scholarly journals Pediatric Hypothermia: An Ambiguous Issue

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (21) ◽  
pp. 11484
Author(s):  
Dominique Singer
Keyword(s):  
Heart Defects ◽  
Small Body ◽  
Mammalian Species ◽  
Volume Ratio ◽  
Therapeutic Benefit ◽  
Clinical Settings ◽  
Human Infants ◽  
Beneficial Effects ◽  
Ice Water ◽  
Lowered Body

Hypothermia in pediatrics is mainly about small body size. The key thermal factor here is the large surface-to-volume ratio. Although small mammals, including human infants and children, are adapted to higher heat losses through their elevated metabolic rate and thermogenic capacity, they are still at risk of hypothermia because of a small regulatory range and an impending metabolic exhaustion. However, some small mammalian species (hibernators) use reduced metabolic rates and lowered body temperatures as adaptations to impaired energy supply. Similar to nature, hypothermia has contradictory effects in clinical pediatrics as well: In neonates, it is a serious risk factor affecting respiratory adaptation in term and developmental outcome in preterm infants. On the other hand, it is an important self-protective response to neonatal hypoxia and an evidence-based treatment option for asphyxiated babies. In children, hypothermia first enabled the surgical repair of congenital heart defects and promotes favorable outcome after ice water drowning. Yet, it is also a major threat in various prehospital and clinical settings and has no proven therapeutic benefit in pediatric critical care. All in all, pediatric hypothermia is an ambiguous issue whose harmful or beneficial effects strongly depend on the particular circumstances.

scholarly journals Dietary supplementation with Bifidobacterium lactis NCC2818 from weaning reduces local immunoglobulin production in lymphoid-associated tissues but increases systemic antibodies in healthy neonates

2013 ◽  
Vol 110 (7) ◽  
pp. 1243-1252 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marie C. Lewis ◽  
Dilip V. Patel ◽  
Jenni Fowler ◽  
Swantje Duncker ◽  
Adrian W. Zuercher ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Immune System ◽  
Health Benefit ◽  
Dietary Supplementation ◽  
Nutritional Intervention ◽  
Dietary Interventions ◽  
Probiotic Supplementation ◽  
Human Infants ◽  
Bifidobacterium Lactis ◽  
Beneficial Effects ◽  
Mucosal Tissues

Weaning is associated with a major shift in the microbial community of the intestine, and this instability may make it more acquiescent than the adult microbiota to long-term changes. Modulation achieved through dietary interventions may have potentially beneficial effects on the developing immune system, which is driven primarily by the microbiota. The specific aim of the present study was to determine whether immune development could be modified by dietary supplementation with the human probiotic Bifidobacterium lactis NCC2818 in a tractable model of weaning in infants. Piglets were reared by their mothers before being weaned onto a solid diet supplemented with B. lactis NCC2818, while sibling controls did not receive supplementation. Probiotic supplementation resulted in a reduction in IgA (P< 0·0005) and IgM (P< 0·009) production by mucosal tissues but had no effect on IgG production (P>0·05). Probiotic-supplemented pigs had more mast cells than unsupplemented littermates (P< 0·0001), although numbers in both groups were low. In addition, the supplemented piglets made stronger serum IgG responses to fed and injected antigens (P< 0·05). The present findings are consistent with B. lactis NCC2818 reducing intestinal permeability induced by weaning, and suggest that the piglet is a valuable intermediate between rodent models and human infants. The results also strongly suggest that measures of the effect of probiotic supplementation on the immune system need to be interpreted carefully as proxy measures of health benefit. However, they are useful in developing an understanding of the mechanism of action of probiotic strains, an important factor in predicting favourable health outcomes of nutritional intervention.

scholarly journals Effectiveness of Curcumin on Outcomes of Hospitalized COVID-19 Patients: A Systematic Review of Clinical Trials

Nutrients ◽  
2022 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 256
Author(s):  
Amir Vahedian-Azimi ◽  
Mitra Abbasifard ◽  
Farshid Rahimi-Bashar ◽  
Paul C. Guest ◽  
Muhammed Majeed ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Web Of Science ◽  
Clinical Settings ◽  
Curcumin Treatment ◽  
Partial Restoration ◽  
Beneficial Effects ◽  
Disease Outcomes ◽  
Duration Of Hospitalization ◽  
Anti Inflammatory ◽  
Related Compounds

Despite the ongoing vaccination efforts, there is still an urgent need for safe and effective treatments to help curb the debilitating effects of COVID-19 disease. This systematic review aimed to investigate the efficacy of supplemental curcumin treatment on clinical outcomes and inflammation-related biomarker profiles in COVID-19 patients. We searched PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, EMBASE, ProQuest, and Ovid databases up to 30 June 2021 to find studies that assessed the effects of curcumin-related compounds in mild to severe COVID-19 patients. Six studies were identified which showed that curcumin supplementation led to a significant decrease in common symptoms, duration of hospitalization and deaths. In addition, all of these studies showed that the intervention led to amelioration of cytokine storm effects thought to be a driving force in severe COVID-19 cases. This was seen as a significant (p < 0.05) decrease in proinflammatory cytokines such as IL1β and IL6, with a concomitant significant (p < 0.05) increase in anti-inflammatory cytokines, including IL-10, IL-35 and TGF-α. Taken together, these findings suggested that curcumin exerts its beneficial effects through at least partial restoration of pro-inflammatory/anti-inflammatory balance. In conclusion, curcumin supplementation may offer an efficacious and safe option for improving COVID-19 disease outcomes. We highlight the point that future clinical studies of COVID-19 disease should employ larger cohorts of patients in different clinical settings with standardized preparations of curcumin-related compounds.

Revisiting the question of nucleated versus enucleated erythrocytes in birds and mammals

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kang Nian Yap ◽  
Yufeng Zhang
Keyword(s):  
Evolutionary Biology ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Mammalian Species ◽  
Volume Ratio ◽  
Comparative Approach ◽  
Energetic Cost ◽  
Cell Organelles ◽  
Mean Cell Volume ◽  
Physiological Functions ◽  
Avian Erythrocytes

Erythrocyte enucleation is thought to have evolved in mammals to support their energetic cost of high metabolic activities. However, birds face similar selection pressure yet possess nucleated erythrocytes. Current hypotheses on the mammalian erythrocyte enucleation claim that the absence of cell organelles allows erythrocytes to 1) pack more hemoglobin into the cells to increase oxygen carrying capacity and 2) decrease erythrocyte size for increased surface area-to-volume ratio, and improved ability to traverse small capillaries. In this article, we first empirically tested current hypotheses using both conventional and phylogenetically informed analysis comparing literature values of mean cell hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) and mean cell volume (MCV) between 181 avian and 194 mammalian species. We found no difference in MCHC levels between birds and mammals using both conventional and phylogenetically corrected analysis. MCV was higher in birds than mammals according to conventional analysis, but the difference was lost when we controlled for phylogeny. These results suggested that avian and mammalian erythrocytes may employ different strategies to solve a common problem. To further investigate existing hypotheses or develop new hypothesis, we need to understand the functions of various organelles in avian erythrocytes. Consequently, we covered potential physiological functions of various cell organelles in avian erythrocytes based on current knowledge, while making explicit comparisons to their mammalian counterparts. Finally, we proposed by taking an integrative and comparative approach, using tools from molecular biology to evolutionary biology, would allow us to better understand the fundamental physiological functions of various components of avian and mammalian erythrocytes.

scholarly journals Gastrointestinal Motility and Improvement Efficacy of Shenhuang Plaster Application on Shenque: Identification, Evaluation, and Mechanism

2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-13
Author(s):  
Yanan Shi ◽  
Jingming Xu ◽  
Bin Ding ◽  
Guiping Chen ◽  
Lu Jin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Histological Study ◽  
Gastrointestinal Transit ◽  
Inhibitory Effect ◽  
Base Layer ◽  
Clinical Settings ◽  
Standard Drug ◽  
Beneficial Effects ◽  
Rdna Sequencing ◽  
Identification Evaluation ◽  
Stimulation Efficiency

Constipation, a gastrointestinal function disorder, is one of the side effects of paclitaxel (PTX) chemotherapy. Shenhuang plaster (SHP) application on the Shenque acupoint promotes gut motility in clinical settings. In this study, we elucidated the ingredients in SHP and evaluated its effects on PTX-induced constipation using a tumour-bearing mouse model. SHP was prepared using the traditional Chinese plaster preparation method. The ingredients were analysed using UPLC-MS/MS and identified via screening in a standard drug database. The gastrointestinal transit was evaluated by the movement of a fluorescein-labelled dextran in the gastrointestinal tract. A histological study of the mucosa was carried out after haematoxylin and eosin staining. mRNA expression was assessed using real-time RT-PCR, and the foetal microbiota composition was elucidated through 16 s rDNA sequencing and BLAST analysis. Our results indicate that the application of SHP attenuated weight gain inhibition by PTX; however, no inhibitory effect was observed on tumour growth. PTX-induced sluggish intestine, villus, and mucosal base layer damage were significantly improved following the application of SHP. Further, SHP enhanced the stimulation efficiency of PTX on TLR4 and its downstream cytokines, as well as on IL-1β in intestinal cells. SHP combined with PTX reshaped the microbiota, which showed beneficial effects on health. Hence, these results provide evidence that SHP alleviates PTX-induced constipation and intestinal morphological damage but augments the effects of PTX on the expression of cytokines in the TLR4 pathway and IL-1β. Therefore, we propose that SHP stimulates the host immune response to eradicate cancer cells.

Acadesine Reduces the Frequency of Coronary Artery Reocclusion Following rt-PA Induced Thrombolysis in the Dog

1995 ◽  
Vol 74 (05) ◽  
pp. 1348-1352 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark A Young ◽  
Christine Henry ◽  
Suzanna Wong ◽  
David Bullough ◽  
Kevin Mullane
Keyword(s):  
Coronary Artery ◽  
Platelet Activation ◽  
Antiplatelet Agents ◽  
Clinical Settings ◽  
Coronary Reperfusion ◽  
Beneficial Effects ◽  
Artery Thrombosis ◽  
Coronary Artery Thrombosis ◽  
Anesthetized Dogs

SummaryAcadesine is a ribose-substituted imidazole with antithrombotic properties mediated by adenosine. In view of the beneficial effects of antiplatelet agents on thrombolysis and post-thrombolytic reocclusion, we studied the effects of acadesine on t-PA induced coronary reperfusion and continued patency in anesthetized dogs with electrically-induced coronary artery thrombosis. In 4 groups of dogs we examined the effects of saline and 3 doses of acadesine (0.5,1.0,2.0 mg/kg/min, i.v.) on time to reperfusion, and incidence and time to reocclusion following infusion of t-PA (10 μg/kg/min, i.v.). Acadesine had no effect on time to reperfusion, but significantly (p <0.05) reduced the incidence of reocclusion and prolonged the time to reocclusion at the highest dose tested. In saline treated animals vessels reoccluded in 6 of 7 animals (86%) at 33 ± 6 min after reperfusion. With the lowest dose of acadesine (0.5 mg/kg/min) vessels reoccluded in 3 of 3 animals (100%) at 18 ± 7 min. In animals treated with 1.0 mg/kg/min acadesine, the incidence of reocclusion was reduced, but not significantly (p<0.1) to 2 of 6 (33%), and time to reocclusion was prolonged to 59 ± 11 min (p<0.1). At the highest dose (2.0 mg/kg/min) of acadesine, only 2 of 8 (25%) animals reoccluded (p<0.05), and time to occlusion was prolonged to 80 ± 13 min (p<0.05). Acadesine had no effect on hemodynamics. These results suggest that acadesine might prove beneficial in clinical settings of platelet activation and prothrombotic conditions, such as occur during thrombolysis with t-PA.

scholarly journals Immunoregulatory biological response modifiers: effect of cytokines on septic shock

1993 ◽  
Vol 2 (7) ◽  
pp. S5-S10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael A. Chirigos ◽  
Claudio De Simone
Keyword(s):  
Septic Shock ◽  
Immune System ◽  
Tumour Necrosis Factor ◽  
Tumour Necrosis ◽  
Biological Response ◽  
Therapeutic Benefit ◽  
Biological Response Modifiers ◽  
Beneficial Effects ◽  
Cellular Components ◽  
Necrosis Factor

Whole bacteria or bacterial components or their extracts were employed to restore or augment the immune system. Beneficial effects were attained with these agents in treating various diseases. These agents were named biological response modifiers (BRMs) because they regulated certain cellular components of the immune system. The cellular regulation induced by these BRMs was found to be due to cytokines. The cytokines were shown to act directly on the various cellular components and to provide therapeutic benefit in various autoimmune and immune deficiency diseases. Overproduction of specific cytokines however leads to a deleterious effect on the host. Overproduction of tumour necrosis factor (endotoxin, lipopolysaccharide) leads to septic shock. Bacteraemia is the leading cause of overproduction of tumour necrosis factor (TNF). Septic shock in many cases leads to death. Several monoclonal antibodies to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and anticytokines have demonstrated protection against septic shock.

scholarly journals Beneficial Role of Bitter Melon Supplementation in Obesity and Related Complications in Metabolic Syndrome

2015 ◽  
Vol 2015 ◽  
pp. 1-18 ◽  
Author(s):  
Md Ashraful Alam ◽  
Riaz Uddin ◽  
Nusrat Subhan ◽  
Md Mahbubur Rahman ◽  
Preeti Jain ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Metabolic Syndrome ◽  
Therapeutic Benefit ◽  
Bitter Melon ◽  
Metabolic Dysfunction ◽  
Beneficial Effects ◽  
Alternative Medicines ◽  
Daily Food ◽  
Treatment Of Diabetes

Diabetes, obesity, and metabolic syndrome are becoming epidemic both in developed and developing countries in recent years. Complementary and alternative medicines have been used since ancient era for the treatment of diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. Bitter melon is widely used as vegetables in daily food in Bangladesh and several other countries in Asia. The fruits extract of bitter melon showed strong antioxidant and hypoglycemic activities in experimental condition bothin vivoandin vitro. Recent scientific evaluation of this plant extracts also showed potential therapeutic benefit in diabetes and obesity related metabolic dysfunction in experimental animals and clinical studies. These beneficial effects are mediated probably by inducing lipid and fat metabolizing gene expression and increasing the function of AMPK and PPARs, and so forth. This review will thus focus on the recent findings on beneficial effect ofMomordica charantiaextracts on metabolic syndrome and discuss its potential mechanism of actions.

scholarly journals Toward a New Paradigm for Targeted Natriuretic Peptide Enhancement in Heart Failure

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Olof Gidlöf
Keyword(s):  
Heart Failure ◽  
Natriuretic Peptide ◽  
Therapeutic Benefit ◽  
Compensatory Mechanism ◽  
New Paradigm ◽  
Beneficial Effects ◽  
Current State ◽  
Peptide System ◽  
Alternative Approaches

The natriuretic peptide system (NPS) plays a fundamental role in maintaining cardiorenal homeostasis, and its potent filling pressure-regulated diuretic and vasodilatory effects constitute a beneficial compensatory mechanism in heart failure (HF). Leveraging the NPS for therapeutic benefit in HF has been the subject of intense investigation during the last three decades and has ultimately reached widespread clinical use in the form of angiotensin receptor-neprilysin inhibition (ARNi). NPS enhancement via ARNi confers beneficial effects on mortality and hospitalization in HF, but inhibition of neprilysin leads to the accumulation of a number of other vasoactive peptides in the circulation, often resulting in hypotension and raising potential concerns over long-term adverse effects. Moreover, ARNi is less effective in the large group of HF patients with preserved ejection fraction. Alternative approaches for therapeutic augmentation of the NPS with increased specificity and efficacy are therefore warranted, and are now becoming feasible particularly with recent development of RNA therapeutics. In this review, the current state-of-the-art in terms of experimental and clinical strategies for NPS augmentation and their implementation will be reviewed and discussed.

scholarly journals A prosocial character of head-gaze aversion in common marmosets

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Silvia Spadacenta ◽  
Peter W Dicke ◽  
Peter Thier
Keyword(s):  
Mammalian Species ◽  
Eye Contact ◽  
Striking Similarity ◽  
Human Infants ◽  
Common Marmosets ◽  
Gaze Aversion ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Direct Gaze ◽  
Video Footage ◽  
The Gaze

Gaze aversion is a behavior adopted by several mammalian and non-mammalian species in response to eye contact and usually interpreted as reaction to perceived threat. Unlike many other primates, common marmosets (Callithrix jacchus) are thought to have high tolerance for direct gaze, barely exhibiting gaze avoidance towards conspecifics and humans. Here we show that this does not hold for marmosets interacting with a familiar experimenter who suddenly establishes eye contact in a playful interaction (peek-a-boo game). In video footage synchronously recorded from the two agents, we found that our monkeys consistently alternated between eye contact and head-gaze aversion. The striking similarity with the gaze aversion dynamics exhibited by human infants interacting with their caregivers suggests a shared behavioral strategy to disengage temporarily from overwhelming social stimulation, in order to prepare for a new round of rewarding, affiliative face-to-face interaction. The potential of our finding for a marmoset model of autism is discussed.

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