A nanocommunication system for endocrine diseases

Nanotechnology is a newand very promising area of research which will allow several new applications to be created in different fields, such as, biological, medical, environmental, military, agricultural, industrial and consumer goods. This paper focuses specifically on nanocommunications, which will allow interconnected devices, at the nano-scale, to achieve collaborative tasks, greatly changing the paradigm in the fields described. Molecular communication is a new communication paradigm which allows nanomachines to exchange information using molecules as carrier. This is the most promising nanocommunication method within nanonetworks, since it can use bio-inspired techniques, inherit from studied biological systems, which makes the connection of biologic and man-made systems a easier process. At this point, the biggest challenges in these type of nanocommunication are to establish feasible and reliable techniques that will allow information to be encoded, and mechanisms that ensure a molecular communication between different nodes. This paper focus on creating concepts and techniques to tackle these challenges, and establishing new foundations on which future work can be developed. The created concepts and techniques are then applied in an envisioned medical application, which is based on a molecular nanonetwork deployed inside the Human body. The goal of this medical application is to automatously monitor endocrine diseases using the benefits of nanonetworks, which in turn connects with the internet, thus creating a Internet of NanoThings system. The concepts and techniques developed are evaluated by performing several simulations and comparing with other researches, and the results and discussions are presented on the later sections of this paper

PREVENTION OF ENDOCRINE DISEASES AMONG THE POPULATION

Endocrine diseases, which encompass a wide range of disorders affecting the endocrine system, have become a growing concern in contemporary healthcare. This article explores strategies and interventions aimed at the prevention of endocrine diseases among the population. It delves into the multifaceted nature of these diseases, examining their causes, risk factors, and the significant impact they have on public health. Through a comprehensive review of epidemiological data, lifestyle modifications, and advancements in medical research, this article elucidates the importance of early detection and targeted prevention strategies. Furthermore, it highlights the role of healthcare providers, policymakers, and individuals in collectively working towards a healthier future with reduced incidence of endocrine diseases

Urocortins in the mammalian endocrine system

Urocortins (Ucns), peptides belonging to the corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) family, are classified into Ucn1, Ucn2, and Ucn3. They are involved in regulating several body functions by binding to two G protein-coupled recep- tors: receptor type 1 (CRHR1) and type 2 (CRHR2). In this review, we provide a historical overview of research on Ucns and their receptors in the mammalian endocrine system. Although the literature on the topic is limited, we focused our attention particularly on the main role of Ucns and their receptors in regulating the hypothalamic–pituitary–adre- nal and thyroid axes, reproductive organs, pancreas, gastrointestinal tract, and other tissues characterized by “diffuse” endocrine cells in mammals. The prominent function of these peptides in health conditions led us to also hypothesize an action of Ucn agonists/antagonists in stress and in various diseases with its critical consequences on behavior and physiology. The potential role of the urocortinergic system is an intriguing topic that deserves further in-depth investi- gations to develop novel strategies for preventing stress-related conditions and treating endocrine diseases

Role of psychosocial stress in complex diseases

peer reviewedComplex diseases are chronic diseases where the interrelations between genetic predisposition and environmental factors play an essential role in the arisen and the maintenance of the pathology. Upon psychological stress, the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and the sympathetic nervous system are activated resulting in release of glucocorticoids and catecholamines. Chronic stress may induce complex diseases where alterations of nervous, endocrine and immune systems are involved. Thus, chronic stress is more likely to induce a range of effects, depending on the capacity of the subject to cope with stress. CRH ("Corticotropin Releasing Hormone") is a key factor in the stress-immunity relationship. In this article, we propose an overview of the interrelations between central nervous, endocrine and immune systems and implications for health and diseases. The objective for the clinician is to propose therapeutic strategies targeting changes in human behaviour to cope with a potentially stressful environment

Genetics and biology of vitamin D receptor polymorphisms

The vitamin D endocrine system is involved in a wide variety of biological processes including bone metabolism, modulation of the immune response, and regulation of cell proliferation and differentiation. Variations in this endocrine system have, thus, been linked to several common diseases, including osteoarthritis (OA), diabetes, cancer, cardiovascular disease, and tuberculosis. Evidence to support this pleiotropic character of vitamin D has included epidemiological studies on circulating vitamin D hormone levels, but also genetic epidemiological studies. Genetic studies provide excellent opportunities to link molecular insights with epidemiological data and have therefore gained much interest. DNA sequence variations, which occur frequently i

Cancer Causes Control

Purpose:Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) survivors experience high risks of second cancers and cardiovascular disease, but no studies have considered whether the occurrence of these and other medical conditions differ by sociodemographic factors in adolescent and young adult (AYA) survivors.Methods:Data for 5,085 patients aged 15\u201339 when diagnosed with HL during 1996\u20132012 and surviving 652 years were obtained from the California Cancer Registry and linked to hospitalization data. We examined the impact of race/ethnicity, neighborhood socioeconomic status (SES), and health insurance on the occurrence of medical conditions ( 652 years after diagnosis) and the impact of medical conditions on survival using multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression.Results:Twenty-six percent of AYAs experienced at least one medical condition and 15% had 652 medical conditions after treatment for HL. In multivariable analyses, Black HL survivors had a higher likelihood (versus non-Hispanic Whites) of endocrine (hazard ratio (HR)=1.37, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.05\u20131.78) and circulatory system diseases (HR=1.58, CI:1.17\u20132.14); Hispanics had a higher likelihood of endocrine diseases (HR=1.24 (1.04\u20131.48). AYAs with public or no insurance (versus private/military) had higher likelihood of circulatory system diseases, respiratory system diseases, chronic kidney disease/renal failure, liver disease and endocrine diseases. AYAs residing in low SES neighborhoods (versus high) had higher likelihood of respiratory system and endocrine diseases. AYAs with these medical conditions or second cancers had an over two-fold increased risk of death.Conclusion:Strategies to improve health care utilization for surveillance and secondary prevention among AYA HL survivors at increased risk of medical conditions may improve outcomes.HHSN261201000140C/CA/NCI NIH HHS/United StatesK24 CA208132/CA/NCI NIH HHS/United StatesU01 CA195568/CA/NCI NIH HHS/United StatesHHSN261201000035C/CA/NCI NIH HHS/United StatesHHSN261201000035I/CA/NCI NIH HHS/United StatesHHSN261201000034C/CA/NCI NIH HHS/United StatesUL1 TR000002/TR/NCATS NIH HHS/United StatesU58 DP003862/DP/NCCDPHP CDC HHS/United States2019-06-01T00:00:00Z29654427PMC6422023631

Epidemiological assessment of the peculiarities of the development of non-tumor diseases residents of the radioactively contaminated areas aged 18-47 years old, born before the Chernobyl accident. The observation period 1988-2016

An epidemiological assessment of changes in the health status of RCA residents under 18 years old at the time of theChernobylaccident for the period 1988-2016 was conducted.The main source of information was the database of medical data of the State Register of Ukraine (SRU) of victims of theChernobylaccident. The cohort consisted of 33,684 residents of RCA aged 18 to 47 years old (as of the date of theChernobylaccident under the age of 18), of whom men - 16,757, women - 16,927.The state of health of the offspring was assessed based on the information from the Ukraine State Register (USR).45417 cases (100%) of non-tumoral diseases were identified in eight classes of ICD-10, which is 103.46 ± 0.46 cases per 1000 person-years of follow-up. 21,148 diseases were diagnosed in men (96.32 ± 0.63 per 1000 person-years), and24,269 inwomen (110.60 ± 0.67). Epidemiological analysis of non-tumoral morbidity and disability was conducted over five-year observation periods: 1988-1992, 1993-1997, 1998-2002, 2003-2007, 2008-2012, and 2013-2016.The dynamics of non-tumoral morbidity of the subjects show a gradual decrease in morbidity from the highest in the first period (the first six years after the accident) to the lowest in the last period (2013-2016).Thyroid diseases (97.60%) are the main component among the nosological forms of the endocrine system, eating disorders and metabolic disorders (18.97 ± 0.20 cases per 1000 man-years) of the total number for 1988-2016 epidemiological observation.In the structure of the causes of disability, the largest components are diseases of the nervous system and mental and behavioral disorders, which together account for 51.75%.According to the indicators of the structure, the residents born before the Chernobyl accident (April 26, 1986) aged 0 to 18 years, showed the highest incidence of non-tumoral diseases of the respiratory, digestive, endocrine system (almost 80%).Men (1.1-1.4 times) were more likely to suffer from diseases of the respiratory system, digestive system, circulatory system, musculoskeletal system, mental and behavioral disorders. In women, the incidence of non-tumoral diseases was higher (1.1-3.4 times) in the endocrine, nervous and genitourinary systems.Against the background of a gradual decrease in the incidence from the first to the last five-year observation period, there is an increase in the disability of the subjects in the three disability groups; thus, there was synchronization in different directions

Innovative multidimensional models in a high-throughput-format for different cell types of endocrine origin

The adrenal gland provides an important function by integrating neuronal, immune, vascular, metabolic and endocrine signals under a common organ capsule. It is the central organ of the stress response system and has been implicated in numerous stress-related disorders. While for other diseases, regeneration of healthy organ tissue has been aimed at such approaches are lacking for endocrine diseases - with the exception of type-I-diabetes. Moreover, adrenal tumor formation is very common, however, appropriate high-throughput applications reflecting the high heterogeneity and furthermore relevant 3D-structures in vitro are still widely lacking. Recently, we have initiated the development of standardized multidimensional models of a variety of endocrine cell/tissue sources in a new multiwell-format. Firstly, we confirmed common applicability for pancreatic pseudo-islets. Next, we translated applicability for spheroid establishment to adrenocortical cell lines as well as patient material to establish spheroids from malignant, but also benign adrenal tumors. We aimed furthermore at the development of bovine derived healthy adrenal organoids and were able to establish steroidogenic active organoids containing both, cells of cortical and medullary origin. Overall, we hope to open new avenues for basic research, endocrine cancer and adrenal tissue-replacement-therapies as we demonstrate potential for innovative mechanistic insights and personalized medicine in endocrine (tumor)-biology

Vitamin D supplementation in the prevention and management of major chronic diseases not related to mineral homeostasis in adults : research for evidence and a scientific statement from the European society for clinical and economic aspects of osteoporosis and osteoarthritis (ESCEO)

Introduction: Optimal vitamin D status promotes skeletal health and is recommended with specific treatment in individuals at high risk for fragility fractures. A growing body of literature has provided indirect and some direct evidence for possible extraskeletal vitamin D-related effects. Purpose and Methods: Members of the European Society for Clinical and Economic Aspects of Osteoporosis and Osteoarthritis have reviewed the main evidence for possible proven benefits of vitamin D supplementation in adults at risk of or with overt chronic extra-skeletal diseases, providing recommendations and guidelines for future studies in this field. Results and conclusions: Robust mechanistic evidence is available from in vitro studies and in vivo animal studies, usually employing cholecalciferol, calcidiol or calcitriol in pharmacologic rather than physiologic doses. Although many cross-sectional and prospective association studies in humans have shown that low 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels (i.e., 50 nmol/L, did not simultaneously assess multiple outcomes, and did not report overall safety (e.g., falls). Thus, no recommendations can be made to date for the use of vitamin D supplementation in general, parental compounds, or non-hypercalcemic vitamin D analogs in the prevention and treatment of extra-skeletal chronic diseases. Moreover, attainment of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels well above the threshold desired for bone health cannot be recommended based on current evidence, since safety has yet to be confirmed. Finally, the promising findings from mechanistic studies, large cohort studies, and small clinical trials obtained for autoimmune diseases (including type 1 diabetes, multiple sclerosis, and systemic lupus erythematosus), cardiovascular disorders, and overall reduction in mortality require further confirmation

Glucocorticoids—All-Rounders Tackling the Versatile Players of the Immune System

Glucocorticoids regulate fundamental processes of the human body and control cellular functions such as cell metabolism, growth, differentiation, and apoptosis. Moreover, endogenous glucocorticoids link the endocrine and immune system and ensure the correct function of inflammatory events during tissue repair, regeneration, and pathogen elimination via genomic and rapid non-genomic pathways. Due to their strong immunosuppressive, anti-inflammatory and anti-allergic effects on immune cells, tissues and organs, glucocorticoids significantly improve the quality of life of many patients suffering from diseases caused by a dysregulated immune system. Despite the multitude and seriousness of glucocorticoid-related adverse events including diabetes mellitus, osteoporosis and infections, these agents remain indispensable, representing the most powerful, and cost-effective drugs in the treatment of a wide range of rheumatic diseases. These include rheumatoid arthritis, vasculitis, and connective tissue diseases, as well as many other pathological conditions of the immune system. Depending on the therapeutically affected cell type, glucocorticoid actions strongly vary among different diseases. While immune responses always represent complex reactions involving different cells and cellular processes, specific immune cell populations with key responsibilities driving the pathological mechanisms can be identified for certain autoimmune diseases. In this review, we will focus on the mechanisms of action of glucocorticoids on various leukocyte populations, exemplarily portraying different autoimmune diseases as heterogeneous targets of glucocorticoid actions: (i) Abnormalities in the innate immune response play a crucial role in the initiation and perpetuation of giant cell arteritis (GCA). (ii) Specific types of CD4+ T helper (Th) lymphocytes, namely Th1 and Th17 cells, represent important players in the establishment and course of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), whereas (iii) B cells have emerged as central players in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). (iv) Allergic reactions are mainly triggered by several different cytokines released by activated Th2 lymphocytes. Using these examples, we aim to illustrate the versatile modulating effects of glucocorticoids on the immune system. In contrast, in the treatment of lymphoproliferative disorders the pro-apoptotic action of glucocorticoids prevails, but their mechanisms differ depending on the type of cancer. Therefore, we will also give a brief insight into the current knowledge of the mode of glucocorticoid action in oncological treatment focusing on leukemia