Elevated endogenous opioids in obstructive jaundice: the possible skin mechanisms
Obstructive jaundice disease is often accompanied by an increase in plasma endogenous opioids levels. Theses elevated endogenous opioids bring complications like pruritus, cardiac and vascular abnormalities in patients with cholestasis. However, little is known about the mechanism of increased endogenous opioids synthesis in cholestatic liver diseases. Different from the tradition view that the liver is the source of endogenous opioids peptides, recent researches give clues that skin may be another important organ in which endogenous opioid peptides were synthesized during cholestasis. (Source: Medical Hypotheses)
Source: Medical Hypotheses - May 15, 2018 Category: Biomedical Science Authors: Xiaoqian Li, Jiao Zhu, Yong Tao, Kunming Tao Source Type: research
The potential role of endocrine disrupting chemicals in cellulite
Cellulite constitutes a major aesthetic concern affecting the majority of post-adolescent women. Current epidemiological evidence supports that the prevalence of cellulite is significantly higher in industrialized societies indicating that environmental factors have crucial role in its pathogenesis and perpetuation. Endocrine disrupting chemicals, which exist ubiquitously in the environment, are able to alter hormonal and homeostatic systems. Several of them exert agonist effects by binding to estrogen receptors and mimicking the biological activity of estrogens. (Source: Medical Hypotheses)
Source: Medical Hypotheses - May 14, 2018 Category: Biomedical Science Authors: Maria Mazioti Source Type: research
Fractal dimension: A complementary diagnostic indicator of osteoporosis to bone mineral density
Morbidity of osteoporosis is increasing as the world population grows and ages, but bone mineral density (BMD) as a common-used diagnostic indicator is not omnipotent in predicting the bone fragility. According to the definition of osteoporosis by World Health Organization (WHO), the present hypothesis proposes an additional fractal-dimension indicator less than 3 to measure the structural changes of bones, and further to diagnose osteoporotic patients with complications, to which BMD is insensitive. (Source: Medical Hypotheses)
Source: Medical Hypotheses - May 12, 2018 Category: Biomedical Science Authors: Qiang Chen, Nirong Bao, Qingqiang Yao, Zhi-Yong Li Source Type: research
Tumor mutation burden to tumor burden ratio and prediction of clinical benefit of anti-PD-1/PD-L1 immunotherapy
Immune checkpoint inhibitors have profoundly altered the therapeutic landscape of several malignancies. The establishment of predictive biomarkers for checkpoint blockades is of the considerable importance in the identification of populations likely to experience a good response to immunotherapy and to maximize the therapeutic benefits. Several trials showed that the tumor mutation burden (TMB) could predict the response to immunotherapy, but some lower clinical benefit was also seen in cancer with high TMB. (Source: Medical Hypotheses)
Source: Medical Hypotheses - May 12, 2018 Category: Biomedical Science Authors: Bao-Dong Qin, Xiao-Dong Jiao, Yuan-Sheng Zang Source Type: research
Two for one: viral helicases as an ideal target for HIV and HCV co-infection
Helicase enzyme is responsible for the unwinding of complementary nucleic acid strands, which is one of the preliminary steps in DNA replication. They are crucial for replication of an organism, including viruses. HCV and HIV are two clinically significant pathogens, responsible for millions of infections and deaths worldwide. Due to similar transmission routes, these viruses can establish co-infection in an individual. Individually, these infections are difficult to treat, however, in case of co-infection, the treatment becomes more difficult. (Source: Medical Hypotheses)
Source: Medical Hypotheses - May 12, 2018 Category: Biomedical Science Authors: Muhammad Faraz Anwar, Shamshad Zarina, Syed Ali, Syed Hani Abidi Source Type: research
Dietary sources of iron and vitamin B12: is this the missing link in colorectal carcinogenesis?
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is distinctive for its strikingly high correlation with the diet. Heme-iron from red and processed meat was found to strongly increase the risk of CRC, yet only 20% of the total dietary iron is heme-iron. However, the results are still inconclusive in terms of the total dietary iron and CRC risk. On the other hand, vitamin B12 has been proposed as cytoprotector, and iron and vitamin B12 share their dietary sources. Meat and animal-derived products are the only foods that naturally provide vitamin B12. (Source: Medical Hypotheses)
Source: Medical Hypotheses - May 8, 2018 Category: Biomedical Science Authors: I. Banjari, A. Hj årtaker Source Type: research
Functionalized nanoliposomes loaded with anti survivin and anti angiogenic agents to enhance the activity of chemotherapy against melanoma by 4-pronged action
Melanin is a pigment which protects the body cells from harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays. Melanin is produced by cells called melanocytes which are primarily present in the epidermal layer of the skin. Melanoma is the malignant tumor of these melanocytes. Melanocytes use tyrosine to synthesize melanin. [29,47,30]. Melanoma is the fifth most common cancer in the United States. Though it accounts for less than 5% cases of skin cancer, it is the most serious type and result up to 75% of deaths due to skin cancer [66,23,47]. (Source: Medical Hypotheses)
Source: Medical Hypotheses - May 8, 2018 Category: Biomedical Science Authors: Harshita Mishra, Pawan Kumar Mishra, Zeenat Iqbal, Manu Jaggi, Sushama Talegaonkar Source Type: research
Aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) a possible target for the treatment of skin disease
Aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) is a transcription factor expressed in all skin cells type. It responds to exogenous and endogenous chemicals by inducing/repressing the expression of several genes with toxic or protective effects in a wide range of species and tissues. In healthy skin, AhR signalling contributes to keratinocytes differentiation, skin barrier function, skin pigmentation, and mediates oxidative stress. In the last years, some studies have shown that AhR seems to be involved in the pathogenesis of some skin diseases, even if the currently available data are contradictory. (Source: Medical Hypotheses)
Source: Medical Hypotheses - May 8, 2018 Category: Biomedical Science Authors: Maddalena Napolitano, Cataldo Patruno Source Type: research
Visual Vertigo: Vertigo of Oculomotor Origin
Since R óbert Bárány proposed his hypothesis on vestibulo-ocular reflex (VOR), dizziness associated with vertigo has been interpreted as being vestibular in origin. However, there have been many contradictory findings showing modulations of VOR, which have caused confusion as to VOR’s role and accuracy . Further, there seems to be an influence of VOR when the anatomical inner ear structures are congenitally absent. Many people report vertiginous symptoms when they are exposed to visually challenging situations. (Source: Medical Hypotheses)
Source: Medical Hypotheses - May 3, 2018 Category: Biomedical Science Authors: Seong Chin Source Type: research
Should all digital ulcers be included in future clinical trials of systemic sclerosis-related digital vasculopathy?
Digital ulcers (DU) are a common manifestation of systemic sclerosis (SSc) and occur at a variety of locations including the fingertips and over the extensor aspects of the hands. However, most recent clinical trials have included only fingertip DUs as these are believed to be ischaemic in aetiology, and therefore likely to benefit from treatment with vasoactive drug therapies. There is an emerging evidence base to suggest that all DUs in SSc could share an ischaemic component which is potentially responsive to vascular therapy. (Source: Medical Hypotheses)
Source: Medical Hypotheses - May 2, 2018 Category: Biomedical Science Authors: Michael Hughes, Andrea Murray, Christopher P Denton, Ariane L Herrick Source Type: research
Vitamin D supplementation: hypothetical effect on medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw
Vitamin D is an important nutrient for bone health and skeleton growth. Few foods are natural sources of this secosteroid; this is the reason why the consumption of vitamin D as a dietary supplement is becoming common in developed countries. For many years vitamin D has been considered crucial in the treatment and prevention of the Global Burden of Disease and in a reduction in mortality among elder people. Many health care providers prescribe these supplements in the management of osteoporosis and metabolic bone diseases; specifically in the primary prevention of fractures. (Source: Medical Hypotheses)
Source: Medical Hypotheses - April 28, 2018 Category: Biomedical Science Authors: A.I. Lorenzo-Pouso, M. P érez-Sayáns, A. García, J. Carballo Source Type: research
Females have stronger neurogenic response than males after non-specific nasal challenge in patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis
Epidemiological studies show female predominance in the prevalence of non- allergic rhinitis (NAR) and local allergic rhinitis (LAR). Experimental studies show female patients with allergic rhinitis (AR) demonstrate higher levels of sensitivity to irritants and airway hyperresponsiveness than males. Bronchial asthma shows female predominance in post-puberty patients, and gender interaction with severe asthma endotypes. Fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, migraine and chronic cough, syndromes, which are commonly related to neurokinin substance P (SP) in the literature, also show strong female predominance. (Source: Medical Hypotheses)
Source: Medical Hypotheses - April 28, 2018 Category: Biomedical Science Authors: Dejan Tomljenovic, Tomislav Baudoin, Zeljka Bukovec Megla, Goran Geber, Glenis Scadding, Livije Kalogjera Source Type: research
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Source: Medical Hypotheses - April 26, 2018 Category: Biomedical Science Source Type: research
Exercise and Chemotherapy-Induced Amenorrhea
Chemotherapy-induced amenorrhea (CIA) is the temporary or permanent loss of menses experienced by premenopausal women undergoing chemotherapy treatment for cancer. Two possible mechanisms through which chemotherapy induces CIA have been identified: systemic endothelial dysfunction, resulting in decreased blood flow to the ovaries, and increased oxidative stress within the ovaries, both of which are proposed to lead to apoptosis of follicles. Endothelial dysfunction in ovarian arteries in women undergoing or who have undergone chemotherapy treatment is characterized by prothrombotic changes and thickening of the vascular wa...
Source: Medical Hypotheses - April 25, 2018 Category: Biomedical Science Authors: Katlynn M. Mathis, Kathleen M. Sturgeon, Renate M. Winkels, Joachim Wiskemann, Nancy I. Williams, Kathryn Schmitz Source Type: research
Vitamin D supplementation may improve symptoms in Meniere ’s disease
In the last 4 years the authors observed a trend that correcting vitamin D deficiency in newly diagnosed cases of Meniere’s disease decreased the necessity of the ablative therapy with intratympanic gentamicin. According to their hypothesis, vitamin D supplementation may indeed have a beneficial effect in Me niere’s disease if the symptoms are caused by a local postviral autoimmune reaction. Vitamin D has a strong immunomodulatory role, one of which is the regulation of the expression of pro-inflammatory mediators. (Source: Medical Hypotheses)
Source: Medical Hypotheses - April 24, 2018 Category: Biomedical Science Authors: Bela B üki, Heinz Jünger, Yunxia Wang Lundberg Source Type: research
