scholarly journals The Potential of Carnosine in Brain-Related Disorders: A Comprehensive Review of Current Evidence

Nutrients ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 1196 ◽  
Author(s):  
Martin Schön ◽  
Aya Mousa ◽  
Michael Berk ◽  
Wern L. Chia ◽  
Jozef Ukropec ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Psychiatric Disorders ◽  
Food Supplement ◽  
Current Evidence ◽  
Comprehensive Overview ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Over The Counter ◽  
Peripheral Tissues ◽  
Promising Therapeutic Target

Neurological, neurodegenerative, and psychiatric disorders represent a serious burden because of their increasing prevalence, risk of disability, and the lack of effective causal/disease-modifying treatments. There is a growing body of evidence indicating potentially favourable effects of carnosine, which is an over-the-counter food supplement, in peripheral tissues. Although most studies to date have focused on the role of carnosine in metabolic and cardiovascular disorders, the physiological presence of this di-peptide and its analogues in the brain together with their ability to cross the blood-brain barrier as well as evidence from in vitro, animal, and human studies suggest carnosine as a promising therapeutic target in brain disorders. In this review, we aim to provide a comprehensive overview of the role of carnosine in neurological, neurodevelopmental, neurodegenerative, and psychiatric disorders, summarizing current evidence from cell, animal, and human cross-sectional, longitudinal studies, and randomized controlled trials.

scholarly journals Chloroquine and Hydroxychloroquine for the Prevention and Treatment of COVID-19; a Fiction, Hope or Hype? An Updated Review

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sultan Saghir ◽  
Naif AlGabri ◽  
Mahmoud Alagawany ◽  
Youssef Attia ◽  
Salem Alailay ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Research Effort ◽  
Case Fatality ◽  
Current Evidence ◽  
The Novel ◽  
Comprehensive Overview ◽  
Novel Coronavirus ◽  
Antiviral Medications ◽  
Selection Of

In December 2019, the novel coronavirus disease pandemic (COVID-19) that began in China had infected more than 56 million individuals worldwide and accounted for more than 1.344.000 fatalities. With the dawn of this novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2), there was a requirement to select potential therapies that might effectively kill the virus, accelerate the recovery, or decrease the case fatality rate. Besides the currently available antiviral medications for HIV and HCV, the chloroquine/hydroxychloroquine (CQ/HCQ) regimen with or without azithromycin has been repurposed in China and was recommended by the National Health Commission, China in mid-February 2020. By this time, the selection of this regimen was based on its efficacy against the previous SARS-CoV-1 virus and its potential to inhibit viral replication of the SARS-CoV-2 in vitro. There was a shortage of robust clinical proof about the effectiveness of this regimen against the novel SARS-CoV-2. Therefore, extensive research effort has been made by several researchers worldwide to investigate whether this regimen is safe and effective for the management of COVID-19. This review article provides a comprehensive overview of the CQ/HCQ regimen. It summarizes the evaluating data from in vitro studies and clinical studies either for the protection or the treatment against SARS-CoV-2. There is a sharp difference of opinion about the role of CQ/HCQ regimen in treatment of COVID-19. The literature data are controversial and contradictory due to the diverse study design, population selection, dosage, regimen, and outcome measures. Current evidence from the two largest randomized-controlled trials (recovery and solidarity) suggests that the HCQ regimen does not decrease COVID-19 patients’ mortality. However, conflicting data were published from observational studies showing that the drug might be sufficient. Therefore, more investigations are needed to emphasize these findings.

scholarly journals Over-the-Counter Drugs and Complementary Medications Use among Children in Southern Italy

2015 ◽  
Vol 2015 ◽  
pp. 1-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Claudia Pileggi ◽  
Valentina Mascaro ◽  
Aida Bianco ◽  
Maria Pavia
Keyword(s):  
Positive Attitude ◽  
Southern Italy ◽  
Sole Source ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Over The Counter ◽  
Source Of Information

The use of nonprescription medicines (NPDs) for children illnesses without a doctor’s suggestion can lead to unnecessary medication use and is not free of risks. The aim of our study was to examine attitudes and practice of parents towards NPDs use for their children. We also investigated the conditions that may predict NPDs use. A cross-sectional survey was conducted on parents of children attending Community Based Pediatrician (CBP) consultation and data were collected through structured interviews. Positive attitude on NPDs use was reported by 71.4% of parents, and 61.5% of them had administered NPDs in the previous 6 months. Antipyretic drugs were the most frequently used medication class without the supervision of the CBP. A positive attitude towards NPDs was significantly more frequent in parents who did not use the CBP as the sole source of information about drugs. The study demonstrated a widespread use of NPDs in children in our context, supported by a substantial positive attitude towards their safety. However, considering potential harms related to some NPDs and the finding that most parents rely on CBP advice, role of CBP on appropriate use of NPDs by parents should be emphasized.

scholarly journals Review: The endless nutritional and pharmaceutical benefits of the Himalayan gold, Cordyceps; Current knowledge and prospective potentials

2020 ◽  
Vol 18 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Waill Elkhateeb ◽  
Ghoson Daba
Keyword(s):  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Health Benefits ◽  
Chemical Compounds ◽  
Food Supplement ◽  
In Vivo Studies ◽  
Protective Agent ◽  
Global Marketplace

Abstract. Elkhateeb WA, Daba GM. 2020. Review: The endless nutritional and pharmaceutical benefits of the Himalayan gold, Cordyceps; Current knowledge and prospective potentials. Biofarmasi J Nat Prod Biochem 18: 70-77. As a traditional medicine, Cordyceps has long been used in Asian nations for maintaining vivacity and boosting immunity. Numerous publications on various bioactivities of Cordyceps have been investigated in both in-vitro as well as in vivo studies. Nevertheless, the role of Cordyceps is still arguable whether it acts as food supplement for health benefits or a real healing drug that can be prescribed in medicine. The Cordyceps industry has developed greatly and offers thousands of products, commonly available in a global marketplace. In this review, focus will be on introducing the ecology of Cordyceps and their classification. Moreover, elucidation of the richness of extracts originated from this mushroom in nutritional components was presented, with description of the chemical compounds of Cordyceps and its well-known compounds such as cordycepin, and cordycepic acid. Furthermore, highlights on natural growth and artificial cultivation of famous Cordyceps species were presented. The health benefits and reported bioactivities of Cordyceps species as promising antimicrobial, anticancer, hypocholesterolemic, antioxidant, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, organ protective agent, and enhancer for organ function were presented.

scholarly journals The Role of Carrageenan in Inflammatory Bowel Diseases and Allergic Reactions: Where Do We Stand?

Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (10) ◽  
pp. 3402
Author(s):  
Barbara Borsani ◽  
Raffaella De Santis ◽  
Veronica Perico ◽  
Francesca Penagini ◽  
Erica Pendezza ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Inflammatory Bowel Diseases ◽  
Experimental Models ◽  
Gelling Agent ◽  
Current Evidence ◽  
Allergic Reactions ◽  
Processed Foods ◽  
Bowel Diseases ◽  
Inflammatory Bowel

Carrageenan (CGN) is a high molecular weight polysaccharide extracted from red seaweeds, composed of D-galactose residues linked in β-1,4 and α-1,3 galactose-galactose bond, widely used as a food additive in processed foods for its properties as a thickener, gelling agent, emulsifier, and stabilizer. In recent years, with the spread of the Western diet (WD), its consumption has increased. Nonetheless, there is a debate on its safety. CGN is extensively used as an inflammatory and adjuvant agent in vitro and in animal experimental models for the investigation of immune processes or to assess the activity of anti-inflammatory drugs. CGN can activate the innate immune pathways of inflammation, alter the gut microbiota composition and the thickness of the mucus barrier. Clinical evidence suggests that CGN is involved in the pathogenesis and clinical management of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), indeed food-exclusion diets can be an effective therapy for disease remission. Moreover, specific IgE to the oligosaccharide α-Gal has been associated with allergic reactions commonly referred to as the “α-Gal syndrome”. This review aims to discuss the role of carrageenan in inflammatory bowel diseases and allergic reactions following the current evidence. Furthermore, as no definitive data are available on the safety and the effects of CGN, we suggest gaps to be filled and advise to limit the human exposure to CGN by reducing the consumption of ultra-processed foods.

Abstract 152: Stat4 Deficiency limits the Development and Progression of Atherosclerosis

2013 ◽  
Vol 33 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Paresa Taghavie-Moghadam ◽  
Matthew Butcher ◽  
Mark Kaplan ◽  
Jerry Nadler ◽  
Elena Galkina
Keyword(s):  
T Cells ◽  
B Cell ◽  
Plaque Burden ◽  
Chow Diet ◽  
Th1 Cells ◽  
Peripheral Tissues ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Deficient Mice

T helper 1 (Th1) cells constitute the majority of plaque infiltrating IFNγ+ T cells and play a pro-atherogenic role. Th1 cells are induced via IFNγ-dependent activation of T-box expressed in T cells (Tbet) and/or IL-12-dependent activation of signal transducer and activator of transcription 4 (Stat4). While the role of Tbet in atherosclerosis is established, the impact of the IL-12/Stat4-dependent pathway is not well defined. To address the role of Stat4 in atherosclerosis, we bred Stat4-deficient mice with Apolipoprotein E-deficient mice to generate Stat4-/-Apoe-/- mice. Deficiency of Stat4 resulted in approximately a 70% reduction in the plaque burden for 34 week old Stat4-/-Apoe-/- mice fed a chow diet and in 12 week old Stat4-/-Apoe-/- mice fed a western diet there was approximately a 40% reduction in plaque burden, both compared with diet matched Apoe-/- controls females (p<0.001). To assess the effect of Stat4 on Th1 and Treg cell differentiation, we performed an in vitro polarization assay. Deficiency of Stat4 reduced differentiation of IFNγ+ Th1 cells in Th1 conditions, but supported the induction of Tregs in Treg polarizing conditions, confirming the importance of Stat4 in regulating the Th1/Treg balance. In contrast to the in vitro results, we found no difference in the expression of both IFNγ and Foxp3 amongst Stat4-/-Apoe-/- and Apoe-/- lymph nodes and splenic CD4+ T cells; suggesting that additional cytokines in vivo may induce IFNγ+Th1 and inhibit Treg differentiation. Stat4 deficiency also resulted in increased splenic B cell numbers and a slight increase in B1a dependent T15/E06 mRNA expression. Stat4 is a powerful regulator of chemokine expression within peripheral tissues. Adoptively transferred Apoe-/- B cells and CD11b+ cells migrated more efficiently into Stat4-/-Apoe-/- aortas compared to Apoe-/- recipients. However, percentages of macrophages, as determined by CD11b+CD68+ were reduced within the spleens and aortas of Stat4-/-Apoe-/- mice as compared to Apoe-/- controls at steady state conditions. In conclusion, Stat4 deficiency results in reduced atherosclerosis via the modulation of B cell function and aortic leukocyte content.

scholarly journals Role of nasal casts for in vitro evaluation of nasal drug delivery and quantitative evaluation of various nasal casts

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (8) ◽  
pp. 485-495
Author(s):  
Per G Djupesland ◽  
John C Messina ◽  
Ramy A Mahmoud
Keyword(s):  
Computed Tomography ◽  
Drug Delivery ◽  
Quantitative Evaluation ◽  
Healthy Male ◽  
Nasal Drug Delivery ◽  
Normal Range ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Drug Deposition

Background: Nasal casts may characterize intranasal drug deposition. Methodology: The Koken cast, described as ‘anatomically correct’, and the Optinose cast, derived from MRI of a healthy male during velum closure, were dimensionally compared and assessed for deposition assessment suitability. Results: Smallest vertical cross-sectional areas (valve region) for Koken and Optinose right/left: 2.55/2.75 and 1.18/1.18 cm2, respectively, versus a ‘normative’ mean (range) of 0.85 cm2 (0.2–1.6 cm2). Intranasal volumes differed (computed tomography/water fill): Koken, 35.8/38.6 cm3 and Optinose, 24.1/25.0 cm3, versus a ‘normative’ mean (range) of 26.4 cm3 (20.9–31.1 cm3). Conclusion: Koken cast dimensions are larger than the normal range and the Optinose cast. The validity of casts for regulatory drug deposition studies is suspect.

scholarly journals Public Perception of the Range of Roles Played by Professional Pharmacists

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (15) ◽  
pp. 2787 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anita Majchrowska ◽  
Renata Bogusz ◽  
Luiza Nowakowska ◽  
Jakub Pawlikowski ◽  
Włodzimierz Piątkowski ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Perception ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Over The Counter ◽  
Social Objective ◽  
Counter Medication ◽  
Health And Illness ◽  
Health Related ◽  
Almost All

Background: Professional pharmacists should be directly involved in patient healthcare as members of therapeutic teams are not the only dispensers of medication. Public perceptions of the professional role of pharmacists is expressed through patients’ attitudes, trust, and expectations as health and illness consultants, or qualified retailers of medicines. This perception is influenced by numerous determinants, both health-related and social. Objective: This research intends to describe the range of social roles pharmacists play from the perspective of potential pharmacy customers/patients. Methods: The data presented in the article comes from cross-sectional survey-based research, undertaken in 2018, on a representative sample of 600 Polish adults. Results: Over-the-counter medication is purchased by almost all Polish adults, but they do not tend to ask for advice at pharmacies. Most respondents consider a pharmacist to be “a person qualified to sell medicines”, with some of the participants regarding pharmacists as “ordinary retailers”. A small number of respondents are interested in benefiting from pharmaceutical care, but the pharmacy is still perceived to be a point of purchase for medication. Conclusions: Respondents do not treat pharmacists as health advisors and reduce its role to that of dispensing medication. Sociodemographic variables have no significant effect on social perception of pharmacists.

Conjugated dopamine: peripheral origin, distribution, and response to acute stress in the dog

1980 ◽  
Vol 58 (1) ◽  
pp. 22-27 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas Unger ◽  
Nguyen T. Buu ◽  
Otto Kuchel ◽  
Walter Schürch
Keyword(s):  
Acute Stress ◽  
Surgical Stress ◽  
Direct Conversion ◽  
Peripheral Tissues ◽  
Liver And Kidney ◽  
Arterial Plasma ◽  
Peripheral Origin

Conjugated catecholamines in the circulation and in peripheral tissues were measured together with free catecholamines in an attempt to investigate whether there are in vivo correlates to a possible biological role of dopamine sulfate suggested by an in vitro finding of direct conversion of dopamine sulfate to free norepinephrine by dopamine β-hydroxylase.Following the strong sympathoadrenergic stimulus of surgical stress accompanied by an increase in blood pressure and heart rate, conjugated dopamine showed a twofold rise in arterial plasma (p < 0.005) together with increases of all free catecholamines (0.005 < p < 0.02), while conjugates of noreprinephrine and epinephrine decreased in the circulation (0.01 < p < 0.05). Measurements of arteriovenous differences have shown that release of conjugated dopamine occurred from the adrenal gland during operation along with free catecholamines. However, the venous outflow of conjugated dopamine from liver and kidney did not exceed its arterial influx. Conjugated dopamine, in contrast with other conjugates, is present in adrenals, liver, small intestine, and kidney with higher concentrations than free dopamine in the adrenals (p < 0.01). After ultracentrifugation, the chromaffin granule fraction of the adrenal medulla (site of dopamine β-hydroxylase) contains large amounts of conjugated dopamine (apparently sulfate) suggesting a selective accumulation of dopamine sulfate as a readily available free norepinephrine precursor during stress.These findings establish major in vivo differences between peripheral conjugated dopamine and conjugates of norepinephrine and epinephrine. They suggest that there may be biological roles for conjugated dopamine beyond that of a dopamine metabolite.

scholarly journals The Role of F11R in Pancreatic Cancer Malignancy and Its Clinical Implication as a Therapeutic Target

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Haidi zhang ◽  
Chunyan Zhao ◽  
Xianhua Hu ◽  
Shuai He ◽  
Jinchuan Yu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pancreatic Cancer ◽  
Therapeutic Target ◽  
Immunoglobulin Superfamily ◽  
Experimental Conditions ◽  
Cycle Arrest ◽  
Pancreatic Cancer Cells ◽  
Promising Therapeutic Target ◽  
Cell Invasiveness

Abstract Abstract Background The F11 receptor belongs to the immunoglobulin superfamily and is expressed in epithelial and endothelial cells. F11R mediates the formation of tight junctions between the epithelium and endothelium, and participates in the invasion and metastasis of tumor cells. We have previously shown that the F11R gene is closely related to KRas (P= 0.76), a known therapeutic target for pancreatic cancer (PCa). In recent years, it has been found that F11R is expressed in different tumors and has biological effects.However, according to different tumor cases, different cell lines and experimental conditions, the regulatory results and mechanisms of F11R on tumor are different, even contradictory,and the expression, clinical significance and biological mechanism of F11R in tumor tissues have not been reported in detail. Results To investigate the role of F11R in carcinogenesis of PCa and the potential of F11R as a therapies target for PCa, we silenced F11R (-/-) in the PCa cell line PANC-1 (known to express high levels of KRas) using lentiviral approaches.We found that F11R silencing led to decreased cell proliferation, a loss of cell invasiveness, reduced colony forming ability, cell cycle arrest in G1 phase, cells apoptosis enhanced, and ros enhanced. In vitro data showed that inhibition of F11R decreased proliferation and invasiveness of cancer cells.The present results suggest that F11R may be a promising therapeutic target for PCa. Conclusions This study used bioinformatics combined with gene chip data to find the gene F11R, which is closely related to KRAS gene, and we used lentivirus to package shRNA plasmid to interfere with the gene F11R in pancreatic cancer panc-1 cells. A series of biobehavioral studies indicated the biobehavioral function and malignancy of panc-1 in pancreatic cancer cells with negative regulation of F11R gene.Based on this, we need to continue to clarify the expression of F11R gene in clinical case samples to determine whether F11R gene can be a new therapeutic target for pancreatic cancer.

scholarly journals Examining the Predictive Role of Mindfulness in Forgiveness and Happiness among Psychiatric Patients

2017 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 163-176
Author(s):  
Momina Abid
Keyword(s):  
Psychiatric Disorders ◽  
Psychiatric Patients ◽  
Research Result ◽  
Strongly Correlated ◽  
Subjective Happiness ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Subjective Happiness Scale ◽  
Government Hospitals ◽  
Predictive Role

Mindfulness allows human to experience feelings such as forgiveness and happiness leading to an overall increase in wellbeing. Present study was carried out to explore the predictive role of mindfulness in forgiveness and happiness among psychiatric patients. It was also aimed to find out the level of mindfulness, forgiveness and happiness in patients with psychiatric disorders. Cross Sectional Research Design was selected. Study conducted in different government hospitals of Multan and completed in 6 months from January 2015 to June 2015.Through random sampling 150 diagnosed patients were taken from differ hospitals of Multan. Mindfulness Attention Awareness Scale (Brown & Ryan, 2003), Heartland Forgiveness Scale (Thompson et al., 2005) and Subjective Happiness Scale (Lyubomirsky & Lepper, 1999) was used in present research. Result indicated that mindfulness was positively and strongly correlated with forgiveness and happiness. Findings depict that level of mindfulness and forgiveness was different in patients with psychiatric disorders but no differences were found on the level of happiness .Current study concludes that mindfulness has significant positive relationship with forgiveness and happiness. Mindfulness has significant impact on forgiveness and happiness. Findings also conclude that significant differences in the level of mindfulness and forgiveness among patient with different psychiatric disorders. But no significant differences were found in the level of happiness among patient with different psychiatric disorders. Current research supports us to understand the significance of mindfulness, by embracing level of mindfulness, individual can also embrace tendency of forgiveness, happiness, peace, hope, gratitude and joy these are path that lead to mental health.

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