Topic Review
Dopamine in Glucose Homeostasis and Type 2 Diabetes
Dopamine regulates several functions, such as voluntary movements, spatial memory, motivation, sleep, arousal, feeding, immune function, maternal behaviors, and lactation. Less clear is the role of dopamine in the pathophysiology of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D) and chronic complications and conditions frequently associated with it.
  • 203
  • 27 Nov 2023
Topic Review
Interplay between Thyroid Disorders and T2DM
Thyroid disorders (TD) and diabetes mellitus (DM) are the two endocrinopathies with the highest prevalence in the general population that frequently coexist. Thyroid dysfunction is more common in people with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) compared to normoglycemic individuals. Untreated TD can impair glycemic control, increasing the risk of diabetes complications. Hyperinsulinemia can affect the morphology of the thyroid gland by promoting the proliferation of thyroid tissue and increasing the size of thyroid nodules. Metformin can confer benefits in both endocrinopathies, while other antidiabetics, such as sulfonylureas, can negatively affect thyroid function. 
  • 70
  • 23 Nov 2023
Topic Review
COVID-19 and Kidney Disease
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is the most common risk factor for severe COVID-19 and one that most increases the risk of COVID-19-related death. Moreover, CKD increases the risk of acute kidney injury (AKI), and COVID-19 patients with AKI are at an increased risk of death.
  • 93
  • 21 Nov 2023
Topic Review
Estrobolome and Hepatocellular Adenomas
Hepatocellular adenoma (HCA) or hepatic adenoma is defined as a benign liver lesion, seen in patients with excessive exposure to estrogen (the higher the dose of estrogen therapy, the higher the risk of HCA), genetic and metabolic syndromes or who have undergone anabolic androgen therapy. It is known that the estrobolome plays an important role in the human endocrine system; specifically relevant in the metabolization of estrogen are bacterial species producing β-glucuronidase (GUS) enzymes.
  • 97
  • 20 Nov 2023
Topic Review
Common Variable Immunodeficiency
Inborn errors of immunity (IEI) are multifaced diseases which can present with a variety of phenotypes, ranging from infections to autoimmunity, lymphoproliferation, and neoplasms. In recent decades, research has investigated the relationship between autoimmunity and IEI. Autoimmunity is more prevalent in primary humoral immunodeficiencies than in most other IEI and it can even be their first manifestation. Among these, the two most common primary immunodeficiencies are selective IgA deficiency and common variable immunodeficiency (CVID).
  • 317
  • 06 Nov 2023
Topic Review
The PATIENT Approach
PATIENT (P: patient’s perception; A: assessment; T: tailored approach; I: iterative evaluation; E: education; N: non-pharmacological approach; T: team), a bundle which can help to summarize all the steps to follow in the management of chronic pain.
  • 185
  • 02 Nov 2023
Topic Review
Vitamin D—Practical Considerations and Clinical Guidance
Empirical evidence establishes the connection between exposure and clinical outcomes. Clinical studies show that chronic diseases and infections can be prevented by proactively correcting vitamin D deficiency in individuals who are vitamin D deficient, and in the community. In RCTs, with proper daily or once-a-week vitamin D supplementation in the intervention group, the serum 25(OH)D concentration must be meaningfully increased to the above pre-planned level to ensure the validity of the clinical study. Clinical outcomes correlate well with the serum 25(OH)D concentrations but not necessarily with the administered doses. It is a common error by researchers and healthcare workers to assume that the amount taken automatically produces the stipulated serum levels.
  • 470
  • 01 Nov 2023
Topic Review
Thrombotic Disorders and COVID-19 Vaccines
The COVID-19 pandemic caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) has affected hundreds of millions worldwide, leading to nearly 7 million deaths globally, although now declared not a worldwide concern anymore. Strenuous research and analysis of various vaccine advances led to the development of multiple COVID-19 vaccines in less than a year from the pandemic’s beginning. Different types of vaccines, such as mRNA vaccines, DNA vaccines, viral vector vaccines, and inactivated virus vaccines have been approved and have shown a high degree of efficacy with variable protective levels of up to 95% (70–95% range) in vaccinated individuals against COVID-19.
  • 233
  • 01 Nov 2023
Topic Review
Chatbots in Critical Care Nephrology
The exponential growth of artificial intelligence (AI) has allowed for its integration into multiple sectors, including, notably, healthcare. Chatbots have emerged as a pivotal resource for improving patient outcomes and assisting healthcare practitioners through various AI-based technologies. In critical care, kidney-related conditions play a significant role in determining patient outcomes.
  • 299
  • 24 Oct 2023
Topic Review
Role of Sodium-Glucose Co-Transporter 2 Inhibitors
Diabetic kidney disease (DKD) causes a progressive decline in renal function, leading to end-stage kidney disease (ESKD), and increases the likelihood of cardiovascular events and mortality. The introduction of the sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 (SGLT-2) inhibitor has been a game changer in managing chronic kidney disease (CKD) and congestive heart failure (CHF). These agents not only slow down the progression of kidney disease but also have cardioprotective benefits, including for patients with congestive heart failure and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. Some evidence suggests that they can decrease the risk of stroke as well.
  • 187
  • 20 Oct 2023
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