242,603 research outputs found
Probiotics, gut microbiota and physical activity: A close relationship
No full textBackground: The topic of this review is the study of the gut microbiota (GM), and the use of probiotics, especially in humans, as a new frontier in the field of prevention and health in general. The beneficial effects and functions performed by probiotics in the GM are increasingly at the centre of both scientific, medical, and pharmaceutical interest. It is now known that diet and probiotics can modify the GM, although in these situations there is a need for greater and more in-depth research regarding the methods and timing of treatment. However, the relationship between physical activity, GM, and probiotics is still largely unclear, as regards certain mechanisms between physical exercise and probiotics in humans. Discussion: In this study, we tried to demonstrate whether and how physical exercise was able to alter the composition of the microbiota and how probiotics can facilitate it. Therefore, alteration of the microbiota was considered in terms of both diversity and composition. Conclusions: The ones examined propose vastly different physical exercises, both in terms of timing and type of intervention itself, and the use of probiotics
Candida albicans and oral carcinogenesis. A brief review
No full textCurrent medical knowledge and research on patients’ management are still evolving, and several protocols on minimizing risk of infection by Candida spp. among the population have de-veloped. The aim of this work is to review the epidemiological and biomolecular characteristics and the various histopathological carcinogenesis hypothesis mechanisms that can occur during Candida albicans infections. Current evidence from the literature on the role of C. albicans during potentially malignant oral disorders and oral cancer has been sought. Thus, these biomolecular processes can give or contribute to benign lesions, also in precancerous or cancerous situations. Alongside this, the physiological microorganism oral flora (microbiota) can play a crucial role in maintaining oral health during those infections and therefore avoid carcinogenesis
From myth to philosophy, the cradle of evolving medical thought and ethics in the classical antiquity
No full textBackground
At the beginning, medicine in the Western world was based on a theocratic-magical doctrine with religious beliefs and mythical conflicts. Subsequently, in the Greek world begins the relationship between rhetoric, philosophy and medicine with mutual influences and contributions. This relationship is due to the assumption that, as the philosophical logos acts on the soul, so the medicine with its techniques and its remedies acts on the body. However, the relationship between philosophy and medicine will begin with the pre-socratics as they try to find standard patterns/rules that can be successfully applied for the explanation of the whole. To achieve this, they cannot resort to the use of reasoned production methods or to complete and perfect induction.
Methodology
We performed an extensive bibliographical research to investigate the evolutionary process of medical thought from late antiquity to modern age. For this purpose we extracted data from electronic data banks and ancient books from public libraries and private collections.
Results/Discussion
Despite the individual differences of the representatives of the philosophical currents, their unity is verified by a common component in their way of thinking. Thus, they initiate a change in the way they look at and interpret the world, a change characterized by a persistent search for universal truth and knowledge per se with a distinct intention of rationality. This knowledge now meets the doctors at that era and Hippocrates is the first to take away the part of the theocratic medical doctrine, making it rational and therefore science.
Conclusion
There is an extremely interesting aspect of Aristotle's relationship with medicine. In his attempt to construct the method of his ethical philosophy, Aristotle took medicine as his model. However, this correlation of Medicine with Philosophy had occurred before Aristotle with Plato. In fact, we perceive the analogy between the work of the doctor who takes care of the body and that of the philosopher whose work is the care of the soul in Gorgias and Phaedrus. The philosopher Plato as an idealist puts the idea of good, like all other ideas, in a transcendental world instead Aristotle builds his moral philosophy on his interest in man, and consequently on “human good”. Thus, medicine reborn as a science from philosophy and therefore the physician must be at first a philosopher to be an epistemologist
The Intestinal Microbiota May Be a Potential Theranostic Tool for Personalized Medicine
No full textThe human intestine is colonized by a huge number of microorganisms from the moment of birth. This set of microorganisms found throughout the human body, is called the microbiota; the microbiome indicates the totality of genes that the microbiota can express, i.e., its genetic heritage. Thus, microbiota participates in and influences the proper functioning of the organism. The microbiota is unique for each person; it differs in the types of microorganisms it contains, the number of each microorganism, and the ratio between them, but mainly it changes over time and under the influence of many factors. Therefore, the correct functioning of the human body depends not only on the expression of its genes but also on the expression of the genes of the microorganisms it coexists with. This fact makes clear the enormous interest of community science in studying the relationship of the human microbiota with human health and the incidence of disease. The microbiota is like a unique personalized “mold” for each person; it differs quantitatively and qualitatively for the microorganisms it contains together with the relationship between them, and it changes over time and under the influence of many factors. We are attempting to modulate the microbial components in the human intestinal microbiota over time to provide positive feedback on the health of the host, from intestinal diseases to cancer. These interventions to modulate the intestinal microbiota as well as to identify the relative microbiome (genetic analysis) can range from dietary (with adjuvant prebiotics or probiotics) to fecal transplantation. This article researches the recent advances in these strategies by exploring their advantages and limitations. Furthermore, we aim to understand the relationship between intestinal dysbiosis and pathologies, through the research of resident microbiota, that would allow the personalization of the therapeutic antibiotic strategy
Focus on the cariogenic process: microbial and biochemical interactions with teeth and oral environment
No full textThis paper aims to describe the biochemical interactions between teeth and the oral environment that occur during the caries process, hence it covers all the steps related to physico-chemical reactions, including the most up-to-date theoretical basis in the clinical application for the prevention and treatment of caries. The terms 'demineralization' and 'remineralization' that characterise this process were analysed, as well as the role of the microbiota in its interaction with the hard surface of the teeth. The biochemical mechanisms that lead to the onset of carious lesions and those that occur during the healing and repair of such lesions are listed
Current Views About the Link between SARS-CoV-2 and the Liver: Friends or Foe?
No full textThe emergence of the novel coronavirus and the pandemic resulting from its spread have led to significant negative impacts on health, economy, relationships, and others. Particularly in the field of hospital care, the need for a greater number of patients has led to a breakdown of the system. Gastrointestinal manifestations are common in SARS-COV 2 patients, while 10% of those who are sick exhibit symptoms only from gastrointestinal without any manifestation on the part of the respiratory tract. The main manifestations are nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, and anorexia. It is also interesting to note that biochemical liver disorder is a frequent finding and is associated with a worse prognosis and higher probability admission to intensive care. It was also observed that RNA from the virus was found in the stool several days after the tests came back negative pulmonary secretions, while rectal swab virus detection methods were used with a lower but comparable sensitivity to that of nasal swabs. Gastrointestinal symptoms in SARS-COV 2 infection are common and their search should be part of the initial diagnosis approach and have a connection with the gut microbiota dysbiosis and this can lead to an alteration of the gut/liver axis
Commissural Alignment and Transcatheter Aortic Valve Performance: Results From the COMALIGN-neo2 Study
No full textLetters - Research Letter.Ole De Backer, Alejandro Travieso, Nicholas Montarello, Matthias Renker, Gabriela Tirado-Conte, Lucca Loretz, Efstratios I. Charitos, Stefan Toggweiler, Won-Keun Ki
Gut Microbiota and Immune System in Necrotizing Enterocolitis and Related Sepsis
No full textA severe condition of sepsis can be a complication of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), which can occur in premature infants and becomes a medical challenge in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). It is a multifactorial intestinal disease (can affect both the small and large intestine) that can lead to ischemia of the intestinal tissues that evolves into acute organ necrosis. One of these factors is that different types of nutrition can influence the onset or the progression of the disease. Cow-milk-based infant formulas have been shown to cause it in premature infants more frequently than human milk. Recently, nutrition has been shown to be beneficial after surgery. Several issues still under study, such as the pathogenesis and the insufficient and often difficult therapeutic approach, as well as the lack of a common and effective prevention strategy, make this disease an enigma in daily clinical practice. Recent studies outlined the emerging role of the host immune system and resident gut microbiota, showing their close connection in NEC pathophysiology. In its initial stages, broad-spectrum antibiotics, bowel rest, and breastfeeding are currently used, as well as probiotics to help the development of the intestinal microbiota and its eubiosis. This paper aims to present the current knowledge and potential fields of research in NEC pathophysiology and therapeutic assessment
Biomolecular Mechanisms of Autoimmune Diseases and Their Relationship with the Resident Microbiota: Friend or Foe?
No full textThe use of innovative approaches to elucidate the pathophysiological mechanisms of autoimmune diseases, as well as to further study of the factors which can have either a positive or negative effect on the course of the disease, is essential. In this line, the development of new molecular techniques and the creation of the Human Genome Program have allowed access to many more solutions to the difficulties that exist in the identification and characterization of the microbiome, as well as changes due to various factors. Such innovative technologies can rekindle older hypotheses, such as molecular mimicry, allowing us to move from hypothesis to theory and from correlation to causality, particularly regarding autoimmune diseases and dysbiosis of the microbiota. For example, Prevotella copri appears to have a strong association with rheumatoid arthritis; it is expected that this will be confirmed by several scientists, which, in turn, will make it possible to identify other mechanisms that may contribute to the pathophysiology of the disease. This article seeks to identify new clues regarding similar correlations between autoimmune activity and the human microbiota, particularly in relation to qualitative and quantitative microbial variations therein
Surgical Management of Pediatric Obstructive Sleep Apnea: Efficacy, Outcomes, and Alternatives—A Systematic Review
No full textAim: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is the most prevalent sleep-related breathing disorder. OSA affects approximately 2 million Italians, although only 3% receive a diagnosis and correct treatment. This review aims to provide an overview to guide clinical decision making, ensuring that patients receive the most appropriate treatment for their specific condition. Material and Methods: This systematic review was conducted according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines and registered at PROSPERO under the ID CRD42024593760. A search on PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science was performed to find papers that matched the topic, using the following Boolean keywords: (“obstructive sleep apnea” OR “OSA” OR “sleep apnea, obstructive”) AND (“surgery” OR “surgical” OR “surgical techniques” OR “surgical treatment” OR “operative” OR “surgical procedures”) AND (“treatment” OR “therapy” OR “management”). Result: The electronic database search found 20337 publications. After the screening and eligibility phase, 15 papers were chosen for the qualitative analysis. Conclusions: Adenotonsillectomy (AT) significantly improves secondary outcomes like behavioral issues and quality of life, compared to watchful waiting with supportive care (WWSC). Alternative approaches such as tonsillotomy and adenopharyngoplasty (APP) offer promising results, with less postoperative discomfort and lower complication rates. However, further large-scale studies are needed to refine surgical techniques, assess long-term outcomes, and optimize individualized treatment strategies for OSA
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