Fine-tuning Mast Cells is Essential for the Maintenance and Regulation of the Systemic and Immune Homeostasis

During the past decades, populous expansion in mast cell scientific literature came forth with more, than forty-four thousand PubMed publications available to date. Such surge is due to the appreciation of the momentous role of mast cells in the evolution of species, in the development and maintenance of vital physiological functions, such as reproduction, homeostasis, and fluids, diverse immunological roles, and the potential of far-reaching effects despite minute numbers. While the emerging knowledge of the importance of mast cells in equilibrium comes of age when looking at the matter from an evolutionary perspective, the recognition of mast cells beyond detrimental performance in allergies and asthma, during protection against parasites, falters. Beyond well known classical functions, mast cells can process and present antigens,can serve as a viral reservoir, can respond to hormones and xenobiotics,initiate antiviral and antibacterial responses, phagocytosis, apoptosis, and participate in important developmental cornerstones. During evolution,upon the development of a sophisticated niche of innate and adaptive cell populations, certain mast cell functions became partially transmutable,yet the potency of mast cells remained considerable. Reviewing mast cells enables us to reflect on the certitude, that our sophisticated, complex physiology is rooted deeply in evolution, which we carry ancient remnants of, ones that may have decisive roles in our functioning. This communication sets out the goal of characterizing mast cells, particularly the aspects less in limelight yet of immense significance, without the aspiration exhaust it all.

Neuro-vascular Reserve in Developing Snug and Fit Buildup

The body is observed to function optimally in life in some individuals while others have various problems. In the complexity involved, this paper describes saliently the mechanisms for biological robustness from birth and subsequent neuro-vascular and core matching patterns well-coordinated till adulthood. These mechanisms as the individual develops and maintains his core to keep vitality against environmental perturbations and they can be dysfunctional. The three related dimensions of the fascial organization, the co-directed nervous and perfusional elements in the body are emphasized. Re-understanding of these mechanisms in the body-map can be useful to revise the basis for re-defining our therapies

Vitamin D in Food Supplements: Labeling Survey

An adequate vitamin D (vitD) intake (Recommended Daily Allowance,RDA= 5µg) is crucial for health maintenance and its deficiency isassociated with several health problems. The increase in hypovitaminosisD cases and the proliferation of food supplements (FS) that are easilyaccessible by the population, have led to an unrestrained chronicconsumption of FS. VitD may accumulate in the body and originatetoxicity (Tolerable Upper Limit, UL=100 µg). The aim of this study was toevaluate if daily vitD doses mentioned in FS labels are in conformity withRDA. 210 solid and liquid FS (for pediatrics and adults) sold in Portuguesepharmacies, supermarkets, health shops and on the internet were examinedfor indicated daily intake of vitD and compared to RDA and UL values.51.43% of FS have values higher than RDA, 8.57% higher than UL. Theaverage vitD daily dose in FS is 24.48 µg, with a high variability betweensamples (0.25 - 250 µg). Majority of FS labels recommend vitD daily dosesabove RDA and some even above UL, regardless of being for adults orchildren. Therefore, it is crucial that vitD dose in FS is reviewed to ensurethe safety of these products.

Chinese Prescription Kangen-karyu as Potential Anti-Alzheimer’s Disease Therapeutic: Analyses of BACE1 and GSK-3b Inhibitory Activities

Inhibition of β-site amyloid precursor protein-cleaving enzyme 1 (BACE1) or glycogen synthase kinase-3β (GSK-3β) is estimated to be the central therapeutic approach for Alzheimer’s disease (AD). In this study, water extract of Kangenkaryu, its crude drug and chemical composition used in oriental medicine were evaluated regarding their BACE1 and GSK-3β inhibitory activities.Fluorescence resonance energy transfer was used to characterize the BACE1 inhibitory effect of Kangen-karyu, its crude drug and chemical composition.GSK-3β activity was determined using the Kinase-Glo Luminescent Kinase Assay Platform. The water extract of Kangen-karyu inhibited BACE1 and GSK-3β in concentration-dependent manners when compared with reference drugs, quercetin and luteolin. Among six components of Kangen-karyu, the water extracts of Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix or Cyperi Rhizoma exhibited significant inhibitory effects on BACE1 and GSK-3β. Among the constituents of Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix extract, salvianolic acid C, salvianolic acid A, rosmarinic acid, and magnesium lithospermate B significantly inhibited BACE1. In addition, they inhibited GSK-3β with an IC50 value range of 6.97 to 135.35 μM. From these results, one of the effectiveness and its mechanisms of action of Kangen-karyu against AD may be the inhibition of BACE1 and GSK-3β, and one of the active ingredients of Kangen-karyu is Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix and its constituents.

Energy Level and Success of Internal Defibrillation for Shockable Rhythm during Cardiopulmonary Bypass in Cardiac Surgery: A Retrospective Study

Internal defibrillation is commonly indicated for shockable rhythm following cross-clamp removal in cardiac surgery. Low energy decreases the success rate of defibrillation but high energy can cause myocardial damage. This study aimed to determine the success rate of internal defibrillation for shockable arrhythmias after cardiac surgery.Retrospective data of 1,424 patients who developed shockable rhythms (ventricular fibrillation or ventricular tachycardia), and required internal defibrillation after aortic cross-clamp removal during cardiac surgery, without deep hypothermic circulatory arrest technique, from August 2015 to July 2017, were reviewed.The overall success rate of internal defibrillation in the first attempt of defibrillation was 61.5%. The success rate of the energy levels at 30, 10, and 7 Jules were 66.7, 64.9, and 61.5%, respectively. The success rate was higher in patients who had a better ejection fraction than those who failed after defibrillation. This was significantly associated with higher pH, higher bicarbonate, lower serum calcium, and lower total cardioplegic volume during cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). Redo-valve surgery, valvular surgery, and combined coronary artery bypass graft with valvular surgery had a non-significantly lower success rate (p-value = 0.989). Incidence of failure for defibrillate patients in redo-valvular surgery, combined coronary artery bypass graft with valve surgery, adult congenital heart defect, and valvular surgery; requiring four or five shocks was non-significantly increased. Recurrent rate of ventricular fibrillation/ventricular tachycardia was 13.5%.The success rate of internal defibrillation was not related to the dose of energy used after being weaned off CPB.

An Association of Vitamins A and E with Hyaluronic and Lactobionic Acids may Prevent Molecular Changes Associated with Keratocyte to Myofibroblast Transition

Inflammatory events in the corneal stroma may activate keratocytes and trigger their transition towards myofibroblasts, which now produce different extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins thus causing corneal opacification.Corneal haze is a frequent side effect after photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) to correct high myopia.Currently, a preventive treatment with mitomycin-c can be used to limit the occurrence of this phenomenon. However, mitomycin-c is a toxic drug, not devoid of side effects, which may occasionally involve the corneal endothelium. Therefore, we have searched for a less risky, natural way, to prevent keratocytes transition. To this purpose, we have used as markers of the phenotype switch the proteins lumican (highly expressed by keratocytes and much less by myofibroblasts) and smooth muscle actin (αSMA) (highly expressed by myofibroblasts and poorly found in keratocytes), beside Fibronectin (Fn), the expression of which is also increased by transforming growth factor-beta (TGFβ treatment. Treatment of human keratocytes with TGFβ was used to induce the protein shift. Among different possible candidates, we have found that vitamins A and E, hyaluronic and lactobionic acids may prevent, either alone, or much better in association, the shift in the ratio between lumican and αSMA and the increased Fn expression. In conclusion, it could be speculated that topic treatment of the ocular surface with an association of these four compounds could be able to prevent or at least limit the occurrence of post-PRK corneal haze, with the additional advantage of lubrication, hydration and antioxidant defense exerted by these molecules.

A Meta-analysis of Acupuncture Treatment for Irritable Bowel Syndrome

To assess the efficacy of acupuncture for treatment of irritable bowel syndrome through meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials in recent 20 years. Online databases, including CNKI, VIP, WANFANG,PubMed, Cochrane Library, Web of Science and Embase were searched for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of acupuncture for IBS. Retrieval time was from January 1, 2000 to January 31, 2021. According to Jadad scoring criteria,the bias risk and quality assessment of each RCT included were evaluated by two researchers. RevMan 5.3 software was used for the meta analysis. Eight RCTs were selected which include a total of 1181 patients.The control group has 425 patients and the experimental group has 756 patients. The result of meta-analysis indicates that the total effective rate for the experimental group was superior to that of the control group [OR=3.29,95%CI [2.16~5.03](P<0.01)], and the funnel plot was basically symmetric. Acupuncture therapy is shown to have a good safety and compliance record. However, the number of high-quality trials is small, and there are some deficiencies in the methodology of clinical research. Acupuncture, as a supplementary therapy for irritable bowel syndrome, has positive clinical significance and prospects for application. The methodology of clinical research needs to be further improved.

Healthcare and Sports from the Perspective of Qi, Fascia, and Taijiquan

The slow-motion practice of Taijiquan, operationally, cultivates the cognitive perception of fascia tension as it is being harnessed to discipline body motion to be in accord with Yin-Yang Balance. The ideal motion that results, bestows liveliness of change and harmonizes body momentum,the hallmarks of maneuverability and force potential for performance. The paper puts forth the proposition that the manifestation of Qi in Taijiquan is primarily the cognitive perception of fascial tension in the functional efficacy of bipedal balance for performance. Though the cultivated cognition may be subjective, the process of Qi nurturing is grounded on the reduction of the errors of imbalances, which carves a practice path to balance with tangible effects. The force that arises from body motion so imbued with Yin-Yang Balance, is of the phenomenon of internal strength or neijin—consummate, of the right force vector in spontaneous response and rooted in balance. Taijiquan practice nurtures Qi for both health wellbeing and neijin as the body's core strength, depending on the practice efforts put in.

Chinese Prescription Kangen-karyu against Metabolic Syndrome: Successful Treatment of Three Patients

Metabolic syndrome is the cluster of diseases, which is manifested by central obesity, impaired glucose tolerance, lipodystrophy, and high blood pressure. These metabolic syndrome-related traits significantly increase the risk of type 2 diabetes, adverse cardiac events, stroke, and hepatic steatosis. In the past decade, several organizations have proposed different diagnostic criteria. The use of traditional Chinese medicine to treat metabolic syndrome has received increasing attention due to its wide availability. In this paper, we report a case of three patients with metabolic syndrome with improved administration of 7.5 g of Kangen-karyu extract per day for 6 months. We present and discuss evidence supporting the possibility of using Kangenkaryu for metabolic syndrome.

Acupuncture As an Alternative Therapy in the Management of Burning Mouth Syndrome (bms)

In the routine of dental care, complaints of burning sensation, burning tongue and dry mouth are frequent. Due to the complexity of etiology and diagnosis, treating patients with these sensations is a challenge for clinicians. This study aimed to assess acupuncture as an alternative therapy for patients with burning mouth syndrome (BMS). Clinical data were collected from visits of patients to the School of Dentistry of Piracicaba, State University of Campinas, with the application of a protocol of acupuncture points: LI-4 (Hegu), HT-7 (Shenmen), SP-6 (Sanyinjiao), ST-36 (Zusanli), REN-23 (Lianquan), REN-6 (Qihai), LI-11 (Quchi), ExHn3 (Yintang), LV-3 (Taichong), ExHn12 (Jinjin), and ExHn13 (Yuye) to treat the symptoms of BMS, from August 2017 to March 2020. The sample consisted of 6 volunteers – 5 female and 1 male patients – aged 40 to 79 years. The intensity of BMS was assessed before and after each session with self-reported verbal numerical rating scale (VNRS) during the treatment. On average, each patient had 8.16 sessions using 9.92 acupuncture points per session. Variation of VNRS during the treatment showed a decline in burning mouth in most patients, and 83.34% of the sample showed partial or total improvement of symptoms. This study showed that acupuncture was effective in relieving burning mouth, reducing it by 43%, representing an alternative therapy in the management of symptoms of burning mouth syndrome.