Topic Review
Neoplasia due to PPIs. A comment to Editorial in “Gastroenterology” .
The gastric hormone gastrin is released when the gastric content acidity is too low to efficiently kill swallowed microorganisms. Gastrin stimulates the ECL cell to produce histamine which in turn stimulates the acid producing parietal cell to secrete acid. Parallel to the stimulation of the ECL cell function, gastrin also stimulates the ECL cell proliferation. Prolonged elevation of gastrin results in ECL cell hyperplasia and  further to ECL cell neoplasia of varying malignancy known from about 1980. The proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are the most efficient inhibitors of acid secretion and are very efficient in the treatment of acid related diseases or symptoms. Before their acceptance for clinical us, PPIs were known to induce neoplasia in rodents, but the medical community accepted that these tumors were not relevant for man. With time there have been accumulating evidence for PPI induced neoplasia also in man. However, very recently a large observation study  financed by a pharmaceutical company, patients were followed for an average of 3 years without any evidence of neoplasia. The study was published in "Gastroenterology" and resulted in an "Editorial" claiming that the truth was approached. Unfortunately, the "Editorial " did not consider animal studies and recent studies in man reporting increased risk of gastric cancer in patients on PPI after eradication of Helicobacter  pylori compared with those not taking PPI after eradication. Therefore the "Editorial" was flawed and I wrote a letter commenting on these errors. After 2 weeks I got a refusal claiming that my letter was without relevance and importance. I found that peculiar, and I also mean that a journal has an obligation to print letters showing faults with papers published and especially concerning a misleading "Editorial". I therefore publish my letter allowing others to evaluate the relevance and importance 
  • 1.0K
  • 25 Apr 2020
Topic Review
Herbal Formulations against Ovarian Cancer
Ovarian cancer (OCa) is characterized as one of the common reasons for cancer-associated death in women globally. This gynecological disorder is chiefly named the “silent killer” due to lacking an association between disease manifestations in the early stages and OCa.
  • 1.0K
  • 16 Feb 2022
Topic Review
Emergency Department Overcrowding
It is certain and established that overcrowding represents one of the main problems that has been affecting global health and the functioning of the healthcare system in the last decades, and this is especially true for the emergency department (ED). Since 1980, overcrowding has been identified as one of the main factors limiting correct, timely, and efficient hospital care. The more recent COVID-19 pandemic contributed to the accentuation of this phenomenon, which was already well known and of international interest.
  • 1.0K
  • 23 Feb 2022
Topic Review
Curcumin as an Antibacterial Agent
The rapid spread of antibiotic resistance and lack of effective drugs for treating infections caused by multi-drug resistant bacteria in animal and human medicine have forced us to find new antibacterial strategies. Natural products have served as powerful therapeutics against bacterial infection and are still an important source for the discovery of novel antibacterial drugs. Curcumin, an important constituent of turmeric, is considered safe for oral consumption to treat bacterial infections. Many studies showed that curcumin exhibited antibacterial activities against Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria. The antibacterial action of curcumin involves the disruption of the bacterial membrane, inhibition of the production of bacterial virulence factors and biofilm formation, and the induction of oxidative stress. These characteristics also contribute to explain how curcumin acts a broad-spectrum antibacterial adjuvant, which was evidenced by the markedly additive or synergistical effects with various types of conventional antibiotics or non-antibiotic compounds.
  • 978
  • 03 Mar 2022
Topic Review
Almond Allergens
Tree nuts are considered an important food in healthy diets. However, for part of the world’s population, they are one of the most common sources of food allergens causing acute allergic reactions that can become life-threatening. They are part of the Big Eight food groups which are responsible for more than 90% of food allergy cases in the United States, and within this group, almond allergies are persistent and normally severe and life-threatening. Almond is generally consumed raw, toasted or as an integral part of other foods. Its dietary consumption is generally associated with a reduced risk of cardiovascular diseases. Several almond proteins have been recognized as allergens. Six of them, namely Pru du 3, Pru du 4, Pru du 5, Pru du 6, Pru du 8 and Pru du 10, have been included in the WHO-IUIS list of allergens. Nevertheless, further studies are needed in relation to the accurate characterization of the already known almond allergens or putative ones and in relation to the IgE-binding properties of these allergens to avoid misidentifications.
  • 971
  • 30 Sep 2021
Topic Review
Music and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a severe psychiatric disorder, which can be associated with music-related symptoms. Music may also be used as an adjunct treatment for OCD. Patients with OCD might benefit from music therapy, which includes listening to music.
  • 927
  • 22 Nov 2021
Topic Review
Dietary Natural Compounds and Vitamins Impact Uterine Fibroids
Within the past 20 year-span concerning risks of uterine fibroids (UFs) occurrence and dietary factors was carried out. A link between Vitamin D deficiency and UFs formation is strongly indicated, making it a potent compound in leiomyoma therapy. Analogs of the 25-hydroxyvitamin D3, not susceptible to degradation by tissue 24-hydroxylase, appear to be especially promising and tend to show better therapeutic results. Although research on the role of Vitamin A in the formation of fibroids is contradictory, Vitamin A-enriched diet, as well as synthetic retinoid analogues, may be preventative or limit the growth of fibroids. Unambiguous conclusions cannot be drawn regarding Vitamin E and C supplementation, except for alpha-tocopherol. Alpha-tocopherol as a phytoestrogen taking part in the modulation of estrogen receptors (ERs) involved in UF etiology, should be particularly avoided in therapy. A diet enriched in fruits and vegetables, as sources of carotenoids, polyphenols, quercetin, and indole-3-carbinol, constitutes an easily modifiable lifestyle element with beneficial results in patients with UFs. Other natural substances, such as curcumin, can reduce the oxidative stress and protect against inflammation in leiomyoma. Although the exact effect of probiotics on uterine fibroids has not yet been thoroughly evaluated at this point, the protective role of dairy products, i.e., yogurt consumption, has been indicated. Trace elements such as selenium can also contribute to antioxidative and anti-inflammatory properties of a recommended diet.
  • 878
  • 11 Mar 2022
Topic Review
Sulfur Compounds in Garlic for Asthma Treatment
Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease in the airways with a multifactorial origin but with inflammation and oxidative stress as related pathogenic mechanisms. Garlic (Allium sativum) is a nutraceutical with different biological properties due to sulfur-containing natural compounds. Studies have shown that several compounds in garlic may have beneficial effects on cardiovascular diseases, including those related to the lungs. Therefore, it is possible to take advantage of the compounds from garlic as nutraceuticals for treating lung diseases.
  • 878
  • 14 Dec 2022
Topic Review
Public Attitudes towards COVID-19 Vaccination
Major hindrances to getting a COVID-19 vaccine include vaccine hesitancy, skepticism, refusal, and anti-vaccine movements. Several studies have been conducted on attitudes of the public towards COVID-19 vaccines and the potential influencing factors.
  • 862
  • 01 Jun 2021
Topic Review
Colorectal Cancer Pathogenesis
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a predominant malignancy worldwide, being the fourth most common cause of mortality and morbidity. The CRC incidence in adolescents, young adults, and adult populations is increasing every year. In the pathogenesis of CRC, various factors are involved including diet, sedentary life, smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, obesity, gut microbiota, diabetes, and genetic mutations. The CRC tumor microenvironment (TME) involves the complex cooperation between tumoral cells with stroma, immune, and endothelial cells. 
  • 833
  • 19 Oct 2021
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