The vagus nerve is a powerhouse in the body, playing a crucial role in managing inflammation. This nerve, which stretches from the brainstem to the gut, is part of the parasympathetic nervous system. This system is responsible for the body's "rest and digest" state, which is the opposite of the "fight or flight" response. The vagus nerve helps regulate various automa...
Abdominal wall defects are no joke. They can lead to serious health issues. So, finding a good way to fix them is a big deal. Usually, doctors use patches made from polymers. But these can cause problems like inflammation and rejection by the body. That's where the Silk@Extracellular Matrix (S@ECM) patch comes in. It's made from silk and the body's own natural glue, ...
The heart and the brain are in constant conversation. This chat is crucial for keeping the heart healthy. When this talk goes wrong, it can lead to serious problems like heart failure and metabolic diseases. The brain talks to the heart through a system called the autonomic nervous system. This system has two main parts: the sympathetic, which is like the gas pedal, ...
The body's reaction to intense physical activity can be a double-edged sword. While exercise is crucial for fitness, it can also trigger inflammation, which can slow down an athlete's recovery. This is where probiotics come into play. These tiny organisms, often found in yogurt or supplements, might help manage the body's inflammatory response by influencing the gut'...
The liver is a tough organ. It can handle a lot of damage. However, when the liver is hurt over and over, it starts to scar. This scarring is called fibrosis. It is a big problem. It can lead to serious issues like cirrhosis and even liver cancer. But here is the good news. Fibrosis can be reversed. This means that finding ways to stop or even fix liver scarr...
Perioperative neurocognitive disorder (PND) is a big problem for older folks after surgery. It's like their brains take a hit, and there aren't many good ways to fix it. Scientists have spotted two things that might be involved: less of a substance called adiponectin (APN) in the blood and more lactate in the brain fluid. APN is known for helping with insulin resista...
Chemotherapy is a tough journey. It can mess with your brain, causing memory lapses, trouble focusing, and even feelings of depression and anxiety. This is often called "chemo brain. " Now, there's a drug called rosuvastatin, usually used to lower cholesterol, that might help with this issue. It works by inhibiting an enzyme called HMG-CoA reductase. Scientists wante...
The world around us has a big say in how our blood vessels behave. It can either help or harm our hearts. This is especially true when it comes to things like air pollution and certain chemicals. These troublemakers can cause stress in our bodies, leading to long-term inflammation and making our blood vessels work poorly. This can speed up the buildup of plaque in ou...
The process of creating goose fatty liver involves a method called overfeeding. This results in a liver packed with fat. Unlike human livers affected by non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), goose livers handle this fat buildup without inflammation. This unique ability makes goose liver an interesting subject for study. Choline, a nutrient, is known to help with...
The concept of Life's Crucial 9 (LC9) is not new. It is a set of nine lifestyle factors that are believed to influence how quickly a person ages. These factors include diet, physical activity, sleep, and mental health. The idea is that by focusing on these areas, people can slow down the aging process and improve their overall health. The Life's Essential 8 (LE8)...