19043 research outputs found
Sort by
Cognitive Slowing, Dysfunction in Verbal Working Memory, Divided Attention and Response Inhibition in Post COVID-19 Condition in Young Adults
No full textAfter COVID-19 infection, about 30% of people have clinically persisting symptoms, characterized as Post COVID-19 Condition (PCC). One of the most reported symptoms in PCC is cognitive dysfunction, yet there are only a few studies investigating long-term effects on different domains of cognitive function. A total of 107 young adults, university students aged 18–34 years, participated. In total, 68.2% had contracted SARS-CoV-2; 21.9% showed PCC. Three groups were compared: no-C19 (COVID-19-negative controls), C19 (COVID-19-recovered without PCC) and PCC. Attention and executive function were measured with the Vienna Test System (Schuhfried®, Mödling, Austria). In verbal working memory, the PCC group had a significantly lower performance with a moderate effect. The rate of below-average performance was higher in PCC (56.2%) compared to no-C19 (20.6%) and C19 (15.8%). In divided attention and response inhibition, PCC also showed lower performance, 62.5% and 37.5%, respectively, than no-C19 and C19. The co-occurrence of decreased cognitive functions was pronounced in PCC. The present study revealed significant long-lasting cognitive dysfunction in PCC in young adults, two years after COVID-19 infection. Verbal working memory was significantly impaired, and a lower performance was found in divided attention and response inhibition. In addition, there was an increased reaction time in most cognitive tasks, demonstrating cognitive slowing in young people with PCC
Berberine Suppression of Human Ige but Not Igg Production via Inhibition of STAT6 Binding Activity at Ige Promoter by BCL6
No full textIgE may lead to life-threatening anaphylaxis. Currently, no satisfactory treatment to inhibit IgE production exists. This study aims to explore the anti-IgE effect of berberine (BBR) and possible mechanisms using human tonsil cells. Tonsil cells were treated with BBR at different doses following stimulation with anti-CD40/IL4 alone or in combination with poly I:C and Pam3CSK4 for 10 or 4 days. IgE and IgG levels were determined by ELISA and cell viability by trypan blue exclusion. Gene expression was analyzed by qRT-PCR and affinity binding assay was performed by chromatin immunoprecipitation assay (ChIP). BBR showed dose-dependent inhibition of IgE production following anti-CD40/IL4 stimulation without affecting cell viability and IgG levels. BBR (10 µg/mL) completely inhibited IgE production by B cells stimulated with anti-CD40/IL4 in combination with vaccine adjuvants—poly I:C and Pam3CSK4 without affecting IgG levels and cell viability. BBR inhibited IgE heavy chain (IgEh), epsilon germline-transcript (εGLT), STAT6, and NFκB1 and enhanced IFN-γ, NFκB1A, and BCL6 gene expression. ChIP assay showed that BBR inhibited STAT6 binding in the IgEh promoter region by enhancing BCL6 binding. This study shows BBR regulates IgE in human tonsil cells by inhibiting STAT6 binding through BCL6 at the IgEh promoter showing its potential for treating IgE-mediated allergies
The Cure for Women: Dr. Mary Putnam Jacobi and the Challenge to Victorian Medicine That Changed Women\u27s Lives Forever
No full text
Zilebesiran a Promising Antihypertensive Therapy Inhibiting Angiotensinogen Synthesis
No full textSystemic hypertension is one of the most common noncommunicable diseases globally, with over one billion people affected. Despite the widespread use of numerous antihypertensive drugs, it is estimated that only a fifth of diagnosed patients achieve adequate blood pressure control. For this reason, the pursuit for novel antihypertensive therapies is ongoing. Zilebesiran, an siRNA designed to target the liver, is the newest potential addition to the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system-inhibiting drugs. This subcutaneous injection post-transcriptionally silences the AGT gene responsible for the synthesis of angiotensinogen. By preventing the progenitor protein of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system, zilebesiran blocks the downstream production of angiotensin II, which plays multiple roles in blood pressure elevation. Phase I clinical trials have demonstrated a dose-dependent negative relationship between zilebesiran and blood pressure/serum angiotensinogen levels—with sustained effects up to 6 months. Researchers also demonstrated a promising safety profile, as most of the adverse events were mild to moderate in nature. Phase II trials assessing efficacy and optimal dosing are currently underway, with a predicted completion by 2025
The History of Medicine on Postage Stamps: The Invention of the Cobalt 60 Machine for External Beam Radiation Therapy for Cancer
No full textA Proposed Screening Strategy for Evaluating the Genotoxicity Potential of Botanicals and Botanical Extracts
No full textBotanicals have long been used to promote health and treat diseases, but the safety of many currently marketed botanicals has not been adequately evaluated. Given the chemical complexity of botanicals, which often contain numerous unknown constituents, and their widespread use, comprehensive toxicity assessments are needed. The Botanical Safety Consortium was established to address this challenge. This international group of experts in toxicology, chemistry, bioinformatics, and pharmacognosy is developing a toolkit of assays to generate reliable toxicological profiles for botanicals. Genotoxicity assessment is especially critical, because, unlike other toxicities, genotoxicity is not adequately identified by adverse event and history-of-use reports, and genotoxicity is directly linked to health consequences such as cancer and birth defects. The Consortium\u27s Genotoxicity Technical Working Group is exploring a genotoxicity testing strategy based on the use of in silico modeling and the bacterial reverse mutation and in vitro micronucleus assays and including several options for additional tests to further characterize genotoxicity and mode of action when indicated. The effectiveness of this testing strategy is being evaluated using 13 well-characterized botanicals with existing toxicological data as case studies. A brief overview of each of these 13 botanicals is provided. The final strategy for developing comprehensive genotoxicity profiles of botanicals will incorporate published genotoxicity data, chemical composition information, in silico and in vitro test data, and human exposure data, reducing the need for animal testing
Highlights of the First 100 Years of Publications on Kidney Disease in the American Journal of Pathology
No full textMaking an Impact: The New 2024 Medical Library Association Research Agenda
No full textObjective: This research project sought to identify those subject areas that leaders and researcher members of the Medical Library Association (MLA) determined to be of greatest importance for research investigation. It updates two previous studies conducted in 2008 and 2011. Methods: The project involved a three-step Delphi process aimed at collecting the most important and researchable questions facing the health sciences librarianship profession. First, 495 MLA leaders were asked to submit questions answerable by known research methods. Submitted questions could not exceed 50 words in length. There were 130 viable, unique questions submitted by MLA leaders. Second, the authors asked 200 eligible MLA-member researchers to select the five (5) most important and answerable questions from the list of 130 questions. Third, the same 130 MLA leaders who initially submitted questions were asked to select their top five (5) most important and answerable questions from the 36 top-ranked questions identified by the researchers. Results: The final 15 questions resulting from the three phases of the study will serve as the next priorities of the MLA Research Agenda. The authors will be facilitating the organization of teams of volunteers wishing to conduct research studies related to these identified top 15 research questions. Conclusion: The new 2024 MLA Research Agenda will enable the health information professions to allocate scarce resources toward high-yield research studies. The Agenda could be used by journal editors and annual meeting organizers to prioritize submissions for research communications. The Agenda will provide aspiring researchers with some starting points and justification for pursuing research projects on these questions