Drug-induced liver injury (DILI) is a harmful reaction to medications, herbs, and dietary supplements that results in liver dysfunction. Based on the distinct clinical patterns of liver damage, DILI can be categorized into hepatocellular, cholestatic, and mixed types. Hepatocellular DILI is linked to inflammation, apoptosis, and necrosis, while cholestatic DILI is commonly associated with bile plugs and, in rare cases, ductopenia. Ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) is the therapeutic agent most widely used for the treatment of cholestatic hepatopathies of diverse etiologies and has been mainly used as a supportive treatment in cholestatic DILI. In this review, we presented a more structured and systematic framework for the potential application of this hepatoprotective agent across a broader range of DILI scenarios. A MEDLINE search of the literature from 1995 to the present retrieved 41 preliminary clinical studies suggesting that UDCA may offer curative and preventive benefits for hepatocellular DILI as well. This aligns with preclinical studies in rodents, showing beneficial effects of UDCA in experimental DILI irrespective of the clinical patterns of injury involved. This could be due to the broad range of potentially beneficial effects of UDCA, which may address the various types of liver damage with different causes and mechanisms seen in all forms of DILI. UDCA’s beneficial properties include anticholestatic, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-apoptotic, anti-necrotic, mitochondrial protective, endoplasmic reticulum stress-relieving, and immunomodulatory effects. Controlled studies with systematic use of standardized causality assessments are eagerly awaited to properly validate the use of UDCA in DILI. Meanwhile, we hope this article helps clarify and systematize the use of this versatile and safe hepatoprotective medication for different types of liver toxicity.

Free radicals are produced in the body during normal cellular metabolic activities, and their excessive accumulation can overwhelm the natural antioxidant mechanisms. This leads to oxidative stress, which is associated with the development and progression of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as liver and kidney diseases, cardiovascular diseases, neurodegenerative diseases, cancer, and diabetes. Enzymes play a significant role in maintaining a balance between antioxidants and free radicals by either enhancing the production of antioxidants or slowing down the generation of free radicals in the body. There is no up-to-date review on how antioxidant-enzyme interactions modulate the development and progression of NCDs. This review, therefore, discusses the mechanisms of antioxidant-enzyme interactions in the control of oxidative stress, as well as the implications and prospects of these interactions in the management of NCDs. Therapeutic strategies targeting antioxidant-enzyme interactions in the natural defense mechanisms of the body against oxidative stress can provide targeted benefits in the management of various NCDs. The mechanisms of interaction of some antioxidants with catalase, superoxide dismutase, glutathione reductase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione S-transferases, thioredoxin protein, and thioredoxin reductase suggest their strong involvement in mitigating the development and progression of NCDs. Moreover, understanding the specific interactions and signaling pathways involved in antioxidant-enzyme interactions could facilitate the emergence of novel and effective therapeutic strategies for the management of NCDs and should be considered a primary goal of future studies. This study provides the necessary template, encourages discussion, and creates more opportunities for the next stage in the development of antioxidant therapies.

Achalasia is a motility disorder of the esophagus, characterized by failure of relaxation of the lower esophageal sphincter and disordered peristalsis. Although it is a rare condition, its incidence is rising, likely due to advances in diagnostic techniques and the adoption of standardized definitions. Achalasia is associated with significant morbidity, and currently, there is no cure. Pharmacologic, endoscopic, and surgical interventions are aimed at symptom control. Laparoscopic Heller myotomy (LHM) has been the standard of care for achalasia since the 1990s. Over the past two decades, per-oral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) has emerged as a viable treatment option. Today, LHM and POEM represent the two most effective treatment modalities available for achalasia. This review aims to compare outcomes following LHM and POEM for achalasia and to explore patient characteristics and technical factors that guide optimal treatment selection. We examine the evidence regarding dysphagia relief, reflux, complications, and reintervention rates for both procedures, taking into account factors such as prior surgical history, achalasia subtype, and patient comorbidities.

Patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and metabolic syndrome (MetS) have a higher prevalence and mortality rate of cardiovascular diseases, posing a significant burden on both individuals and society. Although the precise pathophysiological relationship between OSA and MetS remains unclear, their bidirectional interaction may create a harmful cycle of mutual reinforcement. This review explored the current treatment progress for OSA and MetS, including continuous positive airway pressure therapy, weight management, and metabolic surgeries. Studies indicate that while continuous positive airway pressure therapy effectively alleviates OSA symptoms, its impact on metabolic markers is limited, emphasizing the importance of long-term weight control. Metabolic surgeries, such as gastric bypass and sleeve gastrectomy, significantly reduce weight and directly improve metabolic abnormalities associated with MetS, such as insulin resistance and dyslipidemia, thereby lowering the risk of cardiovascular diseases. In contrast, mandibular advancement devices primarily improve symptoms of OSA and indirectly enhance metabolic function by improving sleep quality and reducing intermittent hypoxemia. Although mandibular advancement devices have a limited direct impact on metabolic parameters, they may offer potential benefits in lowering blood pressure and managing MetS. Understanding and breaking the cycle between OSA and MetS can significantly reduce the associated cardiovascular risks.

Microscopic colitis is a chronic inflammatory disease of the colon that describes patients who present with watery diarrhea, normal or minimal endoscopic findings, and chronic inflammation identified on colonic biopsy. As the name suggests, microscopic colitis requires histologic evaluation for diagnosis. The two most well-established histologic patterns are collagenous colitis and lymphocytic colitis. In this review, we highlighted the key histologic features of microscopic colitis on biopsy specimens, along with its endoscopic findings, pathogenesis, and underlying molecular mechanisms. We also discussed important mimickers—including amyloidosis, collagenous colitis, ischemic colitis, and radiation colitis—emphasizing their distinguishing histopathologic characteristics. Recognizing these mimickers is crucial, as their treatment strategies are significantly different.

Thrombocytopenia in cirrhosis presents significant challenges in clinical practice. To help clinicians rapidly understand and standardize the diagnosis and treatment of this condition, the Liver Fibrosis, Cirrhosis, and Portal Hypertension Group under the Chinese Society of Hepatology, Chinese Medical Association, convened experts across relevant fields to formulate the Expert Consensus for the Management of Thrombocytopenia in Cirrhosis. This consensus aimed to provide evidence-based guidance for clinical diagnosis and treatment.

Large granular lymphocytic leukemias (LGLLs), including T-cell LGLL and natural kill (NK)-cell LGLL variants, are rare lymphoproliferative disorders characterized by the chronic proliferation of cytotoxic lymphocytes. Despite recent advancements, challenges remain in distinguishing these entities from one another and from related disorders, such as T-cell prolymphocytic leukemia, adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma, Sézary syndrome, and aggressive NK-cell leukemia, owing to overlapping clinical and morphologic features. This article aims to review the role of molecular and immunophenotypic markers in guiding diagnosis and prognosis of LGLLs, with brief review of their clinical and morphologic features by synthesizing current advances in molecular pathogenesis, immunophenotypic profiling, and updated World Health Organization (WHO) classification criteria in order to enhance diagnostic precision, improve prognostic assessment, and inform personalized treatment strategies for these challenging disorders.

Literature was searched through Pubmed and the recently published 5th WHO classification criteria. Articles were reviewed and analyzed with emphasis on recent molecular and cytogenetic insights.

A total of 106 publications were reviewed, and the recent molecular insights—focusing on those concerning STAT3 mutations in T-cell LGLL and TET2 mutations in NK-cell LGLL which have refined diagnostic frameworks, though gaps persist in understanding their clinical relevance and variability.

By providing a comparative analysis of large granular lymphocytic leukemias and their differential diagnoses in cooperation of the current advances in molecular pathogenesis, immunophenotypic profiling, and updated WHO classification criteria, this work aimed to enhance diagnostic precision, improve prognostic assessment, and inform personalized treatment strategies for these challenging LGLLs.

Cancer continues to pose a substantial public health problem in Nigeria, characterized by rising rates of occurrence and mortality. While there is increasing interest in using natural products for cancer treatment, comprehensive data on the specific bioactive compounds in these plants and how they modulate different types of cancer are still lacking. Additionally, although traditional knowledge about these food plants is rich and valuable, it has not been fully integrated with modern scientific research to create standardized treatment protocols. Scientific databases like PubMed, ScienceDirect, Google Scholar, and ResearchGate were explored to retrieve empirical data. The key plants discussed are Spondias mombin, Xanthosoma sagittifolium, Elaeis guineensis, Irvingia gabonensis, Allium cepa, Blighia sapida, Dioscorea dumetorum, Psidium guajava, and Talinum triangulare. These plants demonstrate a wide range of anticancer properties, including the ability to induce apoptosis (cell death), halt the cell cycle, inhibit angiogenesis, and regulate inflammatory responses. They contain a variety of phytochemicals, such as flavonoids, tannins, terpenoids, alkaloids, and organosulfur compounds, which contribute to their anticancer effects. For example, Spondias mombin contains flavonoids that inhibit the formation of tumors, whereas Xanthosoma sagittifolium exhibits cytotoxic effects against leukemia cells. Additionally, Elaeis guineensis exhibits antioxidant properties that counteract oxidative stress, a crucial factor in cancer progression. This review highlights the significance of these plants in developing complementary cancer therapies that can be used alongside conventional treatments. By combining traditional knowledge with contemporary scientific methods, these medicinal plants have the potential to provide innovative approaches to cancer prevention and treatment, addressing the pressing demand for safer and more efficient therapeutic alternatives.

The proto-oncogene c-Fos is known as a reliable marker of cell activation, which is immediately induced after a new stimulus in specific brain regions, depending on the nature of the stimulus applied. However, the expression of c-Fos is increased in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and contributes to amyloid β-peptide-induced neurotoxicity. This review attempted to focus on the role of c-Fos in learning and memory in both healthy brain and AD, emphasizing on possible mechanisms. Comparing the available findings, regarding learning and memory, c-Fos expression leads to memory formation through ERK (extracellular signal-regulated kinase)/CREB (cAMP response element-binding protein) and long-term potentiation, while it is down regulated after the repetition and habituation of stimuli. However, its overexpression in neurons and glia of AD, contributes to cognitive deficits and neuronal loss, which represents a defect in its ability to habituate to repeated stimuli. Also, expression pattern in glial is associated with constitutive CREB activation following increasing amyloid beta (Aβ), activation transcription factor (ATF3), and cytochrome c in apoptosis pathways. Thus, two contradictory roles of c-Fos in the healthy brain and AD, reveal more complexity in c-Fos up and down stream signaling pathways, bioavailability, and sensitivity. Future studies focusing on c-Fos modulation, might offer promising strategies to mitigate cognitive decline in AD.

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is characterized by chronic inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract and primarily includes ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease. As the number of patients suffering from IBD increases, diagnosis and treatment have become pressing yet challenging tasks. A major challenge is that patients with IBD often do not exhibit characteristic symptoms, making it difficult to distinguish IBD from other intestinal abnormalities. Endoscopy is the most conventional method used to diagnose IBD; however, this technique is invasive and costly. Therefore, there is a need to develop affordable, non-invasive diagnostic methods, which underscores the importance of identifying biomarkers specific to IBD. It is now well established that the gut microbiome plays a significant role in the development of IBD, and changes in the abundance of various gut organisms have been widely studied to identify microbial signatures associated with the disease. This review discusses the current state of knowledge regarding biomarkers in IBD, with a primary focus on the gut microbiome, associated metabolic signatures, and their links with immunological biomarkers. These biomarkers will help propose an integrative model to better understand the pathophysiology of this complex disease. Such an integrated approach also offers insights into potential therapeutic targets for designing more effective treatment strategies for patients.