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Frontiers in Plant Science 2022() Jepson is a medicinal plant that is frequently used by the Chumash Indians in southern California as a diaphoretic, calmative, diuretic, or antimicrobial agent....
() Jepson is a medicinal plant that is frequently used by the Chumash Indians in southern California as a diaphoretic, calmative, diuretic, or antimicrobial agent. Abietane-type diterpenoids (ATDs) and phenolic acids (PAs) are the main bioactive ingredients in . However, few studies have looked into the biosynthesis of ATDs and PAs in . In this study, using metabolic profiling focused on the ATDs and PAs in the roots and leaves of , we found a distinctive metabolic feature with all-around accumulation of ATDs, but absence of salvianolic acid B. To identify the candidate genes involved in these biosynthesis pathways, full-length transcriptome was performed by PacBio single-molecule real-time (SMRT) sequencing. A total of 50 and 40 unigenes were predicted to be involved in ATDs and PAs biosynthesis, respectively. Further transcriptional profile using Illumina HiSeq sequencing showed that the transcriptional variations of these pathways were consistent with the accumulation patterns of corresponding metabolites. A plant kingdom-wide phylogenetic analysis of cytochromes (CYPs) identified two CYP76AK and two CYP76AH subfamily genes that might contribute for the specific ATDs biosynthesis in . We also noticed that the clade VII laccase gene family was significantly expanded in compared with that of , indicating their involvements in the formation of salvianolic acid B. In conclusion, our results will enable the further understanding of ATDs and PAs biosynthesis in and genus.
PubMed: 35755672
DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2022.919025 -
Computational and Mathematical Methods... 2022The data mining analysis of the medication rule and the curative effect of traditional Chinese medicine in treating allergic rhinitis in children was performed by using...
The data mining analysis of the medication rule and the curative effect of traditional Chinese medicine in treating allergic rhinitis in children was performed by using the association rule Apriori algorithm. The model of interest degree was introduced to improve the Apriori algorithm, and the performance difference of the algorithm before and after improvement was analyzed. Traditional Chinese medicine prescriptions for the treatment of allergic rhinitis in children were selected from the dictionary of Chinese medicine formulations. The frequency, frequent itemsets, and the improved Apriori algorithm of each prescription were analyzed comprehensively. The results showed that both the execution time of the improved Apriori algorithm and the number of mining association rules were signally lower. 102 Chinese herbal compounds were selected, in which the occurrence frequency of Flos magnoliae was the highest (67 times, 5.33%). The occurrence frequency of diaphoretic drugs was the highest (412 times, 32.78%) in drug types. The occurrence frequency of Yu Ping Feng powder was the highest (21 times, 20.59%) in the Chinese herbal compound. After the association rule analysis of the improved Apriori algorithm, Perilla frutescens, Saposhnikovia divaricata, ginseng, Notopterygium root, and Astragalus propinquus Schischkin were often mixed with liquorice, and Flos magnoliae were usually mixed with Fructus xanthii and black plum. Compared with the conditions before treatment, the sign scores of children with allergic rhinitis were remarkably decreased after treatment with traditional Chinese medicine compounds ( < 0.05). The mining performance of the Apriori algorithm was improved by introducing an interest-based model. The treatment of traditional Chinese medicine on allergic rhinitis in children was combined with children's physiological and pathological characteristics of children, which used mild medicines.
Topics: Algorithms; Child; Data Mining; Drugs, Chinese Herbal; Humans; Medicine, Chinese Traditional; Rhinitis, Allergic
PubMed: 35693255
DOI: 10.1155/2022/7007370 -
Cureus Nov 2021Methamphetamine is the second most commonly abused drug worldwide. It is a sympathomimetic agent that works by inhibiting the reuptake of monoamine neurotransmitters,...
Methamphetamine is the second most commonly abused drug worldwide. It is a sympathomimetic agent that works by inhibiting the reuptake of monoamine neurotransmitters, including dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin. Methamphetamine use is associated with early mortality, and cardiovascular complications are the leading cause of increased mortality. We discuss the case of a 41-year-old man who presented to the emergency department with a sudden abdominal pain of eight hours' duration. The pain was located in the epigastric area with radiation to the back. Upon examination, the patient appeared agitated and diaphoretic. His pupils were dilated bilaterally. His vital signs included tachycardia (120 bpm), tachypnea (24 bpm), hypertension (150/90 mmHg), and normal temperature (36.9 ℃). Abdominal examination revealed a soft and lax abdomen with no tenderness. His bowel sounds were normal. Given the physical signs, a toxicology screen was conducted and was positive for methamphetamine use. The patient reported that he used recreational drugs occasionally and admitted that the abdominal pain developed a few hours following methamphetamine use. The patient was treated with fluid resuscitation, analgesic, antihypertension medications, and anticoagulant therapy. The patient had significant improvement in his condition within 48 hours with complete resolution of the abdominal pain. Isolated superior mesenteric artery dissection is a very rare clinical condition. This case report highlights the importance of recognizing the cardiovascular adverse effects that may develop after methamphetamine use.
PubMed: 34917433
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.19551 -
Journal of Tropical Medicine 2021The leaves of contain an abundance of phenolic constituents and have medicinal uses as antipyretic and diaphoretic agents and are also used in the treatment of stomach...
BACKGROUND
The leaves of contain an abundance of phenolic constituents and have medicinal uses as antipyretic and diaphoretic agents and are also used in the treatment of stomach ache, rheumatism, arthritis etc. In spite of the traditional uses, data on the scientific evaluation of the plant are not sufficient. So, the present study was designed to evaluate the protective role of the extract against oxidative damage to DNA and human erythrocytes as well as antitumor and antibacterial activities against some resistant bacteria.
METHODS
The protective activity of the ethyl acetate fraction (EAF) of the extract was investigated by evaluating the inhibition of oxidative damage of pUC19 plasmid DNA as well as hemolysis and lipid peroxidation damage to human erythrocytes induced by 2,2'-azobis-2-amidinopropane (AAPH). Antitumor activity was assessed by evaluating the percentage inhibition of cell growth, morphological changes of Ehrlich's ascites carcinoma (EAC) cells, and hematological parameters. Antimicrobial activity was determined by the disc diffusion method against different resistant microorganisms.
RESULTS
EAF effectively inhibited AAPH-induced oxidative damage to DNA because it can inhibit the transformation of the supercoiled form of plasmid DNA to open circular and further linear form. The oxidative hemolysis caused by AAPH in human erythrocytes was inhibited by EAF extract in a time-dependent manner, and the production of malondialdehyde (MDA) was significantly reduced, which indicates the prevention of lipid peroxidation. In antitumor assay, 76% growth of inhibition of EAC was observed compared with the control mice ( < 0.05) at a dose of 100 mg/kg body weight. Antimicrobial activity was evaluated against two pathogenic resistant microorganisms ( and ), and the highest antimicrobial activity was observed against spp.
CONCLUSION
EAF may have great importance in preventing oxidative damage to DNA, erythrocytes, and other cellular components as well as can be a good candidate in cancer chemotherapy and treating infectious diseases caused by antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
PubMed: 34659421
DOI: 10.1155/2021/7239291 -
Galen Medical Journal 2020Proper and regular sweating plays a significant thermoregulatory role. It is a common perception that, sweating has other important homeostatic functions such as... (Review)
Review
Proper and regular sweating plays a significant thermoregulatory role. It is a common perception that, sweating has other important homeostatic functions such as clearance of excessive micronutrients, waste products of metabolic processes, and toxins from the body, which helps to maintain human good health. In addition, sweating, thermotherapy, and sauna are commonly used to treat various diseases such as cardiovascular, respiratory and joint diseases. In traditional Persian medicine (PM) textbooks, sweating is considered a preventive care and treatment strategy as well. In this study, we aim to explain the beneficial effects of sweating in human health and its role in the management of various diseases, as well as introducing the therapeutic applications of some diaphoretic plants from the viewpoint of PM. We reviewed the most famous PM textbooks such as , , , , , and . Also, current evidence was searched in PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and other relevant databases related to the topic. The results of this study revealed that PM scientists believed proper sweating removes waste products and maintains the body's health, thus, any disturbances in the excretion of these waste products can cause diseases. They recommended the induction of sweating through hot and dry baths, sun bath, sand bath and also the use of diaphoretic herbs for the management of various diseases. Therefore, further researches are recommended to evaluate the effectiveness of these diaphoretic plants.
PubMed: 34466623
DOI: 10.31661/gmj.v9i0.2003 -
Clinical Practice and Cases in... May 2021Infectious aortitis is a rare condition with mortality rates approaching 100% without surgical intervention. Symptoms and findings may be vague. Computed tomography (CT)...
INTRODUCTION
Infectious aortitis is a rare condition with mortality rates approaching 100% without surgical intervention. Symptoms and findings may be vague. Computed tomography (CT) with intravenous (IV) contrast, once the gold standard of diagnosis, may only show subtle findings. More recently, CT angiography (CTA) and magnetic resonance angiography have become the diagnostic modalities of choice.
CASE REPORT
A 58-year-old diabetic male presented to our emergency department with nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, fevers, and abdominal pain of two weeks duration. The patient had been seen just days before at another facility with the same complaints. He received an abdominal CT with IV contrast that was reported as negative and discharged with the diagnosis of gastroenteritis. He failed to improve and presented to our facility. On presentation, the patient was diaphoretic and uncomfortable. A repeat abdominal CT with IV contrast revealed a mantle of low density around the aorta. The patient was started on IV antibiotics, and a follow-up CTA of the abdomen and pelvis showed an irregular saccular aneurysm. Vascular surgery was consulted, and the patient underwent vascular reconstruction.
CONCLUSION
Because of the high level of mortality seen in infectious aortitis and improvement in patient outcomes with surgical intervention, a high index of suspicion needs to be maintained in patients presenting with fever and chest, abdominal, and back pain, especially in the setting of risk factors and bacteremia. The clinician should be aware that the usual modality for the evaluation of abdominal pain, CT with IV contrast, may not be adequate to make the diagnosis.
PubMed: 34437015
DOI: 10.5811/cpcem.2021.4.51408 -
Cureus Jul 2021Metformin rarely, if ever, causes hypoglycemia when it is used as labeled. A 55-year-old woman presented to the medicine ward with an altered level of consciousness. She...
Metformin rarely, if ever, causes hypoglycemia when it is used as labeled. A 55-year-old woman presented to the medicine ward with an altered level of consciousness. She had been reviewed in an outpatient department three days earlier and prescribed 500 mg two times per day of metformin immediate-release (Met IR) for newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), to which she had been adherent; however, she had been experiencing intermittent episodes of hypoglycemia after taking the medication prescribed to treat her T2DM. On physical examination, she was diaphoretic and disoriented but responsive to sensory stimuli. In the ward, she received 25 ml of intravenous dextrose as the initial blood glucose reading was low at 54 mg/dl, and 4 ounces of apple juice additionally two hours later as her blood glucose level fell below 70 mg/dl again. She was no longer hypoglycemic a few hours later, and there was a significant neurological improvement. The remainder of the laboratory results, including serum renal and liver function tests, were normal. Met IR was discontinued, and metformin extended-release (Met XR) 500 mg/day was initiated at discharge. The patient's hypoglycemic episodes resolved within days after the initiation of Met XR. Hypoglycemia is rarely associated with accidental or suicidal overdose of metformin, metabolic dysfunction (e.g., renal insufficiency), exercise, missed meal, acute illness, or the initiation of additional antidiabetic medication. Albeit even uncommon, metformin-associated hypoglycemia may occur with no obvious trigger. In this context, we determine to what extent Met IR may contribute to the development of hypoglycemia in an individual case, but also that the risk could be mitigated by a switch to Met XR. In a preferred embodiment, the Met XR dosage form can be administered once a day, ideally with or after a meal, preferably with or after the evening meal, and it provides therapeutic levels of the drug throughout the day with peak plasma levels being obtained between four to eight hours after the administration (T).
PubMed: 34350076
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.16112 -
Journal of Medical Case Reports Jul 2021Serotonin toxicity is a known side effect of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and has previously also been described as a possible side effect of... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Serotonin toxicity is a known side effect of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and has previously also been described as a possible side effect of 5-hydroxytryptamine receptor agonist (triptan) medications. However, the literature is conflicted about the risk of developing serotonin toxicity as a result of drug interaction between selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and triptans.
CASE PRESENTATION
A 30-year-old Caucasian woman with a history of depression on regular fluvoxamine presented to the emergency department with right-sided facial and lower limb twitching. The patient had recently been prescribed sumatriptan for migraines and had taken her first ever dose shortly prior to the onset of symptoms. She was tachycardic, diaphoretic, and hypertonic on initial assessment with bilateral lower limb and ocular clonus. Electrocardiogram showed sinus tachycardia with QT interval under the treatment interval, and pathology and imaging findings were unremarkable. Her symptoms improved with supportive management and cyproheptadine.
CONCLUSIONS
This patient's presentation fulfilled both Sternbach and Hunter criteria for serotonin toxicity, illustrating a potential case of serotonin toxicity as a result of drug interaction between a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor and a triptan.
Topics: Adult; Drug Interactions; Female; Humans; Serotonin; Serotonin Receptor Agonists; Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors; Tryptamines
PubMed: 34304734
DOI: 10.1186/s13256-021-02946-8 -
Endocrinology, Diabetes & Metabolism... Jun 2021We describe a case of an infant who presented with clinical features of hyperthyroidism. The child was found to be tachycardic, hypertensive and diaphoretic, she was...
SUMMARY
We describe a case of an infant who presented with clinical features of hyperthyroidism. The child was found to be tachycardic, hypertensive and diaphoretic, she was noted to have poor weight gain and difficulty in sleeping. The child was admitted to the pediatric intensive care unit for care. She was found to have biochemical evidence of hyperthyroidism with positive thyroid stimulating immunoglobulin. She responded well to methimazole and propranolol and had a remarkable recovery. She is the youngest patient to be diagnosed with Graves disease in the English literature, at 12 months of life.
LEARNING POINTS
Hyperthyroidism must always be considered even at very young age, for patient presenting with poor weight gain and hyperdynamic state. Autoimmune diseases are becoming more common in infancy. Craniosynostosis and increased height for age are well-documented consequences of untreated hyperthyroidism in developing children.
PubMed: 34156351
DOI: 10.1530/EDM-20-0162 -
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) Mar 2021Cicadae Periostracum (CP), derived from the slough of , has been used as traditional medicine in Korea and China because of its diaphoretic, antipyretic,...
Extract and Its Main Active Component, Oleic Acid, Inhibit Ovalbumin-Induced Allergic Airway Inflammation through Inhibition of Th2/GATA-3 and Interleukin-17/RORγt Signaling Pathways in Asthmatic Mice.
Cicadae Periostracum (CP), derived from the slough of , has been used as traditional medicine in Korea and China because of its diaphoretic, antipyretic, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antianaphylactic activities. The major bioactive compounds include oleic acid (OA), palmitic acid, and linoleic acid. However, the precise therapeutic mechanisms underlying its action in asthma remain unclear. The objective of this study was to determine the antiasthmatic effects of CP in an ovalbumin (OVA)-induced asthmatic mouse model. CP and OA inhibited the inflammatory cell infiltration, airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR), and production of interleukin (IL)7 and Th2 cytokines (IL-5) in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and OVA-specific imunoglobin E (IgE) in the serum. The gene expression of IL-5, IL-13, CCR3, MUC5AC, and COX-2 was attenuated in lung tissues. CP and OA might inhibit the nuclear translocation of GATA-binding protein 3 (GATA-3) and retinoic acid receptor-related orphan receptor γt (RORγt) via the upregulation of forkhead box p3 (Foxp3), thereby preventing the activation of GATA-3 and RORγt. In the in vitro experiment, a similar result was observed for Th2 and GATA-3. These results suggest that CP has the potential for the treatment of asthma via the inhibition of the GATA-3/Th2 and IL-17/RORγt signaling pathways.
Topics: Animals; Asthma; Complex Mixtures; GATA3 Transcription Factor; Hemiptera; Interleukin-17; Male; Mice; Mice, Inbred BALB C; Nuclear Receptor Subfamily 1, Group F, Member 3; Oleic Acid; Ovalbumin; Signal Transduction; Th2 Cells
PubMed: 33806085
DOI: 10.3390/molecules26071854