or additional drugs commonly prescribed to patients on antipsychotics. The use of antipsychotics with other medications can significantly increase the risk of cardiac adverse effects (AEs), including sudden cardiac death.
  • 663
  • 22 Apr 2022
Topic Review
Palonosetron in Cisplatin-Induced Nephrotoxicity
Cisplatin is widely used to treat various types of cancers, but it is often limited by nephrotoxicity. In this study, we employed an integrated in silico and in vivo approach to identify potential treatments for cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity (CIN). We were able to find that palonosetron, a serotonin type 3 receptor (5-HT3R) antagonist, can suppress CIN. This study supports the use of in silico and in vivo approaches in drug repositioning studies. 
  • 661
  • 02 Apr 2021
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