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Puerarin reduces impairment of intestinal and adipose immune responses to influenza virus infection in mice.

Influenza is an acute viral respiratory disease that can also cause gastroenteritis-like symptoms, such as abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Immune dysfunction of adipose tissue is involved in the occurrence and prognosis of influenza viral pneumonia. In this study, we analyzed intestinal and adipose immune responses in mice infected with influenza virus and found that the impairment of intestinal and adipose immunity to influenza virus infection could be reversed by treatment with puerarin, a medicinal compound isolated from Pueraria lobata (called "gegen" in Chinese). We found that the lungs, small intestines (duodenum, ileum, jejunum) and large intestines (colon and rectum) of infected mice showed obvious inflammatory lesions, with significantly increased levels of virus, inflammatory cytokines (interleukin [IL]-6, IL-17, and tumor necrosis factor-α), Toll-like receptors 3, 4, and 9, and integrin αvβ3 and α4, and a decreased level of secreted IgA compared to the normal control group (NC) (P < 0.05-0.001). Influenza virus infected mesenteric lymph nodes and adipose tissue, and adipokines (leptin, visfatin, "chemerin", and adiponectin) of lung and mesenteric adipose tissue were dysregulated. Puerarin treatment reversed the impairment of the intestinal and adipose immune responses in mice infected with influenza virus. Our findings suggest that influenza virus can infect adipose tissue and lead to intestinal adipose immune dysfunction in normal-weight mice and that the impairment of the intestinal and adipose immune response to influenza virus infection can be reversed by puerarin treatment.

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A pilot study of possible anti-inflammatory effects of the specific carbohydrate diet in children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis.

To explore possible anti-inflammatory effects of the specific carbohydrate diet in children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis. This diet has shown anti-inflammatory effect in children with inflammatory bowel disease.

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Spinal microglial β-endorphin signaling mediates IL-10 and exenatide-induced inhibition of synaptic plasticity in neuropathic pain.

This study aimed to investigate the regulation of pain hypersensitivity induced by the spinal synaptic transmission mechanisms underlying interleukin (IL)-10 and glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor (GLP-1R) agonist exenatide-induced pain anti-hypersensitivity in neuropathic rats through spinal nerve ligations.

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Targeted chemodenervation of the posterior belly of the digastric muscle for the management of jaw discomfort in facial synkinesis.

Botulinum toxin (BT-A) chemodenervation has been proved to significantly improve the physical and psychological well-being of patients suffering from facial synkinesis. Despite this, a cohort of patients has persistent tightness and discomfort around the angle of the jaw, which may be caused by synkinesis within the posterior belly of digastric (PBD) muscle. This study was designed to evaluate the benefits of ultrasound-guided BT-A injections into the PBD.

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Cognitive Impairment in Inpatients with Prurigo Nodularis and Psychiatric Comorbidities.

(PN) is a chronic refractory itchy dermatosis. Although psychiatric comorbidity is known, research in cognitive impairment is lacking. We evaluated the occurrence and types of cognitive impairment in a series of inpatients with PN.

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Musculoskeletal Changes in Hemophilia Patients Subsequent to COVID-19 Lockdown.

(1) Background. The lockdown period due to the COVID-19 pandemic has drastically decreased levels of physical activity in the population. Hemophilia is characterized by hemarthrosis that leads to chronic, progressive and degenerative joint deterioration. (2) Methods. This observational study recruited 27 patients with hemophilia and arthropathy. Knee, ankle and elbow joints were assessed. The frequency of clinical hemarthrosis, pain intensity, pressure pain threshold, and joint ROM were evaluated. (3) Results. Following lockdown, a significant deterioration of joint condition, perceived joint pain and range of motion was noted in all joints. There were no changes in the frequency of knee hemarthrosis, while the frequency of ankle hemarthrosis significantly reduced. However, the frequency of elbow hemarthrosis increased. Depending on the degree of hemophilia severity, there were changes in pressure pain threshold in the elbow and in pain intensity and range of motion of the ankle joint. According to the type of treatment, i.e., prophylaxis vs. on-demand treatment, there were differences in the joint condition in elbows and the plantar flexion movement of the ankle. There were no differences in the knee joint based on the severity of the disease, the type of treatment or the development of inhibitors (4). Conclusions. Because of the COVID-19 lockdown, the musculoskeletal status of patients with hemophilia deteriorated. Joint condition, perceived pain, and range of motion were significantly affected. The frequency of clinical hemarthrosis did not increase during this period. A more active therapeutic model could prevent rapid deterioration in patients with hemophilic arthropathy during prolonged sedentary periods.

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Antiepileptic Drug Tiagabine Does Not Directly Target Key Cardiac Ion Channels Kv11.1, Nav1.5 and Cav1.2.

Tiagabine is an antiepileptic drug used for the treatment of partial seizures in humans. Recently, this drug has been found useful in several non-epileptic conditions, including anxiety, chronic pain and sleep disorders. Since tachycardia-an impairment of cardiac rhythm due to cardiac ion channel dysfunction-is one of the most commonly reported non-neurological adverse effects of this drug, in the present paper we have undertaken pharmacological and numerical studies to assess a potential cardiovascular risk associated with the use of tiagabine. A chemical interaction of tiagabine with a model of human voltage-gated ion channels (VGICs) is described using the molecular docking method. The obtained in silico results imply that the adverse effects reported so far in the clinical cardiological of tiagabine could not be directly attributed to its interactions with VGICs. This is also confirmed by the results from the isolated organ studies (i.e., calcium entry blocking properties test) and in vivo (electrocardiogram study) assays of the present research. It was found that tachycardia and other tiagabine-induced cardiac complications are not due to a direct effect of this drug on ventricular depolarization and repolarization.

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Biodegradation of L-Valine Alkyl Ester Ibuprofenates by Bacterial Cultures.

Nowadays, we consume very large amounts of medicinal substances. Medicines are used to cure, halt, or prevent disease, ease symptoms, or help in the diagnosis of illnesses. Some medications are used to treat pain. Ibuprofen is one of the most popular drugs in the world (it ranks third). This drug enters our water system through human pharmaceutical use. In this article, we describe and compare the biodegradation of ibuprofen and ibuprofen derivatives-salts of L-valine alkyl esters. Biodegradation studies of ibuprofen and its derivatives have been carried out with activated sludge. The structure modifications we received were aimed at increasing the biodegradation of the drug used. The influence of the alkyl chain length of the ester used in the biodegradation of the compound was also verified. The biodegradation results correlated with the lipophilic properties ( P).

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Self-Perceived Life Satisfaction during the First Wave of the COVID-19 Pandemic in Sweden: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Currently, there is limited knowledge on how the Swedish strategy with more lenient public health restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic has influenced people's life satisfaction. Here, we investigated self-reported life satisfaction during the first wave of the pandemic in Sweden, and perceived changes in life satisfaction in relation to various sociodemographic factors. A total of 1082 people (mean age 48 (SD 12.2); 82% women) responded to an online survey during autumn 2020 including the "Life Satisfaction Questionnaire-11". A majority (69%) were satisfied with life as a whole, and with other important life domains, with the exception of contact with friends and sexual life. An equal share reported that life as a whole had either deteriorated (28%) or improved (29%). Of those that perceived a deterioration, 95% considered it to be due to the pandemic. Regarding deteriorated satisfaction with life as a whole, higher odds were found in the following groups: having no children living at home; being middle aged; having other sources of income than being employed; and having a chronic disease. The Swedish strategy might have contributed to the high proportion of satisfied people. Those who perceived a deterioration in life satisfaction may, however, need attention from Swedish Welfare Authorities.

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Continuous Non-Invasive Glucose Monitoring via Contact Lenses: Current Approaches and Future Perspectives.

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a chronic disease that must be carefully managed to prevent serious complications such as cardiovascular disease, retinopathy, nephropathy and neuropathy. Self-monitoring of blood glucose is a crucial tool for managing diabetes and, at present, all relevant procedures are invasive while they only provide periodic measurements. The pain and measurement intermittency associated with invasive techniques resulted in the exploration of painless, continuous, and non-invasive techniques of glucose measurement that would facilitate intensive management. The focus of this review paper is the existing solutions for continuous non-invasive glucose monitoring via contact lenses (CLs) and to carry out a detailed, qualitative, and comparative analysis to inform prospective researchers on viable pathways. Direct glucose monitoring via CLs is contingent on the detection of biomarkers present in the lacrimal fluid. In this review, emphasis is given on two types of sensors: a graphene-AgNW hybrid sensor and an amperometric sensor. Both sensors can detect the presence of glucose in the lacrimal fluid by using the enzyme, glucose oxidase. Additionally, this review covers fabrication procedures for CL biosensors. Ever since Google published the first glucose monitoring embedded system on a CL, CL biosensors have been considered state-of-the-art in the medical device research and development industry. The CL not only has to have a sensory system, it must also have an embedded integrated circuit (IC) for readout and wireless communication. Moreover, to retain mobility and ease of use of the CLs used for continuous glucose monitoring, the power supply to the solid-state IC on such CLs must be wireless. Currently, there are four methods of powering CLs: utilizing solar energy, via a biofuel cell, or by inductive or radiofrequency (RF) power. Although, there are many limitations associated with each method, the limitations common to all, are safety restrictions and CL size limitations. Bearing this in mind, RF power has received most of the attention in reported literature, whereas solar power has received the least attention in the literature. CLs seem a very promising target for cutting edge biotechnological applications of diagnostic, prognostic and therapeutic relevance.

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