Maintenance of macrophage transcriptional programs and intestinal homeostasis by epigenetic reader SP140.

Epigenetic "readers" that recognize defined posttranslational modifications on histones have become desirable therapeutic targets for cancer and inflammation. SP140 is one such bromodomain- and plant homeodomain (PHD)-containing reader with immune-restricted expression, and single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) within associate with Crohn's disease (CD). However, the function of SP140 and the consequences of disease-associated SNPs have remained unclear.

Intestinal Alkaline Phosphatase Attenuates Alcohol-Induced Hepatosteatosis in Mice.

Background And Aims: Bacterially derived factors from the gut play a major role in the activation of inflammatory pathways in the liver and in the pathogenesis of alcoholic liver disease. The intestinal brush-border enzyme intestinal alkaline phosphatase (IAP) detoxifies a variety of bacterial pro-inflammatory factors and also functions to preserve gut barrier function. The aim of this study was to investigate whether oral IAP supplementation could protect against alcohol-induced liver disease.

A novel approach to maintain gut mucosal integrity using an oral enzyme supplement.

Objective: To determine the role of intestinal alkaline phosphatase (IAP) in enteral starvation-induced gut barrier dysfunction and to study its therapeutic effect as a supplement to prevent gut-derived sepsis.

Background: Critically ill patients are at increased risk for systemic sepsis and, in some cases, multiorgan failure leading to death. Years ago, the gut was identified as a major source for this systemic sepsis syndrome.

Efficacy and safety of continuous low-irradiance photodynamic therapy in the treatment of chest wall progression of breast cancer.

Background: Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a binary therapy using a drug and high-energy light source. PDT is approved for several premalignant and malignant conditions. Recent in-vitro and animal data suggest that enhanced tumor-specific cytotoxicity can be achieved with far less collateral damage to normal surrounding tissues if PDT is administered continuously at a lower dose rate for extended periods of time.

The surgical management of thyroid cancer.

Thyroid cancer has been increasing in incidence, with the number of reported cases in the US rising by 25% over the last 3 years. With growing technological advances in the field and improved contributions of diagnostics, surgical decision-making and operative planning have taken on new challenges. Herein, we review the current clinical practice recommendations and active areas of surgical controversy, reflective of the most recently published professional consensus guidelines and a systematic review of the literature.