Metabolic effects of a submaximal dose of pink salt and monosodium glutamate in experimental rats.

Background & objectives: Pink salt and monosodium glutamate (MSG) are two typical food additives used in cooking to enhance flavour. However, excessive use of them has been associated to a variety of metabolic problems, including weight gain and hyperglycemia. The current study aimed to assess the metabolic changes caused by submaximal dosages of MSG and pink salt in experimental rats. Methods: Twenty-four 120-150 g Wister rats of both sexes were divided into three groups: control, pink salt-treated (0.8 g/kg daily for three weeks), and MSG-treated (3.6 g/kg daily for three weeks). The body weight, amount of food and water consumed, and blood glucose levels of animals were measured and recorded as indicators of their metabolic changes. Furthermore, after salt treatments at intervals such as week 1, week 2, and week 3, the survival rate and general toxicity manifestations were determined. The results were statistically analysed using one-way ANOVA, with p < 0.05 being considered significant. Results: The study found that the group given a submaximal dose of MSG gained significantly more weight (p < 0.05), consumed more food and water, and had higher blood glucose levels than the control. Ninety percent of the MSG therapy group survived by the end of the third week, however, they suffered from negative effects like abdominal distention, respiratory problems, ptosis, and subcutaneous swelling. On the other hand, the consumption of food and drink was significantly (p < 0.05) increased upon the administration of pink salt. Only little changes were observed in the body weight, blood sugar levels, and general features (such as subcutaneous swelling, change in bowel colour, and loose stools). Additionally, it was shown that the survival rate remained unchanged, particularly after week 3. Conclusion: According to study findings, MSG may induce metabolic issues, increasing the chance of death. While there was no discernible metabolic aberration linked to pink salt. Further research is required to fully understand the mechanism and consequences of these taste enhancers on the host system before pink salt can be deemed safe.

Proteomic biomarkers of Kleine-Levin syndrome.

STUDY OBJECTIVES: Kleine-Levin syndrome (KLS) is characterized by relapsing-remitting episodes of hypersomnia, cognitive impairment, and behavioral disturbances. We quantified cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and serum proteins in KLS cases and controls. METHODS: SomaScan was used to profile 1133 CSF proteins in 30 KLS cases and 134 controls, while 1109 serum proteins were profiled in serum from 26 cases and 65 controls. CSF and serum proteins were both measured in seven cases. Univariate and multivariate analyses were used to find differentially expressed proteins (DEPs). Pathway and tissue enrichment analyses (TEAs) were performed on DEPs. RESULTS: Univariate analyses found 28 and 141 proteins differentially expressed in CSF and serum, respectively (false discovery rate <0.1%). Upregulated CSF proteins included IL-34, IL-27, TGF-b, IGF-1, and osteonectin, while DKK4 and vWF were downregulated. Pathway analyses revealed microglial alterations and disrupted blood-brain barrier permeability. Serum profiles show upregulation of Src-family kinases (SFKs), proteins implicated in cellular growth, motility, and activation. TEA analysis of up- and downregulated proteins revealed changes in brain proteins (p < 6 × 10-5), notably from the pons, medulla, and midbrain. A multivariate machine-learning classifier performed robustly, achieving a receiver operating curve area under the curve of 0.90 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.78-1.0, p = 0.0006) in CSF and 1.0 (95% CI = 1.0-1.0, p = 0.0002) in serum in validation cohorts, with some commonality across tissues, as the model trained on serum sample also discriminated CSF samples of controls versus KLS cases. CONCLUSIONS: Our study identifies proteomic KLS biomarkers with diagnostic potential and provides insight into biological mechanisms that will guide future research in KLS.

Acute Demyelinating Encephalomyelitis Post-COVID-19 Vaccination: A Case Report and Literature Review.

New advancements in the medical community have rapidly occurred with the development of medical information across the globe during the COVID-19 pandemic. Several vaccine manufacturers were able to obtain clearance to administer vaccines in selected age groups and for those at high risk for COVID-19 complications. As vaccines became more readily available, there was a significant effort supported by scientific information to get people vaccinated to boost herd immunity. Acute demyelinating encephalomyelitis (ADEM) is a rare autoimmune disease, causing demyelination in the brain and spinal cord, presenting as monophasic, acute-onset, and rapidly progressive multifocal neurological deficits. A wide variety of precipitating factors can trigger ADEM, and it has long been known to be a rare adverse event following some types of vaccinations including rabies, diphtheria-tetanus-polio, smallpox, measles, mumps, rubella, pertussis, influenza, and hepatitis B vaccines. Recently, ADEM has also been associated with COVID-19 infection and (very rarely) with COVID-19 vaccination. We have a 56-year-old female who was not known to have any medical issues. She voluntarily received her first COVID-19 vaccination (AstraZeneca) ten days after immunization; she developed weakness of the lower limbs and slurred speech. She tested negative for COVID-19, and a brain MRI showed T2-weighted white-matter hyperintense lesions suggesting acute demyelinating encephalomyelitis. She was managed with pulse-dose steroids, which resulted in a marked improvement in her symptoms, and discharged in a stable condition. Physicians should be aware of this neurological disorder and the management options for better patient care and outcomes.

The Epidemiology and Management of Pediatric AKI in Asia.

Because of the lack of early recognition and referral, the incidence of pediatric acute kidney injury (AKI) in Asia still is underestimated. Although each diagnostic criteria has its own merits, the Kidney Disease Improving Global Outcomes classification now is widely accepted. In Asia, the spectrum of pediatric AKI is wide-ranging, from pediatric AKI in highly sophisticated tertiary-care pediatric intensive care units in resource-rich regions due to advanced procedures such as transplantation, cardiac surgery, and other hospital-acquired causes, to primary care preventable causes, such as infectious diseases, snakebite, and so forth in rural parts of the developing world. The development and application of novel biomarkers, concepts such as the Renal Angina Index and advanced renal replacement therapy have revolutionized the era of treating AKI, but the cost and feasibility are the key determinants, especially in rural areas. In view of availability and expenses, peritoneal dialysis should be the first choice in less-developed areas, however, because of various barriers, it still needs more effort. Effective educational steps to both medical carers and families are needed urgently.

Mitochondria and Renal Fibrosis.

Mitochondria are important organelles in eukaryotic cells and perform a variety of biosynthetic and metabolic functions. Many human diseases are closely related to mitochondrial dysfunction. Kidney is an organ with high-energy requirements, which is distributed with a large number of mitochondria. Mitochondrial dysfunction plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis of kidney disease, and studies have shown that mitochondrial dysfunction is involved in the physiological process of renal fibrosis. This review introduced the biogenesis and pathophysiology of mitochondria, illustrated the involvement of mitochondrial dysfunction in renal fibrosis based on various kinds of cells, and finally summarized the latest mitochondria-targeted therapies.

The HackensackUMC Value-Based Care Model: Building Essentials for Value-Based Purchasing.

The Affordable Care Act, 2010, and the subsequent shift from a quantity-focus to a value-centric reimbursement model led our organization to create the HackensackUMC Value-Based Care Model to improve our process capability and performance to meet and sustain the triple aims of value-based purchasing: higher quality, lower cost, and consumer perception. This article describes the basics of our model and illustrates how we used it to reduce the costs of our patient sitter program.