Topic Review
Use of Genomic Databases in Medicine
Attention has been increasingly focused on the non-coding sequences that encompass 98% of the genome and may play an important regulatory function. The first WGS-based datasets have already been released including underrepresented populations. Although many databases contain pooled data from several cohorts, the importance of local databases has been highlighted. Genomic databases are not only collecting data but may also contribute to better diagnostics and therapies. They may find applications in population studies, rare diseases, oncology, pharmacogenetics, and infectious and inflammatory diseases. Further data may be analysed with Al technologies and in the context of other omics data. 
  • 397
  • 21 Apr 2023
Topic Review
White Adipose Tissue Dysfunction
White adipose tissue (AT) dysfunction plays an important role in the development of cardiometabolic alterations associated with obesity. AT dysfunction is characterized by the loss of the expansion capacity of the AT, an increment in adipocyte hypertrophy, and changes in the secretion profile of adipose cells, associated with accumulation of macrophages and inflammation. 
  • 264
  • 21 Apr 2023
Topic Review
Infective Endocarditis
Infective endocarditis (IE) is a rare but potentially life-threatening disease, sometimes with longstanding sequels among surviving patients. The population at high risk of IE is represented by patients with underlying structural heart disease and/or intravascular prosthetic material. Taking into account the increasing number of intravascular and intracardiac procedures associated with device implantation, the number of patients at risk is growing too. If bacteremia develops, infected vegetation on the native/prosthetic valve or any intracardiac/intravascular device may occur as the final result of invading microorganisms/host immune system interaction. In the case of IE suspicion, all efforts must be focused on the diagnosis as IE can spread to almost any organ in the body. Unfortunately, the diagnosis of IE might be difficult and require a combination of clinical examination, microbiological assessment and echocardiographic evaluation. There is a need of novel microbiological and imaging techniques, especially in cases of blood culture-negative.
  • 304
  • 21 Apr 2023
Topic Review Peer Reviewed
Syndemic: A Synergistic Anthropological Approach to the COVID-19 Pandemic
This review describes the relationship between the coronavirus-related pandemic and health inequities. The latter are linked to pre-existing social and economic discriminations in terms of access to healthcare for people affected by chronic diseases. We believe that we are living in a “syndemic pandemic”. The term “syndemic” was originally developed by the medical anthropologist Merrill Singer in the 1990s in order to recognize the correlation between HIV/AIDS, illicit drug use, and violence in the United States. This complex interplay exacerbated the burden of the disease and the prognosis of the patient. Similarly, in COVID-19 infection, socio-economic, ethnic, and racial inequities result in higher morbidity and mortality in certain sections of society. Unfortunately, such differences are becoming too common during the COVID-19 pandemic, in terms of the incidence and prevalence of the disease, as well as inequal access to new medical advances and life-saving therapeutics for those with COVID-19, such as vaccines and monoclonal antibody treatment. Lockdown measures, imposed internationally as a response to the COVID-19 pandemic, are causing economic inequities, which complicate the issue even further. An appropriate syndemic anthropological approach is necessary to ensure that this pandemic does not increase health inequities in access to appropriate treatments.
  • 540
  • 21 Apr 2023
Topic Review
Allergic Reactions to Vaccine Constituents
Vaccination is an essential public health measure that helps to reduce the burden of infectious diseases in children. Although vaccines have an excellent safety record and the association of severe allergic reactions is rare, public concerns about vaccine safety can lead to incomplete vaccination coverage in children with or without allergies. Therefore, it is important to understand the mechanisms and implications of allergic reactions to vaccines and define strategies to manage them to provide the safest care for vaccine recipients. Unlike drugs, which are the primary cause of immediate allergic reactions, vaccine excipients (i.e., substances used to formulate a vaccine) are the main cause of specific IgE and immediate reactions associated with vaccines. Pre-existing allergies to vaccine excipients, such as antigens, adjuvants, stabilizers, preservatives, emulsifiers, leached packaging components, residual antibiotics, cell culture materials, and inactivating ingredients, are the primary contributors to immediate allergic reactions during vaccination. In contrast, drug-related anaphylaxis is usually caused by the active drug itself rather than excipients.
  • 326
  • 21 Apr 2023
Topic Review
Antiplatelet for Older Patients with Acute Coronary Syndromes
Patients ≥ 75 years of age account for about one third of hospitalizations for acute coronary syndromes (ACS). Since the European Society of Cardiology guidelines recommend that older ACS patients use the same diagnostic and interventional strategies used by the younger ones, most elderly patients are currently treated invasively. Therefore, an appropriate dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) is indicated as part of the secondary prevention strategy to be implemented in such patients. The choice of the composition and duration of DAPT should be tailored on an individual basis, after careful assessment of the thrombotic and bleeding risk of each patient. Advanced age is a main risk factor for bleeding. Data show that in patients of high bleeding risk short DAPT (1 to 3 months) is associated with decreased bleeding complications and similar thrombotic events, as compared to standard 12-month DAPT. Clopidogrel seems the preferable P2Y12 inhibitor, due to a better safety profile than ticagrelor. When the bleeding risk is associated with a high thrombotic risk (a circumstance present in about two thirds of older ACS patients) it is important to tailor the treatment by taking into account the fact that the thrombotic risk is high during the first months after the index event and then wanes gradually over time, whereas the bleeding risk remains constant. 
  • 417
  • 21 Apr 2023
Topic Review
Computer-Aided Polyp Detection
Artificial intelligence (AI) applied to medicine is here to stay. In gastroenterology, AI computer vision applications have been stated as a research priority. The two main AI system categories are computer-aided polyp detection (CADe) and computer-assisted diagnosis (CADx). CADe can detect previously unrecognized lesions and serve as “a second set of eyes” by continuously monitoring mechanisms. Furthermore, these systems may help to reduce in-day variations in ADRs due to operator fatigue.
  • 468
  • 20 Apr 2023
Topic Review
Polyphenols in Salicornia ramosissima
There has been an increasing interest in the consumption of halophytes as a healthy food in the last few years. Salicornia ramosissima is a seasonal Mediterranean halophyte with an interesting profile of bioactive compounds, including more than 60 identified polyphenols with a broad range of biological activities. Accumulating evidence supports the role of dietary polyphenols in the prevention of cardiovascular diseases, such as stroke. Stroke is the second cause of death worldwide and it is estimated that a substantial proportion of stroke incidence and recurrence may be prevented by healthier dietary patterns.
  • 267
  • 20 Apr 2023
Topic Review
Canaloplasty in Pseudoexfoliation Glaucoma
Pseudoexfoliation glaucoma (PEXG) is a frequent form of secondary glaucoma due to deposits of fibrillary material in the juxtacanalicular portion of the trabecular meshwork. The research was to assess the long-term outcomes of canaloplasty surgery in pseudoexfoliation glaucoma (PEXG) patients.
  • 226
  • 20 Apr 2023
Topic Review
The Contrast-Enhanced Harmonic Endoscopic Ultrasonography Fine-Needle Aspiration Technique
Endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) is useful for the diagnosis of pancreatic masses. According to three meta-analyses, the sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of EUS-FNA are 84–92%, 96–98%, and 86–91%, respectively. However, the occurrence of false-negative and false-positive results indicates that the diagnostic performance of EUS-FNA needs to be improved. Contrast-enhanced harmonic endoscopic ultrasonography (CH-EUS) is used for the characterization of pancreatic masses and can be applied to improve the performance of EUS-FNA. 
  • 286
  • 20 Apr 2023
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