scholarly journals Lipid Bodies: Inflammatory Organelles Implicated in Host-Trypanosoma cruziInterplay during Innate Immune Responses

2012 ◽  
Vol 2012 ◽  
pp. 1-11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Heloisa D'Avila ◽  
Daniel A. M. Toledo ◽  
Rossana C. N. Melo
Keyword(s):  
Chagas Disease ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Public Health Issue ◽  
Lipid Bodies ◽  
Monocyte Differentiation ◽  
Host Interactions ◽  
Significant Public Health ◽  
Strong Inflammatory Response ◽  
Inflammatory Macrophages ◽  
Acute Chagas Disease

The flagellated protozoaTrypanosoma cruziis the causal agent of Chagas' disease, a significant public health issue and still a major cause of morbidity and mortality in Latin America. Acute Chagas' disease elicits a strong inflammatory response. In order to control the parasite multiplication, cells of the monocytic lineage are highly mobilized. Monocyte differentiation leads to the formation of phagocytosing macrophages, which are strongly activated and direct host defense. A distinguishing feature of Chagas' disease-triggered macrophages is the presence of increased numbers of distinct cytoplasmic organelles termed lipid bodies or lipid droplets. These organelles are actively formed in response to the parasite and are sites for synthesis and storage of inflammatory mediators. This review covers current knowledge on lipid bodies elicited by the acute Chagas' disease within inflammatory macrophages and discusses the role of these organelles in inflammation. The increased knowledge of lipid bodies in pathogenic mechanisms of infections may not only contribute to the understanding of pathogen-host interactions but may also identify new targets for intervention.

scholarly journals Arenavirus Budding

2011 ◽  
Vol 2011 ◽  
pp. 1-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shuzo Urata ◽  
Juan Carlos de la Torre
Keyword(s):  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Ring Finger ◽  
Hemorrhagic Fever ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Small Ring ◽  
Virus Budding ◽  
Host Interactions ◽  
C Terminus ◽  
Significant Public Health Concern ◽  
Significant Public Health

Several arenaviruses cause hemorrhagic fever disease in humans and pose a significant public health concern in their endemic regions. On the other hand, the prototypic arenavirus LCMV is a superb workhorse for the investigation of virus-host interactions and associated disease. The arenavirus small RING finger protein called Z has been shown to be the main driving force of virus budding. The budding activity of Z is mediated by late (L) domain motifs, PT/SAP, and PPXY, located at the C-terminus of Z. This paper will present the current knowledge on arenavirus budding including the diversity of L domain motifs used by different arenaviruses. We will also discuss how improved knowledge of arenavirus budding may facilitate the development of novel antiviral strategies to combat human pathogenic arenaviruses.

scholarly journals Epidemiological Impact of Myocarditis

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 603
Author(s):  
Ainoosh Golpour ◽  
Dimitri Patriki ◽  
Paul J. Hanson ◽  
Bruce McManus ◽  
Bettina Heidecker
Keyword(s):  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Public Health Issue ◽  
True Prevalence ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Common Causes ◽  
The World ◽  
Significant Public Health ◽  
Therapeutic Procedures ◽  
Diagnostic Approaches ◽  
Epidemiological Impact

Myocarditis is an inflammatory disease of the heart muscle with a wide range of potential etiological factors and consequently varying clinical patterns across the world. In this review, we address the epidemiology of myocarditis. Myocarditis was considered a rare disease until intensified research efforts in recent decades revealed its true epidemiological importance. While it remains a challenge to determine the true prevalence of myocarditis, studies are underway to obtain better approximations of the proportions of this disease. Nowadays, the prevalence of myocarditis has been reported from 10.2 to 105.6 per 100,000 worldwide, and its annual occurrence is estimated at about 1.8 million cases. This wide range of reported cases reflects the uncertainty surrounding the true prevalence and a potential underdiagnosis of this disease. Since myocarditis continues to be a significant public health issue, particularly in young adults in whom myocarditis is among the most common causes of sudden cardiac death, improved diagnostic and therapeutic procedures are necessary. This manuscript aims to summarize the current knowledge on the epidemiology of myocarditis, new diagnostic approaches and the current epidemiological impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Health Impact of Fuel Poverty

2020 ◽  
Vol 98 (4) ◽  
pp. 135-143
Author(s):  
V. Condemi ◽  
M. Gestro ◽  
U. Solimene
Keyword(s):  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Health Impact ◽  
Epidemiological Studies ◽  
Housing Quality ◽  
Public Health Issue ◽  
Radon Exposure ◽  
Mortality And Morbidity ◽  
Housing Design ◽  
Excess Morbidity ◽  
Significant Public Health

This chapter reviews current knowledge about the health effects of several environmental conditions on home fuel poverty, including physiological and epidemiological aspects of cold and heat related illness, and epidemiological studies on excess morbidity and mortality. the inadequate home concept has been addressed with further contributions that have on mental health, asthma (dampness and mould), noise, CO poisoning and lung cancer for radon exposure. Measures for reducing cold and heat related mortality and morbidity related to poor energy housing include appropriate urban planning and housing design. this contributes confirm that poor housing quality is a significant public health issue. However, to realize a large health potential associated with adequate, safe and healthy homes, joint action on health and nonhealth sectors is required. the development of specific guidelines for general and healthcare practitioners to better manage information on patients living in bad situations of fuel poverty is desirable.

Identifying changes in trends in the age standardized incidence of melanoma in Australia

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (4) ◽  
pp. 250-252 ◽  
Author(s):  
David M Hille
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Linear Regression ◽  
Iterative Process ◽  
Linear Trend ◽  
Piecewise Linear ◽  
Health Issue ◽  
Public Health Issue ◽  
Piecewise Linear Regression ◽  
Significant Public Health ◽  
Males And Females

ObjectiveTo identify changes in the linear trend of the age-standardized incidence of melanoma in Australia for all persons, males, and females. MethodsA two-piece piecewise linear regression was fitted to the data. The piecewise breakpoint varied through an iterative process to determine the model that best fits the data.ResultsStatistically significant changes in the trendof the age-standardized incidence of melanoma in Australia were found for all persons, males, and females. The optimal breakpoint for all persons and males was at 1998. For females, the optimal breakpoint was at 2005. The trend after these breakpoints was flatter than prior to the breakpoints, but still positive.ConclusionMelanoma is a significant public health issue in Australia. Overall incidence continues to increase. However, the rate at which the incidence is increasing appears to be decreasing.

Assessing Acute St-Elevation Myocardial Infarction With Prognostic Significance Of The Hyponatramia

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 3251-3260
Author(s):  
Makrand B Mane
Keyword(s):  
Myocardial Infarction ◽  
Ejection Fraction ◽  
Tertiary Care ◽  
Prognostic Significance ◽  
Care Facility ◽  
Early Death ◽  
Public Health Issue ◽  
Care Hospital ◽  
Tertiary Care Facility ◽  
Significant Public Health

Acute Myocardial Infarction (AMI) has become a significant public health issue in developed and developing nations, following extensive diagnostic and management research over recent decades. The study intended to research the prognostic values of inexplicable Hyponatremia in patients with severe STelevation of myocardial infarction, in 100 consecutive patients admitted to Tertiary care hospital. In the analysis, identified patients on admission were diagnosed with or produced Hyponatremia within 72 hours—a lower ejection fraction than those with usual amounts of sodium. The research aimed to evaluate the prognosis significance of Hyponatremia for the estimation of early death in acute ST-elevated myocardial infarction. One hundred straight patients admitted in the Coronary Centre Tertiary Care Facility with severe STelevated myocardial infarction were studied. The data of the study on various risk factors in association with the development of Hyponatremia like as age, sex, use of tobacco, diabetes, hypertension, ejection fraction etc. were analyzed. Thus, the researchers reported that in patients diagnosed with severe ST section escalation, Hyponatremia showed the initial emergence of hyponatremia myocardial infarctions. This condition correlates with the severity of LV dysfunction (in term of LVEF) and can be considered as an individual early death indicator as well as a prediction exacerbates with hyponatremia frequency.

Aim for the Readers! Bromodomains As New Targets Against Chagas’ Disease

2019 ◽  
Vol 26 (36) ◽  
pp. 6544-6563
Author(s):  
Victoria Lucia Alonso ◽  
Luis Emilio Tavernelli ◽  
Alejandro Pezza ◽  
Pamela Cribb ◽  
Carla Ritagliati ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Drug Discovery ◽  
Small Molecules ◽  
Chagas Disease ◽  
Causative Agent ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Sequence Similarity ◽  
Lysine Acetylation ◽  
Specific Manner ◽  
Lysine Residues ◽  
Antiparasitic Drugs

Bromodomains recognize and bind acetyl-lysine residues present in histone and non-histone proteins in a specific manner. In the last decade they have raised as attractive targets for drug discovery because the miss-regulation of human bromodomains was discovered to be involved in the development of a large spectrum of diseases. However, targeting eukaryotic pathogens bromodomains continues to be almost unexplored. We and others have reported the essentiality of diverse bromodomain- containing proteins in protozoa, offering a new opportunity for the development of antiparasitic drugs, especially for Trypansoma cruzi, the causative agent of Chagas’ disease. Mammalian bromodomains were classified in eight groups based on sequence similarity but parasitic bromodomains are very divergent proteins and are hard to assign them to any of these groups, suggesting that selective inhibitors can be obtained. In this review, we describe the importance of lysine acetylation and bromodomains in T. cruzi as well as the current knowledge on mammalian bromodomains. Also, we summarize the myriad of small-molecules under study to treat different pathologies and which of them have been tested in trypanosomatids and other protozoa. All the information available led us to propose that T. cruzi bromodomains should be considered as important potential targets and the search for smallmolecules to inhibit them should be empowered.

scholarly journals Current knowledge of Chagas-related heart disease among pediatric cardiologists in the United States

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sanchi Malhotra ◽  
Imran Masood ◽  
Noberto Giglio ◽  
Jay D. Pruetz ◽  
Pia S. Pannaraj
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Differential Diagnosis ◽  
Heart Disease ◽  
Chagas Disease ◽  
Latin American ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Parasitic Infection ◽  
The United States ◽  
Cardiac Complications ◽  
The U.S

Abstract Background Chagas disease is a pathogenic parasitic infection with approximately 8 million cases worldwide and greater than 300,000 cases in the United States (U.S.). Chagas disease can lead to chronic cardiomyopathy and cardiac complications, with variable cardiac presentations in pediatrics making it difficult to recognize. The purpose of our study is to better understand current knowledge and experience with Chagas related heart disease among pediatric cardiologists in the U.S. Methods We prospectively disseminated a 19-question survey to pediatric cardiologists via 3 pediatric cardiology listservs. The survey included questions about demographics, Chagas disease presentation and experience. Results Of 139 responses, 119 cardiologists treat pediatric patients in the U.S. and were included. Most providers (87%) had not seen a case of Chagas disease in their practice; however, 72% also had never tested for it. The majority of knowledge-based questions about Chagas disease cardiac presentations were answered incorrectly, and 85% of providers expressed discomfort with recognizing cardiac presentations in children. Most respondents selected that they would not include Chagas disease on their differential diagnosis for presentations such as conduction anomalies, myocarditis and/or apical aneurysms, but would be more likely to include it if found in a Latin American immigrant. Of respondents, 87% agreed that they would be likely to attend a Chagas disease-related lecture. Conclusions Pediatric cardiologists in the U.S. have seen very few cases of Chagas disease, albeit most have not sent testing or included it in their differential diagnosis. Most individuals agreed that education on Chagas disease would be worth-while.

scholarly journals Secular Trends of Underweight, Overweight, and Obesity in Children and Adolescents from Ukraine

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (6) ◽  
pp. 3302
Author(s):  
Katarzyna Dereń ◽  
Justyna Wyszyńska ◽  
Serhiy Nyankovskyy ◽  
Olena Nyankovska ◽  
Marta Yatsula ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Children And Adolescents ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Overweight And Obesity ◽  
The Body ◽  
World Health ◽  
Public Health Issue ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Significant Public Health ◽  
Health Organization ◽  
Obesity In Children

Overweight and obesity, as well as underweight in children and adolescents, pose a significant public health issue. This study aimed to investigate the secular trend of the incidence of underweight, overweight, and obesity in children from Ukraine in 2013/2014 and 2018/2019. The studies were conducted in randomly selected primary and secondary schools in Ukraine. In total, 13,447 children (6468 boys and 6979 girls) participated in the study in 2013/2014 and 18,144 children (8717 boys and 9427 girls) participated in 2018/2019. Measurements of body weight and height were performed in triplicate. Underweight, overweight, and obesity were diagnosed according to the standards of the World Health Organization (WHO). In the group of girls, a significant difference between 2013/2014 and 2018/2019 measurements was found only among 7-year-olds. The percentage of girls at this age exceeding the body mass index (BMI) norm was lower in the 2018/2019 study. In boys, a significant difference was also found in 7-year-olds, and, as in girls, a lower share of overweight and obesity was found in 2018/2019. But for the ages of 12, 13, and 15, the significant differences had a different character—more overweight or obese boys were found in the 2018/2019 study. The proportion of underweight children was similar for the majority of age groups in both genders and did not differ in a statistically significant way.

scholarly journals Global Health Impacts of Dust Storms: A Systematic Review

2021 ◽  
Vol 15 ◽  
pp. 117863022110183
Author(s):  
Hamidreza Aghababaeian ◽  
Abbas Ostadtaghizadeh ◽  
Ali Ardalan ◽  
Ali Asgary ◽  
Mehry Akbary ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Systematic Review ◽  
Respiratory Health ◽  
Dust Storms ◽  
Health Impacts ◽  
Public Health Issue ◽  
Emergency Medical Dispatch ◽  
Significant Public Health ◽  
English Articles

Background: Dust storms and their impacts on health are becoming a major public health issue. The current study examines the health impacts of dust storms around the world to provide an overview of this issue. Method: In this systematic review, 140 relevant and authoritative English articles on the impacts of dust storms on health (up to September 2019) were identified and extracted from 28 968 articles using valid keywords from various databases (PubMed, WOS, EMBASE, and Scopus) and multiple screening steps. Selected papers were then qualitatively examined and evaluated. Evaluation results were summarized using an Extraction Table. Results: The results of the study are divided into two parts: short and long-term impacts of dust storms. Short-term impacts include mortality, visitation, emergency medical dispatch, hospitalization, increased symptoms, and decreased pulmonary function. Long-term impacts include pregnancy, cognitive difficulties, and birth problems. Additionally, this study shows that dust storms have devastating impacts on health, affecting cardiovascular and respiratory health in particular. Conclusion: The findings of this study show that dust storms have significant public health impacts. More attention should be paid to these natural hazards to prepare for, respond to, and mitigate these hazardous events to reduce their negative health impacts. Registration: PROSPERO registration number CRD42018093325

scholarly journals Examining public knowledge, attitudes and perceptions towards palliative care: a mixed method sequential study

2021 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sonja McIlfatrick ◽  
Paul Slater ◽  
Esther Beck ◽  
Olufikayo Bamidele ◽  
Sharon McCloskey ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Palliative Care ◽  
End Of Life ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Care Delivery ◽  
Public Awareness ◽  
Public Understanding ◽  
Public Health Issue ◽  
Public Health Approach ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey

Abstract Background Palliative care is recognised as a public health issue with the need for earlier integration in the wider healthcare system. However, research indicates that it continues to be accessed late in the course of an illness, public understanding of palliative care is limited, and common misconceptions prevail. Strategies to address this are needed in order to reduce barriers to palliative care delivery and improve access. Methods An explanatory sequential mixed methods study, comprising a cross-sectional survey and interviews was undertaken. Sociodemographic characteristics, public awareness, knowledge and perceptions of palliative care were examined and strategies to raise awareness and overcome barriers within a public health framework were identified. Survey data were analysed using SPSS v25 with factor analysis and non-parametric statistics and qualitative data were analysed using thematic analysis. Results A total of 1201 participants completed the survey (58.3% female, mean age 61 years) and 25 took part in interviews. A fifth of participants (20.1%) had previously heard about palliative care and had an accurate understanding of the term. Being female, higher educated, married, and older, increased respondents’ levels of awareness. The three most commonly held misconceptions included: Palliative care is exclusively for people who are in the last 6 months of life (55.4% answered incorrectly); A goal of palliative care is to address any psychological issues brought up by serious illness (42.2% answered incorrectly); and a goal of palliative care is to improve a person’s ability to participate in daily activities (39.6% answered incorrectly). Talking about palliative and end of life care was advocated but societal taboos restricted this occurring with exposure limited to personal experience. Conclusions Current knowledge gaps and misconceptions derived from limited ad hoc personal experiences and fear of engaging in taboo conversations may deter people from accessing integrated palliative care services early in a disease trajectory. The results indicate the need for public education programmes that move beyond merely raising awareness but provide key messages within a public health approach, which may change attitudes to palliative care thus ultimately improving end of life outcomes.

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