Antimicrobial Efficacy of Callus and in Vitro Leaf Extracts of Sapindus Mukorossi Gaertn. Against Pathogenic Microbes

                     http://mathewsopenaccess.com/pharmaceutical-science-current-issue.html

Sapindus mukorossi is well known medicinal and economical plant. Antibacterial and antifungal activities were evaluated from various extracts (ethanolic, methanolic and aqueous) of callus and in vitro leaf against several Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria and clinically isolated fungus. Antimicrobial activities were more in in vitro leaf extracts. Callus extract have showed antibacterial activity against S. aureus and E. coli. Maximum inhibition zone (8.06±0.17 mm) was observed against C. tropicalis from methanolic extracts of in vitro leaf. In vitro leaf extracts have shown efficient antifungal activity. Callus and in vitro leaf extract can be used for production of different phytochemicals and plant based antibiotics.

Plants are rich source of secondary metabolites and have great therapeutic potential to treat various diseases. A large population of world uses plant based principles for their primary health care. Medicinal plants may be proved as best source of a variety of drugs. About 20% of plants present in the world have been examined for pharmaceuticals and biological tests. The commonly present antibiotics are either derived from natural or synthetic resources. Several researchers have reported the various biological activities such as antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, anti-HIV, anti-cancer, antidiabetic etc. from different group of plants. Current research shows that researchers and medical professionals are more interested in the use of indigenous drugs for the cure of human health ailments. Due to expensiveness and more side effects of synthetic drugs clinical microbiologists are paying their attention for screening of medicinal plants for phytochemicals and antimicrobial activity as potent therapeutics. Antimicrobial activities of medicinal plants are due to presence of different groups of phytochemicals such as alkaloids, polyphenolic compounds, terpenoids, lignans etc. Human pathogens are developing drug resistance against commonly used antibiotics have compelled researchers for searching new antimicrobial substances from other natural sources including plants. So, there is an essential need to develop a new generation of antibiotics from natural source. S. mukorossi Gaertn. is a popular medicinal and economical tree and well-known for their therapeutic values. S. mukorossi plant is rich in antioxidants and polyphenolic compounds and exhibiting antioxidants properties. Earlier, Aneja et al. have assessed the antibacterial activity of fruit extract against dental caries causing pathogen. Antimicrobial activities of leaf and fruit extracts of this plant were also evaluated on some bacteria and fungus. For the validation of antimicrobial potential of this plant this research study was undertaken. This is the first report of antimicrobial activity by using callus and in vitro leaf (IVL) extracts.

Leaves of S. mukorossi were collected from the campus of Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, in the month of April. Callus and IVL were regenerated by following the protocol of Singh et al. Callus was shade dried at room temperature for 4-5 days and at 40-45°C for 2 h and grinded in mechanical grinder to make coarse powder. Five gram of callus powder was extracted in 150 ml of solvents for 10 h using Soxhlet apparatus. Ethanol, methanol and double distilled water were used as solvents for the extraction. Extracts were then dried at 40°C in rotary evaporator and stored at -20°C for further use. Test samples were prepared in different concentrations for further experiments in their respective extraction solvents. In vitro leaf (200 mg) was collected and grinded in mortar and pestle by adding the solvents. Finally, volume of extract was maintained about 20 ml.

Many Disabled Adults Aren't Screened for Colon Cancer: Study

                                                      www.mathewsopenaccess.com

American grown-ups with inabilities have bring down colon growth screening rates than different grown-ups, another review finds.Researchers looked into South Carolina Medicaid and Medicare claims, state wellbeing arrangement cases and doctor's facility release information from 2000 to 2009. 

Around 48 percent of the overall public revealed having routine screenings, contrasted with 34 percent of those with scholarly incapacities; 44 percent of those with spinal rope wounds, and 46 percent of individuals with visual impairment or constrained sight. 

"These people may not be routinely screened for colon malignancy because of an absence of instruction and mindfulness, transportation challenges or different hindrances," think about creator Chelsea Deroche said in a University of Missouri-Columbia news discharge. She is an aide teacher in the Department of Health Management and Informatics. 

"These discoveries bolster the requirement for expanded mindfulness and focused on support outreach endeavors to both doctors and parental figures to guarantee all people are screened suitably," she included. 

Colon tumor is fourth most basic sort of disease in the United States and the second driving reason for malignancy passings. Deroche noticed that just about 60 percent of these passings could be avoided if individuals would get standard screenings beginning at age 50.

Is Fecal Transplant a Solution to our Civilized State of Health?

         http://www.mathewsopenaccess.com/gastroenterology-hepatology-current-issue.html

“I am not what happen to me, I am what I choose to become” (Carl Gustav Jung) 1875. With the start of the 21st century people all over the world became integrated with each other, in food, habits and communication, so changes reached the core of the human body. New diseases had erupted and diseases not known in certain societies became known and widely spread. The 20th century was known as the century of antibiotics. The hygiene hypothesis was introduced and other hypotheses were also suggested to explain the increase surge of certain diseases and abolishment of others. The hygiene hypothesis stated that early exposure to germs will cause the immune system to steer towards infection-fighting mode, and away from over-reacting to normally benign substances. The Microbiota hypothesis stated that the assumption that a modern/industrialized lifestyle leads to altered microbial diversity which affects the etiology of some disease. The Biodiversity hypothesis, which is extension of both the hygiene and microbiota hypothesis, provides a link between the two. The Pathobiont theory stated that some potentially pathogenic bacteria that coexist in very low abundance with the commensal bacteria in a healthy individual, exhibit pathogenic properties, whenever there is dysbiosis, causing immune activation and inflammation. All the above theories stress on the fact that composition of microbial flora has an effect on human body and development of diseases and health state. With all these explanations we could not reach to a satisfactory and convincing complete explanation why our health, immunity, and quality of life are deteriorating. So if we manipulate the microbial flora, can we make a difference in human health and diseases?

Here came the idea of fecal microbial transplant (FMT). Fecal microbial transplant came to the surface of therapy. History of FMT is long, but the first true fecal transport occurs while the fetus is normally vaginally delivered [6]. FMT, also known as a stool transplant, is the process of inoculation or transferring fecal bacteria from a healthy individual into a recipient. FMT entails restoration of the gut microflora by introducing healthy bacterial flora via stool infusion. 

The gut microbiota consists of different functional microorganisms such as candidate probiotics and viable beneficial microorganisms. Probiotics have several effects including improving intestinal epithelial cell function, modulating cytokine secretion profiles, protecting against physiologic stress, affecting T-lymphocyte populations, and increasing antibody secretion. Probiotics have provided significant therapeutic options for various diseases through different mechanisms. Probiotics communicate with the host by modulating the main signaling pathways, such as nuclear factor kappa B (NFκB) and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) to enhance or suppress activation and affect downstream pathways. Hence, beneficial microbes can greatly change the physiology of the gastrointestinal tract. Understanding their mechanisms of action could lead to new diagnostic and therapeutic methods.

Beliefs about Anti-Seizure Medications-A Possible Reason for Low Adherence

                               http://www.mathewsopenaccess.com/neurology-current-issue.html

Adherence to anti-seizure medications (ASMs) is one of the several important epilepsy-related challenges. Adherence is an extremely intricate and poorly understood subject but clearly a health-promoting behavior, both in general and for epilepsy. Besides several operational and culture-related reasons, one of the infrequently explored culture-oriented possible reasons for non-adherence among epilepsy subjects is the beliefs epilepsy patients have about ASMs. In general, it is reported that patient’s (or probably family’s as well) beliefs affect adherence and outcome of treatment. Also, it is reported that beliefs of those who intentionally adhere are different from those of intentional non-adherers. With regards to epilepsy, only three studies have been reportedly performed, all in Westernized populations, that have provided mixed results regarding patient’s beliefs and their relation to non-adherence. 

Another survey amongepilepsy patients in an American population found patient’s beliefs robust enough to determine treatment outcome. How this may work in societies that are hierarchical, cultureoriented, and take decisions collectively in a family? In a recent survey in Tehran (Iran), it was found that patients do have inherent concerns regarding ASMs, particularly regarding dependence and long-term use of ASMs, however ‘necessity’ of ASMs prevailed for them over ‘concerns’ of ASMs since most patients (78.2%) were found to have good adherence, as tested with a locally-validated medication adherence rating scale. This was despite the fact that 54.5% consider epilepsy as supernatural, 91.2% had convulsive seizures and 52.2% were on polytherapy. Thus, it is likely that despite their inherent concerns about ASMs, patients may still remain adherent to ASMs. Having concerns (real or myth) about use of medications is not limited to ASMs but widely present for other medications as well, such as insulin which are widely considered as addictive. From our work in Iran, it was also observed that such beliefs may only have a partial impact on adherence. For instance, 14.0% estimated possible variance in adherence due to ‘worry about becoming too dependent on ASMs in the longterm’. 

Moreover, the impact of such patient’s undue beliefs about ASMs can be mitigated through good patient-doctor interaction as well as being in a hierarchical society with unequal power dynamics between patients and doctors. Support for these can be taken from results as well, for instance ASMs was not considered a ‘mystery’ by most patients (73.9%) which may support a good communication and ‘concordance’ between patient and doctor; a method of positive health outcome. Also, when patients adhere despite concerns about medications may suggest a traditional medical model wherein relationship between doctor and patient is of unequal power dynamics and patient may not necessarily be the one who ultimately decides whether or not they adhere to the recommended regimen. Overall, use of medications would almost always have some concerns in patient’s mind. Such concerns are not limited to ASMs. Undue patient beliefs may be present but may not always be practically influential towards medication adherence in every society. Moreover, patient beliefs may explain practical influence on non-adherence to a partial extent alone. Undue patient beliefs can be mitigated through good doctor-patient interaction and being in a traditional medical model with unequal power dynamics. A concordance (such as between patient and doctor) is therefore essential to keep patients adherent to medications.

The Ghost Aim in Medical Research – A Subjective Limit in Intake to Prevent Fattening/Insulin Resistance/Overall Inflammation

                          http://www.mathewsopenaccess.com/pediatrics-current-issue.html

The division had a start when I read the Handbook of Physiology of the American Society for Physiology, in 1967. I was charged with the treatment of malnutrition and diarrhoea in the University of Florence. I read the handbook to become aware about mucosal digestion and absorption. At that time, these points had to be diagnosed to treat malnourished children. Before beginning any research, I intended to adapt intake to intestinal physiology. I read that 50% - 60% or more immune cells of the human body reside in the mucosa of small intestine (Mowat, 1987, 44; Brandtzaeg et al., 1989; Abrams, 1977). Bacteria grow in small and large intestine by slow energy production without oxygen use. All fibers and small amounts of sugars, carbohydrates, proteins, fats escape intestinal digestion and provide energy for one bacterial replication per day (Hungate, 1967). 

Food avoided absorption due either to excessive intake or to incapability to be digested. Fibers like cellulose and pectin escape digestion and promote slow growth of poorly immunogenic bacteria species and prevent harmful microbiome developments. Bacterial growth becomes immunogenic and harmful when energy dense food is largely available. In the mammal intestine, bacterial indiscriminate, harmful growth is proportionate to a positive energy balance in blood and in body. Thus I studied bacteria number on intestinal mucosa in time after last meal. A longer interval from the meal produced a decrease in bacteria number. An increase in mucosal and overall immune stimulation is associated with bacteria growth on intestinal mucosa, with preprandial blood glucose (BG) and with a slowdown of meal absorption (Ciampolini et al., 1996; 2000). Energy balance directly affects these correlated variables either increasing or lowering the conflict between bacteria activity and mucosal immune response. The initial hunger meal pattern (IHMP) was devised to reduce bacterial growth and reduce the mucosal.

immune response at nutrient absorption. This conflictual state between bacteria and mucosa has been confirmed (Cooper, Siadaty, 2014; Mccoy, Köller, 2015). The many successful cures of gastrointestinal pathologies suggest that the conflictual theory that was used for recovery was objective, i.e. reproduced the events in small and large intestine. In this view, the question:” what food provokes cancer?” is absurd. Malignancy needs to be surveilled and prevented through an increase in efficiency of immune system (Kristensen, 2017). Lower intestinal stimulation may be the way to achieve higher immune efficiency also in the body (Abrams, 1977; Brandtzaeg et al, 1989; Ciampolini et al, 1996; Kubes, Meahl, 2012; Lynch, Pedersen, 2016). 

Thus health(general immune efficiency) follows the relation between energy intake and expenditure. Hundreds or thousands of bacterial species live and multiply in the intestine, 5% - 15% of the species elicit IgG production, the intestinal mucosa responds with an immune reaction and, lastly, the immune stimulation by bacterial antigens spreads of to all body tissues (Overall Subclinical Inflammation). Thus, many observations sustain the conflictual view for the absorption of every energy dense food. Unfortunately, a different, confounding opinion may be repeated by a high number of researchers and become the dominant view. Now, hundreds of scientific Journals ask me for submitting articles. I am alone and cannot produce hundred articles that are new and different each other to repeat the statements about the conflictual absorption and the IHMP solution for health maintenance and recovery. Yet, the upsurge of malignant and vascular risks, not to mention malnutrition that affects one billion of malnourished people, impose to spread the awareness on this “ghost aim”.  

Atrial Fibrillation: A Theoretical Assumption and a New Perspective

The most common cardiac arrhythmia in clinical practice is atrial fibrillation (AF). The cause for the development of AF has been investigated by many studies, however, the question remains unanswered. A recently published hypothesis suggested that atrial fibrillation is a physiological mechanism, of protective value, based on the discontinuation of atrial mechanical systole. This lowers the pressure within the system of the pulmonary veins and alveolar capillaries, in pathological situations, and as a result reduces the probability for development of pulmonary congestion and edema. This hypothesis explains the connection between left ventricle (LV) dysfunction and AF, helps with designing algorithms of relationships between AF and LV dysfunction, and with various diseases and conditions, suggests a new approach to the location of the source of AF and shows a protective function of the atriums in the development of LV dysfunction. There is a correlation between this hypothesis and the known facts and phenomenons associated with AF.

It is known that the most common arrhythmia in clinical practice is atrial fibrillation (AF) and is very often associated with LV dysfunction / heart failure (HF). It is called the epidemic of the century. An arrhythmia that is particulary common in the elderly, AF is growing in prevalence with the ageing of the population. In addition to age, there are many types of cardiac and medical conditions that are also closely linked to AF. These include hypertention, coronary artery disease, heart failure, valvular heart diseases, hyperthyroidism and so on. Despite the fact that there have been many studies carried out on the subject of “AF-a cause or consequence?”, the question remains unanswered.

In the years 2015-2016 the new hypothesis was proposed, which assumes that AF is a protective physiological mechanism in the cases of LV dysfunction/heart failure and it answers many questions related to the AF. The reasoning of the hypothesis is as follows. The end diastolic pressure (EDP) is the algebraic sum of the left ventricle diastolic pressure (LVdp) and left atrial systolic pressure (atrial kick pressure, AKp). EDP=LVdp+AKP. Normal range of EDP is 8-12 mm Hg, AKp is 2-6 mm Hg. At the end of the diastole when the mitral valve(MV) is still open, EDP immediately transmitted and equalized (according to hydrodynamic law) throughout the communicating system of the LV, LA, pulmonary veins(PV), and alveolar capillaries(AC), as there are no obstacles to the spread of the EDP wave. EDP is thus equal to pulmonary wedge pressure (PWP) with a normal range of 8-12 mm Hg. In the conditions of LV dysfunction (HF varying degrees), EDP increases due to failure of the LV (i.e. LV diastolic pressure component increases). EDP = LVsp + AKp. This increased EDP at the end of diastole with opened MV transmits to the entire communicating system of the LA-PV-AC and with the increased PWP, but with the threat of exit of fluid through the alveolar-capillary membrane. When PWP increases to 20 mm Hg, pulmonary edema is usually present.

The CT and MRI Findings of Fibrinous Sialodochitis

                   http://www.mathewsopenaccess.com/case-reports-current-issue.html

Fibrinous sialodochitis is a very rare disease in which the recurrent swelling of the salivary gland is caused by the obstruction of the glandular duct by a fibrinous material. Few studies have reported both the computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings of fibrinous sialodochitis. We reported a forty-nine-year-old man with this disease including CT and MRI findings. His chief complaint was the recurrent swelling of the bilateral submandibular regions. When his primary dentist pushed them strongly, a whitish jelly-like material and a large amount of clear saliva were expelled from the duct orifices of the submandibular glands. A CT and MRI findings showed the retention of saliva in the glandular duct and no abnormal sign of the glandular parts. On a cytological examination, the material included fibrinous substances and numerous eosinophils. According to clinical, radiological and cytological findings, the patient was diagnosed with fibrinous sialodochitis. The management included the massage to compress the salivary glands, the administration of antihistamines and steroids, and irrigation of the ducts of submandibular glands using a saline solution. The number of times of the swelling of the submandibular regions decreased.

Fibrinous sialodochitis is a very rare disease. It is characterized by the recurrent swelling of the salivary gland, which is caused by the obstruction of the duct by a fibrinous material. When the salivary glands are compressed, a fibrinous material is expressed from the duct orifice, and the swelling disappears. To our knowledge, there were only sixteen case reports about fibrinous sialodochitis in the English literature. However, few studies have reported both the computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings of fibrinous sialodochitis. We herein present a case of fibrinous sialodochitis and report the CT and MRI findings.

A forty nine-year-old man was referred for the evaluation and treatment of recurrent swelling in the submandibular region from a general dental clinic to Osaka University Dental Hospital. His chief complaint was the recurrent swelling of the bilateral submandibular region over a one-year period. He did not have pain or fever. His medical and family histories were unremarkable.