{"title":"Risks and Benefits of Patients Using AI Chatbot Companions.","authors":"Daniel B Shank","doi":"","DOIUrl":"","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":74203,"journal":{"name":"Missouri medicine","volume":"123 2","pages":"99-103"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13160459/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147936126","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":"Inflammation as an Etiologic Agent of Gastric Cancer.","authors":"Javier A Carrero, Melody Zhang, Richard J DiPaolo","doi":"","DOIUrl":"","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Chronic inflammation in the stomach significantly increases the risk of gastric cancer-a deadly disease with a poor prognosis, largely because it is often diagnosed too late. A better understanding of the pathophysiology and molecular mechanisms underlying this increased risk is essential to identify novel diagnostic and therapeutic targets for inflammation-induced carcinogenesis. Gastric epithelial atrophy, a precursor to cancer, can be induced by chemical, autoimmune, and infectious stimuli, primarily infection with <i>Helicobacter pylori</i>. We and others have shown that atrophy can also be induced by the secreted immune products (cytokines) of a type I/Th1 or Th17 immune response. The atrophic phase of gastritis is superseded by a metaplastic, or cellular redifferentiation phase driven by type II (Th2) cytokines. The outcome of this inflammatory sequela is dysplasia of the gastric epithelium; the substrate for multiple types of gastric cancers. Here we summarize our recent findings on Th1/Th17 and Th2 immune responses and their roles in driving gastric atrophy, metaplasia, and carcinogenesis. Importantly, these cytokines and their receptors represent promising therapeutic targets for the prevention and treatment of gastric cancer.</p>","PeriodicalId":74203,"journal":{"name":"Missouri medicine","volume":"123 2","pages":"130-135"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13160469/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147936168","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":"A New Paradigm to Put US Healthcare Back on Track.","authors":"John C Hagan","doi":"","DOIUrl":"","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":74203,"journal":{"name":"Missouri medicine","volume":"123 2","pages":"84-86"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13160475/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147936045","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":"What Is Your Legacy?","authors":"Brian Biggers","doi":"","DOIUrl":"","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":74203,"journal":{"name":"Missouri medicine","volume":"123 2","pages":"110-111"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13160463/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147936144","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}
Wenzheng Guo, Tyson Lobb, Smrithi Beeram, Stephen T Ferris
{"title":"From the NOD Mouse to Patients: Type 1 Conventional Dendritic Cells as a Therapeutic Target in Type 1 Diabetes.","authors":"Wenzheng Guo, Tyson Lobb, Smrithi Beeram, Stephen T Ferris","doi":"","DOIUrl":"","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is an autoimmune disease characterized by CD8<sup>+</sup> T cell mediated destruction of pancreatic β cells, leading to insulin deficiency. The non-obese diabetic (NOD) mouse is widely used as an experimental model for T1D because it closely mirrors the genetic and immune characteristics of the human disease. One key similarity between human T1D and the NOD mouse model is the associated HLA/MHC class II variant that alters the repertoire of CD4<sup>+</sup> T cells potentially leading to the initiation of disease. In addition, type 1 conventional dendritic cells (cDC1s) play an essential role in disease development through cross-presentation of β-cell antigens to CD8<sup>+</sup> and CD4<sup>+</sup> T cells. Notably, inhibiting this cross-presentation has been shown to prevent T1D in NOD mice. Therefore, as we strive to find strategies to inhibit T1D onset and progression, insights from NOD mice provide important guidance for understanding human T1D and for developing targeted immunotherapies.</p>","PeriodicalId":74203,"journal":{"name":"Missouri medicine","volume":"123 2","pages":"124-129"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13160472/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147936157","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 Interplay of Aging and the Immune System.","authors":"Rajeev Aurora, Brittani Lubeck, Aarushi Choudhari","doi":"","DOIUrl":"","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Aging is a genetically regulated biological process. We review recent studies that highlight the role of the immune system, specifically chronic inflammation, in contributing to age-related decline and frailty. Of clinical importance, aging is a risk factor for multiple conditions. During childbearing years, women are largely protected from diseases associated with aging. However, menopause, which marks the loss of ovarian function, introduces a significant shift. An unexpected and remarkable discovery is that the decline in estrogen levels triggers chronic inflammation, which in turn promotes atherosclerosis, osteoporosis, and cognitive decline. Gaining a deeper understanding of the crosstalk between aging and the immune system is essential for advancing strategies that support healthy aging.</p>","PeriodicalId":74203,"journal":{"name":"Missouri medicine","volume":"123 2","pages":"116-123"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13160466/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147936124","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":"Allogenic Memory-Like Natural Killer Cell Therapy.","authors":"Alaa M Khalifa, Melissa M Berrien-Elliott","doi":"","DOIUrl":"","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Adoptive cell therapy has witnessed significant progress with the success of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells for treating cancer. However, their autologous nature limits scalability, and increases production time and manufacturing costs. Additionally, CAR-T cell administration can result in severe toxicities, including cytokine release syndrome (CRS) and neurotoxicity. To address these issues, allogeneic, natural killer (NK) cells are being explored as an alternative. NK cells are cytotoxic lymphocytes that play a pivotal role in tumor surveillance and eradication. Unlike T cells, NK cells can identify and eliminate targets without MHC restriction or prior sensitization. Furthermore, NK cells exhibit enhanced responses after exposure to virus infections or cytokine activation (cytokine induced memory-like). Allogeneic NK cell therapies offer a promising alternative to autologous cell therapies, with reduced risk of graft-versus-host disease and rapid availability. This review summarizes the current landscape of allogeneic memory-like NK cell therapies, including clinical applications and challenges.</p>","PeriodicalId":74203,"journal":{"name":"Missouri medicine","volume":"123 2","pages":"136-141"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13160484/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147935991","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":"From Personal Tragedy to Community Health Activist.","authors":"Jim Blaine","doi":"","DOIUrl":"","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":74203,"journal":{"name":"Missouri medicine","volume":"123 2","pages":"112-114"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13160471/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147936032","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}