This study investigates the microbial composition of a commercially available Swiss fermented milk and colostrum product with a history of use in chronic condition management since 2014. The analysis, performed using the Axiom Microbiome Array, identified a high number of targets corresponding to microbial species classified as probiotics belonging to the Bifidobacteriaceae family. The array provided 28 unique targets, each corresponding to a specific microbe. Next, the amino acid sequences of beta-galactosidase and sialidase from Bifidobacteria and humans were studied because these enzymes are responsible for the production of GcMAF (Gc protein-derived Macrophage Activating Factor) from the Gc protein that is abundant in colostrum. The Bifidobacterial enzymes showed striking functional similarities with their human counterparts. In addition, the study explores the potential health benefits of this product with a focus on GcMAF and chondroitin sulfate, a glycosaminoglycan highly represented in milk and colostrum. The high concentration of specific Bifidobacteria strains contributes to these benefits through two mechanisms: enhanced GcMAF production and activation of chondroitin sulfate, which in turn exhibits GcMAF-like activity. These findings suggest that the Bifidobacteria-rich Swiss product could offer health benefits through these combined mechanisms.
In this article, we consider the relationship between the brain and the immune system in the context of the Orch OR (Orchestrated Objective Reduction) theory of consciousness. Orch OR is a theory that postulates that consciousness arises from quantum computations occurring inside microtubules. The immune system is capable of acquiring, learning, and remembering information, thus showing all the attributes of natural intelligence. We argue that the immune system also has the attribute of consciousness and can gain access to an amount of information greater than what is accessible to the brain since it is not constrained by brain's reducing valve that is responsible for cognitive bottlenecks. We also describe the role of meditation and religious chanting in affecting the brain and immune system. We speculate that some effects of religious chanting on the immune system may not be mediated by the brain. Finally, we examine the role of the immune system in connecting with the consciousness embedded in the universe.
This article describes a novel topical composition constituted by gamma-amino butyric acid (GABA) and microbial chondroitin sulfate. This composition, formulated by the author and manufactured in a certified facility in the United States of America, exhibits potential for non-invasive intervention in anxiety management, sleep quality enhancement, and promotion of brain-related functions like meditation and nonlocal consciousness. The core component comprises GABA, a key inhibitory neurotransmitter within the central nervous system, complexed with a suitable carrier molecule, microbial chondroitin sulfate. This complexation aims to enhance transdermal absorption and optimize delivery of GABA to target tissues. The proposed mechanism of action involves modulation of GABAergic signal transduction pathways. Application of the topical composition allows GABA penetration into the skin and potentially deeper tissues, where it interacts with GABA receptors. This interaction leads to mental calmness and relaxation as assessed by electroencephalography. The influence of GABAergic signaling on brain circuits demonstrated in this article, when associated with meditation and nonlocal consciousness, suggests potential for the composition to support these practices. The advantage of such an approach consists in avoiding the potential systemic side effects associated with oral or injectable administration of GABA, anxiolytics or hypnotics. Furthermore, the combination of GABA and microbial chondroitin sulfate may offer synergistic benefits, potentially enhancing the overall biological effects. In conclusion, this article presents a novel topical approach for managing anxiety, enhancing sleep quality, and potentially facilitating meditation and nonlocal consciousness through modulation of GABAergic signaling pathways. While further research is necessary, the potential for a non-invasive and potentially side-effect-free intervention in these areas is promising.
: Human exposure to heavy metals is associated with higher rates of immunological deficiencies, autoimmunity, and cancer. Chronic exposure to lead contributes to abnormalities in immunomodulation while cadmium is linked to breast, prostate, and lung cancers. Prenatal exposure to these metals impacts both the development and function of immune cells. The concept of one health underscores the importance of the interface between human, animal, and environmental health. Herein, we highlight heavy metal exposure via honey consumption as an example of the critical intersection of these factors as they relate to immunological impacts and downstream pathologies.
Essentialhypertension is a rise of arterial blood pressure whose etiology is unknown.Immune complexes are complexes created by the binding of an antibody to theantigen. They are also called circulating immune complexes because of its precipitation in peripheral blood vessels,commonly on the places of their bifurcation and the places of higher bloodpressure (glomerules of kidney or synovia). The goal of this study is to, bystatistical estimation, connect essential hypertension and immune complexes asa cause of many appearances. With this aim, two groups of twenty-five examineeswere questionnaire about their frequency and how long they ailed acutstreptococcal tonsillitis, which may latter cause poststreptococcalglomerulonephritis as a consequence of immune complex creation. In doing so,examinees were also questionnaired about immune complex diseases (SystemicLupus Erythematosus (SLE), Polynodosa Arteritis (PA), and PoststreptococcalGlomerulonepritis (PSG)). After all, they were questionnaired, about howfrequently and how long they used penicillin as a therapy, which also may, incertain occasions, affect the creation of immune complexes. Examined groupswere formed by patients suffering from essential hypertension, and the controlgroups were formed by randomly chosen examinees. By statistical estimating datafrom the mentioned questionnaire, we concluded that the frequency of past acutestreptococcal tonsillitis in patients with essential hypertension hasstatistical significance and the frequency of past or actual immune complexdiseases (SLE, PA, PSG); and using penicillin as a therapy does not havestatistical significance.
Department of Haematology and Blood Transfusion, Federal Medical Centre, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, Nigeria Department of Medical Laboratory Science, College of Health Science, Niger Delta University, Wilberforce Island, Bayelsa State, Nigeria Department of Haematology and Blood Transfusion Science, Rivers State University, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Federal University Otuoke, Bayelsa State, Nigeria
Infection by severe acute respiratory syndrome-related coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the pathogen responsible for COVID-19, is associated with immune-mediated responses that lead to dysregulated activation of proteolytic enzymes; these contribute to damage to the endothelium, thrombosis, hypercoagulability, and other hematologic complications that include thrombotic thrombocytopenia, a complication of severe COVID-19 as well as a potentially fatal adverse effect of COVID-19 vaccination. Here, it is demonstrated that proteolysis of plasma proteins leads to sequential release of endogenous glycosaminoglycans (GAGs), first chondroitin sulfate (CS), followed by heparin (HP). The extension and degree of what is called "proteolytic storm" determines whether only one endogenous type of GAGs (CS), or both (CS and HP), are released. Sulfated GAGs such as CS and HP exert a protective role against SARS-CoV-2 infection. However, sustained and excessive release of endogenous HP may be responsible for thrombotic thrombocytopenia just as it happens in HP-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) a well-known side effect of HP administration that results in thromboembolisms in atypical sites, thrombocytopenia, and synthesis of autoantibodies directed against platelet factor 4 (PF4) that contribute to platelet aggregation. It is concluded that release of endogenous HP as consequence of dysregulated proteolysis occurring during COVID-19 or COVID-19 vaccination may play a fundamental role in the pathophysiology of the disease as well as in adverse reactions to vaccination.
Spontaneous preterm birth is the leading cause of neonatal morbidity and mortality. Inflammation plays a central role in the activation of myometrial contractions and rupture of fetal membranes associated with spontaneous preterm birth. The pomegranate polyphenol punicalagin is known to possess anti-inflammatory properties. In this study, we aimed to determine the effect of punicalagin on pro-inflammatory and pro-labor mediators in an in vitro model of intrauterine inflammation associated with preterm birth. Primary human cells isolated from myometrium, decidua and fetal membranes (amnion mesenchyme) were stimulated with or without IL1B or TNF, in the absence or presence of punicalagin. Punicalagin blocked inflammation-induced expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines, chemokines and extracellular matrix degrading enzymes in primary myometrial, decidual and amnion cells. Punicalagin also suppressed inflammation-induced myometrial activation as evidenced by a decrease in PTGS2 mRNA expression, PGF2α secretion and myometrial cell contractility in situ. Overall, punicalagin may block pro-inflammatory and pro-labor mediators in human gestational tissues. Further study should identify if punicalagin can delay LPS-induced spontaneous preterm birth in an in vivo mouse model.
Both Stevens-Johnson Syndrome (SJS) and Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis (TEN) are idiosyncratic severe mucocutaneous reactions, usually to drugs or infections, characterized by blistering and epithelial sloughing. Although rare, SJS and TEN are destructive diseases; in serious cases the acute phase may be followed by a variety of systemic complications, including multiorgan failure and death. Ibuprofen is a universal antipyretic and analgesic non-steroidal antiinflammatory drug which is widely used in practice and considered as relatively safe. Hereby we introduce an Ibuprofen induced SJS case in a 14-year-old Somalian female with chief complaint of extensive skin rashes accompanied by ulceration, mild fever and difficulty in swallowing for two days. Soon after the patient was diagnosed as Ibuprofen associated SJS, she was treated with systemic corticosteroids in addition to general measures. The sign and symptoms started to resolute as soon as the second day of approval and at the seventh day the patient was discharged from the hospital. It was noteworthy that the findings of SJS/TEN appeared in relatively shorter time after the usage of accused drug compared to the previous knowledge, as well as it was remarkable. In addition, it is noticeable, that easily accessible drugs such as ibuprofen, which are frequently used in children, are not as innocent as it is thought. Moreover that is important to inform and closely follow the patients for the development of delayed drug hypersensitivity reactions.
The role of natural radioactivity in influencing viability of commensal microorganisms, with particular reference to those pertaining to the human microbiota, has not been investigated in detail. The results of experiments culturing a diversified array of microorganims - probiotics - in naturally radioactive mineral water or deuterium-depleted water are here described. Culturing microorganisms in naturally radioactive mineral water yielded one order of magnitude more live microbial cells in comparison with culturing in deuterium-depleted water. Based on these experimental results, a method for co-culturing prebiotic microorganisms (cyanobacteria) that are extremely resistant to the harmful effects of radiations, together with the probiotics mentioned above, is described. The goal of this co-culture in naturally radioactive mineral water is to transfer the information from the radiation-resistant microorganisms to the probiotics whose viability is enhanced by natural radioactivity. Expression of DNA repair genes in cyanobacteria is induced by co-culturing in a medium of carbonated mineral water naturally containing the radioactive isotopes 228 U and 226 Ra. The culture medium, in addition to naturally radioactive water, contains silica from vegetal origin to enhance horizontal gene transfer. Finally, it is described the transfer of resistance to the harmful effects of radiations to human cells through a Lactococcus phage-encoded protein, ORF252, that is the evolutionary precursor of human proteins involved in DNA repair and cancer protection.
In this study, we describe the changes associated with the consumption of an extremely biodiverse probiotic yogurt in a 55-year-old female from South Vietnam. In August 2019, the subject voluntarily embarked on a three-month nutritional experience and decided to share her experience with the goal of advancing scientific knowledge in the field of nutritional health. Consumption of this biodiverse probiotic yogurt was associated with a decrease in serum alpha-N-acetylgalactosaminidase (nagalase) activity, increased elimination of toxic metals and non-metal toxicants, a trend toward normalization of the lipid profile, and a trend toward a rebalance of the gut microbiota.
Pediatric allergic diseases are primarily caused by an IgE-dependent immunological reaction. Despite studies reporting the involvement of T follicular Helper (TfH) cells, especially type 2 TfH cells, in class-switching to IgE production in B cells, TfH subset skewing in peripheral blood in pediatric allergy patients remains to be elucidated. This study aimed to investigate the possible involvement of type 2 TfH cells in the pathogenic mechanism underlying pediatric allergic diseases. We analyzed TfH subsets (type 1, type 2 and type 17) in peripheral blood from pediatric patients with (allergy group, 35 patients) and without (non-allergy group, 26 individuals) allergic diseases via flow cytometry to determine the percentage of each TfH subset in the total TfH cell repertoire. Furthermore, the eosinophil percentage and serum total IgE and Thymus and Activation-Regulated Chemokine (TARC) levels were measured. No significant differences were observed in sex and age between the allergy and non-allergy groups. Since IgE levels were significantly higher in the allergy group than in the non-allergy group, no significant overlap was observed in the number of patients in the allergy and non-allergy groups. Although the total IgE and TARC levels and the eosinophil percentage were significantly higher in the allergy group than in the non-allergy group, the TfH subset analysis did not display a significant skewing of specific TfH subset cells. These results suggest the occurrence of either limited changes in peripheral blood TfH cells or the involvement of the immune cell subtype TfH13 in pediatric allergic diseases.
We describe the case of a 57-years-old male healthy professional who added to his nutritional plan a novel, extremely biodiverse, probiotic and a supplement based on microbial chondroitin sulfate, vitamin D3 and ultrapure phosphatidylcholine to improve his healthy life expectancy. After three months of such a nutritional regimen, serum alpha-N-acetylgalactosaminidase (nagalase) activity was 0.40 that is a value below the minimum level established for adults (normal values: 0.50-0.95 nMol/mL/min). C-reactive Protein (CRP) was less than 1 (normal values: 0.00-5.00 mg/L), a value significantly lower than that recorded before this experience. At the end of the observation period, serum albumin level was 45 g/L, a value very close to the maximum reference value (normal values: 32.00-46.00 g/L). The Prognostic Inflammatory Nutritional Index (PINI) score was 0.05, a value that is close to the minimum calculated value (normal values: 0.00-1.00) and suggests a very low risk of death for all causes. Observation in silico and experiments in vitro demonstrated that both the probiotic and the supplement formed complexes with human nagalase with an efficiency 100 fold higher than that of purified Gc protein-derived Macrophage Activating Factor (GcMAF). The collection of these observations suggests that the combination of this probiotic and this supplement may lead to overall beneficial effects on health as evidenced by positive changes of indicators of immune system function and healthy aging such as nagalase, CRP, albumin and PINI score.
The purpose of this study was to verify whether NCCRP-1 is a marker of a unique type of cells in teleost, so-called NCC, or an ubiquitin, like in cytotoxic cells. Therefore, common carp peripheral blood leukocytes were isolated and tested for the binding of fluorescent NCCRP-1 antibody to stained MAIT, γδ T and T cells following stress treatments. The results were analyzed by a confocal microscope. The results revealed the presence of NCCRP-1 in γδ T, MAIT and T cells in more than one type of leukocytes. γδ T cells were the dominant population in carp leukocytes. Therefore, it was concluded that there might be no presence of NCC cells in the common carp leukocytes and that the NCC marker,NCCRP-1, acts probably as an ubiquitin in cytotoxic cells such as γδ T and MAIT cells, which were abundant in peripheral blood leukocytes of common carp.
Response to Bronchodilators is influenced by many factors including genetics. To evaluate the influence of SLC22A4 gene polymorphisms (rs3792876 and rs2073838) on the response to inhaled salbutamol in asthmatic patients, bronchodilator response was assessed in 180 bronchial asthma patients via measuring changes of the Forced Expiratory Volume in one second (FEV1) after the administration of inhaled salbutamol and genotyping for rs3792876 and rs2073838 was carried out using real-time polymerase chain reaction. Frequencies of genotypes were compared in between responders and non-responders. The frequency of rs2073838 genotypes showed no significant differences. On the other hand, the recessive genotype of rs3792876 occurred more frequently among the non-responding patients P = 0.01, 95% confidence interval (1.2-9.5). The homozygous form of rs3792876 can influence the absorption of inhaled bronchodilator (Salbutamol), although, replication studies on this point are recommended.
The need for effective means of authentication of medical devices has increased with the growing number of falsified in vitro diagnostics and devices being introduced across world markets. Such substandard products result in negative consequences ranging from harm to patients and/or failure to impart the desired clinical outcomes to a loss of public trust in healthcare providers and regulatory agencies. Herein, we discuss the growing specter of medical device falsification, related cybersecurity threats and selected novel approaches suggested for authentication.
Lecturing has been the predominant mode of instruction since universities were founded in Western Europe over 900 y ago and still the sole method of instruction in the developing countries. However, claiming that adopting a specific new method will have reproducible results regardless the population’s characteristics is simply not possible. In this study, we sought to demonstrate that hybrid form of lecturing and active learning could be used as a curricular tool for medical education, specifically for immunology, to enhance learning performance and promote development of test-taking and metacognitive skills among students from the faculty of medicine of Oran, West Algeria. One hundred fifty four 2nd year dental medicine students were analyzed for several parameters to assess classical and active learning methods. The median comparison showed a marked improvement of exam scores in groups taken Brainstorming (BS) and Problems-Based-Learning (PBLs) (p<0.00). BS was associated with the control of immunology learning (p = 0.044), students active participation (p = 0.023), practical knowledge (p = 0.011) and knowledge organization of the (p = 0.045). Herein, we confirm that the active learning is widely accepted by Algerian medical student as complementary tool to the lecturing. We propose that hybrid formula of these two approaches is needed to work cooperatively to solve problems and develop solutions.
The brain interacts with the immune system in a highly regulated and restricted manner. Immune signals initiate pro- and anti-inflammatory activity in most body tissues in response to disease states and injury. An accumulation of inflammatory insults can disrupt immune metabolic homeostasis and give rise to pathology in sensitive areas. Here, we provide an overview of interactions between immune metabolism and the brain, with an emphasis on immune homeostatic regulation. We propose that an imbalance in immune activity can have a dose and time dependent effect on susceptible tissues. In the brain, this can contribute to neuronal injury and subsequent decline in function. We also discuss a specific pathology application involving the inflammation model of Alzheimer’s Disease (AD). AD exemplifies the complexities of a disease etiology with multiple contributing factors, which has complicated the development of effective therapies. Patients could thus benefit from an individualized risk assessment and prevention approach that focuses on preservation of function and minimization of immune metabolic damage.
Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) arising from the disruption of mitochondrial respiration act as endogenous mutagens and tumor promoters. When production of ROS exceeds the capacity of DNA repair mechanisms, random mutations and aneuploidy ensue, thousands of genes become unbalanced and genetic/epigenetic chain reactions lead to progressive aneuploidy with only two outcomes: karyotypes so altered that are not viable or karyotypes of autonomous, immortal, cancer cells. Consistent with the concept that abnormalities of cellular respiration in mitochondria precede DNA alterations in the nucleus, transplant of normal mitochondria suppresses tumorigenesis and metastases in vitro and in vivo. However, the transplant of mitochondria is an experimental procedure that cannot be easily applied to clinical practice. In order to overcome this limitation, we designed a novel formula based on microbial chondroitin sulfate, vitamin D3 and ultrapure phosphatidylcholine, molecules that are known to restore mitochondrial functionality and suppress ROS production. Here we describe how such an approach can be evaluated by color Doppler ultrasonography of the radial artery and measure of the Isovolumetric Relaxation Time (IVRT). In addition, we show for the first time color Doppler signals originating from axons of the median nerve that may be indicative of quantum phenomena at the level of mitochondria. We propose the use of the original ultrasonographic techniques here described for evaluating the effectiveness of substances or strategies aimed at restoring mitochondrial functionality at the macroscopic and quantum levels.
