Stress Management and Meditation

Mehwish Iqbal in Complementary and Alternative Medicinal Approaches for Enhancing Immunity, 2023

The downregulation and upregulation in functions of the immune system may be observed as an adaptive response modulated by stress hormones. The persistent secretion of stress hormones can initiate a kind of physiological ‘wear and tear' (allostatic load), giving rise to dysfunctioning and suppression of the immune system (McEwen, 1998; Zachariae, 2009). Thus, persistent stress weakens or damages the immune system reaction (Segerstrom & Miller, 2004) as well as precipitates inflammation (Pace et al., 2009; Weik et al., 2008). Precisely, raised CRH (corticotrophin-releasing hormone) stimulates the synthesis of proinflammatory cytokines (Wang et al., 2003), which provoke inflammation as a primary defence against infection or injury. These proinflammatory cytokines comprise interleukin 8 (IL-8), TNF-α, interleukin 1 (IL-1) and interleukin 6 (IL-6) (Glaser et al., 1999). Moreover, an acute inflammatory protein, i.e. C-reactive protein, functions as an indicator of inflammation and because of the escalated levels of CRP inflammation taking place (Sproston & Ashworth, 2018). Particularly, IL-6 (interleukin 6) enhances the synthesis of C-reactive protein (Tanaka & Kishimoto, 2014). Another complex protein, NFκB, is accountable for intervening in the production of proinflammatory cytokines while it plays a part in inflammation (Lawrence, 2009). Similar to C-reactive protein, the activity of NFκB is escalated with inflammation. The persistent increase in activity of NFκB is related to inflammatory disorders such as atherosclerosis, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and arthritis.

The patient with acute neurological problems

Peate Ian, Dutton Helen in Acute Nursing Care, 2020

Meningitis is the term used to describe inflammation of the meninges surrounding the brain and spinal cord. Inflammation can be caused by bacteria, viruses, fungi, protozoa, cancer cells or by irritant drugs. The most serious form of meningitis is bacterial meningitis. Bacterial meningitis affects the subarachnoid space and the meninges either side of the space, the pia and arachnoid mater as well as the CSF. It can be fatal, even when medical treatment is started promptly, as the bacterial infection progresses rapidly, which could lead to sepsis/septic shock (Meningitis Research Foundation 2019). Therefore, regardless of whether or not the patient has meningitis, once the patient presents with signs of sepsis, early recognition and intervention are vital to improving the patient’s prognosis.

Heterocyclic Drug Design and Development

Rohit Dutt, Anil K. Sharma, Raj K. Keservani, Vandana Garg in Promising Drug Molecules of Natural Origin, 2020

Whenever there is an infection or injury, the body of higher organisms responds in a protective manner. This defensive response of the body’s immune system is known as inflammation. Such a response is mandatory for localization and the elimination of noxious agents. It is also important for the removal of damaged tissues so, that body can begin with the process of healing. The most common symptoms of inflammation include pain, redness, immobility, swelling, and heat. These symptoms are clearly noticeable on the skin. Commonly witnessed causes of inflammation include pathogens, external injuries, chemicals, or radiation. However, in some cases of chronic inflammation, symptoms are presented in a different manner like fatigue, abdominal pain, fever, rash, joint pain, chest pain, mouth sores, etc. (Nordqvist, 2019).

The effectiveness and safety of blood flow restriction training for the post-operation treatment of distal radius fracture

Published in Annals of Medicine, 2023

Yi Fan, Dingqun Bai, Chongyuan Cheng, Guihua Tian

On postoperative days 3–7, pain management (use of NSAIDs and ice packs after training), swelling control (compression therapy for the forearm twice a day), and a physical therapy (ultrasound wave and low-frequency electricity therapy) were applied to control inflammation symptoms. In addition, full active ROM of the shoulder and elbow and gentle passive ROM of wrists and forearms were performed (Figure 2). The wrist was passively mobilized until the patient reported pain (VAS < 4), not exceeding half of the full ROM. The wrist was helf in this position for five seconds then returned to the neutral position. The entire training session for passive ROM lasted approximately 15 min. Strength training included griping, pinching, and isometric contraction of wrist flexion and extension. All were conducted under a 20% MVIC load condition, which is an effective and safe intensity for muscle strengthening [24]. Each strengthening course for different activities, such as gripping, pinching and wrist flexion was conducted in four sets of seventy-five repetitions each (30–15–15–15, respectively in each of the four sets, 5 s of contraction for each repetition) per trial [25], with a 30-second break between each set, and a one-minute break between different strengthening courses [26].The equipment used for assessment was also used for strength training.

β-Hydroxyisovalerylshikonin regulates macrophage polarization via the AMPK/Nrf2 pathway and ameliorates sepsis in mice

Published in Pharmaceutical Biology, 2022

Tao Pan, Yabin Chang, Min He, Zehui He, Jun Jiang, Xinling Ren, Fang Zhang

Inflammation is a complex biological process involving physio-pathological functions (Feng et al. 2019). The inflammatory response is initiated by foreign invaders and/or sterile damaged tissues, and displays the characteristics of high expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines (Feng et al. 2014). Generally, inflammation can protect the body from injury or infection by endogenous and exogenous pathogens; it can also lead to serious tissue damage once excessive and unresolved inflammatory responses (Grivennikov et al. 2010; Sindrilaru et al. 2011). Sepsis can be triggered by an over-activated immune system as a defense mechanism for eliminating infectious pathogens and is the leading cause of mortality for critically ill patients admitted to the intensive care units (Dellinger et al. 2013; Wang, Huang, et al. 2018). Given that there is no effective treatment strategy until now, this condition is still a major threat to human health. Therefore, the development of new agents targeting this condition is urgently needed (Feng et al. 2019).

Recent trends in platelet membrane-cloaked nanoparticles for application of inflammatory diseases

Published in Drug Delivery, 2022

Zhengyu Fang, Jie Fang, Chunxiao Gao, Rui Gao, Peihong Lin, Wenying Yu

Inflammation is an immune response, a defense mechanism of the body, and the basis of a variety of physiological and pathological processes in the body (Karin & Clevers, 2016). Inflammation is closely related to many diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis (RA), atherosclerosis (AS), ischemic heart disease, cancer and bacterial infectious diseases. Given that inflammation plays a fundamental role in the development of these diseases (Jin et al., 2018), how to alleviate inflammation may be one of the important therapeutic options for these inflammatory diseases. To date, many anti-inflammatory drugs have entered clinical trials, and their therapeutic effects on various types of acute and chronic inflammation have been verified. However, although high doses of anti-inflammatory drugs (such as hormones) can actively suppress autoimmune reactions, extensive systemic immunosuppression may cause severe adverse reactions and sequelae (such as femoral head necrosis) and profoundly affect quality of life after recovery. Hence, a targeting drug delivery system that modulates local inflammatory immune responses to potentially reduce drug dosage and toxic and side effects is of great significance.