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wheelchairindia9

Karma KM 2500 - 0 views

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    Many travel wheelchairs are manual wheelchairs. They may have a weight capacity that they can handle which a consumer should research before thinking of purchasing a specific model. There are also lightweight wheelchairs which have a light battery and are powered. These ultra light wheelchairs do not have a full sized battery like most power wheelchairs but are still able to provide assistance without a person having to manually gain momentum. Travel Wheelchair that are motorized are also known to be extremely easy to maneuver in tight situations. They are smaller in size and can usually only hold a person up to maximum weight. Most lightweight wheelchairs are folding wheelchairs or can be broken down into pieces for transport. Although some of the travel wheelchairs that have batteries may be heavier than manual ultra light wheelchairs, they are still light enough in weight to be lifted into the trunk of a car for transport. Since the battery is smaller in size than an average powered wheelchair, travel wheelchairs that are motorized can generally only make it about before the battery needs to be charged. Karma KM 2500 Small Wheel Wheelchair: Karma KM 2500 Small Wheel Wheelchair Specifications: Width 18" Front/Rear Wheels 6" to 14" Seat Width 47cm Seat Depth 40cm Overall Width 66cm Overall Collapsed Width 36cm Armrest Height 21cm Overall Length 90cm Seat Height 47cm Backrest Height 38cm Overall Height 86cm Weight 9.2 k.g. Karma KM 2500 Small Wheel Wheelchair Seat and Back: AEGIS Microbe Shield Approved by the FDA, EPA, EU, etc., bonded anti-microbial barrier upholstery protects from odor, staining and deterioration from bacteria, fungus and other microorganisms. It is a shield for your health. Karma KM 2500 Small Wheel Wheelchair Extended Armrest: By simulating the natural position of arms, the extended armrest design is ergonomic and creates bigger seating space. An Ultra lightweight wheelchair (9.2 kg) with a compact
krsnaphysio1

Physiotherapist in Gurgaon - 0 views

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    Since its establishment in the year 2011, Krshna Physio Plus is aimed to provide patients with comprehensive, high quality and professional physiotherapy treatments and rehabilitation to people in need. The efficient team of three, Dr. Ravi Sahauta - A very well-known complex trauma surgeon and Orthopaedician, Dr. Dharm Pal Sharma - an ex-Air force Physio trainer and Dr. Parmila Sharma - an experienced and talented physio expert, Krshna Physio Plus is counted among the well-known Physiotherapy clinic in Gurgaon and Delhi/NCR regions.  This clinic is one of the oldest organizations which was started with a vision to help people suffering from diverse dysfunctionalities with proper guidance and treatment which encompasses mainly physical, psychological, emotional, and social well being. With 8 centers in Delhi/NCR and Bihar, we are aimed at setting over 300 centers across Asia by 2020 and become the Physiotherapy clinic in Gurgaon.  Moreover, KRSNA Physio Plus is well equipped with various advanced facilities and equipment used to treat people to assure patient satisfaction and fast recovery. We have with us Top Physiotherapist in Gurgaon and Delhi/NCR regions with us who are specialized in offering treatment in physiotherapy dealing with Orthopedic, Neurological, Pediatric, Cardio-pulmonary, and Sports Injury, etc. All the experts here put their best for providing the best results.  Our experienced team of doctors and physiotherapists in Gurgaon who would be better able to diagnose what might be making it impossible for you to crane your neck, or pick articles off the floor, or simply kneel before your deity. Sports-Related Injuries Could Happen to Anyone It could be just that badminton match on a winter evening, or an office football match. Before you realize what is happening you've pulled a back muscle or your hamstring. Playing tug-of-war in colleges and office parties is fraught with the risk of a rotator cuff injury. Cricketers diving to save
Nathan Goodyear

ω-3 Fatty Acid Supplementation as a Potential Therapeutic Aid for the Recover... - 0 views

  • There is a growing body of preclinical literature suggesting that ω-3 FAs, and DHA in particular, may play a therapeutic role in mTBI
  • the potential for ameliorating or possibly even preventing the complications associated with concussions
  • DHA is the predominant ω-3 FA present in the brain, and, consistent with this finding, DHA, and not EPA, has been demonstrated to be critical for brain development and cognitive function throughout life
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  • the concentration of EPA in the brain is negligible (77–80), suggesting that EPA plays a limited role in mediating the beneficial effects of LCPUFA supplementation on mTBI pathology
  • the current state of the science regarding LCPUFA supplementation for the treatment of concussion is based primarily on animal models
  • there is evidence that the amount of DHA in brain tissue is decreased after mTBI (65, 66), suggesting an elevated need for DHA in mTBI recovery.
  • the well-established role of DHA in supporting the structure and function of the brain throughout the lifespan (26, 27, 46, 47, 53) provides encouragement that LCPUFAs may also prove beneficial in the context of concussion recovery.
  • no therapies are currently available to aid the recovery from this injury
  • Previously discussed reports outlining the use of ω-3 FAs in the recovery from severe TBIs (reviewed in Ref. 92) described the use of very-high doses of LCPUFAs (16.2 g/d EPA plus DHA) in the recovery of these patients
  • Within the context of mTBIs/concussions, translating a DHA intake used in several rat studies of mTBI recovery (40 mg ⋅ kg−1 ⋅ d−1 DHA) (57, 63, 64) using body surface area conversion methods (93) amounts to an estimated human intake of 387 mg/d DHA
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    nice review of the evidence of n-3, particularily DHA, in concussions and concussion recovery.
wheelchairindia9

Karma 8020 Wheelchair - 0 views

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    Heavy duty wheelchair can either be manually-operated or motorized, each with its own pros and cons. A manual heavy-duty wheelchair gives full control of motion to the user, but the added weight from the reinforcements makes pushing or propelling the wheelchair much harder than normal. A motorized heavy duty wheelchair offers a solution to this dilemma, but is often more expensive and harder to maintain than a manual wheelchair. Some designs offer a combination of both, with a small motor assisting those pushing the wheelchair. The proper choice between types of Heavy Duty wheelchair depends largely on the user's expected level of activity. Heavy duty wheelchairs typically have larger seats than conventional wheelchairs. The frames of these wheelchairs can be made from several different reinforced metals, although a titanium wheelchair is often the most popular choice. The wheels themselves are made of thicker rubber than normal, preventing any possible failure due to the greater amount of weight supported. Most makes of heavy duty wheelchairs fold like regular wheelchairs, making storage relatively easy despite the wheelchair increased size. Heavy Duty Wheelchair specialy design for disabled and handicapped persons. They are two types of Heavy Duty Wheelchair for handicapped and disability product like- Karma 8020 X Heavy Duty Wheelchair Karma 8520 Heavy Duty Wheelchair Karma 8020 X Heavy Duty Wheelchair: It comes with detachable swing away footrests. The wheel chair has flip-back armrests. It comes with centre of gravity adjustment. The wheel chair has wide profile casters. Seat Size 20'' inch & 22'' inch Total Weight 17 K.G. Designed for maximum strength & weight capacity for people over 250 lbs. These end to be heavier and wider. This heavy duty bariatric wheelchair has seat dimensions of 24 inches wide by 18 inches deep to accommodate a weight capacity of up to 400 lbs. This wheelchair is dual axle, which means that the floor to seat heigh
Nathan Goodyear

Stuck at the bench: Potential natural neuroprotective compounds for concussion - 0 views

  • Long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids, including eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), are highly enriched in neuronal synaptosomal plasma membranes and vesicles
  • The predominant CNS polyunsaturated fatty acid is DHA
  • effective supplementation and/or increased ingestion of dietary sources rich in EPA and DHA, such as cold-water fish species and fish oil, may help improve a multitude of neuronal functions, including long-term potentiation and cognition.
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  • multiple preclinical studies have suggested that DHA and/or EPA supplementation may have potential benefit through a multitude of diverse, but complementary mechanisms
  • pre-injury dietary supplementation with fish oil effectively reduces post-traumatic elevations in protein oxidation
  • The benefits of pre-traumatic DHA supplementation have not only been independently confirmed,[150] but DHA supplementation has been shown to significantly reduce the number of swollen, disconnected and injured axons when administered following traumatic brain injury.
  • DHA has provided neuroprotection in experimental models of both focal and diffuse traumatic brain injury
  • potential mechanisms of neuroprotection, in addition to DHA and EPA's well-established anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties
  • Despite abundant laboratory evidence supporting its neuroprotective effects in experimental models, the role of dietary DHA and/or EPA supplementation in human neurological diseases remains uncertain
  • Several population-based, observational studies have suggested that increased dietary fish and/or omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid consumption may reduce risk for ischemic stroke in several populations
  • Randomized control trials have also demonstrated significant reductions in ischemic stroke recurrence,[217] relative risk for ischemic stroke,[2] and reduced incidence of both symptomatic vasospasm and mortality following subarachnoid hemorrhage
  • Clinical trials in Alzheimer's disease have also been largely ineffective
  • The clinical evidence thus far appears equivocal
  • curcumin has gained much attention from Western researchers for its potential therapeutic benefits in large part due to its potent anti-oxidant[128,194,236] and anti-inflammatory properties
  • Curcumin is highly lipophilic and crosses the blood-brain barrier enabling it to exert a multitude of different established neuroprotective effects
  • in the context of TBI, a series of preclinical studies have suggested that pre-traumatic and post-traumatic curcumin supplementation may bolster the brain's resilience to injury and serve as a valuable therapeutic option
  • Curcumin may confer significant neuroprotection because of its ability to act on multiple deleterious post-traumatic, molecular cascades
  • studies demonstrated that both pre- and post-traumatic curcumin administration resulted in a significant reduction of neuroinflammation via inhibition of the pro-inflammatory molecules interleukin 1β and nuclear factor kappa B (NFκB)
  • no human studies have been conducted with respect to the effects of curcumin administration on the treatment of TBI, subarachnoid or intracranial hemorrhage, epilepsy or stroke
  • studies have demonstrated that resveratrol treatment reduces brain edema and lesion volume, as well as improves neurobehavioral functional performance following TBI
  • green tea consumption or supplementation with its derivatives may bolster cognitive function acutely and may slow cognitive decline
  • At least one population based study, though, did demonstrate that increased green tea consumption was associated with a reduced risk for Parkinson's disease independent of total caffeine intake
  • a randomized, placebo-controlled trial demonstrated that administration of green tea extract and L-theanine, over 16 weeks of treatment, improved indices of memory and brain theta wave activity on electroencephalography, suggesting greater cognitive alertness
  • Other animal studies have also demonstrated that theanine, another important component of green tea extract, exerts a multitude of neuroprotective benefits in experimental models of ischemic stroke,[63,97] Alzheimer's disease,[109] and Parkinson's disease
  • Theanine, like EGCG, contains multiple mechanisms of neuroprotective action including protection from excitotoxic injury[97] and inhibition of inflammation
  • potent anti-oxidant EGCG which is capable of crossing the blood-nerve and blood-brain barrier,
  • Epigallocatechin-3-gallate also displays neuroprotective properties
  • More recent research has suggested that vitamin D supplementation and the prevention of vitamin D deficiency may serve valuable roles in the treatment of TBI and may represents an important and necessary neuroprotective adjuvant for post-TBI progesterone therapy
  • Progesterone is one of the few agents to demonstrate significant reductions in mortality following TBI in human patients in preliminary trials
  • in vitro and in vivo studies have suggested that vitamin D supplementation with progesterone administration may significantly enhance neuroprotection
  • Vitamin D deficiency may increase inflammatory damage and behavioral impairment following experimental injury and attenuate the protective effects of post-traumatic progesterone treatment.[37]
  • emerging evidence has suggested that daily intravenous administration of vitamin E following TBI significantly decreases mortality and improves patient outcomes
  • high dose vitamin C administration following injury stabilized or reduced peri-lesional edema and infarction in the majority of patients receiving post-injury treatment
  • it has been speculated that combined vitamin C and E therapy may potentiate CNS anti-oxidation and act synergistically with regards to neuroprotection
  • one prospective human study has found that combined intake of vitamin C and E displays significant treatment interaction and reduces the risk of stroke
  • Pycnogenol has demonstrated the ability to slow or reduce the pathological processes associated with Alzheimer's disease
  • Pcynogenol administration, in a clinical study of elderly patients, led to improved cognition and reductions in markers of lipid peroxidase
  • One other point of consideration is that in neurodegenerative disease states like Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease, where there are high levels of reactive oxygen species generation, vitamin E can tend to become oxidized itself. For maximal effectiveness and to maintain its anti-oxidant capacity, vitamin E must be given in conjunction with other anti-oxidants like vitamin C or flavonoids
  • These various factors might account for the null effects of alpha-tocopherol supplementation in patients with MCI and Alzheimer's disease
  • preliminary results obtained in a pediatric population have suggested that post-traumatic oral creatine administration (0.4 g/kg) given within four hours of traumatic brain injury and then daily thereafter, may improve both acute and long-term outcomes
  • Acutely, post-traumatic creatine administration seemed to reduce duration of post-traumatic amnesia, length of time spent in the intensive care unit, and duration of intubation
  • At three and six months post-injury, subjects in the creatine treatment group demonstrated improvement on indices of self care, communication abilities, locomotion, sociability, personality or behavior and cognitive function when compared to untreated controls
  • patients in the creatine-treatment group were less likely to experience headaches, dizziness and fatigue over six months of follow-up
  • CNS creatine is derived from both its local biosynthesis from the essential amino acids methionine, glycine and arginine
  • Studies of patients with CNS creatine deficiency and/or murine models with genetic ablation of creatine kinase have consistently demonstrated significant neurological impairment in the absence of proper creatine, phosphocreatine, or creatine kinase function; thus highlighting its functional importance
  • chronic dosing may partially reverse neurological impairments in human CNS creatine deficiency syndromes
  • Several studies have suggested that creatine supplementation may also reduce oxidative DNA damage and brain glutamate levels in Huntington disease patients
  • Another study highlighted that creatine supplementation marginally improved indices of mood and reduced the need for increased dopaminergic therapy in patients with Parkinson's disease
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    great review of natural therapies in the treatment of concussions
wheelchairindia9

Cervical Collar Hard Adjustable With Chin - 0 views

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    The soft cervical collar is constructed of foam rubber and covered with a stockinette material. Normally, the closure is achieved with Velcro. Depending on the patient's pathology and body structure, physician and/or orthotist will determine the proper height of the collar. When worn, the soft cervical collar is a reminder to keep in head and neck in a restricted position. It is the mildest design of cervical immobilization. Cervical collars are applied to blunt trauma patients all the time. And most of the time, the neck is fine. It's just those few patients that have fracture or ligamentous injury that really need it. The Cervical Collar provides firm, comfortable support which helps to relieve neck discomfort while providing extra support. Cervical Collar has a convenient hook and loop closure which allows the unit to be adjusted for a proper fit. The Cervical Collar is constructed of soft, porous cotton cover for comfort which is over polyfoam for the best support. Cervical collars are an orthotic device used primarily in the treatment of neck injuries and strains. The most common use of cervical collars is during recovery after surgery on the cervical spine. They are also used in whiplash injuries and conditions like Cervical Radiculopathy, which is caused by the nerves in the neck compressing due to herniated disks in the spinal cord. The main function of the cervical collar is to immobilize the neck and hold it in a gravity-neutral position Tynor Cervical Collar Hard Adjustable is used for supporting, immobilizing or adjusting the neck in the flexion, extension, or hyperextension position. Recommended where a rigid immobilization of the cervical region is required. Anatomical shape. Comfortable edge padding. Adjustable height. Slight weight. Latex free. The soft cervical collar is not designed to completely restrict motion. It depends on providing resistance to movement, which tells the patient to restrict their movements. The soft collar i
Nathan Goodyear

PLOS ONE: Probiotic Microbes Sustain Youthful Serum Testosterone Levels and Testicular ... - 0 views

  • Studies in both humans and rodents, however, suggest that low testosterone is due to age-related lesions in testes rather than irregular luteinizing hormone metabolism
  • Various dietary factors and diet-induced obesity have been shown to increase the risk for late onset male hypogonadism and low testosterone production in both humans and mice
  • Testosterone deficiency and metabolic diseases such as obesity appear to inter-digitate in complex cause-and-effect relationships
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  • dietary supplementation of aged mice with the probiotic bacterium Lactobacillus reuteri makes them appear to be younger than their matched untreated sibling mice
  • These results indicate that gut microbiota induce modulation of local gastrointestinal immunity resulting in systemic effects on the immune system which activate metabolic pathways that restore tissue homeostasis and overall health
  • all these studies we consistently observed that young and aged mice consuming purified L. reuteri organisms had particularly large testes and a dominant male behavior.
  • The testes of probiotic-fed aged mice were rescued from both seminiferous tubule atrophy and interstitial Leydig cell area reduction typical of the normal aging process. Preservation of testicular architecture despite advanced age or high-fat diet coincided with remarkably high levels of circulating testosterone. The beneficial effects of probiotic consumption were recapitulated by the depletion of the pro-inflammatory cytokine Il-17.
  • feeding of L. reuteri consistently increased the gonadal weights, consumption of a non-pathogenic strain of Escherichia coli (E. coli) K12 organisms did not affect testicular weight
  • mice with dietary L. reuteri supplements were rescued from diet-induced obesity and had normal body weight and lean physique
  • Despite the comparable numbers of ST profiles, we determined that testes from L. reuteri-treated mice had increased ST cross-sectioned profiles
  • the probiotic organism induced prominent Leydig cell accumulations in the interstitial tissue between the ST's
  • The probiotic-associated increase of interstitial Leydig cell areas was sustained with advancing age at 7 (CD vs CD+LR, P = 0.0025; CD+E.coli vs CD+LR, P = 0.0251) and 12 months
  • mice eating L. reuteri had profoundly increased levels of circulating testosterone regardless of the type of diet they consumed
  • blocking pro-inflammatory Il-17 signaling entirely recapitulates the beneficial effects of probiotics
  • previous studies we found that dietary probiotics counteract obesity [19] and age-related integumentary pathology [18] at least in part by down-regulating systemic pro-inflammatory IL-17A-dependent signaling
  • Testes histomorphometry and serum androgen concentration data were both suggestive of a probiotic-associated up-regulation of spermatogenesis in mice
  • Lactobacillus reuteri we discovered that aging male animals had larger testes compared to their age-matched controls
  • xamined testes of probiotic microbe-fed mice and found that they had less testicular atrophy coinciding with higher levels of circulating testosterone compared to their age-matched controls
  • Similar testicular health benefits were produced using systemic depletion of the pro-inflammatory cytokine Il-17 alone, implicating a chronic inflammatory pathway in hypogonadism
  • One specific aspect of this paradigm is reciprocal activities of pro-inflammatory Th-17 and anti-inflammatory Treg cells
  • Feeding of L. reuteri organisms was previously shown to up-regulate IL-10 levels and reduce levels of IL-17 [19] serving to lower systemic inflammation
  • insufficient levels of IL-10 may increase the risk for autoimmunity, obesity, and other inflammatory disease syndromes
  • Westernized diets are also low in vitamin D, a nutrient that when present normally works together with IL-10 to protect against inflammatory disorders
  • Physiological feedback loops apparently exist between microbes, host hormones, and immunity
  • The hormone testosterone has been shown to act directly through androgen receptors on CD4+ cells to increase IL-10 expression
  • studies in both humans and rodents suggest that hypogonadism is due to age-related lesions in testes rather than irregular LH metabolism
  • We postulate that probiotic gut microbes function symbiotically with their mammalian hosts to impart immune homeostasis to maintain systemic and testicular health [34]–[35] despite suboptimal dietary conditions.
  • Dietary factors and diet-induced obesity were previously shown to increase risk for age-associated male hypogonadism, reduced spermatogenesis, and low testosterone production in both humans and mice [2]–[4], [8]–[11], [14]–[17], phenotypic features that in this study were inhibited by oral probiotic therapy absent milk sugars, extra protein, or vitamin D supplied in yogurt.
  • Similar beneficial effects of probiotic microbes on testosterone levels and sperm indices were reported in male mice that had been simultaneously supplemented with selenium
  • L. reuteri-associated prevention of age- and diet-related testicular atrophy correlates with increased numbers and size of Leydig cells
  • the initial changes of testicular atrophy begin to occur in mice from the age of 6 moths onwards [7] and indicates that the trophic effect of L. reuteri on Leydig cells is a key event which precedes and prevents age-related changes in the testes of mice. This effect is reminiscent of earlier studies describing Leydig cell hyperplasia and/or hypertrophy in the mouse and the rat testis that were achievable by the administration of gonadotropins, including human chorionic gonadotropin, FSH and LH
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    Fascinating study on how the addition of Lactobacillus reuteri increased Testicular size, prevented testicular atrophy, increased serum Testosterone production and protected against diet-induced/obesity-induced hypogonadism.  This was a mouse model
wheelchairindia9

Comfort And Ease Transport Wheelchairs - 0 views

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    Transport wheelchairs or companion chairs are companion wheelchairs where the purpose is for a companion to push the user. Most of transporters have swing-away leg rests, fixed armrests, and side panels. Instead of the usual 'large back - small front' wheels typical of most wheelchairs, light travel chairs have four small wheels providing much easier maneuverability of the chair. Transport chairs make it easier for loved ones and caregivers to help get around in comfort and ease. Compared to a standard wheelchair, a transport chair requires a caregiver to push the chair. A transport chair is much lighter than a wheelchair; plus, it is more compact which makes getting around town easier. This chair comes equipped with loop-lock hand brakes that are easy to operate and ideal for locking the rear wheels during transfers. It also has a seatbelt which keeps the passenger securely in place and it is compact when folded making it easy to lift into a car or carry up the stairs. Weighs just 23.5 lbs and is equipped with a seat belt, comfortable nylon upholstery, full length permanent armrest, and detachable footrests. It has a 19 inch wide seat that can provide and a weight capacity of 300 pounds. Karma KM 2500 L Big Wheel Wheelchair: Karma KM 2500 L Wheelchair Specifications: Width 18" Front/Rear Wheels 6" to 22" Seat Width 47cm Seat Depth 40cm Overall Width 66cm Overall Collapsed Width 36cm Armrest Height 21cm Overall Length 90cm Seat Height 47cm Backrest Height 38cm Overall Height 86cm Weight 11.kg Karma KM 2500 L Wheelchair Seat and Back: AEGIS Microbe Shield Approved by the FDA, EPA, EU, etc., bonded anti-microbial barrier upholstery protects from odor, staining and deterioration from bacteria, fungus and other microorganisms. It is a shield for your health. Karma KM 2500 L Wheelchair Extended Armrest By simulating the natural position of arms, the extended armrest design is ergonomic and creates bigger seating space. An
Nathan Goodyear

Cortisol Exerts Bi-Phasic Regulation of Inflammation in Humans - 0 views

  • GCs induce increased cellular expression of receptors for several pro-inflammatory cytokines including interleukin (IL)-1 (Spriggs et al. 1990), IL-2 (Wiegers et al. 1995), IL-4 (Paterson et al. 1994), IL-6 (Snyers et al. 1990), and IFN-g (Strickland et al. 1986), as well as GM-CSF
  • GCs have also been shown to stimulate effector cell functions including phagocytosis by monocytes (van der Goes et al. 2000), effector cell proliferative responses (Spriggs et al. 1990), macrophage activation (Sorrells and Sapolsky 2010), and a delay of neutrophil apoptosis
  • a concentration- and time-dependent range of GC effects that are both pro- and anti-inflammatory
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  • basal (diurnal) concentrations of cortisol do not exert an anti-inflammatory effect on several pro-and anti-inflammatory mediators of the human immune inflammatory response
  • withdrawal of cortisol activity in vivo did not lead to increased inflammatory responsiveness of immune effector cells
  • maximal suppression of inflammation was achieved by a stress-associated, but still physiologic, cortisol concentration. There was no greater anti-inflammatory effect at higher cortisol concentrations (Yeager et al. 2005) although IL-10 concentrations continued to increase with increasing cortisol concentrations as we and others have shown
  • acutely, physiological cortisol concentrations are anti-inflammatory and, as proposed, act to limit over expression of an inflammatory response that could lead to tissue damage
  • Acutely, cortisol has anti-inflammatory effects following a systemic inflammatory stimulus (Figure 4). However, a cortisol concentration that acts acutely to suppress systemic inflammation also has a delayed effect of augmenting the inflammatory response to subsequent, delayed stimulu
  • 1) GCs can exert pro-inflammatory effects on key inflammatory processes and, 2) GC regulation of inflammation can vary from anti- to a pro-inflammatory in a time-dependent manner
  • The immediate in vivo effect of both stress-induced and pharmacological GC concentrations is to suppress concurrent inflammation and protect the organism from an excessive or prolonged inflammatory response
  • GCs alone, in the absence of an inflammatory stimulus, up-regulate monocyte mRNA and/or receptors for several molecules that participate in pro-inflammatory signaling, as noted above and in the studies presented here.
  • In humans, as shown here, if in vivo GC concentrations are elevated concurrent with an inflammatory stimulus, anti-inflammatory effects are observed
  • In sharp contrast, with a time delay of 12 or more hours between an increased GC concentration and the onset of an inflammatory stimulus, enhancing effects on inflammation are observed. These effects have been shown to persist in humans for up to 6 days
  • GC-induced enhancement of inflammatory responses is maximal at an intermediate concentration, in our studies at a concentration that approximates that observed in vivo following a major systemic inflammatory stimulus
  • In addition to enhanced responses to LPS, recently identified pro-inflammatory effects of GCs also show enhanced localization of effector cells at inflammatory sites
  • we hypothesize that pre-exposure to stress-associated cortisol concentrations “prime” effector cells of the monocyte/macrophage lineage for an augmented pro-inflammatory response by; a) inducing preparative changes in key regulators of LPS signal transduction, and b) enhancing localization of inflammatory effector cells at potential sites of injury
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    very interesting read on the effects of inflammation on cortisol and visa versa.
Nathan Goodyear

The Role of Vitamin C in Human Immunity and Its Treatment Potential Against COVID-19: A... - 0 views

  • vitamins A, B, C, E, B6, B12, folate, zinc, iron, copper, and selenium
  • White blood cells, including neutrophils and monocytes, accumulate concentrations of vitamin C up to 100 times greater than that of plasma
  • Vitamin C is a crucial component of both the innate (nonspecific) and adaptive (specific) portions of the immune system
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  • play a role during the initial chemotactic response of neutrophils shortly after infection
  • following vitamin C supplementation, a 20% increase in neutrophil chemotactic activity was observed
  • also contributes to the phagocytosis and killing of microbes by neutrophils
  • low levels of vitamin C occurring in high-stress situations
  • maturation, proliferation, and viability of T cells have all been shown to be upregulated by the presence of normal physiologic concentrations of vitamin C
  • Vitamin C has been shown to directly affect the number of Igs released from B cells
  • vitamin C among healthy young adult males showed a significant increase in serum levels of IgA, IgG, and IgM
  • effects of high-dose vitamin C on cytokine levels in cancer patients, finding decreased amounts of the cytokines Interleukin-1 alpha (IL-1 alpha), IL-2, IL-8, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) after high-dose vitamin C infusion
  • when vitamin C was supplemented with vitamin E in healthy adults, it increased the production of cytokines IL-1 beta and TNF-alpha
  • vitamin C acts to modulate the levels of cytokines to prevent them from fluctuating in either direction
  • vitamin C also acts as an important antioxidant to the cells of the immune system.
  • human leukocytes, neutrophils, in particular, possess the ability to transport the oxidized form of vitamin C across its membrane to use as a defense mechanism against ROS produced during an immune response
  • Vitamin C also can recover other endogenous antioxidants in the body such as vitamin E and glutathione, returning them to their active state
  • vitamin C can decrease the activation of NF-kB
  • can reduce harmful nitrogen-based compounds such as N-nitrosamines and nitrosamides, both of which are carcinogenic 
  • subjects taking oral vitamin C supplementation saw a 60% to 90% reduction in oxidative stress compared to a placebo control
  • subjects infused with vitamin C alone had a 516% increase in glutathione levels compared to subjects not provided the 500 mg daily supplementation
  • hydroxylating proline and lysine
  • mature and stabilize the tissue of a healing wound
  • healing
  • oral surgery
  • improved soft tissue regeneration
  • vitamin C increases the mRNA levels of type I and type III collagen in the human dermis
  • Studies have demonstrated that those with low levels of vitamin C are at a significantly higher risk of respiratory infection compared to those with normal levels
  • viral cold duration was reduced by about 8% in adults and 13.5% in children using prophylactic daily doses of 200 mg of oral vitamin C
  • prophylactically supplementing vitamin C decreases the risk of infection with respiratory viruses such as the common cold
  • combined with probiotics, oral vitamin C supplementation showed a 33% decrease in the incidence of respiratory tract infections in preschool-age children [
  • high-dose oral supplementation of vitamin C managed to prevent or reduce symptoms if taken before or just after the onset of cold- or flu-like symptoms
  • improvements in oxygen saturation and decreased IL-6 levels (a marker of inflammation) in the treatment group compared to the control group
  • 8 g doses of oral vitamin C
  • there is a negative correlation between age and serum levels of vitamin C
  • Patients with COVID-19 will likely also experience depletion in serum levels of vitamin C as a direct result of the upregulation of the immune system to combat the infection
  • Colunga et al. suggested that oral vitamin C can be combined with oral Quercetin, an antiviral flavonoid, to improve Quercetin’s ability to block viral membrane fusion of SARS-CoV-2
  • high doses of 1-2 g/day of oral vitamin C could prevent other upper respiratory infections
  • It appears vitamin C supplementation by itself does not provide a striking benefit in preventing COVID-19 infection for those without a deficiency
    • Nathan Goodyear
       
      Flawed statement. What is normal? Vitamin D. Many variables effect levels and dose, including the two compartment kinetics and absorption.
  • Hiedra et al. were able to show decreases in inflammatory biomarkers, such as D-dimer and ferritin
  • some evidence to support that prophylactic use of vitamin C helps reduce the severity of respiratory infection symptoms once a subject has already been infected
  • oral vitamin C in combination with zinc provided the largest amount of antibody titers 42 days
  • linear relationship between days of vitamin C therapy and survival duration
  • other studies were unable to find any definitive improvement concerning therapy with vitamin C
    • Nathan Goodyear
       
      Either these studies are designed to fail or the authors are lacking some basic understanding of pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics with vitamin C.
  • Fowler et al. aimed to see if a high-dose vitamin C infusion would benefit patients affected by ARDS, but they were unable to conclude that vitamin C infusion, compared to a placebo, could decrease vascular inflammation and damage in ARDS
    • Nathan Goodyear
       
      At what dose, duration, frequency???
  • in a sample of 67 COVID-19-positive ICU patients, 82% of them displayed plasma vitamin C levels below 0.4 mg/dL
    • Nathan Goodyear
       
      They are kind of make the point from my earlier note.
  • continuous vitamin C infusion at a rate of 60 mg/kg/day for four days decreased the need for mechanical ventilation and vasopressor use but had no significant effect on overall mortality
    • Nathan Goodyear
       
      Again, designed to fail or ignorance designed the study which failed
  • Carr et al. suggested that high-dose IV vitamin C is most effective when treating sepsis as septic patients receiving the normal daily recommendations through diet still showed decreased vitamin C levels
  • High-dose IV vitamin C treatment has also been shown by Kakodkar et al. to decrease syndecan-1, an endothelial glycocalyx that contributes to mortality in septic patients
  • combined with hydrocortisone and thiamine, septic patients treated with 1.5 g of IV vitamin C every six hours showed a distinct decrease in their SOFA scores and none of the patients treated developed organ failure
  • combined with hydrocortisone and thiamine, septic patients treated with 1.5 g of IV vitamin C every six hours showed a distinct decrease in their SOFA scores and none of the patients treated developed organ failure
  • reduced overall mortality
  • reduced overall mortality
  • propose the use for high-dose vitamin C to aid in the treatment of septic shock-induced hypotension
  • treatment of severe sepsis using a high dose (up to 200 mg/kg/day) of IV vitamin C was explored in phase I, a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial by Fowler et al. [75]. Their findings included a reduction in SOFA scores and decreased vascular injury compared to a placebo control group, all while showing minimal adverse side effects
    • Nathan Goodyear
       
      High dose here is laughable. Again, duration and frequency also.
  • Maintaining a daily intake of 75 and 100 mg for men and women, respectively, as recommended by the U.S. Institute of Medicine
    • Nathan Goodyear
       
      This recommendation is FRANK IGNORANCE
Nathan Goodyear

Testosterone: a vascular hormone in health and disease - 0 views

  • Testosterone has beneficial effects on several cardiovascular risk factors, which include cholesterol, endothelial dysfunction and inflammation
  • In clinical studies, acute and chronic testosterone administration increases coronary artery diameter and flow, improves cardiac ischaemia and symptoms in men with chronic stable angina and reduces peripheral vascular resistance in chronic heart failure.
  • testosterone is an L-calcium channel blocker and induces potassium channel activation in vascular smooth muscle cells
  • ...54 more annotations...
  • Animal studies have consistently demonstrated that testosterone is atheroprotective, whereas testosterone deficiency promotes the early stages of atherogenesis
  • there is no compelling evidence that testosterone replacement to levels within the normal healthy range contributes adversely to the pathogenesis of CVD (Carson & Rosano 2011) or prostate cancer (Morgentaler & Schulman 2009)
  • bidirectional effect between decreased testosterone concentrations and disease pathology exists as concomitant cardiovascular risk factors (including inflammation, obesity and insulin resistance) are known to reduce testosterone levels and that testosterone confers beneficial effects on these cardiovascular risk factors
  • Achieving a normal physiological testosterone concentration through the administration of testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) has been shown to improve risk factors for atherosclerosis including reducing central adiposity and insulin resistance and improving lipid profiles (in particular, lowering cholesterol), clotting and inflammatory profiles and vascular function
  • It is well known that impaired erectile function and CVD are closely related in that ED can be the first clinical manifestation of atherosclerosis often preceding a cardiovascular event by 3–5 years
  • no decrease in the response (i.e. no tachyphylaxis) of testosterone and that patient benefit persists in the long term.
  • free testosterone levels within the physiological range, has been shown to result in a marked increase in both flow- and nitroglycerin-mediated brachial artery vasodilation in men with CAD
  • Clinical studies, however, have revealed either small reductions of 2–3 mm in diastolic pressure or no significant effects when testosterone is replaced within normal physiological limits in humans
  • Endothelium-independent mechanisms of testosterone are considered to occur primarily via the inhibition of voltage-operated Ca2+ channels (VOCCs) and/or activation of K+ channels (KCs) on smooth muscle cells (SMCs)
  • Testosterone shares the same molecular binding site as nifedipine
  • Testosterone increases the expression of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) and enhances nitric oxide (NO) production
  • Testosterone also inhibited the Ca2+ influx response to PGF2α
  • one of the major actions of testosterone is on NO and its signalling pathways
  • In addition to direct effects on NOS expression, testosterone may also affect phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5 (PDE5A)) gene expression, an enzyme controlling the degradation of cGMP, which acts as a vasodilatory second messenger
  • the significance of the action of testosterone on VSMC apoptosis and proliferation in atherosclerosis is difficult to delineate and may be dependent upon the stage of plaque development
  • Several human studies have shown that carotid IMT (CIMT) and aortic calcification negatively correlate with serum testosterone
  • t long-term testosterone treatment reduced CIMT in men with low testosterone levels and angina
  • neither intracellular nor membrane-associated ARs are required for the rapid vasodilator effect
  • acute responses appear to be AR independent, long-term AR-mediated effects on the vasculature have also been described, primarily in the context of vascular tone regulation via the modulation of gene transcription
  • Testosterone and DHT increased the expression of eNOS in HUVECs
  • oestrogens have been shown to activate eNOS and stimulate NO production in an ERα-dependent manner
  • Several studies, however, have demonstrated that the vasodilatory actions of testosterone are not reduced by aromatase inhibition
  • non-aromatisable DHT elicited similar vasodilation to testosterone treatment in arterial smooth muscle
  • increased endothelial NOS (eNOS) expression and phosphorylation were observed in testosterone- and DHT-treated human umbilical vein endothelial cells
  • Androgen deprivation leads to a reduction in neuronal NOS expression associated with a decrease of intracavernosal pressure in penile arteries during erection, an effect that is promptly reversed by androgen replacement therapy
  • Observational evidence suggests that several pro-inflammatory cytokines (including interleukin 1β (IL1β), IL6, tumour necrosis factor α (TNFα), and highly sensitive CRP) and serum testosterone levels are inversely associated in patients with CAD, T2DM and/or hypogonadism
  • patients with the highest IL1β concentrations had lower endogenous testosterone levels
  • TRT has been reported to significantly reduce TNFα and elevate the circulating anti-inflammatory IL10 in hypogonadal men with CVD
  • testosterone treatment to normalise levels in hypogonadal men with the MetS resulted in a significant reduction in the circulating CRP, IL1β and TNFα, with a trend towards lower IL6 compared with placebo
  • parenteral testosterone undecanoate, CRP decreased significantly in hypogonadal elderly men
  • Higher levels of serum adiponectin have been shown to lower cardiovascular risk
  • Research suggests that the expression of VCAM-1, as induced by pro-inflammatory cytokines such as TNFα or interferon γ (IFNγ (IFNG)) in endothelial cells, can be attenuated by treatment with testosterone
  • Testosterone also inhibits the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as IL6, IL1β and TNFα in a range of cell types including human endothelial cells
  • decreased inflammatory response to TNFα and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in human endothelial cells when treated with DHT
  • The key to unravelling the link between testosterone and its role in atherosclerosis may lay in the understanding of testosterone signalling and the cross-talk between receptors and intracellular events that result in pro- and/or anti-inflammatory actions in athero-sensitive cells.
  • testosterone functions through the AR to modulate adhesion molecule expression
  • pre-treatment with DHT reduced the cytokine-stimulated inflammatory response
  • DHT inhibited NFκB activation
  • DHT could inhibit an LPS-induced upregulation of MCP1
  • Both NFκB and AR act at the transcriptional level and have been experimentally found to be antagonistic to each other
  • As the AR and NFκB are mutual antagonists, their interaction and influence on functions can be bidirectional, with inflammatory agents that activate NFκB interfering with normal androgen signalling as well as the AR interrupting NFκB inflammatory transcription
  • prolonged exposure of vascular cells to the inflammatory activation of NFκB associated with atherosclerosis may reduce or alter any potentially protective effects of testosterone
  • DHT and IFNγ also modulate each other's signalling through interaction at the transcriptional level, suggesting that androgens down-regulate IFN-induced genes
  • (Simoncini et al. 2000a,b). Norata et al. (2010) suggest that part of the testosterone-mediated atheroprotective effects could depend on ER activation mediated by the testosterone/DHT 3β-derivative, 3β-Adiol
  • TNFα-induced induction of ICAM-1, VCAM-1 and E-selectin as well as MCP1 and IL6 was significantly reduced by a pre-incubation with 3β-Adiol in HUVECs
  • 3β-Adiol also reduced LPS-induced gene expression of IL6, TNFα, cyclooxygenase 2 (COX2 (PTGS2)), CD40, CX3CR1, plasminogen activator inhibitor-1, MMP9, resistin, pentraxin-3 and MCP1 in the monocytic cell line U937 (Norata et al. 2010)
  • This study suggests that testosterone metabolites, other than those generated through aromatisation, could exert anti-inflammatory effects that are mediated by ER activation.
  • The authors suggest that DHT differentially effects COX2 levels under physiological and pathophysiological conditions in human coronary artery smooth muscle cells and via AR-dependent and -independent mechanisms influenced by the physiological state of the cell
  • There are, however, a number of systematic meta-analyses of clinical trials of TRT that have not demonstrated an increased risk of adverse cardiovascular events or mortality
  • The TOM trial, which was designed to investigate the effect of TRT on frailty in elderly men, was terminated prematurely as a result of an increased incidence of cardiovascular-related events after 6 months in the treatment arm
  • trials of TRT in men with either chronic stable angina or chronic cardiac failure have also found no increase in either cardiovascular events or mortality in studies up to 12 months
  • Evidence may therefore suggest that low testosterone levels and testosterone levels above the normal range have an adverse effect on CVD, whereas testosterone levels titrated to within the mid- to upper-normal range have at least a neutral effect or, taking into account the knowledge of the beneficial effects of testosterone on a series of cardiovascular risk factors, there may possibly be a cardioprotective action
  • The effect of testosterone on human vascular function is a complex issue and may be dependent upon the underlying androgen and/or disease status.
  • the majority of studies suggest that testosterone may display both acute and chronic vasodilatory effects upon various vascular beds at both physiological and supraphysiological concentrations and via endothelium-dependent and -independent mechanisms
  •  
    Good deep look into the testosterone and CVD link.
wheelchairindia9

Transport Chair - 0 views

  •  
    Lightweight wheelchairs provide convenience and comfort to the user and caregiver alike and are often built using materials like aluminum and titanium alloy, while foldable wheelchairs allow for easy storage and transport. Merge the two styles, and got a great mobility aid that isn't a pain to lug around. Utilizing small wheels and lighter materials, transport wheelchairs can tip the scale at as little as 19 lbs, ideal for those looking for a highly portable option. Transport chairs also tend to be more affordable and offer the benefit of increased mobility without breaking the bank. Transport wheelchairs or companion chairs are companion wheelchairs where the purpose is for a companion to push the user. Most transporters have swing-away leg rests, fixed armrests, and side panels. Instead of the usual large back - small front wheels typical of most wheelchairs, light travel chairs have four small wheels providing much easier maneuverability of the chair. Karma KM 2500 Small Wheel Wheelchair: Karma KM 2500 Small Wheel Wheelchair Specifications: Width 18" Front/Rear Wheels 6" to 14" Seat Width 47cm Seat Depth 40cm Overall Width 66cm Overall Collapsed Width 36cm Armrest Height 21cm Overall Length 90cm Seat Height 47cm Backrest Height 38cm Overall Height 86cm Weight 9.2 k.g. Karma KM 2500 Small Wheel Wheelchair Seat and Back: AEGIS Microbe Shield Approved by the FDA, EPA, EU, etc., bonded anti-microbial barrier upholstery protects from odor, staining and deterioration from bacteria, fungus and other microorganisms. It is a shield for your health. Karma KM 2500 Small Wheel Wheelchair Extended Armrest: By simulating the natural position of arms, the extended armrest design is ergonomic and creates bigger seating space. An Ultra lightweight wheelchair (9.2 kg) with a compact design for either attendant assisted or self propelling users. The use of aircraft-grade aluminium alloy and double cross brace provide this model
Nathan Goodyear

Metabolic endotoxemia: a molecular link between obesity and cardiovascular risk - 0 views

  • Weight gain has been associated with a higher gut permeability
  • a high-fat diet promotes LPS absorption
  • higher concentrations of fatty acids impair intestinal barrier integrity
  • ...37 more annotations...
  • The starting point for innate immunity activation is the recognition of conserved structures of bacteria, viruses, and fungal components through pattern-recognition receptors
  • TLRs are PRRs that recognize microbe-associated molecular patterns
  • TLRs are transmembrane proteins containing extracellular domains rich in leucine repeat sequences and a cytosolic domain homologous to the IL1 receptor intracellular domain
  • The major proinflammatory mediators produced by the TLR4 activation in response to endotoxin (LPS) are TNFα, IL1β and IL6, which are also elevated in obese and insulin-resistant patients
  • Obesity, high-fat diet, diabetes, and NAFLD are associated with higher gut permeability leading to metabolic endotoxemia.
  • Probiotics, prebiotics, and antibiotic treatment can reduce LPS absorption
  • LPS promotes hepatic insulin resistance, hypertriglyceridemia, hepatic triglyceride accumulation, and secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines promoting the progression of fatty liver disease.
  • In the endothelium, LPS induces the expression of pro-inflammatory, chemotactic, and adhesion molecules, which promotes atherosclerosis development and progression.
  • In the adipose tissue, LPS induces adipogenesis, insulin resistance, macrophage infiltration, oxidative stress, and release of pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines.
  • the gut microbiota has been recently proposed to be an environmental factor involved in the control of body weight and energy homeostasis by modulating plasma LPS levels
  • dietary fats alone might not be sufficient to cause overweight and obesity, suggesting that a bacterially related factor might be responsible for high-fat diet-induced obesity.
  • This was accompanied in high-fat-fed mice by a change in gut microbiota composition, with reduction in Bifidobacterium and Eubacterium spp.
  • n humans, it was also shown that meals with high-fat and high-carbohydrate content (fast-food style western diet) were able to decrease bifidobacteria levels and increase intestinal permeability and LPS concentrations
  • it was demonstrated that, more than the fat amount, its composition was a critical modulator of ME (Laugerette et al. 2012). Very recently, Mani et al. (2013) demonstrated that LPS concentration was increased by a meal rich in saturated fatty acids (SFA), while decreased after a meal rich in n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFA).
  • this effect seems to be due to the fact that some SFA (e.g., lauric and mystiric acids) are part of the lipid-A component of LPS and also to n-3 PUFA's role on reducing LPS potency when substituting SFA in lipid-A
  • these experimental results suggest a pivotal role of CD14-mediated TLR4 activation in the development of LPS-mediated nutritional changes.
  • This suggests a link between gut microbiota, western diet, and obesity and indicates that gut microbiota manipulation can beneficially affect the host's weight and adiposity.
  • endotoxemia was independently associated with energy intake but not fat intake in a multivariate analysis
  • in vitro that endotoxemia activates pro-inflammatory cytokine/chemokine production via NFκB and MAPK signaling in preadipocytes and decreased peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ activity and insulin responsiveness in adipocytes.
  • T2DM patients have mean values of LPS that are 76% higher than healthy controls
  • LPS-induced release of glucagon, GH and cortisol, which inhibit glucose uptake, both peripheral and hepatic
  • LPSs also seem to induce ROS-mediated apoptosis in pancreatic cells
  • Recent evidence has been linking ME with dyslipidemia, increased intrahepatic triglycerides, development, and progression of alcoholic and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease
  • The hepatocytes, rather than hepatic macrophages, are the cells responsible for its clearance, being ultimately excreted in bile
  • All the subclasses of plasma lipoproteins can bind and neutralize the toxic effects of LPS, both in vitro (Eichbaum et al. 1991) and in vivo (Harris et al. 1990), and this phenomenon seems to be dependent on the number of phospholipids in the lipoprotein surface (Levels et al. 2001). LDL seems to be involved in LPS clearance, but this antiatherogenic effect is outweighed by its proatherogenic features
  • LPS produces hypertriglyceridemia by several mechanisms, depending on LPS concentration. In animal models, low-dose LPS increases hepatic lipoprotein (such as VLDL) synthesis, whereas high-dose LPS decreases lipoprotein catabolism
  • When a dose of LPS similar to that observed in ME was infused in humans, a 2.5-fold increase in endothelial lipase was observed, with consequent reduction in total and HDL. This mechanism may explain low HDL levels in ‘ME’ and other inflammatory conditions such as obesity and metabolic syndrome
  • It is known that the high-fat diet and the ‘ME’ increase intrahepatic triglyceride accumulation, thus synergistically contributing to the development and progression of alcoholic and NAFLD, from the initial stages characterized by intrahepatic triglyceride accumulation up to chronic inflammation (nonalcoholic steatohepatitis), fibrosis, and cirrhosis
  • On the other hand, LPS activates Kupffer cells leading to an increased production of ROS and pro-inflammatory cytokines like TNFα
  • high-fat diet mice presented with ME, which positively and significantly correlated with plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI-1), IL1, TNFα, STAMP2, NADPHox, MCP-1, and F4/80 (a specific marker of mature macrophages) mRNAs
  • prebiotic administration reduces intestinal permeability to LPS in obese mice and is associated with decreased systemic inflammation when compared with controls
  • Cani et al. also found that high-fat diet mice presented with not only ME but also higher levels of inflammatory markers, oxidative stress, and macrophage infiltration markers
  • This suggests that important links between gut microbiota, ME, inflammation, and oxidative stress are implicated in a high-fat diet situation
  • high-fat feeding is associated with adipose tissue macrophage infiltration (F4/80-positive cells) and increased levels of chemokine MCP-1, suggesting a strong link between ME, proinflammatory status, oxidative stress, and, lately, increased CV risk
  • LPS has been shown to promote atherosclerosis
  • markers of systemic inflammation such as circulating bacterial endotoxin were elevated in patients with chronic infections and were strong predictors of increased atherosclerotic risk
  • As a TLR4 ligand, LPS has been suggested to induce atherosclerosis development and progression, via a TLR4-mediated inflammatory state.
  •  
    Very nice updated review on Metabolic endotoxemia
Nathan Goodyear

High Progesterone Receptor Expression in Prostate Cancer Is Associated with Clinical Fa... - 0 views

  • Currently, there is a general agreement of PGR presence in the stromal cells of PCa
  • expressed in both stromal and tumor cells of the PCa tissue
  • In univariate analysis, a high density level of PGR in both TE and TS was associated with CF
  • ...17 more annotations...
  • High density level of PGR in the TE was an independent prognostic factor for CF.
  • Our large-sized study demonstrates a wide distribution of PGR in stromal and epithelial cells of both benign and malignant prostate tissue
  • there seems to be a general agreement of PGR presence in the stromal cells of PCa
  • In line with our findings, several have also reported a high PGR expression in TE of PCa [9,10,23,25]. In contrast, others have demonstrated a total lack of PGR expression in TE
  • the actions of progesterone are tissue specific
  • In our work univariate analysis demonstrated a high PGR expression in TS to be associated with clinical failure in PCa patients. So far we have not yet demonstrated the mechanism underlying this association
  • Several non-genomic proliferative actions of progesterone have been proposed in tumor cells of other organs, including breast [35–37], astrocytoma [38] and osteosarcoma [39] cell lines. However, such results are contradicted by suggestions of anti-proliferative actions of progesterone in endometrial cancer
  • Yu et al. found PGR to be negatively regulating stromal cell proliferation in vitro
  • high PGR density level in TE was associated with CF in patients with Gleason score ≥ 7
  • Bonkhoff et al. have suggested progressive emergence of PGR during PCa progression and metastasis
  • Latil and co-workers found a decreased PGR expression in clinically localized tumors and increased PGR expression in hormone-refractory tumors, when compared with normal prostate tissue
  • Our findings provide further support to these findings, indicating that PGR plays a role in the pathogenesis of PCa
  • Ki67 and PGR in TE were correlated with CF (S3 Text), indicating an association between PGR and proliferative activity
  • The mechanism behind the PGR up-regulation in PCa has not yet been elucidated
  • The PGR is, like the glucocorticoid receptor, similar to androgen receptor with 88% sequence homology in the ligand-binding domain
  • progesterone induced expression of androgen receptor-regulated genes could be a potential mechanism contributing to the development of castrate resistant PCa
  • A possibility of different roles by the two PGR isoforms in normal prostate tissue and PCa, as is suggested for the estrogen receptors [13], must also be taken into account
  •  
    STudy finds that increased Progesterone receptor expression on epithelial and stromal cells is associated with increased clinical failure of therapy.  Several proposed mechanisms: 88% homologous with androgen receptor suggesting cross-stimulation and via progesterone induced increased androgen receptor gene stimulation i.e. epigenetics.
wheelchairindia9

Tynor Ankle Binder - 0 views

  •  
    The boot type walkers can be provided in a fixed mode or with ankle joints to provide articulation. Pneumatic support is also available. The brace has a lightweight, durable, semi rigid shell that will support the limb and provide protection. Incorporated are medial and lateral uprights, heel and rocker sole. Closure is achieved with Velcro. The strapping system provides full circumferential compression of the limb. The breathable fiber liner is washable. The articulated boot allows range of motion (ROM) usually from approximately 20 degrees dorsiflexion to 40 degrees plantar flexion. Tynor Walker Boot is designed by the Tynor to rehabilitate the person after injury or fracture. It allows easy movement as well as supports the ankle and leg. This can be a great substitute for cast and also useful during early cast removal. It can also be used during sprain in the foot and this walker gives great relief to the pain. It can easily do any mild activity. It also works for the persons with a lower leg and will give an equal level of the lower feet as well as reduces the pressure. It effectively enclosed the muscles of the leg or foot during the fracture and gives comfort without disturbing the recovery process. This walker boot is made up from the good quality material. It has Aluminum lateral bars that are corrosion free. It is light in weight and provides enhanced mobility. It gives sturdy support to feet and leg. Its Hook Loop system allows to adjust it according to the comfort. It is also infused with Foam liner and Pad set that gives soft feet and also provides great support. It is available in different sizes. Tynor Walker Boot is designed for rehabilitation after injury, fracture , sprains or surgery of foot, ankle or lower leg. The boots provide support to the ankle and leg without inhibiting mobility. They can be a substitute for cast or can be used in case of early cast removal. With a wider rocker bottom, these boots promote a natural gait, reduced
Nathan Goodyear

Comparative Studies of the Estrogen Receptors β and α and the Androgen Recept... - 0 views

  • ER-β is predominately immunolocalized in basal cells and to a lesser extent in stromal cells of the morphologically normal human prostate
  • ER-α is detected in stromal cells and rarely in basal cells of the normal gland
  • AR was predominately localized in the nuclei of differentiated secretory cells and variably in basal cells of the normal acinar/duct unit as well as in stromal cells
  • ...9 more annotations...
  • Hall and colleagues44 have reported that ER-β functions as a transdominant inhibitor of ER-α transcription and that it acts to decrease overall cellular sensitivity to estradiol
  • The expression of ER-β was diminished in high-grade dysplasias when compared to normal glands and lower grade lesions.
  • The transition from normal to low/moderate dysplastic glands in the peripheral zone was marked by the appearance of ER-β homogeneously immunostained nuclei in secretory as well as basal cells with no changes in the localization of the other receptors.
  • proliferative signals mediated by AR in basal cells or by ER-α and AR in stromal cells may be opposed by the purported growth-inhibitory action of ER-β25, 26, 27, 28 localized in basal cells.
  • The diminution of ER-β expression in high-grade dysplasias and grade 4/5 cancers may be therefore related to the alteration of DNA methylation pattern in CpG islands of the promoter, resulting in down-regulation of the receptor at the transcriptional level
  • based on the proposed anti-proliferative function of the receptor,25, 26, 27, 28 the presence of ER-β in secretory cells of low/moderate-grade lesions may represent a transient abortive attempt to counter growth of these cells
  • the attrition of receptor-positive basal cells in the high-grade dysplasias may signify a continuing loss of growth inhibitory function mediated by ER-β in these precursor lesions
  • Our findings in prostate therefore differ from those reported for human colon cancer in which Folley and colleagues48 demonstrated that a selective loss of ER-β protein but not receptor message expression occurs in these neoplasms
  • Our findings therefore differed from those of Bonkhoff and colleagues33 who found immunostaining for the receptor in high-grade dysplasias and grade 4/5 carcinomas. Using in situ hybridization these authors also reported that a high percentage of dysplasias and carcinomas in their study contained cells that expressed ER-α message
  •  
    Very nice study.  The authors looked at normal prostate, early disease and late stage prostate cancer.  The authors found that ER beta expression, as a general rule, was lost as progression occurred to the high-grade dysplasias and grad 4/5 carcinomas of the prostate.  Early low/moderate dysplasia was associated with an increase in ER beta--the authors propose that this was due to an attempt of the basal epithelium to counter the paracrine effect of ER alpha.   In contrast, androgen receptors appeared to be equally expressed across all.
wheelchairindia9

Complete Flexibility KM 2500 Small Wheel Wheelchair - 0 views

  •  
    Wheelchairs are easy to push, they fold to make them easier to store and simple for a friend or relative to load into a car. A wide selection of accessories too. So customise chair to give the performance, portability, comfort and style. Lightweight portable wheelchair are designed for ease of use and are made from durable material. These wheelchair are often foldable and are easier to store than conventional or custom. They are perfect for both manual and electric wheelchairs, as well as many walking aids such as a 4 wheel scooter. Lightweight portable wheelchair are extremely lightweight and for this reason they are easier to transport and store than many other types of wheelchair. Lightweight portable are made to be ultra lightweight, compact, and user friendly. They fold up in interesting ways to collapse to the size of a suitcase when not in use and are usually large enough to cover one or two stairs when extended. It is important to consider their weight and the person who would most often be carrying the ramp and setting it up. Karma KM 2500 Small Wheel Wheelchair: Karma KM 2500 Small Wheel Wheelchair Specifications: Width 18" Front/Rear Wheels 6" to 14" Seat Width 47cm Seat Depth 40cm Overall Width 66cm Overall Collapsed Width 36cm Armrest Height 21cm Overall Length 90cm Seat Height 47cm Backrest Height 38cm Overall Height 86cm Weight 9.2 k.g. Karma KM 2500 Small Wheel Wheelchair Seat and Back: AEGIS Microbe Shield Approved by the FDA, EPA, EU, etc., bonded anti-microbial barrier upholstery protects from odor, staining and deterioration from bacteria, fungus and other microorganisms. It is a shield for your health. Karma KM 2500 Small Wheel Wheelchair Extended Armrest: By simulating the natural position of arms, the extended armrest design is ergonomic and creates bigger seating space. An Ultra lightweight wheelchair (9.2 kg) with a compact design for either attendant assisted or self propelling users. The use
Nathan Goodyear

Oncotarget | NADH autofluorescence, a new metabolic biomarker for cancer stem cells: Id... - 0 views

  • Vitamin C was ~10 times more potent than 2-DG for the targeting of CSCs
  • Cancer stem-like cells (CSCs) are thought to be the root cause of chemotherapy-resistance and radio-resistance
  • ultimately leading to treatment failure in patients with advanced disease [1-3]. They have been directly implicated mechanistically in tumor recurrence and metastasis, resulting in poor patient survival
  • ...26 more annotations...
  • mitochondrial biogenesis may be a key driver of the CSC phenotype
  • Our results indicate that increased mitochondrial oxidative stress and high NADH levels are both key characteristics of the CSC metabolic phenotype
  • high levels of NAD(P)H auto-fluorescence are known to be a surrogate marker for mitochondrial “power”, high OXPHOS capacity and increased ATP production
  • CSCs may be strictly dependent on NAD(P)H to maintain their enhanced mitochondrial function
  • an intact NAD+ salvage pathway is strictly required for mammosphere formation, supporting our results using NAD(P)H auto-fluorescence, which enriched CSC activity by more than 5-fold.
  • Since glycolysis is especially critical for maintaining the TCA cycle, OXPHOS and overall mitochondrial function, we next assessed the effects of known glycolytic inhibitors
  • we show that two other natural products that function as effective glycolysis inhibitors, also inhibited mammosphere formation. More specifically, vitamin C (ascorbic acid), which induces oxidative stress and inhibits the activity of GAPDH (a key glycolytic enzyme) [17], also inhibited mammosphere formation, with an IC-50 of 1 mM (Figure 7B). Therefore, vitamin C was ~10 times more potent than 2-DG at targeting CSC propagation
  • silibinin (the major active constituent of silymarin, an extract of milk thistle seeds) [18], which specifically functions as an inhibitor of glucose uptake, blocked mammosphere formation, with an IC-50 between 200 and 400 µM
  • caffeic acid phenyl ester (CAPE), a key component of honey-bee propolis, has potent anti-cancer properties
  • Propolis has a strong history of medicinal use, dating back more than 2,000 years
  • Because of it aromatic ring structure (Figure 8), we speculated that CAPE might function as a potent inhibitor of oxidative mitochondrial metabolism
  • CAPE quantitatively inhibits the mitochondrial oxygen consumption rate (OCR) and, in turn, induces the onset of aerobic glycolysis (ECAR)
  • CAPE shows a clear selectivity for targeting CSCs and adherent cancer cells, relative to normal fibroblasts.
  • CAPE functions as a “natural” mitochondrial OXPHOS inhibitor, that preferentially targets the CSC sub-population. This could explain CAPE’s known anti-cancer properties
  • Our data directly shows that a small fraction of the total cell population, characterized by increased PGC1α activity, high mitochondrial ROS/H2O2 and high NADH levels, has the ability to survive and grow under anchorage-independent conditions, driving mammosphere formation
  • We highlight the utility of certain natural products, such as Silibinin, Vitamin C and CAPE, that could be used to therapeutically target CSCs. Silibinin is the major active component of silymarin, which is an extract prepared from milk thistle seeds.
  • high NADH is a property that is conserved between normal and cancerous stem cells
  • Previous studies have also shown that when non-CSCs and CSCs are both fed mitochondrial fuels (such as L-lactate or ketone bodies), that CSCs quantitatively produce more NADH in response to this stimulus
  • CSCs may be strictly dependent on NADH to maintain their enhanced mitochondrial function
  • The Noble Prize winner, Linus Pauling, was among the first to describe and clinically test the efficacy of Vitamin C, as a relatively non-toxic anti-cancer agent
  • Vitamin C has two mechanisms of action. First, it is a potent pro-oxidant, that actively depletes the reduced glutathione pool, leading to cellular oxidative stress and apoptosis in cancer cells. Moreover, it also behaves as an inhibitor of glycolysis, by targeting the activity of GAPDH, a key glycolytic enzyme.
  • Here, we show that Vitamin C can also be used to target the CSC population, as it is an inhibitor of energy metabolism that feeds into the mitochondrial TCA cycle and OXPHOS
  • Vitamin C may prove to be promising agent for new clinical trials, aimed at testing its ability to reduce CSC activity in cancer patients, as an add-on to more conventional therapies, to prevent tumor recurrence, further disease progression and metastasis
  • Interestingly, a breast cancer based clinical study has already shown that the use of Vitamin C, concurrent with or within 6 months of chemotherapy, significantly reduces both tumor recurrence and patient mortality
  • CAPE quantitatively reduces mitochondrial oxygen consumption (OCR), while inducing a reactive increase in glycolysis (ECAR). As such, it potently inhibits mammosphere formation with an IC-50 of ~2.5 µM. Similarly, it also significantly inhibits cell migration
  • we also demonstrate that 7 different inhibitors of key energetic pathways can be used to effectively block CSC propagation, including three natural products (silibinin, ascorbic acid and CAPE). Future studies will be necessary to test their potential for clinical benefit in cancer patients.
  •  
    The future of cancer therapy is cancer stem cells.  Study finds that Vitamin C, silymarin, and bee propolis blocks mitochondrial energy pathways in cancer stem cells.  Vitamin C is a known glycolytic inhbitor. Vitamin C was found to inhibit glycolysis via GAPDH targeting to inhibit the energy pathways of the mitochondria in CSCs.  The authors propse that Vitamin C can be used as add on therapies for conventional therapies to specifically attack the CSCs and their contribution to recrurence, treatment resistance, and metastasis potential all in addition to the ability of vitamin C to reduce the side effects of chemotherapy.
Nathan Goodyear

Oxidative Stress and Stress-Activated Signaling Pathways: A Unifying Hypothesis of Type... - 0 views

  • In patients with diabetes, LA levels are reduced (48, 74, 103). LA has long been used for the treatment of diabetic neuropathy in Germany
  • evidence indicates that it increases insulin sensitivity in patients with type 2 diabetes
  • LA has been shown to 1) quench free radicals, 2) prevent singlet oxygen-induced DNA damage, 3) exhibit chelating activity, 4) reduce lipid peroxidation, 5) increase intracellular glutathione levels, and 6) prevent glycation of serum albumin (73, 74). LA is able to reduce oxidative stress-mediated NF-κB activation in vitro (74, 108, 109) and in patients with type 2 diabetes
  • ...2 more annotations...
  • Activation of NF-κB can also be blocked by several other thiol-containing antioxidants including N-acetyl-l-cysteine (NAC)
  • Other clinically available antioxidants reported to have antiinflammatory, antioncogenic, and/or antiatherogenic properties that have been shown to block the activation of NF-κB include resveratrol (115, 116), (-)-epicatechin-3-gallate (117), pycnogenol (118), silymarin (119), and curcumin (120)
  •  
    Great read!  If you want to see how free radicals and oxidative stress contribute to inflammation and disease (DM in this case), read this article.
Nathan Goodyear

Progesterone metabolites regulate induction, growth, and suppression of estrogen- and p... - 0 views

  • in vitro studies had shown that the progesterone metabolites, 5α-dihydroprogesterone (5αP) and 3α-dihydroprogesterone (3αHP), respectively, exhibit procancer and anticancer effects on receptor-negative human breast cell lines
  • Onset and growth of ER/PR-negative human breast cell tumors were significantly stimulated by 5αP and inhibited by 3αHP
  • When both hormones were applied simultaneously, the stimulatory effects of 5αP were abrogated by the inhibitory effects of 3αHP and vice versa
  • ...31 more annotations...
  • Treatment with 3αHP subsequent to 5αP-induced tumor initiation resulted in suppression of further tumorigenesis and regression of existing tumors
  • Tumorigenesis of ER/PR-negative breast cells is significantly enhanced by 5αP and suppressed by 3αHP, the outcome depending on the relative concentrations of these two hormones in the microenvironment in the breast regions
  • The findings show that the production of 5αP greatly exceeds that of 3αHP in ER/PR-negative tumors and that treatment with 3αHP can effectively block tumorigenesis and cause existing tumors to regress
  • hypothesis that a high 3αHP-to-5αP concentration ratio in the microenvironment may foster normalcy in noncancerous breast regions.
  • a large proportion (about 30% to 60%) of breast tumors are ER and/or PR negative
  • about 90% of normal proliferating breast epithelial cells are receptor negative
  • Our previous in vitro studies had shown that breast tissues and cell lines readily convert progesterone to 5α-pregnanes, such as 5αP, and delta-4-pregnenes, such as 3αHP (Figure ​(Figure1),1), and that tumorous breast tissues [15] and tumorigenic breast cell lines [16] produce higher levels of 5αP and lower levels of 3αHP than do normal breast tissues and nontumorigenic cell lines
  • The progesterone metabolism studies suggested that increases in 5αP and decreases in 3αHP production accompany the shift toward breast cell neoplasia and tumorigenicity
  • In vitro studies on five different human breast cell lines showed that cell proliferation and detachment are significantly increased by 5αP and decreased by 3αHP
  • the prevailing theory of hormonal regulation of breast cancer, as well as hormone-based therapies, revolves around estrogen and/or progesterone and ER/PR-positive breast cells and tumors.
  • Not only do these "receptor-negative" breast cancers fail to benefit from current hormonal therapies, but they also generally exhibit more-aggressive biologic behaviors and poorer prognosis than the receptor-positive ones
  • The results of the studies reported here show for the first time that the progesterone metabolites, 5αP and 3αHP, act as hormones that regulate ER/PR-negative breast tumor formation, growth, and regression
  • The onset of the ER/PR-negative human breast cell tumors in mice was considerably accelerated, and the growth significantly stimulated, by just one or two applications of 5αP
  • In contrast, 3αHP retarded onset of tumor formation, suppressed tumor growth, and inhibited or regressed existing 5αP-induced tumors
  • When both hormones were administered simultaneously, the effects of one were abrogated by the effects of the other.
  • The 5αPR and 3αHPR (which are associated with the plasma membranes of both ER/PR-positive [19] and ER/PR-negative [29] cells) are distinct from each other and from known ER, PR, androgen, and corticosteroid receptors, and lack affinity for other steroids, such as progesterone, estrogen, androgens, corticosteroids, and other progesterone metabolites
  • Levels of 5αPR are upregulated by 5αP itself and estradiol, and downregulated by 3αHP in both ER/PR-positive and -negative cells
  • ndications are that 5αP acts via the surface receptor-linked mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK; Erk1/2) pathway; 5αP significantly stimulates activation of Erk1/2 [30], increases the Bcl-2/Bax expression ratio [18] and actin depolymerization [31], and decreases expression of actin and adhesion plaque-associated vinculin [31], resulting in decreased apoptosis and increased mitosis and cell detachment
  • 3αHP appears to suppress protein kinase C (PKC), phospholipase C (PLC), Ca2+ mobilization (unpublished observations), and the Bcl-2/Bax expression ratio [18], and increases expression of the cell-cycle inhibitor p21 [18], resulting in increased apoptosis and decreased proliferation and detachment of breast cell lines.
  • serum from mice with tumors had significantly more 5αP than 3αHP
  • the tumors, which on average had about threefold higher concentrations of 5αP than the respective sera, and >10-fold higher 5αP than 3αHP levels
  • Previous in vitro metabolism studies showed that human breast tumor tissues convert significantly more progesterone to 5α-pregnanes like 5αP and less to 4-pregnenes like 3αHP than do paired normal (nontumorous) tissues
  • Similar differences in progesterone metabolism and enzyme gene expressions were observed between tumorigenic and nontumorigenic breast cell lines
  • breast carcinomas are able to synthesize progesterone
  • The current findings, along with the previous in vitro studies, suggest that the relative concentrations of 5αP and 3αHP in the breast microenvironment constitute important autocrine/paracrine determinants not only for tumorigenesis but also for potential regression of tumors and the maintenance of normalcy of ER/PR-negative breast cells/tissues.
  • Evidence presented here shows that a high concentration of 5αP, relative to 3αHP in the microenvironment, promotes initiation and growth of tumors, whereas a higher concentration of 3αHP, relative to 5αP, suppresses tumorigenesis and promotes normalcy
  • 5α-reductase and 5αPR levels are upregulated by 5αP
  • in the 3αHP-treated mice, the elevated 3αHP levels, relative to 5αP, in the microenvironment could have opposed progression to xenograft neoplasia by its inherent anticancer actions and the suppression of 5αP synthesis and 5αPR expression
  • the opposing actions of the progesterone metabolites also appear to exert some control over the estrogen-regulated effects on breast cancer by their ability to modulate ER numbers in ER-positive cells
  • because both ER/PR-negative and ER/PR-positive, as well as normal and tumorigenic human breast cell lines, have been shown to respond to 5αP and 3αHP in vitro, it is suggested that these endogenously produced progesterone metabolites may also play regulatory hormonal roles in ER/PR-positive breast cancers, as well as in the maintenance of normalcy in nontumorous breast tissues.
  • The in vivo data provide further evidence that progesterone metabolites, such as 5αP and 3αHP, deserve to be considered as active hormones in their own right, rather than inactive waste products
  •  
    Progesterone metabolites and breast cancer
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