Topic Review
Glucocorticoid Resistance
Glucocorticoids (GCs) are steroid hormones that regulate the physiology of all mammalian tissues throughout life due to their diverse roles in development, growth, metabolism, and inflammation. In response to physiological cues and stressors, the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis coordinates the systemic production and secretion of GCs from the adrenal glands in a circadian and stress-related manner to maintain tissue homeostasis. In turn, GCs mediate negative feed-back inhibiting secretion of the hypothalamic corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) and the adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), limiting GC production.
  • 709
  • 27 Oct 2021
Topic Review
Herbal Biomedicines for Dermatological Disorders
Herbal extracts and isolated plant compounds play an increasing role in the treatment of skin disorders and wounds. Several new herbal drugs, medicinal products and cosmetic products for the treatment of various skin conditions have been developed in recent years. 
  • 709
  • 01 Jul 2021
Topic Review
Extracellular Vesicles and Tumor-Immune Escape
The modulation of the immune system is one of the hallmarks of cancer. It is now widely described that cancer cells are able to evade the immune response and thus establish immune tolerance. The exploration of the mechanisms underlying this ability of cancer cells has always attracted the scientific community and is the basis for the development of new promising cancer therapies. Recent evidence has highlighted how extracellular vesicles (EVs) represent a mechanism by which cancer cells promote immune escape by inducing phenotypic changes on different immune cell populations. In this review, we will discuss the recent findings on the role of tumor-derived extracellular vesicles (TEVs) in regulating immune checkpoints, focusing on the PD-L1/PD-1 axis.
  • 709
  • 28 Oct 2020
Topic Review
Therapeutic Approaches Utilizing Macrophage-Derived iNOS/NO in Cancer
Nitric oxide and its production by iNOS is an established mechanism critical to tumor promotion or suppression. Macrophages have important roles in immunity, development, and progression of cancer and have a controversial role in pro-and anti-tumoral effects. The tumor microenvironment consists of tumor-associated macrophages (TAM), among other cell types that influence the fate of the growing tumor. Depending on the microenvironment and various cues, macrophages polarize into a continuum represented by the M1-like pro-inflammatory phenotype or the anti-inflammatory M2-like phenotype; these two are predominant, while there are subsets and intermediates. Manipulating their plasticity through programming or reprogramming of M2-like to M1-like phenotypes presents the opportunity to maximize tumoricidal defenses. The dual role of iNOS derived NO also influences TAM activity by repolarization to tumoricidal M1-type phenotype. Regulatory pathways and immunomodulation achieve this through miRNA that may inhibit the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment.
  • 709
  • 07 Dec 2021
Topic Review
New Insight on the Pathophysiology of Osteoarthritis
Understanding the basis of osteoarthritis (OA) has seen some interesting advancements. It has been observed that cartilage degeneration is preceded by subchondral bone lesions, suggesting a key role of this mechanism within the pathogenesis and progression of OA, as well as the formation of ectopic bone and osteophytes. Moreover, low-grade, chronic inflammation of the synovial lining has gained a central role in the definition of OA physiopathology, and central immunological mechanisms, innate but also adaptive, are considered crucial in driving inflammation and tissue destruction.
  • 709
  • 15 Dec 2022
Topic Review
Melatonin in Disease and Health
Melatonin is a derivative of tryptophan, synthesized mainly in the pineal gland. Its synthesis is characterized by a regular circadian rhythm, with a peak concentration in plasma reached in the night hours. The intensity of melatonin production is related to exposure to light, with an increase of its synthesis in the dark part of the day.
  • 709
  • 25 Aug 2021
Topic Review
Non-Invasive Imaging and Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy
Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a leading cause of vision impairment in people aged 20–74 years. There is a trend of moving away from invasive (e.g., fundus fluorescein angiography) to non-invasive (e.g., wide-field optical coherence tomography (OCT), OCT angiography and colour fundus photography) imaging modalities to allow for more objective assessments that can be readily repeated in a time-efficient manner without compromising patient safety. Such quantitative assessments generating large amounts of data could benefit from artificial intelligence approaches to aid clinical decision making.
  • 709
  • 02 Dec 2021
Topic Review
Clinical Pharmacy in Psychiatry
Although clinical pharmacy is a discipline that emerged in the 1960s, the question of precisely how pharmacists can play a role in therapeutic optimization remains unanswered. In the field of mental health, psychiatric pharmacists are increasingly involved in medication reconciliation and therapeutic patient education (or psychoeducation) to improve medication management and enhance medication adherence, respectively. However, psychiatric pharmacists must now assume a growing role in team-based models of care and engage in shared expertise in psychopharmacology in order to truly invest in therapeutic optimization of psychotropics.
  • 709
  • 05 Nov 2021
Topic Review Peer Reviewed
A Journey to Hear: The Evolution of Cochlear Implants
Cochlear implants (CIs), a revolutionary breakthrough in auditory technology, have profoundly impacted the lives of individuals with severe hearing impairment. Surgically implanted behind the ear and within the delicate cochlea, these devices represent a direct pathway to restoring the sense of hearing. Implanting hope alongside innovation, their captivating history unfolds through pivotal dates and transformative milestones. From the first human implantation by Drs. William House and John Doyle in 1961 to FDA approval in 1984, each step in their evolution mirrors a triumph of human ingenuity. The 1990s witnessed significant miniaturization, enhancing accessibility, while the 21st century brought about improvements in speech processing and electrode technology. These strides have elevated CIs beyond functional devices to life-changing instruments, enriching both auditory experiences and communication skills. This entry delves into the captivating history of CIs, spotlighting key dates that paint a vivid picture of challenges overcome and remarkable progress achieved. It explores the people and moments that defined their development, ultimately shaping these implants into indispensable tools that continually redefine the landscape of hearing assistance.
  • 709
  • 12 Jan 2024
Topic Review
Rheumatoid Arthritis Diagnosis
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a systemic autoimmune disease that preferably affects small joints. As the well-timed diagnosis of the disease is essential for the treatment of the patient, several works have been conducted in the field of deep learning to develop fast and accurate automatic methods for RA diagnosis.
  • 708
  • 29 Dec 2021
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