Anthony J. Yun

Integrating Systems Biology and Medical Imaging: Understanding Disease Distribution in the Lung Model

OBJECTIVE Many chronic diseases exhibit characteristic pulmonary distribution patterns, but the underlying biologic explanations remain elusive. On the basis of emerging evidence from systems biology, we propose that gradients of T helper immune function exist as an epiphenomenon of the hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction response. Regional variation of immune function may contribute to preferential distribution patterning of lung diseases. CONCLUSION The lungs represent but one example in which the distribution of immune function throughout the body may explain disease location. This hypothetic framework can apply to diseases outside the realm of pulmonary biology and illustrates the potential benefit of integrating advances in systems biology and medical imaging.

Iodine in the Ecosystem

Iodine may have originally emerged as a substrate for thyroid hormone production due to its role as an indicator of resource availability in the ecosystem and the corresponding need to modulate growth, reproduction, metabolic rate and lifespan. While marine algae may use iodine for self-defense, herbivores and higher-order predators further down the ecosystem may use dietary iodine as a surrogate sensor for overall availability of ecosystem resources. Numerous nutritional factors influence the production of thyroid hormone among the most important is dietary intake of iodine. The prehistoric link of iodine to thyroid function may have become less adaptive due to evolutionary displacement. While dietary iodine intake may have once served as a useful proxy for nutritional availability, this linkage has apparently become decoupled in the modern era. Independent from any association with resource availability, iodine deficiency may arise from decline in both soil reservoirs and the terrestrial ecosystem, which is caused due to both glaciation and the leaching effects of groundwater. Iodine or iodine modulators may also have potential uses as modulators of the endocrine axis, thus treating diseases such as syndrome X, infertility, and growth retardation.

Iodine in the Ecosystem: An Overview

Iodine may have originally emerged as a substrate for thyroid hormone production due to its role as an indicator of resource availability in the ecosystem and the corresponding need to modulate growth, reproduction, metabolic rate and lifespan. While marine algae may use iodine for self-defense, herbivores and higher-order predators further down the ecosystem may use dietary iodine as a surrogate sensor for overall availability of ecosystem resources. Numerous nutritional factors influence the production of thyroid hormone among the most important is dietary intake of iodine. The prehistoric link of iodine to thyroid function may have become less adaptive due to evolutionary displacement. While dietary iodine intake may have once served as a useful proxy for nutritional availability, this linkage has apparently become decoupled in the modern era. Independent from any association with resource availability, iodine deficiency may arise from decline in both soil reservoirs and the terrestrial ecosystem, which is caused due to both glaciation and the leaching effects of groundwater. Iodine or iodine modulators may also have potential uses as modulators of the endocrine axis, thus treating diseases such as syndrome X, infertility, and growth retardation.

Chapter 12 – Iodine in the Ecosystem: An Overview

Iodine may have originally emerged as a substrate for thyroid hormone production due to its role as an indicator of resource availability in the ecosystem and the corresponding need to modulate growth, reproduction, metabolic rate and lifespan. While marine algae may use iodine for self-defense, herbivores and higher-order predators further down the ecosystem may use dietary iodine as a surrogate sensor for overall availability of ecosystem resources. Numerous nutritional factors influence the production of thyroid hormone among the most important is dietary intake of iodine. The prehistoric link of iodine to thyroid function may have become less adaptive due to evolutionary displacement. While dietary iodine intake may have once served as a useful proxy for nutritional availability, this linkage has apparently become decoupled in the modern era. Independent from any association with resource availability, iodine deficiency may arise from decline in both soil reservoirs and the terrestrial ecosystem, which is caused due to both glaciation and the leaching effects of groundwater. Iodine or iodine modulators may also have potential uses as modulators of the endocrine axis, thus treating diseases such as syndrome X, infertility, and growth retardation.

Negative pressure ventilation via diaphragmatic pacing: a potential gateway for treating systemic dysfunctions

Programmed diaphragmatic pacing using implanted neuromodulators represents an emerging method for providing pulmonary support using negative pressure ventilation. The implantable, rechargeable, programmable and miniaturized nature of diaphragmatic pacers may obviate many of the management issues associated with noninvasive positive pressure ventilation devices. Closed loop systems may facilitate the implementation of diaphragmatic pacing for the treatment of many indications. They may allow for wider adoption of ventilatory support in central sleep apnea and improve quality of life in diseases of chronic hypoventilation, such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. In addition, it might alleviate subclinical hypoventilation – a condition that may affect a significant proportion of the aging population. Diaphragmatic pacing could also reduce sympathetic bias, which may contribute to a wide range of diseases associated with autonomic dysfunction.