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Frontiers in Immunology 2019Neutrophils are the most abundant population of white blood cells in the human circulation. They are terminally differentiated myeloid cells which were traditionally... (Review)
Review
Neutrophils are the most abundant population of white blood cells in the human circulation. They are terminally differentiated myeloid cells which were traditionally associated with fighting infections and inflammatory processes. While this perception of neutrophils is still widely prevalent, in the past decade it has become clear that neutrophils also play a critical role in tumor growth and progression. The unique tumor microenvironment, consisting of the non-malignant stroma that surrounds tumor cells, is shaped by numerous cues emanating from both tumor cells and stromal cells which support the growing tumor. Various immune cells, including neutrophils, make up a significant proportion of the tumor stroma. Immune cells exist for the protection of the host against various threats including the detection and elimination of cancerous cells. However, in the context of cancer immune cells are often coerced into a tumor supportive phenotype. This is also the case for neutrophils, which are often described to possess tumor promoting properties and to associate with poorer prognosis. The fact that neutrophils may contribute to tumor growth and progression suggests they may be targets for anti-cancer therapies. This review discusses the various functions neutrophils may play in cancer and the possibility of targeting these functions as a novel mode of immunotherapy.
Topics: Animals; Humans; Lymphocytes; Neoplasms; Neutrophils
PubMed: 31379884
DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2019.01710 -
Current Cardiology Reports Aug 2021To discuss the possible harmful effects and pathophysiology of exercise in cases of pericarditis, explore the role of multi-modality imaging to help guide exercise... (Review)
Review
PURPOSE OF REVIEW
To discuss the possible harmful effects and pathophysiology of exercise in cases of pericarditis, explore the role of multi-modality imaging to help guide exercise recommendations, and compare U.S. with European guideline recommendations on the safe resumption of physical activity following resolution of pericarditis.
RECENT FINDINGS
Despite multiple postulated mechanisms by which exercise may be harmful during active inflammation of the myocardium or pericardium, the exact pathophysiology remains largely unknown. The inclusion of multi-modality cardiac imaging may play a role in further elucidating the relationship of exercise with outcomes in pericarditis. More recently, the prevalence of COVID-19 cardiac involvement in athletes prior to returning to play appears lower than previously reported; however, current recommendations are consistent with those for other etiologies of pericarditis. Further research is certainly needed to better understand the relationship between physical activity and pericarditis, the pathophysiology, and the prognostic role of multimodality imaging.
Topics: COVID-19; Exercise; Humans; Pericarditis; Pericardium; SARS-CoV-2
PubMed: 34448954
DOI: 10.1007/s11886-021-01578-0 -
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 -
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 -
Biomedicines Jan 2023Pancreatic cancer (PC) is an aggressive malignancy and the fourth leading cause of cancer death in the United States and Europe. It is estimated that PC will be the... (Review)
Review
Pancreatic cancer (PC) is an aggressive malignancy and the fourth leading cause of cancer death in the United States and Europe. It is estimated that PC will be the second leading cause of cancer death by 2030. In addition to late diagnosis, treatment resistance is a major cause of shortened survival in pancreatic cancer. In this context, there is growing evidence that microbes play a regulatory role, particularly in therapy resistance and in creating a microenvironment in the tumor, that favors cancer progression. The presence of certain bacteria belonging to the gamma-proteobacteria or mycoplasmas appears to be associated with both pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic changes. Recent evidence suggests that the microbiota may also play a role in resistance mechanisms to immunotherapy and radiotherapy. However, the interactions between microbiota and therapy are bilateral and modulate therapy tolerance. Future perspectives are increasingly focused on elucidating the role of the microbiota in tumorigenesis and processes of therapy resistance, and a better understanding of these mechanisms may provide important opportunities to improve survival in these patients.
PubMed: 36672664
DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11010157 -
Current Opinion in Pharmacology Feb 2022Microglia and CNS-infiltrating macrophages play significant roles in the pathogenesis of neuroinflammatory and neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease,... (Review)
Review
Microglia and CNS-infiltrating macrophages play significant roles in the pathogenesis of neuroinflammatory and neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and multiple sclerosis. Prolonged and dysregulated inflammatory responses by these innate immune cells can have deleterious effects on the surrounding CNS microenvironment, which can worsen neurodegeneration and demyelination. However, although chronic activation of pro-inflammatory microglia is maladaptive, other functional microglial subtypes play beneficial roles during CNS repair and regeneration. Therefore, there is a tremendous interest in understanding the underlying mechanism of the activation of these reparative/regenerative microglia. In this review, we focus on the potential role of PKC, a downstream signaling molecule of TREM2 and PLCγ2, and PKC modulators in promoting the activation of reparative/regenerative microglial subtypes as a novel therapy for neuroinflammatory and neurodegenerative diseases.
Topics: Humans; Macrophages; Microglia; Multiple Sclerosis; Neurodegenerative Diseases; Remyelination
PubMed: 34965482
DOI: 10.1016/j.coph.2021.11.008 -
Oncotarget Aug 2021Glioblastoma is the most common and aggressive primary human brain cancer. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a set of small endogenous non-coding RNA molecules which play critical...
Glioblastoma is the most common and aggressive primary human brain cancer. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a set of small endogenous non-coding RNA molecules which play critical roles in different biological processes including cancer. The realization of miRNA regulatory functions in GBM has demonstrated that these molecules play a critical role in its initiation, progression and response to therapy. In this review we discuss the studies related to miRNA discovery and function in glioblastoma. We first summarize the typical miRNAs and their roles in GBM. Then we debate the potential for miRNA-based therapy for glioblastoma, including various delivery strategies. We surmise that future directions identified by these studies will point towards the necessity for therapeutic development and optimization to improve the outcomes for patients with glioblastoma.
PubMed: 34434499
DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.28039 -
Enactive explorations of children's sensory-motor play and therapeutic handling in physical therapy.Frontiers in Rehabilitation Sciences 2022In pediatric physical therapy, there is an ongoing debate about the use of therapeutic handling and its potential effects on motor learning. In this study, we build on...
INTRODUCTION
In pediatric physical therapy, there is an ongoing debate about the use of therapeutic handling and its potential effects on motor learning. In this study, we build on enactive theoretical perspectives to explore the role of therapeutic handling in connection to children's sensory-motor play, engagement, and performance during a single physical therapy session.
MATERIAL AND METHODS
This is a qualitative study based on video observations of therapy sessions and interviews with 15 physical therapists (PTs) each treating two different children aged 0-3. The authors utilized a framework of co-reviewing, discussing, and reflecting on the sessions. Themes were identified and used to describe the ways by which PTs' therapeutic handling unfolds, with connections to theories on sensory-motor play and learning, along with enactive perspectives on embodiment, experience, mutual incorporation, and sense-of-agency.
RESULTS
The characteristics and purposes of therapeutic handling are presented in two main themes: (1) position and support, and (2) directing movement. We found that position and support promoted sensory-motor improvement when the PTs' handling aligned with the child's play interests and engagements. As part of play, the children used new and additional support surfaces to self-initiate better posture and movement solutions and reach play goals. The PTs' ways of directing movements varied. To awaken curiosity and induce a child's self-driven motor exploration the PT needs to be subtle, flexible, and precise in the directing of movement. This entails responsiveness to the child's signals and bodily know-how in the placing of hands and direction of pressure to enable the child to actively participate in and eventually self-drive movement.
DISCUSSION
Therapeutic handling that is mutually incorporated between PT and child can enrich the child's playing-to-learn-to-move process by providing novelty and facilitating the child's sense-of-agency in the self-initiated exploration and refinement of movement possibilities. In the PTs' effort to merge therapeutic handling with children's play, the momentum of interaction can open new therapeutic windows of movement experience and learning opportunities.
PubMed: 36304785
DOI: 10.3389/fresc.2022.994804 -
Nurse Education Today Nov 2022The purpose of this review is to map how LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® is currently utilised within education and to explore the benefits it may offer to the education of new... (Review)
Review
OBJECTIVES
The purpose of this review is to map how LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® is currently utilised within education and to explore the benefits it may offer to the education of new nurses.
DESIGN
A scoping review which utilises a 5 stage methodological framework in order to encapsulate a broad range of evidence relating to the use of LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® within a variety of educational settings.
DATA SOURCES
Databases searched included CINAHL, Academic Search Premier, PsychInfo, Scopus as well as Proquest Dissertations and Theses and the British Library's Electronic Theses Online Service. Additional sources were also sought through review of the reference lists of relevant articles.
REVIEW METHODS
Retrieved articles were screened for relevance and compiled in a charting table to summarise the key components and findings of each source. Qualitative content analysis was then utilised to address the identified review questions.
RESULTS
A total of 11 texts were reviewed consisting of 1 conference paper, 6 research reports and 4 conceptual articles. These explored the use of LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® across a broad range of disciplines including nursing, play therapy, occupational therapy and marketing.
CONCLUSIONS
The scoping review highlights that LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® offers a number of benefits that can be utilised within nursing education, particularly in relation to supporting reflection, formation of professional identity and the development of resilience. These results highlight a gap in the evidence concerning the use of LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® within nursing education and thus the need for further exploration.
Topics: Delivery of Health Care; Education, Nursing; Educational Status; Humans
PubMed: 36084451
DOI: 10.1016/j.nedt.2022.105528 -
Clinics in Sports Medicine Jul 2021Lumbar disk herniation is the most common surgical condition of the spine. High-level athletes participate in activities that place extreme loads on the intervertebral... (Review)
Review
Lumbar disk herniation is the most common surgical condition of the spine. High-level athletes participate in activities that place extreme loads on the intervertebral disks. These repetitive loads may lead to an elevated risk for degenerative disk disease, which in turn predisposes to disk herniations. Treatment algorithms for athletes with disk herniations are similar to those in the nonathletic population; however, success in the athletic population is often measured in the ability to return to play. Both nonoperative and operative treatment show a high success rate in return to play in athletes treated for disk herniations.
Topics: Athletic Injuries; Humans; Intervertebral Disc Displacement; Lumbar Vertebrae; Radiculopathy; Return to Sport
PubMed: 34051943
DOI: 10.1016/j.csm.2021.04.001