scholarly journals Atherosclerosis. Macrophages. Viral infections

2021 ◽  
Vol 36 (2) ◽  
pp. 14-22
Author(s):  
V. V. Ryabov ◽  
Ya. V. Alekseeva ◽  
A. E. Gombozhapova ◽  
Ya. V. Sokolova ◽  
R. S. Karpov
Keyword(s):  
Viral Infections ◽  
Vascular Inflammation ◽  
Viral Persistence ◽  
Cardiovascular Complications ◽  
Low Grade ◽  
Current State ◽  
Inflammatory State ◽  
Macrophage Plasticity ◽  
Atherosclerotic Process ◽  
The Impact

The emergence of new COVID-19 infection aggravated the existing issues and gave rise to new challenges associated with the impact of viruses on the atherosclerotic process and development of cardiovascular complications. Atherosclerosis is a multifactorial disease and its progression is largely determined by dyslipidemia and chronic low-grade systemic vascular inflammation. There are a number of viruses known to be involved in maintaining the inflammatory state through the prolonged viral persistence and replication in the macrophages whose plasticity changes due to the infection. The viruses can trigger the pro-atherogenic cytokine response through the diverse macrophage-dependent mechanisms. There is lack of data regarding impact of viral infections on the monocyte/macrophage plasticity and possible control of inflammation in atherogenesis. It is still unclear whether the relationships between the viral diseases and atherosclerosis are causal or merely associative. In this review, we summarize and critically analyze the current state of knowledge regarding the virus-related mechanisms promoting atherosclerosis.

Inflammatory Markers in Pediatric Obesity

2012 ◽  
Vol 4 (5) ◽  
pp. 297-302 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stacy Stolzman ◽  
Marie Hoeger Bement
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Inflammatory Markers ◽  
Acute Phase Reactant ◽  
Low Grade ◽  
Potential Health ◽  
Reactive Protein ◽  
The Usa ◽  
Inflammatory State ◽  
Factor Α ◽  
The Impact

The prevalence of childhood obesity has recently peaked in the USA with ~17% of children considered obese. With the increase in adiposity that occurs with weight gain, a persistent low-grade inflammatory state is created. The most commonly studied inflammatory markers associated with obesity are the cytokines, tumor necrosis factor α and interleukin-6, and the acute-phase reactant, C-reactive protein. Understanding the relation between adiposity and inflammation is an important concept because these inflammatory markers influence insulin sensitivity, glucose metabolism, and atherosclerosis, ultimately leading to impaired health. In addition to obesity, physical inactivity is associated with elevated inflammatory markers. The literature, however, is inconsistent as to whether the association between physical activity and inflammation is independent of adiposity. In some obese children, physical fitness appears to circumvent the increase in inflammatory markers that are associated with obesity. The purpose of this review is to examine the relation between adiposity and inflammatory markers, including potential health implications and the impact of physical activity. We exposed a dearth of literature in understanding the interaction between obesity and physical activity on inflammatory markers, especially in children because their anthropometrics change. This review highlights the necessity for further research to better understand the complexity of the chronic inflammatory state associated with obesity.

Abstract P058: Female Rats Artificially Selected For Low Vs. High Intrinsic Aerobic Capacity Display Divergent Mechanisms In Vascular Inflammation

Hypertension ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 76 (Suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Vaishnavi Aradhyula ◽  
Cam McCarthy ◽  
Nicole Bearss ◽  
Bina Joe ◽  
Lauren G Koch ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Aerobic Capacity ◽  
Vascular Function ◽  
Vascular Dysfunction ◽  
Vascular Inflammation ◽  
Female Rats ◽  
Low Grade ◽  
Resistance Arteries ◽  
Resolution Of Inflammation ◽  
Cox Inhibitor ◽  
Inflammatory State

Hypertension is an important clinical symptom of metabolic syndrome (MetS). Rats selectively bred for low intrinsic aerobic capacity (LCR) are animal models for MetS, and present with increased blood pressure and vascular dysfunction. In contrast, rats selected for high intrinsic aerobic capacity (HCR) display reduced vascular inflammation and no metabolic abnormalities. Two important enzymes for vascular inflammation and the resolution of inflammation are cyclooxygenase (COX) and lipoxygenase (LOX), respectively; however, it is unknown whether COX and LOX play a role in the vascular function of LCR and HCR. We hypothesized that mesenteric resistance arteries (MRA) from untrained LCR present increased COX activity, while arteries from HCR show decreased COX and increased LOX activity. Female (18-38 weeks old) LCR, HCR, and high response trained (HRT) rats, control, were used. HRT rats present higher intrinsic aerobic capacity than LCR, but lower than HCR. MRA were mounted onto a wire myograph. One-way ANOVA: p<0.05: *vs. control (HRT); # vs. HCR; & vs. absence of indomethacin (INDO), a COX inhibitor. LCR rats showed increased periovarian fat pad [HRT: 0.95±0.1 (n=7) vs. LCR: 1.80±0.1* # (n=7) vs. HCR: 1.18±0.1 (n=7) (g)]. No significant differences were observed in the KCl (120 mM), acetylcholine, and sodium-nitroprusside-induced responses. However, LCR presented a decrease in phenylephrine (PE)-induced contraction [PE: E max %: HRT: 103±3 (n=8); LCR: 74±9* # (n=11); HCR: 112±5 (n=9)]. Inhibiting COX [INDO, 10 μM] decreased contraction in HRT arteries, but had little effect on HCR arteries. Contrarily, INDO abolished contraction in MRA from LCR [PE+INDO: E max %: HRT: 31±18 & (n=7); LCR: 2±0.9 & (n=8); HCR: 77±9 (n=8)]. Lipoxin (LXA4), a LOX-derived mediator for resolution of inflammation, induced contraction in MRA from HCR, but relaxation in LCR and HRT arteries [LXA4: E max %: HRT: -69±19 (n=4); LCR: -18±9 (n=3); HCR: 11±5 (n=4)*]. Thus, HCR are unresponsive to COX inhibition, suggesting a change from a normal inflammatory state to a higher resolution state. LCR display low-grade chronic inflammation via increased COX activity. These data reveal novel, inherited mechanisms for vascular physiology in high vs. low intrinsic aerobic capacity.

scholarly journals Hydroxyurea therapy of a murine model of sickle cell anemia inhibits the progression of pneumococcal disease by down-modulating E-selectin

Blood ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 119 (8) ◽  
pp. 1915-1921 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeffrey D. Lebensburger ◽  
Thad Howard ◽  
Yunming Hu ◽  
Tamara I. Pestina ◽  
Geli Gao ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sickle Cell ◽  
Sickle Cell Anemia ◽  
Vascular Inflammation ◽  
Pneumococcal Infection ◽  
Fetal Hemoglobin ◽  
Neutrophil Extravasation ◽  
Hydroxyurea Treatment ◽  
Inflammatory State ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Hydroxyurea Therapy

Abstract Sickle cell anemia is characterized by chronic hemolysis coupled with extensive vascular inflammation. This inflammatory state also mechanistically promotes a high risk of lethal, invasive pneumococcal infection. Current treatments to reduce vaso-occlusive complications include chronic hydroxyurea therapy to induce fetal hemoglobin. Because hydroxyurea also reduces leukocytosis, an understanding of the impact of this treatment on pneumococcal pathogenesis is needed. Using a sickle cell mouse model of pneumococcal pneumonia and sepsis, administration of hydroxyurea was found to significantly improve survival. Hydroxyurea treatment decreased neutrophil extravasation into the infected lung coincident with significantly reduced levels of E-selectin in serum and on pulmonary epithelia. The protective effect of hydroxyurea was abrogated in mice deficient in E-selectin. The decrease in E-selectin levels was also evident in human sickle cell patients receiving hydroxyurea therapy. These data indicate that in addition to induction of fetal hemoglobin, hydroxyurea attenuates leukocyte–endothelial interactions in sickle cell anemia, resulting in protection against lethal pneumococcal sepsis.

The Development of Agritourism in the Podkarpackie Voivodeship in the Light of International and National Conditions

2017 ◽  
Vol 13 ◽  
pp. 244-261
Author(s):  
Mariola Tracz ◽  
Małgorzata Bajgier-Kowalska ◽  
Radosław Uliszak
Keyword(s):  
Development Strategy ◽  
Current State ◽  
Central Statistical ◽  
Central Statistical Office ◽  
Tourism Resources ◽  
The One ◽  
The Impact ◽  
District Offices ◽  
Socio Economic Factors

Podkarpackie Voivodeship is one of the regions of Poland in which the number of agritourism entities is very high. Therefore tourism plays a significant role in its development strategy. The aim of the paper is to identify the current state of agritourism and the changes that have occurred in the region in the years 2000–2016. Specific objectives are to determine the distribution of agritourism farms and their offer, together with a comprehensive analysis of the environmental and socio-economic factors, as well as the impact of the Slovak-Ukrainian border. The report was developed on the statistical materials from the Polish Central Statistical Office, Podkarpackie Agricultural Advisory Centre in Boguchwała and data collected from municipalities and district offices that is published on their websites, as well as through interviews with 100 owners of agritourism farms in the Podkarpackie Voivodeship. The research has shown, on the one hand, the decline in the number of farms in the region and, on the other hand, the increase in the diversity of the tourist offer of these entities. Distribution of agritourism farms is closely linked to the attractiveness of natural environment and quality of secondary tourism resources. Traditional agritourism has not yet fully used its countryside, as well as cross-border advantages of its location.

Evidences of Brain Plasticity and Motor Control Modulation after Hemodialysis Session by Helixone Membrane: BOLD-fMRI Study

2020 ◽  
Vol 19 (6) ◽  
pp. 466-477
Author(s):  
Saïd Boujraf ◽  
Rachida Belaïch ◽  
Abdelkhalek Housni ◽  
Badreeddine Alami ◽  
Tariq Skalli ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Oxidative Stress ◽  
Functional Activity ◽  
Brain Plasticity ◽  
Biological Assessment ◽  
Bold Fmri ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Total Antioxidant ◽  
Inflammatory State ◽  
Functional Control ◽  
The Impact

Objective: The aim of this paper is to demonstrate the impact of hemodialysis (HD) using synthetic Helixone membrane on brain functional control reorganization and plasticity in the cortical area generated while Oxidative Stress (OS) would be the main impacting agent. Methods: Indeed, 9 chronic HD patients underwent identical brain BOLD-fMRI assessment using the motor paradigm immediately before and after the same HD sessions. To assess the oxidative stress, the same patients underwent biological-assessment, including Malondialdehyde (MDA) and Total- Antioxidant-Activity (TAOA) reported in earlier papers. Results: BOLD-fMRI maps of motor areas obtained from HD-patients before and after HD sessions revealed a significant enhancement of activation volume of the studied motor cortex after HD reflecting brain plasticity. Results were correlated with OS assessed by the measurement of MDA and TAOA; this correlation was close to 1. Conclusion: Indeed, HD enhances the inflammatory state of brain tissues reflected by the increased OS. The functional brain reaction demonstrated a functional activity reorganization to overcome the inflammatory state and OS enhanced by HD process. This functional activity reorganization reveals brain plasticity induced by OS originated by HD.

Novel Applications of Nanotechnology in Controlling HIV and HSV Infections

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sai Akilesh M ◽  
Ashish Wadhwani
Keyword(s):  
Drug Delivery ◽  
Viral Infections ◽  
Polymeric Nanoparticles ◽  
Volume Ratio ◽  
Fold Increase ◽  
Multi Drug Resistance ◽  
Health Crisis ◽  
Pharmaceutical Properties ◽  
Simplex Virus ◽  
The Impact

: Infectious diseases have been prevalent since many decades and viral pathogens have caused global health crisis and economic meltdown on a devastating scale. High occurrence of newer viral infections in the recent years, in spite of the progress achieved in the field of pharmaceutical sciences defines the critical need for newer and more effective antiviral therapies and diagnostics. The incidence of multi-drug resistance and adverse effects due to the prolonged use of anti-viral therapy is also a major concern. Nanotechnology offers a cutting edge platform for the development of novel compounds and formulations for biomedical applications. The unique properties of nano-based materials can be attributed to the multi-fold increase in the surface to volume ratio at the nano-scale, tunable surface properties of charge and chemical moieties. Idealistic pharmaceutical properties such as increased bioavailability and retention times, lower toxicity profiles, sustained release formulations, lower dosage forms and most importantly, targeted drug delivery can be achieved through the approach of nanotechnology. The extensively researched nano-based materials are metal and polymeric nanoparticles, dendrimers and micelles, nano-drug delivery vesicles, liposomes and lipid based nanoparticles. In this review article, the impact of nanotechnology on the treatment of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) viral infections during the last decade are outlined.

Artificial Intelligence and Inequality in the Middle East

2020 ◽  
pp. 624-649 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nagla Rizk
Keyword(s):  
Artificial Intelligence ◽  
Human Resources ◽  
Young Population ◽  
Mena Region ◽  
Poor Countries ◽  
Current State ◽  
Resource Poor ◽  
Youth Entrepreneurship ◽  
The Arab Spring ◽  
The Impact

This chapter looks at the challenges, opportunities, and tensions facing the equitable development of artificial intelligence (AI) in the MENA region in the aftermath of the Arab Spring. While diverse in their natural and human resource endowments, countries of the region share a commonality in the predominance of a youthful population amid complex political and economic contexts. Rampant unemployment—especially among a growing young population—together with informality, gender, and digital inequalities, will likely shape the impact of AI technologies, especially in the region’s labor-abundant resource-poor countries. The chapter then analyzes issues related to data, legislative environment, infrastructure, and human resources as key inputs to AI technologies which in their current state may exacerbate existing inequalities. Ultimately, the promise for AI technologies for inclusion and helping mitigate inequalities lies in harnessing grounds-up youth entrepreneurship and innovation initiatives driven by data and AI, with a few hopeful signs coming from national policies.

scholarly journals SARS-CoV-2 and the Nervous System: From Clinical Features to Molecular Mechanisms

2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (15) ◽  
pp. 5475 ◽  
Author(s):  
Manuela Pennisi ◽  
Giuseppe Lanza ◽  
Luca Falzone ◽  
Francesco Fisicaro ◽  
Raffaele Ferri ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Nervous System ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Neuronal Damage ◽  
Neurological Complications ◽  
Neurological Manifestations ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Inflammatory State ◽  
Acute Polyneuropathy ◽  
The Central Nervous System ◽  
The Impact

Increasing evidence suggests that Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome-coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) can also invade the central nervous system (CNS). However, findings available on its neurological manifestations and their pathogenic mechanisms have not yet been systematically addressed. A literature search on neurological complications reported in patients with COVID-19 until June 2020 produced a total of 23 studies. Overall, these papers report that patients may exhibit a wide range of neurological manifestations, including encephalopathy, encephalitis, seizures, cerebrovascular events, acute polyneuropathy, headache, hypogeusia, and hyposmia, as well as some non-specific symptoms. Whether these features can be an indirect and unspecific consequence of the pulmonary disease or a generalized inflammatory state on the CNS remains to be determined; also, they may rather reflect direct SARS-CoV-2-related neuronal damage. Hematogenous versus transsynaptic propagation, the role of the angiotensin II converting enzyme receptor-2, the spread across the blood-brain barrier, the impact of the hyperimmune response (the so-called “cytokine storm”), and the possibility of virus persistence within some CNS resident cells are still debated. The different levels and severity of neurotropism and neurovirulence in patients with COVID-19 might be explained by a combination of viral and host factors and by their interaction.

scholarly journals Consumption of Select Dietary Emulsifiers Exacerbates the Development of Spontaneous Intestinal Adenoma

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (5) ◽  
pp. 2602
Author(s):  
Emilie Viennois ◽  
Benoit Chassaing
Keyword(s):  
Intestinal Inflammation ◽  
Tumor Development ◽  
Low Grade ◽  
Gastrointestinal Cancers ◽  
Cancer Initiation ◽  
And Function ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Chronic Intestinal Inflammation ◽  
Low Grade Inflammation ◽  
Intestinal Adenoma

Inflammation is a well-characterized critical driver of gastrointestinal cancers. Previous findings have shown that intestinal low-grade inflammation can be promoted by the consumption of select dietary emulsifiers, ubiquitous component of processed foods which alter the composition and function of the gut microbiota. Using a model of colitis-associated cancer, we previously reported that consumption of the dietary emulsifiers carboxymethylcellulose or polysorbate-80 exacerbated colonic tumor development. Here, we investigate the impact of dietary emulsifiers consumption on cancer initiation and progression in a genetical model of intestinal adenomas. In APCmin mice, we observed that dietary emulsifiers consumption enhanced small-intestine tumor development in a way that appeared to be independent of chronic intestinal inflammation but rather associated with emulsifiers’ impact on the proliferative status of the intestinal epithelium as well as on intestinal microbiota composition in both male and female mice. Overall, our findings further support the hypothesis that emulsifier consumption may be a new modifiable risk factor for colorectal cancer (CRC) and that alterations in host–microbiota interactions can favor gastrointestinal carcinogenesis in individuals with a genetical predisposition to such disorders.

scholarly journals QOL-36. USE OF CANNABINOIDS IN THE PEDIATRIC CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM TUMOR POPULATION

2020 ◽  
Vol 22 (Supplement_3) ◽  
pp. iii438-iii438
Author(s):  
Kathleen Dorris ◽  
Jessica Channell ◽  
Ashley Mettetal ◽  
Molly Hemenway ◽  
Natalie Briones ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Central Nervous System ◽  
Nervous System ◽  
Cell Activity ◽  
Cns Tumors ◽  
Low Grade ◽  
Tumor Type ◽  
Central Nervous System Tumor ◽  
The Impact

Abstract BACKGROUND Cannabinoids, including cannabidiol (CBD) and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), are a class of compounds found in marijuana. Numerous studies in adults have examined cannabinoid use in management of cancer-related symptoms such as nausea, anorexia, and pain. Less is known about the use in the pediatric oncology population. METHODS A prospective observational study has been ongoing since 2016 at Children’s Hospital Colorado to evaluate cannabinoids’ impact using PedsQL™ modules on quality of life of pediatric patients with central nervous system (CNS) tumors who are 2–18 years old. Laboratory assessments of T-cell activity and pharmacokinetics of CBD, THC and associated metabolites are in process. Diaries with exploratory information on cannabinoid use patterns are being collected. RESULTS Thirty-three patients (14:19; male:female) have been enrolled with a median age of 6.4 years (range, 2.9–17.7 years). The most common tumor type in enrolled patients is embryonal tumors (13/33; 39%). Nine (27%) patients have low-grade glial/glioneuronal tumors, and eight (24%) had high-grade/diffuse midline gliomas. The remaining patients had ependymoma or craniopharyngioma. The median time on cannabinoids is 9 months. Most (n=20) patients have used oral products with CBD and THC. One patient continues on cannabinoid therapy in follow up. Preliminary immune function analyses identified impaired neutrophil superoxide anion production and chemotaxis in patients taking cannabinoids at early time points on therapy. CONCLUSIONS Families of children with various CNS tumors are pursuing cannabinoid therapy for both antitumor and supportive care purposes. Analysis of the impact of cannabinoids on patients’ quality of life is ongoing.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document