Articles: disease.
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Environ. Health Perspect. · Aug 2014
The blood exposome and its role in discovering causes of disease.
Since 2001, researchers have examined the human genome (G) mainly to discover causes of disease, despite evidence that G explains relatively little risk. We posit that unexplained disease risks are caused by the exposome (E; representing all exposures) and G × E interactions. Thus, etiologic research has been hampered by scientists' continuing reliance on low-tech methods to characterize E compared with high-tech omics for characterizing G. ⋯ For studies of disease etiology, the complexity of human exposures motivates characterization of the blood exposome, which includes all biologically active chemicals. Because most small molecules in blood are not human metabolites, investigations of causal pathways should expand beyond the endogenous metabolome.
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Classical experiments performed half a century ago demonstrated the immense self-organizing capacity of vertebrate cells. Even after complete dissociation, cells can reaggregate and reconstruct the original architecture of an organ. More recently, this outstanding feature was used to rebuild organ parts or even complete organs from tissue or embryonic stem cells. ⋯ Because organoids can be grown from human stem cells and from patient-derived induced pluripotent stem cells, they have the potential to model human development and disease. Furthermore, they have potential for drug testing and even future organ replacement strategies. Here, we summarize this rapidly evolving field and outline the potential of organoid technology for future biomedical research.
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To examine availability of International Diabetes Federation (IDF)-recommended diabetes indicators in the medical charts of patients in active care at a public health centre in southwest Trinidad and Tobago, and to determine clinical status of the patient population according to Caribbean Health Research Council/Pan American Health Organization (CHRC/PAHO) guidelines for disease control. ⋯ Although availability of indicators suggests an increase from prior audits reported in the literature, current reporting patterns challenge optimal patient management and future systematic evaluation of trends in diabetes care and outcomes.