Hepatitis C virus-induced hepatocellular carcinoma: a narrative review.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most frequent primary liver carcinoma, accounting for about 80% of cases. In spite of advances in modern oncology, this neoplasia still holds the second place in overall cancer mortality. HCC is a multifactor disease: it results from accumulated oncogenic potentials made up of several groups of risk factors, the most significant of which is an infection with hepatotropic viruses.

Rationale, design, and methodology of a trial evaluating three models of care for HCV treatment among injection drug users on opioid agonist therapy.

Background: People who inject drugs (PWID) constitute 60% of the approximately 5 million people in the U.S. infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV).

Identification of 22q13 genes most likely to contribute to Phelan McDermid syndrome.

Chromosome 22q13.3 deletion (Phelan McDermid) syndrome (PMS) is a rare genetic neurodevelopmental disorder resulting from deletions or other genetic variants on distal 22q. Pathological variants of the SHANK3 gene have been identified, but terminal chromosomal deletions including SHANK3 are most common.

Polyphenols Treatment in Patients with Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease.

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) affects 25-30% of the general population worldwide and this high prevalence is linked with lifestyle and dietetic changes, not only in Western countries, but also in the urban areas of developing countries. Several pharmacological approaches were proposed in the treatment of NAFLD, but the reported results are inconclusive. International guidelines recommended the reduction of dietary fat and fructose, in association with some physical activity.

Homologous Recombination in Protozoan Parasites and Recombinase Inhibitors.

Homologous recombination (HR) is a DNA double-strand break (DSB) repair pathway that utilizes a homologous template to fully repair the damaged DNA. HR is critical to maintain genome stability and to ensure genetic diversity during meiosis. A specialized class of enzymes known as recombinases facilitate the exchange of genetic information between sister chromatids or homologous chromosomes with the help of numerous protein accessory factors.

Genetic and Epigenetic Profile of Patients With Alcoholic Liver Disease.

Alcoholic liver disease (ALD) is a definition encompassing a spectrum of disorders ranging from simple steatosis to cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Excessive alcohol consumption triggers a series of metabolic reactions that affect the liver by inducing lipogenesis, increasing oxidative stress, and causing abnormal inflammatory responses. The metabolic pathways regulating lipids, reactive oxygen species (ROS), and immune system are closely related and in some cases cross-regulate each other.

Adiponectin serum level changes and its dynamic relationship with hepatitis C during viral clearance.

Recent evidences suggest that adiponectin is a multifunctional hormone, inversely associated with cardiovascular risk factors, such as blood pressure, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and triglycerides levels. Literature data are conflicting on the serum adiponectin levels in chronic hepatitis C patients. Here we analyze the interesting study of Chang and coworkers, on the dynamic relationship between adiponectin levels and insulin resistance, in chronic hepatitis C patients during viral clearance.

Journal Clubs in Sports Medicine Fellowship Programs: Results From a National Survey and Recommendations for Quality Improvement.

Background: Journal club is a pervasive component of graduate medical education, yet there is no gold standard as to format and logistics.

Methods: Survey of primary care sports medicine fellowship directors in the United States.

Results: Sixty-nine program directors completed the online questionnaire (40% response rate).

The β-isoform of BCCIP promotes ADP release from the RAD51 presynaptic filament and enhances homologous DNA pairing.

Homologous recombination (HR) is a template-driven repair pathway that mends DNA double-stranded breaks (DSBs), and thus helps to maintain genome stability. The RAD51 recombinase facilitates DNA joint formation during HR, but to accomplish this task, RAD51 must be loaded onto the single-stranded DNA. DSS1, a candidate gene for split hand/split foot syndrome, provides the ability to recognize RPA-coated ssDNA to the tumor suppressor BRCA2, which is complexed with RAD51.

Characterization of the recombination activities of the Entamoeba histolytica Rad51 recombinase.

The protozoan parasite responsible for human amoebiasis is Entamoeba histolytica. An important facet of the life cycle of E. histolytica involves the conversion of the mature trophozoite to a cyst.

The Legal Landscape of Concussion: Implications for Sports Medicine Providers.

Context: Concussion legislation has been enacted in all 50 of the United States, aiming to prevent mild traumatic brain injuries and the potential long-term sequelae of these injuries in youth athletics. Sports medicine providers, in addressing this major public health concern, are tasked with adhering to the established standards of medical care while also considering the legal implications.

Evidence Acquisition: The PubMed (2011-2016) database was searched using the following search terms: concussion, sports concussion, legislation, and concussion legislation.

Entamoeba histolytica Dmc1 Catalyzes Homologous DNA Pairing and Strand Exchange That Is Stimulated by Calcium and Hop2-Mnd1.

Meiosis depends on homologous recombination (HR) in most sexually reproducing organisms. Efficient meiotic HR requires the activity of the meiosis-specific recombinase, Dmc1. Previous work shows Dmc1 is expressed in Entamoeba histolytica, a eukaryotic parasite responsible for amoebiasis throughout the world, suggesting this organism undergoes meiosis.