The Effects of Fish Oil on Cardiovascular Diseases: Systematical Evaluation and Recent Advance

Fish oil is rich in unsaturated fatty acids, i.e., eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), both of which are widely distributed in the body such as heart and brain. In vivo and in vitro experiments showed that unsaturated fatty acids may have effects of anti-inflammation, anti-oxidation, protecting vascular endothelial cells, thrombosis inhibition, modifying autonomic nerve function, improving left ventricular remodeling, and regulating blood lipid. Given the relevance to public health, there has been increasing interest in the research of potential cardioprotective effects of fish oil. Accumulated evidence showed that fish oil supplementation may reduce the risk of cardiovascular events, and, in specific, it may have potential benefits in improving the prognosis of patients with hypertension, coronary heart disease, cardiac arrhythmias, or heart failure; however, some studies yielded inconsistent results. In this article, we performed an updated systematical review in order to provide a contemporary understanding with regard to the effects of fish oil on cardiovascular diseases.

Clinical Characteristics And Prognosis of Vasovagal Syncope With Sinus Arrest In Children

The aim of this study was to analyze the clinical characteristics and prognosis of vasovagal syncope(VVS) with sinus arrest in children. From July 2017 to October 2020, cases of VVS with sinus arrest were recruited from patients diagnosed as VVS in our department. The clinical data, the results of the head-up tilt testing (HUTT), and follow-up information were analyzed. 223 patients were diagnosed as VVS during the time, and 10 cases of VVS with sinus arrest were recruited, who had a median age of 9.5 years（interquartile range: 6.8 to 10.4 years), a gender ratio of 1:1, and median sinus arrest time of 7.7s(range: 3.39 to 19s). These patients were given oral rehydration salts and orthostatic training, as well as 2 children treated with metoprolol and 5 children with sertraline hydrochloride. No child was implanted with pacemakers. During a median of 26 months of follow-up (interquartile range: 21 to 33 months), only one of the children had once syncope episode, three children had 1~4 times of prodromal symptoms. Conclusion The present research most crucial finding was that VVS patients with sinus arrest in children were younger than ordinary pediatric VVS patients. Oral rehydration salts(ORS) and autonomic nerve function exercise may improve clinical symptoms in children with VVS accompanied by sinus arrest. Pacemakers for VVS with sinus arrest in children should be cautious.

A Spatial Model of Hepatic Calcium Signaling and Glucose Metabolism Under Autonomic Control Reveals Functional Consequences of Varying Liver Innervation Patterns Across Species

Rapid breakdown of hepatic glycogen stores into glucose plays an important role during intense physical exercise to maintain systemic euglycemia. Hepatic glycogenolysis is governed by several different liver-intrinsic and systemic factors such as hepatic zonation, circulating catecholamines, hepatocellular calcium signaling, hepatic neuroanatomy, and the central nervous system (CNS). Of the factors regulating hepatic glycogenolysis, the extent of lobular innervation varies significantly between humans and rodents. While rodents display very few autonomic nerve terminals in the liver, nearly every hepatic layer in the human liver receives neural input. In the present study, we developed a multi-scale, multi-organ model of hepatic metabolism incorporating liver zonation, lobular scale calcium signaling, hepatic innervation, and direct and peripheral organ-mediated communication between the liver and the CNS. We evaluated the effect of each of these governing factors on the total hepatic glucose output and zonal glycogenolytic patterns within liver lobules during simulated physical exercise. Our simulations revealed that direct neuronal stimulation of the liver and an increase in circulating catecholamines increases hepatic glucose output mediated by mobilization of intracellular calcium stores and lobular scale calcium waves. Comparing simulated glycogenolysis between human-like and rodent-like hepatic innervation patterns (extensive vs. minimal) suggested that propagation of calcium transients across liver lobules acts as a compensatory mechanism to improve hepatic glucose output in sparsely innervated livers. Interestingly, our simulations suggested that catecholamine-driven glycogenolysis is reduced under portal hypertension. However, increased innervation coupled with strong intercellular communication can improve the total hepatic glucose output under portal hypertension. In summary, our modeling and simulation study reveals a complex interplay of intercellular and multi-organ interactions that can lead to differing calcium dynamics and spatial distributions of glycogenolysis at the lobular scale in the liver.

Botulinum Neurotoxin Type A in the Treatment of Facial Seborrhea and Acne: Evidence and a Proposed Mechanism

Intradermal injection of botulinum neurotoxin is a frequently performed procedure in aesthetic dermatology to improve facial skin tone, texture, fine wrinkles, and enlarged pores. In practice, botulinum neurotoxin type A is also used to reduce skin oiliness of the face. There is increasing evidence that acetylcholine plays specific roles in sebum production, suggesting that botulinum neurotoxin type A may reduce sebum production by interfering with cholinergic transmission between sebaceous glands and autonomic nerve terminals. Botulinum neurotoxins can also inhibit several pathogenetic components of acne development, suggesting that botulinum neurotoxins can be used as a safe and effective treatment modality for acne and other skin disorders related to overactivity of sebaceous glands. This review aims to explore the current evidence behind the treatment of facial seborrhea and acne with botulinum neurotoxin type A.

Evaluation of Realistic Sensation Using Biological Reaction Measurements for Food Videos Presented by KMMD

We have prototyped a KANSEI multimedia display (KMMD) that is able to release scent through the screen in order to realize collaboration between images and scents. Two types of “sukiyaki” food videos were presented to subjects using this device, and a method for objectively evaluating the realistic sensation of the food videos was examined using biological reaction measurements. The sukiyaki scent was added to one type of video to improve appetite. Viewers’ saliva flow rate, line of sight, pupil diameter, autonomic nerve activity, and cerebral blood flow were measured at the same time, and changes in these measured values were analyzed. As a result, the scent was effective in improving the sensation, as if the food was present in front of the eyes and increasing the saliva flow rate. Additionally, in a realistic scene, it was found that the line of sight follows the performer’s eating behavior as if the viewers themselves are eating. The sympathetic nervous system temporarily increases, mydriasis occurs, and the frontal lobe is activated. Furthermore, the possibility of objective evaluation of realistic sensations was demonstrated by the correlation between appetite, accompanied by salivary sensation, and the biological reaction measurement results.

Influence of Obesity on Heart Rate Variability in Nurses with Age and Shift Type as Moderators

Obesity is a risk factor of cardiovascular disease-related mortality and may be associated with changes in the autonomic nerve activity. Nurses working shifts and caring for patients are under great mental and physical pressure, and research has proven that these can negatively affect the body. The objective of this study was to examine the influence of obesity in nurses on their heart rate variability (HRV) and determine whether age or shift type moderates this influence. A questionnaire survey and HRV measurements were conducted on nurses at a hospital in Taiwan during a routine employee health checkup. HRV analysis was conducted using a noninvasive HRV monitor for five minutes. A total of 242 nurses with a mean age of 28.98 ± 6.56 years were enrolled in this study. An overly large waist circumference (WC) had a negative impact on high frequency (HF), low frequency (LF), and standard deviation of normal-to-normal interval (SDNN), while an overly high body mass index (BMI) had a negative impact on very low frequency (VLF) and SDNN. The interaction term “overly large WC × age” had a negative impact on HF ( β = − 0.21 , p = 0.010 ) and LF ( β = − 0.18 , p = 0.030 ), whereas the interaction term “overly high BMI×age” had a negative impact on HF ( β = − 0.27 , p = 0.001 ), LF ( β = − 0.19 , p = 0.023 ), and VLF ( β = − 0.17 , p = 0.045 ). The interaction terms “overly large WC × shift type” and “overly high BMI × shift type” did not influence any HRV parameters. As age increased, so did the degree to which the HF and LF of nurses with an overly large WC were lower than normal, and so did the degree to which the HF, LF, and VLF of nurses with an overly high BMI were lower than normal.

Botulinum Neurotoxin Type A in the Treatment of Oily Skin and Acne: Evidence and a Proposed Mechanism

Intradermal injection of botulinum neurotoxin is a frequently performed procedure in aesthetic dermatology to improve facial skin tone, texture, fine wrinkles, and enlarged pores. In practice, botulinum neurotoxin type A is also used to reduce skin oiliness of the face. There is increasing evidence that acetylcholine plays specific roles in sebum production, suggesting that botulinum neurotoxin type A may reduce sebum production by interfering with cholinergic transmission between sebaceous glands and autonomic nerve terminals. Botulinum neurotoxins can also inhibit several pathogenetic components of acne development, suggesting that botulinum neurotoxins can be used as a safe and effective treatment modality for acne and other skin disorders related to the overactivity of sebaceous glands. This review aims to explore the current evidence behind the treatment of oily skin and acne with botulinum neurotoxin type A.