Topic Review
Cardiac Magnetic Resonance (CMR) Mapping
Cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging has witnessed substantial progress with the advent of parametric mapping techniques, most notably T1 and T2 mapping. These advanced techniques provide valuable insights into a wide range of cardiac conditions, including ischemic heart disease, cardiomyopathies, inflammatory cardiomyopathies, heart valve disease, and athlete’s heart. Mapping could be the first sign of myocardial injury and oftentimes precedes symptoms, changes in ejection fraction, and irreversible myocardial remodeling. The ability of parametric mapping to offer a quantitative assessment of myocardial tissue properties addresses the limitations of conventional CMR methods, which often rely on qualitative or semiquantitative data. However, challenges persist, especially in terms of standardization and reference value establishment, hindering the wider clinical adoption of parametric mapping. Future developments should prioritize the standardization of techniques to enhance their clinical applicability, ultimately optimizing patient care pathways and outcomes.
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  • 19 Jan 2024
Topic Review
Hypothermia
Hypothermia is a widespread condition all over the world, with a high risk of mortality in pre-hospital and in-hospital settings when it is not promptly and adequately treated. Hypothermia can occur due to unfavorable environmental conditions as well as internal causes, such as pathological states that result in reduced heat production, increased heat loss or ineffectiveness of the thermal regulation system. The consequences of hypothermia affect several systems in the body—the cardiovascular system, the central and peripheral nervous systems, the respiratory system, the endocrine system and the gastrointestinal system—but also kidney function, electrolyte balance and coagulation. 
  • 196
  • 19 Jan 2024
Topic Review
Multimodal Ophthalmic Imaging in Spinocerebellar Ataxia Type 7
SCA7, from an ophthalmological point of view, can be assessed through numerous multimodal imaging techniques to evaluate and manage the follow-up of patients. Visual acuity is a fundamental parameter that should be monitored, and spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SDOCT), which is a rapid and non-invasive method, should be routinely performed to evaluate ophthalmic disease progression over time. Additional exams, including NIR imaging, can indicate photoreceptor loss and disruption of the RPE that are not readily evident with color fundus photography (CFP). 
  • 113
  • 19 Jan 2024
Topic Review
Chimeric Antigen Receptor T Cell Therapy in AML
Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a heterogeneous hematological malignancy that is often associated with relapse and drug resistance after standard chemotherapy or targeted therapy, particularly in older patients. Hematopoietic stem cell transplants are looked upon as the ultimate salvage option with curative intent. Adoptive cell therapy using chimeric antigen receptors (CAR) has shown promise in B cell malignancies and is being investigated in AML.
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  • 19 Jan 2024
Topic Review
Preprosthetic Surgery
The atrophic edentulous jaw can cause severe functional impairment for patients, leading to inadequate denture retention, reduced quality of life, and significant health problems. The aim of preprosthetic surgery is to restore function and form due to tooth loss arising from congenital deformity, trauma, or ablative surgery. Alveolar bone loss is due to disuse atrophy following tooth loss. The advent of dental implants and their ability to preserve bone heralded the modern version of preprosthetic surgery. Their ability to mimic natural teeth has overcome the age-old problem of edentulism and consequent jaw atrophy.
  • 188
  • 19 Jan 2024
Topic Review
Astroglial Cells in Traumatic Brain Injury Management
Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) represents a significant health concern, necessitating advanced therapeutic interventions. Following injury, astrocytes exhibit reactive transformations, differentiating into pro-inflammatory (A1) and neuroprotective (A2) phenotypes. 
  • 135
  • 19 Jan 2024
Topic Review
Impact of Pharmacogenomics in Clinical Practice
Polymorphisms of genes encoding drug metabolizing enzymes and transporters can significantly modify pharmacokinetics, and this can be associated with significant differences in drug efficacy, safety, and tolerability. Moreover, genetic variants of some components of the immune system can explain clinically relevant drug-related adverse events. Knowledge of how genetic variations can modify the effectiveness, safety, and tolerability of a drug can lead to the adjustment of usually recommended drug dosages, improve effectiveness, and reduce drug-related adverse events. 
  • 118
  • 19 Jan 2024
Topic Review
Pathophysiological Mechanisms of Metabolic-Associated Liver Disease
Metabolic-associated liver disease (MAFLD) affects up to 70% of overweight and more than 90% of morbidly obese people, and its pathogenesis is rather complex and multifactorial. The criteria for MAFLD include the presence of hepatic steatosis in addition to one of the following three criteria: overweight or obesity, presence of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), or evidence of metabolic dysregulation. If the specific criteria are present, the diagnosis of MAFLD can be made regardless of alcohol consumption and previous liver disease. The pathophysiological mechanisms of MAFLD, including inflammation, lipotoxicity, mitochondrial disfunction, and oxidative stress, as well as the impact of intestinal gut microbiota, are constantly being elucidated. 
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  • 19 Jan 2024
Topic Review
The Transient Receptor Potential (TRP) Channels and Itch
Itch (pruritus) is a sensation in the skin that provokes the desire to scratch. The sensation of itch is mediated through a subclass of primary afferent sensory neurons, termed pruriceptors, which express molecular receptors that are activated by itch-evoking ligands. Also expressed in pruriceptors are several types of Transient Receptor Potential (TRP) channels. TRP channels are a diverse class of cation channels that are responsive to various somatosensory stimuli like touch, pain, itch, and temperature. In pruriceptors, TRP channels can be activated through intracellular signaling cascades initiated by pruritogen receptors and underly neuronal activation.
  • 358
  • 19 Jan 2024
Topic Review
Glaucoma as a Tauopathy
Glaucoma is a chronic neurodegenerative disorder affecting the visual system which can result in vision loss and blindness. Tauopathies represent a subclass of neurodegenerative diseases characterized by the abnormal deposition of tau protein within the brain and consequent microtubule destabilization. Studies have witnessed emerging documentation of tau inclusion among glaucoma patients, providing substantiation that this ocular disease may similarly manifest features of tauopathies. These studies found that: (i) aggregated tau inclusions are present in the somatodendritic compartment of RGCs in glaucoma patients; (ii) the etiology of the disease may affect tau splicing, phosphorylation, oligomerization, and subcellular localization; and (iii) short interfering RNA against tau, administered intraocularly, significantly decreased retinal tau accumulation and enhanced RGC somas and axon survival, demonstrating a crucial role for tau modifications in ocular hypertension-induced neuronal injury. 
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  • 19 Jan 2024
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