Serious Disease Conditions Research Articles

Coronary Microvascular and Cardiac Dysfunction Due to Homocysteine Pathometabolism; A Complex Therapeutic Design.

In various metabolic diseases, both the coronary circulation and cardiac metabolism are altered. Here we summarize the effects of a condition called hyperhomocysteinemia (HHcy) - which can develop due to genetic and/or environmental causes - on the function of coronary microvessels and heart. This metabolic disease is underappreciated, yet even mild or moderate elevation of plasma concentrations of homocystein (Hcy, plasma Hcy >16 µM), a sulfur-containing amino acid produced via methionine metabolism) leads to coronary and peripheral artery and even venous vessel diseases, eliciting vasomotor dysfunction and increased thrombosis, consequently increased morbidity and mortality. Yet the underlying mechanisms have not yet been revealed. Recent studies indicated that there are common pathomechanisms, which may affect several cellular functions. With methionin diet-induced HHcy two main pathomechanisms were revealed: the dysfunction of nitric oxide (NO) pathway resulting in reduced dilator responses of arteries and arterioles, and the simultaneously increased thromboxane A2 (TXA2) activity both in vessels and platelets. These changes are likely due to an increased production of reactive oxidative species (oxidative stress) due to increased NADPH oxidase assembly, which eventually lead to inflammatory processes (indicated by increases in TNFα, NFκbeta, p22phox, p67phox, and rac-1, levels) and changes in various gene expressions and morphological remodeling of vessels. Increased superoxide production and reduced availability of NO alter the regulation of mitochondrial function in the myocardium. The interactions of these pathomechanisms may explain why HHcy increases the uptake of glucose and lactate and decreases the uptake of free fatty acid by the heart. The pathological consequences of HHcy could be worsening by the simultaneous presence of other risk factors, such as hyperlipidemia, diabetes mellitus and metabolic syndrome. All in all, HHcy and associated pathometabolism lead to severe changes and dysfunctions of coronary arterial vessels and cardiac function, which may not always be apparent in clinical settings but most likely contribute to the increased prevalence of cardiovascular diseases and mortality, which however can be reduced by appropriate prevention and treatments. We believe that HHcy is an underestimated - likely due to inappropriate clinical trials - but serious disease condition because it promotes the development of atherosclerosis in large arterial vessels, vasomotor dysfunction in microvessels, hypertension and thrombosis. In this review, we will summarize previous functional findings focusing on coronary vessels and cardiac function and the underlying cellular and molecular mechanisms enabling the development of novel treatments.

Effects of Baduanjin on dyspnea and activity tolerance among patients with stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Objective To explore the effects of health Qigong Buduanjin on dyspnea and activity tolerance among patients with stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) . Methods From January to December 2015, 73 patients with stable COPD in Beijing Dongcheng District Dafangjia Community Health Service Station were selected by convenience sampling. All of the patients were divided into observation group (n=37) and control group (n=36) with the random number table. Patients of two groups all accepted drug therapy and health education. In addition, patients of control group did exercise such as walking, brisk walking, riding a bicycle, lifting dumbbell according to their habits and ability. On the basis of exercises of the control group, patients of observation group practiced health Qigong Buduanjin last 12 months. The modified version of the British Medical Research Council respiratory questionnaire (mMRC) and 6-minute walk distance (6MWT) were used to evaluated patients' dyspnea and activity tolerance before and after intervention. The number of patients who were admitted to hospital for equal or more than one time because of acute exacerbation was counted to evaluate the risk of increasing serious disease condition. Results At last, 35 patients in observation group and 31 patients in control group completed the study. After intervention, there were statistical differences in the level of mMRC, 6MWT and the risk of increasing serious disease condition between observation and control group (Z=-0.525, t=5.950, χ2=4.705; P<0.05) . Conclusions Health Qigong Buduanjin can reduce the severity of dyspnea of patients with stable COPD, improve patients' activity tolerance and reduce patients' risk of increasing serious disease condition. Key words: Pulmonary disease, chronic obstructive; Baduanjin; Dyspnea; Activity tolerance

Survey of haemoparasitic infections in dairy cattle (Friesian breeds) at Nagari integrated dairy farms, Gauta-Nike village, Keffi local government area, Nasarawa state, North Central State of Nigeria

The of prevalence ofhaemoparasites of cattle located in Nagari Integrated Farms, Gauta-NikeVillage, Keffi Local Government Area, Nasarawa State, Nigeria was conducted inOctober 2012 where 50 Friesian cattle (male and females) are kept on intensivesystem of management were randomly selected. Blood samples were collected in ananticoagulant sample bottle and submitted to the Parasitology Laboratory ofFaculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ahmadu Bello University Zaria, Kaduna state ofNigeria for parasitological examination. Giemsa stained thin blood smears wereexamined for hemoparasites and Hematocrit Centrifuge Technique (HCT) was usedto determine the presence of motile parasites. An overall prevalence of 90%(82% female and 8% male) was recorded for all samples examined, 21 (42%) wereinfected with Anaplasma marginale, Theileria mutans shows 20 (40%) prevalenceand 4 (8%) were infected by Babesia bigemina. Mixed infection between Anaplasmamarginale and Babesia bigemina revealed 2 (4%) while Anaplasma marginale andTheileria mutans was 7 (14%). There was a significant difference (P > 0.05)in infections caused by Anaplasma marginale, Babesia bigemina and Theileriamutans (Table 1) and also between sexes(Table 3), but there was no significant difference (P<0.05) between any of the mixedinfections observed (Table 2). The result of this study shows thesehemoparasites are endemic in the cattle under study which may result in seriousdisease conditions when such animals are subjected to stressful condition.