Topic Review
Dimethyltryptamine
Dimethyltryptamine (DMT) is an indole alkaloid and a derivative of tryptamine (a metabolite of the essential amino acid tryptophan), which exists in many biological systems (endogenous substance) including plants and animals. DMT produces intense but short-lived (up to 30–60 min) psychedelic and hallucinogenic experiences. There is also increasing evidence that endogenous DMT plays a role in the central (CNS) and peripheral nervous system (PNS), and it may act as a neurotransmitter by acting as a non-selective serotonin agonist principally on the 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT1A and 5-HT2A) receptors.
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Topic Review
Diagnosis and Treatment of Endometrial Cancer
The incidence and death rates of endometrial cancer are rising globally. International guidelines recommend radical hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy as the standard of care for this cancer; however, fertility-sparing alternatives should be tailored to motivated women of reproductive age, establishing an appropriate cost–benefit balance between childbearing desire and cancer risk. New molecular classifications such as that of The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) provide a robust supplementary risk assessment tool that can tailor the treatment options to the patient’s needs, curtail over- and under-treatment, and contribute to the spread of fertility-preserving strategies.
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Topic Review
Lipid Abnormalities in Cerebrotendinous Xanthomatosis
Cerebrotendinous xanthomatosis (CTX) is an autosomal recessive disorder caused by pathogenic variants in CYP27A1, leading to a deficiency in sterol 27-hydroxylase. This defect results in the accumulation of cholestanol and bile alcohols in various tissues, including the brain, tendons, and peripheral nerves. Elevated levels of cholestanol are consistently observed. Most patients present normal or low serum cholesterol levels. The decrease in chenodeoxycholic acid (CDCA) leads to increased synthesis of cholesterol metabolites such as bile alcohols 23S-pentol and 25-tetrol 3-glucuronide, which may serve as surrogate follow-up markers in patients with CTX. Lipid abnormalities in CTX have clinical implications. Cholestanol deposition in tissues contributes to the clinical manifestations, including neurological symptoms and tendon xanthomas. Dyslipidemia and abnormal cholesterol metabolism may also contribute to the increased risk of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular complications observed in some CTX patients.
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Topic Review
The Diagnosis of Community-Acquired Pneumonia
Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) is among the most common causes of death and one of the leading healthcare concerns worldwide. It can evolve into sepsis and septic shock, which have a high mortality rate, especially in critical patients and comorbidities. The diagnosis of CAP generally necessitates an infiltration on Chest X-rays (CXR) in a patient with fever, dyspnea, cough, and sputum.
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Topic Review
Pancreatic Cancer Molecular Manifestation and Pathways Regulation
Pancreatic cancer is challenging, with a poor progression and limited treatment options. Its tumorigenesis or metastasis involves, pathways, including phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (AKT), RAS, janus kinase (JAK)/signal transducer, and activator of transcription (STAT), NF-κB, Hippo/yes-kinase-associated protein (hippo/YAP), and Wingless/int1 (WNT). These pathways are associated with numerous cellular processes linked to pancreatic cancer, such as apoptosis, angiogenesis, differentiation, immunological regulations, metabolism, migration, and cell proliferation. 
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  • 27 Jun 2023
Topic Review
Autologous Breast Reconstruction versus Implant-Based Breast Reconstruction
The autologous method for breast reconstruction has been determined by researchers throughout the field as providing comparable benefits and positive long-term outcomes with more natural results compared to implant-based breast reconstruction which can often result in firmer, less natural breast mounds and increase the risks associated with foreign material in the body. The traditional method of using the abdomen, thigh, or gluteus region as a donor site has been a suitable, if not preferred, option for patients undergoing unilateral or bilateral non-implant-based reconstruction. By utilizing the rectus abdominus, latissimus dorsi, transverse or diagonal upper gracilis, gluteal, or any other appropriate muscle flap with transposable vasculature, surgeons are able to recreate a warm, soft, and natural breast mound in the place of removed breast tissue and skin that may be necessary for patients with locally involved breast cancer.
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Topic Review Video Peer Reviewed
Flash Radiotherapy: Innovative Cancer Treatment
Flash radiotherapy (Flash-RT) is an innovative technique used in radiotherapy for cancer treatment because it delivers an extremely high dose of radiation (>40 Gy/s) to the tumour in a very short period of time, typically within a fraction of a second. This ultra-fast delivery of radiation distinguishes Flash-RT from conventional radiotherapy, which typically involves the delivery of radiation over a longer time period, often several minutes. Studies conducted in cell and preclinical models suggested that Flash-RT may spare normal tissues from radiation-related side effects, such as skin toxicity, gastrointestinal complications, and damage to organs-at-risk. This is believed to be due to the unique normal tissue response to the ultra-high dose rate. Nevertheless, while Flash-RT shows promising results in preclinical and early clinical studies, one should note that the technique is still in the early stages of development. This entry provides a comprehensive exploration of the immense potentials of Flash-RT, covering its background, mechanisms, radiation sources, recent experimental findings based on cell and preclinical models, and future prospects. It aims to provide valuable insights into this innovative radiotherapy technology for anyone interested in the subject.
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Topic Review
Peptide-Based Vaccine against Breast Cancer
Breast cancer is considered the second-leading cancer after lung cancer and is the most prevalent cancer among women globally. Cancer immunotherapy via vaccine has gained great attention due to specific and targeted immune cell activity that creates a potent immune response, thus providing long-lasting protection against the disease.
  • 193
  • 27 Jun 2023
Topic Review
Endoscopic Stenting for Malignant Dysphagia with Esophageal Cancer
Malignant dysphagia is a common problem in patients with esophageal cancer. Endoscopic stenting can resolve dysphagia caused by malignant stricture; however, controversy exists regarding the use of esophageal stenting for the treatment of malignant stricture, including whether stenting or radiotherapy is superior, whether stenting before or after radiotherapy is safe, whether stenting before or after chemotherapy is safe, and whether low-radial-force stents are safer than conventional stents. 
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  • 27 Jun 2023
Topic Review
Dietetic Habits in Multiple Sclerosis
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a disabling immune-mediated demyelinating neurodegenerative disease with an estimated prevalence of 1 in 1000 in populations of European descent. It primarily affects females (F:M = 2–3:1) mainly between the ages of 15 and 55 years. 
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