Medical Hypotheses[JOURNAL]
Sun
200 papers
Linking periodontitis and adverse pregnancy outcomes through CD14+ CD16+ monocytes.
Jagannathan R, Balaji TM, Varadarajan S … +7 more , Bhuvaneswari B, Venkatakrishnan CJ, Lakshmi Priya S, Rajendran S, Sayed ME, Mugri MH, Patil S
Med Hypotheses · 2021 Aug · PMID 34186439 · Publisher ↗
One of the prevalent medical issues that deserve global attention is adverse pregnancy outcomes and preterm low birth weight deliveries which have a significant impact on neonatal health. Periodontitis has been implicate...
One of the prevalent medical issues that deserve global attention is adverse pregnancy outcomes and preterm low birth weight deliveries which have a significant impact on neonatal health. Periodontitis has been implicated as a significant risk factor for adverse effects in pregnancy. Elevated levels of periodontal pathogenic bacteria and proinflammatory cytokines which are pathognomonic features of periodontitis are believed to cause placental infection and premature rupture of the amniotic membrane consequently leading to preterm delivery. The role of CD14+CD16+ monocytes as a causal link between periodontitis and adverse pregnancy outcomes has not been researched so far, although an elevation of these cells has been independently demonstrated in both conditions. With the available background information, this hypothesis attempts to derive a mechanistic link between periodontitis and adverse pregnancy outcomes through the participation of CD14+CD16+ monocytes.
The hypothetical molecular pathways of ursolic acid to attenuate the premature ovarian failure in human.
Zhou J
Med Hypotheses · 2021 Aug · PMID 34174651 · Publisher ↗
Premature ovarian failure, which is also called premature menopause, refers to the stop of menstruation and the formation of oocyte before 40 years old. As a disease which is closely related to the formation of oocyte an...
Premature ovarian failure, which is also called premature menopause, refers to the stop of menstruation and the formation of oocyte before 40 years old. As a disease which is closely related to the formation of oocyte and relevant meiosis, the role of adjacent cells such as ovarian granulosa cell or the membranous follicular cells in the pathogenesis of premature ovarian failure is currently being investigated. One of the most popular theories concludes that premature ovarian failure is due to the apoptosis of the ovarian granulosa cells, as they are responsible for the synthesis and regulation of multiple types of hormones and internal factors that are related to reproduction, for example, the inhibin, activin, and follistatin. The apoptosis of the ovarian granulosa cells can be initiated by various of internal or external environmental factors such as the hazardous chemicals in the ovarian or the excessive exposure to the physical radiation as a result of the occupation. While the detailed underlying mechanisms to cause the apoptosis of the ovarian granulosa cell are still unclear. The ursolic acid is white concrete at room temperature, and many studies have elucidated that it can relieve hypoxia and endoplasmic reticulum stress. In this article, the author proposed five molecular pathways of ursolic acid to relieve or cure premature ovarian failure in humans.
The mesenchymal stem cells will break down and remove the abnormal proteins that have become insoluble and deposited.
Shigematsu K, Yamagishi H
Med Hypotheses · 2021 Aug · PMID 34144407 · Publisher ↗
Abstract loading — click title to view on PubMed.
Diseased lungs may hinder COVID-19 development: A possible reason for the low prevalence of COPD in COVID-19 patients.
Yong SJ
Med Hypotheses · 2021 Aug · PMID 34139599 · Full text
Presently, it remains unclear why the prevalence of lung diseases, namely chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), is much lower than other medical comorbidities and the general population among patients with corona...
Presently, it remains unclear why the prevalence of lung diseases, namely chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), is much lower than other medical comorbidities and the general population among patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). If COVID-19 is a respiratory disease, why is COPD not the leading risk factor for contracting COVID-19? The same odd phenomenon was also observed with other pathogenic human coronaviruses causing severe acute respiratory distress syndrome (SARS) and Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS), but not other respiratory viral infections such as influenza and respiratory syncytial viruses. One commonly proposed reason for the low COPD rates among COVID-19 patients is the usage of inhaled corticosteroids or bronchodilators that may protect against COVID-19. However, another possible reason not discussed elsewhere is that lungs in a diseased state may not be conducive for the severe acute respiratory distress syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) to establish COVID-19. For one, COPD causes mucous plugging in large and small airways, which may hinder SARS-CoV-2 from reaching deeper parts of the lungs (i.e., alveoli). Thus, SARS-CoV-2 may only localize to the upper respiratory tract of persons with COPD, causing mild or asymptomatic infections requiring no hospital attention. Even if SARS-CoV-2 reaches the alveoli, cells therein are probably under a heavy burden of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and extensively damaged where it may not support efficient viral replication. As a result, limited SARS-CoV-2 virions would be produced in diseased lungs, preventing the development of COVID-19.
Does serotonin deficiency lead to anosmia, ageusia, dysfunctional chemesthesis and increased severity of illness in COVID-19?
Sen A
Med Hypotheses · 2021 Aug · PMID 34139598 · Full text
Different mechanisms forwarded to understand anosmia and ageusia in coronavirus patients are not adequate to explain reversible anosmia and ageusia, which are resolved quickly. In addition, the reason behind the impaired...
Different mechanisms forwarded to understand anosmia and ageusia in coronavirus patients are not adequate to explain reversible anosmia and ageusia, which are resolved quickly. In addition, the reason behind the impaired chemesthetic sensations in some coronavirus patients remains unknown. In the present paper it is proposed that SARS-CoV-2 patients suffer from depletion of tryptophan, as ACE2, a key element in the process of absorption of tryptophan from the food, is significantly reduced in the patients as coronavirus uses ACE2 as the receptor to enter the host cells. The tryptophan depletion leads to a deficit of serotonin (5-HT) in SARS-COV-2 patients because tryptophan is the precursor in the synthesis of 5-HT. Such 5-HT deficiency can explain anosmia, ageusia and dysfunctional chemesthesis in COVID-19, given the fact that 5-HT is an important neuromodulator in the olfactory neurons, taste receptor cells and transient receptor potential channels (TRP channels) involved in chemesthesis. In addition, 5-HT deficiency worsens silent hypoxemia and depresses hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction leading to increased severity of the disease. Also, the levels of anti-inflammatory melatonin (synthesized from 5-HT) and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD, produced from niacin whose precursor is the tryptophan) might decrease in coronavirus patients resulting in the aggravation of the disease. Interestingly, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) may not be of much help in correcting the 5-HT deficiency in COVID-19 patients, as their efficacy goes down significantly when there is depletion of tryptophan in the system. Hence, tryptophan supplementation may herald a radical change in the treatment of COVID-19 and accordingly, clinical trials (therapeutic / prophylactic) should be conducted on coronavirus patients to find out how tryptophan supplementation (oral or parenteral, the latter in severe cases where there is hardly any absorption of tryptophan from the food) helps in curing, relieving or preventing the olfactory, gustatory and chemesthetic dysfunctions and in lessening the severity of the disease.
Why is the mesencephalic nucleus of the trigeminal nerve situated inside the brain?
Sato K
Med Hypotheses · 2021 Aug · PMID 34130114 · Publisher ↗
Primary sensory neurons are usually situated in ganglia outside the brain, while the mesencephalic nucleus of the trigeminal nerve (Me5) is situated inside the brain. However, it remains unknown why only Me5 situated ins...
Primary sensory neurons are usually situated in ganglia outside the brain, while the mesencephalic nucleus of the trigeminal nerve (Me5) is situated inside the brain. However, it remains unknown why only Me5 situated inside the brain is. The neurons of Me5 are the cell bodies of primary afferent fibers concerned with the muscles of mastication and periodontal receptors of both maxillary and mandibular teeth. Interestingly, there was no Me5 till the evolution level of the agnatha, vertebrates which lack jaws, while Me5 appeared with the evolution of jawed vertebrates, the gnathostomes. Thus, I speculate that the appearance of jaws necessitated the emergence of a novel sensory system including newly-made primary sensory neurons to co-ordinate jaw movement and this need was met by the appearance of Me5. Although primary sensory neurons are usually generated from the neural crest or the neurogenic placodes, primary sensory neurons in Me5 are derived from neuroepithelium of the dorsal midline of the midbrain. Taken together, I propose the following hypothesis; (1) Me5 did not exist till the evolution level of agnatha, which lacks jaw. (2) When jawed vertebrates evolved, a new sensory system including new primary sensory neurons for mastication was needed. (3) At that point, there was no capacity for the neural crest and neurogenic placodes to make primary sensory neurons. (4) However, there remained capacity only for the neuroepithelium of the midbrain to make primary sensory neurons. (5) Thus, Me5 was newly made inside the CNS.
Early multidrug treatment of SARS-CoV-2 infection (COVID-19) and reduced mortality among nursing home (or outpatient/ambulatory) residents.
Alexander PE, Armstrong R, Fareed G … +9 more , Lotus J, Oskoui R, Prodromos C, Risch HA, Tenenbaum HC, Wax CM, Dara P, McCullough PA, Gill KK
Med Hypotheses · 2021 Aug · PMID 34130113 · Full text
The outbreak of COVID-19 from severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has spread all over the world with tremendous morbidity and mortality in the elderly. In-hospital treatment addresses the multifa...
The outbreak of COVID-19 from severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has spread all over the world with tremendous morbidity and mortality in the elderly. In-hospital treatment addresses the multifaceted nature of the illness including initial viral replication, cytokine storm, and endothelial injury with thrombosis. We identified nine reports of early treatment outcomes in COVID-19 nursing home patients. Multi-drug therapy including hydroxychloroquine with one or more anti-infectives, corticosteroids, and antithrombotic anti-blood clotting agents can be extended to seniors in the nursing home setting without hospitalization. Data from nine studies found hydroxychloroquine-based multidrug regimens were associated with a statistically significant > 60% reduction in mortality. Going forward, we conclude that early empiric treatment for the elderly with COVID-19 in the nursing home setting (or similar congregated settings with elderly residents/patients e.g. LTF or ALF) has a reasonable probability of success and acceptable safety. This group remains our highest at-risk group and warrants acute treatment focus prior to symptoms worsening. Given the rapidity and severity of SARS-CoV-2 outbreaks in nursing homes, in-center treatment of acute COVID-19 patients is a reasonable strategy to reduce the risks of hospitalization and death. If elderly high-risk patients in such congregated nursing home type settings are allowed to worsen with no early treatment, they may be too sick and fragile to benefit from in-hospital therapeutics and are at risk for pulmonary failure, life-ending micro-thrombi of the lungs, kidneys etc. The issue is timing of therapeutics, and we argue that early treatment before hospitalization, is the right time and can potentially save lives, especially among our higher-risk elderly populations hit hardest by severe illness and death from COVID-19. We must reiterate, we are talking about 'early' treatment before the disease is far along in the disease sequelae where the patient then needs hospitalization and aggressive interventions. We are referring to the initial days e.g. day one, post infection when symptoms emerge or there is strong clinical suspicion. This early therapeutic option deserves serious and urgent consideration by the medical establishment and respective decision-makers. Doctors must be allowed their clinical discretion in how they optimally treat their patients. Doctors must be brave and trust their skilled judgements and do all to save the lives of their patients. We therefore hypothesize that early outpatient ambulatory treatment, once initiated as soon as symptoms begin in high-risk positive persons, would significantly reduce hospitalizations and prevent deaths. Specifically, the provision of early multi-drug sequenced therapy with repurposed drugs will reduce hospitalization and death in elderly patients being cared for in long-term-care facilities. The most important implications of our hypothesis are: 1) hospitalizations and deaths would be reduced 2) transmission would be reduced due to the mitigation of symptoms and 3) recovery following infection and treatment provides for natural exposure immunity that is broad based, durable, and robust (helping towards natural immunity within the population). The end result is reduced strain on hospitals and systems that would allow for other non-COVID illnesses to receive care.
Glutamine addiction in virus-infected mammalian cells: A target of the innate immune system?
Koufaris C, Nicolaidou V
Med Hypotheses · 2021 Aug · PMID 34130112 · Publisher ↗
Control of core cell metabolism is a key aspect of the evolutionary conflict between viruses and the host's defence mechanisms. From their side, the invading viruses press the accelerator on their host cell's glycolysis,...
Control of core cell metabolism is a key aspect of the evolutionary conflict between viruses and the host's defence mechanisms. From their side, the invading viruses press the accelerator on their host cell's glycolysis, fatty acid, and glutaminolytic metabolic processes among others. It is also well established that activation of innate immune system responses modulates facets of metabolism such as that of polyamine, cholesterol, tryptophan and many more. But what about glutamine, a proteogenic amino acid that is a crucial nutrient for multiple cellular biosynthetic processes? Although mammalian cells can normally synthesize glutamine de novo, it has been noted that infections with genetically and phylogenetically diverse viruses are followed by the acquisition of a dependency on supplies of exogenous glutamine i.e. "glutamine addiction". Here we present our novel hypothesis that glutamine metabolism is also a target of the innate immune system, possibly through the action of interferons, as part of the evolutionary conserved antiviral metabolic reprogramming.
Visceral pain, mechanisms, and implications in musculoskeletal clinical practice.
Pacheco-Carroza EA
Med Hypotheses · 2021 Aug · PMID 34126503 · Publisher ↗
The global impact of visceral pain is extremely high, representing a significant portion of all forms of chronic pain. In musculoskeletal practice, at least one-third of people with persistent noncancerous pain report re...
The global impact of visceral pain is extremely high, representing a significant portion of all forms of chronic pain. In musculoskeletal practice, at least one-third of people with persistent noncancerous pain report recurrent abdominal, pelvic, or chest pain symptoms. Visceral pain can be felt in several different areas of the body and can migrate throughout a region, even though the site of origin does not appear to change. Traditionally, clinicians have examined musculoskeletal pain through a reductionist lens that ignores the influence of the visceral system on musculoskeletal pain. The hypothesis presented is that visceral pain has an important influence on developing and maintaining different types of musculoskeletal pain through processes within the peripheral or central nervous systems, as a result of a visceral nociceptive stimulus generated by pathoanatomical or functional alterations. The hypothesis predicts that a consideration of the function of the visceral system in musculoskeletal pain conditions will improve clinical outcomes, moving beyond a linear model and adopting a more holistic approach, especially in the more complex groups of patients.
Vitamin B12 status is a risk factor for bone fractures among vegans.
Pawlak R
Med Hypotheses · 2021 Aug · PMID 34116377 · Publisher ↗
Several studies consistently showed vegans having a higher risk of bone fractures compared to individuals from other diet groups. While researchers have focused on several factors as possible explanation of these finding...
Several studies consistently showed vegans having a higher risk of bone fractures compared to individuals from other diet groups. While researchers have focused on several factors as possible explanation of these findings, both dietary (e.g. calcium) and non-dietary (e.g. weight/BMI status), the widespread inadequate vitamin B12 (B12) status among vegans as a risk factor for bone fractures has not received adequate scrutiny. The detrimental impact of inadequate B12 status on bone tissue is both direct, via the impairment of the insulin-like growth hormone 1 and taurine synthesis, and indirect, induced through its hyperhomocysteinemic effect, via at least the following mechanisms: 1) reducing bone mineral content and density by accumulating in the extracellular matrix, 2) reducing osteoblasts and increasing osteoclasts function, 3) reducing blood flow to bone tissue, 4) inducing apoptosis via the reactive oxygen-species-mediated mitochondrial pathway, and 5) obstructing the formation of collagen cross-links, impeding lyslyl oxidase, and hampering insolubility of fibrils. Considering the widespread B12 deficiency prevalence among vegans, its role in bone fracture risk should not be overlooked.
Should we screen Eastern Mediterranean COVID-19 patients for inherited thrombophilia?
El Hasbani G, Taher AT
Med Hypotheses · 2021 Jul · PMID 34116360 · Full text
The inflammatory component of Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) creates a pro-thrombotic state that necessitates a thrombophylactic strategy for hospitalized patients. Such strategies are diffi...
The inflammatory component of Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) creates a pro-thrombotic state that necessitates a thrombophylactic strategy for hospitalized patients. Such strategies are difficult to be standardized because certain individuals can have pro-thrombotic conditions, such as inherited thrombophilia, which pre-dispose them to an additional coagulative risk. Whether outside the hospital or when admitted, patients with inherited thrombophilia need special anticoagulant and antiplatelet attention. Identifying such patients, especially in susceptible populations like the eastern Mediterranean (EM) region, will aid primary providers in risk stratification for choosing the optimal anticoagulation or antiplatelet plan.
A tale of two diseases: Sarcoidosis, COVID-19 and new therapeutic options with dual RAS inhibition and tetanus-diphtheria vaccine.
Ozbalci D
Med Hypotheses · 2021 Jul · PMID 34102600 · Full text
Sars Cov-2, the pathogen which belongs to the beta coronavirus family that is responsible for COVID-19, uses Angiotensin Converting Enzyme 2 (ACE2) as a receptor, which is responsible for controlling the actions of renin...
Sars Cov-2, the pathogen which belongs to the beta coronavirus family that is responsible for COVID-19, uses Angiotensin Converting Enzyme 2 (ACE2) as a receptor, which is responsible for controlling the actions of renin-angiotensin system (RAS). Sars Cov-2 - ACE2 binding leads to a RAS mediated immune response, which targets especially lungs to form ARDS, which in turn, is the most important cause of mortality in COVID-19. CD8 T cell response dominates over CD4 T cell response and natural killer cell dysfunction also leads to CD4 cell dysfunction in COVID-19; this immune dysregulation leads to inappropriate (ARDS) and inadequate (low or quickly waning antibodies) responses to the disease and unfortunately, prepares the patients for re-infections. The peripheral anergy seen in chronic sarcoidosis has much resemblance to COVID-19; CD8 T cell accumulation is also responsible for inadequate reaction to tuberculin and antigenic stimulus. This article, based on the similarity of COVID-19 and sarcoidosis, discusses a combination of the therapeutic strategy of the tetanus-diphtheria vaccine and dual RAS inhibition, alongside with hydroxychloroquine and antiviral agents, as a solution to overcome the problems described above.
Vascular-immuno-phenotypic (VIP) model for locally advanced and oligo-metastatic cancer: A hypothesis.
Swamy K
Med Hypotheses · 2021 Jul · PMID 34102599 · Publisher ↗
Primary Hypothesis: In cancer therapy, normalization of the vasculature, and not disruption, to facilitate the reversal of the immuno-phenotypic changes, is the sine-qua-non for cancer elimination. The triad of normaliza...
Primary Hypothesis: In cancer therapy, normalization of the vasculature, and not disruption, to facilitate the reversal of the immuno-phenotypic changes, is the sine-qua-non for cancer elimination. The triad of normalization of the vasculature, leading to the improved immunological tumour microenvironment and increased susceptibility of resistant phenotypic cancer cells (VIP model), forms the basis of this hypothesis. This article hypothesizes the absolute need for vascular normalization for the eradication of cancer. Locally advanced and oligometastatic cancers have the potential to be cured with aggressive therapy. The focus on vascular normalization its clinical relevance in this situation is essential. Most traditional approaches have focused on the elimination of cancer by targeting and disrupting vasculature. Initially, antiangiogenic drugs showed significant promise in animal experiments. However, this vascular disruption approach has not paid the expected long-term dividends in the clinical setup. However, antiangiogenics are playing a significant role when used concurrently with chemotherapy/immunotherapy. Antiangiogenics have dual temporal actions - an initial normalization effect with improved oxygenation followed by pruning of blood vessels, resulting in exaggerated hypoxia along with a rebound progression. The literature is replete with phenomena of initial vascular normalization with a paradigm shift in the immuno-phenotypic milieu of cancer as part of vascular targeting approaches. The hypothesis in this article stresses the need to have strategies to extend this normalization window or to have pre-clinical trials to optimize the dose scheduling of antiangiogenics cyclically along with chemo/targeted/immune therapy and other combination therapies. We can implement this hypothesis by a combinatorial harmonization of present-day cancer therapies in the setting of tumor vasculature integrity. In addition, based on the proposed hypothesis, the current normalization effect of antiangiogenics and newer therapy development should focus primarily on normalization of the vasculature as well as targeting hypoxia-Inducible-factor-1 alpha (HIF-1 α) in the presence of differential genetic modulation of vascular endothelial cell resistance enhancement along with cancer cell sensitization. Also, the article enumerates six supporting hypotheses supplementing the primary hypothesis.
Decorin as a possible strategy for the amelioration of COVID-19.
Allawadhi P, Singh V, Khurana I … +8 more , Rawat PS, Renushe AP, Khurana A, Navik U, Allwadhi S, Kumar Karlapudi S, Banothu AK, Bharani KK
Med Hypotheses · 2021 Jul · PMID 34098463 · Full text
Coronavirus pandemic has emerged as an extraordinary healthcare crisis in modern times. The SARS-CoV-2 novel coronavirus has high transmission rate, is more aggressive and virulent in comparison to previously known coron...
Coronavirus pandemic has emerged as an extraordinary healthcare crisis in modern times. The SARS-CoV-2 novel coronavirus has high transmission rate, is more aggressive and virulent in comparison to previously known coronaviruses. It primarily attacks the respiratory system by inducing cytokine storm that causes systemic inflammation and pulmonary fibrosis. Decorin is a pluripotent molecule belonging to a leucine rich proteoglycan group that exerts critical role in extracellular matrix (ECM) assembly and regulates cell growth, adhesion, proliferation, inflammation, and fibrogenesis. Interestingly, decorin has potent anti-inflammatory, cytokine inhibitory, and anti-fibrillogenesis effects which make it a potential drug candidate against the COVID-19 related complications especially in the context of lung fibrosis. Herein, we postulate that owing to its distinctive pharmacological actions and immunomodulatory effect, decorin can be a promising preclinical therapeutic agent for the therapy of COVID-19.
The uncoupled anterior and posterior spinal ligament tension (UAPLT) - An improvement to three-dimensional spring model of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) pathogenesis.
Cheng Y, Shi Y, Xu B … +1 more , Yang Z
Med Hypotheses · 2021 Jul · PMID 34090211 · Publisher ↗
The pathogenesis of Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis (AIS) remains unclear. Previous research proposed that ligament laxity is a clinical feature that can be easily overlooked in patients with AIS. We speculated a new hyp...
The pathogenesis of Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis (AIS) remains unclear. Previous research proposed that ligament laxity is a clinical feature that can be easily overlooked in patients with AIS. We speculated a new hypothesis which is an improvement of our three-dimensional spring model hypothesis of AIS pathogenesis. The tethered string in the spring model stimulates the spinal ligament instead of spinal cord. Spinal overgrowth in the adolescent age leads to higher tension of posterior spinal ligament. And the ligament laxity leads to lower tension of anterior spinal ligament. This uncoupled anterior and posterior spinal ligament tension maybe the key cause of AIS.
New hypotheses for cancer generation and progression.
Mazzocca A, Fais S
Med Hypotheses · 2021 Jul · PMID 34087614 · Publisher ↗
Since Nixon famously declared war on cancer in 1971, trillions of dollars have been spent on cancer research but the life expectancy for most forms of cancer is still poor. There are many reasons for the partial success...
Since Nixon famously declared war on cancer in 1971, trillions of dollars have been spent on cancer research but the life expectancy for most forms of cancer is still poor. There are many reasons for the partial success of cancer translational research. One of these can be the predominance of certain paradigms that potentially narrowed the vision in interpreting cancer. The main paradigm to explain carcinogenesis is based on DNA mutations, which is well interpreted by the somatic mutation theory (SMT). However, a different theory claims that cancer is instead a tissue disease as proposed by the Tissue Organization Field Theory (TOFT). Here, we propose new hypotheses to explain the origin and pathogenesis of cancer. In this perspective, the systemic-evolutionary theory of cancer (SETOC) is discussed as well as how the microenvironment affects the adaptation of transformed cells and the reversion to a unicellular-like or embryo-like phenotype.
Does COVID 19 generate a milieu for propagation of mucormycosis?
Pandiar D, Kumar NS, Anand R … +3 more , Kamboj M, Narwal A, Shameena PM
Med Hypotheses · 2021 Jul · PMID 34087613 · Full text
Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID 2019), caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), is a dreadful infectious disease which has emerged as one of the most significant medical emergency affe...
Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID 2019), caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), is a dreadful infectious disease which has emerged as one of the most significant medical emergency affecting everyone directly or indirectly. COVID 2019 is a multisystem disease and causes severe immunosuppression. Initially thought to affect mainly the respiratory system, it strikes all vital organ systems and cause defects in cardio-circulatory, respiratory system and gastrointestinal systems to name a few leading to copious biochemical alterations. Reports show there is thromoembolism, raised ferritin levels, lymphocytopenia, thrombocytopenia, lactic acidosis, acute diabetes like state and cytokine storm. Data regarding levels of neutrophils is equivocal. Further there is increased incidence regarding high incidents of mucormycosis in COVID 2019 positive subjects. In the present paper, we identified and correlated the virus mediated biochemical alterations as the potential ideal environment for propagation of mucorales; and thus concentrate on early diagnosis and treatment of mucormycosis in COVID 2019 cases.
What is the physical-mechanical mechanism of pressurized mesotherapy?
da Silva RL, de Oliveira FA, Medeiros RG … +2 more , Cunha SV, Gouveia GPM
Med Hypotheses · 2021 Jul · PMID 34082278 · Publisher ↗
The skin is the largest organ in the human body and has a variable structure. It is divided into three layers: epidermis, dermis and hypodermis. Amid aesthetics, this structure works as a systemic administration port or...
The skin is the largest organ in the human body and has a variable structure. It is divided into three layers: epidermis, dermis and hypodermis. Amid aesthetics, this structure works as a systemic administration port or as a route to administration of active principles. Invasive procedures, however, non-surgical, have been standing out and gaining space globally, as these are techniques that do not bring a significant risk of life or prolonged rest after treatment. The aim of this work is to raise the hypothesis of the effect of pressurized mesotherapy in relation to injectable mesotherapy. The method does not use needles; just pressurization to spread the product's principles in the skin tissue. Assets applied under pressure associated with the minimization of mechanical resistance by distending the elastic components of the skin with the use of skin folds have a better effect on aesthetic dysfunctions.
Hypothesis for renin-angiotensin inhibitor mitigation of COVID-19.
Sackin H
Med Hypotheses · 2021 Jul · PMID 34048987 · Full text
Preexisting hypertension is a known risk factor for severe COVID-19. Abnormal activation of RAS upregulates angiotensin II (Ang-II) and contributes to severe manifestations of COVID-19. Although RAS inhibitors (RASi) are...
Preexisting hypertension is a known risk factor for severe COVID-19. Abnormal activation of RAS upregulates angiotensin II (Ang-II) and contributes to severe manifestations of COVID-19. Although RAS inhibitors (RASi) are a mainstay of antihypertensive therapy, they have been associated (in some animal studies) with an increase in angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptors that facilitate cellular entry of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Nonetheless, current medical practice does not recommend curtailing RASi to protect hypertensive patients from COVID. On the contrary, there is clinical evidence to support a beneficial effect of RASi for hypertensive patients in the midst of a COVID-19 pandemic, although the precise mechanism for this is unclear. In this paper, we hypothesize that RASi reduces the severity of COVID-19 by promoting ACE2-AT1R complex formation at the cell surface, where AT1R mediates the major vasopressor effects of Ang-II. Furthermore, we propose that the interaction between ACE2 and AT1R impedes binding of SARS-CoV-2 to ACE2, thereby allowing ACE2 to convert Ang-II to the more beneficial Ang(1-7), that has vasodilator and anti-inflammatory activity. Evidence for ACE2-AT1R complex formation during reduced Ang-II comes from receptor colocalization studies in isolated HEK293 cells, but this has not been confirmed in cells having endogenous expression of ACE2 and AT1R. Since the SARS-CoV-2 virus attacks the kidney, as well as the heart and lung, our hypothesis for the effect of RASi on COVID-19 could be tested in vitro using human proximal tubule cells (HK-2), having ACE2 and AT1 receptors. Specifically, colocalization of fluorescent labelled: SARS-CoV-2 spike protein, ACE2, and AT1R in HK-2 cells can be used to clarify the mechanism of RASi action in renal and lung epithelia, which could lead to protocols for reducing the severity of COVID-19 in both hypertensive and normotensive patients.
Retraction notice to "Facemasks in the COVID-19 era: A health hypothesis" [Medical Hypotheses 146 (2021) 5].
Vainshelboim B
Med Hypotheses · 2021 Jul · PMID 33992504 · Full text
Abstract loading — click title to view on PubMed.
About
- Frequency
- Sun
- Papers found
- 200
- RSS feed
- Subscribe