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Topic Review
Biography
Topic Review
Genetic Markers of Hepatocellular Carcinoma and Cholangiocarcinoma
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common primary liver cancer with an increasing worldwide mortality rate. Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is the second most common primary liver cancer. In both types of cancers, early detection is very important. Biomarkers are a relevant part of diagnosis, enabling non-invasive detection and control of cancer recurrence, as well as in the application of screening tests in high-risk groups. Furthermore, some of these biomarkers are useful in controlling therapy and treatment selection. Detection of some markers presents higher sensitivity and specificity in combination with other markers when compared with a single detection. Some gene aberrations are also prognostic markers in the two types of cancers.
560
19 Apr 2022
Topic Review
Therapeutic Options of Enterohemorrhagic
Escherichia coli
Infections
Enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC) are the human pathogenic subset of Shiga toxin (Stx)-producing E. coli (STEC). EHEC are responsible for severe colon infections associated with life-threatening extraintestinal complications such as the hemolytic-uremic syndrome (HUS) and neurological disturbances. Endothelial cells in various human organs are renowned targets of Stx, whereas the role of epithelial cells of colon and kidneys in the infection process has been and is still a matter of debate.
557
15 Jul 2022
Topic Review
Features of Lipid Metabolism Disorders in PBC
Primary biliary cholangitis (PBC), previously known as primary biliary cirrhosis, is an autoimmune liver disease that mostly affects women. A progressive disorder in the processes of bile secretion and enterohepatic bile salts circulation in patients with PBC already in its early stages, leading to an insufficient release of bile acids into the bowel and their entry into the systemic circulation. Insufficient bile acids released into the duodenum contributes to the development of malabsorption, energy malnutrition, and slowly progressive weight loss.
556
08 Dec 2022
Topic Review
Chitosan-Based Nanomaterials and its Applications
The small intestine provides the major site for the absorption of numerous orally administered drugs. However, before reaching to the systemic circulation to exert beneficial pharmacological activities, the oral drug delivery is hindered by poor absorption/metabolic instability of the drugs in gastrointestinal (GI) tract and the presence of the mucus layer overlying intestinal epithelium. Therefore, a polymeric drug delivery system has emerged as a robust approach to enhance oral drug bioavailability and intestinal drug absorption. Chitosan, a cationic polymer derived from chitin, and its derivatives have received remarkable attention to serve as a promising drug carrier, chiefly owing to their versatile, biocompatible, biodegradable, and non-toxic properties. Several types of chitosan-based drug delivery systems have been developed, including chemical modification, conjugates, capsules, and hybrids. They have been shown to be effective in improving intestinal assimilation of several types of drugs, e.g., antidiabetic, anticancer, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory drugs. In this review, the physiological challenges affecting intestinal drug absorption and the effects of chitosan on those parameters impacting on oral bioavailability are summarized. More appreciably, types of chitosan-based nanomaterials enhancing intestinal drug absorption and their mechanisms, as well as potential applications in diabetes, cancers, infections, and inflammation, are highlighted. The future perspective of chitosan applications is also discussed.
555
13 Jul 2021
Topic Review
Genetic Abnormalities in Pancreatitis
Hereditary pancreatitis (HP) has been defined as either two or more individuals within a family exhibiting pancreatitis for two or more generations, or pancreatitis linked to mutation of the PRSS1 gene. In 2000, a mutation in the serine protease inhibitor gene (Kazal type 1: SPINK1) was reported to be related to sporadic pancreatitis of unknown etiology.
554
26 Jan 2021
Topic Review
Chromosomal Instability and Its Role in Therapeutics Response
Variation in chromosome structure is a central source of DNA damage and DNA damage response, together representinga major hallmark of chromosomal instability. Treatment of cancer usually includes surgery, radiotherapy, or chemotherapy. The activity of radiotherapy and most chemotherapy drugs induces DNA damage in proliferating tumor cells. For example, platinum drugs that are effective against cancer cells form DNA adducts. Other drugs, such as anthracyclines induce DNA damage by inhibiting DNA topoisomerases and promoting the production of mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS). In normal cells, DNA damage can be immediately recognized by a DNA damage response (DDR), which activates checkpoints for cell-cycle arrest and DNA repair. In cancer cells, DNA damage per se may be responsible for defective chromosome segregation and chromosomal instability (CIN) or the anomalous binding of DDR proteins to DNA or chromatin proteins.
553
11 Jan 2023
Topic Review
Biliopancreatic Endoscopy in Altered Anatomy
Anatomical post-surgical alterations of the upper gastrointestinal (GI) tract have always been challenging for performing diagnostic and therapeutic endoscopy, especially when biliopancreatic diseases are involved. Esophagectomy, gastrectomy with various reconstructions and pancreaticoduodenectomy are among the most common surgeries causing upper GI tract alterations. Several different techniques developed over the years for biliopancreatic diseases in altered anatomy, in order to perform both endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). They included enteroscopy-assisted ERCP (double and single balloon enteroscopy-ERCP, spiral enteroscopy-ERCP) laparoscopic assisted ERCP, EUS-Directed transgastric ERCP, EUS-directed transgastric intervention, gastric access temporary for endoscopy, and percutaneous assisted trans prosthetic endoscopic therapy.
553
26 Oct 2021
Topic Review
Gut Microbiota and Neuroinflammation in Liver Disease
Liver disease are associated with a wide spectrum of neurological changes, of which the best known is hepatic encephalopathy (HE). Historically, hyperammonemia, was considered the main etiological factor; however, studies demonstrated a key role of neuroinflammation in the development of neurological complications in this setting. Neuroinflammation is characterized by activation of microglial cells and brain secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-1β, and IL-6, which alter neurotransmission, leading to cognitive and motor dysfunction. Changes in the gut microbiota resulting from liver disease play a crucial role in the pathogenesis of neuroinflammation. Dysbiosis and altered intestinal permeability, resulting in bacterial translocation and endotoxemia, are responsible for systemic inflammation, which can spread to brain tissue and trigger neuroinflammation. In addition, metabolites derived from the gut microbiota can act on the central nervous system and facilitate the development of neurological complications, exacerbating clinical manifestations.
553
31 Jul 2023
Topic Review
Acute Liver Injury and COVID-19
COVID-19 patients with severe illness are likely to present with atypical liver biochemistry tests. A number of systematic and meta-analysis studies have examined pooled odds ratios of hepatocellular and hepatobiliary enzymes to differentiate between severe and non-severe COVID-19 illness. In a meta-analysis of 8 studies involving 7467 COVID-19 patients by Xin et al. individuals had pooled odds ratio of 3.21, 2.35 and 1.87 for elevated AST, ALT and total bilirubin levels respectively in severe illness.
552
23 Nov 2021
Topic Review
Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts in Cholangiocarcinoma
Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is an aggressive neoplasia with an increasing incidence and mortality. It is characterized by a strong desmoplastic stroma surrounding cancer cells. Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are the main cell type of CCA stroma and they have an important role in modulating cancer microenvironments. CAFs originate from multiple lines of cells and mainly consist of fibroblasts and alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) positive myofibroblast-like cells. The continuous cross-talking between CCA cells and desmoplastic stroma is permitted by CAF biochemical signals, which modulate a number of pathways. Stromal cell-derived factor-1 expression increases CAF recruitment to the tumor reactive stroma and influences apoptotic pathways. The Bcl-2 family protein enhances susceptibility to CAF apoptosis and PDGFRβ induces fibroblast migration and stimulates tumor lymphangiogenesis. Many factors related to CAFs may influence CCA prognosis.
551
10 Nov 2022
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