International Medical Publisher Journals (iMedPub)
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Are General anesthetics neurotoxic? Review
Get PDFIntroduction: General anaesthesia has been used worldwide since its first public demonstration with ether in 1846. Until a little more than a decade ago, it was believed that the anaesthetic state was limited to the period of exposure. Studies in rats, pigs, and rhesus monkeys have shown that almost all general anaesthetics accelerate the apoptotic process in neurones, oligodendrocytes, and glial cells. Objective: Our aim was to analyse the relationship between general anaesthetics and their role in triggering neuroapoptosis in laboratory animals. Method: A search was carried out in PubMed and Google Scholar with the keywords "neurotoxicity" and "general anesthetics" for selecting articles published in the last five years. After having evaluated the abstracts, 77 articles were selected and read by 2 independent investigators. All authors met and discussed the most relevant aspects. Results: All general anaesthetics, when inhaled or administered intravenously, enhance neuroapoptosis, mainly during the gestational and neonatal stages in rats, pigs, and non-human primates. Neurones and oligodendrocytes that are capable of neurogenesis and synaptogenesis are the most affected. General anaesthetics commonly lead to learning and behavioural disorders, in addition to permanent memory deficit. Conclusion: The neurotoxicity of general anaesthetics affects different mammalian species and accelerates the neuroapoptotic process. This deleterious effect involves specific brain areas and occurs in developing neurones. The exceptions are the dentate gyrus and the olfactory bulb, which undergo apoptosis even in adulthood, albeit to a lesser extent
Hand immobilization causes changes in cortical areas: qEEG alpha band absolute power study
Get PDFHand immobilization has been associated with changes in neural networks of primary somatosensory cortex and primary motor areas. Electrophysiologically, alpha band absolute power may indicate how cerebral cortex processes information. This study aimed to analyze changes in alpha band absolute power on frontal, central, parietal and occipital derivations when hand-movement of subjects was restricted for 48 hours. Fifteen healthy volunteers (20 to 30 years old), were recorded using electroencephalography (qEEG), while exposition to visual stimulus linked to a motor task before and after hand immobilization. Statistical analysis revealed that hand immobilization caused changes in frontal, central and parietal areas of cerebral cortex. In summary, after hand immobilization alpha band absolute power increased in these areas, revealing a lower activation. Contrarily, at C4 there was a decreased alpha band absolute power correlated to more activation. These findings can be due adaptive plasticity to supply less activation at C3, considering the inactivity of right hand due to the immobilization. Further studies are needed to better understand the complex processes involved in this type of task
Ultrastructural aspects of cranial and peripheric nerves of cronically diabetic and malnourished rats: a short biochemical panorama
Get PDFDiabetes Mellitus is one of the most common causes of neuropathies, which can be caused by molecular imbalances that impair metabolic pathways. Studies in rats showed the importance of sirtuins (SIRT), deacetylases that use NAD+ as a cofactor, which have a widespread function in metabolism, and their relation when food deprived or calorie restricted. Additionally, diabetic neuropathy presents different structural biomarkers that cause morphological alterations in fibers that can be partially treated. SIRT1 is the principal sirtuin, which acts on hypothalamus, liver, kidney, among other organs, up regulating or down regulating the expression of some genes or enzymes crucial in the process of glucose absorption
Micro Rna-499C Induces the Differentiation of Mouse Embryonic Stem Cells (mESCs) into Cardiomyocytes
Get PDFBackground: A microRNA, miR499c, has been discovered in human fetal heart which rescues mutant hearts in cardiac nonfunction mutant axolotl (salamander) embryos and also induces the differentiation of mouse embryonic stem cells (mESCs) to form into definitive cardiomyocytes. Results: Eight days after transfection with MiR499c, approximately 75-80% of the stem cells develop typical cardiomyocyte morphologies and express the cardiac specific marker, Troponin T, as well as the muscle proteins, tropomyosin and α-actinin, as shown by immunohistochemical staining. qRT-PCR confirms that transfection with MiR499c increases expression of troponin T and tropomyosin and further shows an increased expression of myosin as well as Wnt11 and Sox17. Untreated controls do not show significant expression of these proteins. Conclusion: It is evident that the miR499c induces the development of contractile myofibrils characteristic of striated cardiac muscle indicating that the miR499c microRNA plays an important role in the differentiation of cardiomyocytes
Influence Of Spirituality In Pediatric Cancer Management: A Systematic Review
Get PDFContext: Pediatric cancer is a wide challenge for the patients, family and health care team. They must deal with anxiety, distress, and pain. Thereby, to find meaning for this journey, they use different coping strategies, among which, spirituality appears to be a way, providing well-being and hope.Objective: The purpose of this review was to analyze the influence of spirituality in childhood cancer care, involving biopsychosocial aspects of child, family, and health professionals facing cancer.Data Sources: To achieve this goal, a systematic review of literature was conducted via electronic databases Scopus, MEDLINE and PubMed using Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) terms: “spiritualityâ€, “neoplasm†and “pediatricâ€.Study Selection: Through this search it was found 65 articles. After analyzing them by abstract 13 met the eligibility criteria and were entirely read before included in the final sample.Data Extractions: sys Most of the studies stated that spirituality helps pediatric patients and their families to find a positive meaning from cancer experience, turning better the management of child. Besides, health practitioners may be able to facilitate this process working as a multidisciplinary team, providing to patient an unabridged care. Results: In this context, previous studies stated that when health care team respects patient’s spirituality their connection becomes stronger allowing confidence to take place, promoting treatment engagement. Spirituality also revealed to be a psychological support that acts improving life’s quality.Conclusion: So, it is necessary to promote a deep discussion about this topic since graduation, providing humanized care to child with cancer by qualified health practitioners
An appraisal of food serving characteristics among patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus attending a tertiary care diabetes facility in Sri Lanka
Get PDFAbstractIntroduction: The primary objective of the present study was to identify food consumption characteristics among adult type 2 diabetic patients in Sri Lanka.Materials and Methods: One hundred and twenty three randomly selected adult type 2 diabetic patients attending a tertiary care diabetes facility in Sri Lanka were studied in a cross sectional survey. Starch, fruits, vegetables, meat or alternative, pulses, dairy and added sugar consumption assessed according to standard methods using a 24-hour dietary recall.Results: Forty six percent of participants exceeded the national recommendation of 4.5 to 9 servings of starch per day for patients with diabetes. Mean daily consumption of starch was 10.5 servings. Only 26% and 45% of participants consumed the recommended 2 servings of fruits and 3 servings of vegetables per day. Thirty three percent and 8% did not consume any fruits or vegetables respectively. Dairy products were consumed by 25% only. Added sugar was not used by 99% of participants. The mean proportions of total Carbohydrates, proteins and fats comprising total energy intake were 68.1%, 11.5% and 20.2% respectively. Discussion: Medical nutrition therapy in diabetes recommends a mixed diet with carbohydrates from a variety of sources such as cereals, fruits and vegetables. Although Sri Lankan patients with diabetes consume less starch and more fruits and vegetables compared to non-diabetic counterparts,  a substantial proportion still fail to meet the recommendations.Â
Systems Cell: a Testable Model for Systems Holism
Get PDFThe equations of physical world are bereft of causality. On the other hand, the relational matrix between two or more organelles or organisms is inclusively causal because of operational presence of consciousness and other potent factors like ‘life’, self, mind and information within the system. Standing on the computational platform of informational molecules of systems biology what is that decisionmaking ware which makes cell’s response solution centric as well as holographic?Embedded within what is observable, measurable and reducible into parts, this paper tries to answer this question and develops how the causal operations of information, mind, self, life and consciousness connect signature informational molecules with wisdom of cellular consciousness. The entire relationship has been presented as multilayered and hierarchically nested labyrinthine ware. Systems cell can be used as a model of systems holism and be tested with the credible data from molecular mapping and multidimensional live cell image analysis
Action of Propolis on Microorganisms of the Oral Cavity: an Integrative Review
Get PDFIntroduction: In the mouth there are several microorganisms, including bacteria and fungi, which, under favorable conditions, can cause oral health problems. In combating these diseases there are several antibiotics and antifungals, synthetic drugs and also natural.Objective: identifying the action of propolis on microorganisms in the oral cavity.Method: we opted for the integrative literature review, using the descriptors: oral cavity, propolis, anti-inflammatory activity, antimicrobial activity, endodontics, antimicrobial, propolis, saliva, metabolism, microbiology, antimicrobial activity and mouth; the consulted databases were PubMed, LILACS and SciELO, published between 1999 and 2014. The results were obtained through the selection of 09 articles, through close reading, critical and reflective texts, and then the organization of summary frames of data.Results: evidence was gathered and synthesized, pointing to the antibacterial action (Gram-positive and Gram-negative) and antifungal (C. albicans and C. tropicallis) of propolis. The methodological designs of the studies analyzed were in majority, of weak evidence, for evidence-based practice. Therefore, the findings may be questioned.Conclusion: it needs that are carried out research studies in a systematic review and randomized clinical studies with humans, because they are considered major force evidence and are defined therapeutic parameters and minimum chemical composition, the different types of propolis, so having the appropriate/desired therapeutic properties
Antimicrobial Resistance Patterns of Diarrheagenic and non-Diarrheagenic Escherichia coli Isolates from Libyan Children
Get PDFBackground: Diarrhea continues to be one of the most common causes of morbidity and mortality among infants and children in developing countries. This study was carried out among Libyan children in Benghazi to investigate the prevalence of diarrheagenic E.coli types and antimicrobial susceptibility profiles of E.coli isolates from their stools. Methods  & patients: A total of 200 children with diarrhea and 90 without diarrhea were investigated for presence of E.coli in their stools using culture on MacConkey agar, and the isolates were examined for detection diarrheagenic E. coli types, antimicrobial susceptibility pattern, presence of ESBL-CTX-M genes and integrons using PCR . Results: The study indicated that diarrhoeagenic E. coli isolates were  found only in stools of children with diarrhoea. The detected diarrhoeagenic  E. coli types; were 4 (2%) enteroaggregative E. coli (EAEC), 3 (1.5%) enteroinvasive E. coli (EIEC), and 1(0.5%)  enterohemorrhagic E. coli (EHEC), and both enterotoxigenic E. coli(ETEC) and enteropathogenic E. coli(EPEC) were not present. It has also found that multidrug resistant E.coli (> 3 drugs) was higher prevalent in commensal intestinal E.coli than in diarrheagenic E.coli, and both carried high rates of Class 1 integrons, bla(CTX-M) and fluroquinolone resistance genes . Conclusion: This study revealed the low incidence of diarrhoeagenic E. coli isolates and high prevalent of antimicrobial resistance among normal intestinal E.coli of hospitalized children in Benghazi/Libya
Probiotics versus Antibiotics: Is this the only option?
Get PDFThe role of probiotics in potential prophylaxis of infectious disease has been studied for over a century, but until recently there has been no real interest in using these ‘benign’ bacterial species in place of or in combination with antibiotics. However, such suggestions are now commonplace and lead to a renewed interest in what has until recently been seen as a merely commercial branch of microbiology. This short review looks at the current literature in this area and attempts to identify if there is a scientific basis to inform the cautious clinical use of probiotics either alone or in combination with antibiotics. Whilst the evidence base is to date rather thin, there is sufficient to allow for a cautious support for such ideas. This review also identifies those areas in which further study is required before the general use of probiotics in the treatment of infection may be fully supported