Topic Review
Systemic Therapies for Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Clinical treatment of Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in initial stages includes surgical therapies, resection or tumor ablation, transplantation and transarterial chemoembolization (TACE). In advanced HCC, useful systemic therapies were not available for patients until 2007, when sorafenib was approved.After years without major therapeutic improvements and with increasing incidence, finally advances are arriving for HCC treatment. Sorafenib is no longer the only systemic therapy for patients, and novel combinations are already working in clinical trials. Accumulating data demonstrate that etiology and the HCC microenvironment have a major influence on tumor growth and immune control. The improved knowledge of the specific molecular mechanisms involved is expected to provide evidence-based information critical for clinical management.
  • 424
  • 19 Apr 2022
Topic Review
TAM Receptors in the Pathophysiology of Liver Disease
TAM receptors (Tyro3, Axl and MerTK) are a family of tyrosine kinase receptors that are expressed in a variety of cell populations, including liver parenchymal and non-parenchymal cells These receptors are vital for immune homeostasis, as they regulate the innate immune response by suppressing inflammation via toll-like receptor inhibition and by promoting tissue resolution through efferocytosis. However, there is increasing evidence indicating that aberrant TAM receptor signaling may play a role in pathophysiological processes in the context of liver disease. This review will explore the roles of TAM receptors and their ligands in liver homeostasis as well as a variety of disease settings, including acute liver injury, steatosis, fibrosis, cirrhosis-associated immune dysfunction and hepatocellular carcinoma. A better understanding of our current knowledge of TAM receptors in liver disease may identify new opportunities for disease monitoring as well as novel therapeutic targets. Nonetheless, this review also aims to highlight areas where further research on TAM receptor biology in liver disease is required.
  • 417
  • 28 Jan 2022
Topic Review
Targeting Chemosensitive Channels for Dysphagia
Swallowing is a physiological process that transports ingested foods, liquids, and saliva from the oral cavity into the stomach. Difficulty in the oropharyngeal swallowing process or oropharyngeal dysphagia is a major health problem. There is no established pharmacological therapy for the management of oropharyngeal dysphagia. Studies have suggested that the current clinical management of oropharyngeal dysphagia has limited effectiveness for recovering swallowing physiology and for promoting neuroplasticity in swallowing-related neuronal networks. The peripheral chemical neurostimulation strategy is one of the innovative strategies, and targets chemosensory ion channels expressed in peripheral swallowing-related regions. A considerable number of animal and human studies, including randomized clinical trials in patients with oropharyngeal dysphagia, have reported improvements in the efficacy, safety, and physiology of swallowing using this strategy. There is also evidence that neuroplasticity is promoted in swallowing-related neuronal networks with this strategy. The targeting of chemosensory ion channels in peripheral swallowing-related regions may therefore be a promising pharmacological treatment strategy for the management of oropharyngeal dysphagia.
  • 852
  • 27 Oct 2020
Topic Review
Targeting Gut in Obesity: Signals from Inner Surface
Obesity is caused by prolonged energy surplus. Current anti-obesity medications are mostly centralized around the energy input part of the energy balance equation by increasing satiety and reducing appetite. Our gastrointestinal tract is a key organ for regulation of food intake and supplies a tremendous number of circulating signals that modulate the activity of appetite-regulating areas of the brain by either direct interaction or through the vagus nerve. Intestinally derived messengers are manifold and include absorbed nutrients, microbial metabolites, gut hormones and other enterokines, collectively comprising a fine-tuned signalling system to the brain. After a meal, nutrients directly interact with appetite-inhibiting areas of the brain and induce satiety. However, overall feeding behaviour also depends on secretion of gut hormones produced by highly specialized and sensitive enteroendocrine cells. Moreover, circulating microbial metabolites and their interactions with enteroendocrine cells further contribute to the regulation of feeding patterns. Current therapies exploiting the appetite-regulating properties of the gut are based on chemically modified versions of the gut hormone, glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) or on inhibitors of the primary GLP-1 inactivating enzyme, dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4). The effectiveness of these approaches shows that that the gut is a promising target for therapeutic interventions to achieve significant weigh loss. 
  • 593
  • 24 Jan 2022
Topic Review
TDM optimize anti-TNF biologic treatment
The goal of therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) is to optimize anti-TNF (tumor necrosis factor) biologic treatment in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Although commercial assays are readily available for both ustekinumab and vedolizumab, the use of TDM with these newer biologic medications is at its infancy. 
  • 410
  • 30 Mar 2021
Topic Review
Technical Challenges to TIPS and Modifications in Approach
TIPS involves creating an artificial conduit between the hepatic and portal veins to decrease the portal pressure and resolve the associated complications of portal hypertension. The procedure has traditionally been performed under fluoroscopic guidance with or without wedge portography or carbon dioxide angiography to delineate the portal venous branches. In patients with anatomically challenging scenarios such as chronic portal vein thrombosis, traditional TIPS procedure methods may not prove technically successful. 
  • 499
  • 19 Dec 2022
Topic Review
TGF-β, Activin and Follistatin in Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is an immune-mediated inflammatory condition predominantly affecting the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. An increasing prevalence of IBD has been observed globally. The pathogenesis of IBD includes a complex interplay between the intestinal microbiome, diet, genetic factors and immune responses. The consequent imbalance of inflammatory mediators ultimately leads to intestinal mucosal damage and defective repair. Growth factors, given their specific roles in maintaining the homeostasis and integrity of the intestinal epithelium, are of particular interest in the setting of IBD. Furthermore, direct targeting of growth factor signalling pathways involved in the regeneration of the damaged epithelium and the regulation of inflammation could be considered as therapeutic options for individuals with IBD. Several members of the transforming growth factor (TGF)-β superfamily, particularly TGF-β, activin and follistatin, are key candidates as they exhibit various roles in inflammatory processes and contribute to maintenance and homeostasis in the GI tract. 
  • 291
  • 05 May 2023
Topic Review
TGR5
Takeda G protein-coupled receptor (TGR5) is a metabolic regulator, which is also involved in inflammatory responses. TGR5 belongs to the G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) superfamily.
  • 543
  • 02 Aug 2021
Topic Review
The Applications of Colonic Transendoscopic Enteral Tubing
The limitation of traditional delivery methods for fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) gave birth to colonic transendoscopic enteral tubing (TET) to address the requirement of frequent FMTs. Colonic TET as a novel endoscopic intervention has received increasing attention in practice since 2015 in China. Emerging studies from multiple centers indicate that colonic TET is a promising, safe, and practical delivery method for microbial therapy and administering medication with high patient satisfaction.
  • 627
  • 06 Feb 2023
Topic Review
The Contrast-Enhanced Harmonic Endoscopic Ultrasonography Fine-Needle Aspiration Technique
Endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) is useful for the diagnosis of pancreatic masses. According to three meta-analyses, the sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of EUS-FNA are 84–92%, 96–98%, and 86–91%, respectively. However, the occurrence of false-negative and false-positive results indicates that the diagnostic performance of EUS-FNA needs to be improved. Contrast-enhanced harmonic endoscopic ultrasonography (CH-EUS) is used for the characterization of pancreatic masses and can be applied to improve the performance of EUS-FNA. 
  • 295
  • 20 Apr 2023
  • Page
  • of
  • 66
ScholarVision Creations