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1.
Indications for Tube Feeding in Adults with Muscular Disorders: A Scoping Review.
Middelink, M, Voermans, NC, van Engelen, BGM, Janssen, MCH, Groothuis, JT, Knuijt, S, Zweers-van Essen, H
Journal of neuromuscular diseases. 2023;(5):777-785
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Abstract
BACKGROUND Eating an adequate diet and maintaining a healthy body weight can be challenging for patients with muscular disorders (MD). Starting tube feeding can have a positive impact on nutritional status, functioning and quality of life. Guidelines on when to start tube feeding in adults with MD are lacking. OBJECTIVE We aim to review the scientific literature on indications to start tube feeding in adults with facioscapulohumeral dystrophy (FSHD), inclusion body myositis (IBM), muscular dystrophy type 1 (DM1), oculopharyngeal muscular dystrophy (OPMD) and congenital myopathies. METHODS This scoping review was conducted according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for scoping reviews (PRISMA-ScR) guidelines. Relevant studies were identified in Pubmed, Embase and Cinahl (April 2022). The medical subject headings (MeSH) and text words used were related to FSHD, IBM, DM1, OPMD or congenital myopathies and dysphagia, enteral nutrition or malnutrition. RESULTS Of 1046 unique articles, 9 case reports and 2 retrospective case series were included. Indications to start tube feeding were dysphagia, malnutrition/weight loss and respiratory infections (due to aspiration). Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) tubes were used most often and complications were respiratory failure, problems with the tube itself, accidental tube removal, cutaneous symptoms, digestive symptoms, and peritonitis. CONCLUSION Data on tube feeding in MD is scarce. Indications to start tube feeding were similar across the various MD. We call for more research in this field and suggest to include screening for dysphagia, aspiration and malnutrition in for the treatment of various MD.
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Prospects of a hot spring-originated novel cyanobacterium, Scytonema ambikapurensis, for wastewater treatment and exopolysaccharide-enriched biomass production.
Jaiswal, TP, Chakraborty, S, Sharma, S, Mishra, A, Mishra, AK, Singh, SS
Environmental science and pollution research international. 2023;(18):53424-53444
Abstract
The present work performs the polyphasic characterization of a novel cyanobacterial species Scytonema ambikapurensis isolated from an Indian hot spring and evaluates its wastewater bioremediation potential. While the physicochemical analyses of the wastewater indicated high load of nutrients and metals, the wastewater bioremediation experiment performed using the test cyanobacterium denoted the removal of 70 and 86% phosphate, 49 and 66% sulfate, 96 and 98% nitrate, 91 and 92% nitrite, 95 and 96% ammonia, 66 and 72% chloride, 79 and 81% zinc, 68 and 80% nickel, 81 and 90% calcium, and 80 and 90% potassium from the autoclaved and un-autoclaved wastewater, respectively, after 20 days of culturing. The kinetics study of zinc and nickel removal from wastewater revealed that the cyanobacterium employed sequential biosorption (by following pseudo-second-order kinetics model) and bioaccumulation methods to remove these two metals. The quality of the autoclaved and un-autoclaved wastewater was further improved by the cyanobacterium through reduction of hardness by 74 and 81%, respectively. In wastewater, the cyanobacterium not only enhanced its biomass, chlorophyll and carbohydrate contents, but also produced small amount of released and high capsular exopolysaccharide (EPS). The FTIR and TGA analyses of capsular EPS unraveled that it was a negatively charged sulfated biomolecule having thermostability up to 240 °C, which suggested its possible use as excellent emulsifying, viscosifying, and biosorption agent. The credibility of this EPS as biosorption agent was ascertained by evaluating its metal chelating ability. Finally, the experimental data denoting the ability of S. ambikapurensis to bioremediate wastewater and simultaneously produce EPS was statistically validated by PCA1-pollutant removal model and the PCA2-cellular constituent model, respectively. Briefly, the study discloses that the cyanobacterium has huge biotechnological and industrial importance as it bioremediates wastewater and simultaneously produces thermostable exopolysaccharide.
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Bougainvillea glabra Choisy (Nyctinaginacea): review of phytochemistry and antimicrobial potential.
Ornelas García, IG, Guerrero Barrera, AL, Avelar González, FJ, Chávez Vela, NA, Gutiérrez Montiel, D
Frontiers in chemistry. 2023;:1276514
Abstract
The Bougainvillea glabra or bougainvillea is a climbing plant native from South America belonging to the Nyctaginaceae family. The bougainvillea is recognized worldwide for its horticultural importance, due to the color of its bracts, commonly known as "flowers," made up of bracts, which are the striking parts, and the true flowers, which are white and small. Bougainvillea is widely known in traditional medicine to treat respiratory diseases such as cough, asthma, and bronchitis, gastrointestinal diseases, also for its antibacterial and insecticidal capacity. The antimicrobial potential of the involucre of this plant has not been studied, despite research showing a high phytochemical presence of secondary metabolites such as alkanes, phenols, terpenes, and betalains. This review compiles information about the traditional uses of B. glabra, its botanical description, ecological relevance, phytochemistry, antimicrobial and antibiofilm activity, such as the toxicology of bracts and flowers.
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The pharmacology and mechanisms of traditional Chinese medicine in promoting liver regeneration: A new therapeutic option.
Ma, JT, Xia, S, Zhang, BK, Luo, F, Guo, L, Yang, Y, Gong, H, Yan, M
Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology. 2023;:154893
Abstract
BACKGROUND The liver is renowned for its remarkable regenerative capacity to restore its structure, size and function after various types of liver injury. However, in patients with end-stage liver disease, the regenerative capacity is inhibited and liver transplantation is the only option. Considering the limitations of liver transplantation, promoting liver regeneration is suggested as a new therapeutic strategy for liver disease. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has a long history of preventing and treating various liver diseases, and some of them have been proven to be effective in promoting liver regeneration, suggesting the therapeutic potential in liver diseases. PURPOSE This review aims to summarize the molecular mechanisms of liver regeneration and the pro-regenerative activity and mechanism of TCM formulas, extracts and active ingredients. METHODS We conducted a systematic search in PubMed, Web of Science and the Cochrane Library databases using "TCM", "liver regeneration" or their synonyms as keywords, and classified and summarized the retrieved literature. The PRISMA guidelines were followed. RESULTS Forty-one research articles met the themes of this review and previous critical studies were also reviewed to provide essential background information. Current evidences indicate that various TCM formulas, extracts and active ingredients have the effect on stimulating liver regeneration through modulating JAK/STAT, Hippo, PI3K/Akt and other signaling pathways. Besides, the mechanisms of liver regeneration, the limitation of existing studies and the application prospect of TCM to promote liver regeneration are also outlined and discussed in this review. CONCLUSION This review supports TCM as new potential therapeutic options for promoting liver regeneration and repair of the failing liver, although extensive pharmacokinetic and toxicological studies, as well as elaborate clinical trials, are still needed to demonstrate safety and efficacy.
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Association between Wine Consumption with Cardiovascular Disease and Cardiovascular Mortality: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
Lucerón-Lucas-Torres, M, Saz-Lara, A, Díez-Fernández, A, Martínez-García, I, Martínez-Vizcaíno, V, Cavero-Redondo, I, Álvarez-Bueno, C
Nutrients. 2023;(12)
Abstract
Background: The objective of this systematic review and meta-analysis was: (i) to examine the association between wine consumption and cardiovascular mortality, cardiovascular disease (CVD), and coronary heart disease (CHD) and (ii) to analyse whether this association could be influenced by personal and study factors, including the participants' mean age, the percentage of female subjects, follow-up time and percentage of current smokers. Methods: In order to conduct this systematic review and meta-analysis, we searched several databases for longitudinal studies from their inception to March 2023. This study was previously registered with PROSPERO (CRD42021293568). Results: This systematic review included 25 studies, of which the meta-analysis included 22 studies. The pooled RR for the association of wine consumption and the risk of CHD using the DerSimonian and Laird approach was 0.76 (95% CIs: 0.69, 0.84), for the risk of CVD was 0.83 (95% CIs: 0.70, 0.98), and for the risk of cardiovascular mortality was 0.73 (95% CIs: 0.59, 0.90). Conclusions: This research revealed that wine consumption has an inverse relationship to cardiovascular mortality, CVD, and CHD. Age, the proportion of women in the samples, and follow-up time did not influence this association. Interpreting these findings with prudence was necessary because increasing wine intake might be harmful to individuals who are vulnerable to alcohol because of age, medication, or their pathologies.
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Hotspots of soil pollution: Possible glyphosate and aminomethylphosphonic acid risks on terrestrial ecosystems and human health.
Ferreira, NGC, da Silva, KA, Guimarães, ATB, de Oliveira, CMR
Environment international. 2023;:108135
Abstract
The study presents a literature review of glyphosate (GLY) occurrence and its breakdown product, aminomethylphosphonic acid (AMPA), in soils worldwide, but with a specific focus on South America. In addition, an ecological risk approach based on the ecotoxicological endpoints for key soil biota (e.g., collembolans, and earthworms) assessed the impact of GLY and AMPA on these organisms. A generic probabilistic model for human health risk was also calculated for the different world regions. For what reports the risk for edaphic species and the level of pollution under the worst-case scenario, the South American continent was identified as the region of most concern. Nonetheless, other areas may also be in danger, but no risk could be calculated due to the lack of data. Since tropical countries are the top food exporters worldwide, the results obtained in this study must be carefully examined for their implications on a global scale. Some of the factors behind the high levels of these two chemicals in soils are debated (e.g., permissive protection policies, the extensive use of genetically modified crops), and some possible guidelines are presented that include, for example, further environmental characterisation and management of pesticide residues. The present review integrates data that can be used as a base by policymakers and decision-makers to develop and implement environmental policies.
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Loss of Muscle Mass and Strength After Hip Fracture: an Intervention Target for Nutrition Supplementation.
Reider, L, Owen, EC, Dreyer, HC, Fitton, LS, Willey, MC, ,
Current osteoporosis reports. 2023;(6):710-718
Abstract
PURPOSEOF REVIEW To summarize what is known about the deleterious effect of hip fracture on muscle mass and strength as well as the scientific evidence for post-surgical nutrition supplementation to maintain muscle and improve function. RECENT FINDINGS This review provides a discussion of the relationship between muscle mass, strength, and physical function following hip fracture, briefly describes the approaches to measuring lean mass, discusses prevalence of sarcopenia and malnutrition among older men and women with hip fracture, and reviews the effects of essential amino acids on muscle. Loss of muscle mass and strength following hip fracture is substantial with consequences for recovery of functional independence. EAA-based nutrition supplementation, which directly effects muscle, has potential to improve outcomes.
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Early diagnostic BioMARKers in exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: protocol of the exploratory, prospective, longitudinal, single-centre, observational MARKED study.
Waeijen-Smit, K, DiGiandomenico, A, Bonnell, J, Ostridge, K, Gehrmann, U, Sellman, BR, Kenny, T, van Kuijk, S, Peerlings, D, Spruit, MA, et al
BMJ open. 2023;(3):e068787
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD) play a pivotal role in the burden and progressive course of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). As such, disease management is predominantly based on the prevention of these episodes of acute worsening of respiratory symptoms. However, to date, personalised prediction and early and accurate diagnosis of AECOPD remain unsuccessful. Therefore, the current study was designed to explore which frequently measured biomarkers can predict an AECOPD and/or respiratory infection in patients with COPD. Moreover, the study aims to increase our understanding of the heterogeneity of AECOPD as well as the role of microbial composition and hostmicrobiome interactions to elucidate new disease biology in COPD. METHODS AND ANALYSIS The 'Early diagnostic BioMARKers in Exacerbations of COPD' study is an exploratory, prospective, longitudinal, single-centre, observational study with 8-week follow-up enrolling up to 150 patients with COPD admitted to inpatient pulmonary rehabilitation at Ciro (Horn, the Netherlands). Respiratory symptoms, vitals, spirometry and nasopharyngeal, venous blood, spontaneous sputum and stool samples will be frequently collected for exploratory biomarker analysis, longitudinal characterisation of AECOPD (ie, clinical, functional and microbial) and to identify host-microbiome interactions. Genomic sequencing will be performed to identify mutations associated with increased risk of AECOPD and microbial infections. Predictors of time-to-first AECOPD will be modelled using Cox proportional hazards' regression. Multiomic analyses will provide a novel integration tool to generate predictive models and testable hypotheses about disease causation and predictors of disease progression. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION This protocol was approved by the Medical Research Ethics Committees United (MEC-U), Nieuwegein, the Netherlands (NL71364.100.19). TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER NCT05315674.
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Protective effects of alpha lipoic acid (ALA) are mediated by hormetic mechanisms.
Calabrese, EJ, Agathokleous, E, Dhawan, G, Kapoor, R, Calabrese, V
Food and chemical toxicology : an international journal published for the British Industrial Biological Research Association. 2023;:113805
Abstract
The endogenous and dietary agent, alpha lipoic acid (ALA), is evaluated for its capacity to induce a broad spectrum of adaptive responses via hormetic dose responses and their underlying mechanisms. ALA was shown to induce hormetic effects in a wide range of experimental models within in vitro and in vivo experimental settings which included direct exposure and pre- and post-conditioning experimental protocols. The hormetic effects occur in a broad range of organ systems, including the brain, heart, kidney and other tissues, with possible public health and clinical/therapeutic applications linked to reducing the onset and progression of neurogenerative diseases and also in the preservation of sperm health and functionality during cryopreservation. This paper provides the first integrated assessment of ALA-induced hormetic dose responses. Underlying mechanisms that mediated the occurrence of ALA-induced hormetic effects involved the induction of low levels of ROS that activate key cell signaling antioxidant (e.g. Nrf2) pathways.
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10.
The Determinative Role of Cytokines in Retinopathy of Prematurity.
Rasoulinejad, SA, Kiyamehr, P
Current molecular medicine. 2023;(1):36-43
Abstract
Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is a neonatal disease corresponding to vision impairment and blindness. Utilizing the pathogenesis of ROP and the risk factors affecting its progression can help prevent and reduce its incidence and lead to the emergence and development of new treatment strategies. Factors influencing retinopathy include growth and inflammatory factors that play an essential role in the pathogenesis of the ROP. This review summarizes the most critical factors in the pathogenesis of ROP.