Topic Review
Vaginal Microbiome during Pregnancy in Health and Disease
Many aetiological agents pose a risk to pregnancy; in particular, infections of the genital tract by various pathogens that can cause serious health issues for both mothers and their fetuses have become a major public health issue all over the world for their high and growing prevalence. Genital infections can have a long duration, and women with these infections before pregnancy might also have increased risks of adverse outcomes including macrosomia, preterm birth (PTB), and spontaneous abortion. Multiple types of viral, bacterial, fungal, and parasitic infections have been identified that can affect the health of the pregnant woman, the pregnancy, and the infant after delivery.
  • 153
  • 22 Dec 2023
Topic Review
Thyroid Hormone and MASLD
Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), formerly termed nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), is a widespread global health concern that affects around 25% of the global population. Its influence is expanding, and it is anticipated to overtake alcohol as the leading cause of liver failure and liver-related death worldwide. Mitochondrial dysfunction is strongly linked to the development of MASLD. 
  • 137
  • 21 Dec 2023
Topic Review
Smoking Cessation Pharmacotherapy and Obstructive Sleep Apnea
Tobacco smoking has been a recognized risk factor for cardiovascular diseases (CVD). Smoking is a chronic relapsing disease and pharmacotherapy is a main component of smoking cessation. Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and smoking both increase the risk of CVD and are associated with significant morbidity and mortality. There are few existing data examining how pharmacological treatment, such as nicotine replacement therapy (NRT), bupropion, and varenicline, affect smokers suffering with OSA and especially their cardiovascular effects.
  • 275
  • 21 Dec 2023
Topic Review
Challenge of Comparing Upfront Versus Deferred HDM-ASCT
The standards of care for the initial treatment of patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (NDMM) who are eligible for high-dose melphalan and autologous stem cell transplantation (HDM-ASCT) include highly active triplet and quadruplet regimens based on proteasome inhibitors, immunomodulatory drugs, and monoclonal antibodies. These regimens are resulting in improved outcomes and increasingly high rates of minimal residual disease (MRD)-negative responses without HDM-ASCT as part of the upfront therapy. 
  • 203
  • 21 Dec 2023
Topic Review
N-Acetylcysteine and Atherosclerosis
Atherosclerosis remains a leading cause of cardiovascular diseases. Although the mechanism for atherosclerosis is complex and has not been fully understood, inflammation and oxidative stress play a critical role in the development and progression of atherosclerosis. N-acetylcysteine (NAC) has been used as a mucolytic agent and an antidote for acetaminophen overdose with a well-established safety profile. NAC has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects through multiple mechanisms, including an increase in the intracellular glutathione level and an attenuation of the nuclear factor kappa-B mediated production of inflammatory cytokines like tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interleukins. Numerous animal studies have demonstrated that NAC significantly decreases the development and progression of atherosclerosis.
  • 183
  • 21 Dec 2023
Topic Review
MSC Exosomal miRNAs in Heart Repair
Mesenchymal stem cell (MSC)-based therapy is one of the most promising modalities for cardiac repair. Accumulated evidence suggests that the therapeutic value of MSCs is mainly attributable to exosomes. MSC-derived exosomes (MSC-Exos) replicate the beneficial effects of MSCs by regulating various cellular responses and signaling pathways implicated in cardiac regeneration and repair. miRNAs constitute an important fraction of exosome content and are key contributors to the biological function of MSC-Exo.
  • 223
  • 21 Dec 2023
Topic Review
The Epigenetics of Neuropathic Pain
Epigenetics deals with alterations to the gene expression that occur without change in the nucleotide sequence in the DNA. Various covalent modifications of the DNA and/or the surrounding histone proteins have been revealed, including DNA methylation, histone acetylation, and methylation, which can either stimulate or inhibit protein expression at the transcriptional level.
  • 137
  • 21 Dec 2023
Topic Review
Clinical Applications of Cardiac Scintigraphy with Bone Tracers
Radionuclide bone scintigraphy is the cornerstone of an imaging-based algorithm for accurate non-invasive diagnosis of transthyretin cardiac amyloidosis (ATTR-CA). In patients with heart failure and suggestive echocardiographic and/or cardiac magnetic resonance imaging findings, the positive predictive value of Perugini grade 2 or 3 myocardial uptake on a radionuclide bone scan approaches 100% for the diagnosis of ATTR-CA as long as there is no biochemical evidence of a clonal dyscrasia. The technetium-labelled tracers that are currently validated for non-invasive diagnosis of ATTR-CA include pyrophosphate (99mTc-PYP); hydroxymethylene diphosphonate (99mTc-HMDP); and 3,3-diphosphono-1,2-propanodicarboxylate (99mTc-DPD). Although nuclear scintigraphy has transformed the contemporary diagnostic approach to ATTR-CA, a number of grey areas remains, including the mechanism for binding tracers to the infiltrated heart, differences in the kinetics and distribution of these radiotracers, differences in protocols of image acquisition worldwide, the clinical significance of extra-cardiac uptake, and the use of this technique for prognostic stratification, monitoring disease progression and assessing the response to disease-modifying treatments.
  • 154
  • 21 Dec 2023
Topic Review
Urethral Mesh Assessment in Cancer Patients
Urethral mesh placement has become a common surgical intervention for the management of stress urinary incontinence. While this procedure offers significant benefits, it is not without potential complications. By understanding the spectrum of normal findings of urethral mesh and the possible complications, clinicians can improve patient outcomes and make inf
  • 223
  • 21 Dec 2023
Topic Review
Retinal Ganglion Cell Structure and Function in Glaucoma
Glaucoma, a leading cause of irreversible blindness globally, primarily affects retinal ganglion cells (RGCs). Glaucoma is a multifactorial eye disease defined by the progressive degeneration of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) and their axons, eventually leading to irreversible vision loss. It has been projected that the worldwide prevalence of individuals affected by glaucoma will experience a substantial growth of 74% between the years 2013 and 2040. Glaucoma poses significant clinical and public health challenges as one of the leading causes of blindness around the globe. While elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) remains a significant risk factor and therapeutic target for glaucoma, it is becoming increasingly apparent that other factors may play a role in the disease’s pathogenesis and progression. The structure and function of RGCs, which serve as the ultimate output neurons of the retina and transmit visual information to the brain, are among the most crucial components being studied.
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  • 21 Dec 2023
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