scholarly journals Molecular Hydrogen as Medicine: An Assessment of Administration Methods

Hydrogen ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (4) ◽  
pp. 444-460
Author(s):  
Grace Russell ◽  
Alexander Nenov ◽  
Hesham Kisher ◽  
John T. Hancock

Since the late 18th century, molecular hydrogen (H2) has been shown to be well tolerated, firstly in animals, and then in humans. However, although research into the beneficial effects of molecular hydrogen in both plant and mammalian physiology is gaining momentum, the idea of utilising this electrochemically neutral and non-polar diatomic compound for the benefit of health has yet to be widely accepted by regulatory bodies worldwide. Due to the precise mechanisms of H2 activity being as yet undefined, the lack of primary target identification, coupled with difficulties regarding administration methods (e.g., dosage and dosage frequencies, long-term effects of treatment, and the patient’s innate antioxidant profile), there is a requirement for H2 research to evidence how it can reasonably and most effectively be incorporated into medical practice. This review collates and assesses the current information regarding the many routes of molecular hydrogen administration in animals and humans, whilst evaluating how targeted delivery methods could be integrated into a modern healthcare system.

2000 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 15-20 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michel C Samson ◽  
Donald H Lalonde ◽  
Donald Fitzpatrick ◽  
Gerald L Sparkes

Reported beneficial effects of presurgical maxillary orthopedics in cleft lip include reduction of the cleft width, alignment of the maxillary segments, elevation of the alar base on the cleft side, diminished need for alveolar bone grafting and lip closure without tension. Possible adverse effects of presurgical maxillary orthopedics include tooth root damage and inability of periosteoplasty to make bone over the cleft. A series of wide cleft lip patients (n=15) treated with the Latham appliance at the time of lip closure were retrospectively compared with a similar group treated without the Latham appliance. The Latham appliance group (seven unilateral clefts, eight bilateral clefts; mean follow-up 9.5 years; range four to 18 years) was treated between the years 1980 and 1994. None of the 15 patients treated with the appliance had any tooth loss or damage attributable to the pins, and bone formation in the alveolar cleft was observed radiographically in all 13 of the patients who had a periosteoplasty at the time of lip repair, possibly obviating the need for secondary bone grafting. Five of these Latham group patients demonstrated clinical and radiographic evidence of tooth eruption into the periosteoplasty-formed bone. There was no consistent difference in the level of nasal alar base elevation in the two groups.


Prospects ◽  
1998 ◽  
Vol 23 ◽  
pp. 23-38
Author(s):  
David Haven Blake

Of the many authorities Thomas McGrath rejected during his life, one of the most significant was the American Revolution, for his work explicitly questions the founders as a source of aesthetic and political creativity. “The National Past has its houses,” he writes in Letter to an Imaginary Friend, “but their fires have long gone out!” From his pronouncing the death of Virginia's deified presidents to his condemnation of the “local colorist” hunting for patriotic “HEADwaters” by which to camp, the poet's renunciation of the “false Past” amounts to a coherent commentary on the relations between American politics and modernist poetry (Letter, 315). E. P. Thompson has remarked in paving homage to his friend that “McGrath is a poet of alienation…. His trajectory has been that of willful defiance … At every point when the applause – anyone's applause, even the applause of the alienated – seemed about to salute him, he has taken a jagged fork to a wilderness of his own making.” Although his language strongly recalls that of Emerson's “Self-Reliance,” Thompson views McGrath as more than a romantic individualist. McGrath's alienation was not simply the estrangement that Marx saw afflicting all of capitalist society, nor was it a momentarily fashionable pose; rather, it was a calculated and thorough opposition to what Thompson calls “official culture” and its destruction of political, historical, and literary values. McGrath's refusal to make a “usable past” out of the American Revolution participates in this general defiance of “official culture,” as his work insistently reminds us that among the regular patrons of Monticello and Mt. Vernon were the many establishment poets well entrenched in bourgeois universities. In defying modernism's efforts to renovate the 18th century, McGrath makes a wilderness of his own, a wilderness which grows in opposition to the wellplowed fields of American empire.


Nanomaterials ◽  
2022 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 175
Author(s):  
Priyanka Prakash ◽  
Wing-Hin Lee ◽  
Ching-Yee Loo ◽  
Hau Seung Jeremy Wong ◽  
Thaigarajan Parumasivam

Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) are natural polymers produced under specific conditions by certain organisms, primarily bacteria, as a source of energy. These up-and-coming bioplastics are an undeniable asset in enhancing the effectiveness of drug delivery systems, which demand characteristics like non-immunogenicity, a sustained and controlled drug release, targeted delivery, as well as a high drug loading capacity. Given their biocompatibility, biodegradability, modifiability, and compatibility with hydrophobic drugs, PHAs often provide a superior alternative to free drug therapy or treatments using other polymeric nanocarriers. The many formulation methods of existing PHA nanocarriers, such as emulsion solvent evaporation, nanoprecipitation, dialysis, and in situ polymerization, are explained in this review. Due to their flexibility that allows for a vessel tailormade to its intended application, PHA nanocarriers have found their place in diverse therapy options like anticancer and anti-infective treatments, which are among the applications of PHA nanocarriers discussed in this article. Despite their many positive attributes, the advancement of PHA nanocarriers to clinical trials of drug delivery applications has been stunted due to the polymers’ natural hydrophobicity, controversial production materials, and high production costs, among others. These challenges are explored in this review, alongside their existing solutions and alternatives.


2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-13 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maricica Pacurari ◽  
Ramzi Kafoury ◽  
Paul B. Tchounwou ◽  
Kenneth Ndebele

The RAAS through its physiological effectors plays a key role in promoting and maintaining inflammation. Inflammation is an important mechanism in the development and progression of CVD such as hypertension and atherosclerosis. In addition to its main role in regulating blood pressure and its role in hypertension, RAAS has proinflammatory and profibrotic effects at cellular and molecular levels. Blocking RAAS provides beneficial effects for the treatment of cardiovascular and renal diseases. Evidence shows that inhibition of RAAS positively influences vascular remodeling thus improving CVD outcomes. The beneficial vascular effects of RAAS inhibition are likely due to decreasing vascular inflammation, oxidative stress, endothelial dysfunction, and positive effects on regeneration of endothelial progenitor cells. Inflammatory factors such as ICAM-1, VCAM-1, TNFα, IL-6, and CRP have key roles in mediating vascular inflammation and blocking RAAS negatively modulates the levels of these inflammatory molecules. Some of these inflammatory markers are clinically associated with CVD events. More studies are required to establish long-term effects of RAAS inhibition on vascular inflammation, vascular cells regeneration, and CVD clinical outcomes. This review presents important information on RAAS’s role on vascular inflammation, vascular cells responses to RAAS, and inhibition of RAAS signaling in the context of vascular inflammation, vascular remodeling, and vascular inflammation-associated CVD. Nevertheless, the review also equates the need to rethink and rediscover new RAAS inhibitors.


2021 ◽  
pp. 65-80
Author(s):  
Sandro Galea

This chapter examines the foundational forces that shape health. Even without a pandemic, the United States is faced with public health threats that are shaped by foundational forces. From the political and economic roots of the obesity epidemic, to the social stigma that informs the opioid crisis, to the many structural drivers of climate change, the social, economic, political, and demographic foundations of health are central to the challenges that must be addressed, nationally and globally, in the years to come. Engaging with these forces helped inform the response to COVID-19; they can help in addressing these other challenges as well. And just as a virus can have long-term effects on the body, the pandemic reshaped the societal foundations, with lasting implications for the economy, culture, attitudes towards core issues like race, politics, and more. Whether the experience of the pandemic leads to significant long-term benefits will depend on whether Americans retain the hard lessons of that moment and apply them to foundational forces.


Ramus ◽  
2003 ◽  
Vol 32 (1) ◽  
pp. 39-56
Author(s):  
Steven J. Green

Among the many delightful stories woven into Ovid's Metamorphoses, the tale of Baucis and Philemon in Book 8—not found before Ovid—has long proven a favourite with many readers. Narrated by the elderly Lelex, the story goes that Jupiter and Mercury are wandering on earth from door to door in need of shelter; they are received by a pious old couple, Baucis and Philemon, who entertain them with their utmost hospitality; the gods later reveal themselves, punish the inhospitable neighbourhood and reward the pious couple with everlasting life by turning them into sacred trees. This popular story has been the subject of at least two lighthearted operas, by Joseph Haydn (18th century) and Charles-François Gounod (19th century); both Rubens (c.1620) and Rembrandt (1658) have depicted scenes from the story on canvas; elegant poetic translations have been written by John Dryden (1693) and Jonathan Swift (1709). It is not difficult to understand why this story has provided particular enjoyment for the reader. In a poem which too often presents the gods as indifferent to justice and indulgent in their basest desires, here is a story which celebrates the proper relationship between divine and mortal, and pulls on moral, almost Christian heart-strings. Many might agree with G. Karl Galinsky's observation that the story has the effect of ‘radiating so obviously the sort of kindly warmth which some of Ovid's readers would like to find in more of [Ovid's] myths and, one suspects, in their daily lives.’


2014 ◽  
Vol 42 (03) ◽  
pp. 587-604 ◽  
Author(s):  
Willmann Liang ◽  
David T. Yew ◽  
Kam Lun Hon ◽  
Chun Kwok Wong ◽  
Timothy C. Y. Kwok ◽  
...  

The last decade has seen a wealth of information reporting the beneficial effects of Chinese herbal medicines. While a lot more studies were done using in vitro and in vivo research platforms, much fewer investigations were conducted according to evidence-based requirements in clinical settings. The Institute of Chinese Medicine at the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) has had the opportunity to collaborate with clinicians over the years to initiate and conduct dozens of clinical trials investigating and verifying the therapeutic values of Chinese herbs in selected disease conditions. Of the many disorders, we chose to focus on those that are known for their difficulties achieving perfect results with conventional treatment methods. Examples include non-healing ulcers, allergic conditions, degenerative diseases and cancer. Protective effects of the herbs in such chronic diseases as coronary artery disease and osteoporosis were also part of our focus. Even in healthy individuals and those recovering from chemotherapy, Chinese herbs could help with the immune system and were studied in our clinical trials as well. This paper aims to highlight the important findings from these clinical studies while at the same time, stressing the indispensable value of clinical trials in modernizing the use of Chinese herbs in present-day medicine.


2008 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 271-278 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marloes K Martens ◽  
Patricia Van Assema ◽  
Theo GWM Paulussen ◽  
Gerard Van Breukelen ◽  
Johannes Brug

AbstractObjectiveThe aim of this study was to assess the behavioural effects of a school-based healthful diet promotion intervention implemented in lower vocational schools.DesignA cluster-randomised pre-test–post-test experimental design was used, and data were collected by means of written questionnaires.SettingStudents of 18 Dutch lower vocational schools.SubjectsThe final sample consisted of 10 experimental schools with 13 teachers, 37 classes and 879 students, and eight control schools with 10 teachers, 31 classes and 734 students (total n = 1613).ResultsFixed regression analyses revealed beneficial effects on the behavioural measures relating to fruit intake (as assessed by a food frequency measure and fruit consumption during the previous day), and most behavioural measures related to high-fat snack intake (food frequency measure, and number of snacks and total fat intake from snacks during the previous day). The behavioural effects relating to breakfast habits were limited. Some positive behavioural effects occurred in the total target population, others mainly or only among students with more unfavourable intakes at baseline. Mixed regression analysis found comparable regression coefficients for the behavioural outcomes, but the effects related to fruit intake were no longer statistically significant.ConclusionsAlthough we did not find the expected effects on all outcome indicators, the total pattern of results suggest that Krachtvoer offered a surplus value over existing curricula. However, some programme elements need to be revised to improve effectiveness and prevent negative effects, and more information is needed about the long-term effects of the programme.


2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (13) ◽  
pp. 2041008
Author(s):  
Pinelopi Kyvelou ◽  
David A. Nethercot ◽  
Nicolas Hadjipantelis ◽  
Constantinos Kyprianou ◽  
Leroy Gardner

The importance of allowing for the many different types of structural interaction that have an effect on the performance of light gauge members when used in practical situations is emphasized. A distinction is drawn between internal interactions involving the various plate elements of the steel profiles and external interactions involving the other components in the system. Although full-scale testing of representative systems can capture this behavior, the costs involved make this an impractical general basis for design; codified methods generally consider only isolated plates within members and isolated members within systems, thereby neglecting the potentially beneficial effects of both forms of interaction. Properly used, modern methods of numerical analysis offer the potential to systematically allow for both forms of interaction — provided the numerical models used have been adequately validated against suitable tests. The use of such an approach is explained and illustrated for three commonly used structural systems: roof purlins, floor beams, and columns in stud walls. In each case, it is shown that, provided sufficient care is taken, the numerical approach can yield accurate predictions of the observed test behavior. The subsequently generated large portfolio of numerical results can then provide clear insights into the exact nature of the various interactions and, thus, form the basis for more realistic design approaches that are both more accurate in their predictions and which lead to more economic designs. Building on this, modifying existing arrangements so as to yield superior performance through specific modifications is now possible. Two such examples, one in which improved interconnection between the components in a system is investigated and a second in which prestressing is shown to provide substantial enhancement for relatively small and simple changes, are presented.


2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicole D. Schartz ◽  
Andrea J. Tenner

AbstractThe complement cascade is a critical effector mechanism of the innate immune system that contributes to the rapid clearance of pathogens and dead or dying cells, as well as contributing to the extent and limit of the inflammatory immune response. In addition, some of the early components of this cascade have been clearly shown to play a beneficial role in synapse elimination during the development of the nervous system, although excessive complement-mediated synaptic pruning in the adult or injured brain may be detrimental in multiple neurogenerative disorders. While many of these later studies have been in mouse models, observations consistent with this notion have been reported in human postmortem examination of brain tissue. Increasing awareness of distinct roles of C1q, the initial recognition component of the classical complement pathway, that are independent of the rest of the complement cascade, as well as the relationship with other signaling pathways of inflammation (in the periphery as well as the central nervous system), highlights the need for a thorough understanding of these molecular entities and pathways to facilitate successful therapeutic design, including target identification, disease stage for treatment, and delivery in specific neurologic disorders. Here, we review the evidence for both beneficial and detrimental effects of complement components and activation products in multiple neurodegenerative disorders. Evidence for requisite co-factors for the diverse consequences are reviewed, as well as the recent studies that support the possibility of successful pharmacological approaches to suppress excessive and detrimental complement-mediated chronic inflammation, while preserving beneficial effects of complement components, to slow the progression of neurodegenerative disease.


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