Allergic and immunologic skin diseases are becoming increasingly common and this requires clinicians to be able to recognize and diagnose them. A joint meeting (GET TOGETHER 2022) of the Italian Society of Allergy, Asthma and Clinical Immunology (SIAAIC) and the Italian Society of Allergological, Occupational and Environmental Dermatology (SIDAPA) aimed to review the current knowledge on the differential diagnosis of contact dermatitis, atopic dermatitis, hereditary angioedema, urticaria, and cutaneous mastocytosis. The most important aspects to take into consideration when faced with a new cutaneous manifestation are the clinical features of the lesions, their distribution, age of onset, and comorbidities/aggravating factors. The document does not aim to provide an exhaustive and comprehensive description of all allergic and immunologic skin diseases. Instead, it should be a reference tool for the clinician who is faced with the onset of a new skin manifestation and its differential diagnosis.

Full Text

PDF

Viewed:4562

Downloaded:61

Cited: 0

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) was declared a global pandemic by the World Health Organization (WHO) in March 2020. Despite the availability of therapies and the adoption of security measures, the most effective method to fight COVID-19 remains the induction of immunity through vaccines. Scientific communities have developed several types of COVID-19 vaccines since the beginning of the pandemic, including those with innovative messenger RNA (mRNA) technology. Patients with a history of allergic reactions may have an increased risk of hypersensitivity reactions to COVID-19 vaccines. Therefore, it is important that these patients are evaluated by an allergist to help monitor immediate-type adverse reactions and identify what vaccine component may elicit an allergic reaction. Various strategies have been suggested to prevent hypersensitivity reactions, including performing skin tests or in vitro tests before vaccination in high-risk patients, administering a different vaccine for the second dose in subjects reporting adverse reactions to the first dose, fractional dosing, or pretreating with anti-immunoglobulin E (IgE) monoclonal antibody. The scope of this review is to evaluate, through current evidence available in the literature, the accuracy of skin testing to the excipients of COVID-19 vaccines, especially polyethylene glycol (PEG) and polysorbate, in predicting allergic reactions to vaccination, despite the existing discordance of data and approaches to the question from the various clinical experiences, as to permit the safe administration of COVID-19 vaccines to populations around the globe.

Full Text

PDF

Viewed:2588

Downloaded:40

Cited: 2

In spite of the immense advancement in the diagnostic and treatment modalities, cancer continues to be one of the leading causes of mortality across the globe, responsible for the death of around 10 million patients every year. The foremost challenges faced in the treatment of this disease are chemoresistance, adverse effects of the drugs, and the high cost of treatment. Though scientific studies over the past few decades have foreseen and are focusing on the cancer-preventive and therapeutic potential of natural products and their underlying mechanism of action, many more of these agents are not still explored. Piperlongumine (PL), or piplartine, is one such alkaloid isolated from Piper longum Linn., which is shown to be safe and has significant potential in the prevention and therapy of cancer. Numerous shreds of evidence have established the ability of this alkaloid and its analogs and nanoformulations in modulating various complex molecular pathways such as phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase/protein kinase B/mammalian target of rapamycin, nuclear factor-kappa B, Janus kinases/signal transducer and activator of transcription 3, etc. and inhibit different hallmarks of cancer such as cell survival, proliferation, invasion, angiogenesis, epithelial-mesenchymal-transition, metastases, etc. In addition, PL was also shown to inhibit radioresistance and chemoresistance and sensitize the cancer cells to the standard chemotherapeutic agents. Therefore, this compound has high potential as a drug candidate for the prevention and treatment of different cancers. The current review briefly reiterates the anti-cancer properties of PL against different types of cancer, which permits further investigation by conducting clinical studies.

Full Text

PDF

Viewed:7924

Downloaded:190

Cited: 15

The prevalence of metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) is increasing rapidly worldwide due to the obesity epidemic. Advanced stages of the MAFLD, such as non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) with advanced fibrosis or cirrhosis are affecting global health. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are released by all cell types and are important in cell-to-cell communication and maintaining homeostasis, but they also play a role in the pathogenesis of various diseases. EVs contain biological information such as lipids, proteins, messenger RNAs (mRNAs), small RNAs, and DNA, and they act on (distant) target cells. The cargo of EVs is dependent on the type and the state of the releasing cell. EVs have been proposed as biomarkers, prognostic, and even therapeutic agents, also in the context of liver diseases. This review aims to give an overview of the current knowledge on EVs in MAFLD, including the role and interaction of EVs with different cell types in the liver. Several aspects of EVs, including their origin, characteristics, cargo, and functions are reviewed. Moreover, the potential of EVs as targets for the treatment of MAFLD is discussed.

Full Text

PDF

Viewed:6091

Downloaded:98

Cited: 8

Cancer patients and their caregivers often face a high burden of physical and psychological symptoms, such as pain, fatigue, anxiety, insomnia, and emotional distress, which significantly impact quality of life. While pharmacological treatments remain central to oncology care, they may not fully address these complex needs and can introduce risks such as polypharmacy. Non-pharmacological interventions offer complementary strategies that are generally safe, cost-effective, and adaptable to various clinical and home settings. This review explores practical, evidence-based non-pharmacological interventions that can be integrated into supportive cancer care. These include aromatherapy, massage therapy, mindfulness practices, guided imagery, music and art therapy, and sleep hygiene techniques. Each approach is examined in terms of its mechanisms of action, symptom targets, delivery methods, and implementation considerations. For example, lavender and citrus essential oils have been shown to have anxiolytic and sedative effects through olfactory-limbic pathways. Massage therapy has been associated with reductions in pain, stress, and cortisol levels. Mindfulness-based practices and guided imagery can help regulate emotional distress and may have a positive influence on immune and inflammatory markers. Music and art therapy support emotional expression and coping, while sleep hygiene strategies improve sleep quality and reduce fatigue. These interventions can benefit both patients and caregivers by enhancing resilience, fostering emotional connection, and supporting holistic well-being. Healthcare professionals play a crucial role in guiding the safe and appropriate use of these non-pharmacological interventions. Integrating these approaches into routine care requires individualized planning, clinician training, and institutional support. As evidence grows, non-pharmacological interventions should be recognized as valuable components of comprehensive cancer care.

Full Text

PDF

Viewed:297

Downloaded:7

Cited: 0

There are various types of skin immune responses including inflammatory skin diseases and skin malignancy. Macrophages and fibroblasts are skin resident cells that had been overlooked in terms of immunological research targets. In this review, cross talk among macrophages, fibroblasts, and migratory immune cells in skin diseases such as atopic dermatitis (AD), contact hypersensitivity, psoriasis, systemic sclerosis, melanoma, and cutaneous T-cell lymphoma is described. Macrophages are important in AD by antigen-presenting phagocytosis, production of inflammatory cytokines, removal of apoptotic cells, and mediating clusters between dendritic cells (DCs) and T cells. They are also increased in lesional skin of psoriasis, especially in stable plaques, and an increased ratio of M1/M2 macrophages and tumor necrosis factor-α production by macrophages are essential for development of psoriasis. The progression of skin malignancy is mediated by macrophages through promotion of tumor survival pathways via expression of cytokines and growth factors, interaction with regulatory T cells (Tregs) and myeloid-derived suppressor cells, and suppression of function of tumor-infiltrating T cells by immunosuppressive cytokines and programmed death-ligand (PD-L)1. Fibroblasts play important roles in development and maintenance of AD lesions through expression of CC chemokine ligand (CCL)17, CCL11, CCL26, C-X-C motif chemokine ligand (CXCL)12, CCL19, and periostin, interacting with T helper (Th)2 cells, natural killer T (NKT) cells, DCs, and keratinocytes. They also play important roles in psoriasis, expressing interleukin (IL)-8 and vascular endothelial growth factor, production of fibronectin, and changes in the proteomic profiles. Fibroblasts have a critical role in the progression skin malignancy via expression of cytokines, suppression natural killer (NK) functions, and establishment of Th2-dominant microenvironment. Thus, cross talk among macrophages, fibroblasts, and migratory immune cells including T cells, DCs, and NK cells in skin diseases is important and those skin-resident cells are attracting therapeutic targets in the near future.

Full Text

PDF

Viewed:5778

Downloaded:152

Cited: 6

Transabdominal ultrasound is a valuable diagnostic approach for evaluating the gastrointestinal tract and related disorders. This dynamic examination provides real-time visualization of the digestive tube and surrounding structures, assessment of peristaltic movements, estimation of compressibility of intestinal loops, and recognition of painful spots requiring specific attention. Since ultrasound imaging is non-invasive, painless, reproducible, inexpensive and requires no special preparation, it is used as a major diagnostic tool in emergency settings and in outpatient follow-up of several disorders. Costs, encompassing both accessibility and actual procedural expenses, are lower than those associated with other diagnostic techniques. However, the incorporation of gastro-intestinal ultrasound (GIUS) in clinical practice has not been widely used on a global scale. The purpose of this paper is to provide an overview of the execution techniques as well as the main areas of application for GIUS. Through illustrative iconographic representation, emphasis was placed on its potential within the diagnostic and therapeutic pathway of various acute and chronic gastrointestinal disorders.

Full Text

PDF

Viewed:5486

Downloaded:92

Cited: 1

Mitochondria are present in all mammalian cells except matured red blood cells. Mitochondria consist of several metabolic pathways for glucose, fatty acids, amino acids, and bioenergetic pathways for ATP synthesis, membrane potential, and reactive oxygen production. In the liver, hepatic mitochondria play a key role in hepatic steatosis because mitochondrial metabolism produces acetyl-CoA which is the building block for synthesis of lipids and cholesterol. Mitochondria inner membrane is impermeable of metabolites, reducing equivalents, and small molecules such as phosphate, and sulfate. Thus, mitochondrial shuttles and carriers function as the routes of influx and efflux of these metabolites and molecules across the inner membrane. The signal regulation of these shuttles and mitochondrial enzymes could play a key role in coordinating the mitochondrial metabolism to adapt the cytosolic part of metabolic pathways in liver metabolic stress. Intriguingly, the interaction of mitochondria protein SH3 domain-binding protein 5 (SAB/SH3BP5) and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) was found as a pivotal role in sustained activation of JNK and phosphorylated-JNK (P-JNK) mediated activation of lipogenic pathway in nutritional excess. Knockout or knockdown of SAB prevented or reversed the hepatic steatosis, inflammation, and fibrosis, and improved metabolic intolerance and energy expenditure. Moreover, blocking the SAB peptide prevents palmitic acid-induced P-JNK interaction with SAB and inhibition of mitochondrial bioenergetics, implying the P-JNK effect on mitochondrial metabolism. This review focuses on the flow of mitochondrial metabolites in metabolic stress conditions and the contribution of mitochondria and mitochondrial stress signals in hepatic steatosis.

Full Text

PDF

Viewed:7275

Downloaded:99

Cited: 8

The idea that proteins are the main determining factors in the functioning of cells and organisms, and their dysfunctions are the first cause of pathologies, has been predominant in biology and biomedicine until recently. This protein-centered view was too simplistic and failed to explain the physiological and pathological complexity of the cell. About 80% of the human genome is dynamically and pervasively transcribed, mostly as non-protein-coding RNAs (ncRNAs), which competitively interact with each other and with coding RNAs generating a complex RNA network regulating RNA processing, stability, and translation and, accordingly, fine-tuning the gene expression of the cells. Qualitative and quantitative dysregulations of RNA-RNA interaction networks are strongly involved in the onset and progression of many pathologies, including cancers and degenerative diseases. This review will summarize the RNA species involved in the competitive endogenous RNA network, their mechanisms of action, and involvement in pathological phenotypes. Moreover, it will give an overview of the most advanced experimental and computational methods to dissect and rebuild RNA networks.

Full Text

PDF

Viewed:4013

Downloaded:33

Cited: 2