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Antioxidants & Redox Signaling Dec 2023The remarkable geometry of the axon exposes it to unique challenges for survival and maintenance. Axonal degeneration is a feature of peripheral neuropathies, glaucoma,... (Review)
Review
The remarkable geometry of the axon exposes it to unique challenges for survival and maintenance. Axonal degeneration is a feature of peripheral neuropathies, glaucoma, and traumatic brain injury, and an early event in neurodegenerative diseases. Since the discovery of Wallerian degeneration (WD), a molecular program that hijacks nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) metabolism for axonal self-destruction, the complex roles of NAD in axonal viability and disease have become research priority. The discoveries of the protective Wallerian degeneration slow (Wld) and of sterile alpha and TIR motif containing 1 (SARM1) activation as the main instructive signal for WD have shed new light on the regulatory role of NAD in axonal degeneration in a growing number of neurological diseases. SARM1 has been characterized as a NAD hydrolase and sensor of NAD metabolism. The discovery of regulators of nicotinamide mononucleotide adenylyltransferase 2 (NMNAT2) proteostasis in axons, the allosteric regulation of SARM1 by NAD and NMN, and the existence of clinically relevant windows of action of these signals has opened new opportunities for therapeutic interventions, including SARM1 inhibitors and modulators of NAD metabolism. Events upstream and downstream of SARM1 remain unclear. Furthermore, manipulating NAD metabolism, an overdetermined process crucial in cell survival, for preventing the degeneration of the injured axon may be difficult and potentially toxic. There is a need for clarification of the distinct roles of NAD metabolism in axonal maintenance as contrasted to WD. There is also a need to better understand the role of NAD metabolism in axonal endangerment in neuropathies, diseases of the white matter, and the early stages of neurodegenerative diseases of the central nervous system. 39, 1167-1184.
Topics: Humans; Wallerian Degeneration; NAD; Peripheral Nervous System Diseases; Axons; Neurodegenerative Diseases
PubMed: 37503611
DOI: 10.1089/ars.2023.0350 -
International Journal of Women's... Dec 2021This review article focuses on the dermatologic manifestations of selected nutrient deficiencies, including protein-energy and micronutrient-related malnutrition. The... (Review)
Review
This review article focuses on the dermatologic manifestations of selected nutrient deficiencies, including protein-energy and micronutrient-related malnutrition. The various nutrient deficiencies presented may share common features. However, distinctive cutaneous signs may prompt clinicians to consider a nutritional cause and help distinguish a nutrient deficiency from other common dermatologic conditions. The recent reemergence of forgotten nutritional deficiencies, such as scurvy and pellagra, in the context of predisposing risk factors that may uniquely affect women more than men makes this topic timely. Recognition of nutritional disorders is important because appropriate treatment may reverse cutaneous signs and prevent irreversible sequelae.
PubMed: 35024418
DOI: 10.1016/j.ijwd.2021.09.003 -
Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational... 2020Necrolytic acral erythema (NAE) is now considered as a distinct clinical entity. It clinically presents as well demarcated hyperpigmented papules and plaques with thick... (Review)
Review
Necrolytic acral erythema (NAE) is now considered as a distinct clinical entity. It clinically presents as well demarcated hyperpigmented papules and plaques with thick adherent scales distributed symmetrically over dorsum of feet. It usually develops in patients with Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. Cases of NAE have been reported in patients without HCV infection. Hepatic dysfunction resulting in metabolic alterations like hypoalbuminemia, hypoaminoacidemia, hyperglucagonemia and transient zinc deficiency has been proposed as underlying pathogenic mechanism of NAE. Clinically, NAE resembles other necrolytic erythemas like necrolytic migratory erythema (NME), acrodermatitis enteropathica (AE) and pellagra. Better understanding of etiopathogenesis and histopathological features is important to distinguish NAE from other necrolytic erythemas. The disease runs a natural course of exacerbations and remissions. Non-invasive diagnostic tools like dermoscopy can be used in differential diagnosis of NAE. Oral zinc therapy is the most effective treatment of NAE reported in most of the cases irrespective of HCV status or serum zinc levels.
PubMed: 32308461
DOI: 10.2147/CCID.S189175 -
The National Medical Journal of India 2019
Topics: Administration, Oral; Adolescent; Biopsy; Humans; Male; Neck; Niacinamide; Pellagra; Skin; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 33380641
DOI: 10.4103/0970-258X.303626 -
International Journal of Tryptophan... 2020Nicotinamide homeostasis is a candidate common denominator to explain smooth transitions, whether demographic, epidemiological or economic. This 'NAD world', dependent... (Review)
Review
Nicotinamide homeostasis is a candidate common denominator to explain smooth transitions, whether demographic, epidemiological or economic. This 'NAD world', dependent on hydrogen-based energy, is not widely recognised as it is neither measured nor viewed from a sufficiently multi-genomic or historical perspective. Reviewing the importance of meat and nicotinamide balances during our co-evolution, recent history suggests that populations only modernise and age well with low fertility on a suitably balanced diet. Imbalances on the low meat side lead to an excess of infectious disease, short lives and boom-bust demographics. On the high side, meat has led to an excess of degenerative, allergic and metabolic disease and low fertility. A 'Goldilocks' diet derived from mixed and sustainable farming (preserving the topsoil) allows for high intellectual capital, height and good health with controlled population growth resulting in economic growth and prosperity. Implementing meat equity worldwide could lead to progress for future generations on 'spaceship' earth by establishing control over population quality, thermostat and biodiversity, if it is not already too late.
PubMed: 32327922
DOI: 10.1177/1178646920910159 -
Epidemiologia (Basel, Switzerland) Apr 2022This paper argues that the public health conceptual framework of epidemiologist Geoffrey Rose, first published as "Sick Individuals and Sick Populations" in 1985,... (Review)
Review
This paper argues that the public health conceptual framework of epidemiologist Geoffrey Rose, first published as "Sick Individuals and Sick Populations" in 1985, provides a useful way to critically analyze prevention and control options for modern non-communicable diseases (NCD) and their forerunner, obesity, a pandemic now engulfing Lower-and-Middle-Income-Countries. That framework is based on the notions of primordial, primary, secondary and tertiary prevention-the full spectrum of "more upstream and more downstream" approaches, each with its pros and cons. These are illustrated using the pellagra epidemic in the southeastern USA from 1900 to the 1940s, which still has much to teach us about these same basic policy options for controlling the modern NCD pandemic. In particular, Rose's dictum, "Seek the causes of (population) incidence, not of (individual) cases", points up the compelling advantages of upstream prevention for controlling both epidemics.
PubMed: 36417251
DOI: 10.3390/epidemiologia3020015 -
Public Health Nutrition Jun 2021Pellagra is a nutritional deficiency disease associated with niacin (vitamin B3) deficiency. The history of pellagra is well documented for Europe and the USA, but less... (Review)
Review
OBJECTIVE
Pellagra is a nutritional deficiency disease associated with niacin (vitamin B3) deficiency. The history of pellagra is well documented for Europe and the USA, but less is known about the prevalence in sub-Saharan African countries. This study documents the history of pellagra in South Africa, as diagnosed based on dermatological symptoms.
DESIGN
Scoping review of information from scientific databases, library archives, other archives and record services and from Statistics South Africa.
SETTING
South Africa, 1897-2019.
PARTICIPANTS
South African.
RESULTS
Pellagra was first officially recorded in South Africa in 1906, but there are earlier indications of the disease. The prevalence of pellagra peaked after it was all but eradicated in the USA and Europe. Pellagra was never as prevalent in South Africa as in Europe, the USA and Egypt, where special hospitals for pellagrins were established. However, studies on urinary excretion of metabolites conducted in 1960s and 1970s suggested a high prevalence of subclinical (sub-pellagra) niacin deficiency, especially in previously disadvantaged Black populations. As in Europe and the USA, pellagra was associated with poverty and an overdependence on maize as staple food. Malnutrition was the main cause of the disease, but alcohol abuse might have been a contributing factor. In South Africa, reports of pellagra had declined by the late 1980s/early 1990s and hardly any cases were reported by the year 2000.
CONCLUSIONS
Although pellagra, diagnosed based on dermatological symptoms, appears to be largely eradicated in South Africa, it does not rule out the potential for subclinical niacin deficiency.
Topics: Europe; Humans; Niacin; Pellagra; Poverty; South Africa
PubMed: 33769244
DOI: 10.1017/S1368980021001336