scholarly journals Role of Human Milk Bioactives on Infants' Gut and Immune Health

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura E. Carr ◽  
Misty D. Virmani ◽  
Fernanda Rosa ◽  
Daniel Munblit ◽  
Katelin S. Matazel ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Outcomes ◽  
Human Milk ◽  
Defense Mechanisms ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Scientific Evidence ◽  
Evidence Base ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Knowledge Gaps ◽  
Positive Health ◽  
Optimal Health

Exclusive human milk feeding of the newborn is recommended during the first 6 months of life to promote optimal health outcomes during early life and beyond. Human milk contains a variety of bioactive factors such as hormones, cytokines, leukocytes, immunoglobulins, lactoferrin, lysozyme, stem cells, human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs), microbiota, and microRNAs. Recent findings highlighted the potential importance of adding HMOs into infant formula for their roles in enhancing host defense mechanisms in neonates. Therefore, understanding the roles of human milk bioactive factors on immune function is critical to build the scientific evidence base around breastfeeding recommendations, and to enhance positive health outcomes in formula fed infants through modifications to formulas. However, there are still knowledge gaps concerning the roles of different milk components, the interactions between the different components, and the mechanisms behind health outcomes are poorly understood. This review aims to show the current knowledge about HMOs, milk microbiota, immunoglobulins, lactoferrin, and milk microRNAs (miRNAs) and how these could have similar mechanisms of regulating gut and microbiota function. It will also highlight the knowledge gaps for future research.

scholarly journals Knowledge Gaps in Understanding the Etiology of Anemia in Indonesian Adolescents

2021 ◽  
Vol 42 (1_suppl) ◽  
pp. S39-S58
Author(s):  
Kesso Gabrielle van Zutphen ◽  
Klaus Kraemer ◽  
Alida Melse-Boonstra
Keyword(s):  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Vitamin A Deficiency ◽  
Public Health Problem ◽  
Population Group ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Folic Acid Deficiency ◽  
Knowledge Gaps ◽  
Local Conditions ◽  
Etiological Factors ◽  
Infection And Inflammation

Background: Anemia is a public health problem among adolescents in Indonesia. Strategies to prevent or treat anemia should be tailored to local conditions, taking into account its specific etiology and prevalence in a given setting and population group. Objective: This review aims to (1) identify and synthesize the current knowledge on the etiology of anemia among adolescents in Indonesia, (2) reveal knowledge gaps in this area, and (3) suggest directions for future research and programmatic work. Methods: We systematically searched PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, Medline, and WorldCat databases for peer-reviewed journal articles to identify which etiological factors were related to anemia among Indonesian adolescents. Research papers were reviewed and included in the review according to inclusion criteria. Results: Of 13 studies, 8 showed that anemia was associated with iron deficiency; 4 are suggestive of vitamin A deficiency; and 2 of folic acid deficiency. Five studies underscore different etiological determinants for anemia, such as malaria, protein and energy malnutrition, vitamin B2 deficiency, calcium, and vitamin C deficiency. Based on these findings, we developed a framework on knowledge gaps on the etiology of anemia among adolescents in Indonesia, divided in 3 levels of knowledge: (1) significant knowledge gaps, (2) knowledge gaps, and (3) established knowledge. Conclusions: The knowledge gaps around the etiology of anemia among Indonesian adolescents are significant. Our framework emphasizes the need for further research across all etiological factors, namely inadequate nutritional intake and absorption, genetic hemoglobin disorders, infection and inflammation, and menstrual disorders.

scholarly journals Enantiomers of Carbohydrates and Their Role in Ecosystem Interactions: A Review

Symmetry ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 470 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lea Lojkova ◽  
Valerie Vranová ◽  
Pavel Formánek ◽  
Ida Drápelová ◽  
Martin Brtnicky ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Abiotic Stress ◽  
Plant Nutrition ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Genetic Regulation ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Knowledge Gaps ◽  
Research Knowledge ◽  
Critical Knowledge ◽  
Ecosystem Interactions ◽  
Plant Compounds

D- and most L-enantiomers of carbohydrates and carbohydrate-containing compounds occur naturally in plants and other organisms. These enantiomers play many important roles in plants including building up biomass, defense against pathogens, herbivory, abiotic stress, and plant nutrition. Carbohydrate enantiomers are also precursors of many plant compounds that significantly contribute to plant aroma. Microorganisms, insects, and other animals utilize both types of carbohydrate enantiomers, but their biomass and excrements are dominated by D-enantiomers. The aim of this work was to review the current knowledge about carbohydrate enantiomers in ecosystems with respect to both their metabolism in plants and occurrence in soils, and to identify critical knowledge gaps and directions for future research. Knowledge about the significance of D- versus L-enantiomers of carbohydrates in soils is rare. Determining the mechanism of genetic regulation of D- and L-carbohydrate metabolism in plants with respect to pathogen and pest control and ecosystem interactions represent the knowledge gaps and a direction for future research.

Toward Community Empowerment: The Puerto Rican Ganchero

2020 ◽  
pp. 009145092096457
Author(s):  
C. Gelpí-Acosta ◽  
H. Guarino ◽  
E. Benoit ◽  
S. Deren ◽  
A. Rodríguez
Keyword(s):  
Service Delivery ◽  
Health Outcomes ◽  
Puerto Rican ◽  
Risk Reduction ◽  
Service Providers ◽  
Community Empowerment ◽  
Ethnographic Study ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Theory Approach ◽  
Positive Health

People who inject drugs (PWID) who migrate from Puerto Rico (PR) to New York City (NYC) are at elevated risk for hepatitis C (HCV), HIV and drug overdose. There is an urgent need to identify a sustainable path toward improving the health outcomes of this population. Peer-driven HIV/HCV prevention interventions for PWID are effective in reducing risk behaviors. Additionally, the concept of intravention—naturally occurring disease prevention activities among PWID (Friedman, 2004)—is a suitable theoretical framework to cast and bolster PWID-indigenous risk reduction norms and practices to achieve positive health outcomes. From 2017–2019, we conducted an ethnographic study in the Bronx, NYC to identify the injection risks of migrant Puerto Rican PWID, institutional barriers to risk reduction and solutions to these barriers. Study components included a longitudinal ethnography with 40 migrant PWID (e.g., baseline and exit interviews and monthly face-to-face follow-ups for 12 months), two institutional ethnographies (IEs) with 10 migrants and six service providers, and three focus groups (FGs) with another 15 migrant PWID. Data were analyzed using a grounded theory approach. In this article, we present findings from the IEs and FGs, specifically regarding a promising intravention pathway to promote health empowerment among these migrants that leverages an existing social role within their networks: the PR-indigenous ganchero. A ganchero is a vein-finding expert who is paid with drugs or cash for providing injection services. Ethnographic evidence from this study suggests that gancheros can occupy harm reduction leadership roles among migrant Puerto Rican PWID, adapting standard overdose and HIV/HCV prevention education to the specific experiences of their community. We conclude by noting the culturally appropriate risk reduction service delivery improvements needed to mitigate the health vulnerabilities of migrants and provide a roadmap for improving service delivery and identifying future research avenues.

scholarly journals Climate change and Canada’s north coast: research trends, progress, and future directions

2018 ◽  
Vol 26 (1) ◽  
pp. 82-92 ◽  
Author(s):  
James D. Ford ◽  
Nicole Couture ◽  
Trevor Bell ◽  
Dylan G. Clark
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Geographic Location ◽  
Climate Change Impacts ◽  
Evidence Base ◽  
North Coast ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Northern Coast ◽  
Knowledge Mobilization ◽  
Interdisciplinary Approaches

This paper identifies and characterizes current knowledge on climate change impacts, adaptation, and vulnerability for Canada’s northern coastline, outlining key research gaps. Warming temperatures and increased precipitation have been documented across the northern coast, with the rate of sea ice decline ranging from 2.9% to 10.4% per decade. Storm intensity and frequency is increasing, and permafrost is warming across the region. Many of these changes are projected to accelerate in the future, with in excess of 8 °C warming in winter possible under a high-emission scenario by 2081–2100. Vulnerability to these changes differs by region and community, a function of geographic location, nature of climate change impacts, and human factors. Capacity to manage climate change is high in some sectors, such as subsistence harvesting, but is being undermined by long-term societal changes. In other sectors, such as infrastructure and transportation, limitations in climate risk management capacity result in continuing high vulnerabilities. There is evidence that adaptation is taking place in response to experienced and projected impacts, although readiness for adaptation is challenged by limited resources, institutional capacity, and a need for support for adaptation across levels of government. Priority areas for future research include (i) expanding the sectoral and geographic focus of understanding on climate change impacts, adaptation, and vulnerability; (ii) integrating climatic and socio-economic projections into vulnerability and adaptation assessments; (iii) developing an evidence base on adaptation options; and (iv) monitoring and evaluating the effectiveness of adaptation support. Cross-cutting themes for advancing climate change impacts, adaptation, and vulnerability research on the north coast more broadly include the need for greater emphasis on interdisciplinary approaches and cross-cultural collaborations, support for decision-orientated research, and focus on effective knowledge mobilization.

scholarly journals Arthropods of Canadian grasslands: a retrospective of a 40-year project of the Biological Survey of Canada

2017 ◽  
Vol 149 (6) ◽  
pp. 702-717 ◽  
Author(s):  
K.D. Floate ◽  
J.D. Shorthouse ◽  
D.J. Giberson ◽  
H.A. Cárcamo
Keyword(s):  
Species Richness ◽  
Ecosystem Services ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Complete Information ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Knowledge Gaps ◽  
Monograph Series ◽  
Biological Survey ◽  
Arthropod Fauna ◽  
Grassland Habitats

AbstractThe Biological Survey of Canada initiated a project in 1979 to collect and synthesise information on the native arthropod fauna of the vanishing grassland habitats of Canada. At that time, it was thought that the Canadian arthropod fauna might comprise about 66 000 species. Recent studies suggest that the fauna may exceed 100 000 species, of which >25% may occur in the Prairies Ecozone. Results of this near 40-year project have been published in four volumes of the Arthropods of Canadian Grasslands monograph series of the Biological Survey of Canada. Here, the editors of this series review the grasslands project of the Biological Survey of Canada, summarise the contents of the volumes, and discuss current knowledge on the diversity of the grasslands arthropods of Canada. Whereas information on the species richness of some groups in the Prairies Ecozone is largely complete, information on the diversity of many other groups remains sparse. Reviewing the steps between initiation and publication of the Arthropods of Canadian Grasslands series may aid development of similar projects elsewhere. Identifying knowledge gaps will direct future research efforts. Identifying the diversity of grassland arthropods, their distribution and abundance, and the ecosystem services that they provide will facilitate efforts to conserve the remaining grassland habitats in Canada.

Multiple Chemical Sensitivities: Psychogenic or Toxicodynamic Origins

1999 ◽  
Vol 18 (6) ◽  
pp. 393-400
Author(s):  
Ronald E. Gots ◽  
Suellen W. Pirages
Keyword(s):  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Scientific Evidence ◽  
Chemical Exposure ◽  
Multiple Chemical Sensitivity ◽  
Modern Medicine ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Chemical Toxicity ◽  
Multiple Chemical Sensitivities ◽  
Causal Nature ◽  
Multiple Chemical

The multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS) phenomenon can cause significant dysfunction and symptomatology and presents a difficult challenge for patient management. Central to the MCS debate is whether this phenomenon results from a primary emotional response to perceived chemical exposures or from pathological interactions between chemicals and biological systems. Those who believe the latter argue that toxic interactions result in physiological impairment and that subsequent emotional problems derive from such impairment. Distinguishing between psychogenic (emotional) or a toxicodynamic (chemical toxicity) origin is essential to the medical management of an MCS patient. A psychogenic basis requires treatment with appropriate behavioral therapies; in contrast, a belief in a strictly toxicodynamic etiology argues for avoidance and often precludes treatments that address the psychological responses. Current scientific evidence strongly suggests that behavioral or psychogenic explanations predominate for reported MCS symptoms. Acceptance of a purely toxic origination (i.e., pathological abnormalities result from a low level chemical exposure) defies known toxicological and medical principles; whereas psychogenic explanations are consistent with these principles. Because symptoms are the end points of many diseases with many causes, both physical and emotional, modern medicine is charged with and expected to consider both when treating MCS patients. The argument can be made that insufficient information exists about the causal nature of many diseases, and future research may provide support for a strict toxicodynamic cause. However, the practice of medicine must be based upon current knowledge, not future possibilities. Proper care of MCS patients requires identifying the existence of both psychological and organic pathological dysfunction. The rejection of a psychological aspect of the MCS phenomenon and appropriate behavioral treatments is both illogical and detrimental to MCS sufferers.

scholarly journals Engineered Nanomaterials: Knowledge Gaps in Fate, Exposure, Toxicity, and Future Directions

2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-16 ◽  
Author(s):  
Arun Kumar ◽  
Prashant Kumar ◽  
Ananthitha Anandan ◽  
Teresa F. Fernandes ◽  
Godwin A. Ayoko ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Engineered Nanomaterials ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Accurate Estimation ◽  
Knowledge Gaps ◽  
Environmental Media ◽  
Toxicity Studies ◽  
Open Questions ◽  
Living Organisms ◽  
Exposure Conditions

The aim of this study is to identify current knowledge gaps in fate, exposure, and toxicity of engineered nanomaterials (ENMs), highlight research gaps, and suggest future research directions. Humans and other living organisms are exposed to ENMs during production or use of products containing them. To assess the hazards of ENMs, it is important to assess their physiochemical properties and try to relate them to any observed hazard. However, the full determination of these relationships is currently limited by the lack of empirical data. Moreover, most toxicity studies do not use realistic environmental exposure conditions for determining dose-response parameters, affecting the accurate estimation of health risks associated with the exposure to ENMs. Regulatory aspects of nanotechnology are still developing and are currently the subject of much debate. Synthesis of available studies suggests a number of open questions. These include (i) developing a combination of different analytical methods for determining ENM concentration, size, shape, surface properties, and morphology in different environmental media, (ii) conducting toxicity studies using environmentally relevant exposure conditions and obtaining data relevant to developing quantitative nanostructure-toxicity relationships (QNTR), and (iii) developing guidelines for regulating exposure of ENMs in the environment.

scholarly journals Urban Ecosystem Services: Current Knowledge, Gaps, and Future Research

Land ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (8) ◽  
pp. 811
Author(s):  
Alessio Russo ◽  
Giuseppe T. Cirella
Keyword(s):  
Ecosystem Services ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Urban Ecosystem ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Natural Ecosystems ◽  
Knowledge Gaps ◽  
Urban Ecosystem Services ◽  
Societal Benefit ◽  
Ecosystem Conservation

The term ecosystem services was coined to describe the societal benefit that natural ecosystems provide, as well as to raise awareness about biodiversity and ecosystem conservation [...]

scholarly journals Neuropathic Pain in Multiple Sclerosis and Its Animal Models: Focus on Mechanisms, Knowledge Gaps and Future Directions

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ersilia Mirabelli ◽  
Stella Elkabes
Keyword(s):  
Multiple Sclerosis ◽  
Neuropathic Pain ◽  
Animal Models ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Therapeutic Interventions ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Knowledge Gaps ◽  
Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis ◽  
Increased Sensitivity ◽  
Disease Stages

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a multifaceted, complex and chronic neurological disease that leads to motor, sensory and cognitive deficits. MS symptoms are unpredictable and exceedingly variable. Pain is a frequent symptom of MS and manifests as nociceptive or neuropathic pain, even at early disease stages. Neuropathic pain is one of the most debilitating symptoms that reduces quality of life and interferes with daily activities, particularly because conventional pharmacotherapies do not adequately alleviate neuropathic pain. Despite advances, the mechanisms underlying neuropathic pain in MS remain elusive. The majority of the studies investigating the pathophysiology of MS-associated neuropathic pain have been performed in animal models that replicate some of the clinical and neuropathological features of MS. Experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) is one of the best-characterized and most commonly used animal models of MS. As in the case of individuals with MS, rodents affected by EAE manifest increased sensitivity to pain which can be assessed by well-established assays. Investigations on EAE provided valuable insights into the pathophysiology of neuropathic pain. Nevertheless, additional investigations are warranted to better understand the events that lead to the onset and maintenance of neuropathic pain in order to identify targets that can facilitate the development of more effective therapeutic interventions. The goal of the present review is to provide an overview of several mechanisms implicated in neuropathic pain in EAE by summarizing published reports. We discuss current knowledge gaps and future research directions, especially based on information obtained by use of other animal models of neuropathic pain such as nerve injury.

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