Topic Review
Chronic Rhinosinusitis and Alzheimer’s Disease
Among millions of sufferers of chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS), the challenge is not only constantly coping with CRS-related symptoms, such as congested nose, sinus pain, and headaches, but also various complications, such as attention difficulties and possible depression. These complications suggest that neural activity in the central nervous system may be altered in those patients, leading to unexpected conditions, such as neurodegeneration in elderly patients. 
  • 816
  • 26 Oct 2021
Topic Review
Tryptophan
Tryptophan is an essential amino acid whose metabolites play key roles in diverse physiological processes.They influence immune reactions, have antioxidant properties, and can function as anabolic signals. Apart from this, they act as regulators of the circadian rhythm, and can thus modulate sleep disorders or cognitive functions. Given these diverse roles, Trp metabolism has a significant impact on the clinical outcome of critically ill patients
  • 797
  • 10 Nov 2021
Topic Review
Glucose-Dependent Insulinotropic Polypeptide and Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 in Medicine
Glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) belong to a group of gastrointestinal hormones called incretins. Insulin released from the beta cells of the islets of Langerhans after ingestion of food is the major regulator of GIP and GLP-1 secretion.
  • 797
  • 25 Feb 2022
Topic Review
Isolated Lymphoid Follicles in Colitis and Colorectal Carcinogenesis
Gut-associated lymphoid tissue is one of the most diverse and complex immune compartments in the human body. The subepithelial compartment of the gut consists of immune cells of innate and adaptive immunity, non-hematopoietic mesenchymal cells, and stem cells of different origins, and is organized into secondary (and even tertiary) lymphoid organs, such as Peyer’s patches, cryptopatches, and isolated lymphoid follicles. The function of isolated lymphoid follicles is multifaceted; they play a role in the development and regeneration of the large intestine and the maintenance of (immune) homeostasis. Isolated lymphoid follicles are also extensively associated with the epithelium and its conventional and non-conventional immune cells; hence, they can also function as a starting point or maintainer of pathological processes such as inflammatory bowel diseases or colorectal carcinogenesis. These relationships can significantly affect both physiological and pathological processes of the intestines.
  • 792
  • 26 Jan 2022
Topic Review
Cell-Scaffold Constructs for Bone Regeneration Therapy
Bone tissue engineering (BTE) is a process of combining live osteoblast progenitors with a biocompatible scaffold to produce a biological substitute that can integrate into host bone tissue and recover its function. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are the most researched post-natal stem cells because they have self-renewal properties and a multi-differentiation capacity that can give rise to various cell lineages, including osteoblasts. BTE technology utilizes a combination of MSCs and biodegradable scaffold material, which provides a suitable environment for functional bone recovery and has been developed as a therapeutic approach to bone regeneration.
  • 782
  • 28 Oct 2021
Topic Review
Virucidal Activity of Different Mouthwashes
This entry describes the effect of mouthwash on the stability of the viral envelope and its ability to reduce the viral load.
  • 782
  • 31 Dec 2021
Topic Review
Hedgehog Signaling Pathway
The hedgehog (Hh) pathway is a sophisticated conserved cell signaling pathway that plays an essential role in controlling cell specification and proliferation, survival factors, and tissue patterning formation during embryonic development.
  • 768
  • 10 Jan 2022
Topic Review
TLR4 and alpha-MSH in allergy
Ocular allergic diseases are frequently seen in ophthalmological clinical practice. Immunological damage is mediated by a local Th2 inflammatory microenvironment, accompanied by changes in circulating cell subsets, with more effector cells and fewer T regulatory cells (Tregs). This study aimed to evaluate the involvement of toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) and a-melanocyte stimulating hormone (α-MSH) in the immune regulation associated with perennial allergic conjunctivitis (PAC). We performed an Ag-specific stimulation during 72 h of culturing with or without LPS or α-MSH in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC), analyzing the cell subsets and cytokines induced by the stimuli. We also determined α-MSH in tear samples from healthy donors (HD) or PAC patients. Our findings demonstrate an immunological dysregulation characterized by an increased frequency of CD4+TLR4+ in the PBMC of patients with PAC, compared to HD. Most of these CD4+TLR4+ cells were also CD25+, and when α-MSH was added to the culture, the percentage of CD4+CD25+FoxP3+ increased significantly, while the percentage of CD69+ cells and cytokines IL-4 and IL-6 were significantly decreased. In tears, we found an increased concentration of α-MSH in PAC patients, compared with HD. These findings indicate a novel mechanism involved in controlling ocular allergic diseases, in which α-MSH diminishes the concentration of IL-6 and IL-4, restoring the frequency of Tregs and down-regulating CD4 activation. Moreover, we demonstrate the involvement of CD4+TLR4+ cells, as an effector cell subset, in ocular allergy.
  • 762
  • 27 Oct 2020
Topic Review
Oxytocin
Oxytocin (OT) influences various physiological functions such as uterine contractions, maternal/social behavior, and analgesia. OT acts as a positive allosteric modulator (PAM) for κ-opioid but not δ-opioid receptors and enhances κ-opioid receptor activity.
  • 762
  • 29 Oct 2021
Topic Review
Sex, Asthma and Exercise
Exercise-induced bronchoconstriction (EIB) is a common complication of athletes and individuals who exercise regularly. It is estimated that about 90% of patients with underlying asthma (a sexually dimorphic disease) experience EIB; however, sex differences in EIB have not been studied extensively. With the goal of better understanding the prevalence of EIB in males and females, and because atopy has been reported to occur at higher rates in athletes, in this study, we investigated sex differences in EIB and atopy in athletes. A systematic literature review identified 60 studies evaluating EIB and/or atopy in post-pubertal adult athletes (n = 7501). Collectively, these studies reported: (1) a 23% prevalence of EIB in athletes; (2) a higher prevalence of atopy in male vs. female athletes; (3) a higher prevalence of atopy in athletes with EIB; (4) a significantly higher rate of atopic EIB in male vs. female athletes. Our analysis indicates that the physiological changes that occur during exercise may differentially affect male and female athletes, and suggest an interaction between male sex, exercise, and atopic status in the course of EIB. Understanding these sex differences is important to provide personalized management plans to athletes with underlying asthma and/or atopy.
  • 746
  • 30 Sep 2021
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