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Query: UMLS:C0023890 (
cirrhosis
)
42,195
document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)
The paleopathological study of 40 Italian Renaissance mummies has allowed us to perform about 20 diagnoses, of which 5 concern infectious (smallpox, hepatitis, condyloma, syphilis and pneumonia), 4 metabolic (obesity,
atherosclerosis
, gallstones and uric acid nephrolithiasis), 2 articular (DISH and rheumatoid arthritis) and 2 neoplastic (skin apithelioma and colon adenocarcinoma) diseases. The mummy of an anonymous child, dated back to the 16th century (C14=1569 +/- 60), presented a diffuse vesiculo-pustular exanthema. Macroscopic aspects and regional distribution suggested smallpox, while EM reavealed many egg-shaped, virus-like particles (250 x 50 nm), with a central dense core. Following incubation with anti-smallpox virus antiserum and protein A-gold complex immunostaining, the particles resulted completely covered with protein A-gold. These results clearly show that this Neapolitan child died of a severe form of smallpox some four centuries ago. The mummy of Maria of Aragon, Marquise of Vasto (1503-1568), reavealed on the left arm an oval, cutaneous ulcer (15x10 nm) with linen dressing. Indirect immunofluorescence with anti-treponema pallidum antibody identified a large number of filaments with the morphological characteristics of fluorescent treponemes. EM evidenced typical spirochetes, with axial fibril. These findings clearly demonstrate a treponemal, probably venereal, infection. The mummy of Ferrante I of Aragon, King of Naples (1431-1494), revealed an adenocarcinoma extensively infiltrating the muscles of the small pelvis. A molecular study of the neoplastic tissue evidenced a typical mutation of the K-ras gene codon 12:the normal sequence GGT (glycine) was altered into GAT (aspartic acid). At present this genetic change is the most frequent mutation of the K-ras gene in sporadic colorectal cancer. The alimentary "environment" of the Neapolitan court of the XV century, with its abundance of natural alimentary alkylating agents, well explains this acquired mutation. These and other diseases as, for example, a fatal puerperal complication, a thyroid goiter, a case of Wilson's
cirrhosis
, some cases of anthracosis and other peculiar traumatic conditions, such as a mortal stab-wound, can elucidate the pathocenosis of the wealthy classes of the Italian Renaissance.
...
PMID:Renaissance mummies in Italy. 1162 3
Inflammation is overall a protective response, whose main goal is to liberate the human being of cellular lesions caused by micro-organisms, toxins, allergens, etc., as well as its consequences, and of death cells and necrotic tissues. Chronic inflammation, which is detrimental to tissues, is the basic pathogenic mechanism of hypersensitivity reactions against xenobiotics. Other frequent pathologies, for instance
atherosclerosis
, chronic hepatitis, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD),
liver cirrhosis
, lung fibrosis, psoriasis, and rheumatoid arthritis are also chronic inflammatory diseases. Chemical mediators of inflammation are derived from blood plasma or different cell-type activity. Biogenic amines, eicosanoids and cytokines are within the most important mediators of inflammatory processes. The different activities of eicosanoids derived from arachidonic acid (20:4 n-6) versus those derived from eicosapentaenoic acid (20:5 n-3) are one of the most important mechanisms to explain why n-3, or omega-3, polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) exhibit anti-inflammatory properties in many inflammatory diseases. Dietary supplements ranging 1-8 g per day of n-3 PUFA have been reportedly beneficial in the treatment of IBD, eczema, psoriasis and rheumatoid arthritis. In addition, recent experimental studies in rats with experimental ulcerative colitis, induced by intrarectal injection of trinitrobenzene sulphonic acid, have documented that treatment with n-3 long-chain PUFA reduces mucosal damage as assessed by biochemical and histological markers of inflammation. Moreover, the defence antioxidant system in this model is enhanced in treated animals, provided that the n-3 PUFA supply is adequately preserved from oxidation.
...
PMID:Polyunsaturated fatty acids and inflammatory diseases. 1244 11
Shosaikoto, a Kampo medicine used clinically to treat patients with chronic hepatitis or
cirrhosis
in Japan, displays immunoregulatory effects, especially on macrophage functions. Oral administration of shosaikoto influences the synthesis of humoral factors such as the interleukins, nitric oxide and prostaglandins in macrophages. In addition, phagocytic activity is enhanced by treatment with shosaikoto, resulting in an antigen that is effectively presented to T lymphocytes to produce more antibodies. The role of macrophages in the pathogenesis of
atherosclerosis
is well recognized, although a therapeutic agent targeted at macrophages has not yet been developed. When shosaikoto was administered to atherosclerotic rabbits, it did not exhibit antihyperlipidemic effects but did reduce the formation of atherosclerotic lesions. In addition, treatment with shosaikoto suppressed intimal hyperplasia in apoE-deficient mice fed a cholesterol-enriched diet for nine weeks. Biochemical studies demonstrated that the mechanism of the antiatherosclerotic effect was partly due to the increase of oxidized low-density lipoprotein (oxLDL) elimination by macrophages, resulting from stimulation of oxLDL uptake through scavenger receptors, activation of acyl-CoA:cholesterol acyltransferase and neutral cholesteryl ester hydrolase, and increase of cholesterol elimination by high-density lipoprotein. Furthermore, shosaikoto is able to reverse the depression of macrophage functions caused by hyperlipidemia. These results indicate the potential of this medicine as a new type of preventive or therapeutic agent for
atherosclerosis
.
...
PMID:Shosaikoto as a potential antiatherosclerotic agent. 1293 13
Birth weight is a popular topic, because it is precisely recorded, a major determinant of infant survival, associated with infant mortality, and health outcomes later in life. Low birth weight (LBW) is a predisposing factor for metabolic abnormalities such as
atherosclerosis
, renal disease, non-insulin diabetes mellitus, asthma, low IQ, hypertension, obesity, psychological distress. They have all been reported to be more common among those who were small at birth. Due to lack of studies suggesting a linkage between LBW and diseases of liver; evidences, which support the hypothesis on the creation of a link between LBW, an indicator of unfavourable intrauterine environment, and liver diseases emerging in the adult life, and possible direct associations of LBW with liver diseases, e.g., hepatitis, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease,
cirrhosis
, hepatoblastoma, or hepatocellular carcinoma were discussed. The associations between LBW and hepatitis vaccination as well as paediatric parental nutrition were also noted.
...
PMID:Low birth weight: a possible risk factor also for liver diseases in adult life? 1367 7
IL-18 is a pleiotropic cytokine and is produced by various types of cells including activated macrophages, particularly Kupffer cells. IL-18 has potential to activate inflammatory responses through induction of IFN-gamma production in collaboration with IL-12. Somewhat paradoxically, IL-18 also has the capacity to induce allergic responses via induction of IL-4 production by T helper cells and to activate mast cells and basophils to release atopic effector molecules such as histamine. Indeed, IL-18 is involved in inflammatory tissue injuries, such as Crohn's disease and
atherosclerosis
, and also in hyper IgE and atopic dermatitis. IL-18 is particularly important for induction of experimental liver diseases. Endotoxin-induced liver injury or Fas ligand-induced hepatitis is caused by endogenous IL-18 in mice. Moreover, patients with liver diseases such as fulminant hepatitis,
liver cirrhosis
due to hepatitis virus infection and primary biliary cirrhosis show elevation of serum levels of IL-18, that correlates with the corresponding disease severity. Therefore, endogenous IL-18 plays a major role in induction of some types of liver injuries in mice and human. NKT cells that express both T cell receptor and NK cell marker are abundant in the liver of mice and human. Recent studies have revealed that NKT cells participate in some types of liver injuries, such as concanavalin A-induced T cell-mediated hepatitis and malaria hepatitis. In this review article, we focus on IL-18-involving liver damages and NKT-cell-mediated liver injuries.
...
PMID:Cytokine-induced inflammatory liver injuries. 1452 86
Endothelial adhesion molecules (AM) play an important role in the pathogenesis of several diseases namely infections, neoplasms and chronic inflammatory diseases. Because alcoholic hepatitis and even
atherosclerosis
are considered as inflammatory diseases and ethanol may modulate inflammatory response, several researchers have investigated the link between ethanol consumption, endothelial AM and the development of both processes. In vitro, animal and human studies have analysed the effects of ethanol and non-alcoholic components of alcoholic beverages on inflammatory biomarkers of
atherosclerosis
such as monocyte and endothelial AM. These studies have shown that both ethanol and non-alcoholic components of alcoholic beverages, mainly polyphenols, reduce intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) and E-selectin expression of vascular endothelium, as well as monocyte adhesion to this endothelium. These data suggest that moderate alcohol intake has an anti-inflammatory effect on the cardiovascular system and reduces early serum markers of
atherosclerosis
. However, at higher doses ethanol may exert an inflammatory effect. In fact, chronic alcoholics exhibit significantly higher serum levels of endothelial AM than abstainers and moderate drinkers. In addition, an upregulation of E-selectin, ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 is also detected in liver biopsies obtained from patients with alcoholic hepatitis and
cirrhosis
. The clinical usefulness of the measurement of serum endothelial AM is discussed.
...
PMID:The effect of alcohol consumption on endothelial adhesion molecule expression. 1469 Aug 73
Sixty patients with chronic hepatitis of various etiology at the stage of
hepatic cirrhosis
with hepatic encephalopathy syndrome (HES), thirty patients with cerebral
atherosclerosis
with dyscirculatory encephalopathy (DE) and 60 healthy controls have been examined in the study of basic diagnostic criteria of encephalopathies by short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) serum levels. Sensitivity and specificity of this test was also evaluated. Gas-liquid chromatography determined SCFA in the feces and peripheral blood serum from the above examinees. It was found that relative consent of SCFA and for the most part profiles of propionic and fat acids, acids with long chains, SCFA isomers in patients with encephalopathy of different genesis correlate with the results of clinical, laboratory and psychometric methods of examination and should be used together. Basic criteria are devised.
...
PMID:[Short-chain fatty acids and implications of their measurement in the diagnosis of encephalopathies]. 1497 Nov 59
Semicarbazide-sensitive amine-oxidase (SSAO) is present in various human tissues and in plasma. Oxidative deamination of short-chain aliphatic amines is catalyzed by this enzyme to afford the corresponding aldehydes, ammonia and hydrogen peroxide. Methylamine and aminoacetone have been recognized to be physiological substrates for SSAO. There are several pathological states where increased serum SSAO activity have been found, such as diabetes mellitus, congestive heart failure, multiple types of cerebral infarction, uraemia, and
hepatic cirrhosis
. The role of SSAO in pathophysiology of diabetes has been most extensively investigated. The elevated formation of the potentially cytotoxic products of the enzyme may contribute to the endothelial injury of blood vessels, resulting in the early development of severe
atherosclerosis
; it may also contribute to the pathogenesis of diabetic angiopathy. It is now suggested that SSAO inhibitors may prevent the development of
atherosclerosis
and diabetic complications as well. Inhibitors can be conveniently subdivided into the main groups of hydrazine derivatives, arylalkylamines, propenyl- and propargylamines, oxazolidinones, and haloalkylamines. Of them, aryl(alkyl)hydrazines, and 3-halo-2-phenylallylamines are generally very strong SSAO inhibitors. Most of these inhibitors of SSAO have been originally developed for other purposes, or they are simple chemical reagents with highly reactive structural element(s); these compounds have not been able to fulfil all criteria of high potency, selectivity, and acceptable toxicity. New potent compounds with selectivity and low toxicity are needed, which may prove useful tools for understanding the roles and function of SSAO, or they may even be valuable substances for treatment of various diseases.
...
PMID:Semicarbazide-sensitive amine oxidase: current status and perspectives. 1513 20
There is increasing evidence that inflammation plays an important role in
atherosclerosis
. Such inflammation is likely related to the presence of infectious organisms. Hence, we examined whether the use of antibiotic drugs decreases the risk of first-time myocardial infarction (MI). We identified 6737 cases of first-time hospitalization for MI, and 67,364 age- and gender-matched, population-based controls during 1991-2002, using data from the County Hospital Discharge Registry and the Civil Registration System of North Jutland County, Denmark. All prescriptions for antibiotics prior to the hospitalization for MI were identified through a prescription database. Conditional logistic regression was used to estimate odds ratios (OR) associated with antibiotic use, adjusted for potential confounding factors including previous discharge diagnoses of hypertension, chronic bronchitis and emphysema, alcoholism,
liver cirrhosis
, or diabetes mellitus and prescriptions for anti-hypertensive drugs, antidiabetic drugs, lipid-lowering agents, high-dose aspirin, platelet inhibitors, oral anticoagulants, or hormone replacement therapy. The use of any one type of antibiotic in the 3 years before hospitalization was not associated with a decreased risk of MI; the adjusted ORs with corresponding 95% confidence intervals were 1.07, 1.00-1.14 for penicillins; 1.15, 1.00-1.33 for macrolides; 0.95, 0.65-1.39 for tetracyclines; 1.25, 0.84-1.87 for quinolones; and 0.95, 0.80-1.12 for sulfonamides. A slight increase in the risk of MI was seen with the use of more than one type of antibiotic in the preceding 3 years (OR = 1.17, 95% CI = 1.09-1.27). Our findings do not support the hypothesis that the use of antibiotics is associated with a lower risk of first-time MI.
...
PMID:Antibiotics and risk of first-time hospitalization for myocardial infarction: a population-based case-control study. 1589 Dec 66
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) refers to a wide picture of liver damage, ranging from steatosis to steatohepatitis, fibrosis and
cirrhosis
. The epidemiological studies demonstrated an association of NAFLD with obesity, type 2 diabetes and hyperlipidemia. Under this light the metabolic syndrome (MS), including NAFLD, obesity, central fat distribution, diabetes, dyslipidemia, hypertension and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (CVD) can be considered the link to explain the presence of vascular diseases in patients with NAFLD. In NHANES III, the authors demonstrated that the presence of MS was associated with increased risk of myocardial infarction, stroke or both. In a prospective study on 1209 Finnish middle-aged men without CVD or diabetes at baseline, Lakka showed that MS per se is associated with an increased risk of CVD and all-cause mortality. Finally the
Atherosclerosis
Risk in Communities (ARIC) confirmed that subjects with MS were 2 times more likely to have prevalent coronary heart disease. From a pathophysiological point of view, growing evidences implicate the oxidative stress as the unifying mechanism for many CVD risk factors. Under this light there is emerging evidence suggesting that there is a significant increase in vascular oxidative stress in patients with MS, with the presence of endothelial dysfunction in the early stage of the syndrome. Indeed, the inflammation process evidentiated in these patients is initiated at the endothelial level, stressing the key role of this active and dynamic tissue in the pathophysiological pathways. Under this light the endothelium can be considered as the last effector of a multi-syndrome and the main target of all the future studies focused on the underlying mechamisms of this complex network. Because of the potential serious public health impact, the comprehension of these patophysiological pathways will be crucial to design new preventive measures and therapeutic strategies.
...
PMID:Hepatic steatosis and vascular disease. 1623 88
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