Role of Cannabinoids in Oral Cancer.

Cannabinoids have incited scientific interest in different conditions, including malignancy, due to increased exposure to cannabis. Furthermore, cannabinoids are increasingly used to alleviate cancer-related symptoms. This review paper aims to clarify the recent findings on the relationship between cannabinoids and oral cancer, focusing on the molecular mechanisms that could link cannabinoids with oral cancer pathogenesis. In addition, we provide an overview of the current and future perspectives on the management of oral cancer patients using cannabinoid compounds. Epidemiological data on cannabis use and oral cancer development are conflicting. However, in vitro studies assessing the effects of cannabinoids on oral cancer cells have unveiled promising anti-cancer features, including apoptosis and inhibition of cell proliferation. Downregulation of various signaling pathways with anti-cancer effects has been identified in experimental models of oral cancer cells exposed to cannabinoids. Furthermore, in some countries, several synthetic or phytocannabinoids have been approved as medical adjuvants for the management of cancer patients undergoing chemoradiotherapy. Cannabinoids may improve overall well-being by relieving anxiety, depression, pain, and nausea. In conclusion, the link between cannabinoid compounds and oral cancer is complex, and further research is necessary to elucidate the potential risks or their protective impact on oral cancer.

Diabetic neuropathy: A NRF2 disease?

The transcription factor nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (NRF2) has multifarious action with its target genes having redox-regulating functions and being involved in inflammation control, proteostasis, autophagy, and metabolic pathways. Therefore, the genes controlled by NRF2 are involved in the pathogenesis of myriad diseases, such as cardiovascular diseases, metabolic syndrome, neurodegenerative diseases, autoimmune disorders, and cancer. Amidst this large array of diseases, diabetic neuropathy (DN) occurs in half of patients diagnosed with diabetes and appears as an injury inflicted upon peripheral and autonomic nervous systems. As a complex effector factor, NRF2 has entered the spotlight during the search of new biomarkers and/or new therapy targets in DN. Due to the growing attention for NRF2 as a modulating factor in several diseases, including DN, this paper aims to update the recently discovered regulatory pathways of NRF2 in oxidative stress, inflammation and immunity. It presents the animal models that further facilitated the human studies in regard to NRF2 modulation and the possibilities of using NRF2 as DN biomarker and/or as target therapy.

Kaempferol: A Review of Current Evidence of Its Antiviral Potential.

Kaempferol and its derivatives are flavonoids found in various plants, and a considerable number of these have been used in various medical applications worldwide. Kaempferol and its compounds have well-known antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties among other health benefits. However, the antiviral properties of kaempferol are notable, and there is a significant number of experimental studies on this topic. Kaempferol compounds were effective against DNA viruses such as hepatitis B virus, viruses of the alphaherpesvirinae family, African swine fever virus, and pseudorabies virus; they were also effective against RNA viruses, namely feline SARS coronavirus, dengue fever virus, Japanese encephalitis virus, influenza virus, enterovirus 71, poliovirus, respiratory syncytial virus, human immunodeficiency virus, calicivirus, and chikungunya virus. On the other hand, no effectiveness against murine norovirus and hepatitis A virus could be determined. The antiviral action mechanisms of kaempferol compounds are various, such as the inhibition of viral polymerases and of viral attachment and entry into host cells. Future research should be focused on further elucidating the antiviral properties of kaempferol compounds from different plants and assessing their potential use to complement the action of antiviral drugs.

Antimicrobial Properties of Capsaicin: Available Data and Future Research Perspectives.

Capsaicin is a phytochemical derived from plants of the genus Capsicum and subject of intensive phytochemical research due to its numerous physiological and therapeutical effects, including its important antimicrobial properties. Depending on the concentration and the strain of the bacterium, capsaicin can exert either bacteriostatic or even bactericidal effects against a wide range of both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, while in certain cases it can reduce their pathogenicity by a variety of mechanisms such as mitigating the release of toxins or inhibiting biofilm formation. Likewise, capsaicin has been shown to be effective against fungal pathogens, particularly Candida spp., where it once again interferes with biofilm formation. The parasites Toxoplasma gondi and Trypanosoma cruzi have been found to be susceptible to the action of this compound too while there are also viruses whose invasiveness is significantly dampened by it. Among the most encouraging findings are the prospects for future development, especially using new formulations and drug delivery mechanisms. Finally, the influence of capsaicin in somatostatin and substance P secretion and action, offers an interesting array of possibilities given that these physiologically secreted compounds modulate inflammation and immune response to a significant extent.

Cardiovascular Risk Factors, Angiographical Features and Short-Term Prognosis of Acute Coronary Syndrome in People Living with Human Immunodeficiency Virus: Results of a Retrospective Observational Multicentric Romanian Study.

People living with human immunodeficiency virus have increased cardiovascular risk due to a higher prevalence of traditional and particular risk factors such as chronic inflammation, immune dysregulation, endothelial dysfunction, coagulation abnormalities and antiretroviral therapy. In developed countries, coronary artery disease has become the most frequent cardiovascular disease and an important cause of mortality in these patients. The symptomatology of an acute coronary syndrome can be atypical, and the prevalence of each type of acute coronary syndrome is reported differently. Regarding coronary artery disease severity in people living with HIV, the literature data indicates that the presence of single-vessel disease is akin to that of HIV-negative patients, and their short-term prognosis is unclear. This study aims to assess the clinical characteristics, biological parameters, angiographical features and short-term prognosis of acute coronary syndrome in a cohort of Romanian people living with human immunodeficiency virus.

The complex involvement of the digestive tract in human defense behavior - structural and functional arguments.

The digestive system has an innate monitoring and defense capacity, which allows the recognition and elimination of different dangerous substances. The complex analysis of the intestinal content comprises the cross-interactions between the epithelial cells, the enteroendocrine cells, the neural tissue and the cellular defense mechanisms. The enteric nervous system, also called "the enteric brain" or "the second brain" is the only neuronal network outside the central nervous system capable of autonomous reflex activity. The enteric nervous system activity is mostly independent of the central nervous system, but not in all aspects. In fact, even the enteral reflexes are a consequence of the bidirectional intestine-brain relation. The central nervous and enteric nervous systems are coupled through the sympathetic and parasympathetic branches of the autonomic nervous system. The gastrointestinal functions are regulated due to the interaction between the intrinsic neurons within the gastrointestinal wall and the extrinsic neurons outside the gastrointestinal tract. Here we provide an overview of the important role of the enteric brain in defensive behavior, as well as its structural and functional particularities that make it a special organ.

Multiple cardiac complications after adjuvant therapy for breast cancer: the importance of echocardiography. A case report and review of the literature.

Cardiovascular complications induced by adjuvant cancer therapies may become symptomatic after many years, being responsible for increased morbidity and mortality in long-term survivors. We report a case of a 54-year old female admitted for severe heart failure induced by myocardial and valvular damage after postoperative adjuvant therapy for left breast cancer 6 years ago. Her recent history revealed nonST elevation myocardial infarction in the absence of significant cardiovascular risk factors. Transthoracic echocardiography, tissue Doppler imaging and speckle-tracking imaging revealed severe biventricular systolic dysfunction, severe mitral and tricuspid regurgitation and severe pulmonary hypertension.

Bradyarrhythmic syncope in a patient with Prinzmetal's variant angina: a case report.

We present the case of a 46-year-old woman with Prinzmetal's angina and syncope due to severe bradyarrhythmias. Dynamic electrical changes were documented on 12-lead 24-hour electrocardiographic (ECG) monitoring. We highlight the importance of continuous ECG monitoring in making the diagnosis and the indication for permanent cardiac pacing in this case.