scholarly journals Asthma and Obesity in Children

Biomedicines ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (7) ◽  
pp. 231
Author(s):  
Francesco Sansone ◽  
Marina Attanasi ◽  
Sabrina Di Pillo ◽  
Francesco Chiarelli
Keyword(s):  
Multidisciplinary Approach ◽  
Asthmatic Child ◽  
Scientific Evidence ◽  
Research Priorities ◽  
Epidemiological Data ◽  
Common Disease ◽  
Causative Role ◽  
Modifying Factors ◽  
The Impact

Asthma and obesity are two major chronic diseases in children and adolescents. Recent scientific evidence points out a causative role of obesity in asthma predisposition. However, studies assessing the real impact of excessive weight gain on lung function in children have shown heterogeneous results. In this review, the pathological mechanisms linking obesity and development of asthma in children are summarized and factors influencing this relationship are evaluated. Common disease modifying factors including age, sex, ethnicity, development of atopic conditions, and metabolic alterations significantly affect the onset and phenotypic characteristics of asthma. Given this, the impact of these several factors on the obesity–asthma link were considered, and from revision of the literature we suggest the possibility to define three main clinical subtypes on the basis of epidemiological data and physiological–molecular pathways: obese-asthmatic and atopy, obese-asthmatic and insulin-resistance, and obese-asthmatic and dyslipidemia. The hypothesis of the different clinical subtypes characterizing a unique phenotype might have an important impact for both future clinical management and research priorities. This might imply the necessity to study the obese asthmatic child with a “multidisciplinary approach”, evaluating the endocrinological and pneumological aspects simultaneously. This different approach might also make it possible to intervene earlier in a specific manner, possibly with a personalized and tailored treatment. Surely this hypothesis needs longitudinal and well-conducted future studies to be validated.

scholarly journals Microbiota Alterations in Precancerous Colon Lesions: A Systematic Review

Cancers ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (12) ◽  
pp. 3061
Author(s):  
Francesca Aprile ◽  
Giovanni Bruno ◽  
Rossella Palma ◽  
Maria Teresa Mascellino ◽  
Cristina Panetta ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cancer Progression ◽  
Endoscopic Resection ◽  
Causative Role ◽  
Health It ◽  
Microbial Dysbiosis ◽  
Pubmed Database ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Preventive Role

Gut microbiota plays an important role in human health. It may promote carcinogenesis and is related to several diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. This study of microbial dysbiosis in the etiology of colorectal adenoma aimed to investigate the possible causative role of microbiota in the adenoma–carcinoma sequence and its possible preventive role. A systematic, PRISMA-guided review was performed. The PubMed database was searched using “adenoma microbiota” and selecting original articles between January 2010 and May 2020 independently screened. A higher prevalence of Proteobacteria, Fusobacteria, and Bacteroidetes phyla was observed in the fecal luminal and mucosa-associated microbiota of patients with adenoma. However, other studies provided evidence of depletion of Clostridium, Faecalibacterium, Bacteroides and Romboutsia. Results on the relationship between adenoma endoscopic resection and microbiota were inconsistent. In conclusion, none of the analyzed studies developed a predictive model that could differentiate adenoma from non-adenoma patients, and therefore, to prevent cancer progression. The impact of adenoma’s endoscopic resection on microbiota was investigated, but the results were inconclusive. Further research in the field is required.

scholarly journals Geographical Variation in the profile of RET Variants in Patients with Medullary Thyroid Cancer: A Comprehensive Review

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rui M. B. Maciel ◽  
Ana Luiza Maia
Keyword(s):  
Haplotype Analysis ◽  
Medullary Thyroid Cancer ◽  
Genetic Diagnosis ◽  
Epidemiological Data ◽  
Global Perspective ◽  
Causative Role ◽  
Medullary Thyroid ◽  
Pathogenic Variants

Genetic variability in humans is influenced by many factors, such as natural selection, mutations, genetic drift, and migrations. Molecular epidemiology evaluates the contribution of genetic risk factors in the etiology, diagnosis, and prevention of a particular disease. Few areas of medicine have been so clearly affected by genetic diagnosis and management as multiple neoplasia type 2 (MEN2), in which activating pathogenic variants in the RET gene results in the development of medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC), pheochromocytoma, and hyperparathyroidism in nearly 98%, 50% and 25% of gene carriers, respectively. Here, we aimed to collect RET genotyping data worldwide to analyze the distribution and frequency of RET variants from a global perspective. We show that the mutational spectrum of RET is observed worldwide. The codon 634 variants seem to be the most prevalent, but there are differences in the type of amino acid exchanges among countries and in the frequencies of the other RET codon variants. Most interestingly, studies using haplotype analysis or pedigree linkage have demonstrated that some pathogenic RET variants have been transmitted to offspring for centuries, explaining some local prevalence due to a founder effect. Unfortunately, after almost three decades after the causative role of the germline RET variants have been reported in hereditary MTC, comprehensive genotyping data remain limited to a few countries. The heterogeneity of RET variants justifies the need for a global effort to describe epidemiological data of families with MEN2 to further understand the genetic background and environmental circumstances that affect disease presentation.

scholarly journals Does Physical Activity Regulate Prostate Carcinogenesis and Prostate Cancer Outcomes? A Narrative Review

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (4) ◽  
pp. 1441 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marco Capece ◽  
Massimiliano Creta ◽  
Armando Calogero ◽  
Roberto La Rocca ◽  
Luigi Napolitano ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Prostate Cancer ◽  
Functional Outcomes ◽  
Narrative Review ◽  
Common Disease ◽  
Prostate Carcinogenesis ◽  
Patients At Risk ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Circulating Levels

Background: Prostate cancer (PCa) represents a common disease in men aged >65 years. The role of physical activity (PA) in patients at risk or diagnosed with PCa represents an evolving issue. We aimed to summarize available evidences about the impact of PA on the pathophysiology and clinical outcomes of PCa. Methods: We performed a narrative review. Evidences about the role of PA in elderly patients in terms of PCa biology, epidemiology, oncological and functional outcomes, as well as in terms of impact on the outcomes of androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) were summarized. Results: Potential pathophysiological pathways hypothesized to explain the benefits of PA in terms of prostate carcinogenesis include circulating levels of Insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), oxidative stress, systemic inflammation, sex hormones, and myokines. Clinically, emerging evidences support the hypothesis that PA is associated with decreased PCa risk, improved PCa-related survival, improved functional outcomes, and reduced ADT-related adverse events.

scholarly journals The Role of Streptococcus pneumoniae in Community-Acquired Pneumonia

2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (04) ◽  
pp. 455-469 ◽  
Author(s):  
Charles Feldman ◽  
Ronald Anderson
Keyword(s):  
Antibiotic Resistance ◽  
Streptococcus Pneumoniae ◽  
Antimicrobial Agents ◽  
Bacterial Pathogen ◽  
Epidemiological Data ◽  
The United States ◽  
Invasive Infection ◽  
Geographic Variations ◽  
The Impact

AbstractWith the notable exceptions of the United States and Canada in particular, the global burden of disease in adults due to invasive infection with the dangerous respiratory, bacterial pathogen, Streptococcus pneumoniae (pneumococcus) remains. This situation prevails despite the major successes of inclusion of polysaccharide conjugate vaccines (PCVs) in many national childhood immunization programs and associated herd protection in adults, as well as the availability of effective antimicrobial agents. Accurate assessment of the geographic variations in the prevalence of invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) has, however, been somewhat impeded by the limitations imposed on the acquisition of reliable epidemiological data due to reliance on often insensitive, laboratory-based, pathogen identification procedures. This, in turn, may result in underestimation of the true burden of IPD and represents a primary focus of this review. Other priority topics include the role of PCVs in the changing epidemiology of IPD in adults worldwide, smoking as a risk factor not only in respect of increasing susceptibility for development of IPD, but also in promoting pneumococcal antibiotic resistance. The theme of pneumococcal antibiotic resistance has been expanded to include mechanisms of resistance to commonly used classes of antibiotics, specifically β-lactams, macrolides and fluoroquinolones, and, perhaps somewhat contentiously, the impact of resistance on treatment outcome. Finally, but no less importantly, the role of persistent antigenemia as a driver of a chronic, subclinical, systemic proinflammatory/procoagulant phenotype that may underpin the long-term sequelae and premature mortality of those adults who have recovered from an episode of IPD, is considered.

The role of ultra-sensitive molecular methods for detecting malaria – the broader perspective

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Claire Kamaliddin ◽  
Colin J Sutherland ◽  
Sandrine Houze ◽  
Gilles Cottrell ◽  
Valerie Briand ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Limit Of Detection ◽  
Research Priorities ◽  
Molecular Methods ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Molecular Tools ◽  
Patient Screening ◽  
Antigen Tests ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Conventional Tool

Abstract Ultra-sensitive molecular diagnostics are lowering the limit of detection for malaria parasites in the blood and providing insights not captured by conventional tool such as microscopy and rapid antigen tests. Low-level malaria infections identified by molecular tools may influence clinical outcomes, transmission events, and elimination efforts. While many ultra-sensitive molecular methods require well-equipped laboratories, technologies such as loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) or recombinase polymerase amplification (RPA) provide more portable and analytically sensitive solutions. These tools may benefit asymptomatic patient screening, antenatal care, and elimination campaigns. We review the recent evidence, offer our perspective on the impact of these new tests and identify future research priorities.

The impact of environmental infections (parasites) on MS activity

2011 ◽  
Vol 17 (10) ◽  
pp. 1162-1169 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jorge Correale ◽  
Mauricio F Farez
Keyword(s):  
Disease Onset ◽  
Epidemiological Data ◽  
Molecular Data ◽  
Protective Role ◽  
Host Parasite ◽  
Developed World ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Specific Parasite ◽  
Parasite Exposure

MS incidence has significantly increased during the second half of the 20th century, generating considerable interest in analyzing the basis for this rise in the developed world. Particular emphasis is being placed on the role infections might play in exacerbating or preventing disease onset. Epidemiological data suggest that improvement in sanitation conditions and reduced exposure to infection might explain, at least in part, these changes. The hygiene hypothesis is not new and is currently used to explain the increasing incidence of allergies and other autoimmune diseases. Because helminths are powerful modulators of host immunity, some authors hypothesize that reduced parasite exposure due to improved hygiene conditions may favor MS development. We discuss epidemiological, experimental, clinical and molecular data supporting the protective role of helminthes against MS. Better understanding of host–parasite interactions caused by specific parasite molecules with immunomodulatory effects will help combat allergies and autoimmune disease without the price of untoward infection as a side-effect.

Pandora's Box: mitochondrial defects in ischaemic heart disease and stroke

2017 ◽  
Vol 19 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sasan Andalib ◽  
Afshin A. Divani ◽  
Tanja M. Michel ◽  
Poul F. Høilund-Carlsen ◽  
Manouchehr S. Vafaee ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Heart Disease ◽  
Ischaemic Heart Disease ◽  
Low Density Lipoprotein ◽  
Density Lipoprotein ◽  
Causative Role ◽  
Vascular Events ◽  
Molecular Events ◽  
Oxidised Low Density Lipoprotein ◽  
The Impact

Ischaemic heart disease and stroke are vascular events with serious health consequences worldwide. Recent genetic and epigenetic techniques have revealed many genetic determinants of these vascular events and simplified the approaches to research focused on ischaemic heart disease and stroke. The pathogenetic mechanisms of ischaemic heart disease and stroke are complex, with mitochondrial involvement (partially or entirely) recently gaining substantial support. Not only can mitochondrial reactive oxygen species give rise to ischaemic heart disease and stroke by production of oxidised low-density lipoprotein and induction of apoptosis, but the impact on pericytes contributes directly to the pathogenesis. Over the past two decades, publications implicate the causative role of nuclear genes in the development of ischaemic heart disease and stroke, in contrast to the potential role of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) in the pathophysiology of the disorders, which is much less understood, although recent studies do demonstrate that the involvement of mitochondria and mtDNA in the development of ischaemic heart disease and stroke is likely to be larger than originally thought, with the novel discovery of links among mitochondria, mtDNA and vascular events. Here we explore the molecular events and mtDNA alterations in relation to the role of mitochondria in ischaemic heart disease and stroke.

scholarly journals The Role of Protein and Fat Intake on Insulin Therapy in Glycaemic Control of Paediatric Type 1 Diabetes: A Systematic Review and Research Gaps

Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (10) ◽  
pp. 3558
Author(s):  
Dieter Furthner ◽  
Andreas Lukas ◽  
Anna Maria Schneider ◽  
Katharina Mörwald ◽  
Katharina Maruszczak ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Type 1 Diabetes ◽  
Insulin Therapy ◽  
Dietary Fat ◽  
Health Care Professionals ◽  
Scientific Evidence ◽  
Observation Time ◽  
Bolus Insulin ◽  
The Impact

Carbohydrate counting (CHC) is the established form of calculating bolus insulin for meals in children with type 1 diabetes (T1DM). With the widespread use of continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) observation time has become gapless. Recently, the impact of fat, protein and not only carbohydrates on prolonged postprandial hyperglycaemia have become more evident to patients and health-care professionals alike. However, there is no unified recommendation on how to calculate and best administer additional bolus insulin for these two macronutrients. The aim of this review is to investigate: the scientific evidence of how dietary fat and protein influence postprandial glucose levels; current recommendations on the adjustment of bolus insulin; and algorithms for insulin application in children with T1DM. A PubMed search for all articles addressing the role of fat and protein in paediatric (sub-)populations (<18 years old) and a mixed age population (paediatric and adult) with T1DM published in the last 10 years was performed. Conclusion: Only a small number of studies with a very low number of participants and high degree of heterogeneity was identified. While all studies concluded that additional bolus insulin for (high) fat and (high) protein is necessary, no consensus on when dietary fat and/or protein should be taken into calculation and no unified algorithm for insulin therapy in this context exists. A prolonged postprandial observation time is necessary to improve individual metabolic control. Further studies focusing on a stratified paediatric population to create a safe and effective algorithm, taking fat and protein into account, are necessary.

scholarly journals Effect of the Lockdown Due to COVID-19 on Sexuality: The Mediating Role of Sexual Practices and Arousal in the Relationship Between Gender and Sexual Self-Esteem

2021 ◽  
pp. 003329412110289
Author(s):  
Carmen Rodríguez-Domínguez ◽  
Cristina Lafuente-Bacedoni ◽  
Mercedes Durán
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Behaviors ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Scientific Evidence ◽  
Self Esteem ◽  
Sexual Practices ◽  
Mediating Role ◽  
And Gender ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The Relationship

The scientific evidence suggests that COVID-19 is affecting much more than the physical health of individuals, particularly in places where a lockdown has been established to slow down the spread of the virus. An area that may be particularly affected is human sexuality. This study explored the impact of the situation generated by COVID-19 on the sexuality of 201 adults living in Spain. We collected data cross-sectionally through an online survey during the month of April 2020. Results showed a reduction of sexual self-esteem and a decrease in the number of interpersonal sexual relations, although the frequency of masturbation and the consumption of pornography did not vary compared to previous levels. A regression analysis showed that masturbation, the ability to maintain sexual arousal and interpersonal sex were mediating variables in the relationship between gender – specifically being male – and having higher sexual self-esteem during the lockdown. This study provides new insight on the relevance of certain sexual behaviors in a pandemic situation with considerable social restrictions and on the effect of this situation on sexual self-esteem and arousal. It brings some clarity on the relationship between sexual self-esteem and gender, about which there is currently no consensus in the scientific literature.

scholarly journals Sleep and Interrogation: Does Losing Sleep Impact Criminal History Disclosure?

SLEEP ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zlatan Krizan ◽  
Anthony J Miller ◽  
Christian A Meissner
Keyword(s):  
Scientific Evidence ◽  
Sleep Loss ◽  
Criminal History ◽  
Sleep Restriction ◽  
Investigative Interviews ◽  
Illegal Behavior ◽  
Illegal Acts ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Healthy Participants

Abstract Study Objectives Despite centuries of using sleep deprivation to interrogate, there is virtually no scientific evidence on how sleep shapes behavior within interrogation settings. To evaluate the impact of sleeplessness on subjects’ behavior during investigative interviews, an experimental study examined the impact of sleep restriction on disclosure of past illegal behavior. Methods Healthy participants from a university community (N=143) either maintained or curbed their sleep (up to 4 hours a night) across two days with sleep monitored via actigraphy. They were then asked to disclose past illegal acts and interviewed about them. Next, they were re-interviewed following an example of a detailed memory account (model statement). Disclosures were blindly coded for quantity and quality by two independent raters. Results Sleep-restricted individuals reported similar offenses, but less information during their disclosure with slightly less precision. Model statement increased disclosure but did not reduce the inhibiting impact of sleep loss. Mediation analysis confirmed the causal role of sleep as responsible for experimental differences in amount of information, and subjects’ reports suggested impaired motivation to recall information played a role. Conclusions The findings suggest that even moderate sleep loss can inhibit criminal disclosure during interviews, point to motivational factors as responsible, and suggest investigators should be cautious when interrogating sleepy subjects.

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