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Purpose of ReviewSalt sensitivity of blood pressure (SSBP) is an independent predictor of death due to cardiovascular events and affects nearly 50% of the hypertensive and 25% of the normotensive population. Strong evidence indicates that reducing sodium (Na+) intake decreases blood pressure (BP) and cardiovascular events. The precise mechanisms of how dietary Na+ contributes to elevation and cardiovascular disease remain unclear. The goal of this review is to discuss mechanisms of salt-induced cardiovascular disease and how the microbiome may play a role.Recent FindingsThe innate and adaptive immune systems are involved in the genesis of salt-induced hypertension. Mice fed a high-salt diet exhibit increased inflammation with a marked increase in dendritic cell (DC) production of interleukin (IL)-6 and formation of isolevuglandins (IsoLG)-protein adducts, which drive interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) and IL-17A production by T cells. While prior studies have mainly focused on the brain, kidney, and vasculature as playing a role in salt-induced hypertension, the gut is the first and largest location for Na+ absorption. Research from our group and others strongly suggests that the gut microbiome contributes to salt-induced inflammation and hypertension.SummaryRecent studies suggest that alterations in the gut microbiome contribute to salt-induced hypertension. However, the contribution of the microbiome to SSBP and its underlying mechanisms are not known. Targeting the microbiota and the associated immune cell activation could conceivably provide the much-needed therapy for SSBP.

Purpose of ReviewBased on the available data, it can be assumed that microbiota is an integral part of the human body. The most heavily colonized area of the human body is the gut, with bacterial accumulation ranging from 101–103 cells/g in the upper intestine to 1011–1012 cells/g in the colon. However, colonization of the gut is not the same throughout, as it was shown that there are differences between the composition of the microbiota in the intestine lumen and in the proximity of the mucus layer.Recent FindingsGut microbiota gradient can be differentially regulated by factors such as obesity and chronic stress. In particular, a high fat diet influences the gut microbial composition. It was also found that chronic stress may cause the development of obesity and thus change the organization of the intestinal barrier. Recent research has shown the significant effect of intestinal microflora on cardiovascular function. Enhanced absorption of bacterial fragments, such as lipopolysaccharide (LPS), promotes the onset of “metabolic endotoxemia,” which could activate toll-like receptors, which mediates an inflammatory response and in severe cases could cause cardiovascular diseases. It is presumed that the intestinal microbiota, and especially its metabolites (LPS and trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO)), may play an important role in the pathogenesis of arterial hypertension, atherosclerosis, and heart failure.SummaryThis review focuses on how gut microbiota can change the morphological and functional activity of the cardiovascular system in the course of obesity and in conditions of chronic stress.

Purpose of ReviewThe purpose of this review is to summarize the evidence supporting a role of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) as messengers facilitating cross talk between the host and gut microbiota and discuss the effects of altered SCFA signaling in obesity and hypertension.Recent FindingsRecent evidence suggests there to be a significant contribution of gut microbiota-derived SCFAs to microbe:host communication and host metabolism. SCFA production within the intestine modulates intestinal pH, microbial composition, and intestinal barrier integrity. SCFA signaling through host receptors, such as PPARγ and GPCRs, modulates host health and disease physiology. Alterations in SCFA signaling and downstream effects on inflammation are implicated in the development of obesity and hypertension.SummarySCFAs are crucial components of the holobiont relationship; in the proper environment, they support normal gut, immune, and metabolic function. Dysregulation of microbial SCFA signaling affects downstream host metabolism, with implications in obesity and hypertension.

Purpose of HeadingTo review the relationship between intestinal microbes and hypertension and its impact on the efficacy of antihypertensive drugs, and help to address some of these knowledge gaps.Recent FindingsHypertension is associated with cardiovascular diseases and is the most important modifiable risk factor for all-cause morbidity and mortality worldwide. The pathogenesis of hypertension is complex, including factors such as dietary, environmental and genetics. Recently, the studies have shown that the gut microbiota influences the occurrence and development of hypertension through a variety of ways, including affecting the production of short-chain fatty acids, dysfunction of the brain-gut axis, and changes in serotonin content that cause the imbalance of vagus and sympathetic nerve output associated with hypertension. However, patients with hypertension typically take antihypertensive drugs orally on a long-term basis, and most antihypertensive drugs are absorbed by the gastrointestinal tract. Studies have shown that the pharmacokinetics and metabolism of antihypertensive drugs may be influenced by microbiota, or antihypertensive drugs act directly on the intestinal flora to exert efficacy, including regulation of intestinal microbial metabolism, intestinal inflammation, and intestinal sympathetic nervous system disorders.SummaryThe intestinal flora can affect the pharmacokinetics and metabolism of antihypertensive drugs in the rats, and intestinal microbiota also can be the target “organ” by antihypertensive drugs.

Purpose of ReviewMicroorganisms living within an ecosystem create microbial communities and play key roles in ecosystem functioning. During their lifespan, humans share their bodies with a variety of microorganisms. More than 10-100 trillion symbiotic microorganisms live on and within human beings, and the majority of these microorganisms populate the distal ileum and colon (referred to as the gut microbiota). Interactions between the gut microbiota and the host involve signaling via chemical neurotransmitters and metabolites, neuronal pathways, and the immune system. Hypertension is a complex and heterogeneous pathophenotype. A reductionist approach that assumes that all patients who have the same signs of a disease share a common disease mechanism and thus should be treated similarly is insufficient for optimal blood pressure management. Herein, we have highlighted the contribution of the gut microbiome to blood pressure regulation in humans.Recent FindingsGut dysbiosis—an imbalance in the composition and function of the gut microbiota—has been shown to be associated with hypertension. Gut dysbiosis occurs via environmental pressures, including caesarean section, antibiotic use, dietary changes, and lifestyle changes over a lifetime.SummaryThis review highlights how gut dysbiosis may affect a host’s blood pressure over a lifetime. The review also clarifies future challenges in studies of associations between the gut microbiome and hypertension.

Violence remains a contemporary concern in the USA. After high-profile acts of violence are committed, society searches for explanations. This is reflected in concerns regarding unwarranted violence including shootings by police officers. Violent video games have often been alleged to be the cause of societal aggression despite contrary research. To date, no study has considered whether violent video game play predicts aggressiveness among police officers. Relatedly, it is unclear if an officer’s mental health, as indicated by depression, is predicted by violent game play. This study sought to test these relationships. We electronically surveyed 363 officers who attended classes in an advanced criminal justice leadership program. Key variables include the use of violent video games with outcomes related to trait aggression and depression. All surveys included officers’ game habits, trait aggression, depression symptoms, self-esteem, and neuroticism. Violent video game play does not predict officer trait aggression, nor is it predictive of officer depression. Both outcomes were predicted by neuroticism with depression also predicted by self-esteem. Findings suggest that violent game play does not predict officer aggression or mental health. Factors related to personality and self-esteem appear to be more critical.

This study investigated whether stress or violent content in video games plays a greater role in aggressiveness towards a cooperative partner while playing a video game. It was hypothesized that participants, when exposed to stress, would demonstrate greater aggressiveness toward an incompetent partner than a competent partner. Furthermore, it was hypothesized that participants, when exposed to a violent video game, would demonstrate greater aggression toward an incompetent partner than those exposed to a non-violent video game. Stress was provoked in half of the participants using the Paced Auditory Serial Addition Test (PASAT), while others took a simple math quiz. Participants were then assigned to a video game condition, violent or non-violent with a competent or incompetent confederate and completed a reaction time task to measure aggression. Results indicated that provoked stress and violent content are not linked to aggression in this context.

Whether kids should be encouraged to play video games remains a topic of debate among many parents, who often entertain some of the myths associated with video game play. The authors review the latest scientific evidence to dispel worries that video game play contributes to obesity, desensitizes players to real-world violence, and causes aggressive behavior. They also discuss research that demonstrates video game play helps improve social skills and visuospatial cognitive abilities, aids in mood management, and even appears to decrease real-world violence. They conclude that playing video games can be a worthwhile activity for most children when balanced with other life responsibilities. Key words: learning and video games; obesity and video games; play and video games; violence and video games

Ce site comporte un ensemble de vidéos, textes et documents hétérogènes qui cherchent à archiver un tel matrimoine à partir d’un cas, par définition singulier, de relation à la mère. Certes, la langue maternelle nous plonge dans un commun – et, du coup, elle nous place aussi dans la diversité, la variation et l’opacité, dont j’ai tâché de rendre compte par cette hétérogénéité des formats et des documents sur le site Mother Archive, qui exploite la plateforme non linéaire Scalar : j’y associe en effet des vidéos allégoriques, des archives filmées numérisées, des photographies personnelles ou non, des albums et des livrets de famille, des commentaires historiques ou théoriques, des extraits de film dont je décale la bande-son de l’image (Cléo de 5 à 7 d’Agnès Varda, Pépé le Moko de Julien Duvivier, The Jazz Singer d’Alan Crosland), des tableaux, fresques et gravures mettant en scène Metanoia (le regret, mais aussi la conversion) et Kairos (le temps à saisir dans son occasion) (voir https://skd-online-collection.skd.museum/Details/Index/295072). C’est pourquoi certaines vidéos présentent des figurations apparemment très éloignées de ce que dit la voix hors champ, comme un appel à traduire les images dans du sens ou les significations dans les passages de figures : par exemple, toute une réflexion sur les différences entre archive, relique et vestige s’ordonne sur le fond d’ombres portées circulant sur des trottoirs ou des bords de rue déformés, colorisés, harmonisés par le temps et la lumière, inscrivant à la fois la fugitive précarité des ombres et des villes et leurs stylisations rémanentes sur le support d’une voix claire et nette qui définit, distingue et partage des conceptions et des histoires, pendant que le violoncelle mélancolique de Sonia Atherton étire le chant de la prière rituelle par laquelle débute le Grand Pardon, le Kol Nidrei (voir https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uu-jR8kI_yM), cette prière étrange qui demande l’annulation des promesses passées et des engagements à venir comme si ces animaux à promesse que sont les humains pouvaient, par une grâce divine, se détacher, s’exiler de leurs engagements. La langue maternelle est à la fois présence et absence de la mère, oubli et mémoire d’un lien à nul autre pareil.

9.04: M Burnett; G Hackett; E Hume. 9.12: DYoung; D M Stirk; McClean. 10.48: J Barrie; G Bettaney; G Allison. 10.56: A Byers; M Kingstree, 11.28: M J Lind; D McWilliam. 12.56: C Nicol; M I Lockhart; D McCron.