Iron Behaving Badly: Inappropriate Iron Chelation as a Major Contributor to the Aetiology of Vascular and Other Progressive Inflammatory and Degenerative Diseases

The production of peroxide and superoxide is an inevitable consequence of aerobic metabolism, and while these particular "reactive oxygen species" (ROSs) can exhibit a number of biological effects, they are not of themselves excessively reactive and thus they are not especially damaging at physiological concentrations. However, their reactions with poorly liganded iron species can lead to the catalytic production of the very reactive and dangerous hydroxyl radical, which is exceptionally damaging, and a major cause of chronic inflammation. We review the considerable and wide-ranging evidence for the involvement of this combination of (su)peroxide and poorly liganded iron in a large number of physiological and indeed pathological processes and inflammatory disorders, especially those involving the progressive degradation of cellular and organismal performance. These diseases share a great many similarities and thus might be considered to have a common cause (i.e. iron-catalysed free radical and especially hydroxyl radical generation). The studies reviewed include those focused on a series of cardiovascular, metabolic and neurological diseases, where iron can be found at the sites of plaques and lesions, as well as studies showing the significance of iron to aging and longevity. The effective chelation of iron by natural or synthetic ligands is thus of major physiological (and potentially therapeutic) importance. As systems properties, we need to recognise that physiological observables have multiple molecular causes, and studying them in isolation leads to inconsistent patterns of apparent causality when it is the simultaneous combination of multiple factors that is responsible. This explains, for instance, the decidedly mixed effects of antioxidants that have been observed, etc...Comment: 159 pages, including 9 Figs and 2184 reference

Blind parents: their experience in care for their children Padres ciegos: experiencias sobre el cuidado de los hijos Pais cegos: experiências sobre o cuidado dos seus filhos

This study reflects on the difficulties and strategies of blind parents to take care of their children. The situations were related to breastfeeding, bathing, feeding, domestic accidents and administering medication. They use touch, hearing, smelling and the support network, contributing to their autonomy.<br>Reflexiones sobre las dificultades y las estrategias que los padres ciegos usan cuando cuidan a sus hijos. Las situaciones se refieren a amamantar, bañar, alimentar, accidentes domésticos y dar remedios; también sobre el uso del tacto, la audición y el olfato. La importancia de la red social que contribuye para su autonomía.<br>Reflexões sobre dificuldades e estratégias de pais cegos, quando cuidam de seus filhos. As situações referiam-se a amamentar, banhar, alimentar, acidentes domésticos e dar remédio, e o tato, audição e olfato e a rede social contribuindo para sua autonomia