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Limosilactobacillus reuteri 29A Cell-Free Supernatant Antibiofilm and Antagonistic Effects in Murine Model of Vulvovaginal Candidiasis

Boahen A, Chew SY, Neela VK, Than LTL

Probiotics Antimicrob Proteins, 2023 Dec;15(6):1681-1699.
PMID: 36881331 DOI: 10.1007/s12602-023-10050-0

Vaginal dysbiosis advocates burgeoning of devious human vaginal pathobionts like Candida species that possess multiple virulence properties and metabolic flexibility to cause infections. Inevitably, antifungal resistance may emerge due to their innate nature (e.g., biofilm formation), which assists in their virulence as well as the formation of persister cells after dispersal. In consequence, the phenomenon of biofilm involvement in vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) and its recurrence is becoming paramount. Lactic acid bacteria and their derivatives have proven to be hostile to Candida species. Here, we throw more light on the potency of the derivatives, i.e., cell-free supernatant (CFS) produced by an indigenously isolated vaginal Lactobacillus strain, Limosilactobacillus reuteri 29A. In the present study, we investigated the antibiofilm and antagonistic effects of L. reuteri 29A CFS, against biofilms of Candida species and in murine model of vulvovaginal candidiasis. In our in vitro biofilm study, the CFS disrupted and inhibited preformed biofilms of C. albicans and C. glabrata. Scanning electron microscopy displayed the destruction of preformed biofilms and impediment of C. albicans morphogenesis by the CFS. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis showed multiple key compounds that may act singly or synergistically. In vivo, the CFS showed no collateral damage to uninfected mice; the integrity of infected vaginal tissues was restored by the administration of the CFS as seen from the cytological, histopathological, and electron microscopical analyses. The results of this study document the potential use of CFS as an adjuvant or prophylactic option in addressing vaginal fungal infections.

Matched MeSH terms: Disease Models, Animal
Fulltext International links between Streptococcus pneumoniae vaccine serotype 4 sequence type (ST) 801 in Northern European shipyard outbreaks of invasive pneumococcal disease

Gladstone RA, Siira L, Brynildsrud OB, Vestrheim DF, Turner P, Clarke SC, et al.

Vaccine, 2022 Feb 11;40(7):1054-1060.
PMID: 34996643 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2021.10.046

BACKGROUND: Pneumococcal disease outbreaks of vaccine preventable serotype 4 sequence type (ST)801 in shipyards have been reported in several countries. We aimed to use genomics to establish any international links between them.
METHODS: Sequence data from ST801-related outbreak isolates from Norway (n = 17), Finland (n = 11) and Northern Ireland (n = 2) were combined with invasive pneumococcal disease surveillance from the respective countries, and ST801-related genomes from an international collection (n = 41 of > 40,000), totalling 106 genomes. Raw data were mapped and recombination excluded before phylogenetic dating.
RESULTS: Outbreak isolates were relatively diverse, with up to 100 SNPs (single nucleotide polymorphisms) and a common ancestor estimated around the year 2000. However, 19 Norwegian and Finnish isolates were nearly indistinguishable (0-2 SNPs) with the common ancestor dated around 2017.
CONCLUSION: The total diversity of ST801 within the outbreaks could not be explained by recent transmission alone, suggesting that harsh environmental and associated living conditions reported in the shipyards may facilitate invasion of colonising pneumococci. However, near identical strains in the Norwegian and Finnish outbreaks does suggest that transmission between international shipyards also contributed to those outbreaks. This indicates the need for improved preventative measures in this working population including pneumococcal vaccination.

Matched MeSH terms: Disease Outbreaks
CD38 gene polymorphism rs1130169 contribution to the increased gene expression and risk of colorectal cancer (pilot study)

Novikov DV, Perenkov AD, Shumilova SV, Kubysheva NI, Novikov VV

Mol Biol Rep, 2024 Jan 03;51(1):63.
PMID: 38170288 DOI: 10.1007/s11033-023-09034-8

BACKGROUND: Genetic variations in immune signaling genes may have regulatory effect on phenotypic heterogeneity of immune cells and immune functions, hence promoting tumor growth.
PURPOSE: We compared the frequencies of potentially functional CD38 gene single nucleotide polymorphisms rs1130169 (T > C) in 86 healthy controls and 90 colorectal cancer (CRC) cases to assess their association with cancer risk and CD38 gene expression.
RESULTS: The association between allele C rs1130169 and CRC risk was observed. Allele C was also significantly correlated with an increased CD38 mRNA level and CD38 positive cell percentages in peripheral blood of healthy controls that could be a possible explanation for CRC risk in C allele carriers. In peripheral blood of CRC patients CD38 mRNA and serum soluble CD38 protein levels significantly differed from those in healthy controls. Calculation of the CD38 full-length and with the third exon deletion mRNA ratio in corresponding samples showed that the mRNA isoform ratio was significantly higher in CRC cases than in controls. It suggests that alternative splicing regulates elevation of CD38 full-length mRNA level in peripheral blood of CRC patients. We also have observed higher expression levels of CD38 full-length mRNA in peripheral blood of CRC patients with lymph node metastases compared to patients without metastases.
CONCLUSION: This study indicated biological significance of rs1130169 variations that can alter differences in CRC risk by regulating CD38 gene expression.

Matched MeSH terms: Genetic Predisposition to Disease
Dual-Functional Tetrahedron Multivalent Aptamer Assisted Amplification-Free CRISPR/Cas12a Assay for Sensitive Detection of Salmonella

Qiao Z, Xue L, Sun M, Ma N, Shi H, Yang W, et al.

J Agric Food Chem, 2024 Jan 10;72(1):857-864.
PMID: 38134022 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jafc.3c07582

Salmonellosis continues to impose a significant economic burden globally. Rapid and sensitive detection of Salmonella is crucial to preventing the outbreaks of foodborne illnesses, yet it remains a formidable challenge. Herein, a dual-functional tetrahedron multivalent aptamer assisted amplification-free CRISPR/Cas12a assay was developed for Salmonella detection. In the system, the aptamer was programmatically assembled on the tetrahedral DNA nanostructure to fabricate a multivalent aptamer (TDN-multiApt), which displayed a 3.5-fold enhanced avidity over the monovalent aptamer and possessed four CRISPR/Cas12a targeting fragments to amplify signal. Therefore, TDN-multiApt could directly activate Cas12a to achieve the second signal amplification without any nucleic acid amplification. By virtue of the synergism of high avidity and cascaded signal amplifications, the proposed method allowed the ultrasensitive detection of Salmonella as low as 7 cfu mL-1. Meanwhile, this novel platform also exhibited excellent specificity against target bacteria and performed well in the detection of various samples, indicating its potential application in real samples.

Matched MeSH terms: Disease Outbreaks
Pharmacophore Based Virtual Screening Approach to Identify Selective PDE4B Inhibitors

Gaurav A, Gautam V

Iran J Pharm Res, 2017;16(3):910-923.
PMID: 29201082

Phosphodiesterase 4 (PDE4) has been established as a promising target in asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. PDE4B subtype selective inhibitors are known to reduce the dose limiting adverse effect associated with non-selective PDE4B inhibitors. This makes the development of PDE4B subtype selective inhibitors a desirable research goal. To achieve this goal, ligand based pharmacophore modeling approach is employed. Separate pharmacophore hypotheses for PDE4B and PDE4D inhibitors were generated using HypoGen algorithm and 106 PDE4 inhibitors from literature having thiopyrano [3,2-d] Pyrimidines, 2-arylpyrimidines, and triazines skeleton. Suitable training and test sets were created using the molecules as per the guidelines available for HypoGen program. Training set was used for hypothesis development while test set was used for validation purpose. Fisher validation was also used to test the significance of the developed hypothesis. The validated pharmacophore hypotheses for PDE4B and PDE4D inhibitors were used in sequential virtual screening of zinc database of drug like molecules to identify selective PDE4B inhibitors. The hits were screened for their estimated activity and fit value. The top hit was subjected to docking into the active sites of PDE4B and PDE4D to confirm its selectivity for PDE4B. The hits are proposed to be evaluated further using in-vitro assays.

Matched MeSH terms: Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive
Chronic Cold-Water-Induced Hypothermia Impairs Memory Retrieval and Nepeta menthoides as a Traditional "Hot" Herb Reverses the Impairment

Ahmadian-Attar MM, Ahmadiani A, Kamalinejad M, Dargahi L, Mosaddegh M

Iran J Pharm Res, 2014;13(Suppl):185-93.
PMID: 24711845

Iranian Traditional Medicine (ITM) describes a kind of dementia with similar signs and symptoms of Alzheimer's disease (AD). It explains the pathology of dementia with cold intemperament of the brain, which means that the brain is colder than its healthy form. ITM strategy for treatment of dementia is to heat the brain up by medical "hot" herbs. Nepeta menthoides (NM) is one of these "hot" herbs. To evaluate the veracity of ITM concept about dementia and its treatment, we first try to examine if coldness of brain can make memory impairment. If so, can NM reverse memory impairment? Rats in cold-water-induced hypothermic (CWH) groups were immersed up to the neck in 3.5 °C water, for 5 min during 14 consecutive days. As a control, rats were forced to swim in warm water at the same conditions. To eliminate the impact of forced swimming stress, a group of intact rats was also added. After last swimming in day 14, some groups received drug (100 or 500 mg/ Kg aqueous extract of NM) or vehicle via i.p. injection. Learning and memory were assessed by Morris water maze, and tau hyperphosphorylation was measured by western blotting. The results showed that CWH impairs learning and memory and induces tau hyperphosphorylation. 100 mg/Kg of NM reversed memory impairment as well as tau hyperphosphorylation. ITM theory about the relationship between brain hypothermia and dementia is in accordance with our findings.

Matched MeSH terms: Alzheimer Disease
Bursal transcriptome profiling of different inbred chicken lines reveals key differentially expressed genes at 3 days post-infection with very virulent infectious bursal disease virus

Farhanah MI, Yasmin AR, Mat Isa N, Hair-Bejo M, Ideris A, Powers C, et al.

J Gen Virol, 2018 Jan;99(1):21-35.
PMID: 29058656 DOI: 10.1099/jgv.0.000956

Infectious bursal disease is a highly contagious disease in the poultry industry and causes immunosuppression in chickens. Genome-wide regulations of immune response genes of inbred chickens with different genetic backgrounds, following very virulent infectious bursal disease virus (vvIBDV) infection are poorly characterized. Therefore, this study aims to analyse the bursal tissue transcriptome of six inbred chicken lines 6, 7, 15, N, O and P following infection with vvIBDV strain UK661 using strand-specific next-generation sequencing, by highlighting important genes and pathways involved in the infected chicken during peak infection at 3 days post-infection. All infected chickens succumbed to the infection without major variations among the different lines. However, based on the viral loads and bursal lesion scoring, lines P and 6 can be considered as the most susceptible lines, while lines 15 and N were regarded as the least affected lines. Transcriptome profiling of the bursa identified 4588 genes to be differentially expressed, with 2985 upregulated and 1642 downregulated genes, in which these genes were commonly or uniquely detected in all or several infected lines. Genes that were upregulated are primarily pro-inflammatory cytokines, chemokines and IFN-related. Various genes that are associated with B-cell functions and genes related to apoptosis were downregulated, together with the genes involved in p53 signalling. In conclusion, bursal transcriptome profiles of different inbred lines showed differential expressions of pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines, Th1 cytokines, JAK-STAT signalling genes, MAPK signalling genes, and their related pathways following vvIBDV infection.

Matched MeSH terms: Disease Susceptibility; Infectious bursal disease virus/growth & development; Infectious bursal disease virus/pathogenicity*
Fulltext Effects of Photodynamic Therapy on Tumor Metabolism and Oxygenation Revealed by Fluorescence and Phosphorescence Lifetime Imaging

Shirmanova MV, Lukina MM, Sirotkina MA, Shimolina LE, Dudenkova VV, Ignatova NI, et al.

Int J Mol Sci, 2024 Jan 30;25(3).
PMID: 38338976 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25031703

This work was aimed at the complex analysis of the metabolic and oxygen statuses of tumors in vivo after photodynamic therapy (PDT). Studies were conducted on mouse tumor model using two types of photosensitizers-chlorin e6-based drug Photoditazine predominantly targeted to the vasculature and genetically encoded photosensitizer KillerRed targeted to the chromatin. Metabolism of tumor cells was assessed by the fluorescence lifetime of the metabolic redox-cofactor NAD(P)H, using fluorescence lifetime imaging. Oxygen content was assessed using phosphorescence lifetime macro-imaging with an oxygen-sensitive probe. For visualization of the perfused microvasculature, an optical coherence tomography-based angiography was used. It was found that PDT induces different alterations in cellular metabolism, depending on the degree of oxygen depletion. Moderate decrease in oxygen in the case of KillerRed was accompanied by an increase in the fraction of free NAD(P)H, an indicator of glycolytic switch, early after the treatment. Severe hypoxia after PDT with Photoditazine resulted from a vascular shutdown yielded in a persistent increase in protein-bound (mitochondrial) fraction of NAD(P)H. These findings improve our understanding of physiological mechanisms of PDT in cellular and vascular modes and can be useful to develop new approaches to monitoring its efficacy.

Matched MeSH terms: Disease Models, Animal
Global, regional, and national burdens of depressive disorders in adolescents and young adults aged 10-24 years from 1990 to 2019: A trend analysis based on the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019

Luo J, Tang L, Kong X, Li Y

Asian J Psychiatr, 2024 Feb;92:103905.
PMID: 38262303 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajp.2023.103905

BACKGROUND: Depressive disorders (DD) including dysthymia and major depressive disorder (MDD) are common among adolescents and young adults. However, global trends in DD burden remain unclear.
METHODS: We analysed data from the Global Burden of Disease 2019 study on incidence, prevalence, disability-adjusted life years (DALYs), and mortality due to DD from 1990 to 2019 at global, regional and national levels.
RESULTS: Globally, dysthymia incidence increased notably in females, older age groups, and lower-middle income countries from 1990 to 2019. In contrast, MDD incidence decreased slightly over this period except in high-income North America. Females and middle-income countries had the highest dysthymia burden while North America had the highest MDD incidence and DALYs. Oman and Malaysia experienced largest increases in dysthymia and MDD burden respectively.
CONCLUSION: Despite certain global indicators suggesting a leveling off or decrease, it's clear that depressive disorders continue to be a significant and increasing issue, particularly among women, teenagers, and young adults. Differences between regions and countries indicate that specific interventions aimed at addressing economic inequalities, improving healthcare systems, and taking cultural factors into account could make a real difference in lessening the burden of depressive disorders. More research is needed to understand what's driving these trends so that we can develop better strategies for preventing and managing these conditions.

Matched MeSH terms: Global Burden of Disease
Increased RUNX1 mutations in breast cancer disease progression

Ariffin NS

Pathol Res Pract, 2024 Feb;254:155076.
PMID: 38219493 DOI: 10.1016/j.prp.2023.155076

Despite advances in screening, therapy and surveillance, breast cancer remains threatening to women. Worst, patients suffer from side effects of treatments and cancer cells become resistant. The emergence of RUNX1 in breast cancer has put it in a spotlight due to its roles in the disease progression. It also plays important roles in normal mammary glands such as for cell growth, proliferation, migration and stemness. However, mutations in the RUNX1 gene have changed the regulation of these phenotypes and the full spectrum of its implications in breast cancer patients is unknown. In this study therefore, the pattern of RUNX1 mutations in breast cancer patients was examined to understand its fundamental impacts on the disease. The perturbation of RUNX1 and its mutations in breast cancer was elucidated through different studies reported in cBioPortal in the past ten years. From our analyses, the majority of RUNX1 mutations were found in the primary breast cancer, with women constituted most of the mutations, especially on the left side of the breast. Similarly, increased number of mutations was observed in ER-positive breast cancer patients and this was also the case at the early stage of the disease development. The level of RUNX1 mutations also increased gradually as patients got older and the peak was highest in the patients of 60-70 years old. Altogether, these data indicated that the mutated RUNX1 gene contributed to the progression of breast cancer and understanding of its regulatory mechanisms is crucial to therapeutically target this gene in the future.

Matched MeSH terms: Disease Progression
Fulltext The paediatric global musculoskeletal task force - 'towards better MSK health for all'

Foster HE, Scott C, Tiderius CJ, Dobbs MB

Pediatr Rheumatol Online J, 2020 Jul 14;18(1):60.
PMID: 32664961 DOI: 10.1186/s12969-020-00451-8

There is increasing concern about the emerging global non-communicable diseases (NCDs) burden. The focus has mainly been on NCDs in adults but it is important that MSK morbidity in both children and adults is included in strategic planning. There have been considerable advances in the understanding and treatment options for children and young people (CYP) and clinical outcomes are improving for those who can access such high quality care. However vast inequity exists and there are many CYP who live in areas of the world with high burden of health care challenges, compounded by paucity of specialist care and limited access to treatments. The Paediatric Global Musculoskeletal Task Force aims to raise awareness about unmet needs for CYP with MSK conditions, promotion of MSK health through lifestyle and the avoidance of injury. We aim to leverage change through 'working together better'.

Matched MeSH terms: Global Burden of Disease
Fulltext Predictors of stakeholders' intention to adopt nutrigenomics

Mustapa MAC, Amin L, Frewer LJ

Genes Nutr, 2020 Sep 22;15(1):16.
PMID: 32962632 DOI: 10.1186/s12263-020-00676-y

BACKGROUND: Nutrigenomics is an emerging science that studies the relationship between genes, diet and nutrients that can help prevent chronic disease. The development of this science depends on whether the public accept its application; therefore, predicting their intention to adopt it is important for its successful implementation.
OBJECTIVE: This study aims to analyse Malaysian stakeholders' intentions to adopt nutrigenomics, and determines the factors that influence their intentions.
METHODS: A survey was conducted based on the responses of 421 adults (aged 18 years and older) and comprising two stakeholder groups: healthcare providers (n = 221) and patients (n = 200) who were located in the Klang Valley, Malaysia. The SPSS software was used to analyse the descriptive statistics of intention to adopt nutrigenomics and the SmartPLS software was used to determine the predicting factors affecting their decisions to adopt nutrigenomics.
RESULTS: The results show that the stakeholders perceived the benefits of nutrigenomics as outweighing its risks, suggesting that the perceived benefits represent the most important direct predictor of the intention to adopt nutrigenomics. The perceived risks of nutrigenomics, trust in key players, engagement with medical genetics and religiosity also predict the intention to adopt nutrigenomics. Additionally, the perceived benefits of nutrigenomics served as a mediator for four factors: perceived risks of nutrigenomics, engagement with medical genetics, trust in key players and religiosity, whilst the perceived risks were a mediator for engagement with medical genetics.
CONCLUSION: The findings of this study suggest that the intentions of Malaysian stakeholders to adopt nutrigenomics are a complex decision-making process where all the previously mentioned factors interact. Although the results showed that the stakeholders in Malaysia were highly positive towards nutrigenomics, they were also cautious about adopting it.

Matched MeSH terms: Chronic Disease
Psychosocial assessment of quarantine (sign-on and sign-off) among oil and gas workers in Malaysia during COVID-19 outbreak

Shohaime NA, Masngut MI, Aris MSM

Med J Malaysia, 2024 Mar;79(Suppl 1):96-103.
PMID: 38555892

INTRODUCTION: COVID-19 still wreaking havoc in Malaysia, with 3,221,680 cases and 32,326 deaths as of 20 February 2022. In the Oil and Gas industry, implementing quarantine before mobilising to or after mobilising from onshore and offshore locations was mandatory to help stop the spread of the virus. However, previous studies have shown that quarantine can significantly impact public mental health. This study intends to assess the psychosocial stress experienced by Oil and Gas industry employees during periods of quarantine in various regions (PMA: Terengganu, SBA: Sabah, SKA: Sarawak) and between onshore and offshore employees. Additionally, it aims to identify the factors that are linked to psychosocial stress in this workforce.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study involving 86 respondents was conducted using an online survey between the middle of March and April 2022. The Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) developed by Cohen et al., (1983) was used to assess the stress levels of individuals. Data analysis was carried out using the SPSS statistical program, which included descriptive statistics, Mann-Whitney, Kruskal Wallis and Linear Regression tests.
RESULTS: The majority of respondents, 75.6% (n=65) reported moderate stress levels, while 14.0% (n=12) declared severe stress levels. The Mann-Whitney test showed no significant difference in psychosocial stress scores among workers between onshore and offshore (χ2=-0.523, p=0.601), whereas the Kruskal Wallis test showed a significant difference in psychosocial stress scores among workers between states (PMA, SKA, and SBA) (χ2=6.415, p=0.040). According to the regression test, workers with medical histories of diabetes and Covid-19 (R2=0.158) (p<0.005) are two factors linked to psychosocial stress.
CONCLUSION: The study found that there were significant differences in psychosocial stress among oil and gas workers between SKA, SBA, and PMA due to quarantine activity. Mobile workers and those with certain medical histories were identified as being particularly vulnerable to psychosocial stress. However, it was noted that the overall improvement in the quarantine period had a positive impact on the mental health of these workers.

Matched MeSH terms: Disease Outbreaks
Fulltext Lives versus Livelihoods? Perceived economic risk has a stronger association with support for COVID-19 preventive measures than perceived health risk

Nisa CF, Bélanger JJ, Faller DG, Buttrick NR, Mierau JO, Austin MMK, et al.

Sci Rep, 2021 May 06;11(1):9669.
PMID: 33958617 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-88314-4

This paper examines whether compliance with COVID-19 mitigation measures is motivated by wanting to save lives or save the economy (or both), and which implications this carries to fight the pandemic. National representative samples were collected from 24 countries (N = 25,435). The main predictors were (1) perceived risk to contract coronavirus, (2) perceived risk to suffer economic losses due to coronavirus, and (3) their interaction effect. Individual and country-level variables were added as covariates in multilevel regression models. We examined compliance with various preventive health behaviors and support for strict containment policies. Results show that perceived economic risk consistently predicted mitigation behavior and policy support-and its effects were positive. Perceived health risk had mixed effects. Only two significant interactions between health and economic risk were identified-both positive.

Matched MeSH terms: Communicable Disease Control
Fulltext Trust predicts COVID-19 prescribed and discretionary behavioral intentions in 23 countries

Pagliaro S, Sacchi S, Pacilli MG, Brambilla M, Lionetti F, Bettache K, et al.

PLoS One, 2021;16(3):e0248334.
PMID: 33690672 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0248334

The worldwide spread of a new coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) since December 2019 has posed a severe threat to individuals' well-being. While the world at large is waiting that the released vaccines immunize most citizens, public health experts suggest that, in the meantime, it is only through behavior change that the spread of COVID-19 can be controlled. Importantly, the required behaviors are aimed not only at safeguarding one's own health. Instead, individuals are asked to adapt their behaviors to protect the community at large. This raises the question of which social concerns and moral principles make people willing to do so. We considered in 23 countries (N = 6948) individuals' willingness to engage in prescribed and discretionary behaviors, as well as country-level and individual-level factors that might drive such behavioral intentions. Results from multilevel multiple regressions, with country as the nesting variable, showed that publicized number of infections were not significantly related to individual intentions to comply with the prescribed measures and intentions to engage in discretionary prosocial behaviors. Instead, psychological differences in terms of trust in government, citizens, and in particular toward science predicted individuals' behavioral intentions across countries. The more people endorsed moral principles of fairness and care (vs. loyalty and authority), the more they were inclined to report trust in science, which, in turn, statistically predicted prescribed and discretionary behavioral intentions. Results have implications for the type of intervention and public communication strategies that should be most effective to induce the behavioral changes that are needed to control the COVID-19 outbreak.

Matched MeSH terms: Disease Outbreaks
Fulltext Weathering the Crisis: A Case of Thyroid Crisis with Propranolol-Induced Circulatory Collapse Successfully Treated with Therapeutic Plasma Exchange

Cheah JM, Ng D, Low MY, Foo SH

J ASEAN Fed Endocr Soc, 2019;34(2):206-209.
PMID: 33442157 DOI: 10.15605/jafes.034.02.12

Thyroid crisis is a life-threatening form of thyrotoxicosis characterized by multi-system dysfunction. Therapeutic plasma exchange has been reported to be effective in removing excessive circulating thyroid hormones. We present a 46-year-old female with recently diagnosed Graves' disease associated with thyrotoxic cardiomyopathy admitted for thyroid crisis complicated by propranolol-induced circulatory collapse, acute kidney injury and ischemic hepatitis. The tachyarrhythmia was refractory to conventional therapy. Initiation of TPE resulted in rapid clinical and biochemical stabilization.

Matched MeSH terms: Graves Disease
Fulltext Autoimmune Thyroiditis as Initial Presentation of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Complicated by Massive Ascites: A Case Report

Abdullah NRA, Akbar RZA

J ASEAN Fed Endocr Soc, 2017;32(1):50-53.
PMID: 33442085 DOI: 10.15605/jafes.032.01.09

Autoimmune thyroiditis in the course of other autoimmune diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is common because these disorders are attributed to the production of autoantibodies against various autoantigens. Beyond this association, autoimmune thyroiditis can occur before, during or after the development of SLE. In this report, we describe a female who presented with facial puffiness, lethargy and progressive abdominal distension. She was diagnosed with autoimmune thyroiditis followed by the diagnosis of SLE complicated by a massive ascites, a rare form of lupus peritonitis, which is sterile ascites that results from severe serositis. Her presentation was complex and posed a diagnostic challenge and dilemma to the physicians involved in her care.

Matched MeSH terms: Hashimoto Disease
Fulltext Eradication of Helicobacter pylori infection improves levodopa action, clinical symptoms and quality of life in patients with Parkinson's disease

Hashim H, Azmin S, Razlan H, Yahya NW, Tan HJ, Manaf MR, et al.

PLoS One, 2014;9(11):e112330.
PMID: 25411976 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0112330

BACKGROUND: Previous studies have demonstrated a higher prevalence of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) compared to controls. H. pylori infection affects levodopa absorption and its eradication significantly improves clinical response to levodopa. Here, we studied the prevalence of H. pylori infection and its eradication effects among our PD patients.
METHODS: A prospective study involving idiopathic PD patients on levodopa therapy. 13C-urea breath test (UBT) was used to detect H. pylori. UBT-positive patients were given standard eradication therapy and followed up at 6 and 12 weeks in an open label single arm design. Repeat UBT was performed at 12 weeks. The UPDRS, PD NMQ, PD NMSS and PDQ-39 were administered at baseline and post-eradication (6 and 12 weeks). Levodopa 'onset' time and ON-duration were recorded.
RESULTS: Of 82 patients recruited, 27 (32.9%) had positive UBT. H. pylori-positive patients had significantly poorer total UPDRS (p = 0.005) and PDQ39 (p<0.0001) scores compared to H. pylori-negative patients. At 12 weeks post-eradication, the mean levodopa onset time shortened by 14 minutes (p = 0.011). The mean ON duration time increased by 56 minutes at week 6 (p = 0.041) and 38 minutes at week 12 (p = 0.035). The total UPDRS scores (p<0.0001), scores for parts II (p = 0.001), III (p<0.0001) and IV (p = 0.009) were significantly better. The total PDQ-39 scores (p = 0.001) and subdomains mobility (p = 0.002), ADL (p = 0.001), emotional well being (p = 0.026) and stigma (p = 0.034) significantly improved. The PD NMSQ did not show significant improvement.
CONCLUSIONS: H. pylori eradication improved levodopa onset time, ON duration, motor severity and quality of life parameters. Screening and eradication of H. pylori is inexpensive and should be recommended in PD patients, particularly those with erratic response to levodopa.
TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02112812.

Matched MeSH terms: Parkinson Disease/drug therapy*; Parkinson Disease/microbiology*; Parkinson Disease/pathology
Fulltext Medicinal Plants and Their Inhibitory Activities against Pancreatic Lipase: A Review

Seyedan A, Alshawsh MA, Alshagga MA, Koosha S, Mohamed Z

Evid Based Complement Alternat Med, 2015;2015:973143.
PMID: 26640503 DOI: 10.1155/2015/973143

Obesity is recognized as a major life style disorder especially in developing countries and it is prevailing at an alarming speed in new world countries due to fast food intake, industrialization, and reduction of physical activity. Furthermore, it is associated with a vast number of chronic diseases and disabilities. To date, relatively effective drugs, from either natural or synthetic sources, are generally associated with serious side effects, often leading to cessation of clinical trials or even withdrawal from the market. In order to find new compounds which are more effective or with less adverse effects compared to orlistat, the drug that has been approved for obesity, new compounds isolated from natural products are being identified and screened for antiobesity effects, in particular, for their pancreatic lipase inhibitory effect. Pancreatic lipase inhibitory activity has been extensively used for the determination of potential efficacy of natural products as antiobesity agents. In attempts to identify natural products for overcoming obesity, more researches have been focused on the identification of newer pancreatic lipase inhibitors with less unpleasant adverse effects. In this review, we consider the potential role of plants that have been investigated for their pancreatic lipase inhibitory activity.

Matched MeSH terms: Chronic Disease
Fulltext Eight Weeks of Cosmos caudatus (Ulam Raja) Supplementation Improves Glycemic Status in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Cheng SH, Ismail A, Anthony J, Ng OC, Hamid AA, Barakatun-Nisak MY

Evid Based Complement Alternat Med, 2015;2015:405615.
PMID: 26713097 DOI: 10.1155/2015/405615

Objectives. Optimizing glycemic control is crucial to prevent type 2 diabetes related complications. Cosmos caudatus is reported to have promising effect in improving plasma blood glucose in an animal model. However, its impact on human remains ambiguous. This study was carried out to evaluate the effectiveness of C. caudatus on glycemic status in patients with type 2 diabetes. Materials and Methods. In this randomized controlled trial with two-arm parallel-group design, a total of 101 subjects with type 2 diabetes were randomly allocated to diabetic-ulam or diabetic controls for eight weeks. Subjects in diabetic-ulam group consumed 15 g of C. caudatus daily for eight weeks while diabetic controls abstained from taking C. caudatus. Both groups received the standard lifestyle advice. Results. After 8 weeks of supplementation, C. caudatus significantly reduced serum insulin (-1.16 versus +3.91), reduced HOMA-IR (-1.09 versus +1.34), and increased QUICKI (+0.05 versus -0.03) in diabetic-ulam group compared with the diabetic controls. HbA1C level was improved although it is not statistically significant (-0.76% versus -0.37%). C. caudatus was safe to consume. Conclusions. C. caudatus supplementation significantly improves insulin resistance and insulin sensitivity in patients with type 2 diabetes.

Matched MeSH terms: Disease Models, Animal

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