Topic Review
Pathophysiological Basis of Mas-Related G Protein-Coupled Receptor X2
Mast cells (MCs) are immune cells that reside in tissues; particularly in the skin, and in the gastrointestinal and respiratory tracts. In recent years, there has been considerable interest in the Mas-Related G Protein-Coupled Receptor X2 (MRGPRX2), which is present on the surface of MCs and can be targeted by multiple exogenous and endogenous ligands. It is potentially implicated in non-IgE-mediated pseudoallergic reactions and inflammatory conditions such as asthma or atopic dermatitis.
  • 23
  • 27 Mar 2024
Topic Review
Neuropsychiatric systemic lupus erythematosus
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an idiopathic chronic autoimmune disease that can affect any organ in the body, including the neurological system. Multiple factors, such as environmental (infections), genetic (many HLA alleles including DR2 and DR3, and genes including C4), and immunological influences on self-antigens, such as nuclear antigens, lead to the formation of multiple autoantibodies that cause deleterious damage to bodily tissues and organs. The production of autoantibodies, such as anti-dsDNA, anti-SS(A), anti-SS(B), anti-Smith, and anti-neuronal DNA are characteristic features of this disease. Patients with SLE also present numerous neuropsychiatric manifestations. These neuropsychiatric manifestations are referred to as neuropsychiatric systemic lupus erythematosus (NPSLE). NPSLE affects both the central nervous system (CNS) and the peripheral nervous system (PNS) and can present as various symptoms, such as cognitive dysfunction, organic brain syndromes, delirium, seizures, headache, and psychosis.
  • 77
  • 11 Mar 2024
Topic Review
ADAM33′s Role in Asthma Pathogenesis
Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease involving reversible airway obstruction, bronchial hyperreactivity (BHR), mucus overproduction, and airway narrowing and remodeling. The symptoms include coughing, wheezing, and breathlessness and may become aggravated at night or during physical activity, resulting in decreased life quality, impaired productivity, and significant utilization of healthcare resources. Younger individuals are affected more frequently than adults: 9.1% of children, 11.0% of adolescents, and 6.6% of adults experience asthma symptoms, and the prevalence across all age groups is increased in high-income countries. The worldwide mortality rate for childhood asthma reaches up to 0.7 deaths per 100,000, and children who suffer from severe asthma have a greater risk of developing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in adulthood. Genes play a larger role in children’s asthma. 
  • 47
  • 28 Feb 2024
Topic Review
Gut Microbiota and Leaky Gut in Food Allergy
Food allergies (FAs) are pathological immune reactions triggered by normally innocuous food protein antigens. Gut microbiota are one of the main actors in the complex mechanism of sensitization. The term “leaky gut” defines a status of weakening or disruption of the intestinal barrier, in which substances that are normally confined in the intestinal cavity pass through the intestinal wall and enter the bloodstream. Leaky gut has garnered significant interest due to its potential role in the onset of FA.
  • 66
  • 09 Feb 2024
Topic Review
Biological Drugs in EoE and Their Targets
Eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) is a multifaceted disease characterized by a wide heterogeneity of clinical manifestations, endoscopic and histopathologic patterns, and responsiveness to therapy. From the perspective of an effective approach to the patient, the different inflammatory mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of EoE and biologics, in particular monoclonal antibodies (mAbs), targeting these pathways are needed. Currently, the most relevant is dupilumab, which interferes with both interleukin (IL)-4 and IL-13 pathways by binding IL-4 receptor α, and is the only mAb approved by the European Medicine Agency and US Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of EoE. Other mAbs investigated include mepolizumab, reslizumab, and benralizumab (interfering with IL-5 axis), cendakimab and dectrekumab (anti-IL-13s), tezepelumab (anti-TSLP), lirentelimab (anti-SIGLEG-8), and many others.
  • 44
  • 08 Feb 2024
Topic Review
Varicose Veins of the Lower Limbs
One of the early symptoms of chronic venous disease (CVD) is varicose veins (VV) of the lower limbs. There are many etiological environmental factors influencing the development of chronic venous insufficiency (CVI), although genetic factors and family history of the disease play a key role.
  • 55
  • 07 Feb 2024
Topic Review
Contribution of PM2.5 to Upper Airway Disorders
PM2.5 is one of the most harmful components of airborne pollution and includes particles with diameters of less than 2.5 μm. Almost 90% of the world’s population lives in areas with poor air quality exceeding the norms established by the WHO. PM2.5 exposure affects various organs and systems of the human body including the upper respiratory tract which is one of the most prone to its adverse effects. PM2.5 can disrupt nasal epithelial cell metabolism, decrease the integrity of the epithelial barrier, affect mucociliary clearance, and alter the inflammatory process in the nasal mucosa. Those effects may increase the chance of developing upper respiratory tract diseases in areas with high PM2.5 pollution. 
  • 118
  • 29 Jan 2024
Topic Review
Japanese Cedar (Cryptomeria japonica D. Don) Pollen Information
About 40% of cedar pollinosis patients living in the Yamagata Prefecture showed pollinosis symptoms before the first day of the pollen season, which was determined by Durham samplers, the standard sampler for pollen information in Japan. The amount of Cry j 1 (major cedar pollen allergen) per cedar pollen is reported to be six pg. This amount is difficult to measure using the ELISA method. It revealed that Cry j 1 exists in orbicles and tapetum. It is presumed that it is smaller than pollen, so it comes from a place where cedar are already in bloom. It is desirable to obtain real-time information on an hourly basis. Currently, information from automatic cedar pollen monitors is becoming main-stream. However, this monitor may count during snowfalls, Asian dust flying, etc., even when there was no apparent pollen examined with a microscope.
  • 63
  • 19 Jan 2024
Topic Review
Food Allergen Immunotherapy for IgE-Mediated Food Allergy Treatment
Implementation of an elimination diet is not a sufficient therapeutic strategy in patients with food allergy, whose quality of life is significantly impaired. In recent years, new effective therapeutic strategies have been developed, such as the application of oral, sublingual, and epicutaneous immunotherapy. Oral immunotherapy is the most often applied strategy because of its effectiveness and ease of application, with an acceptable safety profile. The effectiveness of oral immunotherapy in patients with egg, cow’s milk, and peanut allergy has been proven both in terms of raising of the threshold and the development of tolerance, and in some patients, the development of sustainable unresponsiveness. Although oral immunotherapy is an effective treatment for food allergy, several limitations, including a long duration and a significant rate of reported adverse events, reduces its success.
  • 48
  • 19 Jan 2024
Topic Review
Environmental Exposure on Epigenetic Modifications in Allergic Diseases
Allergic diseases are one of the most common chronic conditions and their prevalence is on the rise. Environmental exposure, primarily prenatal and early life influences, affect the risk for the development and specific phenotypes of allergic diseases via epigenetic mechanisms. Exposure to pollutants, microorganisms and parasites, tobacco smoke and certain aspects of diet are known to drive epigenetic changes that are essential for immune regulation (e.g., the shift toward T helper 2-Th2 cell polarization and decrease in regulatory T-cell (Treg) differentiation).
  • 44
  • 10 Jan 2024
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