Connective tissue disease-associated pulmonary arterial hypertension.
Authors: Condliffe R, Howard LS
Abstract
Although rare in its idiopathic form, pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is not uncommon in association with various associated medical conditions, most notably connective tissue disease (CTD). In particular, it develops in approximately 10% of patients with systemic sclerosis and so these patients are increasingly screened to enable early detection. The response of patients with systemic sclerosis to PAH-specific therapy appears to be worse than in other forms of PAH. Survival in systemic sclerosis-associated PAH is inferior to that observed in idiopathic PAH. P...
Source: F1000 Medicine Reports - February 25, 2015 Category: Biomedical Science Tags: F1000Prime Rep Source Type: research
Controversies in pulmonary hypertension due to left heart disease.
Authors: Cheli M, Vachiery JL
Abstract
Left heart failure is currently the most prevalent cause of pulmonary hypertension (PH) worldwide and this is due mainly to the increased left ventricular and pulmonary venous pressures seen in this condition. Still, a quota of patients with left heart failure will have a pulmonary arterial disease "disproportionate" to the initial increase of left-sided pressures. Whatever the mechanism involved, the appearance of PH is a powerful marker, as it determines decreased exercise tolerance and survival. To date, all trials using therapies approved for pulmonary arterial hy...
Source: F1000 Medicine Reports - February 25, 2015 Category: Biomedical Science Tags: F1000Prime Rep Source Type: research
Pathophysiology of coronary artery disease leading to acute coronary syndromes.
This article summarizes our current understanding of the pathophysiology of these acute coronary syndromes and briefly discusses new approaches currently being researched in an attempt to define and ultimately reduce their incidence.
PMID: 25705391 [PubMed] (Source: F1000 Medicine Reports)
Source: F1000 Medicine Reports - February 25, 2015 Category: Biomedical Science Tags: F1000Prime Rep Source Type: research
The role of mast cells in cancers.
Authors: Maciel TT, Moura IC, Hermine O
Abstract
Mast cells are immune cells that accumulate in the tumors and their microenvironment during disease progression. Mast cells are armed with a wide array of receptors that sense environment modifications and, upon stimulation, they are able to secrete several biologically active factors involved in the modulation of tumor growth. For example, mast cells are able to secrete pro-angiogenic and growth factors but also pro- and anti-inflammatory mediators. Recent studies have allowed substantial progress in understanding the role of mast cells in tumorigenesis/dis...
Source: F1000 Medicine Reports - February 25, 2015 Category: Biomedical Science Tags: F1000Prime Rep Source Type: research
Programming implantable cardioverter/defibrillators and outcomes.
This article provides an actual overview on the existing evidence on the most important programming features for accurate detection and therapy of ventricular arrhythmias.
PMID: 25705393 [PubMed] (Source: F1000 Medicine Reports)
Source: F1000 Medicine Reports - February 25, 2015 Category: Biomedical Science Tags: F1000Prime Rep Source Type: research
Repeat or persistent Lyme disease: persistence, recrudescence or reinfection with Borrelia Burgdorferi?
Authors: Shapiro ED
Abstract
Whether or not Borrelia burgdorferi can persist after conventional treatment with antimicrobials has been a very controversial issue. Two recent studies took different approaches to try to answer this question. In one, investigators showed that, in each of 22 instances in 17 patients with two consecutive episodes of culture-proved erythema migrans, the strains of B. burgdorferi were different based on their genotypes. This indicated that the repeat episodes were due to new infections rather than recrudescence of the original infection. In another study, in which persistence of ...
Source: F1000 Medicine Reports - February 25, 2015 Category: Biomedical Science Tags: F1000Prime Rep Source Type: research
Gut-brain mechanisms controlling glucose homeostasis.
Authors: Scarlett JM, Schwartz MW
Abstract
Our current understanding of glucose homeostasis is centered on glucose-induced secretion of insulin from pancreatic islets and insulin action on glucose metabolism in peripheral tissues. In addition, however, recent evidence suggests that neurocircuits located within a brain-centered glucoregulatory system work cooperatively with pancreatic islets to promote glucose homeostasis. Among key observations is evidence that, in addition to insulin-dependent mechanisms, the brain has the capacity to potently lower blood glucose levels via mechanisms that are insulin-ind...
Source: F1000 Medicine Reports - February 25, 2015 Category: Biomedical Science Tags: F1000Prime Rep Source Type: research
MyD88: a central player in innate immune signaling.
Authors: Deguine J, Barton GM
Abstract
MyD88 is the canonical adaptor for inflammatory signaling pathways downstream of members of the Toll-like receptor (TLR) and interleukin-1 (IL-1) receptor families. MyD88 links IL-1 receptor (IL-1R) or TLR family members to IL-1R-associated kinase (IRAK) family kinases via homotypic protein-protein interaction. Activation of IRAK family kinases leads to a variety of functional outputs, including the activation of nuclear factor-kappa B (NFκB), mitogen-activated protein kinases, and activator protein 1, making MyD88 a central node of inflammatory pathways. As more det...
Source: F1000 Medicine Reports - January 14, 2015 Category: Biomedical Science Tags: F1000Prime Rep Source Type: research
Mechanisms of planar cell polarity establishment in Drosophila.
Authors: Carvajal-Gonzalez JM, Mlodzik M
Abstract
Correct patterning and polarization of epithelial and mesenchymal cells are essential for morphogenesis and function of all organs and organisms. Epithelial cells are generally polarized in two axes: (a) the ubiquitous apical-basal axis and (b) polarity within the plane of the epithelium. The latter is generally referred to as planar cell polarity (PCP) and also is found in several contexts of mesenchymal cell patterning. In Drosophila, all adult structures display PCP features, and two conserved molecular systems (the Fat [Ft]/Dachsous [Ds] system and the ...
Source: F1000 Medicine Reports - January 14, 2015 Category: Biomedical Science Tags: F1000Prime Rep Source Type: research
Transgenerational acclimation of fishes to climate change and ocean acidification.
Authors: Munday PL
Abstract
There is growing concern about the impacts of climate change and ocean acidification on marine organisms and ecosystems, yet the potential for acclimation and adaptation to these threats is poorly understood. Whereas many short-term experiments report negative biological effects of ocean warming and acidification, new studies show that some marine species have the capacity to acclimate to warmer and more acidic environments across generations. Consequently, transgenerational plasticity may be a powerful mechanism by which populations of some species will be able to adjust to pro...
Source: F1000 Medicine Reports - January 14, 2015 Category: Biomedical Science Tags: F1000Prime Rep Source Type: research
Research priorities for the development and implementation of serological tools for malaria surveillance.
Authors: Elliott SR, Fowkes FJ, Richards JS, Reiling L, Drew DR, Beeson JG
Abstract
Surveillance is a key component of control and elimination programs. Malaria surveillance has been typically reliant on case reporting by health services, entomological estimates and parasitemia (Plasmodium species) point prevalence. However, these techniques become less sensitive and relatively costly as transmission declines. There is great potential for the development and application of serological biomarkers of malaria exposure as sero-surveillance tools to strengthen malaria control and elimination. Antibodies to mala...
Source: F1000 Medicine Reports - January 14, 2015 Category: Biomedical Science Tags: F1000Prime Rep Source Type: research
Recent advances in understanding/management of hypospadias.
This article discusses recent progress in hypospadias repair. Prospective data collection in consecutive patients promotes better understanding of both patient and technical factors that influence surgical complications. Patients with a proximal urinary opening near or within the scrotum, those failing prior to repairs, and/or those with a small glans diameter have increased likelihood for urethroplasty complications. Quality review of reliable data led to two layer urethroplasty covered with tunica vaginalis in proximal repairs, significantly reducing postoperative fistulas. Neither preoperative androgens used to grow a s...
Source: F1000 Medicine Reports - January 14, 2015 Category: Biomedical Science Tags: F1000Prime Rep Source Type: research
Novel therapies for open-angle glaucoma.
Authors: Wentz SM, Kim NJ, Wang J, Amireskandari A, Siesky B, Harris A
Abstract
Open-angle glaucoma is a multifactorial optic neuropathy characterized by progressive loss of retinal ganglion cells and their axons. It is an irreversible disease with no established cure. The only currently approved treatment is aimed at lowering intraocular pressure, the most significant risk factor known to date. However, it is now clear that there are other risk factors involved in glaucoma's pathophysiology. To achieve future improvements in glaucoma management, new approaches to therapies and novel targets must be develo...
Source: F1000 Medicine Reports - January 14, 2015 Category: Biomedical Science Tags: F1000Prime Rep Source Type: research
Recent advances in the management of acute bronchiolitis.
Authors: Ravaglia C, Poletti V
Abstract
Acute bronchiolitis is characterized by acute wheezing in infants or children and is associated with signs or symptoms of respiratory infection; it is rarely symptomatic in adults and the most common etiologic agent is respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). Usually it does not require investigation, treatment is merely supportive and a conservative approach seems adequate in the majority of children, especially for the youngest ones (<3 months); however, clinical scoring systems have been proposed and admission in hospital should be arranged in case of severe disease ...
Source: F1000 Medicine Reports - January 14, 2015 Category: Biomedical Science Tags: F1000Prime Rep Source Type: research
Antibiotic prophylaxis and reflux: critical review and assessment.
Authors: Baquerizo BV, Peters CA
Abstract
The use of continuous antibiotic prophylaxis (CAP) was critical in the evolution of vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) from a condition in which surgery was the standard of treatment to its becoming a medically managed condition. The efficacy of antibiotic prophylaxis in the management of VUR has been challenged in recent years, and significant confusion exists as to its clinical value. This review summarizes the critical factors in the history, use, and investigation of antibiotic prophylaxis in VUR. This review provides suggestions for assessing the potential clinical u...
Source: F1000 Medicine Reports - January 14, 2015 Category: Biomedical Science Tags: F1000Prime Rep Source Type: research
