PMID: 

Vaccine. 2017 05 25 ;35(23):3064-3066. Epub 2017 Apr 26. PMID: 28456527

Abstract Title: 

Patient reaction to Tdap vaccination in pregnancy.

Abstract: 

BACKGROUND: The current obstetrical recommendation is to routinely administer the tetanus, diphtheria, and acellular pertussis (Tdap) vaccination during every pregnancy regardless of a patient's prior history. There are minimal data that have prospectively evaluated solicited patient response to this treatment plan. The study objective was to evaluate patient reaction following receipt of Tdap vaccination during pregnancy.METHODS: This was a prospective observational study conducted from May 2014 through March 2016. The study design involved solicited patient reaction within 1-7days after the administration of the Tdap vaccine. Data collected included pain or soreness, swelling, and/or redness at the injection site, as well as, fever and generalized body aches. Statistical analysis involved simple percentages with Poisson binomial 95% confidence intervals with Chi-square and Fisher's exact comparisons where appropriate.RESULTS: A total of 737 patients were evaluated and 496 (67%, 95% Confidence Interval [CI] 64-71%) were found to have at least 1 reaction to the vaccination and 187 (25%, 95% CI 22-29%) had 2 reactions or more. Overall, the majority of patients stated that the vaccination was tolerated. However, 24 (3%, 95% CI 2-5%) of the study population stated that they would not accept receipt of Tdap in a subsequent pregnancy because of the response that occurred in the current pregnancy.CONCLUSION: These data demonstrate that maternal reactions following receipt of Tdap are common (two-thirds of the study population). A potential concern is the finding that some patients might refuse a repeat vaccination in a subsequent pregnancy due to these reactions. If further research reveals similar findings, a pertussis only vaccine for pregnant patients might need to be evaluated.

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PMID: 

Vaccine. 2004 Sep 3 ;22(25-26):3312-22. PMID: 15308354

Abstract Title: 

Potential conflicts of interest in vaccine economics research: a commentary with a case study of pneumococcal conjugate vaccination.

Abstract: 

The main potential areas of bias in economic evaluation (EE) in health care can be categorised as follows: (1) choosing the study question and design, (2) estimating clinical effectiveness; (3) choosing cost data sources, and (4) reporting and dissemination of results. Each of these is discussed while focusing on vaccines. In addition a case study is presented on two contemporary economic evaluations of pneumococcal conjugate vaccination for Canada. Though they are quite similar in design and methods, their results are not quite so. This paper explores the differences between them in relation to the four areas of bias. Finally, remedies to avoid bias in research and publications are proposed and discussed.

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PMID: 

Mar Drugs. 2019 Dec 12 ;17(12). Epub 2019 Dec 12. PMID: 31842414

Abstract Title: 

Fucoxanthin Alleviates Oxidative Stress through Akt/Sirt1/FoxO3α Signaling to Inhibit HG-Induced Renal Fibrosis in GMCs.

Abstract: 

As one of the main marine carotenoids, fucoxanthin has strong antioxidant activity. FoxO3α, a member of the forkhead box O family of transcription factors, plays an important role in DN by regulating oxidative stress. The activity of FoxO3α is related to its phosphorylation and acetylation status, regulated by Akt and Sirt1, a lysine deacetylase. Our study aimed to investigate whetherfucoxanthin could alleviate oxidative stress and fibrosis via FoxO3α in DN and whether Akt and Sirt1 were involved. We found that in GMCs cultured in HG, fucoxanthin treatment significantly reduced the expression of FN and collagen IV, as well as reactive oxygen species generation, suggesting thatfucoxanthin is beneficial to alleviate both fibrosis and oxidative stress in DN. In addition, we found that fucoxanthin decreased the phosphorylation and acetylation level of FoxO3α, reversed the protein level of FoxO3α inhibited by HG, and then promoted the nuclear transport of FoxO3α. Besides,fucoxanthin promoted the expression of manganese superoxide dismutase, a downstream target of FoxO3α. Furthermore, we found that fucoxanthin reversed the activation of Akt and inhibition of Sirt1. However, the enhancement of fucoxanthin in FoxO3α expression and nuclear transport was significantlydecreased by pretreatment with Akt activator SC79 or Sirt1 inhibitor EX527. In summary, our study explored fucoxanthin alleviated oxidative stress and fibrosis induced by HG through Akt/Sirt1/FoxO3α signaling in GMCs, suggesting fucoxanthin is a potential therapeutic strategy for DN.

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PMID: 

Nutr Metab (Lond). 2019 ;16:87. Epub 2019 Dec 16. PMID: 31889967

Abstract Title: 

Fucoidan prevent murine autoimmune diabetes via suppression TLR4-signaling pathways, regulation DC/Treg induced immune tolerance and improving gut microecology.

Abstract: 

Background: This study was to investigate the effect and its possible mechanism of fucoidan on the development of spontaneous autoimmune diabetes in non-obese diabetic (NOD) mice.
Methods: 7-week-old NOD mice were randomly divided into three groups: control group, low-dose (300 mg/kg) and high-dose (600 mg/kg) fucoidan-treatment groups. After 5 weeks of treatment, 10 mice per group were randomly selected to be sacrificed after feces collection. The remaining 12 mice per group were fed until 26 weeks of age to assess the incidence of diabetes.
Results: Treatment with fucoidan increased serum insulin level, delayed the onset and decreased the development of diabetes in NOD mice. Fucoidan reduced the levels of strong Th1 proinflammatory cytokines, but induced Th2-bias ed. cytokine response. And dentridic cells (DCs) in fucoidan treatment group were characterized as low expression of MHC class II and CD86 molecules. TLR4 expressions and the downstream molecules in pancreas were down-regulated in fucoidan-treated groups. There were significant differences in the composition of gut flora between NOD control group and fucoidan group. Lactobacillus and Akkermansia were significantly enriched in fucoidan group.
Conclusions: Fucoidan could prevent the development of autoimmune diabetes in NOD mice via regulating DC/Treg induced immune tolerance, improving gut microecology, down-regulating TLR4 signaling pathway, and maintaining pancreatic internal environment.

PMID: 

Am J Cardiol. 2019 Nov 19. Epub 2019 Nov 19. PMID: 31812229

Abstract Title: 

Acute Effects of Red Bull Energy Drinks on Atrial Electromechanical Function in Healthy Young Adults.

Abstract: 

Energy drinks (EDs) are widely consumed by adolescents and young adults. Almost all kinds of arrhythmias have been reported following EDs consumption, most of which is atrial fibrillation (AF). Atrial conduction time prolongation and heterogeneous sinusal impulses propagation to the atriums are the key electrophysiological mechanisms leading AF. We aimed to evaluate the acute effects of Red Bull ED ingestion on atrial electromechanical conduction times in healthy young adults. After a 12-hour fasting, 54 healthy young adults consumed 330 mL of Red Bull ED. Atrial electromechanical coupling (PA), intra-atrial electromechanical delay (intra-AEMD), and interatrial electromechanical delay (inter-AEMD) were measured at baseline and 2-hour after Red Bull ED ingestion by echocardiographic tissue-Doppler imaging (TDI) method. PA-lateral (49.7± 11.2 vs 54.1 ± 11.0 msn, p = 0.001) and PA-septal (40.8 ± 9.1 vs 43.7 ± 10.5 msn, p = 0.032) times were statistically significantly prolonged after Red Bull ED ingestion. There was also a statistically significant increase in the duration of inter-AEMD (14.4 ± 10.6 vs 18.1 ± 8.5 msn,p = 0.010) after ED ingestion. It was showed that even a single can of ED can acutely increase atrial electromechanical conduction times in young adults. These findings may be the cause of ED-associated AF.

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PMID: 

BMJ Case Rep. 2019 Dec 15 ;12(12). Epub 2019 Dec 15. PMID: 31843776

Abstract Title: 

Acute macular neuroretinopathy (AMN) related to energy drink consumption.

Abstract: 

This case identifies a newly found association between energy drinks and acute macular neuroretinopathy (AMN). Our patient, a 34-year-old woman with no significant ocular or previous medical history, presented with a 3-day history of decreased vision after consumption of multiple energy drinks. After near infrared and optical coherence tomography imaging, we were able to diagnose her with AMN. Our patient's vision improved over a 2-month course with no intervention. Our case aims to emphasise the effect of caffeine on the retina, as well as encourage clinicians to consider energy drinks as a causative agent of AMN.

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PMID: 

Cureus. 2019 Dec 11 ;11(12):e6358. Epub 2019 Dec 11. PMID: 31886092

Abstract Title: 

Caffeinated Energy Drink Induced Ventricular Fibrillation: The Price for Overexcitement.

Abstract: 

An otherwise healthy 32-year-old man had an in-hospital cardiac arrest with ventricular fibrillation after a few days of consuming 48 cans of alcohol-mixed energy drinks (EDs) (250-mL per can ). He had collapsed shortly after presenting to the emergency room with complaints of lack of sleep and palpitations. Normal cardiac rhythm was restored by biphasic direct current (D/C) shock. EDs generally contain mainly caffeine, taurine, and other ingredients. Especially in high doses, caffeine can cause palpitations and ventricular arrhythmias.

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PMID: 

J Thorac Dis. 2019 Nov ;11(11):4464-4473. PMID: 31903234

Abstract Title: 

Antiangiogenic effect of crocin on breast cancer cell MDA-MB-231.

Abstract: 

Background: Crocin is the major chemical constituent of the Chinese herb saffron. A number of studies have indicated that crocin induces an antitumor effect by inhibiting proliferation and inducing the apoptosis of tumor cells. However, the effect of crocin on tumor angiogenesis remains unknown.Methods: The effects of prolonged crocin exposure on breast cancer cell MDA-MB-231, human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and mice were examined.Results: Crocin had a profound effect on the morphology and proliferation rate of MDA-MB-231 and HUVECs. Furthermore, crocin induced apoptosis and cell cycle arrest at the G2/M phase in MDA-MB-231 cells in a dose-dependent manner. This confirms that crocin induces the inhibition of HUVECs. Furthermore, the expression of CD34 in tumor tissues decreased after crocin treatment.Conclusions: Crocin has an anti-angiogenesis effect that may be correlated to the decreased expression of CD34. Crocin is likely to be involved in the regulation of molecules in the angiogenesis pathway.

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PMID: 

Int J Mol Sci. 2019 Dec 27 ;21(1). Epub 2019 Dec 27. PMID: 31892167

Abstract Title: 

Neuroprotective Effects of Pomegranate Juice against Parkinson's Disease and Presence of Ellagitannins-Derived Metabolite-Urolithin A-In the Brain.

Abstract: 

Pomegranate juice is a rich source of ellagitannins (ETs) believed to contribute to a wide range of pomegranate's health benefits. While a lot of experimental studies have been devoted to Alzheimer disease and hypoxic-ischemic brain injury, our knowledge of pomegranate's effects against Parkinson's disease (PD) is very limited. It is suggested that its neuroprotective effects are mediated by ETs-derived metabolites-urolithins. In this study, we examined the capability of pomegranate juice for protection against PD in a rat model of parkinsonism induced by rotenone. To evaluate its efficiency, assessment of postural instability, visualization of neurodegeneration, determination of oxidative damage to lipids andα-synuclein level, as well as markers of antioxidant defense status, inflammation, and apoptosis, were performed in the midbrain. We also check the presence of plausible active pomegranate ETs-derived metabolite, urolithin A, in the plasma and brain. Our results indicated that pomegranate juice treatment provided neuroprotection as evidenced by the postural stability improvement, enhancement of neuronal survival, its protection against oxidative damage and α-synuclein aggregation, the increase in mitochondrial aldehyde dehydrogenase activity, and maintenance of antiapoptotic Bcl-xL protein at the control level. In addition, we have provided evidence for the distribution of urolithin A to the brain.

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PMID: 

Curr Pharm Des. 2019 12 11. Epub 2019 Dec 11. PMID: 31830892

Abstract Title: 

The Prevention and Inhibition Effect of Anthocyanins on Colorectal Cancer

Abstract: 

BACKGROUND: Anthocyanins are a type of flavonoids that are natural water soluble glycosidic pigments with efficacious anti-cancer effects, which have good biological activity against many cancers including colorectal cancer (CRC). However, the exact molecular mechanism used by anthocyanins against cancer is unclear; is it also unclear what a reasonable dosage might be for their use against colorectal cancer.METHODS: Western blotting, immunohistochemistry, MTT assay, xenograft model, and hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining were used to perform the experiments.RESULTS: Compared with the control group, anthocyanins could significantly inhibit the cell viability and proliferation and promote the apoptosis of human colon cancer HT29 cells. Furthermore, anthocyanins reduced tumor weight and volume in a colon tumor mouse model and downregulated the expression of PI3K protein, inhibited AKT expression and phosphorylation, decreased the Bcl-2 and Bax ratio and reduced survivin protein expression in the tumor tissue.CONCLUSION: Anthocyanins promoted CRC cells apoptosis and inhibited colon cancer growth of xenografted tumors. Mechanistically, anthocyanins enhanced the Bcl-2/Bax and caspase-dependent apoptotic pathways through targeting the PI3K/AKT/survivin pathway, resulting in impairment of growth of CRC.

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