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Nature Jun 2023Embryo-derived tissue-resident macrophages are the first representatives of the haematopoietic lineage to emerge in metazoans. In mammals, resident macrophages originate... (Review)
Review
Embryo-derived tissue-resident macrophages are the first representatives of the haematopoietic lineage to emerge in metazoans. In mammals, resident macrophages originate from early yolk sac progenitors and are specified into tissue-specific subsets during organogenesis-establishing stable spatial and functional relationships with specialized tissue cells-and persist in adults. Resident macrophages are an integral part of tissues together with specialized cells: for instance, microglia reside with neurons in brain, osteoclasts reside with osteoblasts in bone, and fat-associated macrophages reside with white adipocytes in adipose tissue. This ancillary cell type, which is developmentally and functionally distinct from haematopoietic stem cell and monocyte-derived macrophages, senses and integrates local and systemic information to provide specialized tissue cells with the growth factors, nutrient recycling and waste removal that are critical for tissue growth, homeostasis and repair. Resident macrophages contribute to organogenesis, promote tissue regeneration following damage and contribute to tissue metabolism and defence against infectious disease. A correlate is that genetic or environment-driven resident macrophage dysfunction is a cause of degenerative, metabolic and possibly inflammatory and tumoural diseases. In this Review, we aim to provide a conceptual outline of our current understanding of macrophage physiology and its importance in human diseases, which may inform and serve the design of future studies.
Topics: Animals; Humans; Cell Differentiation; Cell Lineage; Hematopoietic Stem Cells; Macrophages; Microglia; Monocytes; Organ Specificity; Disease
PubMed: 37344646
DOI: 10.1038/s41586-023-06002-x -
Trends in Cell Biology Jun 2020Cell death is an essential feature of development in multicellular organisms, a critical driver of degenerative diseases, and can be harnessed for treating some cancers.... (Review)
Review
Cell death is an essential feature of development in multicellular organisms, a critical driver of degenerative diseases, and can be harnessed for treating some cancers. Understanding the mechanisms governing cell death is critical for addressing its role in disease. Similarly, metabolism is essential for normal energy and biomolecule production, and goes awry in many diseases. Metabolism and cell death are tightly linked in the phenomenon of ferroptosis, a form of regulated cell death driven by peroxidation of phospholipids. Glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) uses glutathione to protect cells from ferroptosis by eliminating phospholipid peroxides. Recent data have revealed glutathione/GPX4-independent axes for suppressing ferroptosis, and insight into the regulation of iron and mitochondria in ferroptosis. Ferroptosis has recently been implicated in multiple diseases, and functions as a tumor suppression mechanism. Ferroptosis induction is a promising approach in treating several conditions, including neoplastic diseases. Here, we summarize these recent advances.
Topics: Animals; Disease; Ferroptosis; Humans; Iron; Lipid Peroxides; Metabolic Networks and Pathways; Neoplasms
PubMed: 32413317
DOI: 10.1016/j.tcb.2020.02.009 -
JPMA. the Journal of the Pakistan... Mar 2022Augmentative and Alternative Communication is an aided or unaided means of communication which supports existing communication abilities of an individual or replaces... (Review)
Review
Augmentative and Alternative Communication is an aided or unaided means of communication which supports existing communication abilities of an individual or replaces natural speech due to any speech and language disorder. The deficit could be developmental or acquired such as autism spectrum disorder, cerebral palsy, learning difficulties, dysarthria, dyspraxia or due to any acquired neurological condition such as aphasia and other degenerative disorders. Furthermore, it may be due to surgical procedures such as laryngectomy. Alternate means of communication have also been successfully used with COVID-19 patients. These tools may include pictures, symbols, signs or voice output devices. Parents of children with special needs and medical professionals have been reluctant in implementing the approach due to certain misconceptions. The aim of this review is to summarize the current evidence for the use of Augmentative and Alternative Communication with a range of disorders in relation to in relation to Pakistan.
Topics: Autism Spectrum Disorder; COVID-19; Child; Communication; Communication Aids for Disabled; Communication Disorders; Humans; Language Therapy; Pakistan; Speech; Speech Therapy
PubMed: 35320253
DOI: 10.47391/JPMA.22-023 -
Nutrients May 2021Coenzyme Q (CoQ) is an essential cofactor in oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS), present in mitochondria and cell membranes in reduced and oxidized forms. Acting as an... (Review)
Review
Coenzyme Q (CoQ) is an essential cofactor in oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS), present in mitochondria and cell membranes in reduced and oxidized forms. Acting as an energy transfer molecule, it occurs in particularly high levels in the liver, heart, and kidneys. CoQ is also an anti-inflammatory and antioxidant agent able to prevent the damage induced by free radicals and the activation of inflammatory signaling pathways. In this context, several studies have shown the possible inverse correlation between the blood levels of CoQ and some disease conditions. Interestingly, beyond cardiovascular diseases, CoQ is involved also in neuronal and muscular degenerative diseases, in migraine and in cancer; therefore, the supplementation with CoQ could represent a viable option to prevent these and in some cases might be used as an adjuvant to conventional treatments. This review is aimed to summarize the clinical applications regarding the use of CoQ in migraine, neurodegenerative diseases (including Parkinson and Alzheimer diseases), cancer, or degenerative muscle disorders (such as multiple sclerosis and chronic fatigue syndrome), analyzing its effect on patients' health and quality of life.
Topics: Biological Availability; Dietary Supplements; Humans; Migraine Disorders; Neoplasms; Neurodegenerative Diseases; Neuromuscular Diseases; Quality of Life; Ubiquinone
PubMed: 34067632
DOI: 10.3390/nu13051697 -
Frontiers in Immunology 2020Astrocytes play important roles in numerous central nervous system disorders including autoimmune inflammatory, hypoxic, and degenerative diseases such as Multiple... (Review)
Review
Astrocytes play important roles in numerous central nervous system disorders including autoimmune inflammatory, hypoxic, and degenerative diseases such as Multiple Sclerosis, ischemic stroke, and Alzheimer's disease. Depending on the spatial and temporal context, activated astrocytes may contribute to the pathogenesis, progression, and recovery of disease. Recent progress in the dissection of transcriptional responses to varying forms of central nervous system insult has shed light on the mechanisms that govern the complexity of reactive astrocyte functions. While a large body of research focuses on the pathogenic effects of reactive astrocytes, little is known about how they limit inflammation and contribute to tissue regeneration. However, these protective astrocyte pathways might be of relevance for the understanding of the underlying pathology in disease and may lead to novel targeted approaches to treat autoimmune inflammatory and degenerative disorders of the central nervous system. In this review article, we have revisited the emerging concept of protective astrocyte functions and discuss their role in the recovery from inflammatory and ischemic disease as well as their role in degenerative disorders. Focusing on soluble astrocyte derived mediators, we aggregate the existing knowledge on astrocyte functions in the maintenance of homeostasis as well as their reparative and tissue-protective function after acute lesions and in neurodegenerative disorders. Finally, we give an outlook of how these mediators may guide future therapeutic strategies to tackle yet untreatable disorders of the central nervous system.
Topics: Animals; Astrocytes; Central Nervous System; Central Nervous System Agents; Central Nervous System Diseases; Humans; Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; Molecular Targeted Therapy; Nerve Growth Factors; Phenotype; Signal Transduction
PubMed: 33117368
DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.573256 -
Clinical Oral Investigations Feb 2021The aim of this systematic review was to evaluate the prevalence of temporomandibular joint disorders (TMJD) among the general population. (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
OBJECTIVES
The aim of this systematic review was to evaluate the prevalence of temporomandibular joint disorders (TMJD) among the general population.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Five main electronic databases and three grey literature were searched to identify observational studies in which TMJD was diagnosed using the research diagnostic criteria (RDC/TMD) or diagnostic criteria (DC/TMD). The studies were blindly selected by two reviewers based on eligibility criteria. Risk of bias (RoB) was assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute Critical Appraisal Checklist, and the "R" Statistics software was used to perform meta-analyses.
RESULTS
From 2741 articles, 21 were included. Ten studies were judged at low RoB, seven at moderate, and four at high. The TMJD investigated were as follows: arthralgia, disk displacement (DDs) with reduction (DDwR), DDwR with intermittent locking, DDs without reduction (DDwoR) with limited opening, DDwoR without limited opening, degenerative joint disease (DJD), osteoarthritis, osteoarthrosis, and subluxation. The main results from prevalence overall meta-analyses for adults/elderly are as follows: TMJD (31.1%), DDs (19.1%), and DJD (9.8%). Furthermore, for children/adolescents are as follows: TMJD (11.3%), DDs (8.3%), and DJD (0.4%). Considering the individual diagnosis meta-analyses, the most prevalent TMJD is DDwR for adults/elderly (25.9%) and children/adolescents (7.4%).
CONCLUSIONS
The overall prevalence of TMJD was approximately 31% for adults/elderly and 11% for children/adolescents, and the most prevalent TMJD was DDwR.
CLINICAL RELEVANCE
Knowledge about the frequency of TMJD can encourage dentists to consider appropriate strategies for early and correct diagnosis and, if need be, correct management.
Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Child; Humans; Joint Dislocations; Prevalence; Temporomandibular Joint; Temporomandibular Joint Disorders
PubMed: 33409693
DOI: 10.1007/s00784-020-03710-w -
Handbook of Clinical Neurology 2023Essential tremor (ET) is a chronic and progressive neurologic disease. Its central and defining clinical feature is a 4-12Hz kinetic tremor, that is, tremor that occurs... (Review)
Review
Essential tremor (ET) is a chronic and progressive neurologic disease. Its central and defining clinical feature is a 4-12Hz kinetic tremor, that is, tremor that occurs during voluntary movements such as drinking from a cup or writing. Patients may also exhibit a range of other tremors-postural, rest, intention, additional motor features (e.g., mild gait ataxia, mild dystonia), as well as nonmotor features. The disease itself seems to be a risk factor for other degenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease. Both genetic and toxic environmental factors have been explored as etiologic factors. In addition to a growing appreciation of the presence of clinical, etiologic, and pathologic heterogeneity, there is some support for the notion that ET itself may not be a single disease, but may be a family of diseases whose central defining feature is kinetic tremor of the arms, and which might more accurately be referred to as "the essential tremors." Recent research has increasingly placed the seat of the disease in the cerebellum and cerebellar system and identified a host of neurodegenerative changes within the cerebellum, indicating that this progressive disorder is likely degenerative.
Topics: Humans; Essential Tremor; Tremor; Alzheimer Disease; Cerebellum; Gait
PubMed: 37620080
DOI: 10.1016/B978-0-323-98817-9.00012-0 -
Journal of Back and Musculoskeletal... 2022Low back pain is a significant spinal disorder that affects much of the population at some point during their lives. (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Low back pain is a significant spinal disorder that affects much of the population at some point during their lives.
OBJECTIVE
While proper diagnosis is key, diagnosing the underlying cause of low back pain may often be unclear.
METHOD
In this review article, we discuss lumbar instability as an etiology of low back pain and its treatment by prolotherapy.
RESULTS
Spinal ligaments may be an underlying culprit in the development of lumbar instability with resultant low back pain and associated disorders.
CONCLUSION
In these cases, adequate treatment consisting of non-biologic prolotherapy or cellular prolotherapy, including platelet rich plasma (PRP), can be beneficial in restoring spinal stability and resolving chronic low back pain.
Topics: Humans; Joint Instability; Low Back Pain; Lumbar Vertebrae; Platelet-Rich Plasma; Prolotherapy; Spinal Diseases
PubMed: 34957989
DOI: 10.3233/BMR-210097 -
The Lancet. Psychiatry Feb 2020Cognitive symptoms are common, and yet many who seek help for cognitive symptoms neither have, nor go on to develop, dementia. A proportion of these people are likely to...
Cognitive symptoms are common, and yet many who seek help for cognitive symptoms neither have, nor go on to develop, dementia. A proportion of these people are likely to have functional cognitive disorders, a subtype of functional neurological disorders, in which cognitive symptoms are present, associated with distress or disability, but caused by functional alterations rather than degenerative brain disease or another structural lesion. In this Review, we have systematically examined the prevalence and clinical associations of functional cognitive disorders, and related phenotypes, within the wider cognitive disorder literature. Around a quarter of patients presenting to memory clinics received diagnoses that might indicate the presence of functional cognitive disorders, which were associated with affective symptoms, negative self-evaluation, negative illness perceptions, non-progressive symptom trajectories, and linguistic and behavioural differences during clinical interactions. Those with functional cognitive disorder phenotypes are at risk of iatrogenic harm because of misdiagnosis or inaccurate prediction of future decline. Further research is imperative to improve diagnosis and identify effective treatments for functional cognitive disorders, and better understanding these phenotypes will also improve the specificity of diagnoses of prodromal degenerative brain disease.
Topics: Affective Symptoms; Attitude to Health; Cognition Disorders; Humans; Medically Unexplained Symptoms; Memory Disorders
PubMed: 31732482
DOI: 10.1016/S2215-0366(19)30405-5