Qualitative analysis of Parkinson ’s disease information on social media: the case of YouTube™
ConclusionTo our knowledge, this is the first study to assess the usefulness of PD information on the largest video-sharing website, YouTube ™. In general, the overall quality of information presented in the videos screened was mediocre. Viewership of accurate vs. misleading information was, however, very similar. Therefore, healthcare providers should direct PD patients and their families to the resources that provide reliable and acc urate information. (Source: EPMA Journal)
Source: EPMA Journal - August 23, 2017 Category: International Medicine & Public Health Source Type: research
Emerging issues in public health: a perspective on Ghana ’s healthcare expenditure, policies and outcomes
This study presents an overview of healthcare expenditures and health outcomes (i.e. infant mortali ty, under-5 mortality and life expectancy) from 1995 to 2014 in Ghana. Infant and under-5 mortalities have declined by 50 and 25%, respectively, as of 2014, while life expectancy has increased from 60.7 to 64.8 years. Private spending on health, especially out-of-pocket payments, declined but is hi gher than the World Health Organization’s recommended financial threshold. Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are rising with healthcare costs leading to catastrophically high healthcare expenditures in the future. While governme...
Source: EPMA Journal - August 18, 2017 Category: International Medicine & Public Health Source Type: research
PCSK9 signaling pathways and their potential importance in clinical practice
AbstractIn the following review, authors described the structure and biochemical pathways of PCSK9, its involvement in LDL metabolism, as well as significances of proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 targeted treatment. PCSK9 is a proprotein convertase, which plays a crucial role in LDL receptor metabolism. Transcription and translation of PCSK9 is controlled by different nuclear factors, such as, SREBP and HNF1 α. This review focuses on interactions between PCSK9 and LDL receptor, VLDLR, ApoER2, CD36, CD81, and others. The role of PCSK9 in the inflammatory process is presented and its influence on cytokine profi...
Source: EPMA Journal - August 14, 2017 Category: International Medicine & Public Health Source Type: research
EPMA World Congress: Traditional Forum in Predictive, Preventive and Personalised Medicine for Multi-Professional Consideration and Consolidation
(Source: EPMA Journal)
Source: EPMA Journal - August 14, 2017 Category: International Medicine & Public Health Source Type: research
The potential relationship between Flammer and Sj ögren syndromes: the chime of dysfunction
AbstractFlammer syndrome (FS) is a term to blanket a cluster of vascular and nonvascular signs and symptoms linked to primary vascular dysregulation (PVD), increased sensitivity to various stimuli (stress, drugs, etc.) and altered sense regulation such as pain, smell and thirst perception. On one hand, disruption of blood barrier and homeostasis of the body are the main targets of vascular irregularity. Inflammation and immune disorders including autoimmunity are considered as a consequence of the abnormal vascular regulation processes. On the other hand, decreased thirst feeling typical for FS-affected individuals may lea...
Source: EPMA Journal - August 14, 2017 Category: International Medicine & Public Health Source Type: research
Diffusion tensor imaging for multilevel assessment of the visual pathway: possibilities for personalized outcome prediction in autoimmune disorders of the central nervous system
AbstractThe afferent visual pathway represents the most frequently affected white matter pathway in multiple sclerosis (MS) and neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders (NMOSD). Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) can reveal microstructural or non-overt brain tissue damage and quantify pathological processes. DTI facilitates the reconstruction of major white matter fiber tracts allowing for the assessment of structure-function and damage-dysfunction relationships. In this review, we outline DTI studies investigating the afferent visual pathway in idiopathic optic neuritis (ON), NMOSD, and MS. Since MS damage patterns are believe...
Source: EPMA Journal - July 25, 2017 Category: International Medicine & Public Health Source Type: research
Vaccination and autoimmune diseases: is prevention of adverse health effects on the horizon?
AbstractAutoimmune diseases, including multiple sclerosis and type 1 diabetes mellitus, affect about 5% of the worldwide population. In the last decade, reports have accumulated on various autoimmune disorders, such as idiopathic thrombocytopenia purpura, myopericarditis, primary ovarian failure, and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), following vaccination. In this review, we discuss the possible underlying mechanisms of autoimmune reactions following vaccinations and review cases of autoimmune diseases that have been correlated with vaccination. Molecular mimicry and bystander activation are reported as possible mechanis...
Source: EPMA Journal - July 20, 2017 Category: International Medicine & Public Health Source Type: research
Perceived social support as a moderator between negative life events and depression in adolescence: implications for prediction and targeted prevention
ConclusionsTaking into account that perceived social support moderates the association between negative stress events and levels of depression, we can propose a model for the prevention of depression, which will include perceived social support. However, future research with longitudinal design is required to verify the results. (Source: EPMA Journal)
Source: EPMA Journal - June 23, 2017 Category: International Medicine & Public Health Source Type: research
Efficacy of Fenugreek-based bionanocomposite on renal dysfunction and endogenous intoxication in high-calorie diet-induced obesity rat model —comparative study
ConclusionHigh-calorie diet-induced obesity evokes endogenous intoxication syndrome and kidney dysfunction in rats. Application of Orlistat- and Fenugreek-based BNC decreases MM content to the normal level. Orlistat induces increasing levels of oligopeptides in both groups, likely due to adverse side effects on renal function and its pro-oxidant activity. (Source: EPMA Journal)
Source: EPMA Journal - June 16, 2017 Category: International Medicine & Public Health Source Type: research
Endothelial dysfunction in cardiovascular disease and Flammer syndrome —similarities and differences
AbstractThe endothelium has increasingly been recognized as a smart barrier and a key regulator of blood flow in micro- and macrovascular beds. Endothelial dysfunction marks a stage of atherosclerosis and is an important prognostic marker for cardiovascular disease. Yet, some people who tend to be slim and physically active and with rather low blood pressure show a propensity to respond to certain stimuli such as emotional stress with endothelial-mediated vascular dysregulation (Flammer syndrome). This leads to characteristic vascular symptoms such as cold hands but also a risk for vascular-mediated diseases such as normal...
Source: EPMA Journal - June 6, 2017 Category: International Medicine & Public Health Source Type: research
Relationship between normal tension glaucoma and Flammer syndrome
ConclusionThere is an association between normal tension glaucoma and Flammer syndrome. If future studies confirm this relationship, treatment of Flammer syndrome may help to prevent normal tension glaucoma or to slow down its progression. (Source: EPMA Journal)
Source: EPMA Journal - June 2, 2017 Category: International Medicine & Public Health Source Type: research
Acupuncture benefits for Flammer syndrome in individuals with inherited diseases of the retina
ConclusionsThe applied acupuncture protocol for FS in IRD patients showed improvement in FS signs and symptoms and was tolerated well. Nevertheless, the objective evaluation of this complementary therapy on FS in IRD patients remains to be elucidated. (Source: EPMA Journal)
Source: EPMA Journal - May 31, 2017 Category: International Medicine & Public Health Source Type: research
Postmenopausal breast cancer: European challenge and innovative concepts
AbstractBreast cancer (BC) epidemic is recognised now worldwide as the reality of the early twenty-first century. Increasing trends in the postmenopausal BC prevalence, even for the European countries earlier demonstrating relatively stable incidence rates of the disease, are highly alarming for the healthcare givers. This new actuality requires a substantial revision of the paradigm currently applied to the BC management and creation of highly innovative concepts. Current multi-centred study highlights new complex mechanisms of the development and progression of the postmenopausal BC. Innovative concepts are presented whi...
Source: EPMA Journal - May 30, 2017 Category: International Medicine & Public Health Source Type: research
Nutritional recommendations for individuals with Flammer syndrome
AbstractThe Flammer syndrome (FS) describes the phenotype of people with a predisposition for an altered reaction of the blood vessels to stimuli like coldness or emotional stress. The question whether such people should be treated is often discussed. On the one hand, most of these subjects are healthy; on the other hand, FS seems to predispose to certain eye diseases such as normal tension glaucoma or retinitis pigmentosa or systemic diseases such as multiple sclerosis or tinnitus. A compromise between doing nothing and a drug treatment is the adaption of nutrition. But what do we mean by healthy food consumption for subj...
Source: EPMA Journal - May 29, 2017 Category: International Medicine & Public Health Source Type: research
The discovery of the Flammer syndrome: a historical and personal perspective
AbstractThis review describes the clinical and basic research that led to the description of Flammer syndrome. It is narrated from a personal perspective. This research was initiated by the observation of an increased long-term fluctuation of visual fields in a subgroup of glaucoma patients. As these patients had strikingly cold hands, peripheral blood flow was tested with a capillary microscopy, and vasospastic syndrome (VS) was diagnosed. Further studies on these patients revealed frequently weakened autoregulation of ocular blood flow and increased flow resistivity in retroocular vessels. Their retinal vessels were more...
Source: EPMA Journal - May 22, 2017 Category: International Medicine & Public Health Source Type: research
