Beyond the imaging evaluation of fractures of the lateral process of the talus:Let’s not forget concomitant injuries

Fractures of the lateral process of the talus(FLPT)are uncommon fractures that represent a clinical challenge.Traditional radiological classification systems rely predominantly on radiographic findings.However,due to the high rate of FLPT misdiagnosis and the limited accuracy in evaluating concomitant talar injuries through plain radiographs,novel imaging classification systems have been developed that aim to enhance the diagnosis of concomitant talar injuries,thereby optimizing patient management and reducing the incidence of long-term complications.

Early diagnosis of pancreatic cancer: Shedding light on an unresolved challenge

Diagnosing early-stage pancreatic cancer(PC)remains a clinical challenge.Hence,studying novel imaging aspects that could enhance the diagnostic accuracy of malignant pancreatic precursor lesions is imperative.This article aims to un-derscore the promising role of emerging imaging aspects that may facilitate the earlier diagnosis of PC,thereby improving its management and prognosis.

Imaging features of malignant vs stone-induced biliary obstruction:Aspects to consider

Radiological studies play a crucial role in the evaluation of patients with biliary duct obstruction,allowing for the guidance of clinical diagnosis towards a malignant or stone-induced etiology through the recognition of relevant imaging features,which must be continuously revisited given their prognostic significance.This article aims to emphasize the importance of recognizing crucial imaging aspects of malignant and stone-induced biliary obstruction.

Emerging and multifaceted potential contributions of polyphenols in the management of type 2 diabetes mellitus

Type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM)is recognized as a serious public health concern with a considerable impact on human life,long-term health expenditures,and substantial health losses.In this context,the use of dietary polyphenols to prevent and manage T2DM is widely documented.These dietary compounds exert their beneficial effects through several actions,including the protection of pancreatic islet β-cell,the antioxidant capacities of these molecules,their effects on insulin secretion and actions,the regulation of intestinal microbiota,and their contribution to ameliorate diabetic complications,particularly those of vascular origin.In the present review,we intend to highlight these multifaceted actions and the molecular mechanisms by which these plant-derived secondary metabolites exert their beneficial effects on type 2 diabetes patients.

Contributing to the prediction of prognosis for treated hepatocellular carcinoma: Imaging aspects that sculpt the future

A novel nomogram model to predict the prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)treated with radiofrequency ablation and transarterial chemoembolization was recently published in the World Journal of Gastrointestinal Surgery.This model includes clinical and laboratory factors,but emerging imaging aspects,partic-ularly from magnetic resonance imaging(MRI)and radiomics,could enhance the predictive accuracy thereof.Multiparametric MRI and deep learning radiomics models significantly improve prognostic predictions for the treatment of HCC.In-corporating advanced imaging features,such as peritumoral hypointensity and radiomics scores,alongside clinical factors,can refine prognostic models,aiding in personalized treatment and better predicting outcomes.This letter underscores the importance of integrating novel imaging techniques into prognostic tools to better manage and treat HCC.

Improving the radiological diagnosis of hepatic artery thrombosis after liver transplantation: Current approaches and future challenges

Hepatic artery thrombosis(HAT)is a devastating vascular complication following liver transplantation,requiring prompt diagnosis and rapid revascularization treatment to prevent graft loss.At present,imaging modalities such as ultrasound,computed tomography,and magnetic resonance play crucial roles in diagnosing HAT.Although imaging techniques have improved sensitivity and specificity for HAT diagnosis,they have limitations that hinder the timely diagnosis of this complication.In this sense,the emergence of artificial intelligence(AI)presents a transformative opportunity to address these diagnostic limitations.The development of machine learning algorithms and deep neural networks has demonstrated the potential to enhance the precision diagnosis of liver transplant complications,enabling quicker and more accurate detection of HAT.This article examines the current landscape of imaging diagnostic techniques for HAT and explores the emerging role of AI in addressing future challenges in the diagnosis of HAT after liver transplant.

Imaging-based prediction of hepatocellular carcinoma recurrence after microwave ablation as bridge therapy: A glimpse into the future

Liver transplantation(LT)remains the treatment of choice for early-stage hepato-cellular carcinoma(HCC)and offers the best long-term oncological outcomes.However,the increasing waiting list for LT has led to a significant dropout rate as patients experience tumor progression beyond the Milan criteria.Currently,locoregional therapies,such as microwave ablation(MWA),have emerged as promising bridge treatments for patients awaiting LT.These therapies have shown promising results in preventing tumor progression,thus reducing the dropout rate of LT candidates.Despite the efficacy of MWA in treating HCC,tumoral recurrence after ablation remains a major challenge and significantly impacts the prognosis of HCC patients.Therefore,accurately diagnosing tumoral recurrence post-ablation is crucial.Recent studies have developed novel imaging features based on magnetic resonance imaging of HCC,which could provide essential information for predicting early tumoral recurrence after MWA.These advancements could address this unresolved challenge,improving the clinical outcomes of patients on the LT waiting list.This article explored the current landscape of MWA as a bridge therapy for HCC within the Milan criteria,high-lighting the emerging role of novel imaging-based features aimed at improving the prediction of tumor recurrence after MWA.

Receptor for advanced glycation end-products axis and coronavirus disease 2019 in inflammatory bowel diseases:A dangerous liaison?

Compelling evidence supports the crucial role of the receptor for advanced glycation end-products(RAGE)axis activation in many clinical entities.Since the beginning of the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic,there is an increasing concern about the risk and handling of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2(SARS-CoV-2)infection in inflammatory gastrointestinal disorders,such as inflammatory bowel diseases(IBD).However,clinical data raised during pandemic suggests that IBD patients do not have an increased risk of contracting SARS-CoV-2 infection or develop a more severe course of infection.In the present review,we intend to highlight how two potentially important contributors to the inflammatory response to SARS-CoV-2 infection in IBD patients,the RAGE axis activation as well as the cross-talk with the renin-angiotensin system,are dampened by the high expression of soluble forms of both RAGE and the angiotensin-converting enzyme(ACE)2.The soluble form of RAGE functions as a decoy for its ligands,and soluble ACE2 seems to be an additionally attenuating contributor to RAGE axis activation,particularly by avoiding the transactivation of the RAGE axis that can be produced by the virus-mediated imbalance of the ACE/angiotensin II/angiotensin II receptor type 1 pathway.

Contributions of the receptor for advanced glycation end products axis activation in gastric cancer

Compelling shreds of evidence derived from both clinical and experimental research have demonstrated the crucial contribution of receptor for advanced glycation end products(RAGE)axis activation in the development of neoplasms,including gastric cancer(GC).This new actor in tumor biology plays an important role in the onset of a crucial and long-lasting inflammatory milieu,not only by supporting phenotypic changes favoring growth and dissemination of tumor cells,but also by functioning as a pattern-recognition receptor in the inflammatory response to Helicobacter pylori infection.In the present review,we aim to highlight how the overexpression and activation of the RAGE axis contributes to the proliferation and survival of GC cells as and their acquisition of more invasive phenotypes that promote dissemination and metastasis.Finally,the contribution of some single nucleotide polymorphisms in the RAGE gene as susceptibility or poor prognosis factors is also discussed.

Diabetes mellitus contribution to the remodeling of the tumor microenvironment in gastric cancer

Compelling pieces of evidence derived from both clinical and experimental research has demonstrated the crucial contribution of diabetes mellitus(DM)as a risk factor associated with increased cancer incidence and mortality in many human neoplasms,including gastric cancer(GC).DM is considered a systemic inflammatory disease and therefore,this inflammatory status may have profound effects on the tumor microenvironment(TME),particularly by driving many molecular mechanisms to generate a more aggressive TME.DM is an active driver in the modification of the behavior of many cell components of the TME as well as altering the mechanical properties of the extracellular matrix(ECM),leading to an increased ECM stiffening.Additionally,DM can alter many cellular signaling mechanisms and thus favoring tumor growth,invasion,and metastatic potential,as well as key elements in regulating cellular functions and cross-talks,such as the microRNAs network,the production,and cargo of exosomes,the metabolism of cell stroma and resistance to hypoxia.In the present review,we intend to highlight the mechanistic contributions of DM to the remodeling of TME in GC.

Receptor of advanced glycation end-products axis and gallbladder cancer:A forgotten connection that we should reconsider

Compelling evidence derived from clinical and experimental research has demonstrated the crucial contribution of chronic inflammation in the development of neoplasms,including gallbladder cancer.In this regard,data derived from clinical and experimental studies have demonstrated that the receptor of advanced glycation end-products(RAGE)/AGEs axis plays an important role in the onset of a crucial and long-lasting inflammatory milieu,thus supporting tumor growth and development.AGEs are formed in biological systems or foods,and food-derived AGEs,also known as dietary AGEs are known to contribute to the systemic pool of AGEs.Once they bind to RAGE,the activation of multiple and crucial signaling pathways are triggered,thus favoring the secretion of several proinflammatory cytokines also involved in the promotion of gallbladder cancer invasion and migration.In the present review,we aimed to highlight the relevance of the association between high dietary AGEs intakes and high risk for gallbladder cancer,and emerging data supporting that dietary intervention to reduce gallbladder cancer risk is a very attractive approach that deserves much more research efforts.

Advanced-glycation end-products axis:A contributor to the risk of severe illness from COVID-19 in diabetes patients

Compelling pieces of evidence derived from both clinical and experimental research has demonstrated the crucial role of the receptor for advanced-glycation end-products(RAGE)in orchestrating a plethora of proinflammatory cellular responses leading to many of the complications and end-organ damages reported in patients with diabetes mellitus(DM).During the coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)pandemic,many clinical reports have pointed out that DM increases the risk of COVID-19 complications,hospitalization requirements,as well as the overall severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 case-fatality rate.In the present review,we intend to focus on how the basal activation state of the RAGE axis in common preexisting conditions in DM patients such as endothelial dysfunction and hyperglycemia-related prothrombotic phenotype,as well as the contribution of RAGE signaling in lung inflammation,may then lead to the increased mortality risk of COVID-19 in these patients.Additionally,the crosstalk between the RAGE axis with either another severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 receptor molecule different of angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 or the renin-angiotensin system imbalance produced by viral infection,as well as the role of this multi-ligand receptor on the obesity-associated lowgrade inflammation in the higher risk for severe illness reported in diabetes patients with COVID-19,are also discussed.