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  1. Article ; Online: Editorial: Psychological distress in healthy, vulnerable, and diseased groups: Neurobiological and psychosocial bases, detection methods, and creative management strategies.

    Ali, Amira Mohammed / Atout, Maha / Al-Amer, Rasmieh

    Frontiers in public health

    2023  Volume 11, Page(s) 1185503

    MeSH term(s) Anxiety/psychology ; Depression/psychology ; Psychological Distress
    Language English
    Publishing date 2023-04-27
    Publishing country Switzerland
    Document type Editorial
    ZDB-ID 2711781-9
    ISSN 2296-2565 ; 2296-2565
    ISSN (online) 2296-2565
    ISSN 2296-2565
    DOI 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1185503
    Database MEDical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System OnLINE

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  2. Article ; Online: Hypoproteinemia predicts disease severity and mortality in COVID-19: a call for action.

    Ali, Amira Mohammed / Kunugi, Hiroshi

    Diagnostic pathology

    2021  Volume 16, Issue 1, Page(s) 31

    Abstract: Proteins represent the major building blocks of body tissues, and they regulate signaling involved in most cellular activities. Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection has been associated with high fatality, especially among older adults. The main ... ...

    Abstract Proteins represent the major building blocks of body tissues, and they regulate signaling involved in most cellular activities. Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection has been associated with high fatality, especially among older adults. The main cause of death is pulmonary tissue damage and multiple organ failure. The disease is associated with a hypercatabolic state that entails excessive protein loss. This review commentary sheds the light on hypoproteinemia in symptomatic/hospitalized COVID-19 with a special emphasis on its pathophysiology, screening, as well as its contribution to disease severity and adverse effects.
    MeSH term(s) Aged ; COVID-19/complications ; COVID-19/mortality ; Female ; Humans ; Hypoproteinemia/diagnosis ; Hypoproteinemia/etiology ; Hypoproteinemia/mortality ; Lung/virology ; Male ; SARS-CoV-2/pathogenicity ; Severity of Illness Index
    Language English
    Publishing date 2021-04-13
    Publishing country England
    Document type Letter
    ISSN 1746-1596
    ISSN (online) 1746-1596
    DOI 10.1186/s13000-021-01092-5
    Database MEDical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System OnLINE

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  3. Article ; Online: The Effects of Royal Jelly Acid, 10-Hydroxy- trans -2-decenoic Acid, on Neuroinflammation and Oxidative Stress in Astrocytes Stimulated with Lipopolysaccharide and Hydrogen Peroxide

    Amira Mohammed Ali / Hiroshi Kunugi

    Immuno, Vol 1, Iss 13, Pp 212-

    2021  Volume 222

    Abstract: The increased prevalence of neurodegenerative diseases, especially during the COVID-19 outbreak, necessitates the search for natural immune- and cognitive-enhancing agents. 10-Hydroxy- trans -2-decenoic acid (10-H2DA), the main fatty acid of royal jelly, ...

    Abstract The increased prevalence of neurodegenerative diseases, especially during the COVID-19 outbreak, necessitates the search for natural immune- and cognitive-enhancing agents. 10-Hydroxy- trans -2-decenoic acid (10-H2DA), the main fatty acid of royal jelly, has several pharmacological activities. Given the fundamental role of astrocytes in regulating immune responses of the central nervous system, we used cortical astrocytes to examine the effect of 10-H2DA on the expression of genes associated with neuroinflammation and the production of neurotrophins, as well as cellular resistance to H 2 O 2 -induced cytotoxicity. Astrocytes, pretreated with a range of concentrations of 10-H2DA for 24 h, were exposed to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) for 3 h, after which the expression of proinflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α)) and neurotrophic factors (BDNF, GDNF, and IGF-1) was evaluated. In the absence of LPS, 10-H2DA had no significant effect on the mRNA expression of neurotrophins or cytokines except for IL-1β, which significantly increased with low doses of 10-H2DA (3 µM). 10-H2DA (10 µM) pretreatment of LPS-stimulated cells did not significantly inhibit the expression of cytokine encoding genes; however, it significantly lowered the mRNA expression of GDNF and tended to decrease BDNF and IGF-1 expression compared with LPS alone. Additionally, 10-H2DA did not protect astrocytes against H 2 O 2 -induced oxidative stress. Our data indicate no anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, or neurotrophic effect of 10-H2DA in astrocytes undergoing inflammation or oxidative stress. The effect of IGF-1 inhibition by 10-H2DA on neuronal ketogenesis needs investigation.
    Keywords aging ; 10-Hydroxy- trans -2-decenoic acid (10-H2DA) ; astrocytes ; coronavirus disease 2019/COVID-19 ; GDNF ; IGF-1 ; Medicine ; R
    Subject code 610
    Language English
    Publishing date 2021-07-01T00:00:00Z
    Publisher MDPI AG
    Document type Article ; Online
    Database BASE - Bielefeld Academic Search Engine (life sciences selection)

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  4. Article ; Online: Skeletal Muscle Damage in COVID-19

    Amira Mohammed Ali / Hiroshi Kunugi

    Medicina, Vol 57, Iss 372, p

    A Call for Action

    2021  Volume 372

    Abstract: Both laboratory investigations and body composition quantification measures (e.g., computed tomography, CT) portray muscle loss in symptomatic Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients. Muscle loss is associated with a poor prognosis of the disease. ... ...

    Abstract Both laboratory investigations and body composition quantification measures (e.g., computed tomography, CT) portray muscle loss in symptomatic Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients. Muscle loss is associated with a poor prognosis of the disease. The exact mechanism of muscle damage in COVID-19 patients, as well as the long-term consequences of muscle injury in disease survivors, are unclear. The current review briefly summarizes the literature for mechanisms, assessment measures, and interventions relevant to skeletal muscle insult in COVID-19 patients. Muscle injury is likely to be attributed to the cytokine storm, disease severity, malnutrition, prolonged physical inactivity during intensive care unit (ICU) stays, mechanical ventilation, and myotoxic drugs (e.g., dexamethasone). It has been assessed by imaging and non-imaging techniques (e.g., CT and electromyography), physical performance tests (e.g., six-minute walk test), anthropometric measures (e.g., calf circumference), and biomarkers of muscle dystrophy (e.g., creatine kinase). Interventions directed toward minimizing muscle loss among COVID-19 patients are lacking. However, limited evidence shows that respiratory rehabilitation improves respiratory function, muscle strength, quality of life, and anxiety symptoms in recovering older COVID-19 patients. Neuromuscular electrical stimulation may restore muscle condition in ICU-admitted patients, albeit empirical evidence is needed. Given the contribution of malnutrition to disease severity and muscle damage, providing proper nutritional management for emaciated patients may be one of the key issues to achieve a better prognosis and prevent the after-effects of the disease. Considerable attention to longer-term consequences of muscle injury in recovering COVID-19 patients is necessary.
    Keywords coronavirus disease 2019 ; COVID-19 ; cytokine storm ; intensive care unit-acquired weakness ; older adults ; aging ; Medicine (General) ; R5-920
    Subject code 610 ; 796
    Language English
    Publishing date 2021-04-01T00:00:00Z
    Publisher MDPI AG
    Document type Article ; Online
    Database BASE - Bielefeld Academic Search Engine (life sciences selection)

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  5. Article ; Online: Approaches to Nutritional Screening in Patients with Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)

    Amira Mohammed Ali / Hiroshi Kunugi

    International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, Vol 18, Iss 2772, p

    2021  Volume 2772

    Abstract: Malnutrition is common among severe patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), mainly elderly adults and patients with comorbidities. It is also associated with atypical presentation of the disease. Despite the possible contribution of ... ...

    Abstract Malnutrition is common among severe patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), mainly elderly adults and patients with comorbidities. It is also associated with atypical presentation of the disease. Despite the possible contribution of malnutrition to the acquisition and severity of COVID-19, it is not clear which nutritional screening measures may best diagnose malnutrition in these patients at early stages. This is of crucial importance given the urgency and rapid progression of the disease in vulnerable groups. Accordingly, this review examines the available literature for different nutritional screening approaches implemented among COVID-19 patients, with a special focus on elderly adults. After a literature search, we selected and scrutinized 14 studies assessing malnutrition among COVID-19 patients. The Nutrition Risk Screening 2002 (NRS-2002) has demonstrated superior sensitivity to other traditional screening measures. The controlling nutritional status (CONUT) score, which comprises serum albumin level, cholesterol level, and lymphocytes count, as well as a combined CONUT-lactate dehydrogenase-C-reactive protein score expressed a predictive capacity even superior to that of NRS-2002 (0.81% and 0.92% vs. 0.79%) in midlife and elder COVID-19 patients. Therefore, simple measures based on routinely conducted laboratory investigations such as the CONUT score may be timely, cheap, and valuable alternatives for identifying COVID-19 patients with high nutritional risk. Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA) was the only measure used to detect residual malnutrition and high malnutrition risk in remitting patients—MNA scores correlated with hypoalbuminemia, hypercytokinemia, and weight loss. Older males with severe inflammation, gastrointestinal symptoms, and pre-existing comorbidities (diabetes, obesity, or hypertension) are more prone to malnutrition and subsequently poor COVID-19 prognosis both during the acute phase and during convalescence. Thus, they are in need of frequent nutritional monitoring and ...
    Keywords coronavirus disease 2019/COVID-19 ; cytokine storm ; older adults/elderly ; aging/age-related non-communicable diseases ; malnutrition/nutritional deficiencies ; Nutrition Risk Screening 2002 ; Medicine ; R
    Subject code 610
    Language English
    Publishing date 2021-03-01T00:00:00Z
    Publisher MDPI AG
    Document type Article ; Online
    Database BASE - Bielefeld Academic Search Engine (life sciences selection)

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  6. Article ; Online: Propolis, Bee Honey, and Their Components Protect against Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)

    Amira Mohammed Ali / Hiroshi Kunugi

    Molecules, Vol 26, Iss 5, p

    A Review of In Silico, In Vitro, and Clinical Studies

    2021  Volume 1232

    Abstract: Despite the virulence and high fatality of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), no specific antiviral treatment exists until the current moment. Natural agents with immune-promoting potentials such as bee products are being explored as possible ... ...

    Abstract Despite the virulence and high fatality of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), no specific antiviral treatment exists until the current moment. Natural agents with immune-promoting potentials such as bee products are being explored as possible treatments. Bee honey and propolis are rich in bioactive compounds that express strong antimicrobial, bactericidal, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, and antioxidant activities. This review examined the literature for the anti-COVID-19 effects of bee honey and propolis, with the aim of optimizing the use of these handy products as prophylactic or adjuvant treatments for people infected with severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2). Molecular simulations show that flavonoids in propolis and honey (e.g., rutin, naringin, caffeic acid phenyl ester, luteolin, and artepillin C) may inhibit viral spike fusion in host cells, viral-host interactions that trigger the cytokine storm, and viral replication. Similar to the potent antiviral drug remdesivir, rutin, propolis ethanolic extract, and propolis liposomes inhibited non-structural proteins of SARS-CoV-2 in vitro, and these compounds along with naringin inhibited SARS-CoV-2 infection in Vero E6 cells. Propolis extracts delivered by nanocarriers exhibit better antiviral effects against SARS-CoV-2 than ethanolic extracts. In line, hospitalized COVID-19 patients receiving green Brazilian propolis or a combination of honey and Nigella sativa exhibited earlier viral clearance, symptom recovery, discharge from the hospital as well as less mortality than counterparts receiving standard care alone. Thus, the use of bee products as an adjuvant treatment for COVID-19 may produce beneficial effects. Implications for treatment outcomes and issues to be considered in future studies are discussed.
    Keywords Coronaviruses ; coronavirus disease 2019 ; COVID -19 ; severe acute respiratory syndrome ; SARS-CoV-2 ; cytokine storm ; Organic chemistry ; QD241-441
    Subject code 610
    Language English
    Publishing date 2021-02-01T00:00:00Z
    Publisher MDPI AG
    Document type Article ; Online
    Database BASE - Bielefeld Academic Search Engine (life sciences selection)

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  7. Article ; Online: Skeletal Muscle Damage in COVID-19: A Call for Action.

    Ali, Amira Mohammed / Kunugi, Hiroshi

    Medicina (Kaunas, Lithuania)

    2021  Volume 57, Issue 4

    Abstract: Both laboratory investigations and body composition quantification measures (e.g., computed tomography, CT) portray muscle loss in symptomatic Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients. Muscle loss is associated with a poor prognosis of the disease. ... ...

    Abstract Both laboratory investigations and body composition quantification measures (e.g., computed tomography, CT) portray muscle loss in symptomatic Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients. Muscle loss is associated with a poor prognosis of the disease. The exact mechanism of muscle damage in COVID-19 patients, as well as the long-term consequences of muscle injury in disease survivors, are unclear. The current review briefly summarizes the literature for mechanisms, assessment measures, and interventions relevant to skeletal muscle insult in COVID-19 patients. Muscle injury is likely to be attributed to the cytokine storm, disease severity, malnutrition, prolonged physical inactivity during intensive care unit (ICU) stays, mechanical ventilation, and myotoxic drugs (e.g., dexamethasone). It has been assessed by imaging and non-imaging techniques (e.g., CT and electromyography), physical performance tests (e.g., six-minute walk test), anthropometric measures (e.g., calf circumference), and biomarkers of muscle dystrophy (e.g., creatine kinase). Interventions directed toward minimizing muscle loss among COVID-19 patients are lacking. However, limited evidence shows that respiratory rehabilitation improves respiratory function, muscle strength, quality of life, and anxiety symptoms in recovering older COVID-19 patients. Neuromuscular electrical stimulation may restore muscle condition in ICU-admitted patients, albeit empirical evidence is needed. Given the contribution of malnutrition to disease severity and muscle damage, providing proper nutritional management for emaciated patients may be one of the key issues to achieve a better prognosis and prevent the after-effects of the disease. Considerable attention to longer-term consequences of muscle injury in recovering COVID-19 patients is necessary.
    MeSH term(s) COVID-19 ; Humans ; Intensive Care Units ; Muscle, Skeletal ; Quality of Life ; SARS-CoV-2
    Language English
    Publishing date 2021-04-12
    Publishing country Switzerland
    Document type Journal Article ; Review
    ZDB-ID 2188113-3
    ISSN 1648-9144 ; 1010-660X
    ISSN (online) 1648-9144
    ISSN 1010-660X
    DOI 10.3390/medicina57040372
    Database MEDical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System OnLINE

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  8. Article ; Online: Propolis, Bee Honey, and Their Components Protect against Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19): A Review of In Silico, In Vitro, and Clinical Studies.

    Ali, Amira Mohammed / Kunugi, Hiroshi

    Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

    2021  Volume 26, Issue 5

    Abstract: Despite the virulence and high fatality of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), no specific antiviral treatment exists until the current moment. Natural agents with immune-promoting potentials such as bee products are being explored as possible ... ...

    Abstract Despite the virulence and high fatality of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), no specific antiviral treatment exists until the current moment. Natural agents with immune-promoting potentials such as bee products are being explored as possible treatments. Bee honey and propolis are rich in bioactive compounds that express strong antimicrobial, bactericidal, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, and antioxidant activities. This review examined the literature for the anti-COVID-19 effects of bee honey and propolis, with the aim of optimizing the use of these handy products as prophylactic or adjuvant treatments for people infected with severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2). Molecular simulations show that flavonoids in propolis and honey (e.g., rutin, naringin, caffeic acid phenyl ester, luteolin, and artepillin C) may inhibit viral spike fusion in host cells, viral-host interactions that trigger the cytokine storm, and viral replication. Similar to the potent antiviral drug remdesivir, rutin, propolis ethanolic extract, and propolis liposomes inhibited non-structural proteins of SARS-CoV-2 in vitro
    MeSH term(s) Animals ; Antiviral Agents/chemistry ; Antiviral Agents/therapeutic use ; COVID-19/epidemiology ; COVID-19/metabolism ; Chlorocebus aethiops ; Clinical Trials as Topic ; Flavanones/chemistry ; Flavanones/therapeutic use ; Honey ; Molecular Dynamics Simulation ; Nigella sativa/chemistry ; Propolis/chemistry ; Propolis/therapeutic use ; SARS-CoV-2/metabolism ; Vero Cells ; COVID-19 Drug Treatment
    Chemical Substances Antiviral Agents ; Flavanones ; Propolis (9009-62-5) ; naringin (N7TD9J649B)
    Language English
    Publishing date 2021-02-25
    Publishing country Switzerland
    Document type Journal Article ; Review
    ZDB-ID 1413402-0
    ISSN 1420-3049 ; 1431-5165 ; 1420-3049
    ISSN (online) 1420-3049
    ISSN 1431-5165 ; 1420-3049
    DOI 10.3390/molecules26051232
    Database MEDical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System OnLINE

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  9. Article ; Online: Approaches to Nutritional Screening in Patients with Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19).

    Ali, Amira Mohammed / Kunugi, Hiroshi

    International journal of environmental research and public health

    2021  Volume 18, Issue 5

    Abstract: Malnutrition is common among severe patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), mainly elderly adults and patients with comorbidities. It is also associated with atypical presentation of the disease. Despite the possible contribution of ... ...

    Abstract Malnutrition is common among severe patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), mainly elderly adults and patients with comorbidities. It is also associated with atypical presentation of the disease. Despite the possible contribution of malnutrition to the acquisition and severity of COVID-19, it is not clear which nutritional screening measures may best diagnose malnutrition in these patients at early stages. This is of crucial importance given the urgency and rapid progression of the disease in vulnerable groups. Accordingly, this review examines the available literature for different nutritional screening approaches implemented among COVID-19 patients, with a special focus on elderly adults. After a literature search, we selected and scrutinized 14 studies assessing malnutrition among COVID-19 patients. The Nutrition Risk Screening 2002 (NRS-2002) has demonstrated superior sensitivity to other traditional screening measures. The controlling nutritional status (CONUT) score, which comprises serum albumin level, cholesterol level, and lymphocytes count, as well as a combined CONUT-lactate dehydrogenase-C-reactive protein score expressed a predictive capacity even superior to that of NRS-2002 (0.81% and 0.92% vs. 0.79%) in midlife and elder COVID-19 patients. Therefore, simple measures based on routinely conducted laboratory investigations such as the CONUT score may be timely, cheap, and valuable alternatives for identifying COVID-19 patients with high nutritional risk. Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA) was the only measure used to detect residual malnutrition and high malnutrition risk in remitting patients-MNA scores correlated with hypoalbuminemia, hypercytokinemia, and weight loss. Older males with severe inflammation, gastrointestinal symptoms, and pre-existing comorbidities (diabetes, obesity, or hypertension) are more prone to malnutrition and subsequently poor COVID-19 prognosis both during the acute phase and during convalescence. Thus, they are in need of frequent nutritional monitoring and support while detecting and treating malnutrition in the general public might be necessary to increase resilience against COVID-19.
    MeSH term(s) Adult ; Aged ; COVID-19 ; Geriatric Assessment ; Humans ; Male ; Malnutrition/diagnosis ; Malnutrition/epidemiology ; Nutrition Assessment ; Nutritional Status ; Risk Assessment ; SARS-CoV-2
    Language English
    Publishing date 2021-03-09
    Publishing country Switzerland
    Document type Case Reports ; Journal Article ; Review
    ZDB-ID 2175195-X
    ISSN 1660-4601 ; 1661-7827
    ISSN (online) 1660-4601
    ISSN 1661-7827
    DOI 10.3390/ijerph18052772
    Database MEDical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System OnLINE

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  10. Article: Screening for Sarcopenia (Physical Frailty) in the COVID-19 Era.

    Ali, Amira Mohammed / Kunugi, Hiroshi

    International journal of endocrinology

    2021  Volume 2021, Page(s) 5563960

    Abstract: Although the numbers of aged populations have risen considerably in the last few decades, the current coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has revealed an extensive vulnerability among these populations. Sarcopenia is an age-related disorder that ... ...

    Abstract Although the numbers of aged populations have risen considerably in the last few decades, the current coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has revealed an extensive vulnerability among these populations. Sarcopenia is an age-related disorder that increases hospitalization, dependencies, and mortality in older adults. It starts to develop in midlife or even earlier as a result of unbalanced diet/poor nutrition and low levels of physical activity, in addition to chronic disorders such as obesity and diabetes mellitus. Given that social isolation is adopted as the most protective measure against COVID-19, the level of physical activity and the intake of adequate diet have considerably declined, especially among older adults-denoting an increased possibility for developing sarcopenia. Research also shows a higher vulnerability of sarcopenic people to COVID-19 as well as the development of wasting disorders such as sarcopenia and cachexia in a considerable proportion of symptomatic and recovering COVID-19 patients. Muscular wasting in COVID-19 is associated with poor prognosis. Accordingly, early detection and proper management of sarcopenia and wasting conditions in older adults and COVID-19 patients may minimize morbidity and mortality during the current COVID-19 crisis. This review explored different aspects of screening for sarcopenia, stressing their relevance to the detection of altered muscular structure and performance in patients with COVID-19. Current guidelines recommend prior evaluation of muscle strength by simple measures such as grip strength to identify individuals with proven weakness who then would be screened for muscle mass loss. The latter is best measured by MRI and CT. However, due to the high cost and radiation risk entailed by these techniques, other simpler and cheaper techniques such as DXA and ultrasound are given preference. Muscle loss in COVID-19 patients was measured during the acute phase by CT scanning of the pectoralis muscle simultaneously during a routine check for lung fibrosis, which seems to be an efficient evaluation of sarcopenia among those patients with no additional cost. In recovering patients, muscle strength and physical performance have been evaluated by electromyography and traditional tests such as the six-minute walk test. Effective preventive and therapeutic interventions are necessary in order to prevent muscle loss and associated physical decline in COVID-19 patients.
    Language English
    Publishing date 2021-05-21
    Publishing country Egypt
    Document type Journal Article ; Review
    ZDB-ID 2502951-4
    ISSN 1687-8345 ; 1687-8337
    ISSN (online) 1687-8345
    ISSN 1687-8337
    DOI 10.1155/2021/5563960
    Database MEDical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System OnLINE

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