vital functions
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2022 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vadim Leonov ◽  
Lyubov Leonova ◽  
Denis Cherepanov ◽  
Leonid Savin ◽  
Anna Tkalich ◽  
...  

2022 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eric A. Bancroft ◽  
Rahul Srinivasan

Astrocytes display a plethora of spontaneous Ca2+ signals that modulate vital functions of the central nervous system (CNS). This suggests that astrocytic Ca2+ signals also contribute to pathological processes in the CNS. In this context, the molecular mechanisms by which aberrant astrocytic Ca2+ signals trigger dopaminergic neuron loss during Parkinson’s disease (PD) are only beginning to emerge. Here, we provide an evidence-based perspective on potential mechanisms by which aberrant astrocytic Ca2+ signals can trigger dysfunction in three distinct compartments of the brain, viz., neurons, microglia, and the blood brain barrier, thereby leading to PD. We envision that the coming decades will unravel novel mechanisms by which aberrant astrocytic Ca2+ signals contribute to PD and other neurodegenerative processes in the CNS.


2022 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 621
Author(s):  
Andrés Bronfman ◽  
Diego Beneventti G. ◽  
Pamela P. Alvarez ◽  
Samantha Reid ◽  
Germán Paredes-Belmar

We address the problem of picking up, stabilizing, and transporting casualties in response to mass-injury disasters. Our proposed methodology establishes the itinerary for collecting, on-site stabilization, and transporting victims considering capacitated vehicles and medical care centers. Unlike previous works, we minimize the time required to achieve on-site stabilization of each victim according to his age and level of severity of the injuries for their subsequent transfer to specialized medical centers. Thus, more critical patients will be the first to be stabilized, maximizing their chances of survival. In our methodology, the victims’ age, the injuries’ severity level, and their deterioration over time are considered critical factors in prioritizing care for each victim. We tested our approach using simulated earthquake scenarios in the city of Iquique, Chile, with multiple injuries. The results show that explicitly considering the on-site stabilization of the vital functions of the prioritized victims as an objective, before their transfer to a specialized medical center, allows treating and stabilizing patients earlier than with traditional objectives.


2022 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sonali Roy ◽  
Marcus Griffiths ◽  
Ivone Torres-Jerez ◽  
Bailey Sanchez ◽  
Elizabeth Antonelli ◽  
...  

The root system of a plant provides vital functions including resource uptake, storage, and anchorage in soil. The uptake of macro-nutrients like nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), and sulphur (S) from the soil is critical for plant growth and development. Small signaling peptide (SSP) hormones are best known as potent regulators of plant growth and development with a few also known to have specialized roles in macronutrient utilization. Here we describe a high throughput phenotyping platform for testing SSP effects on root uptake of multiple nutrients. The SSP, CEP1 (C-TERMINALLY ENCODED PEPTIDE) enhanced nitrate uptake rate per unit root length in Medicago truncatula plants deprived of N in the high-affinity transport range. Single structural variants of M. truncatula and Arabidopsis thaliana specific CEP1 peptides, MtCEP1D1:hyp4,11 and AtCEP1:hyp4,11, enhanced uptake not only of nitrate, but also phosphate and sulfate in both model plant species. Transcriptome analysis of Medicago roots treated with different MtCEP1 encoded peptide domains revealed that hundreds of genes respond to these peptides, including several nitrate transporters and a sulfate transporter that may mediate the uptake of these macronutrients downstream of CEP1 signaling. Likewise, several putative signaling pathway genes including LEUCINE-RICH REPEAT RECPTOR-LIKE KINASES and Myb domain containing transcription factors, were induced in roots by CEP1 treatment. Thus, a scalable method has been developed for screening synthetic peptides of potential use in agriculture, with CEP1 shown to be one such peptide.


2022 ◽  
pp. 113-119
Author(s):  
Ozcan Demetgul

Cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT) is a rare condition involving various symptoms that is mainly seen in younger adults. The most commonly involved are the superior sagittal sinus, lateral sinus, and simoid sinus. About 1% of all ischemic strokes are considered CVT. It is seen 3-fold more in young women. The incidence was estimated to be approx. 1/1000000. Cerebral venous sinuses are superficial and deep spaces, and they have vital functions. There are many symptoms. The most common complaint is headache (89%). Studies reported many different clinical symptoms. Neurological signs including motor and sensorial losses, impaired consciousness, speech disorder, epileptic seizures, visual problems (hemianopia, nystagmus, diplopia, and papilledema), and cranial nerve signs may be seen. The diagnosis is made primarily by suspecting the clinical condition and radiological presentation of thrombosis. The most basic diagnostic method is cranial imaging. Anticoagulants are the main method of treatment. The prognosis has improved over the last years thanks to early diagnosis.


Author(s):  
И.Е. Стрелкова

Амилоидоз – это группа заболеваний, характеризующихся накоплением в интерстиции различных органов и тканей белка специфической фибриллярной структуры. Понятие «амилоидоз» объединяет более 30 различных по своей патофизиологии состояний, в основе каждого из которых лежит нарушение синтеза 30 различных белков-предшественников. Однако 95% амилоидных кардиомиопатий связаны всего с двумя белками: белком, образованным из легких цепей иммуноглобулинов, и белком транстиретином. Определение белка-предшественника является краеугольным камнем ведения пациента с амилоидной кардиомиопатией. Транстиретин – это белок-переносчик тироксина, ретинола и других веществ, выполняющий жизненно важные функции. По наследственным или возрастным причинам происходит нарушение синтеза транстиретина в печени, и образующиеся мономеры, попадая в кровь, образуют токсичные промежуточные продукты и амилоидные фибриллы. Амилоидоз сердца (или амилоидная кардиомиопатия) до недавнего времени считался редким заболеванием. В недалеком прошлом возможности терапии амилоидоза сердца ограничивались назначением диуретиков, антагонистов минералокортикоидных рецепторов и антикоагулянтов, так как другие средства не переносятся пациентами или переносятся в минимальных дозах. С появлением в России первого средства специфического лечения транстиретиновой амилоидной кардиомиопатии резко возросла необходимость в повышении настороженности в отношении транстиретинового амилоидоза среди врачей-терапевтов и кардиологов и во внедрении современных алгоритмов диагностики данного заболевания. Своевременное выявление транстиретинового амилоидоза и грамотная дифференциальная диагностика от других видов амилоидной кардиомиопатии могут сыграть решающую роль в прогнозе заболевания. Препарат тафамидис доказанно снижает частоту госпитализаций и летальность у пациентов с транстиретиновым амилоидозом. Amyloidosis is a group of diseases characterized by accumulation of a protein of a specific fibrillar structure in the interstitium of various organs and tissues. The concept of ≪amyloidosis≫ unites more than 30 different pathophysiological conditions, each of which is based on abnormal synthesis of 30 different precursor proteins. However, 95% of amyloid cardiomyopathies are associated with just two proteins: a protein derived from light chains of immunoglobulins and a protein called transthyretin. Determination of the precursor protein is a cornerstone of management of patients with amyloid cardiomyopathy. Transthyretin is a carrier protein of thyroxine, retinol and other substances, that performs vital functions. For hereditary or age-related reasons, TTR misfolding occurs in the liver. The resulting monomers, entering blood, form toxic intermediate products and amyloid fibrils. Cardiac amyloidosis (or amyloid cardiomyopathy) used to be considered a rare disease. In the recent past, possibilities of therapy for cardiac amyloidosis were limited by prescription of diuretics, mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists and anticoagulants, since other drugs are not tolerated well by patients or are tolerated in minimal doses. Advent of the first drug specific for treatment of transthyretin amyloid cardiomyopathy in Russia increased a need of awareness of ATTR-CM among general practitioners and cardiologists, and introduction of modern diagnostic algorithms for this disease. Timely detection and competent differential diagnosis of ATTR-CM from other types of amyloid cardiomyopathy can play a decisive role in the prognosis of this disease. Tafamidis is a treatment that was shown to reduce mortality and CV-related hospitalization in ATTR-CM patients.


Conatus ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 75
Author(s):  
Purissima Emelda Egbekpalu

Despite the challenges of human existence, identifying the major features that sustain man’s striving to persist in life (conatus) is very essential in understanding who man is. This paper critically evaluates Aristotelian concept of happiness (eudaimonia) and its conative role in human existence as it ignites newness of interest in Aristotelian theory of happiness as the ultimate end of all human activities. Aristotle’s notion of happiness connotes conative experiences; actions that signify movements of some sorts for preservation of life. With regard to self-preservation in existence, Aristotle held the opinion that man has the natural inclination to actualize his potentialities through strong efforts of the will towards the right, and at the same time to create new potentialities to sustain his life. Through the activities of the soul (virtuous acts), man propels himself in a distinctive way towards objects of his desire for survival and flourishing. His concept of emotions as having the affective, cognitive as well as behavioural dimensions revealed that emotions have psychological values and vital functions which serve as survival instinct in man. However, they differ in their aims in that they have both attractive and aversive characteristics such that they move him either to seek or to avoid necessary objects that enhance or harm his existence, respectively. Considering the subjective experiences of pains and pleasures of emotions, they dispose man to virtuous actions towards excellence. However, to sustain man’s inner drive to persist in life, this paper objects to the theses that happiness can be restricted to only cognitive activities. Despite the weaknesses of his treatise concerning happiness in relation to man’s striving to persist, it was observed that Aristotle’s notion of happiness aids man’s striving in life. For further studies, it recommended clarification of ambiguous concepts and reconciliation of contradictions inherent in the theory.


Author(s):  
Krishnendra Varma ◽  
Aishwarya Mahadik ◽  
Ujjwal Kumar ◽  
Somya Agrawal

<p class="abstract"><strong>Background:</strong> Hair has no vital functions in humans but its loss from the scalp can create a sense of negative body image and anxiety. The term ‘female pattern hair loss’ is explained by decrease in hair fiber production and their eventual miniaturization. To evaluate the clinicopathological, trichoscopic and biochemical parameters in females with patterned hair loss.</p><p class="abstract"><strong>Methods: </strong>37 females in age group of 18-45 years complaining of reduction in hair volume with diffuse thinning over the crown were included in our study after applying inclusion and exclusion criteria. Detailed history was taken and clinical examination was done. Written consent and ethical clearance from Institutional Ethical Committee was taken. Ludwig grading, evaluation of other clinical signs of hyperandrogenism and trichoscopy was done. These females then underwent histopathological examination. 10 ml blood was withdrawn to assess anemic, thyroid and hormonal profile in these females.</p><p class="abstract"><strong>Results: </strong>Out of 37 females examined majority of the females had Ludwig grade 1 hair loss. Serum levels of testosterone were found significantly related to clinical signs of hyperandrogenism. Hair diameter variability and peri pilar sign formed the majority in trichoscopy (62.2% each). The most common histopathological finding was perifollicular infiltrate (70.3%).</p><p class="abstract"><strong>Conclusions:</strong> FPHL can contribute to severe psychological distress. Despite its high prevalence, its diagnosis and treatment still impose several difficulties in clinical practice. Although hormonal factors are believed to contribute, its pathogenesis still remains elusive.</p>


Antioxidants ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 23
Author(s):  
Marialucia Gallorini ◽  
Matthias Widbiller ◽  
Carola Bolay ◽  
Simone Carradori ◽  
Wolfgang Buchalla ◽  
...  

Odontogenic MSCs are vulnerable to LPS-triggered bacterial infections, and they respond by secreting inflammatory mediators, such as IL-6, and with mineralization. Since both processes might be prone to a disturbance of the redox homeostasis, the oxidative stress influence on vital functions of human dental pulp cells (HPCs) was investigated. With these aims, a model of LPS-stimulated primary HPCs was established, and anti- and pro-oxidant substances were administered up to 21 days to measure inflammation and mineralization parameters. LPS-stimulated HPCs retained mineralization potential, which was decreased with the antioxidants NAC and fisetin and the pro-oxidant BSO. The expression of surface markers related to odontogenic commitment was influenced accordingly but counteracted by the enhanced expression of BMP2 and ALP at the transcriptional level. LPS triggers an early IL-6 production in non-odontogenic conditions, while it can be measured only after 15 days in the presence of the differentiation medium. The present study shows that HPCs functions causally depend on a tightly regulated cellular redox balance. Our data demonstrate a redox control of pulp MSC odontogenic commitment along with a potential association between an IL-6 late secretion and mineralization. These findings lay the groundwork for investigations on the molecular role of IL-6 in dental hard tissue metabolism.


Gels ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 11
Author(s):  
Dmitrii G. Trofimov ◽  
Yuri I. Glazachev ◽  
Artem A. Gorodetsky ◽  
Denis A. Komarov ◽  
Tatyana V. Rybalova ◽  
...  

Local acidity and electrostatic interactions are associated both with catalytic properties and the adsorption activity of various materials, and with the vital functions of biomolecules. The observation of acid–base equilibria in stable free radicals using EPR spectroscopy represents a convenient method for monitoring pH changes and the investigation of surface electrostatics, the advantages of which are especially evident in opaque and turbid samples and in porous materials such as xerogels. Imidazoline nitroxides are the most commonly used pH-sensitive spin probes and labels due to the high sensitivity of the parameters of the EPR spectra to pH changes, their small size, and their well-developed chemistry. In this work, several new derivatives of 4-(N,N-dialkylamino)-2,5-dihydrioimidazol-1-oxyl, with functional groups suitable for specific binding, were synthesized. The dependence of the parameters of their EPR spectra on pH was studied. Several showed a pKa close to 7.4, following the pH changes in a normal physiological range, and some demonstrated a monotonous change of the hyperfine coupling constant by 0.14 mT upon pH variation by four units.


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