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Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy =... Jul 2023Gut microbiota can interact with the immune system through its metabolites. Short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), as one of the most abundant metabolites of the resident gut... (Review)
Review
Gut microbiota can interact with the immune system through its metabolites. Short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), as one of the most abundant metabolites of the resident gut microbiota play an important role in this crosstalk. SCFAs (acetate, propionate, and butyrate) regulate nearly every type of immune cell in the gut's immune cell repertoire regarding their development and function. SCFAs work through several pathways to impose protection towards colonic health and against local or systemic inflammation. Additionally, SCFAs play a role in the regulation of immune or non-immune pathways that can slow the development of autoimmunity either systematically or in situ. The present study aims to summarize the current knowledge on the immunomodulatory roles of SCFAs and the association between the SCFAs and autoimmune disorders such as celiac disease (CD), inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), rheumatoid arthritis (RA), multiple sclerosis (MS), systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), type 1 diabetes (T1D) and other immune-mediated diseases, uncovering a brand-new therapeutic possibility to prevent or treat autoimmunity.
Topics: Humans; Fatty Acids, Volatile; Autoimmune Diseases; Butyrates; Propionates; Acetates
PubMed: 37105078
DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2023.114763 -
Paediatrics & Child Health Jul 2023Hospitalized children face pain and anxiety associated with the environment and procedures. (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Hospitalized children face pain and anxiety associated with the environment and procedures.
OBJECTIVE
This review aimed to assess the impact of music, play, pet and art therapies on pain and anxiety in hospitalized paediatric patients. RCTs assessing the impact of music, play, pet, and/or art therapies on pain and/or anxiety in hospitalized paediatric patients were eligible.
METHODS
Database searching and citation screening was completed to identify studies. A narrative synthesis was used to summarize study findings and certainty of evidence was assessed using GRADE. Of the 761 documents identified, 29 were included spanning music (n = 15), play (n = 12), and pet (n = 3) therapies.
RESULTS
A high certainty of evidence supported play in reducing pain and moderate certainty for music and pet. A moderate certainty of evidence supported music and play in reducing anxiety.
CONCLUSION
Complementary therapies utilized alongside conventional medical treatment may mitigate pain and anxiety in hospitalized paediatric patients.
PubMed: 37287483
DOI: 10.1093/pch/pxad010 -
Journal of Education and Health... 2023Attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a common neuro-behavioral disorder that negatively affects educational, relational, and occupational aspects of one's...
BACKGROUND
Attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a common neuro-behavioral disorder that negatively affects educational, relational, and occupational aspects of one's life. Although many children diagnosed with this disorder can benefit from taking medication, particularly for core symptoms, play therapy and storytelling can be seen as engaging, stimulating, and more compatible with children's developmental needs. The social skills of these children are as vital as other symptoms and can be better addressed with cognitive-based art therapy interventions. Because little research has been focused on the combination of play therapy and storytelling and the social interactions of children with ADHD are highly important in academic settings, this study aimed to determine the effects of this combination on children's social skills with ADHD.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
This survey was a quasi-experimental study with a pre-test-post-test design and a control group. Participants were 7-11-year-old girls and boys with ADHD based on DSM-V referred to child and adolescent psychiatrists' clinics. Selected children were randomly allocated into intervention and control groups. The intervention group received an individual combined intervention of play therapy and storytelling, whereas the control group did not receive any therapeutic intervention for social skills at that time and was on the waiting list. The research tool was the Social Skills Rating System (SSRS), and data were computer-analyzed using SPSS-20 and a couple of descriptive and analytic tests including ANCOVA.
RESULTS
In this study, 30 children with ADHD were included. The combined intervention of play therapy and storytelling has had a significant effect on post-test results of ADHD patients in terms of social skills as well as all test subscales ( < 0/05). There was a significant improvement in the subscales of self-expression, self-control, responsibility, and cooperation ( < 0.05).
CONCLUSIONS
Results show promise for combined play therapy and storytelling intervention to enhance the social skills of elementary school children diagnosed with ADHD.
PubMed: 38023093
DOI: 10.4103/jehp.jehp_1104_22 -
Frontiers in Immunology 2024Macrophages are the main component of the tumor microenvironment, which are differentiated from monocytes in the blood and play an important role in cancer development.... (Review)
Review
Macrophages are the main component of the tumor microenvironment, which are differentiated from monocytes in the blood and play an important role in cancer development. Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) can promote tumor growth, invasion, metastasis, and resistance to anti-programmed death receptor 1 therapy by regulating programmed cell death ligand 1 expression and interacting with other immune cells in the tumor microenvironment. However, when activated properly, macrophages can also play an anti-tumor role by enhancing the phagocytosis and cytotoxicity of tumor cells. TAM is associated with poor prognosis and drug resistance in patients treated with immunotherapy, indicating that macrophages are attractive targets for combined therapy in cancer treatment. Combination of targeting TAMs and immunotherapy overcomes the drug resistance and achieved excellent results in some cancers, which may be a promising strategy for cancer treatment in the future. Herein, we review the recent findings on the role of macrophages in tumor development, metastasis, and immunotherapy. We focus mainly on macrophage≥centered therapy, including strategies to deplete and reprogram TAMs, which represent the potential targets for improving tumor immunotherapy efficacy.
Topics: Humans; Macrophages; Neoplasms; Immunotherapy; Phagocytosis; Tumor Microenvironment
PubMed: 38605951
DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1381225 -
European Journal of Medicinal Chemistry Dec 2023Large amounts of adenosine triphosphate (ATP), a natural P2X7 receptor activator, are released during colorectal carcinogenesis. P2X7 receptor activation regulates the... (Review)
Review
Large amounts of adenosine triphosphate (ATP), a natural P2X7 receptor activator, are released during colorectal carcinogenesis. P2X7 receptor activation regulates the activity of colorectal cancer (CRC) cells by mediating intracellular signal transduction. Importantly, the opening and activation of membrane pores of P2X7 receptor are different, which can play a dual role in promoting or inhibiting the progression of CRC. These can also depend on P2X7 receptor to regulate the activities of immune cells in the microenvironment, play the functions of immune regulation, immune escape and immune monitoring. While the use of P2X7 receptor antagonists (such as BBG, A438079 and A740003) can play a certain inhibitory pharmacological role on the activity of CRC. Therefore, in this paper, the mechanism and immunomodulatory function of P2X7 receptor involved in the progression of CRC were discussed. Moreover, we discussed the effect of antagonizing the activity of P2X7 receptor on the progression of CRC. So P2X7 receptor may be a new pharmacological molecular target for the treatment of CRC.
Topics: Humans; Adenosine Triphosphate; Receptors, Purinergic P2X7; Ion Channels; Signal Transduction; Purinergic P2X Receptor Antagonists; Colorectal Neoplasms; Tumor Microenvironment
PubMed: 37857146
DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2023.115877 -
Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy =... Sep 2023Outer membrane vesicles (OMVs) are spherical, nano-sized particles of bilayer lipid structure secreted by Gram-negative bacteria. They contain a series of cargos from... (Review)
Review
Outer membrane vesicles (OMVs) are spherical, nano-sized particles of bilayer lipid structure secreted by Gram-negative bacteria. They contain a series of cargos from bacteria and are important messengers for communication between bacteria and their environment. OMVs play multiple roles in bacterial survival and adaptation and can affect host physiological functions and disease development by acting on host cell membranes and altering host cell signaling pathways. This paper summarizes the mechanisms of OMV genesis and the multiple roles of OMVs in the tumor microenvironment. Also, this paper discusses the prospects of OMVs for a wide range of applications in drug delivery, tumor diagnosis, and therapy.
Topics: Humans; Bacterial Outer Membrane; Extracellular Vesicles; Gram-Negative Bacteria; Neoplasms; Tumor Microenvironment
PubMed: 37442066
DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2023.115120 -
Children (Basel, Switzerland) Jul 2023Every child, irrespective of socioeconomic status, ethnicity, or ability, deserves the fundamental right to experience play, which is a powerful and enriching activity...
Every child, irrespective of socioeconomic status, ethnicity, or ability, deserves the fundamental right to experience play, which is a powerful and enriching activity that fosters their physical and mental health. Regrettably, most public play spaces hinder the complete inclusion of children with disabilities, with the main reason being a lack of universal accessibility. This study identified existing international and Canadian policies and community best practices related to inclusive playgrounds, and gathered stakeholders' opinions on the present condition of playgrounds, including challenges faced by children with disabilities and recommendations to make playgrounds inclusive. The questionnaires were completed by 97 participants. In addition, 10 individual interviews and three focus groups were performed. Ten policy documents and five community best practices were found. Our investigation identified factors that influence the design and implementation of inclusive playgrounds, categorized into three main areas: physical, social, and political environments. The results indicate that children with disabilities lack opportunities to engage fully in the physical and social aspects of playgrounds and spontaneous play activities with their peers. Notably, children with multiple disabilities may not feel welcomed or included in existing public play spaces.
PubMed: 37628308
DOI: 10.3390/children10081308 -
Indian Journal of Dermatology,... 2023For any biological response, transmission of extracellular signals to the nucleus is required for DNA transcription and gene expression. In that respect,... (Review)
Review
For any biological response, transmission of extracellular signals to the nucleus is required for DNA transcription and gene expression. In that respect, cytokines/chemokines are well-known inflammatory agents which play a critical role in signalling pathways by activating the Janus kinase-signal transducers and activators of transcription (JAK-STAT) signalling proteins (Janus kinase-signal transducers and activators of transcription) which are a group of intracellular kinase molecules. Cytokines are a category of small proteins (∼5-25 kDa) that play a major role in cell signalling and are major drivers of an autoimmune response. Here we will discuss the role of Janus kinase-signal transducers and activators of transcription kinase cascades in the inflammatory-proliferative cascades of autoimmune disease and about the recent progress in the development of oral synthetic Janus kinase inhibitors (JAKi) and their therapeutic efficacies in dermatologic and systemic autoimmune diseases. Therapeutic efficacy of Janus kinase inhibitors is now well established in the treatment of array of autoimmune and inflammatory disease: spondylarthritis with a special focus on psoriatic arthritis (PsA) and its dermatologic manifestations (psoriasis) and ankylosing spondylitis (AS), atopic dermatitis (AD), alopecia areata (AA), rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). In addition to the first-generation Janus kinase inhibitors several new-generation Janus kinase inhibitors are currently being evaluated. It is expected that these Janus kinase inhibitors likely have higher potency and less adverse effects as compared to their predecessors. Here we have discussed: (1) the functional significance of the Janus kinase-signal transducers and activators of transcription kinase cascades in the inflammatory-proliferative processes of autoimmune diseases and its cellular/molecular mechanisms and (2) progress in the development of oral synthetic Janus kinase inhibitors and their therapeutic efficacies in several systemic and cutaneous autoimmune diseases.
Topics: Humans; Janus Kinase Inhibitors; Arthritis, Psoriatic; Janus Kinases; Autoimmune Diseases; Cytokines
PubMed: 37609730
DOI: 10.25259/IJDVL_1152_2022 -
Clinical Medicine (London, England) Nov 2023Crohn's disease (CD) is a chronic, relapsing and remitting inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that is increasing in incidence and prevalence globally. Management aims to...
Crohn's disease (CD) is a chronic, relapsing and remitting inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that is increasing in incidence and prevalence globally. Management aims to achieve endoscopic healing, symptom resolution and improvement in quality of life. Therapeutic approaches in CD vary depending on disease phenotype. Thiopurines are important in steroid-sparing maintenance therapy, while anti-tumour necrosis factor agents play a fundamental role, especially in fistulising CD. Suboptimal response to these medications may require escalation to other immunosuppressive and biologic therapies, and surgical intervention is still required in a proportion of patients. Tailoring treatment to target specific patient phenotypes, disease severity and patient wishes is becoming more feasible with the growing array of therapeutic options in CD.
Topics: Humans; Crohn Disease; Quality of Life; Immunosuppressive Agents; Remission Induction
PubMed: 38065612
DOI: 10.7861/clinmed.2023-0493 -
Canadian Journal of Occupational... Sep 2023Occupational therapists often use play-based approaches to facilitate children's occupational development and promote participation, for example, play-based...
Occupational therapists often use play-based approaches to facilitate children's occupational development and promote participation, for example, play-based occupational therapy, play therapy and playwork. However, where does play occupation fit, within these adult-guided play-based approaches in occupational therapy? To examine and discuss the play-work occupation continuum of children to inform occupational therapy practice. Children's play occupations are free-selected, unstructured, internally-controlled, spontaneous and intrinsically-motivated. Yet, occupational therapists often utilize play as a therapeutic modality to support occupational development for occupations other than play. This use of play represents as they are structured, externally-controlled, adult-guided, goal-focused and extrinsically-motivated. Play occupations then move from being authentic free-play to adult-guided play-based work occupations for children. When working with children and families, occupational therapists need to balance the use of self-selected, unstructured play occupations with the application of adult-guided, structured, goal-focused play-based work occupations.
Topics: Adult; Humans; Child; Occupational Therapy; Play Therapy; Occupations; Activities of Daily Living; Occupational Therapists
PubMed: 36221893
DOI: 10.1177/00084174221130165