scholarly journals Measuring Dietary Botanical Diversity as a Proxy for Phytochemical Exposure

Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 1295
Author(s):  
Henry J. Thompson ◽  
Jack O. Levitt ◽  
John N. McGinley ◽  
Paulette Chandler ◽  
Patricia M. Guenther ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Microbial Ecology ◽  
Food Consumption ◽  
Diversity Index ◽  
Plant Food ◽  
Food Diversity ◽  
Gut Barrier Function ◽  
Health And Disease ◽  
Botanical Diversity ◽  
And Function

The study of natural plant molecules and their medicinal properties, pharmacognosy, provides a taxonomy for botanical families that represent diverse chemical groupings with potentially distinct functions in relation to human health. Yet, this reservoir of knowledge has not been systematically applied to elucidating the role of patterns of plant food consumption on gut microbial ecology and function. All chemical classes of dietary phytochemicals can affect the composition of the microbes that colonize the gut and their function. In turn, the gut microbiome affects the host via multiple mechanisms including gut barrier function, immune function, satiety and taste regulation and the activity of biological signaling pathways that influence health and disease. Herein, we report the development of a botanical diversity index (BDI) to evaluate plant food consumption as a novel metric for identifying and quantifying phytochemicals to which an individual is exposed. A rationale is advanced for using the BDI to investigate how plant food diversity impacts gut microbial ecology and functionality.

scholarly journals Role of Biological Sex in the Cardiovascular-Gut Microbiome Axis

2022 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shuangyue Li ◽  
Georgios Kararigas
Keyword(s):  
Gut Microbiota ◽  
Gut Microbiome ◽  
Microbial Composition ◽  
Biological Sex ◽  
Technological Advances ◽  
Host Health ◽  
Health And Disease ◽  
And Function ◽  
Insight Into

There has been a recent, unprecedented interest in the role of gut microbiota in host health and disease. Technological advances have dramatically expanded our knowledge of the gut microbiome. Increasing evidence has indicated a strong link between gut microbiota and the development of cardiovascular diseases (CVD). In the present article, we discuss the contribution of gut microbiota in the development and progression of CVD. We further discuss how the gut microbiome may differ between the sexes and how it may be influenced by sex hormones. We put forward that regulation of microbial composition and function by sex might lead to sex-biased disease susceptibility, thereby offering a mechanistic insight into sex differences in CVD. A better understanding of this could identify novel targets, ultimately contributing to the development of innovative preventive, diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for men and women.

scholarly journals Sex Differences and the Influence of Sex Hormones on Cognition through Adulthood and the Aging Process

2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (9) ◽  
pp. 163 ◽  
Author(s):  
Caroline Gurvich ◽  
Kate Hoy ◽  
Natalie Thomas ◽  
Jayashri Kulkarni
Keyword(s):  
Alzheimer’S Disease ◽  
Alzheimer's Disease ◽  
Sex Differences ◽  
Cognitive Functioning ◽  
Sex Hormones ◽  
Reproductive Function ◽  
Health And Disease ◽  
And Function ◽  
The Brain

Hormones of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis that regulate reproductive function have multiple effects on the development, maintenance and function of the brain. Sex differences in cognitive functioning have been reported in both health and disease, which may be partly attributed to sex hormones. The aim of the current paper was to provide a theoretical review of how sex hormones influence cognitive functioning across the lifespan as well as provide an overview of the literature on sex differences and the role of sex hormones in cognitive decline, specifically in relation to Alzheimer’s disease (AD). A summary of current hormone and sex-based interventions for enhancing cognitive functioning and/or reducing the risk of Alzheimer’s disease is also provided.

scholarly journals Novel Insights From Human Studies on the Role of High-Density Lipoprotein in Mortality and Noncardiovascular Disease

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christian M. Madsen ◽  
Anette Varbo ◽  
Børge G. Nordestgaard
Keyword(s):  
Cardiovascular Disease ◽  
High Density Lipoprotein ◽  
Therapeutic Potential ◽  
Density Lipoprotein ◽  
Hdl Cholesterol ◽  
High Density ◽  
Cancer Type ◽  
Health And Disease ◽  
And Function

The vast majority of research about HDL (high-density lipoprotein) has for decades revolved around the possible role of HDL in atherosclerosis and its therapeutic potential within cardiovascular disease prevention; however, failures with therapies aimed at increasing HDL cholesterol has left questions as to what the role and function of HDL in human health and disease is. Recent observational studies have further shown that extreme high HDL cholesterol is associated with high mortality leading to speculations that HDL could in some instances be harmful. In addition, evidence from observational, and to a lesser extent genetic, studies has emerged indicating that HDL might be associated with the development of other major noncardiovascular diseases, such as infectious disease, autoimmune disease, cancer, type 2 diabetes, kidney disease, and lung disease. In this review, we discuss (1) the association between extreme high HDL cholesterol and mortality and (2) the emerging human evidence linking HDL to several major diseases outside the realm of cardiovascular disease.

scholarly journals Serine protease inhibitors and human wellbeing interplay: new insights for old friends

PeerJ ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 7 ◽  
pp. e7224 ◽  
Author(s):  
Héla Mkaouar ◽  
Nizar Akermi ◽  
Aicha Kriaa ◽  
Anne-Laure Abraham ◽  
Amin Jablaoui ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Serine Protease ◽  
Protease Inhibitors ◽  
Structural Data ◽  
Ecological Niches ◽  
Serine Protease Inhibitors ◽  
New Therapeutic Approaches ◽  
Physiological Processes ◽  
Health And Disease ◽  
And Function

Serine Protease Inhibitors (Serpins) control tightly regulated physiological processes and their dysfunction is associated to various diseases. Thus, increasing interest is given to these proteins as new therapeutic targets. Several studies provided functional and structural data about human serpins. By comparison, only little knowledge regarding bacterial serpins exists. Through the emergence of metagenomic studies, many bacterial serpins were identified from numerous ecological niches including the human gut microbiota. The origin, distribution and function of these proteins remain to be established. In this report, we shed light on the key role of human and bacterial serpins in health and disease. Moreover, we analyze their function, phylogeny and ecological distribution. This review highlights the potential use of bacterial serpins to set out new therapeutic approaches.

Autophagy in health and disease: focus on the cardiovascular system

2017 ◽  
Vol 61 (6) ◽  
pp. 721-732 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeanne Mialet-Perez ◽  
Cécile Vindis
Keyword(s):  
Heart Failure ◽  
Cardiovascular System ◽  
Crucial Role ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Cardiovascular Disorders ◽  
Health And Disease ◽  
And Function ◽  
Autophagy Activity ◽  
Disease Focus

Autophagy is a highly conserved mechanism of lysosome-mediated protein and organelle degradation that plays a crucial role in maintaining cellular homeostasis. In the last few years, specific functions for autophagy have been identified in many tissues and organs. In the cardiovascular system, autophagy appears to be essential to heart and vessel homeostasis and function; however defective or excessive autophagy activity seems to contribute to major cardiovascular disorders including heart failure (HF) or atherosclerosis. Here, we review the current knowledge on the role of cardiovascular autophagy in physiological and pathophysiological conditions.

scholarly journals Role of Choline in Ocular Diseases

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (9) ◽  
pp. 4733
Author(s):  
Jin-Sun Hwang ◽  
Young-Joo Shin
Keyword(s):  
Parasympathetic Nervous System ◽  
Retinal Hemorrhage ◽  
Ocular Diseases ◽  
Choline Deficiency ◽  
Eye Health ◽  
Development And Differentiation ◽  
Health And Disease ◽  
The Stability ◽  
And Function

Choline is essential for maintaining the structure and function of cells in humans. Choline plays an important role in eye health and disease. It is a precursor of acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter of the parasympathetic nervous system, and it is involved in the production and secretion of tears by the lacrimal glands. It also contributes to the stability of the cells and tears on the ocular surface and is involved in retinal development and differentiation. Choline deficiency is associated with retinal hemorrhage, glaucoma, and dry eye syndrome. Choline supplementation may be effective for treating these diseases.

scholarly journals Intestinal microbiota during early life – impact on health and disease

2014 ◽  
Vol 73 (4) ◽  
pp. 457-469 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lotta Nylund ◽  
Reetta Satokari ◽  
Seppo Salminen ◽  
Willem M. de Vos
Keyword(s):  
Intestinal Microbiota ◽  
Early Life ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Related Factors ◽  
Life Impact ◽  
Health And Disease ◽  
And Function ◽  
The Impact

In the first years after birth, the intestinal microbiota develops rapidly both in diversity and complexity while being relatively stable in healthy adults. Different life-style-related factors as well as medical practices have an influence on the early-life intestinal colonisation. We address the impact of some of these factors on the consecutive microbiota development and later health. An overview is presented of the microbial colonisation steps and the role of the host in that process. Moreover, new early biomarkers are discussed with examples that include the association of microbiota and atopic diseases, the correlation of colic and early development and the impact of the use of antibiotics in early life. Our understanding of the development and function of the intestinal microbiota is constantly improving but the long-term influence of early-life microbiota on later life health deserves careful clinical studies.

scholarly journals BIOMARKERS OF CARDIAC FIBROSIS IN ARTERIAL HYPERTENSION

2020 ◽  
Vol 47 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
N. Ya. Dotsenko ◽  
L. V. Gerasimenko ◽  
S. S. Boev ◽  
I. A. Shekhunova ◽  
A. V. Molodan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Extracellular Matrix ◽  
Arterial Hypertension ◽  
Myocardial Fibrosis ◽  
Cardiac Fibrosis ◽  
Structure And Function ◽  
Myocardial Remodeling ◽  
Review Of The Literature ◽  
Health And Disease ◽  
And Function

Abstract The article presents a review of the literature on the role of myocardial fibrosis in the development of myocardial remodeling in patients with arterial hypertension. Information about the state of the structure and function of the extracellular matrix in health and disease is generalized. The characteristics of myocardial fibrosis biomarkers detection in the circulating blood are reflected. Keywords: arterial hypertension, myocardial fibrosis, extracellular matrix, collagen, biomarkers.

The role of nanotechnology in the study of human DNA and delivery of drugs

2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 01-02
Author(s):  
Ihtesham Shafiq ◽  
Faryal Ahmad ◽  
Fatima Ali
Keyword(s):  
Human Health ◽  
Structure And Function ◽  
Medical Applications ◽  
Targeted Drugs ◽  
Ability To Work ◽  
Human Dna ◽  
Health And Disease ◽  
And Function ◽  
Areas Of Interest

Increasingly, newer discoveries lead to innovative technologies that enable the study of existing phenomena as well as pave the way for advancement of other disciplines. One such field, that of Nanotechnology, offers unlimited promise and potential to enable researchers the ability to work at molecular or near-atomic levels. Medical applications are expected in vital areas of human health and disease, such as the structure and function of DNA, and the delivery of targeted drugs or other chemicals to areas of interest.

scholarly journals From syncitium to regulated pump: a cardiac muscle cellular update

2011 ◽  
Vol 35 (1) ◽  
pp. 22-27 ◽  
Author(s):  
Donna H. Korzick
Keyword(s):  
Cardiac Muscle ◽  
Intracellular Signaling ◽  
Ventricular Myocytes ◽  
Cellular Events ◽  
Intracellular Ca ◽  
Health And Disease ◽  
Cardiac Excitation ◽  
And Function ◽  
Cardiac Automaticity

The primary purpose of this article is to present a basic overview of some key teaching concepts that should be considered for inclusion in an six- to eight-lecture introductory block on the regulation of cardiac performance for graduate students. Within the context of cardiac excitation-contraction coupling, this review incorporates information on Ca2+ microdomains and local control theory, with particular emphasis on the role of Ca2+ sparks as a key regulatory component of ventricular myocyte contraction dynamics. Recent information pertaining to local Ca2+ cycling in sinoatrial nodal cells (SANCs) as a mechanism underlying cardiac automaticity is also presented as part of the recently described coupled-clock pacemaker system. The details of this regulation are emerging; however, the notion that the sequestration and release of Ca2+ from internal stores in SANCs (similar to that observed in ventricular myocytes) regulates the rhythmic excitation of the heart (i.e., membrane ion channels) is an important advancement in this area. The regulatory role of cardiac adrenergic receptors on cardiac rate and function is also included, and fundamental concepts related to intracellular signaling are discussed. An important point of emphasis is that whole organ cardiac dynamics can be traced back to cellular events regulating intracellular Ca2+ homeostasis and, as such, provides an important conceptual framework from which students can begin to think about whole organ physiology in health and disease. Greater synchrony of Ca2+-regulatory mechanisms between ventricular and pacemaker cells should enhance student comprehension of complex regulatory phenomenon in cardiac muscle.

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