scholarly journals Do Islanders Have a More Reactive Behavioral Immune System? Social Cognitions and Preferred Interpersonal Distances During the COVID-19 Pandemic

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ivana Hromatko ◽  
Andrea Grus ◽  
Gabrijela Kolđeraj
Keyword(s):  
Immune System ◽  
Preventive Measures ◽  
Negative Emotions ◽  
Significant Proportion ◽  
Geographical Location ◽  
Social Cognitions ◽  
High Morbidity ◽  
Isolated Populations ◽  
Behavioral Immune System ◽  
Insular Populations

Insular populations have traditionally drawn a lot of attention from epidemiologists as they provide important insights regarding transmission of infectious diseases and propagation of epidemics. There are numerous historical instances where isolated populations showed high morbidity once a new virus entered the population. Building upon that and recent findings that the activation of the behavioral immune system (BIS) depends both upon one’s vulnerability and environmental context, we predicted that, during the COVID-19 pandemic, place of residence (island vs. mainland) explains a significant proportion of variance in preferred interpersonal distances, animosity toward strangers, and willingness to punish those who do not adhere to COVID-19 preventive measures. With 48 populated islands, Croatia provides a fruitful testing ground for this prediction. We also opted to explore relations among BIS-related variables (pathogen disgust, germ aversion, and perceived infectability) and social cognitions in a more natural context than has previously been done. The study was conducted online, on Croatian residents, during April and May 2020. As expected, the BIS variables contributed significantly to preferred interpersonal distances, negative emotions toward strangers, and willingness to punish those who do not adhere to COVID-19 preventive measures. Furthermore, our results showed that geographical location explained a significant amount of variance in preferred social (but not personal and intimate) distances and negative emotions toward foreigners. As Croatian islands are extremely frequent travel destinations, these differences between mainlanders and islanders cannot be explained by the lack of exposure to foreigners. Additionally, we found that scores on preferred interpersonal distances, pathogen disgust, and germ aversion were significantly higher compared to those obtained in Croatian samples before the COVID-19 pandemic. Furthermore, men scored higher in perceived infectability than before the COVID-19 pandemic, and women did not, which reflects the objectively higher risk of SARS-CoV-2 for men than for women. Taken together, our results support the notion that BIS is a highly adaptive and context-dependent response system, likely more reactive in more susceptible individuals.

scholarly journals Tumor microenvironment and immune evasion in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Areeg Elmusrati ◽  
Justin Wang ◽  
Cun-Yu Wang
Keyword(s):  
Squamous Cell Carcinoma ◽  
Immune System ◽  
Tumor Microenvironment ◽  
Cell Carcinoma ◽  
Head And Neck ◽  
Squamous Cell ◽  
Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma ◽  
High Morbidity ◽  
Advanced Therapies

AbstractHead and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), an aggressive malignancy, is characterized by high morbidity and low survival rates with limited therapeutic options outside of regional surgery, conventional cytotoxic chemotherapy, and irradiation. Increasing studies have supported the synergistic role of the tumor microenvironment (TME) in cancer advancement. The immune system, in particular, plays a key role in surveillance against the initiation, development, and progression of HNSCC. The understanding of how neoplastic cells evolve and evade the immune system whether through self-immunogenicity manipulation, or expression of immunosuppressive mediators, provides the foundation for the development of advanced therapies. Furthermore, the crosstalk between cancer cells and the host immune system have a detrimental effect on the TME promoting angiogenesis, proliferation, and metastasis. This review provides a recent insight into the role of the key inflammatory cells infiltrating the TME, with a focus on reviewing immunological principles related to HNSCC, as cancer immunosurveillance and immune escape, including a brief overview of current immunotherapeutic strategies and ongoing clinical trials.

scholarly journals The discovery of biological subphenotypes in ARDS: a novel approach to targeted medicine?

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Karin Wildi ◽  
Samantha Livingstone ◽  
Chiara Palmieri ◽  
Gianluigi LiBassi ◽  
Jacky Suen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Age Groups ◽  
Geographical Location ◽  
High Morbidity ◽  
Shock State ◽  
Pharmacological Agents ◽  
New Approach ◽  
Novel Approach ◽  
Active Research ◽  
Targeted Medicine ◽  
Core Features

AbstractThe acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is a severe lung disorder with a high morbidity and mortality which affects all age groups. Despite active research with intense, ongoing attempts in developing pharmacological agents to treat ARDS, its mortality rate remains unaltered high and treatment is still only supportive. Over the years, there have been many attempts to identify meaningful subgroups likely to react differently to treatment among the heterogenous ARDS population, most of them unsuccessful. Only recently, analysis of large ARDS cohorts from randomized controlled trials have identified the presence of distinct biological subphenotypes among ARDS patients: a hypoinflammatory (or uninflamed; named P1) and a hyperinflammatory (or reactive; named P2) subphenotype have been proposed and corroborated with existing retrospective data. The hyperinflammatory subphenotyope was clearly associated with shock state, metabolic acidosis, and worse clinical outcomes. Core features of the respective subphenotypes were identified consistently in all assessed cohorts, independently of the studied population, the geographical location, the study design, or the analysis method. Additionally and clinically even more relevant treatment efficacies, as assessed retrospectively, appeared to be highly dependent on the respective subphenotype. This discovery launches a promising new approach to targeted medicine in ARDS. Even though it is now widely accepted that each ARDS subphenotype has distinct functional, biological, and mechanistic differences, there are crucial gaps in our knowledge, hindering the translation to bedside application. First of all, the underlying driving biological factors are still largely unknown, and secondly, there is currently no option for fast and easy identification of ARDS subphenotypes. This narrative review aims to summarize the evidence in biological subphenotyping in ARDS and tries to point out the current issues that will need addressing before translation of biological subohenotypes into clinical practice will be possible.

scholarly journals Vascular and haemodynamic issues of brain ageing

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lucy Beishon ◽  
Rebecca H. Clough ◽  
Meeriam Kadicheeni ◽  
Tamara Chithiramohan ◽  
Ronney B. Panerai ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Significant Proportion ◽  
Cerebrovascular Diseases ◽  
Healthy Ageing ◽  
Cognitive Stimulation ◽  
High Morbidity ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Brain Ageing ◽  
Haemodynamic Changes ◽  
Normal Ageing ◽  
The Individual

AbstractThe population is ageing worldwide, thus increasing the burden of common age-related disorders to the individual, society and economy. Cerebrovascular diseases (stroke, dementia) contribute a significant proportion of this burden and are associated with high morbidity and mortality. Thus, understanding and promoting healthy vascular brain ageing are becoming an increasing priority for healthcare systems. In this review, we consider the effects of normal ageing on two major physiological processes responsible for vascular brain function: Cerebral autoregulation (CA) and neurovascular coupling (NVC). CA is the process by which the brain regulates cerebral blood flow (CBF) and protects against falls and surges in cerebral perfusion pressure, which risk hypoxic brain injury and pressure damage, respectively. In contrast, NVC is the process by which CBF is matched to cerebral metabolic activity, ensuring adequate local oxygenation and nutrient delivery for increased neuronal activity. Healthy ageing is associated with a number of key physiological adaptations in these processes to mitigate age-related functional and structural declines. Through multiple different paradigms assessing CA in healthy younger and older humans, generating conflicting findings, carbon dioxide studies in CA have provided the greatest understanding of intrinsic vascular anatomical factors that may mediate healthy ageing responses. In NVC, studies have found mixed results, with reduced, equivalent and increased activation of vascular responses to cognitive stimulation. In summary, vascular and haemodynamic changes occur in response to ageing and are important in distinguishing “normal” ageing from disease states and may help to develop effective therapeutic strategies to promote healthy brain ageing.

scholarly journals Behavioral immune system activity predicts downregulation of chronic basal inflammation

PLoS ONE ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 13 (9) ◽  
pp. e0203961 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeffrey Gassen ◽  
Marjorie L. Prokosch ◽  
Anastasia Makhanova ◽  
Micah J. Eimerbrink ◽  
Jordon D. White ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Immune System ◽  
System Activity ◽  
Behavioral Immune System

scholarly journals Relationship of Depression, Aging and Immune System During Covid-19 Pandemic: A Review

2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Farah Iylia Binti Fauzi ◽  
Siti Fatimah Binti Salleh ◽  
Mohammad Shahadat Hossen
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Immune System ◽  
Elderly People ◽  
Social Isolation ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Preventive Measures ◽  
Coping Mechanisms ◽  
Depression And Anxiety ◽  
Relationship Of ◽  
The Relationship

COVID-19 is a highly contagious virus that first appeared in China in December 2019. It has affected over 157 million people and killed over 3.2 million. The paper reviews the function of the immune system for COVID-19 prevention, depression, and anxiety due to COVID-19 and their effects on the immune system and the relationship of aging with the immune system and depression and anxiety. It has been found that several elderly people lack the coping mechanisms required to deal with the stress caused by COVID-19. Hence, identifying the factors and mechanisms that lead to this resilience will aid in the development of preventive measures for certain elderly people and groups with more severe mental health problems. Additionally, it would be beneficial to understand how technology could be leveraged to accomplish this goal. During the pandemic, various steps such as social isolation, quarantine, and self-isolation are needed to be implemented properly to slow the spread of the virus. Meanwhile, to help halt the pandemic, everybody must be vaccinated as soon as possible until any bans on social gatherings and social isolation can be removed, allowing other sectors such as schooling, social activities, and life to resume normalcy.

The structure of the main infectious diseases of farm animals in the border districts of the Badakhshan province of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan

2021 ◽  
Vol 1 (5) ◽  
pp. 26-32
Author(s):  
G. Sh. Navruzshoeva ◽  
◽  
A. R. Nazarbekov ◽  
N. V. Pimenov ◽  
◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Infectious Diseases ◽  
Preventive Measures ◽  
Geographical Location ◽  
Foot And Mouth Disease ◽  
Farm Animals ◽  
Economic Damage ◽  
Islamic Republic ◽  
Predisposing Factor ◽  
Central Asian ◽  
The Republic

A brief description is given on the spread of the main infectious diseases in the Badakhshan province, the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan. One of the main goals which the veterinary service of any country has is to prevent the spread of infectious animal diseases. The geographical location of the Badakhshan province, of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, becomes a predisposing factor for the spread of infectious diseases, especially the territory of the Republic of Tajikistan, which borders Afghanistan and is part of the union of independent countries, is especially vulnerable. Every year in the province of Badakhshan, various infectious diseases break out: foot and mouth disease, smallpox of sheep and chickens, contagious pleuropneumonia of goats, enterotoxaemia of sheep, emphysematous carbuncle. These diseases cause great economic damage to livestock and the national economy in general, some of them are included in the OIE list as transboundary diseases. Scientifically grounded research and veterinary, sanitary and preventive measures in Badakhshan province are an important task to prevent the spread of infectious diseases in the Central Asian region.

Sepsis Syndrome

2014 ◽  
pp. 395-402
Author(s):  
Joshua A. Englert ◽  
Rebecca Marlene Baron
Keyword(s):  
Immune System ◽  
Inflammatory Response ◽  
Innate Immune System ◽  
Tissue Injury ◽  
Treatment Strategies ◽  
Sepsis Syndrome ◽  
Clinical Syndrome ◽  
High Morbidity ◽  
Early Management ◽  
Inflammatory State

Sepsis is a clinical syndrome characterized by systemic inflammation leading to tissue injury that arises as a complication of an infection. According to current paradigms, sepsis arises as a result of the infection of a normally sterile body compartment. Infection leads to activation of the innate immune system to produce a systemic inflammatory response. This response is a necessary component of the body's defense against infection under normal conditions, but it is the lack of regulation of this response that is central to the pathogenesis of sepsis. As discussed in more detail below, this dysregulated inflammatory state can lead to tissue injury and dysfunction in organs not involved in the original infectious insult. Although sepsis remains a condition with exceedingly high morbidity and mortality, recent early management and treatment strategies have demonstrated exciting improvements in overall outcomes.

Is breathing our polluted air a risk factor for stroke?

2019 ◽  
Vol 14 (4) ◽  
pp. 340-350 ◽  
Author(s):  
Conrado J Estol
Keyword(s):  
Air Pollution ◽  
Risk Factor ◽  
Hemorrhagic Stroke ◽  
Preventive Measures ◽  
Geographical Location ◽  
Vascular Risk ◽  
Lipid Levels ◽  
Ample Evidence ◽  
Academy Of Sciences ◽  
Acute And Chronic Exposure

The conference “Climate change, air pollution and health” was held at the Pontifical Academy of Sciences. The data presented highlighted that air pollution is a major, under-recognized and modifiable risk factor for stroke and heart disease. Air pollution causes 7.6% of all deaths making it the fifth cause of death globally, and this figure is expected to increase by 50% by 2050. Particulate matter causes endothelial dysfunction and induces thrombosis by altering reactive oxygen species, nitric oxide, insulin resistance, and lipid levels. Thirty-three articles published since 2002 were reviewed to assess the relation between air pollution and stroke with age, geographical location, particulate and gaseous matter type, duration of exposure, previous stroke, and comorbidities. It remains to be defined if air pollution has pathophysiological effects that preferentially predispose individuals to ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke. There is ample evidence showing an association between acute and chronic exposure to PM2.5 or gaseous pollutants with stroke. This potentially avoidable scenario and its dramatic consequences are heavily under-recognized by health professionals and the wider public. Preventive measures in people at high vascular risk are warranted. Procrastination in implementing efforts to stop the current worldwide course of worsening air pollution is the seed of a potential global health catastrophe.

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