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Topic Review
Biography
Topic Review
Pentosan Polysulphate as a Potential Xylan based Prebiotic
In animal husbandry, prebiotic xylans aid in the maintenance of a healthy gut microbiome. This prevents the colonization of the gut by pathogenic organisms obviating the need for dietary antibiotic supplementation, a practice which has been used to maintain animal productivity but which has led to the emergence of antibiotic resistant bacteria that are passed up the food chain to humans. Seaweed xylan-based animal foodstuffs have been developed to eliminate ruminant green-house gas emissions by gut methanogens in ruminant animals, contributing to atmospheric pollution. Biotransformation of pentosan polysulfate by the gut microbiome converts this semi-synthetic sulfated disease-modifying anti-osteoarthritic heparinoid drug to a prebiotic metabolite that promotes gut health, further extending the therapeutic profile and utility of this therapeutic molecule. Xylans are prominent dietary cereal components of the human diet which travel through the gastrointestinal tract as non-digested dietary fibre since the human genome does not contain xylanolytic enzymes. The gut microbiota however digest xylans as a food source. Xylo-oligosaccharides generated in this digestive process have prebiotic health-promoting properties. Engineered commensal probiotic bacteria also have been developed which have been engineered to produce growth factors and other bioactive factors. A xylan protein induction system controls the secretion of these compounds by the commensal bacteria which can promote gut health or, if these prebiotic compounds are transported by the vagal nervous system, may also regulate the health of linked organ systems via the gut–brain, gut–lung and gut–stomach axes. Dietary xylans are thus emerging therapeutic compounds warranting further study in novel disease prevention protocols.
462
12 Oct 2022
Topic Review
Pediatric Vulvar Lichen Sclerosus
Vulvar lichen sclerosus (VLS) is a chronic inflammatory condition affecting the anogenital region, which may present in a prepubertal or adolescent patient. The most popular theories are its autoimmune and genetic conditioning, although theories concerning hormonal and infectious etiology have also been raised. The most common presenting symptoms of VLS is vulva pruritus, discomfort, dysuria and constipation. The lesions initially are white, flat-topped papules, thin plaques, or commonly atrophic patches. Purpura is a hallmark feature of VLS. The treatment includes topical anti-inflammatory agents and long-term follow-up, as there is a high risk of recurrence and an increased risk of vulvar cancer in adult women with a history of lichen sclerosus.
1.1K
15 Jul 2021
Topic Review
Pathophysiology of Septic Cardiomyopathy
Septic cardiomyopathy may be broadly defined as an acute cardiac dysfunction unrelated to ischemia that manifests in different ways: arrhythmias, left and/or right ventricular impairment during systole or diastole, with or without reduction in cardiac output. Endothelial, metabolic, and immune response abnormalities are generally involved in the pathogenesis of ventricular dysfunction and arrhythmias during sepsis, whereas the potential role of myocardial ischemia seems limited. Impaired blood flow autoregulation in coronary microcirculation and altered metabolism of lactate, free fatty acid, and glucose likely play a leading role.
475
14 Sep 2022
Topic Review
Pathophysiology of Psoriasis
Psoriasis is an immune-mediated inflammatory disease, with a chronic relapsing-remitting course, which affects 2–3% of the worldwide population. Psoriasis vulgaris is a common inflammatory, immune-mediated, chronic, and recurrent dermatosis, caused by the interplay between multiple genetic and environmental risk factors. The clinical feature of psoriasis is dominated by erythematous-squamous plaques which usually, but non-exclusively arise symmetrically on the extensor surfaces of the elbows and knees, scalp, lumbosacral area, and it reflects some pathogenetic mechanisms underlying psoriasis, i.e., inflammation, hyperproliferation, angiogenesis.
546
28 Oct 2021
Topic Review
Pathophysiology of Primary Aldosteronism
Primary aldosteronism (PA), a significant and curable cause of secondary hypertension, is seen in 5–10% of hypertensive patients, with its prevalence contingent upon the severity of the hypertension. The principal aetiologies of PA include bilateral idiopathic hypertrophy (BIH) and aldosterone-producing adenomas (APAs), while the less frequent causes include unilateral hyperplasia, familial hyperaldosteronism (FH) types I-IV, aldosterone-producing carcinoma, and ectopic aldosterone synthesis. This condition, characterised by excessive aldosterone secretion, leads to augmented sodium and water reabsorption alongside potassium loss, culminating in distinct clinical hallmarks: elevated aldosterone levels, suppressed renin levels, and hypertension. Notably, hypokalaemia is present in only 28% of patients with PA and is not a primary indicator. The association of PA with an escalated cardiovascular risk profile, independent of blood pressure levels, is notable. Patients with PA exhibit a heightened incidence of cardiovascular events compared to counterparts with essential hypertension, matched for age, sex, and blood pressure levels.
113
26 Jan 2024
Topic Review
Pathophysiology of Chronic Constipation
Constipation is one of the major gastrointestinal disorders diagnosed in clinical practice in Western countries. Almost 20% of population suffer from this disorder, which means constipation is a substantial utilization of healthcare. Pathophysiology of constipation is complex and multifactorial, where aspects like disturbance in colonic transit, genetic predisposition, lifestyle habits, psychological distress, and many others need to be taken into consideration.
708
25 Apr 2021
Topic Review
Pathophysiolocigal and Molecular Mechanisms in Vascular Aging
Vascular aging, characterized by structural and functional alterations of the vascular wall, is a hallmark of aging and is tightly related to the development of cardiovascular mortality and age-associated vascular pathologies.
538
29 Aug 2022
Topic Review
Pathogenesis, Diagnostics, and Therapeutics for Human Monkeypox Disease
The monkeypox disease is a zoonotic-infectious disease that transmits between animals and humans. It is caused by a double-stranded DNA virus belonging to the Orthopoxvirus genus that is closely related to the variola virus –the causative agent of smallpox.
500
25 Dec 2022
Topic Review
Pathogenesis and Histopathology of Albuminuric and Non-Albuminuric DKD
Diabetic kidney disease (DKD) is a common microvascular complication that develops in approximately 40% of patients with diabetes. It is the main cause of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and end-stage renal disease (ESRD) and is a major cause of mortality and morbidity in diabetics not only due to ESRD but also because of the resulting cardiovascular risk.
295
18 May 2023
Topic Review
Parenteral Nutrition and Sepsis
Parenteral nutrition (PN) is recommended in malnourished patients or those at risk of malnutrition in some conditions—such as gut functional unavailability or gut physical inaccessibility. The lipids are sepsis risk factors in patients receiving parenteral nutrition.
1.2K
29 Jul 2022
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