{"title":"Challenges and opportunities in nonalcoholic steatohepatitis.","authors":"Xiaobo Wang","doi":"10.1515/mr-2022-0024","DOIUrl":"10.1515/mr-2022-0024","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) has emerged as the leading cause of chronic liver disease worldwide and is rapidly increasing in prevalence due to the obesity epidemic. There are currently no Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved drugs to treat NASH, and therefore a critical need exists for novel therapies that can halt or reverse the progression to hepatic fibrosis, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma. Clinical trials to date using single drugs to treat NASH have shown disappointing efficacy. Combination therapies to attack different targets underlying disease pathogenesis of NASH are being explored as a strategy currently. Novel RNA therapies are also being developed to target previously \"undruggable\" targets and are close to the maturity necessary to be viable therapeutic approaches for the treatment of NASH and fibrosis. Identifying circulating biomarkers of fibrosis could serve as a valuable, non-invasive diagnostic tool to guide clinical practice. Despite progress in translational and clinical research, one of the major reasons for the absence of effective therapeutics is our incomplete understanding of the pathophysiology that underlies the progression from steatosis to NASH and its most deadly consequence-fibrosis. Multi-omics platforms will help to drive effective precision medicine development in NASH and hepatology.</p>","PeriodicalId":74151,"journal":{"name":"Medical review (Berlin, Germany)","volume":"2 4","pages":"328-330"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-09-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://ftp.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pub/pmc/oa_pdf/2c/0c/mr-2-4-mr-2022-0024.PMC10388777.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"10303012","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Circadian clock and temporal meal pattern.","authors":"Xin Li, Zheng Sun","doi":"10.1515/mr-2022-0021","DOIUrl":"10.1515/mr-2022-0021","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The central circadian clock in the brain controls the time-of-the-day variations in acute meal responses, with a low glycemic response but a high satiety/thermogenic response to meals consumed at waking compared to other time points. Consistently, studies show that consuming a significant proportion of calories, particularly carbohydrates, in breakfast is beneficial for the chronic management of obesity and its associated metabolic syndrome, compared to consuming identical meals at dinner. Conversely, breakfast skipping or/and late dinner can have unfavorable metabolic outcomes. It remains controversial how meal frequency affects metabolic health. In contrast, irregular meals, especially irregular breakfasts, show consistent adverse metabolic consequences. Time-restricted feeding (TRF), with all calories consumed within less than 12-h per day, can improve metabolism and extend lifespan. A major component of TRF in humans is caloric restriction, which contributes significantly to the beneficial effects of TRF in humans. By comparison, TRF effects in rodents can be independent of caloric restriction and show day/night phase specificity. TRF could alleviate metabolic abnormalities due to circadian disruption, but its effects appear independent of the circadian clock in rodents. Understanding neuroendocrine mechanisms underlying clock-mediated metabolic regulation will shed light on the metabolic effects of temporal meal patterns.</p>","PeriodicalId":74151,"journal":{"name":"Medical review (Berlin, Germany)","volume":"3 1","pages":"85-101"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-09-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://ftp.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pub/pmc/oa_pdf/61/2d/mr-3-1-mr-2022-0021.PMC10471112.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"10363190","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Leptin signaling and leptin resistance.","authors":"Jiarui Liu, Futing Lai, Yujia Hou, Ruimao Zheng","doi":"10.1515/mr-2022-0017","DOIUrl":"10.1515/mr-2022-0017","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>With the prevalence of obesity and associated comorbidities, studies aimed at revealing mechanisms that regulate energy homeostasis have gained increasing interest. In 1994, the cloning of leptin was a milestone in metabolic research. As an adipocytokine, leptin governs food intake and energy homeostasis through leptin receptors (LepR) in the brain. The failure of increased leptin levels to suppress feeding and elevate energy expenditure is referred to as leptin resistance, which encompasses complex pathophysiological processes. Within the brain, LepR-expressing neurons are distributed in hypothalamus and other brain areas, and each population of the LepR-expressing neurons may mediate particular aspects of leptin effects. In LepR-expressing neurons, the binding of leptin to LepR initiates multiple signaling cascades including janus kinase (JAK)-signal transducers and activators of transcription (STAT) phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)-protein kinase B (AKT), extracellular regulated protein kinase (ERK), and AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) signaling, etc., mediating leptin actions. These findings place leptin at the intersection of metabolic and neuroendocrine regulations, and render leptin a key target for treating obesity and associated comorbidities. This review highlights the main discoveries that shaped the field of leptin for better understanding of the mechanism governing metabolic homeostasis, and guides the development of safe and effective interventions to treat obesity and associated diseases.</p>","PeriodicalId":74151,"journal":{"name":"Medical review (Berlin, Germany)","volume":"2 4","pages":"363-384"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-08-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://ftp.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pub/pmc/oa_pdf/0e/cc/mr-2-4-mr-2022-0017.PMC10388810.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"10311412","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Jun Du, Huapeng Diao, Xiaojuan Zhou, Chunkui Zhang, Yifei Chen, Yan Gao, Yizheng Wang
{"title":"Post-traumatic stress disorder: a psychiatric disorder requiring urgent attention.","authors":"Jun Du, Huapeng Diao, Xiaojuan Zhou, Chunkui Zhang, Yifei Chen, Yan Gao, Yizheng Wang","doi":"10.1515/mr-2022-0012","DOIUrl":"10.1515/mr-2022-0012","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a severe and heterogenous psychiatric disorder that was first defined as a mental disorder in 1980. Currently, the <i>Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fifth Edition</i> (DSM-5) and the <i>International Classification of Diseases 11th Edition</i> (ICD-11) offer the most widely accepted diagnostic guidelines for PTSD. In both diagnostic categories, experiencing a traumatic event (TE) is the necessary criterion for diagnosing PTSD. The TEs described in the DSM-5 include actual or threatened death, serious injury, sexual violence, and other extreme stressors, either directly or indirectly. More than 70% of adults worldwide are exposed to a TE at least once in their lifetime, and approximately 10% of individuals develop PTSD after experiencing a TE. The important features of PTSD are intrusion or re-experiencing fear memories, pervasive sense of threat, active avoidance, hyperarousal symptoms, and negative alterations of cognition and mood. Individuals with PTSD have high comorbidities with other psychiatric diseases, including major depressive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, and substance use disorder. Multiple lines of evidence suggest that the pathophysiology of PTSD is complex, involving abnormal neural circuits, molecular mechanisms, and genetic mechanisms. A combination of both psychotherapy and pharmacotherapy is used to treat PTSD, but has limited efficacy in patients with refractory PTSD. Because of the high prevalence, heavy burden, and limited treatments, PTSD is a psychiatric disorder that requires urgent attention. In this review, we summarize and discuss the diagnosis, prevalence, TEs, pathophysiology, and treatments of PTSD and draw attention to its prevention.</p>","PeriodicalId":74151,"journal":{"name":"Medical review (Berlin, Germany)","volume":"2 3","pages":"219-243"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-08-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://ftp.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pub/pmc/oa_pdf/fc/69/mr-2-3-mr-2022-0012.PMC10388753.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"10314695","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Potential diagnostic biomarkers for schizophrenia.","authors":"Weihua Yue, Hailiang Huang, Jubao Duan","doi":"10.1515/mr-2022-0009","DOIUrl":"10.1515/mr-2022-0009","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Schizophrenia (SCH) is a complex and severe mental disorder with high prevalence, disability, mortality and carries a heavy disease burden, the lifetime prevalence of SCH is around 0.7%-1.0%, which has a profound impact on the individual and society. In the clinical practice of SCH, key problems such as subjective diagnosis, experiential treatment, and poor overall prognosis are still challenging. In recent years, some exciting discoveries have been made in the research on objective biomarkers of SCH, mainly focusing on genetic susceptibility genes, metabolic indicators, immune indices, brain imaging, electrophysiological characteristics. This review aims to summarize the biomarkers that may be used for the prediction and diagnosis of SCH.</p>","PeriodicalId":74151,"journal":{"name":"Medical review (Berlin, Germany)","volume":"2 4","pages":"385-416"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-08-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://ftp.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pub/pmc/oa_pdf/44/83/mr-2-4-mr-2022-0009.PMC10388817.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"10311414","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Enhancement of visual perception by combining transcranial electrical stimulation and visual perceptual training.","authors":"Qing He, Xin-Yue Yang, Daiqing Zhao, Fang Fang","doi":"10.1515/mr-2022-0010","DOIUrl":"10.1515/mr-2022-0010","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The visual system remains highly malleable even after its maturity or impairment. Our visual function can be enhanced through many ways, such as transcranial electrical stimulation (tES) and visual perceptual learning (VPL). TES can change visual function rapidly, but its modulation effect is short-lived and unstable. By contrast, VPL can lead to a substantial and long-lasting improvement in visual function, but extensive training is typically required. Theoretically, visual function could be further improved in a shorter time frame by combining tES and VPL than by solely using tES or VPL. Vision enhancement by combining these two methods concurrently is both theoretically and practically significant. In this review, we firstly introduced the basic concept and possible mechanisms of VPL and tES; then we reviewed the current research progress of visual enhancement using the combination of two methods in both general and clinical population; finally, we discussed the limitations and future directions in this field. Our review provides a guide for future research and application of vision enhancement and restoration by combining VPL and tES.</p>","PeriodicalId":74151,"journal":{"name":"Medical review (Berlin, Germany)","volume":"2 3","pages":"271-284"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-07-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://ftp.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pub/pmc/oa_pdf/b9/44/mr-2-3-mr-2022-0010.PMC10388778.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"10313089","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"The molecular mechanisms that underlie neural network assembly.","authors":"Bing Ye","doi":"10.1515/mr-2022-0011","DOIUrl":"10.1515/mr-2022-0011","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Neural networks are groups of interconnected neurons, which collectively give rise to emergent neural activities and functions that cannot be explained by the activity of single neurons. How neural networks are assembled is poorly understood. While all aspects of neuronal development are essential for the assembly of a functional neural network, we know little about high-level principles that govern neural network assembly beyond the basic steps of neuronal development. In this review, I use vertebrate spinal motor columns, <i>Drosophila</i> larval motor circuit, and the lamination in the vertebrate inner retina to highlight the spatial codes, temporal codes, and cell adhesion codes for neural network assembly. Nevertheless, these examples only show preliminary connections between neural network development and their functions. Much needs to be done to understand the molecular mechanisms that underlie the assembly of functional neural networks.</p>","PeriodicalId":74151,"journal":{"name":"Medical review (Berlin, Germany)","volume":"2 3","pages":"244-250"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://ftp.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pub/pmc/oa_pdf/b3/18/mr-2-3-mr-2022-0011.PMC10388759.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"10314693","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"The future of care and clinical research in autism - recommendations from the 2021 Lancet Commission.","authors":"Xiang Yu, Xiu Xu","doi":"10.1515/mr-2022-0015","DOIUrl":"10.1515/mr-2022-0015","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>At least 78 million people worldwide are affected by autism, a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by deficits in social interactions, and repetitive behaviors and/or interests. Autism typically manifests in early childhood, and affects social communications and behaviors throughout the lifespan of the individual. Under the umbrella of autism spectrum disorder, it is a highly heterogeneous disorder, with some individuals profoundly affected and needing care every day, while others can live highly independent lives, with some adjustments. The past 60 years has seen a major influx of interest in autism, and significant advances in many areas. However, a large gap remains between current scientific knowledge and the help and support that people with autism and their families need. To address these concerns, the Lancet commissioned a report on the \"future of care and clinical research in autism\". The Commission calls for government coordination between health-care, education and social sectors, as well as active participation from people with autism and their families. The Commission proposes personalized, evidence-based assessments and intervention, that is accessible and affordable to all, and call for increased appreciation of neurodiversity and prioritization of research that can improve the lives of people with autism and their families. How to support each and every autistic individual and their families is highly challenging. The 64-page Lancet Commission Report, published on December 2021, was written jointly by 32 authors from 6 continents and 13 disciplines, including clinicians, other health-care providers, researchers, advocates, autistic individuals and their parents.</p>","PeriodicalId":74151,"journal":{"name":"Medical review (Berlin, Germany)","volume":"2 3","pages":"216-218"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://ftp.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pub/pmc/oa_pdf/0e/2d/mr-2-3-mr-2022-0015.PMC10388786.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"10314697","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Adiponectin: friend or foe in obesity and inflammation.","authors":"Liping Luo, Meilian Liu","doi":"10.1515/mr-2022-0002","DOIUrl":"10.1515/mr-2022-0002","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Adiponectin is an adipokine predominantly produced by fat cells, circulates and exerts insulin-sensitizing, cardioprotective and anti-inflammatory effects. Dysregulation of adiponectin and/or adiponectin signaling is implicated in a number of metabolic diseases such as obesity, insulin resistance, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases. However, while the insulin-sensitizing and cardioprotective effects of adiponectin have been widely appreciated in the field, the obesogenic and anti-inflammatory effects of adiponectin are still of much debate. Understanding the physiological function of adiponectin is critical for adiponectin-based therapeutics for the treatment of metabolic diseases.</p>","PeriodicalId":74151,"journal":{"name":"Medical review (Berlin, Germany)","volume":"2 4","pages":"349-362"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://ftp.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pub/pmc/oa_pdf/65/04/mr-2-4-mr-2022-0002.PMC10388816.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"10311413","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}