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International Journal of Nanomedicine 2024, a dual-purpose food and medicine, displays limited efficacy in alcohol detoxification and liver protection, with previous research primarily focused on puerarin in its...
PURPOSE
, a dual-purpose food and medicine, displays limited efficacy in alcohol detoxification and liver protection, with previous research primarily focused on puerarin in its dried roots. In this study, we investigated the potential effects and mechanisms of fresh root-derived exosome-like nanovesicles (P-ELNs) for mitigating alcoholic intoxication, promoting alcohol metabolism effects and protecting the liver in C57BL/6J mice.
METHODS
We isolated P-ELNs from fresh root using differential centrifugation and characterized them via transmission electron microscopy, nanoscale particle sizing, ζ potential analysis, and biochemical assays. In Acute Alcoholism (AAI) mice pre-treated with P-ELNs, we evaluated their effects on the timing and duration of the loss of the righting reflex (LORR), liver alcohol metabolism enzymes activity, liver and serum alcohol content, and ferroptosis-related markers.
RESULTS
P-ELNs, enriched in proteins, lipids, and small RNAs, exhibited an ideal size (150.7 ± 82.8 nm) and negative surface charge (-31 mV). Pre-treatment with 10 mg/(kg.bw) P-ELNs in both male and female mice significantly prolonged ebriety time, shortened sobriety time, enhanced acetaldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) activity while concurrently inhibited alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) activity, and reduced alcohol content in the liver and serum. Notably, P-ELNs demonstrated more efficacy compared to P-ELNs supernatant fluid (abundant puerarin content), suggesting alternative active components beyond puerarin. Additionally, P-ELNs prevented ferroptosis by inhibiting the reduction of glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) and reduced glutathione (GSH), and suppressing acyl-CoA synthetase long-chain family member 4 (ACSL4) elevation, thereby mitigating pathological liver lipid accumulation.
CONCLUSION
P-ELNs exhibit distinct exosomal characteristics and effectively alleviate alcoholic intoxication, improve alcohol metabolism, suppress ferroptosis, and protect the liver from alcoholic injury. Consequently, P-ELNs hold promise as a therapeutic agent for detoxification, sobriety promotion, and prevention of alcoholic liver injury.
Topics: Animals; Pueraria; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Exosomes; Mice; Male; Alcoholic Intoxication; Plant Roots; Liver; Ethanol; Plant Extracts; Alcoholism; Isoflavones
PubMed: 38828197
DOI: 10.2147/IJN.S462602 -
Children (Basel, Switzerland) May 2024Cough is a common presenting symptom for patients in a primary care setting and significantly impacts a patient's quality of life. Cough involves a complex reflex arc... (Review)
Review
Cough is a common presenting symptom for patients in a primary care setting and significantly impacts a patient's quality of life. Cough involves a complex reflex arc beginning with the stimulation of sensory nerves that function as cough receptors that stimulate the cough center in the brain. This "cough center" functions to receive these impulses and produce a cough by activating efferent nervous pathways to the diaphragm and laryngeal, thoracic, and abdominal musculature. Drugs that suppress the neural activity of cough are non-specific as those treatments are not directed toward pathogenic causes such as inflammation and oxidative stress. Moreover, they block a reflex called the watchdog of the lung and have a defense mechanism. Acute respiratory infections of the upper and lower airways most commonly cause acute cough. In contrast, the most common causes of chronic cough are upper airway cough syndrome, asthma, and gastroesophageal reflux disease, all associated with an inflammatory reaction at the level of the cough receptors. The use of natural compounds or herbal drugs such as carob syrup, dry blackcurrant extract, dry extract of caraway fruit, dry extract of ginger rhizome, dry extract of marshmallow root, and dry extract of ivy leaves, to name a few, not only have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activity, but also act as antimicrobials, bronchial muscle relaxants, and increase gastric motility and empty. For these reasons, these natural substances are widely used to control cough at its deep roots (i.e., contrasting its causes and not inhibiting the arch reflex). With this approach, the lung watchdog is not put to sleep, as with peripheral or central inhibition of the cough reflex, and by contrasting the causes, we may control cough that viruses use at self-advantage to increase transmission.
PubMed: 38790578
DOI: 10.3390/children11050584 -
Frontiers in Sociology 2024Veganism is a movement that avoids consuming animal products. This lifestyle is commonly represented as elitist despite the broad range of people who follow it. Using...
INTRODUCTION
Veganism is a movement that avoids consuming animal products. This lifestyle is commonly represented as elitist despite the broad range of people who follow it. Using Bourdieu's taste theory, this study analyzes how personal culinary tastes of different social classes generate favorable (or unfavorable) dispositions to adopting veganism.
METHODS
We analyzed 73 biographical interviews with 40 young vegans in three different waves.
RESULTS
The findings reveal that all social classes exhibit favorable dispositions towards veganism. In upper-class individuals, dispositions to embrace healthy and exotic food facilitate the adoption of new flavors and reflexivity in eating practices. Conversely, lower-class individuals have traditional meatless culinary practices rooted in their restricted budget, facilitating the transition to a plant-based diet.
DISCUSSION
These results demonstrate the relevance of social class in understanding the diversity of vegan practices, and they contribute to breaking stereotypes around this movement.
PubMed: 38690292
DOI: 10.3389/fsoc.2024.1356457 -
Bioresources and Bioprocessing Nov 2023Ottonia anisum (O. anisum), belonging to the family Piperaceae, is renowned for its medicinal properties. The plant is rich in alkaloids, terpenoids and flavonoids with...
Ottonia anisum (O. anisum), belonging to the family Piperaceae, is renowned for its medicinal properties. The plant is rich in alkaloids, terpenoids and flavonoids with recorded bioactivities. The stems, roots, and leaves, of the O. anisum have been extensively used in the folk medicine. Therefore, the present study was conducted to examine the pharmacological activities of O. anisum root extract. Methanolic root extract of O. anisum was assessed for local anesthetic, analgesic, anti-inflammatory and HCl-induced acute lung injury activities in animal models. Local anesthetic activity assessed in frog and guinea pigs through foot withdrawal reflex and intradermal wheal method, respectively, revealed the dose-dependent onset time of anesthesia response. In the case of HCl-induced ALI, the mice group orally administered with O. anisum extract were assessed for bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BLF) contents, oxidative stress, and proinflammatory molecules. The analysis revealed the reduction in inflammatory molecules, neutrophils, and oxidative stress in the extract treated mice group. In addition, the redox homeostasis, reduced GSH and the catalase activity was found to be restored in the treated groups. Intriguingly, the genes associated with the NFkB expression was found to be downregulated in O. anisum extract treated groups. Moreover, the extract unveiled the significant analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities. Overall, the findings emphasize the clinical applicability of O. anisum extract in the treatment of ALI as well as the potential usage in local anesthetic, analgesic, and anti-inflammatory agents during the treatments.
PubMed: 38647807
DOI: 10.1186/s40643-023-00706-8 -
Journal of Spine Surgery (Hong Kong) Mar 2024Cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM) is defined as compression of the spinal cord in the neck, resulting in problems with fine motor skills, hand numbness, pain or... (Review)
Review
Cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM) is defined as compression of the spinal cord in the neck, resulting in problems with fine motor skills, hand numbness, pain or stiffness of the neck, and difficulty walking due to loss of balance. Brachial plexus (BP) neuropathies arise due to compression to any distal branches arising from C5-T1, whereas cervical radiculopathy involves compression at the nerve root in the neck. Such conditions can present with variable degrees of musculoskeletal pain, weakness, sensory changes, and reflex changes. The pronounced convergence in symptomatic manifestation within these conditions can pose a formidable challenge to clinicians, particularly in primary care. Thus, the primary objective of this paper is to enhance clarity and distinction among these pathological conditions. This objective is pursued through comprehensive delineation of the dermatomal and myotomal distributions characteristic of each condition. Furthermore, a meticulous examination is undertaken to elucidate physical indicators and maneuvers that exhibit a notably high sensitivity in detecting these conditions. Accurate diagnosis and treatment of each nerve pathology is important as long-term spinal cord compression and its roots may result in permanent disability and severely impact one's quality of life. As such, this systematic review serves as a guide that aids clinicians in differentiating the aforementioned conditions based on anatomy, physical exam findings, and imaging studies. Furthermore, this study aims to outline common peripheral nerve neuropathies in the upper extremities and ways to mitigate these pathologies using the least to most invasive treatment modalities.
PubMed: 38567008
DOI: 10.21037/jss-23-39 -
Journal of Musculoskeletal & Neuronal... Mar 2024To investigate changes in the H-reflex in patients with monoradiculopathies involving L5 or S1 levels by stimulating the sciatic nerve and recording simultaneously from...
OBJECTIVES
To investigate changes in the H-reflex in patients with monoradiculopathies involving L5 or S1 levels by stimulating the sciatic nerve and recording simultaneously from the tibialis anterior (TA), peroneus longus (PL), and soleus (S) muscles.
METHODS
Patients with unilateral radicular back pain with L5 or S1 root compression on MRI, participated in this cross-sectional study. The H-reflex over the TA, PL, and S muscles was simultaneously recorded by sciatic nerve stimulation. The H-reflex latency was compared with that of the contralateral extremity.
RESULTS
Fifty-eight patients (29 patients L5; 29 patients S1 radiculopathy) were included in the study. There were significant delays in the latency of the H-reflex over TA (30.95±2.31-29.21±1.4) and PL (31.05±2.85-29.02±1.99) muscles on the affected side in patients with L5 radiculopathy. However, the latency of the S H-reflex was similar on both sides. In contrast, in patients with S1 radiculopathy, there was a significant delay in the latency of soleus H reflex (32.76±3.45-29.9±3.19), while the significant delay was not detected in the TA and PL muscles. However, the cutoff values for the H-reflex latency of all muscles were not found to have clinical significance.
CONCLUSIONS
The study presents that the H-reflex study, recorded from the TA, PL, and S muscles by sciatic nerve stimulation, is of interest but has minimal contribution to radiculopathy diagnosis in conventional electrodiagnostic tests.
Topics: Humans; Radiculopathy; Spinal Nerve Roots; Cross-Sectional Studies; Muscle, Skeletal; H-Reflex
PubMed: 38427371
DOI: No ID Found -
Behavioral Sciences (Basel, Switzerland) Feb 2024There is a paucity of research exploring postoperative psychosocial interventions for bariatric surgery patients exceeding 2 years, and therefore, an interdisciplinary...
BACKGROUND
There is a paucity of research exploring postoperative psychosocial interventions for bariatric surgery patients exceeding 2 years, and therefore, an interdisciplinary postoperative approach is warranted. This qualitative study explored the psychosocial support that bariatric surgery patients feel they need to sustain long-term weight loss and their psychological wellbeing.
METHODS
Fifteen postoperative patients participated in recorded semi-structured online interviews that were transcribed verbatim and analysed using a reflexive thematic analysis approach.
RESULTS
Three themes and six subthemes emerged. Theme 1, Journey to surgery, has two subthemes: Deep roots and Breaking point. Theme 2, The precipice of change, has two sub-themes: Continuity of care and Can't cut the problem out. Theme 3, Bridging the Gap, has two subthemes: Doing it together and Taking back the reigns. The inconsistencies participants experienced in their pre- and postoperative care led to dissonance, and they felt unprepared for the demands of life postoperatively.
CONCLUSIONS
Bariatric surgery is a catalyst for physical change, but surgery alone is insufficient to ensure sustained change. Surgical and psychosocial interventions are interdependent rather than mutually exclusive. Patients favour an integrative, personalised, stepped-care approach pre- and postoperatively, with active participation fostering autonomy and access to ongoing support extending into the long-term.
PubMed: 38392475
DOI: 10.3390/bs14020122 -
Frontiers in Veterinary Science 2023A 7-year-old female spayed Australian shepherd dog was presented for an acute onset of inability to stand. On physical examination, the dog was unable to support weight...
A 7-year-old female spayed Australian shepherd dog was presented for an acute onset of inability to stand. On physical examination, the dog was unable to support weight on the thoracic limbs. On neurological examination, the thoracic limbs had absent hopping and paw placement and reduced withdrawal reflexes bilaterally. The remainder of the neurological examination was normal. The anatomic lesion localized to the C6-T2 spinal nerve roots, spinal nerves, or the named nerves of the thoracic limb, bilaterally. A lesion affecting the ventral gray column of the C6 through T2 spinal cord segments was considered less likely. In an effort to exclude an orthopedic disorder from consideration, radiographs of the shoulders, elbows, and manus were normal. Magnetic resonance imaging of the cervical and cranial thoracic vertebral column was normal. Analysis of synovial fluid from the carpi, elbows, and shoulders were normal. Ultrasonography of the triceps muscle and tendon of insertion revealed bilateral, acute-subacute tears of the tendon at insertion of the triceps muscles, bilaterally. Magnetic resonance imaging of both elbows revealed complete avulsion of the triceps tendons bilaterally. Surgical repair of both tendons was performed using the Arthrex FiberLoop system combined with autologous conditioned plasma soaked in a collagen sponge. Postoperatively, external coaptation was provided using Spica splints for 6 weeks followed by the use of soft padded orthotic braces for an additional 6 weeks. Concurrently, a front support wheelchair was used for 10 weeks postoperative. By 10 weeks postoperative, the dog was able to ambulate without support. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first report of bilateral triceps tendon avulsion in a dog. Tendon avulsion occurred without a known history of trauma or predisposing metabolic abnormalities. Magnetic resonance imaging provided excellent anatomical detail that aided in surgical repair.
PubMed: 38333033
DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2023.1294395