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Sleep, Stress, and Symptoms Among People With Heart Failure During the COVID-19 Pandemic.
O'Connell, M, Jeon, S, Conley, S, Linsky, S, Redeker, NS
The Journal of cardiovascular nursing. 202301;38(2):E55-E60
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Plain language summary
COVID-19 pandemic raised concerns about the effects of stress on mental health and sleep deficiency. Cognitive behavioural therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) has been shown to improve sleep quality and insomnia severity, as well as anxiety and depression, and may be protective during times of stress, including the COVID-19 pandemic. The aim of this study was to examine changes in sleep, sleep-related cognitions, stress, anxiety, and depression among people with heart failure (HF). This study was a randomised controlled trial of the effects of CBT-I compared with HF self-management education (attention-control condition), the “HeartSleep Study.” Results showed that improvements in insomnia severity, sleep quality, latency, and efficiency, sleep-related cognitions and stress, anxiety, and depression after participation in CBT-I or an HF self-management class were sustained during the pandemic. Authors conclude that their findings confirm the clinical benefits of CBT-I for people with HF and comorbidities and also suggest the potential benefits of HF self-management education.
Abstract
BACKGROUND The COVID-19 pandemic raised concerns about the effects of stress on sleep and mental health, particularly among people with chronic conditions, including people with heart failure (HF). OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to examine changes in sleep, sleep-related cognitions, stress, anxiety, and depression among people with HF who participated in a randomized controlled trial of cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia before the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS Participants self-reported sleep characteristics, symptoms, mood, and stress at baseline, 6 months after cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia or HF self-management education (attention control), and during the pandemic. RESULTS The sample included 112 participants (mean age, 63 ± 12.9 years; 47% women; 13% Black; 68% New York Heart Association class II or III). Statistically significant improvements in sleep, stress, mood, and symptoms that occurred 6 months post treatment were sustained during the pandemic. CONCLUSIONS Improving sleep and symptoms among people with HF may improve coping during stressful events, and cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia may be protective.
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Update on vitamin D role in severe infections and sepsis.
Cutuli, SL, Ferrando, ES, Cammarota, F, Franchini, E, Caroli, A, Lombardi, G, Tanzarella, ES, Grieco, DL, Antonelli, M, De Pascale, G
Journal of anesthesia, analgesia and critical care. 2024;(1):4
Abstract
Severe infections frequently require admission to the intensive care unit and cause life-threatening complications in critically ill patients. In this setting, severe infections are acknowledged as prerequisites for the development of sepsis, whose pathophysiology implies a dysregulated host response to pathogens, leading to disability and mortality worldwide.Vitamin D is a secosteroid hormone that plays a pivotal role to maintain immune system homeostasis, which is of paramount importance to resolve infection and modulate the burden of sepsis. Specifically, vitamin D deficiency has been widely reported in critically ill patients and represents a risk factor for the development of severe infections, sepsis and worse clinical outcomes. Several studies have demonstrated the feasibility, safety and effectiveness of vitamin D supplementation strategies to improve vitamin D body content, but conflictual results support its benefit in general populations of critically ill patients. In contrast, small randomised clinical trials reported that vitamin D supplementation may improve host-defence to pathogen invasion via the production of cathelicidin and specific cytokines. Nonetheless, no large scale investigations have been designed to specifically assess the impact of vitamin D supplementation on the outcome of critically ill septic patients admitted to the intensive care unit.
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The role of dopamine in visual imagery-An experimental pharmacological study.
Monzel, M, Karneboge, J, Reuter, M
Journal of neuroscience research. 2024;(1):e25262
Abstract
Mental imagery enables people to simulate experiences in their minds without the presence of an external stimulus. The underlying biochemical mechanisms are poorly understood but there is vague evidence that dopamine may play a significant role. A better understanding at the biochemical level could help to unravel the mechanisms of mental imagery and related phenomena such as aphantasia (= lack of voluntary mental imagery), but also opens up possibilities for interventions to enhance or restore mental imagery. To test the hypothesis that acute dopamine depletion leads to a decrease in the strength of mental imagery, N = 22 male participants will be administered an amino acid mixture containing branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) and tryptophan (TRP) to transiently reduce dopamine synthesis and further N = 22 male participants will receive a placebo. Plasma prolactin (PRL) levels are determined as a peripheral marker of brain dopamine function. The strength of mental imagery will be measured before and after ingestion of the BCAA/TRP mixture using the method of mental imagery priming. Additional exploratory analyses will use genetic data to investigate possible effects of variations on dopaminergic gene loci (e.g., DAT1) on dopamine levels and strength of mental imagery. The results show […].
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Plant Regeneration via Adventitious Shoot Formation from Immature Zygotic Embryo Explants of Camelina.
Rezaeva, BR, Rutten, T, Bollmann, C, Ortleb, S, Melzer, M, Kumlehn, J
Plants (Basel, Switzerland). 2024;(4)
Abstract
Camelina is an oil seed crop that is enjoying increasing interest because it has a particularly valuable fatty acid profile, is modest regarding its water and nutrient requirements, and is comparatively resilient to abiotic and biotic stress factors. The regeneration of plants from cells accessible to genetic manipulation is an essential prerequisite for the generation of genetically engineered plants, be it by transgenesis or genome editing. Here, immature embryos were used on the assumption that their incomplete differentiation was associated with totipotency. In culture, regenerative structures appeared adventitiously at the embryos' hypocotyls. For this, the application of auxin- or cytokinin-type growth regulators was essential. The formation of regenerative structures was most efficient when indole-3-acetic acid was added to the induction medium at 1 mg/L, zygotic embryos of the medium walking stick stage were used, and their hypocotyls were stimulated by pricking to a wound response. Histological examinations revealed that the formation of adventitious shoots was initiated by locally activated cell division and proliferation in the epidermis and the outer cortex of the hypocotyl. While the regeneration of plants was established in principle using the experimental line Cam139, the method proved to be similarly applicable to the current cultivar Ligena, and hence it constitutes a vital basis for future genetic engineering approaches.
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Therapeutic applicability of cannabidiol and other phytocannabinoids in epilepsy, multiple sclerosis and Parkinson's disease and in comorbidity with psychiatric disorders.
de Fátima Dos Santos Sampaio, M, de Paiva, YB, Sampaio, TB, Pereira, MG, Coimbra, NC
Basic & clinical pharmacology & toxicology. 2024
Abstract
Studies have demonstrated the neuroprotective effect of cannabidiol (CBD) and other Cannabis sativa L. derivatives on diseases of the central nervous system caused by their direct or indirect interaction with endocannabinoid system-related receptors and other molecular targets, such as the 5-HT1A receptor, which is a potential pharmacological target of CBD. Interestingly, CBD binding with the 5-HT1A receptor may be suitable for the treatment of epilepsies, parkinsonian syndromes and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, in which the 5-HT1A serotonergic receptor plays a key role. The aim of this review was to provide an overview of cannabinoid effects on neurological disorders, such as epilepsy, multiple sclerosis and Parkinson's diseases, and discuss their possible mechanism of action, highlighting interactions with molecular targets and the potential neuroprotective effects of phytocannabinoids. CBD has been shown to have significant therapeutic effects on epilepsy and Parkinson's disease, while nabiximols contribute to a reduction in spasticity and are a frequent option for the treatment of multiple sclerosis. Although there are multiple theories on the therapeutic potential of cannabinoids for neurological disorders, substantially greater progress in the search for strong scientific evidence of their pharmacological effectiveness is needed.
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Driving factors of neuronal ferroptosis.
Jacquemyn, J, Ralhan, I, Ioannou, MS
Trends in cell biology. 2024
Abstract
Ferroptosis is an oxidative form of iron-dependent cell death characterized by the accumulation of lipid peroxides on membranes. Iron and lipids containing polyunsaturated fatty acids are essential for this process. Ferroptosis is central to several neurological diseases and underlies the importance of balanced iron and polyunsaturated fatty acid metabolism in the brain, particularly in neurons. Here, we reflect on the potential links between neuronal physiology and the accumulation of iron and peroxidated lipids, the mechanisms neurons use to protect themselves from ferroptosis, and the relationship between pathogenic protein deposition and ferroptosis in neurodegenerative disease. We propose that the unique physiology of neurons makes them especially vulnerable to ferroptosis.
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The influence of modern living conditions on the human microbiome and potential therapeutic opportunities for allergy prevention.
Zhang, G, Le Souëf, P
The World Allergy Organization journal. 2024;(1):100857
Abstract
Modern living conditions and the recent surge in global urbanization have transformed the human microbiome. This transformation is believed to be a significant factor in the recent spike of common chronic inflammatory diseases like asthma and allergies worldwide, evident in both developed and developing nations. Immigrants from less developed regions who settle in highly urbanized and affluent areas present an ideal demographic for research. Investigating immigrant populations can yield valuable insights, particularly when studying microbiome changes that occur as individuals transition from areas with low asthma prevalence to regions with a high prevalence of the condition. The application of prebiotics and probiotics as potential treatments for asthma and allergies faces challenges. This is due to the complex interplay of numerous factors that contribute to their aetiology. Exploring the interaction between the human microbiome and potential epigenetic changes in specific populations, such as immigrants adapting to new, urbanized environments, may offer crucial insights. Such research could underscore the role of prebiotics and probiotics in preventing allergic conditions. Recognizing the changes in the human microbiome in the context of a Western/modern environment might be essential in addressing the increasing prevalence of allergic diseases. Persistent research in this domain is pivotal for devising effective interventions such as dietary supplementation with prebiotics and probiotics.
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Advancing lifelong precision medicine for cardiovascular diseases through gut microbiota modulation.
Shi, B, Li, H, He, X
Gut microbes. 2024;(1):2323237
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Abstract
The gut microbiome is known as the tenth system of the human body that plays a vital role in the intersection between health and disease. The considerable inter-individual variability in gut microbiota poses both challenges and great prospects in promoting precision medicine in cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). In this review, based on the development, evolution, and influencing factors of gut microbiota in a full life circle, we summarized the recent advances on the characteristic alteration in gut microbiota in CVDs throughout different life stages, and depicted their pathological links in mechanism, as well as the highlight achievements of targeting gut microbiota in CVDs prevention, diagnosis and treatment. Personalized strategies could be tailored according to gut microbiota characteristics in different life stages, including gut microbiota-blood metabolites combined prediction and diagnosis, dietary interventions, lifestyle improvements, probiotic or prebiotic supplements. However, to fulfill the promise of a lifelong cardiovascular health, more mechanism studies should progress from correlation to causality and decipher novel mechanisms linking specific microbes and CVDs. It is also promising to use the burgeoning artificial intelligence and machine learning to target gut microbiota for developing diagnosis system and screening for new therapeutic interventions.
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Interindividual differences in aronia juice tolerability linked to gut microbiome and metabolome changes-secondary analysis of a randomized placebo-controlled parallel intervention trial.
Lackner, S, Mahnert, A, Moissl-Eichinger, C, Madl, T, Habisch, H, Meier-Allard, N, Kumpitsch, C, Lahousen, T, Kohlhammer-Dohr, A, Mörkl, S, et al
Microbiome. 2024;(1):49
Abstract
BACKGROUND Aronia melanocarpa is a berry rich in polyphenols known for health benefits. However, the bioavailability of polyphenols has been questioned, and the individual taste acceptance of the fruit with its specific flavor varies. We recently observed substantial differences in the tolerability of aronia juice among healthy females, with half of the individuals tolerating aronia juice without complaints. Given the importance of the gut microbiome in food digestion, we investigated in this secondary analysis of the randomized placebo-controlled parallel intervention study (ClinicalTrials.gov registration: NCT05432362) if aronia juice tolerability was associated with changes in intestinal microbiota and bacterial metabolites, seeking for potential mechanistic insights into the impact on aronia polyphenol tolerance and metabolic outcomes. RESULTS Forty females were enrolled for this 6-week trial, receiving either 100 ml natural aronia juice (verum, V) twice daily or a polyphenol-free placebo (P) with a similar nutritional profile, followed by a 6-week washout. Within V, individuals were categorized into those who tolerated the juice well (Vt) or reported complaints (Vc). The gut microbiome diversity, as analyzed by 16S rRNA gene-based next-generation sequencing, remained unaltered in Vc but changed significantly in Vt. A MICOM-based flux balance analysis revealed pronounced differences in the 40 most predictive metabolites post-intervention. In Vc carbon-dioxide, ammonium and nine O-glycans were predicted due to a shift in microbial composition, while in Vt six bile acids were the most likely microbiota-derived metabolites. NMR metabolomics of plasma confirmed increased lipoprotein subclasses (LDL, VLDL) post-intervention, reverting after wash out. Stool samples maintained a stable metabolic profile. CONCLUSION In linking aronia polyphenol tolerance to gut microbiota-derived metabolites, our study explores adaptive processes affecting lipoprotein profiles during high polyphenol ingestion in Vt and examines effects on mucosal gut health in response to intolerance to high polyphenol intake in Vc. Our results underpin the importance of individualized hormetic dosing for beneficial polyphenol effects, demonstrate dynamic gut microbiome responses to aronia juice, and emphasize personalized responses in polyphenol interventions.
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The aminosalicylate - folate connection.
London, RE
Drug metabolism reviews. 2024;(1):80-96
Abstract
Two aminosalicylate isomers have been found to possess useful pharmacological behavior: p-aminosalicylate (PAS, 4AS) is an anti-tubercular agent that targets M. tuberculosis, and 5-aminosalicylate (5AS, mesalamine, mesalazine) is used in the treatment of ulcerative colitis (UC) and other inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). PAS, a structural analog of pABA, is biosynthetically incorporated by bacterial dihydropteroate synthase (DHPS), ultimately yielding a dihydrofolate (DHF) analog containing an additional hydroxyl group in the pABA ring: 2'-hydroxy-7,8-dihydrofolate. It has been reported to perturb folate metabolism in M. tuberculosis, and to selectively target M. tuberculosis dihydrofolate reductase (mtDHFR). Studies of PAS metabolism are reviewed, and possible mechanisms for its mtDHFR inhibition are considered. Although 5AS is a more distant structural relative of pABA, multiple lines of evidence suggest a related role as a pABA antagonist that inhibits bacterial folate biosynthesis. Structural data support the likelihood that 5AS is recognized by the DHPS pABA binding site, and its effects probably range from blocking pABA binding to formation of a dead-end dihydropterin-5AS adduct. These studies suggest that mesalamine acts as a gut bacteria-directed antifolate, that selectively targets faster growing, more folate-dependent species.