Adv Exp Med Biol
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The review focuses on the current knowledge and the most pertinent hypotheses regarding the local host immune response as the key factor for the pathogenesis of implant-associated infections. Although bacterial biofilms have long been recognized as causative agents, the link between the infection and the devastating inflammatory response, particularly the localized tissue destruction and bone degradation is less well understood. Understanding these consequences of infection, however, is of utmost importance, because suppressing inflammation and preventing bone destruction could be a novel, alternative therapeutic option in cases when eradicating the infections fails.
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Excessive dietary salt (sodium chloride) intake is associated with an increased risk for hypertension, which in turn is especially a major risk factor for stroke and other cardiovascular pathologies, but also kidney diseases. Besides, high salt intake or preference for salty food is discussed to be positive associated with stomach cancer, and according to recent studies probably also obesity risk. On the other hand a reduction of dietary salt intake leads to a considerable reduction in blood pressure, especially in hypertensive patients but to a lesser extent also in normotensives as several meta-analyses of interventional studies have shown. ⋯ Regarding dietary interventions for the reduction of blood pressure the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet can be recommended. In addition, body weight should be normalized in overweight and obese people (BMI less than 25 kg/m2), salt intake should not exceed 5 g/day according to WHO recommendations (<2 g sodium/day), no more than 1.5 g sodium/d in blacks, middle- and older-aged persons, and individuals with hypertension, diabetes, or chronic kidney disease, intake of potassium (~4.7 g/day) should be increased and alcohol consumption limited. In addition, regular physical activity (endurance, dynamic resistance, and isometric resistance training) is very important.
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Mitochondria are essential double-membraned cytoplasmic organelles to support aerobic respiration and produce cellular energy by oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS). Mitochondrial functions are controlled by mitochondrial (mtDNA) and nuclear genomes (nDNA). Mutations of mtDNA result in mitochondrial dysfunction and multisystem diseases through compromising OXPHOS function directly by a point mutation or a large-scale mtDNA rearrangement. ⋯ Unlike diploid nDNA, mtDNA is a multi-copy genome transmitted and maternally inherited through oocyte. The multi-copy nature of mtDNA easily causes the heteroplasmy as a unique aspect of mtDNA, making mitochondrial diseases more complex and heterogeneous. mtDNA-associated mitochondrial dysfunction plays the important role in the development of multisystemic primary mitochondrial disease, neurodegeneration, and cancer. The present article overviews the occurrence of mtDNA mutation, interactions with other factors, and molecular mechanisms of mtDNA-associated diseases.
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Physiological data from wearable sensors and smartphone are accumulating rapidly, and this provides us the chance to collect dynamic and personalized information as phenotype to be integrated to genotype for the holistic understanding of complex diseases. This integration can be applied to early prediction and prevention of disease, therefore promoting the shifting of disease care tradition to the healthcare paradigm. ⋯ We discuss the challenges of physiological informatics about the storage, the standardization, the analyses, and the applications of the physiological data from the wearable sensors and smartphone. At last, we present our perspectives on the models for disentangling the complex relationship between early disease prediction and the mining of physiological phenotype data.
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With rapid urbanization and development of transport infrastructure, air pollution caused by multiple-pollutant emissions and vehicle exhaust has been aggravated year by year in China. In order to improve air quality, the Chinese authorities have taken a series of actions to control air pollution emission load within a permissible range. However, although China has made positive progress on tackling air pollution, these actions have not kept up with its economy growth and fossil-fuel use. ⋯ In this chapter, we first review the past and current circumstances of China's responses to air pollution. Then we discuss the control challenges and future options for a better air quality in China. Finally, we begin to unravel links between air pollution and climate change, providing new opportunities for integrated research and actions in China.