Kayeen Vadakkan, Sruthy Satheesan Aravoor, Maya Rajan Mundanttu
et al.
Abstract The study was formulated to identify the effect of Mangifera indica leaf extract in inhibiting the growth and metamorphosis of Culex quinquefasciatus larva. Bioassay-guided extraction identified the bioactive fraction, after which GC-MS characterized it. The larvicidal activity was analyzed by administrating extract in various concentrations and then subjecting the mortality rate for probit analysis. The morphological and physiological impact upon larvae was understood by histological analysis and acetylcholinesterase activity assay. The results suggested that the extract possessed a high degree of larvicidal activity, whereas the Dose50 was 225.158 ± 15.168 with a Total Chi-Square of 13.09 and p-value of 0.11. The histological studies revealed notable aberrations among the study subjects compared to the control group due to diminished abdominal tissue integrity. It was also observed that the extract could inhibit the acetylcholinesterase activity, with an LD 50 of 0.9512 µg/ml. The observations made in these studies may be utilized to develop a potential larvicidal agent that could act upon multiple targets.
Esther Van Der Werf, Mahesh Mallappa, Seema Mahesh
et al.
Whether to treat fever in the elderly, is a question that has not yet been answered. This review examines the available evidence so far, to arrive at a comprehensive picture about this question. Aged population are a special category due to their lower basal body temperature, blunted fever response and existing co morbidities. The aging immune system undergoes many changes in all its faculties, which alters its ability to mount an efficient acute inflammatory response. In such a scenario, fever is mostly absent and there is a need to revise the fever criteria in the elderly. Having said that, the most successfully aging, centenarians, mount efficient febrile response during infections, indicating that aging itself may not be the reason for the reduced febrile response. Holistic medicine, such as homeopathy, views the fever scenario differently and advocates interference only when the immune system is helpless. The ‘levels of health theory’ explains that the healthiest benefit from fever while those with reduced immunity suffer from it. This theory may prove to be an invaluable clinical tool to arrive at definite clinical guidelines concerning the treatment of fever, especially in the elderly. However, it requires scientific investigation before it can be used as a clinical tool. There is no conclusive evidence on whether fever must be treated or not in the elderly and whether holistic medicine may have a solution to this dilemma. This is a research gap that needs to be filled with quality studies in the current health scenario.
Ragini Shrivastava, Shweta Mishra, Ruchi Singh
et al.
Owing to stress, sedentary lifestyle and changes in diet pattern, there is an increase in the surge of lifestyle and metabolic disorders. Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) affects 8–13% of reproductive-aged women. PCOS is characterised by menstrual irregularity, hyperandrogenism and polycystic ovarian morphology (PCOM). The efficacy of yoga as a therapy to tackle the direct and indirect cause of ailment in the management of PCOS is to be documented. This is the case study of a female patient age 25 years, a diagnosed case of PCOS was registered at the Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani,Siddha,Homeopathy (AYUSH), yoga OPD, with complaints of irregular menstruation, treated successfully by Yoga and Naturopathy (Y and N), i.e., yoga, diet and lifestyle modification. This is evident from the reduction in weight, regularisation of the menstrual cycle along with morphological changes in the ovary after a follow-up of 6 months.
Elizabeth Pérez-Hernández, Jesús Javier Pastrana-Carballo, Fernando Gómez-Chávez
et al.
Taurine, a cysteine-derived zwitterionic sulfonic acid, is a common ingredient in energy drinks and is naturally found in fish and other seafood. In humans, taurine is produced mainly in the liver, and it can also be obtained from food. In target tissues, such as the retina, heart, and skeletal muscle, it functions as an essential antioxidant, osmolyte, and antiapoptotic agent. Taurine is also involved in energy metabolism and calcium homeostasis. Taurine plays a considerable role in bone growth and development, and high-profile reports have demonstrated the importance of its metabolism for bone health. However, these reports have not been collated for more than 10 years. Therefore, this review focuses on taurine–bone interactions and covers recently discovered aspects of taurine’s effects on osteoblastogenesis, osteoclastogenesis, bone structure, and bone pathologies (e.g., osteoporosis and fracture healing), with due attention to the taurine–cartilage relationship.
Diseases of the endocrine glands. Clinical endocrinology
N. Mittring-Junghans, C. Holmberg, C. M. Witt
et al.
Abstract Background Physicians who include complementary medicine in their practice are thought to have an understanding of health and disease different from that of colleagues practicing conventional medicine. The aim of this study was to identify and compare the thoughts and concepts concerning infectious childhood diseases (measles, mumps, rubella, chickenpox, pertussis and scarlet fever) of physicians practicing homeopathic, anthroposophic and conventional medicine. Methods This qualitative study used semistructured interviews. Participating physicians were either general practitioners or pediatricians. Data collection and analysis were guided by a grounded theory approach. Results Eighteen physicians were interviewed (6 homeopathic, 6 anthroposophic and 6 conventional). All physicians agreed that while many classic infectious childhood diseases such as measles, mumps and rubella are rarely observed today, other diseases, such as chickenpox and scarlet fever, are still commonly diagnosed. All interviewed physicians vaccinated against childhood diseases. A core concern for physicians practicing conventional medicine was the risk of complications of the diseases. Therefore, it was considered essential for them to advise their patients to strictly follow the vaccination schedule. Homeopathic-oriented physicians viewed acute disease as a biological process necessary to strengthen health, fortify the immune system and increase resistance to chronic disease. They tended to treat infectious childhood diseases with homeopathic remedies and administered available vaccines as part of individual decision-making approaches with parents. For anthroposophic-oriented physicians, infectious childhood diseases were considered a crucial factor in the psychosocial growth of children. They tended to treat these diseases with anthroposophic medicine and underlined the importance of the family’s resources. Informing parents about the potential benefits and risks of vaccination was considered important. All physicians agreed that parent-delivered loving care of a sick child could benefit the parent-child relationship. Additionally, all recognized that existing working conditions hindered parents from providing such care for longer durations of time. Conclusions The interviewed physicians agreed that vaccines are an important aspect of modern pediatrics. They differed in their approach regarding when and what to vaccinate against. The different conceptual understandings of infectious childhood diseases influenced this decision-making. A survey with a larger sample would be needed to verify these observations.
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic autoimmune disease that affects the central nervous system causing neurological deterioration over time. The objective of this study was to examine the predictors associated with MS medication use. The categories that were investigated were various alternative treatments such as complementary/alternative medications (CAMs), rehabilitation therapy and psychotherapy services as well as comorbid health conditions. The Survey on Living with Neurological Conditions in Canada (SLNCC) 2011-2012 was used (N = 73 347) to carry out a logistic regression model. Individuals who did not take CAMs were more (OR = 5.44, 95% CI 1.37-9.29) likely to use medications for MS. Having a mood disorder was associated with greater use of MS medications (OR = 5.39, 95% CI 1.60-18.17) while back problems were associated with lower odds of medication use (OR = 0.38, 95% CI 0.15-0.98). These factors need to be taken into consideration when creating effective medication adherence interventions.
Facial baroparesis is an extremely uncommon clinical entity that occurs due to the middle ear barotrauma. It is rarely reported in the medical literature which can happen among persons who ascend to high altitude in flight or by scuba diving. The overpressure in the middle ear space due to eustachian tube dysfunction may cause exertion of the high pressure over the facial nerve through dehiscence of the horizontal segment of the facial nerve leading to facial nerve paralysis. Clinical history plays a vital role in diagnosis and also sometimes imaging helps confirm this rare cause of facial nerve paralysis. Here, we report a case of a 12-year-old boy who experiences unilateral facial nerve paralysis upon ascent to altitude on a flight with relieves from symptoms shortly after the descent.
Background: Guillain–Barre syndrome or acute inflammatory demyelinating proliferative syndrome is rare in pregnancy. It affects the nervous system, presenting as an acute onset of symmetric ascending weakness resulting in respiratory failure and autonomic dysfunction. Aims: This study aims to study the incidence of GBS in pregnant women and its association with maternal and perinatal outcome. Settings and Design: Retrospective observational study conducted at a tertiary care hospital. Materials and Methods: Records of all women diagnosed as GBS in pregnancy and postpartum period were analyzed. Maternal and perinatal outcomes were studied based on the pattern of involvement of limbs, need for ventilator support, treatment with plasmapheresis and intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG), intrauterine fetal demise (IUFD), and neonatal deaths. Results: During the study of 3 years, there were 11,484 deliveries, of which 8 women had GBS. The incidence of GBS was 0.06%. Lower limb weakness developed in 6 (75%) of women, bifacial weakness in 2 (25%), IVIG received by 3 (37.5%), and (62.5%) underwent plasmapheresis. Four (50%) required ventilator support and maternal mortality was recorded in 2 (25%) due to respiratory failure and IUFD in 2 (25%) of women. Conclusions: GBS is associated with high maternal and perinatal morbidity. Timely diagnosis by obstetricians and management in women complaining of muscular weakness and respiratory difficulty in pregnancy and early postpartum period will help in improving the maternal and perinatal outcome.
Md. Monir Hossain, Milon Mondal, Rayhan Uddin Morad
et al.
Abstract Background To investigate in vitro antioxidant, brine shrimp lethality bioassay, antimicrobial, anthelmintic activities and in vivo peripheral analgesic activity of methanol and petroleum ether extracts of Cassia renigera seed. Methods Phytochemical screening of the crude extracts was carried out. Antioxidant activity was determined using seven different methods. Brine shrimp lethality bioassay and anthelmintic activities were done using nauplii of Artemia salina and adult earthworm (Pheretima posthuma), respectively. The antimicrobial potential was investigated against three Gram-positive and three Gram-negative bacteria. Acetic acid induced writhing test was performed to evaluate peripheral analgesic activity. Results Both methanol and petroleum ether extracts showed the presence of flavonoids, saponins, and tannins. While alkaloids, glycosides, and steroids were only found in the methanolic extract. Methanolic extract showed more potent 1,1- diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), nitric oxide scavenging capacity, cupric reducing and reducing power capacity than petroleum ether extract. While petroleum ether extract showed better results in total phenol and total antioxidant activities. In brine shrimp lethality bioassay methanolic and petroleum ether extracts showed the LC50 value of 74.44 and 121.49 μg/mL, respectively. In overall antimicrobial study methanolic extract showed better activity than petroleum ether extract. Methanolic extract of 50 mg/mL showed maximum anthelmintic activity comparable to the standard (Piperazine Citrate, 10 mg/mL). Both 500 mg/kg and 1000 mg/kg body weight dose of the methanolic extract exhibited significant 39.64% and 58.73% writhing inhibition (푃< 0.05) in test animals, consecutively. Conclusions In a nutshell, the results suggested that the seed can be used as a potential source for the aforesaid bioactivities.
Vladimir V. Dlin, Dimitri Abramov-Sommariva, Irina N. Zakharova
et al.
Abstract Background A herbal medicinal product (HMP) with centaury, lovage, and rosemary as active ingredients (brand name: Canephron® N) has been widely used for treatment and prevention of urinary tract infections (UTIs) and other urinary system disorders. Non-clinical in vitro and in vivo data indicate its diuretic, spasmolytic, anti-inflammatory, antioxidative and analgesic effects. The purpose of this non-interventional, prospective, multicenter study was to collect data on the use of the HMP in the Russian pediatric outpatient population. Results In total, 636 outpatients aged 1–17 years were enrolled. Of these, 634 received at least one dose of the HMP and were included in the safety set, which was used for analysis. 61 patients were 12–23 months, 227 were 2–5 years, 234 were 6–11 years and 112 were 12–17 years of age. The oral solution of the HMP was prescribed in 66.4%, and tablets (dragées) in 33.6% of the patients. For 48% of the patients the HMP was prescribed to treat an acute or chronic disease, 25% of the patients received it for prophylaxis, and 27% for both. More than half of the patients (53%) received the HMP as monotherapy. Main treatment indications were UTIs (34.1%) and pyelonephritis (30.0%). The proportion of UTIs was the highest within the youngest age group (51%), while the proportion of different cystitis forms increased in patients older than 2 years. Relevant proportions of different nephritis forms and urolithiasis were only observed in patients aged 12–17 years. Forms of cystitis were more frequent in female than in male patients (15% vs. 1%), while forms of nephritis, urolithiasis, and dysmetabolic nephropathy / crystalluria were more frequent in male patients. At the end of the observational period, 20% of the patients were reported as recovered from their disease, and 65% were reported to show improvements. For 91% of all patients with HMP monotherapy the investigators evaluated the effectiveness of the HMP as ‘good’ or ‘very good’. Nearly all patients (99%) evaluated the tolerability as ‘good‘or ‘very good‘. Five adverse drug reactions were observed. Conclusions The treatment of children aged 1–17 years with the HMP is safe and well tolerated. The study results support the use of the HMP for treatment and prophylaxis of urinary system diseases.
Abstract Background The present study was conducted to investigate the anthelmintic activity of methanol extract of Piper sylvaticum stem (MEPSS) in experimental model followed by in silico molecular docking study and ADME/T analysis. Methods Anthelmintic activity was determined by an aquarium worm (Tubifex tubifex). Then, molecular docking study was performed to identify compounds having maximum activity against TUBULIN-COLCHICINE enzymes by using Schrödinger-Maestro v 10.1 docking fitness. Additionally, ADME/T profiles were checked by Swiss ADME Analysis and Molinspiration Cheminformatics software. Results A preliminary phytochemical analysis of MEPSS revealed that it contained alkaloids, carbohydrates, flavonoids, tannins, and saponins. MEPSS exhibited a dose-dependent and statistically significant anthelmintic activity on aquarium worm (Tubifex tubifex).The best concentration of MEPSS for anthelmintic activity on Tubifex tubifex compare with reference standard Levamisole (1 mg/mL) is 11.90 mg/mL. On the other hand, our molecular docking study shows that piperine has the best fitness score of − 6.22 kcal/mol with TUBULIN-COLCHICINE enzyme among three major compounds of Piper sylvaticum. Moreover, predicted properties of all compounds were in the range to satisfy the Lipinski’s rule of five to be recognized as drug like potential. Conclusion Results of the present study confirmed potential anthelmintic activity of Piper sylvaticum stem extract and all compounds were found to be effective in computer aided drug design models.
Vitalie Văcăraş MD, PhD, George Vithoulkas, Anca Dana Buzoianu PhD
et al.
Postpartum psychosis has long-lasting consequences for mother and child. Beside depression, sleep and eating disturbances, exhaustion, social withdrawal, and anxiety, postpartum depression can also interfere with normal maternal-infant bonding and adversely affect child development. Recent reports show that most affected pregnant women are hesitant about taking antidepressant drugs, with a high percentage discontinuing their use. Some authors suggest that the reluctance of pregnant women to take antidepressant drugs should encourage clinicians to discuss with their patients the use of psychological interventions or alternative forms of treatment. In this article, a case of severe postpartum depression, treated successfully with homeopathic therapy, is presented. Considering the high noncompliance of women suffering from postpartum depression with conventional antidepressant medication, research in safe complementary medical methods is justified. One of these methods should be homeopathy.
Sunil Kumar Jena, Meena Mirdha, Purnima Meher
et al.
Background: Peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) is a measure of airflow in bronchial tree and it provides idea of bronchial tone. It is affected by age, sex, height, body weight, and other physical activity. There is evidence that obesity has a link to bronchial hyperresponsiveness. Thus, we proposed this study to find out the relation between PEFR and body mass index (BMI). Materials and Methods: In this study, 56 male and 49 female young subjects (total = 105) were recruited. As sex is a definite factor for variation in PEFR, subjects were classified into normal (BMI = 18–24.99 kg/m2), over weight (BMI = 25–29.99 kg/m2), and obese (BMI = 30–34.99 kg/m2) separately for both male and female. After written consent, PEFR of each subject was recorded between 7 and 8 am. Then, data analysis was done by one-way ANOVA, Pearson correlation, and regression analysis. Results: In male subjects, the mean difference of PEFR of normal, over weight, and obese subjects were 498 L/min, 488 L/min, and 391 L/min, respectively, which is statistically significant (P = 0.000). In female subjects, the mean difference of PEFR of normal, over weight, and obese subjects were 377 L/min, 348 L/min, and 325 L/min, respectively, which is statistically significant (P = 0.002). Pearson correlation showed negative correlation between BMI and PEFR both in male (r = −0.512) and in female (r = −0.539). Conclusion: This study concluded that PEFR declines with increase in BMI, and there is negative correlation between BMI and PEFR.
Primary synovial chondromatosis is an uncommon disorder, in which involvement of the hip joint is still rare. Clinical symptoms are usually non-specific, clinical diagnosis of synovial chondromatosis of the hip may be difficult and delayed, especially before the ossifying nodules become evident. Currently, the recommended management is surgical removal of the loose bodies and synovectomy without dislocating the hip joint. We report a case of synovial chondromatosis of the hip in a 70 year old male patient, managed with an open synovectomy and removal of the loose bodies. We opine this is an easy and safe method for management of this disorder.