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Annual Review of Immunology Apr 2017Transcriptomics, the high-throughput characterization of RNAs, has been instrumental in defining pathogenic signatures in human autoimmunity and autoinflammation. It... (Review)
Review
Transcriptomics, the high-throughput characterization of RNAs, has been instrumental in defining pathogenic signatures in human autoimmunity and autoinflammation. It enabled the identification of new therapeutic targets in IFN-, IL-1- and IL-17-mediated diseases. Applied to immunomonitoring, transcriptomics is starting to unravel diagnostic and prognostic signatures that stratify patients, track molecular changes associated with disease activity, define personalized treatment strategies, and generally inform clinical practice. Herein, we review the use of transcriptomics to define mechanistic, diagnostic, and predictive signatures in human autoimmunity and autoinflammation. We discuss some of the analytical approaches applied to extract biological knowledge from high-dimensional data sets. Finally, we touch upon emerging applications of transcriptomics to study eQTLs, B and T cell repertoire diversity, and isoform usage.
Topics: Autoimmune Diseases; Datasets as Topic; High-Throughput Nucleotide Sequencing; Humans; Inflammation; Information Storage and Retrieval; Molecular Targeted Therapy; Monitoring, Immunologic; Prognosis; Transcriptome
PubMed: 28142321
DOI: 10.1146/annurev-immunol-051116-052225 -
Seminars in Fetal & Neonatal Medicine Aug 2019Measuring brain activity in infants provides an objective surrogate approach with which to infer pain perception following noxious events. Here we discuss different... (Review)
Review
Measuring brain activity in infants provides an objective surrogate approach with which to infer pain perception following noxious events. Here we discuss different approaches which can be used to measure noxious-evoked brain activity, and discuss how these measures can be used to assess the analgesic efficacy of pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions. We review factors that can modulate noxious-evoked brain activity, which may impact infant pain experience, including gestational age, sex, prior pain, stress, and illness.
Topics: Analgesics, Opioid; Anesthetics, Local; Brain; Electroencephalography; Electromyography; Evoked Potentials; Gestational Age; Humans; Infant Behavior; Infant, Newborn; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Morphine; Nociception; Pain Measurement; Sex Factors; Spectroscopy, Near-Infrared; Stress, Psychological; Sucrose; Touch
PubMed: 31201139
DOI: 10.1016/j.siny.2019.05.008 -
Frontiers in Rehabilitation Sciences 2022People suffering from musculoskeletal disorders are frequently treated by physiotherapists using a wide variety of therapeutic approaches. In debates over the relative...
People suffering from musculoskeletal disorders are frequently treated by physiotherapists using a wide variety of therapeutic approaches. In debates over the relative merits of hands-on and hands-off therapies, proponents of hands-off methods have argued that hands-on clinical work turn patients into «passive» recipients. But this is a simplistic proposition. Psychomotor physiotherapy is a Norwegian therapeutic approach characterized by a more or less continuous bodily dialogue combined with talk in examination and treatment sessions alike. Touch is thus a significant part of the ongoing interaction between patient and therapist. Through concrete examples, the article shows how the physiotherapists-using hands-on methods extensively-induce active responses in the patients, aid them to trust their bodies, change dysfunctional habits and become aware of their capacity for handling their health problems. The therapists do this by exploring and molding patients' movements, handling their muscle tensions and encouraging ways of breathing in combination with talk. The examples demonstrate that the body is just as «communicative» as talk itself and how new insights-to patients and therapists alike-can be obtained by juxtaposing verbal and bodily messages systematically. The examples also suggest that the meaning of "touch" varies. Consequently, what touch entails will necessarily inform clinical practice. Combining the theoretical framework of psychomotor therapy with phenomenology, perspectives from neuroscience and insights from the social sciences, the article casts new light on potentials and challenges triggered by the intertwining of talk and bodily handling typical of psychomotor therapy clinical work. A case is made for a view of the body as intrinsically communicative and for a more profound understanding of what not only psychomotor therapy but physiotherapy generally can offer.
PubMed: 36466939
DOI: 10.3389/fresc.2022.1011146 -
Neural Plasticity 2018The study of somatosensory plasticity offers unique insights into the neuronal mechanisms that underlie human adaptive and maladaptive plasticity. So far, little... (Review)
Review
The study of somatosensory plasticity offers unique insights into the neuronal mechanisms that underlie human adaptive and maladaptive plasticity. So far, little attention has been paid on the specific influence of visual body perception on somatosensory plasticity and learning in humans. Here, we review evidence on how visual body perception induces changes in the functional architecture of the somatosensory system and discuss the specific influence the social environment has on tactile plasticity and learning. We focus on studies that have been published in the areas of human cognitive and clinical neuroscience and refer to animal studies when appropriate. We discuss the therapeutic potential of socially mediated modulations of somatosensory plasticity and introduce specific paradigms to induce plastic changes under controlled conditions. This review offers a contribution to understanding the complex interactions between social perception and somatosensory learning by focusing on a novel research field: socially mediated sensory plasticity.
Topics: Humans; Neuronal Plasticity; Social Environment; Somatosensory Cortex; Touch; Touch Perception; Visual Perception
PubMed: 29713338
DOI: 10.1155/2018/7909684 -
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) Nov 2022Helminths, with an estimated 1.5 billion annual global infections, are one of the major health challenges worldwide. The current strategy of the World Health... (Review)
Review
Helminths, with an estimated 1.5 billion annual global infections, are one of the major health challenges worldwide. The current strategy of the World Health Organization to prevent helminth infection includes increasing hygienic awareness, providing better sanitation and preventative anthelmintic drug therapy in vulnerable populations. Nowadays, anthelmintic drugs are used heavily in livestock, both in case of infection and as a preventative measure. However, this has led to the development of resistance against several of the most common drugs, such as levamisole, ivermectin and thiabendazole. As many as 70% of the livestock in developed countries now has helminths that are drug resistant, and multiple resistance is common. Because of this, novel anthelmintics are urgently needed to help combat large-scale production losses. Prior to this review, no comprehensive review of the anthelmintic effects of essential oils and their components existed. Multiple review articles have been published on the uses of a single plant and its extracts that only briefly touch upon their anthelmintic activity. This review aims to provide a detailed overview of essential oils and their components as anthelmintic treatment against a wider variety of helminths.
Topics: Animals; Humans; Oils, Volatile; Anthelmintics; Helminths; Helminthiasis; Levamisole; Drug Resistance
PubMed: 36500419
DOI: 10.3390/molecules27238327 -
Breathe (Sheffield, England) Dec 2016Children with neurocognitive impairment often present with chronic or recurrent respiratory problems.The respiratory problems have an important impact on quality of life... (Review)
Review
KEY POINTS
Children with neurocognitive impairment often present with chronic or recurrent respiratory problems.The respiratory problems have an important impact on quality of life and life expectancy.The underlying causes are multiple: risk of aspiration, insufficient cough, upper airway obstruction and progressive kyphoscoliosis.There is often a complex interplay between these known risk factors.The diagnostic and therapeutic approach should be multidisciplinary.
EDUCATIONAL AIMS
To provide data on the prevalence of respiratory problems in children with disability and to increase awareness on this topic.To provide insight into the complex interplay of the underlying causes and risk factors for chronic lung infection and respiratory failure.To give an overview of the diagnostic approaches relevant in this context.To highlight possible therapeutic approaches.To touch on ethical considerations in this group of vulnerable and complex patients.
PubMed: 28210329
DOI: 10.1183/20734735.017416 -
Acta Dermato-venereologica Jan 2020Basic mechanisms and pathways of itch signaling are reviewed, with an emphasis on the progress to date as well as remaining challenges in translating current knowledge... (Review)
Review
Basic mechanisms and pathways of itch signaling are reviewed, with an emphasis on the progress to date as well as remaining challenges in translating current knowledge to the clinical treatment of chronic itch. Recent studies reveal 3 subsets of pruriceptive sensory neurons highly expressing itch-related genes. Their fibers project into the spinal cord to activate neurons expressing gastrin releasing peptide (GRP) and its receptor (GRPR), which connect to neurons that express the substance P (NK-1) receptor and project to the parabrachial nucleus and thalamus. Spinal inhibitory interneurons release GABA, glycine and dynorphin to modulate segmental itch transmission. However, near-ly all pruriceptive neurons also respond to algogens such as capsaicin. Alternative theories of itch-pain discrimination, such as intensity or spatial contrast, are based on the observation that focal stimulation of nociceptive nerve endings elicits itch while more wide-spread stimulation elicits pain. These findings cloud the issue of a labeled line for itch- a long-debated but currently unresolved challenge. In higher primates there is a dichotomy of histaminergic and non-histaminergic itch-signaling pathways which is less demarcated in rodents, suggesting species differences. A cardinal symptom of chronic itch is alloknesis, i.e., mechanical or touch-evoked itch. Recent evidence indicates that low-threshold mechanosensory afferents can access the spinal itch pathway, but are normally kept in check by inhibitory interneurons expressing neuropeptide Y (NPY). In chronic itch, NPY-mediated inhibition is reduced, allowing touch to excite itch-signaling pathways. These recent advances provide novel targets for development of therapeutic strategies to relieve chronic itch.
Topics: Animals; Antipruritics; Biomedical Research; Humans; Pruritus; Signal Transduction; Skin
PubMed: 31940043
DOI: 10.2340/00015555-3343 -
Global Advances in Health and Medicine 2019Acupressure and therapeutic touch may be beneficial for symptom management and increasing general well-being for children undergoing cancer treatment. Acupressure has...
PURPOSE
Acupressure and therapeutic touch may be beneficial for symptom management and increasing general well-being for children undergoing cancer treatment. Acupressure has the benefit of stimulating targeted acupuncture points while providing therapeutic touch. We sought to explore the relationship between acupressure and the experience of well-being among children being treated for cancer who received acupressure.
METHODS
In the Acupressure for Children in Treatment for a Childhood Cancer trial, hospitalized children received acupressure using specified acupressure points for symptom control as well as points for general well-being. Acupressure was delivered by professionals and by caregivers, following training by the professional. Qualitative data were collected through semistructured interviews with a purposive sample of professional acupressure providers (n = 3) and primary caregivers (n = 13), combined with participant observation during the acupressure intervention. Data were analyzed using grounded theory methods.
RESULTS
Analysis of provider interview, caregiver interview, and participation observation yielded 3 prominent themes: (1) well-being elicited by acupressure, (2) well-being elicited by touch, and (3) well-being experienced as relational and intersubjective. These themes, taken together, illustrate the intricate ways in which an intervention like acupressure can help alleviate the difficulties of a childhood cancer illness experience by promoting well-being in the child as well as the caregiver. Acupressure brought symptom relief, physical relaxation, and comforting touch to the child, allowing the caregiver to also feel relief and relaxation as caregiver-child experience of well-being are closely intertwined.
CONCLUSIONS
Data from the 3 sources provided distinct and overlapping insights suggesting the versatile benefits of acupressure in promoting well-being during childhood cancer treatment. Professional acupressure combined with training of caregivers for childhood cancer may be a relational intervention that facilitates the experience of well-being for both the caregiver and the child.
PubMed: 31632842
DOI: 10.1177/2164956119880143 -
The Cochrane Database of Systematic... Jun 2012Therapeutic Touch (TT) is an alternative therapy that has gained popularity over the past two decades for helping wounds to heal. Practitioners enter a meditative state... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
Therapeutic Touch (TT) is an alternative therapy that has gained popularity over the past two decades for helping wounds to heal. Practitioners enter a meditative state and pass their hands above the patient's body to find and correct any imbalances in the patient's 'life energy' or chi. Scientific instruments have been unable to detect this energy. The effect of TT on wound healing has been expounded in anecdotal publications.
OBJECTIVES
To identify and review all relevant data to determine the effects of TT on healing acute wounds.
SEARCH METHODS
For this fourth update, we searched The Cochrane Wounds Group Specialised Register (searched 27 January 2012); The Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) (The Cochrane Library 2012, Issue 1); Ovid MEDLINE (2010 to January Week 2 2012); Ovid MEDLINE (In-Process & Other Non-Indexed Citations, January 26, 2012); Ovid EMBASE (2010 to 2012 Week 03); and EBSCO CINAHL (2010 to January 6 2012).
SELECTION CRITERIA
All randomised or quasi-randomised controlled trials, which compared the effect of TT with a placebo, another treatment, or no treatment control were considered. Studies which used TT as a stand-alone treatment, or as an adjunct to other therapies, were eligible.
DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS
One author (DO'M) determined the eligibility for inclusion of all trials in the review. Both authors conducted data extraction and evaluation of trial validity independently. Each trial was assessed using predetermined criteria.
MAIN RESULTS
No new trials were identified for this update. Four trials in people with experimental wounds were included. The effect of TT on wound healing in these studies was variable. Two trials (n = 44 & 24) demonstrated a significant increase in healing associated with TT, while one trial found significantly worse healing after TT and the other found no significant difference. All trials are at high risk of bias.
AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS
There is no robust evidence that TT promotes healing of acute wounds.
Topics: Acute Disease; Bandages; Biopsy; Humans; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Therapeutic Touch; Wound Healing
PubMed: 22696330
DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD002766.pub2 -
Global Advances in Health and Medicine Nov 2015Preclinical models for studying the effects of the human biofield have great potential to advance our understanding of human biofield modalities, which include external... (Review)
Review
Preclinical models for studying the effects of the human biofield have great potential to advance our understanding of human biofield modalities, which include external qigong, Johrei, Reiki, therapeutic touch, healing touch, polarity therapy, pranic healing, and other practices. A short history of Western biofield studies using preclinical models is presented and demonstrates numerous and consistent examples of human biofields significantly affecting biological systems both in vitro and in vivo. Methodological issues arising from these studies and practical solutions in experimental design are presented. Important questions still left unanswered with preclinical models include variable reproducibility, dosing, intentionality of the practitioner, best preclinical systems, and mechanisms. Input from the biofield practitioners in the experimental design is critical to improving experimental outcomes; however, the development of standard criteria for uniformity of practice and for inclusion of multiple practitioners is needed. Research in human biofield studies involving preclinical models promises a better understanding of the mechanisms underlying the efficacy of biofield therapies and will be important in guiding clinical protocols and integrating treatments with conventional medical therapies.
PubMed: 26665042
DOI: 10.7453/gahmj.2015.013.suppl