Recent advances in cancer pain management.
Authors: Wilson J, Stack C, Hester J
Abstract
Pain is the most feared symptom of cancer. New oncological cancer treatments are improving survival, but advanced cancer presents challenges that have not been seen before, often with pain that is very difficult to manage because of a recurrent tumour that is invading the central nervous system. In some of the older interventional techniques of destroying nerve pathways, expertise has diminished or has been deemed unnecessary with the development of specialist palliative care. Not all pain is managed adequately with the analgesic ladder. Knowledge of pain mecha...
Source: F1000 Medicine Reports - December 1, 2014 Category: Biomedical Science Tags: F1000Prime Rep Source Type: research
The mucosal microbiome in shaping health and disease.
Authors: Pfefferle PI, Renz H
Abstract
More than 300 years after Antonie van Leeuwenhoek gave the first description of microbes that colonize human body surfaces, the re-discovery of this multifaceted microbial world within our bodies has challenged our principal view on microbes. Novel sequencing techniques provide a plethora of (meta)genomic data, which elucidate the unique properties of mircobiota in different subjects. Moreover, the variety of metabolic and immunologic interactions between the mircobiota and the host's epithelial surfaces has challenged the paradigm of a unidirectional interplay betwee...
Source: F1000 Medicine Reports - December 1, 2014 Category: Biomedical Science Tags: F1000Prime Rep Source Type: research
Recent advances in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.
Authors: Yingchoncharoen T, Tang WW
Abstract
Several advances in molecular genetics and cardiac imaging of patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) have been developed in recent years. The commercially available genetic testing is currently used (a) to identify affected relatives in families known to have HCM and (b) to differentiate HCM from metabolic storage disorders and other HCM phenocopies. Cardiovascular magnetic resonance has emerged as a useful tool to assess the magnitude and distribution of hypertrophy or mitral valve apparatus anatomy, which may have an impact on decision making regardin...
Source: F1000 Medicine Reports - December 1, 2014 Category: Biomedical Science Tags: F1000Prime Rep Source Type: research
The M1 and M2 paradigm of macrophage activation: time for reassessment.
Authors: Martinez FO, Gordon S
Abstract
Macrophages are endowed with a variety of receptors for lineage-determining growth factors, T helper (Th) cell cytokines, and B cell, host, and microbial products. In tissues, macrophages mature and are activated in a dynamic response to combinations of these stimuli to acquire specialized functional phenotypes. As for the lymphocyte system, a dichotomy has been proposed for macrophage activation: classic vs. alternative, also M1 and M2, respectively. In view of recent research about macrophage functions and the increasing number of immune-relevant ligands, a revisio...
Source: F1000 Medicine Reports - December 1, 2014 Category: Biomedical Science Tags: F1000Prime Rep Source Type: research
Why is the neural control of cerebral autoregulation so controversial?
Authors: Ainslie PN, Brassard P
Abstract
Cerebral autoregulation refers to the mechanisms that act to keep cerebral blood flow (CBF) constant during changes in blood pressure. The mechanisms of cerebral autoregulation, especially in humans, are poorly understood but are undoubtedly multifactorial and likely reflect many redundant pathways that potentially differ between species. Whether sympathetic nervous activity influences CBF and/or cerebral autoregulation in humans remains controversial. Following a brief introduction to cerebral autoregulation, this review highlights the likely reasons behind the con...
Source: F1000 Medicine Reports - December 1, 2014 Category: Biomedical Science Tags: F1000Prime Rep Source Type: research
Quality control in mitochondria: use it, break it, fix it, trash it.
Authors: Kornmann B
Abstract
Repairing or disposing of a malfunctioning object is an everyday dilemma. Replacing an item may be quicker than repairing it, but may also be more costly. Cells are faced with the same options when their organelles are challenged. Ensuring the health of the mitochondrial network is of utmost importance for cellular health and, not surprisingly, mitochondrial quality control can take both the repair and disposal routes. Spectacular advances have been made in recent years and a picture is starting to emerge of what drives a cell to take one or the other path. Interestingly, mitoc...
Source: F1000 Medicine Reports - December 1, 2014 Category: Biomedical Science Tags: F1000Prime Rep Source Type: research
The treatment of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.
Authors: Woodcock HV, Maher TM
Abstract
Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a progressive and invariably fatal disease with a median survival of less than three years from diagnosis. The last decade has seen an exponential increase in clinical trial activity in IPF and this in turn has led to important developments in the treatment of this terrible disease. Previous therapeutic approaches based around regimens including corticosteroids and azathioprine have, when tested in randomized clinical trials, been shown to be harmful in IPF. By contrast, compounds with anti-fibrotic actions have been shown to be...
Source: F1000 Medicine Reports - December 1, 2014 Category: Biomedical Science Tags: F1000Prime Rep Source Type: research
Treatment of dyslipidemia.
Authors: Tonkin A, Byrnes A
Abstract
Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (including coronary heart disease, stroke and peripheral arterial disease) is the leading cause of death globally. Abnormal blood lipids (dyslipidemia), smoking, and high blood pressure are responsible for more than 75% of cases. Aggressive low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol lowering therapy, particularly statins, appear to be the most effective of the therapeutic approaches, but even with their use, cardiovascular disease event rates remain relatively high, underpinning the quest for novel treatments. In this review we disc...
Source: F1000 Medicine Reports - December 1, 2014 Category: Biomedical Science Tags: F1000Prime Rep Source Type: research
Recent advances in the medical treatment of Cushing's disease.
Authors: Fleseriu M
Abstract
Cushing's disease is a condition of hypercortisolism caused by an adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)-secreting pituitary adenoma. While rare, it is associated with significant morbidity and mortality, which suggests that early and aggressive intervention is required. The primary, definitive therapy for patients with Cushing's disease in the majority of patients is pituitary surgery, generally performed via a transsphenoidal approach. However, many patients will not achieve remission or they will have recurrences. The consequences of persistent hypercortisolism are severe and, a...
Source: F1000 Medicine Reports - December 1, 2014 Category: Biomedical Science Tags: F1000Prime Rep Source Type: research
Recognition of Watson-Crick base pairs: constraints and limits due to geometric selection and tautomerism.
Authors: Westhof E, Yusupov M, Yusupova G
Abstract
The natural bases of nucleic acids have a strong preference for one tautomer form, guaranteeing fidelity in their hydrogen bonding potential. However, base pairs observed in recent crystal structures of polymerases and ribosomes are best explained by an alternative base tautomer, leading to the formation of base pairs with Watson-Crick-like geometries. These observations set limits to geometric selection in molecular recognition of complementary Watson-Crick pairs for fidelity in replication and translation processes.
PMID: 24765524 [PubMed] (Sour...
Source: F1000 Medicine Reports - December 1, 2014 Category: Biomedical Science Tags: F1000Prime Rep Source Type: research
New roles for Smad signaling and phosphatidic acid in the regulation of skeletal muscle mass.
Authors: Goodman CA, Hornberger TA
Abstract
Skeletal muscle is essential for normal bodily function and the loss of skeletal muscle (i.e. muscle atrophy/wasting) can have a major impact on mobility, whole-body metabolism, disease resistance, and quality of life. Thus, there is a clear need for the development of therapies that can prevent the loss, or increase, of skeletal muscle mass. However, in order to develop such therapies, we will first have to develop a thorough understanding of the molecular mechanisms that regulate muscle mass. Fortunately, our knowledge is rapidly advancing, and in this review, ...
Source: F1000 Medicine Reports - December 1, 2014 Category: Biomedical Science Tags: F1000Prime Rep Source Type: research
Treatment advances in systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis.
Authors: Beukelman T
Abstract
Systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) is an autoinflammatory condition that is distinct from other forms of childhood arthritis. Recently, biologic agents that specifically inhibit the cytokines interleukin (IL)-1 and IL-6 have demonstrated remarkable clinical effectiveness and confirmed the importance of these cytokines in the disease process. Future studies are likely to optimize the care of children with systemic arthritis and further elucidate the disease pathogenesis.
PMID: 24765526 [PubMed] (Source: F1000 Medicine Reports)
Source: F1000 Medicine Reports - December 1, 2014 Category: Biomedical Science Tags: F1000Prime Rep Source Type: research
Management of atrial fibrillation.
Authors: Vergara P, Della Bella P
Abstract
Atrial fibrillation (AF) is associated with increases in the risk of mortality, congestive heart failure, and stroke. Medical treatment is aimed at preventing thrombo-embolic complications and reducing symptoms and consequences related to the arrhythmia. In the first section of this review, we discuss the principles of mainstream oral anticoagulant therapy and the possible advantages of the new oral anticoagulants. In the second section, we review the catheter ablation approaches to paroxysmal and persistent/long-standing AF, their results, and the current applica...
Source: F1000 Medicine Reports - December 1, 2014 Category: Biomedical Science Tags: F1000Prime Rep Source Type: research
Fanconi anemia and the cell cycle: new perspectives on aneuploidy.
Authors: Nalepa G, Clapp DW
Abstract
Fanconi anemia (FA) is a complex heterogenic disorder of genomic instability, bone marrow failure, cancer predisposition, and congenital malformations. The FA signaling network orchestrates the DNA damage recognition and repair in interphase as well as proper execution of mitosis. Loss of FA signaling causes chromosome instability by weakening the spindle assembly checkpoint, disrupting centrosome maintenance, disturbing resolution of ultrafine anaphase bridges, and dysregulating cytokinesis. Thus, the FA genes function as guardians of genome stability throughout the ce...
Source: F1000 Medicine Reports - December 1, 2014 Category: Biomedical Science Tags: F1000Prime Rep Source Type: research
Polycystic kidney disease - where gene dosage counts.
Authors: Eccles MR, Stayner CA
Abstract
Gene dosage effects have emerged as playing a central role in the pathogenesis of polycystic kidney disease. Yet, how gene dosage can ultimately have an impact on the formation of kidney cysts remains unknown. In this commentary we review the evidence for the role of gene dosage effects versus the "2-hit" mutation model in polycystic kidney disease (PKD), and also discuss how gene networks may potentially make intertwined contributions to PKD.
PMID: 24765529 [PubMed] (Source: F1000 Medicine Reports)
Source: F1000 Medicine Reports - December 1, 2014 Category: Biomedical Science Tags: F1000Prime Rep Source Type: research
