Int J Med Sci
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Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) is an autoimmune neurological disease that can cause blindness and disability. As the major mediators in the central nervous system, microglia plays key roles in immunological regulation in neuroinflammatory diseases, including NMOSD. ⋯ These processes involving activated microglia ultimately promote the pathological course of NMOSD. In this review, recent research progress on the roles of microglia in NMOSD pathogenesis is summarized, and the mechanisms of microglial activation and microglial-mediated inflammation, and the potential research prospects associated with microglial activation are also discussed.
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Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a global public health problem associated with high rates of morbidity and mortality due to end-stage renal disease and cardiovascular disease. Safe and effective medications to reverse or stabilize renal function in patients with CKD are lacking, and hence it is important to identify modifiable risk factors associated with worsening kidney function. Environmental pollutants, including metals, air pollutant, phthalate and melamine can potentially increase the risk of CKD or accelerate its progression. In this review, we discuss the epidemiological evidence for the association between environmental pollution and kidney disease, including heavy metals, air pollution and other environmental nephrotoxicants in the general population.
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Review
The Peripheral Immune System and Traumatic Brain Injury: Insight into the role of T-helper cells.
Emerging evidence suggests that immune-inflammatory processes are key elements in the physiopathological events associated with traumatic brain injury (TBI). TBI is followed by T-cell-specific immunological changes involving several subsets of T-helper cells and the cytokines they produce; these processes can have opposite effects depending on the disease course and cytokine concentrations. ⋯ These predictors may eventually serve as effective treatment targets to decrease morbidity and mortality and to improve the management of TBI patients. Here, we review the immunological response to TBI, the possible molecular mechanisms of this response, and therapeutic strategies to address it.
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Ferroptosis is an iron-dependent form of regulated cell death, which is characterized by a large amount of lipid peroxide accumulation and the imbalance of redox state in cells. Ferroptosis is usually accompanied with the dysfunction of lipid repair enzyme (glutathione peroxidase 4, GPX4), large masses of iron accumulation and lipid peroxidation of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs). ⋯ A number of studies have indicated that ferroptosis is closely associated with acute renal failure, tumor, ischemia and reperfusion injury, neurodegenerative diseases and liver fibrosis. Liver fibrosis, which has long been a global health problem, still lacks effective treatment till now, and the discovery of ferroptosis provides a new insight into addressing this issue.
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Review
A review of cutting-edge therapies for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC): Perspectives from patents.
Rationale: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a challenging disease due to its heterogenous etiology. Several breakthroughs have occurred in treatment of HCC, associated with an enormous number of patent publications for a variety of HCC treatment modalities. As patents can provide valuable information for academic research and commercial development, this study aims to unravel the cutting-edge therapies for HCC by using patents as an indicator. ⋯ Numerous researches were focalized on refinements in technologies and innovations within the field of HCC therapy, and the major achievements are technology advancement on molecular target therapy, chemotherapy, locoregional therapy, combination therapy and immunotherapy with demonstrated clinical benefits. In patent citation network, Notch pathway investigation, antibody drug conjugate (ADC) technology development and drug eluting beads trans artery chemoembolization (DEB-TACE) advancement are the major technological communities involving patents with the greatest future exploratory potential. Conclusion: Numerous emerging technologies have been identified in this study, in which exploring novel therapeutic targets in molecular target therapy, more localized and visible locoregional therapy and combination of immunotherapy with target therapy or other traditional therapies are highlighted as the future trends in treating HCC.