{"title":"Screening for pancreatic cancer: what can cyst fluid analysis tell us?","authors":"Walter G Park","doi":"10.3410/M3-3","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3410/M3-3","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Pancreatic cysts are increasingly recognized as a dilemma in clinical practice because of their uncertain risk of malignancy. Because diagnosis by cytology is insensitive, current guidelines suggest using radiographic and clinical criteria to determine the appropriateness of surgery or surveillance, although this is far from perfect. Several cyst fluid biomarkers have been reported to aid diagnosis, and to date, carcinoembryonic antigen is the most accurate in detecting potentially cancerous mucinous cysts, but not in detecting malignant cysts. Recent studies have highlighted novel cyst fluid biomarkers based on DNA analysis, protein expression profiling, and secreted proteins that, if validated, may improve diagnosis and management.</p>","PeriodicalId":88480,"journal":{"name":"F1000 medicine reports","volume":"3 ","pages":"3"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2011-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://ftp.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pub/pmc/oa_pdf/ac/8e/medrep-03-03.PMC3042313.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"29737860","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":"Medication-assisted treatment for opioid dependence: making a difference in prisons.","authors":"Anna Pecoraro, George E Woody","doi":"10.3410/M3-1","DOIUrl":"10.3410/M3-1","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This article explores the evolving evidence supporting the provision of opioid maintenance therapies to incarcerated populations.</p>","PeriodicalId":88480,"journal":{"name":"F1000 medicine reports","volume":"3 ","pages":"1"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2011-01-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://ftp.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pub/pmc/oa_pdf/8f/78/medrep-03-01.PMC3042317.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"29737857","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 allergy gene: how a mutation in a skin protein revealed a link between eczema and asthma.","authors":"W H Irwin McLean","doi":"10.3410/M3-2","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3410/M3-2","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Ichthyosis vulgaris is a common genetic skin disorder characterized by dry, scaly skin. About 1% of the European population have the full presentation of ichthyosis vulgaris; up to 10% have a milder, subclinical form. Atopic eczema is the most common, inflammatory skin condition, affecting 20% of children. It is often accompanied by a number of other allergies, including atopic asthma. Atopic eczema is a complex trait, where predisposing genes in combination with environmental stimuli produce the disease. Recently, we reported the first loss-of-function genetic mutations in the filaggrin gene as the cause of ichthyosis vulgaris. We noted people with ichthyosis vulgaris also have atopic eczema (and vice versa) and that the filaggrin gene sits in a known atopic eczema susceptibility locus. We went on to confirm that filaggrin mutations, carried by up to 10% of the population, are the major genetic predisposing factor for atopic eczema and the various allergies associated with atopic eczema. Filaggrin is a highly abundant protein expressed in the uppermost part of the epidermis that is critical to the formation and hydration of the stratum corneum-the outermost dead cell layers responsible for the barrier function of the skin. Filaggrin deficiency leads to a \"leaky\" skin barrier that allows higher than normal water loss (explaining the dry, scaly skin), as well as allowing entry of allergens through the epidermis where they trigger inflammatory and allergic immune responses (atopic eczema and allergies). This work has placed the skin barrier at the center stage of eczema and allergy research and has kick-started new therapy development programs aimed at repairing or enhancing skin-barrier function as a means of treating or preventing these very common diseases.</p>","PeriodicalId":88480,"journal":{"name":"F1000 medicine reports","volume":"3 ","pages":"2"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2011-01-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://ftp.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pub/pmc/oa_pdf/8a/50/medrep-03-02.PMC3042307.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"29737858","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":"Emerging fungal infections in immunocompromised patients.","authors":"Chian-Yong Low, Coleman Rotstein","doi":"10.3410/M3-14","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3410/M3-14","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Invasive fungal infections are infections of importance and are increasing in incidence in immunocompromised hosts such as patients who have had hematopoietic stem cell and solid organ transplants. Despite our expanded antifungal armamentarium, these infections cause considerable morbidity and mortality. Indeed, certain trends have emerged in these invasive fungal infections: a rise in the incidence of invasive mold infections, an increase in the non-albicans strains of Candida spp. causing invasive disease and, finally, the emergence of less susceptible fungal strains that are resistant to the broader-spectrum antifungal agents due to overutilization of these agents. Clinicians must recognize the patient groups that are potentially at risk for these invasive fungal infections, as well as the risk factors for such infections. By using more sensitive nonculture-based diagnostic techniques, appropriate therapy may be initiated earlier to enhance survival in these immunocompromised patient populations.</p>","PeriodicalId":88480,"journal":{"name":"F1000 medicine reports","volume":"3 ","pages":"14"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2011-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.3410/M3-14","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"30107820","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":"Molecular insights into Parkinson's disease.","authors":"Bobby Thomas, M Flint Beal","doi":"10.3410/M3-7","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3410/M3-7","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Parkinson's disease is a neurodegenerative movement disorder characterized by loss of midbrain dopaminergic neurons leading to motor abnormalities and autonomic dysfunctions. Despite intensive research, the etiology of Parkinson's disease remains poorly understood leaving us with no effective therapeutic options. However, the recent identification of genes linked to heritable forms of Parkinson's disease has revolutionized research in the field and has begun to provide new clues to disease pathogenesis. Here we discuss these recent genetic advances and highlight their significance in our quest to better understand common underlying disease mechanisms that will help us identify innovative neuroprotective therapies for Parkinson's disease.</p>","PeriodicalId":88480,"journal":{"name":"F1000 medicine reports","volume":"3 ","pages":"7"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2011-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.3410/M3-7","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"30226656","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":"Alloantigen-based AIDS vaccine: revisiting a \"rightfully\" discarded promising strategy.","authors":"Gene M Shearer, Adriano Boasso","doi":"10.3410/M3-12","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3410/M3-12","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This report revisits the accidental discovery that protection against simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) infection in the early successful experimental AIDS vaccine studies in Rhesus macaques was due to antibodies directed against human leukocyte antigens (HLAs). The inactivated virus vaccine approach was discarded because protection was due to the host's immune reaction against the HLA acquired by SIV from the human cell lines in which it was grown, rather than against antigenic determinants of SIV itself. Subsequent studies have revealed that immune recognition of HLA on uninfected leukocytes also induces other factors that inhibit infection by both SIV and the human immunodeficiency virus. Pro and con aspects of immunization against HLA as a potential AIDS vaccine strategy are discussed.</p>","PeriodicalId":88480,"journal":{"name":"F1000 medicine reports","volume":"3 ","pages":"12"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2011-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://ftp.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pub/pmc/oa_pdf/9d/e4/medrep-03-12.PMC3155155.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"30107818","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 new face of ovarian cancer modeling: better prospects for detection and treatment.","authors":"Alison M Karst, Ronny Drapkin","doi":"10.3410/M3-22","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3410/M3-22","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Ovarian cancer has a disproportionately high mortality rate because patients typically present with late-stage metastatic disease. The vast majority of these deaths are from high-grade serous carcinoma. Recent studies indicate that many of these tumors arise from the fallopian tube and subsequently metastasize to the ovary. This may explain why such tumors have not been detected at early stage as detection efforts have been focused purely on the ovary. In keeping with this leap in understanding other advances such as the development of ex-vivo models and immortalization of human fallopian tube epithelial cells, and the use of integrated genomic analyses to identify hundreds of novel candidate oncogenes and tumor suppressors potentially involved in tumorigenesis now engender hope that we can begin to truly define the differences in pathogenesis between fallopian tube and ovarian-derived tumors. In doing so, we can hopefully improve early detection, treatment, and outcome.</p>","PeriodicalId":88480,"journal":{"name":"F1000 medicine reports","volume":"3 ","pages":"22"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2011-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://ftp.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pub/pmc/oa_pdf/c2/3d/medrep-03-22.PMC3206707.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"30248274","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}
Christina M Warboys, Narges Amini, Amalia de Luca, Paul C Evans
{"title":"The role of blood flow in determining the sites of atherosclerotic plaques.","authors":"Christina M Warboys, Narges Amini, Amalia de Luca, Paul C Evans","doi":"10.3410/M3-5","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3410/M3-5","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory disease characterized by the accumulation of lipids and inflammatory cells along the inner walls of arteries, and is an underlying cause of cardiovascular disease. Atherosclerotic lesions develop predominantly at branches, bends, and bifurcations in the arterial tree because these sites are exposed to low or disturbed blood flow, which exerts low/oscillatory shear stress on the vessel wall. This mechanical environment alters endothelial cell physiology by enhancing inflammatory activation. In contrast, regions of the arterial tree that are exposed to uniform, unidirectional blood flow and experience high shear stress are protected from inflammation and lesion development. Shear stress is sensed by the endothelium via mechanoreceptors and is subsequently transduced into biochemical signals resulting in modulation of proinflammatory signaling pathways. In this article, we address the molecular mechanisms behind the spatial localization of vascular inflammation and atherosclerosis, with particular focus on studies by our own group of two key proinflammatory signaling pathways, the mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway and the nuclear factor-kappa-B pathway.</p>","PeriodicalId":88480,"journal":{"name":"F1000 medicine reports","volume":"3 ","pages":"5"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2011-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.3410/M3-5","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"29922270","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":"MicroRNAs in cardiovascular disease.","authors":"Terry S Elton, Mahmood Khan, Dmitry Terentyev","doi":"10.3410/M3-10","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3410/M3-10","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Rapid and accurate diagnosis of heart attacks-and the assessment of damage-are critical for improving coronary care. Mature microRNAs (miRNAs) are abundant, easily measured, and relatively stable in blood plasma. If they prove indicative of disease states, miRNAs measured from peripheral blood may be a particularly attractive source for routine clinical assessments.</p>","PeriodicalId":88480,"journal":{"name":"F1000 medicine reports","volume":"3 ","pages":"10"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2011-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.3410/M3-10","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"29922271","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":"Anti-addiction vaccines.","authors":"Xiaoyun Shen, Frank M Orson, Thomas R Kosten","doi":"10.3410/M3-20","DOIUrl":"10.3410/M3-20","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Despite intensive efforts to eradicate it, addiction to both legal and illicit drugs continues to be a major worldwide medical and social problem. Anti-addiction vaccines can produce the antibodies to block the effects of these drugs on the brain, and have great potential to ameliorate the morbidity and mortality associated with illicit drug intoxications. This review provides a current overview of anti-addiction vaccines that are under clinical trial and pre-clinical research evaluation. It also outlines the development challenges, ethical concerns, and likely future intervention for anti-addiction vaccines.</p>","PeriodicalId":88480,"journal":{"name":"F1000 medicine reports","volume":"3 ","pages":"20"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2011-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://ftp.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pub/pmc/oa_pdf/ba/28/medrep-03-20.PMC3186043.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"30211636","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}