Lymphatic self-massage for enhancing immunity during a pandemic

The article is devoted to the problem of improving immunity during the COVID-19 pandemic and the related effect of lymphatic self-massage.The article analyzes the general concepts of the lymphatic system and its functions, as well as lymphatic self-massage and its effect on cardiovascular and lymphatic systems.It is noted that the lymph flow stimulation through movements activates and normalizes the most important body functions. Using Skype, the authors surveyed medical students about knowledge on benefits and techniques of lymphatic selfmassage.Further, a master class was held on the technique of lymphatic self-massage. The authors studied the awareness of students about the benefits of lymphatic selfmassage, revealed a tendency to chronic diseases and assessed the benefits after the procedure.Based on the data obtained, it was revealed that viral infections, namely COVID-19, provoke one of the most common diseases — autoimmune thyroiditis. So, 64% of the respondents noted about it.Using lymphatic self-massage, the manifestations of this pathology decreases, the facial muscles relax and the blood and lymph outflow improves.Thus, there is an undoubted benefit of lymphatic self-massage for the prevention of diseases with immune involvement, including COVID-19.

Fluid Flow Stimulation Modulates Expression of S100 Genes in Normal Breast Epithelium and Breast Cancer

Introduction S100 proteins are intracellular calcium ion sensors that participate in cellular processes, some of which are involved in normal breast functioning and breast cancer development. Despite several S100 genes being overexpressed in breast cancer, their roles during disease development remain elusive. Human mammary epithelial cells (HMECs) can be exposed to fluid shear stresses and implications of such interactions have not been previously studied. The goal of this study was to analyze expression profiles of S100 genes upon exposing HMECs to fluid flow. Methods HMECs and breast cancer cell lines were exposed to fluid flow in a parallel-plate bioreactor system. Changes in gene expression were quantified using microarrays and qPCR, gene-gene interactions were elucidated using network analysis, and key modified genes were examined in three independent clinical datasets. Results S100 genes were among the most upregulated genes upon flow stimulation. Network analysis revealed interactions between upregulated transcripts, including interactions between S100P, S100PBP, S100A4, S100A7, S100A8 and S100A9. Overexpression of S100s was also observed in patients with early stage breast cancer compared to normal breast tissue, and in most breast cancer patients. Finally, survival analysis revealed reduced survival times for patients with elevated expression of S100A7 and S100P. Conclusion This study shows that exposing HMECs to fluid flow upregulates genes identified clinically to be overexpressed during breast cancer development, including S100A7 and S100P. These findings are the first to show that S100 genes are flow-responsive and might be participating in a fundamental adaptation pathway in normal tissue that is also active in breast cancer.

The SWELL1-LRRC8 complex regulates endothelial AKT-eNOS signaling and vascular function

The endothelium responds to numerous chemical and mechanical factors in regulating vascular tone, blood pressure, and blood flow. The endothelial volume-regulated anion channel (VRAC) has been proposed to be mechanosensitive and thereby sense fluid flow and hydrostatic pressure to regulate vascular function. Here, we show that the leucine-rich repeat-containing protein 8a, LRRC8A (SWELL1), is required for VRAC in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). Endothelial LRRC8A regulates AKT-endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) signaling under basal, stretch, and shear-flow stimulation, forms a GRB2-Cav1-eNOS signaling complex, and is required for endothelial cell alignment to laminar shear flow. Endothelium-restricted Lrrc8a KO mice develop hypertension in response to chronic angiotensin-II infusion and exhibit impaired retinal blood flow with both diffuse and focal blood vessel narrowing in the setting of type 2 diabetes (T2D). These data demonstrate that LRRC8A regulates AKT-eNOS in endothelium and is required for maintaining vascular function, particularly in the setting of T2D.

Group and individual level variations between symmetric and asymmetric DLPFC montages for tDCS over large scale brain network nodes

Two challenges to optimizing transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) are selecting between, often similar, electrode montages and accounting for inter-individual differences in response. These two factors are related by how tDCS montage determines current flow through the brain considered across or within individuals. MRI-based computational head models (CHMs) predict how brain anatomy determines electric field (EF) patterns for a given tDCS montage. Because conventional tDCS produces diffuse brain current flow, stimulation outcomes may be understood as modulation of global networks. Therefore, we developed a network-led, rather than region-led, approach. We specifically considered two common “frontal” tDCS montages that nominally target the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex; asymmetric “unilateral” (anode/cathode: F4/Fp1) and symmetric “bilateral” (F4/F3) electrode montages. CHMs of 66 participants were constructed. We showed that cathode location significantly affects EFs in the limbic network. Furthermore, using a finer parcellation of large-scale networks, we found significant differences in some of the main nodes within a network, even if there is no difference at the network level. This study generally demonstrates a methodology for considering the components of large-scale networks in CHMs instead of targeting a single region and specifically provides insight into how symmetric vs asymmetric frontal tDCS may differentially modulate networks across a population.

Group and Individual Level Variations between Symmetric and Asymmetric DLPFC Montages for tDCS over Large Scale Brain Network Nodes

Two challenges to optimizing transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) are selecting between, often similar, electrode montages and accounting for inter-individual differences in response. These two factors are related by how tDCS montage determines current flow through the brain considered across or within individuals. MRI-based computational head models (CHMs) predict how brain anatomy determine electric field (EF) patterns for a given tDCS montage. Because conventional tDCS produces diffuse brain current flow, stimulation outcomes may be understood as modulation of global networks. Therefore, we developed network-led, rather than region-led, approach. We specifically considered two common frontal tDCS montages that nominally target the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex; asymmetric unilateral (anode/cathode: F4/Fp1) and symmetric bilateral (F4/F3) electrode montages. CHMs of 66 participants were constructed. We showed that cathode location significantly affects EFs in the limbic network. Furthermore, using a finer parcellation of large-scale networks, we found significant differences in some of main nodes within a network, even if there is no difference at the network level. This study generally demonstrates a methodology for considering the components of large-scale networks in CHMs instead of targeting a single region and specifically provides insight into how symmetric vs asymmetric frontal tDCS may differentially modulate networks across a population.

P1833 Ultrasonic imaging of radial artery reactive response in patients with hypertension with and without left ventricular hypertrophy

Background Endothelium plays an important role in anti-inflammatory process and regulating vascular tone. It has been shown in numerous studies that increase of vessel dilation after several minutes hyperemia, was induced by mechanical transient flow stimulation of the endothelium. Most of the reported research experiments were conducted on the brachial artery. We proposed to measure the flow-mediated dilation in the radial artery (FMDr) in patients with hypertension (HT). In order to improve the axial resolution affecting the precision of FMDr determination, radial artery imaging was performed using a high frequency 20 MHz ultrasound. Aim The aim of the study was assessment of FMDr in patients with HT using 20 MHz probe. Methods: Our studies involved two groups group I consisted of 76 pts. 35 men and 41 women (71 ± 5.6 yr. old); with documented HT and group II consisted of 16 healthy volunteers, 12 men and 4 women (51.4 ± 9.4 yr. old). We divided patients with HT in to three subgroups: IA - 25 pts. with HT and left ventricular hypertrophy (VH), IB - 26 pts. with HT without VH, and IC patients with HT without VH but with coexisting coronary artery disease (CAD). Results Statistically significant differences in FMDr between the two groups were confirmed by a Wilcoxon-Mann-Whitney test. In group II FMDr was 11.9 ± 4.8%, and in group I FMDr was significantly less at 5.1% ± 4%. We have not observed any statistical differences in FMDr between groups: IA and IB ( 5.05%, 5.55%) respectively. We calculated FMDr for IC 4.21% (p = 0.018). Fig. 1. Conclusion The results confirm the usefulness of the proposed measurements of radial artery FMDr to differentiation of normal subjects from those with documented HT. There are no significant differences between males and females in all considered groups of subjects. We did not find the differences in FMDr between patients with and without VH. Patients with HT, without VH and with coexisting CAD had the lowest reactive response of FMDr. Abstract P1833 Figure. Fig. 1

Changes in Extracellular Matrix Gene and Protein Expressions in Human Trabecular Meshwork Cells in Response to Mechanical Fluid Flow Stimulation

PurposeTo investigate the changes in extracellular matrix (ECM) gene and protein expressions in human trabecular meshwork (HTM) cells in response to mechanical fluid flow stimulation.MethodsHTM cells were cultured on a glass plate and exposed to shear stress (0, 0.2, and 1.0 dyne/cm2) for 12 hours. Changes in gene expressions were evaluated using microarray analysis. The representative genes related to ECM metabolism underwent real-time reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction. Fibronectin (FN) and collagen (COL) IV levels in the supernatant were evaluated using immunoassays. Rho-associated coiled-coil-containing protein kinase (ROCK) activity also was investigated.ResultsAfter stimulation, transforming growth factor β2 mRNA levels were significantly (p < 0.01) lower than that of the static control (0 dyne/cm2 for 12 hours). Matrix metalloproteinase 2 mRNA levels were significantly (p < 0.05) higher than the static control. COL type 1 alpha 2 mRNA, COL type 4 alpha 2 mRNA, and COL type 6 alpha 1 mRNA levels were significantly (p < 0.05, < 0.01, and < 0.05, respectively) higher than the static control. The mean ± standard deviation FN levels (ng/mL) in the supernatant after stimulation (0, 0.2, 1.0 dyne/cm2) were 193.7 ± 7.6, 51.5 ± 21.8, and 34.9 ± 23.6, respectively (p < 0.01). The FN and COL IV levels and ROCK activity were significantly (p < 0.01 and < 0.05, respectively) lower than the static control.ConclusionsChanges in gene and protein expressions related to ECM metabolism occurred in HTM cells after stimulation. Specifically, the suppression of FN and COL IV production might explain the importance of mechanical fluid flow stimulation on maintenance of the normal aqueous humor outflow.