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Expert Review of Medical Devices Mar 2019Intrasaccular flow disruption is an innovative technique for the endovascular treatment of intracranial aneurysms. Among flow disrupting devices, the Woven EndoBridge... (Review)
Review
INTRODUCTION
Intrasaccular flow disruption is an innovative technique for the endovascular treatment of intracranial aneurysms. Among flow disrupting devices, the Woven EndoBridge (WEB) is currently the only flow disrupter on the market and has seen an extensive scientific evaluation. It was shown that the device provides a safe and effective treatment particularly for wide-neck aneurysms of proximal bifurcations.
AREAS COVERED
We describe the principal concept and the technical evolution of intrasaccular flow disruption and discuss all devices that have to date been presented, with a special focus on the WEB. Key results of the literature are summarized, and we review possible future indications for this innovative treatment concept.
EXPERT COMMENTARY
The tools for the endovascular management of intracranial aneurysms continue to evolve rapidly with intrasaccular flow disruption being the most recent innovation in the field. The WEB is currently the only device on the market. Compared to competing techniques, intrasaccular flow disruption offers several advantages and it is likely that given the technically straightforward nature of the procedure and the high-quality scientific evidence of its safety and efficacy, the device will see a progressive expansion of its indications and will replace standard coiling in an increasing number of cases.
Topics: Blood Vessel Prosthesis; Cerebrovascular Circulation; Endovascular Procedures; Follow-Up Studies; Humans; Intracranial Aneurysm; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 30775934
DOI: 10.1080/17434440.2019.1584035 -
Current Opinion in HIV and AIDS May 2013Recent clinical research suggests that an HIV-infected patient with lymphoma who was transplanted with bone marrow homozygous for a disrupted mutant CCR5 allele has no... (Review)
Review
PURPOSE OF REVIEW
Recent clinical research suggests that an HIV-infected patient with lymphoma who was transplanted with bone marrow homozygous for a disrupted mutant CCR5 allele has no remaining HIV replication and is effectively cured of HIV. Here, we discuss the approaches of disrupting host and viral genes involved in HIV replication and pathogenesis with the aim of curing patients with HIV.
RECENT FINDINGS
Data from the 'Berlin patient' suggest that targeted gene disruption can lead to an HIV cure. This review discusses the recent advances in the field of gene disruption toward the development of an anti-HIV therapy. We will introduce the strategies to disrupt host and viral genes using precise disruptions, imprecise disruptions, or site-specific recombination. Furthermore, the production of engineered rare-cutting endonucleases (zinc finger nucleases, TAL effector nucleases, and homing endonucleases) and recombinases that can recognize specific DNA target sequences and facilitate gene disruption will be discussed.
SUMMARY
The discovery of a gene disruption approach that would cure or efficiently confine HIV infection could have broad implications for the treatment of millions of people infected with HIV. An efficient 'one-shot' curative therapy not only would give infected patients hope of a drug-free or treatment-free future, but also could reduce the huge financial burden faced by many countries because of widespread administration of highly active antiretroviral therapy.
Topics: Endonucleases; Gene Targeting; HIV Infections; Humans
PubMed: 23478911
DOI: 10.1097/COH.0b013e32835f736c -
International Journal of Molecular... Jul 2023Phytoestrogens (PEs) are estrogen-like nonsteroidal compounds derived from plants (e.g., nuts, seeds, fruits, and vegetables) and fungi that are structurally similar to... (Review)
Review
Phytoestrogens (PEs) are estrogen-like nonsteroidal compounds derived from plants (e.g., nuts, seeds, fruits, and vegetables) and fungi that are structurally similar to 17β-estradiol. PEs bind to all types of estrogen receptors, including ERα and ERβ receptors, nuclear receptors, and a membrane-bound estrogen receptor known as the G protein-coupled estrogen receptor (GPER). As endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) with pro- or antiestrogenic properties, PEs can potentially disrupt the hormonal regulation of homeostasis, resulting in developmental and reproductive abnormalities. However, a lack of PEs in the diet does not result in the development of deficiency symptoms. To properly assess the benefits and risks associated with the use of a PE-rich diet, it is necessary to distinguish between endocrine disruption (endocrine-mediated adverse effects) and nonspecific effects on the endocrine system. Endometriosis is an estrogen-dependent disease of unknown etiopathogenesis, in which tissue similar to the lining of the uterus (the endometrium) grows outside of the uterus with subsequent complications being manifested as a result of local inflammatory reactions. Endometriosis affects 10-15% of women of reproductive age and is associated with chronic pelvic pain, dysmenorrhea, dyspareunia, and infertility. In this review, the endocrine-disruptive actions of PEs are reviewed in the context of endometriosis to determine whether a PE-rich diet has a positive or negative effect on the risk and course of endometriosis.
Topics: Female; Humans; Receptors, Estrogen; Endometriosis; Phytoestrogens; Diet; Endocrine System
PubMed: 37569571
DOI: 10.3390/ijms241512195 -
Information Systems Frontiers : a... 2023The growing availability of data and the emergence of business analytics ecosystems offer possibilities for companies developing innovative business models. However, the...
UNLABELLED
The growing availability of data and the emergence of business analytics ecosystems offer possibilities for companies developing innovative business models. However, the disruptive impact of these business models on society is not always judged favourably. This paper explores the growing tensions in the relationship between disruptive Big Data companies and society through the lens of legitimacy - a judgement about the fit and propriety of an entity, such as a company, to society. The study is based on four instrumental cases where Big Data organisations were faced with challenges to their legitimacy. The findings elaborate how digital transformations require companies to understand and manage how much to disrupt and how much to conform to social norms and values. Big Data businesses face a dynamic and paradoxical tension between the potential costs and benefits of their disruptive business models. The topic of legitimacy management is also addressed, drawing out implications for practice.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION
The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s10796-021-10155-3.
PubMed: 34177360
DOI: 10.1007/s10796-021-10155-3 -
Experientia Supplementum (2012) 2012Mammalian reproductive tract development is a tightly regulated process that can be disrupted following exposure to drugs, toxicants, endocrine-disrupting chemicals... (Review)
Review
Mammalian reproductive tract development is a tightly regulated process that can be disrupted following exposure to drugs, toxicants, endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs), or other compounds via alterations to gene and protein expression or epigenetic regulation. Indeed, the impacts of developmental exposure to certain toxicants may not be fully realized until puberty or adulthood when the reproductive tract becomes sexually mature and altered functionality is manifested. Exposures that occur later in life, once development is complete, can also disrupt the intricate hormonal and paracrine interactions responsible for adult functions, such as spermatogenesis. In this chapter, the biology and toxicology of the male reproductive tract is explored, proceeding through the various life stages including in utero development, puberty, adulthood, and senescence. Special attention is given to the discussion of EDCs, chemical mixtures, low-dose effects, transgenerational effects, and potential exposure-related causes of male reproductive tract cancers.
Topics: Aging; Animals; Endocrine Disruptors; Environmental Exposure; Environmental Pollutants; Genitalia, Male; Humans; Male; Neoplasms, Germ Cell and Embryonal; Prostatic Diseases; Puberty; Reproduction; Testicular Neoplasms
PubMed: 22945574
DOI: 10.1007/978-3-7643-8340-4_11 -
Biology Letters Aug 2023Disruptive markings are common in animal patterns and can provide camouflage benefits by concealing the body's true edges and/or by breaking the surface of the body into...
Disruptive markings are common in animal patterns and can provide camouflage benefits by concealing the body's true edges and/or by breaking the surface of the body into multiple depth planes. Disruptive patterns that are accentuated by high contrast borders are most likely to provide false depth cues to enhance camouflage, but studies to date have used visual detection models or humans as predators. We presented three-dimensional-printed moth-like targets to wild bird predators to determine whether: (1) three-dimensional prey with disrupted body surfaces have higher survival than three-dimensional prey with continuous surfaces, (2) two-dimensional prey with disruptive patterns or enhanced edge markings have higher survival than non-patterned two-dimensional prey. We found a survival benefit for three-dimensional prey with disrupted surfaces, and a significant effect of mean wing luminance. There was no evidence that false depth cues provided the same protective benefits as physical surface disruption in three-dimensional prey, perhaps because our treatments did not mimic the complexity of patterns found in natural animal markings. Our findings indicate that disruption of surface continuity is an important strategy for concealing a three-dimensional body shape.
Topics: Humans; Animals; Pigmentation; Predatory Behavior; Birds; Moths; Cues
PubMed: 37528728
DOI: 10.1098/rsbl.2022.0596 -
Vitamins and Hormones 2021The immune and endocrine systems collectively control homeostasis in the body. The endocrine system ensures that values of essential factors and nutrients such as... (Review)
Review
The immune and endocrine systems collectively control homeostasis in the body. The endocrine system ensures that values of essential factors and nutrients such as glucose, electrolytes and vitamins are maintained within threshold values. The immune system resolves local disruptions in tissue homeostasis, caused by pathogens or malfunctioning cells. The immediate goals of these two systems do not always align. The immune system benefits from optimal access to nutrients for itself and restriction of nutrient availability to all other organs to limit pathogen replication. The endocrine system aims to ensure optimal nutrient access for all organs, limited only by the nutrients stores that the body has available. The actual state of homeostatic parameters such as blood glucose levels represents a careful balance based on regulatory signals from the immune and endocrine systems. This state is not static but continuously adjusted in response to changes in the current metabolic needs of the body, the amount of resources it has available and the level of threats it encounters. This balance is maintained by the ability of the immune and endocrine systems to interact and co-regulate systemic metabolism. In context of metabolic disease, this system is disrupted, which impairs functionality of both systems. The failure of the endocrine system to retain levels of nutrients such as glucose within threshold values impairs functionality of the immune system. In addition, metabolic stress of organs in context of obesity is perceived by the immune system as a disruption in local homeostasis, which it tries to resolve by the excretion of factors which further disrupt normal metabolic control. In this chapter, we will discuss how the immune and endocrine systems interact under homeostatic conditions and during infection with a focus on blood glucose regulation. In addition, we will discuss how this system fails in the context of metabolic disease.
Topics: Blood Glucose; Endocrine System; Humans; Infections
PubMed: 34420584
DOI: 10.1016/bs.vh.2021.06.009 -
Journal of Neurophysiology Dec 2023This study tests for a function of the somatosensory cortex, that, in addition to its role in processing somatic afferent information, somatosensory cortex contributes...
This study tests for a function of the somatosensory cortex, that, in addition to its role in processing somatic afferent information, somatosensory cortex contributes both to motor learning and the stabilization of motor memory. Continuous theta-burst magnetic stimulation (cTBS) was applied, before force-field training to disrupt activity in either the primary somatosensory cortex, primary motor cortex, or a control zone over the occipital lobe. Tests for retention and relearning were conducted after a 24 h delay. Analysis of movement kinematic measures and force-channel trials found that cTBS to somatosensory cortex disrupted both learning and subsequent retention, whereas cTBS to motor cortex had little effect on learning but possibly impaired retention. Basic movement variables are unaffected by cTBS suggesting that the stimulation does not interfere with movement but instead disrupts changes in the cortex that are necessary for learning. In all experimental conditions, relearning in an abruptly introduced force field, which followed retention testing, showed extensive savings, which is consistent with previous work suggesting that more cognitive aspects of learning and retention are not dependent on either of the cortical zones under test. Taken together, the findings are consistent with the idea that motor learning is dependent on learning-related activity in the somatosensory cortex. This study uses noninvasive transcranial magnetic stimulation to test the contribution of somatosensory and motor cortex to human motor learning and retention. Continuous theta-burst stimulation is applied before learning; participants return 24 h later to assess retention. Disruption of the somatosensory cortex is found to impair both learning and retention, whereas disruption of the motor cortex has no effect on learning. The findings are consistent with the idea that motor learning is dependent upon learning-related plasticity in somatosensory cortex.
Topics: Humans; Somatosensory Cortex; Learning; Mental Recall; Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation; Occipital Lobe; Evoked Potentials, Motor
PubMed: 37964765
DOI: 10.1152/jn.00231.2023 -
Biochimica Et Biophysica Acta Mar 2014The burgeoning obesity epidemic has placed enormous strains on individual and societal health mandating a careful search for pathogenic factors, including the... (Review)
Review
The burgeoning obesity epidemic has placed enormous strains on individual and societal health mandating a careful search for pathogenic factors, including the contributions made by endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs). In addition to evidence that some exogenous chemicals have the capacity to modulate classical hormonal signaling axes, there is mounting evidence that several EDCs can also disrupt metabolic pathways and alter energy homeostasis. Adipose tissue appears to be a particularly important target of these metabolic disruptions. A diverse array of compounds has been shown to alter adipocyte differentiation, and several EDCs have been shown to modulate adipocyte physiology, including adipocytic insulin action and adipokine secretion. This rapidly emerging evidence demonstrating that environmental contaminants alter adipocyte function emphasizes the potential role that disruption of adipose physiology by EDCs may play in the global epidemic of metabolic disease. Further work is required to better characterize the molecular targets responsible for mediating the effects of EDCs on adipose tissue. Improved understanding of the precise signaling pathways altered by exposure to environmental contaminants will enhance our understanding of which chemicals pose a threat to metabolic health and how those compounds synergize with lifestyle factors to promote obesity and its associated complications. This knowledge may also improve our capacity to predict which synthetic compounds may alter energy homeostasis before they are released into the environment while also providing critical evidentiary support for efforts to restrict the production and use of chemicals that pose the greatest threat to human metabolic health. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Modulation of Adipose Tissue in Health and Disease.
Topics: Adipocytes; Adipose Tissue; Cell Differentiation; Endocrine Disruptors; Energy Metabolism; Environment; Humans; Insulin; Obesity; Signal Transduction
PubMed: 23735214
DOI: 10.1016/j.bbadis.2013.05.028 -
Bioprocess Technology 1991There are many ways to disrupt microorganisms and plant and animal tissue. Selecting the best cell disruption method depends on the factors listed in Table 6. The kind... (Review)
Review
There are many ways to disrupt microorganisms and plant and animal tissue. Selecting the best cell disruption method depends on the factors listed in Table 6. The kind or type of cells is an important consideration. For example, some disruption methods which work well for animal tissue do not work at all for microorganisms. A guideline for the suitabiity of a given disruption method for some cell types is given in Table 7. The ratings in this table are not incontestable and, as mentioned earlier, combinations of methods can sometimes produce satisfactory results whereas one method alone fails. The disruptibility of cells can be influenced by their growth and storage history. For microorganisms, cells in log phase growth tend to produce thinner cell walls which are more easy to disrupt. This and other conditions which can influence microbial cell disruptiability are listed in Table 8. The cell disruption method selected will depend on its capability to process samples of a certain size or to be able to process multiple samples in a reasonable period of time. Other considerations are the availability, cost, and general utility of the disruption equipment. Thus, in a research environment the purchase of an expensive cell disrupter which processes a wide variety of cell types may be more easy to justify than a specialized disrupter. And if the long-term goal is to scale up, the choice of disruption methods narrow considerably. Indeed, several of the most successful laboratory cell disruption methods have no possibility of being scaled up. Despite possible scale-up difficulties, in the case of many bioactive recombinant products expressed at high levels in microorganisms, this concern may be irrelevant. Few of these products are likely to be manufactured in really large amounts and current laboratory scale or pilot plant scale production equipment may be entirely adequate. For instance, active human TNF (tissue necrosis factor) can be expressed in Pichia pastoris yeast at levels of 100 g/kg of yeast (dry weight). At this level of expression, only a few kilograms of r-DNA yeast needs be disrupted to meet the worldwide demand for this research material. Finally, the operating and energy requirements which affect the economics of the disruption process (batch versus continuous, disruption yield, cell fragment size, effect of added enzymes on downstream separation, etc.) are important considerations in the selection of production equipment.
Topics: Animals; Bacteria; Cell Fractionation; Hydrolases; Indicators and Reagents; Plants; Recombinant Proteins; Ultrasonics
PubMed: 1367090
DOI: No ID Found