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Topic Review
Biography
Topic Review
TLR4 and alpha-MSH in allergy
Ocular allergic diseases are frequently seen in ophthalmological clinical practice. Immunological damage is mediated by a local Th2 inflammatory microenvironment, accompanied by changes in circulating cell subsets, with more effector cells and fewer T regulatory cells (Tregs). This study aimed to evaluate the involvement of toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) and a-melanocyte stimulating hormone (α-MSH) in the immune regulation associated with perennial allergic conjunctivitis (PAC). We performed an Ag-specific stimulation during 72 h of culturing with or without LPS or α-MSH in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC), analyzing the cell subsets and cytokines induced by the stimuli. We also determined α-MSH in tear samples from healthy donors (HD) or PAC patients. Our findings demonstrate an immunological dysregulation characterized by an increased frequency of CD4+TLR4+ in the PBMC of patients with PAC, compared to HD. Most of these CD4+TLR4+ cells were also CD25+, and when α-MSH was added to the culture, the percentage of CD4+CD25+FoxP3+ increased significantly, while the percentage of CD69+ cells and cytokines IL-4 and IL-6 were significantly decreased. In tears, we found an increased concentration of α-MSH in PAC patients, compared with HD. These findings indicate a novel mechanism involved in controlling ocular allergic diseases, in which α-MSH diminishes the concentration of IL-6 and IL-4, restoring the frequency of Tregs and down-regulating CD4 activation. Moreover, we demonstrate the involvement of CD4+TLR4+ cells, as an effector cell subset, in ocular allergy.
944
27 Oct 2020
Topic Review
Fecal Markers of Inflammation
Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs) are chronic inflammatory disorders of the gastrointestinal tract whose etiology is unknown. Pathogenesis of IBD is attributed to the complex interaction of genetic susceptibility, environmental factors (such as smoking, diet, and infections), and the gut microbiota. This results in an uncontrolled immune response leading to mucosal damage. IBDs are characterized by a relapsing and remitting course and require lifelong treatment. Therapy aims to induce remission, maintain remission, and avoid disease progression. Fecal markers are a heterogeneous group of biological substances formed by the inflamed intestinal mucosa or pass through it and enter the intestinal lumen and feces, where they can be measured. The advantage of fecal markers of inflammation over blood markers is that they provide information about the inflammatory process’s location, particularly the location along the gastrointestinal tract. Still, they also are not specific to IBD.
944
05 Feb 2021
Topic Review
Inflammation of the Lips (Cheilitis) and Perioral Skin
Lip inflammation may manifest as mainly reversible cheilitis, mainly irreversible, or cheilitis connected to dermatoses or systemic diseases. Therefore, knowing a patient’s medical history is important, especially whether their lip lesions are temporary, recurrent, or persistent. Sometimes temporary contributing factors, such as climate and weather conditions, can be identified and avoided—exposure to extreme weather conditions (e.g., dry, hot, or windy climates) may cause or trigger lip inflammation. Emotional and psychological stress are also mentioned in the etiology of some lip inflammations (e.g., exfoliative cheilitis) and may be associated with nervous habits such as lip licking.
947
12 Jan 2023
Topic Review
Arisaema Jacquemontii
Blume
Arisaema jacquemontii Blume (Araceae) is a medicinally important plant and is used for the treatment of different diseases specially in dermatological disorders. Alkaloids, phenols, terpenes, flavonoids, glycosides, tannins have been reported from this plant. Antioxidant, antifungal, antibacterial and anticancer activities are also shown by Arisaema jacquemontii.
943
15 Aug 2022
Topic Review
Electrospinning in GBR
Nanofibre-based membranes or scaffolds exhibit high surface-to-volume ratio, which allows an improved cell adhesion, representing an attractive subgroup of biomaterials due to their unique properties. Guided bone regeneration is a surgical procedure in which bone regeneration, due to bone atrophy following tooth loss, is “guided” by an occlusive barrier. New approaches such as multifunctional multilayering and coupling with bone promoting factors or antimicrobial agents, makes this technology very attractive also for bone regeneration procedures. The technical limitations of traditional electrospinning strategies for bone-tissue engineering applications might be critical for the preparation of three-dimensional scaffolds.
943
30 Oct 2020
Topic Review
Audiovestibular Disorders after COVID-19 Vaccine
The SARS-CoV-2 vaccination campaign is probably one of the most historic public hygiene measures in modern medicine. The drama of the pandemic has forced the scientific community to accelerate the development and commercialization of vaccines, thereby enhancing the phases of active surveillance. Among the adverse events following immunization (AEFI) reported, those of an audiovestibular interest, such as sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL), tinnitus, dizziness, and vertigo, constitute a very small percentage.
944
05 May 2022
Topic Review
Tumour Hypoxia
Tumour hypoxia is significantly correlated with patient survival and treatment outcomes. At the molecular level, hypoxia is a major driving factor for tumour progression and aggressiveness. There have been extensive studies to target tumour hypoxia and here are some examples of historical methods as well as new approaches.
943
03 Nov 2021
Topic Review
Endoscopic Ultrasound for Esophageal Varices
Esophageal varices are caused by the development of collateral circulation in the esophagus as a result of portal hypertension. It is important to administer appropriate preventive treatment because bleeding varices can be fatal. Esophageal varices have complex and diverse hemodynamics, and there are various variations for each case. Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) can estimate the hemodynamics of each case. Therefore, observation by EUS in esophageal varices provides useful information, such as safe and effective treatment selection, prediction of recurrence, and appropriate follow-up after treatment. Although treatment for the esophagogastric varices can be performed without EUS imaging, understanding the local hemodynamics of the varices using EUS prior to treatment will lead to more safe and effective treatment. EUS observation is an indispensable tool for thorough variceal care.
943
08 Dec 2020
Topic Review
Urine Biomarkers of Lupus Nephritis
The kidney is one of the main organs affected by the autoimmune disease systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Lupus nephritis (LN) concerns 30–60% of adult SLE patients and it is significantly associated with an increase in the morbidity and mortality. The definitive diagnosis of LN can only be achieved by histological analysis of renal biopsies, but the invasiveness of this technique is an obstacle for early diagnosis of renal involvement and a proper follow-up of LN patients under treatment. The use of urine for the discovery of non-invasive biomarkers for renal disease in SLE patients is an attractive alternative to repeated renal biopsies, as several studies have described surrogate urinary cells or analytes reflecting the inflammatory state of the kidney, and/or the severity of the disease.
943
13 Jul 2021
Topic Review
Complete Mesogastric Excisions Involving Anatomical and Embryological Factors
Surgeries for gastrointestinal tract malignancies are based on the paradigm that we should remove the tumour together with its lymphatic drainage in one block. This concept was initially proposed in rectal surgery and called a total mesorectal excision.
942
03 Dec 2021
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