Articles: function.
-
Mayo Clinic proceedings · Oct 2024
Metabolic Syndrome and Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease in Premenopausal Women: Global Trends and Projections to 2040.
To quantify the burden of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) and related metabolic disorders in premenopausal women. ⋯ The escalating impact of metabolic syndrome, the rising trends in death rates linked to obesity, and the disparities based on region and socioeconomic status in premenopausal women underscore the alarming increase in the global burden of metabolic syndrome.
-
Chronic pain involves communication between neural and immune systems. Recent data suggest localization of glial (brain immune cells) activation to the sensorimotor regions of the brain cortex (S1/M1) in chronic low back pain (LBP). As glia perform diverse functions that impact neural function, activation might contribute to sensorimotor changes, particularly in LBP maintained by increased nervous system sensitivity (i.e., nociplastic pain). This preliminary proof-of-concept study aimed to: (i) compare evidence of neuroinflammatory activation in S1/M1 between individuals with and without LBP (and between nociceptive and nociplastic LBP phenotypes), and (ii) evaluate relationships between neuroinflammatory activation and sensorimotor function. ⋯ Neuroinflammatory activation localized to sensorimotor areas of the brain in individuals with nociplastic pain might contribute to changes in sensory and motor function and aspects of central sensitization. If cause-effect relationships are established in longitudinal studies, this may direct development of therapies that target neuroinflammatory activation.
-
Randomized Controlled Trial
Growth, physical, and cognitive function in children who are born HIV-free: School-age follow-up of a cluster-randomised trial in rural Zimbabwe.
Globally, over 16 million children were exposed to HIV during pregnancy but remain HIV-free at birth and throughout childhood by 2022. Children born HIV-free (CBHF) have higher morbidity and mortality and poorer neurodevelopment in early life compared to children who are HIV-unexposed (CHU), but long-term outcomes remain uncertain. We characterised school-age growth, cognitive and physical function in CBHF and CHU previously enrolled in the Sanitation Hygiene Infant Nutrition Efficacy (SHINE) trial in rural Zimbabwe. ⋯ In this study, we found that CBHF had reductions in cognitive function compared to CHU at 7 years of age across multiple domains. Further research is needed to define the biological and psychosocial mechanisms underlying these differences to inform future interventions that help CBHF thrive across the life-course.
-
Bronchoscopic lung volume reduction (BLVR) is an established treatment modality for the management of advanced chronic obstructive pulmonary disease complicated by severe emphysema and hyperinflation refractory to other therapies. BLVR aims to reduce hyperinflation and residual volume, thereby improving pulmonary function, symptom control, and quality of life. Multiple distinct devices and technologies, including endobronchial coils, thermal vapor ablation, bio-lung volume reduction, and airway bypass stenting, have been developed to achieve lung volume reduction with varying degrees of accessibility and evidence. ⋯ Additional new technologies may be able to improve the identification and evaluation of candidates as well as increase the portion of evaluated patients who ultimately qualify for BLVR. In this review, we aim to provide historical context to BLVR, summarize the available evidence regarding its use, discuss potential complications, and provide readers with a clear guide to patient selection and referral for BLVR, with a focus on EBV placement. In addition, we will highlight potential future directions for the field.