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Current Rheumatology Reviews 2024Fibromyalgia (FM) is a complex, widespread pain disorder characterized by symptoms such as fatigue, sleep deprivation, mental fog, mood swings, and headaches. Currently,... (Review)
Review
Fibromyalgia (FM) is a complex, widespread pain disorder characterized by symptoms such as fatigue, sleep deprivation, mental fog, mood swings, and headaches. Currently, there are only three FDA-approved medications for FM patients: duloxetine, milnacipran, and pregabalin, with outcomes frequently being inadequate. This research team aims to investigate the effects of diet and lifestyle modifications on FM, with emphasis on anti-inflammatory diet, antioxidants, and gluten-free diets, as well as supplementation with Magnesium, CQ10, and Vitamin D, microbiome, sleep, exercise, and cognitive behavioral therapy. We reviewed the pathophysiology of certain foods that can be proinflammatory with the release of cytokines leading to activation of pain, fatigue and aggravation of the majority of Fibromyalgia symptoms. A literature review was performed by identifying FM articles published between 1994 and 2022 PubMed and EMBASE databases, with particular emphasis on randomized controlled trials, meta-analysis, and evidence-based treatment guidelines. This review article was completed by a comprehensive narrative review process, in which our team systematically examined relevant scientific literature to provide a comprehensive overview of the significant role that diet and other lifestyle modifications play in mediating symptoms of Fibromyalgia. We propose that diet modifications and lifestyle changes, such as sleep, exercise, and weight loss, can be important steps in managing FM.
Topics: Humans; Fibromyalgia; Diet; Life Style; Exercise
PubMed: 38279728
DOI: 10.2174/0115733971274700231226075717 -
Science (New York, N.Y.) Mar 2024Three years ago, addressing racial justice in the United States moved firmly into the mainstream. Following the murder of George Floyd, the ongoing struggle for social...
Three years ago, addressing racial justice in the United States moved firmly into the mainstream. Following the murder of George Floyd, the ongoing struggle for social justice was again laid bare, and pledges to improve diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) began sprouting everywhere. Now, the pendulum is swinging back on these commitments. A backlash against DEI initiatives is rising across all sectors, especially at the state level. Last year's decision by the US Supreme Court to strike down the consideration of students' racial status in college admissions has emboldened many who oppose any advancement of DEI. Although there has been specific attention to higher education, other sectors have also been attacked. The retreat includes recent anti-DEI legislation that would affect structures, programs, practices, and curricula that aim to support success for all, including persons who have been historically excluded from or marginalized within science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and medicine (STEMM). Before this backlash worsens, DEI advocates, the scientific community, universities, and federal agencies need to collectively call out the dangers of setting aside DEI and come up with robust ways to demonstrate its value to society.
PubMed: 38547281
DOI: 10.1126/science.adp4397 -
Brain Sciences Jan 2020Huntington's disease (HD) is a progressive neurological disease that is inherited in an autosomal fashion. The cause of disease pathology is an expansion of... (Review)
Review
Huntington's disease (HD) is a progressive neurological disease that is inherited in an autosomal fashion. The cause of disease pathology is an expansion of cytosine-adenine-guanine (CAG) repeats within the huntingtin gene () on chromosome 4 (4p16.3), which codes the huntingtin protein (mHTT). The common symptoms of HD include motor and cognitive impairment of psychiatric functions. Patients exhibit a representative phenotype of involuntary movement (chorea) of limbs, impaired cognition, and severe psychiatric disturbances (mood swings, depression, and personality changes). A variety of symptomatic treatments (which target glutamate and dopamine pathways, caspases, inhibition of aggregation, mitochondrial dysfunction, transcriptional dysregulation, and fetal neural transplants, etc.) are available and some are in the pipeline. Advancement in novel therapeutic approaches include targeting the mutant huntingtin (mHTT) protein and the gene. New gene editing techniques will reduce the CAG repeats. More appropriate and readily tractable treatment goals, coupled with advances in analytical tools will help to assess the clinical outcomes of HD treatments. This will not only improve the quality of life and life span of HD patients, but it will also provide a beneficial role in other inherited and neurological disorders. In this review, we aim to discuss current therapeutic research approaches and their possible uses for HD.
PubMed: 31940909
DOI: 10.3390/brainsci10010043 -
Actas Urologicas Espanolas Jun 2020The testosterone deficiency syndrome (TDS) is a very common clinical and biochemical condition that affects approximately 2-5% men over the age of 40. From a clinical... (Review)
Review
The testosterone deficiency syndrome (TDS) is a very common clinical and biochemical condition that affects approximately 2-5% men over the age of 40. From a clinical point of view, it is usually associated with decreased sexual desire and activity, erectile dysfunction, low energy and mood swings, along with T<8-12 nmol/l levels. Questionnaires are not useful in screening but may be useful for diagnosis and follow-up. Its diagnosis requires the presentation of multiple hypogonadism symptoms together with two morning T tests below the acceptable limits. LH and SHBG levels can be useful to determine the cause and the free T level, respectively. Contraindications for treatment are active prostate cancer, stage IV heart failure, breast cancer, desired fertility and hematocrit values over 54%. Treatment is based on the cause of TDS, if any, along with testosterone supplementation. The objective is to achieve normal testosterone levels. Follow-up includes clinical history, analysis (PSA, T+SHBG, hematocrit, glucose and lipid profile) and rectal examination, 3, 6 and 12 months after beginning treatment.
Topics: Humans; Male; Syndrome; Testicular Diseases; Testosterone
PubMed: 32423612
DOI: 10.1016/j.acuro.2019.10.009 -
Frontiers in Physiology 2023Asthma encompasses of respiratory symptoms that occur intermittently and with varying intensity accompanied by reversible expiratory airflow limitation. In acute... (Review)
Review
Asthma encompasses of respiratory symptoms that occur intermittently and with varying intensity accompanied by reversible expiratory airflow limitation. In acute exacerbations, it can be life-threatening due to its impact on ventilatory mechanics. Moreover, asthma has significant effects on the cardiovascular system, primarily through heart-lung interaction-based mechanisms. Dynamic hyperinflation and increased work of breathing caused by a sharp drop in pleural pressure, can affect cardiac function and cardiac output through different mechanisms. These mechanisms include an abrupt increase in venous return, elevated right ventricular afterload and interdependence between the left and right ventricle. Additionally, Pulsus paradoxus, which reflects the maximum consequences of this heart lung interaction when intrathoracic pressure swings are exaggerated, may serve as a convenient bedside tool to assess the severity of acute asthma acute exacerbation and its response to therapy.
PubMed: 37781226
DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2023.1232345 -
Ethiopian Journal of Health Sciences Jul 2022Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) is a physiologic process in women where mood swing is one of the symptoms influencing the psycho-emotional, physical, and behavioral...
BACKGROUND
Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) is a physiologic process in women where mood swing is one of the symptoms influencing the psycho-emotional, physical, and behavioral reactions exhibited by women during menstruation. This study elucidates the effect of mood swing, confounding factors and healthcare-seeking behaviors of women in an educational environment.
METHODS
Exactly 328 women who were within reproductive ages 16 and 35 years participated in this study. A survey method was adopted; validated and standardized questionnaires were administered to confidentially assess the effect of mood swing via PMS. All data were analyzed with SPSS 25.0; descriptive method was adopted and results were expressed in percentages.
RESULTS
Mood swing was discovered as a symptom overlapping with psycho-emotional, physical, and behavioral symptoms during menstruation. The overall PMS prevalence was 67.4% while PMDD prevalence was 25.6%. Psycho-emotional symptoms: anger, irritability, depression. Physical symptoms: coldness, paleness, food craving, breast tenderness, digestive changes. Behavioral symptoms: social withdrawal, nocturnal social activity, absenteeism, poor work or academic performance, increased libido. Confounding factors include stress, gynecological conditions such as endometriosis, uterine fibroid, ovarian cyst, pelvic adhesion, and polycystic ovarian syndrome. Also, 22.9% had a family history of bipolar disorder (BD) while 30.2% had previous diagnosis. Severe pain was a major factor for seeking treatment; Paracetamol, and Piroxicam were frequently used drugs.
CONCLUSIONS
Severe PMS triggers mood swing and can badly affect academic or work activities; victims either endure the pain due to socio-cultural and financial factors or take unsuitable medications where abuse is inevitable.
Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Emotions; Female; Humans; Menstruation; Pain; Premenstrual Syndrome; Substance-Related Disorders; Surveys and Questionnaires; Young Adult
PubMed: 35950064
DOI: 10.4314/ejhs.v32i4.3 -
Nano Letters Dec 2023The physical properties of graphene nanoribbons (GNRs) are closely related to their morphology; meanwhile GNRs can easily slide on surfaces (e.g., superlubricity), which...
The physical properties of graphene nanoribbons (GNRs) are closely related to their morphology; meanwhile GNRs can easily slide on surfaces (e.g., superlubricity), which may largely affect the configuration and hence the properties. However, the morphological evolution of GNRs during sliding remain elusive. We explore the intriguing tail swing behavior of GNRs under various sliding configurations on Au substrate. Two distinct modes of tail swing emerge, characterized by regular and irregular swings, depending on the GNR width and initial position relative to the substrate. The mechanism can be explained by the moiré effect, presenting both symmetric and asymmetric patterns, resembling a mesmerizing nanomillipede. We reveal a compelling correlation between the tail swing mode and the edge wrinkle patterns of GNRs induced by the moiré effect. These findings provide fundamental understanding of how edge effects influence the tribomorphological responses of GNRs, offering valuable insights for precise manipulation and operation of GNRs.
PubMed: 37823533
DOI: 10.1021/acs.nanolett.3c03084 -
Climacteric : the Journal of the... Jun 2023The sex steroid hormone estrogen plays a number of regulatory roles in female development. During menopause, estrogen synthesis in the ovaries decreases, which results... (Review)
Review
The sex steroid hormone estrogen plays a number of regulatory roles in female development. During menopause, estrogen synthesis in the ovaries decreases, which results in adverse physiological remodeling and increased risk of disease. Reduced bone density, changes in the community composition profiles of the gut and vaginal microbiome, mood swings and changes in the vaginal environment are to be expected during this time. To alleviate these changes, postmenopausal women can be prescribed hormone replacement therapy (HRT) through the use of exogenous estradiol, often in conjunction with progestin treatment, which re-induces estrogenic action throughout the body. The microbiome and estrogen have a bidirectional, regulatory relationship in the gut, while in the vaginal environment estrogen works indirectly on the microbiome through restoring the vaginal tissue environment that leads to microbial homeostasis. This review discusses what is known about how the gut and vaginal microbiomes of postmenopausal women are responding to HRT, and the potential future of microbe-based therapeutics for symptoms of menopause.
Topics: Female; Humans; Postmenopause; Hormone Replacement Therapy; Menopause; Estrogens; Microbiota; Estrogen Replacement Therapy
PubMed: 37051868
DOI: 10.1080/13697137.2023.2173568 -
Cureus Oct 2023This conversation with ChatGPT explores the use of lithium in pregnancy for bipolar disorder, a topic of significant importance in psychiatry. Bipolar disorder is...
This conversation with ChatGPT explores the use of lithium in pregnancy for bipolar disorder, a topic of significant importance in psychiatry. Bipolar disorder is characterized by extreme mood swings, and its prevalence varies globally. ChatGPT provides valuable information on bipolar disorder, its prevalence, age of onset, and gender differences. It also discusses the use of lithium during pregnancy, emphasizing the need for individualized decisions, close monitoring, and potential risks and benefits. However, it is essential to note that ChatGPT's responses lack specific references, raising concerns about the reliability of the information provided. Further research is needed to quantify the correctness and dependability of ChatGPT-generated answers in the healthcare context.
PubMed: 37933339
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.46548 -
Maturitas Mar 2024Menopause is a natural physiological phase during which women experience dramatic hormonal fluctuations. These lead to many symptoms, such as depression and anxiety,... (Review)
Review
Menopause is a natural physiological phase during which women experience dramatic hormonal fluctuations. These lead to many symptoms, such as depression and anxiety, which, in turn, can negatively affect quality of life. Proper nutrition has an influential role in alleviating depression as well as anxiety. It is well known that gut microbiota dysbiosis contributes to the development of mood disorder. There is mounting evidence that modulating the gut-brain axis may aid in improving mood swings. In this context, this narrative review summarizes recent findings on how aging changes the composition of the gut microbiota and on the association between gut microbiota and mood disorders. In addition, it evaluates the effectiveness of psychobiotics and fermented foods in treating mood swings in middle-aged and older women. A search was done using PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar, and thirteen recent articles are included in this review. It is evident that psychobiotic supplementation and fermented foods can improve mood swings via several routes. However, these conclusions are based on only a few studies in middle-aged and older women. Therefore, long-term, well-designed randomized controlled trials are required to fully evaluate whether psychobiotics and fermented foods can be used to treat mood swings in this population.
Topics: Humans; Female; Middle Aged; Aged; Quality of Life; Affect; Mood Disorders; Gastrointestinal Microbiome; Fermented Foods; Probiotics
PubMed: 38157685
DOI: 10.1016/j.maturitas.2023.107903