Current Therapy in Medicine of Australian Mammals

2019 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Reference Data ◽  
Disease Risk ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Current Therapy ◽  
Reference Ranges ◽  
Drug Formulary ◽  
Wildlife Health ◽  
Chemical Restraint ◽  
Csiro Publishing ◽  
Source Of Information

Current Therapy in Medicine of Australian Mammals provides an update on Australian mammal medicine. Although much of the companion volume, Medicine of Australian Mammals, is still relevant and current, there have been significant advances in Australian mammal medicine and surgery since its publication in 2008. The two texts together remain the most comprehensive source of information available in this field. This volume is divided into two sections. The first includes comprehensive chapters on general topics and topics relevant to multiple taxa. Several new topics are presented including: wildlife health in Australia and the important role veterinarians play in Australia’s biosecurity systems; medical aspects of native mammal reintroductions and translocations; disease risk analysis; wildlife rehabilitation practices in Australia with an emphasis on welfare of animals undergoing rehabilitation; management of overabundant populations; immunology; and stress physiology. The second section provides updates on current knowledge relevant to specific taxa. Several appendices provide useful reference data and information on clinical reference ranges, recommended venipuncture sites, chemical restraint agent doses and regimens, a drug formulary and dental charts. Written by Australian experts, Current Therapy in Medicine of Australian Mammals is clinically oriented, with emphasis on practical content with easy-to-use reference material. It is a must-have for veterinarians, students, biologists, zoologists and wildlife carers and other wildlife professionals. This volume also complements, updates and utilises the resources of other books such as Radiology of Australian Mammals (Vogelnest and Allan 2015), Pathology of Australian Native Wildlife (Ladds 2009), Haematology of Australian Mammals (Clark 2004) and Australian Mammals: Biology and Captive Management (Jackson 2003), all CSIRO Publishing publications.

Current Status of Knowledge and Awareness of Diabetes Mellitus in Saudi Arabia

2020 ◽  
Vol 16 ◽  
Author(s):  
Asirvatham Alwin Robert ◽  
Ahmad Dakeel Al Awad ◽  
Mohamed Abdulaziz Al Dawish
Keyword(s):  
Diabetes Mellitus ◽  
Saudi Arabia ◽  
Disease Risk ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Adult Population ◽  
Management Training ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Current Status ◽  
Treatment Modalities ◽  
The Government

Abstract: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a chronic disease, and the complications may be life-threatening; however, with proper treatment and control measures, it can be very well-managed. Self-management training and education of diabetes are critical in diabetes care and management. It is essential that patients with diabetes must have a comprehensive understanding of the nature of the disease, risk factors, complications, and possible treatment modalities to attenuate the complications. Over the last few years, DM in Saudi Arabia has been rapidly growing at an alarming rate. It has affected around one-fifth of the adult population, and by 2030, the numbers are predicted to rise further and exceed more than double the present number. An estimated tenfold increase has been reported over the past three decades in Saudi Arabia. However, there has not been much research focusing on understanding the knowledge and awareness of DM in Saudi Arabia as compared to developed nations. This review aims to present an overview of the current knowledge and awareness level of DM among the population of Saudi Arabia through an extensive review of the currently available literature. The review findings could be of immense assistance to the government, healthcare systems, educational institutions, and researchers to develop evidence-based programs, policies, and guidelines towards increasing the knowledge and awareness about diabetes and its management, so that early detection and management can be ensured to control the escalating burden of diabetes, in Saudi Arabia.

scholarly journals Development of Fatty Acid Reference Ranges and Relationship with Lipid Biomarkers in Middle-Aged Healthy Singaporean Men and Women

Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 435
Author(s):  
Cody A. C. Lust ◽  
Xinyan Bi ◽  
Christiani Jeyakumar Henry ◽  
David W. L. Ma
Keyword(s):  
Disease Risk ◽  
Low Density Lipoprotein ◽  
Density Lipoprotein ◽  
Multiple Regression Model ◽  
Dietary Fatty Acids ◽  
Lipid Biomarkers ◽  
Reference Ranges ◽  
Middle Aged ◽  
Serum Samples ◽  
Biologically Relevant

Dietary fatty acids (FA) are essential for overall human health, yet individual FA reference ranges have yet to be established. Developing individual FA reference ranges can provide context to reported concentrations and whether an individual displays deficient, or excess amounts of FA. Reference ranges of sixty-seven individual FA (μmol/L) were profiled and analyzed using gas chromatography with a flame ionization detector from serum samples collected from 476 middle-aged Singaporean males (BMI:23.3 ± 2.9) and females (BMI:21.8 ± 3.6). Measures of triglycerides (TG), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), and total cholesterol (TC) (mmol/L) were also collected. The mean FA concentration seen in this cohort (11,458 ± 2478 was similar to that of overweight North American cohorts assessed in past studies. Ten biologically relevant FA were compared between sexes, with females exhibiting significantly higher concentrations in four FA (p < 0.05). A multiple regression model revealed the ten FA contributed significantly to nearly all lipid biomarkers (p < 0.05). A majority of participants who had FA concentrations in the ≥95th percentile also exhibited TG, HDL, LDL, and TC levels in the “high” risk classification of developing cardiovascular disease. Future studies profiling individual FA reference ranges in many unique, global cohorts are necessary to develop cut-off values of individual FA concentrations highly related to disease-risk.

scholarly journals The Diverse Calpain Family in Trypanosomatidae: Functional Proteins Devoid of Proteolytic Activity?

Cells ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 299
Author(s):  
Vítor Ennes-Vidal ◽  
Marta Helena Branquinha ◽  
André Luis Souza dos Santos ◽  
Claudia Masini d’Avila-Levy
Keyword(s):  
Proteolytic Activity ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Current Therapy ◽  
Calcium Dependent ◽  
Administration Routes ◽  
Life Threatening ◽  
Living Organisms ◽  
Almost All ◽  
Open Question ◽  
Calpain Inhibitors

Calpains are calcium-dependent cysteine peptidases that were originally described in mammals and, thereafter, their homologues were identified in almost all known living organisms. The deregulated activity of these peptidases is associated with several pathologies and, consequently, huge efforts have been made to identify selective inhibitors. Trypanosomatids, responsible for life-threatening human diseases, possess a large and diverse family of calpain sequences in their genomes. Considering that the current therapy to treat trypanosomatid diseases is limited to a handful of drugs that suffer from unacceptable toxicity, tough administration routes, like parenteral, and increasing treatment failures, a repurposed approach with calpain inhibitors could be a shortcut to successful chemotherapy. However, there is a general lack of knowledge about calpain functions in these parasites and, currently, the proteolytic activity of these proteins is still an open question. Here, we highlight the current research and perspectives on trypanosomatid calpains, overview calpain description in these organisms, and explore the potential of targeting the calpain system as a therapeutic strategy. This review gathers the current knowledge about this fascinating family of peptidases as well as insights into the puzzle: are we unable to measure calpain activity in trypanosomatids, or are the functions of these proteins devoid of proteolytic activity in these parasites?

scholarly journals Dietary Fiber, Atherosclerosis, and Cardiovascular Disease

Nutrients ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (5) ◽  
pp. 1155 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ghada A. Soliman
Keyword(s):  
Cardiovascular Disease ◽  
Dietary Fiber ◽  
Water Solubility ◽  
Disease Risk ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Digestive Enzyme ◽  
Water Soluble ◽  
Blood Cholesterol ◽  
Fiber Intake ◽  
Intestinal Transit Time

Observational studies have shown that dietary fiber intake is associated with decreased risk of cardiovascular disease. Dietary fiber is a non-digestible form of carbohydrates, due to the lack of the digestive enzyme in humans required to digest fiber. Dietary fibers and lignin are intrinsic to plants and are classified according to their water solubility properties as either soluble or insoluble fibers. Water-soluble fibers include pectin, gums, mucilage, fructans, and some resistant starches. They are present in some fruits, vegetables, oats, and barley. Soluble fibers have been shown to lower blood cholesterol by several mechanisms. On the other hand, water-insoluble fibers mainly include lignin, cellulose, and hemicellulose; whole-grain foods, bran, nuts, and seeds are rich in these fibers. Water-insoluble fibers have rapid gastric emptying, and as such may decrease the intestinal transit time and increase fecal bulk, thus promoting digestive regularity. In addition to dietary fiber, isolated and extracted fibers are known as functional fiber and have been shown to induce beneficial health effects when added to food during processing. The recommended daily allowances (RDAs) for total fiber intake for men and women aged 19–50 are 38 gram/day and 25 gram/day, respectively. It is worth noting that the RDA recommendations are for healthy people and do not apply to individuals with some chronic diseases. Studies have shown that most Americans do not consume the recommended intake of fiber. This review will summarize the current knowledge regarding dietary fiber, sources of food containing fiber, atherosclerosis, and heart disease risk reduction.

scholarly journals Etiology and Risk Factors for Rheumatoid Arthritis: A State-of-the-Art Review

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vasco C. Romão ◽  
João Eurico Fonseca
Keyword(s):  
Rheumatoid Arthritis ◽  
Risk Factors ◽  
Disease Risk ◽  
State Of The Art ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Epidemiological Studies ◽  
Complex Interactions ◽  
Significant Burden ◽  
Risk Of Disease ◽  
Societal Level

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is the most common systemic inflammatory rheumatic disease. It is associated with significant burden at the patient and societal level. Extensive efforts have been devoted to identifying a potential cause for the development of RA. Epidemiological studies have thoroughly investigated the association of several factors with the risk and course of RA. Although a precise etiology remains elusive, the current understanding is that RA is a multifactorial disease, wherein complex interactions between host and environmental factors determine the overall risk of disease susceptibility, persistence and severity. Risk factors related to the host that have been associated with RA development may be divided into genetic; epigenetic; hormonal, reproductive and neuroendocrine; and comorbid host factors. In turn, environmental risk factors include smoking and other airborne exposures; microbiota and infectious agents; diet; and socioeconomic factors. In the present narrative review, aimed at clinicians and researchers in the field of RA, we provide a state-of-the-art overview of the current knowledge on this topic, focusing on recent progresses that have improved our comprehension of disease risk and development.

scholarly journals Obesity and Hypogonadism—A Narrative Review Highlighting the Need for High-Quality Data in Adolescents

Children ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 6 (5) ◽  
pp. 63 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tasnim Mushannen ◽  
Priscilla Cortez ◽  
Fatima Cody Stanford ◽  
Vibha Singhal
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive System ◽  
Disease Risk ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Clomiphene Citrate ◽  
Cardiovascular Disease Risk ◽  
Quality Data ◽  
Male Hypogonadism ◽  
Hpg Axis ◽  
Organ Systems ◽  
Sexual Characteristics

The prevalence of obesity continues to rise in adult and pediatric populations throughout the world. Obesity has a direct impact on all organ systems, including the reproductive system. This review summarizes current knowledge about the effects of obesity on the male reproductive system across age, highlighting the need for more data in children and adolescents. Male hypogonadism is commonly seen in patients with obesity and affects the onset, duration, and progression of puberty. Different pathophysiologic mechanisms include increased peripheral conversion of testosterone to estrone and increased inflammation due to increased fat, both of which lead to suppression of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadotropin (HPG) axis and delayed development of secondary sexual characteristics in adolescent males. Evaluation of the HPG axis in obesity includes a thorough history to exclude other causes of hypogonadism and syndromic associations. Evaluation should also include investigating the complications of low testosterone, including increased visceral fat, decreased bone density, cardiovascular disease risk, and impaired mood and cognition, among others. The mainstay of treatment is weight reduction, but medications such as testosterone and clomiphene citrate used in adults, remain scarcely used in adolescents. Male hypogonadism associated with obesity is common and providers who care for adolescents and young adults with obesity should be aware of its impact and management.

On dividing reference data into subgroups to produce separate reference ranges

1990 ◽  
Vol 36 (2) ◽  
pp. 265-270 ◽  
Author(s):  
E K Harris ◽  
J C Boyd
Keyword(s):  
Reference Data ◽  
Reference Database ◽  
Reference Ranges ◽  
Simulation Studies ◽  
Sample Sizes ◽  
Normal Deviate ◽  
Physiological Basis ◽  
Reference Limits ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Statistical Criteria

Abstract We consider statistical criteria for partitioning a reference database to obtain separate reference ranges for different subpopulations. Using general formulas relating population variances, sample sizes, and the normal deviate test for the significance of the difference between two subgroup means, we show that partitioning into separate ranges produces little reduction in between-person variability, even when the differences between means are highly significant statistically. However, when there is a clear physiological basis for distinguishing between certain subgroups, simulation studies show that partitioning may be necessary to obtain reference limits that cut off the desired proportions of low and high values in each subgroup. Guidelines based on these results are provided to help decide whether separate ranges should be obtained for a given analyte.

scholarly journals Transgenerational Inheritance of Environmentally Induced Epigenetic Alterations during Mammalian Development

Cells ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (12) ◽  
pp. 1559 ◽  
Author(s):  
Louis Legoff ◽  
Shereen Cynthia D’Cruz ◽  
Sergei Tevosian ◽  
Michael Primig ◽  
Fatima Smagulova
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Disease Risk ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Epigenetic Inheritance ◽  
Epigenetic Alterations ◽  
Transgenerational Inheritance ◽  
Mammalian Development ◽  
Genetic Studies ◽  
Salient Points ◽  
Chromatin Proteins

Genetic studies traditionally focus on DNA as the molecule that passes information on from parents to their offspring. Changes in the DNA code alter heritable information and can more or less severely affect the progeny’s phenotype. While the idea that information can be inherited between generations independently of the DNA’s nucleotide sequence is not new, the outcome of recent studies provides a mechanistic foundation for the concept. In this review, we attempt to summarize our current knowledge about the transgenerational inheritance of environmentally induced epigenetic changes. We focus primarily on studies using mice but refer to other species to illustrate salient points. Some studies support the notion that there is a somatic component within the phenomenon of epigenetic inheritance. However, here, we will mostly focus on gamete-based processes and the primary molecular mechanisms that are thought to contribute to epigenetic inheritance: DNA methylation, histone modifications, and non-coding RNAs. Most of the rodent studies published in the literature suggest that transgenerational epigenetic inheritance through gametes can be modulated by environmental factors. Modification and redistribution of chromatin proteins in gametes is one of the major routes for transmitting epigenetic information from parents to the offspring. Our recent studies provide additional specific cues for this concept and help better understand environmental exposure influences fitness and fidelity in the germline. In summary, environmental cues can induce parental alterations and affect the phenotypes of offspring through gametic epigenetic inheritance. Consequently, epigenetic factors and their heritability should be considered during disease risk assessment.

scholarly journals A Review of Vascular Disease Risk Factors and Multiple Sclerosis

US Neurology ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 13 (02) ◽  
pp. 90
Author(s):  
Meena R Kannan ◽  
Vijayshree Yadav ◽  
◽  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Multiple Sclerosis ◽  
Vascular Disease ◽  
Type Ii Diabetes ◽  
Demyelinating Disease ◽  
Disease Risk ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Type Ii Diabetes Mellitus ◽  
The Central Nervous System

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is the most common demyelinating disease of the central nervous system and the most common non-traumatic cause of disability in young adults. Recent research shows that vascular disease risk factors (VDRFs) such as obesity, smoking, hyperlipidemia, hypertension, type II diabetes mellitus, and metabolic syndrome, can influence MS on its onset, disease activity, progression, and resultant disability. This review evaluates the current knowledge on the role of VDRFs on outcomes among people with MS (PwMS) and shows that while VDRF prevalence may or may not be higher among PwMS compared with the general population, its presence can influence MS in myriad ways. Management of VDRFs through early detection and treatment may be a promising approach to improving outcomes in PwMS.

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