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Topic Review
Biography
Topic Review
PD-L1 Expression as a Biomarker in Gastric Cancer
Despite advances in diagnostic imaging, surgical techniques, and systemic therapy, gastric cancer (GC) is the third leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide. Unfortunately, molecular heterogeneity and, consequently, acquired resistance in GC are the major causes of failure in the development of biomarker-guided targeted therapies. However, by showing promising survival benefits in some studies, the recent emergence of immunotherapy in GC has had a significant impact on treatment-selectable procedures. Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), widely indicated in the treatment of several malignancies, target inhibitory receptors on T lymphocytes, including the programmed cell death protein (PD-1)/programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) axis and cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated protein 4 (CTLA4), and release effector T-cells from negative feedback signals.
365
26 Sep 2023
Topic Review
Pancreatic Disorders in Inflammatory Bowel Diseases
The relationship between chronic intestinal disease, including inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), and pancreatic disorders has been little investigated. Although an increased risk of acute pancreatitis (AP), exocrine pancreatic insufficiency with or without chronic pancreatitis, and chronic asymptomatic pancreatic hyperenzymemia have been described in these patients, the pathogenetic link remains unclear. It may potentially involve drugs, altered microcirculation, gut permeability/motility with disruption of enteric-mediated hormone secretion, bacterial translocation, and activation of the gut-associated lymphoid tissue related to chronic inflammation.
364
25 May 2023
Topic Review
Contrast-Enhanced Endoscopic Ultrasonography
Endoscopic ultrasound can be useful for obtaining detailed diagnostic images for pancreatic disease. Contrast-enhanced harmonic endoscopic ultrasound has allowed to demonstrate not only microvasculature but also real perfusion imaging using second-generation contrast agents. Furthermore, endoscopic ultrasound fine-needle aspiration cytology and histology have become more ubiquitous.
363
27 Jun 2022
Topic Review
Noninvasive Indices for Hepatic Fibrosis in Hemodialysis Patients
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a major health problem in hemodialysis patients, which leads to significant morbidity and mortality through progressive hepatic fibrosis or cirrhosis. Percutaneous liver biopsy is the gold standard to stage hepatic fibrosis. However, it is an invasive procedure with postbiopsy complications. Because uremia may significantly increase the risk of fatal and nonfatal bleeding events, the use of noninvasive means to assess the severity of hepatic fibrosis is particularly appealing to hemodialysis patients.
361
29 Sep 2022
Topic Review
Dietary and Nutritional Support in Esophageal Diseases
The esophagus is the centerpiece of the digestive system of individuals and plays an essential role in transporting swallowed nutrients to the stomach. Diseases of the esophagus can alter this mechanism either by causing anatomical damage that obstructs the lumen of the organ (e.g., peptic, or eosinophilic stricture) or by generating severe motility disorders that impair the progression of the alimentary bolus (e.g., severe dysphagia of neurological origin or achalasia). In all cases, nutrient assimilation may be compromised. In some cases (e.g., ingestion of corrosive agents), a hypercatabolic state is generated, which increases resting energy expenditure.
361
24 Nov 2022
Topic Review
Opioid-Induced Gut Microbial Dysbiosis
Acute (and thus persistent) pain typically begins with nociceptors; the terminal ends of sensory neurons which are found within the peripheral nervous system (PNS) and are often managed with opioids. Opioid-induced dysbiosis (OID) is a specific condition describing the consequences of opioid use on the bacterial composition of the gut. Opioids have been shown to affect the epithelial barrier in the gut and modulate inflammatory pathways, possibly mediating opioid tolerance or opioid-induced hyperalgesia; in combination, these allow the invasion and proliferation of non-native bacterial colonies. Gut microbial dysbiosis is a change in the gut microbiota’s functional or structural configuration that disrupts gut homeostasis and is linked to several diseases. The changes in the balance and composition of gut microbiota are referred to as opioid-induced dysbiosis (OID), and they are linked to a variety of disease states and the development of antinociceptive tolerance.
358
09 Aug 2022
Topic Review
Fecal Microbiota Transplantation in Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Inflammatory bowel diseases represent a complex array of diseases of incompletely known etiology that led to gastrointestinal tract chronic inflammation. In inflammatory bowel disease, a promising method of treatment is represented by fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT). As the use, safety and effectiveness of FMT for recurrent Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) has increased in recent years, it has also demonstrated real clinical benefits for treating SARS-CoV-2 and CDI co-infection. As a result of immune dysregulation, Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis cause damage to the digestive tract.
358
10 May 2023
Topic Review
MicroRNAs in Hepatic Ischemia–Reperfusion Injury
Hepatic ischemia–reperfusion injury (IRI) is one of the main factors for early allograft dysfunction (EAD), which may lead to graft rejection, graft loss, or shortened graft life in liver transplantation. Hepatic IRI appears to be inevitable during the majority of liver procurement and transportation of donor organs, resulting in a cascade of biological changes. The activation of signaling pathways during IRI results in the up- and downregulation of genes and microRNAs (miRNAs). miRNAs are ~21 nucleotides in length and well-characterized for their role in gene regulations; they have recently been used for therapeutic approaches in addition to their role as biomarkers for many diseases. Various miRNAs have been identified in association with hepatic IRI that either exaggerate or ameliorate the hepatic IRI. Altering targeted miRNA expression has great potential to reduce early graft dysfunction and improve patient outcome. Strategies to implement this approach have been studied using hepatic cell lines subjected to oxygen deprived conditions in vitro, as well as animal models after induction of hepatic IRI through warm ischemia in vivo. By studying the mechanisms of specific miRNAs, the up- or downregulation during hepatic IRI reveals whether that miRNA can ameliorate or exaggerate the metabolism and functions of the liver. Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) levels can be used to indicate when liver injury is present and improve diagnosis accuracy along with miRNA biomarkers. The manipulation of miRNAs could have an influence on the inflammatory and oxidative stress pathways associated with hepatic IRI.
357
15 Apr 2022
Topic Review
Immune-Focused Pathophysiology of Hepatocellular Carcinoma
The emerging field of immuno-oncology has brought exciting developments in the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). It has also raised urgent questions about the role of immunotherapy in the setting of liver transplantation, both before and after transplant. A growing body of evidence points to the safety and efficacy of immunotherapeutic agents as potential adjuncts for successful down-staging of advanced HCCs to allow successful transplant in carefully selected patients. For patients with recurrent HCC post-transplant, immunotherapy has a limited, yet growing role.
356
17 Feb 2023
Topic Review
Chemokine System in the Development of NAFLD
Chemokines (Greek—kinos, movement) are a large family of chemotactic cytokines that involve immune and inflammatory responses through the chemoattraction and activation of leukocytes. These small proteins (approximately 8–12 kilodaltons) are classified into four different subfamilies (CC, CXC, CX3C and XC) based on the presence of four cysteine residues in the conserved locations ofN-terminals that are key to forming their 3-dimensional shape. Approximately 50 chemokines expressed in various cell types and tissues have been identified in humans and mice. Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common chronic liver disease in the world. Sustained hepatic inflammation is a key driver of the transition from simple fatty liver to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), the more aggressive form of NAFLD. Hepatic inflammation is orchestrated by chemokines, a family of chemoattractant cytokines that are produced by hepatocytes, Kupffer cells (liver resident macrophages), hepatic stellate cells, endothelial cells, and vascular smooth muscle cells. Over the last three decades, accumulating evidence from both clinical and experimental investigations demonstrated that chemokines and their receptors are increased in the livers of NAFLD patients and that CC chemokine ligand (CCL) 2 and CCL5 in particular play a pivotal role in inducing insulin resistance, steatosis, inflammation, and fibrosis in liver disease.
355
09 Jun 2022
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