Pharmacological modulation of vascular ageing: A review from VascAgeNet.

Vascular ageing, characterized by structural and functional changes in blood vessels of which arterial stiffness and endothelial dysfunction are key components, is associated with increased risk of cardiovascular and other age-related diseases. As the global population continues to age, understanding the underlying mechanisms and developing effective therapeutic interventions to mitigate vascular ageing becomes crucial for improving cardiovascular health outcomes. Therefore, this review provides an overview of the current knowledge on pharmacological modulation of vascular ageing, highlighting key strategies and promising therapeutic targets. Several molecular pathways have been identified as central players in vascular ageing, including oxidative stress and inflammation, the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system, cellular senescence, macroautophagy, extracellular matrix remodelling, calcification, and gasotransmitter-related signalling. Pharmacological and dietary interventions targeting these pathways have shown potential in ameliorating age-related vascular changes. Nevertheless, the development and application of drugs targeting vascular ageing is complicated by various inherent challenges and limitations, such as certain preclinical methodological considerations, interactions with exercise training and sex/gender-related differences, which should be taken into account. Overall, pharmacological modulation of endothelial dysfunction and arterial stiffness as hallmarks of vascular ageing, holds great promise for improving cardiovascular health in the ageing population. Nonetheless, further research is needed to fully elucidate the underlying mechanisms and optimize the efficacy and safety of these interventions for clinical translation.

The efficacy of Pelargonium sidoides in the treatment of upper respiratory tract infections in children with transient hypogammaglobulinemia of infancy.

Transient hypogammaglobulinemia of infancy (THI), defined as prolongation of physiological hypogammaglobulinemia normally seen between the initial 3rd and 6th months of life, is one of the most common immune deficiencies of childhood. Recurrent upper respiratory tract infections (URTI) are rather common in this group of patients, and generally, antibiotic treatment is the usual choice, although viruses involved in most cases. Pelargonium sidoides extract a herbal drug with known immunmodulator, antiviral and antibacterial effects. In this randomized, placebo controlled, prospective, monocentric pilot study, 14 of 28 patients with a diagnosed THI, were given Pelargonium sidoides, while 14 were given placebo during the period of URTI. Before and after the treatment period of one week, complete blood count, prothrombin time, activated prothromboplastin time, serum alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, gamma glutamyl transpeptidase, total and direct bilirubin levels were measured. Mothers were asked to fill in a questionnaire for the recovery of the clinical symptoms during the treatment. The results were evaluated and compared in both group to assess the effect of Pelargonium sidoides. As a conclusion, the Pelargonium sidoides group showed increased appetite. The Pelargonium sidoides were found to beneficial for the nasal congestion, recovery of daily and nocturnal cough but not found be significant. Further studies with large number of participants are necessary to highlight the effect of Pelargonium sidoides in children with transient hypogammaglobulinemia of infancy.

[Predictors of social functioning in schizophrenia]. / Sizofrenide sosyal islevselligi yordayan etmenler.

OBJECTIVE: Impaired social functioning is a characteristic feature of schizophrenia. The aim of this study was to determine the factors that predict social functioning in schizophrenia. METHOD: The study included 100 patients that met DSM-IV diagnostic criteria for schizophrenia. All the patients were evaluated using the Scale for the Assessment of Negative Symptoms, Scale for the Assessment of Positive Symptoms, Calgary Depression Scale for Schizophrenia, Facial Emotion Identification Test, Facial Emotion Discrimination Test, Digit Span Test, Rey's Auditory Verbal Learning Test, Trail Making Test, and Social Functioning Scale. Marital status, living arrangements, and working status of the patients were also recorded. Pearson's correlation analysis and multiple stepwise regression analysis were used to determine the relationships between the research variables and social functioning. Categorical variables were compared with the independent samples t test. RESULTS: Negative symptoms, level of education, and facial emotion identification were significant predictors of social functioning total score. Negative symptoms were the most important predictor of almost all domains of social functioning. Age and duration of illness were not associated with social functioning. There were no gender differences in terms of social functioning. Married patients had higher social functioning scores. Employed patients had lower negative symptom scores and higher social functioning scores. CONCLUSION: Negative symptoms were the most important predictors of social functioning in our study.