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Topic Review
Biography
Topic Review
Immunosuppression in Sensitized Patients
Following organ transplantation, sensitized patients have higher rates of antibody-mediated rejection (AMR) compared to those who are non-sensitized. More stringent donor matching is required for these patients. Current approaches for sensitized patients focus on reducing preformed antibodies that preclude transplantation; however, this type of desensitization does not modulate the primed immune response in sensitized patients. Thus, an optimized maintenance immunosuppressive regimen is necessary for highly sensitized patients, which may be distinct from non-sensitized patients.
683
26 Aug 2021
Topic Review
Pervasive Developmental Disorder Not Otherwise Specified
A pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified (Including atypical autism) (PDD-NOS) is one of the four autistic disorders (AD) in the DSM-5 and also was one of the five disorders classified as a pervasive developmental disorder (PDD) in the DSM-IV According to the DSM-4, PDD-NOS is a diagnosis that is used for "severe or pervasive impairment in the development of reciprocal social interaction and/or verbal and nonverbal communication skills, or when stereotyped behavior, interests, and/or activities are present, but the criteria are not met for a specific PDD" or for several other disorders. PDD-NOS includes atypical autism, because the criteria for autistic disorder are not met, for instance because of late age of onset, atypical symptomatology, or subthreshold symptomatology, or all of these. Even though PDD-NOS is considered milder than typical autism, this is not always true. While some characteristics may be milder, others may be more severe.
682
12 Dec 2022
Topic Review
Gut Microbiota and Sex Hormones
Gut microbiota (GM) is the set of microbe strains colonizing the intestinal tract. Through its genetic heritage, known as the gut microbiome, this complex ecosystem generates bioactive metabolites that impact various physiological processes, far beyond food digestion. Able to communicate with distal districts through multiple pathways, GM is therefore considered the largest endocrine organ of the body and one of the major determinants of humans’ health from infancy through adulthood. Indeed, while a balanced GM facilitates beneficial effects including digestion of macronutrients, synthesis of some vitamins, maintenance of immune homeostasis, and protection against pathogens, detrimental changes in GM composition lead to adverse remodeling of the host phenotype, which predispose to several pathological conditions, such as insulin resistance, atherosclerosis, obesity, and associated disorders, ultimately leading to cardiovascular disease (CVD). Dietary habit and sex hormones (SH) are considered major regulators of the GM variability (6, 7).
682
07 Jul 2022
Topic Review
Bio-Monomers Used in the Synthesis of Hydrogels
Natural bio-based monomers derived from plants or animals are widely used in the synthesis of hydrogels and their compounds for the production of biopolymers and biomaterials that are biocompatible, biodegradable, non-toxic and of high porosity, characteristics much sought after in the biomedical field.
683
10 Nov 2022
Topic Review
Fusarium in Clinical Practice
In recent years, human infections by Fusarium have been rising worldwide, mostly involving immunocompromised hosts. To understand this infection clinicians must recognize the intersecting points between the patient, the environment, and the relationship among all the elements that affect fusariosis in agriculture, and human and animal diseases.
682
17 Nov 2020
Topic Review
Nutrition on Linear Growth
Linear growth is a complex process and is considered one of the best indicators of children’s well-being and health. Genetics, epigenetics and environment (mainly stress and availability of nutrients) are the main regulators of growth. Nutrition exerts its effects on growth throughout the course of life with different, not completely understood mechanisms.
682
12 May 2022
Topic Review
Zonulin Pathway as a Therapeutic Target
The integrity and thus the function of blood–brain barrier (BBB) TJs play a crucial role in the pathomechanism of neuroinflammatory and neurodegenerative diseases. Previously, it has been suggested that targeting different elements of the zonulin pathway, including actin filaments, TJs, or NF-κB, have potential therapeutic effects on CNS diseases. Indeed, encouraging results are accumulating from a recent preclinical study, using myosin light chain kinase (MLCK) inhibitor ML-7, which attenuates BBB disruption by preventing the disintegration of actin cytoskeletal microfilaments. Similarly, blocking the cleavage of TJ proteins by matrix metalloproteases (MMP) inhibitors, using either direct (broad-spectrum or selective MMP-2 and MMP-9) or indirect inhibitors (COX) has been shown to protect BBB. Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ (PPAR-γ) agonists, such as rosiglitazone, pioglitazone, or D-allose, also prevented BBB integrity by inhibiting NF-κB activation. Therefore, the use of zonulin inhibitors seems to be justified in the treatment of CNS diseases.
682
04 May 2023
Topic Review
Gastric Polyps and Gastric Cancer
Gastric cancer is still an important disease causing many deaths worldwide, although there has been a marked reduction in prevalence during the last few decades. The decline in gastric cancer prevalence is due to a reduction in Helicobacter pylori infection which has occurred for at least 50 years. The most probable mechanism for the carcinogenic effect of H. pylori is hypergastrinemia since H. pylori infected individuals do not have increased risk of gastric cancer before the development of oxyntic atrophy. When atrophy has developed, the carcinogenic process continues independent of H. pylori. Autoimmune gastritis also induces oxyntic atrophy leading to marked hypergastrinemia and development of ECL cell neoplasia as well as adenocarcinoma. Similarly, long-term treatment with efficient inhibitors of acid secretion like the proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) predisposes to ECL cell neoplasia of a different degree of malignancy. Contrasting the colon where most cancers develop from polyps, most polyps in the stomach have a low malignant potential. Nevertheless, gastric polyps may also give rise to cancer and have some risk factors and mechanisms in common with gastric cancer.
682
22 Jun 2021
Topic Review
Cell-Based Therapies to Promote Lung Regeneration in IPF
The lung epithelium is constantly exposed to harmful agents present in the air that we breathe making it highly susceptible to damage. However, in instances of injury to the lung, it exhibits a remarkable capacity to regenerate injured tissue thanks to the presence of distinct stem and progenitor cell populations along the airway and alveolar epithelium. Mechanisms of repair are affected in chronic lung diseases such as idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), a progressive life-threatening disorder characterized by the loss of alveolar structures, wherein excessive deposition of extracellular matrix components cause the distortion of tissue architecture that limits lung function and impairs tissue repair. cell therapy has been investigated for the treatment of IPF, including the use of a variety of cell types such as lung epithelial cells, specifically AT2 cells, induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), and mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) isolated from bone marrow stroma and those from adipose tissue or from other tissues.
682
06 Sep 2022
Topic Review
Gene Therapy for Mitochondrial Dysfunction in Parkinson’s Disease
Mitochondrial dysfunction has been identified as a pathophysiological hallmark of disease onset and progression in patients with Parkinsonian disorders. Besides the overall emergence of gene therapies in treating these patients, this highly relevant molecular concept has not yet been defined as a target for gene therapeutic approaches.
682
03 Dec 2021
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