0000000000025408

AUTHOR

Andrea Sylvia Winkler

Cytotoxic Glial Swelling by Arachidonic Acid

Arachidonic acid (AA, 20:4) is a major constituent of membrane phospholipids in brain tissue. Normally, the free fatty acid is present only in a small amount, but it accumulates under adverse conditions, such as ischemia or brain injury [1,9]. The release of free fatty acid involves activation of phospholipases and breakdown of membrane phospholipids. AA in particular is considered to mediate pathological processes. The polyunsaturated compound is a precursor of prostaglandins, leukotrienes, and oxygen-derived free radicals [11]. In cerebral ischemia concentrations of free AA of up to 0.5 mM/kg have been found in brain tissue [9].

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Correction to: Epidemiology of taeniosis/cysticercosis in Europe, a systematic review: eastern Europe

Taenia solium and Taenia saginata are food-borne parasites of global importance. In eastern Europe only fragmented information is available on the epidemiology of these zoonotic parasites in humans and animal populations. In particular for T. solium, on-going transmission is suspected. The aim of this systematic review was to collect the available data and describe the current knowledge on the epidemiology of T. solium and T. saginata in eastern Europe.Literature published in international databases from 1990 to 2017 was systematically reviewed. Furthermore, local sources and unpublished data from national databases were retrieved from local eastern European experts. The study area included…

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The burden of mental disorders, substance use disorders and self-harm among young people in Europe, 1990–2019: Findings from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019

Artículo escrito por un elevado número de autores, solo se referencian el que aparece en primer lugar, el nombre del grupo de colaboración, si le hubiere, y los autores pertenecientes a la UAM

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Glial Swelling and Damage by Arachidonic Acid

Arachidonic acid (AA) is a major constituent of membrane phospholipids in brain tissue. Normally, the free fatty acid is present only in small amounts, but it accumulates under adverse conditions such as ischemia (Kinouchi et al. 1990). The release of free fatty acids involves activation of phospholipases and breakdown of membrane phospholipids. A A in particular is considered to mediate pathological processes. It is a polyunsaturated compound and precursor of prostaglandins, leukotrienes, and oxygen-derived free radicals (Wolfe 1982). In cerebral ischemia concentrations of free AA of up to 0.5mM/kg were found (Kinouchi et al. 1990). But also brain injury and seizures cause increased levels…

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Effect of high-caloric nutrition on serum neurofilament light chain levels in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

Recent publications showed that circulating neurofilaments (Nfs) may be used as a diagnostic biomarker distinguishing amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) from ALS mimics with high sensitivity and specificity.1–3 Furthermore, it has been shown that patients with higher Nf levels show faster disease progression1 and shorter survival.2 3 Nf levels remain rather stable during the course of disease.2 Current literature suggests that the diagnostic value of neurofilament light chains (NfL) and phosphorylated neurofilament heavy chains in cerebrospinal fluid is about equal, whereas in blood NfL seems to be superior.4 In this study, we investigated the effect of a high-caloric fatty diet (HCFD) on …

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Internet Lite for Sustainable Development

The Digital Divide is one of the key challenges for mankind. Despite attempts to digitally include people, the divide is bigger than ever. This contribution [1] to a sustainable future promotes “Internet lite” as the new paradigm for providing everyone with the opportunity to participate in the digital society. The current paper first addresses the reasons for the digital divide, thereafter addresses free access to information as catalyst for the sustainable development goals (SDGs) and provides the path towards “Internet lite for all”.

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Swelling, Intracellular Acidosis, and Damage of Glial Cells

Cerebral ischemia and severe head injury among others are associated with a limited availability of oxygen, leading to cell catabolism as well as anaerobic glycolysis. Resulting metabolites, such as arachidonic- and lactic acid, can be expected to leak into perifocal brain areas, contributing there to cytotoxic swelling and damage of neurons and glia. Since elucidation of mechanisms underlying cell swelling and damage in the brain is difficult in vivo, respective investigations were carried out in vitro using suspended glial cells. Thereby, effects of arachidonic acid (AA) and of lactacidosis on glial cell volume, intracellular pH (pHi), and cell damage were analyzed utilizing flow cytometr…

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Swelling, Acidosis, and Irreversible Damage of Glial Cells from Exposure to Arachidonic Acid in vitro

Swelling and damage of C6 glioma cells and of primary cultured astrocytes were analyzed in vitro during incubation with arachidonic acid (AA; 20:4). The cells were suspended in a physiological medium supplemented with AA at concentrations of 0.001–1.0 m M. Cell swelling was quantified by flow cytometry with hydrodynamic focusing. Flow cytometry was also utilized for assessment of cell viability by exclusion of the fluorescent dye propidium iodide and for measurement of the intracellular pH (pHi) by 2′,7′-bis-(2-carboxyethyl)−5(and −6)carboxyfluorescein. Administration of AA caused an immediate dose-dependent swelling of C6 glioma cells, even at a concentration of 0.01 m M. At this level cel…

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Clearance and metabolism of arachidonic acid by C6 glioma cells and astrocytes.

Effects of increased levels of arachidonic acid (AA) were analyzed in vitro by employment of C6 glioma cells and astrocytes from primary culture. The cells were suspended in a physiological medium added with arachidonic acid (AA) in a concentration range from 0.01 to 0.5 mM. The concentration profiles of the fatty acid and AA-metabolites were subsequently followed for 90 min. AA was measured by gas chromatography, whereas the AA-metabolites PGF2 alpha and LTB4 by radioimmunoassay (RIA). Following administration of AA at 0.05 or 0.1 mM the medium was completely cleared from the fatty acid within 10 to 15 min. However, when 0.5 mM were added, AA concentrations of 0.36 +/- 0.055 mM were found …

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Mechanisms of Glial Swelling by Arachidonic Acid

The effect of arachidonic acid (AA, 20:4) was analyzed in vitro by employment of C6 glioma cells and astrocytes from primary culture. The cells were suspended in an incubation chamber under continuous control of pH, pO2, and temperature. Cell swelling was quantified by flow cytometry. After a control period, the suspension was added with AA at concentrations of 0.01 to 1.0 mM. Administration of AA induced an immediate, dose dependent swelling in C6 glioma cells or astrocytes. AA-concentrations of 0.01 mM led to an increase of the glial cell volume to 103.0 ± 1.0% of control, 0.1 mM to 110.0 ± 1.5%, and l.0 mM to 118.8 ± 1.5% within 10 min. The swelling response to linoleic acid (18 : 2) was…

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Mapping disparities in education across low- and middle-income countries

Educational attainment is an important social determinant of maternal, newborn, and child health1–3. As a tool for promoting gender equity, it has gained increasing traction in popular media, international aid strategies, and global agenda-setting4–6. The global health agenda is increasingly focused on evidence of precision public health, which illustrates the subnational distribution of disease and illness7,8; however, an agenda focused on future equity must integrate comparable evidence on the distribution of social determinants of health9–11. Here we expand on the available precision SDG evidence by estimating the subnational distribution of educational attainment, including the proporti…

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Development of digital health messages for rural populations in Tanzania: Multi- And interdisciplinary approach

Background Health workers have traditionally delivered health promotion and education to rural communities in the Global South in paper leaflet formats or orally. With the rise of digital technologies, health promotion and education can be provided in innovative and more effective formats, which are believed to have a higher impact on disease prevention and treatment. Objective The aim of this tutorial is to illustrate how a multi- and interdisciplinary approach can be applied in the design process of digital health messages for use in the Global South. Methods The multi- and interdisciplinary team of the Non-discriminating access for Digital Inclusion (DigI) project digitalized and custom…

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Burden of injury along the development spectrum: associations between the Socio-demographic Index and disability-adjusted life year estimates from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2017.

Incluye: Correction: Burden of injury along the development spectrum: associations between the Socio-demographic Index and disability-adjusted life year estimates from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2017. Inj Prev. 2020 Oct;26(Supp 1):i164. doi: 10.1136/injuryprev-2019-043296corr1. Epub 2020 Sep 28. PMID: 32989004 Background: The epidemiological transition of non-communicable diseases replacing infectious diseases as the main contributors to disease burden has been well documented in global health literature. Less focus, however, has been given to the relationship between sociodemographic changes and injury. The aim of this study was to examine the association between disability-adjuste…

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Mechanisms of arachidonic acid induced glial swelling

Accumulation of arachidonic acid (AA) in the brain during ischaemia may contribute to development of brain oedema. In this study we investigated the effect of selected drugs on AA-induced cytotoxic brain oedema in C6 glioma cells. Suspended C6 glioma cells were preincubated with drugs and AA (0.1 mM) was added. When no drug was administered cell volume increased immediately after the addition of AA with a maximum cell swelling of 13.1+/-1.9% at 15 min (mean +/- S.E. M.). Preincubation of cells with BW 755C, a dual inhibitor of cyclo- and lipoxygenases, showed no reduction in cell swelling from AA, whereas superoxide dismutase, amiloride and the protein kinase inhibitor H-9370 led to a signi…

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Effect of High‐Caloric Nutrition on Survival in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis

International audience; Objective: Weight loss has been identified as a negative prognostic factor in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, but there is no evidence regarding whether a high-caloric diet increases survival. Therefore, we sought to evaluate the efficacy of a high-caloric fatty diet (HCFD) for increasing survival.Methods: A 1:1 randomized, placebo-controlled, parallel-group, double-blinded trial (LIPCAL-ALS study) was conducted between February 2015 and September 2018. Patients were followed up at 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, and 18 months after randomization. The study was performed at 12 sites of the clinical and scientific network of German motor neuron disease centers (ALS/MND-NET). Eligible…

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Epidemiology and surveillance of human (neuro)cysticercosis in Europe: is enhanced surveillance required?

To report on relevant national surveillance systems of (N)CC and taeniasis (the infection with the adult tapeworm) in the European Union/European Economic Area and to assess the magnitude of (N)CC occurrence by retrieving information on cases for the period 2000-2016.(N)CC cases were retrieved via national reporting systems, a systematic literature search, contact with clinicians and a search for relevant 'International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems' (ICD)-based data.Mandatory notification systems for (N)CC were found in Hungary, Iceland and Poland. Ten cases were reported in Poland and none in Hungary and Iceland. Through the systematic literature revie…

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Global, regional, and national burden of stroke and its risk factors, 1990–2019 : a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019

Background Regularly updated data on stroke and its pathological types, including data on their incidence, prevalence, mortality, disability, risk factors, and epidemiological trends, are important for evidence-based stroke care planning and resource allocation. The Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study (GBD) aims to provide a standardised and comprehensive measurement of these metrics at global, regional, and national levels. Methods We applied GBD 2019 analytical tools to calculate stroke incidence, prevalence, mortality, disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs), and the population attributable fraction (PAF) of DALYs (with corresponding 95% uncertainty intervals [UIs]…

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