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Journal of Ethnopharmacology Jun 2024H. pectinata (L.) Poit, popularly known as "sambacaitá" or "canudinho", is a plant endemic to north-eastern Brazil. Its aerial parts, leaves and flowers have... (Review)
Review
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE
H. pectinata (L.) Poit, popularly known as "sambacaitá" or "canudinho", is a plant endemic to north-eastern Brazil. Its aerial parts, leaves and flowers have traditionally been used to treat gastrointestinal disorders, rhinopharyngitis, nasal congestion, bacterial and fungal infections, fever, colic, inflammation, and pain.
AIM OF THE STUDY
The aim of this review was to provide information on the botanical characteristics, ethnomedicinal uses, phytochemistry and biological-pharmacological activities of H. pectinata.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
This systematic review followed the Cochrane Handbook Collaboration and the PRISMA guidelines. The review question was what are the biological-pharmacological activities of H. pectinata presented in non-clinical studies. The search for articles was conducted in the Medline (via PubMed), Embase, Web of Science, Scopus, Virtual Health Library, SciELO, Google Scholar and the Brazilian Digital Library of Theses and Dissertations databases. Two reviewers independently selected the studies that met the inclusion criteria, extracted the data, and assessed the risk of bias of the included studies.
RESULTS
39 articles were included in this review, of which 19 reported in vitro experiments, 16 in vivo studies and 4 in vivo and in vitro experiments. H. pectinata is a plant widely used in folk medicine in north-eastern Brazil for the treatment of various ailments, such as respiratory diseases, gastrointestinal disorders, bacterial and fungal infections, and general inflammation. Supporting its popular use, several in vitro and in vivo pharmacological investigations of the essential oil and extract of H. pectinata have demonstrated their anti-inflammatory, antinociceptive, antioxidant, antidepressant, anticancer, hepatoregenerative, healing, and antimicrobial activities. H. pectinata has been reported to contain 75 bioactive constituents, comprising 9 flavonoids, 54 terpenes, and 12 other compounds.
CONCLUSION
H. pectinata is a plant commonly used in traditional medicine. Phytochemically, it contains several bioactive constituents, including terpenes and flavonoids, and has been shown to have antinociceptive, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and antitumour activity, as well as hepatorregenerative and healing effects, and low toxicity.
PubMed: 38909822
DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2024.118478 -
American Family Physician Jun 2024In the United States, 10% to 15% of adults are affected by gallstones, and cholesterol gallstones are the most prevalent subtype. Risk factors for developing gallstone... (Review)
Review
In the United States, 10% to 15% of adults are affected by gallstones, and cholesterol gallstones are the most prevalent subtype. Risk factors for developing gallstone disease include female sex; older age; certain medications; and having type 2 diabetes mellitus, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, obesity, rapid weight loss, or hemolytic anemia. Nearly 80% of gallstones are found incidentally and remain asymptomatic. When symptomatic, gallstone disease usually presents as sudden onset right upper quadrant or epigastric abdominal pain. Common complications of gallstones include cholecystitis, choledocholithiasis, gallstone pancreatitis, and ascending cholangitis. The Murphy sign is a specific physical examination finding for acute cholecystitis. Ultrasonography is the initial imaging choice for detecting gallstones and acute cholecystitis. A hepatobiliary iminodiacetic acid (HIDA) scan can be used to evaluate for cholecystitis in patients with negative or equivocal ultrasound findings. Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) is an accurate, noninvasive diagnostic test to identify choledocholithiasis, certain malignancies, and biliary obstruction. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are safe and effective in treating pain from acute cholecystitis and biliary colic. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is the treatment of choice for most patients with biliary colic or acute cholecystitis. Ursodeoxycholic acid and chenodeoxycholic acid should not routinely be used to treat gallstone disease, but they can be used as a nonsurgical alternative for certain patients. Postcholecystectomy syndrome is a potential postoperative complication that presents with abdominal pain, bloating, and diarrhea. (Am Fam Physician. 2024;109(6):518-524.
Topics: Humans; Gallstones; Risk Factors; Female; Ultrasonography; Cholecystectomy, Laparoscopic; Male
PubMed: 38905549
DOI: No ID Found -
Journal of Surgical Case Reports Jun 2024Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is invasive for pancreaticobiliary diseases. Perforation is a rare but severe complication among its associated...
Pneumo-peritoneum, pneumo-retroperitoneum and subcutaneous emphysema following endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography with sphincterotomy-an uncommon complication case report.
Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is invasive for pancreaticobiliary diseases. Perforation is a rare but severe complication among its associated risks. A 45-year-old female with biliary colic and multiple gallbladder calculi was diagnosed with choledocholithiasis based on imaging showing CBD dilation and gallstones. ERCP was planned for stone removal. Sphincterotomy was performed, but stone retrieval attempts failed, leading to severe pneumo-peritoneum and respiratory compromise. Immediate CBD stenting was done, avoiding surgical intervention. The patient recovered uneventfully, later undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy with CBD exploration and stone removal. ERCP-related perforations, rare but severe, involve retroperitoneal air collection. Clinical signs include abdominal discomfort, and imaging confirms diagnosis. Management varies by type, with some requiring surgical repair. Conservative management sufficed in this case, with successful patient recovery. ERCP-related complications like pneumo-peritoneum require prompt diagnosis and conservative management if no perforation is evident.
PubMed: 38903772
DOI: 10.1093/jscr/rjae415 -
Frontiers in Immunology 2024
Topics: Humans; Myeloid-Derived Suppressor Cells; Immunotherapy; Animals; Neoplasms
PubMed: 38903510
DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1411391 -
Zhonghua Wei Chang Wai Ke Za Zhi =... Jun 2024Total mesorectal excision is the standard procedure for the treatment of low and medium rectal cancer. Anastomotic leakage has always been one of the serious...
Total mesorectal excision is the standard procedure for the treatment of low and medium rectal cancer. Anastomotic leakage has always been one of the serious complications in these patients. Blood supply, tension and intestinal condition are important factors affecting anastomotic quality. How to optimize the surgical technique and reduce the occurrence of anastomotic leakage is the goal of surgeons. Based on traditional total mesorectal excision, we integrated several surgical techniques, including (1) Preserving the left colic artery; (2) High ligation of the inferior mesenteric vein; (3) Patterned mobilization of the spleen flexure and left transverse colon; (4) Multi-plane mesocolic tailoring; (5) Selective anastomosis suturing, and proposed the concept of multi-technique integrated total mesorectal resection (MTI-TME). The application of MTI-TME in clinical practice and significance was discussed.
Topics: Humans; Rectal Neoplasms; Anastomosis, Surgical; Anastomotic Leak; Rectum
PubMed: 38901990
DOI: 10.3760/cma.j.cn441530-20240406-00128 -
Canadian Urological Association Journal... Jun 2024This study aimed to assess the safety and efficacy of ambulatory mini-percutaneous nephrolithotomy (mini-PCNL) in a totally tubeless exit (without a nephrostomy tube or...
INTRODUCTION
This study aimed to assess the safety and efficacy of ambulatory mini-percutaneous nephrolithotomy (mini-PCNL) in a totally tubeless exit (without a nephrostomy tube or an internal stent) and tubeless exit (without a nephrostomy tube but with an internal stent) for the treatment of renal calculi 10-25 mm in size.
METHODS
We conducted a retrospective analysis of patients who underwent mini-PCNL at our institution between September 2018 and September 2022. The study included a cohort of 95 patients diagnosed with renal calculi measuring 10-25 mm. All patients underwent a computed tomography (CT) renal colic scan preoperatively, on postoperative day one (POD 1), and at three-month followup. Patient demographics and outcome parameters were recorded, including stone characteristics, operative time, hospital stay, stone-free rate (SFR), complication rates, and subsequent emergency room (ER) visits. Patients were considered stone-free if they had no fragments or residual fragments measuring <4 mm.
RESULTS
The median maximum stone diameter was 16 mm (10-25 mm). Twenty-nine patients (30.5%) had multiple renal calculi. The median operative time was 64 (38-135) minutes. Eighty-six patients (90.5%) underwent a totally tubeless procedure, without a nephrostomy tube or an internal stent. All patients were discharged home on the same operative day with a median hospitalization time of six hours. Seven (7.4%) postoperative ER visits were recorded, and two (2.1%) led to hospital readmission. The frequency of grade I, II, and III Clavien-Dindo complications were 18 (18.9%), one (1.1%), and one (1.1%), respectively. The SFR on POD 1 and three-month followup was 73.7% and 92.6%, respectively. None of the patients in the study required retreatment.
CONCLUSIONS
Ambulatory tubeless mini-PCNL is a safe and effective treatment option for 10-25 mm renal stones. Experienced institutions can safely adopt ambulatory mini-PCNL as a treatment option without an increased risk of postoperative complications, ER visits, or hospital readmissions.
PubMed: 38896485
DOI: 10.5489/cuaj.8764 -
Canadian Urological Association Journal... Jun 2024Non-contrast computed tomography (CT) is the gold-standard diagnostic test for urolithiasis. Little is published regarding which information needs to be included in the...
INTRODUCTION
Non-contrast computed tomography (CT) is the gold-standard diagnostic test for urolithiasis. Little is published regarding which information needs to be included in the report for it to be most useful to the healthcare team for efficient triage and high-quality patient care. This study aimed to assess the quality and variability of CT scan reporting at a single Canadian tertiary academic medical center.
METHODS
We completed a retrospective review of 100 consecutive renal colic CT scans. Descriptive statistics were used to report the frequency with which specific elements commonly used by urologists to triage and treat patients were included in radiology reports.
RESULTS
Our sample had a mean age of 51.4±13.1 years. Stone size was universally reported for obstructing stones but was less frequently reported for non-obstructing stones (100% vs. 86.8%). A similar trend was observed for the exact stone number (100% vs. 93.4%). Non-obstructing stones were more likely than obstructing stones to be reported in one dimension (77.5% vs. 47%). Obstructing stones were reported in three dimensions 27% of the time. CT reports commonly include the presence or absence of hydronephrosis status (98%) but are less likely to include renal size (32%) and periureteral stranding (16%). Hounsfield units (HU) were reported in 3% of the reports, but skin-to-stone distance (SSD) and radiation dose were never reported.
CONCLUSIONS
Reports routinely included assessments of stone size, location, and number (although not uniformly). HU, SSD, and radiation dose were rarely reported. This provides insight into opportunities for standardized reporting to optimize knowledge transfer that may result in clinical efficiency and improved quality of patient care.
PubMed: 38896479
DOI: 10.5489/cuaj.8739 -
Equine Veterinary Journal Jun 2024Ancillary diagnostic methods to enhance the accuracy of viability assessment have not been established for use in clinical practice.
BACKGROUND
Ancillary diagnostic methods to enhance the accuracy of viability assessment have not been established for use in clinical practice.
OBJECTIVES
To assess intestinal microperfusion measured by Laser Doppler Flowmetry and Spectrophotometry (LDFS) in naturally occurring small intestinal strangulations of different origins and to compare this between viable and non-viable segments.
STUDY DESIGN
Prospective clinical trial.
METHODS
Forty horses undergoing colic surgery for naturally occurring small intestinal strangulations were included. Tissue oxygen saturation (tSO), haemoglobin (tHB) and blood flow (tBF) were determined by LDFS before and after release of the strangulation. Intestinal biopsies were taken in cases that underwent intestinal resection or intraoperative euthanasia and assessed using a semi-quantitative mucosal injury score (MIS). The LDFS measurements were compared between the different categories of strangulation causes and histopathological injury using parametric and non-parametric tests (p < 0.05).
RESULTS
Strangulations by pedunculated lipomas had lower tBF (13.9 ± 18 arbitrary units [AU]) than epiploic foramen entrapments (65.2 ± 61 AU; CI -1.697 to -0.2498; p = 0.005). Segments with MIS > 5 showed lower tBF during strangulation than segments with MIS < 4 (mean difference 61.1 AU; CI -1.119 to -0.07361; p = 0.03). This did not differ significantly following release of strangulation. Furthermore, there was a positive correlation between the inflammatory cell count and tBF during strangulation (r 0.34; CI 0.01 to 0.60; p = 0.04). The tSO and tHB did not differ between the different categories of lesions or injury.
MAIN LIMITATIONS
No biopsies could be taken from the intestinal segments that did not undergo resection. The duration of strangulation could not reliably be ascertained.
CONCLUSIONS
Blood flow measurements in naturally occurring strangulating lesions show a varying degree of ischaemia in different causes of strangulation. Intestinal blood flow measurements prior to release of the strangulation could potentially contribute to the identification of mucosal injury, yet a high individual variability and other contributing factors need to be considered.
PubMed: 38888520
DOI: 10.1111/evj.14118 -
Journal of Medical Radiation Sciences Jun 2024Renal Point-of-Care Ultrasound (POCUS) is a screening modality that aids in clinical decision-making for patients with suspected renal colic. This study intends to...
INTRODUCTION
Renal Point-of-Care Ultrasound (POCUS) is a screening modality that aids in clinical decision-making for patients with suspected renal colic. This study intends to compare the accuracy and pertinence of sonographic findings obtained by a sonographer in a Basic Emergency Service (BES) with the imaging findings at the Referral Hospital (RH).
METHODS
Thirty-one patients suspected of having renal pathology underwent initial sonography screening with POCUS at the BES and were subsequently referred to the RH for additional imaging examinations. The results of both examinations were compared to verify whether the findings from the BES were confirmed by the radiologist in the RH and to ensure that the patient referrals from BES to RH were appropriate.
RESULTS
In our sample, the majority of patients (80%) exhibited varying degrees of pyelocaliceal distension, with nearly half (48%) patients presenting obstructions. A strong association between the sonographic findings in the BES and the RH was found in the variables 'Dilatation of pyelocaliceal system' (V = 0.895; P = 0.00), 'Simple cystic formation' (V = 0.878; P = 0.000), respectively. There was a statistically significant correlation between BES and RH findings, indicating a strong association between these two variables, respectively (k = 0.890; P = 0.000) and (k = 0.870; P = 0.000). There was also a strong statistically significant correlation in the ultrasonographic findings between BES and RH performers (k = 0.890; P = 0.000 and k = 0.870; P = 0.000). In this research, an achieved sensitivity of 96% and a specificity of 85% were demonstrated in the identification of pyelocaliceal dilatation.
CONCLUSION
Renal POCUS screening successfully detected abnormalities in the urinary system of patients suspected of having renal colic. The sonographic findings at the BES had a good correlation with the complementary imaging results obtained at the RH in Portugal. These results suggest that Radiographers/Sonographers can have an important role in the preliminary assessment of urgent renal pathology in remote areas, contributing to a correct referral and early treatment.
PubMed: 38888376
DOI: 10.1002/jmrs.802 -
The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology... Jun 2024Studies in humans and mice have demonstrated that the gut hormone glucagon-like peptide 2 (GLP-2) promotes gallbladder relaxation and refilling. Here, we assessed the...
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE
Studies in humans and mice have demonstrated that the gut hormone glucagon-like peptide 2 (GLP-2) promotes gallbladder relaxation and refilling. Here, we assessed the effect of exogenous GLP-2 on gallbladder motility in the fasted state of healthy men with and without infusion of the potent gallbladder-contracting hormone cholecystokinin (CCK).
METHODS
In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study, 15 male participants (mean [SD]: age 24.7 [3.6] years; body mass index 22.9 [1.6] kg/m2) underwent four experimental days receiving two infusions on each day: either CCK (0.4 pmol × kg-1 × min-1, time 0-180 min) + GLP-2 (10 pmol × kg-1 × min-1, time 30-240 min), CCK + placebo, placebo + GLP-2, or placebo + placebo, respectively. Gallbladder volume was measured at baseline and throughout the 4-hour study day using ultrasonography.
RESULTS
Compared to placebo + placebo, GLP-2 + placebo did not affect gallbladder volume, but when infused in combination with CCK, GLP-2 completely abolished the strong gallbladder-contracting effect seen during CCK + placebo infusion, restoring baseline levels of gallbladder volume.
CONCLUSION
Exogenous GLP-2 counteracts exogenous CCK-induced gallbladder emptying in healthy men, pointing to a possible therapeutic potential for GLP-2 as a relaxing modulator of gallbladder smooth muscle tone (e.g., as bridge to surgery in biliary colic). The effect may also explain the gallbladder-related adverse events reported for GLP-2 receptor agonists used in the treatment of short bowel syndrome.
PubMed: 38888179
DOI: 10.1210/clinem/dgae421