scholarly journals Controlled activation of cortical astrocytes can reverse neuropathic chronic pain

Author(s):  
Ikuko Takeda ◽  
Kohei Yoshihara ◽  
Dennis Cheung ◽  
Masakazu Agetsuma ◽  
Makoto Tsuda ◽  
...  

Abstract Chronic pain is a major public health problem that currently lacks effective treatment options. Here, we report a novel combination therapy that can effectively reverse chronic pain induced by nerve injury in mice. By combing transient nerve block to inhibit noxious afferent input from injured peripheral nerves, with transient concurrent activation of astrocytes in the somatosensory cortex (S1) by either transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) or via the chemogenetic DREADD system, we could reverse allodynia previously established by partial sciatic nerve ligation (PSL). Activation of astrocytes initiated spine plasticity to reduce synapses formed shortly after PSL. The cure from allodynia persisted long after ceasing active treatment. Thus, our study represents the first report of a robust, readily translatable approach for treating chronic pain that capitalizes on the causative interplay between noxious afferents, sensitized central neuronal circuits and astrocytic-activation induced plasticity.

Crisis ◽  
1999 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
pp. 28-35 ◽  
Author(s):  
Annie Mino ◽  
Arnaud Bousquet ◽  
Barbara Broers

The high mortality rate among drug users, which is partly due to the HIV epidemic and partly due to drug-related accidental deaths and suicides, presents a major public health problem. Knowing more about prevalence, incidence, and risk factors is important for the development of rational preventive and therapeutic programs. This article attempts to give an overview of studies of the relations between substance abuse, suicidal ideation, suicide, and drug-related death. Research in this field is hampered by the absence of clear definitions, and results of studies are rarely comparable. There is, however, consensus about suicidal ideation being a risk factor for suicide attempts and suicide. Suicidal ideation is also a predictor of suicide, especially among drug users. It is correlated with an absence of family support, with the severity of the psychosocial dysfunctioning, and with multi-drug abuse, but also with requests for treatment. Every clinical examination of a drug user, not only of those who are depressed, should address the possible presence of suicidal ideation, as well as its intensity and duration.


2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (SPL1) ◽  
pp. 967-971
Author(s):  
Poonam Thakre ◽  
Waqar M. Naqvi ◽  
Trupti Deshmukh ◽  
Nikhil Ingole ◽  
Sourabh Deshmukh

The emergence in China of 2019 of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus2 (SARS-CoV-2) previously provisionally names 2019-nCoV disease (COVID19) caused major global outbreak and is a major public health problem. On 30 January 2020, the WHO declared COVID19 to be the sixth international public health emergency. This present pandemic has engrossed the globe with a high rate of mortality. As a front line practitioner, physiotherapists are expected to be getting in direct contact with patients infected with the virus. That’s why it is necessary for understanding the many aspects of their role in the identification, contains, reduces and treats the symptoms of this disease. The main presentation is the involvement of respiratory system with symptoms like fever, cough, sore throat, sneezing and characteristics of pneumonia leads to ARDS(Acute respiratory distress syndrome) also land up in multiorgan dysfunction syndrome. This text describes and suggests physiotherapy management of acute COVID-19 patients. It also includes recommendations and guidelines for physiotherapy planning and management. It also covers the guidelines regarding personal care and equipment used for treatment which can be used in the treatment of acute adult patients with suspected or confirmed COVID-19.


Author(s):  
Antonio Munafò ◽  
Stefano Frara ◽  
Norberto Perico ◽  
Rosaria Di Mauro ◽  
Monica Cortinovis ◽  
...  

AbstractObesity is a major public health problem worldwide. Only relatively few treatment options are, at present, available for the management of obese patients. Furthermore, treatment of obesity is affected by the widespread misuse of drugs and food supplements. Ephedra sinica is an old medicinal herb, commonly used in the treatment of respiratory tract diseases. Ephedra species contain several alkaloids, including pseudoephedrine, notably endowed with indirect sympathomimetic pharmacodynamic properties. The anorexigenic effect of pseudoephedrine is attributable primarily to the inhibition of neurons located in the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVN), mediating satiety stimuli. Pseudoephedrine influences lipolysis and thermogenesis through interaction with β3 adrenergic receptors and reduces fat accumulation through down-regulation of transcription factors related to lipogenesis. However, its use is associated with adverse events that involve to a large extent the cardiovascular and the central nervous system. Adverse events of pseudoephedrine also affect the eye, the intestine, and the skin, and, of relevance, sudden cardiovascular death related to dietary supplements containing Ephedra alkaloids has also been reported. In light of the limited availability of clinical data on pseudoephedrine in obesity, along with its significantly unbalanced risk/benefit profile, as well as of the psychophysical susceptibility of obese patients, it appears reasonable to preclude the prescription of pseudoephedrine in obese patients of any order and degree.


2000 ◽  
Vol 6 (5-6) ◽  
pp. 1017-1025
Author(s):  
F. El Sahn ◽  
S. Sallam ◽  
A. Mandif ◽  
O. Galal

We aimed to estimate the nationwide prevalence of anaemia among adolescents in Egypt and to study possible risk factors. A cross-sectional approach was used. Blood samples were collected from 1980 adolescents for haemoglobin estimation. The overall prevalence of anaemia was 46.6%, most of which was mild or moderate, with severe cases in less than 1.0% of the sample. Gender difference was almost nonexistent. A significant inverse relationship was observed between the level of anaemia and age [especially among boys], socioeconomic level and educational level. Anaemia was more prevalent in rural areas and in Upper [southern] Egypt. Anaemia is a major public health problem among Egyptian adolescents and wide-scale public health education is warranted.


2011 ◽  
Vol 5 (05) ◽  
pp. 324-337 ◽  
Author(s):  
Syed Ahmed Zaki ◽  
Sunil Karande

Introduction: Multidrug-resistant typhoid fever (MDRTF) is defined as typhoid fever caused by Salmonella enterica serovar Typhi strains (S. Typhi), which are resistant to the first-line recommended drugs for treatment such as chloramphenicol, ampicillin and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole. Since the mid-1980s, MDRTF has caused outbreaks in several countries in the developing world, resulting in increased morbidity and mortality, especially in affected children below five years of age and those who are malnourished. Methodology: Two methods were used to gather the information presented in this article. First PubMed was searched for English language references to published relevant articles. Secondly, chapters on typhoid fever in standard textbooks of paediatric infectious diseases and preventive and social medicine were reviewed. Results: Although there are no pathognomonic clinical features of MDRTF at the onset of the illness, high fever ( > 104°F), toxaemia, abdominal distension, abdominal tenderness, hepatomegaly and splenomegaly are often reported. The gold standard for the diagnosis of MDRTF is bacterial isolation of the organism in blood cultures. Ciprofloxacin and ceftriaxone are the drugs most commonly used for treatment of MDRTF and produce good clinical results. Conclusion: MDRTF remains a major public health problem, particularly in developing countries. Mass immunization in endemic areas with either the oral live attenuated Typhi 21a or the injectable unconjugated Vi typhoid vaccine, rational use of antibiotics, improvement in public sanitation facilities, availability of clean drinking water, promotion of safe food handling practices and public health education are vital in the prevention of MDRTF. 


2017 ◽  
Vol 22 (2) ◽  
pp. 106-112
Author(s):  
A. M Bronshteyn ◽  
N. G Kochergin ◽  
N. A Malyshev ◽  
V. Ya Lashin ◽  
S. V Burova ◽  
...  

Two cases of New World cutaneous leishmaniasis acquired by Russian tourists in Peru and possibly in Bolivia are presented. L. viannia ( L.braziliensis complex) was identified in Liverpool School of Tropical medicine in the patient travelled to Bolivia. The present study aimed to investigate Balsamum peruvianum one of the product of folk medicine of Indians of Amazon region against local species of Leishmania resulted in healing the ulcers. Leishmaniasis is a major public health problem, and the alarming spread of parasite resistance has increased the importance of discovering new therapeutic products.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Felipe Figuerôa Moreira ◽  
Juliana de Araujo Portes ◽  
Nathalia Florencia Barros Azeredo ◽  
Christiane Fernandes ◽  
Adolfo Horn ◽  
...  

Chagas disease is a neglected tropical disease caused by the protozoan pathogen Trypanosoma cruzi. The disease is the major public health problem affecting about 6 to 7 million people worldwide,...


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