scholarly journals Healing through faith: meeting a chaplain coupled with biblical readings could produce lymphocyte changes that correlate with brain activity (HEALING study)

F1000Research ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 ◽  
pp. 1295
Author(s):  
András Béres ◽  
Miklós Emri ◽  
Csaba Aranyi ◽  
Dániel Fajtai ◽  
Ferenc Nagy ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Brain Activity ◽  
Brain Area ◽  
White Blood Cells ◽  
Hospitalized Patients ◽  
Immunoglobulin M ◽  
Angular Gyrus ◽  
Control Group ◽  
The Bible ◽  
Cohort Study Design ◽  
Immunological Changes

Introduction: Faith and systems of beliefs are known to impact not only the emotional, but also the immunological state of believers in ways that we are just starting to understand. Moreover, clinical implications of previous studies are limited.  The aim of the “HEALING” (Hospital-based Ecumenical and Linguistic Immuno-NeuroloGic) Study was to examine immunological and neurological changes in hospitalized patients after meeting a chaplain coupled with biblical readings. Methods: Hospitalized patients were pre-screened to find those who were the most in need of an intervention. A passage from the Bible was read to them during a meeting with the chaplain at the bedside (n= 20) or in the chapel (n= 18). No meeting occurred in the randomized control group (n=19). Blood samples were taken 30 minutes prior, and 60 minutes after the meeting to measure white blood cells (WBC), interferon gamma (IFN-γ), immunoglobulin M (IgM), IgA, IgG, and complement 3 (C3). A subgroup of the visited patients was subjected to functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), where they were played an audiotape of readings of the same passage from the Bible (n=21). Results: Lymphocyte counts increased more often after the more successful visits, but the immunological changes were not significant. Conversely, a significant (pfwe=0.003) correlation was revealed between changes in lymphocytes and activation of the angular gyrus (left BA39) during fMRI, a brain area involved in word recognition. Conclusions: Although limited by the sample size and cohort study design, the findings suggest the depth of psycho-immunological changes could depend on the degree to which the chaplains’ main message is understood.

Immunomorphological rationale for the use of beekeeping products to improve the productivity of quails

2021 ◽  
pp. 3-12
Author(s):  
R. T. Mannapova ◽  
D. V. Svistunov ◽  
R. R. Shaikhulov ◽  
E. I. Kulikov
Keyword(s):  
Bone Marrow Cells ◽  
Brain Area ◽  
White Blood Cells ◽  
Live Weight ◽  
Lymphoid Cells ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Red Bone Marrow ◽  
Cortical Substance ◽  
High Degree

The effectiveness and high degree of biological effect of dead bees extract in medium doses on the nature and degree of morphofunctional rearrangements in the immunocompetent structures of the central and peripheral immune organs and immunocytological reactions in them have been established. A scientifically based scheme for the use of dead bees extract is proposed to improve the livability of livestock, increase live weight and improve the biochemical indicators of the quality of quail meat. Dead bees extract in low and especially in medium doses increase the production of the red bone marrow cells of the granular germ of white blood cells by 22,2 and 25,6 %, lymphoid cells by 4,7 and 6,9 %, erythroid germ by 2,3 and 11,0 %. Under the action of dead bees extract in the Fabricius bag quail strengthens the processes of maturation and differentiation of B-lymphocytes, which is manifested by extension immunocompetent cortical area in the 2nd and 3rd experimental groups (30 and 60 days of experiment by 10,4 and 22,1 % and 12,3 and 24,3 %, respectively), a reduction in brain area. The increase in the weight of the Fabricius bag (despite its general involution) in the 2nd and 3rd experimental groups on 30 and 60 days was 1,24 and 1,47, 2,59 and 3,0 times, respectively. In the thymus of quails under the influence of low and medium doses of dead bees extract the intensifi cation of maturation and differentiation of T-lymphocytes, resulting in the expansion of the cortical substance on 30, 60 and 90 days of 1,55 and 1,62, 1,42 and 1,73, 1,61 and 1,95 times, respectively, against the background of the depletion of brain matter, in excess of the thymus weight (with its expressed total involution) by 1,32 and 1,42, by 1,38 and 1,5, by 1,24 and 1,34 times, respectively. Dead bees extract activates the processes of antibody formation, increasing the immunological activity of the spleen in the form of expansion of the area of lymph nodes without light centers in the 2nd, 3rd and 4th experimental groups by 1,39, 1,83 and 1,5 times, respectively, and with light centers by 1,57, 1,79 and 1,19 times (B-zone). It increases the area of the perivascular lymphoid coupling (T-zone) by 1,5, 1,8 and 1,28 times, respectively, activates immunocytological reactions, increases the weight of the spleen of quails. The live weight of the males of the 2nd, 3rd and 4th experimental groups exceeded the control by 27,6, 31,8 and 18,9 g, and the females by 17,6, 27,7 and 9,9 g, respectively. The livability of livestock in the control group was 78,0 %, in the 2nd, 3rd and 4th experimental groups 89,0, 95,0 and 85,0 %, respectively.

scholarly journals Transport Stress Induces Skin Innate Immunity Response in Hybrid Yellow Catfish (Tachysurus fulvidraco♀ × P. vachellii♂) Through TLR/NLR Signaling Pathways and Regulation of Mucus Secretion

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tao Zheng ◽  
Zhuo Song ◽  
Jun Qiang ◽  
Yifan Tao ◽  
Haojun Zhu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Signaling Pathways ◽  
White Blood Cells ◽  
Biological Significance ◽  
Immunoglobulin M ◽  
Mucus Secretion ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Yellow Catfish ◽  
Transport Time ◽  
Transport Stress ◽  
Tachysurus Fulvidraco

The transport of live fish is a necessary step for commercial production. The skin of teleost fish is the first non-specific immune barrier against exogenous stimuli, and it plays an important protective role under transport stress. Thus, the aim of this study was to explore the skin responses to transport stress in hybrid yellow catfish (Tachysurus fulvidraco♀ × Pseudobagrus vachellii♂) through transcriptome and biochemical analyses. Water samples were collected during a simulated transport treatment. Biochemical indexes and/or gene expression in blood, skin, and mucus in fish in control groups and transport-stress groups (0 h, 2 h, 4 h, 8 h, 16 h) were assayed. The levels of total ammonia–nitrogen and nitrite–nitrogen in the water increased with increasing transport time. Comparison of skin transcriptomes between the control group and the group subjected to 16 h of transport revealed 1547 differentially expressed genes (868 up-regulated and 679 down-regulated). The results of the transcriptome analysis were validated by analyses of the expression levels of selected genes by qRT-PCR. The results indicated that the toll-like receptors and nod-like receptors signaling pathways mediate the skin’s immune response to transport stress: tlr9, mfn2, and ikbke were significantly up-regulated and nfkbia and map3k7cl were significantly down-regulated under transport stress. With increasing transport time, lysozyme activity and the immunoglobulin M content in skin mucus first increased and then decreased. The number of mucous cells peaked at 8 h of transport stress, and then decreased. The mucus cells changed from types II and IV to types I, II, III, and IV. The amounts of red and white blood cells and the levels of hemoglobin and hematocrit first increased and then decreased during 16 h of transport stress. Together, the results showed that the skin responds to transport stress by activating the immune signaling pathway and regulating mucus secretion. These findings have important biological significance for selecting strains that tolerate transport, as well as economic significance for optimizing the transport conditions for scaleless fish.

scholarly journals Growth performance and haematological and immunological indices of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) fingerlings supplemented with dietary Ferulago angulata (Schlecht) Boiss

2016 ◽  
Vol 85 (3) ◽  
pp. 231-238 ◽  
Author(s):  
Somayeh Bohlouli ◽  
Ehsan Sadeghi
Keyword(s):  
Rainbow Trout ◽  
Oncorhynchus Mykiss ◽  
Growth Performance ◽  
White Blood Cells ◽  
Basal Diet ◽  
Immunoglobulin M ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Average Weight ◽  
Rainbow Trout Oncorhynchus Mykiss ◽  
Red Blood Cell Count

In this study, the effects of Ferulago angulata extract on the growth, haematological, and immunological indices of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) fingerlings were evaluated. Basal diet was supplemented with 0 (control), 0.5, 1, and 2 g·kg-1 F. angulata and was randomly allocated to experimental fish of an initial average weight of 7.45 ± 0.02 g. After 8 weeks of experiment, the fish supplemented with F. angulata extract showed increased but non-significant (P > 0.05) growth performance. No significant differences were found between trial control groups in haematological indices such as red blood cell count, haematocrit, and haemoglobin, but there was a significant increase in white blood cells, lymphocytes, neutrophils and monocytes in the F. angulata extract groups (P < 0.05). Also, there were significant differences between the fish supplemented with dietary F. angulata extract and the control group regarding immunological indices, including immunoglobulin M, lysozyme, and classical and alternative complement pathway (P < 0.05). These findings suggest that the administration of F. angulata extract has a positive effect on the immunological indices and the immune system activity in rainbow trout fingerling.

Influence of DAFS-25+polizon composition on blood and functional state of liver of steers at fattening

2020 ◽  
pp. 15-18
Author(s):  
Inna R. Kilmetova ◽  
◽  
Igor A. Rodin ◽  
Nazira I. Khayrullina ◽  
Nikolay G. Fenchenko ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Functional State ◽  
White Blood Cells ◽  
Live Weight ◽  
The Body ◽  
Farm Animals ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Standard Diet ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Experimental Group ◽  
Stimulation Of

Summary. The disbalanced feeding and the uneven distribution of micro- and macroelements in the environment leads to a trace element, in particular hypomelanosis. To accelerate the growth and preservation of young farm animals include in the diet of various biological additives and drugs, which include selenium. For stimulation of weight gain in the livestock industry, as well as for the prevention and treatment of pathological processes in addition to micro - and macrouse amino acids, primarily methionine. The aim of this work was to study the influence of composition of DAFS-25+Polizon on morpho-biochemical parameters of blood and functional state of the liver in fattening bulls of black-motley breed in the conditions of the Republic of Bashkortostan. Experiments using were conducted on bull-calves of black-motley breed of the properties in the properties age from 6 to 15 months. The first experimental group during the experiment was additionally given the composition of DAFS-25+Polizon at a dose of 2 mg/kg, the animals of the control group received a standard diet. To assess the impact of the composition DAFS-25+Polizon on metabolism cattle studied morphological and biochemical indicators of blood and conducted histological examination of the liver. It is established that the use of the composition of DAFS-25+Polizon at a dose of 2 mg/kg increases the number of erythrocytes and hemoglobin in the experimental group and reduces the amount of white blood cells. The serum content of total protein, phosphorus and calcium increases in the group of experimental animals. Microscopic examination of the liver revealed no changes in the structure of the organ and hepatocytes in the experimental group, whereas in the control group hemodynamic disorders and dystrophic changes in liver cells were observed. Thus, the use of the composition DAFS-25+Polizon at a dose of 2 mg/kg of live weight in fattening bulls black-and-white breed contributes to the increase of redox processes in the body, stimulation of metabolism, prevent the development of liver disorders of cellular mechanisms of metabolism, optimizes the structure of the liver, which generally provides higher productivity.

scholarly journals Oral Care and Prevention of Pneumonia in Hospitalized Patients With Psychiatric Disorders in Japan

2017 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
pp. 117967071772040
Author(s):  
Atsushi Hamuro ◽  
Hideki Kawaguchi ◽  
Kazuaki Yamazoe ◽  
Minoru Honda ◽  
Ryuichi Tanaka
Keyword(s):  
Psychiatric Disorders ◽  
Oral Hygiene ◽  
Psychiatric Symptoms ◽  
Univariate Analysis ◽  
Oral Care ◽  
Multivariate Logistic Regression Analysis ◽  
Hospitalized Patients ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Hygiene Intervention ◽  
Time Point

Purpose: Oral care in hospitalized patients with psychiatric disorders is important. However, some patients with psychiatric disorders cannot undergo oral care because of psychiatric symptoms and cognitive decline. The effect of a standardized oral hygiene intervention on the prevention of pneumonia in hospitalized patients with psychiatric disorders was investigated. Method: Patients were divided into 2 groups: control group (N = 259), patients without standardized intervention who were enrolled on April 2014 as the time point of baseline, and intervention group (N = 263), patients with standardized intervention who were enrolled on April 2015 as the time point of baseline. Two end points were evaluated: (1) pneumonia onset within 1 year after the enrollment and (2) no pneumonia for 1 year after the enrollment. The following parameters were compared between the groups: sex, age, psychiatric disorders, past history of diseases of the respiratory system, hypertension, diabetes, hyperlipidemia, heart impairment, and pneumonia. Results: No statistically significant differences were found between the 2 groups in the distributions of characteristics except pneumonia by univariate analysis. The presence of pneumonia was significantly associated with age and the absence of the standardized oral hygiene intervention by multivariate logistic regression analysis. Conclusions: The standardized oral hygiene intervention appears to be effective for preventing pneumonia in patients with psychiatric disorders.

Does Hepatic Hepcidin Play an Important Role in Exercise-Associated Anemia in Rats?

2011 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
pp. 19-26 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yu-Qian Liu ◽  
Yan-Zhong Chang ◽  
Bin Zhao ◽  
Hai-Tao Wang ◽  
Xiang-Lin Duan
Keyword(s):  
Regulatory Mechanism ◽  
Iron Absorption ◽  
White Blood Cells ◽  
Strenuous Exercise ◽  
Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Transcriptional Level ◽  
Divalent Metal Transporter 1 ◽  
Divalent Metal Transporter ◽  
Sports Anemia

Some athletes are diagnosed as suffering from sports anemia because of iron deficiency, but the regulatory mechanism remains poorly understood. It is reported that hepcidin may provide a way to illuminate the regulatory mechanism of exercise-associated anemia. Here the authors investigate the hepcidin-involved iron absorption in exercise-associated anemia. Twelve male Wistar rats (300 ± 10 g) were randomly divided into 2 groups, 6 in a control group (CG) and 6 in an exercise group (EG, 5 wk treadmill exercise of different intensities with progressive loading). Serum samples were analyzed for circulating levels of IL-6 by means of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The expression of hepatic hepcidin mRNA was examined by real-time polymerase chain reaction analysis. The protein levels of divalent metal transporter 1 (DMT1), ferroportin1 (FPN1), and heme-carrier protein 1 (HCP1) of duodenum epithelium were examined by Western blot. The results showed that the amount of iron and ferritin in serum were lower in EG than in CG (p < .05). The levels of IL-6 and white blood cells were greater in EG than in CG (p < .01). The expression of DMT1, HCP1, and FPN1 was significantly lower in EG than in CG (p < .01). The mRNA expressions of hepatic hepcidin and hemojuvelin in skeletal muscle were remarkably higher in EG than in CG. The data indicated that inflammation was induced by strenuous exercise, and as a result, the transcriptional level of the hepatic hepcidin gene was increased, which further inhibited the expression of iron-absorption proteins and led to exercise-associated anemia.

scholarly journals Diagnosis of Dengue Virus Infection by Detection of Specific Immunoglobulin M (IgM) and IgA Antibodies in Serum and Saliva

2003 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 317-322 ◽  
Author(s):  
Angel Balmaseda ◽  
María G. Guzmán ◽  
Samantha Hammond ◽  
Guillermo Robleto ◽  
Carolina Flores ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Dengue Virus ◽  
Immunoglobulin M ◽  
Antibody Detection ◽  
Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Serum Samples ◽  
Diagnostic Modality ◽  
Iga Antibodies ◽  
Specific Immunoglobulin ◽  
Feasible Alternative

ABSTRACT To evaluate alternative approaches to the serological diagnosis of dengue virus (DEN) infection, the detection of DEN-specific immunoglobulin M (IgM) and IgA antibodies in serum and saliva specimens was assessed in 147 patients with symptoms of DEN infection seen at the Ministry of Health in Nicaragua. Seventy-two serum samples were determined to be positive for anti-DEN antibodies by IgM capture enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, the routine diagnostic procedure. Serum and saliva specimens were obtained from 50 healthy adults as additional controls. IgM was detected in the saliva of 65 of the 72 serum IgM-positive cases, 6 of the 75 serum IgM-negative cases, and none of the control group, resulting in a sensitivity of 90.3% and a specificity of 92.0% and demonstrating that salivary IgM is a useful diagnostic marker for DEN infection. Detection of IgA in serum may be another feasible alternative for the diagnosis of DEN infection, with serum IgA found in 68 (94.4%) of the IgM-positive cases. In contrast, detection of IgA in saliva was not found to be a useful tool for DEN diagnosis in the present study. Further studies of the kinetics of antibody detection in another set of 151 paired acute- and convalescent-phase serum samples showed that DEN-specific IgA antibodies were detected in more acute-phase samples than were IgM antibodies. Thus, we conclude that DEN-specific IgA in serum is a potential diagnostic target. Furthermore, given that saliva is a readily obtainable, noninvasive specimen, detection of DEN-specific salivary IgM should be considered a useful, cheaper diagnostic modality with similar sensitivity and specificity to IgM detection in serum.

scholarly journals Brain stimulation used as biofeedback in neuronal activation of the temporal lobe area in autistic children

2016 ◽  
Vol 74 (8) ◽  
pp. 632-637 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vernon Furtado da Silva ◽  
Mauricio Rocha Calomeni ◽  
Rodolfo Alkmim Moreira Nunes ◽  
Carlos Elias Pimentel ◽  
Gabriela Paes Martins ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Data Collection ◽  
Brain Stimulation ◽  
Mirror Neurons ◽  
Brain Area ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Autistic Children ◽  
Emotional Stimuli ◽  
The One ◽  
The Brain ◽  
Data Collection Procedure

ABSTRACT This study focused upon the functional capacity of mirror neurons in autistic children. 30 individuals, 10 carriers of the autistic syndrome (GCA), 10 with intellectual impairments (GDI), and 10 non-autistics (GCN) had registered eletroencephalogram from the brain area theoretically related to mirror neurons. Data collection procedure occurred prior to brain stimulation and after the stimulation session. During the second session, participants had to alternately process figures evoking neutral, happy, and/or sorrowful feelings. Results proved that, for all groups, the stimulation process in fact produced additional activation in the neural area under study. The level of activation was related to the format of emotional stimuli and the likelihood of boosting such stimuli. Since the increase of activation occurred in a model similar to the one observed for the control group, we may suggest that the difficulty people with autism have at expressing emotions is not due to nonexistence of mirror neurons.

scholarly journals Adaptive brain activity changes during tongue movement with palatal coverage from fMRI data

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yuka Inamochi ◽  
Kenji Fueki ◽  
Nobuo Usui ◽  
Masato Taira ◽  
Noriyuki Wakabayashi
Keyword(s):  
Spatial Information ◽  
Brain Activity ◽  
Motor Impairment ◽  
Angular Gyrus ◽  
Tongue Movement ◽  
Functional Magnetic Resonance ◽  
Resonance Imaging ◽  
Oral Environment ◽  
Motor Dexterity ◽  
The Brain

AbstractSuccessful adaptation to wearing dentures with palatal coverage may be associated with cortical activity changes related to tongue motor control. The purpose was to investigate the brain activity changes during tongue movement in response to a new oral environment. Twenty-eight fully dentate subjects (mean age: 28.6-years-old) who had no experience with removable dentures wore experimental palatal plates for 7 days. We measured tongue motor dexterity, difficulty with tongue movement, and brain activity using functional magnetic resonance imaging during tongue movement at pre-insertion (Day 0), as well as immediately (Day 1), 3 days (Day 3), and 7 days (Day 7) post-insertion. Difficulty with tongue movement was significantly higher on Day 1 than on Days 0, 3, and 7. In the subtraction analysis of brain activity across each day, activations in the angular gyrus and right precuneus on Day 1 were significantly higher than on Day 7. Tongue motor impairment induced activation of the angular gyrus, which was associated with monitoring of the tongue’s spatial information, as well as the activation of the precuneus, which was associated with constructing the tongue motor imagery. As the tongue regained the smoothness in its motor functions, the activation of the angular gyrus and precuneus decreased.

Reduced cortical brain activity with the use of microprocessor-controlled prosthetic knees during walking

2018 ◽  
Vol 43 (3) ◽  
pp. 257-265 ◽  
Author(s):  
Saffran Möller ◽  
David Rusaw ◽  
Kerstin Hagberg ◽  
Nerrolyn Ramstrand
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Processes ◽  
Lower Limb ◽  
Brain Activity ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Healthy Controls ◽  
Prosthetic Knee ◽  
Level Walking ◽  
Lower Limb Prosthesis ◽  
Prosthetic Knees ◽  
Limb Prosthesis

Background: Individuals using a lower-limb prosthesis indicate that they need to concentrate on every step they take. Despite self-reports of increased cognitive demand, there is limited understanding of the link between cognitive processes and walking when using a lower-limb prosthesis. Objective: The objective was to assess cortical brain activity during level walking in individuals using different prosthetic knee components and compare them to healthy controls. It was hypothesized that the least activity would be observed in the healthy control group, followed by individuals using a microprocessor-controlled prosthetic knee and finally individuals using a non-microprocessor-controlled prosthetic knee. Study design: Cross-sectional study. Methods: An optical brain imaging system was used to measure relative changes in concentration of oxygenated and de-oxygenated haemoglobin in the frontal and motor cortices during level walking. The number of steps and time to walk 10 m was also recorded. The 6-min walk test was assessed as a measure of functional capacity. Results: Individuals with a transfemoral or knee-disarticulation amputation, using non-microprocessor-controlled prosthetic knee ( n = 14) or microprocessor-controlled prosthetic knee ( n = 15) joints and healthy controls ( n = 16) participated in the study. A significant increase was observed in cortical brain activity of individuals walking with a non-microprocessor-controlled prosthetic knee when compared to healthy controls ( p < 0.05) and individuals walking with an microprocessor-controlled prosthetic knee joint ( p < 0.05). Conclusion: Individuals walking with a non-microprocessor-controlled prosthetic knee demonstrated an increase in cortical brain activity compared to healthy individuals. Use of a microprocessor-controlled prosthetic knee was associated with less cortical brain activity than use of a non-microprocessor-controlled prosthetic knee. Clinical relevance Increased understanding of cognitive processes underlying walking when using different types of prosthetic knees can help to optimize selection of prosthetic components and provide an opportunity to enhance functioning with a prosthesis.

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