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Topic Review
Biography
Topic Review
Phytosterols in Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is now recognized as the most common cause of chronic liver disease with an increasing prevalence in both adults and children. Although the symptoms are absent or poorly expressed in most cases, some patients may progress to end-stage liver disease. The pathogenesis of NAFLD is known to be multifactorial. Therapeutic recommendations focus on lifestyle changes in order to reduce the incidence of risk factors and drugs targeting major molecular pathways potentially involved in the development of this disease. Given that a pharmacological treatment, completely safe and effective, is not currently known more research has been done on the effects that some bio-active natural compounds, derived from plants, have in preventing the onset and progression of NAFLD. Numerous studies, in animals and humans, have shown that phytosterols (PSs) play an important role in this pathology. Phytosterols are natural products that are found naturally in plant. More than 250 phytosterols have been identified, but the most common in the diet are stigmasterol, β-sitosterol, and campesterol. Consumption of dietary PSs can reduce serum cholesterol levels. Due to these properties, most studies have focused on their action on lipid metabolism and the evolution of NAFLD. PSs may reduce steatosis, cytotoxicity oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis.
705
17 Jun 2022
Topic Review
Hepatitis Delta Virus
Hepatitis Delta Virus (HDV) is the cause of hepatitis D, a relatively rare but aggressive form of viral hepatitis developing in patients co-infected with hepatitis B virus (HBV). HDV infection is associated with HBV infection since the defective HDV needs HBV to infect and replicate in the liver. Even if not a frequent cause of chronic liver disease, HDV infection is responsible for an aggressive progression of hepatitis towards advanced liver disease.
702
10 May 2022
Topic Review
Metformin Protects Livers against NASH-related-HCC
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is strongly linked to the global epidemic of obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Notably, NAFLD can progress from the mildest form of simple steatosis to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) that increases the risk for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), which is a malignancy with a dismal prognosis and rising incidence in the United States and other developed counties, possibly due to the epidemic of NAFLD. Metformin, the first-line drug for T2DM, has been suggested to reduce risks for several types of cancers including HCC and protect against NASH-related HCC, as revealed by epidemical studies on humans and preclinical studies on animal models.
692
12 Oct 2021
Topic Review
ICIs for HCC treatment
Immunotherapies are promising approaches for treating hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs) refractory to conventional therapies. However, a recent clinical trial of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) revealed that anti-tumor responses to ICIs are not satisfactory in HCC cases. Therefore, it is critical to identify molecular markers to predict outcome and develop novel combination therapies that enhance the efficacy of ICIs. Recently, several attempts have been made to classify HCC based on genome, epigenome, and transcriptome analyses. These molecular classifications are characterized by unique clinical and histological features of HCC, as well immune phenotype. For example, HCCs exhibiting gene expression patterns with proliferation signals and stem cell markers are associated with the enrichment of immune infiltrates in tumors, suggesting immune-proficient characteristics for this type of HCC. However, the presence of activating mutations in β-catenin represents a lack of immune infiltrates and refractoriness to ICIs. Although the precise mechanism that links the immunological phenotype with molecular features remains controversial, it is conceivable that alterations of oncogenic cellular signaling in cancer may lead to the expression of immune-regulatory molecules and result in the acquisition of specific immunological microenvironments for each case of HCC. Therefore, these molecular and immune characteristics should be considered for the management of HCC using immunotherapy.
692
02 Nov 2020
Topic Review
TNF’s Pathway in CD
Crohn’s disease (CD) is a chronic disorder characterized by full thickness patchy inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract. The pathogenesis is multifactorial and involves defective innate immune responses, microbiome alterations, and dysregulated activation of the acquired component of mucosal immunity. One of the molecular mediators that is involved at different levels in the initiation and progression of intestinal inflammation characteristic of CD is tumor necrosis factor (TNF).
691
15 Oct 2021
Topic Review
Endoscopic Transpapillary
Endoscopic transpapillary defined as all types of advanced endoscopic interventions on pancreatic or billiary ducts through the major duodenal papilla. These interventions are mainly performed during endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). Access to duodenal papilla is achieved endoscopically. After reaching the duodenal papilla in descending part of duodenum, endoscopic interventions on pancreatic or billiary ducts through duodenal papilla are being performed under fluoroscopic control.
680
08 Mar 2021
Topic Review
Pain Management for Inflammatory Bowel Diseases
Up to 60% of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients experience abdominal pain in their lifetime regardless of disease activity. Pain negatively affects different areas of daily life and particularly impacts the quality of life of IBD patients. Despite the optimal management of intestinal inflammation, chronic abdominal pain can persist, and pharmacological and non-pharmacological approaches are necessary. Integrating psychological support in care models in IBD could decrease disease burden and health care costs. Consequently, a multidisciplinary approach similar to that used for other chronic pain conditions should be recommended.
680
05 Aug 2022
Topic Review
Endoscopy Lifetime Systems Architecture
Systems engineering captures the desires and needs of the customer to conceptualize a system from the overall goal down to the small details prior to any physical development. While many systems projects tend to be large and complicated (i.e., cloud-based infrastructure, long-term space travel shuttles, missile defense systems), systems engineering can also be applied to smaller, complex systems. The system of interest is the endoscope, a standard biomedical screening device used in laparoscopic surgery, screening of upper and lower gastrointestinal tracts, and inspection of the upper airway.
677
25 Oct 2022
Topic Review
Probiotic-Produced Metabolites
Probiotic bacteria (PB) are live microorganisms that, when administered in adequate amounts, confer a health benefit on the host. Lactobacilli and Bifidobacteria are the most common probiotics, but the yeast Saccharomyces boulardii and Bacillus species are also widely known.
677
30 Nov 2021
Topic Review
Pathogenesis of Esophageal Cancer
Esophageal cancer is rapidly increasing across the world. It is the sixth most common cause of death from cancer and is the eighth most common cancer worldwide. Esophageal cancer is a devastating malignancy which can be detected at an early stage but is more often diagnosed as an advanced process. It affects both men and women and inflicts the young and the elderly. There are multiple underlying factors involved in the pathogenesis of this cancer including inflammation.
675
13 Jul 2022
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